Cleaning device

Abstract

The present invention is a cleaning device ( 10 ), including an elongated substantially tubular portion ( 12 ) extending a long a first axis (A-A) and a blade element ( 14 ) attached to and extending away from the elongated tubular portion ( 12 ). The blade element ( 14 ) has a base portion ( 16 ) and an edge portion ( 18 ), and the edge portion ( 18 ) extends along a second axis (B-B), which is parallel to the first axis (A-A) of the tubular portion ( 12 ). Both the tubular portion ( 12 ) and the blade element ( 14 ) are manufactured from a flexible and deformable material having excellent memory characteristics.

1 . A cleaning device, comprising; 
 an elongated substantially tubular portion extending along a first axis; and    a blade element attached to and extending away from the elongated tubular portion, the blade element having a base portion and an edge portion, the edge portion extending along a second axis substantially parallel to the first axis of the tubular portion;    wherein, the tubular portion and the blade element are substantially flexible and deformable, and    wherein the tubular portion is manufactured from a material, such that, when deformed via pressure and then released, the tubular portion returns to its original position.    
   
   
       2 . The cleaning device of  claim 1 , wherein the blade element is manufactured from a material, such that, when deformed via pressure and then released, the blade element returns to its original position.  
   
   
       4 . The cleaning device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the tubular portion and the blade element are manufactured from a material that is resilient and water resistant.  
   
   
       5 . The cleaning device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the tubular portion and the blade element are manufactured from a polymeric material.  
   
   
       6 . The cleaning device of  claim 5 , wherein the polymeric material is a chemically expanded polymer in the form of a closed cell microcellular foam formulation.  
   
   
       7 . The cleaning device of  claim 5 , wherein the polymeric material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, expanded neoprene gas, rubber compounds, silicone compounds, neoprene, vinyl nitrile neoprene, polyethylene, butyl ethylene, vinyl acetate, cross-linked polyethylene, butadiene, elastomeric sponge and synthetic closed cell sponge rubber.  
   
   
       8 . The cleaning device of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular portion and the blade element are manufactured as a single, integral element from one of a pour-mold process and thermo-mold process.  
   
   
       9 . The cleaning device of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a first cap element positioned at least partially over a first end of the tubular portion; and    a second cap element positioned at least partially over a second end of the tubular portion.    
   
   
       10 . The cleaning device of  claim 7 , wherein the tubular portion is a hollow tube having a first end and a second end, the first cap element is frictionally slid at least partially over the hollow tube first end, and the second cap element is frictionally slide at least partially over the hollow tube second end.  
   
   
       11 . A cleaning device kit, comprising: 
 a substantially flat section of deformable material having a first end portion, a second end portion, a middle portion and a flat section width;    an adhesive applied to the first end portion and the second end portion;    a tubular element positioned on the middle portion; and    a tubular element manufactured from a material, such that, when deformed via pressure and then released, the tubular element returns to its original position.    
   
   
       12 . The cleaning device kit of  claim 11 , wherein the tubular portion has a first end and a second end and a length less than the width of the flat section.  
   
   
       13 . The cleaning device kit of  claim 12 , further comprising a first cap element positioned adjacent the tubular portion first end and a second cap element positioned adjacent the tubular portion second end.  
   
   
       14 . The cleaning device kit of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the tubular portion and the blade element are manufactured from a material that is resilient and water resistant.  
   
   
       15 . The cleaning device kit of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the tubular portion and the blade element are manufactured from one of a polymeric material.  
   
   
       16 . The cleaning device of  claim 15 , wherein the polymeric material is a chemically expanded polymer in the form of a closed cell microcellular foam formulation.  
   
   
       17 . The cleaning device of  claim 15 , wherein the polymeric material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, expanded neoprene gas, rubber compounds, silicone compounds, neoprene, vinyl nitrile neoprene, polyethylene, butyl ethylene, vinyl acetate, cross-linked polyethylene, butadiene, elastomeric sponge and synthetic closed cell sponge rubber.  
   
   
       18 . The cleaning device kit of  claim 11 , wherein the tubular portion is a hollow tube element.  
   
   
       19 . A cleaning device, comprising: 
 an elongated substantially tubular portion extending along a first axis; and    a blade element attached to and extending away from the elongated tubular portion, the blade element having a base portion and an edge portion, the edge portion extending along a second axis substantially parallel to the first axis of the tubular portion;    wherein, the tubular portion and the blade element are manufactured from a polymeric material comprising a synthetic closed cell sponge rubber,    wherein the tubular element is manufactured from a material, such that, when deformed via pressure and then released, the tubular portion returns to its original position.    
   
   
       20 . The cleaning device of  claim 19 , wherein the tubular portion and the blade element are manufactured as a single, integral element from one of a pour-mold process and thermo-mold process.