Cleaning and surface preparation device

Abstract

A surface preparation device for cleaning and/or preparing a surface has a handle with a head piece attached to the upper end of the handle. The head piece has a substantially rigid core surrounded at least in part by a membrane covered foam and is capable of focusing pressure on specific locations across a variety of surface areas. A user grasps the handle and places the head piece on the surface area to be cleaned and/or prepared. By exerting pressure on the head piece, the head piece conforms to the shape of the rigid core which results in a significant amount of pressure being exerted on the surface area to be cleaned and/or prepared. The user then moves the head piece while it is still exerting pressure in order to clean and/or prepare the specific surface area.

1 . A surface preparation device comprising: 
 a handle having a lower end and an upper end; and    a head piece attached to the upper end of the handle, the head piece comprising a substantially rigid core surrounded at least in part by a membrane-covered foam, the core capable of focusing pressure on a specific location across a variety of surface areas.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the head piece is removable.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the core is injection-molded or blow-molded plastic.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the core is at least partially rounded in shape.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the core is at least partially ovoid in shape.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the handle is extendable.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a collar located between the upper end of the handle and the head piece.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the collar is removable.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a sleeve placed over the head piece.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the sleeve is sponge-like.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein a surface of the sleeve is abrasive.  
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the sleeve is capable of holding a liquid.  
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the sleeve is capable of having a liquid- or foam-containing portion and a dry portion.  
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a liquid or foam dispensing device attached to the handle or the head piece.  
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is a cleaning device.  
   
   
       16 . A cleaning device comprising: 
 a handle having a lower end and an upper end; and    a head piece attached to the upper end of the handle, the head piece comprising a substantially rigid core surrounded at least in part by a membrane-covered foam, the core capable of focusing pressure on a specific location across a variety of surface areas.    
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the head piece is removable.  
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the core is injection-molded or blow-molded plastic.  
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the core is at least partially rounded in shape.  
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the core is at least partially ovoid in shape.  
   
   
       21 . The device of  claim 16 , further comprising a collar located between the upper end of the handle and the head piece.  
   
   
       22 . The device of  claim 16 , further comprising a sleeve placed over the head piece.  
   
   
       23 . The device of  claim 22 , wherein the sleeve is sponge-like.  
   
   
       24 . The device of  claim 22 , wherein the sleeve is capable of holding a liquid.  
   
   
       25 . The device of  claim 22 , wherein the sleeve is capable of having a liquid- or foam-containing portion and a dry portion.  
   
   
       26 . The device of  claim 16 , further comprising a liquid or foam dispensing device attached to the handle or the head piece.  
   
   
       27 . A method of preparing or cleaning a surface area using a surface preparation device, the device comprising a handle having a lower end and an upper end, and a head piece attached to the upper end of the handle, the head piece comprising a substantially rigid core surrounded at least in part by a membrane-covered foam, the core capable of focusing pressure on a specific location across a variety of surface areas, comprising: 
 holding the handle at a location comfortable for a user;    placing the head piece of the device on the surface area to be cleaned or prepared;    exerting pressure on the head piece of the device on the surface area to be cleaned or prepared, wherein the pressure causes the foam to conform to the shape of the core at the location to be cleaned or prepared; and    moving the head piece of the device on the surface area to be cleaned or prepared to clean or prepare the surface area.    
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising providing a sleeve on the head piece.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the sleeve is sponge-like.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the sleeve is capable of being abrasive.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the sleeve is capable of holding a solvent on at least a portion of the sleeve, further comprising impregnating the sleeve with a solvent.  
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the sleeve is capable of holding a solvent on at least a portion of the sleeve, further comprising twisting or rotating the handle after preparing or cleaning the surface area to dry the surface area prepared or cleaned.