Cleaning device made from closed-cell, latex-free elastomer foam

Abstract

A cleaning device suitable, in use, for picking up hair and particles, the cleaning device comprising a unitary, elastomeric main body comprising a face comprising an integrally-formed wiper blade and an integrally formed channel adjacent the wiper blade wherein the main body portion is manufactured from a latex-free, closed-cell elastomer foam. Suitably, the device comprises an arched leading wiper blade and a flat trailing wiper blade. The device can be used by latex-allergic users for grooming animals and/or for picking up pet hair and other debris from a range of surfaces.

1 .- 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A cleaning device suitable, in use, for picking up hair and particles, the cleaning device comprising a unitary, elastomeric main body comprising a face comprising an integrally-formed wiper blade and an integrally formed channel adjacent the wiper blade wherein the main body portion is manufactured from a closed-cell ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA). 
     
     
         27 . The cleaning device of claim  1 , comprising a plurality of integrally-formed wiper blades, a first one of the wiper blades comprising an arched profile, and a second one of the wiper blades comprising a generally flat-based profile. 
     
     
         28 . The cleaning device of  claim 26 , wherein the or each wiper blade comprises one or more transverse grooves therein such that the said wiper blade or blades comprise a plurality of discrete block portions separated by the transverse grooves. 
     
     
         29 . The cleaning device of  claim 26 , comprising a plurality of integrally formed channels. 
     
     
         30 . The cleaning device of  claim 26 , wherein the closed-cell EVA is electrically insulative. 
     
     
         31 . The cleaning device of  claim 26 , wherein the closed-cell EVA comprises an anti-bacterial additive. 
     
     
         32 . The cleaning device of  claim 26 , wherein a side wall or an end wall of the channel leads into the wiper blade at an angle of any one or more of the group consisting of: substantially 90 degrees; and substantially 30 to 50 degrees. 
     
     
         33 . The cleaning device of  claim 26 , wherein the wiper blade comprises any one or more of the group comprising: a square edge; a tapered edge; a chamfered edge; and a rounded edge. 
     
     
         34 . The cleaning device of  claim 26 , wherein the channel comprises an undercut groove, which extends in a lateral direction from one side of the device to the other. 
     
     
         35 . The cleaning device of  claim 34 , comprising a plurality of undercut grooves forming a series of wiper blades defined by edges that project slightly beyond their corresponding channels. 
     
     
         36 . The cleaning device of  claim 26 , wherein a surface of the main body portion comprises an array of nodules. 
     
     
         37 . The cleaning device of  claim 36 , wherein the nodules comprise a grid-like array of generally truncated pyramid-shaped blocks separated by grooves. 
     
     
         38 . The cleaning device of  claim 26 , wherein the main body portion comprises a plurality of elongate channels, which define a set of longitudinal wiper blades, and a set of lateral wiper blades. 
     
     
         39 . The cleaning device of  claim 26 , wherein the main body portion comprises a generally straight, central channel surrounded by a loop-shaped channel, defining four longitudinal wiper blades and four lateral wiper blades. 
     
     
         40 . The cleaning device of  claim 26 , wherein the main body portion further comprises a convex, generally smooth surface. 
     
     
         41 . The cleaning device of  claim 26 , wherein the main body portion comprises a relatively narrow portion and a relatively wide portion. 
     
     
         42 . The cleaning device of  claim 26 , wherein the main body portion comprises an ergonomic shape and/or dimensions. 
     
     
         43 . The cleaning device of  claim 42 , wherein the main body portion measures approximately 5 cm in width, 17 cm in length and 3 cm in height. 
     
     
         44 . The cleaning device of  claim 26 , wherein the main body portion comprises a side profile shaped to resemble an animal. 
     
     
         45 . The cleaning device of  claim 44  wherein the animal comprises any one or more of the group comprising: a crocodile; a cat; a dog; and a rodent.