Cleaning System having a Plurality of Tethered Sponge Cleaning Devices

Abstract

A cleaning system includes a tether and a plurality of sponge cleaning devices. Each sponge cleaning device has an opening extending therethrough. The tether has body portion, an elongate holding portion extending from the body portion, a first retainer on the holding portion, and a second retainer on the holding portion between the first retainer and the body portion. The tether holding portion extends through the openings of the plurality of sponge cleaning devices. The tether first retainer removably retains at least one of the plurality of sponge cleaning devices in a use position along the holding portion. The tether second retainer removably retains at least one of the plurality of sponge cleaning devices in a storage position along the holding portion between the second retainer and the body portion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cleaning system comprising, in combination:
 a plurality of sponge cleaning devices, wherein each sponge cleaning device has an opening extending therethrough;   a tether having a body portion, an elongate holding portion extending from the body portion, a first retainer on the holding portion, and a second retainer on the holding portion between the first retainer and the body portion;   wherein the holding portion extends through the openings of the plurality of sponge cleaning devices;   wherein the first retainer removably retains at least one of the plurality of sponge cleaning devices in a use position along the holding portion; and   wherein the second retainer removably retains at least one of the plurality of sponge cleaning devices in a storage position along the holding portion between the second retainer and the body portion.   
     
     
         2 . The cleaning system according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second retainers are each spherical shaped. 
     
     
         3 . The cleaning system according to  claim 1 , wherein the first retainer is provided with barbs. 
     
     
         4 . The cleaning system according to  claim 3 , wherein there are two of the barbs that are each shaped like rectangular plates and the barbs upwardly and outwardly extend from a top of the first retainer on opposite sides of the holding portion. 
     
     
         5 . The cleaning system according to  claim 1 , wherein the tether comprises silicone. 
     
     
         6 . The cleaning system according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the sponge cleaning devices comprises melamine foam. 
     
     
         7 . The cleaning system according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the sponge cleaning devices includes a melamine foam layer and a holding layer and the opening extends through both melamine foam layer and the holding layer. 
     
     
         8 . The cleaning system according to  claim 1 , wherein the openings are each offset from a center of the foam sponge cleaning devices. 
     
     
         9 . A tether for use with a plurality of sponge cleaning devices each having an opening extending therethrough, the tether comprising, in combination:
 a body portion;   an elongate holding portion extending from the holding portion;   wherein the holding portion is sized and shaped to extend through the openings of the plurality of sponge cleaning devices;   a first retainer on the holding portion and sized and shaped to removably retain at least one of the plurality of sponge cleaning devices in a use position along the holding portion; and   a second retainer sized and shaped to removably retain at least one of the plurality of sponge cleaning devices in a storage position along the holding portion between the second retainer and the body portion.   
     
     
         10 . The cleaning system according to  claim 9 , wherein the holding portion is circular in cross-section. 
     
     
         11 . The cleaning system according to  claim 9 , wherein the first and second retainers are each spherical shaped. 
     
     
         12 . The cleaning system according to  claim 9 , wherein the first retainer is provided with barbs. 
     
     
         13 . The cleaning system according to  claim 12 , wherein there are two of the barbs that are each shaped like rectangular plates and the barbs upwardly and outwardly extend from a top of the first retainer on opposite sides of the holding portion. 
     
     
         14 . The cleaning system according to  claim 9 , wherein the tether comprises silicone. 
     
     
         15 . A sponge cleaning device for use with a tether, said cleaning device comprising, in combination:
 a body of melamine foam sponge having a front side and a rear side opposed to the front side; and   wherein an opening extends through the body from the front side to the rear side and is sized and shaped for passage of the tether therethrough.   
     
     
         16 . The cleaning system according to  claim 15 , wherein each of the sponge cleaning devices comprises melamine foam. 
     
     
         17 . The cleaning system according to  claim 15 , wherein each of the sponge cleaning devices includes a melamine foam layer and a holding layer and the opening extends through both melamine foam layer and the holding layer. 
     
     
         18 . The cleaning system according to  claim 17 , wherein the holding layer comprises cloth. 
     
     
         19 . The cleaning system according to  claim 17 , wherein the holding layer comprises a scouring pad. 
     
     
         20 . The cleaning system according to  claim 15 , wherein the openings are each offset from a center of the foam sponge cleaning devices.