Sponge

Abstract

A cleaning device comprises an elongated sponge body with a first end, a second end, and an outer surface connecting the ends. A longitudinal axis traverses through center points of each end. The device features a recessed portion of the outer surface extending between the ends, defining at least one recess wall oriented radially away from the longitudinal axis. This design allows for cleaning liquid spills and curved surfaces. The device may have a tapered shape and a central bore. The recessed portion may have two opposing recess walls. The body may be circular in cross-section except for the recessed portion. The outer surface may include curved and flat portions. Caps may seal open ends. Abrading layers may be included on portions of the outer and inner surfaces. The device can be used vertically or horizontally, with protruding edges acting as a squeegee for various surfaces.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cleaning device ( 10 ) comprising:
 an elongated sponge body ( 20 ) having a first end ( 22 ), a second end ( 28 ), and an outer surface ( 25 ) connecting the first end ( 22 ) with the second end ( 28 ), a longitudinal axis (L 1 ) of the elongated sponge body ( 20 ) traversing through center points (C 1 ,C 2 ) of each of the first ( 22 ) and second ends ( 28 );   a recessed portion ( 30 ) of the outer surface ( 25 ) extending between the first end ( 22 ) and the second end ( 28 ), the recessed portion ( 30 ) defining at least one recess wall ( 40 ) oriented substantially radially away from the longitudinal axis (L 1 ) of the elongated sponge body ( 20 );   wherein the at least one recess wall ( 40 ) can be used to clean liquid spills from a surface, and wherein the recessed portion ( 30 ) can be used to clean a curved surface by compressing the elongated sponge body ( 20 ) around the curved surface.   
     
     
         2 . The cleaning device ( 10 ) of  claim 1  wherein a dimension (D 1 ) of the first end ( 22 ) is larger than a corresponding dimension (D 2 ) of the second end ( 28 ), such that the outer surface ( 25 ) of the elongated sponge body ( 20 ) is tapered. 
     
     
         3 . The cleaning device ( 10 ) of  claim 1  wherein the first end ( 22 ) is open to a central bore ( 50 ) extending along the longitudinal axis (L 1 ) of the elongated sponge body ( 20 ) towards the second end ( 28 ), the central bore ( 50 ) defining an inner surface ( 55 ) of the elongated sponge body ( 20 ). 
     
     
         4 . The cleaning device ( 10 ) of  claim 3  wherein the central bore ( 50 ) extends along the longitudinal axis (L 1 ) of the elongated sponge body ( 20 ) to the second end ( 28 ), the first end ( 22 ) and the second end ( 28 ) both being open to the central bore ( 50 ). 
     
     
         5 . The cleaning device ( 10 ) of  claim 1  wherein the recessed portion ( 30 ) of the outer surface ( 25 ) defines two opposing recess walls ( 40 ). 
     
     
         6 . The cleaning device ( 10 ) of  claim 1  wherein the elongated sponge body ( 20 ) is circular in cross-section across the longitudinal axis (L 1 ), but for the recessed portion ( 30 ). 
     
     
         7 . The cleaning device ( 10 ) of  claim 6  wherein the recessed portion ( 30 ) of the outer surface ( 25 ) is a first radial distance (R 1 ) from the longitudinal axis (L 1 ), and wherein a remaining portion of the outer surface ( 25 ) is a second radial distance (R 2 ) from the longitudinal axis (L 1 ), the second radial distance (R 2 ) being larger than the first radial distance (R 1 ). 
     
     
         8 . The cleaning device ( 10 ) of  claim 1  wherein at least a portion (P 1 ) of the outer surface ( 25 ) of the elongated sponge body ( 20 ) is curved. 
     
     
         9 . The cleaning device ( 10 ) of  claim 1  wherein at least a portion (P 2 ) of the outer surface ( 25 ) of the elongated sponge body ( 20 ) is flat. 
     
     
         10 . The cleaning device ( 10 ) of  claim 3  further including a cap ( 60 ) selectively engageable with the first open end ( 22 ) of the elongated sponge body ( 20 ), the first open end ( 22 ) being selectively sealable with the cap ( 60 ). 
     
     
         11 . The cleaning device ( 10 ) of  claim 4  further including a cap ( 60 ) selectively engageable with the second open end ( 28 ) of the elongated sponge body ( 20 ), the second open end ( 28 ) being selectively sealable with the cap ( 60 ). 
     
     
         12 . The cleaning device ( 10 ) of  claim 1  wherein at least a portion (P 3 ) of the outer surface ( 25 ) includes an abrading layer ( 70 ). 
     
     
         13 . The cleaning device ( 10 ) of  claim 3  wherein at least a portion (P 4 ) of the inner surface ( 55 ) includes an abrading layer ( 70 ). 
     
     
         14 . A cleaning device ( 10 ) comprising:
 an elongated sponge body ( 20 ) having a first end ( 22 ), a second end ( 28 ), and an outer surface ( 25 ) connecting the first end ( 22 ) with the second end ( 28 ), a longitudinal axis (L 1 ) of the elongated sponge body ( 20 ) traversing through center points (C 1 ,C 2 ) of each of the first ( 22 ) and second ends ( 28 );   wherein a dimension (D 1 ) of the first end ( 22 ) is larger than a corresponding dimension (D 2 ) of the second end ( 28 ), such that the outer surface ( 25 ) of the elongated sponge body ( 20 ) is tapered;   a recessed portion ( 30 ) of the outer surface ( 25 ) extending between the first end ( 22 ) and the second end ( 28 ), the recessed portion ( 30 ) defining two opposing recess walls ( 40 ) oriented substantially radially away from the longitudinal axis (L 1 ) of the elongated sponge body ( 20 );   wherein the first end ( 22 ) is open to a central bore ( 50 ) extending along the longitudinal axis (L 1 ) of the elongated sponge body ( 20 ) to the second end ( 28 ), the central bore ( 50 ) defining an inner surface ( 55 ) of the elongated sponge body ( 20 ), and the first end ( 22 ) and the second end ( 28 ) both being open to the central bore ( 50 );   wherein the elongated sponge body ( 20 ) is circular in cross-section across the longitudinal axis (L 1 ), but for the recessed portion ( 30 );   wherein the recessed portion ( 30 ) of the outer surface ( 25 ) is a first radial distance (R 1 ) from the longitudinal axis (L 1 ), and wherein a remaining portion of the outer surface ( 25 ) is a second radial distance (R 2 ) from the longitudinal axis (L 1 ), the second radial distance (R 2 ) being larger than the first radial distance (R 1 );   wherein at least a portion (P 1 ) of the outer surface ( 25 ) of the elongated sponge body ( 20 ) is curved;   wherein the opposing recess walls ( 40 ) can be used to clean liquid spills from a surface, and wherein the recessed portion ( 30 ) can be used to clean a curved surface by compressing the elongated sponge body ( 20 ) around the curved surface.