GB2230423A

GB2230423A - A cleaning element in the form of a glove

Info

Publication number: GB2230423A
Application number: GB8908729A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jenia Dunlop
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-04-18
Filing date: 1989-04-18
Publication date: 1990-10-24
Also published as: GB8908729D0

Abstract

A cleaning element for cleaning pots and pans or the like comprises a glove or mitt of abrasive material intended to be worn over the hand. In use the abrasive material functions to clean the pots, pans or the like. The cleaning element may be used alone or in conjunction with a brush, scourer or the like. The glove may be bonded or stitched around its outer edge and may be lined.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION A cleaning element.

THIS INVENTION relates to a cleaning element and, more particularly, to an abrasive scouring element.

When washing dishes or cleaning generally, it is often advisable to wear protective rubber gloves to protect the hands from high temperatures or cleaning fluids which may be dangerous if they come in contact with the skin. In order to remove substances from the article being cleaned a scouring pad is often used being formed of a rectangular sponge having a thin layer of abrasive material which operates to remove the unwanted substances from the article being cleaned.

When cleaning an article using water or the like having a very high temperature, where rubber gloves are advised, it is often difficult to grip the scouring pad in order to satisfactorily remove unwanted substances from the article.

It is also a problem when cleaning articles which have awkward shapes or recesses into which a known scouring pad cannot be easily inserted.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or at least mitigate the above disadvantages.

According to the present invention there is provided a cleaning element for cleaning pots, pans or the like, in the form of a glove or mitt to be worn on the hand, at least part of the exterior of the element comprising a layer of abrasive material.

Conveniently the cleaning element is formed from two superimposed layers of material of the same shape.

Advantageously the whole of the exterior of the element is formed of abrasive material.

A cleaning element according to the present invention may be lined with a material to protect the user's skin from the layer of abrasive material.

Conveniently the cleaning element comprises two layers of abrasive material bonded together around an outer edge of the material in order to form a glove.

Alternatively the cleaning element comprises two layers of abrasive material stitched together around an outer edge of the material to form a glove.

Advantageously the abrasive material may be a non woven material formed from plastics fibres that are bonded together.

Conveniently the cleaning element may be impregnated with a cleaning or abrasive solution.

Furthermore, the present invention provides a method of cleaning pots, pans or the like comprising wearing a cleaning element according to any preceding claim over a hand and rubbing the cleaning element over a surface of the pot, pan or the like.

In order that the present invention may be more readily understood, an embodiment will now be described, by way of example with reference to the accompanying figure which is a plan view of a cleaning element according to the present invention, with part thereof cut away.

A cleaning element 1 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is generally hand-shaped and formed of two superimposed layers 2, 3 of material each of substantially the same shape, at least one layer of material having an abrasive quality. The layers of material are joined together by stitching 4 around an outer edge of the element, in order to provide the element in the form of a glove. The lower edge 5 of the element remains open and is not stitched in order to allow a hand to be inserted into the element between the two layers of material. The lower part 6 of the element may be flared 6 in order to easily insert a hand between the layers of material.

While two layers of material may be stitched they may alternatively be bonded together around the outer edge thereof by a known process.

The layers of material 2,3, used for the element are preferably abrasive. Each layer may comprise a non-woven material formed of inherently plastics material fibres, the fibres being bonded together to form a very open material which thus presents goods scouring properties.

Alternatively, the material may be of wire wool or wire padding, or other abrasive material.

A lining may be provided between the layers of material in order to protect the user's hand when the cleaning element is used without rubber gloves.

When in use, the element may be worn alone in order to clean objects having an awkward shape or, alternatively, may be worn over conventional rubber gloves in cases where water or the like having a high temperature is required to aid the removal of unwanted substances from the object being cleaned. The element is then rubbed across the surface of the object in order to scour the surface. Where the element is made from two layers of material with abrasive properties the whole of the exterior of the element will present abrasive properties, enabling scouring to be effected with the back of the hand as well as with the front of the hand.

The cleaning element may be used alone or in conjunction with a brush, scourer or the like.

It is envisaged that, when initially sold the cleaning element may be impregnated with a cleaning or abrasive solution to aid scouring of pots and pans or the like.

Claims

1. A cleaning element for cleaning pots, pans or the like, in the form of a glove or mitt to be worn on the hand, at least part of the exterior of the element comprising a layer of abrasive material.

2. A cleaning element according to Claim 1 wherein the glove or mitt is formed from two superimposed layers of material of the same shape.

3. A cleaning element according to Claim 1 or 2 wherein the whole of the exterior of the element is formed of abrasive material.

4. A cleaning element according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the element is lined with a material to protect the user's skin from the layer of abrasive material.

5. A cleaning element according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the element comprises two layers of abrasive material bonded together around an outer edge of the material in order to form a glove.

6. A cleaning element according to any one of Claims 1 to 4 wherein the element comprises two layers of abrasive material stitched together around an outer edge of the material to form a glove.

7. A cleaning element according to any one of the preceding claim, wherein the abrasive material is a non woven material formed from plastics fibres that are bonded together.

8. A cleaning element according to any preceding claim, wherein the element is impregnated with a cleaning or abrasive solution.

9. A method of cleaning pots, pans or the like comprising wearing a cleaning element according to any preceding claim over a hand and rubbing the cleaning element over a surface of the pot, pan or the like.

10. A cleaning element for cleaning pots, pans or the like substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawing.

11. A method of cleaning pots, pans or the like substantially as hereinbefore described.

12. Any novel feature or combination of features herein described.