Cleaning implement
View Patent ↗A cleaning implement is disclosed for effectively removing not only liquid and solid food debris from plate or dish surfaces, but also dirt and other debris accumulated on other surfaces without the use of water, thereby conserving water consumption.
1. A cleaning implement for removing debris from surfaces without the use of water, the cleaning implement comprising:
an elongated squeegee blade, the squeegee blade comprising:
a first side;
a second side opposing the first side; and
a lower blade edge from which a leading curved blade edge extends upwardly therefrom inclinationally at an angle of approximately 72°, the leading curved blade edge terminates upwardly into a curved pinnacle edge, the curved pinnacle edge extending therefrom into an elongated curved upper edge, the elongated curved upper edge terminates along a lower end thereof into a trailing curved blade edge integrally joining the lower blade edge, wherein the lower blade edge defines a forward curved blade edge opposing a rear curved blade edge, and from the forward curved blade edge upwardly extends the leading curved blade edge inclinationally therefrom at an angle of approximately 72°, wherein the elongated curved upper edge terminates along the lower end thereof into the trailing curved blade edge which integrally joins the rear curved blade edge of the lower blade edge, and wherein the first side and the second side each comprises:
a first bevel extending longitudinally and adjacent the leading curved blade edge, the first bevel has an uppermost edge; and
a second bevel extending horizontally above the lower blade edge, the second bevel has an uppermost edge, wherein the uppermost edge of the first bevel and the uppermost edge of the second bevel terminate integrally into a syncline planar section formed on the first side and the second side, respectively, wherein the first side and the second side each further comprise a gripping section ergonomically configured to facilitate and enhance a grip of the cleaning implement by a user, and wherein the gripping section comprises a first gripping portion formed integral with the first side between the elongated curved upper edge and the syncline planar section of the first side, the first gripping portion defines a curvilinear configuration extending from proximal the curved pinnacle edge to the subordinate curved blade edge, wherein the first gripping portion includes a forward area from which a prolate-shaped bulbous region integrally protrudes outwardly therefrom, the bulbous region provides a gripping means around which a user's fingers may firmly grasp, thereby enhancing the user's grip of the cleaning implement.
2. The cleaning implement of claim 1 , wherein the gripping section further comprises a second gripping portion formed integral with the second side between the elongated curved upper edge and the syncline planar section of the second side, the second gripping portion defines a curvilinear configuration extending from proximal the curved pinnacle edge to the subordinate curved blade edge.
3. The cleaning implement of claim 2 , wherein the second gripping portion includes a forward area from which a prolate-shaped bulbous region integrally protrudes outwardly therefrom, the bulbous region provides a gripping means around which a user's fingers may firmly grasp, thereby enhancing the user's grip of the cleaning implement.
4. The cleaning implement of claim 3 , wherein second gripping portion further defines a plurality of spaced recesses formed along a surface thereof.
5. The cleaning implement of claim 4 , wherein the spaced recesses are each vertically oriented, the spaced recesses are adapted and configured to further enhance the user's grip of the cleaning implement.
6. The cleaning implement of claim 1 , wherein the first gripping portion further defines a plurality of spaced recesses formed along a surface thereof.
7. The cleaning implement of claim 6 , wherein the spaced recesses are each vertically oriented, the spaced recesses are adapted and configured to further enhance the user's grip of the cleaning implement.
8. The cleaning implement of claim 1 , wherein the lower blade edge is inherently deformable such that when the lower blade edge is pressed against a surface, the lower blade edge changes shape slightly according to a contour of the surface, thereby allowing the contours of the surface to be followed intimately by the lower blade edge.
9. The cleaning implement of claim 1 , wherein the squeegee blade is constructed of a lightweight, resiliently flexible plastic material.
10. The cleaning implement of claim 1 , wherein the gripping section is constructed of a resiliently flexible plastic material.
11. The cleaning implement of claim 1 , wherein the squeegee blade is manufactured so as to be available in any number of colors.
12. The cleaning implement of claim 1 , wherein the squeegee blade is provided with ornamentation and/or indicia.
13. The cleaning implement of claim 1 , wherein the gripping section includes spaced recesses formed therein, the spaced recesses being arcuate-shaped or oval-shaped.