MAGNETIC CLEANING AND DRYING DEVICE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a magnetic cleaning and drying device for curved surfaces. More particularly, the present invention relates to a flexible, magnetic device for cleaning and drying curved surfaces that are difficult to otherwise reach, such as the interior of a wine decanter or vase.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Global wine consumption continues to grow. For example, in Canada, wine consumption increased almost 15% between 2007 and 2011 and this rate is expected to continue. With ever more wine being consumed, sophisticated purchasers are making use of wine decanters in order to better appreciate their wine. However, proper care of a wine decanter is difficult, because of their complex and varied shapes, typically with a narrow opening, which limits access to the interior for washing and drying. Typically, a wine decanter is rinsed and then left to air dry over time. However, the residual moisture can cloud and otherwise mark the decanter. This clouding, which can also include spots and stains, detracts from the esthetics of the decanter design and can impact both the taste and colour of wine.

A number of solutions have been developed to deal with the drying of a decanter. For example, a decanter drying stand is available for inverting the decanter so that all moisture drains out and the decanter is allowed to better air dry. While this is an improvement over just leaving the decanter to dry in the ordinary course, it can still result in spots and stains.

Another solution involves the use of drying crystals contained within a muslin sleeve, which can be inserted into the decanter. The crystals absorb all the moisture within the decanter, preventing clouding. However, this does not provide any method of actively drying the decanter nor can it be used for washing purposes. Accordingly, it is an object of an embodiment of the present invention to provide a product for actively cleaning and drying the interior of a decanter or other glass surface, such as a vase or the like.

Objects of the invention will be apparent from the description that follows.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is directed to a magnetic cleaning and drying device for cleaning an object having curved surfaces. According to an embodiment of the invention, the magnetic cleaning and drying device comprises a first member comprising a flexible body capable of conforming to a curved surface, a second member comprising a flexible body capable of conforming to a curved surface, a plurality of connector elements, the connector elements formed of a flexible, resilient material capable of conforming to a curved surface, with a first of the plurality of connector elements releasably connected to the first member and a second of the plurality of connector elements releasably connected to the second member, wherein the first and second connector elements being magnetically attracted to one another. In another aspect, the first member has a first inner compartment and the second member having a second inner compartment, the first connector element removably disposed within the first inner compartment, and the second connector element removably disposed within the second inner compartment. In another aspect, the magnetic cleaning and drying device further comprises a cord connected at one end to the second member and at the other end to a retaining element; and the first member having a holding means allowing a user to hold and manipulate the first member. The retaining element can come in the form or a ring and the holding means could take the form of a grasping element such as a strap or handle or a pocket within which a hand could be inserted.

In another aspect, the flexible bodies of the first and second members are fabric bodies having an opening defined therein allowing access to inner compartments. Preferably the openings are releasably closable by way of a releasable fastener. The connector elements are releasably insertable within the inner compartments. In another aspect of the magnetic cleaning and drying device the flexible, resilient material of the plurality of connector elements is rubber or felt. A pair of magnetic or magnetically attractable members are located at opposed ends of each of the connector elements. The connector elements may be I-shaped.

The foregoing was intended as a broad summary only and of only some of the aspects of the invention. It was not intended to define the limits or requirements of the invention. Other aspects of the invention will be appreciated by reference to the detailed description of the preferred embodiment and to the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other features of the invention will become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of a cleaning/drying device according to the present invention shown with a wine decanter.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the cleaning/drying device of Fig. 1, in use on the wine decanter

Fig. 3 is a top view of the drying mitt of the device shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is top view of the drying cloth of the device shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a top view of the magnet connector element to be inserted into either one or both of the drying mitt and drying cloth.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 in Fig. 3. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of Fig. 4. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The preferred embodiment of a magnetic cleaning and drying device 10 is shown in Figs. 1 and 2 in use with decanter 2. Device 10 is comprised of a first outer member (also referred to as outer cleaning/drying assembly or cleaning/drying mitt) 12 and a corresponding second inner member (also referred to as inner cleaning/drying assembly or cleaning/drying cloth) 14, the two being magnetically attracted to one another so that when the cloth 14 is inserted within the interior of the wine decanter 10, the mitt can be used to direct the cloth around the interior of the decanter.

Cleaning/drying mitt 12 comprises a fabric body 16 having holding means for allowing a user to grip or hold the mitt 12 and manipulate it as necessary, such as by way of grasping element 18, preferably in the form of a strap or handle affixed thereto. Preferably the strap portion 18 is also made of fabric and is sized to allow an individual to insert their hand between the strap 18 and fabric body 16 (for example, with the palm facing the fabric body 16 and the back of the hand against strap 18) to ease use in cleaning and drying. The grasping element could also take the form of a pocket within which to insert one's hand (for example, the mitt could be in the shape of an oven mitt with an opening for a hand) or other suitable design to allow one to hold the mitt 12 and manipulate it using one's hand.

Preferably, an inner compartment 20 is defined within the interior of the fabric body 16. A sealable opening 22 in the fabric body 16 provides access to the inner compartment 20. Preferably the sealable opening 22 has Velcro™ or other suitable releasable fastener 23 to allow the opening to be opened and closed as necessary to provide access to the inner compartment 20.

The inner compartment 20 is sized to house a connector element 24. Preferably, the connector element 24 is in the form of a flexible, resilient strip 26 having a magnet or magnetically attractable member 28 disposed or contained within it at each end 30, 32. Flexible strip 26 is preferably in the form of a rubber strip that is flexible, yet resilient. It is also contemplated that other materials could be used, for example a felt strip or other material with the desired characteristics of being flexible, but resilient. The magnets 28 are embedded within or otherwise connected to the opposed end portions 30, 32 of flexible strips 26 and are oriented with their polarity in the same direction. In this way they are prevented from being attracted to one another (ie. in order for the pair of magnets to connect to one another the flexible strip would need to be twisted and folded, which the material of the flexible strip will resist). As illustrated in Fig. 5, the connector is preferably wider at the ends to accommodate the magnets/members 28 and narrower through the middle portion so as to increase its flexibility giving it an I-shape. This I-shape is preferred for narrower openings. It is also contemplated that the flexible strip could take additional shapes and incorporate additional magnets/members 28 depending on the desired application. For example, for decanters/vases having larger openings it may be desired to have an X-shaped connector element with four magnets/members 28 - one at each end of the X.

Cloth 14 has a fabric body 34 that has an inner compartment 36 defined therein. A sealable opening 38 defined in the fabric body 34 provides access to the inner compartment 36. As with the drying mitt, preferably the sealable opening has a VelcroTM or other suitable releasable fastener/closure 40 to allow the opening to be opened and closed as necessary to provide access to the inner compartment 36, which is also sized to accommodate a connector element 24.

Connector element 24 can be removed from the mitt 12 or cloth 14 in order to allow the mitt or cloth to be cleaned and dried. Once the mitt or cloth has been cleaned and dried, the connector element 24 can then be reinserted and sealed within inner compartment 20 or 36 using the Velcro™ closure 23 or 40.

Preferably a cord 42 is connected to the fabric body 34 of the cloth 14 at one end and to a retaining element 44 in the form of a ring at the other. Cord 42 is long enough that the ring remains on the exterior of the decanter to be dried. Preferably the ring is sufficiently large that it will not fit within the opening of the decanter or object to be cleaned. The retaining element could also come in other shapes and sizes, simply providing a weighted element that helps prevent the cord 42 from falling into the container to be cleaned/dried. Once the decanter has been suitably cleaned or dried, the user simply needs to grab the retaining element 44 and pull the cloth 14 out of the decanter 2.

Preferably, both the mitt 12 and cloth 14 are made of fabric such as a highly absorbent microfiber material, but could also be made from any other material that could be used to wash or dry a decanter. In addition, while it is preferred that both connector elements are fitted with a pair of magnets so as to cause the greatest level of attraction as between the mitt and the cloth, it is also contemplated that only one of the mitt and the cloth need have a connector element with magnets, as the other could have a connector element with corresponding magnetically attractable members, such as metal pieces that in turn would be attracted to the magnets. In addition, the connector elements need simply be releasably connectable to the mitt and cloth, such that other connection techniques would suffice. For example, both the mitt and cloth and the connector elements could be fitted with Velcro™ or other suitable fasteners allowing the connector elements to be releasably connected to the mitt and cloth.

For cleaning purposes, one need simply place soap and water within the object to be cleaned and insert the cloth 14. Using the mitt 12, a user places the mitt on the side of the object, in this case decanter 2, in an area proximate to the cloth 14 such that mitt 12 and cloth 14 are attracted to one another, as shown in Fig. 2. The user then moves mitt 12 about the exterior of the decanter causing the cloth 14 to follow a corresponding path within the interior. Once the decanter has been thoroughly cleaned, mitt 12 is separated from cloth 14 and put aside and cloth 14 withdrawn from the decanter 2 using ring 44 and cord 42.

A dry cloth 14 can then be inserted within the decanter and the process with the mitt 12 repeated so as to dry the interior of the decanter. Because the mitt is also made with similar material it will dry any wet areas on the exterior of the decanter.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the preferred and alternative embodiments have been described in some detail but that certain modifications may be practiced without departing from the principles of the invention.