US20070204416A1

US20070204416A1 - Particulate remover with rotating barrel and cover

Info

Publication number: US20070204416A1
Application number: US11/367,949
Authority: US
Inventors: Terrence Treacy
Original assignee: TxF Products Inc
Current assignee: Casabella Holdings LLC USA
Priority date: 2006-03-03
Filing date: 2006-03-03
Publication date: 2007-09-06

Abstract

Particulate removal apparatus including a handle, a central member extending axially from an end of the handle, and a rotating member positioned about the central member and rotatable relative to the handle. The apparatus also includes a particulate remover having an internal interface configured to receive the rotating member, and a substantially cylindrical outer interface configured to adhesively retain particulate contacted thereby. A shroud is detachably coupled to the rotating member and substantially envelopes the particulate remover outer interface, such that the shroud is rotatable with the rotating member relative to the central member and the handle.

Description

This application is related to commonly-assigned U.S. Patent Application No. 29/236,850, entitled “LINT ROLLER HANDLE,” filed Aug. 23, 2005, Attorney Docket No. 18913.21.
This application is also related to commonly-assigned U.S. Patent Application No. 29/236,851, entitled “LINT ROLLER HANDLE,” filed Aug. 23, 2005, Attorney Docket No. 18913.20.

BACKGROUND

There are many previously known personal particulate removing apparatus, such as lint roller devices. Such apparatus typically include a cylindrical roller support attached to a handle, and an adhesive roller attached to the support in a manner allowing the roller to rotate relative to the handle. The adhesive roller often includes a roll of adhesive paper wrapped around a cardboard tube and perforated into separate sheets. Accordingly, an individual sheet can be peeled away when it is no longer adhesive enough to remove particular during operation. In the example of a lint roller, operation typically entails rolling the adhesive roller along a user's clothes to remove lint, hair and other particulate.
However, when the roller is stored during non-use, the adhesive outer surface can inadvertently become contaminated. For example, the roller may be stored in a drawer, purse, or briefcase, such that the roller inevitably comes into contact with crumbs, paper, coins, writing utensils, and other objects also stored therein. Consequently, using the rolling after such storage often requires prematurely removing the outer adhesive sheet, causing the user to consume the adhesive roll at an excessive pace.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure is best understood from the following detailed description when read with the accompanying figures. It is emphasized that, in accordance with the standard practice in the industry, various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion.

FIG. 1 is a partial section view of at least a portion of an embodiment of apparatus according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a top view of at portion of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another portion of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of apparatus according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a portion of an embodiment of apparatus according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of an embodiment of apparatus according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an embodiment of apparatus according to aspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is to be understood that the following disclosure provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of various embodiments. Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. In addition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed. Moreover, the formation of a first feature over or on a second feature in the description that follows may include embodiments in which the first and second features are formed in direct contact, and may also include embodiments in which additional features may be formed interposing the first and second features, such that the first and second features may not be in direct contact.
Referring to FIG. 1, illustrated is a partial sectional view of at least a portion of an embodiment of a particulate removal apparatus 100 according to aspects of the present disclosure. The apparatus 100 includes a handle 110, a central member 120, a rotating member 130, a particulate remover 140, and a shroud 150.
The central member 120 extends from an end 112 of the handle 110 such that longitudinal axes of the central member 120 and handle may be substantially aligned. The central member 120 and the handle 110 may be discrete components that are coupled together during assembly. For example, an end 122 of the central member 120 may be coupled to an end 112 of the handle 110, such as by welding, adhesive, interference fit, snap fit, one or more mechanical fasteners, and/or other means. The end 122 of the central member 120 and/or the means employed to couple the central member 120 and the handle 110 may also extend into an internal portion of the handle 110 (such as indicated by reference numeral 122 a in FIG. 1). However, the central member 120 and the handle 110 may also be integrally formed. In either case, the central member 120 and the handle 110 may be formed by casting, molding, injection molding, machining, press-forming, and/or other manufacturing processes. The composition of the central member 120 and the handle 110 may include plastic, metal, wood, combinations thereof, and/or other materials.
The central member 120 may include two or more flexible members 124 at an end 126 that is distal from the handle 110. The flexible members 124 are configured to bias radially inward in response to contact with the rotating member 130 and/or one more protruding portions 152 of the shroud. The tips of the flexible members 124 may be curved or tapered to ease alignment of the central member 120 with the rotating member 130 during assembly. The flexible members 124 may also include a shoulder, protrusion or lip 125 configured to act as a stop, preventing the rotating member 130 from sliding off the central member 120 in an axial direction away from the handle 110 once the rotating member 130 is axially translated past the protrusions 125, thereby allowing the flexible members 124 to regain their unbiased orientation. The protrusion 125 may be one or more tab-shaped elements extending radially outward from the flexible members 124, or a substantially continuous ring extending around the perimeter of the corresponding flexible member 124 and having a greater radius than the remainder of the flexible member 124.
The central member 120 may also include a shoulder, protrusion or lip 128 near the end 122. The protrusion 128 is configured to act as a stop, preventing the rotating member 130 from sliding off the central member 120 in an axial direction away from the handle 110, or otherwise retaining axial translation of the rotating member 130. The protrusion 128 may be one or more tab-shaped elements extending radially outward from the remainder of the central member 120, or a substantially continuous ring extending around the perimeter of the central member 120 and having a greater diameter than the remainder of the central member 120.
The rotating member 130 may have an external surface 132 configured to engage with the particulate remover 140, such as by interference fit, snap fit, or by adhesive or other coupling means. The external surface 132 may also be curved along the axial direction. For example, as in the illustrated embodiment, the diameter of the external surface 132 may be greater at a central portion of the rotating member 130 relative to the diameter at the ends 134, 136 of the rotating member 130. The rotating member 130 may also have a shoulder, protrusion or lip 138 at or near the end 136 and extending radially outward. The protrusion 138 is configured to act as a stop, preventing the particulate roller 140 from sliding past the end 136 of the rotating member 130. The protrusion 138 may be one or more tab-shaped elements extending radially outward from the remainder of the rotating member 130, or a substantially continuous ring extending around the perimeter of the rotating member 130 and having a greater diameter than the remainder of the rotating member 130.
The rotating member 130 may also have one or more shoulders, protrusions or lips 139 a, 139 b extending radially inward and also configured to act a stop, such as in cooperation with a corresponding one of the protrusions 125 and 128 of the central member 120. For example, the protrusion 139 a of the rotating member 130 may have a slightly smaller diameter than the protrusions 125 of the central member 120 (when unbiased), such that the protrusions 139 a and 125 may be configured to butt against one another, thereby preventing inadvertent removal of the rotating member 130 from the central member 120 after their assembly. Similarly, or alternatively, the protrusion 139 b of the rotating member 130 may have a slightly smaller diameter than the protrusion 128 of the central member 120, such that the protrusions 139 b and 128 may be configured to butt against one another, thereby preventing inadvertent removal of the rotating member 130 from the central member 120 after their assembly. However, rotation of the rotating member 130 relative to the central member 120 and the handle 110 can still occur while the rotating member 130 is axially retained on the central member 120. Thus, the central member 120 may be an axle or spindle on which the rotating member 130 may be retained axially while rotating as a barrel, bobbin, reel, spool or similar rotating element.
The particulate remover 140 may comprise a wide strand of paper or other thin material, wrapped on top of itself around a substantially cylindrical tube or other support, where the paper may have an adhesive coating on one side. For example, the particulate remover 140 may be an adhesive paper spool, substantially similar to lint roller refills which are currently commercially available, such as those marketed by The Evercare Company of Alpharetta, Ga. The adhesive paper may be perforated, cut, or otherwise demarcated into a plurality of individual sheets which may be individually removed once consumed/contaminated. Such perforation may be performed either before or after the paper is wrapped around the tube.
The tube around which the paper is wrapped may comprise cardboard or other stiff paper materials, plastic, and/or other materials. The inner diameter of the tube or other inner profile of the particulate remover 140 may be configured to be retained on the rotating member 130 via interference fit. For example, the inner profile of the particulate remover 140 may have a diameter than is slightly smaller than the outer profile of the rotating member 130, such that the particulate remover 140 and the rotating member 130 may frictionally engage. Consequently, because the rotating member 130 is rotatable relative to the central member 120 and the handle 110, the particulate remover 140 is also rotatable relative to the central member 120 and the handle 110 by attaching the particulate remover 140 to the rotating member 130.
The shroud 150 is a cover configured to substantially envelope the particulate remover 140. For example, the shroud 150 may have an inner profile 156 that is configured to receive the particulate remover 140, and may therefore have a length that about equal to if not substantially greater than that of the particulate remover 140. For example, the inner profile 156 may have a diameter that is slightly greater than the outer diameter or profile of the particulate remover 140, such that the inner profile 156 of the shroud 150 is offset radially outward relative to the outer interface 142 of the particulate remover 140.
The shroud 150 is detachably coupled to the rotating member 130 via engagement between the shroud protrusion 152 and the end 134 of the rotating member 130, where the shroud protrusion 152 may be one or more members individually or collectively forming a substantially cylindrical member extending into the end 134 of the rotating member 130. The end 134 of the rotating member 130 may have a rounded, convex profile, as in the illustrated embodiment. However, the end 134 of the rotating member 130 may also have a rounded, concave profile, or a tapered profile, such as indicate by the dashed line in FIG. 1. The rounded or tapered profile of the rotating member end 134 may aid in the alignment of the shroud 150 and the rotating member 130 during assembly. The axial length of the central member 120 may also be substantially less than the length of the rotating member 130, such as in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, which may allow the shroud protrusion 152 to be positioned into the end 134 of the rotating member 130 without physically interfering with the end 126 of the central member 120. For example, the length of the shroud protrusion 152 may be at least slightly greater than the difference between the length of the rotating member 130 and the central member 120.
Because the rotating member 130 is rotatable relative to the central member 120 and the handle 110, the shroud 150 is also rotatable relative to the central member 120 and the handle 110 when the shroud 150 is attached to the rotating member 130. The end 154 of the shroud protrusion 152 may be barbed or otherwise configured to engage with a recess or lip 131 of the rotating member 130. The barbed end 154 of the shroud protrusion 152 may be one or more tab-shaped elements extending radially outward from the remainder of the protrusion 152, or a substantially continuous ring extending around the perimeter of the protrusion 152 and having a greater diameter than an immediately adjacent portion of the protrusion 152.
Referring to FIGS. 2-4, collectively, illustrated are views of an embodiment of the handle 110 and central member 120 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a top view, FIG. 3 is a front view, and FIG. 4 is a bottom view. As described above with reference to FIG. 1, the handle 110 and the central member 120 may be integrally formed as a single component. Moreover, the single component providing both the handle 110 and the central member 120 may be formed from substantially identical halves, designated herein by the reference numeral 105 a, one of which is depicted in FIGS. 2-4.
Each component half 105 a includes half of the handle 110 and half of the central member 120, designated herein by the reference numerals 110 a and 120 a, respectively. The handle portion 110 a may comprise a shell 110 b defining an interior cavity 110 c, as shown best in FIG. 4, although in other embodiments the handle portion 110 a may be substantially solid. The shell 110 b may be configured such that, when two component halves 105 a are coupled together, the central portion of the handle 110 (that which is more likely to be gripped by a user) has a substantially elliptical shape or other cross-sectional profile having an average aspect ratio of about 2:1 or greater. For example, the average height H of the central portion of the resulting handle 110 (shown in reference to the handle portion 110 a of FIG. 2) may be about twice the average thickness T of the handle 110 (where half the thickness, or T/2, is shown in reference to the handle portion 110 a of FIG. 3).
The handle portion 110 a may also flare out or otherwise have a rounded or contoured profile at an end 111 a nearest the central member portion 120 a. For example, the end 111 a of the handle portion 110 a may be substantially semi-circular, possibly having a radius that is substantially similar to that of the outer perimeter or profile of the rotating member 130, the outer surface 142 of the particulate remover 140, the shroud internal surface 156 at its open end, and/or the exterior perimeter of the shroud 150 at its open end (see FIG. 1). The end 111 a of the handle portion 110 a may have a diameter that is about 50% greater than the average height H of the central portion 110 a, and/or about 100% greater than the average thickness T of the central portion 110 (where half the thickness, or T/2, is shown in reference to the handle portion 110 a of FIG. 3). The opposite end 113 a of the handle portion 110 a may also be substantially rounded or contoured, although with a continually decreasing radius to form a rounded end.
The handle portion 110 a may include means for coupling to an additional handle portion 110 a (not shown). For example, in the illustrated embodiment the handle portion 110 a includes pins 114 a configured to be received by recesses 114 b. The pins 114 a may be secured within the recesses 114 b by interference or snap fit, adhesive, and/or other means. The illustrated embodiment depicts the inclusion of three pins 114 a corresponding to three recesses 114 b, although other embodiments are also within the scope of the present disclosure. The pins 114 a and recesses 114 b may have substantially similar diameters or other corresponding cross-sectional profiles. The pins 114 a and recesses 114 b may also by extend from or supported by, formed in, or otherwise associated with bosses 114 c extending from an internal surface of the shell 110 b. The bosses 114 c may have a diameter or other cross-sectional dimension or profile that is slightly larger than the corresponding diameter or other cross-sectional profile of the pins 114 a and recesses 114 b. The handle portion 110 a may also include support ribs 116 a and/or other similar structure that extend from the interior surface of the shell 110 b to the bosses 114 c. Any one or more of the bosses 114 c, pins 114 a and ribs 116 a may be discrete components that are coupled to the shell 110 b by adhesive and/or other means during assembly, or may be formed integrally with the remainder of the handle portion 110 a, such as by injection molding.
The central member portion 120 a of the component half 105 a includes half-portions of those features described above with respect to FIG. 1. For example, the central member portion 120 a includes a first end half 122 a, a second end half 126 a, flexible member halves 124 a, protrusion halves 125 a, and protrusion half 128 a. Consequently, when the component half 105 a is coupled with another component half 105 a, the central member 120 shown in FIG. 1 is formed, as well as the flexible members 124, protrusions 125, and other features of the central member 120 shown in FIG. 1.
The central member portion 120 a may also include ridges 129 a extending radially at a location between the protrusion half 128 and the end half 122 a. The ridges 129 a may decrease the surface area contact between the central member end 122 and the rotating member protrusion 139 b shown in FIG. 1, which may allow easier rotation of the rotating member 130 relative to the central member 120.
Although not illustrated in FIGS. 2-4, the central member portion 120 a may also include means for coupling with the corresponding central member portion of an additional component half 105 a during assembly. Such means may be substantially similar to the arrangement of pins 114 a and recesses 114 b of the handle portion 110 a, although other coupling means may alternatively or additionally be employed. For example, the central member portions 120 a may be coupled by an adhesive. The central member portion 120 a may be substantially solid, as depicted in FIGS. 2-4, although in other embodiments the central member portion 120 a may comprise a shell defining an internal cavity, such as is depicted for the handle portion 110 a.
The flexible member portions 124 a may be formed in the shape depicted in FIGS. 2-4 during an injection molding process and/or other manufacturing process by which the component half 105 a is formed. However, the flexible member portions 124 a may also be formed after such processing by removing a portion of material at the end 126 a to form a slot 127 a, such as by machining, snipping, cutting, die-forming, and/or other processes.
Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, collectively, illustrated are perspective views of an embodiment of the rotating member 130 shown in FIG. 1. In the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6, the protrusion 138 is depicted as a substantially contiguous ridge extending around the perimeter of the end 136 of the rotating member 130. However, the protrusions 139 a and 139 b are depicted as substantially continuous rings each supported by three radially extending ribs 205. The ribs 205 extend between the respective protrusion 139 a, 139 b to additional ribs 210 extending radially outward to or towards the perimeter of the rotating member 130 and also extending longitudinally along a substantial length of the rotating member 130. The longitudinal ribs 210 extend from a disc-shaped portion 215 to a funnel-shaped portion 220 at end 134, including through or past an intermediary disc-shaped portion 225. The ribs 210 may have a substantially linear inner profile 210 a, such as may be substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rotating member 130. However, the outer profile 210 b of the ribs 210 may be substantially convex, extending radially outward to beyond the diameter of the disc-shaped portions 215 and 225 at a central portion thereof, but where the longitudinal ends of the ribs 210 may extend radially outward only to the diameter of the disc-shaped portions 215 and 225, if not less.
The funnel-shaped portion 220 forms the convex, concave, tapered, or other surface at the end 134 of the rotating member 130 which may aid in aligning the shroud 150 during assembly of the shroud 150 to the rotating member 130. The disc-shaped portion 225 is at or near the narrow end of the funnel-shaped portion 220, and may form the shoulder or lip 131 which is engaged by the end(s) 154 of the shroud protrusion(s) 152 when the shroud 150 is assembled to the rotating member 130.
Referring to FIG. 7, illustrated is a perspective view of an embodiment of the apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1, herein designated by the reference numeral 300. The apparatus 300 is substantially similar, if not identical, to the apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1, except as described below. For example, the apparatus 300 includes a particulate remover 140 that is substantially similar to that shown in FIG. 1, and which may be substantially enveloped by a shroud (not shown) that is substantially similar to the shroud 150 shown in FIG. 1 when the shroud is attached to a rotating member (not shown) that is substantially similar to the rotating member 130 shown in FIG. 1. The apparatus 300 also includes a handle 310 that is substantially similar to the handle 110 shown in FIG. 1, except as described below. For example, the handle 310 includes an aperture 340 extending through opposing sides of the handle 310. The aperture 340 may be configured to receive a hook or other member on which the apparatus 300 may hang when not in use. The aperture 340 may have a substantially circular cross-section, as in the illustrated embodiment, although other configurations are also within the scope of the present disclosure.
The handle 310 also includes a pair of grip members 320 on opposing sides of the handle 310 and near an end 311 of the handle 310. The grip members 320 may be integrally formed with the handle 310, or they may be discrete features that are attached to the handle 310 during assembly. For example, the grip members 320 may each be a substantially disc-shaped member comprising rubber, plastic, and/or other materials. The material(s) utilized to form the grip members 320 may be pliable, such as may provide cushioning or otherwise increase user-comfort when the handle 310 is grasped (e.g., by an adult human hand) during operation of the apparatus 300. The grip members 320 may be secured within a recess in the exterior surface 315 of the handle, such as be adhesive and/or other means. In embodiments in which the handle 310 includes an interior cavity, such as described above with reference to FIGS. 2-4, the grip members 320 may alternatively be secured in an aperture extending through the shell of the handle 310.
For example, referring to FIG. 8, illustrated is a perspective view of an embodiment of one of the grip members 320 shown in FIG. 7. The grip member 320 includes a protruding portion 322 and one or more flanges 324 extending radially outward from at least a portion of the perimeter of the protruding portion 322. The grip member 320 may be flexible, such that it may conform to the profile of the handle 310 when the protruding portion 322 is pressed into an aperture of the handle 310. In such an embodiment, the flange 324 may be attached to the internal surface of the handle 310, such as by adhesive or other means. Alternatively, or additionally, the protruding portion 322 may have a substantially similar or slightly larger diameter or other shape relative to the aperture in the handle 310, such that the grip member 320 may be secured in the aperture of the handle 310 by friction, interference fit, or snap fit.
Returning to FIG. 7, the handle 310 also includes a plurality of grip members 330 oriented on opposing sides of the handle and near an end 312 of the handle 310. The grip members 330 may be integrally formed with the handle 310, or they may be discrete features that are attached to the handle 310 during assembly. For example, the grip members 330 may each be a substantially disc-shaped member comprising rubber, plastic, and/or other materials. The material(s) utilized to form the grip members 330 may be pliable, such as may provide cushioning or otherwise increase user-comfort when the handle 310 is grasped during operation of the apparatus 300. The grip members 330 may be secured within a recess in the exterior surface 315 of the handle, such as be adhesive and/or other means. In embodiments in which the handle 310 includes an interior cavity, such as described above with reference to FIGS. 2-4, the grip members 330 may alternatively be secured in an aperture extending through the shell of the handle 310.
For example, referring to FIG. 9, illustrated is a perspective view of an embodiment of the grip members 330 shown in FIG. 7. The grip members 330 each include a protruding portion 332 and one or more flanges 334 extending radially outward from at least a portion of the perimeter of the protruding portion 332. The grip members 330 may be flexible, such that they may conform to the profile of the handle 310 when the protruding portions 332 are pressed into apertures of the handle 310. In such an embodiment, the flanges 334 maybe attached to the internal surface of the handle 310, such as by adhesive or other means. Alternatively, or additionally, the protruding portions 332 may each have a substantially similar or slightly larger diameter or other shape relative to the corresponding apertures in the handle 310, such that the grip members 330 may be secured in the apertures of the handle 310 by friction, interference fit, or snap fit. The grip members 330 may be substantially identical in size or, as in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9, may have decreasing or otherwise varying diameters and/or other dimensions. The grip members 330 may remain attached to one another by interposing portions of the flanges 334, or they may be separate from one another by cutting or splicing along the dotted lines 336 shown in FIG. 9, whichever case may be more suitable to the particular manufacturing process utilized.
Referring to FIG. 10, illustrated is a perspective view of an embodiment of the apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1, herein designated by the reference numeral 400. The apparatus 400 is substantially similar, if not identical, to the apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1, except as described below. For example, the apparatus 400 includes a particulate remover 140 that is substantially similar to that shown in FIG. 1, and which may be substantially enveloped by a shroud (not shown) that is substantially similar to the shroud 150 shown in FIG. 1 when the shroud is attached to a rotating member (not shown) that is substantially similar to the rotating member 130 shown in FIG. 1. The apparatus 400 also includes a handle 410 that is substantially similar to the handle 110 shown in FIG. 1, except as described below. For example, the handle 410 includes an aperture 440 extending through opposing sides of the handle 410. The aperture 440 may be configured to receive a hook or other member on which the apparatus 400 may hang when not in use.
The handle 410 also includes grip members 420 on opposing sides of the handle 410 and extending along a substantial length of the handle 410. The grip members 420 may be integrally formed with the handle 410, or they may be discrete features that are attached to the handle 410 during assembly. The grip members 420 may be substantially similar in composition, construction and assembly relative to the grip members 320 and/or 330 shown in FIGS. 7-9. However, the grip members 420 may have a different geometric design relative to the substantially disc-shaped grip members 320 and 330 shown in FIGS. 7-9. For example, the grip members 420 include longitudinally-extending portions 422 extending along a substantial portion of the length of the handle 420. The grip members 420 also include interposing portions 424 extending between a pair of the portions 422. The interposing portions 424 may have arcuate, curvilinear, rectilinear, and/or other shapes, such as in the example shown in FIG. 10.
The handle 410 may also include a plurality of recesses 450 in the exterior surface 415 of the handle 410. The recesses 450 and the grip members 420 may aid a user in grasping the handle 410 during operation of the apparatus 400, and/or may add to the aesthetic value of the apparatus 400. The recesses 450 may have arcuate, curvilinear, rectilinear, and/or other shapes, such as in the example shown in FIG. 10. The recesses 450 may also be complementary to the grip members 420, in that the design and/or profile of the grip members 420 may be continued to the recesses 450, such as in the example shown in FIG. 10.
From all of the above, it should be readily understood that the present disclosure introduces particulate removal apparatus including, at least in one embodiment, a handle, a central member extending axially from an end of the handle, and a rotating member positioned about the central member and rotatable relative to the handle. The apparatus also includes a particulate remover having an internal interface configured to receive the rotating member, and a substantially cylindrical outer interface configured to adhesively retain particulate contacted thereby. A shroud is detachably coupled to the rotating member and substantially envelopes the particulate remover outer interface.
The present disclosure also introduces a lint remover including, at least in one embodiment, a grip configured to be grasped by an adult human hand, a spindle coupled to the grip and including an axial stop distal from the grip, and a bobbin supported on the spindle. The bobbin includes an internal profile configured to axially retain the bobbin between the grip and the axial stop of the spindle while permitting relative rotation between the bobbin and spindle. The lint remover also includes an adhesive paper spool having an inner profile configured for engagement with an external profile of the bobbin. A cover is configured to detachably couple with the bobbin and, thereby, substantially receive the spindle, bobbin and adhesive paper spool.
The foregoing outlines features of several embodiments so that those skilled in the art may better understand the aspects of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes and/or achieving the same advantages of the embodiments introduced herein. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that they may make various changes, substitutions and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A particulate removal apparatus, comprising:

a handle;

a central member extending axially from an end of the handle;

a rotating member positioned about the central member and rotatable relative to the handle;

a particulate remover having:

an internal interface configured to receive the rotating member; and

a substantially cylindrical outer interface configured to adhesively retain particulate contacted thereby; and

a shroud detachably coupled to the rotating member and substantially enveloping the particulate remover outer interface.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the internal interface of the particulate remover is substantially cylindrical.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the internal interface of the particulate remover is configured to frictionally engage the rotating member.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the shroud has an inner profile that is offset radially outward relative to the particulate remover outer interface.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the shroud is rotatable relative to the handle when coupled to the rotating member.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the shroud that corresponds to the particulate remover outer interface has a substantially non-stick surface.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the central member extends a first length from the end of the handle and the rotating member has a second length that is substantially greater than the first length.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a first end of the rotating member is proximate the end of the handle and a second end of the rotating member includes a profile configured to align and receive a plurality of barbed members protruding inward from a closed end of the shroud.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the second end of the rotating member further includes an internal profile configured to engage the plurality of barbed members.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the barbed members are configured to deflect radially inward in response to contact with the rotating member profile.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the central member is integral to the handle.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the handle comprises first and second substantially identical halves and the central member extends at least partially between the first and second handle halves.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of grip members protruding radially outward from the handle.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the plurality of grip members are substantially disc-shaped.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the handle includes an aperture extending through opposing sides of the handle.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

the particulate remover includes an open-ended tube and a plurality of individually detachable sheets wrapped around the tube;

an outwardly facing surface of each of the plurality of sheets is substantially adhesive;

an inner surface of the tube is the particulate remover internal interface configured to receive the rotating member; and

an outer most one of the plurality of individually detachable sheets is the substantially cylindrical outer interface configured to adhesively retain particulate contacted thereby.

17. A lint remover, comprising:

a handle configured to be grasped by an adult human hand;

a spindle coupled to the handle and including an axial stop distal from the handle;

a bobbin supported on the spindle and including an internal profile configured to axially retain the bobbin between the handle and the axial stop of the spindle while permitting relative rotation between the bobbin and spindle;

an adhesive paper spool having an inner profile configured for engagement with an external profile of the bobbin; and

a cover configured to detachably couple with the bobbin and, thereby, substantially receive the spindle, bobbin and adhesive paper spool.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the bobbin is substantially longer than the spindle.

19. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the cover includes a plurality of flexible members collectively configured to releasably engage the bobbin.

20. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein an external profile of the axial stop and the internal profile of the bobbin are configured to:

permit translation of the bobbin relative to the spindle in a first axial direction; and

prevent translation of the bobbin relative to the spindle in a second axial direction.