Device for holding cleaning implements

Abstract

A device for holding and manipulating compressible cleaning implements. The device comprises a handle and a blade attached to the handle. The blade is provided with an opening and a channel communicating with the opening and with the outer edge of the blade. The inner end of the channel is narrower than the diameter of the opening so that compressible cleaning implements inserted into the opening through the channel cannot migrate out of the opening during use. The channel is positioned in the portion of the blade that is proximal to the handle.

1 . A device for holding a cleaning implement having a compressible portion comprising:
 a handle; and   a blade attached to said handle and having oppositely oriented first and second blade faces, an outer blade edge surrounding said blade, an opening through said blade defined by an inner blade edge, and a channel through said blade and extending from said inner blade edge to said outer blade edge, said channel being defined by a first channel edge and a second channel edge;   whereby a compressible portion of said cleaning implement can be passed through said channel into said opening and held in said opening by engagement with said inner blade edge and said first and second blade faces.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said opening is substantially circular. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said blade is of generally curvilinear shape. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said blade is flexible. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the distance between said first channel edge and said second channel edge increases from said inner blade edge to said outer blade edge. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said opening has a maximum opening width and the distance between said first channel edge and said second channel edge at said inner blade edge is less than said maximum opening width. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said opening is substantially circular and the distance between said first channel edge and said second channel edge at said inner blade edge is less than the diameter of said opening. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said handle extends from said first blade edge and has a handle longitudinal axis and wherein said channel has a channel central axis, and further wherein said channel central axis is at a substantial angle to a line extending through said handle longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said cleaning implement is of sponge material. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said cleaning implement is of layered mesh material. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said cleaning implement comprises a compressible attachment element having oppositely oriented first and second surfaces and a first cleaning element on said first surface and a second cleaning element on said second surface. 
     
     
         12 . A device for holding cleaning implements having a compressible portion, said tool comprising:
 a handle;   a blade attached to said handle, said blade comprising first and second blade faces and defined by an outer blade edge surrounding said blade, said blade transcribing a generally curvilinear shape;   a substantially circular opening through said blade defined by an inner blade edge;   a channel through said blade and extending from said inner blade edge to said outer blade edge, said channel being defined by a first channel edge and a second channel edge, the distance between said first channel edge and said second channel edge at said inner blade edge being less than the distance between said first channel edge and said second channel edge at said outer blade edge and less than the diameter of said substantially circular opening;   whereby the compressible portion of a cleaning implement can be passed through said channel into said substantially circular opening and held in said substantially circular opening by engagement with said inner blade edge and said first blade face and said second blade face.   
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12  wherein said blade is flexible. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 12  wherein said handle is elongated. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 12  wherein said handle has a handle longitudinal axis and said channel has a channel central axis, and wherein said channel extends outwardly from said inner blade edge to said outer blade edge with said channel axis at an angle in the range of 45 to 60 degrees to a line through said handle longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 12  wherein said handle has a handle longitudinal axis and said channel has a channel central axis, and wherein said channel extends outwardly from said inner blade edge to said outer blade edge with said channel axis at an angle of about 60 degrees to a line through said handle longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 12  wherein said cleaning implement is of sponge material. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 12  wherein said cleaning implement is of layered mesh material. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 12  wherein said cleaning implement comprises a compressible attachment element having oppositely oriented first and second surfaces and a first cleaning element on said first surface and a second cleaning element on said second surface. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 12  wherein the length of said blade is in the range of 3 to 8 inches, the width of said blade is in the range of 3 to 6 inches, the diameter of said opening is in the range of 1 to 3 inches, and the distance between said first channel edge and said second channel edge is in the range of 0.5 to 2.5 inches.