[0001] The present invention relates to a tool in the shape of a brush comprised of a spongy
portion made from reticulated synthetic material having a rough and relatively non-flexible
surface formed by the filaments of the cells of the said reticulated material, thanks
to the adequately large cell size of the said material.
[0002] Various tools for brushing leather, basically comprised of a spongy body having an
essentially even, smooth surface generally impregnated with silicone oils or the like
are, already known in the market. Although this type of tool is extremely useful for
cleaning hairless leather, it is not suitable for cleaning pilose leather, irrespective
of whether the hair is long or short, such as suede, "nubuck", "split" and the like.
[0003] In fact, the oil- and wax-based impregnation of the spongy mass will, on the one
hand, produce stains on the surface of the aforesaid leathers, and the smooth, non-rough
nature of the said tool will, on the other hand, be unsuitable for the pilose nature
of the hairy leathers, since the application thereof will produce a "flattening" of
the pilose mass but it will not cause the loosening of the dust particles nor will
it serve to "comb" the said surface.
[0004] As it is known, the leathers of the previously mentioned type to be suitable cleaned,
it is recommendable for the cleaning surface of the tools to be relatively non-flexible
and rough so that the adequate orientation of the pilose mass as well as the removal
of the dust and dirt particles may be achieved. Hence, brushes having more or less
rigid bristles are known. However, inspite of being suitable for the alleged cleaning
function, they are relatively expensive.
[0005] The object of this invention is to provide a tool in the shape of a brush of the
type described above, which permits the aforesaid disadvantages to be obviated, which
is easy to produce and which is inexpensive.
[0006] This object is achieved in accordance with the characteristics described in the claims
inasmuch as it is comprised of a handle portion including a spongy portion made from
polyester polyurethane reticulated foam, the cell size of which is sufficiently large
so as to form an essentially rough and relatively non-flexible cleaning portion defined
by the end filaments of the cells of the aforesaid spongy material.
[0007] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the handle portion of
the tool is provided in the form of a lid for a box or receptacle of the aforesiaid
spongy cleaning device.
[0008] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will be more fully understood
from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
in which:
[0009] Figure 1 illustrates a view of the cleaning tool in accordance with the invention,
uncoupled from its corresponding closure element or box.
[0010] Figure 2 is a partly cut, end sectional view of the brush-shaped portion of the tool
of figure 1.
[0011] The cleaning tool 1, preferably adopting the shape of a brush, is comprised of a
handle portion 2 and a cleaning portion 3 having a spongy nature made from polyester
polyurethane reticulated foam, the cell size of which is sufficiently large so as
to form an essentially rough and relatively non-flexible cleaning surface thanks to
the filaments of the cells of the said spongy mass 4. The adequately rough and non-flexible
nature, in accordance with the invention, is essentially determined by the cell size
of the reticulated synthetic material as well as by the stiffness thereof.
[0012] Additionally, a receptable 5 in the form of a box may be provided as a housing for
the said spongy mass. In this case the handle portion 2 is provided as a lid for the
said box including opening lugs 6.
[0013] A tool as that disclosed in the aforegoing proportions a cleaning device which permits
short or long-haired leather surfaces, such as suede, "nubuck", "split" and the like,
to be adequately brushed, which device can be easily manufactured and is of a low
cost.
1. Tool in the shape of a brush for cleaning leather, of the type comprising a handle
portion (2) and a cleaning portion or the brush itself (3) made from a spongy material,
characterised in that the said cleaning portion is comprised of a reticulated synthetic
foam material, preferably polyester polyurethane having a cell size sufficiently large
so as to form a rough and relatively non-flexible cleaning surface defined by the
filaments (4) of the cells of the said spongy material.
2. Tool according to claim 1, characterised in that it is comprised of a receptable in
the shape of a box (5) for the cleaning portion which is complementary to the handle
portion (2) in order to determine a box with a lid.
3. Tool according to the preceding claims, characterised in that the said handle portion
(2), in the shape of a lid, is provided with opening lugs (6).
