Golf Ball Cleaning Pad

Abstract

A foldable cleaning pad sized for placement in a user's clothing or golf bag pocket includes a substantially fluid impermeable backing layer, and an inner cleaning layer having a fluid absorptive portion. The cleaning pad is configured to be folded in half about a mid-plane fold axis, so as to present outwardly only the backing layer. Peripheral edge portions of the cleaning pad are provided with pairs of magnets positioned in symmetrically spaced locations on each side of the fold axis. The opposing pairs of magnets are positioned with the opposite magnetic polarity so that when the pad is folded, the magnets are provided in juxtaposition such that the magnetic attraction therebetween substantially prevents the leakage or transmission of fluids, moisture or other debris therebetween from the interior of the folded pad. The inner cleaning layer of the pad is provided with both a fluid absorptive portion, as well as an abrasive scrubbing portion. The fluid absorptive portion is selected to enable the pad to be precharged with a suitable cleaning fluid such as water with abrasive scrubbing portion presenting a roughened surface selected to facilitate the dislodgement of dirt, stains and other debris from the article to be cleaned.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60 / 760,960 filed Jan. 23, 2006.SCOPE OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to a multilayer cleaning pad and more particularly, a cleaning pad for use with a cleaning fluid in cleaning golf balls, golf clubs, bowling balls, shoes and the like. The cleaning pad includes a flexible substantially fluid impermeable backing layer and a flexible inner layer having a fluid absorptive part. A series of magnets are provided about an edge portion of the pad to enable the cleaning pad to be secured in a folded orientation for storage to substantially prevent the leakage or transmission of fluids or moisture therefrom.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]The use of personal cleaning cloths and towels by golfers is well known. In particular, when playing the game of golf, dirt, grass and other debris frequently accumulates on the golf ball or golf club face. As s...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]It is an object of the present invention to at least partially overcome some of the difficulties of prior art devices by providing a foldable cleaning pad which is sized for placement in a user's clothing or golf bag pocket. The cleaning pad includes a substantially fluid impermeable backing layer, and an inner cleaning layer having a fluid absorptive portion. The cleaning pad is configured to be folded in half about a mid-plane fold axis, so as to present outwardly substantially only the fluid impermeable backing layer. Peripheral edge portions of the cleaning pad are provided with at least one pair of magnets, each positioned to assist in maintaining the pad in a folded orientation. More preferably, the cleaning pad includes a plurality of pairs of magnets which are positioned in symmetrically spaced locations on each side of the fold axis. The opposing pairs of magnets are positioned with the opposite magnetic polarity so that when the pad is folded, the magnets are provided in juxtaposition such that the magnetic attraction therebetween substantially prevents the leakage or transmission of fluids, moisture or other debris therebetween from the interior of the folded pad.

[0009]In a more preferred construction, the inner layer of the pad is provided with both a fluid absorptive portion, as well as an abrasive scrubbing portion. The fluid absorptive portion is selected to enable the pad to be precharged with a suitable cleaning fluid such as water, glass cleaner, metal cleaners, or other liquid detergents. The abrasive scrubbing portion presents a roughened surface selected to facilitate the dislodgement of dirt, stains and other debris from the article to be cleaned. The scrubbing portion could include, by way of non-limiting example, a roughened synthetic or Nylon™ pad, a screen or a coarse canvass material. Most preferably, the abrasive portion is provided as a woven synthetic mesh having a substantially open weave of between about 0.25 and 1 mm, which allows any dirt or debris to be readily rinsed therefrom.

[0032]at least one edging member being secure to edge portions of at least one of the inner layer, the outer layer and the cushioning layer to assist in maintaining the positioning of the edge portion of the layers relative to each other.

Problems solved by technology

In particular, when playing the game of golf, dirt, grass and other debris frequently accumulates on the golf ball or golf club face.

Holms suffers the disadvantage, however, that the folded cleaning pad is susceptible to opening once placed in the user's pocket, wetting the user's clothing.

Sprague also suffers the further disadvantage in that after the cotton pads have been wetted, if the cleaning device is placed in the golfer's pocket, the panels tend to move out of a hingely aligned position allowing the moistened absorbent pads to contact the golfer's clothing, allowing moisture to wick into the user's pants or jacket.

Sprague suffers the disadvantage in that as a golf game may last several hours or more, the absorbent panels have a tendency to dry out, minimizing the cleaning effectiveness of the cleaning cloth.

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