GB2504974A - A protective case with a cleaning element - Google Patents

Abstract

A protective case suitable for a portable electronic device with screen comprises a case body 1 having a cleaning element (3, fig 2) on its interior surface. The cleaning element (3, fig.2) may comprise a cleaning pad (3a, fig 2) and a wiper blade (3b, fig2), which are rotated about a pinion (9, fig2) as the device is entered into or withdrawn from the case. One or more surfaces of the electronic device is cleaned by the action of introducing and or withdrawing the device from said protective case, either by energy harnessed by said movement or by energy from a power source. Liquid may be applied to the pad (3a, figure 2) from a reservoir (4, fig.6) by means of a pump action button (26, fig.6). The cleaning elements may be retracted into a hermetic housing (16, fig.2) when they are not in contact with the screen. Access may be provided to replace the pad and blade, and to refill the reservoir.

Description

Protective carry case, incorporating interior cleaning facility, for portable electronic devices.

Background

Progressively more electronic devices are manufactured with increasingly large tactile screens which are prone to the build-up of smears and dirt as the user touches them to operate the device, posing the problem of how to keep the screens clean from dirt, grease, sweat and bacteria etc. Build-up of these pollutants causes difficulty in viewing the screen and a health issue if devices are interchanged between users. Mobile telephones are particularly prone to these pollutants.

Prior art

Current screen cleaning methods include wiping a microfiber cloth across the surface with or without cleaning and antibacterial liquids to aid the cleaning process.

Small microfiber towels which attach to the back of the device are known to exist as does a circular pad which is housed in one corner of the screen.

Sterilizing containers are known to exist to kill bacteria.

Rubber blades are also employed in conjunction with cleaning fluids to leave a smear free screen.

All the known methods require that the user cleans the device when the buildup of pollutants dictates it necessary and require that the user either carries the cleaning materials with them at all times or waits until they reach their home or office etc. to carry out the cleaning process.

Description

The current invention relates to a protective carry case for electronic devices for example mobile telephones, tablets, portable consoles etc, which cleans the device as it enters and or is withdrawn from the case. It may also be adapted to clean non-tactile screens as incorporated into mobile telephones, portable video games etc. The carry case incorporates one or more cleaning elements on one or more of its inside surfaces which may include cloths, microfiber towels, rubber or silicon squeegee blades with or without cleaning liquids to aid the cleaning process.

As the electronic device is pushed into the case, and or withdrawn from it, it comes into contact with the cleaning materials which wipe the screen clean with the movement of the device entering and or exiting the case. The case may include cleaning capabilities for the back and sides of the electronic device also.

Cleaning movements may include circular, orbital, vertical, horizontal, diagonal or a combination of movements being driven by energy harnessed by the action of the user pushing the device in and withdrawing from the protective case, by the movement causing friction between the device and the interior of the case as the device enters and is withdrawn from the case or by mechanical cleaning actions powered by an internal or external power source.

If the device to be cleaned has an irregularly designed profile, to incorporate a battery or for other design motives, the case may incorporate a base travelling up and down guide channels on each interior side surface ensuring that the device's front surface i.e. the screen, is introduced vertically to ensure that the cleaning materials contact the screen with uniform pressure to maximize the cleaning action. The rigid case may incorporate holes in its surface for ventilation of the electronic device.

It is desirable that dimensions of cleaning elements which dictate overall case dimensions are kept to a minimum whilst offering efficient cleaning, for purposes of weight and portability.

Preferred embodiment A preferred embodiment of a device to protect and clean Smartphones will be given, offering options for both static pad and rotary pad movement. The concept is not limited to these embodiments nor to the materials and cleaning actions mentioned nor is it limited to Smartphones. The cleaning cycle example given occurs as the Smartphone is inserted into the case so that it is stored clean. The cleaning cycle may be arranged as the Smartphone is withdrawn, or as it is both inserted and withdrawn.

Drawings Figure 1 Front view with Smartphone being introduced and cleaned.

Figure 2 View of static cleaning elements in engaged position.

Figure 3 View of static cleaning elements in retracted position.

Figure 4 View of rotary cleaning element in engaged position.

Figure 5 View of rotary cleaning element in retracted position.

Figure 6 Side view.

Figure] Front view to show guide rails and cleaning element.

Referring to figure 1, case body (1) is made of a suitably strong, light material e.g. a plastic, but not limited to this material, which offers sufficient rigidity that its shape is not altered as the Smartphone is inserted or withdrawn from it.

Guide rails (5) are positioned parallel to cleaning element (3), base (6) incorporating a flexible element (7) which grips the base of the Smartphone, and holds it flat to base (6). Base (6) is an optional feature required if the Smartphone profile is non-uniform and requires additional support to ensure that the Smartphone screen is introduced vertically and parallel to the cleaning element. Bar (8) engages with pinion (9) so that as bar(s) moves vertically upward or downward, it rotates pinion (9). Bar (8) is held in engagement of pinion (9) by tube (25) which in turn attached to the interior of case (1).

Lever (10) at the bottom extreme of bar(s) is held in position at leverage assembly (11), the end of lever (10) furthest from bar(s) is shaped to cross the downward travel of base (6).

Plate (12) lies flat to the bottom of case body (1) and is connected to the exterior of case (1) by handle (13). It is free to slide up and down channel (14).

Referring to figure 2, cleaning element (3) is in the cleaning cycle position.

Cleaning element (3) is pivoted at the point of pinion (9) and also at the opposite side of the interior so that it pivots in parallel to guide rails (5). Pad (3a) made of a cleaning textile and designed to be of a width to accurately cover the width of the Smartphone screen, without overlap onto any raised borders if present on the model of Smartphone, is fixed to (3) and is moistened by the pump action of button (26) sending cleaning and antibacterial solution from reservoir (4) via tube (15). Rubber blade (3b) ensures that the screen surface of the Smartphone is left smear free after cleaning action by pad (3a). In the cleaning cycle, cleaning element (3) is in a position vertical and parallel to guide rails (5). Sprung flap (3c) allows base (6) to push cleaning element (3) from a horizontal, non-cleaning position to a vertical cleaning cycle position as cleaning element (3) pivots at pinion (9).

Referring to figure 3, cleaning element (3) is in the non-cleaning horizontal position and kept clean of dust and evaporation loss by hermetic shield (16).

Referring to figures 1 and 6, handle (13) which is attached to plate (12) can be seen protruding from channel (14).

Figure 6 shows the side view and demonstrates an objective depth dimension for the case which is as thin as practically possible whilst maintaining efficient cleaning.

Hinged flap (2), allows access to the cleaning element (3) and cleaning liquid reservoir (4) for maintenance and replacement.

Referring back to figure 1, when the user wishes to insert the Smartphone in its case, the following process occurs to enable cleaning: The Smartphone is pushed into flexible element (7) in base (6), securing the base of the Smartphone flat to base (6) and so introducing the Smartphone into the guide channels (5) ensuring it is vertically introduced and parallel to cleaning element (3).

Cleaning element (3) is currently in the non-cleaning cycle position but as base (6) travels down guide rails (5) as the user pushes the Smartphone into the case, base (6) contacts sprung flap (3e) and causes cleaning assembly (3) to rotate at pinion (9) into a vertical position, held in place at stop (17). If base (6) is not employed according to the Smartphone profile, then it is the Smartphone body which contacts sprung flap (3a). As pinion (9) rotates, bar (8) moves vertically downward, causing lever (10) to rise at the end furthest from bar (8).

Meanwhile the contact of moist pad (3a) and wiper blade (3b) are cleaning and leaving the Smartphone screen smear free. As base (6) nears the end of its travel and the Smartphone is nearly fully inserted, base (6) pushes down on lever (10), causing bar(s) to travel vertically upwards, in turn causing pinion (9) to rotate cleaning assembly (3) into a horizontal position. If base (6) is not employed according to the Smartphone profile, then it is the Smartphone body which pushes down on lever (10). As cleaning element (3) rotates, because rubber blade (3b) is positioned below pad (3a), then pad (3a) leaves contact with the Smartphone screen before blade (3b) ensuring that the last part of cleaning element (3) to touch the screen is blade (3b) avoiding any smear left by pad (3a).

Cleaning element (3a) is now retracted into hermetic housing (16), prevented from travelling any further by stop (18), and the Smartphone is stored clean.

When the user wishes to remove the Smartphone, they slide handle (13) up channel (14), causing plate (12) to lift base (6) a sufficient vertical distance that the user may pull the Smartphone from its case. Base (6) is free to pass sprung flap (3c), the said flap (3c) is then sprung back into position ready for the next cleaning cycle.

When base (6) reaches the end of its travel, it is held secure by sprung stops (23) the user pulls the Smartphone base free from flexible element (7).

Figures 4 and 5 show an alternative cleaning element embodiment, Figure 4 demonstrates the cleaning cycle position, and figure 5, the retracted position, where the cleaning element is a rotating pad (3a) pivoting within cleaning element (3) and driven by the action of base (6) attached at point (22) to and pulling down on rubber band (19) which travels around pivoted pinions (20) located within cleaning element (3) and (21) fixed at a point on the interior of case (1) at the bottom of the same side as pinion (9). Cleaning liquid is pumped via tube (15) onto cleaning cylinder(3a) and prevented from evaporating via housing (24) and hermetic cover (16).

Figure 7 shows a front view without access flap (2) to demonstrate the position of cleaning elements (3a), (3b) and (3c), guide rails (5) to ensure that the device to be cleaned is held firmly in parallel to the cleaning elements, the sprung stops (23) to hold base (6) in place while inserting and removing the device to be cleaned, and stops (17) and (18) to hold cleaning element in either the engaged position or the retracted position.

Claims (15)

1. Claims 1. A protective case for a portable electronic device with screen, said case which cleans the screen or multiple parts of the device with cleaning materials mounted inside the case by the action of introducing the device into and/or withdrawing it from the case, from mechanical energy harnessed from insertion and, or withdrawal, or by mechanical action from a power source.
2. 2. A protective case for a portable electronic device with screen as described in claim 1 which incorporates cleaning materials on its interior surfaces in the form of textiles, sponges, rubber, silicon orsimilarcleaning blades, and cleaning and antibacterial liquids.
3. 3. A protective case for a portable electronic device with screen as described in claims 1 and 2 which may include static pad cleaning action of a dry or moist microfiber material to clean pollutants as the electronic device travels past and in contact with the pad.
4. 4. A protective case for a portable electronic device with screen as described in any of the previous claims which may include rotary, circular, orbital, vertical, horizontal, diagonal, zigzag movement or a combination of the aforementioned and powered by energy harnessed from the device's introduction and or withdrawal from the case, or from an internal or external power source.
5. 5. A protective case for a portable electronic device with screen as described in any of the previous claims which includes a rack and pinion device to harness movement of insertion and or withdrawal to move the cleaning elements into and out of contact with the device to be cleaned and stored.
6. 6. A protective case for a portable electronic device with screen as described in any of the previous claims which is made of strong, light material e.g. a plastic, to enhance protective and portable qualities and to offer the rigidity necessary for the cleaning process by maintaining the cleaning material flat against the screen or other parts of the device.
7. 7. A protective case for a portable electronic device with screen as described in any of the previous claims which incorporates a liquid reservoir providing liquid to enhance cleaning action.
8. 8. A protective case for a portable electronic device with screen as described in any of the previous claims which incorporates a pump action button on the case's exterior allowing the user to moisten cleaning pads when necessary and not consume cleaning liquid unnecessarily.
9. 9. A protective case for a portable electronic device with screen as described in any of the previous claims having pads and blades which are replaceable to increase cleaning efficiency.
10. 10. A protective case for a portable electronic device with screen as described in any of the previous claims which has an accessible section to renew pads and cleaning solution for refilling.
11. 11. A protective case for a portable electronic device with screen as described in any of the previous claims which incorporates a hermetic cover into which the pads and blades may be retracted for protection against dirt and the evaporation of cleaning fluid when the cleaning elements are not in contact with the screen.
12. 12. A protective case for a portable electronic device with screen as described in any of the previous claims having a base which grips the device to be stored and cleaned so that the device is held flat to the base.
13. 13. A protective case for a portable electronic device with screen as described in any of the previous claims having a base engaged in guide channels mounted on the interior surfaces which travels the depth of the case at a uniform angle to the cleaning materials, the base holding the electronic device firmly in place ensuring that the device's screen is in uniform contact with the cleaning materials during the cleaning cycle.
14. 14. A protective case for a portable electronic device with screen as described in any of the previous claims having guide channels mounted on the interior sides to guide the device in a position maintaining optimum contact with the cleaning materials.
15. 15. A protective case for a portable electronic device with screen as described in any of the previous claims incorporating a flat plate positioned under the base, the plate being attached to a handle which protrudes through a slot at the back or side of the case so that the base can be lifted by the handle to facilitate the withdrawal of the electronic device from the case.