United States Ratent and Trademark Office
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Offiee
`Address: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`PC. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Viigiiiia 22313-1450
`www.uspto.gov
`
`APPLICATION I
`NUMBER I
`61/569,093
`
`FILING or
`371(c) DATE
`12/09/2011
`
`1 GRP ART 1
`1 UNIT 1
`
`FIL FEE REC'D |
`
`250
`
`87627
`Mossman, Kumar & Tyler PC
`P.O. Box 421239
`Houston, TX 77242
`
`atty.docket.no
`MAY-1001-USP5
`
`|t〇T claims I IND CLAIMS
`
`CONFIRMATION NO. 3992
`FILING RECEIPT
`OC000000051661636
`
`Date Mailed: 01/03/2012
`
`Receipt is acknowledged of this provision기 patent application. It wiH not be examined for patentability and wiH
`become abandoned not later than twelve months after its filing date. Any correspondence concerning the application
`must in이Ude the following id이itification informati이the U.S. APP니CATION NUMBER, 디니NG DATE, NAME OE
`API가」CANT, and TITLE OE INVENTION. Fees transmitted by check 이 draft are subject to collection. Please verify
`the accuracy of the data presented on this receipt. If an error is noted on this Fiiing Receipt, piease submit
`a written request for a Fiiing Receipt Correction. Piease provide a copy of this Fiiing Receipt with the
`changes noted thereon, if you received a "Notice to Fiie Missing Parts" for this appiication, piease submit
`any corrections to this Fiiing Receipt with your repiy to the Notice. When the USPTO processes the repiy
`to the Notice, the USPTO wiii generate another Fiiing Receipt incorporating the requested corrections
`Appiicant(s)
`
`Walter G. Mayfi이d, Houston, TX;
`Power of Attorney:
`Gene Tyler-35395
`
`If Required, F아이gn Fiiing License Granted: 12/23/2011
`The country code and number of your priority applioation, to be used for filing abroad under the Paris Convention,
`is US 61/569,093
`Projected Publication Date: None, application is not eligi미e for pre-grant pu미ication
`Non-Publication Request: No
`Early Publication Request: No
`Titie
`
`Apparatus for Cleaning View Screens and Lenses and Method for the Use Thereof
`PROTECTING YOUR INVENTION OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES
`
`Sinoe the rights granted by a U.S. patent extend only throughout the territory of the United States and have no
`effeot in a foreign country, an inventor who wishes patent protection in another country must apply for a patent
`in a specific country or in regional patent offices. Applicants may wish to consider the filing of an international
`application under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). An international (PCT) application generally has the same
`effect as a regular national patent application in each PCT-member country. The PCT process simplifies the filing
`of patent applications on the same invention in member countries, but does not result in a grant of "an international
`page 1 of 3
`
`1
`
`APPLE 1015
`
`

`

`patent" and does not eliminate the need of applioants to file additional documents and fees in countries where patent
`protection is desired.
`
`Almost every country has its own patent law, and a person desiring a patent in a particular country must make an
`application for patent in that country in accordance with its particular laws. Since the laws of many countries differ
`in various respects from the patent law of the United States, applicants are advised to seek guidance from speoifio
`foreign countries to ensure that patent rights are not lost prematurely.
`
`Applicants also are advised that in the case of inventions made in the United States, the Director of the USPTO must
`issue a license before applicants can apply for a patent in a foreign country. The filing of a U.S. patent application
`serves as a request for a foreign filing license. The application's filing receipt contains further information and
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`Applicants may wish to consult the USPTO booklet, "General Information Concerning Patents" (specifically, the
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`oan be viewed on the USPTO website at http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/doc/general/index.html.
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`For information on preventing theft of your intellectual property (patents, trademarks and copyrights), you may wish
`to oonsult the U.S. Government website, http://www.stopfakes.gov. Part of a Department of Commeroe initiative,
`this website includes s이f-help "toolkits" giving innovators guidance on how to proteot mt이|ectu기 property in specific
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`cal! the U.S. Government hotline at 1-866-999-HALT (1-866-999-4158).
`
`니CENSE FOR FOR티GN Fl니NG UNDER
`
`Title 35, United States Code, Section 184
`
`Title 37, Code of Federal Regulations, 5.11 & 5.15
`
`GRANTED
`
`The applicant has been granted a license under 35 U.S.C. 184, if the phrase "IF REQUIRED, FOR티GN Fl니NG
`니CENSE GRANTED" followed by a date appears on this form. Such licenses are issued in al! applications where
`the conditions for issuanoe of a license have been met, regardless of whether or not a license may be required as
`set forth in 37 CFR 5.15. The scope and limitations of this license are set forth in 37 CFR 5.15(a) unless an earlier
`license has been issued under 37 CFR 5.15(b). The license is subject to revocation upon written notification. The
`date indicated is the effective date of the license, unless an earlier license of similar scope has been granted under
`37 CFR 5.13^5.14.
`
`This license is to be retained by the licensee and may be used at any time on or after the effective date thereof unless
`it is revoked. This license is automatically transferred to any related applications(s) filed under 37 CFR 1.53(d). This
`license is not retroaotive.
`
`The grant of a license does not in any way lessen the responsibility of a licensee for the security of the subject matter
`as imposed by any Government contract or the provisions of existing laws relating to espionage and the national
`security or the export of teohnioa! data. Licensees should apprise themselves of current regulations especially with
`respect to certain countries, of other agencies, particularly the Office of Defense Trade Controls, Department of
`State (with respect to Arms, Munitions and Imp|이rents of War (22 CFR 121-128)); the Bureau of Industry and
`page 2 of 3
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`2
`
`

`

`Security, Department of Commerce (15 CFR parts 730-774); the Office of For이gn AssetsControl, Department of
`Treasury (31 CFR Parts 500+) and the Department of Energy.
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`NOT GRANTED
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`No license under 35 U.S.C. 184 has been granted at this time, if the phrase "IF REQUIRED, FOR티GN FILING
`니CENSE GRANTED" DOES NOT appear on this form. Applicant may stiH petition for a lie이】se under 37 CFR 5.12,
`if a license is desired before the expiration of 6 months from the filing date of the application. If 6 months has lapsed
`from the filing date of this application and the licensee has not reoeived any indication of a secrecy order under 35
`U.S.C. 181, the licensee may foreign file the application pursuant to 37 CFR 5.15(b).
`
`SelectUSA
`The United States represents the largest, most dynamic marketplace in the world and is an unparalleled location
`for business investment, innovation and commercialization of new technologies. The USA offers tremendous
`resources and advantages for those who invest and manufacture goods here. Through SelectUSA, our nation
`works to encourage, facilitate, and accelerate business investment. To learn more about why the USA is the best
`country in the world to develop teohnology, manufaoture products, and grow your business, visit S이ectUSA.gov.
`
`page 3 of 3
`
`3
`
`

`

`Doc Code: TR.PROV
`Document Description: Provision기 Cover Sheet (SB16)
`
`PTO/SB/16 (04-07)
`Approved for use through 06/30/2010 0MB 0651-0032
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a coiiection of information uniess it dispiays a vaiid 0MB controi number
`Provisional Application for Patent Cover Sheet
`This is a req니est for fiiing a PROViSiONAL APPLiCATiON FOR PATENT 니nder 37 CFR 1.53(c)
`
`Inventor(s)
`
`Inventor 1
`
`辰兼簫懿苣뼤
`
`Given Name
`
`Mid게e Name
`
`Famiiy Name
`
`City
`
`State
`
`Co니 ntry j
`
`Waiter
`
`G.
`
`Mayfieid
`
`Ho 니 ston
`
`TX
`
`US
`
`Aii inventors Must Be Listed - Additionai inventor information biocks may be
`generated within this form by seiecting the Add b니tton.
`
`Add |
`...................'
`
`Title of Invention
`
`Apparatus for Cieaning View Screens and Lenses and Method for the Use
`Thereof
`
`Attorney Docket Number (if appiicabie)
`
`MAY-1001-USP5
`
`Correspondence Address
`
`Direct aii correspondence to (seiect one):
`
`◎ The address corresponding to Customer Number 〇 Firm or Individ니기 Name
`
`Customer Number
`
`87627
`
`The invention was made by an agency of the United States Government or 니nder a contract with an agency of the United
`States Government.
`
`(り No.
`〇 Yes, the name of the U.S. Government agency and the Government contract number are:
`
`EFS - Web 1.0.1
`
`4
`
`

`

`Doc Code: TR.PROV
`Document Description: Provisionai Cover Sheet (SB16)
`
`PTO/SB/16 (04-07)
`Approved for use through 06/30/2010 0MB 0651-0032
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a coiiection of information uniess it dispiays a vaiid 0MB controi number
`Entity Status
`Applicant ciaims smaii entity status under 37 CFR 1.27
`〇 Yes, appiicant q니기ifies for smaii entity status under 37 CFR 1.27
`◎ No
`Warning
`
`Petitioner/appiicant is ca니tioned to avoid submitting personal information in documents fiied in a patent application that may
`contrib니te to identity theft. Personal information s니ch as social sec니rity numbers, bank acco니nt numbers, or credit card
`numbers (other than a check or credit card a니thorization form PTO-2038 s니bmitted for payment p니rposes) is never req니ired
`by the USPTO to s니pport a petition or an application. If this type of personal information is included in documents submitted
`to the USPTO, petitioners/applicants sho니d consider redacting s니ch personal information from the doc니merits before
`s니bmitting them to USPTO. Petitioner/appiicant is advised that the record of a patent application is available to the p니blic
`after p니blication of the application (니niess a non-p니blication req니est in compliance with 37 OFR 1.213(a) is made in the
`application) or iss니ance of a patent. F니rthemiore, the record from an abandoned application may also be available to the
`p니blic if the application is referenced in a p니blished application or an iss니ed patent (see 37 CFR1.14). Checks and credit
`card a니thorization forms PTO-2038 s니bmitted for payment p니rposes are not retained in the application file and therefore are
`not p니blicly available.
`
`Signature
`
`Please see 37 CFR 1.4(d) for the form of the signature.
`
`Signature
`
`/Gene L. Tyler/
`
`First Name
`
`Gene L.
`
`Last Name
`
`Tyler
`
`Date (YYYY-MM-DD)
`
`2011-12-09
`
`Registration Number
`(If appropriate)
`
`35395
`
`This collection of information is required by 37 CFR 1.51. The information is required to obtain or retain a benefit by the public which is to
`file (and by the USPTO to process) an application. Confidenti기ity is governed by 35 U.S.C. 122 and 37 CFR 1.11 and 1.14. This collection
`is estimated to take 8 hours to complete, in시uding gathering, preparing, and submitting the completed application form to the USPTO.
`Time wiH vary depending upon the individual case. Any comments on the amount of time you require to complete this form and/or
`suggestions for reducing this burden, should be sent to the Chief Information Officer, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, U.S. Department
`of Commerce, P.O. Box 1450, 시exandria, VA 22313-145〇. DO NOT SEND FEES OR COMPLETED FORMS TO THIS ADDRESS. This
`form can only be used when in conjunction with EFS-Web. If this form is mailed to the USPTO, it may cause delays in handling
`the provisional application.
`
`EFS - Web 1.0.1
`
`5
`
`

`

`Privacy Act Statement
`
`The Privacy Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-579) req니ires that yo니 be given certain information in connection with yo니rs니bmission of
`the attached form reiated to a patent appiication or paten. Accordingiy, p니rs니ant to the requirements of the Act, piease be
`advised that: (1) the generai a니thority for the coiiection of this information is 35 U.S.C. 2(b)(2); (2) f니mishing of the
`information soiicited is voiuntary; and (3) the principai p니rpose for which the information is 니sed by the U.S. Patent and
`Trademark Office is to process and/or examine yo니 rs니 bmission reiated to a patent appiication or patent. If yo 니 do not
`f니mish the req니ested information, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office may not be abie to process and/or examine yo니r
`s니bmission, which may res니It in termination of proceedings or abandonment of the appiication or expiration of the patent.
`
`The information provided by yo니 in this form wiii be s니bject to the f이|owing ro니tine 니ses:
`
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`2.
`
`3.
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`5.
`
`6.
`
`7.
`
`8.
`
`9.
`
`The information on this form wiii be treated confidentiaiiy to the extent aiiowed 니nder the Freedom of information
`A가 (5 U.S.C. 552) and the Privacy A가 (5 U.S.C 552a). Records from this system of records may be dis시osed to the
`Department of J니stice to determine whether disclos니re of these records is req니ired by the Freedom of information
`Act.
`
`A record from this system of records may be disciosed, as a ro니tine 니se, in the co니rse of presenting evidence to
`a co니rt, magistrate, or administrative trib니nal, inciuding dis시os니res to opposing co니nsel in the co니rse of settlement
`negotiations.
`A record in this system of records may be dis시osed, as a ro니tine 니se, to a Member of Congress submitting a
`req니est involving an individ니al, to whom the record pertains, when the individ니al has req니ested assistance from the
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`records may be disciosed, as a ro니tine 니se, to the internationai B니rea니 of the Worid Intellect니기 Property
`Organization, p니rs니ant to the Patent Cooperation Treaty.
`A record in this system of records may be disciosed, as a ro니tine 니se, t o a n other federal agency for p니rposes
`of National Security review (35 U.S.C. 181) and for review p니rs니ant to the Atomic 타lergy A거 (42 U.S.C. 218(c)).
`A record from this system of records may be dis시osed, as a ro니tine 니se, to the Administrator, General Services,
`or his/her designee, d니ring an inspection of records cond니cted by GSA as part of that agency's responsibility to
`recommend improvements in records management practices and programs, 니nder a니thority of 44 U.S.C. 2904 and
`2906. S니ch disclos니re shaii be made in accordance with the GSA regulations governing inspection of records for this
`p니rpose, and any other relevant (i.e., GSA or Commerce) directive. S니ch dis시os니re shaii not be 니sed to make
`determinations abo니t individ니als.
`A record from this system of records may be dis시osed, as a ro니tine 니se, to the p니blic after either p니blication of
`the application p니rs니ant to 35 U.S.C. 122(b) or issuance of a patent p니rs니ant to 35 U.S.C. 151. F니rther, a record
`may be dis시osed, s니bject to the limitations of 37 CFR 1.14, as a ro니tine 니se, to the p니blic if the record was filed in an
`application which became abandoned or in which the proceedings were terminated and which application is
`referenced by either a p니blished application, an application open to p니blic inspection or an
`iss니ed patent.
`A record from this system of records may be dis시osed, as a ro니tine 니se, to a Federal, State, or local law
`enforcement agency, if the USPTO becomes aware of a violation or potential violation of law or reg니ation.
`
`6
`
`

`

`MAY-1001-US-P5
`
`PROVISIONAL APPLICATION FOR
`UNITED STATES LETTERS PATENT
`
`FOR
`
`APPARATUS FOR CLEANING VIEW SCREENS
`AND LENSES AND METHOD FOR THE USE THEREOE
`
`Inventor: Walter G. Mayfield
`
`-1-
`
`7
`
`

`

`MAY-1001-US-P5
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Field of the Invention
`1.
`[0001] The invention relates to an apparatus for cleaning view screens. The invention
`
`particularly relates to such an apparatus used with electrical devices.
`
`Background of the Art
`2.
`[0002] Cleaning lenses has long been an issue for the users of devices using them. For
`
`example, telescopes, binoculars, and cameras have long been used and keeping the lenses
`
`of such devices clean has been the subject of many creative efforts.
`[0003] More recently, there are new devices to clean. With the advent of portable
`
`electronic devices, it has become common to observe such devices being used in many
`
`public venues. Such venues include coffee shops, restaurants, shopping malls, and the
`
`like. These devices can be seen in just about any public setting.
`[0004] Many of the portable electronic devices have a view screen for displaying text.
`
`Some of these devices also are used for displaying photographs and in some cases
`
`movies. The newest of these devices display photographs and movies in high definition.
`
`[0005] While the view screens are usually rugged, and often covered with a protective
`
`film or screen, they are still subject to becoming dirty. Oils from human skin,
`
`environmental liquids and powders, and even airborne aerosols and dust can collect on a
`
`view screen and make it difficult to use.
`
`[0006] Cleaning the view screen of a portable electronic device can be problematic. It is
`
`often not desirable to use materials that are readily available to clean the view screen.
`
`For example, paper towels and paper napkins or sometimes composed of materials that
`
`may scratch and thereby damage a view screen.
`
`[0007] Carrying appropriate cleaning materials is sometimes a problem. Cleaning
`
`devices are sometimes too bulky to be comfortably carried. In their rush to get ready in
`
`the morning, it is easy for users of electronic devices to forget or overlook such
`
`preparations for their day.
`
`-2-
`
`8
`
`

`

`[0008] It would be desirable in the art of manufacturing portable electronic devices to
`
`incorporate into such devices the cleaning apparatus. It would also be desirable in the art
`
`of providing accessories for portable electronic devices to provide a cleaning component
`
`that can be carried on an electronic device case.
`
`MAY-1001-US-P5
`
`9
`
`

`

`MAY-1001-US-P5
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`[0009] In one aspect, the invention is a method of cleaning a view screen of an electronic
`
`device having at least one case comprising wiping the view screen with a cleaning
`
`component wherein the cleaning component is configured to selectively couple to the at
`
`least one case using a magnetic attractive force.
`[0010] In another aspect, the invention is a cleaning component for use on an electronic
`
`device view screen comprising a cleaning material covering at least one surface of a
`
`ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic substrate wherein the cleaning component has a maximum
`
`thickness of 1.5 cm.
`[0011] In still another aspect, the invention is a small electronic device comprising a
`
`case, a view screen, and internal electronic components wherein the view screen and
`
`internal electronic components are mounted within the case and the view screen is
`
`externally visible in at least one configuration of the case. Also, the case has a surface
`
`that is substantially diamagnetic and at least a part of the surface of the case has been
`
`configured to receive a cleaning component wherein: the cleaning component is
`
`configured to selectively couple to the at least one part of the surface of the case that has
`
`been configured to receive the cleaning component; the at least one part of the surface of
`
`the case that has been configured to receive the cleaning component is ferromagnetic or
`
`ferrimagnetic or overlays a ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic material; and the cleaning
`
`component comprises a cleaning material covering at least one surface of a ferromagnetic
`
`or ferrimagnetic substrate.
`[0012] Another aspect of the invention is a second case, that functions to protect an
`
`electronic device^s primary case, and has a surface that is substantially diamagnetic and at
`
`least a part of the surface of the second case has been configured to receive a cleaning
`
`component wherein: the cleaning component is configured to selectively couple to the at
`
`least one part of the surface of the second case that has been configured to receive the
`
`cleaning component; the at least one part of the surface of the second case that has been
`
`configured to receive the cleaning component is ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic or
`
`overlays a ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic material; and the cleaning component
`
`comprises a cleaning material covering at least one surface of a ferromagnetic or
`
`ferrimagnetic substrate.
`
`-4-
`
`10
`
`

`

`MAY-1001-US-P5
`
`[0013] In still another aspect, the invention is a method of cleaning a view screen or a
`
`lens for use with a mechanical or non-electronic device having a view screen or a lens
`
`comprising wiping the view screen or lens with a cleaning component wherein the
`
`cleaning component is configured to selectively couple to the at least one part of the
`
`mechanical or non-electrical device using a magnetic attractive force.
`[0014] In yet another aspect, the invention is a method of cleaning a view screen or a lens
`
`using a cleaning component wherein the cleaning component is configured to adhere to
`
`portable object different from the object having the view screen or lens.
`[0015] Another aspect of the invention is employing a cleaning component having a
`
`magnet element to activate or deactivate a magnetic switch.
`
`[0016] In still another aspect, the invention is a cleaning component having a cleaning
`
`surface that is replaceable and held in place within the cleaning component with a tacky
`
`adhesive wherein the tacky adhesive is directly on the surface of the non-cleaning surface
`
`or the tacky adhesive is in the form of a double sided tape.
`
`[0017] In yet another aspect, the invention is a cleaning component having an external
`
`cover for protecting one both sides of a cleaning material wherein the external cover is
`
`reversible so that it may be folded over to expose the cleaning surface.
`[0018] In still another aspect, the invention is a case for an electronic device having a
`
`magnetic switch, and in the area of the case over the magnetic switch, a recessed area that
`
`functions to facilitate a cleaning component having a magnet moving past the switch in
`
`order to activate or deactivate the switch.
`[0019] Another aspect of the invention is a cleaning system having at least one element
`
`being a piece of clothing selected from the group consisting of a hat, helmet or other
`
`headgear; a jacket or coat; a shirt or top; a skirt or pants; and a shoe or boot, wherein the
`
`piece of clothing is configured to accept a cleaning component and the cleaning
`
`component is held in place, at least in part, using a magnet.
`
`[0020] In yet another aspect, the invention may be cleaning system comprising a cleaning
`
`component and an area on a device case configured to receive the cleaning component
`
`wherein the area of the device case configured to receive the cleaning component and the
`
`cleaning component may be used as a game wherein the cleaning component is tossed at
`
`the ea of the device case configured to receive the cleaning component.
`
`11
`
`

`

`[0021] In still another aspect, the invention is a stylus configured to receive a cleaning
`
`component.
`
`MAY-1001-US-P5
`
`-6-
`
`12
`
`

`

`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`MAY-1001-US-P5
`
`[0022] The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will hecome
`
`more apparent hy descrihing in detail embodiments thereof with reference to the attached
`
`drawings in which:
`
`FIGS. lA and IB illustrate the top and side view of an embodiment of a cleaning
`
`component;
`FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate the top and side view of a second embodiment of a cleaning
`component; and FIG. 2C illustrates an embodiment similar to FIG. 2B, but having a tab;
`
`FIG. 3 illustrates a computer case configured to receive a cleaning component;
`FIG. 4 illustrates a flip type phone case configured to receive a cleaning component;
`FIG. 5 illustrates a lateral type phone case configured to receive a cleaning component;
`FIG. 6 illustrates a cleaning component with a sin않e offset magnet;
`
`FIG. 7 illustrates a cleaning component having multiple layers;
`FIG. 8 illustrates a cleaning component used with a set of binoculars;
`FIG. 9 illustrates a cleaning component employing a structural feature to enhance
`
`adhesion;
`
`FIG. 10 illustrates a cleaning component employing replaceable cleaning surface;
`FIG. II illustrates a cleaning component employing a revisable cover;
`FIG. 12 illustrates a cleaning component including a brush;
`FIG.I3 illustrates a cap having a cleaning component located on the bill of the cap;
`
`FIG. 14 illustrates a cleaning component having a "quick release^^ capability; and
`FIG. 15 illustrates a stylus for use with a cleaning component.
`
`-7-
`
`13
`
`

`

`MAY-1001-US-P5
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`[0023] One embodiment of the invention is a method of cleaning a view screen of an
`
`electronic device having at least one case comprising wiping the view screen with a
`
`cleaning component wherein: the cleaning component is configured to selectively couple
`
`to the at least one case using a magnetic attractive force. For the purposes of this
`
`application, the term "at least one case^^ means the primary case used by a manufacturer
`
`to hold and protect the individual electronic components of which an electronic device is
`
`composed, but it can also mean a protective case that functions to protect the primary
`
`case. For example, a smartphone generally comprises electronics disposed within a rigid
`
`shell like case. This would be the primary case. There are available protective cases,
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`often made of leather, rubber, and/or rigid are flexible plastic, that serve to prevent
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`scratches and blemishes on the primary case and sometimes to impart a bit of shock
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`resistance as well.
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`[0024] The term electronic device means such devices having a view screen including,
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`but not limited to cell phones, smartphones, some cameras, some telescopes, some
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`weapons scopes, tablet computers, laptop computers, DVD players, and the like. Other
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`examples include computer monitors, televisions, laboratory apparatus (both portable and
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`non portable), and the like. The method of this application may be used with any
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`electronic device having a view screen.
`[0025] The term ''selectively couple^^ describes the process wherein a cleaning
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`component of the disclosure is applied to an electronic device and adheres to it because
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`of a magnetic force. In one embodiment of the disclosure, there is sufficient magnetic
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`force to allow the cleaning component to remain in place despite casual movements of
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`the electronic device, but to still be easily removed by a human operator.
`[0026] Turning to Figs. lA and IB, a top and side view of a round cleaning component
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`(100) are shown. As can be observed, the cleaning component is covered with a cleaner
`material (101). Cleaner materials useful with the method and apparatus of the application
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`include, but are not limited to fabrics. Exemplary fabrics include microfiber cloths, open­
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`end weave microfiber cloths, double layer cloths wherein the outer layer which would
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`make contact with a view screen is a microfiber cloth, and combinations thereof. For the
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`purposes of this application, the term "fabrics" is defined to further include non-plant
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`materials such as animal skins and/or cloth prepared using synthetic materials or animal
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`materials. In at least one embodiment, the fabric may be a shammy (a.k.a. chamois). In
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`another preferred embodiment, the cleaning material may he the material commonly
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`known in the art as a Micro Shamois Cloth such as is available from iKlear. Any cleaning
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`material that can be used to clean a view screen that does not cause excessive wear or
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`abrasions may be used with the method and apparatus of the application. A
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`ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic substrate (102) is also shown.
`[0027] Turning to Figs 2A and 2 B, a side view of the cleaning component, it can be
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`seen that disposed within the cleaner material (201) is a ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic
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`substrate (202). The ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic substrate may be made of iron or
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`other conventional ferrimagnetic and ferrimagnetic materials. In may also be a
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`composite. Exemplary composites include combinations of aluminum, nickel, and cobalt
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`compound with iron. Such composites may be made by sintering metals or by mixing the
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`metallic components with a resin and injection molding. Mixtures of iron oxide and
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`ceramic components such as barium and strontium carbonate may be used to make
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`ceramic magnets for use as the Ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic substrates useful with the
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`application. For the purposes of this application, rare earth magnets, such as but not
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`limited to samarian and neodymium based magnets, are ferrimagnetic and ferrimagnetic
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`materials and may be used to prepare the Ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic substrates
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`useful with the application. Any magnetic material or material that is attracted to
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`magnets may be used to prepare the Ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic substrates useful
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`with the application.
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`[0028] In another embodiment, the invention is a cleaning component for use on an
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`electronic device view screen comprising a cleaning material covering at least one
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`surface of a ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic substrate wherein the cleaning component has
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`a maximum thickness of 1.5 cm. Turning to Figs. 2 A and B, a top and side view of a
`rectangular cleaning component is shown. In this embodiment, a cleaner material (201)
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`is shown surrounding, on both sides, a ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic substrate (202) that
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`is rectangular in shape.
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`[0029] In some embodiments, the cleaning material is present only on one side of the
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`substrate. On the other side of the substrate is a different material that is selected to
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`facilitate movement of the cleaning component on a view screen or to protect from a
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`hostile environment. This material may be textured or it may be one that has a higher
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`coefficient of friction than the cleaning material. In a variation of this emhodiment, the
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`cleaning component may include a tab that can be pinched to facilitate moving the
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`cleaning component. In still another variation, in this latter embodiment, the tab may be
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`constructed such that it can lay down in order to lower the profile of the cleaning
`component. Turning to Fig. 2C, a cleaning component otherwise identical to that of Figs.
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`2A and 2B is shown, except that a tab (203) is shown in the raised position.
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`[0030] The dimensions of the cleaning component may vary according to its intended
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`use. For example, one class of small electronic devices upon which the cleaning
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`components may be employed is cell phones. The cell phone class includes both cell
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`phones and devices combining cell phone functionality with computing power such as the
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`so called smart phones. When the cleaning component will be used with a cell phone, it
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`may have dimensions ranging as follows. Length may range from about 2.1 cm to about
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`0.5 cm. In one embodiment, the length may be about 1.7 cm. Width may range from 1.9
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`cm to about 0.5 cm. In one embodiment, the width may be about 1.7 cm.
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`[0031] Another class of small electronic devices is the so called tablet computers. When
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`the cleaning component will be used with a tablet computer, it may have dimensions
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`ranging as follows. Length may range from about 7.5 cm to about 0.6 cm. In one
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`embodiment, the length may be about 2.5 cm. Width may range from 3 cm to about 0.5
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`cm. In one embodiment, the width may be about 2.5 cm.
`[0032] In embodiments of the disclosure wherein the cleaning component will be
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`employed on a cell phone or tablet computer, it may be desirable to make the cleaning
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`component as thin as possible. This is of course the subject the caveat that the cleaning
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`component is thick enough to be easily manipulated during the cleaning