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`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`
`t kilted States Patent anti Trademark Ortiee
`
`August 11, 2012
`
`THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT ANNEXED HERETO IS A TRUE COPY FROM
`THE RECORDS OF THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK
`OFFICE OF THOSE PAPERS OF THE BELOW IDENTIFIED PATENT
`APPLICATION THAT MET THE REQUIREMENTS TO BE GRANTED A
`FILING DATE.
`
`APPLICATION NUMBER: 61/515,752
`FILING DATE: August 05, 2011
`RELATED PCT APPLICATION NUMBER: PCT/US12/49562
`
`THE COUNTRY CODE AND NUMBER OF YOUR PRIORITY
`APPLICATION, TO BE USED FOR FILING ABROAD UNDER THE PARIS
`CONVENTION, IS US61/515,752
`
`ezt
`
`..r
`
`•
`
`3:
`
`NrtwC08.''
`
`Certified
`
`r11 1 71: ti.v$Acs
`
`1.4nler Secretary of Commerce
`for Intelleetut-d Property
`and Director of •the United States
`Patent_ and 'Trademark Office
`
`.:s
`
`. 1.=
`
`....... , , ...... .
`
`.........
`
`
`
` •••• •-;as••••••
`
`•
`
`1
`
`APPLE 1005
`
`
`
`Doc Code: TR.PROV
`Document Description: Provisional Cover Sheet (SB16)
`
`PTO/SB/16 (04-07)
`Approved for use through 00/30/2010 OMB 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 collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number
`Provisional Application for Patent Cover Sheet
`This is a request for filing a PROVISIONAL APPLICATION FOR PATENT under 37 CFR 1.53(c)
`
`Inventor(s)
`
`Inventor 1
`
`MR-0010C!
`
`Given Name
`
`Middle Name
`
`Family Name
`
`City
`
`State
`
`Country i
`
`Walter
`
`G.
`
`Mayfield
`
`Houston
`
`TX
`
`US
`
`All Inventors Must Be Listed — Additional Inventor Information blocks may be
`generated within this form by selecting the Add button.
`
`4gAUIMM
`
`Title of Invention
`
`APPARATUS FOR CLEANING VIEW SCREENS AND METHOD FOR THE
`USE THEREOF
`
`Attorney Docket Number (if applicable)
`
`MAY-1001-US-P1
`
`Correspondence Address
`
`Direct all correspondence to (select one):
`
`C) The address corresponding to Customer Number
`
`0 Firm or Individual Name
`
`Customer Number
`
`87884
`
`The invention was made by an agency of the United States Government or under a contract with an agency of the United
`States Government.
`
`0 No.
`
`0 Yes, the name of the U.S. Government agency and the Government contract number are:
`
`EFS - Web 1.0.1
`
`2
`
`
`
`Doc Code: TR.PROV
`Document Description: Provisional Cover Sheet (SB16)
`
`PTO/SB/16 (04-07)
`Approved for use through 00/30/2010 OMB 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 collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number
`
`Entity Status
`Applicant claims small entity status under 37 CFR 1.27
`
`Q Yes, applicant qualifies for small entity status under 37 CFR 1.27
`
`C) No
`
`Warning
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`
`Signature
`
`Please see 37 CFR 1.4(d) for the form of the signature.
`
`Signature
`
`/Gene L. Tyler/
`
`Date (YYYY-MM-DD)
`
`2011-08-05
`
`First Name
`
`Gene L.
`
`Last Name
`
`Tyler
`
`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 he public which is to
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`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.
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`EFS - Web 1.0.1
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`3
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`
`4
`
`
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`MAY-1001-US-P1
`
`A view screen of an electronic device having at least one case can be cleaned by 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.
`
`-12-
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`5
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`
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`
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`DODD DODD
`
`DODD DODD
`
`COC
`
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`
`6
`
`
`
`MAY-1001-US-P1
`
`PROVISIONAL APPLICATION FOR
`UNITED STATES LETTERS PATENT
`
`FOR
`
`APPARATUS FOR CLEANING VIEW SCREENS
`AND METHOD FOR THE USE THEREOF
`
`Inventor: Walter G. Mayfield
`
`-1-
`
`7
`
`
`
`MAY-1001-US-P1
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`I.
`
`Field of the Invention
`
`[0001] The invention relates to an apparatus for cleaning view screens. The invention
`
`particularly relates to such an apparatus used with electrical devices.
`
`2.
`
`Background of the Art
`
`[0002] 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.
`
`[0003] 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.
`
`[0004] 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.
`
`[0005] 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.
`
`[0006] 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.
`
`[0007] 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.
`
`-2-
`
`8
`
`
`
`MAY-1001-US-P1
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0008] 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.
`
`[0009] 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.
`
`[0010] 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.
`
`[0011] 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
`
`-3-
`
`9
`
`
`
`comprises a cleaning material covering at least one surface of a ferromagnetic or
`
`ferrimagnetic substrate.
`
`MAY-1001-US-P1
`
`-4-
`
`10
`
`
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`MAY-1001-US-P1
`
`[0012] The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will become
`
`more apparent by describing in detail embodiments thereof with reference to the attached
`
`drawings in which:
`
`[0013] FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate the top and side view of an embodiment of a cleaning
`
`component;
`
`[0014] 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.
`
`[0015] FIG 3 illustrates a computer case configured to receive a cleaning component.
`
`-5-
`
`11
`
`
`
`MAY-1001-US-P1
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`[0016] 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,
`
`often made of leather, rubber, and/or rigid are flexible plastic, that serve to prevent
`
`scratches and blemishes on the primary case and sometimes to impart a bit of shock
`
`resistance as well.
`
`[0017] The term electronic device means such devices having a view screen including,
`
`but not limited to cell phones, smartphones, tablet computers, laptop computers, DVD
`
`players, and the like. Other examples include computer monitors, televisions, laboratory
`
`apparatus (both portable and non portable), and the like. The method of this application
`
`may be used with any electronic device having a view screen.
`
`[0018] The term "selectively couple" describes the process wherein a cleaning
`
`component of the disclosure is applied to an electronic device and adheres to it because
`
`of a magnetic force. In one embodiment of the disclosure, there is sufficient magnetic
`
`force to allow the cleaning component to remain in place despite casual movements of
`
`the electronic device, but to still be easily removed by a human operator.
`
`[0019] Turning to Figs. 1A and 1B, a top and side view of a round cleaning component
`
`(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
`
`include, but are not limited to fabrics. Exemplary fabrics include microfiber cloths, open-
`
`end weave microfiber cloths, double layer cloths wherein the outer layer which would
`
`make contact with a view screen is a microfiber cloth, and combinations thereof. Any
`
`-6-
`
`12
`
`
`
`MAY-1001-US-P1
`
`cleaning material that can be used to clean a view screen that does not cause excessive
`
`wear or abrasions may be used with the method and apparatus of the application. A
`
`ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic substrate (102) is also shown.
`
`[0020] Turning to Figs 2A and 2 B, a side view of the cleaning component, it can be
`
`seen that disposed within the cleaner material (201) is a ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic
`
`substrate (202). The ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic substrate may be made of iron or
`
`other conventional ferrimagnetic and ferrimagnetic materials.
`
`In may also be a
`
`composite. Exemplary composites include combinations of aluminum, nickel, and cobalt
`
`compound with iron. Such composites may be made by sintering metals or by mixing the
`
`metallic components with a resin and injection molding. Mixtures of iron oxide and
`
`ceramic components such as barium and strontium carbonate may be used to make
`
`ceramic magnets for use as the Ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic substrates useful with the
`
`application. For the purposes of this application, rare earth magnets, such as but not
`
`limited to samarian and neodymium based magnets, are ferrimagnetic and ferrimagnetic
`
`materials and may be used to prepare the Ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic substrates
`
`useful with the application. Any magnetic material or material that is attracted to
`
`magnets may be used to prepare the Ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic substrates useful
`
`with the application.
`
`[0021] In another embodiment, 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. 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)
`
`is shown surrounding, on both sides, a ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic substrate (202) that
`
`is rectangular in shape.
`
`[0022] In some embodiments, the cleaning material is present only on one side of the
`
`substrate. On the other side of the substrate is a different material that is selected to
`
`facilitate movement of the cleaning component on a view screen. This material may be
`
`textured or it may be one that has a higher coefficient of friction than the cleaning
`
`material. In a variation of this embodiment, the cleaning component may include a tab
`
`that can be pinched to facilitate moving the cleaning component.
`
`In still another
`
`-7-
`
`13
`
`
`
`MAY-1001-US-P1
`
`variation, in this latter embodiment, the tab may be 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. 2A and 2B is shown, except that a tab
`
`(203) is shown in the raised position.
`
`[0023] The dimensions of the cleaning component may vary according to its intended
`
`use. For example, one class of small electronic devices upon which the cleaning
`
`components may be employed is cell phones. The cell phone class includes both cell
`
`phones and devices combining cell phone functionality with computing power such as the
`
`so called smart phones. When the cleaning component will be used with a cell phone, it
`
`may have dimensions ranging as follows. Length may range from about 2.1 cm to about
`
`0.5 cm. In one embodiment, the length may be about 1.7 cm. Width may range from 1.9
`
`cm to about 0.5 cm. In one embodiment, the width may be about 1.7 cm.
`
`[0024] Another class of small electronic devices is the so called tablet computers. When
`
`the cleaning component will be used with a tablet computer, it may have dimensions
`
`ranging as follows. Length may range from about 7.5 cm to about 0.6 cm.
`
`In one
`
`embodiment, the length may be about 2.5 cm. Width may range from 3 cm to about 0.5
`
`cm. In one embodiment, the width may be about 2.5 cm.
`
`[0025] In embodiments of the disclosure wherein the cleaning component will be
`
`employed on a cell phone or tablet computer, it may be desirable to make the cleaning
`
`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 process. While
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`in some embodiments the cleaning component may be as thin as a sheet of paper, but in
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`most embodiments it will have a thickness of from about 0.5 cm to about 1 mm.
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`[0026] The overall shape of the cleaning component when used with cell phones and
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`tablet computers may be round, oval, rectangular, or square. In some embodiments, in
`
`order to avoid overlapping with a view screen, the cleaning component may be shaped to
`
`fit available space.
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`[0027] The cleaning components of the disclosure may be used with another class of
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`small electronic devices, commonly referred to as laptop computers. They may also be
`
`used with televisions, laboratory instruments, and the like. Because these devices are
`
`larger it may be desirable in some embodiments to increase the dimensions of the
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`MAY-1001-US-P1
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`cleaning component. For example, the length of cleaning component used with these
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`devices may range from about 10 cm to about 1 cm. The optimum length may range
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`from about five cm to about 8 cm. The width may range from about 0.5 cm to about 5
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`cm. The optimum width may be from about 0.5 to about 5 cm. Similar to the other
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`classes, the cleaning component may be as thin as a sheet of paper, but in most
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`embodiments it will have a thickness of from about 0.5 cm to about 1 mm.
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`[0028] For the larger devices, shape is generally not as critical. There are often larger
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`areas to which the cleaning component can be coupled. For these applications, it is often
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`desirable to make the cleaning component rectangular in shape. Still, other shapes would
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`be within the scope of the claims of this application.
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`[0029] Another embodiment of the application invention is a small electronic device
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`comprising a case, a view screen, and internal electronic components wherein the view
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`screen and internal electronic components are mounted within the case.
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`In this
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`embodiment, the view screen is externally visible in at least one configuration of the case
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`and the case has a surface that is substantially diamagnetic. At least a part of the surface
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`of the case has been configured to receive a cleaning component. Further, the cleaning
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`component is configured to selectively couple to the at least one part of the surface of the
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`case that has been configured to receive the cleaning component; the at least one part of
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`the surface of the case that has been configured to receive the cleaning component is
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`ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic or overlays a ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic material; and
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`the cleaning component comprises a cleaning material covering at least one surface of a
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`ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic substrate.
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`[0030] Some electronic devices have view screens that are always visible. Exemplary of
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`this are some cell phones and tablet computers that do not have covers. Other devices
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`such as laptops have view screens that may be seen only when the cover is lifted.
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`[0031] In embodiments of the disclosure where a case has been configured to receive a
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`cleaning component, it may be so configured in several ways. In one embodiment, such a
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`case is configured by placing a ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic material onto the surface
`
`of the case where the cleaning component is received. In another embodiment, the case
`
`is prepared such that the case itself is composed of a ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic
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`material at the point where the cleaning component is received.
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`In still another
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`MAY-1001-US-P1
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`embodiment, the case is prepared by placing a ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic material
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`underneath where the cleaning component is received. Additionally, the case may be
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`fabricated such that the cleaning component is received into a groove, slot, or other
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`indented geometrical shape to lower the profile of the cleaning component to facilitate
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`closing a cover or prevent snagging a cleaning component. Another reason to lower the
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`profile that the cleaning component may be to enhance the aesthetics of the device.
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`[0032] Turning to Fig. 3, the base of a laptop computer (300) is shown. Above and to the
`
`right of the keyboard (301) is a rectangular indention (302) having dimensions and all
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`three directions that are slightly larger than those of a cleaning component (303). In one
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`embodiment of the disclosure, the cleaning component has a ferromagnetic or
`
`ferrimagnetic substrate that is a permanent magnet. The case, at the base of the
`
`invention, is prepared using a ferromagnetic material.
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`[0033] In employing the method of the disclosure, the cleaning component is coupled to
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`the base of the laptop computer by placing it within the invention. The magnetic
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`attractive force between the permanent magnet and the ferromagnetic material holds the
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`cleaning component in place as a laptop computer is moved. The cleaning component is
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`decoupled from the laptop computer base by lifting it to overcome the magnetic force.
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`The cleaning component is then placed on the view screen (not shown) and is then moved
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`across the view screen using one or more fingers. After the view screen has been
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`cleaned, the cleaning component may be recoupled to the computer base.
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`[0034] Similarly, the method and apparatus of this disclosure may apply to a second
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`case.
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`In this embodiment, a case constructed to protect the primary case of a small
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`electronic device may be similarly configured to receive a cleaning component. Such
`d
`cases which are sometime manufactured by ,r party providers generally serve to protect
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`the finish of the primary case and/or provide additional impact protection for the
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`electrical components of the small electronic devices.
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`[0035] In practicing the method of the disclosure, there are three basic embodiments
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`regarding the source of magnetic force used.
`
`In one embodiment, the cleaning
`
`component may include a magnet and the case may include an unmagnetized
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`ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic material. In a second embodiment, the cleaning device
`
`may have only an unmagnetized ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic material and the magnet
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`MAY-1001-US-P1
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`may be in or on the case. In the third embodiment, both the cleaning component and the
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`case may include a magnet.
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`[0036] When a magnet or a ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic material is applied to a case,
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`in one embodiment, it may be adhered using a tacky adhesive. One such embodiment
`
`includes using double sided gaffer's tape as the source of the tacky adhesive. Any tacky
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`adhesive can be used with the method of the application.
`
`[0037] In one embodiment, the cleaning component of the application may be used as a
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`source of advertising. For example, in one embodiment of the application, a cleaning
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`component may have imprinted upon it a logo, trademark, slogan, or the like.
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`[0038] In this application, the term diamagnetic is used to delineate materials that are not
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`ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic. From a practical perspective, the materials that are
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`paramagnetic have such a weak attraction to magnets that they would not be effective if
`
`utilized and thus are to be treated as if they are diamagnetic.
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`[0039] While, generally speaking, the cleaning components are meant to be unitary, in
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`some embodiments, the cleaning material may be removed and replaced with new
`
`cleaning material. Also, the cleaning components may be configured such that they have
`
`a thinner center to allow a user to employ lateral force to the cleaning component to more
`
`easily slide it across the surface of a view screen. In some embodiments, the cleaning
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`component may have a profile such that the cleaning component is thinner in the middle
`
`and near the of the cleaning component.
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`
`
`Electronic Acknowledgement Receipt
`
`EFS ID:
`
`Application Number:
`
`10680741
`
`61515752
`
`International Application Number:
`
`Confirmation Number:
`
`1063
`
`Title of Invention:
`
`APPARATUS FOR CLEANING VIEW SCREENS AND METHOD FOR THE USE
`THEREOF
`
`First Named Inventor/Applicant Name:
`
`Walter G. Mayfield
`
`Customer Number:
`
`87884
`
`Filer:
`
`Gene Tyler/Margaret A. Pruitt
`
`Filer Authorized By:
`
`Gene Tyler
`
`Attorney Docket Number:
`
`MAY-1001-US-P1
`
`Receipt Date:
`
`05-AUG-2011
`
`Filing Date:
`
`Time Stamp:
`
`Application Type:
`
`Payment information:
`
`Submitted with Payment
`
`Payment Type
`
`Payment was successfully received in RAM
`
`RAM confirmation Number
`
`Deposit Account
`
`Authorized User
`
`18:41:58
`
`Provisional
`
`yes
`
`Credit Card
`
`$220
`
`4485
`
`504920
`
`TYLER,GENE L
`
`The Director of the USPTO is hereby authorized to charge indicated fees and credit any overpayment as follows:
`
`Charge any Additional Fees required under 37 C.F.R. Section 1.16 (National application filing, search, and examination fees)
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`Charge any Additional Fees required under 37 C.F.R. Section 1.17 (Patent application and reexamination processing fees)
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`Charge any Additional Fees required under 37 C.F.R. Section 1.20 (Post Issuance fees)
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