DRAWINGS—REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0029] 10 towel base topside

[0030] 12 fold

[0031] 14 seam

[0032] 16 plain closed tuft

[0033] 18 stuffed closed tuft

[0034] 20 closed tuft with slit top

[0035] 22 open tuft

[0036] 24 double seamed closed tuft

[0037] 26 folded self hem

[0038] 28 towel base underside

[0039] 30 mutual edges

[0040] 32 seam site

[0041] 34 tuft stuffing

DETAILED DESCRIPTION—FIGS 1A-1H—PREFERED EMBODIMENT

[0042] A preferred embodiment of the seam and tuft towel is illustrated in FIG. 1A. The towel is shown with strategically placed seams 14 and plain closed tufts 16 placed at opposing diagonals, designed for optimum handling for most general cleaning tasks. The construction of this particular pattern is shown in FIGS. 1B to 1H. In FIG. 1B a square towel base topside 10 is folded on a diagonal from one corner to the opposite corner. It is then seamed approximately ¼″ to ½″ from the fold 12 as shown in FIG. 1C to form a diagonal seam 14 and plain closed tuft 16. The towel is then opened up as seen in FIG. 1D and refolded from the other corner to its opposite corner as shown in FIG. 1E. It is then seamed adjacent to the new fold 12, up to the first plain closed tuft 16, skipping over the tuft, and resuming the seam to the end, as shown in FIG. 1F. Skipping over the first tuft results in a flexible pivot point in the center of the towel. In FIG. 1G the towel is unfolded, turned over in FIG. 1H to expose the towel base underside 28, and finished with a simple, folded over once, self hem 26.

[0043] In the preferred embodiment, a plain closed tuft 16 as shown in FIG. 4A is utilized. It is the most economical to manufacture and it is very effective for general use. However, the plain closed tuft 16 may be slit at the top as shown in FIG. 4B to modify it into a closed tuft with a slit top 20, in order to increase the flexibility of a heavy or stiff towel base. Conversely, the plain closed tuft may be stuffed with cord, poly-fill or sponge 34 as shown in FIG. 4C for added firmness if the towel base is soft or tending to be flimsy.

[0044] In the preferred embodiment, the seam and tuft towel body is composed of a micro fiber which excels for all purpose use: dusting, cleaning, washing, polishing or drying etc. However, virtually any material typically used for cleaning, washing, wiping or drying may used as a towel base material. For example, a fleece material works very well for the application of cleaning solutions; a cotton fabric may be chosen for absorption; a fibrous material for aggressive tasks; a disposable material for convenience etc.

FIGS. 2A-2P—Additional Embodiments

[0045] An additional embodiment seen in FIG. 2A features separate panels as shown in FIG. 2B. These separate panels may be of different colors or even different materials. The advantage being that a user may easily discern which panel has been previously used. This seam and tuft towel features simple open tufts 22, as seen in FIG. 2A. These open tufts 22 are created by seaming the separate panels that are seen in FIG. 2B, together, as seen in FIG. 2C, adjacent to their mutual edges 30. The towel sections are then unfolded as seen in FIG. 2D. They are then repositioned on the opposite diagonal, and again seamed adjacent to their mutual edges 30, as seen in FIG. 2E, forming a finished square, four panel, un-hemmed towel as was seen in FIG. 2A when it is unfolded.

[0046] The open tuft towel shown in FIG. 2A may be converted into a double seamed closed tuft towel as shown in FIG. 2P for extra firmness and stability. The four panel seam and tuft towel of FIG. 2A is turned over to its towel base underside 28 as seen in FIG. 2F. It is then folded directly on the underside at a diagonal seam site 32 as seen in FIG. 2G, and seamed adjacent to the fold 12, typically approximately ½″ from the fold 12 as shown in FIG. 2H. In FIG. 2J the towel is unfolded, and refolded on the opposite diagonal seam site as seen in FIG. 2K. In FIG. 2L, it is re-seamed adjacent to the fold 12. In FIG. 2M, the towel is unfolded into a square. In FIG. 2N, the towel is flipped to the other side which is the towel base topside 10 and hemmed with a twice folded self hem 26. FIG. 2P shows a completed towel with double seamed closed tufts 24.

FIGS. 3A-3B—Alternative Embodiments

[0047] FIG. 3A shows a simplified version of my seam and tuft towels made up of a length of toweling that has been repetitively folded and seamed at measured intervals. This towel features a multiplicity of plain closed tufts 16 occurring throughout the length of the towel.

[0048] FIG. 3B shows a multi-paneled seam and tuft towel featuring open tufts 22 formed by seaming equally sized panels at their longitudinal mutual edges 30. Because each panel is joined as a separate entity, multiple colors as well as multiple base materials may be used, with the benefit that a user can tell which portion of the towel has been used. Additionally, this particular version reverses the top and undersides of the towel in the center for ease of folding.

FIGS. 4A-4F—Top and End Views of Seam and Tuft Constructions

[0049] The plain closed tuft 16 design as seen in FIG. 4A is quite efficient and practical for most cleaning applications. It is constructed by folding the towel base, and stitching or otherwise affixing approximately ¼″ to ½″ adjacent to the fold. However, the base material, as well as specific projected usages, may call for extra stiffness. A stuffed closed tuft 18 as seen in FIG. 4C is created by adding a stuffing 34 such as sponge, cord or poly-fill within the fold just prior to seaming. A plain closed tuft may be converted into a closed tuft with a slit top 20 resulting in an open tuft, simply by slitting the closed tuft at the top as seen in FIG. 4B. When multiple base materials or colored panels are called for, two panels are stitched or otherwise affixed to each other approximately ¼″ to ½″ from their respective edges, automatically creating an open tuft 22 as seen in FIG. 4D. For added firmness, an open tuft may be converted to a double seamed closed tuft 24, as seen in FIG. 4F, by turning the towel over to it's towel base underside 28 as seen in FIG. 4E, refolding on the seam site 32, and re-seaming to form a double seamed closed tuft 28 as seen in FIG. 4F.

FIGS. 5A-5J—Optional Seam and Tuft Patterns

[0050] Optional seam and tuft patterns are shown in FIGS. 5A to 5J; in each case a predetermined number of seams and tufts are applied to, or incorporated within, predetermined towel patterns. All are applied to, or incorporated within, predetermined shapes of base toweling. And each one may be optionally constructed with plain closed tufts 16 as seen in FIG. 4A, closed tufts with a slit top 20 as seen in FIG. 4B, stuffed closed tufts 18 as seen in FIG. 4C, open tufts 22, as seen in FIG. 4D and 4E or double seamed closed tufts 24 as seen in FIG. 4F.

[0051] FIG. 5A shows a simple seam and tuft cross pattern as applied to or incorporated within, a square shaped piece of toweling. FIG. 5B shows a simple cross pattern with a diamond shaped base. FIG. 5C shows a simple cross pattern with a round base. FIG. 5D shows a triangular pattern with a triangular base. FIG. 5E shows a triangular pattern with a square base. FIG. 5F shows the simple cross superimposed over a circular seam and tuft on a square piece of toweling. FIG. 5G shows a diagonal pattern superimposed over a simple cross pattern. FIG. 5H shows multiple panels seamed horizontally and re-seamed vertically. FIG. 5J shows multiple diagonals. As shown, the variety of pattern possibilities is virtually endless.

[0052] There are various possibilities with regard to my seam and tuft towel. A seam and tuft towel may be modified to form an envelope style mitt or even a cylindrical shaped construction that embodies all of the advantages of the seam and tuft applications.

FIGS. 6A-6D—Operation

[0053] The manner of using my seam and tuft towel in the act of cleaning or dusting is similar to that for a conventional flat cleaning cloth. Namely, three dimensional objects as well as flat planes are dusted or cleaned by applying the cloth to a surface with the hands. As stated before, a conventional cloth in the hands of a professional will be folded, stated wadded up or otherwise conformed to the anticipated task. However, my seam and tuft patterns diminish the need to constantly re-manipulate the conformation of the cloth. FIG. 6A shows how a seam and tuft encourages an automatic fold when the towel is applied to surface to be cleaned. FIG. 6B shows how the seam and tuft create finger hold to assist in ease of wadding or scrunching the towel. FIG. 6C shows how the seam and tuft assembly maintains its structure and stability when grasped. FIG. 6D shows how concentrated mass at strategic points function as automatic crevice tool.

Advantages

[0054] From the description above, a number of advantages of my seam and tuft towels become evident:

[0055] (a) My seam and tuft towel has a built-in folds that prompt automatic folding when it is laid out and applied to a surface.

[0056] (b) My seam and tuft towel has ridges that provide extra gripping properties to the towel.

[0057] (c) My seam and tuft towel is completely reusable and easy to launder with the exception of possible manufacture in disposable materials.

[0058] (d) My seam and tuft towel features strategic concentrations of mass that automatically work as crevice tools.

Conclusion, Ramifications and Scope

[0059] Accordingly, the reader will see that the seam and tuft towel is a definitive improvement over the conventional flat dusting, cleaning, wiping or drying cloth, saving time and effort in the hands of the average homemaker and especially in the hands of a professional cleaning person. When applied to a towel base, seams and tufts give the towel structure, thus providing the towel with superior handling properties. The seam and tuft application provides the towel with a memory for automatic arrayal of the towel for a specific task with a simple manipulation of the hand of a user. Furthermore, the seam and tuft towel has the additional advantages that

[0060] it provides added substance and bulk to a cloth without adding an additional amount of fabric.

[0061] it permits the user to easily fold the towel along the seam and tuft alignment when it is laid out.

[0062] it provides control of the entire towel through manipulation of the tufts by the user's fingers.

[0063] it provides structure to a towel.

[0064] it provides an instant folded edge to a towel.

[0065] it adds support to a fluid, flowing towel, thus diminishing hand fatigue.

[0066] it allows full use of the entire surface of a towel.

[0067] It provides a constant awareness of both a top surface and an underside of a towel.

[0068] Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. For example, the seam and tuft towel base can be constructed in almost any shape or size. The seam and tuft itself can be applied in any number of predetermined designs and patterns. The tuft size and basic configuration may be altered in any manner dictated by the base material or projected usage of the towel.

[0069] The seam and tuft concept may be easily adapted to a variety of uses within the health care industry, the restaurant industry, construction cleanup or varied phases of manufacturing. Specific possibilities include pet care, shoe shining, and personal hygiene.

[0070] Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.