Hand Cleaning Device

A hand cleaning device comprising:

• a body formed at least partially of a compressible material and having first and second opposed outer surfaces, the body comprising a first outer portion, a middle portion, and a second outer portion arranged in a layered configuration, such that the first outer portion defines the first outer surface, the second outer portion defines the second outer surface, and the middle portion is located inwardly of the first and second outer portions, wherein the first outer portion has a first stiffness and a first density, the second outer portion has a second stiffness and a second density, and the middle portion has a third stiffness and a third density, and wherein the first stiffness and the first density are greater than the third stiffness and the third density, and the second stiffness and the second density are greater than the third stiffness and the third density;
• a cleaning agent impregnated within the body;
• and
• a plurality of openings extending inward from the first and second outer surfaces into the body, wherein the openings are configured to receive one or more digits of a user, and wherein the plurality of openings extend at least partially through the first and second outer portions,
• wherein each of the openings is formed by a plurality of transverse slits converging at a junction point, wherein each opening has a plurality of protrusions defined between the slits and converging at the junction point, and the slits define a plurality of interior surfaces within each opening and between the protrusions of the opening, wherein the slits are formed in the body without significant material removal, such that the interior surfaces of adjacent protrusions oppose and engage each other, and
• wherein the cleaning agent is configured to be expressed into the openings during movement of the digits to clean the digits.

A method comprising:

• providing a hand cleaning device comprising:
• a body formed at least partially of a compressible material and having opposed first and second outer surfaces, the body comprising a first outer portion and a middle portion, and a second outer portion arranged in a layered configuration, such that the first outer portion is most proximate to the first outer surface, the second outer portion is most proximate to the second outer surface, and the middle portion is located inwardly of the first and second outer portions, wherein the first outer portion has a first stiffness and a first density, the second outer portion has a second stiffness and a second density, and the middle portion has a third stiffness and a third density, and wherein the first stiffness and the first density are greater than the third stiffness and the third density, and the second stiffness and the second density are greater than the third stiffness and the third density;
• a finger opening extending inward from the first outer surface, at least partially through the first outer portion and into the body;
• and
• a thumb opening extending inward from the second outer surface, at least partially through the second outer portion and into the body;
• inserting a distal end of a finger of a user into the finger opening in a first direction, wherein insertion of the distal end of the finger compresses and deforms the middle portion at the finger opening to define a first cavity enveloping the distal end of the finger;
• inserting a distal end of a thumb of the user into the thumb opening in a second direction opposite the first direction, wherein insertion of the distal end of the thumb compresses and deforms the middle portion at the thumb opening to define a second cavity enveloping the distal end of the thumb;
• and
• moving the distal end of the finger within the finger cavity and moving the distal end of the thumb within the thumb cavity to clean the distal ends of the finger and the thumb by contact with the surfaces defining the first and second cavities, respectively.