U.S. patent application number 10/044788 was filed with the patent office on 2003-07-17 for cleaning implement.
Invention is credited to Hay, Donald Espie.
Application Number | 20030131431 10/044788 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 21934339 |
Filed Date | 2003-07-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030131431 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hay, Donald Espie |
July 17, 2003 |
Cleaning implement
Abstract
A cleaning implement (2) comprising a body (4) from which
extends an elongate handle (6), a plurality of bristles (12)
depending from an underside of the body (4), and an elongate
squeegee blade (20) formed of resiliently-flexible material
arranged on the body (4), extending in a direction generally
transverse to the direction in which the handle (6) extends, and
generally transverse to the direction in which the bristles (12)
extend.
Inventors: |
Hay, Donald Espie;
(Mid-Levels, HK) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WOOD, HERRON & EVANS, LLP
2700 CAREW TOWER
441 VINE STREET
CINCINNATI
OH
45202
US
|
Family ID: |
21934339 |
Appl. No.: |
10/044788 |
Filed: |
January 11, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/117 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 17/08 20130101;
A47L 17/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/117 |
International
Class: |
A47L 013/12 |
Claims
1. A cleaning implement comprising a body from which extends an
elongate handle, a plurality of bristles depending from an
underside of the body, and an elongate squeegee blade formed of
resiliently-flexible material arranged on the body, extending in a
direction generally transverse to the direction in which the handle
extends, and generally transverse to the direction in which the
bristles extend.
2. A cleaning implement according to claim 1 wherein the squeegee
blade is arranged at an opposite end of the body to the handle.
3. A cleaning implement according to claim 1 wherein the squeegee
blade extends laterally in a direction which has a component in a
direction opposite to that in which said bristles extend.
4. A cleaning implement according to claim 1 wherein said squeegee
blade curves upwardly away from said body.
5. A cleaning implement according to claim 1 wherein said squeegee
blade is made of an elastomer.
6. A cleaning implement according to claim 1 wherein said squeegee
blade is over-molded onto said body.
7. A cleaning implement according to claim 1 wherein said squeegee
blade has a width in its elongate direction comparable to a lateral
width of said body.
8. A cleaning implement according to claim 1 wherein said body
includes a protruding lip with the squeegee blade molded onto said
lip.
9. A cleaning implement according to claim 1 wherein said body is
generally in the shape of a spatula with the bristles extending
from a lower side thereof.
10. A cleaning implement comprising a body with a lower surface
from which a plurality of bristles extend and an elongate squeegee
blade formed of a resilient material extending from the body in a
direction generally perpendicular to the direction in which the
bristles extend.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an implement for cleaning,
and which has particular but not exclusive applicability to
cleaning dishes, pots, pans, cutlery and the like.
[0002] There are many different types of implements for cleaning
dishes and other similar utensils including sponges, scouring pads,
wire wool and brushes. When cleaning dishes, one may often need to
scrub a dish with a brush to loosen food debris stuck thereon, and
then to remove the loosened debris by another cleaning implement
such a sponge. This can be clumsy as more than one cleaning
implement is involved. Sometimes, food debris may comprise both
liquid food debris as well as solid debris and a conventional
scrubbing brush is inappropriate for removing both.
[0003] Another problem with conventional cleaning implements is
that after cleaning, dirt and food debris are often trapped in the
cleaning portion of the cleaning implements. For instance, when a
conventional scrubbing brush is used, the dirt and food debris may
be trapped between the bristles of the brush. Once trapped, these
particles of dirt and food debris are difficult to be removed and
will decay. The cleaning portion of the implement would then become
a breeding ground for bacteria and further use of the implement
would only spread the bacteria.
[0004] The present invention seeks to provide a cleaning implement
which addresses these problems, although has wider applicability to
other types of cleaning.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] According to the present invention there is provided a
cleaning implement comprising a body from which extends an elongate
handle, a plurality of bristles depending from an underside of the
body, and an elongate squeegee blade formed of resiliently-flexible
material arranged on the body, extending in a direction generally
transverse to the direction in which the handle extends, and
generally transverse to the direction in which the bristles extend,
such an implement is able to provide, in one implement, effective
cleaning capabilities offering both scrubbing and wiping or
scraping functions.
[0006] Preferably, the squeegee blade may be arranged at an
opposite end of the body to the handle.
[0007] The squeegee blade may suitably extend laterally in a
direction which has a component in a direction opposite to that in
which the bristles extend.
[0008] The squeegee blade may particularly curve upwardly away from
the body. More particularly, the squeegee blade may be made of an
elastomer. A material such as an elastomer provides the preferred
resiliency and flexibility of the squeegee blade, allowing the
blade to closely follow the contours of non planar objects being
cleaned.
[0009] Advantageously, the squeegee blade may be over-molded onto
the body.
[0010] The squeegee blade may suitably have a width in its elongate
direction comparable to a lateral width of the body.
[0011] Preferably, the body may include a protruding lip with the
squeegee blade molded onto the lip. The provision of the lip
forming a base or root region of the squeegee blade strengthens its
structure.
[0012] The cleaning implement may be generally in the shape of a
spatula with the bristles extending from a lower side thereof.
[0013] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a cleaning implement comprising a body with a lower
surface from which a plurality of bristles extend and an elongate
squeegee blade formed of a resilient material extending from the
body in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction in
which the bristles extend. Such an implement, similar to the
implement according to the first aspect of the present invention,
is able to provide, in one implement, effective cleaning
capabilities offering both scrubbing and wiping or scrapping
functions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The present invention is now described, by way of examples
only, with reference to the following drawings in which:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a brush incorporating a
squeegee in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention;
and
[0016] FIGS. 2 to 4 are perspective views of second to fourth
embodiments of the invention respectively.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0017] Turning to a first embodiment of the invention, as can be
seen in FIG. 1 there is provided a cleaning implement resembling a
brush and generally indicated 2 having a body 4 and a handle 6
extending therefrom.
[0018] The body 4 comprises a brush head a having a lower surface
provided with a plurality of bristles 12. The brush head 8 of the
body 4 is in the general shape of a spatula having raised
surrounding lateral side wall portions 16 and a rear side wall
portion 18. A squeegee blade 20 is arranged at a front end of the
body 4 opposite to the end of the body 4 from where the handle 6
extends. The squeegee blade 20 is preferably made of a soft and
slightly resiliently-flexible plastics material such as an
elastomer, which may be a polyolefin or a flexible polyvinyl
chloride (PVC). The body 4 is preferably made of relatively rigid
polymeric material such as polypropylene although other suitable
materials may be used. The squeegee blade 20 and the body 4 may be
made by molding both materials in one step. Alternatively, the body
4 may be molded first and the squeegee blade 20 may be over-molded
on the front end of the body 4 in a subsequent step. Although not
shown in the figures, the body 4 has a lip integrally formed
therewith and extending from the front end thereof. In particular,
the lip curves slightly upwardly and extends away from the brush
head 8. The squeegee blade 20 may be molded over to the lip of the
brush head in a way such that the squeegee blade 20 envelops the
lip, thereby thereby serving as a secure base or root onto which
the squeegee blade 20 can be molded.
[0019] The squeegee blade 20 may have a shape also curving slightly
upwards and extending away from the brush head 8. In particular,
the squeegee blade 20 extends in a direction such that at least a
component of that direction is opposite to the direction in which
the bristles 12 extends.
[0020] The handle 6 is in the shape of a column having generally a
cylindrical part 22, and is sized to fit the grip of a user, and is
joined to the brush head 8 through a neck region 23. It is to be
noted that a longitudinal axis of the squeegee blade 20 indicated
by the dotted line A-A' is substantially perpendicular to the axis
of the handle 6 and to the direction of the bristle, and thereby to
the direction of movement of the brush when the brush 2 is being
moved in a forward and backward manner, so that inventing the
implement (by twisting about the handle) from the orientation where
the bristles are lowermost brings the blade 20 lowermost.
[0021] It is envisaged that in use, a user holding the cleaning
implement 2 at the handle 6 can take advantage of this particular
construction, for instance, by firstly scrubbing a dirty plate with
the bristles 12 to loosen the dirt, and then inverting the
implement and scraping the plate with the squeegee blade 20 to
remove the loosened dirt altogether. Alternatively, if the food
debris is more liquid or looser a user might firstly scrape the
surface with the squeegee blade 20 to remove debris from the plate,
for instance, to a garbage disposal or trash can. The plate can
subsequently be cleaned by applying detergent and scrubbing with
the bristles of the brush 2. As can and seen, the brush 2 provides
in one single implement very effective cleaning allowing both
scrubbing and a squeegee wiping action.
[0022] It will also be appreciated that in use, as the squeegee
blade 20 is pressed against a plate surface, the squeegee blade 20
may change shape slightly according to the contour of the plate
surface because of the blade's inherent deformability such that the
contours of the plate can be followed intimately by the squeegee
blade 20 for very effective cleaning.
[0023] FIGS. 2 to 4 illustrate the second, third and fourth
embodiments of the invention respectively. These three embodiments
together with the first embodiment (in FIG. 1) share the same
inventive concept although the shape and size of these brushes are
different to suit particular applications. For instance, in the
second embodiment as shown in FIG. 2, the cleaning implement shown
therein has a narrower brush head with a squeegee blade 20A having
a width which is substantially similar to the lateral width of the
brush head. The squeegee blade curves slightly upwards and away
from the brush head. This embodiment of the cleaning implement is,
for example, useful in cleaning the interior of a jar because of
its relatively small brush head. Referring to FIG. 3, the brush
head of the cleaning implement is generally circular in shape and a
squeegee blade 20B which is flatter when compared to that in the
cleaning implement of FIG. 2, and flares outwardly. Ref erring to
FIG. 4, the cleaning implement has a squeegee blade 20C which has a
width substantially longer than the lateral width of the brush
head. In particular, the squeegee blade curves more sharply upward
in a hook-like fashion and the upper end portion thereof almost
points in the opposite direction to that in which the bristles
extend.
[0024] Although the invention is described in relation to a brush
for cleaning dishes, it is envisaged that the brush may also be
used in other cleaning operations. For example, a brush made in
accordance with the present invention may be used in a variety of
other domestic applications.
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