U.S. patent application number 13/547382 was filed with the patent office on 2014-01-16 for dual action bottle brush.
This patent application is currently assigned to NUK USA LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Robert J. Godfrey, Mike Kilgore, Andy Lee Kirkpatrick, Brandon Leedy, Alan P. Paal, David A. Parrott. Invention is credited to Robert J. Godfrey, Mike Kilgore, Andy Lee Kirkpatrick, Brandon Leedy, Alan P. Paal, David A. Parrott.
Application Number | 20140013529 13/547382 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49912660 |
Filed Date | 2014-01-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140013529 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kilgore; Mike ; et
al. |
January 16, 2014 |
DUAL ACTION BOTTLE BRUSH
Abstract
A brush assembly for use in cleaning baby bottles and component
parts associated therewith including a handle and top brush
portion, the top brush portion having a plurality of cleaning
elements and a recessed cavity, the handle being releasably
attachable to the top brush portion and including a nipple brush,
the nipple brush being receivable within the recessed cavity when
the top brush portion is releasably attached to the handle. The
handle further includes an ergonomic outer grip surface allowing
for secure, comfortable gripping when the brush assembly is in use.
When the top brush portion is removed from the handle, the nipple
brush is exposed and available for use. The cleaning elements may
include at least one scrubbing element.
Inventors: |
Kilgore; Mike; (Green Bay,
WI) ; Paal; Alan P.; (New Franken, WI) ;
Kirkpatrick; Andy Lee; (Green Bay, WI) ; Parrott;
David A.; (Mason, OH) ; Leedy; Brandon;
(Mason, OH) ; Godfrey; Robert J.; (Baraboo,
WI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Kilgore; Mike
Paal; Alan P.
Kirkpatrick; Andy Lee
Parrott; David A.
Leedy; Brandon
Godfrey; Robert J. |
Green Bay
New Franken
Green Bay
Mason
Mason
Baraboo |
WI
WI
WI
OH
OH
WI |
US
US
US
US
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
NUK USA LLC
Hackensack
NJ
|
Family ID: |
49912660 |
Appl. No.: |
13/547382 |
Filed: |
July 12, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/106 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 9/005 20130101;
A46B 5/0004 20130101; A46B 2200/3006 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/106 |
International
Class: |
A47L 13/12 20060101
A47L013/12; A47L 13/16 20060101 A47L013/16; A46B 15/00 20060101
A46B015/00 |
Claims
1. A brush assembly for use in cleaning baby bottles and parts
thereof, comprising: a handle; a top brush portion having at least
one cleaning element associated with one end portion thereof and
having a recessed cavity associated with the opposite end portion
thereof, said top brush portion being releasably attachable to said
handle; and a nipple brush fixedly secured to said handle, said
nipple brush being received within said recessed cavity when said
top brush portion is releasably attached to said handle.
2. The brush assembly according to claim 1 wherein said top brush
portion includes a plurality of petal shaped cleaning elements
attached to the outer surface of the top brush portion in a radial
configuration.
3. The brush assembly according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of
petal shaped cleaning elements are formed from a non-scratch
material.
4. The brush assembly according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of
petal shaped cleaning elements are foamed from a synthetic
sponge-like material.
5. The brush assembly of claim 1 wherein the plurality of petal
shaped cleaning elements are substantially hourglass shaped.
6. The brush assembly according to claim 1 wherein said top brush
portion further includes at least one scrubbing element.
7. The brush assembly according to claim 1 wherein said at least
one scrubbing element is formed from a non-scratch scouring
material.
8. The brush assembly according to claim 1 wherein said handle
includes a resilient ergonomic surface.
9. The brush assembly according to claim 1 wherein said handle
includes a base portion for positioning the brush assembly upright
on a substantially flat surface.
10. The brush assembly according to claim 2 wherein said plurality
of petal shaped cleaning elements are removably attachable to said
top brush portion.
11. The brush assembly according to claim 6 wherein said at least
one scrubbing element is removably attached to said top brush
portion.
12. A brush assembly comprising: a handle; a top brush portion
having a recessed cavity associated therewith, said top brush
position being removably attachable to said handle; a plurality of
petal shaped cleaning elements attached to said top brush portion
in a radial configuration; and a nipple brush fixedly secured to
said handle, said nipple brush being receivable within said cavity
when said top brush portion is releasably attached to said
handle.
13. The brush assembly according to claim 12 wherein said plurality
of petal shaped cleaning elements are formed from a non-scratch
material.
14. The brush assembly according to claim 12 wherein said plurality
of petal shaped cleaning elements are formed from a synthetic
sponge-like material.
15. The brush assembly of claim 12 wherein said plurality of petal
shaped cleaning elements are substantially hourglass shaped.
16. The brush assembly according to claim 12 wherein said top brush
portion further includes at least one scrubbing element.
17. The brush assembly according to claim 12 wherein said at least
one scrubbing element is formed from a non-scratch scouring
material.
18. The brush assembly according to claim 12 wherein said handle
includes a resilient ergonomic surface.
19. The brush assembly according to claim 12 wherein said handle
includes a base portion for positioning the brush assembly upright
on a substantially flat surface.
20. The brush assembly according to claim 12 wherein at least one
of said plurality of petal shaped cleaning elements is removably
attachable to said top brush portion.
21. The brush assembly according to claim 16 wherein said at least
one scrubbing element is removably attachable to said top brush
portion.
22. A brush assembly for use in cleaning baby bottles comprising: a
handle; a top brush portion removably attached to said handle, said
top brush portion having a recessed cavity; a plurality of petal
shaped cleaning elements attached to said top brush portion in a
radial configuration. at least one scrubbing element attached to
said top brush portion; and a nipple brush fixedly secured to said
handle, said nipple brush being receivable within said cavity when
said top brush portion is releasably attached to said handle.
23. The brush assembly according to claim 22 wherein at least some
of said plurality of petal shaped cleaning elements are formed from
a non-scratch material.
24. The brush assembly according to claim 22 wherein at least some
of said plurality of petal shaped cleaning elements are formed from
a synthetic sponge-like material.
25. The brush assembly according to claim 22 wherein at least some
of said plurality of petal shaped cleaning elements are
substantially hourglass shaped.
26. The brush assembly according to claim 22 wherein said at least
one scrubbing element is formed from a non-scratch scouring
material.
27. The brush assembly according to claim 22 wherein said handle
includes a resilient ergonomic surface.
28. The brush assembly according to claim 22 wherein said handle
includes a base portion for positioning the brush assembly upright
on a substantially flat surface.
29. The brush assembly according to claim 22 wherein at least one
of said plurality of petal shaped cleaning elements is removably
attached to said top brush portion.
30. The brush assembly according to claim 22 wherein said at least
one scrubbing element is removably attachable to said top brush
portion.
31. The brush assembly according to claim 29 wherein said top brush
portion includes at least one channel, and wherein said at least
one removably attachable petal shaped cleaning element includes an
edge portion engageable with said at least one channel.
32. The brush assembly according to claim 30 wherein said top brush
portion includes at least one channel, and wherein said at least
one removably attachable scrubbing element includes an edge portion
engageable with said at least one channel.
33. The brush assembly according to claim 22 wherein at least one
of said plurality of petal shaped cleaning elements includes at
least one tip portion specially shaped to reach inside hard to
reach corners of a bottle to be cleaned.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a brush assembly,
and, more particularly, to a brush assembly including both a bottle
brush and a nipple brush designed for convenient, ergonomic
cleaning and scrubbing of baby bottles and other component parts
associated with baby bottles such as baby bottle nipples, collars
and caps.
[0002] When handling and cleaning infant feeding equipment, the
hygienic cleansing of baby bottles, baby bottle nipples and other
component parts is of critical importance. Ideally, between each
use, bottles and nipples should be thoroughly scrubbed and then
sterilized for use. Proper cleaning and scrubbing after use is
particularly important so as to get rid of and clear any remaining
food or liquid particles such as fatty liquids, or liquids having
suspended solids therein such as formula, cereal, or other infant
feeding products. It is important to remove all such remaining food
or liquid particles because these types of remaining particles
and/or residue may serve as a breeding ground for bacteria,
potentially causing illness or infection.
[0003] Brushes designed specifically for scrubbing bottles are
often found in households having young children as well as in a
variety of caregiving facilities such as daycares and nurseries.
Oftentimes, such brushes are one of many objects purchased to
assist in maintaining a clean eating environment for babies.
Because these brushes serve to cleanse containers/bottles which
hold sustenance for infants, it is particularly important that such
brushes be stored in a way that minimizes their contact with
potentially unsanitary surfaces. Furthermore, the areas where
bottles are prepared are frequently cluttered with a multitude of
items including, but not limited to, bottle brushes, nipple
brushes, collars, caps, bibs, towels, drying racks, formula
containers, sterilizing equipment, pacifiers and other similar
items. Consequently, there is a need for an improved baby bottle
brush that is compact, easy to use, ergonomic and which provides
for an improved clean-up action. There is also a need to maintain
clean, convenient storage spaces for items that come into direct
contact with an infant's mouth so as to provide a clean sanitary
environment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention is directed to a brush assembly which
provides an improved configuration that is compact, convenient, and
ergonomic and is constructed to provide for the improved scrubbing
and cleaning of baby bottles and other component parts of baby
bottles such as baby bottle nipples, collars, caps and the like.
The present brush assembly includes a top brush portion and a
handle. The top brush portion may include a plurality of petal
shaped elements attached to the outer surface of the top brush
portion in a radial configuration, these petal shaped elements
forming the scrubbing or cleaning portion of the brush. Each of the
petal shaped elements may be fixedly or removably attached to the
outer surface of the top brush portion. In one embodiment, an edge
portion of each petal shaped element engages a respective channel
and the petal shaped elements are retained within the respective
channels by a cap. In one embodiment, the petal shaped elements may
be substantially hourglass shaped and preferably sized and shaped
to facilitate cleaning of baby bottles and their component
parts.
[0005] In an alternative embodiment, the top brush portion may
further include a scrubbing element attached to the outer surface
of the top brush portion, the scrubbing element being positioned
within the radial configuration of the petal shaped elements. In
one embodiment, the scrubbing element may be substantially wedge
shaped and preferably sized to facilitate scrubbing of baby bottles
and their component parts. The scrubbing element may be fixedly or
removably attached to the outer surface of the top brush portion,
similar to the petal shaped elements, by positioning one edge
portion of the scrubbing element into a respective channel wherein
it is secured therewithin by a cap. In another embodiment, the cap
may be removably secured to the top of the top brush portion to
provide access to the respective channels to facilitate the removal
and replacement of the petal shaped elements and the scrubbing
element.
[0006] The top brush portion may further include a recessed cavity
located below the respective channels for retaining a nipple brush
therewithin. The cavity forms a hygienic storage enclosure within
the top brush portion for receiving a nipple brush associated with
the top portion of the handle.
[0007] The handle may further include an ergonomic outer grip
surface allowing for secure, comfortable gripping when the brush
assembly is in use. When the top brush portion is removed from the
handle, the nipple brush is exposed and available for use. Because
the nipple brush is mounted to the top portion of the handle, the
ergonomic outer grip surface of the handle allows for secure,
comfortable gripping when the nipple brush is in use. The handle
may further include a base portion having a substantially flat
bottom surface which provides for upright storage of the brush
assembly when not in use. This enables the top brush portion to
remain erect and dry and this prevents the top brush portion from
contacting germ-laden surfaces.
[0008] Specific advantages and features of the present invention
will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and the description
of several illustrative embodiments of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a
brush assembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of the
present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the brush assembly of
FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the brush assembly of
FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the brush assembly of FIG.
1.
[0013] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the brush assembly of FIG.
1.
[0014] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment
of a brush assembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of
the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the brush assembly of
FIG. 6.
[0016] FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the brush assembly of
FIG. 6.
[0017] FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the brush assembly of FIG.
6.
[0018] FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the brush assembly of FIG.
6.
[0019] It should be understood that the present drawings are not
necessarily to scale and that the embodiments disclosed herein are
sometimes illustrated by fragmentary views. In certain instances,
details which are not necessary for an understanding of the present
invention or which render other details difficult to perceive may
have been omitted. It should also be understood that the invention
is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments
illustrated herein. Like numbers utilized throughout the various
figures designate like or similar parts or structure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] Referring now to the drawings more particularly by reference
numbers, FIGS. 1-5 illustrate one embodiment of the brush assembly
10 constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present
invention. The present brush assembly 10 is configured for cleaning
and scrubbing the component parts of bottles including, but not
limited to, baby bottles, baby bottle nipples, collars, caps, and
other components. The brush assembly 10 may include a top brush
portion 12 and a handle 14. The top brush portion 12 may include a
plurality of petal shaped cleaning elements 16 attached to the
outer surface 18 of the top brush portion 12 in a radial
configuration. Each of the petal shaped elements 16 may be fixedly
attached to the outer surface 18 of top brush portion 12 by any
suitable means including engaging an edge portion of each petal
shaped element 16 with a corresponding channel 20 (FIG. 5). In one
embodiment, the cleaning elements 16 form the cleaning/scrubbing
portion of the brush assembly 10 and can be secured within the
channels 20 by any suitable means such as by adhesives. In another
embodiment, an edge portion of each petal shaped element 16 is
slidably engaged with a corresponding channel 20 and held in
position on the top brush portion 12 by the cap 22. The cap 22 may
be secured to the top face of the outer surface 18 of the top brush
portion 12 by sonic welding or by any other process of permanent
attachment.
[0021] In alternative embodiments, the petal shaped elements 16
each include an edge portion 17 which is slidably inserted into a
corresponding channel 20 and the cap 22 may be removably secured to
the top brush portion 12 by any suitable means such that when the
cap 22 is removed, any one of the cleaning elements 16 may be
removed and replaced when worn. This allows a user the opportunity
to remove and replace the elements 16 if necessary. The removal of
cap 22 facilitates the removal and replacement of the petal shaped
elements 16.
[0022] It is recognized and anticipated that at least one of the
plurality of petal shaped cleaning elements may be removably
attachable to the top brush portion 12 whereas other petal shaped
cleaning elements may be permanently affixed thereto. Any
combination of removably attached cleaning elements 16 and
permanently attached cleaning elements 16 can be configured in any
particular embodiment.
[0023] The petal shaped elements 16 may be fashioned from any
suitable non-scratch cleaning material including, but not limited
to, natural sponge, synthetic sponge, cellulose, foamed plastic
polymers, low-density polyether, PVA, polyester, soft fabric,
cleaning mesh and the like. In one embodiment, the petal shaped
elements 16 may be substantially hourglass shaped and preferably
sized to facilitate cleaning of baby bottles and their component
parts. In this regard, each petal shaped element 16 may include
tips 19 specially shaped to reach inside hard to reach corners of
the bottle. The specific shape of each petal element 16 as well as
the radial configuration of the top brush portion 12 further
facilitates and maximizes the points of contact of the cleaning
elements 16 with a particular baby bottle. It is also understood
that the petal shaped cleaning elements 16 may be fashioned into
other shapes, as desired, to accommodate various alternative
designs of the brush assembly 10 without departing from the
teachings and practice of the present invention.
[0024] The top brush portion 12 may further include a recessed
cavity 24 located below the channels 20 for holding and retaining a
nipple brush 26 therewithin as will hereinafter further explained.
The cavity 24 foams a hygienic storage enclosure within the top
brush portion 12 of the brush assembly 10 for receiving the nipple
brush 26. The storage enclosure or cavity 24 is specifically sized
and shaped to conform to the size and shape of by the nipple brush
26 so as to be completely received and contained therewithin. Any
suitable retention mechanism can be used to retain the nipple brush
26 within cavity 24. In one embodiment, the nipple brush 26 is
retained within the top brush portion 12 by a snap-on assembly
where a groove or projection (not shown) located in the inner wall
of the recessed cavity 24 cooperates with a corresponding groove or
projection associated with shoulder portion 28 of the handle 14 to
hold the nipple brush 26 within cavity 24 until needed for use. For
the purposes of this disclosure "snap-on" is defined as attaching
or fitting into place by employing a pressing motion. It is
understood that the nipple brush 26 may be removably secured within
the recessed cavity 24 using any number of suitable securing
mechanisms such as a threaded assembly, a friction fit assembly, or
a variety of other securing mechanisms without departing from the
teachings and practice of the present invention.
[0025] The handle 14 may further include an ergonomic outer grip
surface 30 formed from a substantially resilient material such as,
but not limited to, organic polymers, elastomeric material,
thermoplastic, thermosetting polymer, polycarbonate, polyethylene,
polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, silicone,
polytetrafluoroethylene and the like. The ergonomic outer grip
surface 30 allows for secure, comfortable gripping by a user when
the brush assembly 10 is in use.
[0026] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the nipple brush 26 may be fixedly
secured to the top portion 29 of the handle 14 by any suitable
means such as by sonic welding so that it may be easily stored
within the recessed cavity 24 of the top brush portion 12 thereby
insulating the nipple brush 26 from contact with germ-laden
surfaces when the top brush portion 12 is in use or when the entire
brush assembly 10 is not in use. When the top brush portion 12 is
removed from the handle 14, the nipple brush 26 is exposed and
available for use. Because the nipple brush 26 is mounted to the
top portion 29 of the handle 14, the entire ergonomic outer grip
surface 30 of handle 14 can be used to manipulate the nipple brush
26 during use thereby allowing for secure, comfortable gripping
when the nipple brush 26 is in use. The handle 14 may further
include a base portion 32 having a substantially flat bottom face
or surface 34 which provides for upright storage when the brush
assembly 10 is not in use thereby allowing the top brush portion 12
to stay dry and protecting the top brush portion 12 from contacting
germ-laden surfaces.
[0027] FIGS. 6-10 illustrate still another alternative embodiment
36 of the present brush assembly wherein the top brush portion 12
may further include a scrubbing element 38 attached to the outer
surface 18 of the top brush portion 12 within the radial
configuration of the petal shaped cleaning elements 16 for cleaning
caked on food products or residue, or other more difficult areas of
the bottle. The scrubbing element 38 may be fashioned from any
suitable scrubbing material including, but not limited to, natural
sponge, synthetic sponge, cellulose, foamed plastic polymers,
low-density polyether, PVA, polyester, non-scratch scouring
material, scrubbing mesh and the like. In one embodiment, the
scrubbing surface 38 may be substantially wedge shaped as
illustrated and preferably sized to facilitate scrubbing the inside
of baby bottles and their component parts. Like the petal shaped
cleaning elements 16, the scrubbing element 38 may be fixedly
attached to the outer surface 18 of the top brush portion 12 using
any suitable means such as by using an adhesive, or by positioning
an edge associated with the inner face 40 of the scrubbing element
38 within a respective channel 20 as best illustrated in FIG. 10
and thereafter securing the scrubbing element 38 as well as
elements 16 within the channels 20 by fixedly securing the cap 22
to the top of top brush portion 12 as previously explained. The cap
22 may be secured to the top face of the outer surface 18 by sonic
welding or by any other suitable process of permanent attachment.
In alternative embodiments, an edge associated with inner face 40
scrubbing element 38 may be slidably removably positionable within
a respective channel 20 as previously explained with respect to
cleaning element 16 and the cap 22 may likewise be removably
secured to the top brush portion 12 to facilitate the removal and
replacement of the scrubbing element 38. Like cleaning elements 16,
the scrubbing element 38 can be easily removed and replaced when
worn, or it can be replaced with another cleaning element 16. In
one embodiment, the outer face 42 of the scrubbing element 38 is
wider that the inner face 40 to provide a substantial surface area
for scrubbing the inner surfaces of a baby bottle. It is also
understood that the scrubbing element 38 may be fashioned into
other shapes, as desired to accommodate various alternative designs
of the brush assembly 36 without departing from the teachings and
practice of the present invention.
[0028] It is also recognized and anticipated that any number of
scrubbing elements 38 may be utilized in association with top brush
portion 12 and that the cleaning elements 16 and scrubbing elements
38 are interchangeable and can be permanently affixed or removably
attached to the outer surface 18 of the top brush portion 12 in any
configuration. It is also recognized and anticipated that some of
the cleaning elements 16 may be permanently attached to the top
brush portion 12 whereas some of the cleaning elements 16 may be
removably attached thereto, and that some of the scrubbing elements
38 can be removably attached or permanently affixed to the top
brush portion 12. Any combination of cleaning elements 16 and
scrubbing elements 38 can be configured to accommodate any
particular application. All or any combination of the
interchangeable cleaning elements 16 and scrubbing elements 38 can
be permanently attached and/or removably attached to the top brush
portion 12. Other configurations are likewise envisioned and
anticipated.
[0029] Thus, there has been shown and described several embodiments
of a novel brush assembly. As is evident from the foregoing
description, certain aspects of the present invention are not
limited by the particular details of the examples illustrated
herein, and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications
and applications, or equivalents thereof, will occur to those
skilled in the art. The terms "having" and "including" and similar
terms as used in the foregoing specification are used in the sense
of "optional" or "may include" and not as "required". Many changes,
modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the
present invention will, however, become apparent to those skilled
in the art after considering the specification and the accompanying
drawings. All such changes, modifications, variations and other
uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope
of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention which is
limited only by the claims which follow.
* * * * *