U.S. patent application number 13/730937 was filed with the patent office on 2014-07-03 for fully disposable toilet bowl brush.
The applicant listed for this patent is Dean MacCauther Mitchell. Invention is credited to Dean MacCauther Mitchell.
Application Number | 20140182073 13/730937 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51015520 |
Filed Date | 2014-07-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140182073 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mitchell; Dean MacCauther |
July 3, 2014 |
Fully Disposable Toilet Bowl Brush
Abstract
A fully disposable cleaning device for cleaning a toilet
comprising of a hollow elongated outer member with an inner member
that is telescopically slidable from a stored position to an
extended position within the outer member to form a handle. The
outer member component of the handle formed for grasping by a user.
The outer and inner member have first and second ends with a
cleaning head being secured to the second end of the inner member.
The cleaning head is made of a resilient material that is in a
compacted when the handle is in a stored position for economic
efficiencies in packaging, shipping and storage. When the handle is
manipulated from the stored position to the extended position, the
cleaning head is exposed and ready for use. The cleaning head may
be comprised of an absorbent material that is fully expandable when
moistened. The cleaning head is infused with cleaning and
disinfecting chemicals for cleaning the toilet. The handle may be
made of a plant based biodegradable material or plastic.
Inventors: |
Mitchell; Dean MacCauther;
(Panama City, FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Mitchell; Dean MacCauther |
Panama City |
FL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
51015520 |
Appl. No.: |
13/730937 |
Filed: |
December 29, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/104.94 ;
15/209.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 11/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/104.94 ;
15/209.1 |
International
Class: |
A47K 11/10 20060101
A47K011/10 |
Claims
1. A device for cleaning a toilet comprising: a handle, said handle
comprising an elongated substantially hollow outer member having
and open first end opposite an open second end, said ends defining
a longitudinal axis therebetween, said first end adapted for
manually grasping by a user; an elongated inner member having
opposite first and second ends defining a longitudinal axis
therebetween; said inner member having a cleaning head secured to
said second end; said inner member and said outer member slidable
between a stored position, an intermediate position, and an
extended position; said first end of said inner member partially
extending from said open first end of said outer member and said
cleaning head having a compacted position disposed substantially
within said outer member when said inner member is in said stored
position; said second end of said inner member partially extending
from said open second end of said outer member and said first end
of said inner member is disposed substantially within said outer
member and said cleaning head is in an exposed position when said
inner member is in said intermediate position; said cleaning head
fully extending from said second open end of said outer member when
said inner member is in said extended position wherein said
cleaning head being in said exposed position for cleaning said
toilet; a first urging means wherein said first end of said inner
member partially extending from said open first end of said outer
member for urging said inner member from said stored position to
said intermediate position, and a second urging means for urging
said inner member from said intermediate position to said extended
position.
2. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the outer
diameter of said inner member being slightly less than the inner
diameter of said outer member to provide a flush but moveable fit
of said inner member with respect to said outer member.
3. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 1 wherein outer member
tapering from said open first end to said open second end.
4. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said inner
member tapering from said first end to said second end.
5. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 1 wherein cross
sectional area of said first end of said inner member is slightly
larger than cross sectional area of said second open end of said
outer member preventing said inner member from being urged past
said second open end of said outer member.
6. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said inner
member includes a locking ridge disposed near said first end and
extending generally outward to act as a stop when said inner member
is in a said extended position.
7. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said handle is
biodegradable.
8. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cleaning
head is infused with a cleaning agent for cleaning said toilet.
9. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cleaning
head is comprised of a resilient material for expanding from said
compacted position to an expanded position when in said exposed
position.
10. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cleaning
head is comprised of an absorbent material and when in said exposed
position, fully expands from said compacted position to said
expanded position when moistened.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a fully disposable cleaning
device for cleaning a toilet bowl with an extendable handle and a
cleaning head secured to one end.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The traditional toilet bowl brush provided in the prior art
is stored next to the toilet in a storage case. At the conclusion
of the cleaning process, a user typically places a wet toilet bowl
brush in the storage case and does not take the time to clean and
sanitize the brush or storage case. The brush and storage case
often becomes unsightly and pose a hygiene problem during storage
and fertile ground for growth of bacteria and germs.
[0003] Other embodiments in the prior art consists of a disposable
cleaning head that is detachable from the handle and often come
with a storage case for the handle and cleaning heads. For example,
U.S. Pat. No. 7,032,270 to Vitantonio issued Apr. 25, 2006
describes such a toilet cleaning apparatus having a cleaning head
which is detachable from the handle portion and comes with a caddy
for storing both the handle and unused cleaning heads. Although
these types cleaning devices reduce the unsanitary storage problem
for the cleaning head, still there exists an unsanitary storage
issue of the permanent handle and often a storage container. Again,
the user would typically not take the time to sanitize these
devices at the conclusion of the cleaning process, and often these
devices become unsightly and pose a hygiene problem during storage
and a fertile ground for growth of bacteria and germs.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 6,880,197 to Katz issued Apr. 19, 2005
describes a fully disposable toilet cleaning device with an
extendable handle in which the both the handle and brush head are
disposable and designed for limited use. The device includes a
handle and a telescoping arm which extends from the handle with a
cleaning head secured to one end of the arm. The cleaning head is
stored within the handle during shipping and storage and exposed
during operation. In operation, this toilet cleaning device, in its
preferred embodiment, requires the user to grip the cleaning head
to extend the arm from the handle and to expose the cleaning head.
With the cleaning head infused with a cleaning agent, the user
would have to come in contact with the cleaning agent to expose the
cleaning head. This mode of operation would potentially be messy
for the user and potentially pose health risks with chemicals being
exposed to the user's skin.
[0005] It is the principal object of the present invention to
provide an economical fully disposable toilet bowl cleaning device
with an extendable handle from which a cleaning head may be exposed
from the handle without requiring the user to touch the cleaning
head. Another object of the present invention is to provide a fully
disposable toilet cleaning device that does not require storage
after use and thus, more sanitary than conventional toilet brushes
and other toilet cleaning devices. It is also an object of the
present invention to provide an economical fully disposable toilet
cleaning device wherein the cleaning head is comprised of a
resilient material and when in a stored position, can nest within
the handle in a compacted position and thus, have less bulk to
maximize economic efficiencies for packaging, shipping and
storage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention provides a low cost fully disposable
toilet cleaning device with an extendable handle comprised of a
tubular shaped outer and inner member with first and second ends.
The inner member is telescopically slidable within the outer
member. A cleaning head is secured to the second end of the inner
member and in the preferred embodiment, a cleaning agent is infused
within the cleaning head that is activated when rinsed with water.
The cleaning head may be made of plant based biodegradable
material, foam rubber, nylon, polyester or any other resilient
material used for cleaning. The cleaning head may be comprised of
an absorbent material that is fully expandable when moistened. The
handle may be made of a plant based biodegradable material or
plastic. The cleaning head is compacted and nested within the
handle during a stored position to minimize space and provide
economical means for packaging, shipping and storage. A first
urging means is provided wherein the first end portion of the inner
member extends from the outer member in a stored position wherein a
force is applied by a user to the inner member to urge the cleaning
head to an intermediate position and fully exposing the cleaning
head and partially extending the second end of the inner member
from the outer member. From the intermediate position, a second
urging means is provided wherein the second end of the inner member
is partially extended for manipulation by the user, to cause
movement of the inner member from an intermediate position to a
fully extended position and ready for use. The cleaning head is
fully exposed from a stored position without the user having to
touch the cleaning head. After use, the cleaning device may be
disposed of in a trash receptacle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] These and other objects and advantages of the invention will
become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and
upon referring to the drawings in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a toilet cleaning device in
accordance with the present invention, shown in an extended
position;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the toilet cleaning device of
FIG. 1, shown in stored position;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the toilet cleaning device of
FIG. 1, shown in an intermediate position; and
[0011] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the toilet cleaning device of
FIG. 1, shown in an extended position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] With reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 & 4 a disposable toilet
cleaning device 10 includes a handle 20 comprising an inner member
40 with first and second ends 42, 44 that is telescopically
slidable within an outer member 30. The outer member 30 is
generally hollow and tubular shape with first and second open ends
32, 34. The outer member 30 tapers from the first open end 32 to
the second open end 34 wherein the first open end 32 being slightly
larger in diameter than the second open end 34. The inner member 40
is also tapered generally along the same lines of the outer member
30. The outer diameter of the inner member 40 being slightly less
that the inner diameter of the outer member 30, such that the inner
member 40 is flushly held with the body of the outer member 30 but
relative longitudinal movement of the inner member 40 within the
outer member 30 is permitted. The outer diameter of the first end
42 of the inner member 40 being larger than the second open end 34
of the outer member 30 such that the first end 42 of the inner
member 40 cannot be withdrawn fully through the second open end 34
of the outer member 30. The inner member 40 comprises a locking
ridge 46 that acts as a stop by bearing against the top edge of the
second open end 34 of the outer member 30 when the handle 20 is in
an extended position as shown if FIG. 4. An expandable cleaning
head 12 is secured to the second end 44 of the inner member 40. The
cleaning head 12 nest within the outer member 30 in a compacted
position when the handle 20 is in a stored position as shown in
FIG. 2. In operation, the inner member 40 at the first end 42
partially extends from the outer member 30 at a predetermined
distance for a user to urge the cleaning head 12 opposite the
second open end 34 of the outer member 30 and expose the cleaning
head 12 to an intermediate position as shown in FIG. 3. In the
intermediate position, the first open end 32 of the outer member 30
and the first end 42 of the inner member 40 are approximately equal
distance as measured longitudinally. From the intermediate
position, the user would grasp the exposed portion of the inner
member 40 near the second end 44 directly above the cleaning head
12 and urge the inner member 40 a predetermined distance so that
the locking ridge 46 of the inner member 40 is engaged within the
edge the outer member 30 to form an extended position as shown in
FIG. 1 and FIG. 4. In this extended position, the inner member 40
is locked in both directions longitudinally with the cleaning head
12 fully exposed and ready for use.
[0013] The outer and inner member 30,40 forming the handle 20 may
be made of a biodegradable plant based product or plastic. The
cleaning head 12 may be made of a plant based biodegradable
material, plastic, foam rubber, nylon, polyester or any other
resilient material used for cleaning. The cleaning head 12 may be
comprised of an absorbent material that is fully expandable when
moistened. A cleaning agent is infused within the cleaning head
that is activated when the cleaning head is exposed to water.
[0014] Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they can
readily use the present invention as a basis for designing or
modifying other processes and structure for carrying out the same
purposes and/or achieving the same advantages of the embodiments
introduced herein. Those skilled in the art should also realize
that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit
and scope of the present invention.
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