DE102006034405B3 - Cleaning brush for use as e.g. toilet brush, has cleaning head comprising base plate with edge area, which is differently and easily bendable in both transverse directions to main extending level of base plate - Google Patents

Abstract

The brush has a cleaning head (2) comprising a base plate (3), and cleaning units e.g. bristles (5), arranged at the cleaning head, where the base plate has a larger expansion in a main extending level than in a transverse direction. The base plate comprises an edge area (3a) that is differently and easily bendable in both transverse directions to the main extending level of the base plate. The cleaning units have a non-circular form in the cross section, and the base plate is formed as a single piece with a handle.

Description

I. Field of application

The The invention relates to a cleaning brush for in particular curved surfaces, in particular for use as a toilet brush, Dish brush, brush to Gutter cleaning, cosmetic scrub brush or sauna brush.

II. Technical background

Cleaning brushes are used in various applications. This cleaning brushes serve under other cleaning of toilet bowls, which usually off Porcelain and which have a U-shaped, downwardly open, Inner edge own, in which the water is flushed and in which also Can settle dirt.

With a cleaning brush, especially toilet brush, should be solid deposits on all interior surfaces of the toilet bowl, too under the inwardly cranked Edge, be easily removable.

In addition exists the requirement that the cleaning brush itself, so above all their cleaning head, yet must be designed so that the Cleaning process in the cleaning head settling solid contaminants are also easily removable and preferably exclusively by means the water flow the toilet flush inside the toilet bowl.

To For this purpose, different forms of cleaning brushes are known.

The common Form consists of a cleaning head that is rotationally symmetric to the longitudinal axis of the stem, and which consists of bristles, usually bundles of bristles, that of the main body the cleaning head, which in the axial direction of the stem a kind renewal represents, are included. As a rule, both the bristles exist as well as the stem and the main body of the cleaning head Plastic.

Of the Disadvantage of this design is that the bristles relative are thin, usually less than 1 mm, and with their free ends on one surface to be cleaned clean only a very narrow track.

On on the other hand, the ends of the individual bristles are relatively wide apart, namely several millimeters, which is necessary to a subsequent cleaning the bristles themselves not too difficult, because the closer the Bristles together, the heavier are deposited in between Remove impurities. This is especially evident when the bristles in tufts are arranged by making impurities heavier from the spaces between the bristles are to be removed the closer they are to the attachment point of the tuft at the base body have penetrated, and the closer the bristles lie together.

Around adequate cleaning action on the bottom and side surfaces of the Toilet bowl too guarantee, would the bristles have sufficient rigidity. This however prevents in turn a bending and penetration of the bristles underneath the cranked one Edge, and if so, then a cleaning takes place only on the outside of the cranked Edge, but not on the inside.

to Improvement is in such rotationally symmetrical brushes, mostly at the top of the cleaning head, sometimes an additional, with the free end upstanding, plate-shaped brush part arranged, which is to serve the drive under the edge.

This is in principle effective because of either relatively high lying or radially relatively far projecting position of this additional part to the rest Brush head.

The However, cleaning the attachment is extremely difficult since there is almost no position in which this additional part in the stream of water flushing the toilet can hold, since the diameter of the rotationally symmetrical Part alone usually already almost the free diameter the drainpipe to the siphon, ie the odor trap of the toilet, equivalent.

Besides are natural also toilet brushes in which the cleaning head is a basic body in the form of a small, is stable plate from which the bristles or bristle bundles in essentially parallel running and only slightly diverging mostly in only one direction, approximately perpendicular to the main plane of the main body or also gnaw in both directions, which are perpendicular to it.

In As a rule, the plate plane of the main body is then attached to the handle with a stalk. In order to Cleaning the visible surfaces of the toilet can easily be done, but cleaning under the bent edge is completely impossible.

Furthermore the problem is thin and at the ends relatively far apart bristles and their ends.

From the basic form of rotationally symmetric In addition, in the simplest case cylindrical or hemispherical cleaning head formed from bristles, there are a number of modifications.

So describes DE 101 52 123 C1 a cylindrical rotary body as a cleaning head having at least one plane surface, for example in the form of a secant-shaped flattening.

The In contrast, WO 03/088800 A1 requires a recess in the rotationally symmetrical outer contour of the brush head formed of bristles with the outside domed Part near the free end of the cleaning head better around the bent edge to enter.

Around the problem of contamination between the bristles of the cleaning head It is also already known to avoid bristle cleaning heads Zuverwenden, for example, rotationally symmetric body or unevenly shaped body with punctate Nubs, linear projections etc. on the surface, which can be arranged and shaped differently and only very small, usually 1-2 mm, over the rest surface protrude.

Then is the cleaning action on the accessible visible surfaces of the Toilet bowl mostly the better, the stiffer this body is formed, because the more pressure can be applied by the user when working on the surface become.

Indeed deteriorates an increasing rigidity of this kind from the cleaning head at the same time the ability to one cleaning under the un-curled Perform edge to be able to.

That's how it shows DE 199 41 718 A1 an approximately cylindrical cleaning head with a closed outer surface, on the outer surface, in particular spirally encircling, lamellae are arranged.

From the US Pat. No. 6,460,215 B1 is a cleaning device for toilet bowls known in which a plurality of cleaning agents are arranged on a flexible body. The body is elastically easily deformable so that it can be easily inserted into hard to reach areas when cleaning the toilet bowl, such as the drainage system, and brought into contact with the interior walls. However, no significant advantages over the commercial toilet brushes are achieved by the cleaning device for cleaning the remaining areas of toilet bowls.

From the US 3,753,267 A a cleaning device is known, which has a flexible body to which a sponge is attached. Therefore, this cleaning device is mainly suitable for applications in which only light soiling is removed, since the cleaning of the cleaning device itself is elaborate.

III. Presentation of the invention

a) Technical task

It is therefore the object according to the invention, a toilet brush to create, despite good cleaning effect, even under the beaded edge the toilet bowl in turn, it is easy to keep it free from soiling and easy and cost-effective is to produce.

These The object is solved by the feature in claim 1. Advantageous embodiments result from the dependent claims.

By on the one hand flat design of the main body of the cleaning head and on the other hand, the different flexibility of its edges across from the central area has the advantage that on the one hand by Pressing the relatively stiff central area on the bottom surface of the toilet bowl a relatively high pressure can be applied, and on the other hand the flexible edges of the flat body easily under the cranked Edge of the toilet bowl introduced can be to effect a cleaning there.

On the surface of the basic body are a variety of cleaning elements arranged transversely from the surface of the basic body stand out, and at the edge also protrude in the main plane of the main body can. As cleaning elements can Bristles with different cross-sectional shapes can be used especially in their cross-section hollow or solid cleaning elements.

Especially Bristles which have a triangular shape have proven advantageous and in particular V-shaped Have cross-section.

The Alignment of the cross section of such bristles can each case chosen in the same direction be, or from the attachment point of the stem on the body each viewed radially outward, the latter facilitates a non-directional use of the brush.

Preferably, the cleaning elements, in particular the bristles, are integrally formed together with the base body of a plastic, for example a rubber-like plastic and the transition from the main body to the cleaning elements or bristles are rounded with a radius of curvature of at least 1 mm, more preferably at least 2 mm, in particular at least 3 mm, to thereby prevent the deposits of impurities that are more readily accessible in edges.

Out for the same reason are the cleaning elements, such as the bristles, at the base in a minimum distance of 3 mm or more, better 4 mm or 5 mm, arranged, and accordingly individually and not in tufts summarized, also to the deposition of impurities to complicate.

The Total thickness of the cleaning head is doing - at least in some of his Edge areas - measured including the extension of the cleaning elements attached to it something more than the free width in the U-shaped bend of the toilet bowl, so that when driving in with the edges of the brush under the bent edge forcibly a cleaning both on the inside and on the outside the bend he follows.

Around vary the applied pressure just when cleaning the crank to be able to can they single marginal areas of the body, in the supervision considered heart-shaped, kidney-shaped or may also be designed freely, but preferably convex bulges outward has, be different flexible.

Out For the same reason, one and the same border area may differ easily bendable in the two transverse directions to the main plane of the body be what for example by existing on one side of the body Stiffening ribs is easily accessible.

As well can the cleaning elements on the two sides of the body a have different stiffness and / or different Cross-sectional contours and / or different cross-sectional dimensions, to the cleaning effect of the two sides of the body different to design, which is particularly advantageous if the stem from the main body protrudes in the main extension direction, so that the body also on the floor surface the toilet bowl can be used with both sides.

Yet may be the attachment point of the stem to the body instead of at the edge of the body too its center offset, and even from the main level of the main body abut vertically.

In a development of the invention, the main body of the cleaning head is hollow trained, what for different purposes can be used.

To the one can in the wall of the main body Outlet openings in particular in the form of a valve, which only opens when pressure is applied to the outer surface be to a stored in the cavity disinfectant or cleaning agent to be deployed.

Preferably is the cavity in the body associated with a cavity in the stem, and the stem is called Pump formed, for example, in his tubular cylinder a piston is sealed displaced.

By this printing connection from the stem to the body can either the application of a detergent or a disinfectant or even a scent over in the body existing spouts be varied, or the main body has no such outlet openings, and by operation The pump of the stem can the existing in the body overpressure varies, so preferably increased. This in turn leads to a stiffening of the body and thus to an increase the cleaning effect, which are then applied with the head can.

Preferably has the brush thereby over a Locking device to the raised Pressure in the body maintain the cleaning head, so for example the Pump piston in a forward pushed Secure position.

Around the brush preferably to use universally, the stem is adjustable in its angular position to the body, preferably even designed from one to the other side of the body folded down.

c) embodiments

embodiments according to the invention in the following example closer described. Show it:

1a : a top view of the cleaning head,

1b a side view of the brush,

2 : different cross-sectional shapes of cleaning elements,

3 : the cleaning head in the side view,

4 : the brush in use.

1b shows the entire cleaning brush in the side view, consisting of a stem 1 and a cleaning head 2 , the lower, free end of the stem 1 is attached.

The stem 1 is in the side view double S-shaped cranked by an angle of approximately 45 °, and consists of a preferably hollow profile, for example, plastic or other easy-to-clean material, which leaves no abrasion on porcelain.

The lower end of the stem 1 is preferably provided with a reduced cross-section and inserted in a corresponding receptacle, which as an extension of the top of the body 3 of the cleaning head 2 protrudes.

The stem 1 it preferably has a non-round, but non-circular, for example, triangular, outer cross-section to avoid twisting in the hand.

The back, upper end of the stem 1 is all handle 16 trained, and if the stalk 1 is hollow, as in the 1b , a pump can be at the top 14 be arranged, in which a piston 17 in the cavity 13 of the stem 1 is depressible and thereby in the cavity 13 Pressure can be built up, whose meaning later on hand of the 3 is explained.

The lolly 1 attached cleaning head 2 exists - as from 1a apparent - from one in a main extension plane 10 extending body 3 , such as a plate of increasing thickness to the attachment point 4 of the stem 1 towards, and arranged thereon and projecting therefrom in transverse to the main plane cleaning elements 5 , hereinafter referred to as bristles for the sake of brevity.

The main body 3 of the cleaning head 2 It has the shape of a heart or leaf, pointing the point of this shape in the opposite direction, into which the stem 1 curved in the side view.

As in 1a As can be seen, the bristles are 5 doing so individually on the body 3 arranged and not bundled together. The bristles or cleaning elements 5 can be arranged on lines that are parallel to the edge contour of the body 3 run as shown in the upper half of the picture, or on lines that are parallel to only part of the outer contour, as shown in the lower half, approximately parallel to the outer contour of the bulges 9 the heart shape.

The bristles 5 For example, if they have a non-circular shape such as the shape of a triangle, with their tip always radially from the center of the body 3 point away to the outside, or always in the direction of the axis of symmetry 18 of the basic body 3 point.

Thus, the approximately plate-shaped body 3 in the transverse direction 11 to its main level 10 in its peripheral areas lighter the bar is all in the wider center areas, can on the top stiffening ribs 8th be formed in the center, either in the center of gravity or in the attachment point 4 for the stalk 1 meet as in 1a shown where the attachment point 4 However, just behind the center of gravity of the heart shape is arranged, here the meeting point of the stiffening ribs 8th is.

Alternatively, instead of or in addition to such stiffening ribs 8th - the thickness of the main body 3 from the edge area 3a to the central area 3b of the basic body 3 increase, as in 1b shown.

2 shows possible cross-sectional shapes of the bristles or cleaning elements 5 , where shapes without sharp convex indentations are preferred because it can settle too easily soiling:
It may be a triangular shape, namely element 5a around a massive cross section, according to element 5b around a hollow cross-section or according to element 5c around a V-shape. In contrast, element shows 5d a W-shape and element 5e a wave shape. The Elements 5f and 5g show round cross sections, either hollow or solid, and element 5h a rectangular, in particular square shape. The orientation is preferably selected such that a convex corner or edge points in the working direction. element 5i shows a C-shape and element 5k an X-shape, eg formed by two L-shapes connected to the back.

Also the rounded transition radius 19 at the transition 6 between the main body 3 and the cleaning elements 5 , as in 1b It is important to avoid soiling in this area and can best be achieved by using the cleaning elements 5 integral with the basic body part 3 be formed, for example, be injected from a rubber-like plastic.

Nevertheless, one of the manufacturing alternatives is in, as in 1b drawn at an element that the body 3 Through holes through which the elements 5 so they are put through, that they on the top and the bottom of the main body part 3 protrude.

The degree of supernatant of the cleaning elements from the body is important for the function:
So can these elements 5 on one side, in 1b and 3 for example, on the top, in 3 in addition, on the bottom, each equally far over the entire surface project, while on the bottom of the main body 3 of the 1b the cleaning elements 5 in the central area 3b project much further than in the edge area 3a ,

Along with the fact that even the shape of the top and bottom of the main body 3 is freely selectable, constellations can be selected, which are adapted to the object to be cleaned, so for example according to

1b a flat bottom of the body 3 and one to the central area 3b rising top, while in the solution according to 3 is just reversed, so there is a flat top and a spherical, in the central area 3b given above domed bottom.

A typical adaptation to the object to be cleaned shows 4 when using the brush according to the invention as Toilettenbrüste to the free width 7 To clean under the overhanging edge of a toilet key.

The entire height of the cleaning head 2 at the edge 3a So from the free end of the upwardly projecting cleaning elements 5 to the free end of the downwardly projecting, so projecting in the opposite direction, cleaning elements 5 is the same size or preferably slightly larger than the free width 7 to excite both sides of this width simultaneously.

3 shows a further variant of the cleaning head 2 ' in that it extends substantially over the entire area in the main plane 10 extending cavity 12 that has a cavity 12 in the attachment part and this in turn with the cavity 13 in the then attached stalk 1 communicates. The on hand of the 1b explained pump 14 generated in this cavity 12 a pressure with which different effects can be achieved: either the cavity is 12 of the basic body 3 closed, then by increasing the pressure - depending on the rigidity of the material of the body 3 - about the shape of the body 3 changed, but especially by the in the cavity 12 increasing pressure of the main body 3 significantly stiffened, allowing a greater mechanical cleaning effect with the same cleaning head 2 , but with reduced elasticity, can be achieved.

The cavity 12 However, it can also serve for storing and dispensing a liquid, be it a cleaning liquid, a disinfecting liquid or an odorant liquid, in which in the main body 3 Outlet openings, preferably as valves 15 are formed, are arranged. The outlet openings or valves 15 can either in the cleaning elements 5 , namely its hollow interior, be formed, or between the cleaning elements 5 However, it must connect to the cavity 12 in the main body 3 consist.

A pressure on the pump 14 after that would be a limited amount of the in the cavity 12 deploy the substance.

1

stalk

2

cleaning head

3

body

3a

border area

3b

centrally Area

4

attachment point

5a, b, ...

cleaning elements (Bristles)

6

crossing

7

free width

8th

stiffening ribs

9

bulge

10

Main plane

11

transversely

12

cavity

13

cavity

14

pump

15

Valve

16

handle

17

piston

18

axis of symmetry

19

radius

Claims (30)

Cleaning brush with a handle ( 1 ) and a cleaning head ( 2 ) on which a plurality of cleaning elements ( 5a , b, ...) are arranged, wherein the basic body ( 3 ) of the cleaning head ( 2 ) in its main extension plane ( 10 ) has a greater extent than in the transverse direction ( 11 ), and in particular plate-shaped, characterized in that - one and the same edge region ( 3a ) of the basic body ( 3 ) slightly flexible in both transverse directions ( 11 ) to the main level ( 10 ) of the basic body ( 3 ) and - the plurality of cleaning elements ( 5a , b, ...) have a non-circular shape in cross-section. Cleaning brush according to claim 1, characterized in that on the surface of the base body ( 3 ) a variety of cleaning elements ( 5a , b, ...), in particular bristles, are arranged. Cleaning brush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the cleaning elements ( 5a , b, ...) have a cross section which has a greater width at one end of the cross section than at the other end and in particular is triangular, and - the cross section of the cleaning elements ( 5a , b, ...) is hollow or solid and in particular is an angle profile. Cleaning brush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning elements ( 5a , b, ...) from both main surfaces of the basic body ( 3 ) protrude and in particular integrally formed together with this. Cleaning brush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning elements ( 5a , b, ...) on the two sides of the main body ( 3 ) have a different rigidity and / or different cross-sectional contour and / or different cross-sectional dimensions and / or length. Cleaning brush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the attachment point ( 4 ) of the stem ( 1 ) on the base body ( 3 ) from the edge ( 3a ) of the basic body ( 3 ), in particular in the middle, or in the center of gravity of the surface of the basic body ( 3 ) and the stem ( 1 ), in particular perpendicular to the main plane ( 10 ) is attached. Cleaning brush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the basic body ( 3 ) in the supervision of its main level ( 10 ) considers a heart-shaped, arrow-shaped or oval contour, in particular with bulges ( 9 ) to the outside, has. Cleaning brush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in triangular or V-shaped or square or wave-shaped or W-shaped, C-shaped or X-shaped cross-sectional contours of the cleaning elements ( 5a , b, ...) in the supervision of the main level ( 10 ) of the basic body ( 3 ) considered the cross-sections of the elements are all the same direction or each of the stem ( 1 ) pointing radially outward. Cleaning brush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning elements ( 5a , b, ...) individually and not in tufts on the main body ( 3 ) are attached. Cleaning brush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least on one side, in particular on the underside, of the base body ( 3 ) the free ends of the cleaning elements ( 5a , b, ...) form an outwardly convex spherical three-dimensional surface shape. Cleaning brush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning elements ( 5a , b, ...), in particular at the attachment point ( 4 ) in the main body ( 3 ), to each other have a minimum distance of 3 mm, better 4 mm, better 5 mm. Cleaning brush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distance between the cleaning elements ( 5a , b, ...) to each other 0.8 cm to 3.0 cm, in particular the 1.0 cm to 1.5 cm of the largest diameter of the cleaning element ( 5a , b, ...). Cleaning brush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transition ( 6 ) between the bristles and the base body ( 3 ), which are formed integrally with each other, is rounded with a radius of curvature ( 19 ) of at least 1 mm, preferably at least 2 mm, preferably at least 3 mm. Cleaning brush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the total thickness of the cleaning head ( 2 ) at least in some peripheral areas ( 3a ), measured including the extension of the cleaning elements ( 5a , b, ...), is slightly larger than the free width ( 7 ) of the U-shaped bend of the toilet bowl. Cleaning brush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the edge regions ( 3a ) of the basic body ( 3 ) are slightly flexible. Cleaning brush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning elements ( 5a , b, ...) at the edges ( 3a ) of the flat body ( 3 ) also in the direction of the main level ( 10 ) strive for. Cleaning brush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the different flexibility of the base body ( 3 ) in the two transverse directions ( 11 ) by stiffening ribs ( 8th ) on one of the outer sides of the basic body ( 3 ) is achieved. Cleaning brush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the attachment point ( 4 ) of the stem ( 1 ) on the base body ( 3 ) on the edge ( 3a ) of the basic body ( 3 ) and in the extension direction ( 10 ) of the stem ( 1 ) or at an acute angle to the main plane ( 10 ) of the reason body ( 3 ) he follows. Cleaning brush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stem ( 1 ) on the base body ( 3 ) is movable and in particular elastically springing back into its initial position is arranged in particular by integral formation of the neck pin on the base body ( 3 ) made of a flexible material. Cleaning brush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stem ( 1 ) viewed in the direction of the main plane ( 10 ) of the basic body ( 3 ) has an S-shaped bent shape. Cleaning brush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stem ( 1 ) has a non-circular, in particular triangular cross-section with rounded corners. Cleaning brush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the basic body ( 3 ) is hollow and in particular with a cavity ( 12 ) inside the stem ( 1 ). Toilet brush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stem ( 1 ) as a pump ( 14 ), in particular one in the cylindrical tube of the stem ( 1 ) accommodated and displaceable cylinder is formed, by its relative movement along the stem ( 1 ) the pressure in the stem ( 1 ) and thus in the basic body ( 3 ), in particular for changing the rigidity of the inflatable part of the basic body ( 3 ). Cleaning brush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in particular in the region of the cleaning head ( 2 ) at least one opening is arranged, which via an outlet valve ( 15 ) is closable and the exhaust valve ( 15 ) especially from the stem ( 1 ) is operable to dispense fragrances and / or disinfectants or cleaning agents. Cleaning brush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning elements ( 5a , b, ...) on arcuate curves, in particular parallel to the outer edge ( 3a ) of the basic body ( 3 ) are arranged. Cleaning brush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the extension length ( 10 ) of the cleaning elements ( 5a , b, ...) (from their point of attachment ( 4 ) on the base body ( 3 ) to its free end) from the center of the body ( 3 ) to its edges ( 3a ) decreases or stays the same. Cleaning brush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the extension length ( 10 ) of the cleaning elements ( 5a , b, ...) on the two sides of the main body ( 3 ) at an acute angle to the main plane ( 10 ) of the basic body ( 3 ) aspiring stem ( 1 ) is unequal. Cleaning brush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stem ( 1 ) is foldable from one side to the other with respect to the main plane ( 10 ) of the basic body ( 3 ), and on the two sides especially at different angles to the main plane ( 10 ). Cleaning brush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the basic body ( 3 ) is integrally formed together with the bristles of plastic and in particular a rubber-like plastic. Cleaning brush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the basic body ( 3 ) in one piece together with the stem ( 1 ) is trained.