EP2506749B1

EP2506749B1 - Bold brush

Info

Publication number: EP2506749B1
Application number: EP20100798278
Authority: EP
Inventors: Hilde Smets; Stefan Smets
Original assignee: Betula BVBA
Current assignee: Betula BVBA
Priority date: 2009-12-01
Filing date: 2010-11-25
Publication date: 2015-05-06
Anticipated expiration: 2030-11-25
Also published as: US20120233800A1; EP2506749A1; WO2011067158A1; GB0920992D0

Description

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a new and useful cleaning device particularly adapted for cleaning a toilet bowl and rim and for removing human waste there from.
The cleaning device of the present invention generally consists of a cleaning head (1) and a handle (4). The cleaning head (1) is adaptable to the surface to be cleaned, and consists of a compressible inner core (2) and surrounds a flexible tip (5) of said handle (4), wherein said inner core (2) is surrounded by a non-porous outer membrane (3), which is free of bristles.

Background to the Invention

Conventional toilet brushes comprise a handle with an arrangement of bristles at one end and are made using a variety of moulding, assembly and manufacturing processes. These bristles can be scraped across the surface of the toilet bowl and under the rim of the toilet bowl to clean this surface and to remove human waste there from.
Although these toilet brushes are commonplace and show reasonably reliable and satisfactory results in cleaning the inner bowl of a water closet, it is quiet difficult to keep the mop or brush head in a sanitary state despite the frequent flushing to which it may be subjected once the surfaces are brought to requisite cleanliness.
There has therefore been a long existed need to provide a toilet-cleaning device that is easier to maintain in a clean, hygienic state. In an effort to solve the aforementioned problem, a number of alternative cleaning devices being free of bristles, have been proposed in for example European patent application EP 2052657 , Japanese patent application JP2001-186929 , or PCT publication WO2004/060106 .
Where said alternatives solve some of the problems related to conventional brushes, the proposed alternatives still suffer from certain disadvantageous that need further improvement.
For example, the inner rigid core in the cleaning device of PCT publication WO2004/060106 , limits the adjustability of the cleaning surface to the contours of the surface to be cleaned. A further disadvantage of said cleaning device are the gaps and edges present within the cleaning head or at the attachment perimeter of the cleaning head to the handle, allowing the accumulation of dirt and a favorable environment for growth of bacteria.
In the cleaning device of JP2001-1869269 , the cleaning head has an inverted trapezoidal shape on which elastic projections are fixed. Due to this fixed shape of the cleaning head (i.e. inverted trapezium), again the adjustability of the cleaning surface to the contours of the surface to be cleaned, is limited. Furthermore, at the attachment perimeter of the cleaning head to the handle, dirt could accumulate, providing a favorable environment for the growth of bacteria.
Also in the cleaning device of EP 2052657 , the shape and deformability of the cleaning head will limit the conformability of the cleaning surface to the contours of the surface to be cleaned, and the flexible neck attachment of the cleaning head to the handle typically creates a collar allowing the accumulation of dirt and a favorable environment for growth of bacteria, and limits the handiness and force transfer, when applying the device for example to clean the overhanging upper edge or rim of water closet bowls.
A cleaning device comprising all of the features of the preamble of claim 1 is known from EP-A-1 473 092 .
It has been an object of the present invention to provide a cleaning device that:

1. allows close contact between the cleaning head and the contours of the surface to be cleaned,
2. which is dirt and water repellant, and
3. assures reliable and satisfactory results in for example cleaning the inner bowl of a water closet.

Brief Description of the Drawings

With specific reference now to the figures in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the different embodiments of the present invention only, and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard no attempt is made to show structural detail of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice.

Figure 1 : Shows a prior art cleaning device (A) and an embodiment of a cleaning device of the present invention (B). Compared to the cleaning device of the prior art ( GB1156161 ) which has a rigid core, optionally connected to the handle through a swivel point, the cleaning device of the present invention has a handle (4) with a flexible tip (5) that extends into the lower half of the handle.
Figure 2 : Shows the side view of an embodiment of a cleaning device of the present invention.
Figure 3 : Shows a top view and frontal cross-section of the cleaning head of a cleaning device of the present invention. The flexible extension is spoon shaped with a large opening for the adhesion of the compressible inner core.
Figure 4 : Shows a further embodiment of a cleaning device of the present invention, wherein the flexible tip of the handle consists of three flexible extensions.
Figure 5: Shows a further embodiment of a cleaning device of the present invention, wherein the flexible tip of the handle consists of two flexible extensions. Figure 5B shows a cross-section of the cleaning head comprising edges (9) to fit the flexible extensions of the tip of the handle.

Detailed Description of the Invention

This invention will be better understood by reference to the description that follows, but those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that these are only illustrative of the invention as described more fully in the claims that follow thereafter. Additionally, throughout this application, various publications are cited. The disclosure of these publications is hereby incorporated by reference into this application to describe more fully the state of the art to which this invention pertains.
Art known devices, such as for example shown in Figure 1, limit the adjustability of the cleaning surface to the contours of the surface to be cleaned. As a consequence ineffective cleaning of the toilet bowl will occur in certain areas, such as for example when applying the device to clean the overhanging upper edge or rim of water closet bowls.
It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide an improved cleaning device that assures a sharp, discrete deformation complementary to the user's handling that results in close contact between the cleaning head and the contours of the surface to be cleaned.
The cleaning device of the present invention generally consists of a cleaning head (1) and a handle (4) characterized in that the cleaning head (1) consists of a compressible inner core (2) and surrounds a flexible tip (5) of said handle, and wherein said inner core has a non-porous outer membrane (3).
Through the combination of a flexible tip (5), with a deformable cleaning head (1) surrounding it, the cleaning head (1) is firmly pushed against a surface to be cleaned, the deformable surface may conform to and follow the contours of a toilet bowl, the flexible tip assures a sharp, discrete deformation complementary to the user's handling such that when said surface is rubbed over an area to be cleaned, there will be continuous rubbing (e.g. frictional) contact between the surface of the cleaning head and the surface to be cleaned. This enables the toilet-cleaning device to remove germs and/or detritus from a toilet bowl more effectively, with less need for chemical-based cleaning products. Furthermore, as there are no openings or bristles on the surface of the cleaning head, this surface can provide a less favourable environment for growth of bacteria compared to conventional toilet brushes.
The deformable cleaning head may be any shape, including circular, oval or square. In a particular embodiment of the present invention the cleaning head is ovoid or drop-shaped. The latter not only plows better through the water surface and prevents gushes, but also contributes to the water-repellency of the cleaning device of the present invention.
A further element contributing to water- and dirt-repellency of the cleaning device is the non-porous outer membrane (3) which, particularly consists of a water-repellent material; in particular of rubber or a rubber-like material such as silicon- and polyurethane-based polymers, e.g. silicone rubbers, or a similar material. The outer membrane typically has a smooth surface, but as will be apparent to the skilled person, textured and even slightly abrasive surfaces are within the admit of the present invention.
As such the cleaning head does not retain water and dries quickly after use. The instant dryness of the device after use, significantly contributes to the hygiene of the cleaning device. Since debris automatically resides in the water bowl, and doesn't stick to the cleaning head, excess flushing to clean the latter is no longer required. This dirt repellent feature, together with the instant dryness reduces the spread of water, human waste and potentially harmful bacteria outside the toilet bowl and therefore, the likelihood of a pool of water, which can provide a breeding ground for potentially harmful bacteria, accumulating in the base of a holder used to store the toilet-cleaning device. In addition, the water repellent properties of the cleaning head means that it may not be essential to store the device in a holder. For example, as it does not retain water after use, it can be stored on a hook.
The outer membrane (3) of the cleaning device of the present invention preferable comprises a plurality of integrally formed resilient deformable protrusions (6).
In a particular embodiment, and as shown in the figures hereinafter, the pluralities of integrally formed resilient deformable protrusions (6) are each and independently selected from cones; cylinders; or from dots having a convex top surface.
Said protrusions are spaced from one another, i.e. not close to one another, but sufficiently spaced to prevent the accumulation of dirt between the protrusions. In a particular embodiment the protrusions are present on the outer membrane (3) with a density of from about 0,5-3 units/cm², in particular about 1,5 units/cm².
As already provided hereinbefore, in a particular embodiment the cleaning head is drop-shaped. In an even further objective of said embodiment, the upper hemisphere of said drop shaped cleaning head has at most five integrally formed resilient deformable protrusions; and is in particular free of integrally formed resilient deformable protrusions. In another embodiment, the protrusions at the upper hemisphere of the drop-shaped cleaning head, are positioned distal from the handle.
The flexible tip in the cleaning device of the present invention typically consists of one or more, i.e. 2, 3, 4 or 5, flexible extensions (7) at one end of the handle. The plurality of flexible extensions increase the conformability of the pressure level to the contours of the surface being cleaned and accordingly contributes to the effectiveness and ease in handling of the device of the present invention. As is for example shown in Figure 4, a plurality of flexible extensions (7) mimics the anatomy of fingers on a hand, allowing an optimal, clearly defined, but subtle deformation of the cleaning head vis-à-vis the contours of the surface to be cleaned.
As will be appreciated from the examples hereinafter, in a particular embodiment the one or more flexible extension is spoon shaped, optionally comprising one or more apertures. The latter allow and improve the adhesion of the compressible inner core around the flexible tip.
The one or more flexible extensions (7) are typically an integral part of the handle (4), and the flexible tip (5) may extend into the lower half of the handle.
In said embodiment the handle is typically formed from a first rigid thermosetting plastic backbone, which extends into a thinner and accordingly flexible tip (5). Alternatively, the flexible tip additionally being formed at least partially from a resilient elastomer. In said latter alternative, the upper part of the handle can be made of any rigid material, such as for example wood; a rigid thermosetting plastic; or metal, such as for example inox.
Any resilient elastomer can be used, such as for example a polyolefin selected from the group consisting of styrenebutadiene-styrene, styrene-isoprenestyrene, styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene, polypropylene and related copolymers.
The compressible inner core (2) can be formed of any known resilient or semi-resilient porous, non-porous on partially porous materials and/or combinations thereof, such as for example silicon- and polyurethane-based polymers, e.g. silicone rubbers. As such the compressible inner core may consist of an open structure with a plurality of ribs (8) and edges (9) from a resilient or semi-resilient material. In the latter embodiment some of said edges or ribs may interact with the flexible extensions of the tip of the handle, in order to position the head (1) relative to the handle (4).
Accordingly, in a further objective of the present invention, the compressible inner core of the cleaning device is further characterized in that it consists of an open structure, such as for example an air filled cavity, optionally with a plurality, i.e. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or more of ribs (8) and edges (9) from a resilient or semi-resilient material; in particular the compressible inner core of the cleaning device is further characterized in that it consists of an open structure with a plurality, i.e. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or more of ribs (8) and edges (9) from a resilient or semi-resilient material. Optionally, further characterized in that in the aforementioned embodiments 2, 3, 4, 5, or more of said edges or ribs engage with the flexible extensions (7) of the tip of the handle, in order to position the head (1) relative to the handle (4).
In a particular embodiment the inner core (2) is composed of resilient foam material, such as polyurethane (PU) open cell, PU closed cell, or a similar material. In an even further embodiment the present invention, such as for example shown in Figure 5, the non-porous outer membrane (3) and the compressible inner core (2) are made of the same material, which, particularly consists of a water-repellent material; in particular of rubber or a rubber-like material such as silicon- and polyurethane-based polymers, e.g. silicone rubbers, or a similar material.

Claims

A cleaning device having a handle (4) and a cleaning head (1), the cleaning head (1) consisting of a compressible inner core (2) and surrounding a flexible tip (5) of said handle (4), wherein said inner core (2) has an outer membrane (3), said outer membrane being free of bristles and surrounding said inner core; characterized in that said outer membrane (3) is non-porous.
The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning head (1) is ovoid or drop-shaped.
The cleaning device according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the non-porous outer membrane (3) comprises a plurality of integrally formed resilient deformable protrusions (6).
The cleaning device according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of integrally formed resilient deformable protrusions (6) are each and independently selected from cones; cylinders; or from dots having a convex top surface.
The cleaning device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the plurality of integrally formed resilient deformable protrusions (6) are spaced from one another, in particular from about 0,5 to 3,0 units/cm².
The cleaning device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the upper hemisphere of said ovoid or drop-shaped cleaning head has at most five integrally formed resilient deformable protrusions (6); is in particular free of integrally formed resilient deformable protrusions.
The cleaning device according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the non-porous outer membrane (3) consists of a water-repellent material; in particular rubber or a rubber-like material such as silicon- and polyurethane-based polymers, e.g. silicone rubbers, or a similar material.
The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the flexible tip (5) consists of one or more flexible extensions (7) at one end of the handle.
The cleaning device according to claim 8, wherein the one or more flexible extensions (7) are an integral part of the handle (4).
The cleaning device according to any one of claims 8 to 9, wherein the flexible tip (5) extends into the lower half of the handle (4).
The cleaning device according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the handle (4) is formed from a first rigid thermosetting plastic backbone, the flexible tip additionally being formed at least partially from a resilient elastomer.
The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein said compressible inner core (2) is formed of resilient or semi-resilient porous, non-porous or partially porous materials and/or combinations thereof
The cleaning device according to any one of claims 1, or 12, wherein the compressible inner core consist of an open structure with a plurality of ribs (8) and edges (9) from a resilient or semi-resilient material.
The cleaning device according to claim 13, further characterized in that 2, 3, 4, 5, or more of said edges or ribs engage with the flexible extensions (7) of the tip of the handle, to connect the cleaning head (1) to the handle (4).
The cleaning device according to any one of the foregoing claims, wherein the non-porous outer membrane (3) and the compressible inner core (2) are made of the same material, which, particularly consists, of a water-repellent material; in particular of rubber or a rubber-like material such as silicone- and polyurethane-based polymers, e.g. silicone rubbers, or a similar material.