EP2674085A1 - Toilet brush - 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 invention relates to a cleaning brush for in particular curved surfaces, in particular for use as a toilet brush, dish brush, brush for cleaning the gutter, cosmetic peeling brush or sauna brush.

II. Technical background

Toilet brushes are used to clean today common toilet bowls, which are usually made of porcelain and have a U-shaped, downwardly open, inner edge, in which the water is flushed and in which also can settle dirt.

With a toilet brush solid deposits on all inner surfaces of the toilet bowl, even under the bent-in edge, be easily removed.

In addition, there is a requirement that the toilet brush itself, so especially their cleaning head, yet be designed so that the cleaning process in the cleaning head settling solid contaminants are also easily removable, preferably only by means of the flow of water toilet flushing inside the toilet bowl ,

For this purpose, different forms of toilet brushes are known.

The most common form consists of a cleaning head which is rotationally symmetrical to the longitudinal axis of the stem, and which consists of bristles, usually bundles of bristles, which are received by the body of the cleaning head, which is a kind of extension in the axial direction of the stem. In general, both the bristles and the stem and the body of the cleaning head made of plastic.

The disadvantage of this design is that the bristles are relatively thin, usually less than 1 mm, and clean only a very narrow track when moving along with their free ends over a surface to be cleaned.

On the other hand, the ends of the individual bristles are relatively far apart, namely several millimeters, which is necessary in order not to complicate a subsequent cleaning of the bristles themselves too much, because the closer the bristles are together, the harder are therebetween deposited contaminants remove. This is particularly evident when the bristles are arranged in tufts, the more difficult they are to remove impurities from the interstices between the bristles, the closer they have penetrated the attachment point of the tuft to the base, and the closer the bristles are to one another.

In order to ensure a sufficient cleaning effect on the bottom and side surfaces of the toilet bowl, the bristles would have to have sufficient rigidity. However, this in turn prevents bending and penetration of the bristles under the cranked edge, and if so, then cleaning takes place only on the outside of the cranked edge, but not on the inside.

To improve on such rotationally symmetrical brushes, usually on the upper part of the cleaning head, sometimes an additional, with the free end upstanding, plate-shaped brush part arranged, which is to serve to drive in under the edge.

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

However, the cleaning of the additional part is extremely difficult because there is almost no position in which you can hold this accessory in the flow of water flushing the toilet, since the diameter of the rotationally symmetric part alone usually already almost the free diameter of the drain pipe Siphon, so the odor trap of the toilet corresponds.

In addition, of course, toilet brushes are known in which the cleaning head is a main body in the form of a small, stable plate, from which the bristles or bristle bundles substantially parallel running and only slightly diverging mostly in only one direction, approximately perpendicular to the main plane of the body or in both directions, which are perpendicular to this, protrude.

As a rule, then the plate plane of the body is attached bent on the stem. Thus, a cleaning of the visible surfaces of the toilet can be done easily, but a cleaning under the bent edge is thus completely impossible.

In addition, there is the problem of thin and at the ends relatively far apart bristles and their ends.

From the basic form of the rotationally symmetrical, in the simplest case cylindrical or hemispherical, cleaning head, which is formed from bristles, there are also 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 PCT application WO 03/088800 A1 on the other hand requires a recess in the rotationally symmetrical outer contour of the brush head formed from bristles in order to be able to drive in better around the cranked edge with the convex part close to the free end of the cleaning head.

In order to avoid the problem of contamination between the bristles of the cleaning head, it is already known to use bristle-free cleaning heads, for example rotationally symmetrical bodies or irregularly shaped bodies with punctiform nubs, line-shaped projections, etc. on the surface, which can be differently arranged and shaped and only very slightly, usually 1-2 mm, projecting beyond the remaining surface.

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

However, increasing rigidity of this type from the cleaning head simultaneously degrades the ability to perform cleaning under the un-curled edge.

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

III. Presentation of the invention a) Technical task

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a toilet brush, which in spite of good cleaning effect, even under the flanged edge of the toilet bowl in turn is easy to keep free of contamination and is easy and inexpensive to manufacture.

b) Solution of the task

This object is solved by the feature in claim 1. Advantageous embodiments will be apparent from the dependent claims.

By the one hand, flat design of the body of the cleaning head and on the other hand, the different flexibility of its edge regions relative to the central region has the advantage that on the one hand by pressing the relatively stiff central region on the bottom surface of the toilet bowl, a relatively high pressure can be applied, and on the other hand, the flexible Rims of the flat body with both sides of the main surfaces of the body protruding bristles can be easily inserted under the bent edge of the toilet bowl to effect a cleaning there.

On the surface of the body a plurality of cleaning elements are arranged, which protrude transversely from the surface of the body, and can protrude at the edge in the main plane of the body. As cleaning elements bristles can be used with different cross-sectional shapes, in particular in its cross-section hollow or solid cleaning elements.

Bristles which have a triangular and in particular V-shaped cross-section have proved to be particularly advantageous.

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

Preferably, the cleaning elements, in particular the bristles, integrally formed with the base body of a plastic, such as a rubber-like plastic, and the transition from the body to the cleaning elements or bristles are rounded with a radius of curvature of at least 1 mm, better at least 2 mm, in particular at least 3 mm, thereby preventing the deposition of impurities which is easier in edges.

For the same reason, the cleaning elements, such as the bristles, arranged on the body at a minimum distance of 3 mm or more, better 4 mm or 5 mm, and accordingly individually and not tufted summarized to also impede the deposition of impurities.

The total thickness of the cleaning head is - at least in some of its edge areas - measured including the extension of the cleaning elements attached to it slightly more than the free width in the U-shaped crank of the toilet bowl, so that when you go in with the edges of the brush under the cranked Edge forcibly cleaning takes place both on the inside and on the outside of the crank.

In order to be able to vary the applied pressure just when cleaning the crank, the individual edge regions of the base body, which may be heart-shaped, kidney-shaped or freely designed in plan view, but preferably convex outward bulges, may be flexibly flexible.

For the same reason, one and the same edge region can be flexibly flexible in the two transverse directions to the main plane of the main body, which can easily be achieved, for example, by stiffening ribs present on one side of the main body.

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

Nevertheless, the attachment point of the stem may be arranged offset to the base instead of the edge of the body to the center, and even protrude from the main plane of the main body from perpendicular.

In one embodiment of the invention, the main body of the cleaning head is hollow, which can be used for different purposes.

On the one hand, in the wall of the main body outlet openings, in particular in valve form, which opens only when pressure on the outer surface, be arranged to deploy a stored in the cavity disinfectant or cleaning agent.

Preferably, the cavity in the body is in communication with a cavity in the stem, and the stem is designed as a pump, for example by a piston in its tubular cylinder is sealed displaced.

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

Preferably, the brush has a locking device in order to maintain the increased pressure in the main body of the cleaning head, so for example to secure the pump piston in a forward pushed position.

In order to use the brush as universally as possible, the style is adjustable in its angular position to the body, preferably even designed to be folded from one to the other side of the body.

c) embodiments

Fig. 1a:

eine Aufsicht auf den Reinigungskopf,

Fig. 1b:

eine Seitenansicht der Bürste,

Fig. 2:

unterschiedliche Querschnittesformen von Reinigungselementen,

Fig. 3:

den Reinigungskopf in der Seitenansicht,

Fig. 4:

die Bürste im Einsatz.

Embodiments according to the invention are described in more detail below by way of example. Show it:

Fig. 1 a:

a view of the cleaning head,

Fig 1 b.:

a side view of the brush,

Fig. 2 :

different cross-sectional shapes of cleaning elements,

3 :

the cleaning head in side view,

4 :

the brush in use.

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

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 made of 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 protrudes as an extension from the top of the main body 3 of the cleaning head 2 .

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

The rear, upper end of the stem 1 , all handle 16 is formed, and if the stem 1 is hollow, as in the Figure 1 b , may be arranged at the upper end of a pump 14 in which a piston 17 can be pressed into the cavity 13 of the stem 1 and thereby pressure in the cavity 13 can be constructed, the sense later on hand FIG. 3 is explained.

The attached to the handle 1 cleaning head 2 is - as from FIG. 1a apparent from a extending in a main plane 10 main body 3 , such as a plate of increasing thickness to the attachment point 4 of the stem 1 out, and arranged thereon and projecting therefrom in transverse to the main plane cleaning elements 5 , hereinafter referred to as bristles shortly.

The main body 3 of the cleaning head 2 has the shape of a heart or leaf, pointing the tip of this shape in the opposite direction, in which the handle 1 is curved in the side view.

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

The bristles 5 can - for example, if they have a non-circular shape such as the shape of a triangle, with its tip always radially away from the center of the body 3 outward, or always in the direction of the axis of symmetry 18 of the body 3 have.

Thus, the approximately plate-shaped base body 3 in the transverse direction 11 to its main plane 10 in its peripheral areas lighter bar all lying in the wider center areas, may be formed on the top stiffening ribs 8 , located in the center, either in the center of gravity or in the attachment point 4 for hit the stem 1 , as in FIG. 1 a, where the attachment point 4, however, is located just behind the center of gravity of the heart shape, which here is the meeting point of the stiffening ribs 8 .

Alternatively - instead of or in addition to such stiffening ribs 8 - the thickness of the base body 3 from the edge portion 3a to the central portion 3 b of the base member 3 increase, as shown in Figure 1 b shown.

FIG. 2 shows possible cross-sectional shapes of the bristles or cleaning elements 5 , wherein forms without sharp convex indentations are preferred because it can settle too easily soiling:

It may be a triangular shape, namely according to element 5 a to a solid cross section, according to element 5 b around a hollow cross section or element 5 c to a V-shape. 5, however, shows an element d Wave form a W-shape, and element 5 e. The elements 5 f and 5 g show round cross sections, either hollow or solid, and element 5 h a rectangular, in particular square shape. The orientation is preferably selected such that a convex corner or edge points in the working direction. Element 5 i shows a C-shape and element 5 k an X-shape, e.g. B. formed by two connected to back L-shapes.

Also, the rounded transition radius 19 at the transition 6 between the main body 3 and the cleaning elements 5 , as in Figure 1 b As can be seen, it is important to avoid the deposition of soiling in this area, and can best be achieved by integrally forming the cleaning elements 5 together with the main body part 3 , for example by molding them from a rubber-like plastic.

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

The degree of supernatant of the cleaning elements from the body is important for the function:

So these elements can be 5 on one side, in Figure 1 b and 3, for example, on the top, in FIG. 3 additionally on the underside, in each case equally far over the entire surface projecting, while on the underside of the basic body 3 the Figure 1 b the cleaning elements 5 in the central region 3 b project much further than in the edge region 3 a.

Together with the fact that the shape of the top and bottom of the body 3 is arbitrary, constellations can be selected that are adapted to the object to be cleaned, so for example according to Figure 1 b a flat bottom of the base body 3 and a central region 3 b rising top, while in the solution according to FIG. 3 is just the other way round, so there is a flat top and a convex, in the central region 3 b above arched bottom is given.

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

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

FIG. 3 shows a further variant of the cleaning head 2 'by this has a substantially over the entire surface in the main plane 10 extending cavity 12 , which communicates with a cavity 12 in the neck portion and this in turn with the cavity 13 in the then attached stem 1 in combination , The on hand of the Figure 1 b explained pump 14 generates in this cavity 12 a pressure with the aid of different effects can be achieved:

Either the cavity 12 of the base body 3 is closed, then by increasing the pressure - depending on the stiffness of the material of the base body 3 - changed approximately the shape of the base body 3 , but above all significantly stiffened by the increasing pressure in the cavity 12 of the base body 3 , so that a greater mechanical cleaning effect with the same cleaning head 2 , but with reduced elasticity, can be achieved.

However, the cavity 12 may also serve for storing and dispensing a liquid, be it a cleaning liquid, a disinfecting liquid or an odorant liquid, in which outlet openings in the main body 3 , which are preferably designed as valves 15 , are arranged. The outlet openings or valves 15 may be formed either in the cleaning elements 5 , namely its hollow interior, or also between the cleaning elements 5 , but a connection with the cavity 12 in the base body 3 must exist.

A pressure on the pump 14 would then spend a limited amount of the substance located in the cavity 12 thereafter.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

stalk

2

cleaning head

3

body

3 a

border area

3 b

central area

4

attachment point

5 a, 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 (14)

Cleaning brush with a handle ( 1 ) and a cleaning head ( 2 ), wherein the main body ( 3 ) of the cleaning head (2) in its main extension plane ( 10 ) has a greater extent than in the transverse direction ( 11 ) thereto, and in particular plate-shaped, and in at least one of its edge regions ( 3 a) in the direction transverse to the main plane ( 10 ) or plate plane is more flexible than in the central region ( 3 b) or in the region of the attachment point ( 4 ) on the stem ( 1 ).
characterized in that
Bristles protrude from both main surfaces of the base body ( 3 ) and are formed integrally therewith. Cleaning brush according to claim 1,
characterized in that
the bristles on the two sides of the base 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
one and the same edge region ( 3 a) is slightly flexible in the two transverse directions ( 11 ) to the main plane ( 10 ) of the body is. 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 ( 3 a) of the base body ( 3 ) set back, in particular in the center, or in the center of gravity of the surface of the base body ( 3 ) is arranged and the stem ( 1 ) is fastened in particular perpendicular to the main plane ( 10 ). Cleaning brush according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the main body ( 3 ) in the plan view of its main plane ( 10 ) viewed a heart-shaped, arrow-shaped or oval contour, in particular with bulges ( 9 ) to the outside, having. Cleaning brush according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the total thickness of the cleaning head ( 2 ), at least in some marginal areas ( 3 a), measured, including the extent of the bristles, is slightly greater than the free width ( 7 ) of the U-shaped crank of the toilet bowl. Cleaning brush according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the edge regions ( 3 a) of the base body ( 3 ) are slightly different flexible. 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 ( 8 ) on one of the outer sides of the base body ( 3 ) is achieved
and or
the attachment point ( 4 ) of the stem ( 1 ) on the base body ( 3 ) at the edge ( 3 a) of the base body ( 3 ) and in the extension direction ( 10 ) of the stem ( 1 ) or at an acute angle to the main plane ( 10 ) of the body ( 3 ). 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 base body (3) has an S-shaped curved shape
and or
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 stem (1) is constructed as a pump (14), in particular a cylinder received and displaceable in the cylindrical tube of the stem ( 1 ), by its relative movement along the stem ( 1 ) the pressure in the stem ( 1 ) and thus in the stem Base body ( 3 ) can be changed, in particular for changing the rigidity of the inflatable part of the base 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 is closable via an outlet valve ( 15 ) and the outlet valve ( 15 ) in particular from the handle ( 1 ) can be actuated for dispensing fragrances and / or disinfectants or cleaning agents. Cleaning brush according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the length of extension (10) of the bristle abstrebenden on the two sides of the base body (3) at an acute angle to the main plane (10) of the base body (3) the stem (1) is not equal.
and or
the handle ( 1 ) is foldable from one side to the other with respect to the main plane ( 10 ) of the base body ( 3 ), and on the two sides, in particular at different angles to the main plane ( 10 ) strives. Cleaning brush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that
the base body ( 3 ) is integrally formed together with the bristles of plastic and in particular a rubber-like plastic.

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