GB1604997A

GB1604997A - Cleaning appliance

Info

Publication number: GB1604997A
Application number: GB2537578A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1978-05-31
Filing date: 1978-05-31
Publication date: 1981-12-16

Description

(54) CLEANING APPLIANCE (71) I, JANETTE GODDIN, a British Subject, of Heyworth House', 40 A, Kenilworth Road, Coventry, West Midlands CV3 6PG, do hereby declare the invention, for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- The invention relates to a cleaning appliance for cleaning an aperture and is more particularly, but not exclusively, concerned with a househould cleaning appliance suitable for cleaning sink overflows.

According to the invention a cleaning appliance for cleaning an aperture comprises a flexible tubular member for insertion into the aperture, a bottle fitting attachment for securing the tubular member to a bottle whereby cleaning fluid can pass from the bottle into the tubular member, brush means secured to an outer surface of a side wall of the tubular member, and one or more passages through the side wall for delivering fluid to the brush means. The lateral flexibility of the tubular member enables it to pass through a curved aperture. The brush means preferably covers at least a major peripheral portion of the tubular member side wall. The tubular member is preferably moulded integral with the fitting from a plastics material.

The brush means may comprise bristles moulded from the plastics material integral with the tubular member. The brush means may alternatively be provided by a sponge material, a flock, other bristles, or filaments of an open fabric. Such brush means may be secured to the tubular member by adhesive or, if formed from a thermoplastics material, be fused with compatible thermoplastics material forming the tubular member.

Where bristles are used, they may be secured to the tubular member in any convenient manner, for instance by insertion through the wall, or opposite walls, of the tubular member.

According to another aspect of the invention the cleaning appliance is combined with a bottle containing cleaning fluid, the fitting being secured to the neck of the bottle. The bottle is preferably flexible so that it can be used to squirt its contents into the cleaning appliance. The bottle preferably contains detergent and/or bleach and/or disinfectant, or any combination thereof.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a cleaning appliance fitted to the neck of a bottle, most of the bottle being omitted, and parts of the appliance and bottle neck being shown in section, and Figure 2 is a side elevation of the cleaning appliance shown in Figure 1 but with the brush means omitted and a small end portion shown in section.

With reference to the drawings, a plastics bottle 10 is formed in known manner with a neck 11 provided with an annular ridge 12.

As the walls of the bottle 10 are of substantially constant thickness, the annular ridge 12 also forms a complementary annular groove within the neck 11. The bottle 10 may be manufactured specifically for use with the cleaning appliance, which is generally indicated by arrow 13, or may be a discarded detergent bottle.

The cleaning appliance 13 comprises a single moulding of plastics material defining a tubular member 14 and a fitting, for attachment to the bottle 10, indicated generally by arrow 15.

The fitting 15 comprises a tubular spigot 16, which is received within the bottle neck I I so that an external ridge on the spigot clips into the annular groove behind the annular ridge 12, and a cap 17 having a thickened terminal edge 18 which is a push fit over the annular ridge 12 until it occupies the position shown in Figure 1 between the annular ridge 12 and a transition surface 19 at the base of the bottle neck 11.

The tubular member 14 has its end remote from the fitting 15 closed and its outer surface covered for most of its length by a brush means 20. By comparing Figures 1 and 2 it will be noted that the tubular member 14 is considerably broader than it is deep and is consequently of a section which is similar to the usual sink or basin overflow. This section also facilitates lateral flexing of the tubular member 14 so that it will bend after insertion into the overflow thereby enabling a greater proportion of the overflow surface to be reached than has previously been practicable. In Figure 1 a portion of the broader wall of the tubular member 14 has been shown stripped of the brush means so that a regular series of passages 21 through the wall can be seen. The passages continue right up to the closed end of the tublar member but are not seen as they are covered by the brush means 20. The series of passages may also continue beyond the position shown towards the fitting 15 although it is more important for them to be near the closed end of the tubular member. Further passages may also be formed in the closed end of the tubular member and/or through the narrower side walls.

In use, the tubular member 14 is inserted into an overflow and the bottle is gently squeezed to squirt cleaning fluid through the passages 21 into the brush means 20 and consequently onto the walls of the overflow.

Reciprocation of the tubular member within the aperture of the overflow causes the brush means 20 to loosen any surface dirt and the continued squeezing of the bottle flushes the dirt down the overflow.

The brush means illustrated in the drawings comprises an open fabric in the form of an unwoven mat of fibres which are either fused together where they cross each other or are secured together in these positions by adhesive. Such unwoven mats are wellknown and are commonly used as scouring pads. For that purpose it is known for abrasive particles to be incorporated in the mat by way of inclusion in the fibre melt, or by adhering to the individual fibres when the fibre material is still slightly plastic, or by utilising the adhesive. The unwoven mat used as the brush means 20 may also include such abrasive particles. The unwoven mat may be secured to the outer surface of the tubular member 14 in any convenient manner. For instance a suitable adhesive may be used; this could be the same adhesive used for forming the unwoven mat and securing the abrasive particles. Alternatively the unwoven mat may be adhered to the tubular member 14 by fusing its fibres with the thermoplastics material forming the tubular member using well-known techniques such as induction or high frequency welding or ultrasonic welding. The mat may just comprise a sheet overlying the main surfaces of the tubular member or may be shaped specially to fit its profile. If desired the mat could be placed in a mould for forming the tubular member so that the molten thermoplastics will flow around at least some of the fibres. The mat could be formed from fibres of filaments of different materials including fibres or filaments particularly suited for fusion or welding to the tubular member material.

If desired the open fabric may be of woven or knitted construction and secured to the tubular member in any convenient manner.

An open fabric could also be formed into a sleeve surrounding at least part of the tubular member and be secured to it by suitable mechanical fasteners such as rivets.

Although the passages 21 may be formed during moulding of the tubular member or before the brush means is attached. it is preferred to form the passages as perforations after the attachment of the brush means thereby ensuring that all passages so formed are operative.

The brush means may alternatively be provided by a suitable sponge material secured in position by any of the processes already disclosed with reference to open fabrics. Instead, the tubular member may be covered with adhesive wherever the brush means is required, and then covered with flock.

Alternatively the moulds for producing the tubular member 14 may be arranged to produce a surface texture on the outer surface similar to bristles. If desired, the brush means may be provided by bristles secured to the tubular member in any suitable manner. For instance the bristles may be inserted or stitched through a wall, or even opposite walls, of the tubular member In this event the holes accomodating the bristles may also serve as the passages for the cleaning fluid.

The fitting illustrated in the drawings is a specific type suitable for a particular type of plastics bottle and it should be appreciated that any other type of fitting may be used. In particular screw fittings are clearly suitable, and there may well be some advantage in using a screw fitting having a series of screw threads to enable alternative types of bottle threads to be accomodated.

Instead of projecting straight from the bottle neck I 1, the tubular member may project at any convenient angle, for instance, at right angles.

The tubular member may be made of different proportions or shape from that illustrated to suit various tasks. In particular a cylindrical and consequently more rigid design would be useful for cleaning inside bottles. It would of course be important to ensure that tubular members intended for cleaning sink overflows are not inadvertently used for cleaning drinking utensils or vice versa.

WHAT I CLAIM IS: 1. A cleaning appliance for cleaning an aperture, comprising a flexible tubular member for insertion into the aperture, a bottle fitting attachment for securing the tubular

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Claims

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member 14 so that it will bend after insertion into the overflow thereby enabling a greater proportion of the overflow surface to be reached than has previously been practicable. In Figure 1 a portion of the broader wall of the tubular member 14 has been shown stripped of the brush means so that a regular series of passages 21 through the wall can be seen. The passages continue right up to the closed end of the tublar member but are not seen as they are covered by the brush means 20. The series of passages may also continue beyond the position shown towards the fitting 15 although it is more important for them to be near the closed end of the tubular member. Further passages may also be formed in the closed end of the tubular member and/or through the narrower side walls.

In use, the tubular member 14 is inserted into an overflow and the bottle is gently squeezed to squirt cleaning fluid through the passages 21 into the brush means 20 and consequently onto the walls of the overflow.

Reciprocation of the tubular member within the aperture of the overflow causes the brush means 20 to loosen any surface dirt and the continued squeezing of the bottle flushes the dirt down the overflow.

The brush means illustrated in the drawings comprises an open fabric in the form of an unwoven mat of fibres which are either fused together where they cross each other or are secured together in these positions by adhesive. Such unwoven mats are wellknown and are commonly used as scouring pads. For that purpose it is known for abrasive particles to be incorporated in the mat by way of inclusion in the fibre melt, or by adhering to the individual fibres when the fibre material is still slightly plastic, or by utilising the adhesive. The unwoven mat used as the brush means 20 may also include such abrasive particles. The unwoven mat may be secured to the outer surface of the tubular member 14 in any convenient manner. For instance a suitable adhesive may be used; this could be the same adhesive used for forming the unwoven mat and securing the abrasive particles. Alternatively the unwoven mat may be adhered to the tubular member 14 by fusing its fibres with the thermoplastics material forming the tubular member using well-known techniques such as induction or high frequency welding or ultrasonic welding. The mat may just comprise a sheet overlying the main surfaces of the tubular member or may be shaped specially to fit its profile. If desired the mat could be placed in a mould for forming the tubular member so that the molten thermoplastics will flow around at least some of the fibres. The mat could be formed from fibres of filaments of different materials including fibres or filaments particularly suited for fusion or welding to the tubular member material.

If desired the open fabric may be of woven or knitted construction and secured to the tubular member in any convenient manner.

An open fabric could also be formed into a sleeve surrounding at least part of the tubular member and be secured to it by suitable mechanical fasteners such as rivets.

Although the passages 21 may be formed during moulding of the tubular member or before the brush means is attached. it is preferred to form the passages as perforations after the attachment of the brush means thereby ensuring that all passages so formed are operative.

The brush means may alternatively be provided by a suitable sponge material secured in position by any of the processes already disclosed with reference to open fabrics. Instead, the tubular member may be covered with adhesive wherever the brush means is required, and then covered with flock.

Alternatively the moulds for producing the tubular member 14 may be arranged to produce a surface texture on the outer surface similar to bristles. If desired, the brush means may be provided by bristles secured to the tubular member in any suitable manner. For instance the bristles may be inserted or stitched through a wall, or even opposite walls, of the tubular member In this event the holes accomodating the bristles may also serve as the passages for the cleaning fluid.

The fitting illustrated in the drawings is a specific type suitable for a particular type of plastics bottle and it should be appreciated that any other type of fitting may be used. In particular screw fittings are clearly suitable, and there may well be some advantage in using a screw fitting having a series of screw threads to enable alternative types of bottle threads to be accomodated.

Instead of projecting straight from the bottle neck I 1, the tubular member may project at any convenient angle, for instance, at right angles.

The tubular member may be made of different proportions or shape from that illustrated to suit various tasks. In particular a cylindrical and consequently more rigid design would be useful for cleaning inside bottles. It would of course be important to ensure that tubular members intended for cleaning sink overflows are not inadvertently used for cleaning drinking utensils or vice versa.

WHAT I CLAIM IS:

1. A cleaning appliance for cleaning an aperture, comprising a flexible tubular member for insertion into the aperture, a bottle fitting attachment for securing the tubular

member to a bottle whereby cleaning fluid can pass from the bottle into the tubular member, brush means secured to an outer surface of a side wall of the tubular member, and one or more passages through the side wall for delivering cleaning fluid to the brush means.

2. A cleaning appliance, according to claim 1, in which the brush means covers at least a major peripheral portion of the tubular member side wall.

3. A cleaning appliance, according to Claim 1 or 2, in which the tubular member is moulded integral with the fitting from a plastics material.

4. A cleaning appliance, according to Claim 3, in which the brush means comprise bristles moulded from the plastics material integral with the tubular member.

5. A cleaning appliance, according to any of Claims 1 to 3, in which the brush means is provided by a sponge material.

6. A cleaning appliance, according to any of Claims I to 3, in which the brush means is provided by a flock.

7. A cleaning appliance, according to any of Claims 1 to 3, in which the brush means is provided by. bristles.

8. A cleaning appliance, according to any of Claims 1 to 3, in which the brush means is provided by filaments of an open fabric.

9. A cleaning appliance, according to any of Claims 5 to 8, in which the brush means is secured to the tubular member by adhesive.

10. A cleaning appliance, according to any of Claims 5 to 8, in which the brush means is formed from a thermoplastics material fused with compatible thermoplastics material forming the tubular member.

II. A cleaning appliance, according to Claim 7, in which the bristles are inserted through the wall, or opposite walls, of the tubular member

12. A cleaning appliance, for cleaning an aperture, substantially as described herein and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

14. The combination of a cleaning appli- ance, according to any preceding Claim, with a bottle containing cleaning fluid, the fitting being secured to the neck of the bottle.

15. The combination of a cleaning appli- ance and a bottle, according to Claim 14, in which the bottle is flexible and can be used to squirt its contents into the cleaning appliance.

16. The combination of a cleaning appli- ance and a bottle, according to Claim 14 or 15, in which the bottle contains detergent and/or bleach and/or disinfectant, or any combination thereof.