GB2205752A

GB2205752A - Helical cavity cleaner

Info

Publication number: GB2205752A
Application number: GB08713850A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Keith Bernard Wakelam
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-06-13
Filing date: 1987-06-13
Publication date: 1988-12-21
Also published as: GB8713850D0

Abstract

The device consists of a double helix or spiral of wire covered with suitable absorbing material. The wire is doubled over at one end to form a suitable tool for entry of blocked orifices. At the other end the two wires emerging from the helix are attached to a handle. The spiral part of the device is hollow in order to act as a receptacle for waste material and to facilitate its extraction. <IMAGE>

Description

HELICAL CAVITY CLEANER This invention relates to a helical cleaner for holes and cavities.

Existing devices for cleaning orifices, cavities, holes and tubes consist usually of a thin stick with a mop head or knob of lint or cotton material glued or fixed to one end. For small orifices these are sometimes called 'cotton buds'. There are also 'pipe cleaners' consisting of cleaning material or bristles wound into e length of wire.

The disadvantage of using either device for removing contaminants or waste products from blind holes or orifices is that, in the case of the bud type it must push the material further in front of it to the far end of the cavity to absorb it. Neither can the pipe cleaner type be used effectively because the sharp end of the wire will stick out beyond the cleaning material if it is pushed too hard. The first effect is most disadvantageous in the hygene of the oral and nasal cavities of the body on account of their sensitivity.

According to the present invention a helical cleaning action is provided which comprises a hollow, double spiral, wound length of wire coated with absorbing material. This wire is doubled over at one end and the two wires emerging at the other end are fixed to or moulded on to a thin stem or handle by which means the device can be rotated, for example, between thumb and forefinger.

It is intended that blo ckages in blind orifices can then be removed by a screwing action, which removes contaminants or waste products from the walls of the cavity to the hollow centre of the spiral, so that they can be withdrawn easily by the stem or handle. The doubled end of the spiral can enter a blocked cavity more easily since it does not fill the whole cross-section of its diameter, similarly, being rounded, it will not damage the far end of a sensitive cavity.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 shows tne helical cavity cleaner with a perspective view of the double wire spiral 1. This double wire spiral is constructed by bending over the wire at one end, 2; and fixed to a stem or handle at the other,3.

1. A Helical Cavity Cleaner comprising a double spiral of wire covered with a suitable absorbing material, the wire at one end being bent over and the two ends of wire at the other extremity of the spiral being suitably fastened to a thin stem or handle.

2. A Helical Cavity Cleaner as claimed in Claim 1 which is formed hollow so as to collect and extract contaminants or waste products from cavities.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. HELICAL CAVITY CLEANER This invention relates to a helical cleaner for holes and cavities. Existing devices for cleaning orifices, cavities, holes and tubes consist usually of a thin stick with a mop head or knob of lint or cotton material glued or fixed to one end. For small orifices these are sometimes called 'cotton buds'. There are also 'pipe cleaners' consisting of cleaning material or bristles wound into e length of wire. The disadvantage of using either device for removing contaminants or waste products from blind holes or orifices is that, in the case of the bud type it must push the material further in front of it to the far end of the cavity to absorb it. Neither can the pipe cleaner type be used effectively because the sharp end of the wire will stick out beyond the cleaning material if it is pushed too hard. The first effect is most disadvantageous in the hygene of the oral and nasal cavities of the body on account of their sensitivity. According to the present invention a helical cleaning action is provided which comprises a hollow, double spiral, wound length of wire coated with absorbing material. This wire is doubled over at one end and the two wires emerging at the other end are fixed to or moulded on to a thin stem or handle by which means the device can be rotated, for example, between thumb and forefinger. It is intended that blo ckages in blind orifices can then be removed by a screwing action, which removes contaminants or waste products from the walls of the cavity to the hollow centre of the spiral, so that they can be withdrawn easily by the stem or handle. The doubled end of the spiral can enter a blocked cavity more easily since it does not fill the whole cross-section of its diameter, similarly, being rounded, it will not damage the far end of a sensitive cavity. A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 shows tne helical cavity cleaner with a perspective view of the double wire spiral 1. This double wire spiral is constructed by bending over the wire at one end, 2; and fixed to a stem or handle at the other,3. CLAIMS

CLAIMS 1. a Helical Cavity Cleaner comprising a double spiral of wire covered uith a suitable absorbing material, the wire at one end being bent over and the two ends of wire at the other extremity of the spiral being suitably fastened to a thin stem or handle.