GB2498997A - A brush with a head section set at an angle to the handle - Google Patents

Abstract

A brush 10, suitable for cleaning an oven and an oven rack, comprises a handle section 12 for a user to hold and a head section 14 for applying cleaning product. The head 14 is set at an angle of approximately 135° relative to the handle 14 to facilitate application of a cleaning product. The head 14 and the handle 12 are tapered. The body of the brush 10 is formed from a plurality of rib plates (17, Figure 1b) which are connected by spines running along the length of the body. The handle 12 and the head 14 may be integrally formed. A plurality of bristles 16 which may be made from polypropylene are stapled to the head 14. The application also describes a kit comprising the brush and a cleaning product, also the brush, a cleaning product and a bag to hold an oven rack.

Description

1

Oven Cleaning System

Field of the invention

5 The invention relates to an oven cleaning system and in particular a brush for cleaning an oven.

Background to the invention

10 Various products for cleaning domestic ovens are available on the market. These products include cleaning products in the form of sprays, creams and gels which are applied to the various surfaces of the oven. One product comprises a kit having a bottle of cleaning fluid, a bag large enough to insert a rack from the oven and a pair of gloves. A user can clean both the internal and external surfaces of an oven together 15 with the oven racks or trays with the kit. For example to clean a rack, a user pours some of the cleaning fluid into the bag, inserts a rack, seals the bag and shakes the bag to ensure that the cleaning fluid adheres to the rack. The user can also apply some of the cleaning fluid to the surfaces of the oven to clean these surfaces.

20 Despite the variety of cleaning products already available, the present applicant has recognised the need for an improved kit for cleaning an oven.

Statement of the invention

25 According to a first aspect of the invention, ther e is provided a brush for cleaning an oven, the brush comprising;

a handle section for a user to hold and a head section for applying cleaning product to said oven wherein the head section is set at an angle relative to said handle section to 30 facilitate application of cleaning product to inner surfaces of said oven when said user is holding said handle section.

Said angle between said head section and said handle section may be in the range of 110° to 160°. Said angle may be measured about a joint between said head and

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handle sections or may be measured between mid-points along said head and handle section. Said angle is preferably fixed and not adjustable by said user.

Applying cleaning product to inner surfaces of said oven is a difficult task. In the known 5 products, a user uses sponges or cloths to apply cleaning product. None of the known products provide an angled brush to apply said cleaning product to the inner surfaces of said oven.

Said head section may be tapered and may taper toward the handle section. Similarly, 10 said handle section may be tapered and may tapers away from said head section. Thus at least one or both of said head and said handle section may be tapered. The taper of one or both of said head and handle sections may be selected to further facilitate application of cleaning product to said oven when said user is holding said handle section. It will be appreciated that the tapering may affect the relative angle 15 between the two sections. Accordingly, when designing the brush, a designer has freedom of design in both the tapering and angle. These may be set cooperatively to facilitate application of cleaing product.

The head section may be small relative to the handle section. For example, the head 20 section may have a length which is approximately one third that of the handle section. A longer handle section facilitates a user applying oven cleaning product to the oven because they do not have to reach so far into the oven. Furthermore, a smaller head section means that it is less likely that any of the corrosive product will be misapplied or spilt. The relative lengths of the head and handle section may affect the relative angle 25 between the two sections. Accordingly, when designing the brush, a designer has freedom of design in the relative lengths and angle. These may be set cooperatively to facilitate application of cleaing product.

Thus, in summary, the the head section may be set at an angle relative to said handle 30 section which takes into account any tapering of said head and handle section and/or the relative lengths of said handle section and said head section.

At least one of said handle section and said head section are formed from a plurality of rib plates which are connected by at least one spine. In this way, the brush does not

3

have a solid body which may reduce the weight of the brush. The ribs give the brush stability and robustness.

The handle section and the head section may be directly connected to one another. 5 They may be integrally formed. Alternatively, they may be detachably mounted to each other.

The head section may comprise a plurality of bristles by which the cleaning product is applied to the oven. Alternatively, another mechanism may be used to apply cleaning 10 product. The brush is used to apply a corrosive cleaning product to the user's oven, Accordingly, the bristles may be fixed to the head section using staples which are preferably resistant to corrosion by said cleaning product.

15 According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a kit for cleaning an oven comprising a brush as described above, a container of cleaning product in the form of oven cleaner product and a tray for holding oven cleaner product to facilitate application of said oven cleaner product to said oven, in use, a user pours some of the cleaning product into the tray, dips the head section into the cleaning product in the 20 tray and applies said cleaning product to inside surfaces of the ovne.

Said kit may further comprise a container of rack cleaner product and a bag for holding a rack. Said kit may further comprise a pair of gloves.

25 According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a kit for cleaning an oven comprising a brush, a container of cleaning product in the form of oven cleaner product and a tray for holding oven cleaner product, a container of rack cleaner product, a bag for holding a rack and a pair of gloves. Such a kit provides a more complete cleaning solution than the product already on the market.

30

In said kit the composition of the oven and/or rack cleaner products may comprise: (i) water;

<ii) alkali metal hydroxide;

(iii) thickener;

35 (iv) water-soluble solvent; and

(v) surfactant.

4

Further preferred compositions additionally comprise a chelating agent. Yet further 5 preferred compositions additionally comprise an opacifier.

More details of the possible compositions are set out below.

Brief description of the drawings

10 The invention will now be described in more detail and, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figs. 1a and 1b are side and perspective views of a brush according to the present invention;

Fig. 2a is a perspective view of a head from the brush of Figure 1;

15 Figs 2b and 2c are cross-sectional views of the head of Fig 2a;

Fig. 3 is a view of the kit of parts including the brush of Figure 1,

Fig. 4 is a schematic illustration of some of the components of the kit of parts of Figure 3 and

Fig. 5 is a schematic illustration of some of the components of the kit of parts of Figure 20 3.

Detailed description

Figs 1a and 1b show a brush 10 comprising a handle section 12 and a head section 14. The head section 14 is angled relative to the handle section 12 with the angle 25 being approximately 135°. The angle is selected to ensure that the user is able to apply oven cleaning product easily to the inside surface of the user's oven. Accordingly, a range of angles may be suitable, for example in the range of 135° to 160°. The cross-section of the handle and/or head section may be generally cylindrical or elliptical.

30

The handle section 12 is tapered and thus for clarity the various angles between the head section and handle section are shown. The handle section has a wider end adjacent the head section and its opposed end is narrower. Thus, the handle section tapers from the head section to the opposed end. Accordingly, for illustrative purposes, 35 the angle between the bristles end of the head section and the mid-point along the

handle section is shown as approximately 135° whereas the angle between the adjacent ends of the head and handle sections, i.e. about the joint between the two parts, is only approximately 116°.

The head section is tapered with the direction of the taper being toward the handle section. Thus, the head section has a wider end holding the bristles and its opposed end adjacent the handle section is narrower. Again, the variation in angles caused by the tapering is shown. For illustrative purposes, the angle between the midpoint along the head section and a tangent line perpendicular to the join between the head and handle sections is approximately 32°. The angle increases to 45° between the bristles and the tangent line.

As shown more clearly in Figure 1b, the body of the brush is formed from a plurality of rib plates 17 which are connected by spines running along the length of the body. There are spines along each side, within the centre of the body and on the upper and lower edges. Thus, the body of the brush is not formed from a solid body having a smooth outer surface. The plurality of ribs strengthen the brush.

The handle section and the head section may be integrally formed. Alternatively, the head section may be a separate component to ease manufacture. The head section may have a screw thread to fix it into the handle section or may be secured by any known means.

For illustrative purposes, sample dimensions of the brush may be as follows:

Overall length - 214cm

Length of separate head portion - 61 cm

Length of head portion when inserted - 52cm

Maximum diameter of head portion - 32cm

Maximum diameter across the bristles - 28 cm

Minimum diameter of handle portion - 8cm to 12cm (elliptical shape)

Bristle length - 20cm

6

Thus, the handle portion is approximately three times the length of the head portion. The tapering from the bristles to the end of the handle reduces the width by approximately two thirds.

5 The head section comprises a plurality of bristles 16 which may be made from polypropylene. As shown in Figs 2a to 2c, the bristles 16 are fixed to the head section 14 using staples 18. The brush is used to apply a corrosive oven cleaning product to the user's oven. The staples are generally resistant to corrosion by the oven cleaning product and thus the bristles are not dislodged from the brush when using the kit. The 10 staples may thus be made from steel wire. Alternatively, the bristles could be held in place by a resistive resin. However, this increases the cost of manufacture and slows the process of manufacture. If glue is used as in standard brushes, the bristles fall out with only two applications of the oven cleaning product.

15 Figure 3 shows an oven cleaning kit comprising the brush shown in Figures 1a to 2. The kit comprises a bottle containing oven cleaner product 20, a bottle containing rack cleaner product 22, gloves 30, a rack bag 24 and a tray 32 to pour out the oven cleaner product. The gloves are safety gloves designed to resist both the oven cleaner product and the rack cleaner product. They provide protection for a user's hands and also part 20 of a user's arm. This is a complete kit to allow a complete clean of the whole oven with minimum scrubbing and rubbing whilst providing safety for the user.

As shown in Figure 4, a rack 26 from the oven is placed into the rack cleaning bag 24 and the rack cleaner product 22 is poured into the bag. The bag is then gently shaked 25 to ensure that the product coats the rack. The rack cleaner product is less viscous than the oven cleaner product. Accordingly, the bottle containing oven cleaner product 20 may hold 300ml and the bottle containing rack cleaner product 22 may hold 500ml; i.e. there is a larger volume of rack cleaner product.

30 As shown in Figure 5, the oven cleaner product is poured onto the tray 32. A user dips the bristles of the brush 10 in the oven cleaner product and paints the oven cleaner product on the inside surfaces of the oven. The oven cleaner product is essentially a paint-on deep-clean gel that sticks to stubborn burnt-on grease and grime. It lifts and dissolves even baked-on food on the walls, ceiling and oven floor. The angle of the

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brush allows the gel to be applied even to the nooks and crannies of the oven. The gel is non-caustic and fast acting, without a strong smell.

The compositions of the oven cleaner product and the rack cleaner product preferably 5 comprise the same ingredients. This ensures that the compositions will be compatabile if the compositions are accidentally mixed together. Preferably, however, the compositions have different viscosities as discussed in more detail below. Preferably this is achieved by varying the amount of two or more ingredients, in particular the thickener present in the compositions.

10

The composition of the oven and rack cleaner products preferably comprises:

(vi) water;

(vii) alkali metal hydroxide;

(viii) thickener;

15 (ix) water-soluble solvent; and

(x) surfactant.

Further preferred compositions additionally comprise a chelating agent. Yet further preferred compositions additionally comprise an opacifier.

20

The water may be tap water, but is preferably distilled or deionized water. Preferably the water is deionised water. If the water is tap water, it is preferably substantially free of any undesirable impurities such as organics or inorganics, especially mineral salts which are present in hard water and cause the deposition of lime scale.

25

The alkali metal hydroxide present in the composition reacts with fats, oils and grease present in ovens or on oven racks and thereby aids their removal. Preferred alkaii metal hydroxides are sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide, especially potassium hydroxide. Alkaii metal hydroxides are typicaly incorporated into the compositons in 30 the form of an aqueous solution. Preferably the alkali metal hydroxide is incorporated into the composition at a concentration of 25 to 50 %wt, e.g. about 40 %wt.

35

The thickener present in the compositions may be any thickener conventional to cleaning compositions. The thickener may be, for instance, a poiyacrylate thickener, xanthan gum, gellan gum, guar gum, alginate, carrageenan, carboxymethyicellulose,

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bentonites, locust bean gum, agar-agar, tragacanth, gum arabic, pectins, poiyoses, starch, dextrins, gelatine or casein. Preferably, however, the thickener is a poSyacrylate thickener.

5 Suitable polyacryiate thickeners include, for example, polymers formed from acrylic acid, methacrylic acid and/or (^.4 esters of each of the afore-going. Preferably the polymers are formed from acrylic acid. Typically the thickeners are cross-linked with one or more polyalkenyl polyethers, preferably an allyl ether of sucrose or pentaerythritol. Such polymers are sometimes referred to in the art as carbomers 10 and/or as carboxyvinyl polymers. Suitable polyacryiate thickeners for use in the compositions are commercially available. For example Carbomer 940 (molecular weight approx. 4,000,000), Carbomer 941 (molecular weight approx. 1,250,000) or Carbopol 934 (molecular weight approx. 3,000,000) are each commercially available. Preferably the compositions used in the present invention comprise Carbomer 940.

The water-soluble solvent present in the compositions is preferably a dialkylene glycol alkyl ether, preferably of the formula R-0-(A0)2H, wherein R is C-|.6 alkyi and A is C2-e alkylene. Preferably R is C^ alkyl. More preferably R is methyl. Preferably A is C2 or C3 alkylene, i.e. -CH2CH2, -CH2CH2CH2- or -CH2CH(CH3)-. Particularly preferably A is 20 -CH2dH(CH3)-.

eferred water-soluble solvent present in the compositions is dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether (DPM). It is 100% water soluble and therefore is ideal for inclusion in the compositon of the invention where it functions to dissolve grease, oil, fat etc. 25 Water soluble solvents, including DPM, are commercially available.

The surfactant present in the compositions is preferably an amphoteric surfactant. Amphoteric surfactants comprise both cationic and anionic groups in the same molecule over a wide pH range. In preferred amphoteric surfactants the cationic group 30 is a quaternary ammonium group. In further preferred amphoteric surfactants the anionic groups are carboxylates, sulfonates, sulfates or phosphates, especially carboxylates.

15

A specific example of a preferred amphoteric surfactant is beta-alanine, N-(2-35 carboxyethyl)-N-dodecyl monosodium salt. It is commercially available.

9

Preferred compositions of the invention comprise a chelating agent. Representative examples of suitable chelating agents include alkali metal, ammonium and substituted ammonium polyacetates, carboxylates, polycarboxylates and polyhydroxysulfonates.

5 Examples of polyacetate and polycarboxylate chelating agents include the sodium, potassium, lithium, ammonium and substituted ammonium salts of ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid, ethylenediamine triacetic acid, ethylenediamine tetrapropionic acid, diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid, nitrilotriacetic acid, oxydisuccinic acid, iminodisuccinic acid, polyacrylic acid or polymethacrylic acid and copolymers thereof, 10 benzene polycarboxylic acids, gluconic acid, sulfamic acid, oxalic acid, phosphoric acid, phosphonic acid, organic phosphonic acids, acetic acid, citric acid, methylglycine-N-N-diacetic acid (MGDA), ethylglycine-N-N-diacetic acid, methylglycine-N-N-diacetic acid and beta-alanine, N-(2-carboxyethyl)-N-dodecyl acid. These chelating agents may also exist either partially or totally in the hydrogen ion form, for example, citric acid 15 or disodium dihydrogen ethylenediamine tetraacetate.

Particularly preferred chelating agents are methylglycine-N-N-diacetic acid (MGDA) or its alkali metal salt, ethylglycine-N-N-diacetic acid or its alkali metal salt, methylglycine-N-N-diacetic acid or its sodium salt and beta-alanine, N-(2-carboxyethyl)-N-dodecyl 20 monosodium salt. Beta-alanine, N-(2-carboxyethy!)-N-dodecyl monosodium salt is particularly preferred. It is commercially available under the tradename Dissolvine GL38.

Preferred compositons of the invention comprise an opacifier. Preferred opacifiers for 25 use in the compositions are copolymers prepared from styrene and acrylate. A particularly preferred opacifier is Acusol OP 301 which is commercially available from The Dow Chemical Company. It is a water based emulsion of styrene/actylate copolymer, it is preferable to include an opacifier in the compositions, especially the oven cleaning product, so that the user can readily see where the composition is 30 present. This facilitates the rinsing process.

Other optional ingredients that may be present in the compositions include perfume, dye, pigments, organic solvents, bleach, ferrous ion (and/or ferrous ion compounds), radical scavengers, buffers, bactericides, hydrotropes, colorants, stabilizers, enzymes, 35 soil suspenders, brighteners, anti dusting agents and dispersants. The skilled man will

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readily be able to determine the necessary amount of each of these ingredients. Generally the compositions used in the present invention will comprise 0-5 wt% of such ingredients, preferably less than 3 %wt of such ingredients and still more preferably less than 2 %wt.

The composition of the oven rack cleaner of the present invention preferably has a viscosity of at least 3000 cps when when measured on an RV viscometer with spindle 4, at 0.5 rpm. The composition of the internal oven cleaner preferably has a viscosity of at least 14,000 cps when measured on an RV viscometer with spindle 4 or 6, at 0,5 rpm. As used herein the term viscosity refers to the resistance of a fluid to deformation by shear stress,

Preferred compositions have a pH of 12 to 15, still more preferably 12.5 to 14 and still more preferably 13.0 to 13.8.

Compositions for use in the oven and rack cleaning products preferably comprise the afore-going ingredients in the following amounts:

Preferably the composition comprises 65 to 90 % wt water and more preferably 80 to 85 %wt water. As discussed above a portion of this water may be incorporated into the composition by its present in other ingredients.

Preferably the final composition comprises 10 to 20 % wt alkali metal hydroxide and more preferably 12 to 17 %wt of alkali metal hydroxide.

Preferably the final composition comprises 0.1 to 1,0 %wt water soluble solvent and more preferably 0.2 to 0.5 %wt water soluble solvent.

Preferably the final composition comprises 0.05 to 1.5 %wt surfactant and more preferably 0.1 to 1.0 %wt surfactant.

Preferably the final composition comprises 0.1 to 1.5 %wt chelating agent and more preferably 0.2 to 0.5 %wt chelating agent.

11

Preferably the final composition comprises 0.5 to 3 % wt opacifier and more preferably 1 to 2 % wt opacifier.

Preferably the final compositon comprises 0.5 to 4 % wt thickener and more preferably 5 1 to 3% wt thickener. In oven cleaning products, the final composition preferably comprises 1.8 to 2,5 % wt thickener. In rack cleaning products, the final composition preferably comprises 1.0 to 1.7 % wt thickner.

The viscosity of the final rack cleaner composition is preferably 3000-8000 cps, still 10 more preferably 3800 to 7000 cps, yet more preferably 4000 to 6500, e.g. 4,500 to 6,500 cps as determined on a RV viscometer with spindle 4 at 0.5 rpm. The viscosity of the final internal oven cleaner composition is preferably 14,000 (spindle 4 or 6 at 0,5 rpm) - 47,000 cps (spindle 7 at 0.5 rpm), still more preferably 16,000 (spindle 4 or 6 at 0.5 rpm-40,000 cps (spindle 7 at 0.5 rpm), yet more preferably 18,000 (spindle 6 at 0.5 15 rpm-35,000 cps (spindle 6 at 0.5 rpm), e.g. 19,000-28,000 cps as determined on a RV viscometer with spindle 4 or 6, at 0.5 rpm. At this viscosity the internal oven cleaner composition is in the form of a gel. Preferably the gel clings to the walls of the oven and will remain attached thereto.

20 Particularly preferred compositions for each of the oven cleaner product and the rack cleaner product are set out below:

Raw Material

Role

% w/w

% w/w final composition

Tap Water

Diluent

56.03

81.18

DPM

Solvent

0.25

0.25

Carbomer 940

Thickener

2.00

2.00

Potassium Hydroxide, 40% solution

Caustic Active

37.00

14.8

Mackam DP122, 29% solution

Amphoteric Surfactant

0.84

0.24

Dissolvine GL38, 38% solutionn

Chelating agent

0.88

0.33

Acusol OP3Q1, 40% solution

Opacifier

3.00

1.2

12

100.00 100.00

Raw Materia)

Role

% w/w

%w/w final composition

Tap Water

Diluent

59.46

82.792

DPM

Solvent

0.25

0.25

Carbomer 940

Thickener

1.60

1.60

Potassium Hydroxide, 40% solution

Caustic Active

33.97

13.588

Mackam DP122, 29% solution

Amphoteric Surfactant

0.84

0.24

Dissofvine GL38, 38% solution

Chelating agent

0.88

0.33

Acusol OP3D1,40% solution

Opacifier

3.00

1.2

100.00

100.00

The compositions may be prepared using methods conventional in the art.

The invention has been described with reference to one or more particular embodiments. Modification will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

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Claims (16)

CLAIMS:

1. A brush for cleaning an oven, the brush comprising:

a handle section for a user to hold and a head section for applying cleaning product to said oven 5 wherein the head section is set at an angle relative to said handle section to facilitate application of cleaning product to said oven when said user is holding said handle section.

2. A brush according to claim 1, wherein said angle between said head section 10 and said handle section is in the range of 110° to 160°.

3. A brush according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said head section is tapered.

4. A brush according to claim 3, wherein said head section tapers toward the 15 handle section.

5. A brush according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said handle section is tapered.

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6. A brush according to claim 5, wherein said handle section tapers away from said head section.

7. A brush according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of said handle section and said head section are formed from a plurality of rib plates

25 which are connected by at least one spine.

8. A brush according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the handle section and the head section are integrally formed.

30

9. A brush according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the handle section and the head section are detachably mounted to each other.

10. A brush according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the head section comprises a plurality of bristles.

35

14

11. A brush according to claim 10, wherein the bristles are fixed to the head section using staples.

12. A brush according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the head section is small relative to the handle section.

13. A kit for cleaning an oven comprising a brush as set out in any one of the preceding claims, a container of cleaning product in the form of oven cleaner product and a tray for holding oven cleaner product to facilitate application of said oven cleaner product to said oven.

14. A kit according to claim 12, further comprising a container of rack cleaner product and a bag for holding a rack.

15. A kit according to claim 13 or claim 14 wherein the composition of the oven and/or rack cleaner products comprises:

(xi) water;

(xii) alkali metaf hydroxide;

(xiii) thickener;

(xiv) water-soluble solvent; and

(xv) surfactant.

16. A brush substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying Figures.