GB2538238A

GB2538238A - Cleaning implement and method

Info

Publication number: GB2538238A
Application number: GB1507971.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mullen Jean
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-05-11
Filing date: 2015-05-11
Publication date: 2016-11-16
Anticipated expiration: 2035-05-11
Also published as: GB2538238B; GB201507971D0; GB2538238A8

Abstract

A toilet bowl cleaning implement 1 comprises an elongate handle 2 formed from water degradable pulp fibre tissue material and a cleaning head 3. The head and the handle may be formed from the same material, such as papier-mâché or creped sanitary tissue, allowing the implement to be flushable. The head may comprise a splayed arrangement of pulp fibre material. The cleaning implement may comprise a cleaning product in the form of a capsule or tablet containing liquid. A method of making a cleaning implement comprising the steps of forming a handle from tissue material and a fluid, compressing and then drying the material. A kit of parts including a mechanism for releasably securing cleaning implements together is also claimed.

Description

Cleaning Implement and Method

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a cleaning implement and a method of manufacturing a cleaning implement. In particular it relates to a flushable cleaning implement for cleaning a toilet.

Background

Conventional toilet cleaning implements include brushes for cleaning toilet bowls and may also include wipes, pads, cloths and sponges for cleaning toilet cisterns, rims and seats. While wipes, cloths, pads and sponges are usually discarded after a single use, toilet brushes are stored and used multiple times.

When cleaning a toilet bowl, disinfectant is usually added to the toilet bowl and brushes are used to scrub the inner parts of the toilet including bowl, rim and u-bend.

Such brushes usually comprise an elongate handle with a bristle portion at the cleaning end. They are stored between uses in a holder, which is usually a free-standing holder which hides the toilet brush from sight.

Conventional toilet brushes can harbour bacteria and be unhygienic and unpleasant to use, smell or touch.

To address this problem, toilet cleaning brushes having a disposable head element have been recently developed.

US7316046 describes a brush for cleaning toilet bowls, having a permanent handle with a jaw, which clamps a disposable stack type brush head. The handle portion of this brush is not single use and therefore some of the problems outlined are not overcome by the brush described in US7316046.

GB2329325 discloses a toilet cleaning device having a disposable cleaning head removably attachable to a handle. In one embodiment, the handle itself may be formed of cardboard, which is said to provide a handle portion that may itself be flushed away in the toilet. Although the document states that the cardboard handle may include a pulse strip to assist in disintegration of the handle, such devices may be unsuitable for use in certain septic systems, especially those prone to blockage.

It would be desirable to provide an improved toilet cleaning implement.

Summary of the Invention

One aspect of the invention provides a cleaning implement for cleaning a toilet bowl.

Another aspect of the invention provides a method of making a cleaning implement for cleaning a toilet bowl.

Another aspect of the invention provides a kit of parts comprising a plurality of cleaning implements.

One aspect of the invention provides a cleaning implement for cleaning a toilet bowl comprising an elongate handle and a cleaning head, wherein the handle is formed from a water degradable pulp fibre tissue material.

This provides the advantage that the implement is low cost and the whole cleaning implement can be flushed down a toilet as toilet paper.

The pulp fibre tissue material preferably comprises conventional toilet tissue.

In one embodiment, the pulp fibre tissue material has a dry weight of 40g/m2 or less.

Optionally, the pulp fibre tissue material has a dry weight of 15-25g/m2.

Preferably, the pulp fibre tissue material does not comprise cardboard.

Preferably, the handle is of greater rigidity than the head.

In a preferred embodiment, the handle is less readily water-degradable than the head.

In a preferred embodiment, both the handle and head are formed of the same water-degradable material.

This provides the advantage that both the handle and head can be discarded down a toilet after a single use.

The handle may be formed of compressed water degradable material.

In one embodiment, the cleaning implement consists of water degradable pulp fibre tissue material.

This provides the advantage that no materials other than toilet tissue and water are used in the cleaning implement, both of which are safe to flush down a toilet.

Preferably, the handle comprises a papier-maché handle.

This provides a substantially rigid and strong handle that is also water degradable. Optionally, the pulp fibre tissue material comprises creped sanitary tissue.

In one embodiment, the handle tapers towards its distal end.

In one embodiment, the handle tapers from a diameter of around 2 cm at a cleaning end to a diameter of around 1 at the distal end.

This provides the advantage that the handle has optimum strength whilst requiring minimum material and can be used under a rim.

The head may comprise a splayed arrangement of pulp fibre tissue material.

The splayed tissue provides the advantage of a enlarged wiping surface and also a decorative effect, resembling a flower, in particular a rose.

Optionally, the head comprises pulp fibre tissue material in a substantially spiral configuration.

In one embodiment, a portion of the handle protrudes into the head.

In one embodiment, both the head and the handle are of substantially similar rigidity.

The cleaning implement may further comprise one or more elements selected from: perfume, colour, starch, adhesive and decorative elements.

The cleaning implement may comprise a cleaning product.

The cleaning product preferably comprises a capsule or tablet containing a liquid. Preferably, the water degradable pulp fibre tissue material is biodegradable. Preferably, the water degradable pulp fibre tissue material is flushable.

In a preferred embodiment, the cleaning implement comprises an artificial flower.

Another aspect of the invention provides a method of making a cleaning implement for cleaning a toilet bowl comprising the steps of: forming an elongate handle by contacting a degradable pulp fibre tissue material with a fluid; compressing the tissue material and drying the tissue material; and attaching the tissue material to a cleaning head.

The step of attaching the tissue material to a cleaning head may be performed before the step of drying the tissue material.

Yet another aspect of the invention provides a kit of parts comprising a plurality of cleaning implements and means for releasably securing the cleaning implements together.

The kit may comprise instructions for use.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic representation of one embodiment of the cleaning implement of the invention.

Figure 2a shows one embodiment of the cleaning head of the cleaning implement of Figure 1.

Figure 2b shows a further embodiment of the cleaning head of the cleaning implement of Figure 1.

Figure 2c shows a further embodiment of the cleaning head of the cleaning implement of Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a plurality of cleaning implements of the invention forming a decorative accessory.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Figure 1 illustrates one embodiment of the toilet cleaner 1, which has the aesthetic appearance of an artificial flower.

As illustrated in Figure 1, the toilet cleaner 1 has a substantially rigid handle 2, suitable for grasping by a user, which is attached at one end to a cleaning head 3.

The handle is around 10-15cm in length, which provides a handle of sufficient strength and length to be grasped by the hand of a user, in order to clean a toilet bowl whilst maintaining a suitable distance between the hand of the user and the toilet bowl. The length of the handle 2 also corresponds generally to the width of a single sheet of conventional toilet paper. The handle 2 may be formed from a tight roll of conventional toilet paper, which has been moistened and compressed in a papier-maché type formation.

In this document, papier-maché means a material made by contacting fibrous pulp / tissue with a fluid and compressing it to form a material that is substantially rigid and hard when dried, or process for making such a material.

The fluid may be water, with no additives, such that the toilet cleaner is made only of toilet tissue and water, which can be flushed down a toilet without any concerns over blockage of the system.

In one embodiment, the fluid may further comprise an adhesive or a stiffening or strengthening agent.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the handle 2 is tapered. The handle 2 tapers from a diameter of around 2 cm at the end 4 where it joins the cleaning head 3 to around 1 cm in diameter at its distal tip 5.

The increased thickness of the handle at the end 4 provides additional strength for applying pressure to a toilet bowl and rim, whilst minimising the amount of material required to form the handle 2.

The cleaning head 3 of the toilet cleaner is shown in more detail in Figures 2a-2c.

The cleaning head 3 comprises a splayed portion of readily deformable material which is splayed from the handle such that the head 3 has a diameter of approximately 4-7 cm.

The head 3 is formed of a substantially continuous spiral of creped tissue 6 in a decorative arrangement to resemble the petals of a flower head. This provides an increased surface area of tissue suitable for wiping and spreading disinfectant around a toilet bowl.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2b, the handle 2 may extend into the head 3, forming a substantially rigid end 7 of around 2cm in diameter, which protrudes at least partially into the head 3 and may or may not be visible in normal use. Where the rigid end 7 is visible in normal use, it may be shaped to resemble a floral disc or stamen substantially centrally in the head 3 and may be of a different colour than that of the creped tissue petals 6.

The rigid end 7 preferably has a diameter of around 2 cm.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 2c, a capsule 8 containing a cleaning fluid such as a detergent, disinfectant, antibacterial or bleach may be retained in the cleaning head.

The capsule can be ruptured or otherwise manipulated to release its contents in use by compressing it between the handle end 4 or 7 and the toilet bowl or rim.

In certain embodiments, the tissue 6 of the cleaning head 3 itself may be impregnated with a cleaning fluid and/or a perfume.

In certain embodiments, the handle 2 and/or head 3 of the cleaning implement 1 may comprise starch and/or adhesive for added rigidity.

The cleaning implement 1 is formed in two parts. The head 3 is formed by shaping a roll of tissue paper into a loose spiral 9, which may include folding or creping of the tissue within the turns of the spiral. There may be increasing distance between successive turns of the spiral such that the turns closer to a substantially central point 10 of the head 3 are tighter than those closer to the outer surface 11 of the head 3.

The handle 2 is formed by creating an elongate roll of tissue paper and applying a fluid followed by compression. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid is applied in a step of wetting the tissue of the handle 2 using water.

The cleaning head 3 is attached to the handle 2 by inserting a lower portion of the head 3 into the end 4 of the handle 2, such that the lower portion of the head is wrapped around the end of the handle.

This is followed by applying fluid to the handle 2 and compressing. This includes applying fluid and compressing the portion where the handle 2 and head 3 join.

In another embodiment, the end 4 of the handle could be inserted into lower portion of the head in the method.

The handle 2 is then allowed to dry and a firm attachment to the head is created in the process.

In a preferred method, substantially the whole of the handle 2 is moistened and compressed and a large portion of the head remains substantially free from moisture.

In alternative methods, the head may be attached to the handle by alternative means such as adhesive and/or the handle 2 may be moistened and compressed before attachment to the head.

In one embodiment, the head 3 may be subject to the same or similar moistening, compressing and drying steps such that both the head 3 and handle 2 are substantially rigid.

The toilet cleaner 1 is made of a water-degradable material which can be flushed away in the toilet after use. Both the handle 2 and head 3 are made of conventional toilet tissue material.

Conventional tissue material is a water degradable material comprising pulp fibre, distinct from and of lower Wet Strength than paperboard/cardboard or paper. Where paper and paperboard will typically have a weight of more than 40g/m2, tissue will have a weight of 40g/m2 or less.

In this document, water degradable should be taken to mean that the material undergoes a process of deterioration or breaking up on contact with water.

Preferably the material is also biodegradable. It may also be recycled material.

The handle 2 is formed of the same tissue material as the cleaning head 3. However, the process of forming the handle by applying water, compressing and drying in a papier mache type method, results in the handle portion being more rigid and less readily water-degradable than the head portion.

In use, the cleaning implement 1, is grasped by a user at its handle portion 2 and the cleaning head 3 is directed to wipe and/or spread cleaning fluid around a toilet bowl and under a toilet rim.

On contact with water and/or cleaning fluid, the tissue of the head 3 will begin to soften and break apart at a much faster rate than the handle portion.

The handle 2 and end 4 or 7 provides a substantially rigid cleaning portion, which can be used for applying pressure (and/or bursting a detergent capsule). This is also useful for more intensive scrubbing of stubborn soiled areas of the toilet. The handle 2 and end 4 or 7 is sized and shaped to enable cleaning under a toilet rim. The splayed tissue of the head 3 provides increased surface area for wiping.

The head 3 and also the handle 3 can be used to clean the u-bend portion of a toilet. When completely submerged in water, the head 3 will begin to disintegrate very quickly, within a few seconds -but a user will have several seconds in which to clean the portion of the toilet submerged in water before the handle 2 is also degraded by the water.

The size and thickness of the head 3 and end 4 or 7 of the handle 5 are optimised to provide optimum strength, rigidity and water degradability, whilst using minimum material and allowing efficient cleaning under a toilet rim.

The cleaning implement 1 is particularly suitable for frequent cleaning of a toilet or other cleaning or mopping of spills in which tissue products are conventionally used.

Having the appearance of an artificial flower, the cleaning implement has the dual function of providing a decorative accessory for a bathroom and may be displayed near to a toilet. It may also be perfumed to provide a pleasant fragrance or air freshening function.

As shown in Figure 3, a plurality of cleaning implements may be displayed together and tied or retained together by a tie or stand element 12 such that they resemble a bunch of flowers.

Claims

Claims 1. A cleaning implement for cleaning a toilet bowl comprising an elongate handle and a cleaning head wherein the handle is formed from water-degradable pulp fibre tissue material.
2. A cleaning implement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the handle is of greater rigidity than the head.
3. A cleaning implement as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the handle is less readily water-degradable than the head.
4. A cleaning implement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein both the handle and head are formed of the same water-degradable material.
5. A cleaning implement as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the handle is formed of compressed water degradable material.
6. A cleaning implement as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the handle comprises a papier-mâché handle.
7. A cleaning implement as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the pulp fibre tissue material comprises creped sanitary tissue.
8. A cleaning implement as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the handle tapers towards its distal end.
9. A cleaning implement as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the handle tapers from a diameter of around 2 cm at a cleaning end to a diameter of around 1 at the distal end.
10. A cleaning implement as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the head comprises a splayed arrangement of pulp fibre tissue material.
11. A cleaning implement as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the head comprises pulp fibre tissue material in a substantially spiral configuration.
12. A cleaning implement as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a portion of the handle protrudes into the head.
13. A cleaning implement as claimed in Claim 1, wherein both the head and the handle are of substantially similar rigidity.
14. A cleaning implement as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising one or more elements selected from: perfume, colour, starch, adhesive and decorative elements.
15. A cleaning implement as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a cleaning product.
16. A cleaning implement as claimed in Claim 15, wherein the cleaning product comprises a capsule or tablet containing a liquid.
17. A cleaning implement as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the water degradable pulp fibre tissue material is biodegradable.
18. A cleaning implement as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the water degradable pulp fibre tissue material is flushable.
19. A cleaning implement as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the cleaning implement comprises an artificial flower.
20. A method of making a cleaning implement for cleaning a toilet bowl comprising the steps of: forming an elongate handle by contacting a degradable pulp fibre tissue material with a fluid; compressing the tissue material and drying the tissue material; and attaching the tissue material to a cleaning head.
21. A method as claimed in Claim 20, wherein the step of attaching the tissue material to a cleaning head is performed before the step of drying the tissue material.
22. A kit of parts comprising a plurality of cleaning implements of any of claims 1 to 19 and means for releasably securing the cleaning implements together.
23. A cleaning implement, method or kit substantially as described with reference to the drawings.