GB2601161A

GB2601161A - A cleaning device for cleaning bottles or similar

Info

Publication number: GB2601161A
Application number: GB2018279.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Bedia Hiten
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-11-20
Filing date: 2020-11-20
Publication date: 2022-05-25
Also published as: GB202018279D0

Abstract

A cleaning device 99 for cleaning bottles or similar, comprising a housing forming a handle 9 and a motor 72 arranged to turn a spindle 2. A cleaning attachment 6 or brush head is connected in use to the spindle and a guard 3 is displaceably located between the cleaning attachment and handle in use. In a preferred embodiment, the guard comprises a resilient gasket (75, figure 8) on a lower face and in use is biased towards the rim of the bottle by spring mechanism (73, figure 8). The cleaning device may also include a detergent dispensing reservoir 4 and a cut-off switch that switches off power to the motor as the guard is displaced.

Description

A CLEANING DEVICE FOR CLEANING BOTTLES OR SIMILAR

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a cleaning device for cleaning bottles or similar, in particular a device for cleaning baby or infant bottles; more particularly but not exclusively when remote from facilities.

Background

Increasing awareness of cleanliness and hygiene is a factor in many societies.

In particular it can be important to keep infant items hygienic, for example infant bottles need thorough cleaning to maintain hygiene levels for any fluids for the infant.

However this can be troublesome to achieve, especially when not in a home setting, for example

Prior Art

Korean patent application KR 2004 5 6637 (LEE) discloses a motorized washing brush as a baby bottle. The bottle washing of the electric drive is cleaned by the cleaning liquid that is supplied to the washing procedure.

United States patent application US 2011 0 314 621 (LOCHRIDGE) discloses a baby bottle cleaning brush which includes a reversible cover between the brush and handle that covers the opening of a baby bottle.

United States patent US 6 295 681 (DOLAN) discloses a rotary brush cleaning system with interchangeable brush attachments, comprising: a power unit adapted to be held by a user.

The present invention arose in order to overcome problems suffered by existing devices.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a cleaning device for cleaning bottles or similar, comprising a housing, a handle and a motor turning a spindle, and one or more cleaning attachments, characterised in that the cleaning attachment is connected in use to the spindle and a guard is displaceably located between the cleaning attachment and handle in use.

In some embodiments the device provides a battery-powered, handheld device for cleaning baby bottles.

The cleaning attachment may be envisaged to comprise a brush, for placement into a bottle in use.

In this way it may be envisaged that cleaning of an infant's bottle may be easily and quickly accomplished in a variety of locations, including remote from home.

Advantageously in addition or the alternative the device of the present invention makes the process of cleaning multiple baby bottles much more efficient reducing stress on the parent.

In some embodiments the device may use a small electric motor to rotate the 25 brush.

In some embodiments the guard provides a splash guard which is arranged to prevent water and detergent from spraying out of the bottle and making a mess.

In some embodiments the device may further be arranged to dispense detergent to help sterilise the bottle in use, so as to help ensure the bottles are well cleaned and sterilised for use.

In some embodiments detergent is squirted onto the brush when the user presses a push area or button. In some embodiments the detergent is dispensed through one or more nozzles, which may dispense through the guard.

The detergent may be stored in a refillable reservoir. Such reservoir may be included in a removable detergent tank that can be slotted into a holder on the splash guard.

In some embodiments the guard may be envisaged to move up and down to adapt to different bottle heights.

In some embodiments the guard may be spring-loaded to maintain pressure on the bottle and maintain the device in place in use. In some embodiments the guard may be connected to the spindle or device by a bayonet fitting, which is held in place by the spring. The bayonet slot, or similar location may provide a safety switch which when not depressed switches off a power supply to the motor to stop the spindle turning when the guard is displaced.

In some embodiments the guard may comprise a resilient sealing means, for example a resiliently deformable gasket. Such gasket may be envisaged to be pushed against the bottle in use so as to limit egress of water or fluids.

In some embodiments the guard may comprise a circular plate which may have 25 a depending lip to maintain such a gasket in place and provide further guarding.

The device may have with replaceable brushes, for example enabling one brush for cleaning a teat and another for cleaning the bottle.

The device may comprise a displaceable and/or rechargeable battery, and a wireless charging dock may be envisaged to use induction charging to charge the battery or batteries, and/or a charging socket may be provided. The device may include a display means for displaying battery level, for example a light source.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention with a first cleaning attachment; Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 without a cleaning attachment; Figure 4 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 3, Figures 5 show isometric views of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 with the guard displaced from the cleaning attachment; Figures 6 show isometric views of a second cleaning attachment, Figures 7 show isometric views of further cleaning attachments; Figure 8 shows an isometric exploded view of the embodiment of the device as shown in Figure 3; and Figure 9 shows an isometric exploded view of the embodiment of the device as shown in Figure 3.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of the device 99 generally comprising cleaning device for cleaning bottles or similar, comprising a housing forming a handle 9 with an internal motor 72, and four cleaning attachments 6, 61, 62 and 63, wherein the cleaning attachment is rotated by the motor, and the handle is a first side of the motor and the cleaning attachment is a second opposing side of the motor, characterised in that the motor drives a spindle 12 and the cleaning attachment is connected in use to the spindle and a guard 3 is located between the cleaning attachment and handle in use.

With particular reference to the pictured embodiment the embodiment provides a battery-powered, handheld device for cleaning baby bottles which uses a small electric motor to rotate a brush attachment inside the bottle in use, and which will dispense detergent as the user cleans to help sanitise the bottle.

The cleaning attachments comprise brushes or brush heads, namely a foam head 6, and three silicone bristled heads 61, 62, 63 having collars 65 for the spindle attachment and shafts 66 for elongating the brush head from the guard in use for deeper bottles or items.

This thereby provides a simple, effortless way of cleaning drink containers, straws and teats at home or on the move.

The guard ensures there is no mess reaching the user's hands, and/or 25 extending out of the bottle in use.

The guard 3 travels up and down the spindle 12 depending on the bottle depth and has a collar 2 protecting the spindle above the guard in use. An internal spring 73 and silicone gasket 75 ensure the guard always seals against the top 30 of the bottle preventing any leaks.

The guard 3 has a depending outer lip and is a circular plate. The detachable deformable gasket 75 may allow a seal against the bottle lip, and is detachable for cleaning purposes.

The embodiment is envisaged to comprise four different brush heads allowing the user to clean different parts of the bottle including longer to suit water bottles and flasks The embodiment has two control means buttons, where a top button 1 spins the brush head when held down and a second button 11 cycles through motor speed settings. The embodiment has a light emitting diode (LED) light source located in an annular ring 49 around the top of the embodiment which glows an appropriate colour to inform the battery level.

A refillable detergent tank 4 is shown slotted into a holder 14 extending above the plate of the splash guard and is deformable whereby pressing on the front 5 of the tank releases detergent onto the brush head in use through a nozzle 15 located on the bottom of the tank, and directed through a perforation in the guard.

All of the plastic (polypropylene) parts for the housing that encase the electronics are ultrasonically welded together. This creates a watertight seal 20 ensuring no water reaches the battery, motor or circuit boards. The buttons are overmoulded in silicone, again ensuring a watertight enclosure.

The splash guard mechanism has two sets of bearings allowing it to travel smoothly away from the handle on the spindle. The large spring 73 returns the splash guard to its resting position ensuring a seal against any bottle that is being cleaned and a clip can be used to detach the splash guard should the user prefer.

A safety switch is provided which switches off a power supply to the motor to 30 stop the spindle turning when the guard is displaced.

The four detachable brushes have a key-shaped sockets 22 that bump fit onto a lock 21 on the end of the spindle 12 and the user simply aligns the parts and pushes the brush on. The bump will give two audible clips to show the attachment is secure.

In use the user will: Fill the detergent tank and secure in the splash guard housing.

Attach the appropriate brush head.

Remove a silicone bung (not shown) from a charging port 10 on the top of the handle and use a standard micro USB cable to recharge an internal battery 72.

Place the brush head in the bottle so the splash guard is tight to the top.

Dispense some detergent then select a speed then press and hold the power button to clean.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments 20 without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims, in particular but not solely combination of features of described embodiments.

Claims

Claims 1 A cleaning device for cleaning bottles or similar, comprising a housing, a handle and a motor turning a spindle, and one or more cleaning attachments, characterised in that the cleaning attachment is connected in use to the spindle and a guard is displaceably located between the cleaning attachment and handle in use.
2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the guard is displaceable along the spindle.
3. A device according to claim 2 wherein a spring acts to prevent inadvertent displacement of the guard.
4. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the guard comprises a resilient gasket on a lower face.
5. A device according to any preceding claim arranged to dispense detergent from a reservoir.
6. A device according to claim 5 wherein the reservoir is provided in a displaceable tank.
7. A device according to claim 6 wherein the tank is mounted in a holder on the guard.
8. A device according to claim 6 or 7 wherein the reservoir is arranged to dispense detergent onto the brush in use through the guard.
9. A device according to any preceding claim wherein a safety switch is provided which switches off a power supply to the motor to stop the spindle turning when the guard is displaced.