HUE031074T2 - Toilet brush - Google Patents

Description

Ibi!»! Bf «sh i Field ofthe frwehtlon

The invention relates to a cleaning brush in particular for cambered surfaces, in girtioylar:pf a use as a toilet brush, dish Heining broth, roof cleaning brush, body peeling brush or sauna bmsh, it lacigroyrtd of the Invention i set hiushos an. used fo> c can ng tyo -.,d tore! o 'sols which ire taypioaffy made from ceramics and which have a u-shaped, downward open elhat edge into which water is flushed and in which contaminants can he deposited. & ioiiel crush shall facÄli. remain ,iÄ mditÉi! eteÄifiihf írom ail inner surface oi the toilet howl, also tomiiniinward cambifid edge;

Additionally there Is the requirement that the toslei brush, thus In particular the cleaning head is configured so thai solid contaminations that accumulate in the cleaning head dyong the cleaning pmcoss am also easily rimovahles thy§ advardgeousty exclusively by the water flow of the teilet fiushing system within the Milet bowl, per this purpose iiferinf; shapes of torlit hruihes are Known, f he most; wiiiiy inown shape Includes a cleaning head which Is rotation symmetrical to a longitudinal axis of a handle and which is made from bristles, typically bundles of bristles, which are received by the base element of the cleaning head which base element is cminted as an axial extension of the handle Typically the bristles as well as the handle and the base element of the cleaning head are made tern plastic material. it is an advangtage of this configuration that the bristles are rather thin, typically under 1 mm. so that they only clean a rohfer narngw track when they are pulled with their free ends along a surface to be cleaned. Öri tteïiterÄe the ends οί the individual bristles are fafhiffär apád:fei :daih eihep namely mwm\ millimeters which is required so that subsequent cleaning of the bristles is not made too difficult, thus, the closer the bristles stand togehter, the mom difficult it is to remove the contaminations arranged thins letpeeh- This is particularly ovid eel when the bustles are arranged in bundles so that contaminations are even more difficult to remove from t|e intermediary tpmm |^e:dlClpr;t^»:::CPhfaminations have penetrated towards the attachment point of the and the closer the bristles are arranged togehter.

In order to provide a sufficient cleaning effect at the bottom surface and at the Side surface of the toilet bowl the bristles have to have sufficient stiffness. This, however, prevents a bending of the bristles and a penetration of the bristles under the elbowed edge and even in case the bristles penetrate, a cleaning is only performed on an outside of the elbowed edge, but noi at an inside. in order to improve rotation symmetrica! brushes sometimes an additional plate shaped brush element Is arranged at an upper podipb of the cleaoinghead, whefilh: the additional plate shaped brush element pmirudbpliin: 1¾= used for penetrating under the edge.

This is effective in principle because the position of the additional element mallvi lb the remaining brush head is either rather high or radially relatively far extending,

Olianlng the additional component however is very difficult sicne there is almost no position in which this addltioiit oomponent can be held Into a flow of the flushing system of the toilet since a diameter of the rotation symmetrical portion atone typically almost corresponds to the free diameter of the drain pipe to the siphon, thus ff® odor lock of the toilet

Besides that certainly also toilet brushes are known in which the cleaning head is a base element configured as a small steble;fia!e from which the brlsfles or bristle bundles extend essentially parallel and protrude only slightly diverging typically only in one direction; approximatelyperpendicular fc the main plane of the base element or also in both directions which are perpendicular to the main plane.

Typically lha. plate plana of théÄ^Äriant is aîledfeMiwfth' artboMl ItehiirAl Thus a cleaning of ihe visible aiíáóai^ftiitóíit can be peribrmed eaaöpíüt cleaning under the elbowed edge is completely impossible. furthermore there is a problem pill the bristles that areirsaliysfy thin and wltmeods that are rather far away from each ether.

Furthermore there are numerous deviations from the basic shape of the rotation symmetriest, in the simplest (mse cylindrical or semi spherical cleaning head which is formed from bristles.

Thus, DE 101 52 123 C1 describes a cylindrical cleaning head which inciuriis at least in# flat surface, for example configured as a sebant ihaped flat spot.

The POT application WO 03/086000. however stipulates an indentation in the rotation symmetrical outer conteur of the bhatle head made from bristles in order to he able to feblefllrisei the outward cambered portion proximal to the free end of the cleaning head under the elbowed edge,.

In orderte prevent the problem of contamination between trie bristles of the cleaning head from occuring It is also known to uses cleaning heads without bristles, for example rotation symmetrical elements and or unevenly shaped elements with punctlforrn knobs near pm* u·* m\ -. 3 on me sc ^ *» <- which can be arranged and shaped differently and which protrude beyond the remaining surface very little, typically by 1-2 mm,

Then Ihe cleaning effect on the accessible and visible surfaces of the toilet bowl is typically the better, the stiffer this base element ss configured since a user can impart more pressure to the surface during cleaning operations,.

However; ap: increasing stlffhoss of this typeMcleaning hepdialso Improves the ability to perform cleaningfUriiemhe elbowed edge.

Thus, DE 198 41 718 illustrates an approximately cylindrical cleaning head with a dosed outer surface an which circumferential inpartipular helically exlending Ipnieliai^ireraryanpd:, FR 2569972A1 discloses a to lei brush where the brushead is made from aplate shaped base element which is partially bendable and from whose bottom side bristles protrude. The handle Is arranged in snilxlended matepiane of the mar flat pomonof the eambapl plateibiped ballif feme,

This toilet brush includes all features of the preamble of claim 1. US 6.460,215 81 discloses a toilet brush with a brush head which teilet brush includes a hollow base element that is oval in lop view and which has bristles on ail sides. The handle is arranged in the main plane of the base element and is straight as weit ill. Detailed Description of the Invention at Technical Object

Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide a ih spite bl:a pod cleaning effect also under th| elbowed edge of the toiletTowbls::iasyTomleahrind producible ;n a simple and cost effective manner, hlidfyilee

This object is achievedÜl:> Mvihtageops^ be derived from the dependent cla»Ä-

The flat configuration of the base element of the cleaning tread and the different ilexibilhy of 1st edge portions compared to the central portson has the acivaniage that pressing on the rather stiff central poriion onto the base surface of the toriét bowl facilitates imparting a rahler high pressure and on the öftrer hand side the felxible edges of the fial base element with bristles that extend on both sides from the arain surfaces of the base element can be inserted wlhtout problems under tire elbowed edge of the toilet bowl. On the surface of the toilet bowl a plurality of cleaning elements is arranged which protrude transversal from the surface of the base element and which can also extend at an edge from a main plane of the base 4»fom*4i> For cleaning ÉÎiÄÄidsÄiiwftF ;ÉÄr#.riiÄ^s sectional sFipes cao fee used. instles have proven padfculady advantageous which have a triangular, m particular V-shaped cross section

Thu aligiiMnFof the cross section of the bristles sin thus be resepctivë^ sÄotei lit the same dlroeSere or It can be seiotect radially outward extending frorbSie attaiimsdt:pbM PÍ the. hiss ellroenb wherein the lavier facliitat# S one dlrictiMaliy fixated use of the brush.

TheidItiesare configured integrally In one piece together wth fheibase element made from a piistio matedal: á:wkblfy pllsild roatenab

Adyardagecusty a transition Fom the ias# element to the oleadlog: elements or bristles Is rounded with a redlys of at least 1 mm, better at least ;t rom, :ln particular at least 3 rnm, to prevent a dfpos!fen.of^ntamtoaplf;Äo%ôoÄm more easily in edges.

For the same reason the bristles are arranged at the base elemen! With a minimum distance of 3 mm or more, better 4 mm or F mm and the bustles are accordingly arradied individually and not in bundles in order to make an accuiroulation of

Ine few of Its edge portions, measured Including Ido extension of the cleaning elements attached to the cleaning: lieM<; slightly more than a freewldht in tbeiF shaped elbow of the fellel bowl so that during an insertion under the elbowed edge the edges of the brush perform a cleaning at an Inside and also at an outside of the elbow,

Imprder to be able to vary the applied pressure in particular during cleaning of the elbow individual-edge portions of the base element which is. head shaped er arrow shaped In fop view with an advantageously convex bulge towards an outside can have different flexibility.

For the samt reason the same edge portion can also have different felxihihfy in both transversal ίο the main plane of the base element which Is fcmexsmpli easily achievable by rlhi;that amprovlded on one side of the base element

By the same token the bristles on both sides of the base element can haver different stiffness and/or different cross seelon iontours :and/or W:diffe?irÉ Jimensions in orderle iöhÉvi a different cleaning effect on element which is in pedicular advantageous when the handle protrudes from the base elemem m a main extension of the base element so that the base element is also Insatiable with both sides on a base surface of the of the toilet bowl In spits of that the attachment point of the handle at the base element can b#!ffPhS$$ oieset towards a center of the bass element Isfead of being arranged at ah: edge of; the base element: arid the Nadle can even, he arragned orthogonal to the main plans of the base element, in ens bfhbidilPSnf of the invention the bass element of the cleaning head is configured different purposes.

On the one har?d side outlet openings can be arranged in the wall of the base element: wherein the outlet openings are in particular configured as valves which ppen oniy when pressure is applied to the outer surface, so that a deslnfectanf Ir cleaning agent stored in

Advantageously the cavity in the base element Is connected with a cavity in the handle and the handle is configured as a pump, for example in that a piston is displaceabiein a sealed manner in a tubular cylinder of the pump. handle and «y dispensing a cleaning agent or a disinfectant or a fragrance through bdflet openings provided in the base element, or the base element does not have any -outiéi openings ot this type and a postltive pressure in the base element can he varied, thus advantageously increased by actuating the pump in the handle. If Isiin turn: föâÄ to a stÄNng of the ïbÄiteÄtaäid thus to an increase of the cleaning affect that can be achieved by applying the head, idvaniagegasiy the harsh includes a locking device in order ip: maintain increased irissure; In the base elemin! ofith#cleaning head, thus to secure the pump platen in a pushed forward poslfiorc

In order to be able to uee the brush in the most universal manner the handle is adjustable with respect to its angular orientation relative to the base element, advantageously the handle is pivotable from one side of the base element to another side of the base element. c) Embodiments

Embodiments of the invention are now described in more detail with reference to the drawing figure, wherein: FIG. 1 a Iterates a top View of the cleening liiadt; FIG. 1 h illustrates a side view of the brush; FIG 2 illustrates various cross section shapes ot cleaning elements FIG, 3 Illustrates the cleaning head In a side view; and FIG. 4 Illustrates the brush In use, FKS. 1b illustrates: the enife cieabibitimsli In a side view including a handle i and a cleaning head 2 which is attached at a lower tree end of the handle 1.

The handle 1 is thus double S-shaped with two elbows in a side view respectively by an angle of approximately 45* and is made from an advantageously hollow' profile for example made from a plastic material or from another material that is easy to clean and does not leave and rub off on ceramic materials. A tower end of the handle 1 is advantageously configured with a reduced cross section and inserted into a corresponding receiver which extends as a protrusion imm: a top side of the base ilemenf 3 of the cleaning head

The handle 1 advantageously does not have a circular cross section, but a non circular ior example triangular outer cross section In order to prevent a twisting when held by hand.

The rear upper end of the handle 1 is configured as a grip 16 and when the handle 1 is:configured hollow like m FIG. 1b. a pump 14 can be arranged at the upper end, wherein a piston 1? is insarfabie into the cavity 13 of the handle wlioh geharntes a ; positivedeschbed infra in more detail,

The cleaning head 2 ihat is attached at the handle 1 Includes as evident from FIG. la a base element 3 extending in a main plane 10, wherein the base element is e.g. a piate with an increasing thickness towards the attachment point 4 of the handle 1 and tnelbiei eleafiog elements: imiiindihi lem the plate transverse! to the main plane wherein the cleaning elements are subsequently briefly referred to as bristles.

The base element 3 of the cleaning head 2 is thus heaif shaped or leaf shaped and a point of this shape is oriented in the oppsite direction in which the handle 1 is cambered in the side view.

As evident from FIG. la the bristles 5 are individually arranged at the base element 3 and thus not combined into bundles. The bristles or cleaning elements $ can thus be arranged on lines which extend parallel to an edge contour of the base element 3 as s ., eJ ^up i ! the upu v K r rt the Tguse us on h v oh * vfo id pa aim to me o!> &amp; lh# dillP-ÄtiUhÄiiiÄiiKl in the lower half of the figure, thus parallel to ihe outer contour of the heart shaped bulges 9.

The bristles 5 can for example have a non circular shape like e.g. a triangular shape and point with their tip radially away from the centerei the base element 3 in an outward direction or they can also point in a direction of the axis of symmetry 18 of the base element 3,

In order for the plate shaped base elment 3 to ha lighter in edgeportlons In a iiansversal direction 11 relative to ist main plane 10 than In to be arranged on the top side wbiob fotesecl ih fit® confer eltof in the '^HÄP^nt poky# forth# höhflelî ps fifysfrated in PICI,; l a where the attachment paints is arranged stigtúiybehind the «anter of gravity of the heart shape which forms to rainhocemenf ribs 8.

Aiterantively thereto, Instead or m addition to the remirocement ribs 8 a thickness of thothoeo elintent 3 can increase írom the edge portion 3a to the control portion 3b of the hape element 3 as illustrated in FIG, lb, FIG. 2 illustrates optional cross sectional shapes of the bristles or of the cleaning elements 5, wherein shapes without sharp convex indentations are preferred since contaminations can 'deposit therein easily, T his can be a triangular shape, namely according to the element 5a It can be a solid cross section, according to element 5b It can he a hollow cross section or according to element 5c It can be a V-shape. On the other hand side element 5d has a W-shape and element 5e has a wave shape. The elements 5f and Sg have circular Phis sections, Cither hollow or solid and element Sh has a rectangular, in particular square shape. The orientation is ad vaiageousiy selected to that a convex comer or edge points in operating direction. Element 5s shows a C-shape and element 5k shows an .k 'Shape, e.g formed by two t-shapes connected at their backs,

Also the rounded transition radius 19 ai the transition 6 between the base element 3 and the cleaning elements 5 is important as evident from FIG. 1b in order to avoid depositing contaminations In this portion, and can be readed best by Integrally configuring the cleaning elements 5 together with the base element 3, e.g. by Injection molding them from a rubber type piastre material.

In spite of that one of the production alternatives is as illustrated in Fig. 1b for one element that the base element 3 Includes pass through bore boles through which the elements 5 are Inserted so that they protrude on a top side and on a bottom side ton tbbbase elements.

Also 8 size cȒ the; protrusion of the cleaning elements from the base element Is important for function:,

Thus, the element.» 5 can pilrude on one Side, in FIG. 1b and FIG. 3 for example in the top side, in FIG. 3 also from the bottom side respectively by the same amount over the entire surface, whereas the cleaning aláments S on n bottom alia of the base element 3 of FIG lb protrude much further \n the central portion 3b than in the edge portion 3a.

Together wdh the fact that also the shape of the top side and the bottom Side of the base element 3 is freely selectable arrangements can he selected which are adapted to the object to be cleaned, thus ag according to RG. 1b a fiat bottom svie of the base element 3 and a top side rising towards the center portion 3b whereas the solution according to FIG. 3 ss arranged in ahIftv&amp;iSgi thus a fial top Sid# and a convex bottom side is provided that protrudes sn the central portion 3b. FIG. 4 illustrates a typical adaptation to the object to be brush accenting to the invention as a toilet brush in order lo be able to clean the free width ï under the overbangihi ei|# df the toifet bowl.

The entire height of the cleaning head 1 in the edge portion |a thus from the tee end of the upward protruding cteining etenien|i:i to the freu end of thedownwaml protruding thus opposite protrudlng ileening elements 3 hss the same sie or Is advantageously slightly larger than the tee width 7 in order te be ahiai tb excite bath flanks of Ibis width simultaneously. FIG, 3 illustrates another variant of the cleaplng bead 2· Irvthat the oieamag head has a cavity 12 extending essentially over the enhre surface of in the main plane 10 a cavity 12 In the boss and this cavity 12 is in torn connected with the cavity 13 in thesattaphed b|i|li 1, The pufhp 14 described with reference to i IG. Hi generates n positive pressure m ihm cavity 12 which can have different effects.

The cavity 12 of the base element 3 Is either dosed, then increasing the pressure ïlipaftdieg on e stfeeis of the base element 3 changes the shape of the base element 3, in particular the pressure increasing »n the cavity 12 significantly stiffens the base element 3 so that üeMü':f^táifeÉftoning effect can be achieved with the same cleaning head 2, however for a reduced elasticity

The cavity 12, however, can also be used for storingand dispensing a JgofcL a diëiMfti iilqyiir:iâÄfed:â«'ôr a fripim ilifuid in that dutlaropenlnis are arranged

äd^âKtâgi#ô-Li#^·. contlgured as valves. The outlet openings or valves 13 can either be configured Irt the cleaning f laments Th iâpely föMt;MmM$êÊï<ïï also between the cleaning elements S, however a connection has to be provided with the cavity 12 in the base element £L A pressure onto the pump 1 A^yld theh: iispense a limited arranged in the cavity l|.

Reference Numeral«, and Oasîgnatîons 1 MMÏû I leaning hsad 3 bas« element 3a edge portion 3b central portion 4 attachment point

Ptx b rdPahthg pieaienis, hristlM 6 transition '7 clear width 8 -stiffening ribs § bulge 1Ö main piano of extension II -transversal direction 12 cavity 13 cavity 14 pump 1§ valve 16 handle 17 piston 18 access of cymetry 19 radius

Claims (3)

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