JP5306375B2 - Cleaning device for polishing food waste disposer - Google Patents

Abstract

A scrub device having a central core and multiple flexible strands of a polymeric material can be placed into a food waste disposer, which is then turned on, and the low mass and low inertia of the scrub device permits a spinning motion to promote frictional cleaning by the flexible strands. Multiple geometries of the scrub devices provide for different cleaning motions. The material of both the central core and flexible strands can be ground or can be retained during operation of the disposer while preventing disposer damage permitting the scrub device to be permanently left in the disposer. Holding and extraction tools are provided for manual cleaning motion or removal of the scrub devices.

Description

  This application claims priority from US Provisional Application No. 61 / 023,199, filed January 24, 2008. The disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference.

  The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for cleaning a food waste disposer.

  The description in this section merely provides background information related to the present disclosure and does not constitute prior art.

  Food waste disposers typically have a crushing chamber that receives many types of waste. After repeated use, some waste may not flow through the disposer after each operation. This results in the accumulation of waste over time, which can cause odor problems from the waste residue remaining in the disposer. Accordingly, cleaning systems have been developed to clean food waste disposers.

  Known cleaning systems have several drawbacks. Some systems use waste materials such as citrus peel, bone, or ice cubes to clean the waste disposer. Foods used for this purpose also generally leave no part of the food itself, i.e. ineffective in cleaning the food waste disposer. Products such as detergent packets have been developed that are introduced into the disposer while the disposer is in operation. Citrus peels and detergent packets can cover the odor of waste deposits, but they do not effectively clean the disposer and therefore do not eliminate the odor. Accordingly, products such as brushes have been developed that rely on manual cleaning when the disposer does not operate and generally have a handle for reaching and gripping the disposer. The brush may also miss the waste part because it cannot reach any part of the disposer including the discharge passage from the grinding chamber.

  According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, with low mass and inertia, a spherical brush pod includes multiple points or brush elements that are attached to a central hub. The central hub is made of a material that can be slowly ground over time by the disposer without damaging the grinding element. The brush pod can be left in the food waste disposer during grinding or can be removed after washing.

  According to a further embodiment, an elastomeric material is used for the bristles or brush elements. The elastomeric material is preselected to promote chemical resistance and minimize weight, thus reducing the mass and inertia of the brush pod. Elastomer material can also be used for the central hub.

  According to a further embodiment, a non-geometric cleaning device having a central core and a large number of flexible strands of polymeric material is placed in the food waste disposer, where it is randomized by the low mass and low inertia of the cleaning device. Spin motion is possible and flexible strands facilitate friction cleaning.

  Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

  The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

It is a front perspective view of a cleaning device of this indication. It is a front perspective view of another embodiment of a cleaning device of this indication. It is a partial cross section front perspective view of another embodiment of a cleaning device of this indication. It is a front perspective view of another embodiment of the washing | cleaning apparatus which has a tubular core member. It is a front perspective view of another embodiment of the cone-shaped cleaning device of this indication. FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of the non-geometrically shaped cleaning device of the present disclosure. It is a front elevation view of the holding member of the cleaning device. It is a front elevation view of the extraction tool of the cleaning device. It is a partial cross section front elevational view of the extraction tool of a washing | cleaning apparatus. It is a partial cross section front elevational view of another embodiment of the extraction | drawer tool of a washing | cleaning apparatus. 1 is a cross-sectional front elevation view of a food waste disposer with a cleaning device of the present disclosure shown therein.

  The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and elements.

  Referring to FIG. 1, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure of a cleaning apparatus for polishing food waste disposers, the cleaning apparatus 10 includes a central core 12 and includes a plurality of bundles 14 extending outwardly from the central core 12. Have. Each bundle 14 includes a plurality of flexible strands 16 that may have equal or different lengths relative to each other. The central core 12 may be substantially circular in shape as shown, or may have any geometric shape. The material of the central core 12 may be a polymeric material that is adapted to be received in a food waste disposer (shown with the figure with respect to FIG. 11). Each flexible strand 16 is also made of a polymeric material and is flexible so that each individual flexible strand 16 can be bent and contact the inner surface of the food waste disposer. The food waste disposer is switched on by the disposer cleaning device 10 to clean the disposer.

  Referring to FIG. 2, in another embodiment, the cleaning device 18 is modified from the cleaning device 10 of FIG. 1 and includes a plurality of random flexible strands 22 with the exception of the bundle 14 and a portion thereof. Are centered or rolled to form the central core 20. The central core 20 is not an independent element with respect to the flexible strand 22, and the flexible strand 22 extends outwardly therefrom, but is formed from a portion of each flexible strand 22. Thus, the central core 20 of the cleaning device 18 does not have a standard geometry, and is sized and geometrically based on the amount of random flexible strands 22 that are bundled together to form the central core 20. The shape can be changed.

  Referring to FIG. 3, according to a further embodiment, the cleaning device 24 has a body 26 that includes first and second body portions 28, 30, respectively, which are uniformly joined or, for example, heat The body 26 is formed by being bonded together by mechanical bonding, adhesively bonded, or otherwise formed as a unit. The first and second body portions 28, 30 define an inner cavity 32 that can be adapted to receive a liquid or powder material such as a cleaning liquid or a fragrance liquid. Inner cavity 32 is accessible for filling and then draining material through opening 34. The body 26 also includes a plurality of surfaces 36 each having a bundle 38 similar to the bundle 14 that extends outwardly from the surface. The exemplary bundle 38 is oriented at an angle α with respect to the longitudinal axis 39 of the body 26. For example, adjacent ones of the bundles 38 identified as bundles 38, 38 'may be oriented at a bundle-to-bundle inclusion angle β with respect to each other. The angles α and β can be changed at the manufacturer's discretion to provide different amounts of bundles 38, facilitate random rotation of the cleaning device 24, or improve access to the openings 34. .

  Referring to FIG. 4, according to a further embodiment, the cleaning device 40 includes an assembly of a plurality of tubular barrels 42 that can be oriented substantially perpendicular to each other. The bundle 44 extends from the free end of each tubular barrel 42, including from each end of the tubular barrel 42. The plurality of tubular barrels 42 are connected uniformly or fixedly to each other and can generally be made during the molding process. A plurality of flexible strands 45 similar to the flexible strands 16 are provided in each bundle 44. The core 20 of the flexible strand 45 (not visible from this view) can be centrally located at the inner end of the tubular shaped barrel 42, or the core 20 can be removed and each The bundle 44 can be made independently for each tubular barrel 42.

  Referring to FIG. 5, according to a further embodiment, the cleaning device 46 includes a plurality of triangular surfaces 48 that together define a cone-shaped structure or core. The bundle 50 of flexible strands is similar to the bundle 44 and extends from each of the triangular faces 48.

  Referring to FIG. 6, according to a further embodiment, the cleaning device 52 includes a non-uniformly shaped body 54 having a plurality of body surfaces 56 that are randomly oriented relative to other surfaces of the body surface 56. Each body surface 56 is provided with a bundle 58 extending outwardly therefrom, each similar to the bundle 44. Since the non-geometric body shape of the body 54 is advantageous to provide greater random movement of the cleaning device 52, the individual ones of the bundles 58 also provide enhanced cleaning action of the cleaning device 52. Suitable for random.

  Referring now to FIG. 7, any of the cleaning devices previously described herein will not operate when food is manually retained using the cleaning device holding tool 60 for manual cleaning operations. It can be inserted into an object disposer. The cleaning device holding tool 60 includes a handle 62 having a slidable lever 64 disposed thereon. The lever 64 is operated to move the actuating arm 66 capable of gripping one of the cleaning devices (eg, the cleaning device 18 shown) between the actuating arm 66 and the holding end 68. Is possible. The holding tool 60 can be directed to receive the cleaning device by sliding the lever 64 in the first lever direction “A” and provides a gap for receiving the cleaning device. Thereafter, by sliding the lever 64 in a second, opposite lever direction “B”, the actuating arm 66 contacts the washing device and captures the washing device between the actuating arm 66 and the holding end 68.

  Referring to FIG. 8, a removal tool 70 may be provided to remove a cleaning device of the present disclosure, such as the cleaning device 18 shown. The extraction tool 70 includes a handle 72 having a lever 74 that is slidable in either a first lever direction “C” or an opposite second lever direction “D”. The extraction tool 70 has a pawl 76 that includes first and second pawl arms 78, 80 that can be deflected toward or away from each other by the action of a lever 74. For example, by moving the lever 74 in the second lever direction “D”, the first pawl arm 78 can be moved away from the second pawl arm 80 and deflected in the release direction “E”, while The second claw arm 80 moves in the release direction “F”. Manipulating the lever 74 in the first lever direction “C” provides the opposite effect that the first and second pawl arms 78, 80 move toward each other to grip the cleaning device 18.

  Referring now to FIG. 9, according to another embodiment, the extraction tool 82 includes an engagement member 84 that is slidably received within the chamber 86 of the receiving member 88. The engagement member 84 includes first and second engagement arms 90 and 92. The first and second engagement arms 90, 92 are movable relative to each other because they are partially separated by a longitudinal slot 94. The first engagement arm 90 includes a first protruding surface 96 and the second engagement arm 92 includes a second opposing protruding surface 98. The first and second projecting surfaces 96, 98 are similar sized openings (shown in phantom) made in the body, i.e. the various cleaning devices previously described herein. Adapted to be received with frictional resistance in the central core of one of the two.

  A first cavity 100 is defined between the first and second projecting surfaces 96, 98 near the first and second engagement arms 90, 92. A slide member 102 having an engagement end 104 and adapted to be received in the first cavity 100 is positioned as shown in FIG. 9 and includes first and second engagement arms 90, 92. Are pressed away from each other to temporarily lock the engaging member 84 or engage the cleaning device. By pulling the slide member 102 in the pull / release direction “H”, the first and second flanges 106, 108 of the first and second engagement arms 90, 92 are respectively connected to the first and second of the receiving member 88. The engagement member 84 slides in the chamber 86 until it contacts the second stop wall 110, 112. Once contact occurs between the first and second flanges 106, 108 and the first and second stop walls 110, 112, the force applied to the slide member 102 further in the pulling / releasing direction “H” The engagement end 104 can be released from the first cavity 100 and the engagement end 104 can move to the second cavity 114. The second cavity 114 is larger than the first cavity 100 and can move the first and second engagement arms 90, 92 towards each other about a partially longitudinal slot 94, thereby Since the first and second projecting surfaces 96, 98 spring resiliently toward each other, the engagement member 84 can be released and thereafter the frictional engagement of the cleaning device can be reduced.

  When the engagement member 84 is temporarily connected to the cleaning device, the reverse movement of the slide member 102 is used. For example, the slide member 102 moved in the engagement direction “G” moves the engagement end 104 from the second cavity 114 to the first cavity 100, thereby causing the first and second protruding surfaces 96, 98. Are pushed away from each other to provide frictional engagement to the cleaning device.

  Referring to FIG. 10, another extraction tool 116 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure includes an arm 118 in which a slide member 120 is slidably disposed. The slide member 120 includes first and second claw arms 122 and 124 that face each other. As shown in FIG. 10, the first and second pawl arms 122, 124 are pressed into contact with the arm 118, thereby pressing the first and second pawl arms 122, 124 toward each other. The pulling tool 116 may be used by pulling the slide member 120 holding the cleaning device (not shown) to the right. A contact member 126 may be provided on one or both sides of the first and second pawl arms 122, 124 to help hold the cleaning device.

  Referring generally to FIG. 11, the food waste disposer 128 includes an upper food conveyance unit 130, a lower motor unit 131, and an intermediate crushing unit disposed between the food conveyance unit 130 and the motor unit 131. 132. The food transport 130 includes a housing 133 that forms an inlet 134 at its upper end that receives food waste, water, and the cleaning device of the present disclosure in the direction “J”. The housing 133 also includes a second inlet 135 that receives water and food waste discharged in a direction “K”, for example, from a dishwasher (not shown). The food conveyance unit 130 conveys food waste and water to the crushing unit 132.

  The motor unit 131 includes a motor 136, and may be an induction motor that gives a rotational motion to the motor shaft 138 as an example. The crushing part 132 may include a support plate 140 connected to the motor shaft 138 for rotation. The support plate 140 may be connected to a crushing plate, that is, a rotating plate 142. The water mixed in the slurry and the crushed food waste are collected in the waste receiving cavity 144 below the support plate 140 and the rotating plate 142 for discharge in the discharge direction “L” through the discharge port 146. The

  The crushing unit 132 has a crushing cavity 148 disposed above the rotating plate 142 to receive food waste and a large amount of water. Food waste and large amounts of water may be received via inlet 134, second inlet 135, or both. At least one, and in some embodiments, a plurality of fixed protrusions or elements 150 extend upward from the rotating plate 142 and rotate in cooperation with the rotating plate 142. The food waste is pushed outward by centrifugal forces toward the element 150 that force the food waste into contact with the cutting edges or teeth defined by the plurality of openings 152 of the fixed shredder ring 154. The food waste is crushed between the outer edge of the element 150 and the cutting edge of the opening 152 such that the pulverized food waste particles in the form of a slurry with water are shown in FIG. To the outside through the opening 152 and then move downward into the waste receiving cavity 144.

  At least one, and in some embodiments, a plurality of rotatable projections 156 are provided (first projection 156 and second projection 156) to assist in conveying food waste toward element 150. Both protrusions 156 ′ are shown), each of which is rotatably connected to the rotating plate 142 and / or the support plate 140. Protrusions 156 continue to move food waste outward, thus functioning to reduce food waste from depositing out of the fixed position and out of range of element 150 with respect to rotating plate 142.

  As shown in FIG. 11, a cleaning device 10, which is an exemplary cleaning device of the present disclosure, is disposed in a housing 133 and a grinding cavity 148. The central core 12 of the cleaning device 10 is sized smaller than the inlet 134 so as to be received through the inlet 134. By bending the flexible strand 16, insertion can be assisted. Since the plurality of flexible strands 16 are flexible, each of the flexible strands can contact the inner wall of the housing 133 and the inner wall of the fixed shredder ring 154, and all regions in the housing 133 and A grinding cavity 148 containing an external zone “Z” can be contacted for cleaning. Thereafter, the motor 136 is operated to rotate the rotating plate 142, and the cleaning device 10 is moved around the housing 133 and the crushing cavity 148. The portions of the flexible strand 16 or the central core 12 that have been crushed or removed by contact with the cutting edge defined by the element 150, the rotating protrusion 156, and / or the opening 152 are received in the receiving cavity 144 and the outlet 146. Will travel through the opening 152 to drain through.

  The flexible element cleaning apparatus of the present disclosure may be made from a polymeric material molded or extruded for flexible strands or bundles, each of the central cores of the element 150 and the opening 152. In order to prevent damage to the cutting edge, it may be made of a polymeric material. According to some embodiments, each of the flexible strands (16, 22, 45) is uniformly connected to the corresponding core, wound or grouped together to define a gap that defines the core. Or the flexible strands are bundled into a bundle, such as bundle 14, that is fixedly or uniformly connected to the core.

  The cleaning and polishing apparatus, and the holding and extraction tools for the cleaning and polishing apparatus of the present disclosure, provide several advantages. The ability to place a cleaning or polishing device on the food waste disposer and leave the device in the disposer allows the operator to continue cleaning the disposer without further action. The flexibility of the flexible strands and the geometry of the cleaning device allow the food waste disposer to rotate freely during operation, providing a low mass, low inertia device that facilitates cleaning. Due to the low mass, there can be a food waste disposer cleaning device that is hardly recognizable with respect to noise and vibration. The central core or hub may itself be made of a material that can be slowly ground by the disposer or held in the disposer without being crushed during operation and without damaging the actuating elements, This allows the device to remain in the disposer. The flexible strand also provides a self-cleaning action that prevents food waste deposits from depositing on the flexible strand itself.

  By providing cavities in various embodiments of the cleaning device, additional cleaning / disinfecting fluid that can be automatically drained from the cleaning device can be used. The central core also provides a grippable portion for the operation of removing the cleaning device or manually cleaning. An inner cavity similar to the inner cavity 32 may be provided in most cleaning devices of the present disclosure, and may be provided by including a hollow member in the core 20 of the cleaning device 18. By removing the flexible strands to replace the core and using a water-soluble material in the body, supply the cleaner to the disposer and physically polish the disposer until it dissolves over time. A polishing apparatus that can be held on the substrate can be manufactured.

Claims (19)

A cleaning device for insertion into a food waste disposer having a rotatable grinding plate ,
A central core made from a portion of a number of flexible fiber strands of polymeric material coupled together , the central core comprising at least one length of flexible fiber strand extending outwardly from the central core; have respective, each flexible fiber strands, is adapted to flex, when randomly in contact with the inner surface of the food waste disposer while the rotatable grinding plate is rotating, wear to A cleaning device adapted to clean the inner surface. Flexible fiber strands are combined into a bundle of a number of flexible fibers strands, each bundle extends from the central core to the outside, the cleaning device according to claim 1. Central core, included in the aggregate of the tubular barrel, said tubular barrel, flexible fiber strands of each bundle extending directly from one end of each of the tubular barrel, together at an angle tubular barrel The cleaning device according to claim 2, which is suitable. A plurality of tubular barrel, fixedly connected to each other, are produced during the forming shape step, the cleaning device according to claim 3. Numerous flexible fiber strands are combined into a bundle of a plurality of fibers from a central core extending outwardly, flexible fiber strike run de of at least one of the length of each bundle, substantially single length The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the cleaning device defines a thickness.   The cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the central core defines a circular shape.   The cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the central core defines a non-circular geometric shape. A central core is defined by a portion of a number of flexible fiber strands centered together, and the central core does not have a predetermined geometry and is flexible together to form a central core The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the size and geometry can be changed based on a random amount of fiber strands. Numerous flexible fiber strike the run-de, it comprises a number of random length, cleaning apparatus according to claim 1. A cleaning device for insertion into a food waste disposer having a rotatable grinding plate ,
A central core of polymeric material;
With each of the at least one flexible fiber strands of length extending from the central core to the outside, and a plurality of flexible fibers strands of polymeric material, so that the respective flexible fiber strands, bent is adapted, when randomly in contact with the inner surface of the food waste disposer while the rotatable grinding plate is rotating, is adapted to clean the interior surface, the cleaning apparatus. The cleaning device of claim 10, wherein the central core is a body including first and second body portions joined together. Flexible fiber strands are combined into a bundle of a number of flexible fibers strands, each bundle extends from the central core to the outside, the cleaning device according to claim 10. Body includes a plurality of surfaces, has one of the bundles, each face of said plurality of extending outwardly from the surface, the cleaning device according to claim 12.   14. A cleaning device according to claim 13, wherein each of the bundles is oriented at a first angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the body. Bundle against neighboring, the first angle is oriented with respect to each other at an angle included between different bundles, the cleaning device according to claim 14. A cleaning device inserted into the food waste disposer to clean the inner surface of the food waste disposer,
A polymeric material body having a non-uniform shape, and a plurality of body surfaces facing each other randomly,
Including a bundle with each body surface extending outwardly,
Each bundle includes a number of outwardly extending polymeric flexible fiber strands;
A cleaning device, wherein each of the bundles is oriented randomly with respect to each other to facilitate the random rotation of the cleaning device in the food waste disposer.   17. A cleaning device according to claim 16, wherein the flexible fiber strands of each bundle have equal lengths.   17. A cleaning device according to claim 16, wherein the flexible fiber strands of each bundle have a random length. A food waste disposer and cleaning brush system,
A food waste disposer including a food transport unit and a food crushing unit adapted to receive food from the food transport unit;
A cleaning device adapted to be inserted into a food grinder through a food transport,
A central core of polymeric material;
A plurality of flexible fiber strands of at least one length extending outwardly from the central core, each bent individually and in random contact with at least the food grinder of the food waste disposer A food waste disposer and a cleaning brush system comprising a cleaning device including a number of flexible fiber strands adapted to clean the.

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