US2813291A - Cleaning apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 19, 1957 M. E. WARK CLEANING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 23, 1955 m m w. m

Mar/an E, Wark 2,813,291 Patented Nov. 19, 1957 United States Patent Ofifiee 2,813,291 CLEANING APPARATUS Marian E. Wark, Grand Rapids, Mich. Application August 23, 1955, Serial No. 530,055 1 Claim. or. -409 This invention relates to cleaning apparatus and more particularly to cleaning apparatus for household uses.

Many different types of cleaning devices are marketed for household uses to clean pots and pans, kitchen equipment, vegetables, etc. Most of these marketed items came in the form of a sponge or pad made of a semirigid abrasive material for scouring the surfaces to be cleaned. l

' One well-known itemis a metal sponge made of numerous, curled, metallic, fibers bunched and intertwined together. One using the sponge grasps the body of the sponge and rubs it against the surface to be cleaned. The curled, metallic fibers abrade or rub off the dirt from the surface.

Another common type "of scouring element is knitted from acontinuous copper ribbon. .The knit is very coarse thereby leaving spaces or interstices between the ribbons or fibers. As a result, the ribbons or fibers are permitted to rub against the surface to be cleaned.

Other types of scouring elementsare presently being marketed. Some of these elements are made of a plastic material which issemi-rigid and has abrasive qualities for scouring the dirty surface to be cleaned.

A disadvantage of all of these scouring pads is the requirement that the one cleaning the surface has to grasp it with the hand. Since the fibers of which the pads are made are semi-rigid and of necessity are abrasive, frequently the fingers of the person cleaning the surface are marred and scratched. In some cases the metallic scouring pads will leave splinters in the fingers causing the finger to eventually fester. Another big disadvantage of these pads is the fact that the one cleaning the surface, usually in washing pots and pans, has to emerse his hands into the water. Numerous devices have been developed for eliminating the need of emersing the hands in the wash water but none of these have been completely satisfactory used with a scouring pad of the type described above.

An object of this invention is to provide a cleaning and scouring apparatus which will eliminate the need of grasping the scouring fibers.

Another object of this invention is to provide a means for mounting a scouring element on a support having a handle.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a means for supporting a scouring element, of the type described above, on a handle in such a manner that the scouring pad will be evenly distributed on the support and be held firmly in that position.

Other objects will become apparent upon reading the following specification in conjunction with the appended drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 shows an oblique view of the cleaning apparatus.

Fig. 2 shows a side elevational cross sectional view of the apparatus taken along the plane II-II of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows a modified form of the invention.

Briefly, this invention relates to the combination of a fibers having openings or interstices therebetween through which the bristles of the brush are adapted to extend. The scouring element is shaped to fit about the brush and when placed on the brush the bristles extend through the openings or interstices between the fibers of the scouring element. With this arrangement the bristles firmly hold the scouring element evenly distributed on the brush. This even distribution of the scouring element is maintained by the bristles.

1 A more detailed explanation of this invention can be made. by refening tothedrawings. In Fig. 1 reference numeral 10 indicates the brush. Thebrush 10 has a handle 11 and the wire support member 1.2 extending therefrom and secured rigidly in the handle. As illustrated, wire support members 12 include two wires wound one on each other. This structure is provided for the purpose of mounting or securing the bristles 13 between the wires. The bristles are gripped between the wires and extend radially in all directionstherefrom.

Reference numeral '14 indicates the scouring element. This scouring pad can be many different types, some of which have been previously referred to. In the drawing there is shown the type consisting of numerous, semi-rigid, curled fibers. These fibers are very similar to thin metal shavings obtainedjfrorircutting"threads in a screw or bolt. The'curled fibers are very fine and are matted or bunched together so that they become intertwined. The

Another type ofscouring element is fabricated by knit,

ting a ribbonof semi rigid fnaterialx The scouring element usuallyfconsists' bfseveial layers 6f such" knitted material. The knitting is very coarse thereby leaving openings or interstices in the body of the element. The shape of the openings or interstices depends upon the type of knit or weave. This does not form a part of this invention. The only prerequisite is that there be sufficient large enough openings or interstices between the fibers for the bristles 13 to extend therethrough. In the knitted type of scouring pad the pad is placed about the brush and pushed onto the bristles of the brush so that the bristles extend into the openings or interstices between the fibers. The shape of the brush shown in Fig. 1 works very satisfactorily for such a knitted type scouring element because the knitted material can be pushed in between the loop formed by the bristles. The bristles then hold the knitted material on the brush.

This latter type scouring element can be made either of metal or any other type of abrasive material. An example of a metal knitted scouring element is that marketed under the name of Chore Girl, the trademark of the Metal Textile Corporation. The Chore Girl, scouring element is knitted from continuous copper ribbon. Some knitted scouring elements are made of plastic material. An example of one is that marketed under the name Tutfy, the trademark of the S. O. S. Company.

In the broadcast aspect of this invention, the material from which the scouring element is made does not make any difference. The only prerequisite is that the material be semi-rigid, fibrous, and have abrasive qualities. By abrasive qualities I do not mean that it will scratch but that it will tend to rub ofi dirt from a surface.

Fig. 3 shows a modified shape of a brush. Reference numeral 20 indicates the brush comprising the handle 21, the wire support member 22, and the bristles 23. In this modification, the handle is circular in shape. This configuration is such that when one grasps the handle, the top of the handle bears against the palm of the hand. The wire support member 22 is secured to the handle 21. The wires 22 are circular, making the brush donut shaped. The scouring element 14 is mounted on the brush 20 in the same manner as that previously described in respect to Fig. l.

The preferred scouring element to be used in this invention is the curled fiber type. This curled fiber type is preferable for several reasons. First, it is easily deformed and can be evenly distributed on the brush easier than the other types of scouring elements. Another advantage is that the curled fiber type scouring element need not be manufactured in any particular shape. The elements can be matted or bunched together in a ball and when it is to be placed on the brush the material can be easily pulled apart and shaped to conform with the shape of the brush. Furthermore, the curled type element need not be made in any specific size. If one size is too large some of the curled fibers can be easily parted from the ball and the remaining fibers installed on the brush. If the ball is too small, additional fibers can be added to the original ball and then formed to the appropriate shape for fitting onto the brush.

The curled fiber type scouring element also adheres to the brush more effectively than the other types of scouring elements. The curled fibers tend to wrap around each of the bristles 13 and 23. Thus, they cling to the brush and are not easily displaced or moved by use.

One important advantage of this apparatus is that the scouring elements can be easily placed on the support and moved when it is necessary to replace the element. No intricate support means is necessary to attach the scouring element to the support. After the scouring element has been used for some time and it becomes worn or dirty, it can be simply removed by pulling it away from the bristles 13. Then a clean scouring element can be placed on the bristles. During the use of the curled, fiber type scouring element, the fibers are sometimes pushed between the bristles. In such .cases, the cleaning apparatus may be reconditioned by simply pulling an adell. quate number of fibers outwardly of the bristles a sufiicient distance so that the abrasive characteristic of the unit is restored.

In some instances, especially with the knitted type scouring element, it may be desirable for purposes of appearance to secure the ends of the scouring element together at the base of the brush.

It will be seen thatI have provided a cleaning apparatus having a very simple but very efiective mounting means for the scouring element. The scouring element is evenly distributed over the support and also is held firmly on the support, this being accomplished by simply placing the scouring element on the bristles of the brush. It should be understood that in describing this invention the embodiment and modifications shown are for purposes of illustration only. Various and diflerent modifications and embodiments can be utilized without departing from the scope of this invention. This invention should only be limited as expressly stated in the appended claim.

I claim:

A cleaning brush comprising a central core with bristles diverging therefrom; a scouring element made of curled, metallic, non-woven fibers bunched together to form a metallic sponge; said element substantially enveloping said brush with said bristles extending between said curled. fibers and a substantial number of said fibers wrapped around said bristles whereby said element is firmly held in place by said bristles.

References Cited the file of this patent Great Britain s Oct. 24, 1933}

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