WO2004084700A1

WO2004084700A1 - A cooking accessory cleaning apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2004084700A1
Application number: PCT/IB2004/000847
Authority: WO
Inventors: Diederick Jacobus LÜES
Original assignee: Luees Diederick Jacobus
Priority date: 2003-03-24
Filing date: 2004-03-23
Publication date: 2004-10-07
Also published as: WO2004084700B1

Abstract

The invention relates to cooking accessory cleaning apparatus (10), which includes a receptacle body (12) defining a cavity (18) in which a cooking accessory (100) is receivable. The apparatus (10) further includes scrubbing element mounting means (24, 26, 30, 32, 34) defined on an internal surface (28) of the receptacle body (12) for mounting at least one scrubbing element (36, 38) adjacent to the cavity (18) in order to contact a said cooking accessory (100) received in the cavity (18). The invention extends to a scrubbing element (36, 38).

Description

A COOKING ACCESSORY CLEANING APPARATUS

THIS INVENTION relates to a cooking accessory cleaning apparatus. The invention extends to a scrubbing element for a cooking accessory cleaning apparatus.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a cooking accessory cleaning apparatus, which includes a receptacle body defining a cavity in which a cooking accessory is receivable; and scrubbing element mounting means defined on an internal surface of the receptacle body for mounting at least one scrubbing element adjacent to the cavity in order to contact a said cooking accessory received in the cavity.

The receptacle body may include a base and a peripheral side wall extending upwardly from the base to define an upwardly open fluid-tight cavity, such that the receptacle body can hold a cleaning fluid within the cavity thereby to provide a bath in which a said cooking accessory received in the cavity can be soaked.

The cleaning apparatus may include support means for supporting the receptacle body in an upright orientation on a support surface. The cleaning apparatus may further include a closure element for closing an operatively upper open end of the body.

The receptacle body may define a drain at an operatively lower end thereof, by which a fluid, typically a cleaning fluid, received in the cavity can be drained from the cavity. The cleaning apparatus may include at least one scrubbing element mounted adjacent to the cavity, via the scrubbing element mounting means, the at least one scrubbing element comprising a base from which bristles protrude. Preferably, the cleaning apparatus includes two scrubbing elements mounted at spaced positions adjacent to the cavity, such that the scrubbing elements define between them a receiving zone in which a said cooking accessory is receivable.

The scrubbing element mounting means may include at least one slot formation defined in an internal surface of the receptacle body, in which an edge portion of the at least one scrubbing element is removably receivable. More particularly, the scrubbing element mounting means may include at least one pair of opposed slot formations defined in the internal surface of the receptacle body, in which opposed edge portions of a scrubbing element are removably receivable.

Preferably, at least two spaced pairs of opposed slot formations are defined in the internal surface of the receptacle for removably receiving two scrubbing elements at spaced positions adjacent to the cavity to define between them the receiving zone in which a said cooking accessory is receivable.

The cleaning apparatus may include retaining means for releasably retaining the scrubbing element received in the or each slot formation in position in the slot formation.

The receptacle body may be of a synthetic plastic material. Naturally, however, the body may be of any other suitable material.

The cavity may be generally rectangular in cross-section. At least one recess may be defined in the internal surface of the receptacle body for accommodating a projection, eg. a handle or foot, defined on a said cooking accessory received in the cavity. The cooking accessory will typically be in the form of an element defining a cooking surface, such as, for example, a griddle or gridiron, a plate or a pan.

The receptacle body may define at least one handle formation by which the receptacle body can be gripped for carrying by a user.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a scrubbing element, for a cooking accessory cleaning apparatus, as hereinbefore described, which scrubbing element includes a plate-like body having a plurality of bristles which protrude therefrom.

The bristles may be arranged in bristle clusters, each bristle cluster comprising a plurality of bristles which project laterally outwardly from the face of the body. A series of spaced sets of bristle clusters may extend diagonally across the body. It is to be appreciated that the series of spaced sets of bristle clusters may instead extend lengthwise across or across a breadth of the body.

The body may be generally rectangular. The body may define at least one handhold for a user.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 shows a longitudinal sectional view through a cooking accessory cleaning apparatus in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 shows a top plan view of the cooking accessory cleaning apparatus of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 shows a sectional view of the cleaning apparatus of Figure 1 , taken along the line Ill-Ill in Figure 2; and

Figure 4 shows a three-dimensional view of the cooking accessory cleaning apparatus of Figure 1 , with the scrubbing elements and closure element removed. In the drawings, reference numeral 10 refers generally to a cooking accessory cleaning apparatus in accordance with the invention. The cleaning apparatus 10 includes an upwardly open receptacle body 12 having a base 21 and a peripheral side wall 200, which extends upwardly from the base 21 to define an upwardly open fluid-tight cavity 18. The body 12 is roughly rectangular box-shaped, the base 21 being generally rectangular and the peripheral side wall 200 being defined by spaced sides 13, 15 and opposed ends 17, 19. The sides 13, 15 are generally rectangular in outline. An operatively upper end 16 of the body 12 defines a mouth 14 leading into the cavity 18 and a peripheral lip 23 adjacent to the mouth 14. The cavity 18 is of generally rectangular cross-section. The cavity 18 is of stepwise-reduced width, comprising an operatively upper portion 20 of increased width and an operatively lower portion 22 of reduced width. A pair of opposed bulge formations 103 is defined centrally in the operatively upper end 16 of the body 12, each bulge formation 103 defining in turn a concave recess 105 in the internal surface 28 of the body 12 at its operatively upper end 16.

As can best be seen from Figures 2 and 4 of the drawings, a pair of slot formations 24, 26 are defined at opposed positions in an internal surface 28 of the receptacle body 12 proximate a side 13 of the body 12. The slot formations 24, 26 extend generally parallel to the ends 17, 19 of the body 12 for the length of the portion of increased width 20 of the cavity 18. Three further pairs of opposed slot formations 30, 32, 34 are defined in the internal surface 18 of the body 12 proximate the side 15 of the receptacle body 12. Each slot formation of the pairs 30, 32, 34 extends generally parallel to the ends 17, 19 of the body 12 for the length of the portion of increased width 20 of the cavity 18.

The opposed slot formations 24, 26 are configured to receive opposed edge portions of a scrubbing element, provided by a bristle plate 36, slidably therein such that the bristle plate 36 abuts a shoulder 49 (see Figure 1 ) defined between the portion of increased width 20 and the portion of decreased width 22 by the internal surface 28 of the body 12. The bristle plate 36 is in this way removably mounted within the cavity 18. Similarly, the pairs of opposed slot formations 30, 32, 34 are configured slidably to receive opposed edge portions of a second scrubbing element, in the form of a bristle plate 38, therein to an extent at which an operatively lower end 69 of the bristle plate 38 abuts the shoulder 49 thereby removably to mount the bristle plate 38 within the cavity 18. The bristle plates 36, 38 are thus removabl/ mountable within the portion of increased width 20 of the cavity 18 so as to be arranged in spaced relationship, such that they define between them a receiving zone 39 in which a cooking accessory 100, typically a griddle or gridiron, or other generally planar cooking element defining a cooking surface on which food to be cooked can be supported, is receivable. It will be appreciated that the bristle plate 38 can be inserted into any one of the pairs of opposed slot formations 30, 32, 34 such that the width of the receiving zone 39 can selectively be increased or decreased to accommodate a cooking accessory 100 of particular thickness or width.

Reference is now made to Figure 3 of the drawings, in which the same reference numerals used above are used to designate similar parts. As can be seen from Figure 3, the bristle plate 36 is generally rectangular having a contoured operatively upper edge 37. An oval cut-out 39 defined proximate the upper edge 37 provides a handhold for a user. The bristle plate 36 has an array of spaced bristle clusters 40 protruding from a face 42 thereof. Each bristle cluster 40 comprises a plurality of bristles which project laterally outwardly from the face 42. The array of bristle clusters 40 is comprised of a series of spaced sets 44 of bristle clusters 40 which extend diagonally across the face 42 of the plate 36. The bristle plate 36 has a width W of 610 mm and a length L of 260 mm in the embodiment shown. In other embodiments, the bristle plate 36 may have a width between 160 mm and 260 mm.

The bristle plate 38 is similar to the bristle plate 36 but is of smaller dimensions, having a width of 344 mm and a length of between 160 mm and 260 mm, preferably 260 mm. As can best be seen from Figure 2 of the drawings, the cooking accessory 10 includes retaining means, provided by two pairs of clips 50 mounted to the receptacle body 12 at opposed positions adjacent to the slot formations 24, 26 and the slot formations of the pairs 30, 32, 34. A first pair of clips 50 is mounted to the body 12 such that one clip 50 is adjacent to each slot formation 24, 26. A second pair of clips 50 is mounted such that one clip 50 is adjacent to one slot formation of each of the three pairs of opposed slot formations 30, 32, 34. The clips 50 are mounted via pivot pins 51 to the body 12 to be pivotally displaceable between an open condition, in which the brush plates 36, 38 are slidably receivable in an operatively upper open end 113 of each slot formation, and a closed condition, in which the operatively upper open end 113 of each slot formation is closed by the clip such that bristle plates 36, 38 received between the slot formations of a pair cannot be displaced relative to the slot formations. The clips 50 are thus configured, when in a closed condition, to retain the bristle plates 36, 38 in position in the slot formations.

A pair of spaced roughly rectangular recesses 60 are defined in the internal surface 28 of the receptacle body 12 for accommodating handles or feet projecting from the cooking accessory 100 received in the cavity 18.

The cleaning apparatus 10 includes support means, provided by a foot piece 52 (Figures 1 and 3), which is clip-fittingly receivable on an operatively lower end 102 of the receptacle body 12 to support the receptacle body 12 in an upright orientation on a support surface, such as the ground. The cleaning apparatus 10 further includes a closure lid 54 (Figure 1) which is hingedly connected to the lip 23 for selectively opening and closing the mouth 14 of the body 12.

The receptacle body 12 is typically of a synthetic plastic material, such as for example, polypropylene. The bristles of the clusters 40 are similarly typically manufactured of a synthetic plastic material, such as, polypropylene. It is to be appreciated, however, that any other suitable material may be used. In the embodiment shown in the drawings (see Figure 3), the receptacle body 12 further defines a pair of handle formations 111 by which the receptacle body 12 can be gripped for carrying by a user.

In use, a liquid cleaning agent is typically received within the cavity 18 such that the body 12 provides a bath in which a cooking accessory 100 can be soaked. The cleaning agent may, for example, comprise an aqueous solution of a degreasing (or surface active) agent with anti-rust properties. Naturally, however, any suitable cleaning agent may be used. The cooking accessory 100, typically in the form of a gridiron or griddle (Figure 2), is thereafter received in the cavity 18 to soak in the cleaning agent, typically for a period of between about 4 hours and about 8 hours, to soften food and fat that has burnt onto a cooking surface of the cooking accessory 100. In the embodiment shown in the drawings (see Figure 3), the receptacle body 12 defines a drain outlet 70 at its operatively lower end 102 by which liquid cleaning agent held in the cavity 18 can be drained from the body 12. The apparatus 10 includes a plug 72 for sealing the drain outlet 70.

Prior to draining of the cavity 18 or once the cavity 18 has been drained, the brush plates 36, 38 are slidably inserted into the slot formations 24, 26 and one of the pairs of slot formations 30, 32, 34, respectively. Preferably the cleaning agent is retained in the cavity 18 during this step. It will be appreciated that the recesses 105 provide a space into which a hand of a user can be inserted to facilitate insertion of the brush plates 36, 38 into and removal of the brush plates 36, 38 from the cavity 18. Further, the cut-out 39 in each brush plate 36, 38 provides a handhold for a user.

Typically, the cooking accessory 100 is removed from the cavity 18 in which it has been soaking before the brush plates 36, 38 are inserted into the slot formations. Once the brush plates 36, 38 are retained in position, by pivotal displacement of the clips 50 to their closed positions, the cooking accessory 100 is re-inserted into the cavity 18. It will be appreciated that as the cooking accessory 100 is passed across the bristles of the bristle clusters 40 it is subjected to an abrading action which facilitates removal of the softened foodstuff adhered to a cooking surface of the cooking accessory 100 from the surface. It will be appreciated that the brush plate 38 will be inserted into one of the pairs of slot formations 30, 32, 34 so that the receiving zone 39 defined between the brush plate 38 and the brush plate 36, inserted into the slot formations 24, 26, is sufficiently wide to accommodate the cooking accessory 100 such that the bristles contact the cooking accessory 100. The cooking accessory 100 is typically displaced upwardly and downwardly a number of times so as to enhance the cleaning action and until most, if not all, of the foodstuff on the cooking accessory 100 is removed.

Once sufficiently cleaned the cooking accessory 100 is removed from the cavity 18 via the mouth 14 and the plug 72 is removed from the drain outlet 70 to permit the cleaning agent to drain from the body 12. The cavity 18 may be rinsed and dried before storage. It will be appreciated that the apparatus 10 may serve as a storage device for the cooking accessory 100 after cleaning, either with or without the bristle plates 36, 38 in place.

The Applicant believes that the cooking accessory cleaning apparatus 10 of the invention will provide an effective means of cleaning a soiled cooking surface of a cooking accessory 100.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A cooking accessory cleaning apparatus, which includes a receptacle body defining a cavity in which a cooking accessory is receivable; and scrubbing element mounting means for mounting at least one scrubbing element adjacent to the cavity in order to contact a said cooking accessory received in the cavity.

2. A cooking accessory cleaning apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 , in which the receptacle body includes a base and a peripheral side wall extending upwardly from the base to define an upwardly open fluid-tight cavity.

3. A cooking accessory cleaning apparatus as claimed in Claim 2, which includes support means for supporting the receptacle body in an upright orientation on a support surface.

4. A cooking accessory cleaning apparatus as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3, which includes a closure element for closing an operatively upper open end of the receptacle body.

5. A cooking accessory cleaning apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 4, inclusive, in which the receptacle body defines a drain at an operatively lower end thereof, by which a fluid received in the cavity can be drained from the cavity.

6. A cooking accessory cleaning apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which includes at least one scrubbing element mounted adjacent to the cavity, the at least one scrubbing element comprising a base from which bristles protrude.

7. A cooking accessory cleaning apparatus as claimed in Claim 6, which includes two scrubbing elements mounted at spaced positions adjacent to the cavity, such that the scrubbing elements define between them a receiving zone in which a said cooking accessory is receivable.

8. A cooking accessory cleaning apparatus as claimed in Claim 6 or Claim 7, in which the scrubbing element mounting means includes at least one slot formation defined in an internal surface of the receptacle body, in which an edge portion of the at least one scrubbing element is removably receivable.

9. A cooking accessory cleaning apparatus as claimed in Claim 8, in which the scrubbing element mounting means includes at least one pair of opposed slot formations defined in the internal surface of the receptacle body, in which opposed edge portions of the at least one scrubbing element are removably receivable.

10. A cooking accessory cleaning apparatus as claimed in Claim 8 or Claim 9, which includes retaining means for releasably retaining the scrubbing element received in the or each slot formation in position in the slot formation.

11. A cooking accessory cleaning apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the receptacle body is of a synthetic plastic material.

12. A cooking accessory cleaning apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the cavity is generally rectangular in cross-section.

13. A cooking accessory cleaning apparatus as claimed in Claim 12, in which at least one recess is defined in an internal surface of the receptacle body for accommodating a projection defined on a said cooking accessory received in the cavity.

14. A cooking accessory cleaning apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the receptacle body defines at least one handle formation by which the receptacle body can be gripped for carrying by a user.

15. A scrubbing element, for a cooking accessory cleaning apparatus, as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 14, inclusive, which scrubbing element includes a plate-like body having a plurality of bristles which protrude therefrom.

16. A scrubbing element as claimed in Claim 15, in which the bristles are arranged in bristle clusters.

17. A scrubbing element as claimed in Claim 16, in which a series of spaced sets of bristle clusters extend across the body.

18. A scrubbing element as claimed in any one of Claims 15 to Claim 17, inclusive, in which the body is generally rectangular.

19. A scrubbing element as claimed in any one of Claims 15 to Claim 18, inclusive, in which the body defines at least one handhold for a user.