WO2016207599A1

WO2016207599A1 - Animal cleaning tool, apparatus and method

Info

Publication number: WO2016207599A1
Application number: PCT/GB2016/051535
Authority: WO
Inventors: Malcolm Deryck RAWLE; Christopher Philip ROSE
Original assignee: Rawle Malcolm Deryck; Rose Christopher Philip
Priority date: 2015-06-25
Filing date: 2016-05-27
Publication date: 2016-12-29
Also published as: GB201511221D0; GB2539701A

Abstract

An animal cleaning tool (10) for cleaning and/or grooming an animal, the animal cleaning tool (10) having a tool body (12) including a tool head (14) through which fluid can be dispensed. There is then provided a cleaning liquid flow path associated with the tool head (14) to dispense cleaning liquid, a rinsing liquid flow path associated with the tool head (14) to dispense rinsing liquid, and an airflow path associated with the tool head (14) to dispense air. An animal cleaning apparatus (100) using the tool (10) and a method of use are also presented.

Description

Animal Cleaning Tool, Apparatus and Method

The present invention relates to an animal cleaning tool, to an animal cleaning apparatus utilising such an animal cleaning tool, and to method of reducing the number of tools required to clean and/or groom an animal. Furthermore, there is provided a cleaning tool which may be used to clean and/or groom an animal.

In order to clean and groom an animal to a professional standard, there are several steps required. The animal must be washed with a cleaning product, the cleaning product must then be rinsed from the animal, and the animal then dried.

At present, washing occurs via application of water to the animal, in a bath or using a hose, and then a cleaning product must be manually applied to the animal. The soapy water must then be disposed of such that the animal can be rinsed free of the cleaning product. The animal can then either be towelled dry, or be dried using a mechanical blower or hairdryer.

Each of these stages are separate, which results in at least three tools being required; one each for cleaning, rinsing and drying. This can result in excessive water usage, as the rinsing water must be refreshed as it becomes contaminated with cleaning product, and also excessive power usage if, for example, the flow through each tool is separately driven.

The overall cleaning and grooming process is therefore very labour-intensive, particularly for situations in which multiple different cleaning products must be applied and separately rinsed, such as soap and conditioner. Furthermore, the greater the number of steps involved in the cleaning process, the more stressed the animal being groomed is likely to become, which can then in turn make the grooming process more challenging. It is therefore an object of the present invention to reduce the equipment requirements for cleaning and/or grooming an animal, in addition to secondarily reducing water and/or electricity consumption for the process. According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an animal cleaning tool for cleaning and/or grooming an animal, the animal cleaning tool comprising: a tool head through which fluid can be dispensed; a cleaning liquid flow path directed through the tool head to dispense cleaning liquid; a rinsing liquid flow path directed through the tool head to dispense rinsing liquid; and an air flow path associated with the tool head to dispense air.

By combining the cleaning liquid, rinsing liquid and air flows into a single animal cleaning tool, the number of tools required to clean and/or groom an animal is immediately reduced. This can beneficially lessen the overall power and water consumption, in addition to time and labour requirements for an operator, of the cleaning and/or grooming procedure.

Preferably, there may further comprise an air return flow path positioned on the air flow path, the air return flow path being arranged to encourage cleaning liquid flow along the cleaning liquid flow path. Advantageously, the volumetric requirements of the assembly are substantially reduced by providing the air return conduit which allows the cleaning fluid to be propelled through the animal cleaning tool using the same propulsion mechanism as for the air. This leads to a reduction in the power consumption of the apparatus when compared with individual grooming tools. There may further comprise a tool body engaged with the tool head which defines a fluid chamber through which at least the cleaning liquid and air flow paths pass, a fluid outlet of the fluid chamber being defined through the tool head.

By providing a fluid chamber into which the cleaning liquid and air flow paths pass, the total volume required by the animal cleaning tool can be reduced. Additionally, the air can aid with the propulsion of the cleaning liquid through the animal cleaning tool.

Optionally, there may further comprise a funnel positioned inside the fluid chamber associated with the fluid outlet, the funnel being positioned directly in the cleaning liquid flow path, and the funnel may act as a venturi for the cleaning liquid on the cleaning liquid flow path. The provision of a funnel on the cleaning liquid flow path allows the cleaning fluid to be channelled in a directed stream out of the fluid chamber and onto the animal. This beneficially ensures that the cleaning fluid exits the animal cleaning tool in a controlled manner despite being coaxial with the air flow path. In one preferred embodiment, there may further comprise at least one further fluid outlet associated with the tool head and positioned on the rinsing liquid flow path, and the or each further fluid outlet may be spaced apart from the said fluid outlet. At least part of the rinsing liquid flow path may be positioned external to the tool body at or adjacent to the or each further fluid outlet. By separating the rinsing liquid flow path from the cleaning liquid flow path, there is a minimal risk of contamination between the two. This ensures that rinsing of the animal can be performed in an efficient manner, thereby reducing the wastage of water associated with the cleaning process.

Preferably, the tool body and tool head may be releasably interengagable, in which case a plurality of interchangeable tool heads may be provided.

Providing an animal cleaning tool with releasably engagable components advantageously allows a user to access the fluid chamber for repair, cleaning or maintenance, as well as allowing the user to replace the animal cleaning head for one having a different outlet configuration as desired. The air may be propelled by an air blower.

Generally, the air will be provided using an air blower which is able to rapidly dry the animal. As the tool body can be formed as an elongate cylinder, the tool can be placed at or adjacent to the animal's skin in use without risking overheating, allowing the blower to create a soothing or calming massage effect for the animal. This makes the animal more likely to relax during the cleaning and/or grooming process, which can in turn result in a more efficient clean or groom.

Ideally, there may further comprise a wireless controller for remotely controlling a status of at least the cleaning liquid, rinsing liquid and air flow paths. Fluid flow along each of the cleaning liquid, rinsing liquid and air flow paths may be independently operable.

By providing a wireless controller, all operations of the animal cleaning tool can be advantageously controlled directly from the animal cleaning tool. This ensures that an operator need only interact with a single point of contact for an apparatus, removing or reducing time wasted in changing tools between stages of the cleaning and/or grooming process.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an animal cleaning apparatus for cleaning an animal, the cleaning apparatus comprising: an animal cleaning tool, preferably in accordance with the first aspect of the invention; a cleaning liquid reservoir in fluid communication with the cleaning liquid flow path of the cleaning tool; a rinsing liquid source in fluid communication with the rinsing fluid flow path of the cleaning tool; and an air propulsion means or air propeller in fluid communication with the air flow path of the cleaning tool.

By providing the animal cleaning tool as part of an animal cleaning apparatus, a complete set of equipment can be provided on site for cleaning and grooming the animal, thereby minimising the time and cost required in order to fully clean and/or groom the animal to a professional standard.

The air propulsion means or air propeller may include an electrically-operable motor, and there may further comprise an air heating means or air heater for heating the said air prior to passage along the air flow path.

Heating the output air can provide a relaxing experience for an animal being cleaned, ensuring that it stays calm during the cleaning and/or grooming process.

In one preferable embodiment, there may be provided a plurality of said cleaning liquid reservoirs, each said cleaning liquid reservoir containing a different cleaning liquid. Where this is the case, a valve may be provided on the cleaning liquid flow path to permit selective control of cleaning liquid flow from the said plurality of cleaning liquid reservoirs. The animal cleaning apparatus can be advantageously modified so as to include any number of appropriate cleaning products which the user intends to apply to the animal, thereby reducing the amount of equipment required to groom and clean the animal to as great a degree as possible.

Where a said air return flow path is provided, the or each cleaning liquid reservoir may be in fluid communication with the air return flow path to aerate and/or pressurise cleaning liquid therein. Furthermore, a pressure-relief valve may be associated with the or each cleaning liquid reservoir.

By channelling some of the air into the cleaning liquid reservoir or reservoirs, a propulsion force can be created to promote fluid flow through the cleaning liquid flow path, ensuring an efficient and constant stream of cleaning liquid at the animal being cleaned.

There may preferably further comprise a rinsing liquid heating means or rinsing liquid heater for heating the rinsing liquid prior to passage along the rinsing liquid flow path.

By providing a heated liquid source for the rinsing liquid, the temperature applied to the animal can be maintained at a desirable temperature, either for the operator and/or animal's comfort, or for optimum cleaning conditions.

Preferably, at least the or each cleaning liquid reservoir and the air propulsion means or air propeller may be co-located in a control unit.

A single control unit containing at least a majority of the components of the animal cleaning apparatus other than the tool allows for a compact arrangement to be produced, resulting in a more readily stowable apparatus.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of reducing the number of tools required to clean and/or groom an animal, the method comprising the steps of: a] providing a cleaning apparatus preferably in accordance with the second aspect of the invention; and b] sequentially dispensing cleaning and/or grooming fluids from the cleaning tool through the cleaning liquid, rinsing liquid and air flow paths. Providing a single grooming tool from which an operator can sequentially control an air flow, a cleaning liquid flow and a rinsing liquid flow simplifies and enhances the cleaning and/or grooming process for both the operator and the animal.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a cleaning tool comprising: a tool body including a tool head through which fluid can be dispensed; a liquid flow path associated with the tool head to dispense cleaning liquid; and an air or similar gas flow path associated with the tool head to dispense air or similar gas; wherein the air or similar gas flow path is arranged such that the flow of air or similar gas imparts a propulsion force along the liquid flow path. Preferably, there may further comprise a funnel positioned within the tool body on the liquid flow path and air or similar gas flow path, and additionally or alternatively there may be provided an air or similar gas return path positioned on the air or similar gas flow path and in fluid communication with the liquid flow path to provide the said propulsion force along the liquid flow path. Potentially, the cleaning tool could beneficially be utilised in environments other than those ordinarily associated with animal cleaning, and the tool could be further compacted so as to only require one liquid flow path and one air or similar gas flow path therethrough, with the air or similar gas flow promoting liquid flow through the tool. The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective representation of one embodiment of an animal cleaning tool, in accordance with the first aspect of the invention;

Figure 2 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional representation of the animal cleaning tool of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a diagrammatic representation of one embodiment of an animal cleaning apparatus in accordance with the second aspect of the invention, incorporating the animal cleaning tool of Figure 1; Figure 4 shows an enlarged diagrammatic representation of the dashed portion of Figure 3; and

Figure 5 shows a diagrammatic representation of a control panel of the animal cleaning apparatus as shown in Figure 3. Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown an animal cleaning tool, indicated globally at 10, intended for use in the cleaning and/or grooming of animals, typically dogs.

The animal cleaning tool 10 comprises a, preferably cylindrical or substantially cylindrical tool body 12 which is attached at one end to a tool head 14, releasably so in the depicted embodiment.

The tool body 12 is here formed from a plastics material, although any sufficiently fluid-tight material will suffice, and defines a fluid chamber 16 therein. An entrance limb 18 projects from the external radial surface of the tool body 12 through which fluid conduits may enter; however, the entrance limb 18 is merely illustrative of one way of supplying access to the fluid chamber 16. The entrance limb 18 here also acts as a handle for the tool 10, though any appropriately ergonomic handle portion could be provided to allow user manipulation of the tool 10.

The tool head 14 is positioned at one end of the tool body 12 and here is a circular cap having a primary, central fluid outlet 20 in direct communication with the fluid chamber, and a plurality of secondary apertures 22 disposed radially outwards of the central fluid outlet 20 and acting as further fluid outlets. In the depicted embodiment, the tool head 14 is screw-threadably matable with the tool body 12. This allows the tool head 14 to be one of a plurality of different tool heads which can be interchangeably engaged with the tool body 12, potentially to provide different cleaning or grooming effects, for instance, a brush or sponge head.

At an opposing end of the tool body 12 to the tool head 14 is inserted part of a blower 24, specifically a blower head 26 thereof, best illustrated in Figure 3, which is arranged to propel driven or pressurised air through the fluid chamber 16 and out of the central fluid outlet 20. It will be appreciated that whilst this will generally be an air blower, any gas could be driven through the fluid chamber 16, and the blower head 26 thereby defines an air or similar gas inlet 28 inside the tool body 12, and thereby an air or similar gas flow path through the animal cleaning tool 10.

Adjacent to the central fluid outlet 20 inside the fluid chamber 16 is positioned a funnel 30 arranged to direct fluid out through the central fluid outlet 20. The funnel 30 is preferably, and as shown in Figure 3, slightly spaced-apart from the central fluid outlet 20, but may alternatively be in direct contact therewith.

Entering the tool body 12 via the entrance limb 18 is a cleaning liquid conduit 32, an end of which defines a cleaning liquid inlet 34 inside the fluid chamber 16. The cleaning liquid conduit 32 and cleaning liquid inlet 34 therefore define a cleaning liquid flow path through the animal cleaning tool 10 which extends through the tool head 14 via the fluid outlet 20. The cleaning liquid inlet 34 is positioned so as to be at or adjacent to a head 36 of the funnel 30, thereby channelling emergent cleaning liquid towards the central fluid outlet 20 through the funnel 30. The narrowing of the funnel 30 following the funnel head 36 may result in the funnel acting as a venturi for the cleaning liquid.

Also entering the entrance limb 18, although emerging therefrom prior to entering into the tool body 12 is a rinsing liquid conduit 38, an end of which defines a rinsing liquid inlet 40 at or adjacent to the tool head 14. The rinsing liquid conduit 38 and rinsing liquid inlet 40 thereby define a rinsing liquid flow path directed through the tool head 14. The rinsing liquid conduit 38 extends along an external surface 42 of the tool body 12 to meet the tool head 14, though the rinsing liquid conduit 38 could readily be fed through the fluid chamber 16 if desired.

The rinsing liquid inlet 40 is in engagement with the tool head 14 and the plurality of secondary apertures 22 therein, through which rinsing liquid may exit the tool head 14. This therefore provides an alternative exit pathway from the animal cleaning tool 10 for the rinsing liquid, such that it does not become contaminated with cleaning liquid. The rinsing liquid inlet 40 could, however, be coincident with the cleaning liquid inlet 34, if desired, the exit from the tool head 14 of any fluid in the fluid chamber 16 being either of the central fluid outlet 20 or the secondary apertures 22. There would then be no need to provide the unused one of the central fluid outlet 20 or the secondary apertures 22 in the tool head 14.

In addition to the cleaning liquid conduit 32 and the rinsing liquid conduit 38 entering through the entrance limb 18, there is provided an air or similar gas return conduit 44 which enters into the fluid chamber 16 of the tool body 12. A free end 46 of the air return conduit 44 is arranged so as to face the air inlet 28 formed by the blower head 26 and thereby capture some of the air as it enters into the fluid chamber 16 from the blower 24. The air return conduit 44 and free end 46 thereof therefore define an air or similar gas return path. In the depicted embodiment, the air return conduit 44 is recurved upon itself following entry into the fluid chamber 16, thereby defining a hook-shaped flow path out of the entrance limb 18. The free end 46 of the air return conduit 44 may be splayed, as illustrated in Figure 3 so as to capture a greater proportion of air from the blower 24.

The animal cleaning tool 10 as a whole is connected to a control unit 48, which can be seen in Figure 3, and is shown in isolation in Figure 4. The animal cleaning tool 10 and control unit 48 thereby form a complete animal cleaning apparatus 100, as in Figure 3. Whilst the control unit 48 is preferably a single device for ease, it will be appreciated that the various components thereof could be provided individually.

The control unit 48 has a control unit housing 50 which encloses or substantially the remaining components. These remaining components include a propulsion generator 54 of the blower 24, typically a motor as illustrated, though other air propulsion generation means or air propellers are available, and an air or similar gas conduit 52, forming part of the air flow path, which connects the propulsion generator 54 to the blower head 26. There is also provided at least one cleaning liquid reservoir 56, here illustrated as a separate soap reservoir 56a and conditioner reservoir 56b. The following description assumes two such cleaning liquid reservoirs 56a, 56b will be used, but any number of cleaning liquid reservoirs 56 may be used. Where a single cleaning liquid reservoir 56 is provided, there will clearly be no need for splitting of either of the cleaning liquid or air return conduits 32, 44. Each cleaning liquid reservoir 56a, 56b is connected to the cleaning liquid conduit 32, a two-way valve 58 being provided so as to separate the cleaning liquid conduit 32 into distinct cleaning liquid conduit portions 32a, 32b. An end of each cleaning liquid conduit portion 32a, 32b extends into a cleaning liquid stored within the respective soap or conditioner reservoir 56a, 56b, preferably with a filter 60 connected to said end. The two-way valve 58 may be provided as a servo unit which serves to selectively block one or other cleaning liquid conduit portion 32a, 32b

In a similar manner, each of the soap and conditioner reservoirs 56a, 56b is connected to the air return conduit 44, a further two-way valve 58 being provided so as to separate the air return conduit 44 into distinct air return conduit portions 44a, 44b which are respectively connected to a top portion of the soap and conditioner reservoirs 56a, 56b. As air can enter each of the enclosed soap and conditioner reservoirs 56a, 56b via the air return conduit portions 44a, 44b to pressurise and/or aerate the liquid therein, pressure-relief valves 62 may be provided associated with each reservoir 56a, 56b. Also included in the illustrated control unit 48 is a heater 64 which is associated with the rinsing liquid conduit 38. Typically, the rinsing liquid is merely water, and the heater 64 is a water heater as shown, having a small heated reservoir 66 through which mains water may flow and be heated, and a pump unit 68 to force water through the rinsing liquid conduit 38; the mains water connection 70 is illustrated in Figure 4 associated with the pump unit 68.

The control unit 48 in this instance acts as the primary point of control for the animal cleaning apparatus 100; the control circuitry to operate the propulsion generator 54 of the blower 24, the two-way valves 58 the heater 64, and the pump unit 68 may all be self-contained within the control unit 48. This may be controlled by a main switch 72 attached to the control unit 48 which can activate and deactivate the control circuitry therein.

However, it may be preferable for the functional control of the animal cleaning apparatus 100 to be remotely controlled at or adjacent to the animal cleaning tool 10, as illustrated in Figure 5. Shown is a control panel 74 having a plurality of user interfaces with which the user may interact to control the operation of the animal cleaning apparatus 100. The control panel may include, but is not limited to, an activation controller 76, a rinsing liquid controller 78, a cleaning liquid controller 80, and a blower controller 82, and any or all of these controllers 76, 78, 80, 82 may have an associated status indicator 84 therewith. In the embodiment depicted in Figure 5, the control panel 74 is removably attached to the blower head 26 of the blower 24, and is in wireless communication with the control circuitry of the control unit 48.

A user of the animal cleaning apparatus 100 is able to use it to groom an animal using only a single device, rather than needing a plurality of individual cleaning, rinsing, drying and/or massaging devices as would be presently required. To do so, a user engages the rinsing liquid supply with the rinsing liquid conduit 38, which will generally be the mains water supply, fills the or each cleaning liquid reservoir 56, and activates the control unit 48 using the main switch 72. This allows all remaining operations to be controlled from the animal cleaning tool 10 directly.

A typical cleaning and grooming sequence might proceed as follows: the user may activate the rinsing liquid inlet 40 to rinse the animal in the first instance by activation of the rinsing liquid controller 78, potentially setting the rinsing liquid temperature in the process. Rinsing liquid, here heated water, then flows through the rinsing liquid conduit 38 to the rinsing liquid inlet 40 and out of the secondary apertures 22 onto the animal. Once the animal is sufficiently rinsed, the or each cleaning liquid can be applied. To do so, the user activates the cleaning liquid controller 80, and then either manually or automatically engages the blower 24, preferably on a low setting. The blower 24 will force air, though potentially other gases could be considered, through the air inlet 28 and into the fluid chamber 16, a proportion of which will be captured by the free end 46 of the air return conduit 44.

Air captured by the air return conduit 44 will reflow back to the control unit 48 where it is directed via a two-way valve 58 into a cleaning liquid reservoir 56. Pressurisation of the cleaning liquid reservoir 56 will in turn force cleaning liquid through the cleaning liquid conduit 32 and out of the cleaning liquid inlet 34 inside the fluid chamber 16. The cleaning liquid will then be directed via the funnel 30 out of the central fluid outlet 20 and onto the animal.

The cleaning liquid is applied to the animal by the user, and simultaneously, the effect of the blower 24 on the low setting creates a massaging effect for the animal, soothing and calming it. It will be noted that although the description above suggests that the blower 24, via the air return flow path, creates the necessary propulsion to effect cleaning liquid flow along the cleaning liquid flow path, a distinct propulsion means or propeller could feasibly be provided.

Once the cleaning liquid has been applied, the animal can then be rinsed by activation of the rinsing liquid controller 78 to remove the cleaning liquid from the animal. This will result in a cleaned but wet animal. At this point, the user can activate the blower controller 84 to activate the air inlet 28 of the blower 24 independently of the cleaning liquid inlet 34, which forces air into the fluid chamber 16 and out of the central fluid outlet 20. This air dries the animal whilst again providing a massaging effect to soothe and calming effect.

Advantageously, the present apparatus 100 significantly reduces the equipment requirements to groom and clean an animal, since all features can be controlled from the single point of access at the animal cleaning tool 10.

The rinsing liquid conduit is described as being attached to the external surface of the tool body above, but it will be appreciated that since the blower is not providing the necessary impetus to drive the rinsing liquid through the tool, the rinsing liquid conduit could feasibly be provided as part of a separate device. The tool could then be provided as a combined cleaning head and drier for the animal, with rinsing being provided through a water hose, for instance. Conversely, the blower could also be arranged such that the air return conduit fed into a rinsing liquid source as well as into the cleaning liquid source, thereby also providing the impetus to drive rinsing liquid through the tool.

The various fluids injected into the animal cleaning tool have thus far been described in generalised terms. Whilst it is anticipated that the blower will force heated air through the animal cleaning tool to act as a drying or massaging gas, other gases could be considered if appropriate. Similarly, the cleaning and rinsing liquids are anticipated as being soap/conditioner and water respectively, but other liquids, liquid suspensions or compositions may be considered, in particular, dosed fluids such as anti-parasite or anti-dandruff solutions.

Whilst the animal cleaning apparatus is specifically intended for use in the cleaning and grooming of an animal, it will be apparent that the device could feasibly be utilised in a human context, and could be incorporated into a shower environment, for example.

It is therefore possible to provide an animal cleaning apparatus for the cleaning and/or grooming of an animal which has an animal cleaning tool defining a plurality of fluid flow paths therethrough.

Such an apparatus advantageously allows a single point of operation for a user in the animal cleaning tool, reducing the amount of equipment required in order to clean and/or groom an animal. This can both reduce the cost of an animal cleaning apparatus and also the efficiency of any cleaning or grooming performed using the single tool.

The words 'comprises/comprising' and the words 'having/including' when used herein with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof. It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination. The embodiments described above are provided by way of examples only, and various other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the field without departing from the scope of the invention herein described and defined.

Claims

1. An animal cleaning tool (10) for cleaning and/or grooming an animal, the animal cleaning tool (10) comprising:

a tool head (14) through which fluid can be dispensed;

a cleaning liquid flow path directed through the tool head (14) to dispense cleaning liquid;

a rinsing liquid flow path directed through the tool head (14) to dispense rinsing liquid; and

an air flow path directed through the tool head (14) to dispense air.

2. An animal cleaning tool (10) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an air return flow path positioned on the said air flow path, the air return flow path being arranged to encourage cleaning liquid flow along the cleaning liquid flow path.

3. An animal cleaning tool (10) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising a tool body (12) engaged with the tool head (14) which defines a fluid chamber (16) through which at least the cleaning liquid and air flow paths pass, a fluid outlet (20) of the fluid chamber (16) being defined through the tool head (14).

4. An animal cleaning tool (10) as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a funnel (30) positioned inside the fluid chamber (16) associated with the fluid outlet (20), the funnel (30) being positioned directly in the cleaning liquid flow path.

5. An animal cleaning tool (10) as claimed in claim 4, wherein funnel (30) acts as a venturi for the cleaning fluid on the cleaning liquid flow path.

6. An animal cleaning tool (10) as claimed in any none of claims 3 to 5, further comprising at least one further fluid outlet (22) associated with the tool head (14) and positioned on the rinsing liquid flow path.

7. An animal cleaning tool (10) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the or each further fluid outlet (22) is spaced apart from the said fluid outlet (20).

8. An animal cleaning tool (10) as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7, wherein at least part of the rinsing liquid flow path is positioned external to the tool body (12) at or adjacent to the or each further fluid outlet (22).

9. An animal cleaning tool (10) as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein the tool body (12) and tool head (14) are releasably interengagable.

10. An animal cleaning tool (10) as claimed in claim 9, wherein a plurality of interchangeable tool heads (14) is provided.

11. An animal cleaning tool (10) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the air is propelled by an air blower (24).

12. An animal cleaning tool (10) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a wireless controller (48) for remotely controlling a status of at least the cleaning liquid, rinsing liquid and air flow paths.

13. An animal cleaning tool (10) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a fluid flow along each of the cleaning liquid, rinsing liquid and air flow paths is independently operable.

14. An animal cleaning apparatus (100) for cleaning an animal, the cleaning apparatus comprising:

an animal cleaning tool (10) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims; a cleaning liquid reservoir (56) in fluid communication with the cleaning liquid flow path of the cleaning tool (10);

a rinsing liquid source in fluid communication with the rinsing liquid flow path of the cleaning tool (10); and

an air propulsion means or air propeller in fluid communication with the air flow path of the animal cleaning tool (10).

15. An animal cleaning apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 14, wherein the air propulsion means or air propeller includes an electrically-operable motor.

16. An animal cleaning apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 14 or claim 15, further comprising an air heating means or air heater for heating the said air prior to passage along the air flow path.

17. An animal cleaning apparatus (100) as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein a plurality of said cleaning liquid reservoirs (56) is provided, each said cleaning liquid reservoir (56) containing a different cleaning liquid.

18. An animal cleaning apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 17, further comprising a valve (58) on the cleaning liquid flow path to permit selective control of cleaning liquid flow from the said plurality of cleaning liquid reservoirs (56).

19. An animal cleaning apparatus (100) as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 18, when utilising a cleaning tool (10) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the or each cleaning liquid reservoir (56) is in fluid communication with the air return flow path to aerate and/or pressurise cleaning liquid therein.

20. An animal cleaning apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 19, further comprising a pressure-relief valve (62) associated with the or each cleaning liquid reservoir (56).

21. An animal cleaning apparatus (100) as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 20, further comprising a rinsing liquid heating means or rinsing liquid heater for heating the rinsing liquid prior to passage along the rinsing liquid flow path.

22. An animal cleaning apparatus (100) as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 21, wherein at least the or each cleaning liquid reservoir (56) and the air propulsion means or air propeller are co-located in a control unit.

23. A method of reducing the number of tools required to clean and/or groom an animal, the method comprising the steps of:

a] providing a cleaning apparatus (100) as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 22; and

b] sequentially dispensing cleaning and/or grooming fluids from the cleaning tool (10) through the cleaning liquid, rinsing liquid and air flow paths.

A cleaning tool (10) comprising:

a tool body (12) including a tool head (14) through which fluid can be dispensed;

a liquid flow path associated with the tool head (14) to dispense cleaning liquid; and

an air or similar gas flow path associated with the tool head to dispense air or similar gas;

wherein the air or similar gas flow path is arranged such that the flow of air or similar gas imparts a propulsion force along the liquid flow path.

25. A cleaning tool (10) as claimed in claim 24, further comprising a funnel (30) positioned within the tool body (12) on the liquid flow path and air or similar gas flow path.

26. A cleaning tool as claimed in claim 24 or claim 25, further comprising an air or similar gas return path positioned on the air or similar gas flow path and in fluid communication with the liquid flow path to provide the said propulsion force along the liquid flow path.