All Purpose Cleaning Receptacle

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For many of us shaving is a daily ritual that involves a few basic accessories such as a razor, some shaving cream, and running water. In this present invention, we will namely be describing the challenges associated with shaving with a disposable razor or with a double edge safety razor. This present invention is not designed to be used with razors that use electricity or any other energy based source such as laser technology for example.

When shaving with disposable razors or double edge safety razors, the grime, a mixture of shaving cream and hair clippings, builds up as soon as the blades start clipping the hair. This grime ends up clogging the gap that separates the blades, as well as the structural housing around them rendering the shaving performance less effective. It is for the aforementioned reason that for disposable razors to work as intended, the blades must be sharp, and have to be cleaned as often as possible during the shaving process. Double edge safety razors are not immune from this clogging problem either as they exhibit a similar issue.

In general when people shave, they use running water to clean the blades on a razor. This cleaning process rarely gets the razor head entirely grime free. In most cases, it only clears the shaving foam and partially removes the grime stuck between the blades. This is the reason why many people resort to hitting the razor's handle against the edge of the sink to forcefully expel the grime stuck between the blades.

Shaving longer hair is even harder on razor blades. It not only wears them out faster due to the fact that several shaving passes over the same area might be needed to obtain the desired shave, but requires additional cleaning as the gap between the blades fills up quickly, making the shaving process even more tedious. Shaving under the previously mentioned conditions translates into a longer shaving time as well as more wasted water.

As for individuals who use disposable razors equipped with push buttons; they certainly can observe an improved cleaning functionality, however it is not always sufficient to get the stubborn grime out.

As mentioned above, in order to get a clean shave, the blades must be sharp, and the gap that separates them must be grime free during the shaving process. And, if one intends on reusing the same disposable razor more than once, then no grime should be left behind to dry on the blades in order to prevent metal corrosion, and consequently destroying the blades on a razor.

In summary, clearing the grime on a razor head, whether it is on a disposable razor or a double edge safety one, is a tedious but necessary process. Improving greatly on this cleaning process would make this shaving ritual less of a chore, and bring the water usage to a minimal level.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present idea is a container that can hold water or any other non toxic cleaning liquid, and houses a brush inside designed to remove the grime or shaving clips stuck between the blades of a razor by ways of scrubbing the razor head against the brush. A cover complements this container with additional accessories providing a complete shaving and grooming experience. As previously mentioned, the exterior design, and additional features on this container will vary depending on the model and the target market.

Solution to the Problem

The present idea brings about a better shaving experience for those who use either double edge safety manual razors or multiple blade disposable ones. This present idea is designed to help clean a razor head faster during the shaving process without getting the sink too messy. This idea eliminates the need to hit the razor's handle against the edge of a bathroom countertop sink causing unnecessary noises when expelling the grime stuck between the blades, and preventing the grime from splattering all over the sink bowl. Another benefit of this idea is a reduction in water usage that is needed to clean the blades during the shaving process.

So how does this idea save the user water and bring about a quieter and more efficient cleaning process? The answer resides in a cleaning container that houses a brush submerged in water. This container is filled once before shaving, and then rinsed once after shaving. There is no need to ever hit the razor's handle against the edge of a bathroom countertop sink or to rely on the weak water pressure supplied by a water faucet to clear the grime.

As mentioned above, this cleaning receptacle's main functionality is having a brush mounted inside this container by means of snap fit brackets, and that is designed to clean the blades on a manual razor. This brush is submerged in water with its fine bristles facing up vertically or at an angle to make direct contact with the razor head. The action of gently scrubbing the razor head against the brush causes the bristles to penetrate the gap between the blades forcing the stubborn grime out. The overall form factor, material selection, and finish of this cleaning receptacle will depend on the target market segment.

As the product evolves, more configurations and features will be offered to answer the needs of a larger consumer base. For example, a fancier version of this cleaning receptacle could offer features such as a sharpening tool, a razor holder, a shaving soap, some after shave towelettes, a drying tray accessory, a mirror, as well as a light fixture. Grooming and dental accessories will also be included and stored in the cavities forming this cleaning apparatus. A travel edition model will also be offered in a small form factor designed to fit in a travel case or a backpack.

This concept of a cleaning receptacle for double edge safety or disposable razors can be extended to cleaning any submersible small object with intricate features in order to remove some stubborn residue or gunk of any kind. One example of such cleaning application would be to clean an artist's paint brush when switching gouache pigments, or to clean a small tool, or any object that can be dipped in water or any non toxic cleaning solution.

The general idea behind this concept is that a brush is placed inside a container designed to remove the grime stuck between the blades on a manual razor. This concept not only provides an effective, and noiseless way to clean the blades, but it substantially reduces water usage during the shaving process.

Description of the Solution

The main feature on this present idea is a container that is large and tall enough to house a brush, and gives ample room for the user to dip and scrub the razor's head preferably in a lengthwise direction to force the grime out. This container can be in the form of a single or multiple cavity one.

The outer bottom face of this container is designed to be flat for stability purposes. This container can be treated at its base with a silicon like surface finish or simply have a thin rubber mat applied to the bottom of the base. This treatment will allow the container to remain in place when the razor head is stroked lengthwise against the brush. The overall footprint of this product is small enough to sit on a bathroom counter, or on the rim of a bathtub.

In further examination we can see a brush inside this container. This brush is submerged and its bristles face up towards the surface of the water and are designed to make direct contact with the blades on a razor. This brush is either built in or mounted into the container by way of snap-fit design brackets. This container can have one or more compartments depending on the selected model and application. In this present application, a dual compartment container will allow the razor head to be scrubbed in one compartment containing the brush, while the other one can be used to clear the foam and grime from the razor head.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the cleaning container.

FIG. 1.a is a top view of the cleaning receptacle showing both cavities and the cleaning brush.

FIG. 1.b is a side view of the cleaning container showing the outside wall design pattern and anti-slip bottom material.

FIG. 1.c is a perspective view of the bottom face treated with an anti-slip mat.

FIG. 1.d is a perspective view of the bottom face of the cleaning receptacle showing two anti-slip silicone based strips.

FIG. 1.e is a perspective of the bottom face design variation showing two anti-slip mats, and a built in razor holder.

FIG. 1.f is a perspective view of the cleaning container integrating grooming and dental accessories.

FIG. 1.g is a top view of the shaving, grooming, and dental accessories

FIG. 2 is a side view of the snap on brush with the bristles facing up.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cleaning receptacle lid showing a mirror, a light with a switch, and an anti-slip silicone strip.

FIG. 3.a is a side view of the lid used as a drying tray treated with an anti-slip silicone strip.

FIG. 3.b is a top view of the cleaning receptacle lid showing a mirror, a courtesy light with a switch, and an anti-slip silicone based strip.

FIG. 3.c is a bottom view of the cleaning receptacle lid showing the soap and after shave holding apparatus with its protective cover.

FIG. 3.d is a perspective view of the soap and after shave container apparatus with its cover, and the blade sharpening strop.

FIG. 3.e is a perspective view of the soap and after shave container apparatus without its cover.

FIG. 3.f is a top view of the strop, showing the sharpening material in center with its two attaching ends.

FIG. 4 is a cutaway view of the cleaning receptacle showing the snap fit connections.

FIG. 5 is an orthographic view of the cleaning container with its built in brush.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an exploded view of the product.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the invention in more details, in FIG. 1, there is shown a container 1 of about 60 mm or larger width in outside dimension, and about 100 mm or longer in length, or divided into two cavities 2 illustrated in FIG. 1.a of about 20 mm or more in depth and is large enough to house a cleaning element such as a brush FIG. 2.

Still referring to the cavities, in this container FIG. 1, we can observe a single or dual cavities 2 depending on the selected model as presented in FIG. 1.a. In further examination of the cavities, we notice that they are connected through an opening 3 as seen in FIG. 5 and located at the bottom of the dividing wall, allowing the user to fill this said cleaning container at once from either cavity. We can also notice some built-in extrusions 4 in the shape of snap fit joint designs FIG. 1.a, allowing the brush 5.a represented in FIG. 2, to snap into place for final assembly FIG. 4. Other design variations of this cleaning receptacle will show a built-in brush 5.b FIG. 5, would not require any fittings of any kind as it is directly built into one of this container's compartments. The cavities functionality of this cleaning container can be extended to store small dental and grooming accessories needed on a daily or occasional basis FIG. 1.f, and FIG. 1.g.

Looking now at the external physical attributes of this container in FIG. 1.b, we notice that this container's exterior side can be treated with a smooth or textured surface or even some 3D ornamental design reliefs 6 for an added design perception value. The bottom face is treated with an anti-slip base 7 made of some silicone material or 8 a rubber mat FIG. 1.c., or a silicone strip 9 as in FIG. 1.d to prevent it from moving when scrubbing the razor's head against the brush's bristles. Another design variation of this container as shown in FIG. 1.e shows a split rubber mat that accomplished the same task.

Referring now to the brush 5.a in FIG. 2, which is about 70 mm long, and about 40 mm or wider that is made of a group of fine bristles 5.a.1 of about 10 mm in length set in an array of rows covering the base of the brush. These are fine bristles, facing the surface of the water to make direct contact with the razor blades, but are hard enough not to collapse when brushing away the gunk stuck between the blades. The surface of the brush FIG. 1.a making contact with the razor blades is wide enough to provide ample room for the user to scrub the razor head from one end to the other without hitting the container's walls.

Referring now to the container lid FIG. 3 which functions as 10 a drying tray FIG. 3.a accessory combining 11 a mirror FIG. 3.b, 12 a sharpening tool FIG. 3.c, 13 a soap holder FIG. 3.d, 14 aftershave cream or towelettes compartment FIG. 3.d, 15 a shaving soap container cover FIG. 3.e, and finally 16 a light fixture, activated by a switch 17FIG. 3.b. This container lid FIG. 3 is designed to embody all of the above features in accordance with the present invention of improving the shaving process.

When the shaving process is completed, the said cleaning receptacle can be rinsed, and turned over to sit on top of the inner side of the lid which functions as a drying tray FIG. 3.a to allow any remaining moisture to drip from the cleaning receptacle onto the tray. The drying tray functionality of the inner side of the said lid FIG. 3 extends into the integration of a structural apparatus 19FIG. 3.c that includes a storage for a travel size shaving soap, and after shave towelettes FIG. 3.d. The lid FIG. 3.e of this structural apparatus forms a sitting base that allows the strop FIG. 4 to lay flat, and remain stretched when stropping the razor blade against it.

The outer face of the lid houses a mirror FIG. 3.b that is recessed from the surface to prevent it from being scratched. A thin or wide strip 18 made of silicone is molded as an added protective trim that is offset at about 10 mm or more from the perimeter of the lid. A small battery operated light 16FIG. 3.b is integrated into the lid to offer added brightness under poor lit environments. This light is activated through a discrete switch 17 as shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. 3.b and integrated into the lid.

A strop FIG. 3.f is mounted on top of the shaving soap container apparatus 19FIG. 3.d and is supported by the shaving soap cover 13FIG. 3.d to allow even sharpening of the blades. The said strop FIG. 3.f is attached to the soap apparatus FIG. 3.d by means of stretching one end of the strop's hook or opening 20 to the end of the shaving soap structure apparatus 19 structural apparatus FIG. 3.e.

Finally, a razor holder that is either built into the cleaning receptacle 21 or offered as a separate add-on allowing to hold the razor in place so it can dry once the shaving process is completed.

The advantages of this present idea include, without limitation, that it is small enough to sit on a bathroom counter-top sink or the rim of a bathtub.

In broad embodiment, the present invention is a container having a brush inside designed to clear the grime lodged between the blades on a disposable razor.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed.

All Purpose Cleaning Receptacle

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