Patent Application
20140209121
The present disclosure relates generally to cleaning and disinfecting objects, and more particularly, to an apparatus, a system, and a method for cleaning objects.
Jewelry and other small parts accumulate dirt, oils, and other contaminants that affect not only the aesthetic beauty of the item, but also its comfort and safety. Items such as rings, earrings, bracelets, and necklaces are commonly worn for long periods of time in close contact with the human body. Additionally, rings, bracelets, and other jewelry worn on the hands and wrist come into frequent contact with dirt, stains, pollutants and other environmental contaminants, many that contain or foster bacteria or other microorganisms. This problem is particularly acute for health care and food service workers. The accumulation of dirt and other contaminants leads to the loss of attractiveness of the jewelry, as well as to possible skin irritation to the wearer, and to the transmission of microorganisms to people or objects that contact the unclean jewelry.
Accordingly, there is a need to clean and sanitize jewelry and other small parts. However, the small size and intricate patterns of many jewelry items and small parts makes cleaning them difficult, tedious, and often ineffective. Given the expense of many jewelry items, cleaning procedures must be safe, gentle, and insure that small objects/parts, such as gemstones, are not dislodged and lost. As a result, most people have their jewelry cleaned by taking them to a professional jeweler; this is both inconvenient and expensive, and so is rarely done.
Automatic dishwashing machines provide the same elements used by some professional jewelers to clean jewelry; hot water mixed with a cleaning solution is pressurized and impinges upon the item. Automatic dishwashing machines are readily available, effective cleaning tools but are designed to hold and to maximize the cleaning of dishes, not jewelry. The present disclosure utilizes the ready availability of dishwashing machines, and their efficiency in cleaning and sanitizing large objects, while providing an apparatus and method for adapting these machines to safely and effectively clean and sanitize jewelry and other small items.
In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a container is disclosed. The container includes a top portion including a mesh portion, a bottom portion including a mesh portion, at least one hinging feature attached to the bottom portion, wherein the at least one hinging feature hingably attach the top portion to the bottom portion, wherein the top portion and the bottom portion having an open configuration and a closed configuration and wherein the top portion and the bottom portion, when in the closed configuration, forming an inner portion, a latching mechanism having a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein when the latching mechanism is in a locked position, the top portion and bottom portion are locked into the closed configuration, and at least one spring holder attached to the at least one hinging feature and located within the inner portion whereby when the top portion and bottom portion move from the closed position to the open position, the at least one spring holder lifts upwards.
In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a method for cleaning jewelry and preventing the spread of bacteria through jewelry is disclosed. The method includes placing at least one item of jewelry into a container, the container including a top portion including a mesh portion, a bottom portion including a mesh portion, at least one hinging feature attached to the bottom portion, wherein the hinging features hingably attach the top portion to the bottom portion, wherein the top portion and the bottom portion having an open configuration and a closed configuration and wherein the top portion and the bottom portion, when in the closed configuration, forming an inner portion, a latching mechanism having a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein when the latching mechanism is in a locked position, the top portion and bottom portion are locked into the closed configuration, and at least one spring holder attached to the at least one hinging feature and located within the inner portion whereby when the top portion and bottom portion move from the closed position to the open position, the at least one spring holder lifts upwards. The method also includes placing the container into a dishwasher, adding dishwashing detergent to the dishwater, running the dishwasher through a washing cycle, and removing the at least one item of jewelry from the container.
In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a specialized container and a method for using the container are provided where jewelry or other small items are safely contained while being subjected to a pressurized cleaning solution. The special container securely and safely positions the contained jewelry while it is subjected to the cleaning action from the pressure, heat, or chemical reactions of the solution. The container is designed to allow the cleaning solution to enter and exit its chamber and impact the contained items. This container and method for its use are part of a system for retaining, positioning, cleaning, and disinfecting jewelry and small parts/objects.
Some embodiments of the present disclosure include a top and a bottom member attached to one another by a fastening means and displaceable with respect to one another between an open and a closed position. In one embodiment the top and bottom members define a clamshell, so that when top and bottom are superimposed with each other in the closed position they define a main cavity for receiving jewelry or small parts/objects. A plurality of holes is formed substantially over at least the bottom surface to permit a cleaning fluid to enter and exit the main cavity and to impinge onto the jewelry and small parts/objects. In some embodiments, the top member contains a basin formed as a depression, and a reservoir located within the basin. The reservoir is a hollow container attached to the floor of the basin; the floor of the reservoir is perforated by at least one hole, making the interior of the reservoir connected with the main compartment. The reservoir has a displaceable top, and at least one wall defining a gutter that provides a passage between the basin and an interior reservoir cavity. Therefore, a continuous pathway exists for a cleaning solution to move between the basin, the reservoir cavity, and the main compartment; gutters connect the basin with the reservoir cavity, and holes connect the reservoir compartment with the main compartment. Dividing walls may optionally be added to partition the reservoir into at least two separate compartments, allowing different solutions to be added to each compartment. An engaging means secures the top and bottom members to contain jewelry or other small parts/objects within the main compartment.
In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the top member forms a removable cap that is operatively coupled to a sub-lid. The removable cap is formed of a heat resistant plastic material that forms slots that can be snapped into appropriately sized projections on the sub-lid. Other engaging means that allow a secure but removable connection between the cap and the sublid could also be used. The sublid defines a plurality of holes that allow the cleaning fluid to enter the main compartment from the external environment. Sublid may be formed from any suitable mesh material including but not limited to molded plastic mesh, hardware cloth, soft mesh, or other material that allows cleaning fluid to enter and exit main cavity but that has openings sized to prevent most small jewelry items from escaping. The sublid is connected to the bottom member by a fastening means that allows the rotation of the sublid on the bottom member to permit the container to be opened and closed. Removable caps can be configured for a wide variety of specialized functions including but not limited to containing at least one basin and reservoir system as discussed above, or forming a reinforcement cap that lacks the reservoir and basin system but has at least one opening that allows fluid to enter or exit the main chamber from the external environment.
In some embodiments, the mesh material is plastic mesh and is heat formed to retain a specified shape or form. In some embodiments, stainless steel mesh is used, and is stamped or otherwise shaped to retain a curvature or form. Mesh material can be permanently attached to a supporting frame or can be arranged as a soft bag that is fitted and stretched over a frame and thus can be removed and replaced. The large surface area of open space provided by a mesh arrangement allows a greater volume of cleaning fluid, and at a higher pressure, to enter the main cavity and to impinge upon the contained jewelry.
In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the top member could be spring loaded to be displaced when the container is in the unlocked position. In this embodiment, at least one brace extends from the back wall of the bottom element towards the front wall of the bottom element. This brace is positioned such that in its resting position the brace exerts an upward force against the top member, and such that this upward force is sufficient to slightly lift the top member. These braces could be further used to define at least one aperture sized to accommodate the posts of jewelry, such as earrings, or of other small items utilizing a post and stud attachment; the post of the earring would be inserted through the aperture on the brace and be secured by attaching the accompanying stud or other securing means on the opposite side of the brace.
In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the lower member is divided into at least two compartments. Each compartment is open at the top, has a bottom formed by the bottom of the second member, and partitioning walls that define a chamber. The partitioning walls are sized so that in the closed position the first member forms the roof of each compartment and contains jewelry or small parts/objects within an enclosed chamber. Partitioning walls may be made of molded mesh or other suitable material to allow the passage of cleaning fluid between the inside and outside of the chamber.
In one embodiment, closure of the cleaning apparatus defines multiple compartments. Each of these separate chambers may be formed by the molded frame, by extensions of the mesh covering, or by internal walls. Compartments may be sized to accommodate one or more pieces of jewelry of various sizes. Compartments may be completely segregated when the cleaner is closed, or may have connections to adjoining compartments that are sufficiently large to allow water flow, but that act as barriers to jewelry movement.
In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a dial is the means to reversibly couple the first and second members, and to allow the container to be opened and closed. The dial is rotatably attached to the second member, and defines a groove on its interior surface that is sized to accommodate a projection from the first member. The groove extends to a margin of the dial to allow the projection to enter the groove. When the dial is in one orientation, the projection can enter and exit the groove; when the dial is rotated to another orientation, the projection is secured within the groove and the container is in the locked position. Other means to reversibly fasten the top and bottom parts of the present disclosure would be apparent to one skilled in the art.
In another embodiment of the present disclosure, rotation of the dial between the locked and unlocked positions exposes different colors of a two-colored surface. One color is visible only when the dial is in the locked position and communicates to the user that the container cannot be opened, the other color is visible only when the dial is rotated to the unlocked position and communicates that the container can be opened. Ideally, the color communicating the unlocked and openable position is green, and the color communicating the locked and unopenable position is red.
In various embodiments, removable inserts define channels, micro-channels, and other pathways to distribute fluid and chemical solutions to the main cavity. In one embodiment, these inserts are constructed from a malleable substance including but not limited to rubber, plastic, foam, and elastomers.
In various embodiments attaching devices for securing and positioning jewelry and other objects are secured to the removable inserts and/or to the cleaning unit. In one embodiment, the attaching device is a detachable mesh bag that is secured to the cleaning unit by magnetic attraction.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a rigid frame is covered by a plastic mesh or by a fabric mesh.
In some embodiments of the disclosure the width of the cleaning unit is sized to fit within the trough created between the tines of a standard dishwashing rack.
A further object of the present disclosure is to provide a method for cleaning jewelry and small parts/objects using the specialized container described above to removably and nondamagingly contain the jewelry and small parts/objects while they are subjected to pressurized cleaning fluid. The method includes the steps of: placing the jewelry or other small parts/objects into a main cavity of the specialized cleaning apparatus; closing the specialized cleaning apparatus to prevent jewelry or other small parts from escaping; placing the specialized cleaning apparatus into a machine that provides a turbulent and high velocity cleaning fluid, and allowing the turbulent and high velocity cleaning fluid to impinge upon the jewelry or small parts to be cleaned.
In another embodiment of the method for cleaning jewelry and small parts, a solution such as a detergent, rinsing agent, polishing agent, or other solution that improves the aesthetic appearance of the items to be cleaned is added to the reservoir of said cleaning apparatus. In addition to or as an alternative to this solution, an antimicrobial solution including but not limited to antibiotics, disinfectants, antiseptics, anti-fungal, and anti-viral solutions may be added to the reservoir.
In one embodiment the jewelry attaching devices are secured to the first member or to the second member. Jewelry attaching devices may be, but are not limited to, posts, projections, apertures, hooks, clips, jaws, grippers, enclosed clips, spring clips, bumpers, bars, carabineers, or spools. Attaching devices may be composed of, but are not limited to, materials such as plastic, rubber, urethane, polyurethane, elastomers, metal, silicone, and foam.
In one embodiment, a perforated board and peg system is used to secure jewelry; each peg has one end adapted to be secured to the board, and has a second end adapted to attach jewelry. In some embodiments the peg is roughly cylindrical. In some embodiments the peg attaches to the board via a plunger. In some embodiments, the plunger has a pedestal attaching it to the peg. In another embodiment, the peg has an attached flexible base with diameter greater than the hole in the board that is used to secure the peg.
In another embodiment at least one post projects from a wall of the jewelry cleaner and into the main cavity.
In another embodiment a mesh bag is sized to fit within the main cavity of the small parts cleaner. In one embodiment this mesh bag has an operatively sealable opening that, in some embodiments, is a drawstring, a clasp, an elastic band, a deformable beam, or a tie.
In another embodiment a pair of magnets, one attached to the mesh bag and one attached to the small parts cleaner, secures the mesh bag to the cleaner.
In another embodiment a mechanism to reversibly couple the first member to the second member may include a sliding latch, a locking dial, a threaded screw, a pinch and twist lock, a pinch and slide lock, a sliding rail attachment, a tongue-in-groove fit, a tab and hole lock, an overhanging latch, a magnet, a slide lock, or a push button latch release. In some embodiments, more than one mechanism is used.
In another embodiment the mechanism to reversibly couple the first member and second members is a push button latch release where the latch has a latch notch positioned to fit beneath the frame of the second member. A button connected to the second member has a latch knob that is positioned to displace the latch notch from under said frame when the button is depressed.
In another embodiment the mechanism to reversibly couple the first and second members is a latch bolt with surfaces defining a groove. The latch bolt has a front face with a first end and a second end and a top with a back end. This top is attached to the first end and is oriented approximately perpendicularly to the front face. A bottom with a back end attached to the second end is oriented approximately perpendicularly to the front face; a top projection attached to the back end is oriented approximately perpendicularly to the top, and a bottom projection is attached to the back end and is oriented approximately perpendicularly to the bottom. In one embodiment at least one bolt tongue, a projection from the frame, is sized to fit within the groove defined by the latch bolt.
In one embodiment the bolt tongue is T-shaped.
In one embodiment the latch bolt has surfaces defining at least one gap that is sized to accommodate a tab projecting from the frame of the small parts cleaner.
In one embodiment the latch bolt has at least one finger tab projecting from a surface, and in another embodiment the latch bolt has at least one ridged surface.
In another embodiment a bolt stop is attached to the frame.
In another embodiment the mechanism to reversibly couple the first member to the second member is a latch with an outer surface and an inner surface. A locking projection is attached to the inner surface, and is a roughly L-shaped structure with a first arm and a second arm, where the first arm is oriented perpendicularly to the inner surface, and where the second arm is oriented perpendicularly to the first arm. In one embodiment, a frame has surfaces defining both a locking groove and a gap; the locking groove is sized to accommodate the locking projection, and the gap is a continuous opening between the first member and the second member. In one embodiment, the locking groove has a width greater than the width of the second arm.
In another embodiment the sliding latch fits within a depression formed by the frame. In another embodiment the outer surface of the sliding latch is ridged, and in one embodiment the outer surface of the sliding latch is at least partially covered by a surface with a higher coefficient of friction than the coefficient of friction of the frame.
In another embodiment the latch groove is defined by the frame of the first member and that first member is the top.
In another embodiment the connection between the first and second member is a weak seam, a hinge, a barrel hinge, a cord, a fiber, a frictional fit, a press fitting, or an external securing device.
In another embodiment more than one connection is used to juxtapose first and second members.
In another embodiment at least one spring arm is cantilevered to the frame of the cleaning apparatus. In one embodiment the spring arm includes a tab; the tab is located at the opposite end of the spring arm from the attachment to the frame. In one embodiment the tab is sized to fit within a depression in the frame.
In another embodiment the spring arm includes at least one fastener, hole, projection, or other means for securing jewelry.
In another embodiment the spring arm has a hinge formed with its connection to the frame. In one embodiment the hinge is a seam across substantially the length of the attachment to the frame.
In another embodiment, the small parts cleaning apparatus has a frame with at least two sections, a mesh enclosure attached to the frame and forming an approximately hemispherical housing, and a fastener capable of operatively coupling the at least two sections of the frame. In one embodiment this fastener is a threaded screw closure.
In another embodiment the approximately hemispherical housing contains a jewelry fastening means. In one embodiment, this jewelry fastening means is an internal compartment with a hollow enclosure attached to the frame.
In another embodiment a tether is attached to the small parts cleaning apparatus. In one embodiment a tether attachment is adapted to both be secured to an automatic dishwasher, and to allow a tether to be secured to it.
In another embodiment the small parts cleaning apparatus is a frame with at least two sections, a mesh enclosure forming an approximately cylindrical housing that is connected to the frame, and a fastener capable of operatively coupling the at least two sections of frame together.
In one embodiment the mesh enclosure forms an approximately hemispherical surface on at least one end. In another embodiment the fastener includes a threaded screw closure.
In another embodiment the fastener includes a two-step latch release. In one embodiment the two-step latch release is configured to provide an auditory cue when the two frame sections are fastened.
In another embodiment the small parts cleaning apparatus has a frame comprising at least two sections that are slidingly connected, a mesh covering connected to the frame, and a fastener that is capable of operatively coupling the at least two sections of the frame.
In one embodiment the sliding connection is a tongue-in-groove, a frictional fit, a mitre joint, a bevel, or a dove tail connection. In another embodiment the sliding connection extends essentially the length of the frame.
In another embodiment a rack holder is attached to the frame.
In another embodiment at least one of the frame sections is substantially shaped as a cylindania. In another embodiment the mesh covering of the small parts cleaner is substantially a cylindania that is sized to fit within the cylindania of at least one of the frame sections.
In another embodiment the cleaning apparatus is essentially a rectangle comprised of two sections; each of the two sections contributes three walls to the formation of the rectangle.
In another embodiment the fastener reversibly coupling the first and second members is a sliding latch, a pinch latch, or a push button latch.
In another embodiment the width of the cleaning apparatus is sized to fit between a row of tines on a standard, automatic dishwasher rack.
In another embodiment the cleaning apparatus has walls defining a groove. In one embodiment the groove is sized to accommodate projections from a dishwasher rack.
In another embodiment one of the frame sections fits substantially within the mesh covering. In one embodiment, this mesh covering is constructed from a relatively rigid material which may be metal, plastic, elastomer, or stainless steel.
In another embodiment at least one of the frame sections has a post sized to fit within a ring or other enveloping structure. In one embodiment the ring or other enveloping structure is located on a frame section other than the frame section that includes the post. In another embodiment a stop is located on the post and has a diameter greater than the internal diameter of the ring or other enveloping structure.
In another embodiment the small parts cleaner has a frame with at least two sections that are operatively connected, a mesh covering that is connected to the frame and that forms at least one cone-shaped projection, and a fastener that is capable of operatively coupling the at least two sections of said frame together. In one embodiment at least one cone-shaped projection has a vertex substantially adjacent to the mesh covering of other frame section.
In another embodiment an insert is sized to fit within a cavity of the cleaning apparatus. In one embodiment this insert has at least one cone-shaped projection.
In another embodiment the small parts cleaning apparatus has a top half comprised of a frame supporting a mesh covering. The frame and mesh covering together define a top cavity. A bottom half is similarly comprised of a frame supporting a mesh covering; this bottom is sized to fit within the top cavity.
In one embodiment the cleaning apparatus includes a fastener capable of operatively coupling the top and the bottom halves. In one embodiment this fastener is a tab latch, a latch, a slide lock, a tab lock, or other securing means.
In another embodiment at least one external hook is connected to the frame. In one embodiment this hook is adapted to secure the cleaning apparatus to a dishwasher rack.
In another embodiment both top and said bottom are frustum-shaped.
In another embodiment both top and bottom are connected by a hinge.
In another embodiment both top and bottom are operatively connected by a latch, a lock, a fastener, a slide lock, by friction, or by some other securing means.
In another embodiment a chamber is formed between a horizontal face of the top half and a horizontal face of the bottom half when both halves are in the fully closed position. In one embodiment the horizontal face of the bottom includes at least one aperture, channel, depression, or other fluid directing means.
In another embodiment the small parts cleaning apparatus includes a secondary chamber that is adapted to contain a chemical agent. At least one passage is in fluid connection with the secondary chamber and is thereby capable of conducting the chemical agent. In one embodiment this passage is a channel, trough, pipe, gutter, depression, tube, bore, cavity, duct, groove, hole, passage, orifice, notch, hollow, slit, or other hollow structure.
In one embodiment a passage is positioned to preferentially deliver a chemical agent from a secondary chamber to a main chamber.
In another embodiment a secondary chamber is removably attachable to the small parts cleaning apparatus. In one embodiment the secondary chamber is an autonomous object sized to fit inside a compartment within the cleaning apparatus.
In one embodiment the autonomous object is secured to the small parts cleaning apparatus by magnetic attraction.
In another embodiment a secondary chamber is accessible by an operatively openable surface. In one embodiment this operatively openable surface is a hinge, a seam, a threaded screw, a tongue-in-groove, a deformable band, a dial, a latch, or a trackway.
In another embodiment a chemical agent is in the physical form of a solid, a liquid, or a gel. In one embodiment the chemical agent is a cleaning agent, a rinsing agent, a disinfecting agent, an anti-microbial solution, an anti-pathogen solution, a dye, or a perfume.
In another embodiment a secondary chamber is an ultra-sonic welded bag.
In another embodiment small parts are secured to a cleaning apparatus by a fastening means.
These aspects of the disclosure are not meant to be exclusive and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art when read in conjunction with the appended claims and accompanying drawings.
These and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be better understood by reading the following detailed description, taken together with the drawings wherein:
Referring now to
In various embodiments the frame portions may be made from plastic, and in some embodiments, may be injection molded. In some embodiments, however, the frame may be made from elastomer, polyurethane, urethane, rubber, foam, or other suitably rigid material. In some embodiments, the mesh 112, 114 may be made from plastic mesh and may be heat formed to retain a specified shape or form. In some embodiments, the mesh 112, 114 may be made from stainless steel mesh and may be stamped or otherwise shaped to retain a curvature or form. In some embodiments, the mesh 112, 114 may be injection molded. In some embodiments the mesh 112, 114 may be non-removably attached or configured to be non-removably attached to the frame portions, however, in various embodiments, the mesh 112, 114 may be configured to be removably attached. In some embodiments, the frame and mesh may be configured to be disassembled and the mesh 112, 114 and/or other components of the system may be replaced. The mesh 112, 114 may be beneficial for many reasons, including, but not limited to, the large surface area of open space provided by the mesh 112, 114 arrangement allows a greater volume of cleaning fluid, and at a higher pressure, to enter the inside of the apparatus to act upon the contained small parts/objects, e.g., jewelry. In some embodiments, this may be beneficial for many reasons, including, but not limited to, thorough cleaning of the contained small parts/objects, e.g., jewelry.
In some embodiments the top outer portion 102, top middle portion 104, mesh portion 112, and top inside portion 106 interlock and attach together to form a top portion 120 such that the top include a top middle portion 104 and top mesh portion 112 are sandwiched by to top outside portion 102 and top inside portion 106. In some embodiments, the top outer portion 102, top middle portion 104, mesh portion 112, and top inside portion 106 interlock in a non-removable fashion and in some embodiments, the top outer portion 102, top middle portion 104, mesh portion 112, and top inside portion 106 removably interlock.
In various embodiments, the bottom inside portion 108, bottom mesh portion 114 and bottom outside portion 110 interlock and attach together to form a bottom portion 118 such that the bottom inside portion 108, and bottom outside portion 110 sandwich the bottom mesh portion 114. In some embodiments the bottom inside portion 108, bottom mesh portion 114 and bottom outside portion 110 interlock in a non-removable fashion and in some embodiments, the bottom inside portion 108, bottom mesh portion 114 and bottom outside portion 110 removably interlock.
In various embodiments, the top portion 120 hingably attaches to the bottom portion 118 through interlocking bottom hinging features 122 and top hinging features 124. As shown, in some embodiments, the hinging features 122, 124 interlock and a hinging dowel 126 slides within the between the interlocked hinging features 122, 124 to maintain the interlocked hinging features 122, 124 in an interlocked position, for example, as shown in
Referring still to
The top portion 120 and bottom portion 118, while in the closed position, for example, as shown in
The apparatus may include a latching mechanism/device. In some embodiments, the latch may be a sliding latch, for example, as shown in the embodiment shown in
In some embodiments, one or more of the latching lock features 130, 132 may be textured and or a color such that when the latch is in the unlocked position, a color and/or texture may indicate clearly that the latch is in the unlocked position. When the latch is in the locked position, the color and/or texture is not visible, thereby indicating that the apparatus is locked closed. In various other embodiments of the latching mechanism, color and/or texture may be used to visually indicate to a user that the device is locked and or unlocked. This may be beneficial for many reasons, including, but not limited to, visual indication that the apparatus is locked and closed prior to placing the apparatus in, e.g., a dishwasher, such that the user has assurance that the apparatus cannot unintentionally open while in the dishwasher or other and/or the small parts/objects, e.g., jewelry, will not be lost/fall out of the apparatus.
When the top portion 120 and bottom portion 118 are in the closed position, they form an inner portion 140 of the apparatus. The inner portion 140 is configured to receive and contain the small parts/objects, e.g., jewelry. In some embodiments, the inner portion includes one or more hooking and/or holding mechanisms for the small parts/objects, e.g., jewelry.
Referring now also to
In various embodiments, the spring holder 142, 144 may be attached to the bottom hinging features 122 such that, from the closed position, as the top portion 120 moves away from the bottom portion 118, the spring holders 142, 144 move upwards, i.e., lift upwards, away from the bottom mesh 114. Conversely, as the top portion 120 moves towards the bottom portion 118, the spring holders 142, 144 move downwards, i.e., down, towards the bottom mesh 114. This may be desirable for many reasons including but not limited to, one or more of the following: the spring holders 142, 144 may be “loaded” with small parts/objects while the apparatus is in the open position, i.e., while the spring holders 142, 144 up “upward”; while the apparatus is in the open position, the area underneath the spring holders 142, 144 may be “loaded” with other small parts/objects, for example, necklaces/chains or other small parts, such that the loading of these objects is not obstructed by the spring holders 142, 144; and while the apparatus is in the open position, the area underneath the spring holders 142, 144 may be “unloaded”, for example, necklaces/chains or other small parts/objects may be unloaded from the apparatus 100, such that the unloading of these objects is not obstructed by the spring holders 142, 144. Thus, in various embodiments, loading the small parts/objects may be less onerous on the user. In various embodiments, the spring holders 142, 144 may be made from plastic. While closing the apparatus 100, the spring holders 142, 144 move downward and the top portion 120 may be locked to the bottom portion 118.
In some embodiments, the spring holders 142, 144 may be attached to the apparatus using a living hinge.
In various embodiments, the apparatus 100 may include one or more protrusions 146, 148. In some embodiments, the protrusions 146, 148 may be used for wrapping chains/necklaces/bracelets around to anchor/maintain those objects in place during cleaning. The protrusions may be used to anchor and/or maintain in place any object and in some embodiments, it may be beneficial to use to the protrusions to maintain relatively larger parts/objects in place, as compared with the spring holders 142, 144 and other attachment mechanisms.
Referring now also to
Referring now also to
The attachment mechanisms may include a hook which may be any size desired and may be accommodate, for example, a bracelet and/or a ring. In some embodiments, the attachment mechanism may include a multi-object attachment mechanism 310 which may include attachment mechanisms configured for various sized and/or various types of objections, for example, a bracelet attachment 312 and a ring attachment 314, both which may be a slot with a holding area, the slot used for sliding the object into the holding area, the holding area for maintaining the object in the attachment. The multi-object attachment mechanism 310 in some embodiments may include one or more earring attachment 318, which may include an aperture.
In some embodiments, the plug may include an embodiment including a separatable portion that separates from the attachment mechanism and then reattaches to attach the attachment mechanism to the peg board 300. For example, and as shown in
In various embodiments, the apparatus 100 may include one or more features for distributing the water and/or cleaning agents and/or for distributed additional agents, for example, rinse agents, from outside the apparatus 100 to the inner portion 140 of the apparatus 100, where the objects/small parts to be cleaned are located. These one or more features may include, but are not limited to, a top reservoir, a shower tray, one or more intakes within the inner portion 140, of the apparatus 100, channels for routing the water and/or cleaning agent and/or rinse agent into the inner portion 140, and/or channeling ducts for routing water and/or cleaning agent and/or rinse agent into the inert portion 140.
Referring still to
Referring now to
Referring now also to
In some embodiments, the area surrounding the cover 402 and/or the area surrounding the area configured to receive the agent may include a top reservoir 406. The top reservoir 406 in various embodiments may be shaped and/or sized differently that shown. The top reservoir 406 may receive water and the water may flow into the area configured to receive the agent 420, which, in some embodiments, may be under the cover 402. In various embodiments, there may be apertures between the top reservoir 406 and the area configured to receive the agent 420. The water then dissolves at least part of the agent and is channeled into the inner portion 408, where one or more small parts and/or objects 422, e.g., jewelry, may be placed. A shower tray 410, in some embodiments, may be included in the inner region 408 attached to, for example, the top inside portion 412. In various embodiments, the shower tray 410 may be sized and/or shaped differently than shown, for example, may be larger or smaller. In various embodiments, the shower tray 410 may include one or more apertures and in some embodiments, a plurality of apertures, in which the water, including from the top reservoir 402, is channeled and dispersed into the inner portion 408. In various embodiments, the plurality of apertures may be formed in a pattern to disperse the water within the inner portion 408 in a target fashion, e.g., targeted to one or more particular areas where small parts/objects are held.
In various embodiments of various embodiments of the apparatus 400, the inner portion 408 may include one or more compartments 414. The compartments 414 may be utilized to hold small parts/objects such that they do not interfere with other small parts/objects held in other locations within the inner portion 408.
In some embodiments, the apparatus 400 may include a channeling shield 404. In various embodiments, the channeling shield 404 may direct water spray that is upward into and down through the mesh portions of the apparatus. For example, as shown in
In various embodiments, the apparatus 400 may include central intakes 418 where water is routed upward, through the central intakes 418, where it sprays inside the inner portion 408, as shown in
In various embodiments, the channeling shield 404 may be shaped and/or sized in various ways. Some embodiments of the channeling shield are shown in
Another embodiment is shown in
Another embodiment is shown in
Referring also now to
Referring now also to
In the various embodiments of apparatus, an area configured to receive an agent may be included and may be built into the apparatus and/or removably attached to the apparatus and/or may be autonomous and configured to be received inside a compartment of the apparatus. In various embodiments, the area configured to receive the agent may be referred to as a “dispenser”. In various embodiments, the dispenser may have a hollow compartment for containing the agent, and the compartment may include a cover or other which, in some embodiments, may be removably attached using one of a variety of mechanisms, including, but not limited to, a hinge, seam, threaded screw, tongue-in-groove, deformable band, dial, latch, trackway, or other type of attachment mechanisms. In some embodiments, the dispenser may include at least one aperture to allow water to enter and exit and allow the agent, when dissolved in the water, to permeate into the inner portion of the apparatus. In various embodiments, the dispenser may include channels or other to target the fluid flow to particular areas within the apparatus. In various embodiments, the dispenser may be made from any suitable material, including, but not limited to plastic, mesh, fabric, metal, rubber, nylon, and/or elastomer. Agents may be in any form, including solid, liquid, powder and/or gel. Agents may include, but are not limited to, cleaning agents, rinsing agents, disinfecting agents, anti-microbial solutions, anti-pathogen solutions, dyes, and perfumes.
In various embodiments, the apparatus may include an area configured to receive an agent, as discussed above. The configuration of the area configured to receive the agent may be different from those discussed and shown above. In some embodiments, the area configured to receive the agent may be one or more of the following embodiments. Referring now to
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The various embodiments of the apparatus presented above include many features that, in various embodiments, may be combined to form additional embodiments. Thus, the various embodiments and features are modular and may be “mixed and matched” in various additional embodiments.
In some embodiments, the various embodiments of the apparatus described herein may be used to clean small parts/objects including, but not limited to, jewelry. The methods include securing the small parts/object/jewelry in the inner portion of the apparatus and in some embodiments this may include securing the small parts/objects/jewelry using one or more attachment mechanism, or otherwise securing the small parts/objects/jewelry by the first portion of the apparatus and the second portion of the apparatus. The apparatus is locked using a latching mechanism such that the small parts/objects/jewelry is contained in the apparatus. In some embodiments, one or more agents may be added to the apparatus. The agents may include, but are not limited to; chemical agents which may include, but are not limited to, a rinsing agent, cleaning agent and/or an anti-microbial agent. The apparatus is then placed within an automatic dishwashing machine. In some embodiments, at least one detergent may be placed in the automatic dishwashing machine, commensurate with regular practice. The automatic dishwashing machine is turned on and the small parts/objects/jewelry is cleaned during the cycling of the automatic dishwashing machine. In some embodiments, antimicrobial and/or rinsing and/or finishing solutions may be added to automatic dishwashing machine in addition to the at least one detergent, however, in some embodiments, one or more of these may be added to the automatic dishwashing machine in place of the at least one detergent. Upon completion of the washing cycle of the automatic dishwashing machine, the apparatus is removed from the automatic dishwashing machine, the apparatus is unlocked and/or opened, and the small parts/objects/jewelry cleaned during the cycling of the automatic dishwashing machine may be removed from the apparatus.
There are many benefits of the apparatus and methods discussed herein, including, but not limited to, disinfection of jewelry for the prevention of the transmission of bacteria and viruses. The use of this apparatus and the methods for cleaning jewelry may greatly diminish the transmission of bacteria and viruses found on rings and other jewelry.
Research has shown that hand hygiene contributes to the spread of disease and infection. Wearing jewelry can contribute to the amount of bacteria found on the hands of people, including, but not limited to, health care and food service workers. Hand hygiene is an area of study focusing on sanitary practices and habits relating to hands in an effort to reduce the spread of bacterial pathogens. Hand hygiene has been found by many clinical studies of healthcare professionals to be a leading cause of hand contamination, which leads to the spread of transient bacteria including pathogenic organisms such as Staphylococcus aureus including Methicillin-resistant S. aureus, Candida species, Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci and Gram-negative bacilli. Poor hand hygiene significantly increases the spread of pathogenic transient bacteria potentially causing Community Acquired Infections (CAI) and Hospital Acquired Infections (HAI).
Hospital Acquired Infections are the #1 environmental cause of death in America and #4 among all causes behind modifiable behavioral causes tobacco consumption, poor diet and inactivity and alcohol consumption. Nosocomial infections, another name for HAIs, kill more people in our country each year than car accidents, fires and drowning combined. [13] Similar data have also been reported in Europe. [15] Currently in the United States, a patient dies of a hospital acquired infection every six minutes. [14] The annual medical costs of HAIs in U.S. Hospitals are estimated to be between $28 and $45 billion. [1] The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that there were 1.7 million HAIs and 99,000 deaths from HAIs in 2002 and that 1 in 20 patients admitted to the hospital acquire some form of HAI. [2] Of the 99,000 deaths, 20,000 are directly contributed to poor hand hygiene. Infections that patients get in the hospital can be life-threatening and hard to treat. It is well documented that the vast majority of all nosocomial infections are transmitted by contact from patient to patient via the hands of healthcare workers (HCWs) and that hand hygiene is one of the most important ways to prevent the spread of infection. [17].
Reducing the occurrence of cross infection in all institutional settings is a priority, it not only jeopardizes patient health but has an economic impact as well. These infections affect the general health of patients and they are also a huge burden financially. The greatest contributor to these costs are the increased stays that patients with nosocomial infections require. The increased length of stay varies from 3 days for gynecological procedures to 19.8 days for orthopedic procedures. Other costs include additional drugs, the need for isolation, and the use of additional studies. There are also indirect costs due to loss of work. [18]
Nosocomial Infections are characterized as an infection whose development is favored by a hospital environment, such as one acquired by a patient during a hospital visit or one developing among hospital staff. Such infections include fungal and bacterial infections and are aggravated by the reduced resistance of individual patients [3]. The increased risk factors of hospital patients are three fold [4]:
Many types of HAIs or Nosocomial Infections are drug resistant such as Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and Acinetobacter. Due to the ineffectiveness of modern antibiotics on these bacteria, these infections are particularly challenging to treat and often lead to increased patient suffering, costs to treat and possibly even the death of the patient. In the United States, during the 5-year period from 1997 through 2001 the portion of methicillin-resistant S. aureus causing nosocomial infection continuously increased from 22.4% to 38.7%. [12]
Jewelry Hygiene is an area of study focusing on sanitary practices and habits relating to jewelry in an effort to reduce the spread of bacterial pathogens in particular jewelry's effect on hand hygiene. There are four key elements to optimally sanitizing jewelry: steam, hot water, water pressure and an anti-bacterial cleaning agent. To maintain visibly clean and sanitized jewelry, Jewelry Hygiene pioneer David Bellman G.G recommends each piece of jewelry be cleaned at least once every two weeks. “Jewelry worn in an everyday setting acts as repository for everything you touch, door handles, food preparation, any public place. Your jewelry then becomes a carrier for any potential pathogenic bacteria you come into contact with. The research has shown that even common methods of hand washing do not get the jewelry clean. This is of particular concern for Healthcare Workers as they, more specifically their jewelry, become potential vehicles for the spread of harmful bacteria.”
Currently, the best way to keep jewelry visibly clean and sanitized is to bring it to your local jeweler to have it professionally cleaned with equipment costing in excess of $5000. Very few people find this option viable due to the inconvenience, however current in-home options are very limited and are essentially ineffective in leaving the jewelry visibly clean or sanitized or both. In an effort to provide a convenient and affordable solution to the jewelry-cleaning problem, DHB Ventures Group and DEKA Research and Development have partnered to design a Jewelry Cleaning System named the Ringer System for healthcare workers to use in their home or office kitchen.
DHB Ventures group has conducted a number of initial studies including visual inspection with a high-powered magnifying lens as well as Standard Plate Count tests of jewelry. These studies have been conducted to specifically investigate the efficacy of jewelry hygiene methods on control of micro-organisms. These results have been obtained in non-hospital settings, and are generalizable to anyone who wears rings and other jewelry. The standard plate count results, conducted by an independent lab, found most jewelry items to contain high levels of microorganisms. These results are preliminary, and do not identify species-specific data. A pilot study at a partner hospital was conducted to specifically test the jewelry of health care workers and the efficacy of the Ringer System. The Pilot Study is detailed below.
The rings of six health care workers were collected and placed in labeled envelopes. A technician wearing gloves collected the rings. They were each tested using the Hygiena EnSURE system and ATP levels were recorded. If a health care worker had more than one ring on the same finger, the rings were swabbed together and considered one piece.
Later that evening, the rings were placed in an embodiment of the apparatus described herein. 10 ml of an anti-bacterial agent, with the active ingredient Surcide PCMX-USP (0.05%), was dispensed in an area configured to receive an agent located on top portion of the apparatus. The apparatus was placed in a dishwasher to run a 129 minute cycle. A standard dishwashing detergent was used.
After the dishwasher cycle ended, the rings were tested using the same Hygiena EnSURE system and ATP levels were recorded. The rings were given back to the health care workers the following morning. The health care workers were instructed to wear their jewelry as usual.
One week later, the health care workers returned to have the ATP levels tested with the Hygiena EnSURE system and ATP results were recorded. The rings were swabbed with gloved hands at the hospital and given back to the healthcare workers immediately to wear as usual for an additional week.
One more week later, or two weeks after the initial test, the health care workers returned to have the ATP levels tested again with the Hygiena EnSURE system and ATP results were recorded. The rings were swabbed with gloved hands at the hospital and given back the healthcare workers to wear as usual.
The Hygiena EnSURE was the instrument used to collect, analyze, and report the ATP levels. The Ultrasnap/Aquasnap swab tests made for the Hygiena EnSURE system were utilized to measure the ATP levels on each piece of jewelry. ATP or Adenosine Triphosphate is an organic molecule that is used by living cells as energy. Cells, including bacteria, yeast, and mold cells, produce and break down ATP to drive several biological processes. If ATP is present on a surface, it indicates that the surface is not clean and could contain bacteria. The presence of ATP may also indicate that bacterial growth is supported.
Below is a chart indicating the Hygiena Suggested ATP levels of clean, used to quantify the ATP levels in this study:
The Hygiena EnSURE luminometer system works by detecting small amounts of light generated from chemical reactions that take place after a sample is taken. An ATP reaction looks like:
Luciferin/Luciferace(buffer)+ATP=Light [EQN #1]
The Hygiena EnSURE numeric readings are displayed as Relative Light Unit (RLU) values. The light produced by the Luciferin/Luciferace and ATP reaction produces light in the form of photons. Photons are a particle and the basic unit of light. The Hygiena EnSURE system detects the photons and converts them into RLU values. The more light, the higher the RLU reading. The higher the RLU readings, the higher the amount of contamination on the sample.
To perform each ATP test, a swab is removed from a new test tube and rotated on the surface of one piece of jewelry to capture a sample. Once the swab (sample) is placed back in the test tube, the plastic Snap Valve is broken to release the buffer down the swab shaft. While in the buffer reagent, any ATP contained on the swab is released. The ATP is now available to react. The test tube is shaken for 5 seconds and then placed in the Hygiena EnSURE device and the lid is closed. The EnSURE device is held upright until a number is available. If ATP is present, light is produced and reflected in the number.
In some embodiments, the apparatus, system and method utilize an anti-bacterial cleaning agent with the active ingredient Surcide PCMX-USP (0.05%). Surcide PCMX-USO is a broad spectrum antimicrobial which is effective against bacteria (both Gram positive and Gram negative) and fungi (yeast and molds). It is bactericidal in addition to bacteriostatic, and is used to formulate a variety of antimicrobial handwash products.
The results of the initial testing showed that ATP levels on the participants' rings ranged from levels that indicated that they were Dirty to Filthy before cleaning and after cleaning using the apparatus, system and methods described herein, ranged from Ultra Clean to Very Clean. Results are shown in a chart below:
The initial phase of testing show significant bacterial colonization with 5 of 6 rings measuring Very Dirty to Filthy and 4 of 6 rings measuring Filthy. The average reading was an ATP score of 1,250 meaning the rings average above a rating of Filthy. After cleaning the jewelry with the Ringer System the average reading was 20, an equivalent rating of Very Clean or sanitary. Additionally, 6 of 6 rings rated clean or better with 4 of 6 rating Very Clean (sanitary) or better and 3 of 6 rating Ultra Clean (sterile).
The results of testing 1 week after cleaning displayed an increase in bacterial colonization with only 1 of 6 rings rating clean or better. Additionally, 4 of 6 rings rated Somewhat Dirty or worse with 2 of 6 rings rating Dirty, with an average rating of 146, the equivalent of a Somewhat Dirty rating.
The results of testing 2 weeks after cleaning again displayed a continued increase in bacterial colonization, no rings rating clean or better. Additionally, 5 of 6 rings rated Dirty or worse, 1 of 6 rings rating Very Dirty. The average rating was 343, the equivalent of a Dirty rating.
While the principles of the disclosure have been described herein, it is to be understood by those skilled in the art that this description is made only by way of example and not as a limitation as to the scope of the disclosure. Other embodiments are contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure in addition to the exemplary embodiments shown and described herein. Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.
