1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to brushes for cleaning bottles and, more particularly, to a multi-element brushing device for cleaning each of the multiple components of a bottle.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
The are a number of different, well known types of baby bottles; however, each bottle configuration typically includes a container component for storing infant formula, expressed breast milk or other liquid, and a nipple component that is sealable to the container component. Moreover, there are particular embodiments of baby bottles that include a straw component extending within the interior of the container component and being in communication with the nipple component. Baby bottles are generally reusable and must therefore be cleaned between uses. The process of cleaning the different components of a baby bottle can be cumbersome due to the relatively confined spaces included in each of the components.
There have been attempts to create a bottle and nipple brush in the past in an effort to provide a sufficient bottle cleaning device. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,491,863 to Dunn discloses a combined bottle and nipple cleaning brush utensil. The Dunn nipple cleaning brush is storable within the handle portion of the brush, which can promote growth of bacteria and mold. Moreover, the Dunn utensil does not provide a cleaning brush suitable for cleaning a straw component of a bottle. While the Dunn brush utensil and other cleaning brushes are not without merit, there exists a need for a bottle brush cleaning device having a combination of at least three different types of brushes, including a container cleaning element, a nipple cleaning element, and one or more additional cleaning elements, and wherein each of the cleaning elements extend from an ergonomically shaped base that is easy to grasp with one hand and manipulate use of each of the cleaning elements without having to place down the device or reposition one's grip on the device.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a multi-purpose brush device for cleaning baby bottles, nipples, straws, child sippy cups and other articles, and wherein the brush device has two or more different brushes that remain completely exposed at all times, thereby allowing for ease of use and air drying without growth of mildew and bacteria.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a multi-purpose brush device that has two or more different size brushes for cleaning baby bottles, breast pumps, child sippy cups and other articles without the need to put the device down and pick up items to be cleaned.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a multi=purpose brush device that stands on its own, thereby allowing for fast drying without while avoiding contact with counter-tops or dirty dishes in a sink.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a multi-purpose brush device that can be used to clean many different items without the need of putting the brush down or having to pick up another brush to use on a separate item being cleaned.
These and other objects and advantages will be readily apparent with reference to the following description and accompanying drawings.
The present invention is directed to a bottle brush cleaning device including a container cleaning element, a nipple cleaning element, and one or more additional cleaning elements. Each cleaning element extends from an ergonomically shaped base that is easy to grasp with one hand and manipulate use of each of the cleaning elements. In one embodiment, the ergonomically shaped base is configured to be placed upright on a supporting surface such that each of the cleaning elements is at least semi-vertically positioned away from the supporting surface in order to air dry without contamination from contact with other objects or surfaces. In a preferred embodiment, two additional cleaning elements extend from the base, wherein the additional cleaning elements each include brushes having dissimilarly sized diameters in order to allow for cleaning of varyingly sized articles, such as a straw or other tubular-shaped article.
For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
Referring to the several views of the drawings, the bottle brush cleaning device of the present invention is shown and is generally indicated as 10.
Referring initially to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
In one embodiment, one or more of the cleaning elements 14, 16, 18A and 18B are replaceable, wherein a worn or otherwise defective cleaning element 14, 16, 18A or 18B is removed from the base 12 and replaced with a like cleaning element 14, 16, 18A or 18B.
While the present invention has been shown and described in accordance with several preferred and practical embodiments thereof, it is recognized that departures from the instant disclosure are fully contemplated within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims and as interpreted under the Doctrine of Equivalence.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
3451723 | Marks | Jun 1969 | A |
D250068 | Ducotey | Oct 1978 | S |
5306151 | Rauch | Apr 1994 | A |
5491863 | Dunn | Feb 1996 | A |
5621941 | Liu | Apr 1997 | A |
5709003 | Batch | Jan 1998 | A |
6202247 | Lorenz, Jr. | Mar 2001 | B1 |
D489536 | Dunn | May 2004 | S |
D489903 | Dunn | May 2004 | S |
6892416 | Lee et al. | May 2005 | B2 |
7017222 | Dunn | Mar 2006 | B2 |
7260862 | DeFilippis | Aug 2007 | B1 |
7473046 | Kraus et al. | Jan 2009 | B2 |