CLEANING DEVICE WITH SLOTTED FOAM PAD IN CONTAINER

Abstract

A cleaning device includes a container with a threadedly fastened lid and a foam pad housed within the container. The foam pad has a vertically formed cylindrical groove. A cleaning fluid for use with the cleaning device includes one or more of the following ingredients: water, surfactants, a non-water solvent, and gluconate salt. A method of cleaning a beverage container includes pouring the cleaning fluid onto the foam pad; inserting a smudged portion of the beverage container at an angle from about 30° to less than 90° as compared to a floor of the container; and rotating the beverage container against the foam pad.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a container cleaner and, more particularly, to cleaning device with a slotted foam pad in a container.

A used beverage container such as a bottle, cup, jar, glass, mug, etc. often has an excess soil load in specific areas, such as smudges from lipstick, requiring additional rubbing, agitation, or rewashing multiple times to get the substrate clean. Most currently available container cleaners don't touch, pretreat, or scrub the entire surface. Moreover, the user must touch the cleaning device.

As can be seen, there is a need for a cleaning device or precleaner that simply and easily removes excess soil from a container. Further, there is a need for a cleaning device for containers that does not require the user to touch the cleaning surface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a cleaning device comprises a container with a lid threadedly fastened thereto; and a foam pad housed within the container, the foam pad having a cylindrical groove formed vertically therein.

In another aspect of the present invention, a cleaning fluid for use with the cleaning device comprises ingredients selected from the group consisting of: water, surfactants, a non-water solvent, gluconate salt; and any combination thereof.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method of cleaning a beverage container with the cleaning device comprises pouring the cleaning fluid onto the foam pad; inserting a smudged portion of the beverage container at an angle from about 30° to less than 90° as compared to a floor of the container; and rotating the beverage container against the foam pad.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present invention, shown in a storage position;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view thereof;

FIG. 3 is another perspective view thereof, shown in a use position;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view thereof;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view thereof; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart of a method of using the cleaning device of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, one embodiment of the present invention is a cleaning device to aid in the removal of a soil load on the inner and outer ridges and the inner and outer sides of any container, such as a bottle, cup, glass, or mug, reducing rewashes and increasing washing efficiency.

The cleaning device comprises a cleanser container such as a jar, a tub, or the like, containing a foam pad and a cleaning composition. The container holds everything together and may be any suitable size.

The foam pad has at least one slot or groove configured to align with the inner ridges, outer ridges and sidewall of a bottle, cup, glass, mug, or other container. The foam used can have multiple grooves in some cases. The size or dimensions of the groove are not particularly limited and correspond to the size or dimensions of the container substrate to be cleaned or precleaned. The groove accommodates the container mouth, scrubbing the surfaces when the container is agitated therein, aiding in the removal of a soil load before the container is washed, e.g., in a dishwasher. The pad is operative to scrub the inner and outer surfaces of the mouth of any bottle, jar, cup, glass, mug, etc. without requiring the user to touch the cleaning device, i.e., the foam.

The foam and the cleaner work together, when the container substrate is agitated against the foam to create friction, cleaning the soil load from the substrate. The bottle, cup, jar, glass, mug, etc. may be placed vertically, i.e., at 90° to the floor of the container, or at an angle to properly scrub the soil on the substrate. The angle may be, for example, from about 30° to less than 90° as compared to the floor of the container.

In some embodiments, the foam may be removed and cleaned or replaced. Fresh cleaning solution may be added.

The container may have adhesive rubber “dots” or feet on its bottom surface. The rubber dots on the underside of the jar may provide traction, helping the container to resist moving when a bottle, cup, jar, glass, mug is rubbed against the foam. The material, shape, size, and number are not particularly limited provided that the feet help hold the container in place during use. In some cases, the rubber dot(s) may cover the entire underside of the container.

To make the cleaning device, the manufacturer may make the foam pad with specific grooves that allow the foam to agitate or scrub the soil on the substrate. The foam pad may be made of a natural or synthetic material. The container/jar may be made to a size that fits the foam inside or the foam may be dimensioned to fit snugly within the container. The foam may be placed into the container and rubber dot(s) may be adhered to the bottom of the container. Finally, a cleaner may be poured into the container.

The cleaner may be any liquid that aids in cleaning, including water, an aqueous cleaner solution, or a non-aqueous cleaner.

To aid in cleaning smudges, like lipstick/lip gloss, from a container such as a bottle, cup, mug, glass, jar, the user may place the mouth of the container perpendicular to the foam. The user may insert the mouth of the bottle into the groove, ensuring the center foam piece is inside the container. Twisting the container a few times, the user may remove the container from the cleaner device and place it into a washer, e.g., a dishwasher. For some containers, such as a cup, mug, jar, or glass, the user may tilt the container, pressing smudged areas into the groove of the sponge, and twist the container a few times before placing the container in a dishwasher.

In some embodiments, the cleaning device may be used to clean other items, like the end of a pipe.

The cleaner may be plant based and does not contain any chlorinated ingredients. Thus, the cleaner is safer and more effective than competitive products. For example, the cleaner may comprise mineral free water, a blend of ionic and non-ionic surfactants, plant-based solvent, and gluconate salt. Preferably, the cleaner does not contain one or more of the following ingredients: sodium carbonate, trisodium phosphate, benzalkonium chloride, edetic acid (EDTA), and ethoxylated alcohols. Preferably, the cleaner is fragrance free and does not contain abrasive, toxic, corrosive, or hazardous ingredients.

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, FIG. 1 illustrates a cleaning device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprising a container 12, e.g., a jar or tub, with a lid 14, which may be provided as a set, shown in FIG. 2, with a container of cleaning liquid 30. The jar 12 has a threaded neck 11 and contains a foam pad 20, as shown in FIG. 3, with a central portion 24 separated from the main foam pad 20 by a groove 22; see FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 5, rubber feet 18 may be distributed across the container base 16.

To use the cleaning device 10, the user may pour cleaning fluid onto the foam pad 20 and then insert a smudged portion of a cup, glass, etc. at an angle into the groove 22, then rotate the cup to rub the dirty surface against the foam pad 20.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A cleaning device (10), comprising: a container (12) with a lid (14) threadedly fastened thereto; anda foam pad (20) housed within the container (12), having a cylindrical groove (22) formed vertically therein.

2. The cleaning device (10), further comprising elastomeric feet (18) distributed across a bottom surface of the container (12).

3. A method of cleaning a beverage container with the cleaning device (10) of claim 1, comprising: pouring a cleaning fluid onto the foam pad (20);inserting a smudged portion of the beverage container at an angle from about 30° to less than 90° as compared to a floor of the container (12); androtating the beverage container against the foam pad (20).

4. A cleaning fluid for use with the cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the cleaning fluid comprises ingredients selected from the group consisting of: water, surfactants, a non-water solvent, gluconate salt; and any combination thereof.

5. The cleaning fluid of claim 4, excluding ingredients selected from the group consisting of: chlorinated ingredients, fragrance, sodium carbonate, trisodium phosphate, benzalkonium chloride, edetic acid, ethoxylated alcohols, and any combination thereof.