BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to cleaning devices, and more specifically to a dual brush that provides removable dual cleaning heads with a cleaning solution dispensing arrangement there between.
2. Description of Related Art
Cleaning devices such as brushes and scrubbers facilitate the cleaning of objects and surfaces where mechanical abrasion is used to more thoroughly remove undesirable material that otherwise would remain attached to the object or surface if less abrasive cleaning devices such as sponges or clothes were used.
Originally, cleaning devices such as scrubbers or sweepers were made from natural materials such as the Mare's tail plant. As materials advanced, brushes became more sophisticated and were made from a variety of synthetic materials such as various plastics and the like. Despite these advances in materials, brushes mostly retained their basic and utilitarian form of a substrate with bristles protruding outward. While such brushes worked well, they were not optimal in terms of ease of use, ergonomics, and suitability for a variety of cleaning jobs. For example, many cleaning jobs require the use of several different cleaning devices in combination with a cleaning liquid. Brushes may be well suited for rapid removal of unwanted material, whereas a scrub pad or sponge may be better suited for removal of material across a larger flat area or removal of thinner deposits of material or film like material. Dispensing a cleaning solution at the point of application of a brush or pad would also be desirable for many cleaning tasks.
What is therefore needed is a cleaning device that provides interchangeable and dual cleaning heads to accomplish a variety of cleaning tasks. What is also needed is a cleaning solution dispenser in close proximity and integrated with such a dual head cleaning device.
It is thus an object of the present invention to provide such a cleaning device.
These and other objects of the present invention are not to be considered comprehensive or exhaustive, but rather, exemplary of objects that may be ascertained after reading this specification, claims and the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a dual brush comprising a hollow substructure comprising a handle and a housing formed together, a first opening in the handle configured to receive a flexible overmold and so create a first diaphragm; the housing having a first planar receiving surface formed at an angle with the longitudinal axis of the handle and having a second planar receiving surface formed at an opposing angle with the first planar receiving surface; a first receiving slot and a second receiving slot integral with the first planar receiving surface; a third receiving slot and a fourth receiving slot integral with the second planar receiving surface; a dispensing port between the first planar receiving surface and the second planar receiving surface; a dispensing valve placed within the dispensing port; a removable brush head comprising a first tab and a second tab removably engaged with the first receiving slot and the second receiving slot of the first planar receiving surface; a removable pad head comprising a third tab and a fourth tab removably engaged with the third receiving slot and the fourth receiving slot of the second planar receiving surface; and a cap to removably seal the formed handle and housing.
The foregoing paragraph has been provided by way of introduction, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention as described in this specification, claims and the attached drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be described by reference to the following drawings, in which like numerals refer to like elements, and in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dual brush of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a pad side plan view of the dual brush;
FIG. 3 is a brush side plan view of the dual brush;
FIG. 4 is a front plan view of the dual brush;
FIG. 5 is a side plan view of the dual brush;
FIG. 6 is an alternate side plan view of the dual brush;
FIG. 7 is a handle end plan view of the dual brush;
FIG. 8 is a handle up perspective view of the dual brush;
FIG. 9 is a rotated handle up perspective view of the dual brush;
FIG. 10 is a plan view of the dual brush;
FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of the dual brush taken along line A-A of FIG. 10;
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the dual brush with heads removed;
FIG. 13 is a rotated perspective view of the dual brush with heads removed;
FIG. 14 is a pad side plan view of the dual brush with heads removed;
FIG. 15 is a brush side plan view of the dual brush with heads removed;
FIG. 16 is a front plan view of the dual brush with heads removed;
FIG. 17 is a handle end plan view of the dual brush with heads removed;
FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the brush head of the dual brush;
FIG. 19 is a side plan view of the brush head of the dual brush;
FIG. 20 is a front plan view of the brush head of the dual brush;
FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the pad head of the dual brush;
FIG. 22 is a side plan view of the pad head of the dual brush;
FIG. 23 is a front plan view of the pad head of the dual brush; and
FIG. 24 is an exploded view of the dual brush.
The attached figures depict various views of the dual brush in sufficient detail to allow one skilled in the art to make and use the present invention. These figures are exemplary, and depict a preferred embodiment; however, it will be understood that there is no intent to limit the invention to the embodiment depicted herein. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by this specification, claims and drawings appended hereto.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
A Dual Brush is described and depicted by way of this specification and the attached drawings.
For a general understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals have been used throughout to designate identical elements.
The Dual Brush of the present invention, as described and depicted herein, provides, among other things, removable dual cleaning heads with a cleaning solution dispensing arrangement there between.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dual brush of the present invention. The dual brush may be made from any suitable material, for example, a plastic. Examples of suitable plastics include acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polytetrafluoroethylene, and the like. Bioplastics may also be used in some embodiments of the present invention. In addition, reinforced plastics, metals, wood, or other materials that may be suitably formed may also be used. The various components of the dual brush may be made by injection molding, blow molding, machining, extruding, forming, or the like. The various components are then assembled in accordance with the disclosure and figures provided herein.
As can be seen in FIG. 1, a dual brush 100 is shown comprising a hollow substructure that is made up of a dispensing handle 101 and a dispensing housing 109 that are formed together to create a hollow chamber for storage of a cleaning solution. This formed hollow chamber is not yet liquid tight until a soft durometer overmold material is placed over the hollow substructure. Such a soft durometer overmold material may comprise, for example, a thermoplastic elastomer. In some embodiments of the present invention, the substructure is made from a clear plastic such as a polycarbonate to allow for viewing of fluid levels within the hollow chamber. A first opening in the handle 101 is configured to receive a flexible overmold and so create a first diaphragm 105. The dispensing housing 109 has a first planar receiving surface formed at an angle with the longitudinal axis of the handle and has a second planar receiving surface formed at an opposing angle with the first planar receiving surface. These angles create an optimal angle for cleaning and also for keeping one's hands clean while using the dual brush. A first receiving slot and a second receiving to slot are integral with the first planar receiving surface, and a third receiving slot and a fourth receiving slot are integral with the second planar receiving surface.
A dispensing port 111 can be seen between the first planar receiving surface and the second planar receiving surface that has a dispensing valve placed there within. The dispensing valve, seen more clearly in FIG. 4 as callout 407, may be a silicone membrane with an opening or slit that releases liquid upon receipt of sufficient pressure. Such pressure is created when a user pushes one of the diaphragms on the handle inward.
A removable brush head 113 can be seen. The removable brush head 113 has a substrate with a first tab and a second tab on one side and a plurality of brushes or bristles, such as nylon bristles, attached to the other side. The brush head 113 is removably engaged with the first receiving slot and the second receiving slot of the first planar receiving surface.
A removable pad head 115 can also be seen in FIG. 1, and has a substrate with a third tab and a fourth tab on one side and a sponge or scrub pad attached to the other side. The pad head 115 is removably engaged with the third receiving slot and the fourth receiving slot of the second planar receiving surface.
To retain cleaning solution within the hollow chamber, a cap 107 can be seen which is removably attached to the hollow handle. Tabs, threads, or similar retaining structures are employed between the cap and the hollow handle. In addition, a seal such as a gasket or an O-ring may also be employed. The soft durometer overmold material may also be placed over the cap 107 to provide a secure grip while in use and also an aesthetic appearance that conforms to the overmold on the handle 101.
A viewing port 103 may also be provided where an opening in the soft durometer overmold material allows visibility through an optically clear, transparent or translucent substructure to determine cleaning solution level within the dual brush.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the dual brush. The first diaphragm 105 can be seen. In addition, the removable pad head 115 can be seen with a pad release tab 201. This pad release tab protrudes outward from the substrate of the removable pad head 115 and contains a recess or cut that engages with an indentation located on the second planar receiving surface (not seen in FIG. 2, see FIGS. 8, 9 and 12).
FIG. 3 is a brush side plan view of the dual brush that shows the attachment of the removable brush head 113 to the dispensing housing and associated dispensing handle. While the removable brush head 113 is shown with bristles, it should be appreciated that other cleaning structures may also be employed.
FIG. 4 is a front plan view of the dual brush. Of particular note in this view is the joining of the substrate for the removable pad head 115 and the substrate for the removable brush head 113. The substrates are made from a suitable material, for example polypropylene.
A scraper 405 can be seen that is formed from a pad scraper part 401 and a brush scraper part 403. Each scraper part and the resulting scraper protrude outward from their associated substrate, and may be curved or flared. The scraper 405 is small and is intended to provide rapid and precise targeted removal of a small area of stuck and undesirable material to be removed, essentially acting as a spot treatment tool.
Also seen in FIG. 4 is the dispensing port 111 and the dispensing valve 407 located within the dispensing port 111. The dispensing valve 407 may be a silicone membrane with an opening or slit that releases liquid upon receipt of sufficient pressure. Such pressure is created when a user pushes one of the diaphragms on the handle inward. To facilitate the proper delivery of liquid being released from the dispensing port 111, a dispensing flare is formed by a half funnel shaped or conical shaped opening in the substrate of the removable brush head 113 and the removable pad head 115. When the removable brush head 113 and the removable pad head 115 are attached to their respective fixtures on the dispensing housing 109, a dispensing flare is formed. A dispensing flare brush part 409 and a dispensing flare pad part 411, each a partial conical or funnel shaped section, form a funnel, conical or otherwise outwardly flared exit orifice or fixture that guides the exiting cleaning solution when the user depresses a diaphragm 105 or 501 on the handle 101.
FIG. 5 depicts a side plan view of the dual brush. From this view, a second diaphragm 501 can be seen. The second diaphragm 501 is formed in a way similar to that of the first diaphragm 105. A second opening in the handle is formed or otherwise molded, and configured to receive the flexible overmold that covers the dispensing handle 101 and creates the first diaphragm 105.
FIG. 6 is an alternate side plan view of the dual brush that shows the attached brush head 113 and pad head 115 and the angles of attachment thereof.
FIG. 7 is a handle end plan view of the dual brush to further aid in understanding the present invention and the construction and configuration of the dual brush of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a handle up perspective view of the dual brush 100. From this view, the angle that the removable brush head 113 and the removable pad head 115 form in relation to the longitudinal axis of the handle 101 can be clearly seen. Such an angle may be, for example, in the range of 1 degree to 45 degrees, and provides an optimal cleaning angle while keeping the user's hands clean and free of debris and liquid.
Also in FIG. 8 a brush release tab 801 can be seen. Similar to the pad release tab 201 seen in FIG. 2, this brush release tab protrudes outward from the substrate of the removable brush head 113 and contains a recess or cut that engages with an indentation located on the first planar receiving surface (also see FIGS. 9 and 12).
FIG. 9 is a rotated handle up perspective view of the dual brush 100. Of note is that in some embodiments of the present invention the removable pad head 115 is slightly shorter than the removable brush head 113 such that the brush head is only received by the first planar receiving surface and the pad head is only received by the second planar receiving surface. In some embodiments this arrangement is reversed such that the removable brush head 113 is slightly shorter than the removable pad head 115.
FIG. 10 is a plan view of the dual brush. FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of the dual brush taken along line A-A of FIG. 10. In some embodiments of the present invention, an abrasive surface 1101 is added to the removable pad head 115.
The cap 107 can be seen with cap threads 1103 that engage with handle threads 1105 to retain and tighten the cap 107 onto the hollow dispensing handle 101. A gasket or O-ring 1107 can be seen, and creates a liquid tight seal when the cap 107 is compressed onto the dispensing handle 101. An overmold 1109 can be seen covering the handle and the openings that in turn form the first diaphragm 105 and the second diaphragm 501. This overmold is a soft durometer material such as TPE (thermoplastic elastomer). The overmold 1109 covers portions of the handle housing substructure 1111. This substructure may be molded from a plastic, and may, in some embodiments of the present invention, be a clear, translucent or transparent plastic such as polycarbonate.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the dual brush with heads removed. The dispensing handle 101 and dispensing housing 109 form the core of the dual brush that not only stores and dispenses cleaning solution, but provides a handle and attachment for the removable brush head and removable pad head (shown in FIG. 1). A brush tab retainer 1201 can be seen that comprises an opening with a bevel or similar feature to engage with the brush release tab 801 that can be seen in FIG. 8. A first receiving slot 1203 and a second receiving slot 1205 can be seen, and may be at the corners of the planar receiving surface 1207. The slots receive tabs on the brush head. The angled planar receiving surface 1207 provides an engaging surface for the removable brush head which is oriented at an efficient and proper cleaning angle. A dispensing port 1209 can also be seen to deliver cleaning solution through the dispensing flare. The dispensing port 1209 is in fluid communication with the dispensing housing 109 and contains a dispensing valve 1605, as can be seen in FIG. 16.
FIG. 13 is a rotated perspective view of the dual brush with heads removed, showing the removable pad retention side. Similar to the way in which the removable brush is attached to the housing, a pad tab retainer 1301 can be seen that comprises an opening with a bevel or similar feature to engage with the pad release tab 201, as seen in FIG. 2. A third receiving slot 1303 and a fourth receiving slot 1305 can be seen, and may be at the corners of the planar receiving surface 1307. The slots receive tabs on the pad head. The angled planar receiving surface 1307 provides an engaging surface for the removable pad head which is oriented at an efficient and proper cleaning angle.
FIG. 14 is a pad side plan view of the dual brush with heads removed and FIG. 15 is a brush side plan view of the dual brush with heads removed.
While the receiving slots for the removable brush head and the removable pad head serve to retain the heads to the dispensing housing at two points, in a preferred embodiment the heads are retained at each of their four corners. FIG. 16 is a front plan view of the dual brush with heads removed. A first receptacle 1601 and a second receptacle 1603 can be seen. These receptacles serve to receive tabs on the brush head and the pad head, and are configured to receive tabs from both the brush head and the pad head in a shared or otherwise mating configuration. This can be clearly seen in FIG. 24. The receptacles in one embodiment may be square or rectangular, and may taper or otherwise angle inward to provide a secure fit for the tabs on the brush head and pad head. Also seen in FIG. 16 is a dispensing valve 1605 that is fit or otherwise attached and adhered to the dispensing port 1209. The dispensing valve 1605 may be a silicone membrane with an opening or slit that releases liquid upon receipt of sufficient pressure. Such pressure is created when a user pushes one of the diaphragms on the handle inward.
FIG. 17 is a handle end plan view of the dual brush with heads removed. To facilitate secure engagement of the pad release tab 201 (see FIG. 2), a pad tab retainer bevel 1701 can be seen as a raised portion along the pad tab retainer 1301. Similarly, to facilitate secure engagement of the brush release tab 801 (see FIG. 8), a brush tab retainer bevel 1703 can be seen as a raised portion along the brush tab retainer 1201.
For a complete understanding of the novel engagement mechanism of the present invention and other novel aspects thereof, FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the brush head of the dual brush showing engagement features. A brush substrate 1800 secures and retains the bristles or other cleaning elements on one side, and provides engagement features on the other side. A first tab 1801 and a second tab 1803 can be seen which engage with the first receiving slot 1203 and the second receiving slot 1205 of the dispensing housing 109. These tabs may, in some embodiments, be oriented at an angle with respect to the substrate 1800 and may also, in some embodiments of the present invention, become progressively wider as the tab gets closer to the substrate. This allows for solid engagement of the tab to the receiving slot. In some embodiments, the tabs may also have a rounded corner to allow for ease of insertion into the receiving slot. A fifth tab 1805 and a sixth tab 1807 may also be seen, and are configured to engage with the first receptacle 1601 and the second receptacle 1603. The fifth tab 1805 and the sixth tab 1807 may be built up onto a protrusion or other such feature to facilitate proper downward entry of these tabs into their related receptacles. Between the fifth tab 1805 and the sixth tab 1807 can be seen the dispensing flare brush part 411 in the form of a half funnel or half flare that joins with a similar structure on the removable pad head 115 (see FIG. 1) to create a dispensing flare for delivery of a cleaning solution. The fifth tab 1805 and the sixth tab 1807 may be rectangular, and may, in some embodiments, have rounded or otherwise smoothed corners. The fifth tab 1805 and the sixth tab 1807 may also protrude downward at an angle that is not parallel with the brush substrate 1800 to facilitate firm retention of these tabs into their associated receptacles. Such a non-parallel arrangement can be clearly seen in FIG. 19, which is a side plan view of the brush head of the dual brush. The wedge shaped brush release tab 801 can also be seen attached to the brush substrate 1800 with a “live hinge” type arrangement. FIG. 20 is a front plan view of the brush head of the dual brush.
FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the pad head of the dual brush showing engagement features. A pad substrate 2100 secures and retains the sponge or other cleaning elements on one side, and provides engagement features on the other side. A third tab 2101 and a fourth tab 2103 can be seen which engage with the third receiving slot 1303 and the fourth receiving slot 1305 of the dispensing housing 109. These tabs may, in some embodiments, be oriented at an angle with respect to the substrate 2100 and may also, in some embodiments of the present invention, become progressively wider as the tab gets closer to the substrate. This allows for solid engagement of the tab to the receiving slot. In some embodiments, the tabs may also have a rounded corner to allow for ease of insertion into the receiving slot. A seventh tab 2105 and an eighth tab 2107 may also be seen, and are configured to engage with the first receptacle 1601 and the second receptacle 1603. The seventh tab 2105 and the eighth tab 2107 may be built up onto a protrusion or other such feature to facilitate proper downward entry of these tabs into their related receptacles. Between the seventh tab 2105 and the eighth tab 2107 can be seen the dispensing flare pad part 409 in the form of a half funnel or half flare that joins with a similar structure on the removable brush head 113 (see FIG. 1) to create a dispensing flare for delivery of a cleaning solution. The seventh tab 2105 and the eighth tab 2107 may be rectangular, and may, in some embodiments, have rounded or otherwise smoothed corners. The seventh tab 2105 and the eighth tab 2107 may also protrude downward at an angle that is not parallel with the pad substrate 2100 to facilitate firm retention of these tabs into their associated receptacles. Such a non-parallel arrangement can be clearly seen in FIG. 22, which is a side plan view of the pad head of the dual brush. The wedge shaped pad release tab 201 can also be seen attached to the pad substrate 2100 with a “live hinge” type arrangement. FIG. 23 is a front plan view of the pad head of the dual brush.
Lastly, FIG. 24 is an exploded view of the dual brush 100 showing the way in which the removable brush head 113 and the removable pad head 115 attach to the dispensing housing 109 at the first planar receiving surface and the second planar receiving surface respectively. The tabs of the removable brush head 113 can be seen. The removable pad head 115 has a similar arrangement. A release tab can be seen for each, and located between two tabs. The tabs engage with receiving slots on the dispensing housing 109, and the release tab for each provides positive retention of such.
It should also be noted that FIG. 12 depicts the dispensing housing 109 and the dispensing handle 101 as two pieces that are connected together. In some embodiments, the handle and housing are integral and formed as one piece, or may, in other embodiments of the present invention, comprise two or more pieces that are in turn connected or otherwise fastened together.
To use the dual brush, cleaning solution or a similar liquid is placed in the hollow handle and housing by removing the cap 107 and then replacing the cap 107 once the hollow handle and housing is filled with solution. The user has a choice of using a brush or a pad for cleaning operations, and may dispense cleaning solution by depressing either the first diaphragm 105 or the second diaphragm 501, or both. Once a diaphragm is depressed, pressure builds in the hollow liquid filled handle and housing, and the dispensing valve 407 releases an amount of cleaning solution that is proportional to the force applied to a diaphragm. For additional amounts of cleaning solution, a diaphragm may be depressed multiple times. As described and depicted herein, the dispensing port 111 that contains the dispensing valve 407 is located between the removable brush head 113 and the removable pad head 115.
It is, therefore, apparent that there has been provided, in accordance with the various objects of the present invention, a dual brush. While the various objects of this invention have been described in conjunction with preferred embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of this specification, claims and the attached drawings.
Patent Application
20180263365
