Cleaning apparatus
A cleaning apparatus for washing utensils may include a housing and a first and second brush that may be removeably disposed in the housing. A hook may be provided on the housing for securing the housing to a secondary structure such as a sink or basin. A suction cup may also be provided on the housing to bias the housing against movement during use.
This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/578,180 filed Jun. 9, 2004, which is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONI. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to a cleaning apparatus. More specifically, the invention concerns an apparatus that may be used for cleaning eating utensils having a housing and a pair of opposed brushes that may be removeably disposed within the housing.
II. Reference to Related Art
A traditional method of washing utensils (including eating utensils such as knives, forks and spoons, or kitchen utensils such as a spatula, etc., of any size) involves scrubbing the utensil by hand with a wet and soapy brush. However, this manner of washing is inherently time intensive and may cause stress on the body. Further, a person with a physical handicap may not be capable of scrubbing a utensil (or multiple utensils) in a satisfactory manner. Therefore, it would be advantageous to have a device to assist with the scouring and cleaning of utensils of various shapes and sizes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA cleaning apparatus may include a housing and a pair of brushes that are positioned on opposing interior walls of the housing such that the bristles of one brush are close to or overlay the bristles of the other brush. The base or floor of the housing has an opening that permits water to flow though the housing. Alternatively, the base may be closed and it may also optionally include a valve to allow a user to selectively drain the water from the housing. A hook may be provided on the housing for securing the housing to a secondary structure such as a sink or basin. Further, a suction cup may be provided on the housing to bias the housing against movement during use. Various means for dispensing a liquid detergent may also be provided on the housing or the brushes.
In operation, a user of the apparatus will grasp a utensil and then manually reciprocate the utensil in the housing and between the bristles of the brushes to scour and clean the utensil.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSReference will now be had to the attached figures wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout and wherein:
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The housing 12 may be constructed of a transparent polymer material. However, other materials (transparent or not) that include the requisite strength and rust resistance (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum, Plexiglas or PVC) may also be used to construct the housing 12.
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The hook 18 may be secured to and extend from an exterior side of a wall of the housing 12 (e.g., the rear wall 32 of the housing 12) such that the housing 12 may be suspended from a secondary structure (e.g., a sink, basin, tub, table, chair, etc. A pad 52 (e.g., a foam pad—see
The suction cup 20 or a similar removal removable mounting device (e.g., a hook-and-loop fastener such as VELCRO) is also provided on the exterior surface of the same wall from which the hook 18 extends. The suction cup 20 biases the housing 12 against movement during use of the cleaning apparatus 10.
In operation, a user may add a detergent (not shown) to the ends 58 of the bristles 44, 46 at the open end 32 of the housing 12. Next, a user may add an amount of water (not shown) as a means of activating the detergent. The user will then grasp a knife 60, fork, spoon or other utensil in need of cleaning and place it between the bristles 18 of the first 14 and second 16 brushes within the housing 12. Finally, the user will move the utensil in a reciprocating path between the brushes 14, 16 with the result that the utensil is scoured clean.
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Having thus described my invention, various other embodiments will become apparent to those having skill in the art that do not depart from the scope of the present invention.
Claims
1. A cleaning apparatus comprising:
- a housing;
- a first brush and a second brush positioned within the housing, each brush having a plurality of bristles, the bristles of the first brush and the second brush being directed toward an interior of the housing such that the brushes are operable to clean a utensil.
2. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a hook extending from the housing for securing the housing to a secondary structure.
3. The cleaning apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a removable mounting device positioned on the housing proximate the hook, the removable mounting device being operable to bias the housing against movement during use.
4. The cleaning apparatus of claim 3, wherein the removable mounting device includes a suction cup.
5. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a removable mounting device positioned on the housing, the removable mounting device being operable to bias the housing against movement during use.
6. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a detergent dispensing apparatus positioned on the housing.
7. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the detergent dispensing apparatus is integral with the housing.
8. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein one of the first or second brushes includes a detergent dispensing apparatus.
9. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a pair of guides and the first and second brush including a pair flanges that are operable to engage the guides of the housing.
10. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a first and a second set of opposed brackets, each set of brackets being are operable to retain one of the first or second brushes therebetween.
11. The clean apparatus of claim 10, wherein the housing further comprises a resilient locking flange proximate each set of brackets, each locking flange being operable to engage and secure one of the first and second brushes within the housing.
12. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a valve operable to allow a fluid to be drained from the housing.
13. A clean apparatus for utensils comprising:
- a housing including a front wall, a rear wall, a first and a second sidewall, a base and an open end opposite the base, a guide is positioned on each sidewall;
- a first brush and a second brush positioned within the housing, each brush having a plurality of bristles and a pair flanges, the flanges of each brush being operable to engage the guides of the housing, the bristles of each brush being directed toward an interior of the housing such that the brushes are operable to clean a utensil;
- a hook extending from the housing for securing the housing to a secondary structure; and
- a removable mounting device positioned on the housing proximate the hook, the removable mounting device being operable to bias the housing against movement during use.
14. The cleaning apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a detergent dispensing apparatus positioned on the housing.
15. The cleaning apparatus of claim 13, wherein the housing includes a first and a second set of opposed brackets, each set of brackets being are operable to retain one of the first or second brushes therebetween.
16. The clean apparatus of claim 15, wherein the housing further comprises a resilient locking flange proximate each set of brackets, each locking flange being operable to engage and secure one of the first and second brushes within the housing.
17. The cleaning apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a valve positioned in the base of housing operable to allow a fluid to be drained from the housing.
18. A clean apparatus for utensils comprising:
- a housing including a front wall, a rear wall, a first and a second sidewall, a base that includes an opening and an open end opposite the base, a guide is positioned on each sidewall;
- a first brush and a second brush positioned within the housing, each brush having a plurality of bristles and a pair flanges, the flanges of each brush being operable to engage the guides of the housing, the bristles of each brush being directed toward an interior of the housing such that the brushes are operable to clean a utensil;
- a hook extending from the housing for securing the housing to a secondary structure; and
- a removable mounting device positioned on the housing proximate the hook, the removable mounting device being operable to bias the housing against movement during use.
19. The cleaning apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a detergent dispensing apparatus positioned on the housing.
20. The cleaning apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a valve positioned in the base of housing operable to allow a fluid to be drained from the housing.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 9, 2005
Publication Date: Dec 15, 2005
Inventor: Lech Boltryk (Macomb Township, MI)
Application Number: 11/148,550