Cleaning device for hollow objects

Abstract

The cleaning device for hollow objects includes a rigid rod, a cleaning sleeve, and a handle. The rigid rod forms the frame of the cleaning device and has a first end and a second end. The cleaning sleeve is provided for contacting the cleaning surface of the hollow object and encases a portion of the rigid rod adjacent the second end. The cleaning sleeve is made from a material that fully protects the surface of the hollow object being cleaned and may be replaceable. The handle my be a telescoping handle and extends from the first end of the rigid rod to increase the overall length of the device. The telescoping handle allows the cleaning device to be used on a variety of different sized hollow objects.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/786,742, filed Mar. 29, 2006.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to cleaning devices, and more specifically to a cleaning device for use in cleaning hollow objects, such as bottles and vases.

2. Description of the Related Art

Many long-handled or other wand-type cleaning devices have been employed for cleaning the inside surfaces of hollow objects, such as bottles, glasses, and vases. These devices are needed due to the difficulty in reaching one's hand fully inside these objects. Many of these cleaning devices are flexible and are equipped with brushes or other bristle-type structures at one end that are used to effectuate the cleaning. However, these types of cleaning devices are not always desirable or effective. Rough bristles or brushes can often scratch or otherwise damage fragile glass objects, and the flexibility of the device often prevents the user from applying the necessary amount of force for a thorough cleaning.

There is a need for a handled cleaning device for use with hollow objects that has a rigid frame for allowing a user to apply maximum force to the cleaning surface. It is also desirable that the cleaning portion of the device be made from a material that fully protects the surface of the hollow object being cleaned. Thus, a cleaning device for hollow objects solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cleaning device for hollow objects includes a rigid rod, a cleaning sleeve, and a handle. The rigid rod forms the frame of the cleaning device and has a first end and a second end. The second end of the rigid rod is pointed to allow the rod to force the cleaning sleeve into crevices for a thorough cleaning.

The cleaning sleeve is provided for contacting the surface of the hollow object to be cleaned and encases a portion of the rigid rod adjacent the second end. The cleaning sleeve is made from a material that fully protects the surface of the hollow object being cleaned and may be replaceable.

The handle extends from the first end of the rigid rod, and is preferably telescoping. The telescoping handle adjusts the length of the cleaning device from 9-13 inches to allow the cleaning device to be used on a variety of different sized hollow objects. The end of the handle opposite the rigid rod can be provided with a loop for hanging the cleaning device from a hook.

These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a cleaning device for hollow objects according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a cleaning device for hollow objects according to the present invention, partially in section.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is a cleaning device, designated generally as 10 in FIGS. 1 and 2, for use in cleaning hollow objects such as bottles, glasses, and vases, shown generically in dotted lines in FIG. 1 as A. Cleaning device 10 includes rigid rod 12, cleaning sleeve 14, and handle 16. Rigid rod 12 forms the basic frame of cleaning device 10 and has a first end and a second end. Cleaning sleeve 14 is provided for contacting the cleaning surface of a hollow object, such as a vase, and encases a portion of rigid rod 12 adjacent the second end. In a preferred embodiment, rigid rod 12 extends almost entirely to the tip of cleaning sleeve 14, thus maximizing the amount of force that can be applied when cleaning a hollow object. The length of rigid rod 12 that is encased by cleaning sleeve 14 may be varied depending on the desired cleaning application. The second end of rigid rod 12 is tapered and ends in a point 20. Point 20 is useful to force the cleaning sleeve into crevices or other tight spaces to provide thorough cleaning of the hollow object.

As previously stated, the length of rigid rod 1 2 that is encased by cleaning sleeve 14 may be varied depending on the desired cleaning application. This is generally achieved by varying the length of sleeve 14. The length of the sleeve 14 should be sized to avoid contact between the rigid rod 1 2 and the hollow object A. Cleaning sleeve 14 is ideally made from a soft material that fully protects the surface of the hollow object being cleaned and is preferably a close-knit fabric that is thick and durable, such as terry cloth. The sleeve 14 may be removable so that it may be cleaned and/or replaced.

Many different types of attachment mechanisms may be used to attach the sleeve 14 to the rigid rod 12, depending on whether a removable sleeve or non-removable sleeve is desired. The sleeve 14 may be permanently attached to the rod 12 using, for example, an adhesive. In an alternative embodiment, the sleeve 14 may be removably attached to the rod 12, so that it may be cleaned in a washing machine. The attachment means in the removable embodiment may simply be a friction fit between the inner diameter of the sleeve 14 and the outer surface of the rigid rod 1 2. Other means of removable attachment, such as hook and loop material, drawstrings, or other devices may also be used.

Handle 16 extends from the first end of rigid rod 12 and is provided for controlling the use of cleaning device 10. Handle 16 may be a telescoping handle having indents 22 for receiving a spring-loaded detent 24 mounted in the first end of the rod 12, and the handle may be provided with knurls or gripping members 26 for added control. Extension of the handle 16 extends the overall length of the cleaning device 10. Preferably, the handle 16 can be extended to increase the length of the cleaning device 10 from nine to thirteen inches. Handle 16 is also preferably provided with a hook 18 for hanging the cleaning device 10 from a hook, nail, screw or other device.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A cleaning device for hollow objects, comprising:

a rigid rod having a first end and a second end, the second end being tapered to a point;

a cleaning sleeve encasing a portion of the rigid rod adjacent the second end; and

a handle extending from the first end of the rigid rod.

2. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein said rigid rod is made of metal.

3. The cleaning device of claim 1, said rigid rod is made of stainless steel.

4. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein said cleaning sleeve is made of a close-knit fabric.

5. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein said cleaning device made of terry cloth.

6. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein said cleaning sleeve is permanently attached to said rigid rod.

7. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein said cleaning sleeve is permanently attached to said rigid rod using an adhesive.

8. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein said cleaning sleeve is removably attached to said rigid rod.

9. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein said handle is telescoping.

10. The cleaning device of claim 9, wherein said telescoping handle includes indents on an inner surface thereof, said rigid rod includes a detent on an outer surface thereof, and wherein said indents cooperate with said detent to allow the handle to snap into place in several extended and retracted positions.

11. A cleaning device for hollow objects, comprising:

a rigid rod having a first end and a second end;

a cleaning sleeve encasing a portion of the rigid rod adjacent the second end; and

a telescoping handle extending from the first end of the rigid rod.

12. A cleaning device for hollow objects, comprising:

a rigid rod having a first end and a second end, the second end being tapered to a point;

a cleaning sleeve encasing a portion of the rigid rod adjacent the second end; and

a telescoping handle extending from the first end of the rigid rod.