Plastic Bottle Cap Scrubber

Abstract

A scrubbing apparatus for scrubbing debris off a surface comprises a handle having a grip area on a first end, a support extension extending from the handle from a second end and a receiver for a bottle cap at a distal end of the support extension. The apparatus uses recycled bottle caps as a scraping or scrubbing surface. The apparatus gives the user a mechanical advantage over trying to grasp a bottle cap for the same use. The apparatus allows the user to get their hand a safer distance from a rough, dirty, wet, hot or cold surface while scraping or scrubbing the surface.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Statement Regarding Federally Sponsored Research and Development

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This embodiment relates to cleaning devices and more particularly to a scrubbing apparatus that allows a user to keep their hand a safer distance from a rough. dirty, wet, hot or cold surface while scraping or scrubbing the surface.

DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART

One job that is difficult for people to do without hurting a hand is scraping and scrubbing surfaces that are dirty. Many products on the market for scrubbing and cleaning surfaces, especially in sharp corners and crevices, are small and expensive. It is difficult for anyone to use these devices, and even more so for the elderly and those with arthritis or other joint conditions. This issue necessitates the need for a more comfortable and cost-effective scraping and scrubbing device.

One existing scrubbing apparatus provides a scrubber for lap siding with a profile complementary to the profile of the boards in the lap siding such that when the scrubber is moved side to side in a washing action, an exposed side face and under surface of the siding boards are effectively scrubbed and dirt, dust, mildew, mold and algae are effectively removed. However, such a scrubber cannot remove dirt from a rough surface even if high pressure is applied.

Another existing scrubbing apparatus discloses an electrically-driven portable dirt scrubber which is portable, and conveniently usable for diverse portions of the region while effectively scrubbing off foreign matter from the area without any damage to the device, thereby keeping the region clean while providing a scrubbing effect. This dirt scrubber includes a handle configured to be grasped by the user: an assembly connected at one end to the handle configured to be adjustable in length; and a pivoting head connected to the other end of the assembly; a power supply mounted in the main body charged with electric power supplied from an external power source; a motor configured to be driven by electric power with a drive signal and a contact member attached to the outer surface adapted to remove debris. However such a scrubber requires constant electrical power for functioning.

Yet another existing scrubbing apparatus discloses a cleaning device with a handle that is connected to a cleaning head with a cleaning pad on a spindle that is connected to the handle by an axle that permits the cleaning head to pivot on the axle. In addition, the spindle is enclosed in a housing that permits the rotational movement of the cleaning head. However the material that does the scrubbing or scraping is not a recycled material.

In light of the foregoing, there is a need for an improved scrubbing apparatus that would allow the user to safely, effectively and cheaply scrape and scrub a surface using recycled bottle caps. The recycled bottle cap would be attached to a handle that allows the user to keep their hands a safe distance from a rough, dirty, wet, hot or cold surface while scraping or scrubbing the surface. The handle would provide much improved leverage, effectiveness, and comfort while doing the scraping or scrubbing. The handle and bottle cap would be easy to clean thereby making the scrubbing apparatus more sanitary than a scrub pad or scrub brush given their propensity to accumulate debris. The present embodiment accomplishes these objectives.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present embodiment is a scrubbing apparatus for scrubbing debris oft a surface. The apparatus comprises a handle having a grip area on a first end, a support extension extending from the handle from a second end and a receiver for a bottle cap at a distal end of the support extension. The apparatus uses recycled bottle caps as a scraping or scrubbing surface. The apparatus gives the user a mechanical advantage over trying to grasp a bottle cap for the same use. The apparatus allows the user to keep their hand a safer distance from a rough, dirty, wet, hot or cold surface while scraping or scrubbing the surface.

Various angles may be implemented during construction to make the handle more comfortable or to provide clearance while working with the apparatus. A through hole is incorporated for display or storage of the apparatus. Additionally a female screw thread of appropriate size and shape can optionally be incorporated somewhere on the apparatus for the storage of an extra bottle cap.

To use the apparatus a plastic bottle cap is pressed into the bottom hole. The apparatus is then grasped on the handle area and pressure is applied so that the bottle cap is pressed firmly onto the surface that needs to be scraped or scrubbed. When finished, the apparatus can easily be rinsed or cleaned. When the edges of the bottle cap become dulled the cap may be removed and replaced with another plastic bottle cap. Thereby the apparatus allows the user to get keep the hand a safer distance from a rough, dirty, wet, hot or cold surface while scraping or scrubbing the surface.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a scrubbing apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the scrubbing apparatus in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the scrubbing apparatus in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention showing a bottle cap;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the scrubbing apparatus showing the bottle cap installed and ready to use;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a scrubbing apparatus in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the scrubbing apparatus in accordance with the alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the scrubbing apparatus in accordance with the alternate embodiment of the present invention showing a bottle cap; and

FIG. 8 is a side view of the scrubbing apparatus of FIG. 7 showing the bottle cap installed and ready to use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following describes example embodiments in which the present invention may be practiced. This invention, however, may be embodied in many different ways, and the description provided herein should not be construed as limiting in any way. Among other things, the following invention may be embodied as methods or devices. The following detailed descriptions should not be taken in a limiting sense.

In this document, the terms “a” or “an are used, as is common in patent documents, to include one or more than one. In this document, the term r” is used to refer to a nonexclusive “or,” such that “A or B” includes “A but not B,” “B but not A,” and “A and B,” unless otherwise indicated. Furthermore, all publications, patents, and patent documents referred to in this document are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety, as though individually incorporated by reference. In the event of inconsistent usages between this document and those documents so incorporated by reference, the usage in the incorporated reference(s) should be considered supplementary to that of this document; for irreconcilable inconsistencies, the usage in this document controls.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a scrubbing apparatus 10 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus 10 comprises a handle 12 having a grip area 14 on a first end 16, a support extension 18 extending from the handle 12 from a second end 20 and a receiver 22 for a bottle cap 24 (See FIG. 3) at a distal end 26 of the support extension 18. The apparatus 10 allows a user to keep the hand a safer distance from a rough, dirty, wet, hot and/or cold surface while scrubbing the surface with the bottle cap 24 (See FIG. 3).

FIG. 2 is a top view of the scrubbing apparatus 10 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Various angles may be implemented during construction to make the handle 12 more comfortable or to provide clearance while working with the apparatus 10. A through hole 28 (See FIG. 1) is incorporated for display or storage of the apparatus 10. Additionally a female screw thread (not shown) of appropriate size and shape may optionally be incorporated somewhere on the apparatus for the storage of an extra bottle cap.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the scrubbing apparatus in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention showing a bottle cap 24. To use the apparatus 10 a plastic bottle cap 24 is pressed into the receiver 22 as shown in FIG. 4. The apparatus 10 is then grasped on the handle 12 at the grip area 14 and pressure is applied so that the bottle cap 24 is pressed firmly onto the surface that needs to be scraped or scrubbed. When finished, the apparatus 10 can easily be rinsed or cleaned. When the edges of the bottle cap 24 become dulled, the bottle cap 24 may be removed and replaced with another plastic bottle cap.

FIGS. 5-6 illustrate side and top views of a scrubbing apparatus 50 in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention respectively. The apparatus 50 comprises a handle 52 having a grip area 54 on a first end 56, a support extension 58 extending from the handle 52 from a second end 60 and a receiver 62 for a bottle cap 64 (See FIG. 7) at a distal end 66 of the support extension 58. Various angles may be implemented during construction to make the handle 52 more comfortable or to provide clearance while working with the apparatus 50. A through hole 68 is incorporated for display or storage of the apparatus 50. Additionally a female screw thread (not shown) of appropriate size and shape can optionally be incorporated somewhere on the apparatus 50 for the storage of an extra bottle cap 64.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the scrubbing apparatus 50 in accordance with the alternate embodiment of the present invention. To use the apparatus 50 a plastic bottle cap 64 is pressed into the receiver 62. The apparatus 50 is then grasped on the handle 52 at the grip area 54 and pressure is applied so that the bottle cap 64 is pressed firmly onto the surface that needs to be scraped or scrubbed. When finished, the apparatus 50 can easily be rinsed or cleaned. When the edges of the bottle cap 64 become dulled, the bottle cap 64 may be removed and replaced with another plastic bottle cap.

The apparatus 10 may be made of one or more materials. For example, the handle 12 may be covered with a non-slip material while the rest for the apparatus 10 uses a harder smoother material. In some embodiments, components may be made to be buoyant. The apparatus 10 may be made of a buoyant material and/or may have cavities formed therein to promote buoyancy of the body within a liquid (e.g., water). In some embodiments, the apparatus 10 may be impregnated with one or more substances that provide a finish of a decorative color or pattern. In some embodiments, strengthening materials may be provided within components of the apparatus 10. The receiver 22 for bottle cap 24 may include a metal ring as a core and the remainder of the apparatus 10 may be formed of another material that may be weaker. In another embodiment the handle can be made so that a plurality bottle caps may be attached, therefore creating a larger scrapping area.

The handle 12 may be simple or more complex and ergonomic. In the case of an ergonomic handle, arthritis sufferers and persons with minor injuries or sensitivities can be offered significant relief during their normal cleaning activities. The handle 12 provides much improved leverage, effectiveness, and comfort while doing the scraping or scrubbing. The handle and bottle cap is easy to clean thereby making the apparatus 10 more sanitary than a scrub pad or scrub brush given their propensity to accumulate debris. Over the life of the apparatus 10 there would also he significant cost savings and reduced consumption of natural resources.

While a particular form of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A scrubbing apparatus comprising:

a handle having a grip area on a first end;

a support extension extending from the handle from a second end; and

a receiver for a bottle cap at a distal end of the support extension;

whereby the apparatus allows a user to keep hand a safer distance from a rough, dirty, wet, hot and/or cold surface while scrubbing the surface with the bottle cap.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the handle forms an angle with the support extension to make the handle more comfortable to use and to provide clearance while working with the apparatus.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the handle further comprises a through hole for display or storage of the apparatus.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a plastic bottle cap is pressed into the bottle cap receiver for use.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein a pressure is applied to the apparatus so that the bottle cap is pressed firmly on to the surface that needs to be scrubbed.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the bottle cap may be removed and replaced after excessive use.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 may be easily rinsed/cleaned.

8. A scrubbing apparatus comprising:

a handle having a grip area on a first end;

a support extension extending from the handle from a second end;

a through hole extending through the handle at a middle portion;

a receiver for a bottle cap at a distal end of the support extension; and

a plastic bottle cap pressed into the bottle cap receiver;

whereby the apparatus allows a user to keep their hand a safer distance from a rough, dirty, wet, hot and/or cold surface while scrubbing the surface with the bottle cap.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the handle Corms an angle with the support extension to make the handle more comfortable to use and to provide clearance while working with the apparatus.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein a pressure is applied to the apparatus so that the bottle cap is pressed firmly on to the surface that needs to be scrubbed.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the bottle cap may be removed and replaced after excessive use.

12. The apparatus of claim 8 may be easily rinsed/cleaned.

13. A scrubbing apparatus for scrubbing debris off a surface, the apparatus comprising:

a handle having a grip area on a first end:

a support extension extending from the handle from a second end, wherein the handle forms an angle with the support extension to make the handle more comfortable to use and to provide clearance while working with the apparatus;

a through hole extending through the handle at a middle portion; and

a receiver for a bottle cap at a distal end of the support extension;

whereby a plastic bottle cap is pressed into the bottle cap receiver for scrubbing the surface while keeping a user's hands at a safer distance from a rough. dirty. wet, hot and/or cold surface.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein a pressure is applied to the apparatus so that the bottle cap is pressed firmly on to the surface that needs to be scrubbed.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the bottle cap may be removed and replaced after excessive use.

16. The apparatus of claim 13 may be easily rinsed/cleaned.