MULTI-FUNCTIONAL SINK TOOL

Abstract

Described herein is a multi-functional sink tool. More specifically, a combined dish brush for cleaning food waste off tableware located at one end of a handle member and a plunger, pusher or ram distal to the dish brush for moving food waste, into and down a food waste disposer outlet, such as a drain. The tool also relates to a plunger, pusher or ram for use in connection with a food waste disposer unit connected to the food waste disposer outlet.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

Described herein is a multi-functional sink tool. More specifically, a combined dish brush for cleaning food waste off tableware located at one end of a handle member and a plunger, pusher or ram distal to the dish brush for moving food waste, into and down a food waste disposer outlet, such as a drain. The tool also relates to a plunger, pusher or ram for use in connection with a food waste disposer unit connected to the food waste disposer outlet.

BACKGROUND ART

In most modern kitchens, a standard part of a kitchen sink is a food waste disposer outlet, such as a drain that houses a garbage disposal unit or food waste disposer. As would be expected, there are consumers that have a natural apprehension of putting their hands near a food waste disposer unit hence products are available that are used to push food waste into the food waste disposer unit.

For example, Mr Scrappy MST-10 is a multi-purpose tool that functions as a plug and a plunger to push waste into the food waste disposer. The tool comprises a scraper that scrapes food waste from a plate and a plunger that plunges the food waste through the food waste disposer opening, eliminating the need to use your hands or an eating utensil. A cutlery guard acts as a guard to prevent cutlery or other objects from accidently falling into the food waste disposer and the tool can also act as a stopper when the sink needs to be filled with water.

Danco manufacture the ‘Genie’ garbage disposal strainer. It is not configured to be a stopper, but sits in the disposer and allows small particles of food and water to flow freely into the food waste disposer while preventing silverware and other items from slipping into the drain. The disposal can run freely with the Genie in place. The strainer comprises a rubber scraper to push food off the plates and down into the drain.

Norpro manufacture a ‘Super Stuffer’ that pushes garbage and kitchen waste into a food waste disposer and can be stored in the sink drain to keep utensils and small objects from falling into the food waste disposer unit.

Australian Patent Application No. AU 68637/94 describes a plunger or scraper for use in moving waste substances, mainly food, into and down a food waste disposer outlet. This outlet can be a type connectable to a food waste disposal unit. The plunger also can be used to sit in the drain whilst the unit is in use, with water running through the plunger, or it can be used as a plug. The plunger comprises a handle, two or more scraper blades, and two collars, the lower of which is slotted. Each collar is fitted with a replaceable washer for sealer the plunger in the drain.

However, a disadvantage of the above tools that it is not easy to clean and remove food waste from a plate with the scraper (non-existent in the ‘Super Stuffer’) and as the tools are configured to engage directly with a disposal outlet, there is limited movement when trying to push food waste into the food waste disposer.

Libman and Scotch-Brite™ manufacture a kitchen brush with a circular brush head. Aside from cleaning plates and utensils, the circular brush head may be used as a plunger to push waste into the food waste disposer. However, the bristles may be damaged upon contact with the disposer lugs when used as a plunger, pusher or ram.

Oxo™ Steel manufacture a long-handled dish brush with a soft button that doubles as a seal. Opening the seal allows the user to fill the body with soap. The opening is resealed and soap is dispensed with the press of a button. Bristles on the brush allow baked on food and the like to be scrubbed away. However, a disadvantage of this brush is that it is not able to act as an effective plunger as the bristles may be damaged upon contact with the disposer lugs (as per the Libman and Scotch-Brite™ brushes above)

U.S. Pat. No. 5,377,362 discloses a combined sink strainer and scrub brush unit with or without a sink stopper disc which seats into a food waste disposer inlet depending from a sink bottom. A horizontal strainer base has a series of drain apertures therein and a series of spaced brush elements either moulded with the base or attached to the base and depending from the base. A handle is attached to the base for manual removal of the unit from the food waste disposer inlet and for hand-manipulating the unit to scrape/scrub foodstuff and other debris from dish plates, cooking pots, and sink surfaces into the sink and disposal inlet. A rubber stopper disc is mounted on top of the base for rotational and sliding movement thereon. Radial drain holes in the disc are alignable with the base drain apertures in a drain “open” position and are offset therefrom in a drain “closed” sealing position.

However, a disadvantage of the above combined sink strainer and scrub brush unit is that it is engages with the food waste disposer inlet and therefore is unable to act as a plunger, hence is unable to push food waste into the food waste disposer.

Further aspects and advantages of the multi-functional sink tool will become apparent from the ensuing description that is given by way of example only.

SUMMARY

Described herein is a multi-functional sink tool. More specifically, a combined dish brush for cleaning food waste off tableware located at one end of a handle member and a plunger, pusher or ram distal to the dish brush for moving food waste, into and down a food waste disposer outlet, such as a drain. The tool also relates to a plunger, pusher or ram for use in connection with a food waste disposer unit connected to the food waste disposer outlet.

In a first aspect there is provided a multi-functional sink tool comprising:

• • at least one dish brush at one end of a handle member with a gripping means; and
  • at least one plunger, pusher or ram at a second end of the handle member and distal to the dish brush for safely moving substances into and down a food waste disposer unit
    wherein the plunger, pusher or ram comprises a curved lip for increased articulation and a range of movement when moving food waste, into and down the food waste disposer unit.

In a second aspect there is provided a multi-functional sink tool comprising:

• • at least one dish brush at one end of a handle member with a gripping means; and
  • at least one plunger, pusher or ram at a second end of the handle member and distal to the dish brush for safely moving substances into and down a food waste disposer unit
    wherein the handle member comprises indicia thereon thereby indicating a safe range of movement when moving food waste, into and down the food waste disposer unit.

Advantages of the above include an ergonomic thick handle for easy grip of the apparatus and wherein, the apparatus is moulded from one piece material that is dishwasher safe. The plunger comprises a dimpled rubberised end to help grip food waste and a curved lip for increased articulation and a range of movement when moving food waste, into and down the food waste disposer unit. The apparatus utilises durable nylon bristles that allow baked-on food and the like to be easily scrubbed. The handle member comprises indicia thereon thereby indicating a safe range of movement when moving food waste, into and down the food waste disposer unit. For example, a colour change at the end of the plunger, pusher or ram member to indicate how far to push the plunger, pusher or ram into a food waste disposer's rubber baffle. Hence, the apparatus also addresses consumers' apprehension of putting their hands and fingers near a food waste disposer. A dish brush combined with a plunger, pusher or ram provides for a multi-functional sink tool. This overcomes the problems of having a number of kitchen tools that crowd the sink benchtop. Finally, the apparatus is balanced with an end surface that allows the apparatus to stand on its end outside the sink after use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further aspects of apparatus and uses thereof will become apparent from the following description that is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front side perspective view of the multi-functional sink tool embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the multi-functional sink tool embodiment;

FIG. 3 illustrates a right side view of the multi-functional sink tool embodiment;

FIG. 4 illustrates a left side view of the multi-functional sink tool embodiment;

FIG. 5 illustrates a rear perspective view of the multi-functional sink tool embodiment;

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the multi-functional sink tool embodiment showing an array of colour options;

FIG. 7 illustrates a front side perspective view of the multi-functional sink tool embodiment standing on its end when not in use;

FIG. 8 illustrates a top plan view of the multi-functional sink tool embodiment; and

FIG. 9 illustrates a bottom view of the multi-functional sink tool embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As noted above, described herein is a multi-functional sink tool. More specifically, a combined dish brush for cleaning food waste off tableware located at one end of a handle member and a plunger, pusher or ram distal to the dish brush for moving food waste, into and down a food waste disposer outlet, such as a drain. The tool also relates to a plunger, pusher or ram for use in connection with a food waste disposer unit connected to the disposal outlet.

For the purposes of this specification, the terms ‘about’ or ‘approximately’ and grammatical variations thereof mean a quantity, level, degree, value, number, frequency, percentage, dimension, size, amount, weight or length that varies by as much as 30, 25, 20, 15, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1% to a reference quantity, level, degree, value, number, frequency, percentage, dimension, size, amount, weight or length.

The term ‘substantially’ or grammatical variations thereof refers to at least about 50%, for example 75%, 85%, 95% or 98%.

The term ‘comprise’ and grammatical variations thereof shall have an inclusive meaning—i.e. that it will be taken to mean an inclusion of not only the listed components it directly references, but also other non-specified components or elements.

The term ‘multi-functional sink tool’ or grammatical variations thereof refers to a tool or utensil for use in the kitchen and having at least two functionalities. For example, a brush and a plunger, a brush and soap dispenser and the like.

The term ‘plunger’ and grammatical variations thereof should be understood to be a tool to push or move substances such as waste food material and the like into and down a food waste disposer unit. This term may be used interchangeable with the term ‘ram or pusher’.

The term ‘food waste disposer unit’ should be understood to be an electrically operated device fitted to the waste pipe of a kitchen sink for grinding up food waste and my be used interchangeably with the terms ‘garbage disposal’ and/or ‘food waste disposer’.

The term ‘tableware’ or grammatical variations thereof refers to items such as knives, forks, dishes, pots, and pans and the like that are used for having and/or cooking a meal.

In a first aspect there is provided a multi-functional sink tool comprising:

• • at least one dish brush at one end of a handle member with a gripping means; and
  • at least one plunger, pusher or ram at a second end of the handle member and distal to the dish brush for safely moving substances into and down a food waste disposer unit
    wherein the plunger, pusher or ram comprises a curved lip for increased articulation and a range of movement when moving food waste, into and down the food waste disposer unit.

The dish brush may utilise durable nylon bristles. In this way, baked-on food and the like can be easily scrubbed. Preferably, the dish brush may comprise 7,500×0.4 mm nylon bristles to give improved cleaning qualities.

The handle member may be an ergonomically designed handle dimensioned for easy grip of the apparatus able to be held by anyone. In preferred embodiments, the handle member may be of sufficient diameter or thickness to assist people, such as the elderly who may find it difficult to grip items.

In addition to the above, in preferred embodiments the handle member may have a matte finish handle for an easier grip when surfaces are wet.

The plunger may comprise a rubberised end. In this way, the plunger may assist with griping food waste when pushed into the food waste disposer.

In further embodiments, the plunger, pusher or ram may comprise a dimpled rubberised end in order to help grip food waste to push into a food waste disposer as above.

The plunger, pusher or ram may comprise a curved lip for increased articulation and a range of movement when moving food waste, into and down the food waste disposer unit. This configuration allows the tool to contact the food waste disposer unit's inlet and at various angles to assist movement of food waste that may have become lodged at the periphery of the food waste disposer inlet. Hence, this configuration overcomes the problems of prior art tools where these prior art tools are configured to engage directly with a food waste disposer outlet, thereby limiting the tool's movement when trying to push waste into the food waste disposer inlet.

A dish brush combined with a plunger, pusher or ram provides for a multi-functional sink tool. This overcomes the problems of having a number of kitchen tools that crowd the sink benchtop and also the apparatus may be balanced with an end surface that allows the apparatus to stand on its end outside the sink when after use. Furthermore, the tool may make cleaning up faster with the brush head being used to clean food waste and the like off dinner plates before going into the dishwasher and the plunger, pusher or ram end pushing food waste into the food waste disposer—all completed utilising one tool.

It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that a dish brush in combination with a plunger should not be seen as a limitation on the tool embodiments envisaged for this invention. Other combinations of tools could conceivably be used with this invention. Non-limiting examples may include a soap dispenser, scraper, plug, sourer, sponge pad and the like. It is also envisaged that the tool embodiments may be interchangeable and removably attached/detached from the handle member.

As above, the handle member may be hollow to house a reservoir for a soap dispenser or the like.

The apparatus may be moulded from a one piece material that is dishwasher safe. For example, manufacturing technology may use over moulding rubber techniques when manufacturing the apparatus.

In a second aspect there is provided a multi-functional sink tool comprising:

• • at least one dish brush at one end of a handle member with a gripping means; and
  • at least one plunger, pusher or ram at a second end of the handle member and distal to the dish brush for safely moving substances into and down a food waste disposer unit
    wherein the handle member comprises indicia thereon thereby indicating a safe range of movement when moving food waste, into and down the food waste disposer unit.

As above, the handle member may comprise indicia thereon thereby indicating a safe range of movement when moving food waste, into and down the food waste disposer unit.

In one embodiment, the indicia may comprise a colour change at the end of the plunger member relative to the handle member to indicate how far to push the plunger into a food waste disposer's rubber baffle; hence the apparatus also addresses consumers apprehension of putting their hands and fingers near a food waste disposer. However, this should not be seen as a limitation on the embodiments envisaged for this invention as the indicia may include an inscribed line or a physical collar or barrier to limit and/or indicate how far to push the plunger into a food waste disposer's rubber baffle.

The indicia colours may be selected from any one of the following colours of ISE Blue—BNPISEBlue01, Green—BNPGreen02, Light Blue—BNPLightBlue03, Orange—BNPOrange04, and Grey—BNPGrey05.

Advantages of the above include:

• • An ergonomic thick handle for easy grip of the apparatus and the apparatus is moulded from one piece material that is dishwasher safe;
  • The plunger, pusher or ram comprises a rubberised end to help grip food waste to push into the food waste disposer;
  • The plunger, pusher or ram comprises a curved lip for increased articulation and a range of movement when moving food waste, into and down the food waste disposer unit;
  • The plunger, pusher or ram comprises a dimpled end to help grip food waste to push into a food waste disposer;
  • The use of durable nylon bristles that allow baked-on food and the like to be easily scrubbed;
  • The handle member comprises indicia thereon thereby indicating a safe range of movement when moving food waste, into and down the food waste disposer unit. For example, a colour change at the end of the plunger member to indicate how far to push the plunger, pusher or ram into a food waste disposer's rubber baffle; hence the apparatus also addresses consumers' apprehension of putting their hands and fingers near a food waste disposer; and
  • A dish brush combined with a plunger provides for a multi-functional sink tool. This overcomes the problems of having a number of kitchen tools that crowd the sink benchtop and also the apparatus is balanced with an end surface that allows the apparatus to stand on its end outside the sink when after use.

The embodiments described above may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more said parts, elements or features.

Further, where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which the embodiments relate, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as of individually set forth.

Working Examples

The above described apparatus and use thereof are now described by reference to a specific example.

Example

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 9, a multi-functional sink tool 1 is shown comprising dish brush 2 with durable nylon bristles at one end of a handle member 3 with a gripping means for removing baked-on food and the like from utensils and plates (note shown).

The handle member 3 is ergonomically designed and dimensioned with a length of 310 mm for easy grip of the tool 1 to enable the tool 1 to be held by anyone. The handle member 3 is of sufficient diameter or thickness to assist people, such as the elderly who may find it difficult to grip items. The handle member 3 has a matte finish handle member 3 for an easier grip when surfaces are wet.

The plunger or ram 4 with an outer width of 54 mm has a dimpled rubberised end 5 distal to the dish brush 2 in order to help grip food waste to push into a food waste disposer (not shown) as above.

The plunger or ram 5 includes a curved lip 6 for increased articulation and a range of movement when moving food waste, into and down the food waste disposer unit. This configuration allows the tool 1 to contact the food waste disposer unit's inlet and at various angles to assist movement of food waste that may have become lodged at the periphery of the food waste disposer inlet.

The tool 1 is balanced with an end surface 7 that allows the tool 1 to stand on its end outside the sink when after use (best seen in FIG. 7). The tool 1 is moulded from a one piece material that is dishwasher safe and utilises over moulding rubber techniques when manufacturing the tool 1.

The indicia 8 is a colour change at the end of the plunger member 4 relative to the handle member 3 to indicate how far to push the plunger 4 into a food waste disposer's rubber baffle (not shown). This configuration addresses consumers' apprehension of putting their hands and fingers near a food waste disposer. A range of colour options for the tool 1 are shown in FIG. 6. Also, the bristles 2 (best seen in FIGS. 6 and 7) may have indicia at the periphery of the bristles 2 thereby indicating wear of the bristles 2 and time for replacement of same.

In use, the tool 1 makes cleaning up faster with the brush head 2 being used to clean food waste and the like off dinner plates before going into the dishwasher (not shown) and the plunger 4 end pushing food waste into the food waste disposer.

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the claims herein.

Claims

1. A multi-functional sink tool, comprising:

at least one dish brush at one end of a handle member with a gripping means; and

at least one plunger, pusher or ram at a second end of the handle member and distal to the dish brush for safely moving substances into and down a food waste disposer unit,

wherein the plunger, pusher or ram comprises a curved lip for increased articulation and a range of movement when moving food waste, into and down the food waste disposer unit.

2. The multi-functional sink tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dish brush comprises nylon bristles.

3. The multi-functional sink tool as claimed in claim 2, wherein the nylon bristles are 7,500×0.4 mm nylon bristles.

4. The multi-functional sink tool as claim in claim 1, wherein the handle member is ergonomically designed and dimensioned for easy grip.

5. The multi-functional sink tool as claimed in claim 4, wherein the handle member comprises a matte finish handle for an easier grip when surfaces are wet.

6. The multi-functional sink tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plunger comprises a rubberised end for assisting with griping food waste when pushed into the food waste disposer.

7. The multi-functional sink tool as claimed in claim 6, wherein the plunger, pusher or ram comprises a dimpled rubberised for assisting with griping food waste when pushed into a food the waste disposer.

8. The multi-functional sink tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein the curved lip allows the tool to contact the food waste disposer unit's inlet and at various angles to assist movement of food waste that may have become lodged at the periphery of the food waste disposer inlet.

9. The multi-functional sink tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tool is balanced with an end surface that allows the tool to stand on its end outside the sink after use.

10. The multi-functional sink tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein other combinations of tool embodiments are selected from any one of the following tools: a soap dispenser, scraper, plug, sourer, and/or sponge pad.

11. The multi-functional sink tool as claimed in claim 10, wherein the tool embodiments are interchangeable and removably attached/detached from the handle member.

12. The multi-functional sink tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein the handle member is hollow to house a reservoir for a soap dispenser.

13. The multi-functional sink tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sink tool is moulded from a one piece material that is dishwasher safe.

14. The multi-functional sink tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein the handle member comprises indicia thereon thereby indicating a safe range of movement when moving food waste, into and down the food waste disposer unit.

15. The multi-functional sink tool as claimed in claim 14, wherein the indicia comprises a colour change at the end of the plunger member relative to the handle member to indicate how far to push the plunger into a food waste disposer's rubber baffle.

16. The multi-functional sink tool as claimed in claim 14, wherein the indicia is an inscribed line or a physical collar or barrier to limit and/or indicate how far to push the plunger into a food waste disposer's rubber baffle.

17. The multi-functional sink tool as claimed in claim 15, wherein the indicia is an inscribed line or a physical collar or barrier to limit and/or indicate how far to push the plunger into a food waste disposer's rubber baffle.

18. The multi-functional sink tool as claimed in claim 2 wherein the bristles comprise indicia thereby indicating wear of the bristles and time for replacement of same.

19. The multi-functional tool as claimed in claim 14, wherein the indicia colours are selected from any one of the following colours of: ISE Blue—BNPISEBlue01, Green—BNPGreen02, Light Blue —BNPLightBlue03, Orange—BNPOrange04, and Grey—BNPGrey05.

20. The multi-functional tool as claimed in claim 15, wherein the indicia colours are selected from any one of the following colours of: ISE Blue—BNPISEBlue01, Green—BNPGreen02, Light Blue —BNPLightBlue03, Orange—BNPOrange04, and Grey—BNPGrey05.