Scrubber and cleaning fluid dispenser assembly

A dispenser assembly includes an elongated container with a shoulder configured to interface with a scrubbing assembly. The scrubbing assembly includes a support structure from which a deformable tab extends. The deformable tab is configured to cooperatively engage a recess in the container. During removal of the scrubber assembly, the deformable tab is deformed, thus aiding in the removal of the scrubber assembly from the elongated container.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the invention are directed towards a system for cleaning. More specifically, embodiments of the invention relate to an assembly including a scrubbing surface and dispenser for a cleaning fluid.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A combined scrubbing surface and cleaning fluid dispenser assembly is a useful household cleaning implement for various purposes. In typical configurations, the dispenser assembly may include a container for holding a cleaning fluid, such as liquid soap or other cleaning substance, and a scrubbing surface, such as a sponge, that is operatively mounted to the container. When the dispenser assembly is used, pressing the scrubbing surface against any other surface, such as an object that is being cleaned, causes the cleaning fluid in the container to enter the scrubbing surface and become available for cleaning. Thus, it is intended that the person using the dispenser assembly does not have to repeatedly reapply cleaning fluid from a separate container to the scrubbing surface while cleaning. Thus, dispenser assemblies may be highly efficient implements for cleaning dishes and the like.

The container may include an inlet configured to mate with a cap so that the user can remove the cap, add cleaning fluid through the inlet to refill the container, and then reattach the cap to close the container. The container also may include an outlet operatively connected to the scrubbing surface in such a way as to facilitate flow of cleaning fluid from the container to the scrubbing surface.

Although cleaning fluid in the dispenser assembly may be refilled so that the assembly may be re-useable, eventually the scrubbing surface may degrade due to wear. To accommodate replacement of the scrubbing surface without requiring the user to purchase a new dispenser assembly, the scrubbing surface and the container may be separable. The scrubbing surface may include a support structure that may be attached to the container. Thus, it may be possible to remove the existing scrubbing surface and attach a new scrubbing surface to the same container.

One design consideration of such an assembly is that the scrubbing surface should be sufficiently secured to avoid having the scrubbing surface inadvertently separate from the container during use, particularly when the dispenser assembly is used in a vigorous manner. As a result, the scrubbing surfaces often are difficult to remove. Users with limited strength may find it difficult, if not impossible, to remove a scrubbing surface.

One dispenser assembly provides a recessed portion in an outer surface of the container and a corresponding rigid detent on the support structure. When the container and support structure are joined, the detent engages the recessed portion in the outer surface to secure the assembly and limit movement of the support structure to avoid disengagement from the container under normal operating conditions. To remove the support structure from the container, the user must exert a force on the support structure sufficient to cause the rigid detent to be disengaged from the recessed portion, so that the container may be separated from the support structure. However, given the required stiffness of the container and support structure, a substantial amount of force may be needed disengage the detent from the recessed portion. Thus, existing assemblies may be very difficult to disassemble.

There remains a need for an assembly in which a scrubbing surface will remain attached to a container while in use but can be readily removed by a user when it is desired to replace the scrubbing surface.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an aspect of the present invention, a container includes an inlet with a closure, an internal cavity for holding cleaning fluid, and a gripping portion. The container is configured to operatively engage a scrubbing surface. The scrubbing surface includes a support structure to facilitate attachment to the container. A deformable tab extends from the support structure base and interfaces with the container to hold the scrubbing surface in position during use. When desired, removal of the scrubbing surface is facilitated by the deformation of the tab so that the user can readily and easily separate the scrubbing surface from the container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It is noted that various connections are set forth between elements in the following description. These connections in general, unless specified otherwise, may be direct or indirect, and this specification is not intended to be limiting in this respect.

Aspects of the present invention relate to a dispenser assembly that includes a scrubbing surface and a container for holding a cleaning fluid. Such dispenser assemblies may have a variety of uses throughout the home. For example, they can be used to wash dishes or other items. The dispenser assembly allows an individual to clean dishes without requiring that the user directly hold the scrubbing surface. As another example, the dispenser assembly can be used to clean surfaces in the kitchen and bath, such as sinks, tubs, toilets and the like. The dispenser assembly limits exposure of the user's hands to water and potentially harsh cleaning fluid, where such exposure can otherwise lead to chapping or other irritations of the skin.

Dispenser assemblies in accordance with various embodiments of the invention may include a container with a removable scrubbing surface. The scrubbing surface may be a sponge or similar material, an abrasive pad or similar material, or combinations of a sponge and abrasive pad. Although aspects of the invention will be described and illustrated herein in connection with a sponge with abrasive outer surface, embodiments of the invention are not intended to be limited to sponges, and other scrubbing surfaces are contemplated.

FIGS. 1 and 5illustrate an embodiment of a dispenser assembly10. The dispenser assembly10includes a removable scrubber assembly15that includes a support structure20and a sponge40. An outer surface of the sponge may include an abrasive surface45for enhanced scrubbing. The assembly15is removably attached to a container60.

The container60includes an internal cavity for holding cleaning fluid. As depicted, the container60is shaped for easy gripping, i.e., the container is shaped as an elongate handle. In other embodiments, the container and internal cavity may be otherwise configured, and a handle or other gripping structure may extend from the container. That is, the handle or other gripping structure may be a separate feature of the container and be separate from that portion that includes the cavity for holding cleaning fluid. The container includes a distal end81and a proximal end82.

Referring also toFIGS. 2-4, there is illustrated an embodiment of the removable scrubber assembly15. As depicted, the generally rectangular support structure20has a first side21and a second side22. The support structure20includes a generally planar base wall23having a first surface24. The support structure20is mounted to a surface of the sponge40along the base wall23with the first surface24facing away from the sponge40. The support structure20is mounted at the second side22to the sponge40using any suitable fastening method, including but not limited to adhesive substances, such as glue, or mechanical fasteners, such as staples. In important aspects, the support structure20is mounted to the sponge40in a permanent or semi-permanent manner.

The support structure20has an outer perimeter27that includes a plurality of edges26. A wall28extends from the first surface24. As depicted, the wall28extends in a generally continuous manner along two opposing edges26and along the edge spanning between the two opposing edges, leaving an open segment50along the perimeter27. Although having a continuous wall28provides certain benefits, including increased strength and stability, the wall28may be formed of discontinuous segments adjacent the perimeter27. Furthermore, although depicted as extending from the perimeter27of the support structure20, the wall28could be located interior of the perimeter27. Lips32extend inwardly from the wall28in one or more locations. In an important aspect, the wall28and lips32are configured to receive a portion of the container60for engagement of the scrubber assembly15and container60.

Although the support structure20and sponge40are depicted as being generally rectangular, other shapes also are contemplated. For example, the support structure and sponge may be circular, oval, or square shaped. The support structure and sponge also may have any other desired geometry.

The support structure20forms an attachment interface52for receiving a correspondingly-shaped portion of the container60at the proximal end82. As depicted, the attachment interface52is formed on the first side21by the combination of the one or more walls28, the one or more lips32and the first surface24. Although depicted as being formed on the support structure20, a similar attachment interface could be formed on the proximal end82of the container60.

The support structure20includes a hinged tab90extending upwardly from the base wall23. The hinged tab90is disposed adjacent the open portion50and extends generally parallel to the perimeter27. The hinged tab90is configured to fit within and be received by a recessed portion66(FIG. 7) in the lower surface68(FIG. 7) the proximal end82. In certain aspects, the hinged tab90may be formed from the base wall23, for example, by a three-sided cut made in the base wall23. The cut out portion is raised and rotated upwardly away from the base wall23to provide a generally flat tab hingedly connected along one edge to the base wall23.

The hinged tab90is disposed at an angle from the plane of the base wall23. In certain aspects, the angle formed by the first surface24of the base wall23and the hinged tab90ranges between about 1° and about 89°, between about 10° and about 80°, between about 20° and about 70°, between about 30° and about 60°, and between about 40° and about 50°. In other aspects, the angle between the first surface24and the hinged tab90ranges between about 20° and about 50°, between about 20° and about 45°, and between about 30° and about 50°. In yet another aspect, the angle between the first surface24and the hinged tab90is about 45°.

In certain embodiments, the hinged tab90is supported on its underside by a rib95or other raised portion. In some embodiments, an effective amount of a resilient substance may be used to form the rib95. The rib95provides additional support for the hinged tab90so that the hinged tab90is maintained raised at an angle with the base wall23.

Referring again toFIG. 5, the proximal end82of the container60includes a shoulder64that is configured to interface with the support structure20. The shoulder64extends along one or more sides of the proximal end82.

To engage the proximal end82of the container60with the attachment interface52of the sponge assembly15, the proximal end82is moved into the attachment interface52through the open segment50. The shoulder64slides under the lips32and into and engaged position in the attachment interface52. The height65of the shoulder64is sized to fit between the lips32and the first surface24. In certain aspects, the height65is equal to or slightly less than the distance between the underside of the lip32and the first surface24to allow the shoulder64to be press fit into the attachment interface52.

As the proximal end82is moved into the engaged position, the lower surface68slides over the hinged tab90. As a result, the hinged tab90may be deflected downwardly toward the base wall23. The rib95, however, supports the hinged tab90and helps prevent the hinged tab90from being deformed and pushed generally flush with the base wall23. Referring also toFIG. 7, the support structure20is attached to the container60with the first surface24facing inwardly and positioned adjacent the lower surface68of the container60. In this manner, the sponge40extends away from the container60. When the container60is joined with the scrubber assembly15, the hinged tab90engages a rearward-facing surface of the recess66.By engaging the recess66, the hinged tab90acts to limit backward movement of the support structure20that may occur during normal use and may result in the inadvertent removal of the scrubber assembly15from the container60.

After a period of use, the sponge40and/or the abrasive surface45(if provided) may wear sufficiently so that the consumer may seek to replace the scrubber assembly15. When it is desired to remove the scrubber assembly15from the container60, the container60is pulled away from the scrubber assembly15in a generally lateral direction. As the shoulder64slides out from under the lips32, the recess66and lower surface68will contact, and initially be stopped by, the hinged tab90. With reference also toFIG. 8, pulling the container60away from the support structure20will cause the hinged tab90to deflect in a direction A. The hinged tab will deflect to allow lateral movement of the container60so that it can be removed from the engagement interface52. In certain aspects, the hinged tab90will break away from the support structure20. Thus, the hinged tab90is deformable, and the deformation of the hinged tab90allows the scrubber assembly15to be more readily removed and replaced. In certain aspects, additionally pulling down slightly on the support structure20as the container is pulled away may further facilitate removal of the scrubber assembly15.

Once the scrubber assembly15is removed, a different scrubber assembly15may be attached to the container60in the manner discussed above.

The dispenser assembly10may include other features. An opening (not shown) at the distal end81is covered by a cap80or other closure. The opening is of any size and shape to allow a user to fill the container with cleaning fluid. The closure also may be located at any other suitable position on the container that will allow filling of the recess with cleaning fluid.

A first opening34is provided in the base wall23of the support structure20. The first opening34is positioned to correspond generally to a second opening36in the proximal end82of the container60. When the support structure20is attached to the container60, cleaning fluid flows from the container60through the second opening36, through the first opening34and into the sponge40, where it becomes available for use.

A hanger84may be provided at the distal end81, either integral with or separate from the cap80, and, if provided, provides a ready means for hanging the dispenser assembly10, both for retail purposes and when not in use.

The container60may include features to enhance gripping of the container60. For example, a depression63in the top surface is configured to assist a user in securely gripping the container60to limit slipping in the user's hands during use.

In certain embodiments, a scraper30extends from the support structure20. This feature aids a user in cleaning hard to remove substances, such as food particles that may be stuck on the surface or object, such as dishes, pot, pans and the like, being cleaned.

The present invention has been described in terms of preferred and illustrative embodiments thereof. Numerous other embodiments, modifications and variations within the scope and spirit of the appended claims will occur to persons of ordinary skill in the art from a review of this disclosure.