Cleaning apparatus

A flexible cleaning apparatus including a cleaning mechanism manipulated by expanding and stretching into an elongated narrow form for insertion into a small or narrow opening of a container, and once inserted, the flexible cleaning mechanism can be manipulated further, external the opening, by contracting and scrunching into various condensed mass forms for concentrated cleaning of the interior of the container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a cleaning apparatus and, more particularly, to a flexible cleaning mechanism that can be manipulated for insertion through a small opening and once inserted, it can be manipulated further into different forms and dimensions for cleaning.

2. Description of Related Art

Conventional cleaning devices are well known and have been in use for a number of years. Reference is made to the following few exemplary U.S. patent Publications, including U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,017,222; 4,614,449; 4,502,176; 3,675,263; 3,205,527; 3,133,298; 2,653,334; 2,566,621; 2,170,740; 2,162,677; 824,994; 564,497; 344,267, Des 362,966. Regrettably, most prior art conventional cleaning devices suffer from obvious disadvantages in that they cannot be inserted through narrow or small openings of unusual or peculiar shaped containers, nor can they be used for cleaning odd shaped interior cavities and surfaces. Most conventional prior art cleaning devices include a brush that is comprised of bristles that are coupled to rigid or semi-rigid stem or handle of the cleaning device. Cleaning devices with narrow width brush heads and semi-rigid handles may be used for insertion through a narrow opening of a container, but once inserted, they cannot be easily manipulated or controlled further to conform and be used for cleaning unusual surfaces or cavities within the interior chamber of the container.

Other conventional method for cleaning an irregular shaped container (e.g., narrow opening, unusual surfaces or cavities within the interior of the container, etcetera) is to place water and detergent inside the container and swirl the soapy water within for cleaning. Others may also add small beads to the soapy water and when the container is swirled, the beads move and contact the interior surface of the container and through friction loosens the dirt residue. Another method is to use a simple cleaning rag, which is forcefully stuffed through the narrow opening to within the container for better cleaning. However, the cleaning rag cannot be directed to clean various odd shaped cavities or surfaces that may exist within the interior surface of the container.

Accordingly, in light of the current state of the art and the drawbacks to current cleaning devices mentioned above, a need exists for a cleaning apparatus that would easily be inserted into a narrow opening of a container, and that would be controlled and manipulated external the container to modify or change the shape of the cleaning apparatus commensurate with the variations of the interior surface of the container for cleaning.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One preferred, non-limiting aspect of the present invention provides a cleaning apparatus, comprising a flexible cleaning mechanism manipulated into an elongated narrow form for insertion into a small opening. Once inserted, the flexible cleaning mechanism can be further manipulated external the small opening into various condensed mass forms for cleaning.

One optional aspect of the present invention provides a cleaning apparatus, wherein the flexible cleaning mechanism is expanded and stretched into the elongated narrow configuration for insertion through a narrow passage, and contracted and scrunched into the condensed mass form for cleaning.

Another optional aspect of the present invention provides a cleaning apparatus further comprising:an outer member;an inner member;the inner member movably inserted within the outer member;the cleaning mechanism having a first end coupled with the outer member and a second end coupled with the inner member, with the inner member manipulated to vary the form of the cleaning mechanism, allowing the cleaning mechanism for insertion through the opening, and further manipulated to continuously, progressively vary the form of the cleaning mechanism into various condensed mass forms.

Another optional aspect of the present invention provides a cleaning apparatus, wherein the outer member and the inner member have a substantially curved configuration.

Yet another optional aspect of the present invention provides a cleaning apparatus, wherein the inner member is comprised of a first inner end that couples with the second end of the cleaning mechanism, and is further comprised of a second inner end that is grasped for manipulation.

Still another optional aspect of the present invention provides a cleaning apparatus, wherein the second inner end includes an attachment device for storage of the cleaning apparatus and ease of manipulation of the inner member.

A further optional aspect of the present invention provides a cleaning apparatus, wherein:

the manipulation of the inner member causes the inner member to move within the outer member in a first direction, which pushes the cleaning mechanism away from the outer member, which changes the form of the cleaning mechanism by drawing out and lengthening the cleaning mechanism while reducing width for insertion of the cleaning mechanism through the small opening; and

the manipulation of the inner member further causes the inner member to move within the outer member in a second direction, which pulls the cleaning mechanism towards the outer member, which changes the form of the cleaning mechanism by scrunching the cleaning mechanism into a denser form.

Still a further optional aspect of the present invention provides a cleaning apparatus, wherein the cross-section of the outer member is greater than the cross-section of the inner member to allow the inner member to be movably inserted in the outer member.

Yet a further optional aspect of the present invention provides a cleaning apparatus, wherein the outer member has a first longitudinal axial length that is less than a second longitudinal axial length of the inner member, with the second longitudinal axial length of the inner member being greater than a cumulative total length of the cleaning mechanism when in the elongated narrow form and the first longitudinal axial length of the outer member.

Another optional aspect of the present invention provides a cleaning apparatus, wherein the cleaning mechanism is a flexible elongated mesh.

Still another optional aspect of the present invention provides a cleaning apparatus, wherein:

the mesh is comprised of an arranged elongated cylindrical tube mesh bundled closed and folded onto itself at a center thereof to form a dual layer mesh and bundled again to form a dense nodule head portion and a free end portion;

the dense nodule head portion forms the second end of the cleaning mechanism with which the first inner end of the inner member is coupled;

the free end portion of the mesh forms the first end of the cleansing mechanism, which is bundled and coupled with the outer member.

Yet another optional aspect of the present invention provides a cleaning apparatus, wherein the inner member is comprised of one of a hollow and solid structure.

A further optional aspect of the present invention provides a cleaning apparatus, wherein the attachment device is a ring.

Still a further optional aspect of the present invention provides a cleaning apparatus, wherein the outer member, the inner member, and the cleaning mechanism are flexible, allowing the cleaning apparatus to move through the small opening.

An aspect of the present invention provides a method for cleaning, comprising:manipulating a cleaning mechanism by stretching and elongating the cleaning mechanism into a long and narrow form for insertion within a narrow passage;scrunching the cleaning mechanism into various condensed forms for cleaning; andre-stretching the cleaning mechanism into a long and narrow form for removal from within the narrow passage.

An optional aspect of the present invention provides a method for cleaning, comprising:

the functional act of manipulating includes:

moving an inner member within an outer member in a first direction, which pushes the cleaning mechanism away from the outer member, which changes the form of the cleaning mechanism by elongating and lengthening the cleaning mechanism while reducing width for insertion of the cleaning mechanism through the narrow passage; and

moving the inner member within the outer member in a second direction, which pulls the cleaning mechanism towards the outer member, which changes the form of the cleaning mechanism by scrunching the cleaning mechanism into various denser forms for cleaning.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of preferred non-limiting exemplary embodiments, taken together with the drawings and the claims that follow.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed and or utilized.

The present invention provides a cleaning apparatus that is comprised of a flexible cleaning mechanism that is manipulated into an elongated narrow form for insertion into a small opening and once inserted, the flexible cleaning mechanism can be manipulated further, external the small opening, into various condensed mass forms and dimensions for further cleaning.

FIG. 1Ais an exemplary illustration of a cleaning apparatus in its elongated form for insertion and for cleaning a container in accordance with the present invention.FIGS. 1B and 1Care exemplary illustration of the same cleaning apparatus that is illustrated inFIG. 1A, but further manipulated, from outside the container, to illustrate the various configurations of the cleaning mechanism for cleaning. As illustrated in the exemplaryFIGS. 1A to 1C, the present invention provides the cleaning apparatus100that is flexible, allowing for easy maneuverability of the cleaning mechanism102through narrow passages152of containers150for cleaning. The cleaning apparatus100of the present invention includes the flexible cleaning mechanism102that expands, elongates and stretches into a long and narrow form for insertion through a narrow passage152of a container150. Once inserted, the cleaning mechanism102can be manipulated further, external the container150, into different forms and dimensions by contracting and scrunching it into various condensed mass forms for cleaning (as best illustrated inFIGS. 1B and 1C.

FIG. 2Ais an exemplary illustration of the same cleaning apparatus that is illustrated inFIGS. 1A to 1C, but used for cleaning an unusual shaped container with an odd shaped upper side cavity204caused by a hole202because of the container design.FIGS. 2B to 2Eare exemplary illustrations of the cleaning apparatus illustrated inFIGS. 1A to 2A, but manipulated, external the container, for insertion therein and for cleaning. As illustrated inFIG. 2A, the cleaning apparatus100is first manipulated by stretching the cleaning mechanism102into a long and narrow form for insertion within a narrow passage152of the container150. Thereafter (FIGS. 2B to 2E), the cleaning mechanism102is gradually and progressively scrunched into different desired shapes for cleaning, until it reaches its generally spherically condensed form, enabling the cleaning of odd shaped cavities204of unusually shaped containers150for cleaning. Once container150is cleaned, the cleansing mechanism102is re-stretched into a long and narrow form (FIGS. 1A and 2A) for removal from within the narrow passage152of the container150.

FIGS. 3A to 3Dare exemplary illustrations of the cleaning mechanism illustrated inFIGS. 1A and 2E, but without the container. As illustrated inFIGS. 1A to 3D, the cleaning apparatus100of the present invention is comprised of a flexible elongated outer member104, and a flexible elongated inner member106that is movably inserted within the outer member104. Both the outer member104and the inner member106are in the form of an exemplary cylindrical tube. The cleaning mechanism102is comprised of a first end110coupled with the outer member104and a second end120coupled with the inner member106. The cleaning mechanism102is bundled at116to divide it into a first, large section112and a second, smaller section114, which facilitates in forming the scrunched shape of the cleaning mechanism102when the elongated inner member106is manipulated in relation to the outer member104. A distal end of the second section114of the cleaning mechanism102is bundled together at118, forming the dense nodule head, which is the second end120. As further illustrated inFIGS. 1A to 3D, the inner member106is further comprised of an inner member second end162that is grasped for manipulation. The inner member second end162includes an attachment device108in the form of an exemplary loop or ring for hanging and storage of the cleaning apparatus100and ease of manipulation (e.g., the push-pull) of the elongated inner member106. The elongated outer member104, the elongated inner member106, and the cleaning mechanism102are flexible allowing the cleaning apparatus100to move through narrow passages152for cleaning.

In general, the inside cross-sectional dimension of the outer member104is greater than the cross-sectional dimension along the transverse axial length of the inner member106to allow the inner member106to be movably inserted therein the outer member104. The inner cross-sectional dimension of the outer member104is sufficiently wide to allow easy controllable movement of the elongated inner member106, yet slight friction exists between the outer member104and the inner member106to prevent unintended sliding. The outer member104has a longitudinal axial length that is less than a longitudinal axial length of the inner member106, with the longitudinal axial length of the inner member106being greater than a cumulative total length of the cleaning mechanism102when fully stretched and the longitudinal axial length of the outer member104.

As illustrated inFIGS. 1A to 3D, the inner member106is manipulated to vary the form of the cleaning mechanism102into different shapes, allowing the cleaning mechanism102to be inserted through the narrow opening (or neck)152of a container150, and further manipulated to continuously, progressively vary the form of the cleaning mechanism102into a final scrunched condensed mass, which is illustrated inFIGS. 1C,2E, and3D. The manipulation of the inner member106causes the inner member106to move within the outer member104in a first axial direction, longitudinally along the axial length of the outer member104. The movement of the inner member106along the first axial direction (opposite to the direction of arrow170) pushes the cleaning mechanism102away from the outer member104. This changes the form of the cleaning mechanism102by drawing out and lengthening the cleaning mechanism102while reducing its width size for insertion of the cleaning mechanism102through the narrow passages152of exemplary containers150. Accordingly, grasping the first end160of the outer member104, and pushing the inner member106through the outer member104(opposite to the direction of arrow172) causes the cleaning mechanism102to stretch, which allows it to pass through the narrow passages152of the containers150.

As further illustratedFIGS. 1A to 3D, the manipulation of the elongated inner member106further causes the inner member106to move within the elongated outer member104in a second axial direction172, longitudinally along the axial length of the elongated outer member104. The movement of the inner member106along the second axial direction172pulls the cleaning mechanism102towards the elongated outer member104in the direction170, which changes the form of the cleaning mechanism102by scrunching the cleaning mechanism102into scrunched denser form for cleaning. In particular, once passed the narrow passage152of the exemplary containers150, the elongated inner member106is pulled by an exemplary attachment device108in the direction172while grasping and holding the outer member104at160to change the form of the cleaning mechanism102into a dense, scrunched form factor for cleaning. As progressively shown in theFIGS. 1B to 1C, and2B to2E, and3B to3D, as the elongated inner member106is pulled further and further in the direction172, the cleaning mechanism102is pulled closer and closer towards the outer member104in the direction170, which changes its shape or form through the various stages illustrated in the respectiveFIGS. 1B to 1C, and2B to2E, and3B to3D. As illustrated inFIGS. 1A to 3D, the cleaning mechanism102is constricted by a thin, flexible band116that causes the cleaning mechanism102to scrunch at that point when contracted by the pull of the inner member106. As best illustrated inFIGS. 1C,2E, and3D the scrunched cleaning mechanism102within the containers150can then be used for cleaning. Preferably, the elongated outer member104and the elongated inner member106are slightly curved. The slight bent or curved feature of the elongated outer member104and the elongated inner member106allows for ease of cleaning of the inside of containers150, in particular, the upper inside portions154, the bottom area156, and cavities204(caused by the hole202) of the containers150.

FIGS. 4A to 4Gare exemplary illustrations of one, non-limiting exemplary method for manufacturing the cleaning apparatus that is illustrated inFIGS. 1A to 3D, in accordance with the present invention. In general, as illustrated inFIG. 4Athe cleaning mechanism102may be comprised of a well-known flexible, elongated tubular mesh402(hereinafter referred to as mesh402). A non-limiting exemplary method for manufacturing the cleaning mechanism102is to have the mesh402be comprised of an exemplary elongated cylindrical tube mesh that is bundled and tied closed at its proximate center404, dividing the mesh402into two sections402A and402B as illustrated inFIG. 4A. One of the sections402A or402B is then folded onto the other at the center bundle404thereof in the exemplary direction indicated by the arrow406.

As best illustrated inFIGS. 4B and 4C, the folding exposes the interior of the center bundle404, with which the inner member first end408of the elongated inner member106is coupled, which will eventually form the nodule dense head portion120of the cleaning mechanism102. In other words, the nodule dense head portion120forms the second end of the cleaning mechanism102, with the inner member first end408of the elongated inner member106coupled therewith. After the coupling of the inner member first end408with the interior of the center bundle404, the second section402B is unfolded in the direction of the arrow410, the result of which is best illustrated inFIG. 4D. As illustrated inFIGS. 4D and 4E, once the inner member first end408of the inner member106is coupled with the interior of the center bundle404, the section402A is then folded onto the section402B at the center bundle404thereof in the exemplary direction indicated by the arrow412. As best illustrated inFIG. 4E, the dense nodule head120is formed at the second end of the cleaning mechanism102by tying tight the folded and bundled mesh at118. As best illustrated inFIG. 4F, the free ends of the mesh402is then bundled and coupled at110with the elongated outer member104, after the elongated inner member106is movably inserted therein the elongated outer member104. Thereafter, as illustrated inFIG. 4G, the attachment device108in the form of an exemplary loop or ring is coupled with the elongated inner member106. In general, the coupling of all members is preferably through some type of adhesive or plastic or synthetic welding, depending on manufacturing techniques. Regardless of the attachment method used, the coupling should provide secure attachment (assembly), and withstand the environment within which the cleaning apparatus100is used.

Although the invention has been described in considerable detail in language specific to structural features and or method acts, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as preferred forms of implementing the claimed invention. Stated otherwise, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Therefore, while exemplary illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described, numerous variations and alternative embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. For example, the inner member and the outer member may comprise of any cross-section, transverse along their respective longitudinal axis, and need not be limited to circular. In other words, the inner member and the outer member need not be limited to round shaped tubes. The dimensions of the entire cleaning apparatus and its corresponding components may be varied to clean various size containers. Non-limiting examples of materials used for the cleaning apparatus100, including the cleaning mechanism102may include plastic, metal, non-mesh cloth, etc. The materials from which the components of the cleaning apparatus100are comprised of may vary. In other words, the material that constitutes the cleaning mechanism102may be different from that of other components such as the elongated inner member106or the elongated outer member104. For example, the cleaning mechanism102may comprise of a copper mesh and the elongated inner member106be made of plastic. Any type of coupling and manufacturing technique appropriate for producing the cleaning apparatus100may be used. Such variations and alternate embodiments are contemplated, and can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

It should further be noted that throughout the entire disclosure, the labels such as left, right, front, back, top, bottom, forward, reverse, clockwise, counter clockwise, up, down, or other similar terms such as upper, lower, aft, fore, vertical, horizontal, proximal, distal, parallel, perpendicular, etc. have been used for convenience purposes only and are not intended to imply any particular fixed direction or orientation. Instead, they are used to reflect relative locations and/or directions/orientations between various portions of an object.

In addition, reference to “first,” “second,” “third,” and etc. members throughout the disclosure (and in particular, claims) is not used to show a serial or numerical limitation but instead is used to distinguish or identify the various members of the group.

In addition, any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. Section 112, Paragraph 6. In particular, the use of “step of,” “act of,” “operation of,” or “operational act of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, Paragraph 6.