Washing machine seal cleaning tool

A washing machine seal cleaning tool specifically configured for use in cleaning the seal or gasket of a washing machine. The tool includes a handle portion having a length between a first end and a second end. The first end is bifurcated defining a space for the coupling of the rotating brush member between the bifurcations. The rotating brush member having a plurality of cleaning members configured to clean the seal. The first end including at least one brush member extending perpendicular to the handle length and having a conical shape.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM

Not Applicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to cleaning tool specifically configured for use in cleaning the seal or gasket of a washing machine. In one aspect, the tool is configured with a roller assembly for placement into an interior channel of a washing machine watertight sealing member.

BACKGROUND

A standard washing machine includes a large gasket member generally encircling the opening and configured to form a watertight seal between the opening and the washing machine door. In a typical front-loading washing machine this gasket member generally includes a large flange having a groove and collection area encircling the opening and extending the entire circumference of the gasket. Overtime, this flange, groove, and collection area becomes dirty, smelly, and prone to the growth of molds and bacteria within these areas.

Generally, to clean these areas, a user must manually clean and scrub these areas with a sponge or cleaning rag. Alternately, there are some products within the marketplace that generally attempt to clean this gasket and sealing areas with a solution, wherein the wash machine is operated without clothing in an attempt to allow the solution to clean the gasket and associated areas.

Although these methods can be utilized, they often are not effective and can be difficult to undertake. In particular, the gasket, associated flanges, and grooves are difficult to reach and clean and include sharp angles and crevices that cannot be reached and contacted with traditional cleaning methods.

Therefore, there appears a need within the marketplace for a dedicated device in the form of a cleaning tool specifically configured for the cleaning of a washing machine seal, gasket, flange, and associated grooves and crevices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The device of the present disclosure is most generally related to a tool configured to aid a user in cleaning the sealing member or gasket portion of a washing machine. The device is adapted for the specific purpose of cleaning the sealing member in communication with a door of a washing machine. The device is configured with a handle portion sized and shaped to be grasped by a user for manipulation of the tool at a second end and coupled to a tool end in the form of a rotating brush member at a first end of the handle portion. The rotating brush member is movable on the first end of the handle portion though a coupling within a bifurcation of the first end.

The tool end in the form of the rotating brush member is configured to rotate about an axis in line with the coupling between the bifurcations of the handle end and includes a plurality of cleaning members positioned about an exterior surface. The rotating brush member comprised of a cylindrical roller having a circumference with the plurality of cleaning members positioned about the circumference in an alternating position. Accordingly, the plurality of cleaning members are comprised of a pair of distinct cleaning implements in the form of bristles and pads. The pads generally comprised of a sponge-like material having an absorbency and porosity configured to collect moisture.

The tool end further including a pair of brush members. Each brush member of the pair of brush members extending outward perpendicular to a length of the handle portion along the axis of rotation of the rotating brush member. Each brush of the pair of brush members having a conical shape, wherein a portion of each brush member adjacent to the handle portion has a first diameter and a portion of each brush member opposed the first diameter has a second diameter, wherein the second diameter is greater than the diameter of the first diameter. The conical shape of each brush member configured to compress into small areas and crevices of the gasket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Before the present invention of this disclosure is described in such detail, however, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particular variations set forth and may, of course, vary. Various changes may be made to the invention described and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation, material, composition of matter, process, process act(s) or step(s), to the objective(s), spirit or scope of the present invention. All such modifications are intended to be within the scope of the disclosure made herein.

Unless otherwise indicated, the words and phrases presented in this document have their ordinary meanings to one of skill in the art. Such ordinary meanings can be obtained by reference to their use in the art and by reference to general and scientific dictionaries.

The following explanations of certain terms are meant to be illustrative rather than exhaustive. These terms have their ordinary meanings given by usage in the art and in addition include the following explanations.

As used herein, the term “and/or” refers to any one of the items, any combination of the items, or all of the items with which this term is associated.

As used herein, the terms “include,” “for example,” “such as,” and the like are used illustratively and are not intended to limit the present invention.

As used herein, the terms “preferred” and “preferably” refer to embodiments of the invention that may afford certain benefits, under certain circumstances. However, other embodiments may also be preferred, under the same or other circumstances.

Furthermore, the recitation of one or more preferred embodiments does not imply that other embodiments are not useful and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scope of the invention.

As used herein, the terms “front,” “back,” “rear,” “upper,” “lower,” “right,” and “left” in this description are merely used to identify the various elements as they are oriented in the FIGS., with “front,” “back,” and “rear” being relative to the apparatus. These terms are not meant to limit the elements that they describe, as the various elements may be oriented differently in various applications.

Referring to the figures,FIG. 1toFIG. 5show the washing machine seal cleaning tool according to the present invention and generally referred to as device10. The device10is most generally configured for the specific purpose of cleaning the sealing member, gasket, flange, or boot, as it is commonly referred, in communication with a door of a washing machine. Generally, most washing machines, and more particularly, front loading washing machines, include this large sealing member around an entire circumference of the door opening of the washing machine. This sealing member is frequently constructed out of resilient material, most commonly a rubber or rubber-like material, having several ridges, grooves, or channels, to aid in a watertight fitting of the door and for trapping debris to maintain the integrity of the sealing properties of the sealing member.

The sealing member device10of the present disclosure is provided in an assembly of a pair of cooperative parts in the form of a handle portion100and a rotating brush member200coupled to the handle portion100. The handle portion100having a first end101and a second end102extending opposite the first end101and defining a length of the handle portion100. The first end101is bifurcated culminating in a first first end110and second first end111with the first first end110and the second first end111opposed to define a space for the coupled receipt of the rotating brush member200between the first first end110and the second first end111.

The handle portion100second end102having a shape configured for easy grasping by a user within a hand for manipulation of the device10during use. The second end102may include a material to increase friction and comfort during use, including, but not limited to, a rubber, a silicone, or a rubber-like material. The second end102preferably having an aperture120. The aperture120generally selected to have a size to allow for easy hanging and alternately sized to receive a cord or lanyard for easy hanging when the device10is not in use.

In an alternate embodiment of the present disclosure, the handle portion100may generally be provided with a structure that is generally hollow and forming a cavity (not pictured) for the placement of a cleaning solution that may be expressed during use. Accordingly, the cavity of the handle portion100will have a cooperating structure, such as, but not limited to, a pair of apertures in communication with the cavity for filling with a cleaning solution and allowing the cleaning solution to exit the cavity during cleaning. In this configuration, the aperture for expressing the cleaning solution will be adjacent to the rotating brush member200.

The rotating brush member200cylindrical in shape with a circumference and generally forming a roller, wherein the coupling between the first first end110and the second first end111of the brush member200is configured to rotate about an axis in line with the coupling, wherein the axis of rotation of the rotating brush member200is perpendicular to the length of the handle portion100.

The rotating brush member200including a plurality of cleaning members201positioned about the circumference. The plurality of cleaning members201having a surface configured for cleaning and scrubbing of the sealing member, wherein the plurality of cleaning members201contact the surfaces of the sealing member during use. In the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of cleaning members201are comprised of a pair of distinct cleaning implements in the form of bristles210and pads211in an alternate placement around the circumference. The pads211generally comprised of a sponge or sponge-like material having an absorbency and porosity configured to collect moisture during use of the device10for cleaning.

The first end101further including a pair of brush members202,203. Each brush member202,203of the pair of brush members202,203extending outward perpendicular to the length of the handle portion100along the axis of rotation of the rotating brush member200, wherein a first brush member202extends from the first first end110and a second brush member203extends from the second first end111. Each brush202,203of the pair of brush members202,203has a conical shape. Accordingly, the first brush member202having a first diameter220adjacent to the first first end110and a second diameter221opposed the first diameter220extending outward perpendicular to the length of the handle portion100, wherein the second diameter221is greater than the first diameter220to form the conical shape of the first brush member202.

Correspondingly, the second brush member203has a first diameter230adjacent to the second first end111and a second diameter231opposed the first diameter230extending outward perpendicular to the length of the handle portion100, wherein the second diameter231is greater than the first diameter230to form the conical shape of the second brush member203. The conical shape of each brush member202,203of the pair of brush members202,203configured to compress into small areas and crevices of the sealing member for cleaning. The first and second brush members202,203generally comprised of a plurality of bundled bristles in an angled assembly to form the first diameters220,230and second diameters221,231.

Although it is preferred that the device10first end101includes a pair of brush members202,203, the device10can be easily modified to only include a single conical brush member. Accordingly, under this configuration, the device10first end101would include at least one brush member, wherein one brush member202,203of the pair of brush members202,203is eliminated.

In an alternate assembly of the device10of the present disclosure, the handle portion100and rotating brush member200may be provided in an assembly wherein the brush member200is removably received on the handle100first101. Accordingly, the brush member200may be provided in a replaceable assembly, wherein the brush member200can be removed and replaced if it becomes too worn. In a further alternate assembly, the device10may be constructed of materials to allow for disposal of the device10after use. Accordingly, the device10will maintain the handle100and brush member200components but utilize materials that are less robust and durable.