HANDHELD WASH TOOL FOR CLEANING ANIMALS AND METHODS

A handheld wash tool for bathing an animal includes a housing adapted to receive a water source to permit water to flow from the source into an interior volume of the housing. The tool includes an animal engaging section secured to the housing and in communication with the interior volume of the housing. The animal engaging section has bristles. A cartridge is removably held by the housing. The cartridge holds one or more solutions for applying to the animal. The cartridge is held within the housing such that the one or more solutions is in communication with the animal engaging section.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates grooming tools for animals. In particular, this disclosure relates to a handheld wash tool for cleaning (bathing) animals, such as pets like dogs and cats.

BACKGROUND

Many households include animals as pets. Many pets, especially dogs, need to be bathed. Bathing the animal can be difficult since many animals find the bathing process unpleasant. If there is only one person giving the bath to the animal, they often need one hand to control the animal, allowing only one free hand for controlling water, soap, and other solutions.

There is a need for making bathing animals more convenient and easier than in the past.

SUMMARY

A handheld wash tool is provided that improves the prior art.

In one aspect, a handheld wash tool for bathing an animal is provided. The tool comprises a housing with an interior volume; the housing having a receiver adapted to receive a water source to permit water to flow from the source into the interior volume; an animal engaging section secured to the housing and in communication with the interior volume of the housing; the animal engaging section having bristles; and a cartridge removably held by the housing; the cartridge holding one or more solutions for applying to the animal; the cartridge being held within the housing such that the one or more solutions is in communication with the animal engaging section.

In example embodiments, the cartridge is constructed and arranged to hold at least two solutions in separate compartments.

In one or more embodiments, the housing includes first and second opposite ends, a top, and a bottom; the animal engaging section being along the bottom of the housing; a first axis generally orthogonal to a plane containing the animal engaging section and passing through the housing top and bottom; and a second axis passing through the first end and second end.

In an example implementation, the housing can have a first ring with a first ring central axis; the first ring central axis being contained in a plane orthogonal to the first axis; the first open ring being sized to receive the cartridge.

In examples, the housing has a second open ring with a second ring central axis; the second ring central axis being contained in a plane orthogonal to the first axis; the second open ring being sized to receive a palm of a hand, such that fingers may extend over a side of the housing while a thumb may rest on the first end of the housing.

The first end of the housing may include one or more control buttons constructed and arranged to engage the cartridge to control solution dispensed from the cartridge.

In some embodiments, the second end of the housing defines the receiver.

In one or more embodiments, the animal engaging section includes apertures having at least two selected flow patterns.

The tool can further include an adapter to selectively connect the housing to one of a shower head or a hose.

In many examples, the housing includes an ejection mechanism to selectively eject the cartridge from the housing.

In another aspect, a method of bathing an animal is provided. The method includes connecting a housing to a water source to permit water to flow from the source into an interior volume of the housing; placing bristles of an animal engaging section secured to the housing and in communication with the interior volume of the housing against the animal; and dispensing solutions from a cartridge removably held by the housing; the cartridge being held within the housing such that the solutions are in communication with the animal engaging section.

In some methods, the step of dispensing solutions includes using the cartridge to hold at least two solutions in separate compartments.

In some methods, the step of dispensing solutions includes engaging one or more control buttons on the housing to control solution dispensed from the cartridge.

Some methods further include using an ejection mechanism to selectively eject the cartridge from the housing.

In one or more example methods, the steps of placing bristles and dispensing solutions are done with a single hand holding the housing.

Some methods can include a step of grasping the housing through an open ring with a human hand so that the hand is in the ring between a handle and a remaining part of the housing.

It is noted that not all the specific features described herein need to be incorporated in an arrangement for the arrangement to have some selected advantage according to the present disclosure.

The present technology may be more completely understood and appreciated in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments in connection with the accompanying drawings.

The figures are rendered primarily for clarity and, as a result, are not necessarily drawn to scale. Moreover, various structure/components, including but not limited to fasteners, and the like, may be shown diagrammatically or removed from some or all of the views to better illustrate aspects of the depicted embodiments, or where inclusion of such structure/components is not necessary to an understanding of the various exemplary embodiments described herein. The lack of illustration/description of such structure/components in a particular figure is, however, not to be interpreted as limiting the scope of the various embodiments in any way.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A handheld wash tool is shown in general at20. The tool20allows users to bathe their pet with one hand, while restraining with the other, indoor or outdoor.

The tool20includes a housing22and an animal engaging section24secured to the housing22. In the embodiment shown, the housing22includes first and second opposite ends34,36; a top38; and a bottom40. A first axis42is generally orthogonal to a plane containing the animal engaging section24and passes through the housing top38and bottom40. A second axis44passes through the first end34and second end36.

The tool20further includes a cartridge50removably held by the housing22. The cartridge50holds one or more solutions for applying to the animal. The cartridge50is held within the housing22such that the one or more solutions is in communication with the animal engaging section24. The one or more solutions can include shampoo, conditioner, or various other types of bathing solutions.

The cartridge50is sized and shaped to be removably mountable within the housing50. The cartridge50can have at least two distinct chambers, for holding two different cleaning solutions, such as shampoo in one, and conditioner in the other.

The cartridge50includes an opening that is closeable with a gasket seal52(FIG.4). The gasket seal52can be removed and allow access to the interior of the cartridge50to allow for refilling, as shown inFIG.5.FIG.5shown a person holding the cartridge50in one hand92, while filling the cartridge50with a bottled solution91being held by the other hand93.

Referring toFIGS.4and5, the cartridge50has a front face54; an opposite rear face56; and a surrounding sidewall58extending between the front face54and rear face56. The rear face56is shown as holding the gasket seal52, and is positioned to be in fluid communication with an inlet port57in the housing22. The front face54can have a concave inset60to act as touchpoints and help secure them.

The housing22has a first ring72with a first ring central axis74. The first ring central axis74is contained in a plane orthogonal to the first axis42. The first ring72is sized to receive the cartridge50. As can be seen inFIG.1, the inner perimeter opening73of the first open ring72has the same general shape as the outer perimeter profile shape of the cartridge50. The first ring72has a closed end75, defining the inlet port57.

The housing22includes an ejector mechanism78. The ejector mechanism78is located adjacent to the first open ring72. The ejector mechanism78engages/interacts with the cartridge50to help eject the cartridge50from the first open ring72of the housing22, when it is desired to remove the cartridge50for cleaning or refilling. The ejector mechanism78can be a spring-loaded push button, for example.

The housing22has a second open ring82with a second ring central axis84. The second ring central axis84is contained in a plane orthogonal to the first axis42. The second open ring82is sized to receive a palm of hand92, such that fingers may extend over a side of the housing22while a thumb86may rest on the first end34of the housing22. SeeFIG.2.

The second open ring82is defined by a handle88extending over and facing a remaining part90of the housing22. In use, as shown inFIG.2, the user's hand92can be contained in the second open ring82between and against the handle88and the remaining part90of the housing22.

In accordance with principles of this disclosure, the housing22includes one or more control buttons94constructed and arranged to engage the cartridge50to control solution dispensed from the cartridge50. As illustrated inFIG.1, the first end34of the housing22includes the control buttons94. As shown inFIG.2, the buttons94are positioned such that the user's thumb86can manipulate the buttons94, while holding the tool20. The control buttons94can include controls for: soak, soap, rinse, and condition. Many variations are possible.

The housing22has an interior volume96and a fluid inlet opening/receiver98adapted to receive a water source to permit water to flow from the source into the interior volume96. In the embodiment shown, the second end36of the housing22defines the receiver98. A hose100can be removably attached to the receiver98to convey liquid (e.g., water) into the interior volume96of the housing22.

The tool20can further include an adapter assembly102(FIGS.6-9). The adapter assembly102allows for selective connection of the housing22to one of a shower head104or an outside water spigot/pipe106, typically used for a garden hose. InFIG.9, the adapter assembly102can include a quick release connector108. InFIGS.6and7, the adapter assembly102includes a showerhead diverter103, to select whether the flow of water goes through the showerhead104or through the hose100leading to the housing22. InFIGS.8and9, the adapter assembly102includes a diverter valve105. Many alternatives are possible.

The animal engaging section24can include bristles112, such as silicone bristles, for lathering along a face114. InFIG.10, the face114is shown with apertures116between the bristles112in communication with the interior volume96of the housing22and the solutions in the cartridge50. The apertures116can form a plurality (e.g., at least two) selected flow patterns120,122. For example, there can be a different flow pattern for soaking, soaping, and rinsing.

The tool30further includes a pressure adjusting member150for selectively adjusting the water pressure. In the embodiment shown, the pressure adjusting member is a dial152located at the second end36of the housing22. The dial152is preferably located adjacent to the fluid inlet opening/receiver98. The dial152may be angled downwardly and away from a remaining portion of the housing22to provide comfort grip when the housing22is flipped over with the bottom40facing upward.

Many different ways are possible for making the housing22. For example, the housing22can be constructed from a rigid core and a silicone outer covering. The silicone covering may be overmolded onto the core, in one example.

The above can be used in a method of bathing an animal. The method includes connecting housing22to a water source to permit water to flow from the source into interior volume96of the housing22.

The method can include placing bristles112of the animal engaging section24secured to the housing22and in communication with the interior volume96of the housing22against the animal.

The method can include dispensing solutions from cartridge50removably held by the housing22. The cartridge50is held within the housing22such that the solutions are in communication with the animal engaging section24.

The step of dispensing solutions can include engaging one or more control buttons94on the housing22to control solution dispensed from the cartridge50.

The method may further include using ejector mechanism78to selectively eject the cartridge50from the housing22.

In preferred methods, the steps of placing bristles112and dispensing solutions are done with a single hand92holding the housing22.

In preferred methods, there is a step of grasping the housing22through open ring82with human hand92so that the hand92is in the ring82between handle88and remaining part90of the housing22.

Aspects

Aspect 1. A handheld wash tool for bathing an animal; the tool comprising: (a) a housing with an interior volume; the housing having a receiver adapted to receive a water source to permit water to flow from the source into the interior volume; (b) an animal engaging section secured to the housing and in communication with the interior volume of the housing; the animal engaging section having bristles; and (c) a cartridge removably held by the housing; the cartridge holding one or more solutions for applying to the animal; the cartridge being held within the housing such that the one or more solutions is in communication with the animal engaging section.

Aspect 2. The tool of aspect 1 wherein the cartridge is constructed and arranged to hold at least two solutions in separate compartments.

Aspect 3. The tool of any one of aspects 1 and 2 wherein the housing includes first and second opposite ends, a top, and a bottom; the animal engaging section being along the bottom of the housing; a first axis generally orthogonal to a plane containing the animal engaging section and passing through the housing top and bottom; and a second axis passing through the first end and second end.

Aspect 4. The tool of aspect 3 wherein the housing has a first ring with a first ring central axis; the first ring central axis being contained in a plane orthogonal to the first axis; the first open ring being sized to receive the cartridge.

Aspect 5. The tool of any one of aspects 3 and 4 wherein the housing has a second open ring with a second ring central axis; the second ring central axis being contained in a plane orthogonal to the first axis; the second open ring being sized to receive a palm of a hand, such that fingers may extend over a side of the housing while a thumb may rest on the first end of the housing.

Aspect 6. The tool of any one of aspects 3-5 wherein the first end of the housing includes one or more control buttons constructed and arranged to engage the cartridge to control solution dispensed from the cartridge.

Aspect 7. The tool of any one of aspects 3-6 wherein the second end of the housing defines the receiver.

Aspect 8. The tool of any one of aspects 1-7 wherein the animal engaging section includes apertures having at least two selected flow patterns.

Aspect 9. The tool of any one of aspects 1-8 further including an adapter to selectively connect the housing to one of a shower head or a hose.

Aspect 10. The tool of any one of aspects 1-9 wherein the housing includes an ejection mechanism to selectively eject the cartridge from the housing.

The tool of any one of aspects 1-9, alone or in any combination, and/or in combination with any component or subcomponent shown in the drawings.

Aspect 11. A method of bathing an animal; the method comprising: (a) connecting a housing to a water source to permit water to flow from the source into an interior volume of the housing; (b) placing bristles of an animal engaging section secured to the housing and in communication with the interior volume of the housing against the animal; and (c) dispensing solutions from a cartridge removably held by the housing; the cartridge being held within the housing such that the solutions are in communication with the animal engaging section.

Aspect 12. The method of aspect 11 wherein the step of dispensing solutions includes using the cartridge to hold at least two solutions in separate compartments.

Aspect 13. The method of any one of aspects 11 and 12 wherein the step of dispensing solutions includes engaging one or more control buttons on the housing to control solution dispensed from the cartridge.

Aspect 14. The method of any one of aspects 11-13 further including using an ejection mechanism to selectively eject the cartridge from the housing.

Aspect 15. The method of any one of aspects 11-14 wherein the steps of placing bristles and dispensing solutions are done with a single hand holding the housing.

Aspect 16. The method of any one of aspects 11-15 including a step of grasping the housing through an open ring with a human hand so that the hand is in the ring between a handle and a remaining part of the housing.

Aspect 17. The method of any one of aspects 11-16 using the tool of any one of aspects 1-10, and/or in combination with any component or subcomponent of anything in the drawings.

The above describes example principles. Many embodiments can be made using these principles.