Abstract:
Implementations described and claimed herein include bottle cleaning devices and methods. An exemplary bottle cleaning device comprises a drive system. A shaft is releasably connected to the drive system. The shaft rotates in response to operation of the drive system. A brush system is provided on the shaft to rotate in response to operation of the drive system. The brush system includes at least one brush conforming to an inner side-wall of a bottle.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001]     The described subject matter relates to cleaning implements, and more particularly to bottle cleaning devices and methods of operation.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Bottle cleaning devices are commercially available which include a stiff brush mounted on a rigid, although sometimes flexible, metal or plastic handle. The user typically forces the brush through the bottle opening and manually rotates the handle while sliding it up and down so that the brush contacts and loosens the substance within the bottle which the user desires to remove (e.g., food particles).  
         [0003]     In the past, manufacturers have taken a “one-size-fits-all” approach when it comes to bottle cleaning devices. For example, manufacturers have provided cleaning devices with a brush sized to fit well through the opening of one type of bottle (and bottles with minor variations). However, there are so many different bottle configurations that the brush is often sized too large to fit through some bottle openings, while sized too small to effectively clean the inside of other bottles.  
         [0004]     In order to accommodate a number of different bottle configurations, some manufacturers have taken to producing many different types of cleaning devices. Accordingly, one cleaning device may be effective for a particular bottle configuration, while another cleaning device may be effective for another bottle configuration. However, this approach requires the consumer to purchase different cleaning devices for nearly every bottle configuration he or she may come across.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0005]     Implementations described and claimed herein provide a bottle cleaning device. An exemplary bottle cleaning device may include a drive system. A shaft is releasably connected to the drive system, the shaft rotating in response to operation of the drive system. A brush system is provided on the shaft to rotate in response to operation of the drive system, the brush system including at least one brush conforming to an inner side-wall of a bottle.  
         [0006]     In another exemplary implementation, a system is provided. An exemplary system may include spring-loaded brush means for flexibly engaging and conforming to all inner side-wall of a contoured bottle, and drive means for rotating the brush means.  
         [0007]     In another exemplary implementation, a method of operation is provided. The method may include: collapsing a brush, extending the collapsed brush through an opening formed in a container, and automatically expanding the brush within the container by centrifugal force so that the brush conforms to at least one inner side-wall of the container.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary bottle cleaning device.  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  is cross-sectional view of the handle portion of an exemplary bottle cleaning device.  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  illustrates operation of an exemplary drive system.  FIG. 3   a  shows a portion of the drive system which is partially hidden in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0011]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary connector for a bottle cleaning device.  FIG. 4   a  is a perspective view detailing the portion highlighted in  FIG. 4 .  
         [0012]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an exemplary brush system for a bottle cleaning device.  FIG. 5   a  shows in detail the portion highlighted in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0013]      FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b  illustrate operation of an exemplary brush system.  
         [0014]      FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b  illustrate an exemplary brush system as it may be fitted into a bottle for cleaning operations.  
         [0015]      FIGS. 8   a  and  8   b  illustrate an alternative brush system which may be used with the bottle cleaning device. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary bottle cleaning device. Bottle cleaning device  100  may include a handle portion  110  and a shaft  120  connected to the handle portion  110 . A brush system  130  may be provided on the shaft  120 .  
         [0017]     In an exemplary embodiment, handle portion  110  may be cylindrical in shape, although other configurations are also contemplated. Exemplary handle configurations may also include, but are not limited to, raised “knuckles” and/or curvatures or other ergonomic designs. Handle portion  110  may also include a gripping area  112  for securely grasping the handle portion.  
         [0018]     Handle portion  110  may house an electronic drive system, described in more detail below with reference to  FIG. 2 . The electronic drive system may be powered by one or more batteries, which may be inserted into the handle portion  110  by removing end-cap  114 . End-cap  114  may be press fit or screwed into the handle portion  110 . In an exemplary embodiment, a gasket  116  (e.g., rubber o-ring) may be provided between the end-cap  114  and the handle portion  110  to seal the electronic drive system and batteries against moisture. In addition, a power switch  118  may also be provided on the handle portion  110 . Power switch  118  may be operated by the user to power the electronic drive system on and off.  
         [0019]     Shaft  120  may be connected to the handle portion  110  of bottle cleaning device  100 . In an exemplary embodiment, shaft  120  may be releasably connected to the handle portion  110 . An exemplary connector for releasably connecting the shaft  120  to the handle portion  110  is described in more detail below with reference to  FIG. 4 . Although releasably connecting the shaft  120  to the handle portion  110  enables a user to readily replace the shaft  120  (and brush system  130 ) without having to also replace the handle portion  110  (and drive system shown in  FIG. 2 ), the bottle cleaning device  100  is not limited to use with a releasably connected shaft.  
         [0020]     Shaft  120  may also be extendable. In an exemplary embodiment, shaft  120  may include a plurality of hollow cylinders (e.g., cylinders  122  and  124 ) fitted within one another such that the user can pull the cylinders apart to extend the shaft  120 , and push the cylinders together to collapse the shaft  120 , much like automobile radio antennas. Other embodiments for extending and collapsing the shaft  120  are also contemplated, as will be readily apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art after having become familiar with the teachings shown and described herein.  
         [0021]     Handle portion  110  and shaft  120  may be made from any of a wide variety of materials, e.g., plastic or other polymer material (although metal and metal alloys may also be used). In an exemplary embodiment, handle portion  110  and shaft  120  are both manufactured by a plastic injection-molding process. It is noted, however, that handle portion  110  and shaft  120  do not need to be manufactured of the same materials. For example, handle portion  110  may be manufactured from a stiff plastic material while shaft  120  may be manufactured from a flexible plastic material, or vice versa.  
         [0022]     It is noted that although use of a flexible material may enable the brush system to better conform to the surface being cleaned, bottle cleaning device  100  is not limited to a flexible handle portion  110  or a flexible shaft  120 .  
         [0023]     Brush system  130  may include one or more brushes, movably attached to the shaft  120 . Brush system  130  is described in more detail below with reference to  FIGS. 5, 5   a , and  FIGS. 6   a - b . For now it is enough to understand that the brush system  130  moves automatically by means of an electronic drive system which will now be described with reference to  FIG. 2 .  
         [0024]      FIG. 2  is cross-sectional view of the handle portion of an exemplary bottle cleaning device. As discussed above, handle portion  110  may include a cavity  200  formed therein to house a drive system  210 .  
         [0025]     Drive system  210  may include an electric motor  220  powered by one or more batteries  230   a,b . Switch  118  may extend through the handle portion  110  and into cavity  200 . Electrical wiring  235  may connect the switch  118  to the electric motor  220  to power the electric motor  220  on and off.  
         [0026]     In all exemplary embodiment, a 10 amp electric motor may be powered by two 1.5 volt AA batteries. However, it is noted that the type and rating of electric motor  220  will depend at least to some extent on design considerations. Exemplary design considerations may include, but are not limited to, the size of shaft  120  and brush system  130  ( FIG. 1 ), the desired rotational speed, cost, and desired durability. Likewise, the number and voltage rating of batteries  230  may also depend on design considerations, such as, e.g., the power requirements for electric motor  220 .  
         [0027]     Drive system  210  may also include one or more gears and linkages connecting the electric motor  220  to the shaft  120 . In the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , electric motor  220  may include a rotatable drive shaft  225 . A drive gear  240  is mounted on drive shaft  225  to rotate with the drive shaft  225 . Drive gear  240  engages a first gear  250 , e.g., rotationally mounted to the interior wall  260  of handle portion  110  in a plane substantially perpendicular to the drive gear  250 .  
         [0028]     Also in this exemplary embodiment, a first link arm  270  is pivotally connected on one end to the first gear  252 , e.g., by pin  272 , and on the opposite end of the first link arm  270  to one end of a second link arm  275 , e.g., by pin  274 . The second link arm  275  may be slidably seated between one or more guide members  280   a,b  to discourage twisting of the second link arm  275  that may be caused by rotational movement of the first link arm  270 , as shown in more detail in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0029]     Further in this exemplary embodiment, the second link arm  275  is operatively associated with a second gear  254 , as described in more detail below with reference to  FIGS. 3 and 3   a . Second gear  254  may be rotationally mounted to the interior wall  260  of handle portion  110  in a plane substantially parallel to the first gear  252 . Second gear  254  is operatively associated with a third gear  256 , e.g., provided on shaft  120  in a plane substantially perpendicular to both the first gear  252  and second gear  254 . An exemplary embodiment for operatively associating the second gear  254  with the third gear  256  is described in more detail below with reference to  FIG. 3   a . For now it is sufficient to understand that rotation of the second gear  254  during operation of the drive motor  220  may cause the third gear  256  (and hence shaft  120 ) to pivot back and forth (e.g., clockwise and then counter-clockwise).  
         [0030]     A portion of shaft  120  is also shown in  FIG. 2 , extending into cavity  200  and coupled to drive system  210 . Shaft  120  may be coupled to drive system  210  via a connector  280 . An exemplary connector  280  is described in more detail below with reference to  FIGS. 4 and 4   a . A gasket  290  (e.g., rubber o-ring) may also be provided between the handle portion  110  and the shaft  120  to seal the electronic device system  210  and batteries  230   a,b  against moisture.  
         [0031]      FIG. 3  illustrates operation of an exemplary drive system. In  FIG. 3 , the drive system is shown looking in the direction of the arrows labeled  3 - 3  in  FIG. 2 . Also in  FIG. 3 , three “snapshots” show the same drive system at different stages of operation. The snapshots are referred to as  300   a - c , respectively. It is noted that the handle portion is not shown in  FIG. 3  to focus attention on the drive system itself.  
         [0032]     For purposes of illustration, electric motor  220  is shown in snapshot  300   a  rotating the drive shaft  225  in a counter-clockwise direction  310  (although it will be readily appreciated that the electric motor  220  may also rotate drive shaft  225  is a clockwise direction). Rotating drive shaft  225  in a counter-clockwise direction also rotates drive gear  250  in a counter-clockwise direction  310 .  
         [0033]     The rotation of drive gear  250  in a counter-clockwise direction  310  rotates first gear  252  in a counter-clockwise direction  320 . As first gear  252  rotates, link arm  270  pivots about the first gear  252  at pin connection  272 , as shown in snapshot  300   b  and snapshot  300   c.    
         [0034]     Movement of link arm  270  causes link arm  275  to move in a back and forth (or up/down) motion. The back and forth motion is illustrated by arrow  350  in snapshot  300   b  and arrow  355  in snapshot  300   c . Guide members  280   a,b  discourage twisting of the second link arm  275  that may be caused by rotational movement of the first link arm  270  and help maintain the motion of link arm  275  in the directions of arrows  350 ,  355 .  
         [0035]     The back and forth motion of link arm  275  causes second gear  254  to pivot back and forth in the direction of arrows  330 . The pivoting motion of second gear  254  is translated to a pivoting motion of third gear  256 , and hence shaft  120 , as illustrated by arrows  340   a  and  340   b.    
         [0036]     The pivoting motion of shaft  120  can be better understood with reference to  FIG. 3   a .  FIG. 3   a  shows a portion of the drive system which is partially hidden in  FIG. 3 . Again, three “snapshots” show the same portion of the drive system at different stages of operation. The snapshots are referred to as  305   a - c , and each corresponds to the snapshots  303   a - c , respectively, in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0037]     Link arm  275  may engage a fourth gear  360  not shown in  FIG. 3  because it is “hidden” behind the third gear  254  (third gear  254  is shown in snapshot  305   a  in  FIG. 3   a  in dashed format to orient the reader). Fourth gear  360  may be fixedly attached (or formed integrally therewith) to third gear  256  so that rotation of fourth gear  360  translates directly to rotation of the third gear  256 .  
         [0038]     Fourth gear  360  may include teeth  365 , which may be engaged by teeth  370  attached to (or formed on) link arm  275 . Accordingly, movement of the link arm  275  in the back and forth directions of arrows  350 ,  355  cause the fourth gear  360  to pivot first in one direction, and then in the opposite direction.  
         [0039]     The pivoting motion of gear  360  is shown in more detail in the snapshots  305   b  and  305   c . That is, as the link arm  275  moves in the direction of arrow  350 , as shown in snapshot  305   b , fourth gear  280  rotates counter-clockwise in the direction illustrated by arrow  380 . As the link arm  275  moves in the direction of arrow  355 , as shown in snapshot  305   c , fourth gear  280  rotates clockwise in the direction illustrated by arrow  385 . This pivoting motion of gear  360  is translated directly into a pivoting or “back and forth” motion of shaft  120  by way of second gear  254  and fourth gear  256 .  
         [0040]     It is noted that although operation of the exemplary drive system  210  in  FIG. 2  is illustrated in  FIG. 3 , that the bottle cleaning device  100  ( FIG. 1 ) is not limited to any particular implementation. Other embodiments of drive system  210  will also become readily apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art after having become familiar with the teachings of the invention. For example, other embodiments may include a drive motor which is operable to directly drive the shaft in a back and forth pivoting motion such as described for the drive system  210 . In other embodiments, a drive system may be implemented wherein the shaft is rotated, as opposed to pivoted in the back and forth manner described for the drive system  210 .  
         [0041]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary connector for a bottle cleaning device. In an exemplary embodiment, shaft  120  may include a cap portion  400  attached to (or formed on) the shaft  120 . Shaft  120  may be releasably connected to (or disconnected from) the handle portion  110  by aligning the cap portion  400  over the end of handle portion  110  and moving the two pieces together (or pulling the two pieces apart) as illustrated by arrow  430 . Protrusions  410   a ,  410   b  engage mating indentations  420   a ,  420   b  formed in the handle portion  110  when the shaft  120  is connected to the handle portion  110 . Accordingly, the shaft  120  may be “locked” to connector  280 .  
         [0042]     In an exemplary embodiment, an extension  440  may be provided on one end of the shaft  120 , and slidably engages a mating slot  450  formed in the connector  280 , as shown in more detail in  FIG. 4   a . Accordingly, rotation of the connector  280 , e.g., by drive system  210 , also results in rotation of the shaft  120 .  
         [0043]     It is noted that other embodiments for connector  280  are also contemplated and are not limited to the connector  280  described with reference to  FIG. 4 . For example, shaft  120  may be threaded to engage corresponding threading in connector  280  (e.g., similarly to a screw and nut engagement). Indeed, in other embodiments, the shaft  120  may be permanently mounted to the handle portion  110  of bottle cleaning device  100  ( FIG. 1 ).  
         [0044]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an exemplary brush system for a bottle device. Brush system  130  may include one or more brush arms  500   a - h  pivotally mounted to the shaft  120 , each brush arm  500   a - h  having a plurality of brush bristles  510 . At least one brush  515  may also be provided on an end of the shaft  120  (e.g., for cleaning the bottom of a bottle).  
         [0045]     Although four brush arms are shown for purposes of illustration in the figures, embodiments are also contemplated with more than four brush arms and other embodiments are also contemplated with fewer than four brush arms. It is also noted that any type and configuration of brush bristles may be provides on the brush arms, and are not limited to the type and/or configuration of brush bristles shown in the drawings.  
         [0046]     In an exemplary embodiment, brush arms  500   a - h  (referred to generally hereinafter as brush arms  500 ) may be pivotally mounted to the shaft  120  at connecting blocks  520   a,b  by pins  520   a - d  (or other connection means). The brush arms  500  may be maintained in a collapsed position about the shaft  120  (as shown in  FIG. 5 ) by spring  530   a,b l. During operation, the springs may expand to allow the brush arms  500  to pivot away from the shaft  120  and engage the interior surfaces of a bottle for cleaning operations, as described in more detail below with reference to  FIGS. 6   a - b  and  7   a - b.    
         [0047]     It will be readily appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art after having become familiar with the teachings disclosed herein that the springs  530   a,b  may be selected based on various design considerations. Exemplary design considerations may include, but are not limited to, the size and weight of brush arms  500 , rotation of the shaft  120  provided by the drive system  210  ( FIG. 2 ), ability to resist rust and corrosion, and cost. It is also noted that the bottle cleaning device  100  ( FIG. 1 ) is not limited to use with springs, and other components which provide the same or similar function may also be implemented, such as, e.g., elastic straps or bands.  
         [0048]     Each spring (e.g., spring  530   a ) is a continuous spring component which wraps around all of the brush arms (e.g., spring  530   a  wraps around brush arms  500   a,b  and  500   e,f ). Attachment of the springs is shown in  FIG. 5   a .  FIG. 5   a  shows in detail the portion highlighted in  FIG. 5 . The spring  530   a  extends through an opening  540   a  formed in brush arm  500   e  and through an opening  540   b  formed in brush arm  500   f . Similar openings (not shown) may also be formed in brush arms  500   a,b  to keep spring  530   a  from sliding off the brush arms  500  during operation.  
         [0049]      FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b  illustrate operation of an exemplary brush system. In  FIG. 6   a , the brush arms  500  are shown in a collapsed position about the shaft  120 , such as may be the case when the drive system is powered off (i.e., there is little or no rotation of shaft  120 ).  
         [0050]     In  FIG. 6   b , the brush arms  500  are shown in an extended position, i.e., moved away from the shaft  120 . When the drive system is powered on, the shaft  120  moves in the direction indicated by arrows  600   a,b  (e.g., as described above for operation of the drive system  210 ). This motion of shaft  120  results in a rotational (centrifugal) force on the brush arms  500  which causes the brush arms  500  to pivot away from the shaft against the force of springs  530   a,b , e.g., in the directions illustrated by arrows  610   a - d . When the drive system is powered off, the shaft  120  slows and eventually stops moving, and the force of the springs on brush arms  500  cause the brush arms  500  to collapse about the shaft  120  (e.g., as shown in  FIG. 6   a ).  
         [0051]      FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b  illustrate an exemplary brush system as it may be fitted into a bottle for cleaning operations. In  FIG. 7   a , the brush system  130  is shown in a collapsed position about the shaft  120  (e.g., as described above with reference to  FIG. 6   a ). Accordingly, the brush system  130  may readily be inserted into the bottle  700  in the direction indicated by arrow  720  through an opening (or “mouth”)  702  formed in the bottle  700 .  
         [0052]     In  FIG. 7   b , the brush system  130  is shown positioned inside the bottle  700 . The brush system  130  may then be powered on so that the drive system (e.g., drive system  210  in  FIG. 2 ) moves the shaft  120 , e.g., as illustrated by arrows  710   a,b . Movement of the shaft  120  causes the brush system  130  to expand within the bottle  700 , e.g., as described above with reference to  FIG. 6   b . As the brush system  130  expands, the brushes come into contact with the interior of the bottle  700 .  
         [0053]     During operation, the brush system  130  may flexibly engage (or conform to) various contours  704 ,  708  of bottle  700 , enabling the user to effectively clean the interior surfaces of the bottle. The user may also move the bottle cleaning device  100  ( FIG. 1 ) in the directions indicated by arrows  720   a, b , while maintaining the brush system  130  within the bottle, to effectively clean the interior length of the bottle  700 .  
         [0000]     Alternative Brush System  
         [0054]      FIGS. 8   a  and  8   b  illustrate an alternative brush system  800  which may be used with the bottle cleaning device  100 . Exemplary brush system  800  may include brush arms  810   a - h  (generally referred to as  810 ) pivotally connected to shaft  120  on supports  812 . Springs  815  (or other elastic material) extends between oppositely arranged brush arms (e.g.,  810   a, b  and  810   c, d ).  
         [0055]     As described above with reference to operation of brush system  130 , the brush arms  810  are in a collapsed position about the shaft  120  when the bottle cleaning device  100  is powered off ( FIG. 8   a ). During operation, the brush arms  810  move to an extended position, i.e., away from the shaft  120  ( FIG. 8   b ).  
         [0056]     Although exemplary embodiments are described herein as the bottle cleaning device may be used to clean bottles, it should be understood that the scope of the invention is not limited to use for cleaning bottles and may be implemented to clean many different types containers or vessels.  
         [0057]     In addition to the specific embodiments explicitly set forth herein, other aspects will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and illustrated embodiments be considered as examples only, with a true scope and spirit of the following claims.