Abstract:
A cleaning system is described that comprises a cleaning utensil ( 4 ) featuring a handle ( 6 ) and a cleaning head ( 5 ) as well as at least one device for cleaning the cleaning utensil with a cleansing fluid, especially after use. According to the invention, the facility for cleaning the cleaning utensil with a cleansing fluid comprises an aerosol spray container ( 15 ) with an aerosol spray.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The invention concerns a cleaning system that comprises a cleaning utensil featuring a handle and a cleaning head as well as at least one device for cleaning the utensil with a cleansing fluid, especially after use. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    A variety of cleaning systems that have cleaning utensils and a device for cleaning the utensil are known, such as e.g. from DE 299 21 374 U1. The cleaning system disclosed in the indentified reference consists of a storage container for storing and cleaning a toilet brush. For the purpose of cleaning the toilet brush after use, the storage container comprises a disinfecting unit featuring a tank with a disinfecting fluid, a spray device, a supply line from the tank to the spray device and a pump. 
         [0003]    By operating the pump, a preset quantity of disinfectant is pumped from the tank and conducted via the supply line to the spray device from where it is sprayed onto the brush head. 
         [0004]    The disadvantage of this cleaning system is that it requires cumbersome equipment. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    A general object of the invention is to provide a cleaning system of the above described type that has a fairly simple and cost-effective structure. 
         [0006]    This objective is achieved by a cleaning system with all the features of patent claim  1 . Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the sub-claims. 
         [0007]    A cleaning system according to the invention, which comprises a cleaning utensil with a handle and a cleaning head as well as at least one device for cleaning the utensil with a cleansing fluid, is so designed that the facility for cleaning the utensil with a cleansing fluid comprises an aerosol spray container with an aerosol spray. 
         [0008]    Aerosol sprays are well known. Aerosols are understood to mean minute solid or liquid particles suspended in a gas, such as air. This principle is used in the aerosol spray container. It consists essentially of a container, e.g. a box, with a spray head fitted with a valve. Inside the container there is both a driving agent, usually liquefied or compressed gas, for providing pressure in the container, and an active agent, e.g. a cleansing agent. To open the valve, the spray head is usually depressed against the internal pressure in the box. There may be an additional spring to ensure, on the one hand, the return of the spray head to its original position and, on the other, the closing of the valve, such spring counteracting the depression of the spray head. When the valve is opened, the pressure in the vessel drives out the active agent, which, due to the explosion-like expansion of the driving agent, is dissipated into minute particles. 
         [0009]    The cleaning system of the invention distinguishes itself by a simple and cost effective construction. Cumbersome equipment known from prior art as described above, comprising a pump and spray device plus a separate container with supply lines for the active agent can be dispensed with. Such functions are assumed in a simple manner by the aerosol spray container. 
         [0010]    The known cleaning system, being independent of any power or other supplies, can be placed anywhere in a sanitary room, wherever it is most easily accessible for use. The pressure of the driving agent in the aerosol spray container also ensures a very fine distribution of the aerosol during spraying. And it prevents the valves from becoming blocked. 
         [0011]    The aerosol spray container can easily be bought as an accessory and, when empty, be exchanged for a new full container. This also allows the use of different cleansing agents. Another advantage is an acoustic control through the spraying sound when the aerosol is dispersed. 
         [0012]    When the container is empty, there will be no spraying sound. The spring action also disappears, i.e. the spring effect on the return spring tension is reduced. This is an automatic indication of the end of life of such an aerosol container. 
         [0013]    Suitable cleansing fluids are any cleansing agents available for sanitary purposes. 
         [0014]    Preferred cleansing agents are those that contain so-called “drying accelerators”, e.g. liquids that mix with water while forming azeotropes. Such drying accelerators can be e.g. alcohol, especially ethanol or isopropyl alcohol. 
         [0015]    The cleansing fluids used in connection with the invention may also contain basically known anti-bacterial/anti-microbial substances, especially quaternary ammonium salts, such as octyl decyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, dioctyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium saccharinate, as well as phenols, such as o-phenylphenol, o-benzyl-p-chlorophenol, triclosan, silver and silver salt, hydrogen peroxide, either free or in a combined form, hypochlorite, chloride, either free or in a combined form. 
         [0016]    As mentioned above, the cleansing fluid may also contain fragrant additives. 
         [0017]    A particularly favourable cleansing fluid contains the following:
       0.1% alkyl [50%C(14), 40%C(12), 10%C(16)] dimethyl benzyl ammonium saccharinate],   79% ethanol,   20.9% other inert additives.       
 
         [0021]    It is customary, without restricting the generalility of the system, to use hydrocarbons, hydrofluorocarbons, propane or butane. 
         [0022]    A preferred configuration of the invention features a device for closing and sealing the storage container. This is preferably hinged to the outer wall of the storage container in such a manner that it can swing from open to closed position. A particularly advantageous design of the closing and sealing device is formed by two half-shell elements that can be swivelled in opposition to one another. 
         [0023]    The advantage of such a comparatively simple constructive measure is that, with open half-shell elements, the intake port is large enough for a problem-free insertion from above of the cleaning utensil held in upright position. Since the half shells in open position form a sort of funnel with upwardly widening walls in essentially conical fashion, any developing droplets can be caught and conducted into the container interior. There will never be any undesired, unaesthetical contamination of the outer walls of the storage container. 
         [0024]    The symmetrical arrangement of the half-shell elements permits an easy installation of an automatic closing mechanism, e.g. via a lever arrangement with lever elements, such mechanism leading to the half shells automatically swinging into closed position when the cleaning utensil is inserted in the storage container. The two half shells are preferably designed in such a way that, due to the effect of gravity, they automatically return to the open position when the cleaning utensil is lifted out. 
         [0025]    In a further preferred embodiment of the invention the storage container can be closed and sealed by means of a lid fitted to the handle of the cleaning utensil, such a lid being fitted on the rim of the storage container from above when the cleaning utensil is inserted in it. 
         [0026]    In yet another preferred embodiment of the invention the storage container of the cleaning system comprises at least one principal chamber for inserting and storing the cleaning utensil as well as a secondary chamber that is linked to the main chamber by an open passage. 
         [0027]    The principal and secondary chambers are advantageously designed as separate container sections that can be interconnected in a detachable manner. The advantage of such a design is that the two container sections can be easily separated and cleaned independently. Emptying and cleaning the storage container thus becomes a simple and hygienic process. 
         [0028]    A particularly preferred embodiment of the invention is a design where the container section with the secondary chamber forms a pedestal on which the container section with the principal chamber can be fitted from above. The advantage of this design is that, for emptying and cleaning, the container section with the principal chamber can easily be lifted off the container section with the secondary chamber forming a pedestal. There is no need for any other parts to be dismantled or extracted. Following the cleaning process, the two container sections can be easily reconnected. Another advantage of the embodiment just described is that the container section with the principal chamber can have a geometrically simple design, e.g. as a bowl, which is easy to clean. Since, for achieving a fairly high concentration of cleansing fluid in the principal chamber combined with sparse application doses, the size of the container section will not significantly exceed the dimensions of a brush head, it can easily be swivelled around in a bath containing cleaning liquid. 
         [0029]    The two container sections are advantageously linked with one another via a plug-in connection. This facilitates an easy separation and reconnection of the two sections with a minimum amount of force. 
         [0030]    Furthermore, the container section designed as a pedestal may be wider than the container section with the principal chamber in order to ensure that the whole storage container has a firm and secure footing, without the optical appearance suffering or the whole storage container being too bulky. 
         [0031]    The aerosol spray container with the aerosol spray can be fitted in the principal chamber of the storage container that also houses the cleaning utensil, or in the secondary chamber, which, as described above, is linked with the principal chamber by an open passage. The spray head of the aerosol spray container can be fitted on the side of or underneath the cleaning head of the cleaning utensil. 
         [0032]    Also possible is a design where the aerosol spray container is fitted in the handle of the cleaning utensil, from where the aerosol is sprayed onto the brush head through appropriate openings from above; or the spray is placed in the brush head itself, which, for this purpose, must feature suitable outlet points. 
         [0033]    Cleansing fluid can be applied quite simply by depressing the spray head of the aerosol spray container. This may be done manually. 
         [0034]    With the cleaning system of the invention it would be of advantage however if a mechanism were to be provided for an automatic depression of the spray head, such mechanism being activated, for example, by inserting the cleaning utensil in the storage container. Such automatic operating mechanisms are known in principle. Their functioning is usually based on the existence of protrusions, levers etc. fitted on the storage container in such a way that they automatically depress the spray head whenever the cleaning utensil is inserted in the container. 
         [0035]    The spray head is automatically reset to the closed position of the valve, due, as mentioned in the beginning, to the high pressure inside the container, and through the effects of a return spring. 
         [0036]    Another preferred embodiment of the invention features a time clock for operating the opening mechanism. In this way cleaning can take place at regular, freely adjustable intervals, especially during prolonged storage periods without the cleaning utensil being in use. If the aerosol also contains fragrances and since the cleaning container is not hermitically sealed, there is the added advantage of pleasant smells getting into the room at regular intervals. 
         [0037]    In addition to the cleaning utensil being provided with a cleansing fluid, as described above, other cleaning agents may be added, e.g. lamps for a fluorescent light to kill off bacteria and similar. 
         [0038]    The cleaning system described is intended especially for use in sanitary equipment, in particular and preferably for the storage and, if necessary, cleaning of toilet brushes. 
         [0039]    Brushes, especially toilet brushes, usually feature bunches of bristles. Instead of such bristles it is possible to use cleaning elements of flexible material produced by injection moulding. These can vary considerably with regard to diameter, length and number of elements. For the purpose of an optimum distribution of the cleansing agent across the whole surface of different types of brush heads in the container, both the amount of driving agent in the aerosol as well as the “space filling” by the brush head have been shown to be of importance. In the context of the invention “space filling” is understood to be a good approximation of the ratio of the volume taken up by the bristle carrier and bristle bunches, or the cleaning element carrier and the cleansing elements, on the one hand, to the volume enclosed by the surface of the housing around the bristle bunches or cleaning elements, on the other. The specific form of the cleaning elements, or the specific bristles and number of bristles in a bunch, are of lesser importance. 
         [0040]    An acceptable covering of the brush head surface with cleansing fluid has been shown to be achieved with a concentration of driving agent in the aerosol of greater than/equal to 10% and a space filling by the brush head of less than or equal to 25%. 
         [0041]    Up to a space filling level of 50% it is possible to achieve an acceptable covering of the brush head surface with cleansing fluid, with the driving agent concentration being larger than/equal to 15% in the aerosol. 
         [0042]    With a space filling level of between 50-80% an acceptable covering can usually be achieved with a driving agent concentration of larger than/equal to 20% in the aerosol. 
         [0043]    Overall, it has been shown that the quotient of space filling in % and driving agent concentration in % should be smaller than/equal to 5. The preferred quotient is smaller than/equal to 3 and, even better, smaller than/equal to 2. 
         [0044]    An even distribution of the cleansing fluid during and immediately following the spraying process can be further assisted by the pattern of bristles on the brush head featuring preferred flow channels for the cleansing fluid. A design where the bristle bunches near the exit jets of the cleansing fluid are spaced further apart proved to be of advantage. This makes it easier for the opposite side of the brush head to be reached and facilitates pronounced turbulence dynamics in the whole area of the brush container. 
         [0045]    In general, the cleaning system of the invention is suitable for the storage and, if necessary, cleaning of all kinds of cleaning utensils that feature a handle and a brush head, for example also for storing and cleaning toothbrushes. The ratio between space filling and driving agent concentration in the aerosol is equally applicable to such cases. 
         [0046]    The cleaning system of the invention is suitable for storing and, if necessary, cleaning not only brushes but also any cleaning utensils where the cleaning head is designed not as a brush but as a formed shape of foam or fleece and similar. 
         [0047]    The invention will be now be explained in detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         [0048]      FIG. 1  is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view an exemplary cleaning system according to the invention with the aerosol spray container being arranged at the side of the cleaning head of the cleaning utensil. 
           [0049]      FIG. 2  is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of an exemplary alternative embodiment of a cleaning system according to the invention with the aerosol spray container being arranged centrally below the cleaning utensil. 
           [0050]      FIGS. 3   a  to  3   b  are perspective views of exemplary cleaning heads for toilet brushes such as may be used in a cleaning system according to the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0051]      FIG. 1  shows a cleaning container  1  with a first container section  2  comprising a principal chamber  3  which houses a cleaning utensil  4  featuring a cleaning head  5  and a handle  6 . The illustrated cleaning utensil  4  is a toilet brush, shown as one embodiment of the invention, without restricting the generality of the principle. Reference number  7  refers to the bristles of the cleaning head  5 . The principal chamber  3  can be closed and sealed to the outside by means of a lid  8  arranged on the handle  6  of the cleaning utensil. Additional sealing is provided by a sealing ring  9  resting on a stepped ridge  10  along the inner wall  11  of container section  2 . 
         [0052]    Reference number  12  in the illustration refers to a second container section. This features a secondary chamber  13 . Inside the secondary chamber  13 , held by a hollow, cylinder-shaped bracket  14 , there is an aerosol spray container  15  containing an aerosol with a cleansing agent. The principal chamber  3  and the secondary chamber  13  are interconnected via an open passage  16  arranged at the level of the head  17  of the aerosol spray container  15 . Inside the secondary chamber  13  there is also a support element  18  with a spring element  19 , the function of which shall be described in detail below. 
         [0053]    As can be seen from the illustration, the principal chamber  3  and the secondary chamber  13  are, according to the invention, designed as separate container sections  2 ,  12 . Special to the design shown is that container section  2  is inserted in container section  12 . In this case, container section  2  rests on the head  17  of the aerosol spray  15  as well as on the support element  18  with the spring element  19 . It may be useful to arrange several support elements  18  with spring elements  19  around the circumference of container section  12 . For emptying or cleaning or for changing the aerosol spray container  15 , container section  2  can simply be lifted up out of container section  12 . Following the cleaning process, or after changing the aerosol spray container  15 , container section  2  can simply be reinserted from above into container section  12 . 
         [0054]    Having a slightly larger cross-section area than container section  2 , which encloses the principal chamber  3 , container section  12  forms a kind of pedestal for container section  2  and thus ensures greater stability. 
         [0055]    Container section  2  features, along the outer circumference of its lower part, a screen  20  that stretches horizontally outward and forms the part that rests on the support elements  18  with the spring elements  19  and on the head  17  of the aerosol spray container  15 . In the region of the head  17  of the aerosol spray container  15 , the screen  20  features an axial extension that serves as an operating element  21  for the aerosol spray container  15 . A quick exertion of pressure on the handle  6  of the cleaning utensil  4  briefly depresses container section  2  against the tension of the spring element  19 . The spray head  17  of the aerosol spray container  15  is compressed simultaneously via the operating element  21  with the result that a small amount of aerosol is dispersed and, through the passage  16 , reaches the principal chamber  3  with the cleaning head  5 . Due to the fact that, as described, the principal chamber  3  is sealed to the outside, the aerosol reaching the cleaning head  5  of the cleaning utensil  4  is of such high concentration that an excellent degree of disinfection is achieved within a short time. 
         [0056]      FIG. 2  shows a further preferred embodiment of the invention. Corresponding parts have the same reference numbers. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , a centrally arranged hollow cylinder-shaped receptacle  22  in the container section  12  forms the secondary chamber for the aerosol spray container  15 . Above the hollow, cylinder-shaped receptacle  22 , there is a radial extension  23  for accepting container section  2 . The open passage  16  to the principal chamber  3  of container section  2  is located in the floor of the latter, directly above the spray head  17  of the aerosol spray container  15 , so that, by depressing the spray head  17  of the aerosol spray container  15 , aerosol is sprayed from below into the principal chamber  3  housing the cleaning head  5 . 
         [0057]    The hollow, cylinder-shaped receptacle  22  for the aerosol spray container  15  and the radial extension  23  for accepting container section  2  are bordered by an operating element  24  that fits in a corresponding receptacle  26  in container section  12  and slides down along it in vertical direction against the tension of a spring element  27  fitted on the floor of container section  12 . As will be described, such an arrangement facilitates an automatic closing of container section  2  when the cleaning utensil  4  is inserted. 
         [0058]    For closing and sealing purposes in the embodiment shown, two half-shell elements  28   a,    28   b,  moveable in opposition to one another, are hinged to container section  12  along its upper circumference. Both are shown in open position in the drawing. Two lever elements  29   a,    29   b  are firmly fixed to the half-shell elements  28   a,    28   b,  to ensure an automatic movement to the closed position when the cleaning utensil  4  is inserted into the principal chamber  3 , such lever elements  29   a,    29   b  being hinged both to container section  12 , in the region of the radial extension on the inner wall  30 , and to the operating element  24 . 
         [0059]    When pressure is exerted on container section  2  from above, e.g. when the cleaning utensil  4  is inserted in the principal chamber  3 , container section  2  is pressed downward and exerts corresponding pressure on the operating element  24  which, in turn, is moved downward against the tension of the spring element  27 . This movement of the operating elements  24  causes the lever elements  29   a,    29   b,  hinged to the operating element  24 , to be tilted downward, thus causing the half-shell elements  28   a,    28   b  to swing towards their closed position. In an ideal case, the tension of the spring element  27  and the weight of the cleaning utensil  4  are so well tuned that the insertion of the cleaning utensil  4  only leads to a closure of container section  2 , whilst an additional exertion of pressure on the handle  6  of the cleaning utensil  4  would be required to activate the opening mechanism of the spray bottle  15 . This has the advantage that the cleaning utensil  4  can be stored in the closed container section  2 , without the opening mechanism of the aerosol spray container  15  being automatically activated. 
         [0060]    In the embodiment shown, the aerosol spray container  15  penetrates so deeply into the receptacle of container section  2  in the area of the radial extension  23 , that, following the insertion of the cleaning utensil  4  into the principal chamber  3  and following the movement of the half-shell elements  28   a,    28   b  into their closed position, another short tap would also briefly depress the spray head  17 , with the result that aerosol is sprayed upward into the principal chamber  3  for a short time. 
         [0061]    The illustration also shows that the floor  31  of the container section  12  is raised in the area of the open passage  16 , so as to prevent any liquid from escaping through the passage  16 . 
         [0062]      FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  show typical toilet cleaning heads such as can be used in a cleaning system according to the invention. 
         [0063]    The cleaning head  5  shown in  FIG. 3   a  is configured as a brush head. It consists of a brush carrier  5   a  having a diameter of 25 mm and a length of 60 mm. 64 bunches of bristles  7   a  featuring straight bristles  7 , an average bunch diameter of 6 mm and a free length of 27.5 mm are evenly distributed over the carrier. The cleaning/brush head  5  with its covering occupies a space volume of about 400 ccm. Of this, the volume of the bristle carrier  5   a  amounts to about 30 ccm. The bristle bunches  7   a  occupy a space of approx. 50 ccm. 
         [0064]    This results in a total space-filling rate of about 20% by the bristle carrier  5   a  and the bristle bunches  7   a.  The cleansing fluid can spread without restriction in the remaining approximately 80% of the space. An acceptable covering of the cleaning/brush head surface with cleansing fluid is achieved with a driving agent concentration of larger than/equal to 10% in the aerosol. 
         [0065]    In the cleaning head  5  shown in  FIG. 3   b , configured as a brush head, the bristles  7  are made of a TPE material. The bristles  7  are truncated cones tapering outwardly. The bristle carrier  5   a  has a diameter of 30 mm and a length of 60 mm. 231 conical bristles  7 , tapering outward from a 5 mm to a 3 mm diameter and having a length of 20 mm, are distributed evenly across the bristle carrier  5   a.  The space-filling rate in this case is 35%. An acceptable covering of the brush head surface with cleansing fluid is here achieved with a driving agent concentration of larger than/equal to 15% in the aerosol. 
         [0066]    Another typical cleaning head  5  for toilet brushes, designed as a brush head, possesses comparable dimensions. However, in contrast to the cleaning/brush head  5  shown in  FIG. 3   a , this cleaning head contains 112 bristle bunches  7   a  with undulating bristles  7 . The bunches  7   a  are thicker and more fanned out than in the cleaning/brush head shown in  FIG. 3   a . With an average bunch diameter of 1 mm, there is a space-filling rate of 70%. An acceptable covering of the brush head surface with cleansing fluid is here achieved with a driving agent concentration of larger than/equal to 20% in the aerosol.