Patent Publication Number: US-2004045112-A1

Title: Manual cleaning device

Description:
[0001] The invention relates to a manual cleaning device, comprising a cleaning member delimited at least over a portion of its periphery by an edge which is formed in a plane and which is dome-shaped on one side of this plane.  
       [0002] A manual cleaning device with the aforementioned features is disclosed in DE-A-199 41 718. The known cleaning member is essentially a truncated cone having a small top surface which is semi-spherical and having a base surface that has a greatly rounded edge. A coupling member for a handle adjoins this edge/rounded portion. This coupling member is rotationally symmetrical and concave. As a result of this, the known manual cleaning device is rather large in the area of the cleaning member. For narrow areas and for undercuts, as they are known, in particular, in toilet bowls, the known manual cleaning device is therefore not optimal.  
       [0003] It is therefore an object of the present invention to improve a manual cleaning device having the aforementioned features such that it is suitable for cleaning, aside from large-volume areas of objects to be cleaned, also small-volume areas and undercuts as they are present frequently in the sanitary field, in particular, in toilet bowls in bathrooms. Moreover, the manual cleaning device should also be particularly easy to handle in order to use it also, for example, as a cleaning device for the body.  
       [0004] This object is solved in that the cleaning member is formed on both sides of the edge with a flat domed configuration and that the periphery of the cleaning member, having a flat domed configuration on both sides, has an oval shape at least in the area of its edge.  
       [0005] It is important for the invention that the cleaning member is of a flat domed configuration on both sides of the plane defined by its edge. As a result of this, the cleaning member has two differently sized cross-sections with respect to planes that are perpendicular to one another. The dimensions in that plane that is determined by the edge of the cleaning member can be made large in accordance with the cleaning tasks, for example, with respect to the large cross-section of a siphon trap of a toilet bowl or with respect to large surfaces of the body to be cleaned when the cleaning member is to be used essentially as a massage brush or bath brush. The oval edge corresponds excellently to the containers employed usually in the sanitary field which also a have oval cross-sections or radii and therefore can be cleaned in a simple and reliable way. Perpendicularly to the plane which is defined by the edge, the cross-section is small as a result of the flat-domed configuration of the cleaning member.  
       [0006] In a further embodiment of the manual cleaning device particularly as a toilet bowl cleaner, it is preferred that a handle is connected to the cleaning member and that the cleaning member has a cleaning projection projecting asymmetrically, relative to the handle, in the plane defined by the edge. In connection with the configuration of the cleaning member as an asymmetrically projecting cleaning projection, a cleaning tongue results with which undercuts can be cleaned. At the same time, the flat-domed configuration contributes to the fact that flat curved surfaces can be cleaned very well because the flat domed configuration of the cleaning member corresponds approximately to the flat concave configuration of, for example, a toilet bowl and, in this way, a cleaning action for large surface areas is enabled.  
       [0007] The manual cleaning device can be configured such that the cleaning projection of the cleaning member is positioned at an acute angle relative to the handle. The cleaning projection is therefore hook-shaped so that undercuts can be cleaned well which have practically vertically arranged surfaces. The ease of manipulation of the manual cleaning device is therefore significantly improved even for cleaning areas that are otherwise considered to be problematic.  
       [0008] In a configuration of the manual cleaning device particularly as a body cleaning device, it is preferred that the handle is mounted on the cleaning member so as to be practically aligned with the plane defined by the edge. The cleaning member which is of a flat domed configuration on both sides of such a body cleaning device is an excellent massage brush and bath brush member. The flat domed shape of the cleaning member is excellently adapted in order to massage or brush the human body.  
       [0009] A further significant embodiment of the manual cleaning device is to be seen in that the cleaning member is of a flat drop-shaped configuration and in that the drop point forms the cleaning projection. The drop shape of the manual cleaning member means that the cleaning member is pointed like a drop. The drop point, on the one hand, is so narrow that it can penetrate into areas of a very small volume in order to clean them. On the other hand, it is of such a large size that the cleaning member retains the required stiffness. On the other side of the flat drop shape, a large radius is provided, and with this side areas of the toilet bowl can be cleaned, for example, which have concavely curved surfaces to be cleaned with correspondingly large or greater radii. The drop-shaped configuration of the cleaning member effects accordingly excellent cleaning possibilities for surfaces to be cleaned which have large radii as well as for surfaces to be cleaned which have small radii or are located in undercut areas that are difficult to access.  
       [0010] The cleaning device can be designed preferably such that the edge extends continuously circumferentially and that it has a cleaning member that in the area of the plane defined by the edge is completely oval. The complete oval configuration of the cleaning member has the result that the latter can be employed more easily. It is not required to rotate it for using its edge, this being the case when the edge is present only over a portion of the circumference of the cleaning member. The cleaning member is thus particularly easy to handle.  
       [0011] A further advantageous configuration of the manual cleaning device is to be seen in that the edge is formed by pointed converging curved surfaces of the cleaning member. The pointed converging curved surfaces of the cleaning member cause a correspondingly sharp edge. With this edge it is possible to scrape off even encrusted materials from surfaces to be cleaned.  
       [0012] The manual cleaning device can be embodied such that the cleaning member has a coupling member for the handle that is bead-shaped or bottleneck-shaped and extends in the direction toward the handle. The bottleneck shape of the coupling member is slim and therefore does not impair the use of the cleaning member in narrow objects to be cleaned.  
       [0013] It is preferred to configure the manual cleaning device such that the coupling member at least in the vicinity of the circumferential edge of the cleaning member is dome-shaped and/or that the cleaning member and the coupling member are of a unitary configuration. The area of the domed configuration of the coupling member can be used for cleaning tasks, for example, on surfaces to be cleaned which are substantially positioned parallel to the handle. In the case of a monolithic configuration of the cleaning member and of the coupling member, both members can be comprised of the same material and can be produced together in a single manufacturing step.  
       [0014] The stability of the manual cleaning device is enhanced when it is configured such that the coupling member encloses, with the exception of the coupling end for the handle, an adapter bolt projecting into the cleaning member or has a recess in which the handle is directly fastened. The enclosed adapter bolt is completely protected with regard to soiling, in particular, when it is assumed that the coupling end is usually completely enclosed by the handle. When omitting such an adapter bolt, a less expensive configuration results by providing the coupling member with a recess in which the handle is directly fastened. The handle can be pressed into the recess, glued therein, or can be embedded in the material of the coupling member by injection molding. This is particularly advantageous when the coupling member is produced of integral skin foam.  
       [0015] It is preferred that the cleaning member and/or the coupling member is comprised of dirt-repellent polyurethane foam with a self-lubricating surface and/or that the cleaning member and/or the coupling member is provided with a dirt-repellent coating. The cleaning device therefore will not soil easily. Dirt does not find any surfaces to adhere to and water or liquid will drain off. A dirt-protecting coating can have a Teflon-like anti-adhesion action, in particular, for grease. It can be baked in at a suitable temperature in order to provide a permanent activity.  
       [0016] An advantageous configuration of the manual cleaning device is characterized in that the curved surfaces of the cleaning member and/or a domed surface of the coupling member are provided with parallel uninterrupted flat pointed ribs. By means of the pointed ribs the cleaning effect is enhanced when the cleaning member is moved under pressure on the surfaces to be cleaned. The pointed ribs then scrape off the dirt.  
       [0017] In the afore described context, the manual cleaning device can be configured such that the pointed ribs on the coupling member extend past the domed surface to its end at the handle. In such a configuration, surfaces of the coupling member which are not dome-shaped can also be used for cleaning purposes; this can facilitate, for example, cleaning of surfaces to be cleaned which are not domed.  
       [0018] In order to minimize soiling of the cleaning member and/or of the coupling member in the area of the pointed ribs, the manual cleaning device is configured such that the flat pointed ribs are profiled according to a circular section and/or alternate with flat ribs. Circular section surfaces all have the same minimal curvature which is optimized in regard to minimal soiling. On the tips of the flat pointed ribs, water and dirt can adhere only minimally. When the pointed ribs and flat ribs alternate, in the area of the pointed ribs an excellent scraping effect will result while the flat ribs enable a strong surface pressure which can be used in the sense of an effective removal of dirt particles.  
       [0019] A further optimization in the sense of minimal soiling of the manual cleaning device results when the pointed ribs of the cleaning member end at a spacing from its circumferential edge. Automatic dirt and water drainage in the area of the circumferential edge is thus improved.  
       [0020] The manual cleaning device can be characterized in that the pointed ribs extend at a slant to a longitudinal axis of the cleaning member. For a conventional use of the manual cleaning device as a result of the slanted arrangement of the pointed ribs for conventional use in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the cleaning member, a plow-like effect of the pointed ribs on the dirt to be removed is effected.  
       [0021] Moreover, the manual cleaning device can be configured such that the rib edges of the pointed ribs are wave-shaped and that neighboring wave-shaped rib edges are arranged in the longitudinal direction with phase displacement. In this configuration, the valleys and peaks of the waves are arranged alternatingly adjacent to one another, in the longitudinal direction of the ribs as well as transversely thereto; the latter realized as a result of the phase displacement of a rib edge to a neighboring rib edge. This can be advantageous, in particular, when a uniform pressure loading on a large surface area is not required as, for example, in the case of a massage and bath member.  
       [0022] It may be expedient that between two ribs brush strips and/or foam strips are arranged. With these strips, special cleaning and entraining effects result which are desirable, in particular, when using the cleaning member as a massage or bath member. The strips can distribute cosmetic and medical preparations and, in connection with the cleaning member, can also massage them in.  
       [0023] In order for the manual cleaning device to be reliably gripped directly on the cleaning member in order to be able to perform, without using a handle, cleaning or massage tasks, the manual cleaning device is advantageously configured such that one domed curved surface is provided with pointed ribs and the other domed curved surface in the vicinity of the edge is provided with gripping knobs. The gripping knobs effect that the gripped manual cleaning member will slip less likely our of the hand. They also represents a design element.  
       [0024] In particular when using the manual cleaning device as a massage or bath member, it is advantageous when the cleaning member is provided with an adjustable timer and/or with a thermometer. The cleaning member can be used without handle for massage and bath purposes but can be used also in connection with a handle.  
       [0025] In order to be adjustable to different cleaning and massage purposes, the manual cleaning device can be configured such that the cleaning member has on at least one curved surface and/or on one dome-shaped surface area projections of a small surface area which are distributed across this surface or surfaces uniformly and/or in rows and have an outer contour with sharp edges. Depending on the configuration of the small surface area projections, this particularly provides a possibility for designing the cleaning device in a visually especially pleasing way.  
       [0026] It is also possible to configure the manual cleaning device such that on the end of the handle facing away from the cleaning member a grip with a structure is provided which corresponds to that of a curved surface of the cleaning member. Such a configuration of the manual cleaning device enhances not only its pleasing appearance and facilitates not only a slip-save gripping of the cleaning device but also, to a limited extent, the use of the grip in the sense of a cleaning member of the manual device.  
       [0027] The applicability of the manual cleaning device is improved in particular in that it is stored by being supported via the cleaning member in a support vessel. The manual cleaning device therefore has a predetermined place from which it can be gripped. In this connection, the manual cleaning device can be configured with a handle or without a handle. In a configuration with a handle, the support vessel can support the cleaning member such that the end of the handle is freely accessible and gripping of the manual cleaning device is facilitated in this way.  
       [0028] It is advantageous to configure the manual cleaning device such that the support vessel is provided with a support rim which is arranged at a slant relative to a vertical line at an angle which corresponds to the acute angle between the handle and the cleaning projection of the cleaning member. As result of this, the manual cleaning device can be arranged with a vertical handle. It can therefore be reached without having to bend over too much, even when the support vessel is of a flat configuration. The unit comprised of the manual cleaning device and of its support vessel can be configured to be space-saving in the horizontal direction.  
       [0029] A configuration of the manual cleaning device is characterized in that the support vessel has a cylindrical outer wall and in that an inner wall tapering from an upper edge of the outer wall to the support rim provided within the outer wall is at least partially provided. The tapering inner wall facilitates an exact placement of the manual cleaning device with its handle because the cleaning member by means of the tapering inner wall is guided to its seat on the support rim. Placing the cleaning member by means of a handle is thus facilitated.  
       [0030] The manual cleaning device can be configured such that the support rim is a continuous support surface in the peripheral direction which is interrupted by at least one recess allowing bottom ventilation of the cleaning member. The continuous contact surface of the support rim provides a safe supporting action of the cleaning member. By means of the recess for bottom venting purposes, it is achieved that no air is closed off underneath the cleaning member in the closed support vessel which could result in rotting processes.  
       [0031] With regard to general hygiene considerations in the field of use of the manual cleaning device, it is configured in particular such that the support vessel has a drip pan which tightly adjoins the inner circumference of the support rim and/or such that the drip pan and/or the inner wall in the area of the recess is recessed without a penetration. By means of the tight connection of the drip pan on the inner circumference of the support rim, a complete catching of liquid draining or dripping off the cleaning member is ensured. A corresponding safe catching is also ensured when the drip pan in the area of the recess is recessed without a penetration. Both measures together act in the same way.  
       [0032] In the sense of a weight-reducing configuration, the manual cleaning device can be configured such that the support vessel is manufactured of plastic material or glass or metal so as to have the same wall thickness throughout.  
       [0033] A particularly safe support of the cleaning member on the support vessel results when the support rim is slanted and/or formed so as to match the portions of the lower curved surface adjoining the edge. This provides a corresponding positive-locking and/or frictional connection. The slanted surfaces of the support rim enable a complete areal support of portions of the lower curved surface of the cleaning member. When the cleaning member in the support area is provided, for example, with pointed ribs, the support rim can be formed correspondingly. 
     
    
    
     [0034] The invention will be explained by means of embodiments illustrated in the drawing. It is shown in:  
     [0035]FIG. 1 a side view of the manual cleaning device,  
     [0036]FIG. 1 a  a cleaning profile of the cleaning member of the manual cleaning device of FIG. 1,  
     [0037]FIG. 2 a schematic view of the manual cleaning device of FIG. 1 in the direction of the handle,  
     [0038]FIG. 3 a bottom view of the manual cleaning device of FIG. 1 in a direction opposite to the handle;  
     [0039]FIG. 4 a cross-section of the toilet bowl on which the manual device of FIG. 1 is illustrated in different cleaning positions,  
     [0040]FIG. 5 a schematic illustration of a manual cleaning device provided with a handle in a complete view,  
     [0041]FIG. 6 a configuration of a manual cleaning device embodied as a body cleaning device as a massage or bath brush,  
     [0042]FIG. 6 a  an enlarged illustration of the handle of the device of FIG. 6,  
     [0043]FIG. 6 b  a view of the end of the handle of FIG. 6 a,    
     [0044]FIG. 7 an enlarged side view of the cleaning member of FIG. 6,  
     [0045]FIG. 8 an enlarged view onto a cleaning member according to FIG. 6,  
     [0046]FIG. 9 an enlarged bottom view of the cleaning member according to FIG. 7,  
     [0047]FIG. 10 a schematic sectional view in the direction A of FIG. 9 with variation of the edge configuration of pointed ribs,  
     [0048]FIGS. 11, 12 illustrations similar to FIG. 1 for illustrating the profiling of a curved surface of a cleaning member,  
     [0049] FIGS.  13 - 17  schematic illustrations of curved surfaces with differently configured projections having a small surface area, and  
     [0050]FIG. 18 a perspective schematic illustration of a support vessel for supporting the manual cleaning device by means of its cleaning member. 
    
    
     [0051] The manual cleaning device  10  has a cleaning member  12  on which is provided as a unitary part a coupling member  18  which encloses an adapter bolt  19 . The adapter bolt  19  projects from the coupling member  18  with a coupling end  19  for the handle onto which a handle  11  is pushed. The entire length of the handle  11  is not illustrated. This entire length however can be seen in the illustrations of the manual cleaning device  10  in FIGS. 4 through 6.  
     [0052] The cleaning member  12  of FIGS. 1 through 4 has a contour of its main plane  14  that is drop-shaped, as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3. The drop shape is delimited by an edge  13  which surrounds continuously the plane  14  and has no steps. Starting at the edge  13  or at the plane  14  defined by it, the cleaning member  12  is configured on both sides with a dome shape. Accordingly, a dome-shaped curved surface  16  is provided which faces the handle as well as a domed curved surface  17  which faces away from the handle. As a result of this, the cleaning member  12  has a flat drop-shape or cushion shape.  
     [0053] The cleaning member  12  and the coupling member  18  are attached to one another in the plane of the illustration at an angle α. The angle α is illustrated in FIG. 1 between the plane  14  and an axis  22  which coincides with the axis of the handle  11 , the axis of the adapter bolt  19 , and the axis of the coupling member  18 .  
     [0054] Moreover, assembly of the cleaning member  12  and the coupling member  18  is realized such that an eccentricity is provided. The cleaning member  12  forms a cleaning projection  15 . This cleaning projection  15  projects asymmetrically relative to the axis  22 . This asymmetric arrangement and the prescribed angular arrangement of the cleaning member  12  results in a hook-shaped configuration of the manual cleaning device  10 .  
     [0055] The asymmetric configuration of the cleaning member  12  is also beneficial in regard to the possibility of configuring the coupling member  18  to be dome-shaped starting at the edge  13  so that a domed surface  20  results. This domed surface  20  ends at the edge of the cleaning member, in particular, at a location diametrically opposite the tip of the cleaning projection  15 . The domed surface  20  of the coupling member  18  ends at a spacing from the end  18 ′ of the coupling member  18  facing the handle. In the area between the domed surface  20  and the end  18 ′, the coupling member  18  is essentially cylindrical with increasing wall thickness in the direction toward the domed surface  20 . The transition areas of the coupling member  18  to the cleaning member  12 , by the way, are configured to have large radii so that in the connecting area between the coupling member  18  and cleaning member  12  a solid stable connecting area results in which the adapter bolt  19  can have anchoring projections  19 ″ in order to increase the pulling resistance of the adapter bolt relative to the coupling member  18 . Otherwise, the strength of the connection between the handle  11  and the coupling end  19 ′ of the handle is determined by a snap connection  110  provided thereat.  
     [0056] The described connection of the cleaning member  12  with the handle  11  is very stable but also constructively complex. Reference is thus being had to FIG. 5 in which a solid cleaning member  12  is provided with a recess  30  in which the handle is directly fastened. The corresponding end of the handle  11  is pressed into the recess  30  and/or glued therein and/or embedded in the material of the cleaning and coupling member by injection molding.  
     [0057] The coupling member  180  illustrated in FIG. 5 is not at all bottleneck-shaped as the coupling member  18  illustrated in FIG. 1. Instead, the coupling member  180  is bead-shaped and is so short that the unit of coupling member and cleaning member is very compact. This saves material and the cleaning device can be made more lightweight. Its manufacture is simplified.  
     [0058] The curved surfaces  16 ,  17  of the cleaning member  12  and the domed surface  20  as well as the end  18 ′ of the coupling member  18  facing the handle are provided with flat pointed ribs  21 . The cross-section of the aforementioned surfaces in the area of the pointed ribs  21  is illustrated in FIG. 1 a . It is shown that the pointed ribs  21  are profiled with a circular section profile. The generated circles are identified at  23 . The pointed ribs  21  serve for providing an improved removal of dirt which is present on the surfaces to be cleaned. They can scrape these surfaces.  
     [0059] The arrangement of the pointed ribs  21  is illustrated to be diagonally in the Figures, i.e., diagonally to the longitudinal axis  12 ′ determined by the cleaning projection  12 . The pointed ribs  21  end at a spacing from the edge  13 . This enables a step-free configuration of the edge  13  so that it is suitable especially well for scraping and shaving. Also, the tapering of the pointed ribs  21  at a spacing from the edge  13  prevents that in the area of the edge  13  dirt could collect on the cleaning member  12  or on the coupling member  18 .  
     [0060] The cleaning member  12  and the coupling member  18  are advantageously manufactured as a unitary part, for example, by injection molding. The material of the cleaning member  12  and of the coupling member  18  is dirt-repellent. For example, polyurethane foam can be used which can be made to have sufficiently small pores or to be homogenous and provided with a self-lubricating surface. During injection molding, the adapter bolt  19  is embedded in the injection-molded plastic material, and a fixed connection is produced in this way.  
     [0061] The cleaning member  12  and the coupling member  18  are comprised of a material that is elastic to a limited extent so that a deformation in narrow areas of the object to be cleaned is possible and damage by scratching is prevented.  
     [0062]FIG. 4 shows a toilet bowl  24  with siphon trap  24 ′ in which water is present. In particular in this area cleaning is to be carried out frequently, because in this area deposits will form easily. As a result of this, the manual cleaning device  10  is used primarily with its curved surface  17  in this area but also with the domed surface  20  or the end  18 ′ of the coupling member  18 . The grease film zones which form here can be reliably cleaned.  
     [0063] Moreover, the curved surface  17  of the manual cleaning device  10  can advantageously be used for cleaning the toilet bowl  26 , as also illustrated in FIG. 4.  
     [0064] The inner bowl rim  27  of the bowl  24  can advantageously be cleaned by the domed surface  20  of the coupling member  18  but also with its end  18 ′.  
     [0065] Cleaning of the inner rim  28  of the toilet bowl  24  is realized with the manual cleaning device  10  advantageously by means of the cleaning projection  15  whose tip can be inserted into the undercut. The curved surface  17  in the area of the tip  15  as well as the curved surface  16  in the area of the tip  15  can be used advantageously for cleaning the undercut surfaces. The pointed ribs  21  effect deep cleaning of dirt particles also in this connection.  
     [0066] While in FIGS. 1 through 5 a manual cleaning device  10  has been described which is suitable in particular as a toilet bowl cleaner, the one illustrated in FIGS.  6  to  17  can be advantageous used as a body cleaner, i.e., for massaging the body of living beings. FIG. 6 shows such a manual cleaning device  10  with a cleaning member  120  which is mounted on a slightly curved handle  110 . For using the manual cleaning device  10 , it is held at the grip  39  which is provided on the handle end  38 . The grip is, for example, manufactured of two plastic half shells attached by injection molding to the handle  110 . The handle is, for example, comprised of a bent aluminum pipe in the same way as the handle  11 . The grip  39  is profiled so that it is resting in a slip-proof way in the hand. The structure of the grip  39  corresponds to that which is formed on the curved surface  17  of the cleaning member  120 . This curved surface  17 , as in the case of the cleaning member  12 , is positioned on one side of the plane  14  defined by the edge  13 .  
     [0067]FIG. 7 shows an enlarged side view illustrating assembly of the handle  110  and the cleaning member  120 . The cleaning member  120  has a recess  30  which is oriented in the direction of the longitudinal axis  12 ′ of the member  120 . The recess  30  is positioned slightly above the plane  14  so that the handle  110  is practically aligned with this plane. The handle  110  is detachable because it has at its end a hook  110 ′ which engages of bore  40  extending through the upper curved surface of the cleaning member  120 , having on both sides domed surfaces, into the recess  30 . The hook  110 ′ is accessible from above so that the locking means  31  can be released by pressing from above onto the hook  110 ′ and by simultaneously pulling on the handle  110 .  
     [0068] On the upper curved surface  16  a plurality of gripping knobs  35  are provided in the vicinity of the edge  13 . They are provided all around and also in direct vicinity and on the edge  13  itself so that the cleaning member  120  does not slip when it is enclosed by a hand.  
     [0069] On the other hand, the cleaning member  120  is provided only in the vicinity of the edge  13  with gripping knobs  34  so that a large inner area of the upper curved surface  16  remains free. This area, according to the illustration in FIG. 8, is used to mount therein a timer  35  which can be adjusted by means of an actuator  35 ′. Also, a thermometer  36  is arranged in the cleaning member  120  which allows indication of the temperature over a large surface area. In the illustrated case, the temperature indicating means is distributed at 40 degrees C. such that an increasing color variations from a light blue in the vicinity of the handle up to the dark red in the vicinity of the timer results. The illustrated example of a thermometer shows a temperature of approximately 40 degrees C. In this case, it is expedient to provide a fixedly mounted handle  110  on the cleaning member  120  so that the required space for mounting the afore described timer and the thermometer is available.  
     [0070] The oval configuration of the manual cleaning member  120  illustrated in FIG. 8 is also shown in FIG. 9 which illustrates primarily a bottom view of FIG. 7. The oval shape of the cleaning member  120  is elliptical because the configuration of the cleaning member with a cleaning projection  17  is not primarily important as in the case of the cleaning member  12  and its drop point. However, it is also possible to configure the cleaning member to have a drop shape. Its curved surface  17  is provided with pointed ribs  12 , illustrated in FIG. 1 a , arranged at a slant to the longitudinal direction  12 ′. Between the pointed ribs, brush strips  32  and foam strips  33  are however present which are illustrated in detail in FIG. 11. The brush strips  32  and foam strips  33  project past the pointed ribs  21  but can be compressed when the cleaning member  120  rests against the surface to be cleaned or treated such that the pointed ribs  31  will contact the surface and can act by scraping.  
     [0071] In FIG. 10 it is illustrated that the rib edges  21 ′,  21 ″ of pointed ribs  31  can be wave-shaped. In the longitudinal direction of the pointed ribs  21  there are alternatingly valleys and peaks of the waves, each with identical amplitude. Neighboring wave-shaped rib edges  21 ′,  21 ″ are however displaced in the longitudinal direction relative to one another, i.e., they are phase-displaced. In this way, corresponding pressure points displaced relative to one another are produced upon placing the cleaning member  120  onto the surface to be treated. Such a configuration particularly acts as point massager.  
     [0072]FIG. 12 shows a configuration of a curved surface  17  with pointed ribs  31  which alternate with flat ribs  40 . In this way, a limitation of the deformation of the pointed ribs  21  is achieved.  
     [0073] The cleaning member  12 ,  120  is completely oval, respectively. In this way, and in combination with a flat domed configuration on both sides, it is suitable in particular for cleaning purposes in the sanitary field. However, it is also possible to configure the manual cleaning member with an edge only over a portion of its circumference from which edge the flat-domed curved surfaces  16 ,  17  extend.  
     [0074]FIGS. 13 through 17 show configurations of a curved surface  17  with respect to patterns in schematic illustrations. The latter is no longer of an oval shape. The double arrows indicate four exemplary movement directions in which the cleaning member  12 ,  120  can be moved. The curved surface  17  is provided with small-surface area projections  37  through  37   V . These projections  37  through  37   V  of each FIG. 13 through FIG. 17 are differently configured and are also selected with respect to their esthetic pattern appearance. Primarily however, they have outer sharp edges. This is apparent from the details a of each Figure.  
     [0075]FIG. 13 shows projections having outer substantially cross-shaped, sharp-edged projections with rounded recesses toward the curved surface  17  in order to avoid dirt-collecting corners.  
     [0076] In FIG. 14 narrow boat-shaped projections  37 ′ are present which are grouped in a star shape so that the longitudinal, transverse, and diagonal rows of the projections  37 ′ result.  
     [0077]FIG. 15 shows four-point star-shaped projections  37 ″ whose spatial configuration is illustrated in FIG. 15 a.    
     [0078]FIG. 16 shows projections  37   IV  which are grouped in fours. Each projection  37   IV  is formed like a conical peripheral surface whose conical outer circumference projects such from the curved surface that all flat sections of the conical outer circumference neighbor one another and their widest projecting edges are spaced as much as possible from one another. This results in a kind of lug effect which is illustrated in particular in the section A-A.  
     [0079] The projections  37 ′ of FIG. 14 are advantageously sized differently while the projections  37  and  37 ″ through  37   V  are identical in size or have the same shape. This holds true also for the projections  37   V  which according to the illustration of FIG. 17 a  are comprised of projecting isosceles triangles with a comparatively narrow base. The projections  37   V  are arranged in rows with their tips pointing in opposite direction relative to a neighboring projection. This arrangement results, on the one hand, in a comparatively dense packing of the projections  37   V  but, on the other hand, is the cause for a preferred direction of this configuration in which the cleaning members  12 , 120  can be moved in the direction of the triangular projections  37   V  with minimal friction as compared to the direction transverse thereto.  
     [0080] The support vessel  50  illustrated in FIG. 18 serves for supporting a cleaning member  12  or  120 . The support vessel  50  is particularly advantageous when a cleaning member  12  with handle  11  according to FIG. 1 is used. In this case, the handle  11 , as needed, projects vertically upwardly while the cleaning member  12  is supported and stored within the support vessel  50 .  
     [0081] The support vessel  50  has a cylindrical outer wall  52  and is supported with its lower edge  50 ′ on the floor. The upper rim or the upper edge  53  forms a corresponding insertion opening for inserting the cleaning members  12  or  120  when the latter is configured according to FIG. 7 but is to be stored without the handle  110 . The support rim  51  is matched to the shape of the cleaning member  12 ,  120 . It is matched to the drop shape of the cleaning member  12  illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3. Such a drop-shaped cleaning member  12  rests on the rim with edge portions provided on the lower curved surface  17  in the vicinity of the edge  13 . In the illustration of FIG. 18 it was assumed that these edge portions are smooth, i.e., there are no pointed ribs  21  supported on the support rim. If this were the case, the support rim  51  could be provided with corresponding cutouts or depressions. A complete surface area support of the manual cleaning device  12 , 120  is ensured in the area of the mutual contact surfaces so that, in particular, in a configuration with handle it can be held securely, in particular, without wobbling.  
     [0082] With respect to a vertical arrangement of the handle  11 , the support rim  51  is arranged at an angle relative to the vertical; this angle corresponds to the acute angle α between the handle  11  and the cleaning projection  15  of the cleaning member  12  according to FIG. 1. Accordingly, the support rim  51  in the area of the tip  57  of its drop shape is arranged closer to the upper edge  53  than the base  58 . The upper edge  53  is connected with the support rim  51  by means of an inner wall  54  which guides the cleaning member  12 , 120  upon insertion into the support vessel  50  toward the support from  51 . The tapering of the inner wall  54  facilitates thus the insertion of the cleaning member  12 , 120 . For this purpose, the inner wall  54  must not be configured continuously about the entire circumference of the support rim  51 . However, this is desirable with respect to stability of the support vessel and also with respect to hygienic aspects. This advantageous configuration can be achieved in particular in that the support vessel is manufactured with a uniform identical wall thickness. Manufacture is realized, for example, by injection molding of plastic material, by pressing glass, or by deep-drawing metal. In this way, preferably a downwardly closed configuration of the support vessel  50  results. In particular, a drip pan  56  adjoins the inner circumference of the support rim  51  and receives the draining or dripping liquid so that soiling of the floor is prevented. The downwardly closed configuration of the support vessel  50  also contributes to simplified cleaning.  
     [0083] As a special configuration, the support vessel  50  has two oppositely positioned recesses  55  which vent the bottom of the cleaning member  12 ,  120  resting on the rim. The recesses  55  are boat-shaped and extend transversely to the support rim  51  from the area of the inner wall  54  to the area of the drip pan  56  and are themselves provided free of penetrations. Venting of the bottom of the cleaning member  12 , 120  resting on the rim results in a reduction of enclosed air and possibly occurring rotting processes of soil particles.