Patent Publication Number: US-2002000016-A1

Title: Structure of a brush

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE  
     [0001] This is a continuation-in-part application of pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/605,998. 
    
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0003] This invention is related to an improvement in the structure of a brush and in particular to one which can be used for cleaning comers of round or cylindrical objects such as a bottle, a toilet bowl, or the like.  
       [0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art  
       [0005] As shown in FIG. 1, the conventional brush  1  generally includes a handle  1  and a cleaning head  12  fixedly mounted on the lower end of the handle  1 . The cleaning head  12  is generally made with many bristles or a sponge for cleaning and removing dirt. However, the conventional brush cannot be used for cleaning curved passages and comers of a bottle, a toilet bowl, or the like. The conventional brush is often unable to reach the interior angled or curved areas of round or cylindrical objects such as a bottle or a toilet bowl because it is rigid and fixed in shape. The user of the conventional brush thus has difficulty in cleaning the interior of round or cylindrical objects effectively.  
       [0006] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved brush which can obviate and mitigate the above-mentioned drawbacks.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007] This invention is related to an improvement in the structure of a brush.  
       [0008] It is the primary object of the present invention to provide an improved brush which can be used for cleaning comers of a bottle, a toilet bowl, or the like.  
       [0009] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a brush includes a lower section made of polypropylene so that the lower section is flexible and can be bent into different angles, the lower section having an intermediate portion formed with a neck, the lower section being provided with a plurality of bristles, a collar made of gel fitted in the neck, and an upper section having a lower end inserted into an upper end of the lower section.  
       [0010] The foregoing object and summary provide only a brief introduction to the present invention. To fully appreciate these and other objects of the present invention as well as the invention itself, all of which will become apparent to those skilled in the art, the following detailed description of the invention and the claims should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Throughout the specification and drawings identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar parts.  
       [0011] Many other advantages and features of the present invention will become manifest to those versed in the art upon making reference to the detailed description and the accompanying sheets of drawings in which a preferred structural embodiment incorporating the principles of the present invention is shown by way of illustrative example.  
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0012]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art brush;  
     [0013]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention;  
     [0014]FIG. 3 illustrates the working principle of the present invention;  
     [0015]FIG. 4 is a sectional view illustrating the engagement between the collar and the neck of the lower section;  
     [0016]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment according to the present invention;  
     [0017]FIG. 6 illustrates how the present invention is used for cleaning a toilet bowl; and  
     [0018]FIG. 7 illustrates how the present invention is used for cleaning the interior of a container; and  
     [0019]FIG. 8 illustrates how the present invention is used for cleaning the interior of a feeding bottle.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
     [0020] For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings. Specific language will be used to describe same. It will, nevertheless, be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.  
     [0021] With reference to the drawings and in particular to FIGS. 2 and 3 thereof the present invention generally comprises an upper section  21  and a lower section  22  which are provided with bristles  211  and  221 , respectively. The bristles  211  are made of wires, while the bristles  221  are made of polypropylene.  
     [0022] The lower end of the upper section  21  is inserted into an upper end of the lower section  22 . The lower section  22  is made of polypropylene and integrally formed with the bristles  221  by injection molding, so that the lower section  22  is flexible and can be bent into different angle and can retain that shape. As shown in FIG. 4, the lower section  22  has a neck  23  at the intermediate portion thereof, which is formed with a plurality of threads  231 . A collar  24  made of soft and tough gel is fitted in the neck  23  for reinforcing the strength of the neck  23 . The threads  231  of the neck  23  will strengthen the engagement between the collar  24  and the neck  23 .  
     [0023]FIG. 7 illustrates how the present invention is used for cleaning the interior of a container. As shown, the lower section  22  is bent into different angles to clean the interior of the container. FIG. 8 illustrates how the present invention is used for cleaning the inside of a feeding bottle. As can be seen, the lower section  22  is bent to clean the inside of the feeding bottle.  
     [0024]FIG. 5 illustrates a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the second preferred embodiment of the present invention is provided with bristles only below the collar, so that it can be used for cleaning a toilet bowl easily (see FIG. 6).  
     [0025] It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above.  
     [0026] While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claim, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.