Patent Description:
The importance of proper hygiene when handling and cleaning infant feeding tools, such as baby bottles, and nursing nipples cannot be overstated. Ideally, bottles and nipples should be thoroughly scrubbed. Proper scrubbing is especially important after a nipple or bottle has been used to dispense fatty liquids, or liquids having suspended solids therein, such as cereal. Removing food from tight corners and difficult contours in a bottle can be quite challenging. Although various solutions have been proposed, none available has effectively solved the issue of thoroughly cleaning the various contours of a container and/or other items to be cleaned.

<CIT> discloses a brush apparatus for cleaning a baby bottle and an artificial nipple of the bottle. The brush apparatus comprises a handle, a bottle brush and a smaller nipple brush. At a first end, the handle comprises a neck having a series of notches to increase the flexibility of the neck. Further, a diameter of the neck is smaller than a diameter of the remainder of the handle. Beyond the neck, a bottle brush head is removably attached to the handle.

<CIT> discloses a toilet brush, a handle of which comprises a zone that is inflexible in a first orientation, but resiliently flexible in a second orientation. A brush head carrying bristles may be removed from the handle body.

The dependent claims describe advantageous embodiments of the invention.

According to an example, a modular and flexible interchangeable brush system to scrub a container is provided. The brush system includes a handle having a first core and a second core. A sleeve is provided into which the first core and the second core are disposed. A flexible stem is removably connected to the first core of the handle. The flexible stem has at least one gap into which a resilient material is disposed. The location of the gap is at a bend location along a longitudinal axis of the handle. A first brush is operatively connected to the flexible stem, and a second brush is operatively connected to, and received within, the second core of the handle.

Various exemplary embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail, wherein like reference numerals refer to identical or similar components or steps, with reference to the following figures, wherein:.

Particular embodiments of the present invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the figures.

The subject disclosure is described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. It may be evident, however, that the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details.

<FIG> illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter presented as a modular brush system <NUM> that is both modular and flexible. The modular brush system <NUM> has a base portion <NUM>, a handle <NUM> and a flexible top portion or stem <NUM> having bristles <NUM> and a flexible neck <NUM>. All of the embodiments shown in the present application contain these components so they will all be similarly labeled.

<FIG> shows the flexible neck <NUM> in a straightened position, and <FIG> shows the flexible neck <NUM> in a bent position. The neck <NUM> may alternatively be constructed to have a natural bend in its rest position. As shown in <FIG>, the neck <NUM> is naturally straight and allowed to bend with force. This ability for the neck <NUM> to flex with moderate force allows for the bristles <NUM> to move around within the interior more difficult corners of a bottle from various positions of the handle <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a combined top bottle brush <NUM> and a nipple brush <NUM>. The nipple bush <NUM> is adapted to fit within the handle <NUM> of the bottle brush <NUM>. The bristles <NUM> of the nipple brush <NUM> extend from a top portion or stem <NUM> connected to a threaded portion <NUM> on the base <NUM>. With this configuration, the modular brush system <NUM> is configured to conveniently scrub baby bottles using the bristles <NUM> on the bottle brush <NUM> and to conveniently scrub nipples with the smaller bristles <NUM> disposed on the top portion <NUM> of the nipple brush <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates the modular brush system <NUM> without the bristles for ease of illustration. <FIG> shows a cross section of the modular brush system <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The brush system <NUM> is designed to be modular with interchangeable and replaceable parts. As shown, the handle <NUM> encloses a first core <NUM> and a second core <NUM> assembly. The first core <NUM> includes a first end <NUM> attached to a first end <NUM> of the housing <NUM>, and the second core <NUM> includes a second end <NUM> attached to a second end <NUM> of the housing <NUM>.

For simplicity, <FIG> depict the front and side views of the modular brush system <NUM> without the bristles <NUM> or the handle housing <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates an exploded view of the modular brush system <NUM>. In construction, a stem <NUM> having a flexible neck <NUM> is connected to the first core <NUM>. Through the handle housing <NUM>, the first core <NUM> is connected to the second core <NUM>. The second core <NUM> receives the nipple brush <NUM> within a recess <NUM> disposed in the second end of the second core <NUM>.

<FIG> show an upper and a lower perspective view of the stem <NUM>. The stem <NUM> includes a flexible neck <NUM> and a threaded end <NUM> for attachment to the first core <NUM>. The flexible neck <NUM> is narrowed in diameter to allow the stem <NUM> to flex under a predetermined force exerted by a user during scrubbing as shown in <FIG>. The advantage of constructing the stem <NUM> to have a threaded end <NUM> is the ability to interchangeably replace a worn out brush <NUM> after repeated use as opposed to replacing the entire modular brush system <NUM> including nipple brush <NUM>. Oftentimes, the handle <NUM> and the remainder of the brush system <NUM> is fully functional but the stem <NUM> and brush <NUM> have been worn and require replacement after repeated use. As such, the modular stem <NUM> and brush <NUM> may be replaced by removing the stem <NUM> at the threaded end <NUM> from the first core <NUM> and replacing the stem <NUM> with a new stem <NUM> having a new brush <NUM>.

<FIG> depict the first core <NUM>. As also shown in <FIG>, the first core <NUM> includes a first end <NUM> attached to a first end <NUM> of the housing <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The second core <NUM> includes a second end <NUM> attached to a second end <NUM> of the housing <NUM>.

The first core <NUM> has a first end <NUM> with a first socket <NUM> adapted to receive the threaded end <NUM> of the lower end portion of the stem <NUM>. The first core <NUM> has a second end <NUM> constructed as a plug <NUM> adapted to be attached to the second core <NUM>.

<FIG> depict the second core <NUM> having a first end <NUM> having a socket <NUM> adapted to receive the plug <NUM> of the first core <NUM>. The plug <NUM> disposed at the second end <NUM> of the first core <NUM> may be constructed to be connected via a key connection as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. That is, the end of the plug <NUM> may have a first notch shape <NUM> that fits into a mating second notch shaped recess <NUM> provided in the first end <NUM> of the second core <NUM>. When the first notch shape <NUM> is plugged into the mating second notch shaped recess <NUM>, the first core <NUM> will not rotate relative to the second core <NUM>. In <FIG>, a threaded element <NUM> is shown fastening the plug <NUM> of the first core <NUM> to the socket <NUM> of the second core <NUM>. It is to be understood that the plug <NUM> may be attached within the socket <NUM> in a variety of different ways, such as by sonically welding, an adhesive, a mechanical fastener and/or any other suitable attachment according to this subject disclosure.

The second end <NUM> of the second core <NUM> has a recess <NUM> adapted to receive the top portion <NUM> of the nipple brush <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The recess <NUM> has a female threaded portion <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>) adjacent to the peripheral second end <NUM>. The female threaded portion <NUM> is adapted to receive and attach to the male threaded portion <NUM> of the base <NUM> so that the nipple brush <NUM> may be removably secured to the handle <NUM> of the bottle brush <NUM> as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

Referring back to <FIG> and <FIG>, the first core <NUM> includes a first end <NUM> attached to a first end <NUM> of the housing <NUM>, and the second core <NUM> includes a second end <NUM> attached to the second end <NUM> of the housing <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> may be attached to the first core <NUM> and the second core <NUM> by an alignment assembly. The alignment assembly may be constructed of various alignment notches <NUM> (shown in <FIG>), <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) and mating alignment recesses <NUM>, <NUM> (shown in <FIG>).

That is, as shown in <FIG>, an outer surface <NUM> adjacent to the first end <NUM> of the first core <NUM> has an alignment notch <NUM> that can be aligned with an alignment recess <NUM> on a first inner surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. Likewise, on an outer surface <NUM> adjacent to the second end <NUM> of the second core <NUM>, an alignment notch <NUM> may be provided that can be aligned with an alignment recess <NUM> on a second inner surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. The combination of the complementing alignment notches <NUM> on the first core <NUM>, <NUM> on the second core <NUM> and alignment recesses <NUM> and <NUM> on the handle housing <NUM> ensures a pre-determined and snug fit between the first core <NUM> and the second core <NUM> within the housing <NUM>, respectively.

<FIG> depict a drain <NUM> may be provided in the handle <NUM> to remove any fluid that happens to seep under the handle housing <NUM>. The drain <NUM> may be embodied as a slot recessed in the second core <NUM> that leads any fluid outside of the housing <NUM>.

The handle <NUM> may include a resilient outer grip surface and/or may be made of a stiff material, such as a metallic material. The outer grip may be fabricated from a resilient polymeric material that is dishwasher-proof, such as polycarbonate, an ABS plastics or other suitable material.

The bottle brush <NUM> is sized and configured to efficiently scrub an inside of a baby bottle. The bristles <NUM> of the brush <NUM> are connected to the flexible top portion or stem <NUM>. The flexible stem <NUM> may include a bristle end or a sponge-like end for scrubbing. The bristles <NUM> on the stem <NUM> of the brush <NUM> may be cylindrical in shape and/or any other suitable shape adapted for scrubbing purposes.

<FIG> illustrate the nipple brush <NUM>. The nipple brush <NUM> includes a grip portion <NUM> and a top portion or stem <NUM>. The stem <NUM> may include bristles <NUM>. The bristles <NUM> may take a variety of different sizes and/or shapes. The grip portion <NUM> is disposed below the bristles <NUM> at the lower end of the nipple brush <NUM>. Various threads <NUM> may be disposed on the base <NUM> of the nipple brush <NUM> below the grip portion <NUM> may be constructed in a variety of different ways, such as a suction cup <NUM> adapted to be attached to a surface while in use or as a flat base to stand upright while in use. The grip portion <NUM> may have a hole (not shown) defined therein for hanging the modular brush system <NUM> on a peg or other projection.

In the assembled orientation depicted in <FIG>, the nipple brush <NUM> may be releasably attached (as shown in <FIG>) within the handle <NUM> in a variety of different ways as show, such as by an interference fit, a threaded attachment or any other suitable releasable attachment mechanism. An interference fit would be constructed to withstand a withdrawal force when locked that would at least exceed the entire weight of modular brush system <NUM>, so that the entire brush system <NUM> may be hung from grip portion of nipple brush assembly. Alternatively, a twist fit (such as shown by male <NUM> and female <NUM> threaded attachment) or snap-in fit connection could be provided in the base of the nipple brush.

When the nipple brush <NUM> is stored within the recess <NUM> of the brush handle <NUM>, the nipple brush <NUM> is insulated against contact with germ-laden surfaces such as countertops, sinks, or other utensils. Likewise, use of a hole in the grip portion <NUM> of the handle <NUM> enables the entire brush to be hung in a location where contact with other utensils or surface is unlikely.

The handle grip portion or any other portion of the modular brush system <NUM> may include an ornamental design, such as a heart-shaped design and/or any other suitable shape.

The modular brush system <NUM> includes a flexible neck <NUM> that may take a variety of different configurations, such as a spine-like configuration and/or other suitable flexible configuration according to this subject disclosure. As shown in <FIG>, the flexible neck portion <NUM> may be configured to include one or more central post portions <NUM> having one or more gaps <NUM> disposed along the length of each post <NUM>.

<FIG> shows an embodiment where a single post <NUM> defines a gap <NUM> between the stem <NUM> and the threaded end <NUM> of the upper end of the bottle brush <NUM>. In particular, the gap <NUM> is defined such that an upper and a lower end of the post <NUM> are concentrically reduced in diameter inward from an upper concentric wall <NUM> and a lower concentric wall <NUM> to the surface of the stem <NUM> to a predetermined diameter defining the outer surface of the post <NUM>. A material <NUM> is disposed within the gap <NUM>. The material <NUM> is a resilient material provided between the gaps <NUM> to define the amount of bend that the neck <NUM> of the handle <NUM> is capable of enduring.

<FIG> shows that various discs <NUM> can be constructed along the central post <NUM> to define various gaps <NUM> bordering each of the discs <NUM>. The modular brush system <NUM> may be constructed to have an outer profile nearly contiguous with an outer surface of the handle <NUM> when the resilient material <NUM> is provided within the gaps <NUM>. The gaps <NUM> are recessed into the outer surface of the stem <NUM> at a neck <NUM> region creating a spine-like configuration.

The spine-like structure is bounded by two walls, the upper concentric wall <NUM> and the lower concentric wall <NUM>. Various discs <NUM> are provided between the two walls <NUM>, <NUM>. The various discs <NUM> are separated by a gap <NUM> having a predetermined space length L as shown in <FIG>. For example, the top disc <NUM> is separated from the upper concentric wall <NUM> by a gap space <NUM> having a distance of L. The depth of the gap <NUM> is at a predetermined distance D inward of the outer surface of the stem <NUM> the brush <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, as the neck <NUM> of the brush <NUM> is bent over to one side, the gaps <NUM> close up in the direction of the bend, and the gaps <NUM> on the outside of the neck <NUM> of the brush <NUM> open up or spread apart. The combination of the dimension of the gaps, the space length L, the depth D, the material used for the substrate and the resilient material disposed between the gaps, all define the amount of bend that the neck <NUM> of the handle <NUM> is capable of enduring.

As shown in <FIG>, the gaps <NUM> between discs <NUM> may be filled with a material <NUM> having desired properties. If the material substrate <NUM> used is a material having higher flexibility properties, then the substrate will have the propensity to bend more. Likewise, if the resilient material <NUM> disposed in the gaps <NUM> between the discs <NUM> is soft, the neck <NUM> will have a higher propensity to bend. However, if the resilient material <NUM> disposed in the gaps between the discs is of a harder, less flexible material, the neck <NUM> will have a lower propensity to bend. In this manner, the flexibility of the modular brush system <NUM> can be tailored to bend at a desired angle and with sufficient resiliency to rebound during use.

<FIG> illustrates another exemplary embodiment in which the resilient material <NUM> disposed in the gaps <NUM> between the discs <NUM> is connected by an outer sleeve portion <NUM> that interconnects each of the concentric plugs provided within the gaps <NUM>. The outer sleeve portion <NUM> may be of the same or different material than the resilient material <NUM> within the gaps <NUM>. Further, the discs <NUM> may, or may not be visible from underneath the sleeve portion <NUM> thereby allowing for a more uniform external appearance along the sleeve portion <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, various geometries are possible for the spine-like configuration to vary the amount of bend in the neck <NUM> of the brush system <NUM>. As shown, the distance between the upper concentric wall <NUM> and the lower concentric wall <NUM> can be varied. The number of discs <NUM> can be modified between the two walls <NUM>, <NUM> to vary the flexibility of the neck <NUM>. The gap <NUM> and space length L between each of the discs <NUM> and/or the walls <NUM>, <NUM> can be modified to vary the flexibility of the neck <NUM>. The depth (D) of the gap <NUM> can also be changed to vary the flexibility of the neck. Likewise, the predetermined depth distance D inward from the outer wall of the stem <NUM> inward can be modified to vary the flexibility of the neck <NUM>.

In the exemplary embodiment of <FIG>, each of the gap portions <NUM> contains a relatively equal amount of resilient material <NUM> and all discs <NUM> are similarly sized and equidistant from each other. In the exemplary embodiment of <FIG>, each of the gap portions <NUM> contains a relatively equal amount of resilient material <NUM> but the gap portions are relatively large and the space between each gap portion <NUM> is large as well with only a few discs <NUM> being present. In the exemplary embodiment of <FIG>, each of the gap portions <NUM> contains a relatively small depth of resilient material <NUM> and the discs <NUM> are relatively large and flat. In the exemplary embodiment of <FIG>, the gap portions <NUM> alternate between large and small volumes of resilient material <NUM>, and the discs <NUM> alternate in size correspondingly. In the exemplary embodiment of <FIG>, the gap portions <NUM> steadily change from a long and narrow resilient material <NUM> to a relatively flat and large. In the exemplary embodiment of <FIG>, each of the gap portions <NUM> contains an increasingly larger distance between the resilient material <NUM> with the depth of the resilient material <NUM> changing along the length of the flexible neck <NUM>. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate these various parameters may be varied for particular flexibility characteristics, according to the present subject disclosure.

As employed in this specification and annexed drawings, the term "or" is intended to mean an inclusive "or" rather than an exclusive "or. " Moreover, articles "a" and "an" as used in the subject specification and annexed drawings should generally be construed to mean "one or more" unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singular form.

What has been described above includes examples of a modular and interchangeable brush system that provide advantages of the subject disclosure. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the subject disclosure, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms "includes," "has," "possesses," and the like are used in the detailed description, claims, appendices and drawings such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term "comprising" as "comprising" is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

Claim 1:
A device to scrub a container, comprising:
a handle (<NUM>);
a flexible stem (<NUM>) removably connected to the handle (<NUM>), the flexible stem (<NUM>) having a neck portion (<NUM>) with a gap (<NUM>) of a reduced area in the flexible stem (<NUM>);
a resilient material (<NUM>) of a predetermined hardness disposed in the gap (<NUM>) in the neck (<NUM>), the flexible stem (<NUM>) adapted to bend at a predetermined angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the handle (<NUM>); and
a brush (<NUM>) operatively connected to the flexible stem (<NUM>) and sized to efficiently scrub an inside of the container.