Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates generally to cleaning devices, and more specifically, to a device for housing and rotatively cleaning and sanitizing objects such as food products, cartridge filter elements and other such applications that could benefit from the advantages of being circumferentially sprayed with a liquid, a cleaning solution or preferably a combination thereof. The present invention comprises: a housing body; a cover for said housing body; a rotative member such as a base, axle or shaft; a rotative means for selectively rotating said rotative member; intake means to introduce one or more fluids or solutions individually or in combination into the interior of said housing body including a means for further pressurizing and peripherally directing the resulting spray towards a central point in a specific array; an engagement means to communicate the influence of said rotative member upon the item to be cleaned or a containment means for placement of such items therein; and an egress means to provide for the removal of fluid.  
           [0003]    Many foods, particularly fruits and vegetables, are exposed to pesticides and other potentially harmful toxins thereby making the thorough washing of fruits and vegetables critical in order to remove those toxins therefrom prior to human consumption. Furthermore, many restaurants, hotels, and other food preparation institutions including residential users have incorporated policies that require a cleaning agent or sanitizing solution to be used in addition to water for increasing the detoxification properties of the wash. The availability of fruit and vegetable wash solutions for this specific purpose has increased dramatically in recent years and the present invention will provide a safe, easy-to-use rotative cleaning and sanitizing device that will maximize the efficiency of said vegetable wash solutions in a cost-effective manner.  
           [0004]    Additionally, the present invention is configured to accommodate cartridge filter elements of varying sizes. Cleaning filter cartridge elements for pools, spas and other applications can be a frustrating and messy task. A garden hose is commonly used to remove dirt, debris, grime etc. from the pleats of accordion folded filter elements resulting in backsplash and over spray that is messy and annoying. The present invention provides a self-contained unit for cleaning cartridge filter elements without splashing or wasting resources by over spraying and also has a means for directing the wastewater to a specific area. The present invention can be adapted to utilize a plurality of fluids or solutions to suit the varying needs of commercial and residential users. The present invention can provide all the elements necessary for acid washing a cartridge filter element including: a water source; a reservoir containing muriatic acid; a reservoir with a degreasing agent; and a means for distributing a buffer into the bottom of the housing to neutralize the acid as it approaches the waste line.  
           [0005]    2. Description of the Prior Art  
           [0006]    There are numerous types of cleaning devices, while these cleaning devices may be suitable for the purposes for which they were designed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as hereinafter described.  
         SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION  
         [0007]    The present invention discloses a device for cleaning and sanitizing objects such as food products, cartridge filter elements and other such objects that could benefit from the advantages of being circumferentially sprayed with a fluid or a cleaning solution or preferably a combination thereof. The present invention comprises an inner and outer housing body, a cover for the housing body, a rotative central member such as a base, axle or shaft, a rotative drive means for selectively rotating the rotative member, intake means to introduce one or more fluids or solutions individually or in combination into the interior of the housing body including a means for further pressurizing and peripherally directing the resulting spray towards a central point in a specific array, a containment means for placement of such items therein, and an outlet means to provide for the removal of fluid from the housing.  
           [0008]    A primary object of the present invention is to provide a rotative cleaning and sanitizing device in which an object or objects can be placed into a housing and receive a focused 360 degree circumferential spray of a liquid without making a mess or causing discomfort or annoyance to the user due to backsplash or over spray,  
           [0009]    An additional object of the present invention is to provide a rotative cleaning and sanitizing device having a rotative means that is motorized.  
           [0010]    A further object of the present invention is to provide a rotative cleaning and sanitizing device that provides at least one series of pressurized nozzles, preferably in a vertical linear array.  
           [0011]    A yet further object of the present invention is to provide a rotative cleaning and sanitizing device wherein the pressure nozzle array provides an overlapping, vertical fan-like spray with 360-degree circumferential coverage by remaining stationary as the item to be cleaned revolves.  
           [0012]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a rotative cleaning and sanitizing system wherein the rotating member is configured to accommodate and rotate a cartridge filter element slowly enough to allow the vertical fan-like spray to thoroughly clean between the accordion-like pleats thereof.  
           [0013]    Still another object of the present invention is to provide a rotative cleaning and sanitizing device that conserves water.  
           [0014]    One more object of the present invention is to provide a rotative cleaning and sanitizing device having the capability of providing one or more fluids or solutions and a means for selectively delivering said fluids and solution to the item or items to be cleaned.  
           [0015]    A further object of the present invention is to provide a rotative cleaning and sanitizing device having a means for securing the cleaning basket or filter element to the turntable so as to respond to the movement of the rotational shaft preferably using an interlocking system such as securing clips, the splash guard or a locking nut.  
           [0016]    A still further object of the present invention is to provide a rotative cleaning and sanitizing device having integrated reservoirs for water and/or solutions and at least one pump that would permit the present invention to operate independently from external water sources that might not be available or in the event of low pressure situations which might not be conducive to optimum performance.  
           [0017]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a free wheeling rotatable seal on the disengageable shaft wherein the spring mechanism provides a bias against the cover to prevent fluid from entering the motor housing through the shaft recess.  
           [0018]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a rotative cleaning and sanitizing device having a secondary sanitizing means besides spraying that may include but is not limited to electrolyzed water, ozone, and U.V. light.  
           [0019]    Still another object of the present invention is to provide a rotative cleaning and sanitizing device that may be adapted for various uses and applications such as a space-saving wall-mounted unit that may be plumbed directly into the house&#39;s water supply and drain system or a large commercial model having a plurality of stackable baskets and a macerator for pulverizing any debris approaching the drain system that might otherwise clog up a strainer basket.  
           [0020]    One other object of the present invention is to provide a rotative cleaning and sanitizing device wherein the cleaning solutions may be contained within replaceable dispenser cartridges that will allow a user to easily replace or switch solutions.  
           [0021]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a rotative cleaning and sanitizing device having a control panel for monitoring and operating any of the attendant features that are included with the unit and may include any number of LED status indicator lights, audible alarms, timers etc.  
           [0022]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a rotatative cleaning and sanitizing device that is simple and easy to use.  
           [0023]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a rotative cleaning and sanitizing device that is economical in cost to manufacture.  
           [0024]    Further objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds.  
           [0025]    To the accomplishments of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described in the appended claims.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0026]    Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 2 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the present invention.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the housing body.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 4 is an illustrative view of the spraying and rotational systems of the present invention.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of the splashguard of the present invention.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of the present invention in use cleaning food.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the present invention in use.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional side view of the present invention.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the present invention in use.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional side view of the present invention.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional side view of the present invention.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 7C is an exploded perspective view of an adapter for using additional fluids.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional top view of the present invention cleaning a filter element.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional side view of the present invention in use.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional side view of the present invention in use.  
                                             LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS       With regard to reference numerals used,       the following numbering is used throughout the drawings.                                     10   present invention            12   water source            14   intake hose            16   quick connect fitting            18   waste hose            20   sink drain            22   user            24   housing body            26   cover            28   latch for cover            30   handle for housing            32   handle for cover            34   audible alarm            36   LED mode indicators            37   control panel            38   control buttons            40   cleaning solution dispenser            42   rotating shaft            44   tub            46   turntable            48   ball bearings            50   splash guard            52   splash guard exterior threads            54   flange            56   rotatable seal            58   motor            60   rotating shaft            62   locking recess            64   filter element            66   cleaning basket            68   roller brush            70   spring            74   drive gear            75   differential gear            76   anti-spin flange            78   retaining plate for splashguard            80   water conduit            82   pressure nozzle            84   interior threads            86   foodstuff            88   power cord            90   spool for power cord            92   timer            94   time and relay switch            96   water reservoir            98   control knob           100   pump           102   drain strainer           104   cord winder           106   reservoir for cleaner fluid           108   drain valve           110   high water sensor           112   intake valve           114   overflow valve           116   central mounting shaft           119   fluid           120   vents           122   hose receptacle           124   receptacle for fluid reservoir           126   connection pipe           128   valve control           130   jet spray           132   pleats           134   handle           136   rotating vertical nozzle           138   rotating horizontal nozzle           140   macerator           142   rotating vertical nozzle           143   rotating shaft           144   rotating armature           146   stationary basket retaining member           148   secondary sanitizing means                      
 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0042]    The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment of the invention and several variations of that embodiment. This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to those particular embodiments, practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. For definition of the complete scope of the invention, the reader is directed to appended claims.  
         [0043]    Turning to FIG. 1, shown therein is a perspective view of the present invention  10  in use by user  22  showing the fluid intake valve of the present invention hooked up to the water source  12  via an intake hose  14  with quick connect fittings  16  and the waste line or hose  18  directed into the sink drain  20 . Shown is the housing body  24  being a generally cylindrical upstanding body having a cover  26  thereon along with a cover latch  28  with electrical contacts to insure that the unit does not operate without the cover  26  being properly secured. Also shown are body handles  30 , a cover handle  32 , an audible alarm  34 , an LED mode indicator  36 , multiple control buttons  38  along with a cleaning solution dispenser  40 .  
         [0044]    Turning to FIG. 2, shown therein is an exploded cross-sectional view of the present invention  10  showing the inter-relationship of the various rotative and cleaning members. Shown is the outer housing body  24  having a cover  26  with a handle  32  disposed on its top side. Shown internal of the housing body  24  is a rotatable shaft  42  being generally upright standing mounted within an inner tub  44  with a shaft  42  having a lower turntable  46  and a plurality of ball bearings  48  upon which to rotate. Shown on the upper end of the rotating shaft  42  is a splash guard  50  having reverse exterior threads  52  designed to accept an adapter to hold down smaller objects which will be described later, along with a spring loaded locking flange  54  for the rotating shaft  42  and a rotatable seal  56 . Shown internal of the cover  26  are a motor  58  along with the rotational drive shaft  60  having a locking recess  62  on its end for contacting the rotating shaft  42  and locking flange  54 . Also shown are a cleaning solution dispenser  40  and a quick connect fitting  16  or adapter  16 . Spring  70  is also shown.  
         [0045]    Turning to FIG. 3, shown therein is a cross-sectional side view of the body  24  of the present invention showing a filter element  64  with central mounting shaft or cylinder  116 , a cleaning basket  66  with central mounting shaft or cylinder  116  and a paint roller brush  68  with shaft  116  that could be placed over the rotating shaft  42  to be cleaned. An adapter could also be included which would allow a plurality of roller brushes  68  to be placed inside the unit so as to have them rotate around the central shaft  42 . A cleaning solution dispenser  40  is shown along with other elements previously disclosed.  
         [0046]    Turning to FIG. 4, shown therein is a perspective view of the spraying and rotative systems of the present invention  10  illustrating the relations of the integral components. The disengagable shaft assembly has a motor-driven rotational drive shaft member  60  that acts upon a mating spring-loaded rotating shaft member  42 . The locking flange  54  of the rotating shaft  42  engages the locking recess  62  of the rotational drive shaft  60  when the cover is secured onto the body. The rotating shaft  42  is spring loaded  70  and will retract in situations when the locking recess  62  is misaligned with the locking flange  54  until the rotational drive shaft  60  rotates into an aligned position which would allow the spring bias to engage the two shaft members  42 ,  60 . The rotatable seal  56  spins freely on the rotating shaft  42  assembly and forms a water tight seal against the underside of the cover  26  (not shown) to prevent fluid from entering the shaft recess  62  where the motor  58  and control systems are located. Also shown are a pair of gears being a drive gear  74  mounted on the motor  58  and a differential drive gear  75  mounted on the rotating shaft  60  which provides the rotative means for turning the drive shaft  60  and, thereby, the shaft or rotative member  60 . Also shown is an anti-spin flange  76  along with a splashguard  50  and retaining plate  78  for the splashguard. Also shown is a water conduit  80  along with a plurality of pressure nozzles  82  which are mounted in a vertical, linear array which provide means to introduce one or more fluids or solutions, individually or in combination, into the interior of the housing body including a nozzle means  82  for further pressurizing and directing the resulting spray toward a central point internal the body.  
         [0047]    Turning to FIG. 5, shown therein is a cross-sectional side view of the splash guard  50  wherein the interior shaft threads  84  fasten the splash guard to the shaft  42  and secure the filter element  64  (not shown) or cleaning basket  66  (not shown) by tightening it down between the splash guard and the turntable  46  (not shown). The exterior threads  52  are reverse threaded and are used for attaching an adapter in the event that a smaller filter element is to be cleaned. The adapter will extend downward to compensate for the difference in height. The splashguard  50  could also be manufactured or adapted to snap or screw onto the bottom of the cover  26  (not shown) or could be integrated thereon. A nut would then be used to secure the cleaning basket  66  or filter element  64  down to the turntable  46 .  
         [0048]    Turning to FIG. 6, shown therein is a cross-sectional side view of the present invention  10  cleaning fruit, vegetables or other foodstuffs  86  inside a basket  66  that has a central cylinder  116  that slides over the rotating shaft and is secured between the splashguard  50  and the turntable  46 . A fruit and vegetable cleaning solution is placed in the cleaning solution dispenser  40 . Also shown is the rotational drive shaft  60  along with the rotatable seal  56 . Also shown is a quartz motor  58  along with motor drive gears  74  and a differential gear  75 . Additionally, there is shown a retractable power cord  88  and a spool  90  upon which the power cord is retractable. Also shown is a timer  92  along with an audible alarm  34 , timer and relay switch  94  and an LED mode indicator  36 . Additionally, there is shown the cover handle  32  and a fluid intake hose  14  with quick connect coupling  16 .  
         [0049]    Turning to FIG. 6A, shown therein is a perspective view of the present invention  10  in use having an internal pump and an independent external water supply with a dual reservoir system for selectively mixing water from a reservoir  96  with a cleansing solution in dispenser reservoir  106  using control knob means  98 . Waste line  18  is also shown. The reservoirs could also be manufactured integrated within the body of the device for convenience and aesthetic purposes. Furthermore, a recirculation reservoir could be included in the bottom of the unit to recycle water and cleanser back to the pressure nozzles when not being used for edible items.  
         [0050]    Turning to FIG. 6B, shown therein is a cross-sectional side view of the present invention  10  in use and having an independent water supply and an internal pump  100  with controls to selectively transport one fluid or a combination thereof to the pressure nozzles  82  for delivery to the food  86  therein. A flexible drain hose  18  is maintained within the body when not in use and could be capped to prevent leaking. A higher rate of rotation can be applied to provide a spin cycle to enhance drying the food although a fan or other drying means may be included. The present invention could also be configured so the axial rotation of the cleaning basket would act as a tumbler to further enhance the cleaning and drying properties. Also shown is a drain strainer  102  along with a manual cord winder  104  which could also be automatic. Other elements previously disclosed are also shown.  
         [0051]    Turning to FIG. 7, shown therein is a perspective view of the present invention  10  in use to clean a cartridge filter element  64 . Other elements previously disclosed are also shown.  
         [0052]    Turning to FIG. 7A, shown therein is a cross-sectional side view of the present invention  10  showing the filter cartridge  64  in phantom line. Once the filter cartridge  64  is in place the splashguard  50  is screwed onto the threads  65  of the filter shaft  116 . The electrical drain valve  108  may remain closed in the event that the soaking of the item to be cleaned is desired. A high limit water sensor  110  detects when the water level has reached a predetermined height and sends a signal to close the electrical intake valve  112  and open the overflow valve  114 . The rotation of the filter while soaking provides agitation of the cleaning solution. An electrically operated drain valve  108  can also be included to provide automatic draining of the unit once a selectively predetermined period has passed as controlled by the timer thereby providing the present invention the capability of cycling to rinse, wash, soak, spin etc. when using one or more fluids. A control panel  37  with control buttons is included to allow a user to operate and monitor the present invention  10  prior to and during operation. An entire wash cycle using different fluids and functions such as spray, soak etc. could be programmed into the control panel  37  and the water source and drain hose can be set up to allow for unattended operation of the present invention. Other elements previously disclosed are also shown.  
         [0053]    Turning to FIG. 7B, shown therein is a cross-sectional view of the present invention  10  in use showing the filter  64  secured into place by means of the splashguard  50  which is threaded onto the rotating shaft  42 . A motor  58  turns the shaft assembly thereby rotating the filter  64 . Pressurized water is introduced into the system via a plurality of pressure nozzles  82  in a vertical linear array directed centrally towards the rotating filter  64 . The pressure nozzles  82  emit overlapping fanlike jet streams  130  of water which mixes with cleaning fluid  119  to produce a continuous vertical jet stream to facilitate cleaning between the pleats of the cartridge  82 . The quartz motor  58  rotates the cartridge filter  64  slowly and incrementally to assure complete coverage between each pleat although other drive systems could be used such as a variable speed motor that could also speed up to use centrifugal force to extract fluid from the cartridge  64 . Also shown are cover vents  120 . Other elements previously disclosed are also shown.  
         [0054]    Turning to FIG. 7C, shown therein is an exploded view of an adapter that could be screwed onto the fluid intake valve of the present invention to allow a user to introduce and regulate one or more cleaning agents and provide additional cleaning ability. The adapter may be used and adapted to maximize the potential of the present invention for commercial use. Shown are the intake hose  14  with mating hose receptacle  122  having a cleaning fluid reservoir  106  with mating container receptacle  124  with a connection pipe  126  with metering valve control  128  and an outlet hose receptacle  122 .  
         [0055]    Turning to FIG. 8, shown therein is a cross-sectional top view of the present invention  10  demonstrating the cleansing action of the pressurized jet spray  130  as it provides complete longitudinal pressure washing between the pleats  132  of the filter cartridge  64  as the filter cartridge slowly rotates with the rotative shaft  42  thereby effectively cleaning between each and every pleat.  
         [0056]    Turning to FIG. 9, shown therein is a cross-sectional view of the present invention  10  in use showing a manual embodiment of the present invention whereby the rotation of the disengageable shaft assembly occurs when the user manually turns the handle  134 . An oscillating pressure nozzle  82  provides greater coverage per nozzle and could best be utilized when fewer nozzles are used. Other elements previously disclosed are also shown.  
         [0057]    Turning to FIG. 10, shown therein is a cross-sectional side view of the present invention  10  demonstrating several possible pressure nozzle configurations including rotating vertical arm  136  and nozzles  142  mounted on shaft  143  and horizontal pressure nozzle arm  138  arrays that could be used in conjunction with a stationary basket or filter element. The macerator  140  could be installed within the drain system to pulverize waste material that might otherwise clog the drain hose  18 . The macerator  140  could be particularly useful when the present invention is used in commercial and industrial applications. Also shown are a rotating armature  144 , a stationary basket retaining member  146 , and a secondary sanitizing means  148 . Other elements previously disclosed are also shown.

Technology Category: 7