Brushing – scrubbing – and general cleaning – Implements – Sponge or sponge with holder
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-23
2001-08-21
Chin, Randall E. (Department: 1744)
Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning
Implements
Sponge or sponge with holder
C015S210100, C015S118000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06276023
ABSTRACT:
RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present invention was first described in Disclosure Document Number 461238 filed on Aug. 27, 1999. There are no previously filed, nor currently any co-pending applications, anywhere in the world.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to barbecue grills and, more particularly, to a grill cleaning brush having specially formed grill cleaning grooves.
2. Description of the Related Art
One particular appliance that has found popularity in recent times is the table top grill. One example of this type grill is the “George Foreman™” grill. These grills allow individuals to cook beef, chicken, vegetables and other food in a fashion that resembles cooking outdoors on a grill. They allow food to remain tasty and juicy while keeping many of the vitamins and nutrients within the food in a very short time. However, some of that time savings is lost due to the increased time it takes to clean such a device. Making matters worse, the “hill and valley” surface of the grill requires almost separate, individual cleaning of each section. In some cases, the grill may not be cleaned adequately enough, leading to safety and health issues the next time it is used to cook something. Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which table top grills can be quickly and easily cleaned after use. The development of the grill cleaning brush fulfills this need.
In the related art, there exists utility and design patents for a variety of grill cleaning tools including brushes with scrapers, bristles and forks and the like for cleaning between the grill elements. These devices all have limitations in their effectiveness in cleaning between the grill elements. The art was completely devoid of any grill cleaning devices utilizing a sponge rubber head with integral grill rack cleaning grooves which is very effective in cleaning between grill elements. Nor were there any patents which have grill cleaning utensils specifically designed for grill top table and the like as in the present invention.
A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the following references were considered related:
U.S. Pat. No.
Inventor
Issue Date
5,479,673
Carton
Jan. 2, 1996
5,373,600
Stojanovski et al.
Dec. 20, 1994
4,146,943
Wertheimer et al.
Apr. 3, 1979
4,091,579
Giangiulio
May 30, 1978
D 358,491
Hoagland
May 23, 1995
D 307,077
Bryant
Apr. 10, 1990
4,286,349
Dugrenier
Sep. 1, 1981
4,056,863
Gunjian
Nov. 8, 1977
5,924,460
Jones
Jul. 20, 1999
Consequently, a need has been felt for providing an apparatus specifically for table top grills and the like which is effective in cleaning between the grill elements.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved grill cleaning brush.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved grill cleaning brush for cleaning table top grill surfaces.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improved grill cleaning brush for cleaning table top grill surfaces.
It is yet still another object of the present invention to make grill cleaning quick and easy.
It is another object of the present invention that it has both residential and commercial application.
It is yet another object of the present invention that the grooves cut into the sponge head match the grill line layout.
It is an advantage of the present invention that it works on Joe Foreman™ type grills and others.
It is another advantage of the present invention that it provides a higher quality cleaning job.
It is yet another advantage of the present invention that it can be used with existing cleaners and solvents.
It is yet still another advantage of the present invention that the handle allows greater application of pressure.
It is a benefit of the present invention that it removes all traces of food.
It is another benefit of the present invention that the foam rubber sponge head works great with soap and water.
It is another benefit of the present invention that the foam rubber sponge head is easily replaced when worn.
Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, the grill cleaning brush, as its name implies, is an apparatus to aid in the cleaning of table top grill surfaces. Resembling a foam type paint brush, it allows the user to quickly and easily swipe clean the grilling surface on table top type grilling machines for cleaning or to push grease into the grill's grease collection tray during cooking. The foam rubber sponge section is provided with cut in grooves or valleys that align with and match the upper contact points or tips of the grill surface. In such a manner, continuous contact with the entire surface of the grill is maintained thus allowing for a more complete cleaning job. The invention is intended to be used with soap and water when performing cleaning of the grill surface after use. The use of the grill cleaning brush allows users of table top grills the ability to quickly and effectively clean the cooking surface of the grill in a manner that matches the convenience and time savings of the grill itself.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 307077 (1990-04-01), Bryant
patent: D. 358491 (1995-05-01), Hoagland
patent: 2975454 (1961-03-01), Bernstein
patent: 3317944 (1967-05-01), Napier, Sr.
patent: 3465377 (1969-09-01), Thomas
patent: 3939522 (1976-02-01), Shimizu
patent: 4056863 (1977-11-01), Gunjian
patent: 4083078 (1978-04-01), Shimizu
patent: 4091579 (1978-05-01), Giangiulio
patent: 4146943 (1979-04-01), Wertheimer
patent: 4286349 (1981-09-01), Dugrenier
patent: 5373600 (1994-12-01), Stojanovski
patent: 5479673 (1996-01-01), Carton
patent: 5924460 (1999-07-01), Jones
patent: 1033314 (1966-06-01), None
Chin Randall E.
Corrigan Michael J.
Gugliotta John D.
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