Brushing – scrubbing – and general cleaning – Implements – Combined
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-22
2001-03-20
Till, Terrence R. (Department: 1744)
Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning
Implements
Combined
C015S106000, C015S211000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06202247
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to a cleaning apparatus and in particular to a bottle brush and nipple brush combination.
Adults often use a bottle to feed infants. These bottles typically have an artificial nipple which the infant sucks on to extract baby formula contained in the bottle. To limit growth of potentially harmful bacteria, it is recommended to clean the bottle and nipple after each use. Due to the shapes of the bottle and nipple, and due to the materials with which they are typically made, different devices such as brushes of differing materials and shapes are often used to clean the bottle and the nipple.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In general, in one aspect, the invention provides an apparatus for cleaning a baby bottle and an artificial nipple. The apparatus includes a handle providing a chamber, a bottle brush head and a nipple brush head. The bottle brush head is configured to clean an interior portion of a baby bottle. The nipple brush head is configured to clean an interior portion of the artificial nipple. The bottle brush head and the nipple brush head are attached to the handle. The nipple brush head is attached in such a manner that it may be moved from a first position within the handle chamber to a second position outside the chamber while remaining attached to the handle.
Implementations of the invention may include one or more of the following features. The bottle brush comprises expanded polymeric foam and glass mop materials. The bottle brush head has a layer of foam material disposed adjacent a layer of glass mop material. The handle further has an extension element comprising first and second members joined by a hinge. The members and hinge attaching the bottle brush head to the handle when the bottle brush head materials are placed between the members, the materials being placed between the members when the members and hinge are in open position and being attached to the handle when the members and hinge are moved to closed position. The members are held in closed position by a snap joint. The members are held in closed position by a weld joint. The nipple brush head is pivotally attached to the handle, such nipple brush head rotating between the first and second positions. The nipple brush head has a stop adapted to engage a portion of the handle substantially preventing it from rotating beyond its second position. The nipple brush head is made from a spongy material. The handle has a first portion and a second portion attached by a hinge and defining a chamber. The first and second portions of the handle are moveable relative to each other about the hinge between a closed position capturing a portion of the nipple brush head and an open position in which the nipple brush head can be detached from the handle. The handle has a flexible neck connected to the bottle brush head.
In general, in another aspect, the invention provides an apparatus for cleaning a baby bottle and an artificial nipple. The apparatus has a handle, a bottle brush head and a nipple brush head. The handle has a proximal end, a distal end and provides a chamber at a distal end. The bottle brush head is attached to the proximal end of the handle. It is configured to clean an interior portion of the baby bottle. The nipple brush head is configured to clean an interior portion of an artificial nipple. It is attached to the distal portion of the handle. The nipple brush head moves from a first position within the chamber to a second position outside the chamber, while remaining attached to the handle.
Implementations of the invention may include one or more of the following features. The proximal end of the handle has an extension element comprising first and second members joined by a hinge. The members and hinge are positioned such that materials to form the bottle brush head are placed between the members at the proximal end of the handle when the hinge and members are in an open position and the bottle brush head is attached to the handle when the members and hinge are moved to a closed position. The members attach the bottle brush head permanently to the handle once moved to closed position. The handle provides at least one opening into the chamber at both its proximal and distal ends.
Embodiments of the invention may provide one or more of the following advantages. A single apparatus can be used to clean a bottle and an artificial nipple. A nipple brush head can be protected while not in use. A nipple brush head can be moved to different orientations relative to a handle, e.g. without detaching the nipple brush head from the handle. A bottle brush head can be made of a foam material and a glass mop material. Such a bottle brush head can clean a bottle better than standard nylon bristle or foam brush. Nipple brush heads and bottle brushes heads can be permanent or replaceable. Openings are provided to allow for the drainage of water and/or other liquids from both ends of the apparatus.
Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following drawings, description, and claims.
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Fish & Richardson P.C.
The First Years Inc.
Till Terrence R.
LandOfFree
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