Brushing – scrubbing – and general cleaning – Implements – Combined
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-23
2001-07-31
Chin, Randall E. (Department: 1744)
Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning
Implements
Combined
C015S111000, C015S114000, C015S188000, C015S257200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06266839
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to brush constructions which incorporate a squeegee blade and bristles and a particular aspect relates to such a brush construction which may be snap fitted to be presented as a combination unit with a dust pan.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Brushes and dust pans have been used in house cleaning operations since time immemorial. More recently, with the advent of mouldable plastics material, the handle of the dust pan has included a recess which may be shaped to receive the handle of a brush in a snap fit arrangement in order that the two can be readily stored together.
The advantage of being able to store the two together as a single unit is that the user does not need to go searching for the individual components and there is less likelihood of the two being separated and lost.
Generally speaking, it is preferred that the handle of the brush be constructed in such a way as to ensure that the user does not scrape his or her knuckles against a surface to be brushed. This can be achieved by having a handle which is directed at an angle pointing the brush handle upwards when the brush bristles are in contact with the surface being swept. Alternatively, the handle may be bent so that it is higher than the portion of the brush holding the bristles when the brush is used for sweeping.
Whilst brushes of this type on their own and in combination with dust pans of the aforesaid type are useful and have found common acceptance, they are not necessarily suitable for situations where surfaces requiring cleaning are located in areas such as the laundry or bathroom. As bristles of brushes are unsuitable for brushing away water, the user must use an alternative utensil such as a squeegee blade or mop to clean areas covered with spilled liquid.
In order to reduce the number of utensils required by a user, it would be desirable to provide a brush construction which can perform the sweeping function normally performed by the bristles of a brush and can also be used as a squeegee blade when necessary. Furthermore, it is preferable, that such a utensil, be capable of snap fitting in the handle of a dust pan with the construction of the brush handle being such as to allow the knuckles of a user to be held at a position higher from a surface being brushed or cleaned than the portion of the brush fitted with the bristles or squeegee blade.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect the invention provides a brush including a moulded handle and a support structure formed of a rigid thermoplastic material, the support structure including first and second keying structures provided on opposed sides thereof, said first keying structure having provided thereon a first cleaning element and said second keying structure having provided thereon a second cleaning element, said first and second cleaning elements extending in different directions away from the respective keying structures in substantially the same or parallel planes.
Suitably the first and second cleaning elements include bristles, blades, spikes or any form of projecting feature which may serve to facilitate cleaning.
Most suitably the first cleaning element includes bristles. Preferably the second cleaning element includes a blade.
The blade may be formed of rubbery thermoplastic material. It may be moulded directly onto the second keying structure.
The bristles are preferably formed of rubbery thermoplastic material. The rubbery thermoplastic material forming the blades and bristles is preferably the same. The bristles are suitably moulded onto the first keying structure. Suitably the rigid thermoplastic material includes polyethylene, polypropylene and/or copolymers of polystyrene and polypropylene. It may include a filler and/or processing additives. The filler may comprise 10% to 40% by weight of the rigid thermoplastic material, more preferably 15% to 25% by weight. Talc is a suitable filler. The processing additives may be chosen to facilitate injection moulding of the thermoplastic material and/or enhancement of the physical characteristics of the rigid thermoplastic material. The rigid thermoplastic material may include a fibrous reinforcement. The fibrous reinforcement may include glass fibre. The fibrous reinforcement suitably comprises 10% to 20% by weight of the rigid thermoplastic material. The rigid thermoplastic material may have a hardness in excess of 70 (as measured in the A scale).
The rubbery thermoplastic material may be chosen from natural or synthetic materials. Preferably it will be chosen from materials which may be injection moulded. It may include a combination of rubber and plastics material. Suitably the rubbery thermoplastic material is a thermoplastic elastomer. It may be rubberised polypropylene. The rubbery material may include additives. The additives may include any one or more of a filler, processing additives, pigment and UV stabiliser. The processing additives may be chosen to enhance the injection moulding characteristics of the rubbery material and/or the physical properties of the material. The filler may be chosen for similar reasons.
The bristles and blade may extend in directions which are obtuse to each other. Suitably the obtuse angle they make with each other falls within the range 110° to 170°, more preferably 145° to 165°.
The support structure may be integrally formed with the handle. It may include an integral attachment region which joins the first and second keying structures to the handle. The keying structures may be elongate, having front and rear ends. They may be generally straight. The front ends may be joined together to form an acute angle therebetween. The rear ends may be joined to the attachment region. The keying structures and attachment region may surround and define an open region. The open region may have a generally quadrilateral or triangular outline. The keying structures and/or attachment region may include an internal extension of reduced thickness.
Suitably the keying structures include features of the construction which act to secure the rubbery thermoplastic material by physical entrapment of the rubbery thermoplastic material. Such features of construction may include recesses, holes, lips, protrusions or overhangs.
Alternatively or additionally, there may be bonding between the rubbery thermoplastic material and the keying structures. Such bonding may be achieved by an adhesive and/or by selection of the materials constituting the rubbery thermoplastic material and the rigid thermoplastic material such that they bond when the two are moulded together.
Suitably the bristles extend in a plurality or rows along the first keying structure. Typically three to seven such rows of bristles can be provided although four to six is generally preferred.
The handle may include a plurality of ribs. The ribs may extend generally perpendicular to the length of the handle. They may encircle the handle.
The brush may be shaped so that it can fit into a moulded plastic dust pan. The handle of the brush may fit into a recess provided in the handle of the dust pan. Most preferably it will be constructed so that it snap fits into the recess to hold the brush in position.
Suitably the shape of the brush is such that the handle may fit into the handle of a dust pan with the remainder of the brush extending into and in registry with the pan portion of the dust pan.
The handle may be arranged to extend at an angle relative to the bristles and/or blade to elevate the handle in use, in order that a user can avoid scraping knuckles of a hand when using either the brush or bristle portion.
The handle may generally extend in the same plane or a plane parallel to the plane or planes in which the blade and bristles extend. The handle may extend in a direction which generally bisects the acute angle.
In an alternative construction both keying structures may include bristles. Suitably the bristles on one keying structure will be softer than the bristles on the other keying structure. The bristles on both keying structures may be moulded directly thereonto.
Oretti John E.
Wong Kon E.
Chin Randall E.
E. D. Oates Pty. Ltd.
Nixon & Vanderhye PC
Presta Frank P.
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