Cleaning and liquid contact with solids – Apparatus – With treating fluid purifying or separating means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-21
2001-07-24
Coe, Philip R. (Department: 1746)
Cleaning and liquid contact with solids
Apparatus
With treating fluid purifying or separating means
C134S186000, C134S201000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06263890
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a cleaning device for cleaning a shaving head of a dry shaving apparatus, having a housing, a holding device, a cleaning liquid container, a filter, a feed device adapted to be driven by a motor and including a supply pipe leading to a cleaning basin and a liquid drain from the cleaning basin to the cleaning liquid container.
A cleaning device of the type initially referred to is known from DE 44 02 238 C2. In one embodiment of a cleaning device according to that printed specification—FIG.
1
—, a cleaning basin is provided with a connector having fitted thereto a porous hose member permeable to cleaning liquid to ensure that dirt particles do not enter the cleaning liquid container. Due to the substantial amounts of dirt particles needing to be removed from the shaving head of a dry shaving apparatus, the hose member is fouled in no time, which prevents cleaning liquid drained from the cleaning basin during the cleaning process from entering the cleaning liquid container. This results in spillage of cleaning liquid from the cleaning device. Approaches aimed at remedying the fouled condition, including in particular the removal of dirt particles, cannot be inferred from this printed specification.
In another embodiment of a cleaning device according to DE 44 02 238 C2—FIG.
6
—provision is made for a cleaning liquid container with integrated filter provided in the cleaning liquid circuit between the feed device and the cleaning basin, wherein the cleaning liquid, together with the dirt particles occurring in the respective cleaning operation, is fed by the feed device from the collecting reservoir associated with the cleaning basin directly to the inner chamber of a filter, being retained by this filter. At the beginning of the cleaning operation the feed pump of the cleaning device initially aspirates air, forcing the air through the cleaning liquid container with integrated filter until the cleaning liquid present in the cleaning liquid container reaches the cleaning basin through a conduit and subsequently, through the collecting reservoir, the intake pipe of the feed pump. The continuous accumulation of dirt particles in the inner chamber of the filter presents an increasing resistance in the fluid circuit from the feed device to the cleaning basin, with the result that a feed device having a higher load-carrying capacity and hence incurring greater expense needs to be provided.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a cleaning device of the type initially referred to, which ensures easy exchangeability of the cleaning liquid container and a secure positioning of the cleaning liquid container in the cleaning liquid circuit.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, this object is accomplished in a cleaning device of the type initially referred to in that the cleaning liquid container with integrated filter is adapted to be coupled with a wall of the housing by means of a latching device. A further solution to the above-mentioned object provides for the cleaning liquid container with an integrated filter to be arranged underneath the cleaning basin, for the feed device to be adapted to be coupled with the inner chamber of the filter, for a backflow of cleaning liquid to be possible from the supply pipe through the filter into the cleaning liquid container, and for the cleaning liquid container to be removably held in the housing by means of a latching device.
The cleaning device of the present invention affords several advantages. One significant advantage of the invention is that the latching device, which is adapted to couple the exchangeable cleaning liquid container with a wall of the housing, operates to ensure both a locally defined and a secure arrangement of the cleaning liquid container in the cleaning device. A cleaning liquid container with integrated filter containing, for example, dirt particles is readily removable from the housing simply by actuating the latching device, to be replaced by a new cleaning liquid container holding fresh, pure liquid, which container is then held locked in its proper position in the cleaning liquid circuit within the housing of the cleaning device by the latching device.
A further advantage of the present invention resides in that a fluid circuit optimal in its effect is accomplished by reason of the latchable arrangement of the exchangeable cleaning liquid container with integrated filter underneath the cleaning basin and the subsequent connection of the feed device with the inner chamber of the filter on the one hand and, on the other hand, the further supply of the purified liquid through a supply pipe to the cleaning basin, as well as due to the draining of the cleaning liquid from the cleaning basin into the cleaning liquid container. This fluid circuit ensures that the aggregate of the cleaning liquid is drained from the cleaning basin to the cleaning liquid container and, moreover, that the cleaning liquid present in the supply pipe returns to the cleaning liquid container through the feed device and the filter upon termination of the cleaning operation, that is, upon deactivation of the feed device.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention provision is made for the cleaning liquid container to be held in a proper position in the fluid circuit between the cleaning basin and the feed device by means of the latching device.
In a further aspect of the present invention, provision is made for the cleaning liquid container to be arranged underneath the cleaning basin and to be latchable with the wall of the housing, it being ensured that the liquid is drained through a drain in the cleaning basin to reach a supply to the cleaning liquid container by means of cooperating components of the latching device.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the latching device is formed of a detent device and a spring element. In a further aspect of this embodiment, the detent device is formed of a guideway having a latching position and a control element movable for engagement with the guideway. Preferably the control element is formed by a pivotal lever having a control cam.
A preferred embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the guideway essentially follows the contour of a heart having a lead-in path to a latching position. A simple embodiment of an exchangeable cleaning liquid container affording economy of manufacture results by providing the guideway in an outer side of a wall of the cleaning liquid container.
According to a low-cost embodiment of the present invention, the control element is mounted for pivotal movement on the wall of the housing.
In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the present invention provision is made for a recess in the wall of the housing for the pivotal arrangement of the control element, with the control cam being disposed on the control element so as to protrude from the recess.
Proper positioning and secure mounting of the cleaning liquid container in the cleaning device are characterized in that the cleaning liquid container is slidable into, and retained in, a latching position against the pressure of a spring element resting against an abutment.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the abutment is formed by a wall of the housing.
To facilitate the positioning as well as the withdrawal of the exchangeable cleaning liquid container in the housing of the cleaning device, a pressure transmitting element is provided between the spring element and the cleaning liquid container. In a further aspect of the present invention at least one locating element for the spring element is provided on the pressure transmitting element. This approach simplifies and facilitates the insertion and removal of the cleaning liquid container inside the cleaning device. To simplify the coupling of the cleaning liquid container with the feed device, a pipe provided on the feed device is adapted to be passed through an opening in the pressure transmitting element and coupled with th
Braun GmbH
Coe Philip R.
Fish & Richardson P.C.
LandOfFree
Cleaning device for a dry shaver does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Cleaning device for a dry shaver, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Cleaning device for a dry shaver will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2538880