This application is being filed on 18 March 2011, as a PCT International Patent application in the name of Ecolab Inc., a U.S. national corporation, applicant for the designation of all countries except the US, and Brian Phillip Carlson, Ryan Chernik, Michael Brown, and Tom Berg, all citizens of the U.S., applicants for the designation of the US only, and claims priority to U.S. Provisional patent application Serial No. 61/315,312, filed March 18, 2010, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Fryers in restaurants are difficult to clean. They have an irregular shape, several heating coils and many corners and crevices. During operation, fryers become soiled with fryer oil and food soils. Over time, these soils bake on to the fryer and become even more difficult to clean. Besides being difficult to clean, fryers can be unsafe to clean. Often the surfaces are hot when they are being cleaned. And if aggressive chemistry must be used to clean, the chemistry can create fumes or be a safety hazard. It is against this background that the present disclosure is made.

SUMMARY

Surprisingly, it has been found that the tool heads of the present disclosure are especially suited for cleaning the unique surfaces and shapes of fryers.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a tool having a wand with a shaft, a first end and a second end. The wand has a grip located on the second end and a tool head located on the first end. The tool head has a handle, a first portion located next to the handle with bristles located on both sides of the first portion and a generally triangular-shaped second portion located next to and at an angle from the first portion with bristles on both sides of the second portion.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a tool system having a wand with a shaft, a first end with two depressible pins for engaging with a tool head and a second end with a grip. The system also includes a tool head that can be selected from one of several tool heads. In some embodiments, the system can also include a tool head kit that includes the wand and several interchangeable tool heads.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a tool head having a handle with two apertures for removably engaging with the depressible pins on the first end of a wand shaft, a first portion located next to the handle, the first portion having a first side and a second side and a plurality of bristles on each of the first and second sides, and a generally triangular-shaped second portion located next to and at an angle from the first portion and having a first side and a second side and a plurality of bristles on each of the first and second sides. In some embodiments, the first portion and the second portion are at a 120° angle to each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the fryer tool including the removable, angled, triangle-shaped head, the locking mechanism, the mid-grip on the wand, the handle, and the ball grip on the end of the wand.

Figure 2 shows an embodiment of the fryer tool in Figure 1, except with a T- shaped grip on the end of the wand.

Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the fryer tool and specifically one possible locking mechanism for the removable head.

Figure 4 shows an embodiment of the fryer tool and specifically the interaction between the bristles on the tool head and a fryer surface.

Figure 5 shows an embodiment of the fryer tool and specifically the interaction between the triangle-shaped tool head and the corner of a fryer.

Figure 6 shows an embodiment of the fryer tool being placed inside a schematic of a fryer.

Figures 7A-7C show the various angles that the fryer tool can be used at to clean the various surfaces of the fryer.

Figure 8 shows an embodiment of an L-shaped bent wire tool head.

Figure 9 shows an embodiment of an L-shaped bent wire tool head.

Figure 10 shows an embodiment of a tool head with a removable pad.

Figure 11 shows an embodiment of the tool head of Figure 10 with the removable pad on the tool head.

Figure 12 shows a side view of an embodiment of the tool head of Figure 10 without the removable pad. In accordance with common practice, the various described features are not drawn to scale but are drawn to emphasize specific features relevant to the present disclosure. Reference characters denote like features throughout the Figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates to a fryer tool, a tool system, and specific tool head designs. The disclosed tool has several advantages. First, it provides an equipment solution to aid in cleaning fryers that increases cleaning effectiveness and shortens cleaning time. Second, it decreases the need for a user to touch the hot fryer surface or get close to aggressive cleaning products. Third, it decreases the amount of force needed from the user. Fourth, it can be used in different orientations to clean many different types of surfaces. Fifth, its durable design can be used on hot surfaces. And finally, it is compatible with fryer-cleaning chemistries. The tool and methods of using the tool are disclosed herein.

Referring to FIG. 1, the fryer tool is generally shown at 10. The fryer tool 10 includes a wand 12. The wand 12 has a shaft portion 14, a first end 16, and a second end 18. The shaft portion 14 can be bent or straight. The wand should be long enough to keep the user at a safe distance from the fryer. Exemplary wand lengths include 12 inches to 30 inches long, and 18 inches to 25 inches long, although it is understood that longer or shorter lengths could be used. For example, it may be beneficial to have a wand length that is the length of a mop. The shaft 14 can optionally include a mid-grip 44. If the wand includes a mid-grip, then the user would hold the fryer tool with one hand on the end-grip 20 and the other hand on the mid-grip 44. The mid-grip 44 can be a thicker portion of the wand shaft 14. It can also include a raised ring 46 that serves as a hand stop when a user is putting pressure on the wand during cleaning. The mid-grip 44 can also include an anti-slip strip such as a rubber strip (not shown). The second end 18 of the wand 12 includes an end grip 20. The end-grip 20 allows a user to grip the end of the wand and get leverage for cleaning the fryer. Exemplary end-grip shapes include ball (i.e., like a golf ball), cone, and T-shaped. The ball end-grip is shown in FIG. 1. The T-shaped end-grip 48 is shown in FIG. 2.

In FIG. 1, the first end 16 of the wand 12 includes a tool head 22. The tool head 22 includes a handle 24, a first portion 26, and a second portion 34. In some embodiments, it may be beneficial to use the tool head 22 without the wand 12. Accordingly, in embodiments, where the tool head 22 is removable from the wand 12, the handle 24 is designed to be grasped by a user and used as a short handle. This is useful because a user can maneuver in hard to reach areas where the long handle cannot reach. Also, a user can apply more direct pressure using the short handle which is beneficial when trying to scrub certain areas. In some

embodiments, the handle is from about 1 to about 7 inches long, and from about 3 to about 6 inches long. The first portion 26 has a first side 28 and a second side 30. The first side 28 and the second side 30 are both covered with a plurality of bristles 32. In some embodiments, only one side may be covered with a plurality of bristles. Further, while bristles are shown, it is understood that alternatives to bristles, such as twisted wire, could be used instead. The second portion 34 also has a first side 36 and a second side 38. The first side 36 and second side 38 are also both covered with a plurality of bristles 32. In some embodiments, only one side may be covered with a plurality of bristles. The second portion 34 is preferably shaped at the end to allow for corner cleaning. Accordingly, the second portion 34 is preferably triangle- shaped, or another angled embodiment that facilitates corner cleaning. In some embodiments, the triangle can include an angle from 20° to 90°. Other

embodiments include a square-shaped, round-shaped, or irregular-shaped end. In addition to having a special shape, the second portion 34 may also be set at an angle relative to the first portion 26. This is shown in FIG. 1 where the second portion 34 meets the first portion 26. The angle can be from about 90° to about 135°, and preferably about 120°. The first portion 26 allows for cleaning the undersides of difficult to reach areas.

The tool head 22 can also have bristles coming out the sides of the tool head.

The bristles 32 on the first sides 28 and 36 facilitate cleaning the underside of fryer components. The bristles 32 on the second sides 30 and 38 facilitate cleaning the fryer heating coils. The bristles 32 are preferably long enough to get in between the heating coils.

The tool head 22 can be static on the wand 12 or can pivot on the wand. A pivot head can be rotated a number of ways to fit various surfaces and match the angles of the surfaces that need to be cleaned. On the other hand, a static head is easy to control and does not provide a joint for soil to build up on. Both are useful depending on the specific application.

In an embodiment, the tool head 22 is a permanent part of the wand 12. In such a permanent design, the entire tool (head and wand) 10 could be disposable or single use where the entire tool is discarded after one cleaning. Alternatively, the tool could be designed to withstand several cleanings before the entire tool is replaced. In another embodiment, the tool head is removable from the wand and can be cleaned or replaced after cleaning. If the tool head is removable, the wand 12 and the tool head 22 preferably include a locking mechanism, such as the one shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 shows the wand 12 having displaceable or depressible pins 40 and the tool head 22 having a pair of holes or apertures 42 for receiving the pins 40. The pins 40 can be seen in the apertures 42 throughout the Figures including FIG. 1. Alternative locking mechanisms could be used such as a quarter-turn design, a threaded design, a tapered end with a cross pin, or a locking collar.

FIG. 4 shows the interaction between the bristles 32 on the fryer tool 10 interacting with the grate 52 of the fryer 50. FIG. 5 shows the interaction between the triangle-shaped second portion 34 of the tool head 22 and the corner of the fryer 50. FIG. 6 shows the interaction between the fryer tool 10, the fryer 50, and the fryer grate 52. Finally, FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C show a user 54 using the fryer tool 10 to clean the fryer 50 using different angles. The user 54 is able to grasp the tool 10 at the end-grip 20 and the mid-grip 44. This allows the user 54 to manipulate the tool head 22 in various ways to clean the various surfaces, corners, crevices, and irregular surfaces of the fryer.

FIG. 8, FIG. 9, and FIG. 10 show alternative tool heads. These tools are especially useful for cleaning aspects of a fryer such as the grate 54 or the heating coils. One exemplary tool head is shown in FIG. 8. It has a handle 24 and an L- shaped bent wire 56 with bristles 32 coming out from the wire 56. The handle 24 is designed to be removable engaged with the wand 12 and has apertures 42 for engaging with pins 40 on the wand 12. FIG. 9 shows another bent wire tool head. It has a handle 24 and an L-shaped bent wire 56 with bristles 32 coming out from the wire 56. The handle 24 is designed to be removable engaged with the wand 12 and has apertures 42 for engaging with pins 40 on the wand 12. FIGS. 10, 11, and 12 show a tool head with a removable pad 62. The tool head includes a handle 24 and a paddle 58. The paddle 58 is configured to be inserted into the removable pad 62 and the paddle can be substantially straight, or can be offset or have a curve to it. The paddle 58 includes a plurality of spikes 60 that can be located on one or both sides of the paddle 58. The spikes 60 can be of a variety of shapes and do not necessarily need to be sharp. Rather, the spikes 60 are designed in such a way that when pressure is placed on the handle 24 the spikes 60 push down onto the pad 62 and help hold it in place on the paddle 58 and provide additional force when cleaning the fryer. The removable pad 62 is open on at least one end that allows it to be placed on the paddle 58. The pad 62 can be made of a variety of materials that help clean surfaces including steel wool and materials such as those sold under the BRTLLO® brand or the 3M SCOTCH-BRITE™ brand. The removable pad 62 can be impregnated with cleaning compositions.

Bi an embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a tool head 22 with a common handle 24 design that allows multiple tool heads to be interchangeable with the wand. The handle 24 can include apertures 42 for engaging with pins 40 on the wand 12. The handle 24 can also include a thicker grip portion like the grip 44 on the wand. And the handle 24 can also include a raised ring 46 to serve as a hand stop.

The fryer tool is preferably made using materials that are compatible with high temperatures typically found on fryers. In some cases the operating

temperature of the fryer can reach 232°C (450°F) or more. The fryer tool can be used on the fryer at any fryer temperature including hot and room temperature.

The fryer tool can be used with cleaning chemistries needed to clean the fryer. The tool can be used with cold soak and boil-out type of cleanings. The tool can be used with gas and electric fryers. The fryer can be located in a full service or quick service restaurant. The tool can also be adapted for use by consumers. And the tool can be adapted for other uses such as for cleaning kitchen surfaces such as the vent hoods, surrounds, ovens, roasters, cooking appliances, and other heated areas, cleaning in housekeeping applications such as dusting and wiping down furniture, scrubbing walls, and scrubbing floors, cleaning surfaces in healthcare locations like tile, toilets, showers and tub surrounds in patient rooms, cleaning surgical areas and equipment, and cleaning surfaces in doctors' offices, bathroom cleaning such as cleaning toilets, shower and tub surrounds, sinks, tile, walls and floors, and cleaning in food and beverage plants such as cleaning HVAC systems, floor drains, and cooling coils on refrigeration units. Each of these applications would benefit from the common handle design and interchangeable tool head designs of the present disclosure.

The above specification and figures provide a complete description of the disclosure. Since many embodiments can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure, the invention resides in the claim hereinafter appended.