BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] Conventional bottles and cups designed for infants and children have unique configurations, which are often difficult to clean because of the many hard-to-reach areas (i.e., corners and angled or curved surfaces). For example, many baby bottles are very narrow and therefore, conventional cleaning instruments do not easily fit therein. As such, surfaces may be difficult to reach and inadequately cleaned by conventional cleaning instruments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a cleaning instrument or brush for use with a baby bottles, sippy cups, or other infant and toddler containers.

[0003] Generally, the invention provides a brush for facilitating cleaning interior surfaces of a container having hard-to-reach areas. The brush includes a first end opposite a second end. The first end includes a bristle portion having a plurality of bristles. The bristles are disposed at an angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the brush, and are constructed from a non-abrasive material. Additionally, the brush includes an ergonomic handle extending between the brush portion and the second end thereof. The handle may include a grip that is textured and therefore, constructed to be slip-resistant during use. The brush includes a narrow tip opposite the bristle portion (i.e., at a distal end of the handle). The narrow tip is adapted to be inserted into a valve and/or nipple in order to clean an interior thereof. The brush is dish-washer safe and complies with industry standards. For example, the brush is BPA-free, phthalate-free, and PVC-free.

[0004] In one embodiment, the invention provides a cleaning brush comprising a handle and a brush portion defining a longitudinal axis. The brush portion includes a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the handle, a plurality of apertures configured in a spaced-apart relationship along the longitudinal axis, and a plurality of bristles extending from the apertures at an angle of about 40 degrees to about 70 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis, wherein at least some of the bristles extend beyond the second end. [0005] In another embodiment, the invention provides a cleaning brush comprising a brush portion and a handle removably connectable to the brush portion. The brush portion defines a longitudinal axis, and the brush portion includes a first end and a second end, a plurality of apertures configured in a spaced-apart relationship along the longitudinal axis, and a plurality of bristles extending from the apertures at an angle of about 40 degrees to about 70 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis, wherein at least some of the bristles extend beyond the second end. The handle includes a first recess, a base having a first side and a second side, the base configured to be removably received within the first recess, a first tool extending from the first side, and a second tool extending from the second side, the second tool different than the first tool.

[0006] In yet another embodiment, the invention provides a cleaning brush comprising a brush portion and a handle removably connectable to the brush portion. The brush portion defines a longitudinal axis, and the brush portion includes a first end and a second end, a plurality of apertures configured in a spaced-apart relationship along the longitudinal axis, and a plurality of bristles extending from the apertures at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis. The handle includes a first recess, a base having a first side and a second side, the base configured to be removably received within the first recess, a first tool extending from the first side, and a second tool extending from the second side, the second tool different than the first tool.

[0007] Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates a cleaning brush according to one embodiment of the invention used in conjunction with a baby bottle.

[0009] FIGS, la-lj illustrate the cleaning brush of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 2a-2d illustrate a cleaning brush according to another embodiment of the [0011] FIGS. 3a-3f illustrate a cleaning brush according to another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "including," "comprising," or "having" and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms "mounted," "connected," "supported," and "coupled" and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings.

[0013] Although directional references, such as upper, lower, downward, upward, rearward, bottom, front, rear, etc., may be made herein in describing the drawings, these references are made relative to the drawings (as normally viewed) for convenience. These directions are not intended to be taken literally or limit the present invention in any form. In addition, terms such as "first," "second," and "third" are used herein for purposes of description and are not intended to indicate or imply relative importance or significance.

[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates a cleaning instrument or brush 10 according to one embodiment of the invention. The brush 10 defines a longitudinal axis A and includes body 14 having a first end 18 opposite a second end 22. The body 14 includes a brush portion 26, which includes a plurality of angled bristles 30, adjacent a handle 34. The brush portion 26 and the handle 34 extend between the first and second ends 18, 22 of the body 14. The brush portion 26 is sized and shaped to be received within a baby bottle, sippy cup, or other infant and toddler container 11. [0015] With respect to FIGS, la-lj, the brush portion 26 is substantially cylindrical and extends between the first end 18 of the brush 10 and the handle 34. The first end 18 includes an end surface 38, which is disposed at an angle a with respect to the longitudinal axis A of the brush 10. In one construction, the angle a is about 30 degrees to about 60 degrees. In another construction, the angle a is about 40 degrees to about 70 degrees. The brush portion 26 includes a plurality of apertures 42 that are organized into circumferential rows O-Z. The circumferential rows O-Z extend about a circumference of the brush portion 26 and are disposed in parallel along the longitudinal axis A. The circumferential rows O-Z of apertures 42 are also disposed at the angle a with respect to the longitudinal axis A as viewed in FIG. li. Apertures 42 in

circumferential rows O-Z are offset with respect to the apertures in adjacent rows O-Z. The apertures 42 are configured to be staggered such that apertures 42 in every other circumferential row O-Z are aligned in a parallel arrangement with the longitudinal axis A. For example, as is illustrated in FIG. li, circumferential rows O, Q, S, U, W, Y include apertures 42 that are disposed along axes B and B'. Similarly, circumferential rows P, R, T, V, X, Z include apertures 42 that are disposed along axes C, C, and C". The apertures 42 disposed along the unique axes B, B', C, C, and C", for example, define a plurality of horizontal rows of apertures.

[0016] Further with respect to FIGS, la-lj, the apertures 42 extend from an exterior surface 46 of the body 14 towards a hollow center of the brush portion 26. Each aperture 42 is configured to receive a substantially cone-shaped bristle 30. The bristles 30, from hollow center through apertures 42, extend radially from the exterior surface 46 of the body 14. The bristles 30 that are located in the same circumferential row O-Z have central axes 62 that extend radially from the exterior surface 46 in the same plane O'-Z'. For example, the central axes 62 of the bristles 30 that occupy the apertures 42 of circumferential row O are all located in the plane O'. Similarly, the central axes 62 of the bristles 30 that occupy the apertures 42 of circumferential row Q are all located in the plane Q'. The planes O'-Z' that are created by the central axes 62 of the bristles 30 are parallel to one another (i.e., O' is parallel to Z' etc.). Additionally, each plane O'-Z' is oriented at the angle a with respect to the longitudinal axis A of the brush 10. The center axes 62 of adjacent apertures 42 in same circumferential row O-Z are offset from one another by an angle β (FIGS, lg and lj). For example, bristles 30Z ¹ , 58Z ² , 58Z ³ are received within apertures 42 along circumferential row Z. Bristle 30Z ² is disposed between bristles 30Z ¹ , 58Z ³ located on either side thereof. The central axis 62 of bristle 30Z ² is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A. The central axes 62 of bristles 30Z ¹ , 58Z ³ are oriented at the angle β, with respect to the central axis 62 of bristle 30Z ² .

[0017] The bristles 30 extend 360° about the brush portion 26. The configuration of the angled bristles 30 is such that at least one bristle extends beyond the end surface 38 of the brush 10. Also, the angle a of the bristles 30 allows at least one bristle to be elevated above the body at a distance D. Additionally, because the bristles 30 extend from a variety of angles relative to the body 14 of the brush 10, the brush 10 is capable of cleaning hard-to-reach surfaces. Therefore, even curved bottom surfaces 70 and conical upper surfaces of a baby bottle 71, for example, can be accessed with the bristles 30 of the brush 10, as is illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0018] In the illustrated embodiments, seventy-two apertures 42, and therefore, seventy-two bristles 30 are organized into twelve circumferential rows O-Z. Additional or alternative embodiments may include more or fewer apertures, which may be organized into more or fewer circumferential rows. Additionally, the bristles may be adapted to have different constructions other than the cone-shaped construction illustrated herein. Further, it is contemplated that the central axes of adjacent bristles in the same circumferential row O-Z may not be offset from one another.

[0019] The handle 34 of the brush 10 is located between the brush portion 26 and the second end 22. The handle 34 is defined by at least a top surface 80 and a bottom surface 84 and first and second side surfaces 88, 92. The top and bottom surfaces 80, 84 are substantially arcuately shaped and are convex with respect to the longitudinal axis A. The first and second side surfaces 88, 92 are also substantially arcuately shaped and are concave with respect to the longitudinal axis A. Edges 96 that connect adjacent surfaces of the handle are curved such that handle is ergonomic and therefore, comfortable to the user. A distance Dl is defined between the top and bottom surfaces 80, 84 and a width W is defined between first and second side surface 88, 92 (FIG. le). The distance D is variable between the brush portion 26 and second end 22 of the brush 10. The width W is variable between the brush portion 26 and the second end 22 of the brush 10. The handle 34 includes a substantially oval-shaped aperture 100 extending between the first and second side surfaces 88, 92. The handle 34 narrows significantly at the second end 22 of the brush 10 thereby creating a substantially cone-shaped or nipple-shaped tip 104. The tip 104 is shaped to be received within an interior of a nipple of a baby bottle (not shown) or a valve of a sippy cup (not shown), for example. The tip 104 includes a plurality of ribs or ridges 108 that facilitate adequate cleaning of the nipple or valve. The handle 34 may be constructed to be or include a grip 112 that is textured and therefore, constructed to slip-resistant during use.

[0020] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-lj, the brush 10 is constructed from a plurality of plastics. For example, the brush portion 26 and the handle portion 30 are both constructed from styrene ethylene butylene styrene (SEBS), which is a type of rubber. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS, la-lj, the brush and handle portions 26, 30 are integrally molded. The end surface 38 is overmolded with an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) at the first end 18 of the brush 10. The handle 34 may include a handle grip 112 that is also injection overmolded with ABS. The bristles 30 are preferably constructed from nylon and secured to the brush portion 26 by a staple-set process. The materials and processes discussed above are merely exemplary. Therefore, it is contemplated that other materials or processes may be utilized other than those discussed herein.

[0021] Additional or further embodiments of the brush are contemplated. For example, the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2a-2d, illustrates an alternative construction of a cleaning brush 210 including a brush portion 226 and a handle portion 230. The brush portions 26, 226 of cleaning brushes 10, 210, respectively, are similarly constructed and therefore, the brush portion 226 of cleaning brush 210 will not be additionally described herein.

[0022] The handle portion 230 is removably coupled to the brush portion 226. The brush portion 226 includes a recess 232 configured to receive a portion of the handle portion 230. The handle portion 230 includes a first portion 234, a second reduced dimensioned portion 236, and a third reduced dimensioned portion 238. The second reduced dimensioned portion 236 and the third reduced dimensioned portion 238 are received within the recess 232 with an outer surface of the second reduced dimensioned portion 236 forming an interference fit with an inner surface of the recess 232 to hold the handle portion 230 and the brush portion 226 together.

[0023] The third reduced dimensioned portion 238 includes a plurality of ribs or ridges 240 arranged in a spiral pattern along its length that facilitate adequate cleaning of a baby bottle nipple or valve. The first portion 234 may be constructed to be or include a grip that is textured and therefore, constructed to be slip-resistant during use.

[0024] The brush portion 226 and the handle portion 230 are constructed from ABS. The first portion 234 and the third reduced dimensioned portion 238 are overmolded with SBS. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2a-2d, the handle 234 includes an aperture 300 that extends through the second end thereof.

[0025] FIGS. 3a-3f illustrate an alternative construction of a cleaning brush 310. The cleaning brush 310 includes a brush portion 326 and a handle portion 330. The brush portions 26, 226, 326 of cleaning brushes 10, 210, 310, respectively, are similarly constructed and therefore, the brush portion 326 of cleaning brush 310 will not be additionally described herein.

[0026] The handle portion 330 is removably coupled to the brush portion 326. The brush portion 326 includes a recess 332 configured to receive a portion of the handle portion 330. The handle portion 330 includes a first portion 334 having a recess 336 configured to receive an interchangeable tool 338. The interchangeable tool 338 includes a base 340 having a first side 242 and a second side 244. The interchangeable tool 338 also includes a first tool 346, such as a micro brush attachment (e.g., nipple brush), supported by and extending from the first side 342. The interchangeable tool 338 also includes a second tool 348, such as a nipple squeegee, supported by and extending from the second side 344. The nipple squeegee has a structure similar to the third reduced dimensioned portion 238 described above.

[0027] The base 340 is dimensioned to be received within the recesses 332, 336 with an outer surface of the base 340 forming an interference fit with an inner surface of the recesses 332, 336 to hold the handle portion 330 and the brush portion 326 together. The user is able to select the first tool 346 or the second tool for use in cleaning bottles, sippy cups or other containers by removing the interchangeable tool 338 from the handle portion 330 and inserting the unwanted interchangeable tool 338 into the recess 336.

[0028] Thus, the invention provides, among other things, a brush having angled bristles for cleaning baby bottles, sippy cups, and other containers. Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.