Utensil cleaning device

FIELD

[001] The present disclosure relates toautensil cleaning device. Particularly, the present disclosure relates to a cost-effective utensil cleaning device connected to a water pipe of a sink or a water pipe used for cleaning utensils.

BACKGROUND

[002] Everyday chores of cleaning utensils require activities of initially washing utensils with soap followed by washing with water. Washing with soap requires holding a scrub in hands and introducing soap and then scrubbing utensils. Everyday contact with soap may cause hand allergies. Alternatively, dish wash machines are used to wash utensils instead of washing by hands. The dish wash machines are big and bulky and require a separate dedicated space with a dedicated water pipe and a water drainage outlet which increase plumbing and installing expenses. Also, the dish wash machines have high purchasing and operating expenses. Further, utensils are required to be slightly hand cleaned under a running water pipe and then introduced in the dish wash machines. Thus, there is requirement of a running water pipe for cleaning and the dedicated water pipe for the dish wash machine which increases plumbing cost.Overall, the purchasing cost of the dish water machines is such that it is not economical for every class of people.

[003] Hence, there is a need for autensil cleaning device that alleviates the above mentioned problems.

OBJECTS

[004] Some of the objects of the arrangement of the present disclosure are aimed to ameliorate one or more problems of the prior art or to at least provide a useful alternative and are listed herein below. An object of the present disclosure is to providea utensil cleaning device that is in connection with a water pipe and facilitates cleaning of hand-held utensil(s) by at least one power operated cleaning scrub.

Another object of the present disclosure is to providea utensil cleaning device that is compact, easy to install on existing or new water pipe and economical for purchasing, installing and operating.

Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures, which are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

SUMMARY

[005] Embodiment of the present disclosure disclosesautensil cleaning device that is in connection with a water pipe, provided for cleaning utensils, and facilities cleaning of utensils by rotating cleaning scrub and eliminates use of hands that are subjected to allergies or use of cost-intensive machines for scrubbing and washing utensils. The utensil cleaning device includes an actuator assembly that is connected to the water pipe. The at least one cleaning scrub is in replaceable connection with the actuator assembly for selective rotation. The rotation of the cleaning scrub facilitates cleaning of utensils brought in contact with the cleaning scrub. Additionally, flexible pipes can be provided that waters the cleaning scrub and the utensils.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

[006] Autensil cleaning deviceof the present disclosure will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates aperspective view of autensil cleaning device connected to a water pipe of a kitchen sink; Figure 2illustrates a schematic perspective view of the utensil cleaning device of the Figure 1; and

Figure 3illustrates anexploded view of the utensil cleaning device of the Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[007]In accordance with one embodimentof the present disclosure, a utensil cleaning device (100) is used for cleaning utensils which eliminates the requirement of manually scrubbing utensils by a soap filled cleaning scrub which results to various hand allergies. The utensil cleaning device (100) is assembled with the water pipe (5) provided for cleaning utensils or the water pipe (05) provided at a kitchen sink (6). The utensil cleaning device (100) includesan actuator assembly (20) and at least one cleaning scrub (40). The actuator assembly (20) is connected to a water pipe (5). The at least one cleaning scrub (40) is in replaceable connection with the actuator assembly (20). The actuator assembly (20) selectively rotates the cleaning scrub (40). The rotation of the cleaning scrub (40) facilitates cleaning of utensils brought in contact with the cleaning scrub (40). [008]Referring now to the drawings, Figures 1 to 3, where the present invention is generally referred to with numeral (100), it can be observed that a utensil cleaning device, in accordance with another embodiment, is provided that includesat least one flexible pipe (10), an actuator assembly (20) and at least one cleaning scrub (40).

[009]The at least one flexible pipe (10) is connected to a water pipe (5). In accordance with one exemplary embodiment, the water pipe (5), which is provided at the kitchen sink (6) or the washing area meant for cleaning of utensils, is fitted with a connector (11) to which the flexible pipe (10) is connected. As illustrated in Figures, the connector (11) is a T-connector which connects two flexible pipes (10) to the water pipe (5). The two flexible pipes (10) can be manually adjusted to achieve the desired positions. The flexible pipes (10) can be adjusted so that the water falls on the cleaning scrub (40) or to the place where utensil is required to be washed.Though the present disclosure is described with having a flexible pipe (10) connected to the water pipe (5), however, the present disclosure is not limited to the use of the flexible pipe (10) and rigid pipes directed to pour water at desired location can also be used or a combination of a rigid pipe and at least one flexible pipe can be used.

[010] The actuator assembly (20) is connected to the water pipe (5) by a clamping arrangement (30). In one embodiment, the clamping arrangement (30) includes at least one U-bolt clamp (31) and a clamping plate (32). The U-bolt clamp (31) receives the water pipe (5). The clamping plate (32) is connected to the water pipe (5) by the U-bolt clamp (31) such that the water pipe (5) is sandwitched between the clamping plate (32) and the U-bolt clamp (31). The actuator assembly (20) includes an actuator (21), an actuator mounting bracket (22), a casing (23a) provided with an opening cap (23b), a bearing (24), a shaft (25), a chuck (26) and at least one scrub holder (27). The actuator (21) is housed in the casing (23a) which is enclosed by the opening cap (23b). The actuator (21)is mounted on the actuator mounting bracket (22) which is further connected to the clamping plate (32). Typically, the actuator (21) is an electric motor which is powered by a power source (not illustrated in Figures). The present disclosure is not limited to the use of electric motor and any other actuator that provides rotary movement to the cleaning scrub (40) can be used. The actuator (21) rotates the shaft (25) through the bearing (24) disposed in bearing housing (24a). Also, a flexible coupling (24b)is disposed between the electric motor and the shaft (25). The chuck (26) is connected to the shaft (25) and rotates upon rotation of the shaft (25). The chuck (26) holds the scrub holder (27) and rotates the scrub holder (27). The scrub holder (27) holds one or more cleaning scrub (40) and rotates the cleaning scrub (40). In one embodiment, the actuator (21) is connected to a display unit (28) for displaying voltage or speed of the actuator (21). The rotating speed of the actuator (21) is manipulated by a speed regulator (29).

[Oil] The at least one cleaning scrub (40) is in replaceable connection with the scrub holder (27) of the actuator assembly (20) and selectively rotates in an operative configuration of the actuator (21). The cleaning scrub (40) receives the cleaning soap. The cleaning soap can be poured on the cleaning scrub (40) or a soap dish can be brought in vicinity of the cleaning scrub (40). The rotation of the cleaning scrub (40) facilitates cleaning of utensil brought in contact with the cleaning scrub (40) and the flexible pipe (5) facilitates pouring of water on the cleaning scrub (40) and/or the utensil.The utensils can be brought in contact by hands or by machines, such as utensils moving on conveyor machines. As per the requirement, the cleaning scrub (40) can be changed as per the cleaning requirement of the utensils. For example, if a utensil has bum marks or has sticky /oily left-out food particles, then, a hard cleaning scrub can be fitted to the cleaning holder (27). If a utensil does not have sticky /oily particles or bum mask or in case when utensils are made of glass, then, a soft cleaning scmb can be fitted to the cleaning holder (27). Thus, as per requirements, the cleaning scmb (40) can be changed or replaced. The cleaning scrub (40) can also be of various sizes and shapes so that different sizes and shapes of utensils can be cleaned. For example, the cleaning scmb (40) can be long in size to clean bottles or the cleaning scmb (40) can have extended curve to clean utensils having concave shape. The cleaning scrub (40) can be of any material, such as, metal, plastic, sponge or other materials or combinations thereof.

[012] In operation, the actuator (21) is rotated to ata predefined speed. The speed of the actuator (21) can be anytime be regulated to achieve desired speed. The rotation of the cleaning scrub (40) facilitates cleaning of utensil when brought in contact with the cleaning scmb (40). The flexible pipe (5) pours of water on the cleaning scmb (40) when the cleaning scrub (40) is required to be wet and on the utensil when required to be wet, i.e. before cleaning with cleaning scrub (40), during cleaning with the cleaning scrub (40) and after cleaning with the cleaning scrub (40). At any time during operation, the flow of water can be controlled by the control knob (7).

[013] In one additional embodiment, a soap dispensing unit (not illustrated in Figures) is provided which can be in connection with the clamping arrangement (30) to selectively (as and when required) or periodically dispense soap on the at least one cleaning scrub (40). In case if there is no soap dispensing unit, the soap can be poured on the cleaning scrub (40) or the cleaning scrub (40) can be dipped in the soap by either bringing the soap in contact with the cleaning scrub (40) or by bringing the cleaning scrub (40) in contact with the soap.

[014] In another additional embodiment, a swing-in and swing-out mechanism (not illustrated in Figures) can be provided to swing-in and swing-out at least one of the actuator assembly (20) and the at least one cleaning scrub (40) when the actuator assembly (20) and the at least one cleaning scrub (40) are not in use.In another embodiment, a vertical adjustment mechanism (not illustrated in Figures) is provided to vertically adjust the actuator assembly (20) and the at least one cleaning scrub (40).

[015] In still another additional embodiment, a heater (not illustrated in Figures) can be provided that can warm the water before entering the at least one flexible pipe (10). Also, in case of usage of two flexible pipes (10), one flexible pipe can be provided with warm water and another flexible pipe can be provided with cold water. Also, a temperature regulator (not illustrated in Figures) can be provided to the heater to control the temperature of the water. [016] In yet another additional embodiment, a sensor based control system (not illustrated on Figures) is provided for a utensil cleaning device (100) that includes a controller and at least one sensor in communication with the controller. The sensor senses a utensil which is brought in vicinity of or in contact with the cleaning scrub (40) and communicates to the controller. The controller signals activation of the actuator assembly (20) to initiate rotation of the cleaning scrub (40). When the utensil is taken away from the cleaning scrub (40), typically for a predefined time, the sensor senses that there is no utensil in vicinity of or in contact with the cleaning scrub (40), the sensor communicates to the controller and the controller signals to deactivate the actuator assembly (20) and hence stops rotation of the cleaning scrub (40). In one embodiment, the controller along with actuating the actuator assembly (20) also signals activating a control valve in connection with the water pipe (5) to permit flow of water. In another embodiment, additional sensor can be provided to sense a utensil in vicinity of the flexible pipe (10) and upon sensing actuate the control valve in connection with the water pipe (5) to allow flow of water through the flexible pipe (10). Additionally, the soap dispensing unit dispenses soap at predetermined time interval or upon sensing by the sensor or by use of an additional sensor when the utensil is brought near the soap dispensing unit or when the actuator assembly (20) is actuated. [017] The foregoing description conveys the best understanding of the objectives and advantages of the present invention. Different embodiments, steps or alternatives may be made of the inventive concept of this invention. It is to be understood that all matter disclosed herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.