US3056997A - Dishwashing brush - Google Patents

Description

J. W. CUMMINGS DISHWASI-IING BRUSH Filed March 25, 1960 Oct. 9, 1962 INVENTOR. Jo/7n M 60mm/'05's .i 3y Z ATTO/QA/'y 3,056,997 Patented Oct. 9, 1962 Fice 3,056,997 DlSHWASli-HNG BRUSH John W. Cummings, Tulsa, Okla., assignor to Blake-Cummings Mfg. Co., Tulsa, Gkla., a corporation of Okla- This invention relates to improvements in dishwashing apparatus, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a dishwashing brush particularly designed and constructed for facilitating the scrubbing of dishes at the kitchen sink, or the like.

With the widespread utilization of washing detergents, and particularly dishwashing detergents, the washing of dishes has been greatly facilitated in that the detergents have considerably more powerful cleaning action than soaps. However, the detergents are often harsh to the skin, and frequently have painful effects on the hands of the dishwasher. As a result, there have been many attempts to provide a means for washing the dishes utilizing the superior cleaning action of the detergents, and at the same time, reduce the exposure of the hands to the harshness thereof. Dishwashing brushes, such as the device disclosed in the I. J. Moritt Patent No. 2,772,430, issued December 4, 1956, and entitled Dish Cleaning Device With Detergent Feed, have been developed for facilitating the washing by providing a two-fold function, namely, a scraping or scrubbing of the dirty dishes for removing lodged food particles therefrom with a simultaneous final washing of the dishes. However, the presently available dishwashing brushes have certain disadvantages in that it is often difficult to insert the brush into relatively small openings, such as glasses, and the like, thus reducing the eiciency of the brush. Furthermore, there is usually a considerable wasting of the detergent since the brush element normally does not tend to retain a supply of the washing agent thereon, but must be substantially constantly supplied therewith.

The present invention contemplates a novel dishwashing brush provided with a brush element of a substantially wedge shaped conguration for facilitating the manipulation thereof during the dishwashing operation. In addition, -a detergent retaining element is disposed in the proximity `of the brush whereby a constant supply of detergent is present at the scrubbing surface for conserving the detergent and providing an efcient scrubbing of the dishes. Furthermore, the novel scrub brush is provided with means for regulating the flow of detergent to the brush element whereby the most economical manner of utilization thereof is possible. The novel dishwashing brush is simple and etiicient in operation and economical and durable in construction.

It is an important object of this invention to provide an improved brush for facilitating the hand washing of dishes, and the like.

It is another :object of this invention to provide a novel dishwashing brush particularly designed and constructed for facilitating the manipulation thereof in the washing of dishes having restricted openings therein.

L Another object of this invention is to provide a novel scrub brush having a detergent retaining element in the proximity of the brush for assuring a suicient supply of the detergent thereto.

A further :object of this invention is -to provide a novel dishwashing brush wherein a regulated supply of detergent is directed to the brush element for substantially reducing wastage of the detergent during the dishwashing operation.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a novel dishwashing brush which is simple and efficient in operation and economical and durable in construction.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be evident from the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which i1- lustrate my invention.

ln `the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a sectional elevational view of a dishwashing brush embodying the invention.

FlGURE 2 is a perspective view of a dishwashing brush embodying the invention.

Referring to the drawings in detail, reference character 2 generally indicates a scrub brush or dishwashing brush comprising a tubular housing 4 for receiving a suitable detergent 6 therein. The detergent 6 is preferably of the liquid type, but may be of any suitable type wherein water, or the like, may be added thereto for providing a liquid state therefor. The housing 4 is preferably constructed of a transparent material, such as plastic, or the like, and not only provides a reservoir 7 for the detergent 6, but also functions as a handle portion for the brush apparatus 2. A lower cover or cap member 8, preferably constructed of rubber, plastic, or the like, but not limited thereto, is movably secured to the lower end 9 of the tube 4, and may be retained thereon in any suitable manner, such as by friction. The cap member 8 is provided with an aperture 10 extending through the side wall thereof. A similar aperture 12 is provided in the proximity of the lower end 9 of the sleeve 4 for cooperation with the aperture 10, as will be hereinafter set forth. The lower end 9 of the tube 4 is preferably open, as clearly shown in FIG. l, and it will be readily apparent that the cover member 8 securely closes the open end 9 for retaining the detergent 6 within the reservoir 7.

The opposed end or upper end 13 of the housing 4 is open for receiving a brush element generally indicated at 14. The brush element 14 comprises an insert member 16 adapted for insertion within the open upper end 13 of the tube 4, as shown in FIG. l. A circumferential shoulder 17 :may be provided on the outer periphery of the insert 16 for contacting the upper end 13 of the housing 4 to `eiiiciently seal the reservoir 7 and to limit the depth of insertion of the insert 16 therein.` The insert 16 may be secured within the tube 4 by a collar 18, or the like, if desired. The insert 16, brush 21, tube 22 and bag 24 are preferably retained together as a unit, -or may be of a unitary construction, if desired, whereby they may be readily removed from the tube 4 for removal of the entire brush element 14 to permit replacement thereof in the event the brush element becomes worn, :or the like.

An orice 20 extends longitudinally through the insert 16 for receiving a suitable tube member 22 therein. A brush member 21 of the brush element 14 having the usual wire stitfening members 23 therein is carried by the insert member 16, and extends longitudinally from the handle 4 to provide a scrubbing `element for the apparatus 2. A scrubbing ba'g 24, preferably constructed of a fabric, such as canvas, or the like, is disposed within the brush `21 and is secured tothe tube 22 in any suitable manner (not shown) whereby the detergent 6 may be directed from the reservoir 7 to the bag 24. The bag 24 is preferably filled with an absorbent or sponge material 26 for quickly absorbing the liquid detergent 6 and re.

accese? thereof into a restricted opening, such as a glass, or the l Operation` When -it is desired to wash dishes (not shown), the novel brush apparatus 2 may be utilized for simultaneously scraping the food particles or residue from the dishes and providing the final washing therefor. The dish may be manually held under a running stream or water from a faucet, or the like (not shown), and scrubbed clean with the brush 21. The running water provides a rinsing of the dishes to wash away any `detergent which may remain thereon after the scrubbing operation, and the clean or washed dishes may be dried `in the usual manner for completing the dishwashing operation.

In order to fill or substantially till the reservoir 7 with the detergent `6, the cap member 8 may be quickly and easily removed from the open end 9 of the housing. Thus, the liquid detergent 6 may be deposited within the reservoir. The transparency of the housing provides `a visual indication of lthe quantity of fluid or washing agent present therein at all times. The cap member `8 is then replaced on the open end 9 of the housing for retaining the liquid therein. The apparatus 2 is then preferably held in such a manner that the brush element 14 is disposed lower than the cover 8 whereby the liquid detergent within the housing will tend to flow toward the insert member 16. l` he cover 8 may be rotated with respect to the sleeve 4 whereby the aperture 10 is brought into substantial alignment with the aperture 12. In this manner, a small quantity of air is admitted into the housing for displacing a portion of the liquid detergent therein. This relatively small regulated portion of the detergent will be delivered to the absorbent material 26 within the bag 24 for moistening the fabric or material of which the bag is constructed. The cover 8 is then rotated with respect to the sleeve 4 for closing the aperture 12.

lThe absorbent material 26 tends to retain the supply of detergent delivered thereto for maintaining a moist condition for the bag 24. Thus, a substantially constant supply of detergent will be provided in the proximity of the brush 21. As the dishes are scrubbed or scraped with the brush element 14, the moist bag 24 will rub against the dishes for supplying a coating Yof the washing agent thereto. Simultaneously, the brush 21 scrubs and washes the dishes for eflciently removing any residue thereon. The bag 24 tends to remain moist for a considerable length of time for assuring an adequate dispersal of the detergent during the washing operation, and yet substantially precludes any wastage of the detergent. When the bag becomes dry, the supply of detergent thereto may be quickly replenished by opening the aperture 12, as hereinbefore set forth, whereby a relatively small, regulated quantity of the liquid will be supplied thereto.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the present invention provides a novel dishwashing brush particularly designed and constructed for maintaining a substantially constant supply of the washing .agent in the proximity of the brush element. This not only increases the efficiency of the brush, but also greatly reduces wasting of the detergent. In addition, the Wedge shaped configuration of the brush facilitates the insertion thereof into restricted openings, such as glasses, and the like. The novel brush is simple and ecient in operation and economical and durable in construction.

Changes may be made in the combination and arrange- A ment of parts as heretofore set forth in the specification and shown in the drawings, it being understood that any modification in the precise embodiment of the invention may be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Iiclaim:

l. A dishwashing brush comprising a cylindrical body portion, a fluid reservoir provided in the body for receiving a detergent therein, a brush removably secured to one end of the body, said brush comprising a wire stiffening element which is provided with a plurality of radially extending bristles and that has a pair of oppositely disposed elements bent into a wedge shaped coniiguration, a cap member movably secured to the opposite end of the body, an absorbent scrubbing pad provided within the brush, said pad being of a substantially wedge shaped conliguration complementary to the brush, conduit means providing communication between the reservoir and the pad, and aperture means cooperating between the cap member and the body for supplying a regulated quantity of the detergent to the pad.

2. A dishwashing brush comprising a tubul-ar housing having at least one end thereof open, a iiuid reservoir provided in the housing for receiving a detergent therein, an insert member removably secured to the open end of the housing, `a brush element carried by the insert member, said brush element comprising a wire stiffening element which is provided with a plurality of radially extending bristles and that has a pair of oppositely disposed elements bent into a wedge shaped configuration, an absorbent scrubbing pad carried by the insert member and `disposed within the brush, said pad being of a substantially wedge shaped con-figuration complementary to the brush element, an oritce extending longitudinally through the insert member, a tube disposed in the oriiice and extending into the pad to provide communication between the reservoir and the pad, a cap member movably secured to the opposite end of the housing, and aperture means cooperating between the capI member and the housing for directing a regulated portion of the detergent through the tube to the pad.

y3. A dishwashing brush comprising a cylindrical housing, a iiuid reservoir provided in the housing for receiving a detergent therein, a wedge shaped brush removably secured to one end of the body, said brush comprising a wire stiffening element which is provided with a plurality of radially extending bristles and that has a pair of oppositely disposed elements bent into a wedge shaped configuration, an absorbent complementary wedge shaped scrubbing pad provided within the brush, passageway means providing communication between the reservoir and the pad, a cap member movably secured to the opposite end of the housing, said housing provided with an aperture in the proximity of the cap member, said cap tember provided with a complementary aperture whereby the aperture in the housing will be in alignment therewith in one position of the cap relative to the housing for permitting a iiow of air into the reservoir to displace a quantity of the detergent therein through the passageway means and into the pad, and said apertures in a second position of the cap relative to the housing closed for precluding a iiow of air into the reservoir and interrupting the supply of detergent to the pad.

4. A dishwashing brush comprising a tubular housing having at least one end thereof open, a fluid reservoir provided in the housing for receiving a detergent therein, an insert member removably secured to the open end of the housing, a brush element carried by the insert member, said brush element comprising a wire stiifening element which is provided with a plurality of radially extending bristles and that has a pair of oppositely disposed elements bent into a wedge shaped coniiguration, an absorbent scrubbing pad carried by the insert member and disposed within the outermost portions of the brush, said pad shaped in vcomplementary substantially wedge shaped configuration to the brush element, an orice extending 1ongitudinally through the insert member, a tube disposed in the orice and extending into the pad to provide communication between the reservoir and the pad, a. cap member movably secured to the opposite end of the housing, said housing and cap member provided with complementary apertures whereby one position of the cap member relative to the housing will open the apertures for permitting a flow of air into the reservoir and a second position between the cap and housing will close the apertures for preeluding the flow of air into the reservoir, said apertures in an open position providing for a delivery of a regulated quantity of the detergent from the reservoir through the tube and into the pad, and said apertures in the closed position interrupting the delivery of the detergent to the pad.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Gerike Nov. 25, 1879 Anderson May 20, 1930 Pollock Aug. 4, 1931 R-issman Ian. 10, 1939 Guy Mar. 23, 1943 Trill Aug. 21, 1951 Davies Sept. 11, 1951 Douglass Sept. 20, 1955 Rowser et a1 Dec. 13, 1955 Lathrop Apr. 19, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS Switzerland Sept. 12, 1895 France Mar. 1, 1948

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