Sponge Cleaning and Disinfecting Device

Abstract

The device cleans and disinfects sponges. The device has a tub with a cavity of sufficient space to hold paddles for wringing a sponge, a cartridge for holding a slow-dissolving disinfectant, and a sponge. The cavity is filled with a disinfectant solution. The device can be mounted on the inside wall of a sink or cabinet with an included bracket or can be stood in a base on a countertop. The device includes a warning light programmed to remind the user when to change the slow-dissolving disinfectant. The user inserts a sponge between the paddles, inserts the paddles into the cavity, and squeezes the paddles together. The user then releases the paddles, causing the sponge to absorb the disinfectant solution. When the user removes the paddles, specially-designed fluid channels quickly drain the sponge.

Claims

1. An apparatus for cleaning and disinfecting a sponge comprising: a hollow tub having a front side, a back side, a left side, a right side, a bottom, and a top, the top of the hollow tub being open, the sides and bottom defining a cavity; a left side rail inside the left side of the cavity of the hollow tub; a right side rail inside the right side of the cavity of the hollow tub; a left compression groove inside the left side of the cavity of the hollow tub; a right compression groove inside the right side of the cavity of the hollow tub; a warning light; a control box electrically connected to the warning light, the control box having a warning light processor and a warning light memory; a left spring inside the hollow tub at the bottom of the cavity; a right spring inside the hollow tub at the bottom of the cavity; a removable cartridge having at least one perforation, the removable cartridge resting in the cavity at the bottom of the hollow tub; a disinfectant precipitate inside the removable cartridge; a filter inside the removable cartridge, the filter being positioned between the disinfectant precipitate and the at least one perforation of the removable cartridge; a front paddle having an inside front face, an outside front face, and at least one front fluid channel between the inside front face and the outside front face; a rear paddle having an inside rear face, an outside rear face, and at least one rear fluid channel between the inside rear face and the outside rear face, the rear paddle having a right side tab extending from the right side of the rear paddle and a left side tab extending from the left side of the rear paddle; a pivot channel on the front paddle; a pivot pin positioned inside the pivot channel in such a way that when the front paddle and the rear paddle are inserted in the cavity, the left end of the pivot pin slidably engages with the left compression groove and the right end of the pivot pin slidably engages with the right compression groove, wherein the interaction of the pivot pin, the left compression groove, and the right compression groove causes the front paddle to travel towards the rear paddle when a downward force is exerted on the front paddle and the rear paddle; wherein the front paddle and the rear paddle are joined by at least one hinge joint, wherein the left side tab is formed to slidably engage with the left side rail and the right side tab is formed to slidably engage with the right side rail, and wherein the left side tab engages with the left spring and the right side tab engages with the right spring when the front paddle and the rear paddle are inserted into the cavity.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hinge joint comprises a front channel at the bottom of the front paddle, a rear channel at the bottom of the rear paddle, and a hinge pin threaded through the front channel and the rear channel.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising: at least one threaded hole on the bottom of the hollow tub; a base formed to fit over the bottom of the hollow tub, the base having at least one threaded base hole; and at least one base screw, wherein the at least one base screw travels through the at least one threaded base hole into the at least one threaded hole of the hollow tub, thereby attaching the base to the hollow tub.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a mounting bracket formed to attach to the rear of the cap and the bottom of the hollow tub.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising: at least one suction cup holder on the mounting bracket; at least one heavy-duty suction cup positioned within the suction cup holder; and a hanger connected to the mounting bracket, the hanger extending in the same direction as the at least one heavy-duty suction cup.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the warning light comprises at least one red light-emitting diode; and wherein the warning light processor contains instructions for: counting days, storing the day count in the warning light memory, checking the value of the day count: if the value of the day count is 30 or 31, lighting the at least one red light-emitting diode for a short interval every 5 seconds, if the value of the day count is 32 or 33, lighting the at least one red light-emitting diode for a short interval every 10 seconds, if the value of the day count is 34, 35, or 36, lighting the at least one red light-emitting diode for a short interval every 30 seconds, and if the value of the day count is at least 37, storing zero as the value of the day count in the warning light memory.

7. The apparatus of any of claim 1, wherein the at least one front fluid channel has the shape of a teardrop, wherein the opening of the at least one front fluid channel at the inside front face is smaller than the opening of the at least one front fluid channel at the outside front face, wherein the at least one rear fluid channel has the shape of a teardrop, and wherein the opening of the at least one rear fluid channel at the inside rear face is smaller than the opening of the at least one rear fluid channel at the outside rear face.

8. A method of cleaning a sponge, the method comprising: attaching a sponge cleaning and disinfecting apparatus to a vertical wall, the sponge cleaning and disinfecting apparatus comprising: a hollow tub having a front side, a back side, a left side, a right side, a bottom, and a top, the top of the hollow tub being open, the sides and bottom defining a cavity; a left side rail inside the left side of the cavity of the hollow tub; a right side rail inside the right side of the cavity of the hollow tub; a left compression groove inside the left side of the cavity of the hollow tub; a right compression groove inside the right side of the cavity of the hollow tub; a warning light; a control box electrically connected to the warning light, the control box having a warning light processor and a warning light memory; a left spring inside the hollow tub at the bottom of the cavity; a right spring inside the hollow tub at the bottom of the cavity; a removable cartridge having at least one perforation, the removable cartridge resting in the cavity at the bottom of the hollow tub; a disinfectant precipitate inside the removable cartridge; a filter inside the removable cartridge, the filter being positioned between the disinfectant precipitate and the at least one perforation of the removable cartridge; a front paddle having an inside front face, an outside front face, and at least one fluid front channel between the inside front face and the outside front face; a rear paddle having an inside rear face, an outside rear face, and at least rear one fluid channel between the inside rear face and the outside rear face, the rear paddle having a right side tab extending from the right side of the rear paddle and a left side tab extending from the left side of the rear paddle; a pivot channel on the front paddle; a pivot pin positioned inside the pivot channel in such a way that when the front paddle and the rear paddle are inserted in the cavity, the left end of the pivot pin slidably engages with the left compression groove and the right end of the pivot pin slidably engages with the right compression groove, wherein the interaction of the pivot pin, the left compression groove, and the right compression groove causes the front paddle to travel towards the rear paddle when a downward force is exerted on the front paddle and the rear paddle; wherein the front paddle and the rear paddle are joined by at least one hinge joint, wherein the left side tab is formed to slidably engage with the left side rail and the right side tab is formed to slidably engage with the right side rail, and wherein the left side tab engages with the left spring and the right side tab engages with the right spring when the front paddle and the rear paddle are inserted into the cavity; removing the front paddle and the rear paddle from the cavity; placing a sponge between the front paddle and the rear paddle; aligning the left side tab with the left side rail and the right side tab o with the left side rail; exerting an entering force to cause the paddles and the sponge to enter the cavity of the hollow tub until the paddles and the sponge rest in the bottom of the cavity.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising: exerting a compressing force to move the front paddle towards to the rear paddle; and while exerting the compressing force, removing the paddles and the sponge from the cavity.

10. The method of any of claim 8, the sponge cleaning and disinfecting apparatus further comprising: a mounting bracket, at least one suction cup holder on the mounting bracket, at least one heavy-duty suction cup on the mounting bracket, and a hanger connected to the mounting bracket, the hanger extending in the same direction as the at least one heavy-duty suction cup; wherein the vertical wall is a wall of a sink; and wherein the step of attaching a sponge cleaning and disinfecting apparatus to a vertical wall comprises: hanging the hanger on the top of the vertical wall of the sink, and attaching the at least one suction cup to the vertical wall of the sink.

11. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the warning light comprises at least one red light-emitting diode; and wherein the warning light processor contains instructions for: counting days, storing the day count in the warning light memory, checking the value of the day count: if the value of the day count is 30 or 31, lighting the at least one red light-emitting diode for a short interval every 5 seconds, if the value of the day count is 32 or 33, lighting the at least one red light-emitting diode for a short interval every 10 seconds, if the value of the day count is 34, 35, or 36, lighting the at least one red light-emitting diode for a short interval every 30 seconds, and if the value of the day count is at least 37, storing zero as the value of the day count in the warning light memory.

12. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the warning light comprises at least one red light-emitting diode; and wherein the warning light processor contains instructions for: counting days, storing the day count in the warning light memory, checking the value of the day count: if the value of the day count is 30 or 31, lighting the at least one red light-emitting diode for a short interval every 5 seconds, if the value of the day count is 32 or 33, lighting the at least one red light-emitting diode for a short interval every 10 seconds, if the value of the day count is 34, 35, or 36, lighting the at least one red light-emitting diode for a short interval every 30 seconds, and if the value of the day count is at least 37, storing zero as the value of the day count in the warning light memory.

13. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one front fluid channel has the shape of a teardrop, wherein the opening of the at least one front fluid channel at the inside front face is smaller than the opening of the at least one front fluid channel at the outside front face, wherein the at least one rear fluid channel has the shape of a teardrop, and wherein the opening of the at least one rear fluid channel at the inside rear face is smaller than the opening of the at least one rear fluid channel at the outside rear face.

14. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the at least one front fluid channel has the shape of a teardrop, wherein the opening of the at least one front fluid channel at the inside front face is smaller than the opening of the at least one front fluid channel at the outside front face, wherein the at least one rear fluid channel has the shape of a teardrop, and wherein the opening of the at least one rear fluid channel at the inside rear face is smaller than the opening of the at least one rear fluid channel at the outside rear face.

15. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising: a mounting bracket formed to attach to the rear of the cap and the bottom of the hollow tub.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising: at least one suction cup holder on the mounting bracket; at least one heavy-duty suction cup positioned within the suction cup holder; and a hanger connected to the mounting bracket, the hanger extending in the same direction as the at least one heavy-duty suction cup.

17. The method of claim 9, the sponge cleaning and disinfecting apparatus further comprising: a mounting bracket, at least one suction cup holder on the mounting bracket, at least one heavy-duty suction cup on the mounting bracket, and a hanger connected to the mounting bracket, the hanger extending in the same direction as the at least one heavy-duty suction cup; wherein the vertical wall is a wall of a sink; and wherein the step of attaching a sponge cleaning and disinfecting apparatus to a vertical wall comprises: hanging the hanger on the top of the vertical wall of the sink, and attaching the at least one suction cup to the vertical wall of the sink.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0094] FIG. 1 is an exploded isometric view of the sponge cleaning and disinfecting device.

[0095] FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the tub resting in the base, with the paddles in the down position.

[0096] FIG. 3 is a left side elevation view of the tub resting in the base, with the paddles in the down position.

[0097] FIG. 4 is a rear side elevation view of the tub resting in the base, with the paddles in the down position.

[0098] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the bottom of the base.

[0099] FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the device resting in a kitchen sink with the paddles removed.

[0100] FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of the mounting bracket.

[0101] FIG. 8 is a rear elevation view of the mounting bracket.

[0102] FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of the mounting bracket.

[0103] FIG. 10 is a front elevation view of the tub mounted on the bracket, with the paddles in the down position.

[0104] FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of the tub mounted on the bracket, with the paddles in the down position.

[0105] FIG. 12 is an isometric view of the device hanging on a wall of a kitchen sink with the paddles removed.

[0106] FIG. 13 is an isometric view of the paddles.

[0107] FIG. 14 is a front elevation view of one of the paddles.

[0108] FIG. 15 is an isometric view of the paddles and a sponge hovering over the device.

[0109] FIG. 16 is a close-up plan view of the right side of the top of the device.

[0110] FIG. 17 is an isometric view of the paddles entering the device.

[0111] FIG. 18 is a front elevation cross-section view of the device.

[0112] FIG. 19 is an isometric view of the cartridge, opened to show a filter and a disinfectant solid.

[0113] FIG. 20 is an isometric view of closed cartridge.

[0114] FIG. 21 is a left side elevation cutaway view of the device.

[0115] FIG. 22 is a close-up plan view of the left side of the top of the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0116] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the sponge cleaning and disinfecting device. FIG. 1 shows a hollow tub 101 in which fits a front paddle 105 topped by a front paddle grip 125, a rear paddle 106 topped by a rear paddle grip 126, a removable disinfectant cartridge 119, a left side rail 103, a right side rail 104, a left tub spring 113, a right tub spring 120, a warning light 117, and a warning light control box 118. The cap 102 fits over the top of the hollow tub 101, allowing entry into the cavity 121 of the tub 101 through the cap opening 122. The cap 102 has an attachment divot 172 on each side of its rear. On each side of the rear paddle 106 is a side tab 146. On the front of the front paddle 105 is a front paddle pivot channel 145. Also visible is the paddle connector hinge pin 111 and the front paddle pivot pin 112. Between the front paddle 105 and the rear paddle 106 sits a sponge 199, to illustrate the sponge's 199 relative position to the rest of the device components.

[0117] To improve the stability of device when it stands upright on a surface, a flat attachable base 107 can be fastened to the bottom of the tub 101. In preferred embodiments, the fastener is one or more base screws 114 running through the base 107 into the bottom of the tub 101. For greater stability, several base feet 115 are attached to the bottom of the base 107. In preferred embodiments, the bottom of the base 107 is shaped as an oval and covers a greater area than the bottom of the tub 101. Those skilled in the art will understand that many shapes would provide sufficient stability. Once the base 107 is fastened to the tub 101, the device can stand upright on a flat surface and should not tip over with normal usage.

[0118] Instead of fastening a base 107 to the tub 101, a mounting bracket 108 may be fastened to the rear of the device. The mounting device 108 includes a wire hanger 110 and several heavy-duty suction cups 109. The device is hung inside a sink.

[0119] Once the user has fastened a base 107 to the tub 101, the device will appear from the front as in FIG. 2, from the side as in FIG. 3, and from the rear as in FIG. 4. Note that a very small portion of the warning light 117 is visible in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4.

[0120] FIG. 5 shows the underside of the base 107. Also visible are the base screws 114 and the base feet 115.

[0121] FIG. 6 shows a possible use of the device once the base 107 has been fastened to the tub 101, with the device standing in a sink 250. The paddles have been removed to show the location of the device more clearly. Alternatively, the device can be stood on a counter. With the base 107 attached, the device should not tip over with normal usage.

[0122] FIG. 7 shows the front of the mounting bracket 108 before being fastened to the tub. Attached to the mounting bracket 108 is a wire hanger 110. Several heavy-duty suction cups 109 are attached to the mounting bracket 108. In preferred embodiments, there are four heavy-duty suction cups 109, but those skilled in the art will understand that a different number of heavy-duty suction cups 109 may be used. Two mounting screws 116 are shown, if the user prefers to attach the device to a cabinet wall instead of hang the device in a sink. If the wire hanger 110 and heavy-duty suction cups 109 are used, the mounting screws 116 will not be used. FIG. 8 shows the rear of the mounting bracket 108. FIG. 9 shows the side of the mounting bracket 108.

[0123] At the top of the mounting bracket are two upper lips 178, one on each side of the mounting bracket 108. The upper lips 178 are formed to mate with two upper attachment divots on the rear of the cap (see FIG. 1). On the bottom of the mounting bracket are two lower lips 188, one on each side of the mounting bracket 108. The lower lips 188 are formed to mate with two lower attachment divots on the bottom of the tub. The upper lips 178 and lower lips 188 of the mounting bracket 108 are flexible enough to deform slightly under pressure. To attach the mounting bracket 108, the user positions the upper lips 178 of the mounting bracket 108 in the upper attachment divots of the cap. The user then brings the lower lips 188 of the mounting bracket 108 close to the lower attachment divots on the bottom of the tub. When the user pushes the lower lips 188 against the bottom of the tub, the lower lips 188 deform, allowing the lower lips 188 to enter the lower attachment divots. The lower lips 188 will then return to their original shape, causing an audible click. The mounting bracket is now attached to the device, as shown in FIG. 10. The mounting bracket is not visible in FIG. 10, though the wire hanger 110 and the upper lips 178 are. FIG. 11 shows the side of the device. Here the mounting bracket 108 is visible along with the wire hanger 110, the heavy-duty suction cups 109, and the upper lips 178. FIG. 12 shows the device attached to the wall of a sink 250. The device hangs on the top of the sink 250, using the wire hanger 110 attached to the mounting bracket (not visible in this figure). The suction cups (not visible in this figure) are attached to the wall of the sink 250. In preferred embodiments, the suction cups and wire hanger 110 together provide enough attachment force that the device will remain attached to the wall of the sink 250 during normal use.

[0124] FIG. 13 shows the front paddle 105 and the rear paddle 106 in isolation. The rear paddle 106 has one or more connecting channels 136 along its bottom. The front paddle 105 also has one or more connecting channels 135 along its bottom. The connecting channels of both paddles are formed so that, when the paddles are aligned with one another, the front paddle connecting channels 135 and the rear paddle connecting channels 136 align to form one continuous channel.

[0125] A paddle connector hinge pin (see FIG. 1) is inserted in the continuous channel, connecting the front paddle 105 and the rear paddle 106. One of the rear paddle's 106 side tabs 146 is visible.

[0126] FIG. 13 shows also shows the front paddle pivot channel 145. A front paddle pivot pin (see FIG. 1) is inserted in the front paddle pivot channel 145. When the front paddle pivot pin turns in the front paddle pivot channel 145, the front paddle 105 travels towards the rear paddle 106.

[0127] FIG. 14 shows the front paddle 105. The channels 130 for draining liquid from the sponge are visible, as is their teardrop shape. The channels 130 have a round upper portion 131 and a pointed lower portion 132. The upper portion 131 keeps the same shape between the inside face and outside face of the front paddle 105. The lower portion 132 does not keep the same shape. The lower portion 132 is smaller at the inside face of the front paddle 105 than at the outside face. Put another way, the walls of the lower portion 132 slant towards the bottom of the front paddle 105 between the front paddle's 105 inside face and outside face. This new shape thwarts liquid surface tension. Since very little liquid is trapped in the channels 130 when the paddles are removed from the tub, the paddles retain considerably less liquid than paddles with circular, even channels. The channels of the rear paddle have the same uneven teardrop shape.

[0128] To clean a sponge 199, the user places it between the front paddle 105 and the rear paddle 106. FIG. 15 shows how to align the paddles so that the paddles and sponge 199 can enter the cavity 121: Here, the side tab 146 of the right side of the rear paddle 106 is positioned just above the right side rail 104. The user then inserts the paddles and sponge 199 into the cavity 121. FIG. 16 shows a top-down view of the alignment of the paddles when resting in the cavity, along with a side tab 146 of the rear paddle 106, and the right side rail 104.

[0129] FIG. 17 shows the insertion of the paddles into the hollow tub 101. As the user applies the inserting force 155 to the paddles and sponge (not visible in this figure), the left end of the front paddle pivot pin enters a compression groove on the left side of the cavity, and the right end of the front paddle pivot pin enters a compression groove on the right side of the cavity. As the user exerts the inserting force 155 to cause the paddles to travel more deeply into the cavity, the front paddle pivot pin turns in the front paddle pivot channel, causing the front paddle 105 to move towards the rear paddle 106 in the direction indicated by arrow 160, compressing the sponge. The user may choose to apply a further compression force to the grips of the paddles or simply continue to insert paddles further.

[0130] FIG. 18 shows the side tab 146 of the left side of the rear paddle 106 contacting and compressing the left spring 113. The side tab of the right side of the rear paddle compresses the right spring. These springs slow the entry of the paddles into the cavity, reducing splashing and spillage. At the bottom of the cavity, the ends of the front paddle pivot pin will travel from the compression grooves into a small dent on each side. When the ends of the front paddle pivot pins enter the small dents, the paddle is locked into place.

[0131] FIG. 19 shows the removable disinfectant cartridge 119 in the open position. The cartridge 119 is made of plastic. The screen 129 on the rear of cartridge 119, and the filter 139, are visible. A tablet of disinfectant solid 149 is also visible. The screen 129 and filter 139 allow fluid to flow into the cartridge 119 to dissolve the disinfectant solid 149 but prevent dirt, grease, and bits of food from entering. The fluid with dissolved disinfectant solid flows out of the cartridge 119 through the filter 139 and screen 129 into the tub. This creates a disinfectant bath for the sponge. In preferred embodiments, the disinfectant solid 149 includes elements to slow the dissolving process, and the filter 139 and screen 129 prevent these slowing elements from flowing out of the cartridge 119. In preferred embodiments, the filter 139 is made of spunbond polyester, but those skilled in the art will understand that the filter could be made of any number of suitable materials. FIG. 20 shows the cartridge 119, as it will appear to device users.

[0132] FIG. 21 shows the cartridge 119 nestled in the bottom of the cavity 121 of the tub 101. The user will fill the cavity 121 with water, which will slowly seep into the cartridge 119, dissolve the disinfectant solid, and create a liquid disinfectant bath.

[0133] FIG. 22 shows the position of the warning light 117, surrounded by the cap 102. The warning light 117 is electrically connected to, and controlled by, a warning light control box (see FIG. 1). In preferred embodiments, the warning light control box is located just underneath the cap 102, housed in a waterproof case. The warning light control box contains a chip with instructions to count days and to light the warning light 117. The relationship between the day counter and lighting the warning light 117 is: [0134] if the value of the day counter is 0-29, do nothing, [0135] if the value of the day counter is 30-31, light the warning light 117 briefly every 5 seconds, [0136] if the value of the day counter is 32-33, light the warning light 117 briefly every 10 seconds, [0137] if the value of the day counter is 34-36, light the warning light 117 briefly every 30 seconds, [0138] if the value of the day counter is 37 or higher, reset the day counter to 0.

[0139] In some embodiments, the warning light control box will include a manual reset button. When pressed, the warning light control box will reset the day counter to 0.