Combined brush and storage container/disinfecting system

• US 5,945,076 A
• Filed: 11/07/1997
• Issued: 08/31/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: SC Johnson & Son Incorporated
• Original Assignee: SC Johnson & Son Incorporated
• Inventors: Musiel, Donald J., Leonard, Stephen B., Lee, William A., Prokop, Gary F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Thornton, Krisanne
• Application Number:
  US08/966,048
• Time in Patent Office: 662 Days
• Field of Search: 422/300, 422/292, 422/294, 422/301, 15/257.01, 206/209, 206/361, 206/15.3, 401/123, 401/125, 401/127, 401/129, 222/93-96, 222/150, 222/191, 222/633, 222/207, 134/184
• US Class Current: 422/300
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 11/0006 specially adapted to feed the bristle upper surface
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 11/10 Hand tools for cleaning the toilet bowl , seat or cover, e.g. toilet brushes cleaning devices without flushing A47K17/00; mechanical devices for cleaning toilet bowls E03D

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a combined toilet bowl cleaning brush and storage container system. The brush is provided with a support which rests on an upper edge of a container wherein the container forms upper and lower volumes and includes a resilient vertically compressible bellows section. Disinfectant fluid is provided in the lower volume. When the support is forced downward, the bellows compresses and fluid is squirted on the brush. When released, the bellows expands and the brush is suspended above the fluid. A restrictor web can be placed at the throat of the lower volume to discourage refill use of the lower volume.

Claims

1. A brush and storage container system, comprising:

a container having a bottom member, a wall extending up from the bottom member to a support edge, the wall having a resilient vertical compressible portion, the floor member and wall together defining a cavity having upper and lower volumes with the lower volume suitable to stock a fluid; and

a brush assembly having an upper handle, a support extension below the upper handle, and a lower brush portion;

wherein with the brush portion inserted in the cavity and the support extension resting on the support edge, downward vertical movement of the support extension compresses the vertical portion and reduces at least one of the upper or lower volumes from an original volume.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the vertical portion is a bellows and the support extension is a radially extending extension.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the upper and lower volumes are separated by a valve such that when fluid is placed in the lower volume and the vertical portion is compressed, a portion of the fluid is forced past the valve into the upper volume.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the valve allows a first flow rate from the lower to the upper volume during such a compression, and a second flow rate from the upper to the lower volume after compression wherein the second flow rate is less than the first flow rate.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the valve forms an opening between the upper and lower volumes and includes a gasket having top and bottom surfaces, the gasket being mounted with its top surface facing the upper volume and its bottom surface facing the lower volume.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the lower volume forms part of a bottle which is separable from the upper volume.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the upper volume forms a first throat and a valve seat therein at a lower end and the lower volume forms a second throat at an upper end, the lower volume including a radially inwardly extending member forming a support surface essentially within the second throat, the system including a gasket having a blocker and a supporter leg, the blocker having upper and lower surfaces, the supporter leg extending from the lower surface and having a distal end, the gasket being mounted inside the first throat with its top surface facing the upper volume and for movement therein between a blocking position with the blocker on the seat and a valve position above the seat, wherein, when the first and second throats are linked to each other, the support surface contacts the distal end and supports the gasket in the valve position.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the brush assembly is a toilet bowl brush.

9. A container for use in a brush and storage container system, the container comprising:

a bottle having a bottom member, a wall extending up from the bottom member to a support edge, the wall having a resilient vertical compressible portion, the floor member and wall together defining a cavity having upper and lower volumes with the lower volume suitable to stock a fluid, and the lower volume being separable from the upper volume;

a throat that defines an inlet of the lower volume;

a web inserted in the inlet, the web having a central support area, and an apertured region around the support area; and

attachment means linking a radially outer periphery of the web and the inlet so as to retain the web in the inlet.

10. The container of claim 9, wherein the attachment means is a recess and projection connection.

11. The container of claim 10, wherein the attachment means is a groove formed along the inlet and a flange formed on the radially outer periphery of the web.

12. The container of claim 11, wherein the flange snap fits in the groove.

13. The container of claim 9, wherein the web blocks at least 70% of the cross sectional area of the bottle inlet.