Espresso machine cleaning tool

• US 7,594,292 B1
• Filed: 09/15/2008
• Issued: 09/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jeffrey Matthew Pelo
• Original Assignee: Jeffrey Matthew Pelo
• Inventors: Pelo, Jeffrey Matthew
• Primary Examiner(s): Spisich; Mark
• Application Number:
  US12/210,441
• Time in Patent Office: 379 Days
• Field of Search: 151/05, 151/06, 151/11, 151/13, 151/60, 151/671, 151/673, 151/761, 151/762, 151/764, 151/765, 151/94, 152/02, 152/481, 132/309, D41/08, D41/11, D41/16, D41/18, D41/19, D41/27
• US Class Current: 15/106
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0055 Brushes combined with other articles normally separate from the brushing process, e.g. combs, razors, mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 2200/3073 Brush for cleaning specific unusual places not otherwise covered, e.g. gutters, golf clubs, tops of tin cans, corners
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 5/0008 Brushes with two or more heads on the same end of a handle not intended for simultaneous use
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/44 Parts or details or accessories of beverage-making apparatus filters or strainers A47J31/06
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/60 Cleaning devices

Abstract

An apparatus for cleaning an espresso machine includes a brush head attached to a neck. The brush head includes a longitudinal axis that is perpendicular to that of the neck. The neck extends along a first longitudinal axis for a length and is attached to a handle section that includes a second longitudinal axis which extends away from the brush head at a greater angle than the neck. A plurality of annular rings prevents scalding water from traversing past the neck and reaching the handle section, where a user is adapted to grasp the apparatus. A protrusion is included, as desired, to clean the orifice of a steamer wand. Various possible enhancements include ergonomic grip surfaces on the handle section, replacement component parts, and dual cleaning surfaces.

Claims

1. An espresso machine cleaning tool comprising:

a body having a brush side from which a brush extends and a back side and including a neck portion having a first end and an opposite second end, and having a brush including a first set of bristles attached at the first end and extending from the brush side, the body further having a handle portion having a first end and an opposite second end and wherein the second end of the neck portion is joined to the first end of the handle portion, and wherein the neck portion is angled toward the back side of the body to define a bend in the body where the neck portion joins the handle portion, the body further including at least one annular ring located about the neck portion and adjacent and being located nearer the brush than the bend.

2. The espresso machine cleaning tool of claim 1, further including a plurality of rings located about the neck portion and wherein the plurality of rings are positioned nearer the brush than the bend.

3. The espresso machine cleaning tool of claim 1 wherein the angle is less than one hundred-eighty degrees.

4. The espresso machine cleaning tool of claim 1 including a protrusion attached to the body and extending from the first end of the neck portion in a direction perpendicular to a direction of the brush, the protrusion adapted to enter into an orifice of an espresso machine.

5. The espresso machine cleaning tool of claim 1 wherein the body includes a scoop located on the second end of the handle portion.

6. The espresso machine cleaning tool of claim 5 wherein the scoop includes a concave portion adapted for receiving a quantity of granular material therein, and wherein the concave portion is open on the brush side of the body.

7. The espresso machine cleaning tool of claim 6 including a bottom cleaning surface disposed on the back side of the body and opposite the brush.

8. The espresso machine cleaning tool of claim 7 wherein the bottom cleaning surface includes an abrasive surface.

9. The espresso machine cleaning tool of claim 7 wherein the bottom cleaning surface includes a spherical cleaning member.

10. The espresso machine cleaning tool of claim 7 wherein the bottom cleaning surface includes a second set of bristles and wherein the second set of bristles include a shorter exposed length than the first set of bristles.

11. The espresso machine cleaning tool of claim 10 wherein the second set of bristles includes an extension of the first set of bristles through the tool.

12. The espresso machine cleaning tool of claim 1 wherein the brush is a removable brush head.

13. The espresso machine cleaning tool of claim 12 wherein the brush head includes screw threads disposed on an exterior of the brush head and the neck portion includes an opening therein having screw threads located therein and corresponding to the screw threads of the brush head.

14. The espresso machine cleaning tool of claim 13 including a ferrule, the ferrule attached to the removable brush head and wherein the ferrule is adapted to retain a quantity of bristles proximate one-another.

15. The espresso machine cleaning tool of claim 14 wherein the ferrule includes a pair of tabs that extend from diametrically opposite ends of the ferrule.