Cleaning device

• US 8,083,864 B2
• Filed: 02/22/2008
• Issued: 12/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Edward Ho
• Original Assignee: Edward Ho
• Inventors: Ho, Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): Stinson, Frankie L
• Application Number:
  US12/072,021
• Publication Number:
  US 20090211615A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,404 Days
• Field of Search: 134/169.C, 134/166.C, 425/504, 425/506, 425/511, 425/512
• US Class Current: 134/166.C
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 3/12 by sonic or ultrasonic vibrations washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware using sonic or ultrasonic waves A47L15/13; of natural teeth, of prostheses using ultrasonic techniques similar to those used for natural teeth A61C17/20; application of ultrasonic vibrations to chemical, physical or physico-chemical processes in general B01J19/10
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 9/093 by the force of jets or sprays B08B9/0813 , B08B9/20 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/308 by means of a pumping device
• CPC Class Codes: E03D 9/00 Sanitary or other accessories for lavatories hand tools for cleaning the toilet bowl A47K11/10; seats or covers for closets A47K13/00; body supports, other than seats for closets A47K17/02; devices for preventing contamination of drinking-water pipes E03C1/10 ; Devices for cleaning or disinfecting the toilet room or the toilet bowl; Devices for eliminating smells cleaning, disinfecting or deodorising the seat A47K13/30

Abstract

A cleaning device for cleaning any enclosure having at least one drainage capable of enclosing one liquid. The enclosure including but, not limited to a toilet bowl, a bidet, a bathtub, a sink, a reservoir, a tank and, a shower stall. The cleaning device comprising an elongated member having a sidewall, an outer surface, an inner surface, a first end, a second end, and a substantially hollow cavity. The first end and the second end of the elongated member can either be integral or be connected by a connecting means. The cleaning device also includes a stopper disposed on the first end and a gripping member removably attached to the second end of the elongated member. A liquid level regulator is provided on the cleaning device in order to control and regulate the amount of liquid disposed in an enclosure to be cleaned in order to maximize cleaning without causing overflowing. Cleaning is accomplished by a controlling means-controlling at least one agitating means operating at an optimal frequency. The cleaning device also has a safety circuit to ensure the cleaning device is positioned at an optimal angle with sufficient liquid present in the enclosure to be cleaned.

Claims

1. A cleaning device operable for cleaning an enclosure that includes (i) an interior surface capable of enclosing a liquid, and (ii) a drain, the cleaning device comprising:

an elongated member having a sidewall, an outer surface, an inner surface, a first end, a second end, and a substantially hollow cavity;

a stopper disposed on said first end;

a liquid level regulator configured such that when said stopper is positioned in the drain of the enclosure, the liquid level regulator is operable to prevent liquid enclosed by the interior surface of the enclosure from overflowing the enclosure;

a cleaning means configured such that when said stopper is positioned in the drain of the enclosure, the cleaning means is operable to cause cleaning of the interior surface of the enclosure; and

control means configured to interface with the cleaning means.

2. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first end and the second end of the elongated member can be connected by a connector.

3. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said stopper contains at least one drain valve allowing fluids to pass into a drainage.

4. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device includes a flushing means.

5. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said flushing means includes at least one solenoid valve integrated in the cleaning device to induce flushing through the cleaning device.

6. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said elongated member can optionally have a handle that is either integral or removably attached.

7. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cleaning means is an agitating means comprises at least one or more means selected from a pump, a compressor, an aerator, a wave generator, a light source, and an oscillator.

8. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said stopper is constructed from an inert, non-conductive, pliant material capable of expanding or contracting to form a water-tight seal.

9. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 8, wherein said inert, non-conductive, pliant material is selected from the group consisting of a vulcanized rubber and a polychloroprene-based synthetic rubber.

10. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said elongated member is constructed from a rigid, lightweight, durable, inert and non-conductive material.

11. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 10, wherein said rigid, lightweight, durable, inert and non-conductive material is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene and polyvinyl chloride.

12. A cleaning device comprising:

an elongated member having a sidewall, an outer surface, an inner surface, a first end, a second end, and a substantially hollow cavity;

a stopper disposed on said first end;

a control means;

a water level regulator comprising a device for guiding water into an elongated opening of said elongated member, and a sliding member for adjusting said elongated opening in order to control water level; and

a cleaning means.

13. A cleaning device comprising:

an elongated member having a sidewall, an outer surface, an inner surface, a first end, a second end, and a substantially hollow cavity;

a stopper disposed on said first end;

a control means;

a water level regulator configured such that when said water level regulator is activated, excess fluid is pulled through an overflow valve and into the hollow cavity of said elongated member; and

a cleaning means.

14. A cleaning device comprising:

an elongated member having a sidewall, an outer surface, an inner surface, a first end, a second end, and a substantially hollow cavity;

a stopper disposed on said first end having at least one one way valve;

at least one sensor means disposed on said elongated member;

a water level regulator means disposed on said elongated member;

at least one agitating means; and

a control means for interfacing with at least one of the sensor means, water regulator means, and an agitating means.

15. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 14 has at least one safety circuit capable of monitoring the cleaning device positioned at an optimal angle and/or detecting the amount of liquid in an enclosure having at least one drain.

16. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 14, wherein said device is triggered into one or more cleaning cycle modes depending on feedback from one or more sensors connected to the control means.

17. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 14 wherein said at least one agitating means is an ultrasonic transducer that produces oscillations at a frequency between about 8 kHz and about 300 kHz.

18. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 14 wherein said at least one agitating means is an ultrasonic transducer that produces oscillations at a frequency between about 10 kHz and about 100 kHz.

19. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 14 wherein said at least one agitating means is an ultrasonic transducer that produces oscillations at a frequency between about 12 kHz and about 80 kHz.

20. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 14 wherein said at least one agitating means is an ultrasonic transducer that produces oscillations at a frequency between about 15 kHz and about 70 kHz.

21. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 14 wherein said at least one agitating means is an ultrasonic transducer that produces oscillations at a frequency at about 15 kHz when operated.