Baby bottle microfiber drying wand

• US 8,336,156 B1
• Filed: 07/17/2009
• Issued: 12/25/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nicole Shimazu
• Original Assignee: Nicole Shimazu
• Inventors: Shimazu, Nicole
• Primary Examiner(s): Spisich, Mark
• Application Number:
  US12/460,383
• Time in Patent Office: 1,257 Days
• Field of Search: 151/64, 151/761, 152/11, 152/23, 152/26
• US Class Current: 15/211
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 17/00 Apparatus or implements used in manual washing or cleaning of crockery, table-ware, cooking-ware or the like foam-making devices A47K5/14
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 19/00 Drying devices for crockery or table-ware, e.g. tea-cloths

Abstract

A device to aid in drying baby bottles after washing is herein disclosed, comprising a plastic handle, a flexible “wand”, and a drying head having a plurality of absorbent cloth strips. In use, the cloth end of the device is reciprocated therewithin a baby bottle after it has been washed and rinsed. The cloth strips and drying head are removably attached thereto the handle assembly and may be released for washing, drying, or and/or replacement purposes. In such a manner the highly absorbent cloth strips will absorb any excess moisture in a bottle, thereby leaving the bottle clean and dry.

Claims

1. A drying wand, comprising:

a handle assembly, further comprising

a distal end and a proximal end;

a stem portion, comprising an elongated coiled spring and extending from said distal end to said proximal end; and

,

a grip attached to said stem portion and located at said distal end; and

,

a head assembly removably attachable to said proximal end of said handle assembly with a handle attachment means;

wherein said stem portion provides an angular flexibility means between said handle assembly and said head assembly;

wherein said handle attachment means further comprises a male locking ring circumferentially disposed about an outer surface of said proximal end of said handle assembly interconnecting with a female locking feature circumferentially disposed about an inner portion of a receiver portion of said head assembly;

wherein said receiver portion slidingly receives said proximal end of said handle assembly until said male locking ring engages said female locking feature;

wherein said handle attachment means further comprises a stabilizing disc comprising a conical flanged feature protruding orbitally from said male locking ring;

wherein said stabilizing disc provides a mechanical stopping means for said head assembly when attached via said handle attachment means;

wherein said stabilizing disc provides a stabilizing means for said head assembly when attached via said handle attachment means;

wherein said drying wand provides a drying means for inner surfaces of a container having a deep inner cavity; and

,

wherein said drying wand comprises a sanitary material of construction enabling cleaning of said drying wand.

2. The drying wand of claim 1, wherein said stem portion further comprises a resilient and flexible material of construction of one of the following list:

chrome-plated steel, stainless steel, or plastic.

3. The drying wand of claim 1, wherein said grip further comprises an ergonomic cylindrical body covered with a high-friction coating.

4. The drying wand of claim 1, wherein said stem portion is insertingly molded in said grip.

5. The drying wand of claim 1, wherein said head assembly further comprises:

a center post, comprising an elongated cylindrical body;

said receiver portion comprising an orifice extending into a central axis of a bottom portion of said center post; and

,

a plurality of absorbent drying strips affixed to and arranged in a dense multi-layered arrangement about an outer surface of said center post each with a strip attachment means.

6. The drying wand of claim 5, wherein said strip attachment means further comprises:

a strip loop formed of each of said plurality of absorbent drying strips, comprising an end portion with a securing means and a front portion comprising said strip loop; and

,

a plurality of apertures arranged in parallel radial rows around said outer surface of said center post;

wherein said securing means of each of said plurality of absorbent drying strips is fittingly inserted into each of said plurality of apertures, such that said strip loop of each of said plurality of absorbent drying strips is extended outwardly; and

,

wherein said securing means securely affixes each of said absorbent drying strips to said center post.

7. The drying wand of claim 6, wherein said plurality of absorbent drying strips each comprise an absorbent microfiber material capable of quickly removing residual moisture from within said inner surfaces of said container.

8. A drying wand, comprising:

a handle assembly, further comprising;

a grip located at a distal end of said handle assembly; and

,

a stem portion, comprising an elongated coiled spring and extending from said distal end to a proximal end and attached to said grip; and

,

a head assembly, further comprising;

a center post, comprising an elongated cylindrical body;

a receiver portion, comprising an orifice extending into a central axis of a bottom portion of said center post; and

,

a plurality of absorbent drying strips affixed to and arranged in a dense multi-layered arrangement about an outer surface of said center post each with a strip attachment means; and

,

a handle attachment means for removably attaching said head assembly to said handle assembly, further comprising;

a male locking ring circumferentially disposed about an outer surface of said proximal end of said handle assembly; and

,

a female locking feature circumferentially disposed about an inner portion of said receiver portion of said head assembly and interconnecting with said male locking ring;

wherein said handle attachment means further comprises a stabilizing disc comprising a conical flanged feature protruding orbitally from said male locking ring;

wherein said stabilizing disc provides a mechanical stopping means and a stabilizing means for said head assembly when attached via said handle attachment means;

wherein said stem portion provides an angular flexibility means between said handle assembly and said head assembly;

wherein said receiver portion slidingly receives said proximal end of said handle assembly until said male locking ring engages said female locking feature;

wherein said drying wand provides a drying means for inner surfaces of a container having a deep inner cavity; and

,

wherein said drying wand comprises a sanitary material of construction enabling cleaning of said drying wand.

9. The drying wand of claim 8, wherein said stem portion further comprises a resilient and flexible material of construction of one of the following list:

chrome-plated steel, stainless steel, or plastic.

10. The drying wand of claim 8, wherein said grip further comprises an ergonomic cylindrical body covered with a high-friction coating.

11. The drying wand of claim 8, wherein said stem portion is insertingly molded in said grip.

12. The drying wand of claim 8, wherein said strip attachment means further comprises:

a strip loop formed of each of said plurality of absorbent drying strips, comprising an end portion with a securing means and a front portion comprising said strip loop; and

,

a plurality of apertures arranged in parallel radial rows around said outer surface of said center post;

wherein said securing means of each of said plurality of absorbent drying strips is fittingly inserted into each of said plurality of apertures, such that said strip loop of each of said plurality of absorbent drying strips is extended outwardly; and

,

wherein said securing means securely affixes each of said absorbent drying strips to said center post.

13. The drying wand of claim 12, wherein said plurality of absorbent drying strips each comprise an absorbent microfiber material capable of quickly removing residual moisture from within said inner surfaces of said container.