DISPOSITIF DE NETTOYAGE

CLEANING DEVICE

Abrégé français

La présente invention concerne un dispositif de nettoyage convenant particulièrement au nettoyage d'une pomme de douche (14) équipant une installation de douche. Pour se servir du dispositif de nettoyage on le fixe normalement à la pomme de douche (14) à un moment où l'on ne se sert pas de la pomme de douche (14). Ce dispositif de nettoyage inclut généralement un agent nettoyant tel qu'un détergent doux, un agent désinfectant ou analogue de nature à nettoyer la pomme de douche (14). Le dispositif de nettoyage peut également comporter un parfum d'ambiance pour l'atmosphère de la salle de douche.

Abrégé anglais

A cleaning device is disclosed which is particularly suited to cleaning a
shower head (14) provided as part of a shower. The cleaning device is
typically attached to the shower head (14) when the cleaning device is in use
and the shower head (14) is not in use. The cleaning device typically includes
a cleaning agent, such as a mild detergent, bleach or the like to affect
cleaning of the shower head (14). The cleaning device may optionally include a
freshener which typically contains an air freshener to fragrance the
atmosphere in a room in which the shower is located.

Revendications

8
CLAIMS
1. A cleaning device comprising a container capable
of being attached to a shower head, attachment means
for releasably securing the container to the shower
head, and cleaning means disposed within the container
for cleaning the shower head.
2. A cleaning device according to claim 2, wherein
the container comprises a bag.
3. A cleaning device according to claim 1 or claim 2,
wherein the attachment means comprises a drawstring,
the string being attached at or near an opening in the
container.
4. A cleaning device according to claim 3, wherein
the drawstring is adjusted using a tightening member.
5. A cleaning device according to claim 4, wherein
the tightening member comprises a toggle.
6. A cleaning device according to any one of claims 1
to 3, wherein the attachment means comprises an elastic
means attached to a neck of the container.
7. A cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein
the container is moulded.
8. A cleaning device according to claim 7, wherein
the attachment means comprises a clip adapted to attach
to the shower head.
9. A cleaning device according to any preceding
claim, wherein the cleaning device is suspended from
the shower head.

9
10. A cleaning device according to claim 9, wherein
the cleaning device is suspended from the shower head
by the attachment means.
11. A cleaning device according to any preceding
claim, having means for securing the device to a
portion of the shower other than the head.
12. A cleaning device according to any preceding
claim, wherein the cleaning means comprises a sponge.
13. A cleaning device according to claim 12, wherein a
cleaning agent is applied to the sponge before use of
the device.
14. A cleaning device according to claim 13, wherein
the cleaning agent comprises a detergent, bleach, mild
disinfectant, soap, microbial agent, or the like.
15. A cleaning device according to any one of claims 1
to 11, wherein the cleaning means comprises a crystal
insert.
16. A cleaning device according to any one of claims
13 to 15, wherein the cleaning agent can be
periodically replenished.
17. A cleaning device according to any preceding
claim, wherein the cleaning means includes a freshener
containing a fragrance.
18. A cleaning device according to any preceding
claim, wherein the cleaning means includes a scale
inhibitor.

Description

CA 02321789 2000-08-22
WO 00/38840 PCT1GB99104341
1 "Cleaning Device"
2
3 The present invention relates to a cleaning device, and
4 more particularly, but not exclusively, to a cleaning
device for use with shower heads.
6
7 Conventional showers have a shower head fluid
in
8 communication with the head is
shower. The shower
9 typically mounted on a wall in a bathroom
or other room
in which the shower s located.
i
11
12 To date, an effective cleaner has not been developed
13 which cleans a shower head and protects it whilst the
14 shower is not in use.
16 According to the present invention, there is provided a
17 cleaning device, the device comprising a container
18 capable of being attached to a shower head, attachment
19 means for releasably securing the container to the
shower head, and cleaning means disposed within the
21 container for cleaning the shower head.
22
23 The container may be a fabric bag or the like, or may
24 be a plastic moulded item of a shape inherently adapted
to clip onto, or otherwise attach to, the shower head.

CA 02321789 2000-08-22
WO 00/38840 PCT/GB99/04341
2
1 The attachment means typically comprises a drawstring,
2 the string being attached at or near at opening in the
3 container. The drawstring is typically adjusted using
4 a tightening member. The tightening member typically
comprises a toggle.
6
7 When the cleaning device is not in use, it may be
8 suspended from the shower head by the attachment means
9 such as a drawstring, typically secured to a neck of
the shower head, and held in place using a second
11 toggle.
12
13 The attachment means may alternatively comprise an
14 elastic means attached to the neck of the container.
Alternatively, the attachment means may comprise an
16 attachment clip or the like.
17
18 The cleaning means typically comprises a sponge. A
19 cleaning agent such as a detergent or bleach etc is
typically applied to the sponge before use of the
21 device. The agent can be periodically replenished.
22 Optionally, the cleaning means may include a freshener
23 containing a fragrance. The cleaning means may
24 comprise a crystal insert.
26 Embodiments of the present invention shall now be
27 described, by way of example only, with reference to
28 the accompanying drawings, in which:-
29
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment
31 of a cleaning device;
32 Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the cleaning
33 device of Fig. 1 attached to a shower head in use;
34 Fig. 3 is a plan view of a second embodiment of a
cleaning device;
36 Fig. 4 is an elevational view of the device of

CA 02321789 2000-08-22
WO 00/38840 PCT/GB99/04341
3
1 Fig. 3;
2 Fig. 5 is a plan view of a sponge for use with the
3 device of Figs 3 and 4;
4 Fig. 6 is an elevational view of the sponge of
Fig. 5;
6 Fig. 7 shows the device of Figs 3 to 6 attached
to
7 a shower
head when
not in use;
8 Fig. 8 shows the device of Figs 3 to 7 when
9 attache d to the shower head in use;
Fig. 9 is an elevational view of a third
11 embodiment
of a cleaning
device when
not in use;
12 Fig. 10is an elevational view of the device of
13 , Fig. 9 attached to a shower head in use;
14 Fig. 11is an elevational view of a fourth
embodim ent of a cleaning device when not in use;
16 Fig. 12is an elevational view of the device of
17 Fig. 11attached to a shower head in use.
18
19 Referring tothe drawings, Figs 1 and 2 show a first
embodiment o f a cleaning device, generally designated
21 10.
22
23 Cleaning device 10 includes a bag 12 which is
24 positioned over a shower head 14 when the device 10 is
in use (Fig. 2). Shower head 14 is in fluid
26 communication with a shower (not shown) in a
27 conventional manner. The shower head 14 may be of any
28 particular design and is typically coupled to an
29 electric, gas or other type of shower.
31 A sponge 16 is inserted into the bag 12. A cleanser
32 such as a detergent, soap, a mild disinfectant or the
33 like is applied to the sponge 16. Optionally, an air
34 freshener or the like may be applied to the sponge. An
air freshener may be included as part of the cleanser,
36 depending upon the type of cleanser used. It should be

CA 02321789 2000-08-22
WO 00/38840 PCT/GB99/04341
4
1 noted that a form of crystal insert (similar to that
2 used in the cleansing of toilet bowls, urinals and the
3 like) may be positioned within the bag 12 in place of
4 (or in addition to} the sponge 16.
6 A string 18 extends around an open end 20 of the bag 12
7 and is secured thereto by any conventional means, for
8 example by folding over and securing the upper edge of
9 the bag 12 thereby creating a channel in which the
string 18 is located. The string 18 may be attached to
11 a neck 14n of the shower head 14 using tie 22, a clip,
12 or the like, so that the device 10 is conveniently
13 suspended from the shower head 14 when the device 10 is
14 not in use but the shower head 14 is in use (Fig. 1).
16 In use of the device 10, as illustrated in Fig. 2, the
17 bag 12 is positioned over the shower head 14 and the
18 string 18 is pulled to secure the bag 12 to the head
19 14. The sponge 16 is held in contact with face 14f of
the shower head 14. Face 14f is conventionally
21 perforated by apertures 14a. The contact between the
22 sponge 16 (which contains the cleanser) and face 14f
23 results in cleaning of the face 14f and may also clean
24 the apertures 14a, depending upon the type of sponge 16
used.
26
27 If the shower has just been used, the shower head 14
28 will be warm which may enhance cleaning of face 14f (ie
29 heat from the shower head 14 will evaporate the
cleanser applied to the sponge 16). In addition, heat
31 from the shower head 14 can activate the air freshener
32 (where used) to fragrance the atmosphere in the
33 vicinity of the shower.
34
Cleaning device 10 is removed by pulling on the string
36 18 to release the bag 12 from the shower head 14, when

CA 02321789 2000-08-22
WO 00/38840 PCT/GB99/04341
1 the shower is in use. The running water from the
2 shower will rinse the shower head 14 thereby removing
3 the cleanser from the face 14f and will also disperse
4 the air freshener. The cleaning device 10 remains
5 conveniently suspended from the shower head 14 when the
6 device 10 is not in use (Fig. 1).
7
8 Referring now to Figs 3 to 8, there is shown a second
9 embodiment of a cleaning device, generally designated
100. Device 100 is similar to device 10, but has
11 toggles 124, 126 on the string 118.
12
13 Toggle 124 is used to tighten the string 118 around the
14 head 114 to ensure that the bag 112 is securely
fastened to the shower head 114 when in use (Fig. 8).
16 Similarly, toggle 126 is used to tighten the string 118
17 around neck 114n to secure device 100 to the shower
18 head 114.
19
Figs 5 and 6 show an alternative sponge 116, which is
21 provided with a plurality of protrusions 116p. Fig. 5
22 is a plan view of the sponge 116 and Fig. 6 is a side
23 elevation thereof. The protrusions 116p engage
24 apertures 114a (Figs 7 and 8) in the face 114f of the
shower head 114 through which water is expunged. The
26 protrusions 116p are advantageously dimensioned to fit
27 snugly within the apertures 114a to clean the apertures
28 114a more effectively.
29
Fig. 7 shows the device 100 suspended from the neck
31 114n when not in use. Toggle 126 ensures that the
32 device 100 remains securely fastened to the neck 114n.
33
34 Fig. 8 shows the device 100 in use and the
interengagement of protrusions 116p with apertures 114a
36 can be seen. In use, the toggle 124 is moved towards

CA 02321789 2000-08-22
WO 00/38840 PCT/GB99/04341
6
1 toggle 126 to enlarge the opening in bag 1I2. Bag 112
2 is then positioned over shower head 114 (as shown in
3 Fig. 8), and toggle 124 is moved towards bag 112 to
4 secure bag 112 in place on the shower head 114.
6 Figs 9 and 10 show a third embodiment of a cleaning
7 device, generally designated 200. Device 200 is
8 similar to the previous embodiments, except that device
9 200 is secured to head 214 by an elastic means 230.
The elastic means 230 may be, for example, an elastic
11 band or the like which is attached to the bag 212 (eg
12 in a channel created in the wall of the bag 212, or
13 positioned over the outside face of the bag 212 in
14 use). Elastic means 230 performs the same function as
string 18, 118 and ensures that the bag 212 is secured
16 to the shower head 214. The elastic means 230 does not
17 require the use of toggles to ensure that the bag 212
18 remains in place on the shower head 214 due to the
19 elasticity of the elastic means 230.
21 After the shower has been used, elastic means 230 is
22 stretched and the bag 212 is positioned over the shower
23 head 214 as before (Fig. 10). Heat from the shower
24 will activate the cleanser and/or air freshener which
is applied to the sponge 216 beforehand.
26
27 Figs 11 and 12 show a fourth embodiment of a cleaning
28 device, generally designated 300. Device 300 is
29 similar to the previous embodiments, except that the
container 312 is of rigid moulded plastic and is
31 secured to shower head 314 by one or more plastic clips
32 332, the clips 332 typically being integrally moulded
33 with the container 312, although they may be separate.
34 In use, the container 312 is positioned over the head
314 and is held in place using the clips 332, the clips
36 332 being removably attached to the shower head 314.

CA 02321789 2000-08-22
WO 00138840 PCT/GB99/04341
1 It should be noted that the embodiments shown in Figs 9
2 to 12 may be provided with drawstrings or the like,
3 similar to strings 18, 118, so that the devices 200,
4 300 may be conveniently attached to the shower head
214, 314 when not in use.
6
7 Thus, there is provided a cleaning device which is used
8 to clean a shower head when the shower is not in use.
9 The cleaning device includes a cleanser and may
optionally include an air freshener to enhance the
11 atmosphere in the room in which the shower is
12 positioned, a scale inhibitor to reduce the build up of
13 scale in or on the shower head, or an anti-microbial
14 agent to combat the viability of fungi, bacteria and
viruses etc. The device is advantageously removably
16 attached to the shower head for convenience.
17
18 Modifications and improvements may be made to the
19 foregoing without departing from the scope of the
present invention.
21

Dessin représentatif