Cleaning devices for personal care tools

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11697138-B2
Application number	US-202016828261-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 24, 2020
Priority date	Mar 24, 2020
Publication date	Jul 11, 2023
Grant date	Jul 11, 2023

Abstract

The disclosed technology includes a cleaning device for cleaning personal care tools, such as toothbrushes and shaving razors. The cleaning device can include a heating element configured to heat cleaning fluid received by the cleaning device and a high pressure nozzle configured to output heated cleaning fluid into the cleaning chamber.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A cleaning device for cleaning personal care tools, the cleaning device comprising:
a cleaning chamber having an entrance for receiving at least a portion of a personal care tool;
a heating element configured to heat cleaning fluid received by the cleaning device;
a high pressure nozzle configured to output heated cleaning fluid into the cleaning chamber;
one or more sensors configured to detect when a personal care tool has been inserted into the cleaning chamber; and
a controller configured to receive data from at least one of the one or more sensors and output initiation instructions to the heating element and to the high pressure nozzle,
wherein the cleaning device is configured to attach to an existing sink or a countertop associated with the existing sink.

2. The cleaning device of claim 1 further comprising a pump configured to pump fluid to the high pressure nozzle.

3. The cleaning device of claim 1 , wherein the cleaning fluid comprises alcohol or hydrogen peroxide.

4. The cleaning device of claim 1 , wherein the cleaning fluid is water.

5. The cleaning device of claim 4 further comprising an inlet configured to receive water from a plumbing line.

6. The cleaning device of claim 5 further comprising a waste outlet configured to discharge waste water into the sink.

7. The cleaning device of claim 1 further comprising a filter configured to filter used cleaning fluid.

8. The cleaning device of claim 7 , wherein the filter is integrated into a removeable filter cartridge.

9. The cleaning device of claim 1 further comprising a cleaning fluid reservoir configured to supply cleaning fluid to the heating element and the high pressure nozzle.

10. The cleaning device of claim 1 further comprising a waste reservoir configured to receive used cleaning fluid.

11. The cleaning device of claim 1 further comprising a mesh liner disposed within the cleaning chamber.

12. The cleaning device of claim 1 further comprising a motor configured to rotate the cleaning chamber.

13. The cleaning device of claim 1 further comprising a barrier configured to prevent cleaning solution from escaping the entrance of the cleaning chamber.

14. The cleaning device of claim 13 , wherein the barrier comprises an air curtain or a sliding curtain.

15. The cleaning device of claim 13 , wherein the barrier comprises a plurality of bristles or a plurality of flaps.

16. The cleaning device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more sensors comprise at least one of a mass sensor, an optical sensor, a heat sensor, or a flow rate sensor.

17. The cleaning device of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to distinguish the personal care tool from another personal care tool based on the data received from the one or more sensors.

18. The cleaning device of claim 17 , wherein the controller, upon distinguishing the personal care tool from another personal care tool, is configured to control a temperature of the heating element and/or a flow rate of fluid pumped by the pump based on the identity of the personal care tool.

19. The cleaning device of claim 1 further comprising a splash guard,
wherein the controller is further configured to engage the splash guard in response to determining that the personal care tool has entered the cleaning chamber.

20. A cleaning device for cleaning personal care tools, the cleaning device comprising:
a cleaning chamber having an entrance for receiving at least a portion of a personal care tool;
a heating element configured to heat cleaning fluid received by the cleaning device;
a high pressure nozzle configured to output heated cleaning fluid into the cleaning chamber;
one or more sensors configured to detect when a personal care tool has been inserted into the cleaning chamber; and
a controller configured to receive data from at least one of the one or more sensors and output initiation instructions to the heating element and to the high pressure nozzle,
wherein the cleaning device (i) is configured to attach to a sink or a countertop associated with the sink, (ii) comprises an inlet configured to receive water from a plumbing supply line to the sink, and (iii) comprises a waste outlet configured to discharge waste water into the sink.

Assignees

• Rheem Mfg Co

Inventors

• Hayden Christopher M
• Mihu Sergiu G
• Jurczyszak Eric

Classifications

• B08B2203/007

  Heating the liquid · CPC title

• B08B3/08

  the liquid having chemical or dissolving effect · CPC title

• E03C1/0401

  Fixing a tap to the sanitary appliance or to an associated mounting surface, e.g. a countertop · CPC title

• B08B3/041

  Cleaning travelling work · CPC title

• B08B3/045

  using perforated containers, e.g. baskets, or racks immersed and agitated in a liquid bath (using perforated drums B08B3/06) · CPC title