Manual device for cleaning cans

Abstract

A manual can cleaning device, characterized in that it comprises a supporting body (1) with two opposite sides on which respective cleaning elements (2) are arranged.

Description

Manual device for cleaning cans OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The invention, as the title of this descriptive document states, is a manual device for cleaning cans. It is an innovation that offers advantages previously unknown within current techniques. TECHNICAL SECTOR The present invention falls within the sector of diverse industrial techniques and transport, in the subclass of cleaning, especially in general cleaning and prevention of dirt in general, specifically in cleaning hollow objects by methods or with apparatus specially adapted for this purpose that correspond to the classification of cleaning containers. Similarly, it falls within the sector of everyday needs, within the subclass of brushes, particularly in other brushes and brushes with additional devices. STATE OF THE ART The present invention arises from the need to find a specific device for cleaning and sanitizing beverage cans, an area that currently lacks specialized tools. It must be considered that cans are stored for long periods under uncontrolled conditions, making their hygiene questionable when they are consumed. Although there are general solutions such as rags and sponges, these products are not specifically designed to clean beverage cans and, moreover, end up being reused for other purposes, which can compromise the proper hygiene of the can surfaces. In everyday use, beverage cans are consumed by millions of people worldwide, yet there isn't a specific tool designed to clean them efficiently and effectively. Traditional solutions, such as using cloths or sponges, have drawbacks, as these items are often reused to clean other surfaces or utensils, which can increase the risk of cross-contamination and doesn't offer the same effectiveness as a tool specifically designed for this purpose. Accordingly, the present invention provides a manual can cleaning device that offers a hygienic, manageable solution specifically adapted to this purpose. This device allows for the effective cleaning of the upper surface of cans, including the perimeter groove and the pull tab area, through the use of various cleaning elements, such as sponges or brushes. This improves hygiene and facilitates more practical and specialized use, contributing to a safer and healthier environment for users. Currently, there is no known existence of any manual device for cleaning cans that presents structural and constitutive technical characteristics equal or similar to those described in this descriptive report, as claimed. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is the creation of a manual device for cleaning cans that provides a notable innovation within its field of application in the current state of the art, the characterizing details that make it possible being conveniently included in the final claims that accompany the present description. The invention relates to a manual device for cleaning cans comprising a carrying body with two opposite sides on which respective cleaning elements are arranged, intended to come into contact with the top of the can to clean the upper surface, the perimeter groove and the ring area, so that the user alternately uses said cleaning elements by turning the carrying body over, thus allowing different cleaning operations to be carried out consecutively on the upper area of ​​the container and improving the hygienic conditions prior to consumption or handling of the can. This invention addresses the need for a specialized tool specifically designed for cleaning beverage cans, ensuring proper hygiene before consumption. Traditional solutions, such as cloths and sponges, are insufficient, as they are often reused for other purposes and do not allow for effective cleaning of difficult areas like the perimeter groove and the pull tab. This innovation offers a dedicated handheld device that ensures effective and precise cleaning, eliminating the risk of cross-contamination. It is especially useful for keeping cans clean and safe, and is practical, easy to handle, and convenient to transport and store in various environments. The supporting body is designed to define an internal cavity on each side, the diameter of which is adapted to the standard diameter of the cans, and at the bottom of which a cleaning element is located. This internal cavity may also serve as a receiving area for the top of the can during the cleaning operation, thus helping to maintain proper alignment between the device and the container. It may have a truncated conical or cylindrical configuration with a circular cross-section. In this way, the dimensional adaptation between the inner cavity and the can can promote the stability of the device during use and facilitate uniform contact between the cleaning elements and the upper surface of the can. It is also proposed that the carrying body could be configured as a portable handheld applicator sized for one-handed operation. This configuration would facilitate a direct grip on the device by the user and allow for more precise control during cleaning operations on the can's upper surface. Furthermore, the portable nature of the applicator can contribute to making the device easily transportable and usable in different contexts of consumption or handling of containers, increasing the practicality of the whole. Furthermore, the supporting body can be made of a rigid, moisture-resistant material such as plastic, stainless steel, or treated wood. Using these types of materials can provide the device with a stable and durable structure that maintains its shape through repeated use. Similarly, moisture resistance allows the device to be used in environments where liquids are present or during wet cleaning processes, helping to preserve the integrity of the carrier body over time. Similarly, each cleaning element can have a substantially circular configuration housed within the supporting body. This geometric configuration facilitates the adaptation of the cleaning elements to the interior of the supporting body and allows for a balanced distribution of forces during the cleaning operation. In this way, the substantially circular shape can facilitate homogeneous contact with the upper surface of the can, including the perimeter groove and the ring area. Furthermore, one of the cleaning elements may include an absorbent element, such as a sponge. The absorbent element may be configured to retain liquids or dirt particles present on the upper surface of the can, allowing cleaning operations to be performed through controlled absorption and friction. Furthermore, the porous structure of this absorbent element can help capture surface residues and improve the hygienic conditions of the packaging before handling or consumption. Additionally, one of the cleaning tools may include a brush with cleaning bristles. The brush bristles may be configured to exert a mechanical cleaning action on the can's upper surface, especially in hard-to-reach areas such as the perimeter groove or the pull tab area. In this respect, the bristle arrangement can facilitate the removal of adhered particles or more stubborn dirt buildup. Finally, it is proposed that the two cleaning elements can be configured in a detachable manner and can be replaced by other functionally equivalent cleaning elements. This configuration would allow the cleaning elements to be removed from the supporting body and replaced with others with similar or different characteristics, depending on the needs of use. In this way, the device can support different cleaning configurations by incorporating various types of cleaning elements, which expands the functional versatility of the set and facilitates its adaptation to different usage conditions. To use the manual can cleaning device, the user positions the carrying body on top of the can, so that the cleaning element on one side of the carrying body makes contact with the can's upper surface. The user then applies controlled pressure and performs a cleaning motion to remove dirt or residue from the top surface, the perimeter groove, and the pull tab area. Once this operation is completed, the user can turn the carrying body over to use the cleaning element located on the opposite side, allowing for a final cleaning action. After the cleaning process is finished, the device can be removed from the can and stored for later reuse. EXPLANATION OF THE FIGURES To complete the description being made and in order to help in the better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, this descriptive report is accompanied, as an integral part thereof, by a figure in which, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following has been represented. Figure 1 illustrates the manual device for cleaning cans with one of the two cleaning elements attached. Figure 2 illustrates the manual device for cleaning cans with the other of the two cleaning elements attached. Figure 3 illustrates the two cleaning elements represented individually, comprising an absorbent element and a brush. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION The manual can cleaning device depicted comprises a support body (1) with two opposite sides on which respective cleaning elements (2) are arranged. These elements are designed to contact the top of the can to clean the upper surface, the perimeter groove, and the ring pull area. The arrangement of the cleaning elements (2) on opposite sides of the support body (1) allows the user to alternately use these cleaning elements (2) by inverting the support body (1), facilitating different cleaning operations on the top of the can. In this way, the device provides a practical and effective solution for removing residue, dust, or dirt accumulated on the top of the container, especially in the perimeter groove and ring pull area, regions that typically come into contact with the user's mouth during consumption. In a preferred embodiment, each side of the supporting body (1) defines an inner cavity whose diameter is adapted to the standard diameter of the cans and where the cleaning elements (2) are placed. This geometric configuration ensures the correct positioning of the device on the top of the can and facilitates the centering of the supporting body (1) during the cleaning operation. The inner cavity guides the placement of the device and allows the cleaning element (2) to act uniformly on the upper surface of the container, including the perimeter groove and the pull tab area. Preferably, the carrying body (1) is configured as a portable handheld applicator sized for one-handed operation. This configuration allows the user to hold the device comfortably and stably during cleaning, facilitating the application of controlled pressure to the can's upper surface. The applicator's portability makes it suitable for use in various environments, such as homes, restaurants, or outdoor spaces, allowing for the maintenance of proper hygiene before consuming the can's contents. Preferably, the supporting body (1) is made of a rigid, moisture-resistant material such as plastic, stainless steel, or treated wood. The use of materials with these characteristics provides the device with high structural durability and allows for repeated use under wet cleaning conditions without deterioration of its components. Furthermore, the rigidity of the material ensures the stability of the supporting body (1) during use and maintains the correct positioning of the cleaning elements (2). Typically, each cleaning element (2) has a substantially circular shape sized to fit within the carrier body (1). This shape allows the cleaning elements (2) to conform to the cavity of the carrier body (1) and maintain a stable position during the cleaning operation. The substantially circular shape also promotes a uniform distribution of contact forces across the can's upper surface, enabling the cleaning element (2) to effectively clean the entire area. Generally, one of the cleaning elements (2) comprises an absorbent element (2.1), such as a sponge. The absorbent element (2.1) allows for gentle cleaning through controlled absorption and friction, facilitating the removal of light dirt or moisture from the can's upper surface. The porous structure of the absorbent element (2.1) promotes particle retention and helps improve the container's hygiene before use. Alternatively, preferably, one of the cleaning elements (2) comprises a brush (2.2) provided with cleaning bristles. The brush (2.2) enables a more intensive mechanical cleaning action, suitable for removing more stubborn dirt in the perimeter groove and ring area. The bristles of the brush (2.2) penetrate the narrower areas of the can's upper surface, ensuring effective cleaning even in hard-to-reach regions. In another preferred embodiment, the two cleaning elements (2) are configured to be detachable and replaceable with other functionally equivalent cleaning elements (2). This configuration allows the cleaning elements (2) to be removed and replaced with others that have different cleaning characteristics according to the user's needs, enabling the use of different types of absorbent elements or brushes. In this way, the device has a versatile structure that expands its possibilities for use and facilitates its adaptation to different types of cleaning required on the upper surface of the cans. Having sufficiently described the nature of the present invention, as well as the manner of putting it into practice, it is not considered necessary to make its explanation more extensive so that any expert in the field may understand its scope and the advantages that derive from it, it being noted that, within its essentiality, it may be put into practice in other modes of embodiment that differ in detail from the one indicated as an example, and which will also achieve the protection sought provided that its fundamental principle is not altered, changed or modified.

Claims

1. A manual can cleaning device, characterized in that it comprises a supporting body (1) with two opposite sides on which respective cleaning elements (2) are arranged.

2. A manual can cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that each side of the supporting body (1) defines an internal cavity at the bottom of which the cleaning elements (2) are arranged.

3. A manual can cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that the supporting body (1) is made of plastic, stainless steel, or treated wood.

4. A manual can cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the cleaning elements (2) has a substantially circular configuration.

5. A manual can cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that one of the cleaning elements (2) comprises an absorbent element (2.1). 6.A manual device for cleaning cans, according to claim 1, characterized in that one of the cleaning elements (2) comprises a brush (2.2) provided with cleaning bristles.

7. A manual device for cleaning cans, according to claim 1, characterized in that the two cleaning elements (2) are detachable.