Household scrubbing brushes and methods of manufacture thereof

Abstract

Flexible household scrubbing brushes and methods of manufacture thereof are disclosed. The scrubbing brushes include a handle connected to a head. The head includes two opposing faces including a top face and a bottom face. The bottom face is connected to a plurality of bristles some or all of which are molded elastomer bristles. The top and bottom faces may also include a plurality of grooves to increase the flexibility of the head. The grooves are filled with elastomer material to improve the durability of the brush head without detracting from the flexibility thereof. The distal portion of the handle or the handle-head connection may also be slotted to enhance the flexibility of the brush. Brushes with thermal plastic bristles for cleaning cookware with non-stick coatings are also disclosed. Injection molded methods for fabricating the disclosed brushes are also disclosed.

Description

[0001] An improved flexible household scrubbing brush is disclosed which includes molded elastomer bristles for cleaning non-stick coated pots and plans. Further, the improved scrubbing brush also includes a flexible head that enables portions of the head, which is connected to tufts of bristles, to flex with respect to other portions of the head and the handle thereby greatly facilitating use of the brush to clean corners of rectangular pans, areas under the lips of pans and other hard-to-reach surfaces of household items. Further, methods of manufacturing such flexible scrubbing brushes are also disclosed.BACKGROUND OF THE RELATED ART[0002] Plastic household scrubbing brushes are known. These items are extremely useful for removing food and other debris from cooking utensils, such as pots and pans. Also, these brushes can be used for cleaning sinks, bathrooms and other areas of the home or office. Essentially, plastic household scrubbing brushes are useful for a wide variety of cl...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0018] In a refinement, the handle or neck connecting the handle to the head comprises a plurality of transverse grooves to increase the flexibility of the handle-head connection.

[0022] In a refinement, the distal end of the handle includes a plurality of slots or grooves to enhance the flexibility or the handle-head connection.

Problems solved by technology

One problem associated with currently available plastic household scrubbing brushes is the lack of flexibility of the head and lack of flexibility of the connection between the head and the handle.

Specifically, due to the rigid connection between the handle and the head, there is little or no flexibility between the handle or head and, as a result, the currently available brushes are not effective in cleaning hard-to-reach areas such as the corners of rectangular pots and pans and under the lips of circular pots and pans.

Further, because the head itself is rigid, and is not capable of flexing, the user must apply a great deal of pressure in order to press the plastic bristles down into hard-to-reach areas for removing debris.

Thus, the currently available plastic household scrubbing brushes cannot be used effectively by people with weak hands, such as senior citizens or others suffering from joint discomfort.

Further, currently available household scrubbing brushes are not very effective in removing debris from hard to reach surfaces.

These tufts of bristles are useful for cleaning metallic pots and pans and plastic containers and bowls but, in the case of non-stick coated cookware, the tufts of bristles are found to impart undue wear and tear to the non-stick coatings.

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