Two-part handle with release mechanism for dissolvable cleaning head

Abstract

A scrubbing tool for cleaning an inside bowl of a toilet comprising an upper handle assembly having a gripping end and an upper attachment end and a lower handle assembly having a tablet end and a lower attachment end. One of the attachment ends comprises a male attachment end having an outer diameter smaller than a female attachment end of the other attachment ends, such that the male attachment end is insertable into the female attachment end. The scrubbing tool comprises a ledge formed at a transition between a larger diameter portion of the handle assembly having the male attachment end and that male attachment end. The male and female attachment ends include cooperating engagement features that secure the upper and the lower handle assemblies together when the upper and the lower handle assemblies are rotated relative to each other, to form a unitary handle assembly.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63 / 609,098, filed on Dec. 12, 2023, entitled “TWO-PART HANDLE WITH RELEASE MECHANISM FOR DISSOLVABLE CLEANING HEAD”, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to products having dissolvable cleaning features, in particular, a two-part handle with a release mechanism having a dissolvable and / or disintegrating cleaning head.BACKGROUND

[0003] Cleaning supplies are often designed for specific applications for user convenience. Many cleaning supplies have a cleaning agent built-in to the end product so that the consumer can use the product out of the package. The cleaning agent may be part of a pre-wet packaging (e.g., cleaning wipes) or may be activated upon contact with water. An example of the latter category includes some toilet scrubbing products that include a cleaning agent built into a head of the product that activates when contacting water. These scrubbing tools are less than ideal, however, because their handles are expensive to package ship because of their shape (i.e., long and thin) and because their release mechanisms are either non-existent or very rudimentary.

[0004] The present disclosure is directed to overcoming these and other problems of the prior art.SUMMARY

[0005] Embodiments of the present invention address and overcome one or more of the above shortcomings and drawbacks by providing a two-part handle with a release mechanism for a dissolvable cleaning head.

[0006] In an exemplary embodiment, a scrubbing tool for cleaning an inside bowl of a toilet includes an upper handle assembly having a gripping end and an upper attachment end and a lower handle assembly having a tablet end and a lower attachment end. One of the attachment ends comprises a male attachment end having an outer diameter smaller than a female attachment end of the other attachment ends, such that the male attachment end is insertable into the female attachment end. A ledge is formed at a transition between a larger diameter portion of the handle assembly having the male attachment end and that male attachment end. The male and female attachment ends include cooperating engagement features that, after insertion of the male attachment end into the female attachment end, secure the upper and the lower handle assemblies together when the upper and the lower handle assemblies are rotated relative to each other, to form a unitary handle assembly.

[0007] In some embodiments, the cooperating engagement features secure the upper and lower handle assemblies together when the upper and lower handle assemblies are rotated relative to each other.

[0008] In some embodiments, the cooperating engagement features resist disconnection unless the upper and lower handle assemblies are counter-rotated to align the engagement features for axial disengagement.

[0009] In some embodiments, the cooperating engagement features comprise at least one projection on the female attachment end and at least one corresponding channel on the male attachment end, the projection and channel configured so that the projection must be aligned with the channel for insertion of the male attachment end into the female attachment end.

[0010] In some embodiments, the cooperating engagement features comprise a plurality of arc-shaped ridges on one attachment end configured to interlock with corresponding arc-shaped ridges on the other attachment end upon relative rotation, preventing axial separation of the handle assemblies.

[0011] In some embodiments, the male and female attachment ends are configured such that, when the ledge abuts the female attachment end, the one or more projections and one or more channels are substantially aligned to permit rotation and mating of the cooperating engagement features.

[0012] In some embodiments, one of the attachment ends comprises a connecting projection extending between at least two of the engagement features, the connecting projection limiting rotational travel one the cooperating engagement features are mated, thereby defining a locked position of the handle assemblies.

[0013] In some embodiments, the upper attachment end is the male attachment end and the lower attachment end is the female attachment end, and the ledge is formed at an interface between the gripping end and the upper attachment end.

[0014] In some embodiments, the lower attachment end is the male attachment end and the upper attachment end is the female attachment end, and the ledge is formed at an interface between the tablet end and the lower attachment end.

[0015] In some embodiments, the cooperating engagement features are provided in at least two angularly offset sets, each set allowing alignment and mating of the attachment ends, thereby providing multiple orientation options for connecting the upper and lower handle assemblies.

[0016] In some embodiments, the upper handle assembly and the lower handle assembly are detachably connected to one another, and removal of the upper handle assembly from the lower handle assembly requires rotating the handle assemblies in a direction opposite that used to secure them, aligning the projection and channel and permitting the male attachment end to be withdrawn from the female attachment end.

[0017] In some embodiments, the scrubbing tool further comprises a cleaning head comprising a back surface forming therein a cavity configured to mate with the tablet end in order to attach the cleaning head to the unitary handle assembly. In some embodiments, the scrubbing tool further comprises a release mechanism including an upper rod assembly comprising an upper rod within the upper handle assembly and a lower rod assembly within the lower handle assembly, wherein the lower rod assembly is configured to transfer user-provided force from an upper end of the upper rod to a lower end of the lower rod assembly to move the lower rod assembly to contact the back surface of the cleaning head to push the cleaning head off of the tablet end.

[0018] In another exemplary embodiment, a scrubbing tool for cleaning a surface with a dissolvable cleaning head includes a handle formed by an upper handle assembly and a lower handle assembly detachably connectable as a unitary handle assembly. In some embodiments, the handle comprises a tablet end, a connection mechanism attached at the tablet end, a cleaning head attached to the connection mechanism, the cleaning head formed of a water-dissolvable material comprising a cleaning agent and having a back surface, and a release mechanism comprising an internal rod assembly comprising an upper rod assembly at least partially within the upper handle assembly and a lower rod assembly at least partially within the lower handle assembly, a release button accessible from an exterior surface of the handle and operably coupled to the upper rod assembly, and a releasing foot coupled to the lower rod assembly and positioned to contact the back surface of the cleaning head. In some embodiments, actuation of the release button applies force through the internal rod assembly to the releasing foot, thereby pushing the cleaning head off the connection mechanism.

[0019] In some embodiments, the release button is positioned within a release button aperture formed in the upper handle assembly, and the handle assembly comprises a button depression surrounding the button aperture to guide movement of the release button and limit lateral play.

[0020] In some embodiments, the release button aperture is a linear slit configured to guide linear movement of the release button and the upper rod assembly.

[0021] In some embodiments, the releasing foot comprises an angled contact face configured to engage the back surface of the cleaning head to facilitate removal of the cleaning head from the connection mechanism.

[0022] In some embodiments, the connection mechanism comprises a projection portion sized to press fit into a cavity of the cleaning head, and a flange larger than an opening in the cleaning head, such that when the releasing foot pushes the cleaning head, it disengages the cleaning head from the projection portion.

[0023] In some embodiments, a diameter of the releasing foot is larger than a diameter of the flange and smaller than a diameter of the cleaning head, ensuring proper engagement with the cleaning head and effective removal upon actuation.

[0024] In some embodiments, an inner perimeter of the releasing foot comprises at least two round portions and a flat portion, the round portions angling inwardly toward the handle from the flat portion to enhance stability and control during removal of the cleaning head.

[0025] In some embodiments, the scrubbing tool further comprises a spring disposed within at least one of the upper or lower handle assemblies and configured to bias the rod assembly in a first position, such that actuation of the release button compresses the spring to apply force through the releasing foot.

[0026] In another exemplary embodiment, a scrubbing tool for cleaning a surface includes a lower handle assembly comprising a lower attachment end defining an internal cavity and comprising internal mating features, an upper handle assembly comprising an upper attachment end dimensioned as a male attachment end insertable into the internal cavity of the lower attachment end, the upper attachment end comprising external mating features complementary to the internal mating features, a cleaning head attached at an end of the lower handle assembly opposite the lower attachment end, the cleaning head comprising a water-dissolvable material comprising a cleaning agent, and a ledge on the upper handle assembly with the male attachment end, the ledge located at a transition between a larger diameter portion of that handle assembly and the male attachment end, the ledge configured to engage the lower handle assembly and limit insertion. In some embodiments, aligning the external mating features with the internal mating features and rotating one handle assembly relative to the other secures the upper and lower handle assemblies together.

[0027] In some embodiments, the upper attachment end and lower attachment end each have a plurality of sets of arc-shaped ridges and corresponding receiving features, providing multiple angular alignment options for connecting the handle assemblies and facilitating ease of assembly by a user.

[0028] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Additional features and advantages of the disclosed technology will be made apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments that proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The foregoing and other aspects of the present invention are best understood from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings embodiments that are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific instrumentalities disclosed. Included in the drawings are the following Figures:

[0030] FIGS. 1A-1I are various views of a two-part handle for a dissolvable cleaning head, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0031] FIGS. 2A and 2B are various views of a dissolvable cleaning head, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0032] FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate how the dissolvable cleaning head can be connected to the handle via the connection mechanism, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0033] FIGS. 4A-4D illustrate various positions of the connection mechanism, according to the embodiment of the disclosure.

[0034] FIGS. 5A and 5B are cross-sectional views of a two part-handle in its “use” and “release” positions, respectively, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0035] FIGS. 6A and 6B are various views of an upper rod assembly, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0036] FIG. 7 shows an upper handle assembly with an upper rod assembly installed therein, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0037] FIGS. 8A-8C are various views of a lower rod assembly, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0038] FIGS. 9A and 9B are various view of how the upper and lower rod assemblies interface with one another.

[0039] FIGS. 10A-10C are close-ups of the releasing foot and connection mechanism, according to embodiments of the disclosure.

[0040] FIG. 11 is a two-part handle, according to an embodiment, of the disclosure.

[0041] FIGS. 12A and 12B show various views of the upper and lower attachment ends, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Disclosed herein is a two-part handle for a dissolvable cleaning head. The two parts can be shipped side-by-side instead of connected, to reduce shipping and packaging costs, and then be connected by a user upon receipt. The handle also has a release mechanism that can push off a dissolvable cleaning head attached thereto without damaging it. Each part of the two-part handle contains some features of the release mechanism.

[0043] FIGS. 1A-1I are various views of a two-part handle 100 for a dissolvable cleaning head, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. As the name suggests, the two-part handle 100 can be formed by two parts: an upper handle assembly 110 and a lower handle assembly 120. The two-part handle 100 has at its distal end a connection mechanism 200 that can be mated with a dissolvable cleaning head to connect the dissolvable cleaning head to the two-part handle 100.

[0044] FIGS. 2A and 2B are various views of a dissolvable cleaning head 500, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. In some embodiments, the dissolvable cleaning head 500 can be substantially disc-shaped, and its back surface can form a cavity 501 to mate with the connection mechanism 200 on the handle 100.

[0045] While a disc-shaped dissolvable cleaning head 500 having a cavity 501 to mate with the connection mechanism 200 is shown in the figures, the technology disclosed herein is not so limited. Instead, as one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, a dissolvable cleaning head 500 can be in any geometric shape, including, for example and not limitation, a sphere, a rectangular prism, a cone. Further, many types of connections to connect the dissolvable cleaning head 500 to the handle 100 are possible.

[0046] The cleaning head 500 is preferably completely dissolvable tablet including a cleaning agent. In some embodiments, the cleaning head 500 is configured with a combination of cleaning agents and fragrances.

[0047] The cleaning head 500 may dissolve or disassociate gradually over time. For instance, the cleaning head 500 can comprise materials that dissolve effervescently while simultaneously cleaning and giving off fragrance. Various embodiments could be made to completely dissolve at any time interval, such as 5 to 10 minutes for normal household use. In at least some embodiments, the materials that make up the cleaning head 500 are safe for flushing when appropriately sized due to dissolution of the cleaning head 500.

[0048] The cleaning head 500 includes one or more of a cleaning agent, a dissolvable / disintegrable scrubbing element, binder, filler, colorant, fragrance, preservative or other dissolvable, dissociative, or disintegrable material. The cleaning agent may, for example, include one or more of a surfactant, a soap, a detergent, a bactericidal agent, a bleaching agent, a chelant, a salt, a coloring agent, fragrances and preservatives.

[0049] The scrubbing element may be any suitable material provided it is dissolvable, dissociative, and / or disintegratable in water. For example, and not by way of limitation, the scrubbing agent can include cellulosic material (e.g., paper), solid cleaning agents (e.g., powder, granules, pellets, etc.) or combinations thereof. Through choice of material, the rate of dissolution, disassociation, and / or disintegration can be controlled to balance the time needed to clean and the time needed to reach a flushable or other desirable state, and to allow complete dissolution, disassociation, and / or disintegration.

[0050] Some embodiments may further include effervescent agents such as citric acid. Again through choice of materials the amount and timing of the effervescence may be controlled.

[0051] The cleaning head 500 may be made of various layers, where each layer may have its own profile. For example, an outermost layer can be a quickly releasing cleaning agent to provide cleaning agent to the area to be cleaned. This may also include sudsing agents. The next layer, for example could be a more strongly held together layer combining an abrasive and cellulosic material that allows for some scrubbing. Once scrubbing is complete, and this layer is dissolved, disassociated, or disintegrated or otherwise worn down, it could expose an effervescent layer. In one embodiment, the toilet could be flushed removing any remaining cleaning agent, abrasive material, leaving the effervescent layer, still attached to the scrubbing handle. The remaining layer could then be detached from the scrubbing handle and left in the bowl to effervesce, releasing, for example, a pleasant colorant and / or fragrance.

[0052] FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate how the dissolvable cleaning head 500 can be connected to the handle 100 via the connection mechanism 200, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. As illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3C, in some embodiments, the connection mechanism 200 is a male connector and the cleaning head 500 has a mating female connector.

[0053] While the figures show that the connection mechanism 200 has a male connector and the dissolvable cleaning head 500 has a female connector, the subject matter disclosed herein is not so limited. Instead, the opposite could be true; the connection mechanism 200 can have a female connector and the dissolvable cleaning head 500 can gave have a male connector. Even more, the mated connection is not limited to male-female connectors; any connection type is possible.

[0054] FIGS. 4A-4D illustrate various positions of the connection mechanism 200, according to the embodiment of the disclosure. As mentioned above, in some embodiments, the connection mechanism 200 is a male connector that interfaces with a female connector (e.g., a cavity) of the dissolvable cleaning head 500. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4A-4D, the connection mechanism has a projecting portion 201, a several flexible rings 202a-202c about the projection portion 201, and a rigid flange 210. As described above with respect to FIGS. 3A-3C, the connection mechanism 200 can be inserted into a cavity 501 of a dissolvable cleaning head 500. In some embodiments, the projecting portion 201 can be cylindrical, and its leading edge can be chamfered to facilitate insertion into the cavity 501 of a dissolvable cleaning head 500.

[0055] The flexible rings 202a-202c can be the same diameter or slightly larger than the diameter of the cavity 501 such that the dissolvable cleaning head 500 is held on to the connection mechanism 200 via a friction fit between the flexible rings 202a-202c and the cavity's 501 interior wall. Because the flexible rings 202a-202c have the same or a greater diameter than the dissolvable cleaning head's 500 cavity 501, the flexible rings 202a-202c will act as a water barrier, protecting the internal surface of the cavity 501 from exposure to water. This feature can be desirable because water or moisture can cause the internal surface of the cavity 501 to dissolve and eventually grow so large that it cannot connect to the connection mechanism 200. The combination of the relatively short projecting portion 201 and the flexible rings 202a-202c permit the dissolvable cleaning head 500 to move (e.g., flex, pivot, rotate, swivel, etc.) with respect to the handle 100 during a cleaning operation. While the figures show three flexible rings 202a-202c, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that a greater or fewer number are possible.

[0056] Opposite the insertion end of the projecting portion 201 is a rigid flange 210. In some embodiments, the rigid flange 210 has a diameter greater than the diameter of the dissolvable cleaning head's 500 cavity 501 and is located a certain distance from the insertion end of the projection portion 201 such that when the projection portion 201 is inserted into a cavity 501 of a dissolvable cleaning head 500, the rigid flange 210 sits on the top surface of dissolvable cleaning head 500, as illustrated in FIG. 3B. Because the diameter of the rigid flange 210 is greater than the diameter of the dissolvable cleaning head's 500 cavity 501, the rigid flange 210 will minimize or prevent water from entering the cavity 501 of the dissolvable cleaning head 500. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in some embodiments, the flange 210 is flexible, not rigid.

[0057] Referring to FIG. 3C in particular, this figure illustrates how the connection mechanism 200 can move with respect to the handle 100, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. This feature can be desirable when cleaning curved or difficult-to-reach surfaces. For example, when scrubbing the curved surface of a toilet bowl, it can be desirable to have a dissolvable cleaning head 500 with a planar surface (e.g., like that of a disc-shaped tablet) attached to a handle 100 that can allow the dissolvable cleaning head 500 to move with respect to the handle 100 as the user pushes the planar surface of the dissolvable cleaning head 500 against the surface of the curved toilet bowl and moves the dissolvable cleaning head 500 along the curved surface of the toilet bowl, which can help the planar surface maintain contact with the curved surface.

[0058] Once assembled (i.e., the upper 110 and lower 120 handle assemblies are connected) and connected to a dissolvable cleaning head 500, the handle 100 can be used to perform a cleaning operation, like scrubbing the inside of a toilet bowl. In addition, the two-part handle 100 can include a release mechanism 300 to remove a dissolvable cleaning head 500 from the handle 100 without the user having to directly touch the dissolvable cleaning head 500. A user may desire this functionality, especially after the dissolvable cleaning head 500 has been used to scrub the inside of a toilet bowl. FIG. 5A shows a cross-section of the two-part handle in the “use” position in which the dissolvable cleaning head 500 is connected to the connection mechanism 200 and can be used for a cleaning operation, and FIG. 5B shows a cross-section of the two-part handle in the “release” position in which the dissolvable cleaning head 500 is removed from the connection mechanism 200, each according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0059] The release mechanism 300 has a rod assembly 301 with a release button 312 on one end and a releasing foot 350 at the other end. To active the release mechanism (i.e., to place the two-part handle in the “release” position), the user can push the release button 312 to cause the contact surface 351 of the releasing foot 350 to the contact the back surface of the dissolvable cleaning head 500 to push the dissolvable cleaning head 500 of the connection mechanism 200.

[0060] In some embodiments, such as the one illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the two-part handle 100 can be configured to return its “use” position. To accomplish this functionality, the shell 121 of the lower handle assembly 120 has an internal stopper ledge 122 that extends into an internal spring housing 323 in the rod assembly 301, and a spring 400 is inserted between the back face 322 of the internal spring housing 323 and the internal stopper ledge 122. When the user pushes the release button 312, the spring 400 compresses between the back face 322 of the internal spring housing 323 and the internal stopper ledge 122, and the rod assembly 301 moves farther outside of the lower handle assembly 120 such that the releasing foot 350 can contact the back surface of the dissolvable cleaning head 500 and push it off the connection mechanism 200, as illustrated in FIG. 5B. When the user releases the release button 312, the spring 400 extends between the back face 322 of the internal spring housing 323 and the internal stopper ledge 122, which retracts the rod assembly 301 further into the two-part handle 100 and returns the release button 312 to its original position, as illustrated in FIG. 5A. By extending into the internal spring housing 232, the internal stopper ledge 122 also prevents the lower rod assembly 320 from becoming removed from the lower handle assembly 120.

[0061] In some embodiments, the release mechanism 300 can be formed by an upper rod assembly 310 at least partially within the shell 111 of the upper handle assembly 110 and a lower rod assembly 320 at least partially within the shell 121 of the lower handle assembly 120, as illustrated in FIGS. 1H and 1I.

[0062] FIGS. 6A and 6B are various views of an upper rod assembly 310, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The upper rod assembly 310 can include an upper rod 311, a release button 312, and an intermediate wall 313 connecting the release button 312 to the upper rod 311. In some embodiments, the intermediate wall 313 can extent through a button aperture 113 in the upper handle assembly 120 such that the upper rod 311 can be entirely within the shell 111 of the upper handle assembly 120 and the release button 312 can be outside the upper handle assembly 120 so that it can be accessed by the user.

[0063] To illustrate, FIG. 7 shows an upper handle assembly 110 with an upper rod assembly 310 installed therein, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the button aperture 113 can form a linear slit, along which the intermediate wall 313 can travel to move the rod assembly 301 back and forth. To limit the travel of the intermediate wall 313, in some embodiments, the upper rod assembly 310 can form a button depression 112 around the button aperture 113. If the user attempts to push the release button 312“too far,” he or she will be preventing from doing so because the outer walls of the release button 312 will interface with, and be blocked by the walls formed by the button depression 112. In other words, if the release button 312 could travel further in the slit, it would be stopped because it would run into the inner wall of the button depression 112. This could be the case in both directions (i.e., forward and backward), or only one.

[0064] FIGS. 8A-8C are various views of a lower rod assembly 320, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The lower rod assembly 320 can include a first rod portion 321 and a second rod portion 325 separated by an internal spring housing 323. The internal spring housing 323 has a front face 324 and a back face 322 that are connected by upper and lower connection pieces, but the internal spring housing 323 does not have side walls. Without side walls, the internal stopped ledge 122 can extend from an internal surface of the lower handle assembly 120 into the internal spring housing 323.

[0065] FIGS. 9A and 9B are various view of how the upper 310 and lower 320 rod assemblies interface with one another. One end of the lower rod assembly 320 interfaces with one end of the upper rod assembly 310, as illustrated in FIGS. 9A and 9B, such that movement of the upper rod assembly 310, such as movement caused by movement of the release button 312, will cause the lower rod assembly 320 to similarly move. On the other end of the lower rod assembly 320 is a releasing foot 350 that can contact a back surface of a dissolvable cleaning head 500 to push the dissolvable cleaning head 500 off of the connection mechanism 200.

[0066] Referring back to FIG. 3B, in the “use” position, the releasing foot 350 is between the outer edge of the lower handle assembly 120 and the back surface (i.e., the surface opposite the cleaning surface) of the dissolvable cleaning head 500. In this orientation, a user can perform a cleaning operation without interference from the releasing foot 350.

[0067] However, in the “release” position, the releasing foot 350 travels farther out from the lower handle assembly 120 until the releasing foot 350 contacts the back surface of the dissolvable cleaning head 500 and pushes the dissolvable cleaning head 500 off of the connection mechanism 200 entirely.

[0068] Referring back to FIG. 4D, to facilitate pushing the dissolvable cleaning head 500 off, the releasing foot's 350 contact surface 351 can be angled with respect to the back surface of the dissolvable cleaning head 500. In particular, the contact surface 351 can be angled inwardly towards the lower handle assembly 120 from its base (i.e., at the flat portion 352, described below) to its top (i.e., at the distal ends of the round portions 251a, 251b, described below), which can help remove the dissolvable cleaning head 500 from the connection mechanism 200. The strongest friction fit between the flexible rings 202 of the connection mechanism 200 and the cavity 501 of the dissolvable cleaning head 500 exists when the flexible rings 202 are perpendicular to the interior walls of the cavity 501. When the internal walls of the cavity 501 are angled with respect to the flexible rings 202, such as when the dissolvable cleaning head 500 is tilted, the friction fit is compromised and it can be easier to push the dissolvable cleaning head 500 off the of connection mechanism 200. By using a contact surface 351 that is angled inwardly from a base to its top, the releasing foot 350 can cause the dissolvable cleaning head 500 to tilt until the dissolvable cleaning head 500 is at the same angle as the contact surface after which point the releasing foot 350 continues to push the dissolvable cleaning head 500 off of the connection mechanism 200 without additional titling.

[0069] As described above, the releasing foot 350 contacts the back surface of the dissolvable cleaning 500 to push it off of the connection mechanism 200. In embodiments in which the connection mechanism has a flange 210 and the releasing foot 350 sits between the outer edge of the lower handle assembly 120 and the upper surface of the flange 210, the releasing foot 350 should be able to travel past the flange 210 without interference.

[0070] FIGS. 10A-10C are close-ups of the releasing foot 350 and connection mechanism 200, according to embodiments of the disclosure. The releasing foot 350 can travel past the flange 210 without interference from it because the inner perimeter of the releasing foot 350 is greater than and surrounds the outer perimeter of the flange 210. For example, in the embodiment show in FIG. 10A, the inner diameter of the releasing foot's 350 round portions 351a, 351b is larger than the outer diameter of the flange 210. In some embodiments, the releasing foot 350 and the flange 210 can have complementary geometries: For example, in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 10A-10C, both the releasing foot 350 and the flange 210 have complementary round portions (foot: 351a, 351b; flange: 211) and flat portions (foot: 352; flange: 212). In embodiments with no flange 210, there can be more flexibility in the design of the releasing foot 350 because there would be no need to design around a flange.

[0071] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10A, the releasing foot 350 extends approximately 180 degrees around its center point. However, the technology disclosed herein is not so limited. Instead, the releasing foot 350 can extent less than 180 degrees or greater than 180 degrees. However, in some embodiments, the releasing foot 350 cannot extend 360 degrees. Because the releasing foot 350 should have enough of a gap so that it can travel past the connection point where the connection mechanism 200 connects to the lower handle assembly 120 (see FIG. 4A).

[0072] Using a releasing foot 350 instead of an end of a rod to push off the dissolvable cleaning head 500 off reduces the likelihood that the dissolvable cleaning head 500 will be damaged and / or unusable after it is removed from the handle 100 using the release mechanism 300. This is because of how the force from the release mechanism 300 is distributed. With both the releasing foot 350 and an end of the rod, the force from the release mechanism 300 is distributed across the surface area of the dissolvable cleaning head 500 in contact with the releasing foot 350 or the end of the rod, as applicable. Because the surface area of the releasing foot 350 is larger than the end of a rod, the force is distributed over a larger surface area. It is therefore more likely that the dissolvable cleaning head 500 will be able to withstand a distributed force from the releasing foot 350 than the localized force from the end of a rod because the force at any given point is less than the force would be if it were pushed off by the end of a rod.

[0073] This is also why some embodiments use a releasing foot 350 include with a flat portion 352. As discussed above, some embodiments of a releasing foot 350 can have a flat portion 352 between two round portions 351a, 351b. While the round portions 351a, 351b are angled, the flat portion 352 is not angled; it is substantially flat so that substantially all of its outer surface area comes into contact with the back surface of the dissolvable cleaning head 500 at the same time. (see FIG. 4D) Because of this, those areas experience less force than they would if they were contacted by only a very small portion of the releasing foot 350.

[0074] As mentioned above, in some embodiments, the handle 100 described herein can be formed of two parts: an upper handle assembly 110 and a lower handle assembly 120. This can be desirable because it can be easier and less expensive to package and ship two pieces that are half the length of a full handle than one piece that is the full length of the handle. The features that allow the two-part handle 100 to be connected easily by an end user to form a single unitary handle are described in the following paragraphs with reference to FIGS. 11-12B.

[0075] FIG. 11 is a two-part handle 100, according to an embodiment, of the disclosure. The upper handle assembly 110 has two ends: a gripping end 115 to be held by the user during a cleaning operation and an upper attachment end 116 to mate the upper handle assembly 110 to the lower handle assembly 120. The lower handle assembly 120 also has two ends: a lower attachment end 126 to mate with the upper attachment end 116 and a tablet end 125 where the connection mechanism 200 is attached. As described above, each of the upper 110 and lower 120 handle assemblies include components that, together, form the release mechanism 300.

[0076] FIGS. 12A and 12B show various views of the upper 116 and lower 126 attachment ends, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 12A shows a perspective view of each of the upper 116 and lower 126 attachment ends while FIG. 12B shows a side view of the upper attachment end 116 and a cross-sectional view of the lower attachment end.

[0077] The upper 110 and lower 120 handle assemblies can be connected to one another by inserting one into the other, and then twisting. Once connected in this way, the upper 110 and lower 120 handle assemblies cannot disconnect without a user intentionally twisting the handle assemblies in the opposite direction and siding one out from the other. To allow for the upper 110 and lower 120 handle assemblies to be connected like this, each of the upper 116 and lower 126 attachment ends have varying elevations that interface and mate with each other.

[0078] In some embodiments, the inner diameter of the lower attachment end 126 is larger than the outer diameter of the upper attachment end 116 such that the upper attachment end 116 can be inserted into the lower attachment end 126. In some embodiments, the lower attachment end 126 can have a projection 127 that extends inwardly at the entrance to the lower attachment end 126, and the upper attachment end 116 can have a corresponding channel along its outer surface to receive the projection 127 and in which the projection 127 can travel. The projection 127 will prevent the upper attachment end 116 from being inserted into the lower attachment end 126 unless the projection 127 is aligned with the channel 117. When properly aligned, the channel 117 can receive the projection 127 as the upper attachment end 116 is inserted into the lower attachment end 126. In other words, a user should line up the projection 127 with the channel 117 before sliding the upper attachment end 116 into the lower attachment end 126.

[0079] In some embodiments, there are arc-shaped ridges on an inner surface of the lower attachment end (128a, 128b) and the outer surface of the upper attachment end (118a, 118b). When properly aligned, i.e., when the valleys of the lower attachment end's arc-shaped ridges 128a, 128b are aligned with the upper attachment end's arc-shaped ridges 118a, 118b, or vice versa, a user can twist the upper 110 and lower 120 handle assemblies with respect to each other to mate the arc-shaped ridges 118a, 118b, 128a, and 128b together. With these arc-shaped ridges mated, the upper 110 and lower 120 handle assemblies cannot become disconnected by pulling them apart from one another without first un-mating the arc-shaped ridges 118a, 118b, 128a, and 128b by twisting the upper 110 and lower 120 handle assemblies to un-mate them.

[0080] In some embodiments, one or more of the arc-shaped ridges on the outer surface of the upper attachment end (118a, 118b) are connected by a connecting projection 119. The connecting projection 119 can prevent the upper 110 and lower 120 handle assemblies from additional forward rotation / twisting after the arc-shaped ridges 118a, 118b, 128a, and 128b are mated. Thus, to un-mate, the arc-shaped ridges 118a, 118b, 128a, and 128b, the upper 110 and lower 120 handle assemblies should be twisted in the direction opposite the one used to mate them.

[0081] Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the outer surface of the upper attachment end 116 can include a cut-out 137 to receive the projection 127 when the upper attachment end 116 is inserted into the lower attachment end 126 and the upper 110 and lower 120 handle assemblies are twisted. Once the projection 127 is within this cutout, the upper 110 and lower 120 handle assemblies cannot become disconnected by pulling them apart from one another without first twisting the upper 110 and lower 120 handle assemblies in the direction opposite the one used to locate the projection 127 in the cutout remove the projection 127 from the cutout.

[0082] In some embodiments, the upper handle assembly 110 has a smaller diameter at its upper attachment end 116 than at its gripping end 115. The ledge 114 formed by this change in diameter can act as a stopper to prevent the upper handle assembly 110 from inserting too far into the lower handle assembly 120 and / or to locate the arc-shaped ridges 118, 128 such that they are aligned so that they will mate when the upper 110 and lower 120 handle assemblies are twisted.

[0083] To disconnect the upper 110 and lower 120 handle assemblies from each other, a user can twist the upper 110 and lower 120 handle assemblies in the direction opposite the one used to connect them until the arc-shaped ridges 118, 128 are no longer mated, aligning the projection 127 in the channel 117, and then sliding the upper attachment end 116 out from the lower attachment end 126.

[0084] In some embodiments, each of the upper 116 and lower 126 attachment ends can have a second sets of the features described above. For example, in some embodiments, the second set of features can be a mirror image of the first set of features. To illustrate, consider FIG. 12A, which shows a first set of arc-shaped ridges 118a, 118b and a second set of arc-shaped ridges 118c, 118d. It can be desirable to include a second set of features because it gives the user additional options to attach the upper 110 and lower 120 handle assembles together, which can reduce the amount of time to connect them because, on average, it will take a user less time to align mating features. For example, one projection 127 can interface with the either the first or second channel on the upper attachment end. For another example, the arc-shaped ridges 118a, 118b on the upper attachment end can mate with either the first or second set of arc-shaped ridges on the lower attachment end.

[0085] The description provided above describes the upper attachment end 116 having a smaller diameter and having features on the outside thereof, and a lower attachment end 126 having a larger diameter having features on the inside thereof. However, the technology described herein is not so limited. Instead, as one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, the opposite can be true; the lower attachment end 126 can a smaller diameter and features on the outside thereof while the upper attachment end 116 can have a larger diameter with features on the inside thereof.

[0086] While various illustrative embodiments incorporating the principles of the present teachings have been disclosed, the present teachings are not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Instead, this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the present teachings and use its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure that are within known or customary practice in the art to which these teachings pertain.

[0087] In the above detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the present disclosure are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be used, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented herein. It will be readily understood that various features of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the Figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated herein.

[0088] The present disclosure is not to be limited in terms of the particular embodiments described in this application, which are intended as illustrations of various features. Many modifications and variations can be made without departing from its spirit and scope, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Functionally equivalent methods and apparatuses within the scope of the disclosure, in addition to those enumerated herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing descriptions. It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to particular methods, compounds, or compositions, which can, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting.

[0089] With respect to the use of substantially any plural and / or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and / or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and / or application. The various singular / plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

[0090] It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein are generally intended as “open” terms (for example, the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” et cetera). While various compositions, methods, and devices are described in terms of “comprising” various components or steps (interpreted as meaning “including, but not limited to”), the compositions, methods, and devices can also “consist essentially of” or “consist of” the various components and steps, and such terminology should be interpreted as defining essentially closed-member groups.

[0091] As used in this document, the singular forms “a,”“an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Nothing in this disclosure is to be construed as an admission that the embodiments described in this disclosure are not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention.

[0092] In addition, even if a specific number is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (for example, the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, et cetera” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (for example, “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and / or A, B, and C together, et cetera). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, et cetera” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (for example, “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and / or A, B, and C together, et cetera). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and / or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, sample embodiments, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

[0093] In addition, where features of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.

[0094] As will be understood by one skilled in the art, for any and all purposes, such as in terms of providing a written description, all ranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all possible subranges and combinations of subranges thereof. Any listed range can be easily recognized as sufficiently describing and enabling the same range being broken down into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths, tenths, et cetera. As a non-limiting example, each range discussed herein can be readily broken down into a lower third, middle third and upper third, et cetera. As will also be understood by one skilled in the art all language such as “up to,”“at least,” and the like include the number recited and refer to ranges that can be subsequently broken down into subranges as discussed above. Finally, as will be understood by one skilled in the art, a range includes each individual member. Thus, for example, a group having 1-3 components refers to groups having 1, 2, or 3 components. Similarly, a group having 1-5 components refers to groups having 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 components, and so forth.

[0095] Various of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art, each of which is also intended to be encompassed by the disclosed embodiments.

Claims

1. A scrubbing tool for cleaning an inside bowl of a toilet, the scrubbing tool comprising:an upper handle assembly having a gripping end and an upper attachment end;a lower handle assembly having a tablet end and a lower attachment end;wherein one of the attachment ends comprises a male attachment end having an outer diameter smaller than a female attachment end of the other attachment ends, such that the male attachment end is insertable into the female attachment end;a ledge formed at a transition between a larger diameter portion of the handle assembly having the male attachment end and that male attachment end; andwherein the male and female attachment ends include cooperating engagement features that, after insertion of the male attachment end into the female attachment end, secure the upper and the lower handle assemblies together when the upper and the lower handle assemblies are rotated relative to each other, to form a unitary handle assembly.

2. The scrubbing tool of claim 1, wherein the cooperating engagement features secure the upper and lower handle assemblies together when the upper and lower handle assemblies are rotated relative to each other.

3. The scrubbing tool of claim 2, wherein the cooperating engagement features resist disconnection unless the upper and lower handle assemblies are counter-rotated to align the engagement features for axial disengagement.

4. The scrubbing tool of claim 1, wherein the cooperating engagement features comprise at least one projection on the female attachment end and at least one corresponding channel on the male attachment end, the projection and channel configured so that the projection must be aligned with the channel for insertion of the male attachment end into the female attachment end.

5. The scrubbing tool of claim 4, wherein the cooperating engagement features further comprise a plurality of arc-shaped ridges on one attachment end configured to interlock with corresponding arc-shaped ridges on the other attachment end upon relative rotation, preventing axial separation of the handle assemblies.

6. The scrubbing tool of claim 4, wherein the male and female attachment ends are configured such that, when the ledge abuts the female attachment end, the one or more projections and one or more channels are substantially aligned to permit rotation and mating of the cooperating engagement features.

7. The scrubbing tool of claim 4, wherein one of the attachment ends comprises a connecting projection extending between at least two of the engagement features, the connecting projection limiting rotational travel one the cooperating engagement features are mated, thereby defining a locked position of the handle assemblies.

8. The scrubbing tool of claim 1, wherein the upper attachment end is the male attachment end and the lower attachment end is the female attachment end, and the ledge is formed at an interface between the gripping end and the upper attachment end.

9. The scrubbing tool of claim 1, wherein the lower attachment end is the male attachment end and the upper attachment end is the female attachment end, and the ledge is formed at an interface between the tablet end and the lower attachment end.

10. The scrubbing tool of claim 1, wherein the cooperating engagement features are provided in at least two angularly offset sets, each set allowing alignment and mating of the attachment ends, thereby providing multiple orientation options for connecting the upper and lower handle assemblies.

11. The scrubbing tool of claim 4, wherein the upper handle assembly and the lower handle assembly are detachably connected to one another, and removal of the upper handle assembly from the lower handle assembly requires rotating the handle assemblies in a direction opposite that used to secure them, aligning the projection and channel and permitting the male attachment end to be withdrawn from the female attachment end.

12. The scrubbing tool of claim 1, wherein the scrubbing tool further comprises:a cleaning head comprising a back surface forming therein a cavity configured to mate with the tablet end in order to attach the cleaning head to the unitary handle assembly; anda release mechanism comprising:an upper rod assembly comprising an upper rod within the upper handle assembly; anda lower rod assembly within the lower handle assembly, wherein the lower rod assembly is configured to transfer user-provided force from an upper end of the upper rod to a lower end of the lower rod assembly to move the lower rod assembly to contact the back surface of the cleaning head to push the cleaning head off of the tablet end.

13. A scrubbing tool for cleaning a surface with a dissolvable cleaning head, the scrubbing tool comprising:a handle formed by an upper handle assembly and a lower handle assembly detachably connectable as a unitary handle assembly, the handle comprising a tablet end;a connection mechanism attached at the tablet end;a cleaning head attached to the connection mechanism, the cleaning head formed of a water-dissolvable material comprising a cleaning agent and having a back surface; anda release mechanism comprising:an internal rod assembly comprising an upper rod assembly at least partially within the upper handle assembly and a lower rod assembly at least partially within the lower handle assembly,a release button accessible from an exterior surface of the handle and operably coupled to the upper rod assembly, anda releasing foot coupled to the lower rod assembly and positioned to contact the back surface of the cleaning head;wherein actuation of the release button applies force through the internal rod assembly to the releasing foot, thereby pushing the cleaning head off the connection mechanism.

14. The scrubbing tool of claim 13, wherein the release button is positioned within a release button aperture formed in the upper handle assembly, and the handle assembly comprises a button depression surrounding the button aperture to guide movement of the release button and limit lateral play.

15. The scrubbing tool of claim 14, wherein the release button aperture is a linear slit configured to guide linear movement of the release button and the upper rod assembly.

16. The scrubbing tool of claim 13, wherein the releasing foot comprises an angled contact face configured to engage the back surface of the cleaning head to facilitate removal of the cleaning head from the connection mechanism.

17. The scrubbing tool of claim 13, wherein the connection mechanism comprises a projection portion sized to press fit into a cavity of the cleaning head, and a flange larger than an opening in the cleaning head, such that when the releasing foot pushes the cleaning head, it disengages the cleaning head from the projection portion.

18. The scrubbing tool of claim 17, wherein a diameter of the releasing foot is larger than a diameter of the flange and smaller than a diameter of the cleaning head, ensuring proper engagement with the cleaning head and effective removal upon actuation.

19. The scrubbing tool of claim 13, wherein an inner perimeter of the releasing foot comprises at least two round portions and a flat portion, the round portions angling inwardly toward the handle from the flat portion to enhance stability and control during removal of the cleaning head.

20. The scrubbing tool of claim 13, further comprising a spring disposed within at least one of the upper or lower handle assemblies and configured to bias the rod assembly in a first position, such that actuation of the release button compresses the spring to apply force through the releasing foot.

21. A scrubbing tool for cleaning a surface, the scrubbing tool comprising:a lower handle assembly comprising a lower attachment end defining an internal cavity and comprising internal mating features;an upper handle assembly comprising an upper attachment end dimensioned as a male attachment end insertable into the internal cavity of the lower attachment end, the upper attachment end comprising external mating features complementary to the internal mating features;a cleaning head attached at an end of the lower handle assembly opposite the lower attachment end, the cleaning head comprising a water-dissolvable material comprising a cleaning agent; anda ledge on the upper handle assembly with the male attachment end, the ledge located at a transition between a larger diameter portion of that handle assembly and the male attachment end, the ledge configured to engage the lower handle assembly and limit insertion;wherein aligning the external mating features with the internal mating features and rotating one handle assembly relative to the other secures the upper and lower handle assemblies together.

22. The scrubbing tool of claim 21, wherein the upper attachment end and lower attachment end each have a plurality of sets of arc-shaped ridges and corresponding receiving features, providing multiple angular alignment options for connecting the handle assemblies and facilitating ease of assembly by a user.

Images