Hand brush for cleaning hands

Abstract

A hand brush 101 for cleaning hands, comprising a housing 103,105, tank 111 for storing water and spray 117 for dispensing water, a chamber for storing soap 149 and a pump 119 for dispensing soap. The

Description

The present invention relates to a hand brush for cleaning hands, more particularly but not exclusively, to an electric handheld brush for cleaning the hands of the user. A person can get their hands dirty as a result of their job, for example, working as a builder, a landscape gardener or as a mechanic. Typically, such a person with dirty hands requires the ability to clean their hands before they take part in another activity, such as completing paperwork, driving home or eating their lunch. It is standard practice that they would normally seek to wash their hands with soap and water in a sink. Depending on the nature of the dirty hands, this can however often cause a mess to the sink and surrounding bathroom area. The person may feel it prudent to wash their hands under an outside tap, assuming they have brought their own soap. However, depending on the location of the person and where they are working, there may not be any source of suitable water available inside or outside of a building. Hand wipes may be relied upon in an attempt for the person to clean their hands. Although such wipes do not often sufficiently clean hands, especially if the hands are caked in mud and / or grease. Furthermore, it can be difficult to clean under fingernails with a hand wipe. The use of wet wipes adds to the level of waste which all too often is aimed to be avoided nowadays. There is therefore a need for an alternative way for a person to sufficiently clean their hands, regardless of their location relative to a source of water. The present invention attempts, in at least its preferred embodiment, to provide such an alternative. According to the present invention there is provided a hand brush for cleaning hands, comprising a housing, means for storing water and means for dispensing water, means for storing soap and dispensing soap onto the hands of a user, the soap dispenser being distinct from the water dispenser, the hand brush further comprising a brush head, wherein in use, the brush head is powered so as to be moveable relative to the housing in order to facilitate cleaning, the water dispenser being disposed adjacent the brush head and the soap dispenser being remote therefrom. The user is thus enabled to carry out the following steps: - dispense soap onto his hands - either rub his hands together to actuate the soap thereon and / or spray water onto his hands to assist in activating the soap and rinse his hands, - use the brush to promote further activation of the soap and rinsing steps. The soap may be in any suitable form, for example a liquid soap or a foam soap that does not fall within the definition of a liquid soap. Optionally the brush head is replaceable and can be detached from and reattached to the hand brush. It may be that a brush head with different strength bristles can be swapped in. This advantageously allows the user to select a particular brush head for specific use. It may be that a new brush head is utilized to replace a more worn brush head. This is advantageous because it allows the user to replace only the brush head if it is worn and not the entire hand brush. Optionally the hand brush is provided with a magnetic plate which, in use, is powered so as to be moveable relative to the housing. Optionally the brush head is provided with a magnetic plate, so as to be magnetically attracted to the plate provided on the hand brush. It may be that the plates are manufactured from magnetic materials. It may be that magnets are secured to the plates to enable the plates to be attracted to each other. Optionally the plate provided on the brush head and the plate provided on the hand brush comprise a raised portion and recess arrangement so that when the plates abut, the raised portion resides within the recess. It may be that the plate provided on the hand brush comprises a recessed portion. It may be that the plate provided on the brush head comprises a corresponding raised portion. Optionally the raised portion and recess are shaped to enable the plates to be locked together upon abutment of the plates, such that rotation of one plate will result in the rotation of the other plate. It may be that the shape is hexagonal in plan view. It may be that the shape is any suitable shape, for example a triangle, square, rectangle, pentagon, cross etc. Optionally the hand brush comprises an oscillating gear assembly which is driven by an electric motor. Optionally the electric motor is powered by a battery situated within the housing and wherein the battery is rechargeable. It may be that the battery is rechargeable via a connection to a standard mains socket. Optionally the oscillating gear assembly, in use, drives a shaft so that said shaft is rotated in an oscillating manner about the axis of said shaft. It may be that the shaft is driven in an oscillating manner so that the shaft is rotated clockwise and then anticlockwise in quick succession. Optionally the shaft is secured to the plate, so that, in use, the oscillating rotation of said shaft results in an oscillating rotation of the plate. It may be that the plate is driven in an oscillating manner so that the plate is rotated clockwise and then anticlockwise in quick succession. Optionally upon the abutment of the plates and the raised portion residing in the recess, oscillating rotation of the shaft, in turn results in a corresponding oscillating rotation of the secured plate, which in turn results in a corresponding oscillating rotation of the plate provided on the brush head and in turn results in the corresponding oscillating rotation of the brush head. Optionally the brush head is provided with a cap. It may be that the cap is secured to the brush head via a friction fit or a snap fit. It may be that the cap is secured to the brush head, over the bristles provided on the brush head. Optionally the means for storing water is a water tank, which is secured to the housing. Optionally the water tank is provided with a lid to seal and unseal the water tank. Optionally the water tank is translucent. It may be that the walls or the lid of the water tank are translucent or both. Optionally the means for dispensing water is a pump, which is in fluid communication with the means for storing water. Optionally the pump is provided with a trigger which has an opening and upon activation of the trigger, water is dispensed from the means for storing water via the pump and out of the opening. Optionally the pump is provided with a spring mechanism so as to facilitate the pump being resilient. Optionally the means for storing soap is a chamber, which is provided within the housing. Optionally the means for dispensing soap is a pump, which is in fluid communication with the means for storing soap. Optionally the pump is provided with an opening and upon activation of the pump, soap is dispensed from the chamber via the pump and out of the opening. Optionally the pump is provided with a spring mechanism so as to facilitate the pump being resilient. Optionally the means for storing water and the means for storing soap are at opposite ends of the housing. It may be that the housing acts as a handle for the user to grip the hand brush during use. It may be that the soap is dispensed from an end of the handle. It may be that soap is dispensed from the bottom end of the handle. It may be that this is advantageous as the user can easily dispense soap without letting go of the handle. The present invention also provides a brush head for use with the hand brush in accordance with the present invention. Optionally the brush head comprises a base provided with bristles thereon and means to removably secure the brush head to the hand brush. For a better understanding of the present invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a hand brush in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a side view in partial cross section of the hand brush as shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a partially exploded perspective view of the hand brush as shown in Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a brush head used in accordance with the present invention; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a hand brush as shown in Figures 1-3 in a first stage of use; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a hand brush as shown in Figures 1-3 in a second stage of use; and Figure 7 is a perspective view of a hand brush as shown in Figures 1-3 in a third stage of use. Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is shown a hand brush in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The hand brush, which is generally identified by reference numeral 101, comprises a first housing 103 and a second housing 105 connected to one end of the first housing 103, the arrangement being such that the first housing 103 and the second housing 105 are substantially at right angles to each other. The first housing 103 is provided with grooves 107 on its outside to allow the user to ergonomically grip the first housing 103 and use it as a handle. The second housing 103 is provided with a brush head 109 at one end and a tank 111 for holding water at the opposite end thereof. A lid 113 is provided to close the tank 111 so as to contain water in use. The lid 113 and tank 111 are provided with corresponding threads so as to enable to lid 113 to be screwed on or unscrewed off of the tank 111. The hand brush 101 further comprises a trigger 115 provided on the first housing 103. The trigger is connected to the tank 111 and upon activation of said trigger, in use, water contained within the tank 111 is sprayed out of an opening 117 on the trigger. The hand brush 101 further comprises a soap dispenser 119 provided on the free end of the first housing 103. The soap dispenser 119 is configured such that, in use, upon activation of the soap dispenser 119, soap is dispensed to the user out of an opening 121 on the soap dispenser 119 (Figure 5). The first housing 103 of the hand brush 101 is further provided with a button 123. The button 123 is an on / off switch for activating the movement of the brush head 109. As better shown in Figure 2, the brush head 109 is rotated via a brush shaft 125 connected to an oscillating gear assembly 127, which in turn is driven by an electric motor 129. In use, the electric motor 129 rotates a motor shaft 131, which rotates a series of cog wheels 133 in the oscillating gear assembly 127. The oscillating gear assembly 127 further comprises a series of connecting rods 135, which are driven by the cog wheels 133. The connecting rods 135 in turn move back and forth so as to oscillate the brush shaft 125 via a connector 137. The result is that the brush head 109 oscillates quickly between a clockwise rotation and an anticlockwise rotation. This arrangement is within the volume contained within the second housing 105, with a portion of the brush shaft 125 extending outwardly therefrom. The electric motor 129 is a 12V electric motor and is powered by an 820mAh lithium-ion battery 139 which is rechargeable. The battery 139 and the electric motor 129 are connected to a PCB 141 which contains the circuitry for controlling the electric motor 129. The PCB 141 is provided within the first housing 103 of the hand brush 101. The button 123 is connected to the PCB 141 and extends through the first housing 103 to be exposed to the user. The button 123 activates and deactivates the electric motor 129 and in turn the brush head 109, by activating and deactivating the circuitry on the PCB 141. The battery 139 can be recharged via a USB port on the PCB which can be accessed via an access port (not shown) through the first housing 103. The access port is closed with a friction fit plug manufactured from plastics material. The brush head 109 is covered by a cap 143 when not in use in order to protect the brush head 109. The cap 143 fits over the brush head 109 with a friction fit. Furthermore, the cap 143 prevents any dirt remaining on the brush head 109 from coming into contact with undesired locations, for example clothes or vehicle interiors. The trigger 115 comprises a pump 145 which is fluidly connected to the tank 111. The pump extends from the tank 111 through a portion within the second housing 105, through a portion within the first housing 103, out through the first housing 103 and extending therefrom. The pump is provided with a lever 147 for the user to grip in order to activate the pump 145 of the trigger 115, when in use. Upon activation of the pump 145 via the lever 147, water is taken from the tank 111 and is sprayed out through the opening 117 on the trigger 115. The soap dispenser 119 comprises a chamber 149 for containing liquid soap. The chamber 149 is defined by the volume within a portion of the first housing 103. The dispenser 119 further comprises a pump 151 having a surface 153 on its underside. The pump 151 is secured to the first housing 103 via a ring member 155, which the pump 151 can slide through relative thereto. The ring member 155 has a circular ledge 157 and the pump has a circular lip 159, the abutment of said circular ledge 157 and circular lip 159 prevents the pump 151 from passing all the way through and out of the ring member 155. The ring member 155 can be detachably secured to the free end of the first housing 103. The ring member 155 and first housing 103 are provided with corresponding threads so as to enable to the ring member 155 to be screwed to or unscrewed from the free end of the first housing 103. The pump 151 is in fluid communication with the chamber 149 and in use, upon activation of the pump 151 via the user pushing on the surface 153, liquid soap is taken from the chamber 149 and ejected from the opening 121 in the pump 151 of the dispenser 119. A lanyard 161 is secured to the ring member 155 so that in use, the user can loop the lanyard 161 around their wrist so as to inhibit the hand brush 101 from being damaged as a result of it inadvertently being dropped. As better shown in Figure 3, the brush head 109 is detachable from the hand brush 101. A plate 163 is secured to the brush shaft 125, so that when the brush shaft 125 rotates, the plate 163 rotates with it. The result is that the brush shaft 125 drives the plate 163. The plate 163 is provided with a raised portion 165, hexagonal in shape. The brush head 109 comprises a base 167 and bristles 169 extending therefrom. The base 167 is provided with a plate 171 and a recess 173, hexagonal in shape positioned at the center of the plate 171 (Figure 4). The plate 163 on the brush shaft 125 and the plate 171 on the base 167 of the brush head 109 are magnetically attracted to each other. The raised portion 165 on the plate 163 fits snugly in the recess 173 of the base 167 of the brush head 109. In order to attach the brush head 109 to the hand brush 101, the user simply positions the brush head 109 so that the recess 173 in its base 167 is fitted over the raised portion 165 on the plate 163. The plate 163 and the plate 171 are magnetically attracted to each other, which will secure the brush head 109 to the hand brush 101, with the raised portion 165 residing in the recess 173 of the base 167. The rotation of the brush shaft 125 and plate 163 also rotates the raised portion 165 which is integral with the plate 163. The combination of the raised portion 165 fitting snugly in the recess 173 of the base 167 of the brush head 109 and the configured shapes of the raised portion 165 and the recess 173, permit the rotational movement of the plate 163 and raised portion 165 to also rotate the brush head 109, so that the brush shaft 125 drives the brush head 109. In order to remove the brush head 109 from the hand brush 101, the user simply pulls the brush head 109 away from the hand brush 101 with sufficient force in order to overcome the magnetic force between the plate 163 and the plate 173. This is useful as it allows the user to easily replace the brush head 109 in the event a different brush head is required, for example, a brush head with harder or softer bristles. If the brush head 109 becomes damaged or worn out, the user can simply replace the brush head 109 without having to replace the entire hand brush 101. In use, as shown in Figure 5, the user picks up the hand brush 101 and secures the lanyard 161 around their wrist. The user then pushes the surface 153 on the pump 151 of the dispenser 119 in order to dispense liquid soap from the chamber 149 via the pump 151, out of the opening 121 and into the user’s hand. The user can use the palm of their free hand in which to press the surface of the pump 151 with sufficient force in order to dispense the liquid soap. The pushing of the surface 153 of the pump 151, partially pushes said pump 151 into the first housing 103. The pump 151 is resilient with the use of a spring mechanism (not shown) so as to be biased to its original position. When the user removes the pushing force on the surface 153, the pump 151 moves partially back out of the first housing 103 and returns to its original position. As shown in Figure 6, the user then squeezes the lever 147 of the trigger 115 in order to spray water from the tank 111 via the pump 145, out of the opening 117 and onto the user’s hand. Typically, this will be the hand that has previously had soap dispensed into. The user can then either put down the hand brush 101 or hang it from their wrist via the lanyard 161 and wring their hands together utilizing the soap and water that has been dispensed and sprayed respectfully into their former free hand. Or the user can move straight to the next step and activate the brush head 109. The squeezing of the lever 147 of the trigger 115, partially pushes said pump 145 into the first housing 103. The pump 145 is resilient with the use of a spring mechanism (not shown) so as to be biased to its original position. When the user removes the squeezing force on the lever 147, the pump 145 moves partially back out of the first housing 103 and returns to its original position. As shown in Figure 7, the user then actives the brush head 109 by pressing the button 123 which completes the circuitry on the PCB 141. This in turn activates the electric motor 129 and drives the brush shaft 125. The plate 163 and raised portion 165 as a result will be rotated, which in turn will drive the rotation of the base 167 and bristles 169 of the brush head 109. The user then places the bristles 169 of the brush head 109 onto their hand in order to facilitate the cleaning of their hand and moves the brush head 109 over the areas of their hand that they want scrubbed by the brush head 109. This process can be repeated by the user in order to clean their other hand. The oscillating gear assembly 127 provides for the brush head 109 to oscillate back and forth in a fast clockwise and anticlockwise motion in order to facilitate the effectiveness of the bristles 169 in cleaning the hands of the user. It is noted that the user can clean their free hand first by dispensing soap, spraying water and then scrubbing their free hand with the oscillating brush head 109. The user then can hold the hand brush 101 in their other hand and carry out the same process for their now free hand in order to clean it. Alternatively, the user can dispense soap and spray water onto their free hand and the user can put down the hand brush 101 and wring their hands together in order to mix some of the soap and water onto the hand that was previously holding the hand brush 101. The user can then pick up the hand brush 101 again and use the oscillating brush head 109 to scrub both of their hands individually by alternating their hands that are holding the hand brush 101. In order for the user to top up the tank 111 with new water, the user unscrews and removed the lid 113, pours new water, for example from a tap or a bottle, into the tank 111. The user then screws the lid 113 back onto the tank 111 in order to close the tank 111. The tank 111 and lid 113 are translucent to facilitate the user being able to easily see how much water is contained within the tank 111 at any given time. In order for the user to top up the chamber 149 with liquid soap, the user unscrews the ring member 155 from the first housing 103 and removes the pump 151. This exposes the chamber 149 and the user can pour new liquid soap into the chamber 149. The user puts the pump 151 back into position and screws the ring member 155 back onto the first housing 103. The advantage of the present invention is that the water source and soap source are self-contained within the hand brush 101. Therefore wherever the user is, be it on a building site or out in the rural countryside, with no access to a tap or soap, they can still clean their hands thoroughly. The portable hand held nature of the hand brush 101 makes it easy for the user to transport and use on short notice. The hand brush 101 is approximately 180mm in length. The diameter of the cap 143 is approximate 35mm. The distance between the cap 143 and the lid 113 of the tank 111 is approximately 116mm. The diameter of the first housing 103 is approximately 30mm. The first housing 103 and second housing 105 are manufactured from plastics material. The tank 111 and lid 113 are manufactured from plastics materials. The base 167 of the brush head 109 is manufactured from plastics materials. The bristles 169 are manufactured from polyester, Tampico fiber (ixtle) or nylon, or any combination thereof. The cap 143, trigger 115 and dispenser 119 are manufactured from plastics materials. The plate 163, raised portion 165 and plate 171 are manufactured from a magnetic metal material, in particular neodymium. The lanyard 161 is manufactured from polyester. In operation, the brush head 109 is oscillated at approximately 5000 cycles per minute. In operation, the brush head 109 is oscillated through a rotation of approximately 45 degrees about the axial direction of the brush head 109. Various modification could be made to the present invention, for example the brush head could be detachably secured to the hand brush by another suitable means, for example by a snap and fit arrangement or by hook and loop fasteners. It could be that the brush head is permanently secured to the hand brush if so desired. It may be that any suitable liquid to facilitate cleaning is used in place of water or in combination with water. For example, the tank may be filled with and used to dispense vinegar, methylated spirits, turpentine or any combination thereof. It may be that any of these or any combination of these are also employed in combination with water. It may be that the dispenser is provided with an access port through the first housing, so that the chamber containing liquid soap can be refilled by pouring new liquid soap into the access port. The access port could be covered with a cap. It could be that soft and hard bristles are both present on the same brush head and are different lengths. It may be that the longer bristles are soft and if the user desires a harder bristle against the skin, they can push down harder on the skin with the brush head so as to contact the shorter harder bristles against the skin, for a tougher scrub effect. It could be that the spray of water from the opening of the trigger is a fine mist like spray of water. This could preserve the usage of water from the tank. It may be that hard bristles are manufactured from polyester and a brush head of hard bristles is provided. It may be that medium strength bristles are manufactured from nylon and a brush head of medium strength bristles is provided. It may be that soft bristles are manufactured from Tampico fiber (ixtle) and a brush head of soft strength bristles is provided. The lanyard could be made from any other suitable material such as nylon or plastics material. It may be that the user utilizes the lanyard to hang the hand brush as a way of storage, for example in a cupboard or the user may use it to connect the hand brush to a backpack for easy carrying. It could be that the cap 143 is used to facilitate the washing of the bristles 169 of the brush head 109 by the user spraying water into the cap 143 and securing it to the brush head 109 over the bristles 169. The user can then activate the oscillating motion of the brush head 109 to facilitate the washing of the bristles 169 with the water in cap 143. 101 hand brush 103 first housing 105 second housing 107 grooves 109 brush head 111 tank 113 lid 115 trigger 117 opening 119 dispenser 121 opening 123 button 125 brush shaft 127 oscillating gear assembly 129 electric motor 131 motor shaft 133 cog wheels 135 connecting rods 137 connector 139 battery 141 PCB 143 cap 145 pump 147 lever 149 chamber 151 pump 153 surface 155 ring member 157 circular ledge 159 circular lip 161 lanyard 163 plate 165 raised portion 167 base 169 bristles 5 171 plate 173 recess

Claims

Claims:

1. A hand brush for cleaning hands, comprising a housing, means for storing water and means for dispensing water, the hand brush further comprising means for storing soap and dispensing soap, the hand brush further comprising a brush head, wherein in use, the brush head is powered so as to be moveable relative to the housing in order to facilitate cleaning.

2. A hand brush as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the brush head is replaceable and s0 can be detached from and reattached to the hand brush.

3. A hand brush as claimed in Claims 1 or 2, wherein the hand brush is provided with a magnetic plate which, in use, is powered so as to be moveable relative to the housing.

4. A hand brush as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the brush head is provided with a magnetic plate, so as to be magnetically attracted to the plate provided on the hand brush.

5. A hand brush as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the plate provided on the brush head and the plate provided on the hand brush comprise a raised portion and recess arrangement so that when the plates abut, the raised portion resides within the recess.

6. A hand brush as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the raised portion and recess are shaped to enable the plates to be locked together upon abutment of the plates, such that rotation of one plate will result in the rotation of the other plate.

7. A hand brush as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the hand brush comprises an oscillating gear assembly which is driven by an electric motor.

8. A hand brush as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the electric motor is powered by a battery situated within the housing and wherein the battery is rechargeable.

9. A hand brush as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the oscillating gear assembly, in use, drives a shaft so that said shaft is rotated in an oscillating manner about the axis of said shaft.

10. A hand brush as claimed in Claim 3 and 9, wherein said shaft is secured to the plate, so that, in use, the oscillating rotation of said shaft results in an oscillating rotation of the plate.

11. A hand brush as claimed in Claim 5 and 10, wherein the upon the abutment of the plates and the raised portion residing in the recess, oscillating rotation of said shaft, in turn results in a corresponding oscillating rotation of the secured plate, which in turn results in a corresponding oscillating rotation of the plate provided on the brush head and in tum results in the corresponding oscillating rotation of the brush head.

12. A hand brush as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the brush head is provided with a cap.

13. A hand brush as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means for storing water is a water tank, which is secured to the housing.

14. A hand brush as claimed in Claim 13, wherein the water tank is provided with a lid to seal and unseal the water tank.

15. A hand brush as claimed in Claim 13, wherein the water tank is translucent.

16. A hand brush as claimed in any preceding claims, wherein the means for dispensing water is a pump, which is in fluid communication with the means for storing water.

17. A hand brush as claimed in Claim 16, wherein the pump is provided with a trigger which has an opening and upon activation of the trigger, water is dispensed from the means for storing water via the pump and out of the opening.

18. A hand brush as claimed in Claim 16 or 17, wherein the pump is provided with a spring mechanism so as to facilitate the pump being resilient.

19. A hand brush as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means for storing soap is a chamber, which is provided within the housing.

20. A hand brush as claimed in any preceding claims, wherein the means for dispensing soap is a pump, which is in fluid communication with the means for storing soap.

21. A hand brush as claimed in Claim 20, wherein the pump is provided with an opening and upon activation of the pump, soap is dispensed from the chamber via the pump and out of the opening.

22. A hand brush as claimed in Claim 20 or 21, wherein the pump is provided with a spring mechanism so as to facilitate the pump being resilient.

23. A hand brush as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means for storing water and the means for storing soap are at opposite ends of the housing.

24. A brush head for use with the hand brush as claimed in any preceding claim.

25. A brush head as claimed in Claim 24, comprising a base provided with bristles thereon and means to removably secure the brush head to the hand brush.

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