A paddle mixer cleaning instrument

Abstract

A paddle mixer cleaning instrument 1 comprises a cleaning pad 2, ideally connected to a frame 3, and a fastening element 8. The cleaning pad comprises a series of bristles 6. In use, the paddle mixer

Description

The present invention relates to a paddle mixer cleaning instrument. In particular, but not exclusively, it relates to a paddle mixer cleaning instrument. Background to the Invention Plaster, paint and other substances, typically for application to on building sites, require mixing before application. Typically, a paddle mixer is used to do so. Many such instruments are relatively difficult to wash, being relatively complex shapes. Further to this, they must be washed quickly after each use (which typically means several washes must occur over a plastering and painting period) to prevent the substance setting on the paddle. This is particularly a problem for paddle mixers, since plaster setting on the paddle can result in the paddle mixer no longer working as well. The end result is much time being wasted in a painting or plastering period washing the paddle mixer. Embodiments of the present invention seek to overcome these or other disadvantages. Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a paddle mixer cleaning instrument comprising a cleaning pad operable to clean a substance from a paddle mixer when, in use, the paddle mixer is moved against the or each cleaning pad, and a fastening element operable to releasably attach the paddle mixer cleaning instrument to a container, the paddle mixer cleaning instrument positioned to direct substance removed into the container. The paddle mixer cleaning instrument means the paddle mixer can be easily and quickly cleaning while plastering or painting results in a paddle mixer which remains clean during a plastering or painting period without wasting a significant amount of time hand cleaning the paddle. The instrument being releasably attached means the cleaning pad and container can be separated and so more easily cleaned after the plastering or painting period. The paddle mixer cleaning instrument may comprise a plurality of cleaning pads. The paddle mixer cleaning instrument may comprise a plurality of fastening elements. Each fastening element may be associated with a respective cleaning pad. The cleaning pad or the set of cleaning pads may extend along a majority of an inner surface’s perimeter of the container. The cleaning pad or the set of cleaning pads may extend along a substantial majority of the perimeter. The cleaning pad or the set of cleaning pads may extend along at least 50% of the perimeter. The cleaning pad or the set of cleaning pads may extend along at least 75% of the perimeter. The cleaning pad or the set of cleaning pads may extend along at least 80% of the perimeter. When the paddle mixer cleaning instrument comprises a plurality of cleaning pads, the cleaning pads may be sized such that, in use, the paddle mixer can contact multiple cleaning pads simultaneously. When the paddle mixer cleaning instrument comprises a plurality of cleaning pads, the cleaning pads may be sized such that, in use, the paddle mixer can contact all the cleaning pads simultaneously. The or each cleaning pad may comprise a series of teeth operable to clean the substance from a paddle mixer when, in use, the paddle mixer is moved against the teeth. The or each cleaning pad may comprise a series of bristles operable to clean the substance from a paddle mixer when, in use, the paddle mixer is moved against the bristles. The or each cleaning pad may comprise a rough surface operable to clean the substance from a paddle mixer when, in use, the paddle mixer is moved against the rough surface. The or each cleaning pad may comprise a plurality of rows of teeth and / or bristles, the rows extending down the front of the pad. The series of teeth and / or series of bristles may extend from a front of the or each cleaning pad. The series of teeth and / or series of bristles may extend from a first surface of the or each cleaning pad. The first surface of the or each cleaning pad may be the rough surface. The first surface may be circular. The first surface may be semicircular. The series of teeth and / or series of bristles may cover the majority of the first surface. The series of teeth and / or series of bristles may cover the entirety of the first surface. The teeth and / or bristles may form the majority of the volume occupied by the or each cleaning pad. The paddle mixer cleaning instrument may comprise the container. The container may be open topped. The container may be a bucket. The or each fastening element may be connected to the or each respective cleaning pad. The or each fastening element may be connected to a back of the or each respective cleaning pad. The or each fastening element may be connected to a second surface of the or each respective cleaning pad. The second surface may be flat. The or each cleaning pad may be a half cylinder. The or each fastening element may be operable to connect the paddle mixer cleaning instrument to an inner wall of the container. The or each cleaning pad may extend such that, in use, it is partway down the inner wall of the container. The or each fastening element may comprise a hook. The hook may be operable to clip over the top of the container. The hook may extend above the top of the or each cleaning pad. The hook may extend above the top semi-cylinder surface of the or each cleaning pad. The hook may extend away from the back of the or each cleaning pad. The hook may extend away from the back flat surface of the or each cleaning pad. The hook may extend such that, in use, the back of the or each cleaning pad faces the inner wall of the container. The or each cleaning pad may be detachable from the or each fastening element. The or each cleaning pad may comprise a slot operable to accept a projection of the or the respective fastening element to connect the two. The or each cleaning pad may comprise a projection operable to be accepted into a slot of the or the respective fastening element to connect the two. The slot and / or projection may extend at least partway down the or each cleaning pad. The slot and / or projection may extend down the or each cleaning pad. The slot and / or projection may extend down the back of the or each cleaning pad. The or each projection may have an approximately T shaped cross-section, in the horizontal plane. The or each fastening element may comprise a strip down which the projection and / or slot extends. The hook may extend from the top of the or each strip. The hook may be a square hook. The hook may comprise a projection at the end of the hook. The projection may extend towards the bucket, in use. The projection may be a wedge. The taper of the wedge may extend to meet the end of the hook. The paddle mixer cleaning instrument may comprise a frame, connecting the or each cleaning pad and the or each fastening element. The or each cleaning pad may extend down an internal surface of the frame. The or each fastening element may extend out of the top of the frame. The or each fastening element may extend over an outer surface of the frame. The or each strip may be connected to the frame. The or each strip may be directly connected to the frame. The or each strip may be connected to the internal surface of the frame. The frame may be formed of one or more bands. The bands may be aligned. Each band may be circular. The bands may form a cylindrical volume. The frame may be formed by three bands. A top band may form the top of the frame. A bottom band may form the bottom of the frame. A middle band may be at a mid-point between the top and bottom bands. The plurality of cleaning pads may be distributed evenly about the perimeter of the frame, to split the perimeter into approximately equally sized sections between adjacent cleaning pads. The plurality of cleaning pads may form pairs of cleaning pads, each cleaning pad of a pair facing the other cleaning pad of the pair across the frame. The or each cleaning pad may face the centre axis of the frame. The cleaning pads of a pair may extend such that, in use, the blade can be in contact with both. The paddle mixer cleaning instrument may fit within the container. The frame and / or the or each cleaning pad may fit wholly within the container. The paddle mixer cleaning instrument may comprise four cleaning pads. The paddle mixer cleaning instrument may comprise four fastening elements. The paddle mixer cleaning instrument may comprise feet operable to extend out the bottom of the frame, towards the base of the container. The feet may extend to contact the base of the container in use. The or each foot may comprise a flat sheet. The feet may be distributed evenly around the perimeter of the frame, thereby separating the frame into approximately even sized sections between adjacent feet. Each foot may be in line with a respective cleaning pad. Each foot may be in line with a respective strip. The projection may be formed by a spacer. The or each spacer may be operable to slot into the respective strip and cleaning pad. The spacer may comprise two projections, one to slot into the cleaning pad and the other to slot into the strip. The projections may project in opposite directions. Each projection may have an approximately T-shaped cross-section in the horizontal. The spacer may be an I-beam shape, with the cleaning pad slotting over one T-shaped projection and the strip slotting over the other T-shaped projection. The substance may be paint. The substance may be plaster. The paddle mixer cleaning instrument may be a plaster paddle mixer cleaning instrument. The paddle mixer cleaning instrument may be a paint paddle mixer cleaning instrument. According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of cleaning a paddle mixer, comprising the steps of providing a paddle mixer cleaning instrument according to the first aspect, attaching the paddle mixer cleaning instrument to a container of plaster, and moving a paddle mixer against the cleaning pad or cleaning pads of the paddle mixer cleaning instrument. Detailed Description of the Invention In order that the invention may be more clearly understood one or more embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a paddle mixer cleaning instrument; Figure 2 is a top view of the paddle mixer cleaning instrument; Figure 3 is a side view of a hook; Figure 4 is a front view of a cleaning pad; and Figure 5 is a top view of a spacer. Figures 1 and 2 show a paddle mixer cleaning instrument 1, which comprises four cleaning pads 2 within a frame 3. The frame 3 is formed of 3 circular bands 4 - a top band forming the top of the frame 3, a bottom band forming the bottom of the frame 3, and a middle band at the mid-point between the two. The bands 4 are aligned and form a cylindrical volume. The cleaning pads 2 are each attached to a respective strip 5. Each strip 5 is a long rectangle. The strips 5 are permanently attached to the inner surface of the bands 4. The cleaning pads 2 have a semi-cylindrical body. The flat back surface connects to the respective strip 5. From the semi-circular front surface extends bristles 6. The bristles 6 cover the majority of the front surface, extending out within the cylindrical volume. As shown in figure 4, the bristles 6 are positioned in rows down the front surface and broken into sections down this length, with small gaps between adjacent sections. The length of the bristles 6 is near the radius of the body of the cleaning pad 2. A spacer, most clearly shown in figure 5, connects the cleaning pad 2 and the respective strip 5. The spacer has an approximately I-beam shape, consisting of two approximately T-shaped projections 7 extending in opposite directions. The cleaning pad 2 slots over one of the T-shaped projections 7, while the strip 5 slots over the other. The cleaning pad 2 is thereby releasably attached to the strip 5. The four cleaning pads 2 are positioned evenly around the circumference of the frame 3, dividing the frame into quarters between adjacent cleaning pads 2. The top end of each strip 5 is formed into a respective square hook 8. Each square hook 8 extends approximately 90° from the strip 5, away from the centre of the frame and over the top band. Each square hook 8 then extends approximately 90° downwards, leaving a space between the square hook 8 and the frame 3. Towards the end of the square hook 8 is a clip in the form of a wedge projection 9, The wedge projection 9 extending approximately 90° from the surface of the square hook 8 facing the frame 3 to a peak, and then tapering to the end of the square hook 8. 5 At the bottom of the frame 3 are feet 10. Each foot 10 is a flat sheet, the sheet extending from the frame 3 downwards. Each foot 10 is in line with a respective strip 5. In use the paddle mixer cleaning instrument 1 is placed within a container, typically a bucket. The top edge of the bucket is between the square hooks 8 and the 10 frame 3, and the feet 10 contact the bottom of the bucket. In use a paddle mixer is moved against one or more of the cleaning pads 2. The bristles 6 remove the plaster from the plaster mixer, which is then directed to the bottom of the bucket due to the position of the paddle mixer cleaning instrument 1. Once a painting or plastering session is over, the plaster mixer cleaning instrument 1 can be detached from the 15 bucket and both can be cleaned. The one or more embodiments are described above by way of example only. Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of protection afforded by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A paddle mixer cleaning instrument comprising a cleaning pad operable to clean a substance from a paddle mixer when, in use, the paddle mixer is moved against the or each cleaning pad, and a fastening element operable to releasably attach the paddle mixer cleaning instrument to a container, the paddle mixer cleaning instrument positioned to direct the substance removed into the container.

2. A paddle mixer cleaning instrument according to claim 1 wherein the cleaning pad comprises a series of bristles operable to remove plaster from a paddle mixer when, in use, the paddle mixer is moved against the bristles.

3. A paddle mixer cleaning instrument according to claim 2 wherein the series of bristles extends from a front of the cleaning pad.

4. A paddle mixer cleaning instrument according to any preceding claim wherein the fastening element is attached to the cleaning pad.

5. A paddle mixer cleaning instrument according to claim 4 wherein the fastening element is connected to a back of the cleaning pad.

6. A paddle mixer cleaning instrument according to either of claims 4 or 5 wherein the cleaning pad is detachable from the or each fastening element.

7. A paddle mixer cleaning instrument according to claim 6 wherein the cleaning pad comprises a slot operable to accept a projection of the fastening element to connect the two.

8. A paddle mixer cleaning instrument according to claim 6 wherein the cleaning pad comprises a projection operable to be accepted into a slot of the fastening element to connect the two.

9. A paddle mixer cleaning instrument according to any preceding claim wherein the cleaning pad is a half cylinder.

10. A paddle mixer cleaning instrument according to any preceding claim wherein the fastening element is operable to connect the paddle mixer cleaning instrument to an inner wall of the container.

11. A paddle mixer cleaning instrument according to any preceding claim wherein the or each cleaning pad may extend such that, in use, it is partway down the inner wall of the container.

12. A paddle mixer cleaning instrument according to any preceding claim wherein the fastening element comprises a hook.

13. A paddle mixer cleaning instrument according to claim 12 wherein the hook is operable to clip over the top of the container.

14. A paddle mixer cleaning instrument according to either of claims 12 or 13, wherein the hook extends above the top of the or each cleaning pad.

15. A paddle mixer cleaning instrument according to any preceding claim comprising a frame, connecting the cleaning pad and the fastening element.

16. A paddle mixer cleaning instrument according to claim 15 wherein the cleaning pad extends down an internal surface of the frame.

17. A paddle mixer cleaning instrument according to either of claims 15 or 16 wherein the fastening element extends out of the top of the frame.

18. A paddle mixer cleaning instrument according to any of claims 15 to 17 wherein the or each fastening element extends over an outer surface of the frame.

19. A paddle mixer cleaning instrument according to any of claims 15 to 18 wherein the frame is formed of one or more bands.

20. A paddle mixer cleaning instrument according to any preceding claim comprising a plurality of cleaning pads.

21. A paddle mixer cleaning instrument according to claim 20, when dependent upon claim 15, wherein the plurality of cleaning pads are distributed evenly about the perimeter of the frame, to split the perimeter into approximately equally sized sections between adjacent cleaning pads.

22. A paddle mixer cleaning instrument according to either of claims 20 or 21 wherein the plurality of cleaning pads form pairs of cleaning pads, eachcleaning pad of a pair facing the other cleaning pad of the pair across the frame.

23. A paddle mixer cleaning instrument according to claim 22 wherein the cleaning pads of a pair extend such that, in use, the blade can be in contact 5 with both.

24. A paddle mixer cleaning instrument according to any of claims 20 to 23, when dependent upon claim 15, wherein each cleaning pad faces the centre axis of the frame.

25. A method of cleaning a paddle mixer, comprising the steps of providing a 10 paddle mixer cleaning instrument according to any of claims 1 to 24, attachingthe paddle mixer cleaning instrument to a container of plaster, and moving a paddle mixer against the cleaning pad or cleaning pads of the paddle mixer cleaning instrument.15

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