Automated brush-cleaning device

Abstract

The present invention relates to an automated brush-cleaning device, comprising: a base that comprises a washing tray above which one or more brushes can be washed, an openable lid with a brush holder, the brush holder comprises one or more brush seats configured to receive one or more brushes for holding the brushes during their cleaning, wherein when said openable lid is closed a washing cavity is defined between said openable lid and washing tray, enclosing the lower portions of one or more brushes cleaned therein, whereas the top portions thereof extend outside said brush-cleaning device. The automated brush-cleaning device further comprises an air circulation module, a control module, and a power supply module, wherein the device is configured to automatically clean one or more brushes by washing and drying their lower portions, and by applying multiple mechanical loads during the cleaning, thereby disintegrating and detaching undesired substance residues therefrom.

Description

AUTOMATED BRUSH-CLEANING DEVICEFIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of cleaning apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to an automated brush-cleaning device.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The cleaning of various brushes, such as makeup brushes, paint brushes, and other brushes, can be a challenging task. Multiple attempts have been made to find cleaning schemes and apparatuses for effectively cleaning such brushes from persistent dirt attached thereto.

[0003] For example, many makeup artists routinely travel with their makeup equipment, which can include multiple different makeup brushes. In such a routine, a cleaning device that is capable of cleaning different numbers of brushes of different types and correspondingly utilizing different cleaning methods to effectively clean the brushes is highly desirable.

[0004] The present invention aims to provide a suitable solution for the abovementioned challenge.SUMMARY

[0005] In one aspect, the invention relates to an automated brush-cleaning device, comprising: a) a cleaning liquid container for storing cleaning liquid used for washing brushes, b) a lid with a brush holder, the brush holder comprises one or more brush seats for holding the brushes during the cleaning operations, c) an air circulation module and air blowers, for streaming dry air on washed brushes, and d) a control circuit board, for controlling the operating of said brushcleaning device, wherein the brush-cleaning device is configured to automatically clean one or more brushes, by washing and drying the same, and by applying multiple mechanical loads on the brushes during the brush washing (e.g., centrifugal force, friction, vibrations, and any combination thereof), to disintegrate and to detach the undesired substance residues from the brush(es).

[0006] One or more brush seats may be rotatable, where said device further comprises a motor and transmission members engaged with said rotatable brush seats, wherein said device may further include an ultrasonic transducer or a mechanical vibration oscillator. The proposed device may further comprise a heating element for heating the cleaning liquid and / or a heating element for heating the dry air, which is streamed on the washed brushes.

[0007] In another aspect, the invention related to a method for automatically cleaning brushes, comprising a) providing an automated brush-cleaning device according to claim 1, b) operating said brush-cleaning device to wash one or more brushes, c) applying multiple mechanical loads on the brushes, during the brush washing, d) repeating on step ‘c’ a desired number of washing cycles, and e) drying the brushes.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0008] For a better understanding of various embodiments of the present invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference is made, by way of example, to the accompanying illustrative drawings, in which:Fig. 1A schematically illustrates a brush-cleaning device, according to an embodiment of the present invention;Fig. IB schematically illustrates the brush-cleaning device of Fig. 1A with an open lid, according to an embodiment of the present invention;Fig. 1C is an enlarged view of a brush seat of Fig. IB;Fig. 2 is a partial section view of a brush-cleaning device, according to an embodiment of the present invention;Fig. 3 schematically illustrates an exemplary configuration of the water management components of a brush-cleaning device, according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 4 schematically illustrates an exemplary configuration of the drying air circulation module of a brush-cleaning device, according to an embodiment of the present invention;Fig. 5 schematically illustrates an exemplary ultrasonic transducer of a brush-cleaning device, according to an embodiment of the present invention;Fig. 6 illustrates a simultaneous rotation and vibration of brushes; andFig. 7 illustrates another exemplary configuration of a brush-cleaning device 700, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0009] In the above drawings, structural details of the invention are shown to provide a fundamental understanding of the invention, where the following detailed description, taken with the drawings, makes apparent to those skilled in the art how exemplary forms of the invention may be embodied in practice.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention relates to a brush-cleaning device configured to clean brushes in a contained cleaning environment. The proposed cleaning device is further configured to automatically apply various mechanical loads on the brush(es) being cleaned and undesired substance residues attached thereon to effectively disintegrate and detach undesired substance residues from the brush(es).[Oil] In the following detailed description, non-limiting embodiments of the present invention are discussed and illustrated, where references are made to accompanying drawings. These embodiments and accompanying drawings should be understood as non-limiting examples of implementing the present invention. Furthermore, terms such as “optionally “for instance”, “for example”, “exemplary”, and “e.g.” may refer to optional features being selected in certain embodiments of the invention for the sake of simplicity and clarity of explanation. However, it should be understood that optional features mentioned in different embodiments may be used, in conjunction and / or separately, to implement further embodiments of the present invention.

[0012] Fig. 1A schematically illustrates a brush-cleaning device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Device 100 comprises a base 110 adapted with a control panel 111; an air circulation module 120 supported by base 110 for evacuating humidity from device 100 during a drying cycle, a lid 130 with an integrated brush holder 131 adapted with a plurality of brush seats 132 for holding brushes 101 (see Fig. IB); and a liquid container 140 supported by support 110a of base 110. Notably, liquid container 140 may be connected to base 110 directly without any support.

[0013] Liquid container 140 may be configured as a detachable container assembled with base 110 of device 100, or as an integral container within base 110. In common use of device 100, liquid container 140 is initially filled with clean cold / warm water, soap water, or any othersuitable cleaning liquid (e.g., specific liquids that are known as effective in cleaning specific substance residues such as a specific detergent for cleaning residues of a specific greasy substance used with the cleaned brushes).

[0014] At the end of the cleaning process of brushes 101, the washing products are drained back into liquid container 140, which is emptied in turn to a desired location (e.g., sink). In certain cases, liquid container 140 may be refilled and emptied (i.e., once, or more) during the cleaning process of brushes 101, in which two or more washing cycles may be performed. In certain embodiments, liquid container 140 is connected to a cleaning liquid supply source (e.g., connected with a suitable tube and / or valve to a water supply source, such as a water tap or a warm water tap, with or without an auxiliary cleaning agent supply connection). Liquid container 140 may also connect to a suitable drainage (e.g., a utility sewage pipe) to enable selective filling and draining thereof. In certain embodiments, device 100 connects directly to a cleaning liquid supply and drainage and, therefore, may not comprise a liquid container 140.

[0015] In alternative embodiments, liquid container 140 comprises two or more compartments, for instance, one for fresh water and / or cleaning liquid / detergent, and another for used water, i.e., water after being used to clean the brushes. In such a configuration, a predetermined number of washing cycles may be performed without the need to empty and refill the liquid container 140. Furthermore, device 100 may be provided with direct connections for an external clean water supply (e.g., a threaded or quick-release inlet adapted to receive common liquid tubes) and / or for drainage of used water from device 100 to a desired drainage (e.g., an adjacent sink). In such configurations, device 100 may be provided without a liquid container 140.

[0016] In the embodiment of Fig. 1A, panel 111 is illustrated as an integrative part of base 110, however, in other embodiments of device 100, panel 111 may integrate or attach to various positions in device 100. Furthermore, according to certain embodiments of the present invention, device 100 is controlled remotely by external wired or wireless control means. For example, device 100 may comprise an internal control module, adapted with one or more wired communication units (e.g., a USB module, an Ethernet module, or another wired communication device) and / or with one or more wireless communication units (e.g., a WIFI module, a BLUETOOTH module, and the like), in communication with a mobile device (e.g.,a smartphone) on which a dedicated control application is operated by users, to control the operation of device 100. In such a configuration, device 100 may comprise a smaller control panel, no control panel, or only a display panel. Moreover, panel 111 may comprise physical buttons or touch operators (e.g., whereas panel 111 is a touch screen).

[0017] One skilled in the art will readily realize various alternative architectures and designs of the control module and its communication means, such as optional wired / wireless communication means that enable the same to communicate with the control panel 111 and / or other operating means (such as remote control means, control mechanical / touch buttons integrated with panel 111 or in different positions in device 100).

[0018] Fig. IB schematically illustrates device 100 with an open lid 130, according to certain embodiments of the present invention. The open lid 130 exposes two or more air-blowing slits 121 in circulation module 120 (further discussed in reference to Fig. 4) and brushes 101 inserted into brush seats 132. Further illustrated in Fig. IB are base supports 112 of base 110, which may comprise shock-absorbent materials, such as silicon, rubber, and the like. Thereby, base supports 112 may absorb vibrations produced by components of the proposed device 100 and reduce undesired vibrations of device 100, its near environment, or adjacent objects.

[0019] Fig. 1C is an enlarged view of an exemplary configuration of a brush seat 132, which comprises a semi-flexible cushion 132a that effortlessly receives brush handles of different sizes and firmly clamps the brush handle during the cleaning process of brushes 101. Therefore, cushions 132a may comprise one or more crevices, e.g., a cross-shaped crevice 132b into which the handles of brushes 101 are threaded, where cushions 132a are sufficiently thick to provide sufficient friction for stably holding the received brush handles (i.e., thus brushes 101) at a desired orientation (e.g., in vertical position). Furthermore, cushions 132a may be fabricated from a soft material, such as silicon, to prevent scratching of the brush handles during their insertion into brush seats 132. According to certain embodiments, each cushion 132a is encompassed by an annular cogged wheel 132c, adapted with wedges 132d that fit into corresponding apertures of brush holder 131 (further shown in Fig. 2).

[0020] Since, in some cases, the soaking of dirty brushes, even within a suitable cleaning liquid, may not be sufficient for removing persistent residues thereon, the proposed device 100 is configured to apply mechanical loads onto brushes 101 and the persistent residues thereon, such as by rotating and / or rubbing, brushes 101 as discussed in detail hereinbelow. Accordingly, further shown in Fig. IB and in the enlarged view of brush seats 132 (in Fig. 1C) are a driving shaft 150 and a transmission adapter 133, which receives the motion of drive shaft 150 and delivers the same to a driving belt that engages the cogged wheel 132c of brush seats 132, thus being capable of rotating the same as further discussed in reference to Fig. 2.

[0021] Fig. 2 is a partial section view of brush-cleaning device 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, device 100 comprises a motor 201 (e.g., an electric servo motor), from which drive shaft 150 extends upwardly to an extent where its top end is near lid 130, wherein transmission adapter 133, whereon a drive belt 202 is threaded. Both faces of belt 202 are cogged to enable an effective engagement of belt 202 with multiple annular cogged wheels 132c of brush seats 132. A tensioner 203 is utilized to maintain the tension along belt 202 to ensure a firm grasp of belt 202 with cogged wheels 132c. Accordingly, motor 201 is operated to rotate brush seats 132 (i.e., and any brush 101 held thereby) by rotating hinge 201 at a controlled speed determined by the internal control module considering the dimensions of the motor’s shaft, and the transmission members (e.g., transmission adapter 133, and the cogged wheel 132c).

[0022] Moreover, distinct types of motor 201 may be suitably selected in specific applications of device 100 to provide desired rotation speeds, which may be suitable for effectively removing corresponding types of persistent residues. The rotation of brushes 101 exerts a centrifugal force on brushes 101, which forces the separation of residues therefrom.

[0023] Fig. 2 further illustrates a brush washing tray 204, into which water may be filled during the washing of brushes 101. The bottom of washing tray 204 comprises a plurality of multiple protrusions and / or recessions 204a, which forms a friction surface with which brushes 101 engages during the cleaning action. The additional mechanical engagement with protrusions and / or recessions 204a of tray 204 may further increase the separation of brush hairs and, thus, the detachment of undesired residues therefrom.

[0024] Further shown in Fig. 2 are two drying air blowers 205, venting slits 206, and a control circuitry board 207. Blowers 205 may stream dry air, e.g., received through venting slits 206 and streamed through blowing slits 121 for drying the washed brushes 101. Venting slits 206 further enables to cool the internal cavity of base 110. Furthermore, in the embodiment of Fig. 2, the control module of device 100 comprises a control circuit board 207 comprising suitable control hardware, software, memory, and communication means for controlling the operation of device 100 and for communicating with one or more determined remote control means and / or with one or more control panels 111 as previously discussed hereinabove. Base 110 may further comprise a power supply module that comprises, for instance, a utility power inlet and / or a battery (e.g., a rechargeable battery) to provide the required electrical power for operating device 100.

[0025] Alternative transmission means may be used in lieu or in conjunction with drive shaft 150, cogged drive belt 202, and cogged wheels 132c, including, but not limited to transmissions that comprise different shapes, numbers, and dimensions of cogged wheels, cogged drive belts, flat drive belts, and combinations thereof, considering distinct types of motors, the size of seats 132, the expected rotation speeds and transmission ratio suitably selected in specific applications of device 100. Furthermore, device 100 may be readily scaled up or down to alternative dimensions, to handle any desired number of brushes according to specific embodiments. For instance, according to an embodiment of the present invention, device 100 is designed with 70 brush seats 132 that are suitable for receiving brush handles of 2-5 mm, whereas, in another embodiment of the present invention, a smaller device 100 is designed with only 10 brush seats 132.

[0026] Furthermore, in different configurations of device 100, blowers 205 and, correspondingly, air-blowing slits 121 may be differently positioned to provide different air streams, for instance, considering alternative positions of electrical and electric components of device 100 and avoiding the streaming of humid air near the same. Accordingly, venting slits 206 may also be installed in different positions in device 100.

[0027] Furthermore, according to a specific embodiment, a scaled-down device 100 comprises a single brush seat 132 for cleaning a single brush 101. In such an embodiment, a simpler transmission is used (e.g., one or two cogged wheels / belts), thus enabling a smaller brushcleaning device 100. Moreover, while device 100 is illustrated in specific embodiments herein as comprising a particular number of blowers 205, any number thereof may be selected according to specific applications of device 100, or alternatively, a single blower 205 that provides sufficient airflow capacity (through correspondingly designed air passages 401) may be used in lieu of the two or more blowers 205 illustrated herein.

[0028] Fig. 3 schematically illustrates an exemplary configuration of the water management components of device 100, wherein liquid container 140 engages with a liquid inlet / outlet port 301 positioned on top of support 110a of base 110 by a corresponding port at the bottom of container 140, where a first tube 302 is deployed between port 301 and a liquid pump 303 and a second tube 304 is deployed between pump 303 and the bottom of washing tray 204. Accordingly, when a new washing cycle is desired, pump 303 operates to pump cleaning liquid from container 140 through tubes 302 and 304 into washing tray 204, and when the washing cycle ends, pump 303 operates in the opposed direction to void the dirty water from tray 204 into container 140.

[0029] In certain embodiments of the present invention, an external water supply of sufficient pressure is connected to device 100 (e.g., to container 140, or directly / through suitable tubes to the washing cavity above tray 204). In such embodiments, drainage tubes may be installed with or without a drainage valve to enable drainage of used water without requiring a pump 303 (e.g., by positioning device 100 in an elevated position relative to a sink and opening the drainage valve).

[0030] Fig. 4 schematically illustrates an exemplary configuration of air circulation module 120, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Air circulation module 120 comprises air passages 401 above each of blowers 205. Air passages 401 are defined by the housing of circulation module 120 and lateral partitions 401a. Thus, incoming air from blowers 205 is forced to discharge through air-blowing slits 121 (further discussed in Fig. IB) into the cavity of washing tray 204. Whereas a drying cycle ends, the humid circulated air may beevacuated from the cavity of washing tray 204 through cross-shaped crevice 132b of cushions 132a (Fig. IB).

[0031] In an exemplary configuration of circulation module 120, air-blowing slits 121 comprise moving shutters (not shown) which are normally closed, namely, closed as long as blowers 205 are idle, thereby preventing humid air from passing through blowing slits 121 towards blowers 205 and reaching into the bottom cavity of base 110, which is undesired in embodiments of device 100, where electrical and electronic components are installed in the bottom cavity of base 110. Furthermore, components of device 100 that are exposed or proximal to the washing cavity above tray washing tray 204 (e.g., installed with lid 130 and circulation module 120) may be adapted with suitable sealing elements to prevent undesired water escape.

[0032] Optionally, a first set of blowers 205, air passages 401, and air-blowing slits 121 are positioned on one side of circulation module 120, and a second set thereof is provided on the contrary side of circulation module 120, in which the blowers are directed to vent humid air from the cavity of washing tray 204 to the atmosphere - outside device 200. Furthermore, a heating element (not shown) may be integrated with device 100 (e.g., with circulation module 120) to improve the drying speed of brushes 101. An additional heating element may be embedded with tray 204 to heat the cleaning liquid to a desired temperature during the washing cycle.

[0033] In certain cases, persistent dirt may tenaciously cling onto brushes 101, and, therefore, device 100 may apply further mechanical manipulation, such as vibrations, on the handled brushes 101. The vibrating of brushes 101 may be exerted by an ultrasonic transducer, such as transducer 501 of Fig. 5, designed to generate ultrasonic waves that propagate through the cleaning liquid that can cause pressure fluctuations and derived mechanical loading of brush bristles and persistent residues attached thereto, promoting disintegration and detachment of the latter from the brush bristles.

[0034] The simultaneous rotation and vibration of brushes 101 (as illustrated in Fig. 6, intensifies the mechanical wearing of persistent residues attached to brushes 101. Alternatively, one or more different transducers may be used in lieu or in conjunction with transducer 501.For example, a vibration generator such as an oscillator (not shown) may be embedded underneath washing tray 204, to vibrate the washing tray, the cleaning liquid, and the brushes plunged therein. In certain embodiments, transducer 501 and / or one or more different transducers may be embedded in lid 130 or any other suitable portion of device 100.

[0035] The combined cleaning actions of soaking the brushes in a designated cleaning liquid and the mechanical operations of rotating the brushes, rubbing the same with a friction surface, and vibrating the brushes provide a combined loading on the undesired substance residues while separating the brush hairs, or distorting the sponge of sponge brushes, so that even the most persistent residues may be disintegrated and detached from the cleaned brushes 101. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, device 100 may comprise an irradiation module (not shown) for emitting light of a predetermined wavelength suitable for disinfecting brushes 101, such as Ultraviolet (UV) light.

[0036] For example, in common use of device 100, the cleaning process may include:- Opening lid 130 and inserting one or more brushes 101 into brush seats 132;- Operating pump 303 to fill tray 204 with cleaning liquid for washing brushes 101 with or without simultaneously rotating brush seats 132;- emptying the used cleaning liquid from tray 204; and- drying the washed brushes 101 by streaming air thereon and evacuating the humid air from device 100.

[0037] Optionally, during the abovementioned cleaning process, transducer 501 is operated to induce ultrasonic waves that propagate through the cleaning liquid and exert further mechanical loading of the bristles of brushes 101, and the undesired residues thereon. Furthermore, during the cleaning process, motor 201 may be activated to rotate brushes 101 at the desired speed and extent of time.

[0038] Furthermore, in certain embodiments, device 100 comprises various sensors, such as humidity sensors, temperature sensors, and opacity sensors, which connect and / or communicate with control circuit board 207 to determine associated operational parameters. For example, an opacity sensor may be used to indicate the opacity of used cleaning liquid (i.e., emptied fromtray 204) to infer (e.g., by control circuit board 207) whether brushes 101 are clean, or otherwise, further washing time, and / or washing cycle(s) are required. In another example, a humidity sensor may indicate the humidity level of the circulated air (i.e., exiting the cavity of tray 204) to infer whether brushes 101 are dry or whether a longer drying cycle and / or additional drying cycle(s) are required. Thereby, the operation of device 100 is optimized to avoid redundant consumption of cleaning liquid, electrical power, and cleaning time.Moreover, circuit board 207 may be configured with selectable preset cleaning protocols (i.e., selected by using control panel 111 or through a designated control application running on the user’s mobile device) that define constant and varying levels of operational parameters associated with cleaning steps (e.g., such as rotation speeds and directions, number and durations of washing and drying cycles filling and emptying of container 140) and in certain embodiments, of received indications from the aforementioned sensors. Circuit board 207 may change the operation mode and any of the above operational parameters of device 100 in response to manual selections made by a user of device 100 during an ongoing cleaning process.

[0039] According to certain embodiments of the present invention, the proposed device 100 may comprise one or more of the following safety measures and / or fault prevention means:- a bubble level that provides an indication to the user of device 100 as to the inclination thereof for the user to avoid operating the proposed device at undesired inclination angles that may result in cleaning liquid spills.- an audial and / or visual liquid level indication, e.g., to alert on insufficient cleaning liquid.- a gyroscope sensor embedded with circuit board 207, for alerting and / or shutting off the proposed device when tilted at undesired inclinations.- an audial and / or visual indication for washing and / or drying cycles ending and / or for the cleaning completion.- a locking mechanism, such as for locking lid 130 during the washing and drying cycles.- an interlock for preventing the operation of device 100 when lid 130 is open. Such an interlock may comprise a magnetoelectric circuit in an open state when lid 130 is open.- Thermometer and / or thermostat to prevent the opening of lid 130 when the washing water is too hot, or to indicate that the cleaning liquid reaches the required threshold to start the washing cycle.- an indication of a missing liquid container 204, or its incomplete assembly with base 110, or for used water not emptied from a previous washing cycle.- a periodic maintenance indication / alert within a designated mobile application and / or control panel 111, for example, circuit board 207 may perform a cycle counter (e.g., counting the operation cycles, namely the on / off iterations, of device 100) to infer and alert regarding a required maintenance servicing of device 100.

[0040] The term “brush“, as used herein, refers to any brush that has a solid portion that can fit into brush seats 132 (e.g., a handle) and a soft or hairy portion. Furthermore, device 100 is illustrated in the accompanying drawings with specific exemplary dimensions and proportions. However, it should be understood that multiple variations of device 100 may be designed with different proportions and sizes. Moreover, the entire device 100 may be scaled to larger or smaller sizes, according to specific applications.

[0041] As illustrated in Fig. 1C and in Fig. 6, the top portions of brushes 101 are threaded through cushions 132a of brush seats 132 and extend outside lid 130 at its closed state. Accordingly, only the lower portion of brushes 101, which practically require cleaning, are enclosed within device 100 (i.e., within the washing cavity defined between tray 204 and a closed lid 130), whereas the top portions of brushes 101, which constitute the substantial length thereof, extend outside / above lid 130. This structure and mode of operation of device 100 facilitate a compact design thereof having a low profile, regardless of the height of the brushes 101 cleaned thereby. Furthermore, a low-profile design of the brush-rotation mechanism within lid 130, such as the rotation mechanism illustrated in Fig. 2 facilitates an even lower profile of device 100. Moreover, clamping the cleaned brushes 101 at their lower portion, closer to their center of gravity, and rotating the same increases their rotation stability and may reduce redundant loads on the rotation mechanism, and thus can reduce the wear and tear of the transmission members (e.g., belt 202, cogged wheels 132c) and motor 201.

[0042] While various configurations of the automated brush-cleaning device are disclosed herein above, different combinations thereof may be carried out such as in the following examples:

[0043] Example 1 is an automated brush-cleaning device, comprising: a) a base that comprises a washing tray above which one or more brushes can be washed, b) an openable lid with a brush holder, the brush holder comprises one or more brush seats configured to receive one or more brushes for holding the brushes during their cleaning, wherein when said openable lid is closed a washing cavity is defined between said openable lead and washing tray, enclosing the lower portions of one or more brushes cleaned therein, whereas the top portions thereof extend outside said brush-cleaning device, c) an air circulation module, for evacuating humid air from said device, d) a control module, for controlling the operation of said device, and e) a power supply module, for providing the required electrical power for operating said device, wherein the device is configured to automatically clean one or more brushes by washing and drying their lower portions enclosed therein, and by applying multiple mechanical loads on the same during the cleaning, thereby disintegrating and detaching undesired substance residues therefrom.

[0044] Example 2 is an automated brush-cleaning device, comprising: a) a base that comprises a washing tray above which one or more brushes can be washed, b) an openable lid with a brush holder, the brush holder comprises one or more brush seats configured to receive one or more brushes for holding the brushes during their cleaning, wherein when said openable lid is closed a washing cavity is defined between said openable lead and washing tray, enclosing the lower portions of one or more brushes cleaned therein, whereas the top portions thereof extend outside said brush-cleaning device, c) an air circulation module, for evacuating humid air from said device, d) a control module, for controlling the operation of said device, and e) a power supply module, for providing the required electrical power for operating said device, wherein the device is configured to automatically clean one or more brushes by washing and drying their lower portions enclosed therein, and by applying multiple mechanical loads on the same during the cleaning, thereby disintegrating and detaching undesired substance residues therefrom, and wherein said automated brush-cleaning device further comprises a cleaning liquid container and / or used liquid container which are connected with said washing cavity.

[0045] Example 3 is an automated brush-cleaning device, such as described in the previous examples 1 or 2, where one or more brush seats 132 are rotated by a rotation mechanism within the openable lid 130.

[0046] Example 4 is an automated brush-cleaning device, such as described in the previous examples 1, 2, or 3, where the rotation exerts friction between the washed portions of the brushes and the washing tray, which may include friction-increasing elements such as protrusions 204a.

[0047] Example 5 is an automated brush-cleaning device, such as described in any of the previous examples, where the washing liquid is heated by a heating element to promote disengagement of substance residues from the bristles / hairs of the cleaned brushes.

[0048] Example 6 is an automated brush-cleaning device, such as described in any of the previous examples, which further comprises a vibrations generator, such as an ultrasonic transducer, or a mechanical vibrations generator such as an oscillator.

[0049] Example 7 is an automated brush-cleaning device, such as described in any of the previous examples, which further comprises one or more sensors such as a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, an opacity sensor, and any combination thereof, where the information received from the sensors may be processed by the control module of the brush-cleaning device to determine corresponding operational and / or safety actions to be executed. For instance, improving the washing mode of operation by determining advantageously combined operation scripts of the ultrasonic transducer, the vibration generator (e.g., that exerts mechanical vibration of the washing tray and brush bristles), determined range of brush rotating speeds (e.g., exerting corresponding centrifugal forces on the brush bristles) and water temperatures (e.g., operating the heating element) that enable shorter and / or fewer washing cycles for cleaning the brushes (e.g., inferred from the opacity level of the drained cleaning liquid / water).

[0050] Example 8 is an automated brush-cleaning device, such as described in any of the previous examples, which further comprises an irradiation module configured to emit light of a predetermined wavelength suitable for disinfecting the brushes.

[0051] Another exemplary configuration of a brush-cleaning device 700 is illustrated in Fig. 7, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Device 700 utilizes a motor 701 that is integrated into a lid 730 (e.g., rather than motor 201 of Fig. 2). Similarly to device 100 of Fig.2, the driving moment of motor 701 is delivered to several brush seats 732 (obscured and generally pointed at in Fig. 7) that holds brushes 101. Nevertheless, device 700 utilizes multiple drive belts 702 to carry the drive moment of motor 701 in a more distributed manner (e.g., rather than by a single belt 200). Correspondingly, in this embodiment, each belt 702 is a onesided cogged belt, and each brush seat 732 comprises two cogged wheels for receiving the drive moment from a preceding belt 702 and simultaneously rotating the next belt. Of course, various alternative transmission and driving arrangements may be utilized in lieu of, or in conjunction with, the belts and / or cogged wheels of devices 100 or 700, while maintaining a flat structure that can be accommodated within lid 130 or lid 730.

[0052] Further illustrated in Fig. 7, is a venting mesh 706 that facilitates the venting of humid air to be vented out from device 700 through lid 730 alternatively to the venting routes illustrated in Fig. 2.

[0053] Notwithstanding the differences between devices 100 and 700, both embodiments maintain a substantially flat design of lid 130 or 730 and an overall low-profile and compact design, thus being portable. Furthermore, both devices 100 and 700 hold and rotate the brushes 101 at their lower portions, thus near their center of gravity, facilitating a stable rotation without exerting undesired excessive moments on seats 132 or 732, and on the driving and transmission components. Moreover, the optional internal and external power supply, cleaning liquid supply, and drainage options disclosed herein provide operational flexibility that makes the brushcleaning device of the present invention conveniently operable in different locations that offer different schemes of external power supply, water supply, and drainage.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An automated brush-cleaning device, comprising: a) a base that comprises a washing tray above which one or more brushes can be washed; b) an openable lid with a brush holder, the brush holder comprises one or more brush seats configured to receive one or more brushes for holding the brushes during their cleaning, wherein when said openable lid is closed a washing cavity is defined between said openable lead and washing tray, enclosing the lower portions of one or more brushes cleaned therein, whereas the top portions thereof extend outside said brush-cleaning device; c) an air circulation module, for evacuating humid air from said device; d) a control module, for controlling the operation of said device; and e) a power supply module, for providing the required electrical power for operating said device, wherein the device is configured to automatically clean one or more brushes by washing and drying their lower portions enclosed therein, and by applying multiple mechanical loads on the same during the cleaning, thereby disintegrating and detaching undesired substance residues therefrom.

2. A device according to claim 1, further comprises a cleaning liquid container for supplying cleaning liquid to the washing cavity.

3. A device according to claim 1, further comprising a used liquid container for receiving used cleaning liquid from the washing cavity.

4. A device according to claim 1, wherein the multiple mechanical loads are selected from the group consisting of: centrifugal force, friction, vibrations, and any combination thereof.

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein the washing tray comprises protrusions for increasing its friction with the washed brushes.

6. A device according to claim 4, wherein the centrifugal force is applied on one or more brushes by one or more rotatable brush seats being rotated by motor-driven transmission members engaged with said one or more rotatable brush seats.

7. A device according to claim 6, wherein the transmission members include one or more drive belts and one or more cogged wheels associated with the brush seats.

8. A device according to claim 4, wherein said device further comprises an ultrasonic transducer.

9. A device according to claim 4, wherein said device further comprises a vibration generator.

10. A device according to claim 1, wherein said device further comprises a heating element for heating the cleaning liquid.

11. A device according to claim 1, wherein said device further comprises a heating element for heating the air which is streamed on the brushes.

12. A device according to claim 1, further comprising one or more sensors selected from a group consisting of: a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, an opacity sensor, and any combination thereof.

13. A device according to claim 1, further comprising safety measures and fault prevention means selected from a group consisting of: a bubble level, cleaning liquid level indicator, a gyroscope, a lid-locking mechanism, an open-lid interlock, a thermostat, and any combination thereof.

14. A device according to claim 1, further comprising an irradiation module configured to emit light of a predetermined wavelength suitable for disinfecting the brushes.

15. A method for automatically cleaning brushes, comprising: a) providing an automated brush-cleaning device, comprising: i. a base that comprises a washing tray above which one or more brushes can be washed; ii. an openable lid with a brush holder, the brush holder comprises one or more brush seats configured to receive one or more brushes for holding the brushes during their cleaning, wherein when said openable lid is closed a washing cavity is defined between said openable lead and washing tray, enclosing the lower portions of one ormore brushes cleaned therein, whereas the top portions thereof extend outside said brush-cleaning device; iii.an air circulation module, for evacuating humid air from said device; iv. a control module, for controlling the operation of said device; and v. a power supply module, for providing the required electrical power for operating said device, wherein the device is configured to automatically clean one or more brushes by washing and drying their lower portions enclosed therein, and by applying multiple mechanical loads on the same during the cleaning, thereby disintegrating and detaching undesired substance residues therefrom; b) inserting one or more brushes into said device; c) filling cleaning liquid into the washing tray of said brush-cleaning device, for washing said one or more brushes; d) applying multiple mechanical loads on the brushes during the washing of said one or more brushes; e) emptying the used cleaning liquid from said washing tray; and f) operating the air circulation module to stream dry air for drying said one or more washed brushes.

16. A method according to claim 15, further comprises rotating said one or more brushes.

17. A method according to claim 15, wherein any of steps ‘c’, ‘d’, ‘e’, and ‘f is repeated in a desired number of cycles.

18. A method according to claim 15, further comprises utilizing the sensors of claim 11 to optimize the operation of the brush-cleaning device to the required extent.

19. A method according to claim 15, further comprises utilizing one or more safety measures and fault prevention means of claim 13 to prevent undesired operation of said device.

20. A method according to claim 15, further comprises counting the operation cycles of the brush-cleaning device for inferring and alerting as to the required maintenance of said device.

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