STOPPER SCRUBBER FOR SINK

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present technology relates to stopper scrubbers for use in sinks and methods of using stopper scrubbers in sinks, and more particularly to such stopper scrubbers that receive and conduct light.

BACKGROUND

[0002] When a food waste disposal is installed under a sink, a sink flange is installed that often includes a baffle. For example, FIG. 1 illustrates a sink 10 that has a garbage disposal (not shown) installed under the sink 10. The sink flange 12 and baffle 14 of the garbage disposal can be seen in the drain of the sink. Generally, sink stoppers are known for use with sinks, including sinks that have food waste disposals. A conventional sink stopper is configured to cover a drain and stop the flow of water into the drain, retaining any water or other materials in the sink.

[0003] Additionally, cleaning tools, such as scrubbers, are often used at sinks to scrub surfaces of the sink, as well as remove food material from dishes and utensils. This food material is often transferred to the cleaning tools, potentially building up to an undesirable amount of bacteria, fungi, yeast, mold, and mildew that can be transferred to other surfaces around the sink. The sink stopper can also become inundated with these undesirable microbes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] Specific examples have been chosen for purposes of illustration and description, and are shown in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the specification.

[0005]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one example of a prior art sink flange with a baffle installed in a sink.

[0006]FIG. 2 is a first front perspective view of one embodiment of a stopper scrubber of the present technology, with the stopper scrubber in an upright position.

[0007]FIG. 3 is a second front perspective view of the stopper scrubber of FIG. 2, with the stopper scrubber in a resting position.

[0008]FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the stopper scrubber of FIGS. 2-3.

[0009]FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the stopper scrubber of FIGS. 2-4.

[0010]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the stopper scrubber of FIGS. 2-5 in an inserted position in a sink flange installed in a sink.

[0011]FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of a second embodiment of a stopper scrubber of the present technology, with the stopper scrubber in an upright position.

[0012]FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of the stopper scrubber of FIG. 7.

[0013]FIG. 9 is a partly cross-sectional, partly front elevation view of a food waste disposer assembly having an antimicrobial light source mounted in relation to a sink and a stopper scrubber of FIGS. 2-6.

[0014]FIG. 10 is a flow chart of one example of a method of using a stopper scrubber of the present technology.

[0015] While various embodiments discussed herein are amenable to modifications and alternative forms, aspects thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are described in detail herein. It should be understood, however, that the disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiments described, and instead is meant to include all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure. In addition, the terms “example” and “embodiment” as used throughout this application is only by way of illustration, and not limitation. The term “about” with respect to a measurement as used herein means the stated measurement plus or minus a 10% margin of error. The term “configured to” as used herein with respect to a component being “configured to” have certain structural characteristics in specified circumstances or to perform a function means that the component is structurally formed such that the component meets the structural characteristics in the specified circumstances or performs the function without further modification. The terms “above”, “below”, “upper”, “lower”, “top” and “bottom” as used herein are directional terms with reference to the orientation of the stopper scrubber when it is in an upright position, as shown in FIG. 2. The Figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. The use of the same reference symbols in different drawings indicates similar or identical items unless otherwise noted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Stopper Scrubbers of the present technology are stopper scrubbers that are configured to, and during use do, receive and conduct light from a light source outside the stopper scrubber, such as from within a garbage disposal or sink flange. In at least some examples, stopper scrubbers of the present technology may be hygienic stopper scrubbers that are configured to, and during use do, receive and conduct antimicrobial light. Some non-limiting examples of disposer systems that incorporate an antimicrobial light source are described in pending U.S. Application Serial No. 18743992, entitled “Antimicrobial LED Disposer System and Method,” the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0017] The term “antimicrobial light” as used herein includes any light that tends to kill or slow the spread of microorganisms, which includes ultraviolet light and violet light. Violet light is light having a wavelength in the range from about 380 nanometers (nm) to about 750 nm, such as from about 380 nm to about 420 nm. Unlike ultraviolet light, violet light does not tend to cause damage to human eyes and skin. Yet, violet light has been found to reduce or prevent the growth of and may kill bacteria, fungi, yeast, mold, and mildew, particularly when used for continuous periods of time.

[0018] Generally, stopper scrubbers of the present technology include a main body having a stopper base, a light conducting core that extends through the stopper base, a scrubber attached to the main body below the stopper base, and a first light conducting surface attached to an upper surface of the stopper base. The light conducting core extends through at least a portion of the first light conducting surface. As used herein, the term “scrubber” means any implement that is configured to itself be a scrubbing device or to attach to a scrubbing device, such as a scrubbing pad. Non-limiting examples of scrubbers include: bristles, brushes, sponges, scrubbing pads, scrubbing pad attachment interfaces such as hook and loop interfaces, etc. Stopper scrubbers of the present technology may include a handle portion attached to the first light conducting surface and extending above the first light conducting surface, or the first light conducting surface may be used as a handle. Stopper scrubbers of the present technology may also include a second light conducting surface attached to a bottom surface of the stoper base, and the light conducting core may extend through at least a portion of the second light conducting surface.

[0019]FIGS. 2-8 illustrate some embodiments of a stopper scrubber of the present technology. FIGS. 2-6 illustrate a first embodiment of a stopper scrubber 100 of the present technology and FIGS. 7-8 illustrates a second embodiment of a stopper scrubber of the present technology.

[0020] Referring to FIGS. 2-6, the first embodiment of a stopper scrubber 100 includes a main body 102 that has stopper base 104. The main body 102 also includes a light conducting core 106 that extends through the stopper base 104. The stopper scrubber also includes a scrubber 116 attached to the main body 102 below the stopper base 104.

[0021] The light conducting core 106 may be cylindrical, as illustrated, or any other suitable shape, and may be centered along a schematic longitudinal axis A of the scrubber stopper 100. Accordingly, the light conducting core 106 may extend along and through a center of the stopper base. The light conducting core may be clear, transparent or translucent, and may be made of any suitable material, such as, for example, silicone or plastic [any other materials?].

[0022] The stopper base 104 has an upper surface 108 and a bottom surface 110. The stopper base 104 may be circular or substantially circular, and may also include an outer rim 112. A sealing ring 114 may be attached to the outer rim 112. The sealing ring 114 may be configured to be received within and create a seal with a sink flange when the stopper scrubber 100 is placed to stop or plug the drain.

[0023] The stopper scrubber 100 further includes a first light conducting surface 118 attached to and extending above the upper surface 108 of the stopper base 104. As shown, the light conducting core 106 extends through at least a portion of the first light conducting surface 118, which may allow light conducted through the light conducting core into and through the first light conducting surface 118. The first light conducting surface may have any suitable shape. The first light conducting surface 118 may be clear, transparent or translucent, and may be made of any suitable material, such as, for example, silicone or plastic. The first light conducting surface 118 may be made of the same material, or a different material, as the light conducting core 106. The first light conducting surface 118 may conduct light to shine on the upper surface 108 of the stopper base 104.

[0024] In some examples, the first light conducting surface 118 may be usable as a grip for a user to hold while using the stopper scrubber 100. However, as best shown in FIGS. 2-4 and 6, the stopper scrubber 100 includes a handle portion 120 attached to the first light conducting surface 118 and extending above the first light conducting surface 118. Referring to FIGS. 2, 4, and 6, the light conducting core 106 may extend through the handle portion 120 to a top surface 126 of the handle portion 120. In this manner, at least a portion of the top of the handle portion 120 may be illuminated due to the light conducting core 106 conducting light from the light source.

[0025] The scrubber 116 may be made of any suitable material and have any suitable shape. However, in at least some examples, it is preferable for the scrubber 116 to have a tapered shape that is longest closest to or around the schematic longitudinal axis A (FIG. 1) and shortest closest to the outer rim 112. When the scrubber has a tapered shape, it may facilitate the scrubber causing downward deformation of the flaps of the baffle when the scrubber is inserted into the sink flange as the scrubber stopper is placed to stop or plug the drain. Such insertion of the scrubber 116 into the sink flange, and any associated downward deformation of the baffle flaps, may allow light from a light source to shine on the scrubbing material of the scrubber 116 and the light conducting core 106. The scrubber 116 having a tapered shape may also facilitate light from the light source being able to hit at least a majority, or even the entirety, of the surface area of the scrubber 116.

[0026] As best shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, the scrubber 116 of the stopper scrubber 100 includes a plurality of bristles 122. The plurality of bristles 122 are provided in groupings 124 of bristles that form a plurality of concentric circles around the schematic longitudinal axis A (FIG. 1) of the stopper scrubber 100. Further, the plurality bristles are provided in a layered pattern, with each of the concentric circles of bristle groupings 124 forming a layer, that forms a tapered shape that is longest towards a center of the stopper base 104, around the schematic longitudinal axis A (FIG. 1), and shortest closest to the outer rim 112.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the stopper scrubber 100 may include a second light conducting surface 128, which may be attached to the bottom surface 110 of the stopper base 104. The light conducting core 106 may extend through at least a portion of the second light conducting surface 128. Further, in examples where the scrubber has a plurality of bristles 122, the plurality of bristles 122 may extend through or at least from the second light conducting surface 128. The second light conducting surface 128 may have any suitable shape, such as a tapered shape. The second light conducting surface 128 may be clear, transparent or translucent, and may be made of any suitable material, such as, for example, silicone or plastic. The second light conducting surface 128 may be made of the same material, or a different material, as the light conducting core 106 and/or the first light conducting surface 118. The second light conducting surface 128 may conduct light to shine on the material of the scrubber and/or the bottom surface 110 of the stopper base 104.

[0028] Referring to FIGS. 7-8, the second embodiment of a stopper scrubber 200 includes many of the same features and components as the stopper scrubber 100 of the first embodiment. For ease of reference, the like components and features are labeled with like reference numbers. The stopper scrubber 200 includes a main body 102 that has stopper base 104. The main body 102 also includes a light conducting core 106 that extends through the stopper base 104. The stopper scrubber also includes a scrubber 116 attached to the main body 102 below the stopper base 104.

[0029] The light conducting core 106 may be cylindrical, as illustrated, or any other suitable shape, and may be centered along a schematic longitudinal axis B of the scrubber stopper 200. Accordingly, the light conducting core 106 may extend along and through a center of the stopper base 104. The light conducting core may be clear, transparent or translucent, and may be made of any suitable material, such as, for example, silicone or plastic.

[0030] The stopper base 104 has an upper surface 108 and a bottom surface 110. The stopper base 104 may be circular or substantially circular, and may also include an outer rim 112. A sealing ring 114 may be attached to the outer rim 112. The sealing ring 114 may be configured to be received within and create a seal with a sink flange when the stopper scrubber 100 is placed to stop or plug the drain.

[0031] The stopper scrubber 100 further includes a first light conducting surface 118 attached to and extending above the upper surface 108 of the stopper base 104. As shown, the light conducting core 106 extends through at least a portion of the first light conducting surface 118, which may allow light conducted through the light conducting core into and through the first light conducting surface 118. The first light conducting surface may have any suitable shape. The first light conducting surface 118 may be clear, transparent or translucent, and may be made of any suitable material, such as, for example, silicone or plastic. The first light conducting surface 118 may be made of the same material, or a different material, as the light conducting core 106. The first light conducting surface 118 may conduct light to shine on the upper surface 108 of the stopper base 104. As shown in this second embodiment, as best show in in FIG. 7, the first light conducting surface 118 may be usable as a grip for a user to hold while using the stopper scrubber 100.

[0032] Referring back to FIGS. 7-8, the scrubber 116 may be made of any suitable material and have any suitable shape. The scrubber 116 of the second embodiment comprises a scrubbing pad attachment interface 202. The scrubbing pad attachment interface 202 is configured to attach a scrubbing pad to the scrubber. As shown, the scrubbing pad attachment interface 202 is a hook and loop scrubbing pad attachment interface, although it should be understood that any suitable type of scrubbing pad attachment interface may be used. As best shown in FIG. 7, the scrubber 116, specifically the scrubbing pad attachment interface 202, may a tapered shape that is longest closest to or around the schematic longitudinal axis B and shortest closest to the outer rim 112. Features and functions of such a tapered shape are discussed with respect to the first embodiment above, and are applicable to the second embodiment.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 8, the scrubbing pad attachment interface 202 includes a light path 204 aligned with the light conducting core 106, to allow light from the light source to shine on and be conducted by the light conducting core 106.

[0034]FIG. 9 illustrates the stopper scrubber 100 of FIGS. 2-6 in use in a sink 300, where the sink 300 has a food waste disposer 302 installed underneath the sink 300. The sink 300 includes a sink flange 304 that defines a drain. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 9, the stopper base 104 includes an outer rim 112 and a sealing ring 114 attached to the outer rim 112. The sealing ring 112 is configured to be received within and create a seal with the sink flange 304 when the stopper scrubber is placed to stop or plug the drain. In some examples, the sink flange 304 may include a light source 306, which may be an antimicrobial light source. In alternative examples, the light source may be located elsewhere, such as within the disposer 302. When the stopper scrubber 100 is placed to stop or plug the drain, at least a portion of the stopper scrubber 100 is inserted into the sink flange 304. Specifically, at least the scrubber 116 of the stopper scrubber is inserted into the sink flange 304, which exposes the scrubber 116 to light from the light source 306. In examples that include a baffle (not shown), the scrubber 116 pushes the flaps of the baffle downward into a deformed position as it is inserted into the sink flange 304, allowing light from the light source 306 to be conducted through the light conducting core 106 of the stopper scrubber. Light, such as antimicrobial light in examples where the light source 306 emits antimicrobial light, is received by the scrubber (e.g., scrubber 116 of FIGS. 206) and conducted through the light conducting core 106 of the stopper scrubber 100. The light may be conducted through the light conducting core to and through the first light conducting surface 118, as well as any other light conducting surfaces of the stopper scrubber 100.

[0035]FIG. 10 illustrates one example of a method 400 of using a stopper scrubber of the present technology in a sink, such as the use of stopper scrubber 100 in sink 300 as shown in FIG. 9, although the method applies to any stopper scrubber of the present technology, including stopper scrubber 200. Referring to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2-8, the stopper scrubber 100 or 200 includes a main body 102 having a stopper base 104, a light conducting core 106 that extends through the stopper base 104, a scrubber 116 attached to the main body 102 below the stopper base 104, and a first light conducting surface 118 attached to an upper surface 108 of the stopper base 104, where the light conducting core 106 extends through at least a portion of a first light conducting surface 118. The method 400 starts at step 402, which includes providing a sink that includes a sink flange. The method may continue to step 404, which includes providing a light source in or below the sink flange. The method may continue to step 406, which includes inserting at least a portion of the stopper scrubber into the sink flange, allowing light from the light source to be conducted through the light conducting core of the stopper scrubber.

[0036] In examples where the sink includes a baffle, such as baffle 14 shown in FIG. 1, step 402 of the method may include providing a sink that includes a sink flange and a baffle, where the baffle has one or more deformable flaps that are in a closed undeformed position when at rest. Additionally, in such examples, step 406 may include inserting at least a portion of the stopper scrubber into the sink flange such that the scrubber pushes the flaps of the baffle into a deformed position, allowing light from the light source to be conducted through the light conducting core of the stopper scrubber.

[0037] In accordance with the foregoing disclosure, stopper scrubbers and methods of using stopper scrubber are provided herein.

[0038] In at least a first aspect, a stopper scrubber is provided that includes: a main body having a stopper base, and a light conducting core that extends through the stopper base; a scrubber attached to the main body below the stopper base; and a first light conducting surface attached to an upper surface of the stopper base, wherein the light conducting core extends through at least a portion of the first light conducting surface.

[0039] Such a stopper scrubber may also include one or more additional components or features. For example, the light conducting core may extend through a center of the stopper base. As another example, the stopper scrubber may further include a handle portion attached to the first light conducting surface and extending above the first light conducting surface. The light conducting core may extend through the handle portion to a top surface of the handle portion. As yet another example, the stopper scrubber may further include a second light conducting surface attached to a bottom surface of the stoper base, and the light conducting core may extend through at least a portion of the second light conducting surface. As a further example, the stopper base may include an outer rim and a sealing ring attached to the outer rim, the sealing ring being configured to be received within and create a seal with a sink flange.

[0040] Further, various types of scrubbers may be included as part of the stopper scrubber. Preferably, the scrubber may have a tapered shape that is longest towards a center of the stopper base. In some examples, the scrubber may include a plurality of bristles, which may be provided in groupings of bristles that form a plurality of concentric circles and/or may be provided in a layered pattern that forms a tapered shape that is longest towards a center of the stopper base. In examples where the stopper scrubber includes a second light conducting surface attached to a bottom surface of the stoper base, the plurality of bristles may extend from the second light conducting surface. In other examples, the scrubber may include a scrubbing pad attachment interface, which may be configured to attach a scrubbing pad to the scrubber.

[0041] In some examples of the first aspect, a combination of a food waste disposer assembly having an antimicrobial light source and a stopper scrubber may be provided. In such examples, the food waste disposer assembly includes a sink flange and a food waste disposer body, with a light source secured within either the sink flange or in the food waste disposer body. The light source may be an antimicrobial light source. In such examples, the light source emits antimicrobial light that is received by the scrubber and conducted through the light conducting core of the stopper scrubber. The light may be conducted through the light conducting core to and through the first light conducting surface, as well as through any other light conducting surfaces of the stopper scrubber.

[0042] In at least a second aspect, a method of using a stopper scrubber in a sink is provided, where the stopper scrubber includes a main body having a stopper base, a light conducting core that extends through the stopper base and through at least a portion of a first light conducting surface, a scrubber attached to the main body below the stopper base, and a first light conducting surface attached to an upper surface of the stopper base. The method includes providing a sink that includes a sink flange, . providing a light source in or below the sink flange, and inserting at least a portion of the stopper scrubber into the sink flange, allowing light from the light source to be conducted through the light conducting core of the stopper scrubber.

[0043] From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that although specific examples have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit or scope of this disclosure. It is therefore intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and that it be understood that it is the following claims, including all equivalents, that are intended to particularly point out and distinctly claim the claimed subject matter.