Method and apparatus for cleaning consumable drink and food containers

Abstract

A cleaning apparatus configured to clean a consumable drink or food container includes a handle portion, a bristle base, and a plurality of bristles. The handle portion, which is generally cylindraceous, includes a first end, a second end, a grip, and an end portion. The grip is positioned proximate to the first end and comprises a gripping feature. The gripping feature is configured to facilitate gripping of the cleaning apparatus by a user. The end portion is positioned proximate to the second end and includes an attachment structure. The attachment structure is configured to enable attachment of the cleaning apparatus to an accessory. The bristle base is capable of being positioned adjacent to the first end of the handle portion. The plurality of bristles are attached to and project outwardly from the bristle base.

1 . A cleaning apparatus, the cleaning apparatus comprising:
 (a) a handle portion, wherein the handle portion is generally cylindraceous, the handle portion comprising:
 (i) a first end, 
 (ii) a second end, and 
 (iii) a gripping region positioned between the first end and the second end; 
   (b) a first cleaning feature, wherein the first cleaning feature comprises a plurality of bristles, wherein the plurality of bristles are project outwardly from the first end of the handle portion; and   (c) a second cleaning feature, wherein the second cleaning feature is configured to cooperate with the plurality of bristles to clean a consumable drink or food container, wherein the second cleaning feature is integral with the handle portion;   wherein the entire cleaning apparatus is sized and configured to clean a consumable drink container.   
     
     
         2 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least part of the gripping region is configured to reciprocate relative to the plurality of bristles to thereby selectively cover and uncover at least a portion of the plurality of bristles. 
     
     
         3 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a removable cap, wherein the removable cap is configured be secured to the handle portion and cover the plurality of bristles. 
     
     
         4 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a sheath, wherein the sheath is configured to house the handle portion and the plurality of bristles. 
     
     
         5 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an actuator operable to selectively retract the bristles within the handle portion to thereby house at least a portion of the plurality of bristles within the handle portion, wherein the actuator comprises a screw mechanism, wherein the screw mechanism is positioned within the handle portion and is operable to enable a user to manipulate the bristles by gripping the gripping region and twisting the second end of the handle portion relative to the gripping region. 
     
     
         6 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an actuator operable to selectively retract the bristles within the handle portion to thereby house at least a portion of the plurality of bristles within the handle portion, wherein the actuator comprises a slide mechanism, wherein the slide mechanism comprises:
 (i) a projection, wherein the projection extends outside the handle portion, and   (ii) a connecting member, wherein the connecting member couples the projection with the bristles,   wherein the slide mechanism is operable to enable a user to manipulate the bristles by grasping the projection and reciprocating the slide mechanism.   
     
     
         7 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an actuator operable to selectively retract the bristles within the handle portion to thereby house at least a portion of the plurality of bristles within the handle portion, wherein the actuator comprises a spring mechanism, wherein the spring mechanism comprises:
 (i) a button, wherein the button is configured to selectively engage and disengage the bristles when the button is depressed by a user, and   (ii) a coil spring, wherein the coil spring is configured to urge the bristles toward the first end of the handle portion when the button is disengaged from the bristles.   
     
     
         8 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a motor, wherein the motor is operable to cause the bristles to rotate, oscillate, or vibrate. 
     
     
         9 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a resilient member, wherein the resilient member is housed within the handle portion and is configured to enable a user to cause at least a portion of the plurality of bristles to rotate or oscillate by twisting and releasing the gripping region while gripping the second end of the handle portion. 
     
     
         10 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second cleaning feature comprises:
 (a) a cleaning agent;   (b) a reservoir, wherein the reservoir is positioned within the handle portion and contains the cleaning agent;   (c) a channel, wherein the channel is in communication with the reservoir and the bristles and is configured to enable distribution of the cleaning agent to the plurality of bristles; and   (d) a valve, wherein the valve is configured to prevent the cleaning agent from inadvertently passing through the channel.   
     
     
         11 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the cleaning apparatus is configured to distribute the cleaning agent to the plurality of bristles in response to a user performing at least one of the following actions: squeezing the handle portion, rotating the gripping region relative to the second end portion, or actuating a button. 
     
     
         12 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the second cleaning feature comprises a cleaning member, wherein the cleaning member is adjacent to the bristles, extends distally from the first end, and has a substantially triangular cross-section. 
     
     
         13 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the cleaning member comprises foam or rubber. 
     
     
         14 . A cleaning apparatus, the cleaning apparatus comprising:
 (a) a handle portion, wherein the handle portion is generally cylindraceous, the handle portion comprising:
 (i) a first end, 
 (ii) a second end, and 
 (iii) a gripping region positioned between the first end and the second end; 
   (b) a first cleaning feature, wherein the first cleaning feature comprises a plurality of bristles, wherein the plurality of bristles are project outwardly from the first end of the handle portion; and   (c) a second cleaning feature, wherein the second cleaning feature is configured to cooperate with the plurality of bristles to clean a consumable drink or food container, wherein the second cleaning feature is integral with the handle portion, wherein the second cleaning feature comprises:
 (i) a reservoir, wherein the reservoir is located in the handle portion, wherein the reservoir contains a cleaning agent, and 
 (ii) a channel in fluid communication with the reservoir, wherein the channel is further in fluid communication with the bristles, wherein the channel is operable to communicate the cleaning agent to the bristles; 
   wherein the entire cleaning apparatus is sized and configured to clean a consumable drink container.   
     
     
         15 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the second cleaning feature further comprises a valve, wherein the valve is configured to prevent the cleaning agent from inadvertently passing through the channel. 
     
     
         16 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the bristles terminate at different lengths such that the bristles collectively present an angled tip. 
     
     
         17 . A cleaning apparatus, wherein the cleaning apparatus is configured to clean a consumable drink or food container, the cleaning apparatus comprising:
 (a) a handle portion, wherein the handle portion is generally cylindraceous, the handle portion comprising:
 (i) a first end, 
 (ii) a second end, and 
 (iii) a gripping region positioned between the first end and the second end; 
   (b) a first cleaning feature, wherein the first cleaning feature comprises a plurality of bristles, wherein the plurality of bristles are project outwardly from the first end of the handle portion; and   (c) a second cleaning feature, wherein the second cleaning feature is configured to cooperate with the plurality of bristles to clean a consumable drink or food container, wherein the second cleaning feature is integral with the handle portion, wherein the second cleaning feature comprises a soft and angled cleaning member, wherein the cleaning member is adjacent to the bristles and extends distally from the first end of the handle portion.   
     
     
         18 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the cleaning member comprises rubber or foam. 
     
     
         19 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the cleaning member has a triangular cross-section. 
     
     
         20 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the cleaning member is positioned within the bristles.