US-20260123794-A1 - STOPPER SCRUBBER FOR SINK

Abstract

Stopper scrubbers for use in sinks and methods of using stopper scrubbers in sinks are provided herein where such stopper scrubbers receive and conduct light from a light source in the sink flange or below the sink flange, such as in a food waste disposer. Stopper scrubbers include a main body having a stopper base and a light conducting core that extends through the stopper base, and a scrubber attached to the main body below the stopper base. Method of using the stoper scrubbers include inserting a portion of the stopper scrubber into a sink flange and allowing light from the light source to be conducted through the light conducting core.

Inventors

• Clyde C. Verhoff

Assignees

• InSinkErator LLC

Dates

Publication Date

20260507

Application Date

20241101

Claims (20)

1. 1 . A stopper scrubber for use in a sink, the stopper scrubber comprising: 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.
2. 2 . The stopper scrubber of claim 1 , where in the light conducting core extends through a center of the stopper base.
3. 3 . The stopper scrubber of claim 1 , further comprising a handle portion attached to the first light conducting surface and extending above the first light conducting surface.
4. 4 . The stopper scrubber of claim 3 , wherein the light conducting core extends through the handle portion to a top surface of the handle portion.
5. 5 . The stopper scrubber of claim 1 , further comprising a second light conducting surface attached to a bottom surface of the stoper base, wherein the light conducting core extends through at least a portion of the second light conducting surface.
6. 6 . The stopper scrubber of claim 1 , wherein the stopper base includes 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.
7. 7 . The stopper scrubber of claim 1 , wherein the scrubber comprises a plurality of bristles.
8. 8 . The stopper scrubber of claim 7 , wherein the stopper scrubber further comprises a second light conducting surface attached to a bottom surface of the stoper base, and the plurality of bristles extend from the second light conducting surface.
9. 9 . The stopper scrubber of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of bristles are provided in groupings of bristles that form a plurality of concentric circles.
10. 10 . The stopper scrubber of claim 7 , wherein the plurality bristles are provided in a layered pattern that forms a tapered shape that is longest towards a center of the stopper base.
11. 11 . The stopper scrubber of claim 1 , wherein the scrubber comprises a scrubbing pad attachment interface.
12. 12 . The stopper scrubber of claim 11 , wherein the scrubbing pad attachment interface has a tapered shape that is longest towards a center of the stopper base.
13. 13 . A stopper scrubber for use in a sink, the stopper scrubber comprising: 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, wherein the scrubber has a tapered shape that is longest towards a center of 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.
14. 14 . The stopper scrubber of claim 13 , further comprising a handle portion attached to the first light conducting surface and extending above the first light conducting surface.
15. 15 . The stopper scrubber of claim 14 , wherein the light conducting core extends through the handle portion to a top surface of the handle portion.
16. 16 . The stopper scrubber of claim 13 , further comprising a second light conducting surface attached to a bottom surface of the stoper base, wherein the light conducting core extends through at least a portion of the second light conducting surface.
17. 17 . The stopper scrubber of claim 13 , wherein the stopper base includes an outer rim configured to be received within and create a seal with a sink flange.
18. 18 . The stopper scrubber of claim 13 , wherein the stopper scrubber further comprises a second light conducting surface attached to a bottom surface of the stoper base, and a plurality of bristles extend from the second light conducting surface.
19. 19 . The stopper scrubber of claim 13 , wherein the scrubber comprises a scrubbing pad attachment interface.
20. 20 . A method of using a stopper scrubber in a sink, wherein the stopper scrubber includes a main body having a stopper base, a first light conducting surface attached to an upper surface of the stopper base, a light conducting core that extends through the stopper base and through at least a portion of the first light conducting surface, and a scrubber attached to the main body below the stopper base, the method comprising: providing a sink that includes a sink flange; providing a light source in or below the sink flange; 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.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD 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 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. 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 Specific examples have been chosen for purposes of illustration and description, and are shown in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the specification. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one example of a prior art sink flange with a baffle installed in a sink. 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. FIG. 3 is a second front perspective view of the stopper scrubber of FIG. 2, with the stopper scrubber in a resting position. FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the stopper scrubber of FIGS. 2-3. FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the stopper scrubber of FIGS. 2-4. 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. 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. FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of the stopper scrubber of FIG. 7. 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. FIG. 10 is a flow chart of one example of a method of using a stopper scrubber of the present technology. 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 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. 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 vio