Device and apparatus
The present invention relates to a device. The device is for cleaning a receptacle that is at least partly open-ended at one end and having an interior space defined by an interior wall. The device is capable of cleaning at least a part of the interior wall of the receptacle. The device has a receiving component for receiving and holding the receptacle to allow for the cleaning of at least the part of the interior wall of the receptacle. The device also has a cleaning component that is capable of cleaning at least part of the interior wall of the receptacle interior wherein the cleaning component comprises a cleaning element that is locatable within the interior space of the receptacle when the receptacle is held by the receiving component.
1 . A device for cleaning a receptacle, wherein the device comprises:
a receiving component for receiving and holding the receptacle;
a first nozzle arranged to be directed at an interior of the receptacle when the receptacle is held by the receiving component;
a lid for enclosing the receptacle in the receiving component; and
a gutter arranged to channel fluid from the lid directly into the receiving component.
2 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the first nozzle is capable of delivering a cleaning medium to an interior wall of the receptacle to clean at least a part of the interior wall of the receptacle.
3 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the fluid comprises condensation occurring on the lid through use of the device.
4 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein:
the device comprises a hinge connecting the lid to one or more other components of the device, the hinge enabling the lid to open to provide access to the receiving component; and
the gutter comprises a channel formed in the hinge.
5 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the lid comprises a lip arranged to direct fluid from the lid into the gutter.
6 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein:
the device comprises a drain formed in the receiving component; and
the gutter is arranged to channel the fluid towards drain.
7 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the device comprises:
a control unit that is responsive to user input to operate the device;
wherein the control unit is responsive to a first form of user input when the lid is in a closed position to allow the lid to open; and
wherein the control unit is responsive a second form of user input to initiate a receptacle washing cycle.
8 . The device according to claim 7 , wherein:
the control unit is responsive to the second form of user input when the lid is in an open position to prevent initiation of the receptacle washing cycle, or
wherein the control unit is responsive to the second form of user input when the lid is in an open position to automatically close the lid and to initiate the receptacle washing cycle.
9 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the device is arranged to be mounted on or in a mounting surface such that a surface of the device is substantially flush with the mounting surface on or in which the device is mounted.
10 . The device according to claim 9 , wherein the device provides a fluid path for fluid to flow from the surface and/or the mounting surface into the receiving component.
11 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the lid is removable and/or replaceable.
12 . The device according to claim 11 , wherein a top surface of the device is removable and/or replaceable.
13 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the device comprises:
a cleaning medium provision apparatus to supply a cleaning medium to the first nozzle;
wherein the device is arranged as a split system comprising:
a head unit that comprises at least the receiving component and the first nozzle; and
an auxiliary unit comprising at least the cleaning medium provision apparatus.
14 . The device according to claim 13 , wherein the head unit and the auxiliary unit are connected by one or more conduits.
15 . The device according to claim 13 , wherein the head unit is arranged to be mounted on or in a mounting surface.
16 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein:
the receiving component comprises a first rotating element that is capable of rotating the receptacle;
the device comprises a rotation driving component comprising a second rotating element, wherein the rotation driving component is arranged to drive rotation of the second rotating element; and
the second rotating element is magnetically coupled to the first rotating element such that rotation of the second rotating element by the rotation driving component drives rotation of the first rotating element.
17 . The device according to claim 1 , additionally comprising a second nozzle for cleaning at least a part of the exterior of the receptacle.
18 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the receptacle comprises a base portion and a lid portion, wherein the receiving component comprises a first portion for receiving and holding the base portion and a second portion for receiving and holding the lid portion.
19 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein:
the device comprises a hinge connecting the lid to one or more other components of the device, the hinge enabling the lid to open to provide access to the receiving component; and
the gutter comprises a channel formed in the hinge; and
wherein the hinge is moveable between a first, open position and a second, closed position, wherein the receptacle comprises a base portion and a lid portion, wherein the receiving component comprises a first portion for receiving and holding the base portion and a second portion for receiving and holding the lid portion, wherein the second portion of the receiving component is, in use, located below the hinge in the second position.
20 . The device according to claim 13 , wherein the cleaning medium provision apparatus comprises a steam generator and one or more tanks.
21 . A method of cleaning a receptacle comprising use of the device according to claim 1 , the method comprising:
receiving the receptacle at the receiving component of the device; and
delivering, via the first nozzle a cleaning medium to an interior wall of the receptacle to clean at least a part of the interior wall of the receptacle.
22 . The method of cleaning a receptacle according to claim 21 , wherein the receptacle is at least partly open-ended at one end and has an interior space defined by an interior wall.
23 . The method of cleaning a receptacle according to claim 21 , additionally comprising delivering, via a second nozzle, the cleaning medium to an exterior of the receptacle.
24 . The method of cleaning a receptacle according to claim 21 , wherein receiving the receptacle comprises receiving a base portion and a lid portion, wherein the receiving component comprises a first portion for receiving and holding the base portion and a second portion for receiving and holding the lid portion.
25 . The method of cleaning a receptacle according to claim 24 , additionally comprising delivering, via a third nozzle, the cleaning medium to the lid portion of the receptacle.
26 . The method of cleaning a receptacle according to claim 23 , additionally comprising selecting, by a user, one or more nozzles to be activated.
27 . The method of cleaning a receptacle according to claim 23 , additionally comprising activating, based on an output from a sensor, one or more nozzles.