Cleaning Apparatus with Splash Shield

Abstract

A brush apparatus for cleaning the interior of a bottle having a handle, a scrubbing portion, and a removable splash shield. The handle includes a grip portion and a channel for removably securing the splash shield to the handle. A plurality of bristles extend radially outward from a bristle stem to form a brush having a substantially cylindrical scrubbing portion. The removable splash shield functions as a shield to contain splashing while cleaning a bottle and when the user removes the scrubbing portion from the bottle. A smaller nipple brush is contained within the handle grip portion of the brush.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for cleaning the interior of a bottle comprising:
 a. a brush assembly comprising:
 i) a handle; 
 ii) a bristle stem having a top, a bottom and a length, connected to said handle; 
 iii) a plurality of bristles affixed to said bristle stem; 
   b. a flexible splash shield having an upper end defining an aperture, a base and at least one evaporation port extending through said splash shield, wherein said brush assembly is disposed through said aperture of said splash shield, and said base extends beyond the bottom of said brush assembly and bristles, and flares radially outward.   
     
     
         2 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said bristles comprise a plurality of bristle sets coupled to said bristle stem and extending radially outward from said bristle stem. 
     
     
         3 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said bristle stem and bristles are adapted to be insertable into the interior of a bottle. 
     
     
         4 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said bristle sets extend from said bristle stem in a substantially cylindrical configuration. 
     
     
         5 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said splash shield defines an interior space adapted to at least partially surround a bottle in a shielded position. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus for cleaning the interior of a bottle comprising:
 a. a brush assembly comprising:
 i) a substantially hollow handle defining an inner chamber; 
 ii) a nipple brush at least partially disposed within said inner chamber of said handle; 
 iii) a bristle stem having a top, a bottom and a length, connected to said handle; 
 iv) a plurality of bristles affixed to said bristle stem; 
   b. a flexible splash shield having an upper end defining an aperture, a base and at least one evaporation port extending through said splash shield, wherein said brush assembly is disposed through said aperture of said splash shield, and said base extends beyond the bottom of said brush assembly and bristles, and flares radially outward.   
     
     
         7 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said bristles comprise a plurality of bristle sets coupled to said bristle stem and extending radially outward from said bristle stem. 
     
     
         8 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said bristle stem and bristles are adapted to be insertable into the interior of a bottle. 
     
     
         9 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said bristle sets extend from said bristle stem in a substantially cylindrical configuration. 
     
     
         10 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said splash shield defines an interior space adapted to at least partially surround a bottle in a shielded position. 
     
     
         11 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising a removable cap at least partially covering said nipple brush. 
     
     
         12 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising at least one drain port extending from said inner chamber of said handle to an outer surface of said handle. 
     
     
         13 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said nipple brush has a lower end and an upper end, and is wider at said lower end than said upper end.