Toilet cleaning device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a toilet cleaning device ( 10 ) for cleaning a toilet bowl ( 20 ), the toilet cleaning device ( 10 ) comprising a handle ( 12 ); a head ( 14 ) at a distal end ( 28 ) of the handle ( 12 ); and a plurality of radially outwardly projecting helical blades ( 16 ) which extend from a handle end ( 44 ) of the head ( 14 ) to a free distal end ( 46 ). As the head ( 14 ) is rotated about an axial extent of the handle ( 12 ), the helical blades ( 16 ) provide a circumferential and axial scraping action to the toilet bowl ( 20 ). The invention further relates to a holder ( 76 ) for such a toilet cleaning device ( 10 ), and a method of using the toilet cleaning device ( 10 ) to sanitise a toilet ( 74 ).

1 . A toilet cleaning device adapted to clean a toilet bowl, the toilet cleaning device comprising:
 a handle,   a head at a distal end of the handle, and   a plurality of radially outwardly projecting helical blades which extend from a handle end of the head to or substantially to a free distal end of the head and which present a smooth surface, so that, as the head is rotated about an axial extent of the handle, the helical blades provide a circumferential and axial scraping action;   
       wherein the free distal end of the head includes a bow-wave enhancement indentation. 
     
     
         2 . The toilet cleaning device of  claim 1 , wherein each helical blade has a smoothly arcuate longitudinal extent being devoid of laterally extending corners to prevent or limit accumulation of detritus and the smoothly arcuate longitudinal extent enabling agitationless cleaning. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The toilet cleaning device of  claim 1 , wherein each helical blade has a resiliently flexible lateral extent. 
     
     
         5 . The toilet cleaning device of  claim 1 , the device having at least one of the following: the helical blades tapering towards the free distal end of the head; the helical blades being chamfered at the free distal end of the head; and the helical blades thickening towards the free distal end of the head. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The toilet cleaning device of  claim 1 , wherein each helical blade has a substantially uniform lateral extent along at least a majority of its longitudinal extent. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The toilet cleaning device of  claim 1 , wherein the helical blades terminate at a rim of the bow-wave enhancement indentation. 
     
     
         11 . The toilet cleaning device of  claim 10 , wherein a secondary scraping edge is formed by the termination of the helical blades at the rim of the bow-wave enhancement indentation. 
     
     
         12 . The toilet cleaning device of  claim 1 , wherein the bow-wave enhancement indentation is substantially concaved or dished. 
     
     
         13 . The toilet cleaning device of  claim 1 , wherein each helical blade forms at least a part of the bow-wave enhancement indentation. 
     
     
         14 . The toilet cleaning device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one axially extending vane provided at the handle end of the head adapted to scrape and agitate detritus and particulate matter under a rim of the toilet bowl. 
     
     
         15 . The toilet cleaning device of  claim 14 , wherein a scraping edge of a vane body of the vane is radially outermost. 
     
     
         16 . The toilet cleaning device of  claim 15 , wherein the scraping edge is chamfered. 
     
     
         17 . The toilet cleaning device of  claim 14 , wherein each vane tapers towards its free distal end. 
     
     
         18 . The toilet cleaning device of  claim 14 , wherein a free distal-most edge of the or each vane is chamfered to provide an uppermost scraping edge. 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . The toilet cleaning device of  claim 14 , wherein each helical blade is integrally formed with one vane. 
     
     
         21 . The toilet cleaning device of  claim 14 , wherein the helical blades and the or each vane are integrally provided on a head body of the head. 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . The toilet cleaning device of  claim 1  in combination with a cleaning device holder having a head receptacle to receive the head of the toilet cleaning device and being defined by a holder body. 
     
     
         25 . The combination of  claim 24 , wherein the head receptacle includes at least two opposing openings in the holder body to promote a drying cross-flow of air over the helical blades, wherein a first said opening provides an access adapted to enable insertion and removal of the head to and from the head receptacle. 
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . The combination of  claim 25 , wherein a second said opening extends further towards a base of the head receptacle than the first said opening to promote air flow up and along the helical blades in a direction towards the handle. 
     
     
         28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . A toilet cleaning device adapted to clean a toilet bowl, the toilet cleaning device comprising: a handle, a head at a distal end of the handle, and a plurality of radially outwardly projecting helical blades that extend from a handle end of the head to or substantially to a free distal end of the head, so that, as the head is rotated about an axial extent of the handle, the helical blades provide a circumferential and axial scraping action.