Cleaning and sanitizing system

Abstract

An embodiment of a system suitable for cleaning or sanitizing fingers includes a vessel having first and second opposing ends and a wall surface. A closure member is positionable about the first end to contain fluid within the vessel. A sanitizing bowl has a side shaped to hold fluid. Cleaning elements, each having a tip, are configured for placement along the side of the bowl so that the cleaning element tips extend in a direction away from the bowl. The tips are positioned to provide scrubbing or brushing action along a crevice region of a finger when a portion of the finger extends into the vessel and is moved along the cleaning element tips to facilitate cleaning or sanitizing the finger with the fluid.

The claimed invention is: 
     
         1 . A system suitable for cleaning or sanitizing fingers, comprising:
 a vessel for containing a first fluid, into which a finger can be inserted, the vessel having first and second opposing ends and an inner wall surface extending there between;   a closure member positionable about the first end to contain the fluid within the vessel;   a sanitizing bowl having a first side shaped to hold the fluid, the sanitizing bowl sized to be positioned within the vessel, along the inner wall surface of the vessel, with the first side of the bowl facing the first end of the vessel; and   a series of cleaning elements, each having a tip, configured for placement along the first side of the sanitizing bowl so that when the cleaning elements are positioned along the first side of the bowl (i) at least some of the cleaning element tips extend in a direction away from the sanitizing bowl, and (ii) an array of the tips are disposed to provide scrubbing or brushing action along a crevice region of a finger when a portion of the finger extends into the vessel and is moved along the tips to facilitate cleaning or sanitizing of the finger portion with the fluid.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the cleaning elements are formed against the bowl inner surface. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the cleaning element tips are sized to fit within a crevice between a finger and a finger nail. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the sanitizing bowl is separate and distinct from the inner wall surface of the vessel. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the vessel is in the shape of a tube. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the cleaning elements are integrally formed along the first side of the sanitizing bowl to form a surface of the sanitizing bowl. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein a portion of the sanitizing bowl spaced away from the cleaning elements includes an opening which permits flow of fluid from along the vessel inner wall surface to the first side of the bowl to be held by the bowl. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  further including an opening at the second end for dispensing the first fluid or another fluid 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the opening is an aperture which can be selectively covered or uncovered to dispense fluid. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8  further including a pump mechanism connected about the opening to dispense the first fluid or another fluid. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10  further including a reservoir positioned to hold fluid and supply fluid to the pump mechanism. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10  further including a divider positioned to form two separate and isolated sections in the vessel, a first section adjoining the first end to contain the first fluid for the sanitizing bowl, and a second section adjoining the second end to contain said another fluid for dispensing through the opening. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the cleaning element tips are sized and positioned to clean a cuticle.