Countertop Apparatus for Washing Articles

Abstract

Disclosed is a portable and self-contained washing apparatus. The apparatus finds particular application in washing baby items such as bottles, bottle accessories, and nipples. The apparatus includes a washing chamber with a removable cover. A supply water reservoir and a return water reservoir are also removably attached to the device. Upper and lower racks with upper and lower manifolds and sprayers are included within the interior of the washing chamber. The lower sprayers are used in washing bottles and the upper sprayers are used in washing nipples.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A countertop apparatus for washing baby bottles and nipples, the countertop apparatus comprising:
 a washing chamber with an interior;   a cover removably positioned over the washing chamber;   a supply water reservoir and a return water reservoir that are both removably attached to the apparatus, the supply water reservoir and the return water reservoir being in fluid communication with the interior of the washing chamber;   lower and upper racks positioned within the interior of the washing chamber, the lower rack adapted to support the baby bottles and the upper rack adapted to support nipples;   a lower manifold positioned adjacent the lower rack, the lower manifold in fluid communication with the supply water reservoir, the lower manifold including sprayers for directing water upwardly into the baby bottles during washing operations;   an upper manifold positioned adjacent the upper rack, a water line fluidly connecting the upper manifold to the lower manifold, the upper manifold including sprayers adapted to direct fluid upwardly into the nipples during washing operations;   a heating element within the washing chamber.   
     
     
         2 . A countertop apparatus for washing baby bottles and nipples, the countertop apparatus comprising:
 a washing chamber with an interior;   a cover positioned over the washing chamber;   a supply water reservoir and a return water reservoir that are in fluid communication with the interior of the washing chamber;   a lower manifold in fluid communication with the supply water reservoir, the lower manifold including sprayers for directing water upwardly into the baby bottles during washing operations;   an upper manifold and a water line for fluidly connecting the upper and lower manifolds, the upper manifold including sprayers adapted to direct fluid upwardly into the nipples during washing operations.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus as described in  claim 2  wherein the cover is removably positioned over the washing chamber. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus as described in  claim 2  wherein the supply water reservoir is removable. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus as described in  claim 2  wherein the return water reservoir is removable. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus as described in  claim 2  further comprising lower and upper racks positioned within the interior of the washing chamber, wherein the lower rack is adapted to support baby bottles and the upper rack is adapted to support nipples; 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus as described in  claim 2  further comprising a heating element within the washing chamber. 
     
     
         8 . A countertop washing apparatus comprising:
 a washing chamber with an interior;   a cover positioned over the washing chamber;   a supply water reservoir and a return water reservoir that are in fluid communication with the interior of the washing chamber;   a lower manifold in fluid communication with the supply water reservoir, the lower manifold including sprayers for directing water upwardly into the washing chamber;   an upper manifold including sprayers adapted to direct fluid upwardly into the washing chamber;   a water line for connecting the upper and lower manifolds;   wherein items to be washed are secured between the upper and lower manifolds.