At a glance
| Patent number | CN105962616B (application CN201610548044) |
| Type | China invention patent (发明专利) - protects product shape, structure and method |
| Original title | An adaptive cup brush (一种自适应式杯刷) |
| Patent owner | Dongtai Zhichuang Precision Manufacturing Industrial Park Investment Co ltd, Jiangsu Huizhi Intellectual Property Services Co ltd |
| Inventors | Shan Zhiying, Zang Liguo, Tian Dongnuan, Cai Liuliu, Wu Jiawei, Zhou Biyang |
| Filing date | 2016-07-13 |
| Grant date | 2018-01-26 |
| Status (China) | In force in China until at most 2036-07-13 (if annual fees are paid) |
| Patent family | Chinese filings only - no US, European, Japanese, PCT or other filings listed |
| Cited by | 0 later documents |
| Source | Google Patents (search for CN105962616B) |
What the claims cover, in plain language
Claim 1 - an adaptive cup brush comprising an intermediate shaft (1) with a brush handle (2) at the upper end. An upper buckle (3) and a lower buckle (4) are provided on the shaft, each having several protruding card slots (5) on the outside. Several upper support rods (6) and lower horizontal brush bars (7) are fixed to the buckles through the card slots. A vertical brush strip (8) connects the rods and bars, with bristles (9) and sponge brushes (10) arranged at intervals on its front side. A fixing ring (11) on the shaft between the buckles carries several pressing buckles (12). The rear side of the vertical brush strip has a magnetic circular catching groove (13) that cooperates with the pressing buckles. Sub-buckles (14) at the ends of the rods and bars lock into the card slots, secured by pin shafts (15) passing through holes and fixed by nuts. Bristles are also provided on the sub-buckles and the lower end of the card slots.
Claim 2 - bristles are provided at the lower end of the lower buckle. Claim 3 - the length of the lower horizontal brush bar and the upper support rod is 1.5 to 4 cm. Claim 4 - the length of the vertical brush strip is 10 to 16 cm. Claim 5 - the length of the bristles on the vertical strip, the bristles on the sub-buckle, and the thickness of the sponge are all 0.8 to 1.2 cm. Claim 6 - the number of upper support rods, lower horizontal brush bars and vertical brush strips is 6.
This is a simplified reading for orientation only. The legal scope is defined by the exact claim wording in the official Chinese document.
What this means for US production
This patent was filed only in China and is currently in force there (until at most 2036-07-13, if annual fees are paid). Because there is no US counterpart, making or selling this exact brush design in the United States is not restricted by this specific Chinese patent. However, making or selling the product in China needs the owner’s permission while the patent remains in force.
Two points to settle early:
- Other patents may exist. Adjustable and expandable cleaning brushes are a common category in household goods. While no foreign patents citing this Chinese document were identified, other companies may hold active US or foreign patents covering similar expanding brush mechanisms, magnetic catches or adjustable bristle frames. A freedom-to-operate (FTO) review focused on adjustable cup and bottle brushes is recommended before committing to tooling.
- Material safety for food contact. Since this product is used to wash vessels meant for drinking, the plastics, metals, bristles, sponge and any magnetic components must be evaluated for food-contact safety under US regulations.
Customization and manufacturing
What can be customized
| Area | Options |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | Rod, bar, strip, bristle and sponge sizes per the patent ranges (e.g., strips about 10-16 cm) or adjusted for new SKUs |
| Number of strips | The patent specifies 6; this can be changed in design to suit larger or smaller cups |
| Materials | Shaft and buckles in stainless steel or food-safe plastics; bristles in nylon or silicone; sponge in cellulose or foam |
| Handle style | Ergonomic grip shapes, hanging loops or non-slip overmolds |
| Colors | Custom color matching for the handle, shaft and brush strips |
| Packaging | Retail blister cards, bulk polybags or branded boxes |
Things to plan for (US market)
- FDA 21 CFR - materials that contact surfaces used for food or drink (the sponge, bristles and frame) should comply with FDA food-contact substance regulations.
- California Proposition 65 - plastics, dyes, metal alloys and magnetic components must be screened for listed chemicals.
- CPSC / CPSIA - if marketed for children’s cups or sold as a children’s product, testing for lead and phthalates under CPSIA applies.
How a project runs
- Inquiry - target cup sizes, material preferences, quantities and packaging requirements.
- Design - engineering drawings for the shaft, buckles, rods, strips, fixing ring and pressing buckle mechanism, confirming dimensions.
- Prototype - 3D-printed or machined samples to test the expansion mechanism, magnetic groove engagement and scrubbing coverage.
- Pilot run - injection molds and stamping dies are built; pilot units undergo durability cycles and food-contact material testing.
- Production - molding, assembly, quality inspection and packing.
Quantities & timeline
The intermediate shaft, buckles, fixing ring and pressing buckles require precision injection molds or metal stamping dies. The vertical brush strips need tooling for bristle tufting and sponge attachment. Magnetic catching grooves require consistent magnet placement during molding or assembly. Certification tests for food-contact materials add time to the pilot phase. Send us your target cup sizes, material preferences, estimated quantity and packaging requirements and we will reply with options.
Patent drawings
Drawings reproduced from the public patent document for reference.
