At a glance
| Patent number | CN110403342B (application CN201910571606) |
| Type | China invention patent (发明专利) - protects product method and structure |
| Original title | Travel shoe brush adjusting liquid outlet amount by utilizing pressure variation (一种利用压力变化而调节出液量的旅行用鞋刷) |
| Patent owner | Shaoxing Zhouze New Material Co ltd |
| Inventors | Yang Yong |
| Filing date | 2019-06-28 |
| Grant date | 2021-06-08 |
| Status (China) | In force - valid until at most 2039-06-28, provided 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 CN110403342B) |
What the claims cover, in plain language
Claim 1 - A travel shoe brush comprising a handle, a hollow brush plate, and a quarter-sphere bristle structure. A pressure water bag part is situated between the plate and the bristle structure. The plate has a hemispherical notch with through holes. The bristle structure uses an elastic plate with vent grooves and a check valve film. The water bag connects to these holes via pipes leading to spiral tubes that exit at the bottom.
Claim 2 - Vent grooves and bristles are arranged in a staggered, equidistant pattern to balance airflow and brushing. Claim 3 - The vent groove cross-section is an isosceles trapezoid with the smaller section facing down with the smaller section below; the claim does not establish a tested debris-blocking effect. Claim 4 - Includes a liquid inlet switch buckle on top of the water ball connection pipe for refilling. Claim 5 - The water ball is made of elastic material filled with water or cleaning agents. Claim 6 - The spiral pipeline has 5-8 turns to enhance flow rate. Claim 7 - Connecting pipes are PVC translucent hoses. Claim 8 - Air fills the space between the brush plate and the elastic spherical plate. Claim 9 - A rope-threading hole is provided at the handle. Claim 10 - The quarter-spherical elastic plate uses a viscoelastic material.
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. Making or selling this specific design in China requires the owner’s permission. It has no US counterpart.
Two points to settle early:
- Other patents may exist. Mechanical dispensing brushes and travel hygiene tools are a competitive field. While no direct citations were found for this specific patent, prior art regarding squeeze-bottle brushes or integrated pump handles may exist in US databases. A freedom-to-operate (FTO) review is recommended before mass production for the US market.
- Material compatibility. The design relies on elastic recovery of the bristle plate and chemical resistance of the water ball. Testing must ensure the elastomers do not degrade when exposed to common shoe cleaners or detergents.
Customization and manufacturing
What can be customized
| Area | Options |
|---|---|
| Liquid Capacity | Size of the water ball (401) determines refill frequency. |
| Bristle Type | Nylon, boar hair, or silicone tips depending on shoe material. |
| Valve Mechanism | Check valve film (304) thickness can be tuned for different pressures. |
| Handle Design | Ergonomic grips, folding mechanisms, or carabiner attachments. |
| Refill Port | Location and size of the inlet buckle (404) for ease of use. |
Things to plan for (US market)
- Consumer product assessment: Review sharp edges, detachable components and foreseeable misuse for the intended adult cleaning application. Do not assume a general certificate applies without identifying a specific applicable rule.
- Cleaner compatibility: Test the intended formulation against the reservoir, PVC connecting hoses and elastic plate. If cleaner is supplied, assess its separate chemical labeling and handling requirements.
- California Proposition 65 exposure assessment: Evaluate the selected materials and actual exposures rather than treating a material name as proof of compliance.
How a project runs
- Inquiry - Define capacity, bristle stiffness, and target retail price.
- Design - Finalize mold geometry for the spiral tubes and elastic plate.
- Prototype - Test pumping efficiency and seal integrity with various liquids.
- Pilot run - Verify durability of the check valve after repeated cycles.
- Production - Injection molding for hard parts, overmolding or assembly for soft components.
Quantities & timeline
The complex geometry of the spiral tubes and the integration of the check valve require precision molds. Assembly involves bonding or snapping the elastic plate to the shell. Durability testing is critical to ensure the elastic plate does not fatigue. Send us your capacity requirements, bristle preferences, quantity and target price and we will reply with options.
Patent drawings
Drawings reproduced from the public patent document for reference.
