Head for a Cleaning Device

Abstract

A head for a cleaning device comprising first and second head portions hingedly connected to one another, first and second support members for supporting cleaning material, said first support member hingedly connected to said first head portion and said second support member hingedly connected to said second head portion.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a head for a cleaning device, and more particularly to a head for a cleaning device wherein the head comprises hingedly connected parts.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Cleaning devices are commonly used in the home and at workplaces, such as hospitals and commercial premises, to clean surfaces. One such cleaning device is a mop.

There are several different varieties of mop. One type of mop is known as a ‘flat mop’, and they generally include a flat mop head which can sweep, mop, scrub and apply cleaning fluid to the floor simultaneously.

Such a flat mop head is usually detachably secured to a handle via a threaded or otherwise suitable connection. The lower side of a flat mop head is typically adapted to carry mop cleaning material, which is usually an absorbent fabric material pad or sheet. The cleaning material may be attached directly to the mop head by a fastening mechanism, for example, hook and loop fastening or by the mop head receiving and holding part of the mop material.

Once mop cleaning material has been used to clean a surface the dirty material needs to be either cleaned or replaced. Replacing a mop head or the material during use is not ideal as it requires the user to have a ready supply of new or cleansed mop heads. It may also require the user to touch and interact directly with the mop head and/or mop cleaning material. Further, it may require the user to store, wash or dispose of the used mop heads.

To alleviate problems associated with replacing and cleaning mop cleaning material it is known to provide wringers. A wringer cleans the cleaning material after it has been used on a surface by wringing out the mopped fluid. Wringers have found use with several types of mops including string mops and flat mops.

However, flat mop's cleaning materials may require a more extensive cleaning process as they may collect and retain loose dirt much more effectively than other types of mop.

A flat mop head may include a pair foldable parts, which during use, are locked into an operative position, such that the cleaning material of the flat mop head is in contact with the surface being cleaned. The flat mop heads can then be released from their locking mechanism and folded together. In a folded formation, the cleaning material may freely depend from the mop head. The freely hanging material may then be inserted into a cleaning apparatus, for example, a scrubber or a wringer.

However, the freely depending cleaning material has no support and insertion of the cleaning material into a cleaning apparatus can prove challenging. This may result in time wasted or the operator touching the dirty cleaning material with their hands. Additionally, the high friction surfaces associated with some cleaning apparatuses, such as a scrubbing apparatus, means that the cleaning material is itself not rigid and stiff enough to be fully inserted into the apparatus without potentially folding back upon itself. Thus, the cleaning material of the flat mop does not fully engage with the cleaning apparatus, and its surface may not be effectively cleaned.

It is an aim of the present claimed invention to alleviate some of the problems mentioned above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a head for a cleaning device comprising first and second head portions hingedly connected to one another, first and second support members for supporting cleaning material, wherein the first support member is hingedly connected to the first head portion and the second support member is hingedly connected to the second head portion.

In this way, there is provided a head for a cleaning device where the attached cleaning material is supported by the supporting members. Advantageously, the supporting members confer extra rigidity to the cleaning material and support the cleaning material whilst it is being cleaned.

Preferably, the first support member is hingedly connected to the second support member. Advantageously, this hinged connection provides a robust and stable connection between the first support member and the second support member.

Preferably, the first head portion, the second head portion, the first support member and the second support member are connected to comprise a four-sided loop. Preferably, the loop is non-continuous. More preferably, the non-continuous section of the loop is located between the first and second head portions. Still more preferably, the first and second head portions are bridged by a central hub. Still more preferably, the hinged connections of the first and second head portions are located such that the first and second portions may be folded relatively towards one another. Still more preferably, the gap of the non-continuous section is minimal and less than 10 mm.

Preferably, the first and second head portions and the first and second support members are moveable from a first position, where the first and second head portions and the first and second support members lie substantially parallel to one another in a first direction, to a second position where the first and second head portions and the first and second support members lie substantially parallel to one another in a second direction, wherein the first direction and the second direction are substantially perpendicular to one another. Preferably, the hinged connections of the head all able to rotate by at least 90°.

Preferably, in the first position, a face of the first head portion abuts a face of the first support member, and wherein in the second position, a face of the first head portion abuts a face of the second head portion. More preferably, in the first position, the abutting faces of the first support member and the first head portion are their largest faces respectively. Still further preferably, in the first position, the first support member substantially abuts the first head portion across the majority of one of their respective faces. Still further preferably, in the first position, the second head portion substantially abuts the second support member across the majority of one of their respective faces.

Preferably, in the second position, a face of the first support member abuts a face of the second support member. Preferably, in the second position, a face of the first head portion abuts a face of the second head portion. More preferably, the abutting faces of the first support member and the second support member are their largest faces respectively. Still further preferably, in the second position, the first support member substantially abuts the second support member across the majority of one of their respective faces. Still further preferably, in the second position, the first head portion substantially abuts the second head portion across the majority of one of their respective faces.

Preferably, the cleaning device head comprises a locking mechanism for securing the head in the first position. Preferably, the locking mechanism is releasable by downwards pressure.

Preferably, each of the first head portion, the second head portion, the first support member and the second support members are substantially planar. Preferably, each of the first and second head portions and the first and second support members largest face is substantially rectangular. Preferably, the faces of first and second head portions and faces of the first and second support members are substantially similar in area.

Preferably, the hinged connection between the first head portion and the first support member is between a first edge of the first head portion and a first edge of the first support member. Preferably, the hinged connection between the second head portion and the second support member is between a first edge of the second head portion and a first edge of the second support member. Preferably, the hinged connection between the first support member and the second support member is between a second edge of the first support member and a second edge of the second support member.

Preferably, the first edge of the first head portion, the first edge of the second head portion and the first and second edges of the first and second support members are substantially parallel to one another.

Preferably, the first support member and the second support member each have at least one fastener for attaching cleaning material to the first support member and the second support member. Preferably, the fasteners are proximate to the hinged connections. More preferably, the fasteners comprise a hook and loop fastening mechanism.

Preferably, the first head portion and the second head portion each comprise at least one securing means for securing cleaning material to the first head portion and the second head portion. Preferably, the securing means is a bracket arrangement. Preferably, the cleaning material loops around the bracket arrangement and attaches to itself to secure the cleaning material to the head portions.

Preferably, the first support member and the second support member are continuous and comprise a foldable hinge. Preferably, the connection between the first and second supporting members is hinged so that they outwardly fold away from the first and second head portions. Preferably, the first and second supporting members are fabricated from a single piece of material. More preferably, the first and second supporting members are fabricated from plastic. Still more preferably, the hinged connection between the first and second supporting members is a fold in the single piece of material.

Preferably, the cleaning device comprises a handle extending from the cleaning head. Preferably, the cleaning device comprises cleaning material attached to the cleaning head.

Preferably, the first support member and second support member are fabricated from a material which is stiffer than the cleaning material. Preferably, the first and second support members are more rigid than the cleaning material. More preferably, the first and second support members have Young's moduli of less than the first and second head portions. More preferably, the first and second support members have Young's moduli greater than that of the cleaning material. Still more preferably, the Young's moduli of the first and second supporting members are between 0.01 and 20 GPa. Still more preferably, the Young's moduli of the first and second supporting members are between 0.1 and 10 GPa. Most preferably, the Young's moduli of the first and second supporting members are between 0.5 and 5 GPa.

Preferably, the first support member freely depends from the first head portion, and the second support member freely depends from the second head portion. Preferably, the hinged connections between the first support member and the first head portion allows the first support member to depend freely from the first head portion.

Preferably, the head comprises a fixed handle. Preferably, the fixed handle is arranged to extend parallel to the first head portion or the second head portion. Preferably, the fixed handle extends beyond the perimeter of the first head portion or the second head portion to which it extends parallel.

Preferably, at least one of the first support member or the second support member comprises an insertion member arranged to be inserted into the cleaning material. Preferably, the at least one insertion member is located at an end of the first support member or the second support member. More preferably, the at least one insertion member is located at the end of the first support member or the second support member which is opposite the end of the first support member or second support member which is connected to the first head portion or second head portion respectively.

Preferably, the at least one insertion member is a tab extending from the first support member or the second support member. Preferably, the tab is generally cuboid in shape. More preferably, the tab is smaller in at least two dimensions than the support member from which it extends.

According to a second aspect of the present claimed invention, there is provided cleaning material comprising at least one pocket for receiving an insertion member. Preferably, the at least one pocket is located on the side of the cleaning material which, in use, abuts the first and second support members. Preferably the cleaning material is mop material.

Preferably the cleaning material comprises two pockets located on one side of the cleaning material. Preferably, the pockets are located on the side of the cleaning material which, in use, abuts the first and second support members. Preferably, the two pockets are located substantially opposite one another.

Preferably, the cleaning material has a longitudinal axis and the at least one pocket is located substantially in the centre of this longitudinal axis.

Preferably the cleaning material comprises at least one fastener. Preferably the at least one fastener comprises hook and loop fastening means. More preferably, said hook and loop fastening means is located on a tab which extends from an end of the cleaning material. Preferably, the cleaning material comprises two fasteners. Preferably, these fasteners are located on tabs which extend from opposite ends of the cleaning material.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a floor cleaning device comprising the aforementioned cleaning head, and further comprising a handle extending from said cleaning head.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic isometric view of a first embodiment of a head of a cleaning device with supporting members in a first position in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic isometric view of a first embodiment of a head of a cleaning device with supporting members in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side-on view of a first embodiment of a head of a cleaning device with supporting members when the cleaning head is in a first position in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side-on view of a first embodiment of a head of a cleaning device with supporting members when the cleaning head is in a second position in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a front view of a second embodiment of a head cleaning device in accordance with the present claimed invention;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of a second embodiment of a head cleaning device in accordance with the present claimed invention;

FIG. 7 is a side on view of a second embodiment of a head cleaning device in accordance with the present claimed invention;

FIG. 8 is a top down view of a second embodiment of a head cleaning device in accordance with the present claimed invention, the cleaning head attached to mop material;

FIG. 9 is a top view of mop material according to the present claimed invention;

FIG. 10 is a view of the second embodiment of the cleaning head as depicted in FIGS. 5 to 8 being inserted into the mop material of FIG. 9.

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, there is depicted an embodiment of a cleaning device 10 according to the present invention. The cleaning device 10 comprises a handle 20 attached to a flat mop head 30 via a central hub 40. The central hub 40 comprises a socket 50, for inserting and retaining the handle 20, and a central universal joint. The universal joint enables the handle 20 and socket 50 to pivot along two mutually perpendicular axes relative to the cleaning device head 30. The relative movement and dual pivot enables the operator to move the cleaning device head 30 in multiple directional vectors via the handle, i.e. ‘back-and-forth’ and ‘side-to-side’ and all the motions in-between when mopping and cleaning surfaces such as floors.

The cleaning device head 30 comprises two substantially rectangular foldable portions 60,70 which are generally similarly sized and shaped. In use the head portions 60,70 are locked into a first position where they are substantially planar with respect to one another, as depicted in FIG. 1. The two head portions 60,70 are foldable about two hinges in the central hub 40. The hinges run along and parallel to the inner edges of each of the two head portions 65a,75a. The two head portions 60,70 are continuously foldable from a first position (a 180° conformation; FIG. 1 and FIG. 3), through a chevron conformation, to a second position (a 0° conformation; FIG. 4). In the second position the undersides of the first and second head portions 60,70 substantially abut.

The two head portions 60,70 are locked in the first position by a locking mechanism. In use, the locking mechanism can be released by downwards pressure being applied, typically by the operator's foot, to the release mechanism 80 which is located on one of the head portions 70. Upon release of the locking mechanism the two head portions 60,70 may then freely and relatively fold towards one another.

Each head portion 60,70 comprises a vent 90. The two vents 90 are substantially rectangular, comprise rounded corners and are located generally centrally on their respective head portions 60,70. The vents 90 comprise an aperture that does not change in size or shape as it traverses from the top side of the cleaning device head 100 to the underside. The vents 90 have slats 110 that run along the longitudinal axis of the head portions 60,70 to subdivide the vent. The vent allows the passage of air and fluid from the underside of the flat mop head 30.

The absorbent cleaning material 120 is fastened to the cleaning device head 30. The cleaning material 120 comprises two fastening portions 130, which extend from the two shortest edges of the generally rectangular cleaning material 120. The fastening portions 130 comprise a substantially regular trapezium portion 140 and a substantially rectangular portion 150.

The trapezium portion 140 is attached to the cleaning material 120 along the trapezium's longer parallel edge and is further attached to the rectangular fastening portion 150 along its shorter parallel edge. In use, the rectangular portion 150 is looped around a bracket arrangement 160 and back on itself to attach to the trapezium portion 140. The cleaning material 120 is secured at opposing ends of each of the head portions 65b,75b. Additionally, the cleaning material 120 is attached to a first support member 200 and a second support member 210; these attachments are detailed later.

Each of the two bracket arrangements 160 comprises two abutment members 170 and a loop fastening bar 180. Each loop fastening bar 180 is attached to its respective head portion 60,70 via the two abutment members 170, where the abutment members 170 protrude from the upper surface of the head portions 60,70. The loop fastening bars 180 and abutment members 170 are orientated such that the bar 180 runs parallel and is proximate to the outer edges of their respective head portions 65b,75b. The loop fastening bars 180 and the head portions 60,70 have a space between them for the insertion the fastening portions 130 of the cleaning material 120.

Referring to FIG. 2 of the drawings, the cleaning device of FIG. 1 is depicted in accordance with our present invention. In FIG. 2 the cleaning head 30 with first support member 200 and second support member 210 is in between its first and second positions and the cleaning material 120 has been omitted for clarity.

The first support member 200 is hingedly attached proximate and parallel to the underside of the outside edges of the first head portion 65b. The first support member 200 is substantially similar in both size and shape to the first head portion 60, i.e. substantially rectangular with similarly sized largest faces. The hinged attachment is additionally secured by the attachment portion of the first support member 200c.

The second support member 210 is hingedly attached proximate and parallel to the underside of the outside edges of the second head portion 75b. The second support member 210 is substantially similar in both size and shape to the second head portion 70, i.e. substantially rectangular with similarly sized largest faces. The hinged attachment is additionally secured by the attachment portion of the second support member.

Therefore, the first and second support members 200,210 freely depend from the underside of the head portions 60a. The other ends of the first 200b and second 210b support members are themselves attached hingedly to one another, such that the first and second head portions 60,70 and the first and second support members 200,210 comprise a four-sided loop. The hinged attachment between the first and second support members edges 200b,210b comprises a single piece of flexible material with a folded hinge that folds outwardly and away from the first and second head portions 60,70.

The underside of each of the first and second 210d support members have two attachment sections for attachment to the back of the cleaning material 120: a primary attachment section 220 and a secondary attachment section 230. Both the primary and secondary attachment sections 220,230 are located on the face of the supporting members 200,210 facing away from the head portion 60,70. The primary attachment section 220 is generally rectangular, its longest edge is approximately 90% the width of the support members 200,210, and it runs parallel and is proximate to the edge of the support members 200a,210a attached to the head portions 60,70. The secondary attachment sections 230 are generally rectangular, smaller in area than the primary attachment sections 220, and have an edge that runs parallel and is proximate to the hinged connection between the first 200b and second 210b edges of the support members 200,210.

The first and second support members 200,210 are fabricated from a material that has greater Young's modulus than the cleaning material 120. Therefore, upon securing the attachment portions 220,230 the first 200 and second 210 support members confer extra rigidity to the cleaning material 120. The extra rigidity may be advantageous as it may make cleaning and scrubbing the cleaning material 120 more facile. For example, a surface scrubber may engage the cleaning material 120 with a decreased chance of the cleaning material 120 folding or crumpling back on itself and not being scrubbed effectively.

Referring now to FIG. 3 of the drawings, there is depicted the head 30 of the cleaning device 10 in a first position. In the first position, the first and second head portions 60,70 are locked in place by the locking mechanism. The first and second head portions 60,70 are substantially planar with respect to one another. Additionally in the first position, the first and second supporting members 200,210 are substantially planar with respect to one another, and are substantially parallel with respect to the first and second head portions 60,70, as such, the first head portion 60 and the first supporting member 200 substantially abut along one of their faces, and the second head portion 70 and the second supporting member 210 substantially abut along one of their faces. Furthermore in the first position, the cleaning material 120 is substantially planar and substantially parallel with respect to the first and second supporting members 200,210, such that, the cleaning material 120 substantially abuts a face of both the first and second supporting members 200,210 simultaneously. Moreover, the cleaning material 120 is attached to the first and second supporting members 200,210 by two primary 220 and two secondary attachment sections 230.

Referring now to FIG. 4 of the drawings, there is depicted the head 30 of the cleaning device 10 in a second position. In the second position, the first and second head portions 60,70 have moved approximately by 90° relatively towards one another, and as such, they are substantially parallel with respect to one another and their undersides substantially abut. Additionally, in the second position, the first and second supporting members 200,210 are substantially parallel with respect to one another and their faces substantially abut. Furthermore, the cleaning material 120 is folded substantially in half and substantially parallel with respect to the first and second supporting members 200,210, such that the underside of cleaning material substantially abuts the support faces of the first and second supporting members 200,210. The first and second supporting members 200,210 are fabricated from a material with an increased stiffness compared to the cleaning material 120. As such, the cleaning head is in the second position, or an intermediate position between the first and second, the cleaning material 120 is attached to and supported by the supporting members 200,210 and therefore the cleaning material 120 can be more easily inserted into a cleaning apparatus and more easily cleaned by a cleaning apparatus, such as a scrubbing apparatus.

The cleaning device's head 30 may transform from the second position, or any intermediate positions, to the first position by a spinning motion of the handle 20 along its longitudinal axis. Once the head has been moved into the first position the locking mechanism is engaged and maintains the first position until the locking mechanism is released.

Typically, the head of the cleaning device is locked in the first position for operation by the locking mechanism. The locking mechanism can then be released to enable the head of the cleaning device to occupy any intermediate positions between the first and second position, such that the first head portion 60, the second head portion 70, the first supporting member 200 and the second supporting member 210 form a four-sided loop. The combination of the increased stiffness and the primary and secondary attachment sections 220,230 forces the cleaning material to be shaped by the supporting members 200,210.

Referring to FIG. 5 of the drawings, there is depicted a head for a cleaning device which is generally constructed in the same fashion as the embodiment described in FIGS. 1 to 4. The cleaning head 1030 includes a central hub 1040 for attaching the cleaning head to a handle. The central hub 1040 comprises a socket 1050, for inserting and retaining the handle, and a central universal joint 1051. The universal joint 1051 enables the handle and socket 1050 to pivot along two mutually perpendicular axes relative to the cleaning device head 1030.

The cleaning device head 1030 comprises two substantially rectangular foldable portions 1060, 1070 which are generally similarly sized and shaped. In use the head portions 1060, 1070 are locked into a first position where they are substantially planar with respect to one another. The two head portions 1060, 1070 are foldable about two hinges. The hinges run along and parallel to the inner edges of each of the two head portions 1065a, 1075a.

The two head portions 1060, 1070 are locked in an aligned position by a locking mechanism. In use, the locking mechanism can be released by downwards pressure being applied to the release mechanism 1080 which is located on one of the head portions 1060. Upon release of the locking mechanism the two head portions 1060, 1070 may then freely and relatively fold towards one another.

The absorbent cleaning material 1120 is fastened to the cleaning device head 1030. The cleaning material 1120 comprises two fastening portions 1130, which extend from the two shortest edges of the generally rectangular cleaning material 1120. The fastening portions 1130 comprise a substantially regular trapezium portion 1140 and a substantially rectangular portion 1150.

Each of the head portions 1060, 1070 comprises two abutment members 1170 and a loop fastening bar 1180. Each loop fastening bar 1180 is attached to its respective head portion 1060,1070 via the two abutment members 1170, where the abutment members 1170 protrude from the upper surface of the head portions 1060,1070. The loop fastening bars 1180 and the head portions 1060, 1070 have a space between them for the insertion and fastening of mop material for form a mop head.

The first support member 1200 is hingedly attached to the first head portion 1060. The first support member 1200 is substantially similar in both size and shape to the first head portion 1060. The second support member 1210 is hingedly attached to the second head portion 1070. The second support member 1210 is substantially similar in both size and shape to the second head portion 1070.

Therefore, the first and second support members 1200, 1210 freely depend from the underside of the head portions 1060, 1070. The remaining edges of the first and second support members 1200, 1210 are unattached, such that the first and second support members 1200, 1210 can move independently of one another, and independently of the head portion 1060, 1070 to which they are attached.

The underside of each of the first and second support members has an attachment section 1220 for attachment to the back of the cleaning material 1120. The attachment section 1220 is generally rectangular, its longest edge is approximately 90% the width of the support members 1200, 1210. In this embodiment of the invention, the first and second support members 1200, 1210 may be translucent. The attachment sections 1220 here are in the form of hooks for use in a hook and loop fastening system. The first and second support members 1200, 1210 are fabricated from a material that has greater Young's modulus than the cleaning material. The head 1030 further includes a fixed handle 5000, extending from and substantially parallel to the first head portion 1060. Further details of his fixed handle 5000 are described later.

During use, this second embodiment of the cleaning head 1030 can move between first and second positions in the same manner as described in relation to the embodiment of the invention detailed in FIGS. 1 to 4.

Referring now to FIG. 6, further details of the head 1030 can be derived. Each of the first and second support members 1200, 1210 can be seen to comprise a translucent material, allowing the attachment sections 1220 on both components to be viewed. Additionally, the end of each of the first and second support members 1200, 1210 furthest from the hinged connections to the first and second head portions 1060, 1070 respectively is narrower than the main body of the support member in the plane of the support member 1200, 1210. In the present embodiment, this narrowing of the width of the support members 1200, 1210 is achieved with the use of a stepped profile, although the use of a tapered profile is also envisaged. Together with this narrowing of the width of the first and second support members 1200, 1210, the ends of the first and second support members may also be reduced in thickness. Again, this reduction in thickness may be via the use of a stepped or graduated profile. Any reduction in thickness may also be independent of any reduction in width.

The reduction in width of the ends of the first and second support portions 1200, 1210 can be seen again in FIG. 7. FIG. 7 also depicts the fixed handle 5000 which extends beyond the perimeter of the first head portion 1060 to which it is attached. The fixed handle extends in a direction parallel to the plane of the first head portion 1060. The fixed handle 5000 includes a first aperture 5050 which allows the passage of the socket 1050 and universal joint 1051 when the configuration of the head 1030 is changed from the first to second position and vice versa. Additionally, the fixed handle 5000 comprises a gripping aperture 5100 which allows the user to grip the head 1030 to allow a user to clean the head 1030 or mop material 1120 attached to the head 1030. The fixed handle 5000 cannot be moved in relation to the first head portion 1060. As such, the fixed handle 5000 can be said to be static in relation to the first head portion 1060. The static nature of the fixed handle 5000 allows the user to obtain a firm grip on the head 1030, easing the cleaning of either the head 1030 or mop material 1120 attached to the head 1030.

FIG. 8 depicts the cleaning head 1030 of the second embodiment attached to mop or cleaning material 1120. The mop or cleaning material 1120 is attached to the cleaning head 1030 of the second embodiment in the same manner as described in relation to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 4, except for an additional step as described in relation to FIGS. 9 and 10.

FIG. 9 depicts cleaning material 1120, more specifically mop material, for use with the cleaning head 1030 as described in FIGS. 5 to 8. FIG. 9 shows the top side of the cleaning material 1120 which, in use abuts the first and second support members 1200, 1210 of the cleaning head 1030. The mop material 1120 comprises a microfibre cloth which, in use contacts the surface to be cleaned.

In line with the cleaning material 120 described in relation to FIGS. 1 to 4, the cleaning material 1120 of the present embodiment includes two fastening portions 1130, which extend from the two shortest edges of the generally rectangular cleaning material 1120. The fastening portions 1130 comprise a substantially regular trapezium portion 1140 and a substantially rectangular portion 1150. Each trapezium portion 1140 is attached to the cleaning material 1120 along the trapezium's longer parallel edge and is further attached to the rectangular fastening portion 1150 along its shorter parallel edge.

Additionally, the cleaning material 1120 comprises two loop portions 1121 for use in a hook and loop fastening system. More specifically, it is envisaged that the loop portions 1121 will engage and fasten with the hook portions of the attachment sections 1220.

The cleaning material 1120 further includes two pockets or pouches 1222. The exterior surface of each of these pouches 1222 again comprises loop portions 1121 for use in a hook and loop fastening system, the corresponding hooks being located on the first and second support members 1200, 1210. The pouches or pockets 1222 each contain an opening, each of these openings extending across the majority of the width of the cleaning material 1120. Each of the opening is also substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cleaning material 1120. The pockets or pouches 1222 are located substantially at the centre of the cleaning material 1120.

As can be seen from FIG. 10, the pockets or pouches 1222 are dimensioned to receive the narrowed ends of the first and second support members 1200, 1210. As such, the narrowed or tapered ends of the first and second support members 1200, 1210 can be accommodated inside the pouches 1222 of the cleaning material 1120 to ensure the cleaning material 1120 is securely held on the cleaning head 1030 along its entire length. Additionally, the use of pouches 1222 ensures the cleaning material 1120 can easily be removed from the cleaning head 1030 by the user when it is worn or when a deeper clean than that which can be provided by a scrubbing apparatus is required.

Claims

1: A head for a cleaning device comprising

first and second head portions hingedly connected to one another,

first and second support members for supporting cleaning material, said first support member hingedly connected to said first head portion and

said second support member hingedly connected to said second head portion.

2: The head for a cleaning device of claim 1, wherein said first support member is hingedly connected to said second support member.

3: The head for a cleaning device of claim 2, wherein said first head portion, said second head portion, said first support member and said second head member are connected to comprise a four-sided loop.

4: The head for a cleaning device of claim 3, wherein said first and second head portions and said first and second support members are moveable from a first position where said first and second head portions and said first and second support members lie substantially parallel to one another in a first direction, to a second position where said first and second head portions and said first and second support members lie substantially parallel to one another in a second direction, wherein said first direction and said second direction are substantially perpendicular to one another.

5: The head for a cleaning device of claim 4, wherein in said first position a face of said first head portion abuts a face of said first support member, and wherein in said second position, a face of said first head portion abuts a face of said second head portion.

6: The head for a cleaning device of claim 5, wherein in said second position, a face of said first support member abuts a face of said second support member.

7: The head for a cleaning device of claim 6, wherein the abutting faces of said first support member and said second support member are the largest faces of said first support member and said second support member respectively.

8: The head for a cleaning device of claim 4, wherein said head comprises a locking mechanism for securing said head comprising parts in the first position.

9: The head for a cleaning device of claim 8,

wherein said first head portion, said second head portion, said first support member and said second support members are substantially planar.

10: The head for a cleaning device of claim 3, wherein:

the hinged connection between said first head portion and said first support member is between a first edge of said first head portion and a first edge of said first support member;

the hinged connection between said second head portion and said second support member is between a first edge of said second head portion and a first edge of said second support member; and

the hinged connection between said first support member and said second support member is between a second edge of said first support member and a second edge of said second support member.

11: The head for a cleaning device of claim 10, wherein said first edge of said first head portion, said first edge of said second head portion and said first and second edges of said first and second support members are substantially parallel to one another.

12: The head for a cleaning device of claim 11, wherein said first support member and said second support member each have at least one fastener for attaching cleaning material to said first support member and said second support member, respectively.

13: The head for a cleaning device of claim 12, wherein said fasteners comprise a hook and loop fastening mechanism.

14: The head for a cleaning device of claim 13, wherein said cleaning device further comprises cleaning material attached to said cleaning head.

15: The head for a cleaning device of claim 14, wherein said first head portion and said second head portion each comprise at least one securing means for securing cleaning material to both said first head portion and said second head portion.

16: The head for a cleaning device of claim 15, where said securing means is a bracket arrangement.

17: The head for a cleaning device of claim 3, wherein said first support member and said second support member are continuous and comprise a foldable hinge.

18: The head for a cleaning device of claim 17, wherein said first support member and second support member are fabricated from a material which is stiffer than said cleaning material.

19: The head for a cleaning device of any claim 18, wherein said head comprises a fixed handle.

20: The head for a cleaning device of claim 19, wherein said fixed handle is arranged to extend parallel to said first head portion or said second head portion.

21: The head for a cleaning device of claim 20, wherein at least one of said first support member or said second support member comprises an insertion member arranged to be inserted into said cleaning material.

22: Cleaning material for use with a head for a cleaning device comprising first and second head portions hingedly connected to one another, first and second support members for supporting cleaning material, said first support member hingedly connected to said first head portion and said second support member hingedly connected to said second head portion, wherein said cleaning material comprises at least one pocket for receiving an insertion member.

23: The cleaning material of claim 22, wherein said cleaning material comprises two pockets located on one side of said cleaning material.

24: The cleaning material of claim 23, wherein said pockets are located substantially opposite one another.

25: The cleaning material of claim 24, wherein said cleaning material has a longitudinal axis and said at least one pocket is located substantially in the center of said longitudinal axis.