Abstract: A butterfly type sponge mop includes a self-contained wringing mechanism comprising only two molded parts, an actuating lever and an enclosed yoke. A pair of hinged wings can be integrally molded onto one end of the actuating lever, and the lever can rotate back and forth within the enclosed yoke. Guides within the yoke can swing the wings closed when the lever is moved forward, squeezing a detachable sponge. The mechanical advantage of the actuating lever can increase as it is moved forward. Moving the lever back to its original position can cause the wings to swing back open, aided by the compression of the sponge.

Abstract: An improved dustpan includes an elongated receptacle with a lip at one edge of the perimeter of the receptacle and a handle or grip attached to the opposite edge. The handle extends away from the perimeter edge of the receptacle opening in a direction perpendicular to the lip and is unsupported at its far end. The elongated receptacle extends beneath the handle at least as far as the end of the handle, and can extend further. The elongated receptacle has a flat end wall that permits the dustpan to be stored upright without emptying or spilling its contents. In its upright storage position the dustpan lip is upward and the handle is downward. The end of the handle can stabilize the dustpan in its upright storage position. Several of the dustpans can be nested.

Abstract: A butterfly type sponge mop includes a self-contained wringing mechanism comprising only two molded parts, an actuating lever and an enclosed yoke. A pair of hinged wings can be integrally molded onto one end of the actuating lever, and the lever can rotate back and forth within the enclosed yoke. Guides within the yoke can swing the wings closed when the lever is moved forward, squeezing a detachable sponge. The mechanical advantage of the actuating lever can increase as it is moved forward. Moving the lever back to its original position can cause the wings to swing back open, aided by the compression of the sponge. The wings can be positively held in their open position by wing tabs that move in and out of corresponding pockets within the yoke as the actuating lever is moved forward and back. The actuating lever can be molded without die side actions, and the enclosed yoke can be molded with only a single die side action.

Abstract: A latch to secure a detachable sponge to a sponge mop head comprises a pair of opposed tabs separated by a void. The upper and lower portions of each pair are spaced to fit closely within corresponding apertures in the mop head, while the central portion ramps outward such that the dimension between the opposed tab ramps is larger than the aperture opening. Each tab is centrally locate on a beam, the beam extending a short distance beyond either end of the tab until it interconnects with a sponge backing plate. This short section of beam beyond each end of each tab twists or rotates torsionally when the tabs are squeezed together to secure or detach the sponge to the mop head. A latch is located near each end of the sponge.

Abstract: An improved dustpan includes an elongated receptacle with a lip at one edge of the perimeter of the receptacle and a handle or grip attached to the opposite edge. The handle is perpendicular to the lip. The elongated receptacle extends beneath the handle at least as far as the end of the handle, and can extend further. The elongated receptacle has a flat end wall that permits the dustpan to be stored upright without emptying or spilling its contents. In its upright storage position the dustpan lip is upward and the handle is downward. The end of the handle can stabilize the dustpan in its upright storage position. Several of the dustpans can be nested.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a mop is disclosed, comprising a handle, a mop head and a wringing grip slidably and rotatably mounted on the handle. The mop head is coupled between the wringing grip and the handle such that upon rotation of the wringing grip relative to the handle, the mop head is wrung. The wringing grip includes an element for engaging the handle when the wringing grip is compressed against the handle to facilitate wringing of the mop head by inhibiting the wringing grip from rotating relative to the handle. The engaging element comprises at least one protrusion which extends inwardly from the wringing grip toward the handle, and the at least one protrusion comprises an insert which is located within at least one opening in the wringing grip.

Abstract: A mop, comprising a handle, a wringing grip slidably mounted on the handle and a mop head mounted between the handle and the wringing grip, such that when the wringing grip is slid toward a distal end of the handle, the mop head is stretched between the proximal end of the handle and the wringing grip, the wringing grip being compressible against said handle so as to facilitate repeated twisting of the handle relative to the wringing grip by inhibiting the handle from untwisting after each twist of the handle.

Abstract: A hand-held roller stamp that includes a wheel with a raised printing surface, and a housing that holds the wheel and permits it to rotate; the housing is configured to hold a porous-point marker with its nib positioned to continuously ink the printing surface.

Abstract: A bagel slicer comprising a food holder having a receptacle for holding a bagel, and a blade holder with a blade, a handle and a pair of blade guarding walls. The food holder has a base and a pair of spaced vertical receptacle walls extending upwardly from the base forming a pair of opposed vertical slots. The blade holder has a handle, a pair of spaced transparent blade guarding walls surrounding and guided along the vertical walls of the food holder, and a blade having a pair of serrated cutting edges intersecting one another. The blade is arranged and dimensioned to ride in the vertical slots and to traverse the central part of the receptacle when the handle is vertically actuated to slice the food article. The bagel is held by a cradle which has blade protection lips to guard the blade cutting edge at the lower travel limit.