CLEANING IMPLEMENT

Abstract

A self-wringing cleaning implement including a cleaning assembly equipped with a platen and a compression member constructed and arranged for relative movement. The cleaning assembly further includes a cleaning member having an absorbent body and a porous cover releasably securable to the platen. During wringing, relative linear movement between the platen and the compression member compresses the absorbent body to force liquid contained therein through the openings in the porous cover. Conversely, relative linear movement between the platen and the compression member in the opposite direction relieves pressure on the absorbent body whereby the implement is configured to resume cleaning of a surface. The implement may also include a scrub brush for removing especially stubborn soil from a surface.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to cleaning implements and in particular to self-wringing cleaning devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Self-wringing cleaning devices in the form of wet mops are well known in the art. A typical wet mop comprises an elongate handle the lower end of which carries a base member or retaining means carrying absorbent material such as cloth strips, cloth strands or sponge-like material. As is known, during mopping a user swabs the mop across a floor surface to either clean the floor or remove excess fluid from the floor. As is also known, the user periodically wrings fluid from the absorbent material so that swabbing may proceed. Several different methods are known for performing the wringing process.

For example, cloth strand mops may be wrung by hand or also may be equipped with a self-wringing mechanism of any of a variety of constructions known in the art.

Similarly, sponge mops usually include a hand-operated wringer mechanism. One such wringer is a plate having a pivot axis extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sponge. Using such a device, a user grasps a handle connected to the plate and swings the plate into face-to-face contact with the sponge and squeezes fluid from the sponge. Another sponge mop is known as a butterfly mop. In a butterfly mop the sponge retaining means or platen is hinged at its center and the wringer mechanism includes a pair of rollers disposed on either side to the hinge atop the platen. During wringing, a wringer handle connected to the rollers via a linkage is pushed downwardly by a user. In so doing, the rollers contact opposite halves of the platen and pivot them inwardly toward one another thereby causing the sponge material to compress against itself to discharge fluid from the sponge. Another common sponge mop wringing mechanism includes a pair of opposed rollers extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sponge at forward and rearward faces thereof. As is known, the rollers are moved relative to the sponge, or vice versa, in order to squeeze liquid from the sponge.

Heretofore, however, sponge mops and other cleaning implements have not been equipped with a replaceable cleaning member that not only enhances the cleaning efficacy of the implement but that also cooperates with the device's wringer in order to effectively extract liquid from the device during a wringing operation.

An advantage exists, therefore, for a mop or other cleaning implement that is not only self-wringing but also employs a replaceable and durable cleaning member that works in conjunction with the wringing mechanism to provide both highly effective cleaning performance and liquid extraction from the cleaning member.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to cleaning implements including, without limitation, self-wringing mops. In the exemplified embodiment, a self-wringing mop comprises a manually-operated wringer lever pivotally connected to the elongated shaft of a mop handle. A rod has an upper end connected to the lever and a lower end connected to one of a cleaning member support platen and a compression member. The other of the cleaning member support platen and the compression member is affixed to the handle whereby either the platen is movable relative to the compression member or the compression member is movable relative to the platen. The compression member includes a pressure plate and a superstructure. The superstructure of the compression member cooperates with corresponding superstructure of the platen to permit relative linear motion and, preferably, prevent relative rotational motion between the platen and the compression member.

A cleaning member comprising an absorbent body and a porous cover is adapted to be releasably securable to the platen. According to a preferred embodiment, the porous cover is preferably a durable scrim or mesh-like scrubbing material that is used to fasten the cleaning member to the platen.

In operation, movement of the lever in a first “wringing” direction causes relative linear movement between the platen and the compression member whereby the pressure plate compresses the absorbent body to force liquid contained therein through the openings in the porous cover. Conversely, movement of the lever in the opposite direction relieves pressure on the absorbent body whereby the mop is configured to resume swabbing of the floor surface.

So constructed, the present invention provides a cleaning implement with an integral wringing mechanism that cooperates with a replaceable absorbent cleaning member in order to merge the convenience of self-wringing with the cleaning advantages of scrubber material.

Additionally, the platen also preferably supports a scrub brush attachment that is selectively positionable into operative and inoperative positions. In the operative position, the attachment is securely retained relative to the platen whereby a scrub brush carried by the attachment can be used to scrub particularly hard to remove soil from a floor surface. In the inoperative position, the brush is movable relative to the platen to enable removal/replacement of the cleaning member. According to a preferred embodiment, the scrub brush is rotatable into at least two angular positions for optimum cleaning of differently oriented crevices in a floor or other surface.

Other details, objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the following description of the presently preferred embodiments and presently preferred methods of practicing the invention proceeds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will become more readily apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments thereof shown, by way of example only, in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view a cleaning implement constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the cleaning implement of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the cleaning implement of FIG. 1 showing the wringer lever thereof in a first, inoperative position;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the cleaning implement of FIG. 1 showing the wringer lever thereof in a second, operative position;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a platen-contacting surface of a cleaning member constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the cleaning member of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a cleaning surface of the cleaning member of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the cleaning member taken along line A-A of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an end view of a further embodiment of a cleaning member according to the invention;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged rear perspective view of the lower portion of the cleaning implement of FIG. 1 with the cleaning member thereof omitted for purposes of clarity and showing the scrub brush attachment thereof in operative position;

FIG. 11 is similar to FIG. 10 showing the scrub brush attachment in inoperative position;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged side elevation view of the lower portion of the cleaning implement with the cleaning member thereof omitted for purposes of clarity and showing the scrub brush attachment thereof in operative position;

FIG. 13 is similar to FIG. 12 showing the scrub brush attachment in inoperative position;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged front perspective view of the lower portion of the cleaning implement with the cleaning member thereof omitted for purposes of clarity and showing the scrub brush attachment thereof in operative position;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged side elevation view of the lower portion of the cleaning implement similar to FIG. 12 showing the scrub brush in a different orientation;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged front perspective view of the lower portion of the cleaning implement similar to FIG. 14 showing the scrub brush in the orientation shown in FIG. 15;

and

FIG. 17 is an enlarged front perspective view of the lower portion of the cleaning implement according to the invention with the cleaning assembly thereof in fully assembled condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings wherein like or similar references indicate like or similar elements throughout the several views, there is shown in FIG. 1 a cleaning implement identified generally by reference numeral 10 constructed in accordance with the present invention. As illustrated in this embodiment, cleaning implement 10 assumes the form of a wet mop. Mop 10 includes an elongate handle fabricated from rigid material such as plastic, metal or wood. For reasons explained in connection with the description of FIGS. 3 and 4, handle 12 is preferably hollow. At the lower or distal region of handle 12 there is provided a cleaning assembly 14 the details of which will be described hereinafter. Additionally, mop 10 includes a manually operated wringer lever 16 located at an intermediate region of handle 12, the purpose of which lever is discussed below.

Turning to FIGS. 3 and 4, there is shown a presently preferred wringer or wringing mechanism suitable for use with mop 10. In this connection, it is seen that lever 16 forms part of a linkage that joins the lever to the cleaning assembly 14. More particularly, lever 16 is slidably connected to a sleeve 18 attached to handle 12 and pivotally connected to an upper end of a rod 20 which preferably extends interiorly of hollow handle 12. It is possible that handle 12 may be solid whereby rod 20 would be situated exteriorly of the handle. However, for protection of the rod as well as pleasing aesthetics it is preferred that the handle be hollow and the rod 20 be situated therein. Completing the linkage, the lower end of rod 20 is desirably bent into a hook-like shape for engaging the superstructure of a platen 22, described in detail later herein, that is slidably carried by the lower end of handle 12.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 in sequence, FIG. 3 shows wringer lever 16 in a downwardly directed, inoperative state as would be the case when a user is swabbing the mop across a floor surface. When a user is desirous of wringing fluid from a cleaning member (not illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4) disposed at the bottom of the cleaning assembly 14, the user grasps the lever 16 and pulls upwardly. This motion causes the lever to not only pivot upwardly but also slide upwardly along sleeve 18. The upward translation of lever 16, in turn, exerts tension on rod 20 thereby pulling the rod and the platen 22 connected thereto in an upward direction until the lever reaches the position shown in FIG. 4. It is in this position that a pressure plate 24 of cleaning assembly 14 is most fully extended with respect to platen 22 and it is the increasing relative separation of the pressure plate and platen which causes fluid to be expressed from the cleaning member as will be described more fully in connection with the discussion of FIG. 17.

Turning to FIGS. 5-8 there is shown in detail a presently preferred construction of a cleaning member according to the invention, which member is identified generally by reference numeral 26. Cleaning member 26 is comprised primarily of two components, an absorbent body 28 and a porous cover 30 which may be stitched, adhered or otherwise securely affixed to the absorbent body. The absorbent body comprises at least one absorbent material. According to a preferred embodiment, the absorbent body includes a natural or synthetic sponge material 32 surrounded, at least in part, by a natural or synthetic fibrous material 34. It will be understood, however, that the relative dispositions of the sponge material and fibrous material may be reversed, i.e., the fibrous material may be surrounded, at least in part, by the sponge material. It will be also understood that the absorbent body may consist solely of sponge material, solely of fibrous material, or a combination of sponge material, fibrous material and other material(s).

A suitable but not non-limitative example of the sponge material may be a polyether material with a fine cell structure and a density of from about 1.25 to about 1.65 lbs/ft³. Likewise, a suitable but not non-limitative example of the fibrous material may be a bunched plurality of strands such as, for example, non-woven fibrous strands formed from flexible and compressible fibers. According to a presently preferred embodiment, such strands comprise 100% polyester microfiber, 300 denier, 288 filament strands infused with a 96% water and 4% polyester copolymer hydrophilic softener. Although not necessary, the fibers of the absorbent strands 34 are preferably bound by thread in order to produce a beaded, braided, helical other constrained strand configuration. Suitable strands for this purpose may include identification number MD010120001 yarn manufactured by Ningbo Sanbang Home Products Co. Ltd. Of Ningbo, China.

The porous cover 30 preferably comprises a durable natural or synthetic fiber net, mesh or scrim material and may envelope all or merely the floor-contacting or other surface cleaning face of the absorbent material. The mesh material must be porous yet capable of withstanding long- term use as a scrubbing material for removing stubborn soil from a floor surface. A preferred material is nylon fiber mesh. As revealed in FIGS. 5-7, the apertures in cover 30 have a hexagonal shape. However, it will be understood that such apertures may assume any polygonal, curvilinear and/or slit-like shape, or any combination of such shapes.

Significantly, as can be seen most clearly in FIGS. 5, 7 and 8, the area the porous cover is greater than that of the absorbent material whereby excess cover material establishes flaps 36 at opposite sides of the cleaning member, which flaps, as will be described in greater detail later herein, are used to releasably fasten the cleaning member 26 to the platen 22.

FIG. 9 discloses a cleaning member 26′ of similar construction to the cleaning member 26 referred to in FIGS. 5-8. In FIG. 9, however, the fibrous strands 34′ comprise a substantially greater volume than the sponge material 32′. Fastening flaps are shown at 36′.

FIGS. 10-16 depict in detail a presently preferred construction of a cleaning assembly 14, less the cleaning member 26, 26′. The fully assembled cleaning assembly is shown in FIG. 17.

Referring to FIGS. 10-16, it is seen that the cleaning assembly includes platen 22. As noted above, platen 22 is preferably slidably connected to handle 12 and is movable by virtue of pivoting of the wringer lever which is linked to the platen via rod 20. The platen preferably comprises a frame including a pair of spaced-apart forward and rearward rails 38, 40 which are connected in central regions thereof to a superstructure 42. For structural integrity, the rails are also desirably connected to one another by a pair of transverse gussets or brace members 44. Although preferably molded as a unitary structure from substantially rigid plastic by any suitable molding method known in the art, platen 22 may be constructed as individual elements that are joined together by suitable fastening means and methods such as, for example, adhesives, heat bonding, solvent bonding, mechanical fasteners, or the like.

Platen superstructure 42 preferably includes at least one or, more preferably, a pair of outwardly projecting pockets 46 which cooperate with corresponding outwardly projecting rib(s) provided on a compression member superstructure in the manner described below.

A compression member 48 is affixed to the lower end of the handle by any suitable means and methods such as, for example, adhesives, heat bonding, solvent bonding, mechanical fasteners, staking, crimping, or the like. The compression member includes the aforementioned pressure plate 24 and a superstructure 50 (best seen in FIGS. 12, 13 and 15). In a preferred construction, the superstructure 50 includes a pair of ribs 52 that are substantially matingly received within corresponding pockets 46 of the platen superstructure 42 to enable relative linear motion and prevent relative rotational motion between the platen 22 and the compression member 48. It will be understood that the relative positions of pocket(s) 46 and rib(s) 52 may be reversed, i.e., the rib(s) may be carried by the platen superstructure 42 and the pocket(s), in inverted disposition, may be carried by the compression member superstructure 50.

Cleaning assembly 14 further includes means for releasably connecting the cleaning member 26 to platen 22. However constructed, such means must be able to effectuate secure retention of the cleaning member to the platen during the mopping and wringing processes yet also enable the cleaning member to be quickly and easily removed and replaced as needed.

Such means may comprise, for example, a plurality of upwardly directed pins provided on the forward and rearward rails 38, 40, which pins would be inserted in apertures provided in the flaps 36 of the porous cover 30 of the cleaning member 26. Such pins must be of sufficient height to securely retain the cleaning member during mopping and wringing yet not be so high as to render it difficult for the user to attach the cleaning member to and detach the cleaning member from the platen.

Alternative means for releasably retaining the cleaning member to the platen are shown in FIGS. 10-17. As seen in those figures, such means comprise inserts 54 which are received in corresponding recesses (unnumbered) provided in rails 38, 40. Although not shown in FIGS. 10-16, the flaps of the cleaning member 14 will be compressively held between the inserts and recesses, in the manner shown in FIG. 17. The inserts and recesses may include any number and arrangement sufficient to achieve secure yet releasable retention of the cleaning member to the platen. Further, the relative sizes and shapes of the inserts may vary from those illustrated so long as the present objectives are achieved. As shown in the figures, inserts 54 may assume the form of elongate blades receivable in slot-like recesses. The inserts may be fabricated from any material that enables the inserts to be securely yet releasably retained the recesses.

According to a presently preferred embodiment, the blade-like inserts 54 are substantially rigid and include release means in the form of tabs 56 that may be squeezed or otherwise flexed by a user to effectuate release of the inserts from the slots.

It will be understood that other cleaning member attachment means may be envisioned by one of ordinary of ordinary skill in the art including, without limitation, screw fasteners or the like. Such means would be considered to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the present invention so long as they effectively yet releasably retain the cleaning member to the platen.

Cleaning implement 10 preferably further includes a scrub brush 58 for removing hardened or other stubborn soil from a floor or other surface. In this connection, the scrub brush 58 is preferably, although not necessarily, forwardly facing. Scrub brush 58 comprises a block 60 which carries bristles 62 of suitable composition, density and stiffness to achieve desired scrubbing performance. According to the invention, scrub brush block 60 is mounted to an attachment member 64 including a pair of arms 66 pivotally connected to opposite sides of platen superstructure 42. In the lower, operative position shown in FIGS. 10, 12, 14, 15, 16 and 17, scrub brush attachment member 64 is maintained in a latched state whereby the scrub brush 58 is capable of functioning as a tool for effectively removing stubborn soil from a surface. More particularly, the base of the platen superstructure 42 desirably includes a pair of upwardly projecting yieldable tabs 68 carrying locking shoulders 70 which are operable to engage arms 66 and releasably retain the scrub brush attachment member 64 in the operative position. With the scrub brush attachment member in the operative position, the attachment member overlies the forward insert 54. When it is desired to replace the cleaning member, a user flexes tabs 68 thereby separating the locking shoulders 70 from engagement with arms 66 and pivots the attachment member upwardly to the position shown in FIGS. 11 and 13. Preferably the attachment member is releasably retained in the upward position by frictional engagement of the arms 66 with the platen superstructure 42. With the scrub brush attachment member in the upward position, the user may release the cleaning member from the platen. In the illustrated example, that would be achieved by removing the insert 54 situated in forward rail 38 from its corresponding slot and doing the same with the insert 54 situated in the rearward rail 40 whereby the used cleaning member may be removed. A new cleaning member may then be installed by placing its upper surface in contact with the pressure plate 24, inserting one of the flaps 36 in a slot or slots in either the forward or rearward rail, placing the insert(s) into such slot(s) in order to frictionally wedge the flap between the insert(s) and its/their corresponding slots, repeating the process for the other flap 36 and then pivoting the brush attachment member 64 downwardly until its arms 66 come into latching engagement with the locking shoulders 70 of tabs 68.

It is also desirable for the scrub brush 58 to be firmly yet releasably positionable into more than one angular orientation with respect to attachment member 64 for optimum cleaning of differently oriented cracks or crevices in a floor or other surface. In this regard, FIGS. 10, 12, and 17 depict the scrub brush 58 in a generally horizontal position whereas FIGS. 15 and 16 show the scrub brush in a generally vertical position. To achieve such selective positioning of the brush with respect to the attachment member 64, the brush block 60 is rotatably mounted to the attachment member via axle 72 (FIG. 10) and the opposed faces of the attachment member and scrub block are provided with appropriately arranged mating projections and recesses to selectively retain the brush block in the desired orientation.

Turning to FIG. 17, and viewing that figure in combination with FIGS. 3 and 4, the reader will appreciate the self-wringing functionality of the cleaning implement according to the invention. As seen in FIG. 17, cleaning assembly 14 is fully assembled, i.e., flaps 36 of cleaning member 26 are attached to platen 22. FIG. 17 further illustrates the pressure plate 24 of compression member 48 disposed as it would appear when the mop in its floor swabbing state. Bearing in mind FIGS. 3 and 4, a user wishing to wring fluid from the absorbent material of the cleaning member grasps and pulls the wringer lever upwardly which pulls platen 22 upwardly. This motion, in turn, pulls the flaps 36 of the porous cover 30 upwardly whereby force is exerted by the pressure plate 24 against the absorbent material. As such force is increased, i.e., as the position of the wringer lever is moved increasingly upwardly, more fluid is discharged from the absorbent material through the apertures in the porous cover. After the fluid has been expressed and it is desired to return the cleaning implement to its floor-swabbing state, the user pushes the wringer lever downwardly thereby moving the platen downwardly relative to the compression member and relieving pressure exerted by the porous cover against the absorbent material.

The mop-wringing operation has thus far been described in connection with a movable platen 22 and a stationary compression member 48. However, it will be understood that the compression member may be linked to the wringer lever while the platen may be affixed to the mop handle. What is essential, however, is that there be relative linear movement between the platen and the compression member sufficient to exert enough tension on the flaps to effectively compress the absorbent material such that substantial quantities of fluid are discharged through the porous cover.

Finally, while the self-wringing functionality described herein has been manifested in the form of a wet mop, it will be understood that its essential features and principles may be adapted as well to hand-held cleaning apparatus. For example, a hand-held cleaning implement may include a platen to which the cleaning member is attached and a compression member operably connected to a movable handle. So constructed, squeezing of the handle causes movement of the compression member and corresponding expression of fluid through the porous cover in the manner described above.

Although the invention has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that variations can be made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed herein.

Claims

1. A cleaning implement comprising:

a platen;

a cleaning member connected to said platen, said cleaning member having an upper surface and comprising an absorbent body and a porous cover; and

a compression member for exerting pressure on said upper surface of said cleaning member to expel liquid through said porous cover, wherein said platen and said compression member are constructed and arranged for relative linear motion.

2. The cleaning implement of claim 1 further comprising means for preventing relative rotation between said platen and said compression member.

3. The cleaning implement of claim 1 further comprising means for releasably connecting said cleaning member to said platen.

4. The cleaning implement of claim 3 further wherein said means for releasably connecting comprise flaps provided on said cleaning member and means for attaching said flaps to said platen.

5. The cleaning implement of claim 1 wherein said platen is operable to move with respect to said compression member.

6. The cleaning implement of claim 1 wherein said compression member is operable to move with respect to said platen.

7. The cleaning implement of claim 1 further comprising an elongate handle having an end affixed to one of said platen and said compression member.

8. The cleaning implement of claim 7 further comprising a wringing mechanism carried by said handle.

9. The cleaning implement of claim 8 wherein said wringing mechanism comprises a lever pivotally connected to said handle, a rod having a first and connected to said lever and a second end connected to the other of said platen and said compression member.

10. The cleaning implement of claim 9 wherein said rod is disposed interiorly of said handle.

11. A cleaning implement comprising:

a platen;

a cleaning member connected to said platen, said cleaning member having an upper surface;

a compression member for exerting pressure on said upper surface of said cleaning member, wherein said platen and said compression member are constructed and arranged for relative linear motion; and

means for preventing relative rotation between said platen and said compression member.

12. The cleaning implement of claim 11 wherein said means for preventing relative rotation comprise at least one rib carried by one of said platen and said compression member and at least one pocket carried by the other of said platen and said compression member, wherein said at least one pocket is adapted to receive said at least one rib.

13. The cleaning implement of claim 11 further comprising means for releasably connecting said cleaning member to said platen.

14. The cleaning implement of claim 13 further wherein said means for releasably connecting comprise flaps provided on said cleaning member and means for attaching said flaps to said platen.

15. The cleaning implement of claim 11 wherein said platen is operable to move with respect to said compression member.

16. The cleaning implement of claim 11 wherein said compression member is operable to move with respect to said platen.

17. The cleaning implement of claim 11 further comprising an elongate handle having an end affixed to one of said platen and said compression member.

18. The cleaning implement of claim 17 further comprising a wringing mechanism carried by said handle.

19. The cleaning implement of claim 18 wherein said wringing mechanism comprises a lever pivotally connected to said handle, a rod having a first and connected to said lever and a second end connected to the other of said platen and said compression member.

20. The cleaning implement of claim 19 wherein said rod is disposed interiorly of said handle.

21. A cleaning member comprising:

an absorbent body comprising 300 denier, 288 filament polyester microfiber strands infused with a 96% water and 4% polyester copolymer hydrophilic softener; and

a porous cover.

22. The cleaning member of claim 21 wherein said absorbent body further comprises sponge material.

23. The cleaning member of claim 22 wherein said sponge material comprises a fine cell structure polyether material having a density of from about 1.25 to about 1.65 lbs/ft3.