SURFACE CLEANING DEVICE

Abstract

The present invention is concerned with an improved surface cleaning device. The device has a utility portion for engaging a surface to be cleaned and a handle portion connected to the utility portion. The utility portion defines a lower surface facing a surface to be cleaned, and is adapted to accommodate a sheet of cleaning substrate for covering the lower surface and contacting a surface to be cleaned in use. The utility portion includes a plurality of projection members protruding from the lower surface for providing one or more raised regions on the cleaning sheet substrate which otherwise is fitted against the lower surface, such that in use the one or more raised regions are accessible to recessed area of a surface to be cleaned.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is concerned with an improved surface cleaning device, system or apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are a variety of cleaning devices designed to suit different cleaning purpose. Different cleaning devices are specialized for cleaning different surfaces, such a floor surface or window surface.

For floor cleaning devices, for example, there are different designs tailored for particular needs. For instance, electrically operated vacuum cleaners have been around for some time. While electrically operated vacuum cleaners can be useful in many circumstances, they are typically relatively complicated and costly in manufacture, and are fairly heavy in weight which may not be suitable to certain users.

Different types of floor mops have been around for longer time. They are advantageous in that they are typically lighter in weight and more maneuverable. However, they may not be very effective in achieving cleaning in certain situation.

The present invention seeks to provide an improved surface cleaning device or floor cleaning device, or at least to provide a useful alternative to the public.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cleaning device comprising a utility portion for engaging a surface to be cleaned and a handle portion connected to the utility portion, the utility portion defining a lower surface facing a surface to be cleaned, and adapted to accommodate a sheet of cleaning substrate or material for covering the lower surface and contacting a surface to be cleaned in use, wherein the utility portion includes a plurality of projection members protruding from the lower surface for providing one or more raised regions on the sheet cleaning substrate which otherwise is fitted against the lower surface, such that in use the one or more raised regions are accessible to recessed area of a surface to be cleaned.

Preferably, the projection members may be in the form of fingers, bristle tufts or bumps.

Suitably, the projection members may be made of plastics or relatively stiff plastics or polymeric materials.

Advantageously, the projection members may be made of a material selected from a group including polypropylene (PP), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) and polyamide (PA).

In an embodiment, the projections members may be arranged linearly. In a specific embodiment, the projection members may be arranged linearly in substantially straight configuration across the lower surface of the utility portion.

In one embodiment, the plurality of projections may be arranged in at least one row. In a specific embodiment, the plurality of projections may be arranged in three rows only. Alternatively, the plurality of projections may be arranged in one row only.

The row or rows of projection members may extend laterally across the utility portion, and may be perpendicular to forward and rearward movement of the utility portion in use. Alternatively, the row or rows of projections may extend from a front end to a rear end across the utility portion, and may be parallel to forward and rearward movement of the utility portion in use.

In an embodiment, the projection members protrude from the lower surface perpendicularly. The projection members may protrude from the lower surface at an angle. In a specific embodiment, some of the projection members may protrude from the lower surface perpendicularly, while some others may protrude from the lower surface at an angle.

In one embodiment, the device may comprise a strip member from which the projection members protrude, wherein the strip member is connected to the utility portion. The strip member may be connected to the utility portion by snap-fitting, gluing, welding or screwing thereto.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cleaning system comprising a cleaning device as claimed any preceding claim and a sheet of cleaning substrate fittable or fitted to the cleaning apparatus, the utility portion and the sheet cleaning substrate together is adapted to conform to a three-dimensional surface, reach recess or grout area of a surface, or reach area between a wall and a floor, to be cleaned.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cleaning apparatus comprising a utility portion for engaging a surface to be cleaned, a handle portion pivotably connected to the utility portion, and a sheet of cleaning substrate, wherein the utility portion defines a lower surface facing a surface to be cleaned in use, and includes means adapted to accommodate the sheet of cleaning substrate for covering the lower surface and contacting a surface to be cleaned in use and a plurality of projection members at the lower surface for providing one or more raised regions on the cleaning sheet substrate which otherwise is fitted against the lower surface, such that in use the one or more of the raised regions acting as pressure points are accessible to recessed area of a surface or a three-dimensional surface to be cleaned.

Preferably, the plurality of projection members may be arranged linearly at the lower surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Some embodiments of the present invention will now be explained, with reference to the accompanied drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view from above showing an embodiment of a utility portion of a surface cleaning device according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view from below showing the utility portion of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the utility portion of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4a is a perspective view of the utility portion shown in FIG. 1 but fitted with a sheet of cleaning substrate;

FIG. 4b is another perspective view of the utility portion shown in FIG. 1 but shows the profile of the sheet cleaning substrate in more detail;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the utility portion of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a surface, e.g. a floor surface, to be cleaned;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing how a conventional surface cleaning device reacts with the surface of FIG. 6;

FIGS. 8 to 9 is a schematic diagram showing how a cleaning device with for example the utility portion of FIG. 1 reacts with the floor surface of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B are perspective views showing a different utility portion of a surface cleaning device according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B are perspective views showing the utility portion of FIGS. 10a and 10b but fitted with a sheet of cleaning substrate;

FIG. 11C is an exploded view of the utility portion of FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B; and

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing how, in use, the utility portion as shown in FIG. 11A, FIG. 11B and FIG. 11C reacts with a surface to be cleaned.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is concerned with a tool for use in cleaning a surface. Such tool may be referred as a floor cleaner although the tool can likewise be used in cleaning other surfaces such as a window surface. The terms cleaning device and cleaning apparatus used herein carry the same meaning.

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a floor cleaning device, generally designated 2. The device has a handle member 4 generally in the form of an elongate stick and a base member 6 acting as a utility portion for engagement with a surface to the cleaned. The handle member 4 is pivotably connected to the base member 6 such that in use a user can maneuver the movement of the base member 6 via the handle member 4.

FIGS. 2 to 3 show the configuration of a bottom surface 8 of the base member 6. In this embodiment, the bottom surface 8 is generally flat but provided with strips 10 of projection members 12 arranged linearly and extended laterally across the base member 6. It is envisaged that as the base member 6 is moved forward and rearward, the projection members 12 and the direction of the forward and rearward movement are perpendicular to each other. In this embodiment, the base member 6 is provided with three strips 10a, 10b, 10c of projection members 12 arranged in substantially straight lines. The base member 6 and the projection members 12 together form the utility portion 6 which can also be considered as a mop head. In other embodiments, the projection members are positioned in center or front regions of the utility portion and/or are away from below connection of the handle and the utility portion.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view showing the base member 6 in a disassembled configuration. The base member 6 has bottom plate 14 and a body 18 to which the bottom plate 14 is secured to. The bottom plate 14 is provided with three recesses 18 in form of three elongate slots extending thereacross. The slots are sized and shaped to receive the three strips 10a, 10b, 10c of projection members 12. In this particular embodiment, the base member 6 or the bottom plate 14 has the substantially flat bottom surface protruded with the projection members 12, and the strips 10a, 10b, 10b with projection members 12 are secured to the base member 6 by snap-fitting to the bottom plate 14. However, in other embodiments the strips 10a, 10b and 10c of projection members may be secured by gluing, welding or screwing thereto.

Further, projection members may be in the form of bristle tufts, fingers or bumps. When the projection members take the form of bristle tufts, the bristle tufts may be introduced to elongate strips of support material for assembling to the base member. If the projection members take the form of finger or bumps, they for example may be form integrally with the strips of support material. The projection members may be made of plastics material or polymeric material. Suitable materials include polypropylene (PP), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) and polyamide (PA). Materials that are relatively stiff are preferred.

In the embodiments as explained above, the projection members are first introduced to the strip support members. However, this is not necessarily so. In a different embodiment, the projection members may be introduced to the bottom plate or bottom surface of the utility portion directly without using an intermediate member.

FIG. 4a shows the cleaning device 2 fitted with a sheet of cleaning fabric 20. The sheet cleaning fabric is connected to the utility portion 4 by wrapping around the bottom surface thereof. The utility portion 4 is provided with clipping means 22 to secure to opposite ends of the sheet cleaning fabric 20 such that the fabric 20 can be tightly mounted. The sheet cleaning fabric 20 provides an external surface for contacting a surface to be cleaned in use.

FIG. 4b is similar to FIG. 4b but it further highlights that after the sheet cleaning fabric 20 is secured to the utility portion 4, regions 22 of the sheet cleaning fabric adjacent or with the strips of projection members thereunder protrudes from an otherwise flat surface.

FIG. 5 illustrates the bottom surface of the base member 4 and the cleaning surface of the sheet cleaning fabric 20.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a typical surface to be cleaned. The surface is made of a number of tiles arranged adjacent each other with a generally flat surface 24 but grouts 26 are present between adjacent tiles. It can be seen the while the surface to be cleaned is generally flat, the regions of the grouts are recessed. The recess regions are typically difficult to clean and dirt tends to soil the grouts or at least dirt at the grouts is more noticeable.

FIG. 7 shows a conventional cleaning device. From the region illustrated by the circled area in FIG. 7, it can be seen that bottom surface of the cleaning device is generally flat. In any event, the two-dimensional surface of the bottom surface of the cleaning device cannot reach the recessed grout regions 26 for cleaning purpose.

FIGS. 8 to 9 show an embodiment of cleaning device of the present invention. It is shown that the surface of the cleaning fabric provided by the cleaning device is not flat. More importantly, three distinct protruded cleaning regions are provided by the utility portion due to the presence of the projection members acting as protruding pressure points. As the base member is moved forward and backward reciprocatingly, the regions of the sheet cleaning substrate pushed or raised regions can reach recessed area of a soiled surface, such as grout areas of a tile surface in FIGS. 6-9. In the embodiment, cleaning a tile surface by such cleaning device is shown. However, the sample principle applies when cleaning a glass window surface with multiple glass panel connected by recessed caulking regions. In other words, the entire surface of the tiles and the grout areas can be reached cleaned when the protruding pressure points act on the surface and area reach thereto. It is to be noted that the surface and the area are not entirely flat but has a three dimensional surface.

FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B show a different embodiment of a cleaning device 30 according to the present invention. The device 30 is similar to the device 2 in FIGS. 1 and 2. However, instead of having three strips of projection members extending laterally across the base member, only one strip 32 of projection members are provided. FIG. 11A, FIG. 11B and FIG. 11C show the configuration of the cleaning device when fitted with a sheet cleaning sheet and how the base member is made by fitting the strip of projection members thereto. FIG. 12 is an enlarged view showing the reaction of the device 30 and a cleaning with a recess region to be cleaned.

It is to be understood that when provided with a plurality of rows of projection members, the rows are not to be configured closely together or else the cleaning fabric or substrate would not be able to conform to a three-dimensional cleaning surface. In this regard, studies have shown that the provision of 1 to 5 rows of the projections is technically advantageous.

It is also to be noted that while in the above embodiments, the projection members extend from the utility member surface perpendicularly, in alternative embodiments the projection members may extend from the utility member at an angle, e.g. 45°. In a specific embodiment in which three row or projection members are provided, the projection members in the middle row may protrude perpendicularly, while the two rows on opposite sides of the utility portion may protrude at an angle away from the utility portion such that when the cleaning device approaches a wall, the region of the sheet cleaning substrate covering the angled projection members can reach the area or gap between the wall and the adjacent floor.

It should be understood that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the content of separate embodiments, may be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the content of a single embodiment, may be provided separately or in any appropriate sub-combinations. It is to be noted that certain features of the embodiments are illustrated by way of non-limiting examples. Also, a skilled person in the art will be aware of the prior art which is not explained in the above for brevity purpose. For example, in the above discussed embodiments, the meaning of sheet of clean encompasses of material made of a sponge material or a cloth. Different thickness of the sheet may be selected to suit a particular application.

Claims

1. A cleaning device comprising a utility portion for engaging a surface to be cleaned and a handle portion connected to the utility portion, the utility portion defining a lower surface facing a surface to be cleaned, and adapted to accommodate and secure a sheet of cleaning substrate with an inwardly facing surface for covering the lower surface of the utility portion of the cleaning device and an outwardly and non-planar facing surface for contacting a soiled surface to be cleaned in use, wherein the utility portion includes a plurality of projection members protruding from the lower surface for providing one or more regions on the cleaning sheet material raised by the projection members, the cleaning sheet substrate otherwise is fitted against the lower surface, such that in use the cleaning substrate with the one or more raised regions is conformable and accessible to recessed area of the soiled surface to be cleaned.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the projection members are in the form of fingers, bristle tufts, bumps or a squeegee.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the projection members are made of stiff plastics or polymeric materials.

4. A device as claimed in Clam 2, wherein the projection members are made of a material selected from a group including polypropylene (PP), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) and polyamide (PA).

5. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the projections members are arranged linearly.

6. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the projection members are arranged linearly in substantially straight configuration across the lower surface of the utility portion.

7. A device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the plurality of projections is arranged in at least one row.

8. A device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the plurality of projections is arranged in three rows only.

9. A device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the plurality of projections is arranged in one row only.

10. A device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the row or rows of projection members extend laterally across the utility portion, and is perpendicular to forward and rearward movement of the utility portion in use.

11. A device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the row or rows of projections extend from a front end to a rear end across the utility portion, and is parallel to forward and rearward movement of the utility portion in use.

12. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the projection members protrude from the lower surface perpendicularly.

13. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the projection members protrude from the lower surface at an angle.

14. A device as claimed in claim 1, comprising a strip member from which the projection members protrude, wherein the strip member is connected to the utility portion.

15. A device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the strip member is connected to the utility portion by snap-fitting, glue, welding or screwing thereto.

16. A cleaning system comprising a cleaning device as claimed claim 1 and a sheet of cleaning substrate fittable or fitted to the cleaning apparatus, the utility portion and the sheet cleaning substrate together is adapted to conform to a three-dimensional surface, reach recess or grout area of a surface, or reach area between a wall and a floor, to be cleaned.

17. A cleaning apparatus comprising a utility portion for engaging a soiled surface to be cleaned in use, a handle portion pivotably connected to the utility portion, and a sheet of cleaning substrate;

wherein the utility portion defines a lower surface, and includes means adapted to accommodate the sheet of cleaning substrate with one surface for covering the lower surface of the utility portion and an external surface for contacting the soiled surface to be cleaned and a plurality of projection members at the lower surface for providing one or more regions on the cleaning sheet material raised by the projection members, the cleaning sheet material otherwise is fitted against the lower surface, such that in use the one or more of the raised regions acting as pressure points are accessible to recessed area of a surface or a three-dimensional surface to be cleaned.

18. A cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein the plurality of projections is arranged linearly at the lower surface.