Mops And Heads Patents (Class 15/228)
  • Publication number: 20110209300
    Abstract: A mop includes a handle; a sliding sleeve slidingly disposed longitudinally on the handle and including a sleeve housing having a first side face, a second side face and an opening, the squeeze housing being movable from a mopping position to squeezing position in response to a sliding of the sliding sleeve; and a mopping device disposed at a bottom end of the handle and having a mop-head plate and a cleaning pad, the mop-head plate having two swivel-mounted mop-head plate wings foldable toward one another and pressable against each other and at least partially introducible into the opening in response to the sliding of the sliding sleeve into the squeezing position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: CARL FREUDENBERG KG
    Inventors: Uwe DINGERT, Markus DIETZ, Helmut HOFMEISTER, Christian KALT, Pieter VAN DE KAMP
  • Patent number: 8001646
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cleaning mop, including a handle fixed onto a cylindrical coupler having rotational capability; a joint fixed to the cylindrical coupler; a retainer for retaining a cleaning element; and a scrubber formed with projections on one part and fins on the other part, the fins extending side to side along the scrubber. The scrubber can be formed to have a circular cross-section. It also can be formed to have a polygonal cross-section. Each surface of the polygon is formed alternatively with either irregularly spaced projections or regularly spaced fins, such that the projections and fins alternate on every other face of the polygon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Aquastar, Inc.
    Inventor: Dan Blom
  • Patent number: 7996949
    Abstract: A fabric towel with a slider pattern for use on a cleaning surface with at least one fastener to secure the towel to a steam frame. The fabric towel is used with a steam appliance and the slider pattern reduces friction when used on a fabric or carpeted surface yet provides a sufficient amount of towel surface to steam. In one embodiment, the fabric towel is a steam pocket including a top and bottom layer joined around its perimeter with an open side to allow for mounting on a steam frame with fasteners secured to each layer and wrapped around the back of a steam frame. The slider pattern may be a single piece or a plurality of segments secured to the towel. In another embodiment, towel is a steam pad with has at least one fastener for attachment to the steam cleaner frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Euro-Pro Operating LLC
    Inventors: Maximilian Rosenzweig, Ognjen Vrdoljak
  • Patent number: 7996948
    Abstract: A fabric steam towel for mounting onto a steam frame of a steam appliance is provided. The pocket includes two complimentary substantially planar layers of fabric joined at their peripheral edge with an open section for mounting onto the steam frame and allowing the open edges to butt against each other. The fabrics are constructed of an outer terry layer and inner material with an upper jersey layer, padding and a lower mesh layer with a 45 degree quilting pattern to improve performance. The fabric is sealed about the frame a first length of a fastener is secured to the inside face along the open edge of one layer with a complimentary length of fastener secured to the inside face of the second layer and extending beyond the edge to allow the open edges of each layer to abut each other and for the fasteners to engage and secure the fabric pocket about the edge of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Euro-Pro Operating LLC
    Inventors: Brian Kaminer, Charles A. Boulos, James N. Lewiecki, Kathleen V. Jones, Ognjen Vrdoljak
  • Patent number: 7987816
    Abstract: The dual function bowl lifting and filling apparatus of the present invention allows a user to clean or fill a surface laying bowl with fluid or food, or to lift or move the apparatus without bending. Specific designs are utilized to enable the dual function bowl lifting and filling apparatus to be used by people with special needs. The bowl-filling apparatus also allows excess fluid to be stored in the apparatus. A method of filling a surface-laying bowl is disclosed as well as a method for storing excess fluid in a bowl-filling apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Inventor: Marjorie S. Walsh
  • Publication number: 20110154602
    Abstract: A telescopically rotatable mop, comprising: an internal and external rod fitting to each other in a linearly and telescopically movable state; an engaging element positioned within the opening at the top of the internal rod; a driving element formed in an elongated shape and positioned within the external rod in such a way that the driving element is moved up and down synchronically with the external rod; an actuating element positioned within the engaging element for accommodating the driving element, the engaging element being driven in a single direction when the actuating element is rotated by the driving element. An annular element rotatable clockwise and counterclockwise at 360° is mounted on the top portion of the engaging element. The actuating element received within the engaging element has a smaller length, thereby creating a gap for the lifting and lowering purposes. In this way, a more smooth operation with less effort is ensured when the internal and external rods rotate in a telescopic way.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: TUO SHEN INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION LIMITED
    Inventor: YUNG-HUA CHEN
  • Patent number: 7962993
    Abstract: A floor cleaning pad is provided having a pad body comprising a cleaning surface configured for contact with a floor to be cleaned and an opposed surface configured to be coupled to a floor cleaning implement. The cleaning surface and the opposed surface defining a thickness of the pad body and superabsorbent polymer particles maintained within a zone of the pad body, and the zone of the superabsorbent polymer particles occupying a portion of the thickness and an area less than an area of the cleaning surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: First Quality Retail Services, LLC
    Inventor: Frank S. Glaug
  • Patent number: 7958592
    Abstract: A mop system incorporating a replaceable foam-based mop head. The mop head is adapted to wrap at least partially around a curved support mandrel and to be held in place by releasable engagement between the mandrel and connection elements disposed in localized relation along edge portions of the mop head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Contec, Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Nobile, Jackson S. Burnett, III
  • Patent number: 7954197
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mop (1) comprising a mop-head plate (2) and an interchangeable mop cover (3) with a mopping surface (4) that is attached to the mop-head plate (2). According to the invention, the mop cover (3) is equipped on two opposing sides with a respective fixing device (5), which engages in a respective retainer (6) of the mop-head plate (2). At least one retainer (6) is formed by a recess (7) and the corresponding fixing device (5) is held by a positive fit in the recess (7) so that it can be detached without sustaining any damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Carl Freudenberg, Kg
    Inventors: Falk Lindner, Andreas Eisenhut, Michael Masih, Torsten Gratzki
  • Patent number: 7943538
    Abstract: A water-decomposable cleaning product dispersible in water, including: a cleaning part, at least a part of the cleaning part having a water-decomposable fiber-interlacing nonwoven fabric; and a holding part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Takayoshi Konishi, Kazuya Okada
  • Publication number: 20110107538
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mop (1) comprising a mop-head plate (2) and an interchangeable mop cover (3) with a mopping surface (4) that is attached to the mop-head plate (2). According to the invention, the mop cover (3) is equipped on two opposing sides with a respective fixing device (5), which engages in a respective retainer (6) of the mop-head plate (2). At least one retainer (6) is formed by a recess (7) and the corresponding fixing device (5) is held by a positive fit in the recess (7) so that it can be detached without sustaining any damage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: Carl Freudenberg KG
    Inventors: Falk Lindner, Andreas Eisenhut, Michael Masih, Torsten Gratzki
  • Publication number: 20110107537
    Abstract: Disclosed is a mop body that includes side surfaces that are substantially recessed from a lowermost contact point. The greatly recessed side surfaces completely remove a large portion of the cleaning surface from contact with the surface to be cleaned. Upon rotation of the mop body, the side surfaces can be placed into contact with the surface to be cleaned in order to pickup dirt, hair, lint, or other debris captured by the portion of the mop body contacting the surface to be cleaned. Further, in some embodiments the lowermost contact provides essentially a single point of contact with the surface to be cleaned to enable the mop body to easily remove debris from corners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventors: Shaelyn D. BENSON, Sean C. MCGREEVY, Lloyd S. VASILAKES, Ivana BABIC
  • Patent number: 7937796
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wiping mop comprising a mop head (1) provided with at least one cleaning body (2), wherein said mop head (1) is connected to a handle (3), the mop head (1) and a handle (3) comprise a circular foot pedal (4) for wringing the cleaning body (2) by means of a wringing system or a device and the pedal (4) is concentrically associated with the mop head (1) or concentrically encompasses the handle (3) on the side oriented to the mop head (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Carl Freudenberg, KG
    Inventor: María de la Benjumea Marcos Merced
  • Publication number: 20110099740
    Abstract: A mop head with an attachment part for receiving a handle. The attachment part is arranged to slide along the mop head between at least two fixed positions, in which the attachment part cooperates with the mop head in a locking fashion through the action of locking elements. The attachment part is provided with at least one unlocking element that, when a force directed towards another fixed position is applied on the unlocking element, by acting on the locking element cancels the locking cooperation between the attachment part an the mop head. In particularly advantageous embodiments, the unlocking elements are embodied as ears arranged at the attachment part. Further, the locking elements may include attachment lips arranged on the unlocking elements that cooperate with attachment bores on the mop head. The attachment part may also be arranged to slide in a groove in the mop head with a receiving element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventor: Ömer Altun
  • Publication number: 20110067196
    Abstract: An apparatus for holding at least one mop strip is disclosed. The apparatus includes a body, at least one hole, and at least one elastic hook. The hole is located in the body for allowing a portion of the mop strip to pass therethrough. The elastic hook is connected to the peripheral of the hole for hooking up the mop strip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventor: Yen-Fei HUANG
  • Patent number: 7908701
    Abstract: An adjustable scrubbing implement for cleaning a surface is disclosed. A resilient base that comprises a center portion and a plurality of resilient fingers each is joined at a proximal end thereof to the center portion and extends radially away therefrom. The rigid cap comprises a side portion fixed at a top end thereof to an inside upper side of the cap, and terminates at a wider open lower end. The inside upper side includes a central aperture therethrough. The cap includes a handle receiving means pivotally fixed thereto for receiving a threaded end of an elongated handle. An adjustment means interposed between the cap and the resilient base moves the center portion of the base relative to the inside upper side of the cap. The downward angle of the fingers are defined by the relative distance between the center portion of the base and the inside upper side of the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Inventor: Sanjay Aiyar
  • Publication number: 20110056040
    Abstract: A laminated flat mop head which includes a flat foam layer laminated with a fabric material without using glue or adhesive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Inventor: Fred Pisacane
  • Patent number: 7895699
    Abstract: An edgeless mop utilizing a relatively narrow diameter, knit tubular material to form the strands of a mop head wherein the tubular material incorporates an arrangement of elongate depressed channels and raised profile segments extending along its surface in the length direction. This construction increases the overall fluid retaining or sorbency capacity of the mop even while lowering the overall mass of the mop head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Contec, Inc.
    Inventor: Walter Monroe Hutchins
  • Patent number: 7895697
    Abstract: An adjoined flexible two-piece swivel joint type floor cleaning attachment in which either upper or lower and/or both sections are made from a unitary flexible elastomer material allowing for a unitary quick release clamp mechanism that adjoins to a cleaning head apparatuses. The combination of the quick release unitary flexible clamp mechanism adjoined to a jam/stop swivel mechanism allows for small cleaning devices, such as scrub brushes, wall washers, abrasive pad holders, etc. to be easily engaged and disengaged allowing the cleaning device to also be used as a hand held device. Furthermore, swivel type floor cleaning devices will no longer need their own swivel type connector affixed onto the cleaning head thus making the cleaning products more cost efficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Inventor: Simon Ralph Cassar
  • Patent number: 7895700
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cleaning device having a cleaning head to which a cleaning sheet is to be attached. The cleaning head has a pad whose bottom face functions as a cleaning part. The cleaning part has a recess, side contact parts on both sides of the recess and a rear contact part behind the recess. When a front portion of the cleaning head is pressed against a floor surface by a pushing force acting on the shaft, the recess prevents excessive frictional resistance. In addition, the cleaning sheet can be efficiently exploited because dirt can be collected also in the center of the cleaning part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshinori Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7882589
    Abstract: A mop system for cleanroom use incorporating an autoclavable mop head adapted for snap-on, pressure fit attachment to a frame member having a pair of substantially planar free end portions. The mop head incorporates raised profile insert elements engaging free end portions of the frame member. The mop head is also optionally adapted to retain a dusting cloth or other web structure in removable relation across its surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Contec, Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Nobile, Jackson S. Burnett, III
  • Publication number: 20110023251
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a mop include a user-manipulatable control operable by a user to generate attachment of a mop pad to a mop head and/or release of the mop pad from the mop head. The user-manipulatable control can be located on a handle of the mop in some embodiments, and on the mop head in other embodiments. Also, an actuator coupled to the user-manipulatable control can be used to move one or more grips, magnet-carrying elements, slides, wings, or clamping members to releasably secure the mop pad to the mop head, or to selectively magnetize one or more magnets for release and/or attachment of the mop pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: JOHNSONDIVERSEY, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew M. Bober, Eric R. Evenson, Daniel S. Pica, Joseph C. Fields, Axel Schmitz, Alfred D. Widmer, Alexandra M. Berger, Nick Angel, Daniel Meier
  • Publication number: 20110016652
    Abstract: A rotational mop includes a handle, a mop head and a plurality of cotton cloths. The mop head includes an installation disc, having a circular gutter formed on a top side of the installation disc, and a top side of two gutter walls is a serrated structure, and the cotton cloths are installed into the circular gutter and the serrated structure. The mop head further includes at least one serrated element embedded into the circular gutter, and a concave shape formed by a bottom side of the serrated element clamps the plurality of cotton cloths into the circular gutter in an M-shaped form. The installation disc can be connected directly to a bottom side of a turntable, or connected with a ring body first and then embedded into the bottom side of the turntable, so that the cotton cloth can be rotated together with the turntable in 360 degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventor: Shu-Hsun Chu
  • Publication number: 20110005018
    Abstract: A rotatable mop includes upper and lower rods, as well as a fixing seat sheathed between the upper and lower rods. The fixing seat contains a bolt and a sliding element screwed with the bolt. The sliding element is connected with a grip sheathed at an outer rim of the fixing seat, a bottom of the bolt is a shaft connected with a disc body having mop wool, brush wool or a brush cloth. When using the mop, by sliding up and down the grip along the fixing seat, the sliding element is driven to rotate the bolt clockwise or counterclockwise, such that the disc body rotates along a same direction, thereby constituting brushing to facilitate a cleaning operation. Additionally, a centrifugal force generated by rotation after using the mop spins dry water on the mop wool, brush wool or brush cloth, thereby dehydrating the mop more conveniently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventors: Tian-Quan ZHENG, Yaw-Tang HONG
  • Patent number: 7841040
    Abstract: A surface cleaning pad is provided comprising a pad body including a primary portion and a secondary portion contiguous with the primary portion. An attachment member is coupled to the primary portion of the pad body, whereby the attachment member is configured for releasable attachment to a primary surface of a cleaning implement. An attachment member is coupled to the secondary portion of the pad body, wherein the attachment member is configured for releasable attachment to a secondary surface of a cleaning implement. The primary portion and the secondary portion of the pad body are each configured to be independently positioned against a soiled surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: First Quality Retail Services, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Brian Strunk, Suzann E. Shreck
  • Patent number: 7841039
    Abstract: A conventional floor cleaning mop has a cleaning pad support platen defining a support cleaning surface region that is arranged to releasably receive and secure a conventional cleaning pad via Velcro hook fasteners on the platen. The cleaning pad has a relatively non-abrasive cleaning surface. A scrub device with a relatively more abrasive surface is releasably or permanently attached to the pad cleaning surface by an attachment device. One or more such scrub devices may be attached to the same pad cleaning surface to cover part or all of the pad cleaning surface. The abrasive scrub devices may have different dimensions to cover different areas of the cleaning pad non-abrasive surface to provide enhanced scrubbing action as desired. The abrasive scrub devices may be provided with different abrasion surfaces having different abrasive values and may be removed to expose the full non-abrasive cleaning surface for non-abrasive cleaning. The mop may have an optional cleaning fluid dispensing spray device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Inventor: William Squire
  • Publication number: 20100287721
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for retracting a drill bit relative to a drill. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a driving device within the drill, a drill bit coupleable to the driving device, a first engaging element coupled to the drill bit, a sensor in communication with the driving device, and a second engaging element coupled to the drill. The drill bit is rotatably drivable by the driving device. The sensor detects a change in a speed of the drill bit. The second engaging element engages with the first engaging element in response to the sensor detecting a change in the speed of the drill bit. The drill bit retracts relative to the drill in response to engagement between the second engaging element and the first engaging element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Inventor: Tanya M. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20100287722
    Abstract: A mop includes a spinning device, a shank fixed to a first end of the spinning device, an operation rod having a first end connected to a second end of the spinning device, and a mop head connected to a second end of the operation rod. When a force is applied in a first direction making the operation rod and the spinning device move relatively in an axial direction, the mechanism in the spinning device drives the operation rod and the mop head to spin in the same direction simultaneously so as to generate a centrifugal force to remove the water from the mop head. When the force stops, the spring and the clutch structure in the spinning device make the operation rod back to the original position under a condition that the operation rod does not spin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Inventor: Tsung Mou Yu
  • Publication number: 20100275400
    Abstract: The new cleaning cloth holder head comprises a triangular-shaped head and handle rotating-attachment. At least one, and preferably all, sides of the body are equipped with a centrally-positioned curved notch or indentation. A cloth positioning and locking part is positioned on the upper surface of the cleaning cloth holder head in proximity to each edge of the triangular-shaped part, whereas a rotating handle coupling device is positioned centrally (preferably) in order to allow the handle attachment to rotate independent of the three axes of the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventor: Pierantonio Milanese
  • Publication number: 20100263152
    Abstract: A cleaning pad structure of stitch bonded construction incorporating one or more substrate layers of an absorbent nonwoven material with an optional additional fluid blocking substrate layer of polymer film or other suitable material in juxtaposed relation to the absorbent nonwoven layers. Stitching yarns are introduced in stitching relation through the substrate layers. One face of the pad defines a cleaning surface of raised yarn loops formed by the stitched yarns. The pad further includes an attachment surface facing away from the cleaning surface. The stitches of yarns across the attachment surface define an engagement surface for attachment to cooperating hooking elements across a surface of a mop head to define a hook and loop attachment system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: Tietex International Ltd.
    Inventor: Martin Wildeman
  • Patent number: 7811022
    Abstract: A flexible cleaning device with a handle having a first end and a second end, a malleable head at the first end of the handle, a cover selectively covering at least a portion of the malleable head, and a grip at the second end of the handle. A fluid reservoir may be supported on the handle or the malleable head, and a fluid deposition system provided and adapted to selectively deposit fluid from the reservoir onto a surface to be cleaned. The malleable head may be attached to a rigid structure at the second end of the handle, and have a non-absorbent flexible structure adapted to conform to grout lines in a typical tiled floor surface. An air inlet may be attached to the device, and an air passage provided and adapted to connect the air inlet to a suction source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Inventors: Vincent Bobrosky, Scott Bolbock, Jeffrey M. Gesiakowski, Richard Herrmann, Sam Hohulin, Darin Rhoda
  • Publication number: 20100218327
    Abstract: A rotary mop with a mop fabric capable of preventing a handle from emerging therefrom. The rotary mop includes a handle, a slide sleeve fitted on the handle and a mop fabric. The slide sleeve is movable along the handle and rotatable about the handle. One end of the mop fabric is connected with a bottom end of the handle, while another end of the mop fabric is connected with a bottom end of the slide sleeve. The mop fabric has such a structure that the bottom end of the handle cannot emerge from the mop fabric. Therefore, when mopping the ground with the rotary mop, the mop fabric can evenly spread around the handle without gathering or tangling. Accordingly, the contact area of the mop fabric with the ground can be enlarged to enhance the cleaning effect and water-wringing effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventor: Hua-Tien CHEN
  • Patent number: 7779502
    Abstract: The cleaning item of the present invention comprises: a brush part constructed from fibrous material; an inserted part with an inserted space into which a gripper is detachably inserted and which is formed by a pair of sheets, the inserted part being disposed in the brush part; and a joining member which joins the brush part and the inserted part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Masatoshi Fujiwara, Hirokuni Ono
  • Patent number: 7779501
    Abstract: A mop for cleaning a surface is provided. The mop includes a base and a scrubbing area connected to the base by a living hinge so that the scrubbing area can be deflected towards the surface upon application of a scrubbing force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Unger Marketing International, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Lacotta, William Fiebel, John Moldauer, Bernard Bensussan, Ron Callanan
  • Publication number: 20100205758
    Abstract: A cleaning device that includes a first component, a second component and a handle is provided. The first component is configured to hold a first portion of the cleaning device. The second component is configured to hold a second portion of the cleaning device. The first and second components are connected and are configured so that the first portion and the second portion on the respective first and second components are independently replaceable. The handle is coupled to the second component to control an application of at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the cleaning device on a surface to be cleaned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventors: Mark Levitt, Brian R. Leafblad, Paul J. Mattia
  • Patent number: 7757334
    Abstract: A cleaning tool for cleaning a surface is disclosed. The cleaning tool comprises a cleaning frame including a rigid body defining a perimeter surrounding an interior opening and at least one spacer arranged within the interior opening. The cleaning frame secures over a backing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Vinu Patel, William J. Kopecky, Jeffrey M. Mailand, Scott J. Tuman, Mark D. Sorlien
  • Mop
    Publication number: 20100162507
    Abstract: A mop includes a base (10), a cleaning unit (40) mounted on the base, a limit seat (20) mounted on the base and having an inner portion provided with a limit space (22) and a locking portion (243), a movable seat (30) movably mounted on the limit seat and having a locked portion (32) movable in the limit space and detachably engaging the locking portion (243), and a handle (35) mounted on the movable seat. Thus, when the locked portion of the movable seat is detached from the locking portion of the limit seat, the limit seat and the movable seat are rotatable relative to each other so that when the limit seat, the base and the cleaning unit are placed in and rotated by a dehydrator, the movable seat and the handle are not rotated by the dehydrator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventor: Pei-Yuan Lee
  • Patent number: 7743456
    Abstract: A cleaning tool cover configured for removable application to a cleaning tool in order to provide a microfiber cleaning surface on the cleaning tool. The cleaning tool may include, for example, a sponge mop or a dust mop and the cleaning tool cover may be used wet or dry and may be attached to the cleaning tool using a variety of attachment structures. In one embodiment, the cleaning tool cover is configured as a bonnet having a recess and an elastic opening that may be enlarged temporarily to allow a mop head to be inserted into the recess and then allowed to retract to secure the cleaning tool cover to the mop. In another embodiment, the cleaning tool cover may include a plurality of flaps for attaching the tool cover to the cleaning tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: For Life Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph A. McDonnell
  • Patent number: 7743453
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wiping device for wiping surfaces to be cleaned, especially floor surfaces, comprising a plate-type or frame-type wiping element holder (1), preferably in an essentially long, rectangular form, and a wiping element (4) consisting of textile material or the like, which is adapted and fixed to the wiping element holder (1). Said wiping element (4) respectively comprises, on the upper side facing the wiping element holder (1), close to the two opposing sides, and close to the narrow sides in the long, rectangular form, a narrow fixing strip (5), which is applied with its ends to the wiping element (5) [sic]. Said fixing strip extends approximately transversally on the wiping element holder (1) when the wiping element (4) is fixed to the same (1). Position fixing arrangements are provided on the wiping element holder (1), where the fixing strips (5) should extend when the wiping element is fixed (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Franz Kresse, Heiko Faubel
  • Patent number: 7743455
    Abstract: The present invention is a device for cleaning surfaces comprising; a housing having a handle on one end and a cleaning head on the other end the cleaning head having an upper surface, a lower surface, a perimeter edge and a magnetic means. The magnetic means is removably attached to the cleaning head and provides a magnetic field to its lower surface. There is at least one attachment means provided on the upper surface or the perimeter for securing a cleaning sheet over the lower surface of the cleaning head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: D-Squared Product Development
    Inventors: David Anthony Rothweil, Daniel Anthony Rothweil
  • Publication number: 20100154824
    Abstract: A cleaning implement comprising a base member having opposing top and bottom surfaces and at least one side surface. A handle is connected to the top surface of the base member and a first cleaning material is attached to the bottom surface of the base member. A cleaning member is rotatably connected to the at least one side surface of the base member and a second cleaning material attached to the cleaning member such that the second cleaning material is oriented in a different plane than the first cleaning material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: QUICKIE MANUFACTURING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Peter S. Vosbikian, Vince Cella
  • Patent number: 7739770
    Abstract: Disclosed is a handy mop including a mop body for collecting dust and a handle to which the mop body is to be attached. The mop body is provided with two gaps (b) extending in parallel for attachment of the handle thereto. The handle is provided with an attachment portion and a gripper extending rearwardly upwardly from a root end of the attachment portion. The attachment portion is bifurcated at the root end to provide two insert plates, which are flat and level, and are to be inserted into the gaps (b) of the mop body for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinori Tanaka, Masaho Hayashi, Toshihiko Uenishi
  • Patent number: 7735182
    Abstract: A reversible mop head assembly for use with a mop handle is disclosed. The mop head assembly includes a transverse support shaft, a pair of end caps positioned at opposite ends of the transverse support shaft, a pair of opposed substrate support surfaces positioned between and supported by the end caps, and a head mount coupled to the transverse support shaft centrally between the end caps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Cameron Ray Morris, Stephanie Ann Rossignol, George Nukuto, Denis R. Grimard, Carl G. Rippl, MeeWha Lee, Paul Woon, Russell J. Kroll, Mark Londborg, Robert Henshaw, Kiran K. Reddy, Thomas Glenn Merrill, Jose Ricardo Rubio-Flores, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7735180
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cleaning sheet to be attached to a cleaning head. The cleaning sheet has an attachment surface coated with a viscoelastic polymer such as SEBS for preventing slipping of the cleaning sheet relative to the cleaning head. Over the working temperature range between ?20° C. and 40° C., the viscoelastic polymer has a stable storage modulus (G?) of 104 to 106.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshinori Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20100139023
    Abstract: The present invention provides an anti-turn-back twist mop including a main handle, a holding sleeve, a mop cloth and a clutch member. The holding sleeve is up and down movably and rotatably fitting over the main handle. Two ends of the mop cloth are respectively connected with the main handle and the holding sleeve. When rotating the main handle and holding sleeve relative to each other, the mop cloth can be wrung dry. The clutch member is fitting over the main handle and movable therealong. When rotating the main handle, the clutch member is rotated along therewith. A bottom end of the clutch member and a top end of the holding sleeve are respectively formed with ratchets engaged with each other. By means of the engagement between the clutch member and holding sleeve, when wringing the mop cloth, the main handle is prevented from being rotated back by the pulling force of the mop cloth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventor: Hua-Tien CHEN
  • Publication number: 20100139047
    Abstract: A handle accessory provides an attachment portion that attaches to a rod handle of a tool such as a mop or broom, and a grasping portion that projects out into space from the attachment portion. In a preferred embodiment, the grasping portion consists of two lengths of material that project from the attachment portion and meet to form an acute interior angle. That is, the attachment portion and the grasping portion form a triangle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventor: Konrad Eek
  • Publication number: 20100132147
    Abstract: A mop head (12) which includes a body (14) providing a first, in use downwardly opening, channel formation (15) for receiving a mounting part of a mop swab (20) such that a swab part of the mop swab (20) depends from the first channel formation (15), and a second, in use downwardly opening, channel formation (25) for receiving and mounting a scrubbing member (30) such that the scrubbing member (30) extends outwardly of the second channel formation (25), the first (15) and second (25) channel formations being separated by a separating member (18).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventor: Ronald Alexander (Scot) Young
  • Patent number: 7721381
    Abstract: A cleaning pad is adapted to be releasably retained on a cleaning implement which includes on its cleaning head either multiple strips of pile-type fastener material or a plurality of attachment structures. The cleaning pad includes a top layer constructed of polyethylene and a bottom layer constructed of rayon. The top and bottom layers are affixed together along their peripheries by a bond line so as to define an enclosed pocket therebetween which is sized and shaped to receive a middle layer constructed of wood pulp paper. Multiple strips of hook-type fastener material are secured on the top layer and are adapted to releasably engage complimentary strips of pile-type fastener material on the cleaning implement. One or more mounting tabs are secured on the bottom layer and are adapted to releasably engage complimentary attachment structures on the cleaning implement. Each mounting tab can be disposed between a retracted, or folded, position and an extended, or unfolded, position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Butler Home Products, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Michelson, Thomas Dunn
  • Patent number: 7716776
    Abstract: A flat mop is used with a disposable wiper. The mop includes a base member having an upper surface and a lower surface. The base member has a projecting securing elements disposed on opposing sides of the upper surface. At least one resilient clip is associated with securing element. A pivot joint has a first receiving portion for mounting to the base member to define a first pivot axis. The pivot joint has a second receiving portion distinct from the first receiving portion and includes an engagement member received in the second receiving portion to defining a second pivot axis spaced from and perpendicular to the first pivot axis. The engagement member includes a coupling portion to mount to a handle. The pivot joint is mounted to the base member for pivoting the base member relative to the pivot joint about two axes. The associated wiper is secured to the base member, positioned on the lower surface of the base member, wrapped around the base member and over the securing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Karen F. Bonnell, Jeffrey J. Tyrrell, Bradley T. Lyon
  • Publication number: 20100101039
    Abstract: A mop includes a molded mop casing having two mophead supporting faces connected together to show a double beveled configuration, a detached part pivotally connected to the molded mop casing between the mophead supporting faces, a mop shaft connected to the detached part and biasable with the mop shaft relative to the molded mop casing, a handle coupled to the mop shaft and movable forwards/backwards along the mop shaft, and an extending device mounted in the handle and the molded mop casing and movable by the handle between an extended position and a received position for locking/unlocking a consumptive material for enabling a user to mount/dismount the consumptive material conveniently without direct hand contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventors: Michael Alan Cameneti, Robson L. Splane, JR.