And Pocket Type Head Patents (Class 15/229.8)
  • Patent number: 11717861
    Abstract: The apparatus and method of the present invention relate to a cleaning cloth, a cleaning cloth system, and a method for cleaning. The present invention contemplates a cleaning cloth that is adapted to operate together with a body to provide for an enhanced cleaning experience, and in at least certain embodiments provides an improved ability to more efficiently and effectively clean in tight spaces, such as for example within a relatively small opening between two adjacent structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Inventor: Adam Vincent Rudofski
  • Patent number: 9351624
    Abstract: A cleaning implement is disclosed with a support sheet having a first surface, a second surface, and a longitudinal axis. A plurality of detachable cleaning sheets, each having an outwardly facing cleaning surface and an inwardly facing attachment surface, may be supported by the support sheet in a stacked configuration. A plurality of folded portions included with the support sheet and the cleaning sheet extend generally radially from the longitudinal axis of the cleaning implement. The outermost cleaning sheet may be removed from the stacked cleaning sheet to expose a new, fresh cleaning sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew N. Thurin, Joey Nakayama, Teddy Lu
  • Patent number: 8943639
    Abstract: The mop frame comprises a first plate pivotably connected to a handle attachment at a first pivot. A second plate is pivotably connected to the first plate at a second pivot such that it is movable between a first position where the second plate is substantially coplanar with the first plate and a second position where the first plate is substantially parallel to the second plate and is disposed on top of the second plate. A latch secures the first plate to the second plate when the second plate is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Rubbermaid Commercial Products, LLC
    Inventors: Jesse Andrew Matola, Robert J. Tokash
  • Patent number: 8893343
    Abstract: A mop head which provides for both the reliable securement of a cleaning element to the mop head and for simple and efficient installation and removal of the cleaning element from the mop head is presented. The mop head includes a first securement member and a second securement member adapted for securing a cleaning element to the mop head, wherein the first securement member is pivotally connected to the second securement member at a pivot joint. The securement members are movable about the pivot joint into a use position and change position. The cleaning element can be mated to the securement members in the change position and movement of the securement members to use position secures cleaning element to the mop head for use. A latch locks the securement members in the use position to prevent movement of the securement members about the pivot joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: The Libman Company
    Inventors: Robert J. Libman, Marco Bizzotto
  • Patent number: 8585154
    Abstract: There is a need to reduce raw materials used in the manufacturing of wet mops, to reduce the weight of the wet mop which will decrease user fatigue and related injuries and to address the difficulty of attaching standard wet mops to commonly used mop handles. The improvement is a tubular headband wet mop with yarn strands on only one side of the headband, reducing the amount of unused yarn incorporated into the wet mop while not reducing floor surface coverage area. The tubular headband also eliminates the possibility of exposing the bottom side of the mop handle which can damage or mar the floor surface, coatings and finishes. This reduction in raw materials results in a lighter product, which reduces effort required to lift and wring out the wet mop, and reduces fatigue and injuries associated with mopping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Rubbermaid Commerical Products LLC
    Inventors: Todd Allen Williams, Cynthia Kay Williams
  • Patent number: 8516646
    Abstract: A dusting cloth structure for use with a duster includes a sleeve body whose outer surface is provided with a pile layer or a cloth strip layer and which has a receiving groove therein for receiving an external duster shank. One end of the sleeve body is formed with a sleeve opening. A portion of the sleeve body that is away from the sleeve opening is formed with a dividing portion extending toward the sleeve opening. The dividing portion defines two end grooves in the sleeve body, wherein the end grooves are divided from each other and communicate with the receiving groove. Moreover, the inner wall of the receiving groove is formed with a joint accommodating groove along the vertical direction of the surface of the sleeve body to prevent the sleeve body from coming off the shank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Inventor: Ya-Ching Yang
  • Patent number: 8505147
    Abstract: A mop comprises a handle and a first frame member comprising a first side and a second side. The handle is connected to the first side at a translating pivot such that the handle may translate and pivot relative to the first frame member. A second frame member has a third side and a fourth side connected to the first frame member at a hinge such that the second frame member can move relative to the first frame member between a first position where the first side is connected to the third side and a second position where the second side is disposed adjacent the fourth side. A method of using the mop is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Rubbermaid Commercial Products, LLC
    Inventors: Alfred Reneau Van Landingham, Jr., Jesse Andrew Matola
  • Patent number: 8397338
    Abstract: A multi-purpose mop system includes a mop having a mop handle and a cleaning attachment removably mounted thereon, the mop handle further comprising a base and a grip installed thereon for manipulating the mop during use, and a bucket having a basin and a bucket handle removably and pivotally attached thereto, the basin being formed with at least one basin channel bounded by opposite, substantially upwardly-extending basin fingers, and the bucket handle being formed in a central portion inter-connecting opposite leg portions with at least one respective handle channel bounded by opposite handle fingers, whereby the basin channel and the handle channel cooperate in wringing the mop during wet use. The cleaning attachment may be a mop material cinched onto the base of the mop handle using a drawstring or may be a squeegee strapped thereto. A removable extension handle may be pivotally installed on the mop handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Inventor: Minh T. Dihn
  • Patent number: 8356379
    Abstract: A foldable wiper plate includes a first plate wing pivotable about a first axis, and a second plate wing pivotable about a second axis differing from the first axis. The first plate wing includes a first lock-in device that releasably interlocks the first plate wing with the second axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Leifheit AG
    Inventor: Klaus-Juergen Fischer
  • Patent number: 8245351
    Abstract: A steam pad for use with a steam mop is provided. The fabric steam pad comprises at least one cleaning fabric layer, and a corresponding layer of fabric where the fabric layers are joined around the perimeter. The fabric steam pad has at least one fastener band secured to the mesh fabric in a position to correspond to at least one fastener anchored on the steam mop frame and increased structural stability of the pad to avoid buckling of the fabric at the edges. A warp knit mesh layer may be disposed on the fabric surface opposed to the cleaning surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Euro-Pro Operating LLC
    Inventors: Mark Rosenzweig, Maximilian Rosenzweig, Ognjen Vrdoljak
  • Patent number: 8205293
    Abstract: A steam mop having a main body having a boiler with a water inlet and a steam outlet positioned therein, a pump having an inlet and an outlet with the pump outlet connected to the boiler inlet, a water container for storing water connected to the pump inlet, and a steam pocket frame connected to the steam outlet, where the activation of the pump pumps water from the water container to the boiler for generation of steam. In an embodiment of the invention, a steam mop having a main body with a boiler, a water container, a mechanical water pump between the boiler and container and at least one side arm connecting the boiler steam outlet to a fabric steam pocket frame. The water pump is actuated by movement of the mop when cleaning to send water to the boiler. The steam pad frame is substantially rectangular with a plurality of baffles in a square grid formation extending outwardly to distribute steam to distribute steam between the baffles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Euro-Pro Operating LLC
    Inventors: Maximilian Rosenzweig, Vrdoljak Ognjen
  • Patent number: 8065776
    Abstract: A cleaning implement comprises a handle (1), a plate frame (2) connected to the handle, and a mop (3) that is detachably attached to the plate frame. At least one pair of holding members, consisting of a permanent magnet and a counterpart cooperating therewith, has been arranged for holding of the mop (3) onto the plate frame (2). The magnet and the counterpart have been attached to the plate frame (2) and to the mop (3), respectively, so that they face each other in the operating position of the mop. The counterpart may consist of a permanent magnet or a ferromagnetic substance and it has been anchored, for example, by sewing inside the mop (3) under a fabric that forms the upper surface of the mop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Primapalvelu-JT Oy
    Inventors: Reima Tuomivirta, Janne Tuomivirta
  • Patent number: 7979946
    Abstract: A polish having improved properties is generally disclosed. In one embodiment, the polish can include a preservative that resists the growth of organisms, such as mold, fungus, bacteria, and the like, even after extended periods of nonuse. Additionally, the polish can be incorporated or impregnated into a mitt to form an all in one treating device. For example, the all in one treating device can be impregnated with a polish in at least one surface. In one embodiment, the polish can resist wicking or other migration from its application area to other parts of the all in one treatment device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Mary E. Kister, Charlene B. Dunbar, Michael L. Gross, Mark Foreste
  • Patent number: 7886396
    Abstract: A cleaning tool 210 designed to be used with at least one cleaning implement/replaceable dusting sleeve/cleaning mitt or cleaning pad 11 is disclosed. The cleaning tool 210 includes a telescoping support 209 comprised of a plurality of telescopingly received shafts or sections (212, 213, 214, 215). The shafts 212, 213, 214 and 215 may be freely extended into a locked fully extended position 201 and released via depression of a first engaging projection 239. A primary support head 216 and secondary support head 218 are pivotally mounted to the forward mount 240 on a single gear 274 and releasbly locked together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Yan Gracindo, Craig F. Shiesley, Benn Beagan Miller, Matthew Charles White, Simon Roderick Grover, Lawrence J. Fenske, David A. Hoadley
  • Patent number: 7870634
    Abstract: The dust mop with multiple handle holders is a dust mop having a handle, a dust mop frame, and a dust mop head. The frame has multiple handle holders, including a central handle holder in the center of the fame and another handle holder at one or both ends of the frame so that the handle can be attached to the central handle holder for general use, and may optionally be attached to a handle holder at the end of the frame to dust under objects raised above the floor and in areas too narrow to accommodate a conventional dust mop. The dust mop head is a fabric cover supported on the frame, and has an opening through which the handle can be connected to the handle holders. The handle may have a quick connect, clip-type fitting at one end for attachment to the handle holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Inventors: Brian D. Warning, Margaret J. Warning
  • Patent number: 7802340
    Abstract: A cleaning tool 410 designed to be used with at least one cleaning implement/replaceable dusting sleeve/cleaning mitt or cleaning pad 11 is disclosed. The cleaning tool 410 includes a telescoping support 409 comprised of a plurality of telescopingly received shafts or sections (412, 413, 414, 415) wherein one of the shafts is an I-beam 415. The shafts 412, 413, 414 and 415 may be freely extended into a locked fully extended position 401 and released via depression of a first engaging projection 439. A primary support head 416 and secondary support head 418 are pivotally mounted to a forward mount 440 and releasably locked together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy F. Knopow, Rob Martineau, David A. Hoadley, Lawrence J. Fenske, Yan Gracindo, Craig F. Shiesley, Paul Simpson, Benn Beagan Miller, Milt Erickson, Scott A. Olson, Micah L. Maraia, Christopher Peterson
  • 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: 7716777
    Abstract: Dusting article structure including a duster body and a handle. The duster body includes layers of holding sheets, a fibrous-filament layer, and a cleaning base sheet. A lower layer of the holding sheets and the cleaning base sheet are symmetrically cut to form strip-like cleaning pieces. The filaments of the fibrous-filament layer include numerous tiny pores disposed thereon. The handle includes a grip portion and a connector portion. A coupling block is disposed on the grip portion and includes inserting posts and pivoting grooves to respectively engage with pivoting holes and a pivoting rod of the connector portion thereby. The grip portion is mounted pivotally onto the connector portion having retaining rods to be engaged with holding spaces of the thermo-fusion bonded duster body. The tiny pores disposed at the fibrous-filament layer absorb and trap small grains of dust. The grip portion of the handle may be bent for folding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Rock Tone Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Pei Yuan Lee
  • Patent number: 7496985
    Abstract: The present invention is a multipurpose cleaning apparatus for cleaning a variety of surfaces which includes an apparatus for removably retaining a reusable cleaning swifter, an apparatus for removably retaining a disposable cleaning cloth, an apparatus for removably retaining a brush and an apparatus for removably retaining a scouring pad. The apparatus comprises a base having two hingeably attached sections which can be rotated to form a angle so that the swifter can be attached, rotated to form a rigid elongated structure to retain the disposable cleaning cloth through locking clasp assemblies, and configured to receive members which retain gripping members to removably retain a cleaning brush and a scouring pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Worldwide Integrated Resources, Inc.
    Inventor: Fred I. Morad
  • Patent number: 7487567
    Abstract: The invention relates to a flat mop cover for a flat mopping device, comprising a large area backing textile (1) having longitudinal edges and transversal edges and having a mopping side (4), which is active in cleaning, and a top side (7), which is used to attach the mop cover to a mop holder (5) of a mopping device (6), wherein insertion pockets, holding strips or other attachment means (13) for the mop holder (5) are provided on the top side (7) of the backing textile (1). This mop cover is particularly efficient in floor cleaning, because the backing textile (1) is a knitted fabric, preferably of polyester micro-fiber material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Ecolab, Inc.
    Inventors: Franz Kresse, Ulrich Kröcker
  • Publication number: 20080222825
    Abstract: A cleaning head for a cleaning utensil, comprising a base member, a connector associated with the base member for attachment to a handle, and at least one flexible support member extending from the base member. The at least one flexible support member and the base member together define a common support surface for a cleaning cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: Casabella Holdings LLC
    Inventor: Andre Sampaio
  • Publication number: 20070256267
    Abstract: An autoclavable mop head comprising one or more folded tubular strand elements. The tubular strand elements incorporate an arrangement of elongate depressed channels and raised profile segments extending along their surface in the length direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Publication date: November 8, 2007
    Inventor: Jackson Smith Burnett
  • Patent number: 7237295
    Abstract: A surface cleaning device including a planar wiping trimming carrier and a handle connected to the wiping trimming carrier by a joint. The joint has a swivel axis which extends parallel to the longitudinal direction of the wiping trimming carrier, so as to be able optionally to swivel the one or the other main side of wiping trimming carrier into a position that extends parallel to a surface to be cleaned, the wiping trimming carrier being provided at at least one end with an extension that is shiftable along the former's longitudinal extension in the direction towards the joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Carl Freudenberg KG
    Inventor: Keijo Lindholm
  • Patent number: 7219386
    Abstract: Disclosed is a holding device including: a telescopic handle having axially opposed front and rear ends and constructed of at least two separate shafts, of which a front-side separate shaft axially fits within a rear-side separate shaft being a hollow cylinder; and a support member provided at the front end of the telescopic handle for attachment of a cleaning wiper. The front-side separate shaft has an axially extending elastic arm and an engaging projection provided at a leading end of the elastic arm, while the rear-side separate shaft has a through-hole passing through a cylinder wall thereof, in which the engaging projection engages when the front-side separate shaft projects from the rear-side separate shaft by a predetermined length. Pressing the engaging projection, which engages in the through-hole, from outside the rear-side separate shaft permits release of the engaging projection from the through-hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Akemi Tsuchiya, Yoshinori Tanaka, Masatoshi Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 7181801
    Abstract: The invention relates to an absorbent structure for cleaning surfaces. The absorbent structure has areas or sections or mixtures comprising different material, these areas, sections or mixtures having either a primarily absorbent effect or a primarily cleaning effect. The structure has a support structure to which the cleaning material has been applied. The aim of the invention is to provide an absorbent structure with greater potential for variation and variants in terms of its cleaning and absorbency properties and/or effects. To this end, the inventive absorbent structure has a pocket or bag-shaped cavity in which pieces or strips of highly absorbent materials are located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Kresse, Heiko Faubel
  • Patent number: 7174600
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wiping device, a squeezing out device and a container device enabling a textile wiping element located on a wiping panel of the wiping device to be squeezed out simply and reliably. The wiping panel is provided with edge fixing sections which can be held from behind by a counter bearing device of the squeezing out device in order to prevent the wiping panel from being moved out of the squeezing out device unintentionally when the textile element is squeezed out on a bearing surface, or which have an insertion ramp which facilitates the optionally jamming insertion between the bearing surface and a counter bearing surface that is set apart from said bearing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Ecolab GmbH & Co. OGH
    Inventors: Franz Kresse, Heiko Faubel
  • Patent number: 6978509
    Abstract: A cleansing device includes a cleansing cloth having a base and a cover fabric layers superposed together, and a number of fibers disposed and secured between the base and the cover fabric layers. A handle is attached to the cleansing cloth to carry and operate the cleansing cloth. Each of the fabric layers may include a number of strips to partially expose the fibers. An outer fabric layer may be attached to the cover fabric layer to form one or more pockets and to receive the handle. The handle includes a fork having two arms engageable into the pocket of the cleansing cloth, and a hand grip foldably secured to the fork.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Inventor: Pai Yung Lin
  • Patent number: 6836923
    Abstract: An adapter for use with a dust mop having an annular frame pivotally coupled to a handle and including a cover for removable attachment to the frame and defining a lower surface covering a bottom surface of the frame and an upper surface defining first and second receiver portions for receiving first and second end portions of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Harper Corporation
    Inventors: Terrence P. Treacy, David J. Greubel
  • Publication number: 20040055102
    Abstract: An adapter for use with a dust mop having an annular frame pivotally coupled to a handle and including a cover for removable attachment to the frame and defining a lower surface covering a bottom surface of the frame and an upper surface defining first and second receiver portions for receiving first and second end portions of the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Applicant: Harper Corporation
    Inventors: Terrence P. Treacy, David J. Greubel
  • Patent number: 6591442
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a flexible mop base. The mop base comprises of a top layer and a bottom absorption layer attached to the top layer. The mop base further comprises at least one flexible end, wherein this flexible end is attached to the mop base through an attachment mechanism. The attachment mechanism allows the end to freely rotate from horizontal to perpendicular position with respect to the mop base. The mop base further comprises a handle attached to the top layer and capable of free rotation. The handle has a mop holder socket attached to it, which is also free to rotation to accommodate a user of the mop base when cleaning different surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Kaminstein Imports, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce Kaminstein
  • Publication number: 20030084531
    Abstract: A wiper plate for a cleaning implement, in particular for damp and wet mopping, having an essentially flat cleaning surface, and having first facilities for fastening a handle and second facilities for the detachable fastening of an interchangeable mopping covering, the cleaning surface (7) being subdivided into at least two functional surfaces having different cleaning functions; and means are provided by which the functional surfaces may each be brought into use without the occurrence of substantial mutual, negative influences on their cleaning functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Applicant: Carl Freudenberg KG
    Inventors: Uwe Dingert, Nacho Alba, Hans-Jurgen Wendelken
  • Publication number: 20030046782
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wiping device, a squeezing out device and a container device enabling a textile wiping element located on a wiping panel (4) of the wiping device to be squeezed out simply and reliably. The wiping panel is provided with edge fixing sections (8) which can be held from behind by a counter bearing device (33) of the squeezing out device in order to prevent the wiping panel (4) from being moved out of the squeezing out device unintentionally when the textile wiping element (5) is squeezed out on a bearing surface, or which have an insertion ramp which facilitates the optionally jamming insertion between the bearing surface and a counter bearing surface that is set apart from said bearing surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventors: Franz Kresse, Heiko Faubel
  • Patent number: 6487745
    Abstract: Disclosed is a self-wringing flat mop. The mop includes a shaft having an operator end and a cleaning end, a plate disposed at the cleaning end of the shaft and being pivotally connected thereto, and a wringing mechanism. A liquid absorbent member such as a cleaning cover is disposed on the plate. The wringing mechanism includes a wringing handle that is disposed on the shaft and that is axially moveable with respect thereto, and a wringer connected to the wringing handle. When wringing the mop, the wringer handle is moved relative to the axis of the shaft to thereby move the wringer into a position to cover the plate and liquid absorbent member. In this position, the wringer exerts a force on the plate sufficient to compress the liquid absorbent member between the plate and the wringer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Freudenberg Household Products LP
    Inventor: Paul B. Specht
  • Publication number: 20020152569
    Abstract: The present invention provides a mop for mop pads (7) with pockets (8) having an articulated mop base (100) with elements (1, 2) centrally connected to a handle (6) by means of a hinge joint (5), a mop pad (7) with pockets (8), and a clamping device (3) provided near the free end of a first element (2), with the mouth of the clamping device (3) directed towards the free end, and an extension (10) provided at a second element (1) and being placed on top of the lever (11) of the clamping device (3) when the mop base (100) has a planar shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventor: Roberto Zorzo
  • Publication number: 20020073497
    Abstract: Disclosed is a self-wringing flat mop. The mop includes a shaft having an operator end and a cleaning end, a plate disposed at the cleaning end of the shaft and being pivotally connected thereto, and a wringing mechanism. A liquid absorbent member such as a cleaning cover is disposed on the plate. The wringing mechanism includes a wringing handle that is disposed on the shaft and that is axially moveable with respect thereto, and a wringer connected to the wringing handle. When wringing the mop, the wringer handle is moved relative to the axis of the shaft to thereby move the wringer into a position to cover the plate and liquid absorbent member. In this position, the wringer exerts a force on the plate sufficient to compress the liquid absorbent member between the plate and the wringer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventor: Paul B. Specht
  • Publication number: 20010044982
    Abstract: A cleaning device with a sufficiently low profile to enable cleaning under appliances. The cleaning device generally includes an elongate body, a handle, and a fabric member surrounding the body. The body has oppositely-disposed first and second ends. The handle is adjacent the second end of the body and projects upward from an upper surface of the body. The fabric member preferably comprises oppositely-disposed first and second pockets, an intermediate portion connecting the first and second pockets, and an opening between the first and second pockets. The first and second pockets receive the first and second ends, respectively, of the body. The handle of the body projects out of the opening in the fabric member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Publication date: November 29, 2001
    Inventor: Rosa Ribar
  • Publication number: 20010029640
    Abstract: A flexible attachment apparatus for use with dust mops or the like and including a clamping mechanism which is integrally connected or mechanically attached to a flexible unitary molded body with the capability of automatically rebounding back the cleaning head after striking obstacles during use. The unitary molded body has a connecting section for attaching to the clamping mechanism and a retaining section for attaching to a handle of the dust mop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2001
    Publication date: October 18, 2001
    Inventor: Simon R. Cassar
  • Patent number: 6260226
    Abstract: Disclosed is a self-wringing flat mop. The mop includes a shaft having an operator end and a cleaning end, a plate disposed at the cleaning end of the shaft and being pivotally connected thereto, and a wringing mechanism. A liquid absorbent member such as a cleaning cover is disposed on the plate. The wringing mechanism includes a wringing handle that is disposed on the shaft and that is axially moveable with respect thereto, and a wringer connected to the wringing handle. When wringing the mop, the wringer handle is moved relative to the axis of the shaft to thereby move the wringer into a position to cover the plate and liquid absorbent member. In this position, the wringer exerts a force on the plate sufficient to compress the liquid absorbent member between the plate and the wringer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Freudenberg Household Products LP
    Inventor: Paul B. Specht
  • Patent number: 6233777
    Abstract: The invention concerns a flat floor-mop-type covering for cleaning floors, with a cover sheet which, on the upper surface, comprises pockets for securing it to a mounting and, in the central region of the lower surface, loops or strands. Strands are disposed on both sides of a seam of a peripheral strand strip. In this respect, the inner strands are short enough to insure that when they swell owing to the effect of moisture, they bend through approximately 90° in the direction of the surface to be wiped and form a type of brush ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Henkel-Ecolab GmbH & Co. OHG
    Inventors: Franz Kresse, Klaus-Peter Bansemir, Heiko Faubel