CLEANING DEVICE

Abstract

Apparatus and method for adjusting a height of a suction chamber of a vacuum cleaner relative to a target cleaning surface. The vacuum cleaner includes a compressible cleaning sheet, such that as a user selectively executes different motions and/or applies different forces to a handle of the vacuum cleaner, the cleaning sheet compresses or uncompresses, dynamically adjusting the height of the suction chamber.

Description

FIELD

Embodiments disclosed herein are related generally to cleaning devices, and more specifically to cleaning devices having a suction nozzle and a cleaning sheet.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Cleaning devices are used in the home and office to clean floors and other surfaces. Various types of cleaning devices are known, including devices which have a suction nozzle and a cleaning sheet.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment, a method of using a cleaning device, which includes a cleaning sheet support with a suction nozzle and a compressible sheet, comprises moving the cleaning sheet support across the surface in a first direction with the suction nozzle positioned ahead of the compressible sheet relative to the first direction. As the cleaning sheet support moves in the first direction, at least a portion of the compressible sheet is compressed such that a leading edge of the suction nozzle is positioned at a first height above the surface. The method further comprises moving the cleaning sheet support across the surface in a second direction such that the suction nozzle is positioned behind the compressible sheet relative to the second direction. As the cleaning sheet support moves in the second direction, the leading edge of the suction nozzle is positioned at a second height above the surface, wherein the second height is greater than the first height.

According to another embodiment, a cleaning apparatus comprises a suction source, a body including a handle, a cleaning sheet support pivotably attached to the body, a compressible cleaning sheet attached to the sheet support, and a suction nozzle. The suction nozzle is operatively connectable to the suction source and is attached to the cleaning sheet support and positioned forwardly of the compressible cleaning sheet, and has a leading edge which is configured to be positioned above a target cleaning surface by a first distance when the cleaning apparatus is placed at rest on the target cleaning surface. The body, the suction nozzle, and the cleaning sheet support are arranged such that pushing on the handle to move the cleaning apparatus in a forward direction compresses the cleaning sheet and reduces the distance between the leading edge of the suction nozzle and the target cleaning surface to a second distance that is at least 0.2 mm less as compared to the first distance. The body, the suction nozzle, and the cleaning sheet support are arranged such that transitioning from pushing on the handle to pulling on the handle increases the distance between the leading edge of the suction nozzle and the target cleaning surface to a third distance that is at least 0.5 mm greater as compared to the second distance.

According to a further embodiment, a cleaning apparatus comprises a suction source, a body including a handle, a cleaning sheet support pivotably attached to the body, a compressible cleaning sheet with at least a portion that is at least 3.0 mm thick, the sheet being permanently attached to the sheet support, and a suction nozzle. The suction nozzle is operatively connectable to the suction source and is attached to the cleaning sheet support and positioned forwardly of the compressible cleaning sheet, and has a leading edge which is configured to be positioned above a target cleaning surface by a first distance when the cleaning apparatus is placed at rest on the target cleaning surface. The body, the suction nozzle, and the cleaning sheet support are arranged such that pushing on the handle to move the cleaning apparatus in a forward direction compresses the cleaning sheet and reduces the distance between the leading edge of the suction nozzle and the target cleaning surface to a second distance that is at least 0.2 mm less as compared to the first distance. The body, the suction nozzle, and the cleaning sheet support are arranged such that transitioning from pushing on the handle to pulling on the handle increases the distance between the leading edge of the suction nozzle and the target cleaning surface to a third distance that is at least 0.5 mm greater as compared to the second distance.

According to another embodiment, an apparatus includes a cleaning sheet support configured to be attached to a cleaning appliance body, and a compressible cleaning sheet attached to the sheet support. The apparatus further includes a suction nozzle, the suction nozzle being attached to the cleaning sheet support and positioned forwardly of the compressible cleaning sheet, the suction nozzle having a leading edge which is configured to be positioned above a target cleaning surface by a first distance when the cleaning apparatus is placed at rest on the target cleaning surface. The cleaning sheet support, the suction nozzle leading edge, and the compressible cleaning sheet are arranged such that compression of the cleaning sheet is capable of reducing the distance between the leading edge of the suction nozzle and the target cleaning surface by at least 0.8 mm as compared to the first distance

It should be appreciated that the foregoing concepts, and additional concepts discussed below, may be arranged in any suitable combination, as the present disclosure is not limited in this respect.

The foregoing and other aspects, embodiments, and features of the present teachings can be more fully understood from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. In the drawings, each identical or nearly identical component that is illustrated in various figures is represented by a like numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every drawing. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cleaning device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

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

FIG. 3 is a side view of the cleaning device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of region 4 from FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a cleaning device with the cleaning sheet support removed according to some embodiments;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a cleaning sheet support according to some embodiments;

FIGS. 7-10 show cross-sectional views of a cleaning sheet support as a cleaning method progression through different stages;

FIG. 11 is a schematic showing a ride height for the different stages shown in FIGS. 7-10;

FIG. 12 is a graph showing experimental ride height data for one embodiment of a cleaning device; and

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a cleaning sheet support with castellations according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In many vacuums, there is a balance between the airflow speed that a vacuum can generate and the size and of debris that can be picked up. A large opening in a vacuum's suction nozzle may correlate with a lower airflow speed, but the ability to pick up large debris. Conversely, a small opening in a suction nozzle may correlate with higher airflow speed, but such a vacuum may be able to pick up only small debris.

In many vacuums, the size of the suction nozzle opening is fixed. The size of the suction nozzle opening is defined in part by the height of the lower edge of the suction nozzle relative to the target cleaning surface, often referred to as the ride height. In some vacuum cleaners, the ride height may be adjusted. However, such adjustments typically require that the user stop cleaning and adjust the ride height manually. Such adjustments may require the user to crouch in order to release a detent and/or rotate a dial to change the ride height. In situations in which a user may want to prioritize high suction for the majority of a cleaning process and only increase ride height for occasional large debris, frequent manual adjustments of ride height may be disruptive and inefficient.

Applicant has recognized and appreciated that it may be desirable for a user to be able to dynamically adjust the ride height of a cleaning device. Disclosed herein are cleaning devices that include a suction nozzle and a cleaning sheet, with the cleaning sheet mounted to a cleaning sheet support. The cleaning sheet is sufficiently thick such that a user is able to selectively compress the cleaning sheet in order to dynamically adjust the ride height of the suction nozzle.

For example, in some embodiments, the cleaning device is configured such that when a user is executing a front stroke, the force applied toward the front of the cleaning sheet support compresses the cleaning sheet and lowers the ride height. As the user transitions to a back stroke, the force on the front of the cleaning sheet support is removed, allowing the front portion of the cleaning sheet to uncompress, raising the ride height. In this manner, much of the larger debris that is pushed forward and prevented from entering the suction nozzle during the forward stroke is able to be picked up by the cleaning device during the transition to the back stroke.

In some embodiments, these changes to the ride height may be performed naturally and dynamically as a result of the user's pushing and pulling on the handle to move the device around the floor. That is, the suction nozzle position and the cleaning sheet thickness and compressibility may be set so that the typical forces applied to the cleaning device during cleaning produce the effects described above.

Applicant has also recognized the importance of the cleaning sheet thickness in regard to the ability to dynamically adjust the ride height. Many cleaning pads are typically too thin to enable variable ride height sufficient to enhance user experience.

FIGS. 1-3 are different views of a cleaning device 100 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The cleaning device 100 includes a body 104 with a handle 102, a suction source 106, and a cleaning sheet support 108. The cleaning sheet support 108 includes a compressible cleaning sheet 110 and a suction nozzle 112 positioned in front of the cleaning sheet.

FIG. 4 shows additional details of an enlarged portion of the side view of the cleaning device 100 shown in FIG. 3. The cleaning sheet support 108 may be pivotably attached to the body 104. In some embodiments, the cleaning sheet support is pivotably attached to the body through a connector, as explained in greater detail below with reference to FIG. 5.

In some embodiments, the compressible cleaning sheet 110 is permanently attached to the cleaning sheet support 108. The cleaning sheet may be permanently attached to the cleaning sheet support using adhesive, fasteners, or any other suitable attachment mechanism, or the cleaning sheet may be integrally formed with the cleaning sheet support. The cleaning sheet 110 may be formed of any suitable material, and may be made of one or more layers, as described in greater detail below with reference to FIG. 6. In some embodiments, the cleaning sheet is a nonwoven sheet. In some embodiments, the cleaning device 100 is configured to be supported on the target cleaning surface 120 by only the cleaning sheet 110. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the cleaning sheet 110 has a thickness of at least 3.0 mm. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the cleaning sheet 110 has a thickness of at least 3.2 mm. In some embodiments, an average thickness of the cleaning sheet is at least 3.0 mm.

The suction nozzle 112 is operatively connectable to the suction source 106 such that suction generated at the suction source may be transmitted to the suction nozzle to allow the suction nozzle to pick up debris. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the suction nozzle 112 is depicted as extending across the front lower edge of the cleaning sheet support. In other embodiments, the suction nozzle does not extend across the entire width of the cleaning sheet support. In some embodiments, the front edge of the cleaning sheet support includes curved portions or is curved across the entire width. In such embodiments, the suction nozzle may be similarly curved.

The suction nozzle 112 includes a lower edge 114 positioned above a target cleaning surface 120. The gap between the lower edge 114 and the target cleaning surface 120 provides an inlet 118 to the suction nozzle 112. The ride height is the height of the lower edge 114 of the suction nozzle 112 relative to the target cleaning surface 120. As described above, and as will be explained in greater detail below with reference to FIGS. 7-11, the ride height may be dynamically adjusted by selectively compressing the compressible cleaning sheet 110.

FIG. 5 shows the cleaning sheet support removed from cleaning device 200. The cleaning device 200 includes a body 204 with a handle 202, a cleaning sheet support 208, and a connector 216. In some embodiments, the cleaning sheet support 208 is pivotably attached to the body 204 through the connector 216. In some embodiments, the connector is substantially the same size as the cleaning sheet support, as in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 5. In other embodiments, the connector is substantially smaller than the cleaning sheet support. In some embodiments, the connector includes passages that enable air to flow between the cleaning sheet support and the body and/or other components of the cleaning device. The cleaning sheet support may attach to the connector with clips, fasteners, magnets, or any other suitable attachment mechanism.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the cleaning sheet support 208 according to some embodiments. The cleaning sheet support includes a suction nozzle 212, a debris collection chamber 218, and an air filter 220 in the illustrated embodiment. A cleaning sheet 210 is permanently attached to the cleaning sheet support, though the sheet may be removably attached in other embodiments. The debris collection chamber 218 is configured to hold debris that is sucked into the cleaning device 200 through the suction nozzle 212. In some embodiments, the debris collection chamber may be integrally formed with the suction nozzle, for example by thermoforming. The air filter 220 is configured to permit the flow of air such that a suction force may be created in the suction nozzle 212, but to block debris from exiting the collection chamber 218. The air filter may be comprised of one or more layers, and may be made of any suitable material(s). The cleaning sheet support does not need to include any or all of a suction nozzle, a debris collection chamber, and an air filter to be considered to be a cleaning sheet support. In some embodiments, the debris collection chamber may be mounted to the body portion of the cleaning device, and the suction nozzle may be fluidically connected to the collection chamber via a conduit which travels through the connector to the debris collection chamber.

The cleaning sheet 210 may include one or more layers, such as a multifunctional strip attached to a face layer, which may be backed by an acquisition layer and a retention layer.

The face layer may be made with a hydrophobic material. The hydrophobic material may be arranged such that the weight of the unit applies a pressure on the layer such that liquid is allowed to penetrate the layer from the floor, but the material is able to help hold acquired liquid within the sheet. The face layer may be treated with paraffin. In some embodiments, the paraffin improves the retention of solid particles on the sheet when the sheet is wetted, thereby reducing the potential for redeposit.

The face layer may include a texture to aid with capturing debris from the floor. For example, the face layer may include an embossed three-dimensional pattern with crevices in which debris can be held. The use of a vacuum cleaner in combination with the sheet reduces the amount of solid debris reaching the embossed face layer, thereby allowing the face layer to be used on a wet surface. The face layer may include a PET spunlace that is hydroentangled.

The acquisition layer may be formed of thermal bonded airlaid. A density may be used which permits liquid to be absorbed from the floor and desorbed into the retention layer. The acquisition layer may be formed with a suitable percentage of bi-component to increase mechanical stability and reduce wet collapse. For example, in some embodiments, the thermal bonded air laid may be formed with 70% pulp and 30% bi-component. In some embodiments, the material may be formed with at least 30% of bi-component.

The retention layer may have a higher density airlaid than the acquisition layer to promote liquid migration from the acquisition layer into the retention layer. The higher density airlaid provides mechanical structure to reduce compression within the retention layer and retain liquid, while allowing the acquisition layer to maintain a higher compressibility. In some embodiments, the retention layer material may be formed with 80% pulp and 20% bi-component. The retention layer material may be formed with 20% or less bi-component in some embodiments.

The multifunctional strip may be formed with hydrophilic meltblown polypropylene in some embodiments. By using a hydrophilic material, the sheet may provide a more even wipe to reduce streakiness. The strip may help to break up stains in some embodiments. Additionally, in some embodiments, by providing a source of friction that is higher than the face layer, the multifunctional strip can provide feedback to the user indicating when more liquid as needed.

In some embodiments, forward and rear edges of the cleaning sheet may be sealed. For example, the face layer, the acquisition layer, and the retention layer may be ultrasonically welded and/or heat sealed to one another at the forward and rear edges. For purposes herein, the forward edge of the cleaning sheet is the edge of the cleaning sheet which is configured to be closest to the leading edge of the suction nozzle when the cleaning head is attached to the cleaning device. In some embodiments, sealing the forward and rear edges of the cleaning sheet may prevent lamination of the of the cleaning sheet (e.g., pealing of one layer of the cleaning sheet from another layer of the cleaning sheet) during use.

FIGS. 7-10 include cross-sectional views of a cleaning sheet support at different stages of a cleaning method sequence. FIGS. 7-10 show the cleaning sheet support 308 of a cleaning device at rest (FIG. 7), during a forward stroke (FIG. 8), during a transition (FIG. 9) from the forward stroke to a backward stroke, and during a backward stroke (FIG. 10). The cleaning sheet support 308 includes a cleaning sheet 310 and a suction nozzle 312 in the illustrated embodiment. A ride height extends from the target cleaning surface to the height of the lower edge of the suction nozzle 312.

When the cleaning device is placed at rest (FIG. 7) on the target cleaning surface 314, the lower edge of the suction nozzle 312 is positioned above the target cleaning surface at a first ride height 316. As a user pushes on the handle of the cleaning device in a forward direction during a forward stroke (FIG. 8), a forward portion of the cleaning sheet 310 compresses, reducing the ride height to a second ride height 318. In some embodiments, the second ride height 318 is at least 0.2 mm less than the first ride height 316. In some embodiments, the second ride height 318 is at most 2.0 mm less than the first ride height 316. In some embodiments, the second ride height 318 is at least 0.8 mm less than the first ride height 316.

During a transition to a backward stroke (FIG. 9), the cleaning sheet 310 may uncompress partially or fully, and also may rise slightly off of the target cleaning surface 320 such that a third ride height 320 is achieved. In some embodiments, the third ride height 320 is at least 0.5 mm greater than the second ride height 318. In some embodiments, the third ride height 320 is at most 4.0 mm greater than the second ride height 318. In some embodiments, the third ride height is the same as the first ride height.

As the user pulls on the handle of the cleaning device in a backward direction during a backward stroke (FIG. 10), a rear portion of the cleaning sheet 310 may compress, and the cleaning sheet 310 may fully regain contact with the target surface 314, yielding a fourth ride height 322. In some embodiments, the fourth ride height 322 is at least 0.1 mm greater than the second ride height 318. In some embodiments, the fourth ride height 322 is at most 2.0 mm greater than the second ride height 318.

FIG. 11 is a schematic of ride height for the different cleaning conditions shown in FIGS. 7-10. The dashed line in the graph corresponds to the ride height when the cleaning device is at rest 300 (corresponding to FIG. 7). The solid line in the graph shows the ride height during a forward stroke 302 (corresponding to FIG. 8), a transition 304 (corresponding to FIG. 9), and a backward stroke 306 (corresponding to FIG. 10). The ride height during a backward stroke 306 is generally greater than the ride height during a forward stroke 302 in the illustrated embodiment. The ride height during a transition 304 is generally greater than the ride height during a backward stroke 306 in the illustrated embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a graph showing experimental ride height data for one embodiment of a cleaning device. As can be seen in this example, the trend of the experimental data is captured in the general description of the ride height for different cleaning conditions in reference to FIGS. 7-11. That is, the ride height during a backward stroke is generally greater than the ride height during a forward stroke, and the ride height during transition is generally greater than the ride height during a backward stroke.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a cleaning sheet support 400 with castellations 406 according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, a lower edge of a suction nozzle 404 may comprise castellations 406. The castellations may allow large debris to be captured by the cleaning device while still retaining a sufficient degree of suction. In some embodiments, such as the embodiment depicted in FIG. 13, the castellations are of a uniform size and are uniformly spaced. In other embodiments, the castellations are not of a uniform size and/or are not uniformly spaced. In some embodiments, the castellations do not extend across the entire width of the suction nozzle.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the suction nozzle comprises castellations 406 resulting in a lower edge of the suction nozzle 404 that includes four slots 408. In some embodiments, a castellated edge of the suction nozzle may have three slots, two slots, or a single slot. In other embodiments, a castellated edge of the suction nozzle may have more than four slots. In some embodiments, a castellated edge of the suction nozzle may have angled slots that move debris towards the suction inlet for capture.

While the present teachings have been described in conjunction with various embodiments and examples, it is not intended that the present teachings be limited to such embodiments or examples. On the contrary, the present teachings encompass various alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art. Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings are by way of example only.

Various aspects of the present invention may be used alone, in combination, or in a variety of arrangements not specifically discussed in the embodiments described in the foregoing and is therefore not limited in its application to the details and arrangement of components set forth in the foregoing description or illustrated in the drawings. For example, aspects described in one embodiment may be combined in any manner with aspects described in other embodiments.

Also, embodiments of the invention may be embodied as a method, of which an example has been provided. The acts performed as part of the method may be ordered in any suitable way. Accordingly, embodiments may be constructed in which acts are performed in an order different than illustrated, which may include performing some acts simultaneously, even though shown as sequential acts in illustrative embodiments.

Use of ordinal terms such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., in the claims to modify a claim element does not by itself connote any priority, precedence, or order of one claim element over another or the temporal order in which acts of a method are performed, but are used merely as labels to distinguish one claim element having a certain name from another element having a same name (but for use of the ordinal term) to distinguish the claim elements.

Also, the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having,” “containing,” “involving,” and variations thereof herein, is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.

Claims

1. A method of using a cleaning device to clean a surface, the cleaning device comprising a cleaning sheet support, the cleaning sheet support including a suction inlet and a compressible sheet, the method comprising: (a) moving the cleaning sheet support across the surface in a first direction with the suction inlet positioned ahead of the compressible sheet relative to the first direction, wherein as the cleaning sheet support moves in the first direction, at least a portion of the compressible sheet is compressed such that a leading edge of the suction inlet is positioned at a first height above the surface;(b) moving the cleaning sheet support across the surface in a second direction such that the suction inlet is positioned behind the compressible sheet relative to the second direction, wherein as the cleaning sheet support moves in the second direction, the leading edge of the suction inlet is positioned at a second height above the surface, the second height being greater than the first height.

2. A method as in claim 1, wherein during a transition from the first direction to the second direction, the leading edge of the suction inlet is positioned at a third height above the surface, the third height being greater than the second height.

3. A method as in claim 1, wherein the cleaning device is configured to be supported on the surface by only the compressible sheet.

4. A method as in claim 1, wherein the compressible sheet is permanently attached to the cleaning sheet support.

5. A method as in claim 1, wherein a leading edge of the suction inlet comprises castellations.

6. A method as in claim 1, wherein the compressible cleaning sheet is a nonwoven sheet.

7. A method as in claim 1, wherein the difference between the first height and the second height is at least 0.5 mm.

8. A method as in claim 7, wherein the difference between the first height and the second height is at most 4.0 mm.

9. A method as in claim 1, wherein the difference between the first height and the second height is at least 0.8 mm.

10. A method as in claim 9, wherein the difference between the first height and the second height is at most 4.0 mm.

11. A method as in claim 1, wherein the cleaning sheet has an uncompressed thickness of at least 2.0 mm at a forward edge of the cleaning sheet.

12. An apparatus comprising: a cleaning sheet support configured to be attachable to a cleaning appliance body; a compressible cleaning sheet attached to the sheet support; anda suction inlet, the suction inlet being attached to the cleaning sheet support and positioned forwardly of the compressible cleaning sheet, the suction inlet having a leading edge which is configured to be positioned above a target cleaning surface by a first distance when the cleaning apparatus is placed at rest on the target cleaning surface;wherein the cleaning sheet support, the suction inlet leading edge, and the compressible cleaning sheet are arranged such that compression of the cleaning sheet is capable of reducing the distance between the leading edge of the suction inlet and the target cleaning surface by at least 0.8 mm as compared to the first distance.

13. An apparatus as in claim 12, wherein the cleaning sheet support, the suction inlet leading edge, and the compressible cleaning sheet are arranged such that compression of the cleaning sheet is capable of reducing the distance between the leading edge of the suction inlet and the target cleaning surface by at most 2.0 mm as compared to the first distance

14. An apparatus as in claim 12, wherein the leading edge of the suction inlet comprises castellations.

15. An apparatus as in claim 12, wherein the compressible cleaning sheet is permanently attached to the sheet support.

16. An apparatus as in claim 12, wherein at least a portion of the compressible cleaning sheet is at least 3.0 mm thick.

17. An apparatus as in claim 12, wherein the compressible cleaning sheet has an average thickness of at least 3.0 mm.

18. An apparatus as in claim 12, wherein the cleaning apparatus is configured to be supported on the target cleaning surface by only the compressible cleaning sheet.

19. An apparatus as in claim 12, wherein the compressible cleaning sheet comprises a nonwoven sheet.

20. An apparatus as in claim 12, wherein the cleaning sheet support, the suction inlet leading edge, and the compressible cleaning sheet are arranged such that compression of the cleaning sheet is capable of reducing the distance between the leading edge of the suction inlet and the target cleaning surface by at least 1.0 mm as compared to the first distance.

21. An apparatus as in claim 12, wherein the cleaning sheet has an uncompressed thickness of at least 2.0 mm at a forward edge of the cleaning sheet.