Mophead with abrasive pad

Abstract

A mophead is attached to a holder and an abrasive sheet or pad also attached to the holder. The abrasive sheet or pad extends to one side of the holder and is on the exterior of the mophead. A protective sheet is between the mophead and the abrasive sheet or pad to at least reduce any damage to the mophead by the abrasive sheet or pad.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to mopheads and particularly to those mopheads that include abrasive pads for scrubbing hard to clean spots.

[0002] It is desirable to provide mopheads which are used in non-domestic situations, such as in factories, offices and catering establishments, with some form of abrasive pad which can be used to loosen stubborn dirt, food or the like from the floor prior to mopping.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] According to the present invention there is provided a mop assembly comprising a holder with a mop attached to the holder, an abrasive sheet or pad also attached to the holder, the abrasive sheet or pad extending to one side of the holder and being on the exterior of the mophead and a protective sheet between the mophead and the abrasive sheet or pad to at least reduce damage to the mop by the abrasive sheet or pad.

[0004] The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] FIG. 1 is a rear view of one embodiment of a mop assembly according to the invention, and

[0006] FIG. 2 is a side view of the mop assembly shown in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] Referring now to the drawings, a mop assembly shown therein comprises a holder 10, retaining a mophead 11, an abrasive sheet or pad 12 and a protective sheet 13.

[0008] The holder 10 is conventional and made of plastics material. It comprises a fixture 14 in which the mophead 11, abrasive pad or sheet 12 and protective sheet 13 are clamped, and a spigot 15 for attachment to a handle (not shown). The holder typically has a width in the order of 3.6 cm.

[0009] The mophead 11 may be what is commonly referred to in the art as a stay flat mop or may be a round mop. The strands of the mop may be looped or cut at the ends.

[0010] The mophead may be made of conventional fabrics such as cotton or synthetic fibres which are twisted and formed into strands or may be, for example, formed of elongate ribbons of absorbent outer fabric material at least folded double along their respective longitudinal axes and filled with absorbent inner waste material such as is described in EP 1163874 A.

[0011] The abrasive pad or sheet is flexible and is typically formed of thermoplastic fibres coated with grit. The protective sheet 13 is also flexible and is made of smooth, non-abrasive material. For example, it could be an open weave fabric, a closed weave fabric or a plastics sheet.

[0012] The abrasive pad or sheet 12 extends at least over substantially the entire width of the mophead 11 and as shown over the entire width of the mophead 11. The protective sheet 13 extends over the entire width and length of the abrasive pad or sheet 12 and protects the mophead 11 from abrasive rubbing by the abrasive pad or sheet 12 as this would otherwise cause strands of material to Ashed@ when the mophead is pressed onto a floor surface. Constant wear from the abrasive pad or sheet 12, in the absence of the protective sheet 13, would dramatically cut the life of the mophead 11.

[0013] The protective sheet 13 may be separate from the abrasive pad or sheet 12, although preferably the two are secured together, such as by bonding or stitching, or are laminated.

[0014] The embodiment described above is given by way of example only and various modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A mop assembly comprising a holder, a mophead attached to the holder, an abrasive sheet or pad also attached to the holder, the abrasive sheet or pad extending to one side of the holder and being on an exterior of the mophead, and a protective sheet between the mophead and the abrasive sheet or pad to at least reduce damage to the mophead by the abrasive sheet or pad.

2. A mop assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the protective sheet is secured to the abrasive sheet or pad.

3. A mop assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the protective sheet is bonded to the abrasive sheet or pad.

4. A mop assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the protective sheet is stitched to the abrasive sheet or pad.

5. A mop assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the protective sheet and abrasive pad or sheet are laminated.

6. A mop assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the protective sheet is of smooth, non-abrasive material.

7. A mop assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the protective sheet and abrasive sheet or pad are of flexible material.

8. A mop assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the protective sheet and abrasive pad or sheet extend over the entire, or substantially the entire, width of the mop.