Patent Application
20240389824
The present invention generally relates to the field of mopping devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to a novel sprayer sponge mop device. The device features a handle, a mop head that is pivotally connected to the bottom end of the handle, a cleaning solution spray reservoir is disposed on the handle and includes a nozzle which is adapted to spray a cleaning solution directly onto a floor in front of the mop head, and a lever is attached to the handle and is operatively connected to the mop head, wherein actuation of the lever squeezes out excess water (i.e., fluid) from the sponge mop. The cleaning solution is sprayed using a trigger disposed on the handle. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.
By way of background, mops are commonly used for floor cleaning and help in facilitating the removal of dirt and liquid spills from various surfaces. Traditional mops include a handle and a mop head. The mop head often after a session of cleaning, requires replacement or thorough rinsing. Changing mop heads repeatedly is laborious and time consuming and also often results in the inadvertent spread of dirt and potentially harmful microorganisms.
Standard mops require an operator to carry a separate container of cleaning solution, which can be cumbersome and impractical, particularly in larger spaces or during extensive cleaning sessions. Additionally, manually dispensing cleaning solution from a separate bottle or container while simultaneously maneuvering a mop may lead to uneven application. This can lead to an inconsistent cleanliness where some areas may receive too much solution and others not enough, consequently diminishing the overall efficacy of the cleaning process. Individuals desire an improved sponge mop device that enables users to do multiple cleanings with a single sponge mop and provides an efficient way to spray cleaning solution.
Therefore, there exists a long felt need in the art for an improved sponge mop device. There is also a long felt need in the art for a multifunctional mop device that has an integrated sprayer eliminating the need for a separate cleaning solution container. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for a mop device that enables cleaning and squeezing out of the sponge mop without direct hand contact. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for improved mop device that is maneuverable, enabling users to reach under furniture and around corners with less effort. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a spray and sponge mop that enables the right amount of cleaning solution to be applied to the floor. Furthermore, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved mop device that saves time and the costs associated with purchasing additional mop pads. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a novel mop device that offers a more efficient way to mop household flooring as well as commercial or industrial flooring.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a sprayer sponge mop device. The device features a telescoping handle having a top end and an opposite (i.e., opposing) bottom end, an ergonomic grip is disposed at the top end of the handle, a mop head is pivotally connected to the bottom end of the handle via a hinge and is configured to accommodate a removable sponge mop, a cleaning solution spray reservoir is disposed on the handle and includes a nozzle which is adapted to spray a cleaning solution directly onto a floor in front of the mop head, and a lever is attached to the handle and is operatively connected to the mop head, wherein actuation of the lever squeezes out excess water (i.e., fluid) from the sponge mop. The cleaning solution is sprayed using a trigger which is disposed on the handle such that a predetermined quantity of the spraying solution is sprayed from the nozzle.
In this manner, the sprayer sponge mop device of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives and provides users with a novel multifunctional spray sponge mop device that dispenses cleaning solution directly in front of the mop head from an integrated sprayer for streamlining the cleaning process. The mop head enables cleaning and squeezing out of the sponge mop without direct hand contact using the lever thus, reducing the potential for germ transfer to the user. The nozzle provides the right amount of cleaning solution, leading to more effective cleaning outcomes.
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a sprayer sponge mop device. The device further comprises a telescoping handle having a top end and an opposite (i.e., opposing) bottom end, an ergonomic grip is disposed at the top end of the handle, a mop head is pivotally connected to the bottom end of the handle via a hinge and is configured to accommodate a removable sponge mop, a cleaning solution spray reservoir is disposed on the handle and includes a nozzle which is adapted to spray a cleaning solution directly onto a floor in front of the mop head, and a lever is attached to the handle and is operatively connected to the mop head, wherein actuation of the lever squeezes out excess water (i.e., fluid) from the sponge mop.
In yet another embodiment, a cleaning device is disclosed. The device includes an extendable handle with a grip configured for manual operation, a hinge-connected mop head at a distal end of the handle designed to receive a replaceable cleaning sponge mop, a reservoir is mounted on the handle and contains a liquid cleaning agent, a spray nozzle is oriented to discharge the agent at a position forward of the mop head, and a lever is adapted to remove excess fluid from the sponge mop upon actuation thereof.
In another embodiment, a planar plate is disposed within the mop head and is operatively connected to the lever via a rod member, wherein the planar plate is adapted to move towards the sponge mop to squeeze out excess water (i.e., fluid) when the lever is actuated, and to retract to a position adjacent to an inner surface of the mop head when the lever is released.
In another aspect, a method for cleaning a floor surface with a sprayer sponge mop device is disclosed. The method includes providing the sprayer sponge mop device, the device includes a telescoping handle, a mop head configured to accommodate a removable sponge mop, a cleaning solution spray reservoir, a trigger and a lever, storing a cleaning solution within a reservoir of the device, mopping the floor surface with the sponge mop attached to a mop head of the device, actuating the trigger to spray a predetermined quantity of the cleaning solution in front of the mop head, and pressing the lever on the device to squeeze and remove excess water (i.e., fluid) and dirt from the sponge mop.
In yet another aspect, the mop head is rectangular or square in shape, and the width of the mop head including the mop ranges from about 1 inch to about 20 inches.
In yet another embodiment, the spray reservoir is positioned about 6 inches to 20 inches above the bottom end of the handle and can accommodate up to 35 oz. of liquid.
In another aspect, the trigger is operatively connected to the spray reservoir via a clutch wire, and wherein pulling the trigger actuates an actuator within the reservoir to dispense the cleaning solution through the nozzle.
In still another embodiment, the nozzle creates a spray which is oriented from about a 45 degree angle to about an 120 degree angle relative to the handle and lands in front of the leading edge of the mop head.
Numerous benefits and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon reading and understanding of the following detailed specification.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:
The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved sponge mop device. There is also a long felt need in the art for a multifunctional mop device that has an integrated sprayer eliminating the need for a separate cleaning solution container. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for a mop device that enables cleaning and squeezing out of the sponge mop without direct hand contact. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for improved mop device that is maneuverable, enabling users to reach under furniture and around corners with less effort. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a spray and sponge mop that enables the right amount of cleaning solution to be applied to the floor. Furthermore, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved mop device that saves time and the costs associated with purchasing additional mop pads. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a novel mop device that offers a more efficient way to mop household flooring as well as commercial or industrial flooring.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a method for cleaning a floor surface with a sprayer sponge mop device. The method includes providing the sprayer sponge mop device, the device includes a telescoping handle, a mop head configured to accommodate a removable sponge mop, a cleaning solution spray reservoir, a trigger and a lever, storing a cleaning solution within a reservoir of the device, mopping the floor surface with the sponge mop attached to a mop head of the device, actuating the trigger to spray a predetermined quantity of the cleaning solution in front of the mop head, and pressing the lever on the device to squeeze and remove excess water (i.e., fluid) and dirt from the sponge mop.
Referring initially to the drawings,
A sponge mop housing or mop head 110 is pivotally connected to the bottom end 106 of the handle 102 via a hinge 112 which enables pivotal movement of the sponge mop housing 110 relative to the handle 102. The mop head 110 is adapted to accommodate a removable sponge mop 114 which is used for wiping and absorbing spills on floor surfaces. The sponge mop housing 110 is preferably rectangular or square but can be of any geometric shape. Preferably, the width of the housing 110 including the mop 114 ranges from about 1″ to about 6″ to meet requirements of different users.
A cleaning solution spray reservoir 116 is disposed on the handle 102 and is preferably positioned about 9″ to 12″ above the bottom end 106 of the handle 102. The reservoir 116 stores a cleaning solution 118 and includes a nozzle 120 at the bottom end 122 of the reservoir 116. The nozzle 120 is adapted to spray the cleaning solution directly onto the floor in front of the mop head 110. The nozzle 120 is designed to spray the cleaning solution one inch in front of the leading edge 124 of the mop head 110, thereby eliminating manual spray of cleaning solution.
The cleaning solution is sprayed when a trigger 126 disposed near the top end 104 of the handle 102 is triggered by a user. The trigger 126 is operatively connected to the spray reservoir 116 using a clutch wire 128 which passes through the handle 102. The trigger 126 enables a user to control the amount of the cleaning solution to be sprayed, thereby making it easy for the user to manage the cleaning process without bending over or stopping.
A lever 130 is attached to the handle 102 above the cleaning solution spray reservoir 116. The lever 130 when pulled, squeezes out excess water (i.e., fluid) from the sponge 114. The lever 130 also eliminates the requirement of a user to touch sponge mop 114 to wring out the absorbed water (i.e., fluid) and dirt.
The handle 102 in the fully extended position can have a length of about 55″ and in retracted position can have a length of about 30″. The handle 102 can be made of a lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and durable material such as plastic, steel and any other similar material. Further, cleaning solution spray reservoir 116 can accommodate up to 35 oz. liquid and is preferably transparent, translucent, or opaque for easy accessibility (i.e., visibility) of remaining solution. The solution spray reservoir 116 can be removable and refillable.
The mop head 110 can be integrated or can also be removably attached (i.e., selectively removable) to the handle 102. Further, planar plate 302 and the sponge mop 114 can also be easily removed and replaced as per preferences of a user. When the lever 130 is pulled, the mop head 110 becomes transversal to the handle 102 for providing effective squeezing of the water (i.e., fluid) from the sponge mop 114.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “sprayer sponge mop device”, “cleaning device”, “sprayer sponge cleaning device”, and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the multifunctional sprayer sponge mop device 100 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the forgoing, the multifunctional sprayer sponge mop device 100 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the multifunctional sprayer sponge mop device 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the multifunctional sprayer sponge mop device 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the multifunctional sprayer sponge mop device 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the multifunctional sprayer sponge mop device 100 may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/503,594, which was filed on May 22, 2023, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63503594 | May 2023 | US |
