BACKGROUND
Mops having a liquid dispenser for spraying a floor with a cleaning solution are known in the art. Typically, the cleaning solution is pre-packaged in single use containers that are mounted to the mop and attached to the liquid dispenser. Upon activation of the liquid dispenser, the cleaning solution is drawn from the single use container and sprayed in front of the mop such that a user can wipe the floor with the cleaning end of the mop. Once the cleaning solution container is emptied, it is usually discarded and a new container is mounted to the mop.
BRIEF SUMMARY
The invention provides a spray mop comprising a handle, a spray housing, a cleaning end, and a bottle. The spray housing can be coupled to the handle and can include a nozzle. The cleaning end can be coupled to the handle and the spray housing. The bottle can be removeably coupled to the spray housing and can have a body for enclosing a fluid. The body can have a first end and a second end. The first end can have an opening, and the bottle can have a removeable cap for attachment to the first end of the body to enclose the opening. The bottle can have a shroud disposed at the second end. The shroud can have a support surface for supporting the bottle in an upright position when the bottle has been removed from the spray housing such that the bottle can be filled with a fluid at the first end.
The invention also provides a spray mop comprising a handle, a spray housing, a cleaning end, a bottle, and a pump mechanism. The spray housing can be coupled to the handle and can include a nozzle. The cleaning end can be coupled to the handle and the spray housing. The bottle can be coupled to the spray housing. The pump mechanism can pump fluid from the bottle to the nozzle. The pump mechanism can include a piston housing, a piston, and a reload spring. The piston can be disposed within the piston housing. The piston housing can have an interior surface surrounding the piston. The piston housing can have a first end with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The piston can have a surface opposing the first end and forming a chamber therebetween. The piston is moveable in a first direction within the piston housing to decrease the volume of the chamber, and the piston is moveable in a second direction within the piston housing to increase the volume of the chamber. The reload spring can be disposed outside of the chamber and can be compressed when the piston moves in the first direction. When compressed, the reload spring exerts a force pulling the piston in the second direction.
The invention further provides a spray mop having a handle, a spray housing, a cleaning end, and a bottle. The spray housing can be coupled to the handle. A nozzle can be coupled to the spray housing, and the nozzle can be removeable from the spray housing. The cleaning end can be coupled to the handle and the spray housing. The bottle can be removeably coupled to the spray housing. The bottle can have a body for enclosing a fluid.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a spray mop;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary front view of the spray mop of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side view of the spray mop of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary rear view of the spray mop of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a handle for the spray mop of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is an exploded view of components of a pumping mechanism for the spray mop of FIG. 1 with a portion of the handle removed;
FIG. 7 is a perspective partial section view of components of a pumping mechanism for the spray mop of FIG. 1;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a piston housing, two unidirectional valves, and a fluid connector for the spray mop of FIG. 1;
FIG. 9 is a section view through components of a pumping mechanism for the spray mop of FIG. 1;
FIG. 10 is an exploded view of a unidirectional valve for a pumping mechanism for the spray mop of FIG. 1;
FIG. 11 is a top plan view of a bottle base and open cylinder for the spray mop of FIG. 1;
FIG. 12 is an exploded view of a bottle and spray housing for the spray mop of FIG. 1;
FIG. 13 is a section view of the bottle for the spray mop of FIG. 1;
FIG. 14 is a rear view of the bottle of FIG. 13;
FIG. 15 is a bottom view of the bottle of FIG. 13;
FIG. 16 is a fragmentary section view of the bottle and bottle base for the spray mop of FIG. 1;
FIG. 17 is an enlarged perspective view of a cleaning end for the spray mop of FIG. 1; and
FIG. 18 is a bottom view of a cleaning end for the spray mop of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The invention is directed to a spray mop. The spray mop has a structure suitable for use as either a wet mop or a dry mop. When used as a wet mop, the spray mop is able to project a fluid, such as a cleaning solution, in front of the mop and onto a surface for cleaning. The spray mop can then be guided over the surface by the user to clean the surface.
Referring to FIGS. 1-4, the spray mop 100 can include a handle 102, a trigger 104, an external shaft 106, a grip 108, a spray housing 110, a bottle 112, a multidirectional joint 114, and a cleaning end 116. The handle 102 can be used to grip and guide the spray mop 100 in a desired direction. The trigger 104 can be used to actuate a pump mechanism to activate the spray. The grip 108 can be coupled to the external shaft 106 to provide a secondary handhold. The spray housing 110 retains the bottle 112 and connects the external shaft 106 to the cleaning end 116. The bottle 112 is filled with a fluid for cleaning a surface, such as a floor. The bottle 112 is reusable and is removeably mounted to the spray housing 110 so that it can be filled with a desired fluid. As described further below, the bottle 112 is connected to a pump mechanism to draw fluid out of the bottle 112. The multidirectional joint 114 provides freedom of movement in multiple directions between the spray housing 110 and the cleaning end 116 such that a user can easily direct the cleaning end 116 along a desired path. As discussed further below, the cleaning end 116 can have a plurality of attachment structures to connect a cleaning pad 118 to the cleaning end 116. The cleaning pad 118 can be any suitable type for any suitable surface to be cleaned.
The spray housing 110 includes a nozzle 120 on its front surface. The nozzle 120 is generally directed forward and downward so that fluid exiting the nozzle 120 is sprayed onto a surface in front of the cleaning end 116 of the spray mop 100.
The spray mop 100 can utilize a pump mechanism in the form of a mechanical pump to draw fluid from the bottle 112 to the nozzle 120 for spraying the fluid onto a surface. Referring generally to FIGS. 5-9, the components for operation of the mechanical pump can include the trigger 104, an internal shaft 122, a spring coupler 124, a reload spring 126, a sleeve 128, a piston 130, a piston housing 132, a fluid connector 134, a bottle base 194, two unidirectional valves (inlet 136 and outlet 138), a nozzle connector 140, and a nozzle 120.
As shown in FIG. 5, the trigger 104 can be attached to the handle 102. The trigger 104 can be pivotably mounted to the handle 102 with a proximal end 142 on one side of a pivot joint 144 and a distal end 146 on the other side of the pivot joint 144. The trigger 104 and handle 102 can be arranged such that a user's palm can rest on the top 148 of the handle 102 and one or more of the user's fingers can contact the trigger 104 near its proximal end 142. Using one or more fingers, the user can clench the trigger 104 to pivot the proximal end 142 in a direction 150 toward the top 148 of the handle 102, and accordingly, the distal end 146 then pivots in the opposite direction 152. The distal end 146 is in contact with the internal shaft 122, which is disposed within the external shaft 106. As the distal end 146 pivots during actuation of the trigger 104, it depresses the internal shaft 122 to move it downward in direction 152. It will be appreciated that the trigger 104 can be any suitable shape and size and can be attached to the spray mop 100 in any suitable manner.
Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the internal shaft 122 can be in contact with a spring coupler 124, which is surrounded by a reload spring 126. A sleeve 128 can at least partially surround the spring coupler 124 and the reload spring 126, and the sleeve 128 can be disposed on a piston housing 132. The spring coupler 124 can be attached to a piston 130, which can be disposed within the piston housing 132. The piston housing 132 can be disposed at least partially within an open cylinder 158.
As mentioned, when the trigger 104 is actuated, the internal shaft 122 is moved downward to push the spring coupler 124 downward and compress the reload spring 126. The reload spring 126 can compress, for example, by contacting an interior ledge 160 of the sleeve 128 as the spring coupler 124 moves downward. Thus, the reload spring 126 can be compressed between the upper end 162 of the spring coupler 124 and the ledge 160. As the spring coupler 124 moves downward, it also moves the piston 130 downward. Upon release of the trigger 104, the reload spring 126 exerts a force upward against the spring coupler 124 to move the spring coupler 124 and pull the piston 130 back to their initial positions, which likewise results in the internal shaft 122 and the trigger 104 moving back to their initial positions. The reload spring 126 may be disposed in a position with respect to the piston 130 such that the reload spring is not exposed to fluids that enter into the piston housing. This arrangement can reduce wear on the reload spring, which could be damaged through extended exposure to certain fluids that may be used with the spray mop 100.
Referring to FIGS. 7-9, the piston 130 is situated in the piston housing 132. The piston housing 132 can have an interior surface 131 surrounding the piston 130. The piston housing 132 can have a fluid inlet 164 and a fluid outlet 166 near its lower surface 168. A fluid chamber 170 is formed between the piston 130 and the lower surface 168 of the piston housing 132. When the piston 130 moves downward, it decreases the volume of the chamber 170 and pushes fluid out of the chamber 170 through the fluid outlet 166. When the piston 130 moves upward, the volume of the chamber 170 increases and a pressure differential is created so that fluid is drawn into the chamber 170 from the fluid inlet 164. As shown, the reload spring 126 can be disposed outside of the fluid chamber 170 to prevent contact between the reload spring 126 and the fluid.
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, both the fluid inlet 164 and the fluid outlet 166 can be connected to a suitably oriented unidirectional valve. For example, a unidirectional inlet valve 136 can be attached to the fluid inlet 164 such that fluid is able to flow into the chamber 170 of the piston housing 132 through the fluid inlet 164, but fluid is not able to flow out of the fluid inlet 164 through unidirectional inlet valve 136. Similarly, a unidirectional outlet valve 138 can be attached to the fluid outlet 166 such that fluid is able to flow out of the chamber 170 of the piston housing 132 though the fluid outlet 166, but fluid is not able to flow into the fluid outlet 166 through unidirectional outlet valve 138. Arrows 172, 174 show the direction of fluid leading into the fluid inlet 164 and arrows 176, 178 show the direction of fluid leading out of the fluid outlet 166.
Each of the unidirectional valves 136, 138 may be identical, and as shown in FIG. 10, may include a first ring seal 180, an inlet housing 182, a valve pin 184, a spring 186, an outlet housing 188, and a second ring seal 190. The spring 186 biases the valve pin 184 against the perimeter of the valve passage in the inlet housing 182 to seal and close the valve 136, 138.
As discussed above, the movement of the piston 130 draws fluid into and pushes fluid out of the chamber 170 of the piston housing 132. Thus, referring to FIGS. 7 and 9, when the trigger 104 is used to move the piston 130 downward, a force is asserted against the fluid in the chamber 170 that overcomes the spring biasing force in the unidirectional outlet valve 138 to permit fluid to flow out of the fluid outlet 166 and through the unidirectional outlet valve 138. When the piston 130 stops moving, the valve pin in the unidirectional outlet valve 138 returns to the closed position. The unidirectional inlet valve 136 remains closed as the fluid is pushed out of the chamber 170.
When the user releases the trigger 104, the piston 130 is moved upward by reload spring 126, and a pressure differential is created in the fluid sufficient to overcome the spring biasing force in the unidirectional inlet valve 136 to permit fluid to flow through the unidirectional inlet valve 136 and into the fluid inlet 164 to fill the chamber. When the piston 130 stops moving, the valve pin in the unidirectional inlet valve 136 returns to the closed position. The unidirectional outlet valve 138 remains closed as the fluid is drawn into the chamber 170. Through this process, a unidirectional flow path is created in the pumping apparatus that can repeatedly take fluid from the bottle 112 and exit the fluid through the nozzle 120.
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a nozzle connector 140 may be disposed within the spray housing 110 to carry the fluid from the unidirectional outlet valve 138 to the nozzle 120. The nozzle 120 and nozzle connector 140 can have any suitable shape and structure to emit a spray through a nozzle opening 121 with a desired distribution on a surface for cleaning. For example, the nozzle 120 and/or nozzle connector 140 can have an internal diameter that decreases as the fluid approaches the nozzle opening 121. The decrease in internal diameter can increase the velocity of the fluid exiting the nozzle opening 121. The nozzle 120 can be removable such that it can be cleaned by the user when, for example, the user switches fluids. For example, a user might utilize a different fluid or cleaning solution for one surface (e.g., hardwood floors) than another (e.g., tile), and switching between the fluids might require the cleaning and/or unclogging of the nozzle 120. The nozzle 120 may be removable in any suitable manner, such as by rotating/unscrewing the nozzle 120 from the spray housing 110.
To supply fluid to the unidirectional inlet valve 136, the unidirectional inlet valve 136 may be connected to the fluid connector 134. Referring to FIGS. 8, 9, and 11, the fluid connector 134 may be generally u-shaped with one end connected to the unidirectional inlet valve 136 and the other end connected to an exit channel 192 in a bottle base 194. The bottle base 194 can be generally cylindrical with an opening 196 for receiving the bottle 112. In addition, the bottle base 194 can have a projection 198, which is described in more detail below, a shelf 200, and as mentioned above, the exit channel 192 connected to the fluid connector 134. The shelf 200 provides a path for fluid exiting the bottle 112 to pass onto the shelf 200, which is below the base surface 202 of the bottle base 194 and any seals on the lower end of the bottle (e.g., to prevent leakage), and then to the exit channel 192. As shown, the bottle base 194 can be connected to the open cylinder 158. In addition, the bottle base 194 can be connected to the nozzle connector 140 to help stabilize and align the nozzle connector 140, and to help support the bottle base 194 in an elevated position above the nozzle connector 140.
Referring to FIGS. 12-15, the bottle 112 is used to store a liquid and may include a removable cap 204, a bottle body 206, a plunger cap 208, and a shroud 210. The bottle 112 is removable from the spray mop 100 and is user-fillable such that any preferred fluid can be utilized with the spray mop 100. Because the bottle 112 is removeable, it can also be easily cleaned to remove any prior fluid before filling the bottle 112 with a different fluid. Removing the removeable cap 204 provides access to the interior of the bottle 112 so that a user can pour a desired fluid therein. This flexibility in fluid selection permits a user to clean a variety of different surfaces requiring different cleaning solutions. The reusability of the bottle 112 reduces waste and is cost efficient for a user.
As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the removeable cap 204 can include an aperture 212 for permitting air intake to equalize pressure in the bottle 112 as fluid is pumped out of the bottle 112. To prevent liquid from inadvertently passing out of the aperture 212, but to permit air to enter the bottle body 206, the removeable cap 204 can include a valve 214, such as a duck-bill shaped valve, connected to the removeable cap 204 between the aperture 212 and the bottle body 206. The rear of the removeable cap 204 can have a channel 216 for receiving the external shaft 106 when the bottle 112 is mounted in the spray housing 110.
The interior of the bottle body 206 provides a reservoir for storing fluid. The bottle body 206 can have an opening 218 near its upper end, which is sealable with the removeable cap 204, and an opening 220 at is lower end, which is sealable with the plunger cap 208. The bottle body 206 may have any suitable size to be capable of storing any suitable amount of fluid. In addition, the bottle body 206 may have any suitable shape. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 13-15, the bottle body 206 may have a rear channel 222 to receive the external shaft 106. One or more projections 224 may be disposed near the channel 222 to help retain the bottle body 206 to the external shaft 106. The bottle body 206 may also include measuring indicia to help a user measure the amount of fluid added to the bottle 112 and to assist with diluting fluid concentrations.
As mentioned, the bottle 112 has a plunger cap 208 attached to its lower end. Referring to FIGS. 13, 15, and 16, the plunger cap 208 can include a spring actuated plunger mechanism. When the bottle 112 is removed from the spray mop 100, a spring 226 biases a plunger 228 to a closed position. In the closed position, the plunger 228 and a seal 230 are disposed against an opening in the plunger cap 208 to close the opening. This plunger mechanism prevents the bottle 112 from leaking when it has been removed from the spray mop 100.
When the bottle 112 is inserted into the spray housing 110, the plunger cap 208 can be received in the bottle base 194. When this occurs, the projection 198 moves the plunger 228 to an open position such that fluid can exit through the opening in the plunger cap 208 to enter the bottle base 194 and exit through the exit channel 192 of the bottle base 194 connected to the fluid connector 134. The arrows in FIG. 16 show the flow of fluid as it passes the plunger 228.
Because the bottle 112 is removeable such that it can be filled with a desired fluid and can be reused, the bottle 112 can include a structure so that the bottle 112 can stand upright on a surface, such as on a counter or in a sink. As an example, as shown in FIGS. 12-15, the lower end of the bottle 112 can include a shroud 210 that permits the bottle 112 to stand on its own when removed from the spray housing 110. The shroud 210 can be suitably shaped such that it can be received within the spray housing 110, and can have a planar support surface 232 to support the bottle when removed from the spray housing 110. The shroud 210 can have a height that exceeds the height of the plunger cap 208 such that the plunger cap 208 does not interfere with the standing position of the bottle 112. In addition, the shroud 210 can have a snap-fit connection to the bottle body 206 such that it is removable from the bottle body 206. The shroud 210 may be shaped with an opening to accommodate the open cylinder 158 when the bottle 112 is disposed in the spray housing 110. As shown, the shroud 210 may extend only partially around the bottom of the bottle 112. For support, the shroud 210 may include a support bar 234 in a position that does not interfere with the open cylinder 158.
Referring to FIGS. 1, 17, and 18, the cleaning end 116 can have any of a variety of attachment features for disposable or reusable cleaning pads (such as microfiber pads). For example, resilient attachments 236 with slits formed therein may be placed on the top surface of the cleaning end 116 to catch and retain portions of the cleaning pad that are folded over to the top of the cleaning end 116. Hook and loop fastener strips 238 can also be provided on the bottom surface of the cleaning end 116 to mate with corresponding hook and loop fasteners on the cleaning pad.
It will be appreciated that like shown features in the drawings may correspond to similar or identical features. Although certain features may be described with respect to a particular orientation, such as upper or lower, it will be appreciated that such descriptors are used for reference and the convenience of describing certain features as oriented in the figures. It will be appreciated that the features in the drawings may be oriented, and thus directionally referred to, in other suitable ways.
All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.
The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.
Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
Patent Application
20110158740
