Patent Application
20110209300
Priority is claimed to German Patent Application No. DE 10 2009 041 640.4, filed Sep. 17, 2009.
The present invention relates to a mop having a handle and a mopping device mounted at the bottom end of the handle that includes a mop-head plate and a cleaning pad, as well as a sliding sleeve, which is slidingly mounted on the handle in the longitudinal direction thereof and which has a squeezing device that is movable from a mopping position to a squeezing position in response to a sliding of the sliding sleeve, the mop-head plate having two swivel-mounted mop-head plate wings that are foldable toward one another and pressable against each other in response to a sliding of the squeezing device into the squeezing position.
A mop of the type mentioned at the outset is known, for example, from the European Patent Application EP 1 208 788 A1. The known mop has a handle and a sliding sleeve that is slidingly mounted on the handle in the longitudinal direction thereof. At least two pressure arms project from the sliding sleeve toward a mopping device mounted at the bottom handle end, the mopping device having a mop-head plate having two mop-head plate wings that are pivotable between a mopping position and a wringing position and that have a cleaning pad. When the sliding sleeve is slid toward the mopping device, the mop-head plate wings swing against each other in response to the action of the pressure arms. The pressure arms slide over the mop-head plate wings, pressing them against each other to wring out the cleaning pad located therebetween. For alignment of the mop-head plate wings when they are drawn in between the pressure arms, the printed publication provides for grooves to serve as guide devices at the inner surfaces of the pressure arms into which associated protuberances on the mop-head plate wings engage.
On the one hand, it is a disadvantage of the known mop that the pressure arms must be mechanically very stable to withstand the counterforce exerted by the mop-head plates when they are pressed against each other. This entails a greater material expenditure. On the other hand, the above described guide devices also entail additional outlay for manufacturing.
An aspect of the present invention provides an improved design for a mop of the known type that will make it simpler and more cost-effective to manufacture and that will offer advantages in terms of ease of handling.
The mop according to the present invention has a handle and a mopping device, which is mounted at the bottom end of the handle and has a mop-head plate and a cleaning pad, as well as a sliding sleeve, which is slidingly mounted on the handle in the longitudinal direction thereof and has a squeezing device. The squeezing device is movable from a mopping position to a squeezing position in response to a sliding of the sliding sleeve. The mop-head plate has two swivel-mounted mop-head plate wings that are foldable toward one another and pressable against each other in response to a sliding of the squeezing device into the squeezing position. In the case of the mop described above, the present invention provides that the squeezing device be designed as a squeeze housing which has side faces and an opening facing the mopping device through which the folded-together mop-head plate wings are at least partially introducible into the squeeze housing.
In accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cross-sectional area of the squeeze housing corresponds to the cross-sectional area of the folded-together mop-head plate wings, respectively, is somewhat smaller than the same in order to provide greater squeezing pressure. As a result of this measure, the opening of the squeeze housing forms a squeezing gap having mutually opposing pressing surfaces, through whose action, pressure is exertable onto the folded-together mop-head plate wings upon introduction of the same into the squeeze housing. It is well within the grasp of one skilled in the art to select suitable dimensions as a function of the cleaning pad used.
In the preferred embodiment described above for a mop, the squeeze housing has the shape of a flattened body having two wide side faces (oriented in parallel to the surfaces of the folded-together mop-head plate wings) and two narrow side faces (oriented perpendicularly to the surfaces of the folded-together mop-head plate wings).
The mop according to the present invention is simple and inexpensive to manufacture. Since, in its squeezing position, the squeeze housing surrounds the mop on all sides, the mop-head plate is automatically aligned when it is pulled into the squeeze housing, independently of the angular position of the mop-head plate when it strikes against the opening. This eliminates the need for using guide elements, as are provided under the related art described above.
In addition, the squeeze housing may have an aesthetically very pleasing design, for example, by providing cutouts at appropriate locations to open up the general appearance. A further benefit of such cutouts is that they not only provide a material savings and thus also lead to a weight reduction, but they also facilitate access to surfaces that are otherwise difficult to clean.
In contrast to the pressure arms known from the related art, which essentially only exert pressure on the mop-head plate wings by punctual contact, in the case of the pressing surfaces bounding the squeezing gap, the pressure is distributed over a greater surface area, namely over an essentially strip-shaped area that covers the entire mop-head plate wing surface in the transversal direction. This reduces the expenditure of force required for folding the mop-head plate wings toward one another and pressing them against each other.
The pressing gap is fixed in its width in a simple manner by the lateral bounding surfaces configured perpendicularly to the pressing surfaces, without requiring any special outlay for material to increase mechanical stability.
In accordance with one preferred embodiment, pressure rollers are provided at the pressing surfaces of the squeezing gap. This reduces the friction produced when the mopping device is introduced into the squeezing gap.
In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pressure rollers are supported in elongated holes, the distance between two elongated holes, which are configured opposite one another, tapering upwardly. Due to the frictional forces, a mopping device introduced into the squeezing gap entrains the pressure rollers upwardly, whereby, due to the conical orientation of the elongated holes, the distance between the pressure rollers, which are mounted opposite one another, and, thus, the width of the squeezing gap, is increasingly reduced. Here, the advantage is derived that, upon introduction of the mopping device, the squeezing pressure is increased successively toward the bottom end of the plate wings, thereby achieving an improved wringing result.
In addition, means may be provided which effect a 90° rotation of the squeeze housing in response to each back and forth sliding between the squeezing position and the mopping position. In the squeezing position, the squeeze housing is oriented by its greatest linear elongation, namely the wider side faces, whose width corresponds at least to the width of a plate wing, in the mopping direction. This may have a detrimental effect when mopping underneath cabinets or the like, when the handle of the mop is to be guided at a very flat angle relative to the surface of the floor to be cleaned. Perpendicularly thereto, the linear elongation may be kept substantially smaller since the distance between the pressure rollers must not be greater than the thickness of the two folded-together mop-head plate wings. This distance corresponds to the width of the narrower side faces. A 90° rotation of the squeeze housing in response to the sliding from the squeezing position to the mopping position brings the squeeze housing to the mopping position with its greatest linear elongation disposed perpendicularly to the mopping direction, while only the narrower side face still extends in the mopping direction. One skilled in the art knows generally how to effect such a rotation, for example, through the use of a threaded groove in the handle and a corresponding guide element that engages therein on the inner wall of the sliding sleeve.
To further reduce the expenditure of force when squeezing out the mopping device, the mop-head plate top sides may be provided with a material having reduced sliding friction, for example, a PTFE or POM coating.
In addition, ramp regions may be provided on the backs of the mop-head plate wings to produce a pressure profile analogously to the above described configuration of the elongated holes in which the pressure rollers are supported. Such ramp regions also effect a pressure increase on the mop-head plate wings when the mopping device is introduced into the squeezing gap.
An especially simple manipulation is ensured for the cleaning process using a mop in accordance with the present invention when the mopping device is mounted in an articulated manner on the handle end. In this case, a cardan joint is preferably used. The lateral swiveling movements that are advantageous for the mopping process are thereby made readily possible. In one especially preferred specific embodiment, a center piece is provided between the mopping device and the handle as the articulated connection on which the mop-head plate wings are also mounted so as to be pivotable toward each other.
In addition, squeeze housing may be configured at its bottom end to serve as a base surface for the mop.
With regard to the cleaning pads used, there are no limitations whatsoever. Any cleaning pads may be used that are suited and/or typically used for mops having mop-head plates having hinged mop-head plate wings. All options for fastening such cleaning pads to the mop-head plate are sufficiently known in the art and will not be described in greater detail here.
On the bottom side of the mop-head plate, a layer of a soft material, such as foam, in particular closed-cell foam, soft rubber or the like, may be provided as an underlayer for the cleaning pad, this layer advantageously being permanently fastened to the mop-head plate. In this specific embodiment, the cleaning pad may be designed to be substantially simpler and thus manufactured less expensively. When the cleaning pad is replaced, this layer, which is typically not fast-wearing, is retained and is not also discarded, as is the case for cleaning pad laminates known from the related art, in which such a layer is normally integrated. A cost advantage is also hereby derived. This approach is equally advantageous from an environmental standpoint.
The mop according to the present invention, along with its various parts, is preferably made of materials, such as plastic materials, for example, that are insensitive to the respective liquids used for cleaning a floor. Certain parts of the mop, which must be mechanically very stable, may, however, also be fabricated of metal.
Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are explained in the following with reference to the figures of the drawing.
In the drawing:
a-d show, in a perspective representation based on the example of a mop in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the alignment of the mop-head plate upon introduction thereof into the squeeze housing;
a-d show, in a perspective representation based on the example of the mop from
In the figures, like components are denoted by the same reference numerals. Moreover, with regard to the reference numerals used in the respective figures, reference is also made to the explanations used for the remaining figures; in some instances, the reference numerals only being mentioned in connection with only one figure.
Discernible in
Mop-head plate 4 has two swivel-mounted mop-head plate wings 4.2, 4.2 that are at least partially introducible from below into squeeze housing 6 through opening 7 in response to the sliding of squeeze housing 6 into the squeezing position. Upon entry into opening 7, mop-head plate wings 4.2, 4.2, as is explained in even greater detail in the following, in particular with reference to
In correspondence with the cross-sectional area of folded-together mop-head plate wings, the squeeze housing has two mutually opposing narrow side faces 6.1, 6.1 and, respectively, wide side faces 6.2, 6.2, each. In the illustrated specific embodiment, the wider side faces 6.2, 6.2 are designed as closed, wide web sections. Projecting obliquely outwardly from each bottom end thereof is a fork-shaped holder 6.3 for supporting a squeeze roller 8 in each case.
Narrower side faces 6.1, 6.1 have an open design, so that all parts of mop 1 are easily accessible for cleaning, for example. In addition, not only is a material savings achieved due to the partially open structure, but the visual impression is also enhanced.
The use of squeeze rollers 8 is not absolutely necessary; the bottom edges of side walls 6.2 could themselves likewise serve as pressing surfaces for the mop-head plate wings. However, the force that must be expended to move sliding sleeve 6 is substantially reduced by the reduced friction resulting from the use of squeeze rollers 8.
In addition, the expenditure of force is also reduced in that pressure rollers 8 exert pressure on mop-head plate wings 4.2, 4.2 over the entire width thereof in a linear contact area, and not only in a virtually punctual contact area, as in the case of the known pressure arms.
In the illustrated, preferred specific embodiment, mopping device has a center piece 4.3, on which mop-head wing plates 4.2, 4.2 are pivotably mounted. The bottom end of handle 2 is connected via a cardan joint 9 to this center piece 4.3.
The mutually opposing fork-shaped holders 6.3 for squeeze rollers 8 are joined to one another and fixedly, mutually spaced apart by transverse webs 6.4. In accordance with one preferred specific embodiment of the present invention, squeeze rollers 8 and transverse webs 6.4 bound a squeezing gap, through which mopping device 3 is at least partially passed to squeeze out washing pad 4.1 by the action of folded-together mop-head plate wings 4.2, 4.2. Since the mutual distance of pressure rollers 8 is fixed by transverse webs 6.4, no widening of the squeezing gap can occur nor, therefore, can there be any decrease in the pressure exerted by the squeeze rollers on mop-head plate wings 4.2, 4.2.
It is also discernible in the figures that outwardly rising ramp regions 4.4 are configured on mop-head plate wings 4.2, 4.2 to produce a pressure profile during the squeezing process. It is thus ensured that the contact pressure increases continuously toward the bottom end of folded-together mop-head plate wings 4.2, 4.2.
In accordance with one preferred specific embodiment of the present invention, a mop according to the present invention has an integrated cleaning agent reservoir, including a spray device and associated actuation means. A spray nozzle 10 is discernible in the figures in the area of open side faces 6.1.
In an enlarged detail view of mop 1 illustrated in
Mop 1 illustrated in
In the specific embodiment illustrated in
a)-d) show another preferred specific embodiment of a mop 1 according to the present invention. It is discernible that squeeze housing 6 has a shorter design than the squeeze housings in the specific embodiments described above. While in the case of mops 1 described above, the length of squeeze housing 6 is selected to also encompass spray nozzle 10 configured above mop-head plate 4 on handle 2, the specific embodiment illustrated in
Narrow side faces 6.1, 6.1 are designed as web sections, while wide side faces 6.2, 6.2 are open. Holders for supporting pressure rollers 8 are provided at the bottom ends of the web sections on both sides. Side faces 6.2, 6.2 are downwardly bounded by pressure rollers 8. Sequence of
In a schematic representation based on the mop of
A comparison test was performed in line with actual practice using a standard commercial mop having pressure arms which are anchored on one side (at the bottom end of the sliding sleeve) and a mop according to the present invention in accordance with the specific embodiment illustrated in
The following procedure was used, in particular: A water-saturated cleaning pad was affixed to the mop-head plates of the two mops and squeezed out by actuating the sliding sleeve by a typical application of force (corresponds to a squeezing pressure of approximately 80 N, as was ascertained in a series of tests). The cleaning pads were subsequently weighed and fastened to the mop-head plates again. In a next step, a test floor area of 5 m2 was mopped using mops provided with the cleaning pads, and the cleaning pads were weighed once more.
From the difference in the results, the weight of the amount of water expelled to the test floor area by the two cleaning pads during mopping was determined.
For a standard mop, an amount of water of approximately 7.6 g/m2 was obtained in this case. At only 3.3 g/m2, the amount of water expelled to the floor was substantially lower for the mop according to the present invention. Thus, the mop according to the present invention may also be readily used to clean sensitive floors, such as parquet, wood or marble floors.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2009 041 640.4 | Sep 2009 | DE | national |
