U.S. patent application number 10/172339 was filed with the patent office on 2003-02-13 for cleaning implement and joint therefor.
This patent application is currently assigned to The Procter & Gamble Company. Invention is credited to Bradbury, Glenn Allen, Drake, Gary Ray, Kacher, Mark Leslie, Loney, Gary Lee, Maile, Michael Stephen, Spooner, Gregory, Streutker, Alen David, Tse, Leonard Lik-Hang, Vong, Hoss.
Application Number | 20030028988 10/172339 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26971969 |
Filed Date | 2003-02-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030028988 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Streutker, Alen David ; et
al. |
February 13, 2003 |
Cleaning implement and joint therefor
Abstract
A cleaning implement for removing debris from a surface
comprises a handle, a mop head, and a joint connecting the handle
and mop head; wherein the joint is adjustable and lockable. The
joint allows the angle between the mop head and the handle to be
adjusted appropriately and then locked into place. Another
embodiment of the present cleaning implement comprises a handle and
a mop head, wherein the mop heads comprises one or more gliders to
facilitate the ability of the cleaning implement to glide smoothly
across the surface being cleaned. Methods of removing debris
comprise the step of contacting the surface with a cleaning
implement of the present invention.
Inventors: |
Streutker, Alen David;
(Florence, KY) ; Drake, Gary Ray; (Hamilton,
OH) ; Loney, Gary Lee; (Hamilton, OH) ; Maile,
Michael Stephen; (Maineville, OH) ; Kacher, Mark
Leslie; (Mason, OH) ; Bradbury, Glenn Allen;
(Mason, OH) ; Tse, Leonard Lik-Hang; (West
Chester, OH) ; Spooner, Gregory; (Hong Kong, CN)
; Vong, Hoss; (Hong Kong, CN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DIVISION
WINTON HILL TECHNICAL CENTER - BOX 161
6110 CENTER HILL AVENUE
CINCINNATI
OH
45224
US
|
Assignee: |
The Procter & Gamble
Company
|
Family ID: |
26971969 |
Appl. No.: |
10/172339 |
Filed: |
June 14, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60300765 |
Jun 25, 2001 |
|
|
|
60370871 |
Apr 8, 2002 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/228 ;
15/231 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 13/24 20130101;
A47L 13/256 20130101; A47L 13/254 20130101; A47L 13/42 20130101;
B25G 3/38 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/228 ;
15/231 |
International
Class: |
A47L 013/256 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A cleaning implement for removing debris from a surface, said
cleaning implement comprising: (a) a handle; (b) a mop head having
a left and right side and a top and a bottom surface; and (c) at
least one gliding member attached to said mop head, wherein said
gliding member has a top and a bottom surface.
2. The cleaning implement of claim 1 wherein said at least one
gliding member is removably attached to said mop head.
3. The cleaning implement of claim 1 wherein said at least one
gliding members comprises a glider and wherein said lat least one
glider is attached to said mop head such that the height of said
glider is comprised between about -10 mm about 15 mm relative to
the bottom surface of said mop head
4. The cleaning implement of claim 2 wherein said mop head
comprises a first and a second glider, wherein said first and
second gliders are removably clipped to respectively said left and
right side of said mop head.
5. The cleaning implement of claim 1 wherein said mop head
comprises a first and a second gliding member comprising a glider,
wherein said first and second gliding members are rotationally
attached to said mop head about a rotational axis.
6. The cleaning implement of claim 5 wherein said first and second
gliding members can rotate from a first position to a second
position and wherein said gliders are substantially adjacent said
bottom surface of said mop head when said gliding members are in
said first position and wherein said gliders are substantially
adjacent said top surface of said mop head when said gliding
members are in said second position.
7. The cleaning implement of claim 5 wherein said first gliding
member is attached to said second gliding member such that rotation
of any of said first or second gliding member results in the
rotation of said second or first gliding member.
8. The cleaning implement of claim 7 wherein said first and second
gliding members are attached with a pole member, wherein said pole
member is located substantially adjacent said rotational axis.
9. The cleaning implement of claim 1 wherein said mop head
comprises a first and a second gliding member, wherein said first
and second gliding members are hingedly attached to said mop.
10. The cleaning implement of claim 1 wherein said mop head
comprises a first and a second gliding member, wherein said first
and second gliding members are slideably attached to said mop
head
11. The cleaning implement of claim 1 wherein said at least one
gliding member comprises a frame member removably attached to said
mop head and at least one glider attached to said frame member.
12. The cleaning implement of claim 11 wherein said gliding member
comprises a first and a second frame member and wherein said at
least one glider is attached to said first and said second frame
member.
13. The cleaning implement of claim 12 wherein said bottom surface
of said mop head comprises at least one groove member for receiving
at least one corresponding glider of said gliding member.
14. The cleaning implement of claim 1 further comprising a cleaning
sheet attached to said mop head.
15. The cleaning implement of claim 14 wherein said cleaning sheet
comprises a substrate having a plurality of protrusions affixed to
said substate.
16. The cleaning implement of claim 15 wherein said mop head
comprises a first and a second gliding member and wherein said
cleaning sheet is attached to said mop head such that at least a
portion of said cleaning sheet having protrusions is located
between said first and said second gliding members.
17. The cleaning implement of claim 16 wherein the penetration
depth of said protrusions into a soft surface is comprised between
about 0 and about 4 mm.
18. The cleaning implement of claim 17 wherein said penetration
depth is comprised between 0.1 and about 2 mm.
19. A cleaning implement for removing debris from a surface, said
cleaning implement comprising: (a) a handle; (b) a mop head having
a left and right side and a top and a bottom surface; and (d) at
least one glider attached to said bottom surface of said mop
head.
20. The cleaning implement of claim 19 further comprising a
cleaning sheet comprising a substrate having protrusions affixed to
said substrate.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.
119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/300,765, filed
Jun. 25, 2001 (Attorney Docket No. 8606P); and U.S. Provisional
Application Serial No. 60/370,871, filed Apr. 8, 2002 (Attorney
Docket No. 8606P2).
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to a cleaning implement
optionally comprising a disposable cleaning sheet removably
attached thereto for removing debris, such as human hair, pet hair,
dirt, dust, and the like, from soft surfaces, such as carpeting,
upholstery, and the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It is often difficult to remove unwanted debris from
surfaces, especially from soft surfaces. For example, it is
difficult to remove pet hair from carpeting. Conventional vacuum
cleaners often do not do a sufficient job in removing pet hair from
carpeting. Even though vacuum cleaners are capable of removing some
pet hair from carpeting, it can be inconvenient to repeatedly use a
vacuum cleaner because of its weight and power requirements. In
addition, pet hair can become entangled in the roller brush of the
vacuum cleaner requiring either cleaning or repair of the
vacuum.
[0004] A number of devices have been disclosed to address the
problem of removing debris from soft surfaces. For example, U.S.
Pat. No. 4,703,538 issued to Silverstrone discloses a cleaning tool
suited for picking up dirt, lint, and the like from rugs, floors,
upholstered furniture and other surfaces. The cleaning tool of
Silverstrone consists of an elongated handle having a pair of legs
extending outwardly to engage a cylindrically shaped cleaning
element having an external surface made of Velcro. Discs are fitted
between the ends of the cylinder and the legs of the handle to
fixedly mount the cylinder to the legs of the handle. The cleaning
tool can then be pushed over the surface to be cleaned to pick up
dirt, lint, and the like. However, this cleaning tool is
inconvenient in that the consumer must manually clean the cylinder
cleaning element after the cleaning element accumulates dirt, lint,
and the like. Since the cylinder is fixedly mounted to the legs of
the handle, the cleaning tool must be manually cleaned every time
debris accumulates in the Velcro. Furthermore, the cleaning tool of
Silverstrone does not provide the consumer any ability to adjust
the angle between the legs of the handle and the handle, to allow a
consumer to reach hard-to-reach places. In addition, the cleaning
tool of Silverstrone can be difficult to push and pull across some
surfaces, such as carpet, because the cylinder with an exterior
surface of Velcro will tend to catch on carpeted surfaces.
[0005] A tool for removing animal hair from carpeting is disclosed
in U.S. Pat. No. 4,042,995 issued to Varon. The tool of Varon
contains a field of smooth tapered polyethylene bristles extending
down from a head attached to a broom handle. The density of the
bristles at the trailing edge is greater than elsewhere and the
bristles are arranged in a saw-tooth leading edge pattern. As the
tool is pulled through carpeting, the bristles pick up animal hair.
The bristles are permanently attached to the head of the broom
handle. As with the cleaning tool of Silverstrone, the tool of
Varon suffers from the problem of having to manually clean out the
bristles of the tool every time the bristles accumulate debris.
Also, Varon does not provide any ability to adjust the angle
between the head of the broom handle and the broom handle.
[0006] It has thus been desired to create a cleaning implement that
can be conveniently used with removably attachable cleaning sheets
that can remove debris, such as pet hair, from surfaces, such as
soft surfaces, which can be conveniently disposed by the consumer
after use. As a result, the cleaning sheet does not have to be
manually cleaned out after each use, but instead is easily disposed
of after use. It is further desired to provide such a cleaning
implement that can be adjusted to reach hard-to-reach places and
that glides easily across difficult surfaces to clean, such as
carpet.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention relates to a cleaning implement for
removing debris from a surface, especially soft surfaces such as
carpet, preferably being used with a removably attachable cleaning
sheet. The cleaning implement of the present invention generally
comprises a handle and a mop head, wherein the handle and mop head
are connected via a joint. The joint herein is preferably a
lockable joint that can be unlocked such that the angle between the
mop head and the handle can be adjusted to the desired angle, and
then locked into the desired position.
[0008] The present invention further relates to a cleaning
implement comprising a mop head connected to a handle, wherein the
mop head comprises one or more gliders to facilitate the movement
of the cleaning implement across relatively high-friction surfaces,
such as carpet.
[0009] The present invention further relates to methods of using
the cleaning implements of the present invention.
[0010] All documents cited herein are, in relevant part,
incorporated herein by reference; the citation of any document is
not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with
respect to the present invention.
[0011] It should be understood that every maximum numerical
limitation given throughout this specification will include every
lower numerical limitation, as if such lower numerical limitations
were expressly written herein. Every minimum numerical limitation
given throughout this specification will include every higher
numerical limitation, as if such higher numerical limitations were
expressly written herein. Every numerical range given throughout
this specification will include every narrower numerical range that
falls within such broader numerical range, as if such narrower
numerical ranges were all expressly written herein.
[0012] All parts, ratios, and percentages herein, in the
Specification, Examples, and claims, are by weight and all
numerical limits are used with the normal degree of accuracy
afforded by the art, unless otherwise specified.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cleaning implement of the
present invention comprising a lockable ratchet-type joint between
a mop head and a handle of the cleaning implement.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the mop head of the cleaning
implement of FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a side view of the mop head of the cleaning
implement of FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a cleaning implement of the
present invention comprising a unidirectional, lockable joint
between a mop head and a handle of the cleaning implement.
[0017] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the mop head of the cleaning
implement of FIG. 4.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a cleaning implement of the
present invention comprising a lockable ball-and-socket joint
between a mop head and a handle of the cleaning implement.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a cleaning implement of the
present invention comprising a uni-directional, lockable
spring-loaded ball-bearing joint between a mop head and a handle of
the cleaning implement.
[0020] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the cleaning implement of
FIG. 4 with a removable cleaning sheet attached thereto;
[0021] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the cleaning implement of
the present invention comprising a female locking member attached
thereto;
[0022] FIG. 10 is a cross section view along the A-A axis of FIG.
12 of a female locking member;
[0023] FIG. 11 is a cross section view along the B-B axis of FIG.
12 of a female locking member;
[0024] FIG. 12 is a top view of the female locking member of FIG.
9;
[0025] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a male locking member of
the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a mop head and handle
assembly where the handle is flexibly attached to the mop head;
[0027] FIG. 15 is an exploded view of a floor mop comprising a
slideable locking member according to the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a floor mop of FIG. 15 in
an unlocked position;
[0029] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a floor mop of FIG. 15 in a
locked position;
[0030] FIG. 18 is a side view of a floor mop of FIG. 16;
[0031] FIG. 19 is a side view of a floor mop of FIG. 17 being
locked at a fixed angle;
[0032] FIG. 20 is a side view of a floor mop of FIG. 17 being
locked at a fixed angle;
[0033] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a floor mop comprising an
extension being in an unlocked position;
[0034] FIG. 22 is a side view of a floor mop of FIG. 22;
[0035] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a floor mop comprising a
slideable locking member in an unlocked position according to the
present invention;
[0036] FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the floor mop of FIG. 23
comprising a slideable locking member in a locked position;
[0037] FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a floor mop comprising a
slideable locking member in a locked position according to the
present invention;
[0038] FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a slideable collar member
according to the present invention;
[0039] FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a floor mop comprising a
slideable collar member according to the present invention;
[0040] FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the floor mop of FIG. 27
being in a locked position.
[0041] FIG. 29 is a side view of the floor mop of FIG. 27;
[0042] FIG. 30 is a side view of the floor mop of FIG. 28;
[0043] FIG. 31 is a side view of the floor mop of FIG. 28 being
locked at a different angle;
[0044] FIG. 32 is a perspective view of a slideable collar member
according to the present invention;
[0045] FIG. 33 is a perspective view of a floor mop comprising a
slideable collar member according to the present invention;
[0046] FIG. 34 is a perspective view of the floor mop of FIG. 33
being in a locked position;
[0047] FIG. 35 is a perspective view of a locking member according
to the present invention;
[0048] FIG. 36 is a side view of a floor mop comprising the locking
member of FIG. 35 and being in a locked position;
[0049] FIG. 37 is a perspective view of a locking member according
to the present invention;
[0050] FIG. 38 is a cross section side view of a floor mop
comprising the locking member of FIG. 37 and being in a locked
position;
[0051] FIG. 39 is a front view of a mop head comprising gliding
members in an upward position according to the present
invention;
[0052] FIG. 40 is a front view of a mop head comprising gliding
members in a downward position according to the present
invention;
[0053] FIG. 41 is a perspective view of a mop head of FIG. 40
comprising gliding members in an upward position according to the
present invention;
[0054] FIG. 42 is a front view of a mop head comprising gliding
members in a downward position according to the present
invention;
[0055] FIG. 43 is a side view of a mop head comprising the gliding
members of FIG. 42 in an upward position;
[0056] FIG. 44 is a front view of a mop head comprising gliding
members in a downward position according to the present
invention;
[0057] FIG. 45 is a front view of a mop head comprising the gliding
members of FIG. 44 in a downward position;
[0058] FIG. 46 is a perspective view of FIG. 45 comprising the
gliding members in a downward position;
[0059] FIG. 47 is a perspective view of a gliding member of FIG.
44;
[0060] FIG. 48 is a front cross-section view of a mop head
comprising retractable gliding members in a downward position
according to the present invention;
[0061] FIG. 49 is a front cross-section view of FIG. 48 comprising
the gliding members in an upward position;
[0062] FIG. 50 is a top view of the retractable gliding members
mechanism of FIG. 48 where the mop head housing is not shown for
clarity;
[0063] FIG. 51 is a left side view of the retractable gliding
members mechanism of FIG. 50;
[0064] FIG. 52 is a perspective view of a floor mop comprising a
frame member and a cleaning sheet having protrusions according to
the present invention;
[0065] FIG. 53 is a side view of the floor mop of FIG. 52 where the
handle is not being shown for clarity;
[0066] FIG. 54 is a side view of the floor mop according to the
present invention where the frame member is in an upward
position;
[0067] FIG. 55 is a perspective view of the mop head of FIG.
52;
[0068] FIG. 56 is a perspective view of the mop head of FIG.
54.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0069] The cleaning implements of the present invention generally
comprise a handle connected to a mop head via a joint. The cleaning
implement can be used to hold a removably attachable cleaning sheet
and the cleaning implement used to remove debris from surfaces.
[0070] I. Removable Cleaning Sheets
[0071] A variety of removable cleaning sheets can be attached to
the cleaning implement herein to remove debris from surfaces. The
removable cleaning sheets useful in with the present cleaning
implements comprise a wide variety of different types of
substrates. The substrates can be woven or nonwoven and can be made
of synthetic, natural, or hybrid fibers. The substrates can also be
a polymeric film. The substrates can be made from a variety of
processes including, but not limited to, hydroentanged, spunbonded,
meltblown, carded, and the like. Preferably the substrates are
nonwoven and made of synthetic fibers from a hydroentangling or
spunbonded process.
[0072] Suitable removable cleaning sheets for use with the cleaning
implements of the present invention include those described in
co-pending U.S. application Ser. Nos. 09/082,349 filed May 20,
1998; 09/082,396 filed May 20, 1998; and 09/729,626 filed Nov. 30,
2000. Other suitable cleaning sheets are described in U.S. Pat.
Nos. 5,525,397 and 6,143,393.
[0073] Preferred removable cleaning sheets for use with the
cleaning implements of the present invention include disposable
cleaning sheets comprising a substrate and a plurality of
protrusions affixed to the substrate. The protrusions can include,
for example, hook-shaped protrusions, slanted fibers, bristles, and
the like. Such cleaning sheets are particularly suitable for
removing debris, such as hair, from soft surfaces, such as
upholstery, fabric, carpet, and the like. These preferred cleaning
sheets are described in detail in co-pending U.S. application Ser.
No. 60/300,700 filed Jun. 25, 2001 by Kacher et al. (P&G Case
8604P), U.S. Application Serial No. 60/300,760 filed Jun. 25, 2001
by Kacher et al. (P&G Case 8605P), U.S. Application Serial No.
60/370,712 filed Apr. 8, 2002 by Kacher et al. (P&G Case
8604P2), and U.S. Application Serial No. 60/370,715 filed Apr. 8,
2002 by Kacher et al. (P&G Case 8605P2).
[0074] II. Cleaning Implements
[0075] The cleaning implements of the present invention are
preferably used to clean household surfaces, especially soft
surface such as upholstery, fabric, carpet, and the like. It is
often difficult, however, to remove debris from such soft surfaces
with a cleaning implement, because the cleaning implement tends to
"catch" or "snag" on the soft surface as it moves across the
surface. This particularly can be a problem if one is attaching to
the cleaning implement cleaning sheets comprising a substrate and a
plurality of protrusions affixed to the substrate, such as those
incorporated by reference hereinbefore. This can actually result in
a couple different problems. A first problem results if the mop
head of the cleaning implement is pivotably connected to the handle
of the cleaning implement via a pivotable joint, the mop head will
become unstable as the cleaning implement moves across the surface
and the mop head will twist undesirably, making it difficult to
remove any debris from the surface. A second problem is that it is
difficult for a consumer to move the cleaning implement across the
surface, because of the relatively high-friction generated between
the surface being cleaned and the cleaning implement.
[0076] To solve these problems, the cleaning implements of the
present invention can incorporate two distinct aspects, each of
which can be included in the cleaning implement by itself, or can
be incorporated in combination with the other aspect.
[0077] A. Lockable Joint
[0078] A first preferred aspect of the present cleaning implements
is an adjustable, lockable joint that connects the mop head to the
handle of the cleaning implement. The joint is adjustable in the
sense that the consumer can adjust the angle between the mop head
and the handle of the cleaning implement to make it more convenient
to reach hard-to-reach places or to bring the handle to a more
comfortable position for mopping, in accordance with the height of
the consumer. The joint is lockable in the sense that once the
consumer adjusts the implement to the desired angle between the mop
head and the handle, the consumer can then maintain the desired
angle between the mop head and the handle by locking the joint
connecting the mop head and handle.
[0079] A lockable joint can be important for a couple of reasons.
First, a lockable joint will prevent the mop head from twisting or
becoming unstable as the cleaning implement is moved across the
surface being cleaned. Second, a lockable joint can provide the
consumer with additional leverage when moving the cleaning
implement across the surface being cleaned. This is particularly
important when the cleaning implement is being used with disposable
cleaning sheets comprising a substrate and a plurality of
protrusions affixed to the substrate, as incorporated by reference
hereinbefore.
[0080] A variety of different joints can be incorporated in the
present cleaning implements for connecting the mop head to the
handle of the cleaning implement. Non-limiting examples of suitable
joints for the present cleaning implements are illustrated in FIGS.
1, 4, 6-38.
[0081] FIG. 1 illustrates a suitable joint 10 for a cleaning
implement 11 of the present invention. This joint 10 is both
adjustable and lockable. The joint 10 is comprised of a handle
portion 12 and a base portion 13. The handle portion 12 is
connected to a handle 18 of the cleaning implement 11. The base
portion 13 is connected to a mop head 14 of the cleaning implement
11. The handle portion 12 and the base portion 13 each comprise a
plurality of engaging teeth 15. Both the handle portion 12 and the
base portion 13 have holes therethrough to facilitate insertion of
a bolt 16 and a nut 17 to join the handle portion 12 and the base
portion 13 together to form the joint 10. The plurality of engaging
teeth 15 of the handle portion 12 and of the base portion 13 engage
one another such that the joint 10 does not move when the nut 17
and bolt 16 are tightened. When the nut 17 and bolt 16 are
tightened, the mop head 14 and the handle 18 of the cleaning
implement 11 are at a fixed angle relative to one another. The
joint 10 is therefore in a locked position. The nut 17 and bolt 16
can then be loosened, such that the engaging teeth 15 of the handle
portion 12 and the base portion 13 no longer engage one another,
which allows the joint 10 to rotate 180.degree. about the bolt 16.
The user can thus adjust the angle between the mop head 14 and the
handle 18. Once the desired angle is obtained, the user can
re-tighten the nut 17 and bolt 16, causing the engaging teeth 15 of
the handle portion 13 and the base portion 13 to engage each other,
thereby locking the joint 10 into the desired position.
[0082] FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate another suitable joint 40 for a
cleaning implement 41 of the present invention. The joint 40
comprises a base portion 42 (which can be molded as part of an
upper base 50 of a mop head 43), a stem 44, and a threaded plug 45.
The stem 44 comprises a threaded portion 46, a first articulating
surface 47, and a stem base 53. The base portion 42 comprises a
slot 48 through which the threaded portion 46 of the stem 44 can
extend. The threaded portion 46 of the stem 44 engages the threaded
plug 45. The threaded plug 45 connects to a handle 49 of the
cleaning implement 41 and comprises a second articulating surface
54. The mop head 43 comprises an upper base 50 and a lower base 51.
The lower base 51 has a pair of ribs 52 within which the stem base
53 can rotate.
[0083] The joint 40 of FIGS. 4 and 5 can be locked and unlocked by
twisting the handle 49 in a counterclockwise 55 or clockwise 56
direction, depending on the threaded portion 46 of the stem 44. As
the handle 49 is being twisted so as to lock the joint 40, the
first articulating surface 47 and the second articulating surface
54 are drawn closer together. As they are drawn closer together,
the first articulating surface 47 engages the interior surface of
the base portion 42, while the second articulating surface 54
engages the outer surface of the base portion 42. The friction
between the first and second articulating surfaces 47, 54 and the
base portion 42 becomes great enough so as to effectively lock the
joint 40 into a position. The angle between the handle 49 and the
mop head 43 is thus locked into position. The joint 40 can then be
unlocked by twisting the handle 49 in the opposite counterclockwise
55 or clockwise 56 direction, thereby moving the first and second
articulating surfaces 47, 54 away from each other. The handle 49 is
then free to move along the slot 48 of the base portion 42. Once
the user obtains the desired angle between the handle 49 and the
mop head 43, the user can lock the joint 40 again by twisting the
handle 49.
[0084] In another embodiment represented in FIGS. 9-14, the
threaded plug 45 and the handle 49 can be removably attached by
using a female member 145 attached to the threaded plug 45 and a
male member 149 attached to the bottom portion of the handle 49.
The female member 145 comprises a body defined by a substantially
cylindrical wall 1145 and is closed at one end by a bottom portion
2145 as represented in FIG. 10-12. This bottom portion 2145 can be
attached to the threaded plug 45. The female member 145 also
comprises a keyed plate member 3145 having a substantially disc
shape which is attached to the body of the female member 145,
preferably to the inner surface of the cylindrical wall 1145 such
that a hollow space between the bottom portion 2145 and the keyed
plate member 3145 is created. The keyed plate member 3145 has a top
and a bottom surface and comprises an opening 4145 which can be a
slit or cut out through the keyed plate member 3145. This opening
preferably starts from the top surface and ends at the bottom
surface of the keyed plate member 3145. The bottom surface of the
keyed plate member 3145 can also comprise a groove or a notch 5145
which is at an angle greater than 0 degrees relative to the opening
4145. In a preferred embodiment, the groove 5145 is substantially
perpendicular to the opening 4145. Optionally but preferably, the
female member 145 comprises a spring member 6145, preferably
located within the cylindrical body of the female member 145. As
previously discussed, the male member 149 is preferably attached to
the bottom portion of the handle 49 as represented in FIG. 13. The
male member 149 comprises a shaft 1149 and a pin 2149 which can be
perpendicularly attached to the shaft 1149. The shaft 1149 and pin
2149 of the male member 149 can be inserted in the female member
145 through the opening 4145 and, as a result, compress the spring
member 6145. When the pin 2149 reaches the hollow space located
between the bottom portion 2145 and the keyed plate member 3145,
the shaft 1149 can be rotated which results in the pin 2149 being
also rotated within this hollow space. Once the pin 2149 reaches
the groove 5145, the biasing action of the spring member 6145
pushes the pin 2149 within the groove 5145 preventing further
rotation of the shaft 1149 and pin 2149 within the female member
145. When the pin 2149 is located within the groove 5145, it is
possible to lock and unlock the joint 40 simply by twisting the
handle and thus, adjust the angle of the handle relative to the mop
head 43. In order to detach the male member 149 from the female
member 145, a user can first simply push on the handle 49 in order
to remove the pin 2149 from the groove 5145, and then rotate the
handle 49 until the pin 2149 coincide with the opening 4145. The
shaft 1149 and pin 2149 can then be extracted from the female
member 145. One skilled in the art will understand that the female
member 145 can be attached to the lower portion of the handle 49
and the male member 149 can be attached to the threaded plug 45 and
still provide the same benefits. In addition, the spring member
6145 can be part of the male member 149 rather than the female
member 145 and still provide the same benefits. The female and male
members 145, 149 can be made of any suitable material capable of
sustaining and transferring the force applied to the handle by the
user without rupturing. Preferred examples of suitable materials
for the female and male members can be metals, alloys, plastics,
wood or any combination thereof.
[0085] In a preferred embodiment, the threaded plug 45 can be
flexibly attached to the handle 49 with a portion of flexible
material 56 as represented in FIG. 14. In one embodiment, this
portion of flexible material 56 has a substantially cylindrical
shape defined by a wall 156 forming an inner volume 256. It might
be beneficial that the portion of flexible material 56 have a
bellow shape. In a preferred embodiment, the threaded plug 45 is
flexibly attached to the handle 49 with the portion of flexible
material 56 such that at least a portion of the female member 145
and a portion of the male member 149 are located within inner
volume 256 of the portion of flexible material 56. Among other
benefits, the portion of flexible material allows the handle to be
rotated a full 360.degree. in the x-y plane allowing the mop head
43 to swivel due to the elastic properties of the flexible material
and as such to be used with a cleaning sheet or a cleaning pad.
Non-limiting examples of suitable cleaning sheets and/or cleaning
pads can be SWIFFER.RTM. Cleaning sheet and SWIFFER WET.RTM. sold
by the Procter and Gamble Company and described in detail in
copending U.S. application Ser. No. 09/082,349 filed May 20, 1998
by Fereshthekhou et al and U.S. application Ser. No. 09/671,718
filed Sep. 27, 2000 by Sherry et al. One skilled in the art will
understand that the described floor mops can be used with any other
types of cleaning sheets or cleaning pads and still provide the
same benefits. In addition, the flexibility and elasticity of the
portion of flexible material 56 renders possible to insert the male
member 149 into the female member 145 very easily.
[0086] In another embodiment of the invention, the female member
145 or the male member 149 can be attached to a mop head at a
predetermined fixed angle without requiring an adjustable and
lockable joint 40 such as the one which was previously described.
In this embodiment, a user can preferably use the implement to
clean a hard surface when the male member is not attached to the
female member. In addition, a user can use this floor mop with a
cleaning sheet comprising protrusions by attaching the male member
149 to the female member 145 in order to obtain a "locked" mop
head/handle combination.
[0087] FIG. 6 illustrates another suitable joint 68 for a cleaning
implement 69 of the present invention. The joint 68 is a
ball-and-socket joint which can be adjusted 360.degree. when in an
unlocked position. The joint 68 comprises a handle portion 62 and a
base portion 63. The handle portion 62 is connected to a handle 64
and the base portion 63 is connected to a mop head 65 of the
cleaning implement 69. The handle portion 62 comprises a socket,
through which is extended a threaded portion. The base portion 63
comprises a ball, which receives the threaded portion extending
through the socket of the handle portion 62. The joint 68 can be
locked by twisting the handle 64 counterclockwise 66 or clockwise
67, depending upon the configuration of the joint 68. As the handle
64 is twisted, the threaded portion extending through the socket of
the handle portion 62 engages the ball of the base portion 63,
thereby pulling the ball and socket closer together. By continuing
to twist the handle 64, the friction between the ball and socket
becomes great enough to effectively lock the joint 68 into
position. When in a locked position, the angle between the mop head
65 and handle 64 is fixed. The handle 64 can then be twisted in the
opposite counterclockwise 66 or clockwise 67 direction to unlock
the joint 68, allowing the handle 64 to rotate 360.degree. relative
about the joint 68 relative to the mop head 65. Once the desired
angle between the mop head 65 and the handle 64 is obtained, the
user can again twist the handle 64 in the appropriate
counterclockwise 66 or clockwise 67 direction to lock the joint 68
into the desired position.
[0088] FIG. 7 illustrates another suitable joint 70 for a cleaning
implement 71 of the present invention. The joint 70 comprises a
handle portion 72 and a base portion 73. The handle portion 72 is
connected to a handle 74 of the cleaning implement 71. The base
portion 73 is connected to a mop head 75 of the cleaning implement
71. The handle portion 72 and the base portion 73 have holes
therethrough to facilitate a bolt 76 for holding together the
handle portion 72 and the base portion 73. The handle portion 72
comprises a spring-loaded ball and the base portion 73 comprises a
plurality of recesses 77. The spring-loaded ball of the handle
portion 72 can engage a recess 77 of the base portion 73, thereby
locking the joint 70 into the desired position. The user can apply
force to the handle 74 to dislodge the spring-loaded ball from the
recess 77 and move the spring-loaded ball to the next adjacent
recess 77 of the base portion 73, thereby adjusting the angle
between the mop head 75 and the handle 74 of the cleaning implement
71.
[0089] FIG. 15 through 34 illustrate other types of suitable
adjustable and lockable joints for a cleaning implement of the
present invention.
[0090] In one embodiment, represented in FIG. 15-22, the floor mop
comprises a mop head 114, a handle portion 118 pivotally connected
to the mop head 114 by a universal joint 130 and a slideable
locking member 140 located within the handle portion 118. The
universal joint 130 of this embodiment has two rotational axis
which can be located on the same plane. An example of a suitable
universal joint can have a substantially cross shape. The slideable
locking member 140 can be a longitudinal pole 141 having an arm
member 142 perpendicularly attached to the longitudinal pole 141 as
represented in FIG. 15. One skilled in the art will understand that
the longitudinal pole 141 can have any geometrical shape or form
such as circular, triangular or rectangular. It can be preferred to
have the slideable locking member 140 made of a relatively stiff or
rigid material such that the it does not deform or bend which would
prevent it from being slideably movable through the universal joint
130. Non-limiting examples of suitable material can be metals,
alloys, plastics, wood or any combination thereof. A slit 1118 on
the side of the handle portion 118 allows the slideable locking
member 140 to be moved from a first position to a second position
by pushing or pulling the arm member 142. As previously discussed,
it might be beneficial to adjust the angle of the handle portion
118 relative to the mop head 118 and lock it in place when the
cleaning implement is used with a cleaning sheet having
protrusions. In order to achieve this result, the mop head 114
comprises at least 1, preferably between 1 and 10, more preferably
between 2 and 6 holes, recesses, notches or projections 1114 which
can be engaged by the slideable locking member 140. The slideable
locking member can be pushed through a central opening 131 of the
universal joint 130 in order to engage one of the hole or
projection 1114 on the mop head 114. When the slideable locking
member is in a first position, as represented in FIGS. 16, 18,
21-23, the handle portion 118 can be rotated a full 360.degree. in
the x-y plane allowing the mop head 114 to swivel and as such can
be used with a cleaning sheet or a cleaning pad. When the slideable
locking member 140 is in the second position, i.e. is pushed
through the central opening 131 of the universal joint 130 and
engages a recess 1114 on the mop head 114 as represented in FIGS.
17, 19, 20 and 24, the universal joint is locked and the angle
between the handle portion 118 and the mop head 114 is fixed. One
skilled in the art will understand that the closer a hole or
projection 1114 is located to the leading or trailing edge of the
mop head 114, the smaller is the angle .alpha. between the handle
portion 118 and the mop head 114, as shown in FIGS. 19 and20. It
can be beneficial that the holes or recesses 1114 be located on the
mop head such that the angle .alpha. is comprised between about 0
and about 90 degrees, preferably between about 20 and about 70
degrees, more preferably between about 35 and about 55 degrees. One
skilled in the art will understand that the length of the
longitudinal pole 141 can be substantially equal to or smaller than
the length of the entire handle of the cleaning implement. In a
preferred embodiment, the length of the pole member 141 and the
slit 1118 are such that the pole member can engage any of the holes
or projections 1114 on the mop head. In one embodiment, these holes
or projections 1114 can all be located on the same side of the mop
head 114. In another embodiment, these holes or projections 1114
can be located on both sides of the mop head 114 as represented in
FIG. 16-18. Considering that the width of a existing mop head is
typically comprised between about 100 mm and about 200 mm, one
skilled in the art will understand that the angle .alpha. can be
limited and will be greater than 0 degrees, i.e. the angle at which
the handle portion can be parallel to the plane of the mop head
114. In order to solve this problem, an extension 150, comprising
further holes or projections and which is schematically represented
in FIG. 21 and 22, can be added to the mop head. With this
extension 114, it becomes possible adjust and lock the handle at an
even smaller angle which can tend to 0 degrees. Optionally, in
order to keep the slideable locking member in place in either the
first or second position, at least one slit 2118 substantially
perpendicular to the slit 1118 can be added to the handle portion
118 as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. In another embodiment, the
slideable locking mechanism can be spring loaded. In yet another
embodiment, the hole 1114 on the mop head 114 can be slightly
smaller than the longitudinal pole 141 such that the pole 141 can
be forced fit into a recess or hole 1114. The projections 1114 can
engage and lock a hollow longitudinal pole member 1141. The
previously described adjustable and lockable joint can also be used
with a universal joint comprising 2 rotational axis which are not
in the same plane and the sliding member 140 can be a solid bar.
This embodiment is represented in FIGS. 23 and 24.
[0091] In another embodiment represented in FIG. 25, the floor mop
comprises a mop head 114 flexibly attached to a handle portion 118
and a slideable locking member 140 located within the handle
portion 118 as previously described. The mop head 114 comprises at
least 1, preferably between 1 and 10, more preferably between 2 and
6 projections or holes, recesses, notches 1114 which can engage or
be engaged by the slideable locking member 140. The mop head 114
can be flexibly attached to the lower portion of the handle 149
with a portion of flexible material 156 such that the portion of
flexible material 156 covers at least partially the projections or
holes 1114. The slideable locking member can be moved within the
handle portion 118 and the portion of flexible material 156 in
order to engage a hole or be engaged by a projection 1114 on the
mop head 114. When the slideable locking member is in a first
position, the handle 149 can be rotated a full 360.degree. in the
x-y plane allowing the mop head 114 to swivel and as such can be
used with a cleaning sheet or a cleaning pad. When the slideable
locking member 140 is in the second position, as represented in
FIG. 25 i.e. is pushed within the handle portion 118 and the
portion of flexible material 156 and engages a hole or is engaged
by a projection 1114 on the mop head 114, the handle 149 is locked
and the angle between the handle 149 and the mop head 114 is fixed
which, in turn, allows the user to clean a soft surface with a
cleaning sheet comprising protrusions. As previously discussed, the
angle of the handle 149 relative to the mop head 114 can be
adjusted depending on which hole or projection 1114 the slideable
locking member 140 is temporarily attached. In a preferred
embodiment, the slideable locking member can be forced fit in a
hole or projection 1114 in order to maintain the handle 149 fixedly
attached to the mop head 114 during the cleaning of a soft
surface.
[0092] FIG. 26 through 34 illustrate another suitable adjustable
and lockable joint for a cleaning implement of the present
invention.
[0093] In one embodiment, represented in FIG. 27, the floor mop
comprises a mop head 214, a handle portion 218 pivotally connected
to the mop head 214 by a universal joint 230 and a slideable
locking member 240 which is slideably movable along the outer
surface of the handle portion 218. The universal joint 230 of this
embodiment has two rotational axis 231 and 232 which can be located
in two different planes and are substantially perpendicular. In
this embodiment, the universal joint 230 is rotationally attached
to the mop head 214 along a first rotational axis 231 and is
attached to the handle portion 218 along a second rotational axis
232. The slideable locking member 240 comprises a collar member 241
and a pole member 242. The collar member 241 has a substantial
cylindrical shape and has an inner diameter slightly greater than
the outer diameter of the handle portion 218 in order to allow the
collar member 241 to be slideably movable along the handle portion
218. One skilled in the art will understand that the collar member
241 can have any geometrical shape or form such as circular,
triangular or rectangular but will preferably have substantially
the same shape than the handle portion 218. The pole member 242 can
be attached to the collar member at any suitable location but
preferably to the front lower portion of the collar member 241. One
skilled in the art will understand that the collar and pole members
can be two separate pieces attached together or that they can be
molded to form one single element and that they can be made of any
type of material but preferably of a relatively stiff or rigid
material as previously described. In this embodiment, the mop head
214 comprises holes, recesses, notches or projections as previously
described. The slideable locking member 240 can be slided along the
handle portion from a first position where the handle portion 218
can rotate a full 360.degree. in the x-y plane allowing the mop
head 214 to swivel, as represented in FIGS. 27 and 29, to a second
position where the joint is locked at a fixed angle, as represented
in FIG. 28 and 30-31. When the slideable locking member 240 is
slideably moved to the second position, at least a portion of the
collar member 241 covers at least one of the rotational axis of the
universal joint 230, preferably the second rotational axis 232 as
to prevent rotation of the handle portion 218 about this axis. In
addition, when the slideable locking member 240 is in the second
position, the pole member 242 can engage a hole, recess or notch on
the mop head therefore preventing rotation of the handle portion
218 about the first rotational axis 231 of the universal joint 230.
The slideable locking mechanism 240 can be locked in place with any
of the mechanism previously described.
[0094] In another embodiment represented in FIGS. 32-34, the
universal joint 230 comprises a U-shapped portion 231 rotationally
attached to the mop head 214 along a first rotational axis 231 and
rotationally attached to a handle portion 218 along a second
rotational axis 232. The first and second rotational axis are in
different planes and are substantially perpendicular. In this
embodiment, it can be beneficial that the collar member 241
comprises a pair of slits or notches 243 and 244 that allow the
collar member 241 to cover at least partially the second rotational
axis 232 of the universal joint 230.
[0095] All the previously disclosed lockable and/or adjustable
joints are "integrated" in a floor mop. As a result, consumers who
already own a floor mop may have to purchase a new mop having an
adjustable and/or lockable joint in order to optimize the use of a
cleaning sheet comprising protrusions. In order to avoid the
inconvenience of having to purchase a new mop, one aspect of the
invention is directed to a separate locking element for locking the
universal joint and the handle of a floor mop at a fixed angle.
[0096] FIGS. 35 through 38 illustrate a suitable locking member for
locking the universal joint and the handle of a floor mop at a
fixed angle.
[0097] In one embodiment represented in FIGS. 35 and 36, the
locking member 80 can be used to lock at a fixed angle the
universal joint of a floor mop 90. The floor mop 90 comprises a mop
head 190 rotationally attached to a handle 290 with a universal
joint 390. In one embodiment, the universal joint 390 can have a
substantially cross shape. The universal joint 390 can have a first
and a second rotational axis which can be on the same plane. In
order to allow a full 360.degree. rotation of the handle 290 in the
x-y plane, it can be preferred that the two rotational axis of the
universal joint 390 be perpendicular. The mop head 190 comprises
two ear members 1190 and 2190 which are attached to the center
portion of the top surface of the mop head 190 creating a space in
between. The two ear members 1190, 2190 can be rotationally
attached to the universal joint 290 along its first rotational
axis. The handle 290 comprises a lower portion having two ear
members 1290 and 2290 which can have a substantially U shape. The
two ear members 1290, 2290 can be rotationally attached to the
universal joint 290 along its second rotational axis. In one
embodiment, the locking member 80 comprises a support plate 180
which can be substantially flat and has an inner side, an outer
side, a top and a bottom edge. By inner side of the support plate
180, it is meant the side which is facing the ear members 1190,
2190 and the universal joint 390 when the universal joint 390 is
locked by the locking member 80. By bottom edge, it is meant the
edge of the support plate 180 which is the closest to the top
surface of the mop head 190 when the universal joint 390 is locked
by the locking member 80. A first locking plate 280, for preventing
rotation of the handle 290 about the first rotational axis of the
universal joint 390, can be attached to the inner side of the
support plate 180. In one embodiment, the first locking plate 280
can be attached to the support plate 180 such that the angle
between the first locking plate 280 and the support plate 280 is
between about 0 and about 90 degrees, preferably between about 20
and about 70 degrees, more preferably between about 35 and about 55
degrees. The width of the first locking plate 280 is such that a
user can insert the first locking plate 280 between the first and
second ear members 1190 and 2190 of the mop head 190. In a
preferred embodiment, the width of the first locking plate 280 is
slightly greater than the inner distance between the first and
second ear members 1190, 2190 such that the first locking plate 280
can be force fit and/or kept in place between the first and second
ear members 1190, 2190. In addition, the first locking plate 280
can be attached to the support plate 180 such that a user can
insert the first locking plate 280 underneath the universal joint
390. In a preferred embodiment, the first locking plate 280 is
attached to the support plate 180 such that it is substantially
adjacent to the tip of the ear member 1290 of the lower portion of
the handle 290 when a user inserts the first locking plate 280
between the ear members 1190 and 2190. In this embodiment, the
length of the first locking plate 280 can be such that the first
locking plate 280 extends beyond the first rotational axis of the
universal joint 390 when a user inserts the first locking plate 280
between the ear members 1190 and 2190. In a preferred embodiment,
the length of the first locking plate 280 can be substantially
equal to the outer distance between the first and second ear
members 1290 and 2290 of the handle 290. In an even preferred
embodiment, the first locking plate 280 is attached to the support
plate 180 such that the longitudinal axis of the handle 290 is
substantially perpendicular to the first locking plate when the
first locking plate is inserted between the first and second ear
members 1190, 2190 of the mop head 190. One skilled in the art will
understand that when the first locking plate 280 is inserted as
previously described, rotation of the handle 290 about the first
rotational axis of the universal joint 390 is limited and
preferably prevented since each ear members 1290, 2290 of the
handle 290 might come in contact with the first locking plate 280.
As a result, the angle between the handle 290 and the mop head 190
is fixed and this angle is substantially equal to the angle between
the first locking plate 280 and the support plate 180.
[0098] In another embodiment, the locking member 80 can comprise a
second and a third locking plate 380, 480 for preventing rotation
of the handle 290 about the second rotational axis of the universal
joint 390. In this embodiment, the second and third locking plate
can be attached to the support plate 180 defining a space in
between, such that the handle 290 can be located between the second
and third locking plate 380, 480 when the handle is locked by the
locking member 80. In one embodiment, it can be preferred to attach
the second and third locking plate adjacent the top edge of the
support plate 180. The distance between the second and third
locking plate 380, 480 can be substantially equal to, but
preferably slightly smaller than, the width of the ear members 1290
and 2290 of the handle 290. In another embodiment, the distance
between the second and third locking plate 380, 480 can be
substantially equal to, but preferably slightly smaller than, the
width or diameter of the handle 290. In one embodiment, the second
and third locking plates 380, 480 are attached to the support plate
180 such that the angle between the locking plates 380, 480 and the
support plate 180 is comprised between about 20 and about 160
degrees, preferably between about 50 and about 120 degrees and more
preferably between a bout 75 and 105 degrees. When a user insert
the first locking plate 280 between the ear members 1190, 2190 of
the mop head and the first rotational axis of the universal joint
390 is locked, the handle 290 is "sandwiched" between the second
and third locking plates 380, 480. As a result, rotation of the
handle 290 about the second rotational axis of the universal joint
390 is prevented.
[0099] In another embodiment of the invention represented in FIGS.
37 and 38, a floor mop can have a universal joint 395 which can
have a first and a second rotational axis which are in different
planes. As previously discussed, it might be preferred that the
first and second rotational axis of the universal joint be
perpendicular. In this embodiment, the universal joint 395 can have
a substantially U or V shape. The U or V shape member has a first
and a second leg member 1385, 2385 and a top 3385. A mop head 195
can be rotationally attached to each leg 1385 and 2385 along a
first rotational axis. A handle 295 can be rotationally attached to
the top 3385 of the U or V shape universal joint 385 along a second
rotational axis. A locking member 85 can be used to lock at a fixed
angle the U or V shape universal joint. In one embodiment, the
locking member 85 comprises a support plate 185 which can have a
substantially rectangular shape and having a notch 1185 on one of
its side. In one embodiment, the width of this notch can be
substantially equal, but preferably slightly smaller than the
diameter of the handle 295. The locking member 85 also comprises a
first and a second leg 285, 385 attached in a downward direction to
one edge of the support plate 185, preferably the edge which
comprises the notch 1185 such that the first and second leg 285,
385 are located on each side of the notch 1185 of the support plate
185. The locking member 85 also comprises at least a third leg 485
attached in a downward direction to the opposite edge such that it
is facing the first and second legs 285 and 385 of the locking
member 85. In one embodiment, the first and second legs 285, 385
are substantially parallel to the third leg 485. In a preferred
embodiment, the length of the first and second legs 285, 385 is
greater than the length of the third leg 485 such that when the
bottom portion of the first, second and third legs are in contact
with a top surface of the mop head 195, the angle between any of
the legs 285, 385 and/or 485 is between about 0 and about 90
degrees, preferably between about 20 and about 70 degrees, more
preferably between about 35 and about 55 degrees. In order to lock
the handle 295 at a fixed angle relative to the mop head 195, a
user can simply insert the handle 295 through the notch 1185 such
that the handle is located within the support plate 185 and then
slide the whole locking member 85 along the handle 195 until each
leg 285, 385 and 485 is in contact with the top surface of the mop
head, as shown in FIG. 38. When the locking member 85 is attached
to the mop head as previously described, the first, second and
third legs 285, 385 and 485 prevent rotation of the handle 295
about the first rotational axis of the universal joint 395 and the
support plate 185 prevents rotation of the handle 295 about the
second rotational axis of the universal joint 395
[0100] The previously described locking members 80 and 85 can be
made of any suitable material. Non-limiting examples of suitable
materials can be wood, metal, plastic or any combinations
thereof.
[0101] A locking member 80 and/or 85 can be sold individually or as
a kit comprising at least one locking member 80 or 85 and at least
one cleaning sheet comprising a substrate having protrusions
affixed to the substrate. Another kit could, in addition, comprise
a cleaning implement having an universal joint such as any of the
joints previously described. Another possible kit can comprise at
least one locking member 80 and/or 85 and at least one, but
preferably two gliders which can be removably attachable to the mop
head of a floor mop. In another embodiment, at least one locking
member 80 and/or 85 can be part of a kit comprising at least one
cleaning sheet comprising a substrate having protrusion affixed to
the substrate and at least one but preferably two gliders also
affixed to the substrate.
[0102] It is envisioned that other types of joints can provide the
adjustable and lockable features desired herein.
[0103] B. Gliders
[0104] A second preferred aspect of the present cleaning implements
is the incorporation of gliders, preferably on the bottom surface
of the mop head of the cleaning implement. Gliders are structures
incorporated in the present cleaning implement that facilitate the
movement of the cleaning implement across the surface being
cleaned. Gliders can take any of a variety of forms, including
tapes, coatings, molded pieces, and the like. Gliders in the form
of tapes can be adhered directly to the bottom surface of a mop
head of the present cleaning implement. Gliders can also be
directly molded into the bottom surface of a mop head. Gliders can
further encompass molded pieces that can be attached to the mop
head.
[0105] Gliders are especially important when the cleaning implement
is being used with a removable cleaning sheet comprising a
substrate and a plurality of protrusions affixed to the substrate,
as incorporated by reference hereinbefore. The protrusions of the
cleaning sheet, while effective in removing debris from a surface,
can pose a problem with respect to the ability of the cleaning
implement to smoothly glide across the surface being cleaned,
especially soft surfaces such as carpet, upholstery, fabric, and
the like. The gliders can significantly enhance the ability of the
cleaning implement to smoothly glide across the surface being
cleaned.
[0106] Gliders can be made of any number of materials, preferably
materials having a relatively low coefficient of friction. Suitable
materials for making gliders of the present invention include
acetals (including polyacetals), polypropylene, polyethylene, ABS,
Teflon, and mixtures thereof. Preferred materials for making
gliders include acetals and polyacetals. Acetals are derivatives of
formaldehyde, and include homopolymers and co-polymers. Acetals are
strong and rigid (but not brittle) and have good moisture, heat and
chemical resistance. Acetals have a low surface friction in
contrast with many other materials and their abrasion is low. The
most outstanding properties of polyacetals are high tensile
strength, stiffness, resilience, good recovery from deformation
under load and toughness under repeated impact. Acetals are thus a
preferred material for making gliders. Acetals are commericially
available from DuPont under the trade name DELRIN.RTM. and from
Celanese under the trade name CELCON.RTM..
[0107] The present cleaning implement will preferably have at least
one glider, but preferably at least two gliders, which are
preferably positioned near each of the side edges of the bottom
surface of the mop head of the present cleaning implement. In
another embodiment, at least one but preferably two gliders can be
positioned away from the side edges of the bottom surface of the
mop head, preferably the distance between the gliders and the side
edges is at least 5 mm, more preferably at least 10 mm and most
preferably at least 15 mm. In this embodiment, the floor mop might
be used with a cleaning sheet comprising a substrate with
protrusions and a corresponding number of notches or cut out for
allowing the gliders to extend through these. In this embodiment it
might beneficial that the substrate of the cleaning sheet comprise
protrusions in the portion of the substrate located between the
side edge of the bottom surface of the mop head and the gliders.
Among other benefits, such a cleaning sheet can be used for edge
and/or comer cleaning of a soft surface.
[0108] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the mop head 14 of the cleaning
implement 11 of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 shows that the mop head 14 has two
gliders 20 attached thereto. The gliders 20 are positioned at near
each of the side edges of the bottom surface of the mop head 14. In
this embodiment, the gliders 20 are strips of tape, preferably made
of Teflon, adhered to the bottom surface of the mop head 14.
[0109] FIG. 3 is a side view of the mop head 14 of the cleaning
implement 11 of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 shows that the gliders 20 are
relatively thin strips of tape, preferably made of Teflon, and have
a slightly curved profile. When a removable cleaning sheet is
attached to the cleaning implement 11, the cleaning sheet is
generally positioned between the pair of gliders 20. The gliders
thus provide some height between the bottom surface of the glider
and the bottom surface of the mop head 14, such that the cleaning
sheet is not contacted to the surface with as great of force, if
the gliders 20 were not present. This facilitates the cleaning
implement 11 gliding smoothly across the surface being cleaned,
while still allowing the cleaning sheet to remove debris from the
surface. In one embodiment, the mop head can comprise a
substantially compressible and/or conformable pad. During use of a
floor mop having a compressible and/or conformable pad, the pad
will tend to be compressed. As a result, the gliders come in
contact with the soft surface. In this embodiment, the gliders can
be attached to the mop head such that the height of the gliders
relative to the bottom surface of the mop head is negative, i.e.
the bottom surface of the gliders is further away from the soft
surface than the bottom surface of the pad of the mop head. In one
embodiment of the invention, the height of the gliders is comprised
between about -10 mm and about 15 mm, preferably between about 3
and 9 mm and more preferably between about 5 to 7 mm. By height 120
of the gliders it is meant the distance between the bottom surface
of the mop head and bottom surface of the gliders as shown in FIG.
40.. In one embodiment, a cleaning implement comprising a pair of
gliders attached to the bottom surface of the mop head is used with
a disposable cleaning sheet comprising protrusions such as the one
described in detail in copending U.S. Application Serial No.
60/300,700 filed Jun. 25, 2001 by Kacher et al. (P&G Case
8604P), U.S. Application Serial No. 60/300,760 filed Jun. 25, 2001
by Kacher et al. (P&G Case 8605P), U.S. Application Serial No.
60/370,712 filed Apr. 8, 2002 by Kacher et al. (P&G Case
8604P2), and U.S. Application Serial No. 60/370,715 filed Apr. 8,
2002 by Kacher et al. (P&G Case 8605P2). In this embodiment, it
has been observed that when such a cleaning sheet is attached to
the mop head and it is moved across a soft surface, it might be
beneficial that at least some of the protrusions of the cleaning
sheet, engage or "penetrate" the soft surface. It can be preferred
that the engagement ends of the protrusions penetrate into the
surface from about 0 to about 4 mm, preferably from about 0 to
about 3 mm, even more preferably more about 0.1 to about 2 mm.
[0110] Examples of gliders are further shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The
cleaning implement 41 has a pair of gliders 57. The gliders 57 can
be adhered to the bottom surface of the mop head 43, can be molded
into the mop head 43, can be free-floating with respect to the mop
head 43, or the like. FIG. 5 shows spring-loaded gliders 57 that
are free-floating with respect to the mop head 43. The
spring-loaded gliders 57 are mounted on glider bases 58 through
which springs 59 are extended to the gliders 57. The springs 59
extend through the lower base 51 to the upper base 50 of the mop
head 43. These gliders 57 are thus capable of rocking
back-and-forth as the cleaning implement 41 is moved back-and-forth
across the surface being cleaned. This rocking motion of the
gliders 57 helps to facilitate the use of a cleaning sheet
removably attached to the cleaning implement. Due to the
spring-loaded gliders the height of the gliders can vary relative
to the bottom surface of the mop head. This varying height can be
viewed as a gap between the resting position of the glider and the
bottom surface or pad of the mop head. In one embodiment, this gap
is comprised between about -1.0 cm and about +2.0 cm, preferably
between about 0 cm and about +1.0 cm.
[0111] FIG. 8 shows a cleaning implement 80 comprising gliders 81
having a removable cleaning sheet 82 affixed thereto. The cleaning
sheet 82 is positioned between the pair of gliders 81.
[0112] FIG. 39 through 56 illustrate another mop head comprising
gliders for a cleaning implement of the present invention.
[0113] In one embodiment, represented in FIGS. 39-41, the floor mop
comprises a mop head 314 having an top and a bottom surface, a left
and a right side where a first and a second gliding member 360 and
365 are rotationally attached. In one embodiment, the first and
second gliding members are rotationally attached to respectively
the left and right side of the mop head 314 along the rotational
axis. In this embodiment, each gliding member comprises a body
portion 1360 having an upper surface and a lower surface and at
least one glider 2360 attached to the lower surface of the body
portion 1360. One skilled in the art will understand that
alternatively, the glider(s) can be attached to the upper surface
of the body portion 1360 and provide the same benefits. Each
gliding member 360 and 365 can be rotationally moved from a first
to a second position. When a gliding member 360 or 365 is in the
first position, as represented in FIG. 40, the at least one glider
2360 is located adjacent the bottom surface of the mop head 314. As
a result, the cleaning implement can be used as previously
described with a cleaning sheet having protrusions to clean soft
surfaces. When a gliding member 360 or 365 is in the second
position, as represented in FIG. 39, the at least one glider is
located adjacent the top surface of the mop head 314 which allows
the cleaning implement to be used with a cleaning sheet or a
cleaning pad in order to clean hard surfaces. It can be preferred
that when the gliding member 360 or 365 is in the second position,
the upper surface of the body portion 1360,which is now facing the
surface to be cleaned, has the same height and/or curvature than
the bottom surface of the mop head 314 such that they coincide and
the mop head has a substantially smooth and/or continuous bottom
surface. In one embodiment, the gliding members 360 and 365 can be
rotated or flipped from the first to the second position and vice
versa, independently. A user can simply rotate these gliding
members depending on the kind of cleaning sheet she wants to use
and the kind of surface she wants to clean. It can be preferred to
allow the user to rotate both gliding members 360 and 365 by simply
actuating one of these gliding members. This can be done very
simply by mechanically connecting each gliding members 360 and 365
with a pole 368 as represented in FIG. 41. This pole 368 assures
that the rotation of one of the gliding member 360 or 365 will
result in the rotation of the other gliding member. Optionally, the
mop head 314 can comprise at least one but preferably two retaining
members in order to retain the pole 368 in place when the cleaning
implement is being used. In order to rotate the gliding members 360
and 365, a user needs to overcome the "retaining force" which
assures that the pole 368 and the gliding members are kept in
place. These retaining members 1314 can be a notch, a groove, a
clip or any equivalent known in the art. A retaining member 1314
can adjacent at least one of the edges of the mop head. In a
preferred embodiment, the mop head 314 comprises one retaining
member on its leading edge and one retaining member on its trailing
edge. In one embodiment of the invention, the pole 368 is attached
at both ends to the first and second gliding members 360 and 365
and is located substantially adjacent the rotational axis of the
first and second gliding members as represented in FIGS. 39-40. In
this embodiment, the pole 368 is located within the mop head 314.
Among other benefits, a pole 368 located within the mop head
prevents a user to inadvertently damage the pole 368 but also
prevents the user to have his hand or fingers pinched by the pole
368 during the rotation of the gliding members.
[0114] In another embodiment, the first and second gliding members
360, 365 can be removably attached to the mop head 314, preferably
to the left and right side of the mop head. In this embodiment, a
user can very simply attach each gliding member to left and right
side of the mop head such that the gliders 2360 and 2365 are
located substantially adjacent the bottom surface of the mop head
314. A user can then use the floor mop with a cleaning sheet
comprising protrusions to clean a hard surface. If desired, a user
can remove each gliding members 360, 365 from the mop head in order
to rotate them and reattach each gliding members such that the
gliders 2360 and 2365 are located adjacent the top surface of the
mop head 314. A user can then use the floor mop to clean a hard
surface with a cleaning sheet or a cleaning pad. There might be
multiple ways to removably attach each gliding member 360, 365 to
the left and right side of the mop head. For example, the gliding
members can be clipped to the mop head, forced fit on the mop head
or removably attached using hooks and loops fasteners or any
pressure sensitive adhesive.
[0115] In one embodiment, represented in FIG. 42-43, the floor mop
comprises a mop head 414 having an top and a bottom surface, a left
and a right side where a first and a second gliding member 460 and
465 are hingedly attached. In one embodiment, the first and second
gliding member each comprise at least one glider 1460 or 1465 which
are hingedly attached to respectively the left and right side of
the mop head 414. Each gliding member 460 and 465 can be hingedly
moved, i.e. flipped, from a first to a second position. When a
gliding member 460 or 465 is in the first position, as represented
in FIG. 42, the at least one glider 1460 or 1465 is located
adjacent the bottom surface of the mop head 414. As a result, the
cleaning implement can be used as previously described with a
cleaning sheet having protrusions to clean soft surfaces. When a
gliding member 460 or 465 is in the second position, as represented
in FIG. 43, the at least one glider is flipped away from the bottom
surface of the mop head 414 which, in turn, allows the cleaning
implement to be used with a cleaning sheet or a cleaning pad in
order to clean hard surfaces.
[0116] In one embodiment, represented in FIG. 44-46, the floor mop
comprises a mop head 514 having an top and a bottom surface, a left
and a right side where a first and a second gliding member 560 and
565 are slideably attached. In one embodiment, the first and second
gliding members are slideably attached to respectively the left and
right side of the mop head 514. In this embodiment, each gliding
member can comprise at least one glider 1560 having a bottom
surface and at least one but preferably two projections 2560 and
3560 attached to opposite sides of the body portion 1560. These
projections engage and are slideably movable within corresponding
grooves or guide members 2514 located within at least one but
preferably a pair of "ears" members 3514 on each of the left and
right side of the mop head 514. These grooves or guide members can
be made such that when a user pulls a gliding member 560 or 565 in
a direction depicted by an arrow in FIG. 44, this gliding member
comes to a first position. When a gliding member 560 or 565 is in
this first position, as represented in FIG. 44 and 46, the at least
one glider 1560 is extending from the bottom surface of the mop
head 514. As a result, the cleaning implement can be used as
previously described with a cleaning sheet having protrusions to
clean soft surfaces. As previously discussed, a user can attach a
cleaning sheet having protrusions to the mop head such that at
least a portion of the cleaning sheet is located between the
gliding members 560 and 565. One skilled in the art will then
understand that when a user pushes a gliding member 560 or 565 in
the direction depicted by an arrow in FIG. 45, this gliding member
comes to a second position. When a gliding member 560 or 565 is in
this second position, as represented in FIG. 45, the bottom surface
of the at least one glider is substantially in the same plane than
the bottom surface of the mop head 514 which allows the cleaning
implement to be used with a cleaning sheet or a cleaning pad in
order to clean hard surfaces. In another embodiment, the at least
one but preferably two projections 2560 and 3560 can be attached to
the at least one but preferably two "ear" members 3514 on each of
the left and right side of the mop head 514. These projections 2560
and 3560 can engage corresponding grooves or guide members 2514
located on the gliding members 560, 565. As previously discussed, a
user can simply pull or push the gliding member 560 and 565
depending on the kind of cleaning sheet she wishes to use and the
kind of surface she wishes to clean. Optionally but preferably, at
least a portion of grooves or guide members 2514 can be slightly
narrower than the projections 2560 and 3560 such that a minimum
force needs to be overcome in order to slideably move the gliding
member from the first to the second position and vice versa.
[0117] In another embodiment schematically represented in FIG.
48-51, the mop head 514 can comprise a slideable rod member 570
having a top, bottom, front and back surface and a first and second
end and which can be located within the mop head 514. This
slideable rod member 570 can be substantially longitudinal.
[0118] In one embodiment, the slideable rod member 570 comprises at
least two grooves or guide members 1570. Each groove or guide
member can be respectively located adjacent the first and second
end of the slideable rod member 570. Preferably, each groove or
guide member 1570 can be located on the front and/or back surface
of the slideable rod member 570. The slideable rod member 570 can
be slideably moved along the longitudinal axis of the mop head 514
via an arm member 2570 which can be attached to the top surface of
the slideable rod member 570 and which extends through a slit or
cut out preferably located on the top surface of the mop head 514.
The mop head 514 comprises at least one but preferably two gliding
members 560, 565 which can extend through corresponding cut outs
made on the bottom surface of the mop head as represented in FIG.
48. In one embodiment, each gliding member has a substantially
rectangular shape having top, bottom, right, left, front and bottom
surfaces. Each gliding member also comprises at least one, but
preferably two pin members 5560, 5565 for engaging the groove or
guide member 1570 of the slideable rod member 570 as represented in
FIGS. 50-51. The pin members can be attached to any of the sides of
the gliding members 560, 565 but it can be preferred that the pin
members be attached to the front and/or back side of the gliding
members. In another embodiment, the gliding members have a
substantially U shape as depicted in FIG. 51. In this embodiment,
each gliding member comprises a bottom portion and a front and back
portion defining an empty space in between. The pin member(s) can
be attached to the gliding member(s) such that they extend towards
this empty space. In this embodiment, the slideable rod member 570
can be located within this empty space such that the pin member(s)
5560 engages a corresponding groove 1570 of the slideable rod
member 570. Each groove or guide member 1570 is preferably oriented
diagonally relative to the front and/or back surface of the
slideable rod member 570 such that a longitudinal motion of the
slideable rod member 570 results in an upward or downward motion of
the gliding members 560, 565. It might be preferred that the
"slope" of the groove located adjacent the first end of the
slideable rod member, be substantially equal to the slope of the
groove located adjacent the second end of the slideable rod member.
As previously discussed, one skilled in the art will understand
that a motion of the slideable rod member 570 along the
longitudinal axis of the mop head 514 will result in a motion of
the gliding member 560 and 565 along the elevational axis of the
mop head, i.e. upwards or downwards, as shown in FIGS. 48 and 49.
One skill in the art will also understand that the pin members 5560
can be attached to the slideable rod member 570 and can engage a
groove 1570 located on the gliding member 560 and still provide the
same benefits. Optionally but preferably, the mop head can comprise
a retaining member 4514 located within the mop head for preventing
an upward or downward motion of the slideable rod member 570. As
previously described, the gliding members 560 and 565 can be
adjusted from a first position to a second position and vice versa.
A user can simply push or pull the arm member 2570 in order to
extend or retract the gliding members 560 and 565 depending on the
kind of cleaning sheet she wishes to use. Optionally, the slideable
rod member can comprise a locking mechanism comprising a
spring-loaded mechanism 5570 which can be attached to the slideable
rod member 570. This spring loaded mechanism is capable of
releasably engaging one of a plurality of recesses located on the
inner surface of the mop head along an axis which is substantially
parallel to the slideable rod member 570. In one embodiment, the
height of gliding members 560, 565 can be adjusted to as many
"levels" as the number of recesses which are engageable by the
spring-loaded mechanism 5570. In order to increase or decrease the
height of the gliding members 560 and 565, a user can push or pull
the arm member 2570 but also needs to overcome the axial force of
the spring-loaded mechanism.
[0119] In another embodiment, the mop head 514 comprises at least
one but preferably two, spring-loaded gliding members 560, 565. In
one embodiment, each gliding member 560, 565, can be in contact
with at least one but preferably two spring members, 3560 which
tend to pull or push each gliding member inwardly. The slideable
rod member 570 can comprise at least one, but preferably two,
notches or cut out 6570 having a "biased" portion. In a preferred
embodiment, the slope of the "biased" portion of the first notch is
substantially equal to the slope of the "biased" portion of the
second notch. When the slideable rod member 570 is moved
longitudinally within the mop head 514, the "biased" portions of
each notch come into contact with an edge of top surface of the
gliding members 560,565 and forces the gliding members to extend
through the bottom surface of the mop head. When the slideable rod
member 570 is moved to the opposite direction, the spring members
3560 pull or push each gliding member back within the mop head 514.
As previously discussed, a longitudinal motion of the slideable rod
member 570 will result in an elevational motion of the gliding
members 560, 565 either in an upward or downward direction.
[0120] In another embodiment of the invention, represented in FIG.
52 through 56, the floor mop comprises a mop head 614 having a top
and a bottom surface, a left and a right side, and a frame member
660 which can be removably attached to the mop head 614. The frame
member 660 comprises at least one but preferably two longitudinal
elements 1660 and 2660 which can be substantially parallel to each
other. In a preferred embodiment, at least one but preferably both
longitudinal elements 1660 and 2660 can be removably attached to
the mop head 614. The frame member 660 also comprises at least one,
preferably between 1 and 25, more preferably between 2 and 10, most
preferably between 3 and 6 gliders 3660 attached the longitudinal
element 1660 and/or 2660. In this embodiment, a user can use the
cleaning implement having a mop head 614 with a dry cleaning sheet
or an absorbent cleaning pad to clean a hard surface. The user can
also attach a cleaning sheet comprising protrusions to the mop head
and then attach the frame member 660 to the mop head such the
portion of the sheet comprising the protrusions is located between
the mop head 614 and the frame member 660. In this configuration,
represented in FIG. 53 and 55, at least some of the gliders 3660
allow the cleaning implement to smoothly glide across the surface
being cleaned. One skilled in the art will understand that the
frame member 660 might be sufficient to retain the cleaning sheet
having protrusions 1 on the mop head. As a result, the grippers 619
become optional but might still be preferred. Once a user has
finished cleaning a soft surface, she can simply remove the frame
member 660 from the mop head 614 and then remove the cleaning sheet
comprising protrusions from the mop head. In one embodiment at
least some of the gliders 3660 are substantially perpendicular to
the longitudinal element 1660 and/or 2660. In another embodiment,
at least some of the gliders are attached to the longitudinal
element 1660 and/or 2660 such that the angle between some of the
gliders 3660 and the longitudinal element 1660 and/or 2660 is
comprised between about 0 degrees and about 90 degrees, preferably
between about 45 degrees and about 90 degrees and most preferably
between about 70 and about 85 degrees. The glider(s) can have a
width 3661 comprised between about 0.5 mm and 40 mm, preferably
between about 1 mm and 30 mm, more preferably between about 2 mm
and about 20 mm and even most preferably between about 5 mm to
about 15 mm. The glider(s) can have any suitable geometric shape.
Non-limiting examples of geometric shapes include rectangular,
triangular, trapezoid, hyperbolic, parabolic, sinusoidal and any
combinations thereof. In another embodiment, it might be preferred
that the width of each glider vary along the length of the glider.
In yet another embodiment, it might be preferred that the height of
each glider vary along the length of the glider. In another
embodiment, it might also be preferred that the width of each
glider vary along the height of the glider. In one embodiment, the
width of the portion of the glider(s) which is in contact with the
soft surface can be greater than the width of the portion of the
glider which is in contact with the cleaning sheet. Without
intending to be bound by any theory, it is believed that such
tapered glider(s) improve the cleaning efficiency of a cleaning
sheet having protrusions by fitting in between the protrusions of
the sheet. Without intending to be bound by any theory, it is
believed that a good "glide" of the mop head with a cleaning sheet
having protrusions on a soft surface, is related to both the
"height" of the glider(s) as well as the gliding ratio between the
total surface area of the glider(s) to the total surface of the
bottom surface of the mop head. For example, a cleaning sheet with
protrusions on a mop head 614 which is used without a frame member
660, would have a gliding ratio of zero. On the other hand, a
cleaning sheet with protrusions attached to a mop head 614 that is
used with a frame member 660 covering entirely the cleaning sheet
(i.e. perfect glide of the mop head on the soft surface) would have
a gliding ratio of 1. In one embodiment, the width of the glider(s)
is such that the gliding ratio is comprised between about 0.01 and
about 0.35, preferably between about 0.05 and about 0.25, most
preferably between about 0.1 and about 0.15. In another embodiment
of the invention, at least some of the gliders 3660 can have a
different width. When the frame member 660 comprises 2 gliders
3660, each glider 3660 can be attached to each ends of the
longitudinal element 1660 and/or 2660. When the frame member 660
comprises at least three gliders 3660, it might be preferred that
each glider 3660 be attached to the longitudinal member 1660 and/or
2660 such that the distance between two consecutive gliders is
identical to the distance between two other consecutive gliders
3660. In another embodiment, the distance between a series of
consecutive gliders 3660 can be increasing or decreasing and still
provide the same benefits. In one embodiment of the invention, a
mop head 614 can have a "crown" bottom surface 1614. It might be
desirable to provide a curved profile having a substantially
continuous radius of curvature, as shown in FIG. 53-54, such that a
more pure circular arc is achieved. The radius of curvature can be
determined for a substantially curved bottom surface by measuring
the radius of a circle passing through the terminuses 5614 and 6614
of the bottom surface of the mop head and the tangency point of the
contact surface of the bottom surface. The radius of curvature is
preferably at least about 200 mm, and, more preferably, is at least
about 1000 mm. Most preferably, the radius of curvature is between
about 200 mm and about 1200 mm. This "crown" bottom surface can
have a fixed radius of curvature or a variable radius of curvature.
In one embodiment, it can be preferred that the glider(s) 3660 of
the frame member 660 have the same concavity and radius of
curvature than the "crown" bottom surface 1614 of the mop head 614.
In another embodiment, it might be preferred that the radius of
curvature of the glider(s) 3660, be different than the angle of
curvature of the "crown" bottom surface 1614 of the mop head 614.
In one embodiment, the radius of curvature of the glider(s) 3660 is
smaller than the radius of curvature of the "crown" bottom surface
1614 of the mop head 614. Without intending to be bound by any
theory, it is believed that when the bottom surface of a mop head
614 is substantially flat, it might be beneficial to use this mop
head with a frame member 660 comprising convex glider(s). In this
embodiment, the convex glider(s) not only enhance the glide of the
mop head on a soft surface, but in addition provide a "rocking"
motion to the mop head which increases the "use efficiency" of a
cleaning sheet with protrusions. As previously discussed, the frame
member can be removably attached to the mop head 614. In one
embodiment, the frame member 660 is clipable to the mop head 614.
This can be simply done by having at least one clip or rib on at
least one of the longitudinal members 1660 and/or 2660. In another
embodiment, the frame member 660 can be hingedly attached to the
leading or trailing edge on the mop head 614 and can be clipable
respectively to the trailing or leading edge. In another
embodiment, a strip of hooks and loops fasteners such as
Velcro.RTM. material can be attached to the longitudinal member
1660 and/or 2660 in order to allow a user to attach the frame
member 660 to the mop head 614. In one embodiment of the invention,
the frame member 660 comprises at least one but preferably two
strip of elastic material attached to both the longitudinal member
1660 and 2660. In another embodiment of the invention represented
in FIG. 52, The frame member 660 can comprise at least one,
preferably two, more preferably four strips of a substantially
flexible material 1662, 1664, 2662 and 2664 attached to the
longitudinal member 1660 and/or 2660. These strips of flexible
material 1662, 1664, 2662 and 2664 comprise at least one recess or
projection 1666 and 2666 for being engaged or engaging a
corresponding projection or recess 2614 on the top surface of the
mop head 614. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the
strips of flexible material 1662, 1664, 2662 and 2664 comprise a
plurality of recesses 1666 and 2666 and the mop head 614 comprises
four projections 2614 which are preferably symmetrically located on
the top surface of the mop head 614. One skilled in the art will
understand that the projections 2614 can be in a different
location, for example on the sides of the mop head 614, and still
provide the same benefits. Among other benefits, this embodiment
allows the user to clean a hard or soft surface when the frame
member 660 is removed from the mop head 614 with a dry cleaning
sheet or absorbent cleaning pad. This embodiment also allows the
user to clean a soft surface with a cleaning sheet comprising
protrusions and a frame member 660 but also set the height of the
glider(s) 3660 relative to the bottom surface of the mop head 614
depending on the kind of cleaning sheet which is used and/or soft
surface to be cleaned. One skilled in the art will understand that
depending on which recess 1666, 2666 is engaged by the
projection(s) 2614, the height of the glider(s) 3660 will adjusted.
In an even preferred embodiment, the bottom surface of the mop head
614 comprises at least one but preferably a plurality of grooves
3614 as represented in FIG. 55. Each groove 3614 can be "facing" at
least one corresponding glider 3660. The depth and the width of the
grooves 3614 are such that a groove 3614 can enclose at least
partially, but preferably entirely, at least one corresponding
glider 3660. When the glider(s) 3660 are at least partially but
preferably entirely located within a groove 3614, a user can use
the cleaning implement with a dry cleaning sheet or absorbent pad
without having to remove the frame member 660 entirely as
represented in FIG. 54. Among other benefits, this embodiment
allows a user to keep the frame member 660 attached to the mop head
even when the glider(s) 3660 are not required. As a result, the
frame member 660 is less likely to be lost or misplaced by a user.
One skilled in the art will appreciate that other types of
adjustable attachment mechanism for adjusting the height of the
gliders 3660 can be used and provide the same benefits.
Non-limiting examples of adjustable attachment mechanism can be
hook and loop fasteners such as a strip of hook and loops fasterner
such as Velcro.RTM. material attached to the longitudinal members
1660 and/or 2660, strips of material attached at one end to the
longitudinal members and having a hook member at the other end for
engaging at least one notch or recess on the mop head 614 or strips
of material comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive.
[0121] It is noted that other configurations of gliders are
encompassed by the present invention so as to facilitate the
ability of the cleaning implement to glider across the surface
being cleaned.
[0122] C. Other Optional Features
[0123] The present cleaning implements can also incorporate other
optional, but preferred features, including, but not limited to:
(a) a mop head having a curved bottom surface; and/or (b) a
conformable mop pad affixed to the bottom surface of the mop
head.
[0124] An optional, but preferred, feature of the cleaning
implements herein includes a mop head having a curved bottom
surface. A curved bottom surface of the mop head helps to
facilitate the cleaning sheet to remove debris from the surface
being cleaned. FIG. 3 shows a slightly curved bottom surface of the
mop head 14.
[0125] Preferred curved mop heads are described in detail in
co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 09/821,953 filed Mar. 30, 2001
by Kacher et al.
[0126] The bottom surface of the mop head of the present cleaning
implement also preferably comprises a mop pad affixed thereto. The
mop pad is preferably made of a relatively soft, conformable
material. This will further facilitate the ability of the cleaning
sheet to remove debris from the surface being cleaned. Suitable
materials for making the mop pad include, for example, PVC,
polyurethane, polyethylene, EVA, and the like.
[0127] FIGS. 4 and 5 show a mop pad 60 affixed to the bottom
surface of the mop head 43 of the cleaning implement 41. If the
cleaning implement comprises a pair of gliders 57, as in FIGS. 4
and 5, the mop pad 60 is preferably positioned in between the pair
of gliders 57.
[0128] The mop head of the present cleaning implement can
optionally further comprise a bumper. A bumper generally surrounds
the outside edges of the mop head. The bumper is typically made of
a relatively soft material which helps to prevent damage to
furniture and other potential items in the path of the cleaning
implement when a surface is being cleaned. A suitable material for
making a bumper is santaprene.
[0129] FIGS. 4 and 5 show a mop head 43 comprising a bumper 61
which surrounds the outside edges of the mop head 43.
[0130] The present cleaning implements can further comprise
attachments for attaching a removable cleaning sheet to the
cleaning implement. "Grippers" are preferred way to attach the
present cleaning sheets to a cleaning implement, as shown in FIG.
8. Preferred grippers are described in detail in co-pending U.S.
application Ser. No. 09/374,714 filed Aug. 13, 1999 by Kingry et
al. Another way to attach the present cleaning sheets to a cleaning
implement is via a hook-and-loop fastener system. If a
hook-and-loop fastener system is used, the substrate of the
cleaning sheet will have either hooks or loop material affixed to
the surface of the substrate in contact with the mop head of the
cleaning implement, which will have complementary loop or hook
material affixed thereto to engage the hook or loop material of the
cleaning sheet.
[0131] The cleaning implement 11 of FIG. 1 has four grippers 19
which are located near each of the four comers of the mop head 14.
The grippers 19 are capable of engaging the comers of a removable
cleaning sheet attached to the cleaning implement 11.
[0132] III. Methods of Use
[0133] The present invention further relates to a method of using
the cleaning implements herein. The present methods for removing
debris from a surface generally comprise the step of contacting the
surface with a cleaning implement according to the present
invention. A removable cleaning sheet is preferably attached to the
cleaning implement.
[0134] The present cleaning implements can be used to clean a
variety of surfaces. The surface cleaned with the present cleaning
implements is preferably a fibrous surface, comprising filaments,
threads, or mixtures thereof. The filaments or threads can be made
of wool, silk, cotton, nylon, polypropylene, polyester, or mixtures
thereof. A preferred surface herein is carpet, including woven,
cut-and-loop pile, plush, saxony, loop, berber, oriental, braided,
sculptured, textured, shag, and combinations thereof.
[0135] When the surface being cleaned is carpet, the present
methods can comprise the steps of vacuuming the carpet and then
contacting the carpet with a cleaning implement of the present
invention. The present cleaning implements are particularly
effective in removing debris that is typically difficult to remove
with conventional vacuum cleaners, such as pet hair.
[0136] The present methods can also encompass removing allergens
from a surface, or reducing allergens in the air, comprising the
step of contacting the surface with a cleaning implement of the
present invention.
[0137] While particular embodiments of the subject invention have
been described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that
various changes and modifications of the subject invention can be
made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
In addition, while the present invention has been described in
connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be
understood that this is by way of limitation and the scope of the
invention is defined by the appended claims which should be
construed as broadly as the prior art will permit.
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