U.S. patent application number 10/341306 was filed with the patent office on 2003-12-04 for mop and mop pad.
Invention is credited to Blouse, Gary D., Lokhandwala, Saumil, Makhija, Manu.
Application Number | 20030221274 10/341306 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29586608 |
Filed Date | 2003-12-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030221274 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Makhija, Manu ; et
al. |
December 4, 2003 |
Mop and mop pad
Abstract
A mop is comprised of a mop head pivoted to the lower end of a
stem. The mop head is comprised of a hollow housing, and a bottom
plate with one end hinged to the housing, and another end secured
to the housing with a latch. A mop pad is comprised of a flattened
tubular sleeve for sliding around the bottom plate. The mop pad is
comprised of a tubular base layer, and a dry layer attached to the
bottom of the base layer. A relatively thick absorbent layer is
attached to the interior of the bottom panel of the base layer to
absorb water for wet mopping. The absorbent layer is secured inside
the base layer by a bind layer which has opposite edges attached to
the interior of the base layer.
Inventors: |
Makhija, Manu; (Castro
Valley, CA) ; Lokhandwala, Saumil; (Hayward, CA)
; Blouse, Gary D.; (Oakland, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JACK LO
617 VIEWRIDGE DRIVE
PACIFICA
CA
94044
|
Family ID: |
29586608 |
Appl. No.: |
10/341306 |
Filed: |
January 13, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60384696 |
May 31, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
15/228 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 13/257 20130101;
A47L 13/20 20130101; A47L 13/256 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/228 |
International
Class: |
A47L 013/20 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A mop, comprising: an elongated stem; a housing attached to a
lower end of said stem; a bottom plate connected to said housing;
and a mop pad comprised of a flattened tubular sleeve slid around
said bottom plate.
2. The mop of claim 1, wherein said tubular sleeve is comprised of:
a flattened tubular base layer comprised of a folded tubular sheet;
a dry layer attached to an exterior of a bottom panel of said base
layer for dry mopping; an absorbent layer positioned against an
interior of said bottom panel of said base layer for absorbing
liquid for wet mopping; a bind layer with opposite edges attached
to said interior of said base layer, wherein said absorbent layer
is secured between said bind layer and said base layer; and a space
between said bind layer and a top panel of said base layer, wherein
said bottom plate is received in said space.
3. The mop of claim 2, further including additional dry layers
stacked on said dry layer for being peeled off individually after
each use.
4. The mop of claim 2, wherein said dry layer is removably attached
to said base layer along opposite edges of said dry layer to enable
said dry layer to be torn away from said base layer after use.
5. The mop of claim 2, further including tabs on opposite ends of
said top panel of said base layer for being gripped during
removal.
6. The mop of claim 2, wherein said base layer is comprised of a
material for allowing said liquid to pass through to said absorbent
layer.
7. The mop of claim 2, wherein said absorbent layer is comprised of
an absorbent material.
8. The mop of claim 2, wherein said bind layer is comprised of a
non-woven sheet with which is tear resistant and anti-slip.
9. The mop of claim 2, further including a lip projecting up from
said bottom plate, wherein said lip is arranged to clamp said top
panel of said base layer against an interior surface of said
housing to secure said mop pad in position and to stretch taut said
mop pad.
10. A mop, comprising: an elongated stem; a housing attached to a
lower end of said stem; a bottom plate with a proximal end hinged
to said housing; a lip projecting up from said bottom plate; a
first latch member on a movable end of said bottom plate; a second
latch member on said housing and arranged to mate with said first
latch member on said a mop pad comprising a flattened tubular
sleeve slid around said bottom plate, wherein said tubular sleeve
is comprised of: a flattened tubular base layer; a dry layer
attached to an exterior of a bottom panel of said base layer for
dry mopping; an absorbent layer attached to an interior of said
bottom panel of said base layer for absorbing liquid for wet
mopping; a bind layer with opposite edges attached to said interior
of said base layer, wherein said wet layer is secured between said
bind layer and said base layer; and a space between said bind layer
and a top panel of said base layer, wherein said bottom plate is
received in said space; wherein said top panel of said base layer
is clamped between bottom plate and said housing, and said mop pad
is stretched taut by said lip on said bottom plate.
11. The mop of claim 10, wherein said bind layer is comprised of a
non-woven sheet which is tear resistant and anti-slip.
12. The mop of claim 10, wherein said absorbent layer is comprised
of an absorbent material.
13. The mop of claim 10, wherein said base layer is comprised of a
material for allowing said liquid to pass through to said absorbent
layer.
14. The mop of claim 10, wherein said dry layer is comprised of a
fabric which is electrostatic, and tear and stretch resistant.
15. The mop of claim 10, wherein said dry layer is removably
attached to said base layer along opposite edges of said dry layer
to enable said dry layer to be torn away from said base layer after
use.
16. The mop of claim 10 further including additional dry layers
stacked on said dry layer for being peeled off individually after
each use.
17. The mop of claim 10, further including tabs on opposite ends of
said top panel for being gripped during removal.
18. A mop pad, comprising: a flattened tubular sleeve for being
slid around a rigid mop head.
19. The mop pad of claim 18, wherein said tubular sleeve is
comprised of: a flattened tubular base layer; a dry layer attached
to an exterior of a bottom panel of said base layer for dry
mopping; an absorbent layer attached to an interior of said bottom
panel of said base layer for absorbing liquid for wet mopping; a
bind layer with opposite edges attached to said interior of said
base layer, wherein said absorbent layer is secured between said
bind layer and said base layer; a space between said bind layer and
a top panel of said base layer for receiving said mop head.
20. The mop of claim 18, further including tabs on opposite ends of
said tubular sleeve for being gripped during removal.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] We claim the benefit of U.S. provisional application No.
60/384,696 filed on May 31, 2002.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention broadly relates to mops with replaceable
pads.
[0004] 2. Prior Art
[0005] Mops for washing, hard floors have two general types of mop
heads. One type is comprised of a bundle of absorbent fiber cords
for heavy duty washing and drying. The other type is comprised of a
flat support plate, and an absorbent mop pad wrapped around the
support plate for light duty washing or dusting. The mop pad is
comprised of a flat sheet which is positioned under the support
plate, and the ends are wrapped around the top of the support
plate. The ends of the sheet are secured to the support plate by
several clips or other retainers. The clips are generally
inconvenient to use.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The objects of the present invention are to provide:
[0007] a mop head which easily secures a mop pad;
[0008] a mop pad which is easily replaceable;
[0009] a mop pad which is easy to grab during removal;
[0010] a mop pad with a dry layer for light dusting;
[0011] a mop pad with a dry layer which is easily detachable from
the rest of the mop pad after use; and
[0012] a mop pad with a absorbent layer for wet mopping.
[0013] A mop is comprised of a mop head pivoted to the lower end of
a stem. The mop head is comprised of a hollow housing, and a bottom
plate with one end hinged to the housing, and another end secured
to the housing with a latch. A mop pad is comprised of a flattened
tubular sleeve for sliding around the bottom plate. The mop pad is
comprised of a tubular base layer, and a dry layer attached to the
bottom of the base layer. A relatively thick absorbent layer is
attached to the interior of the bottom panel of the base layer to
absorb water for wet mopping. The absorbent layer is secured inside
the base layer by a bind layer which has opposite edges attached to
the interior of the base layer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0014] FIG. 1 is a front perspective exploded view of the present
mop and mop pad.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the mop pad, taken along line
2-2 in FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of
the mop pad.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the mop pad mounted on
the mop.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the mop and mop pad, taken
along line 5-5 in FIG. 4.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the mop and mop pad, taken
along line 6-6 in FIG. 4.
DRAWING REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0020]
1 10. Mop 11. Mop Pad 12. Mop Head 13. Stem 14. Nozzle 15. Housing
16. Bottom Plate 17. Hinge 18. First Latch Member 19. Second Latch
Member 20. Tab 21. Tab 22. Top Panel 23. Base Layer 24. Overlapping
Joint 25. Dry Layer 26. Bottom Panel 27. Absorbent layer 28. Bind
Layer 29. Container 30. Lip 31. Base Layer 32. Top Panel 33. Bottom
Panel 34. Flange
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] FIG. 1:
[0022] A preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in a front
perspective exploded view in FIG. 1. It includes a mop 10 and a
replaceable tubular mop pad 11. Mop 10 comprised of a mop head 12
attached to the lower end of a stem 13. A valve or sprayer nozzle
14 is arranged on a front end of mop head 12 for spraying a
cleaning liquid on the floor ahead of mop head 12. Mop head 12
includes a rigid hollow housing 15, and a rigid bottom plate 16
movably attached to housing 15. Bottom plate 16 is preferably
connected to housing 15 with a hinge 17, but it may be connected by
another mechanism, such as latches at either end.
[0023] A first latch member 18 is arranged on a distal end of
bottom plate 16 for mating with a second latch member 19 on housing
15. In this example, first latch member 18 is comprised of a female
receptacle, and second latch member 19 is comprised of a male
member. A tab 20 is arranged adjacent first latch member 18 for
opening bottom plate 16 when bottom plate 16 is closed.
Alternatively, instead of being hinged at one end, bottom plate may
be may be completely detachable, and may be attached to the housing
with another mechanism, such as latches, snap-fit tabs, etc.
[0024] Mop pad 11 is comprised of a flattened tubular sleeve for
sliding around bottom plate 16. The tubular shape of mop pad 11
makes it easier to install and remove than a conventional flat pad
which must be folded over the top of bottom plate 16. Mop pad 11
includes tabs 21 on opposite ends of a top panel 22 for being
gripped during removal.
[0025] FIG. 2.
[0026] A sectional view of tubular mop pad 11 is shown in FIG. 2.
Mop pad 11 is comprised of a flattened tubular base layer 23 formed
from a single folded sheet with opposite edges attached to each
other in an overlapping joint 24, preferably by heat sealing.
Alternatively, the opposite edges may be joined by another method,
such as hot or cold gluing. Overlapping joint 24 may be may made
with fasteners activated by the user, or base layer 24 may be a
seamless tube without a joint. Base layer 23 is preferably
comprised of a non-woven cotton and polyester blend or similar
material which is tear and stretch resistant, has a low coefficient
of friction, allows fluids to pass through, and is printable.
[0027] A dry layer 25 is removably attached to the exterior of a
bottom panel 26 of flattened tubular base layer 23 for dry mopping
or dusting. Dry layer 25 is preferably comprised of a relatively
thin, inexpensive strong fabric which is electrostatic, and tear
and stretch resistant. Dry layer 25 is preferably lightly heat
sealed to base layer 23 along its opposite edges so that dry layer
25 may be torn away from base layer 23 by the user after use.
Additional dry layers may be stacked together and peeled off one at
a time after each use. Alternatively, a single dry layer 25 may be
permanently attached to base layer 23. Dry layer 25 also may be
attached to the exterior of top panel 22 of base layer 23, in which
case base layer 23 must be reversed to mop with dry layer 25.
[0028] A absorbent layer 27 is attached to the interior of bottom
panel 26 of base layer 23 to absorb water for wet mopping.
Absorbent layer 27 is preferably comprised of a relatively thick,
highly absorbent cotton or similar fiber packs. Absorbent layer 27
is secured inside base layer 23 by a bind layer 28 which has
opposite edges attached to the interior of base layer 23. Bind
layer 28 is preferably a non-woven sheet, such as a plastic film
which is tear resistant and has anti-slip properties. A space is
provided between bind layer 28 and top panel 22 of tubular base
layer 23 for receiving the bottom plate of the mop head. Mop pad 11
is preferably provided dry, but may be impregnated with a cleaning
fluid or be scented.
[0029] FIG. 3:
[0030] Alternatively, a base layer 31 may be comprised of a top
panel 32 attached to a separate bottom panel 33 at opposite ends
along projecting flanges 34 that may be optionally formed into cut
fringes.
[0031] FIG. 4:
[0032] Mop pad 11 is shown in FIG. 4 after being slid onto the
bottom plate (not shown), and after the bottom plate is closed
against the bottom of housing 15. Mop 10 may be used for dry moping
or dusting without any fluid, or it may be soaked with water or a
cleaning fluid for wet mopping.
[0033] FIG. 5:
[0034] In the sectional view shown in FIG. 5, first latch member 18
and second latch member 19 are mated together to secure bottom
plate 16 against housing 15. Top panel 22 of base layer 23 is
positioned on top of bottom plate 16, and bottom panel 26 of base
layer 23 is positioned under bottom plate 16. A cleaning liquid
container 29 is positioned within housing 12 for supplying a
cleaning liquid to the valve or spray nozzle on the front of mop
head 12.
[0035] FIG. 6:
[0036] In the sectional view shown in FIG. 6, a lip 30 projecting
up from a top surface of bottom plate 16 is arranged to clamp top
panel 22 of base layer 23 against an interior surface of the
housing to help secure mop pad 11 in position and to take up the
slack in mop pad 11. Also, bind layer 28 is preferably comprised of
an anti-slip material to further help prevent slippage.
[0037] Scope
[0038] Although the above description is specific, they should not
be considered as limitations on the scope of the invention, but
only as examples of the embodiments. Many substitutes and
variations are possible within the teachings of the invention.
Therefore, the scope of the invention should be determined by the
appended claims and their legal equivalents, not by the examples
given.
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