U.S. patent application number 11/209872 was filed with the patent office on 2006-03-02 for mop handle with sight window.
This patent application is currently assigned to 3M Innovative Properties Company. Invention is credited to John J. Dyer.
Application Number | 20060045608 11/209872 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35943318 |
Filed Date | 2006-03-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060045608 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dyer; John J. |
March 2, 2006 |
Mop handle with sight window
Abstract
A hollow mop handle adapted to be filled with, contain, and
dispense a fluid wherein the handle includes at least one sight
window positioned adjacent the upper end of the handle
Inventors: |
Dyer; John J.; (Shoreview,
MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
PO BOX 33427
ST. PAUL
MN
55133-3427
US
|
Assignee: |
3M Innovative Properties
Company
|
Family ID: |
35943318 |
Appl. No.: |
11/209872 |
Filed: |
August 23, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60604636 |
Aug 26, 2004 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
401/192 ;
401/195; 401/268 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 11/0072 20130101;
A47L 13/22 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
401/192 ;
401/268; 401/195 |
International
Class: |
A47L 13/12 20060101
A47L013/12; A46B 11/00 20060101 A46B011/00 |
Claims
1. A cleaning tool comprising a. a mop head; b. a handle attached
to the mop head, the handle having an upper portion wherein the
handle is adapted to be filled with, contain, and dispense a fluid;
and c. at least one sight window disposed in the upper portion of
the handle.
2. The cleaning tool of claim 1, wherein the mop head is selected
from the group consisting of a string mop, flat mop, sponge,
squeegee, and broom.
3. The tool of claim 1 wherein, the handle has a length-to-width
ratio of at least 40:1.
4. The tool of claim 1, wherein the handle comprises an upper end
and a lower end, the mop head being attached at the lower end and
the at least one sight window being disposed adjacent the upper end
of the handle.
5. The tool of claim 1, further comprising sight windows disposed
on opposite sides of the handle.
6. The tool of claim 5, wherein the sight windows are disposed on
diametrically opposite sides of the handle.
7. A cleaning tool comprising, a. a mop head; b. a handle having an
upper portion and a length-to-width ratio of at least 40:1, the
handle being adapted to be filled with, contain, and dispense a
fluid attached to the mop head; and, c. at least one sight window
disposed in the upper portion of the handle.
8. The tool of claim 7, further comprising sight windows disposed
on opposite sides of the handle.
9. The tool of claim 8, wherein the sight windows are disposed on
diametrically opposite sides of the handle.
10. The cleaning tool of claim 7, wherein the mop head is selected
from the group consisting of string mop, flat mop, sponge,
squeegee, and broom.
11. The tool of claim 7, wherein the handle comprises an upper end
and a lower end, the mop head being attached at the lower end and
the at least one sight window being disposed adjacent the upper end
of the handle.
12. A liquid dispensing handle for a cleaning implement chosen from
a mop, a squeegee, and a broom comprising: a. a tubular shaft
defining an internal chamber and including a top portion and a
bottom portion; b. means for connecting the floor cleaning
implement to the bottom portion; c. an upper valve assembly
sealably disposed in the top portion; d. means for actuating the
upper valve assembly to allow air into the tubular shaft coupled to
the upper valve assembly; e. a rod longitudinally disposed in the
tubular shaft, the rod defining an internal rod chamber, and
including a bottom portion, the bottom portion defining holes; f. a
lower valve assembly sealably disposed in the bottom portion
including an assembly outlet that allows a liquid to pass out from
the internal chamber directly onto a surface to be cleaned when the
actuating means is manually activated by a user; and, g. at least
one sight window disposed in the top portion of the handle.
13. The tool of claim 1 wherein the at least one sight window is
sealed with one of tape and heat-shrink material or a combination
thereof.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/604,636, filed on Aug. 26, 2004.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a handle for a cleaning
tool such as a mop. More particularly, it relates to a handle
adapted to be a fluid reservoir wherein the handle comprises a
sight window to permit observation of fluid level during refilling
of the handle.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Mops and similar cleaning tools are commonly used for
cleaning surfaces in a wide variety of environments. In its most
basic form, the typical mop includes an elongated handle attached
to a mop head. The handle has a sufficient length to width ratio so
as to require two hands during typical use.
[0004] For most applications, the mop head is soaked with one or
more liquids. For example, a user may employ the mop head to apply
an appropriate liquid to a floor surface (for example cleaning
liquid, disinfectant, wax and the like). Alternatively, or in
addition, water may be used to periodically rinse or clean
collected debris from the mop head. In this regard, the necessary
liquid(s) are contained within one or more buckets that the user
must transport while performing the finishing/cleaning task. This
presents a distinct inconvenience for the user. Further,
inadvertent liquid spillage may occur during the frequent dipping
of the mop head into the bucket(s).
[0005] Numerous efforts have been made to develop a combination mop
assembly/liquid dispenser that overcomes the problems identified
above. One approach entails a liquid container mounted directly
onto the mop handle in conjunction with a valve system that
provides control over liquid flow to the mop head. When filled with
liquid, the attached container renders the mop handle quite
cumbersome to maneuver. Alternatively, cleaning tools have been
developed with handles adapted to contain and dispense a liquid are
known. In some, the handle itself has been designed to contain the
liquid internally. There are toilet brushes, for example, in which
the handles are adapted to contain a reservoir of cleaning liquid
or in which the handle itself is adapted to be the reservoir. In
some instances, the handle has a sight window to allow the user to
determine when the liquid contained within the handle reservoir is
getting low or to allow the user to dispense measured doses of the
cleaning liquid.
[0006] Mops having handles adapted to contain and dispense a liquid
have also been developed. A mop head is attached at the lower end
of the handle. Generally near the mop head is an orifice from which
the cleaning liquid is dispensed from the handle reservoir onto the
mop head or directly onto the floor adjacent the mop head. In
proximity to the other end of the mop handle, the upper end, is
typically an orifice adapted to receive the fresh cleaning liquid
and perhaps a plug which the operator removes to refill the handle.
The plug may be a simple stopper or may have some other function
such as a removable valve assembly for example.
[0007] The typical mop handle can be described as a generally
cylindrical shaft approximately one inch (2.5 cm) in diameter and
4.5-5 feet (135-150 cm) in length. The handle generally has a
length-to-width ratio of at least 40:1 and more typically 60:1. A
mop having a handle of such proportion is intended for two-handed
operation. In comparison, cleaning tools such as toilet or dust
brushes, which are intended for one-handed operation, have handles
that are about 1-1.5 inch (2.5-3.7 cm) in diameter (or major
cross-section dimension) and about 13-16 inches (34-40 cm) in
length representing a length-to-width ratio of considerably less
than 40:1 and more typically 15-20:1.
[0008] Because the length-to-width ratio of a typical mop handle is
considerably greater than that of a cleaning tool such as a toilet
brush, refilling the handle with the desired liquid may present a
challenge to the user. To fill a hollow tubular handle, for
example, with the desired cleaning liquid or other fluid, the
operator removes or displaces the plug from the upper end of the
handle. Liquid may then be poured into the tubular shaft. After the
tubular shaft is filled, the operator replaces the plug thereby
once again sealing the handle reservoir. The user, however, must
use judgment to determine when the handle is full. This can be done
by knowing how much liquid the handle holds and refilling with the
proper amount once the handle is empty. If the user would like to
add the liquid prior to the handle being empty, however, it is
difficult to know how much liquid to add before the handle
overfills. By pouring slowly or listening carefully, one can often
determine when the handle is getting full. Sometimes, however, this
requires more focused attention to the filling operation than the
user has time to provide especially during periods of heavy
workload, that is, a time when the mop handle would require more
frequent filling.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In one aspect, the present invention provides a hollow mop
handle adapted to be filled with, contain, and dispense a fluid
wherein the handle includes at least one sight window positioned
adjacent the upper end of the handle. In one embodiment of this
aspect, the sight window includes one or more apertures in the
exterior wall of the hollow mop handle, the apertures being covered
or sealed with a transparent material. In another embodiment, the
sight window includes a transparent collar adjoining an upper
portion and a lower portion of the mop handle.
[0010] In another aspect, the invention is an improvement on the
cleaning implement of U.S. Pat. No. 6,467,983 ("1893 patent"),
incorporated herein fully by reference. Briefly, the 1983 patent
describes a cleaning implement the handle of which generally is a
tubular shaft which includes two valve assemblies; one at the top,
or upper end, of the tubular shaft, the other at the bottom, or
lower end, of the tubular shaft. Both valve assemblies include
seals to create an air tight chamber within the tube. Accordingly,
when the chamber has liquid in it, the liquid cannot escape onto
the surface to be cleaned until air is introduced into the chamber.
The top valve assembly includes a push button mechanism to allow
air into the air tight chamber. By introducing air, an equal amount
of liquid is dispensed out from the handle through the lower valve
assembly. The improvement comprises adding one or more sight
windows to the upper end of the handle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIGS. 1A and 1B depict schematic examples of sight window
apertures according to the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 depicts a schematic example of a sight window collar
in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0013] The present invention features a mop handle adapted to be
filled with, contain and dispense a fluid wherein the mop handle
has at least one sight window disposed adjacent the upper end of
the handle. The sight window permits the user of the mop to
determine when the handle is nearly full during the refilling
procedure thereby helping to prevent inadvertent overfilling of the
handle and spillage of the fluid.
[0014] In a typical use mode, a mop handle is held in a generally
upright position. With this in mind, the mop handle can be
described as having an upper portion, a middle portion and a lower
portion, the upper portion and the lower portion having ends: the
upper portion having an upper end, and the lower portion, a lower
end. A mop head is attached at the lower end of the handle. As used
herein, the term "mop head" refers to a number of known applicator
and/or cleaning heads, including a string-type mop, flat mop,
sponge, squeegee, broom, etc. When the mop is being used on a
horizontal surface such as a floor, the user generally grasps the
upper portion of the mop handle with one hand and the middle
portion, that is, somewhere between the lower and the upper
portions of the handle, with the other hand.
[0015] FIGS. 1A and 1B depict the upper portion 120 of a hollow,
generally tubular mop handle 100. At or near the upper end 125 of
the handle 100 is provided a filling orifice 110 and plug (not
shown), the filling orifice 110 adapted to receive fresh fluid for
filling the hollow mop handle 100 and the plug adapted to seal the
filling orifice 110 to prevent spillage of the fluid during use and
storage of the mop. In proximity to the filling orifice 110 and
disposed between the filling orifice 110 and the lower portion of
the mop handle (not shown) is provided at least one sight window.
In FIG. 1A, an exemplary sight window is depicted as an elongated
oval aperture 140 and in FIG. 1B, as a generally circular aperture
150. In one variation of this embodiment, sight windows 140 or 150
may be covered with a transparent, typically chemically impervious,
adhesive tape or heat-shrink material to seal the aperture and
permit viewing of at least a portion of the liquid in the interior
of the handle. A particularly suitable tape, for example, is 3M.TM.
Polyester Film Tape #8417 sold by 3M, St Paul, Minn. Exemplary heat
shrinkable materials are flexible polyolefin tubing FP-301 sold by
Electro Insulation Company, Arlington Heights, Ill., and adhesive
lined polyolefin tubing NP-321 sold by Nelco Products Inc,
Pembroke, Mass.
[0016] As used herein, the term "transparent" includes the usual
meanings of both "transparent" and "translucent", that is, a
"transparent" material permits sufficient passage of light there
through such that an object on one side of the material may be
seen, if only dimly, from the other side.
[0017] The sight window apertures may also be fitted with
transparent inlays which seal the aperture and make it leak-proof.
Inlays may be made of polymeric materials, also known as
engineering plastics or engineering resins, such as
(meth)acrylates, polyesters, polycarbonates, silicone polymers and
the like. Specific examples include polymethyl methacrylate,
polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene
terephthalate, and silicone polymers all available commercially
from General Electric, Pittsfield, Mass., and other suppliers. The
skilled artisan can determine which engineering plastic is most
suitable based on the composition and properties of the handle and
the fluid(s) to be used therein.
[0018] Inlays may be machined, molded, or otherwise formed to fit
into the dimensions of the aperture and may be held in place in the
aperture by adhesive means or by mechanical means such as snap or
pressure fitting which are well-known techniques to those of
ordinary skill in the art. Typical adhesives are water and chemical
resistant and provide suitable mechanical strength during use to
prevent the sight windows from detaching from the wall of the
handle. Examples of suitable adhesives are silicone rubber
adhesives and epoxy adhesives, both being well-known and commonly
available. However, choice of most suitable adhesive will depend on
the physical and chemical properties of the inlay material, the
handle material, and the fluid to be contained within the
handle.
[0019] A sight window can be of any desired shape and/or size
consistent with maintenance of the structural integrity of the
handle. For example, FIG. 2 depicts the upper portion 210 of a mop
handle 200 in which a sight window 250 circumscribes the perimeter
of the handle. In this configuration, the sight window 250 is
adapted to join the upper end 220 of the handle to the upper
portion 210 of the handle. For example, a sight window 250 can
comprise threaded or tapered structures which mate with
corresponding threaded or tapered structures in the interior
portions of the adjoining sections of mop handle. Alternatively, or
additionally, a sight window 250 can be adhesively connected to the
adjoining portions of the handle. As stated previously, choice of
adhesive will depend on the physical and chemical properties of the
inlay material, the handle material, and the fluid to be contained
within the handle, all of which will be understood by the
artisan.
[0020] The sight window permits the user to view the level of
liquid inside the hollow handle as the handle is being filled. Both
the dimension and position on the handle of the sight window will
likely be determined by the manufacturer of the handle based, at
least in part, on the size of the filling orifice. That is, a large
filling orifice permits more rapid filling of the handle than does
a smaller orifice. In a handle that can be filled rapidly, one
might desire a sight window to be larger or be positioned somewhat
further away from the filling orifice in order to provide
sufficient visual warning of the handle being nearly full well in
advance of possible overflow. A larger sight window may permit
easier viewing of the fluid level within the handle by virtue of
larger viewing area or because a larger window permits more light
within the handle interior thereby making it easier to see the
contents. Increased visibility of the liquid level within the
handle may also be obtained by disposing sight windows on diametric
opposite sides of the handle thereby permitting transmission of
light through one sight window, through the interior of the handle,
and out the opposite sight window.
[0021] In some instances, it may provide comfort to the user of the
mop to have the handle wrapped with a soft, compressible material
to cushion the grip and make it easier to hold and use the mop.
Various fabrics and polymeric materials are known to be used for
this purpose, in particular a closed or open cell polymeric foam
wrap. It is contemplated to provide on the mop handle a cushion
grip having a sight window. This may be achieved by providing at
least one sight window aperture in the wall of the hollow mop
handle, providing a cushion grip adapted to fit around the handle
wherein the cushion grip has at least one aperture corresponding to
the at least one sight window aperture, and affixing the cushion
grip onto the mop handle such that at least one cushion grip
apertures aligns with the at least one sight window apertures. It
is also contemplated that the cushion grip material may be a
heat-shrink polymer such as denoted previously wherein the
heat-shrink material is generally opaque except for a transparent
portion corresponding to the sight window aperture in the
handle.
[0022] The 1983 patent describes in part a liquid dispensing handle
for a cleaning implement chosen from a mop, a squeegee, and a broom
comprising: a tubular shaft defining an internal chamber and
including a top portion and a bottom portion; means for connecting
the floor cleaning implement to the bottom portion; an upper valve
assembly sealably disposed in the top portion; means for actuating
the upper valve assembly to allow air into the tubular shaft
coupled to the upper valve assembly; a rod longitudinally disposed
in the tubular shaft, the rod defining an internal rod chamber, and
including a bottom portion, the bottom portion defining holes; and
a lower valve assembly sealably disposed in the bottom portion
including an assembly outlet that allows a liquid to pass out from
the internal chamber directly onto a surface to be cleaned when
said actuating means is manually activated by a user.
[0023] To refill the handle, one removes the upper valve assembly
thereby opening the top portion of the tubular shaft and permitting
introduction of liquid into the hollow interior. The handle,
however, is not transparent. As described previously, it is
difficult to know when the handle is nearly full, and often during
the filling process, the filling liquid overflows the handle.
Addition of one or more sight windows to this handle solves the
indicated problem by permitting the user to see the liquid level in
advance of the handle being full and thereby knowing when to stop
adding liquid to the handle.
[0024] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes
may be made in the embodiments described without departing from the
scope of the present invention. For example, a sight window can be
external to the handle as when a clear tubing is attached to the
handle such that the interior of the tubing communicates with the
interior of the handle. When liquid in the handle is at the same
height as at least a portion of the tubing, liquid will be visible
in the tubing at the same height. Thus, the scope of the present
invention should not be limited to the structures and methods
described in this application, but only by the structures and
methods described by the language of the claims and the equivalents
thereof.
* * * * *