U.S. patent application number 11/817476 was filed with the patent office on 2008-05-08 for surface cleaning device.
This patent application is currently assigned to Carl Freudenberg KG. Invention is credited to Phu-Dennis Tran.
Application Number | 20080104790 11/817476 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36031971 |
Filed Date | 2008-05-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080104790 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tran; Phu-Dennis |
May 8, 2008 |
Surface Cleaning Device
Abstract
The invention relates to a surface cleaning device, comprising a
support body (1), connected to a cleaning sponge (2), whereby the
support body (1) has at least one plunger-shaped projection (3) on
the side thereof facing the cleaning sponge (2), which is arranged
in a corresponding recess (4) in the cleaning sponge (2).
Inventors: |
Tran; Phu-Dennis; (Weinheim,
DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LEYDIG VOIT & MAYER, LTD
TWO PRUDENTIAL PLAZA, SUITE 4900
180 NORTH STETSON AVENUE
CHICAGO
IL
60601-6731
US
|
Assignee: |
Carl Freudenberg KG
Hohnerweg 2-4
Weinheim
DE
69469
|
Family ID: |
36031971 |
Appl. No.: |
11/817476 |
Filed: |
November 18, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
November 18, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP05/12355 |
371 Date: |
August 30, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/244.4 ;
15/244.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 13/257
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/244.4 ;
015/244.1 |
International
Class: |
A47L 13/16 20060101
A47L013/16 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 3, 2005 |
DE |
10 2005 009 633.6 |
Claims
1. Surface cleaning device comprising a carrier body, which is
connected to a cleaning sponge, where the carrier body presents at
least one plunger-shaped projection on the side turned toward the
cleaning sponge, which projection is arranged in a congruently
shaped recess of the cleaning sponge, where the cleaning sponge
comprises at least two partial cleaning sponges, each with a
cleaning surface, where the partial cleaning sponges, which are
made of different materials, are arranged next to each other and
connected to each other, where the first partial cleaning sponge
presents a greater flexibility than the second one, each in the dry
state.
2. Surface cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the ratio
of the height of the recess to the height of the cleaning sponge is
less than or equal to 1.
3. Surface cleaning device according to claim 2, wherein the ratio
is 0.3-0.95.
4. Surface cleaning device according to claim 2, wherein the ratio
is 0.5-0.75.
5. Surface cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the
cleaning sponge presents a plurality of recesses, where a
projection is arranged in each one of the recesses.
6. Surface cleaning device according to claim 5, wherein the
recesses are arranged with regular distribution over the upper
surface of the cleaning sponge, which is turned toward the carrier
body.
7. Surface cleaning device according to claim 5, wherein the
recesses are arranged only in a partial area of the cleaning
sponge, and in that the partial area forms a power zone with
increased cleaning effectiveness with respect to the areas of the
cleaning sponge that border the partial area.
8. Surface cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the
cleaning sponge is made of polyurethane.
9. Surface cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the
cleaning sponge is made of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA).
10. Surface cleaning device according to claim 7, wherein the
partial area is a component of the first partial cleaning
sponge.
11. Surface cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein only the
first partial cleaning sponge is made of polyurethane (PU).
12. Surface cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the
second partial cleaning sponge is made of cellulose.
13. Surface cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the
partial cleaning sponges are each constructed as a single piece and
of the same material.
14. Surface cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the
partial cleaning sponges each present a substantially cuboid
design, and they are connected to each other by their, in each case
mutually facing, front sides.
15. Surface cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein on the
front side of the first partial cleaning sponge, which is turned
away from the second partial cleaning sponge, a third partial
cleaning sponge is arranged and is connected to the first partial
cleaning sponge.
16. Surface cleaning device according to claim 15, wherein the
second and the third partial cleaning sponge are designed so they
agree with regard to shape and/or material.
17. Surface cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein only the
cleaning surface of the first partial cleaning sponge presents a
microfiber wiping trimming on the side turned away from the upper
surface.
18. Surface cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the
carrier body presents at least two flaps, which are connected to
each other in such a way that they can be folded by an articulation
designed like a hinge, where the articulation is arranged
exclusively in the area of the surface of the first partial
cleaning sponge.
19. Surface cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the
carrier body is made of a polymer material.
20. Surface cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the
projections form a component of the carrier body, which component
forms a single piece with the carrier body and is made of the same
material.
21. Surface cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the
projections are made of an elastomer material.
22. Surface cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the
projections are designed so that they are elastically resilient in
the axial direction.
23. Surface cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the
carrier body and the cleaning sponge are connected to each other in
a detachable and destruction-free manner.
24. Surface cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the
carrier body presents a handle on the side turned away from the
cleaning sponge.
25. Surface cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the
carrier body and the handle are connected to each other by linkage
with an articulation.
26. (canceled)
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The invention relates to a surface cleaning device.
[0002] Surface cleaning devices are known in general, and they
comprise, for example, a carrier body, which is connected to a
cleaning sponge. The cleaning sponge consists, for example, of PU
foam with constant firmness and with a cuboid shape.
[0003] As a result of the constant firmness throughout the entire
cleaning sponge, and the cuboid design, the contact pressure that
needs to be applied by the user to the surface cleaning device is
of substantially the same magnitude over the entire area of the
cleaning surface of the cleaning foam. To remove more resistant
soiling on the surface to be cleaned requires frequent back and
forth wiping, and a strong increase of the force applied by the
user to the cleaning foam.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The invention is based on the problem of further developing
a surface cleaning device of the type mentioned in the introduction
so that more resistant soiling on parts of the surface to be
cleaned can be removed more rapidly and/or more easily with the
application of less force by the user.
[0005] This problem is solved according to the invention with the
characteristics of claim 1. The dependent claims refer to
advantageous designs.
[0006] To solve the problem, a surface cleaning device is provided,
which comprises a carrier body that is connected to a cleaning
sponge, where, on the side turned toward the cleaning sponge, the
carrier body presents at least a plunger-shaped projection, which
is arranged in a congruently shaped recess of the cleaning sponge.
Here, it is advantageous that the projection that is turned toward
the surface to be cleaned present a smaller separation from the
surface to be cleaned than the adjoining areas of the carrier body;
in other words: the cleaning sponge presents a height, between the
surface to be cleaned and the projection, which is smaller than the
height of the cleaning sponge in the areas that are adjacent to and
abut the projection.
[0007] If the surface cleaning device according to the invention is
to be used to remove resistant soiling from the surface to be
cleaned, this can be achieved in a comparatively simple way by the
user having to apply, with only slightly increased effort, pressure
via the carrier body and the cleaning sponge to the surface to be
cleaned. Because the height of the cleaning sponge between the
surface to be cleaned and the front side of the projection that is
turned toward the surface to be cleaned is smaller than the total
height of the cleaning sponge, a slightly increased effort is
sufficient to allow application in the area of the projection of a
specific higher contact pressure to the surface to be cleaned,
where this specific higher surface compression has the effect in
the area of the projection that even resistant soiling can be
removed without problem from the surface to be cleaned.
[0008] The ratio of the height of the recess to the height of the
cleaning sponge is smaller than or equal to 1. It is preferred for
the ratio to be 0.3-0.95, and more advantageous for it to be
0.5-0.75. If the ratio of the height of the recess to the height of
the cleaning sponge is close to 1, this means that the remaining
height of the cleaning sponge between the cleaning surface of the
cleaning sponge and the front side of the projection is only very
small. Although it is advantageous that, as a result, the force of
the user can be applied almost directly and without loss to the
surface area to be cleaned, the disadvantage by comparison is that
the cleaning sponge in the area of its only very small height is
exposed to high mechanical stress, and as a result wears relatively
rapidly, and, in the case of damage to the cleaning sponge in the
area in the area [sic] of the projection, there is a risk of
damaging the surface to be cleaned.
[0009] If the ratio is equal to 1, then the cleaning sponge, on the
side turned toward the surface to be cleaned, presents a cleaning
towel, preferably made of microfibers, where the projections can
then act directly on the cleaning towel, if pressure is applied to
the cleaning sponge.
[0010] For most application cases it has been shown to be
advantageous if the ratio of the height of the recess to the height
of the cleaning sponge is 0.5-0.75. Such a design ensures a very
good compromise between the increased cleaning efficiency in the
area of the projection, on the one hand, and the durability of the
cleaning sponge in this area, on the other hand.
[0011] In an advantageous design, the cleaning sponge presents a
plurality of recesses, where a projection is arranged in each of
the recesses.
[0012] According to a first design, the recesses can be arranged in
a regular distribution over the upper surface of the cleaning
sponge that is turned toward the carrier body. The surface of the
surface cleaning device, which covers the projections, is
relatively large, wherein the force that is exerted onto the
surface cleaning device is distributed over the plurality of the
projections, and as a result, with respect to each individual
projection, with constant effort, only a comparatively small force
can be exerted on the surface to be cleaned.
[0013] According to another design, it is possible to arrange the
recesses in only a partial area of the cleaning sponge, and for the
partial area to form a power zone with increased cleaning
effectiveness with respect to the areas of the cleaning sponge that
abut the partial area. The advantage here is that the force is
applied by the user to the smaller partial area, with respect to
the total cleaning surface, and as a result a specific higher force
is applied effectively to the surface to be cleaned. Even more
resistant soiling can, as a result, be removed with the same
effort. In addition, such a design has the advantage that, in the
areas that abut the partial area, the entire height of the cleaning
sponge, and thus a large volume, is available as reservoir for the
cleaning fluid.
[0014] The cleaning sponge can be made of polyurethane (PU). Here,
it is advantageous for the cleaning sponge to present good
durability even if exposed to strong mechanical stress.
[0015] According to another design, it is possible for the cleaning
sponge to be made of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). Instead, it is also
possible to make the cleaning sponge of cellulose, for example.
[0016] Compared to cleaning sponges made of PU, both PVA and
cellulose present the advantage that they can absorb larger
quantities of cleaning fluid and store them, and the cleaning
effectiveness is improved compared to cleaning sponges made of
PU.
[0017] The cleaning sponges are made, for example, entirely of
cellulose or entirely of polyurethane.
[0018] However, in case the design of the sponge uses only one
material, the disadvantage is particularly that, if the cleaning
sponge is used in connection with a mop with wings, a cleaning
sponge made of cellulose, in the dry state, can be bent only with
difficulty, or not at all without being destroyed, and that sponges
made of polyurethane present only a comparatively low cleaning
effectiveness and therefore are not particularly well suited to
absorb soiling.
[0019] To avoid the mentioned drawbacks, the cleaning sponge
comprises at least two partial cleaning sponges, each with a
cleaning surface, where the partial cleaning sponges, which are
made of different materials, are arranged next to each other and
connected to each other, and where the first partial cleaning
sponge presents a greater flexibility than the second one, in each
case in the dry state.
[0020] The advantage of such a design is that the cleaning sponge
can be adapted well to the given circumstances of an application
case, and can be suitably used together with a mop with wings. The
mop with wings can also be operated well if the cleaning body is
dry or largely dry, without the cleaning sponge being damaged or
destroyed.
[0021] As a result of the cleaning sponge being individualized in
terms of operational technology, the partial cleaning sponges are
designed in such a way that they are in each case suited
particularly well for solving given partial problems. The cleaning
sponge, in the area of the first partial cleaning sponge, is
particularly flexible, so that it can also be used well in
connection with a mop with wings, and the mop with wings can also
be operated without problem in the dry state of the cleaning sponge
without the cleaning sponge being damaged or destroyed. The
material of the second partial cleaning sponge can be selected with
a view to a particularly good cleaning effectiveness without having
to take into account whether it is flexible or not in the dry
state.
[0022] Using the first partial cleaning sponge in the dry state, an
excellent functioning of the flap mechanism of a mop with wings is
ensured even if the cleaning sponge is dry or only slightly
moistened.
[0023] The first partial cleaning sponge is preferably made of
polyurethane (PU). The advantage here is that the first partial
cleaning sponge made of polyurethane is always very
flexible/foldable regardless of whether it is dry or wet, and as a
result it does not have a negative effect, even in the dry or
largely dry state, on the functioning of a mop with wings, to which
the cleaning sponge is attached in a detachable, preferably
destruction free, manner. The durability of such a partial cleaning
sponge is good because polyurethane presents a comparatively high
resistance against mechanical stress, even if an increased contact
pressure is applied by the user to the first partial cleaning
sponge.
[0024] The second partial cleaning sponge preferably consists,
according to a first advantageous design, of cellulose. Here, the
advantage is that the second partial cleaning sponge presents good
usage properties with regard to its cleaning effectiveness because
cellulose absorbs soiling particularly well. Although partial
cleaning sponges made of cellulose, in the dry state, present only
a very low flexibility, this does not have a disadvantageous effect
on the cleaning sponge according to the invention and its use in a
mop with wings because, for flexibility, the substantially more
flexible first partial cleaning sponge is provided.
[0025] According to a second advantageous design, the second
partial cleaning sponge is made of polyvinyl alcohol. In contrast
to a second partial cleaning sponge made of cellulose, the second
partial cleaning sponge made of PVA has the advantage that the pore
size of the second partial cleaning sponge can be adapted very well
to the given circumstances of the application case. In addition,
the absorption of PVA is frequently somewhat higher than the water
uptake of cellulose.
[0026] The partial cleaning sponge[s] are in each case designed as
a single piece and of a single material. Such a design is of
decisive importance particularly for the first partial cleaning
sponge, because it ensures that each partial area of this first
partial cleaning sponge presents the same advantageous flexibility;
consequently it prevents drawbacks with regard to flexibility,
which would result, for example, from using a mixture of materials
for the first partial cleaning sponge, because, for example, the
latter would be constructed in layers from the surface to be
cleaned in the direction toward the carrier body of the mop with
wings.
[0027] In each case, the partial cleaning sponges can be designed
to be substantially cuboid, and they can be connected to each other
in each case on their mutually facing front sides. As a result, the
cleaning sponge is subdivided overall in functional zones, where
each functional zone corresponds to a partial cleaning sponge.
[0028] In a particularly advantageous design, a third partial
cleaning sponge is arranged on the frontal side of the first
partial cleaning sponge, which side is turned away from the second
partial cleaning sponge, and the third sponge is connected to the
first partial cleaning sponge. It is also advantageous for the
second and the third partial cleaning sponges to be designed so
that they agree in terms of shape and/or material. The handling is
simplified by the symmetry of the cleaning sponge with respect to
the first cleaning sponge. For different application cases, the
second and the third cleaning sponges may agree in terms of their
shape, yet present mutually different designs with regard to the
material. The second partial cleaning sponge, as a result, could
exhibit, for example, a more abrasive cleaning action than the
third sponge, while the third partial cleaning sponge could
exhibit, for example, a greater flexibility than the second partial
cleaning sponge. As a result, the cleaning sponge is adapted to the
given circumstances of the application case. However, it is also
possible to use the same material for the second and the third
partial cleaning sponge, but a different design. For example, the
second partial cleaning sponge could be rounded on the front side
which is turned away from the first partial cleaning sponge, while
the third partial cleaning sponge, on the other hand, could present
an angular design of the frontal side which is turned away from the
first partial cleaning sponge.
[0029] Only the cleaning surface of the first partial cleaning
sponge may exhibit a microfiber wiping trimming on the side that is
turned away from the corresponding upper surface. The wiping
trimming is advantageous, especially if the first partial cleaning
sponge is made of PU, which exhibits a comparatively lower cleaning
effectiveness with respect to cellulose. To combine, on the other
hand, the excellent flexibility of the PU material of the first
partial cleaning sponge with, on the other hand, a good cleaning
effectiveness, it is advantageous to use the microfiber wiping
trimming. The microfiber wiping trimming is in the shape of a
towel, and it presents, with respect to the thickness of the first
partial cleaning sponge, a negligibly small thickness, so that the
flexibility of the first partial cleaning sponge is not affected by
the use of the microfiber wiping trimming.
[0030] The wiping trimming can be made, for example, of a material
that is not a microfiber. If a material with stronger abrasive
action is required, a wiping trimming can be used which is made in
part of microfibers and in part of viscose.
[0031] The carrier body comprises two flaps, which are connected to
each other in a manner which allows folding, by means of an
articulation designed like a hinge, where the articulation is
arranged exclusively in the area of the upper surface of the first
partial cleaning sponge. A mop with wings that has such a cleaning
sponge has the advantage that the folding mechanism of the mop with
wings also functions well if the cleaning sponge is dry or
moistened only slightly. This is achieved by the fact that the
first partial cleaning sponge of the mop with wings exhibits a
flexibility, which is at least largely consistently satisfactory
regardless of whether the first partial cleaning sponge is dry,
moist or wet.
[0032] Particularly in such a design, using the material PU for the
first partial cleaning sponge is particularly advantageous because
PU presents a substantially higher elongation at break than
cellulose, which results in an improved durability for the cleaning
sponge even in case of high mechanical stressing by the nap.
[0033] The carrier body is made advantageously of a polymer
material. It is advantageous for such a carrier body to have a low
weight and to be resistant against many cleaning fluids.
[0034] The projections can form a component that is formed as a
single piece with, and of the same material as, the carrier body.
With regard to a simple and cost effective manufacture of the
surface cleaning device, such a design is advantageous, because the
entire carrier body including its projections can be manufactured
in a single workstep.
[0035] According to another design, the projections can be made of
an elastomer material. Such projections can be connected by
positive and/or nonpositive connection to a support plate of the
carrier body. Projections made of an elastomer material have the
advantage of automatic force limitation, so that, in spite of the
advantages of the increased cleaning effectiveness, and with a
comparatively small effort, the risk of damaging the surface to be
cleaned in case of excessive effort is minimized.
[0036] The above described force limitation can be achieved by
designing the projections so that they are elastically yielding in
the axial direction.
[0037] If the projections are made of an elastomer material, this
elastic resilience is due to the elastomer material itself. If, on
the other hand, the projections are a component that is formed as a
single piece with, and of the same material as, the carrier body,
then the projections can be designed, for example, so that they are
in the shape of bellows in a partial area of their axial extent,
and can absorb excessively high forces, which are disadvantageously
high for the surface to be cleaned, by elastic deformation.
[0038] The carrier body and the cleaning sponge are advantageously
connected to each other in a detachable, destruction-free, manner.
Here the advantage is that the carrier body and the cleaning sponge
can each be individually recycled. The cleaning sponge, which is
subject to greater wear than the carrier body, can also be replaced
without problem by the above-described embodiment. The connection
between the carrier body and the cleaning sponge can be a positive
and/or nonpositive connection. A possible fastening device consists
of a velcro fastener, which attaches the cleaning sponge to the
carrier body.
[0039] On the side turned away from the cleaning sponge, the
carrier body can present a handle. The surface cleaning device, as
a result, is in the form of a mop or a broom, and it can be used by
the user for effortless cleaning of floors.
[0040] The handling of the surface cleaning device can be improved
further if the carrier body and the handle are connected by linkage
with an articulation. The carrier body and the handle, as a result,
can be moved with respect to each other as in a universal joint,
for example.
[0041] The cleaning sponge can be covered by a microfiber wiping
trimming in at least a partial area of the side that is turned away
from the carrier body.
[0042] Such a microfiber wiping trimming is advantageous to improve
cleaning effectiveness.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0043] Two embodiment examples of the surface cleaning device
according to the invention are explained in greater detail below
with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 as well as 3 and 4.
[0044] The figures show, in a schematic representation:
[0045] FIG. 1 is a cross section C-D through the surface cleaning
device according to FIG. 2,
[0046] FIG. 2 is a cross section A-B through the surface cleaning
device according to FIG. 1,
[0047] FIG. 3 is a cross section G-H through the surface cleaning
device according to FIG. 4, and
[0048] FIG. 4 is a cross section E-F through the surface cleaning
device according to FIG. 3.
EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0049] In FIGS. 1 and 2, an embodiment example of a surface
cleaning device is shown. The surface cleaning device is suitable
for cleaning floors, particularly floors presenting differently
resistant soiling. The surface cleaning device according to the
invention presents a carrier body 1 made of a polymer material,
which presents seven plunger-shaped projections 3.1, 3.2, . . . 3.7
on the side which is turned toward the cleaning sponge 2 in the
embodiment example shown here, which projections extend from the
support plate 13 of the carrier body 1 axially in the direction of
the surface 14 to be cleaned. The projections 3.1, 3.2, . . . 3.7
are arranged in a corresponding number of congruently shaped
recesses 4.1, 4.2, . . . 4.7 of the cleaning sponge 2.
[0050] FIG. 1 shows a cross section through the surface cleaning
device according to the invention along the line C-D of FIG. 2. The
ratio of the height 5 of the recesses 4.1, 4.1, 4.3 to the height 6
of the cleaning sponge 2 is approximately 0.75 in the embodiment
example represented here.
[0051] The recesses 4.1, 4.2, . . . 4.7 are arranged only in the
partial area 8 of the cleaning sponge, where this partial area 8 is
designed as a so-called power zone with increased cleaning
effectiveness. With respect to the areas 9 of the cleaning sponge
that abut the partial area 8, as a result of an increased axial
contact pressure of the surface cleaning device on the surface 14
to be cleaned in the partial area 8, a higher specific contact
pressure can be applied to the surface to be cleaned because--in
the sense of a transmission ratio--a comparatively slightly higher
force applied by the user onto the carrier body 1 results in a
considerably greater specific contact pressure on the surface to be
cleaned in the partial area 8.
[0052] In the embodiment examples shown here, the recesses 4.1,
4.2, . . . 4.7 are designed as dummy holes. The internal diameter
of the recesses 4.1, 4.2, . . . 4.7 is slightly larger than the
external diameter of the projections 3.1, 3.2, . . . 3.7. As a
result, a good compressibility of the cleaning sponge between the
front-side ends of the projections 3.1, 3.2, . . . 3.7 and the
surface 14 to be cleaned is guaranteed.
[0053] In the embodiment example shown here, the carrier body 1 is
connected by means of a universal joint-like articulation 11 to the
handle 10, and as a result can be used as a floor cleaning
device.
[0054] In the partial area 8, in which the projections 3.1, 3.2, .
. . 3.7 are arranged in the recesses 4.1, 4.2, . . . 4.7, the
cleaning surface 15 of the cleaning sponge 2 is provided with a
microfiber wiping trimming 12.
[0055] In FIG. 2, the cross section A-B from FIG. 1 is represented.
The seven projections 3.1, 3.2, . . . 3.7 are shown in cross
section inside the recesses 4.1, 4.2, . . . 4.7, where the partial
area 8, which is covered by the microfiber wiping trimming 12 in
the embodiment example shown here, is drawn with broken lines.
[0056] The embodiment example from FIGS. 3 and 4 differs from the
embodiment example from FIGS. 1 and 2 in that the cleaning sponge 2
presents three partial cleaning sponges 16, 17, 23, which
respectively present cleaning surfaces 18, 19, 28, where the
partial cleaning sponges 16, 17, 23 consist of different materials,
and are arranged next to each other and are connected to each
other. The first partial cleaning sponge 16 is made of PU, and it
presents a greater flexibility than the second 17 and the third
partial cleaning sponge 23, each in the dry state. The second and
the third partial cleaning sponges 17, 23 are each made of
cellulose, and their structure agrees with regard to shape and
material.
[0057] The first partial cleaning sponge 16 presents the
above-mentioned partial area 8, where only the cleaning surface 18
of the first partial cleaning sponge 16 presents a microfiber
wiping trimming 12 on the side turned away from the upper surface
7. The surface cleaning device from FIGS. 3 and 4 is designed as a
mop with wings, where the carrier body 1 presents two flaps 24, 25,
which are connected to each other in such a manner that they can be
folded with an articulation 26 designed like a hinge. The
articulation 26 is arranged exclusively in the area of the upper
surface 27 of the first partial cleaning sponge 16.
[0058] The design according to the invention of the cleaning sponge
can be used not only for support bodies that can be folded about an
axis traverse to the longitudinal axis of the carrier body (as
represented here). Support bodies that present an articulation that
extends parallel to the longitudinal axis or that corresponds to
the longitudinal axis can also be provided with a cleaning sponge;
the two partial cleaning sponges/three partial cleaning sponges
then extend, for example, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the
carrier body.
* * * * *