U.S. patent application number 11/998886 was filed with the patent office on 2009-06-04 for head for a cleaning device and cleaning device usable therewith.
Invention is credited to William Michael Cannon, Kevin Michael Rodgers.
Application Number | 20090139045 11/998886 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40379998 |
Filed Date | 2009-06-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090139045 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cannon; William Michael ; et
al. |
June 4, 2009 |
Head for a cleaning device and cleaning device usable therewith
Abstract
A head for a cleaning device. The head has a cleaning surface
which has multiple sections. The sections are movable relative to
each other in response to force applied by the user. The sections
can be moved from a first configuration having noncoplanar sections
to a second configuration where the sections are coplanar. The
noncoplanar configuration may provide cavities for the collection
of debris from a surface to be cleaned, such as a floor. The
coplanar configuration may provide for improved stress distribution
across the cleaning surface.
Inventors: |
Cannon; William Michael;
(West Harrison, IN) ; Rodgers; Kevin Michael;
(Cincinnati, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY;Global Legal Department - IP
Sycamore Building - 4th Floor, 299 East Sixth Street
CINCINNATI
OH
45202
US
|
Family ID: |
40379998 |
Appl. No.: |
11/998886 |
Filed: |
December 3, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/228 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 13/256 20130101;
A47L 13/258 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/228 |
International
Class: |
A47L 13/24 20060101
A47L013/24; A47L 13/10 20060101 A47L013/10; A47L 13/42 20060101
A47L013/42 |
Claims
1. A head for a cleaning device usable for cleaning a surface and
having a cleaning surface thereon, said head comprising: three
trisections, a central trisection interposed between two outboard
trisections said outboard trisections being movable with respect to
said central trisection, whereby compressive force applied to said
head causes said trisections to become substantially coplanar; a
return mechanism, said return mechanism returning said trisections
to a non-coplanar configuration upon removal of the compressive
force without intercepting said cleaning surface; and an attachment
for receiving a handle, the handle being connectable to one of said
trisections through said attachment.
2. A head according to claim 1 wherein said attachment is disposed
on said central trisection.
3. A head according to claim 2 having a longitudinal axis and a
periphery, and wherein each of said outboard trisections have an
inner edge oriented towards said longitudinal axis and an outer
edge oriented towards said periphery, said outboard trisections
being articulably joined to said central trisections at said inner
edge.
4. A head according to claim 3 wherein said central trisection has
a greater length taken in the longitudinal direction than said
outboard trisection.
5. A head according to claim 4 wherein said attachment comprises a
universal joint.
6. A head according to claim 4 wherein said return mechanism
comprises a spring.
7. A head according to claim 6 wherein said spring comprises a coil
spring having an axis disposed generally orthogonal said
longitudinal axis.
8. A head according to claim 1 wherein said head becomes
substantially coplanar upon application of a compressive force
between 0.4 kg and 8.0 kg thereto.
9. A head according to claim 8 wherein said head becomes
substantially coplanar upon application of a compressive force
between 0.5 kg and 0.8 kg thereto.
10. A head according to claim 8 wherein said head becomes
substantially coplanar upon application of a compressive force
between 0.8 kg and 8.0 kg thereto.
11. A head for a cleaning device usable for removing debris from a
surface, said head comprising: two sections, a first section and a
second section at least one of said sections being movable relative
to the other, whereby compressive force applied to said head causes
said sections to form a substantially coplanar cleaning surface;
and a return mechanism, said return mechanism being disposed
without intercepting said cleaning surface and returning said
sections to a non-coplanar configuration upon removal of the
compressive force.
12. A head according to claim 12 wherein said head is generally
rectangularly shaped having four sides and said second section is
disposed along one said side of said head.
13. A head according to claim 12 wherein said head has a total
width, and said first section has a first section width and said
section has a second section width, said second section width
ranging from 10 percent to 50 percent of said total head width.
14. A head according to claim 11 wherein said head second section
is movable relative to said first section when said first section
is disposed on a target surface.
15. A head according to claim 11 further comprising an attachment
for receiving a handle, the handle being connectable to one of said
sections through said attachment, and further comprising an
elongate handle joined to said attachment.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a head for a cleaning
device, and more particularly for a cleaning device usable for hard
surfaces, such as floors.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Cleaning devices for hard surfaces, such as floors are well
known in the art. One such device is the Swiffer.TM. Sweeper, sold
by the instant assignee. Hard surfaces include vinyl flooring,
hardwood, tile, stone, and other target surfaces, to be
cleaned.
[0003] Such cleaning devices typically have a flat unitary head, to
which a disposable cleaning cloth may be attached. Considerable
effort has been paid to improving such cleaning cloths, in order to
increase the amount of dirt picked up during use. However,
relatively few attempts have been made to improve cleaning by
modifying the head.
[0004] Two attempts in the art by the instant assignee include US
2006/0016037 A1 published in the names of Flora et al. and U.S.
Pat. No. 6,842,936 B2 issued to Policicchio et al. Another attempt
in the art is found in U.S. Pat. No. 7,264,413 B2 issued to
Vosbikian et al. Vosbikian et al. shows a mop head having a pair of
opposing plates rotatable about a pivot axis. However, this attempt
fails to produce a continuous width mop head which relatively
uniformly distributes applied pressure.
[0005] If pressure is not relatively uniformly applied, the
effective cleaning area of the head of the mop may be decreased. As
the effective cleaning area is decreased, the amount of dirt picked
up during use may likewise decrease.
[0006] Accordingly, a head for a cleaning device which increases
the effective surface area over prior art attempts; and which
provides more uniform pressure throughout would likely provide
improved cleaning performance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The invention comprises a head for a cleaning device usable
for cleaning a surface. The head comprises at least two sections,
at least a first section and second section. At least one of the
sections is movable relative to the other, whereby compressive
force applied to the head causes the sections to become
substantially coplanar. The head may comprise an optional return
mechanism to return one of sections to a non-coplanar configuration
upon removal of the compressive force; and an optional attachment
for receiving a handle. A handle may be connected to one or more of
the sections through the attachment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a head according to the
present invention, as viewed looking at the top surface.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a head according to the
present invention, as viewed looking at the cleaning surface and
showing the sections in a non-coplanar configuration.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a sectional view, taken along lines 3-3 of FIG.
2.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a head according to the
present invention, as viewed looking at the cleaning surface and
showing the sections in a coplanar configuration.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a sectional view, taken along lines 5-5 of FIG.
4.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a head according to the
present invention as viewed looking at the cleaning surface of an
alternative embodiment having two sections, with one section being
disposed on the leading edge (or the trailing edge) of the head and
showing the sections in a non-coplanar configuration.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a head according to the
present invention as viewed looking at the cleaning surface of an
alternative embodiment having two sections, with one section being
circumscribed by and central to the other section and showing the
sections in a coplanar configuration.
[0015] FIG. 8A is a two dimensional plot, showing the pressure
distribution of a Swiffer.TM. Sweeper currently sold by the instant
assignee.
[0016] FIG. 8B is a two dimensional plot, showing the pressure
distribution of a head according to FIGS. 1-5, having the three
trisections locked into a coplanar configuration.
[0017] FIG. 8C is a two dimensional plot, showing the pressure
distribution of a head according to FIGS. 1-5 of the present
invention and having two cavities in the cleaning surface and a
bottom pad 56 with slits between the trisections.
[0018] FIG. 8D is a two dimensional plot, showing the pressure
distribution of a head according to FIGS. 1-5 of the present
invention without cavities in the cleaning surface and a solid
bottom pad 56 without slits between the trisections.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] As used herein the XY plane refers to the plane parallel the
target surface. The X and Y dimensions refer to the length and
width of the head 20, respectively. The Z direction is
perpendicular to the XY plane and may be centered on the attachment
50 to the head 20. Upper refers to a position or direction
relatively further from the target surface, while lower refers to a
position or direction relatively closer to the target surface. The
head 20 may have a leading edge 22 and trailing edge 24, which are
the edges facing the direction of movement on the forward stroke
and backward stroke by a user, respectively. Compressive force
refers to a force applied coincident the Z-axis when the head 20 is
disposed on a target surface parallel the XY plane. Coplanar refers
to a configuration of a surface being generally flat in two
dimensions, with allowance being made for normal variations and
deviations from true planarity.
[0020] Referring to FIG. 1, the head 20 according to the present
invention may be generally rectangularly shaped, or shaped in any
other suitable geometry, such as having a point to reach into
corners. The head 20 has mutually orthogonal length and width
dimensions, lying in the XY plane and a thickness taken in the
Z-direction.
[0021] The head 20 may have two generally opposed major surfaces, a
cleaning surface 30 facing downward towards the target surface to
be cleaned, and an upwardly facing top surface 32. The top surface
32 and cleaning surface 30 may be formed from two independent
components. The cleaning surface 30 may be generally contiguous and
generally planar throughout, when subjected to compressive forces
by a user.
[0022] The head 20 my have two, three or more sections 35, with one
or more sections 35 being movable relative to the other. The
sections 35 may intercept the cleaning surface 30. The sections 35
may be movable relative to each other from a first position to a
second position through articulation, translation, etc. In the
first position, the cleaning surface 30 is not co-planar. In the
non-coplanar configuration, the cleaning surface 30 may have a
cavity for receiving dirt to be cleaned from the target surface. In
the second position the cleaning surface 30 may be generally
co-planar and continuous across all sections 35.
[0023] A return mechanism 40 may be employed to return the sections
35 of the head 20 from the first position to the second. The return
mechanism 40 may be disposed so that it does not intercept the
cleaning surface 30. The head 20 may also have an attachment 50 for
connecting a handle, in order to provide convenience for the user.
However, it is to be recognized the head 20 according to the
present invention may be used without a handle, as for example,
occurs with a scrub brush.
[0024] The attachment 50 may comprise a universal joint, as shown
or a different Cardan joint. The attachment 50 may alternatively
comprise a ball and socket joint, etc. as are known in the art.
[0025] The head 20 may have one or more grippers 42, to removable
attach a cleaning cloth. Suitable grippers 42 may be made according
to commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,651,290 B2. Suitable cloths
may be made according to commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,936,330
B2 and/or D 489,537.
[0026] The cleaning surface 30 may be covered with a soft pad 56 to
provide resiliency to account for for asperities in the target
surface. One suitable pad 56 is a closed cell EVA having a
thickness of about 5 mm and a relatively soft Shore Durometer
hardness property. The pad 56 may be slit, to provide hinge lines
coincident the hinge lines between adjacent junctures between the
trisections 35. This allows for greater freedom of relative
movement between the trisections 35. For clarity the pad 56 is not
shown in FIG. 2, 4, 6 or 7.
[0027] Referring to FIGS. 2-3 and examining the head 20 in more
detail, in one embodiment the head 20 may have three trisections
35, a central trisection 36 flanked by two outboard trisections 38.
The head 20 may be symmetric about an axis parallel to the x
direction, y direction or both. The central trisection 36 may have
two outer edges 26 facing and juxtaposed with two corresponding
inner edges 28 of the outboard trisections 38. Likewise, the
outboard trisections 38 may have two outer edges 26 facing the
leading and trailing edges 22, 24 of the head 20, or facing the
sides of the head 20. The outboard trisections 38 may have a length
less than that of the central trisection 36 (as shown), or a length
greater than or equal to that of the central trisection 36.
[0028] If desired the central trisection 36 may be hingedly joined
to either or both of the outboard trisections 38 at the juncture
between one or both of the outer edges 26 of the central trisection
36 and the inner edges 28 of the outboard trisection. Such hinged
joining may be accomplished through a living hinge or other hinge
mechanisms, as are well known in the art. This arrangement provides
for articulation, and hence relative movement, between adjacent
trisections 35.
[0029] The sections 35 may articulate from a position which
provides one or more cavities between the cleaning surface 30 of
the head 20 and the target surface when the sections 35 are in the
first position. The sections 35 may be articulable to, and even
past the coplanar second position. Referring to FIGS. 4-5, upon the
application of force having a Z-direction component through the
attachment 50, the central trisection 36 and outboard trisections
38 move relative to each other from the first position having a
noncoplanar cleaning surface 30 to a second position having a
generally coplanar cleaning surface 30.
[0030] If desired, a more elaborate mechanism may be utilized to
join the central trisection 36 and outboard trisections 38. For
example, the head 20 may be augmented with a platen 46 disposed
intermediate the attachment 50 and the central trisection 36. The
platen 46 may receive the compressive force applied through the
attachment 50 and be displaced in the Z-direction in response. The
platen 46 has a peripheral region which is aligned with a portion
of the outboard trisections 38. The platen 46 may be joined to the
outboard trisections 38, in order to transmit force thereto, as
applied through the attachment 50.
[0031] The connection between the platen 46 and the outboard
trisections 38 may be accomplished through rails 48, which allow
the peripheral portions of the platen 46 and the outboard
trisections 38 to slidably move relative to one another. A
T-section railing 48 is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5, although one
of skill will realize that complementary railings 48 are not so
limited.
[0032] The platen 46 may also disposed directly above the central
trisection 36, and collinear with the Z-axis and center of the
cleaning surface 30. This arrangement allows a portion of the force
transmitted through the attachment 50 to be applied to the central
trisection 36. As the platen 46 becomes larger in the XY plane, it
will generally distribute pressure laterally further from the
attachment 50 or other point where the force is applied by the
user.
[0033] The head 20 may further optionally comprise a return
mechanism 40 to assist in returning the configurations of the
trisections 35 from the first position to the second position. The
return mechanism 40 may comprise a cam, which locks into place at
each of the first and second positions. Alternatively, the return
mechanism 40 may comprise tension springs joining the outboard
trisections 38 in the width direction of the head 20. Alternatively
the return mechanism 40 may comprise a bistable hinge joining the
outboard trisections 38 and central trisection 36. Alternatively
the return mechanism 40 may comprise a ball and socket connection
between outboard trisections 38 and platen 46. Alternatively, the
return mechanism 40 may comprise rails 48, as described above. All
of these return mechanisms 40, as well as others, are known in the
art.
[0034] One suitable return mechanism 40 is a biasing spring to
cause the head 20 to automatically return from the second position,
being generally coplanar to the first position, which the head 20
inherently assumes without the application of external force
through the attachment 50. The return mechanism 40 may be any
member, as is well known in the art, which causes relative movement
between the central trisection 36 and outboard trisection, in order
to become non-coplanar from a coplanar configuration.
[0035] In one embodiment the return mechanism 40 may be a biasing
spring. The biasing spring may be a compression spring as is known
in the art. Suitable compression springs include a flat spring or a
coil spring. The spring may be disposed between the upwardly facing
surface and the platen 46. A rim may circumscribe the coil spring
to minimize lateral mispositioning or lateral movement during use.
The biasing spring should not impart undue resistance to the user
when force is applied to the head 20 throughout the handle and
attachment 50. Of course, the resisting force of the biasing spring
may be taken into account when considering the amount of force
necessary to move the three trisections 35 to a generally coplanar
configuration. Likewise the weight of the handle, if significant,
may be considered as adding to the applied compressive force.
[0036] Referring to FIGS. 4-5, upon moving the central trisection
36 in the Z-direction and constraining the one or both of the outer
edges of the outboard trisections 38 from movement in the
Z-direction, relative movement between the central trisection 36
and respective outboard trisections 38 will occur. Such relative
movement occurs as articulation between the articulably joined
edges of adjacent trisections 35.
[0037] Such movement may occur due to the application of
compressive forces through the handle, to the attachment 50. Such
compressive forces may have a vector component in the Z-direction
to effect the aforementioned articulation.
[0038] The force applied to the head 20 may be applied in the
Z-direction. If the handle is disposed perpendicular to the target
surface, the Z-direction will be coincident the longitudinal axis
of the handle.
[0039] The amount of force applied in the Z-direction may be at
least about 0.4, 0.5 or 0.8 kg, but less than about 7, 8 or 9 kg.
If the head 20 is to be used with a handle of appropriate length
for a standing user to clean a floor, and dry cleaning/dusting is
desired, the amount of applied force to cause the head 20 to become
co-planar and assume the first position may be at least about 4 kg,
but not more than about 8 kg. This force level is judged to be
sufficient to allow the cavities to remain open in normal use and
usable to collect large particles at the end of the cleaning cycle.
If the head 20 is to be used with a handle of appropriate length
for a standing user to clean a floor, and wet cleaning/moping is
desired, the amount of applied force to cause the head 20 to become
co-planar and assume the first position may be at least about 0.4
kg, but not more than about 4 kg.
[0040] Referring to FIG. 6, the head 20 may comprise two sections
35 movable relative to one another and disposed on the cleaning
surface 30. One section 35, such as a first section 35 may be
stationary as disposed on a target surface and the other section
35, such as a second section 35 movable relative thereto. The head
20 may be generally rectangular, having four sides with two
different lengths. If so, the movable section 35 may be disposed on
a side, such as the longer side, of the head 20. In a degenerate
case, this embodiment may be thought of as similar to that shown in
FIGS. 1-5, with a single movable trisection 35.
[0041] In such a configuration, the section 35 which has primary
contact with the target surface may be considered the first section
35 and the second which is disposed in angular relation relative to
the target surface may be considered the second section 35. The
second section 35 may be movable relative to the first section 35.
The second section 35 may have a width of at least about 10 percent
or about 25 percent, but not more than about 50 percent of the
total width of the head 20. This width, for a suitable length is
judged to provide pickup for large particles collected by the head
20 at the end of the cleaning cycle.
[0042] This arrangement provides the benefit that the user may
clean the target surface with a cleaning device having a head 20
according to the present invention and then position the second
section 35 of the cleaning surface 30 above loose particles
collected on the target surface. The user may then apply
compressive force through the handle, causing the second section 35
to articulate, become generally coplanar with the first section 35
and pick up loose particles and other dirt.
[0043] Referring to FIG. 7, in another embodiment, the head 20 may
comprise two sections 35, with a first section 35 being disposed
external to and circumscribing or substantially circumscribing a
second section. The second section 35 may be congruent with the
perimeter of the head 20, or may be of any other suitable geometry.
The second section 35 may have a surface area of at least about 25
percent, 50 percent or 75 percent of the total surface area of the
head 20. Of course, the surface area and geometry described above
are taken at the cleaning surface 30 of the head 20.
[0044] This arrangement provides the benefit that the user may
clean the target surface with a cleaning device having a head 20
according to the present invention and then position the second
section 35 of the cleaning surface 30 above loose particles
collected on the target surface. The user may then apply
compressive force through the handle, causing the second section 35
to articulate, become generally coplanar with the first section 35
and pick up loose particles and other dirt. The dirt may be
circumscribed by the first section 35, and be less likely to not be
picked up by the head 20.
[0045] Referring to FIGS. 8A-8D, four heads 20 of exemplary
cleaning devices were tested under uniform loading conditions to
evaluate the XY stress distribution. The heads 20 may be described
as follows:
[0046] Head 1 is a Swiffer.TM. Sweeper head, currently sold by the
instant assignee.
[0047] Head 2 is a head 20 having three trisections 35 locked into
a coplanar configuration with shims and a platen 46.
[0048] Head 3 is a head 20 according to the present invention and
having a central trisection 36 and two outboard trisections 38 in
the cleaning surface 30 and a bottom pad 56 with slits between the
trisections 35.
[0049] Head 4 is a head 20 according to the present invention
without cavities in the cleaning surface 30 and a solid bottom pad
56 without slits between the trisections 35.
[0050] Each head 20 had a Z-direction force of approximately 23.1
kg applied through a handle having a length of about 18 cm and a
platen 46 having a width of about 4 cm in each direction from the
Z-axis. Head 1 did not have a return mechanism 40. Heads 2-4 had a
coil spring return mechanism 40 which exhibited a counter-force of
approximately 420 grams when the trisections 35 were compressed to
a generally coplanar configuration. This counter-force was not
considered in the analysis below.
[0051] Each head 20 had a closed cell EVA bottom pad 56, with small
protuberances, as commercially sold on Head 1. Each head 20 was
placed on a pressure pad having sensors with an approximately one
mm XY resolution, statically loaded as described above, and
measured for the resulting stress distribution over an Effective
Area, Average Pressure throughout the area, and Peak Pressure
(generally coincident the Z-axis). The results are shown in Table 1
below.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Average Pressure Peak Pressure Head
Effective Area (cm2) (ksm) (ksm) 1 (prior art) 232 457 2720 2 243
598 2720 3 241 654 2720 4 264 710 2720
[0052] Table 1 shows that the embodiments having three trisections
35 as illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, have a greater effective area and
greater average pressure throughout such area than the prior art.
Such increased surface area and average pressure throughout would
be expected to result in greater dirt pickup during use.
* * * * *