U.S. patent application number 14/417700 was filed with the patent office on 2016-02-18 for attachable receptacle.
The applicant listed for this patent is Jacques BEIJ. Invention is credited to Jacques BEIJ.
Application Number | 20160045089 14/417700 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50896261 |
Filed Date | 2016-02-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160045089 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BEIJ; Jacques |
February 18, 2016 |
ATTACHABLE RECEPTACLE
Abstract
A collector container for a cleaning device, wherein the
cleaning device has an elongate main part with a centrally
positioned handle element or a fastening element for a stem or
handle, and a wiping blade is fastened to the main part, and
wherein the collector container can be fastened or more
particularly clipped to the main part of the cleaning device.
Inventors: |
BEIJ; Jacques; (Hufingen,
DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
BEIJ; Jacques |
Hufingen |
|
DE |
|
|
Family ID: |
50896261 |
Appl. No.: |
14/417700 |
Filed: |
May 30, 2014 |
PCT Filed: |
May 30, 2014 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2014/061238 |
371 Date: |
January 27, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/349 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 85/54 20130101;
A47L 1/06 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47L 1/06 20060101
A47L001/06; B65D 85/00 20060101 B65D085/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 14, 2013 |
DE |
10 2013 106 238.5 |
Claims
1.-16. (canceled)
17. A receptacle for a cleaning device, wherein the cleaning device
comprises a longitudinal body with a wiper blade fastened to the
body, the receptacle comprising a receptacle element configured to
be fastened onto the body of the cleaning device.
18. The receptacle according to claim 17, wherein fluid removed by
means of the wiper blade from a surface passes to an intermediate
space formed by the receptacle element and the body of the cleaning
device.
19. The receptacle according to claim 17, wherein the receptacle
element at least partially encloses the body of the cleaning
device.
20. The receptacle according to claim 17, wherein the receptacle
element includes a trough-shaped region with longitudinal side
walls as well as with walls closing on a front side of the
receptacle element, wherein at least one projection or wall section
adjoins at least one longitudinal side wall, and wherein the
trough-shaped region at least partly includes a part of the body of
the cleaning device arranged underneath a plane in which the wiper
blade is arranged, and forms with this part an intermediate space
for receiving fluid.
21. The receptacle according to claim 20, wherein the at least one
projection or wall section extends upwardly in the direction of an
upper side of the body of the cleaning device, and wherein the
receptacle element, when installed on the cleaning device, is held
by positive engagement on the cleaning device.
22. The receptacle according to claim 20, wherein the receptacle
element comprises a floor wall, on which adjoin or on which are
formed front side walls and the longitudinal side walls.
23. The receptacle according to claim 17, wherein the receptacle
element further comprises a longitudinal side wall that includes a
recess, which is formed for a grip element or fastening element
arranged on the body of the cleaning device, for a handle or grip,
and in which the grip or the fastening element of the cleaning
device is accommodated in an installed state.
24. The receptacle according to claim 23, wherein the recess
extends up to an upper end of the longitudinal side wall and of an
adjoining projection or wall section, wherein the recess is
u-shaped.
25. The receptacle according to claim 23, further comprising at
least one sealing element arranged at least in a partial region or
along an edge of the recess in such way that no fluid can flow
outwardly from the intermediate space through the recess.
26. The receptacle according to claim 17, wherein the receptacle
housing further comprises at least one spacing element, in the form
of a reinforcing rib arranged or formed on an inside, facing
towards the cleaning device, of at least one wall, of the
receptacle element.
27. The receptacle according to claim 17, wherein the receptacle
element is made of a plastic material.
28. The receptacle according to claim 20, wherein at least one
longitudinal side wall or the at least one projection or wall
section adjoining the at least one longitudinal side wall or both
are formed from an elastic material.
29. The receptacle according to claim 17, wherein the receptacle
element further comprises an outlet that can be closed by means of
a valve or closure, wherein the outlet is configured for connection
of tubing.
30. The receptacle according to claim 17, wherein the receptacle
element and the cleaning device comprise corresponding and
inter-engaging or interlocking fastening elements, in the form of
recesses, projections or catch lugs, which serve to fasten the
receptacle element to the cleaning device.
31. The receptacle according to claim 17, wherein a longitudinal
side wall of the receptacle element terminates with a longitudinal
free side of the longitudinal side wall underneath the wiper blade
of the cleaning device.
32. The receptacle according to claim 31, wherein the longitudinal
free side is spaced, at least when removing fluid from a surface,
from the underneath of the wiper blade of the cleaning device on
account of bending of the wiper blade of the cleaning device, so
that the fluid is enabled to flow from the wiper blade through a
formed opening into an intermediate space formed by the receptacle
element and the body of the cleaning device.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Section 371 U.S. National Stage Filing
of International Application No. PCTEP2014/061238, filed May 30,
2014, which was published in the German language on Dec. 18, 2014,
under International Publication No. WO 2014/198559 A1, which claims
priority to German Application No. 10 2013 106 238.5, filed on Jun.
14, 2013, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a receptacle for a cleaning
device.
[0003] Numerous cleaning devices with a wiper blade are known that
comprise a longitudinal body, wherein a wiper blade is fastened to
the body. It is also possible for a gripping element or a fastening
element for a handle or grip to be arranged as a rule centrally on
the body. The body can be formed so that a person can also use the
cleaning device without the grip or handle having been screwed on.
For this purpose the body generally comprises corresponding
external contours to improve handling.
[0004] Such cleaning devices generally do not have any small
receptacle or tank, so that the fluid removed from a surface, in
particular a pane, has to be collected with an additional piece of
cloth so that it does not drip uncontrollably. If the cleaning
devices themselves have access to a holding vessel, then this is
generally formed by the body or a receptacle itself formed
thereon.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide an
attachable receptacle for cleaning devices with a wiper blade that
have no available receptacles or only a small one.
[0006] This object is achieved according to the invention in that
the receptacle can be fastened to, in particular clipped onto, the
body of the cleaning device. Owing to the arrangement on the body
an aesthetically pleasing overall arrangement is advantageously
obtained, which furthermore is very space-saving and convenient to
use.
[0007] The receptacle according to the invention preferably
includes the lower region of the body and forms together with this
an intermediate space, which serves as holding vessel or tank. The
removed fluid passes from the underneath of the wiper blade over
the body into the intermediate space formed by the receptacle and
body. If the cleaning device itself has an available collecting
groove in the region underneath the wiper blade, then the fluid
first of all flows into the groove until the latter is full, and
then runs into the intermediate space. Since the receptacle is
arranged underneath the body of the cleaning device when fluid is
removed, the fluid flows into the receptacle and does not flow or
drip in an uncontrolled manner from the cleaning device onto the
floor or person operating the cleaning device.
[0008] The receptacle according to the invention can advantageously
comprise a trough-shaped region with longitudinal side walls and
also with sealing walls on the front side. Advantageously at least
one projection and/or wall section can adjoin, in particular be
formed on, a longitudinal side wall. The projection or wall region
serves to fasten the receptacle to the cleaning device. For this
purpose the projection and/or wall region is formed in such a way
that it at least partly overlaps the upper side of the body. The
projection and/or wall section can be formed readily elastic, so
that they act as a kind of catch element, whereby the receptacle
according to the invention can be clipped onto the body of the
cleaning device and can also be removed again from the cleaning
device.
[0009] Obviously it is also possible for the trough-like receptacle
to be fastened in a positive manner by means of catch and/or
snap-fit connections to the body of the cleaning device.
[0010] The trough-shaped region should underneath the wiper blade
or the plane in which the wiper blade is arranged, be fastenable to
the body of the cleaning device so that the intermediate space is
disposed underneath the wiper blade when the fluid is removed.
[0011] The receptacle can have a floor wall on which the front-side
walls and the longitudinal side walls adjoin or are formed. It is
however also possible for the longitudinal side walls to be formed
curved and to meet directly in the lower region. The side walls and
front sides can be adapted to the contour of the body, so that when
the receptacle is installed the cleaning device does not lose its
characteristic shape. In particular the rear side of the receptacle
facing away from the wiper blade can be adapted to the curvature of
the body, in particular can abut or rest against the body, whereby
the projections at least partly overlap the upper side of the
body.
[0012] If the grip or the fastening device for a grip or handle is
arranged on the body of the cleaning device on the side facing
opposite the wiper blade, the longitudinal side wall of the
receptacle, which rests on or encloses the side of the body
comprising the grip or the fastening device, has a recess for the
grip or the fastening device. During installation the receptacle
according to the invention is slid from below over the body, the
recess advantageously being U-shaped, and thereby surrounds the
grip, handle or the fastening device from three sides.
[0013] An additional seal can be provided, which prevents fluid
passing from the intermediate space via the recess to the outside.
For this purpose a seal is advantageously arranged on the
receptacle or on the body, which extends along the edge of the
recess and in the installed state of the receptacle lies
hermetically between the body and receptacle.
[0014] In order that the intermediate space is sufficiently large,
the receptacle has on the inside at least one spacing element,
which ensures a minimum distance to the outside of the body. The
spacing element can advantageously be an integral projection or an
integral reinforcing grip.
[0015] Preferably the whole receptacle can be made from a single
material, in particular plastic. It is however also possible to use
different materials for the trough-shaped region and the at least
one projection or wall section. The material and the wall
thicknesses should however be chosen so that the receptacle, in
particular its regions relevant for the installation and fastening,
are sufficiently elastic, so that in particular a clip-on operation
or a locking engagement to fasten the receptacle to the body is
possible and is ensured.
[0016] Also, the colour of the receptacle can match that of the
cleaning device so that the whole device is aesthetically
pleasing.
[0017] Optionally the receptacle can have an outlet, in particular
a closable outlet. This can advantageously be closed or opened by
means of a valve or closure. Optionally a tubing can also be
attached, so that fluid that has flowed into the receptacle can
immediately be diverted via the tubing, for example into a bucket,
so that also very large areas can be freed from fluid by means of
the cleaning device without having to empty the receptacle from
time to time. Obviously it is also possible to insert or arrange
for a valve between the tubing and the outlet.
[0018] The receptacle and the cleaning device can furthermore
comprise corresponding and inter-engaging or interlocking fastening
elements, in particular in the form of recesses, projections or
retaining lugs, which serve to fasten the receptacle to the
cleaning device. In this case the projections and wall sections
described above are not absolutely necessary, but may nevertheless
be additionally provided.
[0019] The receptacle can be designed so that its longitudinal side
wall, which terminates underneath the wiper blade with its
longitudinal free side, abuts, especially hermetically, the wiper
blade. As soon as the device is pressed against a surface in order
to remove fluid, the wiper blade is deformed and raised from the
longitudinal free side of the longitudinal side wall, so that the
fluid can pass into the intermediate space via the inlet opening
that is then formed sufficiently large. In this connection a seal
can be arranged between the body and the front sides and the
longitudinal side wall of the receptacle, so that fluid present in
the intermediate space cannot flow out unintentionally from the
latter. Only when the wiper blade is bent upwardly can the fluid in
this embodiment be emptied from the intermediate space or flow into
the latter.
[0020] Obviously in addition to the formed intermediate space the
receptacle can also comprise at least one further tank, which
communicates with the intermediate space via at least one channel.
Advantageously this additional tank can be arranged underneath the
body and/or handle or fastening element and/or underneath the
receptacle, so that it is ensured that it is always located at the
lowest point of the whole arrangement consisting of cleaning device
and receptacle while fluid is removed from a surface, in particular
a glass pane.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed
description of the invention, will be better understood when read
in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of
illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings
embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood,
however, that the invention is not limited to the precise
arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
[0022] One possible embodiment of the receptacle according to the
invention is described in more detail hereinafter with the aid of
the drawings, in which:
[0023] FIG. 1 shows a receptacle according to the invention and a
cleaning device in the non-installed state;
[0024] FIGS. 2 and 3 show various views of a receptacle according
to the invention installed on a cleaning device;
[0025] FIGS. 4 to 7 show various views of the receptacle according
to one of FIGS. 1 to 3;
[0026] FIG. 8 is a side view of a whole device consisting of
cleaning device and installed receptacle, wherein the receptacle is
shown cut away at the side;
[0027] FIG. 9 is a side view of a whole device consisting of
cleaning device and installed receptacle;
[0028] FIG. 10 is a side view of a whole device when removing fluid
from a pane.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] FIG. 1 shows a receptacle 1 according to the invention,
which is not yet fastened to the cleaning device 2. The cleaning
device 2 comprises a body 2a, which is composed of an upper housing
half 2o and a lower housing half 2u, wherein the two housing halves
2o, 2u are held together by means of screws (not shown). A grip 2b
is fastened to the body 2a. For this purpose the body 2a can
comprise a fastening device, for example in the form of an internal
thread, into which the grip 2b can be screwed. Instead of the grip
2b a handle can however also be screwed in. In addition it is
possible for the grip or handle to be formed in one piece with the
body 2a or with a housing half 2o, 2u. A wiper blade 2c is clamped
with its long side between the housing halves 2o, 2u. The free
other long side forms the wiper lip 2d.
[0030] The receptacle 1 comprises a trough-shaped region 1t, which
is formed by the longitudinal side walls 1a, 1b and the front walls
1d. The longitudinal side walls 1a, 1b are joined to one another on
the underneath 1i of the trough-shaped region 1t by means of a
floor wall 1h. Spacer elements 1g, which are formed in particular
as reinforcing ribs, are shaped on the inner wall 1y of the
trough-shaped region 1t, and are designed so that the inner wall 1y
is always at a minimum distance from the outer wall of the
surrounding body 2a, whereby the intermediate space Z is formed
between the receptacle 1 and the body 2a and serves to receive a
fluid F removed from a surface S (see FIG. 10) by means of the
auxiliary blade 2c, 2d.
[0031] Two wall sections 1c are formed on top at the rear
longitudinal side wall 1b, wherein the free ends 1f of the sections
overlap the upper side 2h of the body 2a of the cleaning device 2
and in particular are formed so that a type of locking engagement
or snap-on connection is realised, so that in the installed state
the receptacle is held by positive engagement on the body of the
cleaning device 2. The wall sections 1c, 1f are thin-walled as far
as possible so that they have a certain elasticity, so that the
receptacle 1 can be detached with a certain expenditure of force
from the cleaning device 2 or its body 2a.
[0032] Since the grip 2b is fastened to the rear side of the body
2a and the rear wall 1b of the receptacle 1 is arranged in the
region of the fastening of the grip 2b, a corresponding recess 1e
must be formed on the rear wall 1b, 1c, by means of which the
receptacle 1 can be slid from below onto the body 2a and can with
its free catch ends 1f overlap the body 2a on its upper side
2h.
[0033] On the upper side 2h the body 2a comprises longitudinal
projections or webs 2g, which serve as gripping surfaces when the
body 2a of the cleaning device is gripped by the hand. These webs
2g at the same time serve for locking engagement and as a rear grip
for the free ends 1f of the receptacle 1.
[0034] The cleaning device 2 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 comprises
in the region underneath the wiper blade 2c a groove 2e formed on
the lower housing half 2u for receiving removed fluid. This groove
2e has only a limited capacity, which is increased by the
receptacle 1 according to the invention. The front longitudinal
side wall 1a is formed so that the free edge 1p terminates in front
of the groove 2e underneath the wiper blade 2c and optionally
presses against the underneath side 2cu of the wiper blade 2c,
unless the wiper blade 2c, as illustrated in FIG. 10, is bent by
pressing against a surface S to be cleaned and is bent away from
the edge 1p. The formed webs or ribs 1g have recesses 1m, in which
the groove 2e of the lower housing half 2u of the cleaning device 2
can lie in the trough-shaped region 1t.
[0035] If the cleaning device 2 does not have a corresponding
groove 2e, the reinforcing ribs 1g can also be formed without a
corresponding recess 1m.
[0036] As is clear from FIGS. 4 to 7, the reinforcing ribs 1g,
which are formed on the front longitudinal wall 1a and on the rear
longitudinal wall 1b, are not connected to one another, so that
they form a passage channel 1k through which the fluid F.sub.3 can
flow along the floor wall 1h from one front side 1t to the other
side, so long as the cleaning device 2 is appropriately inclined or
swivelled backwards and forwards. The side walls 1d can with their
ends 1z extend somewhat higher than the edge 1p of the front
longitudinal side 1a, so that, as illustrated in FIG. 9, they
engage the wiper blade 2c at least partly on the side.
[0037] FIGS. 8 and 9 show the installed overall device consisting
of cleaning device 2 and receptacle 1, the side wall 1d of the
receptacle 1 being cut away in FIG. 8 so that the channel 1k as
well as the spacing elements in the form of reinforcing ribs 1g
together with their recesses 1m are visible.
[0038] The housing body 2a of the cleaning device 2 is clamped
between the spacing elements 1g and the projection 1f and/or the
wall sections 1d, so that the receptacle 1 and cleaning device 2
can be detached from one another only by applying a certain
force.
[0039] As illustrated in FIG. 9, the wiper blade 2c impacts with
its lower side 2cu against the edge 1p of the front wall 1a of the
receptacle, whereby the fluid already contained in the intermediate
space Z is to some extent prevented from flowing out forwardly from
the receptacle 1.
[0040] The recess le of the rear wall 1b, 1c engages the lug of the
grip or fastening element 2p of the body 2a. If desired, the edging
1n of the recess 1e can be hermetically sealed with respect to the
body 2a by means of a seal, so that the fluid present in the
receptacle 1 cannot flow unintentionally from the receptacle 1 via
the recess 1e.
[0041] FIG. 10 shows the whole device consisting of receptacle 1
and cleaning device 2 in use, whereby the fluid F, F.sub.1 present
on a pane is removed by means of the whole device and collected in
the receptacle 1. The arrow R.sub.A shows the fluid removal
direction of the whole device along the pane S. By pressing the
wiper blade 2c against the pane S the wiper blade 2c is bent and is
raised from the front edge 1p of the receptacle1. By means of the
wiper lip 2d a droplet of the fluid F.sub.1, represented as a
sphere, is removed from the pane S and travels as a bubble
(F.sub.2) along the lower side 2cu of the wiper blade 2c into the
opening E and from there into the intermediate space Z, where the
fluid F.sub.3 is collected. It is not absolutely necessary that the
wiper blade 2c with its lower side 2cu abuts in the non-actuated
state in a hermetically sealing manner against the edge 1p.
[0042] It is furthermore possible to provide an outflow opening in
the region of the floor wall 1i, which can be closed if desired and
to which also an outflow tube or additional receptacle can be
connected, so that an even larger volume of removed fluid F can be
collected before the cleaning device and the receptacle fastened
thereto have to be emptied for further use.
[0043] Obviously the receptacle according to the invention can also
be used for a cleaning device without a grip 2b or fastening
element 2p. The receptacle then does not require a corresponding
recess 2e, i.e. the projections 2c can be connected to one
another.
[0044] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that
changes could be made to the embodiments described above without
departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is
understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the
particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover
modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention
as defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *