U.S. patent application number 15/811975 was filed with the patent office on 2019-04-25 for surface cleaning apparatus.
The applicant listed for this patent is HAYCO MANUFACTURING LIMITED. Invention is credited to HONG CHANG CHEN, CHRISTOPHER HAY, YING GANG JIE, SIMEON CHARLES JUPP, HOSS VONG, CHUN YU WONG.
Application Number | 20190117027 15/811975 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 66170760 |
Filed Date | 2019-04-25 |
View All Diagrams
United States Patent
Application |
20190117027 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
JUPP; SIMEON CHARLES ; et
al. |
April 25, 2019 |
SURFACE CLEANING APPARATUS
Abstract
The present invention is concerned with a surface cleaning
apparatus. The apparatus has substantially elongate and laterally
extending head portion and a handle portion defining a longitudinal
axis generally perpendicular to the head portion. The head portion
includes opposite lateral ends, a first housing defining a first
chamber and a rim forming an opening via which water from a surface
to be cleaned enters the first chamber, a squeegee connected to the
rim for directing the water via the opening to the first chamber,
and guide means for guiding the water from the squeegee to the
first chamber for initial containment, thus minimizing the water
from dripping away from the apparatus in use, and the handle
portion includes a second housing forming the handle portion and
defining a second chamber for receiving and containing the water
from the first chamber for subsequent containment.
Inventors: |
JUPP; SIMEON CHARLES; (HONG
KONG, CN) ; HAY; CHRISTOPHER; (HK, CN) ; VONG;
HOSS; (Honk Kong, CN) ; WONG; CHUN YU; (Hong
Kong, CN) ; JIE; YING GANG; (LIAN JIANG CITY, CN)
; CHEN; HONG CHANG; (SHANTOU CITY, CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
HAYCO MANUFACTURING LIMITED |
CAUSEWAY BAY |
|
CN |
|
|
Family ID: |
66170760 |
Appl. No.: |
15/811975 |
Filed: |
November 14, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 13/11 20130101;
A47L 1/06 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47L 1/06 20060101
A47L001/06; A47L 13/11 20060101 A47L013/11 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 23, 2017 |
CN |
PCT/CN2017/107349 |
Claims
1. A surface cleaning apparatus comprising a substantially elongate
and laterally extending head portion and a handle portion defining
a longitudinal axis generally perpendicular to the head portion,
wherein: the head portion includes: i. opposite lateral ends, ii. a
first housing defining a first chamber and a rim forming an opening
via which water from a surface to be cleaned enters the first
chamber, iii. a squeegee connected to the rim for directing the
water via the opening to the first chamber, and iv. guide means for
guiding the water from the squeegee to the first chamber for
initial containment, thus minimizing the water from dripping away
from the apparatus in use; and the handle portion includes: a
second housing forming the handle portion and defining a second
chamber for receiving and containing the water from the first
chamber for subsequent containment.
2. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
squeegee is in the form of a lip with a wider proximal end
connected to the rim and a narrower distal end extending from the
rim for engagement with a surface to be cleaned.
3. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the
length of the head portion is longer than the wider end of the
squeegee.
4. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
first chamber is divided into at least a first zone, a second zone
and a third zone, the first, second and third zones, depending on
the orientation of the apparatus in use, acting as initial
containment of water to different extent.
5. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 4, comprising a
first divider and a second divider in the first housing, the first
housing and the first divider defining the first zone, and the
first housing and the second divider defining the second zone.
6. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the
guide means includes a first guide and a second guide arranged on
opposite ends of the squeegee for directing water to the first zone
and the third zone of the first chamber, respectively.
7. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the
guide means includes one said first guide and one said second
guide, the one said first guide and the one said second guide are
in the form of edges raised from farthest opposite ends of the
squeegee.
8. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the
guide means includes one said first guide and one said second
guide, the one said first guide and the one said second guide are
in the form of ridges raised from distal opposite ends of the
squeegee and adjacent farthest opposite ends of the squeegee.
9. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the
ridges are arranged to point towards distal ends of the first
divider and the second divider, respectively.
10. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the
guide means includes a third guide arranged in mid-way of the
squeegee, the third guide is in the form of a ridge raised from a
center region of the squeegee and pointed towards the handle
portion.
11. A surface cleaning apparatus as clamed in claim 1, comprising a
squeegee head from which the squeegee extends, wherein the squeegee
head is fixedly fitted to the housing.
12. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the
laterally extending head portion includes enlarged opposite ends
bulged therefrom and defining the first and second zones of the
first chamber.
13. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, comprising
a conduit defining a channel for diverting the water from the first
chamber to the second chamber.
14. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein
the conduit extends from a neck of the apparatus to a distal end of
the handle portion away from the head portion, connecting the head
portion and the handle portion.
15. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the
apparatus when assuming a vertical position and during a downwardly
scraping operation is adapted to divert the water primarily to the
third zone.
16. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the
apparatus when assuming a horizontal position and during a sideway
scraping operation is adapted to divert the water primarily to the
first or second zone.
17. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
handle portion is removably attachable to the head portion, and
wherein a front end of the handle portion when detached from the
handle portion provided with an opening for allowing drainage the
water contained in the handle portion.
18. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
handle portion is provided with an opening at a distal end away
from the head portion and includes a removable closure member for
closing the opening, opening of which allowing drainage the water
contained in the handle portion.
19. A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, comprising
a valve system for preventing backflow of the water from the second
chamber to the first chamber.
20. A surface cleaning apparatus comprising a substantially
elongate and laterally extending head portion and a handle portion,
wherein: the head portion includes: i. opposite lateral ends, ii. a
first housing defining a first chamber and a rim forming an opening
via which water from a surface to be cleaned enters the first
chamber, iii. a squeegee connected to the rim for directing the
water via the opening to the first chamber, and iv. a plurality of
guide members in the form of raised edges or ridges on the
squeegee, and v. a plurality of dividers formed in the head portion
and extending from a lower part to an upper part across the head
portion; the guide members are in a form to guide the water from
the squeegee to the first chamber for initial containment, thus
minimizing the water from dripping away from the apparatus in use;
the guide members and the dividers together define paths for
channeling flow of water engaged with the squeegee in a cleaning
operation, and in use specific water flow paths depending on the
orientation of the apparatus; and the handle portion includes a
second housing forming the handle portion and defining a second
chamber for receiving and containing the water from the first
chamber for subsequent containment.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of International Patent
Application No. PCT/CN2017/107349, filed Oct. 23, 2017, which is
hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention is concerned with an improved surface
cleaning apparatus, including but not limited to window scrapers
and squeegee apparatus. The target surface concerned includes but
not limited to glass, exterior or relatively smooth surface of a
building or other larger objects such as a vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] There are a variety of surface cleaning devices. One aspect
of maintaining cleanliness of a surface is whether, during
maintenance of a premises, surrounding zo areas or users would be
affected. In a cleaning operation, water with detergent is often
used. In such scenario, soiled water from the cleaning would often
drip to surrounding areas, causing unwanted soap marks and damages.
Some of these marks may be temporary but some would cause permanent
marks. There are also the issues of nearby pedestrians. Very often,
during a cleaning exercise, the soiled water would drip to
bypassing pedestrians. This is undesirable from both a maintenance
point of view and non-disturbance to pedestrians.
[0004] One particular type of surface cleaning apparatus is the use
of a squeegee for cleaning water away from the surface, e.g. glass
surface. Ideally, the surface after having been cleaned would be
shiny and left with no residues or streak marks. This is
particularly of importance in the context of high end commercial
buildings or meticulous users. In such context, the surface, be it
glass surface, wall, metallic or granite surface, is expected to be
spotless. Since nowadays many buildings are made with essentially
entirely smooth surface (e.g. glass surface) on the exterior, it
can be envisaged that the exterior area of the surface of such
buildings is massive and maintaining a spotless surface is an
ongoing challenge.
[0005] The present invention seeks to address these issues, or at
least to provide an alternative to the public.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a surface cleaning apparatus comprising a substantially
elongate and laterally extending head portion and a handle portion
defining a longitudinal axis generally perpendicular to the head
portion; wherein: [0007] the head portion includes: [0008] i.
opposite lateral ends, [0009] ii. a first housing defining a first
chamber and a rim forming an opening via which water from a surface
to be cleaned enters the first chamber, [0010] iii. a squeegee
connected to the rim for directing the water via the opening to the
first chamber, and [0011] iv. guide means for guiding the water
from the squeegee to the first chamber for initial containment,
thus minimizing the water from dripping away from the apparatus in
use; and [0012] the handle portion includes: [0013] i. a second
housing forming the handle portion and defining a second chamber
for receiving and containing the water from the first chamber for
subsequent containment. With this configuration, most if not all
water cleaned from the surface is trapped in the apparatus and thus
nuisance of water dripping away to the surroundings during cleaning
is minimize.
[0014] Preferably, the squeegee may be in the form of a lip with a
wider proximal end connected to the rim and a narrower distal end
extending from the rim for engagement with a surface to be cleaned.
The length of the head portion may be longer than the wider end of
the squeegee.
[0015] Advantageously, the first chamber may be divided into at
least a first zone, a second zone and a third zone, the zones,
depending on the orientation of the apparatus in use, acting as
initial containment of water to different extent. The apparatus may
comprise a first divider and a second divider in the first housing,
the first housing and the first divider defining the first zone,
and the first housing and the second divider defining the second
zone. The guide means may include a first guide and a second guide
arranged on opposite ends of the squeegee for directing water to
the first zone and the third zone of the first chamber,
respectively.
[0016] In an embodiment, the guide means may include one said first
guide and one said second guide, the one said first guide and the
one said second guide are in the form of edges raised from farthest
opposite ends of the squeegee.
[0017] In one embodiment, the guide means may include one said
first guide and one said second guide, the one said first guide and
the one said second guide are in the form of ridges raised from
distal opposite ends of the squeegee and adjacent farthest opposite
ends of the squeegee. The ridges may be arranged to point towards
distal ends of the first divider and the second divider,
respectively.
[0018] On another embodiment, the guide means may include a third
guide arranged in mid-way of the squeegee, the third guide may be
in the form of a ridge raised from a center region of the squeegee
and pointed towards the handle portion.
[0019] Suitably, the apparatus may comprise a squeegee head from
which the squeegee extends, wherein the squeegee head may be
fixedly fitted to the housing.
[0020] The laterally extending head portion may include enlarged
opposite ends bulged therefrom and defining the first and second
zones of the first chamber.
[0021] Preferably, the apparatus may comprise a conduit defining a
channel for diverting the water from the first chamber to the
second chamber. The conduit may extend from a neck of the apparatus
to a distal end of the handle portion away from the head portion,
connecting the head portion and the handle portion,
[0022] In one configuration, the apparatus when assuming a vertical
position and during a downwardly scraping operation may be adapted
to divert the water primarily to the third zone. Alternatively, the
apparatus when assuming a horizontal position and during a sideway
scraping operation may be adapted to divert the water primarily to
the first or second zone.
[0023] Advantageously, the handle portion may be removably
attachable to the head portion, and wherein a front end of the
handle portion when detached from the handle portion may be
provided with an opening for allowing drainage the water contained
in the handle portion. For example, the handle portion may be
provided with an opening at a distal end away from the head portion
and may include a removable closure member for closing the opening,
opening of which allowing drainage the water contained in the
handle portion. Alternatively, the apparatus may comprise a valve
system for preventing backflow of the water from the second chamber
to the first chamber.
[0024] The second housing of the handle portion of the apparatus
generally assumes the shape of an oval body defining an opening
therein.
[0025] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a surface cleaning apparatus comprising a substantially
elongate and laterally extending head portion and a handle portion
defining a longitudinal axis generally perpendicular to the head
portion; wherein: [0026] the head portion includes: [0027] i.
opposite lateral ends, [0028] ii. a first housing defining a first
chamber and a rim forming an opening via which water from a surface
to be cleaned enters the first chamber, [0029] iii. a squeegee
connected to the rim for directing the water via the opening to the
first chamber, and [0030] iv. a plurality of guide members in the
form of raised edges or ridges on the squeegee, and [0031] v. a
plurality of dividers formed in the head portion and extending from
a lower part to an upper part across the head portion; [0032] the
guide members are in a form to guide the water from the squeegee to
the first chamber for initial containment, thus minimizing the
water from dripping away from the apparatus in use; [0033] the
guide members and the dividers together define paths for channeling
flow of water engaged with the squeegee in an cleaning operation,
and in use specific water flow paths depending on the orientation
of the apparatus; and [0034] the handle portion includes a second
housing forming the handle portion and defining a second chamber
for receiving and containing the water from the first chamber for
subsequent containment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0035] Some embodiments of the present invention will now be
explained, with reference to the accompanied drawings, in
which:
[0036] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the use of a
conventional surface cleaning apparatus;
[0037] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of surface
cleaning apparatus according to the present invention;
[0038] FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the surface cleaning
apparatus of FIG. 2;
[0039] FIG. 4 is a top view of the surface cleaning apparatus of
FIG. 2;
[0040] FIG. 5 is a top view of the surface cleaning apparatus of
FIG. 2;
[0041] FIG. 6 is a cross section view of the surface cleaning
apparatus of FIG. 2;
[0042] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the surface cleaning apparatus of
FIG. 2;
[0043] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the surface cleaning apparatus
of FIG. 2;
[0044] FIG. 9 is an exploded view of a head portion of the surface
cleaning apparatus of FIG. 2;
[0045] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating mechanism and
working of the surface cleaning apparatus of FIG. 2 in one
scenario;
[0046] FIG. 11 is another schematic diagram illustrating the
mechanism and working of FIG. 10;
[0047] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating the mechanism
and working of the surface cleaning apparatus of FIG. 2 in another
scenario;
[0048] FIGS. 13a and 13b are schematic diagrams showing the
mechanism and working of FIG. 12;
[0049] FIGS. 14a and 14b are schematic diagrams illustrating the
mechanism and working of the surface cleaning apparatus of FIG. 2
in yet another scenario; and
[0050] FIGS. 15a and 15b are schematic diagrams illustrating the
mechanism and working of the surface cleaning apparatus of FIG. 2
in yet another scenario.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0051] The present invention is concerned with a surface cleaning
apparatus, including such as those in the form of or having a
squeegee. The invention is illustrated and explained below by way
of examples.
[0052] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a conventional window
cleaning device during use. It illustrates that during cleaning,
water is dripping to surrounding areas of the window and the water
has caused a mess and untidiness. If the window is situated next to
a carpeted floor, damage to the carpet would occur. If the window
is situated next to a location where there is pedestrian traffic,
much nuisance to the pedestrians would arise.
[0053] FIGS. 2-5 & 7 show different views of an embodiment of a
surface cleaning apparatus, generally designated 2, according to
the present invention. As demonstrated in FIG. 2, when the
apparatus is held in an upright position, the apparatus 2 generally
comprises a head (upper) portion 4 and a (lower) handle portion 6.
Specifically, the head portion 4 is substantially elongate in
profile and laterally extending, and thus defining an axis or a
longitudinal extending axis (1.sup.st) A-A'. The handle portion 6
is also elongate in profile but vertically extending with respect
to axis A-A', and thus defining another axis or a vertical axis
(2.sup.nd) B-B' generally perpendicular to the head portion 4.
[0054] FIG. 6 is a cross section view of the apparatus 2 taken at
A-A' of FIG. 7 showing some of its interior structure and
configuration. The head portion 4 includes a first housing 8 which
defines a first chamber 10 and a rim 12 forming an opening. The
head portion 4 further includes a squeegee 16 connected to the rim
12. The squeegee 16 is rubbery in texture. In this embodiment, the
head portion 4 also includes a squeegee head 18 made of a
relatively stiff plastic(s) material. The squeegee head 18 runs
across the lateral length of the head portion 4, and acts as a
reinforcement strip. The squeegee head 18 is elongate and supports
the squeegee 16 and improve its rigidity in use. The combined use
of the squeegee head 18 and the squeegee 16 acts to ensure that
while the squeegee 16 is flexible and deformable in adjusting to a
surface to be cleaned, and yet it can engage and conform to the
surface. The combination together would not be overly soft and thus
can control movement of water on the more effectively.
[0055] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the apparatus 2. The first
housing 8 is primarily made of two members, namely an upper part 20
and a lower part 22 which together primarily define the first
chamber 10. The squeegee 16 supported by the squeegee head 18 is
secured to the first housing 8 at the rim located at a front end
`F` thereof. By "front end" `F`, it means when the apparatus 2 is
held in an in-use position with a hand holding the handle portion 6
and with the head portion 4 forwardly extending from the handle
portion.
[0056] The head portion 4 is connected to and extended from the
handle portion 6. The apparatus 2 comprises a connector 24 which
connects the head portion 4 and the handle portion 6. Specifically,
the connector 24 provides a channel which allows fluid
communication between the first chamber 10 of the housing and a
second chamber 28 defined by a second housing 20 of the handle
portion 6. Still referring to FIG. 8, the apparatus 2 is provided
with an actuating button 32. The actuating button 32 controls
movement of a shutter (not shown) and acts as an actuator. At
default, the shutter is configured to close the channel such that
water contained in the handle portion 6 would not back flow to the
head portion 4. On depression of the actuating button 32, water can
freely travel from within the head portion 4 to within the handle
portion 6.
[0057] FIG. 9 is an enlarged view showing an interior structure of
the head portion 4. The housing 8 of the head portion is provided
with first and second dividers 34, 36 which separate the first
chamber 10 of the first housing 8 into different zones.
Specifically, the first divider 34 and the first housing 8 together
define a first zone 38, and the second divider 36 and the first
housing 8 together define a second zone 40. The first and second
zones 38, 40 are located at opposite laterally ends of the head
portion 4. The dividers are in the form of walls which extend from
the lower part 22 to the upper part 20 across the first chamber 10.
The walls are continuous but not straight walls that run cross
their entire length thereof. Rather, they have different sections
angled with respect to each other and are generally configured in
an adjoining zig-zag manner, and are further discussed below.
[0058] The first and second dividers 34, 36 together with the first
housing 8 also define a third zone 42 arranged between the first
and second zones 38, 40.
[0059] In this embodiment, the first housing 8 is also provided
with a third divider 44 which separate the third zone 42 to two
sub-zones 42a, 42b. Like the first and second dividers 34, 36, the
third divider 44 is also in the form of a wall which extend from
the lower part 22 to the upper part 20 across the first chamber 10.
However, unlike the first and second dividers 34, 36, the third
divider 44 is generally straight and runs from the front end `F` of
the first chamber 10 of the head portion 4 towards the rear end
`R`, or perpendicular to the laterally extending axis A-A' of the
head portion 4.
[0060] FIGS. 10 and 11 are schematic diagrams which further show
the structure of the apparatus 2 (and its mechanism) by way of its
operation. FIG. 11 illustrate the first, second and third dividers
34, 36, 44, the first, second and third zones 38, 40, 42, and the
two subzones 42a, 42b of the third zone 42. The first divider 34 is
primarily made of three sections of the wall, namely a front
section 34a, a middle section 34b and a rear section 34c. The
middle section 34b is relatively narrow compared to the first and
third sections 34a, 34c. The middle section 34b is situated
closest, and generally runs in parallel to a lateral side 46 of the
head portion 4. The front section 34a is longer and is inclined or
angled from the middle section 34b and extends from the middle
section 34b away from the lateral side 46 to roughly about 1/8 of
the length of the head portion 4. One end of the front section 34a
continues from the middle section 34b, and the other end, or the
distal end, is situated adjacent and closer to the squeegee 16. The
rear section 34c is also inclined from the middle section 34b, but
extends from the lateral side 46 all the way towards the connector
24. From FIG. 11, it can be seen that the first divider 34 although
made of three walls is continuously formed. It can be envisaged
that formation of the first divider generally resembles the shape
of a valley, or an asymmetric "U" but with one side of the slope
substantially longer than the other. It can also be envisaged that
the first divider 34 together with the first housing 8 forms a
first pocket 48 and a second pocket 50 (illustrated in the dashed
circles in FIG. 11), with the first pocket 48 arranged externally
of the asymmetric U-shaped wall (and formed by the lateral of the
first housing), and the second pocket 50 arranged from internally
of the asymmetric U-shaped wall.
[0061] The second divider 36 is generally identical to the first
divider 34 except it is situated at the opposite lateral end of the
head portion 4 and of mirror image thereof. For reason of brevity,
description of the second divider is not repeated.
[0062] FIG. 11 illustrates the squeegee 16 in greater detail. The
squeegee 16 is provided with guide means configured to guide water
in contact with the squeegee 16 to the first chamber 10. The guide
means includes a number of guide members in the form of ribs
situated along the squeegee 16. Specifically, the guide means
includes first and second guide members 52, 54 in the form of
raised edges extended from farthest opposite ends of the squeegee
16.
[0063] The guide means further includes two guide members 56, 58 in
the form of ridges raised from distal opposite ends of the squeegee
16 and adjacent farthest opposite ends where the edges lie. One end
of these two guide members 56, 58 point towards the bottom of the
asymmetric U-shaped walls of the first and second dividers,
respectively. The other end of the two guide members 56, 58 point
away from the head portion 4.
[0064] The guide means further includes two guide members 60, 62
also in the form of ridges raised from the squeegee 16. These two
ridges 60, 62 are situated on the squeegee 16 but further inwardly
away from the edges. One end of these two guide members 60, 62
point towards distal end of the first and second dividers, 34, 36
respectively. The other end of the two guide members 60, 62 point
away from the head portion.
[0065] The guide means includes a further guide member 64 also in
the form of a ridge raised from the squeegee 16. This ridge is
situated substantially mid-way of the squeegee 16.
[0066] The guide means acts as a deflector for controlling and
manipulating movement of the water on a surface engaged by the
squeegee 16 to different zones in the first chamber 10. In one
scenario, the water that engages the squeegee 16 between the first
guide member (first edge) 52 and the guide member 56 and/or 60
would be channeled to the first zone 38; the water that engages the
squeegee 16 between the second guide member (second edge) 54 and
the guide member 58 and/or 62 would be channeled to the second zone
40; the water that engages the squeegee 16 between the further
guide member 64 (and on whichever side of the mid-ridge) would be
channeled to the third zone 42. However, the movement of the water
also depends on the orientation of the apparatus and its operation
in use, as further explained below.
[0067] FIGS. 12 and 13a show that the apparatus 2 is engaged in a
surface cleaning exercise with the squeegee 16 pressing against the
surface. Specifically, the apparatus 2 has assumed a sideway
position or horizontally moving cleaning path. In this position,
the laterally extending head portion 4 is vertically arranged, and
the handle portion 6 is horizontally arranged. When the apparatus 2
engages a surface with the squeegee scrapping across the surface,
water that is in contact with the squeegee 16 tends to slide
downwardly along the squeegee 16 due to gravity. However, when the
water meets the guide members 52, 56, 60, 64, 62, 58, 54, it is
guided to enter the opening of the first chamber 10. Specifically,
when the water meets the middle guide member 64, it is channeled to
reach the first subzone 42a; when the water meets the guide member
62, it is channeled to reach the second subzone 42b and contained
in the second pocket of the second divider 36; and when the water
meets the guide member 58 and/or the second edge 54, it is
channeled to reach and contained in the first pocket. It is to be
noted that in this sideway position, while the water enters the
first chamber and specifically to the subzones 42a, 42b and the
second zone, it does not enter the first zone. (On the other hand,
in an opposite sideway position, while the water enters the first
chamber to the subzones and the first zone, it does not enter the
second zone.) Regardless of how or where the water enters the first
chamber, not only the surface is being cleaned, but also the water
is contained, at least temporarily, in the head portion 4.
Attention is to be drawn to the arrows in at least FIG. 11 showing
water flow paths as the water engages the apparatus.
[0068] FIGS. 12 and 13b show that during a cleaning exercise when
the apparatus begins with a generally horizontal moving path and
then changes the cleaning path to the downwardly moving path, water
to be cleaned from the surface changes the way it reacts with the
head portion. Specifically, the water that engages the squeegees is
guided pass the opening to all of the first, second and third
zones. It is also to be noted that that water that was collected
and temporarily contained in the pockets is channeled to the second
chamber via the connector. In other words, each change of
orientation of the apparatus during a cleaning exercise can trigger
the empty of the pockets and channel the liquid to the second
chamber of the handle portion. Please see arrows in FIGS. 12, 13a,
and 13b which show direction of movement of water during different
positions of the apparatus.
[0069] FIGS. 14 and 14b show that the water collected in the second
chamber can be stored there until it is emptied. The apparatus is
provided with a conduit that extends from the connector to within
the cavity of the handle portion. The conduit is of some length
that reaches towards at least a mid-region of the handle portion.
In an upright position as shown in FIG. 14a, the water trapped
within the handle portion. Even in a downward positon, the water
would be back flow to the head portion because the sufficiently
long length narrowness of the conduit acts as a valve for trapping
the water in the handle portion.
[0070] FIGS. 15a shows the head portion and the handle portion
detached from each other. In this embodiment, the handle portion is
screwed threadedly engageable with the head portion. FIG. 15b shows
that when the handle portion is unscrewed and disconnected from the
head portion, the (soiled) water collected therein can be
disposed.
[0071] The handle portion in this embodiment generally adopts an
oval profile with an oval opening in the center. With this profile,
a user can easily grip the apparatus and maneuver it during a
cleaning operation.
[0072] It should be understood that certain features of the
invention, which are, for clarity, described in the content of
separate embodiments, may be provided in combination in a single
embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which
are, for brevity, described in the content of a single embodiment,
may be provided separately or in any appropriate sub-combinations.
It is to be noted that certain features of the embodiments are
illustrated by way of non-limiting examples. Also, a skilled person
in the art will be aware of the prior art which is not explained in
the above for brevity purpose.
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