U.S. patent application number 16/456828 was filed with the patent office on 2020-01-02 for mop assemblies and accessories.
The applicant listed for this patent is Rubbermaid Commercial Products, LLC. Invention is credited to Weidong Wu.
Application Number | 20200000307 16/456828 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 67441622 |
Filed Date | 2020-01-02 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200000307 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wu; Weidong |
January 2, 2020 |
MOP ASSEMBLIES AND ACCESSORIES
Abstract
Mop assemblies and accessories for cleaning are provided. A mop
head includes an elongated body having a length dimension that is
greater than a width dimension, the elongated body having a
cleaning side and an opposed backside, and a plurality of fabric
ribs defining a plurality of channels therebetween, the plurality
of fabric ribs extending from the cleaning side of the elongated
body.
Inventors: |
Wu; Weidong; (Charlotte,
NC) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Rubbermaid Commercial Products, LLC |
Atlanta |
GA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
67441622 |
Appl. No.: |
16/456828 |
Filed: |
June 28, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62691356 |
Jun 28, 2018 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 13/16 20130101;
A47L 13/252 20130101; A47L 13/254 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47L 13/252 20060101
A47L013/252 |
Claims
1. A mop head, comprising: an elongated body having a length
dimension that is greater than a width dimension, the elongated
body comprising a cleaning side and an opposed backside; and a
plurality of fabric ribs defining a plurality of channels
therebetween, the plurality of fabric ribs extending from the
cleaning side of the elongated body.
2. The mop head of claim 1, wherein the elongated body further
comprises a layer of foam disposed between the cleaning side and
the backside.
3. The mop head of claim 2, wherein the foam comprises
polyurethane, polyethylene, or sponge material.
4. The mop head of claim 1, wherein the elongated body further
comprises a layer of fabric disposed between the cleaning side and
the opposed backside.
5. The mop head of claim 4, wherein the layer of fabric comprises
polyester, nylon, or cotton.
6. The mop head of claim 1, wherein the plurality of fabric ribs
extend across the cleaning side substantially in the length, width,
or diagonal direction.
7. The mop head of claim 1, wherein the plurality of channels
extend across the cleaning side substantially in the length, width,
or diagonal direction.
8. The mop head of claim 1, further comprising stitching securing
the plurality of fabric ribs on the cleaning side to define the
plurality of channels.
9. The mop head of claim 8, wherein the stitching comprises a
series of lock stitching and a series of overlock stitching.
10. The mop head of claim 1, wherein the plurality of fabric ribs
are defined by a continuous fabric sheet.
11. The mop head of claim 10, wherein the continuous fabric sheet
comprises rayon, polyester, nylon, cotton, wool, or microfiber.
12. The mop head of claim 1, wherein the plurality of fabric ribs
have a height of from about 0.5 to about 10 centimeters.
13. The mop head of claim 1, wherein plurality of fabric ribs have
a height of from about 2.4 to about 3.6 centimeters.
14. The mop head of claim 1, wherein the plurality of channels have
a width of from about 0.2 to about 10 centimeters.
15. The mop head of claim 1, wherein the plurality of channels have
a width of about 2.0 to about 3.8 centimeters.
16. The mop head of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of
fabric ribs comprises an arcuate exterior defining an internal
volume.
17. The mop head of claim 1, further comprising a binding material
disposed about an edge of the elongated body, the binding material
coupling the cleaning side and the opposed backside.
18. The mop head of claim 1, wherein the mop head is configured to
be launderable.
19. The mop head of claim 1, further comprising a hang loop coupled
to the elongated body.
20. The mop head of claim 1, wherein the mop head is selectively
attachable to an attachment mechanism of a mop handle.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/691,356, filed Jun. 28, 2018, which is
incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to mops, and
relates more particularly to mops configured to gather both large
and small particles.
[0003] Mops are commonly characterized as wet mops or dry mops.
Understandably, wet mops are primarily used for absorbing and
cleaning spilled liquids. Conversely, dry mops are used for
gathering dirt, dust, and other types of debris. Traditional dry
mops cover a large surface area and capture particles by trapping
the debris within the fibers of the mop. To clean the dry mop after
picking up the various dirt and debris is to simply shake and/or
pat the mop over a trash receptacle. Therefore, the dry mop can be
a handy tool for cleaning, and any improvement in the number as
well as the size of particles a dry mop can pick up would be useful
for improving cleaning efficiency.
SUMMARY
[0004] In one aspect, a mop head is provided, including an
elongated body having a length dimension that is greater than a
width dimension, the elongated body having a cleaning side and an
opposed backside, and a plurality of fabric ribs defining a
plurality of channels therebetween, the plurality of fabric ribs
extending from the cleaning side of the elongated body.
[0005] In another aspect, a mop assembly is provided, including an
elongated mop handle and a mop head operably coupled to the mop
handle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] Referring now to the drawings, which are meant to be
exemplary and not limiting, and wherein like elements are numbered
alike. The detailed description is set forth with reference to the
accompanying drawings illustrating examples of the disclosure, in
which use of the same reference numerals indicates similar or
identical items. Certain embodiments of the present disclosure may
include elements, components, and/or configurations other than
those illustrated in the drawings, and some of the elements,
components, and/or configurations illustrated in the drawings may
not be present in certain embodiments.
[0007] FIG. 1 is a plan view of the cleaning side of one embodiment
of a mop head.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the non-cleaning surface of the mop
head of FIG. 1.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a side view of the mop head of FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a partial magnified cross-sectional view of the
mop head of FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a perspective rear view of the mop head of FIG.
1.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a mop
head.
[0013] FIG. 7 is a perspective view, including a magnified portion,
of the mop head of FIG. 6 in one embodiment of a mop assembly.
[0014] FIG. 8 is a front view of the cleaning side of one
embodiment of a mop head.
[0015] FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of the mop head of FIG.
8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] The present disclosure provides mop assemblies and mop heads
for use in such assemblies, for cleaning and collecting both large
and small dust and debris particles, as well as liquids. The
particular mop head designs described herein may help to gather
larger particles typically missed by flat mops. Additionally, the
body of the mop may be configured to easily empty over a trash
receptacle and/or to be laundered.
[0017] In some embodiments, a mop head includes an elongated body
with a length dimension that is greater than a width dimension, and
has a cleaning side and an opposed backside. The cleaning side
defines a surface that is configured to contact the floor or other
surface or substrate, during a cleaning activity. The opposed
backside defines a surface opposite the cleaning surface, which may
be configured for coupling the mop head within a mop assembly
(e.g., to an elongated handle of a mop assembly).
[0018] The mop head also includes a plurality of fabric ribs that
define a plurality of channels therebetween on the cleaning side of
the elongated body. The plurality of fabric ribs may be irregular
in shape, as will be described in greater detail below, and the
direction of the plurality of channels formed by the ribs may be
parallel to either the length of the width direction of the mop. A
layer of foam or fabric may be provided between the cleaning side
and the opposed backside.
[0019] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1, the mop head 100
includes a plurality of fabric ribs 112. For example, as discussed
herein, the plurality of fabric ribs 112 may be shaped and sized to
skim across a floor or other substrate to accumulate dirt, dust,
debris, and liquids. In some instances, the plurality of fabric
ribs 112 may be shaped, or formed, out of a woven, knitted, or
nonwoven fabric. For example, the plurality of fabric ribs 112 may
be rayon, polyester, nylon, microfiber, wool, cotton, or some
combination thereof. For example, the fabric surface (e.g., a
microfiber surface) may be configured to gather smaller particles
by capturing the smaller particles within the fibers of the fabric,
while the larger particles may be gathered by the structure of the
channels (e.g., how the fabric ribs on the elongated body are
formed). That is, the fabric in combination with the pattern and
geometry of the ribs may improve debris gathering efficiency. In
some instances, the plurality of fabric ribs 112 may be formed by
more than one piece of fabric, whereas in other embodiments, the
ribs 112 are formed of a continuous piece of fabric forming more
than one of the ribs 112. The mop head 100 may be launderable,
disposable, and/or configured for one-time use.
[0020] Channels 114 may be formed by the plurality of fabric ribs
112 and parallel to either the length direction of the mop. For
example, the channels 114 may be formed by the plurality of fabric
ribs 112 and may be parallel to the width direction of the mop. The
channels 114 may be formed by the plurality of fabric ribs 112 and
may capture larger dirt, dust, or debris particles.
[0021] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1-9, the plurality of
fabric ribs 112 extend from the cleaning side 108 of the mop head
100. Any suitable method and design may be used to form the
plurality of fabric ribs 112. For example, each fabric rib 112 may
be formed of a single "ply" of fabric affixed to the cleaning side
108. That is, each rib 112 may be formed from a single piece of
fabric having one edge attached at the cleaning side 108 and having
the opposing edge define a free edge of the rib.
[0022] Alternatively, the plurality of fabric ribs 112 may be
formed by one or more continuous pieces of fabric. The continuous
fabric may be at least partially folded to form at least a single
folded rib 126. That is, such continuous fabric ribs may involve at
least a "two ply" construction, such that the fabric is affixed to
at least two points on the cleaning side 108 to form a rib (e.g.,
the fold) protruding between the two attachment points. Once folded
over to form a rib 126, the fabric may be sewn or otherwise
attached in any suitable fashion to the body of the mop head to
permanently define the rib 126. For example, the fabric may be sewn
along the ribs to define the ribs and/or may be sewn in a direction
perpindicular to the ribs to otherwise restrain the fabric. For
example, lock and/or overlock stiching patterns may be used. In
some instances, the plurality of fabric ribs may be secured by
fasteners or other sewing patterns. The fabric ribs may be
irregularly shaped.
[0023] As previously discussed, the rib 126 as a whole may be
configured to capture smaller particles within the surface fibers
of the material, and the body of the rib 126 may capture larger
particles by an internal volume 130 defined by its size, shape and
stitched configuration (e.g., a pocket-like volume formed by the
rib), as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. For example, the internal volume
130 may extend substantially along the length dimension 104 of the
head to capture and channel any large particles within the internal
volume 130 of the plurality of fabric ribs 112 through the mop head
100. In other instances, the internal volume 130 of the plurality
of fabric ribs 112 may extend substantially along the width
direction 106 of the head to gather large particles. The internal
volume 130 may be formed by folding over the fabric and stitching
the rib 126 in a length dimension 104 and/or a width dimension
106.
[0024] In some embodiments, a fabric rib 126 may be sewn onto the
elongated body 102 such that it has a height of about three
centimeters. As used herein, the term "about" refers to a range of
+/-twenty percent of the unit of measurement stated thereafter. As
used herein, the term "height" refers to the distance from the
surface of the elongated body to the farthest edge of the named
element (e.g., rib) from the elongated body. The plurality of
fabric ribs 112 may each range in height from about 0.5 centimeter
to about ten centimeters. For example, each of the plurality of
fabric ribs 112 may each have a height of about 2.4 to about 3.6
centimeters.
[0025] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1, the plurality of
fabric ribs 112 may be sewn and extend substantially in the width
direction 106. As used herein, the term "extend substantially"
refers to a direction of an element along the elongated body 102 of
the mop head 100 (i.e., extend substantially in the width dimension
106 of the elongated body 102 indicates that the named element runs
mostly parallel with the elongated body's width dimension 106). In
some embodiments, the plurality of fabric ribs 112 may extend
substantially in the length dimension 104. In other embodiments,
the plurality of fabric ribs 112 may extend in a variety of other
directions, such as diagonally. In any of these embodiments, the
plurality of fabric ribs 112 may be discontinuous along the
elongated body 102.
[0026] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3-5, and 8, the
plurality of fabric ribs 112 define a plurality of channels 114
defined between the plurality of fabric ribs 112. For example, the
plurality of fabric ribs 112 may extend substantially in a width
dimension 106, and the plurality of channels 114 likewise may
extend substantially parallel to the width dimension 106. In some
instances, the plurality of channels 114 extend substantially in
the length direction 104 or some other direction along the
elongated body 102.
[0027] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 8, the plurality of channels 114
separate each rib 126 in the plurality of fabric ribs 112. In some
instances, the plurality of channels 114 may be formed by fabric
ribs that have a width of about three centimeters. The plurality of
channels 114 may each range in width from about 0.2 centimeters to
about ten centimeters. For example, the plurality of channels 114
may each have a width of about 2.4 centimeters to about 3.6
centimeters. In other embodiments, the plurality of channels 114
may extend discontinuously in the length dimension 104 or the width
dimension 106.
[0028] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1, the plurality of
fabric ribs 112 cover a substantial portion of the elongated body
102. As used herein, the phrase "substantial portion" refers to the
named element covering an area of at least 50% from one end to
another end of the elongated body 102. For example, the plurality
of fabric ribs 112 cover a substantial portion of the elongated
body 102 in the length dimension 104. In other embodiments, the
plurality of fabric ribs 112 cover a substantial portion of the
elongated body 102 in the width dimension 106. In some embodiments,
as shown in FIG. 1, the plurality of channels 114 cover a
substantial portion of the elongated body 102 in the width
dimension 104. In other embodiments, the plurality of channels 114
cover a substantial portion of the elongated body 102 in the length
dimension 104. In some instances, the plurality of channels 114 and
the plurality of ribs 112 do not cover a substantial portion of the
elongated body 102 in either dimension.
[0029] In some instances, as shown in FIG. 1, the plurality of
channels 114 are formed by stitching in the width dimension 106 of
the elongated body 102. In some instances, lock stitching 122 may
simultaneously form the plurality of channels 114 and plurality of
fabric ribs 112. As used herein, the terms "lock stitching" refers
to a single stitch that locks a top and bottom thread together to
secure fabric. In some instances, overlock stitching may form the
plurality of channels 114 and plurality of fabric ribs 112. As used
herein, the terms "overlock stitching" refers to stitching that is
formed by a straight stitch and a zigzag pattern. Lock stitching
122 and overlock stitching may both be used to form the plurality
of channels 114 and plurality of ribs 112. In some embodiments, as
shown in FIG. 1, lock stitching 122 extends substantially in the
length dimension 104 and the width dimension 106.
[0030] Lock stitching 122 may be used for creating discontinuous
fabric ribs 112 on the cleaning side 108 of the elongated body 102.
Additionally, lock stitching 122 may be used for creating
inconsistent heights for the plurality of fabric ribs 112. Further,
lock stitching 122 may be used for creating inconsistent widths for
the plurality of channels 114. In certain instances, the lock
stitching 122 may be continuous from end to end of the elongated
body 102.
[0031] In other instances, the plurality of channels 114 may be
formed by adhesive, fasteners, or another type of stitching.
[0032] In certain embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1, the mop head 100
includes an elongated body 102. For example, the elongated body's
102 length dimension 104 may be greater than the width dimension
106. In some embodiments, the length dimension 104 may measure
between about five centimeters long to about two meters long. In
some embodiments, the elongated body's 102 width dimension 106 may
measure between about five centimeters long to about two meters
long.
[0033] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the mop head
100 includes at least two sides, a cleaning side 108 and an opposed
backside 110. For example, the opposed backside 110 may be woven,
knitted, or nonwoven fabric. For example, each side may be
configured for a different purpose. For example, the cleaning side
108 may include a plurality of fabric ribs 112 and a plurality of
channels 114 configured to accumulate dirt, dust, debris, and
liquids, as discussed herein, whereas the opposed backside 110 may
be configured to be coupled to a mop handle, attachment head 120,
or another mechanism for sweeping floors (as depicted by FIG. 7).
For example, the opposed backside 110 may be attached to the mop
head 100 with hook and loop attachment. The cleaning side 108 may
be the side of the mop head 100 configured to contact the floor to
pick up the aforementioned dirt, dust, debris, and liquids.
[0034] In some embodiments, as seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the mop head
100 includes a binding material 124 configured to bind the cleaning
side 108 to the opposed back side 110. For example, the binding
material 124 may be an adhesive material (e.g., tape) or a strip of
fabric (e.g., polyester) sewn around the perimeter of the mop head
100. In some instances, the binding material 124 may be another
material, such as wool, cotton, spandex, polyester, nylon or some
other knitted, woven, or nonwoven cloth.
[0035] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5, the mop head 100
includes a hang loop 118 coupled to the binding material 124 on the
opposed backside 110. For example, the hang loop 118 may be made of
the same fabric as the binding material 124 coupled to the edges of
the mop head 100. In some embodiments, the mop head 100 may include
multiple hang loops 118 on the binding material 124 or another
location on the mop head 100. For example, the hang loop 118 may be
configured to facilitate connection of the mop head 100 to a mop
assembly, such as via an attachment head 120 (shown in FIG. 7) or
to facilitate hanging storage of the mop head.
[0036] In certain embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4, a layer of foam
or fabric 116 is disposed between the cleaning side 108 and the
opposed backside 110. In some instances, the layer of foam or
fabric 116 may be disposed on or form the cleaning side 108 of the
mop head 100. For example, the layer of foam or fabric 116 may be
attached to the cleaning side 108 of the mop head 100, such that
the ribs 112 extend from the foam or fabric. In some instances, the
layer of foam or fabric 116 may be disposed on or form the opposed
backside 110. For example, the layer of foam or fabric 116 may be
attached to the opposed backside 110 of the mop head 100. In some
embodiments, the layer of foam or fabric 116 may form both surfaces
of the cleaning side 108 and the opposed backside 110.
[0037] For example, the layer of foam 116 may be made of an
absorbent material, such as a polyurethane, polyethylene, sponge,
or another material configured to absorb liquids within the mop
head. The layer of foam 116 may be configured to absorb liquids
through the cleaning side 108 or the opposed backside 110. The
layer of foam 116 may be configured to release liquids when
squeezed, flattened, or have some other pressure act on the layer
of foam 116.
[0038] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 7, the mop head 100
may be configured to operably attach to the attachment head 120 of
a mop assembly 132 by any suitable attachment means known in the
industry (e.g., hook and loop attachment, other mechanical
attachment). In some embodiments, the mop head 100 may selectively
attach to the attachment head 120 via a mechanical fastener,
adhesive, or some combination therein.
[0039] In some instances, the attachment head 120 is a solid
plastic or metal component configured to secure the mop head 100
thereto for cleaning a surface. In some embodiments, the attachment
head 120 attaches to the mop assembly 132 that includes a shaft
and, optionally a yoke, for maneuvering the mop assembly during
cleaning. For example, the mop assembly 132 may include an
elongated mop handle operable for a user to control the path of the
attachment head 120. For example, a yoke may be attached to the
shaft and/or the mop handle. The yoke may be configured to rotate
the attachment head 120 in a plurality of angles and directions.
The mop head 100 may be operably coupled to the mop handle via the
attachment head 120.
[0040] While the disclosure has been described with reference to a
number of embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in
the art that the disclosure is not limited to such disclosed
embodiments. Rather, the disclosed embodiments can be modified to
incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions,
or equivalent arrangements not described herein, but which are
commensurate with the scope of the disclosure.
* * * * *