U.S. patent application number 16/750918 was filed with the patent office on 2021-07-29 for absorbent pad for a broom or mop.
The applicant listed for this patent is Batten Industries Inc.. Invention is credited to James Roberts.
Application Number | 20210228051 16/750918 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004626100 |
Filed Date | 2021-07-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210228051 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Roberts; James |
July 29, 2021 |
ABSORBENT PAD FOR A BROOM OR MOP
Abstract
An absorbent pad for attachment to a handle assembly of a floor
brush, broom or mop comprises a floor-engaging surface of an
absorbent material, there being provided channels extending from
the leading edge of the pad toward the rear edge but terminating in
the bulk of the absorbent pad. The implement is useful for
collecting liquid spills while avoiding a snowplow effect on the
liquid.
Inventors: |
Roberts; James; (North
Vancouver, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Batten Industries Inc. |
North Vancouver |
|
CA |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004626100 |
Appl. No.: |
16/750918 |
Filed: |
January 23, 2020 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 13/20 20130101;
A47L 13/16 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47L 13/16 20060101
A47L013/16; A47L 13/20 20060101 A47L013/20 |
Claims
1. An absorbent pad for attachment to a handle assembly of a floor
brush, broom or mop, the absorbent pad comprising: opposing first
and second surfaces, wherein the first and second surfaces are
defined, at least in part, by a front edge and a rear edge, wherein
the front edge comes into contact with liquid during operation of
the brush, broom or mop; wherein the first surface comprises one or
more channels, the channels extending from the front edge towards
the rear edge and terminating before said rear edge; and wherein
the second surface is adapted to detachably attach to the handle
assembly.
2. The absorbent pad of claim 1, wherein the first surface
comprises a fibrous absorbent material and the one or more channels
are formed by compressing portions of the fibrous material.
3. The absorbent pad of claim 2, wherein the one or more channels
are formed by stitching said fibrous absorbent material.
4. The absorbent pad of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or
more channels extend substantially perpendicularly to the front
edge.
5. The absorbent pad of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or
more channels extend approximately halfway between the front edge
and the rear edge.
6. The absorbent pad of claim 1, wherein a width of at least one of
the one or more channels is the greatest at the front edge.
7. The absorbent pad of claim 6, wherein the at least one of the
one or more channels is tapered.
8. A floor brush, broom or mop comprising: an elongated handle; a
handle assembly connected to the handle; and an absorbent pad
removably attached the handle assembly, the absorbent pad
comprising: opposing first and second surfaces, wherein the first
and second surfaces are defined, at least in part, by a front edge
and a rear edge, wherein the front edge comes into contact with
liquid during operation of the brush, broom or mop; and, wherein
the first surface comprises one or more channels, the channels
extending from the front edge towards the rear edge and terminating
before said rear edge; and wherein the second surface is detachably
attachable to the handle assembly.
9. The brush, broom or mop of claim 8, wherein the second surface
is attached to the handle assembly using hook-and-loop fasteners.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to cleaning apparatus, and in
particular, the invention relates to absorbent pads for use with
floor brooms, brushes or mops.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The use of absorbent pads with brooms, brushes or mops is
known. For example, an absorbent pad may be attached to an
elongated handle assembly to form a unitary cleaning tool. This
cleaning tool can be used on the surface of a floor to absorb
unwanted liquids and to scrub the floor. After use, the absorbent
pad may be detached from the handle assembly for washing and/or
replacement.
[0003] Conventional absorbent pads are generally rectangular in
shape, with the surface that contacts the floor being made from a
water-absorbent material, such as microfiber or yarn. However, one
disadvantage of conventional absorbent pads is that when the
absorbent pad is pushed towards liquid on a floor, the leading, or
front, edge of the absorbent pad will typically come into contact
with the liquid first. Although some of the liquid may be absorbed
by portions of the absorbent pad proximate to its leading edge,
much of the liquid may begin to accumulate against the leading edge
and be simply be pushed along the floor by the absorbent pad.
[0004] There is therefore a need for an absorbent pad that allows
for better and more efficient liquid absorption. This and other
objects will be better understood by reference to this application
as a whole. Not all of the objects are necessarily met by all
embodiments of the invention described below or by the invention as
defined by each of the claims.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] An absorbent pad for attachment to a handle assembly of a
floor brush, broom or mop comprises a floor-engaging surface of an
absorbent material, there being provided channels extending from
the leading edge of the pad toward the rear edge but terminating in
the bulk of the absorbent pad. The implement is useful for
collecting liquid spills while avoiding a snowplow effect on the
liquid.
[0006] In one embodiment of the invention, an absorbent pad for
attachment to a handle assembly of a floor brush, broom or mop
comprises opposing first and second surfaces. The first and second
surfaces are defined, at least in part, by a front edge and a rear
edge. The front edge comes into contact with liquid during
operation of the implement. The first surface comprises one or more
channels, with the channels extending from the front edge towards
the rear edge and terminating before the rear edge. The second
surface is adapted to detachably attach to the handle assembly.
[0007] In another embodiment, the first surface comprises a fibrous
absorbent material and the one or more channels are formed by
compressing one or more portions of the fibrous material.
[0008] In still yet another embodiment, the one or more channels
are defined by stitching of said absorbent material.
[0009] In a further embodiment, at least one of the one or more
channels extend substantially perpendicularly to the front
edge.
[0010] In still a further embodiment, at least one of the one or
more channels extend approximately halfway between the front edge
and the rear edge.
[0011] In still yet a further embodiment, a width of at least one
of the one or more channels is the greatest at the front edge.
[0012] In a further embodiment, the at least one of the one or more
channels is tapered.
[0013] In another embodiment, a floor brush, broom or mop comprises
an elongated handle, a handle assembly connected to the handle, and
an absorbent pad removably attached the handle assembly. The
absorbent pad comprises opposing first and second surfaces. The
first and second surfaces are defined, at least in part, by a front
edge and a rear edge. The front edge comes into contact with liquid
during operation of the implement. The first surface comprises one
or more channels, with the channels extending from the front edge
towards the rear edge and terminating before the rear edge. The
second surface is adapted to detachably attach to the handle
assembly.
[0014] In still another embodiment, the second surface is attached
to the handle assembly using hook-and-loop fasteners.
[0015] The foregoing was intended as a summary only and of only
some of the aspects of the invention. It was not intended to define
the limits or requirements of the invention. Other aspects of the
invention will be appreciated by reference to the detailed
description of the embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The preferred embodiment of the invention will be described
by reference to the drawings thereof, in which:
[0017] FIG. 1 shows the absorbent pad in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 shows the first surface of the absorbent pad of FIG.
1;
[0019] FIG. 3 shows the absorbent pad of FIG. 1 viewed along the
rear edge;
[0020] FIG. 4 shows the second surface of the absorbent pad of FIG.
1;
[0021] FIG. 5 shows the absorbent pad of FIG. 1 viewed along the
front edge;
[0022] FIG. 6 shows the absorbent pad of FIG. 1 viewed along one
side;
[0023] FIG. 7 shows the absorbent pad of FIG. 1 viewed along
another side;
[0024] FIG. 8 is another view of the first surface of the absorbent
pad of FIG. 1;
[0025] FIG. 9 is a cross-section view of the absorbent pad taken
along 9-9 of FIG. 8; and
[0026] FIG. 10 shows the absorbent pad of FIG. 1 in use as part of
a mop viewed from below.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 7, an absorbent pad 100 in
accordance with one embodiment of the invention comprises opposing
first and second surfaces 102, 104. The absorbent pad 100 is
generally defined by a longitudinal front edge 106, a longitudinal
rear edge 108, and two lateral side edges 110. Preferably, the
absorbent pad 100 has a generally rectangular shape, with the front
edge 106 and the rear edge 108 being substantially parallel to each
other and the side edges 110 being substantially parallel to each
other.
[0028] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, lateral ends 116 of
the absorbent pad 100 are folded over the side edges 110 (as best
shown in FIG. 1), resulting in the first surface 102 extending for
a distance over and beyond the side edges 110. This also results in
the second surface 104 being folded onto itself for a similar
distance from the side edges 110. However, it is understood that
this folding over of the first surface 102 is not necessary. For
example, the first and second surfaces 102, 104 may simply
terminate at the side edges 110.
[0029] The second surface 104 is adapted to be removably attached
to a handle assembly 200 to form a brush, broom or mop 300. This
description will refer to the implement simply as a mop for
convenience. The handle assembly 200 preferably comprises an
elongated handle 202 and an attachment member 204. The attachment
member 204 is connected to the elongated handle 202 and is also
adapted to be attached to the second surface 104. The attachment of
the second surface 104 to the attachment member 204 may be effected
in a number of ways. For example, at least a portion of the second
surface 104 may be adapted to engage with the attachment member 204
using hook-and-loop fasteners (i.e. Velcro.TM.) or adhesive
materials. Preferably, the attachment of the second surface 104
with the attachment member 204 is sufficiently strong to cause the
absorbent pad 100 to remain attached to the attachment member 204
while the mop 300 is in use, but not too strong as to prevent the
removal of the absorbent pad 100 from the attachment member 204 for
replacement or cleaning.
[0030] The first surface 102 is intended to be in direct engaging
contact with a floor 400 while the mop 300 is in use. It is
preferably substantially made from an absorbent fibrous material,
such as microfiber, yarn, or some other suitable material.
[0031] In addition, the front or leading edge 106 is intended to
first come into contact with liquid 402 on the floor 400 when the
absorbent pad 100 is pushed along the floor 400 in direction A, as
shown in FIG. 1, bearing in mind that surface 102 is the surface
that is in direct contact with the floor.
[0032] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 9, one or more channels 112 are
formed on the first surface 102 and extend from the front edge 106
(or proximate to the front edge 106) towards the rear edge 108. The
channels 112 preferably do not extend entirely to the rear edge 108
but instead terminate before and short of the rear or trailing edge
108. For example, the channels 112 preferably terminate
approximately halfway between the front edge 106 and the rear edge
108. It is also possible that the channels terminate at a distance
that may be greater than or less then halfway between the front
edge 106 and the rear edge 108.
[0033] All of the channels 112 may extend substantially
perpendicularly from the front edge 106. In other words, a
longitudinal axis of the channels 112 may extend substantially
perpendicularly from the front edge 106. However, in other
embodiments, the channels 112 may be oriented in different
directions with respect to the front edge 106.
[0034] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 9, the width of the
channels 112 decreases as the channels 112 move away from the front
edge 106, such as to create a tapered effect for the channels 112.
However, it is understood that the width of the channels 112 may
also be relatively constant. It is also possible that the width of
the channels 112 may not decrease at a constant rate as the
channels 112 move away from the front edge 106. For example, the
width of the channels 112 may decrease at various intervals, such
as to create a staggered effect.
[0035] The channels 112 may be formed by compressing portions of
the first surface 102. For example, where the first surface 102
comprises fibrous material, the channels 112 may be formed by
compressing and stitching down portions of the fibrous material to
create the shape and orientation of the channels 112, as best shown
in FIGS. 8 and 9. The compression of portions of the first surface
102 form channel edges 114, which define the periphery of the
channels 112.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 10, the operation of the absorbent pad 100
will now be described. The absorbent pad 100 is attached to the
attachment member 204 using the second surface 104. Once the
absorbent pad 100 has been attached to the attachment member 204
(to form the mop 300), the mop 300 can be used to absorb the liquid
402 on the floor 400. To do so, the mop 300 may be pushed in the
direction of the liquid 402. When the liquid 402 comes into contact
with the front edge 106, some of the liquid 402 may be absorbed by
portions of the first surface 102 proximate to the front edge 106.
The remainder of the liquid 402 will move into one or more of the
channels 112 formed on the front edge 106.
[0037] As the mop 300 is continued to be pushed along the floor
400, the remainder of the liquid 402 continues to move along the
one or more channels 112. Along the way, some of the liquid 402 may
be absorbed by portions of the first surface 102 proximate to the
channel edges 114 as the liquid 402 moves along the channels 112.
Any of the liquid 402 that reaches the ends of the channels 112
will be absorbed by portions of the first surface 102 proximate to
the ends of the channels 112.
[0038] In this manner, instead of the liquid 402 being concentrated
on the front edge 106, at least a portion of the liquid 402 may be
moved to the interior of the first surface 102 through the channels
112. Without the presence of the channels 112, the portions of the
first surface 102 proximate to the front edge 106 may become
saturated with the liquid 402. When this occurs, any remainder of
the liquid 402 would not be absorbed by the first surface 102 but
would instead be pushed along the floor by the (saturated) front
edge 106.
[0039] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the
preferred embodiment has been described in some detail but that
certain modifications may be practiced without departing from the
principles of the invention.
* * * * *