IN THE MATTER OF an Australian Application corresponding to PCT Application PCT/EP2007/000936 I, Gunhild Henley (insert name), of 7/40 Batman Street, West Melbourne, Victoria 3003, Australia (insert address), do solemnly and sincerely declare that I am conversant with the English and German languages and am a competent translator thereof, and that the following is, to the best of my knowledge and belief, a true and correct English translation of the PCT Application filed under No. PCT/EP2007/000936 Date: 28 July 2008 Print Name: GUNHILD HENLEY DOCUMENTI - 28/7/08 A mop head and a mop with a mop head of this type Description 5 Field of the invention The invention relates to a mop head and a mop with a mop head of this type. Prior Art 10 A mop head for a mop is known from DE 198 33 553 Cl . The mop head comprises a holder which includes a spring body for spreading the cleaning strips. The problem solved by a mop of this kind is seen in that, whilst avoiding significant 15 additional costs during manufacture, a voluminous appearance is achieved thus reducing to a minimum the risk of damage to the holder and/or of furniture during unintentional impact upon contact. Depending on the respective application, the design of the prior art spring body can be 20 varied and it can be manufactured from different materials. The spring body can, for instance, be made of a polymer, such as polyurethane foam which loosely contacts the cleaning strips in a segment. In accordance with a further embodiment, the spring body can be defined by an elastic band which, in a segment, is laminated onto at least one side of the cleaning strips. The band can consist of a foil and/or a rubber band or of synthetic 25 fibres where, by virtue of the breathing property of the synthetic fibres, the drying process following prior wetting is advanced thus avoiding decomposition and enhancing the durability of the mop. P \WPDOCS\KMH\2008\Specifications20419618 - speci doc - 28/08 2 Summary of the invention It is the object of the present invention to further develop a mop head and a mop with a mop head of the type mentioned at the outset in such a manner that an improved 5 cleaning performance is achieved when they are used in accordance with the intended purpose. The solution to the task is provided by the characteristics of Claim I and Claim 23. Advantageous embodiments are presented in the dependent claims. 10 For the solution of the task, a mop head for a mop is proposed comprising a holder connectable to a handle which holder is connected with cleaning strips of a textile material, where at least one of the cleaning strips has a substantially wave-shaped three dimensional structure. 15 Due to the substantially wave-shaped three-dimensional structure of the cleaning strip its surface is larger than in a cleaning strip without a substantially wave-shaped three dimensional structure, which positively affects the cleaning performance. Due to the substantially wave-shaped three-dimensional structure, dirt which is firmly adhering to 20 the surface to be cleaned is easily loosened by the raised areas of the three-dimensional structure. Dirt is taken up by the recessed areas of the substantially wave-shaped three dimensional structure and reliably removed from the area to be cleaned. The cleaning strips with the substantially wave-shaped three-dimensional structure are 25 of particular advantage in conjunction with a mop because in this arrangement the dirt can be removed from the surface to be cleaned at a distance without the user of the mop having to bend relative to the surface to be cleaned. A further advantage is that due to the substantially wave-shaped three-dimensional 30 structure a more voluminous appearance of the mop head is achieved. P \WPDOCSKM.i 08\Specifications\20419618 - speci doc - 28f7/08 3 Generally, the aforementioned advantages are the greater the higher the portion of cleaning strips with substantially wave-shaped three-dimensional structure. In accordance with an advantageous embodiment, the structure can be shaped and the 5 cleaning strip in each segment can have a corresponding thickness. The structure can be formed by semispherical recesses and adjacent semispherical, raised areas on the circumference. The semispherical raised areas directed towards the surface to be cleaned ensure efficient cleaning of the surface to be cleaned. The dirt 10 loosened from the surface to be cleaned are collected in the semispherical recesses and reliably removed from the surface to be cleaned. In accordance with an advantageous embodiment it may be proposed for the textile material to have a proportion of a thermoplastic polymer of between 40 and 60 % by 15 weight. Due to a portion of a thermoplastic polymer in one of the previously mentioned regions it is advantageous that the cleaning strips with substantially wave-shaped three dimensional structure retain this substantially wave-shaped three-dimensional structure during their entire useful life even when the mop head is frequently used for cleaning and is itself subsequently cleaned. 20 Where the portion of a thermoplastic polymer is less than 20 % by weight, the form stability of the substantially three-dimensional structure is no longer ensured during an extended period of use; where the portion of a thermoplastic polymer is greater than 70% by weight, the cleaning strips having a substantially wave-shaped three 25 dimensional structure are too inflexible so that the per se advantageous properties of use of the cleaning strips with a substantially wave-shaped three-dimensional structure are turned into the opposite and the cleaning performance despite of the cleaning strips having a substantially wave-shaped three-dimensional structure is markedly reduced. P.1WPDOCS\KMH\2008\Specifications\20419618 - speci doc - 28/7/08 4 The textile material used is preferably a nonwoven. Nonwovens have a high specific surface and good cleaning performance. The cleaning strips can be designed to be arranged as internal strips and external strips in a bell shaped arrangement, where the holder, the internal strips and the external strips are disposed in a substantially mutually 5 concentric arrangement. In the connection area with the holder, the internal strips and the external strips define a substantially semispherical surface, following on from which the cleaning strips extend substantially axially to the mop. By virtue of its shape, the previously described mop head is superbly suited to be wrung out in circular wringing devices which are known per se. Even a comparatively small number of cleaning strips 10 leads to a large volume and a voluminous appearance of the mop head. The internal strips preferably have a length in the axial direction which corresponds at least to the length of the external strips in the same direction. The internal strips are primarily intended as fluid storage elements for the cleaning fluid. 15 Since it is mainly the external strips that have the effect of loosening the dirt on the surface to be cleaned, it is advantageous if at least one of the external strips has the substantially wave-shaped three-dimensional structure. It is further preferred that all external strips have the substantially wave-shaped three-dimensional structure. The 20 cleaning result is considerably improved thereby by comparison with a mop where only one external strip has the substantially wave-shaped three-dimensional structure. All the same, the manufacture of a mop head of this type is comparatively simple and cost effective. 25 For a further improved cleaning result, albeit at an increased production expenditure, it is possible for all cleaning strips, i.e. all external and all internal strips, to have the substantially wave-shaped three-dimensional structure. P \WPDOCS\KMH 2008\Specifications\204 19618 - speci doc - 2877/08 5 With a view to a simple and cost-effective manufacture, it is possible for all cleaning strips to be made of the same material. In this case, the internal strips would be of the same material as the external strips. 5 Onto the external surfaces of the external strips directed away from the internal strips, a micro fibre material can be laminated which preferably overlaps at the most the upper third of the external surface directed towards the holder. This comparatively short axial length of the micro fibre material is sufficient for the removal of firmly adhering dirt since the greatest force exerted by the user is substantially applied only onto the area of 10 the external strips which is adjacent to the holder. By virtue of the laminating process step, the micro fibre material has comparatively great form stability and, apart from offering a good cleaning performance, ensures that the external strips extend in a bell shape in the axial direction following on from the holder. Preferably, the external strips have the substantially wave-shaped three-dimensional structure at least in the region 15 where they are connected with the micro fibre material. In order to achieve a functionally individualised performance of the mop head, it is advantageous that at least one of the external strips consists of a second textile material which is different from a first textile material of the internal strips. It is further preferred 20 that all external strips consist of a second textile material different from the first textile material. By virtue of the respective materials, an excellent multistep cleaning of the surface to be cleaned can be achieved. At least in one segment, the second textile material can be of a greater abrasiveness than the first textile material. During the cleaning process, the dirt on the surface to be 25 cleaned is loosened by the external strips which consist of the comparatively more abrasive second textile material in a particularly efficient manner when the external strips all have a substantially wave-shaped three-dimensional structure. A further improvement regarding the loosening of the dirt and the subsequent removal and disposal can be achieved in that the second textile material, of which the external strips 30 consist, in a further segment is designed to be fleecy relative to the first textile material, P \WPDOCS\KM I f\2008\Specifications\2041 9 618 - speci doc - 28s7/08 6 of which the internal strips consist. The specific surface is increased by the fleeciness as is the absorption and removal of dirt or contamination and/or moisture from the surface to be cleaned. 5 Following loosening of the adhering dirt, the dirt particles loosened from the surface to be cleaned are removed from the surface to be cleaned by the loosely woven surface of the external strips. The best cleaning result is achieved where also the internal strips all have a substantially wave-shaped three-dimensional structure. In this arrangement, the loosened dirt is very successfully removed from the surface to be cleaned. 10 In order to obtain this fleeciness, the second textile material can consist of a two-layer composite material. To suit the requirements of a particular case, the second textile material can consist of a 15 two layer composite material where a first layer is directed towards the internal strips and a second layer which is directed away from the internal strips. The two layers can be needled together and/or thermally bonded. In this way a firm mutual bonding of the two layers is achieved. 20 By applying the needling process known per se, a simple manufacturing process permits the production of a cleaning strip which not only has excellent properties during a long service life, but has an aesthetic appearance especially for this individual case of application. 25 At least one of the external strips, preferably all external strips can additionally to the first or second textile material consist of a third textile material. By employing a third textile material, the capability of the mop head to satisfy the requirements of a particular application is further enhanced. Due to the mop head comprising a total of three textile materials, two of which textile materials form components of the external strips, the 30 external strips can be embodied such that the third textile material shows a P \WPDOCSlKMI \2COg\Spectficanons\20419618 - speci doc - 287/08 7 comparatively high abrasive effect during the removal of severe contaminations and that the second textile material is suitable more for cleaning lesser contaminations and more delicate surfaces. By contrast with the second textile material, the third textile material can consist of micro fibres. 5 Furthermore, the second textile material can have abrasively active particles to facilitate the cleaning of severely contaminated surfaces. The third textile material can be arranged on the external surfaces of the external strips 10 directed away from the internal strips and overlap at the most the upper third of the external surface directed towards the holder. This comparatively short axial length of the third textile material suffices to remove firmly adhering contaminations since the greatest force is applied by the user substantially only onto the region of the external strips which is adjacent to the holder. For this reason it is of little use to overlap for 15 instance the greater portion of the external surface with the third textile material. The third textile material can be embodied by a micro fibre material laminated onto the external surface. By virtue of the laminating process step, the micro fibre material has a comparatively great form stability and durability and apart from offering good cleaning 20 performance ensures that the external strips extend in a bell shape in the axial direction following on from the holder. Preferably the second and third textile materials have a congruent, substantially wave-shaped three-dimensional structure. Even severe contaminations can be removed with comparatively little effort. 25 With regard to a simple, cost effective manufacture it may be proposed that the cleaning strips which are positioned radially opposite one another, are integrally formed and are substantially centrally connected with the holder. It may be a force fitted connection for instance by clamping the cleaning strips onto the holder. P.\WPDOCS\KMHU2008\Spcifications\20419618 - speci doc - 28s7/08 8 The first textile material is preferably a binder-bonded nonwoven made from approx. 80% cellulose and approx. 20 % synthetic fibres. The high proportion of cellulose fibres ensures improved water absorption. The first textile material can consist of 40 % cellulose, 30 % viscose, I % polyester, 5 % binder from nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) 5 and 10 % printing paste and have an area weight of approx. 210 g/m 2 . The second textile material consists preferably of a thermobonded nonwoven of approx. 50% cellulose and approx. 50% synthetic fibres. The high proportion of 50 % synthetic fibres facilitates a stabilisation of the thermobonded nonwoven. 10 The second textile material can consist of 50 % viscose, 25 % polyester and 25 % polypropylene and an area weight of approx. 200 g/m 2 . The aforementioned first and second textile materials have a particularly good cleaning performance at particularly low costs. 15 The third textile material preferably consists of a calendered micro fibre nonwoven of polyamide and polyester. Due to the calendering, the resistance of the material is increased. If the process employed permits, a composition of micro fibre material of 70% polyester and 30 % polyamide and an area weight of approx. 210 g/m 2 is ideal. 20 Furthermore the invention relates to a mop, comprising a mop head as described above, where this mop head is connected with a handle. A mop of this type has a variety of uses for the cleaning of soiled surfaces ranging from severe to minimal contamination. In each case good performance properties during a long service life are safeguarded at 25 small effort exerted by the user. The substantially wave-shaped three-dimensional structure ensures advantageous properties, especially when at least all external strips are provided with substantially wave-shaped three-dimensional structure and in particular in cases where the external strips have two different textile materials which facilitate varying cleaning performance. 30 P \WPDOCS\KMH\2008\Specifications\20419618 - spec doc - 287/08 9 Brief description of the drawing Embodiment examples of the mop according to the invention including the mop head 5 according to the invention are described below with reference to diagrammatic figures 1 to 4. Shown are Figure 1: a first embodiment example where all cleaning strips are made of the same material; 10 Figure 2: a second embodiment example where the internal strips consist of a first and the external strips at least partially of a second textile material; Figure 3: a third embodiment example, where all the cleaning strips are of the same 15 material, where on the outside onto the external strips a third textile material of microfibres is laminated onto the external strips in the region of the holder; and Figure 4: a fourth embodiment example by means of which the greatest cleaning performance is achieved. 20 Detailed description of the preferred embodiments The embodiment examples Figures 1 to 4 each show an embodiment example of a mop 2 with a mop head I where the mop head I is connected with a handle 3. 25 The mop head I comprises a holder 4, which preferably is made of a polymer. The advantage here is that such a holder only has a small weight and is non-rusting. The cleaning strips 5 made of a textile material 6.1, 6.2, 6.3 are joined to the holder 4 in which arrangement at least one of the cleaning strips 5 has a substantially wave-shaped 30 three-dimensional structure 7. P \WPDOCS\KMH\2008\Specifications\20419618 - speci doc - 28s7/08 10 In the embodiment examples presented here the textile materials 6.1, 6.2, 6.3 are made of a nonwoven which has a portion of a thermoplastic polymer which in the embodiment examples shown represents 50 % by weight. 5 Mop head 1 has a bell shape where the cleaning strips 5 are disposed in a bell shaped arrangement as internal strips 8 and also as external strips 9 with the holder 4, the internal strips 8 and the external strips 9 being substantially allocated to one another in a concentric arrangement. 10 In the embodiment examples represented here, all external strips 9 have a substantially wave-shaped three-dimensional structure 7, where, in order to achieve particularly good cleaning results it can be provided that all cleaning strips 5 have the substantially wave shaped three-dimensional structure 7. 15 Figure 1 is a first embodiment example of a mop 2 where all cleaning strips 5 are embodied by the same material and consist of a first textile material 6.1. The internal strips 8 are arranged radially on the inside of the external strips 9, in which arrangement all cleaning strips 5 are slit in the axial direction 11. Slits 17 extend from the end of the external strips 9 axially directed away from the holder 4 to at least above half the length 20 of the external strips 9. In the embodiment example shown here, the length of the slits 17 is about 2/3 of the entire length 12. The embodiment example shown can be manufactured simply and cost effectively by virtue of its simple design. 25 Figure 2 is a second embodiment example of a mop 2, which distinguishes itself from the first embodiment example mainly in that at least part of the external strips 9 consists of a second textile material 6.2 which is different from a first textile material 6.1 of the internal strips 8. The second textile material 6.2 has a greater fleeciness than the first textile material 6.1. By virtue of this property the cleaning performance of the second P \WPDOCS\KMH\2008\Specificatlions\204 19618 - speci doc - 28/708 11 textile material 6.2, is enhanced relative to the first textile material 6.1 which mainly has the function of a water reservoir. In order to achieve this fleeciness, the second textile material 6.2 can be embodied to be 5 two-layered and consist of a composite material 13, wherein the two layers 14, 15 can be bonded by needling. Furthermore the two layers 14, 15 can be thermally bonded. Preferably, the third textile material consists of micro fibres. 10 Figure 3 shows a third embodiment example of a mop 2 wherein all cleaning strips 5, in the same manner as in Figure 1, are of the same material. All external strips 9 show the substantially wave-shaped three-dimensional structure 7, and the external strips 9 in their region directed towards the holder 4 are provided on their outside with the third textile material 6.3. The third textile material 6.3 consists of microfibres and has a 15 structure 7 congruent to the first textile material 6.1, where the third textile material 6.3 is laminated with the first textile material 6.1. Figure 4 shows a fourth embodiment example of the inventive mop 2, which has the most useful properties of all mops 2 shown here. At least all external strips 9 have the 20 substantially wave-shaped three-dimensional structure 7. Depending on the level of contamination, the internal strips 8 can or cannot have a substantially wave-shaped three-dimensional structure 7. In addition to the second textile material 6.2 all the external strips 9 are provided with a third textile material 6.3 which consists of microfibres. The third textile material 6.3 is 25 arranged on the external surfaces 16 of the external strips 9 directed away from the internal strips and overlaps in the embodiment shown here the upper third of the external surface 16 axially directed towards the holder 4. P.\WPDOCS\KMH\2008\Specifications\2041961 8 - speci doc - 28ml/08 12 The third textile material 6.3 consists ofa microfibre material laminated onto the external surface 16, where the second and the third textile materials 6.2, 6.3 have a congruently designed substantially wave-shaped three-dimensional structure 7. 5 In order to achieve a simple manufacture of the mop head 1 and therefore of the mop 2 the cleaning strips 5 disposed radially opposite are integrally formed and substantially centrally connected with the holder 4. The connection in the embodiment examples shown here are performed by way of a force fitted clamping of the cleaning strips 5 to the holder 4. 10 P \WPDOCS\KMH\2008\Specifications\20419618 - speci doc - 28/7/08