CA2600131C

CA2600131C - Surface cleaning device

Info

Publication number: CA2600131C
Application number: CA2600131A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Phu-Dennis Tran
Original assignee: Carl Freudenberg KG
Current assignee: Carl Freudenberg KG
Priority date: 2005-03-03
Filing date: 2005-11-18
Publication date: 2010-06-08
Anticipated expiration: 2025-11-18
Also published as: US20080104790A1; ATE502562T1; DE102005009633A1; DE502005011178D1; CA2600131A1; WO2006092166A1; EP1853151A1; EP1853151B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a surface cleaning device, comprising a support body (1), connected to a cleaning sponge (2), whereby the support body (1) has at least one plunger-shaped projection (3) on the side thereof facing the cleaning sponge (2), which is arranged in a corresponding recess (4) in the cleaning sponge (2).

Description

SURFACE CLEANING DEVICE
Field of the Invention The invention relates to a surface cleaning device.
Surface cleaning devices are generally known and include, for example, a support body which is connected with a cleaning sponge. The cleaning sponge consists, for example, of a polyurethane film with constant thickness and is in the form of a rectangular prism.
The contact pressure exerted by the user onto the surface cleaning device is essentially the same over the whole cleaning surface of the cleaning sponge because of the constant thickness within the whole cleaning sponge and the construction in the shape of a rectangular prism.
More strongly adhered dirt on the surface to be cleaned must be removed by repeatedly back and forth wiping and by exertion of a highly increased force onto the cleaning sponge by the user.
A surface cleaning device is known from US-A-2 915 768, including a support body, which is connected with a cleaning body, whereby the support body on the side directed toward the cleaning sponge has three stamp shaped projections which are positioned in a complementary recess in the cleaning sponge.

A further surface cleaning device is known from DE 103 50 997 B3. This surface cleaning device includes a mop plate for carrying an exchangeable wiping cloth, wherein a plate shaped support plate is connected with an elastic foam body fastenable to an underside thereof. The foam body, over which an exchangeable wiping cloth is pulled during the intended use, has at least one recess, in which at least one non-elastic stamp connected with the support plate is positioned, whereby the stamp has a length which is smaller than the length of the foam body in the un-loaded condition. By exerting pressure onto the support plate and the compressible foam body, the stamps come into contact with that side of the mounted wiping cloth which is directed away from the moping surface.

Summary of the Invention It is an object of the invention to further develop a surface cleaning device of the above mentioned type in such a way that strongly adhered dirt on the surface to be cleaned can be more easily removed in part faster and/or with less effort by the user, that a cleaning sponge used can be well adapted to the respective parameters of the application and is functionally individualized, especially when it is used in connection with a winged mop.

This object is achieved in accordance with the invention with the features of claim 5 1. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

A surface cleaning device is provided for the achievement of this object which includes a support body which is connected with a cleaning sponge, whereby the support body has at least one stamp-shaped projection on the side facing the cleaning sponge which is positioned in a complementary recess of the cleaning sponge, whereby the cleaning sponge includes at least two partial cleaning sponges with a respective cleaning surface, whereby the partial cleaning sponges are made of mutually different materials and are positioned side by side as well as connected to one another, whereby the first partial cleaning sponge has a higher pliability than the second, respectively in the dry condition.
It is hereby advantageous that the projection oriented towards the surface to be cleaned has a smaller spacing from the surface to be cleaned than the adjacent portions of the support body; in other words: the cleaning sponge has a height between the surface to be cleaned and the projection which is smaller than the height of the cleaning sponge in the regions adjacent the projection.
If strongly adhered dirt is to be removed from the surface to be cleaned with the surface cleaning device in accordance with the invention, this is achieved comparatively easily in that pressure is exerted with only slightly increased effort by the user onto the surface to be cleaned through the supporting body and the cleaning sponge.
Since the height of the cleaning sponge between the surface to be cleaned and the front end of the projection facing the surface to be cleaned is smaller than the total height of the cleaning sponge, an only slightly increased force is sufficient to exert in the region of the projection a specifically increased contact pressure onto the surface to be cleaned, whereby the specifically higher surface pressure in the region of the projection has the effect that even strongly adhered dirt can be removed without problem from the surface to be cleaned.
It is an advantage of the two partial cleaning sponges, their mutual positioning and their different pliability that the cleaning sponge can be well adapted to the respective parameters of the application and can be easily handled in connection with a winged mop.
The winged mop is then easily handled when the cleaning body is dry or substantially dry without damaging or destroying the cleaning sponge.

By functionally individualizing the cleaning sponge, the partial cleaning sponges are constructed such that they are respectively suited for the achievement of the partial tasks. The cleaning sponge is pliable especially well in the region of the first partial cleaning sponge, so that it can be used even in connection with a winged mop and the winged mop can be operated without problem even in the dry condition of the cleaning sponge, without destruction of or damage to the cleaning sponge.
The material of the second partial cleaning sponge can be adapted for an especially good cleaning performance, without having to take into consideration whether or not it is pliable in the dry condition.
An excellent function of the folding mechanism of a winged mop in the dry condition is ensured with the first partial cleaning sponge, even when the cleaning sponge is dry or only slightly damp.
The ratio of the height of the recess to the height of the cleaning sponge is smaller than or equal to 1. Preferably, the ratio is 0.3 to 0.95, more preferably 0.5 to 0.75. When the ratio of the height of the recess to the height of the cleaning sponge is close to 1, this means that the remaining height of the cleaning sponge between the cleaning surface of the cleaning sponge and the front end of the projection is only very small.
Although it is advantageous that the force of the user can thereby almost directly be exerted onto the surface to be cleaned and without loss, it is however a disadvantage that the cleaning sponge in the region of its only small height is exposed to a high mechanical load and is thereby used up relatively fast and that the danger of damage to the surface to be cleaned exists in the case of damage to the cleaning sponge in the region of the projection.
If the ratio is 1, the cleaning sponge has a cleaning cloth on the surface facing the surface to be cleaned, preferably made of micro-fibers, whereby the projection upon pressure onto the cleaning sponge then directly acts on the cleaning cloth.
It has proven advantageous for most applications when the ratio of the height of the recess to the height of the cleaning sponge is 0.5 to 0.75. In such an embodiment, a very good compromise is achieved between the increased cleaning performance in the region of the projection on the one hand and the durability of the cleaning sponge in this region on the other hand.
According to a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the cleaning sponge has a plurality of recesses, whereby a projection is positioned in each of the recesses.

According to a first embodiment, it can be provided that the recesses are distributed evenly over the surface of the cleaning sponge which faces the support body.
The surface of the surface cleaning device which covers the projections is comparatively large, whereby the force exerted onto the surface cleaning device is distributed over the multitude of the projections and thereby, relative to each individual projection only a comparatively smaller force can be exerted onto the surface to be cleaned at a constant force input.
According to another embodiment, it is possible that the recesses are positioned in only a section of the cleaning sponge and that this section forms a power zone with higher cleaning power, relative to the regions of the cleaning sponge adjacent to this section. It is thereby advantageous that the force exerted by the user, relative to the total cleaning surface, is exerted in a smaller section and thereby a specifically higher force acts onto the surface to be cleaned. Even stronger dirt can thereby be removed with the same force input. Furthermore, such an embodiment has the advantage that in the regions adjacent to this section the full height of the cleaning sponge is available and therefore a large volume which serves as a reservoir for the cleaning liquid.
The cleaning sponge can be made of polyurethane (PU). It is thereby advantageous that the cleaning sponge has a good durability even under strong mechanical load.
According to another embodiment, it is possible that the cleaning sponge is made of polyvinylalchol (PVA). Instead, the cleaning sponge can be made, for example, of cellulose.
PVA as well as cellulose have the advantage compared to cleaning sponges made of PU that they can take up and store larger amounts of cleaning liquid and that the cleaning performance is improved compared to cleaning sponges made of PU.
The partial cleaning sponges consist, for example, only of cellulose or only of polyurethane. It is however a disadvantage of this uniform material construction of the sponge, especially when the cleaning sponge is used in connection with a winged mop, that the cleaning sponge of cellulose in the dry condition is not bendable without damage or only with difficulty and that sponges made of polyurethane have only a comparatively low cleaning performance and therefore cannot take up dirt very well.

The first partial cleaning sponge preferably consists of polyurethane (PU). It is thereby advantageous that the first partial cleaning sponge, irrespective whether it is dry or wet is always well pliable/foldable and therefore even in the dry or substantially dry condition does not negatively influence the function of the winged mop to which the cleaning sponge is connected, preferably for removal without damage. The durability of such a cleaning sponge is good, since polyurethane has a comparatively high resistance against mechanical loads, even when an increased contact force is exerted by the user onto 5 the first partial cleaning sponge.
The second partial cleaning sponge preferably consists of cellulose in a first preferred embodiment. It is thereby advantageous that the second partial cleaning sponge has good use properties with respect to its cleaning performance, since cellulose takes up soiling especially well. Although partial cleaning sponges made of cellulose have only a small pliability in the dry condition this is not disadvantageous in the cleaning sponge in accordance with the invention and during its application in a winged mop, since the significantly more flexible first partial cleaning sponge is provided for the pliability.
According to a second preferred embodiment, the second partial cleaning sponge is made of a polyvinyl alcohol. In contrast to a second partial cleaning sponge made of cellulose, the partial cleaning sponge consisting of PVA has the advantage that the pore size of the second partial cleaning sponge can be adjusted very well to the respective parameters of the application. The water absorption of PVA is furthermore often somewhat higher than the water absorption of cellulose.
The partial cleaning sponges are respectively made in one piece and of the same material. Such a construction is of significant importance for the first partial cleaning sponge since this ensures that each section of the first partial cleaning sponge has the same advantageous flexibility; the disadvantages with respect to the flexibility which would result, for example, from a material mix in the first partial cleaning sponge are thereby avoided, for example, if the latter were constructed in layers from the surface to be cleaned towards the support body of the winged mop.
The respective cleaning sponges can be essentially shaped as a rectangular prism and connected with one another on their respectively opposite face surfaces.
The cleaning sponge is thereby divided into functional zones, whereby each functional zone corresponds to a partial cleaning sponge.
According to an especially advantageous embodiment, it is provided that a third partial cleaning sponge is positioned on the end face of the first partial cleaning sponge directed away from the second partial cleaning sponge and connected with the first partial cleaning sponge. More preferably, the second and third partial cleaning sponge are constructed of corresponding shape and/or material. The handling is simplified through the symmetry of the cleaning sponge with respect to the first partial cleaning sponge. For different applications, it can be provided that the second and third cleaning sponges are of corresponding shape but are different from one another with respect to the material. The second partial cleaning sponge can thereby for example, have a more abrasive cleaning action than the third, whereby the third partial cleaning sponge, for example, has larger flexibility than the second partial cleaning sponge. The cleaning sponge is thereby, adapted to the respective parameters of the application. It is however also possible to make the second and third partial cleaning sponges of the same material, whereby the shape is different. For example, the second partial cleaning sponge could be rounded on the end face directed away from the first partial cleaning sponge, while the third partial cleaning sponge has corners on the end face directed away from the first partial cleaning sponge.
Only the cleaning surface of the first cleaning sponge portion can have a micro-fiber wiping cover on the side directed away from the corresponding surface.
The wiping cover is advantageous, since especially when the first cleaning sponge portion is made of PU, it has only a comparatively small cleaning power relative to cellulose. In order to combine the excellent flexibility of the PU material of the first cleaning sponge portion on the one hand with a good cleaning power on the other hand, the micro-fiber wiping cover is advantageous. The micro-fiber wiping cover is in the form of a cloth and has a negligibly small thickness compared to the thickness of the first cleaning sponge portion, so that the flexibility of the first cleaning sponge portion is not negatively affected by the use of the micro-fiber cleaning cover.
The cleaning cover can, for example, also be made of a material other than micro-fiber. When it is necessary to use a material which is more abrasive, a wiping cover can be used which is made of a part micro-fiber and a part viscose.
The supporting body has two wings which are foldably connected with one another by a hinge-type joint, whereby the joint is positioned exclusively in the region of the surface of the first cleaning sponge portion. A winged mop with such a cleaning sponge has the advantage that the folding mechanism of the winged mop functions well even when the cleaning sponge is dry or only slightly dampened. This is achieved in that the first cleaning sponge portion of the cleaning mop has a good pliability which is at least substantially consistent, irrespective of whether the first cleaning sponge portion is dry, damp or wet.

. ' CA 02600131 2007-09-04 In such a construction, the material PU is especially important for the first cleaning sponge portion, since PU has a significantly higher tear strength than cellulose which results in a higher durability for the cleaning sponge even under high mechanical load by the projections.
The support body is preferably made of a polymeric material. It is thereby advantageous that such a support body has only a small mass and is resistant to a plurality of cleaning liquids.
The projections can be a unitary component of and made of the same material as the support body. Such a construction is of noticeable advantage with respect to a simple and cost effective manufacture of the surface cleaning device, since the whole support body including its projections can be made in one process step.
According to another embodiment, the projections can be made of an elastomeric material. Such projections can be force andlor form fittingly connected with a carrier plate of the support body. Projections of elastomeric material have the advantage of an automatic force limitation so that the danger of damage to the surface to be cleaned at excessively high force input is minimized, despite the advantage of the increased cleaning power at relatively low force input.
The above described force limitation can be achieved in that the projections are constructed to have elastic give in axial direction. When the projections are made of an elastomeric material, the elastic flexibility is achieved by the elastomeric material itself. In contrast, when the projections are made in one piece with and of the same material as the support body, the projections can, for example, in a portion of their axial extent be bellows-shaped and can take up forces which are too high and disadvantageously high for the surface to be cleaned by elastic deformation.
The support body and the cleaning sponge are preferably connected to be disconnected without damage. It is hereby advantageous that the support body and the cleaning sponge can be respectively recycled true to type. The cleaning sponge, which is subject to a higher wear than the support body, can also be exchanged without problem by way of the above described construction. The connection between support body and cleaning sponge can be force andlor form fitting. One possible fastening arrangement is a hook and loop closure with which the cleaning sponge is fastened to the support body.

- ' CA 02600131 2007-09-04 On the side directed away from the cleaning sponge, the support body can be provided with a handle. The surface cleaning device thereby has the shape of a mop or broom and can be used by the user for the effortless cleaning of floors.
A further improved handling of the surface cleaning device can be achieved in that the support body and the handle are movably connected with one another by way of a joint. The support body and the handle can thereby be moved cardanically in relation to one another, for example.
On the side directed away from the support body, the cleaning sponge, at least in the partial area, can be covered by a micro-fiber wiping cover. Such a micro-fiber wiping cover is advantageous for the improvement of the cleaning performance.

Brief Description of the Drawings Two exemplary embodiments of the surface cleaning device in accordance with the invention are further described in the following by way of the Figures 1 and 2 as well as 3 and 4.
In schematic illustration, Fig. I shows a cross-section C-D through the surface cleaning device according to Figure 2, Fig. 2 shows a cross-section A-B through the surface cleaning device of Figure 1, Fig. 3 shows a section G-H through the surface cleaning device according to Figure 4, Fig. 4 shows a cross-section E-F through the surface cleaning device according to Figure 3.

Detailed Description of the Invention An exemplary embodiment of a surface cleaning device as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The surface cleaning device is suitable for the cleaning of floors, especially for the cleaning of floors with different degrees of soiling. The surface cleaning device in accordance with the invention includes a support body 1 of polymeric material which on the side directed to the cleaning sponge 2 has seven stamp-shaped projections 3.1, 3.2, ...
3.7 in the illustrated embodiment, which extend from the carrier plate 13 of the support body I axially in direction towards the surface 14 to be cleaned. The projections 3.1, 3.2, ... 3.7 are positioned in a corresponding number of complementary recesses 4.1, 4.2, ...
4.7 of the cleaning sponge 2.
Figure 1 shows a section through the surface cleaning device in accordance with the invention along the lines C-D in Figure 2. The ratio of the height 5 of the recesses 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 to the height 6 of the cleaning sponge 2 is in this illustrated exemplary embodiment about 0.75.
The recesses 4.1, 4.2, ... 4.7 are only positioned in the sub-area 8 of the cleaning sponge, or by this sub-area 8 is constructed as a so-called power zone with increased cleaning performance. Relative to the regions 9 of the cleaning sponge which are adjacent the sub-area 8, a higher specific surface pressure can be exerted in the sub-area 8 onto the surface to be cleaned by an increased axial pressing of the surface cleaning onto the surface 14 to be cleaned, since an already comparatively marginally higher force by the user onto the supporting body results in a significantly higher specific surface pressure onto the surface to be cleaned in the sub-area 8 - in the sense of a transmission.
In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the recesses 4.1, 4.2, ... 4.7 are constructed as blind holes. The inner diameter of the recesses 4.1, 4.2, ...
4.7 is marginally larger than the outer diameter of the projections 3.1, 3.2, ... 3.7. This guarantees a good compressibility of the cleaning sponge between the forward ends of the projections 3.1, 3.2 ... 3.7 and the surface 14 to be cleaned.
In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the support body I is connected with the handle 10 by a cardanic joint 11 and is therefore useable as a floor cleaning device.
In the sub-area 8 in which the projections 3.1, 3.2, ... 3.7 are placed within the recesses 4.1, 4.2, ... 4.7, the cleaning surface 15 of the cleaning sponge 2 is provided with a micro-fiber wiping cover 12.
Figure 2 illustrates the cross-section A-B from Figure 1. The seven projections 3.1, 3.2 ... 3.7 are shown in cross-section within the recesses 4.1, 4.2 ... 4.7, whereby the sub-area 8 which in the here illustrated exemplary embodiment is covered by the micro-fiber wiping cover 12 is illustrated in broken lines.
The exemplary embodiment of Figures 3 and 4 is distinguished from the exemplary embodiment of Figures 1 and 2 in that the cleaning sponge 2 includes 3 partial cleaning sponges 16, 17, 23, which respectively have cleaning surfaces 18, 19, 28, whereby the partial cleaning sponges 16, 17, 23 are made of respectively different materials and are positioned side-by-side and connected with one another. The first partial - " CA 02600131 2007-09-04 cleaning sponge 16 consists of PU and has a higher flexibility than the second 17 and the third partial cleaning sponge 23, respectively in the dry condition. The second and third partial cleaning sponges 17, 23 respectively consist of cellulose and are correspondingly constructed with respect to shape and material.
5 The first partial cleaning sponge 16 has the above mentioned sub-area 8, whereby only the cleaning surface 18 of the first partial cleaning sponge 16 has a micro-fiber cleaning cover 12 on the side directed towards the surface 7. The surface cleaning device of Figures 3 and 4 is constructed as a winged mop, whereby the support body I
has two wings 24, 25 which are foldably connected with one another by a hinge-type joint 26. The 10 joint 26 is exclusively positioned in the region of the surface 27 of the first partial cleaning sponge 16.
The construction of the cleaning sponge in accordance with the invention can be used not only for support bodies which are foldable about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the support body (as illustrated). Support bodies which have a joint that extends parallel to the longitudinal axis or corresponds to the longitudinal axis can also be provided with the cleaning sponge; the two partial cleaning sponges/the three partial cleaning sponges then extend, for example, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support body.

Claims

1. Surface cleaning device, comprising a support body (1) which is connected with a cleaning sponge (2), whereby the support body (1) on the side directed towards the cleaning sponge (2) is provided with at least one stamp-shaped projection (3) which is positioned in a complementary recess (4) of the cleaning sponge (2), whereby the cleaning sponge (2) includes at least two partial cleaning sponges (16, 17) with respectively one cleaning surface (18, 19) whereby the partial cleaning sponges (16, 17) are made of different materials and are positioned side-by-side and connected with one another, whereby the first partial cleaning sponge (16) has a higher flexibility than the second (17), respectively in the dry condition.

2. Surface cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that the ratio of the height (5) of the recess (4) to the height (6) of the cleaning sponge (2) is less or equal to 1.

3. Surface cleaning device according to claim 2, characterized in that the ratio is 0.3 to 0.95.

4. Surface cleaning device according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the ratio is 0.5 to 0.75.

5. Surface cleaning device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the cleaning sponge (2) includes a multitude of recesses (4, 4.1, 4.2, ...), whereby a projection (3, 3.1, 3.2 ...) is positioned in each of the recesses (4, 4.1. 4.2, ...).

6. Surface cleaning device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the recesses (4, 4.1, 4.2, ...) are evenly distributed over the surface (7) of the cleaning sponge (2) directed towards the support body (1).

7. Surface cleaning device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the recesses (4, 4.1, 4.2, ...) are positioned in only a sub-area (8) of the cleaning sponge (2) and that the sub-area (8) forms a power zone with increased cleaning performance, relative to the regions (9) of the cleaning sponge (2) adjacent the sub-area (8).

8. Surface cleaning device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the cleaning sponge (2) is made of polyurethane (PU).

9. Surface cleaning device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the cleaning sponge (2) is made of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA).

10. Surface cleaning device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the sub-area (8) is a part of the first partial cleaning sponge (16).

11. Surface cleaning device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that only the first partial cleaning sponge (16) is made of polyurethane (PU).

12. Surface cleaning device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the second partial cleaning sponge (17) is made of cellulose.

13. Surface cleaning device according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the partial cleaning sponges (16, 17) are respectively made in one piece and of the same material.

14. Surface cleaning device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the partial cleaning sponges (16, 17) are respectively essentially in the shape of a rectangular prism and are connected with one another at their respectively opposing ends (20, 21).

15. Surface cleaning device according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that a third partial cleaning sponge (23) is positioned at the end (22) of the first partial cleaning sponge (16) directed away from the second partial cleaning sponge (17) and connected with the first partial cleaning sponge (16).

16. Surface cleaning device according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the second (17) and the third partial cleaning sponge (23) are of corresponding shape and/or material.

17. Surface cleaning device according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that only the cleaning surface (18) of the first partial cleaning sponge (16) is provided on the side directed away from the surface (7) with a micro-fiber wiping cover (12).

18. Surface cleaning device according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the support body (1) includes at least two wings (24, 25) which are foldably connected with one another by a hinge-type joint (26), whereby the joint (26) is positioned exclusively in the area of the surface (27) of the first cleaning sponge portion (16).

19. Surface cleaning device according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the support body (1) is made of a polymeric material.

20. Surface cleaning device according to one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the projections (3, 3.1, 3.2, ...) form an integral part of and are made of the same material as the support body (1).

21. Surface cleaning device according to one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the projections (3, 3.1, 3.2, ...) are made of an elastomeric material.

22. Surface cleaning device according to one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that the projections (3, 3.1, 3.2, ...) are constructed to be elastically flexible in axial direction.

23. Surface cleaning device according to one of claims 1 to 22, characterized in that the support body (1) and the cleaning sponge (2) are connected for disconnection without damage.

24. Surface cleaning device according to one of claims 1 to 23, characterized in that the support body (1) has a handle (10) on the side directed away from the cleaning sponge (2).

25. Surface cleaning device according to one of claims 1 to 24, characterized in that the support body (1) and the handle (10) are jointedly connected with one another by a joint (11).

26. Surface cleaning device according to one of claims 1 to 25, characterized in that the cleaning sponge (2) is covered on the side directed away from the support body (1), at least in the sub-area (8), by a micro-fiber wiping cover (12).