EP0576403A1

EP0576403A1 - An implement for cleaning floors and/or other surfaces

Info

Publication number: EP0576403A1
Application number: EP93830194A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Loris Meliconi
Original assignee: MELICONI SpA
Current assignee: MELICONI SpA
Priority date: 1992-06-23
Filing date: 1993-05-07
Publication date: 1993-12-29
Also published as: IT227893Y1; ITBO920136V0; ITBO920136U1

Abstract

The implement is constituted by a body (1) of substantially flat shape realised in an elastomer material, or a polymer or a copolymer elastomer, and which is thus relatively flexible at least according to its lie plane, equipped with at least one cleaning edge (7) constituted by a strip of elastomer material of the spongey type and being elastically deformable by compression, and wherein the body (1) and the cleaning edge (7) together realise a structure which has differing relative deformability.

Description

The invention relates to an implement, more precisely a brush preferably usable with a handle, for the cleaning of floors and/or other surfaces for example walls, panels and the like, constituted by a body of substantially flat shape made from an elastomer material, thus flexible at least according to its lie plane, exhibiting at least one cleaning edge constituted by a strip of spongey elastomer material which is elastically deformable by compression.
The most used type of brush embraced in the prior art is constituted by a cleaning body made with filiform fibres, natural or synthetic, collected in bunches and fixed on wooden or plastic supports equipped with means for their attachment to a handle.
These brushes exhibit only a limited ability to retain the dust or varied fragments with which they come into contact, due to the space existing between the individual fibres and also due to the non-uniformity of the reaction between the single fibres and the surface to be cleaned, with the consequent possibility of only collecting dust and fragments in some parts of the surface covered by the brushing.
Further drawbacks arise from the difficulty of cleaning the fibres and their detachment from the brush body due to wear.
The prior art embraces other types of brush in which the fibres of the brush have been substituted by elements made of spongey rubber or like materials.
The use of cleaning bodies exhibiting spongey rubber elements or like materials, although they eliminate some of the drawbacks relative to filiform fibres, present other drawbacks relative to the correct transmission of the force applied to the handle for the brushing: indeed, the spongey rubber cleaning element relaxes excessively on flexion and does not allow effective mechanical cleaning operations to be made.
One attempt at solving the above-mentioned problem was described in U.S.A. patent no. 2,735,129 of the 21st February 1956. This invention, in order to obtain a better resistance to flexion, envisages a brush with a spongey rubber body in which there is present a reinforcing element, welded by vulcanisation, made in a material which is more flexion-resistant.
This solution however renders it impossible to transmit a homogeneous force to the handle on the part in contact with the surface to be cleaned. The more rigid reinforcing element located internally to the cleaning body guarantees a certain resistance to flexion only over the portion which is closest to the handle, leaving the remaining part of the brush excessively subject to deformations following the exertion of a force, with a consequent dishomogeneity in the distribution of the pressure on the surface to be cleaned and with possible elastic reactions on the part of the terminal portion of the brush to the force exerted in the translation direction of the brush, tending to throw out and disperse the dust and fragments already collected by it.
The invention of the present application, as it is defined in the claims that follow this description, solves the above-mentioned problems relative to the unsatisfactory transmission of the force applied on the handle and the low capacity of drawing, and thus eliminating the dust and/or collecting the dirt fragments, by providing an implement, in particular a brush, which cleaning body can be cleaned and, when necessary, washed very rapidly, and is equipped with anti-impact characteristics to avoid impacts against furniture etc.
The invention, according to a possible embodiment, is constituted by a body having a substantially flat shape, made in an elastomer meterial, or in a polymer material, or an elastomer copolymer material, therefore relatively flexible at least according to its lie plane, exhibiting at least one cleaning edge constituted by a strip of elastomer material of the spongey type which is elastically deformable by compression, and in which the body of the implement is equipped with a seating for either its direct connection, or its connection by means of coupling, to a handle, and the said body and cleaning edge realise a structure having relative differentiated deformability.
According to preferred embodiment of the inside of the said substantially flat body, and substantially forming a single piece with it, a resistant reinforcing element is provided having means for its connection to a handle and having the task, among others, of permitting a good transmission and distribution of the force exerted on the handle over the entire cleaning edge.
A correct and homogeneous transmission of the force applied on the handle to the cleaning edge enables the said cleaning edge to kiss perfectly, over the tract on which it leans, the profile of the surfaces to be cleaned, also following the shape of any eventual deviations from flatness, such as for example the fugue lines between the tiles of a flooring, with optimal drawing of the dirt (in particular dust and various fragments) with which it comes into contact. This effect depends also on the compression-deformability and the characteristics of the cleaning edge, and the relative flexion of the body of the brush, which avoid the pushing ahead of the dirt and thus its dispersion into the atmosphere.
The characteristics and advantages of the present invention will better emerge from the detailed description that follows, of an embodiment of the invention, herein illustrated purely in the form of a non-limiting example in the accompanying figures, in which:

figure 1 shows, schematically, the implement according to the invention in a first possible embodiment, in a perspective view;
figure 2 shows the implement, which is externally and structurally identical to the one illustrated in figure 1, seen frontally and with some parts removed in order better to evidence others, with inside it a reinforcing element seen in a preferred embodiment of the implement;
figure 3 shows a schematic transversal section of the implement, according to section line III-III of figure 2;
figure 4 shows, schematically, a working position of the implement;
figure 4a shows, schematically and in perspective view, a further working position of the implement;
figure 5 shows, schematically, a possible embodiment of the implement, different from those illustrated in the preceding figures, seen partially and in perspective view, with some parts detached;
figure 6 shows, schematically, the implement of figure 5 seen partially and frontally and with its parts mounted;
figures 7, 8 and 9 show, schematically, respectively and in perspective view, from the front and in profile, a further possible embodiment of the implement with the reinforcing element insertable internally to the body of the implement and with mechanical means for their reciprocal fixture;
figures 10 and 11 show a further embodiment of the implement, in which the fixing means to the handle are constituted by a fork permitting the said handle to be oriented about a axis which is normal to the lie plane of the body of the implement;
figure 12 shows a possible embodiment where the body of the implement and the cleaning edge are connectable through means which are joint-couplable.

With reference to figures from 1 to 4a, the implement is substantially constituted by a body 1, preferably monolithic, press-formed in an elastomer material, preferably polyeurethane, and having a shape which is substantially flat and shaped so as to form the body of a brush.
At the base of the said body 1 a cleaning edge 7 is fixed, which cleaning edge 7 is destined to come into contact with the surface to be cleaned, and which is constituted by a strip of elastomer material of the spongey type and in any case elastically deformable by compression.
The fixing of the cleaning edge 7 to the body 1 is preferably obtained during the press-forming phase of the body 1 itself, by positioning the cleaning edge 7, already preformed, internally to the press and exploiting the unifying chemical and mechanical reactions of the polyeurethane during the pressing phase.
In a second embodiment of the invention, in the case in which, for the realisation of the body 1 elastomer materials such as PVC or EVA are used, or in any case materials which are classifiable as thermoplastics, polymers or elastomer copolymers, the fixing of the cleaning edge 7 to the body 1 could be effected using the above-mentioned technique or by using mastics or glues of known type and easily available on the market.
Substantially the body 1 and the cleaning edge 7 together make a structure having a differing relative deformity, which under experimental conditions has proved itself extremely effective for the task which the implement must perform.
The body 1 can be equipped, in an opposite position to the cleaning edge 7, with a seating (not illustrated) for its direct connection to the handle 4. When necessary a sleeve 3 can be housed internally to the said housing, the said sleeve 3 being of resistant material to permit the said connection of the handle. In the example, the said sleeve 3 can be built into the body 1 during the pressing phase of the said body 1.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, see figures 2 and 3, a reinforcing element 2 is associated to the body 1 of the implement during the said pressing phase, which reinforcing element 2 is substantially flat, completely incorporated into the body 1 and equipped with a sleeve 3, accessible from the outside, suitable to receive one of the ends of a handle 4. The connection of the handle 4 can be made through screwing, clutch coupling or pressure.
In the illustrated case,the reinforcing element 2 extends internally to the body 1 of the implement starting from the attachment zone of the handle up to a a zone close to the said cleaning edge 7, and has a substantially reticular structure with a relatively small breadth. The said structure, apart from guaranteeing the firm connection of the reinforcing element 2 to the body 1, enhances transmission to the cleaning edge 7 of the force exerted by the user on the handle, causing the said cleaning edge 7 to interact with the surface to be cleaned with optimal collection and drawing of the dirt.
The above technical effect can equally be obtained by combining the polyeurethane components with the aim of making a body 1 having mechanical characteristics which do not require the use of the reinforcing element 2 and permit the attachment of the handle directly to the said body 1.
Considering the above-described embodiment, it has been shown in experiments that good body characteristics are obtained using for the elastomer material a microcellular polyeurethane, with press-density (DIN 53420) of 0.4 g/cm³, proportioning and carefully selecting the polyeurethane components, taken from the isocyanate and polyhydric families, in order to obtain the following mechanical characteristics:

hardness of pressed pieces (DIN 53505) Shore A from 3 to 70;
ultimate tensile stress (DIN 53504) from 6 to 50 Kg/cm²;
stretch (DIN 53504) from 200 to 250 %;
actual breaking load (DIN 53507) from 1.2 to 6 kg/cm;
abrasion resistance (DIN 53516) from 350 to 150 mg.;
compressive strength (ISO 604) from 0.4 to 7.5 Kg/cm².

During the test it emerged that the reinforcing element 2 guarantees a better reaction to the force imparted to the handle and a better transmission of the said force if made in polypropylene.
The cleaning edge 7 can be made in a polyeurethane with a density (UNI 6349) ranging from 16 to 110 kg/m3, preferably 55kg/mg3, with the following mechanical characteristics;

compressive strength (UNI 6351) from 1 to 19 Kpa, preferably 6;
deflective strength (UNI 6353) N (25%) from 30 to 600, preferably 350;
deflective strength (UNI 6353) N (40%) from 40 to 810, preferably 420;
deflective strength (UNI 6353) N (65%) from 65 to 1600, preferably 850;
maximum breadth loss (UNI 6356) from 2% to 4%, preferably 3%;
maximum lift loss (UNI 6356) from 35% to 15% preferably 20%;
ultimate tensile stress (UNI 7032) from 70 to 320 kpa, preferably 150kpa;
minimum stretch (UNI 7032) from 130% to 250%, preferably 220%;
permanent deformation (UNI 6352): maximum compression at 50% from 10 to 2, preferably 3; at 75% from 20 to 3, preferably 4 measured at "Y".

In the case illustrated in figures 5 and 6, the body 1 of the implement exhibits two through-holes 5 for the introduction of screws or rivets 6 to connect two plates 8 and 9 together with the interpositioning of the superior part of the body 1 between the said plates 8; in this case the reinforcing element 2 exhibits a substantially laminar structure, at least in its portion which is destined to be gripped between the said plates 8 and 9; one of the plates 9 is equipped with the said sleeve 3 for the connection of the handle 4.
In a further embodiment of the invention, illustrated in figures 7, 8 and 9, the body 1 exhibits a groove 15 open at the opposite end to the cleaning edge 7, internally to which groove 15 the reinforcing element 2 can be introduced; both the reinforcing element 2 and the body 1 exhibit holes 16 for the passage of screws or rivets 18 which act on plates 17 gripping the said body 1 about the reinforcing element 2. Also in this case the reinforcing element 2 exhibits a substantially laminar structure, at least in its portion destined to be gripped between the said plates 17. Instead of the above-described mechanical means, the reinforcing element 2 fixture can be effected using mastics or glues, or ultrasonic welding.
In the example illustrated in figures 10 and 11, the connection between the handle 4 and the body 1 of the implement is made by means of a fork 10 associable to the handle 4 by means of a collar 14. The tines of the fork 10 exhibit coaxial through holes 11 which can be crossed by a pivot 12 which passes also through a hole 13 present in the body 1. The pivot 12, perpendicular to the handle 4 and the longitudinal axis of the implement, through the screwing of a nut 19 on to its threaded portion or by means of a pressure-grip, permits the scarfing of the said body 1 and the stable positioning of the handle 4 at different inclinations with respect to the cleaning edge 7.
The invention is susceptible to numerous modifications and variants, all entering within the field of the inventive concept as illustrated herein. For example, the body 1 can exhibit, on the part destined to receive the handle, a tubular extension in which the part of the handle close to the connection zone with the support element can be housed, in such a way a to protect furniture from impacts with the implement.
Furthermore, the seating in the body 1, or afforded by the reinforcing element 2 for the connection of the handle 4 to the body 1 could be inclined with respect to the cleaning edge 7 to permit of better utilising the implement.
The material used for making the cleaning edge 7 could be of the closed-cell or the open-cell type. By using an open-cell type, traces of liquid on the surface to be cleaned can be absorbed, thus improving the final result.
According to a further possible embodiment, the connection between the body 1 and the cleaning edge 7 could be made using joint coupling means as illustrated in figure 12 of the drawings. In substance, using any of the techniques available, for example during the pressing phase, or using mastics or glues, a first piece 20 can be made solid to the cleaning edge 7, and a second piece 21, joint-couplable with the first shape 20, can be made solid to the base of the body 1.In this way the cleaning edge 7 can easiliy be substituted when worn or in any case when necessary. In order to avoid the two pieces 20 and 21 coming apart after being coupled, they could be blocked by using, for example, closing stops pressure-forced internally to their ends.

Claims

An implement for cleaning floors and/or or surfaces, of the type which is equipped with means for the application of a handle, characterised in that it is constituted by a substantially flat body (1) press-formed in an elastomer, polymer or copolymer elastomer material, equipped with at least one cleaning edge (7) constituted by a strip element in elastomer material of the spongey type and being elastically deformable by compression, the said body (1) and the said cleaning edge (7) making a structure which has differing relative deformities.
A cleaning implement as in claim 1, characterised in that the said body(1) is equipped with a seating for direct coupling to a handle (4).
A cleaning implement as in claim 1, characterised in that the said body (1) exhibits and incorporates a sleeve in resistant material for the coupling of the said body (1) to a handle (4).
An implement for cleaning floors and/or other surfaces characterised in that it is constituted by a substantially flat body (1) press-formed in an elastomer, polymer or copolymer elastomer material, equipped with at least one cleaning edge (7) constituted by a strip element in elastomer material of the spongey type and being elastically deformable by compression; the said body (1) of the implement being further equipped, preferably along a median plane of the body (1), with a reinforcing element (2), preferably flexible according to a lie plane of the said reinforcing element (2), which interests the body (1) at least partially over the body (1) length starting from a zone close to a connection with a handle (4); the said body (1) and the said cleaning edge (7) together realising a structure having differing relative deformabilities.
A cleaning implement as in claim 1 or 4, characterised in that the body (1) of the implement is constituted by a substantially flat element, press-formed in an elastomer, polymer or copolymer elastomer material, internally to which, preferably along a median plane of the said body (1), a substantially flat reinforcing element (2) is completely submerged, the said reinforcing element (2) being equipped with means (3) accessible from the outside for a connection of the said reinforcing element (2) to a handle (4), the said reinforcing element (2) being conformed in such a way as to widen towards the said cleaning edge (7) up until it almost attains the length of the said cleaning edge (7).
A cleaning implement as in claim 1 or 4, characterised in that the body (1) of the implement is constituted by a substantially flat element, press-formed in an elastomer, polymer or copolymer elastomer material, internally to which, preferably along a median plane of the said body (1), a substantially flat reinforcing element (2) extends, starting from the internal and superior part of the body (1) up until it attains a zone in which the said body (1) is equipped with a cleaning edge (7) constituted by a strip element in elastomer material of a spongey type and elastically deformable by compression; and characterised in that gripping means are present of the said body (1) for the fixing of a handle (4), the said means being constituted by a couple of plates (8,9), at least one of the said plates (9) equipped with a sleeve (3) for the fixture of the said handle (4), the said plates (8,9) and the said body (1) exhibiting holes destined to receive screws or rivets (6) aimed at locking the said plates (8,9) on the superior part of the body (1).
A cleaning implement, as in claim 1, characterised in that the body (1) of the implement is constituted by a substantially flat element, press-formed in an elastomer, polymer or copolymer elastomer material, exhibiting at least one seating (15) for the internalwise insertion of a reinforcing element (2); the said body (1) of the implement and the said reinforcing element (2) exhibiting, respectively, at least one aperture (16) for passage of reciprocal fixing means (18); the said reinforcing element (2) being equipped with means (3) for the connection of the said reinforcing element (2) to a handle (4).
A cleaning implement as in claim 1, characterised in that the body (1) of the implement is constituted by a substantially flat element, press-formed in an elastomer, polymer or copolymer elastomer material, which body (1) exhibits at least one seating (15) for the internalwise insertion of a reinforcing element (2) equipped with means (3) aimed at receiving one of the ends of a handle (4); the said body (1) of the implement and the said reinforcing element (2) being connected by means of mastics or glues.
A cleaning implement, as in claim 1 or 4, characterised in that it is constituted by a substantially flat body (1) press-formed in an elastomer, polymer or copolymer elastomer material, equipped with a cleaning edge (7) constituted by a strip element in elastomer material of a spongey type and being elastically deformable by compression, the said body (1) of the implement being further equipped, preferably along a median plane of the said body (1), with a reinforcing element (2) interesting the body (1) at least over part of its length; the connection between a handle (4) and the said body (1) being realised by means of a fork (10) associable to the handle (4) by means of a sleeve (3), and to the body (1) by means of a pivot (12) which, being perpendicular to the handle (4) and to the longitudinal axis of the body (1), permits of scarfing the said body (1), between tines of the said fork (10), with the handle (4) in radially variable stable positions about the said pivot (12).
A cleaning implement as in claim 1, or as in any of claims from 2 to 9, characterised in that the cleaning edge (7) destined to rest and rub on a surface to be cleaned develops linearly and is perpendicular to the axis of the handle (4) according to the lie plane of the body (1) of the implement.
A cleaning implement as in claim 1, or as in any of claims from 2 to 9, characterised in that the cleaning edge (7) destined to rest and rub on a surface to be cleaned develops linearly and is not perpendicular to the axis of the handle (4) according to the lie plane of the body (1) of the implement.
A cleaning implement as in claim 1 or as in any claim from 2 to 9, characterised in that the body (1) of the implement exhibits a flat shape and is shaped to form a brush implement.
A cleaning implement as in claim 1 or as in any claim from 2 to 9, and as in claim 12, characterised in that the said body (1) of the implement is equipped with a tubular extension in which a part of the handle (4) close to the said body (1) is housed.
A cleaning implement as in claim 1 or as in any claim from 2 to 9, characterised in that the elastomer material used for making the body (1) of the implement is foamed polyeurethane or PVC or EVA, or a thermoplastic material.
A cleaning implement as in claim 1 or as in any of the claims from 2 to 9, characterised in that the elastomer material of a spongey type used for making the cleaning edge (7) of the implement is a closed-cell polyeurethane.
A cleaning implement as in claim 1 or as in any of the claims from 2 to 9, characterised in that the elastomer material of a spongey type used for making the cleaning edge (7) of the implement is an open-cell polyeurethane.
A cleaning implement as in claim 1, or as in any of the claims from 2 to 9, characterised in that the elastomer material used for making the body (1) of the implement is a microcellular polyeurethane, with press-density (DIN 53420) of 0.4 g/cm³, wherein there is a proportioning and careful selecting of the polyeurethane components, taken from the isocyanate and polyhydric families, in order to obtain the following mechanical characteristics:
- hardness of pressed pieces (DIN 53505) Shore A from 3 to 70;

- ultimate tensile stress (DIN 53504) from 6 to 50 Kg/cm²;

- stretch (DIN 53504) from 200 to 250 percent;

- actual breaking load (DIN 53507) from 1.2 to 6 kg/cm;

- abrasion resistance (DIN 53516) from 350 to 150 mg.;

- compressive strength (ISO 604) from 0.4 to 7.5 Kg/cm².
A cleaning implement as in any of the claims from 4 to 9, characterised in that the said reinforcing element (2) is made in polypropylene.
A cleaning implement as in claim 1 or as in any of the claims from 2 to 9, characterised in that the said cleaning edge (7) is made in a polyeurethane with a density (UNI 6349) ranging from 16 to 110 kg/m³, preferably 55kg/mg³, with the following mechanical characteristics;
- compressive strength (UNI 6351) from 1 to 19 Kpa, preferably 6;

- deflective strength (UNI 6353) N (25%) from 30 to 600, preferably 350;

- deflective strength (UNI 6353) N (40%) from 40 to 810, preferably 420;

- deflective strength (UNI 6353) N (65%) from 65 to 1600, preferably 850;

- maximum breadth loss (UNI 6356) from 2% to 4%, preferably 3%;

- maximum lift loss /UNI 6356) from 35% to 15% preferably 20%;

- ultimate tensile stress (UNI 7032) from 70 to 320 kpa, preferably 150kpa;

- minimum stretch (UNI 7032) from 130% to 250%, preferably 220%;

- permanent deformation (UNI 6352): maximum compression at 50% from 10 to 2, preferably 3; at 75% from 20 to 3, preferably 4.
A cleaning implement for floors and/or other surfaces, as in claim 1 or as in any of the claims from 2 to 9, characterised in that the connection between the body (1) and the cleaning edge (7) is realised by using joint-couplable means stably associated to the said body (1) and cleaning edge (7).