EP1985221A2 - Dispositif de nettoyage - Google Patents

Dispositif de nettoyage Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1985221A2
EP1985221A2 EP08155022A EP08155022A EP1985221A2 EP 1985221 A2 EP1985221 A2 EP 1985221A2 EP 08155022 A EP08155022 A EP 08155022A EP 08155022 A EP08155022 A EP 08155022A EP 1985221 A2 EP1985221 A2 EP 1985221A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cleaning
underside
cleaning device
mop
base
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP08155022A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1985221A3 (fr
Inventor
Lassi Salmivuori
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Aqa Scandinavia AB
Original Assignee
Aqa Scandinavia AB
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Aqa Scandinavia AB filed Critical Aqa Scandinavia AB
Publication of EP1985221A2 publication Critical patent/EP1985221A2/fr
Publication of EP1985221A3 publication Critical patent/EP1985221A3/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L13/00—Implements for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
    • A47L13/10—Scrubbing; Scouring; Cleaning; Polishing
    • A47L13/20—Mops
    • A47L13/24—Frames for mops; Mop heads
    • A47L13/254—Plate frames
    • A47L13/256—Plate frames for mops made of cloth
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L13/00—Implements for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
    • A47L13/10—Scrubbing; Scouring; Cleaning; Polishing
    • A47L13/20—Mops
    • A47L13/24—Frames for mops; Mop heads
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L13/00—Implements for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
    • A47L13/10—Scrubbing; Scouring; Cleaning; Polishing
    • A47L13/20—Mops
    • A47L13/24—Frames for mops; Mop heads
    • A47L13/254—Plate frames

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a cleaning device for cleaning of flat surfaces, preferably floors.
  • Cleaning devices that are used to clean floors often have a stick which is connected to a cleaning head with a flat underside.
  • a mop is fixed to the underside and in use contacts the floor to be cleaned.
  • dirt and dust are absorbed by the mop.
  • the maximum effect is achieved when the fibres of the mop material are moist.
  • Some floor structures offer great resistance while moving the mop, especially when the mop is moist and its entire surface closely engages the base. In a person who performs daily cleaning activities, this may cause repetitive strain injuries and joint injuries.
  • it is known to add other smoother fibres to the fibres of the mop thus improving the sliding of the mop, but unfortunately this also reduces the cleaning performance. There is thus still a need for a cleaning device which can be moved over different kinds of bases without making it necessary to compromise about the cleaning quality.
  • the object of the present invention is to solve the above problems.
  • the device of the type stated by way of introduction comprising a cleaning device for cleaning of flat surfaces, preferably floors, comprising a cleaning head with a substantially flat underside, which faces the base to be cleaned and on which a cleaning part is arranged, which contacts the base to be cleaned. On this underside there is arranged an element projecting therefrom such that the underside will be spaced from the base.
  • the cleaning part can be a mop with bristles/yarns of fibres, for instance microfibres, but is not limited to this. Since such cleaning heads are often mounted to a stick to facilitate the cleaning of floors for instance, the user now need to apply less force to move the cleaning device over the floor, which allows him/her to keep on cleaning for a longer period.
  • the cleaning part rests on the projecting element.
  • the pressure will then be centred to the projecting element, not to the entire surface of the cleaning part.
  • the force required to move the device over the base will be smaller than if the entire cleaning part fits tightly against it.
  • the element is movable between a first position, in which it projects from said underside, and at least a second retracted position.
  • the second retracted position can be a rest position.
  • the cleaning device may be used for other cleaning parts which do not have the character of a mop. These cleaning parts usually do not need this projecting element to be easily moved over various surfaces.
  • Another advantage is the option of switching the device to adjust it to different floors, for instance rough and smooth floors and also floors soiled to different extents. For instance, if a floor is extremely dirty, it may be desirable to apply a pressure to the entire surface to allow spots and other kinds of dirt to be properly rubbed off.
  • the floor For a normally soiled floor which is frequently cleaned, such as in an office, the floor need in most cases only be wiped off and in that case the raised "lighter" position may be used. In this manner, the user may employ the same device for different areas and needs. Due the structure of the cleaning part (length of the bristles/yarns), different vertical positions of the projecting element may be desirable.
  • the second position can be the position in which the end of the element is on a level with said underside.
  • the movable element can be operable by turning of said element or by a pressing function acting on the element. By turning the element, or applying a force thereto, it is possible to activate, in a smooth and effective way, the movable element from a first position to a second position.
  • the movable element can be operable by an activation that occurrs in direct contact with the element or by an activation connected at a distance from said element. It is possible to operate the element by activating it directly by applying hand or foot force. As a result, it is possible to easily exchange the cleaning head and use it for other control devices, for instance a cleaning machine. Alternatively, it is possible to operate it from a distance, for instance if the cleaning head is arranged on a stick so that it can be operated by means of the stick, for instance, by pressing a button.
  • the connecting will be slightly more complex, but involves the advantage that it will not be necessary to raise the cleaning device or for the user to bend in order to change the distance, which otherwise is a necessary operation.
  • the element is arranged substantially in the centre of said underside.
  • the element then takes a central position and the cleaning head is at a central point of balance.
  • the force is applied to this point since the control point of the cleaning device is often placed in the vicinity, around or directly at this point.
  • the element will then have its most stable position, that is the cleaning head will not tilt due to imbalance.
  • a plurality of elements can be distributed on the underside. This is an advantage if the cleaning head is relatively large or if one element is not sufficient to keep the underside of the cleaning head at a distance, that is the cleaning head tilts to one side.
  • the element can be integrated with the underside. This results in a cleaning head which is always arranged at a fixed distance. By keeping the distance fixed, there will always be a state where the device can be easily moved on all bases.
  • Fig. 1 illustrates a cleaning device 1 according to prior art. It comprises a cleaning head 2 with a flat underside 3. The cleaning head 2 is connected to a stick 8 by a connecting device 9. In many cases the cleaning head 2 is pivoted to the stick 8. However, the cleaning head 2 can be mounted to a cleaning machine of some other device. A cleaning part 5 is fixed to the underside 3 of the cleaning head 2 and is frequently a so-called mop with bristles/yarns of fibres.
  • the cleaning part 5 will be referred to as a mop 5, but any cleaning part 5 according to prior art may be involved.
  • the mop 5 can be made of different materials. In most cases mops 5 of microfibres are preferred since static electricity (when they are dry) and capillary action (when they are moist) make them attract dirt and dust which are then stored in the internal structures of the fibres. As already mentioned, the mop 5 can be moistened/soaked to become still more effective.
  • the base 4 usually the floor
  • the bristles/yarns of fibres are pressed against the base 4 over the entire surface of the cleaning head 2.
  • the friction between the mop 5 and the base 4 must be overcome to allow the mop 5 to be moved over the base 4. If the mop 5 is moist, the friction will be still higher, which makes it difficult for the user to keep on working for more than a short while. In the long run it may cause injuries in users employing this type of cleaning device 1 every day.
  • the cleaning device 1 comprises a cleaning head 2, a stick 8 and a connecting device 9.
  • the cleaning device 2 has a relatively flat underside 3.
  • a projecting element 6 is arranged in the centre of the underside 3.
  • the distance along which the element 6 projects can be proportional to the bristles/yarns of the mop 5.
  • the element 6 projects 2-12 mm, preferably 6-10 mm, particularly 8 +/-1 mm from the underside.
  • the cleaning part also in this case a mop 5 with bristles/yarns, is partly mounted to the underside 3, for instance by Velcro® fasteners or other prior art fastening means 25, and rests on the projecting element 6.
  • the bristles/yarns of the mop 5 comprise fibres, for instance microfibres, which adjacent the element will be pressed between the element 6 and the base 4 by the action of the weight of the stick 8 and the force applied by the user, while the bristles/yarns outside the element will contact the base by a decreased surface, which decreases away from the element. Furthest away from the element 6, the bristles/yarns may touch or even be located at a distance from the base 4. However, this distance should be so great that the fibres of the mop 5 still have an attraction on the dust and dirt.
  • Fig. 3 illustrates a cleaning head 2 from below with the element 6 formed like a cross and projecting from the underside 3 of the cleaning head 2 without a cleaning part 5, which can be a mop.
  • the element 6 can be of any desirable form. Its cross-section can be round, square or cruciform. It can be one element or a plurality of elements distributed at regular or irregular intervals.
  • the element 6 can be arranged so that the mop 5 rests on the element, but could just as well be arranged outside the area of the mop 5 or in an opening in the mop through which the element 6 can be passed.
  • the end 7 of the element 6 can be flat and will contact the base, either via the mop 5 or immediately on the base.
  • the edges of the element 6 can be rounded to such an extent that the corners touch each other at a point.
  • the element 6 will have a minimum contact surface between the mop 5 and the base, which, as mentioned above, makes it easier to move the device over the base to be cleaned.
  • one or more wheels or rollers may be placed in the centre, but in that case the mop/cleaning part 5 has an opening through which the wheel/roller is passed.
  • the wheel or roller or projecting parts may also be arranged on each side outside the area of the mop.
  • the element 6 as block/wheel/roller etc. can be fixedly or movably arranged on the cleaning head 2 so that the element 6 can move between several positions.
  • the entire underside 6 forms a projecting element, which tapers at least at one point/area at a distance from the then imaginary flat underside.
  • Fig. 4 illustrates a cleaning device 1 with a connecting device 9 with a stick and a cleaning head 2 with one embodiment of a movable element 6.
  • the movable element 6 comprises a plurality of parts.
  • the cleaning head 2 is formed with an opening 26 which extends from the underside 3 of the cleaning head 2 to the upper side 10 thereof.
  • a fixing means 11 with a thin wall 12 is fixedly arranged, in this case by screws 15.
  • the fixing to the cleaning head 2 is, however, not limited to precisely screws, but can be any fastening element according to prior art.
  • the fixing means 11 has a through opening 16 which corresponds to the opening 26 in the cleaning head 2, but can be both larger and smaller.
  • the movable element 6 also comprises an activating element 17 which is non-rotatably connected to a spacing element 20. The connection occurs from each side of the cleaning head 2 through the opening of the cleaning head 2 and the fixing means 11.
  • the spacing element 20 is arranged from the underside 3, while the activating element 17 is arranged from the upper side 10.
  • the activating element 17 has two fixing arms 18 which each grip one side of the wall 12 of the fixing means 11 by means of the central portion 19 or alternatively using the spacing element 20.
  • the activating element 17 and the spacing element 20 are in this way mounted to the fixing means 11.
  • a spring 24 is arranged between the central portion 19 of the activating element 17 and the wall 12 of the fixing means 11 and also contacts the upper side 10 of the cleaning head 2.
  • the spring 24 is a metal coil spring, but is not limited thereto.
  • the spacing element 20 is mushroom-shaped, where the foot 22 is connected to the activating element 17.
  • On its head 21 there are arranged force-absorbing spacing pins 23 to absorb the force acting on the spacing element 20 in use of the cleaning device 1, and also to serve as spacing elements.
  • These three parts (fixing means 11, activating element 17 and spacing element 20) are preferably made of plastic. However they can also be made of other materials.
  • the head 21 of the spacing element 20 With the element 6 in a retracted state, that is not activated, the head 21 of the spacing element 20 will be on a level with, or in an inserted position on, the underside 3 of the cleaning head 2.
  • the force-absorbing spacing pins 23 of the spacing element 20 are then stored in indentations 27 in the cleaning head 2, the spring 24 is in a neutral position and the fixing arms 18 of the activating element 17 are arranged on the entire higher wall 14, or partially on the same, of the fixing element 11.
  • the activating element 17 is pressed down and turned so that the activating element 17 and the spacing element 20 are moved downward and turned to their correct position, that is the activating element 17 is pressed against the upper side 10 of the cleaning head 2, and the spacing element 20 is pressed away from the underside 3 thereof and turned to the correct position.
  • the fixing arms 18 of the activating element 17 grasp the lower wall 13 of the fixing means 11 and fix the same in a lower position.
  • the spring is being compressed.
  • the recesses 28, however, are not necessary.
  • the positioning can be achieved in other ways.
  • the spacing element 20 is now in its extended position. To return to a position which is flat with the underside of the cleaning head, the activating element 17 is pressed (if there are recesses 28) and turned once more so that the force-absorbing spacing pins 23 leave their recesses 28 and reach their storage indentations 27.
  • the spring 24 now springs back and the spacing element 20 is automatically moved into a flush/lowered position.
  • a recess 29 is formed on the underside 3 of the cleaning head 2, so that the spacing element 20 can be flush with the underside 3. If the head 21 is smaller than the opening 26, this is not necessary. This is a way how to solve this problem and, as an alternative to this embodiment, it will be possible to use a bayonet catch or other prior art techniques.
  • the distance may also be varied in other ways, for instance by a thread.

Landscapes

  • Cleaning Implements For Floors, Carpets, Furniture, Walls, And The Like (AREA)
EP08155022A 2007-04-26 2008-04-23 Dispositif de nettoyage Withdrawn EP1985221A3 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SE0701012A SE532058C2 (sv) 2007-04-26 2007-04-26 Rengöringsanordning

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1985221A2 true EP1985221A2 (fr) 2008-10-29
EP1985221A3 EP1985221A3 (fr) 2010-02-03

Family

ID=39561719

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP08155022A Withdrawn EP1985221A3 (fr) 2007-04-26 2008-04-23 Dispositif de nettoyage

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1985221A3 (fr)
SE (1) SE532058C2 (fr)

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE202009000045U1 (de) * 2009-01-21 2010-06-17 Melitta Haushaltsprodukte Gmbh & Co. Kg Reinigungsgerät
US9155440B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2015-10-13 Electrolux Home Care Products, Inc. Steam distribution apparatus and methods for steam cleaning devices
US9179815B2 (en) 2013-10-01 2015-11-10 Electrolux Home Care Products, Inc. Floor mop with removable base plate
US9554686B2 (en) 2013-09-24 2017-01-31 Electrolux Home Care Products, Inc. Flexible scrubbing head for a floor mop
US9743819B2 (en) 2013-09-24 2017-08-29 Midea America, Corp. Floor mop with concentrated cleaning feature
WO2019025508A1 (fr) * 2017-08-02 2019-02-07 Wolfgang Held Balai de nettoyage de sols
USD927198S1 (en) 2018-11-27 2021-08-10 Unger Marketing International, Llc Brush handle
USD939801S1 (en) 2018-11-27 2021-12-28 Unger Marketing International, Llc Brush handle

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20040068817A1 (en) * 1998-12-01 2004-04-15 The Proctor & Gamble Company Cleaning implement
US20040231700A1 (en) * 2000-10-11 2004-11-25 Russell Bell Cleaning system with scrubbing portion
DE10350997B3 (de) * 2003-10-30 2004-12-23 Carl Freudenberg Kg Wischerplatte
WO2006020008A1 (fr) * 2004-07-26 2006-02-23 The Procter & Gamble Company Outil de nettoyage, système de nettoyage comprenant un outil de nettoyage et procédé pour nettoyer des surfaces dures.
WO2006028825A2 (fr) * 2004-09-01 2006-03-16 Unger Marketing International, Llc Balai a laver comprenant une zone de lavage

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20040068817A1 (en) * 1998-12-01 2004-04-15 The Proctor & Gamble Company Cleaning implement
US20040231700A1 (en) * 2000-10-11 2004-11-25 Russell Bell Cleaning system with scrubbing portion
DE10350997B3 (de) * 2003-10-30 2004-12-23 Carl Freudenberg Kg Wischerplatte
WO2006020008A1 (fr) * 2004-07-26 2006-02-23 The Procter & Gamble Company Outil de nettoyage, système de nettoyage comprenant un outil de nettoyage et procédé pour nettoyer des surfaces dures.
WO2006028825A2 (fr) * 2004-09-01 2006-03-16 Unger Marketing International, Llc Balai a laver comprenant une zone de lavage

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE202009000045U1 (de) * 2009-01-21 2010-06-17 Melitta Haushaltsprodukte Gmbh & Co. Kg Reinigungsgerät
US9155440B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2015-10-13 Electrolux Home Care Products, Inc. Steam distribution apparatus and methods for steam cleaning devices
US9554686B2 (en) 2013-09-24 2017-01-31 Electrolux Home Care Products, Inc. Flexible scrubbing head for a floor mop
US9743819B2 (en) 2013-09-24 2017-08-29 Midea America, Corp. Floor mop with concentrated cleaning feature
US9179815B2 (en) 2013-10-01 2015-11-10 Electrolux Home Care Products, Inc. Floor mop with removable base plate
WO2019025508A1 (fr) * 2017-08-02 2019-02-07 Wolfgang Held Balai de nettoyage de sols
USD927198S1 (en) 2018-11-27 2021-08-10 Unger Marketing International, Llc Brush handle
USD939801S1 (en) 2018-11-27 2021-12-28 Unger Marketing International, Llc Brush handle

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
SE532058C2 (sv) 2009-10-13
EP1985221A3 (fr) 2010-02-03
SE0701012L (sv) 2008-10-27

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