EP3206552A1 - Dispositif de nettoyage de sol comportant une poubelle et un panneau pour maintenir une feuille de nettoyage à proximité de celle-ci - Google Patents

Dispositif de nettoyage de sol comportant une poubelle et un panneau pour maintenir une feuille de nettoyage à proximité de celle-ci

Info

Publication number
EP3206552A1
EP3206552A1 EP15784253.5A EP15784253A EP3206552A1 EP 3206552 A1 EP3206552 A1 EP 3206552A1 EP 15784253 A EP15784253 A EP 15784253A EP 3206552 A1 EP3206552 A1 EP 3206552A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
foot
sole plate
cleaning
sheet
lip
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.)
Ceased
Application number
EP15784253.5A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Glenn Allen Bradbury
Robert William ATTER
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.)
Procter and Gamble Co
Original Assignee
Procter and Gamble Co
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
Priority claimed from US14/516,621 external-priority patent/US9408516B2/en
Application filed by Procter and Gamble Co filed Critical Procter and Gamble Co
Publication of EP3206552A1 publication Critical patent/EP3206552A1/fr
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

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
    • A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
    • A47L11/32—Carpet-sweepers
    • A47L11/33—Carpet-sweepers having means for storing dirt
    • 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
    • A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
    • A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
    • A47L11/4036—Parts or details of the surface treating tools
    • 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
    • A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
    • A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
    • A47L11/4036—Parts or details of the surface treating tools
    • A47L11/4041—Roll shaped surface treating tools
    • 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

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to devices having a sheet usable to clean a floor or other hard surfaces and more particularly to such devices having a removably attachable sheet.
  • Nonwoven sheets may be made according to commonly assigned US 6,936,330 and/or 6,797,357.
  • Cellulosic paper towels may be made according to commonly assigned US 4,191,609 and/or 4,637,859.
  • Such sheets have been removably attached to manual implements.
  • the implements increase reach, and improve ergonomics. For example, when the hard surface to be cleaned is a floor, the implement allows the user to clean from a standing position, improving comfort over cleaning from a crouched position or on the knees.
  • Manual implements may be made according to commonly assigned US 8,684,619; 6,305,046 and/or D588,770.
  • One problem encountered when cleaning floors is that a user can encounter tacky soils, which tend to stick to the floor, and/or encounter a variety of fine soils, such as dust, granular soils, dried food debris, plants, mud, etc. which tend to stick to the floor less.
  • wetted and wettable floor sheets have been used.
  • Pre-wetted floor sheets include those having APG polymers, as disclosed in commonly assigned US 6,716,805. Wettable floor sheets have been used with the commercially available Swiffer WetJet (R) device.
  • This device sprays cleaning solution onto the floor from a replaceable reservoir, as described in commonly assigned US 8,186,898.
  • Cleaning solution chemistry and a reservoir therefor may be made according to commonly assigned US 6,386,392.
  • Floor sheets which absorb cleaning solution from the floor may be made according to commonly assigned US 5,960,508, 6,101,661 and/or 7,144,173. But these attempts do not always sufficiently clean the entire range of soils encountered, particularly large particles, such as cereal and chunks of mud from the floor.
  • rotatable beater bars have been utilized, as disclosed in US 9,783, reissued June 28, 1881; 306,008 issued Sept. 30, 1884; 329,257 issued Oct. 27, 1885; 4,654,927 issued Apr.
  • beater bars in these teachings are driven by the wheels. Particularly, each of these references teaches plural wheels contacting the floor to be cleaned. The wheels drive the beater bar, obviating the need for a separate electric motor. Electric motors add cost and weight to the device.
  • Split beater bars have also been used, as shown in 2005/0055792 and 7,134,161.
  • Many mechanical sweepers use beater bars comprising nylon bristles. Bristles may also be used on carpets, where bristles can help loosen hair. Bristles can be prone to hair/lint/thread wrapping which may degrade performance. Since mechanical sweepers rely on momentum for pick-up, contaminated bristles reduce cleaning capability.
  • bristles can separate, requiring higher rotational speed to reduce bristle separation, and minimize particles passing through the bristles.
  • some beater bars use fins or blades.
  • Powered devices may have a beater bar which is battery powered or AC line powered to aid in picking up soil. These devices have higher rotational speeds and can be more effective than mechanically driven beater bars at picking up particles. But powered devices can be inconvenient if battery life is depleted or cord length is insufficient. Devices which also use a disposable sheet to assist in cleaning are known as illustrated by EP 1027855; US 2009/0077761; US 7,013,528; US 7,346,428 and commonly assigned US 7,676,877.
  • the disposable sheet may be attached to the implement using grippers, as described in commonly assigned 2014/0026344.
  • Exemplary 2009/0077761, US 7,013,528, US 7,346,428 and EP 1027855 show the common arrangement of having a sheet attached to the bottom of the device.
  • Commonly assigned 7,676,877 teaches a cleaning implement having a pivotable bottom wall to which a cleaning substrate may be attached.
  • Commonly assigned 2013/0333129 teaches a device having a rotary beater bar and a cleaning sheet proximate thereto. But even with dual mode pickup devices, having a beater bar followed by a cleaning sheet, not all debris may be captured from the target surface.
  • One problem with devices having dual mode pickup is that debris may pass between the two pickup modes. E.g.
  • the invention comprises a foot which accepts a removable sheet.
  • the foot is movable on a surface and comprises a housing for holding a beater bar in a portion of the foot.
  • a lip defines a rearward edge of the portion of the housing holding the beater bar.
  • the foot also has a sole plate joined to the housing.
  • the sole plate removably receives a disposable cleaning sheet thereon.
  • the sole plate optionally pivots about a pivot axis between an open position for servicing of the cleaning sheet and optionally to a closed position for cleaning tasks.
  • the sole plate has a distal edge proximate the lip.
  • the lip and the distal edge defines predetermined gap therebetween, ranging from about -8 mm to about +8 mm.
  • Fig.1A is a side elevational view of a device of the present invention, with the sole plate shown in a closed position and shown with the front of the device facing right.
  • Fig. 1B is a side elevational view of the device of Fig. 1A, with the sole plate shown in an intermediate position and showing the cleaning sheet in phantom.
  • Fig. 1C is a side elevational view of the device of Fig. 1A, with the sole plate shown in a fully open position and showing the cleaning sheet in phantom.
  • Fig. 2A is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a device according to the present invention having a beater bar and raised head, with the sole plate shown in a closed position.
  • Fig. 2B is a front perspective view of the device of Fig. 2A with the sole plate shown in a fully open position and showing the cleaning sheet in phantom.
  • Fig. 2C is a rear perspective view of the device of Fig. 2B with the sole plate shown in a fully open position and showing the cleaning sheet in phantom.
  • Fig. 3A is a rear perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a device according to the present invention having an optional dirt bin, dual gripper pairs to attach different cleaning sheet lengths, with the sole plate shown in a closed position.
  • Fig. 3B is a side elevational view of the device of Fig. 3A and showing the cleaning sheet in phantom attached to two different sets of grippers.
  • Fig. 4 is a vertical fragmentary sectional view of a device having a gap with an overlap and shown with the front of the device facing left.
  • Fig.5 is a graphical representation of the effect of the gap between the forward distal edge of the sole plate and the lip of the portion of the beater bar housing on debris pickup, showing the performance of an exemplary dual mode cleaning device .
  • the invention may comprise a dual mode surface cleaning device (10) for cleaning hard surfaces, such as floors, countertops, etc.
  • the device (10) may comprise a handle (12) and a foot (14) mounted thereto in pivoting relationship.
  • the pivoting relationship may include single axis pivoting relationship as occurs with a hinge or multi-axis pivoting relationship as occurs with a universal joint.
  • the handle (12) and foot (14) may be disposed in fixed relationship, so that countertops, showers and similar surfaces may be cleaned.
  • the handle (12) and foot (14) may be permanently or removably connected together.
  • a small hand held device (10) may comprise only a foot (14) and no handle (12).
  • the foot (14) may comprise a beater bar (44) on the bottom thereof, to provide a first mode of cleaning for crumbs, large particulates, etc.
  • the foot (14) may removably receive a sheet (20) on the bottom thereof, to provide a second mode of cleaning, for dusts and smaller debris not captured by the first mode of cleaning.
  • the floor sheet (20), or other cleaning cloth, usable with the present invention may comprise a textured nonwoven and more particularly a hydroentangled nonwoven.
  • the nonwoven may comprise a single ply having three layers. The three layers may comprise a layer of carded fibers interposed between two layers of spunbonded fibers.
  • the sheet (20) may be made according to commonly assigned US 6,561,354; 6,645,604 and/or 2002/0042962.
  • the sheet (20) may comprise a laminate construction, particularly if wet cleaning is contemplated with the present invention.
  • the laminate may comprise at least one floor contacting layer and at least one absorbent, reservoir storage layer.
  • a third, dedicated foot (14) contacting layer is optional and can be used for attachment to the device (10).
  • the sheet (20) of the present invention may comprise 1, 2, 3, 4 or more layers.
  • the fibers can be an airlaid nonwoven web comprising a combination of natural fibers, staple length synthetic fibers and a latex binder.
  • the dry fibrous web can be about 20 to 80 percent by weight wood pulp fibers, 10 to 60 percent by weight staple length polyester fibers, and about 10 to 25 percent by weight binder.
  • the dry sheet (20) can have a basis weight between about 30 and about 1000 grams per square meter.
  • Pre-moistened sheets (20) used in the system of the present invention may be advantageous in that they are always ready for use, and simple to use without special dosing. The user does not have to worry about applying too much cleaning solution, leading to waste, or too little cleaning solution to be efficacious.
  • a pre-moistened sheet (20) may be made according to the teachings of commonly assigned US 6,716,805.
  • the sheet (20) may comprise a perforate or imperforate film, such as is known in the art for wetted floor sheets (20).
  • An imperforate film will inhibit, if not prevent, transmission of steam or liquid therethrough, potentially reducing efficacy of the cleaning system.
  • the sheet (20) may be disposable after a single use. By disposable, it is meant that the sheet (20) is discarded after a single use of cleaning at least 5, 10, 15, 20 or more square meters and is not laundered or restored. Alternatively the sheet (20) may be laundered and restored for subsequent use.
  • the sheet (20) can function as a scrubbing material and/or have additional materials added for scrubbing.
  • the sheet (20) may be generally rectangular, and sized to removably fit on the sole plate (70) of the device (10).
  • the sheet (20) may have two opposed faces, an upper face for attachment to the sole plate (70) of the device (10), and a lower face which contacts and cleans the target surface.
  • the sheet (20) may be removably attachable to the foot (14), and particularly to the sole plate (70) thereof using grippers (74) as described herein.
  • the foot (14) may comprise a footprint large enough to accommodate the sheet (20).
  • the foot (14) may be generally rectangular, having a front (52), rear (53) and two spaced apart sides (54).
  • the foot (14) may comprise two mirror images, symmetrically opposite about a longitudinal centerline.
  • the user may generally push the device (10) from front (52) to rear (53), and back, in a series of strokes.
  • the device (10) may comprise an axially rotatable beater bar (44), to remove debris from the floor.
  • the beater bar (44) may be manually driven from a wheel or may be electrically powered, from an AC motor or DC motor as is known in the art.
  • the beater bar (44) may sweep loose debris into a dirt bin (58), as described in 2010/0287716.
  • the optional beater bar (44) may be parallel to the widthwise direction of the foot (14) and parallel to the axle.
  • the beater bar (44) may axially rotate about its axis on the forward stroke. Such rotation will collect large particles in an optional dirt bin (58).
  • the beater bar (44) may be contained within a housing (50) for safety.
  • the beater bar (44) may be parallel to the front (52)/rear (53) of the foot (14) and perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline.
  • the device (10) may comprise two or more co-linear beater bars (44).
  • the two beater bars (44) may be disposed with one on each side of the longitudinal centerline.
  • Each beater bar (44) may be disposed on and rotate about an axle. Each axle may extend from the respective side (54) of the housing (50) to a trunnion juxtaposed with the longitudinal centerline.
  • the beater bar (44) may be disposed in a portion of the housing (50) defined in part by a lip (45).
  • the lip (45) may be disposed on, or proximate to, the floor during use.
  • the lip (45) may be parallel to and generally correspond in width to the beater bar (44).
  • the lip (45) may scrape the floor and provide for the foot (14) to collect debris in use.
  • the lip (45) may also provide an entrance for debris to enter a collection system, as discussed below relative to an exemplary dirt bin (58).
  • the lip (45) may also define a rearward edge of the portion of the housing (50) which holds the beater bar (44).
  • the foot (14) may comprise an optional dirt bin (58) to receive debris from the beater bar (44) or other cleaning mode.
  • the dirt bin (58) may be removed from the foot (14) through a cover in the housing (50) or by pivoting the housing (50) to an open position or by other access. Upon removal, the dirt bin (58) may be emptied or replaced. If desired, the dirt bin (58) may comprise part of the housing (50).
  • the foot (14) may comprise one or more wheels (40).
  • a single wheel (40) may be disposed on the longitudinal centerline of the foot (14) as described in commonly assigned US 2013/0333129A1.
  • the wheel (40) may be mounted towards the front (52) or rear (53) of the foot (14).
  • the axis and axle may be parallel to the width direction of the foot (14), and perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline of the foot (14).
  • the wheel (40) may have a diameter ranging from 18 to 63 mm and particularly be 43 mm.
  • the wheel (40) may be relatively narrow at the circumference, to improve maneuverability.
  • the wheel (40) may have a rubber periphery, to provide traction sufficient to drive each optional beater bar (44), if present.
  • the beater bar(s) (44) may be driven in a 1:1 ratio with the wheel (40) or may be geared to be rotationally driven faster than the wheel (40), at a ratio ranging to 3, 4, 5 or 6:1 or more.
  • the foot (14) may further comprise an optional plow (56).
  • the plow (56) may be chevron-shaped, arcuate, diagonally oriented with respect to the front (52) of the device, etc.
  • the plow (56) may divert debris from the wheel to more directly be intercepted by the beater bar (44) and or sheet (20).
  • the housing (50) may have a removable or hingedly attached sole plate (70).
  • Removal/pivoting of the sole plate (70) from/relative to the housing (50) may allow access to the, beater bars (44), dirt bin (58) and/or particularly the sheet (20). This arrangement allows the replacement of a beater bar (44) to occur without the use of tools, such as a screwdriver or pliers.
  • the pivoting relationship of the sole plate (70) relative to the housing (50) described herein does not require 360 degree rotation of one relative to the other. Pivoting/articulation or other temporary removal of the sole plate (16) from the housing (50), need only intercept an angle/position sufficient to allow servicing [mounting/removal] of the sheet (20) in an open position and placement of the sheet (20)/sole plate (70) in the foot (14) in the closed position for cleaning tasks.
  • the entire sole plate (70) may hinge to an open position.
  • a housing (50) and sole plate (70) may be movable relative to each other. One may be held stationary, while the other is articulated or translated to/from a closed position to an open position and back. While a sole plate (70) hingedly attached to a housing (50) is shown, one of skill will recognize the invention is not so limited.
  • the sole plate (70) and housing (50) may be distinguished from each other by the housing (50) generally being larger and heavier than the sole plate (70).
  • the housing (50) may serve as a frame for and provide attachment of components such as the wheel (40), beater bar (44) dirt bin (58) and/or other components.
  • the sole plate (70) may pivot about a pivot axis. This axis may be perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline and extend between the two spaced apart sides (54).
  • the sole plate (70) has a forward portion (173) and rearward portion (172) opposingly disposed about the axis.
  • the forward portion (173) and rearward portion (172) rotate about the axis in synchronus relationship, in response to manipulation by the user. If the user grasps either the forward portion (173) or rearward portion, and manipulates one portion (172, 173) to move relative to the housing (50), the other portion (172, 173) will likewise and simultaneously move an equal amount relative to the housing (50) and around the pivot axis.
  • the forward portion (173) and rearward portion (172) may be joined in rigid relationship, to assure synchronus movement as the sole plate (70) rotates about the pivot axis relative to the housing (50).
  • the forward portion (173) may have a distal edge (175).
  • the distal edge (175) of the forward portion (173) of the sole plate (70), and particularly of the panel (73) thereof, may be straight, parallel to and correspond in width to, the beater bar (44).
  • the distal edge (175) may also be angled and/or tapered to direct particles to a specific portion of the beater bar (44).
  • Each of the forward portion (173) and rearward portion (172) of the sole plate (70) may have one or more grippers (74).
  • the sheet (20) may be attached to the sole plate (70) without attachment to or interference from the housing (50).
  • the sheet (20) may be attached to the upwardly facing surfaces of both the forward portion (173) and rearward portion (172).
  • the grippers (74) may be disposed on the upwardly facing surfaces, oriented away from the floor, of both the forward portion (173) and rearward portion (172).
  • This arrangement advantageously allows the sheet (20) to wrap both the front edge of the forward portion (173) and rear edge of the rearward portion (172). By wrapping both edges of the pivotable sole plate (70), snowplowing of debris in both the forward stroke direction and reverse stroke direction is reduced.
  • the sole plate (70) may comprise a generally planar panel (73), having the forward portion (173) and rearward portion (172) in generally mutually coplanar relationship.
  • the sole plate (70) may be curved, particularly convex outwardly. This geometry provides the benefit of concentrating pressure from the user onto a smaller portion of the sheet (20) and reducing snowplowing of debris in front of the sheet (20).
  • One or more grippers (74) may be disposed on the head (72) of the sole plate (70).
  • One or more grippers (74) may be disposed on the panel (73) of the sole plate (70), and particularly may be disposed on the inner face thereof, as disclosed in commonly assigned application 13/947,501, filed July 22, 2013. This arrangement provides for all grippers (74) to be disposed on the articulable sole plate (70). In this arrangement, no grippers (74) are disposed on the housing (50).
  • the sheet grippers (74) may comprise resilient fingers as shown in commonly assigned US 6,305,046, US 6,484,346 and US 6,651,290 and US 20140026344.
  • the grippers (74) may also or alternatively comprise hook and loop fasteners, adhesive, friction grips, clamps, etc.
  • the grippers (74) may be exclusively disposed on the sole plate (70), as described herein. That is, the housing (50) may be free of grippers (74) and/or not require the use of grippers (74) to secure a sheet (20) to the foot (14). This arrangement provides the benefit that all grippers (74) can rotate together, and without relative movement between individual grippers (74) and be synchronously rotated together independent of the housing (50).
  • the sole plate (70) may comprise a panel (73) and optional head (72) extending therefrom and particularly outwardly and/or upwardly therefrom. The head (72) may be disposed on the rearward portion (172) of the sole plate (70).
  • the panel (73) may be disposed on or comprise the forward portion (173) of the sole plate (70).
  • a large portion of the panel (73) may have a generally flat shape, and be generally planar.
  • the panel (73) may have an interior face and exterior face opposed thereto.
  • Such panel (73) portion of the sole plate (70) need not be flat, as shown, but may have a convex or other arcuate shape, as helpful.
  • the panel (73) may have a proximal end near the head (72) and a distal end remote therefrom. The distal end of the panel (73) may have an edge for convenient wrapping of the sheet (20) therearound.
  • the head (72) may be integral with and/or rigidly attached to the panel (73).
  • This arrangement provides the benefit, not found in the art, that as the sole plate (70) is moved, such during rotated to the open/closed positions, the head (72) and panel (73) are synchronized and move together without independent movement therebetween. Synchronus, simultaneous movement of the head (72) and panel (73) provide the benefit of less manipulation of the foot (14) during sheet (20) installation/replacement.
  • the head (72), and rearward portion (172) in particular, may be disposed at the back of the foot (14).
  • the sole plate (70) may partially wrap the housing (50), providing for advantageous placement of the grippers (74) on the sole plate (70).
  • One or more grippers (74) may be disposed on the inside of the sole plate (70), and particularly the inside of the panel (73).
  • one or more grippers (74) may be disposed on the top of the sole plate (70), and particularly the top of the head (72).
  • the head (72) may comprise grippers (74) which are disposed on the top thereof, and may be generally horizontally oriented.
  • the grippers (74) may be disposed on the rear (53) of the head (72). This arrangement disposes the grippers (74) in a vertical orientation although one of skill will recognize the grippers (74) may be disposed in an orientation between vertical and horizontal.
  • the dual sets of grippers (74) provides for the head (72) to accommodate different sheet (20) sizes.
  • the head (72) of Figs. 3A and 3B has a generally vertically oriented surface.
  • the sheet (20) may be vertically oriented for cleaning of baseboards, lower walls, etc.
  • the rear (53) of the head (72) may be made of or lined with sponge, rubber, or other resiliently compliant material to conform to the profile of baseboards, molding, etc.
  • the foot (14) is illustrated with the pivot axis near the center of the sole plate (70) and widthwise oriented, one of skill will recognize the invention is not so limited.
  • the axis about which the sole plate (70) articulates may be parallel to the longitudinal centerline or skewed relative thereto, including being skewed relative to the horizontal plane.
  • the axis may be disposed on a side (54) of the sole plate (54).
  • the side (54) of the sole plate (70) may be generally coplanar with the side (54) of the housing (50). Or the side (54) of the sole plate (70) may be inboard of the side (54) of the housing (50), or may be outboard thereof, so that the sole plate (70) and housing (50) have mutually different widths.
  • the foot (14) may further comprise a hinge, universal joint, ball and socket joint, etc. or portion thereof to pivotally receive a handle (12).
  • the foot (14) may be used without a handle (12).
  • the device (10) may optionally spray cleaning solution onto the floor or other target surface. This arrangement provides the benefit that the user can see where the cleaning solution is being applied, with it being blocked under the sheet (20).
  • the cleaning solution may be any of the liquid solutions described above, aqueous or otherwise.
  • the sprayer may be a pump system, as described with respect to commonly assigned US 8,186,898, or a gravity feed system, either permanently/removably attached to the device (10) or a part thereof. Or a separate aerosol or trigger pump sprayer may be utilized, as are well known in the art.
  • a spray system may be advantageously used with a single-use sheet (20), which is discarded after one cleaning event or with reusable sheets (20), such as microfiber sheets (20). If spray is used it will be advantageous to use dry absorbent sheets (20) such those described in commonly assigned 6,101,661; US 7,144,173 and 7,163,349,
  • the device (10) may optionally apply steam to the floor.
  • the steam may be applied through a dry sheet or a pre-wetted sheet as disclosed in commonly assigned US 2013/0319463.
  • the lip (45) may be tapered to provide a flow path for debris to intercept the portion of the sheet (20) which wraps the top of the sole plate (70) and/or a flow path towards the dirt bin (58).
  • the lip (45) may be spaced a predetermined distance away from the floor to provide an efficacious flow path as shown by distance A, to provide for an efficacious flow path and provide protection for the floor.
  • the distal edge (175) of the sole plate (70) may be spaced rearward of the axis of the beater bar (44) a predetermined distance as shown by distance C.
  • the sheet (20) may wrap the edge (45) for attachment thereto, in lieu of attachment to the sole plate (70).
  • the lip (45) and the distal edge (175) of the sole plate (70) may be both substantially straight and substantially mutually parallel.
  • substantially straight it is meant that deviations beyond that which occur in ordinary manufacture, and typically less than 1 mm across the width of the foot (14), do not occur.
  • substantially parallel it is meant that deviations beyond that which occur in ordinary manufacture, and typically less than 2 degrees across the width of the foot (14), do not occur. Referring to Figs.
  • a gap (G) may separate the edge of lip (45) of the first cleaning mode and the distal edge (175) of the sole plate (70) which holds the sheet (20) for the second cleaning mode.
  • the gap (G) is measured with the sole plate (70) in the in-use position.
  • in-use position it is meant that the device (10) has the housing (50) and sole plate (70) held in stationary, fixed relationship, corresponding to that position used during a routine cleaning task. Typically this position yields the smallest measurement of gap (G).
  • Gap (G) is then measured to yield the smallest gap (G) of the device (10), in a generally forward- backward direction and perpendicular to the width of the foot (14) and parallel to the beater bar (44).
  • the gap (G) is measured using only the device (10), without having a sheet (20) in place. If the gap (G) is not constant, the gap (G) is measured as the portion of the distal edge (175) having the most width which is constant and contiguous. If there is not a portion of the distal edge (175) which is constant, e.g. a sinusoidal or sawtooth distal edge (175), the measurement is taken at the midpoint thereof.
  • the gap (G) extends for at least 25, 50 or 75 percent of the width of the foot (14), or for at least 10, 15, or 20 cm in the width direction, the gap (G) is considered to provide for efficacious, dual mode pickup of debris during cleaning and to meet the limitations of the following claims.
  • the gap (G) may be measured using a Series 500 handheld depth gauge or dial calipers as are commonly available from Mitutoya America of Aurora, IL If the distal edge (175) of the sole plate (70) barely intercepts the lip (45) of the housing (50), the gap is defined as 0. If there is an open space between the distal edge (175) and the lip (45), the gap (G) is defined as positive.
  • the gap (G) is defined as negative. Referring to Fig.5, it can be seen that the gap (G) directly affects the performance of the cleaning device (10).
  • the performance in Fig. 5 was measured using a commercially available Swiffer® Sweep & TrapTM device (10) sold by the instant assignee for control and using this same Swiffer® Sweep & TrapTM device (10) modified for purposes of this testing.
  • a commercially available control device (10) is understood to have a gap (G) ranging from a space of +5.6 mm to +6.6 mm.
  • the test devices (10) had gaps (G) ranging from -9 mm to + 15 mm.
  • a foot (14) according to the present invention may have a gap (G) ranging from an overlap of about -1, -3, -5, -7 or -9 mm, to a space of about +1, +3, or +5 mm, inclusive of any value therebetween, and using any cited endpoint for the range. If measured to a sufficient degree of precision, a foot (14) according to the present invention may have a gap (G) ranging from an overlap of about -1.0, -3.0, -5.0, -7.0 or -9.0 mm, to a space of about +1.0, +3.0, or +5.0 mm, inclusive of any value therebetween, and using any cited endpoint for the range.
  • the gap (G) may be 0 mm in a degenerate case, with the distal edge (175) and lip (45) barely in mutual contact.
  • the dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as“40 mm” is intended to mean“about 40 mm”.It should be understood that every maximum numerical limitation given throughout this specification includes every lower numerical limitation, as if such lower numerical limitations were expressly written herein. Every minimum numerical limitation given throughout this specification includes every higher numerical limitation, as if such higher numerical limitations were expressly written herein.

Landscapes

  • Cleaning Implements For Floors, Carpets, Furniture, Walls, And The Like (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un pied pour un dispositif et un dispositif associé permettant de nettoyer une surface cible et qui peut recevoir une feuille destinée à entrer en contact avec la surface cible. Le dispositif comprend également un batteur rotatif. Le batteur et la feuille fournissent deux modes de nettoyage pour le dispositif. Le dispositif comporte un pied qui comprend un boîtier et une lèvre avant pour le batteur et comporte en outre une plaque de semelle destinée à recevoir la feuille de nettoyage. La lèvre et le bord adjacent de la plaque de semelle sont espacés l'un par rapport à l'autre. L'espacement correct entre la partie du boîtier comportant le batteur et la plaque de semelle maintenant la feuille permet d'améliorer les performances de nettoyage en double mode. Le système de nettoyage peut être utilisé pour nettoyer des surfaces dures telles qu'un sol.
EP15784253.5A 2014-10-17 2015-10-09 Dispositif de nettoyage de sol comportant une poubelle et un panneau pour maintenir une feuille de nettoyage à proximité de celle-ci Ceased EP3206552A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US14/516,621 US9408516B2 (en) 2012-06-15 2014-10-17 Floor cleaning device having a dust bin and a panel for holding a cleaning sheet proximate thereto
PCT/US2015/054814 WO2016060942A1 (fr) 2014-10-17 2015-10-09 Dispositif de nettoyage de sol comportant une poubelle et un panneau pour maintenir une feuille de nettoyage à proximité de celle-ci

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3206552A1 true EP3206552A1 (fr) 2017-08-23

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP15784253.5A Ceased EP3206552A1 (fr) 2014-10-17 2015-10-09 Dispositif de nettoyage de sol comportant une poubelle et un panneau pour maintenir une feuille de nettoyage à proximité de celle-ci

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3206552A1 (fr)
CN (1) CN106793908B (fr)
CA (1) CA2961905A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2016060942A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
IT201900007069A1 (it) * 2019-05-21 2020-11-21 Ip Cleaning S R L Tergivetro con modalità di rotazione selezionabile

Family Cites Families (7)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN2917533Y (zh) * 2006-05-31 2007-07-04 罗晟 带扫地功能的蒸汽拖把
AU2010201890B8 (en) * 2009-05-12 2014-07-17 Bissell Inc. Upright steam mop sweeper
TWI551256B (zh) * 2011-12-02 2016-10-01 Kao Corp Cleaning tool
US9408516B2 (en) * 2012-06-15 2016-08-09 The Procter & Gamble Company Floor cleaning device having a dust bin and a panel for holding a cleaning sheet proximate thereto
US9408518B2 (en) * 2012-06-15 2016-08-09 The Procter & Gamble Company Retainers for a device having removable floor sheets
US8910340B2 (en) * 2012-06-15 2014-12-16 The Procter & Gamble Company Floor cleaning device having disposable floor sheets and rotatable beater bar and method of cleaning a floor therewith
US9974423B2 (en) * 2012-06-15 2018-05-22 The Prcoter & Gamble Company Floor cleaning device having a sole plate to removably receive a cleaning sheet thereon

Non-Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
None *
See also references of WO2016060942A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2961905A1 (fr) 2016-04-21
WO2016060942A1 (fr) 2016-04-21
CN106793908B (zh) 2019-11-19
CN106793908A (zh) 2017-05-31

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