EP3875016B1

EP3875016B1 - Floor mop

Info

Publication number: EP3875016B1
Application number: EP21160046.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jordi Demey; Guy Vande Vyvere
Original assignee: Moerman NV
Current assignee: Moerman NV
Priority date: 2020-03-02
Filing date: 2021-03-01
Publication date: 2023-06-07
Anticipated expiration: 2041-03-01
Also published as: EP3875016C0; BE1028114B1; BE1028114A1; EP3875016A1; CN113331756A

Description

The invention concerns a floor mop comprising a base with a top side and an underside, and comprising a covering which lies at least against the underside of the base and thus covers the underside of the base, wherein this covering is at least partially made of a material for cleaning floors and thus, at the level of the underside of the base, forms a first cleaning side of the floor mop, wherein the base is largely made of an elastic material.
A floor mop according to the preamble of claim 1 is known for instance from US 2008/280094 A1 .
The invention also concerns a floor wiper comprising a floor mop holder and a floor mop.
Floor mops are used for cleaning and/or disinfecting floor surfaces. The invention specifically concerns floor mops of the flat mop type. These floor mops generally have a first cleaning side and a second side opposite this first cleaning side. The floor mop is usually designed to be attached to a floor mop holder via the second side. The second side may also serve as a second cleaning side, wherein the floor mop may also be attached to the floor mop holder at the level of the first cleaning side. These cleaning sides are then for example formed by a microfibre cloth, a cotton cloth, a viscose cloth etc.
When cleaning floors, the floor mop absorbs dirt. During cleaning of a floor, this means that the floor mop itself must be rinsed and cleaned at appropriate times to remove this dirt. If the floor mop is not cleaned or is inadequately cleaned, the floor mop is an ideal breeding ground for bacteria.
In existing floor mops, it is provided that during cleaning of a floor, a said cleaning side rests on the ground with approximately its complete surface. The result is that parts of the cleaning side contribute less to cleaning of the floor. The total surface area which can be cleaned per rinse/clean of the floor mop is thereby limited. This problem is partially solved by providing the cleaning side with a relief, but there is still a large part of the surface area of the cleaning side which contributes little to the cleaning of the floor.
It is also an object of the present invention to produce a floor mop in which the total surface area which can be cleaned per rinse/clean of the floor mop is greater.
This object is achieved according to the invention by providing a floor mop according to appended claim 1.
The contact zones are designed to make contact with a surface to be cleaned to clean this surface. Elastic materials are deformable when a force is exerted thereon and resume their original form when the deforming force is removed. By means of said base, the contact zones of the cleaning side can also be pressed well against a floor surface to be cleaned. Preferably, all contact zones viewed in the height direction have approximately the same dimensions in the rest position. The height direction is the dimension perpendicular to the plane in which the length direction and width direction extend, this direction usually extending perpendicularly up from the floor surface to be cleaned. The covering lies against the underside and thus lies against the various zones of the underside, whereby the cleaning side is divided into said contact zones. By dividing the cleaning side into one and preferably several contact zones, the above-mentioned problem is solved. During cleaning of the floor, the different contact zones may be used successively for cleaning, so that a larger part of the surface of the cleaning side will absorb dirt well. Each contact zone here, and primarily the edges of each contact zone, absorb dirt well. Because of the shaping of the underside, when one contact zone is pressed against the floor surface to be cleaned, the adjacent contact zone(s) or certain other parts of the cleaning side do not make contact with the floor to be cleaned, whereby the dirt which may be absorbed by the latter contact zone(s) cannot become detached from the floor mop and good cleaning may take place. If the underside of the base for example comprises two said zones, the first cleaning side comprises two contact zones. Each contact zone comprises an edging, whereby at least twice as large an area of the cleaning side absorbs dirt in comparison with an existing floor mop with the same area of the first cleaning side.
The base is furthermore elastic. This contributes to the good cleaning of the floor mop. During cleaning and rinsing of the floor mop, the floor mop is compressed, squeezed and/or wrung out. Since the base is elastic, it can deform, and while deforming, the base can help expel water and dirt. During compression, squeezing and/or wringing of the floor mop, water can be expelled from the floor mop more easily. The base is here largely and preferably almost completely made from an elastic material. The base may also contain fixing elements such as magnets for fixing the floor mop to the floor mop holder. This elastic material may for example be a rubber or a plastic foam. Thus, the material may be a rubber with a closed cellular structure, such as EPDM rubber with a closed cellular structure. The material may also be an expanded TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane), an expanded polyethylene or an expanded polypropylene. The material may also be a plastic foam such as a polyurethane foam, a polyethylene foam or a polyether foam. The plastic foam may be of the quick dry or easy dry type and comprise a specific quantity of pores so that the plastic foam dries quickly and absorbs little or no water. This plastic foam then for example has a specific weight of between 20 and 50 kg/m³.
By working with such a base, the floor mop also has a certain stiffness and is less floppy than a floor mop which for example consists only of a microfibre cloth, whereby it is easier to clean using cleaning and/or rinsing systems which compress the floor mops.
The base itself may form a cohesive whole, wherein the base may or may not comprise several core parts which are mutually connected by other parts of the base. The base is then for example made of one material so that said other parts are made of the same material as the core parts.
The base may also consist of several parts which are not directly connected, wherein the undersides of all these parts together form said underside of the base. These parts are then for example separated from each other by means of the covering and are indirectly connected by means of the covering.
Thus, the base of the floor mop may consist of two or more separate parts of elastically deformable material, while the covering is produced as a cloth in which a same number of internal channels are formed next to each other, wherein for example two opposing parts of a double cloth are locally stitched together. The dimensions of the internal channels correspond to the dimensions of the different parts of the base, and a relatively narrow strip of cloth is provided between two internal cavities. The base parts are also referred to in this description by the term "core parts".
A respective part of the base of the floor mop is provided in each internal channel, wherein the covering surrounds each base part and wherein the base parts are not connected directly but via the cloth. The narrow strips of cloth between the channels have the same function as the connecting elements or connecting strips referred to below, wherein the base parts or core parts of a one-piece base are connected and allow the necessary mutual relative movements of the separate base parts.
Materials for cleaning floors are for example microfibre cloth, cotton cloth, viscose cloth.
Preferably, the base is largely made from a water-impermeable elastic material. If the floor mop is not cleaned or is inadequately cleaned, the floor mop is an ideal breeding ground for bacteria. However, cleaning of existing floor mops is awkward. The existing floor mops namely absorb dirt and this dirt often penetrates the core of the floor mop. While cleaning the floor mop, it is important that the dirty water, and all the dirt which has accumulated in the floor mop, is removed. However, this is difficult. Even after repeated rinsing with clean water, dirt remains in the floor mop. Secondly, it is desired that cleaning and rinsing the floor mop does not damage the floor mop. There are many types of cleaning and/or rinsing systems which make this possible. However, by means of these cleaning and/or rinsing systems, it remains difficult to remove all the dirt from floor mops. The base here is largely and preferably almost completely made of a water-impermeable elastic material. The base may also contain fixing elements such as magnets for fixing the floor mop to the floor mop holder. These fixing elements are then preferably not made of a water-impermeable elastic material. A water-impermeable elastic material is a material with elastic or rubberlike properties which is water-impermeable. The material may be a rubber with a closed cellular structure such as an EPDM rubber with a closed cellular structure. The material may also be an expanded TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane), or an expanded polyethylene or an expanded polypropylene. The material may for example be an elastic water-impermeable material, wherein the material surrounds pores through which water is displaceable. The material may thus for example be a plastic foam such as a PU foam or a PE foam. Since the material is water-impermeable, water which passes through the pores cannot settle in the material itself. The water-impermeable material may be completely closed all round and for example be a rubber or plastic with a closed cellular structure. Because the base is water-impermeable, dirt and water cannot settle in the base. The floor mop here comprises at least one first cleaning side which extends in the vicinity of the underside of the base. In some cases, the covering may also comprise a second side which is situated opposite this first cleaning side, extends at the level of the top side of the base and is at least partially made of a material for cleaning floors and thus forms an additional, second cleaning side. The covering may for example comprise one or more microfibre cloths. During cleaning of the floor, said cleaning sides come into contact with the floor surface and thus come into contact with dirt and water. However, since the base is water-impermeable, this dirt and water cannot penetrate the base, whereby it is easier to clean and rinse the dirty floor mop and there is less chance that a great deal of dirt and dirty water will remain in the floor mop. Such a floor mop is therefore more easily cleanable and there is also less chance that the floor mop will become a breeding ground for bacteria after a certain period of correct use of the floor mop, i.e., when the floor mop is adequately cleaned.
Since the base is elastic, it can deform and during deforming, the base helps expel the water and dirt, since water and dirt cannot penetrate the base. During compression, squeezing and/or wringing the floor mop, and during cleaning of the floor mop, water can very easily be pressed out of the floor mop.
Preferably, the covering largely surrounds the base and lies against the top side of the base such that the covering forms a second side of the floor mop which extends opposite the first cleaning side. Even more preferably, the base is completely enveloped by the covering. The base is here enveloped by the covering, wherein the covering then forms the outside of the floor mop and the base largely forms the core of the floor mop. This way, the base does not make direct contact with the floor surface to be cleaned, whereby there is less risk that the base will wear and be damaged during cleaning of the floor surface. The covering may for example comprise a first rectangular cloth and a second rectangular cloth, wherein the edges of these cloths are then connected and the base extends between the cloths. The floor mop then comprises three layers, a first layer which forms the first cleaning side, the base, and the second cloth which forms the second side. The base itself may be of one piece but may also consist of several core parts which are not directly connected, wherein said cloths then lie against each other at the level of positions between the core parts.
Furthermore preferably, at the level of the second side, the covering is at least partly made of a material for cleaning floors so that the second side forms a second cleaning side of the floor mop. This way, the floor mop has a larger total cleaning area. The floor cleaning may begin with the first cleaning side, then the floor mop can be turned and the floor cleaned with the second cleaning side. Thus at least twice as large a floor area can be cleaned per rinse/clean of the floor mop.
Preferably, the floor mop then also comprises second said cleaning side, wherein the top side is preferably constructed in the same way as the underside and preferably forms the mirror image of the underside, viewed in a plane which extends in the length direction and width direction, so that a relatively large floor area can be cleaned per rinse/clean of the floor mop. As a result, a floor can be cleaned very quickly.
Also preferably, each said zone of the base comprises two or more successive faces which extend in the length direction of the floor mop and next to each other viewed in the width direction, wherein in the rest position, for each zone, viewed in the width direction, the first and the last faces are oriented respectively upward and downward. For example, if the floor mop comprises two said zones and hence two contact zones, and when forces are exerted to press the desired contact zone against the floor surface, the other contact zone then floats above the floor surface and any dirt from this contact zone is enclosed between the respective faces. In a said cleaning position, the faces of the zone, which are pressed towards the floor surface to be cleaned, preferably all extend approximately from the same plane which extends in the length direction and the width direction of the floor mop.
More specifically, each said zone comprises only two said successive faces and in the rest position, these faces make an angle with the height direction of between 20° and 70°. These faces then preferably all have the same dimensions in the rest position when viewed in the height direction.
Also preferably, the base comprises two or more core parts, wherein these core parts extend almost in the length direction of the floor mop at a distance from each other viewed in the width direction, wherein these core parts form said faces of the zones of the underside, and wherein the core parts are positioned movably relative to each other, such that successive faces of two successive core parts form said two or more successive faces of a respective zone of the underside of the base. These core parts may for example have a (rounded) square cross-section, a (rounded) isosceles cross-section, a cruciform etc.
Further specifically, these core parts are bar-shaped with a diagonal plane which divides each core part into a first part with a triangular cross-section and a second part with a triangular cross-section which lies against the first part, wherein free side faces of the first part are said faces of the zones of the underside. Thus, each core part may have an approximately identical square cross-section. Thus, each core part may for example have a cross-section in the form of a rounded quadrangle.
Also preferably, the floor mop comprises one or more connecting elements which extend between the successive core parts and connect these core parts movably relative to each other, wherein the floor mop is deformable between the rest position and a said cleaning position by the exertion of forces at the level of the one or more connecting elements which connect the two successive core parts, in order thus to press the respective contact zone against the surface to be cleaned. The connecting elements may for example be connecting strips, wherein for example each connecting strip connects two successive core parts, or wherein for example several connecting strips lie in a line spaced apart from each other and connect two successive core parts. For example, if the floor mop comprises three core parts, the floor mop for example comprises two connecting strips and the first cleaning side comprises two contact zones. Each contact zone comprises an edging, whereby at least twice as large an area of the cleaning side can absorb dirt in comparison with an existing floor mop with the same surface area of the first cleaning side. When forces are exerted on one or more connecting elements to press the desired contact zone against the floor surface, the other contact zone floats above the floor surface and any dirt from this contact zone is enclosed between respective core parts.
Also preferably, the floor mop comprises only three or four said core parts. This way, the floor mop is not overly large or overly heavy during cleaning of the floor, when water is absorbed into the covering for example. This floor mop is then very easy to handle.
In an alternative embodiment, the base comprises only two said core parts and thus the first cleaning side comprises one said contact zone.
Also preferably, the base comprises said connecting elements, wherein the connecting elements and core parts form a connected whole and wherein an adjoining part of the covering which forms a said contact zone also lies against the one or more connecting elements which connect the respective two successive core parts. Because the connecting elements form part of the core, these are also largely made of an elastic material so that forces can be exerted well onto these connecting elements, to bring the desired contact zone into contact with the floor surface. Because the base here forms a cohesive whole, the floor mop is very easy to handle.
Also further preferably, the connecting elements are connecting strips which each connect two successive core parts over almost their complete length. The base here has a length which corresponds to the length of a said core part. Each core part is connected very well to a successive core part. By exerting a force over almost the complete length of a said connecting strip, the respective contact zone is pressed well against the floor surface to be cleaned over its complete length. A force can easily be exerted over almost the complete length of a said connecting strip by providing an elongate part in a floor mop holder with approximately the length of this connecting strip. The floor mop holder may thus be connected to a shaft, wherein by means of the shaft, a person can press the elongate object against a connecting strip. The connecting strips here then preferably extend in the length direction, and the lengths of the connecting strips and the core parts are preferably approximately identical.
In a preferred embodiment, the floor mop comprises one or more fixing elements for connecting the floor mop to a floor mop holder. The floor mop holder then for example comprises one or more fixing elements which are complementary to the one or more fixing elements of the floor mop. The one or more fixing elements of the floor mop and the one or more corresponding fixing elements of the floor mop holder preferably easily allow forces to be exerted on a said connecting strip where present.
The one or more fixing elements of the floor mop may for example be magnets or ferrous metals. These magnets/ferrous metals may form part of the base and for example be incorporated in the elastic material of the base. They may also be situated on top of the elastic material of the base. They may for example be glued to the base. They may also be attached to the covering. The magnets/ferrous metals are for example bar-shaped, wherein the floor mop holder is then provided with corresponding magnets or magnetic material. By using magnetism, the floor mop can easily be detached from the floor mop holder without the user having to touch the floor mop with his hands for example to place the floor mop in a rinsing/cleaning installation.
An embodiment of the invention is also achieved by provision of a floor wiper comprising a floor mop holder and a floor mop, wherein the floor mop is a floor mop as described above. All advantages and preferred embodiments of the above-mentioned floor mop also apply to this floor wiper comprising this floor mop. Preferably, the floor wiper preferably also comprises a shaft which is designed to be connected to the floor mop holder so that the floor wiper can easily be handled.
2. The floor mop extends in a length direction and a width direction, and the underside of the base has one or more successive zones which extend in the length direction and next to each other viewed in the width direction, so that the first cleaning side is divided into respectively one or more successive contact zones, wherein when the floor mop rests on a surface to be cleaned, the floor mop is deformable between a rest position in which, viewed in the width direction, each said zone extends firstly directed upward and then directed back downward so that the contact zones only make limited contact with the surface to be cleaned, and one or more cleaning positions, by exerting a force on a said zone for pressing this zone in the direction of the surface to be cleaned, such that the respective contact zone makes contact with the surface to be cleaned over almost its complete surface area, and the floor mop holder comprises a push-on part which is designed, in the state when the floor mop and floor mop holder are connected, to press a respective contact zone against a surface to be cleaned. Using the push-on part, forces can easily be exerted onto a said zone to bring the desired contact zone into contact with the floor surface. This floor wiper is then also very easy to handle.
According to an embodiment, preferably, the push-on part comprises a wiper strip and even more preferably, the push-on part is a wiper strip. Since the wiper strip is designed to press on the floor mop to bring the desired contact zone into contact with the floor surface, the floor wiper can here be used when the floor mop is not connected to the floor mop holder. The floor wiper may then serve as a squeegee for example to displace water.
Also preferably, the floor mop comprises one or more first fixing elements for connecting the floor mop to a floor mop holder, and the floor mop holder comprises one or more second fixing elements which correspond to said first fixing elements. In the description which follows, a floor mop and a floor wiper according to this invention are described in detail. The sole purpose of this detailed description is to indicate how the invention can be realised, and to illustrate the particular features of the invention and if necessary, clarify these further. This description may therefore not be regarded as a limitation of the scope of this patent protection. The area of application of the invention may also not be limited based on the description which follows.
In the description, reference is made to the appended figures in which:

figure 1 shows a diagrammatic illustration of a perspective view of a floor mop according to the invention;
figure 2 shows an open perspective view of the floor mop from figure 1;
figure 3 is a perspective illustration of a first embodiment of a base of a floor mop according to the invention;
figure 4 is a perspective illustration of a second embodiment of a base of a floor mop according to the invention;
figure 5 is a perspective illustration of a third embodiment of a base of a floor mop according to the invention;
figure 6 shows a cross-section of the floor mop from figure 1;
figure 7 shows a cross-section of the base of the floor mop from figure 1;
figure 8 is a side view of a floor wiper according to the invention, comprising a floor mop as shown in figure 1;
figure 9 is a perspective illustration of the floor mop holder and the floor mop of the floor wiper from figure 8, wherein the floor mop is connected to the floor mop holder;
figure 10 is a side view of the shaft and the floor mop holder of the floor wiper from figure 8, wherein the shaft and the floor mop holder are connected;
figure 11 is a detail illustration of the floor wiper shown in figure 8, wherein a first contact zone of the floor mop makes contact with a floor surface, and wherein the different contact zones are indicated by means of a thick black line;
figure 12 is a detail illustration of the floor wiper from figure 8, wherein a second contact zone of the floor mop makes contact with a floor surface, and wherein the different contact zones are indicated by means of a thick black line;
figure 13 is an open perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a floor mop according to the invention;
figure 14 is a cross-section of the base of the floor mop from figure 13;
figure 15 is an open perspective view of a second alternative embodiment of a floor mop according to the invention;
figure 16 shows a cross-section of the base of the floor mop from figure 15.

Figures 1 to 12 show a first embodiment of a floor wiper (13) according to the invention, and components of this floor wiper (13). This floor wiper (13) consists of a shaft (14), a floor mop holder (12) and a floor mop (1). The shaft (14) can be connected to the floor mop holder (12), and the floor mop (1) can be attached to the floor mop holder (12) so that the floor wiper (13) as a whole can easily be handled, as illustrated in figure 8.
The floor mop (1) comprises a base (2) which is largely made from an EPDM rubber with a closed cellular structure, and a covering (4) which lies against the base (2) and completely envelops the base (2).
The base (2) is elastically deformable, water-impermeable and dirt-impermeable. The base (2) extends in a length direction (A) and a width direction (B), and comprises three approximately identical bar-shaped core parts (6a, 6b, 6c) which each extend in the length direction (A), next to each other and at a distance from each other viewed in the width direction (B). These core parts (6a, 6b, 6c) have rounded rectangular cross-sections. Furthermore, the base (2) comprises two connecting strips (10) which connect the core parts (6a, 6b, 6c) successively together. Each core part (6a, 6b, 6c) comprises a first part (7) and a second part (8) which lie against each other. The division into the first part (7) and second part (8) takes place by means of the diagonal plane (C) of the core part (6a, 6b, 6c). The base (2) comprises a top side (3b) and an underside (3a), and the first parts (7) together with the undersides of the connecting strips (10) form the underside (3a) of the base (2), and the second parts (8) together with the top side of the connecting strips (10) form the top side (3b) of the base (2). Furthermore, the base (2) comprises one or more magnet bars (11) for connecting the floor mop (1) to the floor mop holder (12) (see below). The connecting strips (10) may each have the length of a core part (6a, 6b, 6c) and each connect two successive core parts (6a, 6b, 6c) over their complete length (see figures 3 and 5), but may also be shorter, wherein then several connecting strips (10) connect two successive core parts (6a, 6b, 6c) (see figure 4). The position of the connecting strips (10) relative to the core parts (6a, 6b, 6c) is such that the first parts (7) of the core parts (6a, 6b, 6c) together form the lower edge of the base (2), and the second parts (8) together form the top edge of the base (2).
The covering (4) is here formed by two microfibre cloths (16a, 16b). The base (2) extends between these microfibre cloths (16a, 16b), and the microfibre cloths (16a, 16b) lie against each other and are connected at their edges so that the covering (4) completely envelops the base (2). The bottom microfibre cloth (16a) lies against the top side (3a) of the base (2) and forms a first cleaning side (5a) of the floor mop (1). The top microfibre cloth (16b) lies against the top side (3b) of the base (2) and forms a second cleaning side (5b) of the floor mop (1).
The floor mop holder (12) comprises a shaft part (17) in which one end of a shaft (14) may be received to connect the shaft (14) to the floor mop holder (12). This shaft part (17) also comprises fixing elements (19) for magnetically attracting the magnet bars (11) of the floor mop (1), to attach the floor mop (1) to the floor mop holder (12). As clearly visible on figures 11 and 12, the base (2) comprises one or more magnet bars (11) at the level of the top side (3b), and one or more magnet bars (11) at the level of the underside (3a), so that the floor mop (1) can be connected to the floor mop holder (12) both at the level of its first cleaning side (5a) and at the level of its second cleaning side (5b), so that the user may choose which cleaning side (5a, 5b) of the floor mop (1) makes contact with the floor surface (18). Furthermore, the floor mop holder (12) comprises a wiper strip (15) which, in a state in which the floor mop holder (12) is connected to the floor mop (1), is intended to extend at the level of a respective connecting strip (10) or at the level of respective connecting strips (10) which connect two successive core parts (6a, 6b, 6c). The wiper strip (15) here, during use of the floor wiper (13), presses the floor mop (1) against the floor surface (18) to be cleaned at the level of said connecting strip (10) or strips (10). This is clearly visible in figures 8, 11 and 12. Here, the user may choose which cleaning side (5a, 5b) is pressed against the floor surface (18), by rotating the floor mop (1) if required.
Because of the shaping of the floor mop (1) and the way in which this floor mop (1) is applied by means of the floor mop holder (12) against a floor surface (18) to be cleaned, the floor mop (1) here has four contact zones (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d). These contact zones (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) are shown in figures 11 and 12 with a thick black line. Each contact zone (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) is here formed by the adjacent zone of a microfibre cloth (16a, 16b) which extends at the level of two successive side faces of respective first or second parts (7, 8) of successive core parts (6a, 6b, 6c) and at the level of the respective connecting strip/strips (10). The floor mop (1) comprises a first contact zone (9a) formed by the zone of the bottom microfibre cloth (16a) which extends at the level of opposing side faces of the first parts (7) of the first and the second core part (6a, 6b), and the connecting strip/strips (10) which connect/connect these core parts (6a, 6b) together. In figure 11, this first contact zone (9a) makes contact with the floor surface (18) to be cleaned. The floor mop (1) comprises a second contact zone (9b) formed by the zone of the bottom microfibre cloth (16a) which extends at the level of the opposing side faces of the first parts (7) of the second and third core part (6b, 6c), and at the level of the respective connecting strip/strips (10). In figure 12, this second contact zone (9b) makes contact with the floor surface (18) to be cleaned. Furthermore, a third contact zone (9c) is formed by the zone of the top microfibre cloth (16b) which extends at the level of mutually opposing side faces of the second parts (8) of the first and the second core parts (6a, 6b), and at the level of the respective connecting strip/strips (10), and also a fourth contact zone (9d) which is formed by the zone of the top microfibre cloth (16b) which extends at the level of the mutually opposing side faces of the second parts (8) of the second and the third core part (6b, 6c), and at the level of the respective connecting strip/strips (10). Each contact zone (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) is able to clean (a part of) the floor surface (18), whereby thus the floor mop (1) need only be rinsed/cleaned when all contact zones (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) have made contact with the floor surface (18) to be cleaned, in order to clean the floor surface (18). This means that a relatively large floor area (18) can be cleaned per rinse of the floor mop (1). A secondary advantage is that, because of the shape of the floor mop (1), the contact zone (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) which extends at the level of the same microfibre cloth (16a, 16b), and also the contact zone (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) which makes contact with the floor surface (18), are folded together (see figures 11 and 12), whereby there is a low risk that the dirt which is present in this folded contact zone (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) will become detached from the floor mop (1).
The wiper strip (15) furthermore has a secondary function. If the floor wiper (13) is used without the floor mop (1), i.e., if the floor mop (1) is not connected to the floor mop holder (12), the floor wiper (13) may be used as a floor squeegee. The floor wiper (13) as a floor squeegee is shown in figure 10.
Figures 13 and 14 show an alternative embodiment of a floor mop (1) according to the invention. Here, the shape of the base (2) differs from that of the embodiment shown in figures 1 to 12. The base (2) is elastically deformable, water-impermeable and dirt-impermeable. The base (2) extends in a length direction (A) and a width direction (B) and comprises three approximately identical core parts (6a, 6b, 6c) which each extend in the length direction (A), next to each other and at a distance from each other viewed in the width direction (B). These core parts (6a, 6b, 6c) have cruciform cross-sections. Furthermore, the base (2) comprises two connecting strips (10) which connect the core parts (6a, 6b, 6c) successively together.
Because of the shaping of the floor mop (1) and the way in which this floor mop (1) is applied by means of the floor mop holder (12) against a floor surface (18) to be cleaned, the floor mop (1) here has four contact zones (not indicated on the figures). Each contact zone is here formed by the adjacent part of a microfibre cloth (16a, 16b) which lies against four successive side faces of successive core parts (6a, 6b, 6c) and the respective connecting strip (10), wherein this adjacent part adjoins two side faces of each said core part (6a, 6b, 6c).
Figures 15 and 16 show a second alternative embodiment of a floor mop (1) according to the invention. Here, the shape of the base (2) is similar to that of the base (2) of the embodiment shown in figures 1 to 12, but the density is lower.

Claims

Floor mop (1) comprising a base (2) with a top side (3b) and an underside (3a), and comprising a covering (4) which lies at least against the underside (3a) of the base (2) and thus covers the underside (3a) of the base (2), wherein this covering (4) is at least partially made of a material for cleaning floors and thus, at the level of the underside (3a) of the base (2), forms a first cleaning side (5a) of the floor mop (1), wherein the base (2) is largely made of an elastic material, characterized in that the floor mop (1) extends in a length direction (A) and a width direction (B) and that the underside (3a) of the base (2) has one or more successive zones which extend in the length direction (A) and next to each other viewed in the width direction (B), so that the first cleaning side (5a) is divided into respectively one or more successive contact zones (9a, 9b), each contact zone being a zone intended to contact the surface to be cleaned, wherein when the floor mop (1) rests on a surface to be cleaned, the floor mop (1) is deformable between a rest position in which, viewed in the width direction (B), each said zone extends firstly directed upward and then directed back downward so that the contact zones (9a, 9b) only make limited contact with the surface to be cleaned, and one or more cleaning positions, by exerting a force on a said zone for pressing this zone in the direction of the surface to be cleaned, such that the respective contact zone (9a, 9b) makes contact with the surface to be cleaned over almost its complete surface.
Floor mop according to claim 1, characterized in that the base (2) is largely made from a water-impermeable elastic material.
Floor mop (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the covering (4) largely surrounds the base (2) and lies against the top side (3b) of the base (2) such that the covering (4) forms a second side (5b) of the floor mop (1), wherein this second side (5b) extends opposite the first cleaning side (5a).
Floor mop (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that each said zone of the underside (3a) of the base (2) comprises two or more successive faces which extend in the length direction (A) of the floor mop (1) and next to each other viewed in the width direction (B), wherein in the rest position for each zone and viewed in the width direction (B), the first and the last face are oriented respectively upward and downward.
Floor mop (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that each said zone comprises only two said successive faces, and in the rest position these faces make an angle with the height direction of between 20° and 70°.
Floor mop (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the base (2) comprises two or more core parts (6a, 6b, 6c), wherein these core parts (6a, 6b, 6c) extend approximately in the length direction (A) of the floor mop (1) at a distance from each other viewed in the width direction (B), wherein these core parts (6a, 6b, 6c) form said faces of the zones of the underside (3a), and that the core parts (6a, 6b, 6c) are positioned movably relative to each other such that successive faces of two successive core parts (6a, 6b, 6c) form said two or more successive faces of a respective zone of the underside (3a) of the base (2).
Floor mop (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that these core parts (6a, 6b, 6c) are bar-shaped with a diagonal plane (C) which divides each core part (6a, 6b, 6c) into a first part (7) with a triangular cross-section and a second part (8) with a triangular cross-section which lies opposite the first part (7), wherein free side faces of the first part (7) are said faces of the zones of the underside (3a).
Floor mop (1) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the floor mop (1) comprises one or more connecting elements (10) which extend between these successive core parts (6a, 6b, 6c) and connect these core parts (6a, 6b, 6c) movably relative to each other, wherein the floor mop (1) is deformable between the rest position and a said cleaning position by exertion of forces at the level of the one or more connecting elements (10) which connect the two successive core parts (6a, 6b, 6c), in order thus to press the respective contact zone (9a, 9b) against the surface (18) to be cleaned.
Floor mop (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the base (2) comprises said connecting elements (10), wherein the connecting elements (10) and the core parts (6a, 6b, 6c) form a connected whole and that an adjoining part of the covering (4) which forms a said contact zone (9a, 9b) also lies against the one or more connecting elements (10) which connect the respective two successive core parts (6a, 6b, 6c).
Floor mop (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the connecting elements (10) are connecting strips (10) which each connect two successive core parts (6a, 6b, 6c) over almost their complete length.
Floor mop (1) according to one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that the base (2) comprises three or more said core parts (6a, 6b, 6c) and at least at the level of the first cleaning side (5a), the floor mop (1) comprises two or more said successive contact zones (9a, 9b).
Floor mop (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the floor mop (1) comprises one or more fixing elements (11) for fixing the floor mop (1) to a floor mop holder (12).
Floor wiper (13) comprising a floor mop holder (12) and a floor mop (1), characterized in that the floor mop (1) is a floor mop (1) according to one or more of claims 1 to 12.
Floor wiper (13) according to claim 13, characterized in that the floor mop (1) is a floor mop (1) as described in claim 5, and wherein the floor mop holder (12) comprises a push-on part (15) which is designed to press a respective contact zone (9a, 9b) against a surface (18) to be cleaned.
Floor wiper (13) according to claim 14, characterized in that the push-on part (15) comprises a wiper strip (15).