EP3941325A1

EP3941325A1 - Wringer device for a mop

Info

Publication number: EP3941325A1
Application number: EP20720120.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Giulio Vernazza
Original assignee: IPC Tools SpA
Current assignee: IPC Tools SpA
Priority date: 2019-03-21
Filing date: 2020-03-19
Publication date: 2022-01-26
Anticipated expiration: 2040-03-19
Also published as: EP3941325B1; WO2020188523A1

Abstract

A wringer device (1) for wringing a tool for cleaning floors (50) comprises a support body (10) equipped with a wringer group (20) configured to move between a rest configuration, in which the cleaning tool (50) can be positioned in the wringer device (1), and a wringing configuration, in which the wringer group (20) is arranged to exert a wringing action, on the cleaning tool (50) to cause the washing liquid only, or the washing liquid and the dirt that is present in the same to flow out. The wringer device (1) provides, furthermore, an actuation group (30) comprising a command lever (40) configured to cause the aforementioned movement of the wringer group (20) from the rest configuration to the wringing configuration.

Description

TITLE

WRINGER DEVICE FOR A MOP

DESCRIPTION

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to the field of tools and apparatuses for cleaning floors, and, in particular, relates to a wringer device of the kind used for wringing out a tool for cleaning floors, such as a mop, or similar tools . Background of the invention

As well known, in the field of cleaning both for private, and professional context, it is widely used a trolley, which normally is provided with two containers, and precisely a first container containing a solution of water and detergent, or water and disinfectant, that is necessary for cleaning operations, and a second container, which, instead, is normally empty, at the beginning, and within which the dirty solution is discharged once a determined area of the surface to be cleaned has been swept. More precisely, at the moment of washing the floor, the user introduces into the first container the end of a cleaning pole, or another tool, providing a cleaning portion, for example a cloth, or a brush, or a sponge, but also again a series of yarns, in order to soak the same by the detergent or disinfectant solution, which can be distributed on the surface to be cleaned. Once that a determined area has been swept, the user provides to wring the cleaning tool in order to cause the washing liquid only, or the washing liquid and the dirt that is present in the same, to flow out, before dipping again the cleaning tool for a following sweeping. The wringing of the cleaning portion of the cleaning tool is carried out by a wringer device positioned above the second container.

Normally, the wringer device provides a first and a second wringing member, generally a plate, or a roller, that can be moved one with respect to the other to move between a rest configuration in which the cleaning tool can be positioned between them, and a wringing configuration, in which the wringing members are positioned one close to the other and wring out the cleaning tool in order to cause the washing liquid only, or the washing liquid and the dirt that is present in the same, to flow out and, then, to fall into the second container by gravity.

The wringer devices of prior art provide, furthermore, a command lever acting on which, the user causes the aforementioned movement of the wringing members from the rest configuration to the wringing configuration. The opposite movement can be caused by acting on the same command lever, or can be caused by a return element, for example an elastic element.

Depending on the type of material of which the surface to be cleaned is made of, or the level of dirt, it is necessary to have a cleaning tool, more, or less, wet, that means more, or less, impregnated of washing liquid, and therefore, able to exert a wringing action more, or less, energetic by the wringer device. However, because of what described above, the wringer devices of prior art do not allow to adjust anyway the wringing strength applied on the tool, and the tool can only be subject to a wringing action, in the wringing configuration, or not subject to any wringing action, in the rest configuration, the aforementioned action more, or less, energetic on the cleaning tool cannot be exerted by the user in a precise way and, anyway, in function of his experience.

Examples of prior art mop wringers having the aforementioned drawbacks are described in DE9413604 and US 8938848.

Summary of the invention

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a wringer device of the kind used for wringing out a tool for cleaning surfaces, in particular floors, that is able to solve the problems of the prior art solutions .

It is, in particular, an object of the present invention to provide a wringer device that allows to exert a wringing action on the tool that can be more, or less, energetic depending on the different needs of cleaning.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a wringer device that allows the user to easily and quickly select a determined wringing configuration.

It is a particular object of the present invention to provide a wringer device that is able to help the user in maintaining a correct posture during the wringing action on the cleaning tool, in such a way to avoid muscular, or articular problems.

It is another particular object of the present invention to provide a wringer device that allows to optimize both the quantity of solution, in particular disinfectant, that is used for cleaning the surface, and the quantity of detergent solution, i.e. the solution that is used to remove the dirt from the cleaning tool and retain the same, to avoid, furthermore, that the two products can be mixed with each other.

These and other objects are achieved by a wringer device configured to wring a tool for cleaning surfaces, in particular floors, having a handling pole and a cleaning portion, said wringer device having a support body equipped with:

- a wringer group configured to move between a rest configuration, in which said cleaning portion is not subject to a wringing action, and a wringing configuration, in which said wringer group is arranged to exert a wringing action on said cleaning portion in order to cause the washing liquid only, or the washing liquid and the dirt that is present in the same, to flow out;

- an actuation group configured to cause said movement of said wringer group from said rest configuration to said wringing configuration, said actuation group comprising:

- a command lever configured to be grasped by a user in order to cause at least said movement of said wringer group from said rest configuration to said wringing configuration, said command lever comprising an actuation portion operatively connected to said wringer group, and a handle portion at which the user grasps said command lever in order to cause the same to rotate about a rotation axis along a predetermined trajectory, in order to cause the movement of said wringer group from said rest configuration to said wringing configuration;

whose main characteristic is that it provides, furthermore, a selector group configured to select a determined wringing configuration of said wringer group among a plurality of predetermined wringing configurations, and that the aforementioned selector group is, furthermore, configured to stop the aforementioned rotation of the command lever in a first direction of rotation in a first position (PI) reached after having covered a first predetermined angular distance (oil), when a first wringing configuration is arranged to be selected by the selector group, and at least in a second position (P2) reached after having covered a second predetermined angular distance (cx2), with (oil) smaller than (cx2), when at least the aforementioned second wringing configuration is arranged to be selected by the selector group.

In particular, at each wringing configuration that can be selected by the aforementioned selector group, the wringer group is arranged to exert a determined corresponding wringing action on the cleaning portion, in order to cause a corresponding quantity of the washing liquid, or the washing liquid and the dirt that is present in the same, to flow out.

Further features of the present invention and related embodiments are set out in the dependent claims.

According to another aspect of the invention, a wringer device for wringing a tool for cleaning surfaces, in particular floors, having a handling pole and a cleaning portion, have a support body equipped with:

- a command lever configured to be grasped by a user to cause at least said movement of said wringer group from said rest configuration to said wringing configuration, said command lever comprising an actuation portion operatively connected to said wringer group, and a handle portion, at which the user grasps said command lever to cause said command lever to rotate about a rotation axis along a predetermined trajectory in order to cause the movement of said wringer group from said rest configuration to said wringing configuration;

wherein said handle portion is inclined by a predetermined angle b with respect to said actuation portion, and that said handle portion provides, at the opposite side of said actuation portion, a free end oriented towards the outside of said support body, in such a way that the user does not adopt unnatural postures during actuation of the wringer group .

According to another aspect of the invention, a system for cleaning floors comprises at least a containing body arranged to collect at least the dirt removed by said cleaning portion after having cleaned said surface, and at least an additional containing body arranged to contain a detergent and/or disinfectant solution into which said cleaning portion is arranged to be dipped before cleaning said surface, said system being characterized in that a wringer device is, furthermore, provided as described above, mounted above said containing body.

According to still another aspect of the invention, a system for cleaning floors comprises:

- a wringer device for wringing a tool for cleaning surfaces, in particular floors, having a handling pole and a cleaning portion, said wringer device having a support body equipped with a wringer group configured to move between a rest configuration, in which said cleaning portion is not subject to a wringing action, and a wringing configuration, in which said wringer group is arranged to exert a wringing action on said cleaning portion in order to cause the washing liquid only, or the washing liquid and the dirt that is present in the same, to flow out, and an actuation group configured to cause said movement of said wringer group from said rest configuration to said wringing configuration, said actuation group comprising :

- a command lever configured to be grasped by a user to cause at least said movement of said wringer group from said rest configuration to said wringing configuration, said command lever comprising an actuation portion operatively connected to said wringer group, and a handle portion at which the user grasps said command lever to cause said command lever to rotate about a rotation axis along a predetermined trajectory in order to cause the movement of said wringer group from said rest configuration to said wringing configuration;

- a containing body arranged to contain a first solution, in particular a cleaning solution containing a detergent and/or disinfectant additive, into which said cleaning portion is arranged to be dipped before sweeping said surface, said wringer device being configured to discharge into said containing body at least a part of said first solution contained within said cleaning portion when is used for wringing said cleaning portion;

- an additional containing body arranged to contain a second solution, in particular containing and additive, in which said cleaning portion is arranged to be dipped in order to remove the dirt from said cleaning portion and retain the same after having swept said surface;

and wherein an additional wringing member is, furthermore, provided having an engagement portion configured to engage the support body of the wringer device, said additional wringing member being configured to discharge into said additional containing body at least a part of said second solution contained into said wringing portion when is used to wring said wringing portion. Brief description of the drawings

The invention will be now illustrated with the following description of an exemplary embodiment thereof, exemplifying but not limitative, with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

- Fig. 1 diagrammatically shows perspective front elevation view a first embodiment of a wringer device, according to the invention, in a rest configuration;

- Fig. 2 diagrammatically shows a plan perspective view of the wringer device of figure 1 in a rest configuration with a tool for cleaning floors positioned in the wringing group;

- Fig. 3A diagrammatically shows a perspective front elevation view of the wringer device of figure 1 in a rest configuration, but in a first selected wringing configuration;

- Fig. 3B diagrammatically shows a perspective side elevation view of the wringer device of figure 3A in the first wringing configuration;

- Fig. 4A diagrammatically shows a perspective front elevation view the wringer device of figure 1 in a rest configuration, but in a second selected wringing configuration;

- Fig. 4B diagrammatically shows a side elevation view of the wringer device of figure 4A in the second wringing configuration;

- Fig. 5 diagrammatically shows a perspective front elevation view of a first alternative embodiment of the wringer device of figure 1;

- Fig. 6 diagrammatically shows a side elevation view of the wringer device of figure 5 in some possible wringing configurations;

- Fig. 7A diagrammatically shows a perspective side elevation view of another alternative embodiment of the wringer device of figure 1;

- Fig. 7B diagrammatically shows a side elevation view of the wringer device of figure 7A in some possible wringing configurations;

- Fig. 8 diagrammatically shows a possible motion transmission group according to the invention for carrying out the movement of the wringing group from the rest configuration to the wringing configuration acting on the command lever;

- Fig. 9 diagrammatically shows a side elevation view of still another alternative embodiment of the wringer device according to the invention in a first wringing configuration;

- Fig. 10 diagrammatically shows a side elevation view of the working position of the motion transmission group in the wringing configuration of figure 9;

- Fig. 11 diagrammatically shows a side elevation view of the alternative embodiment of the wringer device of figure 9 in a second wringing configuration;

- Fig. 12 diagrammatically shows a side elevation view of the working position of the motion transmission group in the wringing configuration of figure 11;

- Fig. 13 diagrammatically shows a perspective side elevation view of another alternative embodiment of the wringer device of figure 1; - Fig. 14 diagrammatically shows a longitudinal section view of a possible embodiment of a command lever of the wringer device of figure 13;

- Fig. 15 diagrammatically shows a longitudinal section view of a possible alternative embodiment of the command lever of figure 14;

- Fig. 16 diagrammatically shows a perspective front elevation view of an alternative embodiment of the wringer device of figure 13;

- Fig. 17 diagrammatically shows an exploded perspective view of another possible embodiment of the command lever of the wringer device, according to the invention;

- Fig. 18 diagrammatically shows in an assembled perspective view of the command lever of figure 17;

- Fig. 19 diagrammatically shows a longitudinal section view of another possible alternative embodiment of the command lever;

- Fig. 20 diagrammatically shows longitudinal section view of still another alternative embodiment of the command lever of figure 19;

- Fig. 21 diagrammatically shows a perspective side elevation view of a possible embodiment of a system for cleaning floors according to the invention;

- Figures from 22 to 24 diagrammatically show a perspective side elevation view of some alternative embodiments of the system for cleaning floors of figure 21. Detailed description of some exemplary embodiments of the invention

In the figures 1 and 2, a first embodiment is shown of a wringer device 1, according to the invention, for wringing a tool 50 for cleaning floors having a handling pole 55, and a cleaning portion 56, for example a cloth, or yarns, or a sponge, or a brush. The wringer device 1 comprises a support body 10 equipped with a wringer group 20 configured to move between a rest configuration, in which the cleaning portion 56 of the tool 50 is not subject to any wringing action and can be positioned at the wringer group 20 same, and a wringing configuration, in which the wringer group 20 is arranged to exert a wringing action on the cleaning portion 56 of tool 50 to cause the liquid that is present in the same to flow out. In particular, the liquid can be the washing liquid only, when the wringing action is carried out before sweeping a determined surface, or the washing liquid containing the dirt removed, when the wringing action is carried out after having swept a determined area of the surface to be cleaned. The wringer device 1 comprises, furthermore, an actuation group 30 configured to cause the aforementioned movement of the wringer group 20 from the rest configuration to the wringing configuration. In particular, the actuation group 30 comprises a command lever 40 configured to be grasped by a user to cause at least the aforementioned movement of the wringer group 20 from the rest configuration to the wringing configuration. More precisely, the command lever 40 can comprise an actuation portion 41 operatively connected to the wringer group 20, and a handle portion 42 at which the user grasps the command lever 40 same. According to the invention the wringer device 1 comprises, furthermore, a selector group 70 configured to select a wringing configuration of the aforementioned wringer group 20 among a plurality of possible wringing configurations, at each of which the wringer group 20 exerts on the cleaning portion 56 of tool 50 a wringing action with a determined wringing strength.

In particular, in a first embodiment of the invention, diagrammatically shown in the figures from 1 to 4B, the selector group 70 is configured to select a first wringing configuration (figures 3A and 3B) , in which the wringer group 20 is arranged to exert a less energetic action on the cleaning portion 56, whereby a smaller quantity of washing liquid only, or washing liquid and dirt present in the same, flows out, or a second wringing configuration (figures 4A and 4B) , in which the wringer group 20 same is arranged to exert a more energetic action on the cleaning portion 56 of tool 50, whereby a greater quantity of washing liquid, or washing liquid and dirt present in the same, flows out with respect to the first wringing configuration .

As diagrammatically shown in the figures from 1 to 4B, the selector group 70 can comprise a base member 75 slidingly engaged in a sliding guide 78 provided in the support body 10. In an alternative embodiment not shown for reasons of simplicity, the selector group 70 can provide a base member rotatably engaged to the support body 10 whereby the selection of a determined wringing configuration among a plurality of possible wringing configurations is carried out by rotating the base member 75 with respect to the support body 10. In general, the selector group 70 is configured to stop the rotation of the command lever 40 in the first direction of rotation in a first position (PI), reached after having covered a first predetermined angular distance (oil), when a first wringing configuration is selected by the selector group 70, and at least in a second position (P2), reached after having covered a second predetermined angular distance (cx2), with l< 2, when the at least a second wringing configuration is selected by the selector group 70.

In particular, the base member 75 can move between a first position in which is arranged to stop the rotation of the command lever 40 in a first position PI (figure 3B) , at the aforementioned first wringing configuration, and at least a second position P2, in which is arranged to stop the rotation of the command lever 40 in a second position P2 (figure 4B) , at a second wringing configuration .

For example, the translating member 75 can provide a first abutment portion 77a and at least a second abutment portion 77b. These are configured to be selectively and alternately positioned on the trajectory of rotation of the command lever 40, when this is actuated by the user for rotating in the first direction of rotation 141, in such a way to stop the rotation, respectively, in a first position PI (figure 3B) , or in a second position P2 (figure 4B) . More in detail, as shown in the figures 3A and 3B, when the selector group 70 is arranged in a first working configuration (figure 3A) , i.e. when the first abutment surface 77a is positioned on the trajectory of rotation of the command lever 40, the rotation of the command lever 40 same is stopped after that this has covered an angular distance oil (figure 3B) . Instead, when the selector group 70 is arranged in the second working configuration (figure 4A) , i.e. when the second abutment surface 77b is positioned on the trajectory of rotation of the command lever 40, the rotation of this latter is stopped after having covered an angular distance 2 with 2> l (figure 4B) . As shown in figure 1, the first abutment portion 77a can have a first height hi with respect to a base surface 76 of the translating member 75, and, instead, the second abutment portion 77b a second height h2, with h2>hl, with respect to the base surface 76.

In particular, as shown, for example, in figure 2, the wringer group 20 can comprise a first and a second wringing member 21 and 22. More in particular, the first and the second wringing member 21 and 22 can be configured to move between a distant position, corresponding to the rest configuration of the wringer group 20, in which the cleaning portion 56 is not subject to any wringing action and can be positioned between them (figure 1), and a close position, corresponding to the wringing configuration of the wringing group 20, in which the first and the second wringing member 21 and 22 are arranged to exert a wringing action, on the cleaning portion 56 to cause the washing liquid only, or the washing liquid and the dirt that is present in the same to flow out. More in particular, the first and the second wringing members 21 and 22 can move from the aforementioned distant position to the aforementioned close position through a rotation about a rotation axis in a first direction of rotation and from the distant position to the close position through a rotation in a second direction of rotation opposite to the first. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, instead, the first and the second wringing members 21 and 22 are arranged to move from the distant position to the close position by a guided sliding in a first translation direction 101 and from the close position to the distant position by translating in a second translation direction 102 opposite to the first translation direction. The possibility is however also provided that the first and the second wringing members 21 and 22 can move from the aforementioned distant position to the aforementioned close position and vice versa by a combination of movements comprising at least a rotation and at least a translation .

In particular, the command lever 40 can be configured to rotate about a rotation axis 140 along a trajectory of rotation, in a first direction of rotation 141 to cause the movement of the wringer group 20 from the rest configuration to the wringing configuration, and in a second direction of rotation 142 opposite to the first direction of rotation 141, to cause the movement of the wringer group 20 from the wringing configuration to the rest configuration. In particular, the support body 10 can comprise a first and a second opposite lateral walls 11 and 12, and the command lever 40 can be positioned between them (as shown in the figures from 1 to 10), or, in an alternative embodiment not shown, outside them.

In particular, as diagrammatically shown in the figures from 3A to 4B, the selector group 70 can be configured to stop the rotation of the command lever 40 in the first direction of rotation in a first position PI, in particular reached after having covered a first predetermined angular distance oil, when the selector group 70 is arranged in the first wringing configuration, and in a second position P2 reached after having covered a second predetermined angular distance cx2, with l< 2, when the selector group 70 is arranged in the second wringing configuration .

In the alternative embodiment diagrammatically shown in the figures 5 and 6, the aforementioned selector group 70 is configured in such a way to allow alternatively selecting a wringing configuration among a first wringing configuration, a second wringing configuration, and a third wringing configuration. For example, as shown in figure 5, the selector group 70 can comprise a base member 75 having a first abutment surface 77a, a second abutment surface 77b, and a third abutment surface 77c. Analogously to what described above with reference to the embodiment of figures 1-4B, depending on the abutment surface 77a- 77c, that is positioned on the trajectory of rotation of the command lever 40, the rotation is stopped at a first position PI, or at a second position P2, or at a third position P3 corresponding, respectively, to a first angular distance oil, a second angular distance 2 and a third angular distance cx3, covered by the command lever 40, for example with 3> 2> 1 (see figure 6) .

In figure 7A is diagrammatically shown another alternative embodiment according to the invention. More precisely in this case, the selector group 70 is configured in such a way to allow alternately selecting a wringing configuration among a first, a second, a third and a fourth wringing configuration. For example, as shown in figure 7A, the selector group 70 can comprise a base member 75 having a first abutment surface 77a, a second abutment surface 77b, a third abutment surface 77c, and a fourth abutment surface lid. Analogously to what described above with reference to the embodiments of figures 1-4B, and figures 5 and 6, depending on the abutment surface 77a-77d, that is positioned on the trajectory of rotation of the command lever 40, the rotation of this is stopped at a first position PI, or a second position P2, or a third position P3, or a fourth position P4 corresponding, respectively, to a first angular distance oil, a second angular distance cx2, a third angular distance cx3, and a fourth angular distance 4 covered by the command lever 40, for example with 4> 3> 2> 1 (see figure 7B) . In other alternative embodiments, which are not shown for simplicity, the possibility is, anyway, also provided that the selector group 70 is configured to alternately select a wringing configuration also among more than 4 wringing configurations .

Advantageously, as diagrammatically shown in figure 8, the command lever 40 can be operatively connected to the wringing group 20, for example the first and the second wringing members 21 and 22, by a motion transmission group 80. According to a further alternative embodiment of the invention, the selector group 70 can be configured in such a way to stop the rotation of the command lever 40, not stopping it directly, as described above with reference to the figures from 1 to 7B, but indirectly, that means stopping the movement of the motion transmission group 80 in at least a first working position PI' (figure 11) and in at least a second working position P2' (figure 12), in such a way to arrange the wringer device 1 in the first and at least in the second wringing configuration.

For example, as diagrammatically shown in figure 8, the motion transmission group 80 can comprise a first and a second engagement elements 83 and 84, respectively integral to the first and to the second wringing member 21 and 22, and constrained to move into respective guides 85 and 86. In particular, the guides 85 and 86 can be shaped and comprise, for example, a first portion 85a, or 86a, and a second portion 85b, or 86b, configured in such a way to cause a rotation and, then, a translation of each wringing member 21, or 22, when the user acts on the command lever 40. In particular, as shown as an example in figure 8, the motion transmission group 80 can comprise a coupling between a pinion 81 and a rack 82 arranged to engage one another. More in particular, when the user acts on the command lever 40 he causes the actuation shaft 35 and, therefore, the pinion 81, which is integral to the same, to rotate about the rotation axis 140, in a first direction of rotation. The rotation of the pinion 81 thus, causes rack 82 to translate in the translation direction 186a and the engagement members 83 and 84 engaged to the same to move and, therefore, the wringing members 21 and 22 integral to them, to move from the distant position, to the close position, in which exerts a wringing action on the cleaning portion 56 of the cleaning tool 50. The translation of rack 82 along the direction 186a can be opposed, for example, by a spring 87 arranged to bring the rack 82 back and therefore the command lever 40 in the starting position corresponding to the rest configuration of the wringer device 1. According to an embodiment of the invention diagrammatically shown in the figures from 9 to 12, the selector group 70 can comprise a stop element 79 providing an abutment surface 77 and arranged to position on at least a first and a second predetermined point PI' and P2' of the translation trajectory 186 to stop the translation of rack 82 and, therefore, the rotation of the command lever 40 about the rotation axis 140 in a corresponding position .

The wringer device 1 described above with reference to the figures from 1 to 10 can be, advantageously, installed on a trolley having a predetermined number of wheels and on which at least a container can be mounted arranged to contain a cleaning solution in which the cleaning portion 56 of tool 50 is dipped before sweeping a determined area of the surface to be cleaned.

According to another alternative embodiment of the invention, the aforementioned handle portion 42 can be inclined by a predetermined angle b with respect to the actuation portion 41, and can have, at the opposite side of the actuation portion 41, a free end 43 orientated towards the outside of the support body 10. In particular, the command lever 40 can be positioned within the volume of the support body 10 (figure 13), or externally to the same (figure 16) . More in particular, the command lever 40 can be in a position such to be closer to a lateral wall, in the example of figure 13, the lateral wall 12, and more distant from the opposite lateral wall 11.

Advantageously, the command lever 40 and more precisely the actuation portion 41 of this, can be positioned at a distance dl from the lateral wall 11 that is less than the distance d2 at which the end 43 is positioned with respect to the same lateral wall 11 (see figure 16), i.e. dl<d2. This particular geometry of the command lever 40 allows avoiding the user to adopt unnatural postures during actuation of the wringer device 1, in particular of the wringer group 20.

As diagrammatically shown in the figures 14, 15, 19 and 20, the handle portion 42 can be inclined by a predetermined angle b comprised between 75° and 120° with respect to the actuation portion 41. Advantageously, the aforementioned angle b can be 90° (figure 14) or 105° (figure 15), but it is also provided that angle b can have an amplitude comprised between 90° and 105°.

As diagrammatically shown in figure 5, in an alternative embodiment, the actuation portion 41 can be fixed to an end 36 of the actuation shaft 35 protruding from the lateral wall 12 of support body 10. In particular, as diagrammatically shown in the figures 17 and 18, the command lever 40 can be engaged with the end 36 of the actuation shaft 35 by an engagement element 145, for example a curved engagement element having ends 145a and 145b arranged to elastically move one away from the other to allow the engagement element to be positioned around the actuation portion 41 and having an elongated protruding portion 67. This is arranged to engage into a hole 37 provided at the end portion 36 of the actuation shaft 35 passing through a hole 47 provided in the actuation portion 41. In this way, when the user acts on the command lever 40 to cause the movement of the wringing group 20 from the rest configuration to the wringing configuration, the aforementioned engagement between the elongated protruding portion 67 and the hole 37 cause the actuation shaft 35 to rotate about the rotation axis 140 and, therefore, the movement of the wringing group 20 from the rest configuration to the wringing configuration by the aforementioned motion transmission group.

Still with reference to the figures 17 and 18, the handle portion 42 of the command lever 40 can comprise a base portion 42a integral to the actuation portion 41, and a handle portion 42b configured to engage the base portion 42a in such a way to be free to rotate with respect to the same. In particular, the handle portion 42b can have a tubular shape, advantageously a cylindrical shape, and can be mounted around the base portion 42a free to rotate with respect to the same. More precisely, the handle portion 42b can be mounted on the base portion 42a by translating one with respect to the other. The translation can be stopped by a first stop element and a second stop element arranged to prevent the handle portion 42b from translating with respect to the base portion 42a, but to allow rotation of one with respect to the other. For example, the first stop element can be an O-ring 46 positioned, in use, into a circumferential groove 45 made at the base portion 42a (figures 17 and 18) . Alternatively, the first stop element can be a pin, for example threaded pin, arranged to engage into a hole 45 made at the base portion 42a (figures 19 and 20) . On the opposite side, instead, the translation can be stopped by a second stop element, for example a lid 48, advantageously having substantially shape of a mushroom (see figure 17), arranged to engage, in use, into a hole 49 provided axially to the base portion 42a. The possibility of the handle portion 42b to be free to rotate with respect to the base portion 42a allows, in particular, to assist the action of the user when the command lever 40 is operated. In fact, during his action, the user does not have any constrain, or obstacle and, therefore, he can always maintain a natural and correct posture in particular of the wrist, but also of the arm and the shoulder thus avoiding the drawbacks of the prior art systems. This technical solution allows, furthermore, to quickly and easily replace the handle portion 42b with a new handle portion 42b, once this is worn.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the aforementioned actuation group can provide at least a return element, for example of elastic type, that is not shown in the figures for reasons of simplicity, arranged to oppose the aforementioned movement of the wringer device from the rest configuration to the wringing configuration, once that the user stops his action on the command lever 40.

According to the invention, the embodiments of the command lever 40 described above with reference to the figures from 13 to 20, can be adopted in wringer devices 1 according to the invention, i.e. providing a selector group 70 as described above, or wringer devices of known type, i.e. that are not provided of the aforementioned selector group 70.

As diagrammatically shown in figure 21, according to another aspect of the invention, a system 100 for cleaning floors comprises at least a containing body 105 arranged to contain a first solution, in particular a disinfectant solution, into which the cleaning portion 56 is dipped before sweeping the aforementioned surface to be cleaned and a wringer device 1, as described above with reference to the figures from 1 to 20, engaged to the aforementioned containing body 105 and configured to discharge into the same, at least a part of the solution in which is dipped before sweeping the surface to be cleaned. In particular, the aforementioned wringer device 1 is mounted above the aforementioned containing body 105.

Still as shown in figure 21, the system 100 can, advantageously, provide, furthermore, at least an additional containing body 106 arranged to contain a second solution, in particular a detergent solution, that is able to retain the dirt removed by the cleaning portion 56 after having swept the surface to be cleaned.

The container bodies 105 and 106 can be two independent container bodies, or can be provided in the same containing body having a division wall in such a way to divide the same into two separate spaces. In particular, the, or each, containing body 105 and/or 106 can be installed on a support frame 101 having a determined number of wheels or rollers 103, for example 4 wheels 103, to help the user to move the same.

In the alternative embodiment of figure 22, the system 100, provides, furthermore, an additional wringing member 60 engaged to the support body 10 of the wringer device 1 and configured in such a way to discharge the second solution into the additional containing body 106 when is used to wring the cleaning portion 56.

Advantageously, the additional wringing member 60 can be engaged with the wringer device 1 in order to be positioned above the additional containing body 106. In particular, the additional wringing member 60 allows to wring the cleaning portion 56 of the cleaning tool 50, to remove the second solution from the cleaning portion 56 before dipping the same into the first solution contained within the containing body 105. In this way, it is avoided that the second solution in which normally is contained a detergent additive that is able to remove the dirt from the cleaning portion 56 and to retain the same, can pass into the first solution within which is, instead, contained a different additive that is able to provide a disinfectant and hygienizing action, on the surface to be cleaned, thus avoiding to mix the two products, i.e. the two solution, together. A mix of the two products, in fact, would unavoidably reduce their efficiency and therefore, both the cleaning action of the first solution and the detergent action of the second solution, and, therefore, would compromise the cleaning of the surface.

Instead, in this way, in practice, by the wringer device 1, the user can adjust the wet level of the cleaning portion 56 with no waste of the first solution whose price is not low because it contains at least a detergent or disinfectant additive. The additional wringing member 60 allows, furthermore, to prevent large quantity of the second solution from passing from the additional containing body 106 into the containing body 105, thus avoiding that the two different solutions can be mixed with each other.

More in particular, the wringing member 60 can have at least an engagement portion 61 configured to, preferably, reversibly engage, with the support body 10 of the wringer device 1. The aforementioned additional wringing member 60 can have a substantially planar shape and can have one, or more, holes 65, i.e. can have a substantially reticular, or grid shape (figure 22) .

In the alternative embodiment diagrammatically shown in figure 23, the additional wringing member 60 provides at least an additional engagement portion 62, for example of a first and second additional engagement portions 62a and 62b, arranged to engage the edge 107 of the containing body 106. In this way, it is possible for the user to exert a more energetic action on the cleaning tool 50 during wringing of the cleaning portion 56 by the additional wringing member 60, in order to remove the second solution, before dipping the same into the first solution contained within the containing body 105, and to start the cleaning of the surface to be cleaned, because a part of the strength that he exerts is applied on the edge 107 of the additional containing body 106.

As shown in the further alternative embodiment of figure 24, the additional wringing member 60 can have a different geometry. In particular, the additional wringing member 60 can be configured in such a way to define a bottleneck, or in general a wringing seat 63 arranged to house the cleaning portion 56 to carry out at least a partial wringing. More in particular, the wringing seat 63, is defined, for example, between a first and a second convex wall 64a and 64b facing one another. More precisely, the wringing seat 63 provides an inlet 66 through which the cleaning portion 56 is arranged to be introduced within the same, and an outlet 67 through which the second solution removed by the cleaning portion 56 during the aforementioned wringing action is introduced again into the additional containing body 106. Different solutions can be also foreseen, but, however, able to exert a wringing action, for example, according to an embodiment not shown for simplicity, the additional wringing member 60 can have a frustoconical shape with decreasing cross-section, advantageously from the above towards the below, between an inlet 66 through which the cleaning portion 56 is introduced into the wringing seat 63, and an outlet 67 into which a part of the second solution moves into the additional containing body 106.

Even though, in the figures from 22 to 24, reference has been made to the system 100 comprising a wringer device 1, according to the invention, the possibility is also provided that the aforementioned additional wringing member 60 described with reference to the figures from 22 to 24, can be installed on a wringer device of prior art.

Furthermore, according to the invention, the embodiments described with reference to the figures from 22 to 24 can be combined with any other embodiment according to the invention, in particular with the embodiments providing the command lever 40 diagrammatically shown in the figures from 13 to 20. In general, however, all the embodiments described above with reference to the figures from 1 to 24, i.e. the respective features have to be intended to be combinable each other in different way.

The foregoing description of a specific embodiment will so fully reveal the invention according to the conceptual point of view, so that others, by applying current knowledge, will be able to modify and/or adapt for various applications such an embodiment without further research and without parting from the invention, and it is therefore to be understood that such adaptations and modifications will have to be considered as equivalent to the specific embodiment. The means and the materials to realise the different functions described herein could have a different nature without, for this reason, departing from the field of the invention. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

Claims

1. Wringer device (1) for wringing a tool for cleaning surfaces, in particular floors, having a handling pole

(55) and a cleaning portion (56), said wringer device (1) having a support body (10) equipped with:

- a wringer group (20) configured to move between a rest configuration, in which said cleaning portion

(56) is not subject to a wringing action, and a wringing configuration, in which said wringer group (20) is arranged to exert a wringing action on said cleaning portion (56) in order to cause the washing liquid only, or the washing liquid and the dirt that is present in the same, to flow out;

- an actuation group (30) configured to cause said wringer group (20) to move from said rest configuration to said wringing configuration, said actuation group (30) comprising:

- a command lever (40) configured to be grasped by a user in order to cause at least said movement of said wringer group (20) from said rest configuration to said wringing configuration, said command lever (40) comprising an actuation portion (41) operatively connected to said wringer group (20), and a handle portion (42) at which the user grasps said command lever (40) to cause said command lever (40) to rotate about a rotation axis (140) along a predetermined trajectory in order to cause said movement of the wringer group (20) from said rest configuration to said wringing configuration; said wringer device (1) being characterized in that it comprises, furthermore, a selector group (70) configured to select a determined wringing configuration of said wringer group (20) among a plurality of predetermined wringing configurations and in that said selector group (70) is, furthermore, configured to stop said rotation of said command lever (40) in a first direction of rotation, in a first position (PI) reached after having covered a first predetermined angular distance (oil), when a first wringing configuration is arranged to be selected by said selector group (70), and at least in a second position (P2) reached after having covered a second predetermined angular distance (cx2), with (oil) smaller than (oi2), when said at least a second wringing configuration is arranged to be selected by said selector group (70) .

2 . Wringer device (1), according to claim 1, wherein said selector group (70) comprises a base member (75) slidingly engaged in a sliding guide (78) made in said support body (10), said base member (75) being movable between a first position, in which is arranged to stop said rotation of said command lever (40) in said first position (PI), when said first wringing configuration is arranged to be selected by said selector group (70), and at least a second position in which is arranged to stop said rotation of said command lever (40) in said at least a second position (P2), when at least said second wringing configuration is arranged to be selected by said selector group (70) .

3 . Wringer device (1), according to claim 2, wherein said selector group (70) provides a first abutment portion (77a) and at least a second abutment portion (77b), said first and at least said second abutment portion (77a, 77b) being configured to be selectively and alternately, positioned along said trajectory of rotation of said command lever (40) in such a way to stop said rotation of said command lever (40) in said first direction of rotation, respectively, in said first position (PI) and at least in said second position ( P2 ) .

4 . Wringer device (1), according to claim 4, wherein said first abutment portion (77a) has a first height (hi) with respect to a base surface (76) of said base member (75), and said second abutment portion (77b) has a second height (h2), with h2>hl, with respect to said base surface (76) of said base member (75) .

5 . Wringer device (1), according to claim 1, wherein said selector group (70) provides a base member (75) rotatably engaged with said support body (10), said base member (75) being movable between a first position, in which is arranged to stop said rotation of said command lever (40) in said first position (PI), when said first wringing configuration is arranged to be selected by said selector group (70), and at least a second position in which is arranged to stop said rotation of said command lever (40) in said at least a second position (P2), when at least said second wringing configuration is arranged to be selected by said selector group (70) .

6. Wringer device (1), according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said selector group (70) is configured to select a wringing configuration of said wringer group (20) among said first wringing configuration, said second wringing configuration, and at least a third wringing configuration, in said third wringing configuration said selector group (70) being arranged to stop said rotation of said command lever (40) in a third position (P3) of said trajectory, said third position (P3) being different both from said first position (PI) and from said second position (P2) and corresponding to a predetermined third angular distance (cx3) covered by said command lever (40) .

7 . Wringer device (1), according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said command lever (40) is operatively connected to said wringing group (20) by a motion transmission group (80), said selector group

(70) being configured to stop said motion transmission group (80) in a determined working position among a plurality of predetermined working positions and, thus, to select a respective wringing configuration among a plurality of wringing configurations.

8. Wringer device (1), according to claim 7, wherein said motion transmission group (80) comprises a pinion (81) operatively connected to said command lever (40) and arranged to engage with a rack (82) operatively connected to said wringing group (20) to cause the same to translate along a translation trajectory (186) in a first direction (186a), when said command lever (40) is rotated in said first direction of rotation, and in a second direction (186b) when said command lever (40) is rotated in said second direction of rotation, said selector group (70) comprising a stop element (79) arranged to be positioned in a predetermined point of said translation trajectory (186) in order to stop said translation of said rack (86) at a determined working position (P1',P2') among a plurality of predetermined working positions.

9 . Wringer device (1), according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said wringer group (20) comprises a first and a second wringing member (21,22) configured to move between a distant position, corresponding to said rest configuration, and a close position, corresponding to said wringing configuration, in which said first and second wringing members (21,22) are arranged to exert a wringing action on said cleaning portion (56) of said cleaning tool (50) in order to cause the washing liquid only, or the washing liquid and the dirt that is present in the same, to flow out.

10 . Wringer device (1), according to claim 9, wherein said first and second wringing members (21,22) are arranged to move from said distant position to said close position by translating in a first translation direction (101) and from said close position to said distant position by translating in a second translation direction (102) opposite to said first translation direction (101) .

11 . Wringer device (1), according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said handle portion (42) is inclined by a predetermined angle b with respect to said actuation portion (41), said handle portion (42) being provided, at the opposite side of said actuation portion (41), a free end (43) oriented towards the outside of said support body (10), in such a way that the user does not adopt unnatural postures during actuation of the wringer group (20) .

12. Wringer device (1), according to claim 11, wherein said handle portion (42) is inclined by a predetermined angle comprised between 90° and 105° with respect to said actuation portion.

13. Wringer device (1), according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said actuation group (30) comprises, furthermore, an actuation shaft (35) integral to said command lever (40) and operatively connected to said wringing group (20) by a motion transmission group, said actuation shaft (35) being configured to rotate about said longitudinal axis (140) to cause by said motion transmission group said wringing group (20) to move from said rest configuration to said wringing configuration.

14. Wringer device (1), according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said handle portion (42) of said command lever (40) comprises:

- a base portion (42a) integral to said actuation portion (41); and

- a handle portion (42b) configured to engage said base portion (42a) in such a way to be free to rotate with respect to the same.

15. Wringer device (1), according to claim 14, wherein a first stop element (45,46) and a second stop element (48,49) are, furthermore, provided positioned, in use, at opposite sides with respect to said handle portion (42b) and configured to allow said rotation of said handle portion (42b) with respect to said base portion (42a), but to prevent said handle portion (42b) to translate with respect to said base portion (42a) .

16 . A system (100) for cleaning floors comprising at least a containing body (105) arranged to contain a first solution in which said cleaning portion (56) is arranged to be dipped before sweeping said surface, and at least an additional containing body (106) arranged to contain a second solution in which said cleaning portion (56) is arranged to be dipped after having swept said surface to remove and retain the dirt that is present in the same, said system being characterized in that a wringer device (1) according to any one of the claims from 1 to 15 is, furthermore, provided configured to discharge in said containing body (105) at least a part of said first solution contained in said cleaning portion (56) when is used to wring said cleaning portion (56) .

17 . System (100) according to claim 16 wherein an additional wringing member (60) is, furthermore, provided having an engagement portion (61) configured to engage with said support body (10) of said wringer device (1), said additional wringing member (60) being configured to discharge into said additional containing body (106) at least a part of said second solution contained within said wringing portion (56) when said additional wringing member (60) is used to wring said wringing portion (56) .

18. System according to claim 17 wherein said additional wringing member (60) comprises, furthermore, at least an additional engagement portion (62a, 62b) configured to engage at least an edge (107) of said additional containing body (106) .

19. System according to claim 17, or 18 wherein said additional wringing member (60) has a grid shape. 20. System according to claim 17, or 18 wherein said additional wringing member (60) has a wringing seat (63) defined between a first and a second convex walls (64a, 64b) facing one another, said wringing seat (63) providing an inlet (66) through which said cleaning portion (56) is arranged to be introduced within the same, and an outlet (67) through which said second solution removed by said cleaning portion (56) during said wringing action exerted by said additional wringing member (60) is introduced again into said additional containing body (106) .

21. System according to claim 17, or 18 wherein said additional wringing member (60) has a wringing seat (63) having a decreasing cross-section between an inlet (66) through which said cleaning portion (56) is introduced into said wringing seat (63), and an outlet

(67) from which said second solution is removed by said cleaning portion (56) is arranged to move within said additional containing body (106) .

22. A system (100) for cleaning floors comprising: - a wringer device (1) for wringing a tool for cleaning surfaces (50), in particular floors, having a handling pole (55) and a cleaning portion (56), said wringer device (1) having a support body (10) equipped with a wringer group (20) configured to move between a rest configuration, in which said cleaning portion (56) is not subject to a wringing action, and a wringing configuration, in which said wringer group (20) is arranged to exert a wringing action on said cleaning portion (56) in order to cause the washing liquid only, or the washing liquid and the dirt that is present in the same, to flow out, and an actuation group (30) configured to cause said wringer group (20) to move from said rest configuration to said wringing configuration, said actuation group (30) comprising:

- a command lever (40) configured to be grasped by a user in order to cause at least said movement of said wringer group (20) from said rest configuration to said wringing configuration, said command lever (40) comprising an actuation portion (41) operatively connected to said wringer group (20), and a handle portion (42) at which the user grasps said command lever (40) in order to cause said command lever (40) to rotate about a rotation axis (140) along a predetermined trajectory in order to cause said wringer group (20) to move from said rest configuration to said wringing configuration;

- a containing body (105) arranged to contain a first solution in which said cleaning portion (56) is arranged to be dipped before sweeping said surface, said wringer device (1) being configured to discharge into said containing body (105) at least a part of said first solution contained within said cleaning portion (56) when is used to wring said cleaning portion (56) ;

- an additional containing body (106) arranged to contain a second solution arranged to remove and retain the dirt from said cleaning portion (56) after having sept said surface;

said system (100) being characterized in that an additional wringing member (60) is, furthermore, provided having an engagement portion (61) configured to engage said support body (10) of said wringer device (1), and in that said additional wringing member (60) is configured to discharge into said additional containing body (106) at least a part of said second solution contained within said wringing portion (56) when is used to wring said wringing portion (56) .

23 . Wringer device (1) for wringing a tool for cleaning surfaces (50), in particular floors, having a handling pole (55) and a cleaning portion (56), said wringer device (1) having a support body (10) equipped with:

- a wringer group (20) configured to move between a rest configuration, in which said cleaning portion (56) is not subject to a wringing action, and a wringing configuration, in which said wringer group (20) is arranged to exert a wringing action on said cleaning portion (56) in order to cause the washing liquid only, or the washing liquid and the dirt that is present in the same, to flow out;

- an actuation group (30) configured to cause said movement of said wringer group (20) from said rest configuration to said wringing configuration, said actuation group (30) comprising:

- a command lever (40) configured to be grasped by a user to cause at least said movement of said wringer group (20) from said rest configuration to said wringing configuration, said command lever (40) comprising an actuation portion (41) operatively connected to said wringer group (20) , and a handle portion (42) at which the user grasps said command lever (40) to cause said command lever (40) to rotate about a rotation axis (140) along a predetermined trajectory in order to cause the movement of said wringer group (20) from said rest configuration to said wringing configuration;

said wringer device (1) being characterized in that said handle portion (42) is inclined by a predetermined angle b with respect to said actuation portion (41) and in that said handle portion (42) provides, at the opposite side of said actuation portion (41), a free end (43) orientated towards the outside of said support body (10), in such a way that the user does not adopt unnatural postures during actuation of the wringer group (20) .