GB1277599A - Cleaning tool having a sponge element - Google Patents

Abstract

1277599 Self wringing mops; reservoir mops A WRIGHT 22 Dec 1970 [26 Sept 1969] 47466/69 Headings A4F and A4K A sponge mop particularly for lavatory cleaning comprises a sponge cleaning element 12 at one end of a handle 10 and which is slidably mounted a generally cup-shaped housing 15 movable between an operating position in which the element 12 is fully exposed and a storage position in which the element 12 is wholly contained within the housing 15 and is at least partially compressed against the interior wall thereof so that any excess of liquid in the sponge element 12 is squeezed therefrom. Holes 18 are provided in the housing 15 for the passage of liquid squeezed from the element 12. The latter is retained in its storage position by the engagement, with an annular shoulder 19 within the housing 15 of a rubber washer 14 secured to the handle 10. The rubber washer 14 can serve as a scraper. Powdered or liquid detergent may be placed in a compartment 21 in the wall of the housing 15 for passage through holes into the sponge element 12 when the latter is compressed within the housing. Alternatively the handle 10 may be hollow to provide a reservoir for detergent. In a further embodiment the handle 10 and an extension 16 of the housing 15 have co-operating screwthreads so that the sponge element 10 is rotated when it is moved to its operating position. As a further alternative the washer 14 may be omitted and a spring-biased hinged flap provided to close the end of the housing when the sponge element is within it.