GB2319719A

GB2319719A - Angled mop handle

Info

Publication number: GB2319719A
Application number: GB9625028A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Scot Young
Original assignee: Scot Young Research Ltd
Current assignee: Scot Young Research Ltd
Priority date: 1996-11-30
Filing date: 1996-11-30
Publication date: 1998-06-03
Also published as: GB9625028D0

Abstract

A mop has a mop head (10) comprising a bundle of flexible strands (12) that are gathered together at the centre where thay are secured to a holder (13). A handle (11) extends from a socket (17) at an angle of between 20{ and 70{ to a plane of symmetry (PS) of the mop head.

Description

MOPS This invention relates to mops which are used, primarily, for wet mopping of floors.

Mops comprise a mophead and a handle. The mophead is generally formed from a bundle of flexible strands (sometimes referred to as "threads") which are gathered together at the centre (to define two fan shaped parts) where they are secured to a holder. The holder is attached to the handle.

Mopheads generally fall into two categories. The first category is known as "round mopheads". Round mopheads made for commercial use have their flexible strands connected together at positions spaced from but adjacent to opposite ends so that they define a generally circular mophead which is opened out by twirling the handle so that the undersurface of the mophead is used for mopping. The strands typically have a length of no more than about 35 cm from end to end. The holder is usually circular. The strands are often connected together adjacent to each of their opposite ends by a tape which is passed around the bundle of strands to define a band and which then has its upper and lower runs stitched together. The two bands are then tacked together at opposite ends by stitching.

The second category is known as "stay flat mopheads". Again, these mopheads have their strands connected together at positions spaced from but adjacent to each of the two ends. However, the two halves of the mophead are only joined at the centre, i.e. by the holder. In this case, one half of the mophead folds under the other half during mopping in one direction and vice versa when mopping in the other direction with the result that it is the upper surfaces of the two mop halves which are used. The bundle of strands is often made by producing a multiplicity of loops in a single length of flexible material. In the case of "stay flat mopheads", the strands have a much longer length than those of "round mopheads" and the holder is elongate so that the bundle, where gathered together in the middle, has a width significantly greater than "round mopheads".

A third type of mophead is disclosed in GB 2298128. This mophead comprises a bundle of flexible strands which are gathered together and held together at the centre and which are connected together at positions spaced from, but adjacent to, each of their two ends. Each edge portion of each mop half is connected to an adjacent edge portion of the other mop half and the length of the strands and the width of the strands where gathered together at the centre is such that a user may selectively use the entire undersurface of the mophead (by twirling the mophead open) or the upper surfaces of the two mop halves for mopping.

The handle of each of these known mops extends in a plane of symmetry of the mophead. In other words, the handle extends in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the lower surface of the holder.

According to the present invention there is provided a mop having a mophead comprising a bundle of flexible strands which are gathered together at the centre where they are secured to a holder, and a handle which extends at an angle of between 20 and 700 to a plane of symmetry of the mophead.

This allows for a better push and pull movement of the mop.

Preferably, the handle extends at an angle of between 350 and 60 to said plane of symmetry and, typically, at an angle of 45 to 50 .

Preferably, the holder has a socket for receiving one end of the handle, the axis of the socket extending at an angle of between 200 and 700 to a plane of symmetry of the mophead.

The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, which is a perspective view of one embodiment of a mop according to the present invention.

Referring to the drawing, the mop shown therein comprises a mophead 10 and a handle 11.

The mophead 10 comprises a bundle of strands 12 and an elongate plastics holder 13. The strand bundle is made by forming a multiplicity of loops in a single length of elongate flexible material, typically cotton or Syntex. A rectangular blank is then formed by connecting the strands 12 together at positions spaced from, but adjacent to, opposite ends of the strands. The strands are connected adjacent to each of their opposite ends by passing a tape l4a, 14b around the strands and connecting the upper and lower runs of each tape together by stitching 15.

The strands 12 are gathered together at the centre to define two fan shaped parts 12a 12b and secured at the centre to the holder 13 in known manner or held together by a band for subsequent insertion into a holder. Each end of the tape 14a is secured to an adjacent end of the tape 14b together by stitching 16 so that the two tapes 14a, 14 together form an endless loop securing opposite ends of the strands 12 together.

The width of the strands 12 where gathered at the centre is typically about 14 cm and the length of the strands from end to end is typically about 75 cm.

This mophead is of the third type. However, it could be replaced by a conventional "round mophead" or a conventional "stay flat mophead".

The mophead has a plane of symmetry PS which bisects the mophead and the two fan shaped parts 12a 12b. One end of the handle 11 is received in a socket 17 which is formed as an integral part of the holder 13. The socket 17 and handle 11 do not as is traditional extend in the plane of symmetry PS, but extend at an angle to the plane of symmetry PS. The angle between the handle 11 and plane of symmetry PS is typically about 450 to 500 but it may be within the range 200 to 700, and more preferably within the range 350 to 600. This allows for a better push and pull movement of the mop in a manner similar to a broom.

A simple connection between the handle 11 and holder 13 is described above. Ideally, however, the connection is made by a connector as described and claimed in our GB Patent No. 2262255, the contents of which are hereby imported into this specification. This connector is extremely robust.

Claims

1. A mop having a mophead comprising a bundle of flexible strands which are gathered together at the centre where they are secured to a holder, and a handle which extends at an angle of between 200 and 700 to a plane of symmetry of the mophead.

2. A mop as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the handle extends at an angle of between 350 and 60 to said plane of symmetry.

3. A mop as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the handle extends at an angle of 450 to 500 to said plane of symmetry.

4. A mop as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the holder has a socket for receiving one end of the handle, the axis of the socket extending at an angle of between 200 and 700 to a plane of symmetry of the mophead.

5. A mop substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.