GB2478242A

GB2478242A - Container for mop pads

Info

Publication number: GB2478242A
Application number: GB1109926A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher Robert Duncan; Stephen Basil Phillips
Original assignee: Numatic International Ltd
Current assignee: Numatic International Ltd
Priority date: 2006-12-01
Filing date: 2006-12-01
Publication date: 2011-08-31
Anticipated expiration: 2026-12-01
Also published as: GB201109926D0; GB2478242B; GB2444229B; GB2444229A; GB0624150D0

Abstract

A container and mopping layer arrangement comprises a container base portion (2, fig 2) on which is stacked a plurality of absorbent mopping layers 20 intended for subsequent attachment to a mop head. Each mopping layer 20 includes an elongate generally planar configuration, and each mopping layer 20 is stacked in the container perpendicular to the base portion (2, fig 2) so that a long edge side of each mopping layer abuts the base portion (2, fig 2), wherein he base portion (2, fig 2) is provided with liquid guide means (10, fig 2) for guiding and distributing liquid over the base portion (2, fig 2) so as to facilitate wetting of the mopping layers 20 by a mopping liquid. The container may include a reservoir 11 for the mopping liquid and the guide means (10, fig 2) preferably comprise one or more channels through which the liquid may flow. The channels can be U-shaped or V-shaped.

Description

Container for storing mopping layers intended for attachment to a flat mop This invention relates to the field of mopping of floors. In particular the invention relates to flat mops in which a generally planar mopping layer is attached to the underside of a mop head. The improvement concerns a container for disposable mopping layers which a preferably pre-wetted with cleaning liquid or disinfectant before attachment to the mop head.

Currently mopping layers are stacked one on top of the other in a mopping layer container (e.g. bucket) so that an upper mopping layer is visible and available for attachment to the mop head. However, it may be desired to pre-wet the mopping layers with cleaning liquid or disinfectant. In this case it is difficult to obtain an even wetting of all mop layers by pouring liquid into the container.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a container having a configuration which permits or facilitates the uniform wetting of mopping layers in a container.

It is another object of the invention to provide a container which is stacked with mopping layers in such a way as to promote uniform wetting of the layers when liquid is added.

This according to one aspect of the invention there is provided a container having a base portion on which may be stacked absorbent mopping layers intended for subsequent attachment to a mop head, the base portion being provided with liquid guide means for guiding and distributing liquid over the base portion so as to facilitate wetting of the mopping layers by a mopping liquid.

The guide means promotes distribution of liquid across the base portion and thereby into contact with the mopping layers, which are preferably stacked end-on and side by side in the container, in accordance with another aspect of the invention. Capillary action draws liquid up into each the mopping layers, so that all of the mopping layers are at least partially wetted.

In a preferred aspect of the invention the guide means comprises one or more channels through which liquid may flow. An upper region of each channel is typically open, or partially open, so as to permit wetting contact of liquid in the channels with the mopping layers in the container.

Each channel may be elongate. The channels may have a U-section or V-section, or other cross-sectional configurations. The channel or channels typically run along a first direction. In a preferred arrangement, there is a plurality of parallel channels.

The container preferably has a generally rectilinear form having sidewalls and end walls upstanding from the base portion.

An upper end region of the container should be formed with an opening for loading and unloading of mopping layers and for charging of cleaning liquid or disinfectant.

The container may have a generally elongate form, so that the sidewalls are longer than the end walls.

Each channel may be oriented diagonally, longitudinally or transversely across the base portion In another aspect of the invention, a reservoir for mopping liquid is provided in the container. The liquid reservoir may be provided with liquid communication means permitting flow of liquid from the reservoir to the guide means. The liquid communication means preferably comprises one or more ports through or around one or more walls of the reservoir. The one or more ports are preferably formed adjacent the base portion of the container, so that liquid may flow from a base region of the reservoir to the guide means in the base portion of the container. The liquid communication means may comprise a portion of the liquid guide means which travels through or from the reservoir.

The reservoir may be formed by one or more partition walls provided in the bucket. In one embodiment the reservoir is centrally disposed in the container.

The reservoir is formed by two upstanding parallel walls each of which extend transversely across the container. The said wall or walls may be removeably mounted in the container, so that the reservoir may be removed from the container as desired.

The guide means is preferably integrally formed in the base portion, such as by moulding of channels in the base portion.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a container comprising a base portion on which are stacked a plurality of absorbent mopping layers intended for subsequent attachment to a mop head, each mopping layer having a generally planar configuration, and each mopping layer being stacked in the container perpendicular to the base portion so that an edge side of each layer is abuts the base portion.

The container in this aspect of the invention is preferably one as hereinbefore described which has a liquid guide means and other features as described in the foregoing.

The containers as described may be provided with an openable lid which in a closed position provides a substantially liquid tight seal for the container. The seal is also substantially air tight. Thus wetted mopping layers may be kept moist and ready for use after delivery of the liquid into the container. Also, the container may be inverted to aid in uniform absorption of liquid into upper ends of the stacked mopping layers.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-Figure 1 is a perspective three quarter view of a container according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view from the top of the container shown in Figure 1 without its lid.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the container.

Figure 4 is a view of a transversely sectioned container.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the container shown in Figure 1 with the lid removed and loaded with stacked mopping layers.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a container according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 7 transverse sectional view through the container of figure 6.

First embodiment The container 1 is a rectangular, elongate open bucket provided with a planar lid 8.

The container 1 comprises a base 2 (figure 2) from which two end walls 3 and two side walls 5 extend upwardly. The side walls 5 are longer than the end walls 3. Each of the walls 3, 5 are coterminous at a top end, which forms a rim 7.

The lid 8 is configured to fit over the rim 7 in sealing contact therewith. The lid is provided with latches 30, 31 which are shown horizontal and open in the figure. The latches would be folded down to form an engagement with conventional snap-fit features (not shown) on the container walls. Hence, the lid can be used to seal the opening of the container 1 as shown in Figure 1. This seal is watertight. The seal is also airtight.

The container is provided with a C-plan handle 9. The handle 9 has two ends which are each hinged to the container via the end walls 3 of the container. Hence, the handle 9 spans length of the container 1. The handle can be moved between a carrying position where it is held above the container 1 and a stowed position where it rests against one of the side walls 5.

Figures 2 and 3 show the base 2 comprises a substantially planar wall formed with three elongate parallel troughs 10. The troughs 10 extend between the two end walls 3 across the length of the base.

Figure 2 shows the walls 3, 5 and base 2 form an internal compartment. This compartment is divided into three sections 11, 12 and 12' by two partition walls 4 and 4'. The partition walls extend across and between the side walls 5. Lower ends of the walls abut the channels 10, but do not enter into the channels. Thus liquid communication past the partitions and along the channels is possible.

Two sections 12 and 12' are mopping layer receptacles and are arranged on either side of central compartment 11. Each mopping layer 12 is sized to receive ten folded mop heads 20 shown in figure 5 and described below.

The central compartment 11 is defined by the two partition walls 4, the side walls 5 and the base 2. The central compartment ii forms a reservoir 11 for cleaning liquid.

The reservoir 11 is sized in this embodiment to receive at least 2.5 litres of liquid.

The liquid, when delivered into the reservoir flows out past the partition walls via the underlying channels 10 and across the length of the base portion.

Figure 4 shows the channels 10 end-on. Figure 5 shows each mop head compartment 12 and 12' stacked with five mopping layers 20 each. The mopping layers are conventional, such as are shown in PCT/GB98/00725 (Numatic International). Each has an elongate planar form, with an underside formed with a forest of short liquid absorbent strands which form a working surface. A top side of each layer is formed with pockets into which a flat mop head may be inserted to attach the mopping layer to the mop. Each mopping layer is folded in half along its length so that the upper surfaces face each other and the absorbent layers face outwards.

The mopping layers are stacked edge-on and perpendicular to the base, and parallel to the sidewalls. Thus edges of the mopping layers abut the base portion, but do not occlude the channels 10. Upper edges of the mopping layers are visible in the container.

The container can be used to wet the mop heads 20 using the following method.

First ten mop heads are folded, stacked, and placed into each mop head compartment 12, 21'. Then, about 2.5 litres of cleaning solution is poured into the reservoir 11 from a vat. As the grooves 10 pass under the reservoir, the liquid passes from the reservoir and along each trough 10. This flow causes liquid to travel along the length of each trough so that liquid is brought into contact with each mopping layer. Hence, the troughs 10 function as channels for distributing liquid to the mop heads 20.

The mopping layers absorb liquid by capillary action. After approximately 10 to 15 minutes, the liquid is absorbed into approximately 50% of the material of each mop head and has risen across approximately half the 100 mm width of each mop head.

The next step is to place the lid 8 on to the container 1. As this forms a watertight seal, the container can then be inverted through 180°. The container is then left for a further 10 or 15 minutes to enable the liquid in each mop head 20 to migrate downwards to ensure the other half of each width of the mop head 20 is dampened.

The container 1 is then be inverted again, the lid 8 is opened and the mop heads 20 are then ready for use.

It will be appreciated that the times for soaking will vary according to the liquid absorbency of the mop heads used. Also, the choice of liquids will vary depending on the use for which the mop heads are to be used for. The liquid can be water alone or with added cleaning solution or with added disinfectant to achieve the cleaning standards desired by the user.

Second embodiment Figure 6 shows another embodiment of a container 6 in which the base 18 has a different configuration. It can be seen that the base 18 has a corrugated form, Figure 7 shows the corrugations form V-section channels 21. When this embodiment is used, these channels 21 function in the same way as the grooves 10 of the first embodiment, but provide a more uniform distribution of liquid, in shallower channels.

Statements of Invention

1. A container having a base portion on which may be stacked absorbent mopping layers intended for subsequent attachment to a mop head, the base portion being provided with liquid guide means for guiding and distributing liquid over the base portion so as to facilitate wetting of the mopping layers by a mopping liquid.

2. A container as described in statement 1 wherein the guide means comprises one or more channels through which liquid may flow.

3. A container as described in statement 2 wherein an upper region of each channel is open so as to permit wetting contact of liquid in the channels with the mopping layers in the container.

4. A container described in statement 2 or statement 3 wherein each channel is elongate.

5. A container as described in any of statements 2 to 4 wherein the channels have a U-section or V-section.

6. A container as described in any of statements 2 to 5 wherein the channel or channels run along a first direction.

7. A container as described in any of statements 2 to 6 wherein there is a plurality of parallel channels.

8. A container as described in any of statements 2 to 7 wherein the container has a generally rectilinear form having sidewalls and end walls upstanding from the base portion.

9. A container as described in statement 8 wherein the container has a generally elongate form, so that the sidewalls are longer than the end walls.

10. A container as described in any of statements 2 to 9 wherein each channel is oriented diagonally across the base portion.

11. A container as described in any of statements 2 to 9 wherein each channel is oriented longitudinally across the base portion, parallel to sidewalls of the container.

12. A container as described in any of statements 2 to 9 wherein each channel is oriented transversely across the base portion, parallel to end walls of the container.

13. A container as described in any preceding statement wherein a mopping liquid reservoir is provided in the container.

14. A container as described in statement 13 wherein the liquid reservoir is provided with liquid communication means permitting flow of liquid from the I0 reservoir to the guide means.

15. A container as described in statement 14 wherein the liquid communication means comprises one or more ports through or around one or more walls of the reservoir.

16. A container as described in statement 15 wherein the one or more ports are formed adjacent the base portion of the container, so that liquid may flow from a base region of the reservoir to the guide means in the base portion of the container.

17. A container as described in any of statements 12 to 16 wherein the reservoir is formed by one or more partition walls provided in the bucket.

18. A container as described in statement 17 wherein the said wall or walls are removeably mounted in the container.

19. A container as described in any preceding statement wherein the guide means is integrally formed in the base portion.

20. A container comprising a base portion on which is stacked a plurality of absorbent mopping layers intended for subsequent attachment to a mop head, each mopping layer having an elongate generally planar configuration, and each mopping layer being stacked in the container perpendicular to the base portion so that a long edge side of each layer is abuts the base portion.

21. A container as described in statement 20 combined with statement 1, or combined with statement I and any of statements 2 to 19.

II

22. A container as described in any preceding statement and provided with an openable lid which in a closed position provides a substantially liquid tight seal for the container.

23. A container as described in statement 22 wherein the seal is also substantially air tight. $2

Claims

Claims I. A container and mopping layers, comprising a base portion on which is stacked a plurality of absorbent mopping layers intended for subsequent attachment to a mop head, each mopping layer having an elongate generally planar configuration, and each mopping layer being stacked in the container perpendicular to the base portion so that a long edge side of each layer abuts the base portion, wherein the base portion is provided with liquid guide means for guiding and distributing liquid over the base portion so as to facilitate wetting of the mopping layers by a mopping liquid.
2. A container and mopping layers as claimed in claim I wherein the guide means comprises one or more channels through which liquid may flow.
3. A container and mopping layers as claimed in claim 2 wherein an upper region of the or each of the channels is open so as to permit wetting contact of liquid in the channels with the mopping layers in the container.
4. A container and mopping layers as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the or each of the channels is elongate.
5. A container and mopping layers as claimed in any of claims 2 to 4 wherein the channel or channels have a U-section or V-section.
6. A container and mopping layers as claimed in any of claims 2 to 5 wherein the channel or channels run along a first direction.
7. A container and mopping layers as claimed in any of claims 2 to 6 wherein there is a plurality of parallel channels.
8. A container and mopping layers as claimed in any of claims 2 to 7 wherein the container has a generally rectilinear form having sidewalls and end walls upstanding from the base portion.

* * 13
9. A container and mopping layers as claimed in claim 8 wherein the container has a generally elongate form, so that the sidewalls are longer than the end walls.
10. A container and mopping layers as claimed in any of claims 2 to 9 wherein the channel or each of the channels is oriented diagonally across the base portion.
11. A container and mopping layers as claimed in any of claims 2 to 9 wherein the channel or each of the channels is oriented longitudinally across the base portion, parallel to sidewalls of the container.
12. A container and mopping layers as claimed in any of claims 2 to 9 wherein the channel or each of the channels is oriented transversely across the base portion, parallel to end walls of the container.
13. A container and mopping layers as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a mopping liquid reservoir is provided in the container.
14. A container and mopping layers as claimed in claim 13 wherein the liquid reservoir is provided with liquid communication means permitting flow of liquid from the reservoir to the guide means.
15. A container and mopping layers as claimed in claim 14 wherein the liquid communication means comprises one or more ports through or around one or more walls of the reservoir.
16. A container and mopping layers as claimed in claim 15 wherein the one or more ports are formed adjacent the base portion of the container, so that liquid may flow from a base region of the reservoir to the guide means in the base portion of the container.
17. A container and mopping layers as claimed in any of claims 12 to 16 wherein the reservoir is formed by one or more partition walls provided in the container.
1 8. A container and mopping layers as claimed in claim 17 wherein the said wall or * 1f_ walls are removeably mounted in the container.
19. A container and mopping layers as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the guide means is integrally formed in the base portion.
20. A container and mopping layers as claimed in any preceding claim and provided with an openable lid which in a closed position provides a substantially liquid tight seal for the container.
21. A container and mopping layers as claimed in claim 20 wherein the seal is also substantially air tight.
22. A container and mopping layers as hereinbefore described with reference to thedrawings and description.