WO1999000049A1

WO1999000049A1 - Apparatus for mopping floors

Info

Publication number: WO1999000049A1
Application number: PCT/CA1998/000590
Authority: WO
Inventors: Normand L. Roy
Original assignee: Roy Normand L
Priority date: 1997-06-26
Filing date: 1998-06-17
Publication date: 1999-01-07
Also published as: CA2293233A1; EP1014843A1; AU7902698A

Abstract

A floor mop having a handle and a mopping section comprised of a container divided for accepting two liquids, which liquids are selectively distributed by activating the handle, and a liquid absorbent material as mopping element in the form of a roll which is activated by pulling on a string so that it can be moved for replacement after use.

Description

APPARATUS FOR MOPPING FLOORS

The present invention relates to a mopping apparatus and in particular to an apparatus directed to a single use disposable mop.

BACKGROUND Of THE INVENTION

While the cleaning of floor surfaces is desirable for hygiene purposes, as well as in order to preserve and protect such surfaces, the manner in which it is done, and the resulting characteristics once it is done, is not always consistent.

Prior to the present invention, it has been necessary to first wet the floor surface with a sponge, adding in one way or another detergent or soap so that it ends up on the floor surface to be mopped, and thereafter rinse the mop clean in order to eventually be able to dry-mop the soap and water-covered floor surface. Finally, once the work done, it has been necessary to clean the mop per se before storing away in order to ensure that the dirt and sud resulting from dry-mopping the floor surface was done away with. This procedure has been the same also whether a foam rubber or cloth mop has been used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the above shortcomings.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved floor mopping apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is to avoid the above time-consuming procedure and to avoid distasteful soiling of the hands and the use of special mopping buckets and the like. It follows that it is desirable to eliminate the need to reuse soiled and possibly contaminated previously used mops. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an easy to use single use disposable mopping element combined with a liquid distributing mechanism.

In accordance with another object of the present invention there is provided a floor mopping apparatus, which comprises: a) a handle; b) a mopping section removably connectable with said handle, said mopping section itself comprised of a liquid containing part and a liquid absorbent material distributing part; c) liquid distributing means; and d) liquid absorbent material distributing means; whereby liquid is controllably released in contact with a chosen portion of liquid absorbent material when needed for mopping a floor surface clean.

In accordance with yet another object of the present invention there is provided a liquid distributing means wherein a selected liquid is released by twisting a handle which is connected to a liquid containing part thereby opening a liquid distributing slot.

In accordance with still another object of the present invention there is provided a liquid absorbent material distributing means wherein a selected amount of material is distributed by pulling on a string thereby moving the material from one roll to another.

In accordance with yet still another object of the present invention there is provided a roll of liquid absorbent material wherein rotational groove-locking members are adapted for positioning with engaging slots.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, wherein preferred embodiments of the invention are clearly shown. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be further understood from the following description with reference to the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus with its handle and mopping section mounted thereon;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the liquid containing part and liquid distribution means of the apparatus;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the liquid absorbent material distributing part and distributing means of the apparatus; and

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the mopping section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a floor mopping apparatus 10 which comprises an elongated handle 11, which may be made of wood, aluminum or other appropriate material, which is removably connectable 12 with a mopping section 13, which mopping section 13 may be made of sturdy plastic or other appropriate material and is comprised of a two-chamber liquid containing part 14 ideally containing a sudsing agent, possibly in its right chamber 16, such as, for instance, any water miscible cleansing agent, and water, possibly in its left chamber 17, and a liquid absorbent material distributing part 15, which may also be made of sturdy plastic or other appropriate material, adapted with a roll of single-use liquid absorbent material 18 such as, for instance, paper.

One of the two liquids contained in chambers 16 or 17 can be selected, distributed and put in contact with the liquid absorbent material 18 by twisting the handle 11 to either the right or the left. The right liquid containing chamber 16 is accessed by twisting the handle 11 to the right and the left liquid containing chamber 17 by twisting the handle 11 to the left, this set up making it easier to remember and to use. It could also be that the apparatus be adapted to have more or less than two liquid containing chambers.

The liquid absorbent material 18 which is in direct contact with the floor surface to be cleaned eventually becomes soiled and in order to selectively advance a further liquid absorbent material 18 portion the user will activate a pull string 19.

Referring to Figure 2, there is shown the liquid containing part 14 and liquid distribution means. The liquids are first poured in the chambers 16 and 17 through access 20 and 21. Lids ensure seal tight closing of the chambers 16 and 17 to prevent unwanted leakage of the liquids. In order to ensure easy and convenient distribution of the selected liquid an air-intake valve 22 or 23 can be adapted to each of the chambers 16 and 17.

A selected liquid, either the one in chamber 16 or chamber 17, is released in contact with the liquid absorbent material 18 by twisting the handle 11 either to the right or to the left, depending on the liquid chamber desired to be accessed. The twisting of the handle 11 activates a push open mechanism 24, which is the intermediary between the handle 11 and the actual distribution slots 25 and 26, that mechanism 24 in turn releasing open the liquid distribution slots 25 and 26, corresponding to the right and left chambers 16 and 17. These slots 25 and 26 are divided into two sections in order to achieve even distribution to the entire surface of the liquid absorbent material 18.

Generally, the liquid containing part 14 displays two protruding members 27 and 28 and two rolling members 29 and 30 (the anchoring members), one on each side, in order to make the assembly of the liquid containing part 14 with the liquid absorbent material distribution part 15 as easy as possible. The rolling members 29 and 30 will lock into place when both parts 14 and 15 are in the proper position, and the protruding members 27 and 28 will be in position to work in combination with the liquid absorbent material distribution part 15. Referring to Figure 3, there is shown the liquid absorbent material distribution part 15 and distributing means.

It will be seen that the liquid absorbent material distributing part 15 is comprised of a bottom section 31 onto which is adapted a cushioning membrane 32 said membrane 32 being the buffer zone between the bottom section 31 and the actual liquid absorbent material 18 thereby making for a smoother more efficient cleaning area. The bottom section 31 and the membrane 32 display corresponding openings 33 and 34 allowing for the dispensed liquid to get in contact with the liquid absorbent material 18.

Referring to Figure 4, there is shown the liquid absorbent material 18, showing in its original format a roll full of liquid absorbent material 18 and one empty roll and to which is attached the end part of the material 18, and which rolls are adapted with protruding rotational groove-locking members 35 at its extremities, all four of them, which members 35 are positioned into engaging slots 36. It is understood that the roll extremities could be adapted without the above locking members and merely adapted to engage with the liquid material distributing part 15 in a spring like manner for instance. Also spring-like members 42 are adapted to help in preventing unwanted distribution of the liquid absorbent material 18.

As seen in Figure 3, the liquid absorbent material 18 is actually distributed by way of sliding members 37 which are attached to a front spring loaded rotating crossbar 38 and to a back non-fixed cross-bar 39 which is itself attached to the pull string 19. Two more cross-bars are positioned at the bottom section 31, one being at the front 40 and the other at the back 41. The sliding members 37 are thereby passing under cross-bars 40 and 41.

A desired amount of liquid absorbent material 18 is distributed by activating pull string 19 which pulls up cross-bar 39 thereby activating the sliding members 37, which are in direct contact with the liquid absorbent material 18, and moving along with the liquid absorbent material 18. Once the desired amount of liquid absorbent material 18 is in place, which amount can be controlled through the use of a stopping member into which contact the upper portion of the pull up cross-bar 39 will be with, the sliding members 37 slide back into place by way of the spring loaded cross-bar 38 to which it is attached to.

Once all the liquid absorbent material 18 is on the back roll and been used up, it is easy to change it for a new one by taking the groove locking members 35 out of the slots 36.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A floor mopping apparatus, which comprises:

(a) a handle;

(b) a mopping section removably connectable with said handle, said mopping section itself comprised of a liquid containing part and a liquid absorbent material distributing part;

(c) liquid distributing means; and

(d) liquid absorbent material distributing means; whereby liquid is controUably released in contact with a chosen portion of liquid absorbent material when needed for mopping a floor surface clean.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the liquid containing part is comprised of two chambers.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the liquid absorbent material is paper.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the liquid containing part is adapted with anchoring members for attachment with the liquid absorbent material distributing part.

5. A liquid distributing means wherein a selected liquid is released by twisting a handle which is connected to a liquid containing part thereby opening a liquid distributing slot.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the slot is divided in two for even liquid distribution.

7. A liquid absorbent material distributing means wherein a selected amount of material is distributed by pulling on a string thereby moving the material from one roll to another.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein the string is attached to a cross-bar which in turn is connected with sliding members.

9. A roll of liquid absorbent material wherein rotational groove-locking members are adapted for positioning with engaging slots.