WO2000032082A1 - Cleaning apparatus - Google Patents

Cleaning apparatus Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2000032082A1
WO2000032082A1 PCT/ZA1999/000128 ZA9900128W WO0032082A1 WO 2000032082 A1 WO2000032082 A1 WO 2000032082A1 ZA 9900128 W ZA9900128 W ZA 9900128W WO 0032082 A1 WO0032082 A1 WO 0032082A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
cleaning
cleaning apparatus
handle
blade
cleaning head
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/ZA1999/000128
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Martha Magdalena Du Plessis
Original Assignee
Martha Magdalena Du Plessis
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Martha Magdalena Du Plessis filed Critical Martha Magdalena Du Plessis
Priority to GB0113477A priority Critical patent/GB2361630B/en
Priority to AU20601/00A priority patent/AU2060100A/en
Publication of WO2000032082A1 publication Critical patent/WO2000032082A1/en
Priority to US09/872,793 priority patent/US20010044980A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L13/00—Implements for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
    • A47L13/10—Scrubbing; Scouring; Cleaning; Polishing
    • A47L13/12—Implements with several different treating devices

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a cleaning apparatus and, more particularly, to a cleaning apparatus such as a mop which can be employed to clean surfaces such as sanitaryware, floors and the like.
  • such a cleaning apparatus comprises a cleaning head attached to an elongate handle.
  • the head can be made from a variety of different materials, such as foam rubber, sponge rubber, chamois and flax, whilst the elongate handle is usually made of wood or of a plastics material.
  • the cleaning head It is common for the cleaning head to be fixed relative to the elongate handle and this makes the cleaning of contoured sanitaryware surfaces difficult, particularly when a user of the cleaning apparatus has limited mobility, such as may be the case with elderly persons.
  • a cleaning apparatus comprising; a handle; a hollow cleaning head connectable to the handle, the cleaning head having a slotted opening on the periphery thereof; and a blade securable to the handle, the blade being movable between an extended position in which the blade projects outwardly from the cleaning head through the slotted opening, and a retracted position in which the blade is contained within the cleaning head.
  • the blade to be elongate, for the elongate blade to be rubber, for the handle to be elongate, for the elongate handle to be extendible, and for the blade to be movable between the extended and retracted positions by means of axial rotation of the handle relative to the cleaning head.
  • the hollow cleaning head to be made out of a plastics material, for a first portion of the external surface of the cleaning head to have a layer of absorbent cleaning material secured thereto, for the absorbent cleaning material to be any one of foam, chamois or a fibrous material, for a second portion of the external surface of the cleaning head to be covered with a layer of scouring material and for the scouring material to be woven plastics filaments.
  • the cleaning head is substantially oblate-shaped having a large and a small end, the handle to be securable to the oblate-shaped head at the small end thereof, and the slotted opening to be located at the large end of the cleaning head.
  • FIG.1 is a perspective view of a cleaning apparatus according to the invention.
  • FIG.2 is an end view of a cleaning head of the cleaning apparatus of Figure ⁇ o 1 ;
  • FIG.3 is a side view of the cleaning apparatus of Figure 1, shown with a blade in an extended position.
  • a cleaning apparatus is indicated generally by reference numeral (1).
  • the cleaning apparatus (1) includes an elongate, handle (2) and a substantially oblate-shaped plastics cleaning head indicated generally by reference numeral (3).
  • the oblate-shaped cleaning head has small and large ends (10 and 11), respectively.
  • the elongate handle (2) is tubular and is made of plastics material such as polyvinyl chloride. A first end (4) of the elongate handle (2) is received
  • the oblate-shaped head (3) has an elongate slotted opening (12) at the large end (11) thereof.
  • a rubber blade (13) of suitable dimension to fit through the slotted opening (12) is connected to the handle (2) in the interior of the cleaning 5 head (3).
  • the blade (13) is movable under axial rotation of the handle (2) relative to the cleaning head (3), between an extended position in which the blade projects outwardly from the cleaning head (3) through the slotted opening (12), and a retracted position in which the blade is contained within the interior of the cleaning head.
  • the arrangement for providing axial movement of the blade (13) relative to the handle (2) under axial rotation thereof is well known in the art and will not be described here in detail.
  • the elongate handle comprises two elongate telescoping sections (14a and 14b) which may be locked in position by means of a twist lock arrangement (15) which is well known in the art.
  • a first portion (16) of the cleaning head (3) has a layer of absorbent cleaning material in the form of foam secured thereto.
  • a second portion (17) of the cleaning head (3) is covered with a layer of scouring material in the form of woven plastic filaments, which is well known and commonly used in pot scourers and the like.
  • the cleaning apparatus (1) is advantageous in instances where it is desired to clean an angled, uneven or hard-to-reach surface, such as sanitaryware and the like.
  • the oblate-shape of the cleaning head (3) will provide an optimum contact between the cleaning head and the surface to be cleaned, without requiring a user of the cleaning apparatus to continuously adjust the orientation of the elongate handle (2). This will render the cleaning apparatus (1) easier and more convenient to use than prior art equivalents.
  • the user may utilize the absorbent cleaning material or the scouring material to clean surfaces as is necessitated by the needs of a particular application.
  • the user may extend the rubber blade as required which enables the cleaning apparatus to be employed to displace liquid from a flat surface such as a floor, a window or the like -
  • the elongate handle (2) can include a universal joint along its length to enable the cleaning apparatus (1) to be used to reach otherwise inaccessible locations.
  • differently shaped cleaning heads (3) may be used to suit the needs of particular applications, while different types of absorbent cleaning material, such as other fibrous materials or chamois, may be utilised on the cleaning head (3), as alternatives to the sponge (16). It is envisaged that the cleaning head (3) is interchangeable with different types of cleaning heads.

Landscapes

  • Cleaning Implements For Floors, Carpets, Furniture, Walls, And The Like (AREA)
  • Fishing Rods (AREA)

Abstract

A cleaning apparatus (1) includes an elongate handle (2) and a hollow cleaning head (3) connected to the handle (2). The cleaning head (3) has a slotted opening (12) on the periphery thereof. A blade (13) is securable to the handle (2) in the interior of the cleaning head (3) and the blade (13) is movable under axial rotation of the handle (2) relative to the cleaning head (3), between an extended position in which the blade (13) projects outwardly from the cleaning head (3), and a retracted position in which the blade (13) is contained within the cleaning head (3).

Description

CLEANING APPARATUS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a cleaning apparatus and, more particularly, to a cleaning apparatus such as a mop which can be employed to clean surfaces such as sanitaryware, floors and the like.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
Many cleaning apparata such as brooms, mops, dusters and the like are known for cleaning surfaces in domestic and industrial applications.
In general, such a cleaning apparatus comprises a cleaning head attached to an elongate handle. The head can be made from a variety of different materials, such as foam rubber, sponge rubber, chamois and flax, whilst the elongate handle is usually made of wood or of a plastics material.
It is common for the cleaning head to be fixed relative to the elongate handle and this makes the cleaning of contoured sanitaryware surfaces difficult, particularly when a user of the cleaning apparatus has limited mobility, such as may be the case with elderly persons.
In order to overcome this disadvantage, it is known to provide the cleaning head with limited movement relative to the elongate handle. Cleaning apparata of this type are still unsatisfactory for cleaning angled, hard to reach or uneven surfaces, as the position of the elongate handle of cleaning apparatus must be positioned to ensure a satisfactory contact between the cleaning head and a surface to be cleaned. This is tedious when the surface to be cleaned is contoured such as the bottom and sides of a bath tub.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to provide a cleaning apparatus which will, at least partially, alleviate the abovementioned difficulties and disadvantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with this invention there is provided a cleaning apparatus, comprising; a handle; a hollow cleaning head connectable to the handle, the cleaning head having a slotted opening on the periphery thereof; and a blade securable to the handle, the blade being movable between an extended position in which the blade projects outwardly from the cleaning head through the slotted opening, and a retracted position in which the blade is contained within the cleaning head.
Further features of the invention provide for the blade to be elongate, for the elongate blade to be rubber, for the handle to be elongate, for the elongate handle to be extendible, and for the blade to be movable between the extended and retracted positions by means of axial rotation of the handle relative to the cleaning head.
Still further features of the invention provide for the hollow cleaning head to be made out of a plastics material, for a first portion of the external surface of the cleaning head to have a layer of absorbent cleaning material secured thereto, for the absorbent cleaning material to be any one of foam, chamois or a fibrous material, for a second portion of the external surface of the cleaning head to be covered with a layer of scouring material and for the scouring material to be woven plastics filaments. Preferably, the cleaning head is substantially oblate-shaped having a large and a small end, the handle to be securable to the oblate-shaped head at the small end thereof, and the slotted opening to be located at the large end of the cleaning head.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
5 A preferred embodiment of the invention is described below, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
FIG.1 is a perspective view of a cleaning apparatus according to the invention.
FIG.2 is an end view of a cleaning head of the cleaning apparatus of Figure ι o 1 ; and
FIG.3 is a side view of the cleaning apparatus of Figure 1, shown with a blade in an extended position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to Figure 1, a cleaning apparatus is indicated generally by reference numeral (1).
15 The cleaning apparatus (1) includes an elongate, handle (2) and a substantially oblate-shaped plastics cleaning head indicated generally by reference numeral (3). The oblate-shaped cleaning head has small and large ends (10 and 11), respectively. The elongate handle (2) is tubular and is made of plastics material such as polyvinyl chloride. A first end (4) of the elongate handle (2) is received
20 in a complementary socket (not shown) on the cleaning head (3) located at the small end (10) thereof.
The oblate-shaped head (3) has an elongate slotted opening (12) at the large end (11) thereof. A rubber blade (13) of suitable dimension to fit through the slotted opening (12) is connected to the handle (2) in the interior of the cleaning 5 head (3). The blade (13) is movable under axial rotation of the handle (2) relative to the cleaning head (3), between an extended position in which the blade projects outwardly from the cleaning head (3) through the slotted opening (12), and a retracted position in which the blade is contained within the interior of the cleaning head. The arrangement for providing axial movement of the blade (13) relative to the handle (2) under axial rotation thereof is well known in the art and will not be described here in detail.
The elongate handle comprises two elongate telescoping sections (14a and 14b) which may be locked in position by means of a twist lock arrangement (15) which is well known in the art.
A first portion (16) of the cleaning head (3) has a layer of absorbent cleaning material in the form of foam secured thereto. A second portion (17) of the cleaning head (3) is covered with a layer of scouring material in the form of woven plastic filaments, which is well known and commonly used in pot scourers and the like.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the cleaning apparatus (1) is advantageous in instances where it is desired to clean an angled, uneven or hard-to-reach surface, such as sanitaryware and the like. In such applications the oblate-shape of the cleaning head (3) will provide an optimum contact between the cleaning head and the surface to be cleaned, without requiring a user of the cleaning apparatus to continuously adjust the orientation of the elongate handle (2). This will render the cleaning apparatus (1) easier and more convenient to use than prior art equivalents. Further, the user may utilize the absorbent cleaning material or the scouring material to clean surfaces as is necessitated by the needs of a particular application. Still further, the user may extend the rubber blade as required which enables the cleaning apparatus to be employed to displace liquid from a flat surface such as a floor, a window or the like-
Numerous modifications are possible to this embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular the elongate handle (2) can include a universal joint along its length to enable the cleaning apparatus (1) to be used to reach otherwise inaccessible locations. Further, differently shaped cleaning heads (3) may be used to suit the needs of particular applications, while different types of absorbent cleaning material, such as other fibrous materials or chamois, may be utilised on the cleaning head (3), as alternatives to the sponge (16). It is envisaged that the cleaning head (3) is interchangeable with different types of cleaning heads.

Claims

1. A cleaning apparatus, comprising; a handle; a hollow cleaning head connectable to the handle, the cleaning head having a slotted opening on the periphery thereof; and a blade securable to the handle, the blade being movable between an extended position in which the blade projects outwardly from the cleaning head through the slotted opening, and a retracted position in which the blade is contained within the cleaning head.
2. A cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the blade is elongate.
3. A cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 2 in which the elongate blade is rubber.
4. A cleaning apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the handle is elongate.
5. A cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in which the elongate handle is extendible.
6. A cleaning apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 4 or 5 in which the blade is movable between the extended and retracted positions by means of axial rotation of the handle relative to the cleaning head.
7. A cleaning apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the hollow cleaning head is made out of a plastics material.
8. A cleaning apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which a first portion of the external surface of the cleaning head has a layer of absorbent cleaning material secured thereto.
9. A cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 8 in which the absorbent cleaning material is any one of foam, chamois or a fibrous material.
10. A cleaning apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which a second portion of the external surface of the cleaning head is covered with a layer of scouring material.
11. A cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 10 in which the scouring material is woven plastics filaments.
12. A cleaning apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the cleaning head is substantially oblate-shaped having a large and a small end.
13. A cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 12 in which the handle is securable to the oblate-shaped head at the small end thereof.
14. A cleaning apparatus as claimed in either one of claims 12 or 13 in which the slotted opening is located at the large end of the cleaning head.
15. A cleaning apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
PCT/ZA1999/000128 1998-12-01 1999-11-26 Cleaning apparatus WO2000032082A1 (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0113477A GB2361630B (en) 1998-12-01 1999-11-26 Cleaning apparatus
AU20601/00A AU2060100A (en) 1998-12-01 1999-11-26 Cleaning apparatus
US09/872,793 US20010044980A1 (en) 1998-12-01 2001-06-01 Cleaning apparatus

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ZA9810967 1998-12-01
ZA98/10967 1998-12-01

Related Child Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US09/872,793 Continuation US20010044980A1 (en) 1998-12-01 2001-06-01 Cleaning apparatus

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2000032082A1 true WO2000032082A1 (en) 2000-06-08

Family

ID=25587430

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/ZA1999/000128 WO2000032082A1 (en) 1998-12-01 1999-11-26 Cleaning apparatus

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US20010044980A1 (en)
AU (1) AU2060100A (en)
GB (1) GB2361630B (en)
WO (1) WO2000032082A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6802104B1 (en) 2002-04-02 2004-10-12 Katherine B. Redd Vacuum hose attachment
US20050155627A1 (en) * 2004-01-21 2005-07-21 Johnsondiversey, Inc. Spill cleaning device with built-in squeegee
US20080216260A1 (en) * 2007-03-09 2008-09-11 Michael Silverman Scraper sponge
US8449682B2 (en) * 2010-04-19 2013-05-28 Rubbermaid Commerical Products, Llc Swivel broom
US9119525B2 (en) * 2011-03-21 2015-09-01 Marc Lemchen Apparatus for cleaning a screen and method for storing the same
US9775486B2 (en) * 2012-11-09 2017-10-03 3M Innovative Properties Company Cleaning pad with support body
US10882083B2 (en) * 2015-11-13 2021-01-05 Sani Products, Inc. Integrated scraper-sponge
US10426312B1 (en) * 2015-11-13 2019-10-01 Sani Products, Inc. Integrated scraper-sponge
US10264940B2 (en) 2016-07-21 2019-04-23 J.J. Palmtag, Inc. Bathroom cleaning device with removable, washable and reusable head and method of use
US11317780B2 (en) 2016-07-21 2022-05-03 J.J. Palmtag, Inc. Bathroom cleaning device with removable, washable and reusable head and method of use
USD817574S1 (en) 2017-02-28 2018-05-08 The Libman Company Mop frame
US20190210179A1 (en) * 2018-01-11 2019-07-11 Michael Yager Tool for sanding and buffing and method of use
US20190208980A1 (en) * 2018-05-18 2019-07-11 Alahandro Olatunde Omotola Scraper sponge
US20190210076A1 (en) * 2018-05-18 2019-07-11 Alahandro Olatunde Omotola Scraper sponge
US11325169B2 (en) * 2019-08-21 2022-05-10 Sani Products, Inc. Methods for using an integrated scraper-sponge
US11678784B2 (en) 2020-05-29 2023-06-20 Phiisagen Corporation Scraper sponge
US11883860B2 (en) * 2020-12-02 2024-01-30 Sani Products, Inc. Methods for using an integrated scraper-sponge

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB244286A (en) * 1925-01-16 1925-12-17 Mary Ann Emily Mayes Improvements in or relating to washing or scrubbing devices for floors or other surfaces
US1610657A (en) * 1925-07-29 1926-12-14 Elizabeth D Burgee Combined mop and scraper
FR1121232A (en) * 1955-03-21 1956-07-25 American Marietta Co Advanced sponge cloth with wringer device
US5548862A (en) * 1995-09-22 1996-08-27 Curtis; Sandra Cleaning utensil
EP0759282A1 (en) * 1995-08-21 1997-02-26 Rolf Helmut Wiener Cleaning implement, combining mop and squeegee

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5881424A (en) * 1997-12-12 1999-03-16 Pleener; Mona Mop

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB244286A (en) * 1925-01-16 1925-12-17 Mary Ann Emily Mayes Improvements in or relating to washing or scrubbing devices for floors or other surfaces
US1610657A (en) * 1925-07-29 1926-12-14 Elizabeth D Burgee Combined mop and scraper
FR1121232A (en) * 1955-03-21 1956-07-25 American Marietta Co Advanced sponge cloth with wringer device
EP0759282A1 (en) * 1995-08-21 1997-02-26 Rolf Helmut Wiener Cleaning implement, combining mop and squeegee
US5548862A (en) * 1995-09-22 1996-08-27 Curtis; Sandra Cleaning utensil

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0113477D0 (en) 2001-07-25
GB2361630B (en) 2002-06-12
US20010044980A1 (en) 2001-11-29
AU2060100A (en) 2000-06-19
GB2361630A (en) 2001-10-31

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