WO2009038517A1

WO2009038517A1 - Device for removing spots from glass sufaces

Info

Publication number: WO2009038517A1
Application number: PCT/SE2008/000516
Authority: WO
Inventors: Anders Florvik
Original assignee: Vikan A/S
Priority date: 2007-09-17
Filing date: 2008-09-17
Publication date: 2009-03-26
Also published as: SE533617C2; SE0702070L

Abstract

Cleaning mop for removal of spots on essentially vertical surfaces, said cleaning mop (1) including an outer, cleaning layer (2) equipped with a microfibrous material that includes loops (13) with a diameter under 2 mm, the cleaning mop (1) also including a highly absorbent layer (4), said layer (4) including microfibre filaments and being joined, on one of its sides, with one side of the cleaning layer (2).

Description

Device for removing spots from glass surfaces

Technical area

The invention is a device for removing spots from essentially vertical, flat surfaces (in particular, glass or glass-like surfaces) using a cleaning cloth equipped with a microfibrous material that includes small loops with a diameter of less than 2 mm.

Technical background

Especially in public buildings, it has long been common to use glass and glass-like materials for interior walls/partitions. Examples include fall protection along stairs and in stairwells, "climate barriers" at entrances, screens/partitions in office environments and applications of a similar nature. The advantage is that a light and open layout can be maintained while still achieving a certain degree of "apartness". However, this also brings a major problem in that even insignificant spots such as fingerprints are highly visible and give an impression that the premises as a whole have not been cleaned. There has thus long been a great need for a way to remove such spots efficiently and ergonomically.

In the cleaning of premises, window cleaners are the professionals who clean the windows in a building's exterior walls. For this, they have well developed methods that, in brief, involve considerable amounts of water being applied to a window before using a rubber scraper to scrape it clean and dry. This is an effective method that requires skill acquired through long practice. However, the method is highly unsuitable for cleaning the glass inside a building. Thus, this task is given to the cleaners. The most commonly used method here involves a cleaning cloth equipped with a microfibrous material that has small loops. The cloth is folded a number of times and lightly moistened with water (alternatively, the glass may be sprayed with a little water). The cleaner then holds the folded cleaning cloth and wipes it across the glass surface. Thanks to the capillary effect of the microfibrous material, most of the spots can be removed without using chemicals and, as little water is used, there is no need to wipe the surface dry. This procedure is the current state of the technology - much is left to be desired as regards efficiency and, not least, ergonomics. Quite naturally, because of the efficiency requirement, a cleaner generally wants to maximise the cleaning cloth's contact area with the glass and thus tries to press the palm of the hand against the glass. This leads to the cleaner often twisting the wrist to its maximum angle and then bending and twisting the body to wipe the cleaning cloth (with the maximum possible contact area) across all parts of the glass. This involves considerable bodily exertion for the cleaner and the risk of strain injuries to, in particular, the wrist. Furthermore, as the area of the palm is generally small, this procedure is not particularly efficient. Thus, there has long been a lack of suitable methods that satisfy requirements in respect of efficiency and good ergonomics.

By way of comparison, the well developed methods for cleaning hard floors can be mentioned. Here, the flat-mop method has long been recognised and widely applied. The method is based on using a flat mop that has a fastening surface and, made of microfibres along with other textiles, a cleaning surface. Between these two surfaces, there is a moisture absorber in the form of, for example, a non-woven material. Intended for different types of floor, there are a number of different designs of these mops for floor cleaning. They differ as regards the combinations of materials and how they are stitched. Common to all these floor mops is that, to collect relatively large dirt particles (e.g. grit), the cleaning surface includes relatively large loops of a thick yarn. The diameter of these loops is generally over 10 mm. When cleaning floors, such a mop is fastened to the bottom of a mop frame with the loops of the mop's cleaning surface facing outwards. Velcro on the bottom of the mop frame may be used for fastening. This Velcro hooks up with the Velcro loops on the mop's fastening surface. Alternatively, the mop may be sewn so as to give it side pockets that are fitted over the mop frame's short sides. This most often requires a folding or telescopic mop frame.

Irrespective of the type of fastening used, most mop frames are designed as a long narrow plate with two short sides angled towards each other so as to form a long long side and a short long side. The angles between the long long side and the short sides are thus pointed and make it easy to get at the inner corners of floors. On the top of the mop frame, there is a universal joint that, in a suitable manner, is connected to a cleaning shaft. The cleaner wipes the mop equipped mop frame across the surface of the floor. By fitting a mop that has a suitable material combination to the mop frame's relatively large surface, considerable floor areas can be cleaned in a short time and with reasonable ergonomics. For this reason, the flat-mop method is completely dominant in the cleaning of hard floors. Conversely, with a possible exception for the cleaning of tiled surfaces in toilets and wetrooms, flat mops have not come into use for vertical surfaces. It is particularly unimaginable that floor mops should be used for glass surfaces. This is because all known flat mops for floor cleaning have loops that are altogether too large for removing small grease spots (e.g. fingerprints), which are the prime target when cleaning glass surfaces.

Explanation of the invention The main purpose of the present invention is that it should result in an efficient and ergonomic procedure for removing spots from essentially vertical, flat surfaces (in particular, glass or glass-like surfaces).

This purpose is achieved employing a device that uses a cleaning cloth equipped with a microfibrous material that has: loops of a diameter under 2 mm; and, special characteristics as set out in the patent claims.

The invention will now be described based on a preferred design and using the figures set out below. Both the description and the figures are intended to exemplify the invention and not to limit it.

Fig. 1 shows a cleaning mop viewed from below.

Fig. 2 shows a partial view from the side of the cleaning mop as per fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a magnification of the encircled part in fig. 1 and shows the cleaning cloth's loops. Fig. 4 shows a mop frame viewed from below.

Fig. 5 is a view of the mop frame (as per fig. 4) from above.

Fig. 6 is a view from above showing a cleaning mop fitted under a mop frame.

Fig. 7 is a view from above a cleaning mop and mop frame as per fig. 6, one edge of the cleaning mop having been folded over the near edge of the mop frame.

Fig. 8 is a view from above of a cleaning mop of an alternative design.

Fig. 9 is a view from above of a cleaning mop (as per fig. 8) fitted to a mop frame.

Fig. 10 is a view from above of a cleaning mop of yet another design.

Fig. 11 is a view from above of a cleaning mop (as per fig.10) fitted to a mop frame.

The cleaning mop (1) as per figures 1 to 3 includes three layers that are made using various materials and various methods. The outer layer (at the top in figure 1 and to the far right in figure 2) is the cleaning layer, which has been designated cleaning cloth (2). This layer is preferably made of a pique weave of microfibres comprising textured filaments, the composition of these latter being 80/20 polyester/polyamide or 70/30 polyester/polyamide. The cleaning cloth (2) thus has a construction similar to the cleaning cloths available on the market. It is essential that the cleaning cloth (2): has microfibrous materials; and, is equipped with loops (13) that have a diameter, "D", of under 2 mm. These are the basic conditions for being able to efficiently remove spots from glass and glass-like surfaces without having to apply any liquid other than water. However, the cleaning cloth (2) has severely limited water-absorption capabilities and, therefore, cannot be used for large surfaces. To achieve the purpose of the invention, increasing the liquid- absorption capabilities is thus desirable. However, because it would reduce the cleaning cloth's (2) cleaning properties, this cannot be done by increasing its yarn thickness.

The solution is to combine the cleaning cloth with a highly absorbent layer, here designated the insert (4), said insert being preferably made of a crocheted mop weave with one side comprising loops with staple fibres of polyester and one side with loops comprising both microfibre filaments (flat) and textured polyester filaments, all the loops being arranged in rows of two of each type. Thanks to this combination of materials and manufacturing methods, there is a good capillary effect. This makes the insert (4) highly absorbent, which is the essential property that, in combination with the cleaning cloth (2), enables use in the cleaning of large surfaces - with no need to dry the cleaning mop (1). Practical tests have shown that up to 10 m² of glass surfaces can be cleaned before the cleaning mop (1) needs changing.

In this way, a considerable improvement in functionality (compared with earlier technologies) can be achieved.

However, one essential aspect of the idea embodied in the invention is the improvement and enlargement of the contact area between the cleaning cloth (2) and the surface that is to be cleaned. This is done by fitting the cleaning mop (1) to a therefor adapted mop frame (8). Fastening of the cleaning mop (1) to the mop frame (8) can, within the framework of the idea embodied in the invention, be effected in various ways. However, it is preferred that established Velcro technology is used in such a way that the cleaning mop (1) is equipped with a fastening layer (at the far left of figure 2), here designated the fastening cloth (3), said fastening cloth including outward facing Velcro loops (5). It is preferred that the fastening cloth should be made of a warp-knit tricot with loops comprised of polyester filaments.

The cleaning mop (1) thus includes three layers - two outer layers, the cleaning cloth (2) and the fastening cloth (3), and, between these, the insert (4). The layers are sewn together to form a cleaning mop (1) with seams ⁽J^' and 7). The cleaning mop is then hemmed with other seams (17). It is preferred that there should be at least three seams and that one of these (7') is essentially parallel with one of the cleaning mop's (1) long sides (6) and at a distance of between 2 cm and 5 cm from this long side (6). This seam (7^') has the double function of holding the cleaning mop's various layers together and constituting the "fold indicator" for correct fastening of the cleaning mop (1) to a mop frame (8) as explained below. Seam 7^' pulls the layers together, thereby creating a natural "fold line" similar to a crease in cardboard. This seam (7^') is suitably sewn in a colour that differs from that of the fastening cloth (3) and of the other seams (7). The user is thus provided with a guide for correct fitting of the cleaning mop. As regards the number of 7^' and 7 seams, it is important that there are not too few of these. This is because the cleaning cloth (2) is made of a material so thin that it easily creases when wiped across a surface. The dimensions of the cleaning mop (1) are chosen so that the cleaning mop is somewhat longer and essentially wider than the mop frame.

It is here suitable to base dimensions on those of a standard floor-mopping mop frame (8) constructed as per figures 4 and 5. The mop frame (8) is essentially a long, narrow, metal or plastic plate with a universal joint (13) fastened to the top (9) of the mop frame (8). The latter has Velcro fasteners (14) mounted to its bottom (12). As shown by the figures, the mop frame's two short sides are angled towards each other, thereby forming a long long side and a short long side. The longer long side (11) forms pointed angles with the short sides. This results in making it easier to get into the inner corners of floors. Such frames are available in various standard lengths. It is here suitable for designs to be based on a relatively short frame and to fit Velcro fasteners (10) - or another type of fastener - to the top (9) of the mop frame (8) near the mop frame's (8) longer long side (11). Such Velcro fasteners are available in various sizes and with a self-adhesive reverse.

Figure 5 shows three Velcro fasteners fitted to the frame (8). However, it is of course possible to envisage the use of more or fewer fasteners, e.g. a long narrow Velcro fastener (10) along the long side (11) of the frame (8). It is also possible for the Velcro fasteners to be mounted in another way, e.g. fitted into purpose- designed channels in the top (9) of the mop frame (8). The purpose of the Velcro fasteners (10) is to fasten a folded up edge of the cleaning mop (1). Because they are cheap and easy to mount, it is preferred that Velcro fasteners are used for this. However, it is of course possible to envisage the fitting of some type of clip to the top (9) of the mop frame (8) or the fitting of any other device that provides the function of enabling the fastening of a folded up edge of the cleaning mop (1).

Figures 6 and 7 show how the cleaning mop (1) is fitted to the mop frame (8) in order to achieve the purpose of the invention - an efficient and ergonomic procedure for removing spots from glass or glass-like surfaces. The cleaning mop's (1) fastening cloth (3) is thereby suitably oriented with the underneath (12) of the mop frame (8) so that seam 7' lies along the longest side (11) of the mop frame (8). It is preferred that this seam (7^') is sewn in a colour that differs from that of the fastening cloth (3) and of the other seams (7). The user is thus provided with a guide for correct fitting of the cleaning mop (1). The advantage of this procedure is that the cleaning mop (1) is easier to fold in a seam and that it gives a sharper edge to the folded cleaning mop.

Fitting the cleaning mop (1) to the mop frame (8) is easiest if the cleaning mop is laid on a surface with the fastening cloth (3) facing outwards and the bottom (12) of the mop frame (8) oriented towards the fastening cloth as per the explanation above. The mop frame is then pressed against the fastening cloth, this causing the Velcro fasteners (14) to hook onto the fastening cloth (3). When removing spots from glass surfaces, it is essential to get tight into (without damaging) window frames, edge strips, glazing bars and other parts that stand proud of the glass surface. For this reason, one long side (6) of the cleaning mop (1) is folded over the longer long side (11) of the mop frame (8) and fastened to the Velcro fastener (10) on the top (9) of the mop frame (8) - as per figure 7. This procedure is an essential aspect of the invention and results in the cleaning mop (1) forming a soft edge (15) that functions as an "edge protector". As previously stated, because it makes the edge sharper and thereby increases the accessibility of tight corners, it is preferred that folding is in a seam intended for this purpose. The next step in the procedure using the invention is to use a suitable liquid, preferably water, to moisten the dirty glass or glass-like surface. This is most easily done by spraying a small amount of the liquid onto the surface or onto the cleaning mop's cleaning cloth (2). By pulling the mop frame (8) across the glass surface, the cleaning mop (1) then cleans said surface. It is here suitable for the mop frame to be connected, via the universal joint (13), to a short cleaning shaft. In this way, accessibility is increased and the person using the procedure can reach dirty parts of the glass surface with no great effort, cleaning said surface quickly and with good results. On small easily accessible surfaces, it may be easier to dispense with the shaft and pull the mop frame while gripping (possibly with a short, attached handle) the universal joint. It is of course possible to envisage a mop frame with a fixed handle, or a fixed gripping surface. However, because it makes it easier to get the entire surface of the cleaning mop (1) to lie against the glass surface, it is preferred that a universal joint is used.

Thanks to the cleaning mop's (1) unique construction, there is efficient cleaning of spots on large surfaces before the cleaning mop (1) becomes so wet that it must be dried or replaced. Thanks to the above-detailed procedure for wiping the cleaning mop (1) across the glass surface, this cleaning can also be carried out ergonomically and with a saving of time. Compared with previously known methods, these various steps in the procedure result in a dramatic improvement.

With the purpose of further simplifying things for the user, the cleaning mop can be supplied ready folded with a pocket (18) stitched along one long side (6) of the cleaning mop - as per figure 8. It is then possible to base things on a cleaning mop (1) as per figures 1 to 3, but without side hemming (17). The cleaning mop (1) is folded over the seam (7^') so that the cleaning cloth (2) faces outwards. Next, the cleaning mop (1) is sewn with seams (16) along the folded short sides. The cleaning mop's side edges can then be trimmed and hemming completed. In this or any other way known by professionals, a cleaning mop (1) can be obtained with a longitudinal pocket that forms an outer, longitudinal edge (15) of the cleaning mop. This pocket (18) can, as per figure 9, be fitted over a mop frame's (8) longer long side (11), the cleaning mop's fastening cloth then being pressed securely against the Velcro fasteners (14) on the bottom of the mop frame. The advantages of this design are that no extra fasteners (10) for the cleaning mop are needed on the top (9) of the mop frame and that the cleaning mop (1) is easier to mount for the user. The disadvantage is that the cleaning mop cannot be manufactured in an automatic machine and is, therefore, significantly dearer than the previously described design.

Within the framework of the idea embodied in the invention, other designs can be envisaged. For example, basing a design on a mop frame (8) including a principally rectangular plate, it is possible to essentially achieve a procedure in line with that using the invention. However, for reasons of accessibility, it is preferred that the mop frame (8) includes a plate in which the longer long side (11) forms pointed angles with both the short sides.

A cleaning mop (1) that includes sewn fastening pockets (18) on its short sides (as per figure 10), can also be envisaged. A design can then be based on a cleaning mop (1) as per figures 1 to 3, but with the cleaning mop being longer, narrower and only hemmed on the short sides. The cleaning mop (1) is folded over both the short sides so that the cleaning cloth (2) faces outwards. Next, the cleaning mop is sewn together with seams (16) in the folded parts. Hemming can then be completed. In this or any other way known by professionals, a cleaning mop (1) can be obtained with two lateral pockets that form outer, lateral edges (15) of the cleaning mop (1). The advantage of this design is that a folding mop frame (8) can be used as per figure 11 , where the mop frame (8) is shown with a cleaning mop (1) fitted onto it. A folding mop frame (8) has one or two lateral shafts (19) around which the mop frame can be folded. This makes it possible to fit a pocket mop as per figure 10. Schematically only, and without a universal joint and folding mechanism, figure 11 shows such a mop frame (8) with a possible position for the pivot shaft (19).

Using a design as per figures 10 - 11 , it is possible to mount the cleaning mop (1 ) to a mop frame (8) without using Velcro fasteners (14) on the bottom (12) of the mop frame. This means that the cleaning mop can be simplified so that the fastening cloth's (3) Velcro loops (5) can be dispensed with. This will result in lower costs for the cleaning mop. Nevertheless, to ensure good functionality, it is preferred that the cleaning mop (1) as per figure 10 includes, outside its long side (6), a part that can be folded over the mop frame's (8) front edge (11), this forming an outer, longitudinal edge (15) of the cleaning mop (1). In this way, it is possible to get tight into (without damaging) parts that stand proud of the glass surface.

The cleaning cloth's (2) function depends on the cleaning cloth's moisture content. If the cleaning cloth is altogether too moist, it loses its capillary function and, as a result, its cleaning properties are severely reduced. Thus, it is essential that the insert (4) is very good at absorbing liquids and retaining these even when the cleaning mop (1) is pressed against the surface that is to be cleaned. A material that includes microfibre filaments has this property because the capillary force of these filaments is so great that the liquid that is taken up is very difficult to press out. It is imaginable that the insert (4) could include only microfibre filaments.

However, this would be unsuitable because the friction when moving the cleaning mop (1) against a glass surface would then increase significantly. This is undesirable for ergonomic reasons. To make the cleaning mop easier to use, it is appropriate for the insert (4) to also include other materials, e.g. synthetic fibres that are not as fine as the microfibre filaments.

Claims

Patent claims

1. Cleaning mop for removal of spots on essentially vertical surfaces, said cleaning mop (1) including an outer, cleaning layer (2) equipped with a microfibrous material that includes loops (13) with a diameter under 2 mm, the whole being characterised by: the cleaning mop (1) including a highly absorbent layer (4), said layer (4) including microfibre filaments and being joined, on one of its sides, with one side of the cleaning layer (2).

2. Cleaning mop as per patent claim 1 , characterised by: the cleaning mop (1) including a fastening layer (3), said layer (3) including, on at least one of its sides, Velcro loops (5) and, on its other side, being joined with the highly absorbent layer's (4) other side.

3. Cleaning mop as per patent claim 1 or 2, characterised by: the highly absorbent layer (4) including synthetic fibres that are not as fine as the microfibre filaments.

4. Cleaning mop as per patent claim 3, characterised by: the highly absorbent layer (4) being made of a crocheted mop weave with one side comprising loops with staple fibres of polyester and one side with loops comprising both microfibre filaments (flat) and textured polyester filaments, all the loops being arranged in rows of two of each type.