WO2012094377A1 - Rouleau pour un dispositif de nettoyage - Google Patents

Rouleau pour un dispositif de nettoyage Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2012094377A1
WO2012094377A1 PCT/US2012/020153 US2012020153W WO2012094377A1 WO 2012094377 A1 WO2012094377 A1 WO 2012094377A1 US 2012020153 W US2012020153 W US 2012020153W WO 2012094377 A1 WO2012094377 A1 WO 2012094377A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
roller
wringing
cleaning device
opening
liquid
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2012/020153
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Jace A. Weaver
Original Assignee
Quickie Manufacturing Corporation
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 Quickie Manufacturing Corporation filed Critical Quickie Manufacturing Corporation
Publication of WO2012094377A1 publication Critical patent/WO2012094377A1/fr

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
    • A47L13/14—Scrubbing; Scouring; Cleaning; Polishing combined with squeezing or wringing devices
    • A47L13/144—Scrubbing; Scouring; Cleaning; Polishing combined with squeezing or wringing devices having squeezing rollers
    • 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
    • A47L13/20—Mops

Definitions

  • the present invention generally relates to a cleaning device and, more particularly, to a cleaning device such as, for example, a mop including a hydrophilic cleaning member and a pair of rollers adapted to wring liquid from the cleaning member.
  • a cleaning device such as, for example, a mop including a hydrophilic cleaning member and a pair of rollers adapted to wring liquid from the cleaning member.
  • Bucket wringing mops generally require a separate bucket and separate wringing device (otherwise known as a wringer) coupled to the bucket to wring the mop. Such mops are placed into the wringer, the wringer is actuated to wring liquid from the mop, and the mop is removed from the wringer to continue cleaning.
  • Self- wringing mops include a wringing device or wringer integrally formed with or coupled to the mop itself, thereby making a separate wringer unnecessary. Such self- wringing mops are operated by first utilizing the mop to clean, then the wringer coupled to the mop is actuated to wring liquid from the mop. After wringing, the mop may be used again to clean.
  • the wringer of a self-wringing mop typically comprises a pair of rollers and an actuating mechanism.
  • the rollers may be either affixed to the shaft or movable with respect thereto such that the rollers and the mop head typically are movable with respect to each other over a range of travel between a cleaning position and wringing positions.
  • the cleaning implement In the cleaning position, the cleaning implement may be used to apply liquid to a surface, such as, a wall or floor, or to remove liquid therefrom, and in the wringing positions, liquid is expellable from the mop head.
  • Various configurations have been used for the rollers used in the wringers of such roller mops.
  • One approach uses smooth-walled rollers such as shown in FIG. 15 of U.S.
  • Patent No. 6,785,927 Another approach, taught in U.S. Patent No. 7,624,469, utilizes axial serrations around the surfaces of the rollers to increase the gripping purchase or leverage of each roller upon the mop head during a wringing operation.
  • U.S. Patent No. 7,263,739 provides a wringer roller having a plurality of longitudinal (axial) or transverse (radial) ribs for enhancing the gripping force of the roller as it expels fluid from the mop. While these rollers are generally acceptable for their intended purposes, they do not provide optimum fluid removal as fluid is expelled from the mop head.
  • roller mop wringer roller design is disclosed in U.S. Design Patent No. D623,815 and copending U.S. Patent Application No. 12/713,241.
  • the roller is hollow and generally tear-drop shaped in cross- section.
  • An outer side wall encloses most of the circumference of the roller to define a cavity and a plurality of longitudinal and transverse ribs project from the inner surface of the side wall toward an opening in the roller circumference.
  • the side wall itself is provided with many small perforations for enabling fluid flow through the roller.
  • the roller is rather complex in design and the many small metallic mold parts used to create the roller's perforations have a tendency to suffer stress under elevated molding temperatures and pressures.
  • a roller for a cleaning device for wringing liquid from a hydrophilic member of the cleaning device may include at least one solid wringing member and at least one opening defined in the at least one wringing member, wherein a liquid wrung from the hydrophilic member passes through the roller via the at least one opening and exits the roller.
  • a cleaning device may include a handle, a hydrophilic member coupled to the handle, and a wringer coupled to the handle and moveable axially along the handle for wringing liquid from the hydrophilic member.
  • the wringer may include a yoke and a roller coupled to an actuator.
  • the roller may include at least one opening . Movement of the yoke towards the hydrophilic member causes the roller to move relative to the hydrophilic member and compress the hydrophilic member and a liquid wrung from the hydrophilic member to pass through the roller via the at least one opening.
  • Fig. 1 is a rear perspective view of an exemplary cleaning device
  • Fig. 2 is an enlarged bottom perspective view of a portion of the cleaning device shown in Fig. 1;
  • Fig. 3 is an enlarged side perspective view of a portion of the cleaning device shown in
  • Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a roller of the cleaning device shown in Fig. 1;
  • Fig. 5 is a top view of the roller shown in Fig. 4.
  • Fig. 6 is a side view of the roller shown in Fig. 4.
  • cleaning device 20 is a hand-operable floor cleaning device, such as, for example, a self-wringing mop, including an elongated handle 24, a hand grip 28 coupled to a first end of the handle 24, a cleaning head 32 coupled to a second end of the handle 24, and a wringer 40 coupled to the handle 24 for wringing liquid from the cleaning head 32.
  • a separate scrubber may be coupled to wringer 40 in the manner known in the art.
  • Exemplary handle 24 is only one of many different types and sizes of handles to which cleaning head 32 may be coupled.
  • cleaning head 32 may be coupled to any other type or size of elongated handle for cleaning a floor surface from a standing position.
  • cleaning head 32 may be coupled to "hand held” type handles commonly characterized as having a shorter handle length than a "stand-up” or “mop” type handle 24 as illustrated in Fig. 1.
  • cleaning head 32 may be coupled to any type or size of handle for cleaning a wide variety of surfaces such as floors, walls, or any other surfaces.
  • handle 24 may be coupled to cleaning head 32 in a variety of known manners.
  • handle 24 may be coupled to cleaning head 32 via a rigid, non-movable connection such as a threaded connection, which may comprise an unillustrated externally threaded portion extending from a second end of handle and a corresponding unillustrated internally threaded portion defined in cleaning head 32.
  • handle 24 may define an internally threaded portion and cleaning head 32 may include an externally threaded portion for threadable engagement.
  • handle 24 may couple to cleaning head 32 via other rigid, non-movable connections such as, for example, other types of threaded connections, fasteners, unitarily forming handle 24 with cleaning head 32, bonding, adhering, etc.
  • handle 24 may couple to cleaning head 32 via a movable joint such as, for example, a joint allowing a single direction of movement, a universal joint allowing multiple directions of movement, etc.
  • cleaning head 32 includes a cleaning member 52 and a bracket 56 secured to a top of cleaning member 52.
  • cleaning member 52 is a sponge having hydrophilic properties.
  • cleaning member 52 may be other types of hydrophilic elements and be within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
  • wringer 40 includes a body 60, a hand grip 64 disposed in this example at a top end of body 60, a yoke 68 disposed at a bottom end of body 60, and a pair of rollers 72.
  • Wringer body 60 is hollow, which allows handle 24 to extend therethrough to couple to cleaning head 32 and also allow body 60 to move axially relative to handle 24.
  • a user may grip hand grip 64 of wringer 40 and actuate wringer 40.
  • Yoke 68 includes a first member 76 and a second member 80 spaced apart from each other to provide a cavity 84 (Fig. 3) therebetween.
  • roller connector 88 (Fig. 2), which in this example comprises a semi-circular cutout for receiving a portion of roller 72 and appropriately sized to facilitate retention of roller 72 while allowing rotation of roller 72 therein.
  • rollers 72 are substantially the same as one another and, therefore, only one of the rollers 72 will be described herein.
  • roller 72 has a longitudinal shape and is rotatable about a longitudinal axis extending longitudinally through roller 72 and substantially aligned with a center of roller connector 88.
  • Roller 72 includes two connectors or axles 100, two exterior wringing members 104, and a middle wringing member 108.
  • the two connectors 100 are substantially cylindrical in shape and are complementary to the shape of roller connectors 88 defined in yoke 68 in order to facilitate coupling of rollers 72 to yoke 68, while allowing rotation of rollers 72 relative to yoke 68.
  • At least the middle wringing member 108 is solid as opposed to hollow and includes at least one opening 120 for permitting liquid to pass therethrough.
  • At least the middle wringing member 108 is preferably substantially cylindrical in shape and the at least one opening 120 is disposed substantially diametrically therethrough.
  • the at least one opening may assume any desired shape including, but not limited to, circular, rectangular or, as illustrated, oval.
  • the at least one opening 120 is a plurality of openings whereby connecting material 122 located between adjacent openings serves as structural reinforcement for resisting warpage of the roller.
  • exterior wringing members 104 may also be constructed substantially similarly to middle wringing member 108.
  • the exterior wringing members 104 may be solid and have at least one opening similar to opening(s) 120 for permitting liquid to pass therethrough.
  • the exterior wringing members 104 may be hollow and may or may not include opening(s) similar to opening(s) 120.
  • constructing at least the middle wringing member 108 as a solid member as described results in a roller that is inherently strong yet lightweight and which provides effective fluid transfer characteristics.
  • roller 72 may be readily manufactured by a roller mold having a few robust molding components that can reliably withstand the heat and/or pressure demands associated with the roller molding process.
  • roller 72 may be manufactured according injection molding or other molding processes known in the art.
  • cleaning device 20 is shown in a cleaning position or non- wringing position. In this position, cleaning device 20 may be used to clean a surface as desired.
  • the shape and material of cleaning member 52 is intended to apply a continuous upward force on rollers 72, which biases rollers 72 toward their cleaning or non- wrung position.
  • a user grips hand grip 64 of wringer 40 and pushes wringer 40 downward toward cleaning head 32 while the user either maintains handle 24 in position or pulls handle 24 in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of wringer 40.
  • rollers 72 begin to roll along outer surfaces of cleaning member 52 whereby the cleaning member becomes compressed between the rollers and moves into cavity 84.
  • the space between rollers 72 is intentionally narrower than the width of cleaning member 52 in order to adequately compress the cleaning member and wring liquid from cleaning member.
  • liquid passes freely through the at least one opening 120 thereby assuring effective transfer of liquid from the cleaning member.
  • wringer 40 When in a fully wrung position, the top of cleaning member 52 (or bracket 56) engages a top surface 92 (Fig. 3) of cavity 84 to prevent further downward movement of wringer 40 and also prevent further rolling of rollers 72 down cleaning member 52.
  • wringer 40 can be returned to its cleaning position to allow further use of cleaning device 20.
  • a user may grip hand grip 64 and pull wringer 40 upward. Wringing of cleaning member 52 may be repeated as desired by repeating these steps.

Landscapes

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

Abstract

La présente invention se rapporte à un rouleau et à un dispositif de nettoyage. Le rouleau peut être accouplé à un dispositif de nettoyage de façon à essorer un élément hydrophile de ce dispositif de nettoyage. Le rouleau comprend au moins un élément d'essorage plein qui présente au moins une ouverture de telle sorte que le liquide éliminé par essorage de l'élément hydrophile puisse passer dans le rouleau par l'ouverture. Le dispositif de nettoyage peut comprendre un manche auquel est accouplé un élément hydrophile, et un dispositif d'essorage accouplé au manche pour essorer l'élément hydrophile. Le dispositif d'essorage peut comprendre une poignée à laquelle est accouplé un rouleau. Lors de son activation, le rouleau peut se déplacer par rapport à l'élément hydrophile et peut être conçu pour expulser le liquide de l'élément hydrophile lors de la compression de ce dernier. Le rouleau est composé d'au moins un orifice de passage, et le liquide expulsé de l'élément hydrophile passe dans le rouleau par ledit orifice.
PCT/US2012/020153 2011-01-04 2012-01-04 Rouleau pour un dispositif de nettoyage WO2012094377A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201161429586P 2011-01-04 2011-01-04
US61/429,586 2011-01-04

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2012094377A1 true WO2012094377A1 (fr) 2012-07-12

Family

ID=46379408

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2012/020153 WO2012094377A1 (fr) 2011-01-04 2012-01-04 Rouleau pour un dispositif de nettoyage

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (1) US20120167320A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2012094377A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN104869882A (zh) * 2012-08-27 2015-08-26 3M创新有限公司 可安装至各种类型的拖把杆的拖把头
ITVR20130153A1 (it) * 2013-07-02 2015-01-03 Sbd Superior Business Dev A G Dispositivo per il lavaggio di pavimenti

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5080517A (en) * 1990-08-07 1992-01-14 Lynn William R Mop assembly for applying clean liquids and removing dirty liquids
US5522110A (en) * 1995-05-18 1996-06-04 Borofsky; Gary R. Cleaning apparatus
US6418585B1 (en) * 2000-09-08 2002-07-16 Sam Viner Powered mop adaptable for electro-mechanical operation
US20030131432A1 (en) * 2002-01-15 2003-07-17 Ming-Ti Hsieh Draining roller
US20060048321A1 (en) * 2004-09-09 2006-03-09 Freudenberg Household Products Lp Roller for mop

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1428893A (en) * 1919-03-18 1922-09-12 Simeon C Lawlor Mop wringer
US1679980A (en) * 1924-03-10 1928-08-07 S C Lawlor Company Mop wringer
US3727259A (en) * 1971-09-28 1973-04-17 F Wilson Wringer mop head replacement and actuator mechanism

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5080517A (en) * 1990-08-07 1992-01-14 Lynn William R Mop assembly for applying clean liquids and removing dirty liquids
US5522110A (en) * 1995-05-18 1996-06-04 Borofsky; Gary R. Cleaning apparatus
US6418585B1 (en) * 2000-09-08 2002-07-16 Sam Viner Powered mop adaptable for electro-mechanical operation
US20030131432A1 (en) * 2002-01-15 2003-07-17 Ming-Ti Hsieh Draining roller
US20060048321A1 (en) * 2004-09-09 2006-03-09 Freudenberg Household Products Lp Roller for mop

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20120167320A1 (en) 2012-07-05

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