WO2016151280A1

WO2016151280A1 - Cleaning tool

Info

Publication number: WO2016151280A1
Application number: PCT/GB2016/050563
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ronald Alexander Young (Scot)
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-03-25
Filing date: 2016-03-03
Publication date: 2016-09-29
Anticipated expiration: 2017-09-25
Also published as: GB201505066D0

Abstract

A cleaning head (110) for a cleaning tool, including a body (112) and cleaning material (114) which is releasably attachable to the body (112), the cleaning head (110) further including a holding member (120) to at least assist in releasably attaching the material (114) to the body (112), wherein at least one of the body (112) and the holding member (120) includes an engagement formation (135) which is engageable with a corresponding engagement formation (137) of the cleaning material (114).

Description

CLEANING TOOL

Description of Invention This invention relates to a cleaning tool including cleaning material which is releasably attachable to a cleaning head of the cleaning tool.

It is known in the art for cleaning tools, for example mops and dusting tools, to be provided with interchangeable cleaning heads. This feature enables cleaning tools to be more economically replaced, when the cleaning head becomes worn or excessively soiled, or for the cleaning material to be removed from the cleaning tool for laundering, or other method of cleaning, and reattached to the cleaning tool. This also enables cleaning heads of different types to be used with the cleaning tool, for example for different tasks. For example, a single cleaning tool may be provided with a dusting cloth, a mopping cloth and/or a drying cloth which are interchangeable. Other types of cleaning head are also known.

An example of a cleaning head 10 of a known type of cleaning tool is shown in Figures 1A and 1 B. The cleaning head 10 includes a body 12, to which cleaning material 14 (as shown in Figure 1 C) is releasably attachable. The body 12 includes a connecting member 16, in the example shown a threaded portion, with which a handle of the cleaning tool is connectable, in a typical manner. The body 12 also includes an attachment portion 18 to which the cleaning material 14 is releasably attachable. The attachment portion 18 has a first end 18a and a second end 18b. The cleaning head 12 includes a holding member 20 for holding the cleaning material 14 adjacent the body 12, in particular adjacent the attachment portion 18. The holding member 20 has a first end 20a and a second end 20b. The holding member 20 is moveable relative to the body 12, between an open position and a closed position. The holding member 20 is connected to the attachment portion 18 by a hinge 22 which is positioned towards the first end 18a of the attachment portion 18 and the first end 20a of the holding member 20. The holding member 20 is able to pivot relative to the body 12 about the hinge 22 between the open and closed positions. The holding member 20 is retainable in its closed position by a retaining formation 24. In the example shown, the retaining formation 24 includes a clip 26, which is provided at the second end 20b of the holding member 20, and a bar formation 28 provided towards the second end 18b of the attachment portion 18. The clip 26 is substantially resilient, and is deformable to engage with and disengage from the bar formation 28. The holding member 20 is shaped so as to define a space between a part of the holding member 20 and the attachment portion 18 of the body 12, in which the cleaning material 14 is eatable, so as to be sandwiched between the holding member 20 and the attachment portion 18 of the body 12 when the holding member 20 is in the closed position. In the example shown, the holding member 20 includes a plurality of holding formations 30, which extend from the holding member 20 towards the attachment portion 18 of the body 12 when the holding member 20 is in its closed position, such that when the cleaning material 14 is positioned between the holding member 20 and the attachment portion, each of the holding formations 30 presses a portion of the cleaning material 14 towards the attachment portion 18 of the body 12.

In the example shown, the cleaning material 14 includes a plurality of strands 32 of material, each of which extends from a header band 34. The header band 34 has a length which corresponds with the length of the body 12. In the example shown, the header band 34 is positioned approximately centrally, with strands 32 of cleaning material extending from both sides of the header band 34.

In use, the header band 34 is receivable between the holder member 20 and the attachment portion 18 of the cleaning head 10, and is retainable in position relative to the body 12 by the holding member 20, and the holding formations 30 pressing the header band 34 towards the attachment portion 18 of the body 12. The retaining formation 24 retains the holder member 20 in its closed position relative to the body 12, so as to hold the cleaning material 14 adjacent the attachment portion 18. The holding formations 30 do not pierce the header band 34 and so do not contact the attachment portion 18. When it is desirable to remove the cleaning material 14 from the cleaning head 10, the retaining formation 24 is released, by unclipping the clip 26 from the bar formation 28, and moving the holder member 20 towards its open position. The cleaning material 14 is able to drop from the cleaning head 10. A disadvantage of prior art cleaning tools is that it is possible for incompatible cleaning material to be used with the cleaning head, and for inappropriate cleaning materials to be used. This can lead to slippage of the cleaning material relative to the body of the cleaning head which, in turn, leads to ineffective cleaning, damage to the cleaning head and/or the cleaning material, and hence necessitating earlier replacement of the cleaning head and/or the cleaning material. A further disadvantage with the prior art is that if an inappropriate cleaning material is used for a particular application, then the surface being cleaned may also be damaged, leading to unsightly surface and/or costly repairs.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cleaning head for a cleaning tool, including a body and cleaning material which is releasably attachable to the body, the cleaning head further including a holding member to at least assist in releasably attaching the material to the body, wherein at least one of the body and the holding member includes an engagement formation which is engageable with a corresponding engagement formation of the cleaning material.

The engagement formation of the at least one of the body and the holding member may include at least one protrusion. The engagement formation of the at least one of the body and the holding member may include a series or an array of protrusions.

The engagement formation of the at least one of the body and the holding member may include at least one opening.

The corresponding engagement formation of the cleaning material may include at least one opening. The corresponding engagement formation of the cleaning material may include at least one protrusion.

The corresponding engagement formation of the cleaning material may include a series or an array of openings.

The corresponding engagement formation of the cleaning material may be provided in a header portion of the cleaning material.

The corresponding engagement formation of the cleaning material may be provided integrally with the cleaning material or is provided on an engagement part which is attachable to the cleaning material.

The engagement formation may include a plurality of formations, wherein at least one of the formations may have a different configuration from the other formations.

At least one of the formations of the at least one of the body and the holder member may at least partially penetrate the cleaning material. According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a cleaning material for a cleaning tool according to the first aspect of the invention.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a cleaning material for a cleaning tool, the cleaning material including a cleaning portion for cleaning a surface and an attachment portion, which is engageable with a cleaning head of the cleaning tool, the attachment portion including an engagement formation which is configured to be engageable with an engagement formation of the cleaning head, the engagement formation of the cleaning material including at least one of an opening for receiving a protrusion carried by the cleaning head, and a protrusion which is engageable with an opening provided in a part of the cleaning head.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a cleaning tool including a cleaning head according to the first aspect of the invention.

The cleaning tool may further include cleaning material according to the second or third aspect of the invention.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIGURE 1 A is an illustrative perspective view of a prior art cleaning head;

FIGURE 1 B is an alternative illustrative perspective view of the prior art cleaning head of Figure 1 A;

FIGURE 1 C is a plan view of cleaning material for engagement and use with the cleaning head of Figures 1 A and 1 B;

FIGURE 2A is an illustrative perspective view of a cleaning head in accordance with the present invention;

FGURE 2B is an alternative perspective view of the cleaning head of Figure 2A; FIGURE 2C is a plan view of cleaning material engageable and compatible with the cleaning head of Figures 2A and 2B; and

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a part of the cleaning material of Figure 2C partially engaged with the cleaning head of Figures 2A and 2B.

Referring now to Figures 2A-2B, there is shown a cleaning head 1 10. Parts of the cleaning head 1 10 which are similar or equivalent to the parts of the cleaning head 10, described above will be ascribed similar reference numbers, but prefixed with .

The cleaning head 1 10 includes a body 1 12 with which cleaning material 1 14 (as shown in Figure 2C) is engageable. The body 1 12 includes a connecting member 1 16, in the example shown a threaded portion, with which a handle of the cleaning tool is connectable, in a typical manner. It will be appreciated that other methods of attaching an appropriate handle to the cleaning head 1 10 are possible. The body 1 12 also includes an attachment portion 1 18 to which the cleaning material 1 14 is releasably attachable. The attachment portion 1 18 has a first end 1 18a and a second end 1 18b. The cleaning head 1 12 includes a holding member 120 for holding the cleaning material 1 14 in engagement with the body 1 12, in particular with the attachment portion 1 18. The holding member 120 has a first end 120a and a second end 120b. The holding member 120 is moveable relative to the body 1 12, between an open position and an closed position. The holding member 120 is connected to the attachment portion 1 18 by a hinge 122 which is positioned towards the first end 1 18a of the attachment portion 1 18 and the first end 120a of the holding member 120. The holding member 120 is able to pivot relative to the body 1 12 about the hinge 122 between the first and second positions. It will be appreciated that other methods of enabling relative movement between the holding member 120 and the body 1 12 may be appropriate.

The holding member 120 is retainable in its closed position by a retaining formation 124. In the example shown, the retaining formation 124 includes a clip 126 which is provided at the second end 120b of the holding member 120 and a bar formation 128 provided towards the second end 1 18b of the attachment portion 1 18. The clip 126 is substantially resilient, and is deformable to engage and disengage bar formation 128. It will be appreciated that other methods of engagement with and disengagement from the holding member 120 with the body 1 12 may be appropriate. More than one clip 126 and/or bar formation 128, or other methods of engagement with and disengagement from the holding member 120 with the body 1 12 may be provided. For example, rather than providing the hinge 122, a retaining formation 124 may be provided at each of the first end 1 18a, 120a and the second end 1 18b, 120b of the attachment portion 1 18 of the body 1 12 and the holding member 120, respectively. Thus, the holding member 120 may be moveable substantially linearly relative to the body 1 12 between its open and closed positions. The holding member 120 may be detachable from the body 1 12.

The holding member 120 is shaped so as to define a space between at least a part of the holding member 120 and the attachment portion 1 18 of the body 1 12, in which the cleaning material 1 14 is eatable, so as to be sandwiched between the holding member 120 and the attachment portion 1 18 of the body 1 12 when the holding member 120 is in its closed position. In the example shown, the holding member 120 includes a pair of holding formations 130, which extend from the holding member 120 towards the attachment portion 1 18, such that when the cleaning material 1 14 is positioned between the holding member 120 and the attachment portion 1 18, and the holding member 120 is in its closed position, each of the holding formations 130 presses a portion of the cleaning material 1 14 towards the attachment portion 1 18 of the body 1 12. It will be appreciated that any number of holding formations 130 may be provided, including zero.

In the example shown, the cleaning material 1 14 includes a plurality of strands 132 of material, each of which extends from a header band 134. The header band 134 has a length which substantially corresponds with the length of the body 1 12. In the example shown, the header band 134 is positioned approximately centrally in the cleaning material 1 14, with strands 132 of cleaning material extending from each side of the header band 134. It will be appreciated that other types of cleaning material 1 14 may be provided. The cleaning material 1 14 may include mopping material, absorbent material, dusting material, microfibre material, for example, and may include a combination of different types of material. The cleaning material 1 14 may include one or more sheets and/or pads and/or loops of material, in addition to or in place of strands of material.

The header band 134 is an attachment portion of the cleaning material, which is receivable between the holder member 120 and the attachment portion 1 18 of the cleaning head 1 10. The header band 134 is retainable in an engaging position relative to the body 1 12 by the holding member 120, and the holding formations 130 pressing the header band 134 towards the attachment portion 1 18 of the body 1 12. The retaining formation 124 retains the holder member 120 in its engaging position relative to the body 1 12, so as to engage the cleaning material 1 14 with the attachment portion 1 18. The holding formations 130 do not penetrate the header band 134, although it will be appreciated that this may be possible, for example if the header band 134 includes additional openings in each of which one of the holding formations 130 is receivable. The header band 134 may additionally or alternatively include one or more portions each of which can be pierced, punctured, ruptured or otherwise broken, to receive one of the holding formations 130.

The cleaning head 1 10 also includes at least one engagement formation 135 to engage the cleaning material 1 14 with the cleaning head 1 10. At least one of the body 1 12 and the holding member 120 includes at least one engagement formation 135 which is engageable with a corresponding engagement formation 137 of the cleaning material 1 14. The or each corresponding engagement formation 138 of the cleaning material 1 14 may be provided in a header portion 134 of the cleaning material 1 14.

The or each engagement formation 135 of the at least one of the body 1 12 and the holding member 120 may include at least one protrusion 136. The corresponding engagement formation 137 of the cleaning material 1 14 may include at least one opening 138.

The engagement formation 136 of the at least one of the body 1 12 and the holding member 120 may include a series or an array of protrusions 136. In the example shown in Figures 2A-2C, the engagement formation 135 includes a pair of protrusions 136, each of which extends from the holding member 120, towards the attachment portion 1 18 of the body 1 12. The corresponding engagement formation 137 of the cleaning material 1 14 may include a series or an array of openings 138, the number and location of which correspond with the number and location of the protrusions 136. The size of each opening 138 corresponds with a cross-sectional area and/or shape of each corresponding protrusion 136. In the example shown, the engagement formation 137 of the cleaning material 1 14 includes a pair of openings 138 provided in a header portion 134 of the cleaning material 1 14, each of which corresponds with one of the protrusions 136 of the at least one of the body 1 12 and the holder member 120. The corresponding engagement formation 137 of the cleaning material 1 14 may be provided integrally with the cleaning material 1 14 or may be provided on an engagement part which is attachable to the cleaning material 1 14. For example a header portion 134 to which cleaning material is attachable and detachable from may be provided.

The at least one of the body 1 12 and the holder member 120 may include a combination of protrusions 136 and openings 140. The engagement formation 135 of the at least one of the body 1 12 and the holding member 120 may include a combination of protrusions 136 and openings 140. The body 1 12 may include at least one protrusion 136 and at least one opening 140. Additionally or alternatively, the holder member 120 may include at least one protrusion 136 and one opening 140. The or each protrusion 136 may include one or more engagement structures 139, for example one or more ribs, fins, barbs, threaded portions, etc., for strengthening the engagement between the at least one of the body 1 12 and the holding member 1 12, and the cleaning material 1 14. In the example shown in Figures 2A and 2B, each protrusion 136 includes a series of ribs 139 which extend substantially radially outwardly from the respective protrusion 136. It will be appreciated that the or each engagement structure 139 may be configured, for example in terms of shape, size and/or orientation for optimum engagement between the at least one of the body 1 12 and the holder member 120, and the cleaning material. In the example shown, each protrusion is substantially cylindrical. Each protrusion may be provided with a pointed or sharpened free and, for piercing or puncturing a portion of a cleaning material 1 14 which is provided with weakened portions for the purpose of receiving the protrusions 136.

Additionally or alternatively, the engagement formation 135 of the at least one of the body 1 12 and the holding member 120 may include at least one opening 140 and the corresponding engagement formation 137 of the cleaning material 1 14 may include at least one protrusion. The or each protrusion of the cleaning material 1 14 may take a similar form to the protrusions 136 described in relation to the cleaning head 1 10.

In the example shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the holder member 120 includes protrusions 136, and the attachment portion 1 18 of the body 1 12 includes openings 140. The openings 140 in the attachment portion 1 18 correspond with the protrusions 136 of the holder member 120. When the holder member 120 is in its engaging, i.e. closed position, at least a part of each protrusion 136 is receivable in the corresponding opening 140 of the body 1 12. This enhances the engagement of the holder member 120 and/or the cleaning material 1 14 with the body 1 12. It will be appreciated that this feature is not essential. It will be appreciated that where a protrusion 136 is provided on the body 1 12, a corresponding opening 140 may be provided in the holder member 120, to receive at least a part of the protrusion 136 when the holder member 120 is in the engaging position with respect to the body 1 12 and/or the cleaning material 1 14. Again, it will be appreciated that this feature is not essential.

The or each opening 140 may include one or more engagement structures, for example ribs, fins, barbs, seals, threaded portions, etc., to enhance engagement between the body 1 12 and the holder member 120 when the holder member 120 is in its engaging, i.e. closed position relative to the body 1 12. The or each engagement structure of the or each opening 140 of the or each of the body 1 12 and the holder member 120 may correspond with an engagement structure 139 of the or each protrusion 136 of the other of the body 1 12 and the holder member 120.

Where the at least one of the body 1 12, the holder 120 and the cleaning material 1 14 includes a plurality of protrusions 136, one or more of the protrusions 136 may be different from one or more of the other protrusions 136. For example one or more of the protrusions 136 may be a different shape, size or configuration from the or each other protrusion 136.

In use, to attach the cleaning material 1 14 to the cleaning head 1 10, the cleaning material 1 14 is offered up to the attachment portion 1 18 of the body 1 12 of the cleaning head 1 10. The holder member 120 is moved relative to the body 1 12, towards its closed, i.e. engaging position. In the example shown, the protrusions 136 are received in the openings 138 of the cleaning material 1 14. Each of the protrusions 136 extends through the cleaning material 1 14, in the present example through the header portion 134, and the portion of each protrusion 136 which extends from the cleaning material 1 14 is receivable in a corresponding opening 140 of the attachment portion 1 18 of the body 1 12. In an embodiment where one or more protrusions are provided on the cleaning material 1 14, then the or each protrusion may be receivable in a corresponding opening 140 of the attachment portion and/or the holder member 120. The provision of the engagement formations 135, 137 enables registration of the cleaning material 1 14 with the cleaning head 1 10 and/or enhances engagement of the cleaning material 1 14 with the cleaning head 1 10, particularly during use of the cleaning tool of which the cleaning head 1 10 is a part. The engagement formations 135, 137 also ensure that a suitable and appropriate cleaning material 1 14 is being combined with the cleaning head 1 10.

Once the cleaning material 1 14 is engaged with the cleaning head 1 10, then the cleaning tool may be used to clean a surface, for example a floor. The tool may be rinsed, if it is intended to be used to mop a floor, and may be wrung, in an appropriate wringing apparatus to remove excess moisture prior to manoeuvring across the surface to be cleaned. The external features of the cleaning head 1 10 are sufficiently similar to those of prior art cleaning heads, to enable the cleaning head 1 10 to be compatible with other known apparatus, for example buckets, wringing apparatus, cleaning trolleys, etc.. Where a cleaning material is selected for use which is not provided with a corresponding engagement formation (or is provided with an incompatible type of engagement formation), then attachment of the cleaning material to the body 1 12 is inhibited. For example, in the embodiment shown in Figures 2A and 2B, if the cleaning material is not provided with openings 138, then the protrusions of the holder member 120 are unable to extend through the cleaning material 1 14, and the holder member 120 is inhibited from reaching its engaging, i.e. closed, position relative to the body 1 12. The clip 126 and the bar formation 128 are inhibited from coupling, inhibiting retention of the holder member 120 in its engaging position relative to the body 1 12. When it is desirable to remove the cleaning material 1 14 from the cleaning head 1 10, for example for cleaning or disposal, the retaining formation 124 is released, by unclipping the clip 126 from the bar formation 128, and moving the holder member 120 towards its open position. It may be necessary to disengage the or each engagement formation 135 of the body 1 12 and/or the holder member 120 from the or each corresponding engagement formation 137 of the cleaning material 1 14, manually, to enable the cleaning material 1 14 to be removed from the cleaning head 1 10. When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components. The features in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

A cleaning head for a cleaning tool, including a body and cleaning material which is releasably attachable to the body, the cleaning head further including a holding member to at least assist in releasably attaching the material to the body, wherein at least one of the body and the holding member includes an engagement formation which is engageable with a corresponding engagement formation of the cleaning material.

A cleaning head according to claim 1 wherein the engagement formation of the at least one of the body and the holding member includes at least one protrusion.

A cleaning head according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the engagement formation of the at least one of the body and the holding member includes a series or an array of protrusions.

A cleaning head according to any of the preceding claims wherein the engagement formation of the at least one of the body and the holding member includes at least one opening.

A cleaning head according to any of the preceding claims wherein the corresponding engagement formation of the cleaning material includes at least one opening.

A cleaning head according to any of the preceding claims wherein the corresponding engagement formation of the cleaning material includes at least one protrusion.

A cleaning head according to any of the preceding claims wherein the corresponding engagement formation of the cleaning material includes a series or an array of openings.

8. A cleaning head according to any of the preceding claims wherein the corresponding engagement formation of the cleaning material is provided in a header portion of the cleaning material.

9. A cleaning head according to any of the preceding claims wherein the corresponding engagement formation of the cleaning material is provided integrally with the cleaning material or is provided on an engagement part which is attachable to the cleaning material.

10. A cleaning head according to any of the preceding claims wherein the engagement formation includes a plurality of formations, wherein at least one of the formations has a different configuration from the other formations.

1 1 . A cleaning head according to any of the preceding claims wherein at least one of the formations of the at least one of the body and the holder member at least partially penetrates the cleaning material.

12. A cleaning head substantially as described herein and/or as shown in Figures 2A to 3.

13. Cleaning material for a cleaning tool according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. Cleaning material for a cleaning tool, the cleaning material including a cleaning portion for cleaning a surface and an attachment portion, which is engageable with a cleaning head of the cleaning tool, the attachment portion including an engagement formation which is configured to be engageable with an engagement formation of the cleaning head, the engagement formation of the cleaning material including at least one of an opening for receiving a protrusion carried by the cleaning head, and a protrusion which is engageable with an opening provided in a part of the cleaning head.

15. Cleaning material substantially as described herein, and/or as shown in Figures 2A to 3

16. A cleaning tool including a cleaning head according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

17. A cleaning tool according to claim 16, further including cleaning material according to any one of claims 13 to 15.

18. A cleaning tool substantially as described herein and/or as shown in Figures 2A to 3.

19. Any novel feature or novel combination of features substantially as described herein and/or as shown in Figures 2A to 3.