Abstract:
A collector container for a cleaning device, wherein the cleaning device has an elongate main part with a centrally positioned handle element or a fastening element for a stem or handle, and a wiping blade is fastened to the main part, and wherein the collector container can be fastened or more particularly clipped to the main part of the cleaning device.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a Section 371 U.S. National Stage Filing of International Application No. PCTEP2014/061238, filed May 30, 2014, which was published in the German language on Dec. 18, 2014, under International Publication No. WO 2014/198559 A1, which claims priority to German Application No. 10 2013 106 238.5, filed on Jun. 14, 2013, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a receptacle for a cleaning device. 
         [0003]    Numerous cleaning devices with a wiper blade are known that comprise a longitudinal body, wherein a wiper blade is fastened to the body. It is also possible for a gripping element or a fastening element for a handle or grip to be arranged as a rule centrally on the body. The body can be formed so that a person can also use the cleaning device without the grip or handle having been screwed on. For this purpose the body generally comprises corresponding external contours to improve handling. 
         [0004]    Such cleaning devices generally do not have any small receptacle or tank, so that the fluid removed from a surface, in particular a pane, has to be collected with an additional piece of cloth so that it does not drip uncontrollably. If the cleaning devices themselves have access to a holding vessel, then this is generally formed by the body or a receptacle itself formed thereon. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The object of the present invention is to provide an attachable receptacle for cleaning devices with a wiper blade that have no available receptacles or only a small one. 
         [0006]    This object is achieved according to the invention in that the receptacle can be fastened to, in particular clipped onto, the body of the cleaning device. Owing to the arrangement on the body an aesthetically pleasing overall arrangement is advantageously obtained, which furthermore is very space-saving and convenient to use. 
         [0007]    The receptacle according to the invention preferably includes the lower region of the body and forms together with this an intermediate space, which serves as holding vessel or tank. The removed fluid passes from the underneath of the wiper blade over the body into the intermediate space formed by the receptacle and body. If the cleaning device itself has an available collecting groove in the region underneath the wiper blade, then the fluid first of all flows into the groove until the latter is full, and then runs into the intermediate space. Since the receptacle is arranged underneath the body of the cleaning device when fluid is removed, the fluid flows into the receptacle and does not flow or drip in an uncontrolled manner from the cleaning device onto the floor or person operating the cleaning device. 
         [0008]    The receptacle according to the invention can advantageously comprise a trough-shaped region with longitudinal side walls and also with sealing walls on the front side. Advantageously at least one projection and/or wall section can adjoin, in particular be formed on, a longitudinal side wall. The projection or wall region serves to fasten the receptacle to the cleaning device. For this purpose the projection and/or wall region is formed in such a way that it at least partly overlaps the upper side of the body. The projection and/or wall section can be formed readily elastic, so that they act as a kind of catch element, whereby the receptacle according to the invention can be clipped onto the body of the cleaning device and can also be removed again from the cleaning device. 
         [0009]    Obviously it is also possible for the trough-like receptacle to be fastened in a positive manner by means of catch and/or snap-fit connections to the body of the cleaning device. 
         [0010]    The trough-shaped region should underneath the wiper blade or the plane in which the wiper blade is arranged, be fastenable to the body of the cleaning device so that the intermediate space is disposed underneath the wiper blade when the fluid is removed. 
         [0011]    The receptacle can have a floor wall on which the front-side walls and the longitudinal side walls adjoin or are formed. It is however also possible for the longitudinal side walls to be formed curved and to meet directly in the lower region. The side walls and front sides can be adapted to the contour of the body, so that when the receptacle is installed the cleaning device does not lose its characteristic shape. In particular the rear side of the receptacle facing away from the wiper blade can be adapted to the curvature of the body, in particular can abut or rest against the body, whereby the projections at least partly overlap the upper side of the body. 
         [0012]    If the grip or the fastening device for a grip or handle is arranged on the body of the cleaning device on the side facing opposite the wiper blade, the longitudinal side wall of the receptacle, which rests on or encloses the side of the body comprising the grip or the fastening device, has a recess for the grip or the fastening device. During installation the receptacle according to the invention is slid from below over the body, the recess advantageously being U-shaped, and thereby surrounds the grip, handle or the fastening device from three sides. 
         [0013]    An additional seal can be provided, which prevents fluid passing from the intermediate space via the recess to the outside. For this purpose a seal is advantageously arranged on the receptacle or on the body, which extends along the edge of the recess and in the installed state of the receptacle lies hermetically between the body and receptacle. 
         [0014]    In order that the intermediate space is sufficiently large, the receptacle has on the inside at least one spacing element, which ensures a minimum distance to the outside of the body. The spacing element can advantageously be an integral projection or an integral reinforcing grip. 
         [0015]    Preferably the whole receptacle can be made from a single material, in particular plastic. It is however also possible to use different materials for the trough-shaped region and the at least one projection or wall section. The material and the wall thicknesses should however be chosen so that the receptacle, in particular its regions relevant for the installation and fastening, are sufficiently elastic, so that in particular a clip-on operation or a locking engagement to fasten the receptacle to the body is possible and is ensured. 
         [0016]    Also, the colour of the receptacle can match that of the cleaning device so that the whole device is aesthetically pleasing. 
         [0017]    Optionally the receptacle can have an outlet, in particular a closable outlet. This can advantageously be closed or opened by means of a valve or closure. Optionally a tubing can also be attached, so that fluid that has flowed into the receptacle can immediately be diverted via the tubing, for example into a bucket, so that also very large areas can be freed from fluid by means of the cleaning device without having to empty the receptacle from time to time. Obviously it is also possible to insert or arrange for a valve between the tubing and the outlet. 
         [0018]    The receptacle and the cleaning device can furthermore comprise corresponding and inter-engaging or interlocking fastening elements, in particular in the form of recesses, projections or retaining lugs, which serve to fasten the receptacle to the cleaning device. In this case the projections and wall sections described above are not absolutely necessary, but may nevertheless be additionally provided. 
         [0019]    The receptacle can be designed so that its longitudinal side wall, which terminates underneath the wiper blade with its longitudinal free side, abuts, especially hermetically, the wiper blade. As soon as the device is pressed against a surface in order to remove fluid, the wiper blade is deformed and raised from the longitudinal free side of the longitudinal side wall, so that the fluid can pass into the intermediate space via the inlet opening that is then formed sufficiently large. In this connection a seal can be arranged between the body and the front sides and the longitudinal side wall of the receptacle, so that fluid present in the intermediate space cannot flow out unintentionally from the latter. Only when the wiper blade is bent upwardly can the fluid in this embodiment be emptied from the intermediate space or flow into the latter. 
         [0020]    Obviously in addition to the formed intermediate space the receptacle can also comprise at least one further tank, which communicates with the intermediate space via at least one channel. Advantageously this additional tank can be arranged underneath the body and/or handle or fastening element and/or underneath the receptacle, so that it is ensured that it is always located at the lowest point of the whole arrangement consisting of cleaning device and receptacle while fluid is removed from a surface, in particular a glass pane. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]    The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. 
           [0022]    One possible embodiment of the receptacle according to the invention is described in more detail hereinafter with the aid of the drawings, in which: 
           [0023]      FIG. 1  shows a receptacle according to the invention and a cleaning device in the non-installed state; 
           [0024]      FIGS. 2 and 3  show various views of a receptacle according to the invention installed on a cleaning device; 
           [0025]      FIGS. 4 to 7  show various views of the receptacle according to one of  FIGS. 1 to 3 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is a side view of a whole device consisting of cleaning device and installed receptacle, wherein the receptacle is shown cut away at the side; 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  is a side view of a whole device consisting of cleaning device and installed receptacle; 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  is a side view of a whole device when removing fluid from a pane. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0029]      FIG. 1  shows a receptacle  1  according to the invention, which is not yet fastened to the cleaning device  2 . The cleaning device  2  comprises a body  2   a,  which is composed of an upper housing half  2   o  and a lower housing half  2   u,  wherein the two housing halves  2   o,    2   u  are held together by means of screws (not shown). A grip  2   b  is fastened to the body  2   a.  For this purpose the body  2   a  can comprise a fastening device, for example in the form of an internal thread, into which the grip  2   b  can be screwed. Instead of the grip  2   b  a handle can however also be screwed in. In addition it is possible for the grip or handle to be formed in one piece with the body  2   a  or with a housing half  2   o,    2   u.  A wiper blade  2   c  is clamped with its long side between the housing halves  2   o ,  2   u.  The free other long side forms the wiper lip  2   d.    
         [0030]    The receptacle  1  comprises a trough-shaped region  1   t , which is formed by the longitudinal side walls  1   a ,  1   b  and the front walls  1   d . The longitudinal side walls  1   a ,  1   b  are joined to one another on the underneath  1   i  of the trough-shaped region  1   t  by means of a floor wall  1   h . Spacer elements  1   g , which are formed in particular as reinforcing ribs, are shaped on the inner wall  1   y  of the trough-shaped region  1   t , and are designed so that the inner wall  1   y  is always at a minimum distance from the outer wall of the surrounding body  2   a,  whereby the intermediate space Z is formed between the receptacle  1  and the body  2   a  and serves to receive a fluid F removed from a surface S (see  FIG. 10 ) by means of the auxiliary blade  2   c,    2   d.    
         [0031]    Two wall sections  1   c  are formed on top at the rear longitudinal side wall  1   b , wherein the free ends  1   f  of the sections overlap the upper side  2   h  of the body  2   a  of the cleaning device  2  and in particular are formed so that a type of locking engagement or snap-on connection is realised, so that in the installed state the receptacle is held by positive engagement on the body of the cleaning device  2 . The wall sections  1   c ,  1   f  are thin-walled as far as possible so that they have a certain elasticity, so that the receptacle  1  can be detached with a certain expenditure of force from the cleaning device  2  or its body  2   a.    
         [0032]    Since the grip  2   b  is fastened to the rear side of the body  2   a  and the rear wall  1   b  of the receptacle  1  is arranged in the region of the fastening of the grip  2   b,  a corresponding recess  1   e  must be formed on the rear wall  1   b ,  1   c , by means of which the receptacle  1  can be slid from below onto the body  2   a  and can with its free catch ends  1   f  overlap the body  2   a  on its upper side  2   h.    
         [0033]    On the upper side  2   h  the body  2   a  comprises longitudinal projections or webs  2   g,  which serve as gripping surfaces when the body  2   a  of the cleaning device is gripped by the hand. These webs  2   g  at the same time serve for locking engagement and as a rear grip for the free ends  1   f  of the receptacle  1 . 
         [0034]    The cleaning device  2  illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 3  comprises in the region underneath the wiper blade  2   c  a groove  2   e  formed on the lower housing half  2   u  for receiving removed fluid. This groove  2   e  has only a limited capacity, which is increased by the receptacle  1  according to the invention. The front longitudinal side wall  1   a  is formed so that the free edge  1   p  terminates in front of the groove  2   e  underneath the wiper blade  2   c  and optionally presses against the underneath side  2   cu  of the wiper blade  2   c,  unless the wiper blade  2   c,  as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , is bent by pressing against a surface S to be cleaned and is bent away from the edge  1   p.  The formed webs or ribs  1   g  have recesses  1   m , in which the groove  2   e  of the lower housing half  2   u  of the cleaning device  2  can lie in the trough-shaped region  1   t.    
         [0035]    If the cleaning device  2  does not have a corresponding groove  2   e,  the reinforcing ribs  1   g  can also be formed without a corresponding recess  1   m.    
         [0036]    As is clear from  FIGS. 4 to 7 , the reinforcing ribs  1   g , which are formed on the front longitudinal wall  1   a  and on the rear longitudinal wall  1   b , are not connected to one another, so that they form a passage channel  1   k  through which the fluid F 3  can flow along the floor wall  1   h  from one front side  1   t  to the other side, so long as the cleaning device  2  is appropriately inclined or swivelled backwards and forwards. The side walls  1   d  can with their ends  1   z  extend somewhat higher than the edge  1   p  of the front longitudinal side  1   a , so that, as illustrated in  FIG. 9 , they engage the wiper blade  2   c  at least partly on the side. 
         [0037]      FIGS. 8 and 9  show the installed overall device consisting of cleaning device  2  and receptacle  1 , the side wall  1   d  of the receptacle  1  being cut away in  FIG. 8  so that the channel  1   k  as well as the spacing elements in the form of reinforcing ribs  1   g  together with their recesses  1   m  are visible. 
         [0038]    The housing body  2   a  of the cleaning device  2  is clamped between the spacing elements  1   g  and the projection  1   f  and/or the wall sections  1   d , so that the receptacle  1  and cleaning device  2  can be detached from one another only by applying a certain force. 
         [0039]    As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the wiper blade  2   c  impacts with its lower side  2   cu  against the edge  1   p  of the front wall  1   a  of the receptacle, whereby the fluid already contained in the intermediate space Z is to some extent prevented from flowing out forwardly from the receptacle  1 . 
         [0040]    The recess le of the rear wall  1   b ,  1   c  engages the lug of the grip or fastening element  2   p  of the body  2   a.  If desired, the edging  1   n  of the recess  1   e  can be hermetically sealed with respect to the body  2   a  by means of a seal, so that the fluid present in the receptacle  1  cannot flow unintentionally from the receptacle  1  via the recess  1   e.    
         [0041]      FIG. 10  shows the whole device consisting of receptacle  1  and cleaning device  2  in use, whereby the fluid F, F 1  present on a pane is removed by means of the whole device and collected in the receptacle  1 . The arrow R A  shows the fluid removal direction of the whole device along the pane S. By pressing the wiper blade  2   c  against the pane S the wiper blade  2   c  is bent and is raised from the front edge  1   p  of the receptacle 1 . By means of the wiper lip  2   d  a droplet of the fluid F 1 , represented as a sphere, is removed from the pane S and travels as a bubble (F 2 ) along the lower side  2   cu  of the wiper blade  2   c  into the opening E and from there into the intermediate space Z, where the fluid F 3  is collected. It is not absolutely necessary that the wiper blade  2   c  with its lower side  2   cu  abuts in the non-actuated state in a hermetically sealing manner against the edge  1   p.    
         [0042]    It is furthermore possible to provide an outflow opening in the region of the floor wall  1   i , which can be closed if desired and to which also an outflow tube or additional receptacle can be connected, so that an even larger volume of removed fluid F can be collected before the cleaning device and the receptacle fastened thereto have to be emptied for further use. 
         [0043]    Obviously the receptacle according to the invention can also be used for a cleaning device without a grip  2   b  or fastening element  2   p.  The receptacle then does not require a corresponding recess  2   e,  i.e. the projections  2   c  can be connected to one another. 
         [0044]    It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.