Plural nozzle cleaning implement

A plural nozzle cleaning implement. The nozzles are oriented inwardly, to provide a converging spray pattern. The converging spray pattern provides more coverage of the target surface, which increases residence time of fluid sprayed onto debris.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to cleaning implements and more particularly to cleaning implements for dispensing a fluid.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cleaning implements are well known in the art. Particularly, floor cleaning implements have been used which dispense a fluid onto the target surface. The fluid solublizes debris on the floor for later scrubbing and/or removal from the floor.

Fluids sprayed from a cleaning implement include any fluid usable to treat a target surface. Typical fluids include cleaning fluids, disinfectants, perfumes, etc. A suitable cleaning fluid may be made according to commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,380,151.

Upon wetting the target surface with the fluid, the user may remove debris with a disposable cloth. The cloth may be removably attached to the head, and particularly to the underside of the head. Suitable cloths include nonwovens, microfiber, yarns, formed polymeric films, superabsorbent gelling materials; compostable materials, such as PLA, combinations thereof, etc. Suitable cloths may be made according to the teachings of commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,797,357; 6,936,330; D489,537; D499,887; 5,960,508; 6,003,191; 6,048,123; 6,101,661 and/or 6,601,261.

The cloth may be disposable, i.e. discarded after being soiled. A disposable cloth may be discarded after a single use. Alternatively, the cloth may laundered and restored, for subsequent reuse. After subsequent reuse, the disposable cloth may then be discarded.

The cloth may be removably attached to the head using hook and loop fasteners, resiliently deformable grippers, adhesive, cohesion, spring loaded clips, etc. Suitable grippers may be made according to the teachings of commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,305,046; 6,484,346 and/or 6,651,290.

Cleaning implements which dispense fluid from a single nozzle are well known in the art, as illustrated by commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,888,006; 5,988,920; 6,206,058; 6,217,889; 6,386,392; 6,663,306; 6,722,806 and 7,172,099. When using a single nozzle, typically the fluid spray pattern diverges as fluid is expelled from the nozzle. The typical pattern sprayed from a single nozzle cleaning implement is a fan or cone shape.

The art also includes plural nozzle implements, as illustrated by U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,219,276; 6,540,424; 6,595,712; 6,976,802 and 7,264,413. One supposed benefit of plural nozzles is that such an embodiment can provide a more advantageous spray pattern of the fluid on the target surface. A review of the art, such as the aforementioned '802 patent, however, shows that a diverging cone or fan shaped spray pattern is also taught in conjunction with plural nozzle implements.

A cone or fan shaped spray pattern provides the disadvantage that debris in the regions of the target surface not covered by the spray cannot be solublized. When the debris is not solublized, it can be more difficult to remove during the cleaning process. This problem occurs when there is no or only minimal residence time of the cleaning fluid on the debris.

Furthermore, plural nozzles can provide the disadvantage that uneven flow can provide an uneven spray pattern. And if any nozzle of the plurality should drip or dribble when flow is intended to be terminated, an unsightly trace amount of fluid may be deposited. The trace fluid must then be cleaned, to prevent a slipping hazard or simply an unsightly appearance before drying.

Attempts to control trace fluid deposition from plural nozzles include using gravity flow, and various check valves. Check valves having plural flow outlets are illustrated by U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,096,997; 4,977,927 and 6,237,704.

Despite these efforts in the art, there remains the opportunity to improve the use of plural nozzles and the flow of cleaning fluid therefrom.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention comprises a head for a cleaning implement. The head may have a longitudinal centerline and comprise a front edge having a width. The width is divisible into four quadrants, two outer quadrants and two inner quadrants therebetween. One of the inner quadrants and one of the outer quadrants is disposed on each side of said longitudinal centerline. At least two nozzles are juxtaposed with the front edge of said head, one said nozzle being disposed in each outer quadrant of said head. Each said nozzle may be oriented towards the longitudinal centerline to spray a fluid towards the centerline.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring toFIGS. 1A and 1B, the cleaning implement10according to the present invention may comprise a head20, a handle12and a pole14therebetween. The pole14and head20may be connected by a u-joint, as is known in the art. The implement10may further comprise a body18mounted on the pole14as shown, or the components of the body18may be integrated into the head20. The implement10may optionally comprise a suction nozzle and vacuum (not shown) for collecting debris removed from the target surface.

The head20may comprise attachments for removably receiving a cleaning sheet. The head20and or body18may comprise a reservoir30for receiving a fluid to treat the target surface and other components as may be helpful. The body18may comprise a pump, a motor therefor, batteries to power the motor if line current is not used, or an inlet for the power cord if line current is utilized, and other components as may be helpful. There is also provision for communication of control signals between the head20and body18. One embodiment for providing signal communication is illustrated in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,579,023.

The handle12may provide for ergonomic manipulation of the implement10. An on-off switch may be disposed on the handle12, body18, head20or pole14. While an implement10suitable for a standing user is illustrated, the invention is not so limited. The pole14may be shortened or eliminated, and/or the handle12configured for hand-held ergonomics or for use on one's hands and knees.

As used herein horizontal refers to the primary direction of the movement of the head20of the implement10along a horizontal target surface and which occurs within the plane of the target surface. Vertical refers to the direction perpendicular to the target surface and horizontal direction, and which spaces apart the top surface22and bottom surface24of the head20. The width of the implement10refers to the left-right direction during use. The front-back direction is perpendicular thereto and parallel to the target surface. The implement10may have a longitudinal centerline which divides the implement10into two halves, in the front-back direction.

Examining the components in more detail, the head20may comprise a generally upwardly facing top surface22and a bottom surface24opposed thereto. The head20may have a front edge. The width of the front edge of the head20is defined by two side edges, with one side edge being disposed on each side of the longitudinal centerline. The width of the front edge may be divided into four quadrants, two inboard quadrant and two outboard quadrants, with one inboard quadrant and one outboard quadrant being disposed on each side of the longitudinal centerline. The head20, and particularly the bottom surface24thereof, may move relative to the target surface to be cleaned.

The target surface may be a floor, and more particularly a hard surface floor, such as tile, hardwood, linoleum, etc. A cleaning sheet may be attached to the bottom surface24, using attachments as are known in the art.

Exemplary attachments include deformable grippers, etc. Deformable grippers may be used to attach the cleaning sheet, because such an attachment works with a variety of sheet materials, does not require extra manufacturing steps in the sheet (such as the addition of adhesive) and may last for the life of the implement10. While uniform and substantially identical attachments are typically used, the invention is not so limited. The attachments may comprise two or more different attachment types. Three or more attachments may be used. If four attachments are utilized, they may be disposed in a rectangular pattern comprising two front attachments and two rearward attachments. One or more of the attachments may be disposed on the top surface22of the head20and generally face away from the bottom surface24of the head20and target surface during cleaning. This disposition of attachments provides the benefit of convenient access thereto.

Alternatively or additionally, the attachments may comprise a hook and loop system as is known in the art. The bottom of the head20may be totally or partially covered with hooks. The cloth may comprise loops. By engaging the hooks into the loops, the cloth may be releasably attached to the head20. If desired, the implement10may further comprise an adapter plate to allow different sizes and types of cloths to be utilized, as illustrated by commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,842,936.

The reservoir30may be detachable and replaced as the contents are depleted. A reservoir30may be removably attached to the implement10using a dedicated sleeve32. The reservoir30may be inverted and inserted into the sleeve32, so that fluid flows from the reservoir30. Alternatively, the reservoir30may be may be permanently attached to the implement10and refilled as necessary.

If a dedicated sleeve32is utilized, the sleeve32may have a release34. The release34allows the reservoir30to be removed from the sleeve32when the contents are depleted or as otherwise desired. The release34may be disposed on the top of the sleeve32. This position provides for ergonomic convenience, so that manipulation of the release34does not require the user to bend over to reach the lower portions of the implement10.

The release34may serve as a push button mechanism, or other releasable latching mechanism, to allow removal of the bottle or other reservoir device from the sleeve32. As the consumer pushes down on the push button, or other latch mechanism of the release34, such downward motion is converted to a lateral motion of a moving member. The moving member engages a complementary portion of the reservoir in a first position and disengages from such portion in a second position. The manipulation of the release34engages and disengages the moving member from the complementary portion of the reservoir.

While a single reservoir30is shown, one of skill will recognize the invention is not so limited. The implement10may comprise plural reservoirs30. The plurality of reservoirs30may contain the same fluid therein, thus providing greater quantity than a single reservoir30. Alternatively, the reservoirs30may comprise different fluids. The different fluids may be dispensed sequentially, or a particular fluid may be dispensed as needed for a particular task. If the reservoirs30comprise different fluids, the fluids may be co-dispensed, to allow mixing at the point of use on the target surface.

Fluid may be dispensed from the reservoir30using a manual pump. Such a reservoir30may be disposed on the head20and the pump controlled remotely from the handle12or pole14, as illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,467,983; 6,655,866 and/or 6,659,670.

If desired, fluid may be dispensed from the reservoir30using an automatic pump. An automatic pump is driven by a motor. The motor is powered from an external source, such as batteries, line current, etc. The batteries and/or pump may be disposed in the head20, body18, elsewhere on the pole14or combinations thereof. For example, the batteries may be disposed on the body18, while the motor and pump are disposed on the head20, or all three components may be disposed on the body18or head20. An implement10having a replaceable reservoir30and powered pump may be made according to the teaching of commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,888,006; 5,988,920; 6,142,750; 6,206,058; 6,321,941; 6,328,543; 6,386,392; 6,491,069; 6,579,023; 6,814,519; 6,842,936; 7,172,099 and/or 7,187,537.

Alternatively, fluid may be dispensed from the reservoir30using a gravity fed system. A gravity fed implement10may have the reservoir30mounted above and in fluid communication with one or more spray nozzles30. Fluid flows from the reservoir30to the nozzles30under the influence of gravity. The flow may be controlled by shutoff valves, as is known in the art. A gravity fed implement10having plural nozzles30may be made according to the teachings of U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,540,424; 6,953,299; 6,964,535 and/or 7,004,658.

The fluid may flow from the reservoir30though a flow path to the plurality of nozzles30for dispensing onto the target surface. A check valve40may be disposed in the flow path. The check valve40may have a single inlet42and plural outlets44. The inlet42may receive fluid from the reservoir30. The outlets44may provide the fluid to the nozzles30.

If desired, each nozzle30may have a dedicated outlet44from the check valve40. Alternatively, a plurality of outlets44may feed into a single nozzle30or one outlet44may feed plural nozzles30. For example, each nozzle30may have a dedicated check valve40. However, this arrangement has the disadvantage that unless the check valves40have identical operating characteristics, a non-uniform spray pattern and dribbling from one nozzle30(due to backflow from the other nozzle30) may result.

Referring toFIGS. 3A,3B and3C, the check valve40may comprise a diaphragm46disposed intermediate the inlet42and outlets44. The diaphragm46may be biased against the direction of fluid flow. A spring48may provide the biasing force, as is known in the art. The force of the fluid flow overcomes the spring48force, allowing fluid to flow from the inlet42, past the diaphragm46, to the plurality of outlets44.

When the fluid flow is shut off the spring48returns the diaphragm46to the closed position. In the closed position, air and fluid from the reservoir30cannot communicate between the nozzles30. The absence of communication between the nozzles30is due to the blockage provided by the closed diaphragm45therebetween. The blockage minimizes air flow through one nozzle30, which, in turn, minimizes the flow of fluid from another nozzle30.

Referring back toFIGS. 1A and 1B, the implement10may comprise a plurality of nozzles30. The nozzles30are shown to be disposed onto the head20of the implement10. However, one of skill will recognize the invention is not so limited. The nozzles30may be mounted onto the handle14, body18, head20or a combination thereof. If the nozzles30are disposed on the head20of the implement10, the nozzles30may be juxtaposed with the front face thereof. If the nozzles30are disposed on the front face of the head20, the nozzles30may be recessed behind the front face. This arrangement provides the benefit that the nozzles30are protected if the front edge of the implement10should strike a wall or other solid object.

Each nozzle30may be oriented at a particular azimuthal angle relative to the longitudinal centerline and/or the horizontal plane. The orientation of a nozzle30is determined by the orientation of the centerline of that nozzle30. At least one nozzle30may be disposed on each side of the longitudinal centerline, and spaced equally therefrom.

Each nozzle30may be oriented towards the longitudinal centerline and spray fluid forward and towards the respective opposite side edge. The spray pattern of the fluid may be contained within the width of the head20, if the spray from each nozzle30remains within a theoretical forward extension of the respective opposite side edge. Further each nozzle30may have an included spray angle for depositing the desired spray pattern. Each nozzle30may be oriented towards the longitudinal centerline at an angle of at least 10, 15 or 20 degrees, but not more than 30, 25 or 20 degrees. A nozzle30may have a symmetric included spray angle of at least 40, 50 or 60 degrees, but not more than 80, 70 or 60 degrees. Each nozzle30may be oriented not more than plus or minus 10, 5 or zero degrees relative to the horizontal.

Referring toFIG. 2A, one spray pattern according to the prior art has considerable dry area70between the head20and where the fluid contacts the target surface. Some dribble between the nozzle30and continuous spray pattern is evident. Also evident are two large generally triangular dry areas outside the main flow pattern.

Referring toFIG. 2B, one spray pattern according to the present invention has a triangular dry area70between the head20and where the fluid contacts the target surface. Two relatively small generally triangular dry areas outside the main flow pattern are evident.

ComparingFIGS. 2A and 2B, one can see a large fluid distribution pattern, and hence greater area covered, by the spray pattern according to the present invention. The increased coverage provides more residence time, and hence more solublization, of fluid on the areas covered by the present invention.

As a non-liming prophetic example, in implement10may be provided having two nozzles30oriented at about 40-45 degrees relative to the longitudinal centerline. Each nozzle may have an included angle of spray of about 80-85 degrees and spray forward a distance of at least about 50 cm. Such an arrangement might prophetically provide the uniform spray pattern which provides relatively greater residence time for more debris on the target surface. The nozzle geometry may be adjusted to prevent spray from intercepting the front face of the head20.

Referring back toFIG. 2B, one nozzle30may be disposed on each outboard quadrant of the front face of the head20. This arrangement provides a geometry where the nozzles30are spaced apart, as measured between nozzle30orifices, a distance of at least 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55 or 60 cm or more. Such a geometry provides the benefit of more area coverage by fluid sprayed from the pair of nozzles30. Additionally, one or more nozzles30may be juxtaposed with or coincident the longitudinal centerline. Thus, a symmetric spray pattern implement10may have two nozzles30, one disposed on each side of the longitudinal centerline, three nozzles30if a nozzle30is added to the longitudinal centerline, four nozzles30if two are disposed on each side of the longitudinal centerline, five nozzles30if one is added to the longitudinal centerline, etc.

If desired, each nozzle30may have an asymmetric spray pattern. The asymmetric pattern may provide greater spray near the outer edges of the head20than near the longitudinal centerline. Such a nozzle may have an asymmetric opening, allowing greater flow to occur juxtaposed with the outer edges of the spray pattern. This distribution of the spray may prophetically provide a visual cue to the user where the boundaries of the spray hit the target surface. If the boundaries of the spray generally correspond to the width of the head20, the user may prophetically have the added convenience of cleaning a more uniform distribution of cleaning fluid directly in front of the head20and on the area sought to be cleaned.

This differential spray pattern provides the benefit that the heavier deposition of fluid near the outer edges along the width of the head20provides a visual clue to the user where the fluid is deposited. By depositing the fluid where debris is disposed on the target surface, the user can spray more fluid on such debris, and increase the residence time of such fluid on the debris. The spray pattern may be determined by placing the implement10on a horizontal surface and disposing a piece of brown kraft paper in front of the implement10. The spray is deposited on the kraft paper and the spray pattern determined by the darkened/wetted regions thereof.

If desired, the implement10may further comprise an abrasive patch60. The abrasive patch60may comprise any material which acts to remove debris without damaging the target surface. Such a patch60may comprise a blend of adhesively bonded nylon and polyester fibers, as is known in the art.

The patch60may be disposed on the head20of the implement10. If desired, the patch60may be disposed on the front face of the implement10. This arrangement provides the advantage that if the head20is inverted, the abrasive patch60is downwardly oriented and may be used to scrub debris from the target surface. Further, if the converging spray pattern is utilized with the front face-mounted abrasive patch60, the nozzles30will spray towards the debris disposed on the target surface. This process provides the benefit of providing both a fluid spray and scrubbing action to remove debris from the target surface.

The abrasive patch60may be removably or permanently attached to the head20of the cleaning implement10. If the abrasive patch60is removably attached to the cleaning implement10, the abrasive patch60may be removably attached using adhesive, hook material, etc., as is known in the art.

The abrasive patch60may have a width of at least 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 or 100 percent of the width between the two nozzles30disposed on the front face of the head20or of the total width of the head. This geometry provides an advantageous system for removal of debris from the target surface.

In another embodiment (not shown), the plural nozzles30may be mounted on a cross-bar which is disposed on the pole14. The cross bar may be an integral part of the sleeve32. The cross bar may space the plural nozzles30apart, so that the same orientation described hereinabove and claimed hereinbelow is achieved. Such an embodiment is considered to be a juxtaposition or disposition of such nozzles30on the head20.