Microfiber cleaning apparatus with cleaning pad removal feature

A cleaning apparatus is comprised of an elongate handle and a cleaning head at one end of the handle. The cleaning head includes a pair of panels that can be moved relative to each other. The panels support a micro fiber cleaning pad. The cleaning pad can be released from the panels after use without manually touching the pad, thereby enabling disposal of a contaminated cleaning pad while reducing the potential for cross contamination to a user of the apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The present invention pertains to a cleaning apparatus that is comprised of an elongate handle and a cleaning head at one end of the handle. The cleaning head is comprised of a pair of panels that can be moved relative to each other. The pair of panels support a micro fiber cleaning pad. The cleaning pad can be released from the panels after use without manually touching the pad, thereby enabling disposal of a contaminated cleaning pad while reducing the potential for cross contamination to a user of the apparatus.

(2) Description of the Related Art

It has been a recent trend in the design of apparatus that are used in cleaning surfaces such as floors and walls to employ micro fiber cleaning pads. For example, current designs of floor mops include a mop head having a micro fiber cleaning pad removably attached to the mop head, whereby the pad can be disposed of or laundered after use.

In order that the cleaning pad be easily removable from the mop head, the mop head is typically designed with clips or other similar types of features. The features removably hold the cleaning pad to the mop head without requiring separate fasteners on the mop head, and without requiring the use of tools in attaching and removing the micro fiber cleaning pad from the mop head.

However, although tools or separate fasteners are not required to attach the micro fiber cleaning pad to the mop head, it is still necessary that the cleaning pad be manually handled when removing the pad from the mop head. Where the micro fiber cleaning pad has been used to clean surfaces of materials that could be hazardous to touch, or where the used cleaning pad is simply undesirable to touch, the task of removing the used cleaning pad from the mop head is, in the least, particularly undesirable, and could be hazardous to the person performing the cleaning task.

What is needed to overcome this disadvantage associated with apparatus that employ micro fiber cleaning pads and other similar types of cleaning pads is a way of removing the used cleaning pad from the apparatus without requiring the manual handling of the used cleaning pad.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The micro fiber cleaning apparatus of the present invention overcomes the disadvantages associated with prior art apparatus in that it provides a way of removing a used cleaning pad from the apparatus without requiring manually handling the used cleaning pad. The apparatus of the invention is described herein in several embodiments, all of which enable removal of a used cleaning pad from the apparatus without requiring manually touching the cleaning pad. The concept of the invention is described employed on a floor mop apparatus. However, this should not be interpreted as limiting as the concept of the invention may be equally well suited for use in other equivalent types of apparatus.

The apparatus of the invention is basically comprised of a mop head, a micro fiber cleaning pad or other equivalent type of cleaning pad that is removably attached to one side of the mop head, and an elongate handle that is attached to the opposite side of the mop head. The mop head of the invention has a unique construction that enables a user of the apparatus to remove the cleaning pad from the mop head without manually touching the cleaning pad or the mop head.

The mop head is basically comprised of an upper panel, a lower panel, and a cleaning pad. In the preferred embodiment of the invention the cleaning pad is a micro fiber cleaning pad that has a general rectangular configuration. The upper panel is positioned on top of the lower panel, and the lower panel is positioned on top of the cleaning pad. The upper panel and lower panel are connected together by a hinge connection at one of the edges of each panel. The connection enables the upper panel and the lower panel to be pivoted relative to each other.

In each configuration of the apparatus of the invention, the cleaning pad preferably has a rectangular configuration with opposite top and bottom surfaces. The bottom surface of the pad is configured as the pad cleaning surface. The top surface of the pad is designed to be removably attached to the mop head of the apparatus. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the pad top surface has one or more releasable connector members, for example a loop portion or a hook portion of a Velcro® type fastener.

The lower panel has basically the same size and configuration as the cleaning pad. One or more openings are provided through the lower panel between a top surface of the lower panel and a bottom surface of the lower panel. When the top surface of the cleaning pad is positioned against the bottom surface of the lower panel, the connector members on the cleaning pad top surface are exposed through the lower panel openings.

The upper panel has basically the same size and configuration as the lower panel. The upper panel is connected to the lower panel for movement of the upper panel between first and second positions of the upper panel relative to the lower panel. In the first position, a bottom surface of the upper panel is positioned against the top surface of the lower panel. One or more releasable connectors are provided on the bottom surface of the upper panel. The connectors are positioned to extend through the openings of the lower panel when the upper panel is in the first position relative to the lower panel. In this manner, the connector members on the bottom surface of the upper panel extend through the openings of the lower panel and engage with the connector members on the cleaning pad, thereby releasably connecting the cleaning pad to the mop head. When the upper panel is moved from its first position to its second position relative to the lower panel, the connector members on the upper panel are pulled away from the connector members on the cleaning pad. This releases the cleaning pad from the mop head.

In the first embodiment of the apparatus, the mop head top panel is provided with projections that extend outwardly from a forward edge of the upper panel and a rearward edge of the upper panel. An opening is formed through the center of the upper panel exposing the lower panel beneath the upper panel. A handle of the apparatus is connected to the lower panel through the opening in the upper panel.

A specialized bucket is provided for use with the mop head of the first embodiment. The bucket has a top opening with edge portions on opposite sides of the opening that are dimensioned to engage against the projections of the mop head upper panel.

In use of the first embodiment of the apparatus, when the cleaning pad is designed to be replaced, the mop head is positioned over the top opening of the specialized bucket. The projections extending from the opposite forward and rearward edges of the mop head upper panel are engaged against the edge portions of the bucket that surround the bucket opening. This engagement of the upper panel projections with the edge portions of the bucket holds the mop head upper panel stationary over the top opening of the bucket. When the user presses downwardly on the apparatus handle, the handle pushes the lower panel downwardly relative to the upper panel into the bucket opening. This causes the upper panel and the lower panel of the mop head to move to their second relative positions. This in turn causes the cleaning pad to separate from the upper panel and fall into the bucket interior. In this manner, the cleaning pad is removed from the apparatus without requiring manually touching the cleaning pad.

In the other embodiments of the apparatus, the cleaning pad is removed from the mop head in basically the same manner, without requiring touching the cleaning pad.

The second and third embodiments of the apparatus include actuators that are mounted on the apparatus handle for sliding movement. The actuators are operatively connected to the mop head upper panel. On reciprocating movement of the actuator on the apparatus handle, the actuator moves the mop head upper panel from its first position relative to the lower panel, to its second position relative to the lower panel. This causes the cleaning pad to be separated from the mop head without requiring manually touching the cleaning pad.

In a fourth embodiment of the apparatus, the handle is connected to the mop head upper panel. The upper panel is also provided with an opening at a central portion of the upper panel that exposes the lower panel beneath the upper panel. The actuator mounted on the apparatus handle has a projecting prong that is positioned to pass through the opening in the upper panel and engage against the lower panel. The engagement of the prong against the lower panel pushes the lower panel away from the upper panel, and thereby moves the upper panel and lower panel from their first relatives to their second relative positions. This movement of the upper and lower panels causes the cleaning pad to separate away from the mop head without requiring manually touching the cleaning pad.

All of the embodiments of the apparatus discussed above provide the advantage of enabling a used cleaning pad to be separated from the apparatus without requiring manually touching the cleaning pad.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The micro fiber cleaning apparatus of the present invention is provided in several different embodiments, all of which enable removal of a cleaning pad from the apparatus without requiring manually touching the cleaning pad. In the description to follow, the concept of the invention is described employed on a floor mop apparatus. It should be understood that this environment of the concept of the invention is illustrative only, and is not intended to limit the concept of the invention to use on only floor mops. The concept of the invention may be used on various different types of apparatus that support a cleaning pad in use.

Each embodiment of the apparatus of the invention to be described is basically comprised of a mop head, a micro fiber cleaning pad or other equivalent type of cleaning pad that is removably attached to the mop head, and an elongate handle that is attached to and extends from the mop head. Each of the component parts of the invention, apart from the micro fiber cleaning pad, can be constructed of a plastic material as is conventional in the art. Furthermore, although the apparatus of the invention is described as comprising a micro fiber cleaning pad, other types of cleaning pads may be used with the invention.

FIG. 1shows a first embodiment of the apparatus of the invention. The apparatus is basically comprised of a mop head that includes a lower panel12and an upper panel14, a cleaning pad16that is removably attached to the mop head, and a handle18that extends from the mop head. These basic component parts of the apparatus are employed in each embodiment of the apparatus to be described.

The cleaning pad16has a rectangular configuration with opposite top22and bottom24surfaces. The pad has a peripheral edge26that gives the pad its rectangular configuration and separates the pad top surface22from the pad bottom surface24. The bottom surface24of the pad is configured as the pad cleaning surface. The top surface22of the pad is designed to be removably attached to the mop head of the apparatus.

One or more cleaning pad connector members32are mounted on the cleaning pad top surface22. The connector members32can be separately secured to the cleaning pad top surface22or can be made a part of the cleaning pad. For example, the connector members32could be a loop portion of a loop and hook releasable fastener, such as a Velcro® type fastener. The loop portion of the fastener could be secured to the cleaning pad top surface22as the connector member32, or the material of the cleaning pad itself could function as the loop portion of the fastener.

The lower panel12has basically the same rectangular configuration as the cleaning pad16. The lower panel has opposite top34and bottom36surfaces, and a rectangular peripheral edge38that separates these surfaces. One or more openings42extend through the lower panel. As best seen inFIGS. 2 and 3, the lower panel openings42correspond in shape, dimension, and position with the connector members32on the cleaning pad top surface22. When the cleaning pad top surface22is positioned opposite and/or against the lower panel bottom surface36, the connector members32of the cleaning pad16are exposed through the lower panel openings42.

A handle connector44is provided on a central portion of the lower panel top surface34. The handle connector44in the preferred embodiment of the invention is a universal type coupling that enables pivoting movement about two perpendicular axes of the connector44.

The upper panel14has basically the same size and shape configuration as the lower panel12. The upper panel14has opposite top46and bottom48surfaces that are separated by a rectangular peripheral edge52of the panel. The upper panel bottom surface48is provided with a plurality of projecting surface areas54that can be seen inFIG. 2. The surface areas54are the same in number and have basically the same shape as the lower panel openings42. The surface areas54are positioned on the upper panel bottom surface48in the same spatial arrangement as the openings42in the lower panel12.

A pair of planar projections56project outwardly from one side of the upper panel14. These projections56are basically positioned in the same plane as the upper panel14. A second pair of hooked projections58project outwardly from the opposite side of the upper panel14. As seen inFIG. 1, the hooked projections58extend outwardly from the upper panel top surface46and then curve outwardly over the upper panel peripheral edge52, forming the hooked configurations of the projections.

A connector mechanism in the form of a hinge assembly62,64connects the upper panel14to the lower panel12. The connector mechanism62,64enables relative movement between the lower panel12and the upper panel14. Other types of connector mechanisms that enable relative movement between the two panels could be used in lieu of the hinge assembly of the connector mechanism62,64. As shown in the drawing figures, the hinges of the connector mechanisms62,64connect the lower panel12to the upper panel14along one edge of each of the two panels. The connection enables relative movement between the lower panel12and the upper panel14where the upper panel moves between first and second positions of the upper panel relative to the lower panel.FIG. 1shows the first position of the upper panel14relative to the lower panel12where the upper panel bottom surface48directly opposes the lower panel top surface34. In this position of the upper panel14, the projecting surface areas54on the upper panel bottom surface48extend through the openings42in the lower panel12.FIG. 2shows the relative positions of the lower panel12and the upper panel14where the upper panel has been moved to its second position relative to the lower panel. In the second position of the upper panel14, the upper panel bottom surface48no longer opposes the lower panel top surface34, and the projecting surface areas54on the upper panel14have been removed from the openings42in the lower panel12.

The upper panel14is provided with a central opening66in the area of the handle connector44on the lower panel12. This enables the handle connector44to extend through the upper panel central opening66when the upper panel14is moved to its first position relative to the lower panel12shown inFIG. 1.

A plurality of upper panel connector members72are provided on the projecting surface areas54of the upper panel14. The upper panel connector members72are releasably connectable to the cleaning pad connector members32by being pressed against the cleaning pad connector members. The upper panel connector members72are removable from the cleaning pad connector members32by being pulled from the cleaning pad connector members. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the upper panel connector members72are the other of a loop portion or a hook portion of a Velcro® type fastener from the portion of the fastener employed as the cleaning pad connector members32. Other equivalent types of connector mechanisms may be used.

When the upper panel14is moved to its first position relative to the lower panel12, the projecting surface areas54on the upper panel position the upper panel connector members72in engagement with the cleaning pad connector members32when the cleaning pad16it is positioned adjacent the lower panel bottom surface36. When the upper panel14is moved to its second position relative to the lower panel12shown inFIG. 2, the upper panel connector members72are separated from the cleaning pad connector members32and the cleaning pad16is free to separate from the lower panel12and the upper panel14.

The handle18is connected to the handle connector44of the mop head. The handle18is preferably an elongate rod having opposite proximal74and distal76ends. The handle proximal end74is secured to the handle connector44, and thereby the handle18is secured to the lower panel12and the upper panel14. The universal connection provided by the handle connector44enables the lower panel12, upper panel14and cleaning pad16of the mop head to pivot along two perpendicular axes relative to the handle18in use of the cleaning apparatus of the invention.

FIG. 5shows a specialized bucket that is designed for use with the first embodiment of the apparatus described. The bucket82has a bottom wall and a plurality of side walls that give the bucket a general cubic configuration. The bucket side walls terminate at top edges84of the side walls that surround a top opening86of the bucket.

In the particular embodiment of the bucket82shown inFIG. 5, a rod88extends across the bucket opening86. The opposite ends of the rod88are secured to opposite side wall top edges84of the bucket. As shown inFIG. 5, the rod88is positioned over the bucket opening86to enable insertion of the mop head cleaning pad16, lower panel12and upper panel14over the bucket opening86between the rod88and an adjacent bucket side wall top edge84.

The positioning of the rod88relative to the bucket top edge84enables the mop head of the apparatus to be positioned over the bucket opening86, with the upper panel planar projections56engaging against the side wall top edge84and the upper panel hooked projections58engaging over the rod88. This supports the upper panel14over the bucket opening86as shown inFIG. 5. In the relative positions of the lower panel12, the upper panel14and the cleaning pad16shown inFIG. 5, the cleaning pad16is held to the lower panel bottom surface36by the releasable engagement between the cleaning pad connector members32and the upper panel connector members72through the lower panel openings42. With the upper panel14supported on the bucket82as shown inFIG. 5, pushing downwardly on the handle18will cause the lower panel12to separate from the upper panel14. The lower panel12pivots about the connector mechanism62,64and passes through the bucket opening86while the upper panel14is supported on the bucket top edge84and the bucket rod88. This relative movement between the lower panel12and the upper panel14causes the upper panel connector members72on the upper panel projecting surface areas54to be pulled out of the lower panel openings42, causing the upper panel connector members72to disconnect from the cleaning pad connector members32. This releases the cleaning pad16from its connection to the upper panel14, and the cleaning pad16falls away from the lower panel12into the bucket82. In this manner the cleaning pad16can be separated from the mop head of the apparatus without requiring manually touching the cleaning pad.

FIGS. 6 and 7show a second embodiment of the apparatus of the invention. The cleaning pad16used with the second embodiment of the apparatus is the same as that employed with the first embodiment. Therefore, the cleaning pad16is not shown inFIGS. 6 and 7. The lower panel12of the mop head is also basically the same as the lower panel12employed in the first embodiment of the apparatus of the invention. Therefore, the features of the lower panel12shown inFIGS. 6 and 7are labeled with the same reference numbers employed in describing the lower panel12of the first embodiment of the apparatus. The upper panel14of the mop head shown inFIGS. 6 and 7is also basically the same as the upper panel of the first embodiment of the apparatus. Therefore, features of the upper panel14shown inFIGS. 6 and 7that are the same as those of the first embodiment of the apparatus are labeled by the same reference numbers.

The upper panel14ofFIGS. 6 and 7is different from that of the first embodiment in that it does not have the planar projections56and the hooked projections58of the first embodiment. Instead, the upper panel14has a pair of spaced flanges92that project upwardly from the upper panel top surface46. The flanges92are spaced from each other and are positioned between the upper panel peripheral edge52and the central opening66through the upper panel.

An actuator connector94that has basically the same construction as the handle connector44is mounted between the upper panel flanges92. The actuator connector94is a universal type of connector that is capable of pivoting about two mutually perpendicular axes.

An actuator rod96is connected to the actuator connector94. The actuator rod96has a length with a proximal end having fork prongs98pivotally connected to opposite sides of the actuator connector94. This connection of the actuator rod96to the upper panel14by the actuator connector94and the upper panel flanges92allows the rod96to pivot through two mutually perpendicular planes relative to the upper panel14. The opposite distal end of the actuator rod96is formed with a pair of distal end prongs102.

A tubular actuator sleeve104is mounted on the handle18for reciprocating sliding movement of the sleeve over the handle. A sleeve flange106projects outwardly from the sleeve proximal end and is connected by a pivot pin connection to the actuator rod distal end prongs102. This provides an operative connection between the actuator sleeve104and the mop head upper panel14.

The operative connection between the actuator sleeve104and the mop head upper panel14controls movement of the upper panel14between its first and second positions relative to the lower panel12by reciprocating movements of the actuator sleeve104on the handle18. Movement of the actuator sleeve104toward the mop head moves the upper panel14to its first position relative to the lower panel12. Movement of the actuator sleeve104away from the mop head moves the upper panel14away from the lower panel12to its second position relative to the lower panel. Movement of the upper panel14from its first position to its second position relative to the lower panel12in response to movement of the actuator sleeve104on the handle18also causes the cleaning pad16to separate from the mop head in the same manner as the first embodiment of the apparatus. Thus, by moving the actuator sleeve104on the handle18away from the mop head, the cleaning pad16is released from its connection to the upper panel14of the second embodiment of the apparatus, and the cleaning pad16falls away from the lower panel12. In this manner, the cleaning pad16can be separated from the mop head of the second embodiment of the apparatus shown inFIGS. 6 and 7without requiring manually touching the cleaning pad.

FIGS. 8 and 9show a third embodiment of the apparatus of the invention. The third embodiment of the apparatus is basically the same in construction as the second embodiment, except that the length of the upper panel flanges112are shorter than those of the second embodiment. In addition, the length of the actuator rod114in the third embodiment is shorter than that of the second embodiment. The pair of lower panel flanges116that pivotally support the handle connector118on the mop head lower panel12are also longer than those of the first and second embodiments, whereby the handle connector118extends a slightly greater distance through the upper panel central opening66. These differences in construction enable the handle18to be oriented at an angle relative to the mop head, where the angled orientation of the handle18is reversed 180° from that of the handle relative to the mop head in the first and second embodiments of the apparatus. Thus, where the mop head connector mechanism62connecting the upper14and lower12panels of the first and second embodiments is at the trailing edge of the mop head when the mop head is pushed by the handle, in the third embodiment shown inFIGS. 8 and 9, the connector mechanism62is at the leading edge of the mop head when the mop head is pushed by the handle18. Apart from these differences, the operation of the third embodiment of the apparatus shown inFIGS. 8 and 9is basically the same as that of the previously described second embodiment of the apparatus shown inFIGS. 6 and 7.

FIGS. 10 and 11show a fourth embodiment of the apparatus of the invention. Again, the cleaning pad16used with the fourth embodiment of the apparatus is the same as that employed with the first embodiment. Therefore, the cleaning pad16is not shown inFIGS. 10 and 11. The lower panel12of the mop head is also basically the same as the lower panel12employed in the first embodiment of the apparatus of the invention. Therefore, the features of the lower panel12shown inFIGS. 10 and 11are labeled with the same reference numbers employed in describing the lower panel12of the first embodiment of the apparatus. The upper panel14of the mop head shown inFIGS. 10 and 11is also basically the same as the upper panel of the first embodiment of the apparatus. Therefore, the features of the upper panel14shown inFIGS. 10 and 11that are the same as those of the first embodiment of the apparatus are labeled by the same reference numbers.

The lower panel12ofFIGS. 10 and 11is different from that of the first embodiment in that it does not have the handle connector44projecting upwardly from the middle of the lower panel top surface34. Apart from this one difference, the lower panel12of the fourth embodiment of the apparatus shown inFIGS. 10 and 11is basically the same in construction as the lower panel12of the first described embodiment. As in the first described embodiment, the connector mechanisms62,64connects the lower panel12to the upper panel14along side edges of each of the two panels.

The upper panel14ofFIGS. 10 and 11is different of that of the first embodiment in that it does not have the planar projections56and the hooked projections58of the first embodiment. In addition, the upper panel14does not have the central opening66of the first embodiment. Instead, the upper panel14of the fourth embodiment shown inFIGS. 10 and 11is provided with a pair of upper panel flanges122that project upwardly from the central portion of the upper panel top surface46. The handle connector124is mounted between the pair of flanges122for pivoting movement of the connector relative to flanges. As in the first embodiment, the handle connector124is a universal connector that allows pivoting movement about two mutually perpendicular axes. The upper panel14of the fourth embodiment shown inFIGS. 10 and 11also differs from that of the first embodiment in that it is provided with a central opening126through the upper panel that is positioned on an opposite side of the pair of upper panel flanges122from the connector mechanism62.

Fork prongs at the handle proximal end74are connected to the handle connector124. The connection provided by the handle connector124allows the handle18to pivot through two mutually perpendicular planes relative to the mop head.

A tubular actuator sleeve128is mounted on the handle18for reciprocating sliding movement of the sleeve over the handle. A pair of sleeve prongs132,134project outwardly from the sleeve proximal end. As seen inFIGS. 10 and 11, one of the sleeve prongs132is longer than the other of the sleeve prongs134. The longer sleeve prong132is positioned on the handle18so that it aligns with the upper panel opening126.

As in the previously described embodiments, reciprocation of the actuator sleeve128on the handle18controls the movement of the upper panel14between its first and second positions relative to the lower panel12. By moving the actuator sleeve128from its position shown inFIG. 10, toward the mop head as shown inFIG. 11, the longer actuator sleeve prong132will pass through the upper panel opening126and engage against the lower panel top surface34. With the upper panel14secured to the handle18by the handle connector124, the movement of the actuator sleeve128toward the mop head causes the longer actuator sleeve prong132to push the lower panel12away from the upper panel14. The movement of the upper panel14from its first position relative to the lower panel12shown inFIG. 10to its second position relative to the lower panel12shown inFIG. 11causes the cleaning pad16to separate from the mop head in the same manner as the first embodiment of the apparatus. Thus, by moving the actuator sleeve128on the handle18toward the mop head, the longer actuator sleeve prong132causes relative movement between the lower panel12and upper panel14. This relative movement of the panels causes the cleaning pad16to be released from its connection to the upper panel14, and the cleaning pad16falls away from the lower panel12. In this manner, the cleaning pad16can be separated from the mop head of the fourth embodiment of the apparatus shown inFIGS. 10 and 11without requiring manually touching the cleaning pad.

All of the embodiments of the apparatus discussed above provide the advantage of enabling a used cleaning pad to be separated from the apparatus mop head without requiring manually touching the cleaning pad.

Although the subject matter of the invention has been described above by reference to particular embodiments, it should be understood that modifications and variations may be made to the invention without departing from the intended scope of protection provided by the following claims.