A CLEANER HEAD FOR A CLEANING APPLIANCE

A cleaner head for a cleaning appliance including a housing having a front side, a rear side, and first and second sides which extend between the front side and the rear side, the housing further including a floor facing surface which extends between the front side, rear side and first and second sides which, in use, faces a surface to be cleaned. A floor engaging device is connected to the floor facing surface of the housing and which extends laterally between the first and second sides of the housing, said floor engaging device including a first portion for absorbing liquid from a surface to be cleaned; and a second portion positioned closer to either a front side or a rear side of the housing, said second portion being relatively stiff compared to the first portion.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a cleaner head for a cleaning appliance. In particular, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a cleaner head for a multi-floor, or wet/dry, vacuum cleaner.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect of the invention we provide a cleaner head for a cleaning appliance, including:

a housing having a front side, a rear side, and first and second sides which extend between the front side and the rear side, the housing further including a floor facing surface which extends between the front side, rear side and first and second sides which, in use, faces a surface to be cleaned; and a floor engaging device which is connected to the floor facing surface of the housing and which extends laterally between the first and second sides of the housing, said floor engaging device including:

a first portion for absorbing liquid from a surface to be cleaned; and

a second portion positioned closer to either a front side or a rear side of the housing, said second portion being relatively stiff compared to the first portion.

The floor engaging device may include a third portion positioned to the side generally opposite the second portion, e.g. the rear side or front side. The third portion may be relatively stiff compared to the first portion.

The second portion may include a plurality of bristles for guiding liquid from a surface to be cleaned towards the first portion.

The plurality of bristles may be arranged in tufts.

The first portion may have a free end. The second portion may have a free end. The free end of the second portion may be positioned further away from the floor facing surface of the housing than the free end of the first portion.

The first portion may include first and second lateral ends. The second portion may include first and second lateral ends. The first and second lateral ends of the second portion are the same, or substantially the same, distance from the first and second sides of the housing as the first and second lateral ends of the first portion.

The first portion may include first and second lateral ends. The second portion may include first and second lateral ends. The first and second lateral ends of the second portion may be closer, respectively, to the first and second sides of the housing that the first and second lateral ends of the first portion.

The first portion may have a length between its first and second lateral ends. The second portion may have a length between its first and second lateral ends. The first and second portions may be at least partially in contact along their respective lengths.

The second portion may be positioned adjacent, preferably directly adjacent, the first portion.

The second portion may be formed from a plastics material.

The third portion may include one or more or all of the features of the second portion as set forth above in respect of the first aspect of the invention.

The third portion may be substantially the same as the second portion.

The first portion may include a microfibre material.

The first portion may include a felt material.

According to a second aspect of the invention we provide a cleaning appliance including a cleaner head according to the first aspect of the invention.

The cleaning appliance may include a source of suction and a dust collection container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIG.1there is shown a surface cleaning appliance1according to an embodiment of the invention. The surface cleaning appliance1is, in embodiments a wet/dry vacuum cleaner, or multi-floor, cleaner. The surface cleaning appliance1includes a main body2and a cleaner head10. The surface cleaning appliance1may rest on the cleaner head10in use and/or when in a stored position. The main body2may be connected to the cleaner10. In embodiments the main body2may be pivotably connected to the cleaner head10. The connection between the main body2and the cleaner head10may permit the main body to pivot in a fore-aft direction in which the cleaner is moved during use and to respective left and right sides of the cleaner head10which are generally perpendicular, or perpendicular, to the fore-aft direction in which the cleaner is moved during use. In embodiments the pivotal connection may permit the main body2to sit within a periphery of the cleaner head10, i.e. within front, rear and first and second sides of the cleaner head10(described in more detail below), so that a centre of gravity of the surface cleaning appliance1is positioned within a footprint of the cleaner head10. This permits the surface cleaning appliance to be stored in an upright position. To permit this pivotal connection an outlet pipe9is provided between the cleaner head10and the main body2. The outlet pipe9is relatively flexible and ensures that the pivotal connection between the main body2and cleaner10can function. The outlet pipe9is fluidly connected to a dirty air outlet of the cleaner head and to a dirt collection container5. This is described in more detail below.

It should be appreciated that in other embodiments the main body2may be fixed in position with respect to the cleaner head10. In further envisaged embodiments the surface cleaning appliance1may be a cylinder style cleaner. In such embodiments the surface cleaning appliance may include a wand, a first end of which is connected to the outlet pipe9and a second end of which is connected to the cleaner head10.

The surface cleaning appliance includes a handle3for a user to grasp. The handle3may be positioned above the main body2. In embodiments the handle3may be positioned at a top of the surface cleaning appliance1.

The main body2houses a source of suction, e.g. a motor, fan, impeller, for creating a vacuum (not shown). In some embodiments the motor may be a brushless motor. The source of suction may be positioned at a top of the main body2. In embodiments, the source of suction may be positioned adjacent the handle3.

A cleaning fluid supply tank4for holding a cleaning fluid is supported on the main body2. In use, the cleaning fluid supply tank4receives fluid for cleaning a surface to be cleaned. For example, the cleaning fluid supply tank may receive a pre-mixed cleaning solution for cleaning a surface. In other embodiments the cleaning fluid supply tank4may receive water to which a concentrated cleaning solution is added, either in the cleaning fluid supply tank or subsequently from a further cleaning fluid supply tank (not shown) of the cleaning appliance1. The cleaning fluid supply tank4is releasably connectable to the main body2, although it could be fixed in the main body2. In embodiments, the cleaning fluid supply tank4is received, at least partially, within a recess on an exterior surface of the main body2. A fluid inlet (not shown) is provided in the recess to which the cleaning fluid supply tank4is fluidly connectable. The cleaning fluid supply tank4is positioned on a rear of the main body2with respect to a fore-aft direction in which the cleaner is moved during use. The cleaning fluid supply tank4is also positioned close to, or adjacent, the source of suction.

The fluid inlet is fluidly connected to a cleaning fluid dispensing device6on the cleaner head10. In embodiments the cleaning fluid dispensing device is at least one spray nozzle6. The at least one spray nozzle6sprays cleaning fluid onto an agitator of the cleaner head10. The at least one spray nozzle may alternatively, or additionally, spray cleaning fluid onto a surface to be cleaned. The cleaning fluid dispensing device is fluidly connected to the fluid inlet via fluid channels which extend from and through the main body2to the cleaner head10. This permits fluid from the cleaning fluid supply tank4to be conveyed to the cleaning fluid dispending device6.

The main body2also supports a dirt collection container5which is fluidly connected to the source of suction. The dirt collection container5is also fluidly connected to the dirty air outlet of the cleaner head by the outlet pipe9. The dirt collection container may include an air/liquid separator to separate any dirty cleaning fluid, and dirt entrained therein, which has been suctioned from the surface to be cleaned from the air. The dirt collection container5is releasably connectable to the main body2of the cleaning appliance1, although it could be fixed in the body2. The dirt collection container is also provided in a lower half of the main body2, closer to the cleaner head10than the handle3. The dirt collection container5is provided on a front of the main body with respect to a fore-aft direction in which the cleaner is moved during use. The dirt collection container5may support a bag or other receptacle for holding collected dirt, with the bag or other receptacle being removable for discarding the collected dirt.

The cleaner head10is described in more detail below with reference toFIGS.2to10.

In the present embodiment the cleaner head10includes wheels22,24which are positioned at a rear side16of the cleaner head10. In embodiments, the wheels22,24are positioned either side of the outlet pipe9which fluidly connects a dirty air outlet26of the cleaner head10to the dirt collection container5. As can be seen inFIG.4, further wheels21,23are provided on a floor facing surface of the cleaner head10. The wheels22,24and further wheels21,23permit the surface cleaning appliance1to move across a surface to be cleaned. In other embodiments the cleaner head10may be provided with a roller instead of, or in addition to, the wheels22,24positioned at the rear side16of the cleaner head10.

The cleaner head10includes a housing12which is movable along a surface to be cleaned. The housing12also includes a front side14and first and second sides, e.g. left and right sides,18,20which extend between the front side14and the rear side16. The front side14, rear side16, and first and second sides18,20define a periphery which defines a footprint of the cleaner head10. The housing12includes a floor facing surface28which is described in more detail below.

The housing12includes a top surface25. The top surface25extends between the front side14, rear side16and first and second sides18,20. In use, the top surface25faces away from a surface to be cleaned.

The cleaner head10also includes an agitator11rotatable about an axis R within a chamber13at least partially defined by the housing12. The axis R is generally parallel to a surface to be cleaned and orthogonal to a fore-aft direction in which the cleaner is moved during use. The agitator11is formed as a generally cylindrical member with a microfibre material117on its outer surface113. The microfibre material117may be tufted. Bristles118may be interspersed with the microfibre material. The bristles118may be provided in tufts in a helical pattern on the outer surface of the agitator11.

The floor facing surface28extends between the front side14, rear side16and first and second sides18,20. In use the floor facing surface28faces a surface to be cleaned. The floor facing surface28includes a floor engaging device30and a wiper device70. The floor engaging device30is positioned rearwardly of the wiper device70. The floor facing surface28includes a dirty air inlet27through which dirt entrained air and dirty cleaning fluid may be received by the cleaner head10. The dirty air inlet27extends between a portion of the agitator which contacts the surface to be cleaned in use and the wiper device70.

The chamber13at least partially surrounds the agitator11. The chamber13is at least partially defined by a rear chamber wall200. The rear chamber wall200defines the dirty air outlet26. The dirty air outlet26is fluidly connected to the chamber13. The chamber13is also fluidly connected to the dirty air inlet27which faces the surface to be cleaned.

A floor engaging device30is connected to the floor facing surface28of the housing12and extends laterally between (but not all the way to each respective side, although they could) the first and second sides18,20of the housing12for wiping, or engaging, a surface to be cleaned. In embodiments the floor engaging device30extends generally linearly between the first and second sides18,20of the housing12. The floor engaging device30is positioned between the dirty air inlet27and the rear side16of the housing12. In other words, the floor engaging device30is positioned rearwardly of the dirty air inlet27. A further wiper device, in this example a squeegee,70is positioned between the dirty air inlet27and the floor engaging device30.

The floor engaging device30includes a first portion40for absorbing liquid from a surface to be cleaned. The first portion40includes first and second lateral ends64,66. The first portion40has a length between the first and second lateral ends64,66. The first portion40extends generally linearly between the first and second sides18,20of the housing12. In embodiments, the first portion40extends generally parallel to the axis R of the agitator11.

In the present embodiment the first portion is formed from felt, for example similar to that on a lint pick-up strip for a vacuum cleaner head without a rotatable agitator. The felt could be formed from a natural or synthetic fibre. In embodiments the first portion40may be include one or more or all of the following materials: microfibre; open cell foam; flannel; chamois; cloth; cotton; polyester; polyethylene; nylon; or acrylic. However, other absorbent materials could be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The cross-sectional shape/silhouette of the first portion40when viewed in a direction perpendicular, or generally perpendicular, to an axis R of the agitator11, remains substantially the same along its length. The first portion40may be generally trapezoidal (see examples inFIGS.9and10where the configuration of its bristles or tufts creates that general shape) in side cross-sectional view perpendicular, or generally perpendicular, to an axis R of the agitator11. However, in other embodiments (seeFIGS.7and8) the first portion40may be generally square, rectangular, triangular or circular, or any other polygonal shape, in side cross-sectional view perpendicular, or generally perpendicular, to an axis R of the agitator11.

In each example, the first portion40has a free end52and a proximal end72which lies closer to the floor facing surface28. The free end52of the first portion40may be positioned at a distance X away from a base50of the floor engaging device30of between 2.00 to 6.00 mm; preferably 2.50 to 5.00 mm; even more preferably 3.00 to 4.00 mm; and most preferably 3.80 mm. The base50of the floor engaging device30is described in more detail below.

The floor engaging device30includes a second portion42. The second portion42includes first and second lateral ends60,62. The second portion has a length between the first and second lateral ends60,62. The second portion42also extends generally linearly between the first and second sides18,20of the housing12. In embodiments the second portion42extends generally parallel to the axis R of the agitator11. The second portion42is positioned closer to the front side14of the housing12than the first portion40. In embodiments, the second portion42is positioned adjacent, preferably directly adjacent, the first portion40, such that it abuts the first portion40.

The cross-sectional shape/silhouette of the second portion42when viewed in a direction perpendicular, or generally perpendicular, to an axis R of the agitator11, remains substantially the same along its length. In the example shown inFIGS.9and10the second portion42is generally trapezoidal in side cross-sectional view (where the configuration of its bristles or tufts creates that general shape). However, in other embodiments the second portion42may be generally square, rectangular (seeFIGS.7and8), triangular or circular, or any other polygonal shape, in side cross-sectional view perpendicular, or generally perpendicular, to an axis R of the agitator11.

The second portion42also has a free end54and a proximal end74which lies closer to the floor facing surface28. The free end54of the second portion42may be positioned at a distance Y away from the base50of the floor engaging device30of between 2.00 to 6.00 mm; preferably 2.50 to 5.50 mm; even more preferably 3.00 to 5.00 mm; and most preferably 4.50 mm.

The second portion42is relatively stiff compared to the first portion40. The second portion42includes a plurality of bristles43for guiding liquid from a surface to be cleaned towards the first portion40. The bristles43may be arranged in tufts which extend between the first and second sides18,20of the housing12.

The bristles of the second portion42are formed of plastic in the present embodiment. The plastic may include a thermoplastic elastomer and/or PVC. In embodiments, the bristles may be formed of one or more or all of the following materials: PVC; polyethylene; nylon; ABS; or rubber.

The first and second portions40,42may be at least partially in contact along their respective lengths. This is particularly the case where the first and second portions40,42are formed of bristles or tufts.

In embodiments the proximal end74of the second portion42is at least partially in contact with the proximal end72of the first portion40. The proximal end74of the second portion42and the proximal end72of the first portion40are permanently connected to the base50of the floor engaging device30.

The floor engaging device includes a third portion44. The third portion44is positioned closer to the rear side16of the housing12than the first portion40. In other words, the third portion44is positioned further from the agitator11than the first and second portions40,42. In embodiments, the third portion44is positioned adjacent, preferably directly adjacent, the first portion40, such that it abuts the first portion40. The third portion44is substantially the same as, e.g. is a mirror image of, or is identical to, the second portion42, but it need not be.

As mentioned above, the floor engaging device30includes a base50for permitting the floor engaging device30to be connected to the floor facing surface28. The base50includes a pair of formations32,34for permitting connection of the floor engaging device30to the floor facing surface28. The formations32,34are extensions to or from the base50which extend forwardly and rearwardly, respectively, in a plane substantially parallel to the surface28. These formations32,34, in hand with the first, second and third portions40,42,44give the device30a T-shape form in side view.

In embodiments, the floor facing surface28of the housing12includes a floor engaging device holding portion29to hold the floor engaging device30in position. In embodiments the floor engaging device holding portion29is a recess29formed in the floor facing surface28in which the at least one formation32,34is received. In embodiments the floor engaging device30is connected to the floor facing surface by sliding the at least one formation32,34of the base50into the recess29from the first side18of the housing12towards the second side20of the housing12. However, it should be appreciated that other types of holding portion29could be utilised. For example, hook and loop formations, or hook and hook formations could be used to releasably connect the floor engaging device30to the floor facing surface28without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The free end54of the second portion42is positioned further away from the floor facing surface28of the housing12than the free end52of the first portion40. In other words, the free end54of the second portion42is positioned closer to a surface to be cleaned than the free end52of the first portion40. However, in other envisaged embodiments the free end52of the first portion40may be positioned further away from the floor facing surface28of the housing12than the free end54of the second portion42. In other words, in other envisaged embodiments the free end52of the first portion40may be positioned closer to a surface to be cleaned than the free end54of the second portion42.

In the present embodiment first and second ends60,62of the second portion42extend towards the respective first and second sides18,20of the housing12to the same extent as first and second ends64,66of the first portion40. In other words, the first and second ends60,62of the second portion42are in alignment with the first and second ends64,66of the first portion40along planes which extend generally orthogonally to a main axis of the floor engaging device30. However, in other embodiment the second portion42may extend closer to the first and/or second sides18,20of the housing than the first portion40. In embodiments the first and/or second portions40,42may extend laterally across the floor facing surface28of the housing12between the first and second sides18,20of the housing12a distance of at least: 200.00 mm; 210.00 mm; 220.00 mm; 230.00 mm; 240.00 mm; or 250.00 mm; and at most 300.00 mm; 290.00 mm; 280.00 mm; 270.00 mm; 260.00 mm; or 250.00 mm. In the present embodiment the first and second portions40,42extend laterally across the floor facing surface28of the housing12between the first and second sides18,20of the housing12a distance of 248.30 mm.

Although certain example embodiments of the invention have been described, the scope of the appended claims is not intended to be limited solely to these embodiments. The claims are to be construed literally, purposively, and/or to encompass equivalents.