Abstract:
The invention relates to a device for extracting liquid from a wiping covering of a surface wiping device which has a wiping head held on a handle and having two supporting arms, on which the wiping covering is held and which can be pivoted back and forth between a position aligned at right angles to the handle and a position aligned at an angle or parallel to the handle, wherein the device comprises a container, in which a rotatably drivable wiping head holder is arranged, the holder having a receiving area, into which the wiping head can be inserted with the wiping covering. In order to improve the device in such a manner that it has a compact type of construction and the wiping covering can have moisture removed from it with a low consumption of energy, it is suggested in accordance with the invention that the receiving area accommodate the wiping head with supporting arms pivoted forwards in the direction pointing away from the handle, wherein it has stops, on which the supporting arms can abut in the area of their upper side facing away from the wiping covering.

Description:
This application is a continuation of International application No. PCT/EP2004/009150 filed on Aug. 14, 2004. 
   The present disclosure relates to the subject matter disclosed in International application No. PCT/EP2004/009150 of Aug. 14, 2004 and German application No. 103 43 324.4 of Sep. 11, 2003, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and for all purposes. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention relates to a device for extracting liquid from a wiping covering of a surface wiping device, wherein the surface wiping device comprises a wiping head held on a handle and having two supporting arms, on which the wiping covering is held and which are pivotable back and forth between an operative position, in which they are aligned at right angles to the handle, and a folded position, in which they are aligned parallel or at an angle to the handle, wherein the device comprises a container, in which a wiping head holder is held, this holder being drivable for rotation about an axis of rotation and having a receiving area, into which the wiping head with the wiping covering can be inserted. 
   An extraction device of this type is known from DE 102 23 074 C1. A wiping covering held on the wiping head of a surface wiping device can be wrung out with the aid of this device. This offers the possibility of cleaning a soiled surface, in particular, a floor surface with the aid of the surface wiping device in that the wiping head with the wiping covering is moved along the surface to be cleaned and dirt is thereby taken up. The wiping covering can then be rinsed and have moisture removed from it by means of the device without the user coming into contact with the cleaning liquid used. 
   The object of the present invention is to improve a device of the type specified at the outset in such a manner that it has a compact type of construction and the wiping covering can have moisture removed from it with a low consumption of energy. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   This object is accomplished in accordance with the invention, in a device of the generic type, in that the receiving area accommodates the wiping head with supporting arms pivoted forwards in the direction pointing away from the handle, wherein the receiving area has stops, on which the supporting arms can abut in the area of their upper side facing away from the wiping covering. 
   The device according to the invention is used for a surface wiping device, the wiping head of which has two supporting arms which are pivotally mounted. The supporting arms take up an operative position for the cleaning of a surface, in which they are aligned at right angles to the handle of the surface wiping device. In this alignment, the wiping covering is tensioned flat on the underside of the supporting arms and can, therefore, be guided a really along the surface to be cleaned. Subsequently, the wiping covering can be rinsed and then have moisture removed from it. In order to remove moisture from the wiping covering, the two supporting arms can be pivoted forwards in the direction pointing away from the handle so that they take up a folded position, in which the wiping head has a relatively slight radial extension. In this position, the wiping head can be inserted into the receiving area of the extraction device according to the invention. This has the advantage that the receiving area must also have only a relatively slight extension in order to accommodate the wiping head and the wiping covering held on it. 
   In order to remove moisture from the wiping covering, the wiping head holder with a wiping covering positioned in it can be caused to rotate about the axis of rotation of the wiping head holder and on account of the centrifugal force acting on the wiping covering drops of liquid are expelled from the wiping covering so that this has moisture removed from it. In order to counteract any possible imbalance of the rotating wiping head, stops are arranged in the receiving area in accordance with the invention and the supporting arms can abut on these stops in the area of their upper side facing away from the wiping covering. It is ensured by means of the stops that the supporting arms retain their folded position despite the centrifugal force acting on them, wherein the supporting arms have an alignment which is beneficial for the removal of moisture from the wiping covering held on the supporting arms. It has, surprisingly, been shown that with supporting arms folded forwards the wiping covering held thereon can have moisture removed from it reliably with a relatively low use of energy. 
   In order to simplify the handling of the device according to the invention and to avoid the risk of an imbalance of the rotating wiping head, in addition, it is provided in a preferred embodiment for the wiping head holder to have a support member adjacent to the receiving area, on which a central bearing element of the wiping head can be supported, wherein the two supporting arms are held on the bearing element so as to be pivotable. The user can, therefore, insert the wiping head with the wiping covering into the receiving area for the purpose of having moisture removed from the wiping covering, wherein the central bearing element of the wiping head comes to rest on the support member while the two supporting arms held on the bearing element so as to be pivotable are pivoted into their folded position and can be positioned in the receiving area where they can abut on corresponding stops with their upper sides facing away from the wiping covering. 
   The support member can, for example, be designed in the form of a support surface which is recessed in steps and is arranged on a cover of the device. 
   A particularly low degree of residual moisture in the wiping covering can be achieved due to the fact that the receiving area accommodates the wiping head with supporting arms aligned parallel to one another, wherein the receiving area forms a free space accommodating the wiping covering below the supporting arms. With a configuration of this type, the two supporting arms can be pivoted forwards to such an extent in the direction pointing away from the handle that they are aligned essentially parallel to one another, wherein the wiping covering is held at the free ends of the supporting arms and is positioned in front of them. The wiping covering can be introduced into the free space of the receiving area and positioned in it. Subsequently, the wiping head holder can be caused to rotate in order to remove moisture from the wiping covering. 
   It is favorable when the receiving area widens transversely to the direction of insertion of the wiping head. This has the advantage that the wiping covering can be tensioned at least in sections within the free space during rotation of the wiping head holder on account of the centrifugal force acting on it while the two supporting arms are held reliably in their folded position by means of the associated stops since the receiving area has a smaller diameter in its upper end area transverse to the direction of insertion of the wiping head than in its lower end area, in which it forms the free space. 
   It has proven to be advantageous when the free space has a base wall with a central elevation. In particular, it may be provided for the base wall to be curved convexly inwards in a central area in relation to the axis of rotation of the wiping head holder. It may be ensured in a constructionally simple manner by means of the central elevation of the base wall that the wiping covering, which impinges on-the base wall of the free space during the insertion of the wiping head into the receiving area, impinges first of all on the central elevation and during further insertion of the wiping head abuts areally on the base wall. 
   Alternatively to the parallel alignment of the two supporting arms, it may be provided for the receiving area to accommodate the wiping head with supporting arms aligned at an angle to the handle, wherein the wiping head holder has a retaining element holding the wiping covering between the two supporting arms. In contrast to the embodiment explained in the above, the wiping covering in a configuration of this type takes up a position between the two supporting arms aligned at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the handle. A retaining element is used for this purpose. It has been shown that with such an alignment of the wiping covering within the receiving area a particular good removal of moisture from the wiping covering can be achieved without a high expenditure of energy being required for this purpose. 
   The retaining element may be designed, for example, in the form of a base wall of the receiving area, on which the wiping covering can abut areally. For this purpose, it is favorable when the base wall is of a wavy design. 
   In a particularly preferred embodiment, the retaining element is designed as a crossbar which passes through the receiving area. The crossbar may, in this respect, be designed at a distance to the base wall of the receiving area. This has the advantage that the wiping covering can be held in the receiving area without contact in the area between the crossbar and the free ends of the supporting arms. It has been shown that with such an alignment of the wiping covering drops of liquid can be expelled from the wiping covering particularly effectively and so a reliable removal of moisture can be achieved with a relatively low expenditure of energy. 
   It is of particular advantage when the crossbar is aligned at right angles to the axis of rotation of the wiping head holder. As a result, the insertion of the wiping head with the wiping covering into the receiving area can be simplified since the supporting arms are pressed apart in the direction of their respective stops when the free ends of the supporting arms impinge on the crossbar and the wiping covering abuts on the crossbar with its central area. 
   The insertion of the wiping head with wiping covering held thereon can be simplified, in addition, in that the crossbar is held in the receiving area so as to be rotatable about its longitudinal axis since, as a result, the wiping covering can roll along the crossbar if an off-center area of the wiping covering comes to rest on the crossbar first of all. 
   The crossbar is preferably profiled so that the wiping covering abuts on the crossbar essentially only in a punctiform or linear manner. It may, for example, be provided for the crossbar to be designed as a roller which is held in the receiving area so as to be rotatable and has longitudinal grooves. 
   As already explained, it is provided in accordance with the invention for the supporting arms to each abut on at least one stop in the area of their upper side facing away from the wiping covering so that the supporting arms are held in the receiving area so as to be essentially non-pivotable. In this respect, it is favorable when the wiping head holder has two supports which each form a stop for a supporting arm. The supports are preferably movable contrary to the action of an elastic restoring force during the insertion of the wiping head into the receiving area since, as a result, the supports can exert a spring force, which is directed radially inwards in relation to the axis of rotation of the wiping head holder, on the respectively associated supporting arm. 
   In one preferred embodiment, the supports are each mounted so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis aligned at right angles to the axis of rotation. As a result, they may be pivoted about their respective pivot axis between a position located radially inwards in relation to the axis of rotation of the wiping head holder and a position located radially outwards. 
   In order to secure the supporting arms within the receiving area, it is favorable when the container has two pocket-like recesses, into each of which a free end area of a supporting arm can be inserted. The supporting arms can be secured within the container in a constructionally simple manner by means of the pocket-like recesses and so they maintain their alignment during the rotational movement of the wiping head holder practically unaltered and, consequently, imbalances are reliably avoided. 
   In order to simplify the handling of the device according to the invention, it is provided in one preferred embodiment for the wiping head holder to comprise an entry section with two guide members aligned in a V shape relative to one another, wherein the wiping head can be inserted into the receiving area through the entry section. The insertion of the wiping head with wiping covering held thereon into the wiping head holder is simplified as a result of the guide members aligned in a V shape relative to one another. 
   It is of advantage when the guide members can be moved in the direction pointing away from one another in a spring elastic manner since, as a result, the entry section can be spread during the insertion of the wiping head and so the insertion of the wiping head experiences an additional simplification. 
   In one preferred configuration, the guide members each form a slide plate which is held so as to be pivotable and along which the wiping head with the wiping covering can slide into the receiving area. 
   At their respective free end, the slide plates preferably bear a support for abutment on a supporting arm since, as a result, the constructional configuration of the device according to the invention can be simplified, wherein it is ensured that the wiping head with the wiping covering can be introduced into the receiving area in a simple manner and the supporting arms can be secured in the receiving area in order to avoid imbalances during the rotation of the wiping head. 
   In this respect, it is of particular advantage when the slide plate and the associated support are connected to one another in one piece. It may, for example, be provided for the slide plate and the support to be produced from a dimensionally flexible material, preferably from a dimensionally flexible plastic material. 
   The following description of two advantageous embodiments serves to explain the invention in greater detail in conjunction with the drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1 : shows a diagrammatic illustration of a first embodiment of a device according to the invention for rinsing and extracting liquid from a wiping covering held on a wiping head of a surface cleaning device; 
       FIG. 2 : shows a sectional view of the device along line  2 - 2  in  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 3 : shows a simplified plan view of the device according to  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4 : shows a sectional view of a second embodiment of a device according to the invention for rinsing and extracting liquid from a wiping covering held on a wiping head of a surface cleaning device along line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 5 : shows a simplified plan view of the device according to  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 6 : shows a sectional view corresponding to  FIG. 4  with a wiping head inserted into a receiving area of the device. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   A first embodiment of a device according to the invention for extracting liquid from a wiping covering of a surface cleaning device, designated with the reference numeral  10 , is illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 . The surface cleaning device  12  comprises a handle  14  which bears a wiping head  16  at one end with two supporting arms  17 ,  18  which are held on a central wiping head bearing  19  in an articulated manner. The supporting arms  17 ,  18  may be pivoted back and forth between an operative position, which is illustrated by dash-dot lines in  FIG. 1  and in which they are aligned at right angles to the longitudinal axis  20  of the handle  14 , and a folded position, which is illustrated by solid lines in  FIG. 1  and in which they are aligned forwards in the direction pointing away from the handle  14  and arranged parallel to one another. In their operative position, the two supporting arms  17 ,  18  can be fixed on the wiping head bearing  19  via securing means which are not illustrated in the drawings and can be operated by the user. 
   A wiping covering  22  in the form of a textile fabric, preferably a wiping mop, is held at the free ends of the two supporting arms  17 ,  18 . The wiping covering  22  is tensioned flat by the two supporting arms  17  and  18  in their operative position so that it can abut areally on a surface to be cleaned, for example, a floor surface and can be moved along this surface. 
   If the two supporting arms  17 ,  18  take up their folded position pointing forwards, the wiping covering  22  is suspended from the free ends of the supporting arms  17 ,  18 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1  by solid lines. 
   Floor surfaces may be cleaned in the customary manner by means of the surface cleaning device  12 . For this purpose, the wiping covering  22  is moistened and, subsequently, moved along the surface to be cleaned so that, for example, dust can be taken up from the floor surface. Subsequently, the wiping covering  22  is rinsed and moisture removed from it so that it then has only a slight degree of moistness. 
   The device  10  is used in accordance with the invention for the purpose of rinsing and removing moisture from the wiping covering  22 . This device comprises a container in the form of a bucket  24  which has a flat transverse wall  25  which is connected in one piece to longitudinal walls  26 ,  27  which are aligned at right angles in relation to the transverse wall  25  and arranged parallel to one another. The longitudinal walls are connected to one another in one piece on their side facing away from the transverse wall  25  via a curved wall  28  designed in the shape of a semi-cylinder. On the upper side, the specified walls  25  to  28  define a circumferential upper edge  29  of the bucket  24 . 
   A dividing wall  31  curved in the shape of a circular arc is inserted into the bucket  24 ; this dividing wall engages over the upper edge  29  in the area of the longitudinal walls  26 ,  27  approximately in the center with holding elements in the form of lateral holding flanges  32 ,  33  and divides the interior of the bucket  24  into a spinning area  35  and a washing area  36 . 
   A carrying bracket  38  is articulated to the upper edge  29  in the area of the transverse wall  25  and the curved wall  28 , each time in the center, and a carrying handle  39  is held on this bracket in the center. The carrying bracket  38  reaches over the washing area  36  and the spinning area  35  in longitudinal direction of the bucket  24  and can be pivoted between a position resting on the upper edge  29  and a position pivoted upwards. 
   The two longitudinal walls  26 ,  27  are connected to one another in one piece at a clear distance from the dividing wall  31  via a base wall  41  of the bucket  24  which is inclined at an angle to the vertical in the direction of the spinning area  35 . The base wall  41  has an upper side  42  facing the interior space of the bucket  24 . 
   The transverse wall  25  projects downwards below the base wall  41  in the same way as the two longitudinal walls  26 ,  27 . In this projecting area, they define a free space  45  which is freely accessible from below. The transverse wall  25  has beneath the base wall  41  a recessed area  46  which dips into the free space  45  and in which a control element in the form of a foot switch  47  activatable by the user is arranged. 
   A step wall  49  aligned essentially parallel to the transverse wall  25  is integrally formed on the end of the base wall  41  facing away from the transverse wall  25 ; this step wall extends approximately as far as up to half the height of the bucket  24  and an intermediate wall  50 , which is aligned essentially horizontally and via which the step wall  49  is connected to the curved wall  28 , adjoins the step wall in one piece. 
   The transverse wall  25  forms in combination with the two longitudinal walls  26 ,  27  and the curved wall  28  as well as the base wall  41 , the step wall  49  and the intermediate wall  50  a base member  52  which is designed in one piece, is designed as a plastic molded part and, as a result of the intermediate wall  50  and the step wall  49 , forms a recessed area which is covered by a cover  53  which is formed in one piece, is releasably connected to the base member  52  and has a base plate  54  as well as a side wall  55  projecting upwards at right angles from the base plate  54  in the area of the curved wall  28 . 
   A drive chamber  57  is defined by the cover  53  as well as the step wall  49  and the intermediate wall  50  beneath the washing area  36 . 
   The washing area  36  forms an entry channel  59  at the level of the dividing wall  31  and a liquid collection area  60 , which accommodates a cleaning liquid  61 , preferably water, is formed in the area between the base wall  41  aligned at an angle and the step wall  49  aligned vertically. This is apparent from  FIG. 2 . 
   The drive chamber  57  accommodates an electric motor  63  which is coupled via gear elements which are known per se and not, therefore, illustrated in the drawings to a drive shaft  64  which is mounted for rotation, passes through the intermediate wall  50  with an upper end area  65  facing the spinning area  35  and dips into the spinning area  35 . 
   The drive chamber  57  accommodates, in addition to the electric motor  63 , a battery which is not shown in the drawings and can be recharged for supplying energy to the electric motor  63 . 
   The electric motor  63  communicates via electric connection lines, which are known per se and not illustrated in the drawings, with an electric control unit which is arranged in the drive chamber  57  or alternatively in the free space  45  and, for its part, is connected to the foot switch  47 . The electric motor  63  can be activated by actuating the foot switch  47  and, as a result, the drive shaft  64  is caused to rotate. 
   The spinning area  35  accommodates a wiping head holder  68  which is designed in one piece in the form of a plastic molded part and has two side walls  70 ,  71  which are curved in the direction pointing away from one another. The side walls  70 ,  71  have a plurality of openings  69  and define a cage-like receiving area  72  which is approximately T-shaped or bell-shaped in cross section and into which the wiping head  16  and the wiping covering  22  can be inserted, wherein the two supporting arms  17 ,  18  are folded forwards in the direction pointing away from the handle  14  and are aligned essentially parallel to one another. This is apparent, in particular, from  FIG. 2 . The side walls  70 ,  71  have a slighter distance from one another in their upper end area facing away from the drive shaft  64  than in their lower end area facing the drive shaft  64 . In their upper end are a,  they each form a stop  73   a,    73   b,  on which the supporting arms  17  and  18 , respectively, can abut with their upper side facing away from the wiping covering. The supporting arms  17 ,  18  cannot, therefore, be pivoted within the receiving area  72 . 
   The two side walls  70 ,  71  are connected to one another in one piece via a connecting wall  74  which forms a base of the receiving area  72  and bears a bushing  75 , in which the upper end area  65  of the drive shaft  64  engages, on its underside facing away from the receiving area  72 , wherein the drive shaft  64  is connected non-rotatably to the bushing  75 . The connecting wall  74  is curved convexly inwards and therefore has an elevation  77  in its central area. 
   On the upper side, a slide plate  78  and  79 , respectively, which is aligned at an angle in relation to the axis of rotation  76  of the drive shaft  64 , adjoins each of the side walls  70 ,  71 . The slide plates  78 ,  79  are essentially aligned in a V shape in relation to one another and form an entry aid for the wiping head  16  with the wiping covering  22  held thereon. The two slide plates  78 ,  79  define between them an entry section  80  of the wiping head holder  68 . The two slide plates  78 ,  79  are surrounded in circumferential direction by a lid  82  which is curved convexly upwards and covers the spinning area  35  of the bucket  24  with the exception of the receiving area  72 . 
   A step  81  and  83 , respectively, is integrally formed in each of the slide surfaces  78 ,  79  in the center. The steps  81 ,  83  form a support member, onto which the wiping head bearing  19  can be placed. 
   As already explained, the wiping head  16  can be inserted into the receiving area  72 , wherein the wiping head bearing  19  is seated on the steps  81 ,  83  and the two supporting arms  17 ,  18  are folded forwards and bear the wiping covering  22  at their ends. During insertion into the receiving area  72 , the wiping covering  22  hangs forwards beyond the free ends of the supporting arms  17 ,  18 . As a result, the wiping covering  22  can be introduced into a free space  84  of the receiving area  72  which is defined laterally by the end areas of the two side walls  70  and  71  adjacent to the connecting wall  73 . If head holder  68  is caused to rotate, the wiping covering  22  can be tensioned within the free space  84  under the influence of the centrifugal force. 
   Before the wiping head  16  is introduced into the receiving area  72 , the wiping covering  22  can first of all dip into the liquid collection area  60  of the bucket  24  via the entry channel  59  and be rinsed by means of the cleaning liquid  61  located therein. For this purpose, the wiping covering  22  can be moved along the upper side  42  of the base wall  41 . The base wall  41  forms a washing or friction plate, with the aid of which the wiping covering  22  can be thoroughly washed. 
   After successful rinsing, the user can then insert the wiping head  16  into the receiving area  72 , as explained above, and cause the wiping head holder  68  to rotate so that the liquid is expelled out of the wiping covering  22  and this is left with only a slight degree of moisture and can then be moved again along the surface to be cleaned. 
   A second embodiment of a device designated altogether with the reference numeral  90  is illustrated in  FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  6 . This is to a great extent of an identical design to the device  10  explained above with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 3 . Therefore, the same reference numerals as those used in  FIGS. 1 to 3  will be used for identical components. In this respect, reference is made to the preceding explanations to avoid repetitions. 
   Instead of the wiping head holder  68  explained above, a wiping head holder  92  is used for the device  90  and this comprises an insert  93  which dips into the spinning area  35  and is designed in one piece as a plastic molded part. The insert  93  has on the upper side a lid  94  which is curved convexly outwards and which is adjoined in one piece by two insert longitudinal walls  95 ,  96  arranged parallel and at a distance to one another as well as two insert transverse walls  97 ,  98  aligned at right angles to the insert longitudinal walls  95 ,  96  which each have a plurality of openings  99 . The insert  93  is therefore of a cage-like design. The insert longitudinal and transverse walls  95  to  98  are connected to one another in one piece via an insert base wall  100  which defines a pocket-like recess  101  and  102 , respectively, adjacent to the lower end areas of each of the insert transverse walls  97  and  98 . On the underside, a support rib  103 , which connects the pocket-like recesses  101  and  102  to one another and on which a connector bushing  104  connected non-rotatably to the drive shaft  64  is held, is integrally formed on the insert base wall  100 . The insert  93  may be inserted into the spinning area  35  of the bucket  24 , wherein a non-rotatable connection to the drive shaft  64  can be provided via the connector bushing  104 . The insert  93  can be caused to rotate about the axis of rotation  76  by means of the drive shaft  64  driven by the electric motor  63 . 
   A slide plate  108  and  109 , respectively, which is directed at an angle to the axis of rotation  76  of the drive shaft  64  in the interior of the insert  93 , is secured to each of the two insert transverse walls  97  and  98  at the level of the lid  94 . These slide plates are produced from a dimensionally flexible material, preferably from a plastic material, and may be pivoted contrary to an elastic restoring force about the respective upper edge  110  and  111  of the insert transverse walls  97 ,  98  in the direction of the respective insert transverse wall  97  or  98 . The upper edges  110  and  111  consequently define a respective pivot axis for the slide plates  108 ,  109 . 
   A support  113  and  114 , respectively, is integrally formed at the free ends of each of the slide plates  108  and  109 . The supports  113  and  114  are likewise aligned at an angle to the axis of rotation  106 , wherein they come close to the respective insert transverse walls  97  and  98  with their free end areas without, however, touching them. The support walls  113 ,  114  can, like the slide plates  108  and  109 , be pivoted about the upper edges  110  and  111 , respectively, in the direction of the insert transverse walls  97  and  98 , respectively, proceeding from their rest position illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
   At the level of the area of transition between the slide plates  108  and  109  and the respective supports  113  and  114 , the insert  93  has a rotatable roller  116  passing through it which is aligned at right angles to the axis of rotation  106  and is mounted on the insert longitudinal walls  95 ,  96  at its ends so as to be freely rotatable and which has a groove-like profile which is formed by a plurality of longitudinal grooves  117 . 
   The insert longitudinal and transverse walls  95 ,  96 ,  97 ,  98  as well as the insert base wall  100  limit a receiving area  119 , into which the wiping head  116  can be inserted with the wiping covering  22  held thereon. This is particularly apparent from  FIG. 6 . The two supporting arms  17 ,  18  of the wiping head  16  can, in this respect, take up a folded position first of all, in which they are aligned essentially parallel to one another, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The wiping covering  22  which projects forwards first of all can then be inserted, like the free ends of the supporting arms  17 ,  18 , into an entry section  120  which is arranged between the two slide plates  108 ,  109 . The free ends of the two supporting arms  17  and  18 , like the wiping covering  22 , subsequently impact on the rotatable roller  116 . As a consequence, the wiping covering is held back during the further insertion of the wiping head  16  into the receiving area  119  while the two supporting arms  17 ,  18  take up a position aligned at an angle to the longitudinal axis  20  of the handle  14 , the two slide plates  108  and  109  and the supports  113 ,  114  held thereon hereby pivot outwards in the direction of the insert transverse walls  97  and  98 , respectively, and, finally, dip with their respective end areas into one of the pocket-like recesses  101  and  102 , respectively. This is illustrated in  FIG. 6 . In this respect, a spring force directed radially inwards in relation to the axis of rotation  76  of the drive shaft  64  is exerted on the supporting arms  17 ,  18  by the supports  113 ,  114  pivoted in the direction of the insert transverse walls  97  and  98 , respectively. Consequently, the supports  113  and  114  each form a flexible stop, on which the supporting arms  17  and  18 , respectively, abut in the area of their upper side facing away from the wiping covering  22 . The wiping covering therefore takes up a position between the two supporting arms  17 ,  18  aligned at an angle to the longitudinal axis  20  of the handle  14  when the wiping head  16  is inserted into the receiving area  119 , wherein it touches the two supporting arms  17 ,  18  at their free end areas and the rotatable roller  116  along a section of its outer circumference while the remaining areas of the wiping covering  22  experience no contact. 
   If the insert  93  is subsequently caused to rotate due to actuation of the foot switch  47 , moisture can be effectively removed from the wiping covering  22  on account of the centrifugal force acting on the wiping covering  22 . Beforehand, the wiping covering  22  can, as explained above with reference to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , be rinsed thoroughly in the washing area  36 .