Patent Publication Number: US-9408517-B2

Title: Mopping device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/877,292, filed Oct. 23, 2007, which claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/853,446, filed Oct. 23, 2006, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/895,351, filed Mar. 16, 2007, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/942,891, filed Jun. 8, 2007, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/952,117, filed Jul. 26, 2007, the disclosures of which are each hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a mopping device. More particularly, the present invention relates to a mopping device that releases fluid from a fluid reservoir onto a surface to be mopped or onto a portion of the mop. 
     Mopping systems incorporating fluid dispensing devices often have a fluid reservoir on the handle or stick of the mop and some means to dispense cleaning or finishing fluid (typically a liquid) onto a floor surface or the mop, in a manner controlled by the user. These mopping systems may hold the fluid inside the handle or in a tank attached to the handle. 
     These mopping systems typically have a rigid reservoir, i.e., the reservoir is not substantially flexible. Problems have resulted from such rigid reservoirs. 
     A rigid reservoir can require a vent, which can allow leakage of the cleaning or finishing fluid. Because the reservoir is rigid, its inner volume typically will be filled by a combination of air and cleaning or finishing fluid. Consequently, refilling the reservoir requires a vent that will allow the air to leave the reservoir as it is replaced by cleaning or finishing fluid. The vent also is needed to allow air to return to the reservoir as cleaning or finishing fluid is dispensed. The vent can allow fluid to leak from the reservoir. For example, a leak can occur when the mopping system is laid down or inverted. 
     In addition, rigid reservoirs can be prone to cracking and leakage if dropped or otherwise struck. Large reservoirs can make it difficult to use the mop in confined spaces, such as underneath furniture. 
     Some existing mopping systems have inconvenient ergonomics. The mechanism with which the user releases the fluid is often awkward to use, or is designed for use in a single orientation. 
     Some existing mopping systems can be difficult to fill. The reservoir that holds the fluid may be located in an undesirable location. Additionally, the openings can be too small to accommodate the fluids, thereby raising the potential for spillage. In some instances, the fluid-fill level can be difficult to determine, which can lead to under-filling and thus inefficient usage, or over-filling and spillage. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One embodiment of the invention relates to a mopping device comprising, a mopping portion, a fluid release device for releasing fluid to at least one of a surface to be mopped and the mopping portion, a handle configured to be gripped by a user to control the mopping portion, and a reservoir for storing fluid, wherein the reservoir includes an expandable bladder. 
     Another embodiment of the invention relates to a mopping device comprising, a mopping portion, a fluid release device for releasing fluid to at least one of a surface to be mopped and the mopping portion, a handle configured to be gripped by a user to control the mopping portion, and a reservoir for storing fluid, wherein the reservoir is configured such that air need not be evacuated from the reservoir during filling of the reservoir. 
     Yet another embodiment of the invention relates to a mopping device comprising a mopping portion, a fluid release device for releasing fluid to at least one of a surface to be mopped and the mopping portion, a handle configured to be gripped by a user to control the mopping portion, a reservoir for storing fluid, and a valve for permitting fluid flow into the reservoir for filling the reservoir and not permitting fluid flow out of the reservoir. 
     Yet another embodiment of the invention relates to a mopping system comprising a mopping device and a refill reservoir. The Mopping device includes a mopping portion a fluid release device for releasing fluid to at least one of a surface to be mopped and the mopping portion, a handle configured to be gripped by a user to control the mopping portion, and a reservoir for storing fluid and having a reservoir connector. The refill reservoir includes a refill connector configured to mechanically attach to the reservoir connector to permit fluid to flow from the refill reservoir to the reservoir of the mopping device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, appended claims, and the accompanying exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings, which are briefly described below. 
         FIG. 1  is a rear perspective view of a mopping device according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a rear view of the mopping device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a rear view of the mopping device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is an example of a bladder for use with the mopping device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of a reservoir housing illustrating a window for viewing the fluid level in the bladder of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 6  is a side view illustrating a fluid dispensing mechanism located on the handle of the mopping device of  FIG. 1 , in an open position. 
         FIG. 7  is a side view illustrating the fluid dispensing mechanism of  FIG. 6 , in a closed position. 
         FIGS. 8A to 8B  illustrate an example of usage of the trigger button in relationship to the orientation of the handle of the mopping device of  FIG. 1  to spray fluid behind a mopping portion. 
         FIGS. 9A to 9C  illustrate another example of usage of the trigger button in relationship to the orientation of the handle of the mopping device of  FIG. 1  to spray fluid behind the mopping portion. 
         FIGS. 10A to 10C  illustrate an example of usage of the trigger button in relationship to the orientation of the handle of the mopping device of  FIG. 1  to spray fluid in front of the mopping portion. 
         FIGS. 11A to 11B  illustrate another example of usage of the trigger button in relationship to the orientation of the handle of the mopping device of  FIG. 1  to spray fluid in front of the mopping portion. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a mopping device connected to a refill reservoir according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a filler cap for the mopping device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 14  illustrates the filler cap of  FIG. 13  connected to the refill reservoir of  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view of the filler cap of  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view of the reservoir housing with a bladder therein of the mopping device of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS. 1 to 15  show a mopping device  10  according to an exemplary embodiment.  FIG. 12  shows the mopping device  10  connected to a refill reservoir, to form a mopping system according to an exemplary embodiment. Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 3 , the preferred mopping device  10  includes a mopping portion, a fluid release device for releasing fluid, a handle, and a reservoir for storing fluid that is intended to be released by the fluid release device. 
     The mopping portion  12  provides the interface with the surface to be mopped. It preferably includes a support  13  and a mopping material, such as a conventional microfiber pad  14 . Different mopping materials, such as other types of pads or even string mops, could be used. 
     The fluid release device  16  releases fluid for mopping. The fluid can be released onto the surface to be mopped. As illustrated in  FIGS. 8A, 9A, 10A, and 11A , the fluid release device  16  can be configured to allow the user to dispense liquid onto the surface in front of or behind the mopping portion  12 , as required. Less preferably (and not shown), the fluid can be released onto the mopping material itself. 
     Fluid release device  16  preferably includes a user interface in the form of a trigger button  26  located on a hand grip  28  positioned at the top of the handle  18 . Pressing the trigger button  26  causes fluid to be dispensed from a sprayer  38 , preferably in a variable and controlled manner. 
     The fluid release device  16  is shown in more detail in  FIG. 6  (open position) and  FIG. 7  (closed position). As shown, by pressing trigger button  26 , a pivot lever  30  is activated, which in turn pulls a cable  32  upwards. The trigger button  26  and pivot lever  30  can be formed from conventional materials using techniques known to those skilled in the art. 
     The upward pulling of cable  32  opens a dispensing valve  34  (from the position shown in  FIG. 7  to the position shown in  FIG. 6 ). The dispensing valve  34  can be constructed, as shown for example in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , to include a plunger  36  having O-rings that seat in a portion of a fluid passage to prevent fluid flow and that can be pulled from the seated position to permit such flow. The upward pulling of cable  32  lifts the plunger  36  in the valve  34 , which allows fluid to flow from a tube  27  extending from the reservoir  20  and to a dispensing tube  40 . 
     The fluid from the dispensing tube  40  is preferably sprayed by a conventional sprayer  38  disposed at the end of the tube  40 . The sprayer  38  can be selected to provide a desired spray pattern. The sprayer  38  preferably is disposed on the lower region of handle  18  at any point beyond the dispensing valve  34 , thus allowing the sprayer  38  to be changed without emptying bladder  21 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 8A to 11B , the mopping device  10  can be positioned by the user in a variety of orientations. These orientations will change the location at which fluid is sprayed. The location of the trigger button  26  allows it to be pressed with the users fingers, thumb, or palm depending on user preference and the orientation of mopping device  10 . 
     For example, Referring to  FIGS. 8A to 8B , by holding mopping device  10  in the upright position and orienting the reservoir housing  20  towards the user, trigger button  26  can be pressed with a finger or fingers allowing liquid to be dispensed behind mopping portion  12 . Referring to  FIGS. 9A to 9C , where handle  18  of the mopping device  10  is shown in a lower position, the trigger button  26  can be pressed with the thumb or palm, again allowing liquid to be dispensed behind mopping portion  12 . Referring to  FIGS. 10A to 10C , by switching the orientation of reservoir housing  23  away from the user and holding the mopping device  10  in an upright position, the trigger button  26  can be pressed with a thumb or the palm of a hand allowing liquid to be dispensed in front of mopping portion  12 . Referring to  FIGS. 11A to 11B , with the orientation of reservoir housing  23  positioned away from the user and the mopping device  10  in a lower position, trigger button  26  can be pressed by the finger or fingers, again allowing liquid to be dispensed in front of mopping portion  12 . 
     The handle  18  enables a user to control mopping portion  12 . The handle  18  can be generally conventional mop handle or stick. Preferably the handle  18  is connected to the support  13  of the mopping portion  12  by a conventional hinge structure. 
     The reservoir  20  stores, on the mopping device  10 , the fluid to be dispensed. As shown for example in  FIG. 16 , the reservoir  20  can include an expandable bladder  21  for storing fluid and a reservoir housing  23  that is connected to handle  18  and holds the bladder  21 . For reasons of maneuverability, the reservoir housing  23  preferably is located within atop 80% of the length of the handle  18  and, more preferably, within a top 30% of the length of the handle  18 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , bladder  21  can be a transparent and flexible material that is configured to hold a fluid. Conventional plastic materials could be used to form the bladder  21 . The bladder  21  preferably has a volume when filled of about 15 to 30 ounces, and more preferably, 21 ounces. Preferably the bladder  21  has an opening at its top, which allows fluid to be filled into the bladder  21 , and has an opening at its bottom, which allows fluid to flow into the tube  27  for dispensing. 
     Due to its flexible nature, bladder  21  does not require air vents during filling or emptying. In an initial state, bladder  21  is empty and collapsed. As fluid fills the bladder  21 , the bladder  21  opens and expands, thereby increasing in volume. Because a significant volume of air is not present in the bladder  21  before filling, the bladder  21  does not require venting during the filling process. As the fluid leaves the bladder  21 , it collapses back to its initial empty state (without the entry of any significant amount of air) due to the flexibility of the bladder  21 . Because a significant volume of air need not enter the bladder  21  as it empties, the bladder  21  does not require venting during the emptying process. The absence of a vent allows mop system  10  to be configured in such a manner as to inhibit leaking in all orientations. 
     Additionally, the use of the flexible bladder  21  in the reservoir  20  can reduce the likelihood that the reservoir will break and leak during use, such as, for example, during contact with objects during mopping. 
     The reservoir housing  23  can be a generally hollow structure made, for example, of conventional plastic material. As shown in  FIG. 5 , reservoir housing  23  can be structurally rigid and form a container and a protective shield for bladder  21 , e.g., to prevent puncturing of bladder  21  should the mopping device  10  be struck or dropped. Reservoir housing  23  also includes open area(s) or window(s)  24  which allow a user to observe the level of the liquid in the enclosed bladder  21 . Window  24  can extend substantially the entire length of reservoir housing  23 . The user is thereby allowed to see how much liquid remains in bladder  21  at all times and can therefore determine when the reservoir  20  requires filling. The window  24  also assists the user when filling bladder  21 . The user can determine the fullness of the bladder  21  to prevent spillage during the fill process. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 12 to 15 , the mopping device  10  is preferably part of a mopping system that includes a refill reservoir  80  that can be used to refill the reservoir  20 . 
     The refill reservoir  80  preferably is a plastic container  82  having a screw-top lid  83 . The plastic container  82  preferably has a volume of about 1 to 4 gallons. A flexible hose  50  can be connected to the plastic container  82  to permit fluid to flow out of the plastic container  82 . A connector  48  is preferably affixed to the end of flexible hose  50 . The connector  48  is designed to mate with a fitting (described below) on the reservoir  20 . The connector  48  preferably is configured to permit fluid to flow from the hose  50  into the reservoir  20  when the connector is mated to the fitting, and to prevent fluid flow from the hose  50  when the connector  48  is not connected to the fitting. The connector  48  can be, for example, part. no. NS4D17006, made by Colder Products. 
     A preferred fitting  46  for the reservoir  20  is shown in  FIGS. 13 to 15 . The fitting  46  can be disposed in a fill cap  42  that screws onto conventional threads on the reservoir housing  23 . Preferably the fitting  46  has the capabilities of auto shut-off, limited spill, quick-connect or any combination thereof. The fitting  46  preferably provides a valve that permits fluid flow into the reservoir  20  during filling but does not permit fluid flow out of the reservoir. The fitting  46  can be, for example, part. no. NS4D42006, made by Colder Products. Preferably the connector  48  and the fitting  46  are configured to provide a dripless connection. 
     To fill the reservoir  20 , the connector  48  of the refill reservoir  80  is connected to the fitting  46  of the reservoir  20 . Fluid then flows from the refill reservoir  80  into the bladder  21  of the reservoir  20  under the force of gravity or, alternatively, under the force of additional pressure. The fill level of the bladder  21  can be monitored by looking through windows  24  on the reservoir housing  23 . When the bladder  21  is full, the connector  48  can be removed from the fitting  46 , and the mopping device  10  is ready for use. Due to the configuration of the fitting  46 , fluid will not flow back out through that fitting after the connector  48  is removed. 
     The mopping device  10  can be easily and quickly refilled, which reduces the need to hold a large volume of liquid. This advantageously allows for a reduction in the size and weight of the reservoir  20 , which provides a more user friendly device. With its slim form, the mopping device  10  is also easy to use in confined spaces and can have convenient ergonomics. 
     For the purpose of this disclosure the term “coupled means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining can be achieved with the two components (electrical and mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components or the two components and any additional member being attached to one another. Such joining can be permanent in nature or alternatively may be removable or releasable in nature. 
     Although the invention has been described above by reference to certain embodiments of the invention, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Modifications and variations of the embodiments described above will occur to those skilled in the art in light of the above teachings.