Patent Publication Number: US-2005132519-A1

Title: Mop with disposable wipe and squeegee blade

Description:
BACKGROUND  
      Cleaning tools, such as mops, are commonly used in order to clean surfaces and other objects found in industry and in residential settings. Mops typically include an elongated handle and a mop head attached to the handle. A disposable wipe may be attached to the mop head, and may be configured in order to pick up dirt, lint, fluid, and other material from a surface when the mop head is moved over the surface.  
      A disposable wipe may be configured in order to pick up these materials when the disposable wipe is dry. Alternatively, the disposable wipe may be configured as a wet wipe in order to pick up these materials when the disposable wipe is moist to some degree. The disposable wipe may be packaged in a moistened state, and applied to the mop head in this same condition in order to eliminate the need to wet the disposable wipe in proportion for use. Alternatively, the wet wipe may be packaged in a dry state, attached to the mop head by the user, and then moisture may be applied by the user in order to prepare the disposable wipe for use. Alternatively or additionally, the user may first wet the surface to be mopped before mopping with the wipe.  
      Once the disposable wipe reaches the end of its design life, the user may remove the disposable wipe from the mop head and subsequently throw away the disposable wipe. At such time, a new disposable wipe may be applied to the mop head in order to resume or start cleaning.  
      In order to apply the disposable wipe onto the mop head, the disposable wipe is typically laid flat on a surface. The mop head is then positioned in the center of the disposable wipe. Next, the user will fold the disposable wipe around opposite ends of the mop head such that the disposable wipe covers the top of the mop head on opposite ends. At this point, grippers which are located on the top of the mop head are used in order to affix the disposable wipe onto the top of the mop head. The disposable wipe is therefore positioned on the bottom of the mop head, the top of the mop head on one side of the handle, and on the top of the mop head on the other side of the handle.  
      It is sometimes the case that excessive fluid will be present on a surface or object that is desired to be cleaned. This excessive fluid cannot be effectively removed by the disposable wipe. In this instance, it would be desirable for a user to have a squeegee in order to effectively remove any excess fluid present. Due to the construction of mop heads with disposable wipes, a squeegee cannot be effectively incorporated therein due to the fact that the disposable wipes cover certain portions of the mop head.  
      The present invention provides for an improved disposable cleaning apparatus for use with a cleaning tool, and for a mop for use in cleaning a surface that incorporates both a disposable wipe and a squeegee blade therein.  
     SUMMARY  
      Various features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description.  
      The present invention provides for a disposable cleaning apparatus that may be used with a cleaning tool. The disposable cleaning apparatus includes a disposable wipe that is configured for removable attachment to the cleaning tool. The disposable wipe is configured for engaging a surface to be cleaned and for removing unwanted material from this surface. A squeegee blade is attached to the disposable wipe and is configured for removing excess fluid from the surface that is to be cleaned. In other embodiments, the squeegee blade can be attached or removed from the mop head independently of the wipe.  
      The squeegee blade can be positioned on the upper surface of a mop head, with a portion extending away from the mop head and/or away from the wipe, such that inversion of the mop head places the squeegee blade in contact with the floor to provide a squeegee function in moving or removing water or other fluids.  
      The present invention also provides for a disposable cleaning apparatus as set forth above where the squeegee blade is made from polyolefin plastic, any deformable plastic, synthetic rubber, natural rubber, other elastomers, foam materials including elastomeric or other deformable polymeric foams, and/or a polymer. In one embodiment, the squeegee blade is a foam that deforms to substantially conform to a surface being mopped. This is done in order to obtain enhanced water removal, and optionally for uptake of water into the foam itself. In another embodiment, a deformable abrasive foam such as a layer of an open-celled melamine-based foam can be used as a squeegee, a component of the squeegee, or as a buffing strip on the mop. Such abrasive foam materials may be useful in removing marks, such as scuff marks, on flooring or other surfaces such as walls or ceilings, and in some embodiments can also provide squeegee functionality.  
      Also provided in accordance with the present invention is a disposable cleaning apparatus as set forth above where the squeegee blade is attached to the disposable wipe by adhesives, ultrasonic bonding, thermal welding, and/or mechanical fasteners.  
      Also provided for in accordance with the present invention is a mop for use in cleaning a surface. The mop includes a mop head that has a handle attachment surface and a disposable wipe attachment surface. A handle is attached to the handle attachment surface. A disposable wipe is attached to the disposable wipe attachment surface and is configured to be removed from the disposable wipe attachment surface by a user of the mop. The disposable wipe is configured for engaging a surface that is to be cleaned, and for removing unwanted material from this surface. A squeegee blade is attached to the mop head, and is configured for removing excess fluid from the surface that is to be cleaned. The squeegee blade and the disposable wipe are not attached to one another in this embodiment.  
      Also provided for in accordance with the present invention is a mop as set forth above where the squeegee blade is attached to the handle attachment surface of the mop head.  
      Also provided for in accordance with the present invention is a mop as set forth above where the mop head has a leading edge and a trailing edge. The disposable wipe is attached to the leading and trailing edge of the mop head, and is configured to be removed from the leading and trailing edges by a user of the mop. The squeegee blade is attached to the handle attachment surface.  
      Also provided for in accordance with the present invention is a mop as set forth above where the disposable wipe is attached to the disposable wipe attachment surface by pressure-sensitive adhesives, hook and loop fasteners, gecko-like adhesives, and/or activatable adhesives.  
      The present invention also provides for a mop that can be used in cleaning a surface. The mop includes a mop head that has a handle attachment surface, and a handle that is attached to the handle attachment surface. A disposable wipe is attached to the mop head. The disposable wipe is configured to be removed from the mop head by a user of the mop, and is configured for engaging the surface to be cleaned and for removing unwanted material from this surface. A squeegee blade is attached to the disposable wipe and is configured for removing excess fluid from the surface that is to be cleaned. Removal of the disposable wipe from the mop head causes the squeegee blade to also be removed from the mop head.  
      The present invention also provides for a mop as set forth above where the disposable wipe is attached to the handle attachment surface, and where the squeegee blade is also located on the handle attachment surface.  
      Also provided for in accordance with the present invention is a mop as set forth above where an end of the disposable wipe is attached to the handle attachment surface of the mop head, and is wrapped around a portion of the mop head so that the opposite end of the disposable wipe is also attached to the handle attachment surface. The squeegee blade is attached to one of the ends of the disposable wipe so that the squeegee blade is located on the handle attachment surface of the mop head.  
      The present invention also provides for a mop as discussed above where the handle is pivotally attached to the handle attachment surface of the mop head.  
      Additionally, the present invention provides for exemplary embodiments where the disposable wipe may be a wet wipe that cleans the surface to be cleaned with the use of a fluid wetting the wipe. Alternatively, the disposable wipe may be a dry wipe that is configured to clean the surface that is be cleaned without the use of a fluid wetting the wipe. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a mop in accordance with the present invention. A squeegee blade is shown attached to the disposable wipe.  
       FIG. 2  is a partial side view of the exemplary embodiment of the mop shown in  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 3  is a side view of the pivotable handle attachment shown in  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a mop in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. A squeegee blade is attached to the top of the mop head.  
       FIG. 5  is a partial side view of the exemplary embodiment of the mop shown in  FIG. 4 .  
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the pivotable handle attachment shown in  FIG. 4 .  
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a disposable cleaning apparatus in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The disposable cleaning apparatus includes a disposable wipe and a squeegee blade.  
       FIG. 8  is a side view of a stack of disposable cleaning apparatuses.  
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a squeegee blade in accordance with the present invention. The ends of the tip of the squeegee blade are curved in towards one another.  
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a disposable cleaning apparatus in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The squeegee blade included in the disposable cleaning apparatus has a plurality of ribbed features located thereon. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
      Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, and not meant as a limitation of the invention. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield still a third embodiment. It is intended that the present invention include these and other modifications and variations.  
      The present invention is not limited to the numerical ranges and limits discussed herein. For example, a range of from about 100 to about 200 also includes ranges from about 110 to about 190, about 140 to about 160, and from 31 to 45. As a further example, a numerical limit of less than about 10 also includes a numerical limit of from less than about 7, less than about 5, and less than 3.  
      The present invention provides for a mop and a disposable cleaning apparatus that incorporate both a disposable wipe and squeegee blade. Such a combination allows for a device that is capable of both cleaning a surface, and also removing excess fluid therefrom. In some embodiments, the squeegee blade may be effective for other cleaning functions such as abrasive removal of dirt, deposits, or scuff marks, as set forth hereafter.  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a mop  12  used in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The mop  12  may be used in order to clean any type of surface, for instance the mop  12  may be used to clean floors, walls, ceilings, and/or objects such as cabinets, desks, and vehicles.  
      The mop  12  includes a handle  32  that is elongated and has a grip  34  located on one end to provide an area for a user of the mop  12  to hold and move the handle  32 . The mop  12  may also be provided with an additional grip or grips (not shown) at various locations along the length of the handle  32  with which the user may further grasp the mop  12 . Alternatively, the mop  12  may be configured so that it does not have any hand grips  34  present thereon. In these instances, the user may simply grasp the handle  32  in order to manipulate the mop  12 .  
      The handle  32  is pivotably connected to a mop head  70 . The pivotable connection between the mop head  70  and the handle  32  is affected by a pivotable handle attachment  48 . The pivotable handle attachment  48  is shown in greater detail in  FIG. 3 . The pivotable handle attachment  48  is configured as a universal joint, allowing the handle  32  to be pivoted both forwards and backwards with respect to the mop head  70 , and also left and right with respect to the mop head  70 .  
      The pivotable handle attachment  48  includes a clevis  50  that is rigidly attached to the mop head  70 . Attachment of the clevis  50  to the mop head  70  may be affected in any manner commonly known to those skilled in the art. For instance, the clevis  50  may be welded onto the mop head  70 , attached to the mop head  70  with mechanical fasteners, or may be formed as a single integral piece with the mop head  70 .  
      A swivel  54  is disposed within the clevis  50  and is held in pivotable engagement with the clevis  50  by a pin  52 . The swivel  54  is therefore configured in order to allow the handle  32  to pivot in a back and forth motion with respect to the mop head  70 . A sleeve  56  is also included in the pivotable handle attachment  48 . The sleeve  56  is in pivotable engagement with the swivel  54 , and a pin  58  is used to place the sleeve  56  into pivotable engagement with the swivel  54  such that the sleeve  56  rotates in a direction that is 90 degrees from the direction in which the swivel  54  rotates. The sleeve  56  and pin  58  therefore allow the handle  32  to rotate in a left to right direction with respect to the mop head  70 .  
      The sleeve  56  is configured in order to be both pivotably attached to the swivel  54  on one end, and rigidly attached to the handle  32  on an opposite end. The handle  32  may be attached to the sleeve  56  through a threaded connection, or through any other connection commonly known to those skilled in the art for instance mechanical fasteners, welding, or adhesion may be employed. Alternatively, the handle  32  may be integrally formed with the sleeve  56 .  
      In accordance with other exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the pivotable handle attachment  48  may be configured differently than disclosed in  FIGS. 1-3 . For instance, the pivotable handle attachment  48  may be configured in a manner similar to the universal joint disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,852,210, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety into the present application for all purposes. Alternatively, the pivotable handle attachment  48  may be configured in order to only allow the handle  32  to pivot in one direction with respect to the mop head  70 . Additionally, the mop  12  may be configured so that it does not incorporate a pivotable handle attachment  48 . In this instance, the handle  32  may be rigidly attached to the mop head  70 , and therefore the two components are not rotatable with respect to one another.  
       FIG. 2  shows a detailed side view of the mop  12  of  FIG. 1 . Here, the clevis  50  of the pivotable handle attachment  48  is rigidly attached to a handle attachment surface  36 . The handle attachment surface  36  is located on the side of the mop head  70  which is generally opposite from the side of the mop head  70  which faces the surface that is to be cleaned. A disposable wipe  14  is attached to the mop head  70 . In the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the ends  26 ,  28  of the disposable wipe  14  are attached to the handle attachment surface  36  by adhesive attachments  66 ,  68 . However, various mechanisms may be employed in order to connect the disposable wipe  14  to the mop head  70 . For instance, instead of using the adhesive attachments  66 ,  68  the disposable wipe  14  may be attached to the mop head  70  by the use of a mechanical attachment, for instance bolts, pins, gripping elements, frictional elements, or any other type of mechanical fastener may be employed. For example, a spring-loaded rod or bar may be configured as a clamp (not shown) to hold the wipe  14  in place or to secure the squeegee blade  16 . The squeegee blade  16  or a rigid backing plate (not shown) attached to the squeegee blade  16  may also have protrusions that extend into retention holes or other receptacles on the mop head  70  to firmly engage the protrusions and hold the squeegee blade  16  in place. When a backing plate (not shown) is joined to the squeegee blade  16 , the wipe  14  may be directly attached to the backing plate, the squeegee blade  14 , or neither (e.g., the squeegee blade  16  and the backing plate may be separately attachable to the mop head  70  independent of the presence of the wipe  14 ). Hook and loop systems may also be used to join the squeegee blade  16  to the wipe  14  or to the mop head  70  or other elements. Alternatively, a mechanical attachment may be used in order to connect the end  26  to the handle attachment surface  36 , while an adhesive attachment is used to connect the other end  28  to the handle attachment surface  36 .  
      The mop  12  may also be configured such that only one of the ends  26 ,  28  of the disposable wipe  14  is attached to the mop head  70 . Still further, the mop  12  may be configured such that a different portion of the disposable wipe  14  is attached to the mop head  70 , thus allowing the ends  26 ,  28  of the disposable wipe  14  to not be attached to the mop head  70 . For instance, the intermediate portion of the disposable wipe  14  may be attached to the mop head  70  at a location on the mop head  70  generally opposite from the handle attachment surface  36 . It is to be understood that the present invention includes various exemplary embodiments of the mop  12  where the disposable wipe  14  is removably attached to the mop head  70  by different attachment mechanisms, and at different locations on the mop head  70 .  
      As stated, the exemplary embodiment of the mop  12  shown in  FIGS. 1-3  employs a pair of adhesive attachments  66 ,  68  that retain the disposable wipe  14  onto the mop head  70  during use of the mop  12 . In order to remove or pick up unwanted materials from surfaces, the user will manipulate the mop  12  such that the mop head  70  is moved across the surface to be cleaned and the disposable wipe  14  engages the surface and either picks up or removes the unwanted material. After removing or picking up a certain amount of unwanted material, the disposable wipe  14  will reach the end of its useful life and will no longer be able to pick up or remove material, or will not be able to pick up or remove this material at a desired rate. At this point, the user of the mop  12  will remove the disposable wipe  14  from the mop head  70 . For instance, the user may grasp the disposable wipe  14  and pull the disposable wipe  14  from the mop head  70  such that the holding force of the adhesive attachments  66 ,  68  are overcome and the disposable wipe  14  is separated from the mop head  70 . In accordance with other exemplary embodiments of the present invention, should the disposable wipe  14  be attached to the mop head  70  by a mechanical attachment such as bolts, pins, or gripper elements, these mechanical attachments may be disengaged in order to allow for the disposable wipe  14  to be removed from the mop head  70 . For instance, pins holding the disposable wipe  14  may be removed by the user in order to cause disengagement. Gripping elements such as those used to engage a wipe  14  on known mop heads  70  such as SWIFFER® mops may be used.  
      Once the used disposable wipe  14  has been removed from the mop head  70 , a new disposable wipe  14  may be attached to the mop head  70  in order to start or resume cleaning of the surface by the mop  12 . In this instance, the new disposable wipe  14  may be attached to the mop head  70  in a manner similar to the prior attachment of the used disposable wipe  14  to the mop head  70 .  
      The adhesive attachments  66 ,  68  may be configured such that adhesion is located on the ends  26 ,  28  of the disposable wipe  14  and is pressed onto the handle attachment surface  36  of the mop head  70  in order to retain the disposable wipe  14  on the mop head  70 . Alternatively, the adhesive attachments  66 ,  68  may be configured such that adhesion is present on the handle attachment surface  36  of the mop head  70 , and the ends  26 ,  28  of the disposable wipe  14  are pressed thereon and engaged. Still further exemplary embodiments of the present invention exist where the adhesive attachments  66 ,  68  include adhesion on both the handle attachment surface  36  of the mop head  70 , and on the ends  26 ,  28  of the disposable wipe  14 .  
      The mop  12  includes a squeegee blade  16  that is attached to the disposable wipe  14 . The squeegee blade  16  may be used in order to remove excess fluid that has accumulated onto the surface which is to be cleaned by the mop  12 . In this instance, the squeegee blade  16  may remove the excess fluid from the surface, allowing for the disposable wipe  14  to further clean the surface. The squeegee blade  16  may be attached to the disposable wipe  14  in any manner commonly known to those skilled in the art. For instance, the squeegee blade  16  may be attached through ultrasonic bonds, thermal welds, mechanical fasteners, and/or adhesives such as hot melts and isocyanates. The squeegee blade  16  may be made out of a material that is rigid enough to allow the squeegee blade  16  to function, yet flexible and soft enough to prevent the squeegee blade  16  from scratching the surface which is to be cleaned. In accordance with certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the squeegee blade  16  may be made from a polyolefin plastic, any deformable plastic, synthetic rubber, natural rubber, an elastomer, foam materials including elastomeric or other deformable polymeric foams, and the like. Additionally, the squeegee blade  16  may be made from a material that is either natural or synthetic. The squeegee blade  16  may be mounted on any portion of the mop head  70 , for instance the squeegee blade  16  may be attached to the front, back, top, bottom, or side of the mop head  70 .  
      The squeegee blade  16  shown in the exemplary embodiment in  FIGS. 1-3  is a blade that is essentially straight from one side to the other. However, in accordance with other exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the squeegee blade  16  may be variously designed. For instance, the squeegee blade  16  may be curved, fluted, ribbed, and/or cross-hatched. Additionally, the surface of the squeegee blade  16  may be either smooth or textured.  FIG. 9  shows an alternative exemplary embodiment of the present invention in which the squeegee blade  16  has a tip  30  that is curved. The tip  30  has a curved end  18  on one side, and a curved end  20  on an opposite side. The curved ends  18 ,  20  are curved towards one another and define a curved cavity  22 . The curved squeegee blade  16  shown in  FIG. 9  may be advantageous in certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention in that fluid may be more easily transferred across the surface to be cleaned by being retained in and pushed by the curved cavity  22  of the tip  30 . Additionally, the curved ends  18 ,  20  of the tip  30  may prevent fluid from being pushed around the sides of the squeegee blade  16  and hence contacting and saturating the disposable wipe  14 .  
      The squeegee blade  16  may be made out of either a flexible or rigid material. Further, the squeegee blade  16  may be either elastomeric or non-elastomeric. In accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the squeegee blade  16  has a length from about 0.5 inches to about 4 inches. Additionally, in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention the squeegee blade  16  has a maximum thickness of about 5 mm. Still further, an alternative exemplary embodiment of the present invention exists in which the squeegee blade  16  has a maximum thickness of about 3 mm.  
      The exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-3  therefore allows for the mop  12  to have the disposable wipe  14  wrap around the mop head  70  and still provide for an attachment of the squeegee blade  16 . Although shown as being attached to the end  26 , the squeegee blade  16  may be attached to any portion of the disposable wipe  14  in accordance with other exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Additionally, a second squeegee blade  16  may be employed, and may be attached, for instance, to the other end  28  of the disposable wipe  14 .  
      Another exemplary embodiment of the mop  12  is shown in  FIGS. 4-6 . In this exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the mop  12  is provided with a pivotable handle attachment  48  which is a ball and socket type attachment. A ball  62  is located at the end of the handle  32 . A socket cap  64  is retained in the mop head  70  by any means commonly known in the art. The ball  62  is retained within the socket cap  64  and may rotate therein. As such, the handle  32  of the mop  12  may be rotated either forward or backward, left or right, or diagonally with respect to the mop head  70 .  
      The ball  62  may be retained within the socket cap  64  via a frictional fit which allows for the user of the mop  12  to rotate the ball  62  within the socket cap  64  by moving the handle  32 . However, the frictional fit is strong enough to prevent the handle  32  from moving on its own once the user of the mop  12  lets go of the handle  32 . As previously mentioned, the present invention may employ any type of pivotable handle attachment  48  in accordance with various exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The configuration of the pivotable handle attachment  48  shown in  FIGS. 4-6  is only one type of pivotable handle attachment  48  which may be employed, and it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the pivotable handle attachment  48  shown, but may be of any type.  
      The handle  32  is pivotably attached to the handle attachment surface  36  of the mop head  70  by the pivotable handle attachment  48 . A disposable wipe attachment surface  38  is present on the mop head  70 , and a majority of the disposable wipe attachment surface  38  is opposite from the handle attachment surface  36 . The disposable wipe  14  is removably attached to the disposable wipe attachment surface  38 . In this regard, an adhesive attachment  42  is employed in order to retain the disposable wipe  14  onto the disposable wipe attachment surface  38 . As previously mentioned with respect to other exemplary embodiments, the disposable wipe  14  may be attached to the mop head  70  by other mechanisms, and is not limited to simply being an adhesive attachment. For instance, the disposable wipe  14  may be attached to the disposable wipe attachment surface  38  by use of mechanical fasteners such as bolts, pins, rivets, or gripper elements.  
      In the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 4-6 , the adhesive attachment  42  retains the disposable wipe  14  onto the disposable wipe attachment surface  38  with a sufficient amount of force such that the disposable wipe  14  is not disengaged from the mop head  70  during normal use of the mop  12 . Once the disposable wipe  14  reaches the end of its useful life, a user may grasp the disposable wipe  14  and disengage the disposable wipe  14  from the disposable wipe attachment surface  38 , therefore breaking or disengaging the adhesive attachment  42 . At such time, a new disposable wipe  14  may be affixed to the disposable wipe attachment surface  38  in order to start or resume cleaning with the mop  12 .  
      In the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 4-6 , the squeegee blade  16  is not attached to the disposable wipe  14 . Instead, the squeegee blade  16  is attached to the handle attachment surface  36  of the mop head  70  by an adhesive attachment  40 . The squeegee blade  16  may be attached to the mop head  70  by any mechanism commonly known in the art. For instance, the squeegee blade  16  may be attached through the use of adhesives, mechanical fasteners, sonic welding, or may be integrally formed therewith. As can be seen in  FIG. 5 , the squeegee blade  16  is attached to the handle attachment surface  36  at a location proximate to a leading edge  44  of the mop head  70 . In accordance with other exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the squeegee blade  16  may be attached to the handle attachment surface  36  at a location proximate to a trailing edge  46  of the mop head  70 . Still further, a pair of squeegee blade  16  may be employed in accordance with other exemplary embodiments of the present invention. In such an instance, one of the squeegee blades  16  may be located proximate to the leading edge  44 , and the other of the squeegee blades  16  may be located proximate to the trailing edge  46 .  
      The leading edge  44  is the leading portion of the mop head  70 , while the trailing edge  46  is the trailing portion of the mop head  70  opposite from the leading edge  44 . Some users of the mop  12  may move the mop head  70  in a forward and backward motion along the surface to be cleaned, a motion generally in line with the leading edge  44  and trailing edge  46 .  
      Although described as being attached to the handle attachment surface  36 , the squeegee blade  16  may be attached to any portion of the mop head  70  in accordance with other exemplary embodiments of the present invention. For instance, the squeegee blade  16  may be attached to the side of the mop head  70 , or may be attached to the disposable wipe attachment surface  38  in accordance with other exemplary embodiments. The squeegee blade  16  may be either permanently attached to the mop head  70 , or may be temporarily attached to the mop head  70  such that the user may disengage the squeegee blade  16  from the mop head  70 . The attachment of the squeegee blade  16  to the mop head  70  allows for a user of the mop  12  to use both the squeegee blade  16  and the disposable wipe  14  without having the squeegee blade  16  interfere with the operation of the disposable wipe  14 .  
      The exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 4-6  is advantageous in that the disposable wipe  14  does not wrap around the leading and trailing edges  44 ,  46  and contact the handle attachment surface  36 . Elimination of this wrapping around allows for the squeegee blade  16  to be attached to the handle attachment surface  36 , and also eliminates a portion of the disposable wipe  14  which may be wasted upon wrapping the disposable wipe  14  around the mop head  70 .  
      The present invention also provides for a disposable cleaning apparatus  10 , one exemplary embodiment of which is shown in  FIG. 7 . The disposable cleaning apparatus  10  may be attached to a mop  12  as discussed with respect to other exemplary embodiments. The disposable cleaning apparatus  10  includes a disposable wipe  14  that is attached to a squeegee blade  16 . The components of the disposable cleaning apparatus  10  may be configured in the same manner as discussed with respect to the disposable wipe  14  and squeegee blade  16  of other exemplary embodiments of the present invention. A stack  72  of disposable cleaning apparatuses  10  may be provided as shown in  FIG. 8 . In this instance, the stack  72  may be sold to a user of the mop  12 , and may be placed into a package such that the user may remove a single disposable cleaning apparatus  10  when replacement on the mop  12  becomes necessary. Should the disposable wipe  14  be configured as a wet wipe, the stack  72  may be contained within a package that keeps the disposable cleaning apparatuses  10  damp. Alternatively, the stack  72  may be placed inside of a dry package should the disposable wipe  14  be configured for operating as a dry wipe, or should it be desirable that the disposable wipe  14  operate as a wet wipe by being wetted by a user of the mop  12 .  
       FIG. 7  shows the disposable cleaning apparatus  10  with a melamine based foam  76  located on the squeegee blade  16 . The melamine based foam  76  may be used as a cleaning agent in order to further remove dirt and other unwanted elements from the surface which is to be cleaned. The melamine based foam  76  has an open celled, microporous structure that is abrasive when rubbed across the surface to be cleaned. The melamine based foam  76  may be configured in order to work when wet. In this regard, the melamine based foam  76  may be soaked with water or wetted to some degree prior to being applied by a user to the surface to be cleaned. The melamine based foam  76  is abrasive in that when rubbed across the surface, particles of the melamine based foam  76  may break off due to abrasive contact when removing dirt and other unwanted elements. Over time, the melamine based foam  76  will be worn down due to repeated abrasion with the surface. At such time, the disposable cleaning apparatus  10  may be removed and replaced with a new disposable cleaning apparatus  10 . The melamine-based foam may have a thickness of about 8 mm or less, about 5 mm or less, about 3 mm or less, or about 2 mm or less.  
      The melamine based foam  76  may be provided on only a portion of the squeegee blade  16 , or may be provide across the entire surface of the squeegee blade  16 , including the tip  30  in various exemplary embodiments. The melamine based foam  76  may also be incorporated into the squeegee blade  16  which is on the disposable wipe  14  attached to the mop  12 . In accordance with other exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the entire squeeze blade  16  on either the mop  12  or the disposable cleaning apparatus  10  may be made entirely of melamine based foam  76  or comprise one or more discrete elements made at least in part from melamine-based foam.  
      Principles for manufacturing melamine-based foam are well known. Melamine-based foams are currently manufactured by BASF (Ludwigshafen, Germany) under the BASOTECT® brand name. For example, BASOTECT® 2011, with a density of about 0.01 g/cm 3 , may be used. Blocks of melamine-based foam for cleaning are marketed by Procter &amp; Gamble (Cincinnati, Ohio) under the MR. CLEAN® brand name, and under the CLEENPRO™ name by LEC, Inc. of Tokyo, Japan. Melamine-based foam is also marketed for acoustic and thermal insulation by many companies such as American Micro Industries (Chambersburg, Pa.). The foam may be heat treated and compressed to increase its density.  
      Principles for production of melamine-based foam are disclosed by H. Mahnke et al. in EP-B 071 671, published Dec. 17, 1979. According to EP-B 017 671, they are produced by foaming an aqueous solution or dispersion of a melamine-formaldehyde condensation product which comprises an emulsifier (e.g., metal alkyl sulfonates and metal alkylaryl sulfonates such as sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate), an acidic curing agent, and a blowing agent, such as a C5-C7 hydrocarbon, and curing the melamine-formaldehyde condensate at an elevated temperature. The foams are reported to have the following range of properties: 
          a density according to DIN 53 420 between 4 and 80 grams per liter (g/l), corresponding to a range of 0.004 g/cc to 0.08 g/cc;     a thermal conductivity according to DIN 52 612 smaller than 0.06 W/m ° K.;     a compression hardness according to DIN 53 577 under 60% penetration, divided by the density, yielding a quotient less than 0.3 (N/cm 2 )/(g/l), and preferably less than 0.2 (N/cm 2 )/(g/l), whereby after measurement of compression hardness the thickness of the foam recovers to at least 70% and preferably at least 90% of its original thickness;     an elasticity modulus according to DIN 53 423, divided by the density of the foam, under 0.25 (N/mm 2 )/(g/l) and preferably under 0.15 (N/mm 2 )/(g/l);     a bending path at rupture according to DIN 53 423 greater than 6 mm and preferably greater than 12 mm;     a tensile strength according to DIN 53 571 of at least 0.07 N/mm 2  or preferably at least 0.1 N/mm 2 ; and     by German Standard Specification DIN 4102 they show at least standard flammability resistance and preferably show low flammability.        

      U.S. Pat. No. 4,666,948, “Preparation of Resilient Melamine Foams,” issued May. 19, 1987 to Woerner et al., discloses other melamine-based foams that may be used in the present invention. U.S. Pat. No. 6,503,615, issued Jan. 7, 2003 to Horii et al., discloses a wiping cleaner made from an open-celled foam such as a melamine-based foam, the wiping cleaner having a density of 5 to 50 kg/m 3  in accordance with JIS K 6401, a tensile strength of 0.6 to 1.6 kg/cm 2  in accordance with JIS K 6301, an elongation at break of 8 to 20% in accordance with JIS K 6301 and a cell number of 80 to 300 cells/25 mm as measured in accordance with JIS K 6402. Melamine-based foams having such mechanical properties can be used within the scope of the present invention.  
      Related foams are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,093,600 with agents present to improve the elasticity and tear strength of the foam. Melamine-based foams are also disclosed in British patent GB 1443024, issued Jul. 21, 1976. The entire disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 6,608,118, issued Aug. 19, 2003 to Kosaka, et al. is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.  
      The melamine-based foam may be provided as a thin, flexible layer joined to a reinforcing web of tissue, nonwoven material, fabric, or other materials, including those disclosed in commonly owned copending application, Ser. No. unknown, “Multi Purpose Cleaning Product Including a Foam and a Web” by Chen et al., filed on Dec. 22, 2003, the same day as the present document.  
      An alternative exemplary embodiment of the disposable cleaning apparatus  10  is shown in  FIG. 10 . Here, the squeegee blade  16  has a plurality of ribbed features  24  located thereon. The ribbed features  24  may assist in the removal of fluid from the surface to be cleaned by providing for a channel between the ribbed features  24  which allows for the transport of fluid by the squeegee blade  16 . The ribbed features  24  define a plurality of cavities  74 . The disposable wipe  14  may be retained through adhesion to the surface of the squeegee blade  16  proximate to the cavities  74 . Alternatively, the disposable wipe  14  may be attached across the surface of the squeegee blade  16  from one end to the other. As such, the squeegee blade  16  used in either the disposable cleaning apparatus  10  or the mop  12  may be made in various shapes and configurations in accordance with various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.  
      The user of the mop  12  may move the handle  32  such that the mop head  70  is inverted, allowing for the squeegee blade  16  to contact the surface to be cleaned and remove excess fluid therefrom. For instance, a user may turn the mop head  70  upside down in order to reposition the squeegee blade  16  such that it contacts the surface to be cleaned. In this instance and in other related cases, a portion of the squeegee blade  16  after inversion can be directly below the mop head  70  such that the mop head  70  applies leverage on the squeegee blade  16  to force the tip  30  of the squeegee blade  70  to press downward against the surface to be cleaned for effective contact. Alternatively, the squeegee blade  16  may be configured such that it extends to the surface to be cleaned while the mop head  70  is in the positions shown in  FIGS. 2 and 5 . In this instance, the user of the mop  12  may move the handle  32  such that the mop head  70  is repositioned and the squeegee blade  16  does not contact the surface to be cleaned. At such time, the user may move the mop head  70  across the surface to be cleaned in order for unwanted materials to be picked up or removed by the disposable wipe  14 . Alternatively, the mop  12  may be configured such that both the squeegee blade  16  and the disposable wipe  14  simultaneously engage the surface to be cleaned.  
      As mentioned, the squeegee blade  16  and/or the disposable wipe  14  may be attached to the mop head  70  and/or one another through several different mechanisms. For instance, the attachment may be through pressure-sensitive adhesives, hook and loop type fasteners, gecko-like fasteners, and/or activatable adhesives. Gecko-like adhesives are discussed by Kelly Autumn et al., “Evidence for van der Waals Adhesion in Gecko Setae,”  Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America,  Vol. 99, No. 19, pp. 12,252-12,256 (Sep. 17, 2002), and by Robert J. Full et al., “Adhesive Microstructure and Method of Forming the Same,” WO 01/49776, published Jul. 12, 2001. Both of the aforementioned publications are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.  
      The mop  12  and/or disposable cleaning apparatus  10  may be used to clean any type of surface. For instance, the mop  12  and disposable cleaning apparatus  10  may be used in order to clean windows, cars, and porcelain surfaces such as showers or toilets. Further, the disposable cleaning apparatus  10  may be used in order to clean dishes, used as a skin-cleansing tool, and used as a covering on a scrubby pad or sponge. As such, the mop  12  and/or disposable cleaning apparatus  10  may be used in a variety of applications in order to clean a variety of surfaces.  
      The disposable wipe  14  may be configured in order to have a variety of properties. For instance, the disposable wipe  14  may be an electrostatically treated web in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The disposable wipe  14  may be a dry wipe or a wet wipe. Further, the disposable wipe  14  may be made of a high wet strength tissue web, or may be made from laminates of non-woven webs and tissue webs. The disposable wipe  14  may be elastomeric wipe that is stretchable or extendable, or may alternatively be a non-stretchable wipe. The disposable wipe  14  may also include encapsulated cleaning agents or anti-microbial agents. Additionally, the disposable wipe  14  may be configured in order to contain an aroma agent that will deliver a particular scent to the surface to be cleaned.  
      Further, the mop head  70  itself may be adapted in order to deliver an agent or active ingredient for enhancing the cleaning of the surface, removing odors from the surface, adding a scent to the surface, adding an anti-microbial agent to the surface, or providing some type of surface treatment to the surface to be cleaned. The surface treatment applied to the surface to be cleaned may be a wax, a polish, buffing agents, buffering agents, an oil removal agent, an acidic or basic ingredient, a grout cleaning agent, a ceramic or tile cleaning agent, an anti-mildew agent, and/or bleach. The agent delivered by the mop head  70  may be a dry material such as a powder, for instance baking soda, abrasive grit, miticide, or a zeolite. Further, the agent delivered by the mop head  70  may be a wet agent such as a surfactant, a perfumed solution, a solution of cyclodextrin or other odor absorbing agent, an anti-microbial agent, a preservative agent, an oil or polish, water, a window cleaner, and/or an indicator solution that indicates the presence of bacteria or other harmful agents. Additionally, the agent delivered by the mop head may be a gaseous agent such as an aroma, a volatile compound, and/or an anti-microbial gas. In accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the mop head  70  may deliver a nanoemulsion to the surface that is to be cleaned.  
      Although discussed as being delivered by the mop head  70 , it is to be understood that the present invention includes various exemplary embodiments where the aforementioned types of agents or active ingredients that were discussed as being delivered by the mop head  70  may also be configured in order to be delivered by the disposable wipe  14 . Further, the aforementioned agents or active ingredients may be delivered by a combination of both the mop head  70  and the disposable wipe  14  in accordance with other exemplary embodiments of the present invention.  
      Further exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described below as Examples 1-4:  
     EXAMPLE 1  
     Squeegee Blade attached to a Wet Disposable Wipe  
      The mop  12  may be configured to use a disposable wipe  14  that is a SWIFFER™ wet wipe (SWIFFER® Wet Cloths) made by the Procter &amp; Gamble Company located at 1 or 2, Procter &amp; Gamble Plaza Cincinnati, Ohio 45201. The wipe measures about 25 cm×21 cm. The wipe  14  was dried at room temperature. A 3.2-centimeter by 23-centimeter strip of 2-millimeter thick foam (Darice Foamies, Item #1144-22, UPC 082676159909, Darice Inc., Strongsville, Ohio.) was attached to the dried wipe using 25.4-millimeter wide two-sided tape (23 cm long). The tape was placed along a front edge of the foam strip, leaving a nearly 7-millimeter width of the foam unattached to the cloth. The foam strip was located with a first edge proximate to a first edge of the cloth, and the second edge being remote from the edge of the cloth, with the second edge being proximate to the unattached region of the foam strip (i.e., the unattached edge of the foam strip was remote from the first edge of the cloth). The direction traversed by the first edge of the cloth corresponded to the major axis of the cloth, which is intended to be aligned with the cross-direction of the mop. The first edge of the foam strip as attached was about 2.9 cm from the first edge of the cloth and centered with respect to the 25-cm width of the cloth, with the unattached portion of the foam extending toward the interior of the sheet. The floor contacting area of the cloth, when mounted on the mop head, is about 9.5 cm by 25 cm. The cloth with the foam strip was then attached to the mop head by pressing the cloth into four gripping sections of the mop head, with the foam strip on the top portion of the mop head, oriented toward the front, with the unattached section of the foam extending forward from the body of the mop head and away from the cloth to form a flexible squeegee blade  16 .  
     EXAMPLE 2  
     Squeegee Blade attached to a Dry Disposable Wipe  
      The mop  12  is constructed exactly like Example 1 above; except for the replacement of the wet disposable wipe  14  with a dry disposable wipe  14 . The dry disposable wipe  14  used is a SWIFFER™ dry wipe made by the Procter &amp; Gamble Company located at 1 or 2, Procter &amp; Gamble Plaza Cincinnati, Ohio 45201. The dry disposable wipe  14  measures about 22 cm by 28 cm. The first edge of the foam squeegee blade  16  was mounted about 3.2 cm from the first edge of the dry wipe  14 .  
     EXAMPLE 3  
     Squeegee Blade attached with Hook and Loop Fastener  
      The mop  12  employs a hook and loop type fastener made by Hobby Shop Hook &amp; Loop Fastener Set, UPC number 1402700039107091, and distributed by Tool &amp; Supply of New England Inc., Wilmington, Del. 19899; V #267240; Item #76546. The hook fastener of the hook and loop type fastener measures 0.625 inches×9 inches, and has a self-adhesive attachment.  
      The disposable wipe  14  is either a wet wipe or a dry wipe as discussed above in Examples 1 and 2. The squeegee blade  16  is a foam as discussed in Example 1 and measures 1.9 cm by 23 cm. The squeegee blade  16  is attached along one edge to the self-adhesive attachment of the hook fastener, leaving approximately 0.3 cm of the squeegee blade  16  exposed for contact with the floor. The disposable wipe  14  is attached to the mop head  17 , and the squeegee blade  16  is installed on top of and along the leading edge  44  of the mop head  70 . The squeegee blade  16  protrudes slightly from the mop head  70 . Due to the hook and loop type fastener, the squeegee blade  16  is detachable from the mop head  70 .  
     EXAMPLE 4  
     Squeegee Blade attached with a Plastic Strip  
      The mop  12  employs a squeegee blade  16  made of the foam described in Example 1, and a disposable wipe  14  as described in Examples 1 or 2. A strip of foam, as above, was cut to dimensions of 1.3 cm×20 cm and attached with a strip of two-sided adhesive tape to a rigid polyethylene strip with dimensions of 4.4 cm×20 cm, with a ledge about 7 mm wide of foam remaining unattached and extending beyond the edge of the polyethylene strip about 2 mm thick such that the foam could serve as a squeegee blade  16  that extends away from the mop head  70 . The polyethylene strip had two mushroom-shaped protrusions with centers about 16.5 cm apart, suitable for engaging into the gripping regions (retention holes) of the mop head  70  to hold the strip in place on the top of the mop head. The squeegee assembly (foam joined adhesively to the polyethylene strip) can be installed on the mop head  70  after the wipe  14  is already in place, or at the same time as the wipe  14  is attached with the protrusions serving to push the sheet into the retention holes of the mop head  70 . The squeegee blade  16  and/or the polyethylene strip can help to secure the disposable wipe  14  to the mop head  70 . The strip of adhesive tape used to join the foam to the polyethylene was about 6 mm wide and about 20 cm long. The rear edge of the plastic strip (remote from the foam) had a portion of the plastic removed to allow room for the mop handle  32 . The removed area is approximately 4.4 cm wide×1.2 cm deep, centered on the edge of the plastic strip. The resulting assembly comprised a foam-based squeegee blade  16  with a rigid backing plate (the polyethylene strip) mounted to the mop head  70  and in contact with the wipe  14 . When the mop head  70  was inverted, the squeegee blade  16  was particularly effective in removing water.  
      It should be understood that the present invention includes various modifications that can be made to the exemplary embodiments of the mop  12  and/or disposable cleaning apparatus  10  as described herein as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.