Patent Publication Number: US-2017347854-A1

Title: Cleaning Apparatus

Description:
This invention relates to a cleaning apparatus, particularly, but not exclusively, a surface cleaning apparatus, including a body and a cleaning head. 
     Surface cleaning apparatus such as mops are well known, and widely used to clean surfaces in households and large areas, such as hospitals or commercial premises. It is known to provide cleaning apparatus, for example mops, which have removable mopheads. Such mopheads are usually attached to a body and/or handle of the cleaning apparatus by a threaded connection. Unthreading the connection enables detachment of the mophead for cleaning or replacement. 
     It is also known to provide ‘flat mops’ having a cleaning head to which a pad or sheet of cleaning material is attachable and detachable. The cleaning head of such a flat mop may be detachable from the body and/or handle of the flat mop, typically by virtue of a threaded connection between the cleaning head and the body and/or handle. The mop material is typically attached to the cleaning head by one or more fasteners, for example hook and loop material fasteners, and/or by receiving formations in the cleaning head which receive and hold a part of the mop material during use. 
     Removal of a cleaning head or mop material from a cleaning apparatus for disposal, replacement or cleaning typically involving the use of an operator&#39;s hands, is unpleasant, unhygienic, and can be awkward. 
     It is also known to provide cleaning apparatus having a powered vibrating unit which causes vibratory motion of a cleaning head of the cleaning apparatus. A problem with such apparatus is that the cleaning head carries cleaning material which can become soiled very quickly. It is a time consuming, awkward, and unhygienic task to remove the cleaning material from the cleaning heads of such apparatus manually. Such cleaning apparatus is typically heavy, and removing the cleaning material requires lifting or tipping of the apparatus, to access the cleaning material, thus rendering such apparatus difficult and unappealing to use. 
     In accordance with a first aspect of the invention there is provided, a cleaning apparatus having a body, and a cleaning head, the body carrying an vibrating unit to cause vibratory motion of the cleaning head relative to the body, the cleaning apparatus including an attachment mechanism, the attachment mechanism being releasable to detach the cleaning head from the body. 
     Preferably, said vibrating unit is oscillating such that the cleaning head is provided with vibratory motion. 
     The attachment mechanism may include at least one magnet. 
     The cleaning apparatus may include at least one locating formation to locate the cleaning head in the correct position relative to the body. 
     The at least one locating formation may include a protrusion on the body and a recess on the cleaning head. 
     The at least one locating formation may coincide with the attachment mechanism. 
     The at least one magnet may be provided in or on at least one of the recess and the protrusion. 
     The cleaning head may be at least semi-flexible or foldable. 
     The cleaning apparatus may include a hinge to enable the cleaning head to fold. 
     The cleaning head may carry cleaning material, which, when the cleaning head is folded, hangs from the cleaning head substantially in a loop. 
     The cleaning head may carry cleaning material which is permanently attached to a face of the cleaning head, over a substantial area of the face. 
     The cleaning material may be a microfibre material. 
     The attachment mechanism may include a retaining member for retaining a part of the body and an attachment member which is carried by the body, at least a part of the attachment member being retainable by the retaining member, to releasably attach the cleaning head to the body of the cleaning apparatus. 
     The attachment member may be a plate which inhibits folding of the cleaning head whilst the cleaning head is attached to the body. 
     The retaining mechanism may be a clip which is attached to and pivotable relative to the cleaning head, between a first, open position in which a part of the plate is engageable with a part of the clip, and a second, retaining position, in which the part of the plate is retained between the clip and a part of the cleaning head. 
     The retaining member may be biased towards the second, retaining, position. 
     The retaining mechanism may include a plurality of clips. 
     The cleaning head may include a handle, which is accessible at least when the cleaning head is detached from the body. 
     The handle of the cleaning head may be positioned adjacent the hinge of the cleaning head. 
     The handle of the cleaning head may be positioned towards an upper part of the cleaning head, and is pivotable between a first, in use position, and a second, stowed position, the stowed position inhibiting interference of the handle of the cleaning head with the body of the cleaning apparatus. 
     The cleaning material may be receivable in a cleaning material cleaning device, the or each retaining member providing an abutment member which inhibits insertion of at least part of the cleaning head into the cleaning material cleaning device. 
     The cleaning apparatus may be a surface cleaning apparatus. 
     The surface may be a floor. 
     According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of operation of a cleaning apparatus having a body, and a cleaning head, the body carrying an vibrating unit to cause vibratory motion of the cleaning head relative to the body, the cleaning head being detachable from the body, the method including attaching the cleaning head to the body, manoeuvring the cleaning apparatus to clean at least a portion of a surface, and detaching the cleaning head from the body. 
     Preferably, said vibratory unit may cause an oscillatory motion of the cleaning head relative to the body. 
     The method may include cleaning the cleaning head, and cleaning material attached to the cleaning head and reattaching the cleaning head to the body. 
     The attachment mechanism which includes a retaining member for retaining a part of the body, may include an attachment mechanism to releasably detach the cleaning head from the body. The method may include attaching the cleaning head to the body by moving the retaining member to an open position to receive the part of the body, and moving the retaining member to a retaining position to retain the part of the body, manoeuvring the cleaning apparatus to clean at least a portion of a surface, and moving the retaining member to the open position, to release the part of the body, so as to detach the cleaning head from the body. 
     The cleaning apparatus may include a plurality of retaining members, and the method may include retaining respective parts of the body with each of the retaining members. 
     The method may include detaching the cleaning head from the body, to clean cleaning material carried by the cleaning head. 
     The method may include inserting at least the cleaning material into a cleaning material cleaning device, and at least one of rinsing, wringing and scrubbing the cleaning material. 
     The method may include inserting the backing and the cleaning material of the cleaning head into a cleaning material cleaning device. 
     The method may include folding the cleaning head, such that the cleaning material hangs from the cleaning head substantially in a loop. 
     The method may include manoeuvring the cleaning material cleaning device to clean the cleaning material in a location near to the surface being cleaned. 
    
    
     
       The invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a part of a cleaning apparatus including a cleaning head; 
         FIG. 1B  is a perspective view showing the cleaning head of  FIG. 1A  detached from a body of the cleaning apparatus; 
         FIG. 1C  is a perspective view of the cleaning apparatus of  FIG. 1A , wherein the cleaning head includes additional features; 
         FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of part of an alternative cleaning apparatus; 
         FIG. 2B  is a side view of the cleaning apparatus of  FIG. 2A   
         FIG. 2C  is a perspective view of a plate for attachment of a cleaning head of the apparatus of  FIGS. 2A and 2B  to the body of the apparatus; 
         FIG. 2D  is a perspective view of the cleaning head of the cleaning apparatus of  FIGS. 2A and 2B ; 
         FIG. 2E  is a perspective view of the plate of the cleaning apparatus of  FIGS. 2A and 2B  attached to the cleaning head of  FIG. 2D ; and 
         FIG. 2F  is a perspective view of a cleaning head suitable for use with the cleaning apparatus of  FIGS. 2A and 2B   
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of a cleaning material cleaning device. 
     
    
    
     Referring to  FIG. 1A , there is shown a part of a cleaning apparatus  10 , which is particularly suitable for cleaning surfaces, particularly hard surfaces, such as floors. The cleaning apparatus  10  includes a body  12 , which includes a handle attachment part  14  to which a handle  13  is attachable, to enable the cleaning apparatus to be manoeuvred across a surface  16  to be cleaned. The body  12  also includes a powered vibrating unit  18 , which is powered by a motor (not shown) carried by the body  12 . The motor is preferably battery-powered, but may additionally or alternatively be mains-powered. 
     The cleaning apparatus  10  also includes a cleaning head  20 , which, in the present example, is substantially rectangular, and has a pair of long edges  20   a ,  20   b,  and a pair of short edges  20   c,    20   d.  The cleaning head includes a backing member including an upper face  20   e,  and a lower face  20   f.  The cleaning head  20  is substantially planar, and is preferably manufactured from a plastics material. The cleaning head  20  is substantially rigid. 
     Cleaning material  22  is attached to the lower face  20   f  of the backing of the cleaning head  20 . The cleaning material  22  is preferably a microfibre mop material which is thermally or otherwise bonded to the cleaning head  20 . The mop material  22  is integral with the cleaning head  20 , in that it is permanently attached thereto. The cleaning material  22  is attached to a substantial area of the lower face  20   f  of the cleaning head  20   f.  The cleaning material may be attached to the whole of the lower face  20   f  of the cleaning head  20 . It will be appreciated that other materials and other methods of attachment of the cleaning material  22  to the cleaning head  20  are possible. 
     The cleaning apparatus  10  includes a plate  26 , which, in the present example, is a substantially square member. It will be appreciated that the plate  26  may be any appropriate shape, including rectangular or substantially circular or oval. The plate  26  includes an upper face, which is attached to the body  12  and a substantially planar lower face  26   a  which is attachable to the cleaning head  20 . 
     The plate  26  is permanently or semi-permanently attached to the body  12 . In the present example, the plate  26  is attached to the body  12  by a plurality of resilient mountings  20   g,  one of which is provided towards each corner of the plate  26 . 
     Whilst the plate  26  may be detachable from the body  12 , for example for maintenance purposes, the plate  26  is not intended to be detached from the body  12  of the cleaning apparatus  10  during normal use, i.e. by an operator of the cleaning apparatus  10  in the course of cleaning a surface  16 . For the purposes of the present application is considered to be a part of the body  12 . 
     The plate  26  is manufactured from aluminium, but it will be appreciated that it may be manufactured from any suitable material. 
     The plate  26  is part of the vibrating unit  18 , carried by the body  12 , but is also attachable to the cleaning head  20 , such that vibratory movement of the vibrating unit is transferrable to the cleaning head  20 . 
     The cleaning head  20  is attachable and detachable from the body  12  by means of an attachment mechanism  23 . In embodiments of the invention, the attachment mechanism  23  includes one or more permanent magnets attached to at least one of the body  12  and the cleaning head  20 , and corresponding magnetic elements and/or permanent magnets provided on the other one of the cleaning head  20  and the body  12 . 
     The attachment mechanism  23  shown in  FIG. 1B  includes four magnets  24 , provided towards respective corners of the lower face  26   a  of the plate  26 , and four magnetic elements  25 , provided in a corresponding formation on the upper face  20   e  of the cleaning head  20 . The magnetic elements  25  need not be magnets themselves, but should be attracted to the magnets  24 . 
     It will be understood that the attachment mechanism  23  may include any number of magnets  24  and/or magnetic elements  25 , and that one or more magnets  24  may additionally or alternatively be provided on the cleaning head  20 , with one or more corresponding magnetic elements  25  being provided on the plate  26 . The magnets  24  and magnetic elements  25  may be provided in any appropriate formation. 
     The magnets  24  and the magnetic elements  25  are preferably embedded in the cleaning head  20  and the plate  26  or vice versa, but this is not essential. 
     The cleaning apparatus  10  optionally also includes at least one locating formation  28  to locate the cleaning head  20  in the correct position relative to the body  12 , and depending upon its form, may also assist in retaining the cleaning head  20  in the correct position relative to the body  12  during use of the cleaning apparatus  10 , for example to resist slipping of the cleaning head  20  out of the desired position relative to the body  12 . 
     In the example shown in  FIG. 1B , the cleaning head  20  includes four locating members  28 , each in the form of a substantially L-shaped lip which extends from the upper surface  20   e  of the cleaning head  20 . The position of each locating member coincides with the position of a corner of the plate  26 , such that when the cleaning head  20  is offered up to the body  12 , the plate  26  sits within the four locating members  28 , and is held in location solely by the magnets  24 , magnetic elements  25  and gravity. 
     In an alternative example the locating formations coincide with the attachment mechanism  23 . The four magnets  24  on the plate  26  project outwardly of the lower face  26   a  of the plate  26 . Each of the four magnetic elements  25  on the cleaning head  20  is recessed to receive a corresponding magnet  24  of the plate  26 . These protrusions and recesses form a locating formation which enables the cleaning head  20  to be positively located relative to the body  12 . It will be understood that the protrusions and recesses of the plate  26  and the cleaning head  20  may be provided separately from the magnets  24  and/or the magnetic elements  25 , if desired, but in each case, location of the head  20  relative to the plate  26 , is achieved by the interaction of the magnets  24  and magnetic elements  25 . 
     It will be appreciated that alternative examples and alternative numbers of locating formations may be provided. The locating members may be dispensed with entirely, as appropriate, to provide substantially smooth mating surfaces of the body  12  and the cleaning head  20 , for example where the magnetic attraction between the magnets  24  and the magnetic elements  25  is strong enough to provide adequate location of the head  20  relative to the plate  26 . 
     The cleaning head  20  is preferably locatable relative to the body  12  of the cleaning apparatus  10 , at least through 90° such that the cleaning head  20  may be used such that one of the long edges  20   a,    20   b  leads and the other long edge  20   a,    20   b  trails during substantially forward movement of the cleaning apparatus  10 . Alternatively, one of the short edges  20   c,    20   d  leads and the other short edge  20   c,    20   d  trails when the cleaning apparatus  10  is moved in a substantially forward direction, so as to enable cleaning of narrower or otherwise difficult to access parts of the surface  16  to be cleaned. In order to achieve this, in one example, the plate  26  may be rotatable with the cleaning head  20 , relative to the body  12 . In another example, the head  20  may be located in one of four orientations relative to the body  12 , the four positions being substantially orthogonal to one another. It will also be appreciated that two, rather than four, orientations may be possible. In order to facilitate rotation of the cleaning head  20  relative to the body  12 , the plate  26  is preferably square, rather than rectangular. The cleaning head  20  is lockable one or more positions relative to the body  12 . 
     To clean the surface  16 , the cleaning head  20 , including the integral cleaning material  22  is attached to the body  12 , by placing the cleaning head  20  on the surface  16  with the upper face  20   e  facing upwards, and the cleaning material  22  adjacent the surface to be cleaned  16 , and then offering the body  12  up to the cleaning head  20 , so that the magnets  24  of the cleaning head  120  are approximately vertically aligned with the magnetic elements  25  of the cleaning head  20 . The magnetic attraction between the magnets  24  and the magnetic elements  25  is sufficient to pull the cleaning head  20  into the correct position relative to the body  12  provided the cleaning head  20  is placed close to the correct position by a user. Where one or more locating members  28  are provided, the or each locating member  28  may assist in correctly positioning the cleaning head  20  relative to the body  12  and/or maintaining the correct position of the cleaning head  20  relative to the body  12 . In any event, there is no need for any clips or other fastenings which would be required to be released in order to separate the head  20  and the plate  26 . 
     To clean a relatively large surface  16 , the cleaning head  20  is positioned relative to the body  12  such that the long edges  20   a,    20   b  of the cleaning head  20  are substantially transverse to a direction of travel of the cleaning apparatus and the operator across the surface  16 . 
     The operator then switches the cleaning apparatus  10  on, to begin vibratory/vibratory movement of the cleaning head  20 . The operator then manoeuvres the cleaning apparatus  10  over the surface  16  to be cleaned, and the powered vibrating unit  18  causes the cleaning head  20  of the apparatus  10  to vibrate or oscillate. The vibratory or oscillating motion provided by the motor within the unit  18  is transferred to the cleaning head  20 , via the plate  26 . 
     After a period of use of the cleaning apparatus  10  to clean the surface  16 , it will become necessary to clean or replace the cleaning material  22 . To clean the cleaning material  22  it is advantageous to detach the cleaning head  20  from the body  12  of the cleaning apparatus  10 . The cleaning apparatus  10  is preferably switched off, i.e. the motor driving the vibrating unit  18  is switched off, but this is not essential. A substantially downward force, i.e. in a direction towards the surface being cleaned  16 , is applied to a part of the upper face  20   e  of the cleaning head  20 . This force may be applied by the foot of the operator, and/or another object, for example a part of a cleaning material cleaning device  64 , as described in more detail below. The operator then applies a substantially upward force to the handle  13  of the body  12 , to overcome the magnetic attraction between the parts of the attachment mechanism  23  of the cleaning head  20  and the body  12 . It is not necessary to lift the body  12  very far from the surface  16  to detach the cleaning head  20 . 
     It is not necessary for any part of the cleaning apparatus  10 , other than the handle  13 , to be touched by the hands of the operator during attachment or detachment of the cleaning head  20  to/from the body  12 . The attachment mechanism  23  and locating formations (where provided) provide a quick-release attachment mechanism between the body  12  and the cleaning head  20 . 
     The cleaning material  22  of the cleaning head  20  can then be laundered or replaced as required. Since the cleaning head  20  is substantially rigid, and the cleaning material  22  is integral with, for example bonded to, the cleaning head  20 , the whole cleaning head  20  is laundered, in a substantially flat configuration. The cleaning head is preferably laundered using a suitable mobile mop material cleaning device. 
     It will be understood that from time to time it may be advantageous to alter the orientation of the cleaning head  20  relative to the body  12 , for example to enable cleaning of hard to reach areas of the surface to be cleaned  16 . Since the plate  26  is substantially square or, more specifically, the formation of the magnets and corresponding magnetic elements  24 ,  25  on both the cleaning head  20  and the body  12  (specifically the plate  26 ) is substantially square, it is possible for the cleaning head  20  to be orientated in four discrete positions relative to the body  12 . It will be understood that there are two possible orientations where the long edges  20   a,    20   b  of the cleaning head  20  are substantially transverse to the general direction of travel during use of the cleaning apparatus  10 , and two orientations where the short edges  20   c,    20   d  are substantially transverse to the general direction of travel of the cleaning apparatus  10  and the user during use of the cleaning apparatus  10 . 
     The cleaning head  20  has been described above as being substantially rigid. However, it may be advantageous for the cleaning head  20  to be flexible, or at least semi-flexible, for example for laundering purposes, such that when the cleaning head  20  is detached from the body  12 , the cleaning head  20  is able to curve or bend, as may be required by a laundering machine, i.e. a material cleaning device. 
     Where the cleaning head  20  is required to be flexible, the material to which the cleaning material  22  is attached is thin, for example 2 mm-5 mm thick, and/or may include one or more scores or notches  19  which extend partially through the depth of the cleaning head  20 , between the short edges  20   c,    20   d,  as shown in  FIG. 1C . Additionally or alternatively, flexibility may be an inherent property of the material from which the cleaning head  20  is manufactured. 
     An alternative cleaning apparatus  110  and components thereof are shown in  FIGS. 2A to 2E . Features of the cleaning apparatus  110  which are similar to the features of the cleaning apparatus  10 , described above, have the same reference numerals, prefixed with ‘1’. 
     The cleaning apparatus  110  includes a body  112 , which includes a handle attachment part  114  to which a handle  113  is attachable, to enable the cleaning apparatus to be manoeuvred across a surface  116  to be cleaned. The body  112  includes a motor (not shown) which provides vibratory motion to the plate  126 . 
     The motor is preferably battery-powered, but may additionally or alternatively be mains-powered. 
     The cleaning apparatus  110  also includes a cleaning head  120 , which is attachable to the body  112  by means of an attachment mechanism  123 . The attachment mechanism includes a pair of retaining members  155 , each of which is operable to retain and release at least a part of the body  112 . In the example shown, the retaining members  155  are operable to retain and release respective parts of an attachment member, in the form of a plate  126  which is carried by the body  112 . 
     The plate  126  is a substantially rectangular member having a pair of long edges  126   a,    126   b,  and a pair of short edges  126   c,    126   d.  The plate  126  includes an upper face  126   e,  and a substantially planar lower face  126   f.  The short edge  126   c  includes a rebate  140 , which forms a lip  142  which extends outwardly of the short edge  126   c  adjacent the lower face  126   f  of the plate  126 . In the example shown, the rebate  140  and the lip  142  extend along the entire length of the short edge  126   c,  however, it will be understood that the rebate  140  and the lip  142  may be selected to be an alternative, suitable length. The short edge  126   d  also includes a rebate  140  and a lip  142  which extends outwardly of the short edge  126   d.  Each lip  142  is preferably a few millimetres wide, for example between 5 and 10 mm wide. The short edge  126   d  also includes a pair of protrusions  144 . Each protrusion  144  is located at a respective end of the short edge  126   d.  Each protrusion  144  has a rounded or chamfered end. The protrusions aid in location of the plate  126  relative to the cleaning head  120 , during attachment of the cleaning head  120  to the body  112 , as will be explained below. 
     The plate  126  includes a number of openings, each of which aids in attachment of the plate  126  to the body  112  and/or to the cleaning head  120 . 
     The plate  126  includes a boss  136 , which is located substantially centrally between the two long sides  126   a,    126   b  and the two short sides  126   c,    126   d.  The boss  136  receives a bush for an eccentric spindle bearing of a motor carried by the body  112 , to power the cleaning apparatus  110 . The plate  126  includes a pair of elongate openings  138 , each of which extends substantially parallel to the long sides  126   a,    126   b  of the plate. Each end of each elongate opening  138  is rounded. 
     The plate  126  is attached to the body  112  by virtue of resilient fixings which are receivable through fixing apertures  132 . The example shown includes four fixing apertures, one near each corner of the plate  126 . Each fixing aperture  132  is surrounded by a bush  134 . Each bush  134  assists in transmitting vibratory or oscillatory movement from the motor of the body  112  through the plate  126  and then to the cleaning head  120 . It will be appreciated that other methods of attaching the plate  126  to the body  112  may be utilised. The plate  126  is permanently or semi-permanently attached to the body  112 , and, for the purposes of the present application is a part of the body  112 . The plate  126  is manufactured from aluminium, but it will be appreciated that it may be manufactured from any suitable material. 
     The cleaning head  120  is substantially rectangular, and has a pair of long edges  120   a,    120   b,  and a pair of short edges  120   c,    120   d.  The cleaning head  120  includes an upper face  120   e,  and a lower face  120   f.  The cleaning head  120  is provided in two parts  121   a,    121   b  such that the cleaning head  120  is foldable, substantially in half, across the width of the cleaning head  120 , as shown in 
       FIG. 3 . The two parts  121   a,    121   b,  of the cleaning head  120  are connected together via a connecting part  127 . Each part  121   a,    121   b  of the cleaning head  120  is pivotably attached to the connecting part  127 , via a pin  129  or other, similar connection to enable the cleaning head  120  to be folded substantially in half. The connecting part  127  acts as a hinge between the two parts  121   a,    121   b  of the cleaning head  120 . 
     The cleaning head  120  preferably includes a locating member  154 . In the present example, the cleaning head  120  includes a pair of locating members  154 , each of which is receivable in one of the elongate openings  138  of the plate  126 . Each locating member  154  is provided in three parts, a first part  154   a , which is carried by the first part  121   a  of the cleaning head  120 , a second part  154   b,  which is carried by the second part  121   b  of the cleaning head  120 , and a third, intermediate part  154   c,  which is carried by the connecting part  127  of the cleaning head  120 . When the cleaning head  120  is in an unfolded condition, such that the lower face  120   f  of the cleaning head  120  is substantially planar, the three parts  154   a - c  of each of the locating members  154  abut one another, end to end. The ends of the parts  154   a,    154   b  of each locating member which do not abut the intermediate part  154   c  are rounded. The three parts  154   a - c  of each locating member  154  may be separate, but directly adjacent one another, or may be connected together, for example by a pair of isthmuses, one between the first part  154   a  and the intermediate part  154   c,  and a second between the second part  154   b  and the intermediate part  154   c.  The isthmuses inhibit complete separation of the parts  154   a - c  of the locating member  154 , but are thin enough to be repeatedly deformed to enable repeated folding and unfolding of the cleaning head  120 . 
     The cleaning head  120  carries a pair of retaining members  155 , in the form of clips. In the example shown, each part  121   a,    121   b  of the cleaning head  120  carries one of the retaining members  155 . It will be appreciated that any number of retaining members  155  may be provided, as appropriate, including a single retaining member  155  and that the plate  126  may be modified to include a corresponding number of parts which are retainable by the retaining members  155 . Each retaining member  155  includes a fulcrum which is connected to the upper face  120   e  of the cleaning head  120 , at or adjacent a first end  155   a  of the clip  155 . Each retaining member  155  also includes a free end  155   b  which is distal from the fulcrum. Each retaining member  155  is shaped so as to be pivotable relative to the cleaning head  120 , about the fulcrum. 
     Each retaining member  155  includes an upper portion which is engageable by a moving member, for example a foot of an operator. To this end, the upper portion of each retaining member  155  includes a substantially planar surface. The upper surface of each retaining member  155  may include a surface with a relatively high coefficient of friction, to assist in engagement between the upper portion and a surface of a moving member, e.g. a sole of a shoe. Each retaining member  155  may include indications of a method of operation of the retaining member  155 , e.g. symbols indicating method of movement, or direction of movement to enable engagement and/or disengagement of the cleaning head  120  to/from the body  112 . Each retaining member  155  is moveable between a first, retaining position, and a second, open position. Each retaining member  155  is pivotable between the first and second positions, and is biased towards the first, retaining position by a biasing member. In the example shown, each retaining member is biased towards the first position by a respective spring  146 . 
     Each retaining member  155  includes a retaining formation  148  for receiving and retaining a part of the body  112 , in particular a part of the plate  126 , in the present example. Each retaining member  155  of the present embodiment includes a pair of retaining formations  148 , but it will be appreciated that any number of retaining formations  148  may be provided, as appropriate. Each retaining formation includes a recess  150 , in which at least a part of one of the lips  142  of the plate  126  is receivable. Each retaining formation  148  also includes a catch  152  which is substantially triangular in cross-section. 
     The cleaning head  120  also includes one or more cleaning material attachment portions  156  for attaching a sheet or pad of cleaning material  122  to the cleaning head  120 . The cleaning material  122  is preferably fabric and advantageously includes a microfibre material. In the example shown, the cleaning head  120  includes a pair of cleaning material attachment portions  156 , one on each part  121   a,    121   b  of the cleaning head  120 . Each cleaning material attachment portion  156  is positioned on the upper face  120   e  of the cleaning head  120 . Each cleaning material attachment portion  156  includes a fastener, for example one part of a hook and loop fastener (e.g. Velcro®), which is attachable to a corresponding part of the fastener which is attached to the cleaning material  122 . In the example shown, the cleaning material  122  includes a pair of fastening portions  160 , one at each end of the material  122 . Each of the fastening portions  160  includes a fastener which corresponds with a fastener which is provided on one of the cleaning material attachment portions  156  of the cleaning head  120 . The fastening portions  160  of the cleaning material  122  are positioned on a reverse side of the cleaning material  122 , on a side which, in use, does not contact a surface  116  to be cleaned. 
     The cleaning head  120  includes a handle  162  which is carried by the connecting part  127  of the cleaning head  120 . The handle  162  is attached to the connecting part  127  by a pin or similar fixing, about which the handle  162  is able to pivot, relative to the connecting part  127 , between a stowed position and a raised, in use position. The handle  162  is substantially U-shaped, and extends substantially between the long edges  120   a,    120   b  of the cleaning head  120 , approximately mid-way between the short edges  120   c,    120   d.    
       FIG. 2F  shows the underside of a cleaning head  120  without the cleaning material attached thereto. The handle  162  is in its stowed position and comprises two arms  162   a  and  162   b  both of which contain a portion of hook and loop fastening material (e.g. Velcro®), which can adhere to the underside of the cleaning material once this is placed on the underside of the cleaning head  120 . The handle portions  162   a  and  162   b  are designed to fit snugly into two similarly sized apertures  125   a  and  125   b  formed in the cleaning head  120 . Advantageously the hook and loop fastening material located on  162   a  and  162   b  can provide an efficient fastening operation when the cleaning fabric is position on this underside with the handle  162  neatly stored within the cleaning head  120  when in use with the cleaning head  120 . However when the handle  162  is lifted the hook and loop fastening material  162   a  and  162   b  attached thereto is also moved so it is not situated on the underside of the cleaning head  120 . 
     To clean a surface  116 , the cleaning material  122  is attached to the cleaning head  120 , by aligning and fastening together each of the cleaning material attachment portions  156  with the corresponding fastening portions  160  of the cleaning material  122 . The cleaning head  120  is placed in an unfolded condition, such that the lower face  120   f  of the cleaning head  120  is in a substantially planar configuration, with the cleaning material  122  covering the lower face  120   b,  and adjacent the surface  116  to be cleaned. 
     The cleaning head  120  is attached to the body  112  of the cleaning apparatus  110 , by attaching the attachment member, i.e. the plate  126 , to the cleaning head  120 . The plate  126  is preferably attached to the body  112  when the body  112  is manufactured, and the operator would not ordinarily be required to attach the plate  126  to the body  112 . The operator applies a force to one of the retaining members  155 , for example the retaining member  155  on the first part  121   a  of the cleaning head  120 , generally in the direction shown by arrows labelled A in  FIG. 2B . This moves the retaining member  155  from its first, retaining position, to its second, open position. The retaining member  155  is tilted slightly upwardly relative to the cleaning head  120  when in the open position. The operator then introduces the corresponding part of the plate  126 , i.e. the lip  142  into the recess  150  in the retaining member, and removes the force being applied to the upper portion of the retaining member  155 . The biasing member, i.e. spring  146 , moves the retaining member  155  to its first, retaining position, and the lip  142  of the plate  126  is held by the retaining member  155 , between the upper face  120   e  of the cleaning head  120  and the retaining member  155 . The operator then applies a force in the general direction indicated by the arrows labelled A to the other retaining member  155 , so as to move the other retaining member  155  into its open position. The operator then inserts the lip  142  on the short edge  126   d  of the plate  126  into the recess  150  of the retaining member  155 . The force is then removed from the retaining member  155 , and the biasing member  146  moves the retaining member  155  to its retaining position, such that the lip  142  is held between the retaining member  155  and the upper face  120   e  of the cleaning head  120 . The force required to be applied to each retaining member  155  to move each retaining member  155  to its open position is preferably applied by the operator&#39;s foot. The operator is able to hold the handle  113  which is attached to the body  112  of the cleaning apparatus  110 , to manoeuvre the body  112  and the plate  126 , into engagement with the cleaning head  120 . The locating members  154  guide the cleaning head  120  into correct alignment with the body  112 , as each is received in the corresponding elongate opening  138  in the plate  126 . The rounded edges of the first and second parts  154   a,    154   b  of each locating member  154  assist in reception of the locating members  154  in the corresponding elongate openings  138 . 
     The cleaning head handle  162  lies substantially against the upper surface  120   e  of the cleaning head  120 , as shown in  FIG. 2D , for example, so that it does not interfere with attachment of the cleaning head  120  to the body  112 . 
     The cleaning apparatus  110  may then be operated to clean the surface to be cleaned  116 . The cleaning apparatus  110  is manoeuvred across the surface  116  by the operator, and the powered vibrating unit  118  causes the cleaning head  120  of the apparatus  110  to vibrate or vibrate. The vibratory or oscillatory motion of the vibrating unit  118  is transferred to the cleaning head  120 , via an eccentric pin which extends through the boss  136  of the plate  126 , and from the plate  126  to the cleaning head  120  via the bushes  134 . 
     After a period of use of the cleaning apparatus  110  to clean a surface  116 , it will become necessary to clean or replace the cleaning material  122 . The length of this time period will vary, dependent upon the level of soiling of the surface to be cleaned  116 . It is preferable, for practical, economic and ecological reasons, to clean the cleaning material  122 , rather than to replace the cleaning material  122  each time it becomes soiled. 
     To clean the cleaning material  122  it is advantageous to detach the cleaning head  120  from the body  112  of the cleaning apparatus  110 , thus removing the need to lift the cleaning apparatus  110  to a significant height, or tilt the cleaning apparatus  110  to access and/or remove the cleaning material  122  from the underside of the cleaning apparatus  110 . The cleaning apparatus  110  is switched off, i.e. the motor driving the vibrating unit is switched off. The cleaning head  120  is detachable from the body  112  by reversing the steps taken to attach the cleaning head  110  to the plate  126  of the body  112 , i.e. the operator applies a force to one of the retaining members  155  in a direction substantially parallel to the direction indicated by the arrows labelled A in  FIG. 2B . This force moves the retaining member  155  into its open position, such that the body  112  and the plate  126  can be tilted slightly relative to the cleaning head  120 , to enable the lip  142  of the plate  126  to be removed from the retaining member  155 . The operator then removes the force, and the biasing member  146  returns the retaining member  155  to its first, closed position. It may then be possible for the operator to detach the other end of the plate  126  from the retaining member  155  simply by pulling the body  112  slightly upwardly and sideways, such that the lip  142  slides out of the retaining formation  48  of the retaining member  155 . Alternatively, the operator repeats the process used in relation to the first retaining member  155 , with the other retaining member  155 , to remove the other lip  142  of the plate  126  from the other retaining member  155 . The cleaning head  120  is thus detached from the body  112 , and the body  112  may be placed to one side, whilst the cleaning head  120 , or more specifically the cleaning material  122 , is cleaned. 
     It is not necessary for any part of the cleaning apparatus  110 , other than the handle  113 , to be touched by the hands of the operator during attachment or detachment of the cleaning head  120  to/from the body  112 . The retaining members  155  and the plate  126  provide a quick-release attachment mechanism  123  between the body  112  and the cleaning head  120 . Furthermore, it is not necessary to tilt the body  112  or lift the body  112  more than a few millimetres, which is beneficial compared with the height to which the body of a conventional cleaning apparatus needs to be lifted, or the degree to which such an apparatus needs to be tilted in order to be able to remove and/or clean the cleaning material which is located on the bottom of the apparatus. 
     The handle  162  of the cleaning head  120  is used to carry the cleaning head  120  when the cleaning head  120  is detached from the body  112 . The handle  162  is kept relatively clean and dry during use of the cleaning apparatus  110  to clean the surface  116 , since the handle  162  is located between the upper surface  120   e  of the cleaning head, and the body  112 , and is unlikely to contact dirt or debris removed from the surface  116  by the cleaning apparatus. Moving the handle  162  into a carrying or position, as shown in  FIG. 3  and lifting the cleaning head  120  out of contact with the surface  116  causes the cleaning head  120  to fold, since the two parts  121   a,    121   b  are permitted to pivot about the pins  129  of the connecting part  127 . The parts  154   a - c  of the locating member  154  are no longer held in abutment with one another, and allow the parts  121   a,    121   b  of the cleaning head  120  to fold, either by separation of the parts  154   a - c,  or by deformation of the isthmuses joining the parts  154   a - c  together. 
     The width of the cleaning head  120  in the folded condition is no greater than the width of the connecting part  127  which connects the two parts  121   a,    121   b  of the cleaning head  120  together. 
     Enabling the cleaning head  120  to fold, enables the cleaning material  122 , which is attached to the cleaning head  120  by its ends, to hang downwardly from the cleaning head  120 , in a loop, with the side of the cleaning material  122  which has been in contact with the surface  116 , i.e. the side of the cleaning material  122  which is most likely to be soiled, faces outwardly. 
     The operator is then able to clean the cleaning material  122 , by inserting at least the cleaning material  122  into a material cleaning apparatus  164 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . The material cleaning apparatus  164  may include rinsing, scrubbing, and/or wringing apparatus to clean the material  122 . The material cleaning apparatus  164  may be carried by a receptacle such as a bucket  166 , a part only of which is shown in  FIG. 3 . The material cleaning device  164  may be of known type, for example as described in the applicant&#39;s prior United Kingdom patent application, GB2480294, which includes a pair of rotating brushes  165  for cleaning the material, and a wringing apparatus  167  for wringing the material. The material cleaning apparatus  164  is mobile. 
     The cleaning material  122  need not be removed from the cleaning head  120  in order to be cleaned; therefore it is unnecessary for the operator to contact the cleaning material  122  directly with his or her hands. The operator may retain a grip on the handle  162  of the cleaning head  120  during cleaning, or may release the handle  162 , as required by the operating requirements of the material cleaning device  164 . 
     When the cleaning head  120  is in its folded configuration, the retaining formations  155  advantageously provide abutment members which abut a part of the cleaning material cleaning device  164 , to inhibit insertion of the parts  121   a,    121   b  of the cleaning head  120  into the material cleaning device  164 . It may be desirable for only the cleaning material  122  to be receivable into the material cleaning device  164 , for example to achieve optimum cleaning and/or wringing results. The foldable nature of the cleaning head  120  facilitates this, as it is possible for the cleaning material to hang down from the cleaning head  120 . This is different from the substantially planar cleaning head  20  of the cleaning apparatus  10  as described above, wherein at least a portion, and preferably the whole of the backing to which the cleaning material  22  is attached is receivable in the material cleaning device  64 . The width of the folded cleaning head parts  121   a,    121   b  when in the folded configuration is likely to be greater than the width of the loop of cleaning material, and hence if the parts  121   a,    121   b  of the cleaning head  120  were receivable between scrubbing or wringing apparatus of the material cleaning device  164 , the effect of the scrubbing and/or wringing apparatus on the cleaning material  122  is likely to be diminished. 
     Once the cleaning material  122  has been cleaned, the operator removes the cleaning head  120  from the material cleaning device  164 , and places the cleaning head  120  back on to a surface, for example the surface to be cleaned  116 . The parts  121   a,    121   b  of the cleaning head  120  are caused to pivot about the pins  129 , relative to the connecting part  127 , and the lower face  120   f  of the cleaning head  120  returns to its substantially planar condition, with the cleaning material  122  in contact with the lower face  120   f,  in a substantially flat configuration. The operator then releases the handle  162  such that it lies adjacent the upper face  120   e  of the cleaning head  120 , and reattaches the cleaning head  120  to the body  112  of the cleaning apparatus  110 , as described above. Again, the hands of the operator are only required to contact the handle  113  of the cleaning apparatus  110  to achieve attachment of the cleaning head  120  to the body  112 . The cleaning apparatus  110  is then ready for operation to clean a further portion of the surface  116  to be cleaned, or an alternative surface. The attachment member, i.e. plate  126 , maintains the cleaning head  120  substantially flat, and inhibits unintentional folding of the cleaning head parts  121   a,    121   b  during cleaning of the surface  116 . 
     Whilst the plate  126  may be detachable from the body  112 , for example for maintenance purposes, the plate  126  is not intended to be detached from the body  112  of the cleaning apparatus  110  during normal use, i.e. by an operator of the cleaning apparatus  110  in the course of cleaning a surface  116 . 
     Whilst each retaining member  155  has been described as being pivotable about a fulcrum, it will be appreciated that other methods of moving each retaining member  155  between a retaining position and an open position may be utilised. For example, a part of the or each retaining member  155  may be deformable, and/or may include an elastic portion. Such an embodiment may enable the or each respective biasing member, e.g. spring  146 , to be dispensed with, as the material from which at least a part of the retaining member  155  is manufactured may naturally return the retaining member  155  to its closed state in the absence of external force acting on the retaining member  155  to hold the retaining member  155  in the open position. In such an embodiment, the deformable part of the retaining member  155  must be able to withstand a high number of deformations. 
     Whilst the method of operation has been described as requiring movement of each of the retaining members  155  into the respective open positions, to enable insertion of the respective part of the plate  126  therein, it will be appreciated that it may, additionally or alternatively, be possible for a first edge  126   c,    126   d  of the plate  126  to be slid into the recess  150  of one of the retaining members  155 , and then the other edge of the plate  126  to be received in the recess of the other retaining member  155 , by moving the other retaining member  155  to its open position by the operator applying a force directly to the upper part of the retaining member  155 , for example using his or her foot, or by applying a force to the catch  152  with the edge  126   c,    126   d  of the plate  126  by applying a force to the handle  113  of the cleaning apparatus  110 , such that the edge  126   c,    126   d  slides along the catch, causing pivoting motion and/or deformation of the retaining member  155 , until the edge  126   c,    126   d  of the plate clips under the catch  152 , and is received in the recess  150  of the retaining member  155 . 
     The cleaning head  120  is preferably rotatable relative to the body  112  of the cleaning apparatus  110 , at least through 90° such that the cleaning head  120  may be used such that one of the long edges  120   a,    120   b  leads and the other long edge  120   a,    120   b  trails during substantially forward movement of the cleaning apparatus  110 . Alternatively, one of the short edges  120   c,    120   d  leads and the other short edge  120   c,    120   d  trails when moved in a substantially forward direction, so as to enable cleaning of narrower or otherwise difficult to access parts of the surface  116  to be cleaned. The cleaning head  120  is lockable one or more positions relative to the body  112 . The plate  126  may be rotatable with the cleaning head  120 , relative to the body  112 , or may remain stationary relative to the body  112 . In order to facilitate rotation of the cleaning head  120  relative to the body  12 , the plate  126  is preferably square, rather than rectangular.