Patent Publication Number: US-6705792-B2

Title: Cleaning attachment for converting a cleaning implement to a mop

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     U.S. application Ser. No. 09/917,069 filed Jul. 27, 2001, and U.S. application Ser. No. 10/007,528 filed Dec. 5, 2001, describe various forms of cleaning attachments which are particularly usable for attachment to a broom or other cleaning implement to convert the cleaning implement to a mop. It would be desirable if beneficial variations of those techniques could be made. 
    
    
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of this invention is to provide a cleaning attachment for converting a cleaning implement to a mop. 
     In accordance with one aspect of this invention the cleaning attachment fits over the cleaning head of the cleaning implement. The cleaning attachment is in the form of a flexible cover having a pair of walls spaced from each other for fitting on opposite sides of the cleaning head of the implement. The upper ends of the walls are connected to each other for mounting the cover over the cleaning head near the handle of the implement. The lower ends of the walls are connected to each other by a central support surface which has a wing extending outwardly from each side of the support surface. A wipe, would be detachably mounted to the wings and support surface. A receptacle is also mounted to one of the wings for holding a cleaning solution which can be dispensed onto the wipe. The dispensing of the cleaning solution may advantageously take place through dispensing slots in the wing. A sponge is located over the slots to control the dispensing. 
     In a variation of the first embodiment of the invention a cleaning solution container or receptacle is detachably mounted to the cover in such a manner that the cleaning solution could be dispensed from the container. For examples the dispensing could be actuated by placing a wing against the floor or other surface being cleaned and then pivoting the handle toward that surface so as to squeeze the flexible container between the wing and its side wall of the attachment. The cleaning Solution could be expelled forwardly of the wing and wipe. 
     In a further variation of the invention, which need not include the cleaning solution container the cover is made with the wings and support surface in the form of a continuous curved surface. This can be accomplished by providing foam pads against the wings and support surface to give the desired curved shape. An outer skin may be disposed on the outer surface of the pads 
     In accordance with still yet another variation of the invention the cover is made in a clam shell type construction wherein the walls are permanently secured together at the top portion. The bottom portion of the cover is divided into separated parts to permit the cover to be mounted over the broom or other implement and then have the lower parts connected together. 
    
    
     THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded side elevational view showing the cleaning attachment of this invention mounted to a cleaning implement; 
     FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the cleaning attachment shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the cleaning attachment shown in FIGS. 1-2; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken through FIG. 2 along the line  4 — 4 ; 
     FIG. 5 is a side elevational view showing the cleaning attachment of FIGS. 1-4 in use; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a cleaning solution container for use in a further embodiment of this invention; 
     FIGS. 7-9 are side elevational views of a cleaning implement and attachment incorporating the container of FIG. 6 in different stages of use in accordance,with this further embodiment of this invention; 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing yet another embodiment of this invention which incorporates a cleaning solution container; 
     FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of still yet another embodiment of this invention incorporating a cleaning solution container; 
     FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a modified form of attachment in accordance with yet another form of this invention; 
     FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of the attachment shown in FIG. 12; and 
     FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of still yet another form of attachment in accordance with this invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention is based upon techniques shown and described in application Ser. No. 09/917,069 filed Jul. 27, 2001, and application Ser. No. 10/007,526 filed Dec. 5, 2001. All of the details of both of the applications are incorporated herein by reference thereto. Each of those applications relates to a cleaning attachment which would be mounted on the cleaning head of a cleaning implement, such as a broom having an elongated handle and a cleaning head to convert the implement to a mop. In general, the cleaning attachment has walls which would be mounted on each side of the cleaning head in such a manner that the walls are connected together on each side of the handle at the top portion of the attachment. The bottom portion of the attachment has a support surface between the spaced walls with a wing extending outwardly on each side of the central support surface. A wipe is detachably mounted to the exposed surface of the wings and central support surface. 
     The present invention includes variations of the above techniques whereby the cleaning implement can perform mopping functions. The implement itself could even be a mop which would be modified by the cleaning attachment to enhance the mopping functions. The following description would be directed in general to the variations of those descriptions in the two applications, it being understood that features described in those applications can be incorporated in the practices of the inventions herein. 
     FIGS. 1-5 are directed to a practice of the invention wherein a cleaning solution container is mounted to the cleaning attachment to permit a cleaning solution to be dispensed through the attachment and onto the wipe. Preferably, the cleaning solution container is permanently secured to or integrally part of the cleaning attachment itself. 
     As shown in FIG. 1 a cleaning implement  10 , such as a broom, includes a cleaning head  12  and an elongated handle  14  as described in the aforenoted applications. A cleaning attachment  16  is detachably mounted to head  12 . Cleaning attachment  16  is in the form of a flexible cover having a pair of walls  18 ,  20  spaced from each other for fitting on opposite sides of the cleaning head  12 . Each of the walls has an upper end with connecting structure such as flaps  22  extending from one wall such as wall  18  over the cleaning head  12  on each side:of handle  14  with complementary connecting structure  24  such as Velcro or hook and loop formations on the flaps  22  and wall  20  engaging each other to detachably mount the cleaning attachment  16  to the implement  10 . The cleaning attachment  16  also includes a generally centrally located support surface or portion  26  in the spacing between the walls  18 , 20  at the bottom portion of cleaning attachment  16 . A wing  28 , 30  extends outwardly on each side of the support surface  26  at a respective one of the walls  18 , 20 . Reusable mounting structure  32 , such as hook and loop formations or Velcro on the outer surface of wings  28 , 32  are located so as to engage complementary structure  32  on the inner surface of a detachable wipe  34  in the manner described in the aforenoted applications. 
     In accordance with the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-5 a cleaning solution container  36  is incorporated in the cleaning attachment  16 . In the illustrated form of this invention the cleaning solution container  36  is integral with wing  30  whereby wing  30  functions as the bottom wall for container  36 . 
     As best shown in FIG. 4 container  36  is a reservoir for cleaning solution  38 . The container can be filled through opening  40  selectively covered by cap  42 . At least one and preferably a plurality of slots  44  are provided in a lower portion of container  36  in communication with a chamber in which a sponge member or pad  46  is mounted. The sponge member  46  functions to control the dispensing of the solution  38  from container  36  so that the solution  38  could then flow into contact with wipe  34  shown for the sake of clarity spaced from container  36 . This differs from commercially available cleaning mops which are fitted with a trigger/hose that squirts out detergent solution on demand from a refillable dispenser. Such commercial mops are quite expensive selling in the range of, for example, $20.00-$25.00. The present invention, however, could incorporate the refillable tank or container  36  to dispense cleaning solution at a much lower cost. 
     Prior to use the outer surface of wing  30  in the area of sponge  46  would be covered with a suitable detachable cover  48  such as a strip of tape or the like. See FIGS. 1 and 3. Tape  48  would be removed immediately before wipe  34  is mounted to cleaning attachment  16 . 
     In use, the flexible cleaning attachment  16  would thus clamp around, for example, an angle broom  10 . When the wing  30  is disposed against the floor, wall or other structure  50  being cleaned, such as generally shown in FIG. 1, the cleaning solution would flow through slots  44  into sponge  46  and then against wipe  34 . In this manner the implement  10  would function as a wet mop to wet the floor surface  50 . By rotating the implement  10  to dispose the wing  28  toward the floor  50 , as shown in FIG. 5, the implement  10  functions as a dry mop. 
     In the illustrated embodiment wing  30  itself is part of the tank or container  36 . If desired, however, the tank or container  36  could be separate from and possibly even detachably mounted to wing  30 . In such practice of the invention, wing would have either a plurality of slots or a single elongated slot disposed toward sponge  46  to permit the detergent or cleaning solution  38  to flow from the tank  36  and be absorbed in the double sided cloth or wipe  34 . Where tank or container  36  is detachably mounted any suitable mounting means could be used such as adhesive or Velcro or loop and hook formations on the bottom of container  36  and the corresponding surface of wing  30 . 
     Sponge  46  is preferably a reticulated polyether polyurethane foam sealed to the inside of the bottom of the detergent solution tank  36 . Sponge  46  functions to cover the slots  44 . 
     As previously indicated tank  36  includes a cap  42 . The cap and closure could be secured to tank  36  as a fitmant heat sealed into the plastic film tank  36 , thus providing a manner of filling and refilling the detergent or cleaning solution  38  such as a floor cleaning solution. 
     FIGS. 6-9 illustrate a variation of the invention wherein a tank  36 A is detachably mounted to the cleaning attachment  16 A. Any suitable detachable mounting structure could be used. For example, tanks  36 A could include a mounting layer  52  which would be secured to wall  20  of cleaning attachment  16 A as shown in FIG.  7 . Wall  52  could be provided with an adhesive or stick tape surface as its attaching structure. Other forms of attachment, such as Velcro or clips, clamps, hooks, etc. could also be used. 
     Tank  36 A could be a thermoformed reservoir which contains the floor cleaning or other cleaning solution. Tank  36 A could include a pressure responsive dispensing valve  54  so that upon applying a squeezing pressure to tank  36 A the solution would squirt outwardly from the valve  54 . FIG. 7 shows the position of implement  10  immediately before dispensing the solution. As shown therein, the wing  30  is disposed against floor  52 . As shown in FIG. 8 implement  10  would then be pivoted downwardly to squeeze tank  36 A between wing  30  and wall  2 . 0  thereby forcing drops of solution  38  out of tank  36 A. The dispensing spout or valve  54  is located forwardly of the outer edge of wing  30  so that the solution  38  is squirted directly on the floor  50 . Attachment  16 A could contain a wipe as previously described which would be locate against both wings  28 , 30  so that the wipe would function in the manner previously described. Alternatively, the wipe  34 A could be located against only one of the wings such as wing  28  or the wipe  34 A could be thicker in its portion which is disposed against one of the wings. Thus, FIG. 9 illustrates the attachment being used when the implement  10  is in the reverse position from that shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Thus, in FIG. 9 the wipe  34 A is used to clean the floor. After a section of the floor is cleaned implement  10  would be reversed to squirt additional solution  38  on a new section of floor. 
     When all of the solution  38  has been dispensed from tank  36 A the tank may be removed and discarded and then replaced by a new tank or pouch  36 A. 
     The invention may also be practiced where the disposable tank  36 A has dispensing slots similar to that of tank  36 . The slots would be closed by a dispensing valve so that upon squeezing the tank between wing  30  and wall  20  the liquid or solution is caused to flow through the slots and through suitable openings in wing  30  onto the wipe attached to wipe  30 . If desired a sponge similar to sponge  46  may be incorporated in this practice of the invention. 
     As should be apparent the tank  36 A could be mounted to either the wall  20  or the wing  30  within the practice of the invention. Where an elongated tank  36 A is intended to squirt the solution  38  forwardly of wing  30  it is preferred that the tank  36 A be mounted to wall  20 . If, however, the dispensing opening is located at a slot or opening in wing  30  the tank could be mounted to wing  30  itself. What is in common is that these variations employ the principles of FIGS. 6-9 where the dispensing is activated by squeezing the tank between two surfaces such as wing  30  and wall  20 . 
     FIG. 10 shows yet another embodiment of the invention. As shown therein container or tank  36 B is mounted to wall  20  in any suitable manner such as previously described. In this practice of the invention attachment  16 B does not include a wing which would correspond to wing  30 . The solution would flow from tank  36 B through slots  56  disposed in communication with foam layer  58  which functions as a spreader for the solution. Tank  36 B could include a fill cap  60  which would permit new solution to be added where tank  36 B is reusable. Thus tank  36 B could be permanently mounted to wall  20 . Alternatively, tank  36 B could be detachably mounted and could be of single or limited number of uses. 
     Instead of tank  36 B, a compressible tank similar to tank  36 A could be mounted to wall  20  and squeezed between wall  20  and the floor to dispense the cleaning solution. 
     FIG. 11 shows yet another embodiment of this invention wherein tank  36 C is of a shape to extend against both wings  28 C and  30 C. Tank  36 C could otherwise have similar structure to tank  36  wherein the solution would be dispensed only through wing  30 C through slots  44  into contact with wipe  34 . 
     FIGS. 12-13 illustrate yet another practice of this invention which may, but need not, include a dispensing system such as a cleaning solution tank. As shown in FIGS. 12-13 the outer cleaning surface of attachment  16 D has a curved surface  62  rather than a V-surface as in the other illustrated embodiments. The curved surface provides enhanced contact with the floor. 
     This would result in superior cleaning ability for both dry mopping for dust and dirt or wet cleaning. The curved surface enhances the benefit of having dual sided cleaning cloths. The curved surface  62  can be achieved in any suitable manner. As illustrated in FIGS. 12-13 a single continuous or two separate foam pads  64  are attached to wings  28 , 30  to give the desired outer surface. Fasteners  32  are provided on outer surface  62  to mate with complementary fasteners  32  on wipe  34 . 
     While FIGS. 12-13 illustrate the curved surface  62  to be achieved by foam material, the curvature could also be achieved by padding the outer surfaces of wings  28 , 30  with other materials including non-woven, rubber or other padding that could be sealed in during the manufacturing step. Pressure could be applied to these soft curved surfaces by pressing on the broom  10  or other implement which would provide resiliency to the attachment head  16   d . As illustrated the padded members  64  are covered by an outer layer or skin  66  of any suitable flexible material which could then be folded over and sewn or heat sealed to wings  28 , 30 . 
     FIG. 14 shows yet another embodiment of this invention. This embodiment involved the manner of forming and mounting attachment  16 E. In the previously described embodiments the attachment is mounted to the cleaning head by flaps which extend from one wall over the top of the cleaning head against the other wall. The flaps include fastening structure which mate with complementary fastening structure. In those practices of the invention the bottom portion of the attachment is of one piece permanently connected structure. FIG. 14 illustrates a variation where the attachment is of a clam shell type having the upper ends of walls  18 E and  20 E integral with each other, but including a central spacing to permit the handle  14  of the implement  10  to be inserted through the spacing. The clam shell structure involves having the bottom portion of attachment  16 E spaced from and movable away from each other instead of having an integral central support surface. In other words the central support surface is two sections separate from each other. Thus, FIG. 14 illustrates a gap  68  formed in the central support surface of attachment  16 E so that the wings  28 E,  30 E can be moved away from each other to permit the attachment to be mounted over the cleaning head  12 E. The attachment  16 E could be made of a plastic thermoformed unit that clamps around the implement  10 . The unit could then be maintained closed by any suitable structure such as by snap closures or Velcro hook and loop formations. Once closed the wipe  34  would be mounted to wings  28 E and  30 E. If desired, the fastening structure  32  on the wings and wipe could be used as a supplemental or as the sole manner of maintaining the clam shell attachment  16 E in its closed condition. 
     It is to be understood that the invention could be practiced by incorporating features of one embodiment into other embodiments. Thus, for example, the embodiments of FIGS. 12-13 and  14  could include a cleaning solution container. Where appropriate the attachment could include only a single wing in Various embodiments.