Patent Abstract:
A self-wringing cleaning implement including a cleaning assembly equipped with a platen and a compression member constructed and arranged for relative movement. The cleaning assembly further includes a cleaning member having an absorbent body and a porous cover releasably securable to the platen. During wringing, relative linear movement between the platen and the compression member compresses the absorbent body to force liquid contained therein through the openings in the porous cover. Conversely, relative linear movement between the platen and the compression member in the opposite direction relieves pressure on the absorbent body whereby the implement is configured to resume cleaning of a surface. The implement may also include a scrub brush for removing especially stubborn soil from a surface.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates in general to cleaning implements and in particular to self-wringing cleaning devices. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Self-wringing cleaning devices in the form of wet mops are well known in the art. A typical wet mop comprises an elongate handle the lower end of which carries a base member or retaining means carrying absorbent material such as cloth strips, cloth strands or sponge-like material. As is known, during mopping a user swabs the mop across a floor surface to either clean the floor or remove excess fluid from the floor. As is also known, the user periodically wrings fluid from the absorbent material so that swabbing may proceed. Several different methods are known for performing the wringing process. 
         [0003]    For example, cloth strand mops may be wrung by hand or also may be equipped with a self-wringing mechanism of any of a variety of constructions known in the art. 
         [0004]    Similarly, sponge mops usually include a hand-operated wringer mechanism. One such wringer is a plate having a pivot axis extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sponge. Using such a device, a user grasps a handle connected to the plate and swings the plate into face-to-face contact with the sponge and squeezes fluid from the sponge. Another sponge mop is known as a butterfly mop. In a butterfly mop the sponge retaining means or platen is hinged at its center and the wringer mechanism includes a pair of rollers disposed on either side to the hinge atop the platen. During wringing, a wringer handle connected to the rollers via a linkage is pushed downwardly by a user. In so doing, the rollers contact opposite halves of the platen and pivot them inwardly toward one another thereby causing the sponge material to compress against itself to discharge fluid from the sponge. Another common sponge mop wringing mechanism includes a pair of opposed rollers extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sponge at forward and rearward faces thereof. As is known, the rollers are moved relative to the sponge, or vice versa, in order to squeeze liquid from the sponge. 
         [0005]    Heretofore, however, sponge mops and other cleaning implements have not been equipped with a replaceable cleaning member that not only enhances the cleaning efficacy of the implement but that also cooperates with the device&#39;s wringer in order to effectively extract liquid from the device during a wringing operation. 
         [0006]    An advantage exists, therefore, for a mop or other cleaning implement that is not only self-wringing but also employs a replaceable and durable cleaning member that works in conjunction with the wringing mechanism to provide both highly effective cleaning performance and liquid extraction from the cleaning member. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention relates to cleaning implements including, without limitation, self-wringing mops. In the exemplified embodiment, a self-wringing mop comprises a manually-operated wringer lever pivotally connected to the elongated shaft of a mop handle. A rod has an upper end connected to the lever and a lower end connected to one of a cleaning member support platen and a compression member. The other of the cleaning member support platen and the compression member is affixed to the handle whereby either the platen is movable relative to the compression member or the compression member is movable relative to the platen. The compression member includes a pressure plate and a superstructure. The superstructure of the compression member cooperates with corresponding superstructure of the platen to permit relative linear motion and, preferably, prevent relative rotational motion between the platen and the compression member. 
         [0008]    A cleaning member comprising an absorbent body and a porous cover is adapted to be releasably securable to the platen. According to a preferred embodiment, the porous cover is preferably a durable scrim or mesh-like scrubbing material that is used to fasten the cleaning member to the platen. 
         [0009]    In operation, movement of the lever in a first “wringing” direction causes relative linear movement between the platen and the compression member whereby the pressure plate compresses the absorbent body to force liquid contained therein through the openings in the porous cover. Conversely, movement of the lever in the opposite direction relieves pressure on the absorbent body whereby the mop is configured to resume swabbing of the floor surface. 
         [0010]    So constructed, the present invention provides a cleaning implement with an integral wringing mechanism that cooperates with a replaceable absorbent cleaning member in order to merge the convenience of self-wringing with the cleaning advantages of scrubber material. 
         [0011]    Additionally, the platen also preferably supports a scrub brush attachment that is selectively positionable into operative and inoperative positions. In the operative position, the attachment is securely retained relative to the platen whereby a scrub brush carried by the attachment can be used to scrub particularly hard to remove soil from a floor surface. In the inoperative position, the brush is movable relative to the platen to enable removal/replacement of the cleaning member. According to a preferred embodiment, the scrub brush is rotatable into at least two angular positions for optimum cleaning of differently oriented crevices in a floor or other surface. 
         [0012]    Other details, objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the following description of the presently preferred embodiments and presently preferred methods of practicing the invention proceeds. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The invention will become more readily apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments thereof shown, by way of example only, in the accompanying drawings wherein: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a side elevation view a cleaning implement constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a front elevation view of the cleaning implement of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the cleaning implement of  FIG. 1  showing the wringer lever thereof in a first, inoperative position; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the cleaning implement of  FIG. 1  showing the wringer lever thereof in a second, operative position; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of a platen-contacting surface of a cleaning member constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a side elevation view of the cleaning member of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a plan view of a cleaning surface of the cleaning member of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the cleaning member taken along line A-A of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is an end view of a further embodiment of a cleaning member according to the invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is an enlarged rear perspective view of the lower portion of the cleaning implement of  FIG. 1  with the cleaning member thereof omitted for purposes of clarity and showing the scrub brush attachment thereof in operative position; 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  is similar to  FIG. 10  showing the scrub brush attachment in inoperative position; 
           [0025]      FIG. 12  is an enlarged side elevation view of the lower portion of the cleaning implement with the cleaning member thereof omitted for purposes of clarity and showing the scrub brush attachment thereof in operative position; 
           [0026]      FIG. 13  is similar to  FIG. 12  showing the scrub brush attachment in inoperative position; 
           [0027]      FIG. 14  is an enlarged front perspective view of the lower portion of the cleaning implement with the cleaning member thereof omitted for purposes of clarity and showing the scrub brush attachment thereof in operative position; 
           [0028]      FIG. 15  is an enlarged side elevation view of the lower portion of the cleaning implement similar to  FIG. 12  showing the scrub brush in a different orientation; 
           [0029]      FIG. 16  is an enlarged front perspective view of the lower portion of the cleaning implement similar to  FIG. 14  showing the scrub brush in the orientation shown in  FIG. 15 ; 
           [0030]    and 
           [0031]      FIG. 17  is an enlarged front perspective view of the lower portion of the cleaning implement according to the invention with the cleaning assembly thereof in fully assembled condition. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0032]    Referring to the drawings wherein like or similar references indicate like or similar elements throughout the several views, there is shown in  FIG. 1  a cleaning implement identified generally by reference numeral  10  constructed in accordance with the present invention. As illustrated in this embodiment, cleaning implement  10  assumes the form of a wet mop. Mop  10  includes an elongate handle fabricated from rigid material such as plastic, metal or wood. For reasons explained in connection with the description of  FIGS. 3 and 4 , handle  12  is preferably hollow. At the lower or distal region of handle  12  there is provided a cleaning assembly  14  the details of which will be described hereinafter. Additionally, mop  10  includes a manually operated wringer lever  16  located at an intermediate region of handle  12 , the purpose of which lever is discussed below. 
         [0033]    Turning to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , there is shown a presently preferred wringer or wringing mechanism suitable for use with mop  10 . In this connection, it is seen that lever  16  forms part of a linkage that joins the lever to the cleaning assembly  14 . More particularly, lever  16  is slidably connected to a sleeve  18  attached to handle  12  and pivotally connected to an upper end of a rod  20  which preferably extends interiorly of hollow handle  12 . It is possible that handle  12  may be solid whereby rod  20  would be situated exteriorly of the handle. However, for protection of the rod as well as pleasing aesthetics it is preferred that the handle be hollow and the rod  20  be situated therein. Completing the linkage, the lower end of rod  20  is desirably bent into a hook-like shape for engaging the superstructure of a platen  22 , described in detail later herein, that is slidably carried by the lower end of handle  12 . 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4  in sequence,  FIG. 3  shows wringer lever  16  in a downwardly directed, inoperative state as would be the case when a user is swabbing the mop across a floor surface. When a user is desirous of wringing fluid from a cleaning member (not illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ) disposed at the bottom of the cleaning assembly  14 , the user grasps the lever  16  and pulls upwardly. This motion causes the lever to not only pivot upwardly but also slide upwardly along sleeve  18 . The upward translation of lever  16 , in turn, exerts tension on rod  20  thereby pulling the rod and the platen  22  connected thereto in an upward direction until the lever reaches the position shown in  FIG. 4 . It is in this position that a pressure plate  24  of cleaning assembly  14  is most fully extended with respect to platen  22  and it is the increasing relative separation of the pressure plate and platen which causes fluid to be expressed from the cleaning member as will be described more fully in connection with the discussion of  FIG. 17 . 
         [0035]    Turning to  FIGS. 5-8  there is shown in detail a presently preferred construction of a cleaning member according to the invention, which member is identified generally by reference numeral  26 . Cleaning member  26  is comprised primarily of two components, an absorbent body  28  and a porous cover  30  which may be stitched, adhered or otherwise securely affixed to the absorbent body. The absorbent body comprises at least one absorbent material. According to a preferred embodiment, the absorbent body includes a natural or synthetic sponge material  32  surrounded, at least in part, by a natural or synthetic fibrous material  34 . It will be understood, however, that the relative dispositions of the sponge material and fibrous material may be reversed, i.e., the fibrous material may be surrounded, at least in part, by the sponge material. It will be also understood that the absorbent body may consist solely of sponge material, solely of fibrous material, or a combination of sponge material, fibrous material and other material(s). 
         [0036]    A suitable but not non-limitative example of the sponge material may be a polyether material with a fine cell structure and a density of from about 1.25 to about 1.65 lbs/ft 3 . Likewise, a suitable but not non-limitative example of the fibrous material may be a bunched plurality of strands such as, for example, non-woven fibrous strands formed from flexible and compressible fibers. According to a presently preferred embodiment, such strands comprise 100% polyester microfiber, 300 denier, 288 filament strands infused with a 96% water and 4% polyester copolymer hydrophilic softener. Although not necessary, the fibers of the absorbent strands  34  are preferably bound by thread in order to produce a beaded, braided, helical other constrained strand configuration. Suitable strands for this purpose may include identification number MD010120001 yarn manufactured by Ningbo Sanbang Home Products Co. Ltd. Of Ningbo, China. 
         [0037]    The porous cover  30  preferably comprises a durable natural or synthetic fiber net, mesh or scrim material and may envelope all or merely the floor-contacting or other surface cleaning face of the absorbent material. The mesh material must be porous yet capable of withstanding long- term use as a scrubbing material for removing stubborn soil from a floor surface. A preferred material is nylon fiber mesh. As revealed in  FIGS. 5-7 , the apertures in cover  30  have a hexagonal shape. However, it will be understood that such apertures may assume any polygonal, curvilinear and/or slit-like shape, or any combination of such shapes. 
         [0038]    Significantly, as can be seen most clearly in  FIGS. 5 ,  7  and  8 , the area the porous cover is greater than that of the absorbent material whereby excess cover material establishes flaps  36  at opposite sides of the cleaning member, which flaps, as will be described in greater detail later herein, are used to releasably fasten the cleaning member  26  to the platen  22 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 9  discloses a cleaning member  26 ′ of similar construction to the cleaning member  26  referred to in  FIGS. 5-8 . In  FIG. 9 , however, the fibrous strands  34 ′ comprise a substantially greater volume than the sponge material  32 ′. Fastening flaps are shown at  36 ′. 
         [0040]      FIGS. 10-16  depict in detail a presently preferred construction of a cleaning assembly  14 , less the cleaning member  26 ,  26 ′. The fully assembled cleaning assembly is shown in  FIG. 17 . 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIGS. 10-16 , it is seen that the cleaning assembly includes platen  22 . As noted above, platen  22  is preferably slidably connected to handle  12  and is movable by virtue of pivoting of the wringer lever which is linked to the platen via rod  20 . The platen preferably comprises a frame including a pair of spaced-apart forward and rearward rails  38 ,  40  which are connected in central regions thereof to a superstructure  42 . For structural integrity, the rails are also desirably connected to one another by a pair of transverse gussets or brace members  44 . Although preferably molded as a unitary structure from substantially rigid plastic by any suitable molding method known in the art, platen  22  may be constructed as individual elements that are joined together by suitable fastening means and methods such as, for example, adhesives, heat bonding, solvent bonding, mechanical fasteners, or the like. 
         [0042]    Platen superstructure  42  preferably includes at least one or, more preferably, a pair of outwardly projecting pockets  46  which cooperate with corresponding outwardly projecting rib(s) provided on a compression member superstructure in the manner described below. 
         [0043]    A compression member  48  is affixed to the lower end of the handle by any suitable means and methods such as, for example, adhesives, heat bonding, solvent bonding, mechanical fasteners, staking, crimping, or the like. The compression member includes the aforementioned pressure plate  24  and a superstructure  50  (best seen in  FIGS. 12 ,  13  and  15 ). In a preferred construction, the superstructure  50  includes a pair of ribs  52  that are substantially matingly received within corresponding pockets  46  of the platen superstructure  42  to enable relative linear motion and prevent relative rotational motion between the platen  22  and the compression member  48 . It will be understood that the relative positions of pocket(s)  46  and rib(s)  52  may be reversed, i.e., the rib(s) may be carried by the platen superstructure  42  and the pocket(s), in inverted disposition, may be carried by the compression member superstructure  50 . 
         [0044]    Cleaning assembly  14  further includes means for releasably connecting the cleaning member  26  to platen  22 . However constructed, such means must be able to effectuate secure retention of the cleaning member to the platen during the mopping and wringing processes yet also enable the cleaning member to be quickly and easily removed and replaced as needed. 
         [0045]    Such means may comprise, for example, a plurality of upwardly directed pins provided on the forward and rearward rails  38 ,  40 , which pins would be inserted in apertures provided in the flaps  36  of the porous cover  30  of the cleaning member  26 . Such pins must be of sufficient height to securely retain the cleaning member during mopping and wringing yet not be so high as to render it difficult for the user to attach the cleaning member to and detach the cleaning member from the platen. 
         [0046]    Alternative means for releasably retaining the cleaning member to the platen are shown in  FIGS. 10-17 . As seen in those figures, such means comprise inserts  54  which are received in corresponding recesses (unnumbered) provided in rails  38 ,  40 . Although not shown in  FIGS. 10-16 , the flaps of the cleaning member  14  will be compressively held between the inserts and recesses, in the manner shown in  FIG. 17 . The inserts and recesses may include any number and arrangement sufficient to achieve secure yet releasable retention of the cleaning member to the platen. Further, the relative sizes and shapes of the inserts may vary from those illustrated so long as the present objectives are achieved. As shown in the figures, inserts  54  may assume the form of elongate blades receivable in slot-like recesses. The inserts may be fabricated from any material that enables the inserts to be securely yet releasably retained the recesses. 
         [0047]    According to a presently preferred embodiment, the blade-like inserts  54  are substantially rigid and include release means in the form of tabs  56  that may be squeezed or otherwise flexed by a user to effectuate release of the inserts from the slots. 
         [0048]    It will be understood that other cleaning member attachment means may be envisioned by one of ordinary of ordinary skill in the art including, without limitation, screw fasteners or the like. Such means would be considered to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the present invention so long as they effectively yet releasably retain the cleaning member to the platen. 
         [0049]    Cleaning implement  10  preferably further includes a scrub brush  58  for removing hardened or other stubborn soil from a floor or other surface. In this connection, the scrub brush  58  is preferably, although not necessarily, forwardly facing. Scrub brush  58  comprises a block  60  which carries bristles  62  of suitable composition, density and stiffness to achieve desired scrubbing performance. According to the invention, scrub brush block  60  is mounted to an attachment member  64  including a pair of arms  66  pivotally connected to opposite sides of platen superstructure  42 . In the lower, operative position shown in  FIGS. 10 ,  12 ,  14 ,  15 ,  16  and  17 , scrub brush attachment member  64  is maintained in a latched state whereby the scrub brush  58  is capable of functioning as a tool for effectively removing stubborn soil from a surface. More particularly, the base of the platen superstructure  42  desirably includes a pair of upwardly projecting yieldable tabs  68  carrying locking shoulders  70  which are operable to engage arms  66  and releasably retain the scrub brush attachment member  64  in the operative position. With the scrub brush attachment member in the operative position, the attachment member overlies the forward insert  54 . When it is desired to replace the cleaning member, a user flexes tabs  68  thereby separating the locking shoulders  70  from engagement with arms  66  and pivots the attachment member upwardly to the position shown in  FIGS. 11 and 13 . Preferably the attachment member is releasably retained in the upward position by frictional engagement of the arms  66  with the platen superstructure  42 . With the scrub brush attachment member in the upward position, the user may release the cleaning member from the platen. In the illustrated example, that would be achieved by removing the insert  54  situated in forward rail  38  from its corresponding slot and doing the same with the insert  54  situated in the rearward rail  40  whereby the used cleaning member may be removed. A new cleaning member may then be installed by placing its upper surface in contact with the pressure plate  24 , inserting one of the flaps  36  in a slot or slots in either the forward or rearward rail, placing the insert(s) into such slot(s) in order to frictionally wedge the flap between the insert(s) and its/their corresponding slots, repeating the process for the other flap  36  and then pivoting the brush attachment member  64  downwardly until its arms  66  come into latching engagement with the locking shoulders  70  of tabs  68 . 
         [0050]    It is also desirable for the scrub brush  58  to be firmly yet releasably positionable into more than one angular orientation with respect to attachment member  64  for optimum cleaning of differently oriented cracks or crevices in a floor or other surface. In this regard,  FIGS. 10 ,  12 , and  17  depict the scrub brush  58  in a generally horizontal position whereas  FIGS. 15 and 16  show the scrub brush in a generally vertical position. To achieve such selective positioning of the brush with respect to the attachment member  64 , the brush block  60  is rotatably mounted to the attachment member via axle  72  ( FIG. 10 ) and the opposed faces of the attachment member and scrub block are provided with appropriately arranged mating projections and recesses to selectively retain the brush block in the desired orientation. 
         [0051]    Turning to  FIG. 17 , and viewing that figure in combination with  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the reader will appreciate the self-wringing functionality of the cleaning implement according to the invention. As seen in  FIG. 17 , cleaning assembly  14  is fully assembled, i.e., flaps  36  of cleaning member  26  are attached to platen  22 .  FIG. 17  further illustrates the pressure plate  24  of compression member  48  disposed as it would appear when the mop in its floor swabbing state. Bearing in mind  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a user wishing to wring fluid from the absorbent material of the cleaning member grasps and pulls the wringer lever upwardly which pulls platen  22  upwardly. This motion, in turn, pulls the flaps  36  of the porous cover  30  upwardly whereby force is exerted by the pressure plate  24  against the absorbent material. As such force is increased, i.e., as the position of the wringer lever is moved increasingly upwardly, more fluid is discharged from the absorbent material through the apertures in the porous cover. After the fluid has been expressed and it is desired to return the cleaning implement to its floor-swabbing state, the user pushes the wringer lever downwardly thereby moving the platen downwardly relative to the compression member and relieving pressure exerted by the porous cover against the absorbent material. 
         [0052]    The mop-wringing operation has thus far been described in connection with a movable platen  22  and a stationary compression member  48 . However, it will be understood that the compression member may be linked to the wringer lever while the platen may be affixed to the mop handle. What is essential, however, is that there be relative linear movement between the platen and the compression member sufficient to exert enough tension on the flaps to effectively compress the absorbent material such that substantial quantities of fluid are discharged through the porous cover. 
         [0053]    Finally, while the self-wringing functionality described herein has been manifested in the form of a wet mop, it will be understood that its essential features and principles may be adapted as well to hand-held cleaning apparatus. For example, a hand-held cleaning implement may include a platen to which the cleaning member is attached and a compression member operably connected to a movable handle. So constructed, squeezing of the handle causes movement of the compression member and corresponding expression of fluid through the porous cover in the manner described above. 
         [0054]    Although the invention has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that variations can be made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed herein.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0