Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US20040093678?dq=%22edwin+asa+markham%22
Timestamp: 2016-12-05 13:27:16
Document Index: 341650753

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 8', 'art 8', 'art 8', 'art 8', 'art 8', 'art 8', 'art 8']

Patent US20040093678 - Device and cleaning pad for cleaning or treating surfaces or for applying ... - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inPatentsA cleaning device for cleaning surfaces such a toilet bowls or baths comprising a handle having a trigger at one end and a head at the other. The head is adapted to fit into a disposable cleaning pad in the form of a slipper. The cleaning pad is fixed to the head during the cleaning operation and it...http://www.google.com/patents/US20040093678?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US20040093678 - Device and cleaning pad for cleaning or treating surfaces or for applying media to surfacesAdvanced Patent SearchTry the new Google Patents, with machine-classified Google Scholar results, and Japanese and South Korean patents.Publication numberUS20040093678 A1Publication typeApplicationApplication numberUS 10/380,580PCT numberPCT/EP2001/010643Publication dateMay 20, 2004Filing dateSep 14, 2001Priority dateSep 20, 2000Also published asEP1190657A1, EP1318745A1, WO2002024045A1Publication number10380580, 380580, PCT/2001/10643, PCT/EP/1/010643, PCT/EP/1/10643, PCT/EP/2001/010643, PCT/EP/2001/10643, PCT/EP1/010643, PCT/EP1/10643, PCT/EP1010643, PCT/EP110643, PCT/EP2001/010643, PCT/EP2001/10643, PCT/EP2001010643, PCT/EP200110643, US 2004/0093678 A1, US 2004/093678 A1, US 20040093678 A1, US 20040093678A1, US 2004093678 A1, US 2004093678A1, US-A1-20040093678, US-A1-2004093678, US2004/0093678A1, US2004/093678A1, US20040093678 A1, US20040093678A1, US2004093678 A1, US2004093678A1InventorsGerald Hart, Susan Hart, Guy Naish, Colin Brown, Kishen GohilOriginal AssigneeHart Gerald Leslie, Susan Hart, Naish Guy Edward, Brown Colin William, Kishen GohilExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (13), Referenced by (13), Classifications (5) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetDevice and cleaning pad for cleaning or treating surfaces or for applying media to surfaces
US 20040093678 A1Abstract
A cleaning device for cleaning surfaces such a toilet bowls or baths comprising a handle having a trigger at one end and a head at the other. The head is adapted to fit into a disposable cleaning pad in the form of a slipper. The cleaning pad is fixed to the head during the cleaning operation and it may be attached or removed from the head by fixing means actuated by the trigger means. The fixing means are actively disengaged from the cleaning pad by ejection means. Images(9) Claims(14)
[0036] The invention is further illustrated with reference to following description and drawings relating to specific embodiments of the present invention. [0037] [0037]FIG. 1 shows a side view of a first inventive cleaning device; [0038] [0038]FIG. 2 shows a partial view of the cleaning device of FIG. 1 with a pad attached; [0039] [0039]FIG. 3 shows an inventive cleaning pad with a pocket and a rearward tab; [0040] [0040]FIG. 4 shows a grip portion of a cleaning device; [0041] [0041]FIG. 5 shows a second inventive cleaning device; [0042] [0042]FIG. 6 shows a sectional view of the device of FIG. 5; [0043] [0043]FIG. 7 shows a sectional view of a third inventive cleaning device with a pad attached; [0044] [0044]FIG. 8 shows a side view of the device of FIG. 7; [0045] [0045]FIG. 9 shows a side view of the device of FIG. 7 with pad attached; [0046] [0046]FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the device of FIG. 7; [0047] [0047]FIG. 11 shows a second cleaning pad; [0048] [0048]FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of an another cleaning device and a cleaning pad adapted to fit thereon. [0049] FIGS. 13-16 show perspective views of another cleaning device according to the present invention. FIGS. 15 and 16 show the device in a closed/open position with a cleaning pad attached/disengaging. [0050] [0050]FIGS. 17 through 24 show plan and side-views of specific cleaning pads.
[0051] [0051]FIGS. 1 and 2 show a first inventive cleaning device 1 designed as a hygienic replacement for conventional WC brushes in a side view without cleaning pad (FIG. 1) and with an attached cleaning pad 4 (FIG. 2). The cleaning pad 4 itself is shown in FIG. 3. The device comprises an elongate handle 8 having a grip portion 2 at the upper part 8 a and a cleaning head 3 at its opposite lower part 8 b. The cleaning head 3 is made of water impervious foam material capable of only small deformations under the stresses normally experienced during the WC cleaning operation. The cleaning head 3 has a oval shape which is dimensioned to fit preferably tightly into and to be at least partly surrounded by the cleaning pad 4. The flexible cleaning pad 4 comprises therefore a flat oval base portion 19, made of tissue paper, non-woven fabric or the like. Preferably, the pad 4 consists of paper laminate which protects the foam from contamination and is wiped over the surface of the WC, possibly with an active cleaning powder integrated into the bottom layers of the pad. The pad 4 further comprises a sheet 17 attached to the base portion 19 and forming a cleaning head receiving pocket 18 with the base portion 19. The pad 4 further comprises an elongate tab 21, preferably made of tear-resistant material, preferably card, located opposite the pocket and projecting upwardly and rearwardly. The device 1 further comprises fixing means 5 for affixing a pad to the device. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the fixing means 5 include a clamp 6 located near the lower part 8 b of the handle 8. The clamp 6 is able to secure a pad 4 that is slipped over the cleaning head 3 by clamping a pad portion, here the tab 21, and hold it in place during scrubbing. The clamp 6 is movable via a trigger mechanism 9, including at least one rod 9′ by actuating first operating means 11. In FIG. 4, the means 11 for actuating the trigger are located nearby the grip portion 2 and include a collar 11′ which is arranged around the upper part 8 a of the handle 8 and is able to slide up and down. The rod 9′ is directly or indirectly connected to the collar 11′ and moves the clamp 6 when the collar 11′ is pulled and/or pushed. In FIGS. 1 and 2 the fixing means 5 are shown in solid lines in a first position where a pad can be held in place. The fixing means 5 are shown in dashed lines in a second position where a pad is released (FIG. 1 only). Returning means 10 including a spring 10′ connected to the clamp 6 keep the fixing means 5 in the first position when the fixing means 5 are not actuated. The advantage is that the user needs no force to keep the pad 4 attached. When pulled over the cleaning head 3 the base portion 19 of the flexible pad 4 is stretched over the convex bottom portion 7 of the cleaning head 3. Its bottom side 20 forms an unruffled cleaning portion for homogeneous application of cleaning detergent and controlled scrubbing. [0052] [0052]FIGS. 4A, B show the grip portion 2 of the device of FIGS. 1 and 2 with the actuating means 11 in the first and second state respectively. As an alternative to the construction of FIGS. 1, 2 returning means 15 including a spring 15′ are arranged near the grip portion 2. The collar 11′ is pressed downward by the spring 15′ (FIG. 4A), when not pulled upward by the user (FIG. 4B). By pulling the collar 11′ upward, the fixing means 5 move, and a pad can be brought into the attaching position. [0053] [0053]FIGS. 5 and 6 show another example of an inventive device 1′ with a handle 8′. The cleaning head 3′ comprises a three dimensional frame 22 with an oval ring 22 a, two wings 22 b, 22 c bent upward and a bridge 22 d bent downward. The cleaning head 3′ can be manufactured from a flat solid piece by cutting the shapes of wings and bridge and bending these pieces appropriately. Alternatively, it is manufactured by injection moulding. [0054] By moving a clip 23 located near the grip portion a clamp 6′ is lowered or raised onto the tab 21 of the cleaning pad 4, as shown in the partly sectional view of FIG. 6. The clamp 6′ is part of the fixing means 5′ which further comprise a trigger mechanism 24. The cleaning pad 4 is designed to fit around the cleaning head 3′, stretching over its bottom portion 7′. A tablet 26 with cleaning detergent is attached at the bottom side 20 of the base portion 19. After use, the clamp 6′ is raised to release the tab 21 and the head 3′ and pad 4 shaken under water to eject the pad which can then be flushed away. [0055] FIGS. 7 to 10 show a third embodiment of the inventive device 1″, with attached pad (FIGS. 7, 9) and without (FIGS. 8, 10). The handle 8″ consists of two separated pieces, a shaft 8 c and a lower part 8 b′. The lower part 8 b′ of the handle 8″ is an integral part of the cleaning head 3″, e.g. moulded in one piece with the frame 22′, as shown in the sectional view of FIG. 7. A collar 30 which may be fixed to or an integral part of the shaft 8 c is connected to the lower part 8 b′ via a spring mechanism 31. The collar 30 as a part of the fixing means 5″ comprises a clamp 6″ resting on the wings 22 b′, 22 c′ of the frame 22′, as shown in FIGS. 7, 9 and 10, unless the collar 30 is pulled upward, as shown in FIG. 8. A portion of the cleaning pad 4′ is clamped between the clamp 6″ and the frame 22′ to secure the pad 4′ to the device 1″. [0056] A cleaning pad 4′ for the use with a device 1″ as shown in FIGS. 7 to 10 is shown in FIG. 11. Like the cleaning pad 4 of FIG. 3 the cleaning pad 4′ has an oval shape which is dimensioned to fit preferably tightly around the cleaning head 3″ of FIGS. 7 to 10. The cleaning pad 4′ comprises a flat, but flexible oval base portion 19′ and a sheet 17′ attached to the base portion 19′ and forming a cleaning head receiving pocket 18′ with the base portion 19′. The pad 4′ further comprises an elongate tab 21′ located at the pocket and projecting rearwardly that can be gripped by the clamp 6″. A tablet 26′ with cleaning detergent is attached to the bottom side 20′ of the pad 4′, as shown in FIG. 7. The cleaning pads 4, 4′ preferably consist of water degradable materials, e.g. laminated or non-woven cellulose, tissue paper and/or fleece material, which are preferably recycled, welded by heat, pressure or adhesive. The tabs 21, 21′ are preferably made of card or the same material as the pad itself. Preferably several pads are stored in a dispenser with an opening through which the cleaning head can be inserted for loading a fresh pad. [0057] When not in use, the device may be hung from a wall fitting or may be located in a suitable station device, for example a floor-standing base having a housing that is adapted to receive the head portion. The device may easily be removed or inserted into the station by gripping and applying pressure to the handle. [0058] The device 32 shown in FIG. 12 comprises a handle 33 having at one end a trigger 34 and at the other end a head 35. The handle is hollow and internal of the handle is a trigger mechanism (not shown) which connects the trigger 34 with retractable pins. Depressing the trigger 34 causes the retractable pins to be withdrawn to permit a cleaning pad 36 to be fitted over the head 35. A spring on the trigger mechanism (not shown) is biased the movement of the trigger such that when the user releases the trigger, the retractable pins extend outwardly of the head to abut a circumferential wall 37 on the cleaning pad and thereby fix the cleaning pad tightly to the cleaning head. When the cleaning pad is to be removed after a cleaning operation, the trigger is simply actuated to retract the pins and the cleaning pad can be gently urged off the cleaning head. [0059] [0059]FIGS. 13 and 14 shows a cleaning device wherein the handle 39 is formed of two opposed handle sections 39 a, 39 b which are pivotally mounted 41, the head 40 is similarly composed of head sections 40 a, 40 b. Fixing means are provided by a bore 42 which runs through the handle in a direction essentially normal to it length. It can be seen more clearly from FIG. 14 that the bore is provided by recesses 42 a, 42 b formed in each of the handle sections which cooperate to form the bore when the handle sections are in closed relationship. [0060] [0060]FIG. 15 shows the same device in its closed position and having a cleaning pad 43 slipped over the head. The cleaning pad comprises an elongate tab portion 44 (partly shown) which extends rearwardly of the main body of the cleaning pad 43 and passes through the fixing means 42 to snag or catch the handle by means of the T-shaped portion 45. When the handle sections are opened (see FIG. 16) by the user, the head sections separate tearing the cleaning pad and considerably facilitating the removal of the pad. Furthermore, as the handle is opened so the fixing means widens thereby to actively disengage the cleaning pad from the handle. In FIG. 16 one can see that the fixing means are opening and the elongate tab begins to disengage by slipping through the bore 42. It follows that the opening of the handles by the user provides a very simple and elegant trigger means for engaging and disengaging the fixing means, and at the same time ejection means within the meaning of the present invention. To add a new cleaning pad, the handle sections are simply closed together and the head sections close in a corresponding manner to permit a new cleaning pad to be inserted. [0061] [0061]FIG. 17 shows a plan view of a cleaning pad 43 having an essentially T-shaped end portion 45 to the elongate tab portion 44. Part of the handle 39 is shown in plan view to illustrate how the elongate tab portion passes through the bore 42 and the T-shaped end portion 45 snags the handle. [0062] [0062]FIG. 18 shows another cleaning pad in plan view and in end-section having an elongate tab 44 having an adhesive surface 51. The elongate tab may pass through the bore 42 on the handle and loop back on itself before being stuck onto the body of the cleaning pad 43 by means of the adhesive surface 51. [0063] [0063]FIG. 19 shows another cleaning pad in plan view having an elongate tab portion 44 terminating in a T-shaped portion 46. The T-shaped portion may be wrapped around a handle (not shown) and fastened thereon by tightening and tying the draw-string 47. A similar pad is shown in FIG. 22, however, the draw-string is replaced with adhesive fastening means provided by the adhesive surfaces 51. FIG. 23 show a plan view of a variant cleaning pad wherein the essentially T-shaped end portion is replaced by an essentially L-shaped end portion 52 which may be wrapped around a handle a fastened thereon by means of the adhesive surface 53. [0064] [0064]FIG. 20 shows yet another cleaning pad in plan view with an essentially circumferential elasticated band 48 to ensure that the cleaning pad fits tightly over the head (not shown). FIG. 24 shows a variant of this design wherein the elasticated band 48 is replaced by a draw-string 54 that may be tightened and the tied around a handle (not shown). [0065] [0065]FIG. 21 shows yet another cleaning pad in plan view and end-section wherein the elongate tab portion 44 terminates in a projection 49 which will be oriented between the opposed handle sections 39 a, 39 b or alternatively the head sections 40 a, 40 b. As the handle sections are closed the projection 49 will be trapped between said opposed sections and thereby fasten the cleaning pad to the head. 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L.Toilet cleaning apparatus and caddy* Cited by examinerReferenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS7032270 *Sep 5, 2003Apr 25, 2006Novalabs, LlcToilet cleaning apparatus and caddyUS7694379Sep 30, 2005Apr 13, 2010First Quality Retail Services, LlcAbsorbent cleaning pad and method of making sameUS7962993Sep 30, 2005Jun 21, 2011First Quality Retail Services, LlcSurface cleaning pad having zoned absorbency and method of making sameUS8026408Oct 10, 2006Sep 27, 2011First Quality Retail Services, LlcSurface cleaning pad having zoned absorbency and method of making sameUS8151400 *Apr 22, 2010Apr 10, 2012Mccoy Michael JToilet aid for handicapped personsUS8851776Jan 10, 2006Oct 7, 2014S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.Amphiphile surface treatment for a cleaning pad for improved dust adhesionUS8893347Aug 6, 2013Nov 25, 2014S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.Cleaning or dusting pad with attachment member holderUS8931971Jan 19, 2006Jan 13, 2015S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.Cleaning pad impregnated with a volatile liquid for improved dust adhesionUS20040088808 *Sep 5, 2003May 13, 2004Vitantonio Marc. L.Toilet cleaning apparatus and caddyUS20040221410 *May 6, 2003Nov 11, 2004Padula Michelle LouiseSwish tap & flush toilet bowl brushesUS20060171765 *Jan 19, 2006Aug 3, 2006Ralph SchwarzCleaning pad impregnated with a volatile liquid for improved dust adhesionUS20060188317 *Jan 10, 2006Aug 24, 2006Ralph SchwarzAmphiphile surface treatment for a cleaning pad for improved dust adhesionWO2013009351A1 *Jul 12, 2012Jan 17, 2013Bernstein Sarah AApparatus and method for removing debris from a drain strainer* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification15/104.94, 15/210.1International ClassificationA47K11/10Cooperative ClassificationA47K11/10European ClassificationA47K11/10RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services