Patent ID: 12251063

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a cleaning element which has an improved cleaning performance.

In order for the object to be achieved, the cleaning element comprises a support body and textile strings configured so as to be elongate, wherein at least part of the strings comprise a plurality of strands, wherein a first strand and a second strand run longitudinally along the strings, and a third strand runs transversely to the longitudinal direction of the strings.

The third strand is preferably disposed in a plane which is different from the horizontal plane formed by the first strand and the second strand. The third strand that runs transversely to the longitudinal direction defines a dedicated horizontal plane. The latter can run above, below or transversely to the horizontal plane of the first and the second strand. As a result of this arrangement, a three-dimensional string results already due to reasons of production. The string can be even more deformed in a three-dimensional manner by the influence of moisture and/or heat.

Natural fibers as well as man-made fibers vary their length when in contact with moisture and/or heat. The moisture here can emanate from the air or be cleaning liquid. Heat can be introduced during the cleaning procedure, for example by way of warm cleaning water, or in the production process of the strings. When in contact with moisture and/or heat, the fibers decrease in length, and the diameter increases in a corresponding manner. The fibers shrink. The fibers of the textile strands are configured from natural fibers or plastics-material fibers and accordingly likewise change their length and shrink when in contact with moisture and/or heat. The first strand and the second strand as well as the third strand contract and decrease in length when in contact with moisture and/or heat. As a result of the third strand running transversely to the longitudinal extent of the strings, the string formed from the strands not only decreases in length when in contact with moisture, but a three-dimensional deformation also takes place. This results in three-dimensionally shaped, voluminous strings which have a high cleaning performance.

In this context, it is conceivable in principle for the three-dimensional shaping of the string to be achieved in that the third strand that runs transversely to the longitudinal extent of the string is pre-tensioned to a different level. For example, during the production of the string the third strand can be processed using a higher level of pre-tensioning than the first strand and the second strand.

The strings comprise a fourth strand, wherein the fourth strand, like the first strand and the second strand, runs longitudinally along the strings, and wherein the fourth strand is disposed between the first strand and the second strand. The third strand here preferably runs so as to zigzag between the first strand and the second strand, straddling the fourth strand. According to an advantageous alternative design embodiment, the third strand runs between the first strand and the fourth strand as well as between the third strand and the fourth strand. When in contact with moisture, the strands decrease in length, wherein the first strand and the second strand, by virtue of the transversely running third strand, move in the direction of the fourth strand.

The strands of the strings form a knitted fabric. The strands here are fixed to one another by means of a support thread. The support thread in comparison to the strands has a significantly lower mass per unit length and serves exclusively for fixing the strands to one another. As a result of the support thread, the third strand by means of loop formation can be linked to the other strands that run in the longitudinal direction.

The first strand, the second strand and the third strand can form a knitted fabric. The strands here are connected to one another by loop formation and thus firmly fixed to one another. This results in a dimensionally stable formation, wherein the third strand is fixed to the first strand and to the second strand such that the third strand runs transversely to the longitudinal extent of the string.

The third strand preferably runs so as to zigzag between the first strand and the second strand. The third strand here can in each case run at an angle of 45° between the first strand and the second strand. When in contact with moisture, all three strands decrease in length, wherein the first strand and the second strand, which run longitudinally along the strings, swell and the third strand modifies the relative position of the first strand and the second strand such that a three-dimensional formation results.

In further alternative design embodiments it is conceivable that further strands are provided that can run in the longitudinal direction or in the transverse direction.

The strings, when viewed in cross section, are preferably shaped so as to be three-dimensional. As a result of the third strand being in each case disposed between the first strand and the fourth strand as well as between the second strand and the fourth strand, the string rolls up, wherein the first strand and the second strand move toward one another. As a result, the string forms a type of tube which is open between the first strand and the second strand. A string of this type has a particularly large volume and is particularly well suited to absorbing cleaning liquid. A further advantage lies in that contamination can be particularly well absorbed in the cavity formed in the interior of the strand and be released into the mopping water again.

The strands can be configured from a plurality of yarns. It is in particular conceivable here that the strands are configured from mutually dissimilar yarns. For example, the first strand and the second strand can be configured from soft yarns which have a particularly high capacity for water absorption, and the third strand can be configured from a yarn which has a comparatively low capacity for water absorption but has an abrasive effect. Depending on the specific application, it can also be advantageous for the strands running in the longitudinal direction to be designed so as to be abrasive, and for the transversely running strands to be embodied with a high capacity for water absorption.

The yarns are configured from fibers, wherein the fibers can be natural fibers or man-made fibers. Cotton, linen, wool or silk is in particular considered for strands configured from natural fibers. However, other natural fibers may also be used. The strands can also be configured from semi-synthetic fibers such as viscose, for example. In the case of man-made fibers, strands configured in particular from polyamide, polypropylene, polyester or polylactides are considered. The use of polypropylene here is particularly advantageous for the transversely running strands. Metallized yarns may also be used there.

Several Design Embodiments of the Cleaning Element According to the Invention Will be Explained in More Detail Hereunder by Means of the Figures. In the Schematic Figures:

FIG.1shows a cleaning element1in the form of a mop head, comprising a support body2and textile strings3. The strings3on the one side of the support body2are fastened such that the strings3hang from the support body2in the shape of a bell. On the other side, the support body2has a receptacle for a handle9, wherein the receptacle is preferably configured such that the handle9can be fastened to the support body2by means of a screw fastening. Alternatively, a clamping fastening of the handle9on the cleaning element is also conceivable. The cleaning element1conjointly with the support body2and the strings3, and the handle9fastened to the support body2, forms a cleaning apparatus, in the present case a mop, or a string mop. The mop serves for the wet cleaning of floors.

The textile strings3are configured so as to be elongate and comprise a plurality of strands4,5,7. A first strand4, a second strand5and a fourth strand7here run longitudinally along the strings. A third strand6runs transversely to the longitudinal extent of the strings3. The first strand4, the second strand5, the third strand6and the fourth strand7are connected by loop formation. The fourth strand7here runs between the first strand4and the second strand5. The third strand6runs so as to zigzag between the first strand4and the fourth strand7as well as between the second strand5and the fourth strand7.

The Strands4,5,6,7are Fixed to One Another by Means of a Support Thread8. The Strands4,5,6,7and the Support Thread8here Form a Knitted Fabric.

The strands4,5,6,7comprise a plurality of yarns, wherein the yarns are configured from man-made fibers. In the present design embodiment, the first strand4, the second strand5and the fourth strand7are configured from polyester, and the third strand6likewise from polyester. The support thread8is configured from polyamide. In principle however, other material combinations are also conceivable here. The yarns can also be configured from natural fibers or semi-synthetic fibers, or comprise such natural fibers or semi-synthetic fibers. Material blends are also conceivable.

The strings3, when viewed in cross section, are shaped so as to be three-dimensional. In the present design embodiment, the strings3, by virtue of the profile of the strands4,5,6,7according to the invention, are shaped so as to be annular. When in contact with moisture, the yarns shrink such that the strands4,5,6,7decrease in length, and the transversely running third strands6have the effect that the string3rolls up, wherein the first strand4and the second strand5move toward one another. A cavity running in the longitudinal direction is configured in the interior of the string3.

FIG.2shows in detail a string3described inFIG.1.

FIG.3shows a first design embodiment of a string3. It can be seen in this figure that the string3after production is configured so as to be flat and strip-shaped, and the third strand6runs so as to zigzag between the first strand4and the second strand5. The third strand6here straddles in each case the fourth strand7. The third strand6by means of a support thread8is fixed to the other strands4,5,7by loop formation.

FIG.4shows the string3shown inFIG.3in a sectional view in the section plane A-A. The lower illustration here shows the string3during or immediately after production. The string3is configured so as to be flat and substantially strip-shaped. The upper illustration shows the string3after production, under the effect of the pre-tensioning resulting from production, or under the effect of moisture and/or heat. The string3has been deformed in a three-dimensional manner and rolled up so as to form a roll. The first strand4and the second strand5have moved toward one another.

FIG.5shows a second design embodiment of a string3. It can be seen in this figure that the string3after production is configured so as to be flat and strip-shaped, and the third strand6runs so as to zigzag between the first strand4and the second strand5. The third strand6here straddles in each case the fourth strand7. The third strand6is fixed to the other strands4,5,7by loop formation.

FIG.6shows the string3shown inFIG.5in a sectional view in the section plane A-A. The lower illustration here shows the string3during or immediately after production. The string3is configured so as to be flat and substantially strip-shaped. The upper illustration shows the string3after production, under the effect of the pre-tensioning resulting from production, or under the effect of moisture and/or heat. The string3has been deformed in a three-dimensional manner and rolled up so as to form a roll. The first strand4and the second strand5have moved toward one another.

FIG.7shows a third design embodiment of a string3according toFIG.2. It can be seen in this figure that the string3after production is configured so as to be flat and strip-shaped, and the third strand6runs so as to zigzag between the first strand4and the fourth strand7as well as between the second strand5and the fourth strand7. The third strand6by means of a support thread8is fixed to the other strands4,5,7by loop formation.

FIG.8shows the string3shown inFIG.7in a sectional view in the section plane A-A. The lower illustration here shows the string3during or immediately after production. The string3is configured so as to be flat and substantially strip-shaped. The upper illustration shows the string3after production, under the effect of the pre-tensioning resulting from production, or under the effect of moisture and/or heat. The string3has been deformed in a three-dimensional manner and rolled up so as to form a roll. The first strand4and the second strand5have moved toward one another.

FIG.9shows a fourth design embodiment of a string3. It can be seen in this figure that the string3after production is configured so as to be flat and strip-shaped, and the third strand6runs so as to zigzag between the first strand4and the fourth strand7as well as between the second strand5and the fourth strand7. The third strand6is fixed to the other strands4,5,7by means of loop formation.

FIG.10shows the string3shown inFIG.9in a sectional view in the section plane A-A. The lower illustration here shows the string3during or immediately after production. The string3is configured so as to be flat and substantially strip-shaped. The upper illustration shows the string3after production, under the effect of the pre-tensioning resulting from production, or under the effect of moisture and/or heat. The string3has been deformed in a three-dimensional manner and rolled up so as to form a roll. The first strand4and the second strand5have moved toward one another.

While subject matter of the present disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive. Any statement made herein characterizing the invention is also to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive as the invention is defined by the claims. It will be understood that changes and modifications may be made, by those of ordinary skill in the art, within the scope of the following claims, which may include any combination of features from different embodiments described above.

The terms used in the claims should be construed to have the broadest reasonable interpretation consistent with the foregoing description. For example, the use of the article “a” or “the” in introducing an element should not be interpreted as being exclusive of a plurality of elements. Likewise, the recitation of “or” should be interpreted as being inclusive, such that the recitation of “A or B” is not exclusive of “A and B,” unless it is clear from the context or the foregoing description that only one of A and B is intended. Further, the recitation of “at least one of A, B and C” should be interpreted as one or more of a group of elements consisting of A, B and C, and should not be interpreted as requiring at least one of each of the listed elements A, B and C, regardless of whether A, B and C are related as categories or otherwise. Moreover, the recitation of “A, B and/or C” or “at least one of A, B or C” should be interpreted as including any singular entity from the listed elements, e.g., A, any subset from the listed elements, e.g., A and B, or the entire list of elements A, B and C.