GB2432108A

GB2432108A - Cleaning tool with removable pad

Info

Publication number: GB2432108A
Application number: GB0522919A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Mark Woolford
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-11-10
Filing date: 2005-11-10
Publication date: 2007-05-16
Also published as: GB0522919D0

Abstract

A cleaning tool comprises a housing 11 adapted to accommodate a cleaning pad, and a handle 10, where the cleaning pad is provided from a push-out centre of an industrial cleaning pad. The cleaning pad may be replaceable and circular, and the housing may be provided with retention means to retain the pad. The retention means may be a series of inwardly depending teeth located in an outer rim 22 of the housing. The handle may be pivotally connected to the housing, and may be detachably mounted to the housing using a ferrule to attach the handle. The pivot may be a living hinge 14. A locking member 15 may be provided to limit pivoting of the handle.

Description

CLEANING APPARATUS AND METHO

Field of the lnventiQfl

This invention relates to cleaning tools. The invention is particularly applicable, but in no way limited, to the provision of a multi-surface cleaning tool which utilizes the waste centres of most industrial floor cleaning pads and to methods of manufacturing such cleaning tools.

BackQround Industrial and commercial floor cleaning machines are fitted with a variety of removable and replaceable pads. To fit the pads to the cleaning machines a pre-punched push-out is provided in the centre of the pad. This essential push-out is waste material and is generally disposed of once the pad has been inserted into the cleaning machine. Sometimes cleaners retain these push-out pads and carry them around with them to aid in spot cleaning. These pads are, however, sometimes quite harsh and almost always double-sided. For example, US 4,437,271 describes examples of surface treating pads with renewable surfaces. Thus these pads can be quite harsh to use by hand.

Hand manipulated tools used to retain surface pads, including tools for use in sanding, cleaning, polishing, painting, etc., are well known in the art. Traditionally such tools comprise a housing to retain the surface pad and a handle rigidly attached to the housing. This arrangement can make the tool awkward to use in some situations.

There have been attempts to overcome this problem, for example in US 2004/0229557, where movement between the handle and the housing was achieved by having a bar rotationally attached to the housing and a handle pivotally connected to the bar. Similar connections to impart movement were described in US 4,204,295. The problem with these tools is that these connections can be bulky and cumbersome resulting in difficulties in assembly and cleaning, as well as being costly to produce.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or mitigate some or all of these problems.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cleaning tool comprising:- (i) a housing adapted to accommodate a cleaning pad; (ii) a handle means; wherein the housing is adapted to accommodate the push-out centres of industrial cleaning pads.

This arrangement has the advantage that the cleaning tool allows otherwise waste material to be used for a wide variety of cleaning tasks.

Preferably the cleaning pad is replaceable.

Preferably the housing is substantially circular.

In a particularly preferred embodiment a connection is provided on the housing to connect to a sponge over pad and said tool further comprises a sponge over pad.

Preferably the housing is provided with an outer rim adapted to provide a cavity on the underside of the housing.

Most preferably the housing is provided with a retention means adapted to retain a cleaning pad, wherein the retention means is a series of inwardly depending teeth.

Preferably the teeth are located in the outer rim of the housing, wherein the teeth are about 5mm long.

In an alternative aspect of the present invention the retention means is lnstaIok, located in a recess provided in the housing.

Preferably a portion of the housing (and outer rim) is absent, thereby allowing the exposure of a segment of the circumference of the cleaning pad adapted to allow the circumference of the cleaning pad to engage corners and to facilitate removal/insertion of cleaning pads.

Preferably the pads are 80-90mm in diameter.

More preferably the handle means comprises a ferrule, said ferrule having a barrel adapted to accept a detachable handle, wherein the handle means is pivotally mounted with respect to the housing.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention the pivotally mounting means comprises a living hinge.

More preferably the living hinge comprises:- (i) a substantially flat body having a first end for mounting to the housing; (ii) a second end for mounting to the ferrule; (iii) and a plurality of substantially rigid sections defined by a plurality of intersecting score lines, wherein the flat body is bendable about a plurality of independent axes defined by the intersecting score lines to allow a range of angular positions of the ferrule with respect to the housing in a plurality of planes.

Most preferably the plurality of intersecting score lines includes first and second score lines, which intersect to form an "X" configuration and a third score line, which intersects the first and second score lines.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention the ferrule is cylindrical, wherein the ferrule has a height of about 80-140mm. More preferably the ferrule has an internal diameter of about 28-30mm.

According to an aspect of the present invention compressible fins are located within the ferrule barrel adapted to compress when a handle is inserted to hold the handle in place.

Preferably the length of the fins are tapers towards the opening of the ferrule. More preferably there are eight fins.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention the ferrule incorporates a bayonet fitting adapted to retain a handle.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention the ferrule incorporates a screw fitting adapted to retain a handle.

Most preferably a locking means is provided to lock the ferrule in a fixed configuration with respect to the housing.

According to a first aspect of the present invention the locking means comprises: (i) a sliding collar located around the ferrule; (ii) a main stop protruding from the housing, wherein the main stop is provided with a series of grooves adapted to engage with the sliding collar when the sliding collar is in a downwards position such that the ferrule is locked in a fixed configuration with respect to the housing.

According to a second aspect of the present invention the locking means comprises: (i) a locking member pivotally connected to the housing; (ii) a first recess and a second recess; wherein the locking member engages with the first recess in the unlocked position and engages with the second recess to lock to ferrule in a fixed configuration with respect to the housing.

Preferably the first recess is located in the housing and the second recess is located between the housing and the ferrule. Most preferably the pivot connection is a living hinge.

Preferably the locking member further comprises a peg grip, whereby the locking member can be disengaged from the first recess.

According to a third aspect of the present invention the locking means comprises: (i) a detachable handle slidably engageable with the internal diameter of the ferrule; (ii) a protrusion from the handle which is accommodated by a recess located in the main stop, wherein the handle is provided with a series of pegs and the ferrule is provided with accommodating grooves allowing for a plurality of locked positions.

Preferably a return spring is provided within the barrel of the ferrule to eliminate wobble.

In yet another aspect of the present invention the cleaning tool further comprises a scraping device adapted to remove, e.g. chewing gum from surfaces.

Preferably the scraping device is a steel circle.

Preferably the tool is constructed from polypropylene.

Preferably the tool is constructed from polyethylene.

Brief Descrirtion of the Drawings The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings, wherein:-Figure 1 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the cleaning tool in an unlocked position; Figure 2 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the cleaning tool in a locked position; Figure 3 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the cleaning tool and sponge over pad; Figure 4 illustrates a top plan view of the sponge over pad.

Descrition of the Preferred Embodiments The present invention will now be described by way of example only. These examples represent the best ways known to the Applicant of putting the invention into practice, but they are not the only ways this can be done.

The present invention relates to a cleaning tool, and in particular to a multi-surface cleaning tool, which utilizes the waste centres of most industrial floor cleaning pads, and to methods of manufacturing such cleaning tools.

Referring to Figure 1, this illustrates the side cross-sectional view of a cleaning tool according to an embodiment of the present invention in an unlocked configuration.

The cleaning tool comprises a circular flat-topped housing 11 with an outer rim 22 and a cavity 12, which is pivotally connected at its centre point to a cylindrical ferrule 10. In this context the term housing is intended to encompass anything which is capable of retaining a cleaning pad and the term pivot or pivotal connection s intended to encompass any form of connection capable of rotational movement and is not intended to be limited to true pivot points. The cavity 12 on the underside of housing 11 is capable of holding circular cleaning pads against the floor. In this embodiment of the invention the pivot is a living hinge 14, which is formed as an integral moulding with the circular flat-topped housing 11. The locking mechanism comprises a main stop 13, a locking member 15 with an integral peg grip 16, a first recess 18 and a second recess 17. The locking member 15 is pivotally connected to the housing between the two recesses 17 and 18. As described above a pivot or pivot connection is meant to encompass any rotational movement and is not intended to be limited to true pivot points. The recess 18 further comprises a clipping overhang 20, which engages the locking member 15. When the locking member 15 engages recess 18, the ferrule 10 is in an unlocked position and can be pivoted about living hinge 14. The peg grip 16 is provided to allow for easy release of the locking member 15 from recess 18 over the clipping overhang 20.

Referring to Figure 2, this illustrates the side cross-sectional view of a cleaning tool in a locked configuration. The recess 17 further comprises a clipping overhang 21 which engages the locking member 15 when the locking member 15 engages recess 17, the ferrule 10 is in a locked position, being held against main stop 13, and cannot be pivoted about living hinge 14.

Referring to Figure 3, this illustrates the side cross-sectional view of a cleaning tool and sponge over pad, according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

The sponge over pad assembly comprises the over pad 30 and sponge 32 with connection means 31 for connecting it to the cleaning tool housing 11. The connection means may include a connection to the inside or outside surfaces of the housing 11.

In summary the cleaning tool comprising principally of a flat-topped housing probably but not necessarily circular with an outer rim (not dissimilar in shape to a screw-on jam jar lid) affixed to a cylindrical ferrule probably but not necessarily by way of a living hinge. This design creates a cavity able to hold circular objects against the floor. The hinge is formed as a part of a single moulding probably but not necessarily in polypropylene. The hinge would probably but not necessarily be of the configuration that permits flexion in one plane only as found in use, for example, on an inexpensive violin case. The barrel of the ferrule, which may rise to a height of approximately 80 -100mm above the top of the housing when vertically arranged, contains fins that compress on insertion of a broom length handle and is thus able to receive a range of widths and designs.

The cavity described accommodates a hard floor scouring pad, or carpet cleaning pad, or sanding pad, or plaster stippling pad, or chewing gum scraping pad, of approximately 90 mm diameter. It is envisaged that the waste centres of most industrial floor cleaning pads can be utilised in this way. It is also envisaged that microfibre pads will be offered to the householder for spot-cleaning carpets with this tool using the lockability feature.

The housing is to be equipped with inwardly depending horizontal teeth about 5mm in length and therefore long enough to secure a variety of diameters of pad. It may also utilise a piece of lnstaloklM or similar type of material as used on the underside of buffing machines to secure a floor pad should this prove necessary, or a hook and loop system. A square recess of about 50 x 50mm to a depth of about 4mm may be provided for this purpose. The backing of the InstalokTM or of the hook and loop system would be flush with the surface of the cavity so that only the spines or hooks protrude.

The housing has a cut away on one side, in that the cut away portion forms a chord, to expose a section of a cleaning pad to any corner described by a floor surface and the vertical face of a skirting or other abutting wall surface. This feature permits maximum cleaning ability to difficult floor edges and also facilitates the easy replacement of tight fitting pads.

A further facility of the cleaning tool is a locking facility able to prevent flexion of the ferrule in either one or both directions in the case of the one-plane-only living hinge.

This ability will create a rigid tool able to attack carpet stains when a pad with a suitable cleaning surface, such as microfibre or bristles of some sort, is in use.

In one embodiment two features combine to create a locking facility: in one direction a main-stop consisting of a protrusion from the flat exterior top of the housing not dissimilar in shape to a door-stop though steeper; in the other direction a sliding collar located around the ferrule and engaging in its downward position with grooves on the main-stop.

An alternative to the above locking method is to utilise a main-stop as described but to use a hinged locking member attached to the top of the housing able to engage a recess in the ferrule instead of a collar. The hinge would also be of the "living" variety and would permit flexion in the same plain as the first hinge. This design would permit the device to be produced in a single moulding and it should be possible to snap the locking member securely down flat into a recess within a thickened housing for the sake of neatness when not in use.

A further alternative would be to provide a sliding handle able to slide inside the ferrule with a protrusion that fits a cavity within the main-stop to create a lock. Such an arrangement would require a larger ferrule than originally envisaged, perhaps 140mm in length, with grooves to accommodate pegs integral to the handle. This peg and groove arrangement would provide two positions for the handle using a slide and twist action. The lower position would lock the housing to facilitate carpet cleaning and the upper position would leave the housing free to swing on its hinge for smooth floor surfaces. A strong return spring below the handle and within the barrel of the enlarged ferrule would be required to eliminate any wobble.

A further alternative would provide a plastic sponge over pad, this accessory would be for moisture pick-up and would be rinsed under the tap. This accessory fits on the housing of the invention.

No other known produce utilises a well known and widely distributed piece of waste material, the centre of a floor pad. This is economical and environmentally friendly.

The pad holder is linked to a standard wooden or aluminium handle via a living hinge' which permits flexation in one or more planes of motion.

The housing will accommodate pad centres varying in diameter from about 84 to about 88mm, all sizes being retained by the inclusion of fins, protrusions or teeth from the vertical sides of the pad housing.

The ferrule handle socket will feature fins or protrusions on the inside wall, about 8 in total, to accommodate the handle and will be tapered towards the opening to facilitate insertion. The ferrule will therefore have an internal diameter of about 28- 30mm ignoring fins. The product will be a single moulding.

One side of the pad housing is cut away as to permit contact between the pad and a skirting and to fit into corner-edges where the dirt accumulates. The tool could be adapted to buff away scuffs by housing a white pad. In addition, the tool may be used to remove spots from carpets.

Applications other than floors could include; tank cleaning, oil waste disposal, overspilled paint by painters -in other words a decorating tool with a pad and steel scraping ring.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A cleaning tool comprising: (I) a housing adapted to

accommodate a cleaning pad; (ii) a handle means; wherein the housing is adapted to accommodate the push-out centres of industrial cleaning pads.

2. A cleaning tool as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the cleaning pad is replaceable.

3. A cleaning tool as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the housing is substantially circular.

4. A cleaning tool as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein a connection is provided on the housing to connect to a sponge over pad.

5. A cleaning tool as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein said tool further comprises a sponge over pad.

6. A cleaning tool as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the housing is provided with an outer rim adapted to provide a cavity on the underside of the housing.

7. A cleaning tool as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the housing is provided with a retention means adapted to retain a cleaning pad.

8. A cleaning tool as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the retention means is a series of inwardly depending teeth.

9. A cleaning tool as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the teeth are located in the outer rim of the housing.

10. A cleaning tool as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the teeth are about 5mm long.

11. A cleaning tool as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the retention means is lnstalokTM, located in a recess provided in the housing.

12. A cleaning tool as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a portion of the housing (and outer rim) is absent, thereby allowing the exposure of a segment of the circumference of the cleaning pad adapted to allow the circumference of the cleaning pad to engage corners and to facilitate removal/insertion of cleaning pads.

13. A cleaning tool as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the pads are 80- 90mm in diameter.

14. A cleaning tool as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the handle means comprises a ferrule, said ferrule having a barrel adapted to accept a detachable handle.

15. A cleaning tool as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the handle means is pivotally mounted with respect to the housing.

16. A cleaning tool as claimed in Claim 15, wherein the pivotally mounting means comprises a living hinge.

17. A cleaning tool as claimed in Claim 16, wherein the living hinge comprises: (i) a substantially flat body having a first end for mounting to the housing; (ii) a second end for mounting to the ferrule; (iii) and a plurality of substantially rigid sections defined by a plurality of intersecting score lines, wherein the flat body is bendable about a plurality of independent axes defined by the intersecting score lines to allow a range of angular positions of the ferrule with respect to the housing in a plurality of planes.

18. A cleaning tool as claimed in Claim 17, wherein the plurality of intersecting score lines includes first and second score lines which intersect to form an "X' configuration and a third score line which intersects the first and second score lines.

19. A cleaning tool as claimed in any of Claims 14 to 18, wherein the ferrule is cylindrical.

20. A cleaning tool as claimed in any of Claims 14 to 19, wherein the ferrule has a height of about 80-140mm.

21. A cleaning tool as claimed in any of Claims 14 to 20, wherein the ferrule has an internal diameter of about 28-30mm.

22. A cleaning tool as claimed in any of Claims 14 to 21, wherein compressible fins are located within the ferrule barrel adapted to compress when a handle is inserted to hold the handle in place.

23. A cleaning tool as claimed in Claim 22, wherein the length of the fins are tapers towards the opening of the ferrule.

24. A cleaning tool as claimed in Claim 21 or Claim 23, wherein there are eight fins.

25. A cleaning tool as claimed in Claim 20 wherein the ferrule incorporates a bayonet fitting adapted to retain a handle.

26. A cleaning tool as claimed in Claim 20 wherein the ferrule incorporates a screw fitting adapted to retain a handle.

27. A cleaning tool as claimed in any of Claims 15 to 26 wherein a locking means is provided to lock the ferrule in a fixed configuration with respect to the housing.

28. A cleaning tool as claimed in Claim 27, wherein the locking means comprises: (i) a sliding collar located around the ferrule; (ii) a main stop protruding from the housing, wherein the main stop is provided with a series of grooves adapted to engage with the sliding collar when the sliding collar is in a downwards position such that the ferrule is locked in a fixed configuration with respect to the housing.

29. A cleaning tool as claimed in Claim 27, wherein the locking means comprises: (i) a locking member pivotally connected to the housing; (ii) a first recess and a second recess; wherein the locking member engages with the first recess in the unlocked position and engages with the second recess to lock to ferrule in a fixed configuration with respect to the housing.

30. a cleaning tool as claimed in Claim 29, wherein the first recess is located in the housing and the second recess is located between the housing and the ferrule.

31. A cleaning tool as claimed in Claim 29 or Claim 30, wherein the pivot connection is a living hinge.

32. A cleaning tool as claimed in any of Claims 29 to 31, wherein the locking member further comprises a peg grip, whereby the locking member can be disengaged from the first recess.

33. A cleaning tool as claimed in Claim 27, wherein the locking means comprises: (i) a detachable handle slidably engageable with the internal diameter of the ferrule; (ii) a protrusion from the handle which is accommodated by a recess located in the main stop, wherein the handle is provided with a series of pegs and the ferrule is provided with accommodating grooves allowing for a plurality of locked positions.

34. A cleaning tool as claimed in Claim 33, wherein a return spring is provided within the barrel of the ferrule to eliminate wobble.

35. A cleaning tool as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a scraping device adapted to remove, e.g. chewing gum from surfaces.

36. A cleaning tool as claimed in Claim 35, wherein the scraping device is a steel circle.

37. A cleaning tool as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the tool is constructed from polypropylene.

38. A cleaning tool as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the tool is constructed from polyethylene.

39. A cleaning tool adapted to accommodate the push-out centres of industrial cleaning pads, substantially as herein described with reference to, and as illustrated in, any combination of the accompanying drawings.