GB2521824A - Rolling dry mop - Google Patents

Abstract

A mop comprises a mobile mounted liquid absorbing surface 2 such as a roller, a mounting 5, an elongate handle 1 and a reservoir 6, wherein the absorbing surface 2 is capable of passing absorbed liquid to the reservoir 6. The reservoir 6 is preferably detachable so that it can be emptied and part of the mounting 5 may act to squeeze liquid from the surface 2. The mounting 5 may include a resilient blade or squeegee to squeeze the surface 2, with the user being able to control whether the blade acts to touch the surface 2.

Description

AMOP

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a mop, more particularly a mop as is commonly used for mopping, washing or cleaning floors or similar.

$ppkqround Increasing numbers of household and business premises have solid flooring, such as tiles, solid wood, laminated wood or parquet.

Although these kind of surfaces are less liable to staining and damage than other more traditional flooring such as cloth rugs, carpet or moquette there Is no standardised method of cleaning them and spillages can be problematic.

1⁄4 In particular spillages of liquids need to be both absorbed and wiped away, and * frequently the surface needs to be washed also, with clean water or detergent Accordingly the surface then needs to be wiped and any excess liquid absorbed again.

A traditional mop will wipe the surface and have absorbent qualities, whereby a user will then need to wring the mop out In order to wring the mop out it is common that a correctly configured bucket will be required, with a wringing area and a liquid reservoir, wherein the reservoir is used to store dean liquid, but will become contaminated with dirty liquid as cleaning progresses.

It is uncommon that the mop will be fully wrung out in such a scenario as this is typically a time consuming and involved process.

inciuding a problem of liquid becoming contaminated and being reapplied to the surface, there is a problem of removing aU liquid from the surface when repeatedly applying liquid, as well as the inconvenience of transport and storage of a mop and a bucket.

Furthermore, for some people there is a risk of spillages of the bucket, and its contents.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed and granted in the past in an effort to deal with this problem or similar, including the following: Granted Korean patent KR 100 949 757 (PARK) which relates to a mop to be attached to a stick, comprising: a synthetic resin foam which expands and contracts when dampened or when dry; a cloth for covering the synthetic resin foam such that the foam is contained therein; and bands arranged at both sides of the cloth, thereby enabling wet mopping and dry mopping and ensuring cleanliness when dried.

Chinese patent application CN 101 596 091 (YIMEI) discloses a roller support is provided with a mopping material; the mopping material is pyroxylin cotton wrapped on the roller support; the outer surface of the pyroxylin cotton is distñbuted with convex ribs and grooves; and at least one end of the pyroxylin cotton is provided with a lateral waterproof structure. The washing and squeezing of the mopping roller can be completed by pouring a glass of water to the pyroxylin cotton and pressing and rotating the mopping roller, so water resource is saved greatly, Since the outer surface of the pyroxylin cotton is distributed with the convex ribs and the grooves, wherein the convex ribs are good for mopping up dirt, and the grooves are good for adhering and carrying the dirts, the cleaning effect of the mopping roller is quite ideal.

When the mopping roller is washed or squeezed, the lateral watefrpreventing structure can prevent polluted water or clean water from splashing laterally. A mop made by the mopping roller has the advantages of convenient washing and use and ideal cleaning effect.

Granted United States patent US 6 629 333 (BOLDEN) discloses a device for deflooding liquid from carpet, comprising: a suction conduit with a discharge end and an intake end, said discharge end being couplabie with a remote suction source for suction of the liquid through said conduit: an enclosed suction chamber coupled to said intake end of said suction conduit, said suction chamber having a downward facing opening; a wide rigid roller located within said enclosed suction chamber and rotatable around a horizontal axis of rotation, said rigid roller partially protruding below said downward facing opening with said horizontal axis of rotation positioned above said downward facing opening, wherein said roller compresses the carpet with substantial downward force to press liquid from the carpet for suction into said suction chamber; wherein said roller has rigid carpet compressing portions and spaces therebetween to allow carpet flooding water to stand beneath the axis of rotation of said roller as suction is applied around said roller.

Granted European patent EP 1 651 089 (KRESSE) discloses a flat wiper system comprising: a wiper device having a support, a joint attached to the top of the support, and a handle or a handle socket provided for receiving a handle connected to the support via the joint and an oblong, flat wiper textile, which is attachable to the support, having a bottom, which is active in cleaning, and a top, wherein the wiper textile has a support structure on top, which is used for attachment to the support and preferably extends over the complete length of the wiper textile, a gripping structure is provided at the bottom of the support for engaging the support structure on the wiper textile, and the support structure of the wiper textile engaged by the gripping structure may be released by manually operating the gripping structure of the support, wherein the gripping structure of the support is implemented as a gripping claw which is manually openable or closable against a return force, characterized in that the manual operation of the gripping structure is performed by a rotational movement of the handle and/or the handle socket about its longitudinal axis in relation to the support, an eccentric is positioned within the gripping structure of the support, the eccentric is rotatable by rotation of the handle and/or the handle socket and its rotation causes opening of the gripping claw forming the gripping structure.

Granted United States patent US 7 264 413 (VOSBIKIAN et al) discloses a mop comprising: a handle including an upper end, a lower end and a portion adapted to hold a fluid; a mop head disposed near the lower end of the handle, the mop head including a cleaning member: one or more openings in communication with the portion of the handle adapted to hold the fluid; a first actuator associated with the mop to cause the mop head to compress a portion of the cleaning member: and a second actuator adapted to cause the fluid to be released through the one or more openings.

Granted United States patent US 6 952 858 (MERCK) discloses a device for extracting a liquid from a surface, said device comprising: a) a housing having a front portion, a rear portion, a top portion, a bottom portion and first and second side portions; b) a generally cylindrical cavity defined within the interior of said housing, the lower portion of said cavity defining a downwardly faoing opening in said bottom portion, said opening extending laterally across said bottom portion from said first side portion to said second side portion; c) a passageway defined in at least one of said side portions between said cavity and the exterior of said housing, said passageway thereby allowing a fluid connection between said cavity and a vacuum source external to said device; and d) a rotor assembly contained within said cavity and extending along the length thereof, a portion of said rotor assembly protruding downwardly through said opening, said rotor assembly rotatable about its longitudinal axis relative said cavity.

International patent application WO 200 137 716 (MCLAUGHLiN) discloses a floor cleaning and liquid removal device, comprising a support structure; a hollow ground engaging drum rotatably mountedon the support structure, the drum including a liquid absorbent material on its outer surface; a pressure roller rotatably mounted on the support structure with its axis of rotation substantially parallel to and at a higher level than that of the drum, the pressure roller acting to compress the liquid absorbent material as the drum rotates to expel liquid therefrom; a trough located below the pressure roller for collecting liquid expelled from the liquid absorbent material by the pressure roller; a conduit providing liquid communication between the trough and the interior of the drum so that liquid collected by the trough flows under gravity into the drum; means attached or attachable to the support structure for, enabling the device to be moved across a floor; and means for emptying the drum of collected liquid.

In contrast the present invention provides a cleaning utensil that allows a wet surface to he cleaned and dried instantly, without the requirement for further utensils or objects, reducing the risk of accidents and allowing surfaces to be cleaning for example by application of a cleaning spray.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a mop including in use: a mobile mounted liquid absorbing surface, a mounting, an elongate handle, and a reservoir: wherein the surface is capable of passing absorbed liquid to the reservoir.

Preferably the surface is mounted on a cylindrical core, from which it may be detached for cleaning or replacement.

This core is ideally fastened by a central pin that runs through the core to attach it to the mounting.

This core may be detached from the handle, such as in order to change the surface, typically by removal of the pin, although displacement of a section of the mounting may achieve this.

According to a second aspect of the present invention the reservoir is detachable from the handle or mounting in order for a user to empty it when the liquid has been absorbed from a floor or other wet area.

1⁄4 In this way the reservoir may be attached to the mounting or handle and in order to detach the reservoir a release button may be provided on the mounting or handle.

According to a third aspect of the present invention the mounting or part of it acts to squeeze liquid from the surface to the reservoir.

The mounting may therefore include a resiliently deformable member or blade which depresses on the surface under rotation of the core, wherein the surface or core have a layer which has liquid holding properties which comprise sponge-like or compressible qualities.

The mounting ideally allows the surface to freely accept a continuous quantity of liquid, typically and preferably by rotation, wherein the surface coven the core which is mounted on a roller, said roller being held on the mounting at its distal ends in order that it may rotate freely; in which time absorbing liquid.

Furthermore given the compressible layer, pressure along the handle by the user is disposed to ensure greater absorption, as the liquid is compressed into the layer by pressure.

Therefore in common usage as the user pushes the mop into the floor, any liquid wiH be absorbed better, and additionally the mop surface may be envisaged to dislodge any particles on the floor.

Typically depression ol the mop handle may also act to encourage transfer or passage of liquid into the reservoir.

In some embodiments a part of the mounting or a part of the mounting may project beyond the surface when depressed, in order that the part may contact the floor when the mop is in use and the user particularly wishes to dislodge particles.

Further embodiments may have parts that may be extended to dislodge particles.

In some embodiments a mechanism may be included on the handle or mounting through which a user can promote or allow passage of liquid to the reservoir.

For example the user may then wash a floor with the reservoir closed from the surface, using the liquid to more effectively clean the floor. When the user feels that the floor is sufficiently clean, s/he may then engage or use the mechanism to allow passage of liquid and thereby dry the floor.

Preferably the reservoir has a transparent case or otherwise allows a user to monitor the contents or amount of liquid or free space.

Further embodiments may, in addition or the alternative, include an indicator tab.

In preferred embodiments the handle may be detached and replaced for storage or transport and additionally or alternatively constitutes a standard fit broom or mop handle, wherein the mounting may be available separately.

In preferred embodiments the handle may be angled in a plurality of angles with regards to the mounting and/or roller.

The member preferably comprises a rubber or other elastomer blade which is resting against the surface and adjacent to the reservoir and typically depresses against the roller layer in order that absorbed liquid Is deviated away from the rotating roller and into the reservoir.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and It will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of Invention, With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated In the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the inventIon. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, It is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows a detail view of a preferred embodiment of the mop; Figure 2 shows an isometric view of the mop; Figures 3 show two views of the mop from below and above respectively; Figures 4 show two views of the mop from in front and behind respectively; Figure 5 shows a side view of the mop; And Figures 6 and 7 show sketches of varying embodments of the mop.

Detailed Description of Figures

The mop as pictured and preferred may be described as a rolling dry mop, and consists of a surface mounted on a cylindñcai mounting between 2 to 3 feet long.

wherein the surface or mounting has at least a layer able to absorb liquid as it rotates onto a wet floor.

This water is then squeezed out into a drainable reservoir as the mounting rotates wherein a wet floor can be dried instantly, thereby reducing the risk of accidents.

The mop as pictured also features: a removable handle (1), with an ergonomically shaped handgrip which furthermore may be positioned at a comfortable angle to allow the user to easily manoeuvre the mop around and having a lacuna or eye (10, Figure 2) so that the handle may be hung on a wall; a cleaning surface (2) mounted cylindrically on a core (3) which spins about a pin (4); a mounting (5); and a reservoir (6) ideally having a water level indicator such as transparent sides; The surface is preferably able to be washed and reused, and typically for these purposes includes at least a compressible layer which is able to absorb liquid, wherein the core is solid or non permeable.

Claims (5)

1. Claims 1. A mop including in use; a mobile mounted liquid absorbing surface, a mounting, an elongate handle, and a reservoir; wherein the surface is capable of passing absorbed liquid to the reservoir.
2. 2. A mop according to claim I wherein the reservoir is detachable from the mounting in order for a user to empty It when the liquid has been absorbed from a floor or other wet area.
3. 3. A mop according to claims I or 2 wherein the mounting or part of it acts to squeeze liquid from the surface to the reservoir.
4. 4. A mop according to claIm 3 including a resiliently deformable blade which depresses on the surface under rotation of the core.
5. 5. A mop according to claim 4 wherein a user may control whether the blade acts to squeeze liquid from the surface to the reservoir.