[0001] This invention relates to a mophead for mops which are used, primarily, for wet mopping
of floors. In particular, this invention relates to a mophead having a cleaning implement.
[0002] Mops comprise a mophead and a handle. The mophead is generally formed from flexible
absorbent mop material held by a holder. It is known from GB2323024 to provide such
a mophead where the mop material is in the form of strands and a brush or like cleaning
implement is positioned amongst the strands. Such an arrangement is beneficial due
to the ease by which the brush or like implement can contact the surface being cleaned.
However, a problem becomes apparent in that the mop strands interfere with the brush
or like implement. This results in the brush or like implement not only being unable
to easily contact the cleaning surface uniformly, but also damage to the strands.
[0003] A further problem presents itself in that other types of mop material, such as a
sheet or sheets of absorbent material, cannot readily be used.
[0004] The task of having to change mops when a different type of brush or other cleaning
implement is required also needs to be addressed.
[0005] The present invention therefore seeks to provide a solution to these problems.
[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mophead
comprising a holder, flexible absorbent mop material held by the holder, and a cleaning
implement which is independent of the mop material and which is permanently attached
or disengageably attachable to the holder at a position adjacent to the outside of
the mop material.
[0007] Preferable and/or optional features of the first aspect of the invention are set
forth in claims 2 to 4, 10 and 11, inclusive.
[0008] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cleaning
implement for use with a mophead in accordance with the first aspect of the invention,
when the cleaning implement is releasably attachable to the holder, the cleaning implement
including at least part of a retaining mechanism by which the cleaning implement is
engageable with the holder of the mophead.
[0009] Preferable and/or optional features of the second aspect of the invention are set
forth in claims 6 to 8, inclusive.
[0010] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mophead
in combination with a cleaning implement in accordance with the second aspect of the
invention, wherein the retaining mechanism further includes one or more catch elements
formed on the holder of the mophead for engagement with the channel element of the
cleaning implement.
[0011] The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which :
Figure 1 is a top plan view of a first embodiment of a mophead, in accordance with
the first aspect of the invention, having a cleaning implement;
Figure 2 is a side view of the mophead shown in Figure 1;
Figure 3 is an end view of the mophead with cleaning implement removed;
Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line A-A in Figure 1 with
cleaning implement removed;
Figure 5 is an end view of the cleaning implement shown in Figure 1;
Figure 6 is a perspective view of the cleaning implement shown in Figure 5;
Figure 7 is a top plan view of a second embodiment of a mophead, in accordance with
the second aspect of the invention, having a cleaning implement;
Figure 8 is a side view of the mophead shown in Figure 7;
Figure 9 is a perspective view from below of the mophead shown in Figure 7;
Figure 10 is an end view of the mophead shown in Figure 7;
Figure 11 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line B-B in Figure 7;
Figure 12 is a perspective view of the cleaning implement shown in Figure 7;
Figure 13 is a reverse side view of the cleaning implement shown in Figure 12;
Figure 14 is a top plan view of a third embodiment of a mophead, in accordance with
the first aspect of the invention, having a cleaning implement;
Figure 15 is a side view of the mophead shown in Figure 14;
Figure 16 is an end view of the mophead; and
Figure 17 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line C-C in Figure 14.
[0012] Referring firstly to Figures 1 to 6, there is shown a first embodiment of a mophead
10 which comprises a holder 12, mop material (not shown), and a cleaning implement
14.
[0013] The holder 12 is, typically, formed from moulded plastics, and includes an elongate
body part 16 and a tubular portion 18 integrally formed centrally or substantially
centrally on the body part 16. The tubular portion 18 defines a socket or boss for
receiving a mop handle (not shown) to form a complete mop.
[0014] The body part 16 of the holder 12 defines a generally U-shaped channel 20 (see Figure
4) which, when in use, is typically inverted.
[0015] The mop material is flexible absorbent material, and, for example, can be a bundle
of flexible strands, or a sheet or sheets of flexible absorbent material. The holder
12 shown in the drawings is intended to include an elongate releasable clamping member
to releasably clamp the mop material in the channel 20 of the body part 16 of the
holder 12. Although not shown in the drawings, the clamping member may take the form
suggested in GB2323024, with or without the suggested brush or other cleaning device.
As such, the body part 16 of the holder 12 is adapted to accept releasable engagement
of the clamping member.
[0016] In an alternative, the holder 12 may be formed in a manner which is intended to permanently
hold the mop material.
[0017] A cleaning implement 14 is releasably attachable to the body part 16 of the holder
12 and, when attached, resides adjacent to the outside, but independent, of the mop
material.
[0018] To provide for this, both interior longitudinal surfaces 28 of the channel 20 of
the body part 16 are each formed with an elongate recess 30 (shown in Figure 4, but
best seen in Figure 9) which extends along a major portion of the longitudinal extent
of the body part 16. Two spaced tabs 32 are formed in the channel 20 and extend in
a direction towards main opening 34 of the channel 20. The tabs 32 extend over part
of each recess 30. Although not shown, the tabs 32 preferably extend through the main
opening 34 and thus project below an adjacent edge 24 of the channel 20.
[0019] Each recess 30, at a position adjacent to the respective edge 24 of the channel 20,
is formed with two spaced catch elements 36, typically being a tooth, barb or serration.
Each catch element 36 projects into the channel 20 and meets, or approaches, its respective
tab 32. The catch elements 36 and the tabs 32 together form part of a cleaning implement
retaining mechanism.
[0020] The cleaning implement 14 includes an elongate, generally U-shaped, plastics channel
element 38 to the outside of which an abrasive pad 26 is mounted or formed. The abrasive
pad 26 extends fully along a first longitudinal exterior side 40 of the channel element
38 and at least partway around the bottom edge 42. However, the abrasive pad 26 could
be split into discrete parts, for example, placed selectively along the exterior side
40 of the channel element 38.
[0021] The channel element 38 is typically extruded plastics and is formed with an inwardly
projecting shoulder 50. The shoulder 50 extends along the longitudinal extent of the
channel element 38, adjacent to the edge 52 of a second longitudinal side 46 of the
channel element 38. The second side 46 is opposite the first side 40. The shoulder
50 is adapted to cooperate with the catch elements 36 of the holder 12.
[0022] The channel element 38 and the shoulder 50 form the remaining parts of the cleaning
implement retaining mechanism.
[0023] The channel element 38 is dimensioned to be an interference fit on the edge 24 of
the channel 20 of the holder 12.
[0024] To engage the cleaning implement 14 with the body part 16 of the holder 12, the cleaning
implement 14 is urged or pushed onto the holder 12 so that the edge 24 of the body
part 16 enters the channel element 38. The urging or pushing is continued until the
leading edge 52 of the channel element 38 within the body part channel 20 has passed
between the catch elements 36 and the respective tabs 32, and the catch elements 36
have snapped into releasable engagement with the shoulder 50.
[0025] The projecting tabs 32 enable a user to more easily determine when the cleaning implement
14 has engaged with the holder 12.
[0026] The recess 30, tabs 32 and catch elements 36 are also provided on the other longitudinal
side of the channel 20, and thus a further cleaning implement 14 can be releasably
attached to the other side of the body part 16 of the holder 12 in a similar manner.
[0027] The or each cleaning implement 14 is thus removable from the holder 12 by releasing
the respective catch elements 36 from the shoulder 50. The or each cleaning implement
14 can thus be changed or dispensed with.
[0028] Referring now to Figures 7 to 13, there is shown a second embodiment of a mophead
10'. This embodiment differs in respect to the first embodiment only in cleaning implement
14'. Therefore, the other parts, which are identical to those of the first embodiments,
have the same references and detailed description is omitted.
[0029] In this embodiment, the cleaning implement 14' is again releasably attachable to
the body part 16 of the holder 12 and, when attached, the abrasive pad 26 again resides
adjacent to the outside, but independent, of the mop material.
[0030] The shoulder 50 of the first embodiment is dispensed with, and the channel element
38' is, instead, formed with two slots 44 which correspond to the two catch elements
36 formed in the channel 20 of the body part 16 of the holder 12. The cleaning implement
slots 44 are formed in the second longitudinal side 46' of the channel element 38'.
In this case, the channel element 38' and the slots 44 form the remaining parts of
the cleaning implement retaining mechanism.
[0031] The channel element 38' is dimensioned to be an interference fit on the edge 24 of
the channel 20 of the holder 12.
[0032] To engage the cleaning implement 14' with the body part 16 of the holder 12, the
cleaning implement 14' is urged or pushed onto the holder 12 so that the edge 24 of
the body part 16 enters the channel element 38'. The urging or pushing is continued
until the leading edge 52' of the channel element 38' within the body part channel
20 has passed between the catch elements 36 and the respective tabs 32, and the catch
elements 36 have snapped into the respective cleaning implement slots 44.
[0033] As in the first embodiment, a further cleaning implement 14/14' can be attached to
the other side of the body part 16 of the holder 12.
[0034] The cleaning implement slots 44 are apertures, but may simply be recesses.
[0035] In this embodiment, the catch elements 36 may be formed on the tabs 32, instead of
in, or adjacent to, the recesses 30.
[0036] The or each cleaning implement 14' is thus removable from the holder 12 by releasing
the respective catch elements 36 from the slots 44. The or each cleaning implement
14' can thus be changed or dispensed with.
[0037] More than two catch elements and/or tabs can be provided along each interior side
of the body part channel 20, if necessary. It is also possible that only a single
elongate catch element, which runs substantially the length of the respective channel
recess 30, need be provided. In this case, and with respect to the second embodiment,
only a single cleaning implement slot, which corresponds to the single catch element,
need be provided.
[0038] Other means are also envisaged for releasably engaging the cleaning implement 14/14'
with the holder 12. For example, push-fit stud fastenings, twist-and-lock fastenings,
disposable plastic push-through barbed rivets, or any other suitable releasable fastening
means could be utilised.
[0039] Referring now to Figures 14 to 17, there is shown a third embodiment of a mophead
10''. This embodiment differs in respect to the first and second embodiments only
in cleaning implement 14". Therefore, the other parts, which are identical to those
of the first and second embodiments, have the same references and detailed description
is omitted.
[0040] In this embodiment, the channel 20 of the previous embodiments is dispensed with,
and the cleaning implement 14" simply comprises an abrasive pad 26'. The cleaning
implement 14" is located externally along one longitudinal side 22 of the body part
16 of the holder 12. In this embodiment, the cleaning implement 14" also extends along
the edge 24 of the channel 20 of the body part 16, but does not extend into the channel
20.
[0041] A second cleaning implement 14" can be similarly affixed to the other longitudinal
side 22 of the holder 12.
[0042] The cleaning implement 14" is permanently attached to the body part 16 of the holder
12, and resides adjacent to the outside, but is independent, of mop material held
by the holder 12.
[0043] The cleaning implement 14 is fixed to the body part 16 using a non-releasable fastening
(not shown), such as bonding, riveting, welding or, if appropriate, stitching.
[0044] Although the cleaning implement 14/14'/14'' shown in the drawings is, or includes,
an abrasive pad 26/26', the cleaning implement 14/14'/14'' could be, or include, a
scraper, a brush or any other suitable cleaning device. The type of cleaning implement
to be used can be selected based on the task at hand.
[0045] In the third embodiment, it may be advantageous to unitarily form the cleaning implement
14" on the body part 16 of the holder 12. For example, in the case where the cleaning
implement 14" is a scraper, this would be particularly convenient.
[0046] Although the mophead holder and channel element are preferably formed from plastics,
any suitable material can be utilised.
[0047] A combination of the removable cleaning implement 14/14" of the first two embodiments
and the permanent cleaning implement 14" of the third embodiment can be used with
a single holder 12. In this case, the removable cleaning implement 14/14' is attachable
to one side of the holder 12, and the permanent cleaning implement 14" is provided
on the other side.
[0048] It is envisaged that the removable cleaning implements 14/14' will also be available,
typically for purchase, independently of the mophead 10/10'. The availability of the
cleaning implements 14/14' will be either as a single item or in packs.
[0049] The mophead 10/10'/10'' is typically used with a cleaning liquid container, such
as a domestic or commercial bucket or pail, which may or may not have a mop wringer.
The mop wringer may be mechanical or manual.
[0050] The holder 12 of the mophead 10/10'/10'' can be dimensioned to fit, and is thus useable
with, any suitable mop wringer.
[0051] The cleaning implement 14/14'/14'' is not, and does not include, a bundle of mop
strands.
[0052] It is thus possible to provide a mophead having a cleaning implement which does not
interfere with, and is not impeded by, mop material held by the mophead. It is also
possible to provide a mophead which has a cleaning implement which does not damage
the mop material, and which uniformly contacts the surface to be cleaned. It is further
possible to provide an independent cleaning implement which is attachable to a holder
of a mophead and which can be swapped or replaced as necessity dictates.
[0053] The embodiments described above are given by way of examples only, and further modifications
will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of
the invention as defined by the appended claims.
1. A mophead comprising a holder (12), flexible absorbent mop material held by the holder
(12), and a cleaning implement (14;14';14") which is independent of the mop material
and which is permanently attached or disengageably attachable to the holder (12) at
a position adjacent to the outside of the mop material.
2. A mophead as claimed in claim 1, wherein, when the cleaning implement (14") is permanently
attached, the cleaning implement (14") is unitarily formed as part of the holder (12).
3. A mophead as claimed in claim 1, wherein, when the cleaning implement (14") is permanently
attached, the cleaning implement (14") is fastened to the holder (12) using a non-releasable
fastening.
4. A mophead as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cleaning implement
is positioned or postionable on an edge (24) of the holder (12).
5. A cleaning implement for use with a mophead as claimed in claim 1, when the cleaning
implement (14;14') is releasably attachable to the holder (12), the cleaning implement
(14;14') including at least part of a retaining mechanism (38,50;38',44) by which
the cleaning implement is engageable with the holder (12) of the mophead (10;10').
6. A cleaning implement as claimed in 5, wherein the said retaining mechanism includes
a channel element (38;38') by which the cleaning implement is push-fit engageable
with the holder (12).
7. A cleaning implement as claimed in claim 6, wherein the said retaining mechanism further
includes a shoulder (50) formed in the channel element (38) for engagement with the
holder (12) of the mophead (10).
8. A cleaning implement as claimed in claim 6, wherein the said retaining mechanism further
includes one or more slots (44) formed in the channel element (38') for engagement
with the holder (12) of the mophead (10').
9. A mophead in combination with a cleaning implement as claimed in any one of claims
6 to 8, wherein the retaining mechanism further includes one or more catch elements
(36) formed on the holder (12) of the mophead (10;10') for engagement with the channel
element (38;38') of the cleaning implement.
10. A mophead as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 and 9, wherein the mop material is
a bundle of flexible strands.
11. A mophead as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 and 9, wherein the mop material is
a sheet or sheets of flexible absorbent material.