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(11) | EP 1 985 221 A2 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Cleaning device |
| (57) The present invention relates to a cleaning device (1) for cleaning flat surfaces,
preferably floors, comprising a cleaning head (2) with a substantially flat underside
(3) which faces a base (4) to be cleaned. On the underside (3), an element (6) projecting
therefrom to space said underside (3) from the base (4) and a cleaning part (5), for
instance of microfibres, which contacts said base (4) to be cleaned.
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Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a cleaning device for cleaning of flat surfaces, preferably floors.
Technical Background
[0002] Cleaning devices that are used to clean floors often have a stick which is connected to a cleaning head with a flat underside. A mop is fixed to the underside and in use contacts the floor to be cleaned. When the mop is moved over the floor, dirt and dust are absorbed by the mop. The maximum effect is achieved when the fibres of the mop material are moist. Some floor structures offer great resistance while moving the mop, especially when the mop is moist and its entire surface closely engages the base. In a person who performs daily cleaning activities, this may cause repetitive strain injuries and joint injuries. As a compromise, it is known to add other smoother fibres to the fibres of the mop, thus improving the sliding of the mop, but unfortunately this also reduces the cleaning performance. There is thus still a need for a cleaning device which can be moved over different kinds of bases without making it necessary to compromise about the cleaning quality.
Summary of the Invention
[0004] According to the invention, this object is achieved by the device of the type stated by way of introduction comprising a cleaning device for cleaning of flat surfaces, preferably floors, comprising a cleaning head with a substantially flat underside, which faces the base to be cleaned and on which a cleaning part is arranged, which contacts the base to be cleaned. On this underside there is arranged an element projecting therefrom such that the underside will be spaced from the base.
[0005] By providing a distance, less force will be required to move the cleaning head and its cleaning part over the base when the cleaning part is not closely pressed against the base. The cleaning part can be a mop with bristles/yarns of fibres, for instance microfibres, but is not limited to this. Since such cleaning heads are often mounted to a stick to facilitate the cleaning of floors for instance, the user now need to apply less force to move the cleaning device over the floor, which allows him/her to keep on cleaning for a longer period.
[0006] Preferably the cleaning part rests on the projecting element. The pressure will then be centred to the projecting element, not to the entire surface of the cleaning part. The force required to move the device over the base will be smaller than if the entire cleaning part fits tightly against it.
[0007] Preferably, the element is movable between a first position, in which it projects from said underside, and at least a second retracted position. The second retracted position can be a rest position. By making the projecting element movable to at least one retracted position, the cleaning device may be used for other cleaning parts which do not have the character of a mop. These cleaning parts usually do not need this projecting element to be easily moved over various surfaces. Another advantage is the option of switching the device to adjust it to different floors, for instance rough and smooth floors and also floors soiled to different extents. For instance, if a floor is extremely dirty, it may be desirable to apply a pressure to the entire surface to allow spots and other kinds of dirt to be properly rubbed off. For a normally soiled floor which is frequently cleaned, such as in an office, the floor need in most cases only be wiped off and in that case the raised "lighter" position may be used. In this manner, the user may employ the same device for different areas and needs. Due the structure of the cleaning part (length of the bristles/yarns), different vertical positions of the projecting element may be desirable.
[0008] The second position can be the position in which the end of the element is on a level with said underside.
[0009] The movable element can be operable by turning of said element or by a pressing function acting on the element. By turning the element, or applying a force thereto, it is possible to activate, in a smooth and effective way, the movable element from a first position to a second position.
[0010] The movable element can be operable by an activation that occurrs in direct contact with the element or by an activation connected at a distance from said element. It is possible to operate the element by activating it directly by applying hand or foot force. As a result, it is possible to easily exchange the cleaning head and use it for other control devices, for instance a cleaning machine. Alternatively, it is possible to operate it from a distance, for instance if the cleaning head is arranged on a stick so that it can be operated by means of the stick, for instance, by pressing a button. However, the connecting will be slightly more complex, but involves the advantage that it will not be necessary to raise the cleaning device or for the user to bend in order to change the distance, which otherwise is a necessary operation.
[0011] Preferably the element is arranged substantially in the centre of said underside. The element then takes a central position and the cleaning head is at a central point of balance. The force is applied to this point since the control point of the cleaning device is often placed in the vicinity, around or directly at this point. The element will then have its most stable position, that is the cleaning head will not tilt due to imbalance.
[0012] A plurality of elements can be distributed on the underside. This is an advantage if the cleaning head is relatively large or if one element is not sufficient to keep the underside of the cleaning head at a distance, that is the cleaning head tilts to one side.
[0013] The element can be integrated with the underside. This results in a cleaning head which is always arranged at a fixed distance. By keeping the distance fixed, there will always be a state where the device can be easily moved on all bases.
[0014] Various other features will be evident from the following description which is presented with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating embodiments and accomplishments of the invention as non-limiting
examples.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0015] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings which by way of example illustrate a currently preferred embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 1 is a front view of a cleaning device according to prior art.
Fig. 2 is a front view of a cleaning device according to the invention.
Fig. 3 is a perspective view from below of a cleaning head.
Fig. 4 is a detailed exploded view in perspective of one embodiment of the invention.
[0016] All figures are extremely schematic and not necessarily on scale. They illustrate only parts which are necessary to explain the invention, other parts being omitted or only hinted at.
Description of Preferred Embodiments
[0017] That stated above and also further parts, features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood with the aid of the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings where the same reference numerals will be used for equivalent elements. Fig. 1 illustrates a cleaning device 1 according to prior art. It comprises a cleaning head 2 with a flat underside 3. The cleaning head 2 is connected to a stick 8 by a connecting device 9. In many cases the cleaning head 2 is pivoted to the stick 8. However, the cleaning head 2 can be mounted to a cleaning machine of some other device. A cleaning part 5 is fixed to the underside 3 of the cleaning head 2 and is frequently a so-called mop with bristles/yarns of fibres. In the following the cleaning part 5 will be referred to as a mop 5, but any cleaning part 5 according to prior art may be involved. The mop 5 can be made of different materials. In most cases mops 5 of microfibres are preferred since static electricity (when they are dry) and capillary action (when they are moist) make them attract dirt and dust which are then stored in the internal structures of the fibres. As already mentioned, the mop 5 can be moistened/soaked to become still more effective. When the mop 5 that is to be used contacts the base 4, usually the floor, the bristles/yarns of fibres are pressed against the base 4 over the entire surface of the cleaning head 2. The friction between the mop 5 and the base 4 must be overcome to allow the mop 5 to be moved over the base 4. If the mop 5 is moist, the friction will be still higher, which makes it difficult for the user to keep on working for more than a short while. In the long run it may cause injuries in users employing this type of cleaning device 1 every day.
[0018] Fig. 2 illustrates an embodiment which solves this problem. Here, too, the cleaning device 1 comprises a cleaning head 2, a stick 8 and a connecting device 9. The cleaning device 2 has a relatively flat underside 3. A projecting element 6 is arranged in the centre of the underside 3. The distance along which the element 6 projects can be proportional to the bristles/yarns of the mop 5. Here the element 6 projects 2-12 mm, preferably 6-10 mm, particularly 8 +/-1 mm from the underside. The cleaning part, also in this case a mop 5 with bristles/yarns, is partly mounted to the underside 3, for instance by Velcro® fasteners or other prior art fastening means 25, and rests on the projecting element 6. The bristles/yarns of the mop 5 comprise fibres, for instance microfibres, which adjacent the element will be pressed between the element 6 and the base 4 by the action of the weight of the stick 8 and the force applied by the user, while the bristles/yarns outside the element will contact the base by a decreased surface, which decreases away from the element. Furthest away from the element 6, the bristles/yarns may touch or even be located at a distance from the base 4. However, this distance should be so great that the fibres of the mop 5 still have an attraction on the dust and dirt.
[0019] Fig. 3 illustrates a cleaning head 2 from below with the element 6 formed like a cross and projecting from the underside 3 of the cleaning head 2 without a cleaning part 5, which can be a mop. The element 6 can be of any desirable form. Its cross-section can be round, square or cruciform. It can be one element or a plurality of elements distributed at regular or irregular intervals. The element 6 can be arranged so that the mop 5 rests on the element, but could just as well be arranged outside the area of the mop 5 or in an opening in the mop through which the element 6 can be passed. The end 7 of the element 6 can be flat and will contact the base, either via the mop 5 or immediately on the base. The edges of the element 6 can be rounded to such an extent that the corners touch each other at a point. As a result, the element 6 will have a minimum contact surface between the mop 5 and the base, which, as mentioned above, makes it easier to move the device over the base to be cleaned. Alternatively, one or more wheels or rollers may be placed in the centre, but in that case the mop/cleaning part 5 has an opening through which the wheel/roller is passed. The wheel or roller or projecting parts may also be arranged on each side outside the area of the mop. The element 6 as block/wheel/roller etc. can be fixedly or movably arranged on the cleaning head 2 so that the element 6 can move between several positions. Another option is that the entire underside 6 forms a projecting element, which tapers at least at one point/area at a distance from the then imaginary flat underside.
[0020] Fig. 4 illustrates a cleaning device 1 with a connecting device 9 with a stick and a cleaning head 2 with one embodiment of a movable element 6. The movable element 6 comprises a plurality of parts. The cleaning head 2 is formed with an opening 26 which extends from the underside 3 of the cleaning head 2 to the upper side 10 thereof. At the opening 26 of the cleaning head on the upper side 10, a fixing means 11 with a thin wall 12 is fixedly arranged, in this case by screws 15. The fixing to the cleaning head 2 is, however, not limited to precisely screws, but can be any fastening element according to prior art. The fixing means 11 has a through opening 16 which corresponds to the opening 26 in the cleaning head 2, but can be both larger and smaller. These two openings are arranged relative to each other so as to form a through opening. The wall 12 of the fixing means 11 has two different heights, a smaller height 13 and a greater height 14. The movable element 6 also comprises an activating element 17 which is non-rotatably connected to a spacing element 20. The connection occurs from each side of the cleaning head 2 through the opening of the cleaning head 2 and the fixing means 11. The spacing element 20 is arranged from the underside 3, while the activating element 17 is arranged from the upper side 10. The activating element 17 has two fixing arms 18 which each grip one side of the wall 12 of the fixing means 11 by means of the central portion 19 or alternatively using the spacing element 20. The activating element 17 and the spacing element 20 are in this way mounted to the fixing means 11. A spring 24 is arranged between the central portion 19 of the activating element 17 and the wall 12 of the fixing means 11 and also contacts the upper side 10 of the cleaning head 2. In this case, the spring 24 is a metal coil spring, but is not limited thereto. The spacing element 20 is mushroom-shaped, where the foot 22 is connected to the activating element 17. On its head 21 there are arranged force-absorbing spacing pins 23 to absorb the force acting on the spacing element 20 in use of the cleaning device 1, and also to serve as spacing elements. These three parts (fixing means 11, activating element 17 and spacing element 20) are preferably made of plastic. However they can also be made of other materials. With the element 6 in a retracted state, that is not activated, the head 21 of the spacing element 20 will be on a level with, or in an inserted position on, the underside 3 of the cleaning head 2. The force-absorbing spacing pins 23 of the spacing element 20 are then stored in indentations 27 in the cleaning head 2, the spring 24 is in a neutral position and the fixing arms 18 of the activating element 17 are arranged on the entire higher wall 14, or partially on the same, of the fixing element 11. To move the spacing element 20 a distance from the underside 3, which in this case is determined by the spacing pins 23, the activating element 17 is pressed down and turned so that the activating element 17 and the spacing element 20 are moved downward and turned to their correct position, that is the activating element 17 is pressed against the upper side 10 of the cleaning head 2, and the spacing element 20 is pressed away from the underside 3 thereof and turned to the correct position. The fixing arms 18 of the activating element 17 grasp the lower wall 13 of the fixing means 11 and fix the same in a lower position. The spring is being compressed. There are recesses 28 in the underside 3 of the cleaning head 2, in which recesses the force-absorbing spacing pins 23 can rest. The recesses also determine the correct position of the spacing element. The recesses 28, however, are not necessary. The positioning can be achieved in other ways. The spacing element 20 is now in its extended position. To return to a position which is flat with the underside of the cleaning head, the activating element 17 is pressed (if there are recesses 28) and turned once more so that the force-absorbing spacing pins 23 leave their recesses 28 and reach their storage indentations 27. The spring 24 now springs back and the spacing element 20 is automatically moved into a flush/lowered position. A recess 29 is formed on the underside 3 of the cleaning head 2, so that the spacing element 20 can be flush with the underside 3. If the head 21 is smaller than the opening 26, this is not necessary. This is a way how to solve this problem and, as an alternative to this embodiment, it will be possible to use a bayonet catch or other prior art techniques. The distance may also be varied in other ways, for instance by a thread.
1. A cleaning device (1) for cleaning of flat surfaces, preferably floors, comprising
a cleaning head (2) with a substantially flat underside (3), which faces the base
(4) to be cleaned and on which a cleaning part (5) is arranged, which contacts the
base (4) to be cleaned, characterised in that on the underside (3) there is arranged an element (6) projecting therefrom such that
the underside (3) will be spaced from the base (4).
2. A cleaning device (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cleaning part (5) rests
on the element (6).
3. A cleaning device (1) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said element (6) is movable
between a first position, in which it projects from said underside (3), and at least
a second retracted position.
4. A cleaning device (1) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said second position is the position
in which the end (7) of the element (6) is on a level with said underside (3).
5. A cleaning device (1) as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein said movable element (6)
is operable by turning of said element (6).
6. A cleaning device (1) as claimed in any one of claims 3-5, where said movable element
(6) is operable by a pressing function acting on the element (6).
7. A cleaning device (1) as claimed in any one of claims 3-6, wherein said movable element
(6) is operable by an activation that occurs in direct contact with the element (6).
8. A cleaning device (1) as claimed in any one of claims 3-7, wherein said movable element
(6) is operable by an activation connected at a distance from said element (6).
9. A cleaning device (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said
element (6) is arranged substantially in the centre of said underside (3).
10. A cleaning device (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality
of elements (6) are distributed on the underside (3).
11. A cleaning device (1) as claimed in any one of claims 1, 2, 9 and 10, wherein said
element (6) is integrated with the underside (3).