GB2438568A

GB2438568A - Cleaning body and squeeze mop comprising said cleaning body

Info

Publication number: GB2438568A
Application number: GB0718848A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Phu-Dennis Tran
Original assignee: Carl Freudenberg KG
Current assignee: Carl Freudenberg KG
Priority date: 2005-03-03
Filing date: 2005-11-18
Publication date: 2007-11-28
Anticipated expiration: 2025-11-18
Also published as: GB0718848D0; CA2600126C; US20080155772A1; WO2006092165A1; GB2438568B; CA2600126A1; DE102005009632A1; TW200631539A

Abstract

The invention relates to a cleaning body comprising at least two part cleaning bodies (1, 2), each with a cleaning surface (3, 4), whereby the part cleaning bodies (1, 2) are made from differing materials, lie adjacent to each other and are connected to each other. The first part cleaning body (1) has greater flexibility than the second (2) with each in the dry state. A squeeze mop comprises said cleaning bodies and a support body (17), connected to the cleaning body, whereby the support body (17) has two wings (18, 19), connected to each other such as to fold together by means of a hinged joint (20). The joint (20) is exclusively arranged in the region of the surface (13) of the first part cleaning body (1).

Description

Applicant: Carl Freudenberg KG, 69469 Weinheim

Description

Cleaning body and squeeze mop comprising said cleaning body

Technical field

The invention relates to a cleaning body and to a squeeze mop which comprises said cleaning body as a constituent part.

Prior art

Cleaning bodies and squeeze mops comprising cleaning bodies are generally known.

The cleaning bodies here are formed as sponges and consist, for example, entirely of cellulose or entirely of polyurethane. A disadvantage with this single-material configuration of the sponge, however, in particular when the cleaning body is used in conjunction with squeeze mops, is that cleaning bodies made of cellulose, in the dry state, are difficult to flex, or cannot be flexed, without rupturing, and that sponges made of polyurethane have only a comparatively low cleaning performance and thus cannot pick up contaminants to particularly good effect.

Description of the invention

The aim of the invention is further to develop a cleaning body, and a squeeze mop comprising a cleaning body, such that the cleaning body is well adapted to the given conditions of the application in question and the squeeze mop is easy to handle. In particular, the intention is for the cleaning body to have a good cleaning performance and to pick up contaminants to particularly good effect and to have good use properties over a long period of use. It should also be possible for the squeeze mop to be actuated to good effect even when the cleaning body is dry, or largely dry, without the cleaning body being damaged or ruptured.

This aim is achieved according to the invention by a cleaning body according to claim 1 and a squeeze mop according to claim 13. The subclaims referring back to these independent claims refer to advantageous configurations.

In order to achieve the aim, a cleaning body is provided, comprising at least two partial cleaning bodies each having a cleaning surface, the partial cleaning bodies consisting of different materials and being arranged one beside the other and connected to one another, the first partial cleaning body having a greater flexibility than the second partial cleaning body, when each is in the dry state. Since the sponge-like cleaning body has individualized functions, the sponge-like partial cleaning bodies are configured such that they are each particularly well suited for solving the individual tasks set. The cleaning body is particularly flexible in the region of the first partial cleaning body, in which case it can also be used to good effect in conjunction with a squeeze mop and, even in the dry state of the cleaning body, the squeeze mop can be readily actuated without the cleaning body being damaged or ruptured.

The material of the second partial cleaning body can be designed for a particularly good cleaning performance without account having to be taken of whether it is flexible or not in the dry state.

The first partial cleaning body, in the dry state, ensures excellent functioning of the swing-action mechanism of a squeeze mop even when the cleaning body is dry or only slightly moistened.

The first partial cleaning body preferably consists of polyurethane (PU) . It is advantageous here if the first partial cleaning body made of polyurethane, irrespective of whether it is dry or wet, is always flexible/foldable to good effect and thus, even in the dry or largely dry state, does not adversely affect the functioning of a squeeze mop on which the cleaning body is fastened, preferably such that it can be released without rupturing. The durability of such a partial cleaning body is good because polyurethane has a comparative1y high resistance to mechanical loading, even when the user subjects the first partial cleaning body to an increased contact-pressure force.

According to a first advantageous configuration, the second partial cleaning body preferably consists of cellulose. It is advantageous here if the second partial cleaning body has good use properties in respect of its cleaning performance since cellulose picks up contaminants to particularly good effect.

Although partial cleaning bodies made of cellulose, in the dry state, only have a very low level of flexibility, this does not have a disadvantageous effect for the cleaning body according to the invention, and the use thereof in a squeeze mop, since the considerably more flexible first partial cleaning body is provided for the flexibility function.

According to a second advantageous configuration, the second partial cleaning body consists of a polyvinyl alcohol. In contrast to a second partial cleaning body made of cellulose, the second partial cleaning body consisting of PVA has the advantage that the cell size of the sponge-like second partial cleaning body can be very well adapted to the given conditions of the application case. The water absorption of PVA, moreover, is somewhat higher than the water absorption of cellulose.

The partial cleaning bodies are each formed in one piece and from a single material. Such a configuration is of decisive importance, in particular, for the first partial cleaning body because this ensures that each sub-region of this first partial cleaning body has the same advantageous level of flexibility; the flexibility-related disadvantages which would occur, for example, as a result of a mix of materials in the first partial cleaning body, for example since the latter would be constructed in layers in the direction of the carrying body of the squeeze mop, from the surface which is to be cleaned, are thus avoided.

The partial cleaning bodies may each be essentially of cuboidal design and may be connected to one another on their end sides which are directed toward one another in each case. The cleaning body as a whole is thus subdivided into functional zones, each functional zone corresponding to one partial cleaning body.

According to a particularly advantageous configuration, it may be provided that a third partial cleaning body is arranged on that end side of the first partial cleaning body which is directed away from the second partial cleaning body, and it is connected to the first partial cleaning body. Further preferably, the second partial cleaning body and the third partial cleaning body correspond in terms of shaping and/or material.

Handling is simplified by the cleaning body being symmetrical in relation to the first partial cleaning body. For different application cases, it may be provided that the second partial cleaning body and the third partial cleaning body, although corresponding in terms of shaping, differ from one another in terms of material. The second partial cleaning body could thus have, for example, a more abrasive cleaning action than * the third partial cleaning body, in which case it would be possible for the third partial cleaning body to have, for example, a greater level of flexibility than the second partial cleaning body. The cleaning body is thus adapted to the given conditions of the application case. However, it is also possible, for example, for the second and the third partial cleaning bodies to be made of a single material, the shaping being different.

For example, it would be possible for the second partial cleaning body to be rounded on the end side which is directed away from the first partial cleaning body, but for the third partial cleaning body, in contrast, to be of angular design on the end side which is directed away from the first partial cleaning body.

All the partial cleaning bodies preferably correspond in height between the cleaning surfaces and the top surface, which is directed away from the cleaning surface, of the partial cleaning bodies. The cleaning body is thus easy to produce and also easy to mount on a squeeze mop.

Both the cleaning surfaces of the partial cleaning bodies and the top surfaces of the partial cleaning bodies preferably merge into one another in a planar manner. Neither the cleaning surfaces of the partial cleaning bodies nor the top surfaces of the partial cleaning bodies exhibit abrupt changes in direction.

At least the first partial cleaning body may be designed as an open-cell cleaning sponge, and preferably consists, on account of the good flexibility of the material, of PU. It is also possible for the second and/or the third partial cleaning bodies to be designed as open-cell sponges. These preferably consist, on account of the good cleaning performance, of cellulose.

It is only the cleaning surface of the first partial cleaning body which may have, on the side which is directed away from the corresponding top surface, a microfiber mopping cover. The mopping cover is advantageous since, specifically if the first partial cleaning body consists of PU, this first partial cleaning body only has a comparatively lower cleaning performance, in relation to cellulose. In order to combine, on the one hand, the excellent flexibility of the PU material of the first partial cleaning body with, on the other hand, a good cleaning performance, the microfiber mopping cover is advantageous. The microfiber mopping cover is in the form of a cloth and, in relation to the thickness of the first partial cleaning body, has a negligible thickness, and so the flexibility of the first partial cleaning body is not adversely affected by the use of the microfiber mopping cover.

The mopping cover may also consist, for example, of a non-microfiber material. If it is necessary to use a material which is more abrasive, a mopping cover which consists partly of microfibers and partly of viscose can be used.

On the side which is directed away from the cleaning surface, the first partial cleaning body may have blind-hole-like recesses which extend in the direction of the cleaning surface and each have a shape which is congruent with protuberances of the carrying body of a squeeze mop. It is advantageous here if the cleaning performance of the zone of the first partial cleaning body, which contains the recesses, can be improved. If, for example, strong contaminants are to be removed from floors, the pressure on the squeeze mop is increased, the comparatively thin material thickness of the first partial cleaning body between the protuberances of the carrying body and the surface which is to be cleaned * providing only a small amount of resistance to the pressure applied by the user. The thin material thickness of the first partial cleaning body in the region described means that only a comparatively small amount of force is required in order for a comparatively large amount of force to be applied to the surface which is to be cleaned; if the first partial cleaning body, in contrast, were not to contain the recesses in which the protuberances are arranged, there would be a comparatively smaller amount of specific surface pressure, in the region of the protuberances, on the surface which is to be cleaned.

The depth of the recesses preferably corresponds to at least 50%, further preferably 75 to 90%, of the height of the first cleaning body.

The invention also relates to a squeeze mop, comprising a cleaning body as described above, which is connected to a carrying body, the carrying body comprising two wings which are connected to one another for swing action by a hinge-like articulation, and the articulation being arranged exclusively in the region of the top surface of the first partial cleaning body.

A squeeze mop comprising such a cleaning body has the advantage that the swing-action mechanism of the squeeze mop functions to good effect even when the cleaning body is dry or only slightly moistened. This is achieved in that the first partial cleaning body of the squeeze mop has a level of flexibility which is at least largely consistently high irrespective of whether the first partial cleaning body is dry, moist or wet.

It is preferably only on the side which is directed toward the top surface of the first partial cleaning body that the carrying body may have protuberances for improving the cleaning performance of the first partial cleaning body. Specifically when the first partial cleaning body consists of PU, which would have only a comparatively lower cleaning performance than cellulose, the improved cleaning performance, brought about by the protuberances on the carrying body, is emphatically advantageous. The cleaning surface of the first partial cleaning body then has a cleaning performance which is at least considerably improved and corresponds, for example, to the cleaning performance of the second and/or third partial cleaning body. The entire cleaning body thus has a consistently good cleaning performance and -even in the dry state -good flexibility in the region of the first partial cleaning body.

Specifically in the case of such a configuration, PU is particularly advantageous for the first partial cleaning body since PU has a considerably greater elongation at tear than cellulose, and this results in improved durability for the cleaning body even when subjected to high mechanical loading by the protuberances.

Brief description of the drawing

The cleaning body according to the invention and the squeeze mop comprising the cleaning body according to the invention will now be shown, and described in more detail, with reference to Figures 1 to 10, in which: Figure 1 shows the view of a first exemplary embodiment of the cleaning body according to the invention, Figure 2 shows a plan view of the first exemplary embodiment from Figure 1, Figure 3 shows the view of a second exemplary embodiment, Figure 4 shows the plan view of the second exemplary embodiment from Figure 3, Figure 5 shows the view of a third exemplary embodiment, similar to the exemplary embodiments from Figures 1 to 4, having a microfiber mopping cover, Figure 6 shows the plan view of a squeeze mop which comprises one of the cleaning bodies described above, Figure 7 shows the squeeze mop from Figure 6 in a view with the wings arrested, Figure 8 shows the squeeze mop from Figure 7 in the swung-down state, Figure 9 shows a further exemplary embodiment of the cleaning body of the invention, this embodiment having recesses for accommodating the protuberances of the carrying body of a squeeze mop, and Figure 10 shows a further exemplary embodiment, similar to the exemplary embodiment from Figure 9, although in addition, as in Figure 5, a microfiber mopping cover has been arranged on that side of the first partial cleaning body which is directed toward the surface which is to be cleaned.

Figures 1 to 10 are illustrated schematically.

Implementation of the invention Figures 1 to 5 and also 9 and 10 show five exemplary embodiments of a cleaning body according to the invention, the cleaning bodies which are shown in Figures 1 to 5 and also 9 and 10 forming, in Figures 6 to 8, a constituent part of a squeeze mop according to the invention.

The cleaning bodies here each comprise three partial cleaning bodies 1, 2, 8, the first partial cleaning body, in the exemplary embodiments shown here, consisting of PU, and the second and the third partial cleaning bodies each consisting of cellulose. Materials other than these for the wet cleaning of surfaces, for example floors, are likewise possible, the first partial cleaning body always having the greatest level of flexibility of all the partial cleaning bodies used, and being flexible to good effect even in the dry state of the cleaning body.

The three partial cleaning bodies 1, 2, 8 each have a cleaning surface 3, 4, 12 and are arranged one beside the other and connected to one another. Each partial cleaning body 1, 2, 8, in itself, is designed in one piece and from a single material, the partial cleaning bodies 1, 2, 8, as is illustrated here, being of essentially cuboidal design and being connected to one another on their end sides 5, 6, 7 which are directed toward one another in each case.

Each of the partial cleaning bodies 1, 2, 8 is designed as a foam body, the differing materials of the partial cleaning bodies resulting in the latter having differing levels of cleaning performance, water absorption/expulsion and/or durability. The advantage of the differing materials of the partial cleaning bodies 1, 2, 8 is predominantly that this allows optimum adaptation to the given conditions of the application case.

Thus, for example, the first partial cleaning body 1, -11 -having the comparatively greatest level of flexibility in the dry state, is arranged at a location of the cleaning body which is subjected to this mechanical flexural loading. This ensures high durability of the cleaning body, with consistently good use properties.

The second and third partial cleaning bodies 2, 8, in contrast, may be optimized in respect of their cleaning performance without account having to be taken of the flexing behavior of these partial cleaning bodies 2, 8.

The cleaning bodies overall, as can be seen in Figures 1, 3, 5, 7 and 8 and also 9 and 10, correspond in height 9, 10, 11 between the cleaning surfaces 3, 4, 12 and the top surfaces 13, 14, 15, which are directed away from the cleaning surfaces 3, 4, 12, of the cleaning bodies 1, 2, 8. In the exemplary embodiments shown here, both the cleaning surfaces 3, 4, 12 of the partial cleaning bodies 1, 2, 8 and the top surfaces 13, 14, 15 of the partial cleaning bodies 1, 2, 8 merge into one another in a planar manner.

In contrast to this, of course, it is also possible, in the case of all the partial cleaning bodies 1, 2, 8 of the exemplary embodiments shown here, for the cleaning surfaces 3, 4, 12 to be provided with a profiling, for example with an undulating surface profiling of increased roughness; just one cleaning surface, two cleaning surfaces or all three cleaning surfaces 3, 4, 12 may be provided with such a surface profiling.

It is also possible, in the case of all the partial cleaning bodies 1, 2, 8, for the cleaning surfaces 3, 4, 12 to be provided with a microfiber mopping cover 16, an advantageous configuration providing for just the cleaning surface 3 of the first partial cleaning body 1 to comprise a microfiber mopping cover 16, as is shown in Figures 5 and 10.

Figures J. and 2 show a first exemplary embodiment of the cleaning body according to the invention. All the partial cleaning bodies 1, 2, 8 are essentially of cuboidal design, the first partial cleaning body 1, which in this exemplary embodiment consists of PU, having a greater level of flexibility than the second and third partial cleaning bodies 2, 8, which are identical and each consist of cellulose. The cleaning body shown here has a particularly straightforward construction, and is easy and cost-effective to produce.

Figures 3 and 4, in contrast to the exemplary embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, show a second exemplary embodiment, in which case the second partial cleaning body 2 is rounded in semicircular form on its end side 22, which is directed away from the first partial cleaning body 1. Such a configuration is recommended, for example, in order to make it possible to clean to better effect even comparatively difficult-to-access locations of the surface which is to be cleaned.

Figures 1 and 3 show the respective exemplary embodiments in a view from the front, and Figures 2 and 4 show the exemplary embodiments from Figures 1 and 3 in a plan view in each case.

Figure 5 shows a third exemplary embodiment in a view corresponding to Figures 1 and 3. In contrast to the latter, just the cleaning surface 3 of the first partial cleaning body 1 has, on the side which is directed away from the top surface 13, a microfiber mopping cover 16. It is advantageous here for the cleaning performance of the first, PU partial cleaning body 1, the cleaning performance of PU being poorer than that of cellulose, to be compensated for without the first partial cleaning body 1 losing its high level of flexibility.

Figures 6 to 8 show an exemplary embodiment of a squeeze mop which has a cleaning body corresponding to one of the exemplary embodiments described above. The squeeze mop has a carrying body 17 which is connected in a conventional manner to the top surfaces 13, 14, 15 of the partial cleaning bodies 1, 2, 8. This can take place, for example, by the cleaning body and the carrying body 17 being connected to one another by a force-fitting and/or form-fitting connection, the cleaning body preferably being connected to the carrying body 17 such that it can be released without rupturing.

The carrying body 17 comprises two wings 18, 19 which are connected to one another for swing action by the hinge-like articulation 20. The critical factor is for the articulation 20 to be located exclusively in the region of the top surface 13 of the first partial cleaning body 1, which is highly flexible even in the dry state. In order to compensate for the cleaning performance of PU, this cleaning performance being poorer than that of cellulose, it is only on the side which is directed toward the top surface 13 of the first partial cleaning body 1 that the carrying body 17 has protuberances as a surface profiling for improving the cleaning performance of the first partial cleaning body 1.

Figure 6 shows a plan view of the squeeze mop from Figure 7. The two wings 18, 19 can be swung downward about the axis 23.

Figure 7 indicates the swing action of the wings 18, 19 in the downward direction about the articulation 20 by way of the arrows 24, the articulation 20 being designed, for example, in the manner of a film hinge and extending in the direction of the axis 23.

-14 -Figure 8 shows the squeeze mop from Figures 6 and 7, the two wings 18, 19 having been swung downward about the articulation 20.

Figures 9 and 10 show two further exemplary embodiments of a cleaning body, the first partial cleaning body 1 having recesses 25 of blind-hole-like configuration on its side which is directed away from the cleaning surface 3. The recesses 25 extend from the top surface 13 in the direction of the cleaning surface 3, the recesses 25 each having a shaping which is adapted to, that is to say congruent with, the protuberances 21 of the carrying body 17. The fact that the material thickness of the first partial cleaning body 1 remains comparatively low between its cleaning surface 3 and the end sides of the protuberances 21, these end sides being directed toward the cleaning surface 3, allows pressure to be applied particularly efficiently, for cleaning purposes, to the surface which is to be cleaned.

The cleaning-body configuration according to the invention can be used not just for carrying bodies which can be swung about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the carrying body (illustrated here) . It is also possible for carrying bodies which have an articulation which extends parallel to the longitudinal axis or corresponds to the longitudinal axis to be provided with the cleaning body claimed; the two partial cleaning bodies/the three partial cleaning bodies then extend, for example, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the carrying body.

Claims

-15 -Claims: 1. A cleaning body comprising at least two partial

cleaning bodies (1, 2) each having a cleaning surface (3, 4), the partial cleaning bodies (1, 2) consisting of different materials and being arranged one beside the other and connected to one another, the first partial cleaning body (1) having a greater flexibility than the second partial cleaning body (2), when each is in the dry state.

2. A cleaning body according to claim 1, characterized in that the first partial cleaning body (1) consists of polyurethane (Pt)) 3. A cleaning body according to either of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the second partial cleaning body (2) consists of cellulose.

4. A cleaning body according to either of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the second partial cleaning body (2) consists of a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA).

5. A cleaning body according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the partial cleaning bodies (1, 2) are each formed in one piece and from a single material.

6. A cleaning body according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the partial cleaning bodies (1, 2) are each essentially of cuboidal design and are connected to one another on their end sides (5, 6) which are directed toward one another in each case.

7. A cleaning body according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a third partial cleaning body (8) is arranged on that end side (7) of the first partial cleaning body (1) , which is directed away from the second partial cleaning body (2), and it is connected to the first partial cleaning body (1) 8. A cleaning body according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the second partial cleaning body (2) and the third partial cleaning body (8) correspond in terms of shaping and/or material.

9. A cleaning body according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that all the partial cleaning bodies (1, 2, 8) correspond in height (9, 10, 11) between their cleaning surfaces (3, 4, 12) and their top surfaces (13, 14, 15), which are directed away from the cleaning surfaces (3, 4, 12), of the partial cleaning bodies (1, 2, 8) 10. A cleaning body according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that both the cleaning surfaces (3, 4, 12) of the partial cleaning bodies (1, 2, 8) and the top surfaces (13, 14, 15) of the partial cleaning bodies (1, 2, 8) merge into one another in a planar manner.

11. A cleaning body according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that at least the first partial cleaning body (1) is designed as an open-cell cleaning sponge.

12. A cleaning body according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that it is only the cleaning surface (3) of the first partial cleaning body (1) which has, on the side which is directed away from the top surface (13), a microfiber -17 -mopping cover (16). a

13. A cleaning body according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that, on the side which is directed away from the cleaning surface (3) , the first partial cleaning body (1) has blind-hole-like recesses (25) which extend in the direction of the cleaning surface (3) and each have a shape which is congruent with protuberances (21) of the carrying body (17) of a squeeze mop.

14. A cleaning body according to claim 13, characterized in that the depth of the recesses (25) corresponds to at least 50% of the height (9) of the first partial cleaning body (1) 15. A cleaning body according to claim 14, characterized in that the depth corresponds to 75 to 90% of the height (9) of the first partial cleaning body (1).

16. A squeeze mop, comprising a cleaning body according to any one of claims 1 to 15, which is connected to a carrying body (17) , the carrying body (17) comprising two wings (18, 19) which are connected to one another for swing action by a hinge-like articulation (20), and the articulation (20) being arranged exclusively in the region of the top surface (13) of the first partial cleaning body (1).

17. A squeeze mop according to claim 16, characterized in that it is only on the side which is directed toward the top surface (13) of the first partial cleaning body (1) that the carrying body (17) has protuberances (21) for improving the cleaning performance of the first partial cleaning body (1)