EP3207851A1

EP3207851A1 - Multi-use mop

Info

Publication number: EP3207851A1
Application number: EP16177434.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Dan Lennart Blom; Rikard Ingemarsson Hedlund
Original assignee: Aquastar Industries Inc
Current assignee: Aquastar Industries Inc
Priority date: 2016-02-16
Filing date: 2016-07-01
Publication date: 2017-08-23
Also published as: US20170231453A1

Abstract

A multi-purpose mop. The multi-purpose mop may comprise a mop head, which may have a plurality of bristles on a first side, a squeegee on an opposite side, and a fabric attachment portion on a bottom face.

Description

Technical field

The present disclosure relates generally to mops, and more particularly, to mops with multiple functional components utilizing rubber and silicone.

Background

Various types of mops have been used to clean hard floors and surfaces. Traditionally, a mop included the use of copious amounts of water with cleaning products mixed in to ensure that all dirt and grime had a sufficient amount of solvent to be removed from the floor. Unfortunately, this causes floors to be left wet, even when use of the mop's wringer is effective.
Recently, there has also been an increase in the use of steam mops, which leave very little water on the surface. However, steam mops use electricity, are generally plugged into the wall, and have various components which may fail, which cause the device to be unwieldy and expensive.
Currently, there are products on the market which utilize pre-treated cleaning pads with various cleaning fluids. One drawback to these products is that in order to dry quickly, various chemicals are used to allow the cleaning fluids to evaporate after use. Unfortunately, this means that smaller particles which are not trapped by the cleaning pad are able to resettle onto the hard floor without being easily noticed.
Many products allow for either mopping, use of pre-treated cleaning pads, brushing, squeegeeing, or picking up dirt and debris, but there are no products which provide a combination of these functions in a simple and convenient manner.
Therefore, there is a need for a new and improved mop which allows for the cleaning of hard floors without leaving behind a substantial amount of water, yet has the ability to use water to remove small particles that would otherwise resettle on the hard floor.

Summary of the invention

To minimize the limitations in the prior art, and to minimize other limitations that will become apparent upon reading and understanding the present disclosure, the present specification discloses a new and improved mop.
One embodiment of the multipurpose mop may comprise a mop head; wherein the mop head may comprise a plurality of bristles on a first side of the mop head, and a fabric attachment portion on a bottom face of the mop head. The first side and a second side may be located opposite to one another on the mop head. The mop head may further comprise an attachment portion; wherein the attachment portion may be located substantially towards a center of a top surface of the mop head. The attachment portion may comprise a variable angle connector and a locking mechanism. The mop head may further comprise a restraining mechanism configured to restrain the variable angle connector relative to the mop head or a configuration locking mechanism releaseably locking the mop head in a specific configuration, e.g. a bristles down or squeegee down configuration. The variable angle connector may allow for a plurality of utility configurations; wherein the plurality of utility configurations comprise a bristles down configuration and a mopping configuration. When the multipurpose mop is in the bristles down configuration, a distal end of the variable angle connector may face in the direction of the second side of the mop head. When the multipurpose mop is in the bristles down configuration, the variable angle connector may be releaseably restrained by the restraining mechanism or the configuration locking mechanism. When the multipurpose mop is in the mopping configuration, the variable angle connector may face between the direction of the second side of the mop head and the first side of the mop head. The mop head may comprise a squeegee on the second side of the mop head. The utility configurations may further comprise a squeegee down configuration; wherein when in the squeegee down configuration, a distal end of the variable angle connector may face in the direction of the first side of the mop head. When the multipurpose mop is in the squeegee down configuration, the variable angle connector may be releaseably restrained by the restraining mechanism or the configuration locking mechanism. The plurality of bristles and the squeegee may be made from rubber. The plurality of bristles may be substantially flat, parallel, and staggered with respect to one another. The multipurpose mop may further comprise a handle; wherein the mop head may be configured to be removably attachable to the handle via the attachment portion. The handle may comprise a locking mechanism receiver. The locking mechanism may comprise a stopper biased outward. The stopper and the locking mechanism receiver may be shaped such that the stopper biased outward is receivable by the locking mechanism receiver. The multipurpose mop may further comprise a dustpan; wherein the dustpan may be contoured such that the dustpan is configured to grip onto the handle for storage.
Another embodiment of the invention may be a multipurpose mop comprising: a mop head; a dustpan; and a handle; wherein the mop head may comprise a plurality of bristles on a first side of the mop head, a squeegee on a second side of the mop head, and a fabric attachment portion on a bottom face of the mop head; wherein the first side and the second side may be located opposite to one another on the mop head; wherein the mop head may further comprise an attachment portion; wherein the attachment portion may be located substantially towards a center of a top surface of the mop head; wherein the attachment portion may comprise a variable angle connector and a locking mechanism; wherein the mop head may further comprise a restraining mechanism configured to restrain the variable angle connector relative to the mop head or a configuration locking mechanism releaseably locking the mop head in a specific configuration, e.g. a bristles down or squeegee down configuration; wherein the variable angle connector may allow for a plurality of utility configurations; wherein the plurality of utility configurations may comprise a bristles down configuration, a mopping configuration, and a squeegee down configuration; wherein when in the bristles down configuration, a distal end of the variable angle connector may face in the direction of the second side of the mop head; wherein when in the bristles down configuration, the variable angle connector may be releaseably restrained by the restraining mechanism or configuration locking mechanism; wherein when in the mopping configuration, the variable angle connector may face between the direction of the second side of the mop head and the first side of the mop head; wherein when in the squeegee down configuration, a distal end of the variable angle connector may face in the direction of the first side of the mop head; wherein when in the squeegee down configuration, the variable angle connector may be releaseably restrained by the restraining mechanism or configuration locking mechanism; wherein the mop head may be configured to be removably attachable to the handle via the attachment portion; wherein the handle may comprise a locking mechanism receiver; wherein the locking mechanism may comprise a stopper biased outward; wherein the stopper and the locking mechanism receiver may be shaped such that the stopper biased outward is receivable by the locking mechanism receiver; wherein the dustpan may be contoured such that the dustpan is configured to grip the handle for storage.
It is an object to provide a mop that is adapted to perform multiple functions, including cleaning and scrubbing surfaces, without the use of excessive water.
It is an object to provide a mop that has multiple functions.
It is an object to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art.
These, as well as other components, steps, features, objects, benefits, and advantages, will now become clear from a review of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, of the accompanying drawings, and of the claims.

Drawings

The drawings show illustrative embodiments, but do not depict all embodiments. Other embodiments may be used in addition to or instead of the illustrative embodiments. Details that may be apparent or unnecessary may be omitted for the purpose of saving space or for more effective illustrations. Some embodiments may be practiced with additional components or steps and/or without some or all components or steps provided in the illustrations. When different drawings contain the same numeral, that numeral refers to the same or similar components or steps.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a top perspective view of one embodiment of the mop with a handle.
FIG. 2 is an illustration of a top perspective view of one embodiment of the mop head.
FIG. 3 is an illustration of a bottom perspective view of one embodiment of the mop head.
FIG. 4 is an illustration of one embodiment of the mop head tilted in a bristles edge down configuration.
FIG. 5 is an illustration of one embodiment of the mop head tilted in a squeegee edge down configuration.
FIG. 6 is an illustration of close-up perspective view of one embodiment of the mop head.
FIG. 7 is an illustration of a perspective view of one embodiment of the mop with a dustpan.
FIG. 8 is an illustration of a top plan view of one embodiment of the mop.
FIG. 9 is an illustration of a perspective view of one embodiment of the mop with an alternate dustpan.

Detailed description

In the following detailed description of various embodiments, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various aspects of the embodiments. However, the embodiments may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well-known procedures and/or components have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments.
While some embodiments are disclosed here, other embodiments will become obvious to those skilled in the art as a result of the following detailed description. These embodiments are capable of modifications of various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of protection. The figures, and their detailed descriptions, are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. Also, the reference or non-reference to a particular embodiment shall not be interpreted to limit the scope of protection.
In the following description, certain terminology is used to describe certain features of one or more embodiments. For purposes of the specification, unless otherwise specified, the term "substantially" refers to the complete or nearly complete extent or degree of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. For example, in one embodiment, an object that is "substantially" located within a housing would mean that the object is either completely within a housing or nearly completely within a housing. The exact allowable degree of deviation from absolute completeness may in some cases depend on the specific context. However, generally speaking the nearness of completion will be so as to have the same overall result as if absolute and total completion were obtained. The use of "substantially" is also equally applicable when used in a negative connotation to refer to the complete or near complete lack of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result.
As used herein, the terms "approximately" and "about" generally refer to a deviance of within 5% of the indicated number or range of numbers. In one embodiment, the term "approximately" and "about", refer to a deviance of between 1-10% from the indicated number or range of numbers.
As used herein, the term "pile height" refers to the measurement from the surface of the back to the top of a cleaning pad's pile, not including the thickness of the back of the pad.
FIG. 1 is an illustration of a top perspective view of one embodiment of the mop with a handle. As shown in FIG. 1, one embodiment of the mop 100 may comprise a handle 105, mop head 115, and dustpan 120. The mop head 115 may comprise bristles 125, a squeegee 130, attachment portion 111, and restraining mechanism 126. The attachment portion 111 may comprise a variable angle connector 110, and locking mechanism 135. The handle 105 may comprise a locking mechanism receiver 136. The handle 105 may be made of a metal or hard plastic and may be a hollow tube shape. The mop head 115 may be made of a metal or hard plastic. The attachment portion 111 and restraining mechanism 126 may be molded to be a protrusions of the mop head 115. Alternatively, the restraining mechanism 126 may be molded onto the attachment portion 111. The bristles 125 may be located along a first side of the mop head 115, and the squeegee 130 may be located on a second side of said mop head 115, wherein the first side and second side may preferably be on opposite sides of the mop head 115. The bristles 125 and squeegee 130 may be made of rubber, silicone, or any other flexible, firm, and resilient material. Each of the bristles 125 may be approximately 13 mm (one-half inch) in length, 13 mm (one-half inch) in depth, and 3 mm (one-eighth inch) in thickness. The bristles 125 may be substantially flat, parallel with the mop head 115 and mounted to the mop head 115 in a staggered manner. The squeegee 130 may be used to scrape water along a smooth surface.
The restraining mechanism 126 may be located between the attachment portion 111 and the squeegee 130. An alternate restraining mechanism may be built into the structure of the attachment portion 111 and/or the mop head 115, such that the angle between the handle 105 and mop head 115 may be releaseably locked when the mop head 115 is pivoted such that the mop head 115 is substantially parallel with the handle 105. An alternate restraining mechanism may be provided as the configuration locking mechanism 250, 255, described below with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.
Additionally, a cleaning pad or mopping attachment may be secured to an underside of the mop head 115, as shown in FIG 3.
The mop head 115 may have three major configurations: a bristles down configuration as shown in FIG. 4; squeegee down configuration as shown in FIG. 5; and a mopping configuration as shown in FIG. 6.
In the bristles down configuration, a distal end of the attachment portion 110 may substantially point towards the squeegee 130. While in a bristles down configuration, the attachment portion 110 may also be releaseably locked by the restraining mechanism 126 or alternatively a configuration locking mechanism 250, 255. Alternatively, in the squeegee down configuration, the distal end of the attachment portion 110 may substantially point towards the bristles 125. In the mopping configuration, the distal end of the attachment portion 110 may vary from pointing between the bristles 125 and the squeegee 130. As shown in FIG. 1, the mop 100 may be in a mopping configuration.
In one embodiment, when in the bristles down configuration, the restraining mechanism 126 may releaseably engage the attachment portion 110 or the handle 105, effectively locking the mop head 115 in the bristles down configuration so that a user may more effectively utilize the brush.
The dustpan 120 may be made of a rubber, silicone, or any other flexible and firm material. Preferably, the dustpan 120 is shaped to matingly engage the handle 105. The dustpan 120 may comprise a substantially flat portion and a curved gripping portion, wherein the curve substantially matches the outer edge of the handle 105. Due to the curved gripping portion of the dustpan, the dustpan 120 may apply a squeezing pressure to the handle 120, which due to friction, may keep the dustpan 120 in place along the handle 120. Thus, when not in use, the dustpan 120 may be attached to the handle 105 for storage, ensuring that the dustpan 120 is available when desired.
The attachment portion 111 may be used to removeably attach the handle 105 and mop head 115. The attachment portion 111 may comprise a variable angle connector 110 which allows the connection angle between the handle 105 and the mop head 115 to vary, thereby allowing a user to push or pull the mop at various angles. The attachment portion 111 may also comprise a locking mechanism 135 configured to be received by the handle 105 and/or the handle's 105 locking mechanism receiver 136.
In one embodiment, the locking mechanism 135 may be one or more stoppers biased outward. The one or more stoppers may take on various shapes, including being rounded, or sloped down and outward. The locking mechanism receiver 136 may be a hole cut out of the handle 105 shaped to be similar to the shape of the one or more stoppers, such that as the attachment portion 111 is inserted into the handle 105, the stoppers may be depressed, allowing the attachment portion 111 to enter the handle 105 and when the stoppers reach the locking mechanism receiver 136, the stoppers may return to their biased position and engage the locking mechanism receiver 136, thereby securing the attachment portion 111 and mop head 115 to the handle.
FIG. 2 is an illustration of a top perspective view of one embodiment of the mop head. As shown in FIG. 2, one embodiment of the mop head 200 may comprise a mop head base 215, attachment portion 211, bristles 225, and squeegee 230. The attachment portion 211 may comprise a variable angle connector 210, locking mechanism 237, and connection guiding member 212. The connection guiding member 212 may be configured to slide inside a handle, and the locking mechanism 237 may be configured to depress as the connection guiding member 212 enters the handle, and the locking mechanism may return to a non-depressed configuration, thereby connecting the mop head 200 and handle. The bristles 225 may be located along a first side of the mop head 200 and the squeegee 230 may be substantially located along a second side of the mop head 200. The first and second sides of the mop head 200 may be on opposite sides of the mop head 200. Preferably, the squeegee 230 may, in addition to traversing the second side of the mop head 200, may extend passed the second side of the mop head 200 and continue along edges of the mop head 200.
FIG. 3 is an illustration of a bottom perspective view of one embodiment of the mop head. As shown in FIG. 3, one embodiment of the mop head 200 may comprise a mop head base 215, bristles 225, squeegee 230, and fabric attachment portions 241, 242, 243, 244. The fabric attachment portions 241, 242, 243, 244 may be hook and loop fasteners, or any other mechanism for releaseably attaching a fabric portion, which may be a mop, cleaning pad, or other device for cleaning surfaces. In one embodiment, the fabric attachment portions 241, 242, 243, 244 are "hooks" of the hook and loop fasteners, and are able to releaseably engage various types of fabric, including fabric which has "loops" of the hook and loop fasteners. The fabric attachment portions 241, 242, 243, 244 may be attached to a bottom face of the mop head 200 via an adhesive or mechanical fastener. Although four fabric attachment portions are shown, any number, including only one, may be present.
FIG. 4 is an illustration of one embodiment of the mop head tilted in a bristles edge down configuration. As shown in FIG. 4, the mop head in a bristles down configuration 400 may have a distal end of the connection guiding member 213 and/or variable angle connector 210 pointing substantially the same direction as the squeegee 230, and pointing substantially the opposite direction of the bristles 225. A first configuration locking mechanism 250 may releaseably lock the mop head in a bristles down configuration 400. The first configuration locking mechanism 250 may be a protrusion on the attachment portion 211 which is received by an indentation on the mop head 200. An alternate embodiment comprises a restraining mechanism 126 as described above with reference to FIG. 1, for releaseably restraining the variable angle connector in the bristles down configuration. In this configuration the mop head may be used to scrub or massage stains from surfaces, including smooth hard surfaces and/or carpets.
FIG. 5 is an illustration of one embodiment of the mop head tilted in a squeegee edge down configuration. As shown in FIG. 5, the mop head in a squeegee down configuration 500 may have a distal end of the connection guiding member 213 and/or variable angle connector 210 pointing substantially the same direction as the bristles 225, and pointing substantially the opposite direction of the squeegee 230. A second configuration locking mechanism 255 may releaseably lock the mop head in a squeegee down configuration 500. The second configuration locking mechanism 255 may be a protrusion on the attachment portion 211 which is received by an indentation on the mop head 200. An alternate embodiment comprises a restraining mechanism 126 as described above with reference to FIG. 1, for releaseably restraining the variable angle connector in the bristles down configuration. In this configuration, the mop head acts as a squeegee to push large quantities of water on a smooth hard surfaces.
FIG. 6 is an illustration of close-up perspective view of one embodiment of the mop head. As shown in FIG. 6, the mop head in a mopping configuration 600 preferably has the distal end of the connecting guiding member 213 and/or variable angle connector 210 pointed away from the mop head 200. The mop head in a mopping configuration 600 preferably is not releaseably locked by either the first configuration locking mechanism 250 or the second configuration locking mechanism 255 and the variable angle connector 210 allows the mop head 200 to pivot in any direction while mopping or cleaning.
FIG. 7 is an illustration of a perspective view of one embodiment of the mop with a dustpan. As shown in FIG. 7, the dustpan 120 may be shaped to retain recovered dust and dirt, and may have curved sides 121, 122 and a hollow receptacle portion 123 to contain dust, dirt and other debris. Additionally, the mop 100 may further comprise a second locking mechanism 140 which may be configured to be received by a second locking mechanism receiver 141 located on the handle 105. The second locking mechanism 140 may be substantially similar and located opposite to the locking mechanism 135 shown in FIG. 1. The second locking mechanism receiver 141 may be substantially similar and located opposite to the locking mechanism receiver 136 shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 8 is an illustration of a top plan view of one embodiment of the mop. As shown in FIG. 8, the dustpan 120 may be configured to grip the handle 105 by curving around and, being held in place by friction, engages slightly more than half of the circumference of the handle 105.
FIG. 9 is an illustration of a perspective view of one embodiment of the mop with an alternate dustpan. As shown in FIG. 9, the mop 900 may have a dustpan 920 of a different configuration than the dustpan 120 shown in FIG. 1. The dustpan 920 may comprise a relatively simple or minimalist design, and merely curve around and grip the handle 105 for storage. The dustpan 920 may have a dust pan handle 199 that a user can grasp when in use.
Unless otherwise stated, all measurements, values, ratings, positions, magnitudes, sizes, locations, and other specifications that are set forth in this specification, including in the claims that follow, are approximate, not exact. They are intended to have a reasonable range that is consistent with the functions to which they relate and with what is customary in the art to which they pertain.
The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the above detailed description. These embodiments are capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of protection. Accordingly, the detailed description is to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. Also, although not explicitly recited, one or more embodiments may be practiced in combination or conjunction with one another. Furthermore, the reference or non-reference to a particular embodiment shall not be interpreted to limit the scope of protection. It is intended that the scope of protection not be limited by this detailed description, but by the claims and the equivalents to the claims that are appended hereto.
Except as stated immediately above, nothing that has been stated or illustrated is intended or should be interpreted to cause a dedication of any component, step, feature, object, benefit, advantage, or equivalent, to the public, regardless of whether it is or is not recited in the claims.

List

100: Mop
105: Handle
110: Variable angle connector
111: Attachment portion
115: Mop head
120: Dust pan
121, 122: Curved side
123: Hollow receptacle portion
125: Bristles
126: Restraining mechanism
130: Squeegee
135: Locking mechanism
136: Locking mechanism receiver
140: Second locking mechanism
141: Second locking mechanism receiver
199: Dust pan handle
200: Mop head
210: Variable angle connector
211: Attachment portion
212: Connection guiding member
213: Distal end of connection guiding member
215: Mop head base
225: Bristles
230: Squeegee
237: Locking mechanism
241, 242, 243, 244: Fabric attachment portions
250: First configuration locking mechanism
255: Second configuration locking mechanism
400: Bristles down configuration
500: Squeegee down configuration
600: Mopping configuration
900: Mop
920: Dust pan

Claims

A multipurpose mop (100; 900), comprising:
a mop head (115; 200);

wherein said mop head comprises a plurality of bristles (125; 225) on a first side of said mop head, and one or more fabric attachment portions (241, 242, 243, 244) on a bottom face of said mop head.
The multipurpose mop of claim 1, wherein said mop head further comprises an attachment portion (111; 211), wherein said attachment portion is located substantially at a center of a top surface of said mop head.
The multipurpose mop of claim 2, wherein said attachment portion (111; 211) comprises a variable angle connector (110; 210) and a locking mechanism (135; 237; 140).
The multipurpose mop of claim 3, wherein said mop head further comprises a restraining mechanism (126) configured to restrain said variable angle connector (110; 210) relative to said mop head or a configuration locking mechanism (250; 255) configured to releaseably lock the mop head in a specific configuration.
The multipurpose mop of claim 3 or 4,
wherein said first side and a second side are located opposite to one another on said mop head;
wherein said variable angle connector (110; 210) allows said multipurpose mop to have a plurality of utility configurations (400; 500; 600); and
wherein said plurality of utility configurations comprise a bristles down configuration (400) and a mopping configuration (600).
The multipurpose mop of claim 5, wherein when in said bristles down configuration (400), a distal end (213) of a connection guiding member (212) and/or said variable angle connector (110; 210) faces in the direction of said second side of said mop head.
The multipurpose mop of claim 5 or 6, wherein when in said mopping configuration (600), said variable angle connector (110; 210) faces between the direction of said second side of said mop head and said first side of said mop head.
The multipurpose mop of any of the preceding claims, wherein said mop head comprises a squeegee (130; 230) on a second side of said mop head.
The multipurpose mop of claim 8, wherein a plurality of utility configurations comprise a squeegee down configuration (500); wherein when in said squeegee down configuration, a distal end (213) of a connection guiding member (212) and/or said variable angle connector (110; 210) faces in the direction of said first side of said mop head.
The multipurpose mop of claim 6 or claim 9, wherein when in said bristles down configuration (400) and /or when in said squeegee down configuration (500), said variable angle connector is releaseably restrained by said restraining mechanism (126) or said mop head is releaseably locked in said respective configuration.
The multipurpose mop of any of the claims 8 to 10, wherein said plurality of bristles (125; 225) and said squeegee (130; 230) are made from rubber.
The multipurpose mop of any of the preceding claims, wherein said plurality of bristles (125; 225) are substantially flat, parallel, and staggered with respect to one another.
The multipurpose mop of any of the claims 2 to 12, further comprising a handle (105); wherein said mop head (115; 200) is configured to be removeably attachable to said handle (105) via said attachment portion (111; 211).
The multipurpose mop of claim 13, wherein said handle (105) comprises a locking mechanism receiver (136; 141); and wherein said locking mechanism (136; 237; 240) preferably comprises a stopper biased outward, which is preferably shaped such that said stopper biased outward is receivable by said locking mechanism receiver (136; 141).
The multipurpose mop of claim 13 or 14, further comprising a dustpan (120; 920); wherein said dustpan is contoured such that said dustpan is configured to grip onto said handle (105) for storage.