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US20080222825A1 - Cleaning utensil with flexible peripheral regions - Google Patents

Cleaning utensil with flexible peripheral regions Download PDF

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Publication number
US20080222825A1
US20080222825A1 US11/723,001 US72300107A US2008222825A1 US 20080222825 A1 US20080222825 A1 US 20080222825A1 US 72300107 A US72300107 A US 72300107A US 2008222825 A1 US2008222825 A1 US 2008222825A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
cleaning
flexible support
base member
support member
utensil
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US11/723,001
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Andre Sampaio
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Casabella Holdings LLC USA
Original Assignee
Casabella Holdings LLC USA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Casabella Holdings LLC USA filed Critical Casabella Holdings LLC USA
Priority to US11/723,001 priority Critical patent/US20080222825A1/en
Assigned to CASABELLA HOLDINGS LLC reassignment CASABELLA HOLDINGS LLC ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: SAMPAIO, ANDRE
Priority to PCT/US2008/057056 priority patent/WO2008113002A1/fr
Publication of US20080222825A1 publication Critical patent/US20080222825A1/en
Assigned to MANUFACTURERS & TRADERS TRUST COMPANY reassignment MANUFACTURERS & TRADERS TRUST COMPANY SECURITY INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: CASABELLA HOLDINGS, LLC
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L13/00—Implements for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
    • A47L13/10—Scrubbing; Scouring; Cleaning; Polishing
    • A47L13/20—Mops
    • A47L13/24—Frames for mops; Mop heads
    • A47L13/25—Wire frames
    • A47L13/252—Wire frames for mops of textile fringes or the like

Definitions

  • This patent application relates generally to cleaning utensils, such as mops, dusters, sweepers, and the like, and more particularly, to cleaning utensils having a flexible cleaning head.
  • Cleaning utensils such as mops, dusters, sweepers, and the like, are known in the art. These cleaning utensils are generally used to clean relatively flat surfaces, such as floors, walls, or the ceiling. Alternatively, these types of cleaning utensils can be used to clean relatively flat surfaces on appliances or other structures.
  • Known cleaning utensils generally have a cleaning head that is substantially rigid throughout. As a result, the rigid cleaning head often bumps into obstacles located on the surface being cleaned. For example, the head of a mop may bump into the legs of a table, chair, or other piece of furniture, possibly damaging the furniture, and/or making it difficult to clean certain parts of the floor. In addition, the rigid cleaning head may prevent access to certain areas desired to be cleaned.
  • the rigid cleaning head on a conventional floor/wall duster may make it difficult to dust in corners, and/or to dust crown molding, baseboard, or other contoured surfaces. Therefore, there remains a need in the art for cleaning utensils that overcome the shortcomings of conventional solutions.
  • this application relates to a cleaning head for a cleaning utensil, comprising: a base member; a connector associated with the base member for attachment to a handle; and at least one flexible support member extending from the base member, the at least one flexible support member and the base member together defining a common support surface for a cleaning cover.
  • this application relates to a cleaning utensil, comprising: a cleaning head comprising a base member, and at least one flexible support member extending from the base member, wherein the base member and the at least one flexible support member together define a common lower surface of the cleaning head; a connector associated with the base member for attachment to a handle; and a cleaning cover attached to the cleaning head by the at least one flexible support member, the cleaning cover extending over the common lower surface.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a cleaning utensil having a flexible cleaning head
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the cleaning utensil of FIG. 1 , shown with the cleaning cover separated from the cleaning head;
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective, partially-exploded view of the flexible cleaning head of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 4 is a front view of a portion of the flexible cleaning head of FIG. 1 , shown with one of the flexible support members bent through an angle ⁇ with respect to the base member.
  • cleaning utensil 10 is a mop, duster, or sweeper, which can be used, for example, when dry to dust or sweep debris from the floor, walls, ceiling, etc.
  • cleaning utensil 10 can be used when wet, for example, to mop a floor.
  • Cleaning utensil 10 is not limited to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 14 , and can alternatively take the form of other types of cleaning utensils known in the art.
  • cleaning utensil 10 can generally include a cleaning head 12 connected to a handle 14 , and a cleaning cover 16 removably connected to the cleaning head 12 , as will be described in more detail below.
  • the cleaning head 12 can include a base member 20 , and one or more flexible support members 22 extending laterally outward from the base member 20 .
  • the base member 20 and the flexible support member(s) 22 can be formed integrally, or alternatively can be separate parts fastened together, as shown.
  • the cleaning head 12 can also include a connector 24 adapted to couple the base member 20 to the handle 14 .
  • the connector 24 includes first and second hinges 26 , 28 , which cooperate to allow the handle 14 to pivot both laterally and longitudinally with respect to the base member 20 , however, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that other types of connectors, both pivoting and fixed, can be substituted for connector 24 .
  • the base member 20 and the flexible support members 22 extending therefrom can define a common support surface (e.g., the lower surface in the view of FIG. 2 ) that provides a support for the cleaning cover 16 .
  • the flexible support members 22 can be located on substantially opposite sides of the base member 20 .
  • two flexible support members 22 are shown, alternative embodiments can have any number and arrangement of flexible support members.
  • four flexible support members 22 can originate from the base member 20 in a “four leafed clover” pattern.
  • the cleaning cover 16 can include a backing having first and second pockets 30 , with each pocket being dimensioned to fit over one of the flexible support members 22 , as shown in FIG. 1 .
  • the backing and pockets 30 can be constructed, for example, from nylon or another suitable fabric.
  • the pockets 30 can fit over the flexible support members 22 , thereby securing the cleaning cover 16 over the common support surface.
  • the cleaning cover 16 can be removed (e.g., to clean or replace the cleaning cover 16 ) by bending one or more of the flexible support members 22 out of the pockets 30 .
  • resilient snaps, Velcro fasteners, elastic bands, or other known structures in the art can be used.
  • the cleaning cover 16 can comprise a fabric material, such as chenille microfiber, cotton, fleece, etc. All or a portion of the cleaning cover 16 can be covered with fringe 50 .
  • Fringe 50 can comprise loops or strands of material, or other shapes known in the art.
  • the fringe 50 can extend around the perimeter 52 of the cleaning cover 16 .
  • Fringe 50 can also cover all or a portion of the bottom, cleaning surface of the cleaning cover 16 .
  • the perimeter 52 of the cleaning cover 16 can substantially match the common outer perimeter 54 defined by the base member 20 , and the flexible support members 22 .
  • the common support surface can be generally planar when the cleaning head 12 is in a static state in which little or no outside forces are being applied to it.
  • the support member 22 can resiliently bend with respect to the base member 20 .
  • elasticically it is meant, for example, that the flexible support member 22 will substantially return to its starting position ( FIG. 2 ) after the external force is removed, preferably without any substantial damage or substantial degradation of the flexible support member
  • the base member 20 can be formed from a substantially rigid material, such as a plastic, metal, composite, or other known material.
  • the flexible support member(s) 22 can be formed from an elastic material, such as an open- or closed-cell foam, a polymer, or other known elastic material.
  • each flexible support member 22 can be substantially tubular in cross-section, and can attach to the base member 20 by fitting over lugs 32 . Additionally or alternatively, the flexible support member(s) 22 can attach to the base member 20 using adhesives, fasteners, snaps, or other known attachment methods. As shown in FIGS.
  • each flexible support member 22 can be attached to the base member 20 via a pair of the lugs 32 , thereby forming a closed loop with respect to the base member 20 , however, other shapes and configurations of the flexible support member(s) 22 are possible.
  • the base member 20 and the flexible support member(s) 22 can be one integral member, formed, for example, from a polymer.
  • the flexible member(s) 22 can bend through an angle with respect to the base member 20 .
  • the flexible member 22 can define a substantially planar surface 40 (extending out of the paper) and the base member 20 can define a substantially 20 planar surface 42 (extending out of the paper). Bending the flexible support member 22 can create an angle ⁇ between the planar surface 40 and the planar surface 42 .
  • the cleaning cover 16 when mounted on the cleaning head 12 , will have a bend corresponding to angle ⁇ , allowing cleaning cover 16 to clean in corners and other angled surfaces, such as the intersection between a floor and baseboard.
  • the angle ⁇ is at least about 30 degrees.
  • the angle ⁇ is at least about 60 degrees.
  • the angle ⁇ is at least about 90 degrees.

Landscapes

  • Cleaning Implements For Floors, Carpets, Furniture, Walls, And The Like (AREA)
US11/723,001 2007-03-15 2007-03-15 Cleaning utensil with flexible peripheral regions Abandoned US20080222825A1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/723,001 US20080222825A1 (en) 2007-03-15 2007-03-15 Cleaning utensil with flexible peripheral regions
PCT/US2008/057056 WO2008113002A1 (fr) 2007-03-15 2008-03-14 Ustensile de nettoyage à zones périphériques flexibles

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/723,001 US20080222825A1 (en) 2007-03-15 2007-03-15 Cleaning utensil with flexible peripheral regions

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20080222825A1 true US20080222825A1 (en) 2008-09-18

Family

ID=39760089

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US11/723,001 Abandoned US20080222825A1 (en) 2007-03-15 2007-03-15 Cleaning utensil with flexible peripheral regions

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (1) US20080222825A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2008113002A1 (fr)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20090106924A1 (en) * 2007-10-31 2009-04-30 Charles Park Microfiber multi-purpose cleaning tool
USD622019S1 (en) 2010-03-11 2010-08-17 Quickie Manufacturing Corporation Cleaning device
US20110167583A1 (en) * 2010-01-11 2011-07-14 Quickie Manufacturing Corporation Adjustable cleaning head for a cleaning tool
USD660536S1 (en) 2010-10-26 2012-05-22 Quickie Manufacturing Corporation Cleaning device
US9155440B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2015-10-13 Electrolux Home Care Products, Inc. Steam distribution apparatus and methods for steam cleaning devices
US9179815B2 (en) 2013-10-01 2015-11-10 Electrolux Home Care Products, Inc. Floor mop with removable base plate
US9554686B2 (en) 2013-09-24 2017-01-31 Electrolux Home Care Products, Inc. Flexible scrubbing head for a floor mop
US9743819B2 (en) 2013-09-24 2017-08-29 Midea America, Corp. Floor mop with concentrated cleaning feature
US11028608B2 (en) * 2017-02-16 2021-06-08 Aquatic Enterprises Pty Ltd. Pool cleaning device

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN203987886U (zh) * 2014-07-02 2014-12-10 黄勤 一种组合式清洁工具

Citations (30)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1437145A (en) * 1921-07-21 1922-11-28 Theodore G Johnson Duster
US1929222A (en) * 1930-09-20 1933-10-03 Leslie M Thornton Mop swab and head
US2192861A (en) * 1937-08-18 1940-03-05 Midway Chemical Co Collapsible mop
US2310011A (en) * 1940-02-14 1943-02-02 Fuller Brush Co Connector for mop and brush handles
US2310508A (en) * 1941-09-08 1943-02-09 Harry E Lindstrom Mop
US2469060A (en) * 1948-07-09 1949-05-03 Peter S Vosbikian Flexible mop head
US2559722A (en) * 1946-06-24 1951-07-10 Zephyr Mfg Co Mop head holder
US2638616A (en) * 1951-03-21 1953-05-19 Fatland Conrad Mop holder
US2646588A (en) * 1948-01-21 1953-07-28 Cedar Corp N O Resilient mophead structure and handle mounting
US2678458A (en) * 1949-05-04 1954-05-18 Peter S Vosbikian Mop with detachable brush
US2828503A (en) * 1954-02-08 1958-04-01 Malden Mop & Brush Company Mop device with shaking mechanism
US3016556A (en) * 1958-02-27 1962-01-16 Nathaniel B Greenleaf Mop having a universally adjustable handle
US3539359A (en) * 1967-01-30 1970-11-10 Cerebos Foods Ltd Packaging of foodstuffs
US3593359A (en) * 1969-05-29 1971-07-20 Majestic Wax Co Disposable head for a sweeping mop
US3986225A (en) * 1975-09-02 1976-10-19 Duskin Franchise Co. Ltd. Mop holder
US4245368A (en) * 1979-05-29 1981-01-20 Quickie Manufacturing Corporation Dust mop
US4441228A (en) * 1982-11-12 1984-04-10 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Dust mop
USD277039S (en) * 1981-03-17 1985-01-01 Duskin Franchise Kabushiki Kaisha Mop carrier or similar article
USD297275S (en) * 1985-05-01 1988-08-16 Vitopan Limited Mop
US5398492A (en) * 1991-06-06 1995-03-21 Milliken Research Corporation Industrial dust mop
US5461749A (en) * 1994-05-31 1995-10-31 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Floor mop and cleaning system
USD423742S (en) * 1998-09-29 2000-04-25 The Procter & Gamble Company Dusting mop
US6237182B1 (en) * 2000-04-12 2001-05-29 Simon Ralph Cassar Flexible elastomer floor dust mop attachment
USD458722S1 (en) * 2000-12-12 2002-06-11 S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Adjustable mop base yoke adaptor
US20020138934A1 (en) * 2001-03-29 2002-10-03 Petner Robert E. Flexible dust mop
USD465890S1 (en) * 2000-01-14 2002-11-19 3M Innovative Properties Company Mop head
US6543082B2 (en) * 2000-05-22 2003-04-08 Firma Carl Freudenberg Holder for securing a mop at the end of a handle
US20040055102A1 (en) * 2002-09-23 2004-03-25 Harper Corporation Dust mop adapter
USD506050S1 (en) * 2004-07-22 2005-06-07 Jacques Lalanne Lower mop part
USD529294S1 (en) * 2005-01-31 2006-10-03 Rubbermaid Commercial Products Llc Universal joint

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20010029640A1 (en) * 2000-04-12 2001-10-18 Cassar Simon R. Flexible attachment apparatus for dust mops and similar cleaning devices
US6487746B1 (en) * 2001-04-02 2002-12-03 Kathyrn Cioci Sponge mop with flexible ends

Patent Citations (30)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1437145A (en) * 1921-07-21 1922-11-28 Theodore G Johnson Duster
US1929222A (en) * 1930-09-20 1933-10-03 Leslie M Thornton Mop swab and head
US2192861A (en) * 1937-08-18 1940-03-05 Midway Chemical Co Collapsible mop
US2310011A (en) * 1940-02-14 1943-02-02 Fuller Brush Co Connector for mop and brush handles
US2310508A (en) * 1941-09-08 1943-02-09 Harry E Lindstrom Mop
US2559722A (en) * 1946-06-24 1951-07-10 Zephyr Mfg Co Mop head holder
US2646588A (en) * 1948-01-21 1953-07-28 Cedar Corp N O Resilient mophead structure and handle mounting
US2469060A (en) * 1948-07-09 1949-05-03 Peter S Vosbikian Flexible mop head
US2678458A (en) * 1949-05-04 1954-05-18 Peter S Vosbikian Mop with detachable brush
US2638616A (en) * 1951-03-21 1953-05-19 Fatland Conrad Mop holder
US2828503A (en) * 1954-02-08 1958-04-01 Malden Mop & Brush Company Mop device with shaking mechanism
US3016556A (en) * 1958-02-27 1962-01-16 Nathaniel B Greenleaf Mop having a universally adjustable handle
US3539359A (en) * 1967-01-30 1970-11-10 Cerebos Foods Ltd Packaging of foodstuffs
US3593359A (en) * 1969-05-29 1971-07-20 Majestic Wax Co Disposable head for a sweeping mop
US3986225A (en) * 1975-09-02 1976-10-19 Duskin Franchise Co. Ltd. Mop holder
US4245368A (en) * 1979-05-29 1981-01-20 Quickie Manufacturing Corporation Dust mop
USD277039S (en) * 1981-03-17 1985-01-01 Duskin Franchise Kabushiki Kaisha Mop carrier or similar article
US4441228A (en) * 1982-11-12 1984-04-10 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Dust mop
USD297275S (en) * 1985-05-01 1988-08-16 Vitopan Limited Mop
US5398492A (en) * 1991-06-06 1995-03-21 Milliken Research Corporation Industrial dust mop
US5461749A (en) * 1994-05-31 1995-10-31 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Floor mop and cleaning system
USD423742S (en) * 1998-09-29 2000-04-25 The Procter & Gamble Company Dusting mop
USD465890S1 (en) * 2000-01-14 2002-11-19 3M Innovative Properties Company Mop head
US6237182B1 (en) * 2000-04-12 2001-05-29 Simon Ralph Cassar Flexible elastomer floor dust mop attachment
US6543082B2 (en) * 2000-05-22 2003-04-08 Firma Carl Freudenberg Holder for securing a mop at the end of a handle
USD458722S1 (en) * 2000-12-12 2002-06-11 S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Adjustable mop base yoke adaptor
US20020138934A1 (en) * 2001-03-29 2002-10-03 Petner Robert E. Flexible dust mop
US20040055102A1 (en) * 2002-09-23 2004-03-25 Harper Corporation Dust mop adapter
USD506050S1 (en) * 2004-07-22 2005-06-07 Jacques Lalanne Lower mop part
USD529294S1 (en) * 2005-01-31 2006-10-03 Rubbermaid Commercial Products Llc Universal joint

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20090106924A1 (en) * 2007-10-31 2009-04-30 Charles Park Microfiber multi-purpose cleaning tool
US20110167583A1 (en) * 2010-01-11 2011-07-14 Quickie Manufacturing Corporation Adjustable cleaning head for a cleaning tool
US8640296B2 (en) 2010-01-11 2014-02-04 Quickie Manufacturing Corporation Adjustable cleaning head for a cleaning tool
USD622019S1 (en) 2010-03-11 2010-08-17 Quickie Manufacturing Corporation Cleaning device
USD660536S1 (en) 2010-10-26 2012-05-22 Quickie Manufacturing Corporation Cleaning device
US9155440B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2015-10-13 Electrolux Home Care Products, Inc. Steam distribution apparatus and methods for steam cleaning devices
US9554686B2 (en) 2013-09-24 2017-01-31 Electrolux Home Care Products, Inc. Flexible scrubbing head for a floor mop
US9743819B2 (en) 2013-09-24 2017-08-29 Midea America, Corp. Floor mop with concentrated cleaning feature
US9179815B2 (en) 2013-10-01 2015-11-10 Electrolux Home Care Products, Inc. Floor mop with removable base plate
US11028608B2 (en) * 2017-02-16 2021-06-08 Aquatic Enterprises Pty Ltd. Pool cleaning device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2008113002A1 (fr) 2008-09-18

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: CASABELLA HOLDINGS LLC, NEW YORK

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:SAMPAIO, ANDRE;REEL/FRAME:019115/0606

Effective date: 20070308

AS Assignment

Owner name: MANUFACTURERS & TRADERS TRUST COMPANY, NEW YORK

Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:CASABELLA HOLDINGS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:022793/0211

Effective date: 20090501

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION