TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a floor cleaning device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A variety of floor cleaning devices have been developed to go over a shoe or foot. For example, US5644813 discloses a disposable overshoe mop for cleaning a floor. The mop comprises a covering structure for covering a shoe or foot worn by a person, so as to protect the shoe or foot from water and dirt. A component is affixed to the bottom of the covering structure for cleaning a floor. WO0040138A1 discloses a foot floor cleaning device with a scrubbing portion. A user wears the device on the feet while cleaning the floor. The bottom of the slipper device has a section at the heel and/or toe that is of an abrasive, scrubbing material which is attached to or attached over a section of absorbent material.

DE20314229 discloses a device designed in the shape of slippers and made of micro-fibre. An absorptive layer of foam rubber is positioned on top of the inner surface of the sole of the slipper, covered by a layer of a watertight material like rubber or a flexible plastic. A sheet of micro-fibre is inserted in the last step. The device, layer of foam rubber, layer of watertight material and sheet of micro-fibre are all separate components.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to provide a floor cleaning device to be worn on a foot of a user which overcomes at least one of the disadvantages mentioned before.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a foot floor cleaning device having the features of Claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further ways of carrying out the invention may be attained by the measures mentioned in the dependent claims.

According to the invention, a floor cleaning device to be worn on a foot of a user comprises a flexible top structure, a bottom layer and an intermediate structure. The intermediate structure is positioned between the flexible top structure and the bottom layer. The flexible top structure comprises a layer of a first micro fiber material. The bottom layer is made from a second microfiber material. The flexible top layer structure, intermediate structure and bottom layer are stitched together. The flexible top structure forms a side wall and the intermediate structure forms a bottom wall of a cavity to receive a foot of a user. The intermediate structure comprises an impermeable layer. The impermeable layer forms a barrier for liquids to move from the bottom layer to the flexible top structure. The device is made from materials which withstand temperatures up to 90 °C. These features have the advantage that if the bottom layer of microfiber material becomes wet, the material of the flexible top structure stays dry. Consequently, the foot or shoe will not become wet. This improves the usefulness of the cleaning device. Furthermore, by using materials which withstands temperatures up to 90°C, the floor cleaning device can be cleaned in a washing machine and dried in a dryer. This makes the device reusable, whereas the known devices are disposables.

In an embodiment of the invention, the intermediate structure comprises a water-repellent fabric layer. It has been found that said material is very suitable to form the necessary liquid barrier. In an embodiment the water-repellent fabric layer forms the bottom wall of the cavity to receive the foot. It has been found that the layer is very comfortable when wearing the cleaning device with a bare foot.

In an embodiment of the invention, the intermediate structure further comprises an additional layer having a top side, an outer edge and an underside. The water-repellent fabric layer covers the topside of the additional layer and extends along the outer edge of the additional layer to the underside of the additional layer. A boundary edge of the water-repellent fabric layer is attached to the underside of the additional layer. These features improve the dimensional stability of the cleaning device and protect the boundary of the additional layer.

In an embodiment of the invention, a boundary edge of the bottom layer of second microfiber material is positioned between the additional layer and the boundary edge of the water-repellent fabric layer. This feature prevents that the edge of the second microfiber fabric layer is fraying during use and cleaning/drying. This improves the lifetime of the product. In an alternative embodiment, a strip of water-repellent fabric material extends along the outer edge of the flexible top layer, the intermediate structure and bottom layer. A first edge of the strip is attached to the underside of the bottom layer and a second edge of the strip is attached to the outer side of the flexible top structure. This embodiment prevents that the edge of the microfiber material of the top structure is fraying during use and cleaning/washing/drying and could not easily become wet during use. In an embodiment of the invention the additional layer is a layer of foamlike material. In an advantageous embodiment, the foam-like material is a material selected from a group comprising: neoprene, natural rubber and ethylene vinyl acetate. These features allows one to manufacture an inexpensive floor cleaning device with relative good dimensional stability in a temperature range up to 90°C.

In an embodiment of the invention, the intermediate structure further comprises a layer of spongelike material. Said layer is positioned between the water- repellent fabric layer and the bottom layer. These features improve the water absorbent characteristics of the floor cleaning device. It has further been found that by stitching the layers together, the compression of the sponge like material prevents that liquids can flow through the wire to the material of the flexible top structure. A very suitable material is polyether.

In an embodiment of the invention, at least one elastic band is stitched at the inner side of the layer of first microfiber material of the top structure. The at least one band extends slanted from the part of the layer configured to cover the upper side of the foot in the direction of the part of the layer of first microfiber material configured to cover the heel of the foot. These features facilitate putting the device on a foot or shoe and ensure that during use the device fits well with the foot or shoe.

In an embodiment of the invention, the impermeable layer is made from a material selected from a group comprising: natural rubber and neoprene. This feature provides an alternative for using a water-repellent fabric.

In an embodiment of the invention, the flexible top structure further comprises an impermeable layer which covers at least partially an inner side of the layer of a first microfiber material. An edge of the impermeable layer is stitched between an edge of the layer of a first microfiber material and top surface of the intermediate structure. These features provide a floor cleaning device which can be used on a surface which is covered with a layer of water. The layer prevents that the foot or shoe becomes wet.

It will be clear that the various aspects mentioned in this patent application may be combined and may each be considered separately for a divisional patent application. Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, various features of preferred embodiments of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

These and other aspects, properties and advantages of the invention will be explained hereinafter based on the following description with reference to the drawings, wherein the same reference numerals denote the same or comparable parts, and in which:

FIG. 1 shows schematically a perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a cross sectional view taken along the line II - II in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a cross sectional view of a second embodiment;

FIG. 4 shows a cross sectional view of a third embodiment;

FIG. 5 shows a cross sectional view of a fourth embodiment; and,

FIG. 6 shows a cross sectional view of a fifth embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows schematically a perspective view of a first embodiment of a floor cleaning device 1 according to the invention. FIG. 2 shows a cross sectional view taken along the line II - II in FIG. 1. The floor cleaning device 1 comprises a flexible top structure 2 for covering a shoe 12 or foot worn by a person so as to protect the shoe 12 or foot from water and dirt. The floor cleaning device further comprises a bottom layer 3 for cleaning a floor. An intermediate structure 4 is positioned between the flexible top structure 2 and the bottom layer 3. The flexible top layer structure 2, intermediate structure 4 and bottom layer 3 are stitched together. A thread 9 is stitched along the edge of a layered structure comprising an edge of the flexible top structure 2, the intermediate structure 4 and the bottom layer 3.

The floor cleaning device 1 comprises a cavity to receive the foot or shoe. The inner side of the flexible top structure 2 forms an annular side wall 7A of the cavity 7 and a top surface of the intermediate structure forms a bottom wall 7B of the cavity 7.

The flexible top structure 2 comprises a layer 2A of microfiber material that snugly fits about the shoe 12 or foot to an ankle of the person. The layer of microfiber material forms the outer surface of the flexible top structure 2. Furthermore the bottom layer 3 forming the cleaning component of the device 1 is fabricated out of microfiber material. Microfiber material used for cleaning is generally constructed from split conjugated fibers of polyester and polyamide. Microfiber material could also include many products constructed of 100% polyester microfiber. Fabrics made with microfibers are exceptionally soft and hold their shape well. When high-quality microfiber is combined with the right knitting process, it creates an extremely effective cleaning material. This material can hold up to eight times its weight in water. Microfiber products have exceptional ability to absorb oils, and are not hard enough to scratch even paintwork unless they have retained grit or hard particles from previous use. The bottom layer 3 is a soft sole, extending essentially along the complete length of the bottom wall 7 A of the cavity 7.

The flexible top structure 2 further has an entrance aperture 14 for the shoe 12 of foot to be inserted there through. An elastic band 10 is secured about the entrance aperture 14 on the flexible top structure 2 so as to seal off the entrance aperture 14 and better retain the flexible top structure 2 to the shoe 12 or foot.

The intermediate structure 4 comprises an impermeable layer 8. Impermeable in the context of the present invention means that is prevents liquids to pass or diffuse through the layer 8. In this way, the layer forms a barrier for liquids to move from microfiber material of the bottom layer 3 to the microfiber material of the flexible top structure 2. The device is fabricated out of materials which withstand temperatures up to 90°C. This enables one to clean the device in a washing machine and to dry the device in a dryer without damaging or deforming the materials of the device.

In the first embodiment, the impermeable layer 8 is a layer 4B fabricated from a material selected from a group comprising: natural rubber and neoprene and ethylene vinyl acetate. The layer 4B is shaped to extend along the entire sole of a shoe or foot.

A thread 9 is used to join the flexible top structure 2, the one or more layers of the intermediate structure 4 and the bottom layer 3. The thread is stitched through and along an annular edge of the flexible top structure 2, an annular edge of the intermediate structure 4 and an annular edge of the bottom layer 3. The resiliency of material of the layer 4B ensures that the thread will not pass or diffuse liquids from the microfiber material of the bottom layer 3 to the layer 2A of microfiber material of the flexible top structure 2.

FIG. 3 shows a cross sectional view of a second embodiment. In this embodiment the intermediate layer structure 4 comprises a water-repellent fabric layer 4A and an additional layer from a spongelike material. An example of a water-repellent fabric is jersey fabric of polyester with a weight of 90 gram per square meter. Another example of a water-repellent fabric is polyurethane coated fabric, for example one side of cotton and another side coated with polyurethane. An example of a spongelike material is a polyether. It has been found that polyether that is commonly used in mattresses is very suitable to be used. However other water-absorbent materials could be used. Compared with the first embodiment, the second embodiment has improved characteristics with respect to absorption of liquids.

In the second embodiment, the top surface of water-repellent fabric layer 4 A forms the bottom wall 7B of the cavity to receive the shoe or foot of a user. The additional layer 4C of spongelike material has a top side, an outer edge and an underside. The water- repellent fabric layer 4A covers the topside of the additional layer 4C and the bottom layer 3 covers the underside of the additional layer 4C. The water-repellent fabric layer 4A extends along the outer edge of the additional layer 4C to the underside of the additional layer 4C. A boundary edge 4A1 of the water-repellent fabric layer 4A is annularly attached to the underside of the additional layer 4C by the thread 9. In this embodiment, the bottom layer 3 is affixed along its annular edge between the underside of the additional layer 4C and the boundary 4A1 of the water-repellent fabric layer 4A. This structure wherein the water-repellent layer 4 A encloses the edge of the bottom layer 3 has the advantage that the bottom layer will less wear out. Furthermore, the water-repellent layer 4A enclosing the edges of both the spongelike layer 4C and bottom layer 3 provides an improved appearance of the floor cleaning device 1.

FIG. 4 shows a cross sectional view of a third embodiment. In this embodiment, the layer 4C of spongelike material of the second embodiment is replaced by a layer of foam-like material. The foam-like material could be a material selected from a group comprising: neoprene, natural rubber and ethylene vinyl acetate. Furthermore, the flexible top structure 2 comprises an impermeable layer 2B which covers an inner side of the layer of a first microfiber material. An edge 2B1 of the impermeable layer is stitched between the layer 2A of a first microfiber material and top surface 4A2 of the intermediate structure 4. The impermeable layer could be from a water-repellent fabric. It should be noted that the degree of covering the inner side of the microfiber layer measured from the intermediate layer 4 with an impermeable layer depends on the application of the floor cleaning device.

FIG. 5 shows a cross sectional view of a fourth embodiment. In this embodiment, the intermediated structure 4 comprises a stack of layers. The top layer 4A is from a water-repellent fabric. Below said layer, a layer 4B of a foam-like material and a layer 4C of sponge-like material is provided. The layer 4C of spongelike material is covered with the bottom layer 3 of microfiber material. FIG. 6 shows a cross sectional view of a fifth embodiment. This embodiment differs from the third embodiment in that it comprises optionally a strip 11 of water-repellent material that covers the outer edges of the flexible top structure 2, intermediate structure 4 and the bottom layer 3. The strip 11 is applied around the sole of the device. The strip 11 prevents that moisture enters the cavity 7 through the seam between the impermeable layer 2B and impermeable layer 4A. The material of the water repellent fabric layer 2B of the flexible top structure 2, the water repellent fabric layer 4A of the intermediate structure 4 and the strip 11 could be the same, for example PU (Polyurethane) coated fabric. A first edge 11 Al of the strip 1 1 is attached to the underside or outer side of the bottom layer 3. A second edge 11A2 of the strip 11 is attached to the outer side of the flexible top structure (2). Stitch 9 joins respectively the second edge 11A2, the edge of the layers of the flexible top structure 2, the edge of the layers of the intermediate structure 3, the edge of the bottom layer 3 and the first edge 11A1.

The fit of the shoe can be improved by the application of elastic in the flexible top structure 2. This is only shown in the embodiment of FIG. 6 and could also be applied in the other embodiments. Bands 13 of elastic material are stitched to the inner side of the layer 2 A of a first microfiber material. The bands extend slanted from the part of the flexible top structure 2 configured to cover the upper side of the foot in the direction of the part of the layer 2 A configured to cover the heel of the foot. In this way, the foot or shoe could easily enter the cavity 7 and the device will minimally move along the foot/shoe when cleaning a floor. It might be clear that by using elastic bands, the device is suitable to be worn by different foot sizes.

The bottom layer 3 of microfiber material forming the sole of the device could have a surface that comprises alternating stripes of soft and less soft/harsh microfiber material. The harsh parts of the surface enable one to remove encrusted contamination from the floor.

The measures described hereinbefore for embodying the invention can obviously be carried out separately or in parallel or in a different combination or if appropriate be supplemented with further measures; it will in this case be desirable for the implementation to depend on the field of application of the device. The invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments. Changes can be made without departing from the idea of the invention.