TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to hard floor cleaners.

BACKGROUND

In order to keep hard floor surfaces clean it is necessary that they be swept before being mopped to ensure that particulate dirt does not form a sludge which is merely spread around the hard floor surface only to dry again back into particulate dirt. It is also necessary to sweep the hard floor surface clear of hard particles which may scratch the floor surface, and hair strands which may become entangled in the mop.

In recent years there has been demand in the marketplace for floor cleaning devices which are capable of sweeping and mopping at the same time to reduce the number of operations necessary to clean a hard floor. Such devices commonly make use of a roller, for example a foam roller, as a mopping device. However, such rollers are vulnerable to failure or reduced performance if strands of hair become wound around the roller. Tightly wrapped hair can damage the roller by cutting it to it, or by compressing a portion of the roller thereby reducing its contact with the floor and consequently reducing mopping effectiveness.

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an improved hard floor cleaner.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect the present invention provides a hard floor cleaner comprising a mop element and a sweeper element each being mounted for rotation about a respective axis, wherein the sweeper element has a shape which tapers from a first end of the sweeper element towards a second end of the sweeper element, and wherein the sweeper element is arranged with respect to the mop element such that the axis of rotation of the sweeper element is closer to the axis of rotation of the mop element at the second end of the sweeper element than at the first end of the sweeper element, wherein a portion of the external surface of the sweeper element contacts a portion of the external surface of the mop element.

The hard floor cleaner of the present invention is advantageous as debris picked up from the floor by the mop element may be removed thereby maintaining a debris free mop element which will not damage the floor or be damaged by hair or other long fibres becoming wrapped around it. The tapered shape of the sweeper element beneficially facilitates movement of hair and other long fibres along the length of the sweeper element towards the second end of the sweeper element where they can be removed. Furthermore, the angled orientation of the axis of rotation of the sweeper element with respect to the axis of rotation of the mop element maximises the amount of the surface of the sweeper element used to clean the mop element.

Optionally the hard floor cleaner comprises a second sweeper element mounted for rotation about an axis, wherein the second sweeper element has a shape which tapers from a first end of the second sweeper element towards a second end of the second sweeper element, wherein the second sweeper element is arranged with respect to the mop element such that the axis of rotation of the second sweeper element is closer to the axis of rotation of the mop element at the second end of the second sweeper element than at the first end of the second sweeper element, wherein a portion of the external surface of the second sweeper element contacts a portion of the external surface of the mop element.

The portion of the external surface of the mop element in contact with the sweeper element is optionally offset from the portion of the external surface of the mop element in contact with the second sweeper element. This provides greater packaging choice as the sweeper element need not be in line with each other.

Optionally the sweeper element and the second sweeper element overlap one another in the direction of the axis of rotation of the mop element to ensure that there is no un-swept portion of the mop element between the inner ends of the sweeper elements.

The first and second sweeper elements may be located end to end. In this arrangement two shorter sweeper elements can be used to sweep the width of the mop element rather than one long sweeper element. Shorter tapered sweeper elements are beneficial as the angle of taper can be steeper (within the available packaging space) which facilitates movement of hair and other long fibres along the length of the sweeper element towards the second end.

The sweeper element and the second sweeper element may be attached to opposing sides of a hub portion, wherein the hub portion is operable to rotate the sweeper element and the second sweeper element about their respective axes in use. In this way, a single motor or mechanism may be used to rotate both sweeper elements simultaneously.

In one example the sweeper element and the second sweeper element are attached to opposing sides of the hub portion at their respective first ends, or at their respective second ends. This provides various packaging options.

Optionally the portion of the sweeper element in contact with the mop element, and the portion of the second sweeper element, if present, in contact with the mop element, is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the mop element to maximise the width of mop element swept by the sweeper element or elements.

The mop element may be substantially cylindrical and may comprises a resilient material. A cylindrical mop element provides a convenient shape for floor cleaning and rotation by a motor or other mechanical arrangement. The resilient material may be compressed against the floor to maximise mopped area.

A portion of the cylindrical external surface of the mop element may be in contact with one or more sweeper elements along substantially the entire axial length of the mop element so that substantially the whole width of the mop element may be cleaned by the sweeper element or elements.

In one example the axial length of the mop element is greater than the axial length of the one or more sweeper elements. Such an arrangement may be used when more than one sweeper element is used to clean the surface of the mop element. Optionally the external surface of the sweeper element, and the external surface of the second sweeper element if present, comprise helical strips of upstanding bristles to facilitate collection of debris from the floor surface.

The bristles are optionally angled towards the second end of the sweeper element or elements to facilitate movement of hair and other long fibres along the length of the sweeper element.

Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure l is a schematic isometric view of an assembly for a hard floor cleaner;

Figure 2 is a schematic isometric view of a modified assembly for a hard floor cleaner;

Figure 3 is a schematic isometric view of an alternative modified assembly for a hard floor cleaner;

Figure 4 is a schematic isometric view of a further alternative assembly for a hard floor cleaner; and

Figure 5 is a schematic isometric view of a still further alternative assembly for a hard floor cleaner.

Note that features that are the same or similar in different drawings are denoted by like reference signs. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 shows a schematic isometric view of an assembly 1 for a hard floor cleaner. The assembly 1 comprises a cylindrical mop element 10 and a tapered sweeper element 20. The mop element 10 is mounted for rotation about an axis A-A, and the sweeper element 20 is mounted for rotation about an axis B-B.

The mop element 10 and the sweeper element 20 are supported for rotation on a frame (not shown). The mop element 10 is arranged so that, in use, during cleaning of a hard floor surface, the lowermost portion 13 of the mop element 10 contacts the floor surface 7. The sweeper element 20 does not contact the floor surface 7.

The sweeper element 20 has a shape which tapers from a first end 23 of the sweeper element 20 towards a second end 25 of the sweeper element 20. The sweeper element 20 is arranged with respect to the mop element 10 such that the axis of rotation B-B of the sweeper element 20 is closer to the axis of rotation A-A of the mop element 10 at the second end 25 of the sweeper element 20 than at the first end 23 of the sweeper element 20. The sweeper element 20 is also arranged so that a portion 27 of the external surface 21 of the sweeper element 20 contacts a portion 15 of the external surface 11 of the mop element 10 along the entire axial length L of the mop element 10. The external surface 21 of the sweeper element 20 comprises helical strips 12 of upstanding bristles 14.

In one example, the sweeper element 20 may be rotated by a motor. In an alternative example, the sweeper element 20 may be arranged, via gears for example, to rotate as the hard floor cleaner is pushed along the floor surface by a user.

The mop element 10 comprises a foam roller. In one example, the mop element 10 may be rotated by a motor. In an alternative example, the mop element 10 may be arranged to rotate as the hard floor cleaner is pushed along the floor surface by a user. Liquid, such as water or a floor cleaning solution, may be delivered to the floor surface, and/or to the mop element 10 by a liquid delivery system (not shown). In use, as the hard floor cleaner is pushed along the floor surface 7 by a user, debris such as dust, grit, hair and other long fibres become stuck to the wet external surface 11 of the mop element 10. As the sweeper element 20 rotates, the bristles 14 collect debris from the external surface 11 of the mop element 10.

The tapered configuration of the sweeper element 20 is beneficial as it facilitates movement of collected hair and other long fibres along the length of the sweeper element 20 towards the second end 25 of the sweeper element 20 where they can be removed. A bin for collecting the debris swept from the mop element 10 by the sweeper element 20 may be provided adjacent to the sweeper element. Alternatively, a bin may be provided remote from the sweeper element 20 and the swept debris may be transported to the bin by means of a vacuum for example. Similarly, a container (not shown) for holding liquid collected from the mop element 10 may be provided adjacent to or remote from the mop element 10. Liquid collected from the mop element 10 may be transported to the container by means of a vacuum or a pump for example.

The assembly 1 is located within a housing (not shown) and attached to a handle as is well known in the art. In use, a user pushes the hard floor cleaner along a floor surface to be cleaned by means of the handle.

Figure 2 shows a schematic isometric view of another alternative assembly 2 for a hard floor cleaner. The assembly 2 is the same in all respects to the assembly 1 described above except in that the assembly 2 comprises a sweeper element 30 and a second sweeper element 31 mounted on a hub 36. The sweeper element 30 has a shape which tapers from a first end 38 of the sweeper element 30 towards a second end 39 of the sweeper element 30. Similarly, the second sweeper element 31 has a shape which tapers from a first end 35 of the sweeper element 31 towards a second end 33 of the sweeper element 31. The second ends 39, 33 of the sweeper elements 30, 31 are located at the outermost edges of the apparatus 2, and the first ends 38, 35 of the sweeper elements 30, 31 are mounted on the hub 36 which is located at the centre of the apparatus 32.

The sweeper element 30 and the second sweeper element 31 are arranged so that the position of the axis of rotation C-C of the sweeper element 30 at its second end 39 is closer to the axis of rotation A-A of the mop element 10 than the position of the axis of rotation C-C at the first end 38 of the sweeper element 30. Similarly, the position of the axis of rotation D-D of the second sweeper element 31 at its second end 33 is closer to the axis of rotation A-A of the mop element 10 than the position of the axis of rotation D-D at the first end 35 of the second sweeper element 31. By virtue of this positioning, the portion 15 of the external surface 11 of the mop element 10 is in contact with one or other of portions 70, 71 of the sweeper elements 30, 31 along the entire axial length L of the mop element 10.

The sweeper elements 30, 33 have external surfaces 37 which comprises helical strips 32 of upstanding bristles 34. The bristles 34 are arranged so that they are angled towards the second ends 39, 33 of the sweeper elements 30, 31 respectively. This arrangement is beneficial as it facilitates the movement of swept hair and other long fibres along the length of the sweeper elements 30, 31 towards the second ends 39, 33 of the sweeper elements 30, 31 where they can be directed into a bin along with the other swept particulate debris. Alternatively, the debris including hair and other long fibres may be removed to a bin by means of a vacuum for example.

Figure 3 shows a schematic isometric view of a further alternative assembly 3 for a hard floor cleaner. The assembly 3 is the same in all respects to the assembly 1 described above except in that the assembly 3 comprises a sweeper element 40 and a second sweeper element 41 mounted on a hub 46. The sweeper element 40 has a shape which tapers from a first end 49 of the sweeper element 40 towards a second end 48 of the sweeper element 40. Similarly, the second sweeper element 41 has a shape which tapers from a first end 43 of the sweeper element 41 towards a second end 45 of the sweeper element 41. The first ends 49, 43 of the sweeper elements 40, 41 are located at the outermost edges of the apparatus 3, and the second ends 48, 45 of the sweeper elements 40, 41 are mounted on the hub 46 which is located at the centre of the apparatus 3.

The sweeper element 40 and the second sweeper element 41 are arranged so that the position of the axis of rotation E-E of the sweeper element 40 at its second end 48 is closer to the axis of rotation A-A of the mop element 10 than the position of the axis of rotation E-E at the first end 49 of the sweeper element 40. Similarly, the position of the axis of rotation F-F of the second sweeper element 41 at its second end 45 is closer to the axis of rotation A-A of the mop element 10 than the position of the axis of rotation F-F at the first end 43 of the sweeper element 41. By virtue of this positioning, the portion 15 of the external surface 11 of the mop element 10 is in contact with one or other of portions 80, 81 of the sweeper elements 40, 41 along the entire axial length L of the mop element 10. The sweeper elements 40, 41 have external surfaces 47 which comprises helical strips 42 of upstanding bristles 44. The bristles 44 are arranged so that they are angled towards the second ends 48, 45 of the sweeper elements 40, 41 respectively. This arrangement is beneficial as it facilitates the movement of swept hair and other long fibres along the length of the sweeper elements 40, 41 towards the second ends 48, 45 of the sweeper elements 40, 41 where they can be directed into a bin along with the other swept particulate debris. Alternatively, the debris including hair and other long fibres may be removed to a bin by means of a vacuum for example.

Figure 4 shows a schematic isometric view of a further alternative assembly 4 for a hard floor cleaner. The assembly 4 is the same in all respects to the assembly 3 described above except in that in assembly 4 the portions 15, 16 of the mop element 10 in contact with the sweeper elements 50, 51 are offset from one another and the sweeper elements 50, 51 are not connected to a common hub.

Figure 5 shows a schematic isometric view of a further alternative assembly 5 for a hard floor cleaner. The assembly 5 is the same in all respects to the assembly 2 described above except in that in assembly 5 the portions 15, 16 of the mop element 10 in contact with the sweeper elements 60, 61 are offset from one another and the sweeper elements 60, 61 are not connected to the a common hub.

It will be appreciated that there are many different configurations of mop element and sweeper element possible and that the above described examples are only a selection of the possible configurations. Other configurations include, but are not limited to, a single mop element with more than one sweeper element, offset from one another, extending along the entire length of the mop element. Such an arrangement would be similar to apparatus 4 or 5 described above but with longer sweeper elements which extend along the entire length of the mop element. In another alternative, the sweeper elements of apparatus 4 and 5 may overlap one another along the length L of the mop element 10 to ensure that there is no portion of the mop element 10 left un-swept by the sweeper elements.

In examples having more than one sweeper element, it is not necessary that the sweeper elements face in opposite directions to one another such that the larger diameter ends or the smaller diameter ends point in opposite directions. In an example apparatus the sweeper elements may point in the same direction.

It is not necessary that the sweeper element or elements extend along the entire length of the mop element. In an example apparatus the sweeper element or elements may be shorter than the mop element.

In the examples described above the sweeper elements have helical strips of upstanding bristles.

This is not essential and any other suitable surface or device may be provided on the external surface of the sweeper element or elements to facilitate removal of debris from the mop element.

In each of the assemblies described above, the sweeper element(s) may rotate in the same sense as the mop element, or they may rotate in opposite senses to each other. A single motor, or other drive mechanism, may be used to rotate the sweeper element(s) and mop element via suitable gearing. Alternatively, the sweeper element(s) and mop element may be rotated by separate motors or other drive mechanisms.