Technical Field

1. The present technology relates to floor-, and window-cleaning implements, for households, gymnasia, commercial premises and the like.

Background Art

2. Mops are useful for cleaning floors. But they are cumbersome. Perversely, even though they may be thus heavy, it is difficult to provide much force to the floor to shift dirt.

3. Furthermore, mops lack flexibility. They are limited to floor cleaning.

4. Mops are wrung out in mop buckets. But known mop buckets lack flexibility in that the dirty water from the mop head falls into the chamber on wringing the mop head, and the mop head merely picks up the same dirty water that was just wrung.

5. The present invention seeks to ameliorate one or more of the abovementioned disadvantages or at least seeks to provide a new mop, and/or bucket.

Summary of Invention

6. Broadly the present technology provides a mop with a cleaning fluid reservoir disposed in its head.

7. Broadly, the present technology provides a rotatable and/or invertible mop head.

8. Broadly, the present technology provides a sock for an invertible and/or rotatable mop head.

9. Broadly the present technology provides a combination mop and squeegee head.

10. Broadly the present technology provides a lockable mop head for use as a squeegee.

11. Broadly, the present technology provides a mop cleaning bucket with a filtration unit for cleaning the mop water.

12. In accordance with one aspect of the present technology there is provided a mop head, including: a reservoir for storing fluid, the reservoir including a plurality of ground engaging surfaces for ground cleaning, the reservoir configured to attach one or more absorbent cleaning element to the one or more ground engaging surfaces; a hinged handle attachment operatively connected to the reservoir, wherein the hinged handle attachment is configured to invert or rotate the reservoir so that the absorbent cleaning element on the one or more ground engaging surfaces can selectively engage with the ground for cleaning. In one embodiment the reservoir includes a hollow body with an inlet for receiving cleaning fluid. In one embodiment the reservoir includes an outlet for dispensing cleaning fluid into the absorbent cleaning element or onto the ground adjacent the reservoir. In one embodiment the reservoir includes a pump for driving the cleaning fluid through the outlet. In one embodiment the reservoir includes a spray nozzle at the outlet to spray the cleaning fluid onto the path of the mop head. In one embodiment there is provided a foot actuator for actuating the pump to drive fluid from the reservoir to the spray nozzle. In one embodiment the foot actuator is mounted on the reservoir. In one embodiment the reservoir includes an onboard power supply for powering a pump motor. In one embodiment the reservoir includes a control system which includes a processor for controlling the dispensing and spray of the cleaning fluid. In one embodiment the reservoir includes a top and bottom surface. In one embodiment the reservoir includes two, three, four, five, six, seven or eight ground engaging surfaces. In one embodiment the reservoir includes a cylinder for engaging with the ground. In one embodiment the reservoir is wedge-shaped to provide a ground engaging force when being pushed from behind. In one embodiment the reservoir includes a taper such that a rear wall is higher than a front wall, the arrangement being such that the handle attachment is higher than a front wall to increase ground engagement force when pushing the reservoir along the ground. In one embodiment the handle attachment includes a stop to engage with the reservoir to keep the reservoir against the ground when pushing the handle along the ground. In one embodiment the stop includes one or more posts to abut the top face of the reservoir, but the posts could engage with an internal aperture or other catch disposed on or in the reservoir. In one embodiment the handle attachment includes a swivel to allow the stop to act on the other side of the reservoir after it flips the reservoir. In one embodiment the stops are retractable to facilitate engagement with the other side of the reservoir. In one embodiment the control system includes a wireless module for receiving a wireless actuation signal. In one embodiment there is provided a handle for connecting to the hinged handle attachment for operating the reservoir. In one embodiment the handle includes a switch to actuate the pump and spray system. In one embodiment the switch is connected to a wireless module which transmits a wireless signal to actuate the pump and spray system. In one embodiment the reservoir includes a flexible cleaning blade for cleaning windows. In one embodiment the flexible cleaning blade is mounted on a front wall of the reservoir. In one embodiment the reservoir includes two ground engaging surfaces. In one embodiment the reservoir includes three ground engaging surfaces. In one embodiment the reservoir includes four ground engaging surfaces. In one embodiment reservoir includes a base and a top surface, where both are angled to provide a taper from a rear portion to a front portion. In one embodiment the inlet for the cleaning fluid is on a rear portion of the reservoir. In one embodiment the flexible blade is disposed on the front portion. In one embodiment the hinged handle attachment includes a lock to inhibit relative movement between the handle and the reservoir. In one embodiment the lock includes one or more lock pins which extend to engage a cooperating aperture or surface on the reservoir. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided an absorbent cleaning element configured to be mounted on a ground engaging surface of a mop head reservoir. In one embodiment the cleaning element is a panel of textile material or sponge or chamois or like material. In one embodiment the cleaning element includes fasteners on a face adjacent the ground engaging surface or in corners of the ground engaging surface for fastening to the ground engaging surface. In one embodiment the cleaning element includes a covering to cover a substantial portion of the mop head. In one embodiment the covering includes a sleeve to surround at least two opposing faces of the reservoir. In one embodiment the sleeve is a wrap which is openable on one edge to re-fasten around the handle. In one embodiment the covering includes a sock. In one embodiment the covering includes one or more fasteners to fasten a portion of the covering to another portion of the covering. In one embodiment the covering includes one or more fasteners to fasten a portion of the covering to a surface or part of the reservoir. In one embodiment the covering includes one or more apertures or slots for receiving a flexible blade and/or to allow cleaning fluid to spray through and onto the ground for cleaning. In accordance with another aspect of the present technology there is provided a cleaning bucket assembly for a mop, the cleaning bucket assembly including: one or more wringers to wring the water from the mop: and a filtration unit. In accordance with still another aspect of the present technology there is provided a filtration unit for a mop bucket, the filtration unit including: an inlet; an outlet; a filter unit; a pump for drawing water through the inlet and through the filter unit and out the outlet. In one embodiment the filter unit is removable from the mop bucket. In one embodiment the filter unit is in a planar form. In one embodiment filter unit includes planar walls spaced apart to take a book-like form. In accordance with another aspect of the present technology there is provided a mop bucket with mounts for a filtration unit. In one embodiment the mounts are leaves that extend across spaced apart walls of the bucket for receiving a filtration unit. In one embodiment the leaves include an aperture for communicating with an inlet of the filtration unit. In one embodiment the leaves include an aperture for communication with an outlet of the filtration unit. In one embodiment the leaves provide two chambers for receiving cleaning fluid in the bucket. Brief Description of Drawings

64. To enable a clearer understanding of the invention, embodiments will be described with reference to the attached drawings, and in those drawings:

65. Figure 1 is an isometric view of a mop head without an absorbent sock;

66. Figure 2 is a side elevation view of the mop head of Figure 1;

67. Figure 3 is a front elevation view of the mop head of Figure 1;

68. Figure 4 is an isometric view from the rear of the mop head of Figure 1, with one portion cutaway to show a motor and sprayer;

69. Figure 5 is an isometric view from the rear, of the mop head of Figure 1;

70. Figure 6 is a rear elevation view of the mop head of Figure 1;

71. Figure 7 is another isometric view of the mop head of Figure 1;

72. Figure 8 is a right side view of the mop head of Figure 1;

73. Figure 9 is a rear isometric view of the mop head of Figure 1 with an absorbent sock mounted thereon;

74. Figure 10 is a front isometric view of the mop head of Figure 1 with the sock mounted thereon;

75. Figure 11 is a rear isometric view of an absorbent sock for mounting on the mop head of Figure 1;

76. Figure 12 is a front isometric view of an absorbent sock for mounting on the mop head of Figure 1;

77. Figure 13 is a plan view of the absorbent sock for mounting on the mop head of Figure 1;

78. Figure 14 is a rear elevation view of the absorbent sock for mounting on the mop head of Figure 1;

79. Figure 15 is a front elevation view of the absorbent sock;

80. Figure 16 is a side elevation view of the mop head of Figure 1 with a telescopic handle; 81. Figure 17 is a front isometric view of the mop head of Figure 1 locked in place so as to act as a window cleaning squeegee;

82. Figure 18 is a front elevation view of the locked mop head of Figure 17;

83. Figure 19 is a side elevation view of another embodiment of mop head;

84. Figure 20 is an isometric view of the mop head of Figure 19;

85. Figure 21 is an isometric view of a bucket with filtration unit;

86. Figure 22 is a plan view of the bucket of Figure 21;

87. Figure 23 is a section view through the bucket of Figure 21;

88. Figure 24 is an isometric view of the filtration unit of Figure 21;

89. Figure 25 is another isometric view of the filtration unit of Figure 21;

90. Figure 26 is a side elevation view of the filtration unit of Figure 21;

91. Figure 27 is an exploded view of the bucket and filtration unit of Figure 21;

92. Figure 28 is an isometric front view of a mop head reservoir with a foot pump actuator for a nozzle, with the nozzle and pump delivery tubes disposed under a cover;

93. Figure 29 is the same view as shown in Figure 28 with the pump assembly cover removed for clarity; and

94. Figure 30 is a rear isometric view of the foot pump and nozzle apparatus shown without the cover.

Description of Embodiments

95. Referring to the drawings there is shown a mop 10 (Figure 16), mop head 12 (at least Figures 1 to 10 and Figures 28 to 30), mop head cleaning element 20 (at least Figure 13 to 15), and cleaning bucket assembly 30 (Figures 21 to 27).

Mop head

96. The mop head 12 includes a reservoir 14 for storing fluid, the reservoir 14 including a plurality of ground engaging surfaces 15, 16 for ground cleaning, the reservoir 14 configured to attach one or more absorbent cleaning element 20 to the one or more ground engaging surfaces. Furthermore, the mop head 12 includes a hinged handle attachment 40 operatively connected to the reservoir 14, the arrangement being such that the hinged handle attachment 40 is configured to invert or rotate the reservoir so that the absorbent cleaning element 20 on the one or more ground engaging surfaces can selectively engage with the ground for cleaning. The reservoir 14 includes a hollow body 17 with an inlet 18 at a rear portion for receiving cleaning fluid, and an outlet 19 for dispensing cleaning fluid into the absorbent cleaning element 20 or onto the ground adjacent the reservoir 14. The hollow body 17 includes two ground engaging surfaces, being a top surface 13, and a bottom surface 11. Each of the ground engaging surfaces 11 and 13 are angled toward the front to provide ergonomic mopping - the floor in front of the mop head 14 can more easily be seen since the head drops away at the front. Alternatively, the hollow body 117 includes three ground engaging surfaces - 11, 13 and 9, as shown in Figures 19 and 20. There is contemplated a hexagonal head reservoir, and/or cylindrical, and other arrangements. The higher handle attachment point on a rear wall can facilitate greater ground force to the mop, and the pins 58, 59 also assist to keeping the ground force high by abutting the top face 13. The reservoir 14 also includes a pump 25 for driving the cleaning fluid through the outlet 19. The outlet 19 also includes a spray nozzle 21 at the outlet 19 to spray the cleaning fluid onto the path of the mop head 12. To drive the pump 25 there is provided a motor 26 disposed on the reservoir and to power the motor 26 there is provided an onboard power supply 27 which includes a battery 28. The pump 25 draws cleaning fluid from the hollow body 17 and transports it to the spray nozzle 21 via an outlet tube 29. There is shown in Figures 28 to 30 an embodiment with a foot pump and foot actuator 125 to pump the fluid through the tubes to the spray nozzle 121 from the reservoir 114 onto the ground ahead of the mop. The reservoir 14 further includes a control system 31 which includes a processor (not shown) for controlling the dispensing and spray of the cleaning fluid from the spray nozzle 21. The control system 31 also includes a wireless module 32 for receiving a wireless actuation signal. Handle

102. There is provided a handle 45 for connecting to the hinged handle attachment 40 for operating the reservoir 14. The handle 45 is a post, and may be telescopic to accommodate various user heights and situations and it also includes a switch 46 to actuate the pump and spray system. The switch 46 is configured to transmit a wireless signal to actuate the motor 26 for the pump 25 and spray system.

103. The connector can be a simple hinge. In that case, it can work with retractable pins 58, 59 or removable pins, or fixed pins, to facilitate a flip to the other side, or the handle can include a swivel to transfer pins 58, 59 to abut the other face on the other side of the reservoir.

Squeegee blade

104. The reservoir 14 also includes a flexible cleaning blade 55 for cleaning windows. The flexible blade 55 is disposed on the front portion of the mop head 14 to make it easier to wipe windows and surfaces.

105. To effect window cleaning, as well as improve mopping force onto the ground, the hinged handle attachment 40 includes a lock 57 to inhibit relative movement between the handle 45 and the reservoir 14. The lock 57 includes one or more lock pins 58, 59 which in one embodiment can adopt an extended position and a retractable position. In operation they extend to engage a cooperating aperture or surface on the hollow body 17. So in one position, the pins 58, 59 abut the top surface of the reservoir for improved downforce when mopping, while in another position the pins, when engaged with one or more cooperating apertures in or on the reservoir. In one embodiment the pins 58, 59 are fixed, and they abut different faces of the reservoir when the reservoir is flipped. Cleaning element

106. To mop the floor, the absorbent cleaning element 20 is configured to be mounted on at least one of the ground engaging surfaces 11, 13 of the mop head reservoir 14. While the mop head may be a panel of textile material or sponge or chamois or like material, fastened on to surface 11, 13 with press studs or hook and loop fasteners, the drawings show a sock 61 which wraps over the hollow body 17 and then fastens at a rear portion of the hollow body 17, over the inlet 18 and the motor 26 and pump 25. The cleaning element 20 can be a true sock, or sleeve, such that when the handle is unscrewed from the attachment at the base, it can slide from one end to another, such that it extends along the reservoir from one end without being caught on the handle attachment.

107. Some embodiments of cleaning element 20 are open on one edge and include fasteners 62 on a rear face to hold it tightly on the reservoir 14. The sock 61 includes one or more apertures 67 (fill inlet 18 aperture), 63 (spray nozzle 21 aperture) and slots 64 (blade 55 aperture) for receiving the flexible blade 55 and/or to allow cleaning fluid to spray through the spray nozzle 21 and onto the ground for cleaning.

108. The cleaning element 20 is also reversible. The structure is such that there is a substrate flexible panel which is impermeable to water, and on either side of that panel there is a water absorbent layer. The arrangement is such that the cleaning element can be used four times - twice on each ground engaging surface - six times on a triangular head. That is, right way out, and inside out, and upper and lower surfaces 11 and 13. Four times.

Triangular head

109. As mentioned above there is a triangular reservoir 114 which has many of the same features which are listed in the drawings with like numerals (12 = 112, 21 = 121 etc). There are three ground engaging surfaces on the triangular head, and the reservoir can rotate to engage a clean face when it is desired by the user. Bucket

110. There is a bucket assembly 30 provided for cleaning the mop 10, the cleaning bucket assembly 30 including one or more wringers 32 to wring the water from the mop head 12: and a filtration unit 33. The filtration unit 33 includes: an inlet 75; outlet 77; a filter unit 78; a motor and pump 79 for drawing water through the inlet 75 and through the filter unit 78 and out the outlet 77. The filtration unit 33 is removable from the mop bucket 30 by lifting it out of the bucket 30 from between two leaves 37. The filtration unit 33 is in a planar form, having planar walls 38, 39 spaced apart to take a book-like form.

111. To use the bucket for cleaning, the user fills one side 98 with water and detergent, and then the user would dip the mop head in the clean water on that side. On that side, the inlet is at the top. After a few strokes, the user would have a dirty mop, and then return to the bucket and wring the mop into the dirty side 99. The user then transfers the mop to the clean side 98 and obtains clean water for the mop.

112. The user then presses the filtration button on the filtration unit 33 so that while they mop, in the meantime, the dirty water is being filtered by the filtration unit 33. It gets transported from the inlet 75 to the outlet 77 and then it is in the clean side 98 ready for re-use.

113. It will be understood to persons skilled in the art of the invention that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

114. It is to be understood that any prior art publication referred to herein does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art.

115. In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.