More particularly, the invention relates to a scrubbing device which has an edge at which and mainly along which the fixing element that is generally in the form of a line is arranged. When using the scrubbing device, at least a portion of the scrubbing surface protrudes from the mop plate and the mop-yarn device substantially parallel to the mop plate.

Background of the Invention A mop is usually used for cleaning floor surfaces.

Mops can be found in different designs, but usually comprise a mop support which has a handle with a mop plate arranged at one of its ends. A mop-yarn device is fixed to the mop plate, that is, mop yarn or a mop cloth, either permanently or detachably. When cleaning, the mop- yarn device is moved across the floor by means of the mop support and gathers dust and loose particles. As a rule, stubborn stains cannot be removed by a conventional mop- yarn device, but have to be scrubbed off by some type of scrubbing device. The scrubbing device usually comprises a separate unit, but it is also known to combine a mop with a scrubbing device in various ways.

WO 9608991 A1 discloses such a scrubbing device for a mop. The scrubbing device comprises a fixing element which is detachably fixed to the upper side of the mop plate, that is, the side which is turned away from the floor when being used. To this fixing element, a strip with an abrasive surface may be fixed by means of a Velcro fastener. Then the plane of the abrasive surface crosses the plane of the mop-yarn device at an angle of about 90 degrees, which is a disadvantage of this design since the user has to turn the entire mop support when he wishes to change from the mop-yarn device to the scrubbing device and vice versa. Moreover, all the force has to be exerted on the scrubbing device via the mop support, that is, by the user pressing the mop support against the floor. These movements are in the long run trying to the user's arms and back. Another disadvantage of this known design is that the scrubbing device can only be fixed to mops which are specially adapted to the scrubbing device. Also an exact alignment of the fixing element on the scrubbing device with the fixing element on the mop plate is required. This results in an annoying and dirty handling for the user since the fixing operation is time-consuming and the user's hands get in direct contact with the mop-yarn device. This is especially inconvenient when wet cleaning or when powerful cleaning agents are used.

It is also known to supply part of a mop-yarn device with a scrubbing surface. WO 9842246 Al discloses a device of such a type which comprises a smooth portion and two abrasive portions arranged at an angle on both sides of the smooth portion.

SE 448 670 B discloses a device which comprises a collecting part and a scrubbing part with a scrubbing surface. When being used, the scrubbing part is placed under the mop plate and the collecting part hangs freely from the mop plate.

Also these two known devices have the disadvantage of the force on the scrubbing surface having to be exerted via the mop support. A further disadvantage of the prior-art devices is that the scrubbing device cannot be removed from the device. This means that it has to be brought along also when cleaning floor surfaces where it would really not be needed. Thus, the mop gets an unnecessarily high friction against the floor, which makes the cleaning work heavier. Besides, the scrubbing device and the floor are worn more than necessary.

DE 195 37 961 A1 discloses a scrubbing device which is sewn onto a"main body", the scrubbing device being unfoldable so that it protrudes laterally when it is to be used. Even if this scrubbing device does not constantly need to be dragged across the floor when cleaning, it is anyway fixed to the"main body". This is a disadvantage since it is necessary to change to another "main body"when one wishes to change the scrubbing device, for instance, because a stubborn stain requires a different type of scrubbing device or, for example, because the scrubbing device is worn out.

US 4,964,186 A discloses a mop device comprising lengths of string where a fixing device is arranged adjacent to the handle. A scrubbing device can be detachably fixed to this fixing device. Also with this device, a force has to be exerted on the scrubbing device via the mop support.

Summary of the Invention Therefore, an object of the invention is to provide a scrubbing device of the type described by way of introduction, in which an efficient transmission of force is possible without having to move the support.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a scrubbing device which can easily be detachably fixed to most of the mops that are available.

These objects are achieved by a scrubbing device of the type stated by way of introduction, the scrubbing device having the features which are evident from claim 1. Preferred embodiments are stated in the subclaims.

In the following, the term mop-yarn device relates to mop yarn or a mop cloth as stated above, but also other forms of drying devices which can be fixed to a mop such as a sponge, a scouring cloth or the like.

The scrubbing device according to the invention comprises an edge at which and along which a fixing element that is essentially in the form of a line is arranged. By means of the fixing element, the scrubbing device can be mounted adjacent to the mop plate. Because of the design of the fixing element, no exact alignment of the fixing element is required, but the scrubbing device is fixed even though only a part of the fixing element is used. This results in an easy and quick fixing operation and the user's hands getting in contact with the mop-yarn device as little as possible.

When using the scrubbing device according to the invention, at least a portion of the scrubbing surface protrudes from the mop plate and the mop-yarn device substantially parallel to the mop plate. Thus, the mop support does not need to be turned when the scrubbing device is to be used. The force is exerted on the scrubbing device by the user placing one of his feet on the protruding part. Subsequently, he transmits some of his weight to the scrubbing device and rubs it by his foot against the floor. This makes it easy to rub off even relatively stubborn stains.

The scrubbing device is detachably fixed to the mop plate and/or the mop-yarn device. Thus, the scrubbing device can be removed from the mop when it is not needed.

In this way, the same scrubbing device can be used for several mops, which is advantageous, for instance, when special mops are used for different types of floors or when different mops are used for dry and wet cleaning,

respectively. It is also common for the scrubbing device and the mop-yarn device not to be worn out at the same time depending on how they have been used and of what materials they are made. A scrubbing device which is detachably fixed can be changed or cleaned separately.

In a preferred embodiment, the scrubbing device is detachably fixed to the mop plate as well as the mop-yarn device. An unbroken joint is thus provided between the mop plate and the mop-yarn device. This is particularly advantageous when uneven floor surfaces are cleaned since, in connection with such cleaning, the mop-yarn device may be slowed down by the unevenness of the floor as it is moved across the floor. Then a strong joint is needed, so that the mop-yarn device will not come loose from the mop plate. It goes without saying that the scrubbing device is also more firmly fixed if it is fixed to both the mop plate and the mop-yarn device than if it is fixed to only one of them.

The scrubbing device comprises a flexible unit of, for example, one or two layers of textile material, with a scrubbing surface. As a consequence, the scrubbing device is easy to make since the different parts can be sewn together. Besides, the scrubbing device becomes flexible and smooth to use.

Furthermore, this flexible unit is elastic. This gives the advantage that the user can rub the scrubbing device against the floor without the mop support moving along. Alternatively, a flexible and/or elastic connecting portion can be arranged between the scrubbing surface and the fixing element.

As mentioned above, the mop-yarn device and the mop plate are provided with connecting means, which interact to connect the mop-yarn device to the mop plate. It is particularly advantageous if the fixing elements of the scrubbing device interact with these connecting means since the scrubbing device then can be fixed without making any adaptations of the mops that are available.

One of the most common connecting means for connecting a mop-yarn device to a mop plate in prior-art mops are complementary Velcro pieces, the fixing element in preferred embodiments of the inventive scrubbing device comprising precisely complementary Velcro pieces.

The scrubbing device can then be fixed to such a mop-yarn device and/or mop plate by the complementary Velcro pieces interacting with each other. No exact alignment of the fixing element is required, but the scrubbing device is fixed even if its position is oblique or if a portion of the Velcro pieces of the scrubbing device does not contact a complementary piece on the mop-yarn device and/or the mop plate. The user does not even need to use his hands, but can put the scrubbing device on the floor and place the mop on the scrubbing device approximately in the position where he wishes to fix the scrubbing device.

According to another embodiment of the inventive scrubbing device, the fixing element comprises a glue string. This scrubbing device can be used in most types of mops and, moreover, it can be placed anywhere on the mop as the user wishes. Nor in this embodiment is adaptation of the mop to the fixing element of the scrubbing device required, and the fixing element does not need to be aligned exactly. It is particularly advantageous if the glue fixes only in a detachable manner.

Brief Description of the Drawings In the following, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a schematic front view of a scrubbing device according to the invention and a mop, Fig. 2 is a schematic top plan view of a preferred embodiment of the scrubbing device;

Fig. 3 is a schematic top plan view of a second preferred embodiment of the scrubbing device; Fig. 4 is a schematic top plan view of a third embodiment of the scrubbing device arranged on a mop-yarn device; and Fig. 5 is a schematic front view of a scrubbing device fixed to the mop plate when it is not used.

Description of Preferred Embodiments Fig. 1 discloses a scrubbing device 1 which is arranged on a mop. The mop comprises a mop support 3 with a mop plate 4 and a mop-yarn device 5. The mop plate 4 is provided with a first connecting means 6 and the mop-yarn device 5 is provided with a second connecting means 7, which interact to connect the mop-yarn device 5 to the mop plate 4. In the shown mop the connecting means 6,7 are complementary pieces of a Velcro fastener, that is, one piece with hook-shaped elements and one piece with loop-shaped elements. However, the connection can be provided in other ways, for instance, by lacing, by means of press-studs or by some kind of permanent connection.

A first preferred embodiment of the scrubbing device 1 is shown in Fig. 2. The scrubbing device 1 comprises a flexible unit 8 of a textile material which has a scrubbing surface 9 on one side, cf Fig. 1. However, it is also possible to use a homogeneous material or to use two different materials connected to one another, only one of them having scrubbing properties. The scrubbing surface 9 may be made of an abrasive artificial fibre material or a plastic material, such as a Scotchbrite- like material, microfibre, wire loops, wire hooks or bristle. The scrubbing device 9 can also be made of an abrasive nature material, such as natural fibre, coconut matting, wire loops, wire hooks or bristle.

At and along one edge of the flexible unit 8, two different pieces 10a, lOb of a Velcro fastener are oppositely arranged, that is, one piece with hook-shaped

elements (lOa or lOb) and one piece with loop-shaped elements (lOa or lOb). As shown in Fig. 1 these Velcro pieces 10a, lOb interact with the complementary connecting means 6,7 on the mop plate 4 and the mop-yarn device 5 to detachably fix the scrubbing device 1 between the mop plate 4 and the mop-yarn device 5. Thus, the Velcro piece lOa of the scrubbing device 1 interacts with the Velcro piece 6 of the mop plate 4, and the Velcro piece lOb of the scrubbing device 1 with the Velcro piece 7 of the mop-yarn device 5. It may, however, be sufficient if only one Velcro piece lOa or lOb is arranged on the scrubbing device 1 to interact with either the Velcro piece 6 of the mop plate 4 or the Velcro piece 7 of the mop-yarn device 5. It is also possible to apply the scrubbing device 1 to the side of the mop plate 4 which is turned away from the floor when being used, a complementary Velcro piece being fixed with a self-adhering glue to the mop plate 4, which, however, is not shown in any one of the figures, but which will be easily understood by those skilled in the art when examining Fig. 5.

The textile material (materials) in the flexible unit 8 and the Velcro pieces 10a, lOb are interconnected by means of seams 2, but other connecting methods, such as gluing, may also be used. Preferably, the edges of the flexible unit 8 are trimmed with a ribbon 11 to prevent the outer edges of the textile material (materials) from being torn, which is shown in Figs 2 and 3. The same result can also be brought about in some other way, for instance, by an overlock seam or a glue string. A further advantage of the trimming is, however, that it stabilises the flexible unit 8. For this purpose, also a weight can be sewn into the trimming 11.

Furthermore, the flexible unit 8 is elastic. This makes it possible to swing the scrubbing device 1 in the lateral direction substantially without the mop support 3 coming along in the swinging motion. Alternatively, a

flexible and/or elastic connecting portion 12 can be arranged between the scrubbing surface 9 and the Velcro pieces 10a, lOb, as shown in Fig. 3.

When the user wishes to remove a stubborn stain by means of a scrubbing device 1 according to the shown preferred embodiment of the invention, he can proceed in the following way: First he detaches an edge of the mop-yarn device 5 from the mop plate 4, for instance, by placing his foot on the mop-yarn device 5 and lifting up one edge of the mop plate 4 with the aid of the mop support 3. Then he inserts the Velcro pieces 10a, lOb of the scrubbing device 1 between the mop-yarn device 5 and the mop plate 4. Subsequently, he fixes the scrubbing device 1 by pressing the mop plate 4 against the scrubbing device 1 and the mop-yarn device 5 by means of the support 3, the floor acting as an abutment. Then no exact alignment of the scrubbing device is needed, but because of the Velcro pieces 10a, lOb and 6,7, respectively, it is fixed regardless of its position. Nor does the user need to touch the mop-yarn device 5 with his hands. To remove a stain, the user places the mop in such a manner that the scrubbing device 1 is positioned essentially on the stain.

Finally, he puts his foot on the scrubbing device 1 and rubs it on the stain using his foot. If the flexible unit 8 is elastic, this may take place at the same time as the mop support is substantially immovable, for instance cf Fig. 4, in which the scrubbing device 1 is shown deflected to one side. The same effect is achieved also by means of the embodiment according to Fig. 3, where a flexible connecting portion 12 is arranged between the scrubbing surface 9 and the Velcro pieces 10.

However, the scrubbing surface 9 can be made swingable relative to the fixing element 10 in ways other than those mentioned above. In an embodiment of the scrubbing device according to the invention which is

shown in Fig. 4, the scrubbing surface 9 is connected to the fixing element 10 by means of ribbons 15, rope, string or the like, in such a manner that the space 16 between the scrubbing surface 9 and the fixing element 10 is essentially empty.

When the stain is gone, the user may either continue cleaning, the scrubbing device 1 hanging loose from the edge of the mop 1, or easily detach the scrubbing device 1.

Fig. 5 shows a scrubbing device 1 which is provided with another Velcro piece 13 at its outer edge. A complementary Velcro piece 14 is arranged on the opposite side of the mop plate 4 when using the mop-yarn device 5.

The Velcro piece 14 can be fixed with, for instance, self-adhesive glue. As is shown in Fig. 5, the scrubbing device 1 may by this arrangement be folded and fixed to the mop plate 4 when it is not used. Then the complementary Velcro pieces 13 and 14 interact, that is, one piece with hook-shaped elements and one piece with loop-shaped elements, to connect the outer edge of the scrubbing device 1 to the mop plate 4.

It will be appreciated that the embodiments which have been described above can be varied in many ways within the scope of the invention as it is defined by the claims.

Instead of Velcro pieces 10a, lOb, some other type of fixing elements 10 can be used, for example, a glue string of preferably pressure-sensitive adhesive.

Moreover, the fixing element 10 may comprise a broken line, several lines or a zigzag line of Velcro pieces or glue portions.

The scrubbing device may also be anti-bacterially treated or prepared with a solvent or a cleaning agent.

Nor does the scrubbing device need to be rectangular as shown in the figures but can have an arbitrary form.