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Title:
A MOP HEAD AND A KIT OF PARTS
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2022/153021
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
A mop head (10) for securely retaining mop material (30), said mop head (10) comprising: a body member (50) for attachment to a mop handle (40), and a support member (20) for accepting and supporting mop material (30), wherein the body member (20) and the support member (20) are connected by a fixed connection (100), and the body member and support are arranged in a spaced relationship by the fixed connection such that an aperture (25) for accommodating mop material is provided between them, and further wherein the mop head comprises a mechanism (60) that is configured to be actuated between an open position, where the aperture is open and mop material can be accepted or removed from the support member, to a closed position, where the aperture is at least partially occluded and mop material cannot be accepted by the support member or is securely retained on the support member. A kit of parts, said kit of parts comprising: a mop head, and one or both of: a mop handle for attaching to said body member, and mop material that is arranged to be supported or retained by the support member of the mop head.

Inventors:
STAVES LEE (GB)
ABRY ZEKE (GB)
Application Number:
PCT/GB2021/052735
Publication Date:
July 21, 2022
Filing Date:
October 22, 2021
Export Citation:
Click for automatic bibliography generation   Help
Assignee:
SCOT YOUNG RES LIMITED (GB)
International Classes:
A47L13/24
Foreign References:
US5701628A1997-12-30
US3688331A1972-09-05
KR101374503B12014-03-13
US2988766A1961-06-20
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
MURGITROYD & COMPANY (GB)
Download PDF:
Claims:
Claims

1. A mop head for securely retaining mop material, said mop head comprising: a body member for attachment to a mop handle, and a support member for accepting and supporting mop material, wherein the body member and the support member are connected by a fixed connection, and the body member and support are arranged in a spaced relationship by the fixed connection such that an aperture for accommodating mop material is provided between them, and further wherein the mop head comprises a mechanism that is configured to be actuated between an open position, where the aperture is open and mop material can be accepted or removed from the support member, to a closed position, where the aperture is at least partially occluded and mop material cannot be accepted by the support member or is securely retained on the support member.

2. The mop head of Claim 1, wherein the mechanism is a lever mechanism that is arranged to be actuated from its open position to its closed position by a pivotal movement.

3. The mop head of Claim 2, wherein the lever mechanism is pivotally attached to the body member and is arranged to pivot towards and away from the support member.

4. The mop head of any one preceding claim, wherein the mop head is arranged such that, in use, mop material that is retained on the support member is located between the mechanism in its closed position and the fixed connection between the body member and the support member.

5. The mop head of Claim 4, wherein the fixed connection between the body member and the support member is located at one side of the mop head and the mechanism is located at the opposing side of the mop head.

6. The mop head of any one preceding claim, wherein the support member is arranged to be inserted into mop material. 7. The mop head of Claim 6, wherein the support member comprises a tapered leading edge for insertion in mop material, and in particularly, for insertion into a band of material located on the mop material.

8. The mop head of Claim 7, wherein the tapered leading edge has an outwardly curved profile.

9. The mop head of any one preceding claim, wherein the mechanism is arranged such that the mechanism does not impede the acceptance of mop material by the support member when the mechanism is in the open position.

10. The mop head of any one preceding claim, wherein the mechanism is configured to be actuated by either a foot or a hand of a user.

11. The mop head of Claim 10, wherein the mechanism comprises a handle portion that is configured to be actuated by either a foot or a hand of a user.

12. The mop head of any one preceding claim, wherein the mechanism is arranged to lock reversibly in its closed position.

13. The mop head of Claim 12, wherein the mechanism is arranged to reversibly lock in its closed position by a snap fit or friction fit.

14. The mop head of any one preceding claim, wherein the body member and the support member are integrally formed.

15. The mop head of any one preceding claim, wherein the fixed connection tapers from the body member towards to support member.

16. The mop head of any one preceding claim, wherein the body member comprises a socket for attaching to a mop handle.

17. The mop head of Claim 16, wherein the socket is configured to attach reversibly to a mop handle.

18. The mop head of Claim 16 or Claim 17, wherein the socket and the body member are integrally formed. 19. A kit of parts, said kit of parts comprising: a mop head in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 18, and one or both of: a mop handle for attaching to said body member, and mop material that is arranged to be supported or retained by the support member of the mop head.

Description:
A MOP HEAD AND A KIT OF PARTS

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a mop head for securely retaining mop material, and a kit of parts comprising said mop head.

Background of the Invention

Mops that comprise a mop head that removably or releasably retains mop materials are commonly used to clean floors in commercial, industrial, office and residential spaces. The mop head of the mop securely retains and holds the mop material, which is also commonly known as cleaning material, such that the absorbent mop material can be used by the user to clean the floor. In use, the user may then remove the mop material from the mop head for cleaning or the user may replace the mop material with another clean mop material. Typically, the mop head comprises a mechanism for releasably or removably securing and retaining the mop material and provides a portion to which a mop handle can be connected.

However, some problems exist with current mop heads that removably or releasably retain mop materials. For example, mop heads often comprise complex mechanisms for securing and retaining the mop material. These complex mechanisms can often can become damaged or distorted with use of the mop or from drying the mop material with wringers. Further, these complex mechanisms are often difficult to clean and remove dirt or grime that builds up during normal use. Secondly, removal and replacement of the mop material from the mop head can often require the user to touch the soiled mop material itself, which is undesirable and unhygienic. Thirdly, the mechanism for fastening mop material to the mop head is often reliant on a component of the mop material itself, for example, the mop material having a pocket or hook. This is undesirable as this component mop material can quickly become damaged, distorted or worn through use.

Objects and aspects of the present invention seek to alleviate at least these problems with the prior art.

Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a mop head for securely retaining mop material, said mop head comprising: a body member for attachment to a mop handle, and a support member for accepting and supporting mop material, wherein the body member and the support member are connected by a fixed connection, and the body member and support are arranged in a spaced relationship by the fixed connection such that an aperture for accommodating mop material is provided between them, and further wherein the mop head comprises a mechanism that is configured to be actuated between an open position, where the aperture is open and mop material can be accepted or removed from the support member, to a closed position, where the aperture is at least partially occluded and mop material cannot be accepted by the support member or is securely retained on the support member.

In this way, the retention of mop material by the mop head is solely controlled by the actuation of the mechanism from its open to closed position. That is, when the mechanism is in its open position mop material may be accepted by the support member or removed from the support member, and when the mechanism is in its closed position mop material cannot be accepted by the support member or removed from the support member.

A mop head with these features provides an elegant method of retaining mop material on the mop head and simplifies the method by which mop material is added or removed by the mop head. In use, only the mechanism is actuated to remove or add mop material. Therefore, such a feature is beneficial to the end user of the mop head as a simple and hygienic method of adding or removing mop material is provided.

Additionally, the fixed connection between the support member and body member of the mop head improves the strength, sturdiness and ruggedness of the mop head. In this way, the mop head and its method of retaining mop material is much less likely to be damaged or impaired through use when mopping or when the mop material is cleaned while attached to the mop head by, for example, wringers. The fixed connection between the support member and the body member does not contain a pivot, and should not be configured to intentionally flex during normal use. For example, normal use of the mop head would include when the mechanism is actuated between its open and closed positions and when mop material is added to or removed from the mop head.

Preferably, the aperture is completely occluded when the mechanism is in the closed position.

Preferably, the mechanism is a lever mechanism that is arranged to be actuated from its open position to its closed position by a pivotal movement. Having the mechanism operable by a lever that is arranged to pivot means that the mechanism can be easily operated by the end user between its open and closed positions. Thus, the end user can easily add or remove mop material from the mop head.

Preferably, the lever mechanism is pivotally attached to the body member and is arranged to pivot towards and away from the support member. In use, mop material that is accepted by the support member will hang over the support member and partially obscure the support member. Thus, it is beneficial for the lever mechanism to be pivotally attached to the body member such that it is not obscured by the mop material. In such a configuration, a user can actuate the lever mechanism without touching the soiled mop material.

Preferably, the mop head is arranged such that, in use, mop material that is accepted and retained on the support member is located between the mechanism in its closed position and the fixed connection between the body member and the support member. Positioning the mop material between the mechanism and the fixed connection ensures that the mop material is securely retained by the mop head. Such an arrangement is beneficial as mop material can only be removed from the mop head by first actuating the mechanism into its open position.

Preferably, the fixed connection between the body member and the support member is located at one side of the mop head and the mechanism is located at the opposing side of the mop head. In this way, the largest possible area for retaining mop material on the support member is provided. Such a design may allow a larger amount or volume of mop material to be used with the mop head.

The support member is preferably arranged to be inserted into mop material. In other words, it may be preferable for the mop head to accept mop material via the support member being inserted into the mop material. Preferably, the support member comprises a tapered leading edge for insertion in mop material. More preferably, the tapered leading edge is for insertion into a band of material located on the mop material. Configuring the support member such that it can be inserted into mop material is beneficial for accepting and securely retaining mop material in a simple and reliable manner. Such a configuration can be provided by tapering the leading edge into a point, for example. It may also be preferable for the tapered leading edge to have an outwardly curved profile, as this can help ensure that the mop material slides onto the support member evenly.

Preferably, the mechanism is arranged such that the mechanism does not impede the acceptance of mop material by the support member when the mechanism is in the open position. In other words, when the mechanism is in its open position the support member is freely available for accepting mop material. This is beneficial to make acceptance of mop material easier for the user.

Preferably, the mechanism is configured to be actuated by either a foot or a hand of a user. It is preferable that the mechanism is configured to be directly actuated by the foot or hand of a user to allow the user to add, remove or change the mop material easily. It is additionally advantageous if the handle is configured to be actuated by the foot of the user, as this is considered more hygienic for the user. To achieve this functionality the mechanism may comprise a handle portion that is configured to be actuated by either a foot or a hand of a user.

Preferably, the mechanism is arranged to lock reversibly in its closed position. This is beneficial for ensuring the secure retention of the mop material. It is further preferably that the mechanism is arranged to reversibly lock in its closed position by a snap fit or friction fit. For example, in embodiments where the mechanism is pivotally attached the body member, the mechanism and the body member may comprise complementary protrusions and recess that reversibly engage in a snap fit when the mechanism is attached to a closed position. Such a fit provides tactile feedback to the user assisting them in judging when the mechanism is in its closed position.

Preferably, the body member and the support member are integrally formed. In this way, the fixed connection is provided by a seamless connection between the body member and the support member. Therefore,, undesired pivoting or flexing motions are limited.

Preferably, the fixed connection tapers from the body member towards the support member. That is, the fixed connection is narrowest adjacent to the support member and widest adjacent to the body member. Shaping the fixed connection in this way helps to prevent pivotal or flexing motions of the support member relative to the body member.

It is preferable that the body member comprises a socket for attaching to a mop handle, and it is further preferable that the socket is configured to attach reversibly to a mop handle. In this way, the mop handle can be easily attached and preferably detached from the mop head.

Preferably, the socket and the body member are integrally formed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is providing a kit of parts, the kit of parts comprising: a mop head in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, and one or both of: a mop handle for attaching to said body member, and mop material that is arranged to be supported or retained by the support member of the mop head. The mop head in the second aspect may optionally comprise any of the preferred features of the mop head of the first aspect of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side-on view of the mop head in accordance with the present invention, where the lever mechanism is in the closed position;

Figure 2 is a side-on view of the mop head of Figure 1 , where the lever mechanism is in the open position;

Figure 3 is a side-on view of the mop head of Figure 1 , where the lever mechanism is in the open position and mop material has been inserted over the support member of the mop head; and

Figure 4 is a side-one view of the mop head of Figure 1 , wherein the lever mechanism is in the closed position and the mop material has been inserted over the support member of the mop head, such that the mop material is securely retained by the mop head.

Figures 1 to 4 of the drawings depict a mop head 10 in accordance with the present invention. The mop head 10 comprises a support member 20 for supporting the mop material 30, a socket 40 for accepting and securely retaining a detachable mop handle (not shown), a body member 50 extending between the support member 20 and the socket 40 and a lever mechanism 60 for securely retaining mop material on the support member 20. The support member 20 and the body member are connected to one another by a fixed connection 100 in a spaced relationship such that an aperture 25 is provided between them. The lever mechanism 60 is configured to be actuated between an open position, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, where the aperture 25 is open and mop material 30 can be accepted or removed from the support member 20, to a closed position, as shown in Figures 1 and 4 where the aperture 25 is partially occluded. In the closed position as shown in Figures 1 and 4, mop material 30 cannot be accepted by the support member 20 or is securely retained on the support member 20.

The socket 40 is located on the upper edge of the body member 50 and is a mechanism or cavity for accepting and securely retaining the detachable mop handle. In use, the mop handle attached to the mop head 10 is detachable, and, therefore, interchangeable. In this embodiment, the socket 40 is substantially cylindrical and comprises an internal screw thread into which an appropriate mop handle can be removably attached via a screwing motion by the user. Other methods or mechanisms of attaching the mop head 10 to a mop handle are envisaged and those that allow the mop handle to be interchangeable are preferred. However, mop handles that are fixed to a mop head are also within the scope of the present invention.

The body member 50 comprises a substantially cylindrical portion 70 that extends from the base of the socket 40 and upon which the socket 40 sits. The cylindrical portion 70 has a larger diameter than the socket 40 in this embodiment.

The body member 50 further comprises a planar portion 80 that extends from the underside of the cylindrical portion 70, i.e. from the opposite side to the socket 40. The connection between the planar portion 80 and the cylindrical portion 70 of the body member 50 is strengthened by two reinforcing portions 90 of the body member 50. The two reinforcing portions 90 connect the edge region of the cylindrical portion 70 to the edge region of the planar portion 80.

The planar portion 80 of the body member 50 is substantially sheet-like and has trapezoidal profile. The upper parallel edge of the trapezoidal planar portion 80 is additionally connected to and extends from underside of the cylindrical portion 70. The lower parallel edge of the trapezoidal planar portion 80 is connected at one corner to the support member 20 by a fixed connection 100. The fixed connection 100 provides a spaced relationship between the lower edge of the body member 50 and the upper edge of the support member 20. This spaced relationship forms an aperture 25 for accommodating mop material between the body member 50 and the support member 20.

The fixed connection 100 extends between the support member 20 and planar portion 80 of the body member 50. The support member 20 has a width and depth greater than the planar portion 80 of the body member 50 and the fixed connection 100 tapers from the body member 50 towards the support member 20.

The aperture 25 is bounded on three sides by the body member 50, support member 20 and the fixed connection 100 and, in this embodiment, is a relatively narrow channel. The aperture 25 is shaped to accept at least a portion of the mop material 30 used with the mop head 10. The aperture 25 comprises a fourth side that can be open or occluded by the lever mechanism 60 as is discussed below.

The support member 20 has a shape resembling solid displacement hull and comprises an upper planar surface that faces towards the aperture 25 and a lower outwardly curved surface that faces away from the aperture 25. One end of the planar surface of the support member 20 is connected to fixed connection 100. The opposing end of the support member 20 tapers and is the leading edge 110 of the support member 20. Both the planar surface and the outwardly curved surface taper towards the leading edge 110.

The lever mechanism 60 is pivotally attached to the planar portion 80 of the body member 50 on the side of the planar portion 80 opposing the fixed connection. The lever mechanism 60 is arranged to pivot towards and away from the support member 20. The lever mechanism 60 comprises at one end an abutment portion 120 that abuts and engages the support member 20 when in its closed position. At the opposing end of the lever mechanism 60 is a handle portion 130 that is used by the end user to actuate the lever mechanism 60. The lever mechanism 60 comprises a straight lower edge that extends from the abutment portion 120. The configuration of the lever mechanism 60 is arranged such that when it is in its open position the lower edge is substantially in line with the lower edge of the planar portion 80. This means that the lever mechanism 60 does not impede mop material being accommodated by the aperture 25.

The method in which mop material 30 may be fitted to the mop head 10 is herein described.

Figure 1 depicts the mop head 10 with the lever mechanism 60 in its closed position. In this position the abutment portion 120 of the lever mechanism 60 engages the support member 20. As such, the aperture 25 is partially occluded and mop material cannot be accepted by the support member 20.

Figure 2 depicts the mop head when the lever mechanism 60 has moved into its open position by the user. To move the lever mechanism 60 from its open position to its closed position the user actuates it by pressing downwards on the handle portion 130 while gripping the mop head 10, typically, via an attached mop handle. In this embodiment, the handle portion 130 is configured to be pressed downwards by the users foot as the handle portion 130 is larger enough to be easily engaged by a foot. This downward force pivots the lever mechanism 60 about its pivotal attachment with the body member 50 and disengages the abutment portion 120 of the lever mechanism 60 from the support member 20. The abutment portion 120 can be pivoted upwards by the user, via the downward force on the handle portion 130, until the lever mechanism 60 no longer occludes the fourth side of the aperture 25. This process allows mop material 30 to be accepted by the support member 20.

In this embodiment, the leading edge 110 of the support member 20 is inserted into a band of material 160 attach the cleaning material 170 of the mop material 30. The band of material 160 is substantially tubular and its circumference is greater than the circumference of the support member 20. The mop material 30 can then be pulled towards the fixed connection and onto the support member 20 such that the support member 20 accepts and supports the mop material 30, as shown in Figure 3.

The handle portion 130 of the lever mechanism 60 can then be actuated upwards to pivot the abutment portion 120 downwards to re-engage with the support member 20, as is shown in Figure 4. As such, the lever mechanism 60 is actuated from its open position to its closed position. By moving the lever mechanism 60 to its closed position the mop material 30 is retained by the mop head 10 as the mop material 30 cannot be removed by normal forces or use until the lever mechanism 60 is actuated towards its open position as described above. As such, the cleaning material 170 can then be used by the user to cleaning a surface.

Typically lever mechanism 60 is locked its closed position by a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism 60 in this embodiment is a friction fit between the lever mechanism 60 and body portion 50 and the strength of the engagement between the support member 20 and the lever mechanism 60. Alternatively, the body portion 50 and lever mechanism 60 may comprise complementary recesses and grooves that engage in a sliding snap fit and thereby reversibly lock the lever mechanism 60 in its closed position. To remove the mop material 30 from the mop head 10 the above process is repeated in reverse.