Cleaning Apparatus

The present invention pertains to cleaning apparatuses, specifically cleaning apparatuses that can accommodate low vertical clearance areas.

Cleaning implements for floor cleaning have been utilized for decades to clean hard surfaces. One of the most challenging task that a user has regarding these cleaning implements is cleaning underneath of furniture and appliances. Particularly for floor cleaning, the cleaning implement should be able to accommodate spaces with low vertical clearance.

This accommodation of low vertical clearance can be particularly problematic with cleaning implements which are self-contained. For example, for those cleaning implements to which a bottle may be attached, the problem of accommodating low vertical clearance spaces may be exacerbated. The volume of the bottle can negatively impact the vertical clearance that the cleaning implement may accommodate. And, while a solution may be to reduce the volume of the bottle substantially, such measures are rarely successful.

While the lower volume bottle may allow for the accommodation of lower vertical clearance heights, the lower volume necessarily means a higher frequency of changing of the bottle. Unfortunately, consumers may view such arrangements as low value or wasteful given the more frequent bottle change.

So, what is needed is a cleaning implement that can accommodate low vertical clearances while still providing for sufficient bottle volumes for the user.

The cleaning apparatuses of the present disclosure can accommodate low vertical clearances of furniture and appliances. In one example, a cleaning apparatus comprises: a cleaning head and a support member comprising: a first portion having a length, a first end and an opposing second end and a handle disposed at the first end of the first portion; a second portion having a first transition disposed at the second end of the first portion and a second transition spaced apart from the first transition; a first support and a second support joining the first transition and the second transition; and a liquid management system disposed, at least in part, between the first transition and second transition, wherein the cleaning head is moveably attached to the second transition. The liquid management system comprises a reservoir receiver which is capable of receiving at least one liquid reservoir or may comprise at least one liquid reservoir formed integrally therewith. The support member exhibits a longitudinal angle of six degrees or less with respect to a horizontal plane, wherein the cleaning apparatus exhibits a vertical height of less than 110 mm, and wherein the liquid reservoir has a volume of more than about 475 ml, more preferably more than 500 ml, or most preferably greater than about 550 ml.

The cleaning apparatus of the present disclosure can accommodate low vertical clearances while also providing the user with a sufficient volume of cleaning solution. The cleaning apparatus of the present disclosure comprises a support member having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion has a length, a first end and an opposing second end. The first portion of the support member is the portion which is primarily utilized by the user for manipulation of the cleaning apparatus during use.

The first portion may comprise a handle disposed on the first end of the first portion. The handle may be unitarily formed with the first portion or may be a discrete material attached to the first portion. The handle may be pivotably connected to the first portion. Alternatively, the handle may be rigidly mounted thereto. A handle may be provided to allow for a more ergonomic experience. Specifically, the provision of the handle can allow for ergonomic manipulation of the cleaning apparatus.

The second portion of the support member has a first transition disposed on the second end of the first portion and a second transition spaced from the first transition. A first support and a second support join the first transition and the second transition. And a cleaning head is moveably attached to the second transition.

The cleaning head may be moveably mounted with respect to the second transition such that the support member, including the first portion and second portion, can pivot with respect to the cleaning head in a longitudinal direction. Additionally, the cleaning head may be moveably mounted with respect to the second transition such that the support member, including the first portion and the second portion, can pivot with respect to the cleaning head in a transverse direction or generally parallel thereto. The movement of the support member with respect to the cleaning head in both the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction are disclosed in additional detail hereafter.

The cleaning head may comprise a generally upwardly facing top surface and a bottom surface opposed thereto. The cleaning head may have a front edge, an opposing back edge and two side edges joining the front edge and the opposing back edge. A long axis of the cleaning head is located at the centerline (and extending generally parallel with the front edge and/or opposing back edge) along the long dimension of the cleaning head. A short axis of the cleaning head is located at the centerline of the head parallel to its side edges and running from the front edge to the back edge.

For the sake or orientation, during use of the cleaning apparatus of the present disclosure, movement of the cleaning head forward, i.e. the front edge and long axis of the cleaning head being generally perpendicular to the direction of movement, the support member can generally move in a longitudinal direction. In contrast, movement of the cleaning head from side to side, i.e. the front edge and long axis of the cleaning head being generally parallel to the direction of movement, the support member generally moves in a transverse direction.

Additionally, the support member may comprise a first portion height. With the bottom surface of the cleaning head completely flat against a plane, the first portion height is the greatest perpendicular extent of the first portion of the support member away from the plane while the support member is oriented in a longitudinal direction and rotated in the direction of the back edge of the cleaning head and toward (but not through) the plane as far as possible. While held in this same configuration, the vertical height is the greatest perpendicular extent from the second portion of the support member away from the plane. While also held in this same configuration, the support member length is the projection in the plane of the distance between the end of the first portion distal from the cleaning head to the intersection of the short axis and back edge of the cleaning head.

The cleaning apparatus of the present disclosure further comprises a liquid management system disposed, at least in part, between the first transition and second transition. The liquid management system comprises a reservoir receiver. The reservoir receiver may be in liquid communication with at least one liquid reservoir. The at least one liquid reservoir may be removably attached to the reservoir receiver or may be non-removably attached to the reservoir receiver.

It is worth noting that one possible solution to accommodate lower vertical clearances is to reduce the volume of the liquid reservoir that the cleaning apparatus utilizes. However, it is believed that such configurations may frustrate the user experience in the way of difficult maneuverability. So, the cleaning apparatuses of the present disclosure may accommodate liquid reservoirs having an ability to contain a liquid volume of greater than about 475 ml, more preferably greater than about 500 ml or most preferably greater than about 550 ml, specifically reciting all values within these ranges and any ranges created thereby. For example, the cleaning apparatuses of the present disclosure may accommodate liquid reservoirs having a liquid volume of from about 475 ml to about 800 ml, more preferably from about 500 ml to about 800 ml or most preferably from about 550 ml to about 800 ml, specifically reciting all values within these ranges and any ranges created thereby. In one specific example, the bottle volume can be about 750 ml.

Regardless of whether the liquid reservoir is removably attached to the reservoir receiver, the liquid reservoir may be re-fillable. Or the liquid reservoir may not be re-fillable but instead may be replaceable. As an example, a first liquid reservoir may be attached to the reservoir receiver and upon use of all of the contents, substantially all of the contents within the liquid reservoir, or simply a desire to change the first liquid reservoir for a second, the first liquid reservoir may be removed and replaced by the second liquid reservoir.

The liquid reservoir is disposed, at least in part, between the first transition and the second transition. Where the liquid reservoir is non-removable, the first transition, second transition, first support and second support, may be integrally formed with the liquid reservoir. Where the liquid reservoir is removable, the first support and the second support may comprise detents which provide support for the liquid reservoir. For example, the guidance detents can provide support such that the liquid reservoir has limited mobility in the transverse direction. The detents can be any suitable shape, for example, bumps, ridges, latches, the like or combinations thereof.

It is worth noting that the detents can be any suitable shape and length. However, in order to facilitate removal as well as replacement of the liquid reservoir, the detents may be about 60 percent of the length of the liquid reservoir or less, more preferably about 50 percent or less or most preferably about 40 percent or less, specifically reciting all values within these ranges and any ranges created thereby. For example, the detents may have a length from between about 1 percent to about 60 percent, more preferably from about 1 percent to about 50 percent or most preferably from about 1 percent to about 40 percent of the length of the liquid reservoir. In one specific example the detents may have a length of about 42 percent of the length of the liquid reservoir.

Where the liquid reservoirs are removably attached to the reservoir receiver, the cleaning apparatus may comprise a release. The release may comprise a push button mechanism, or other releasable latching mechanism, to allow removal of the liquid reservoir from the reservoir receiver, the first support and second support, the first transition and/or the second transition. Activation of the release may be converted to a lateral motion of a moving member. The moving member can engage a complementary portion of the liquid reservoir in a first position and disengages from such portion in a second position. The manipulation of the release can engage and/or disengage the moving member from the complementary portion of the liquid reservoir.

Additionally, the cleaning apparatus of the present disclosure may comprise a single liquid reservoir or may comprise a plurality of reservoirs. The plurality of reservoirs may contain the same fluid therein, thus providing greater quantity than a single reservoir. Alternatively, the reservoirs may comprise different fluids. The different fluids may be dispensed sequentially, or a particular fluid may be dispensed as needed for a particular task. If the reservoirs comprise different fluids, the fluids may be co-dispensed, to allow mixing at the point of use on the target surface. Where a plurality of liquid reservoirs is utilized, the cumulative liquid volume may be similar to what was described heretofore regarding the liquid reservoir volume.

Referring back to the first support and the second support, particularly where the liquid reservoir is removable, the cleaning apparatus may be provided initially (on shelf) without a liquid reservoir connected to its reservoir receiver. One or more liquid reservoirs may be included in the package with the cleaning apparatus.

Where the liquid reservoir is not connected to the reservoir receiver, a void may exist between the first support and the second support. The void may be sized such that the liquid reservoirs can be connected and removed from the reservoir receiver. For example, once the liquid reservoir is connected to the reservoir receiver, a space may exist between a top surface of the liquid reservoir and the first transition which allows for easy grasping of the liquid reservoir by a user. In one particular example, the space between the transition and the top surface of the liquid reservoir may be about 20.4 percent of a length of the void. In yet another example, a difference between the width of the void and a width of the liquid reservoir may be about 14 percent of a width of the void.

Despite the accommodation of the large capacity liquid reservoirs of the cleaning apparatuses of the present disclosure, the inventors have surprisingly found that the support member has a large range of motion in the longitudinal direction specifically in addressing low vertical clearance. For example, in the longitudinal direction, the support member can exhibit a longitudinal angle of about six degrees or less with respect to a horizontal plane or more preferably 5.8 degrees or less from the horizontal plane, specifically reciting all values within these ranges and any ranges created thereby. For example, the support member may exhibit a longitudinal angle of from between about 2 degrees to about 6 degrees or more preferably from about 2 degrees to about 5.8 degrees, specifically reciting all values within these ranges and any ranges created thereby. In one specific example, the angle of support member with respect to the horizontal plane may be about 5.6 degrees. As used herein, the longitudinal angle is defined as the inverse tangent (arctan) of the ratio of the first portion height to the support member length.

It is worth noting that the angle exhibited by the support member is only part of the consideration for vertical clearance. As noted, the second portion may comprise, a liquid reservoir in the reservoir receiver and the cleaning head. These components take up vertical space which may not necessarily be accounted for in the measurement of the longitudinal angle. So, vertical height of the cleaning apparatus when the support member is at its smallest longitudinal angle with respect to the horizontal plane may also be important. Regarding the cleaning apparatuses of the present disclosure, the vertical height of the cleaning apparatus can be less than about 110 mm, more preferably less than about 100 mm or most preferably less than about 95 mm, specifically reciting all values within these ranges and any ranges created thereby. For example, the vertical height of the cleaning apparatuses of the present disclosure can be from about 70 mm to about 110 mm, more preferably from about 70 mm to about 100 mm or most preferably from about 70 mm to about 95 mm, specifically reciting all values within these ranges and any ranges created thereby. In one specific example, the vertical height may be about 88 mm.

Still another feature of cleaning implements which may impact the vertical height of a cleaning implement is the first portion height. For the cleaning apparatuses of the present disclosure, the first portion height may be less than about 120 mm more preferably less than about 110 mm, specifically reciting all values within these ranges and any ranges created thereby. For example, the cleaning apparatuses of the present disclosure may comprise a first portion height of from about 95 mm to about 120 mm, more preferably from about 95 mm to about 110 mm, specifically reciting all values within these ranges and any ranges created thereby. In one specific example, the first portion height may be about 104 mm.

Additional ways to accommodate a lower angle, aside from lowering the volume of the liquid reservoir is to lengthen the support member of the cleaning implement. However, while a longer support member may allow for lower angles, the longer support member may increase the difficulty of user manipulation during use. It is believed that support members having a length of more than about 1400 mm can make the manipulation of the cleaning apparatus more difficult for the user. So, the length of the support member for the cleaning apparatuses of the present disclosure can be less than about 1400 mm, more preferably less than about 1200 mm, or most preferably less than about 1100 mm, specifically reciting all values within these ranges and any ranges created thereby. For example, the length of the support member for the cleaning apparatuses of the present disclosure may be from about 1000 mm to about 1400 mm, more preferably from about 1000 mm to about 1200 mm or most preferably from about 1000 mm to about 1100 mm, specifically reciting all values within these ranges and any ranges created thereby. In one specific example, the cleaning apparatus of the present disclosure may comprise support member length of about 1060 mm.

It is worth noting that in order to create a lower vertical height as well as a lower longitudinal angle, the liquid reservoir along with the reservoir receiver, may be flattened such that they have a profile in the transverse direction which is quite large compared to its profile in the longitudinal direction. However, such constructions while potentially accommodating low vertical clearance concerns when viewed from angular mobility in the longitudinal direction, may unfortunately create clearance issues when viewed from the transverse direction. In that regard, the cleaning apparatuses of the present disclosure, the support member thereof, may exhibit a transverse angle of about 30 degrees or less with respect to the horizontal plane, more preferably about 20 degrees or less, or most preferably about 15 degrees or less, specifically reciting all values within these ranges and any ranges created thereby. For example, the support member may exhibit a transverse angle with respect to the horizontal plane of from between about 5 degrees to about 30 degrees, more preferably from about 5 degrees to about 20 degrees or most preferably from about 5 degrees to about 15 degrees in the transverse direction, specifically reciting all values within these ranges and any ranges created thereby. In one particular example, the support member may exhibit a transverse angle from about 9 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane.

Similar to the longitudinal angle, the transverse angle has the bottom surface of the cleaning head completely flat against a plane, the support member height is the greatest perpendicular extent of the support member away from the plane while the support member is oriented in a transverse direction and rotated in the direction of one of the side edges of the cleaning head and toward (but not through) the plane as far as possible. While also held in this same configuration, the transverse support member length is the projection in the plane of the distance between the end of the first portion distal from the cleaning head to the intersection of the short axis and the long axis of the cleaning head. As used herein, the transverse angle is defined as the inverse tangent (arctan) of the ratio of the first portion height to the transverse support member length.

Angles in the longitudinal direction, transverse direction, vertical height, first portion height, support member height and length of support member for the cleaning apparatus can be collected via any suitable linear measurement device. As an example, a Mitutoyo Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM), Crysta-Plus Model #M574 or equivalent may be utilized.

In addition to the reservoir receiver, the liquid management system may further comprise pump in liquid communication with the reservoir receiver and the liquid reservoir. Note that where the liquid reservoir is removable, the pump is only in liquid communication with the liquid reservoir when the liquid reservoir is attached to the reservoir receiver. Additionally, the pump is in liquid communication with one or more nozzles/outlets. The nozzles/outlets may be disposed on the cleaning head and/or any other suitable location.

The first portion, e.g. the handle, may comprise an actuator for operating the pump. For example, the actuator may be operatively connected to a pump such that depression of the actuator can energize a motor which drives the pump thereby causing liquid from a liquid reservoir connected to the reservoir receiver to exit the one or more outlets and/or nozzles. It is worth noting that the motor may be in electrical communication with a power source, e.g. one or more batteries, line current or combinations thereof. The one or more batteries may be rechargeable. The batteries and/or pump may be disposed in the cleaning head, support member or combinations thereof. For example, the batteries may be disposed on the support member, while the motor and pump are disposed on the cleaning head, or all three components may be disposed on the support member or head.

Alternatively, the pump may be manual and require the actuator to be activated, displaced or otherwise moved, thereby activating the pump. Or the pump may comprise an air pump which can be utilized to pressurize the liquid reservoir. An actuator in the first portion can open a valve allowing liquid to flow to the one or more nozzles and/or outlets. A cleaning apparatus having a replaceable reservoir and powered pump may be made according to the teaching of commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,888,006; 5,988,920; 6,142,750; 6,206,058; 6,321,941; 6,328,543; 6,386,392; 6,491,069; 6,579,023; 6,814,519; 6,842,936; 7,172,099 and/or 7,187,537.

Still in other forms, the cleaning apparatuses of the present disclosure may not comprise a motor and a pump. In such configurations, the cleaning apparatus may be capable of receiving pressurized liquid reservoirs. Further in such constructions, an actuator easily accessible by the operator of the cleaning apparatus, may be in mechanical communication with the liquid reservoir such that depression (or other activation of the actuator) causes the pressurized contents in the liquid reservoir to be provided to the one or more outlets/nozzles. Such liquid reservoirs may comprise any suitable means of pressurization, e.g. via hydrocarbon propellant, nitrogen gas, and the like.

It is worth noting that the placement of liquid reservoir, particularly when full of liquid can greatly impact the maneuverability of the cleaning apparatus. For example, the support member can have an overall length. Similarly, the first portion may comprise a first portion length and the second portion may comprise a second portion length.

One potential way to accommodate low vertical clearances is to move the liquid management system closer to the first portion and/or place the liquid management system solely in the first portion. However, doing so can negatively impact the experience of the user. For example, particularly where full liquid reservoirs are present, the more proximal the liquid reservoirs are to the handle, the more of the weight of these components the user has to bear. So, placing the liquid management system, i.e. liquid reservoirs, in the first portion may negatively impact the user experience of the cleaning apparatus.

In order to accommodate this, the first portion length is at least about 30 percent of the overall length of the support member, more preferably at least 40 percent of the overall length of the support member or most preferably at least 50 percent of the overall length of the support member. For example, the first portion length is between 30 percent and 70 percent of the overall length of the support member, more preferably between 40 percent and 60 percent of the overall length of the support member or most preferably between 50 percent and 60 percent of the overall length of the support member.

Additionally, the centroid of internal space of the liquid reservoir can be of import. For example, for the cleaning apparatus of the present disclosure, the centroid of the interior space of the liquid reservoir may be disposed in a vertical plane which is disposed within about 40 mm or less from a bisecting plane of the support member or more preferably within 30 mm or less from the bisecting plane or most preferably within about 20 mm or less from the bisecting plane, specifically reciting all values within these ranges and any ranges created thereby. For example, the centroid of interior space of the liquid reservoir may be longitudinally spaced from the bisecting plane by about from 0 mm to about 40 mm, more preferably about 0 mm to about 30 mm or most preferably about 0 mm to about 20 mm, specifically reciting all values within these ranges and any ranges created thereby. For the sake of clarity, the bisecting plane is oriented vertically and bisects the width of the first transition and/or second transition when the support member is oriented vertically.

It is believed that where the centroid of interior space of the liquid reservoir, particularly when full, is disposed outside of those ranges when operatively connected to the reservoir receiver, the cleaning apparatus becomes more difficult to operate. For example, the weight of the liquid reservoir can influence the position of the support member, particularly when turning/pivoting the cleaning apparatus. This influence of the weight of the liquid reservoir can negatively impact the user experience. A variety of data for a variety of cleaning implements was measured regarding some of the metrics discussed previously. That data is provided in Table 1.

Example 1 is a cleaning apparatus constructed in accordance with the present disclosure.

Reference will now be made to the Figures to facilitate additional understanding of the metrics and disclosure thus far.shows a cleaning apparatusin accordance with the present disclosure. As shown, the cleaning apparatuscomprises a support memberwhich comprises a first portionand a second portion. As shown a handlemay be comprised by the first portionand be disposed on a first endof the first portion. The second portionmay be disposed on a second endof the first portion. Additionally, the cleaning apparatuscomprises a cleaning headwhich is attached to the second portion.

A longitudinal angleof the support memberwith respect to a horizontal planeis shown. As noted previously, the cleaning apparatuses of the present disclosure can exhibit small anglesto accommodate low vertical clearance. Additionally, in this position, the cleaning apparatuses of the present disclosure also exhibit a small vertical height, again allowing for the cleaning apparatuses of the present disclosure to accommodate low vertical clearances.

Referring now to, a transverse angleof the support member with respect to a horizontal planeis shown. As noted previously, the cleaning apparatuses of the present disclosure can exhibit small anglesto accommodate low vertical clearance.

Vertical clearance issues were discussed previously regarding the profile of the liquid management system and/or liquid reservoir. Additionally, it is worth noting that it is believed that there is a tradeoff between the vertical height in a longitudinal direction versus that of the transverse direction. Namely, it is believed that the smaller the longitudinal angledesired and/or the smaller the vertical height desired, a corresponding increase in the transverse anglemay occur.

Referring now to, a close up of the second portionis shown. The second portionmay comprise a first transitionA which is disposed on a second end of the first portion. As shown, the first transitionA can flare out in generally the transverse direction as the transition moves from the second end of the first portiontoward the cleaning head. A second transitionB is disposed opposite the first transitionA. Similar to the first transitionA, the second transitionB can flare outward generally in the transverse direction and narrow as the second transitionB moves toward the cleaning head.

The cleaning headmay be movably connected to the second transitionB. For example, the cleaning headcan be pivotably connected to the second transitionB such that the support member (itemshown in), can move in the longitudinal direction and transverse direction with respect to the cleaning head.

Still referring to, as shown, a first supportA and a second supportB are disposed between the first transitionA and the second transitionB. As shown, the first supportA and the second supportB can join the first transitionA and the second transitionB. For example, the first supportA and the second supportB may be integrally formed with the first transitionA and/or the second transitionB. Similarly, it is worth noting that the first transitionA, the first supportA, the second supportB, and/or the second transitionB, may comprise the same material or different material than that of the first portion.

Referring now to, a liquid management systemis disposed, at least in part, between the first transitionA and the second transitionB. The liquid management systemmay comprise a reservoir receiverand a liquid reservoir. As mentioned previously, the liquid reservoirmay be refillable or non-refillable. And, as also noted previously, the liquid reservoirmay be removably attached to the reservoir receiver. So, whether the liquid reservoiris refillable or not, the liquid reservoirmay be removed from the reservoir receiveras desired/needed and either refilled and reinstalled into the reservoir receiveror replaced and a different liquid reservoir is attached to the reservoir receiver.

Where the liquid reservoiris removably attached to the reservoir receiver, a release membermay be provided to facilitate removal of the liquid reservoirfrom the reservoir receiver. For example, as shown the release membermay be disposed on the reservoir receiver. However, the release mechanism can be provided in any suitable location.

Additionally, for those forms where the liquid reservoir is removable, the liquid management systemmay similarly comprise a voidwhich can facilitate grasping of the liquid reservoirby the user. As shown, the voidmay be disposed near an end of the liquid reservoirwhich is most proximal to the first portion (itemin). However, in some forms, a void may be provided between the first supportA and the second supportB in addition to or independently of the void. Also, in some forms, the liquid reservoirmay be provided with a handle or an indentation which facilitate grasping of the liquid reservoirby the user.