Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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MOVEABLE SQUEEZING OUT DEVICE FOR A STATIONARY
FLAT MOP COVER
The present invention relates to a squeezing out device for removing liquid
from a flat mop
cover mounted on a mop holder of a mopping device.
The invention generally relates to the field of floor cleaning and floor
treatment carried out
by the use of a mopping device. A mop cover of a mopping device needs to be
frequently
rinsed and again charged with water or a cleaning solution and then has to be
pressed or
wrung to remove excess liquid from the flap mop cover. Many prior art systems
use a mop
press or wringer to remove excess liquid from the mop cover.
Flat mop covers mounted on a mop holder of a mopping device are widely used.
The mop
cover is usually an elongate rectilinear flat member with a backing textile
forming a top side
with attachment means for attachment on a plate-like mop holder. A bottom side
of the
backing textile is the mopping side and normally has a trimming. The mop cover
can be
pressed to squeeze out excess liquid after rinsing.
Cleaning personnel normally uses a trolley with a bucket or other container
for a liquid like
water or a cleaning solution and some kind of squeeze out device fixedly
mounted to the
container to squeeze out the mop cover to the practical amount of liquid to be
carried to the
floor to be cleaned.
The prior art squeezing out device forming the starting point of the invention
(WO 99/00050
Al) already provides a squeeze out structure which defines a generally flat
squeeze out
surface with a plurality of openings. The squeeze out surface in inclined from
the horizontal
preferably at an angle of about 45 within the squeeze out structure that is
fixedly positioned
on top of or within the bucket. The squeeze out surface itself is formed by a
plurality of
three dimensional squeeze out formations, in particular rods, rolls, balls, or
the like which
together define the plurality of openings therebetween.
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Instead of only pressing the mop cover towards the squeeze out surface this
prior
art squeezing out device provides for a means that enables movement of the mop
holder with the mop cover attached thereto on the squeeze out formations back
and forth, preferably sideways. This means is a. mop haridle engagement means
above the squeeze out surface with an arrangement by which the user may apply
pressure against the squeeze out surface. For enhanced liquid removal the mop
cover on the mop holder may be moved from left to right and right to left in a
reciprocating movement while. maintaining a slight backward pressure to insure
that the mop cover remains pressed against the squeeze out formations. So
removal of liquid from the mop cover is not only done by exerting pressure,
but
also by using a lateral relative movement between the mop cover and the
squeeze
out formations.
In this prior art the squeeze out formations are preferably rolls or balls
that are as
such rotatably mounted within a squeeze out frame structure. However it is
disclosed that they may be stationary as well.
From further prior art a mop cover has become recently available (WO
2005/013793 Al) which comprises an additional part extending beyond the mop
holder. This double size mop cover can be used for specific cleaning tasks in
particular with a wet/dry cleaning combination.
For specific cleaning tasks three dimensional mop holders with assigned mop
covers are used. A squeezing out device for removing liquid from a flat mop
cover mounted on a three dimensional mop holder with two wings is known
from prior art as well (WO 97/17008 Al). This squeezing out device has two
cheek plates movable in relation to each other. When those cheek plates are in
their top initial position they form a downwardly tapering entry gap for
inserting.
the mop holder. By the exertion of perpendicular pressure with the aid of the
handle the cheek plates can be moved downwardly from their top initial
position
squeezing out the mop cover on both sides of the mop holder to a bottom final
position. However, this squeezing out device can not be used for a mop holder
with wings extending at an acute angle relative to each other which has been
proposed recently (WO 2005/013791 Al).
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It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple and easy to use
squeezing out
device for removing excess liquid from flat mop covers with a higher
efficiency and in a
way easy to operate by cleaning personnel.
The above mentioned object is in a first version of the present invention met
by a squeezing
out device with the following features: a squeezing out device for removing
liquid from a
flat mop cover mounted on a mop holder of a mopping device, comprising a
bucket or other
container for a liquid like water or a cleaning solution and a squeezing out
structure that
defines a generally flat squeeze out surface with a plurality of openings,
wherein the squeeze
out surface is formed by a plurality of squeeze out formations like a grid, a
perforated plate
structure, rods, rolls, balls, or the like, characterized in that the squeeze
out structure
comprises a squeeze out frame mounted in a fixed position relative to the
bucket for
positioning the mop holder of the mopping device, the squeeze out formations
are positioned
within a separate carrier structure, the carrier structure is movable relative
to the squeeze out
frame so that the mop holder with the flat mop cover can remain stationary on
the squeeze
out surface within the squeeze out frame, whilst the squeeze out formations
are moved
relative to the mop cover.
This squeezing out device realizes the relative movement between the mop cover
and the
squeeze out formations with a still stationary mop holder. With such
stationary positioning
of the mop holder the pressure exerted on the squeeze out surface may be kept
at a high and
constant level. In spite of this a relative movement between the squeeze out
formations and
the mop cover that increases the squeeze out efficiency is realized, namely by
the carrier
structure that is movable relative to the squeeze out frame.
The carrier structure may be a frame that is movable back and forth relative
to the squeeze
out frame or may be a continuous conveyor means similar to a conveyor belt,
which
conveyor means carries the squeeze out formations and is guided by guide
pulleys in a
continuous revolving movement.
Further improvements and specifications of this version of the squeeze out
device according
to the invention are the subject matter of further dependent claims.
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For a larger mop cover, the double size mop cover mentioned above, a squeezing
out device
that solves the above mentioned problem in highly efficient way, is defined by
the following
features: a squeezing out device for removing liquid from a flat mop cover
mounted on a
mop holder of a mopping device, comprising a bucket or other container for a
liquid like
water or a cleaning solution and a squeezing out structure that defines a
generally flat
squeeze out surface with a plurality of openings, wherein the squeeze out
surface is formed
by a plurality of squeeze out formations like a grid, a perforated plate
structure, rods, rolls,
balls, or the like, characterized in that the squeeze out surface has no
border at at least one
longitudinal edge thereof, adjacent to the opposite longitudinal edge of the
squeeze out
surface there is provided a nip roller means extending generally parallel to
said longitudinal
edge, the nip roller means is movable between an open position in which an
additional part
of the mop cover extending beyond the mop holder can be inserted between the
nip rolls,
and a closed position in which the additional part of the mop cover will be
squeezed out by
pulling it through the nip rolls, while simultaneously moving the part of the
mop cover
mounted on the mop holder under pressure over the squeeze out surface.
This squeezing out device provides for a stationary squeeze out surface on the
one hand
adapted to squeeze out the part of the mop cover that is mounted on the mop
holder, together
with nip roller means for the part of the mop cover extending beyond the
surface of the mop
holder.
For this squeezing out device movable squeeze out formations are not helpful,
here a
stationary squeeze out surface is appropriate. Here the mop holder with the
mop cover is
moved over a squeeze out surface so that simultaneously the loose part of the
mop cover is
pulled through the nip roller means squeezing out liquid from this part in a
traditional way.
Finally, there is a third version of the invention defined by the following
features: a
squeezing out device for removing liquid from a flat mop cover mounted on a
mop holder of
a mopping device, comprising a bucket or other container for a liquid like
water or a
cleaning solution and a squeezing out structure that defines a generally flat
squeeze out
surface with a plurality of openings, wherein the squeeze out surface is
formed by a plurality
of squeeze out formations like a grid, a perforated plate structure, rods,
rolls, balls, or the
like, characterized in that for a three dimensional mop holder with two wings
positioned at
an actue angle relative to each other and a mop cover mounted to the mop
holder on both
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wings, the squeeze out structure defines two generally flat squeeze out
surfaces positioned at
an acute angle relative to each other, wherein the two squeeze out surfaces
are positioned to
form a downwardly tapering entry gap for the three dimensional mop holder with
the mop
cover wherein at least one of the two squeeze out surfaces is displaceable
relative to and
biased towards the other one of the two generally flat squeeze out surfaces.
Similar to the
system for a one sided mop holder disclosed in the initial prior art WO
99/00050 Al this
squeezing out device according to the invention provides for two equally
operative squeeze
lo out surfaces.
Further embodiments of above mentioned versions of the inventive squeezing out
device are
the subject matter of further dependent claims.
Now, follows a description of preferred embodiments of the invention by way of
example
and with reference to the drawings. In the drawings:
Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of the invention in a first position,
Fig. 2 shows the squeezing out device according to Fig. 1 in a second
position, however
without a mop holder,
Fig. 3 shows the first embodiment in a schematic side view,
Fig. 4 shows a second embodiment of the invention in a schematic side view
like Fig. 3,
Fig. 5 shows a third embodiment of the invention in a top plan view,
Fig. 6 shows a fourth embodiment in a schematic side view.
In Fig. 1 there is indicated a trolley 1 for a mopping system. The trolley 1
is provided with
castors at each corner thereof and with an upstanding frame 2. In
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Fig. 1 there can be seen a mopping device with a flat mop cover 3 mounted on a
mop holder 4. A handle 5 is attached to the top side of the mop holder 4 by
means of a handle socket and a universal joint. This is a typical construction
of
such flat mop holder 4 which is widely disclosed in the prior art.
The system further comprises a bucket 6 that is positioned on the trolley 1.
In the
embodiment shown in Fig. 1 and 2 there are two buckets 6, 7 arranged next to
each other. One bucket 7 is for clean water or a cleaning solution, whereas
the
other bucket 6 is for squeezed out liquid and waste water. Instead of the
buckets
6, 7 other types of containers can be used.
Fig. 1 and 2 show a squeeze out structure 8 on top of the first bucket 6. This
squeeze out structure 8 defines a generally flat squeeze out surface 9 with a
plurality of openings. As the mopping device has been removed in Fig. 2 the
openings are clearly visible.
The squeeze out surface 9 is formed by a plurality of squeeze out formations
10.
The squeeze out formations 10 can be formed by a large part like a sieve, a
grid,
a perforated plate structure or the like. In the present embodiment the
squeeze.
out formations 10 are formed by rods extending parallel to each other, the
distance between the rods defining the openings of the squeeze out surface 9.
From prior art documents squeeze out formations 10 as rods, rolls, balls, or
the
like are known.
Now, as can be seen in Fig. 1 and 2, this first version of a squeezing out
device
according to the invention is characterized in that the squeeze out structure
8
comprises a squeeze out frame 11 mounted in a fixed position relative to the
bucket 6 for positioning the mop holder 4 of the mopping device, the squeeze
out
formations 10 are positioned within a separate carrier structure 12, the
carrier
structure 12 is movable relative to the squeeze out frame 11 so that the mop
holder 4 with the flat mop cover 3 can remain stationary on the squeeze out
surface 9 within the squeeze. out frame 11, whilst the squeeze out formations
10
are moved relative to the mop cover 3. As already explained in the
introductory
part of the description, in this system the mop holder 4 can be pressed with
constant and high pressure against the squeeze out surface 9. Nevertheless, an
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efficient relative movement between the squeeze out formations 10 and the mop
cover 3 is realized, here by movement of the squeeze out formations 10
relative
to the stationary mop cover 3 which is positioned within the squeeze out frame
11.
In the present embodiment it is provided that the carrier structure 12 is a
frame
that is movable back and forth, preferably sideways, by means of an actuating
lever 13, pivotally mounted to the squeeze out structure 8 and/or the bucket 6
and/or the trolley 1.
In the present embodiment the manual actuating lever 13 can be seen on the
left
side. Fig. 1 shows the left position of the carrier structure 12 relative to
the
squeeze out frame 11, Fig. 2 shows the right position thereof. The actuating
lever
13 is directly coupled to the carrier structure 12. However, there may be a
transmission between the actuating means 13 on the one hand and the carrier
structure 12 on the other hand whereever this is appropriate. Of course, the
complete structure may be motorized as well which would substantially improve
the handing. However, a motorized system is difficult to apply with a trolley
1 as
shown here.
Fig. 3 shows a schematic side view of the above.
An alternative of a carrier structure 12 that is movable sideways back and
forth
by means of a manual actuating means may be a continuous conveyor means
guided by guide pulleys 14. This is shown as an embodiment of Fig. 4 in a side
view, highly schematical. Here a manual crank drive 13' is coupled through a
gear transmission 13" to the left guide pulley 14. The carrier structure 12 is
constructed by two parallel running conveyor chains with rods as squeeze out
formations 10 extending between those conveyor chains.
Above mentioned alternative construction allows for a continuous squeezing out
of liquid from the flat mop cover 3. The driving means can be a manual crank
drive with the actuating lever as shown, however a foot operated pedal drive
as
well as a motor drive is an appropriate means as well.
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In the prior art document mentioned above (WO 99/00050 Al) the preferred
embodiment shows squeeze out formations 10 that are rotatably mounted within
a frame structure. Extensive tests have shown, however, that in the present
embodiment it might be more efficient that the squeeze out formations 10 as
such are stationarily mounted within the carrier structure 12
Finally, it is shown that in this embodiment it is preferable that the squeeze
out
surface 9 is oriented generally horizontally.
Fig. 5 shows a third embodiment of the invention that is specifically adapted
to a
flat mop cover 3 of larger size, a size extending beyond the surface of the
mop
holder 4.
In this construction it is provided that the squeeze out surface 9 has no
border at
one longitudinal edge 15 thereof, adjacent to the opposite longitudinal edge
16 of
the squeeze out surface 9 there is provided a nip roller means 17, 17'
extending
generally parallel to said longitudinal edge 16, the nip roller means 17, 17'
is
movable between an open position. in which an additional part 3' of the mop
cover 3 extending beyond the mop holder 4 can be inserted between the nip
rolls
17, 17' and a closed position in which the additional part 3' of the mop cover
3
will be squeezed out by pulling it through the nip rolls 17, 17' while
simultaneously moving the part of the mop cover 3 mounted on the mop holder 4
under pressure over the squeeze out surface 9.
The nip roller means 17, 17' are operating in the usual way and are here
provided
with a stationary nip roll 17 and a movable nip roll 17' which is manually
operated and moved towards the stationary nip roll 17. Fastening means can be
provided to fasten the movable nip roll 17' in a specific distance from the
stationary nip roll 17 to define a gap between both nip rolls 17, 17' adapted
to the
thickness of the additional part 3' of the flat mop cover 3.
In this embodiment it is preferable that the squeeze out surface 9 is inclined
from
the horizontal preferably at an angle of about 45 . Further it is preferable
that the
nip roller means 17, 17' is positioned adjacent to the upper longitudinal edge
16'
of the squeeze out surface 9. This is shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings: The
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advantage of this specific construction is that the squeeze out movement is a
movement directed downwardly.
In this specific embodiment the nip roller means 17, 17' is provided with a
foot
operated pedal 18 and a gear transmission 18' to press the nip roll 17'
towards the
stationary nip roll 17. So the hands of an operator are free for the handle 5
of the
mop holder 4 to push the handle 5 downwards moving the mop cover 3 over the
squeeze out formations 10 on the squeeze out surface 9 downwardly into the
bucket 6 while the foot operated pedal 18 keeps the nip roll 17' in a position
insuring proper squeezing of the additional part 3' of the flat mop cover 3.
In the present and preferred embodiment it is provided that there are two
buckets
6, 7 next to each other with one bucket 6 for the squeeze out structure 8 and
the
other bucket 7 for the nip roller means 17, 17'.
A fourth and final embodiment of the invention is discussed in detail with
reference to Fig. 6 of the drawings.
This embodiment is specifically adapted to a three dimensional mop holder 4
with two wings 20 positioned at an acute angle relative to each other and with
a
mop cover 3 mounted to the mop holder 4 on both wings 20. For details of such
construction with stationary or fold away wings 20 reference is made to WO
2005/013791 Al which is incorporated herein with its disclosure by reference.
In this embodiment of the invention the squeeze out structure. 8 defines two
generally flat squeeze out surfaces 9, 9' positioned at an acute angle
relative to
each other, wherein the two squeeze out surfaces 9, 9' are positioned to form
a
downwardly tapering entry gap for the three dimensional mop holder 4 with the
mop cover 3, wherein at least one of the two squeeze out surfaces 9, 9' is
displaceable relative to and biased towards the other one of the two generally
flat
squeeze out surfaces 9, 9'.
In Fig.. 6 which is highly schematic the squeeze out structure 8 is positioned
within the bucket 6. The spring means 21, 21' providing the biasing force on
both
squeeze out surfaces 9, 9' is represented by the arrows. When the mop holder 4
is
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moved downwardly by means of pressure exerted through the handle 5, the two
squeeze out surfaces 9 are moved laterally outwardly so that the gap is
widening.
The pressure exerted by the spring means 21, 21' is sufficient to achieve an
efficient removal of liquid from the mop cover 3 on both wings 20 of the mop
holder 4. The downwardly directed movement of the mop holder 4
simultaneously leads to the relative movement of the mop cover 3 relative to
the
squeeze out formations 10 that are stationary here.
In a preferred embodiment the size of the angle between the squeeze out
surfaces
9, 9' of the squeeze out structure 8 is the same as the size of the
angle.between
the wings 20 of the mop holder 4.
