Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TITLE OF THE INVENTION
MOP CLEANER
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of building
maintenance
and, more particularly, to a mop cleaner.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Dust mop cleaners are known in the art and are particularly used to
clean
dust laden industrial dry dust mops, brushes, scrubbers and the like. Typical
dust
mop cleaners generally consist in a suction nozzle embedded in a suitable
trough
and are either adapted to be coupled to the suction hose of a conventional
vacuum cleaner or include their own dedicated motor-fan unit.
[0003] Typical examples of the prior art are Pat. No. US6041470, to Branham et
Al. (2000), Pat. No. US3531818, to Gardner et Al. (1970), Pat. No. USRE026955,
to Milis (1970), Pat. No. US3412419, to Barnhart (1968) and Pat. No.
US3056993,
to Lewis (1962).
[0004] While these dust mop cleaners of the prior art can generally fulfill
the main
objective of cleaning a dust laden dry dust mop, or the like, they also offer
one or
more of the following disadvantages:
[0005] a) they usually are stationary devices, which means that a user often
has
to return to the latter every time a dust mop needs to be cleaned, an aspect
which
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may prove to be particularly demanding during heavy cleaning jobs in multi-
story
buildings;
[0006] b) they usually represent an oversize suction nozzle that may be
coupled
to the suction hose of a conventional vacuum cleaner, or may represent a
dedicated mobile device for cleaning dust mops. In either configurations, a
user
has the cumbersome task of bringing along two devices in situations where both
a
dust mop cleaner and a vacuum cleaner are needed;
[0007] c) dust mop cleaners of the prior art that are simply represented by a
stationary suction nozzle are not particularly convenient to use during heavy
cleaning operations where a user often has to use alternatively the dust mop
cleaner and the vacuum cleaner due to the small but annoying sequence of
coupling and decoupling manipulations of suction nozzles between each use.
[0008] Against this background, there exist a need for a new and improved mop
cleaner that avoids the aforementioned disadvantages. It is a general object
of the
present invention to provide a new and improved mop cleaner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In a first broad aspect, the invention provides a mop cleaner usable in
combination with a vacuum cleaner unit for cleaning a mop head, the mop
cleaner
being also usable with a vacuum cleaner hose, the mop cleaner comprising: a
frame, the frame defining a vacuum cleaner support for supporting the vacuum
cleaner unit; a substantially elongated mop head guide for guiding the mop
head
therealong, the mop head guide being mounted to the frame, the mop head guide
defining an opening and a mop cleaning suction nozzle, the opening leading
into
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the mop cleaning suction nozzle; a valve, the valve defining a mop cleaning
inlet, a
vacuuming inlet and an outlet, the outlet being connectable to the vacuum
cleaner
for allowing the vacuum cleaner unit to apply a vacuum to the outlet; a mop
cleaner tube extending between the mop cleaning suction nozzle and the mop
cleaning inlet for fluidly coupling the mop cleaning suction nozzle and the
mop
cleaning inlet to each other; wherein the valve is configurable between a mop
cleaning configuration in which the suction nozzle is in fluid communication
with
the outlet and a vacuuming configuration in which the vacuuming inlet is in
fluid
communication with the outlet; whereby when the valve is in the mop cleaning
configuration and the outlet is connected to the vacuum cleaner unit, the dust
mop
cleaner is usable for cleaning the mop head with the mop cleaning suction
nozzle
by sliding the mop head along the mop head guide and across the opening; and
when the valve is in the vacuuming configuration with the vacuum cleaner hose
connected to the vacuuming inlet and the outlet is connected to the vacuum
cleaner unit, the dust mop cleaner is usable for vacuuming using the vacuum
cleaner hose.
[0010] In some embodiments of the invention, the proposed mop cleaner is
usable for cleaning dust mops. However, in alternative embodiments, the
proposed mop cleaner is also suitable for cleaning wet mops.
[0011] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the mop cleaner is
mounted on wheels and includes an industrial vacuum cleaner unit rigidly
fastened
thereon.
[0012] In operation, with the vacuum cleaner unit turned on and the valve
handle
in position for applying a suction of air through the suction nozzle embedded
in the
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mop head guide, a user may grasp the handle of a dust mop and slide the mop
head back and forth along the elongated mop head guide and across the opening,
thus drawing the dust, dirt and lint from the mop head. Alternatively, the
valve
handle may be pivoted for applying a suction of air to the conventional vacuum
cleaner hose, thus converting the mobile dust mop cleaner into a conventional
industrial vacuum cleaner.
[0013] In some embodiments of the invention, the proposed mop cleaner is:
[0014] a) relatively easily brought where it is needed the most, an aspect
particularly appreciated during cleaning operations in large multi-story
buildings;
[0015] b) usable alternatively as a mobile dust mop cleaner or as a
conventional
mobile vacuum cleaner, thus avoiding the cumbersome task of bringing along two
individual devices during cleaning operations;
[0016] c) includes the valve that makes it easy to switch from a dust mop
cleaner
to a conventional vacuum cleaner;
[0017] d) is quite simple and inexpensive in construction, and yet, is quite
efficient
and reliable in operation since it essentially represents an assembly of
industrial
grade components;
[0018] e) facilitates management of the various hoses and accessories used
during mopping and vacuuming operations;
[0019] 0 is ergonomic to use.
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[0020] Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will
become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description
of
preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to
the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1 is a left side, perspective view of a mop cleaner in accordance
with
the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 2 is a right side, perspective view of the mop cleaner shown in
FIG. 1;
[0023] FIG. 3 is a fragmented perspective view of a vacuum cleaner unit usable
with the mop cleaner of FIGS. I and 2; and
[0024] FIG. 4 is a disassembled, perspective view of the vacuum cleaner unit
shown in FIG. 3, shown with the lower compartment cover thereof removed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] FIGS. 1 and 2 show various aspects of an embodiment of a mop cleaner
according to the present invention. The mop cleaner 10 generally comprises a
frame 11, a vacuum cleaner unit 16, a mop head guide 18, a conventional vacuum
cleaner hose 20, and a manual three-way valve 22 coupled to an intake port 24
on
top of the vacuum cleaner unit 16 for allowing a user to selectively apply a
suction
of air to either the mop head guide 18 or the conventional vacuum cleaner hose
20, as described in further details hereinbelow.
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[0026] The frame 11 includes a frame base 12 and a vacuum cleaner support 14
for supporting the vacuum cleaner unit 16 extending substantially away from
the
frame base 12. The vacuum cleaner support 14 is configured and sized for
supporting the vacuum cleaner unit 16 in a spaced apart relationship relative
to the
frame base 12.
[0027] The frame base 12 is generally defined as having a frame base front end
26, a substantially opposed frame base rear end 28 and frame base side edges
30
and 31 extending therebetween. A set of wheels is provided in the form of a
pair of
parallel casters 32 rotatably mounted to the frame base front end 26 and a
pair of
swivel casters 34 secured to the frame base 12 so as to be pivotable about a
vertical axis substantially adjacent to the frame base rear end 28.
[0028] The vacuum cleaner support 14 is generally defined by a pair of upright
parallel support members 36 having their lower ends rigidly attached to the
frame
base 12 and their upper ends joined by a substantially vertical mounting plate
38.
The mounting plate 38 is therefore located in a spaced apart relationship
relative
to the frame base 12. Horizontally extending frontwardly and rearwardly
relative to
the vacuum cleaner support 14, there is an accessory tray 40 and a rear,
substantially U-shaped, handle bar 42 respectively. Accessory tray 40 may be
used for carrying items such as small hand tools and various vacuum nozzles,
while rear handle bar 42 is provided for maneuvering the mop cleaner 10. A
hose
support in the form of a relatively large hook 44 is rigidly fixed to a
peripheral edge
of the accessory tray 40 for conveniently hooking thereon a rolled-up vacuum
cleaner hose 20. The location of the accessory tray 40 and hook 44 facilitate
the
management of the vacuum cleaner hose 20 and the exchange of accessories
attachable to the vacuum cleaner hose 20 as the accessory tray 40 is
conveniently
adjacent to the vacuum cleaner hose 20.
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[0029] Mop head guide 18 is mounted to the frame base 12 and longitudinally
extending horizontally along frame base side edge 31 of frame base 12.
Typically,
the mop head guide 18 is represented by an elongated hollow structure having a
substantially triangular cross-section generally defining an inclined
substantially
planar surface 46 and is equipped with a protruding lower guiding lip 48, and
a
rearside support member 50 attached to the frame base 12.
[0030] In other words, the substantially planar surface 46 defines
substantially
opposed planar surface first and second ends 47 and 49 and substantially
opposed planar surface first and second side edges 51 and 53 each extending
between the planar surface first and second ends 47 and 49. The guiding lip 48
extends along the planar surface first side edge 51 and the substantially
planar
surface 46 is angled relative to the frame base 12 such that the planar
surface first
side edge 51 is closer to the frame base 12 than the planar surface second
side
edge 53. The rearside support member 50 extends between the planar surface
second side edge 53 and the frame base 12.
[0031] Substantially centrally positioned along the longitudinal axis of the
elongated substantially planar surface 46 between the planar surface first and
second ends 47 and 49, there is a transversal elongated opening 52, seen in
Fig.
2, substantially extending the full width of the substantially planar surface
46 and
leading into a the wider open end of a funnel-like mop cleaning suction nozzle
54
sealingly coupled to the opening 52. The opposite end (not shown) of the
funnel-
like mop cleaning suction nozzle 54 is coupled to a relatively short mop
cleaner
tube 56 which, in turn, has its opposite end coupled to a mop cleaning inlet
58 on
the three-way valve 22 connected on top of vacuum cleaner unit 16 for fluidly
coupling the mop cleaning suction nozzle 54 and the mop cleaning inlet 58 to
each
other, as described in more details hereinafter.
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[0032] Vacuum cleaner unit 16 is rigidly mounted to the rearside of the
vertical
mounting plate 38, within the space delimited between the latter and rear
handle
bar 42. The vacuum cleaner unit 16 is preferably of the heavy-duty, cyclone
separator type that is generally found in industrial and domestic applications
such
as, for example, in a central vacuum cleaning system. For demonstration
purposes, FIG. 3 shows a typical cyclone separator type vacuum cleaner unit 16
generally represented by a vertically standing cylindrical body having an
upper
portion 60 and a lower portion 62, with both upper and lower ends 64 and 66
sealed closed except for the three-way valve 22 having a central outlet 68
connected to intake port 24 through upper end 64. Upper portion 60 represents
the
anchoring base of the vacuum cleaner unit 16 that is rigidly secured to the
rear
side of the vertical mounting plate 38, while the lower portion 62 represents
a
housing detachably sealably secured to upper portion 60 through anchoring
means such as, for example, manually operable clips (not shown). Upper portion
60 further houses a suction motor-fan unit 70 and a vertical cylindrical air
conduit
72 extending downwardly from the outlet 68 underside three-way vaive 22, to a
dust collecting filter bag 74 deployed within the lower compartment created by
lower portion 62. In some embodiments, suction motor-fan unit 70 generates
performances of at least 590 "air watts", an industry standard measurement of
vacuum cleaner performance, which is the mass flow rate through the vacuum
cleaner multiplied by the pressure drop across the unit's impeller. Filter bag
74 has
suitable filtering properties that filter the finest dust particles from the
incoming air
while still allowing the cyclonic effect to take place throughout the
compartment
created within lower portion 62 of the vacuum cleaner unit 16.
[0033] In the operation of cyclone separator vacuum units of this type,
incoming
dust-laden air passes downwardly through intake port 24 and cylindrical air
conduit
72, and then into filter bag 74 where it is swirled in a generally circular
path
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therein. The circulation action of the air causes a centrifugal separation
from the
lint, dust and dirt particles, which cumulates along the peripheral inner
walls of the
dust collecting filter bag 74, to finally fall downwardly and accumulate at
the
bottom of the latter. The air passing outwardly through the filter bag 74 is
then
exhausted through the lower end 76 of the suction motor-fan unit 70, and then
to
an air exhaust outlet (not shown in the drawings) positioned along the
peripheral
wall of the upper portion 60.
[0034] It is to be noted that the vacuum cleaner unit 16 is properly
vertically
positioned relative to the upperside of the frame base 12 such that the lower
portion 62 can be easily removed by hand from under the vacuum unit in order
to
replace a dust laden filter bag 74. FIG. 4 shows vacuum cleaner unit 16 with
lower
portion 62 removed. The vacuum cleaner unit 16 is further complemented with a
control switch assembly and an electrical cord having a conventional plug at
its
terminal end for powering the unit through a standard electrical wall outlet.
The
switch assembly and electrical cord mentioned above are of the conventional
types commonly found on standard appliances and have been omitted from the
appended drawings for clarity purposes. Furthermore, it is to be understood
that
vacuum cleaner unit 16 can be of any other suitable types of vacuum cleaner
unit
offering comparable performances.
[0035] Three-way valve 22 has a mop cleaning inlet 58, a vacuuming inlet 80,
and
an outlet 68 that is sealably coupled to the air intake port 24 of the vacuum
cleaner
unit 16. The three-way valve 22 is configurable between a mop cleaning
configuration in which the mop cleaning inlet 58, and therefore the mop
cleaning
suction nozzle 54, is in fluid communication with the outlet 68 and a
vacuuming
configuration, in which the vacuuming inlet 80 is in fluid communication with
the
outlet 68. To that effect, the three-way valve 22 has a pivotably coupled
valve
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handle 82 for selecting one of the two air inlets 58 or 80 to be connected to
intake
port 24 of the vacuum cleaner unit 16. Vacuuming inlet 80 is coupled to one
end of
a relatively short vacuum hose 84 which, in turn, has its opposite end coupled
to
the rearside of an interface connector 86 conveniently mounted through the
upper
end of vacuum cleaner support 14, the vacuum hose 84 ensuring fluid
communication between the vacuuming inlet 80 and the interface connector 86.
The mop cleaning inlet 58 is coupled to the mop cleaning tube 56 which, in
turn, is
coupled to the mop head guide 18 through the mop cleaning suction nozzle 54
(as
described above).
[0036] Conventional vacuum cleaner hose 20 is of a suitable length and has one
end detachably coupled, through a quick-connect tubing coupling 88, or the
like,
on the front side of interface connector 86, and has its opposite end equipped
with
a conventional suction nozzle 90 having its open end compatible for detachably
coupling with one of a plurality of suction nozzles (not shown) offering
various
configurations for specialized cleaning tasks such as, for example, a wide-
mouthed dust brush for cleaning carpets, a narrow-mouthed nozzle for cleaning
tight corners, and the like.
[0037] FIG. 2 best shows the mode of usage of the mop cleaner 10. With the
vacuum cleaner unit 16 powered on and the valve handle 82 positioned to select
mop cleaning inlet 58 such that air is drawn through mop cleaning suction
nozzle
54, underside mop head guide 18, a user may grasp the handle 92 of a dust
laden
mop and slide the mop head 94 back and forth laterally along the inclined
substantially planar surface 46 of the mop head guide 18. As the mop head 94
is
moved across the mop cleaning suction nozzle 54, the vacuum sucks the dust,
dirt
and lint from the mop head 94 and into the vacuum cleaner unit 16.
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[0038] Alternatively, valve handle 82 can be rotated in the opposite direction
to
select vacuuming inlet 80 such that it is in operative relation with the
vacuum
cleaner unit 16, and thus converting the mop cleaner 10 into a conventional
industrial vacuum cleaner through the normal use of vacuum cleaner hose 20.
[0039] It is to be noted that the air outlet on upper portion 60 of the vacuum
cleaner unit 16 thus being generally directed towards the rearside of vertical
mounting plate 38, offers a convenient air exhaust deflector. Furthermore,
rear
handle bar 42 offers appreciable mechanical protection to the vacuum cleaner
unit
16 against impacts with objects or stationary structures as the handle bar 42
and
the vacuum cleaner support 14 together define a vacuum cleaner receiving space
extending therebetween for receiving the vacuum cleaner unit 16. Yet
furthermore,
the configuration of the proposed mop cleaner 10 positions the valve handle 82
so
that operation of the valve handle 82 is ergonomic. Yet furthermore, the
inclination
of the substantially planar surface 46 contributes furthermore to the
ergonomics of
the proposed mop cleaner 10.
[0040] Although the above description contains many specificities, these
should
not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention but as merely
providing one illustration of the presently preferred embodiments of this
invention.
For example, the general disposition of the vacuum cleaner support 14, with
the
vacuum cleaner unit 16 , the accessory tray 40 and handle bar 42 attached
thereto, may be modified to accommodate the addition of a trash can resting on
the wheeled base. Furthermore, suitable clamping means arrangements may by
provided along a peripheral edge of the accessory tray 40 or the handle bar 42
for
holding the handles of various brooms, brushes, scrubbers or other like tools.
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[0041] Although the present invention has been described hereinabove
by way of preferred embodiments thereof, it can be modified, without departing
from the spirit and nature of the subject invention as defined in the appended
claims.
