Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
SURFACE TREATMENT APPARATUSES AND METHODS
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS
[0001] This disclosure claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application
Nos.: 62245195,
entitled "Surface Treatment Apparatus with a Steam Change-Over Device" filed
October 22,
2015; 62166636, entitled "Surface Treatment Apparatus with Releasable Flaps"
filed May 26,
2015.
TECHNICAL FIELD
This disclosure relates to surface treatment apparatuses and methods.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Surface treatment appliances are used in the home, office and other
locations to treat
floors and other surfaces. Various types of surface treatment appliances, such
as appliances with
oscillating and/or rotating brushes, are known for cleaning carpets.
Additionally, certain types of
surface treatment appliances, such as non-steam mops, spray appliances with
padded
configurations, or steam mops with steam cleaning head, may be used for
cleaning and treating
floors.
SUMMARY
[0003] Methods and apparatuses for surface treatment according to various
aspects of the
present invention may be used for various functions such as non-steam or steam
cleaning or
treatment, non-steam or steam cleaning and treatment, and may comprise a body,
a mop head,
and a connector assembly connecting the body and the mop head, wherein the mop
head may be
configured to rotate about a transverse axis of rotation relative to the
connector assembly.
[0004] In various aspects of the present invention, the methods and
apparatuses for surface
treatment may comprise a connector assembly which may be configured to allow
for swapping
the body with various embodiments of bodies so as to allow for a variety of
mop head and body
assemblies, thereby allowing various non-steam or steam cleaning and/or
treatment operations.
[0005] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the methods and apparatuses
for surface
treatment when used for steam cleaning operations may comprise a steam source,
a mop head
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connected to the steam source through the connector assembly. The connector
assembly may be
configured to comprise a universal joint, or a combination of a universal
joint and a connector
housing wherein the connector housing may define a steam passageway.
[0006] In an embodiment, the mop head may comprise a first and second opposing
surfaces,
wherein both the first and the second opposing surfaces may be configured to
output steam or
only either the first or the second opposing surfaces may be configured to
output steam. In an
embodiment, the mop head may comprise a change-over device or a mechanism to
direct the
steam flow only to the first opposing surface when the second opposing surface
is facing
upwardly, and only to the second opposing surface when the first opposing
surface is facing
upwardly.
[0007] In an embodiment, the connector assembly may comprise a connector steam
inlet, a
connector steam conduit, a steam blast nozzle assembly, and/or a mechanism
that may allow
steam to be output either through the steam blast nozzle assembly, indicating
a steam blast mode
of operation or through one of the first or second surfaces of the mop head,
indicating a normal
area cleaning mode of operation. The normal area cleaning mode and steam blast
modes of
operation may be determined by the position of the mop head relative to the
connector assembly,
wherein the position of the mop head may be determined by the angle between
the mop head and
the connector assembly.
[0008] In an embodiment, the mop head may be a flippable type of mop head
wherein the mop
head may be turned by 180 angle from a first position to a second position
such that in a first
position of the mop head, the first opposing surface of the mop head may be
facing upwardly and
in a second position of the mop head, the second opposing surface of the mop
head may be
facing upwardly.
[0009] In an embodiment, the mop head may be rotated by 1800 from one position
to the other
such that in all positions of the mop head, only either the first or the
second opposing surfaces
may be facing upwardly but not both. In such an embodiment, the steam blast
mode of operation
may be accompanied by a scrubbing action. The scrubbing action may be brought
about by
providing a deployable scrubber assembly which may engage with the area to be
cleaned when
in steam blast mode of operation and may disengage with the area when in
normal area cleaning
mode of operation.
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190101 In an embodiment, the mop head of the present disclosure may include a
frame, flaps
releasably connected to a first side of the frame, and a joint pivotably
connected to a second side
of the frame, the first and second sides opposing each other. A first side of
each flap may be
pivotably connected to the first side of the frame along hinge axes that are
spaced apart. In an
embodiment, a second side of each flap comprises at least one protruding
portions configured to
be received in a cavity defined in a pad interior surface. In an embodiment,
each flap is
configured to be removably attached to an interior surface of a pad.
[0011] In another embodiment, the mop head of the present disclosure may
include a frame,
flaps releasably connected to a first side of the frame, an attachment bar
pivotably connected to a
second side of the frame, the first and second sides opposing each other, and
a joint pivotably
connected to the attachment bar. A first side of each flap may be pivotably
connected to the first
side of the frame along hinge axes that are spaced apart. In an embodiment, a
second side of each
flap comprises at least one protruding portion configured to be received in a
cavity defined in a
pad interior surface. In an embodiment, each flap is configured to be
removably attached to an
interior surface of a pad.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] Figures 1A-1E are illustrations of various exemplary components of an
exemplary
surface treatment apparatus and their assembly, in accordance with the present
disclosure;
[0013] Figures 2A-2C are illustrations and schematic diagrams illustrating an
exemplary
embodiment of a surface treatment apparatus employed in steam cleaning
operations comprising
an exemplary embodiment of a change-over device, in accordance with the
present disclosure;
[0014] Figures 3A-3D are illustrations of exemplary embodiments of a mop head
of a surface
treatment apparatus employed in steam cleaning operations comprising another
exemplary
embodiment of a change-over device in accordance with the present disclosure;
[0015] Figures 4A-4C are illustrations of exemplary embodiments of an
exemplary
embodiment of a surface treatment apparatus employed in steam cleaning
operations comprising
a pivoting steam vent, in accordance with the present disclosure;
[0016] Figure 5 is an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a mop head
comprising a
steam vent, in accordance with the present disclosure.
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.
[0017] Figures 6A-6D are illustrations of various exemplary angular
orientations of the mop
head relative to the connector assembly in an exemplary embodiment of a
surface treatment
apparatus, in accordance with the present disclosure;
[0018] Figures 7A-7K are illustrations of exemplary embodiments of a surface
treatment
apparatus employed in steam cleaning operations, comprising a normal area
cleaning mode of
operation and a steam blast mode of operation, with or without the presence of
a change-over
device in the mop head, and wherein both the first and the second opposing
surfaces of the mop
head may be employed for cleaning, in accordance with the present disclosure.
[0019] Figures 8A-8P are illustrations of exemplary embodiments of a surface
treatment
apparatus employed in steam cleaning operations, comprising a normal area
cleaning mode of
operation and a steam blast mode of operation, with or without the scrubbing
functionality, in
accordance with the present disclosure.
[0020] Figure 9 is an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a mop head,
in accordance
with the present disclosure.
[0021] Figure 10 is an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a cleaning
pad of the mop
head shown in Figure 9, in accordance with the present disclosure.
[0022] Figure 11-11d are illustrations of exemplary embodiments of the flap of
the mop head
as shown in Figure 9 for attachment and detachment of the cleaning pad as
shown in Figure 10,
in accordance with the present disclosure.
[0023] Figure 12-12h are illustrations and schematic diagrams illustrating
exemplary
embodiments of the flap-release mechanisms of the mop head shown in Figure 9,
in accordance
with the present disclosure.
[0024] Figure 13-13e are illustrations and schematic diagrams illustrating an
exemplary
embodiment of a flap-release mechanism mop head shown in Figure 9, in
accordance with the
present disclosure.
[0025] Figure 14 is an illustration of a swiveling yoke assembly of the mop
head shown in
Figure 9, in accordance with the present disclosure.
[0026] Figures 15-15G are illustrations and schematic diagrams illustrating
one embodiment of
the release mechanism.
[0027] Figure 16-16A illustrates one embodiment of the apparatus comprising a
linkage
element and flap ejectors.
4
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-01-13
100281 Figure 17 illustrates a front view of a surface treatment system having
(i) a steam
application device equipped with a swivel to provide enhanced maneuverability,
and (ii) a
portable steam source.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the
embodiments disclosed
herein can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the
essential character
thereof. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore considered in all
respects to be
illustrative and not restrictive.
[0030] Example embodiments will now be described hereinafter with reference to
the
accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which illustrate example
embodiments
which may be practiced. Such embodiments may be realized by any number of
components
configured to perform the specified functions and achieve the various results.
For example, the
present invention may employ various types of surface treatment apparatuses,
which may carry
out a variety of functions. In addition, the present invention may be
practiced in conjunction with
any number of cleaning or treatment processes. As used in the disclosure, the
terms
"embodiment", "example embodiment", and "exemplary embodiment" do not
necessarily refer to
a single embodiment, although they may, and various example embodiments may be
readily
combined and interchanged, without departing from the scope of example
embodiments.
Furthermore, the terminology as used herein is for the purpose of describing
example
embodiments only and is not intended to be limitations. In this respect, as
used herein, the term
"in" may include "in" and "on", and the terms "a," "an" and "the" may include
singular and
plural references. Furthermore, as used herein, the term "by" may also mean
"from", depending
on the context. Furthermore, as used herein, the term "if" may also mean
"when" or "upon,"
depending on the context. Furthermore, as used herein, the words "and/or" may
refer to and
encompass any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated
listed items.
[00311 Various kinds of apparatuses such as non-steam mops or steam mops may
be used for
cleaning and treating surfaces. Many non-steam mops may include various
combinations of
handle, shaft, and a cleaning head. Likewise, many steam mops may include
various
combinations of handle, shaft, water storage tank, heating element and
cleaning head. A variety
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=
of cleaning pads may be attached to the cleaning head. And the combination of
the cleaning pad
and the cleaning head allow for contact with the surface that user is cleaning
or treating.
[0032] Figures IA-1E illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a surface treatment
system 1000
and its various components that may be used in non-steam or steam cleaning or
otherwise
treating a surface, such as wood or laminate flooring. It should be
appreciated that the surface
treatment system 100 described herein may be used in a variety of operations
to perform one or
more cleaning or treatment functions. The surface treatment system 1000 may
comprise a body
200, a connector assembly 300, and a mop head 400 (Fig. 1A). As illustrated in
Figs. 1B-1E, the
surface treatment system 100 may be assembled to comprise various combinations
of the body
200, the connector assembly 300, and mop head 400. The body 200 may comprise
various
combinations of structural elements, such as a shaft 210, a handle 220, and/or
a steam source 240
and/or a housing 230 comprising a steam source 240 (Fig. 1B),
[0033] The connector assembly 300 may comprise a universal joint 310 (Fig. 1C)
which may be
configured to releasably and interchangeably connect to various embodiments of
bodies 200
disclosed herein. The ability of the universal joint 310 to releasably and
interchangeably connect
to a plurality of bodies 200 allows the mop head 400 connected to the
universal joint 310 to be
releasably and interchangeably connected to a plurality of bodies 200
available in the surface
treatment system 100, resulting in a variety of combinations that can be
assembled to form a
surface treatment device/apparatus from the surface treatment system 100.
Furthermore, a
plurality of the mop heads 400 (Fig. ID) of the same or different types may be
configured to
include the same universal joint 310 to allow for more variety of combinations
of different mop
heads 400 and different bodies 200 to be assembled from the surface treatment
system 100.
[0034] In an embodiment (Fig. 1C), a first end of the universal joint 310 may
be releasably and
interchangeably connected to the body 200, and a second end of the universal
joint 310 may be
pivotably connected to the mop head 400. The universal joint 310 may be of any
type configured
to facilitate various combinations of multi-axial rotations ( example, side to
side, front to back,
up and down, movements of the mop head 400 relative to the body 200). In the
illustrated
embodiment in Fig. 1C, the first end portion of the universal joint 310
connects to the body 200
and the second end portion of the universal joint 310 connects to the mop head
400. The first end
portion of the universal joint 310 may comprise an upper connection piece 320
and the second
end portion may comprise a lower connection piece 330. The upper connection
piece 320 may
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comprise a proximal end 321 for connection to the body 200 and a distal end
322 for pivotally
connecting to a proximal end 331 of the lower connection piece 330. The
connection between
upper connection piece 320 and lower connection piece 330 may allow for front
to back and side
to side movement of the body 200 relative to the connector assembly 330. The
lower connection
piece 330 may further comprise a distal end 336 with a pair of side pivot arms
337, 338
extending laterally there from. The side pivot arms 337, 338 may be pivotally
connected to the
mop head 400.
10035] As illustrated in Fig. 1D, the mop head 400 may comprise a mop head of
any geometric
shape, such as a mop head 410 or a mop head 420. The mop head 410 may comprise
a front
wall 411, rear wall 412, right side wall 413 and a left wall 414 defining a
frame. The mop head
420 may comprise a right side wall 421, a left side wall 422 and a base 423
defining a frame.
The frame of the mop head 410 or the mop head 420 may define a connector
receiving
opening 430 in the rear wall 412 ( example, Fig. 1D(1)), or a connector
receiving opening 44 in
the base 423 ( example, Fig. 1D(2)), respectively. The connector receiving
opening 430 or 440
may be of any geometric shape. The mop head 410 may include connector
receiving slot
bushings 431, 432 within the connector receiving opening 430 for receiving the
pivot arms 337,
33.8 of the lower connection piece 33 of the universal joint 310, thereby
allowing a pivotal
connection between the universal joint 310 and the mop head 420. Additional
structures (not
shown) to secure the pivot arms 337, 338 in place may be provided. Similar to
mop head 410,
the mop head 420 may comprise connector receiving slot bushings 441, 442
within the
connector receiving opening 440 for receiving the pivot arms 337, 338 of the
lower connection
piece 330, thereby allowing a pivotal connection between the universal joint
310 and the mop
head 420. Additional structures (not shown) to secure the pivot arms 337, 338
in place may be
provided. The pivot connection between the lower connection piece 330 and the
mop head 400
(For example, mop heads 410 and 420) allow for multi axial pivoting such as
flipping, turning,
or rotating of the mop head 400 relative to the connector assembly 300 at
predetermined angles.
The universal joint 310 of the connector assembly 300 may also allow for ease
of use because it
may facilitate easy attachment and detachment of mop heads 410 and 420 (Fig.
1D) from one or
more bodies 200 (Fig. 1B) while providing a user with universal pivoting and
steering capability.
Further, the connector assembly 300 may also allow for use of both first and
second opposing
surfaces of the mop heads 410, 420 for cleaning or treatment.
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E00361 As illustrated in an embodiment of Fig. 1E, the mop head 420 may be
oriented at an
angle relative to the universal joint 310. The longitudinal and transverse
axes 45, 46 may define
a plurality of axes of rotation of the mop head 420 relative to the universal
joint 310. The mop
head 420 may rotate about the transverse axis 460 relative to the longitudinal
axis 450. The
pivotal connection between the mop head 420 and the universal joint 310 may
facilitate such a
movement. For example, the mop head 420 may be turned at 1800 angle relative
to the
universal joint 310 to allow user to use both the first and second surfaces of
the mop head 420
for cleaning or treatment.
[0037] An embodiment of surface treatment system 100 may be assembled as a
steam mop
1000 (Figs. 2-8) for steam cleaning operations. Steam mops may include devices
similar to those
described in the commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 8,205,293. In such an
embodiment, the body
200 may comprise a steam source 240, and steam from the steam source 240 may
be directed to
the mop head 400 through the connector assembly 300. In such an embodiment,
the connector
assembly 300 may comprise a connector housing 380 (refer to Fig. 1C) in
addition to the
universal joint 310. The connector housing 380 may provide a conduit to direct
steam from the
steam source 240. In an embodiment, the connector housing may comprise a
flexible steam
hose (not shown) to direct steam from the steam source 240 to the mop head
400. The upper
end of the steam hose may connect to the steam source 240 and the lower end of
the steam hose
may connect to the mop head 400.
[0038] As illustrated in Fig. 2A, an exemplary embodiment of a steam mop 1000
may be used
for cleaning or otherwise treating a surface, such as wood or laminate
flooring. It should be
appreciated that the steam mop 1000 described herein may also be used as
treatment apparatus
that treat or operate on a surface to perform one or more functions other than
cleaning. As
illustrated in Figure 2A, an embodiment of the steam mop 1000 may comprise a
body 2000 (not
shown), a mop head 1040, and a connector assembly 1060. The connector assembly
1060 may
comprise of any swiveling mechanism such as a universal joint 1060, which may
comprise an
upper component 1030 and a lower component 1020. The upper component 1030 of
the
universal joint 1060 may pivotally connect to the body 2000 and the lower
component 1020 of
the universal joint 1060 may pivotally connect to the mop shaft 1040. The
universal joint 1060
may include any suitable connection mechanism to allow various degrees of
freedom of
movement between: the lower component 1020 of the universal connector 1060 and
the mop
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head 1040, and the upper component 1030 of the universal connector 1060 and
the body 2000.
Steam to the steam mop may be provided through a steam source, which may
either be an
internal steam source 240 or an external steam source (not shown).
[0039] In an embodiment, the mop head 1040 is configured to pivotally rotate
relative to the
connector assembly 1060 from a first position 1800 wherein the second opposing
surface 1140 of
the mop head may be facing upwardly (as shown in Fig. 2B) to a second position
1850 wherein
the first opposing surface 1120 of the mop head may be facing upwardly 1850.
In an
embodiment, the change in angle between a first position 1800 of the mop head
1040 wherein
the second opposing surface 1140 of the mop head may be facing upwardly to the
second
position 1850 of the mop head wherein the first opposing surface 1120 of the
mop head may be
facing upwardly may be about 180 , resulting in the mop head 1040 being
flipped over.
[0040] The mop head 1040 may be configured to include mop head body 1080,
which may
include at least one mop head steam inlet 1100 configured to receive steam and
first and second
opposing surfaces 1120, 1140 configured to output steam towards an area (not
shown), such as a
floor surface. As stated above, steam may be generated by a steam source 240
or steam
generator (not shown) coupled to the steam mop 1000 and fed to the mop head
steam inlet 1100.
In an embodiment, steam may be provided from a steam generator (not shown) and
through the
connector assembly 1060 to the mop head steam inlet 1100. In an embodiment,
the mop head
1040 may include additional mop head steam inlet 1100. In an embodiment, the
mop head 1040
may further include a fluid conduit defined in the mop head body 1080, the
fluid conduit 1160
extending from the at least one mop head steam inlet 1100 of the mop head body
1080 to the first
and second opposing surfaces 1120, 1140 of the mop head body 1080, thereby
defining at least
first and second mop head steam paths 1180, 1200 to the first and second
opposing surfaces
1120, 1140 of the mop head body 1080, respectively.
[0041] A cleaning pad (not shown) may be attached to the mop head 1040
covering the first and
second opposing surfaces 1120, 1140, and steam may output from the first and
second opposing
surfaces 1120, 1140 through the cleaning pad to clean a surface. In an
embodiment, steam may
be output from the both the first and second opposing surfaces 1120, 1140 at
the same time
regardless which side is being applied to the floor for cleaning. However, the
steam escaping
from the upward facing side would decrease energy efficiency resulting in the
steam temp
delivered to the downward facing side to be lowered.
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[0042] In an embodiment, a change-over device 1300 may be disposed at least
partially in the
fluid conduit 1160. The change-over device 1300 may be configured to move
between a first
change-over device position, which is located in the first mop head steam path
1180 as shown in
Fig. 2B, and a second change-over device position, which is located in the
second mop head
steam path 1200, as shown in Fig. 2C. Referring to Fig. 2B, when the mop head
1040 is oriented
in the second position wherein the second opposing surface 1140 of the mop
head may be facing
upwardly 1800, the first opposing surface 1120 of the mop head 1040 may be
facing
downwardly towards a cleaning area (not shown), such as a floor, and the
change-over device
1300 may be located in the first change-over device position. The change-over
device 1300 may
be configured to move into the second change-over device position by any
suitable means. For
example, in an embodiment, the change-over device 1300 may be configured to
move into the
second change-over device position by gravitational force, force exerted
manually, mechanical
force triggered by an actuation device or any other suitable means.
[0043] In the first change-over device position, the change-over device 1300
would leave the
first mop head steam path 1180 unobstructed while blocking the second mop head
steam path
1200. This would allow steam to be provided through the first mop head steam
path 1180 and
output on the first opposing surface 1120 of the mop head body 1080 but
prevent steam in the
fluid conduit 116 from being output on the second opposing surface 1140 of the
mop head body
1080.
[0044] Referring to Fig, 2C, when the mop head 1040 is oriented in a second
position wherein
the first opposing surface 1120 of the mop head may be facing upwardly 1850,
the second
opposing surface 1140 of the mop head 1040 may be facing downwardly towards a
cleaning area
(not shown), such as a floor, and the change-over device 1300 may be located
in the second
change-over device position. The change-over device 1300 may be configured to
move into the
first change-over device position by any suitable means. For example, in an
embodiment, the
change-over device 1300 may be configured to move into the first change-over
device position
by gravitational force, force exerted manually, or by mechanical force
triggered by an actuation
device.
[0045] In the second change-over device position, the change-over device 1300
would block the
first mop head steam path 1180 while leaving the second mop head steam path
1200
unobstructed. This would allow steam to be provided through the second mop
head steam path
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1200 and output on the second opposing surface 1200 of the mop head body 1080
but prevent
steam in the fluid conduit 1160 from being output on the first opposing
surface 1120 of the mop
head body 1080.
[0046] Configured as such, the change-over device 1300 allows steam to be
provided through
the first opposing surface 1120 or the second opposing surface 1140 only when
the mop head
104 is oriented with the first opposing surface 1120 or the second opposing
surface 1140 facing
downwardly towards a cleaning area, respectively. At the same time, the change-
over device
1300 prevents steam from being provided through the first opposing surface
1120 or the second
opposing surface 1140 when they are facing upwardly away from a cleaning area.
Doing so
would increase cleaning performance and energy efficiency as more heat is
directed towards the
cleaning surface and less heat is lost away from the cleaning surface.
[00471 In an embodiment, the mop head 1040 may be configured to include a
first and second
steam chambers 1420, 1440 defined in the first and second opposing surfaces
1120, 1140 of the
mop head body 1080. Configured as such, the fluid conduit 1160 extends from
the mop head
steam inlet 1100 of the mop head body 1080 into the first and second steam
chambers 1420,
1440, from which steam may be output from the first and second opposing
surfaces 1120, 1140
as discussed above. In particular, the first mop head steam path 1180 may be
defined, at least
partially, by the fluid conduit 1160 and the first steam chamber 1420, and the
second mop head
steam path 1200 may be defined, at least partially, by the fluid conduit 1160
and the second
steam chamber 1440. Depending on the orientation of the mop head 1040, the
change-over
device 1300 may block one of the first and second mop head steam paths 1180,
1200 while
leaving the other one of the first and second mop head steam paths 1180, 1200
unobstructed as
discussed above.
100481 It is to be appreciated that the change-over device 1300 may be
configured in a variety
of ways in accordance with the principles disclosed herein. In an embodiment,
as illustrated in
Figs. 2A-2C, the change-over device 1300 may include a change-over device body
1500
disposed at least partially in the fluid conduit 1160. The change-over device
body 1500 may
have a first and second end portions 1520, 1540, and first and second
shoulders 1560, 1580
extending outwardly from the first and second end portions 1520, 1540,
respectively. The first
shoulder 1560 and the change-over device body 1500 are configured to cooperate
to block the
second mop head steam path 1200 when the change-over device 1300 is in the
first change-over
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device position, and the second shoulder 1580 and the change-over device body
1500 are
configured to cooperate to block the first mop head steam path 1180 when the
change-over
device 1300 is in the second change-over device position.
[0049] In an embodiment, the first shoulder 1560 comprises a sealing element
1600, such as an
0-ring, disposed on a shoulder surface 1620 facing the second shoulder 1580.
The second
shoulder 158 may also comprise a similar sealing element 1640 disposed on a
shoulder surface
1660 facing the first shoulder 1560. In an embodiment, the shoulder surfaces
1620 and 1640
may be sloped thereby giving the change-over device body 1500 an hourglass
shape and a
trapezoidal cross-sectional profile as illustrated in Figs. 2B and 2C.
[0050] It is to be appreciated that the mop head 1040 may have a variety of
configurations to
accommodate the configurations of the change-over device 1300. In an
embodiment, the
change-over device 1300 may include a ball valve and the mop head 1040 may
adopt the
configuration of a mop head 2000 as shown in Figs. 3A-3D.
[0051] Referring to Figs. 3A-3D, a mop head 2040 may be configured similarly
to mop head
1040, except that the change-over device may include a valve 2300, and the
fluid conduit 2160
may be configured differently from the fluid conduit 1160 to define first and
second mop head
steam paths 2180, 2200 different from the first and second mop head steam
paths 1180, 1200. In
an embodiment, the fluid conduit 2160 may extend from the mop head steam inlet
2100 along
the first mop head steam path 2180 through a portion of the second opposing
surface 2140 to the
first opposing surface 2120 as shown in Fig. 3C. Additionally, the conduit
2160 may extend
from the mop head steam inlet 2100 along second mop head steam path 2200
through a portion
of the first opposing surface 2120 to the second opposing surface 2140 as
shown in Fig. 3D. In
an embodiment, the valve 2300 may include a sealing element 2340 disposed in a
cavity 2320
defined the fluid conduit 2160. In an embodiment, the valve 2300 may comprise
a ball valve and
the sealing element 2340 may comprise a substantially spherical configuration,
such as a ball,
and may be made of any suitable material, such as a metal, polymer, Teflon,
etc. The sealing
element 2340 may be configured to move between a first valve position, which
is located in the
second mop head steam path 2200 as shown in Fig. 3C, and a second valve
position, which is
located in the first mop head steam path 2180, as shown in Fig. 3D.
[0052] Referring to Fig. 3C, when the mop head 2040 is oriented in the second
position wherein
the second opposing surface 2140 of the mop head may be facing upwardly 2800,
the first
12
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opposing surface 2120 of the mop head 2040 may be facing downwardly towards a
cleaning area
(not shown), such as a floor, and the sealing element 2340 may be located in
the first valve
position in the second mop head steam path 2200, the sealing element 2340
would leave the first
steam path 2180 unobstructed while blocking the second steam path 2200. This
would allow
steam to be provided through the first mop head steam path 2180 and output on
the first
opposing surface 2120 but prevent steam in the fluid conduit 2160 from being
output on the
second opposing surface 2140.
[0053] Referring to Fig. 3D, when the mop head 2040 is oriented in the second
position
wherein the first opposing surface 212 of the mop head may be facing upwardly
2850, the
second opposing surface 2140 of the mop head 2040 may be facing downwardly
towards a
cleaning surface (not shown), such as a floor, and the sealing element 2340
may be located in the
second valve position in the first steam path 2180. In the second valve
position, the scaling
element 2340 would block the first mop head steam path 2180 while leaving the
second mop
head steam path 2200 unobstructed. This would allow steam to be provided
through the second
mop head steam path 2200 and output on the second opposing surface 2200 but
prevent steam in
the fluid conduit 2160 from being output on the first opposing surface 2120.
100541 Figs. 4A-4C illustrate another embodiment of a steam mop 3000. The
steam mop 3000
may include a mop head 3040 and a lower component 3020 of a universal joint
3060 having an
end portion 3050 pivotably connected to the mop head 3040. In an embodiment,
the end portion
3050 may include a pivoting steam vent 3080, which may be fluidly connected to
a steam source
240 (not shown) such as a steam generator. This pivoting steam vent 3080 may
be a part of the
lower component 3020 of the universal joint 3060 and pivots on the same axis
as the lower
component 3020 of the universal joint 3060 and not independently of the lower
component 3020
of the universal joint 3060. In an embodiment, the pivoting steam vent 3080
may include a single
nozzle configured to provide steam from the steam source 240 to the mop head
3040. In an
embodiment, the pivoting steam vent 3080 may include a plurality of nozzles
configured to
provide steam from the steam source 240 to the mop head 3040.
[0055] In an embodiment, the mop head 304 may include a first steam chamber
3420, which
may include a first steam chamber inlet 3460 and may be configured to output
steam on a first
opposing surface 3120 of the mop head 3040. The mop head 3040 may further
include a second
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steam chamber 3440, which may include a second steam chamber inlet 3480 and
may be
configured to output steam on a second opposing surface 3140 of the mop head
3040.
100561 Like the mop heads 1040 and 2000, the mop head 3040 may be configured
to pivotably
rotate relative to connector assembly from a second position to a first
position. When the mop
head 3040 is oriented in the second position wherein the second opposing
surface 3140 of the
mop head is facing upwardly, the first steam chamber inlet 3460 may be
configured to align with
the pivoting steam vent 3080 of the lower component 3020 of the universal
joint 3060, thereby
allowing steam to be provided to the first steam chamber 3420 and to be output
on the first
opposing surface 3120 of the mop head 3040. When the mop head 3040 is oriented
in the
second position wherein the first opposing surface 3120 of the mop head is
facing upwardly, the
second steam chamber inlet 3480 is configured to align with the pivoting steam
vent 3080 of the
lower component 3020 of the universal joint 3060, thereby allowing steam to be
provided to the
second steam chamber 3440 and to be output on the second opposing surface 3140
of the mop
head 3040.
[0057] It is to be appreciated the alignment of the pivoting steam vent 3080
with either the first
or second steam chamber inlet 3460, 3480 allows the steam to be provided only
to the steam
chamber that is outputting steam towards a cleaning surface (not shown), which
in turn, allows
for increased energy efficiency and cleaning performance like the mop heads
1040 and 2040 as
discussed above.
100581 It is to be further appreciated that the steam mop heads 1040, 2040,
and 3040
may be configured to include at least one steam vent 4000 as shown in Figure 5
to allow
residual and/or excess steam to escape to from a downward facing steam chamber
4020 to an
upward facing steam chamber 4040. In an embodiment, the steam vent 4000 may
include one or
more apertures defined through a portion of the mop head 4040, thereby fluidly
connecting the
steam chambers 4020 and 4040. In an embodiment, a flow regulation device such
as a shut-off
valve (not shown) may open or block the fluid passage through the steam vent
4000, either
automatically or upon actuation by a user.
[00591 In an embodiment of a surface treatment apparatus 100 illustrated in
Figs. 1A-E, when
the apparatus is used for steam cleaning operations, the connector housing 380
may comprise of
a connector steam inlet, a connector steam conduit (shown in Figs. 7 and 8)
comprising a first
and second connector steam paths (shown in Figs. 7 and 8), and a steam blast
nozzle assembly
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=
(shown in Figs. 7 and 8) in fluid communication with one of the first and
second connector steam
paths (shown in Figs. 7 and 8). Figs. 6A-6D represent an exemplary embodiment
of a surface
steam mop 100 with different angular orientations of the mop head 400 relative
to the connector
assembly 300. The mop head 400 in each of the illustrated embodiments has two
opposing
surfaces, a first opposing surface 510 and a second opposing surface 520.
[00601 In the illustrated embodiments of the mop head in Figs. 6A and 6B, the
mop head 400
may be configured to be oriented in a first position 600 relative to the
connector assembly 300,
and in the illustrated embodiments of the mop head in Figs. 6C and 6D, the mop
head 400 may
be configured to be oriented in a second position 700 relative to the
connector assembly 300.
When the mop head is in the first position 600, as illustrated in Fig. 6A, the
first opposing
surface 510 of the mop head 400 may be facing upwardly and is oriented at a
first predetermined
angle 530 relative to the connector assembly 300; and as illustrated in Fig.
6B, the second
opposing surface 520 of the mop head 400 may be facing upwardly and is
oriented at a first
predetermined angle 530 relative to the connector assembly 300. When the mop
head is in the
second position 700, as illustrated in Fig. 6C, the first opposing surface 510
of the mop head 400
may be facing upwardly and is oriented at a second predetermined angle 540
relative to the
connector assembly 300; and as illustrated in Fig. 6D, the second opposing
surface 520 of the
mop head 400 may be facing upwardly and is oriented at a second predetermined
angle 540
relative to the connector assembly 300.
[0061] In the embodiments in Figs 6C and 6D, steam may be directed from the
connector
housing 380 (shown in Figs. 7 and 8) along one of the first and second
connector steam paths
(shown in Figs. 7 and 8) to the mop head 400 to be output in a normal area
cleaning mode 700.
In the embodiment in Figs 6A and 6B, steam may be directed from the connector
housing 380
along the other one of the first and second connector steam paths to the steam
blast nozzle
assembly (shown in Figs. 7 and 8) to be output in a steam blast mode 600. The
steam blast mode
of operation 600 or the normal area cleaning mode of operation 700 may be
actuated depending
on the first or the second predetermined angles 530 and 540 of the mop head
400 relative to the
connector assembly 300. As illustrated in Figs. 6A and 6B, the mop head 400
may be oriented at
a first predetermined angle 530 relative to the connector assembly 300 thereby
allowing steam
blast mode of operation 600, and in Figs. 6C and 6D, the mop head 400 may be
oriented at a
second predetermined angle 540 relative to the connector assembly 300 thereby
allowing normal
CA 2987313 2017-12-19
area cleaning mode of operation 700. The first predetermined angle 530
relative to the mop head
may be an acute angle (example, Figs. 6A and 6B) and the second predetermined
angle 540
relative to the mop head may be an obtuse angle (example, Figs. 6C and 6D).
[0062] It may be noted that the coverage of area may be large in a normal area
cleaning mode
of operation 700 compared to the steam blast mode of operation 600 while the
velocity of steam
output in a steam blast mode of operation 600 may be higher than the normal
area cleaning mode
of operation 700. As such, the steam blast mode of operation 600 may be
effective and efficient
in cleaning or treating hard to remove or messy stains. It may be further
noted that the steam
blast in steam blast mode of operation relies on velocity and hydration to
break down the hard to
remove mess. For example, if we think about a hard to remove mess as a buildup
of layers, as the
steam begins to hydrate the top layer mess, the top layer mess moves out of
the way due to the
velocity of the steam output, thereby revealing the next layer of the mess to
be hydrated.
[0063] Figs. 7A-7K depict illustrations of exemplary embodiments of a steam
mop 7000 which
may be configured to discharge steam in a normal area cleaning mode and a
steam blast mode
depending upon the angle of the mop head 7300 relative to the connector
assembly 7200. In an
embodiment, the steam mop 7000 may comprise a mop head 7300 with a change-over
device
configured in accordance with the principles disclosed in the present
application, including but
not limited to any embodiments as described in Figs. 2A-2C or Figs.3A-3D or 4A-
4C.
[0064] In Figs. 7A through 7F, an exemplary embodiment of the steam mop 7000
may
comprise a connector assembly 7200 (an embodiment of connector assembly 300 of
Figs. 1A,
1C), and a mop head 7300 (an embodiment of mop head 400 of Figs. 1A, 1D),. The
connector
assembly 7200 may comprise a universal joint 7201, which may be configured to
connect to the
mop head 7300 and a connector housing 7202 (an embodiment of connector housing
380 of Fig.
1C) which may comprise a connector steam inlet 7302, a connector steam conduit
7204, and a
steam blast nozzle assembly 7400. The connector steam inlet 7302, the
connector steam conduit
7204, the steam blast nozzle assembly 7400 may be fluidly connected to each
other. The
connector steam inlet 7302 may be fluidly connected to the steam source 240
thereby receiving
steam from the steam source 240 and directing the received steam to the
connector steam conduit
7204. The connector steam conduit 7204 may comprise a first connector steam
path 7205 and a
second connector steam path 7206 allowing steam to be selectively directed
through the first
connector steam path 7205 to the steam blast nozzle assembly 7400 or through
the second
16
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connector steam path 7206 to the mop head 7300. The mop head 7300 may comprise
of a first
opposing surface 7301 and a second opposing surface 7302.
[0065] As illustrated in Fig. 7A, the mop head 7300 is in a second
predetermined angle (refer to
Figs. 6C and 6D) relative to the connector assembly 7200 thereby defining a
second position of
the mop head 7300 relative to the connector assembly 7200 and steam in such an
embodiment
may be directed through the second connector steam path 7206 to the mop head
7300, thereby
actuating a normal area cleaning mode of operation. As illustrated in Fig.
711, the mop hcad
7300 is in a first predetermined angle (refer to Figs. 6A and 6B) relative to
the connector
assembly 7200 thereby defining a first position of the mop head 7300 relative
to the connector
assembly 7200 and steam in such an embodiment may be directed through the
first connector
steam path 7205 to the steam blast nozzle assembly 7400, thereby actuating a
steam blast mode
of operation 7401.
[0066] Referring to Fig 7C, a partial cut away view of the illustrated
embodiment of Fig, 7A
with a longitudinal cross sectional view of the mop head 7300 is shown.
Referring to Fig. 7D, a
longitudinal cross sectional view of both the connector assembly 7200 and the
mop head 7300 of
an exemplary embodiment described in Fig. 7A is shown. As illustrated in an
embodiment of
Fig. 7D, the steam blast nozzle assembly 7400 may comprise three portions: a
nozzle inlet
portion 7402, a nozzle intermediate portion 7403, a nozzle outlet portion
7404. In an
embodiment, the cross sectional surface area of the nozzle inlet or the nozzle
intermediate
portions 7402, 7403 may be smaller than the cross sectional surface area of
the nozzle outlet
portion 7404. In an embodiment, the cross sectional surface area of the nozzle
intermediate
portion 7403 may be smaller than the nozzle inlet portion 7402 and the nozzle
outlet portion
7404.
[0067] In an embodiment, the nozzle inlet, intermediate and outlet portions
7402, 7403, 7404
may be of any geometrical shape such as a cylinder, cube, cuboid, etc.,
wherein the nozzle inlet,
intermediate and outlet portions 7402, 7403, 7404 may be of the same
geometrical shape or of a
different geometrical shape relative to each other. In an embodiment, the
nozzle outlet portion
7404 may be substantially conical in shape as illustrated in Fig.7D. The shape
and/or size and/or
angular orientation of the nozzle inlet, intermediate, outlet portions 7402,
7403, 7404 of the
steam blast nozzle assembly 7400 may determine the velocity and profile of the
steam blast. For
example, the velocity of the steam blasting out of the steam blast nozzle
assembly 7400 may be
17
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defined by a narrow cross sectional surface area of the nozzle intermediate
portion 7403 relative
to the nozzle inlet and outlet portions 7402 and 7404. A narrow nozzle
intermediate portion
7303 may define a higher velocity steam blast. Moreover, the narrow cross
sectional surface
area of the nozzle intermediate portion 7403 relative to the nozzle inlet and
outlet portions 7402
and 7404 may also determine the sound of the steam blast (audible jet). In an
embodiment, the
shape of the nozzle outlet portion 7404 may define a steam blast profile.
[0068] As illustrated in Fig.71J, the mop head 7300 may comprise a mop head
steam inlet 7304
to receive steam to the mop head 7300 thereby allowing steam to be output
through the first
and/or second opposing surfaces 7301, 7302 of the mop head 7300. It may be
noted that a mop
head steam inlet 7304 may comprise one or more mop head steam inlets 7304.
Fig. 7E is a
longitudinal cross sectional view of the connector assembly 7200 and the mop
head 7300 of the
embodiment illustrated in Fig. 7B depicting the steam blast mode of operation
7401. The steam
that exits the nozzle outlet portion 7404 of the steam blast nozzle assembly
7400 may appear as a
steam blast or a steam jet 7405. The solid line 7407 illustrates a steam flow
through the
connector steam inlet 7302 and the first connector steam path 7205 of the
connector steam
conduit 7204 to the steam blast nozzle assembly 7400 and finally to outside
through the steam
blast nozzle assembly 7400 as a steam blast.
[0069] Fig. 7F is a longitudinal cross sectional view of the connector
assembly 7200 and the
mop head 7300 of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 7A depicting the normal
area cleaning
mode of operation 7303. The solid line 7305 illustrates a steam flow through
the connector steam
inlet 7203 and the second connector steam path 7206 of the connector steam
conduit 7204 to the
mop head steam inlet 7304, which may be output though the first or second
opposing surfaces
7301, 7302 of the mop head 7300, thereby allowing the steam to be used for
normal area
cleaning.
100701 In an embodiment, the connector housing 7202 may further comprise a
valve
mechanism 7700 configured to switchably direct a steam flow through the first
connector steam
path 7205 to the steam blast nozzle assembly 7400 ( example, Fig. 7H) or the
second connector
steam path 7206 to the mop head steam inlet 7304 ( example, Fig. 7G). In an
embodiment, the
valve mechanism 7700 may be disposed in at least a portion of the first
connector steam path
7205 or at least a portion of the second connector steam path 7206 or both.
The valve mechanism
7700 may be configured to include a first baffle 7710 and a second baffle
7720, which cooperate
18
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to form at least a portion of the first connector steam path 7205 or at least
a portion of the second
connector steam path 7206 depending on relative position of the first and
second baffles 7710
and 7720.
[0071] The first and second baffles 7710 and 7720 have a first relative
position 7730 when the
mop head 7300 is oriented at a first predetermined angle 530 relative to the
connector assembly
7200 (example, Fig. 7H) and a second relative position 7740 when the mop head
7300 is oriented
at a second predetermined angle 540 relative to the connector assembly 7200
(example, Fig. 7G).
In the first relative position of the first and the second baffles 7710 and
7720, the second
connector steam path 7206 may be blocked ( example, Fig. 7H), and in the
second relative
position of the first and the second baffles 7710 and 7720, the first
connector steam path 7205
may be blocked ( example, Fig. 7G). As may be illustrated in Figs. 7G and 7H,
the first baffle
771 may comprise a first spring member 7711, a first baffle member 7712, a
first sealing element
7713, and a second sealing element 7714 such that the first baffle member 7712
is biased in an
open position by the first spring member 7711. The sealing elements may
comprise of any
sealing mechanism such as 0-rings. The first spring member 7711 may have a
first and a second
end, and the first baffle member 7712 may have a first end and a second end.
[0072] The first baffle member 7712 may have an elongated grove 7715. The
first sealing
element 7713 may be located adjacent to the first end of the first baffle
member 7712 and the
second sealing element 7714 may be located adjacent to the second end of the
first baffle
member 7712. It may be noted that the location of the sealing elements 7713,
7714 on the first
baffle member 7712 may be varied in some embodiments. In the first relative
position (
example, Fig. 71-I), the first end of the first baffle member 7712 may be
located on the second
end of the first spring member 7711 and in the second relative position (
example, Fig. 7G), the
first end of the first baffle member 7712 may move close towards the first end
of the first spring
member 7711.
[0073] Similarly, the second baffle 772 comprises a second spring member 7721,
a second
baffle member 7722, a third sealing element 7723, and a fourth sealing element
7724. The
second baffle member 7722 may be biased in an open position by the second
spring member
7721. The second spring member 7721 may have a first and a second end and the
second baffle
member 7722 may also have a first end and a second end. The third sealing
element 7723 may be
located adjacent to the first end of the second baffle member 7722 and the
fourth sealing element
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7724 may be located adjacent to the second end of the second baffle member.
The positions or
locations of the sealing elements 7723, 7724 on the second baffle member 7722
may be varied.
The second end of the second baffle member 7722 may movably extend into the
elongated grove
7715 of the first baffle member 7712 such that the second end of the second
baffle member 7722
may abut the first end of the elongated grove 7715 of the first baffle member
7712 in the first
relative position ( example, Fig. 7H) and the second end of the second baffle
member 7722 may
abut the second end of the elongated grove 7715 of the first baffle member
7712 in the second
relative position ( example, Fig. 7G). As such, in the first relative position
(example, Fig. 7H),
the first end of the second baffle member 7722 moves close towards the first
end of the second
spring member 7721 and in the second relative position ( example, Fig. 7G),
the first end of the
second baffle member 7722 may be located on the second end of the second
spring member
7721. In Fig. 7G, the circled rings 7716 represent sealed steam blast path and
in Fig. 7H, the
circled rings represent sealed normal area cleaning path.
[00741 In yet another exemplary embodiments of the steam mop 7000 as
illustrated in Figs. 71-
7K, the valve mechanism described in Figs. 7G and 7H may be configured to
comprise of
different valve mechanisms. In an exemplary embodiment of the steam mop 7000
illustrated in
Fig 71, the steam mop 7000 may comprise of a mop head 7300 with a change-over
device 1300
or 2300 or 3300 as described in Figs. 2A-2C or Figs.3A-3D or 4A-4C. In such an
embodiment as
illustrated in Fig. 71, the valve mechanism 7700 may comprise of a single
baffle 7740 extending
at least partially from the change-over device of the mop head 7300 and at
least partially
disposed in the first connector steam path 7205 and the second connector steam
path 7206
thereby allowing to control the direction of the steam flow to the steam blast
nozzle assembly
7400 or the mop head 7300.
100751 The single baffle 7740 may comprise a baffle spring member 7741, a
baffle member
7742, a first sealing element 7743, and a second sealing element 7744. In path
1 in Fig. 71, steam
is directed to the mop head 7300 and in path 2 in Fig. 71, steam is directed
to the steam blast
nozzle assembly 7400. In an another embodiment of the steam mop that is
illustrated in Fig. 71,
the valve mechanism 7700 may comprise of a first and second baffles such that
the first baffle
extends at least partially from the change-over device of the mop head 7300
located at least
partially in the first steam chamber of the mop head 7300 and the second
baffle extends at least
partially from the change-over device of the mop head 7300 located at least
partially in the
CA 2987313 2017-12-19
second steam chamber of the mop head, thereby allowing to control the
direction of the steam
flow to the steam blast nozzle assembly 7400 (path 2) or the mop head 7300
(path 1).
[0076] Figs. 7J and 7K illustrate additional embodiments of a valve mechanism
7700. The
valve mechanism 7750 in Fig. 7J or valve mechanism 776 in Fig. 7K would allow
or block the
steam flow to the mop head 7300 or to the steam blast nozzle assembly 7400
either by directing
the steam flow entirely either to the steam blast nozzle assembly 7400 (Path
2) or to the mop
head 7300 (Path 1) or by blocking the steam flow to the steam blast nozzle
assembly 7400 or the
mop head 7300 depending upon the first or second position of the mop head 7300
relative to the
connector assembly 7200 (refer to Figs. 6A-6D). The valve mechanism 7750 may
comprise a
spring member 7751, a valve member 7752, and two sealing elements 7753 and
7754,
respectively. Likewise, the valve mechanism 7760 may comprise a spring member
7761, a valve
member 7762, and a sealing member 7763 and 7764, respectively.
[0077] Figs. 8A-8K illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a steam mop 8000
which may be
configured to discharge steam in a normal area cleaning mode and a steam blast
mode with or
without scrubbing action. In Fig. 8A, an exemplary embodiment of the steam mop
8000
comprising a connector assembly 8200 (an embodiment of connector assembly 300
of Figs. 1A,
1C), and a mop head 8300 (an embodiment of mop head 400 of Figs. 1A, 1D) are
illustrated. The
connector assembly 8200 comprises a universal joint 8201, which is configured
to connect to the
mop head 8300 and a connector housing 8202 (an embodiment of connector housing
380 of Fig.
1C) which may comprise a connector steam inlet 8203, a connector steam conduit
8204, and a
steam blast nozzle assembly 8400.
[0078] The connector steam inlet 8203, the connector steam conduit 8204, the
steam blast
nozzle assembly 8400 may be fluidly connected to each other. The connector
steam inlet 8203
may be fluidly connected to the steam source 240 thereby receiving steam from
the steam source
240 and transmitting the received steam to the connector steam conduit 8204.
The connector
steam conduit 8204 may comprise a first connector steam path 8205 and a second
connector
steam path 8206 so as to direct the steam through the first connector steam
path 8205 to the
steam blast nozzle assembly 8400 or through the second connector steam path
8206 to the mop
head 8300,
[0079] The mop head 8300 may comprise of a first opposing surface 8301 and a
second
opposing surface 8302 and a mop head 8300 housing 8330 enclosed in between the
first and
23.
CA 2987313 2017-12-19
second opposing surfaces 8301 and 8302. The mop head 8300 housing 8330 may
comprise of
one or more mop head 8300 steam inlets 8304 o receive steam from the connector
housing and
one or more mop head 8300 steam outlets 8305 fluidly connected to each other
such that steam
is directed from the mop head 8300 steam inlet 8304 to the mop head 8300 steam
outlets 8305
to be output on the cleaning area. In a mop head 8300, a fluid conduit (not
shown) fluidly
connecting the mop head 8300 steam inlet 8304 to the mop head 8300 steam
outlet 8305 may
be present. The mop head 8300 steam inlet 8304 may be fluidly connected to the
connector
housing 8202. The mop head 8300 may be made of any geometric shape such as
triangular (as
illustrated in Fig. 8A), rectangular or any shape and may be made of any
material.
[0080] In an embodiment, the first opposing surface 8301 is not configured to
output steam. For
example, the first opposing surface 8301 may comprise a rigid casing made of
any material such
as plastic, metal etc. and/or may be a closed structure. As such, such a mop
head 8300 may not
be flipped over so that the second opposing surface 8302 may face upwardly. In
such a mop head
8300, the first opposing surface is the only surface that always faces
upwardly.
[0081] In an embodiment, the mop head 8300 may comprise abase 8311, a right
wall 8312, a
left wall 8313. The connector assembly 8200 may be pivotally connected to the
base 8311. The
second opposing surface 8302 may comprise a cleaning pad holding surface and
is configured to
output steam onto the area to be cleaned or treated. A cleaning pad 8309 may
be removably
attached to the cleaning pad holding surface of the second opposing surface
8302, thereby
allowing steam to be output through the cleaning pad 8309 on to the area to be
cleaned/treated.
The mop head 8300 may define a connector receiving portion 8340 which may be
of any shape
and which receives at least a portion of the connector housing. The universal
joint 8201 may be
pivotally connected to the connector receiving protrusions 8341 and 8342. The
steam blast
nozzle assembly 8400 may at least partially extend into the connector assembly
8200 as
illustrated in Fig. 8A.
[0082] In one embodiment, as illustrated in Fig. 8B, the mop head 8300 is at a
second
predetermined angle A2 (substantially similar to the second predetermined
angle described in
Figs. 6C) relative to the connector assembly 8200 thereby defining a second
position of the mop
head 8300 relative to the connector assembly 8200. In such an embodiment,
steam may be
directed through the second connector steam path 8206 (Figs. 8D-8E) to the mop
head 8300,
thereby defining an normal area cleaning mode of operation 8303.
22
CA 2987313 2017-12-19
[0083] As illustrated in Figs. 8D-8E, the first connector steam path 8205 may
be fluidly
connected to the steam blast nozzle assembly 8400 and the second connector
steam path 8206
may be connected to the mop head 8300. In an exemplary embodiment of the steam
mop 8000 as
illustrated in Fig. 8C, the mop head 8300 is at a first predetermined angle A1
(substantially
similar to the first predetermined angle described in Figs. 6A) relative to
the connector assembly
8200 thereby defining a first position of the mop head 8300 relative to the
connector assembly.
In such an embodiment, steam may be directed through the first connector steam
path 8205
(Figs. 8D-8E) to the steam blast nozzle assembly 8400, thereby defining a
steam blast mode of
operation 8401.
[0084] Referring to Figs. 8D and 8E, a longitudinal cross sectional view of
both the connector
assembly 8200 and the mop head 8300 of an exemplary embodiment described in
Fig. 8A may
be illustrated. The steam blast nozzle assembly 8400 may be configured in a
variety of ways as
described in Figs. 7A-7K. Fig. 8D is a longitudinal cross sectional view of
the connector
assembly 8200 and the mop head 8300 depicting the normal area cleaning mode of
operation
8303. The solid line 8307 illustrates a steam flow through the connector steam
inlet 8203 and the
second connector steam path 8206 of the connector steam conduit 8204 to the
mop head 8300
steam inlet 8304 , which may be output through the second opposing surface
8302 of the mop
head 8300, thereby allowing the steam to be used for normal area cleaning.
[00851 Fig. 8E is a longitudinal cross sectional view of the connector
assembly 8200 and the
mop head 8300 depicting the steam blast mode of operation 8401. The steam that
exits the
nozzle outlet portion 8404 of the steam blast nozzle assembly 8400 may appear
as a steam blast
or a steam jet. The solid line 8407 illustrates a steam flow through the
connector steam inlet 8203
and the first connector steam path 8205 of the connector steam conduit 8204 to
the steam blast
nozzle assembly 8400 and finally to outside through the steam blast nozzle
assembly 8400 as a
steam blast.
[0086] In an exemplary embodiment 800 of a steam mop as illustrated in Figs.
8F and 81, the
embodiment may comprise a valve mechanism 8700 to direct the steam flow: to
the mop head
8300, thereby allowing normal area cleaning mode of operation 8403 ( example,
Fig. 8H) or to
the steam blast nozzle assembly, thereby allowing steam blast mode of
operation ( example, Fig.
81). In the illustrated embodiment of Figs. 8F and 81, the connector housing
8202 may further
comprise a valve mechanism 8700 configured to switchably direct a steam flow
through the first
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=
connector steam path 8205 to the steam blast nozzle assembly 8400 ( example,
Fig. 81) or the
second connector steam path 8206 to the mop head 8300 steam inlet 8304 (
example, Fig. 8H),
wherein the valve mechanism 8700 may be disposed in at least a portion of the
first connector
steam path 8205 or at least a portion of the second connector steam path 8206
or both.
[0087] The valve mechanism 8700 may be the valve mechanism as illustrated in
Figs. 7G and
7FI or may be a change-over valve mechanism that resembles the change-over
device illustrated
in Figs. 2A-2C or Figs.3A-3D or 4A-4C. The valve mechanism 8700 may comprise a
variety of
valve mechanisms. In one embodiment, as illustrated in Fig. 8F, the valve
mechanism 8700 may
be a change-over device 8800 that may be disposed at least partially in the
first connector steam
path 8205 and the second connector steam path 8206. The change-over device
8800 may be
configured to move between a first change-over device position, which is
located in the first
connector steam path 8205, and a second change-over device position, which is
located in the
second connector steam path 8206.
[0088] When the mop head 8300 is oriented in the second position, the change-
over device
8800 may be located in the second change-over device position. The change-over
device 8800
may be configured to move between the first and second change-over device
positions by any
suitable means. For example, the change-over device 8800 may be configured to
move into the
first or the second change-over device position by gravitational force, force
exerted manually,
mechanical force triggered by an actuation device or any other suitable means.
In the second
change-over device position, the change-over device 8800 would block the first
connector steam
path 8205 while leaving the second connector steam path 8206 unobstructed.
This would allow
steam to be provided through the second connector steam path 8206 to the mop
head 8300.
When the mop head 8300 is oriented in the first position, the change-over
device 8800 may be
located in the first change-over device position. In the first change-over
device position, the
change-over device 8800 would leave the first connector steam path 8205
unobstructed while
blocking the second connector steam path 8206. This would allow steam to be
provided through
the first connector steam path 8205 to the steam blast nozzle assembly 8400
but prevent steam
from being entering the mop head 8300.
[0089] In one embodiment as illustrated in Fig. 8F, the change-over device
8800 may comprise
a valve body 8802 , a valve spring member 8801 , a sealing element such as 0-
ring 8803. The
valve body 8802 may comprise of a first end portion and a second end portion.
Adjacent to the
24
CA 2987313 2017-12-19
first end portion, the valve body 8802 may comprise a first and second
shoulders 8821, 8822
extending outwardly from the valve body 8802. The first and second shoulders
8821, 8822 may
be perpendicular to the valve body. The 0-ring 8803 is located at the
intersection of the first
shoulder 8821 and the valve body 8802 facing the first end portion. The
location of the 0-ring
8803 may not be considered to be limiting. The change-over device 8800 may be
housed in a
valve packaging assembly 8701 that also houses a movable baffle 8810. The
second end portion
of the valve body 8802 may be biased in open position in the valve spring
member 8801 while
the first end portion extends into a grove located in the movable baffle 8810
which is a part of
the valve packaging assembly. The movable baffle 8810 being perpendicularly
oriented relative
to the change-over device. The movable baffle 8810 may also be positioned in
such a way so as
to hold the change-over device in place.
[0090] The movable baffle 8810 may comprise an elongated baffle member 8812
with a first
end and a second end, a baffle spring member 8813 and three 0-rings 8814, 8815
and 8816. The
number of 0-rings needed may vary. The movable baffle 8810 may be oriented
perpendicular to
the mop head 8300 and perpendicular to the change-over device 8800. First end
of the elongated
baffle member 8812 may be biased in open position by the spring member 8813.
When the mop
is in first position as illustrated in Fig. 8F, the movable baffle 8810 is in
first baffle position,
wherein the second end of the valve body 8802 moves out of the grove of the
elongated baffle
member blocking the second connector steam path 8206. In this position, the
first and second
shoulders, the first and the second 0-rings of the change-over device move
forward along the
spring member thereby allowing the steam to flow through the first connector
steam path 8205
into the steam blast nozzle assembly 8400 allowing for steam blast or jet
mode. When the mop
head 8300 is in second position (not shown in Fig. 8F), the movable baffle
8810 may be in a
second baffle position, wherein the second end of the valve body 8802 extends
into the grove of
the elongated baffle member and the first and second shoulders, the first and
the second 0-rings
of the change-over device 8800 completely block the first connector steam path
8205 while the
second connector steam path 8206 remains open. As such, the steam moves into
the mop head
8300 allowing for normal area cleaning.
[0091] As illustrated in Fig. 8F, an actuation mechanism 8208 may be provided
to regulate the
movement of the change-over device from first change-over device position to
the second
change-over device position. The actuation mechanism 8208 may be operated
manually as in
CA 2987313 2017-12-19
Fig. 8F or may also be operated by any means such as a lever, electric means,
automatic means
etc. The actuation mechanism 8208 may be provided connected to the connector
assembly 8200
as illustrated in Fig. 8F. It is to be noted that the location of the
actuation mechanism 8208 may
not be considered limiting.
[0092] In another embodiment of the valve mechanism 8700, as illustrated in
Figs.8G-8H, the
change-over device 8800 may be configured in a variety of ways in accordance
with the
principles disclosed herein. In an embodiment, as illustrated in Figs. 8G-8H,
the change-over
device 8800 may include a first valve 8901 disposed at least partially in the
first connector steam
path 8205 and a second valve 8902 disposed at least partially in the second
connector steam path
8206. The first valve 8901 may comprise of a first valve body 8911, a first
valve spring member
8912 The first valve body 8911 may comprise of a first end portion and a
second end portion.
Adjacent to the second end portion, the first valve body 8911 may comprise
first and second
shoulders 8913, 8914 extending outwardly from the first valve body 8911 such
that the first and
second shoulders 8913, 8914 may be perpendicular to the first valve body 8911
and the second
end portion of the first vale body 8911 is biased in open position in the
first spring member 8912.
[0093] The first spring member 8912 may be located adjacent to the spring
nozzle assembly
840 in the first connector steam path 8205. A first 0-ring 8915 may be located
at the intersection
of the first shoulder 8913 and the first valve body 8911 towards the first end
portion. Further, a
second 0-ring 8916 may be located at the intersection of the second shoulder
8914 and the first
valve body 8911 close towards the first end portion.
[0094] Similarly, the second valve 8902 may comprise of a second valve body
8921, a second
valve spring member 8922. The second valve body 8921 may comprise of a first
end portion and
a second end portion. Adjacent to the second end portion, the second valve
body 8921 may
comprise a third and fourth shoulders 8923, 8924 extending outwardly from the
second valve
body 8921 such that the third and fourth shoulders 8923, 8924 may be
perpendicular to the
second valve body 8921. A third 0-ring 8925 may be located at the intersection
of the third
shoulder 8923 and the second valve body 8921 towards the first end portion.
Further, a fourth 0-
ring 8926 may be located at the intersection of the fourth shoulder 8924 and
the second valve
body 8921 close towards the first end portion. The first and second valves
8901 and 8902 may be
arranged in such a way that they form a straight line wherein the first end
portion of the first
26
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valve 8901 and the first end of the second valve 8902 touch each other. The
first and second
valves 8901 and 8902 may be at 180 angle to each other on the same axis.
[0095] The first and second 0-rings 8915, 8916 and the first and second
shoulders 8913, 8914
of the first valve body 8911 are configured to cooperate to block the first
connector steam path
8205 when the change-over device 8800 is in the first position. The third and
fourth 0-rings
8925 and 8926, the third and the fourth shoulders 8923, 8924 of the second
valve body 8921 are
configured to cooperate to block the second connector steam path 8206 when the
change-over
device 8800 is in the second position. The change-over device 8800 along with
a movable baffle
8810 may be housed in a valve packaging assembly 8701. The second end portion
of the second
valve body 8921 may extend into a grove of a movable baffle 8810 .
[0096] The movable baffle 8810 may be located perpendicular to the change-over
device
8800. The movable baffle 8810 may be positioned in such a way so as to hold
the change-over
device 8800 in place. The movable baffle 8810 may comprise an elongated baffle
member
8812, a grove 8813 on the elongated baffle member 8812, a spring member 8811
and two 0-
rings 8814, 8815. The number of 0-rings provided may vary. The movable baffle
8810 may be
located perpendicular to the mop head 8300. One end of the elongated baffle
member 8812 is
biased in open position by the spring member 8811. The other end of the
elongated baffle
member 8812 may have two 0-rings 8814, 8815. When the mop head 8300 is in
second position
(refer to Figs. 6C and 6D) as illustrated in Figs. 8G and 81, the movable
baffle 8810 is in second
baffle position, wherein the second end of the second valve body 8921 extends
into the grove of
the elongated baffle member 8812. As such, the first valve body 8911
completely blocks the
first connector steam path 8205 and the steam moves into the mop head 8300
allowing for
normal area cleaning. In this embodiment. the second connector steam path 8206
remains open
so as to permit the steam flow into the mop head 8300, thereby allowing normal
area cleaning
mode of operation 8303.
[0097] When the mop head 8300 is in a first position (refer to Fig. 6A and 6B)
as illustrated in
Fig. 8H, the movable baffle 8810 is in a first baffle position, wherein the
second end of the
second valve body 8921 moves out of the grove 8813 of the elongated baffle
member 8812. As
such, the second valve body 8921 completely blocks the second connector steam
path 8206 and
the first valve body 8911 moves such that the first connector steam path 8205
remains open and
the steam moves from the first connector steam path 8205 into the steam blast
nozzle assembly
27
CA 2987313 2017-12-19
8400 allowing for steam blast or jet blast 8405. The valve mechanism
illustrated in Figs. 8F -81
may not be considered limiting.
10098] As illustrated in Figs. 8J-8P, an exemplary embodiment of steam mop
8000 of Figs. 8A-
81 may be provided with a scrubber assembly 8500 for scrubbing action in
conjunction with the
steam blast. This mechanism allows to scrub the area to be cleaned or treated
in conjunction with
the steam blast so as to easily and effectively remove messy and hard-to-
remove stains or spots.
In one embodiment, the scrubber assembly 8500 may at least partially extend
into the connector
receiving opening of the mop head 8300.
100991 In an embodiment, the scrubber assembly 8500 may directly or indirectly
engage with
the connector assembly 8200. For example, the connector assembly 8200 and the
scrubber
assembly 8500 may move independent of each other or in coordination with each
other in certain
orientations of the mop head 8300 relative to the connector assembly 8200. In
a different
embodiment, the scrubber assembly 8500 may directly or indirectly engage with
the mop head
8300 or the body 8100.
[00100] The scrubber assembly 8500 may comprise a scrubber base 8501 with two
sides, a first
side 8502 and a second side 8503, at least one supporting arm 8505 or 8506
(Fig. 8L), and a
scrub member such as a scrub pad 8504, a brush, or any device that allows for
scrubbing the
surface (as in Fig. 8L). In an embodiment as illustrated in Fig. 8L, the scrub
pad 8504 may be
part of the cleaning pad 8309. The cleaning pad 8309 may be configured to
allow the scrub pad
8504 to retract when the scrubber assembly 8500 is in retracted mode 8520 and
to engage with
the area to be cleaned when the scrubber assembly 8500 is in scrubbing mode
8510. It may be
noted that providing a scrub pad 8504 as part of the cleaning pad 8309 may
allow for elimination
of any alignment issues. For example, if a user puts the cleaning pad 8309
onto the mop head
8300 incorrectly, when the scrubber assembly 8500 is deployed, the scrubber
assembly 8500
may potentially come down and rest on top of the cleaning pad 8309 without
making any contact
with the floor. In a different embodiment, the scrub pad 8504 may be separate
from the cleaning
pad 8309 and may be removably attached to the second side 8503 of the scrubber
base 8501.
[001011 In an exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figs. 8J-8P, the scrubber
assembly 8500 may
comprise a scrubber base 8501, and a pair of support arms, 8505, and 8506.
extending from the
scrubber base 8501. The support arms 8505, 8506 may be configured to directly
or indirectly
connect to the connector assembly 8200 and may at least partially extend into
the connector
28
CA 2987313 2017-12-19
=
receiving opening. Each of the support arms 8505, 8506 (example, Figs. 8M and
8N, 80, and 8P)
may be configured to be in a folded position when the scrubbing assembly is in
a retracted mode
8520 (Mode 1) and in an extended position when the scrubber assembly is in a
scrubbing mode
8510 (Mode 2). This embodiment of the scrubber assembly 8500 may offer the
benefit of having
the scrub pad to not be in contact with the floor when not in scrubbing mode
8510 so as to allow
the dirt or grime to not be redeposited on to a clean area.
[00102] In the normal area cleaning mode, where the steam flow is directed to
the mop head
8300, the scrubber assembly 8500 is in retracted mode 8520, i.e, away from the
area to be
cleaned. In steam blast mode of operation 8401, where the steam flow is
directed to the steam
blast nozzle assembly 8400, the scrubber assembly 8500 is in scrubbing mode
8510, i.e., the
support arms 8505, 8506 are extended to allow the scrub member 8504 to be in
contact with the
area to be cleaned or treated (example, Fig. 8M, Mode 2). This allows for
scrubbing the surface
in conjunction with the steam blast. In one embodiment, the scrubber base is
located adjacent to
the steam blast nozzle assembly 8400 so as to allow steam blast to come right
before the
scrubber is deployed. This allows for efficient removal of the dirt, grime,
tough and messy stains
on the area to be cleaned.
1001031 In one embodiment, the deployment of the scrubber assembly 8500 may be
controlled
by the orientation of the mop head 8300 relative to the connector assembly.
The angular
orientation of the mop head 8300 that allows the steam to be blasted out of
the steam blast nozzle
assembly 8400 also activates the deployment of the scrubber assembly 8500. The
deployment of
the scrubber assembly 8500 may also be brought by any means such as a lever
mechanism,
electrical means etc. As illustrated in Figs. 8M (Mode 1), 8N (Mode 1) and 80,
the scrubber
assembly 8500 is in retracted mode 8520 as the mop head 8300 is in the normal
area cleaning
mode 8303, i.e., in a second position wherein the mop head 8300 is at a second
pre-determined
angle relative to the connector assembly 8200. As illustrated in Figs. 8M
(Mode 2), 8N (Mode 2)
and 8P, the scrubber assembly is in scrubbing mode 8510 as the mop head 8300
is in the steam
blast mode 8401, i.e., in a first position wherein the mop head 8300 is at a
first pre-determined
angle relative to the connector assembly 8200.
1001041 Fig. 9 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a mop head 9100 that may
be used for
cleaning or otherwise treating a surface, such as, but not limited to, wood,
tile, marble, or
laminate flooring. It should be appreciated that the mop head 9100 embodiments
described
29
CA 2987313 2017-12-19
herein may also be used as treatment apparatuses to perform one or more
functions other than
cleaning to treat or operate on a surface. As illustrated in Fig. 9, an
embodiment of the mop head
9100 may include a frame 9102, flaps 9104, a joint 9106, and a least one
cleaning pad 9108.
[00105] The cleaning pad 9108 may be removably attachable to the flaps 9104.
In the
embodiment depicted in Fig. 10, the cleaning pad 9108 has an interior surface
and an exterior
surface. In some embodiments, the interior surface of the cleaning pad 9108
has pockets 9110
that can be fitted around protruding portions sections of the flaps 9104
thereby securing the
cleaning pad 9108 to the flaps 9104. In some embodiments, the device may
comprise a single
cleaning pad 9108 that is attached to the flaps 9104. However, in other
embodiments the device
may comprise a plurality of cleaning pads 9108 that attach to the flaps 9104.
In one such
embodiment, one pad 9108 attaches to each flap 9104. In different embodiments,
there may be
different numbers of flaps 9104. In some embodiments, the mop head 9100 may
have two faces,
and there may be a flap 9104 on each face. In some embodiment, both faces may
be used to
clean a surface. As can be appreciated, different embodiment may employ
different methods to
allow the user to switch from using one face of the mop head 9100 or the
other.
[00106] It will also be understood by one skilled in the art that other means
may be utilized to
secure the cleaning pad 9108 to the flaps 9104 as alternatives, or in addition
to pockets. For
example, in some embodiments, Velcro, or a Velcro-type adhesive, may be used
to attach the
cleaning pads 9108 to the flaps 9104. But, as can be appreciated, a variety of
means may be used
to attach the cleaning pad 9108 to the flaps 9104.
[00107] The cleaning pad 9108 may be formed from a variety of materials.
Different cleaning
pad 9108 embodiments may be appropriate for different types of surface
treatments. In some
embodiments, different embodiments of the cleaning pad 9108 may be
interchangeably attached
to the cleaning flaps 9104. For example, a first cleaning pad 9108 embodiment
may be attached
to flaps 9104 and used and replaced with a second cleaning pad 9108 embodiment
to be used for
another purpose. In embodiments wherein the treatment head 9100 comprises
multiple faces, the
cleaning pad 9108 may be divided into sections that correspond to the faces of
the treatment head
9100. Each section of the cleaning pad 9108 may be designed for a specific
purpose. And, a user
can adjust the mop head 9100 so the desired face can be brought to bear on the
cleaning surface
thereby utilizing the most suitable section of the cleaning pad 9108.
CA 2987313 2017-12-19
[00108] As illustrated in Figs. 11, 11a, lib, 11c and 11d, in some embodiments
the flaps 9104
are pivotably attached to a first portion 9150 of the frame 9102 of the mop
head 9100 wherein
the flaps 9104 are configured to pivotably rotate relative to the frame 9102
between an open
positon and a closed position. The flaps 9104 may be rotated into an open
position for
attachment and removal of cleaning pads 9108, and locked into a closed
position for cleaning. In
one embodiment, hinges maybe used to attach the flaps 9104 to the frame 9102.
[00109] However, in alternative embodiments, different attachment mechanisms
may be used to
attach the flaps 9104 to the frame 9102. The hinge, or other attachment
mechanism, used to
attach the flaps 9104 to the frame 9102 may be disposed at different locations
in different
embodiments. In some embodiments, the flaps 9104 may then be rotated about the
hinge to an
open or closed position. Fig. 11 depicts one embodiment of the device with
flaps 9104 in an open
position. And Fig. 12b depicts an embodiment of the device with flaps 9104 in
a closed position.
1001101 Figs. 11-11d depict embodiments wherein the flaps 9104 are hinged, or
pivotably
connected to a first side or portion 9150 of the frame 9102 and releasably
connected to a second
side 9152 of the frame 9102. Such an embodiment allows the flaps 9104 to
rotate about the hinge
on the first side 9150 so the flaps 9104 may folded into a closed position and
releasably
connected to the second side 9152 of the frame 9102. For cleaning pad 9108
removal, the flaps
9104 can be folded out into an open position after the flaps 9104 have been
released from second
side 9152 of the frame. In some embodiments, the first side 9150 and the
second side 9152 of the
frame 9102 are on opposite, or opposing, sides, as is depicted in the
embodiments found in Figs.
11-lid.
1001111 In one embodiment, the flaps 9104 are releasably connected to a first
side 9150 of the
frame 9102, and the joint 9106 is pivotably connected to a second side 9152 of
the frame 9102.
The first and second sides 9150 and 9152 may oppose each other, in such an
embodiment.
[00112] The mop head 9100 embodiments depicted in Figs. 12-12h further
comprise a first flap
9104A and a second flap 9104B. The first flap 9104A and second flap 9104B are
pivotably
connected to the first side 9150 of the frame 9102 along a first hinge axis
9200 (for the first flap
9104A), and a second hinge axis 9202 (for the second flap 9104B) that are
spaced apart as shown
in Figs. 12-12h. A variety of locking mechanisms may be utilized in different
embodiments to
releasably lock the flaps 9104A and 9104B to the frame 9102 at the second side
9152 when they
31
CA 2987313 2017-12-19
are folded into a closed position. And, different embodiments may utilize
different release
mechanisms to unlock the flaps 9104A and 9104B from the frame 9102.
[001131 As illustrated in Figs. 12-12h, a push button release mechanism 9120
may be used to
unlock the flaps 9104A and 9104B so they may be folded open and the cleaning
pad 9108
removed. The button 9120 may be located on the frame 9102 of the mop head 9100
in a variety
of positions. The button 9120 also may be located at different points on the
mop head 9100 or on
a cleaning appliance.
[00114] As illustrated in Figs. 13-13e, in one embodiment, the cleaning pads
9108 may be
configured to include one or more foot tabs 9130. The frame 9102 may be
unlocked and the flaps
9104 released when the user puts upward pressure on the frame 9102 and holds
the flaps 9104 in
place by stepping on the foot tabs 9130. As can be appreciated, the upward
pressure may be
provided in different ways in different embodiments. However, in many
embodiments the mop
head 9100 may be attached to a shaft or rod and the user may apply upward
pressure on the
frame 9102 simply pulling up on the rod or shaft. When a certain pressure is
reached, the flaps
9104 will be freed from the locking mechanism and fold open. A user can thus
unlock and open
the flaps 9104 with touching the mop head 9100 with his or her hands. In some
embodiments,
the pad 9108 can also be removed in the same motion, and the user may be able
to remove the
pad 9108 from the flaps 9104 without using her or her hands. In one such
embodiment, the
cleaning pad 9108 is attached to the flaps 9104 by pockets 9110. Once the
flaps 9104 have
unfolded the user can continue to pull on the shaft or rod and pull the flaps
9104 out of the
cleaning pad 9108, which will be held to the ground by the foot tab 9130. The
pads 9108 can
thus be removed, hands free. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments
other release
mechanisms may be used to release the flaps 9104, some of which are discussed
elsewhere in
this specification, and including but limited to levers.
[00115] In another embodiment, the cleaning pads 9108 may be attached to the
flaps 9104 by
Velcro, or other Velcro-type adhesive. The cleaning pads 9108 also may have
foot tabs 9130. By
stepping on a foot tab 9130 and pulling on the shaft or handle, the user can
overcome the grip of
the Velcro and detach the mop head 9100 away from the cleaning pad 9108. The
mop head 9100
will thus be freed from the cleaning pad 9108, but the flaps 9104 will remain
in the closed
position. This will allow the user to remove an old, potentially hot, cleaning
pad 9108 from the
32
CA 2987313 2017-12-19
mop head 9100 without touching the cleaning pad with his or her hands. And a
new cleaning pad
9108 can then be attached to the mop head 9100.
1001161 In one embodiment, the mop head 9100 may further comprise a connector
assembly
9107. In some embodiments, the connector assembly may be used to connect the
mop head 9100
to a shaft, handle, or rod. An embodiment of the connector assembly 9106 is
depicted in Figs.
15-15g. The connector assembly depicted in Figs. 15-15g comprises an upper
portion 9107A and
a lower portion 9107B. The connector assembly 9107 may further comprise a
joint 9106
configured to allow the upper portion 9107A and the lower portion 9107B to
rotate relative to
each other. The lower portion 9107B may comprises a yoke 9160, in some
embodiments. The
yoke 9160 may be received into recesses 9162 disposed on the frame 9102. In
some
embodiments, the mop head 9100 can be rotated about the yoke 9160.
1001171 One embodiment of a locking mechanism 9164 is depicted in Figs. 15-
15g. However,
as can be appreciated, alternative means can be used lock or unlock the flaps
9104. In this
embodiment the flaps 9104 further comprise catches 9170 extending from the
flaps 9104. The
locking mechanism 9164 is configured to relcasably secure the flaps 9104 in a
closed positon. In
some embodiments, the locking mechanism 9164 comprises latches 9171 movably
connected to
the frame 9102. When engaged, the latches 9171 will hold the catches 9170 in
place and prevent
the flaps 9104 from unfolding. In other embodiments the arrangement and
operation of the
latches 9171 and catches 9170 in relation to each other are reversed. In such
embodiments, the
latches 9171 are disposed on the flaps 9104 and the catches are movably
connected to the frame
9102. In some embodiments, the latches 9171 can be biased into a first latch
position wherein the
latches 9171 are engaged. A spring 9172 may be used to bias the latches 9171
into the first latch
position. However, in alternative embodiments, different biasing mechanisms
may be employed.
[001181 When the latches 9171 are disengaged, the flaps 9104 will be free to
fold to an open
position. In some embodiments, the latches 9171 may be moved from a first
latch position to a
second latch position by a trigger 9173. When in the second latch position,
the latches 9171 may
be disengaged. When in the first latch position wherein the latches 9171
engage the catches 9170
and hold the flaps 9104 in the closed position Some embodiments may comprise a
single trigger
9173. But, other embodiments may comprise multiple triggers 9173. Figs. 15-15g
depict an
embodiment with two triggers 9173. When the triggers 9173 are actuated the
biasing element
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CA 2987313 2017-12-19
9172 will be compressed and the catches 9170 will be freed from the latches
9171 thereby
allowing the flaps 9104 to unfold.
[001191 In the embodiment depicted Figs. 15-15c, the triggers 9173 may be
actuated by a release
mechanism 9174 configured to interact with the locking mechanism 9164. The
location of the
locking mechanism 9164 may vary in different embodiments. And the interaction
between the
locking mechanism 9164 and the release mechanism may also vary in different
embodiments.
The release mechanism 9174 comprises an upper actuator element 9175, and a
lower actuator
element 9176. In some embodiments, the upper actuator element 9175 is at least
partially
disposed in the upper portion 9107A of the connector assembly 9107, and the
lower actuator
element 9176 is at least partially disposed in the lower portion 9107B of the
connector assembly
9107. The connector assembly 9107 may be configured so that upper actuator
element 9175 and
the lower actuator element 9176 do not interfere with the pivoting
functionality provided by the
joint 9106.
1001201 The upper actuator element 9175 may further comprise an upper edge
9178, and a lower
edge 9179. In some embodiments the upper actuator element 9175 may have a
first position and
a second position. In some embodiments, the upper actuator element 9175 may
switch between a
first position and second position by a button 9181, as depicted in Fig. 15g.
As can be
appreciated, the button 9181 can be located at different position in different
embodiments. In
some embodiments, the button 9181 may be engaged by being pressed in a
transverse or axial
direction. In the first position, the upper edge 9178 protrudes beyond the
upper portion 9107A of
the connector assembly 9107. And, when in the second position, the lower edge
9179 protrudes
from the upper portion 9107A. In some embodiments, a biasing element 9177 will
bias the
upper edge 9178 and the lower extendible edges into the first position. The
push-rod mechanism
depicted in Figs. 15-15e is in the first position. In some embodiments, the
biasing element 9177
comprises a spring. Such an embodiment is depicted in Figs. 15-15c. In some
embodiments, the
upper actuator element 9175 may comprise its own springs to keep in it in the
appropriate
position and it does not rely on biasing element 9177.
1001211 In some embodiments the upper actuator clement 9175 may be moved from
the first
position to the second position when pressure is exerted on the upper edge
9178. The upper
actuator element 9175 will compress the biasing element 9177. This will cause
the upper edge
9178 to retract into the upper assembly 9107A.
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CA 2987313 2017-12-19
[00122] In some embodiments, the lower actuator element 9176 may comprise a
lower edge
9180. The lower actuator element 9176 may be movable between a first position
and a second
position, wherein a lower edge 9180 of the lower actuator 9176 element
protrudes from the lower
portion 9107B when the lower actuator element 9176 is in the second position.
1001231 The lower edge 9179 of the upper actuator element 9175 may be
configured in some
embodiments to interact with the lower actuator element 9176 such that the
lower actuator
element 9176 moves from the first position to the second position when the
upper actuator
element moves from the first position to the second position of the upper
actuator element. In
some embodiments, the lower actuator element 9176 may be aligned so that the
lower edge 9179
of the upper actuator element 9175 actuates the lower actuator element 9176.
Fig. 15d depicts an
exploded view of the release mechanism 9174 wherein the upper actuator
assembly 9175 and the
lower actuator assembly 9176 are in second positions. Figs. 15-15c depict
embodiments wherein
the upper actuator element 9175 and lower actuator element 9176 are in first
positons.
1001241 The lower edge 9180 of the lower actuator element 9176 may also be
configured to
interact with the trigger 9173 such that the trigger 9173 would move the
latches 9171 from the
first latch position to the second latch position when the lower actuator
element 9176 moves
from the first position to the second position. As mentioned above, the
release mechanism 9174
may interact with the locking mechanism 9164 in different ways to trigger the
flap 9104 release.
In some embodiments the locking mechanism 9164 may be released by axial
movement of the
lower edge 180. However, in other embodiments, the lower edge 9180 may be
configured to
move in a transverse direction and thereby triage the release of the locking
mechanism.
[00125] In some embodiments, the lower actuator element 9176 may be aligned
with the trigger
9173 so that the lower edge 9180 presses the trigger 9173 when the lower edge
9180 protrudes
from the lower portion 9107B. This can overcome the biasing element 9172 and
free the latches
9171 from the catches 9170.
[00126] As can be appreciated, pressure may be exerted on the upper edge 9178
of the upper
actuator element 9175, and move the upper actuator element 9175 from the first
positon to the
second position, by different ways in different embodiments. In some
embodiments, this may be
accomplished by pushing down on a rod, shaft, or handle attached to the
connector assembly
9107.
CA 2987313 2017-12-19
[00127] The flaps 9104 may be attached to the base of the frame 9102. But, in
other
embodiments, the flaps 9104 may be attached at other points on the frame 9102.
In one
embodiment, there may be two flaps 9104, but in other embodiments there may be
a different
number of flaps 9104. The flaps 9104 may be manufactured from a variety of
materials including
but not limited to plastics.
1001281 The frame 9102 may be manufactured from a variety of materials
including but not
limited to plastic. The frame 9102 may be connected to the joint 9106, which
may be configured
as a universal joint, as illustrated in Fig. 14. The universal joint allows
the user freedom to pivot
a shaft or handle around the connection point between the frame 9102 and the
joint 9106. In
embodiments comprising a two-faced mop head 9100 this gives the user the
freedom to utilize
either face to clean or treat a surface. In some embodiments, the frame 9102
may include
recesses 9160 to receive the connector assembly 9107. The connector assembly
9107 may
comprise a yoke 9160 that is inserted into the recesses 9162. In some
embodiments, the mop
head 9100 may be configured to rotate around the yoke 9160 thereby allowing
the shaft and
handle to pivoted about the connection point. For two-faced embodiments, this
gives the user the
ability to rotate the mop head 9100 so either face may be applied to a
cleaning surface. But, in
different embodiments, a variety of means may be used to connect the joint
9106 to the frame
9102.
1001291 In another embodiment, as illustrated in Figs. 12c-12h, the frame 9102
may be
connected to the joint 9106 by an external support bar 9140. The frame 9102
may have recesses
to receive the external support bar 9140. But, as can be appreciated, a
variety of means may be
used to connect the external support bar 9140 to the frame 9102. This
embodiment may also give
the user the freedom to pivot a shaft and handle about the connection point
between the frame
9102 and the external support bar 9140. And, in embodiments comprising a two-
faced mop head
9100 the user has freedom to utilize either face to clean or treat a surface.
1001301 The joint 9106 includes a shaft connection mechanism. As will be
appreciated by one
skilled in the art, there are numerous connection mechanisms that may be
employed in different
embodiments to connect the joint 9106 to a shaft or handle. As illustrated in
Fig. 12, the joint
9106 also may have a swiveling mechanism that gives the user an additional
range of motion. As
can be appreciated, a variety of means can be employed to give the joint 9106
a swiveling
property including but not limited to a pivot.
36
CA 2987313 2017-12-19
1001311 Some embodiments of the treatment head 1 may also comprise flap
ejectors 9182. One
such embodiment is depicted in Figs. 16-16A. The flap ejectors 9182 may be
configured to pop
the flaps 9104 into an open position after the flaps 9104 have been released
by the locking
mechanism 9164. This will facilitate the opening of the flaps 9104 so a user
does not manually
have to pull them to an open position after the locking mechanism 9164 has
been released. In
some embodiments, the flap ejectors 9182 may comprise a spring biasing the
flaps 9104 into the
open position. The spring will be compressed when the flaps 9104 are in the
closed position, and
pop out when the locking mechanism is released. As can be appreciated,
different embodiments
may comprise different numbers of spring ejectors 9182 and in different
locations. And, the flap
ejectors 9182 may comprise different foul's in different embodiments.
1001321 Some embodiments of the treatment head 9100 may also comprise a
linkage element
9183, as depicted in Figs. 16-16A. The linkage element 9183 may be configured
to connect the
flaps 9104 to coordinate the movement of the flaps. In such an embodiment, the
flaps 9104 will
simultaneously rotate
[00133] In operation a method for using the treatment head 9100 to treat a
surface comprising,
providing a frame 9102 with a first portion 9150 and pivotably connecting
flaps 9104 to the first
portion 9150 of the frame 9102 wherein the flaps 9104 are pivotably rotated
relative to the frame
9102 into an open position. The method further comprises providing a cleaning
pad 9108 and
removably attaching the cleaning pad 9108 to the flaps 9104. The method may
also comprise
providing a locking mechanism 9164 wherein providing the locking mechanism
9164 comprises
providing catches 9170 extending from the flaps 9104, movable latches 9171,
and a trigger 9173.
The flaps 9104 can be rotated into a closed position and locked with the
locking mechanism
9164. The method further comprises providing a connection assembly 9107
comprising an upper
portion 9107A, a lower portion 9107B, and a joint 9106. The connection
assembly is pivotably
connected to the frame. A surface is treated with the flaps 9104 locked in a
closed position with a
cleaning pad 9108 attached by pivoting the treatment head 9100 about the
connection assembly
9107 and rotating the upper 9107A and lower portion 9107B relative to each
other by the joint
9106, as needed. The method further comprises providing a release mechanism
9174 wherein
providing the release mechanism 9174 comprises providing an upper actuator
element 9175 at
least partially disposed in the upper portion 9107A of the connector assembly
9107, and
providing a lower actuator element 9176 at least partially disposed in the
lower portion 9107B of
37
CA 2987313 2017-12-19
the connector assembly 9107. Finally, after the surface is treated, the method
comprising
releasing the catches 9170 from the latches 9171 by moving the upper actuator
element 9175
from a first position to a second positon thereby moving the lower actuator
element 9176 from a
first position to a second position which engages the trigger 9173
[00134] Fig. 17 shows an embodiment of a surface treatment system 9320 having
enhanced
swivel and modularized features. In particular, the system 9320 comprises a
steam application
device 9322 and a portable steamer 9324. The portable steamer 9324 is
constructed and arranged
to conveniently attach to the steam application device 9322 and detach from
the steam
application device 9322 (e.g., illustrated by the arrow 9326). The steam
application device 9322
includes a main body 9330, a swivel assembly 9332, an applicator 9334, and a
mop handle 9336.
The main body 9330 includes a first end 9340 which connects directly to the
mop handle 9336, a
second end 9342 which connects directly to the swivel assembly 9332, and a mid-
portion 9344
disposed between the first and second ends 9340, 9342. The swivel assembly
9332 connects the
main body 9330 to the applicator 9334, and operates in the manner of a
universal joint to allow
the main body 9330 and the applicator 9334 to swivel relative to each other.
[00135] As best seen in Fig. 17, the mop handle 9336, the main body 9330, the
swivel assembly
9332 and the applicator 9334 are disposed in a sturdy inline configuration
which forms a mop
9346 having a central axis 9348. In this configuration, a user, when
maneuvering the mop handle
9336, is able to effectively and conveniently clean a surface 9350 with the
applicator 9334. With
this C-shaped geometry, the main body 9330 cradles the portable steamer 9324
in a manner that
robustly and reliably supports the portable steamer 9324 when the portable
steamer 9324 is
attached to the main body 9330. In some arrangements, the central axis 9348 of
the mop 9346
passes through the cavity 9352 (Fig. 17), but the construction of the main
body 9330
nevertheless provides sufficient support strength to maintain sturdiness of
the mop 9346 and thus
enable the user to apply significant mopping force to the surface 9350 for
effective cleaning.
Furthermore, such geometry enables the portable steamer 9324 to have a
relatively large, but
modular form factor as well as enables the portable steamer 9324 to detach
from the steam
application device 9322 in a simple lift away manner, and attach to the steam
application device
9322 in a simple insertion manner.
[00136] It is to be appreciated that in a surface treatment system 100
illustrated in Fig. 1A,
various combinations of body 200 and mop head 400 could be assembled together
to form a
38
CA 2987313 2017-12-19
surface treatment apparatus. A universal joint 310 may be configured to
connect to various
combinations of a body 200 and a mop head 400. The body may be any one of the
bodies
illustrated in Fig. 1B and/or Fig 17. The mop head may be any one of the mop
heads illustrated
in Figs. 1-17. For example, a surface treatment apparatus in one or more
embodiments may
comprise: a mop head as illustrated in Figs. 1D in combination with any one of
the bodies as in
Figs. 1B or Fig. 17; a mop head as illustrated in Figs. 2-6 in combination
with any one of the
bodies as in Figs. 1B or Fig. 17; a mop head as illustrated in Figs. 7-8 in
combination with any
one of the bodies as in Figs. 1B or Fig. 17; a hands-free mop head as in Figs.
9-16 in
combination with any one of the bodies as in Figs. 1B or Fig. 17, a mop head
as in Fig. 17 in
combination with any of the bodies as in Figs. 1B or Fig. 17. It is to be
noted that the bodies
and/or mop heads illustrated in Figs. 1-17 may not be considered to be
limiting.
[00137] While various embodiments in accordance with the disclosed principles
have been
described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way
of example only,
and are not limiting. Thus, the breadth and scope of the example embodiments
described herein
should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplar), embodiments.
Furthermore, the
above advantages and features are provided in described embodiments, but shall
not limit the
application to processes and structures accomplishing any or all of the above
advantages.
[00138] Words of comparison, measurement, and timing such as "at the time,"
"equivalent,"
"during," "complete," and the like should be understood to mean "substantially
at the time,"
"substantially equivalent," "substantially during," "substantially complete,"
etc., where
"substantially" means that such comparisons, measurements, and timings arc
practicable to
accomplish the implicitly or expressly stated desired result. Words relating
to relative position
of elements such as "about," "near," "proximate to," and "adjacent to" shall
mean sufficiently
close to have a material effect upon the respective system element
interactions.
[00139] Additionally, the section headings herein are provided for consistency
with the
suggestions under 37 C.F.R. 1.77 or otherwise to provide organizational cues.
These headings
shall not limit or characterize the invention(s) from this disclosure.
Further, a description of a
technology in the "Background" is not to be construed as an admission that
technology is prior
art to any invention(s) in this disclosure. Neither is the "Summary" to be
considered as a
characterization of the invention(s). Furthermore, any reference in this
disclosure to "invention"
39
CA 2987313 2017-12-19
in the singular should not be used to argue that there is only a single point
of novelty in this
disclosure. Multiple inventions may be set forth.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-05-26
