Floor Cleaning Apparatus

Abstract

There is provided a floor cleaning apparatus assembly comprising a base portion for engaging a floor during cleaning, means for creating suction whereby air is drawn from the surrounding of the base portion through the base portion via an opening provided at a front end of the base portion, a cleaning sheet provided with a first area for collecting finer dirt particles and a second area for collecting larger dirt particles, means for securing the cleaning sheet to the base portion but exposing the first area of the cleaning sheet, and a channel provided within the floor cleaning apparatus through which suctioned air travels, the channel beginning with the opening at the front end of the base portion, followed by passing through the second area of the cleaning sheet whereby larger dirt particles carried in the air are trapped thereat, and ending at an exit.

Description

FIELD OF THE PRESENT INVENTION[0001]The present invention is related to a cleaning apparatus for floor cleaning.BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION[0002]There is a great variety of implements for floor care on the market. Common variants include upright- and cylinder-type suction cleaners, stick-vacuum cleaners, hand-held vacuums and mops. There are also floor care products that combine vacuum cleaning and mopping. Lightweight stick vacuum cleaners are often equipped with a mopping pad, onto which a cleaning sheet or similar is attached, so that both larger and smaller dust particles can be cleaned off the floor. Many conventional suction cleaners are designed to necessarily equip with a relatively large container for collecting dust and a filter to clean suctioned air before it enters the suction motor. However, filters, dust containers and air ducting all add cost and complexity to any design, which is particularly sensitive to a low cost product. Also, replacement of such filters...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]The first area of the cleaning sheet engaging the floor may be substantially larger than the second area of the cleaning sheet. The first area may be used for floor mopping to attract finer dirt particles, such as dust, hair, etc. The second area of the cleaning sheet may be used for filtering larger dirt particles from the suctioned air, such as sand, food crumbs, etc. In a specific embodiment, the cleaning sheet may be provided with two surfaces, in which both the first and second areas of the cleaning sheet for collecting dirt particles reside on only one of the surfaces. With such configuration, after use the cleaning sheet can be folded against itself with the dirt collecting surface facing inwards to contain the dirt and then disposed easily.

[0010]In a preferred embodiment, the floor cleaning apparatus assembly may be free of any dust receptacle or dust filter. The absence of a dirt collecting receptacle in the base portion allows it be made more compact and to reach difficult to clean areas more easily, like a regular mop. The absence of a dirt collecting receptacle at the handle portion allows the handle portion be made with more design freedom. Specifically, it gives a lower center of gravity, reduces weight and improves the maneuverability of the overall apparatus.

[0023]Alternatively, the cylindrical wall may have a generally uniform thickness. The cylindrical wall may however be provided with ribs longitudinally arranged on the exterior surface thereof to enhance structural integrity of the connector. The ribs at or near the second axis may be thinner than the ribs at or near the first axis. With such configuration, the handle portion can similarly pivot forward and backward relative to the base portion more easily than it can pivot sideways.

Problems solved by technology

However, filters, dust containers and air ducting all add cost and complexity to any design, which is particularly sensitive to a low cost product.

Also, replacement of such filters and dust containers by users is an added nuisance and cost.

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