Cleaning device

Abstract

The invention relates to a cleaning device having a cleaning member movably arranged at a housing, the cleaning member having a cleaning portion for contacting a surface to be cleaned; a handle member connected to the housing and elastically movable between a raised position and a lower position, such that when the handle member is arranged in the raised position, an elastic member operatively connecting the handle member and the housing is substantially compressed, thereby exerting a pressure on the cleaning member towards the surface to be cleaned.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a cleaning device, and in particular, but not exclusively, to a manual cleaning device for removing hair, dirt or dust from a surface such as a carpet, furniture, floor and other areas. BACKGROUND

[0002] A wide variety of cleaning tools or devices, such as but not limited to brushes, mops and brooms, are commonly used to remove dirt, dust, debris and the like from a floor, a surface or any surface that needs to be cleaned. Among the different types of devices on the market, handheld cleaning tools such as brushes, roller cleaners are widely used to remove pet hair or dust and the like from a garment, a carpet or furniture. Conventional roller brushes generally comprise a dusting surface at the periphery of a roller body, which is formed of a material for removing dust, such as an adhesive material or fabric that captures, picks up and / or adheres any hair, dirt or dust from the surface to be cleaned.

[0003] For example, US Patent 8,117,706 discloses a cleaning tool in the form of a roller brush designed to collect dust from a surface. In particular, the roller brush is configured with a short handle for the user to hold the brush to move it back and forth over the surface, while the dusting surface of the roller is in contact with the surface to be cleaned. However, the cleaning efficiency of this type of roller brush tends to be less than satisfactory, as the efficiency depends largely on the contact between the dusting surface and the surface to be cleaned, which is easily affected or limited by different usage situations, such as the user's operating angle, especially when the surface is not completely flat or horizontal. Moreover, the manual operation in this conventional design also requires the user to be close to the surface to be cleaned, such as bending over or kneeling down to maintain the contact between the roller and the surface. This presents difficulties for some users and makes it impractical to clean surfaces away from the user, which is inconvenient and undesirable.

[0004] Invention Objectives

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a cleaning device in which the above-mentioned disadvantages are mitigated or at least provide a useful alternative.

[0006] It is a further object of the present invention to mitigate or eliminate to some extent one or more problems associated with known handheld cleaning devices, such as a cleaning brush or a roller brush.

[0007] The above objects are met by the combination of features of the main claim; the dependent claims disclose other advantageous embodiments of the invention.

[0008] Other objects of the present invention will be derived from the following description. Therefore, the above object statements are not exhaustive, but are merely intended to illustrate some of the many objects of the present invention. SUMMARY

[0009] In a first main aspect, the present invention provides a device for cleaning. The device comprises a cleaning member movably arranged at a housing, the cleaning member comprising a cleaning portion for contacting a surface to be cleaned; a handle member arranged in connection with the housing and elastically movable between a raised position and a lower position; wherein, when the handle member is arranged in said raised position, an elastic member operatively connecting the handle member with the housing is substantially compressed, thereby exerting a pressure on the cleaning member towards said surface to be cleaned.

[0010] The summary of the invention does not necessarily disclose all features essential for defining the invention; the invention can reside in sub-combinations of the disclosed features. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0011] The foregoing and further features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments provided by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0012] Figure 1 is a top perspective view of a cleaning device according to the invention;

[0013] Figure 2 is a bottom perspective view of the cleaning device of Figure 1 ;

[0014] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view along the A-A plane of Figure 1 ;

[0015] Figure 4 is a bottom perspective view of a second embodiment of a cleaning device according to the invention;

[0016] Figure 5 shows the cleaning device of Figure 4 , wherein the handle is arranged in the lower position;

[0017] Figure 6 shows the cleaning device of Figure 5 , wherein the handle is arranged in the raised position;

[0018] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view along the D-D axis of Figure 3 ;

[0019] Figure 8 shows a handle extension of the handle of Figure 7 ; and

[0020] Figure 9 shows a third embodiment of a cleaning device according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The preferred embodiments will be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are not limiting of the features necessary for the practice of the present application.

[0022] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present application. The appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment" in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are they necessarily mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Furthermore, the features are described as being possibly present in some embodiments and not in other embodiments. Similarly, the features are described as being possibly required in some embodiments and not in other embodiments.

[0023] In the claims of the present application, any element expressed as a means for performing a specified function is intended to cover any way of performing that function. Thus, the use of the term "means" in the claims is not intended to invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112, paragraph 6, as it is used to invoke that provision.

[0024] The present application relates generally to a cleaning device for removing and / or collecting any dust, debris, hair including pet hair, dirt, etc. from a surface to be cleaned, such as clothing, carpet, furniture, floors, etc.

[0025] Without being limited by the embodiments described or illustrated herein, the cleaning device can be provided in any suitable form, such as but not limited to a handheld cleaning brush or brush having a brush head fixedly and / or removably connected to an extended or elongated handle or wand for easy gripping by a user at a distance from the surface to be cleaned. The cleaning device can also be provided in the form of a brush head having a connector or adapter for removably connecting to a handle, such that the brush head can be easily removed and replaced when worn out. The removable brush head can also be configured to connect to a suitable component of another cleaning device, such as but not limited to a telescoping handle or wand of a vacuum cleaner, thereby allowing different types of brush heads to be interchanged for cleaning on different surfaces.

[0026] Reference Figures 1 to 3 is shown an embodiment of a cleaning device 10 provided in the form of a cleaning brush or brush head. The cleaning device 10 is provided with a handle member 20 for gripping by a user. The handle member 20 can also include a connection portion 25 for fixedly or removably connecting a handle extension or wand (not shown) to form an extended cleaning tool for ease of use in different situations, such as for a user to use the cleaning device to reach surfaces at a distance.

[0027] The handle member 20 is movably connected with the housing 30 of the cleaning device 10. Preferably, the handle member 20 and the housing 30 are connected at a movable joint (e.g., a pivot connection 22) associated with a resilient member (not shown) that operably connects the handle member 20 with the housing 30. In this configuration, the handle member 20 is resiliently movable at an adjustable angle between a raised position in which the handle member 20 is substantially perpendicular to a floor level on which the housing 30 is disposed to rest, and a lower position in which the handle member 20 is substantially parallel to the floor level. In one embodiment, the handle member 20 is movable to define an operational angle between about 0 degrees (i.e., substantially parallel to the floor level) and about 90 degrees (i.e., substantially perpendicular to the floor level). The pivotable handle member 20 allows the user to adjust the operational angle of the cleaning device 10 according to different applications, cleaning needs, and the user's orientation.

[0028] As shown in Figure 2 The cleaning member 40 is rotatably mounted at the housing 30. Preferably, the cleaning member 40 is pivotably disposed within the housing 30 such that it is rotatably movable about a longitudinal axis L-L of the cleaning member 30 through less than 360 degrees, and more preferably, through less than 180 degrees, e.g., within a predetermined angular range of about 10 degrees to 170 degrees.

[0029] The housing 30 further defines a hollow cavity that substantially encases the cleaning member 40, the hollow cavity having a bottom opening 32 through which a portion of the cleaning member 40 is exposed for collecting dust during cleaning. In particular, the cleaning member 40 includes a cleaning portion 42, e.g., at a peripheral surface of the cleaning member, for contacting a surface to be cleaned. The cleaning portion 42 can include or be formed of one or more materials suitable for removing or collecting dust and hair, e.g., by physical capture, adhesion, or by electrostatic attraction, etc. In one particular embodiment, the cleaning portion 42 can include a fabric material, e.g., a felt or a pile formed of cotton, wool, microfiber, etc. In one embodiment, different cleaning members 40 having cleaning portions 42 formed of different dust-removing properties can be interchangeably mounted at the housing 30 for cleaning different surfaces, e.g., clothing, carpet, floor, and furniture; or for removing different types of dust and dirt, etc., from the surfaces.

[0030] During the cleaning process, when the cleaning component 40 contacts the surface to be cleaned, the user can grasp the handle component 20 to move the cleaning device 10 forward and backward. Due to the generated rotational torque, this forward and backward movement will cause the pivoting cleaning component 40 to rotate, for example, counterclockwise when the cleaning device 10 moves forward and clockwise when the cleaning device 10 moves backward, so that the cleaning portion 42 of the cleaning component 40 is adapted to contact the floor surface to capture and remove dust and hair from the surface.

[0031] In one embodiment, the cleaning member 40 at least partially comprises a cylinder, such as a roller body that may be arranged in the form of, for example, a full cylinder or a semi-cylindrical shape. In another embodiment, the cleaning member 40 may comprise a longitudinal section of a cylinder. Preferably, the cleaning member 40 comprises a substantially hollow semi-cylindrical shape having an opening 44 defined by the longitudinal section, the opening 44 being arranged to communicate with an internal cavity 34 of the housing 30 for storing collected dust and hair. A cleaning portion 42 is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder of the cleaning member 40.

[0032] A dust removal component is also provided at the housing 30, which may include a front dust removal component 45a and a rear dust removal component 45b, arranged adjacent to the cleaning portion 42 of the cleaning component 40, for removing dust and hair captured from the cleaning portion 42. Figure 3 As shown, the front dust removal components 45a and 45b are respectively disposed between the longitudinal sidewalls 31a and 31b and the cleaning component 40. Each of the front and rear dust removal components 45a and 45b may include arms 46a and 46b, each arm 46a and 46b having one or more sets of short bristles on its inner surface. Specifically, the bristles are arranged such that the tips of the bristles are inclined upward and inward toward the opening 44 of the cleaning component 40. The dust removal components 45a and 45b are continuously biased toward the cleaning component 40 so that the arms 46a and 46b abut the cleaning portion 42. Therefore, the rotation of the cleaning component 40 allows dust and hair captured at the cleaning portion 42 to be effectively scraped off by the bristles of the dust removal components 45a and 45b.

[0033] In one embodiment, the front and rear dust removal components 45a and 45b may be integrally formed with the housing 30, and the arms 46a and 46b are elastically bent toward the cleaning portion 42. Alternatively, the front and rear dust removal components 45a and 45b may be pivotally connected to the respective front and rear longitudinal sidewalls 31 and 31b of the housing 30, and the arms 46a and 46b are elastically pushed toward the cleaning portion 42 by one or more spring devices (not shown).

[0034] In another embodiment, the cleaning device 10 can also include a base 50 having a positioning member 52 for positioning the housing 30 on a surface to be cleaned. In one embodiment, the base 50 is provided at the rear end of the housing 30. The positioning member 52 can include at least one plate member 54 extending at an angle from the housing 30. Preferably, the plate member 54 is substantially planar and arranged to extend horizontally from the rear end of the housing 30, and more preferably, the plate member 54 is arranged to extend substantially parallel to the horizontal plane of the surface to be cleaned on which the cleaning device 10 rests. In Figures 1-2 In the illustrated embodiment, the positioning member 52 and / or the plate member 54 is generally configured as a quadrilateral, such as a rectangle or a trapezoid, although it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the positioning member 52 and / or the plate member 54 can be configured in any shape so long as the plate member 54 is substantially planar and horizontal with respect to the surface to be cleaned.

[0035] The plate member 54 of the positioning member 52 is configured such that it optimizes the contact between the cleaning portion 42 of the cleaning member 40 and the surface to be cleaned. In particular, the plate member 54 provides a generally planar sliding platform to support the housing 30 such that the cleaning portion 42 can be arranged to constantly contact the surface to be cleaned at an optimal contact angle during the forward and backward movement of the cleaning device 10. Thus, by ensuring a consistent contact angle between the cleaning portion 42 and the floor surface, the plate member 54 facilitates maximizing the cleaning efficiency of the device 10 and facilitates that the cleaning pressure acting on the cleaning portion 42 during cleaning is more easily controlled regardless of the cleaning motion of the user. This is a significant improvement compared to conventional handheld roll brushes.

[0036] Figures 4 to 6 Another embodiment of the cleaning device 10 is shown having a positioning member 52 and a plate member 54 configured as a hexagon. Again, the shape and configuration of the positioning member 52 should not be limited to any particular embodiment described and illustrated. It should be included within the present invention as long as the positioning member 52 is adapted to provide a generally planar and horizontal surface for supporting the housing 30 at an angle such that the contact between the cleaning portion 42 of the cleaning member 40 and the surface to be cleaned can be optimized.

[0037] The cleaning device 10 can further comprise one or more stop members 60a, 60b provided at the cleaning member 40, and preferably at the respective distal ends 43a, 43b of the cleaning member 40. In one embodiment, the stop members 60 can be provided in the form of extensions such as pin or peg structures extending away from the distal ends 43a, 43b of the cleaning member 40 towards the adjacent distal side walls 33a, 33b of the housing 30, respectively. Upon forward and rearward movement of the device 10 and the respective counter clockwise and clockwise rotation of the cleaning member 40, the extensions 60a, 60b located at the distal ends 43a, 43b of the cleaning member 40 will be moved into abutment with the respective adjacent distal side walls 33a, 33b, which prevents further rotation of the cleaning member 40, as shown in Figure 2 and Figure 4 The size and position of the stop members 60a, 60b thus define the angle of rotation of the cleaning member 40.

[0038] The stop members 60 can be provided in different shapes and configurations, as long as they are adapted to abut the adjacent distal side walls 33a, 33b to limit the angle of rotation of the cleaning member between the two longitudinal side walls 31a, 31b. For example, the stop members 60 can be substantially housed at the recesses 35a provided at the adjacent distal side walls 33a when abutting the distal side walls 33a, as shown in Figure 2 Alternatively, the stop members 60 can be arranged to extend from the adjacent distal side walls 33b, as shown in Figure 4

[0039] Figure 5 and Figure 6 Further shown are the handle member 20 in a lowered position, in which the handle member 20 is arranged substantially horizontal or level with the floor surface, and in a raised position, in which the handle member 20 is arranged substantially perpendicular to the floor surface, respectively. In one embodiment, the handle member 20 is arranged pivotable about a longitudinal axis B-B substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis L-L of the cleaning member 40, and the handle member 20 is resiliently movable between the lowered position and the raised position at an adjustable angle by a resilient member 24. As shown more clearly, Figure 3 The resilient member 24 can be provided in the form of a spring device 24 having one end connected to a first pin or protrusion 25 provided at the bottom of the handle member 20 and the other end connected to a second pin or protrusion 26 provided at the base 50. When the handle member 20 is raised in the direction indicated by arrow A, the resilient member 24 is compressed in the direction indicated by arrow B, which generates a resistance force towards the handle member 20 which can be easily overcome by the user. The compression of the resilient member 24 also provides an additional downward force to the cleaning member 40 in the direction indicated by arrow D. This downward force perpendicular to the floor surface exerts a constant pressure on the cleaning member 40 to maintain proper contact between the cleaning portion 42 and the surface to be cleaned.​

[0040] The present invention thus overcomes the known limitations of conventional roll brushes or similar devices, as it is known in the prior art that the downward pressure during the backward movement of the roll brush is less than the downward pressure during the forward movement of the roll brush. Consequently, during the cleaning process, the cleaning efficiency between the forward and backward strokes tends to be inconsistent. This is because, when a conventional cleaning device is moved forward by the user, a rotational moment is generated to rotate the cleaning member in a counterclockwise direction, which also presses the cleaning member against the floor surface. This downward pressure intensifies the contact between the cleaning member and the floor surface. However, when the user moves the conventional cleaning device backward, a clockwise rotation of the cleaning member is caused, which acts in a direction that will lift the cleaning member from the floor surface. The contact between the cleaning member and the floor surface is thus weakened and the cleaning efficiency is compromised. The resiliently movable handle member 20 of the present invention thus provides the cleaning device 10 with an unexpected technical benefit, as the cleaning device 10 provides additional downward pressure when the handle member 20 is maintained in the raised position during use. This additional pressure facilitates constant contact between the cleaning portion 42 and the surface to be cleaned, regardless of whether the device 10 is moved forward or backward. When used in conjunction with the positioning member 52, which provides a generally horizontal sliding platform parallel to the surface to be cleaned, the cleaning device 10 has a significant improvement over conventional cleaning brushes by constantly optimizing the contact between the cleaning portion 42 and the surface to be cleaned, thereby maximizing the cleaning efficiency under different operating conditions.

[0041] When the user no longer maintains the handle member 20 in the raised position, the resilient means 24 naturally expands to resist compression, which provides a force to the handle member 20 opposite the compression force (identified as arrow B), pushing the handle member 20 in the direction of arrow C towards the lower position.

[0042] In yet another embodiment, the cleaning member 40 can be configured to include a contact member 70 for contacting the surface to be cleaned to enhance the friction between the contacting surfaces to facilitate rotation of the cleaning member 40. Preferably, the contact member 70 can include one or more members 70a, 70b disposed at the cleaning portion 42, as shown in Figure 2 and Figure 4 In one embodiment, the contact member 70 can include at least one protrusion 72 extending radially away from the cleaning member 40. In another embodiment, the contact member 70 can be arranged to extend longitudinally along at least a portion of the length of the cleaning member 40. More specifically, the longitudinally extending contact member 70 substantially divides the cleaning portion 42 into a first region 80a and a second region 80b, wherein the first region 80a is adapted to contact the surface to be cleaned in a first direction, for example, a forward direction; and the second region 80b is adapted to contact the surface to be cleaned in a second direction, for example, a backward direction.

[0043] In use, the forward and rearward movement of the cleaning device 10 will cause the cleaning member 40 to rotate through less than 180 degrees. The protrusions 72a, 72b of the contact members 70a, 70b can be configured to abut the respective longitudinal front and rear side walls 31a, 31b of the housing 30 upon reaching the respective longitudinal front and rear side walls 31a, 31b. Thus, in addition to the stop member 60, the protrusions 70 also serve to limit the angle of rotation of the cleaning member 40. In one embodiment, the cleaning member 40 is configured such that the protrusions 72 of the contact members 70 and the stop member 60 are positioned to be substantially aligned so as to abut the longitudinal side walls 31 and the distal end wall 33 of the housing substantially simultaneously, respectively, to prevent further rotation of the cleaning member 40. In another embodiment, the stop member 60 can be designed to abut the distal end wall 33 before the protrusions 72 abut the longitudinal side walls 31, which helps to reduce the impact noise generated.

[0044] In one embodiment, the handle member 20 includes an extendable handle having a connecting portion 25 for connecting at least one handle extension to the handle member 20. Figure 7 For Figure 3 The D-D line end view is shown. Figure 8 A specific embodiment of the handle extension of the present application is shown. As shown, the end of the handle member 20 can be internally or externally threaded for connection by threading with one or more handle extensions 85 having corresponding threaded ends. Alternatively, the handle member 20 can also be extended by other known extension mechanisms, such as the telescopic extension of two or more tubular structures that can be locked together by one or more screws. Figure 9 A specific cleaning device 10 with an extended handle is shown in the middle.

[0045] As mentioned above, the cleaning device 10 of the present application can be provided in the form of a handheld cleaning brush 10 comprising a roller brush 40 rotatably or pivotably mounted in a housing 30. The roller brush 40 is rotatable by forward and backward movement of the cleaning brush 10 while the roller brush 40 is at least partially in contact with the surface to be cleaned. The cleaning brush 10 can further comprise a base 50 preferably provided at the rear end of the housing 30. The base 50 comprises a positioning member 52 having a lower surface with a plate member 42 which is substantially planar and configured to be substantially horizontal and parallel to the surface to be cleaned. The positioning member 52 is designed to position the cleaning brush 10 such that during forward and backward movement of the cleaning brush 10, the roller brush 40 can be arranged to be in constant contact with the surface to be cleaned at an optimal contact angle. The handheld cleaning brush 10 can further comprise an extendable handle 20 which is elastically pivotable about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the roller brush 40. In particular, the handle 20 is pivotable to compress an elastic member 24 which operably connects the handle 20 with the base 50 to thereby exert a downward pressure onto the roller brush 40 towards the surface to be cleaned. This additional pressure further contributes to maintain constant contact between the roller brush 40 and the surface to be cleaned regardless of the movement of the cleaning brush, e.g. whether the cleaning brush is moved forward or backward. When used together with the positioning member 52, the additional pressure exerted by the elastic device 24 significantly improves the cleaning efficiency of the present application, whereas conventional roller brushes are known to suffer from inconsistent and inefficient cleaning. Whereas the cleaning device of the present application constantly optimizes the contact between the cleaning portion 42 and the surface at an effective angle during cleaning, this optimizes the cleaning efficiency regardless of the operating conditions and applications.

[0046] Without wishing to be bound by the described embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that any variations in the cleaning device, for example in the size dimensions, configuration, construction, design and / or material from which one or more components of the cleaning device are formed, should also be included, provided that such variations are deemed suitable and applicable without departing from the inventive concept of the present application.

[0047] The specification sets forth principles of the present application. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the application and are included within its spirit and scope.

[0048] Furthermore, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the application, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future, i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure.

[0049] While the application has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the disclosed embodiment is to be considered merely exemplary in nature, and it is understood that only the illustrated and described embodiments are exemplary, but not limiting the scope of the application in any way. It is appreciated that any feature described herein can be used with any embodiment. The illustrated embodiments are not mutually exclusive, nor do they exclude other embodiments not described herein. Accordingly, the application also provides embodiments comprising a combination of one or more of the above-described embodiments. Modifications and variations of the described application can be made without departing from the spirit or ambit of the application. The application is therefore not to be limited, but only by the scope of the appended claims as indicated.

[0050] Unless otherwise required by context or necessary to enable the application, the words "comprise" or "comprising" or "include" or "including" or "contain" or "containing" or variants thereof in the claims mean "consist of" or "consist essentially of" or "consist of" or "consist essentially of" respectively, that is, when the word "comprise" or "comprising" or "include" or "including" or "contain" or "containing" or variants thereof is used in any part of this specification, what is meant is a specific feature, structure or element which is included in at least one implementation of the application, and not excluding the addition of one or more other features, structures or elements, or alternately the exclusion of one or more features, structures or elements.

[0051] It is to be understood that if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or in any other country.

Claims

1. A cleaning device comprising: a cleaning member movably arranged at a housing, the cleaning member comprising a cleaning portion for contacting a surface to be cleaned; a handle member arranged to connect the housing and elastically movable relative to the housing between a raised position and a lower position; a positioning member for supporting the cleaning member and positioning the cleaning member on the surface to be cleaned, the positioning member comprising at least one plate member, the plate member being generally planar and extending generally horizontally from the housing, wherein in operation the handle member is movable between the lower position and the raised position at an angle between 0 degrees and 90 degrees relative to a horizontal plane of the surface to be cleaned, when the handle member is arranged in the raised position, the handle member is compressed by an elastic member operatively connected to the housing at an angle to the horizontal plane of the surface to be cleaned, such that the angled compression of the elastic member generates a downward force generally perpendicular to the surface to be cleaned, thereby generating a downward pressure on the positioning member to position the cleaning member towards the surface to be cleaned.

2. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein, the handle member is pivotally movable between the raised position and the lower position under the action of the elastic member.

3. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein, the plate member of the positioning member extends generally horizontally from a rear end of the housing.

4. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein, the handle member is movable relative to a horizontal plane defined by the plate member at an angle between 0 degrees and 90 degrees.

5. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein, the cleaning member comprises at least in part a cylindrical body.

6. The cleaning device of claim 5, wherein, the cleaning portion is provided at a peripheral surface of the cylindrical body of the cleaning member.

7. The cleaning device of claim 6, wherein, the cleaning member is generally hollow and has an opening arranged in communication with a chamber of the housing.

8. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein, the cleaning member is pivotally connected within the housing such that the cleaning member is rotatable through less than 180 degrees about a longitudinal axis of the cleaning member.

9. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein, the cleaning member comprises at least one stop member provided at at least one distal end of the cleaning member.

10. The cleaning device of claim 9, wherein, the stop member comprises an extension extending away from the distal end of the cleaning member and towards an adjacent distal end side wall of the housing.

11. The cleaning device of claim 10, wherein, the extension is adapted to abut the adjacent distal end side wall of the housing when the cleaning member is rotated, thereby limiting rotation of the cleaning member.

12. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein, the cleaning member comprises a contact member provided at the cleaning portion.

13. The cleaning device of claim 12, wherein, the contact member comprises at least one protrusion extending radially from the cleaning member.

14. The cleaning device of claim 13, wherein, the contact member is arranged to extend longitudinally along at least a portion of a length of the cleaning member.

15. The cleaning device of claim 14, wherein, the protrusion of the contact member is adapted to abut a respective opposing longitudinal side wall of the housing when the cleaning member is rotated.

16. The cleaning device of claim 14, wherein, the contact member generally divides the cleaning portion into a first region and a second region, wherein the first region is adapted to contact the surface to be cleaned in a first direction and the second region is adapted to contact the surface to be cleaned in a second direction.

17. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein, the handle member comprises a connection portion for connecting at least one handle extension to the handle member.

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