MOP HOLDER, CONNECTOR, KIT-OF-PARTS AND THEIR USE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a mop holder, a connecting piece, and a kit of parts formed with the aforementioned components. According to the invention, the mop holder, connecting piece, or kit of parts is used for cleaning, in particular, floors, walls, and / or ceilings in sterile cleanrooms.

[0002] Mop systems are used to clean floors or other surfaces in cleanrooms. Working in cleanrooms is associated with specific hygiene requirements. This applies to the equipment and procedures used in cleanrooms. It is of primary importance to prevent the introduction of contaminants such as particles and / or germs into the cleanroom, as well as any possible cross-contamination of clean objects by contaminants from other objects.

[0003] Mop systems and other equipment used in cleanrooms generally must be decontaminated and disinfectable, and if necessary even sterilizable, for example, by autoclaving at 121°C for up to 25 minutes or at 134°C for up to 6 minutes. Likewise, the mop systems must be resistant to cleaning agents, disinfectants, and / or solvents. Disinfectants include, for example, diamines, isopropanol, ethanol, active chlorine, and hydrogen peroxide. Cleaning agents include, for example, alkaline cleaning agents such as sodium hydroxide and / or acidic cleaning agents. One example of a solvent is acetone.

[0004] When cleaning cleanrooms, it is particularly important to make all necessary work steps as reproducible as possible. Correct use of the mop system by cleaning staff is crucial in this regard. Furthermore, it has been shown that the number of individual manual work steps should be kept as low as possible when working in cleanrooms. In cleanrooms, fewer individual work steps are advantageous, as each movement releases particles from both the cleaning staff and the equipment into the cleanroom. Such particle release should be minimized wherever possible.

[0005] With conventional cleaning systems using mop systems, cleaning staff often have to exert considerable effort for various work steps. This is particularly true when cleaning walls and / or ceilings, where the cleaning staff are burdened by the weight of the mop system, and even more so for cleaning staff of short stature. Experience has shown that excessive physical strain on cleaning staff quickly leads to fatigue and demotivation. A particular challenge for cleaning staff when cleaning walls and / or ceilings is that with conventional mop systems, the mop holder with the mop cover can tip uncontrollably from the initial position intended for cleaning due to its own weight. The cleaning staff must laboriously balance the tilted mop holder back into its original position.

[0006] When cleaning cleanrooms, the mop cover usually has to be changed after each cleaning process, i.e., a large number of mop covers are often required to clean a room. Mop covers are usually changed after approximately 15-20 m². Manual contact with the mop by cleaning staff is disadvantageous because of the risk of cross-contamination. In this case, contamination can be transferred from a used mop cover to a user and from a user to a fresh mop cover or other objects in the cleanroom. This can lead to unwanted contamination of the cleanroom. To avoid cross-contamination when using mop systems, fresh mop covers are picked up and used mop covers are discarded without hand contact. This also avoids cleaning staff having to bend down when picking up and / or discarding a mop cover.

[0007] A cleaning device for clean rooms in the form of a mop system comprising a shaft section, a closure element and a holder for a mop cover is described, for example, in DE 20 2013 011 946 U1.

[0008] CN 210121113 U refers to a mop joint. CN 204722994 U refers to a self-wringing mop. And JP 2005 168 972 A refers to a mop head that pivotally mounts a handle via a joint on a head body to which a mop is attached.

[0009] US 2019 / 0374085 A1 describes a mop system with a spring-loaded mop holder. The mop holder is equipped with a connecting piece for attaching an elongated mop handle. Coaxial with and surrounding the mop handle is an adjustable force applicator designed to align the mop holder with respect to an axis on the mop handle. The mop holder can be pivoted relative to the mop handle about a further axis. The force applicator is formed by a spiral compression spring at the lower end of the mop handle, which is supported on the one hand on a shoulder of the mop handle and on the other hand on conical, rounded edges of the mop holder. The shoulder is formed by a threaded sleeve that is adjustably held along the mop handle. The threaded sleeve can be rotated towards the mop holder to pretension the spiral spring and to limit or prevent mobility of the mop holder relative to the mop handle about one axis.The position of the mop frame relative to the mop handle around the wider axis is unaffected by the power applicator. The proposed mop system has proven to be rather disadvantageous and unergonomic for use in clean rooms, for example, where not only floor surfaces but also wall and ceiling surfaces must be cleaned. After the adjustment sleeve has been tightened to tension the coil spring when cleaning the wall or ceiling surfaces, it must be loosened again for the floor surfaces because the restoring force would otherwise be perceived as annoying and tiring by the cleaning staff. It is not immediately apparent to the cleaning staff whether the adjustment sleeve is in a loosened, tightened, or intermediate state. In addition, the adjustment sleeve requires a series of additional manual steps to repeatedly adjust the power applicator.

[0010] An object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and, in particular, to provide a device, a kit of parts, and a method of use that are particularly easy to use, in particular with as few individual handling movements as possible and / or with the least possible effort being required by cleaning personnel. An object of the present invention can be seen in providing a device, a kit of parts, and a method of use that allows all surfaces in the cleanroom to be treated without additional configuration steps. A further object can be seen in enabling particularly ergonomic and simple cleaning.

[0011] This problem is solved by the subject matter of independent claim 1. Accordingly, a mop holder, in particular a flat mop holder, is provided with an upper side and an underside opposite the upper side, facing or capable of facing an inner side of a mop cover. A mop cover can generally be equipped with an outer side or active side for bringing into contact with a surface to be cleaned, and with an inner side different from the outer side or active side. A mop cover can, for example, be equipped on the inner side with opposing receiving pockets into which the mop holder, in particular the flat mop holder, can engage.

[0012] The mop holder comprises a connecting piece in the upper area, which is designed and configured to receive a mop handle and connect it to the mop holder. In particular, the connecting piece is designed and configured to detachably connect the mop handle to the mop holder. It is clear that "bottom" in the sense of this disclosure is to be understood as pointing towards the surface to be cleaned or away from the mop handle; and that "top" in the sense of this disclosure is to be understood as pointing away from the surface to be cleaned or towards the mop handle. The connecting piece can, for example, have a receptacle that is at least partially convex or at least partially concave for receiving the mop handle. The connecting piece and the mop handle can be designed to complement each other in terms of shape. It is conceivable that the connecting piece is fixed, i.e.cannot be separated without destruction, is connected to the mop handle and therefore continuously holds it.

[0013] The connecting piece comprises a rotary-tilt joint. The rotary-tilt joint is designed and configured to allow mobility of the mop holder relative to the mop handle about a rotation axis and about a tilt axis. The rotary-tilt joint can, for example, comprise a cardan joint. With the aid of the rotary-tilt joint, the connecting piece allows a first pivoting movement or rotational movement of the mop handle relative to the mop holder about a rotation axis, which can, for example, correspond to the longitudinal extent of the mop holder. In addition, with the aid of a rotary-tilt joint, the connecting piece allows a second pivoting movement or movement of the mop handle relative to the mop holder about a tilt axis, which can, for example, correspond to the width extent of the mop holder. Preferably, the rotation axis and the tilt axis are oriented transversely to one another, in particular orthogonally to one another.

[0014] In the mop holder according to the invention, the rotary-tilt joint comprises an elastic pretensioning device which is designed and configured to urge the mop holder into a predetermined, in particular central, starting position with respect to the tilting axis and with respect to the rotation axis. The predetermined starting position of the mop holder can be defined by a predetermined angle of rotation relative to the rotation axis, in particular a 0° angle of rotation and / or a predetermined tilting angle relative to the tilting axis of the rotary-tilt joint, in particular a 0° tilting angle. Preferably, the elastic pretensioning device is designed and configured to bring the mop holder into the predetermined starting position against the force of gravity. The elastic pretensioning device is preferably configured to provide a compensating force which substantially corresponds to the weight of the mop holder or which is less than the weight of the mop holder.The pretensioning device counteracts any uncontrolled twisting of the mop holder relative to the mop handle in any direction, particularly when cleaning wall and / or ceiling surfaces, and thus relieves the workload of the cleaning staff. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, it is ensured that the mop holder assumes a centered position in a predetermined rest and / or starting position and is configured to be flexibly pivoted about at least one axis, in particular two axes, preferably by up to 360°, without further manual configuration. It is particularly advantageous that the cleaning staff can transfer the mop holder from the starting position into a cleaning process without any further action simply by performing the work steps required for cleaning anyway.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the pretensioning device comprises at least one first pretensioning means, such as a leg spring, a tension spring, or a compression spring, to urge the mop holder into the predetermined starting position with respect to the tilting axis. In addition, the pretensioning device has at least one second pretensioning means, such as a leg spring, a tension spring, or a compression spring, to urge the mop holder into the predetermined starting position with respect to the rotational axis. By using different first and second pretensioning means for resetting the mop holder, on the one hand with respect to the tilting axis or, on the other hand, with respect to the rotational axis, the respective first or second pretensioning means can be dimensioned with respect to its individual restoring force adapted to the geometry of the mop holder.For example, in the case of a mop holder that is larger in the length direction than in the width direction, and which consequently experiences a greater torque when pivoting due to the greater longitudinal extent, the first pretensioning means can be dimensioned to compensate for the greater torque and the second pretensioning means to compensate for the lower torque. In particular, the respective restoring force of the first and / or second pretensioning means can be dimensioned such that it is sufficient or no more than sufficient to compensate for the torque resulting from the dead weight of a mop holder, in particular with a preferably impregnated mop cover, when pivoting about the tilt axis or about the rotation axis.In this way, it can be ensured that there is always no resistance force that is perceived as disturbing by the cleaning staff when pivoting about the tilting axis and / or about the rotation axis when cleaning, for example on the floor, without the cleaning staff having to manually adjust the pre-tensioning device.

[0016] According to a further development of the mop holder, the first pretensioning means is aligned coaxially with the tilting axis. Alternatively or additionally, the first pretensioning means can deliver a first pretensioning force or restoring force in the circumferential direction relative to the tilting axis. According to another further development of the mop holder, which can be combined with the previous one, the second pretensioning means can be aligned coaxially with the rotational axis. Alternatively or additionally, the second pretensioning means can deliver a second pretensioning force or restoring force in the circumferential direction relative to the rotational axis.In contrast to the prior art, which uses a force applicator whose force output direction is not aligned with the circumferential direction of the pivot axis to be compensated, and which consequently requires an oversized coil spring, the dimensioning of the pre-tensioning means in the mop holder according to the invention can be adjusted to the actually required restoring forces. This ensures that the restoring force of the pre-tensioning device is not perceived at all, or at least not as a disturbance, by cleaning personnel when cleaning floor surfaces.

[0017] In particular, the elastic pretensioning device can comprise at least one spring. The at least one spring of the elastic pretensioning device can, for example, comprise at least one tension spring, in particular two tension springs, at least one compression spring, in particular two compression springs, and / or at least one leg spring. In particular, the at least one spring is arranged or can be arranged around the rotary tilting joint. Preferably, the elastic pretensioning device comprises at least two springs arranged around the rotary tilting joint, preferably opposite one another on both sides of a tilting axis or a rotational axis of the rotary tilting joint. In particular, an elastic pretensioning device can have a first spring which is arranged on a first side of the rotary tilting joint and has a restoring effect on the rotary tilting joint in a first rotational direction with a compressive, tensile, or bending force.In addition, the rotary-tilt joint can have a second spring opposite the first spring, which is arranged on a second side of the rotary-tilt joint and acts in a second direction of rotation on the rotary-tilt joint with a compressive, tensile, or bending force. The first and second directions of rotation are preferably opposite with respect to the same rotation or tilt axis. A spring, in particular a tension and / or compression spring, can, for example, be arranged in an arcuate manner in relation to a tilt axis or in relation to an axis of rotation about the respective axis. A spring, in particular a leg spring, can, for example, comprise at least one cantilever which is arranged transversely, preferably radially, in relation to one of the tilt or rotation axes and is elastically movable in a circumferential direction with respect to the axis.

[0018] According to a first alternative preferred embodiment, the pretensioning device comprises at least one leg spring that can be arranged or is arranged around the rotary-tilt joint. According to another alternative preferred embodiment, the pretensioning device comprises at least two lever arms that can be arranged or are arranged on the rotary-tilt joint, as well as at least two tension springs designed and configured to control the at least two lever arms. According to a further alternative preferred embodiment, the pretensioning device comprises or consists of a compression spring that can be arranged or is arranged around the rotary-tilt joint. In particular, the pretensioning device comprises a compression spring arranged around the rotary-tilt joint. The first alternative preferred embodiment, the other alternative preferred embodiment, and the further alternative preferred embodiment can be combined with one another as desired.

[0019] According to a further development of the mop holder, the at least one compression spring and / or the at least one tension spring is located in a, in particular, arcuate, receptacle, in particular a groove, of the rotary-tilt joint. The receptacle, in particular an arcuate groove, preferably extends offset relative to the tilt or rotation axis of the connecting piece and transversely, preferably skewed or coaxially in the shape of a ring segment. The at least one centering spring is arranged inside to save space and weight, thus optimally suited for use in cleanrooms.

[0020] In a further development of the mop holder with a spring, preferably a compression spring, arranged in a receptacle, the receptacle extends partially or completely around the rotation axis or around the tilt axis. The mop holder further comprises a driver, which can be formed, for example, as a nose or as a second groove, which engages with the spring, preferably the compression spring. For example, the compression spring can be held in the receptacle and the driver can extend into the receptacle to engage with the compression spring. Alternatively, the compression spring can be held partially in immediately adjacent grooves, one of which acts as a receptacle and the other as a driver. The rotary-tilt joint has a mop holder-side part that is firmly connected to the mop holder and a mop handle-side part that is or can be firmly connected to the mop handle.The mount is fixed relative to either the mop holder-side part or the mop handle-side part of the swivel-tilt joint. The driver is fixed relative to the other part of the swivel-tilt joint, i.e., either the mop handle-side part or the mop holder-side part. When pivoting, the driver performs a relative movement relative to the mount, so that the preloading means, in particular the compression spring, is tensioned and provides a restoring force that counteracts the relative movement.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the pivot-tilt joint further comprises a snap-in connection, in particular a bayonet connection, designed and configured to connect a mop handle, in particular with one hand, to the mop holder. Preferably, the snap-in connection, in particular the bayonet connection, is designed and configured to connect the mop handle to the mop holder without having to lift the mop holder.

[0022] In one embodiment, which can be combined with the previous ones, the connecting piece is cylindrical, in particular cylindrical sleeve-shaped. The connecting piece preferably forms a cylindrical receptacle for the preferably cylindrical, in particular circular or polygonal, mop handle.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the rotary-tilt joint has an activation / deactivation device. The activation / deactivation device comprises, in particular, a device, preferably in the form of a lever, for blocking the pretensioning device, in particular the spring, preferably the compression spring. Alternatively or additionally, the activation / deactivation device can have a device in the form of a cylinder, which is designed and configured to be slipped over the rotary-tilt joint from the outside, in particular at least in sections, to prevent the rotary-tilt joint from pivoting freely, in particular in relation to the rotation axis and / or in relation to the tilt axis.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the rotary-tilt joint comprises or consists of a thermoplastic material. The thermoplastic material can preferably comprise or be a polyacetal, particularly preferably polyoxymethylene.

[0025] In one embodiment, the mop holder has a rectangular basic shape. The longitudinal extent of the flat mop holder can correspond to the respective longitudinal extent of the first and / or second mop holding wing. The longitudinal extent of the mop holder can be in the range of 35 to 55 cm, in particular in the range of 45 to 50 cm, preferably approximately 48 cm. Additionally or alternatively, the width of the mop holder can be in the range of 8 or 10 to 20 cm, in particular in the range of 12 to 17 cm, preferably approximately 14.5 cm.

[0026] Alternatively or additionally, the mop holder comprises two holding wings that can be pivoted relative to one another, in particular along their longitudinal edges. For cleaning, the holding wings are held in one plane so that a flat mop cover can be placed flat on the underside of the holder against a surface to be cleaned. A corresponding flat mop cover preferably has longitudinally opposite pockets for receiving one holding wing each. The mop holding wings each have a front edge and a rear edge opposite the front edge, a first (right) side edge, and a second (left) side edge opposite the first side edge. In combination with the preferred embodiment described above with a mop holder of rectangular basic shape, the side edges can be perpendicular to the front and rear edges. Alternatively or additionally, the side edges can be parallel to one another and / or the front edge can be parallel to the rear edge.The mop holding wings can be folded transversely along a pivot axis in the mop width direction or lengthwise along a pivot axis in the mop lengthwise direction.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the mop holder can be realized as a flat mop holder with a first mop holding wing and a second mop holding wing. Preferably, the mop holding wings each have an upper wing and a lower wing. The mop holding wings have two opposing transverse edges and two opposing longitudinal edges, with one outer longitudinal edge each pointing away from the other mop holding wing. The mop holding wings can in particular have inner longitudinal edges that point towards one another. The longitudinal edges of a mop holding wing are longer than its transverse edges. Preferably, the longitudinal extent of the longitudinal edges of the mop holder is greater than the transverse width of the mop holder. The transverse width of the mop holder can be defined by the cumulative transverse width of the transverse edge of the first mop holding wing and the transverse edge of the second mop holding wing. At least one of the two mop holding wings is movable relative to the other mop holding wing.Preferably, the second mop holding wing can be pivoted relative to the first mop holding wing and a connecting piece attached or attachable to the first mop holding wing. It may be preferred that one of the mop holding wings, in particular the second mop holding wing, is pivotable relative to the other mop holding wing about a longitudinal axis of the flat mop holder.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the two mop holding wings are hingedly connected to one another via their respective rear edges. The mop holding wings can be brought into a first, substantially planar position A and into a second position B, in which the undersides of the wings assume a coiled position relative to one another. According to a preferred embodiment, the mop holder further comprises a locking device for the mop holding wings, which includes a locking mechanism, a latching mechanism, fold-out pins, and / or magnets. The locking device is designed and configured to hold the mop holding wings in the substantially planar position A.

[0029] The mop holder can comprise or consist of a carbon fiber reinforced plastic material. The mop holder expediently has a weight of at most 450 g, in particular at most 300 g, preferably at most 200 g or at most 150 g. In particular, the mop holder comprises at least 50%, at least 60%, or at least 80% or at least 95% carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP), preferably at least 90% carbon fiber reinforced plastic, particularly preferably at least 95% carbon fiber reinforced plastic. The proportion of carbon fiber reinforced plastic is determined in particular with respect to the surface of the mop holder, preferably the surface of the side of the mop holder facing the floor. It should be understood that the proportion of fiber reinforced plastic of the mop holder does not take into account any articulated connection implemented to connect the mop holder and mop handle to one another.By constructing the mop holder with a weight-saving carbon fiber-reinforced plastic material, a particularly effective workload reduction for cleaning personnel can be achieved. The mop holder can comprise several mop holder parts, in particular mop holding wings, that can be moved relative to one another. The mop holding wings can be folded transversely along a pivot axis in the mop's width direction or longitudinally along a pivot axis in the mop's length direction.

[0030] Alternatively or additionally, the mop holder or components thereof comprise stainless steel, plastic, and / or carbon fiber reinforced plastic. Preferably, the mop holder or components thereof are made of stainless steel, plastic, and / or plastic fiber reinforced plastic.

[0031] The invention also relates to a connecting piece for connecting a mop holder, in particular the mop holder described above, to a mop handle. The connecting piece comprises a swivel-tilt joint.

[0032] The pivot-tilt joint can, for example, comprise a universal joint. With the help of the pivot-tilt joint, the connecting piece allows a first pivoting or rotational movement of the mop handle relative to the mop holder about a pivot axis, which can, for example, correspond to the longitudinal extent of the mop holder. Additionally, with the help of a pivot-tilt joint, the connecting piece allows a second pivoting or rotational movement of the mop handle relative to the mop holder about a tilt axis, which can, for example, correspond to the width extent of the mop holder. Preferably, the pivot axis and the tilt axis are oriented transversely to one another, in particular orthogonally to one another.

[0033] According to the invention, the connecting piece comprises an elastic pretensioning device which is designed and configured to urge the connecting piece into a predetermined starting position in which the connecting piece orients the mop holder transversely, preferably orthogonally, to the mop handle. The predetermined starting position of the mop holder can be defined by a predetermined angle of rotation relative to the axis of rotation, in particular a 0° angle of rotation and / or a predetermined tilt angle relative to the tilt axis of the rotary-tilting joint, in particular a 0° tilt angle. Preferably, the elastic pretensioning device is designed and configured to bring the mop holder into the predetermined starting position against the force of gravity. The elastic pretensioning device is preferably configured to provide a compensating force which substantially corresponds to the weight of the mop holder or which is less than the weight of the mop holder.The pre-tensioning device prevents the mop holder from tilting relative to the mop handle, particularly when cleaning wall and / or ceiling surfaces, thus relieving the workload of the cleaning staff.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the pretensioning device of the connecting piece comprises at least one first pretensioning means, such as a leg spring, a tension spring, or a compression spring, to urge the connecting piece into the predetermined starting position with respect to the tilting axis. In addition, the pretensioning device of the connecting piece has at least one second pretensioning means, such as a leg spring, a tension spring, or a compression spring, to urge the connecting piece into the predetermined starting position with respect to the rotational axis. By using different first and second pretensioning means for resetting the connecting piece, on the one hand, with respect to the tilting axis or, on the other hand, with respect to the rotational axis, the respective first or second pretensioning means can be dimensioned with respect to its individual restoring force, adapted to the geometry of the connecting piece and the mop holder carried thereby.For example, in the case of a connecting piece with a mop holder that is larger in the length direction than in the width direction and which consequently experiences a greater torque when pivoting due to the greater longitudinal extent, the first pretensioning means can be dimensioned to compensate for the greater torque and the second pretensioning means to compensate for the lower torque. In addition, the first and / or second pretensioning means can be dimensioned depending on the dead weight of the connecting piece. In particular, the respective restoring force of the first and / or second pretensioning means can be dimensioned such that it is sufficient or no more than sufficient to compensate for the torque resulting from the dead weight of the connecting piece and the mop holder, in particular with a preferably impregnated mop cover, when pivoting about the tilt axis or about the rotation axis.In this way, it can be ensured that there is always no resistance force that is perceived as disturbing by the cleaning staff when pivoting about the tilting axis and / or about the rotation axis when cleaning, for example on the floor, without the cleaning staff having to manually adjust the pre-tensioning device.

[0035] According to a further development of the connecting piece, the first pretensioning means is aligned coaxially with the tilting axis. Alternatively or additionally, the first pretensioning means can deliver a first pretensioning force or restoring force in the circumferential direction with respect to the tilting axis. According to another further development of the connecting piece, which can be combined with the previous one, the second pretensioning means can be aligned coaxially with the axis of rotation. Alternatively or additionally, the second pretensioning means can deliver a second pretensioning force or restoring force in the circumferential direction with respect to the axis of rotation. Accordingly, in the further development of the connecting piece according to the invention, the dimensioning of the pretensioning means can be matched to the actually required restoring forces. This can ensure that the restoring force of the pretensioning device is not perceived at all or at least not as disruptive by cleaning personnel when treating floor surfaces.

[0036] In particular, the elastic pretensioning device can comprise at least one spring. The at least one spring of the elastic pretensioning device can, for example, comprise at least one tension spring, in particular two tension springs, at least one compression spring, in particular two compression springs, and / or at least one leg spring. In particular, the elastic pretensioning device can comprise at least one spring. The at least one spring of the elastic pretensioning device can, for example, comprise at least one tension spring, in particular two tension springs, at least one compression spring, in particular two compression springs, and / or at least one leg spring. According to a first alternative preferred embodiment, the pretensioning device comprises at least one leg spring that can be arranged or is arranged around the rotary-tilt joint.According to another alternative preferred embodiment, the pretensioning device comprises at least two lever arms which can be arranged or are arranged on the rotary-tilting joint, as well as at least two tension springs designed and arranged to control the at least two lever arms.

[0037] According to a further alternative preferred embodiment, the pretensioning device comprises or consists of a compression spring that can be arranged or is arranged around the rotary-tilt joint. In particular, the pretensioning device comprises a compression spring arranged around the rotary-tilt joint. The first alternative preferred embodiment, the other alternative preferred embodiment, and the further alternative preferred embodiment can be combined with one another as desired. A spring, in particular a tension and / or compression spring, can, for example, be curved in an arcuate manner in relation to a tilting axis or in relation to an axis of rotation about the respective axis. A spring, in particular a leg spring, can, for example, comprise at least one cantilever that is arranged transversely, preferably radially, in relation to one of the tilting or rotational axes and is elastically movable in a circumferential direction with respect to the axis.

[0038] According to a further development of the connecting piece, the compression spring and / or the tension springs are located in a, in particular, arcuate, receptacle, such as a groove, of the connecting piece. The receptacle, in particular an arcuate groove, preferably extends offset relative to the tilt or rotation axis of the connecting piece and transversely, preferably skewed or coaxially in the shape of a ring segment.

[0039] In a further development of the connecting piece with a spring, preferably a compression spring, arranged in a receptacle, the receptacle extends partially or completely around the axis of rotation or around the tilt axis. The connecting piece further comprises a driver, which can be formed, for example, as a nose or as a second groove, which engages with the spring, preferably the compression spring. For example, the compression spring can be held in the receptacle and the driver can extend into the receptacle to engage with the compression spring. Alternatively, the compression spring can be held partially in immediately adjacent grooves, one of which acts as a receptacle and the other as a driver. The connecting piece has a mop holder-side part that is or can be firmly connected to the mop holder, and a mop handle-side part that is or can be firmly connected to the mop handle.The mount is fixed relative to either the mop holder-side part or the mop handle-side part of the swivel-tilt joint. The driver is fixed relative to the other part of the swivel-tilt joint, i.e., either the mop handle-side part or the mop holder-side part. When pivoting, the driver performs a relative movement relative to the mount, so that the preloading means, in particular the compression spring, is tensioned and provides a restoring force that counteracts the relative movement.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment, the connecting piece further comprises a snap-in connection, in particular a bayonet connection, designed and configured to connect a mop handle, in particular with one hand, to the mop holder. Preferably, the snap-in connection, in particular the bayonet connection, is designed and configured to connect the mop handle to the mop holder without having to lift the mop holder.

[0041] In one embodiment, which can be combined with the previous ones, the connecting piece comprises a cylindrical body. The connecting piece preferably forms a cylindrical receptacle for the preferably cylindrical, in particular circular or polygonal, mop handle.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the connecting piece has an activation / deactivation device. The activation / deactivation device comprises, in particular, a device, preferably in the form of a lever, for blocking the pretensioning device, in particular the spring, preferably the compression spring. Alternatively or additionally, the activation / deactivation device can comprise a device in the form of a cylinder, which is designed and configured to be slipped over the rotary-tilting joint from the outside, in particular at least in sections, to prevent the rotary-tilting joint from pivoting freely, in particular in relation to the rotation axis and / or in relation to the tilting axis.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment, the connecting piece comprises or consists of a thermoplastic material. The thermoplastic material can preferably comprise or be a polyacetal, particularly preferably polyoxymethylene.

[0044] The invention also relates to a kit of parts comprising a mop holder, in particular a flat mop holder, according to the above description and / or a connecting piece according to the above description and a mop handle. According to a further development, the kit of parts further comprises a mop cover, in particular a flat mop cover.

[0045] The kit of parts can additionally comprise a mop handle that comprises or consists of a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic material. A mop handle can be formed, at least in sections, with or from carbon fiber-reinforced plastic. It is conceivable for a mop handle to have one or more carbon fiber-reinforced plastic layers. Alternatively, it may be preferred for the mop handle or parts thereof to be made of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic. The mop handle expediently has a weight of at most 800 g, in particular at most 600 g, preferably at most 500 g or at most 400 g. In particular, the mop handle comprises at least 50%, at least 60%, or at least 80% carbon fiber reinforced plastic, preferably at least 90%, particularly preferably at least 95% carbon fiber reinforced plastic, in particular with respect to the area of ​​the surface of the mop handle or the length of the mop handle in its longitudinal axis direction.The mop handle, also known as the shaft, accounts for a large portion of the weight of a conventional mop system. By replacing the usual stainless steel or thick-walled plastic with carbon fiber-reinforced plastic, a significant weight reduction can be achieved. The use of a mop handle made of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic allows the use of pre-tensioning devices with only a low return force without sacrificing functionality and particularly ergonomic handling.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the mop holder, the connecting piece and / or the mop handle comprise a plastic material, in particular selected from a group consisting of thermosets, preferably epoxy resins, thermoplastics and / or mixtures thereof. Thermoplastics can preferably be selected from a group consisting of polyamides (PA), polyolefins, preferably polypropylene (PP), polyetherimides (PEI), polysulfones (PSU), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyacetals, preferably polyoxymethylene (POM), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyphenylene sulfone (PPSU), polyethersulfone (PES), polyamideimide (PAI), polybenzimidazole (PBI) and / or mixtures thereof. The mop system can comprise various plastic materials. For example, a fiber-reinforced, in particular carbon fiber-reinforced, mop holder or mop handle section can comprise a first plastic material, in particular as a matrix material.The mop system can comprise a different, second, third and / or further plastic material. In particular, a handle of the mop system can comprise or consist of a second plastic material. In particular, a connecting piece of the mop system can comprise or consist of a third plastic material. In particular, a locking device of the mop system can comprise or consist of a fourth plastic material. The plastic material of the connecting piece, the locking device and / or the handle is in particular a thermoplastic, preferably selected from a group consisting of polyamides, polyolefins, preferably polypropylene, polyetherimides, polysulfones, polyetheretherketone, polyacetals, preferably polyoxymethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyphenylene sulfone, polyethersulfone, polyamideimide, polybenzimidazole and / or mixtures thereof.The plastic material of the connecting piece, the locking device and / or the handle can particularly preferably be POM, POM-GF (glass fiber reinforced POM), PA-GF (glass fiber reinforced PA), PP mineral reinforced (especially talc reinforced), PEI, PSU or PEEK.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the mop handle comprises at least one tubular mop handle section. A mop handle section can also be referred to as a shaft section. The mop handle section expediently has a weight of at most 400 g, in particular at most 300 g, preferably at most 200 g or at most 150 g. The tubular mop handle section can comprise or consist of carbon fiber reinforced plastic. A mop handle section can be formed at least in sections with or from carbon fiber reinforced plastic. It is conceivable for a mop handle section to have one or more carbon fiber reinforced plastic layers. In particular, the tubular mop handle section has a wall thickness in the range of 0.01 mm to 3 mm. The tubular mop handle section preferably has a wall thickness of at most 1 mm, in particular at most 0.5 mm, preferably less than 0.3 mm.The wall thickness of the tubular mop handle section may be at least 0.05 mm or at least 0.1 mm.

[0048] The carbon fiber reinforced plastic comprises or consists of a matrix material and a fiber material. The matrix material comprises or consists of thermosets and / or thermoplastics, in particular epoxy resins, polyester resins, vinyl ester resins or mixtures thereof. The fiber material comprises or consists of carbon fibers, in particular carbon nanotubes. The carbon fiber reinforced plastic can have a density in the range of 1.5 to 1.6 g / cm 3 , in particular in the range of 1.53 to 1.58 g / cm 3 , preferably about 1.55 g / cm 3 . The mop handle, the mop holder, the connecting piece and / or other components of the mop system can each be manufactured, for example, by hand lamination, in particular in combination with vacuum pressing, autoclave processes, injection processes, in particular resin transfer molding or reaction injection molding, winding processes or pressing processes, in particular hot pressing processes, wet pressing processes or prepreg processes.In particular, the mop handle, the mop holder, the connecting piece and / or another component of the mop system which comprises or consists of carbon fibre-reinforced plastic can have a wall thickness in the range of 0.01 mm to 3 mm, preferably a wall thickness of at most 1 mm, more preferably at most 0.5 mm, particularly preferably less than 0.3 mm. In particular, the carbon fibre-reinforced plastic comprises at least 50% carbon fibre, preferably between 60% and 80% carbon fibre, particularly preferably about 70% carbon fibre. In addition, the fibre-reinforced plastic comprises no more than 50% matrix material, preferably between 20% and 40% matrix material, particularly preferably about 30% matrix material. The proportions can refer to % by weight. It can be preferred that the fibre-reinforced plastic has a twill weave, in particular a 2x2 twill weave, such as a 3k twill 2x2.The fiber material can preferably have a fiber diameter of no more than 0.5 mm, preferably no more than 0.3 mm, particularly preferably a fiber diameter of 0.2 mm, and / or a fiber diameter of at least 0.1 mm. The fiber-reinforced plastic material, in particular the carbon fiber-reinforced plastic material, can in particular be formed from a prepreg material in the form of (carbon) fiber sheets or a (carbon) fiber tube. The prepreg material can have unidirectional fiber layers. The prepreg material can comprise prepreg fabric layers. In particular, a prepreg material layer has a thickness of at least 0.03 mm, preferably at least 0.075 mm, and / or no more than 0.3 mm, preferably no more than 0.2 mm or no more than 0.15 mm.The (carbon) fiber material is made of at least one prepreg material layer, in particular at least two prepreg material layers, and / or not more than 15 prepreg material layers, preferably not more than 11 prepreg material layers, particularly preferably not more than four prepreg material layers.

[0049] The invention further relates to the use of the mop holder described above and / or the previously described connecting piece and / or the previously described kit of parts for cleaning clean rooms, in particular sterile clean rooms.

[0050] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are explained by way of example with reference to schematic drawings. In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a mop system with a mop holder and a connecting piece; Fig. 2a is a schematic representation of a mop system with the mop holder and connecting piece in an initial position; Fig. 2b is a schematic representation of the mop system according to Fig. 2a with tilted mop holder; Fig. 3a an embodiment of an elastic pre-tensioning device in the initial state; Fig. 3b the pre-tensioning device tilted in a first direction according to Fig. 3a ; Fig. 3c the pretensioning device tilted in a second direction according to Fig. 3a ; Fig. 4a a first embodiment of a connecting piece according to the invention; Fig. 4b the connecting piece according to Fig. 4a in a tilted position; Fig. 5a a second embodiment of a connecting piece according to the invention; Fig. 5b the connecting piece according to Fig. 5ain a tilted position; Fig. 6a a third embodiment of a connecting piece according to the invention; Fig. 6b the connecting piece according to Fig. 6a in a tilted position; Fig. 6c a side view of the connecting piece according to Fig. 6a ; Fig. 7a a fourth embodiment of a connecting piece according to the invention; Fig. 7b a detailed view of the connecting piece according to Fig. 7a ; Fig. 7c a side view of the connecting piece according to Fig. 7a ; Fig. 8 a connecting piece with an activation / deactivation device; Fig. 9a a schematic sectional view of a rotary-tilt joint; Fig. 9b a perspective view of the pretensioning means of the rotary-tilt joint acting with respect to the axis of rotation according to Figure 9a ; and Fig. 9c a schematic front view of the pretensioning means according to Figure 9b .

[0051] In the following description of various preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures, the same or similar reference numerals are used for the same or similar components for ease of reading.

[0052] For the sake of simplicity, the mop handle 5 is described below as stationary and the mop holder 3 as movable relative to the mop handle 5. Those skilled in the art will understand that a movement of the various parts of the connecting piece 4 or the pivoting-tilting joint 41 is generally accompanied by a relative movement of the mop holder 3 in relation to the mop handle 5, wherein either the mop holder 3 or the mop handle 5 can be stationary, or wherein both the mop holder 3 and the mop handle 5 can be movable.

[0053] To simplify readability, a mop holder is shown throughout the figures as a flat mop holder and generally bears the reference number 3. A connecting piece generally bears the reference number 4. Flat mop holder 3, connecting piece 4 and optionally a mop handle 5 and / or a mop cover 2 can belong to a kit of parts from which a mop system 1 can be formed.

[0054] Figure 1 shows a mop system 1. A flat mop holder 3 is provided at the lower end of the mop system 1. The flat mop holder 3 is movably connected to the mop handle 5 by a connecting piece 4.

[0055] The mop holder 3 can have a release device for the mop cover 2, wherein the release device can comprise, for example, two mop holding wings 30, 32 which can be pivoted relative to one another, as in Figure 1The mop holding wings 30 and 32 can, for example, be foldable against each other along their adjacent rear edges 35. The mop holder 3 can have a flat, rectangular shape, which is defined by opposite side edges 36, 37 and opposite front edges 34 of the two mop holding wings 30 and 32. The mop holding wings 30 and 32 together form a flat surface for wiping a flat wall, ceiling or floor surface. On the common underside 33 of the mop holding wings 30 and 32, as shown in the Figures 2a and 2b schematically shown, rest against the inner side 21 of the mop cover 2. Opposite the inner side 21, the mop cover 2 has an outer or active side 23, which is brought into contact with a surface to be treated during operation. The connecting piece 4 is arranged on the upper side 31 of the mop holder, which faces the mop handle 5.

[0056] The Figures 2a and 2bshow schematically the mode of operation of the elastic pretensioning device, which can be provided as part of the flat mop holder 3 and / or the connecting piece 4. Figure 2a shows a mop system 1 in a starting position. In the starting position, the mop holder 3 is oriented orthogonally to the longitudinal axis A of the mop handle 5. The mop holder 3 forms a flat plane to which the longitudinal axis of the mop handle is arranged at a normal angle. The mop holder 3 can carry a mop cover 2. In Figure 2b the mop holder 3 with the mop cover 2 is tilted from the initial position about the pivoting-tilting joint 41 of the connecting piece 4. The orientation of the longitudinal axis A of the mop handle 5 deviates from the surface normal N by a tilting inclination γ and / or a rotational inclination δ. Figure 2b The arrow P shown symbolizes the effect of the pretensioning device, which moves the mop holder 3 into the predetermined, central starting position according to Figure 2a pushes back.

[0057] A first embodiment of a pretensioning device 7 with a compression spring 73 is shown in the Figures 3a to 3c shown. The pretensioning device 7 is provided in a connecting piece 4. The connecting piece 4 comprises a mop handle-side part 49 and a mop holder-side part 40. Both the mop handle-side part 49 and the mop holder-side part 40 each have a groove 44 and 42 provided therein, wherein the grooves 42, 44 jointly accommodate the compression spring 73. Figure 3a shows the connecting piece 4 with the pretensioning device 7 in a starting position. In the starting position, the compression spring 73 does not cause a restoring force, but can be pretensioned. Figures 3b and 3c show the connecting piece 4 in different states in which the mop holder-side part 40 is tilted in a first or in a second direction relative to the mop handle-side part 49 of the connecting piece 4. In the tilted states according to the Figures 3b and 3cthe compression spring 73 causes a restoring force directed in the direction of arrow P on the mop holder-side part 40 of the connecting piece 4. The mop handle-side part 49 can be rigidly attached to the mop handle 5 or can be attached.

[0058] The Figures 4a and 4b show an exemplary embodiment of a mop holder 3 with a connecting piece 4. A compression spring 73 is arranged in a pair of grooves that extends in an arc around the tilt axis K of the rotary-tilt joint 41. On the one hand, an arcuate receiving groove 44 is formed on the mop handle-side part 49. On the other hand, an arcuate receiving groove 42 is formed on the mop holder-side part 40. The arcuate shapes of the grooves 42, 44 form in the exemplary embodiment according to the Figures 4a and 4b a semicircle that coaxially surrounds the tilt axis K.

[0059] In the Figure 4aIn the initial position of the mop system 1 shown, the grooves 42 and 44 are aligned congruently with each other. Figure 4b In the position of the mop holder 3 tilted by a tilt angle γ relative to the mop handle 5, as shown, the receiving groove 42 in the mop holder-side part 40 is oriented according to the mop holder 3. By linking the mop holder-side receiving grooves 42 relative to the mop handle-side receiving groove 44, the compression spring 73 is correspondingly compressed in the grooves 42, 44. Due to the compression of the compression spring 73, this causes a restoring force oriented in the direction of arrow P on the mop holder 3 and the part 40 of the connecting piece that is rigidly connected to the mop holder 3 relative to the tilt axis K.

[0060] The Figures 5a and 5bshow another embodiment of a mop holder 3 with a different connecting piece 4. An elastic pretensioning device 7 is provided on the connecting piece 4, which comprises two tension springs 75, 77. The tension springs 75, 77 are arranged mirror-symmetrically opposite one another with respect to the longitudinal axis A of the mop handle 5. The tension springs 74, 77 are each firmly connected at a holding point 76, 78 to the mop handle 5 or a mop handle-side part 49 of the connecting piece 4. At their end opposite the respective holding point 76 or 78, the tension springs 74 and 77 are firmly connected to a lever arm 45 and 47, respectively, which in turn is firmly attached to the mop holder-side part 40 of the connecting piece. The tension springs 75 and 77 cause opposing tensile forces on the mop holder-side part 40 about the tilt axis K. In the initial position according to Figure 5a there is a tensile force equilibrium.

[0061] If the mop holder-side part 40 is tilted about the tilting axis K relative to the longitudinal axis A by a tilting inclination γ, for example as in Figure 5b shown is tilted to the right, the right tension spring 77 is relieved and the left tension spring 75 is tensioned. In this case, a net tensile force is provided by the tension springs 75, 77 as a restoring force, which pushes the mop holder-side part 40 of the connecting piece 4 back to its original position in the direction of the arrow P. The restoring force is amplified by the length of the levers 45 and 47, respectively. The restoring force is also amplified by the fact that the holding points 76 and 78 of the springs 75 and 77, respectively, are arranged closer to the longitudinal axis A of the mop handle 5 and the mop handle-side part 49 of the connecting piece, respectively, than the attachments of the springs 75 and 77 on the mop holder-side part 40 in relation to the surface normal N with respect to the mop holder 3.

[0062] The Figures 6a to 6c show a further embodiment of a mop holder 3 with a connecting piece 4, whose elastic pretensioning device 7 comprises a leg spring 71. Figure 6a shows a starting position and Figure 6b a tilted position. Figure 6cshows a side view of the pretensioning device 7. The connecting piece 4 comprises a mop handle-side part 49 and a mop holder-side part 40, which can be pivoted relative to one another about the tilting axis K. The tilting axis K is surrounded by several turns of the leg spring 71. The legs 73 of the leg spring 71 extend transversely to the tilting axis K. Extending parallel to the tilting axis K are, on the one hand, a stop pin 48 on the mop holder-side part 40 and, on the other hand, a counter-stop pin 58 on the mop handle-side part 49. The counter-stop pin 58 is rigidly connected to the mop handle-side part 49. The stop pin 48 is rigidly connected to the mop holder-side part 40. With respect to the tilting axis K, the stop pin 48 and the counter-stop pin 58 are surrounded in the circumferential direction by the legs 72 of the leg spring 71.

[0063] If the mop holder 3, as in Figure 6bshown, is tilted relative to the mop handle 5 about the tilt axis K by the angle γ, the mop handle-side part 40 and the stop pin 48 attached thereto move with the mop holder 3 by the tilt angle γ. The counter-stop pin 58 remains stationary on the mop handle 5. With respect to the tilt axis K, the stop pin 48 consequently also moves by the tilt angle γ relative to the counter-stop pin 58. In this case, one of the legs 72 of the leg spring 71 is carried along by the stop pin 48. The other leg 72 of the leg spring 71 is held stationary on the counter-stop pin 58. By moving the legs 72 apart, the leg spring 71 is tensioned and acts with a restoring force according to the direction of arrow P on the mop holder-side part 40 in order to force the mop holder 3 back into the starting position. Figures 6a and 6b the stop pin 48 is arranged further away from the tilt axis K than the first counter stop pin 58. Figure 6cshows a slightly modified embodiment in which the stop pin 48 is arranged closer to the tilt axis K than the counter stop pin 58.

[0064] The Figures 7a to 7c show an alternative embodiment of a connecting piece 4 with an elastic pretensioning device 7, which also uses a leg spring 71. The Figures 7a to 7cThe pretensioning device 7 shown causes a return movement relative to the rotation axis D. The mop handle-side part 49 relative to the pretensioning device 7 is pivotable about the tilting axis K relative to the mop handle 5. The mop holder-side part 40 can be rigidly attached to the mop holder 3. In the illustrated embodiment, the connecting piece 4 has an activation / deactivation device in the form of the hollow cylinder 52. In the illustrated position of the hollow cylinder 52, the mop handle 5 is movable relative to the mop handle-side part 49 about the tilting axis K. When the hollow cylinder 52 is displaced downwards and touches the mop handle-side part 49, it blocks the tilting axis K through a positive connection with the mop handle 5 and part 49.

[0065] The coils of the leg spring 71 surround the rotation axis D. With respect to the rotation axis D, the legs 72 of the leg spring 71 extend on both sides of a stop pin 48 and a counter-stop pin 58, which are oriented parallel to the rotation axis D. The stop pin 48 is rigidly arranged on the mop holder-side part 40 with respect to the rotation axis D. With respect to the rotation axis D, the counter-stop pin 58 is rigidly attached to the mop handle-side part 49 of the connecting piece 4. The operating principle of the pretensioning device 7 in the embodiment according to Figure 7a essentially corresponds to the previous one regarding the Figures 6a to 6c As a result of the relative movement of the stop pin 48 and the counter stop pin 58 to each other, the legs 72 of the leg spring 71 are moved away from each other, so that the leg spring 71 causes a restoring force which, at the Figure 7aillustrated embodiment causes the mop holder 3 to rotate about the axis of rotation D in the direction of the starting position.

[0066] The mop holder-side stop pin 48 functionally implements a release device 43. The stop pin 48 is translationally movable as a release device 43 along the rotation axis D. The stop pin 48 can be translationally removed from the area of ​​the legs 72. When the stop pin 48 of the release device 43 is removed from the area of ​​the legs 72, the mop holder-side part 40 can be rotated about the rotation axis D relative to the mop handle-side part 49 of the connecting piece 4 without tensioning the spring 71, so that consequently no restoring force acts towards the starting position. The use of the release device 43 may be desired, for example, for cleaning a floor area so that the cleaning personnel do not have to work against the restoring force of the pre-tensioning device 7 when using the mop system 1.

[0067] The counter-stop pin 58 is housed in an arcuate slotted groove 42 on the mop-holder-side part 40 of the connecting piece 4. Instead of the illustrated leg spring 71, a pair of compression springs could be housed in the groove 42 on either side of the counter-stop pin 58 to create an elastic pretensioning device. It should be understood that a connecting piece 4 with a rotary-tilting joint 41 can comprise a first pretensioning device relative to the tilting axis K and a second pretensioning device relative to the rotational axis D (not shown in detail).

[0068] Figure 8shows an alternative embodiment of a connecting piece 4, in which an activation / deactivation device 50 is provided with respect to the tilting axis K. The activation / deactivation device 50 has a lever 51 that can be actuated to rigidly adjust the mop handle 5 or the mop handle-side part 49 of the connecting piece with respect to the mop holder-side part 40 in relation to the tilting axis K. With the activation / deactivation device 50, a tilting movement of the mop holder 3 relative to the mop handle 5 can be blocked.

[0069] Figure 9a shows an exemplary embodiment of a rotary-tilt joint 41 with a first preloading means 7, which provides a restoring effect with respect to a rotation axis D, and a second preloading means 7', which provides a restoring effect with respect to a tilting axis K. The Figure 9aThe swivel-tilt joint 41 shown is firmly connected to the mop holder 3 by screws and is arranged on its upper side 31. The swivel-tilt joint 41 can connect the mop holder 3 as a connecting piece 4 to a mop handle (not shown in detail).

[0070] The Figures 9b and 9c show in detail the pretensioning means 7, by which the mop holder 3 is urged into its predetermined starting position with respect to the axis of rotation D. The pretensioning means 7 comprises a leg spring 71 with two leg springs 72 extending radially with respect to the axis of rotation D at the opposite ends of the leg spring 71. The spiral-shaped central part of the leg spring 71 extends coaxially around the axis of rotation D. The restoring force acting on the mop holder 3 by means of the leg spring 72 is emitted by the leg spring 72 in the circumferential direction with respect to the axis of rotation D.

[0071] The leg spring 71 is held on a mop handle-side part 49 of the rotary-tilt joint 41 by a cylindrical mandrel 60, which is surrounded by the annular central portion 70 of the leg spring 71. An arcuate stop pin 48 cooperates with the opposite legs 72 in the rest position of the leg spring 71. An elongated counter-stop pin 48 extends parallel to the rotation axis D as the mop holder-side part 40. The counter-stop pin 58 is stationary relative to the mop holder 3 and, together with the mop holder 3, can perform a rotational inclination δ relative to the rotation axis D.

[0072] As in Figure 9cAs shown, the rotary-tilt joint 41 is designed such that the mop holder 3 can perform a free rotational inclination δ about the rotational axis D of up to ±30°, in particular up to ±45°, relative to a normal position (0°) with respect to the longitudinal axis of the mop handle 5 without resetting. For this purpose, the counter-stop pin 58 can complete a corresponding rotation with respect to the rotational axis D before the counter-stop pin 58 engages with one of the opposite legs 72 of the leg spring 71. Only after the free rotational inclination has been exceeded does the return means 7 exert a restoring force on the mop holder 3. The starting position of the mop holder 3, in such a design, including free pivoting, in particular a free rotational inclination about the rotational axis D, is defined in a predetermined angular range.

[0073] The second pre-tensioning means 7' acts on a second mop holder-side part 40' (which can be rigid, stationary or integral with the first mop handle-side part 49) and a second mop handle-side part 49', to which the mop handle (in Figure 9a not shown in detail; compare Figure 1 ) can be or is attached.

[0074] The second pretensioning means 7' comprises two compression springs 73, 74, which are arranged in part-ring-shaped groove receptacles 42 of the mop holder-side part 40°. The groove receptacle 42 extends in the circumferential direction coaxially with respect to the tilting axis K. Diametrically opposite drivers 44' are in contact engagement with the two compression springs 73 and 74 at the respective ends of the compression springs 73 and 74 with respect to the tilting axis K. The drivers 44' are fixedly attached to the mop handle-side part 49'. When the mop handle (in Figure 9anot shown) is pivoted about the tilt axis K according to a tilting inclination γ, the drivers 44' experience a corresponding movement about the tilt axis K. As a result of a tilting inclination γ, a driver 44' moves into a respective receptacle 42. The movement of the driver 44' presses a respective compression spring 73 / 74 against an opposite end of the receptacle 73, so that a restoring force is built up which is opposite to the tilting inclination γ. Reference symbol

[0075] 1 Mop system 2 Mop cover 3 Flat mop holder 4 Connecting piece 5 Mop handle 7, 7' Elastic pre-tensioning device 21 Inside 23 Outside 30, 32 Mop holder wing 31 Top 33 Bottom 34 Front edge 35 Rear edge 36, 37 Side edge 40, 40' Mop holder side part 41 Swivel-tilt joint 43 Release device 42, 44 Receptacle 44' Driver 45, 47 Lever arm 46 Snap-in connection 48 Stop pin 49, 49' Mop handle side part 50 Activation / deactivation device 51 Lever 52 Hollow cylinder 58 Counter stop pin 60 Mandrel 70 Middle section 71 Leg spring 72 Spring leg 75, 77 Tension springs 73, 74Compression spring 76, 78Stop point δRotational inclination γTilt-inclination ALongitudinal axis DRotational axis KKilting axis NFurniture normal PParrow

Claims

1. Mop holder (3), in particular flat mop holder (3), having an upper side (31) and an opposite lower side (33), in particular which faces or can face an inner side of a mop cover (2), comprising in the region of the upper side (31), a connecting piece (4), adapted and arranged to receive a mop handle (5) and to connect it to the mop holder (3), wherein the connecting piece (4) comprises a pivot-tilt joint (41) adapted and arranged to permit a movability of the mop holder (3) relative to the mop handle (5) about an axis of rotation (D) and about a tilt axis (K), characterized in that the pivot-tilt joint (41) comprises an elastic pretensioning device (7, 7'), which is adapted and arranged to urge the mop holder (3) with respect to the tilt axis (K) and with respect to the axis of rotation (D) into a predetermined, in particular central, starting position.

2. Mop holder (3) according to claim 1, characterized in that the pretensioning device (7, 7') comprises at least one first pretensioning means, such as a torsion spring (71), a tension spring (75, 77) or a compression spring (73, 74), in order to urge the mop holder (3) with respect to the tilt axis (K) into the predetermined starting position, and at least one second pretensioning means, such as a torsion spring (71), a tension spring (75, 77) or a compression spring (73, 74), in order to urge the mop holder (3) with respect to the axis of rotation (D) into the predetermined starting position, wherein the compression spring (73, 74) preferably is present in an, in particular arched, receptacle (42, 44) of the pivot-tilt joint (41).

3. Mop holder (3) according to claim 2, characterized in that the first pretensioning means is oriented coaxially to the tilt axis (K) and / or in that the first pretensioning means emits a first pretensioning force in the circumferential direction with respect to the tilt axis (K), and / or, in particular and, characterized in that the second pretensioning means is oriented coaxially to the axis of rotation (D) and / or that the second pretensioning means emits a second pretensioning force in the circumferential direction with respect to the axis of rotation (D).

4. Mop holder (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pretensioning device (7, 7') comprises or consists of i) at least one torsion spring (71) which can be arranged or is arranged about the axis of rotation or tilt axis (D; K) or ii) at least two lever arms (45, 47), which can be arranged or are arranged on the pivot-tilt joint (41), and at least two tension springs (75, 77) adapted and arranged to control the at least two lever arms (45, 47), and / or iii) a compression spring (73, 74) which can be arranged or is arranged about the axis of rotation or tilt axis (D; K), in particular two compression springs (73, 74) which are arranged about the axis of rotation or tilt axis (D; K), wherein the compression spring (73, 74) preferably is present in an, in particular arched, receptacle (42, 44) of the pivot-tilt joint (41).

5. Mop holder (3) according to any of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the receptacle (42) extends partially or completely around the axis of rotation (D) or around the tilt axis (K), and in that a engaging piece (44') is in engagement with the compression spring (73, 74), wherein the receptacle (42) is stationary with respect to a mop holder-side part (40, 40') or a mop handle-side part (49) of the pivot-tilt joint (41) and the engaging piece is stationary with respect to the other, mop handle-side part (49) or the mop holder-side part (40, 40').

6. Mop holder (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pivot-tilt joint (41) further comprises a snap-in connection (46), in particular a bayonet connection, which is adapted and arranged to connect a mop handle (5), in particular with one hand, to the mop holder (3), in particular without having to lift it and / or in that the pivot-tilt joint (41) has an activation / deactivation device (50), in particular comprising a device, preferably in the form of a lever (51), for blocking the pretensioning device, in particular the compression spring (73, 74), and / or a hollow cylinder (52), which is adapted and arranged to be able to be slipped over the pivot-tilt joint (41) from the outside, for preventing the free pivotability of the pivot-tilt joint (41) about the axis of rotation (D) and / or about the tilt axis (K).

7. Mop holder (3) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a rectangular basic shape and / or, in particular and, comprises two holding wings which are pivotable relative to one another.

8. Mop holder (3) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mop holder (3) comprises or consists of a carbon fibre-reinforced plastics material.

9. Connecting piece (4) for connecting a mop holder (3), in particular the mop holder (3) according to one of the preceding claims, to a mop handle (5), comprising a pivot-tilt joint (41), which is adapted and arranged to permit a movability of the mop holder (3) relative to the mop handle (5) about an axis of rotation (D) and about a tilt axis (K), characterized in that the connecting piece (4) comprises an elastic pretensioning device (7, 7'), which is adapted and arranged to urge the connecting piece (4) with respect to the tilt axis (K) and with respect to the axis of rotation (D) into a predetermined starting position, in which the connecting piece (4) orients the mop holder (3) transversely, preferably orthogonally, to the mop handle (5), wherein the connecting piece (4) consists of or comprises a thermoplastic material, preferably polyacetal, particularly preferably polyoxymethylene.

10. Connecting piece (4) according to claim 9, characterized in that the pretensioning device comprises at least one first pretensioning means, such as a torsion spring (71), a tension spring (75, 77) or a compression spring (73, 74), in order to urge the connecting piece (4) with respect to the tilt axis (K) into the predetermined starting position, and at least one second pretensioning means, such as a torsion spring (71), a tension spring (75, 77) or a compression spring (73, 74), in order to urge the connecting piece (4) with respect to the axis of rotation (D) into the predetermined starting position, wherein preferably the first pretensioning means is oriented coaxially to the tilt axis (K), and / or the first pretensioning means preferably emits a first pretensioning force in the circumferential direction with respect to the tilt axis (K), and / or, in particular and, characterized in that the second pretensioning means preferably is oriented coaxially to the axis of rotation (D) and / or the second pretensioning means preferably emits a second pretensioning force in the circumferential direction with respect to the axis of rotation (D), wherein the compression spring (73, 74) preferably is present in an, in particular arched, receptacle (42) of the pivot-tilt joint (41).

11. Connecting piece (4) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the pretensioning device (7, 7') comprises or consists of i) at least one torsion spring (71) which can be arranged or is arranged about the axis of rotation or tilt axis (D; K) or ii) at least two lever arms (45, 47), which can be arranged or are arranged on the pivot-tilt joint (41), and at least two tension springs (75, 77), which are adapted and arranged to control the at least two lever arms, and / or iii) a compression spring (73, 74) which can be arranged or is arranged about the axis of rotation or tilt axis (D; K), in particular a compression spring which is arranged about the pivot-tilt joint, wherein the compression spring (73, 74) is present in an, in particular arched, receptacle (42) of the pivot-tilt joint (41).

12. Connecting piece (4) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the receptacle (42) extends partially or completely around the axis of rotation (D) or around the tilt axis (K), and in that a engaging piece (44') is in engagement with the compression spring (73, 74), wherein the receptacle (42) is stationary with respect to a mop holder-side part (40, 40') or a mop handle-side part (49) of the pivot-tilt joint (41) and the engaging piece (44') is stationary with respect to the other, mop handle-side part (49) or the mop holder-side part (40, 40').

13. Connecting piece (4) according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the pivot-tilt joint (41) has an activation / deactivation device (50), in particular comprising a device, preferably in the form of a lever (51), for blocking the compression spring (73, 74) and / or a hollow cylinder (52), which is adapted and arranged to be able to be slipped over the pivot-tilt joint (41) from the outside, for preventing the free pivotability of the pivot-tilt joint about the axis of rotation (D) and / or about the tilt axis (K).

14. Kit of parts, comprising a mop holder (3), in particular a flat mop holder (3), according to one of claims 1 to 8 and / or a connecting piece (4) according to one of claims 9 to 13 and a mop handle (5) as well as in particular a mop cover (2), in particular a flat mop cover.

15. Kit of parts according to claim 14, comprising a mop handle (5) which comprises or consists of a carbon fibre-reinforced plastics material.

16. Use of the mop holder (3) according to one of claims 1 to 8 or of the connecting piece (4) according to one of claims 9 to 13 or of the kit of parts according to claim 14 or 15 for cleaning clean rooms, in particular sterile clean rooms.