An operating head for a tool for cleaning surfaces

Abstract

The invention relates to an operating head of a tool for cleaning surfaces and a tool for cleaning surfaces which comprises the operating head. The operating head comprises: a cloth for cleaning surfaces; a support and connecting device having; a first side and a second side, opposite the first side; a contact surface arranged along the first side; a first housing which: is arranged along the first side; which has a closed annular shape; and which surrounds the contact surface and is solidly constrained thereto in which the first housing has a first opening, in turn, having: a first inner annular edge and a second outer annular edge, which substantially do not project with respect to the contact surface; and a fixing element which is solidly fixable to the contact surface and having an end which is solidly fixable to an end of a handle of a tool for cleaning surfaces and is predisposed to enable varying the inclination of the handle with respect to the contact surface; a blocking device; in which the first housing and the blocking device are conformed in such a way as to enable, the reversible insertion of the blocking device in the first housing when, on the first side of the support device, the cloth is unfurled and arranged between the first housing and the blocking device, with the aim of reciprocally and reversibly fixing the cloth to the support device by interference coupling with a central portion of the cloth in contact with the contact surface.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONFIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to the sector of tools for cleaning, specifically tool for cleaning surfaces (for example floors, walls, ceilings, etc.). These are provided with a handle and an operating head stably coupled to an end of the handle, typically by means of a connector or a joint, so as to enable the angulation of the handle with respect to the operating head, thus facilitating the cleaning operations. The operating head comprises a support element and a cleaning element that can be constituted by a textile, by a non-woven textile (also known as TNT), by a plurality of strips of bundles or braids of strings or textiles stably fixed to the support element.DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

[0002] These tools for cleaning surfaces are also known as mops or squeegees and can be put up for sale, or in any case utilised, together with a suitable bucket which is provided with an element for wringing the cleaning element. These tools enable the user to immerse the cleaning element in a liquid without coming directly into contact with the liquid. A known drawback with these tools relates to the mode of connection of the cleaning element to a support device comprised in the operating head. In many cases, the support device comprises a relative upper element to which the joint or the connection is connected and a lower element couplable to the upper element to block a portion (typically central) of the cleaning element. It follows that, during the cleaning operations, the lower element is in contact with the surface to be cleaned. This prevents the user from exerting a sufficient force to remove obstinate dirt to avoid scratching or damaging the surface to be cleaned (for example a parquet or marble floor) in particular when the handle is arranged vertically with respect to the surface to be cleaned or inclined with respect to the vertical to the surface. Therefore, these tools do not allow working with a straight and comfortable position, but on the contrary it is necessary to hold the handle in an inclined position to avoid friction between the surfaces and the lower element. Thus, in a case in which ground-in dirt has to be removed, it is necessary to repeat the cleaning operations several times.

[0003] In order to obviate this problem, a special type of tool (1) has been developed for cleaning surfaces (see figures 1 and 2 of the prior art) in which the cleaning element (2) is constituted by a plurality of braids of strings (9). The relative operating head comprises a support element (3) which is substantially planar and annular (illustrated as circular in figures 1, 2 but which can also be triangular or have another shape) and which comprises: a plurality of holes arranged along an annular path (respectively circular, triangular or having another shape). A determined number of braids of strings is inserted in a relative hole (4) of the plurality of holes in such a way that both the relative ends of each braid (9) project from a first side of the support element (3), forming a replacement unit (10). A connecting element (5) is provided which comprises, along a relative first side, an annular housing (6) (visible in figure 2). The connecting element is predisposed to house and fix by interference coupling the replacement unit (10) constituted by the support element (3) and by the plurality of braids inserted therein, arranged with a second side (visible in figure 2) of the support element (3), opposite the relative first side, facing towards the annular housing (6). Along the second side of the connecting element (5), a first joint element is included that is couplable to a second joint element (7) arranged on an end of a handle (8) by means of a pin (not visible in the figures) to enable a variation of the inclination of the handle (8) with respect to the coupling element during the cleaning operations. Once the cleaning element (2) has deteriorated, it is necessary to replace the replacement unit (10) with a new one. It is clear that this involves discarding both the cleaning element (2) and the support element (3), which is usually made of plastic, as the user will never manually remove each single braid (9) of strings from the support element (3). Therefore it is not possible to carry out a separate waste collection operation of the materials and reutilise the replacement unit (10). Further, the presence of the support element (3) makes washing the replacement unit (10) in a washing machine awkward, as it tends to impact against the washing machine drum. It is further notable that, even when the user exerts, via the handle, a certain force on the replacement unit, this force is distributed only on a limited area, essentially the same as the area of the support element (3).

[0004] With reference to the relative figures, European patent EP 2.434.934 describes a tool for cleaning surfaces, in which the cleaning element is a cloth. The operating head of the tool comprises: the cloth; a sleeve having a first hollow end in which a handle is insertable and fixable, and a housing which is accessible from an opening arranged on the second end of the sleeve, opposite the first end, conformed for receiving a portion of the cloth; in which the cloth has dimensions such that, with the relative portion inserted in the housing the perimeter of the cloth is entirely placed externally of the sleeve. The operating head further comprises compression means insertable in the housing so as to exert a pressure on the portion of the cloth directed towards at least an inner wall of the housing to obtain the fixing of the cloth to the sleeve. The tool described in EP 2.434.934 requires arranging, suitably about the sleeve, on the surface to be cleaned, the portion of the cloth external of the housing so as to prevent the edge of the opening of the housing of the sleeve from rubbing on the surface during the cleaning operations. When the user exerts a force on the handle, the force is distributed only on an extremely limited area, given by the edge of the opening, and therefore the portion of the cloth, external of the housing, is not pressed on the surface. This does not facilitate the cleaning operations, in particular in the case of ground-in dirt. Further, as the handle is fixed to the cleaning head without the possibility of inclination of the handle with respect to the cleaning head, it is not ergonomic to clean the surface by using an inclination of the handle with respect to the perpendicular direction to the surface. Further, for the user it is not easy to separate the cloth from the sleeve and from the compression means. It follows that, once the cloth is worn, it is necessary to eliminate all these components together without separating the materials they are made of; this in effect excludes the possibility of recycling them. Also, the operating head according to EP 2.434.934 cannot be washed in a washing machine, as the relative sleeve would tend to impact against the drum and might damage it.

[0005] Therefore there exists the need to make available an operating head for a tool for cleaning surfaces which enables easy and ergonomic cleaning operations and which avoids the need to wash the dirtiest parts by passing over them several times. In particular, when dealing with ground-in dirt, by allowing a force on the cleaning element that is sufficient to clean, with only a single passage, a surface without risking damaging the surface if the surface is, for example, particularly delicate, such as parquet or a marble floor. At the same time, the operating head should be more eco-sustainable.

[0006] US2011 / 258799 A1 discloses an operating head (11) of a tool (12) for cleaning surfaces according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0007] WO2011074751A1 discloses a rotary cleaning instrument that can rotate a cleaning device such as the mopping portion only by the force of the user's pulling and pushing. The rotary cleaning instrument comprising a rotation support device having a rotation support member, a rotation device installed in the rotation support member, adapted to rotate under the rotation support member, and for installing cleaning device and a eccentric pressing device installed in the rotation support device and for pressing an eccentric portion of the rotation device.

[0008] US2005246850A1 discloses a hand held cleaning deviceincluding a rigid, disk shaped cleaning head, a detachable disk shaped absorbent wiping pad having substantially the same diameter as the head and an elongated, lengthwise adjustable handle. A pivot member connects the handle's distal end to the center of the topside of the head. The wiping pad, in addition to the cloth , may comprise a foam layer disposed between a rigid, disk shaped support member 2 made of light weight plastic. The cloth is sewn, or otherwise fixedly attached, to the foam layer 36. The foam layer may be glued, or otherwise fixedly attached, to the disk shaped support member.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The aim of the present invention is to describe an operating head for a tool for cleaning surfaces which enables impressing on the cleaning element a force sufficient to clean with a single passage a surface without risking damaging the surface (especially when the surface is, for example, particularly delicate, such as parquet or a marble floor) and which at the same time is more eco-friendly than the prior art. A further aim of the invention intends to attain is to provide a tool for cleaning floors which has a greater cleaning surface than other tools of the prior art and which at the same time is easy to assemble.

[0010] The aims are attained with an operating head according to claim 1.

[0011] The operating head of the invention has, as a cleaning element, a cloth, the central part of which can easily be pressed against the surface to be cleaned and which enables fixing an end of a handle of a tool for cleaning with an option of varying the inclination thereof with respect to the contact surface. It is clear that this enables obtaining a tool for cleaning floors which allows the user neither to bend over and not come into contact with the washing liquid, nor to have to apply a strong force on the cloth, and in particular on the relative central portion in this way allowing the operator to have a working posture that is more greatly ergonomic without leading, at the same time, to the risk of damaging the surfaces to be cleaned. It is worthy of note that, following a rotation of the handle, it is possible to easily arrange the cloth of the operating head by spreading it out on the surface to be cleaned preventing other parts of the operating head from going into contact with the surface to be cleaned. Further, it is possible to easily carry out the cleaning operations both with the handle perpendicular to the contact surface, and inclined with respect to the contact surface, without the remaining portion of the cloth, which is not arranged at the contact surface, rolling up or finishing beneath the support and connecting device.

[0012] It is stressed that the operating head of the invention enables replacing only the cloth, when the cloth is worn and / or too dirty to be reutilised. This is because the first housing and the blocking device are conformed in such a way as to reversibly fasten the cloth to the support and connecting device. In this way separated elimination of the cloth is possible, enabling a possible recycling, but it especially implicates a smaller quantity of waste to be eliminated without separation with respect to the prior art. Additionally, since, according to the invention, the cloth is easily separable from the other components of the operating head, it is possible to wash it in a washing machine separately from the components without risking damage to the drum.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

[0013] Figures 1 and 2 are schematic views, respectively from above and exploded, of a known tool for cleaning surfaces. Figures 3-7 are schematic views, respectively: lateral, from below, from above, perspective from below and perspective from above of a first component of the operating head of a tool for cleaning surfaces according to the invention. Figures 8-9 are schematic views, respectively from above and perspective of an embodiment of a second component of the operating head according to the invention. Figures 10 and 11 are schematic views, respectively from above and perspective of an embodiment of a third component of the operating head according to the invention. Figures 12-16 are schematic views, respectively, exploded frontal, frontal, lateral, from above and perspective of a bradawl for aiding the assembly of the operating head of the invention. Figure 17 is a schematic view of an arrangement of the first, second and third component utilisable for realising the operating head according to the invention. Figure 18 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a tool for cleaning surfaces, comprising the operating head of the invention. Figure 19 is a schematic view of an arrangement of the first, and of a fourth component utilisable for realising the operating head of the invention. Figure 20 is a partial schematic view of an arrangement of the first, the second and third and the fourth component utilisable for realising the tool for cleaning surfaces according to the invention. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] With reference to figure 18, reference numeral 11 denotes an operating head of a tool (12) for cleaning surfaces according to the invention and comprising: a cloth (13) for cleaning surfaces: a support and connecting device (14) having: a first side (15); a second side (17), opposite the first side (15); a contact surface (16) which is planar and arranged along the first side (15); a first housing (18) which: is arranged along the first side (15); which has a closed annular shape; and which surrounds the contact surface (16) and is solidly constrained thereto wherein the first housing (18) has a first opening, in turn, having: a first inner annular edge (19) and a second outer annular edge (20), which substantially do not project with respect to the contact surface (16); and a fixing element (21) which is solidly fixable to the contact surface (16) and having an end which is solidly fixable to an end of a handle (8) of a tool (12) for cleaning surfaces and is predisposed to enable varying the inclination of the handle (8) with respect to a contact surface (16); a blocking device (22); wherein the first housing (18) and the blocking device (22) are conformed in such a way as to enable, a reversible insertion of the blocking device (22) in the first housing (18) when, on the first side (5) of the support and connecting device (14), the cloth (13) is unfurled and arranged between the first housing (18) and the blocking device (22), with the aim of reciprocally and reversibly fixing the cloth (13) to the support and connecting device (14) by interference coupling with a central portion (131) of the cloth (13) in contact with the contact surface (16).

[0015] The contact surface (16) is preferably continuous, as illustrated in the figures relating to the invention, but might also be a discontinuous surface, for example if a mesh or a grate is used that is solidly constrained to the first inner annular edge (19) of the first housing (18).

[0016] In a preferred aspect of the invention the blocking device (22) is conformed as: an open ring (see figures 10-11, 17, 20), a closed ring, a ring portion, a plurality of portions of a ring. An open ring (more preferably circular) is preferable, but a closed ring can also be used when it is elastically deformable and / or the first inner annular edge (19) comprises a plurality of terminal portions (80) that are elastically deformable (for example flanges or tabs (80)) which enable, by relative elastic deformation, varying the perimeter of the first inner annular edge (19) of the housing.

[0017] The support and connecting device (14) can be realised in a single body or more preferably can comprise: a support device (23) having: a first side (70) and a second side (71) (see figure 3); the contact surface (16) and the first housing (18) arranged along the relative first side (70); and a first coupling element (25); and a connecting device (24) having the fixing element (21) and a second coupling element (26), which is reversibly couplable to the first coupling element (25) so as to solidly fix the fixing element (21) to the contact surface (16). This simplifies the production of the support and connecting device (14).

[0018] The first coupling element (25) advantageously comprises a third perimeter edge (25) which surrounds the first housing (18); and the second coupling element (26) is a second housing (26), arranged on an opposite side with respect to the fixing element (21), and is conformed to stably and reversibly couple with the third perimeter edge (25) housing the support device (23) with the relative second side (71) facing towards the second housing (26) and with the contact surface (16) facing outwards and being arranged in such a way that the central portion (131) of the cloth (13) is in contact with the surface to be cleaned when the operating head (11) is in contact with the surface to be cleaned. In other words, the second housing can have a relative opening having a fourth edge (40) and the contact surface (16) will be substantially aligned with the fourth edge (40) and will project therefrom.

[0019] In order to advantageously simplify the assembly operations of the operating head (11) of the invention, the second housing (26) is conformed to stably and reversibly couple with the third perimeter edge (25) by interference coupling or screwing-in, more preferably by interference coupling. In the case of screwing-in, the third perimeter edge (25) can be threaded as can the annular inner wall of the second housing (26). Alternatively further fixing elements can be used for fixing the support device (23) to the connecting device (24), for example screws and threaded holes.

[0020] As illustrated in the figures relating to the invention it is preferable that the first housing (18) has a closed annular circular shape and the blocking device is conformed as: a circular or an open triangular ring, a circular ring or a closed triangular ring, a circular or triangular ring portion or a plurality of portions of a circular or triangular ring.

[0021] The contact surface (16) has an extension of at least 150 cm 2< , preferably comprised between 150 and 255 cm2, more preferably comprised between 175 and 227 cm 2< and advantageously it is about 200 cm 2< . This is because in this way the force applied by the user can be distributed over a greater contact surface, easing and accelerating the cleaning operations. Further, these dimensions represent an excellent compromise between the floor surface which comes into contact with the central portion of the cloth (13) and the possibility of wringing the cloth in an appropriate bucket. When the contact surface (16) is circular, it can have a diameter of 14-18 cm, more preferably di 15-17, advantageously 16 cm. The central portion (131) of the cloth (13) preferably comprises at least two layers of fabric or non-woven fabric solidly constrained to one another for the purpose of damping the pressure exertable on the contact surface (16) during the cleaning operations. In this way delicate surfaces (for example parquet or marble) are better protected.

[0022] Obviously there is a preference for a tool (12) for cleaning surfaces, comprising an operating head (11) according to the invention and a handle (8) of a tool (12) for cleaning surfaces, wherein an end of the handle (8) is solidly fixable, preferably fixed, advantageously reversibly to the fixing element (21).

[0023] In order to advantageously simplify the assembly operations of the operating head of the invention, in particular when it is necessary to replace the cloth (13), a kit (60) (see figure 20) for assembling the operating head (11) comprising: an operating head (11) according to the invention; and a bradawl (30) (see figures 12-17 and 20) having a grip (31) that is T-shaped and a bar (32) fixable to the grip which has a relative utilisation end, which is tapered as a cone and conformed so as to push the blocking device (22) into the first housing (18), when, on the first side (15) of the support and connecting device (14), the cloth (13) is unfurled and arranged between the first housing (18) and the blocking device (22).

[0024] The invention also comprises a preferred embodiment (not illustrated) in which the cloth (13) can comprise, further to the central portion (131) also a frayed perimeter portion. In a further particularly preferred aspect of the invention the cloth (13) is preferably made of microfibre, more preferably polyester / polyamide microfibre, advantageously with a honeycomb weave.

[0025] The fixing element (21) can comprise a chain having a relative axis and a joint to enable varying the inclination of the handle (8) with respect to the contact surface (16).

[0026] It is understood that the above has been described by way of non-limiting example and that technical-functional variants are considered to fall within the protective scope of the invention as claimed in the following.

Claims

1. An operating head (11) of a tool (12) for cleaning surfaces, comprising: - a cloth (13) for cleaning surfaces: - a support and connecting device (14) having: a first side (15); a second side (17), opposite the first side (15); a contact surface (16) which is planar and arranged along the first side (15); a first housing (18) which: is arranged along the first side (15); which has a closed annular shape; and which surrounds the contact surface (16) and is solidly constrained thereto, wherein the first housing (18) has an opening, in turn having: a first inner annular edge (19) and a second outer annular edge (20), which substantially do not project with respect to the contact surface (16); and a fixing element (21) which is solidly fixable to the contact surface (16) and having an end which is solidly fixable to an end of a handle (8) of a tool (12) for cleaning surfaces and is predisposed to enable varying the inclination of the handle (8) with respect to a contact surface (16); - a blocking device (22); characterized in that the first housing (18) and the blocking device (22) are conformed in such a way as to enable reversible insertion of the blocking device (22) in the first housing (18) when, on the first side (15) of the support and connecting device (14), the cloth (13) is unfurled and arranged between the first housing (18) and the blocking device (22), with the aim of reciprocally and reversibly fixing the cloth (13) to the support and connecting device (14) by interference coupling with a central portion (131) of the cloth (13) in contact with the contact surface (16).

2. The operating head (11) of the preceding claim, wherein the blocking device (22) is conformed as: an open ring, a closed ring, a ring portion, a plurality of portions of a ring.

3. The operating head (11) of any one preceding claim, wherein the support and connecting device (14) comprises: a support device (23) having: a first side (70) and a second side (71); the contact surface (16) and the first housing (18) both arranged along the relative first side; and a first coupling element (25); and a connecting device (24) having the fixing element (21) and a second coupling element (26), which is reversibly couplable to the first coupling element (25) so as to solidly fix the fixing element (21) to the contact surface (16).

4. The operating head (11) of the preceding claim, wherein the first coupling element (25) comprises a third perimeter edge which surrounds the first housing (18); wherein the second coupling element (26) is a second housing (26), arranged on an opposite side with respect to the fixing element (21), wherein the second housing is conformed to stably and reversibly couple with the third perimeter edge housing the support device (23) with the second side thereof facing towards the second housing (26) and with the contact surface (16) facing outwards and being arranged in such a way that the central portion (131) of the cloth (13) is in contact with the surface to be cleaned when the operating head (11) is in contact with the surface to be cleaned.

5. The operating head (11) of the preceding claim, wherein the second housing (26) is conformed to stably and reversibly couple with the third perimeter edge by interference coupling or screwing-in.

6. The operating head (11) of any one preceding claim, wherein the first housing (18) has a closed annular circular shape and the blocking device is shaped as: a circular open ring, a circular closed ring, a circular ring portion or a plurality of portions of a circular ring.

7. The operating head (11) of any one preceding claim, wherein the contact surface (16) has an extension of at least 150 cm2.

8. The operating head (11) of any one preceding claim, wherein the central portion (131) of the cloth (13) comprises at least two layers of fabric or non-woven fabric solidly constrained to one another for the purpose of damping the pressure exertable on the contact surface (16) during the cleaning operations.

9. A tool (12) for cleaning surfaces, comprising an operating head (11) according to any one preceding claim and a handle (8) of a tool (12) for cleaning surfaces, wherein an end of the handle (8) is solidly fixable to the fixing element (21).

10. A kit for assembling an operating head (11) of a tool (12) for cleaning surfaces, comprising: an operating head (11) according to claims from 1 to 8; and a bradawl (30) having a grip (31) that is T-shaped and a bar (32) fixable to the grip which has a relative utilisation end, which is tapered as a cone and conformed so as to push the blocking device (22) into the first housing (18) when, on the first side (15) of the support and connecting device (14), the cloth (13) is unfurled between the first housing (18) and the blocking device (22).

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