Combination of a wiper plate for a floor wiper with a corresponding wiper cover adapted to the wiper plate

The wiper plate and cover combination optimizes pressure surfaces and absorption areas to enhance dirt removal and moisture absorption efficiency, addressing the limitations of existing technologies by allowing effective cleaning with minimal movements.

EP4512300B1Active Publication Date: 2025-11-26LEIFHEIT
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Patent Information

Application Number
EP2024195603
Authority / Receiving Office
EP · EP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2023-08-23
Filing Date
2024-08-21
Publication Date
2025-11-26
Estimated Expiration
2044-08-21

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing wiper plate and cover combinations for floor cleaning devices struggle to effectively loosen dirt and absorb moisture over a larger area with minimal movements, often requiring repeated passes due to limited local contact pressure and uneven moisture absorption.

Method used

A wiper plate with contoured undersides featuring raised pressure surfaces and a wiper cover with distinct areas for liquid absorption and dirt removal, optimized in size and position to apply targeted pressure without sacrificing moisture absorption capacity.

Benefits of technology

The solution enables efficient dirt removal and moisture absorption over a larger area with fewer passes, minimizing the risk of scratches and maintaining high absorption capacity.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The invention relates to a combination of a wiper plate for a floor cleaning device and an associated wiper cover adapted to the wiper plate. In wiper plates of the generic type, the wiper cover is pressed against the floor with higher local pressure to loosen stubborn dirt. However, the known combinations have the disadvantage that the increased loosening function is spatially limited. The invention improves this by optimizing the adaptation of the wiper cover to improved local pressure areas (8), wherein the wiper plate has a contoured underside and, during intended use, the local pressure areas (8) project from the underside of the wiper plate in the form of edges or raised areas towards the floor covering.The wiper cover is designed with liquid and / or dirt absorption areas (9) and dirt removal areas (11) for this purpose, wherein the dirt removal areas (11) arranged under the pressure surfaces (8) have a greater scratching effect and the liquid and / or dirt absorption areas (9) arranged between them have a greater absorption capacity.
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Description

[0001] The invention relates to a combination of a wiper plate for a floor cleaning device with an associated wiper cover adapted to the wiper plate according to the preamble of claim 1. The generic combinations of wiper plate and wiper cover are characterized by a wiper plate having a bottom surface that is movable along a floor surface to be cleaned and a top surface with a mounting option in the form of a handle receptacle for a handle of the floor cleaning device.

[0002] Generic combinations of a wiper plate and a wiper cover are known, for example, from WO 97 / 35510 A1, EP 2 356 931 B1, US 2010 / 263154 A1, EP 1 897 480 B1, US 2007 / 130713 A1, or DE 299 24 439 U1. In these known combinations, the wiper cover is detachably and precisely attached to the wiper plate by means of fasteners, with a range of movement of up to 50 mm, preferably up to 20 mm, due to its inherent flexibility. The specific design of these fasteners depends on the type of wiper plate and the respective wiper cover.

[0003] In the combinations mentioned above, the mop head is clamped or stretched onto the mop plate and guided over the surface to be cleaned with varying degrees of pressure. These mop combinations have proven effective in practice, but have the disadvantage that stubborn, localized dirt can only be removed by repeatedly going over the area, or not at all, because the surface pressure exerted by the mop plate limits the local contact pressure.

[0004] Furthermore, foldable mop plates with two plate wings that can be pivoted relative to each other are commercially available and described in DE10 2005 044 509 A1. With these mop plates, the plate wings can be folded together so that they hang down from a central handle holder. The corresponding mop head can have lateral pockets on its upper side, open towards the opposite side. To attach the mop head, the mop plate is pressed onto its upper side, causing the plates to move outwards and engage in the pockets on the upper side of the mop head. After the plates are locked in a position relative to each other in which the undersides of the plate wings lie in a common plane, the mop head is then stretched over the mop plate, which is thus in its ready-to-use position.

[0005] Alternative solutions involve wrapping the wiper cover around a rigid wiper plate, with the wiper cover then being attached to the top of the wiper plate using clamps or snap fasteners. Such a solution is known from DE 10 2018 112 822 A1 or WO10114207 A1. Furthermore, frame-like wiper plates are also known, for example from DE10 2013 107 316 B3, in which the plate wings or the wiper plates consist of a rectangularly curved, internally open frame to which the wiper covers are clipped via corresponding clip connections.

[0006] Ultimately, the application of the invention is not limited to the specific design of the wiper cover and its attachment, nor to the specific design of the wiper plate.

[0007] Types of wiper plates with associated mop heads for a floor cleaning device, offering the possibility of varying the cleaning effect by increasing the contact pressure, are known from WO 2012 / 076076 A1 and EP 1 681 975 B1. These wiper plates have a foam layer on the underside with a recess containing a rigid, non-elastic plunger. When pressure is applied to the wiper plates via the handle, the user can compress the foam, causing the non-elastic plunger to press the mop head against the floor, thus achieving a higher cleaning effect against stubborn dirt in the area of ​​contact. However, this solution has the disadvantage that the user must also contact the stubborn dirt with the plunger, and the area of ​​increased cleaning effect due to the contact pressure is correspondingly small.Furthermore, it is possible to accidentally increase the pressure, which could cause scratches on the floor surface. Finally, the absorbency of moisture is reduced in the area of ​​the non-elastic stamp, resulting in an uneven surface texture of the cleaning cloth in relation to moisture absorption.

[0008] A solution similar to that described in EP 1 681 975 B1, in conjunction with removable wiper cloths, is shown in DE 10 153 801 A1, but it also has similar disadvantages. The same applies to the solution known from EP 1 985 221 A2, which has a wiper plate with a pressing piece on its underside in the area of ​​the handle attachment. This pressing piece is held against the floor by the force of a spring. Here, too, the increase in pressure is limited to specific points or areas, so that if there is stubborn dirt extending over a large part of the width of the wiper plate, this area has to be passed over many times to reliably remove the dirt.

[0009] WO 10 114 207 A1 discloses a wiper plate which has closely spaced, largely regularly spaced nubs on its underside, interrupted in a central row in one particular embodiment. These nubs can increase the pressure on the wiper cover at specific points. The disadvantage of this wiper plate is that, while the nubs improve dirt removal when passing over the soiled area once, their ability to absorb moisture is reduced due to the essentially uniform contact pressure.

[0010] From DE 10 2015 014 069 A1, a cleaning agent in the form of a mop cover is known that has three cleaning zones with different pile densities arranged one behind the other on its underside, perpendicular to the wiping direction. These three cleaning zones serve different purposes, so that a cleaning zone with an increased ability to abrasively remove dirt can be provided for stubborn dirt. However, a floor mop equipped with such a cover has the disadvantage that the user has to apply the necessary contact pressure to the entire mop head, which is tiring and reduces the liquid absorption capacity.

[0011] EP 2 988 644 A1 describes a mop cover for cleaning surfaces, comprising a base body on whose cleaning-active surface flock material is arranged in island-like or isolated areas, wherein the flock material is arranged on a separate cleaning strip on the base body. This mop cover allows for optimization of the cleaning effect in the case of heavy soiling, but has the disadvantage that the pressure can only be applied uniformly to the mop head. A similar solution, which uses the penetration of bristles into the pile fabric instead of flocking, is known from DE 29 918 620 U1.

[0012] From EP 2 648 592 A1, a fringed mop is known which has individual mop strips attached to a head at the end of a handle. The mop strips in turn have different zones, some of which, particularly those located at the end of the respective mop strip, have abrasive sections. However, since the mop strips hang freely, these sections cannot be pressed down on a specific point of coarse soiling, so that the cleaning effect remains limited compared to a solid mop head.

[0013] The object of the invention is to create a combination of a wiper plate for a floor cleaning device with an associated wiper cover adapted to the wiper plate, which makes it possible to easily and effectively loosen dirt and absorb moisture over a larger area and with as few movements as possible.

[0014] According to the invention, this problem is solved by a combination of a wiper plate for a floor cleaning device with an associated wiper cover adapted to the wiper plate according to claim 1.

[0015] The new combination of a wiper plate and a wiper cover is characterized in particular by the fact that the local pressure elements have now been optimized in size and position and the wiper cover is adapted to the local pressure elements in order to generate an optimal cleaning effect with the lowest possible contact pressure, without having to sacrifice a high capacity for moisture absorption.

[0016] To solve the aforementioned problem, the wiper plate is designed with a contoured underside featuring raised pressure surfaces. During normal use, these raised pressure surfaces project downwards from the plane of the wiper plate's underside, which may also be virtually supported by a frame or ribs. The pressure edges are edges or raised areas that project towards the floor covering. The wiper cover comprises different areas: at least one liquid and / or dirt absorption area with a soft, moisture-absorbing fiber structure, and at least one dirt removal area with a harder, abrasive fiber structure compared to the fibers of the liquid and / or dirt absorption area. A dirt removal area extending along the length of each pressure surface is provided below the pressure surfaces.

[0017] Alternatively, the mop cover can be movable relative to the mop plate, at least in sections, and the combination of mop cover and mop plate can be designed such that, when the mop plate moves, the dirt-removing area is held in front of the pressure surface by the frictional force between the mop plate and the floor. This causes the pressure surface to drive the dirt-removing area forward in one wiping direction, pressing it against the floor, while no pressure is exerted in the opposite wiping direction. The mop cover can have a friction-enhancing coating or a thickening projecting towards the mop plate on its side facing the mop plate, above or immediately before the dirt-removing areas, which further enhances the forward movement.

[0018] Adapting the mop head to different cleaning techniques or materials, and arranging materials more effective at removing stubborn dirt particles beneath the pressure surfaces, allows for targeted application of pressure precisely where needed. This is the dirt-removal zone. Preferably, this dirt-removal zone is an elongated area extending perpendicular to the wiping direction of the intended floor cleaning device. The pressure surfaces can extend over the entire length of the underside of the mop plate; alternatively, they can be formed by multiple offset pressure surfaces that cover the width of the mop plate.The edge areas can remain free of pressure surfaces, for example to prevent drops and liquid residues from remaining there by increasing the absorption capacity of the liquid and dirt absorption area.

[0019] Edge areas consisting exclusively of a highly absorbent liquid and / or dirt collection zone will improve liquid absorption at the lateral edges of the cleaning area. Since the user typically moves the floor cleaning machine across the area in overlapping passes anyway, the fact that the edge areas may not be as effective at loosening stubborn dirt is less of a concern.

[0020] To ensure optimal coordination of the arrangement of the respective cleaning areas—that is, the liquid and / or dirt absorption areas between the pressure surfaces and the respective dirt removal area below the pressure surfaces—the wiper cover is preferably connected to the wiper plate during use in such a way that relative movement between the elastic wiper cover and the wiper plate cannot cause the arrangement of the pressure surfaces above the dirt removal area to be disrupted by slippage of the wiper cover. For this purpose, the connection between the wiper cover and at least the underside of the wiper plate is preferably designed so that the wiper cover is movable by a maximum of 50 mm, preferably a maximum of 20 mm, in each direction and is otherwise held securely against the wiper plate without slippage. Furthermore, additional means, such as rubber nubs on the wiper cover, or other measures can, of course, limit or prevent slippage.

[0021] To ensure the aforementioned positioning of the wiper cover area, the dirt-removing areas are preferably somewhat wider than the pressure surfaces, at least in the main wiping direction. This reduces the relevance of any relative displacement of the wiper cover to the underside of the wiper plate. The elongated pressure surfaces can be ribs or raised areas on the underside of the wiper plate. If the wiper plate consists of one or two frames, additional crossbars with a round or oval cross-section, offset from the surface, can form the pressure surfaces. The width of the pressure surfaces perpendicular to the main wiping direction will be rather small to apply a linear pressure. A width of 1 mm to a maximum of 5 mm is preferred. The dirt-removing areas, in turn, can be, for example, between 10 mm and 20 mm wide.

[0022] The ratio of the width of the pressure surfaces to the dirt-removing areas, along with the relative fixation of the mop head to the mop plate, ensures that the increased contact pressure is effectively applied to a portion of the dirt-removing area. Additional fixing elements can also be incorporated between the underside of the mop plate and the mop head to reduce or prevent slippage. In simple cases, these might be small prongs or nubs extending into the upper part of the mop head. Rubber elements can also be used, further reducing the risk of scratching the floor surface. However, in most cases, proper tensioning combined with the geometrically chosen width of the respective surfaces will be sufficient to achieve the desired effect.

[0023] It is particularly preferred if the pairing of pressure surface and dirt-removing area extends transversely across the underside of the wiper plate relative to the main wiping direction. Preferably, several pairings arranged one behind the other are used in the main wiping direction. These pairings can run parallel to the longitudinal edge of a rectangular wiper plate, but can also be angled to it. This angle is preferably 30° or less. However, in order to also provide a dirt-removing function transverse to the main wiping direction, such a pairing can be provided in the edge region and parallel to the main wiping direction, either additionally or alternatively to the orientation of the pairings described above.With a floor mop featuring such a combination, the user can, for example, loosen stubborn dirt with a movement in which the narrow side moves forward, while with a movement in which a broad side moves forward, moisture and loosened dirt are absorbed.

[0024] Ultimately, the arrangement and layout of the pairings of pressure surfaces and dirt removal areas are a matter of optimization and deciding in which wiping direction the dirt removal function should be provided or optimized. The same applies to the number of pairings and whether they all run along one long side of a rectangular wiper plate and additionally or alternatively along the short sides, or even at an angle to the sides.

[0025] The dirt-removing areas are generally equipped with the usual, slightly abrasive materials. These can be brush-like bristle arrangements, for example, with rectangularly arranged bristles, fiber composites with embedded bristles or bristle tufts, or even non-woven fabrics or other materials commonly used in cleaning textiles. These can be universally applicable or tailored to specific floor types, such as tiles, parquet, etc., so that damage to the floor from excessive abrasion is avoided. It is also possible that the raised areas of the pressure surfaces are spring-loaded and held downwards, preventing a defined maximum pressure from being exceeded.This is particularly advantageous in conjunction with spacers that can be provided projecting downwards on the underside of the wiper plate in the area of ​​the liquid and dirt collection areas and define a minimum distance between the dirt removal areas.

[0026] Preferably, the liquid and dirt absorption area has a first cleaning pile with a first pile height and a first density of first fibers, and the dirt removal area has a brush area or a second cleaning pile with a second pile height and a second density of fibers. The fiber count, i.e., the fineness of the first fibers, is chosen to be lower than the fineness of the second fibers. Furthermore, the density per mm² of the first fibers can be higher than the density of the second fibers. Finally, the cleaning and absorption capacity can be adjusted via the pile height, whereby the pile height of the first fibers is greater than the pile height of the second fibers. Most often, however, these options are combined. The fineness of the first fibers can, for example, be less than 50. dtex (50g / 10,000m), preferably less than 20 dtex and especially preferably less than 5 dtexIn particular, a microfiber with a dtex value of less than 1 is considered advantageous.

[0027] The second cleaning layer can be made of or contain synthetic bristles. Synthetic bristles are essentially rigid, synthetic fibers, and the bristle arrangement can be single or multi-rowed, angled, wavy, or arrow-shaped within a matrix of textile fibers. In this case, the second cleaning layer is a synthetic fiber-bristle mix, for example, with a blend of synthetic and natural bristles or synthetic fibers. Different bristle heights are also possible.

[0028] Mixing the bristle types makes the second cleaning layer more versatile and improves its capacity to hold loosened dirt. Synthetic bristles can be, in particular, straight bristles made of chemical fibers, such as polyamide, especially nylon 6 (PA6), perlon (PA66 / nylon 6.6), and PA 6.12 (nylon 6.12). Bristles made of polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, or polyester can also be used, as well as any other materials commonly used in the production of dirt-removing brushes. Furthermore, a so-called polyblend, a compound of two or more of the aforementioned compatible polymers, is also a suitable material. Plastic fibers and bristles are preferably manufactured from recycled material or from a compound with the highest possible recycled content.

[0029] Furthermore, both the first and second cleaning layers can be made of or contain naturally occurring materials. For example, natural bristles made from relatively thick, stiff animal hair, such as that of wild or domestic pigs, or fibers from plant products, such as coconut fibers, can be used for the second cleaning layer. However, natural fibers do not necessarily have to be of animal origin; fibers of plant origin are also possible, such as linen or hemp fibers, wood fibers, algae fibers, or milk protein fibers (synthetically produced fibers made from the milk protein casein). The finer fibers, such as the aforementioned algae or milk protein fibers, are naturally best suited for the first cleaning layer, while the stiffer fibers are better for the second.

[0030] The fibers mentioned can also be used in conjunction with all other applications for cleaning surfaces in the household or garden area without the special features of the combination of the wiper plate and the wiper cover described here.

[0031] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings.

[0032] The drawings show: Fig. 1 a three-dimensional view of a combination of wiper cover and wiper plate according to the invention, Fig. 2 the wiper plate of the in Figure 1 The combination shown in a three-dimensional representation without a wiper cover, Fig. 3, is shown in Figure 2 The wiper plate shown is in a view from the narrow side to the underside, Fig. 4. Figure 2 and Figure 3The wiper plate shown in Fig. 5 is viewed from the long side towards the underside; Fig. 6 shows the wiper plate shown in the preceding figures from the left side. Figure 1 The combination shown in a view of the long side, Fig. 7, the wiper cover of which is in the Figure 1 and 6 The combination shown is in a top view. Fig. 8, which is shown in the Figures 2 to 5 The wiper plate shown in a view from below, Fig. 9, the wiper cover after Figure 7 in a view from below and Fig. 10 another embodiment of a two-part wiper plate for a combination according to the invention.

[0033] In Figure 1The illustration shows a combination according to the invention consisting of a wiper plate and a wiper cover. The wiper plate has a hinged adapter 2 in the center, at the upper end of which a handle receptacle 1 is pivotally mounted. A handle can be detachably attached to this handle receptacle 1 for moving the wiper plate. Ultimately, however, this is not essential for the present invention. The illustrated wiper plate is designed here in two parts, with a first plate wing 3 and a second plate wing 4 pivotally attached to the hinged adapter 2 via a first pivot axis 6 and a second pivot axis 5. In the illustrated position of use, the undersides of the plate wings 3, 4 form a flat surface that is moved manually along the floor to be cleaned by the user.

[0034] A mop cover is stretched over the mop plate. To hold the mop cover on the mop plate, the mop cover has fastening means 10 in the form of insert pockets on both sides, into which one end of the plate wings 3, 4 can be inserted. To thread the plate wings 3, 4 and to remove the mop cover from the mop plate, the plate wings 3, 4, which are fixed in the orientation shown by means 7, can be released so that, after lifting the handle, they fold down and the insert pockets slide off the plate wings 3, 4.

[0035] In the Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5 is the wiper plate of the combination according to the invention, as it is in Figure 1The illustration shows the wiper blade from various angles without the wiper cover. Of particular interest within the scope of the present invention is the underside of the wiper plate. Since the wiper plate wings 3, 4 are injection-molded, this underside has a ribbed structure, so that the wiper plate has an arbitrary, but in most cases smooth, appearance on its upper side and the described ribbed structure on its underside. In the context of this application, "underside" refers to the virtual plane defined by the frame areas of the ribbed structure. The individual ribs of the ribbed structure can extend down to this underside plane.

[0036] However, according to the invention, an area is now provided which serves as a pressure surface 8. These are individual ribs that project downwards beyond the plane of the virtual underside. This is best seen in the Figure 5It is recognizable. All ribs can be provided as a pressure surface 8, or only some of these ribs, or only sections of ribs. Preferably, at least one, but more preferably several, of the transverse ribs, i.e., the ribs that run parallel to the longitudinal sides of the plate wings 3, 4, are designed as a pressure surface 8, so that these ribs project downwards beyond the plane of the virtual underside, which is defined here by the surrounding frame of the wiper plate.

[0037] Particularly if the underside of the wiper plate is smooth, these pressure surfaces 8 can also be designed as edges or raised areas projecting from the surface. The essential function is ensured simply by the wiper plate having pressure areas 8 extending transversely, particularly longitudinally, which project beyond the plane of the other parts of the underside, so that the wiper plate is supported on the floor via these pressure areas.

[0038] If a mop cover is stretched onto the mop plate, as is done in Figure 1As shown, this will have elastic areas into which the raised pressure areas 8, viewed from below, can press. This can mean, for example, that with light pressure, such as the weight of the mop, the mop cover will lie flat against the floor without any point or line-like pressure marks. Only when the user increases the pressure will increased pressure occur regionally below the pressure areas 8. However, for the implementation of the invention, it is not necessary that there be a flat contact area with uniform contact pressure in the unloaded state.

[0039] What is new is the fact that the mop cover has different functional areas whose size and position are matched to the printed surfaces 8 of the mop cover. A mop cover for implementing the invention is shown in the Figures 7 and Figure 9The coordinated wiper cover has at least one of the following areas: a liquid and dirt absorption area 9 and a dirt removal area 11. Figure 9 shows an example of such a mop cover. In Figure 7 The functionally important parts of the wiper plate, namely the plate wings 3,4 and the joint adapter 2, are shown with dashed lines.

[0040] From the Figures 10 Figure 11 shows the interaction according to the invention between the individual areas of the wiper cover and the underside of the wiper plate. The wiper cover consists predominantly of the liquid and dirt absorption area 9. A dirt removal area 11, which here is formed by two individual areas, is embedded or attached to it. These two individual areas of the dirt removal area 11 each lie, after being attached to the wiper plate, Figure 10 under one of the two plate wings 3,4.

[0041] The wiper plate has a ribbed structure on its underside. The lower plane of the underside is defined by the outer edge of the plate wings 3, 4. The ribs project downwards compared to the plane of the underside defined by the outer edge, as shown, for example, in Figure 5 This is evident. This means that the embodiment of the wiper plate shown here, when folded out and resting on the floor, would only be supported by its ribs.

[0042] Is the wiper cover installed according to Figure 9 When stretched onto the wiper plates as shown in the figure, the individual areas of the dirt removal zone 11 lie below the ribs forming the pressure surfaces 8. This is necessary to ensure that, despite the inherent elasticity and elasticity of the wiper cover's mounting, the individual areas of the dirt removal zone 11 lie below the ribs forming the pressure surfaces 8. Figure 7To ensure the secure attachment of the illustrated fastening means 10, the sections of the dirt-removing area 11 are wider than the ribs. This is because, due to the elasticity of the wiping surface, it is unavoidable that the wiper cover will shift a certain distance relative to the wiper plate during the back-and-forth wiping motion. The greater width of the dirt-removing area 11 compensates for this.

[0043] Conversely, the dirt removal area 11 should only be located within the area of ​​the aforementioned safety zone required for the dirt removal function, since the remaining areas serve as the liquid and dirt absorption area 9 and the absorption capacity of the wiper cover should be as large as possible.

[0044] The new wiper cover and the corresponding wiper plate optimize both the dirt removal function and the absorbency of the wiper cover. To achieve this, the dirt removal area 11 is adapted to the degree of soiling expected or designed to be universal to cover the largest possible area. The liquid and dirt absorption area 9 is ideally positioned with the utmost precision. A further optimization involves adapting the shape and orientation of the ribs that form the pressure surfaces 8 to the expected soiling and the desired wiping direction for removing the soiling.

[0045] Furthermore, the ribs can also have elastic elements on their undersides or be arranged on a lower area of ​​the wiper plate that can be pressed upwards against a spring force. Both of these features can prevent excessive pressure forces when too much pressure is applied to the handle of the floor cleaning device, especially if the wiper plate has travel limiters on its underside in the form of small projections located below the liquid and dirt collection area 9, which define the minimum distance between the unsprung part of the wiper plate and the floor. Elastic elements on the ribs can be, in particular in two-component injection molding, rubber-elastic lips arranged on the ribs, similar to a squeegee.

[0046] In the Figure 9In the illustrated embodiment, parts of the dirt removal area 11 are aligned parallel to the main wiping direction, which here is the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the wiper cover. However, two individual sections of the dirt removal area 11 are aligned perpendicular to these parts, i.e., parallel to the narrow sides. This allows the user to utilize the dirt removal function in all wiping directions.

[0047] In comparison to a combination of wiper plate and wiper cover that only provides increased pressure in certain areas, as discussed at the outset in connection with the prior art, the invention can provide a significantly greater cleaning and dirt-removing effect with a single pass over a soiled area. Of particular interest in this regard is the fact that the Figure 9The illustrated variant of the invention essentially has no preferred direction for the dirt removal function, thus preventing incorrect operation. While the dirt removal function is greater when the wiper plate is moved perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, this is already the direction in which the user typically moves the wiper plate. However, providing a dirt removal area 11 arranged perpendicular to the narrow side also allows dirt to be removed when the wiper plate is moved with its narrow side leading, for example, into a narrow niche.

[0048] Finally, it is also possible to arrange the pressure surfaces 8 movably on the wiper plate and to move them into the position in which they protrude downwards from the underside of the wiper plate by means of a handle, in particular on the handle of the floor cleaning device, or by means of a foot pedal. Such a solution is in Figure 10 schematically represented.

[0049] The wiper plate of the in Figure 10 The schematically shown combination is designed in two parts: an upper wiper plate 13 and a lower wiper plate 14. Both wiper plates, namely the upper wiper plate 13 and the lower wiper plate 14, together form the wiper plate described above, but are movable relative to each other, at least in a direction perpendicular to the floor being wiped. The actuation mechanism and the guide are not shown here. A transverse movement with a guide that, in addition to the transverse movement, also effects movement in the direction perpendicular to the floor would also be possible.

[0050] The upper wiper plate 13 has pressure surfaces 8 on its underside, which here essentially form the Figure 4 or 8The pressure surfaces 8 shown correspond to the design. However, the shape and arrangement of the pressure surfaces 8 are only to be understood as an example of implementation. Alternatively, the pressure surfaces 8 could also be several ribs, for example, running parallel to the narrow sides of the wiper plate or curved ribs. Here, the stem 1 is guided through a central opening in the upper wiper plate 13 and is gimbal-mounted in the joint adapter 2 provided on the upper side of the lower wiper plate 12.

[0051] An alternative embodiment could, for example, consist of a movable support plate for the pressure surfaces 8 being provided on the wiper plate, which can be mounted on the wiper plate at one end via a hinge. To activate the pressure surfaces 8, the support plate is then pivoted downwards so that it, together with the downward-springing pressure surfaces 8, passes through the wiper plate. It can be held in the upper, inactive position by springs and in the lower, active position by releasable locking mechanisms.

[0052] Another embodiment uses one or more support plates that can be moved in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the wiper plate. This alternative is similar to the one described in Figure 10The depicted arrangement differs, except that the support plate does not necessarily have to be an upper wiper plate, but can only cover a portion of it. Multiple support plates can also be provided, for example, support plates arranged on both sides of the stem 1, which can be activated separately or via common actuating means. Here, too, spring elements can hold the support plate in an upper position, and detent elements can hold the support plate in the active position. Finally, the pressure surfaces 8 can also be activated by a horizontal transverse movement of the support plate relative to the wiper plate. This can be achieved, for example, via a ramp guide or tilting elements, so that the transverse movement of the support plate also displaces the pressure surfaces 8 in a direction perpendicular to the transverse movement, thus pushing them through openings 17 in the wiper plate into the active position.

[0053] The lower wiper plate 12 shows in the in Figure 10 In the illustrated embodiment, passages 14 are provided at the locations corresponding to the pressure surfaces 8 with respect to their position, through which the pressure surfaces 8 project after the upper wiper plate 13 is lowered onto the top of the lower wiper plate 12, wherein the pressure surfaces 8 are arranged on or formed by protruding ribs that are too high so that, after the upper wiper plate 13 and the lower wiper plate 12 are joined together, the pressure surfaces 8 project out of the plane of the underside of the lower wiper plate 12.

[0054] If the wiper cover is to be held on the wiper plate by means of hook and loop fasteners, as described in EP 3 251 575 A1, which is incorporated into this description by reference, it is recommended to provide the hook and loop fasteners on the pressure surfaces 8 and to select the pressure surfaces 8 and the path of relative movement between the upper wiper plate 13 and the lower wiper plate 12 to be large enough so that, firstly, the pressure surfaces 8 protrude below from the plane of the lower wiper plate 12 in the assembled position of both wiper plates 12, 13, and secondly, the pressure surfaces 8, which then hold the wiper cover, can be retracted sufficiently by pulling up the upper wiper plate 13 and / or pushing down the lower wiper plate 12 to release the hook and loop fastener and to allow the wiper cover to be ejected without contact.

[0055] The operation of the two-part wiper plate described above can be carried out, as described in EP 3 251 575 A1, via a handle arranged on the handle of the mop device, by twisting the handle relative to the wiper plate with corresponding cam guidance to convert the rotary movement into the translational movement, or, as is known from the activation of the hard floor brushes on the floor nozzle of a vacuum cleaner, via a foot pedal on the wiper plate. Reference symbol list:

[0056] 1 Handle holder 2 Joint adapter 3 First plate wing 4 Second plate wing 5 Second pivot axis 6 First pivot axis 7 Means for securing the plate wings 8 Pressure surface 9 Liquid and dirt absorption area 10 Fastening means for the wiper cover on the wiper plate 11 Dirt removal area 12 Lower wiper plate 13 Upper wiper plate 14 Passage for the pressure surfaces

Claims

1. Combination of a wiper plate for a floor-wiping device with an associated wiper cover adapted to the wiper plate, wherein • the wiper plate has a plate underside that can be moved along a floor surface to be cleaned and a fastening option in the form of a handle holder (1) for a handle on an upper side, • the wiping cover can be detachably and positionally definedly attached to the wiping plate by means of fastening means (10) in such a way that a cleaning section of the wiping cover on the underside of the wiping plate is held non-slip relative to the wiping plate along a flat pressure surface (8) relative to the wiper plate, with the exception of a maximum play of 20 mm in each direction due to the elasticity of the wiper cover, and • means für increasing a local pressure are provided, by means of which stubborn dirt can be loosened more effectively by increasing the contact pressure in a spatially limited area of the wiper cover, characterized in that the wiper plate has a contoured underside, whereby, during intended use, elongated pressure surfaces (8) in the form of edges or raised areas protrude from the plane of the underside of the wiper plate in the direction of the floor covering to establish the local pressure-increasing means, and the wiping panel cover has different areas with at least one liquid and / or dirt absorption area (9) with a soft, moisture-absorbing fiber structure and at least one dirt-removing area (11) with a harder, scratching fiber structure compared to the fibers of the liquid and / or dirt-absorbing area (9), wherein • a section of the dirt-removing area (11) is provided below the pressure surfaces (8), or • the wiping panel cover is movable relative to the wiper plate at least in sections, and the combination of wiping panel cover and wiper plate is embodied in such a way that the dirt-removing area (11) is accumulated in front of the pressure surface when the wiper plate is moved due to the frictional force between the wiper plate and the floor.

2. Combination of a wiper plate for a floor-wiping device with an associated wiper cover adapted to the wiper plate according to claim 1, characterized in that the pressure surfaces (8) have a Width between 1 mm and 6 mm, preferably between 2 mm and 4 mm, and that, when the wiping panel cover is attached as intended, the dirt-removing means (11) located below the pressure surfaces (8) and, during use, between the pressure surfaces (8) and the floor to be cleaned comprise a width between 5 and 40 mm, preferably between 7 mm and 15 mm.

3. Combination of a wiper plate for a floor-wiping device with an associated wiper cover adapted to the wiper plate according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that the wiper plate and the wiper cover are rectangular with two opposite long sides and two opposite short sides connecting the long sides, wherein the main wiping direction runs at right angles to the long sides and the pressure surfaces (8) run at least partially at an angle of no more than 30°, preferably less than 10°, and particularly preferably parallel to the long sides.

4. Combination of a wiper plate for a floor-wiping device with an associated wiper cover adapted to the wiper plate according to claim 3, characterized in that pressure surfaces (8) are provided which run at an angle of at most 30°, preferably less than 10° and particularly preferably parallel to the narrow sides, and / or pressure surfaces (8) are provided which run parallel and / or at an angle of less than 30°, in particular at an angle between 1° and 20°, to a long side of the wiper plate.

5. Combination of a wiper plate for a floor-wiping device with an associated wiper cover adapted to the wiper plate according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the liquid and dirt absorption area (9) has a first cleaning flor with a first pile height and a first density of first fibers, and the dirt removal area (11) has a second cleaning flor with a second pile height and a second density of fibers, wherein the fineness (titer) of the first fibers is less than the fineness of the second fibers and / or the density per mm2 of the first fibers is greater than the density of the second fibers and / or the pile height of the first fibers is greater than the pile height of the second fibers, wherein the fineness of the first fibers is less than 50 dtex (50 g / 10,000 m), preferably less than 20 dtex and particularly preferably less than 5 dtex.

6. Combination of a wiper plate for a floor-wiping device with an associated wiper cover adapted to the wiper plate according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second cleaning flor contains synthetic bristles, in particular exclusively synthetic bristles, wherein the bristle arrangement is single or multi-row, oblique, spiral or arrow-shaped within a matrix of textile fibers, and the synthetic bristles are, in particular, straight bristles made of polyamide, in particular nylon 6 (PA6), Perlon (PA66 / nylon 6.6) and PA 6.12 (nylon 6.12) or polyester bristles.

7. Combination of a wiper plate for a floor-wiping device with an associated wiping panel cover adapted to the wiper plate according to claim 5, characterized in that the first cleaning flor comprises fibers made of naturally occurring materials, preferably 90% and particularly preferably entirely constituted from these fibers, wherein the naturally occurring fibers are in particular fibers made of animal hair, fibers from plant products, in particular coconut fibers, linen or hemp fibers, wood fibers, algae fibers, or synthetically produced milk protein fibers.

8. Combination of a wiper plate for a floor-wiping device with an associated wiping panel cover adapted to the wiper plate according to claim 5 or claim 7, characterized in that the second cleaning flor comprises fibers made of naturally occurring materials, preferably 90% and particularly preferably entirely constituted from these fibers, wherein the naturally occurring fibers are in particular natural bristles made of thick and stiff animal hair, in particular wild and domestic pig hair, or fibers made of plant products, such as coconut fibers, linen or hemp fibers, or wood fibers.

9. Combination of a wiper plate for a floor-wiping device with an associated wiping panel cover adapted to the wiper plate according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wiper plate is connected to a hinged adapter (2) for attaching a handle in a handle holder (1), a first plate wing (3) pivotable about a first pivot axis (6) and pivotably connected to the hinged adapter (2), and a second plate wing (4) pivotable about a second pivot axis (5) and pivotably connected directly or indirectly via the first plate wing (3) (4) that can be fixed directly or indirectly via the first plate wing (3), and means (7) for directly or indirectly fixing the plate wings (3 or 4), wherein the bottom sides of the plate wings (3, 4) lie in a plane after being moved into a position of use and together constitute a rectangular, contoured plate bottom side with two opposite long sides and two opposite narrow sides narrow sides connecting the long sides, which embody the contoured underside of the plates and are provided to constitute pressure surfaces (8) that run at least partially at an angle of at most 30°, preferably less than 10° and particularly preferably parallel to the long sides and / or to the short sides.

10. Combination of a wiper plate for a floor-wiping device with an associated wiping panel cover adapted to the wiper plate according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two pressure surfaces (8) are provided, inclined at an angle of at most 10° to each other, preferably parallel to each other and at an angle of at most 20°, preferably less than 10°, and particularly preferably parallel to the transverse sides of the wiper plate, wherein the longitudinally extending pressure surfaces (8) (8) are provided in an outer edge region of the wiper plate at a maximum distance of 100 mm from the edge on the narrow sides of the wiper plate, wherein the pressure surfaces (8) are preferably embodied as elastic at least in sections.

11. Combination of a wiper plate for a floor-wiping device with an associated wiping panel cover adapted to the wiper plate according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wiper plate is constituted by a rib structure with an edge area defining the plane of the bottom side of the wiper plate and ribs arranged therebetween, wherein all ribs or some of the ribs constitute the pressure surfaces (8).

12. Combination of a wiper plate for a floor-wiping device with an associated wiping panel cover adapted to the wiper plate according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that pressure surfaces (8) extend from the center of the wiper plate to a rounded end area that is less than 20 mm away from the edge toward which the respective pressure surface (8) runs.

13. Combination of a wiper plate for a floor-wiping device with an associated wiping panel cover adapted to the wiper plate according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressure surfaces (8) protrude from the bottom side of the wiper plate by a uniform distance and / or that the pressure surfaces (8) protrude from the inside to the outside by an increasing distance from the bottom side of the wiper plate.

14. Combination of a wiper plate for a floor-wiping device with an associated wiping panel cover adapted to the wiper plate according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the pressure surfaces (8) comprises an elastic lip on its side facing the wiping panel cover, which lip is capable of folding back and forth in its orientation against the wiping direction, in particular according to the manner of a scraper lip.

15. Combination of a wiper plate for a floor-wiping device with an associated wiping panel cover adapted to the wiper plate according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressure surfaces (8) are arranged on a support mounted so as to be movable at an angle, preferably a right angle, relative to the bottom side of the wiper plate and an actuating means is provided by means of which the carrier can be moved from an active position, in which the pressure surfaces (8) protrude downwards from the plane of the bottom side of the wiper plate, into an inactive position, in which the pressure surfaces (8) are provided in the plane or above the plane of the bottom side of the wiper plate.

16. Combination of a wiper plate for a floor-wiping device with an associated wiping panel cover adapted to the wiper plate according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the wiper plate is embodied in two parts with an upper wiper plate (13) and a lower wiper plate (12) that is movable relative to the upper wiper plate (13) and can be locked in place or secured by spring force, wherein the pressure surfaces (8) are provided on the bottom side of the upper wiper plate (13) and the lower wiper plate (12) comprises passages (14) through which the pressure surfaces (8) extend downward from the bottom side of the lower wiper plate (12) after the upper wiper plate (13) has been lowered onto the upper side of the lower wiper plate (12).

Citation Information

Patent Citations

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