Adjustable reservoir mop

Abstract

A manual mop tool adapted to disperse cleaning fluid across a surface being cleaned. The manual mop tool may be substantially coaxial along its length and may include a mop head and a telescoping mop pole extending away from the mop head with the mop head operatively mounted in swivel relation to the telescoping mop pole. The mop head may include an upper pole segment and a lower pole segment. The lower pole segment may include a liquid ejection station adapted to expel fluid away from the lower pole segment towards the surface being cleaned. A liquid storage bottle may be disposed in fluid communication with the upper pole segment with the liquid storage bottle being disposed above the upper pole segment and in coaxial relation to each of the upper pole segment and the lower pole segment. The liquid storage bottle may include a normally closed user actuated valve adapted to disperse cleaning fluid into the upper pole segment for passage to the liquid ejection station when the valve is opened. A handle may be disposed above the liquid storage bottle with the handle supporting an actuating lever or trigger operatively connected to the user actuated valve to selectively open the user actuated valve.

Description

ADJUSTABLE RESERVOIR MOPCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This nonprovisional application claims the benefit of US provisional application 63 / 585,698 filed September 27,2023. The content of such prior application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety as if fully set forth herein.BACKGROUND

[0002] Mopping is a well-known technique for cleaning floors and other surfaces. It often is desirable to apply a liquid to the surface being cleaned during the mopping operation to act as a solvent and / or to aid in the dissolution and removal of dirt. This liquid has traditionally been carried in a bucket or other container separate from the mopping tool. However, some users may find the use of a separate bucket to be undesirable due to issues such as spillage, storage space, contamination of cleaning solution, and the like.

[0003] As an alternative to traditional bucket-based cleaning systems it is generally known to use reservoir structures that are attachable to the handle of the mopping tools and which feed liquid to the cleaning head through tubes or other suitable channels when activated by a user. It is also known to use mopping tools with hollow reservoir handles which can be filled with cleaning liquid for discharge. Prior known reservoir systems for mopping tools typically rely on a combination of inter-connected mechanical or electrical linkages that control valves or pumps to discharge a cleaning fluid by pumping force or gravity when the valves are simultaneously opened.

[0004] In prior known devices the fluid reservoirs are typically in the form or bottles mounted on one side of the mop pole at a relatively low elevation above the mop head and below a user’s hand position. In some prior systems the reservoirs are fully disposable and are replaced by a prefilled replacementreservoir bottle once the cleaning fluid is depleted. While such prefilled and disposable reservoir bottles may be convenient, such systems may be relatively expensive to use and may generate unacceptable levels of waste. These deficiencies may be particularly problematic in commercial environments such as hospitals and the like where extensive surfaces must be cleaned. In other known systems, refillable bottles may be fixed to one side of the mop pole. Refilling of such reservoir bottles may be carried out by removing a top cap and adding cleaning fluid. However, because the bottle is typically mounted near the bottom of the pole, the refilling operation may be cumbersome to some users. In this regard, a user must either bend into position to carry out the refilling or must raise the mop to a sufficient height to avoid bending.

[0005] In prior systems once the reservoirs have been filled, a relatively large mass is then present on one side of the mop pole near the mop head. As will be appreciated, increasing the mass at positions below a user’s hands will necessarily increase the difficulty of raising the mop head into a position to clean elevated surfaces such a stairs and the like. That is, the mop pole acts as a lever arm magnifying the gravitational resistance of the fluid reservoir. Moreover, the fluid mass is concentrated at one side of the pole thereby making mop head manipulation more difficult.

[0006] In some prior systems the mop pole itself may serve as the fluid reservoir. However, filling such a system may require a user to pour liquid into a relatively small opening in the elongated handle of the mopping tool while the handle is in a substantially vertical position. Such an operation may be difficult to perform without spillage. Moreover, such structures may require a relatively complex valve arrangement to permit an adequate volume of air to enter the reservoir to replace fluid as it is used. As will be appreciated, if enough air is not introduced into the fluid reservoir, fluid will be trapped and cannot be used. Cleaning solution volume is also limited by inner pole diameter times pole length. Limited volume often leads to more frequent filling of cleaning solution.

[0007] In light of the various noted problems associated with known bucket and reservoir systems, an alternative construction for a mopping improving the ease of filling and subsequent manipulating during cleaning would represent a useful advancement over the current art).SUMMARY

[0008] In one exemplary construction, the present disclosure offers advantages and alternatives over the prior art by providing an improved manual mop tool adapted to disperse cleaning fluid across a surface being cleaned. The manual mop tool may be substantially coaxial along its entire length and may include a mop head and a telescoping mop pole extending away from the mop head with the mop head operatively mounted in swivel relation to the telescoping mop pole. The mop may include an upper pole segment and a lower pole segment with the upper pole segment and lower pole segment being disposed in length-adjusting coaxial telescoping relation to one another. This allows for height adjustment to aid in ergonomic use by various users. Additionally, in an exemplary construction the upper and lower pole segments may be rotated axially relative to one another placing the trigger and spout in optimal location for left and right hand mopping operators. The lower pole segment preferably includes a liquid ejection station comprising at least one ejection port adapted to expel fluid away from the lower pole segment towards the surface being cleaned. In the exemplary construction a liquid storage bottle may be disposed in fluid communication with the upper pole segment with the liquid storage bottle being disposed above the upper pole segment between the mop pole and a user handle and in coaxial relation to each of the upper pole segment and the lower pole segment. The liquid storage bottle may include a pair of independently operable fill ports and a normally closed user actuated valve adapted to disperse cleaning fluid into the upper pole segment for passage to the liquid ejection station when the valve is opened. A single fill port may also be used. A handle may be disposed above the liquid storage bottle with the handle supporting an actuating lever or trigger operatively connected to the user actuated valve to selectively open the user actuated valve.

[0009] Other features and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon review of the following detailed description, claims and drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an exemplary mop tool consistent with the present disclosure.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the exemplary mop tool of FIG. 1 .

[0012] FIG. 3A is a partial cut-away front view of the pole and handle of mop tool of the mop tool of FIG. 1 .

[0013] FIG. 3B is a partial cut-away side view of the pole and handle of the mop tool of FIG. 1 .

[0014] FIG. 4 is a partial cut-away front view of the fluid reservoir and handle of the mop tool of FIG. 1 .

[0015] Before the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is in no way limited in its application or construction to the details and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Rather, the subject matter is capable of other embodiments and being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for purposes of description only and should not be regarded as limiting. The use herein of terms such as “including” and “comprising” and variations thereof is meant toencompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items and equivalents thereof.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein to the extent possible, like elements are designated by like reference numerals in the various views. FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary mop tool 10 consistent with the present disclosure. As shown, exemplary mop tool 10 includes a mop head 12 mounted in swivel relation to a user manipulated pole 14 with a swivel joint 16 providing directional manipulation in a manner as will be well known to those of skill in the art. Mop head 12 may be of any suitable construction and may be adapted to engage and retain a disposable cleaning cloth, cleaning pad or other cleaning material (not shown). By way of example only, and not limitation, mop head 12 may include a pattern of hooking elements 15 (FIG. 2) disposed across the underside to engage fibers or other loop structures of the cleaning material in a hook and loop connection. However, other connection techniques and / or simple friction between mop head 12 and the cleaning material also may be used.

[0017] Regardless of the structure of mop head 12, it is preferably mounted to pole 14 in a manner to permit significant maneuverability in both the side to side and forward to rearward directions. As will be appreciated, such maneuverability is desirable to facilitate cleaning of irregular or hard to reach surfaces. Thus, significant interference with maneuverability may be undesirable. By way of example only, and not limitation, in the illustrated exemplary construction, mop head 12 may be operatively mounted to pole 14 using an intermediate sleeve 18. In such a construction, swivel joint 16 may be held at the lower end of intermediate sleeve 18 and pole 14 may be inserted in mating relating at the upper end. As illustrated, in the exemplary construction, intermediate sleeve 18 may be provided with a lower eye opening 20 and upper eye opening 22 adapted to receive spring loaded buttons on the swivel joint 16 and pole 14 respectively. As will be readilyunderstood, the spring loaded buttons will compress upon insertion into intermediate sleeve 18, and then pop out when aligned with the corresponding eye opening thereby establishing as secure connection which can be easily revered by depressing the buttons.

[0018] As illustrated, in the exemplary construction pole 14 may have a multisectional telescoping body so as to facilitate significant operative length adjustment. By way of example only, and not limitation, pole 14 may include a lower pole segment 24 and an upper pole segment 26 with a lever-based cam lock 28 between lower pole segment 24 and an upper pole segment 26 for simplified pole height adjustment. Upon opening cam lock 28 by pushing the lever away from the pole, upper pole segment 26 may be inserted and withdrawn relative to lower pole segment 24 to achieve a desired operative length suitable for the user and the environment being cleaned. This desired operative length may then be maintained by closing cam lock 28. The operative length may then be readjusted as desired by repeating this operation. Thus, the operative length and liquid storage volume (length x internal diameter) of pole 14 is highly adjustable to facilitate use by a wide range of users in multiple environments.

[0019] As illustrated, the exemplary mop tool 10 may include a liquid ejection station 30 disposed at a position elevated above mop head 12. Liquid ejection station 30 may have a ski jump configuration and include one or more ejection ports oriented to expel cleaning fluid in front of the mop head 12. By way of example only, and not limitation, liquid ejection station 30 may include a multiplicity of ejection ports arranged to disperse water or other cleaning fluid in a radial fan pattern as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. It will be understood that while three ejection ports are illustrated, a greater or lesser number may likewise be used. A range of 1 -6 ejection ports may be preferred. In the event that multiple ejection ports are used, those ports may be at common elevations or at varying elevations relative to mop head 12. In this regard, the use of ejection ports at varying elevations may be useful insome instances to facilitate variation in both radial and distance dispersal away from lower pole segment 24.

[0020] As best seen through reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B, liquid ejection station 30 may be mounted in fluid communication with the interior of lower pole segment 24 to receive cleaning fluid stored in a liquid storage bottle 40 mounted in elevation substantially coaxially to upper pole segment 26. In such an arrangement, storage bottle 40, upper pole segment 26 and lower pole segment 24 may all be arranged circumferentially relative to a common longitudinal axis 42 (FIG. 3A). Such a coaxial relation between liquid storage bottle 40 and pole segments 24, 26 has been found to substantially facilitate maneuverability during cleaning operations. Moreover, the total mass of fluid may be increased without negative impact.

[0021] As illustrated, in one exemplary construction liquid storage bottle may include a pair of capped fill ports 44 disposed approximately 180 degrees from one another substantially on opposite sides of longitudinal axis 42. Of course, a single fill port may also be used. In accordance with a potentially preferred practice, each fill port 44 may be used independently to add cleaning liquid and / or individual components of a cleaning solution. Markings on liquid storage bottle 40 may be used to indicate the level of cleaning solution after filling. The use of multiple fill ports at different positions may be beneficial in accessing water sources without undue manipulation.

[0022] In accordance with one exemplary construction, liquid storage bottle 40 may include an internal actuated valve 46 such as a spring loaded lift valve, gate valve, or the like to release fluid by gravity flow from liquid storage bottle 40 for transfer to liquid ejection station 30 through pole segments 26, 24. By way of example only, and not limitation, actuated valve 46 may be operatively connected by a cable to a user actuated lever or trigger 50 disposed at an upper hand grip 52 above the liquid storage bottle 40. Asillustrated, upper hand grip 52 is preferably substantially coaxial with liquid storage bottle 40 and upper pole segment 26. Such an arrangement may be useful to facilitate equal weigh distribution and to facilitate ease of manipulation during use. Upon depression of lever or trigger 50, actuated valve 46 will be opened, thereby permitting fluid to flow out of liquid storage bottle with sufficient head pressure to exit liquid ejection station in a desired spray pattern.

[0023] As illustrated, in accordance with one potentially preferred construction, lever or trigger 50 may be disposed adjacent to an enhanced diameter hemispherical cap 56 above hand grip 52. As illustrated, hemispherical cap 56 is preferably substantially coaxial with hand grip 52. Such an arrangement aids users using a single hand for manipulation.

[0024] The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the disclosure are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e. , meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the disclosure and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the disclosure unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any nonclaimed element as essential to the practice of the disclosure.

[0025] Preferred embodiments of this disclosure are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the disclosure. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventorsexpect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the disclosure to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this disclosure includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A manual mop tool adapted to disperse cleaning fluid across a surface being cleaned, the manual mop tool comprising: a mop head; a telescoping mop pole extending away from the mop head, the mop head being operatively mounted in swivel relation to the telescoping mop pole, the mop pole comprising an upper pole segment and a lower pole segment, the upper pole segment and lower pole segment being disposed in length-adjusting coaxial telescoping relation to one another, the lower pole segment including a liquid ejection station comprising at least one ejection port adapted to expel fluid away from the lower pole segment towards the surface being cleaned; a liquid storage bottle including at least one fill port and disposed in fluid communication with the upper pole segment, the liquid storage bottle being permanently affixed or removable and disposed above the upper pole segment and in coaxial relation to each of the upper pole segment and the lower pole segment, the liquid storage bottle including a normally closed user actuated valve adapted to disperse cleaning fluid into the upper pole segment for passage to the liquid ejection station when the valve is opened; and a handle disposed above the liquid storage bottle, the handle supporting an actuating lever or trigger operatively connected to the user actuated valve to selectively open the user actuated valve.

2. The manual mop tool as recited in Claim 1 , wherein the mop head comprises a plurality of hooking elements disposed across a lower surface adapted to secure a replaceable cleaning material in place during use.

3. The manual mop tool as recited in Claim 1 , wherein a telescope adjustment coupling is disposed between the upper pole segment and the lower pole segment.

4. The manual mop tool as recited in Claim 1 , wherein the liquid ejection station comprises a plurality of ejection ports adapted to expel fluid away from the lower pole segment in a fan pattern towards the surface being cleaned.

5. The manual mop tool as recited in Claim 1 , wherein the liquid storage bottle comprises a pair of independently operable fill ports disposed on opposing sides of the liquid storage bottle.

6. The manual mop tool as recited in Claim 1 , wherein the liquid storage bottle comprises a single fill port.

7. The manual mop tool as recited in Claim 1 , wherein the liquid storage bottle is removeable for filling and / or cleaning.

8. The manual mop tool as recited in Claim 1 , wherein the handle is disposed in coaxial relation to each of the liquid storage bottle, the upper pole segment, and the lower pole segment.

9. The manual mop tool as recited in Claim 1 ; further comprising a hemispherical hand grip disposed above the handle.

10. A manual mop tool adapted to disperse cleaning fluid across a surface being cleaned, the manual mop tool comprising: a mop head comprising a plurality of hooking elements disposed across a lower surface adapted to secure a replaceable cleaning material in place during use; a telescoping mop pole extending away from the mop head, the mop head being operatively mounted in swivel relation to the telescoping mop pole, the mop pole comprising an upper pole segment and a lower pole segment, the upper polesegment and lower pole segment being disposed in length-adjusting coaxial telescoping relation to one another with a telescope adjustment coupling disposed between the upper pole segment and the lower pole segment, the lower pole segment including a liquid ejection station comprising a plurality of ejection ports adapted to expel fluid away from the lower pole segment in a fan pattern towards the surface being cleaned; a liquid storage bottle disposed in fluid communication with the upper pole segment, the liquid storage bottle being disposed above the upper pole segment and in coaxial relation to each of the upper pole segment and the lower pole segment, the liquid storage bottle including a pair of fill ports disposed on opposing sides of the liquid storage bottle, the liquid storage bottle including a normally closed user actuated valve adapted to disperse cleaning fluid into the upper pole segment for passage to the liquid ejection station when the valve is opened; a handle disposed above the liquid storage bottle in coaxial relation to each of the liquid storage bottle, the upper pole segment, and the lower pole segment, the handle supporting an actuating lever or trigger operatively connected to the user actuated valve to selectively open the user actuated valve; and a hemispherical hand grip disposed above the handle.

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