Floor cleaning apparatus

Abstract

A floor cleaning apparatus includes a housing that has a top surface, a bottom surface opposite the top surface, a front edge and a rear edge opposite the front edge. The housing defines a debris receptacle. The housing also defines a roller receptacle adjacent to the front edge of the housing. A roller is rotatably contained in the roller receptacle for sweeping debris into the debris receptacle. A flap is pivotally connected to the housing. The flap is pivotable between a closed position in which the flap covers the roller receptacle, and an open position in which the flap does not cover the roller receptacle. A comb is removeably coupled with the flap for engaging the roller and removing particulate from the roller during use.

Description

FLOOR CLEANING APPARATUSCROSS-REFRENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 650,670, filed on May 22, 2024 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 683,760, file on August 16, 2024, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] The present disclosure relates to cleaning appliances. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a floor cleaning apparatus, like a sweeper or vacuum cleaner.BACKGROUND

[0003] Floor cleaning devices, such as vacuum cleaners and sweepers, have been widely used for many years. Traditional models are typically plugged into an outlet of a mains electric power source to power the floor cleaner. However, advancements in battery technology — specifically, the development of higher-capacity and lighter-weight batteries — have made cordless floor cleaning devices increasingly popular. Despite these innovations, there remains a persistent need for further improvements to enhance their cleaning effectiveness, ease of use, and affordability.SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0004] According to an aspect of the disclosure, a floor cleaning apparatus includes a housing that has a top surface, a bottom surface opposite the top surface, a front edge and a rear edge opposite the front edge. The housing defines a debris receptacle. The housing also defines a roller receptacle adjacent to the front edge of the housing. A roller is rotatably contained in the roller receptacle for sweeping debris into the debris receptacle. A flap is pivotally connected to thehousing. The flap is pivotable between a closed position in which the flap covers the roller receptacle, and an open position in which the flap does not cover the roller receptacle. A comb is removeably coupled with the flap for engaging the roller and removing particulate from the roller during use.

[0005] The arrangement of the comb on the flap provides easy access to the comb and permits the comb to easily be removed, cleaned of debris and connected back to the flap.

[0006] According to another aspect of the disclosure, a floor cleaning apparatus includes a housing that defines a debris receptacle and a roller receptacle. A roller is rotatably contained in the roller receptacle and configured to sweep debris into the debris receptacle. The roller has a core and an array of bristles that extend radially from the core. The bristles include at least a first set of bristles of a first bristle type, at least a second set of bristles of a second bristle type and a third set of bristles of a third bristle type. The bristles of the first bristle type are arranged less densely than the bristles of the second bristle type, and the bristles of the second bristle type are arranged less densely than the bristles of the third bristle type.

[0007] The use of three bristle types provides versatility to the floor cleaning apparatus in that it is adapted to clean different types of floors and different types of debris.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Other aspects of the present disclosure will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0009] FIGS, l is a front, perspective view of a floor cleaning apparatus, according to an aspect of the disclosure;

[0010] FIG. 2 is a rear, perspective view of the floor cleaning apparatus;

[0011] FIG. 3 is a bottom, perspective view of the floor cleaning apparatus;

[0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective, exploded view of the floor cleaning apparatus;

[0013] FIG. 5 is a top view of the floor cleaning apparatus, illustrating a rod of the floor cleaning apparatus in a disassembled state;

[0014] FIG. 6 is a perspective, exploded view of the floor cleaning apparatus, illustrating a flap in an open position, and a roller removed;

[0015] FIG. 7 is a top, perspective view of the floor cleaning apparatus, illustrating a primary panel of a housing removed;

[0016] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a motor coupler of the floor cleaning apparatus;

[0017] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a receiver of a roller of the floor cleaning apparatus;

[0018] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alignment block, roller receptacle, splined member and associated components of the floor cleaning apparatus;

[0019] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a mount and comb of the floor cleaning apparatus;

[0020] FIG. 12 is a front, perspective view of an alignment block and flap of the floor cleaning apparatus;

[0021] FIG. 13 is a front view of a core of the roller;

[0022] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a base layer and bristles of the roller;

[0023] FIG. 15 is a front view of a bundle of a third type of bristle of the roller;

[0024] FIG. 16 is a top view of an arrangement of bristles prior to being attached to the core of the roller; and

[0025] FIG. 17 is a front view of the roller.DESCRIPTION OF THE ENABLING EMBODIMENT

[0026] Referring to the figures, wherein like numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, a floor cleaning apparatus 10 is provided. The floor cleaning apparatus 10 according to the preferred embodiment is a hand-held battery powered sweeper, but principles of the subject disclosure could be applied to other styles of floor cleaning devices, such as plug-in style vacuum cleaners and sweepers.

[0027] With reference to FIGS. 1-5, the floor cleaning apparatus 10 has a housing 12 that is configured to contact a floor to remove debris from the floor. The housing 12 has a roller 14 for sweeping debris from the floor and storing the debris in a debris receptacle 16 (FIG. 3) in the housing. As best shown in FIG. 5, a rod 18 is pivotally connected to the housing 12 and extends upwardly to a handle 20 for being gripped by an operator during use of the floor cleaning apparatus 10 to ergonomically push / move it. The rod 18 may easily be disassembled and reassembled for initial packaging, storage and transportation purposes. In particular, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the rod 18 can be broken into two or more connectable rod segments 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D, where a bottommost segment 18A is connectable to the housing 20, and a topmost segment 18D is connectable to the handle 20. The handle 20 includes a loop 48 for hanging the floor cleaning apparatus from a hook on a wall or other support. According to the described embodiment, the handle 20 is made of a thermoplastic elastomer material, such that it is ergonomic and easy to grip, but other materials could be used.

[0028] The housing 12 has a top surface 22, a bottom surface 24 opposite the top surface 22, a pair of sidewalls 26, a front edge 28 and a rear edge 30 opposite the front edge 28. The housing 12 may have various shapes and sizes. As best shown in FIG. 3, according to the disclosed embodiment, the housing 12 has a bottom panel 12B along the bottom surface 24, and a primarypanel 12A which spans along the top surface 22 and the sidewalls 26. Other arrangements of panels and compartments could be used.

[0029] As best shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 7, the rod 18 is pivotally connected to the top surface 22 of the housing 12 adjacent to the rear edge 30 along a hinge 32. The housing 12 defines a hinge slot 34 adjacent to the rear edge 30 centrally between the sidewalls 26. A lower hinge member 36 is pivotally connected to the housing 12 in the hinge slot 34. The lower hinge member 36 is pivotable about a first axis A between a forward position in which the lower hinge member 36 is angled over the housing 12 toward the front edge 28 of the housing 12, and a rearward position in which the lower hinge member 36 is angled away from the front edge 28 of the housing 12. A biasing member 38, such as a spring 38, is contained in the hinge slot 34 and is connected between the housing 12 and the lower hinge member 36 for biasing the lower hinge member 36 toward an upright position. While in this position, the lower hinge member 36 and rod 18 are generally perpendicular to the top surface 22 of the housing 12 such that when the floor cleaning apparatus 10 is lifted, the biasing member 38 biases the housing 12 in a level position to permit a user to empty the debris receptacle 16 into a trash receptacle with only a single hand, while holding the rod 18 with the other hand, and without having to hold or rest the housing 12 on another support surface. It should be appreciated that without the biasing member 38, the housing 12 would be prone to tilt forward, making it more difficult to empty the debris receptacle 16 into the waste receptacle.

[0030] An upper hinge member 40 is pivotally connected to the lower hinge member 36 about a second axis B and is pivotable between leftward and rightward positions that are transverse to directions of the forward and rearward positions. More particularly, the upper hinge member 40has a U-shape with a pair of legs 42 that surround the lower hinge member 36, with the second axis B extending through the pair of legs 42 and the lower hinge member 36.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 1-2, the bottommost rod segment 18A is connected to the upper hinge member 40 and extends linearly away from the upper hinge member 40. More particularly, the bottommost rod segment 18A receives a telescoping portion 41 of the upper hinge member 40. The upper hinge member 40 includes a flexible tab 43 that is received by and coupled to a slot 45 in the bottommost rod segment 18A of the rod 18.

[0032] As best shown in FIG. 3, A debris flange 50 is detachably connected to the bottom surface 24 for opening and closing the debris receptacle 50 to permit a user to empty the debris receptacle 16. The debris flange 50 may have various shapes and sizes.

[0033] As also shown in FIG. 3, the bottom surface 24 of the housing 12 further defines a battery receptacle 52. As shown in FIG. 7, a rechargeable battery 54 is removeably contained in the battery receptacle 52 to permit the battery 54 to be charged while connected to the housing 12, or while disconnected, e g., via a standalone external charger. This permits multiple batteries 54 to be swapped in and out of the battery receptacle 52 to avoid disruption of use of the floor cleaning apparatus 10. Various types of batteries 54 could be used, e.g., lithium ion and lead-acid batteries. A battery flange 56 is detachably connected to the bottom surface 24 of the housing 12 for opening and closing the battery receptacle 52 to provide access to the battery 54.

[0034] As best shown in FIG. 7, an electric motor 58 is contained in the housing 12 and electrically connected to the battery 54 for powering the motor 58. The electric motor 58 is located adjacent to the rear edge 30 and one of the sidewalls 26 of the housing 12. The electric motor 58 has an output 66. A first gear 55 is fixed to the output 66 of the electric motor 58 such that it rotates with the output 66. A gear support 57 is connected to the housing 12 adjacent to one of thesidewalls 26 of the housing 12. A second gear 59 is spaced from the first gear 55 and rotatably connected to the gear support 57. A first belt 61 is positioned about the first and second gears 55, 59 to rotate the second gear 59 in response to rotation of the first gear 55. The second gear 59 has a larger diameter than the first gear 55 to provide a decreased gear ratio at the second gear 59. A third gear 63 is coaxial with the second gear 59 and rotatable with the second gear 59. The third gear 63 has a smaller diameter than the second gear 59 to provide an increased gear ratio at the third gear 63. A fourth gear 65 is spaced from the third gear 63. A second belt 67 is positioned about the third and fourth gears 63, 65 to rotate the fourth gear 65 in response to rotation of the third gear 63. The fourth gear 65 has a larger diameter than the third gear 63 to provide a decreased gear ratio at the fourth gear 65. The fourth gear 65 is rotatably to the roller 14 such that the output 66 of the electric motor 58 rotates the roller 14, while a gear reduction is provided between the output 66 and the roller 14. The gears 55, 59, 63, 65 may be sized and arranged to provide various desired gear reductions.

[0035] As further shown in FIGS. 7, a power button 60 is located at the top surface 22 of the housing 12 for activating the motor 58. A power spring 63 biases the power button 60 into an upward position.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 2, a charging terminal 62 is located at the rear edge 30 of the housing 12 and electrically connected to the battery 54 for charging the battery 54. An indicator light 64, such as an arrangement of LEDs, is positioned adjacent to the charging terminal 62 for indicating a charge status of the battery 54. According to embodiments, the indicator light 64 is configured to appear solid green when the battery 54 is fully charged, to flash green when the roller 14 is jammed, to appear solid red when the battery 54 is charging, and to flash red when the battery 54 is low. The indicator light 64 could illuminate in other manners for other purposes.

[0037] The bottom surface 24 of the housing 12 defines a roller receptacle 68 adjacent to the front edge 28 of the housing 12. The roller 14 is rotatably contained in the roller receptacle 68 for sweeping debris into the debris receptacle 16 during use.

[0038] According to embodiments, an impeller or other suction creating device may be further coupled with the motor output 66 for creating a suction in the debris receptacle 16 for drawing debris into the debris receptacle 16 from the roller receptacle 68 during use of the floor cleaning apparatus 10.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, The top surface 22 of the housing 12 defines a pair of filter slots 70 that extend into the debris receptacle 16 for permitting air to escape the debris receptacle 16 during use of the floor cleaning apparatus 10. A pair of debris filters 72 are each removably received by one of the filter slots 70 for filtering air as it exits the debris receptacle 16 to prevent debris from escaping the debris receptacle 16. A filter button 74 is positioned on the top surface 22 of the housing 12 and is configured to unlock the debris filters 72 to permit a user to remove the debris filters 72.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 8, a motor coupler 76 is connected to the fourth gear 61. The motor coupler 76 generally has “plus sign” shape. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 9, the roller 14 extends between a first end 78 and a second end 80. The first end 78 of the roller 14 has a receiver 82 that has a shape that matches that of the motor coupler 76 (a plus shape in the shown embodiment) for being coupled to the motor coupler 76 to transmit rotational movement from the motor output 66 to the roller 14. Other shaped couplers and receivers 76, 82 could be used.

[0041] As best shown in FIG. 10, the housing 12 has an alignment slot 81, 83 at a second side 77 of the roller receptacle 68 opposite the first side 75. The alignment slot 81, 83 has a semicircularportion 81, and two ledges 83 that extend laterally from opposing sides of the semi-circularportion 81. An alignment block 79 is rotatably connected to the second end 80 of the roller 14. The alignment block 79 is configured to be received and rotatably fixed in the alignment slot 84 for aligning the roller 14 in the roller receptacle 68. The alignment block 79 has a circular portion 85 that is received by the semi-circular portion 81 of the alignment slot 81, 83. The alignment block 79 also has a pair of rims 87 that extend away from one another on opposite sides of the circular portion 83, each for overlying and engaging one of the ledges 83 of the alignment slot 81, 83. The alignment block 79 also has a tab 89 that extends radially away from the circular portion 85 for allowing users to grip the alignment block 79 to conveniently remove the roller 14. A splined member 91 extends from the alignment block 79 and is rotatable relative to the alignment block 79 for being received by a channel at the second end 80 of the roller 14 for coupling the roller 14 to the alignment block 79 while permitting rotation of the roller 14 relative to the alignment block 79.

[0042] As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 6 and 9, a flap 86 is pivotally connected to the housing 12 along a pivot region 31 adjacent to the bottom surface 24 of the housing 12 adjacent to the front edge 28 and terminates at a flap end region 88. More particularly, as shown in FIG. 9, the flap 88 is pivotable about a third axis C at the pivot region 31 along a pair of flap pins 89 which are received by pin slots 93 along the front edge 28 of the housing 12. The flap 86 is pivotable between a closed position in which the end region 88 of the flap 86 engages the top surface 22 of the housing 12 to close the roller receptacle 68, and an open position in which the end region 88 of the flap 86 is spaced from the housing 12 to open the roller receptacle 68.

[0043] As best shown in FIGS. 6 and 11, a linear mount 92 is positioned along the end of the flap 86. The linear mount 92 is comprised of a lower component 95 and an upper component97 that are connectable to one another. As best shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 8, a pair of flap releases90 are coupled to the upper component 97 of the linear mount 92 and configured to selectively lock the flap end region 88 of the flap 86 to the housing 12 to selectively permit the flap 86 to pivot in response to a user moving the flap releases 90 toward one another. The flap releases 90 are biased toward a shut position via a flap spring 99 positioned between the releases 90. More particularly, each of the flap releases 90 includes a flap pin 71 at an axial end thereof. The flap pin 71 is configured to slide into a receiver 73 of the housing 12 in the shut position which secures the flap 86 in the closed position, and out of the receiver 73 in a released position to permit the flap 86 to be moved to the open position.

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 11, a comb 94 is removeably coupled with the lower component 95 of the linear mount 92 for engaging the roller 14 and removing particulate from the roller 14 as the roller 14 rotates. The comb 94 has a plurality of teeth 96A, 96B position in spaced and parallel relationship with one another and integrally connected at a linear base 98. The base 98 is configured to be received by a slot 101 on the lower component 95 of the linear mount 92. According to embodiments, each of the comb teeth 96A, 96B may be between 1.0 and 1.2 mm wide (in the longitudinal direction of the roller). Furthermore, a gap 102 between each of the adjacent comb teeth 96A, 96B may be 1.3 to 3.0 mm wide. Every other comb tooth 96A, 96B is a short comb tooth 96A, and every other comb tooth 96A, 96B is a long comb tooth 96B. The short comb teeth 96A may be 3.0 mm long and the long comb teeth 96B may be 6.6 mm long. According to embodiments, the comb 94 includes 50 short comb teeth 96A and 51 long comb teeth 96B. The dimensions of the comb teeth 96A, 96B and the gaps therebetween may vary depending on a specific arrangement of the floor cleaning apparatus 10, e.g., a density and length of the bristles of the roller 14.

[0045] The arrangement of the comb 94 on the flap 86 provides easy access to the comb 94, and permits the comb 94 to easily be removed, cleaned of debris and connected back to the flap 86. More particularly, simply pivoting of the flap 86 into the open position provides unobstructed access to the comb 94.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of baseboard cleaners 104 are located along the front edge 28 near the sidewalls 26 adjacent to the bottom surface 24 of the housing 12, and along the sidewalls 26 adjacent to the bottom surface 24 of the housing 12. The base board cleaners 104 are used to clean vertical surfaces, e.g., wall or baseboard surfaces, that are adjacent to floor. Any number of baseboard cleaners 104 could be used, and they may have different arrangements, sizes and locations.

[0047] As best shown in FIG. 13 the roller 14 has an elongated core 107 of a plastic material. As shown in FIG. 14, a base layer of fabric 109 is glued or otherwise secured to the core 107. An array of bristles 106A, 106B, 106C are woven / inserted into the fabric 109 and extend radially outwardly. The bristles 106A, 106B, 106C include a plurality of first sets of bristles 106A that are each comprised of spiral shaped arrays of a first type of bristle 106A with the spirals extending between the first and second ends 78, 80 of the roller 14. The bristles 106A, 106B, 106C also includes a plurality of second sets of bristles 106B that are each comprised of a spiral shaped array of a second type of bristle 106B. The second sets of bristles 106B are each positioned between two of the first sets 106A of bristles. The bristles 106A, 106B, 106C further include a plurality of third sets of bristles 106C that are each comprised of a spiral shaped array of a third type of bristle 106C. The third sets of bristles 106C are each positioned in gaps between the first sets of bristles 106A, and first and second sets of bristles 106A, 106B.

[0048] The first type of bristles 106A are arranged less densely and / or have a smaller material density than the second type of bristles 106B, and the second type of bristles 106B are arranged less densely and / or have a smaller material density than the third type of bristle 106C. Furthermore, according to the preferred embodiment, the third type of bristles 106C are arranged in 10 to 12 bristle bundles, as shown in FIG. 15. Each of the bristles 106A, 106B, 106C may have a length of 12.5 mm. According to the preferred embodiment, the first type of bristles 106A each have a diameter of 0.012 mm, the second type of bristles 106B each have a diameter of 0.005 mm, and the third type of bristles 106C each have a diameter of 0.15 mm. These density and diameter arrangements make the first and second types of bristles 106A, 106B ideal for sweeping and mopping because they are generally soft and have a low density, while the third types of bristles 106C is configured for collecting small items like crumbs and other debris, as they are stiffer and more dense. Other parameters could be used based on specific needs.

[0049] As best shown in FIG. 3, a deflecting member 105 is coupled to the bottom surface 24 of the housing adjacent to the debris receptacle 16 and is configured to divert debris that is flung by the roller 14 into the debris receptacle 16.

[0050] As further shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of sliders 108 of a hard and slideable material like plastic are removeably connected to the bottom surface 24 of the housing 12 to provide a lowe friction surface to permit the housing 12 to slide across hard floor surfaces. The sliders 108 may have various shapes and sizes, and may be positioned at various locations along the bottom surface. According to other embodiments, the sliders 108 may be adjustable in a vertical direction toward and away from the bottom surface to accommodate cleaning on different types of floors, e.g., hard wood versus carpet.

[0051] According to another aspect of the disclosure, a docking station may be provided for conveniently charging the battery 54. The docking station may include a first charging contact which corresponds with a second charging contact on the floor cleaning apparatus 10 which initiate charging of the battery 54 when the first and second charging contacts engage one another. The docking station may also include an arrangement of first magnets and the floor cleaning apparatus 10 may include an arrangement of second magnets which are arranged to be aligned with the first magnets of the docking station when the floor cleaning apparatus 10 is correctly positioned on the docking station to align the first and second charging contacts with one another to initiate charging of the battery 54. The docking station may also include a plug that is compatible with the charging terminal 62.

[0052] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in that particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.

[0053] When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or later, or intervening element or layers may be present. In contrast, whenan element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” or“directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0054] Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to described various elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

[0055] Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature’s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

[0056] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in any embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A floor cleaning apparatus, comprising: a housing having a top surface, a bottom surface opposite the top surface, a front edge and a rear edge opposite the front edge; the housing defining a debris receptacle; the housing defining a roller receptacle adjacent to the front edge of the housing; a roller rotatably contained in the roller receptacle for sweeping debris into the debris receptacle; a flap pivotally connected to the housing, the flap pivotable between a closed position in which the flap covers the roller receptacle, and an open position in which the flap does not cover the roller receptacle; and a comb removeably coupled with the flap for engaging the roller and removing particulate from the roller during use.

2. The floor cleaning apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the flap is pivotally connected to the housing adjacent to the front edge and the bottom surface of the housing along a pivot region and terminates at a flap end region opposite the pivot region.

3. The floor cleaning apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein the housing defines a pair of pin slots on opposing sides of the housing adjacent to the front edge of the housing, and wherein a pair of flap pins protrude from opposing sides of the flap at the pivot region and are each received by one of the pin slots for providing the pivoting movement of the flap.

4. The floor cleaning apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein the comb is coupled to the flap along the flap end region.

5. The floor cleaning apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein a linear mount is located at the flap end region, the linear mount defining an elongated slot configured to receive the comb to couple the comb to the linear mount.

6. The floor cleaning apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein the comb is comprised of a base and a plurality of teeth extending from the base, wherein the linear mount is comprised of a lower component and an upper component that are connectable to one another, and wherein the lower component defines a slot which slideably receives the base of the comb.

7. The floor cleaning apparatus as set forth in claim 6, further including a pair of flap releases slideably connected to the upper component of the linear mount, and wherein the flap releases are configured to releasably connect the flap end region to the housing.

8. The floor cleaning apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein the flap releases each include a flap pin at an axial end thereof, wherein the housing defines a pair of receivers on opposing sides of the housing, wherein the flap pins are each configured to be received by one of the receivers of the housing when the flap releases are in a shut position to secure the flap in the closed position, and wherein the flap releases are configured to be positioned outside of thereceivers when the flap releases are in a released position to permit the flap to be moved to the open position.

9. A floor cleaning apparatus, comprising: a housing defining a debris receptacle and a roller receptacle; a roller rotatably contained in the roller receptacle and configured to sweep debris into the debris receptacle; the roller having a core and an array of bristles extending radially from the core; and the bristles including at least a first set of bristles of a first bristle type, at least a second set of bristles of a second bristle type and a third set of bristles of a third bristle type, wherein the bristles of the first bristle type are arranged less densely than the bristles of the second bristle type, and wherein the bristles of the second bristle type are arranged less densely than the bristles of the third bristle type.

10. The floor cleaning apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein the at least one first set of bristles includes a plurality of first sets of bristles each comprised of a spiral-shaped array of first bristles, wherein the at least one second set of bristles includes a plurality of second sets of bristles each comprised of a spiral-shaped row of second bristles, and wherein each of the second sets of bristles are positioned between two of the first sets of bristles.

11. The floor cleaning apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein the at least one third set of bristles includes a plurality of third sets of bristles each comprised of a spiral shaped arrayof third bristles, wherein each of the third sets of bristles is positioned between two of the first and / or second sets of bristles.

12. The floor cleaning apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein each of the first type of bristles has a diameter of approximately 0.012 mm.

13. The floor cleaning apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein each of the second type of bristles has a diameter of approximately 0.005 mm.

14. The floor cleaning apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein each of the third type of bristles has a diameter of approximately 0.15 mm.

15. The floor cleaning apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein the third type of bristles are arranged in a plurality of bundles of between 10 and 12 bristles, wherein the bristles of each bundle are connected to one another adjacent to bases of the bristles.

16. The floor cleaning apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein each of the bristles has a length of approximately 12.5 mm.

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