Mop Holder with Asymmetric End Section for Secure Cover Fitting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mop cover holders for clean rooms are not adequately flexible or easy to handle for cleaning hard-to-reach areas, and they often require additional securing mechanisms to prevent accidental slippage of the mop cover during use.

Innovation Solution

A holder with a core made of reversibly bendable, dimensionally stable strands or a flat strip of material, where at least one end is wider or thicker, allowing for optimal adaptability and secure fitting of the mop cover, combined with a covering that protects against contamination and damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the holder is made flexible to reach hard-to-reach areas, then adaptability is improved, but the mop cover may accidentally slip off during wiping movements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to hard-to-reach areasVSAvoidsecure fitting of mop cover
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The holder features an asymmetric cross-sectional design where at least one end has a wider or thicker section than the main body. This asymmetric geometry creates a mechanical interference fit that prevents the mop cover from slipping off while allowing the holder to maintain its flexible, bendable properties for reaching hard-to-reach areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Strength

If the holder is made rigid to maintain structural stability, then strength is improved, but flexibility to reach hard-to-reach areas deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidflexibility to reach hard-to-reach areas
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The holder is constructed with a segmented core structure consisting of multiple reversibly bendable strands or a flat material strip with fold lines. This segmentation allows the holder to bend and flex at controlled points while maintaining overall structural integrity and strength, enabling it to reach hard-to-reach areas without compromising structural stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If additional securing mechanisms are added to prevent mop cover slippage, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevent accidental slippageVSAvoidadditional securing mechanisms
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of adding complex securing mechanisms throughout the holder, the invention applies a localized geometric solution at the end section. The wider or thicker cross-sectional area at one end creates a simple mechanical barrier that prevents mop cover slippage without requiring additional components, fasteners, or complex securing mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The holder provides secure, flexible, and adaptable cleaning capabilities, allowing for easy handling and repeated use in clean rooms, including autoclaving, without the need for additional securing devices, while maintaining dimensional stability and preventing contamination entry through microcracks.

Implementation Method 1

a core made of a plurality of reversibly bendable, dimensionally stable strands or a flat material strip

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The strands are preferably completely embedded in a sheath, thus protecting them from contact with the environment. This sheath also ensures that microcracks that may occur during multiple bends in a strand due to tensile and compressive, or even torsional forces, do not become a gateway for contaminants

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical barrier protection: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentEP4046558B1Mop holder, wiping cover and cleaning device
Publication Date: 2024.05.08 PFENNIG REINIGUNGSTECHNIK GMBH
  • EP4046558B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1d
  • EP4046558B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b

AI summary

The present invention relates to a holder (1) for a wiper cover, comprising a core (2) made of a plurality of reversibly bendable, dimensionally stable strands (3), wherein these strands (3) are completely embedded in a covering (4), further comprising a first end (5) and a second end (6), wherein at least the first end (5) has a section (7) which is wider and/or thicker than the covering (4) immediately axially preceding the section (7), a corresponding wiper cover and a cleaning device consisting of both.