Cleaning implements

Abstract

The invention provides a cleaning implement for cleaning a hard surface. The cleaning implement includes a mop head pivotably connected to a first handle section and a fluid transfer mechanism that is connected to a second handle section of the implement. When the cleaning implement is unassembled and stored in a package, the first handle section is disconnected from the second handle section. When a user removes the cleaning implement from the package, he or she can assemble the cleaning implement.

1 . A cleaning kit for cleaning a hard surface, said kit comprising: 
 a package; and    a cleaning implement stored in said package, said cleaning implement comprising: 
 a first handle section having a proximal end and a distal end wherein said proximal end is pivotably connected to a mop head for retaining a disposable cleaning substrate;  
 a second handle section having a proximal end and a distal end;  
 a fluid transfer mechanism connected to said second handle section;  
 a nozzle connected to said mop head; and  
 a fluid transfer tube fluidically connecting said nozzle to said fluid transfer mechanism, wherein a proximal portion of said fluid transfer tube is located within said first handle section and a distal portion of said fluid transfer tube is located within said second handle section and wherein said distal end of said first handle section is mechanically connectable to said proximal end of said second handle section when said cleaning implement is removed from said package and wherein said distal end of said first handle section is disconnected from said proximal end of said second handle section when said cleaning implement is in said package.  
   
   
   
       2 . The cleaning kit of  claim 1  wherein said fluid transfer tube includes a slack portion.  
   
   
       3 . The cleaning kit of  claim 2  wherein the length of said slack portion is between about 5 mm and about 100 mm.  
   
   
       4 . The cleaning kit of  claim 3  wherein said slack portion is folded when said cleaning implement is in said package.  
   
   
       5 . The cleaning kit of  claim 1  wherein said fluid transfer mechanism is a liquid delivery mechanism and said nozzle is a liquid dispensing nozzle.  
   
   
       6 . The cleaning kit of  claim 1  further comprising a container filled with a cleaning composition and at least one disposable absorbent cleaning substrate.  
   
   
       7 . The cleaning kit of  claim 1  wherein said fluid transfer mechanism is located within a housing and said housing is attached to said second handle section.  
   
   
       8 . A cleaning kit for cleaning a hard surface, said kit comprising: 
 a package; and    a cleaning implement stored in said package, said cleaning implement comprising: 
 a first handle section having a proximal end and a distal end wherein said proximal end is pivotably connected to a mop head for retaining a disposable cleaning substrate;  
 a second handle section having a proximal end and a distal end;  
 a fluid transfer mechanism connected to said second handle section;  
 a nozzle connected to said mop head;  
 a first fluid transfer tube wherein said first fluid transfer tube is fluidically connected to said nozzle and wherein a substantial portion of said first fluid transfer tube is located within said first handle section; and  
 a second fluid transfer tube wherein said second fluid transfer tube is fluidically connected to said fluid transfer mechanism and wherein a substantial portion of said second fluid transfer tube is located within said second handle section, wherein said distal end of said first handle section is mechanically connectable to said proximal end of said second handle section when said cleaning implement is removed from said package, wherein said distal end of said first handle section is disconnected from said proximal end of said second handle section when, said cleaning implement is in said package and wherein said first fluid transfer tube is fluidically connected to said second fluid transfer tube when said distal end of said first handle section is mechanically connected to said proximal end of said second handle section.  
   
   
   
       9 . The cleaning kit of  claim 8  wherein said first handle section further comprises a receiving element wherein said receiving element is fluidically connected to said nozzle by said first fluid transfer tube and wherein said second handle section further comprises an engaging element, wherein said engaging element is fluidically connected to said fluid transfer mechanism by said second fluid transfer tube.  
   
   
       10 . The cleaning kit of  claim 9  wherein said receiving element comprises a female portion and said engaging element comprises a male portion wherein said fluid transfer mechanism is fluidically connected to said nozzle when said male portion engages said female portion.  
   
   
       11 . The cleaning kit of  claim 10  wherein said male portion of said engaging element is located within said second handle section.  
   
   
       12 . The cleaning kit of  claim 8  wherein said fluid transfer mechanism is a liquid delivery mechanism and said nozzle is a liquid dispensing nozzle.  
   
   
       13 . The cleaning kit of  claim 8  further comprising a container filled with a cleaning composition and at least one disposable absorbent cleaning substrate.  
   
   
       14 . The cleaning kit of  claim 8  wherein said fluid transfer mechanism is located within a housing and said housing is attached to said second handle section.  
   
   
       15 . The cleaning kit of  claim 8  further comprising an extension section having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein said proximal end of said extension section is mechanically connectable to said distal end of said first handle section and said distal end of said extension section is mechanically connectable to said proximal end of said second handle section.  
   
   
       16 . The cleaning kit of  claim 15  wherein proximal end of said extension section further comprises an engaging element and said distal end of said extension section further comprises a receiving element, wherein said engaging and receiving elements of said extension section are fluidically connected by a third fluid transfer tube.  
   
   
       17 . The cleaning kit of  claim 16  wherein said distal end of said first handle section further comprises a receiving element wherein said receiving element is fluidically connected to said nozzle by said first fluid transfer tube and wherein said proximal end of said second handle section further comprises an engaging element, wherein said engaging element is fluidically connected to said fluid transfer mechanism by said second fluid transfer tube  
   
   
       18 . The cleaning kit of  claim 17  wherein said engaging element of said extension section is fluidically connectable to the said receiving element of said first handle section and said receiving element of said extension section is fluidically connectable to the said engaging element of said second handle section.  
   
   
       19 . A cleaning implement for cleaning a hard surface comprising: 
 a first handle section having a proximal end and a distal end wherein said proximal end is pivotably connected to a mop head for retaining a disposable cleaning substrate;    a second handle section having a proximal end and a distal end;    a fluid transfer mechanism connected to said second handle section;    a nozzle connected to said mop head; and    a fluid transfer tube fluidically connecting said nozzle to said fluid transfer mechanism, wherein a proximal portion of said fluid transfer tube is located within said first handle section and a distal portion of said fluid transfer tube is located within said second handle section and wherein said distal end of said first handle section is mechanically connectable to said proximal end of said second handle section and wherein said distal end of said first handle section is disconnected from said proximal end of said second handle section when said cleaning implement is unassembled.    
   
   
       20 . A cleaning implement for cleaning a hard surface comprising: 
 a first handle section having a proximal end and a distal end wherein said proximal end is pivotably connected to a mop head for retaining a disposable cleaning substrate;    a second handle section having a proximal end and a distal end;    a fluid transfer mechanism connected to said second handle section;    a nozzle connected to said mop head;    a first fluid transfer tube wherein said first fluid transfer tube is fluidically connected to said nozzle and wherein a substantial portion of said first fluid transfer tube is located within said first handle section; and    a second fluid transfer tube wherein said second fluid transfer tube is fluidically connected to said fluid transfer mechanism and wherein a substantial portion of said second fluid transfer tube is located within said second handle section, wherein said distal end of said first handle section is mechanically connectable to said proximal end of said second handle section, wherein said distal end of said first handle section is disconnected from said proximal end of said second handle section when said cleaning implement is unassembled and wherein said first fluid transfer tube is fluidically connected to said second fluid transfer tube when said distal end of said first handle section is mechanically connected to said proximal end of said second handle section.