Mop with insert

Abstract

A cleaning apparatus is disclosed that includes an elongate handle, a cleaning head and an insert. The handle has proximal end portion and a distal end portion that define a longitudinal axis. The distal end portion of the handle is removably connected to the cleaning head. The cleaning head includes a flexible neck, a base plate having T-shaped projections and a removable cleaning element. The cleaning element is removable and has a three-layer mop that includes an attachment layer made of hook and loop material, which receives T-shaped projections, an absorbent layer and a scouring or scrubbing layer. The proximal portion of the handle defines an aperture aligned with the longitudinal axis. The aperture receives the insert. The insert is removably positionable in the proximal end portion of the handle between a first position and second position for use. The insert has a distal head that includes a scraper.

1 . A cleaning apparatus that comprises: 
 a handle that includes a distal end portion and a proximal end portion; the handle defines a first longitudinal axis, the proximal end portion defines a first aperture aligned with the first longitudinal axis;    an insert that includes a distal head and a proximal handle, the insert defines a second longitudinal axis, the distal head has a scraper, the proximal handle defines a second aperture transverse to the second longitudinal axis, the insert positionable in and removable from the first aperture; and    a cleaning head that includes a flexible neck, a base plate and a cleaning element, the neck connects to the distal end portion of the handle and provides for the directional flexing of the neck and handle relative to the baseplate, the cleaning element removable from and connectable to the base plate.    
   
   
       2 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the base plate has a bottom surface and the bottom surface includes a plurality of embedded T-shaped projections that connect to and disconnect from the cleaning element.  
   
   
       3 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the scraper is a scraping strip.  
   
   
       4 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the scraping strip is connected by adhesive to the insert.  
   
   
       5 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the insert connects to the proximal end portion of the handle and remains connected to the handle independent of the angular orientation of the handle.  
   
   
       6 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cleaning element includes a first attachment layer of hook and loop material, a second absorbent layer of sponge type absorbing material and a third scrubbing layer.  
   
   
       7 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the scrubbing layer includes an abrasive hydrophobic material.  
   
   
       8 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the scrubbing layer includes a water absorbing sponge type material.  
   
   
       9 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cleaning element is disposable.  
   
   
       10 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the connection between the base plate and the cleaning element is a hook and loop connection.  
   
   
       11 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the insert snap-fits into the first aperture.  
   
   
       12 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal end portion of the handle includes an interface section that defines a protuberance and a tubular wall, the tubular wall defines a pair of opposed protrusions and a flange.  
   
   
       13 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal end portion of the handle includes a flange, the flange has an aperture transverse to the longitudinal axis and the handle of the insert has an aperture transverse to the second longitudinal axis such that when the insert is positioned in the aperture in the handle, the aperture in the handle of the insert and aperture in the flange are aligned.  
   
   
       14 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the flange has a snap-fit attachment with the interface section providing for removability and replaceability of the flange from the interface section.