Cleaning apparatus with gripping means for cleaning pads

Abstract

The invention relates to an improved cleaning apparatus including a handle with gripping means to selectively grip a cleaning pad from a number of stacked cleaning pads to perform a cleaning operation, such as on a toilet bowl, and then selectively release the cleaning pad for disposal such as by flushing, without the need for direct contact with the cleaning pad by the user The invention also provides specific improvements for the cleaning pad and handle which may be used independently and therefore the improvements to the same are pertinent for use with handles or cleaning pads of different design.

1 - Apparatus for cleaning, said apparatus including a handle, a cleaning pad and gripping means for the cleaning pad, said gripping means including a plurality of gripping members which are moved to a position to contact the cleaning pad and further movement of the gripping means with respect to the cleaning pad causes the gripping members to move between the first position in which the same are in contact with a surface of the pad, to a second position whereupon said gripping members exert the grip on the said cleaning pad.  
   
   
       2 - Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the cleaning pad can be ejected from the gripping means by the movement of the gripping members from the second to the first position.  
   
   
       3 - Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the outer layer of the cleaning pad has an open structure such as woven, fibre or foam.  
   
   
       4 - Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein grip is achieved as movement of the gripping members between the first and second positions, causes the movement apart of first and second sets of said gripping members such that the cleaning pad, at least that portion between the location of said sets of gripping members, is stretched and held under an increased level of tension.  
   
   
       5 - Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the gripping members are split into sets, which depend outwardly from a common face of the gripping means and which are moved between said first and second grip positions.  
   
   
       6 - Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the movement of the gripping members between said first and second positions is, or includes, a snap action.  
   
   
       7 - Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the gripping members are of elongate form and are relatively straight, with the gripping members in each set provided in a linear spaced array.  
   
   
       8 - Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the gripping members are angularly aligned so as to approach the cleaning pad at an angle to the cleaning pad.  
   
   
       9 - Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein some or all of the gripping members are provided with hook formations.  
   
   
       10 - Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the gripping means are provided for use in conjunction with a handle, said handle located with the gripping means and depending away from a face of the gripping means which opposes the face from which the gripping members protrude.  
   
   
       11 - Apparatus according to  claim 10  wherein the movement of the gripping members between the first and second positions is achieved by relative movement of the handle and gripping means.  
   
   
       12 - Apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein movement of the handle towards the gripping means causes movement of the gripping members from the first to the second position and movement of the handle away from the gripping means causes movement of the gripping means from the second to the first position.  
   
   
       13 - Apparatus means according to  claim 10  wherein the gripping means are angularly adjustable with respect to the handle to allow the cleaning operations to be performed and then further pivotal movement to one of the extremes of movement between the handle and gripping means allows, the handle with the gripping means held by or against an item, to be moved relative to and with respect to the gripping means, towards the same to contact and grip the cleaning pad, or away from the gripping means to cause the ejection of the cleaning pad.  
   
   
       14 - Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the gripping members are provided as part of a plate, said plate retained on the gripping means such that movement between the first and second positions involves movements about an overcentre so as to provide snap action.  
   
   
       15 - Apparatus according to  claim 10  wherein the handle is removably attachable to the gripping means, via engagement means which can be moved between engagement and open positions.  
   
   
       16 - Apparatus according to  claim 15  wherein movement of the engagement means is achieved by operation of a lever which is provided as part of the handle.  
   
   
       17 - Apparatus according to  claim 1  where a holder is provided for the pads and handle, said holder having two location positions for the handle, a first ready to use position on top of the stack of pads, and a second storage position seated at the rear of the holder facing the opposite direction with the grip located over a raised bump that ensures the grip remains in the open position ready for use.  
   
   
       18 - Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the holder and handle include any or any combination of the features of-the rotating grip of the handle has a stop that ensures the open grip does not rotate under the weight of the handle in the stored position in the stand, or under applied pressure by the user when engaging a pad, a rest/guide against which the handle can lean, and/or a handle with the majority of the handle's weight to one side of the handle/grip pivoting axis, when the handle is positioned above a horizontal pad.  
   
   
       19 - Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein one or more ribs are located inside the holder to provide limited frictional resistance with a stack of pads located within.  
   
   
       20 - Apparatus according to  claim 19  wherein the one or more ribs are incorporated into a carton wall in which the pads are provided.  
   
   
       21 - Apparatus for performing a cleaning operation, said apparatus including a cleaning pad, gripping means for gripping the pad and a handle for connection with the gripping means, said cleaning pad selectively displaceable from the gripping means and said gripping means selectively displaceable from the handle and wherein the gripping means include teeth which can be moved from a first, gripping position, to a second, ejection position substantially perpendicular to the surface of the cleaning pad with which they are in contact to cause ejection of the cleaning pad.  
   
   
       22 - Apparatus according to  claim 21  wherein when the cleaning pad is ejected, the teeth of the gripping means return to a third position.  
   
   
       23 - Apparatus according to  claim 21  wherein he handle and gripping means are connected via a pivot location and said gripping means is selectively removable from the handle by pivoting the gripping means to a position at an extremity of the range of pivotal movement.  
   
   
       24 - Apparatus according to  claim 23  wherein the position for removal is outwith the normal movement range required for operation of the apparatus in the cleaning operation.  
   
   
       25 - Apparatus according to  claim 24  wherein when the gripping means and handle are in the required position to allow removal, manipulation and/or deformation of the handle and/or gripping means causes the subsequent removal.  
   
   
       26 - A cleaning pad for use in a cleaning action, said pad formed from a blend of fibres including cellulosic fibre.  
   
   
       27 - A cleaning pad according to  claim 26  wherein the cellulosic fibre is included within the range 20-70% of the fibre blend.  
   
   
       28 - A cleaning pad according to  claim 27  wherein other fibre is provided within the range 30-80%.  
   
   
       29 - A cleaning pad according to  claim 28  wherein the other fibre includes 30-80% wool fibre (keratin).  
   
   
       30 - A cleaning pad according to  claim 29  wherein the pad includes 20-70% viscose rayon at >8 decitex fibre titre and 30-80% sheep's wool >30 micron.  
   
   
       31 - A cleaning pad according to  claim 26  wherein the pad includes perforation/cut lines in the pad in a grid of cuts and joining tags of uncut material, along the length of the pad and across the width.  
   
   
       32 - A cleaning pad according to  claim 31  wherein additional and longer cut lines are provided to segment the pad.  
   
   
       33 - A cleaning pad according to  claim 31  wherein the spacing between cut lines in a maximum of 15 mm in any direction.  
   
   
       34 - A cleaning pad according to  claim 31  wherein the pad is substantially rectangular in shape with corners with a curved profile of a minimum radius of 10 mm.  
   
   
       35 - A cleaning pad according to  claim 26  wherein the fibres of the cleaning pad are needled at a ratio of between 2-4 penetrations per cm. square.  
   
   
       36 - A cleaning pad according to  claim 26  wherein at least some of the fibres in the cleaning pad are cut such that more than 60% of the fibre within the pad has a length of less than 15 mm.  
   
   
       37 - A cleaning pad according to  claim 26  wherein an aqueous dispersion of a polymer binder is applied to the cleaning pad.  
   
   
       38 - A cleaning pad according to  claim 37  wherein the binder includes abrasive particles therein.  
   
   
       39 - A cleaning pad according to  claim 37  wherein the cleaning pad has a penetration of said binder from at least one external surface inwardly to a depth of up to 3 mm.  
   
   
       40 - A cleaning pad according to  claim 37  wherein the depth of penetration is up to 2 mm.  
   
   
       41 - A cleaning pad according to  claim 37  wherein the binder is applied to opposing planer external surfaces of the pad.  
   
   
       42 - A cleaning pad according to  claim 37  wherein the pad has a first external surface with a relatively strong layer, an inner core or layer of unbonded fibre and at the opposing side another relatively strong layer.  
   
   
       43 - A cleaning pad according to claims  37  wherein the polymer binder is biodegradable.  
   
   
       44 - A cleaning pad according to  claim 37  wherein the polymer is a high molecular aliphatic polyester polyurethane.  
   
   
       45 - A cleaning pad according to  claim 37  wherein the polymer binder includes biodegradable particulate solids to a level within the range of between 5% and 100% of the polymer dispersion's solids mass.  
   
   
       46 - A cleaning pad according to  claim 37  wherein a water resistant binder coat is applied to one side of the pad and on the alternate face, a polymer coating is applied.  
   
   
       47 - A cleaning pad according to  claim 37  wherein a fibre is added to the fibre blend which can degrade after a period of use in water.  
   
   
       48 - A cleaning pad according to claims  37  wherein the buoyancy of the cleaning pad is controlled so as to influence the disposability of the pad when discarded from the assembly and when the same is required to be flushed away.  
   
   
       49 - A cleaning pad according to  claim 48  wherein the buoyancy is determined with respect to density of the cleaning pad and the preferred density range for flushability is between 1.05 grms per CC-1.45 grms per CC when the cleaning pad is fully immersed in cold, pure water at 4 deg. C for 60 seconds prior to weighing the test sample whilst in water.  
   
   
       50 - A cleaning pad according to  claim 49  wherein the density of the cleaning pad is within the range of 1.05-1.45 times the density of the water or water solution in which the cleaning pad is immersed in use.