Floor Cleaning Apparatus

Abstract

There is provided a floor cleaning apparatus assembly comprising a base portion for engaging a floor during cleaning, means for creating suction whereby air is drawn from the surrounding of the base portion through the base portion via an opening provided at a front end of the base portion, a cleaning sheet provided with a first area for collecting finer dirt particles and a second area for collecting larger dirt particles, means for securing the cleaning sheet to the base portion but exposing the first area of the cleaning sheet, and a channel provided within the floor cleaning apparatus through which suctioned air travels, the channel beginning with the opening at the front end of the base portion, followed by passing through the second area of the cleaning sheet whereby larger dirt particles carried in the air are trapped thereat, and ending at an exit.

1 . A floor cleaning apparatus assembly comprising:
 a. a base portion for engaging a floor during cleaning;   b. means for creating suction whereby air is drawn from the surrounding of said base portion through said base portion via an opening provided at a front end of said base portion;   c. a cleaning sheet provided with a first area for collecting finer dirt particles and a second area for collecting larger dirt particles;   d. means for securing said cleaning sheet to said base portion whilst exposing the first area of said cleaning sheet; and   e. a channel provided within said floor cleaning apparatus through which suctioned air travels, the channel beginning with the opening at the front end of said base portion, continued with passing through the second area of said cleaning sheet whereby larger dirt particles carried in the air are trapped thereat, and ending at an exit.   
     
     
         2 . A floor cleaning apparatus assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said base portion is relatively thin and generally rectangular in profile, with the width of said base larger than the length, and the opening being elongate in shape arranged across a substantial length at the front end of said base portion. 
     
     
         3 . A floor cleaning apparatus assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said base portion is provided with a substantially flat bottom surface against which part of said cleaning sheet engages. 
     
     
         4 . A floor cleaning apparatus assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said suction creating means includes a motor-and-fan assembly disposed above said base portion. 
     
     
         5 . A floor cleaning apparatus assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first area of said cleaning sheet engaging the floor is substantially larger than the second area of said cleaning sheet. 
     
     
         6 . A floor cleaning apparatus assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein two surfaces are defined by said cleaning sheet, both the first and second areas of said cleaning sheet for collecting dirt particles reside on only one of the surfaces. 
     
     
         7 . A floor cleaning apparatus assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said cleaning sheet securing means includes gripping fingers for securing an end of said sheet at said base portion. 
     
     
         8 . A floor cleaning apparatus assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a cover pivotably mounted at an upper front end of said base portion, closing of which sandwiching part of said cleaning sheet between said cover and said base portion. 
     
     
         9 . A floor cleaning apparatus assembly, wherein the second area of said cleaning sheet is disposed above the first area of said cleaning sheet. 
     
     
         10 . A floor cleaning apparatus assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said assembly is free of any receptacle for collecting or filtering dirt, free of any wheels or rollers on which said base portion ride, and/or free of any brush for sweeping dirt on the floor. 
     
     
         11 . A floor cleaning apparatus, comprising:
 a. a base portion for engaging a floor during cleaning;   b. means for creating suction whereby air is drawn from the surrounding of said base portion through said base portion via an opening provided at a front end of said base portion;   c. means for securing a cleaning sheet provided with a first area for collecting finer dirt particles and a second area for collecting larger dirt particles; and   d. a channel provided within said floor cleaning apparatus through which suctioned air travels, in use, the channel beginning with the opening at the front end of said base portion, continued with by passing through the second area of said cleaning sheet whereby larger dirt particles carried in the air are trapped thereat, and ending at an exit.   
     
     
         12 . A floor cleaning apparatus as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein said base portion is generally rectangular in profile, with the width of said base larger than the length, and the opening being elongate in shape arranged across a substantial length at the front end of said base portion. 
     
     
         13 . A floor cleaning apparatus as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein said base portion is provided with a substantially flat bottom surface against which, in use, part of said cleaning sheet engages. 
     
     
         14 . A floor cleaning apparatus as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein said suction creating means includes a motor-and-fan assembly disposed above said base portion. 
     
     
         15 . A floor cleaning apparatus as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein said cleaning sheet securing means includes gripping fingers for securing an end of said cleaning sheet at said base portion. 
     
     
         16 . A floor cleaning apparatus as claimed in  claim 11 , further comprising a cover pivotably mounted at an upper front end of said base portion, closing of which for sandwiching part of said cleaning sheet between said cover and said base portion. 
     
     
         17 . A floor cleaning apparatus as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein said apparatus is free of any receptacle for collecting or filtering dirt, free of any wheels or rollers on which said base portion ride, and/or free of any brush for sweeping dirt on the floor. 
     
     
         18 . A floor cleaning apparatus assembly, comprising a floor cleaning apparatus as claimed in  claim 11 , an elongate handle portion upwardly extending from the base portion, and means for connecting the handle portion and the base portion, the connecting means includes a connector having an upper portion having a generally cylindrical wall which is flexible and flares out at a lower end thereof and connects with an upper surface of the base portion, said connector made of a polymeric material. 
     
     
         19 . A floor cleaning apparatus assembly as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the channel includes a passageway defined by the cylindrical wall of said connector. 
     
     
         20 . A floor cleaning apparatus assembly as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the polymeric material is selected from the group consisting of an injection moldable material, a compression moldable material, a thermoplastic elastomer and a natural rubber.