Cleaning implement

Abstract

A self-wringing cleaning implement including a cleaning assembly equipped with a platen and a compression member constructed and arranged for relative movement. The cleaning assembly further includes a cleaning member having an absorbent body and a porous cover releasably securable to the platen. During wringing, relative linear movement between the platen and the compression member compresses the absorbent body to force liquid contained therein through the openings in the porous cover. Conversely, relative linear movement between the platen and the compression member in the opposite direction relieves pressure on the absorbent body whereby the implement is configured to resume cleaning of a surface. The implement may also include a scrub brush for removing especially stubborn soil from a surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cleaning implement comprising:
 a platen;   a cleaning member connected to said platen, said cleaning member having an upper surface and comprising an absorbent body and a porous cover; and   a compression member for exerting pressure on said upper surface of said cleaning member to expel liquid through said porous cover, wherein said platen and said compression member are constructed and arranged for relative linear motion.   
     
     
         2 . The cleaning implement of  claim 1  further comprising means for preventing relative rotation between said platen and said compression member. 
     
     
         3 . The cleaning implement of  claim 1  further comprising means for releasably connecting said cleaning member to said platen. 
     
     
         4 . The cleaning implement of  claim 3  further wherein said means for releasably connecting comprise flaps provided on said cleaning member and means for attaching said flaps to said platen. 
     
     
         5 . The cleaning implement of  claim 1  wherein said platen is operable to move with respect to said compression member. 
     
     
         6 . The cleaning implement of  claim 1  wherein said compression member is operable to move with respect to said platen. 
     
     
         7 . The cleaning implement of  claim 1  further comprising an elongate handle having an end affixed to one of said platen and said compression member. 
     
     
         8 . The cleaning implement of  claim 7  further comprising a wringing mechanism carried by said handle. 
     
     
         9 . The cleaning implement of  claim 8  wherein said wringing mechanism comprises a lever pivotally connected to said handle, a rod having a first and connected to said lever and a second end connected to the other of said platen and said compression member. 
     
     
         10 . The cleaning implement of  claim 9  wherein said rod is disposed interiorly of said handle. 
     
     
         11 . A cleaning implement comprising:
 a platen;   a cleaning member connected to said platen, said cleaning member having an upper surface;   a compression member for exerting pressure on said upper surface of said cleaning member, wherein said platen and said compression member are constructed and arranged for relative linear motion; and   means for preventing relative rotation between said platen and said compression member.   
     
     
         12 . The cleaning implement of  claim 11  wherein said means for preventing relative rotation comprise at least one rib carried by one of said platen and said compression member and at least one pocket carried by the other of said platen and said compression member, wherein said at least one pocket is adapted to receive said at least one rib. 
     
     
         13 . The cleaning implement of  claim 11  further comprising means for releasably connecting said cleaning member to said platen. 
     
     
         14 . The cleaning implement of  claim 13  further wherein said means for releasably connecting comprise flaps provided on said cleaning member and means for attaching said flaps to said platen. 
     
     
         15 . The cleaning implement of  claim 11  wherein said platen is operable to move with respect to said compression member. 
     
     
         16 . The cleaning implement of  claim 11  wherein said compression member is operable to move with respect to said platen. 
     
     
         17 . The cleaning implement of  claim 11  further comprising an elongate handle having an end affixed to one of said platen and said compression member. 
     
     
         18 . The cleaning implement of  claim 17  further comprising a wringing mechanism carried by said handle. 
     
     
         19 . The cleaning implement of  claim 18  wherein said wringing mechanism comprises a lever pivotally connected to said handle, a rod having a first and connected to said lever and a second end connected to the other of said platen and said compression member. 
     
     
         20 . The cleaning implement of  claim 19  wherein said rod is disposed interiorly of said handle. 
     
     
         21 . A cleaning member comprising:
 an absorbent body comprising 300 denier, 288 filament polyester microfiber strands infused with a 96% water and 4% polyester copolymer hydrophilic softener; and   a porous cover.   
     
     
         22 . The cleaning member of  claim 21  wherein said absorbent body further comprises sponge material. 
     
     
         23 . The cleaning member of  claim 22  wherein said sponge material comprises a fine cell structure polyether material having a density of from about 1.25 to about 1.65 lbs/ft 3 .