Hard floor cleaner

Abstract

A hard floor cleaner is provided and includes a mop element and a sweeper element mounted for rotation about a respective axis. The sweeper element has a shape which tapers from a first end towards a second end. The sweeper element is arranged with respect to the mop element so that the axis of rotation of the sweeper element is closer to the axis of rotation of the mop element at its second end than at its first end. A portion of the external surface of the sweeper element contacts a portion of the external surface of the mop element.

1 . A hard floor cleaner comprising:
 a mop element and a sweeper element each being mounted for rotation about a respective axis,   wherein the sweeper element has a shape which tapers from a first end of the sweeper element towards a second end of the sweeper element,   wherein the sweeper element is arranged with respect to the mop element such that the axis of rotation of the sweeper element is closer to the axis of rotation of the mop element at the second end of the sweeper element than at the first end of the sweeper element, and   wherein a portion of an external surface of the sweeper element contacts a first portion of an external surface of the mop element.   
     
     
         2 . The hard floor cleaner as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a second sweeper element mounted for rotation about an axis, wherein the second sweeper element has a shape which tapers from a first end of the second sweeper element towards a second end of the second sweeper element, wherein the second sweeper element is arranged with respect to the mop element such that the axis of rotation of the second sweeper element is closer to the axis of rotation of the mop element at the second end of the second sweeper element than at the first end of the second sweeper element, and wherein a portion of an external surface of the second sweeper element contacts a second portion of the external surface of the mop element. 
     
     
         3 . The hard floor cleaner as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the first portion of the external surface of the mop element in contact with the sweeper element is offset from the second portion of the external surface of the mop element in contact with the second sweeper element. 
     
     
         4 . The hard floor cleaner as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the sweeper element and the second sweeper element overlap one another in the direction of the axis of rotation of the mop element. 
     
     
         5 . The hard floor cleaner as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the sweeper element and the second sweeper element are attached to opposing sides of a hub portion, wherein the hub portion is operable to rotate the sweeper element and the second sweeper element about their respective axes in use. 
     
     
         6 . The hard floor cleaner as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the sweeper element and the second sweeper element are attached to opposing sides of the hub portion at their respective first ends or at their respective second ends. 
     
     
         7 . The hard floor cleaner as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the portion of the sweeper element in contact with the mop element and the portion of the second sweeper element in contact with the mop element are substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the mop element. 
     
     
         8 . The hard floor cleaner as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the mop element is substantially cylindrical. 
     
     
         9 . The hard floor cleaner as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein a portion of a cylindrical external surface of the mop element is in contact with one or more sweeper elements along substantially the entire axial length of the mop element. 
     
     
         10 . The hard floor cleaner as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the axial length of the mop element is greater than the axial length of the one or more sweeper elements. 
     
     
         11 . The hard floor cleaner as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the external surface of the sweeper element and the external surface of the second sweeper element comprise helical strips of upstanding bristles. 
     
     
         12 . The hard floor cleaner as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the bristles are angled towards the second end of the sweeper element or the second end of the second sweeper element. 
     
     
         13 . The hard floor cleaner as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the mop element comprises a resilient material.