HOLDER FOR A MOP COVER, MOP COVER AND CLEANING DEVICE

Abstract

A holder (1) for a mop cover is provided. The holder (1) comprises a core (2) made of a plurality of reversibly bendable, dimensionally stable strands (3), wherein these strands (3) are completely embedded in an envelope (4). The holder (1) further comprises a first end (5) and a second end (6), wherein at least the first end (5) has a portion (7) which is wider and/or thicker than the wrapping (4) immediately axially preceding the portion (7). A corresponding mop cover, and a cleaning device made from both, is also provided.

Claims

1. A holder for a mop cover, comprising a core of a plurality of reversibly bendable, dimensionally stable strands or of a flat material strip, wherein strands or material strip are each completely embedded in a wrapping, further comprising a first end and a second end, wherein at least the first end has a portion which is formed to be cross-sectionally wider and/or thicker than the wrapping immediately axially preceding the portion.

2. The holder according to claim 1, wherein the strands are arranged in the same orientation relative to one another, in particular parallel to one another.

3. The holder according to claim 1, wherein the strands are formed from a different material than the wrapping and/or the material of the wrapping is autoclavable.

4. The holder according to, claim 1, wherein the second end also has such a portion and/or the portion is formed in bone-like manner or has a contour shaped asymmetrically to a longitudinal axis of the holder.

5. The holder according to claim 1, wherein the holder has a connecting device for the connection to a joint or itself has a joint, in particular arranged on the wrapping.

6. The holder according to claim 1, wherein the holder has a handle portion in the region of the second end.

7. A mop cover, wherein the mop cover has a shape corresponding to the shape of the holder according to claim 1.

8. The mop cover according to claim 7, wherein the mop cover has a mopping surface made of a fiber material.

9. A cleaning device, comprising: at least one holder, each holder comprising a core of a plurality of reversibly bendable, dimensionally stable strands or of a flat material strip, wherein strands or material strip are each completely embedded in a wrapping, further comprising a first end and a second end, wherein at least the first end has a portion which is formed to be cross-sectionally wider and/or thicker than the wrapping immediately axially preceding the portion; and a mop cover arranged on the holder, the mop cover having a shape corresponding to the shape of the at least one holder.

10. A holder according to claim 2, wherein the strands are arranged equidistantly parallel to one another.

11. The holder according to claim 5, wherein the connecting device is in the region of the second end.

12. The holder according to claim 8, wherein the mopping surface is made of a microfiber material.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures in the drawing of some exemplary embodiments. In the figures:

[0022] FIG. 1: shows in each of four partial figures a) to d) a schematic cross-section through a holder according to the invention, and

[0023] FIG. 2: shows a schematic top view of a holder according to the invention with several end shapes according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0024] FIG. 1 shows in each of partial figures a) to d) a schematic cross-section through embodiments according to the invention of core 3 and its wrapping 4 of a holder 1. Partial FIG. a) shows an embodiment with eight steel wires which are arranged equidistantly to each other in one plane and have the same diameter, surrounded by a wrapping enclosing them and made of a plastics, in particular an autoclavable thermoplastic elastomer in the form of a polyethylene, also available under the name Purell.

[0025] The partial figure b) shows an embodiment according to the invention of the core 3 with three cross-sectionally rectangular metal strips as the core 3, likewise oriented parallel to one another but with their longer side in each case oriented vertically. They are enwrapped in a wrapping 4 according to the embodiment schematically shown in partial figure a).

[0026] Partial figure c) shows in a top view and cross-section a further embodiment of the core 3 according to the invention, which is formed here as a lattice structure.

[0027] Partial figure d) shows a further embodiment according to the invention of the core 3, which is formed here from a flat metal strip.

[0028] The wrapping 4 in all these embodiments is formed to be sufficiently thick to protect the completely enclosed core from environmental influences of any kind. It is also sufficiently thick to resist minor damages to the surface by, for example, sharp objects or edges in such a manner that they cannot penetrate through to the respective core. However, it is not so thick that it cannot be repeatedly bent.

[0029] FIG. 2 shows in each of the two partial figures a) and b) a schematic top view of a holder 1 according to the invention with shapes according to the invention of the first end 5.

[0030] Partial figure a) shows a complete holder 1 in which a core 3 with wrapping 4 is arranged on a handle portion 10. By forming here the core as multiple parallel strands according to FIG. 1a), it can particularly advantageously be brought into any required shape in order to reach areas that are difficult to access in a room to be cleaned.

[0031] The first end 5 of the holder 1 is formed asymmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the holder 1, that is, the area of the end 5 on one side of the longitudinal axis is larger than that on the opposite side. A circular through opening 13 is provided in an axial end portion of the holder 1 which is formed without a core 3. On the one hand, this through opening 13 serves to make the end region of the holder more flexible so as to be able to better hold the mop cover, and on the other hand, it provides a possibility for suspended storage of the holder or holders 1 and also saves wrapping material.

[0032] In this case, the end 5 is injection-molded onto the strand of core 3 and wrapping 4 which has previously been formed into a continuous shape and then cut to length. This increases manufacturing efficiency while reducing costs at the same time. A mop cover 11, shown in dotdashed lines, which is formed elongated to correspond to the holder 1 is slid onto this holder 1. On its mopping side, the mop cover preferably has a fiber material, in particular a microfiber material or consists entirely of it. The mop cover 11 is held on the holder because its material tensions over the holder 1 due to its flexibility. Here, the tensioning force is greatest in the region of the first end 5, but the holder 1 also has a holding effect over its axial length due to the static friction between the mop cover 11 and the wrapping 4. This is all the more true the stronger or more bends are introduced in the holder 1 by the user.

[0033] The mop cover 11 is formed to be correspondingly elongated, in particular as a hose closed on three sides. It is provided with a hand loop, not shown, sewn on in the region close to the handle, which makes sliding onto the holder 1 according to the invention much easier. A grip area which makes it easier to pull the mop cover 11 off the holder 1 is provided at the opposite closed end of the mop cover 11. The intended removal of the mop cover 11 preferably takes place in a curved removal movement outside the longitudinal axis of the holder 1, and accidental, unintentional removal during the mopping process is precluded by the holding and frictional forces between the holder 1 and the mop cover 11 which is correspondingly shaped and fits thereon elastically in a nonpositive manner.

[0034] Partial figure b) shows another embodiment of the first end 5 in the form of a more elongated, rather rectangular portion molded symmetrically around the longitudinal axis. This embodiment of the holder 1 has a joint 9 between a handle portion 10 and the holding portion for the mop cover which has a connecting portion 8 through which it is either fixedly or releasably connected to the joint 9. Due to the bendability and dimensional stability of the core 3 after bending, such a joint 9 is not absolutely necessary since the holder 1 can be bent into almost any required shape, including such shapes that have multiple and possibly also oppositely directed bends. However, it is of advantages in order to further facilitate the handling of the invention. This configuration with a holder portion releasably connected to the joint has the advantage that a user can use differently shaped holders after replacement with the same handle, depending on his cleaning task.

[0035] Particularly advantageously, the invention enables the use of a holder for cleaning surfaces in cleanrooms that can also be autoclaved multiple times and thus supplements the surface cleaning devices known there, so that cleanroom-compatible devices are available to a cleaning specialist for any cleaning location. Due to its enwrapped core, the holder according to the invention can be bent at any position, also multiple times along its longitudinal axis, even in opposite bending directions, wherein the type and material of the core ensure dimensional stability after bending and allow repeated bending at intervals without damage, embrittlement or the like. Due to its low manufacturing costs, the holder according to the invention can also be used as a disposable device in an economically viable manner, in particular if it has no joint and the grip area is simply formed by an end portion of the wrapped core which is not covered by the mop cover when in use.