Laminated foam mophead

Abstract

A laminated foam mop head which includes a foam block having a top surface, a bottom surface, and two side surfaces, a fabric material laminated to the bottom and side surfaces of the foam block, and a bracket attached to the top surface of the foam block such that the bottom and side surfaces of the foam block are drawn upward and inward to form a mop head having an elliptical shaped cross section and the top surface of the foam block is pushed inward and not exposed.

Claims

1. A laminated foam mop head comprised of: a foam block having a top surface, a bottom surface, and two side surfaces; at least one fabric material laminated with heat and pressure along both the complete bottom and side surfaces of the foam block without using an adhesive such that the shape of the foam block after lamination retains its block shape; and a bracket comprised of a top member and two identical side members where the bracket is attached to the top surface of the foam block such that the bottom and side surfaces of the foam block are drawn upward and inward to form a mop head having an elliptical shaped cross section and the top surface of the foam block is pushed inward and not exposed.

2. The laminated foam mop head of claim 1 wherein the fabric material comprises a double-knit, snag-resistant, polyester fabric.

3. The laminated foam mop head of claim 1 wherein the fabric material comprises a micro fiber textile.

4. A laminated foam mop head comprised of: a foam block having a top surface, a bottom surface, and two side surfaces; at least one fabric material laminated to the complete bottom and side surfaces of the foam block; and a bracket having a top member, two side members, and an open bottom where the bracket is attached to the top surface of the foam block such that it forms a mop head having an elliptical shaped cross section with pointed edges such that a center point located between the two pointed edges is equidistant to the bottom surface of the foam block and a center of the open bottom of the bracket.

5. The laminated foam mop head of claim 4 wherein the fabric material comprises a double-knit, snag-resistant, polyester fabric.

6. The laminated foam mop head of claim 4 wherein the fabric material comprises a micro fiber textile.

7. A laminated foam mop head comprised of: a foam block having a top surface, a bottom surface, two elongated side surfaces, and two end surfaces; at least one fabric material laminated to the bottom and elongated side surfaces of the foam block; and a bracket attached to the top surface of the foam block such that the two end surfaces of the foam block form elliptical shapes having pointed ends such that a vertical distance from the pointed ends to the bottom of the foam block is about the same as a vertical distance to the bracket.

8. The laminated foam mop head of claim 7 wherein the fabric material comprises a double-knit, snag-resistant, polyester fabric.

9. The laminated foam mop head of claim 7 wherein the fabric material comprises a micro fiber textile.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a mop head in accordance with the invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the mop head shown in FIG. 1 (along with the handle portion of the mop) laminated with double-knit snag-resistant polyester fabric.

(3) FIG. 3 is a schematic showing lamination with a micro-fiber on three sides of the mop head shown in FIG. 1 before installation of the stainless steel bracket shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

(4) FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a mop head 10 in accordance with the invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic showing lamination with a micro-fiber on three sides of the mop head shown in FIG. 1 before installation of the stainless steel bracket 12 shown in FIG. 1. Mop head 10 comprises a foam block having a top surface 14, a bottom surface 16, two side surfaces 18, and two end surfaces 20. At least one fabric material 22 is wrapped around, and laminated to the bottom surface 16 and side surfaces 18 of the foam block.

(5) Fabric material 22 may be laminated to the bottom surface 16 and side surfaces 18 of the foam block by using any known means of uniting superimpose layers that does not include a glue or adhesive, such as, for example, heat and pressure applied to the superimposed layers. A stainless steel bracket (as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) is attached to the top surface 14 of the foam block such that the bottom surface 16 and side surfaces 18 of the foam block are drawn upward and inward to form a mop head having a generally elliptical shaped cross-section. The longer sides of the top surface 14 of the foam block are tucked under the stainless steel bracket. Once the stainless steel bracket is attached, the top surface 14 of the foam block is pushed completely inward so that it is not exposed. The side surfaces 20 of the mop head are not laminated and have an elliptical shape after attachment of the stainless steel bracket.

(6) In one exemplary embodiment, fabric material 22 that is laminated to the foam block comprises a double-knit snag-resistant polyester fabric that is laminated to the bottom surface and side surfaces of the foam block. In another exemplary embodiment, fabric material 22 that is laminated to the foam block comprises a micro fiber textile that is laminated to the bottom surface and side surfaces of the foam block. Lamination of the fabric material 22 to the bottom surface 16 and side surfaces 18 of the foam block without using glue reduces the creation of fine particles or pieces being worn from the foam mop head 10 and further reduces the chance of contaminating the site or space that is being cleaned with the foam mop head 10.