MOP SYSTEM

Abstract

A mop system including a shaft, a handle, a body, and a head. The handle configured to be ergonomic with an actuator that is comfortable to use with a multitude of grips and is configured to trigger a release of a fluid stored within a bottle of the body of the mop system. The flexible exit hose is partially enveloped with a rigid hose guide to control the dispensing direction of the fluid. The bottle having a shape configured with a grip cover to maximize user grip. The head of the mop system configured to releasably attach to an end of the shaft, with release clips to detach the head of the mop system from the shaft. The head further having a plurality of channel portions formed on a bottom surface to receive various cleaning attachments.

Claims

1. A mop system, comprising: a shaft having a first end and a second end; a handle coupled to the first end of the shaft, the handle comprising: a first end; a second end opposite the first end and coupled to the first end of the shaft; and an actuator disposed in the handle adjacent the second end; a head releasably coupled to the second end of the shaft, the head further comprising: a revolving mechanism coupled to the shaft with a release clip, and a bottom surface; and a body disposed on the shaft, the body further comprising: a removable bottle comprising: a first end having a lid, a second end having a discharge valve, and a grip cover; a mechanism for activating the discharge valve of the removable bottle; and a flexible exit hose that is in fluid communication with the bottle.

2. The mop system according to claim 1, wherein the actuator configured for operation in a variety of hand grip positions.

3. The mop system according to claim 1, wherein a texture is applied to or formed on the first end of the handle.

4. The mop system according to claim 1, wherein the release clip is configured to release the head of the mop system from the shaft upon depression thereof.

5. The mop system according to claim 1, wherein the bottom surface of the head comprises a first channel forming a first retention device, a second channel forming a second retention device, and a center channel flanked by a first track and a second track.

6. The mop system according to claim 5, wherein the first retention device and the second retention device are configured to releasably receive an attachment.

7. The mop system according to claim 5, wherein the first track and the second track are configured to receive an attachment.

8. The mop system according to claim 1, wherein the discharge valve further comprises a discharge valve body housing a plunger, a seal that receives the bottom end of the plunger, a spring that at least partially envelops the plunger, a retainer that is placed atop the spring and plunger, a valve seal that is placed atop the retainer, and an O-ring that is placed at the bottom of the discharge valve body assembly.

9. The mop system according to claim 1, wherein the grip cover is press fit onto the bottle.

10. The mop system according to claim 1, wherein the grip cover is attached to the bottle through an adhesive.

11. The mop system according to claim 1, wherein the mechanism for activating the discharge valve includes a stem integrated into the body that is configured to open the discharge valve when the bottle is inserted into the body.

12. The mop system according to claim 11, wherein the mechanism for activating the discharge valve includes an elongate member which is urged by the pivoting of the actuator when activated to open a valve, thereby facilitating fluid communication between the bottle and the flexible exit hose.

13. The mop system according to claim 1, wherein the rigid hose guide partially envelops the flexible exit hose.

14. The mop system according to claim 1, wherein the flexible exit hose is at least partially enveloped by a rigid hose guide.

15. A mop system, comprising: a shaft having a first end and a second end; a handle coupled to the first end of the shaft, the handle comprising: a first end; a second end opposite the first end and coupled to the first end of the shaft; and an actuator disposed adjacent the second end; a head releasably coupled to the second end of the shaft, the head further comprising: a revolving mechanism coupled to the shaft, and a bottom surface; and a body disposed on the shaft, the body further comprising: a removable bottle comprising: a first end having a lid, and a second end having a discharge valve; and a mechanism for activating the discharge valve of the removable bottle.

16. The mop system according to claim 15, wherein the actuator is disposed in the handle.

17. The mop system according to claim 15, wherein the revolving mechanism is coupled to the shaft with a release clip.

18. The mop system according to claim 15, wherein the removable bottle comprises a grip cover.

19. The mop system according to claim 18, wherein the grip cover is press fit onto the bottle.

20. The mop system according to claim 15, wherein the body comprises a flexible exit hose that is in fluid communication with the bottle and is at least partially enveloped by a rigid hose guide.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes for selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0032] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a mop system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of a mop system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of a mop system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of a mop system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a mop system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of a mop system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] FIG. 7 is a right side elevational view of a mop system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] FIG. 8 is a left side elevational view of a mop system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] FIG. 9 is a left side cross sectional elevational view of a mop system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] FIG. 10 is a right side cross sectional elevational view of a mop system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] FIG. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary right side elevational view of a main body of a mop system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] FIG. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary left side elevational view of the main body of a mop system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] FIG. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary rear elevational view of the main body of a mop system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] FIG. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary bottom perspective view of a head of a mop system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] FIG. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevational view of a handle of a mop system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] FIG. 16 is an enlarged fragmentary rear elevational view of the handle of a mop system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] FIG. 17 is an enlarged fragmentary left side elevational view of the handle of a mop system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] FIG. 18 is an enlarged fragmentary right side elevational view of the handle of a mop system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] FIG. 19 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of the handle of a mop system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] FIG. 20 is an enlarged fragmentary left-side cross-sectional view of the body of a mop system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] FIG. 21 is an exploded view of a bottle discharge valve of a mop system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] FIG. 22 is an exploded view of a head and shaft of a mop system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] FIG. 23 is an exploded view of a handle of a mop system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0055] The following description of technology is merely exemplary in nature of the subject matter, manufacture, and use of one or more disclosures, and is not intended to limit the scope, application, or uses of any specific disclosure claimed in this application or in such other applications as may be filed claiming priority to this application, or patents issuing therefrom. Regarding methods disclosed, the order of the steps presented is exemplary in nature, and thus, the order of the steps can be different in various embodiments. A and an as used herein indicate at least one of the item is present; a plurality of such items may be present, when possible. Except where otherwise expressly indicated, all numerical quantities in this description are to be understood as modified by the word about and all geometric and spatial descriptors are to be understood as modified by the word substantially in describing the broadest scope of the technology. About when applied to numerical values indicates that the calculation or the measurement allows some slight imprecision in the value (with some approach to exactness in the value; approximately or reasonably close to the value; nearly). If, for some reason, the imprecision provided by about and/or substantially is not otherwise understood in the art with this ordinary meaning, then about and/or substantially as used herein indicates at least variations that may arise from ordinary methods of measuring or using such parameters.

[0056] All documents, including patents, patent applications, and scientific literature cited in this detailed description are incorporated herein by reference, unless otherwise expressly indicated. Where any conflict or ambiguity may exist between a document incorporated by reference and this detailed description, the present detailed description controls.

[0057] Although the open-ended term comprising, as a synonym of non-restrictive terms such as including, containing, or having, is used herein to describe and claim embodiments of the present technology, embodiments may alternatively be described using more limiting terms such as consisting of or consisting essentially of Thus, for any given embodiment reciting materials, components, or process steps, the present technology also specifically includes embodiments consisting of, or consisting essentially of, such materials, components, or process steps excluding additional materials, components or processes (for consisting of) and excluding additional materials, components or processes affecting the significant properties of the embodiment (for consisting essentially of), even though such additional materials, components or processes are not explicitly recited in this application. For example, recitation of a composition or process reciting elements A, B and C specifically envisions embodiments consisting of, and consisting essentially of, A, B and C, excluding an element D that may be recited in the art, even though element D is not explicitly described as being excluded herein.

[0058] As referred to herein, all compositional percentages are by weight of the total composition, unless otherwise specified. Disclosures of ranges are, unless specified otherwise, inclusive of endpoints and include all distinct values and further divided ranges within the entire range. Thus, for example, a range of from A to B or from about A to about B is inclusive of A and of B. Disclosure of values and ranges of values for specific parameters (such as amounts, weight percentages, etc.) are not exclusive of other values and ranges of values useful herein. It is envisioned that two or more specific exemplified values for a given parameter may define endpoints for a range of values that may be claimed for the parameter. For example, if Parameter X is exemplified herein to have value A and also exemplified to have value Z, it is envisioned that Parameter X may have a range of values from about A to about Z. Similarly, it is envisioned that disclosure of two or more ranges of values for a parameter (whether such ranges are nested, overlapping or distinct) subsume all possible combination of ranges for the value that might be claimed using endpoints of the disclosed ranges. For example, if Parameter X is exemplified herein to have values in the range of 1-10, or 2-9, or 3-8, it is also envisioned that Parameter X may have other ranges of values including 1-9, 1-8, 1-3, 1-2, 2-10, 2-8, 2-3, 3-10, 3-9, and so on.

[0059] When an element or layer is referred to as being on, engaged to, connected to, or coupled to another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being directly on, directly engaged to, directly connected to or directly coupled to another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., between versus directly between, adjacent versus directly adjacent, etc.). As used herein, the term and/or includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0060] Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as first, second, and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

[0061] Spatially relative terms, such as inner, outer, beneath, below, lower, above, upper, and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as below or beneath other elements or features would then be oriented above the other elements or features. Thus, the example term below can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

[0062] A mop system 100 described herein is an improvement over the mop systems of prior art. One such improvement is an ergonomic handle 120 and an actuator 320 that can be triggered easily in various hand-grips. Another improvement is a rigid hose guide 230, which creates strict directionality of an exiting fluid from a flexible exit hose 330. Inclusion of at least one grip cover 315 militates against a user fumbling or dropping a bottle 115 when in use wherein the bottle 115 may become slippery. Additionally, one or more detents or release clips 305 may be used to allow for the user to remove a head 110 of the mop from a shaft 105 of the mop system 100. Simple removal of the head 110 from the shaft 105 allows the user to remove or replace cleaning attachments (not illustrated) from the head 110 of the mop system 100 with ease.

[0063] An embodiment of the mop system 100 described herein is best understood with reference to FIGS. 1-23. The mop system 100 is best illustrated by FIGS. 1-4, which includes the shaft 105 with the handle 120 on a first end and the head 110 on a second end. The shaft 105, the handle 120, and the head 110 may be produced from any suitable material. As shown, the mop system 100 and its components are primarily produced from a durable plastic material. The shaft 105 includes a body 130 that receives the bottle 115. The body 130 and the bottle 115 may be produced from any suitable material. As shown, the body 130 and the bottle 115 are produced from a plastic material. The bottle 115 may serve as a reservoir for the fluid to be used in conjunction with the device. The fluid may be generally comprised of any fluid or solution as desired. As shown, the fluid is a cleaning fluid or a cleaning solution. The bottle 115 may further include one or more grip covers 315, as best illustrated by FIGS. 11-13. The grip cover 315 may be configured to snap into position on or directly abutting the bottle 115 to provide a surface with an improved grip. This enables the user to more easily assemble the bottle 115 with the body 130. The grip cover 315 may alternatively be configured to attach to the bottle 115 in any other suitable manner, such as, but not limited to, press fitting, through the use of an adhesive, or by a connecting member. The grip cover 315 may be produced from any suitable material such as a durable plastic, for example, designed to provide the user with extra grip while handling the bottle 115.

[0064] The head 110 of the mop system 100, as depicted in FIGS. 5-6 and 14 includes a first channel 510, a second channel 610, and a third or center channel 410 disposed between the first channel 510 and the second channel 610. The first channel 510 and the second channel 610 may receive a retention device (not shown), such as a hook and loop fastener, an adhesive, and the like, to enable the head 110 to securely and removably attach a cleaning attachment (not illustrated). As an alternative, or additional, means of removably attaching a cleaning attachment, the center channel 410 may be flanked by a first track 410A and a second track 410B configured to receive a cleaning attachment or other attachment via sliding a mating attachment within the first track 410A and the second track 410B. The head 110 of the mop system 100 may be produced from any suitable material and may be constructed through any suitable method. As shown, the head 110 of the mop system 100 is extruded out of a suitable material to form the first channel 510, the second channel 610, the center channel 410, the first track 410A, and the second track 410B. Cleaning attachment, as used herein, includes a microfiber sheet, a sponge sheet, a brush, a squeegee, a cotton mop, a dust-pad, or any other suitable cleaning utensil.

[0065] The handle 120 of the mop system 100, as depicted in FIGS. 15-18 and 23, includes a first end 220, a second end 420 configured to couple the handle 120 to the shaft 105, and an actuator 320 extending from adjacent the second end 420 toward the first end 220. The handle 120 assembly of the mop system 100 described herein may be produced from any suitable material. The second end 420 may be coupled to the shaft 105 of the mop system 100 in any suitable manner. The handle 120 may be substantially linear with the actuator 320 protruding therefrom. The actuator 320 may further be configured to be triggered in various hand positions. For example, the actuator 320 may be triggered with one or more of an index finger, a middle finger, a ring finger, and a pinky finger in a first position. In another example, the actuator 320 may be triggered with a thumb in a second position. In the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the first end 220 is enlarged to prevent a hand of the user from slipping from the handle 120.

[0066] The first end 220 may also be equipped with a texture 520 to provide further grip for the hand of the user. The texture 520 may be formed from any suitable material to provide the user with extra grip while operating the mop system 100. The texture 520 may be formed from an annular array of protrusions and have the geometry as illustrated in FIG. 23, but it should be understood that the texture 520 may have any shape or geometry as desired. In the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the handle 120 has a substantially right circular cylindrical cross-sectional shape. However, it should be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art that the handle 120 may have any cross-sectional shape as desired such as a rectangular prism, triangular prism, hexagonal prism, octagonal prism, or any other shape as desired.

[0067] The body 130 of the mop system 100, as best illustrated in FIGS. 9-13, may be configured to receive the bottle 115. The bottle 115 includes, at a first end, a first opening with a lid 215. The bottle 115 may further include the grip cover 315. In one embodiment, the grip cover 315 is configured to snap onto the bottle 115. Alternatively, the grip cover 315 may also be configured to adhere to the bottle 115 via an adhesive or the like. The grip cover 315 may be attached to the bottle 115 in any suitable manner as desired. The grip cover 315 maximizes a grip of the user on the bottle 115 to prevent dropping the bottle 115 and/or spilling of contents of the bottle 115. The bottle 115 also includes, at a second end, a bottle discharge valve 415. As best illustrated by FIG. 20, the body 130 is designed to receive the bottle discharge valve 415 in a manner that creates fluid communication between the bottle discharge valve 415 and the flexible exit hose 330. The bottle discharge valve 415 and its components may be formed from any suitable material.

[0068] The bottle discharge valve 415 is shown in an exploded view in FIG. 21. The bottle discharge valve 415 includes a discharge valve body 1415 which may house a plunger 3415 and a seal 2415. The plunger 3415 may be at least partially enveloped within a spring 5415, which is retained within the discharge valve body 1415 by a retainer 6415. The bottle discharge valve 415 may also include a valve seal 7415 and an O-ring 8415. The bottle discharge valve 415 is configured to militate against leaking.

[0069] As illustrated by FIGS. 9-10 and 20-21, the body 130 may be configured to activate the bottle discharge valve 415 to dispense fluid when the user depresses the actuator 320. The body 130 may be equipped with a stem 430 that causes the plunger 3415 of the bottle discharge valve 415 to move to an open position upon insertion of the bottle 115 into the body 130. This allows the fluid within the bottle 115 to be released from the bottle 115. When the actuator 320 is triggered by the user, the actuator 320 pivots to urge an elongate member 205 to depress and open a valve 505. This allows the fluid to flow through the flexible exit hose 330, allowing the fluid to be dispensed. The flexible exit hose 330 protrudes through the rigid hose guide 230. The rigid hose guide 230 guides the flow of fluid from the flexible exit hose 330 to give the fluid spray directionality. The flexible exit hose 330 may be produced from silicone tubing or any other suitable material having desired properties. The rigid hose guide 230 and all other materials aforementioned hereinabove may be produced from any suitable material as desired.

[0070] A connection of the head 110 to the shaft 105 is depicted in FIG. 22. The head 110 of the mop system 100 may be coupled to the shaft 105 in any removable manner. The release clip 305 may be configured to lock and couple the shaft 105 onto a revolving adapter 710. Depressing pinch buttons on the release clip 305 unlocks the head 110 from the revolving adapter 710 and facilitates removal of the shaft 105 from the revolving adapter 710. The revolving adapter 710 locks into the revolving mount 210, allowing for free revolving motion when operating the mop system 100. The revolving mount 210 snaps into the revolving base 310 that is bound to the head 110, for example by screws, an adhesive, or the like. All components aforementioned hereinabove may be produced from any suitable material as desired.

[0071] Depending on a preference of the user, the mop system 100 may be used in either a first direction or a second direction. For example, the user may stand on a side of the mop system 100 that has the flexible exit hose 330 and hold the handle 120 where the actuator 320 is in a front and the flexible exit hose 330 sprays behind the mop system 100 between the mop system 100 and the user. In another example, the user may hold the handle 120 where the actuator 320 is on a back side of the mop system 100 and the flexible exit hose 330 and where the flexible exit hose 330 sprays in front of the mop system 100.

[0072] Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms, and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail. Equivalent changes, modifications and variations of some embodiments, materials, compositions and methods can be made within the scope of the present technology, with substantially similar results.