RETAINERS FOR A DEVICE HAVING REMOVABLE FLOOR SHEETS

• US 20140026344A1
• Filed: 07/22/2013
• Published: 01/30/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Original Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Inventors: BRADBURY, Glenn Allen
• Granted Patent: US 9,408,518 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/231
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/33 having means for storing dirt
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4013 Contaminants collecting devices, i.e. hoppers, tanks or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4041 Roll shaped surface treating tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4069 Driving or transmission means for the cleaning tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4072 Arrangement of castors or wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 13/12 Implements with several different treating devices
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 13/16 Cloths; Pads; Sponges metal scraping sponges A47L13/07
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 13/20 Mops
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 13/44 Securing scouring-cloths to the brush or like body of the implement

Abstract

A retainer for removably attaching a sheet to a cleaning device. The retainer has at least one cantilevered finger extending inwardly from the periphery of a cavity towards the inside of that cavity. Behind the retainer is a flexible barrier, at least partially covering the back of the cavity. The barrier prevents the user'"'"'s finger from going too far into the cavity and becoming pinched, and allows the thickness of the device to which the sheet is attached to be reduced compared to a device having a conventional sheet retainer. The barrier may provide visual and/or tactile barrier cues to a user, qualitatively signaling the user which direction is proper for insertion of the sheet into the retainer and quantitatively signally the user how far the sheet should be inserted into the retainer. Strands and/or a membrane panel which are elastic or inelastic may be used for the barrier.

Claims

1. A retainer, said retainer being disposed in a rigid sole plate of a cleaning device and comprising:

at least one finger, said finger being cantilevered from a proximal end, said finger being deformable in a first direction; and

a flexible barrier juxtaposed with said at least one finger, said flexible barrier deforming relative to said rigid sole plate upon contact with said finger, when said finger is deflected to contact said bather.

2. A retainer according to claim 1 wherein said finger is cantilevered from the perimeter of a cavity, said cavity having a closed perimeter defining a center, said retainer comprising plural fingers, each said finger being cantilevered from a proximal end juxtaposed with said perimeter to a respective distal end, said distal ends being juxtaposed with said center of said retainer.

3. A retainer according to claim 2 wherein said barrier comprises a membrane.

4. A retainer according to claim 3 wherein said barrier comprises a resilient membrane.

5. A retainer according to claim 3 wherein said resilient membrane is taut.

6. A retainer according to claim 4 wherein said fingers are generally planar in a first plane and said membrane is generally planar in a second plane, said first plane and said second plane being generally mutually parallel, said fingers and said membrane being spaced apart 4 mm to 8 mm.

7. A retainer according to claim 6 wherein said membrane completely covers said cavity.

8. A retainer according to claim 1 wherein said at least one barrier and said finger contact each other in a free position without said finger being deflected.

9. A retainer according to claim 3 further comprising a sheet engaged therein.

10. A retainer, said retainer being disposed in a rigid sole plate of a cleaning device and comprising:

at least one cantilevered finger and a barrier defining a cavity therebetween,

said finger being resiliently deflectable in a first direction towards said barrier, whereby upon contact with said finger said barrier deflects relative to said rigid sole plate in response thereto, thereby providing a signal to said user.

11. A retainer according to claim 10 having a center and further comprising a plurality of fingers cantilevered from respective proximal ends to respective distal ends, each of said distal ends of said plurality of fingers deflecting said barrier upon contact therewith.

12. A retainer according to claim 11 wherein said barrier comprises at least one flexible strand.

13. A retainer according to claim 12 wherein said barrier is flaccid.

15. A retainer according to claim 12 wherein said barrier is taut or pre-tensioned.

16. A retainer according to claim 10 wherein said barrier comprises nonwoven material.

17. A retainer according to claim 16 wherein said barrier comprises a membrane.

18. A retainer according to claim 11 wherein at least some of said fingers are tapered to a point at said respective distal ends, said points of said fingers contacting said membrane in response to insertion force applied by a user.

19. A cleaning device having at least one retainer according to claim 10.

20. A retainer, said retainer being disposed in a rigid sole plate of a cleaning device and comprising:

a flexible barrier;

at least one cantilevered finger contacting said barrier in a free position and being bendable in a first direction towards said barrier said barrier, said barrier being urged away from said rigid sole by said bending of said finger.