Flexible floor cleaning device

• US 7,811,022 B2
• Filed: 06/29/2006
• Issued: 10/12/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Electrolux Home Care Products Incorporated (AB Electrolux)
• Original Assignee: Electrolux Home Care Products Incorporated (AB Electrolux)
• Inventors: Rhoda, Darin, Hohulin, Sam, Herrmann, Richard, Bolbock, Scott, Gesiakowski, Jeffrey M., Bobrosky, Vincent
• Primary Examiner(s): Walczak; David J
• Application Number:
  US11/476,617
• Publication Number:
  US 20070020020A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,566 Days
• Field of Search: 401/268, 401/270, 401/9, 401/10, 401/11, 401/261, 401/265, 401/266, 401/290, 152/091, 152/101, 152/28, 152/443, 152/47, 153/21, 153/22
• US Class Current: 401/270
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/34 Machines for treating carpets in position by liquid, foam, or vapour, e.g. by steam
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4036 Parts or details of the surface treating tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4086 Arrangements for steam generation
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 13/22 with liquid-feeding devices
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 13/225 Steam mops
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 13/256 for mops made of cloth
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 13/257 for mops made of sponge material
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 13/44 Securing scouring-cloths to the brush or like body of the implement
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/04 with driven brushes or agitators

Abstract

A flexible cleaning device with a handle having a first end and a second end, a malleable head at the first end of the handle, a cover selectively covering at least a portion of the malleable head, and a grip at the second end of the handle. A fluid reservoir may be supported on the handle or the malleable head, and a fluid deposition system provided and adapted to selectively deposit fluid from the reservoir onto a surface to be cleaned. The malleable head may be attached to a rigid structure at the second end of the handle, and have a non-absorbent flexible structure adapted to conform to grout lines in a typical tiled floor surface. An air inlet may be attached to the device, and an air passage provided and adapted to connect the air inlet to a suction source.

Claims

1. A flexible cleaning device comprising:

a handle having a first end and a second end;

a malleable head at the first end of the handle;

a cover selectively covering at least a portion of the malleable head;

a grip at the second end of the handle;

a fluid reservoir; and

a fluid deposition system adapted to selectively deposit fluid from the fluid reservoir onto a surface to be cleaned;

wherein the malleable head comprises a flexible bladder containing gel or loose media.

2. The flexible cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the fluid deposition system comprises a heater or steam generator.

3. The flexible cleaning device of claim 1, further comprising an oscillator adapted to impart oscillations to the malleable head.

4. The flexible cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the cover comprises a cleaning portion positionable on a lower surface of the malleable head, and a flexible upper portion extending from the cleaning portion and adapted to elastically contract against an upper surface of the malleable head to thereby retain the cover on the malleable head.

5. The flexible cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the malleable head is adapted to conform to grout lines in a typical tiled surface.

6. A flexible cleaning device comprising:

a handle having a first end and a second end;

a rigid structure at the first end of the handle;

a grip at the second end of the handle;

a malleable head attached to the rigid structure, the malleable head comprising a non-absorbent or fluid-impervious flexible bladder adapted to conform to grout lines in a typical tiled surface; and

a cleaning cover selectively covering at least a portion of the malleable head.

7. The flexible cleaning device of claim 6, wherein the rigid structure is attached to the handle by a pivotable joint.

8. The flexible cleaning device of claim 6, wherein the flexible bladder is filled with gel, loose media, or flexible material.

9. The flexible cleaning device of claim 6, further comprising fluid reservoir, and fluid deposition system adapted to selectively deposit fluid from the fluid reservoir onto a surface to be cleaned.

10. The flexible cleaning device of claim 6, further comprising an oscillator adapted to impart oscillations to the malleable head.

11. The flexible cleaning device of claim 6, further comprising:

an air inlet; and

an air passage adapted to connect the air inlet to a suction source.

12. The flexible cleaning device of claim 11, wherein the air passage comprises a hollow portion of the handle.

13. The flexible cleaning device of claim 11, further comprising:

a suction source; and

a dirt receptacle;

wherein the dirt receptacle is fluidly connected to the air inlet and the suction source and adapted to receive and retain debris drawn into the air inlet by the suction source.

14. A flexible cleaning device comprising:

a handle having a first end and a second end;

a rigid structure at the first end of the handle;

a grip at the second end of the handle;

a malleable head attached to the rigid structure and comprising a non-absorbent or fluid-impervious flexible bladder;

a cleaning cover selectively covering at least a portion of the malleable head;

a fluid reservoir;

a fluid deposition system adapted to selectively deposit fluid from the fluid reservoir onto a surface to be cleaned;

an air inlet;

a suction source; and

an air passage adapted to connect the air inlet to the suction source.

15. The flexible cleaning device of claim 14, wherein the malleable head is a structure adapted to conform to typical irregularities in a tile surface.

16. The flexible cleaning device of claim 14, wherein the malleable head comprises a non-absorbent outer surface.

17. The flexible cleaning device of claim 14, further comprising an oscillator adapted to impart oscillations to the malleable head.

18. The flexible cleaning device of claim 14, wherein the air passage comprises a hollow portion of the handle.

19. The flexible cleaning device of claim 14, further comprising:

a suction source; and

a dirt receptacle;

wherein the dirt receptacle is fluidly connected to the air inlet and the suction source and adapted to receive and retain debris drawn into the air inlet by the suction source.

20. A flexible cleaning device comprising:

a handle having a first end and a second end;

a malleable head at the first end of the handle;

a cover selectively covering at least a portion of the malleable head;

a grip at the second end of the handle;

a fluid reservoir; and

a fluid deposition system adapted to selectively deposit fluid from the fluid reservoir onto a surface to be cleaned;

wherein the malleable head comprises a flexible bladder that is fluid-impervious or non-absorbent.

21. The flexible cleaning device of claim 20, wherein the malleable head comprises a flexible bladder containing gel, loose media, or flexible material.

22. The flexible cleaning device of claim 20, comprising an oscillator adapted to impart oscillations to the malleable head.

23. The flexible cleaning device of claim 20, wherein the malleable head is adapted to conform to grout lines in a typical tiled surface.