GB2401032A

GB2401032A - Cleaning implement with liquid supply means

Info

Publication number: GB2401032A
Application number: GB0309828A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Graham Smart
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-04-30
Filing date: 2003-04-30
Publication date: 2004-11-03

Abstract

A cleaning implement 10 comprises a tube with an inlet 14 and an outlet 16 and coupling means 18 to couple said tube to a cleaning member 20, wherein said outlet is arrangeable to direct water ahead of said cleaning member such that it does not directly impinge on said cleaning member. The cleaning member may comprise a handle 22 to which said tube is coupled, and a head 24, such as a brush or scraper, releasably coupled to said handle. The outlet 16 of said tube may be adjustable to direct water in a range of flow patterns, and may include means thereon to restrict the flow of water. The inlet may comprise a fitting to be coupled in use to a hose pipe 30. A valve 19 may be included proximal to the inlet, to restrict either partially or totally the flow of liquid. A reservoir may be included to introduce a cleaning agent into the liquid flow.

Description

Improvements in and Relating to Cleaning Apparatus

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to cleaning apparatus, to methods of cleaning a surface, and to methods of manufacturing cleaning apparatus.

Background to the Invention

Brushes can be used to clean floors and other surfaces by sweeping away dirt and other material. However, some types of dirt may be difficult to remove by sweeping alone. An alternative widely used cleaning method is to rinse a floor or other surface with water delivered from a hose or other dispenser. Similarly, some types of dirt may be difficult to remove by rinsing alone.

Although it is possible to clean a surface using a brush to sweep away some dirt, followed by using a hose to rinse other dirt from the surface, thorough cleaning is difficult to effect in this way. A person cleaning a surface in this way will normally have to change between brushing and rinsing a number of times before the surface is sufficiently clean.

It is an aim of preferred embodiments of the present invention to provide a cleaning apparatus that enables a person to efficiently clean a surface using a combination of sweeping and rinsing.

Summary of the Invention

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a cleaning apparatus comprising a tube having an inlet aperture arrangeable in use to receive water and an outlet aperture arrangeable in use to allow water to exit the tube, and further comprising coupling means adapted to in use couple the tube to a cleaning member, characterized in that the outlet aperture is arrangable to in use direct water ahead of the cleaning member such that it does not impinge directly on the cleaning member.

Suitably, the coupling means is adapted to releasably couple the tube to the cleaning member. Suitably, the coupling means is adapted to releasably couple the cleaning apparatus to a handle of a cleaning member comprising a handle and a head.

Alternatively, the coupling means may be formed integrally with the tube such that the cleaning apparatus comprises both the tube and the cleaning member. Suitably, the cleaning member comprises a head. Suitably, the head is releasably coupleable to the cleaning member. Suitably, the head comprises any one of a bristle brush, a scraper, a sponge pad, a scouring pad or a squeegee.

Suitably, the outlet aperture is adjustable to provide in use a range of flow patterns at the outlet. Suitably, the outlet aperture is adjustable to provide any one of a collimated stream, a fan, a mist or a plurality of collimated streams. Suitably, the outlet aperture can be adjusted to restrict the flow of water through the cleaning apparatus.

Suitably, the inlet aperture is adapted to in use couple to a hose pipe. Suitably, the inlet aperture comprises a fitting adapted to in use couple to a corresponding fitting provided on a hose pipe.

Suitably, the cleaning apparatus further comprises a valve. Suitably, the valve is arrangeable in use in an open state in which water is allowed through the tube lo without restriction, and in a closed state in which passage of water through the tube is at least partially restricted. Suitably, the valve is arrangeable in the closed state to block the tube completely. Suitably, the valve is provided proximate to the inlet aperture.

Suitably, the cleaning apparatus further comprises a reservoir communicative with the tube, wherein the reservoir is arranged to in use receive a cleaning product and allow a controlled amount of cleaning product into the tube as water passes through the tube.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a method of cleaning a surface, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a tube having an inlet aperture and an outlet aperture; (b) coupling the tube to a cleaning member using coupling means; (c) providing water to the inlet aperture to pass through the tube and exit the tube at the outlet aperture, wherein the outlet aperture directs water ahead of the cleaning member such that it does not impinge directly on the cleaning member; and (d) moving the cleaning member across a surface to be cleaned such that dirt is moved from that surface by rinsing and by contact with the cleaning member.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides a method of manufacturing a cleaning apparatus the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a tube having an inlet aperture and an outlet aperture; and (b) providing coupling means arrangeable to couple the tube to a cleaning member using; wherein the inlet aperture is arrangeable in use to receive water and the outlet aperture is arrangeable in use to allow water to exit the tube, and wherein the outlet aperture is arranged to in use direct water ahead of the cleaning member such that it does not impinge directly on the cleaning member.

Description of the Figures

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 1 coupled to a cleaning member; Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the head of a third embodiment of the invention; and Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the head of a fourth embodiment of the invention.

Description of Preferred Embodiments

Figure 1 shows a cleaning apparatus 10 according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. The cleaning apparatus 10 is adapted to in use be coupled to a cleaning member in the form of a brush, and to receive water from a hose. Figure 2 shows the cleaning apparatus coupled to a brush 20 and to a hose 30.

The cleaning apparatus 10 is adapted such that when coupled to the brush 20 it can be used to clean a surface such as a floor by moving dirt from that surface by rinsing with water from the hose and by sweeping with the brush. The cleaning effect is improved by directing water ahead of the brush such that it does not impinge on the cleaning member. The cleaning apparatus enables a person to efficiently clean a surface using a combination of sweeping and rinsing, without having to repeatedly change between cleaning tools.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, the cleaning apparatus 10 comprises a tube 12 having an inlet aperture 14 and an outlet aperture 16. In use, the inlet aperture 14 receives water and an outlet aperture allows water to exit the tube. The cleaning apparatus 10 further comprises coupling means 18. The coupling means 18 comprise clamps that can be used to releasable couple the tube 12 to the a handle 22 of the brush 20. The brush 20 further comprises a head 24. The head 24 may be releasably coupleable to the handle 22. The head 24 shown in Figure 2 comprises a bristle brush, however other heads can be used to allow the cleaning apparatus 10 to be used for a range of cleaning tasks. The head 24 may comprises a scraper, a sponge pad, a scouring pad, a squeegee or another suitable tool dependent on the characteristics of the surface to be cleaned, and the nature of the dirt on the surface.

The outlet aperture 16 comprises an adjustable spray head, and can be used to provide a range of flow patterns. The lo flow pattern selected will again depend on the characteristics of the surface to be cleaned and the nature of the dirt on the surface. It is envisaged that a collimated stream, a fan, a mist, or a plurality of collimated streams will be suitable for most cleaning tasks, however other flow pattern are possible including combinations of those listed herein. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the spray head can be adjusted to restrict the flow of water through the cleaning apparatus so that a desired flow pattern can be achieved even if the water supplied to the cleaning apparatus 10 is at a high pressure.

The inlet aperture 14 is adapted to be coupled to the hose pipe 30, and comprises a standard hose fitting adapted to allow the cleaning apparatus to be easily coupled to the hose pipe 30 by way of a corresponding fitting provided on the hose pipe 30.

There may be occasions in use of the cleaning apparatus 10 when a user does not want to rinse. Therefore, the cleaning apparatus 10 further comprises a valve 19. The valve 19 is arranged proximate to the inlet aperture 14 so that a user can easily access it when cleaning. The valve 19 can be a simple on-off arrangement that toggles between either full flow or no flow. Alternatively, the valve 19 can provide a variable restriction to the passage of water through the tube 12.

The cleaning apparatus 10 may further comprise a reservoir (not shown) communicative with the tube 12. The reservoir can comprise a store for a cleaning product such as a liquid detergent, and is arranged to allow a controlled amount of the cleaning product into the tube 12 as water passes through the tube 12. Any suitable cleaning product can be contained in the reservoir and supplied through it.

Figure 3 shows a second embodiment of the invention comprising a cleaning apparatus 100. In this embodiment, the coupling means 118 are be formed integrally with the tube 112 such that the cleaning apparatus comprises both the tube 112 and the cleaning member 200. The tube 112 comprises the handle 122 of the cleaning member 200. The hose pipe 30 couples to the tube 112 via the inlet aperture 14 as before, and the outlet aperture 16, valve 19 are as described in relation to the first embodiment of the invention.

The cleaning apparatus 100 further comprises a head 124.

To allow flexibility of use and ease of replacement when worn the head 124 is releasably coupleable to the cleaning member 200. The head 124 shown in Figure 3 comprises a bristle brush, however, other head can be used. Figure 4 shows a head 124 comprising a scraper, and Figure 5 shows a head comprising a squeegee. Other heads could be used depending on the cleaning application for which the cleaning apparatus 100 is to be used, for example a sponge pad or a scouring pad.

In addition to the use for cleaning with both rinsing and sweeping, the cleaning apparatus can be used as a simple hose pipe extension. The tube can be made of differing lengths to provide comfortable use for different users.

By providing an outlet aperture that directs water ahead of the cleaning member, the surface to be cleaned is rinsed before it is contacted by the cleaning member, facilitating the subsequent motion of the cleaning member across the surface, and allowing the water to act on the dirt before physical cleaning takes place. Furthermore, the effectiveness of rinsing by the water is increased by virtue of the arrangement of the outlet aperture to avoid impingement of the water on the cleaning member. The full force of the water issuing from the outlet aperture can rinse away any loose dirt in the area ahead of the cleaning member.

The cleaning apparatus described is easy to use, and can be used for a range of cleaning tasks. Furthermore, the provision of a cleaning apparatus which is releasably coupleable to a cleaning member such as a brush means that the user can be cheaply provided with a an adaptable cleaning tool.

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features

disclosed in this specification (including any

accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A cleaning apparatus comprising a tube having an inlet aperture

arrangeable in use to receive water and an outlet aperture arrangeable in use to allow water to exit the tube, and further comprising coupling means adapted to in use couple the tube to a cleaning member, characterized in that the outlet aperture is arrangable to in use direct water ahead of the cleaning member such that it does not impinge directly on the cleaning member.
2. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the coupling means is adapted to releasably couple the tube to the cleaning member.
3. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the coupling means is adapted to releasably couple the cleaning apparatus to a handle of a cleaning member comprising a handle and a head.
4. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the coupling means is formed integrally with the tube such that the cleaning apparatus comprises both the tube and the cleaning member.
5. The cleaning apparatus of claim 4, wherein the I cleaning member comprises a head.
6. The cleaning apparatus of claim 5, wherein the head is releasably coupleable to the cleaning member.
7. The cleaning apparatus of claim 5 or 6, wherein the head comprises any one of a bristle brush, a scraper, a sponge pad, a scouring pad or a squeegee.
8. The cleaning apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the outlet aperture is adjustable to provide in use a range of flow patterns at the outlet.
9. The cleaning apparatus of claim 8, wherein the lo outlet aperture is adjustable to provide any one of a collimated stream, a fan, a mist or a plurality of collimated streams.
10. The cleaning apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the outlet aperture can be adjusted to restrict the flow of water through the cleaning apparatus.
11. The cleaning apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the inlet aperture is adapted to in use couple to a hose pipe.
12. The cleaning apparatus of claim 11, wherein the inlet aperture comprises a fitting adapted to in use couple to a corresponding fitting provided on a hose pipe.
13. The cleaning apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the cleaning apparatus further comprises a valve.
14. The cleaning apparatus of claim 13, wherein the valve is arrangeable in use in an open state in which water is allowed through the tube without restriction, and in a closed state in which passage of water through the tube is at least partially restricted.
15. The cleaning apparatus of claim 14, wherein the valve is arrangeable in the closed state to block the tube completely.
16. The cleaning apparatus of any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the valve is provided proximate to the inlet aperture.
17. The cleaning apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the cleaning apparatus further comprises a reservoir communicative with the tube, wherein the reservoir is arranged to in use receive a cleaning product and allow a controlled amount of cleaning product into the tube as water passes through the tube.
18. A method of cleaning a surface, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a tube having an inlet aperture and an outlet aperture; (b) coupling the tube to a cleaning member using coupling means; (c) providing water to the inlet aperture to pass through the tube and exit the tube at the outlet aperture, wherein the outlet aperture directs water ahead of the cleaning member such that it does not impinge directly on the cleaning member; and (d) moving the cleaning member across a surface to be cleaned such that dirt is moved from that surface by rinsing and by contact with the cleaning member.
19. A method of manufacturing a cleaning apparatus the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a tube having an inlet aperture and an outlet aperture; and (b) providing coupling means arrangeable to couple the tube to a cleaning member using; wherein the inlet aperture is arrangeable in use to receive water and the outlet aperture is arrangeable in use to allow water to exit the tube, and wherein the outlet aperture is arranged to in use direct water ahead of the cleaning member such that it does not impinge directly on the cleaning member.
20. A cleaning apparatus substantially as described herein, with particular reference to the accompanying lo drawings.