EP1474024B1

EP1474024B1 - Device for domestic cleaning, particularly for cleaning surfaces of sanitary fixtures

Info

Publication number: EP1474024B1
Application number: EP03700966A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Edgardo Angelini
Original assignee: Design Group Italia Id Srl
Current assignee: Design Group Italia Id Srl
Priority date: 2002-01-25
Filing date: 2003-01-24
Publication date: 2006-03-29
Anticipated expiration: 2023-01-24
Also published as: WO2003061446A1; EP1474024A1; ITMI20020123A1; ITMI20020123A0; DE60304315D1; ATE321484T1

Abstract

A device (1) for domestic cleaning, characterized in that it comprises two rod members (2,3) that are pivoted at a hinge member (4) and are adapted to support a cleaning means (5) constituted by a sponge-like member. The sponge-like member (5) is associated with the rod members (2,3) at the hinge member (4), so that the rod (2,3) members define at least two positions: a cleaning position, in which the cleaning member (5) is substantially external to the rod members (2,3), and a wringing position, in which the cleaning member (5) is forced between the rod members (2,3) in order to wring the sponge member (5).

Description

The present invention relates to a device for domestic cleaning, particularly for cleaning the surfaces of sanitary fixtures.
As is known, a brush or a sponge is normally used to clean the bowl of the toilet.
The brush is used to clean the siphon and the lower rim of the bowl, after covering them with detergent, while the upper rim of the bowl is normally cleaned by using a sponge or absorbent cloth.
The sponge is often used to clean the entire bowl, including the siphon.
All these operations are necessarily performed while wearing rubber gloves, for obvious hygiene reasons and in order to protect one's hands from detergents. In theory, one could use the brush without gloves, but cleaning cannot be completed with the brush alone and in any case the brush must be cleaned at the end of the task.
In this regard it is also noted that an effective brush must have fine bristles, and therefore is more difficult, if not impossible, to keep it perfectly clean. Certainly it is not sufficient to wash it under a jet of water, for example by using the flushing system itself. There are also brushes with rubber bristles that are easier to clean but are scarcely effective in cleaning the toilet bowl.
US-322805A discloses a self-wringing mop formed by two separate pieces connected at a hinge member. Such mop, insuitable to clean a toilet bowl, is not cheaply manufactured.
As regards the use of the sponge, it is noted that at the end of the cleaning operation it has to be wrung, again while wearing rubber gloves, and the problem arises of storing it in an appropriate place.
Another problem of the use of a generic sponge for cleaning the toilet is the possibility of confusing it with a sponge used to clean other home items.
The aim of the present invention is to provide a device for domestic cleaning that allows to clean adequately surfaces of various kinds without causing one's hands to make contact with dirt or detergents.
An object of the invention is to provide a device that is particularly useful for cleaning the toilet bowl.
Another object of the invention is to provide a device for domestic cleaning that is structurally simple and sturdy but at the same time can be manufactured cheaply.
Another object is to provide a device that offers the greatest assurances of hygiene in addition to great practicality in use.
This aim and these and other objects that will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a device for domestic cleaning, as defined by claim 1.
Further characteristics and advantages will become better apparent from the description of preferred but not exclusive embodiments of the invention, illustrated by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a front elevation view of the cleaning device according to the invention, shown in the cleaning position;
Figure 2 is a lateral elevation view of the cleaning device according to the invention, shown in the cleaning position;
Figure 3 is a front elevation view of the cleaning device according to the invention, shown in an open position;
Figure 4 is a lateral elevation view of the cleaning device according to the invention, shown in an open position;
Figure 5 is a lateral elevation view of the cleaning device according to the invention, shown in the wringing position;
Figure 6 is an enlarged-scale lateral elevation view of the cleaning device according to the invention, shown in an open position;
Figure 7 is an enlarged-scale lateral elevation view of the cleaning device according to the invention, shown in the wringing position;
Figure 8 is an enlarged-scale lateral elevation view of the cleaning device according to the invention, shown in the cleaning position.

With reference to the cited figures, the cleaning device according to the invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 1, comprises two rod members 2 and 3, which are pivoted at a hinge member 4 and are adapted to support a cleaning means 5 that is associated with the rod members at the hinge member 4.
More particularly, each rod member is constituted by a handle, designated by the reference numerals 6 and 7 respectively, and by a perforated plate, designated by the reference numerals 8 and 9 respectively, and the rod members are formed monolithically, together with the hinge member 4, for example by injection molding, by using plastic material.
The cleaning means is preferably constituted by a member made of sponge-like material, of a kind that is commonly commercially available, associated with the perforated plates of the rod members, by adhesive bonding, thermal bonding, or any other system that is known in the art.
The sponge-like member 5 can also be associated detachably with the rod members so that it can be replaced easily once it has deteriorated due to use.
The sponge-like member 5 can also be made of a material that contains sanitizing or antibacterial additives.
The sponge-like member 5 can have two or more differentiated regions, for example a soft one and a harder one for cleaning different types of surface in an optimum manner.
The rod members are conveniently shaped so as to give the necessary rigidity to the assembly without using excessive thicknesses for the material, and the hinge member is formed by reducing the thickness of the material in the pivoting region.
More particularly, the hinge member 4 is constituted by three hinges, a central hinge 10 and two lateral hinges 11, so that in the cleaning position, shown in Figures 2 and 8, the rod members rotate essentially about the central hinge, so that they can be arranged adjacent to each other.
In the wringing position, shown in Figures 5 and 7, the rod members instead rotate essentially about the lateral hinges, so that they can be arranged parallel to each other but mutually spaced so as to leave at the hinge member 4 a certain volume that is occupied by the sponge-like member 5, in order to avoid early deterioration and breakage of the hinge.
Moreover, the hinge member can be formed by a reduction of the thickness in an elongated region, so as to leave a distance that is sufficient for wringing.
The rod members 2 and 3 can be mutually locked in the cleaning position of the device by virtue of a locking means 12, which is constituted for example by a protrusion 13 that is provided in the handle 6 of the rod member 2 and is suitable to engage with a snap action a seat 14 provided in the handle 7 of the other rod member 3.
The device according to the invention is used in the cleaning position, shown in Figures 1 and 2, in which the sponge-like member 5 lies outside the rod- like members 2 and 3 and the handles 6 and 7 are mutually associated, preferably by means of the locking means 12, so as to constitute a single handle for gripping the tool.
The dimensions and shapes of the device allow to reach easily all points inside and outside the bowl and the siphon, and it is possible to use the device even without wearing gloves, since the hand that holds the tool is in any case spaced from the surfaces to be clean.
Once the cleaning operation has been completed, the handle is opened, by rotating one rod member with respect to the other one through 360° about the hinge member 4, so as to compress the sponge-like member between the two rod members in order to wring it and rinse it, for example in the bowl itself.
It is noted that this wringing and cleaning of the sponge-like member also can be performed without wearing gloves and without the hands making contact with the water or with dirt.
The device can be stored easily, for example by hanging it on a hook or nail in the wall.
The device according to the invention is useful for cleaning operations of any kind, including non-domestic ones, allowing to clean surfaces and items of various kinds without the user having to dirty his hands.
The particular arrangement of the sponge-like member at the hinge allows to wring easily the sponge-like member by virtue of the advantageous lever formed by applying the force at the opposite end of the rod members.
In practice it has been found that the invention achieves the intended aim and objects, providing a device for domestic cleaning that allows to clean adequately surfaces of various kinds without one's hands making contact with dirt or detergents.
The device according to the invention is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the claims. All the details may be replaced with technically equivalent members.
The materials used, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to the requirements and the state of the art.

Claims

A device for domestic cleaning, comprising two rod members (2,3) that are pivoted at a hinge member (4) and are adapted to support a cleaning means (5) that is associated with said rod members (2,3) at said hinge member (4), so that the rod members define at least two positions: a cleaning position, in which said rod members are arranged adjacent to each other and said cleaning means (5) is substantially external to the rod members, and a wringing position, in which said cleaning means (5) is forced between said rod members (2,3); characterized in that each rod member is constituted by a handle (6,7) and a plate (8,9), said rod members (2,3) being formed monolithically with said hinge member (4).
The device according to claim 1, characterized in that said cleaning means comprises a member (5) made of sponge-like material.
The device according to claim 2, characterized in that said sponge-like member (5) is associated with said plates (8,9) of the rod members (2,3) by adhesive bonding, thermal bonding or the like.
The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in said sponge-like member (5) is detachably associated with said rod members (2,3) so that it can be replaced once it has been deteriorated by use.
The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said sponge-like member (5) has two or more differentiated regions, for example a soft one and a harder one, so as to clean various types of surface in an optimum manner.
The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said rod members (2,3) are shaped so as to give the necessary rigidity to the assembly without using excessive thicknesses for the material.
The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said hinge member (4) is provided by a reduction in the thickness of the material in the pivoting region.
The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said hinge member (4) is constituted by three hinges, a central hinge (10) and two lateral hinges (11), so that, in the cleaning position, the rod members essentially rotate about the central hinge (10), so that they can arrange themselves adjacent to each other, and in the wringing position said rod members instead rotate essentially about the lateral hinges (11) so that they can arrange themselves parallel to each other but mutually spaced, so as to leave a certain volume at the hinge member, said volume being occupied by the sponge-like member (5).
The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said rod members (2,3) can be mutually locked, at least in the cleaning position of the device, by means of a locking means (12).
The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said locking means (12) is constituted by a protrusion (13) that is formed in the handle (6) of a rod member (2) and is suitable to engage by snap action a seat (14) that is formed in the handle (7) of the other rod member (3).