Flat headed mop and method of operation

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12042109-B2
Application number	US-202217984792-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 10, 2022
Priority date	May 29, 2018
Publication date	Jul 23, 2024
Grant date	Jul 23, 2024

Abstract

A method of using a flat headed mop is provided. The method includes cleaning a surface with the mop pad, then rotating the mop head into the folded position at a instance with a biasing member coupled to a hinge assembly. The hinge assembly being disposed between the mop head and a mop pole. Next, inserting the mop head into a first fluid to remove contaminants from the mop pad, then inserting the mop head into a wringing assembly to remove at least a portion of the first fluid.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method of using a flat headed mop, the method comprising:
cleaning a surface with a mop pad coupled to a mop head;
rotating the mop head into a folded position at a instance with a biasing member coupled to a hinge assembly, the hinge assembly being disposed between the mop head and a mop pole, the hinge assembly having at least one pin offset from a rotation axis for the mop head, the biasing member comprising at least one extension spring coupled between the at least one pin and a top surface of the mop head, the at least one extension spring being disposed opposite the mop pole from the rotation axis;
inserting the mop head into a first fluid to remove contaminants from the mop pad; and
inserting the mop head into a wringing assembly to remove at least a portion of the first fluid.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising inserting the mop head into a second fluid to absorb a second fluid into the mop pad.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the mop head remains in the same orientation when moving from the first fluid to the wringing assembly to the second fluid.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the orientation of the mop pad is aligned in a first axis with the mop pole, the first axis extending through the center of the mop pole.

5. The method of claim 3 , wherein the mop head remains in the folded position when moving from the first fluid to the wringing assembly to the second fluid.

6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising inserting the mop head into the wringing assembly after inserting the mop head into the second fluid.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising rubbing the mop pad against a cleaning plate when in the first fluid.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the removing of the at least a portion of the first fluid further includes compressing the mop pad in the wringing assembly.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising inserting the mop head into the wringing assembly after inserting the mop head into the second fluid.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the mop head remains in the folded position when moving from the second fluid to the wringing assembly.

11. A method of using a flat headed mop, the method comprising:
cleaning a surface with a mop pad by moving the mop pad over the surface, the mop pad being made from a microfiber material, the mop pad being coupled to a mop head;
rotating the mop head into a folded position at a instance with a biasing member coupled to a hinge assembly, the hinge assembly being disposed between the mop head and a mop pole, the hinge assembly having a pin offset from a rotation axis for the mop head, the biasing member comprising an extension spring coupled between the pin and a top surface of the mop head, the extension spring being disposed opposite the mop pole from the rotation axis, the mop head being substantially parallel to the mop pole when in the folded position;
removing contaminants from the mop pad with a first fluid; and
inserting the mop head into a wringing assembly while in the folded position to remove at least a portion of the first fluid.

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising inserting the mop head into a second fluid to absorb a second fluid into the mop pad.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the mop head remains in the folded position when moving from the first fluid to the wringing assembly to the second fluid.

14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising inserting the mop head into the wringing assembly after inserting the mop head into the second fluid.

15. The method of claim 11 , wherein the removing of contaminants includes placing the mop pad in a container with the first fluid.

16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising rubbing the mop pad against a cleaning plate when in the container.

17. The method of claim 11 , wherein the removing of the at least a portion of the first fluid further includes compressing the mop pad in the wringing assembly.

18. The method of claim 11 , further comprising inserting the mop head into the wringing assembly after inserting the mop head into the second fluid.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the mop head remains in the folded position when moving from the second fluid to the wringing assembly.

20. A method of using a flat headed mop, the method comprising:
cleaning a surface with a mop pad by moving the mop pad over the surface, the mop pad being made from a microfiber material, the mop pad being coupled to a mop head;
rotating the mop head into a folded position at a instance with a biasing member coupled to a hinge assembly, the hinge assembly being disposed between the mop head and a mop pole, the mop head being substantially parallel to the mop pole when in the folded position;
removing contaminants from the mop pad with a first fluid;
inserting the mop head into a wringing assembly while in the folded position to remove at least a portion of the first fluid; and
wherein the biasing member generates a biasing force of 10-80 oz (2.78-22.24 Newtons) when the mop head is positioned perpendicular to the pole.

Assignees

• Unger Marketing Int Llc

Inventors

• Huda Stephen P
• Patterson Joseph K
• Smith Robert F
• Harrington William

Classifications

• A46B5/0045

  Brushes articulated with more than one hinge · CPC title

• A47L13/258

  of adjustable or foldable type · CPC title

• A46B5/0083

  Mechanical joint allowing adjustment in at least one plane · CPC title

• A46B5/0041

  Mechanical joint or hinge, made up of several components · CPC title

• A46B5/0058

  Mechanical joint or hinge made up of several components · CPC title