WO2018053408A1

WO2018053408A1 - Mop attachments and methods of attaching and releasing mop attachments

Info

Publication number: WO2018053408A1
Application number: PCT/US2017/052027
Authority: WO
Inventors: Phillip Lecompte; Kristin Stewart
Original assignee: Micronova Manufacturing, Inc.
Priority date: 2016-09-18
Filing date: 2017-09-18
Publication date: 2018-03-22

Abstract

Securement devices, securement device and wiping element assemblies, and mop assemblies using securement device and wiping element assemblies are described making it easier to assemble wiping element assemblies on mop head and to release such assemblies from the mop head, for example by the user's foot or footwear.

Description

MOP ATTACHMENTS AND METHODS OF ATTACHING AND RELEASING

MOP ATTACHMENTS

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional application claiming priority to US

62/396, 198, filed September 18, 2016, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

SUMMARY

Apparatus and methods are described that make easier and/or more reliable attachment and/or removal of wiping elements from a mop head.

In one example of removable wiping elements for a mop head, the wiping element can include a wiping material, for example a foam, cloth, or other conventional wiping material, which may have an inherent stiffness or external support sufficient to at least partially support itself, and one or more releasable securing elements. A releasable securing element can have a structure, rigidity or stiffness sufficient to reliably support the wiping material on a mop head, and may be formed separately from and attached to the wiping material, or may be formed from the wiping material, such as by changing the material characteristics of a portion of the wiping material. The releasable securing element can be configured to fit existing mop head configurations, for example by releasably engaging with one or more existing surfaces on the mop head, or existing mop heads can be modified to cooperate with the configuration of the releasable securing element so that the releasable securing element can reliably support the wiping material on the mop head while still allowing sufficiently easy release of the wiping material from the mop head. In one configuration, the releasable securing element can be activated for release by the user pressing their foot or footwear against the releasable securing element to release the securing element from the mop head. In another configuration, the releasable securing element can be released from the mop head by the user pressing their foot or footwear against the releasable securing element while withdrawing the remainder of the mop assembly from the wiping material and securing element. In another example of removable wiping elements for a mop head, the wiping element can include wiping material, such as described herein, supported by one or more releasable securing elements. A (or each) securing element may include a projection element for projecting into a corresponding cavity or opening in a mop head used to support the wiping element and for wiping surfaces as desired. If there are plural releasable securing elements, the securing elements can be the same or different from each other, or there may be groups of one type of securing element and groups of one or more other types of securing elements, and typically each type of securing element would engage a corresponding or complementary structure on the mop head.

In any of the foregoing examples, a releasable securing element may limit movement of its associated wiping material in one or more directions. In one example, a releasable securing element may limit movement of the associated wiping material in a first direction, for example in a plane defined by the wiping material and/or the mop head, and in another example the releasable securing element may limit movement of the associated wiping material in directions coplanar with the wiping material and/or the mop head. In a further example, a releasable securing element may limit movement of the associated wiping material in three mutually perpendicular directions relative to the wiping material or the mop head. In the further example of limiting movement in three mutually perpendicular directions, the releasable securing element may limit movement by means of interference fit, frictional engagement, latching or detent engagement, locking, or otherwise securely supporting the wiping material on the mop head while allowing release of the wiping material from the mop head in a controlled manner. In one example of release of the wiping material from the mop head in a controlled manner, the user can use their foot or footwear to release the securing element or elements from the mop head, allowing the wiping material to separate from the mop head.

In any of the foregoing examples, a releasable securing element may include one or more flexible latches on the securing element for engaging a complementary surface on a mop head. In one configuration, the releasable securing element can be a boss, a projection, a post, or a comparable structure for extending adjacent a complementary surface on the mop head and releasably engaging a surface on the mop head for supporting the wiping material on the mop head. In another configuration, the releasable securing element can include one or more surfaces configured to interfere or frictionally engage adjacent surfaces on the mop head to inhibit separation of the releasable securing element and the mop head. The releasable securing element can be configured to inhibit separation of the releasable securing element and the mop head until such time as a force or pressure is applied to the securing element to release it from the mop head, such as may occur when a user presses their foot against the securing element. The securing element may have a height above an upper surface of the mop head sufficient to allow easy access for the users foot and to apply pressure or force to the securing element sufficient to release the securing element. In one example, the securing element may extend approximately half inch or more above an upper surface of the mop in the area of the mop adjacent the securing element, and in another example may extend greater than a half inch and up to approximately 1 inch above such surface.

In any of the foregoing examples, a releasable securing element can be a boss, a projection, a post, or a comparable structure. The securing element can be configured to be without any locking configuration. In one example, the securing element can be a boss configured to form an

interference fit with a corresponding cavity or opening in the mop head. In another example, the securing element can be a boss having one or more laterally projecting surfaces on a side of the boss extending in a direction of an axis of the aperture or opening into which the boss extends.

In any of the foregoing examples, a releasable securing element or elements can be mounted or formed on a planar support structure to which a suitable wiping material is secured, such as by attachment, bonding, gluing or otherwise. A single planar support structure can be used to support the wiping material, or a plurality of planar support structures can be used to support the wiping material for mounting on a mop head.

In any of the foregoing examples, a releasable securing member can include one or more structures for receiving and securing a flexible wiping material, for example a cloth, fabric or flexible absorbent material that can be wrapped at least partly around a mop head and secured into the one or more structures. In one example, the one or more structures are teeth, claw or trap structures for retaining or inhibiting removal of absorbent material.

In an example of a method for assembling a wiping material and releasable support structure, a releasable securing member on a support panel is secured to a wiping element, such as any of those described herein, by gluing, bonding, welding, or otherwise. The securing member is secured on a surface of the wiping element opposite the surface of the wiping element used to clean surfaces. One or more additional securing members may be applied to the wiping element, for example as may be desired based on the configuration of a mop head. In one example, a panel includes first and second types of securing elements, and in one configuration, at least a first type of securing element includes a releasable locking element.

In an example of a method for assembling a wiping material on a mop head, a releasable securing element on a wiping material such as any of those described herein is applied against a mop head. The releasable securing element is applied against the mop head sufficiently to engage the mop head, and in one example, is engaged sufficiently to form an interference fit with the mop head. In another example, the releasable securing element is engaged sufficiently to releasably latch, lock or similarly engage the mop head. In one configuration, the releasable securing element is a boss having a plurality of surfaces for frictionally engaging adjacent surfaces on the mop head. In another configuration, the releasable securing element is a boss having one or more latching elements for engaging adjacent surfaces on the mop head. The releasable securing element is applied with sufficient force or pressure to reliably engage the wiping element with the mop head, which may be carried out by having the wiping element on a supporting surface, for example a floor surface, and pressing or moving the mop head into

engagement with the releasable securing element or elements on the wiping element, for example by pressing on a handle to which the mop head is attached or otherwise supported.

In an example of a method for separating a wiping material from a mop head to which the wiping material is releasably secured, a user applies a pressure or a force to a removable securing element, such as any of those described herein, which is used to releasably support the wiping material on the mop head. In one configuration, the user applies a pressure or a force to the removable securing element by applying their foot or footwear to the releasable securing element. In one example, pressure or force is applied to the removable securing element while holding a handle of the mop to which the mop head is attached or otherwise supported.

These and other examples are set forth more fully below in conjunction with drawings, a brief description of which follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an upper left isometric view of a mop assembly without wiping material and having a mop head and handle for supporting the mop head.

FIG. 1 A is an upper left isometric view of the mop head of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 2 is an upper left isometric view of a mop head assembly having a mop head and wiping material supported on the mop head by a plurality of releasable securing members.

FIG. 2A is a top plan view of the mop head of FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 is an upper isometric view of an assembly having a plurality of releasable securing members for securing a wiping element onto a mop head such as that shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal vertical cross-section of the assembly of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an upper isometric view of an alternative assembly having a plurality of releasable securing members.

FIG. 6 is an upper isometric view of a further alternative assembly having a plurality of releasable securing members.

FIG. 7 is an upper view of a wiping element assembly having a wiping element to which is secured a plurality of releasable securing members for a first mop configuration.

FIG. 8 is an upper view of a wiping element assembly having a wiping element to which is secured a plurality of releasable securing members for a larger mop configuration relative to that of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This specification taken in conjunction with the drawings sets forth examples of apparatus and methods incorporating one or more aspects of the present inventions in such a manner that any person skilled in the art can make and use the inventions. The examples provide the best modes contemplated for carrying out the inventions, although it should be understood that various modifications can be accomplished within the parameters of the present inventions.

Examples of mops and of methods of making and using the mops are described. Depending on what feature or features are incorporated in a given structure or a given method, benefits can be achieved in the structure or the method. For example, mops using releasable securing elements for supporting a wiping element on a mop head and that can be released by a user applying a foot or footwear against one or more releasable securing elements. Release can occur without the user bending over or inverting a mop assembly, and without the user using their hands. Mops using releasable securing elements for supporting a wiping element on a mop head can also easily secure a wiping element onto a mop head by engaging one or more releasable securing elements into the mop head.

These and other benefits will become more apparent with

consideration of the description of the examples herein. However, it should be understood that not all of the benefits or features discussed with respect to a particular example must be incorporated into a mop, component or method in order to achieve one or more benefits contemplated by these examples. Additionally, it should be understood that features of the examples can be incorporated into a mop, wiping element, component or method to achieve some measure of a given benefit even though the benefit may not be optimal compared to other possible configurations. For example, one or more benefits may not be optimized for a given configuration in order to achieve cost reductions, efficiencies or for other reasons known to the person settling on a particular product configuration or method.

Examples of a number of mop wiping element configurations and of methods of making and using the mop wiping elements are described herein, and some have particular benefits in being used together. However, even though these apparatus and methods are considered together at this point, there is no requirement that they be combined, used together, or that one component or method be used with any other component or method, or combination. Additionally, it will be understood that a given component or method could be combined with other structures or methods not expressly discussed herein while still achieving desirable results.

As used herein, "substantially" shall mean the designated parameter or configuration, plus or minus 10%. However, it should be understood that terminology used for orientation or relative position, such as front, rear, side, left and right, upper and lower, and the like, may be used in the Detailed Description for ease of understanding and reference, and may not be used as exclusive terms for the structures being described and illustrated.

A mop assembly 100 (FIG. 1 ) can take a number of configurations.

Typically, the mop includes a mop head 102, in the present example a conventional frame or pad support having a rectilinear configuration for supporting a wiping material (not shown in FIG. 1 , but see FIGS. 7-8).

However, other mop heads can be used with the adapter or universal joint described herein. Mops and other cleaning tools can also have a number of configurations for manipulating or handling the tool, including those described in WO2014151882, all of which is incorporated herein by reference. In the present example, a handle 104 is removably secured to the assembly through a threaded collar 106. Other handle configurations may also be used with the adapter disclosed herein. Grommets 108 in openings 109 (FIG. 1A) retain cloth, fabric or other material between the teeth, claws, leaves or other trap structure of the grommet. The grommets snap into openings in the mop head and have a profile above the adjacent surface of the mophead of about a quarter inch or less. The mop head may also include a U-shaped or other shaped opening or cavity 1 10 for accommodating a head 1 12 or other structural part of a fastener on the adapter, for example so the mop face and the handle can both lie flat or extend in substantially parallel planes.

An example of a mop head assembly 200 (FIG. 2) may include a conventional mop head 201 such as one designed by Micronova

Manufacturing, Inc., and described and illustrated in part in US Provisional Patent Application 62/265,386, PCT/US2016/065992, filed December 9, 2016, and published as WO 2017/100687 June 15, 2017, all of which is

incorporated herein by reference. The mop head assembly 200 in the illustrated example is a bi-plane, winged or bi-plate mop assembly having right and left half plates 202 and 204, respectively. The half plates are substantially mirror images of each other, but each can be used on either side. Each half plate includes a substantially planar bottom surface 206 for supporting a suitable mop material (not visible). Alternatively, a plurality of wiping element securement devices 300 (FIGS. 3- 5) can be used to attach a wiping element, for example mop material, to the half plates. In the above-identified US provisional patent application, wiping element securement devices take the form of mop attachment plates, in which the mop attachment plate includes a plurality of releasable securing elements for engaging respective openings in the surface of the half plate. The wiping element securement devices can additionally have hook or other attachment configurations for removably attaching mop material, such as may include loop material for engaging with the hook structures on the attachment plates. In the illustrative configurations, each half plate would include one wiping element securement device 300 with projections extending into respective openings 210 and 212, circular openings in the illustrated examples, and while the configuration shown in FIG. 2 has the wiping element securement devices different from each other, the mop head assembly 200 would have wiping element securement devices 300 identical to each other oriented to be mirror images. However, if desired, the wiping element securement devices can be different from each other. The wiping element securement devices support mop material, and the mop material would generally be a planar material attached to the securement devices (see FIGS. 7-8), for example a single mop material segment extending across both half plates, without extending up sides of the half plates.

Each half plate is generally rectangular in plan view, and is assembled into the assembly at a distal side by way of hinge structures 214 having a pin 216 extending between respective hinge structures. The pins 216 pass through respective openings in a pivot mounting bracket 220 for securing and supporting the half plates to an articulating or other assembly for supporting the mop head assembly with a handle. The pins allow the half plates to pivot relative to the assembly supporting the half plates. The pins 216 also support respective springs 222 that bias the half plates to the co-planar, open configuration shown in FIG. 2. The U-bracket of the articulating assembly supports and allows the mop head assembly to pivot about an axle in the pivot mounting bracket 220. The pivot mounting bracket 220 also maintains the half plates at the desired spacing relative to each other.

Each half plate includes one or more preliminary cam folding surfaces

226. The preliminary cam surfaces are raised from an upper surface 228 of the half plate a distance sufficient to come into contact with a respective initiation rollers, for example to start folding of the bi-plates before pressure rollers or other structures contact the respective bi-plates. The vertical height of the preliminary cam surfaces relative to the upper surface 228 is greater than the vertical height of side edges of the bi-plates at the same longitudinal location from the hinge structures 214. The preliminary cam surfaces extend longitudinally of the respective bi-plate less than the entire length of the bi- plate.

Each bi-plate includes at least one wringing surface 230, and in the present examples two wringing surfaces extending upward from the upper surface 228 of the respective bi-plate. The wringing surfaces are contacted by corresponding structures on a wringing assembly of the mop if the mop is a self-wringing mop as described in the cited provisional patent application, to apply pressure to the bi-plates and press them together to apply pressure to the mop material mounted on the bi-plates. The wringing surfaces can be positioned at a number of locations on the bi-plate, and in the present example are configured as vertically-extending walls 232 at side edges of the bi-plate.

External surfaces of the vertically-extending wall 232 include convex support structures in the form of convex walls 234 extending laterally outward from the respective wall 232. The convex walls 234 help clean in coving and other similar surface profiles, and also help to reinforce the vertically extending walls.

One example of a wiping element securement device 300 (FIGS. 3-4) includes a planar element, for example a backing or plate 302, which in the present example is substantially planar with a rectangular geometry and outer perimeter. In the present example, a wiping element would be applied to the mop head using two securement devices 300 oriented with respect to each other as mirror images, for example as shown in FIGS. 7-8. One securement device 300 will be described, with the understanding that if a wiping element includes one or more additional securement devices, such securement device may be identical to the securement device 300, or may be different, such as may be the same as or similar to other securement devices as described herein.

The plate 302 of the securement device 300 includes an upper surface 304 and a lower surface 306 (FIG. 4). The lower surface 306 is substantially flat and smooth, but may be irregular or textured as desired for attachment of a wiping element, for example the wiping element shown in FIGS. 7-8. The plate is sufficiently rigid to support a wiping element while flexible to permit bending, for example during installation or removal of a wiping element from a mop head. The plate can be plastic or another similar material that is resiliently flexible when wiping material on the plate is saturated with fluid, for example, in other words the plate would be resilient while the wiping material would be limp and substantially non-resilient. A wiping element would be secured to the plate so as to have a substantial portion of the perimeter of the plate support the wiping material. For example, where adhesive (not shown) is applied around the perimeter of the plate, or across substantially all of the facing surface area of the plate to adhere the wiping material, a substantial portion of the perimeter of the plate supports the wiping material.

The securement device 300 includes a first securement element. The first securement element can take a number of configurations, including a post, column, projection, and in the present example a boss 308 having one or more surface features or discontinuities positioned or extending around a perimeter of the boss. In the present example, the boss 308 is positioned at a first end portion of the plate 302, and extends upwardly from the upper surface 304. In the present example, the securement device 300 is a plastic molded part, and the boss 308 has a hollow interior and has a substantially constant wall thickness but for one or more surface features, described more fully below. The boss extends upwardly to a top surface 310, which is substantially flat and parallel to the upper surface 304 of the plate in the illustrated example but may have other geometries. The top surface may include one or more slots 312 forming claws, prongs, or other structures for capturing and holding under normal operating conditions portions of a wiping cloth, and in the present example teeth 314. The teeth are sufficiently flexible to allow insertion of a wiping material while inhibiting though not preventing removal.

The boss 308 includes a cylindrical wall 316, which is substantially right circular in the present example or may have a slight draft of less than a degree to possibly 5 degrees. It may take other geometries. The cylindrical wall includes one or more surface configurations, which in the present example assists in securing the wiping element with respect to a mop head. In the examples of securement elements described herein, any given securement element can include one or more of the surface configurations described herein. In the present example, the boss 308 includes a plurality of laterally outward and axially extending engagement surfaces, in one example bars 318 extending longitudinally on the outer surface of the cylindrical wall 316 and substantially parallel to a central axis of the boss. There are eight bars in the present example. Each bar extends approximately adjacent the upper surface 304 of the plate upward to an angled perimeter wall 320, tapering to the angled perimeter wall at tapers 322. The bars extend laterally from the respective portion of the perimeter surface of the boss. The bars engage and help to secure or limit movement of the wiping element laterally. Other surface configurations can be used to help limit movement of the wiping element laterally, including but not limited to posts, columns, lands, ribs or other structures. The surface configurations help to provide an interference fit, as a function of the configuration of the corresponding opening into which the boss extends, thereby inhibiting axial movement relative to such an opening.

In the present example, the boss 308 also includes one or more latching elements 324. The latching elements 324 help to secure a wiping element on a mop head in the axial direction, or parallel to a central axis of the boss 308. In the present example, four latching elements 324 are distributed substantially evenly around the perimeter of the boss, and include the bottom surfaces 326 (FIG. 4) extending substantially horizontally in the illustrated example to contact or extend over an adjacent surface of the mop head. The latching elements 324 are sufficiently flexible to allow the boss to extend into a respective opening 210 in the mop head flexing the latching elements inward while allowing them to return to extend over a portion of the adjacent surface of the mop head. In the present example, each of the latching elements are connected to the cylindrical wall of the boss 308 except for the bottom surfaces 326 above respective openings 328 in a lower portion of the cylindrical wall 330 of the boss. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the thickness of each of the latching elements decreases or tapers upwardly. Additionally, each of the latching elements 324 has an outer surface with a slope

substantially the same as a slope of the perimeter wall 320. The slope of the latching elements and the perimeter wall 320 help to position and guide the mop head over the boss, and also help in the removal of the mop head from the boss by decreasing any frictional engagement as removal progresses. The angled perimeter wall 320 extends completely around the perimeter of the boss from the tapers 322 and the latching elements to the top surface 310 of the boss. The securement element can take a number of other

configurations, some of which may depend on the form of the opening into which the securement element projects or is inserted. The height of the boss may be about 1 inch, or about 3-4 times or more the height of grommets used for securing wiping clothes or other flexible materials on a mop head, and sufficient to allow a person's foot to press against the boss and separate the boss from the mophead. In one example, the boss has a maximum lateral dimension, for example diameter in the case of a cylindrical boss, and a maximum longitudinal dimension, for example height in the case of a cylindrical boss, wherein the maximum longitudinal dimension is greater than the maximum lateral dimension. The body of the boss is substantially rigid, for example sufficient to withstand a force of a user's foot applied to the boss for separating the mopping element from the mop head without collapsing the boss, but may include resiliently flexible portions to engage, contact or interfere with an adjacent surface of an opening in a mop head. The boss, as well as the securement device, may be formed from a suitable plastic.

In the example of the securement device 300 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the securement device includes a second securement element 340. In the present example, the second securement device has an outer profile to conform to the opening 212 into which it will extend or protrude, for limiting lateral movement of the wiping element relative to the mop head. The second securement element 340 has a different geometry from that of the boss 308, and in the present example is noncircular, but the geometries may be the same if desired. The second securement element 340 extends upwardly from the upper surface 304 of the plate 302, and is positioned spaced apart from and at an end area of the plate opposite the boss 308. In the present example, the second securement element 340, also having a hollow interior, extends upward to a top surface 342 with four side walls 344 substantially perpendicular to the upper surface 304 of the plate, in the present example, to an inwardly tapered perimeter surface 346. One or more of the sidewalls, and in the present example two oppositely facing sidewalls, include laterally extending surfaces in the form of upwardly extending bars 348 terminating at tapers 350 to join the tapered perimeter wall 346. The bars 348 help to frictionally engage adjacent surfaces of the openings into which the second securement element 340 extends, helping to provide an interference fit. The bars help to limit lateral movement of the wiping element relative to the mop head. In the present example, the second securement element omits any latching structures. The tapered perimeter wall 346 helps to position the second securement element 340 in its respective opening in the mop head, and also helps to release the mop head as it is disengaging. Other surface configurations can be used depending on the profile of the opening into which the second securement element projects or extends. In other examples, one or the other of the securement elements 308 and 340 can be omitted.

In an alternative configuration of a securement device, a securement device 300' (FIG. 5) is substantially identical in structure and function to the securement device 300 except as described herein. In the present example, the boss 308' includes a plurality of bars 318' extending from adjacent the upper surface 304' to the tapered perimeter surface 320'. The bars are distributed substantially uniformly about the perimeter surface 316', in greater number than in the example shown in FIGS. 3-4, as the boss 308' omits the openings 328 and latch elements 324. The bars help to provide an

interference fit or frictional engagement with the adjacent surfaces of the corresponding opening 210, and help to limit lateral and axial movement between the wiping element and the mop head. The geometry of the securement device shown in FIG. 5 can be used in conjunction with a smaller wiping element and smaller mop head than the geometry shown in FIG. 3-4.

In another alternative configuration of a securement device, a

securement device 300" (FIG. 6) is substantially identical in structure and function to the securement device 300 except as described herein. In the present example, the boss 308" includes another form of laterally extending engagement surface, for example a perimeter or annular ring or ridge 350 extending circumferentially around the boss 308" and positioned on the boss so as to be slightly above or contacting an adjacent perimeter surface of the opening 210 in the mop head when the wiping element is installed on the mop head and the upper surface 302" comes into contact with an adjacent surface of the mop head. The perimeter or annular ring or ridge 350 is positioned in the illustrated example about half way up the side of the boss 308". The boss 308" can include, but omits in the present example, axial bars and latch elements and openings adjacent latch elements.

A wiping element assembly, for example a removable mopping element, that can be used on a mop head such as either of those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 include a wiping element (FIGS. 7-8) and one or more securement devices. In the illustrated examples, a wiping element assembly 400 includes a mopping or wiping material or wiping element 402 (FIG. 7) and, in the present example 2, securement elements 404. The wiping element 402 is a planar foam material cut in a rectangular configuration approximating the geometry of the mop head to which the assembly will be releasably attached. The foam material has a first surface for use against the surface to be wiped, and a second surface opposite the first, at least part of which will be used for being applied to the securement elements. The element 402 may be an absorbent, sponge, foam or fabric material, or similar. The securement elements 404 may be approximately the size of the wiping element 300' illustrated in FIG. 5, and are arranged on the foam to be mirror images of each other. The securement elements can, but need not, be otherwise identical to each other, and can have a configuration identical or similar to any of the configurations described herein. Each of the securement elements are secured to the adjacent surface of the foam as desired, such as by adhesive, glue, tape, welding, mechanical attachment or otherwise, over all or part of the surface area of the plate 302, 302' or 302", for example.

Similarly, a wiping element assembly 500 includes a wiping element 502, such as a foam material to conform to the mop head to which the assembly is to be releasably attached. Securement elements 504 may be approximately the size of the wiping element 300 or 300" illustrated in FIGS. 3-4 and 6 and are arranged on the foam to be mirror images of each other. The securement elements can, but need not, be otherwise identical to each other, and can have a configuration identical or similar to any of the configurations described herein. The securement elements are secured to the foam as desired, such as by adhesive, glue, tape, welding or otherwise, for example as described herein.

In use, a wiping element assembly, for example one illustrated in FIGS. 7-8, having securement devices such as any of those described herein, can be placed on a supporting surface, such as a floor, wall or other supporting surface, with the securement elements facing upward or otherwise accessible to a mop. A mop having a mop head, such as the mop head 102 or 200, is placed over the wiping element assembly so that openings in the mop head align with securement elements to which they correspond. The mop head is then pressed down over the wiping element assembly so that the projections on the securement devices extend into the respective openings. As the projections on the securement devices extend further into the openings, one or more surfaces begin to interfere, for example by frictional engagement or by latching or other means for limiting axial and/or lateral movement of the mop head relative to the wiping element assembly. Once the wiping element assembly is secured on the mop head, the mop is ready for use.

To remove the wiping element assembly, a tool or the user's foot or footwear can be used to apply a Force "F" (FIG. 2) to each boss 308, 308' or 308" successively to release the boss from its respective opening, allowing the wiping element assembly to separate from the mop head. Movement of a boss away from the mop head helps to disassociate any second securement element on the securement device from the mop head, for example by the weight of the wiping assembly, with or without the assistance of the user's foot or footwear or a tool. A new wiping element assembly can then be installed on the mop head for use. Having thus described several exemplary implementations, it will be apparent that various alterations and modifications can be made without departing from the concepts discussed herein. Such alterations and modifications, though not expressly described above, are nonetheless intended and implied to be within the spirit and scope of the inventions. Accordingly, the foregoing description is intended to be illustrative only.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED:

1 . A removable mopping element for securement onto a mop head having an opening in a surface of the mophead, the removable mopping element comprising:

a mopping material having a first surface configured for mopping a surface and a second surface configured for supporting a securement element; and

a releasable securement element fixed to the second surface, wherein the releasable securement element includes a boss extending away from the second surface, and wherein the boss of the releasable securement element is configured to have a geometry that is complementary to the opening in the surface of the mophead such that the boss limits movement of the mopping material in a direction parallel to the first surface.

2. The element of claim 1 wherein the mopping material is at least one of an absorbent, sponge, foam or fabric material.

3. The element of any of the preceding claims 1 -2 wherein the second surface is opposite the first surface.

4. The element of any of the preceding claims 1 -3 wherein the mopping material extends to a first perimeter and wherein the releasable securement element extends to a second perimeter within the first perimeter.

5. The element of claim 4 wherein the first and second perimeters are substantially rectangular.

6. The element of any of the preceding claims 1 -5 wherein the boss is substantially hollow.

7. The element of any of the preceding claims 1 -6 wherein the boss has a maximum lateral dimension and a maximum longitudinal dimension, where in the maximum longitudinal dimension is greater than the maximum lateral dimension.

8. The element of any of the preceding claims 1 -7 where the boss includes at least one laterally extending engagement surface.

9. The element of any of the preceding claims 1 -8 wherein the boss includes a lateral surface having at least one interference element configured to interfere with an opening in a surface of a mop head when the element and a mophead are together.

10. The element of claim 9 wherein the at least one interference element includes a flexible latch.

1 1 . The element of claim 9 wherein the at least one interference element includes at least one of a ridge, rib, or a ring.

12. The element of any of the preceding claims 1 -1 1 further including means for receiving and retaining a portion of a mopping material in the boss.

13. The element of claim 12 wherein the means for receiving and retaining include at least one of teeth, claws or trap.

14. The element of any of the preceding claims 1 -13 wherein the boss is substantially rigid.

15. The element of any of the preceding claims 1 -14 wherein the boss is formed from a plastic.

16. The element of any of the preceding claims 1 -15 wherein the boss is a first boss and wherein the releasable securement element includes a second boss extending away from the second surface.

17. The element of claim 16 wherein the first and second bosses are spaced apart from each other.

18. The element of any of the preceding claims 16-17 wherein the first and second bosses have different geometries.

19. The element of claim 18 wherein the first boss is cylindrical and the second boss is rectilinear.

20. The element of any of the preceding claims 16-17 wherein the first and second bosses are different sizes.

21 . A mop head assembly for use in mopping a surface and including a removable mopping element according to any of the preceding claims 1 -20 and further including at least one mop head element having an at least partly planar portion and an opening in the planar portion wherein part of the second surface contacts the planar portion and wherein the boss extends into the opening.

22. The assembly of claim 21 wherein the opening is circular.

23. The assembly of any of the preceding claims 21 -22 wherein the at least one mop head element includes a pivoting side, wherein the opening is a first opening and wherein the mop head element includes a second opening between the pivoting side and the first opening.

24. The assembly of claim 23 wherein the second opening is non- circular.

25. The assembly of any of the preceding claims 21 -24 wherein the at least one mop head element is a first mop head element and further including a second mop head element that is a substantial mirror image of the first mop head element, and wherein the removable mopping element includes a first releasable securement element for engaging the first mop head element and a second releasable securement element engaging the second mop head element.

26. The assembly of claim 25 wherein the first and second mop head elements are pivotable relative to each other.

27. The assembly of any of the preceding claims 25-26 wherein mopping material extends between the first and second releasable

securement elements.

28. A mop assembly having a mop handle and a mop head assembly according to any of the preceding claims 21 -27.

29. A method of assembling a wiping material onto a releasable securing element for use on a mopping assembly, the method comprising positioning onto a wiping material and securing to the wiping material a releasable securing element wherein the releasable securing element includes a first surface for contacting a portion of the wiping material and a second side opposite the first surface and a first boss extending away from the first surface and the second side to a top portion, and wherein the first boss has a perimeter surface extending between the second side and the top portion and wherein the perimeter surface includes a discontinuity in at least one of a longitudinal direction and a perimeter direction.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein securing to the wiping material includes securing to the wiping material the releasable securing element by at least one of the gluing, bonding, welding and mechanical attachment.

31 . The method of any of the preceding claims 29-30 wherein securing the releasable securing element to the wiping material includes securing the releasable securing element having the discontinuity in the form of a ring extending around a perimeter of the boss.

32. The method of any of the preceding claims 29-30 wherein securing the releasable securing element to the wiping material includes securing the releasable securing element having the discontinuity in the form of a ridge extending longitudinally along at least part of the perimeter surface of the boss.

33. The method of any of the preceding claims 29-32 wherein securing the releasable securing element to the wiping material includes securing the releasable securing element having a releasable latch on the boss.

34. The method of any of the preceding claims 29-33 wherein the releasable securing element includes a substantially planar surface around the boss having a substantially rectangular profile and forming the first surface and securing to the wiping material the substantially rectangular first surface.

35. The method of any of the preceding claims 29-34 wherein the releasable securing element includes a plurality of bosses extending away from the first surface and the second side, and securing to the wiping material the releasable securing element.

36. A method of securing a mopping element to a mophead of a mop, the method comprising aligning an opening on the mop head with a boss on the mopping element and applying a force to at least one of the mop head and the mopping element to position the boss in the opening.

37. The method of claim 36 further including aligning a plurality of openings with a respective plurality of bosses on the mopping element and engaging the openings with the respective bosses.

38. The method of any of the preceding claims 36-37 further including applying a force to at least one of the mop head and the mopping element to provide an interference fit between the opening and the boss.

39. The method of any of the preceding claims 36-38 wherein the boss includes a perimeter surface having discontinuities and engaging at least one discontinuity with the opening in the mop head.

40. The method of claim 39 wherein the perimeter surface includes at least one of a ring, land, post or latch and engaging the at least one of the ring, land, post or latch with the opening in the mop head.

41 . The method of any of the preceding claims 36-40 wherein the mopping element contacts a surface and applying a force includes applying the force to the mop head by pushing the mop head in the direction of the surface to position the boss in the opening.

42. The method of any of the preceding claims 36-41 further including applying a force to the boss and applying a second force to the mop to separate the mop from the boss.