Cleaning device
View Patent ↗Methods and apparatus for cleaning a surface with a cleaning device having a body with a handle, a connector, and one or more cleaning heads that are removably attached to the cleaning device. Each cleaning head include a lower surface arranged to contact a surface to be cleaned and a dirt collection chamber permanently attached to the cleaning head. The cleaning head may include a support structure to support the dirt collection chamber and a cleaning sheet. The cleaning head also may include a suction nozzle. At least a portion of the dirt collection chamber may be made of a filter material.
1. An apparatus having a cleaning head arranged to be removably attachable to a cleaning device, the apparatus comprising:
the cleaning head having an upper side and a lower side, and a suction inlet, the lower side of the cleaning head arranged to contact a surface to be cleaned; and
a dirt collection chamber permanently attached to the cleaning head and arranged to receive dirt from the suction inlet;
wherein the dirt collection chamber is not openable by a user to dispose of dirt in the dirt collection chamber without damaging the dirt collection chamber;
wherein the dirt collection chamber protrudes from the upper side of the cleaning head; and
wherein the dirt collection chamber is formed at least partially by an air filter.
2. An apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein the cleaning head is arranged to hold a cleaning sheet on the lower side of the cleaning head.
3. An apparatus as in claim 2 , further comprising a cleaning sheet held to the lower side of the cleaning head.
4. An apparatus as in claim 3 , wherein the cleaning sheet is permanently held to the lower side of the cleaning head.
5. An apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein the dirt collection chamber is positioned on the upper side of the cleaning head.
6. An apparatus as in claim 5 , wherein the dirt collection chamber is heat sealed to the cleaning head.
7. An apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein the cleaning head further comprises an airflow conduit arranged to transfer debris from the suction inlet to the dirt collection chamber.
8. An apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein the suction inlet comprises a suction nozzle extending laterally at a front portion of the cleaning head.
9. An apparatus as in claim 8 , wherein the suction nozzle is integrally formed with the cleaning head.
10. An apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein the cleaning head has a support structure formed at least in part by thermoformed plastic.
11. An apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein the cleaning device comprises:
a vacuum source;
a body with a handle; and
a connector arranged to attach the cleaning head to the body.
12. An apparatus as in claim 11 , wherein the connector includes a first engagement element and the cleaning head includes a second engagement member arranged to engage with the first engagement element to connect the cleaning head to the body of the cleaning device.
13. An apparatus as in claim 11 , further comprising a spray nozzle and a liquid reservoir arranged to supply liquid to the spray nozzle.
14. An apparatus having a cleaning head arranged to be removably attachable to a cleaning device, the apparatus comprising:
the head having an upper side and a lower side, the lower side arranged to contact a surface to be cleaned, and a suction inlet; and
a dirt collection chamber attached to the head, and arranged to receive dirt from the suction inlet, the dirt collection chamber having a top wall and one or more side walls, wherein at least a portion of the one or more side walls is formed of an air filter;
wherein the dirt collection chamber is permanently attached to the head.
15. An apparatus as in claim 14 , wherein the dirt collection chamber is not openable by a user to dispose of dirt in the dirt collection chamber without damaging the dirt collection chamber.
16. An apparatus as in claim 14 , wherein the dirt collection chamber is not openable by a user to dispose of dirt in the dirt collection chamber without damaging the dirt collection chamber.
17. An apparatus as in claim 14 , wherein the head comprises a cleaning head, and the suction inlet includes a suction nozzle.
18. An apparatus as in claim 17 , wherein the cleaning head further comprises a support for a cleaning sheet.
19. An apparatus as in claim 18 , further comprising a cleaning sheet attached to the support.
20. An apparatus as in claim 17 , wherein the cleaning device comprises:
a vacuum source;
a body with a handle; and
a connector arranged to attach the cleaning head to the body.
21. An apparatus as in claim 20 , wherein the connector includes a first engagement element and the cleaning head includes a second engagement element arranged to engage with the first engagement element to connect the cleaning head to the body of the cleaning device.
22. An apparatus as in claim 20 , further comprising a spray nozzle and a liquid reservoir arranged to supply liquid to the spray nozzle.
23. An apparatus as in claim 20 , wherein the connector is pivotally attached to the cleaning device.
24. An apparatus as in claim 14 , wherein the cleaning device comprises:
a vacuum source;
a body with a handle; and
a cleaning head wherein the head is removably attachable to the cleaning head.
25. An apparatus as in claim 14 , wherein the upper surface includes one or more recessed areas arranged to receive an engagement element.
26. An apparatus having a cleaning head arranged to be removably attachable to a cleaning device, the apparatus comprising:
the cleaning head having an upper side and a lower side, the lower side of the cleaning head arranged to contact a surface to be cleaned; and
a dirt collection chamber permanently attached to the cleaning head and arranged to receive dirt from a suction inlet through an air inlet opening;
wherein the dirt collection chamber has no opening other than the air inlet opening;
wherein the dirt collection chamber protrudes from the upper side of the cleaning head; and
wherein the dirt collection chamber is formed at least partially by an air filter.
27. An apparatus as in claim 26 , wherein the cleaning head is arranged to hold a cleaning sheet on the lower side of the cleaning head.
28. An apparatus as in claim 27 , further comprising a cleaning sheet held to the lower side of the cleaning head.
29. An apparatus as in claim 28 , wherein the cleaning sheet is permanently held to the lower side of the cleaning head.
30. An apparatus as in claim 26 , wherein the dirt collection chamber is positioned on the upper side of the cleaning head.
31. An apparatus as in claim 30 , wherein the dirt collection chamber is heat sealed to the cleaning head.
32. An apparatus as in claim 26 , wherein the suction inlet comprises a suction nozzle extending laterally at a front portion of the cleaning head.
33. An apparatus as in claim 32 , wherein the suction nozzle is integrally formed with the cleaning head.
34. An apparatus as in claim 26 , wherein the cleaning head has a support structure formed at least in part by thermoformed plastic.
35. An apparatus as in claim 26 , wherein the cleaning device comprises:
a vacuum source;
a body with a handle; and
a connector arranged to attach the cleaning head to the body.
36. An apparatus as in claim 35 , wherein the connector includes a first engagement element and the cleaning head includes a second engagement member arranged to engage with the first engagement element to connect the cleaning head to the body of the cleaning device.
37. An apparatus as in claim 35 , further comprising a spray nozzle and a liquid reservoir arranged to supply liquid to the spray nozzle.