Cleaning implement

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mop, preferably suitable for use with a removable cleaning substrate, comprising a mop head and a handle consisting of several interconnectable segment, said segment comprising one tapered end which is suitable for engagement with the non-tapered end of another segment, characterized in that the tapered end also comprises a first and second section.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A cleaning implement compising: 
 a mop head; and    a handle, said handle comprising a first interconnectable segment, said first segment comprising a tapered end, and a second interconnectable segment, said second segment comprising a non-tapered end, wherein said tapered end of said first segment engages said non-tapered end of said second segment, wherein said tapered end of said first segment comprises a first and second section of tapering, each of said sections of tapering having an angle of tapering wherein the angle of tapering of said first section is greater than the angle of tapering of said second section.    
     
     
         2 . A cleaning implement according to  claim 1  wherein the interior surface of said non-tapered end is shaped to correspond to the shape of the exterior tapered surface of said tapered end.  
     
     
         3 . A cleaning implement according to  claim 2  wherein the force required to separate said two segments is greater than 20 kgf.  
     
     
         4 . A cleaning implement according to  claim 3  wherein the force required to separate said two segments is greater than 60 kgf.  
     
     
         5 . A cleaning implement according to  claim 1  wherein said first section is tapered at an angle of at least about 2°.  
     
     
         6 . A cleaning implement according to  claim 5  wherein said first section is tapered at an angle of from about 2° to about 20° 
     
     
         7 . A cleaning implement according to  claim 1  wherein said second section is tapered at an angle of from about 0.5° and about 5°.  
     
     
         8 . A cleaning implement according to  claim 7  wherein the second section is tapered at an angle comprised of from about 0.5° and about 3°.  
     
     
         9 . A cleaning implement according to  claim 5  wherein the transition between the non-tapered area of said first segment and the first section of tapering and/or the transition between the first and second sections of tapering is substantially curved.  
     
     
         10 . A cleaning implement according to  claim 1  wherein said first and said second segment, overlap by a length comprised between about 0.5 to 5.0 times the diameter of said non-tapered end.  
     
     
         11 . A cleaning implement according to  claim 10  wherein said first and said second segment, overlap by a length comprised between about 1.0 to 2.0 times the diameter of said non-tapered end.  
     
     
         12 . A cleaning implement according to  claim 1  wherein said handle comprises at least 3 segments.  
     
     
         13 . A cleaning implement according to  claim 1  wherein said first and second segments are hollow.  
     
     
         14 . A cleaning implement according to  claim 13  wherein the shape of the cross section of the segments is selected from the group consisting of circular, oval, curvilinear, star, flower, polygonal, and wherein at least one edge is flat or substantially flat and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         15 . A cleaning implement according to  claim 14  wherein one of the segments comprises a hand grip.  
     
     
         16 . A cleaning implement according to  claim 1  wherein at least one of said first and second segment further comprises a threadedly interconnectable end, being either a threaded end or an end capable of receiving a threaded end.  
     
     
         17 . A cleaning implement according to  claim 1  wherein said handle is rotatably connected to said mop head with a pivotable universal joint.  
     
     
         18 . A cleaning implement according to  claim 1  wherein said at least first and second segments are made from metal.  
     
     
         19 . A cleaning implement according to  claim 17  wherein said mop head comprises at least one attachment structure for receiving and retaining a cleaning substrate.  
     
     
         20 . A cleaning implement according to  claim 1  further comprising a cleaning substrate attached to said mop head.  
     
     
         21 . A cleaning implement according to  claim 20  wherein said substrate is loaded with a cleaning lotion.  
     
     
         22 . A method of assembling a cleaning implement, said method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a cleaning implement a mop head; and    a handle, said handle a first interconnectable segment, said first segment comprising a tapered end, and a second interconnectable segment, said second segment comprising a non-tapered end, wherein said tapered end of said first segment is capable of engaging said non-tapered end of said second segment, wherein said tapered end of said first segment comprises a first and second section of tapering, each of said sections of tapering having an angle of tapering wherein the angle of tapering of said first section is greater than the angle of tapering of said second section engaging said tapered end of said first segment into said non-tapered end of said second segment such that said first and said second segment are interconnected,    
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22  further comprising the step of taping said mop head on a hard surface such that said at least first and second segments are attached.