Cleaning tool assembly with a disposable cleaning implement

Abstract

A cleaning assembly including a disposable cleaning implement having a cleaning element mounted to a fitment having an elongated post. The cleaning assembly includes an elongated maneuvering wand having a handle portion and a distal implement attachment end thereof. A gripping mechanism is coupled to the wand attachment end, and is configured to releasably grip the fitment post to mount the cleaning implement. The gripping mechanism and the maneuvering wand cooperate to substantially limited pivotal movement of a longitudinal axis of the fitment post, relative a longitudinal axis of the gripping mechanism to not more than about 0 degrees to about 25 degrees when the fitment post is subjected to forces radial to the longitudinal axis of the fitment post. In another aspect, the frictional drag between the sliding components is significantly reduced, enabling a tool assembly with a high axial holding force for the cleaning implement, but with a significantly lower, consumer friendly release force for the implement during release operation of the tool assembly.

1 - 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A cleaning tool assembly comprising:
 a removably mounted cleaning implement, said cleaning implement comprising materials selected from the group consisting of: polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester and polyamide and combinations or mixtures thereof;   an elongated maneuvering wand having a handle portion and a distal implement attachment end thereof, said attachment end defining a wand opening into a cavity of said wand;   a gripping mechanism disposed in said cavity in a gripping position, said gripping mechanism is configured to removably couple said cleaning implement to said wand;   a release device including a manual actuation device mounted to the handle portion, and adapted for manual movement between a disengaged condition and an engaged condition, slideably engaging the gripping mechanism toward the release position;   an axially reciprocating pushrod extending through said cavity and coupled to the release device and coupled to the gripping mechanism; and   one or more support bearings positioned in said cavity to support the pushrod.   
     
     
         27 . The cleaning tool assembly according to  claim 26 , wherein said gripping mechanism is substantially co-axially aligned with a longitudinal axis of said wand opening. 
     
     
         28 . The cleaning tool assembly according to  claim 26 , wherein said cleaning element is impregnated with a cleaning composition. 
     
     
         29 . The cleaning tool assembly according to  claim 26 , wherein said cleaning element has rounded edges. 
     
     
         30 . The cleaning tool assembly according to  claim 26 , wherein said manual actuation device comprises a slide switch. 
     
     
         31 . The cleaning tool assembly according to  claim 30 , wherein said slide switch is coupled to said pushrod inside of said cavity of the wand. 
     
     
         32 . The cleaning tool assembly according to  claim 26 , wherein said cleaning element comprises a skrim. 
     
     
         32 . The cleaning tool assembly according to  claim 26 , wherein said cleaning element comprises a sponge material. 
     
     
         33 . The cleaning tool assembly according to  claim 26 , wherein said wand is comprised of two half-shell members which are fastened together. 
     
     
         34 . The cleaning tool assembly according to  claim 33 , wherein said two half-shell members are comprised of an injection molded plastic polymer. 
     
     
         35 . The cleaning tool assembly according to  claim 30 , wherein said wand is impervious to liquid. 
     
     
         36 . A cleaning tool assembly comprising:
 a removably mounted cleaning implement, said cleaning implement impregnated with a cleaning composition and comprising materials selected from the group consisting of: polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester and polyamide and combinations or mixtures thereof;   an elongated maneuvering wand, wherein said wand has a handle portion and a distal implement attachment end thereof, said attachment end defining a wand opening into a cavity of said wand;   a gripping mechanism disposed in said cavity in a gripping position, said gripping mechanism is configured to removably couple said cleaning implement to said wand; and   a release device including a manual actuation device mounted to the handle portion, and adapted for manual movement between a disengaged condition and an engaged condition, slideably engaging the gripping mechanism toward the release position; and
 an axially reciprocating pushrod extending through said cavity and coupled to the release device and coupled to the gripping mechanism; and 
   one or more support bearings positioned in said wand cavity to support the pushrod.   
     
     
         37 . The cleaning tool assembly according to  claim 36 , wherein said gripping mechanism is substantially co-axially aligned with a longitudinal axis of said wand opening. 
     
     
         38 . The cleaning tool assembly according to  claim 36 , wherein said cleaning element is cylindrically shaped. 
     
     
         39 . The cleaning tool assembly according to  claim 36 , wherein said manual actuation device comprises a slide switch. 
     
     
         40 . The cleaning tool assembly according to  claim 36 , wherein said cleaning element comprises a fitment. 
     
     
         41 . The cleaning tool assembly according to  claim 36 , wherein said cleaning element comprises a skrim. 
     
     
         42 . The cleaning tool assembly according to  claim 40 , wherein said fitment comprises a material selected from the group consisting of: polyethylene, polypropylene or a like elastomeric material. 
     
     
         43 . The cleaning tool assembly according to  claim 40 , wherein said fitment comprises one or more barb shapes. 
     
     
         44 . The cleaning tool assembly according to  claim 36 , wherein said wand is impervious to liquid. 
     
     
         45 . A cleaning tool assembly comprising:
 a removably mounted cleaning implement, said cleaning implement including a cleaning element comprising an absorbent material impregnated with a cleaning composition wherein said absorbent material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of: polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester and polyamide and combinations or mixtures thereof;   an elongated maneuvering wand wherein said wand has a handle portion and a distal implement attachment end thereof, said attachment end defining a wand opening into a cavity of said wand;   a gripping mechanism disposed in said cavity in a gripping position said gripping mechanism is configured to removably connect said cleaning implement to said wand; and   a release device including a slide switch mounted to the handle portion, and adapted for manual movement between a disengaged condition and an engaged condition, slideably engaging the gripping mechanism toward the release position.   
     
     
         46 . The cleaning tool assembly according to  claim 45 , wherein said release device further includes:
 a pushrod extending through said cavity from the handle portion to the attachment end thereof, a distal end thereof being mounted to the gripping mechanism, and an opposite proximal end thereof being mounted to the slide switch for translation of movement therefrom to the gripping mechanism; and   or more support bearings positioned in said wand cavity to support the pushrod.