Surface cleaning apparatus

Abstract

The present invention is concerned with a surface cleaning apparatus. The apparatus has substantially elongate and laterally extending head portion and a handle portion defining a longitudinal axis generally perpendicular to the head portion. The head portion includes opposite lateral ends, a first housing defining a first chamber and a rim forming an opening via which water from a surface to be cleaned enters the first chamber, a squeegee connected to the rim for directing the water via the opening to the first chamber, and guide means for guiding the water from the squeegee to the first chamber for initial containment, thus minimizing the water from dripping away from the apparatus in use, and the handle portion includes a second housing forming the handle portion and defining a second chamber for receiving and containing the water from the first chamber for subsequent containment.

1 . A surface cleaning apparatus comprising a substantially elongate and laterally extending head portion and a handle portion defining a longitudinal axis generally perpendicular to the head portion, wherein:
 the head portion includes:
 i. opposite lateral ends, 
 ii. a first housing defining a first chamber and a rim forming an opening via which water from a surface to be cleaned enters the first chamber, 
 iii. a squeegee connected to the rim for directing the water via the opening to the first chamber, and 
 iv. guide means for guiding the water from the squeegee to the first chamber for initial containment, thus minimizing the water from dripping away from the apparatus in use; and 
   the handle portion includes:
 a second housing forming the handle portion and defining a second chamber for receiving and containing the water from the first chamber for subsequent containment. 
   
     
     
         2 . A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the squeegee is in the form of a lip with a wider proximal end connected to the rim and a narrower distal end extending from the rim for engagement with a surface to be cleaned. 
     
     
         3 . A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the length of the head portion is longer than the wider end of the squeegee. 
     
     
         4 . A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first chamber is divided into at least a first zone, a second zone and a third zone, the first, second and third zones, depending on the orientation of the apparatus in use, acting as initial containment of water to different extent. 
     
     
         5 . A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in  claim 4 , comprising a first divider and a second divider in the first housing, the first housing and the first divider defining the first zone, and the first housing and the second divider defining the second zone. 
     
     
         6 . A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the guide means includes a first guide and a second guide arranged on opposite ends of the squeegee for directing water to the first zone and the third zone of the first chamber, respectively. 
     
     
         7 . A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the guide means includes one said first guide and one said second guide, the one said first guide and the one said second guide are in the form of edges raised from farthest opposite ends of the squeegee. 
     
     
         8 . A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the guide means includes one said first guide and one said second guide, the one said first guide and the one said second guide are in the form of ridges raised from distal opposite ends of the squeegee and adjacent farthest opposite ends of the squeegee. 
     
     
         9 . A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the ridges are arranged to point towards distal ends of the first divider and the second divider, respectively. 
     
     
         10 . A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the guide means includes a third guide arranged in mid-way of the squeegee, the third guide is in the form of a ridge raised from a center region of the squeegee and pointed towards the handle portion. 
     
     
         11 . A surface cleaning apparatus as clamed in  claim 1 , comprising a squeegee head from which the squeegee extends, wherein the squeegee head is fixedly fitted to the housing. 
     
     
         12 . A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the laterally extending head portion includes enlarged opposite ends bulged therefrom and defining the first and second zones of the first chamber. 
     
     
         13 . A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising a conduit defining a channel for diverting the water from the first chamber to the second chamber. 
     
     
         14 . A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the conduit extends from a neck of the apparatus to a distal end of the handle portion away from the head portion, connecting the head portion and the handle portion. 
     
     
         15 . A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the apparatus when assuming a vertical position and during a downwardly scraping operation is adapted to divert the water primarily to the third zone. 
     
     
         16 . A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the apparatus when assuming a horizontal position and during a sideway scraping operation is adapted to divert the water primarily to the first or second zone. 
     
     
         17 . A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the handle portion is removably attachable to the head portion, and wherein a front end of the handle portion when detached from the handle portion provided with an opening for allowing drainage the water contained in the handle portion. 
     
     
         18 . A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the handle portion is provided with an opening at a distal end away from the head portion and includes a removable closure member for closing the opening, opening of which allowing drainage the water contained in the handle portion. 
     
     
         19 . A surface cleaning apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising a valve system for preventing backflow of the water from the second chamber to the first chamber. 
     
     
         20 . A surface cleaning apparatus comprising a substantially elongate and laterally extending head portion and a handle portion, wherein:
 the head portion includes:
 i. opposite lateral ends, 
 ii. a first housing defining a first chamber and a rim forming an opening via which water from a surface to be cleaned enters the first chamber, 
 iii. a squeegee connected to the rim for directing the water via the opening to the first chamber, and 
 iv. a plurality of guide members in the form of raised edges or ridges on the squeegee, and 
 v. a plurality of dividers formed in the head portion and extending from a lower part to an upper part across the head portion; 
   the guide members are in a form to guide the water from the squeegee to the first chamber for initial containment, thus minimizing the water from dripping away from the apparatus in use;   the guide members and the dividers together define paths for channeling flow of water engaged with the squeegee in a cleaning operation, and in use specific water flow paths depending on the orientation of the apparatus; and   the handle portion includes a second housing forming the handle portion and defining a second chamber for receiving and containing the water from the first chamber for subsequent containment.