Cleaning device

Abstract

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 are disclosed. Each cleaning head includes a lower surface arranged to contact a surface to be cleaned, a dirt collection chamber, and a pocket arranged to receive an insert of the connector to attach the cleaning head to the cleaning device. In some embodiments, the connector insert is pivotally connected to the connector. In some embodiments, the cleaning head includes a support structure and a cleaning sheet, with the pocket being formed between the support structure and the cleaning sheet.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a cleaning device having a vacuum source, a body with a handle, and a connector arranged to attach one or more cleaning heads to the cleaning device; and   a first cleaning head removably attachable to the cleaning device via the connector, the first cleaning head having:
 an upper side and a lower side, the lower side of the first cleaning head arranged to contact a surface to be cleaned, 
 a dirt collection chamber, and 
 a pocket arranged to receive an insert of the connector. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first cleaning head includes a support structure. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the first cleaning head includes a cleaning sheet. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the pocket is formed between the support structure and the cleaning sheet. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the support structure includes a flexible backing layer. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the flexible backing layer is attachable to the cleaning sheet at or near first and second lateral sides of the backing layer. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the dirt collection chamber is attached to the support structure. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the connector insert is pivotally attached to the connector. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the connector insert is pivotable between a first position and a second position. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein when the connector insert is in the second position, the cleaning head is held to the connector. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the connector includes one or more engagement elements arranged to lock the connector insert in the second position. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first cleaning head is arranged to hold a cleaning sheet on the lower side of the first cleaning head. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the cleaning sheet is permanently held to the lower side of the first cleaning head. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the connector includes a first engagement element and the first cleaning head includes a second engagement element arranged to engage with the first engagement element to connect the first cleaning head to the body of the cleaning device. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first cleaning head includes a suction nozzle. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a spray nozzle and a liquid reservoir arranged to supply liquid to the spray nozzle. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first cleaning head is disposable. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus comprising:
 a cleaning head configured to be removably attachable to a cleaning device, the cleaning head having an upper side and a lower side, the lower side of the cleaning head arranged to contact a surface, the cleaning head comprising:   a cleaning sheet arranged to contact the surface;   a flexible support structure;   a dirt collection chamber attached to the support structure; and   a pocket defined between the cleaning sheet and the support structure, the pocket arranged to receive at least a portion of the cleaning device, an opening of the pocket being positioned in the dirt collection chamber.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the support structure includes a flexible backing layer. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the backing layer is attachable to the cleaning sheet at or near first and second lateral sides of the backing layer. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the cleaning head includes a suction nozzle. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the suction nozzle is attached to at least one of the support structure and the cleaning sheet. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , further comprising a cleaning device, the cleaning device comprising: a vacuum source; a body with a handle; and a connector arranged to attach the cleaning head to the body. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the connector includes an insert arranged to be inserted into the pocket. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the connector insert is pivotable between a first position and a second position, wherein when the connector insert is in the second position the cleaning head is held to the connector. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the connector include one or more engagement elements arranged to lock the connector insert in the second position. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , 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. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the cleaning head is disposable. 
     
     
         29 . A method of using a cleaning device, the method comprising:
 providing a cleaning head, the cleaning head having a pocket into which the connector insert is insertable   providing a cleaning device comprising a vacuum source, a body that includes a handle, and a connector that includes an insert arranged to removably connect to the cleaning head;   inserting the insert of the connector of the cleaning device into the pocket of the cleaning head, the cleaning head including a cleaning sheet, a first suction nozzle, and a first dirt collection chamber;   connecting the cleaning head to the connector;   operating the device to move dirt through the first suction nozzle and into the dirt collection chamber;   removing the cleaning head from the connector; and   disposing of the cleaning head.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein inserting includes inserting the connector insert into the pocket defined between the cleaning sheet and a support structure. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the connector insert is pivotally connected to the connector. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising pivoting the connector insert between a first position and a second position, wherein the first cleaning head is held to the connector when the connecter insert is in the second position. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein connecting include engaging a first engagement element on the connector with a second engagement element on the first cleaning head. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein connecting includes locking the connector insert in the second position. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising:
 providing a second cleaning head having a second pocket and a second dirt collection chamber; and   inserting the connector insert into the second pocket of the second cleaning head.