Absorbent pad for a broom or mop

Abstract

An absorbent pad for attachment to a handle assembly of a floor brush, broom or mop comprises a floor-engaging surface of an absorbent material, there being provided channels extending from the leading edge of the pad toward the rear edge but terminating in the bulk of the absorbent pad. The implement is useful for collecting liquid spills while avoiding a snowplow effect on the liquid.

1 . An absorbent pad for attachment to a handle assembly of a floor brush, broom or mop, the absorbent pad comprising:
 opposing first and second surfaces, wherein the first and second surfaces are defined, at least in part, by a front edge and a rear edge, wherein the front edge comes into contact with liquid during operation of the brush, broom or mop;   wherein the first surface comprises one or more channels, the channels extending from the front edge towards the rear edge and terminating before said rear edge; and   wherein the second surface is adapted to detachably attach to the handle assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The absorbent pad of  claim 1 , wherein the first surface comprises a fibrous absorbent material and the one or more channels are formed by compressing portions of the fibrous material. 
     
     
         3 . The absorbent pad of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more channels are formed by stitching said fibrous absorbent material. 
     
     
         4 . The absorbent pad of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more channels extend substantially perpendicularly to the front edge. 
     
     
         5 . The absorbent pad of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more channels extend approximately halfway between the front edge and the rear edge. 
     
     
         6 . The absorbent pad of  claim 1 , wherein a width of at least one of the one or more channels is the greatest at the front edge. 
     
     
         7 . The absorbent pad of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one of the one or more channels is tapered. 
     
     
         8 . A floor brush, broom or mop comprising:
 an elongated handle;   a handle assembly connected to the handle; and   an absorbent pad removably attached the handle assembly, the absorbent pad comprising:
 opposing first and second surfaces, wherein the first and second surfaces are defined, at least in part, by a front edge and a rear edge, wherein the front edge comes into contact with liquid during operation of the brush, broom or mop; and, 
 wherein the first surface comprises one or more channels, the channels extending from the front edge towards the rear edge and terminating before said rear edge; and 
   wherein the second surface is detachably attachable to the handle assembly.   
     
     
         9 . The brush, broom or mop of  claim 8 , wherein the second surface is attached to the handle assembly using hook-and-loop fasteners.