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US-20260123812-A1 - MODULAR SPRAY MOP WITH SPRAY BOTTLE

US20260123812A1US 20260123812 A1US20260123812 A1US 20260123812A1US-20260123812-A1

Abstract

A cleaning system has an elongate handle member extending from a top handle to a cleaning implement, and a housing formed on the elongate handle member between the top handle and the cleaning implement. The housing includes a bottle cavity having a connecting surface for engaging a spray bottle, and a detachment mechanism for disengaging the connecting surface from the spray bottle, enabling the spray bottle to be used independently as a handheld sprayer. The spray bottle has a liquid storage compartment, a spray pump mechanism, and a valve for transferring liquid from the liquid storage compartment to the cleaning implement.

Inventors

  • Jay K. Sim

Assignees

  • Jay K. Sim

Dates

Publication Date
20260507
Application Date
20251103

Claims (10)

  1. 1 . A cleaning system comprising: an elongate handle member extending from a top handle to a cleaning implement; a housing formed on the elongate handle member between the top handle and the cleaning implement, the housing including a bottle cavity having a connecting surface for engaging a spray bottle; a detachment mechanism for disengaging the connecting surface from the spray bottle, enabling the spray bottle to be used independently; wherein the spray bottle comprises a liquid storage compartment, a spray pump mechanism, and a valve for transferring liquid from the liquid storage compartment to the cleaning implement; and wherein the spray pump mechanism includes a pump actuator lever that operatively controls a pump for spraying liquid from a spray outlet.
  2. 2 . The cleaning system of claim 1 , wherein the detachment mechanism is a release lever that allows for quick detachment of the spray bottle.
  3. 3 . The cleaning system of claim 1 , wherein the spray pump mechanism is attached to an elongate stem tube.
  4. 4 . The cleaning system of claim 1 , wherein the spray bottle includes a refill cartridge for injecting cleaning product into the liquid storage compartment.
  5. 5 . The cleaning system of claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a nozzle cover that prevents accidental spraying when pivoted to cover the spray outlet.
  6. 6 . The cleaning system of claim 1 , wherein the valve is tubular in construction and adapted for engagement with the connecting surface of the mop.
  7. 7 . The cleaning system of claim 1 , further comprising: a two-part quick-connect coupling having a first coupling member in the spray bottle and a second coupling member in the mop, each defining a respective internal passageway; wherein the passageways are in fluid communication when the coupling members are engaged, permitting fluid flow therethrough; and wherein each coupling member includes an internal self-sealing valve that automatically closes when the coupling members are disengaged, thereby preventing leakage or backflow.
  8. 8 . A spray bottle for use with a mop, the spray bottle comprising: a liquid storage compartment defined by an upwardly extending sidewall extending from a base to a neck; a spray pump mechanism attached to the neck, the spray pump mechanism including an elongate stem tube extending into the liquid storage compartment; and a valve located at the base for engaging with the mop, facilitating the transfer of liquid from the liquid storage compartment to the mop.
  9. 9 . The spray bottle of claim 8 , wherein the base includes a downwardly extending wall with a front opening and a back opening, adapted for engagement with the connecting surface of the mop.
  10. 10 . The spray bottle of claim 8 , wherein the spray pump mechanism is removably attached to the neck via a threaded engagement.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application for a utility patent claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/715,801, filed Nov. 4, 2024. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to surface cleaning devices, and more particularly to a modular spray mop system that utilizes a detachable spray bottle. Description of Related Art Conventional spray mops, such as those marketed by BONA® and similar systems, employ a liquid reservoir mounted on the handle for supplying fluid to a cleaning head of the mop. While the liquid reservoir is functional for standard mop use, such reservoirs don't include a spray mechanism that enable them to be easily removed for separate use as handheld sprayers. Consequently, users must maintain a separate cleaning product for spraying on other surfaces, such as tables and counter tops. There exists a need for a cleaning system that provides a bottle having a pump spray mechanism on a reservoir of liquid, so that the detachable reservoir may be used independently as a spray cleaner, for cleaning, for example, kitchen counters, tables, etc. There is also a need for such as mop that includes an automatic sealing valve to prevent leakage during detachment, and re-establishes fluid communication automatically when reattached to the mop. Such a combination enables a user to quickly and easily detach, use, and re-attach the spray cleaner, so that a used does not have to carry a separate cleaning sprayer. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides further advantages as described in the following summary. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention teaches certain benefits in construction and use which give rise to the objectives described below. The present invention provides a cleaning system comprising an elongate handle member extending from a top handle to a cleaning implement, and a housing formed on the elongate handle member between the top handle and the cleaning implement. The housing includes a bottle cavity having a connecting surface for engaging a spray bottle, and a detachment mechanism for disengaging the connecting surface from the spray bottle, enabling the spray bottle to be used independently as a handheld sprayer. The spray bottle comprises a liquid storage compartment, a spray pump mechanism, and a valve for transferring liquid from the liquid storage compartment to the cleaning implement. A primary objective of the present invention is to provide a cleaning system having advantages not taught by the prior art. Another objective is to provide a cleaning system that includes a bottle of cleaning fluid having a pump spray mechanism, so that the detachable bottle may be used independently as a spray cleaner Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings illustrate the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cleaning system according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a side elevation sectional view of a spray bottle of the cleaning system; FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a bottom portion of the spray bottle; FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the bottom portion of the spray bottle; FIG. 5 illustrates a refill cartridge being inserted into the spray bottle; FIG. 6 is an up-close perspective view of a housing of the cleaning system; FIG. 7 is a perspective view thereof, showing a nozzle cover of the housing in an open configuration; FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view thereof; FIG. 9 is an up-close sectional view of a release mechanism of the housing; FIG. 10 is an up-close sectional view of a valve of the spray bottle; FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a pump system of the cleaning system; FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a locking mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention and showing the locking mechanism in a locked position; and FIG. 13 is a side elevation view thereof, showing the locking mechanism in an unlocked position to allow the spray bottle to be removed from the housing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The above-described drawing figures illustrate the invention, a cleaning system for cleaning surfaces having a detachable spray bottle that functions both as a liquid reservoir for a mop and as an independent handheld sprayer. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cleaning system 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the cleaning system 10 comprises a mop 20 and a detachable spray bottle 40, each described in detail below. The combination mop with spray bottle 10 is adapted to contain a liquid cleaning product 38 in the spray bottle 40, and this liquid cleaning product 38 may be sprayed from the mop 20 for cleaning the