US20080222826A1

US20080222826A1 - Cleaning Appliance With a Cleaning Sponge For Floors, Walls and/or Windows

Info

Publication number: US20080222826A1
Application number: US12/089,491
Authority: US
Inventors: Phu-Dennis Tran; Paul Michael Lesley
Original assignee: Carl Freudenberg KG
Current assignee: Carl Freudenberg KG
Priority date: 2005-10-07
Filing date: 2006-09-20
Publication date: 2008-09-18
Also published as: GB2445139B; GB0807897D0; WO2007042128A1; DE102005048480A1; CA2625331A1; GB2445139A; CN101282675A

Abstract

A cleaning device is provided including a support body (1), which is connected to a cleaning sponge (2). The support body (1) has at least two needle-shaped projections (3.1, 3.2, . . . , 3 .n) on the side facing the cleaning sponge (2), with these projections being arranged in only one common recess (4) of the cleaning sponge (2).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a cleaning device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cleaning devices are generally known and include, for example, a support body, which is connected to a cleaning sponge. The cleaning sponge is made, for example, from PU foam with constant density and has a rectangular block shape.
Due to the constant density within the entire cleaning sponge and the rectangular block-shaped construction, the contact pressure force, which is applied by the user by means of the cleaning device onto the surface to be cleaned, is essentially equal over the entire cleaning surface of the cleaning sponge.
Stronger contaminants on the surface to be cleaned must be removed through frequent back-and-forth washing and greatly increased force by the user on the cleaning sponge.
This type of cleaning cart is known from WO 95/00062 A1.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is based on the problem of developing a cleaning device of the type named above in such a way that thicker contaminants partially on the surface to be cleaned can be easily removed quickly and/or through less expenditure of force by the user and that the cleaning device can be manufactured easily and economically.
For solving the problem, a cleaning device is provided comprising a support body, which is connected to a cleaning sponge, wherein the support body has, on the side facing the cleaning sponge, at least two needle-shaped projections, which are arranged in a common recess of the cleaning sponge. Here it is advantageous that the projections facing the surface to be cleaned each has a smaller distance from the surface to be cleaned than the adjacent areas of the support body; in other words, the height of the cleaning sponge between the surface to be cleaned and the projection is smaller than the height of the cleaning sponge in the areas adjacent to the recess.
If thick contaminants are to be removed from the surface to be cleaned by the cleaning device according to the invention, this is possible relatively easily in such a way that the user has to apply only a slightly increased expenditure of pressure by means of the support body and the cleaning sponge on the surface to be cleaned. Because the height of the cleaning sponge between the surface to be cleaned and the end of the projections facing the surface to be cleaned is smaller than the total height of the cleaning sponge, a somewhat higher expenditure of force is sufficient in order to be able to apply in the region of the projections/the recess a specific, higher surface area pressure on the surface to be cleaned, wherein this specific, higher surface area pressure acts in the area of the projections/the recess, in such a way that even thick contaminants can be removed from the surface to be cleaned without a problem.
Preferably, all of the projections have a matching height or matching construction. In terms of manufacturing, the cleaning device can be manufactured easily and economically.
The projections can have a height corresponding to the height of the recess. Through such a construction, the end of the projections facing the cleaning sponge lies directly on the base of the recess of the cleaning sponge, for example, under low elastic biasing. When a contaminated surface is cleaned, the increase in contact pressure force is transmitted by the user directly and indirectly onto the surface to be cleaned. Projections and recesses with heights that differ from each other are also conceivable as a function of the corresponding conditions of the application.
The recess can be essentially square viewed in the top view onto the cleaning sponge. A good size for many applications for the recess is approximately 4×4 in. Alternatively, the recess can be rectangular or round viewed in the top view onto the cleaning sponge. The size of the recess is dimensioned in such a way that the specific surface area pressure, with which the projections and the cleaning sponge are pressed in this region onto the surface to be cleaned, is sufficiently large, in order to also remove thicker contaminants from the surface to be cleaned with a normal expenditure of force. Recesses, which have a different form in the top view, for example, rectangular or round, can also be advantageous for special applications.
The recess can be enclosed by a closed edge running on the outside periphery. Here it is advantageous that the projections are also enclosed by the edge on the peripheral side. Therefore, during ordinary use, the projections do not come directly in contact with surfaces to be cleaned and/or with sensitive baseboards.
The recess can have a trough-shape construction viewed in the longitudinal section of the cleaning sponge. The production of a trough-shaped recess can be performed economically, because sharp-edged boundaries of the recess, which are expensive in terms of production but which are unnecessary for the function, are avoided.
In contrast to the closed edge of the recess running on the periphery as described above, the recess can be open on the longitudinal sides of the cleaning sponge viewed in the cross section of the cleaning sponge. A sponge-like plate-shaped semifinished product can be processed by a milling or planing tool in such a way that this subsequently has recesses over the entire length, with these recesses being open in the processing direction. Subsequent to the production of the recess, the semifinished product is finished. This takes place in that ready-to-use cleaning sponges are cut out from the semifinished product, so that a ready-to-use cleaning sponge is created. For most applications, it is not a disadvantage if the recess is open in the region of the longitudinal sides of the cleaning sponge; the production, however, is essentially simplified and significantly more economical by such a construction.
The ratio of the length of the cleaning sponge to the length of the recess is preferably 3:1. Such a ratio is advantageous for the handling of a cleaning device and the function. If the ratio were smaller, the cleaning surface of the cleaning sponge under the recess would be too large relative to the total cleaning surface of the cleaning sponge and the user could exert only an inadequate contact pressure force on the surface to be cleaned.
In contrast, if the ratio were larger, the small cleaning surface in the region of the recess would have to be wiped back and forth frequently for cleaning thickly contaminated areas, which would be disadvantageous with respect to good efficiency in cleaning the surface to be cleaned.
The cleaning sponge and the recess are preferably symmetric to an imaginary plane cutting transversely through the cleaning sponge at half the length. The symmetry promotes simple handling of the cleaning device, because the properties for using the cleaning device can be easily guessed by the user due to its symmetry.
The ratio from the height of the recess to the height of the cleaning sponge preferably equals 0.3 to 0.95.
If the ratio from the height of the recess to the height of the cleaning sponge is close to 1, this means that the remaining height of the cleaning sponge between the cleaning surface of the cleaning sponge and the end of the projections is still very small. Indeed, it is advantageous that in this way, the force of the user can be applied nearly directly and without losses onto the surface to be cleaned, but is disadvantageous in that the cleaning sponge in the region of its very small height is exposed to high mechanical loading, therefore it wears relatively quickly, and, in the case of damage to the cleaning sponge in the area of the projections, there is the risk that the surface to be cleaned will be damaged.
For example, if the ratio equals 1, the cleaning sponge has, on the side facing the surface to be cleaned, a cleaning cloth, preferably made from microfiber, wherein the projections then act directly on the cleaning cloth when pressure is applied on the cleaning sponge.
For most applications, it has proven to be advantageous when the ratio from the height of the recess to the height of the cleaning sponge equals 0.5 to 0.75. For such a configuration, a very good compromise is given between the increased cleaning performance in the region of the projections on the one hand and the durability of the cleaning sponge in this region on the other hand.
The recess is arranged in only one subregion of the cleaning sponge and the subregion forms a power zone with increased cleaning performance relative to the area of the cleaning sponge adjacent to the subregion. Here it is advantageous that the force of the user is applied onto the smaller subregion relative to the entire cleaning surface and therefore a specific, high force acts on the surface to be cleaned. Thicker contaminants can by removed easily with low expenditure of force. In addition, such a configuration has the advantage that in the areas adjacent to the subregion, the full height of the cleaning sponge and thus a large volume is available as a reservoir for the cleaning fluid.
The cleaning sponge can be made from polyurethane (PU). Here, it is advantageous that the cleaning sponge also has good durability under strong, mechanical loading.
According to another configuration, there is the possibility that the cleaning sponge is made from polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). Instead of this, the cleaning sponge can also be made from cellulose, for example.
Both PVA and also cellulose have the advantage relative to cleaning sponges made from PU that they can receive and store larger amounts of cleaning fluid and that the cleaning performance is improved relative to cleaning sponges made from PU.
The cleaning sponges are made, for example, completely from cellulose or completely from polyurethane.
For this single material configuration of the sponge, however, it is disadvantageous especially when the cleaning sponge is used in connection with squeeze mops in such a way that a cleaning sponge made from cellulose is flexible in an indestructible way in the dry state only with difficulty or not at all and that sponges made from polyurethane can have only a relatively low cleaning performance and therefore contaminants cannot be received especially easily.
For preventing the mentioned disadvantages, it is provided that the cleaning sponge has at least two cleaning subsponges, each with a cleaning surface, wherein the cleaning subsponges are made from different materials and are arranged next to each other and also connected to each other, with the first cleaning subsponge having greater flexibility than the second, each in the dry state.
Through such a configuration, it is advantageous that the cleaning sponge can be adapted well to the corresponding conditions of the application and is easy to handle together with a squeeze mop. The squeeze mop can then also be easily operated when the cleaning body is dry or essentially dry, without the cleaning sponge having been damaged or destroyed.
Therefore, because the cleaning sponge is individualized in terms of function, the cleaning subsponges are constructed such that they are each suitable especially well to the solution of the stated subproblems.
The cleaning sponge has especially good flexibility in the region of the first cleaning subsponge, so that can be used well also in connection with a squeeze mop, and the squeeze mop can also be operated without a problem in the dry state of the cleaning sponge, without the cleaning sponge becoming damaged or destroyed.
The material of the second cleaning subsponge can be designed for an especially good cleaning performance without having to take into account whether it is flexible or not in the dry state.
An outstanding function of the folding mechanism of a squeeze mop is also guaranteed by the first cleaning subsponge when the cleaning sponge is dry or only slightly damp.
The first cleaning subsponge is preferably made from polyurethane (PU). Here, it is advantageous that the first cleaning subsponge is made from polyurethane, independent of whether it is dry or wet; it can always bend/fold well, and therefore the function of a squeeze mop, to which the cleaning sponge is mounted detachably preferably in an indestructible way, is also not negatively affected in the dry or essentially dry state. The durability of such a cleaning subsponge is good, because polyurethane has a relatively high resistance against mechanical loading, even when an increased contact pressure force is exerted on the first cleaning subsponge by the user.
The second cleaning subsponge is preferably made from cellulose according to a first advantageous configuration. Here it is advantageous that the second cleaning subsponge has good properties for use with respect to its cleaning performance, because cellulose receives contaminants in an especially good way. Although cleaning subsponges made from cellulose have only very little flexibility in the dry state, this does not have a disadvantageous effect for the cleaning sponge according to the invention and its use with a squeeze mop, because for good flexibility the essentially more flexible first cleaning subsponge is provided in the area of the hinge between the wings.
According to a second advantageous configuration, the second cleaning subsponge is made from a polyvinyl alcohol. In contrast to a second cleaning subsponge made from cellulose, the second cleaning subsponge made from PVA has the advantage that the pore size of the second cleaning subsponge can be adapted very well to the corresponding conditions of the application. The water retention of PVA is also often somewhat higher than the water retention of cellulose.
The cleaning subsponges preferably each have a one-piece and single material construction. Such a configuration is especially important for the first cleaning subsponge, because in this way it is ensured that each subarea of this first cleaning subsponge has the same advantageous flexibility; the disadvantages with respect to flexibility resulting, for example, from a material mix in the first cleaning subsponge, for example, in that this was built up in layers from the surface to be cleaned in the direction of the support body of the squeeze mop, are prevented.
The cleaning subsponges can each be formed essentially in a square shape and can be connected to each other on their end sides facing each other. Therefore, the cleaning sponge is divided overall into function zones, wherein each function zone corresponds to a cleaning subsponge.
According to an especially advantageous configuration, it can be provided that on the end side of the first cleaning subsponge facing away from the second cleaning subsponge, a third cleaning subsponge is arranged and is connected to the first cleaning subsponge. Furthermore, the second and the third cleaning subsponges are preferably matching with respect to form and/or material. The handling is simplified by the symmetry of the cleaning sponge relative to the first cleaning subsponge. For different applications, it can be provided that the second and the third cleaning sponges do indeed match with respect to their form, but in terms of the material they are different. The second cleaning subsponge could therefore have, for example, a more abrasive cleaning effect than the third, wherein the third cleaning subsponge could have, for example, greater flexibility than the second cleaning subsponge. In this way, the cleaning sponge is adapted to the corresponding conditions of the application. However, there is also the possibility, for example, for the second and the third cleaning subsponge to have the same material, wherein the form is different. For example, the second cleaning subsponge could be rounded on the end side facing away from the first cleaning subsponge, but the third cleaning subsponge could have an angular construction on the end side facing away from the first cleaning subsponge.
Only the cleaning surface of the first cleaning subsponge could have a microfiber mop border on the side facing away from the corresponding surface. The mop border is advantageous especially because, if the first cleaning subsponge is made from PU, this part has a relatively lower cleaning performance relative to cellulose. In order to combine, on the one hand, the outstanding flexibility of the PU material of the first cleaning subsponge with, on the other hand, good cleaning performance, the microfiber mop border is advantageous. The microfiber mop border has the form of a cloth and features a thickness that is negligibly smaller than the thickness of the first cleaning subsponge, so that the flexibility of the first cleaning subsponge is not negatively affected by the use of the microfiber mop border.
The mop border can also be made from a material that is different from microfiber. If the use of a material with a stronger abrasive effect is required, a mop border can be used that is made from a portion of microfibers and a portion of rayon.
According to another configuration, the cleaning sponge can be built up in layers and can have at least two layers, which extend essentially parallel to the support body. Such a layered construction can be manufactured simply and economically. In addition, a relatively large cleaning surface is available, which has matching cleaning properties overall due to its material uniformity.
One of the layers can be made from PU and one of the layers can be made from cellulose. In general, layers made from other materials are also possible according to the application.
Preferably, the layer facing the support body is made from PU; consequently, the layer facing the surface to be cleaned would be made from cellulose.
Cellulose has the advantage that it can receive and hold larger amounts of cleaning fluid and that it has improved cleaning performance relative to a cleaning surface made from PU.
The cleaning sponge can be made, for example, from 50% PU and 50% cellulose. Such a cleaning sponge has good all-around properties.
A different percentage allocation can be provided for special applications.
The recess is preferably arranged in only the layer facing the support body and is preferably constructed as a perforation. Here, it is advantageous that such a cleaning sponge can be manufactured in an especially simple and economical way. The recess constructed as a perforation is punched out from the upper layer of the cleaning sponge in an economical and simple way, for example.
In contrast, the lower layer remains without a recess/perforation.
The layers can be bonded to each other on their sides facing each other. Such bonding can be realized in a simple and economical way.
The support body includes at least two wings, which are connected to each other in a foldable way by a joint formed like a hinge, wherein the joint is arranged exclusively in the area of the surface of the first cleaning subsponge. A squeeze mop with such a cleaning sponge has the advantage that the folding mechanism of the squeeze mop also functions well when the cleaning sponge is dry or only slightly damp. This is achieved in that the first cleaning subsponge of the squeeze mop exhibits flexibility that at least largely matches, well independent of whether the first cleaning subsponge is dry, moist, or wet.
Especially for such a configuration, the material PU is especially advantageous for the first cleaning subsponge, because PU features a significantly higher elongation at rupture than cellulose and therefore produces improved durability for the cleaning sponge even under high mechanical loading by the knobs.
The support body is made preferably from a polymer material. Here, it is advantageous that such a carrier body has only a small mass and is resistant to a wide variety of cleaning fluids.
The projections can form an integral and single material component of the support body. With respect to a simple and economical production of the cleaning device, such a configuration is an advantage to be stressed, because the entire support body including its projections can be produced in one processing step.
If the projections are made, for example, from an elastomer material, this elastic flexibility is caused by the elastomer material itself. In contrast, if the projections are an integral and single material component of the support body, the projections can be formed like an accordion, for example, in a subarea of its axial extent and therefore can receive disadvantageously high forces for the surface to be cleaned through elastic deformation.
The support body and the cleaning sponge are preferably connected to each other in a detachable, indestructible way. Here it is advantageous that the support body and the cleaning sponge are each recyclable according to their material. The cleaning sponge, which is exposed to higher wear than the support body, can also be replaced by the construction described above without a problem. The connection between support body and cleaning sponge can have a positive and/or non-positive fit. One possible attachment device is a Velcro fastener, with which the cleaning sponge is attached to the support body.
The support body can have a handle on the side facing away from the cleaning sponge. The cleaning device therefore has the form of a mop or broom and can be used for problem-free cleaning of floors by the user.
Further improved handling of the cleaning device can be achieved in that the support body and the handle are connected to each other in an articulated way by means of a joint. Therefore, the support body and handle can be moved, for example, cardanically relative to each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiment examples of the cleaning device according to the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, 3 and 4, as well as 5.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken in the plane of line C-D of the cleaning device according to FIG. 2,

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken in the plane of line A-B of the cleaning device according to FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken in the plane of line G-H of the cleaning device according to FIG. 4,

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken in the plane of line E-F of the cleaning device according to FIG. 3,

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of another cleaning device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In FIGS. 1 and 2, an embodiment example of the cleaning device according to the invention is shown. In both embodiment examples, seven needle-shaped projections 3.1, 3.2, . . . , 3.7 are provided, which are arranged in only one common recess 4 of the cleaning sponge 2. All of the projections 3.1, 3.2, . . . , 3.7 have a matching construction and feature a matching height. The height 5 of the projections 3.1, 3.2, . . . , 3.7 corresponds to the height 6 of the recess 4, wherein the recess 4 is rectangular in the two embodiment examples shown here, in FIG. 2, or essentially square in FIG. 4. The recess 4 has a trough-shaped construction in both embodiment examples considered in the longitudinal section of the cleaning sponge 2, wherein the ratio of the length 10 of the cleaning sponge 2 to the length 11 of the recess 4 in both embodiment examples is approximately 3:1. In addition, the cleaning sponge 2 and the recess 4 are symmetric to an imaginary plane 12 cutting transversely through the cleaning sponge 2 at half the length 10, wherein the subarea 14 of the cleaning device is constructed as a power zone with increased cleaning performance.
In the embodiment example shown here, the recess 4 has a trough-shaped construction viewed in the shown longitudinal section of the cleaning sponge 2. In the subarea 14, an especially good compressibility of the cleaning sponge 2 is given between the ends of the projections 3.1, 3.2, . . . , 3.7, in order to guarantee basic cleaning of the surface 15 to be cleaned.
The recess 4 is enclosed in this embodiment example by a closed edge 7 running on the outer periphery, but can also be open in the region of the longitudinal sides 8, 9, as in FIG. 4.
In the embodiment example shown here, the support body 1 is connected to the handle 29 by means of a cardanic second joint 30 and therefore can be used as a floor cleaning device.
In the subarea 14, in which the projections 3.1, 3.2, . . . , 3.7 are arranged in the recess 4, the cleaning surface 34 of the cleaning sponge 2 is provided with a microfiber mop border 28.
In FIG. 2, the section A-B from FIG. 1 is shown. The seven projections 3.1, 3.2, . . . , 3.7 are shown sectioned within the recess 4.
The embodiment example from FIGS. 3 and 4 differs from the embodiment example from FIGS. 1 and 2 in that the cleaning sponge 2 includes three cleaning subsponges 16, 17, 23, which each have cleaning surfaces 18, 19, 35, wherein the cleaning subsponges 16, 17, 23 consist of differing materials and are arranged one next to the other and are connected to each other. The first cleaning subsponge 16 is made from PU and has greater flexibility than the second 17 and the third cleaning subsponge 23, each in the dry state. The second and the third cleaning subsponges 17, 23 are each made from cellulose and have matching configurations with respect to form and material.
The first cleaning subsponge 16 has the subarea 14 named above, wherein only the cleaning surface 18 of the first cleaning subsponge 16 has a microfiber mop border 28 on the side facing away from the surface 27. The cleaning device from FIGS. 3 and 4 is constructed as a squeeze mop, wherein the support body 1 has two wings 24, 25, which are connected to each other so that they can fold by means of a first joint 26 constructed like a hinge. The first joint 26 is arranged exclusively in the region of the surface 27 of the first cleaning subsponge 16.
In this embodiment example, the recess 4 is open in the area of the longitudinal sides 8, 9 of the cleaning sponge, but can also be enclosed by a closed edge 7 running on the outer periphery, as in FIG. 2.
The configuration of the cleaning sponge according to the invention can be used not only for support bodies that can fold about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support body (shown here). Also support bodies that have a joint extending parallel to the longitudinal axis or corresponding to the longitudinal axis can be provided with the cleaning sponge; the three cleaning subsponges then extend, for example, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support body.
In FIG. 5, another embodiment example is shown, in which the cleaning sponge has a 2-layer construction and has at least two layers 36, 37. The layers 36, 37 extend parallel to the support body 1.
The layer 36 facing the support body is made from PU and the layer 37 facing away from the support body 1 is made from cellulose.
In the embodiment example shown here, the cleaning sponge 2 is made from 50% PU and 50% cellulose, wherein the recess 4 is arranged only in the layer 36 facing the support body 1. The recess 4 is formed as a perforation, so that it can be manufactured economically, for example, by punching.
The layers 36, 37 are bonded to each other on their facing sides.
The cleaning device shown here can be used, for example, as a device for cleaning floors, walls, and/or windows.

Claims

1. A cleaning device comprising a support body, which is connected to a cleaning sponge, wherein the support body has at least two needle-shaped projections on a side facing the cleaning sponge, with these projections being arranged in a single common recess of the cleaning sponge.

2. A cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the projections have a matching height or matching construction.

3. A cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the projections have a height corresponding to a height of the recess.

4. A cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the recess is essentially square viewed in the top view onto the cleaning sponge.

5. A cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the recess is enclosed by a closed edge running on an outer periphery.

6. A cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the recess has a trough-shaped construction viewed in a longitudinal section of the cleaning sponge.

7. A cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the recess is open on the longitudinal sides of the cleaning sponge viewed in a cross section of the cleaning sponge.

8. A cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of a length of the cleaning sponge to a length of the recess is 3:1.

9. A cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning sponge and the recess are symmetric relative to an imaginary plane cutting transversely through the cleaning sponge at half a length thereof.

10. A cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of a height of the recess to a height of the cleaning sponge equals 0.3 to 0.95.

11. A cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the recess and the projections arranged in the recess form a subarea of the cleaning device, with this subarea being formed as a power zone with increased cleaning performance.

12. A cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning sponge is made from polyurethane.

13. A cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning sponge is made from polyvinyl alcohol.

14. A cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning sponge is made from cellulose.

15. A cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning sponge comprises at least first and second cleaning subsponges, each with a cleaning surface, wherein the cleaning subsponges are made from differing materials and are arranged one next to the other and are also connected to each other, wherein the first cleaning subsponge features greater flexibility than the second, each in the dry state.

16. A cleaning device according to claim 15, wherein the recess and the projections arranged in the recess form a subarea of the cleaning device, with this subarea being formed as a power zone with increased cleaning performance and the subarea is a component of the first cleaning subsponge.

17. A cleaning device according to claim 15, wherein only the first cleaning subsponge is made from polyurethane.

18. A cleaning device according to claim 15, wherein the second cleaning subsponge is made from cellulose.

19. A cleaning device according to claim 15, wherein the cleaning subsponges each have an integral and single material construction.

20. A cleaning device according to claim 15, wherein the cleaning subsponges each have an essentially square construction and are connected to each other on their facing ends.

21. A cleaning device according to claim 15, wherein a third cleaning subsponge is arranged on the end side of the first cleaning subsponge facing away from the second cleaning subsponge and is connected to the first cleaning subsponge.

22. A cleaning device according to claim 21, wherein the second and the third cleaning subsponges have a matching construction in terms of form and/or material.

23. A cleaning device according to claim 15, wherein only the cleaning surface of the first cleaning subsponge on a side facing the surface to be cleaned has a microfiber mop border.

24. A cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning sponge is built up in layers and has at least two layers, which extend essentially parallel to the support body.

25. A cleaning device according to claim 24, wherein one of the layers is made from PU and one of the layers is made from cellulose.

26. A cleaning device according to claim 25, wherein the layer facing the support body is made from PU.

27. A cleaning device according to claim 24, wherein the cleaning sponge is made from 50% PU and 50% cellulose.

28. A cleaning device according to claim 24, wherein the recess is arranged in only the layer facing the support body.

29. A cleaning device according to claim 24, wherein the recess is formed as a perforation.

30. A cleaning device according to claim 24, wherein the layers are bonded to each other on their facing sides.

31. A cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the support body comprises at least two wings, which are connected to each other in a folding way by means of a first joint constructed like a hinge, wherein the first joint is arranged exclusively in a region of the surface of the first cleaning subsponge.

32. A cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the support body is made from a polymer material.

33. A cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the projections form an integral and single material component of the support body.

34. A cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the support body and the cleaning sponge are connected to each other in a detachable and indestructible way.

35. A cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the support body has a handle on the side facing away from the cleaning sponge.

36. A cleaning device according to claim 35, wherein the support body and the handle are connected to each other in an articulated way by means of a second joint.

37. A cleaning sponge for a cleaning device according to claim 1 wherein only one common recess is provided for at least two needle-shaped projections of the support body.