Cleaning pad soaking and draining container

Abstract

An apparatus for infusing cleaning solution into a cleaning implement, such as a sponge, is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a compartment, above the floor of which a perforated plate is mounted on compressible levitation means, such as springs. Cleaning solution, such as soapy water, can be introduced into, or mixed in, the compartment. The cleaning implement is placed on the plate and can then be lowered into the cleaning solution. In a second embodiment, a second compartment is provided within the apparatus that can contain a cleaning agent, such as liquid soap. A pump is provided to transfer the cleaning agent to the first compartment. For both embodiments, lids are provided for the compartments to prevent escape of the contents therein when the apparatus is not in use or is being transported.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/509,374, filed on Oct. 7, 2003.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to devices that facilitate mixing of a cleaning solution and soaking and draining of a cleaning implement. More particularly, it relates to devices that supply a cleaning solution, such as soapy water, to a cleaning implement such as a sponge, and that contain both the cleaning implement and the cleaning solution in a single portable unit, allowing the cleaning implement to be soaked and drained in a contained and convenient manner.

2. Description of the Related Art

Typically when washing dishes, etc., one will use a cleaning pad, such as a sponge, a rag or a steel wool pad, and will apply a cleaning agent, such as liquid dishwashing soap, from a squeeze bottle directly to the cleaning pad. They will then run water over the cleaning pad from a tap to create a water-soap cleaning solution in the cleaning pad. The creation of soap suds in the cleaning pad is considered desirable and is usually accomplished by squeezing the cleaning pad several times by hand or by rubbing it against the object to be cleaned. The disadvantage of the first method is that soap suds are often lost in the hand manipulation process. The second method has the disadvantage of requiring a slight delay in the cleaning process until the soap suds build up in the cleaning pad and on the object to be cleaned. In addition, unmixed cleaning agent is often wasted with either method before it produces suds due to the lack of containment. Moreover, the cleaning pad must be stored somewhere after use. Most persons store the cleaning pad in open air near a sink. The cleaning pad, especially a well-worn one, if left out in the open, is also unsightly and can be a source of foul odors.

What is needed, then, is a device that allows the user to mix water and a cleaning agent and infuse the resulting solution into a cleaning implement in a contained manner to prevent waste of the agent and to increase the cleaning efficiency by having a cleaning implement pre-saturated with suds ready for application to the object that is to be cleaned.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention essentially comprises a container formed with a compartment therein that has a perforated plate supported a certain distance above the bottom of the compartment by compressible levitation means, such as springs, mounted in the bottom of the compartment. A cleaning solution, such as soapy water, is introduced into, or mixed in, the compartment so that the level of the solution reaches a point below the height of the perforated plate. In one embodiment, fresh cleaning agent, such as a liquid dishwashing detergent, is stored in an adjacent compartment and can be dispensed into the main compartment by a hand pump. A cleaning implement, such as a sponge, is placed on the perforated plate and may be infused with the cleaning solution by pressing down on the implement along with the plate, thereby compressing the springs and lowering the implement into the cleaning solution. This process may be repeated several times. By releasing pressure on the springs, the perforated plate will be raised above the cleaning solution to drain the implement of excess solution prior to use; it may also be stored in this position for later use. A lid is provided to prevent leakage of the cleaning solution or loss of the cleaning implement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the soaking-draining container according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a cutaway view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the soaking-draining container according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 shows a cutaway view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view and FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the first embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment comprises a main body 1 with a tub-shaped compartment 11 formed therein, one or more springs 2 affixed to the bottom of the compartment in a manner to support a perforated plate 3, and a lid 5 with a handle 6. The perforated plate 3, when no weight is placed on it, rests substantially midway between the bottom and the top of the compartment 11.

The one or more springs 2 can be coil, tension, round or other forms of springs. Coil springs are preferred. The main body 1 can be made of numerous materials including, but not limited to metal, glass, plastic, wood, ceramic, or any other suitable materials. In the preferred embodiment, the main body 1 is made of plastic, preferably ABS plastic. Protrusions 9 and 10 are provided in the floor of the compartment 11 and the underside of the perforated plate 3, respectively, to hold the springs 2 in place.

In use, a small amount of cleaning agent, such as liquid dishwashing soap, is placed in the compartment 11 and water is added thereto so that this cleaning solution level is just below the level of the perforated plate 3. A cleaning implement 4, such as a sponge, a rag or a steel wool pad, is placed on the perforated plate 3. A sponge is assumed in the following description. Downward pressure is applied by hand, compressing the springs 2, to lower the sponge 4 and the perforated plate 3 together into the cleaning solution. When pressure is released, the springs 2 extend to return the sponge 4 and the perforated plate 3 to a level just above the surface of the cleaning solution. The perforations in the perforated plate 3 allow excess cleaning solution to drain from the sponge 4. This process of lowering the sponge 4 into the cleaning solution (dunking) may be repeated several times in a rapid fashion to produce suds in the sponge. The sponge 4 is then removed from the perforated plate 3 to clean various items, such as dishes. If the user wishes to recharge the sponge 4 with cleaning solution, the sponge 4 is placed back on the perforated plate 3 and the dunking process may be repeated.

When the user is done cleaning, the sponge 4 is returned to the perforated plate 3 and the lid 5 is placed on the top of the compartment 11 to cover the cleaning solution, the perforated plate 3, and the sponge 4. The handle 6 is affixed to the lid 5 to make it more convenient to remove and replace the lid 5. Because the level of the cleaning solution is normally maintained below the level of the perforated plate 3 in the compartment, the sponge 4 will drain or dry up. That way, the sponge 4, or other cleaning implements so used and stored, may have a longer life.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of another embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, but it comprises a larger compartment 12 and an additional, smaller compartment 13 in the main body 1. This smaller compartment 13 houses a hand pump 8. The lid 7 covers the smaller compartment 13 to prevent spillage of the contents and also comprises a hole though which protrudes the hand pump 8.

The use of the above embodiment is similar to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, except that the user can additionally store a cleaning agent, such as liquid soap, in the smaller compartment 13 and can utilize the hand pump 8 to introduce the cleaning agent onto the perforated plate 3 or the sponge 4 in the larger compartment 12. The addition of the compartment 13 and the hand pump 8 provides an additional utility in that the user does not need to have a separate container of cleaning agent. This arrangement is especially beneficial if the invention is carried to, and used, in different locations.

Preferably, the main body 1 is made from ABS plastic, as is the perforated plate 3, lids 5 and 7, and the handle 6. Springs 2 are three coil springs. The cleaning agent hand pump 8 in the second embodiment is a Sureflo® retrofit valve, part number B211179, obtained from Shiffler Equipment Sales, Inc. of Cleveland, Ohio.

From the above description of embodiments of the present invention, it is manifest that various equivalents can be used to implement the concepts of the invention without departing from its scope. Moreover, while the invention has been described with specific reference to certain embodiments, a person of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that changes can be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. It should also be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described herein, but is capable of many equivalents, rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims

Claims

1. A cleaning pad soaking-draining container, comprising:

a container with a compartment formed therein for carrying a cleaning solution;

a compressible levitation means disposed in the compartment; and

a perforated plate supported by the compressible levitation means at a predetermined level below the top of the compartment,

wherein a cleaning pad placed on top of the perforated plate may be soaked with the cleaning solution when the perforated plate is pressed down into the cleaning solution and the same may be drained of excess cleaning solution when the perforated plate is released.

2. The cleaning pad soaking-draining container of claim 1, wherein the compressible levitation means is a spring.

3. The cleaning pad soaking-draining container of claim 1, wherein the compressible levitation means is a plurality of springs.

4. The cleaning pad soaking-draining container of claim 3, wherein the springs are coil springs.

5. The cleaning pad soaking-draining container of claim 3, wherein the springs are L-shaped tension springs.

6. The cleaning pad soaking-draining container of claim 3, wherein the number of springs in the plurality of springs is 3.

7. The cleaning pad soaking-draining container of claim 3, further comprising:

a plurality of first protrusions formed on the underside of the perforated plate, and

a plurality of second protrusions formed on the floor of the compartment corresponding in position to the first protrusions,

wherein the first protrusions and the second protrusions are in engagement with the top and the bottom portions of the springs, respectively, to hold the springs in position.

8. The cleaning pad soaking-draining container of claim 1, further comprising a lid covering the container.

9. A cleaning pad soaking-draining container, comprising:

a container including therein a first compartment for mixing liquids and a second compartment for storing a cleaning agent;

a compressible levitation means disposed in the first compartment;

a perforated plate supported by the compressible levitation means at a predetermined level below the top of the first compartment; and

a hand pump disposed within the second compartment for transferring the cleaning agent in the second compartment to the first compartment,

wherein the cleaning agent transferred to the first compartment may be mixed with water to form a cleaning solution; and a cleaning pad placed on top of the perforated plate may be soaked with the cleaning solution when the perforated plate is pressed down into the cleaning solution and the same may be drained of excess cleaning solution when the perforated plate is released.

10. The cleaning pad soaking-draining container of claim 9, wherein the compressible levitation means is a spring.

11. The cleaning pad soaking-draining container of claim 9, wherein the compressible levitation means is a plurality of springs.

12. The cleaning pad soaking-draining container of claim 11, wherein the springs are coil springs.

13. The cleaning pad soaking-draining container of claim 11, wherein the springs are L-shaped tension springs.

14. The cleaning pad soaking-draining container of claim 11, wherein the number of springs in the plurality of springs is 3.

15. The cleaning pad soaking-draining container of claim 11, further comprising:

a plurality of first protrusions formed on the underside of the perforated plate, and

a plurality of second protrusions formed on the floor of the first compartment corresponding in position to the first protrusions,

wherein the first protrusions and the second protrusions are in engagement with the top and the bottom portions of the springs, respectively, to hold the springs in position.

16. The cleaning pad soaking-draining container of claim 9, further comprising:

a first lid covering the first compartment; and

a second lid covering the second compartment.