Mop bucket filtering system

Abstract

A floor cleaning solution filtering system includes a mop bucket defining a cleaning solution basin. A pump is exteriorly mounted on the bucket and is in fluid communication with the cleaning solution basin. A filter system is exteriorly mounted on the bucket, in fluid communication with the cleaning solution basin, and operationally connected to the pump. The pump draws fluid from the cleaning solution basin through the filter system for return to the basin after the cleaning solution has been filtered. The bucket may include a single basin or a dual basin.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to mop buckets. More particularly, the invention relates to a mop bucket filtering system.

A mop bucket is used in conjunction with a mop for cleaning floors and the like. At the start of the cleaning process, fluid used for mopping is held within the bucket and is generally clean. However, as the floor is mopped, and the mop repeatedly dipped into the bucket, the fluid therein becomes less and less clean as dirt and other matter is transferred from the floor to the wet mop is then to the fluid in the bucket. Occasionally, a user may place the mop into a wringer located above the bucket in order to remove fluid from the mop, but again, this merely transfers dirty fluid to the fluid within the bucket.

There is a great need for a mop bucket that provides relatively clean fluid for mopping throughout the cleaning process. Many different types of filtering systems have been employed to recycle fluid in mop buckets. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,630,369 teaches a mop cleaning device wherein a supply of cleaning fluid is circulated through a container. However, relatively heavy particles are separated from the fluid by what appears to be a gravity trap while leaving smaller particles still suspended within the fluid. In another example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,161,799 discloses a mop bucket that treats dirty fluid. However, this system leaves undesirable matter within the bucket itself.

While buckets such as those described above may provide means of removing dirt particles from fluid within the bucket, such buckets can always be improved.

Accordingly, there is a need for a bucket that cleans fluid within the bucket. There is also a need for a bucket that prevents the fluid within the bucket from becoming too dirty to use. There is a further need for a bucket that removes both large and small particles from the fluid. There is an additional need for a bucket that is relatively inexpensive and easy to manufacture. The present invention satisfies these needs and provides other related advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A mop bucket filtering system is needed for cleaning the fluid within the mop bucket. The filtering system of the mop bucket prevents the fluid within the bucket from becoming too dirty to use and removes both large and small particles from the fluid.

A floor cleaning solution filtering system includes a mop bucket defining a fluid basin. The fluid in the basin can comprise water, a cleaning solution, or a mixture of both. A pump is exteriorly mounted on the bucket and is in fluid communication with the fluid basin. A filter system is also exteriorly mounted on the bucket. The filter system is in fluid communication with the basin and operationally connected to the pump. The pump draws fluid from the basin through the filter system for return to the basin after the fluid has been filtered.

The filtering system also includes a first hose disposed between the basin and the filter system, and a second hose disposed between the pump and the basin. The first hose extends through an aperture in the bucket. A third hose is disposed between the pump and the filtering system. The filter system includes first and second filters in fluid communication with one another. A fourth hose is disposed between the first and second filters.

In addition to a single basin, the bucket may include distinct first and second fluid basins. The pump draws cleaning solution from the first fluid basin through the filter system and into the second fluid basin. The filter system of the dual basin bucket includes first and second filters.

In either the single or dual basin systems, a wringer may be operationally connected to the bucket.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following 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 invention. In such drawings:

FIG. 1 is an orthogonal view of a mop bucket filtering system embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partially cut-away orthogonal view of the mop bucket filtering system of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a orthogonal view of another embodiment of a mop bucket filtering system embodying the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is needed for cleaning the fluid within the mop bucket. The present invention prevents the fluid within the bucket from becoming too dirty to use and removes both large and small particles from the fluid.

As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, the present invention resides in a mop bucket filtering system 10 for a mop bucket 12. The mop bucket 12 includes a basin 14 that, when in use, is filled with a fluid 16 used for mopping. The fluid 16 includes, without limitation, water, a cleaning solution (i.e., ammonia, bleach, detergent or the like), or a mixture of both.

A pump 18 is mounted to the outside of the mop bucket 12 for recirculating the fluid 16. The pump 14 draws the fluid 16 from the basin 14 through a filter system 20 for return to the basin 14 after the fluid 16 has been filtered.

The filter system 20 is also mounted to the outside of the mop bucket. The filter system 20 is in fluid communication with the basin 14 and operationally connected to the pump 18. The filter system 20 includes an interconnected series of filters in fluid communication that remove different sized particles from the fluid 16 as the fluid 16 moves through the filter system 20. For example, a first filter 22 may be used removing relatively large particles from the fluid 16 as the fluid 16 passes through the first filter 22. After the larger particles are filtered out, the fluid 16 passes and a second filter 24 that removes smaller, finer particles from the fluid 16. Additional filters may be added to the filter system 20 to remove other contaminants, such as oil, from the fluid 16 or otherwise improve the quality of the fluid 16 prior to returning the fluid 16 to the basin 14.

A series of generally flexible hoses interconnect the basin 14, filter system 20 and pump 18 such that fluid 16 is able to be drawn from the basin 14, filtered, and then returned to the basin 14. A first hose 26 is disposed between the basin 14 and the filter system 20, allowing fluid 16 to pass from the basin 14 to the filter system 20. A second hose 28 is disposed between the pump 18 and the basin 14, allowing fluid 16 to pass from the pump 18 to the basin 14. One end of the first hose 26 may extend through an aperture 30 in the bucket 12 that leads to the basin 14; the aperture 30 being located towards the bottom of the basin 14. In the alternative, one end of the first hose 26 may be extended over the top of the bucket 12 and down towards the bottom of the basin 14 such that the fluid 16 therein is able to enter the first hose 26 (likewise, one end of the second hose 28 may be extended over the top of the bucket 12 and down towards the bottom of the basin 14 such that the fluid 16 therein is able to be returned to the basin 14).

A third hose 32 is disposed between the pump 18 and the filtering system 20 so as to allow fluid 16 to be drawn through the filtering system 20 by the pump 18. A fourth hose 34 is disposed between the first and second filters 22, 24 so as to allow fluid 16 to flow between the filters 22, 24.

In an alternative embodiment, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the bucket 12 may include distinct first and second fluid basins 36, 38. The first basin 36 holds the “dirty” fluid 16 and the filtered fluid 16 goes into the second basin 38. This embodiment is otherwise similar to the above described single basin 14 embodiment except that the hose 26 is illustrated with one end over the top of basin 36 and extending towards the bottom of the basin 36 under the surface of the “dirty” fluid 16. Alternatively, the aperture 30 of FIG. 3 could also be used in basin 36 with the end of the hose 26 extending through the aperture 30 to the “dirty” fluid 16 in basin 36. In this embodiment, the pump 18 draws the fluid 16 from the first fluid basin 36 through the filter system 20, through the pump 18, and into the second fluid basin 38.

The pump 18 could be powered by either an AC or DC electrical source. For example, an electrical plug 40 could be used to electrically connect the pump 18 to a wall socket (not shown) or the pump 18 could be powered by a battery (not shown).

In either the single or dual basin embodiments, a mop wringer 42 may be operationally connected to the bucket 12.

Also, in either the single or dual basin embodiments, the bucket 12 may be located on a frame 44. The basins 14, 36, 38 are carried on the frame 44 which includes wheels 46, such as castors. In the alternative, wheels 46 may be connected directly to the basins 14, 36, 38. The frame may further include a handle 48 for pushing or pulling the mop bucket 12 to various locations.

The bucket 12 and frame 44 may be made of various materials, including, without limitation, plastic and metal.

The above-described embodiments of the present invention are illustrative only and not limiting. It will thus be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its broader aspects. Therefore, the appended claims encompass all such changes and modifications as falling within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A floor cleaning solution filtering system, comprising:

a mop bucket defining a cleaning solution basin;

a pump exteriorly mounted on the bucket and in fluid communication with the cleaning solution basin; and

a filter system exteriorly mounted on the bucket, and in fluid communication with the cleaning solution basin and operationally connected to the pump, whereby the pump draws fluid from the cleaning solution basin through the filter system for return to the basin after the cleaning solution has been filtered.

2. The filtering system of claim 1, including a first hose disposed between the cleaning solution basin and the filter system, and a second hose disposed between the pump and the cleaning solution basin.

3. The filtering system of claim 2, wherein the first hose extends through an aperture in the bucket.

4. The filtering system of claim 2, including a third hose disposed between the pump and the filtering system.

5. The filtering system of claim 1, wherein the filter system includes first and second filters in fluid communication with one another.

6. The filtering system of claim 5, including a fourth hose disposed between the first and second filters.

7. The filtering system of claim 1, including a wringer operationally connected to the bucket.

8. The filtering system of claim 1, wherein the bucket includes distinct first and second fluid basins

9. The filtering system of claim 8, wherein the pump draws cleaning solution from the first fluid basin through the filter system and into the second fluid basin.

10. The filtering system of claim 9, wherein the filter system includes first and second filters.

11. A floor cleaning solution filtering system, comprising:

a mop bucket defining a cleaning solution basin;

a pump exteriorly mounted on the bucket and in fluid communication with the cleaning solution basin;

a filter system exteriorly mounted on the bucket, and in fluid communication with the cleaning solution basin and operationally connected to the pump, whereby the pump draws fluid from the cleaning solution basin through the filter for return to the basin after the cleaning solution has been filtered;

a first hose disposed between the cleaning solution basin and the filter system, and

a second hose disposed between the pump and the cleaning solution basin;

wherein the filter system includes first and second filters in fluid communication with one another.

12. The filtering system of claim 11, wherein the first hose extends through an aperture in the bucket.

13. The filtering system of claim 12, including a third hose disposed between the pump and the filtering system.

14. The filtering system of claim 13, including a fourth hose disposed between the first and second filters.

15. The filtering system of claim 14, including a wringer operationally connected to the bucket.

16. A floor cleaning solution filtering system, comprising:

a mop bucket including distinct first and second fluid basins;

a pump exteriorly mounted on the bucket and in fluid communication with the first and second fluid basins;

a filter system exteriorly mounted on the bucket, and in fluid communication with the first and second fluid basins and operationally connected to the pump;

a first hose disposed between the first fluid basin and the filter system; and

a second hose disposed between the pump and the second fluid basin;

wherein the pump draws fluid from the first fluid basin through the filter system and into the second fluid basin after the fluid has been filtered.

17. The filtering system of claim 16, wherein the first hose extends through an aperture in the bucket.

18. The filtering system of claim 17, including a third hose disposed between the pump and the filtering system.

19. The filtering system of claim 18, wherein the filter system includes first and second filters in fluid communication with one another.

20. The filtering system of claim 19, including a fourth hose disposed between the first and second filters.

21. The filtering system of claim 20, including a wringer operationally connected to the bucket.