MOPPING DEVICE, MOPPING SYSTEM, AND METHOD OF MOPPING

Abstract

A mopping device and a mopping system include a fluid reservoir connectible to a cart for conveying the fluid reservoir, a fluid container configured to be at least partially refilled from the reservoir and to be connectable to a head of a mop, and a connector for providing fluid communication between the fluid reservoir and the fluid container to allow fluid in the fluid reservoir to flow into the fluid container. The fluid container can be repeatedly refilled from the fluid reservoir to permit continued mopping.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a mopping device, mopping system, and method of mopping, and more particularly, to a refillable fluid supply for a mop.

2. Description of Related Art

In conventional mopping systems it is often desirable to be able to provide cleaning fluid on the surface to be mopped or cleaned. Some systems allow the mop to contain the desired cleaning fluid, which allows for ready dispensing of the fluid. These mops, however, often contain a limited supply of fluid, which can be easily depleted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the present invention, a mopping system includes a cart having rolling members to make the cart moveable, a fluid reservoir connected to the cart, a mop having a handle and a head, a fluid container configured to be at least partially refilled from the reservoir and connected to the handle of the mop, and a connector for providing fluid communication between the fluid reservoir and the fluid container to allow fluid in the fluid reservoir to flow into the fluid container.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a mopping device includes a fluid reservoir connectible to a cart for conveying the fluid reservoir, a fluid container configured to be at least partially refilled from the reservoir and to be connectable to a handle of a mop, and a connector for providing fluid communication between the fluid reservoir and the fluid container to allow fluid in the fluid reservoir to flow into the fluid container.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of mopping includes moving a cart having rolling members and a fluid reservoir to a mopping location, at least partially refilling a fluid container with fluid from the fluid reservoir, dispensing fluid from the fluid container to a mopping location, and mopping at the mopping location with a mop having a handle and a head.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of a mopping system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a conventional top shelf of a cart.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a modified top shelf of a cart of a mopping system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of a fluid reservoir and a top of a cart of the mopping system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a partial side view of a cover on the mopping system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of a mop of the mopping system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of the mopping system of FIG. 1 during refill.

FIG. 8 is a side view of another embodiment of a mopping system according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Presently preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings. An effort has been made to use the same or like reference numbers throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. Described below are a mopping system, a mopping device, and a method of mopping according to the present invention.

As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1, a mopping system 10 according to the present invention includes a cart 20, a fluid reservoir 40 connected to the cart 20, a mop 50, a fluid container 60 connected to the mop 50, and a connector 70 for providing fluid communication between the fluid reservoir 40 and the fluid container 60.

The cart 20 is preferably a moveable cart. For example, the cart 20 can have rolling members 21, such as wheels, that allow it to be easily transported. The cart 20 also could include a soft bag 30 for refuse collection and a shelf 31 for receiving a mop bucket (not shown) or a bucket 80 for receiving mop pads (see FIG. 8).

The cart 20 can be, for example, a modified form of a conventional janitor cart. A janitor cart 20 often has three or more shelves for storing the needed cleaning tools and supplies. For example, the cart 20 can have a top shelf 22, a middle shelf 23, and a bottom shelf 24. According to the present invention, the conventional top shelf 22′(see FIG. 2) having a recessed receiving surface 25′could be removed and replaced with a modified top shelf 22 (see FIG. 3) having an opening 25 in its center for accommodating the fluid reservoir 40. A support portion 26 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) can be provided around the opening 25. The modified top shelf 22 preferably is closed on all four sides of the opening 25. The opening 25 can be square, round, or any other desired configuration to accommodate the fluid reservoir 40 while still fitting into the opening of the top shelf 22.

The fluid reservoir 40 can provide cleaning fluid (such as neutral cleaner or water) or other fluids, such as floor wax, for use in mopping. The fluid reservoir 40 preferably is connected to the cart 20. The fluid reservoir 40 can be integrally connected to the cart 20, but preferably it is releasably connected to the cart 20. In such a case, the fluid reservoir 40 can be fitted within the opening 25 in the shelf 22. In particular, the fluid reservoir 40 can have a return or oversized top portion 41 (see FIG. 4). This oversized top portion 41 has a larger width on at least some sides then a lower portion 42. This variation in width allows the fluid reservoir 40 to rest securely within the opening 25 in the modified top shelf 22.

The fluid reservoir 40 can be designed to permit fluid flow out of the reservoir. For example, it may include a vent cap 43 that facilitates fluid to flow out of the fluid reservoir 40 due to gravity. The vent cap 43 may be part of a removable fill cap 44 that allows for easy filling of the fluid reservoir 40. Alternatively, the fluid reservoir 40 may include structure (not shown) that pressurizes the fluid to cause it to flow out of the fluid reservoir 40.

Preferably the fluid reservoir 40 has a percentage of its body (e.g., approximately two thirds to three quarters) within the cart 20 yet not interfering with or replacing existing storage spaces. Specifically, the fluid reservoir 40 can be disposed at a desired depth of approximately 4 to 8 inches below the top surface of the modified top shelf 22, yet well above any tall items on the middle shelf 23. This depth could allow the fluid reservoir 40 capacity to be, for example, approximately 2 to 6 gallons. The fluid reservoir 40 could extend further below the top of the modified shelf 22, but this could cause interference with stored items on the cart's middle shelf 23.

The fluid reservoir 40 can have a recess 45 in its top surface to create a shelf. In this manner, the placement of the fluid reservoir 40 on the top shelf 22 need not eliminate the commonly used top shelf 22′ of the conventional cart. The fluid reservoir 40 also can have handles 46 that allow for easy gripping of the fluid reservoir.

The fluid reservoir 40 utilizes the cart's negative space by providing efficient integration of its form with the cart's structure. Thus, the fluid reservoir 40 need not increase the cart's overall footprint, need not increase the cart's overall height, and need not interfere with tall spray bottles and paper products stored on the middle shelf 23. Integration of the fluid reservoir 40 where it utilizes the cart's negative space does not take up existing storage space, allows for improved fluid capacity, and provides maximized storage of all needed cleaning tools and supplies.

The fluid reservoir 40 preferably is configured so that it can be locked/secured to the cart 20, but also easily removed after unlocking to allow for manual filling and cleaning. A fluid reservoir 40 that secured to the cart 20 allows exposed chemicals on the cart 20 to be secured down or locked safely away from the public. A conventional mechanism (not shown) could be used to releasably lock the fluid reservoir 40 to the cart 20.

The connector 70 provides fluid communication between the fluid reservoir 40 and the fluid container 60 to allow fluid in the fluid reservoir 40 to flow into the fluid container 60. The connector 70 can include, for example, a conventional valve 71 and a flexible tube 72. The valve 71 could be configured to allow the user to manually control the amount of fluid leaving the fluid reservoir 40 by gravity. As another alternative, the valve could be configured to control the flow of fluid that is pressurized.

The connector 70 could be located on any of the sides of the fluid reservoir 40. For demonstration purposes, the connector 70 in the drawings is shown on the front end of the cart 20. Preferably, the valve 71 is located away from the cart's shelf lip 73. Each shelf typically has a lip to prevent the items from rolling or falling off the cart 20 when the cart 20 is moved, for example, over thresholds in a commercial or public facility. The valve 71 can be properly located away from the cart's shelf lip for easy and safe filling of the flat mop handle.

As shown in FIG. 5, a cover 74 can be provided to extend over the recess 45 that provides a shelf on the top surface of fluid reservoir 40. This cover 74 provides an additional measure of security.

The mop 50 can be, for example, an essentially conventional mop. It should have a head 51 and a handle 52. The head 51 preferably accommodates a conventional flat mop (not shown), though other types could be used. The handle 52 preferably is configured to facilitate movement of the head.

The fluid container 60 can be connected to the handle 52 to supply fluid to the mopping surface. The fluid container 60 can be connected to the handle 52 in the sense of being formed by at least a portion of the handle 52, as shown in FIG. 6. In this drawing, the walls 53 of the handle 52 form the fluid container 60 in conjunction with a plug 54 and a connector 55. Alternatively, the fluid container 60 could be an entirely different structure mounted on the interior or the exterior of the handle 52. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, fluid container 60 can be an external structure 65 mounted on the handle 52. In such a configuration, additional or reserve external structures 65 can be stored on that cart 20.

The fluid container 60 can provide the fluid to the mopping surface in a conventional manner. For example, the fluid container 60 may be connected to a tube 56, which extends from the connector 55, through the wall 53, to a valve 57. A short tube 58 then connects the valve 57 to a sprayer 59. When the valve 57 is opened, fluid can flow due to gravity down through the tubes 56, 58, out of the sprayer 59, and onto a mopping surface.

Preferably the fluid container 60 is configured to be at least partially refilled from the fluid reservoir 40. As shown in FIG. 7, the plug 54 can be removed from the top of the handle 52, and the flexible tube 72 connected to the valve 71 can be connected to or placed into the handle 52 to allow fluid to flow into the fluid container 60 upon actuation of the valve 71. After desired refill is complete, the tube 72 can be removed and the plug 54 can be reinserted in the handle 52.

The mopping device according to the present invention can be a subset of the mopping system. For example, the mopping device may include only the fluid reservoir 40, the fluid container 60, and the connector 70 between the fluid reservoir 40 and the fluid container 60.

A method of mopping according to the present invention can include, for example, moving the cart 20 and its fluid reservoir 40 to a mopping location, at least partially refilling the fluid container 60 with fluid from the fluid reservoir 40, dispensing fluid from the fluid container 60 to a mopping location, and mopping at the mopping location with the mop 50. Preferably, mopping will occur at the mopping location before the fluid container 60 is refilled with fluid from the fluid reservoir 40.

Thus, according to embodiments of the present invention, a mopping system, a mopping device, and mopping methods are provided. Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only.

Claims

1. A mopping system comprising:

a cart having rolling members to make the cart moveable;

a fluid reservoir connected to the cart;

a mop having a handle and a head;

a fluid container configured to be at least partially refilled from the reservoir and connected to the handle of the mop; and

a connector for providing fluid communication between the fluid reservoir and the fluid container to allow fluid in the fluid reservoir to flow into the fluid container.

2. The mopping system of claim 1, wherein the cart has at least one shelf and the fluid reservoir is connected to the shelf.

3. The mopping system of claim 1, wherein the fluid container is disposed within the handle of the mop.

4. The mopping system of claim 1, wherein the fluid container is connected to an exterior of the handle of the mop.

5. The mopping system of claim 1, wherein the connector includes a valve for prohibiting and permitting flow of fluid.

6. A mopping device comprising:

a fluid reservoir connectible to a cart for conveying the fluid reservoir;

a fluid container configured to be at least partially refilled from the reservoir and to be connectable to a handle of a mop; and

a connector for providing fluid communication between the fluid reservoir and the fluid container to allow fluid in the fluid reservoir to flow into the fluid container.

7. The mopping device of claim 6, wherein the fluid reservoir is configured to be connected to a shelf of the cart.

8. The mopping device of claim 6, wherein the fluid container is configured to be disposed within a handle of the mop.

9. The mopping device of claim 6, wherein the fluid container is configured to be connectable to an exterior of a handle of the mop.

10. The mopping device of claim 6, wherein the connector includes a valve for prohibiting and permitting flow of fluid.

11. A method of mopping, comprising the steps of:

moving a cart having rolling members and a fluid reservoir to a mopping location;

at least partially refilling a fluid container with fluid from the fluid reservoir;

dispensing fluid from the fluid container to a mopping location; and

mopping at the mopping location with a mop having a handle and a head.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of:

mopping at the mopping location before at least partially refilling the fluid container with fluid from the fluid reservoir.