CLEANING SYSTEM CONTAINER HAVING A PORTHOLE

Abstract

A cleaning system container includes a base, a side wall, a viewing portion in communication with the side wall, and a cleaning system. The viewing portion is a porthole of the side wall, which provides a window-like mechanism permitting one to see into the cleaning system container through the side wall. The cleaning system container defines a hollow cavity and is capable of holding a fluid, which can receive the cleaning system. The cleaning system container can include a filter assembly and/or a skimmer assembly. By positioning the portholes in desired locations, the amount of waste captured by the filter assembly can be ascertained without the need of opening the cleaning system container, prompting swimming pool owners to change the filter cartridges more frequently, which can improve its overall performance.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims benefit, under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/023,949, filed 28 Jan. 2008, the entire contents and substance of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a container and, more particularly, to a container for housing a cleaning system, the container having at least one viewing portion for viewing therein.

A conventional container is oftentimes formed from molded plastic, which permanently takes on the shape of a small, portable bucket. These containers have been available for a long time, and exist in a variety of shapes and sizes enabling consumers are able to choose the specific container that suits their particular needs.

Containers are currently used to house a medium, for example, a filter for cleaning a medium from another container. Specifically, containers can be used to store a liquid and, more specifically, a filter for cleaning liquid from another container. For instance, cleaning system containers are used to house a filter cartridge to clean water present in a swimming pool.

One problem associated with these types of containers is that it is inconvenient to assess whether the filter contained therein should be changed, for instance, due to the amount of debris captured by the filter. In order to determine whether the filter requires changing, one must remove a cap of the container to verify the status/characteristics of the filter contained therein.

SUMMARY

Briefly described, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a cleaning system container for cleaning a medium, such as water, of a swimming pool. The cleaning system container includes a base, a side wall, a viewing portion in communication with the side wall, and a cleaning system. The viewing portion of the cleaning system container can be a porthole, which provides a window-like mechanism permitting one to see into the cleaning system container through the side wall. The cleaning system container is capable of holding a fluid and defines a hollow cavity, which can receive the cleaning system. The cleaning system container can include a filter assembly and/or a skimmer assembly.

By positioning the portholes in desired locations, the amount of waste captured by the filter assembly can be ascertained without the need of opening the cleaning system container or removing the filter assembly from the container, prompting swimming pool owners to change the filter cartridges more frequently and generally at the appropriate time, which improves the overall performance of the cleaning system.

These and other objects, embodiments, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1D are perspective views of conventional swimming pools.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cleaning system container, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cleaning system container secured to a swimming pool, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

To facilitate an understanding of the principles and features of embodiments of the invention, it is explained hereinafter with reference to its implementation in an illustrative embodiment. Embodiments of the present invention are described herein as being a container having viewing portions, e.g., portholes.

Embodiments of the invention can further be described in the context of being a cleaning system container for housing a cleaning system, which can include, for example and not limitation, a filter assembly. The cleaning system container can include at least one porthole positioned in at least one side wall of the container. Preferably, the cleaning system container is in communication with another container holding a media that is desired to be cleaned, for example and not limitation, a swimming pool containing water.

Embodiments of the present invention, however, are not limited to use as a container with portholes. Rather, embodiments of the invention can be used when a container that provides for convenient storage and visible access to the interior is needed or desired. The container described herein as a cleaning system container with portholes can also find utility as a container for a variety of liquids or other substances that require or could make use of such a container with see-through sections.

The materials described hereinafter as making up the various elements of the container are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many suitable materials that would perform the same or a similar function as the materials described herein are intended to be embraced within the scope of the invention. Such other materials not described herein can include, but are not limited to, for example, materials that are developed after the time of the development of the invention.

Embodiments of the invention provide containers with portholes that can house a cleaning system. These containers are generally formed by a molding process, or by joining a base, along its perimeter, to a side wall at or near one edge of the base.

The cleaning system container has a base and at least one side wall. Furthermore, the cleaning system container includes at least one porthole in the side wall. A plurality of portholes can be provided, each being a translucent portion of the side wall, and preferably transparent. The portholes provide a window-like mechanism permitting one to see into the cleaning system container through the side wall.

The cleaning system container is capable of holding a media, e.g., fluid. Accordingly, the cleaning system container can define a hollow cavity. A cleaning system can be positionable in the clean system container.

In one embodiment, the cleaning system container can be supported by the side wall of the container to be cleaned, for example and not limitation, an above-ground swimming pool, such that no portion of the cleaning system container is supported by a ground surface upon which the base is supported. Alternatively, the cleaning system container can be partially insertable into an aperture in communication to a swimming pool or like container for which the cleaning system is adapted to clean the contents of. The cleaning system container can include a filter assembly and/or a skimmer assembly. In addition, the cleaning system can be in communication with a pump assembly.

For instance, a filter assembly of the cleaning system can also be disposed within the hollow cavity of the cleaning system container. The filter assembly is adapted to filter debris in the fluid of the swimming pool. Exemplarily conventional above-ground swimming pools are illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1D. For example, the filter assembly includes at least one filter cartridge for capturing debris from the swimming pool. Moreover, a skimmer assembly of the cleaning system disposed within the hollow cavity of the cleaning system container. The skimmer assembly is adapted to gather debris off a top surface of fluid of the swimming pool.

In addition, a pump assembly can be in communication the cleaning system container. The pump assembly is adapted to control the filter assembly and the skimmer assembly extracting and/or circulating fluid and debris of the swimming pool to be filtered by the filter assembly and be gathered by the skimmer assembly. A return line can be coupled to the swimming pool, such that the pump assembly can permit fluid extracted from the swimming pool to be reintroduced, after being cleansed by the cleaning system, back into the swimming pool.

A container, constructed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, can be seen in the perspective view illustrated in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, a cleaning system container 100 has a base 110 and at least one side wall 120, which is made from a physical material and is formed in a particular shape. The side wall 120 includes at least one porthole 150 for providing viewing access into the cleaning system container 100. The base 110 and side wall 120 combine to define the cleaning system container 100, which is adapted to house a cleaning system 190. The cleaning system container 100 includes a filter assembly 400 and skimmer assembly 500, which are collectively controlled by a pump assembly 300.

The cleaning system container 100 is formed with the base 110 and side wall 120. The base 110 and side wall 120 can be manufactured out of many different materials and can be formed of the same materials or each a different material. In an exemplary embodiment, the base 110 and the side wall 120 can be made via a molding process. In another exemplary embodiment, the base 110 and side wall 120 of the cleaning system container 100 can be formed from a textile (e.g., burlap, etc.) or synthetic material (e.g., plastics, polyurethane, PVC, nylon, etc). Many materials (especially water-permeable textiles, etc.) can be used to construct a container; the materials, however, should be treated to retain water. For example, such materials could be adhered to, laminated with, coated with, or bonded to a material impermeable to water. The base 110 can be formed from a nylon shell, which can be laminated or otherwise treated to hold water. For example, the nylon shell might be bonded to another material, such as polyurethane, PVC, vinyl, or other suitable impermeable lining to provide the desirable waterproof qualities, and to provide a more pleasing tactile quality to the interior of the cleaning system container 100. Similarly, the side wall 120 of the cleaning system container 100 can be constructed from these materials, or other materials having similar suitable qualities. Many of the materials that are used can be selected for their durability.

The base 110 and side wall 120 can be formed from a combination of materials, which can be adhered or bonded together. The materials used for the various portions of the cleaning system container 100, including, for example, the base 110 and the side wall 120, can be joined by way of a number of commonly known suitable techniques, such as sewing, adhesives, bonding, lamination, RF welding, other suitable joining techniques, and the like. The connection of the base 110 to the side wall 120 can be along the bottom 122 of the side wall 120. The base 110 includes a perimeter 112, wherein the side wall 120 can be connected about the perimeter of the base 110. As noted above, in an alternative embodiment, the base 110 and side wall 120 can also be made via a molding process.

As also shown in FIG. 2, the side wall 120 of the cleaning system container 100 can include more than one wall, such as an inner wall 126 and an outer wall 128. In inner and outer walls are implemented, the inner wall 126 can be sealable to the outer wall 128. In one embodiment, the inner wall 126 can be made of pliable plastic, while the outer wall 128 is made of hard plastic. Then inner wall 126 can limit leakage of liquid should the outer wall 128 crack. Likewise, the material of the inner wall 126 can be made of hard plastic, and the material of the outer wall 128 can be made of pliable material to protect from potential leakage should the hard plastic crack. In another embodiment, the inner wall 126 can be made of hard plastic, while the outer wall 128 can also be made of hard plastic.

Additionally, the cleaning system container 100 furthers comprise a porthole 150, or a plurality thereof. The portholes 150 are translucent sections of the side wall 120, either integrally formed in/with the side wall 120, or separate elements. The portholes 150 perform like a window permitting one to see into the cleaning system container 100, without the need of removing a top or cap 135. The portholes 150 can further enable determining the level of fluid within the cleaning system container 100.

The portholes 150 can have particular shapes. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the shape of the portholes 150 can be oval. Other embodiments provide that the portholes 150 can be round or circular. The configuration of the porthole 150 can have many shapes. In an exemplary embodiment, the locations of the portholes 150 can be placed symmetrically about the side wall 120.

The portholes 150 can aid in the efficiency of the cleaning system 190, as the portholes 150 can enable viewing into the cleaning system container 100 through the side wall 120. If the portholes 150 are removably designed by suitable means, a porthole 150 can also be used as a drainage device, enabling quick emptying of the fluid of the cleaning system container 100. The portholes 150 can be integrally formed during manufacturing of the side wall 120, or removable, wherein they are attached via a waterproof/leak resistant means. The portholes 150 can also be included via a non-removable method, wherein the portholes 150 are secured within the side wall 120.

The portholes 150 can provide access into the cavity of the container 100, enabling removal/insertion of elements of the cleaning system. For example, the porthole 150 can have an appropriate size to enable one to remove/insert a filter assembly, as described more fully below.

The portholes 150 can be secured in different ways within the side wall 120. In one embodiment, the portholes 150 can be flush with the side wall 120, such as enabling a drainage device. In another embodiment, the portholes 150 can be insertable between the inner wall 126 and the outer wall 128 of the side wall 120. The portholes 150 are sealed between the inner wall 126 and the outer wall 128, wherein there is a hole between the inner wall 126 and the outer wall 128, whereby the porthole 150 seals the hole. The porthole 150, thus, can be sandwiched between the inner wall 126 and the outer wall 128. The porthole 150 can be sealed by conventional compression or heat sealed methods. In yet another embodiment, the portholes 150 can extend outwardly from the side wall 120. Essentially, the portholes 150 provide an external view of the cleaning system 190.

The porthole 150 can provide a sliding door, which permits access into the hollow cavity 195 of the cleaning system container 100.

The porthole 150 is a portion of the side wall 120, but the entire side wall can be considered a porthole 150, such that one can see a majority of elements of the cleaning system container 100. For instance, not only can the filter cartridge (described below) be seen, but also the skimmer basket (also described below) can be seen.

The cleaning system 190 is adapted to clean the contents of debris in another container, which is often referred to as the swimming pool herein. Many containers maintain a medium, often in fluid form, which requires cleaning. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the container containing the fluid, or liquid, is a swimming pool. The cleaning system 190 of the cleaning system container 100 is adapted to clean the fluid in same. FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the cleaning system container 100 secured to the pool.

Exemplary conventional swimming pools, such as a rectangular frame pool, a ring pool, a round frame pool, and an oval pool, are respectively illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1D. For instance, the collapsible container described in U.S. Ser. No. 11/466,681, filed on 23 Aug. 2006, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, are exemplary swimming pools to be used with the present invention. Further, for example, the collapsible container described in U.S. Ser. No. 60/956,066, filed on 15 Aug. 2007, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, are other exemplary swimming pools to be used with embodiments of the present invention. In another embodiment, the swimming pool can be an in-ground pool.

Referring back to FIG. 2, in one embodiment, the cleaning system 190 is for cleaning, filtering, and/or skimming debris on or in the water of the swimming pool. The cleaning system 190 can be designed lightweight enough such that the side wall of an above-ground swimming pool can support the entire system. In such an arrangement, a ground level base beside the pool wall is not needed for supporting the cleaning system, as conventionally required. For instance, the cleaning system described in U.S. Ser. No. 11/934,228, filed on 2 Nov. 2007, the entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference, is one example of the cleaning system 190.

The cleaning system 190 is capable of removing debris from the swimming pool. Preferably, the cleaning system can comprise a combination of a filter assembly and a skimmer assembly. The cleaning system 190 can be operated by a pump assembly 300, and be in communication with a return line (not shown) for returning the cleaned medium back to the swimming pool.

The cleaning system container 100 defines a hollow cavity 195, and, in one embodiment, can be supported by the side wall of the swimming pool. Alternatively, a portion of the cleaning system container 100 can be removably disposed in an aperture, which is in juxtaposition to the swimming pool, such as, for example and not limitation, in a concrete aperture for an in-ground swimming pool.

The filter assembly 400 of the cleaning system 190 is disposable within the hollow cavity 195, and is adapted to filter debris in the fluid of the swimming pool. The skimmer assembly 500 is also disposed within a portion of the hollow cavity 195, and is adapted to gather debris off a portion of the top surface of fluid contained within a portion of the swimming pool. The pump assembly 300 can be removably securable to a first end of the cleaning system container 100, such as the bottom, and is adapted to control the filter assembly 400 and the skimmer assembly 500. The pump assembly 300 is further adapted to extract fluid and debris from the swimming pool to be filtered by the filter assembly 400 and be gathered by the skimmer assembly 500. The return line can be coupled to the side wall of the swimming pool, as well as the pump assembly 300, and is adapted to permit fluid extracted from the swimming pool to be reinserted into the swimming pool, after being cleaned.

The filter assembly 400 and skimmer assembly 500 can be disposed in the hollow cavity 195 of the cleaning system container 100.

The filter assembly 400 positioned within the cleaning system container 100 can include a removable filter cartridge 405. The filter cartridge 405 can be sized and provided to filter water-borne particulate matter, for example and not limitation, debris too small to be first retained by the skimmer assembly 500.

The skimmer assembly 500 is preferably positioned above the filter assembly 400, and can first catch debris; typically, the skimmer assembly 500 captures larger-sized debris, such as leaves, pine needles, and the like. Specifically, adjacent to the cleaning system container top end, a skimmer port (not shown) can be in open fluid communication with the interior of the cleaning system container 100. A removable strainer basket 510 can be provided to be retained within the cleaning system container 100. The strainer basket 510 is positioned below water level of the swimming pool, such that water entering the cleaning system container 100 through the skimmer port first drains through the removable strainer basket 510.

The filter assembly 400 and the skimmer assembly 500 are controlled by the pump assembly 300. The pump assembly 300 is in communication with the cleaning system 190. In one embodiment, the pump assembly 300 is positioned at the bottom end of the cleaning system container 100. The bottom end of the cleaning system container 100 can include an aperture, which is sized and situated to directly connect with the pump assembly 300.

The pump assembly 300 includes a pump 305 without the need for intervening pipes or other intervening connections. The pump 305 includes a pump inlet and a pump outlet, and can be secured to the cleaning system container 100 by a pump retainer.

By positioning the portholes 150 in desired locations, the amount of waste adhered to the filter cartridge 405 and/or skimmer basket 510 can be ascertained without the need of opening the cleaning system container 100 (i.e., without removing the top or cap 135), and may prompt swimming pool owners to change the filter cartridges 405 more frequently. Changing the filter cartridges 405 more frequently can improve the overall performance and lengthen the life of the cleaning system 190.

While the invention has been disclosed in its preferred forms, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications, additions, and deletions can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and its equivalents, as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A cleaning system container comprising:

a base having a perimeter;

a side wall having a first end in communication with the perimeter of the base, wherein the base and side wall define a hollow cavity;

a viewing portion in communication with the side wall, the viewing portion permitting viewing into the hollow cavity; and

a cleaning system for cleaning media of a container in communication with the cleaning system container, the cleaning system removably disposed within the hollow cavity.

2. The cleaning system container of claim 1, the container in communication with the cleaning system container being a swimming pool containing water.

3. The cleaning system container of claim 2, the cleaning system comprising:

a filter assembly for filtering debris contained in the water of the swimming pool;

a skimming assembly for gathering debris off a top portion of the water of the swimming pool; and

a pump assembly for extracting the water contained in the swimming pool to be filtered by the filter assembly and gathered by the skimmer assembly,

wherein elements of the filter assembly and the skimmer assembly are removably disposed within the hollow cavity.

4. The cleaning system container of claim 3, the filter assembly comprising a removable filter cartridge for filtering water-borne particulate matter.

5. The cleaning system container of claim 4, the skimmer assembly comprising strainer basket for gathering particulate matter.

6. The cleaning system container of claim 5, the filter assembly positioned beneath the skimmer assembly in the hollow cavity, such that large particulate matter is gathered by the strainer basket of the skimmer assembly and then smaller particulate matter is filtered by the filter cartridge of the filter assembly.

7. The cleaning system container of claim 6, the viewing portion being translucent sections of the side wall.

8. The cleaning system container of claim 7, the viewing portion integral with the side wall.

9. The cleaning system container of claim 8, the viewing portion further comprising a sliding door permitting access into the hollow cavity.

10. A cleaning system container comprising:

a container comprising: a base having a perimeter; a side wall having a first end in communication with the perimeter of the base, wherein the base and side wall define a hollow cavity, the side wall having opaque characteristics; a porthole in communication with the side wall, the porthole permitting viewing into the hollow cavity; and

a cleaning system for cleaning water of a swimming pool that in communication with the cleaning system container, the cleaning system comprising: a skimming assembly for gathering debris on a top portion of the water of the swimming pool; a filter assembly for filtering debris contained in the water of the swimming pool; and a pump assembly in fluid communication with the cleaning system for extracting a portion of the water contained in the swimming pool,

the filter assembly and the skimmer assembly removably disposed within the hollow cavity of the container.

11. The cleaning system container of claim 10, the porthole being translucent sections of the side wall.

12. The cleaning system container of claim 11, the porthole integral with the side wall.

13. The cleaning system container of claim 12, the porthole further comprising a sliding door permitting access into the hollow cavity.

14. The cleaning system container of claim 13, the container being made via a molding process.

15. A cleaning system for cleaning the contents of a swimming pool, which contains water, the cleaning system comprising:

a container comprising: a base having a perimeter; a side wall having a first end in communication with the perimeter of the base, the base and side wall defining a hollow cavity, the side wall having opaque characteristics; and a porthole in communication with the side wall, the porthole permitting viewing into the hollow cavity, the porthole being translucent sections of the side wall;

a skimming assembly for gathering debris on a top portion of the water of the swimming pool; and

a filter assembly for filtering debris contained in the water of the swimming pool.

16. The cleaning system of claim 15, the porthole integral with the side wall.

17. The cleaning system of claim 16, the porthole further comprising a sliding door permitting access into the hollow cavity.

18. The cleaning system of claim 17, the container being made via a molding process.

19. The cleaning system of claim 18, further comprising a pump assembly in fluid communication with the skimming assembly and the filter assembly for extracting a portion of water contained in the swimming pool.