BUCKET FOR HANDLING LIQUIDS
A bucket for handling liquids comprising a collector reservoir, a wringer receptacle having a collector outlet in fluid communication with the collector reservoir and a storage reservoir comprising at least one discharge aperture. The wringer receptacle is positionable between a first position wherein the wringer receptacle blocks the discharge aperture and a second position wherein the wringer receptacle allows fluid communication between the storage reservoir and the wringer receptacle through the discharge aperture. Rinsing of a cleaning medium in the bucket according to the invention is controlled through use of the cleaning medium actuating the wringer receptacle. The storage reservoir may also comprise a valve that can be actuated by movement of the wringer receptacle.
The present invention claims priority of U.S. provisional patent applications 60/892,634 filed Mar. 2, 2007 and 60/939,078 filed May 20, 2007, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention generally relates to cleaning products. More particularly, it relates to a cleaning bucket for handling liquids.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONIn basic cleaning buckets, the mop is immersed in the clean wash solution and, in so doing, contaminates the clean wash solution by direct contact with the dirty mop. The cleaning medium is thus repeatedly rinsed in soiled wash solution from previous soakings and wringings. This results in the spreading of soiled or dirty wash solution on the surfaces to be cleaned. This method of cleaning is counter-productive and not optimal since contaminated water is then used for cleaning tasks.
There exist a certain number of multi-compartmented cleaning buckets that have been developed as improvements over the basic cleaning bucket (with a single compartment). Such buckets provide for separate containment of the dirty wash liquid and the clean wash solution which are isolated from each other.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,798,307 describes a compartmented cleaning bucket. However, in such a system, discharge of the cleaning wash liquid into a discharge transfer compartment is not easily controlled by the user.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,045,252 describes another compartmented cleaning bucket in which discharge of the clean wash liquid into a transfer compartment is controlled with a valve. However, a user must constantly open and close the valve manually in order to rinse the mop in a clean liquid solution.
Other bucket systems known to the applicant are described in http://vvww.limpieza.com/busca_docs.asp?id=612, and in the following patents or patent applications WO 0000077, EP 0,956,807, U.S. Pat. No. 5,548,865, U.S. Pat. No. 6,006,397, U.S. Pat. No. 6,260,230, U.S. Pat. No. 6,279,195 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,457203.
Thus, there is still presently a need for a bucket that can control the amount of clean wash solution being applied on the cleaning medium (mop, sponge or any other item) while isolating the soiled water from the clean wash solution. The control has to be easily accomplished by the user without necessarily having to release the cleaning medium being rinsed or wringed. Such a bucket would allow for efficient and hygienic cleaning tasks using a clean wash solution only and thus reduce the spreading of soiled water on the surfaces to be cleaned in an efficient manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAn object of the present invention is to propose a bucket that satisfies the above-mentioned need.
More particularly, the present invention provides a bucket for handling liquids comprising:
-
- a collector reservoir;
- a wringer receptacle comprising:
- a collector outlet in fluid communication with the collector reservoir; and
- a storage reservoir comprising at least one discharge aperture.
The wringer receptacle is positionable between a first position wherein the wringer receptacle blocks the at least one discharge aperture and a second position wherein the wringer receptacle allows fluid communication between the storage reservoir and the wringer receptacle through the at least one discharge aperture.
The present invention also provides a bucket for handling liquids comprising:
-
- a collector reservoir;
- a wringer receptacle comprising:
- a collector outlet in fluid communication with the collector reservoir; and
- a biasing structure; and
- a storage reservoir comprising:
- a discharge aperture; and
- a spring valve closing the discharge aperture.
The wringer receptacle is positionable between a first position wherein the wringer receptacle biasing structure allows fluid communication between the storage reservoir and the wringer receptacle through the at least one discharge aperture by actuating the spring valve, and a second position wherein the wringer receptacle biasing structure releases the spring valves and blocks fluid communication between the storage reservoir and the wringer receptacle.
Such a cleaning bucket eliminates wash solution contamination which typically occurs after the wringing, rinsing or soaking of a cleaning medium (mop, sponge, cloth or any other item) in the wash solution. This is achieved by metering of the wash solution into the wringer receptacle for the cleaning medium. This allows for an improved cleaning process which yields cleaner surfaces since the wash solution used for cleaning remains always clean and contaminant free.
The present invention represents an improvement over other compartmented cleaning buckets because the cleaning medium, such as a mop head, never enters in the clean wash solution compartment. The clean wash solution flows on the mop head directly into the wringer receptacle. This prevents clean wash solution contamination and therefore prevents contaminated wash solution from being deposited over and over again on the target surfaces to be cleaned.
Similarly, the present invention facilitates cleaning tasks by not requiring several replacements of the wash solution which normally becomes soiled after a certain number of soakings of the cleaning medium. The design also minimizes movement or displacements of the cleaning medium since rinsing and wringing are carried out in a same location, the wringer receptacle. Rinsing can also be controlled through use of the cleaning medium itself.
The present invention also has an environmental benefit as less water is required to perform the cleaning task since no replacement of the wash solution is required. Moreover, a smaller amount of wash solution is required in the first place.
The present invention also represents a simple mechanical solution as it has only one principal moving part and is inexpensive to manufacture.
A non-restrictive description of preferred embodiments of the invention will now be given with reference to the appended drawings.
Referring to any one of
According to the present invention, as shown in
Preferably, the wringer receptacle 14 is rotatably positionable between the first position and the second position.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the bucket 10 preferably comprises a spring mechanism for biasing the wringer receptacle 14 towards the first position.
Preferably, as shown in
Preferably, the storage reservoir comprises a first floor surface, the wringer receptacle comprises a second floor surface, the collector reservoir comprises a third floor surface, the first floor surface is higher than the second floor surface and the second floor surface is higher than the third floor surface. This implies that liquids in the bucket flow through gravitational effects from the storage reservoir, to the wringer receptacle and then to the collector reservoir.
Preferably, the wringer receptacle 14 comprises at least one fluid inlet aperture 22 and the at least one fluid inlet aperture 22 is in register with the at least one discharge aperture 20 when the wringer receptacle 14 is in the second position as shown in
Preferably, as shown in
As shown in
Operational Use of the Bucket
Similar to conventional mop and bucket systems, a user may start a mopping task by filling the storage reservoir 16 with a desired cleaning solution. In a first embodiment of the present invention, the storage reservoir has a capacity of 10 L (2.64 Gallons). Once this is accomplished, the operation can be broken down into two phases: mop rinsing and mop wringing.
Mop Rinsing
The mop head 50 (rectangular sponge-type mop or round-type threaded mop) is positioned in the wringer receptacle 14 as shown in
As shown in
Mop Wringing
Wash solution flow into the wringer receptacle is interrupted by applying a downward force on the wringer receptacle 14, on the face where drain openings 54 are located. This will impose a 20° degree rotation of the wringer receptacle in a direction opposite the mop rinsing procedure, aligning back the blocking structure located on the wringer receptacle 14 in front of the outlet aperture 20. Mop wringing is also accomplished within the wringer receptacle by the same downward motion of the mop releasing excess solution into the collector reservoir 12 by gravity. The mop can now be lifted from the bucket and is ready for cleaning tasks.
As shown in
As shown in
Preferably, as shown in
As shown in
Then, when the storage reservoir is placed in the bucket, the valve 26 is opened as shown in
To allow flow between the storage reservoir 16 and the wringer receptacle 14, the wringer receptacle fluid inlet aperture 22 is placed in register with the storage reservoir discharge aperture 20 as shown in
Wash Solution Disposal
Once the mopping task is completed, the wash solution is disposed of by first emptying the excess water solution located in the storage reservoir 16 into the collector reservoir 12. This is accomplished by opening the wringer valve (as is done in the mop rinsing phase) to allow drainage into the collector reservoir. With all the solution now located in the collector reservoir 12, the bucket may be tilted to allow the fluid to flow out through a collector reservoir spout 70 (shown for example in
The above-mentioned first embodiment of the present invention is compatible with rectangular sponge type mops, traditional yarn mops, sponges, cleaning cloths and other hand held cleaning mediums, and is ideal for car wash applications.
Moreover, the low access wringer requires minimal lifting of the mop. The bucket is easy and intuitive to operate.
Referring to any one of
As shown in
Preferably, as shown in
Preferably, the wringer receptacle 14 comprises at least one fluid inlet aperture 22′ and the at least one fluid inlet aperture 22′ is in register with the at least one discharge aperture 20′ when the wringer receptacle 14′ is in the second position as shown in
As also shown in
Operational Use of the Bucket
As mentioned previously, a user may start a mopping task by filling the storage reservoir 16′ with a desired cleaning solution. Once this is accomplished, the operation can be broken down into two phases: mop rinsing and mop wringing.
Mop Rinsing
The mop head 50′ (rectangular sponge-type mop or round-type threaded mop) is positioned in the wringer receptacle 14′ as shown in
As shown in
Mop Wringing
Wash solution flow into the wringer receptacle is interrupted by applying a downward force on the wringer receptacle 14′, on the face where drain openings 54′ are located as shown in
The above-mentioned second embodiment of the present invention is compatible with rectangular sponge type mops, traditional yarn mops, sponges, cleaning cloths and other hand held cleaning mediums, and is ideal for car wash applications.
Preferably, according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, as shown in
The three main parts are once again the collector reservoir 12″, the wringer receptacle 14 and the storage reservoir 16 and can be assembled through a snap fit assembly. Additionally, the design provides for two standard sealing rings 40″ that are installed in their mating wringer receptacle grooves.
All components may be manufactured from plastic materials through injection molding.
The wringer receptacle 14″ is assembled onto the storage reservoir 16″ by a simple snap fit feature 42″ (shown in
Cleaning Solution Filling
The storage reservoir 16″ is filled with the desired solution.
The mop is placed at the bottom of the wringer receptacle 14″, a twist of the mop handle rotates the wringer valve and opens the wash solution flow as shown in
The mop is soaked and rinsed by 16 jets of flowing cleaning solution until the desired level of rinsing is achieved.
Excess cleaning solution is automatically drained by gravity to the collector reservoir 12″.
A clockwise twist of the mop handle rotates the wringer valve back to the closed position, interrupting the cleaning solution flow and allowing for in-situ mop wringing.
Wringed out fluid is drained by gravity to the collector reservoir 12″.
A 90 degree counter-clockwise rotation of the wringer receptacle 14″, will align each of the two wringer receptacle inlets 122″ with the apertures of the storage reservoir, allowing for clean wash solution to flow through the sixteen wringer receptacle discharge holes 124″. The wringer receptacle preferably comprises two rotation stoppers 126″ which limit rotation. The mop can be freely manipulated and soaked until the desired level of rinsing is achieved. Wash solution flow is interrupted by applying a 90 degree clockwise rotation of the wringer receptacle.
Preferably, as shown in
A shown in
Operation of this bucket is similar to the other ones described above. First, the storage reservoir is filled with the desired solution. The mop is then placed on the OPEN side of the wringer receptacle, and a downward push of the mop handle rotates the wringer receptacle, this opening the wash solution flow. The mop is soaked and rinsed by 18 jets of flowing cleaning solution until the desired level of rinsing is achieved. Excess cleaning solution is automatically drained by gravity to the Drain Bucket. For wringing, the mop is placed on the drain side of the wringer receptacle, and a downward push of the mop handle rotates the wringer receptacle, thus closing the wash solution flow. The mop can then be wringed out in-situ.
Commercial Version of the Bucket
The commercial bucket 200 comprises two main assemblies, a collector reservoir 202 and a tank and wringer assembly 204. The collector reservoir 202 has two main functions: (1) capturing and storing used wash solution and (2) supporting the tank and wringer assembly 204 mounted on top of it. The bucket is fitted with four directional wheels typically used in commercial grade mop buckets.
As shown in
The wash solution tank 206 incorporates baffles to alleviate wash solution inertia caused by displacement of the product. It is also fitted with a cover which can be pivotally mounted to the tank or be designed as a stand-alone lid.
It should be noted that most existing lever-actuated wringer designs can be used in the wringer section of the tank and wringer assembly 204.
Preferably, as shown in
Preferably, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the bucket 10 may further comprise a storage drawer removably attached to the bucket 10 or added to the tank and wringer assembly. This compartment can be located below the tank section and be accessible from the front side. The storage feature of the product can take the shape of a drawer-type storage system or a simple opening giving access to a storage volume area.
The commercial bucket design has the benefit of requiring less effort from a user than with traditional commercial mop bucket and wringers while delivering superior cleaning results.
To operate the commercial bucket, a dry mop is first placed in the wringer receptacle. The flow control lever 208 is then rotated to open the wash solution flow into the wringer receptacle (as shown in
Consequently, a product line based on the present invention may be developed. The bucket can be designed into multiple variations of shape and size. A floor mopping system option can be designed with bucket operation requiring a specially designed mop. Or a general purpose cleaning bucket may be designed for other cleaning media (sponge, cloth, etc.)
Although the present invention has been explained hereinabove by way of preferred embodiments thereof, it should be pointed out that any modifications to these preferred embodiments within the scope of the appended claims is not deemed to alter or change the nature and scope of the present invention.
For example, the bucket geometry and wringer receptacle mechanism can be modified according to different designs and functional applications. The bucket components may be of circular or rectangular or any other shape. In all cases, the operating principles remain similar. Alternately, the storage reservoir can be closed off to form an integral storage tank. A housing cover is another alternative. The wringer valve mechanism can be alternately designed to operate by vertical translation rather than by rotation. In such a design configuration, a downward force on the mop stick opens the wash solution flow. The flow can then stop upon relieving the applied force. A compression spring may then be used in this configuration to load the wringer receptacle towards a closed position. The wringer receptacle mechanism can also be designed to allow for modulation of the wash solution flow rate (volume of solution per second) into the wringer receptacle. Numerous changes as the ones presented above may be attempted without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A bucket for handling liquids comprising:
- a collector reservoir; -a wringer receptacle comprising:
- a collector outlet in fluid communication with the collector reservoir; and
- a storage reservoir comprising at least one discharge aperture, said wringer receptacle being positionable between a first position wherein the wringer receptacle blocks the at least one discharge aperture and a second position wherein the wringer receptacle allows fluid communication between the storage reservoir and the wringer receptacle through the at least one discharge aperture.
2. The bucket according to claim 1, wherein the wringer receptacle is rotatably positionable between the first position and the second position.
3. The bucket according to claim 1, further comprising a spring mechanism for biasing the wringer receptacle towards the first position.
4. The bucket according to claim 1, wherein the storage reservoir is removably attached to the bucket.
5. The bucket according to claim 1, further comprising a flow control valve for controlling a flow rate through the at least one discharge aperture.
6. The bucket according to claim 1, wherein the wringer receptacle further comprises at least one fluid inlet aperture and the at least one fluid inlet aperture is in register with the at least one discharge aperture when the wringer receptacle is in the second position.
7. The bucket according to claim 4, wherein the storage reservoir further comprises at least one spring valve closing the at least one discharge aperture.
8. A bucket for handling liquids comprising: -a collector reservoir; a wringer receptacle comprising:
- a collector outlet in fluid communication with the collector reservoir; and a biasing structure; and -a storage reservoir comprising:
- a discharge aperture; and -a spring valve closing the discharge aperture; said wringer receptacle being positionable between a first position wherein the wringer receptacle biasing structure allows fluid communication between the storage reservoir and the wringer receptacle through the at least one discharge aperture by actuating the spring valve, and a second position wherein the wringer receptacle biasing structure releases the spring valve and blocks fluid communication between the storage reservoir and the wringer receptacle.
9. The bucket according to claim 8, wherein the wringer receptacle is rotatably positionable between the first position and the second position.
10. The bucket according to claim 8, further comprising a spring mechanism for biasing the wringer receptacle towards the second position.
11. The bucket according to claim 8, wherein the storage reservoir is removably attached to the bucket.
12. The bucket according to claim 8, further comprising a flow control valve for controlling a flow rate through the at least one discharge aperture.
13. The bucket according to claim 8, wherein the wringer receptacle further comprises at least one fluid inlet aperture and the at least one fluid inlet aperture is in register with the at least one discharge aperture when the wringer receptacle is in the first position.
14. The bucket according to claim 1, wherein the storage reservoir comprises a first floor surface, the wringer receptacle comprises a second floor surface, the collector reservoir comprises a third floor surface, the first floor surface is higher than the second floor surface and the second floor surface is higher than the third floor surface.
15. The bucket according to claim 1, wherein the wringer receptacle further comprises a pool drain for draining liquids from the wringer receptacle independently of the collector outlet.
16. The bucket according to claim 8, wherein the storage reservoir comprises a first floor surface, the wringer receptacle comprises a second floor surface, the collector reservoir comprises a third floor surface, the first floor surface is higher than the second floor surface and the second floor surface is higher than the third floor surface.
17. The bucket according to claim 8, wherein the wringer receptacle further comprises a pool drain for draining liquids from the wringer receptacle independently of the collector outlet.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 3, 2008
Publication Date: Apr 22, 2010
Inventor: Laurent Azancot (Saint-Lambert)
Application Number: 12/449,877
International Classification: A47L 13/58 (20060101);