Mop Bucket

Abstract

An improved mop bucket with nesting reservoir and strainer (dewatering) portions. In the stored configuration, the strainer portion nests within the reservoir portion, and in the assembled configuration for use, the back wall of the stainer portion connects to the back wall of the reservoir portion in back-to-back relationship. The strainer portion includes a port in the back wall that allows water to drain into the reservoir portion through a slot in the back wall of the reservoir portion when in the assembled configuration.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/237,228, filed Oct. 5, 2015. The foregoing application is incorporated by reference in its entirety as if fully set forth herein.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not applicable.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to mop buckets, and more particularly to an improved mop bucket with nesting reservoir and strainer (dewatering) portions.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART

Mop buckets with mop head dewatering systems are well known. Known mop head dewatering systems are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,743,528, 7,909,174, 8,056,179, 8,065,777, 8,239,997, and 8,347,519.

The foregoing information reflects the current state of the art of which the present inventor is aware. Reference to, and discussion of, this information is intended to aid in discharging Applicant's acknowledged duty of candor in disclosing information that may be relevant to the examination of claims to the present invention. However, it is respectfully submitted that none of the above information discloses, teaches, suggests, shows, or otherwise renders obvious, either singly or when considered in combination, the invention described and claimed herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an improved mop bucket with nesting reservoir and strainer (dewatering) portions. In the stored configuration, the strainer portion nests within the reservoir portion, and in the assembled configuration for use, the back wall of the stainer portion connects to the back wall of the reservoir portion in back-to-back relationship. The strainer portion includes a port in the back wall that allows water to drain into the reservoir portion through a slot in the back wall of the reservoir portion when in the assembled configuration.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved mop bucket.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved mop bucket with nesting reservoir and strainer (dewatering) portions.

Other novel features which are characteristic of the invention, as to organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof will be better understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming part of this disclosure. The invention resides not in any one of these features taken alone, but rather in the particular combination of all of its structures for the functions specified.

There has thus been broadly outlined the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form additional subject matter of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based readily may be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Further, the purpose of the Abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The Abstract is neither intended to define the invention of this application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

Certain terminology and derivations thereof may be used in the following description for convenience in reference only, and will not be limiting. For example, words such as “upward,” “downward,” “left,” and “right” would refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made unless otherwise stated. Similarly, words such as “inward” and “outward” would refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of a device or area and designated parts thereof. References in the singular tense include the plural, and vice versa, unless otherwise noted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the mop bucket in its nested configuration;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the strainer portion removed from the reservoir portion;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the strainer portion illustrating a port in the back wall;

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the reservoir portion illustrating a slot in the back wall; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the strainer portion and reservoir portion assembled in back-to-back relationship for use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 5, wherein like reference numerals refer to like components in the various views, there is illustrated therein a new and improved mop bucket, generally denominated 10. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the mop bucket 10 in its nested configuration. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the strainer portion 12 removed from the reservoir portion 14. FIG. 3 is a rear view of the strainer portion 12 illustrating a port 16 in the back wall. FIG. 4 is a rear view of the reservoir portion 14 illustrating a slot 18 in the back wall. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the strainer portion 12 and reservoir portion 14 assembled in back-to-back relationship for use.

The present invention thus provides an improved mop bucket 10 with nesting reservoir 14 and strainer (dewatering) 12 portions. In the stored configuration, the strainer portion 12 nests within the reservoir portion 14, and in the assembled configuration for use, the back wall of the stainer portion 12 connects to the back wall of the reservoir portion 14 in back-to-back relationship. The strainer portion 12 includes a port 16 in the back wall that allows water to drain into the reservoir portion 14 through a slot 18 in the back wall of the reservoir portion when in the assembled configuration.

The above disclosure is sufficient to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention, and provides the best mode of practicing the invention presently contemplated by the inventor. While there is provided herein a full and complete disclosure of the preferred embodiments of this invention, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction, dimensional relationships, and operation shown and described. Various modifications, alternative constructions, changes and equivalents will readily occur to those skilled in the art and may be employed, as suitable, without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. Such changes might involve alternative materials, components, structural arrangements, sizes, shapes, forms, functions, operational features or the like.

Therefore, the above description and illustrations should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A mop bucket comprising:

nesting reservoir and strainer portions, wherein in a stored configuration, said strainer portion nests within said reservoir portion, and in an assembled configuration for use, a back wall of said stainer portion connects to a back wall of said reservoir portion in back-to-back relationship.

2. The mop bucket of claim 1 wherein said strainer portion includes a port in said back wall that allows water to drain into said reservoir portion through a slot in said back wall of said reservoir portion when in the assembled configuration.