Patent Application
20220211242
This patent disclosure relates generally to buckets and, more particularly to buckets for rinsing cleaning devices such as mops.
Floor mops are often used in conjunction with a bucket containing rinsing fluid, such as water and/or cleaning fluid for replenishing moisture on the mop head or rinsing the mop head. After applying the mop head to a surface to be cleaned, however, placement of the mop head back into the rinsing fluid provides a contamination with dirt removed from the cleaned surface. Repeated insertions in the rinsing fluid and usage on a surface to be cleaned enhances the level of dirt in the rinsing fluid, and may diminish the ability of the system to clean a surface. Emptying of the bucket to obtain clean rinsing fluid atmosphere may be inconvenient and time consuming. Emptying of the bucket to obtain clean rinsing fluid additionally increases water consumption, and may increase cleaning fluid consumption.
The Embell System is a bucket system that provides a bucket having two separate chambers for receiving the mop head. A rinsing fluid valve is actuated to measure out a predetermined amount of rinsing fluid into a first chamber for each rinse of the mop head. After the mop head is rinsed in the first chamber, the rinsed mop head is placed into a second chamber where the mop head is squeezed to dry the mop head before it is applied to a subsequent surface. Squeezing the mop head separates excess rinsing water from the mop head, the extracted rinsing water automatically draining into a dirty water tank. As the mop head is squeezed in the second chamber, the force likewise is applied to open a drain in the first chamber to discard any remaining rinsing fluid in the first chamber. As the mop head is removed from the second chamber, the operator may use the mop handle to actuate the clean water valve adjacent the second chamber to again measure a predetermined amount of rinsing water into the first chamber.
The disclosure describes, in one aspect, a bucket assembly for use with a mop having a mop head. The bucket assembly includes an inner bucket assembly and an outer bucket assembly. The inner bucket assembly includes a rinse bucket, a first reservoir, a fluid connection between the rinse bucket and the first reservoir, and at least one closure element disposed at the fluid connection and movable between an open position and a closed position. The inner bucket may include a fill hole and a plug. The first reservoir is optionally otherwise sealed when the at least one closure element is in the open position. The outer bucket assembly includes an outer bucket peripheral wall extending from an outer bucket base to form a second reservoir. The inner bucket is disposed at least partially within the second reservoir. A drainage channel is fluidly connected to the second reservoir. The drainage channel formed by at least one of the inner bucket assembly, the outer bucket assembly, and the inner bucket assembly and the outer bucket assembly.
The disclosure describes in another aspect, a bucket assembly for use with a mop having a mop head, the bucket assembly including an inner bucket assembly and an outer bucket assembly having first and second reservoirs. The outer bucket assembly includes an outer bucket peripheral wall extending from an outer bucket base to form the second reservoir, the inner bucket being disposed at least partially within the second reservoir. The inner bucket assembly includes a first inner bucket element and a second inner bucket element. The first inner bucket element forms a rinse bucket, and the first reservoir is formed between the first inner bucket element and the second inner bucket element. A fluid connection is disposed between the rinse bucket and the first reservoir, and at least one closure element is disposed at the fluid connection and movable between an open position and a closed position. A drainage channel is at least partially formed by the inner bucket assembly, and is fluidly connected to the second reservoir. A plurality of welds is provided between the first inner bucket element and the second inner bucket element including a first weld between the first circumferentially about the rinse bucket, a second weld circumferentially about the drainage channel, and a third weld about peripheries of both the first inner bucket element and the second inner bucket element.
This disclosure relates to a bucket assembly 10 for use with a mop. While the mop is not specifically illustrated, those of skill in the art will appreciate that the mop would have a shaft and a mop head that typically includes one or more absorbent structures. An exemplary interior of a representative mop head 100 is illustrated in the figures as a generally triangular structure, explained in greater detail below. Referring to the embodiment of the bucket assembly 10 illustrated in
The inner bucket assembly 12 includes the rinse bucket 16, as well as a first reservoir 20 that is fluid couplable to the rinse bucket 16 by a fluid connection 22. The inner bucket assembly 12 may also include a fill opening 24 that opens into the first reservoir 20, and a plug 26 sized to seal the fill opening 24. While an alternative design may be provided, in the illustrated embodiment, the plug 26 is coupled with the inner bucket assembly 12 by way of an arm 28 the may be coupled to the inner bucket assembly 12 by way of an engaging structure such as a rivet 30 or the like. The first reservoir 20 may be utilized to hold a rinse fluid for provision to the rinse bucket 16 so that a mop head may be placed in the rinse bucket 16 for contact with the rinse fluid. The rinse fluid may be any appropriate fluid, such as water, water with a cleaning solution, or another cleaning solution.
The fluid connection 22 may be selectively opened and closed by way of at least one closure element 32. While an alternative arrangement may be provided, in the illustrated embodiment, the closure element 32 is an elongated structure 34 that is slidably received in an elongated recess 36 that is flanked on either side by flanges 38. In order to facilitate movement by an operator, the closure element 32 includes a handle or tab 40 at its upper end. The inner bucket assembly 12 may likewise include a depression or recess 42 disposed substantially adjacent the tab 40 in assembly. The recess 42 may allow an operator to easily grasp the tab 40 and slide the elongated structure 34 of the closure element 32 within the elongated recess 36 in order to selectively open and close the fluid connection 22.
In order to allow flow from the first reservoir 20 to the rinse bucket 16, the closure element 32 may be moved from the closed position illustrated in
The inner bucket assembly 12 may further include one or more detents or other mechanisms by which may facilitate retention of the closure element 32 in a particular position relative to the fluid connection 22 and the elongated recess 36. For example, a number of protrusions and/or recesses may be provided along the closure element 32 and the rinse bucket 16. The engagement of the protrusions with the recesses, as well as other surfaces may provide detents that facilitate maintenance of the closure element 32 in a particular position.
Referring to
According to another aspect of the illustrated embodiment, a protrusion 160 may be formed in the rinse bucket 16, while the closure element 32 may include protrusions 154, 156 forming recess 164 therebetween. While the protrusion 160 of the rinse bucket 16 is disposed proximal to an edge of the fluid connection 22 in the embodiment as illustrated in
In order to enhance the engagement of the positional detents, one or more biasing elements may be provided. That is, such biasing elements may be provided to facilitate the engagement of the protrusion 152 of the closure element 32 abutting an edge of the fluid connection 22 when the closure element 32 is disposed in a closed position, and/or the engagement of the protrusion 160 of the rinse bucket 16 within the recess 164 formed between the protrusions 154, 156 of the closure element 32. While alternative biasing elements such as, for example, springs may be provided, in the illustrated embodiment, the biasing elements are in the form of one or more ramped surfaces 158, 166. As may be seen in
As may be seen in
While the illustrated embodiment includes a plurality of protrusions and recesses are located in exemplary positions on the closure element 32 and the peripheral wall 44, those of skill in the art will appreciate that one or more such detents may alternatively be located to define detent position. Alternatively, or additionally, separate structures may be provided.
It will also be appreciated that additional guidance structures may be provided. By way of example only, an end of the closure element 32 proximal the handle or tab 40 and the adjacent rinse bucket peripheral wall 44 may be provided with a keyed structure. In the illustrated embodiment of
Those of skill in the art will appreciate that, while the at least one closure element 32 is illustrated as a sliding structure, the closure element may have an alternative structure. By way of example only, the closure element may be a pivoting element or a rotating element. The closure element may be movable to open the fluid connection 22 to varying degrees to allow, for example, varied levels of rinse fluid within the rinse bucket 16.
According to an aspect of this disclosure, the first reservoir 20 may be sealed chamber such that movement of the closure element 32 to the open position allow air into the first reservoir 20 to permit a flow of rinse fluid into the rinse bucket 16 through the fluid connection 22. In this way, the position of the fluid connection 22 within the rinse bucket 16, as well as the degree to which the closure element 32 is opened will dictate the level to which the rinse fluid will rise within the rinse bucket 16. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the rinse fluid will enter the rinse bucket 16 only to the level to which the fluid connection 22 is opened. As a result, when the fluid connection 22 is maintained in an open position, clean rinse fluid will flow into the rinse bucket 16 each time the rinse fluid level in the rinse bucket 16 falls below the level to which the fluid connection 22 is opened. This automatic replenishment of the rinse fluid within the rinse bucket 16 may allow an operator more quickly and efficiently mop a surface.
The rinse bucket 16 may be of any appropriate shape and design. In the illustrated embodiment, the rinse bucket 16 includes a rinse bucket peripheral wall 44 extending from a rinse bucket base 46. The rinse bucket base 46 may include one or more protrusions 48 into the interior of the rinse bucket 16. The one or more protrusions 48 may be used as a base against which a pressure may be applied to the mop head during rinsing. Alternative designs are envisioned. While not illustrated, for example, those of skill in the art will appreciate that the rinse bucket 16 may be provided actuable drain holes. For example, depression of a spring-loaded center protrusion (not illustrated) may be used to open drain holes in the rinse bucket base 46 to allow selective drainage from the rinse bucket 16.
It will be appreciated that rinse fluid applied to the mop head in the rinse bucket 16 may be used in cleaning dirt and undesirable matter (collectively referred to as “dirt”) from the mop head. The outer bucket assembly 14 includes an outer bucket peripheral wall 50 that extends from an outer bucket base 52 to form a second reservoir 54 for collection of rinse fluid and dirt from the mop head. In order to separate excess rinse fluid with dirt from the mop head, the drainage channel 18 that drains to a second reservoir 54 in the outer bucket assembly 14 is provided. While the drainage channel 18 may be formed by either the inner bucket assembly 12 or the outer bucket assembly 14, in the illustrated embodiment, the drainage channel 18 is formed by a combination of the inner and outer bucket assemblies 12, 14. That is, the inner bucket assembly 12 includes a first, tubular portion 62 of the drainage channel 18, with the outer bucket assembly 14 forming a partial bottom surface 64 of the drainage channel 18, a passage 66 between the inner and outer bucket assemblies 12, 14, allowing the flow of expelled fluid to the second reservoir 54. Thus, the separation of the drainage channel 18 from the outer bucket base 52 allows expelled fluid to flow to the second reservoir 54.
In order to facilitate expulsion of fluid from the mop head within the drainage channel 18, a wringer assembly 70 may be provided (see also FIGS. and 9). While an alternative arrangement may be utilized, in the illustrated embodiment, the wringer assembly 70 includes a rotating element 72 that extends into the drainage channel 18 and disposed to rotate a mop head disposed within the drainage channel 18, the rotating element 72 defining a central spin axis 74. While the rotating element 72 may directly engage the mop head in some designs, a cage or basket 76 may be engaged with the rotating element 72 and at least partially disposed within the drainage channel 18. In this way, rotation of the rotating element 72 and the basket 76 will rotate a received mop head to expel fluid outwards into the drainage channel 18 and/or the second reservoir 54.
In order to provide selective rotation to the rotating element 72, an actuating assembly 78 may be provided. As shown in
As may be seen in
An exemplary fragment of a mop head 100 is illustrated in
As may be seen in
While the embodiment of
In order to facilitate transport of the bucket assembly 10, a handle 114 may be provided (see
It will further be appreciated that the inner bucket assembly 12 may be separable from the outer bucket assembly 14 in order to facilitate filling of the first reservoir 20, and emptying of the second reservoir 54. To facilitate emptying of the second reservoir 54, the outer bucket assembly 14 may include a pour spout 120. The pour spout 120 may be spaced from the inner bucket assembly 12 when the inner and outer bucket assemblies 12, 14 are assembled together such that the second reservoir 54 may be readily emptied whether or not the components are assembled together.
To facilitate handling of the inner bucket assembly 12 when it is separated from the outer bucket assembly 14, the inner bucket assembly 12 may include flanges 122 on either side of the inner bucket assembly 12 that allow an operator to readily grasp the inner bucket assembly 12 for separation from the outer bucket assembly 14 or carrying for filling. The inner bucket assembly 12 may additionally include one or more legs 124, 126 that along with the rinse bucket base 46, may be used to stabilize the inner bucket assembly 12 on a surface. The legs 124, 126 may additionally engage structure of the outer bucket assembly 14 in some embodiments.
The inner and outer bucket assemblies 12, 14 may be fabricated from any suitable material and by any suitable method. For example, the assemblies 12, 14 may be formed from a polymeric material, with or without fillers, and may be molded, such as by injection or blow molding. By way of further example, the assemblies 12, 14 may be 3D printed.
Further, the inner and outer bucket assemblies 12, 14 may be formed of single or multiple pieces and then assembled by an appropriate method. For example, the inner bucket assembly may include a first inner bucket element 130 and a second inner bucket element 132. In this way, the first reservoir 20 may be formed of the first inner bucket element 130, the second inner bucket element 132, or a combination of the first and second inner bucket elements 130, 132. In the illustrated embodiment, the first inner bucket element 130 includes the rinse bucket 16, while the second inner bucket element 132 includes at least a portion of the drainage channel 18, the first reservoir 20 being formed between the first and second inner bucket elements 130, 132, although varied structures are envisioned under this disclosure. As may be seen in
One or more welds or other appropriate sealing mechanisms may be provided between the first and second inner bucket elements 130, 132 in order to provide a sealed first reservoir 20. For example, a first weld 134 may be provided circumferentially about the rinse bucket 16, a second weld 136 may be provided circumferentially about the drainage channel 18 and a third weld 138 may be provided about the peripheries of both the first and second inner bucket elements 130, 132.
The present disclosure is applicable to a mop bucket assembly 10 that may enhance cleaning of surfaces, by providing a ready supply of rinse fluid and facilitate efficient mopping of surfaces. By maintaining the closure element 32 in an open position, a continual supply of rinse fluid may be provided to the rinse bucket 16. Inasmuch as the first reservoir 20 may be otherwise sealed, the level of rinse fluid within the rinse bucket 16 will rise only to the level of the fluid connection 22 between the first reservoir 20 and the rinse bucket 16.
At least some embodiment of the mop bucket assembly 10 may be readily and economically fabricated and yield a reliable and durable mop bucket assembly 10.
It will be appreciated that the foregoing description provides examples of the disclosed system and technique. However, it is contemplated that other implementations of the disclosure may differ in detail from the foregoing examples. All references to the disclosure or examples thereof are intended to reference the particular example being discussed at that point and are not intended to imply any limitation as to the scope of the disclosure more generally. All language of distinction and disparagement with respect to certain features is intended to indicate a lack of preference for those features, but not to exclude such from the scope of the disclosure entirely unless otherwise indicated.
The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and “at least one” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The use of the term “at least one” followed by a list of one or more items (for example, “at least one of A and B”) is to be construed to mean one item selected from the listed items (A or B) or any combination of two or more of the listed items (A and B), unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context.
Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
Accordingly, this disclosure includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
