AU2009100640A4 - Bucket with agitation surfaces - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR AN INNOVATION PATENT ORIGINAL Name of Applicants: The Libman Company Actual Inventor: Emily Townsing Address for Service is: SHELSTON IP 60 Margaret Street Telephone No: (02) 9777 1111 SYDNEY NSW 2000 Facsimile No. (02) 9241 4666 CCN: 3710000352 Attorney Code: SW Invention Title: BUCKET WITH AGITATION SURFACES The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: File: 63056AUP00 -2 BUCKET WITH AGITATION SURFACES FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to buckets for mops, and in particular to a mop bucket having a wringer. The invention has been developed primarily for use in wringer-type mop 5 buckets and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no 10 way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field. Mops generally comprise a handle to which is attached a mop head. A mop head is formed of strands of a fabric material that is used to clean floor surfaces. To properly clean the surface of a floor, a mop head is placed in a bucket 15 of water to which a cleaning solution may have been added. The mop head is then rinsed and wringed of excess moisture. Finally, the mop head is then applied to the surface of the floor and swept across the floor using the handle. When a cleaning solution is added to a bucket of water, the solution must be mixed properly to ensure that it is evenly distributed throughout the bucket. 20 Mixing may be achieved through a variety of means; in some cases, mixing may be accomplished by manually stirring a rod through the bucket. Alternatively, some mixing schemes may involve a mechanized motor. Some buckets include a wringer to strain excess water from the mop and to control the amount of water transferred to the floor. Wringers generally work -3 by bringing two plates together to remove excess moisture from the mop head. Mop wringers come in many different sizes and shapes. Some are permanently fixed to the mop bucket, and others may be removed upon use. While some mop wringers are as simple as a passive fluid strainer, others are quite complex, 5 involving many levers and plates. While most wringers incorporated into a mop bucket function adequately to remove excess moisture from the mop head, they may not thoroughly dislodge dirt and other undesirable particulates that may have accumulated on the mop head as it was being swept across a dirty floor. 10 It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative. It is an object of the present invention in at least one preferred form to provide a wringer mop bucket that more thoroughly dislodges dirt and other undesirable particulates which may have accumulated on the mop head as it is 15 being swept across a dirty floor compared to a known wringer. It is also an object of the present invention in at least one preferred form to provide a wringer mop bucket where any cleaning solution that is added to a bucket of water is properly mixed before the bucket of water is used. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 20 In light of the foregoing background, the following presents a simplified summary of the present disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key or critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. The following summary merely presents 25 some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description provided below.

-4 Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a mop bucket, especially a wringer mop bucket, with one or more agitation surfaces, preferably in the form of agitator bumps, that may allow particulates to be dislodged from the mop head more thoroughly. 5 Aspects of the present disclosure are also directed to a mop bucket, especially a wringer mop bucket, with one or more agitation surfaces, preferably in the form of agitator bumps, that may allow easier mixing of cleaning solution with other liquids, including water. According to one particular aspect of the invention, there is provided a 10 wringer mop bucket comprising a hollow central portion formed by sidewalls that extend to a height; a wringer attachment that includes a pedal attached to the wringer mop bucket for moving a lever towards a plate, the movable lever and the plate located on an open top surface of the wringer mop bucket; and a surface with agitator bumps. 15 Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words "comprise", "comprising", and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not limited to". Another aspect of the invention provides a method comprising filling a 20 wringer mop bucket with a first liquid; adding cleaning solution to the wringer mop bucket; mixing the cleaning solution with the first liquid, the mixing enhanced with agitator bumps located on a surface of the wringer mop bucket; wetting a mop in the wringer mop bucket; and rubbing the mop against the agitator bumps, the rubbing dislodging unwanted particulates from the mop. 25 A further aspect of the invention provides a method comprising filling a wringer mop bucket with a first liquid; adding cleaning solution to the wringer -5 mop bucket; and mixing the cleaning solution with the first liquid, the mixing enhanced with agitator bumps located on a surface of the wringer mop bucket. Yet another aspect of the invention provides a method comprising wetting a mop in a bucket and rubbing the mop against agitator bumps located on a 5 surface of the bucket, the rubbing dislodging unwanted particulates from the mop. A further aspect of the invention provides a mop bucket comprising a hollow portion formed by sidewalls that extend to a height, wherein said hollow portion comprises one or more agitation surfaces. A further aspect of the invention provides a method comprising wetting a 10 mop in a bucket and engaging the mop against one or more agitation surfaces formed on the bucket to dislodge dirt or unwanted particulates from the mop. A further aspect of the invention provides a method comprising filling a mop bucket with a liquid medium, adding cleaning solution to the mop bucket and mixing the cleaning solution with the liquid medium, the mixing being 15 enhanced by one or more agitation surfaces formed on the bucket. Preferably, the one or more agitation surfaces are formed on a floor of the hollow portion. Preferably, the one or more agitation surfaces comprise one or more agitator bumps. ' Preferably, the one or more agitator bumps are engageable with a mop to 20 dislodge dirt or unwanted particles therefrom. More preferably, the one or more agitator bumps are configured so that the mop is able to rub, graze or scrape against said agitator bumps to dislodge the dirt or unwanted particles from the mop. In one preferred form, the one or more agitator bumps are arranged to enhance dislodgement of dirt or unwanted particles from the mop.

-6 Preferably, the elevation of one or more of the agitator bumps is adjustable to adjust the effect of friction caused by the engagement of the mop head against the one or more agitator bumps. Preferably, the one or more agitator bumps are configured to enhance 5 mixing of a cleaning solution with a liquid medium. More preferably, the one or more agitator bumps induce turbulence within the bucket to enhance mixing of the cleaning solution with the liquid medium. In one preferred form, the one or more agitator bumps are arranged to enhance the turbulence created in the bucket. Preferably, the elevation of one or more of the agitator bumps is adjustable 10 to increase or decrease the turbulence created upon the addition of a cleaning solution. Preferably, one or more of the agitator bumps have at least one of a hemispherical, pyramidal, rectangular, square, triangular, geometrical or polygonal shape. More preferably, one or more of the agitator bumps are regular 15 in shape. Alternatively, one or more of the agitator bumps are irregular in shape. In one preferred form, two or more of the agitator bumps have the substantially same shape. In another preferred form, two or more of the agitator bumps have different shapes. Preferably, the movable lever is spring-loaded. Preferably, the movable 20 lever moves towards the plate upon depressing the pedal. The methods further comprise the step of wringing the mop of excess moisture by depressing a pedal attached to the wringer mop bucket so that a lever on a top surface of the wringer mop bucket moves toward a fixed plate also located on the top surface of the wringer mop bucket.

-7 Preferably, the agitator bumps aid in mixing the cleaning solution with the first liquid as the cleaning solution is poured into the wringer mop bucket by inducing turbulent movement of the first liquid and the cleaning solution. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 5 A more complete understanding of aspects of the present disclosure and the advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description in consideration of the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers indicate like features, and wherein: Figure 1 illustrates a front view of a first embodiment of the wringer mop 10 bucket in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure; Figure 2 illustrates a rear view of a first embodiment of the wringer mop bucket in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure; Figure 3 illustrates a left side view of a first embodiment of the wringer mop bucket in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure; 15 Figure 4 illustrates a right side view of a first embodiment of the wringer mop bucket in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure; Figure 5 illustrates a top view of a first embodiment of the wringer mop bucket in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure; Figure 6 illustrates a bottom view of a first embodiment of the wringer 20 mop bucket in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure; Figure 7 illustrates a front top left perspective view of a first embodiment of the wringer mop bucket in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure; -8 Figure 8 illustrates a front top right perspective view of a first embodiment of the wringer mop bucket in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure; Figure 9 illustrates a rear top left perspective view of a first embodiment of 5 the wringer mop bucket in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure; Figure 10 illustrates a rear top right perspective view of a first embodiment of the wringer mop bucket in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure; 10 Figure 11 illustrates a front bottom left perspective view of a first embodiment of the wringer mop bucket in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure; Figure 12 illustrates a front bottom right perspective view of a first embodiment of the wringer mop bucket in accordance with certain aspects of the 15 present disclosure; Figure 13 illustrates a rear bottom left perspective view of a first embodiment of the wringer mop bucket in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure; Figure 14 illustrates a rear bottom right perspective view of a first 20 embodiment of the wringer mop bucket in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure; Figure 15 illustrates a second front top left perspective view of a first embodiment of the wringer mop bucket in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure; -9 Figure 16 illustrates a cross-section view of a first embodiment of the wringer mop bucket taken along line 16-16 in Figure 5 in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure; Figure 17 illustrates a cross-section view of a first embodiment of the 5 wringer mop bucket taken along line 16-16 in Figure 5 in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure; Figure 18 illustrates a cross-section view of a first embodiment of the wringer mop bucket taken along line 18-18 in Figure 5 in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure; 10 Figure 19 illustrates a cross-section view of a first embodiment of the wringer mop bucket taken along line 18-18 in Figure 5 in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure; Figure 20 illustrates a cross-section view of a first embodiment of the wringer mop bucket taken along line 18-18 in Figure 5 in accordance with certain 15 aspects of the present disclosure; Figure 21 illustrates a cross-section view of a first embodiment of the wringer mop bucket taken along line 21-21 in Figure 4 in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure; Figure 22 illustrates a cross-section view of a first embodiment of the 20 wringer mop bucket taken along line 21-21 in Figure 4 in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure; Figure 23 illustrates a front top left view of a second embodiment of the wringer mop bucket in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure; Figure 24 illustrates a front view of a second embodiment of the wringer 25 mop bucket in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure; -10 Figure 25 illustrates a right side view of a second embodiment of the wringer mop bucket in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure; Figure 26 illustrates a rear view of a second embodiment of the wringer mop bucket in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure; 5 Figure 27 illustrates a left view of a second embodiment of the wringer mop bucket in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure; Figure 28 illustrates a top view of a second embodiment of the wringer mop bucket in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure; and Figure 29 illustrates a bottom view of a second embodiment of the wringer 10 mop bucket in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION In the following description of the various embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration various embodiments in which the disclosure may be 15 practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made. Figures 1 to 22 illustrate a first embodiment of a mop bucket according to the invention. The mop bucket 1301 takes the form of a wringer mop bucket having a pedal 1303, a wringer lever 1305, a handle 1309, and a stabilizing platform 20 1311. The bucket 1301 also includes a hollow central section 1315 formed by sidewalls 1316 that extend upwardly to an open top 1317, as best shown in Figures 18 and 19. The bucket also has wheels 1325 on the bottom side 1326 and a handle 1329 to aid in moving it from one location to another, as best shown in Figures 5, 6 and 12.

- 11 Three agitation surfaces in the form of agitator bumps 1320 are formed in the floor 1321 of the bucket 1301 and are generally hemispherical in shape, as best shown in Figures 5 and 15 to 22. However, the agitator bumps 1320 may take other shapes, for example, rectangular, square, triangular, pyramidal and other 5 geometrical or polygonal shapes. These shapes may be regular. Alternatively, the agitator bumps 1320 may be irregular in shape. The agitator bumps 1320 primarily have two functions. First, they provide agitation surfaces that engage the mop to dislodge dirt and other unwanted particles from the mop. That is, as the mop head grazes, scrapes or rubs against 10 the agitator bumps 1320, the resulting friction dislodges or removes the dirt and unwanted particles from the fabric of the mop head. This results in a cleaner mop head, thus improving the cleaning efficiency of the mop. Second, the agitator bumps 1320 encourages the creation of turbulence within the hollow section 1315, thus improving the mixing of the liquid medium and/or any cleaning solution in 15 the mop bucket 1301. This also enhances the cleaning efficiency of the mop. Figures 23 to 29 illustrate a second embodiment of the wringer mop bucket in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. The front top left view of wringer mop bucket 2301 includes a pedal 2303, a wringer lever 2305, a handle 2309, and a stabilizing platform 2311. The bucket 2301 may be built using a 20 variety of materials, including plastic, wood, and metal, among others. The bucket 2301 includes a hollow section 2312 formed by upwardly extending sidewalls 2313 and suitable for filling it with a liquid medium. Even though the bucket 2301 is shown to be substantially cylindrical, the bucket 2301 may take any shape, including square, rectangular, or triangular, among other shapes, for example, 25 geometrical or polygonal shapes. The bucket 2301 may also be of any height, depending on how much liquid solution needs to be poured into the bucket, among other considerations. In certain embodiments, the bucket 2301 may also -12 include wheels 2315 (as shown in, for instance, Figure 29) on the bottom side 2316 and a handle 2309 to aid in moving it from one location to another. The pedal 2303 of bucket 2301 may be small and positioned such that a user does not accidentally engage wringer lever 2305 by pushing down on pedal 5 2303. Further, grips 2318 on the pedal 2303 and the stabilizing platform 2311 may function to provide additional frictional support as a user makes contact with these parts of bucket 2301, as best shown in Figures 23, 25 and 28. The pedal 2303 may also be elevated from the ground as shown to make it easier for a user to apply downward pressure on the pedal (See Figure 4 for another view of the pedal). 10 As the first and second embodiments of the invention work in the substantially the same manner, to avoid duplication and for ease of reference, operation of the bucket according to the invention will now be described by reference to the second embodiment of Figures 23 to 29. The bucket 2301 may be filled with water and/or a cleaning solution. A mop may then be dunked into 15 bucket 2301 to ensure that it is properly wet for cleaning purposes. To wring the mop of excess moisture, downward pressure is applied to the pedal 2303. This pressure causes the lever 2305 to move toward plate 2307. While downward pressure is applied to the pedal 2303, a user may also apply downward pressure on the stabilizing platform 2311 to stabilize the bucket 2301 from unwanted 20 movements. For instance, a user may step on the stabilizing platform 2311 with one foot and step on the pedal 2303 with the other foot during the process of wringing a mop. In certain embodiments, the lever 2305 may be spring-loaded such that when the downward pressure on the pedal 2303 is removed, the lever 2305 may pull back to its resting position away from the plate 2307. In addition, 25 the pedal 2303 may be designed to be particularly easy for an operator's foot to step on the pedal in order to push it down. In yet other embodiments, the pedal 2303 may comprise more than one pedal. The strands of fabric that comprise a - 13 mop may then be squeezed by the lever 2305 and the plate 2307, thereby wringing the mop of excess moisture. Figure 28 illustrates a top view of a second embodiment of the wringer mop bucket in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure. The 5 mop bucket 2301 shows the pedal 2303, the movable lever 2305, the plate 2307, and the agitator bumps 2809. The agitator bumps 2809 may comprise elevated regions of the floor of bucket 2801, as best shown in Figure 19. As described above for Figure 23, the bucket 2801 may initially be filled with a liquid medium, for example water, and/or a cleaning solution. As a cleaning solution is added to the 10 bucket 2301, the agitator bumps 2809 may create more turbulence within the fluid to aid in proper mixing of the solution with water already added to the bucket 2301. In addition, if a rod or some other means is used to stir the cleaning solution as it is being poured into the bucket 2301, the agitator bumps 2809 may further aid in the mixing of the cleaning solution with water by creating the turbulence 15 necessary for proper mixing. A mop may then be dunked into bucket 2301 to ensure that it is properly wet for cleaning purposes. Again, to wring the mop of excess moisture, downward pressure is applied to the pedal 2303. This pressure causes the lever 2305 to move toward the plate 2307. The strands of fabric that comprise the mop are then squeezed by the lever 2305 and the plate 2307, thereby 20 wringing the mop of excess moisture. The agitator bumps 2809 may also aid in dislodging dirt particulates from a mop dunked into the bucket 2301 by allowing the bumps 2809 to graze against the fabric of a mop head. After a mop has been dunked into the bucket 2301, the mop handle may be moved from side to side to cause the mop head dunked in the 25 liquid solution to rub up against the agitator bumps 2809. This friction may cause unwanted particulates to be dislodged from the mop head, thereby aiding in the -14 further cleaning of the mop head for use in effectively cleaning the surface of a floor. The agitators bumps 2809 may take any shape, include hemispherical, square, rectangular, and pyramidal, among other geometrical or polygonal shapes. 5 It should also be noted that a single wringer mop bucket may have more than one shape of the agitator bumps 2809. The arrangement of the agitator bumps 2809 shown in Figure 28 may provide more opportunity for turbulent mixing of liquid contents and frictional dislodgement of particulates than other arrangements of agitator bumps 2809. Even though Figure 28 shows only three agitator bumps 10 2809, the bucket 2301 may include any number of agitator bumps 2809. It should also be noted that the elevation of the agitator bumps may also be adjusted to increase or decrease the turbulence created upon the addition of a cleaning solution or to adjust the effect of friction against a mop head being scraped against the bumps. Finally, the agitator bumps 2809 may be located on any surface of 15 bucket 2301, even though they are shown on the bottom surface in Figure 28. For example, the agitator bumps 1320 and 2809 may be located on the sidewalls 1316 and 2313 of the bucket 1301 and 2301 instead of the floor. In other embodiments, the mop bucket does not have a wringer or its associated lever, plate and pedal. In further embodiments, the hollow portion 1315 20 and 2312 is not centrally located in the bucket, but is instead located to one side. While the preferred embodiments have been described as using agitator bumps that are elevated from the floor of the bucket, it will be appreciated that the agitation surfaces may take other forms. For example, the agitation surfaces could be formed as depressions, instead of bumps elevated from the bucket surface. 25 While illustrative methods and apparatuses as described herein embodying various aspects of the present disclosure are shown, it will be understood by those skilled in the art, that the disclosure is not limited to these - 15 embodiments. Modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings. For example, each of the elements of the aforementioned embodiments may be utilized alone or in combination or subcombination with elements of the other embodiments. It will also be 5 appreciated and understood that modifications may be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The description is thus to be regarded as illustrative instead of restrictive on the present disclosure.

Claims (34)

1. A wringer mop bucket comprising: a hollow central portion formed by sidewalls that extend to a height; a wringer attachment that includes a pedal attached to the wringer mop 5 bucket for moving a lever towards a plate, the movable lever and the plate located on an open top surface of the wringer mop bucket; and a surface with agitator bumps.

2. The wringer mop bucket of claim 1, wherein the movable lever is spring loaded. 10

3. The wringer mop bucket of claim 1 or 2, wherein the agitator bumps are shaped as one of hemispheres, pyramids, rectangles, and squares.

4. The wringer mop bucket of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the movable lever moves towards the plate upon depressing the pedal.

5. A method comprising: 15 filling a wringer mop bucket with a first liquid; adding cleaning solution to the wringer mop bucket; mixing the cleaning solution with the first liquid, the mixing enhanced with agitator bumps located on a surface of the wringer mop bucket; wetting a mop in the wringer mop bucket; and 20 rubbing the mop against the agitator bumps, the rubbing dislodging unwanted particulates from the mop.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising wringing the mop of excess moisture by depressing a pedal attached to the wringer mop bucket so that a lever on a top surface of the wringer mop bucket moves toward a fixed plate also located 25 on the top surface of the wringer mop bucket. - 17

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the movable lever is spring-loaded.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the agitator bumps are shaped as one of hemispheres, pyramids, rectangles, and squares.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein the agitator bumps aid in mixing the 5 cleaning solution with the first liquid as the cleaning solution is poured into the wringer mop bucket by inducing turbulent movement of the first liquid and the cleaning solution.

10. The method of claim 5, wherein the agitator bumps have different shapes.

11. A method comprising: 10 filling a wringer mop bucket with a first liquid; adding cleaning solution to the wringer mop bucket; and mixing the cleaning solution with the first liquid, the mixing enhanced with agitator bumps located on a surface of the wringer mop bucket.

12. A method comprising: 15 wetting a mop in a bucket; and rubbing the mop against agitator bumps located on a surface of the bucket, the rubbing dislodging unwanted particulates from the mop.

13. A bucket for a mop, comprising a hollow portion formed by sidewalls that extend to a height, wherein said hollow portion comprises one or more agitation 20 surfaces.

14. The bucket of claim 13, wherein the one or more agitation surfaces are formed on a floor of the hollow portion.

15. The bucket of claim 13 or 14, wherein the one or more agitation surfaces comprise one or more agitator bumps. -18

16. The bucket of claim 15, wherein the one or more agitator bumps are engageable with a mop to dislodge dirt or unwanted particles therefrom.

17. The bucket of claim 16, wherein the one or more agitator bumps are configured so that the mop is able to rub, graze or scrape against said agitator 5 bumps to dislodge the dirt or unwanted particles from the mop.

18. The bucket of any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the elevation of one or more of the agitator bumps relative to a floor of the hollow portion is adjustable to adjust the effect of friction caused by the engagement of the mop head against the one or more agitator bumps. 10

19. The bucket of any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the one or more agitator bumps are arranged in the bucket to enhance dislodgement of dirt or unwanted particles from the mop.

20. The bucket of any one of claims 15 to 19, wherein the one or more agitator bumps are configured to enhance mixing of a cleaning solution with a liquid 15 medium.

21. The bucket of claim 20, wherein the one or more agitator bumps induce turbulence within the bucket to enhance mixing of the cleaning solution with the liquid medium.

22. The bucket of of claim 20 or 21, wherein the elevation of one or more of the 20 agitator bumps relative to a floor of the hollow portion is adjustable to increase or decrease the turbulence created upon the addition of a cleaning solution.

23. The bucket of any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein the one or more agitator bumps are arranged in the bucket to enhance the turbulence created in the bucket. -19

24. The bucket of any one of claims 15 to 23, wherein one or more of the agitator bumps have at least one of a hemispherical, pyramidal, rectangular, square, triangular, geometrical or polygonal shape.

25. The bucket of claim 24, wherein two or more of the agitator bumps have 5 substantially the same shape.

26. The bucket of claim 24, wherein two or more of the agitator bumps have different shapes.

27. A method comprising wetting a mop in a bucket and engaging the mop against one or more agitation surfaces formed on the bucket to dislodge dirt or 10 unwanted particulates from the mop.

28. . The method of claim 27, the mop is able to rub, graze or scrape against said agitator surfaces to dislodge the dirt or unwanted particles from the mop.

29. A method comprising filling a mop bucket with a liquid medium, adding cleaning solution to the mop bucket and mixing the cleaning solution with the 15 liquid medium, the mixing being enhanced by one or more agitation surfaces formed on the bucket.

30. The bucket of claim 29, wherein the one or more agitator surfaces induce turbulence within the bucket to enhance mixing of the cleaning solution with the liquid medium. 20

31. The method of any one of claims 27 to 30, wherein the one or more agitation surfaces are formed on a floor of the bucket.

32. The method of any one of claims 27 to 31, wherein the one or more agitation surfaces comprise one or more agitator bumps. -20

33. A bucket for a mop or a wringer mop bucket, substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings and/or examples.

34. A method, substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the 5 embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings and/or examples.