IL255942B2

IL255942B2 - Squeeze bucket

Info

Publication number: IL255942B2
Application number: IL255942A
Authority: IL
Inventors: Iferganeliahu
Original assignee: Iferganeliahu
Priority date: 2017-11-27
Filing date: 2017-11-27
Publication date: 2023-06-01
Also published as: IL255942A

Description

255942/ AN APPARATUS FOR DRYING A WET RAG AND A METHOD OF USING SAME FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to cleaning devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to rag squeezing devices and methods of using same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In Israel and in various countries in Africa, Europe and America a rubber wiper blade fixed to the bottom end of a broomstick and pointing downwards with a floor washing rag that is spread over the blade is commonly used. The rag is soaked in water and used to wet the floor. Then, the rag is manually squeezed dry, and used for absorbing the water from the floor. Sometimes the floor is first wiped by the wiper blade and then dried by the rag. In both cases, the rag needs to be separated from the broomstick for soaking it in a bucket of water and to squeeze it.

In other countries cords mops are preferred. The bundle of cords is inseparable from the broomstick. Therefore, wetting the floor takes place after the mop head has been soaked by dipping it in a water bucket. Drying the floor needs first to squeeze the bundle of cords. This is achieved by forcing the bundle against a meshed receptacle or strainer, usually seated over the rim of the bucket, above the water level. By pressing and twisting the mop broomstick, water is squeezed out and the bundle of cords is ready for the floor drying process.

Each of the above described methods has its relative advantages and drawbacks. The wiper blade washing quality and thoroughness are higher than those achieved by the cords mop.

However, the need to repeatedly dismount the rag and manually squeezing it is tiresome, unaesthetic, and may cause wrist injuries resulting from manual squeezing.

On the other hand using the cords mop does not require the user to wet his/her hands, but the results are comparatively poor in rate and quality of floor cleaning. 255942/ It is therefore an aim of the present invention to overcome the drawbacks of the wiper blade with a floor washing rag.

It is a further aim of the invention to provide a floor washing implement that uses a rag as the floor washing element but minimizes physical contact therewith.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The squeezing bucket of the present invention may be used via cleaning personnel in all sectors, public/commercial hospitals, various institutions and at home.

The squeezing bucket is advantageous over squeezing mechanisms available nowadays for the following reasons: a. it allows quick and easy squeezing a rag. b. it allows drying of the rag completely, and thus, it improves the level of cleanliness. c. it minimizes the time required for drying a rag. d. it saves user physical effort compared to manual squeezing where the user is struggling with squeezing and drying the rag. e. it is highly essential for people that only have one functional arm. The wring motion used to dry a rag requires two functional hands. An option to dry the rag with only one hand is to just squeeze it with one hand or push it against the sink. A disadvantage of these methods is that it's nearly impossible to get the rag dry enough and the squeezing motion with one hand can be painful or even cause convulsions. f. it protects the user’s hands and prevents wrist injuries that may be caused by manual squeezing.

In accordance with some embodiments, there is there is thus provided a squeezing apparatus for squeezing a wet rag. The apparatus comprises: a mounting member to be fixedly mounted on a container; a first attaching member attached to said mounting member and a second attaching member attached to said mounting member opposite the first attaching member for hanging/wrapping said wet rag thereto; and 255942/ a rotating device connected to said first attaching member for rotating said first attaching member while the second attaching member is kept stationary, thus, for twisting said wet rag to squeeze out liquid; wherein the wet rag is folded and is hanged/wrapped either on/around the first attaching member or on/around the second attaching member, and the edges of the rag are hanged on/around the second attaching member or on/around the first attaching member, of whereby, while the wet rag is being twisted, liquid is being squeezed out of said rag.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, when the wet rag is dried out, the rotating device rotating the first attaching member to an opposite direction to untwist the rag and to remove the rag from the squeezing apparatus.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, said container is a bucket.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, said mounting member is a hoop.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the hoop is mounted on said bucket to provide a reinforcement construction for the bucket, and thus, to avoid damages to the bucket while twisting the rag.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, said first attaching member and said second attaching member are either hooks or rings.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, said first attaching member is either a hook or a ring and said second attaching member is either a hook or a ring.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, said rotating device is either a mechanical device, an electrical device or a computerized device.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, said rotating device is a Manuela. 255942/ Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the edges of said rag are manipulable to produce two loops which are easily hangable on the attaching members.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, said edges are stitched to produce two loops which are hangable on the attaching members.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, each of the first and second attaching members, and the rotating device is made of materials selected from metal, alloy, polymeric material and wood and preferably of galvanized metal to prevent corrosion and rust as a result of exposure to water and detergents.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention,vthe bucket is made of a polymeric material which can withstand the squeezing of said rag.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the bucket includes wheels to ease the bucket transportation when said bucket is filled with liquid.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the bucket fits in a cleaning cart.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, there is also provided a bucket with a mounted apparatus for twisting a wet rag for squeezing liquid out of said rag comprising: a mounting member fixedly mounted on said bucket; a first attaching member and a second attaching member attached to said mounting member for hanging said wet rag thereto; and a rotating device for rotating said first attaching member while the second attaching member is kept stationary, thus, for twisting said wet rag to squeeze out liquid; wherein the wet rag is folded and is hanged/wrapped either on/around the first attaching member or on/around the second attaching member, and the edges of the rag are hanged on/around the second attaching member or on/around the first attaching member, 255942/ of whereby, while the wet rag is being twisted, liquid is being squeezed out of said rag.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the rag is hanged on/wrapped around said first attaching member/said second attaching member, and the edges of the rag are hanged on/wrapped around said second attaching member/said first attaching member.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the first attaching member is situated on one side of the mounting member and the second attaching member is situated on the opposite side of the mounting member.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the hoop is mounted on said bucket around the bucket opening to provide a reinforcement construction for the bucket, and thus, to avoid damages to the bucket while squeezing the rag.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, said first and second attaching members are either hooks or rings.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, said rotating device is a Manuela.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the edges of said rag are manipulable to produce two loops which are easily hangable on the first attaching member/second attaching member.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, said edges are stitched to produce two loops which are hangable on the first attaching member/second attaching member. 255942/ Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, each of the mounting member, the first attaching member, the second attaching member, and the rotating device is made of materials selected from metal, alloy, polymeric material and wood, and preferably is made of galvanized metal to prevent corrosion and rust as a result of exposure to water and detergents.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the bucket is made of a polymeric material which can withstand the squeezing of the rag.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, there is also provided a method for twisting a wet rag for squeezing liquid out of said rag comprising: providing the squeezing apparatus of claims 1-15 or a bucket with a mounted squeezing apparatus of claims 16-29; hanging the rag on the first attaching member and on the second attaching member; rotating the first attaching member either clockwise or counterclockwise while keeping the second attaching member stationary to twist the rag, and thus, to squeeze liquid out of the rag; rotating the first attaching member to the opposite direction, counterclockwise or clockwise, to untwist and to untighten the rag; and removing the rag from the apparatus. Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, hanging the rag on said first attaching member and said second attaching member comprising grabbing one corner edge and an opposite corner edge of the rag, hanging the rag approximately at its midline on either the first attaching member/the second attaching member, wrapping the corner edges of the rag on the second attaching member/first attaching member on the other side of the bucket. 255942/ Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, at least one of said first and second attaching members is a ring, passing the rag through the at least one ring.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an apparatus for drying a wet rag to be implemented on a bucket in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an alternative apparatus for drying a wet rag to be implemented on a bucket in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the apparatus of Fig. 1 mounted on a bucket in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. Figs. 4A-C illustrate a front view of the apparatus of the present invention, a front view of the squeezing apparatus mounted on a bucket, and a top view of the apparatus, mounted on a bucket respectively.

Figs. 5A-C illustrate a front view of the apparatus of the present invention, a front view of the apparatus mounted on a bucket, and a top view of the apparatus, mounted on a bucket respectively.

Figs. 6A-F illustrate a method for drying a rag in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an apparatus for drying a wet rag 100 to be implemented on a bucket in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

The apparatus 100 of the present invention saves human labor and provides convenience for the user. The apparatus 100 comprises a mounting member such as hoop 102 to be fixedly mounted on a bucket, attaching members, a first attaching member and a second attaching member, such as a couple of hooks, first hook 104 and second hook 106 for hanging a rag thereto, 255942/ and a rotating device such as a Manuela 107 with a rotatable handle 108 for rotating the first hook 104, and thus, for twisting the rag.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, a first hook 104 is situated on one side of the hoop 102 and a second hook 106 is situated on the other side of the hoop 102 opposite to the first hook 104.

First hook 104 is connected to the Manuela 107 and is rotated when said handle 108 is held and rotated by a user. The axial movement of the rotatable handle 108 causes the first hook 104 to rotate.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the attaching members may be hooks as shown in Fig. 1, multiple rings, a combination thereof or any other type of means to be used for holding the rag. Fig. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an alternative apparatus for drying a wet rag 200 to be implemented on a bucket in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

The alternative apparatus 200 may comprise a mounting member such as hoop 202 to be fixedly mounted on a bucket, attaching members such as ring 204 and hook 206 to attach the rag thereto, and a Manuela 107 with a rotatable handle 208.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the apparatus 100 of Fig. 1 mounted on a bucket 302 in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

As seen in the figure, the hoop 102 is mounted on bucket 302 around the bucket opening which provides the bucket 302 with a reinforcement construction, and thus, avoids damages to the bucket while twisting the rag.

It should be noted that the hoop 102 may be replaced by any other mounting member. For instance, the hooks/rings may be mounted onto the upper surface of a bucket by clipping means or by any other way. Figs. 4A-C illustrate a front view of the apparatus 100 of the present invention, a front view of the apparatus mounted on a bucket, and a top view of the apparatus, mounted on a bucket respectively. 255942/ Figs. 5A-C illustrate a front view of the apparatus 200 of the present invention, a front view of the apparatus mounted on a bucket, and a top view of the apparatus, mounted on a bucket respectively.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, rags of various designs and sizes may fit and thus may be used with the apparatus 100.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, a rag designed to have its edges stitched to produce two loops may be easily hangable on the two hooks, and thus, may be available in a kit of a bucket accompanied with such rag.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the hoop, the attaching members, hooks/rings, and the Manuela may be made of materials such as metal, alloy, polymeric material and the like. Preferably, the hoop and the attaching members, hooks/rings may be made of galvanized metal to prevent corrosion and rust as a result of exposure to water and detergents.

The bucket may be made of a polymeric material which can withstand the twisting and release efforts.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the bucket 302 may include wheels (for instance, 4-wheels) to ease the bucket 302 transportation when filled with liquid, such as water. Alternatively, the bucket 302 may be designed to fit in a cleaning cart.

Figs. 6A-F illustrate a method 600 for twisting and drying a rag in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

The method comprises the following steps: Step 602 – as seen in Fig. 6A, grabbing one corner edge and an opposite corner edge of the rag 612 (two corner edges at two ends of a diagonal), hanging the rag 6 approximately at its midline )midline from one corner edge to the opposite corner edge) on one of the two hooks, either to the first hook 104 or to the second hook 106, for instance, hanging the rag 612 approximately at its midline on the first hook 104; 255942/ Step 604 – as seen in Fig. 6B, wrapping the edges of the rag 612 on the second hook 1 on the other side of the bucket 302; When using the alternative apparatus 200 of Fig. 2, hanging the rag 612 approximately at its midline on hook 206 and passing the edges of the rag 612 through the ring 204 on the other side of the bucket opening; Step 606 – as seen in Fig. 6C, rotating the handle 108 of the Manuela either clockwise or counterclockwise to twist the rag 612. Thus, by using the apparatus 200, the user can dry a rag by twisting it with one functional hand;

Claims

25 59 42 / CLAIMS:

1. An apparatus for twisting a wet rag for squeezing liquid out of said rag comprising: a mounting member to be fixedly mounted on a container; a first attaching member attached to said mounting member and a second attaching member attached to said mounting member opposite the first attaching member for hanging/wrapping said wet rag thereto; and a rotating device connected to said first attaching member for rotating said first attaching member while the second attaching member is kept stationary, thus, for twisting said wet rag to squeeze out liquid; wherein the wet rag is folded and is hanged/wrapped either on/around the first attaching member or on/around the second attaching member, and the edges of the rag are hanged on/around the second attaching member or on/around the first attaching member, of whereby, while the wet rag is being twisted, liquid is being squeezed out of said rag.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein when the wet rag is dried out, the rotating device rotating the first attaching member to an opposite direction to untwist the rag and to remove the rag from the squeezing apparatus.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said container is a bucket.

4. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 - 3, wherein said mounting member is a hoop.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the hoop is mounted on said bucket to provide a reinforcement construction for the bucket, and thus, to avoid damages to the bucket while twisting the rag.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first attaching member and said second attaching member are either hooks or rings.

7. The squeezing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first attaching member is either a hook or a ring and said second attaching member is either a hook or a ring. 25 59 42 /

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said rotating device is either a mechanical device, an electrical device or a computerized device.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said rotating device is a Manuela.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the edges of said rag are manipulable to produce two loops which are easily hangable on the attaching members.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said edges are stitched to produce two loops which are hangable on the attaching members.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second attaching members, and the rotating device is made of materials selected from metal, alloy, polymeric material and wood and preferably of galvanized metal to prevent corrosion and rust as a result of exposure to water and detergents.

13. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the bucket is made of a polymeric material which can withstand the squeezing of said rag.

14. The apparatus of any one of claims 1-13, wherein the bucket includes wheels to ease the bucket transportation when said bucket is filled with liquid.

15. The apparatus of any one of claims 1-13, wherein the bucket fits in a cleaning cart.

16. A bucket with a mounted apparatus for twisting a wet rag for squeezing liquid out of said rag comprising: a mounting member fixedly mounted on said bucket; a first attaching member and a second attaching member attached to said mounting member for hanging said wet rag thereto; and a rotating device for rotating said first attaching member while the second attaching member is kept stationary, thus, for twisting said wet rag to squeeze out liquid; wherein the wet rag is folded and is hanged/wrapped either on/around the first attaching member or on/around the second attaching member, and the edges of the rag are hanged on/around the second attaching member or on/around the first attaching member, 25 59 42 / of whereby, while the wet rag is being twisted, liquid is being squeezed out of said rag.

17. The bucket of claim 16, wherein the rag is hanged on/wrapped around said first attaching member/said second attaching member, and the edges of the rag are hanged on/wrapped around said second attaching member/said first attaching member.

18. The bucket of claim 16, wherein the first attaching member is situated on one side of the mounting member and the second attaching member is situated on the opposite side of the mounting member.

19. The bucket of claim 16, wherein said mounting member is a hoop.

20. The bucket of claim 19, wherein the hoop is mounted on said bucket around the bucket opening to provide a reinforcement construction for the bucket, and thus, to avoid damages to the bucket while squeezing the rag.

21. The bucket of claim 16, wherein said first and second attaching members are either hooks or rings.

22. The bucket of claim 16, wherein said rotating device is either a mechanical device, an electrical device or a computerized device.

23. The bucket of claim 16, wherein said rotating device is a Manuela.

24. The bucket of claim 16, wherein the edges of said rag are manipulable to produce two loops which are easily hangable on the first attaching member/second attaching member.

25. The bucket of claim 24, wherein said edges are stitched to produce two loops which are hangable on the first attaching member/second attaching member.

26. The bucket of claim 16, wherein each of the mounting member, the first attaching member, the second attaching member, and the rotating device is made of materials selected from metal, alloy, polymeric material and wood, and preferably is made of galvanized metal to prevent corrosion and rust as a result of exposure to water and detergents.

27. The bucket of claim 16, wherein the bucket is made of a polymeric material which can withstand the squeezing of the rag. 25 59 42 /

28. The bucket of any one of claims 16-27, wherein the bucket includes wheels to ease the bucket transportation when said bucket is filled with liquid.

29. The bucket of any one of claims 16-27, wherein the bucket fits in a cleaning cart.

30. A method for twisting a wet rag for squeezing liquid out of said rag comprising: providing the squeezing apparatus of claims 1-15 or a bucket with a mounted squeezing apparatus of claims 16-29; hanging the rag on the first attaching member and on the second attaching member; rotating the first attaching member either clockwise or counterclockwise while keeping the second attaching member stationary to twist the rag, and thus, to squeeze liquid out of the rag; rotating the first attaching member to the opposite direction, counterclockwise or clockwise, to untwist and to untighten the rag; and removing the rag from the apparatus.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein hanging the rag on said first attaching member and said second attaching member comprising grabbing one corner edge and an opposite corner edge of the rag, hanging the rag approximately at its midline on either the first attaching member/the second attaching member, wrapping the corner edges of the rag on the second attaching member/first attaching member on the other side of the bucket.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein at least one of said first and second attaching members is a ring, passing the rag through the at least one ring.