WO1992021276A1

WO1992021276A1 - Janitorial apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO1992021276A1
Application number: PCT/US1992/004835
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mary Ethel Parker
Original assignee: Mary Ethel Parker
Priority date: 1991-06-06
Filing date: 1992-06-05
Publication date: 1992-12-10
Also published as: AU2236192A

Abstract

A mop receptacle (10) for use with a mop bucket (28) used for cleaning wherein the mop receptacle (10) includes an outer body (12) with two sets of a pair of dwonwardly extending legs (18) each to receive the edge of the bucket therebetween and a pair of support surfaces (20) and an inner body (14) made integral with the outer body (12) and including a plurality of rounded elements (22) which are interconnected to provide a mop basket (16) with a plurality of openings and no solid material catching corners. In an alternate embodiment, the inner body is formed of a solid web of material with perforations (150) therethrough for drainage. Mop wringing torque is provided by elevated ridges (142) extending interiorly from near the rim (138) of the inner body of receptacle to the bottom surface of the interior of the receptacle. Alternating ridges (142a) intersect with each other. An indentation (148) in the bottom surface of the receptacle extends upwardly in the interior of the receptacle. The intersecting ridges intersect with each other at the apex of the indentation (148).

Description

JANITORIAL APPARATUS

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a janitorial apparatus for use with mops. Specifically the apparatus consists of a bucket element for containing the cleaning fluid and an inverted frustoconical-shaped receptacle carried by the bucket for receiving the mop and allowing the person to cause the cleaning fluid to be discharged from the mop into the bucket without any accompanying wringing devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Since janitorial services are an important part of building maintenance, and particularly for hospital and nursing home maintenance, it is important to provide a mop bucket with a means of discharging the excess cleaning fluid from the head of the mop before it is removed from the apparatus for cleaning the floors.

Nearly every home, office, school and hospital have floor space which requires wet mopping be done to clean the floor space. An essential but often difficult task involved in mopping is that of wringing out the mop head both during the mopping process and at the end of the mopping process. It is important to individuals and employer alike that mop wringing apparatuses be easy, effortless, and safe to operate so that the operator does not quickly tire from the mop wringing process and does not become injured during the mop wringing process. It is important that mop wringing apparatuses be lightweight enough to be quickly and effortlessly transported before, during and after use. It is important to the economical consumer that mop wringing apparatuses adaptably fit a range of sizes of mop heads and mop buckets. It is important that mop wringing apparatuses be easily and thoroughly cleanable and sanitizable, especially in hospitals. It is important that mop wringing apparatuses thoroughly effectuate the discharge of excess cleaning fluid from the mop head. It is also important that mop wringing apparatuses have no working parts to repair or replace. Prior mop buckets have had a section formed on its interior from sheets of metal having openings therein and the section is wedge-shaped with one of the flat surfaces being pivotally mounted to be moved by its handle toward the other flat surface with the wet mop between the two surfaces so that a normally round mop is squeezed in the rectangular sectional area and the cleaning fluid or water is caused to run from the mop through the holes into the bucket. Such device is difficult to clean and requires the use of a handle and further has the disadvantage of requiring instructions in its operation so that the person does not get caught in the closing surfaces.

Further, the operation of the lever is not done with the person in an erect stance but the person must bend over to grasp and operate the handle which causes the person back strain. Further, the apparatus has closed corners which cause the cleaning difficulty. Other prior devices have had similar disadvantages including instability of mounting a separate mop receptacle with only three feet. They have had internal ridges which could trap particulate matter which creates an unclean environment unsuitable for use where sanitary conditions are desired.

Other prior mop head draining apparatus includes the lever type of squeezing and corners which trap particulate matter creating an unclean environment, require maintenance and the other disadvantages mentioned above.

A mop wringer is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 1,627,383 in which a baglike net is the receptacle for a mop head. The body of the net twists with the mop when the mop is twisted, thereby entirely confining the mop in the net as the excess liquid is squeezed out of the mop. The net requires a means of attachment to the receiving receptacle for the drained fluid, and a means for holding the wringer and fluid receptacle steady while wringing the mop.

A pail cover having a mop wringer is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,525,892. The disadvantage of the mop wringer is that the basket receptacle for the mop head contains numerous intersecting bands and spokes wherein bacteria may accumulate, making it difficult to clean and sanitize. Operation of the mop wringer requires that pressure be applied to the mop head by squeezing the mop head downward into the basket receptacle.

A mop wringer is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 1,405,201 wherein the wringing of a mop is caused by pressure exerted by a downward thrust of the mop handle when the mop head is in the mop wringing device.

A scrubbing pail device is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,888,847 wherein the wringing of a mop is caused by the mop operator pushing the mop against the wringing receptacle. Vanes protrude from the inner walls of the receptacle to enable the mop to be pushed against them to facilitate forcing fluid out of the mop. Operation of the mop wringer requires that pressure be applied to the mop head by squeezing the mop head downward into the wringing receptacle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a janitorial apparatus which includes a mop receptacle for mounting on a bucket suitable for receiving the mop head and the cleaning fluid expressed therefrom and the mop receiving receptacle has an elliptical, frustoconical shape with drainage holes extending through the sides and bottom to permit the fluid expressed from the mop head which is inserted therein with a downward and twisting motion. This mop receiving receptacle also has two split legs with a bucket receiving opening therebetween and a pair of surfaces for engaging the top of the bucket with the surfaces being diagonally across the receptacle from the legs. This receptacle includes smooth inner sides formed by rounded vertical and horizontal members forming a mop receiving frustoconical basket and with an upper surface sloping downward and inward so that all cleaning fluids drain through the openings between the rounded members. The mop receiving basket is sufficiently deep and wide to allow the mop head to be received therein.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved mop receiving receptacle to be used in a mop bucket which has no corners for trapping particulate matter. Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved mop receiving receptacle for use with a mop bucket which allows simple and quick wringing of cleaning fluids from the mop head.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved mop receiving receptacle for use with a mop bucket which does not require movement of a lever or other mechanical device for the wringing of the mop head.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an improved mop receiving receptacle for use with a mop bucket which does not require any maintenance other than rinsing after use.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved mop wringer which requires minimal energy of the operator to operate. According to another embodiment of the invention ridges in the interim of the mop receptacle cause a torque effect on the outer mop head strands as the mop is rotated in the top end of the receptacle by the mop operator. A further torque effect is produced on the inner mop strands as they come into contact with the raised intersection of the ridges in the bottom of the receptacle. As a result of the torque effects on the mop strands, the operator is not required to apply pressure by squeezing the mop head downward into the receptacle.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved mop wringer which effectuates wringing of commercial and industrial size mop heads without the necessity of operating mechanical levers or similar devices. The torque producing ridges in the sides of the receptacle, in conjunction with the upwardly projecting intersection of the ridges in the bottom of the receptacle facilitate thorough wringing of commercial size mop heads. Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved mop wringer which is quiet to use in commercial settings, especially hospitals. This is achieved because there are no moving parts or metallic parts. Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved mop wringer which is easily transported and stored. This is attained by the light- weightedness and stackable shape of the invention. Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved mop wringer which promotes minimal bacteria growth on the apparatus which is especially important in hospital environs where nosocomial infections are guarded against. This object is accomplished in that there are no corners for trapping particulate matter and no interconnecting parts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are hereinafter set forth and explained with reference to the drawings wherein: FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the improved mop receptacle of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is an elevation view partly in section of the improved mop receptacle of the present invention; FIGURE 3 is a perspective view illustrating the improved mop receptacle of the present invention installed in a mop bucket;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4 - 4 in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the improved mop receptacle of the present invention installed in a mop bucket;

FIGURE 6 is a top view of the improved mop receptacle of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a top view of a further alternative embodiment of the improved mop receptacle of the present invention; and

FIGURE 8 is a vertical midtransverse view, partly in section, of the improved mop receptacle of FIGURES 5 and 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Mop receptacle 10 as shown in the drawings includes outer body 12, inner body 14 defining mop receiving basket 16, two split legs 18 and two support flanges 20. Outer body 12 is shaped to provide the structural connection between legs 18, support flanges 20 and inner body 14. The upper end of outer body 12 slopes downwardly and inwardly to its connection to inner body 14. Inner body 14 includes an openwork structure of a plurality of interconnected elements 22 which are round in section as shown in FIGURE 4. As shown in FIGURES 1, 2 and 3 elements 22 include a plurality of generally horizontal rings 24 of smaller sizes in the lower portion of body 14 and arcuate struts 26 connecting to the rings 24 to form the mop receiving basket 16. As shown in the drawings, the opening provided thereby is generally oval shaped so that it will accommodate the generally rectangular or oval shape of commercial mops. Other prior mop receptacles have been round and either have to be substantially larger to accommodate commercial mops or are limited to smaller mops.

Receptacle 10 may be installed on existing cleaning buckets, such as bucket 28 as shown in FIGURE 3. When installed on bucket 28, split legs 18, which include inner leg 30 and outer leg 32 are installed on bucket 28 so that inner leg 30 is positioned within bucket 28 and outer leg 32 is positioned on the exterior of bucket 28 and so that bucket 28 engages the surface 34 at the upper end of the space 36 between inner leg 30 and outer leg 32. Also, the upper edge of bucket 28 is engaged by the lower surfaces of support flanges 20 as shown. In this position, mop receptacle 10 is secured within bucket 28 and can be used for the wringing of cleaning fluid, such as water and detergent, from the mop head by simply inserting the mop head within mop receiving basket 16 with a twisting motion while exerting a downward force on the mop handle. This will cause the cleaning fluids to be expressed from the mop head together with any materials picked up by the mop during mopping. Since elements 22 are of rounded structure and mop receiving basket 16 does not include any corners where solid material can collect, the solid material together with other entrained solids and liquids are immediately drained from mop body 12 into bucket 28. Because of the connection of mop receptacle 10 with bucket 28, mop receptacle is stable and is sufficiently strong so that considerable force can be applied to the mop head during the wringing step to ensure removal of all or substantially all of the fluids which are desired to be removed. The support by leg 18 and support flanges 20 of receptacle 10 on bucket 28 provides the solid, stable and strong support of receptacle 10 on bucket 28.

Receptacle 10 is preferred to be of a unitary construction, such as may be achieved by injection molding the entire structure or any other suitable manufacturing process. The material is preferred to be a material which may be injection molded or other material which is suitable for the manufacturing process and which will withstand the elements to which it is to be exposed, such as the cleaning fluids (soap, detergents, etc.) and the sanitizing or disinfecting fluids. A suitable material is a polypropylene.

The advantages of the present invention are that it is of a one piece construction with no moving parts which does not require maintenance other than normal rinsing after use. It is constructed so that the parts may be stacked when not in use for shipping or storage and they are relatively light weight as compared to the prior metal mop bucket wringing structures.

An alternative embodiment of the mop wringer is shown in FIG. 5 and includes a mop receptacle 110 from which extends two split legs 118 and two support flanges 120. The receptacle 110 is a solid web bowl with perforations for drainage. The split legs 118 attach securely to the upper rim of the cleaning bucket 28 by engaging the bucket 28 between the split in each leg 118. The support flanges 120 rest across other available rims of the cleaning bucket 28 to provide stability to the mop wringer while in use.

The side flanges 120 extend from the rim 138 of the receptacle 110. Extending downwardly from the rim 138 are the sides 140 of the receptacle. As shown in Figs. 5 and 8, the sides 140 extend downward for a short distance at approximately the same circumference as the rim 138. This facilitates the placement of a mop having a bar across the top of the mop head, provided the diameter of the circumference of the rim 138 is at least the length of the bar.

The sides 140 of the receptacle 110 slope generally downward and inward. A plurality of ridges 142 run internally and generally vertically down the sides 140 of the receptacle 110. Spaced between the ridges 142 are rounded drainage holes 150 in the sides 140. The drainage holes 150 are rounded to prevent bacterial buildup that tends to occur in corners and crevices. The ridges 142 protrude inwardly from the sides 140 to a distance that produces a torque effect on the mop head when it is twisted in the receptacle 110. Each of the alternate ridges 142a ultimately intersects at the apex of the indentation 148 described below. The remaining nonintersecting ridges 142b end at or near the bottom 144 of the receptacle 110. The intersection 146 of the ridges in the bottom 144 of the receptacle 110 is an important feature absent from prior mop wringers. It is important because it provides torque to the inner strands of the mop, so that they are effectively wrung. As shown in FIG. 8, it is preferred for commercial mop sizes that the bottom 144 of the receptacle 110 has an indentation 148 protruding upwards in the interior of the receptacle 110. The intersecting ridges 142a extend continuously from the downwardly sloping sides 140 of the receptacle 110 up the walls of the indentation 148. This ridged indentation 148 provides torque to the inner strands of the mop.

According to a further alternative embodiment as shown in FIG. 7, the mop receptacle 210 has a plurality of ridges 242 which run internally and vertically down the sides 240 of the receptacle 210. The ridges 242 protrude inwardly from the sides 240 to a distance that produces a torque effect on the mop head when it is twisted in the receptacle 210. Each of the alternate ridges 242a ultimately intersect in the bottom 244 of the receptacle 210. The nonintersecting ridges 242b end at or near the bottom 244 of the receptacle 210. The intersection 246 of the ridges in the bottom of the receptacle is an important torque feature absent from prior mop wringers. Also shown in the embodiment in FIG. 7 are rounded drainage holes 250 spaced between the ridges and a pair of support flanges 220 extending from the rim 238 of the receptacle 210.

Referring to FIG. 5, with the receptacle 110 secured on a mop bucket 28, the mop operator places the wet mop head in the top end of the receptacle 110 just to the point that the tips of the mop strands are in contact with the elevated ridges 142. The mop operator gently twists the handle of the mop so that the mop head begins to twist inside the receptacle 110. The twisting of the mop head in conjunction with contact with the ridges 142 produces a torque effect on the mop head which effectively squeezes the fluid out of the mop head and into the receptacle 110. The fluid drains through the drainage holes 150 and into the bucket 28. As the mop head becomes more twisted and thereby more constricted. the mop head can be easily dropped downward toward the bottom of the receptacle 110. Without forcefully exerting downward pressure on the mop head, the operator merely continues to twist the mop handle, aided by the ridges 142. The intersecting ridges 142a at the apex of the indentation 148 of the receptacle 110 produce additional torque effects on the strands of the mop head, thereby causing effective drainage of fluids from the mop head. In the constricted state, the mop head is easily removed from the receptacle 110. The same principles apply when using the receptacle 210 of FIG. 7.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A mop receptacle for use with a mop bucket, said receptacle comprising a bowl having means for supporting the bowl on the mop bucket at least partially within the mop bucket, and having a plurality of elevated ridges extending downward longitudinally on the interior side of the bowl with at least a plurality of said ridges intersecting in the center of the bowl.

2. A mop receptacle according to Claim 1 wherein said supporting and engaging means includes a pair of split legs each having an inner leg and an outer leg, the inner legs to be engaged within the mop bucket and the outer legs to be on the exterior of the mop bucket and a pair of support surfaces spaced from said split legs to engage the upper surface of the bucket at points spaced from said split legs to provide a stable support for the receptacle on the bucket.

3. A mop receptacle according to Claim 1 wherein said bowl is formed of a web of material having a plurality of openings therethrough for drainage and wherein said openings are rounded.

4. A mop receptacle according to Claim 3 wherein said openings are located between said elevated ridges.

5. A mop receptacle according to Claim 1 wherein the elements of said receptacle are unitary.

6. A mop receptacle according to Claim 1 wherein said bowl further comprises an indentation extending upwards from the bottom of the interior of the bowl, and a plurality of said ridges extend continuously from the interior side of the bowl up along said indentation.

7. A mop receptacle for use with a mop bucket, said receptacle comprising a bowl having a plurality of elevated ridges extending downward longitudinally on the interior side of the bowl with at least a plurality of said elevated ridges intersecting each other in the interior of the bowl.

8. A mop receptacle for use with a mop bucket, said receptacle comprising a bowl having a plurality of elevated ridges extending downward longitudinally on the interior side of the bowl and having an indentation extending upwards from the interior of the bottom of the bowl wherein a plurality of the elevated ridges extend continuously from the interior side of the bowl up along the indentation.