WO2002024037A2 - Spill station - Google Patents

Spill station Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2002024037A2
WO2002024037A2 PCT/US2001/029537 US0129537W WO0224037A2 WO 2002024037 A2 WO2002024037 A2 WO 2002024037A2 US 0129537 W US0129537 W US 0129537W WO 0224037 A2 WO0224037 A2 WO 0224037A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
cabinet
mounting bracket
cabinet portion
structural member
storage
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2001/029537
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2002024037A3 (en
Inventor
Paul Giampavolo
Christine Giampavolo
Robert Shelton
Original Assignee
Paul Giampavolo
Christine Giampavolo
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Paul Giampavolo, Christine Giampavolo filed Critical Paul Giampavolo
Priority to EP01975282A priority Critical patent/EP1318739A4/en
Priority to AU2001294621A priority patent/AU2001294621A1/en
Priority to CA002422822A priority patent/CA2422822A1/en
Publication of WO2002024037A2 publication Critical patent/WO2002024037A2/en
Publication of WO2002024037A3 publication Critical patent/WO2002024037A3/en

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L13/00—Implements for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
    • A47L13/10—Scrubbing; Scouring; Cleaning; Polishing
    • A47L13/50—Auxiliary implements
    • A47L13/51—Storing of cleaning tools, e.g. containers therefor
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
    • A47B81/00—Cabinets or racks specially adapted for other particular purposes, e.g. for storing guns or skis
    • A47B81/02—Cabinets or racks specially adapted for other particular purposes, e.g. for storing guns or skis specially adapted for storing cleaning utensils

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device for providing retail establishments a place to store items that are necessary in the cleanup of spills.
  • retail stores have no location in and around the stores to place cleaning supplies in an aesthetic and sanitary manner.
  • Items used to clean up spills typically include brooms, liquid waste pellet absorbers, dust pans, bags, solvents, etc.
  • the present invention relates to a spill station cabinet, with and without such ancillary products used in the cleanup of spills.
  • the invention addresses two major issues relating to the cleanup of spills. First, it is very important that retail stores clean up spills immediately.
  • the spill station of the invention is unique in that any number of spill stations may be installed in and around the store, making the retrieval of cleaning supplies fast and readily accessible.
  • the spill station is designed so that it can be wall mounted or mounted on a structural vertical beam in and around a store.
  • the second issue the invention addresses as it relates to the cleanup of spills is the need to keep cleaning supplies on hand in an attractive, sanitary and concise location.
  • Some stores currently hang brooms on the exposed structural vertical beams found in and around the store. This practice is unsightly and unsanitary as the broom usually accumulates dirt and grime from cleaning up spills.
  • the exposed broom may have occasion to come into contact with a customer or product and contaminate the customer or product.
  • the spill station is a self contained unit which keeps all cleaning supplies out of view of customers and protects them from coming in contact with any contamination.
  • Yet still a further object of the present invention is to provide such a cabinet where cleaning supplies can be stored which can be easily and conveniently mounted in a retail establishment.
  • the invention comprises a cabinet for storage of items to clean up spills comprising a rear cabinet portion, a front cabinet portion which is openable away from the rear cabinet portion, the rear cabinet portion having at least one shelf for the storage of spill cleanup items, the front openable cabinet portion having storage space for the storage of cleanup items, and further comprising a mounting bracket for mounting the rear cabinet portion to a structural member.
  • FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention with the cabinet having its cover in the closed position
  • Fig. 2 shows the embodiment of Fig. 1 with the cover in the open position
  • Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention
  • Fig. 4 shows a universal back plate which can be used with the invention and shown attached to a square structural member such as a square post;
  • Fig. 5 show the universal back plate fastened to a curved or round structural member such as a round cross-section post; and Fig. 6 shows the universal back plate mounting the spill station on a wall.
  • the invention provides a spill station or cabinet for storing the tools and supplies necessary for cleaning spills in retail or other establishments.
  • the invention comprises a cabinet generally indicated at 10, for example, as shown in Fig. 1.
  • the cabinet includes a back portion 12, a lower front portion 14 and a front cover 16.
  • the device 10 is mounted, for example, to a post 18 of the retail establishment as will be described in greater detail below.
  • the front cover 16 may be formed so that it opens only approximately the top half of the cabinet 10.
  • the lower bottom cover 14 may be fixed or may also be hinged to the rear cover
  • the interior of the spill station 10 includes shelving 20, 22 for storage of cleanup implements, solvents, rolls of cloth, paper, etc.
  • the bottom cover 14 may be fixed or may be also hinged and include storage location for cleanup items therein.
  • the bottom front cover includes a channel 24 which receives the handle 26 of a broom 28, which may be stored in the top front cover as shown.
  • Fig. 3 shows another embodiment 10' of the spill station.
  • This embodiment has a rear portion 12', a front top cover 16' and a lower portion 13 for storage of cleanup items therein which is accessible once the front cover 16' is opened.
  • a broom whose handle 26 is shown may be stored in similar fashion in the top cover as in the first embodiment.
  • Fig. 4 shows a universal back plate for mounting the spill station, shown mounting it on a square post.
  • the back plate may be formed of a metal or plastic plate 50 having cutouts 52 for strapping 54. Strapping 54 has suitable ties or connectors for tightening the plate 50 against the post 18.
  • cutouts 56 are provided having arc shaped portions 58 adapted to abut against a rounded post. When the post is square, the arc shaped sections are maintained within the plane of the plate 50.
  • the arc shaped portions 58 are folded along lines 59 so that the rounded edges thereof abut against the round post 18'.
  • the plate 50 includes elongated pots or projections 60 which are adapted to be received in elongated holes in the back of the back portion 12, 12' so that the spill station 10 can be inserted onto the posts 60 and dropped slightly whereby the elongated portions of the posts 60 overlap the back plate of the portion 12, 12' to maintain the spill station in position.
  • Fig. 6 shows the universal back plate mounted to a wall.
  • the back plate may be mounted to the wall with screws 70, for example, mounted through the post 60.
  • the invention has thus provided a spill station cabinet which provides a convenient location in and around a retail store or other environment to store items that are necessary in the cleanup of spills.
  • the invention saves time and provides an aesthetic and attractive way to store such items in a manner such that they do not come into contact with consumers and are readily available in the case of spills.

Landscapes

  • Details Of Rigid Or Semi-Rigid Containers (AREA)
  • Packaging Of Special Articles (AREA)
  • Vending Machines For Individual Products (AREA)
  • Massaging Devices (AREA)
  • Warehouses Or Storage Devices (AREA)

Abstract

A cabinet (10) for storage of items to clean up spills comprising a rear cabinet portion (12), a front cabinet portion (16) which is openable away from the rear cabinet portion (12), the rear cabinet portion (12) having at least one shelf (20) for the storage of spill cleanup items, the front openable cabinet portion (16) having storage space for the storage of cleanup items, and further comprising a mounting bracket (50) for mounting the rear cabinet portion (12) to a structural member (18).

Description

SPILL STATION
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
The present application claims the priority and benefit of U.S. Provisional patent application 60/234,117 filed September 21, 2000 entitled SPILL STATION, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device for providing retail establishments a place to store items that are necessary in the cleanup of spills. Currently, retail stores have no location in and around the stores to place cleaning supplies in an aesthetic and sanitary manner. Items used to clean up spills typically include brooms, liquid waste pellet absorbers, dust pans, bags, solvents, etc. The present invention relates to a spill station cabinet, with and without such ancillary products used in the cleanup of spills.
The invention addresses two major issues relating to the cleanup of spills. First, it is very important that retail stores clean up spills immediately.
Customers walking through a spill may trip and fall and become injured leading to injury and/or liability. However, without cleaning supplies immediately at hand or within a reasonable distance from the spill, a certain amount of time must elapse while employees seek out cleaning supplies and return them to the site to clean up the spill. Most cleaning supplies are stored in back rooms or the warehouse section of a store because there is no appropriate place to store them in and around the retail store area. This is time consuming and burdensome. The spill station of the invention is unique in that any number of spill stations may be installed in and around the store, making the retrieval of cleaning supplies fast and readily accessible. The spill station is designed so that it can be wall mounted or mounted on a structural vertical beam in and around a store.
The second issue the invention addresses as it relates to the cleanup of spills is the need to keep cleaning supplies on hand in an attractive, sanitary and concise location. Some stores currently hang brooms on the exposed structural vertical beams found in and around the store. This practice is unsightly and unsanitary as the broom usually accumulates dirt and grime from cleaning up spills. The exposed broom may have occasion to come into contact with a customer or product and contaminate the customer or product. The spill station is a self contained unit which keeps all cleaning supplies out of view of customers and protects them from coming in contact with any contamination.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a cabinet where cleaning supplies can be stored.
Yet still a further object of the present invention is to provide such a cabinet where cleaning supplies can be stored which can be easily and conveniently mounted in a retail establishment.
It is furthermore an object of the present invention to provide such a cabinet which has fasteners provided thereon for allowing convenient and easy fastening to structural members of stores such as columns or walls.
According to one aspect, the invention comprises a cabinet for storage of items to clean up spills comprising a rear cabinet portion, a front cabinet portion which is openable away from the rear cabinet portion, the rear cabinet portion having at least one shelf for the storage of spill cleanup items, the front openable cabinet portion having storage space for the storage of cleanup items, and further comprising a mounting bracket for mounting the rear cabinet portion to a structural member.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention which refers to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWLNG(S
The invention will now be described in detail in the following detailed description with reference to the drawings in which: Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention with the cabinet having its cover in the closed position;
Fig. 2 shows the embodiment of Fig. 1 with the cover in the open position; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 4 shows a universal back plate which can be used with the invention and shown attached to a square structural member such as a square post;
Fig. 5 show the universal back plate fastened to a curved or round structural member such as a round cross-section post; and Fig. 6 shows the universal back plate mounting the spill station on a wall.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
With reference now to the drawings, the invention provides a spill station or cabinet for storing the tools and supplies necessary for cleaning spills in retail or other establishments. The invention comprises a cabinet generally indicated at 10, for example, as shown in Fig. 1. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 , the cabinet includes a back portion 12, a lower front portion 14 and a front cover 16. The device 10 is mounted, for example, to a post 18 of the retail establishment as will be described in greater detail below. As shown in Fig. 2, the front cover 16 may be formed so that it opens only approximately the top half of the cabinet 10. The lower bottom cover 14 may be fixed or may also be hinged to the rear cover
12, as in "Dutch door" style. As shown, the interior of the spill station 10 includes shelving 20, 22 for storage of cleanup implements, solvents, rolls of cloth, paper, etc. The bottom cover 14 may be fixed or may be also hinged and include storage location for cleanup items therein. Preferably, the bottom front cover includes a channel 24 which receives the handle 26 of a broom 28, which may be stored in the top front cover as shown.
Fig. 3 shows another embodiment 10' of the spill station. This embodiment has a rear portion 12', a front top cover 16' and a lower portion 13 for storage of cleanup items therein which is accessible once the front cover 16' is opened. A broom whose handle 26 is shown may be stored in similar fashion in the top cover as in the first embodiment.
Fig. 4 shows a universal back plate for mounting the spill station, shown mounting it on a square post. As shown, the back plate may be formed of a metal or plastic plate 50 having cutouts 52 for strapping 54. Strapping 54 has suitable ties or connectors for tightening the plate 50 against the post 18. In addition, cutouts 56 are provided having arc shaped portions 58 adapted to abut against a rounded post. When the post is square, the arc shaped sections are maintained within the plane of the plate 50. As shown in Fig. 5, when the back plate is fitted to a round post 18', the arc shaped portions 58 are folded along lines 59 so that the rounded edges thereof abut against the round post 18'.
As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the plate 50 includes elongated pots or projections 60 which are adapted to be received in elongated holes in the back of the back portion 12, 12' so that the spill station 10 can be inserted onto the posts 60 and dropped slightly whereby the elongated portions of the posts 60 overlap the back plate of the portion 12, 12' to maintain the spill station in position.
Fig. 6 shows the universal back plate mounted to a wall. The back plate may be mounted to the wall with screws 70, for example, mounted through the post 60. The invention has thus provided a spill station cabinet which provides a convenient location in and around a retail store or other environment to store items that are necessary in the cleanup of spills. The invention saves time and provides an aesthetic and attractive way to store such items in a manner such that they do not come into contact with consumers and are readily available in the case of spills.
Although the present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the present invention should be limited not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A cabinet for storage of items to clean up spills comprising: a rear cabinet portion; a front cabinet portion which is openable away from the rear cabinet portion, the rear cabinet portion having at least one shelf for the storage of spill cleanup items, the front openable cabinet portion having storage space for the storage of cleanup items, and further comprising a mounting bracket for mounting the rear cabinet portion to a structural member.
2. The storage cabinet of claim 1 wherein the front openable portion comprises a cover covering approximately half the rear cabinet portion.
3. The cabinet of claim 1, further comprising a lower front cabinet portion.
4. The cabinet of claim 1, wherein the lower cabinet portion is fixed.
5. The cabinet of claim 1 , wherein the lower cabinet portion is openable.
6. The cabinet of claim 1 wherein the front cabinet portion is hinged to the rear cabinet portion.
7. The cabinet of claim 3, wherein a broom is stored in an inside portion of the front cabinet portion in a position such that the handle of the broom faces downwardly.
8. The cabinet of claim 7, wherein the handle of the broom is received in a channel of a lower front cabinet portion.
9. The cabinet of claim 1, wherein the mounting bracket comprises a separate piece from the rear cabinet portion, one of the mounting bracket and the rear cabinet portion having a plurality of elongated projections for receiving elongated openings in the other of the rear cabinet portion and the mounting bracket.
10. The cabinet of claim 1 , wherein the mounting bracket includes at least one cutout having a bendable member adapted to abut against a curved structural member.
11. The cabinet of claim 10, wherein the portion adapted to abut against the curved structural member is foldable along a crease line so as to abut against the structural member.
12. The cabinet of claim 1, wherein the mounting bracket includes cutouts for receiving a strapping band to hold the mounting bracket tightly against the structural member.
13. The cabinet of claim 1 , wherein the mounting bracket has openings for receiving fastening members for fastening the mounting bracket to a structural member.
14. The cabinet of claim 13, wherein the fastening members comprise screws.
PCT/US2001/029537 2000-09-21 2001-09-21 Spill station WO2002024037A2 (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP01975282A EP1318739A4 (en) 2000-09-21 2001-09-21 Spill station
AU2001294621A AU2001294621A1 (en) 2000-09-21 2001-09-21 Spill station
CA002422822A CA2422822A1 (en) 2000-09-21 2001-09-21 Spill station

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US23411700P 2000-09-21 2000-09-21
US60/234,117 2000-09-21
US09/957,060 US20020074908A1 (en) 2000-09-21 2001-09-20 Spill station
US09/957,060 2001-09-20

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2002024037A2 true WO2002024037A2 (en) 2002-03-28
WO2002024037A3 WO2002024037A3 (en) 2003-02-27

Family

ID=26927584

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2001/029537 WO2002024037A2 (en) 2000-09-21 2001-09-21 Spill station

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US20020074908A1 (en)
EP (1) EP1318739A4 (en)
AU (1) AU2001294621A1 (en)
CA (1) CA2422822A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2002024037A2 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2470411A (en) * 2009-05-22 2010-11-24 Hugh Heathcote Gilbert Detergent, brush, cloth and sponge holder

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US407524A (en) * 1889-07-23 Samuel hall
US908558A (en) * 1907-07-26 1909-01-05 Etta Maude Gildemeister Broom-holder.
US3539138A (en) * 1968-05-07 1970-11-10 Philip J Desroches Apparatus for supporting and connecting cylindrical members
US3750207A (en) * 1971-03-12 1973-08-07 F Hermida Container-last for the cleaning of footwear
US5611450A (en) * 1996-05-13 1997-03-18 Demars; Robert A. Trash receptacle with built-in dustpan and broom
US5738020A (en) * 1995-09-12 1998-04-14 Correia; Lewis A. Lock box and mounting device
US6139122A (en) * 1999-04-14 2000-10-31 Barbara Johnson Warning cone dispenser apparatus

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4524938A (en) * 1983-01-17 1985-06-25 Quickie Manufacturing Corporation Self contained broom hanging system
US4929039A (en) * 1988-11-16 1990-05-29 Paul Thomas Toothbrush cabinet for holding of toothbrushes and toothpaste in bathroom
US5029792A (en) * 1989-11-02 1991-07-09 Desjardins Albeo J Accessory holder for vacuum cleaning system

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US407524A (en) * 1889-07-23 Samuel hall
US908558A (en) * 1907-07-26 1909-01-05 Etta Maude Gildemeister Broom-holder.
US3539138A (en) * 1968-05-07 1970-11-10 Philip J Desroches Apparatus for supporting and connecting cylindrical members
US3750207A (en) * 1971-03-12 1973-08-07 F Hermida Container-last for the cleaning of footwear
US5738020A (en) * 1995-09-12 1998-04-14 Correia; Lewis A. Lock box and mounting device
US5611450A (en) * 1996-05-13 1997-03-18 Demars; Robert A. Trash receptacle with built-in dustpan and broom
US6139122A (en) * 1999-04-14 2000-10-31 Barbara Johnson Warning cone dispenser apparatus

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See also references of EP1318739A2 *

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2470411A (en) * 2009-05-22 2010-11-24 Hugh Heathcote Gilbert Detergent, brush, cloth and sponge holder

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2002024037A3 (en) 2003-02-27
CA2422822A1 (en) 2002-03-28
US20020074908A1 (en) 2002-06-20
EP1318739A4 (en) 2004-10-20
AU2001294621A1 (en) 2002-04-02
EP1318739A2 (en) 2003-06-18

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