Bucket for handling liquids

Abstract

A bucket for handling liquids comprising a collector reservoir, a wringer receptacle having a collector outlet in fluid communication with the collector reservoir and a storage reservoir comprising at least one discharge aperture. The wringer receptacle is positionable between a first position wherein the wringer receptacle blocks the discharge aperture and a second position wherein the wringer receptacle allows fluid communication between the storage reservoir and the wringer receptacle through the discharge aperture. Rinsing of a cleaning medium in the bucket according to the invention is controlled through use of the cleaning medium actuating the wringer receptacle. The storage reservoir may also comprise a valve that can be actuated by movement of the wringer receptacle.

Description

[0001]The present invention claims priority of U.S. provisional patent applications 60 / 892,634 filed Mar. 2, 2007 and 60 / 939,078 filed May 20, 2007, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention generally relates to cleaning products. More particularly, it relates to a cleaning bucket for handling liquids.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]In basic cleaning buckets, the mop is immersed in the clean wash solution and, in so doing, contaminates the clean wash solution by direct contact with the dirty mop. The cleaning medium is thus repeatedly rinsed in soiled wash solution from previous soakings and wringings. This results in the spreading of soiled or dirty wash solution on the surfaces to be cleaned. This method of cleaning is counter-productive and not optimal since contaminated water is then used for cleaning tasks.[0004]There exist a certain number of multi-compartmented cleaning buckets that have been developed as imp...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0025]Such a cleaning bucket eliminates wash solution contamination which typically occurs after the wringing, rinsing or soaking of a cleaning medium (mop, sponge, cloth or any other item) in the wash solution. This is achieved by metering of the wash solution into the wringer receptacle for the cleaning medium. This allows for an improved cleaning process which yields cleaner surfaces since the wash solution used for cleaning remains always clean and contaminant free.

[0026]The present invention represents an improvement over other compartmented cleaning buckets because the cleaning medium, such as a mop head, never enters in the clean wash solution compartment. The clean wash solution flows on the mop head directly into the wringer receptacle. This prevents clean wash solution contamination and therefore prevents contaminated wash solution from being deposited over and over again on the target surfaces to be cleaned.

[0027]Similarly, the present invention facilitates cleaning tasks by not requiring several replacements of the wash solution which normally becomes soiled after a certain number of soakings of the cleaning medium. The design also minimizes movement or displacements of the cleaning medium since rinsing and wringing are carried out in a same location, the wringer receptacle. Rinsing can also be controlled through use of the cleaning medium itself.

[0028]The present invention also has an environmental benefit as less water is required to perform the cleaning task since no replacement of the wash solution is required. Moreover, a smaller amount of wash solution is required in the first place.

[0029]The present invention also represents a simple mechanical solution as it has only one principal moving part and is inexpensive to manufacture.

Problems solved by technology

In basic cleaning buckets, the mop is immersed in the clean wash solution and, in so doing, contaminates the clean wash solution by direct contact with the dirty mop.

This results in the spreading of soiled or dirty wash solution on the surfaces to be cleaned.

This method of cleaning is counter-productive and not optimal since contaminated water is then used for cleaning tasks.

However, in such a system, discharge of the cleaning wash liquid into a discharge transfer compartment is not easily controlled by the user.

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