A wringer for a bucket

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wringers for buckets lack a balance between flexibility and lateral force application, with overly flexible designs failing to effectively squeeze excess water from strip mops and restrictive designs limiting the wringing action.

Innovation Solution

A wringer comprising flexible wall members with an outwardly projecting rib on the under face, which adds strength and controls flexing, allowing for effective downward pressure and lateral force application without restricting movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the wringer is made extremely flexible, then the wringer can be pressed downward easily, but very little lateral force is applied to squeeze the strip mop of excess water

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of pressing downwardVSAvoidlateral force for squeezing

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The wringer wall members incorporate ribs at specific locations (on the inner face of each wall member) to provide localized structural reinforcement. This allows the overall structure to remain flexible for easy operation while the ribbed regions provide the necessary lateral force generation when pressed downward

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Force

If support parts are added to limit the extent of downward pressing, then lateral force is improved, but the flexibility of the wringer is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelateral force for squeezingVSAvoidflexibility of wringer

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than adding separate support parts that restrict movement, the ribs are integrated into the wall members themselves at specific locations. This provides the necessary structural support for lateral force generation while maintaining overall flexibility and ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Stability of the object's composition

If spacers are arranged between legs to limit separation, then structural stability is improved, but flexibility of the wringer is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidflexibility of wringer

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The ribs are positioned at specific locations on the wall members to provide localized reinforcement where needed for structural stability, while leaving other portions of the wall members flexible to maintain ease of operation and wringing action

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The described wringer effectively balances flexibility and lateral force, enabling efficient water removal from strip mops without the limitations of previous designs, ensuring effective wringing action.

Implementation Method 1

The flexible wall members include on at least the under face a rib which adds strength and controls flexing of the wall member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectStructural reinforcement:

Data Source

PatentEP2863790B1A wringer for a bucket

Publication Date: 2017.11.08 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES CO

Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4

AI summary

The disclosed wringer for a bucket includes flexible wall members for squeezing around a strip mop. Each wall member has an outer portion, an inner portion, and a transition zone between the outer portion and inner portion and each wall member having an upper face and an under face that is facing the container. On at least one of the wall members at the under face is a least one outwardly projecting rib extending through the transition zone.