Cloth Washing Bucket With Circular Hot-Water Flow for Small Spaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mop washing buckets occupy too much space and are not suitable for small facilities, and conventional methods for cleaning cloths and rags are inefficient, relying on detergents that are environmentally damaging and costly.

Innovation Solution

A compact cloth or rag washing bucket with a container design featuring a fluid inlet for continuous hot water supply and a fluid outlet for efficient debris removal, utilizing a bottom-to-top circular water flow pattern to clean cloths and rags without detergents, allowing for simultaneous washing and reuse.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If conventional mop washing buckets are used, then cleaning function is provided, but they occupy too much space and are not suitable for small facilities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebucket sizeVSAvoidcleaning effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The washing bucket is divided into two distinct compartments: a smaller washing compartment for agitating and washing cloths, and a larger rinsing compartment for final rinsing. This segmentation allows the bucket to fit in small spaces while maintaining effective cleaning functionality through specialized zones for different cleaning stages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes vertical space by creating a multi-level compartment structure within a compact footprint. The washing compartment is positioned above the rinsing compartment, effectively using the vertical dimension to maximize cleaning functionality while minimizing horizontal space occupation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If detergents are used for cleaning cloths and rags, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but environmental damage and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoidenvironmental impact

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The washing compartment is designed to generate mechanical agitation through manual or automated means that creates friction and movement of cloths against each other and the compartment surfaces. This mechanical action alone is sufficient to remove dirt and contaminants, eliminating the need for chemical detergents and their associated environmental harms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses water flow dynamics and hydraulic action to enhance the cleaning process. Water circulation and pressure differential between compartments facilitate the mechanical washing action and transfer of cleaned water from the washing to rinsing compartment, replacing chemical cleaners with physical hydraulic processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Quantity of substance

If cloths are rinsed multiple times in the same bucket, then water is conserved, but the rinsing water becomes loaded with dirt and cleaning effectiveness is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater consumptionVSAvoidrinsing effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the washing and rinsing functions into distinct compartments, the system allows water to be effectively used in each stage. The washing compartment uses water for mechanical agitation and dirt removal, while the rinsing compartment provides clean water for final rinsing. This segmentation prevents contamination of rinsing water while maintaining water conservation benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The design enables continuous operation where water flows from the washing compartment to the rinsing compartment, maintaining a continuous supply of relatively clean rinsing water. This continuous action allows multiple cloths to be rinsed effectively without requiring complete water changes, balancing water conservation with cleaning effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 compact design fits small spaces, efficiently cleans cloths and rags with continuous hot water, preventing dirt accumulation and eliminating the need for detergents, thus reducing environmental impact and costs while enhancing the reuse of cleaning materials.

Implementation Method 1

a fluid inlet affixed adjacent to the bottom of the container... utilizing a bottom-to-top circular water flow pattern to clean cloths and rags

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Implementation Method 2

a fluid outlet formed on the container in a location above the fluid inlet... adapted to allow water from the interior volume of the container to flow outwardly of the container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity-driven flow: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS20230009917A1Cloth or rag washing bucket for household, commercial and industrial use

Publication Date: 2023.01.12 MCDONALD TIM

AI summary

A cloth or rag washing bucket has a container with an interior volume defined by a bottom and a wall extending upwardly from the bottom, a fluid inlet affixed adjacent the bottom of the container, a fluid outlet formed on the container at a level above the level of the fluid inlet. The inlet is adapted to be connected to a water hose. The fluid inlet extends through the wall of the container so as to have one end in the interior volume of the container and another end exterior of the wall of the container. The fluid outlet is adapted to allow water in the interior volume of the container to flow outwardly of the container.