Foldable Bucket and Mop Coupling System for Compact Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing manual washing systems comprising buckets and mops face challenges in reducing storage space and volume while maintaining functionality, as the bucket's shape and mop's handle length compromise stowage efficiency, requiring a solution that allows for simultaneous and easy storage and quick retrieval of both components without compromising their cleaning effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A bucket-mop coupling system featuring a bucket with a foldable lateral wall made of preformed plastic material and a mop with a plate-shaped head that can be locked onto the bucket, reducing overall size in a closed position and easily converted to an operative state by extending the bucket wall and detaching the mop, utilizing a joint and locking mechanism for compact storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the bucket is made spacious and the mop handle is made long for optimal cleaning functionality, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the storage space and volume required increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mop is nested within the bucket when not in use. The plate-shaped mop head fits into the perimetral recess of the bucket, and the handle is retained by the locking element, allowing the entire mop-bucket assembly to occupy minimal storage space while maintaining full functionality during cleaning operations
Solution Approach 2:
The bucket lateral wall is made foldable with two or more successively foldable wall sections that can be folded concentrically on the base, allowing the bucket to transition between an expanded operative state for cleaning and a compressed stowed state for storage, dynamically adapting to space requirements
2Adaptability or versatility
If the bucket is designed as a standalone container for washing water, then it can be used independently, but it requires separate storage space and time to prepare for use
Solution Approach 1:
The bucket and mop are merged into a single integrated system where the mop locks onto the bucket structure. This combination allows both items to be stored together as one unit and deployed together, eliminating the need to separately retrieve and prepare each item, thus reducing preparation time while maintaining the bucket's capacity for washing water
3Ease of operation
If a squeezing element is added to the bucket for squeezing the mop head, then the cleaning functionality is enhanced, but the storage complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The perimetral recess and locking element structure serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the bucket wall, creates a storage recess for the mop head, and provides a locking mechanism to retain the mop handle. This multi-functionality enhances cleaning functionality without proportionally increasing device complexity or storage requirements
Data Source
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AI summary
Manual washing system comprising a bucket (2) provided with a base (10) and a lateral wall (12) having an upper rigid edge (11), and a mop (30) comprising a handle (4) associated to a head (5), said head (5) comprises a substantially plate-shaped body (50), said body (50) being associated to said handle (4) by a joint (6), said bucket (2) comprising said lateral wall (12) made of preformed plastic material with two or more successively foldable wall sections, said two or more wall sections being folded on said base (10), said upper edge (11) being provided with a perimetral recess (14) and a locking element (15), the perimetral recess (14) being made towards the inner part of said bucket (2) to define a housing seat, the locking element (15) being adapted to lock said mop (3) when the perimetral edge of said body (50) is housed in said housing seat defined by said perimetral recess (14), and said handle (4) is coupled to said locking element (15).