U.S. patent application number 10/681995 was filed with the patent office on 2005-04-14 for mop bucket filtering system.
Invention is credited to Rousey, Barry.
Application Number | 20050076465 10/681995 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34422413 |
Filed Date | 2005-04-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050076465 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rousey, Barry |
April 14, 2005 |
Mop bucket filtering system
Abstract
A floor cleaning solution filtering system includes a mop bucket
defining a cleaning solution basin. A pump is exteriorly mounted on
the bucket and is in fluid communication with the cleaning solution
basin. A filter system is exteriorly mounted on the bucket, in
fluid communication with the cleaning solution basin, and
operationally connected to the pump. The pump draws fluid from the
cleaning solution basin through the filter system for return to the
basin after the cleaning solution has been filtered. The bucket may
include a single basin or a dual basin.
Inventors: |
Rousey, Barry; (Simi Valley,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KELLY BAUERSFELD LOWRY & KELLEY, LLP
6320 CANOGA AVENUE
SUITE 1650
WOODLAND HILLS
CA
91367
US
|
Family ID: |
34422413 |
Appl. No.: |
10/681995 |
Filed: |
October 8, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/264 ;
15/260 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 13/58 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/264 ;
015/260 |
International
Class: |
A47L 013/58 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A floor cleaning solution filtering system, comprising: a mop
bucket defining a cleaning solution basin; a pump exteriorly
mounted on the bucket and in fluid communication with the cleaning
solution basin; and a filter system exteriorly mounted on the
bucket, and in fluid communication with the cleaning solution basin
and operationally connected to the pump, whereby the pump draws
fluid from the cleaning solution basin through the filter system
for return to the basin after the cleaning solution has been
filtered.
2. The filtering system of claim 1, including a first hose disposed
between the cleaning solution basin and the filter system, and a
second hose disposed between the pump and the cleaning solution
basin.
3. The filtering system of claim 2, wherein the first hose extends
through an aperture in the bucket.
4. The filtering system of claim 2, including a third hose disposed
between the pump and the filtering system.
5. The filtering system of claim 1, wherein the filter system
includes first and second filters in fluid communication with one
another.
6. The filtering system of claim 5, including a fourth hose
disposed between the first and second filters.
7. The filtering system of claim 1, including a wringer
operationally connected to the bucket.
8. The filtering system of claim 1, wherein the bucket includes
distinct first and second fluid basins
9. The filtering system of claim 8, wherein the pump draws cleaning
solution from the first fluid basin through the filter system and
into the second fluid basin.
10. The filtering system of claim 9, wherein the filter system
includes first and second filters.
11. A floor cleaning solution filtering system, comprising: a mop
bucket defining a cleaning solution basin; a pump exteriorly
mounted on the bucket and in fluid communication with the cleaning
solution basin; a filter system exteriorly mounted on the bucket,
and in fluid communication with the cleaning solution basin and
operationally connected to the pump, whereby the pump draws fluid
from the cleaning solution basin through the filter for return to
the basin after the cleaning solution has been filtered; a first
hose disposed between the cleaning solution basin and the filter
system, and a second hose disposed between the pump and the
cleaning solution basin; wherein the filter system includes first
and second filters in fluid communication with one another.
12. The filtering system of claim 11, wherein the first hose
extends through an aperture in the bucket.
13. The filtering system of claim 12, including a third hose
disposed between the pump and the filtering system.
14. The filtering system of claim 13, including a fourth hose
disposed between the first and second filters.
15. The filtering system of claim 14, including a wringer
operationally connected to the bucket.
16. A floor cleaning solution filtering system, comprising: a mop
bucket including distinct first and second fluid basins; a pump
exteriorly mounted on the bucket and in fluid communication with
the first and second fluid basins; a filter system exteriorly
mounted on the bucket, and in fluid communication with the first
and second fluid basins and operationally connected to the pump; a
first hose disposed between the first fluid basin and the filter
system; and a second hose disposed between the pump and the second
fluid basin; wherein the pump draws fluid from the first fluid
basin through the filter system and into the second fluid basin
after the fluid has been filtered.
17. The filtering system of claim 16, wherein the first hose
extends through an aperture in the bucket.
18. The filtering system of claim 17, including a third hose
disposed between the pump and the filtering system.
19. The filtering system of claim 18, wherein the filter system
includes first and second filters in fluid communication with one
another.
20. The filtering system of claim 19, including a fourth hose
disposed between the first and second filters.
21. The filtering system of claim 20, including a wringer
operationally connected to the bucket.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates generally to mop buckets. More
particularly, the invention relates to a mop bucket filtering
system.
[0002] A mop bucket is used in conjunction with a mop for cleaning
floors and the like. At the start of the cleaning process, fluid
used for mopping is held within the bucket and is generally clean.
However, as the floor is mopped, and the mop repeatedly dipped into
the bucket, the fluid therein becomes less and less clean as dirt
and other matter is transferred from the floor to the wet mop is
then to the fluid in the bucket. Occasionally, a user may place the
mop into a wringer located above the bucket in order to remove
fluid from the mop, but again, this merely transfers dirty fluid to
the fluid within the bucket.
[0003] There is a great need for a mop bucket that provides
relatively clean fluid for mopping throughout the cleaning process.
Many different types of filtering systems have been employed to
recycle fluid in mop buckets. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,630,369
teaches a mop cleaning device wherein a supply of cleaning fluid is
circulated through a container. However, relatively heavy particles
are separated from the fluid by what appears to be a gravity trap
while leaving smaller particles still suspended within the fluid.
In another example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,161,799 discloses a mop bucket
that treats dirty fluid. However, this system leaves undesirable
matter within the bucket itself.
[0004] While buckets such as those described above may provide
means of removing dirt particles from fluid within the bucket, such
buckets can always be improved.
[0005] Accordingly, there is a need for a bucket that cleans fluid
within the bucket. There is also a need for a bucket that prevents
the fluid within the bucket from becoming too dirty to use. There
is a further need for a bucket that removes both large and small
particles from the fluid. There is an additional need for a bucket
that is relatively inexpensive and easy to manufacture. The present
invention satisfies these needs and provides other related
advantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] A mop bucket filtering system is needed for cleaning the
fluid within the mop bucket. The filtering system of the mop bucket
prevents the fluid within the bucket from becoming too dirty to use
and removes both large and small particles from the fluid.
[0007] A floor cleaning solution filtering system includes a mop
bucket defining a fluid basin. The fluid in the basin can comprise
water, a cleaning solution, or a mixture of both. A pump is
exteriorly mounted on the bucket and is in fluid communication with
the fluid basin. A filter system is also exteriorly mounted on the
bucket. The filter system is in fluid communication with the basin
and operationally connected to the pump. The pump draws fluid from
the basin through the filter system for return to the basin after
the fluid has been filtered.
[0008] The filtering system also includes a first hose disposed
between the basin and the filter system, and a second hose disposed
between the pump and the basin. The first hose extends through an
aperture in the bucket. A third hose is disposed between the pump
and the filtering system. The filter system includes first and
second filters in fluid communication with one another. A fourth
hose is disposed between the first and second filters.
[0009] In addition to a single basin, the bucket may include
distinct first and second fluid basins. The pump draws cleaning
solution from the first fluid basin through the filter system and
into the second fluid basin. The filter system of the dual basin
bucket includes first and second filters.
[0010] In either the single or dual basin systems, a wringer may be
operationally connected to the bucket.
[0011] Other features and advantages of the invention will become
more apparent from the following detailed description, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way
of example, the principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such
drawings:
[0013] FIG. 1 is an orthogonal view of a mop bucket filtering
system embodying the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a partially cut-away orthogonal view of the mop
bucket filtering system of FIG. 1; and
[0015] FIG. 3 is a orthogonal view of another embodiment of a mop
bucket filtering system embodying the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0016] The present invention is needed for cleaning the fluid
within the mop bucket. The present invention prevents the fluid
within the bucket from becoming too dirty to use and removes both
large and small particles from the fluid.
[0017] As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, the
present invention resides in a mop bucket filtering system 10 for a
mop bucket 12. The mop bucket 12 includes a basin 14 that, when in
use, is filled with a fluid 16 used for mopping. The fluid 16
includes, without limitation, water, a cleaning solution (i.e.,
ammonia, bleach, detergent or the like), or a mixture of both.
[0018] A pump 18 is mounted to the outside of the mop bucket 12 for
recirculating the fluid 16. The pump 14 draws the fluid 16 from the
basin 14 through a filter system 20 for return to the basin 14
after the fluid 16 has been filtered.
[0019] The filter system 20 is also mounted to the outside of the
mop bucket. The filter system 20 is in fluid communication with the
basin 14 and operationally connected to the pump 18. The filter
system 20 includes an interconnected series of filters in fluid
communication that remove different sized particles from the fluid
16 as the fluid 16 moves through the filter system 20. For example,
a first filter 22 may be used removing relatively large particles
from the fluid 16 as the fluid 16 passes through the first filter
22. After the larger particles are filtered out, the fluid 16
passes and a second filter 24 that removes smaller, finer particles
from the fluid 16. Additional filters may be added to the filter
system 20 to remove other contaminants, such as oil, from the fluid
16 or otherwise improve the quality of the fluid 16 prior to
returning the fluid 16 to the basin 14.
[0020] A series of generally flexible hoses interconnect the basin
14, filter system 20 and pump 18 such that fluid 16 is able to be
drawn from the basin 14, filtered, and then returned to the basin
14. A first hose 26 is disposed between the basin 14 and the filter
system 20, allowing fluid 16 to pass from the basin 14 to the
filter system 20. A second hose 28 is disposed between the pump 18
and the basin 14, allowing fluid 16 to pass from the pump 18 to the
basin 14. One end of the first hose 26 may extend through an
aperture 30 in the bucket 12 that leads to the basin 14; the
aperture 30 being located towards the bottom of the basin 14. In
the alternative, one end of the first hose 26 may be extended over
the top of the bucket 12 and down towards the bottom of the basin
14 such that the fluid 16 therein is able to enter the first hose
26 (likewise, one end of the second hose 28 may be extended over
the top of the bucket 12 and down towards the bottom of the basin
14 such that the fluid 16 therein is able to be returned to the
basin 14).
[0021] A third hose 32 is disposed between the pump 18 and the
filtering system 20 so as to allow fluid 16 to be drawn through the
filtering system 20 by the pump 18. A fourth hose 34 is disposed
between the first and second filters 22, 24 so as to allow fluid 16
to flow between the filters 22, 24.
[0022] In an alternative embodiment, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the
bucket 12 may include distinct first and second fluid basins 36,
38. The first basin 36 holds the "dirty" fluid 16 and the filtered
fluid 16 goes into the second basin 38. This embodiment is
otherwise similar to the above described single basin 14 embodiment
except that the hose 26 is illustrated with one end over the top of
basin 36 and extending towards the bottom of the basin 36 under the
surface of the "dirty" fluid 16. Alternatively, the aperture 30 of
FIG. 3 could also be used in basin 36 with the end of the hose 26
extending through the aperture 30 to the "dirty" fluid 16 in basin
36. In this embodiment, the pump 18 draws the fluid 16 from the
first fluid basin 36 through the filter system 20, through the pump
18, and into the second fluid basin 38.
[0023] The pump 18 could be powered by either an AC or DC
electrical source. For example, an electrical plug 40 could be used
to electrically connect the pump 18 to a wall socket (not shown) or
the pump 18 could be powered by a battery (not shown).
[0024] In either the single or dual basin embodiments, a mop
wringer 42 may be operationally connected to the bucket 12.
[0025] Also, in either the single or dual basin embodiments, the
bucket 12 may be located on a frame 44. The basins 14, 36, 38 are
carried on the frame 44 which includes wheels 46, such as castors.
In the alternative, wheels 46 may be connected directly to the
basins 14, 36, 38. The frame may further include a handle 48 for
pushing or pulling the mop bucket 12 to various locations.
[0026] The bucket 12 and frame 44 may be made of various materials,
including, without limitation, plastic and metal.
[0027] The above-described embodiments of the present invention are
illustrative only and not limiting. It will thus be apparent to
those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may
be made without departing from this invention in its broader
aspects. Therefore, the appended claims encompass all such changes
and modifications as falling within the true spirit and scope of
this invention.
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