Multi-compartment cleaning bucket

Abstract

The cleaning equipment comprises a container, typically a bucket [1], a wringer [2] mounted on or in the container and a partition element [3] dividing the container into a first compartment [4] which, in use, receives liquid wrung out in the wringer and a second compartment [5] which, in use, receives cleaning liquid. A dirt receiving element [6] is provided for receiving dirt settling from the cleaning liquid in use contained in the second compartment. The dirt receiving element may be located below an apertured part of the partition element which defines the base of the second compartment. Preferably, the first and second compartments communicate with one another via the dirt receiving element.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to cleaning equipment in which cleaning liquid is taken from a container, for example, a bucket, and returned thereto after it has been used for dirt removal. It is of particular, but by no means exclusive, application to a cleaning bucket for use with a cleaning element or device, such as a floor mop, cleaning cloth or chamois leather which is repeatedly wrung out into the bucket.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] A problem with such cleaning equipment is that dirt deposited out from the liquid collects at the bottom of the container and that disturbance of the liquid, as when rinsing out a mop for example, washes the collected dirt back into the main body of the liquid. In addition, a cleaning element such as a mop can pick up the collected dirt directly. Because of this the container is often emptied and cleaned out before the cleaning additives in the liquid are actually exhausted.

[0003] A small container is defined herein as having an interior volume comparable to that of a typical household pail or bucket. Typical interior volumes range between 11 liters and 20 liters.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The objects of the present invention are: to provide a multi-compartment cleaning bucket by which a mop used in the bucket is not exposed to dirty water; to provide such a cleaning bucket continuing a filtering element for retaining soil; to provide such a bucket substantially preventing washing back of soiled water into a rinsed mop; and to provide such a cleaning bucket which is well suited for the intended purpose.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] According to the present invention, there is provided cleaning equipment comprising a container for cleaning liquid, a wringer mounted on or in the container, a partition element dividing the container into a first compartment which, in use, receives liquid wrung out in the wringer and a second compartment which, in use, receives cleaning liquid and a dirt receiving element for receiving dirt settling from the cleaning liquid in use contained in the second compartment

[0006] This arrangement is advantageous, since it prevents or limits settled dirt from being drawn or re-circulated back into the cleaning liquid. This thus enables dirt-settling characteristics, commonly only associated with large containers, to be imparted to small containers.

[0007] Preferably, the partition element has a part defining the base of the second compartment. This part is preferably apertured and the dirt receiving element is preferably located below the said apertured part of the partition element.

[0008] Advantageously, the first and second compartments communicate with one another via the dirt receiving element.

[0009] Conveniently, the partition element is removable from the container to facilitate cleaning of the cannister and dirt receiving element.

[0010] The dirt receiving element may comprise a mat or pad of superposed mesh layers or may be a non-women unitary mesh comprising a "jumble" of interlocking or bonded fibers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0012] FIG. 1 shows a top plan view of one embodiment of cleaning equipment, according to the invention;

[0013] FIG. 2 shows a vertical cross-section of the cleaning equipment, taken along line A-A in FIG. 1;

[0014] FIG. 3 is a prospective view of the cleaning equipment of FIG. 1; and

[0015] FIG. 4 is a wringer-end view of the cleaning equipment showing part of the wringer in phantom lines.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED AND ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Referring to the drawings, the cleaning equipment shown therein is typically for domestic use and comprises a small container of the type hereinbefore defined and which is in the form of a bucket 1, a basket-like wringer 2 including a support flange 8 removably mounted on the upper lip of the bucket 1 so as to cover only a part of the upper end of the bucket 1, and a partition element 3 which divides the bucket 1 into a first compartment 4 which receives liquid wrung out in the wringer 2 and a second compartment 5 which receives liquid, e.g. clean water and a flocculent chemical.

[0017] The partition element 3 curves gently away from the wringer 2 in a downwards direction and has a flat lower part 3a which defines the base of the second compartment 5.

[0018] The part 3a of the partition element 3 is provided with a plurality of apertures and a dirt receiving element 6 is located below the part 3a of the partition element 3. The dirt receiving element 6 may be secured to the underside of the part 3a of the partition element, typically by adhesive.

[0019] The element 6 is a three dimensional fibrous mesh structure (or reticulated foam structure) and may comprise a mat or pad of superposed mesh layers or may be a non-woven unitary mesh containing a "jumble" of interlocking or bonded fibers.

[0020] The first and second compartments 4 and 5, respectively, communicate with one another via the element 6 and the apertures in the part 3a of the partition element 3. Thus, the water level in each of the two compartments 4 and 5 will maintain the same level and the water level in the first compartment 4 will not exceed that in the compartment 5 as cleaning liquid is wrung out in the wringer 2.

[0021] The flocculent chemical draws small particles out of the suspension and these particles, together with heavier dirt particles settle into the filter.

[0022] The form of the element 6 is such that disturbances in the liquid cannot wash back out into the body of the liquid, to any material extent, dirt particles which are deposited from the liquid and which settle into the inter-fiber spaces of the element 6. In fact, the act of rinsing the cleaning element in the compartment 5 creates a bellows effect producing turbulence to drive the dirt particles into the compartment 4. There is little turbulence in compartment 4 so there is little or no flow back from compartment 4 to compartment 5.

[0023] The partition element 3 is removable from within the bucket 1 to facilitate cleaning of the bucket and fits behind a depending flange 7 on the wringer support flange 8. Movement of the partition element 3 towards the first compartment 4 is restrained.

[0024] In use, a mop or other cleaning implement is rinsed out in the cleaning liquid in the second compartment 5 and is then wrung out in the wringer 2. The mop or other cleaning implement is then used to clean, for example, a work surface and then rinsed again in the cleaning liquid in the second compartment.

[0025] Dirt removed from the cleaning implement during a rinsing operation is trapped in the dirt receiving element 6. This avoids the need to change the cleaning liquid too frequently. As such, the small container assumes the characteristic of a much larger container wherein the dirt dispensed into the cleaning liquid tends to settle and remain at or adjacent to the bottom of the container. Additionally, and again similarly to a larger container, there is then less likelihood that the settled dirt is agitated leading to re-circulation back into the majority of the cleaning liquid.

[0026] Ideally, the dirt receiving element is a re-usable unit which can be replaced in the container after removal therefrom and washing out of the collected dirt.

[0027] Also, the bucket may be of transparent plastics material for observation of the water condition.

[0028] The invention has particular applicability to a small container as hereinbefore defined. However, the container can be of any suitable size, large or small.

[0029] Although the wringer is a manual-type basket wringer, whereby the squeezing action is solely due to the mop user applying a downwards force, the wringer could be any suitable type of wringer, such as a mechanical wringer which may be, for example, lever operated. A suitable wringer of this type is known from GB2340738.

[0030] The above embodiment is given by way of example only and various modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. For example, the wringer could be mounted on a ledge in the bucket rather than be mounted on the upper lip of the bucket.

Claims

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. Cleaning equipment comprising a container for cleaning liquid, a wringer mounted on or in the container, a partition element dividing the container into a first compartment which, in use, receives liquid wrung out in the wringer and a second compartment which, in use, receives cleaning liquid and a dirt receiving element for receiving dirt settling from the cleaning liquid in use contained in the second compartment.

2. Cleaning equipment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the partition element has a part defining the base of the second compartment.

3. Cleaning equipment as claimed in claim 2, wherein said part of the partition element is apertured.

4. Cleaning equipment as claimed in claim 3, wherein the dirt receiving element is located below the said apertured part of the partition element.

5. Cleaning equipment as claimed in claim 4, wherein the dirt receiving element is secured to the underside of the said apertured part of the partition element.

6. Cleaning equipment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second compartments communicate with one another via the dirt receiving element.

7. Cleaning equipment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the partition element is removable from the container to facilitate cleaning of the container.

8. Cleaning equipment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the form and structure of the dirt receiving element is a three-dimensional fibrous mesh structure.

9. Cleaning equipment as claimed in claim 8, wherein the dirt receiving element comprises a mat or pad of superposed mesh layers.

10. Cleaning equipment as claimed in claim 8, wherein the dirt receiving element is a non-woven unitary mesh comprising a "jumble" of interlocking or bonded fibers.

11. Cleaning equipment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dirt receiving element is a reusable unit which can be replaced in the container after removal therefrom and washing out of the collected dirt.

12. Cleaning equipment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wringer is a basket-type wringer.

13. Cleaning equipment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wringer is a mechanical-type wringer.

14. Cleaning equipment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the container is a cleaning bucket for use with a hand-held cleaning element or device.

16. Cleaning equipment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the container is transparent.

18. Cleaning equipment comprising a container for cleaning liquid, a wringer mounted on or in the container, a partition element dividing the container into a first compartment which, in use, receives liquid wrung out in the wringer and a second compartment which, in use, receives cleaning liquid.