MXPA04010291A

MXPA04010291A - Cleaning device having wringer device with push handle.

Info

Publication number: MXPA04010291A
Application number: MXPA04010291A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Perelli Thomas
Original assignee: Rubbermaid Commercial Products
Priority date: 2002-04-19
Filing date: 2003-04-18
Publication date: 2005-07-05
Also published as: AU2003222641A1; BR0309374A; EP1496786A1; CN1658785A; US20030217428A1; CA2482970A1; WO2003088803A1

Abstract

A cleaning device (10) includes a bucket (20), rolling members (40) mounted on the bucket (20) to moveably support the bucket (20), and a wringer device (50). The wringer device (50) is removably positioned on the bucket (20). It includes a wringer (55) for removing liquid from a mop, a wringer actuator (60) for actuating the wringer, and a push handle (70) extending about the wringer (55).

Description

CLEANING DEVICE THAT HAS AN EXPRESSING DEVICE WITH PUSHING HANDLE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cleaning device and, more particularly, to a bucket and a squeezing device that facilitates the transport of the bucket and the juicer. Description of the Related Art Buckets for mop floors are used to contain and move cleaning liquids, such as water, solvent, floor wax and / or disinfectant, to clean floors. A common commercial mop bucket has wheels to facilitate the transport of the bucket for mops, as well as a juicer device that is used to squeeze excess cleaning liquid from the mop. Conventional mop buckets often have a wire handle formed in an inverted "U" shape and connected to the top of the bucket. To move the bucket, the user can roll the bucket on its wheels by tilting it and pulling it from the handle. The user can also grab the handle, lift the bucket off the floor and walk erect with the bucket. Alternatively, the user can place the mop in the bucket (typically, the bucket has a juicer) and push the bucket when pushing the mop. If the bucket has a mop, the user can push or pull the bucket while grasping the handle of the juicer. Conventional mop buckets can be difficult to transport due to spills, particularly when space is limited, such as food courts in shopping malls and store aisles. In such an environment, the user will frequently not use a concierge car, to transport the bucket of the mop and squeeze it out due to spills due to high traffic, obstacles, closer proximity to the custody cabinets, - - and because he or she probably only needs to transport a few cleaning items. For example, in a food court, the user will typically prepare to clean up a spill by taking a mop bucket and squeezing it with one hand and a floor sign with the other hand, and hanging one or two spray bottles on the edge of the bucket for mops. However, it is difficult to transport and maneuver these tools and articles in this way. If the bucket is guided towards something, it can spill. Also, with buckets containing juicers, the juicer is typically not tightly secured to the bucket, so when the juicer handle is pushed or pulled to push or pull the bucket, the juicer can easily be lifted out of the bucket. Sprinkler bottles hanging from the edge of the bucket can drip cleaner on the floor because the handle of the spray bottles may begin to drip due to the stress caused by frequent hanging of the spray activator on the edge of the bucket and hanging the bottle of or near its spray activator. The user may have difficulty carrying the signal and, consequently, hang the signal on the juicer actuator, which causes the signal to protrude outwards. Nor, the user does not show a professional image. He or she seems disorganized, insecure and can give store customers the perception that the owner is not interested in how well the cleaning work is done. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a cleaning device that includes a bucket, bearing members installed in the bucket to movably support the bucket and a squeezing device. The squeezing device is removably placed on the bucket. Includes a juicer to remove the liquid from the mop, an actuator of the juicer to operate the juicer and a push handle that extends above the juicer.

- - BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of a cleaning device according to the present invention. Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the cleaning device of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a rear perspective view of the cleaning device of Figure 1 showing the tool and stored supplies. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a bucket and a side view of a squeezing device of the cleaning device of Figure 1. Figure 5 is a side view of the squeezing device of the cleaning device of Figure 1. Figure 6 is a front perspective view of the cleaning device of Figure 1. Figure 7 is a side view of the cleaning device of the Figure 1. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of a bucket and side view of a squeezing device of a second preferred embodiment of a cleaning device according to the present invention. Figure 9 is a side view of the squeezing device of the cleaning device of Figure 8. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated. in the accompanying drawings. An effort has been made to use the same reference numbers throughout all the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts. Figures 1 to 7 show a first preferred embodiment of a cleaning device 10 according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the cleaning device 10 includes a bucket 20, bearing members 40 and a squeezing device 50. The bucket 20 carries cleaning liquids. The bucket 20 includes a liquid container portion 21, which receives and maintains the cleaning fluids. The bucket 20 can also include a receiving portion 22, which as explained below, receives a portion of the squeezing device 50 to hold it in position on the bucket 20. The receiving portion 22 can be configured as a recess or cavity in the back of the bucket 20. The bucket 20 may include an inclined edge 23. For example, it may have a front height H1 of about 12.5 to 14.5 inches and a rear height H2 of about 15 to 17 inches relative to a surface supporting the device of cleaning 10. See Figure 3. The sloping edge 23 is advantageous because the higher rear portion of the bucket 20 allows the juicing device to be manufactured shorter to reduce costs, while maintaining sufficient height of the push handle 70. The bearing members 40 are installed directly into the bucket 20 to movably support the bucket 20. The bearing members 40 (preferably wheel s that are rotated on a hinge) may include wheel assemblies 41 and wheels 42. See Figure 3. The bearing members 40 are preferably installed on the underside of the bucket 20. By directly installing the bearing members 40 to the bucket 20, it is not necessary to provide additional apparatuses, such as a cart, to movably support the bucket 20. Consequently, the costs can be reduced. The squeezing device 50 is removably positioned on the bucket 20. In other words, it can be easily placed and removed from the - - Preferably, there are no mechanical connectors connecting the juicer device 50 to the bucket 20. The juicing device 50 includes a juicer 55, a juicer actuator 60 and a push handle 70. In this preferred embodiment, the juicing device 50 includes a generally planar portion 52. It is anticipated that this generally planar portion 52 may depart from being strictly planar. For example, it may have a curvature in the vertical and / or horizontal directions. However, as a total configuration, it is generally flat. At least a portion of the squeezer 55 and the generally flat portion 52 can be formed by an integral plastic member (preferably a single piece of plastic). Preferably, the complete frame 56 of the juicer 55 and the generally flat portion 52 are formed of an integral plastic member. The juicing device 50 includes an insertion portion 53 (see Figures 4 to 7) configured to be inserted into the receiving portion 22 of the bucket 20. In this preferred embodiment, the insertion portion 53 forms at least a portion of the generally flat portion. 52. When the juicing device 50 is placed over the bucket 20, the juicer 55 extends toward the liquid-containing portion 21 and the insertion portion 53 extends toward the receiving portion 22. The rear portion of the juicer 55 and the portion of insert 53 form a slot 54 (see Figures 5 and 6). A side wall 25 (see Figures 4, 6 and 7) of the bucket 20 is inserted into the slot 54 and the insertion portion 53 is inserted into the receiving portion 22 of the bucket 20. There may be a conventional configuration for providing positive retention between the insertion portion 53 and the receiving portion. 22. Thus, the juicing device 50 can be maintained in position on the bucket 20. The juicer 55 can be a conventional juicer structure that removes liquid from a mop (not shown). Typically, these devices work by squeezing the liquid from the mop. Preferably, the juicer 55 projects from a first side 57 of the generally flat portion 52. The outer frame of the juicer 55 - - it is preferably molded and integral with the generally planar portion 52. However, the squeezer 55 can be mechanically attached to the generally planar portion 52. The squeezer driver 60 drives the squeezer 55 to have it remove the liquid from the mop. The squeezer actuator 60 may be a handle with a conventional mechanical connection (not shown) to the squeezer 55 which causes the squeezer 55 to be driven when the handle is turned downward. The push handle 70 is designed to facilitate pushing and maneuvering the bucket 20 and the squeezing device 50. In this preferred embodiment, the pushing handle 70 forms at least a portion of the generally planar portion 52. The push handle 70 includes a handle 72 formed by an opening 73 in the generally flat portion 52. The width W of the push handle 70 is preferably approximately 14 inches. The push handle 70 extends above the squeezer 55. The squeezing device 50 is preferably configured such that the height H3 (see Figure 3) of the push handle 70 is at least thirty inches above the surface on which the cleaning device rests when the squeezing device 50 is placed on the bucket 20. More preferably, the squeezing device 50 is configured in such a way that the pushing handle 70 is placed within the range of thirty-two inches to forty inches above of the surface on which the cleaning device rests when the squeezing device 50 is placed on the bucket 20. The pushing handle 70 is preferably placed completely above the squeezer 55 and extends above the squeezer driver 60. The device juicer 50 may include a hook 80 for hanging at least one object. The hook 80 preferably projects from the second side 58 of the generally planar portion 52. The hook 80 (see - - Figure 2) can be used to hang, for example, a floor sign 100. The juicing device 50 can also include a fastener 85 configured to hold at least one spray bottle 109. The fastener 85 projects from a second side 58 of the generally flat portion 52. The fastener 85 may be a cylindrically shaped member. Preferably, the hook 80 and the fastener 85 are molded with and integral with the generally planar portion 52. However, they could be mechanically joined to the generally planar portion 52. The present invention can be configured to provide significant advantages, however the achievement of such advantages is not required for the practice of the invention. For example, the squeezing device 50 allows a user to move the bucket 20 and the squeezing device 50 by pushing the push handle 70 instead of bending down to pick up the bucket 20 or pushing the bucket 20 awkwardly by pushing a handle of the mops. The user can also carry cleaning articles by placing them on the hook 80 or in the fastener 85 instead of trying to juggle or make multiple trips. This both reduces the chances of spillage of the fluid in the bucket 20 and the spill of the cleaners and provides ease of use and efficiency and imparts a better image of the owner towards the customers. Additionally, because the user is able to easily remove the squeezing device 50 from the bucket 20, he or she can more quickly and easily empty the bucket 20. Of course, other advantages can also be obtained by using the present invention. Figures 8 and 9 show a second preferred embodiment of the cleaning device 110 according to the present invention. This cleaning device 110 is similar in many aspects to the first embodiment. However, in this second embodiment, the receiving portion 22 of the bucket 20 is replaced with a supporting portion 122. Also, the insertion portion 53 of the squeezing device 50 is replaced with a clutch portion 53. The clutch portion 153 engages the the support portion 122 when the squeezing device 50 is placed on the bucket. Although in this mode the bottom, Le., The lower portion, of the juicer 55 is formed by a section or shank extending downward, the complete juicer 55, could extend downward to form the lower part of the juicer 55. This second embodiment can provide further advantages. of those mentioned above with respect to the first modality. For example, because the lower part of the squeezer 55 and the lower part of the clutch portion 122 are essentially in the same plane, the squeezing device 50 can rest straight on the floor after it is removed from the bucket 20. Other embodiments of the invention will become apparent to those of skill in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention described herein. It is intended that the specification and the examples be considered as exemplary only.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A cleaning device comprising: a bucket; bearing members installed on the bucket to movably support the bucket; and a squeezing device that is removably positioned on the bucket, the squeezing device including a juicer for removing liquid from a mops, a juicer actuator for operating the juicer and a pushing handle that extends above the juicer, where the bucket includes a liquid-containing portion and a receiving portion, the juicing device includes an insertion portion configured to introduce the receiving portion, and, when the juicing device is placed on the bucket, the juicer extends toward the liquid-containing portion. and the insertion portion extends toward the receiving portion, and wherein the squeezing device includes a generally planar portion, and the pushing handle and insertion portion form at least portions of the generally planar portion. 2. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the bearing members are installed on the underside of the bucket. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the juicer and the generally planar portion are formed by an integral plastic member. 4. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the squeezer projects from a first side of the generally planar portion. The cleaning device of claim 4, wherein the squeezing device includes a hook for hanging at least one object and a fastener configured to hold at least one bottle, and projecting the hook and fastener from a second side of the portion generally flat. 6. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the squeezing device is configured so that the pushing handle extends at least thirty inches above a surface on which the cleaning device rests when the squeezing device is placed on the cleaning device. pail. The cleaning device of claim 6, wherein the squeezing device is configured so that the pushing handle is positioned within a range of thirty-two inches to forty inches above the surface on which the device rests. of cleaning when the juicer device is placed on the bucket. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the push handle is placed completely above the juicer. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the pushing handle extends above the squeezer actuator. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the squeezing device includes a hook for hanging at least one object. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the squeezing device includes a clip configured to hold at least one bottle. 12. A cleaning device comprising: a bucket; bearing members installed on the bucket to movably support the bucket; and a squeezing device that is removably positioned on the bucket, the squeezing device including a juicer for removing liquid from a mops, a juicer actuator for operating the juicer and a pushing handle that extends above the juicer, where the bucket includes a liquid containing portion and a supporting portion, the juicing device includes a clutch portion, and, when the juicing device is placed on the bucket, the juicer extends toward the liquid containing portion and the clutch portion engages the support portion, and wherein the squeezing device includes a generally planar portion, and the pushing handle and the clutch portion form at least portions of the generally planar portion. 13. The cleaning device of claim 12, where the bearing members are installed on the underside of the bucket. The cleaning device of claim 12, wherein at least a portion of the juicer and the generally planar portion are formed by an integral plastic member. 15. The cleaning device of claim 12, wherein the squeezer projects from a first side of the generally planar portion. The cleaning device of claim 15, wherein the squeezing device includes a hook for hanging at least one object and a fastener configured to hold at least one bottle, and the hook and fastener projecting from a second side of the portion generally flat. The cleaning device of claim 12, wherein the squeezing device is configured so that the pushing handle extends at least thirty inches above a surface on which the cleaning device rests when the squeezing device is placed on the bucket. The cleaning device of claim 17, wherein the squeezing device is configured so that the pushing handle is positioned within a range of thirty-two inches to forty inches above the surface on which the device rests. of cleaning when the juicer device is placed on the bucket. 19. The cleaning device of claim 12, wherein the push handle is placed completely above the juicer. 20. The cleaning device of claim 12, wherein the pushing handle extends above the squeezer actuator. The cleaning device of claim 12, wherein the squeezing device includes a hook for hanging at least one object. 22. The cleaning device of claim 12, wherein the squeezing device includes a clip configured to hold at least one bottle.