CLOTH OR RAG WASHING BUCKET FOR HOUSEHOLD, COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL USE

Abstract

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.

Claims

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

2. The cloth or rag washing bucket of claim 1, wherein the wall of said container has a pair of side walls and a pair of end walls extending between the pair of side walls so as to have a generally rectangular configuration.

3. The cloth or rag washing bucket of claim 2, each of the pair of side walls having a width dimension extending between the pair of end walls, each of the pair of side walls having a width dimension extending between the pair of end walls, the width dimension of each of the pair of side walls being greater than the width dimension of each of the pair of end walls.

4. The cloth or rag washing bucket of claim 1, said fluid inlet comprising: a fitting affixed to the wall of said container, said fitting having a hose connector on an end exterior of the wall and a nozzle at the end in the interior volume of said container.

5. The cloth or rag washing bucket of claim 4, the nozzle of said fitting having a slot with a length dimension extending parallel to the bottom of said container and width dimension extending transverse to the bottom of said container, the length dimension of the slot being substantially greater than the width dimension of the slot.

6. The cloth or rag washing bucket of claim 4, wherein the width dimension of the slot is greatest between opposite ends of the length dimension of the slot.

7. The cloth or rag washing bucket of claim 6, wherein the slot has a truncated ellipsoid shape.

8. The cloth or rag washing bucket of claim 1, wherein said fluid outlet comprises an opening formed in the wall of said container.

9. The cloth or rag washing bucket of claim 8, wherein said fluid outlet has a tubular member extending outwardly of a hole in the wall of said container, the tubular member being adapted to allow water to flow outwardly of said container to a location spaced away from the wall of said container.

10. The cloth or rag washing bucket of claim 9, wherein the tubular member having ridges thereon, the ridges being adapted to retain a conduit over an end of the tubular member.

11. The cloth or rag washing bucket of claim 2, wherein said fluid inlet and said fluid outlet are on a common end wall or side wall of said container.

12. The cloth or rag washing bucket of claim 1, further comprising: a pair of feet affixed to the bottom of said container so as to extend downwardly from the bottom of said container, said pair of feet adapted to support said container in spaced relation above an underlying surface.

13. The cloth or rag washing bucket of claim 1, further comprising: a water hose connected to said fluid inlet, said fluid inlet defining a nozzle that directs water under pressure from said water hose into the interior volume of said container in a bottom-to-top circular pattern.

14. The cloth or rag washing bucket of claim 1, said fluid outlet comprising: a pipe affixed to the wall of said container, said pipe having an end extending outwardly of the wall of said container.

15. The cloth or rag washing bucket of claim 14, wherein said pipe has a generally L-shape.

16. The cloth or rag washing bucket of claim 15, wherein said pipe is pivotally mounted to said container such that an end of said pipe can be directed in a desired direction.

17. A cloth or rag washing bucket comprising: a container having an interior volume defined by a bottom and a wall extending upwardly from the bottom; a fluid inlet affixed adjacent the bottom of said container, said fluid inlet extending through the wall of said container so that one end is in the interior volume of said container and another end extends exterior of the wall of said container; a fluid outlet formed on said container at a level above a level of said fluid inlet, said fluid outlet adapted to allow water from the interior volume of said container to flow outwardly of said container; and a water hose connected to said fluid inlet, said fluid inlet defining a nozzle that directs water under pressure from said water hose into the interior volume of said container in a bottom-to-top circular pattern.

18. The cloth or rag washing bucket of claim 17, said fluid inlet comprising: a fitting affixed to the wall of said container, said fitting having a hose fitting on an end exterior of the wall of said container and a nozzle on the end of said fitting in the interior volume of said container.

19. The cloth or rag washing bucket of claim 17, wherein the nozzle of said fitting is a slot having a length dimension extending parallel to the bottom of said container and a width dimension extending transverse to the bottom of said container, the length dimension of the slot being substantially greater than the width dimension of the slot.

20. The cloth or rag washing bucket of claim 17, the wall of said container having a pair of side walls of a pair of end walls extending between the pair of side walls so as to define a generally rectangular configuration.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of the cloth or rag washing bucket of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 2 is an end elevational view showing the placement of the cloth or rag washing bucket of the present invention upon an underlying surface.

[0037] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the cloth or rag washing bucket of the present invention showing the bottom-to-top circulation pattern of water within the interior of the bucket.

[0038] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the placement of the cloth or rag washing bucket of the present invention within a sink or drainage area in a janitorial closet.

[0039] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the fluid inlet of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] FIG. 6 is an end view of the fluid inlet of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the fluid outlet of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0042] Referring to FIG. 1, there shown the cloth or rag washing bucket 10 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The cloth or rag washing bucket 10 includes a container 12 having an interior volume 14 defined by a bottom 16 at a wall 18 extending upwardly from the bottom 16. A fluid inlet 20 is affixed to the wall 18 adjacent to the bottom 16 of the container 12. The fluid inlet 20 is adapted be to be connected to a water hose. The fluid inlet 20 extends through the wall 18 of the container so as to have one end in the interior volume 14 and another end exterior of the wall 18 of the container 12. A fluid outlet 22 is formed on the container a location above a level of the fluid inlet 20. The fluid outlet is adapted to allow water from the interior volume 14 of the container 12 to flow outwardly of the container 12.

[0043] As can be seen in FIG. 1, the wall 18 of the container 12 has a pair of side walls 24 and 26 and a pair of end walls 28 and 30 extending between the pair of side walls 24 and 26. The container 12 has a generally rectangular configuration. The rectangular configuration is important to the proper operation of the present invention as will be described hereinafter. In other words, the rectangular configuration will cause the flow pattern of water that is introduced through the fluid inlet 20 have a bottom-to-top circular flow pattern for the aggressive and effective cleaning of the cloths or rags introduced into the interior of the cloth or rag washing bucket 10. If the container 12 was circular, the water flow would be in a cyclonic pattern. The cyclonic pattern would is certainly be effective for the cleaning of mops strings, but less effective in the cleaning of cloths or rags. In particular, it can be seen that the side walls 24 and 26 have a width dimension extending between the pair of end walls 28 and 30. Each of the pair of end walls 28 and 30 has a width dimension extending between the pair of side walls 24 and 26. The width dimension of each of the pair of side walls 24 and 26 is greater than the width dimension of each of the pair of end walls 28 and 30.

[0044] The fluid inlet (as will be described hereinafter) is a fitting that is affixed to the end wall 28. The fitting 20 will have a portion 32 on an exterior of the end wall 28 and will have a nozzle (to be described hereinafter) in the interior volume 14 of the container 12. The configuration of the fluid inlet 20 is described in greater detail herein in FIG. 5.

[0045] The fluid outlet 22 is an opening that is formed in the wall 28 of the container 12. In particular, the fluid outlet 22 includes a tubular member 34 that extends outwardly of the hole in the wall 28 of the container 12. The tubular member 34 is adapted to allow water to flow outwardly of the container in a location spaced away from the wall 28 of the container. If only a hole were placed into the wall 28 of the container, the water would tend to drain down the end wall 28 of the container in an unsightly fashion. After the container is removed from the drain, the water that resides on the end wall 28 will continue to drip. As such, the tubular member 34 is adapted so as to allow water to be released from the interior 14 of the container 12 in a location spaced away from the wall 18 of the container 12. As such, the exterior of the walls of the container will be generally free of moisture and water accumulation thereon.

[0046] It can be seen that the tubular member 34 has ridges formed thereon. These ridges are adapted to retain a conduit over an end of the tubular member. As such, if it is desired to place a hose or conduit around the tubular member 34 in order that the discharge of water from the interior volume 14 of the container 12 is passed to a remote location, the ridges on the tubular member 34 will accommodate the placement of such a hose or conduit. This is particularly effective if a drain is located far away from the placement of the washing bucket 10. It can be seen that the fluid inlet 20 and the fluid outlet 22, in the preferred embodiment, are on a common wall 24 of the container.

[0047] A plurality of feet 36 are affixed to the bottom 16 of the container 12 so as to extend outwardly from the bottom 16 of the container 12. The plurality of feet 36 can be simple plastic feet that are intended to support the container 12 in spaced relation above an underlying surface.

[0048] FIG. 2 shows the placement of a cloth or rag washing bucket 10 of the present invention upon an underlying surface 38. In particular, the underlying surface 38 has a drain 40 thereon. The feet of the cloth or rag washing bucket 10 supports the bottom 16 of the container in spaced relation above the underlying surface 38. As such, when water is discharged through the fluid outlet 22, it will be discharged toward the underlying surface 38 and will migrate, eventually, toward the drain 40. Since the feet 36 serve the space the bottom away from the underlying surface 38, the bottom 16 will not block the drain 40 or create an impediment to the proper flow of water toward the drain.

[0049] In FIG. 2, it can be seen that the fluid inlet 20 has a nozzle 42 on the interior 14 of the container 12. This nozzle will be described in greater detail hereinafter. FIG. 2 also shows that the end wall 28 has a width dimension between the side walls 24 and 26 which is less than the width of the side walls 24 and 26 between the end walls 28 and 30.

[0050] FIG. 3 shows the cloth or rag washing bucket 10 having a water hose 50 affixed to the fluid inlet 20. The end of the fluid inlet 20 will have a hose fitting 52 on the end extending outwardly of the wall 18 of the cloth or rag washing bucket 10. The hose 50 will deliver water into the interior volume 14 of the container 12 in the manner shown in FIG. 3. The nozzle at the end of the fluid inlet 20 will create a bottom-to-top flow pattern in a circular manner as shown by line 54. This continuous circular flow pattern will cause the cloths or rags 53 within the water in the interior volume 14 of the container 12 to circulate upwardly and then downwardly continuously. This creates a unique washing operation that is particularly adapted the cleaning of cloths or rags. When a large number of cloths or rags are placed within the circulating water in the interior volume of the container 12, they will continue to rotate and be agitated by the circular bottom-to-top flow pattern. They will continue to move upwardly and downwardly as water is being discharged out of the fluid outlet 22. As such, continuous clean water will be introduced from the water hose 50 into the interior volume 14. Since dirt and debris tend to accumulate within the water in the container 14, the dirt and debris will ultimately be discharged, along with the water, outwardly of the fluid outlet 22 (as shown by the arrow adjacent thereto). The cloths for rags will always be subjected to hot clean water during the washing process. Experiments conducted with the present invention have shown that this bottom-to-top circular flow pattern greatly improves the efficiency of the cleaning of cloths and rags in an unexpected manner. It is believed that the upward motion and then the downward motion and then the upward motion of such cloths or rags tends to cause more water to be forced through each of the pores of the cloths and rags. This enhances the cleaning process. This cleaning process can continue without the use of detergents. As such, the environmental consequences and costs associated with such detergents is avoided.

[0051] In normal use, after a cleaning operation is carried out with the cloth or rag 53, it is thrown into the open top of the container 12 so that it enters the water in the container. It will then be caught into the circulation pattern of water within the container. Ultimately, a large number of cloths or rags can be introduced into this water flow pattern within the container 12. When a clean cloth or rag is desired, is only necessary for a user to grab one of the circulating rags 53 from the container 12. It is then ready for reuse. The system avoids the need for restaurants, and other businesses, to continuously stack or store dirty cloths or rags and then wait for a washing, rinsing and drying process to be carried out before reusing the cloths or rags. Once again, this saves on the cost of the cloths and rags, the detergents and the equipment used for the cleaning and rinsing of such cloths and rags.

[0052] FIG. 4 shows the cloth or rag washing bucket 10 and a broken-line fashion as placed within a sink 60 in a janitorial closet 62. Sink 60 can be in the nature of a drain fixture or it can be a sink that is supported a distance above the floor 64. A drain 66 is centrally placed within the sink 60. A water supply 68, along with a hose 70, is provided adjacent to the sink 60 in the janitorial closet 62.

[0053] Ultimately, in the process of the present invention, the cloth or rag washing bucket 10 can simply be lifted over the edge 72 and placed on the floor of the sink 60. Since the feet 36 support the bottom 16 of the container 12 a distance above the underlying surface, there is no problem with placing the cloth or rag washing bucket 10 directly over the drain 66. Ultimately, the hose 70 can be moved so that the end 76 can be joined to the hose fitting 52 on the fluid inlet 20. The hot water knob 78 on faucet 80 can be turned on so that hot water is delivered through the hose 70 and ultimately into the interior volume of the cloth or rag washing bucket 10. The cloths or rags 82 can then be lowered into the cloth or rag washing bucket 10 for continuous cleaning.

[0054] In normal use, cloths or rags will be introduced through the opening at the top of the container 12 and inserted into the water within the container 12. The cloths or rags will absorb water. Since the water hose 70 is connected to the faucet 80, hot water from the faucet 80 can be delivered through the hose 70 continuously into the interior of the container 12. As such, the cloths or rags will have hot water delivered thereto. The cloths or rags can then be used to clean surfaces. After a certain amount of time, the cloths or rags will be reintroduced to the opening at the top of the container 12 and back into the water of the container. The hot water within the container 12 will serve to separate grease and other debris from the cloths and rags. Since the nozzle of the fluid inlet 20 is directed generally adjacent to the bottom 16 of the container, a jet of water is provided to further assist in removing contaminants from the cloths or rags.

[0055] Ultimately, the dirt and debris that has been discharged from the cloths or rags in the water of the container 12 will continue to rise within the water in the container as the water continues to be introduced into the container 12 from the water hose 70 through the fluid inlet 20. Since water is continuously discharged through the fluid outlet 22, the debris will ultimately rise with the water until the contaminants reach the fluid outlet 22. These contaminants and debris can be discharged through the fluid outlet 22 and outwardly to a drain.

[0056] Importantly, in the present invention, the container 12 will have a relatively small size. This a very important for small establishments, such as fast food locations, convenience stores, and other small facilities. Relatively large containers, washers, and other devices are not required. The present invention will take up the space of a relatively small wastebasket. As such, it can be easily moved and stowed. Ultimately, the container will receive much less water. As such, the weight of the container, with the water therein, is relatively minimal. This container can be handled by a single individual by simply lifting the container (with the water therein) and moving the container and its water toward the drain. As such, the present invention can be provided at a much lower cost, can be transported more easily, and can be stored within a small facility in a minimal amount of space. This is accomplished while, at the same time, providing extremely effective cleaning action to cloths and rags.

[0057] FIG. 5 shows the fluid inlet 20 as used in the present invention. It can be seen that the fluid inlet 20 has the hose fitting 52 at the end 90 that will extend outwardly of the wall 18 of the container 12. Ultimately, the threaded portion 92 can engage with the wall of the container in a liquid-tight manner. Alternatively, the wall 18 of the container 12 can be simply molded to the surfaces of the fluid outlet 12. The end 94 of the fluid outlet 20 includes a nozzle having a small aperture 96 therein. The small aperture is illustrated, in greater detail in FIG. 6. The fluid outlet 20 can further have a water reducer 51. The water reducer 51 is a generally flat disk of an elastomeric material. There is a hole that is formed through the water reducer 51. Ultimately, when the water hose is connected to the threads of the hose connector 52 of the fluid outlet 20, the pressure rise of the water flow from the water hose will flow through the interior passageway toward the water reducer 51. The only water that will flow past the water reducer 51 will be that water which passes through the hole of the water reducer 51. As such, the water reducer 51 serves to reduce the rate of water flow into the interior 18 of the container 12. The water reducer 51 assures that no matter how much pressure is directed by the water hose toward the container 12, only a limited amount of water will be released into the interior 18 of the container 12.

[0058] FIG. 6 shows, in particular, the nozzle 96 that is formed at the end 94 of the fluid inlet 20. The nozzle 96 has a slot having a length dimension 100 extending parallel to the bottom 16 of the container 12 and a width dimension extending transverse to the bottom 16 of the container 12. It can be seen that the length dimension 100 of the slot is substantially greater than the width dimension of the slot. The nozzle 96 has its width dimension greater in the center 102 between the opposite ends of the length dimension 100 of the slot. The slot has a truncated ellipsoid shape.

[0059] The nozzle 96 is adapted to direct a pressurized flow of water toward an area adjacent to the bottom 16 of the container 12. It can be seen that the nozzle 96 has the shape of a chord of a circle. The straight edge 100 of the chord of the circle is below the curved portion 102. Experiments with this configuration of nozzle have shown that it creates a strong laminar flow of water in a straight direction adjacent to the bottom 16 of the container 12. The curved portion 102 of the nozzle 96 creates a strong flow that tends to spread slightly upwardly from the bottom 16 of the container 12. As such, these flows of water tend to interact with the surfaces of cloths and rags so as to forcibly remove debris from the cloths or rags or from the pores of such cloths or rags. This configuration of slot also creates the bottom-to-top flow pattern of water within the interior 18 of the container 12.

[0060] FIG. 7 shows one configuration of a pipe 110 that can be used with the fluid outlet 22 of the present invention. FIG. 7 shows a swivel pipe 110 having one end 112 that can be affixed to the fluid outlet 22 and an opposite end 114 that has threads 116 suitable for securing to a conduit. The elbow swivel 110, as shown in FIG. 7, can be movable about pivot joint 118 between a first position extending upwardly and a second position extending downwardly. When the elbow swivel 110 is in the downward position, it is suitable for delivering water flowing from the interior 18 of the container 12 toward an underlying surface. On the other hand, when the elbow swivel 110 is in the upper position (to which the end 114 is located above the swivel joint 118), it will allow the cloth or rag washing bucket 10 to be used as a conventional bucket. In other words, if a cap were placed over the fluid inlet 20 so as to close the fluid inlet, a continuous supply of water is not being delivered into the interior 18 of the container 12. Since the elbow swivel 110 has its end 118 above the level of water within the bucket, the water will pass outwardly of the end 28. As such, this easily allows one to convert the continuous-flow washing bucket 10 of the present invention into a conventional bucket.

[0061] The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is illustrative and explanatory thereof. Various changes in the details of the illustrated construction can be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the true spirit of the invention. The present invention should only be limited by the following claims and their legal equivalents.