Janitorial bucket and wringer apparatus

A portable cleaning assembly for containing a cleaning solution and a mop. The assembly comprises a wheeled bucket with a drain opening and a drain valve. The drain valve comprises a biasing member to force a stopper in a downward direction. The assembly further comprises a pivoting handle and at least one rigid handle on the back and/or front wall of the bucket. The assembly comprises a latch connected to a side wall, wherein the latch retains a wringer handle in a downward position. The assembly also comprises a strainer extending vertically and having an upper opening. The assembly can also comprise a wringer having a channel extending vertically along the front wall thereof. The channel is adapted to retain a mop handle therein in an essentially vertical orientation. The front wall can also comprise at least one flexible member to retain the mop handle within the channel.

FIELD

Embodiments usable within the scope of the present disclosure relate, generally, to a bucket and wringer assemblies usable during floor cleaning operations and, more specifically, to a janitorial bucket and wringer assemblies having functional and safety features for handling thereof, and for retaining the mop handle and the wringer handle in desired positions.

BACKGROUND

When cleaning commercial buildings, such as offices, retail stores, warehouses, and the like, it is common for the floors of such buildings to be wet mopped regularly by janitorial personnel, or any other user, using commercial mops and roll-around cleaning containers. The use of portable cleaning containers, including bucket like containers in connection with various activities, including mopping floors, is well known in the art. Typical mop buckets have wheels secured at the bottom portion thereof, thereby allowing the container to easily move across various surfaces. Commercial mop buckets generally are made of molded plastic that contain water or cleaning solution for wetting the mop.

While numerous body styles have been proposed for mop buckets, the prior art containers have generally failed to address and solve problems relating to the comfort and ease of the person using them. For example, in order to empty these portable mop buckets, most must be actually lifted by the user and the contents emptied into a sink or other receptacle containing a drain. Since a portable mop bucket is generally very bulky and cumbersome to lift even when it is empty, it is understandable why such a cleaning container, filled with cleaning solution, is extremely difficult to lift and empty. There have been attempts made to design portable mop buckets which assist the user in emptying the mop buckets. For example, some mop buckets include a drain opening and stopper disposed in the side or bottom wall. This feature allows the user to move the mop bucket adjacent a floor drain, and by removing the stopper from the drain opening the mop bucket may be easily emptied. There are disadvantages with this particular design since the user has to physically push the stopper into the drain opening to maintain the stopper therein, while other stoppers may allow fluids to leak through the drain opening. In some cases, the user will be required to insert at least one of their hands into the dirty cleaning solution in order to insert or remove the stopper from the drain opening. Therefore, there is a need for a mop bucket having a plug that extends above the cleaning solution and effectively blocks the flow of cleaning solution through the drain opening.

Another problem with commercial mop buckets is due to clogging of drains when the container solutions are disposed, including insoluble materials such as contaminants, mop strings and the like in the drain. Further, after use it is often difficult to sanitize the container and to remove residual insoluble materials therefrom. Therefore, a need has long been recognized for an improved container for use in the cleaning or mopping of floors which solve these and other problems associated with conveniently and safely disposing of used cleaning solutions.

In addition, such mop buckets usually are provided with a wringer assembly for ringing excess water or cleaning solution from the mop after it has been dipped in the bucket and before it is applied to the floor. Wringer assemblies are available in a variety of forms such as, for example, down press wringers and side press wringers, but all function in substantially the same way by compressing the mopping yarns of the mop between opposed surfaces to squeeze excess absorbed liquid from the mop yarns. As liquid is squeezed from the mop yarns, it is expelled from the wringer through perforations or through other openings in the opposed surfaces of the wringer and falls back down into the bucket.

Wringers are typically mounted on the container during cleaning operations and are operable by a handle to squeeze the mop between a wall of the wringer and a movable plate. For convenience of use, the movable plate is spring biased away from such wall of the wringer, and the wringer comprises a mechanical linkage between the plate and the handle that extends the handle longitudinally of the wringer body at such times that the plate is displaced from such wall so that the handle extends generally vertically from the container upon which the wringer is mounted. A handle that extends vertically presents a potential danger to janitorial personnel and other individuals, who can accidentally contact the handle and trip over it or tip the bucket over, spilling its contents. Furthermore, if a bypasser slips near the bucket, he or she can seriously hurt themselves if they fall on the top of the handle. Therefore, there is a need for a bucket that can retain the handle in a retracted position, thereby improving safety for janitorial personnel and other individuals walking nearby.

Another problem with commercial mop buckets occurs when janitorial personnel need to take a break and leave the mop and mop bucket unattended. Since the mopping yarns are usually wet, the mop cannot conveniently be left on the floor and generally must be left in the mop bucket itself. However, since the handles of commercial mops tend to be relatively heavy, they tend to fall over and, in some cases, their weight can flip the entire mop out of the bucket resulting in a mess that must be cleaned. Accordingly, it has been common that, when a mop is to be left unattended, the bucket and mop are rolled to a wall or other structure and the mop handle is leaned against the wall to support it and prevent it from flopping over. This solution is a less than desirable, particularly in large open buildings such as warehouses, since the mop and mop bucket must be moved away from the area being mopped and returned when it is desired to continue the mopping operation. This is inconvenient and can add a surprising amount of unproductive time in simple relocation of the mop bucket during a large mopping operation. Thus, there is a need for a method and apparatus that will eliminate problems caused by mop handles falling over and flipping the mop out of its mop bucket when the mop is unattended. Such a method and apparatus should provide support for the mop handle without requiring that the mop bucket be moved from the area being mopped.

In order to accomplish these goals, those skilled in the art are constantly in search of improved means for filling above listed needs. The disadvantages of the prior art are overcome by the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Before describing selected embodiments of the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described herein. The disclosure and description of the invention is illustrative and explanatory of one or more presently preferred embodiments of the invention and variations thereof, and it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes in the design, organization, order of operation, means of operation, equipment structures and location, methodology, and use of mechanical equivalents, as well as in the details of the illustrated construction or combinations of features of the various elements, may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

As well, the drawings are intended to describe the concepts of the invention so that the presently preferred embodiments of the invention will be plainly disclosed to one of skill in the art, but are not intended to be manufacturing level drawings or renditions of final products and may include simplified conceptual views as desired for easier and quicker understanding or explanation of the invention. As well, the relative size and arrangement of the components may differ from that shown and still operate within the spirit of the invention as described throughout the present application.

Moreover, it will be understood that various directions such as “upper”, “lower”, “bottom”, “top”, “left”, “right”, and so forth are made only with respect to explanation in conjunction with the drawings, and that the components may be oriented differently, for instance, during transportation and manufacturing as well as operation. Because many varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope of the inventive concept(s) herein taught, and because many modifications may be made in the embodiments described herein, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and non-limiting.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly toFIG. 1, shown therein is a portable cleaning station (10), comprising a bucket assembly (20) and a wringer (70) supported on one end of a body portion (21) of the bucket assembly (20).

Referring also toFIGS. 2 and 3, showing an isometric and a side cross sectional views of an embodiment of a bucket assembly (20) in accordance with the present disclosure. The depicted bucket assembly (20) comprises a body portion (21) having a front wall (22), spatially disposed side walls (23,25), a back wall (24), and a bottom portion (26). As shown in the Figures, the side walls (23,25), the front wall (22), and the back wall (24), are generally vertical with respect to the ground or floor (5), while the bottom portion (26) is inclined or sloped downwardly. In order to insure proper drainage of the cleaning solution from the body portion (21), the bottom portion (26) slopes downwardly towards the drain opening (28) (e.g., towards the front wall (22)). In other embodiments (not shown) of the cleaning station (10), the walls (22-25) of the body portion (21) can be inwardly declined (e.g., inwardly sloped) in the direction of the bottom portion (26), whereby the cross-sectional configuration of the body portion (21) can form a trapezoid.

As further depicted inFIGS. 2 and 3, the bucket assembly (20) comprises a strainer (30) positioned around the drain opening (28) to prevent large pieces of refuse or mop fibers from flowing into and clogging the drain opening (28). The strainer (30) is depicted comprising a lower portion (31) having a generally horizontal and/or sloping semicircular surface with an outer edge (31a), which mates with the periphery of a strainer recess (26a) formed in the bottom portion (26). When the lower portion (31) of the strainer (30) mates with or is positioned within the strainer recess (26a), the strainer (30) is retained therein, whereby the cleaning fluid can pass through a plurality of holes (30a) and out of the body portion (20) of the bucket assembly (20) through the drain opening (28).

The strainer is further depicted comprising an upper portion (33) having a semi-tubular configuration centered on and extending upwardly from the lower portion (31). As illustrated inFIG. 2, the upper portion is configured to extend arcuately about the drive rod (46) and the stomper (47). The upper portion further comprises side edges (33a,33b,33bnot shown) that can abut the inside surface of the front wall (22) to create a seal sufficient to prevent large pieces of refuse or mop fibers from flowing therethrough and into the drain opening (28). The upper portion (33) comprises an upper edge (33c), which defines an opening (33d) in the upward direction. In the depicted embodiment, the opening (33d) is sufficiently large to allow janitorial personnel to insert their hand or an external tool (not shown) to clean out any large pieces of refuse or mop fibers, which may be clogging the drain opening (28).

AlthoughFIGS. 2 and 3depict a strainer (30) that is attachable to the body portion (21) of the bucket assembly (20) and, therefore, removable from the bucket assembly (20), in an alternate embodiment (not shown) of the cleaning station (10), the strainer can be permanently connected to the body portion (21). Specifically, the outer edge (31a) and the side edges (33a,33b) of the strainer (30) can be integrally formed, molded, or otherwise permanently connected with the body portion (21) of the bucket assembly (20).

FIGS. 2 and 3further depict a plurality of holes (30a) formed through the lower portion (31) and the upper portion (33) to permit passage of the cleaning solution through the strainer (30) while large pieces of refuse or mop fibers can be retained on the surface thereof. Although circular holes (30a) are depicted, in alternate embodiments (not shown) of the cleaning station (10), the strainer (28) can comprise elongated holes, slits, or perforations having any other shape.

Referring now toFIGS. 1 and 3, each leg (40a-d) of the bucket assembly (20) is depicted extending outwardly from each corner of the body portion (21). The positioning of the legs (40a-d,40cshown inFIG. 2), relative to the body portion (21), improves the stability of the body portion (21) as the cleaning station (10) is moved along the floor (5) or supporting surface via wheels (41a-d,41cshown inFIG. 2) or castor assemblies, connected to a distal end portion of each of the legs (40a-d). The wheels (41a-d) can be connected to the legs (40a-d) of the bucket assembly (20), by any means known in the art. For example, a shank (not shown), extending from each wheel (41a-d) assembly, can be positioned through an aperture (not shown) in the distal end portion of each of the legs (40a-d) for securing each wheel (41a-d) to its respective leg (40a-d) by way of friction (i.e., interference fit) between the shank and the aperture. When attached to the legs (40a-d), the wheels (41a-c) are freely rotatable and pivotable to permit selectively directional movement of the cleaning station (10) along the floor (5) or supporting surface. The wheels (41a-d) of the bucket assembly (20) can be of any design or construction known in the art and should not be limited to the wheels (41a-d) depicted or described in the present application.

To reinforce the legs (40a-d) of the bucket assembly (20) and to strengthen their load capacity, each leg (40a-d) is shown comprising a support shell portion (42a-d,42cnot shown) extending between the body portion (21) and each wheel (41a-d). The support shells (42a-d) provide the legs (40a-d) with structural strength to support the body portion (21) above the floor (5) when the body portion (21) is filled with a cleaning solution (not shown), which adds significant weight to the cleaning station (10), resulting in significant compression and torque forces being applied to the legs (40a-d).

It should be noted that the body portion (21) and the legs (40a-d) can be fabricated of a polymeric material and comprise a unitary construction. However, it should also be understood that in other embodiments (not shown) of the cleaning station (10), the components described above can readily be fabricated as individual components for mutual connection, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Referring again toFIG. 1, a rotatable handle (32) is shown connected to the side walls (23,25) of the body portion (21), adjacent to the front wall (22) and just below the rim (27). The rotatable handle (32) is illustrated as a substantially U-shaped member having opposite ends pivotally connected to the body portion (21) and a medial portion having a hand grip (32a) positioned thereon. Thus, the rotatable handle (32) is selectively movable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, the rotatable handle (32) is disposed in the downward resting position against the body portion (21), substantially as shown. In the second position (not shown) the rotatable handle (32) can be rotated upwards, above the body portion (21) of the bucket assembly (20), so that a person can grasp the hand grip (32a) for pulling the cleaning station (10) along the floor (5). In the depicted embodiment of the cleaning station (10), the rotatable handle (32) has sufficient length, between the hand grip (32a) and the ends thereof, to allow janitorial personnel to pull the cleaning station (10) without the need to significantly bend or lean over. Any suitable means can be employed for pivotally connecting the opposite ends of the rotatable handle (32) to the body portion (21) of the bucket assembly (20), which permits the desired movement of the rotatable handle (32) between the before-mentioned first and second positions. In an alternate method, the rotatable handle (32) can be used to lift the front portion of the bucket assembly (20) over impediments, barriers, or other protrusions (not shown) along the floor (5), thereby allowing the janitorial personnel to move the cleaning station (10) over such impediments. AlthoughFIGS. 1-3depict the rotatable handle (32) as rigid U-shaped members pivotally connected to the body portion (21), it should be understood that other handles known in the art, including handles manufactured from a flexible material, are usable within the scope of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 1-3further depict front and back fixed handles (35,34) connected to the front and the back walls (22,24) of the bucket assembly (20), wherein the front and back handles (35,34) are usable to lift the bucket assembly (20). The back handle (34) can be used to lift the back portion of the bucket assembly (20), thereby allowing the cleaning solution to be poured out over the rim (27) of the front wall (22) of the body portion (21), if one chooses, rather than draining the cleaning solution from the body portion (21) via the drain opening (28). In an alternate method, the bucket assembly (20) can be lifted upwards, with the cleaning solution within the body portion (21), by grasping both the front and back handles (35,34), thereby allowing janitorial personnel to pour the cleaning solution into a sink, toilet bowl, or other raised disposal locations. To lift the bucket assembly (20), janitorial personnel can grasp the back handle (34) with one hand and grasp the front handle (35) with the other hand, and pull the bucket assembly (20) off the ground (5), thereby lifting the bucket assembly (20) to a desired height. AlthoughFIGS. 1-3depict the front and back handles (35,34) as U-shaped members fixedly connected to the front and back walls (22,24), it should be understood that any handle known in the art is usable within the scope of the present disclosure.

Referring again toFIGS. 2 and 3, depicting an embodiment of the cleaning station (10) in accordance with the present disclosure. As illustrated, the bucket assembly (20) generally comprises a body portion (21) for containing a cleaning solution, a drain opening (28) extending through lowermost point of the bottom portion (26), and a valve assembly (45) for closing the drain opening (28) during use of the cleaning station (10), wherein the valve assembly is shown mounted on the inward surface of the front wall (22).

Referring also toFIG. 4, depicting an exploded view of an embodiment of the valve assembly (45) usable in accordance with the present disclosure. The valve assembly (45) can comprise valve body (51) having two portions (51a,51b), having semicircular channels (52a,52b) extending vertically along the inward side surfaces. The body portions (51a,51b) can be held together about a drive rod (46) and in connection with the front wall (22) of the body portion (21) by connectors, for example, a set of bolts. The valve body portions (51a,51b) can be secured together and/or to the front wall (22) of the bucket body portion (21) by any other suitable means, provided that the means allow the drive rod (46) movement within the valve body (51) and fixedly secure the valve body (51) to the front wall (22). The drive rod (46) is depicted inFIGS. 3 and 4as an elongated and generally round shaft, extending vertically along the inward surface of the front wall (22) between. The Figures further depict the upper end of the drive rod (46) comprising a valve handle (48) positioned above the rim (27), wherein the valve handle (48) permits the drive rod (46) to be easily grasped and pulled between an upper and lower position. The valve handle (48) also allows the drive rod (46) to be easily rotated to lock the drive rod (46) in the upper or the lower position. The lower end of the drive rod (46) is shown comprising a stopper (47) positioned above the drain opening (28), wherein the stopper can be attached to the drive rod by a mount ball (49), which can be inserted into an opening formed in the stopper (47). The depicted stopper (47) can comprise an elastomeric material and be adapted to cover the drain opening (28), or at least partially enter the drain opening (28) to block the escape of cleaning solution from within the bucket assembly (20).

Referring still toFIGS. 3 and 4depicting an exploded view of an embodiment of the valve assembly (45) comprising a drive rod (46), which can be selectively moved between an upper position and a lower position. In the lower position, the stopper (47) is placed about or at least partially within the drain opening (28), to block the flow of cleaning solution through the drain opening (28), while in the upper position the stopper (47) is positioned above the drain opening (28), thereby allowing cleaning solution to flow through the drain opening (28) out of the bucket body (21). As further depicted inFIG. 4, the valve assembly (45) comprises an internal spring (50) positioned about the drive rod (46). The upper end of the spring (50) can abut the upper shoulders (54a,54b,54bnot shown) of the semicircular channels (52a,52b) in the valve body portions (51a,51b). An upper washer (53b) can be included between the spring (50) and the upper shoulders (54a,54b). The lower end of the spring (50) can abut a lower washer (53a) positioned about the drive rod (46), wherein the lower washer (53a) can be retained in position by a retainer pin (53c) extending laterally through the drive rod (46). The spring can be compressed between the upper and lower washers (53b,53a), thereby biasing the drive rod (46) in the downward direction, forcing the stopper (47) into the drain opening (28) to block the flow of cleaning solution out of the body portion (21) of the bucket assembly (20).

In order to maintain the stopper (47) in the upward (i.e., open) position, against the biasing force of the spring (50),FIGS. 2 and 3further depict a pedestal (29) adapted to support the valve handle (48). In operation, janitorial personnel (not shown) can pull the valve handle (48) upward above the pedestal (29), rotate the valve handle (48) about 90 degrees, and position the handle (48) on top of the pedestal (29). The pedestal (29) can have a notch or a recess (29a) thereon to maintain the handle (48) in position thereon. Although the pedestal shown inFIGS. 2 and 3is depicted as a plate integrally connected to and vertically extending from the front wall (22), in other embodiments (not shown), the pedestal can be adapted for connection to and disconnection from the front wall (22) and/or comprise a different configuration usable to support the handle (48) in the upward position.

As further depicted inFIG. 4, the valve assembly (45) can be adapted to retain the drive rod (46) in an upward position by other means. Instead of or in addition of having the pedestal (29), each semicircular channel (52a,52b) of the valve body portions (51a,51b) can have an L-slot (55a,55b,55bnot shown) extending along the surface thereof. The L-slots (55a,55b) are adapted to receive the retainer pin (53c) extending through the drive rod (46). During operations, the retainer pin (53c) can be positioned within the longitudinal portion (i.e., vertical) of the L-slots (55a,55b), thereby allowing the drive rod (46) vertical movement between upward (i.e., open) and downward (i.e., closed) positions. When the drive rod (46) is pulled by the valve handle (48) and moved to the upward position, the drive rod (46) can be locked in the upward position by rotating the valve handle (48) to position the retainer pin (53c) within the lateral (i.e., horizontal) portion of the L-slots (55a55b).

AlthoughFIGS. 2, 3, and 4depict an embodiment of the cleaning station (10) comprising a specific valve assembly (45), it should be understood that valve assemblies comprising different structure and means for biasing a stopper towards the downward position can be included and are within the scope of the present disclosure.

Referring now toFIG. 5, depicting an isometric view of an embodiment of a wringer assembly (70) in accordance with the present disclosure.FIG. 5illustrates a side press wringer type that embodies principles of the present disclosure. It should be understood that other types of wringer assemblies, such as down press type and a roller type, are usable within the scope of the present disclosure. As the wringer assembly depicted inFIG. 5has been presented only as an embodiment to illustrate portions of the present invention, the present disclosure should not be limited to use with a side press wringer assembly.

The wringer assembly (70) can be manufactured of rigid molded plastic, but that can be fabricated from any appropriately rigid material such as metal or acrylic.FIG. 5depicts the wringer assembly (70) having a front wall (81), a first side wall (82), and a second side wall (84). A pair of spaced downward projections (86,88,88not shown) are formed at the back of the wringer assembly (70) on either side thereof, wherein the projections (86,88) define recesses (86a,88a,88anot shown) sized to be placed over the top ridge (27) of the back wall (24) of the bucket body (21), as depicted inFIG. 1.

Referring toFIG. 5, the front wall (81) of the wringer assembly (70) can be formed with an array of openings through which liquid can pass. A wringer plate (83) is depicted positioned opposite the front wall (81). The front wall (81), the side walls (82,84), and the wringer plate (83) define an inner upwardly open well (85) sized to receive the mopping yarns of a mop (6, seeFIG. 1) for wringing excess liquid from the mop. The wringer plate (83) is movable toward and away from the front wall (81) by movement of an associated wringer handle (72) in the direction of arrow (73). When the wringer handle (72) is pressed forwardly and downwardly, the wringer plate (83) moves toward the front wall (81) of the wringer assembly (70). In use, the yarns of a mop (6) are dipped into liquid cleaning agent within the bucket body (21), placed in the well (85) of the wringer assembly (70), and excess fluid is squeezed out by pressing down on the wringer handle (72), which compresses the mopping yarns between the wringer plate (83) and the front wall (81).

The wringer assembly (70), depicted inFIGS. 1 and 5, further comprises a mop support assembly (90) adapted for receiving and supporting the handle (7) portion of the mop (6). A close-up view of the mop support assembly (90) is shown inFIG. 5, wherein the Figure depicts the mop support assembly (90) comprising a cavity or a channel (91) extending generally vertically along the front wall (81). The channel (91) can be integrally formed within the front wall (81), wherein the channel is defined by side surfaces (94a,94b) along the front wall (81). The support assembly (90) is further shown comprising mop retainers, adapted to maintain the mop (6) within the channel (91). The mop retainers are depicted inFIG. 5as two sets of rubber fingers (95a-d), positioned on each side of the channel (91) and extending toward each other. The distance between the rubber fingers (95a-d), on each side of the channel (91) can be smaller than the diameter of the mop handle (7), thereby retaining the handle (7) within the channel (91). The rubber fingers (95a-d) can allow a mop handle (7) to be inserted into the channel (91) by pushing or forcing the mop handle (7) therein, through or between the fingers (95a-d). The mop handle can be withdrawn by pulling or forcing it out of the channel (91) through or between the rubber fingers (95a-d). Although the fingers (95a-d) are described as comprising rubber and are depicted being retained in position by screws or bolts, in alternate embodiments the fingers can comprise any flexible material and can be connected to the front wall by any means known in the art. Although the mop retainers are depicted inFIG. 5as rubber fingers (95a-d), any flexible or movable projections or members can be used to retain the mop within the channel (91), and are within the scope of the present disclosure.

Referring now toFIGS. 6A-6C, showing close-up views of alternate embodiments of the wringer assembly (70). Specifically,FIG. 6Ashows a mop support assembly (70) having the channel (91) formed between two or more lips (96a,96b) (e.g., elongated protrusions, rectangular bars) extending generally vertically and in parallel relative to each other along the surface of the front wall (81). In the embodiment, the lips (96a,96b) can be integrally formed on the surface of the front wall (81) to define the channel (91). Similarly to the previously described embodiment of the wringer assembly (70), the lips (96a,96b) can support various mop retainers, including, but not limited to, the rubber fingers (95a,95b), to retain the mop handle (7) within the channel (91).

In another embodiment of the wringer assembly (70), depicted inFIG. 6B, the lips (92a,92b) (e.g., elongated protrusions, rectangular bars) can be provided as separate elements, which are adapted for attachment to the front wall (81) of a conventional wringer assembly. The depicted embodiment of the supporting assembly (90) comprises a U-shaped rail (93) having two essentially parallel lips (92a,92b) forming the channel (91) therebetween, wherein the rail (93) can be affixed to the front wall (81) by any known means, including bolts. Also, similarly to the embodiments depicted inFIGS. 5 and 6A, the lips (92a,92b) of the wringer assembly (70), can comprise various mop retainers, including the rubber fingers (95a,95b), to retain the mop within the channel (91).

In yet another embodiment of the wringer assembly (70), depicted inFIG. 6C, the mop retainer omits the lips (92a,92b,96a,96b) described above.FIG. 6Cdepicts two mop retainers, which can include upper and lower clips (97a,97b), adapted to receive a mop handle (7) and hold it in vertical position as depicted inFIG. 1. The depicted clips (97a,97b) or other mop retainers (not shown), such as snap-fit clips, brackets, or flexible projections, can be used to engage the mop handle (7) in a frictional manner, thereby securing the mop handle (7) therein. The clips (97a,97b) are depicted having a curved contoured back surface and are forwardly open for receiving the mop handle (7). The diverging ends of the clips (97a,97b) can direct the mop handle into the interior of the clips (97a,97b). During use, the upper and lower clips (97a,97b) can receive a mop handle (7) by pushing the handle (7) into the interior of the clips (97a,97b), wherein the mop handle (7) can be withdrawn from the interior of the clips (97a,97b) by pulling the handle (7) in a lateral direction out of the clips (97a,97b).

The various embodiments of the wringer assembly described above can be used to support the mop handle (7) when the cleaning station is unattended and/or not used. Specifically, when janitorial personnel desire to take a break or otherwise leave a mop (6) unattended within the bucket assembly (20), the handle (7) can be retained in the upright orientation by the supporting assembly (90) of the wringer assembly (70) and the mopping yarns of the lower end of the mop (6) can remain in the interior of the body portion (21) until it is desired to continue the mopping operations.

Referring again toFIG. 1and also toFIGS. 7A-7C, the bucket assembly (20) is further depicted comprising a wringer handle retainer (60) adapted to receive and hold the wringer handle (72) in a downward position.FIG. 1shows the handle retainer (60) connected to the upper portion of the side wall (23) adjacent to the rim (27) of the body portion (21) of the bucket assembly (20).FIGS. 7A-7C, showing close-up views of two embodiments of the handle retainer (60) in accordance with the present disclosure.FIG. 7Adepicts the handle retainer (60) comprising an elongated flexible body (61) having a hook portion (61a) adapted to latch about the wringer handle (72) and hold it adjacent to the rim (27) of the side wall (23). The elongated body (61) can be constructed from any material having adequate flexibility to bend as the wringer handle (72) is pressed against the downwardly sloping portion (61c) of the hook portion (61a). The elongated body (61) can comprise adequate strength to latch the wringer handle (72) with the upper hook portion (61a) and retain the wringer handle (72) in the downward position. Specifically, the elongated body (61) can be fabricated using various metals or plastics comprising the abovementioned properties. The lateral portion (61b) of the flexible body (61) is shown extending through the side wall (23) to retain the flexible body (61) in position. Although a retaining nut is depicted retaining the flexible body (61) in connection within the side wall (23), any means known in the art can be employed to retain the handle retainer (60) in connection with the side wall (23).

FIG. 7Bdepicting another embodiment of the handle retainer (60). The Figure depicts a handle retainer (60) comprising a hook member (62) adapted to latch against the wringer handle (72) and hold it adjacent to the rim (27) of the side wall (23). An L-shaped bracket (63) is shown connecting the hook member (62) to the side wall (23) by means of a bolt. The hook member (62) and the bracket (63) are pivotally connected by a pin (63a) extending through the bottom portion of the hook member (62). The pin (63a) can comprise a torsion spring (63b) positioned thereabout, wherein the torsion spring (63b) can bias the hook member (62) towards the depicted (i.e., vertical) position. Although a bolt is depicted retaining the bracket (63) in connection within the side wall (23), any means known in the art can be employed to retain the handle retainer (60) in connection with the side wall (23).

FIG. 7Cdepicts yet another embodiment of the handle retainer (60). The Figure depicts a handle retainer (60) comprising a clip (64) adapted to latch the wringer handle (72) and hold it adjacent to the rim (27) of the side wall (23). The depicted clip (64) is a snap-fit clip usable to engage the wringer handle (72) in a frictional manner, thereby securing the wringer handle (72) therein. The clip (64) is depicted having a generally round body and being forwardly open for receiving the wringer handle (72). The diverging ends (64a,64b) can direct the wringer handle (72) into the interior of the clip (64). During use, the clip (64) can receive a wringer handle (72) by pushing the wringer handle (72) into the interior of the clip (64), wherein the wringer handle (72) can be withdrawn from the interior of the clip (64) by pulling the wringer handle (72) in the upward direction out of the clip (64).

Between cleaning operations, when the wringer handle (72) is desired to be retained in the downward position, janitorial personnel can manually move the wringer handle (72) against the sloped surfaces (61c,62a) of the hook portions (61a,62). As the wringer handle (72) is moved further downward against the sloped surfaces (61c,62a), the hook portions (61a,62) move in the lateral direction with respect to the wringer handle (72). This allows the wringer handle (72) to move below the hook portions (61a,62), which then extend over the wringer handle (72), latching them in the lower position. To release the wringer handle (72) and move it to its upper position, the handle (72) can be manually pulled up to release it from the hook member (61a) inFIG. 7a. To release the wringer handle (72) from the handle retainer60depicted inFIG. 7B, janitorial personnel can manually rotate the hook member (62), thereby releasing the wringer handle (72).

While various embodiments of the present invention have been described with emphasis, it should be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the present invention might be practiced other than as specifically described herein.