Abstract:
A rim unit includes a locking section and a lifting section, wherein the locking section is configured to be fixed on a tub element, wherein the lifting section has an undercut which extends transversely to a first direction and is configured to transmit a lifting force along a first direction to the rim unit, wherein the locking section has a protrusion or recess which forms an undercut contrary to the first direction, and wherein the rim unit comprises two lifting sections which are arranged opposite to one another and spaced apart from one another in such a manner that the undercuts of the lifting sections can be brought into engagement with a lifting unit.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a rim unit and a receptacle unit comprising a rim unit which serves as an aid for the use of cleaning apparatus. 
         [0002]    Receptacle units are known from the prior art. Thus, correspondingly suitably configured receptacles are regularly offered together with cleaning devices such as, for example, mops, which receptacles fit well to the cleaning devices as a result of corresponding geometries and for example, enable wet textiles to be wrung out on the receptacle. However, for such receptacles known from the prior art there are a number of possibilities for ergonomic improvement which are to be taken up and improved by the present invention. 
         [0003]    It is the object of the present invention to provide a rim unit and receptacle unit comprising a rim unit which enhance the user friendliness of receptacles used in association with cleaning devices and which furthermore achieve a flexible usability of the rim unit and the receptacle unit. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    According to the invention, the rim unit comprises a locking section and a lifting section, wherein the locking section is designed for fixing on a tub element, wherein the lifting section has an undercut which extends transversely to a first direction and is designed to transmit a lifting force along a first direction to the rim unit. The rim unit is in this case preferably a component or an assembly which is provided to be fixed in the rim region of a tub element, i.e. for example, a tub, a bucket or a similarly configured bowl and which has a lifting section which is provided to transmit a lifting force via the rim unit to the tub element. For this purpose the rim unit has a locking section which advantageously has a geometry which can be brought into positive, non-positive or seamlessly bonded engagement with a plurality of different tub elements and is particularly well suited for a force transmission according to type of embodiment. For this purpose the locking section, for example, has corresponding projections and/or recesses for a tight fit, which can be brought into engagement corresponding to suitably corresponding geometries of the tub element. Further preferably the locking section can have surfaces which are particularly suitable for making an adhesive connection, with which the locking section and therefore the rim unit can be glued on a tub element. Particularly preferably the rim unit is made of cast thermoplastic, where in particular an injection moulding method is suitable for manufacture. The rim unit has a lifting section which according to the invention has an undercut which runs transversely to a first direction and is therefore designed to absorb a lifting force along the first direction and transmit it to the rim unit or to the tub element. The first direction is in this case preferably also the direction along which the rim unit transmits a lifting force to the tub element in order to raise this. Particularly preferably the first direction is the direction in which the tub element has an open side. The lifting section preferably has an extension transversely to the first direction which is adapted to a lifting unit positioned for lifting the rim unit or the tub element on the first lifting section and in particular on the undercut thereof. Particularly preferably the undercut of the lifting section is a material web which extends transversely to the first direction and is designed to be sufficiently strong or having a sufficiently great wall thickness in order to be able to transmit the required forces to the rim unit or the tub element. The lifting section is preferably designed in one piece with the rim unit. In this way the number of required components is kept low. 
         [0005]    Particularly preferably the locking section has a protrusion or recess which forms an undercut contrary to the first direction. In order to be able to fix the rim unit as simply as possible on a tub element, the locking section preferably has a protrusion or recess which, for example, can be configured to be barbed where the corresponding geometry of the locking sections can be clipped simply on the edge of a tub element. Care should be taken here to ensure that the undercut formed by the locking section acts in a direction contrary to the first direction and thus a force which is applied to the rim unit in the first direction can be transmitted via the locking section to the tub element. 
         [0006]    Advantageously the rim unit comprises two lifting sections which are arranged opposite to one another and spaced apart from one another in such a manner that the undercuts of the lifting sections can be brought into engagement with a lifting unit in a supporting manner. Preferably a window wiper or a hand cleaner can be used as lifting unit here in the sense of the invention. Further preferably any, in particular T-shaped wiper construction such as is used in particular for cleaning windows and smooth surfaces can be used for carrying the rim unit and therefore the tub element preferably connected to the rim unit. The spacing of the lifting sections of the rim unit is here preferably adapted to the geometrical design of the lifting unit so that the lifting unit can be simultaneously brought into engagement with both lifting sections in order to raise the rim unit or the tub element via two force transmission points. 
         [0007]    Advantageously the lifting section is configured as a separate component and can be fixed non-positively and/or positively on the rim unit. This embodiment is particularly suitable if the rim unit is to be adapted to a specific tub element and at the same time an adaptation to lifting units of different size or different length is to be made. For this purpose the rim unit can preferably have a plurality of possible fixing positions for one or more lifting sections, whereby the lifting sections which are configured separately can be fixed on the rim unit in various installation positions and therefore a rim unit can be adapted for use with a plurality of possible lifting units. It is understood here that if both lifting sections are, for example, arranged along the diagonals of a rectangularly configured rim unit, these are spaced further apart than when the lifting sections are arranged centrally on the long sides of the rectangle which is spanned by the rim unit. Since a plurality of fixing positions for two or preferably four or six individual lifting sections are provided on the rim unit, the rim unit can be adapted for use with a plurality of different lifting units. 
         [0008]    Further preferably, the locking section is configured in one piece with the lifting section. By means of this preferred embodiment the locking section provided on the lifting section can be used both for fixing the lifting section itself and also at the same time for fixing further elements of the rim unit on the tub element. 
         [0009]    It is preferable that a base section of the rim unit extends in a profiled manner along a base contour, wherein a plurality of locking sections are provided along the base contour. In this context, base contour is understood preferably as a two-dimensional geometry which runs in a plane preferably transverse or perpendicular to the first direction. The base contour in this case preferably corresponds to the geometry of the open side of the tub element. Preferably rectangular or rectangular with rounded edges or elliptical or circular cross-sections are feasible for a base contour. The base section advantageously completely surrounds the rim of a tub element on its open side, whereby the force transmitted by the lifting section to the rim unit is transmitted to this distributed as uniformly as possible over the entire rim of the tub element. It is particularly preferred here that the rim unit can be fixed on a tub element by means of locking sections provided on the base section which are preferably provided uniformly along the base contour on the base section. Alternatively preferably it can also be the case that the base section of the rim unit has recesses through which locking sections provided on the lifting section can be inserted, whereby the base section of the rim unit can be fixed indirectly via the lifting section on the tub element. 
         [0010]    Particularly preferably the lifting section is designed in one piece with the base section. In this preferred embodiment the rim unit is formed from a base unit and lifting sections provided in one piece with this. It is advantageous in this embodiment that the rim unit can be manufactured by jointly casting all the components in a particularly time-saving manner and without further assembly being required. 
         [0011]    In a further preferred embodiment the lifting section has two side walls which run substantially transversely to the undercut and are designed to secure the lifting section against displacement relative to a lifting unit transversely to the first direction. It is therefore particularly preferable that the lifting section is configured to be U-shaped or C-shaped in cross-section, wherein the central section forms the undercut and the two side walls each form the legs of the U or the C. The side walls in this case ensure that whilst the rim unit is raised by the lifting unit, the lifting unit cannot slip or can only slip insignificantly transversely to the lifting direction relative to the rim unit or to the lifting section of the rim unit. Further preferably it can be the case that the undercut and the side walls form an inner surface which is configured to correspond to the outer surface of the lifting unit or to the region of the outer surface of the lifting unit which engages with the lifting section, wherein the lifting unit engages positively in the lifting section in certain areas. As a result of this positive engagement, not only the lifting force can be transmitted particularly favourably but for example, torques can also be transmitted from the lifting unit to the rim unit in order that, for example, an uncontrolled rocking of the rim unit or of a tub element fixed on the rim unit can be prevented. 
         [0012]    Particularly preferably the lifting section has a draining element which is configured in a web-like manner and is preferably provided on the side of the undercut pointing in the first direction. The draining unit is preferably [configured] as a free-standing plate-shaped or wall-shaped element provided on the side of the lifting section which lies at the top during usage of the rim unit, on which cleaning liquid can be wiped off by the user of the lifting unit or another window wiping element in order to flow back into a tub element preferably connected to the rim unit. It is further preferred in this case that on the side of the lifting section on which the draining element is provided, further channel-shaped or web-shaped geometries are provided which guide the water flow back in the direction of the tub element. 
         [0013]    Preferably the draining element is designed in one piece with the lifting section, preferably with the undercut of the lifting section. By means of this embodiment, the draining element can be manufactured particularly favourably since lifting section and draining element are manufactured jointly in one process step, particularly preferably by casting. Alternatively preferably the draining element can also be configured as an independent component, which can be clipped positively, for example, on the lifting section or for example, can also be fixed by means of a seamlessly bonding joining method on the lifting section. In this way, the variability of the rim unit can be increased since the number and shape of the drain elements can be adapted in each case to the window wiper or a similar cleaning device used jointly with the rim unit. 
         [0014]    It is particularly preferable that the lifting section has two to six, preferably three to five and particularly preferably four to five draining elements. The draining elements are particularly preferably web- or wall-like elements aligned substantially parallel to one another, which are fixed either in one piece or separately from the lifting section on the undercut thereof. In this case, the draining elements are preferably spaced apart from one another at least by the amount of their own wall thickness. Further preferably it can be the case that the draining elements have an extending extension starting from the undercut of the lifting section. It has been shown that if the rim unit is designed with two draining elements, a satisfactory wiping effect can be achieved for the water or cleaning liquid to be wiped off. It is further shown that the wiping effect could not be increased appreciably by increasing the number of draining elements beyond six. By configuring the lifting section with preferably three to five draining elements, a good compromise could be achieved between space requirement and wiping effect which can be shifted to a higher wiping effect by a number of four to five draining elements as required. 
         [0015]    Further preferably a draining element is configured as a separate component and can be fixed on the rim unit independently of the lifting section. The draining element can preferably also have a plate-shaped base section and one or a plurality of web-like projections which are disposed on the upper side of the base section and serve to wipe liquid from a cleaning device. Advantageously the draining element is fixed at one of a plurality of fixing points provided on the rim unit or the tub unit. The separate configuration of the wiping element is advantageous since an ergonomic improvement and an easier operability of the wiper can be achieved by the fixing positions for the wiping element which can be selected. Furthermore, a plurality of wiping elements, for example, with differently configured web-like projections can be arranged on the rim unit or the tub unit in order to achieve an adaptation to different cleaning devices or wetting or moisture penetration states. It is understood that the geometrical properties of a separately configured draining element can be identical to those of a draining element configured in one piece with the rim unit or the lifting section. 
         [0016]    According to the invention, a receptacle unit is provided comprising a tub element and a rim unit, wherein the tub element is open in a first direction and is closed in the other spatial directions, wherein on the open side of the tub element the rim unit can be fixed on the tub unit, wherein the lifting section of the rim unit is designed and adapted to receive a lifting force of a lifting unit in the first direction and transmit it to the tub element. The tub element can preferably be a conventional receptacle for cleaning liquid known from the prior art. In this case, the tub unit encloses a volume and is open on one side. The rim unit can preferably be fixed on the wall element in such a manner that the previously described first direction of the wall unit lies collinearly with the first direction of the tub element, wherein in other words the first direction of the rim unit preferably stands perpendicularly on a plane lying in the open side or surface of the tub element. The lifting section of the rim unit is designed in such a manner that it can be brought into engagement with the lifting unit in order to absorb a lifting force preferably acting in a first direction by the lifting unit and transmit it via further engagement geometries of the rim unit to the tub element. In other words, the receptacle unit is in this case raised via the lifting section. Preferably a system is thus provided in which the receptacle unit can be used for storing cleaning liquid and at the same time can be transported with the cleaning device or a cleaning device used as lifting unit from one deployment location to another. The present invention thus simplifies a plurality of working steps since on the one hand the cleaning device need not be removed from the hand in order, for example, to grasp a handle of a bucket but instead the cleaning device can be retained in the hand as lifting unit, can accordingly be brought into engagement with one or a plurality of lifting sections of the rim unit and in this way the entire receptacle unit can be raised and transported to another work location. In this case, the present invention can be improved in particular by additional geometries provided on the lifting unit which ergonomically simplify the raising or the application of the corresponding lifting force to the lifting unit. Thus, for example, protruding webs can be provided on the handle of a window wiper transversely to the direction of extension of the handle, at which the lifting unit can be clamped between the fingers and raised. 
         [0017]    Preferably the first direction runs through the centre of gravity of the receptacle unit wherein two lifting sections of a rim unit located opposite to one another are arranged on a straight line which runs transversely to the first direction and intersects this. If therefore one rim unit is provided with two opposite lifting sections, it is therefore preferable if these are arranged along a straight line which runs transversely to the first direction or preferably perpendicular to this and intersections this. Since furthermore the first direction is defined as a vector, which runs through the centre of gravity of the receptacle unit, it is thus ensured that during raising of the receptacle unit this is in equilibrium in such a manner that none or as far as possible only small torques are formed around the straight line along which the lifting sections are arranged. Preferably in connection with the base geometry it is advantageous if the lifting sections are arranged along a straight line which is a diagonal or surface bisector of the base contour. 
         [0018]    Alternatively preferably the first direction lies outside the centre of gravity of the receptacle unit wherein preferably the handle of a cleaning device used for lifting is brought to rest on the rim unit, whereby a force is transmitted to the receptacle unit by the user which prevents its oblique positioning or a rotation about the straight line running between the lifting sections. In other words, at three contact points a force is transmitted from the cleaning device to the rim unit or the receptacle unit. A lifting force [is applied] at the lifting sections and a compressive force oppositely directed thereto [is applied] at the point at which the handle of the cleaning device rests on the rim unit or the tub element. The compressive force here serves to compensate for a moment which acts around the first axis and strives to pivot or tilt the receptacle as a result of the non-uniformly distributed mass to the right and left of the plane spanned by the first direction and the straight line between the lifting sections. As a result of this three-point mounting of the receptacle unit on the cleaning device, any rocking of the receptacle unit during carrying can be largely avoided. 
         [0019]    In a further preferred embodiment, the tub element has an engaging section which can be brought into positive engagement with the locking unit of the rim unit. Particularly preferably the tub element has engaging sections configured as protrusion and/or recess, which can accordingly be brought positively into engagement with locking sections of the rim unit in such a manner that the tub element is fixed on the rim unit. In this case, the engaging sections of the tub element and the locking section or sections of the rim unit are preferably designed as barbs which can easily be brought into engagement with one another but are less easy to separate from one another. Alternatively preferably the engaging section of the tub element can be configured as an adhesive surface along which an adhesive or other means for producing a seamlessly bonded connection with the rim unit can be introduced particularly favourably. 
         [0020]    Particularly preferably the rim unit has a splash guard which projects into the open side of the tub element in certain areas. The splash guard of the rim unit can preferably be configured in one piece with the base section of the rim unit and is particularly preferably a collar which prevents cleaning liquid or water from swashing out of the tub element. 
         [0021]    Particularly preferably the rim unit is connected in a seamlessly bonded manner to the tub element or fixed on this. By fixing the rim unit is a seamlessly bonded manner on the tub element, preferably a particularly high sealing effect can be achieved between the rim unit and the tub element so that no liquid can escape between the rim element and the tub element. Alternatively it is preferred that the rim unit is fixed detachably from the tub element for example, by force fit or tight fit thereon so that in particular preferably different tub elements with one and the same rim unit and thus, for example, the manufacture of the rim unit can be standardized. Since the same rim unit can be used for tub elements of different size and different depth, the manufacturing costs of the rim unit and therefore the entire receptacle unit can be reduced. 
         [0022]    Further advantages and features of the present invention are obtained from the following description with reference to the appended figures. It is understood that individual features shown in the figures can also be used in embodiments of other figures unless this is explicitly excluded. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0023]    In the figures: 
           [0024]      FIG. 1  shows a partially cutaway view of a preferred embodiment of the rim unit according to the invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  shows another partially cutaway view of a preferred embodiment of the rim unit according to the invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 3 a , 3 b    shows a plan view and sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the rim unit according to the invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 4 a , 4 b    shows a partially cutaway perspective view and a detailed view of a preferred embodiment of the receptacle unit according to the invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 5 a , 5 b    shows a plan view and a sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the receptacle unit according to the invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 6 a , 6 b , 6 c    show perspective views of a preferred embodiment of a receptacle unit according to the invention with lifting unit; and 
           [0030]      FIG. 7  shows a view of a preferred embodiment of the lifting section with wiping element according to the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0031]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a half of a preferred embodiment of the rim unit  4  according to the invention. The cutaway view was selected in order to illustrate in particular the cross-sectional geometry of the base section  41  of the rim unit  4 . It is understood in this case that the rim unit  4  has a second half pointing towards the user which is preferably configured diagonally mirror-symmetrically to the half of the rim unit shown. The rim unit  4  has a preferably rectangular cross-section which has edges provided with a rounding  8 . The base contour B is here shown dashed and illustrates how the profile of the base section  41  extends uniformly along this base contour B. The embodiment of the rim unit  4  shown in  FIG. 1  has a lifting section  6  configured in one piece with the base section  41 . Of the two lifting sections  6  provided on the rim unit, only one is shown in the figure. The lifting section  4  has an undercut  61  and two side walls  62 . Furthermore, on the surface shown cutaway on the side pointing towards the observer of the figure, the locking section  42  of the rim unit  4  is shown which, in the present embodiment is configured as a recess. Preferably a splash guard  44  is provided as part of the base section which also extends long the base contour B with uniform cross-section. 
         [0032]      FIG. 2  shows the embodiment of the rim unit according to the invention already shown in  FIG. 1  from a different perspective. In this case in particular the uniform cross-section of the locking section  42  of the rim unit  4  and the splash guard  44  is illustrated. Alternatively preferably individual locking sections  42  can also be arranged at preferably uniform distances along the base contour B not shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 3 a    shows a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the rim unit according to the invention which in particular is preferably configured to be rectangular. As shown, the rim unit  4  has a base section  41  which extends along the rectangular base contour B. Furthermore, the preferred design of the rim unit  4  with two lifting sections  6  is shown which are provided along a straight line (shown as a dash-dot line) opposite to one another on the rim unit  4 . The straight line preferably intersects the first direction R 1  running perpendicular to the plane of the observer. Furthermore, a sectional view is characterized, which is shown in  FIG. 3   b.    
         [0034]      FIG. 3 b    shows the sectional view characterized in  FIG. 3 a    through the lifting section  6  of the rim unit  4 . In this case it is shown that the lifting section  6  preferably has a horseshoe-shaped geometry in which the undercut  61  is configured to be partially curved and two side walls  62  are provided on the respective ends of the undercut  61 . Particularly preferably the geometry formed or enclosed by the undercut  61  and the side walls  62  is adapted to the outer geometry of a lifting unit which can be brought into engagement with the lifting section  6 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 4 a    shows a perspective and partially cutaway view of a preferred embodiment of the receptacle unit  1  according to the invention. The receptacle unit  1  comprises a rim unit  4  and a tub element  2 . The tub element is preferably configured as a substantially rectangular hollow body which is open at one side. As in the embodiments of the rim unit  4  shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the receptacle unit  1  shown in  FIG. 4 a    shows only half, where the half of the receptacle unit  1  not shown is configured to be diagonally plane-symmetrical. The first direction R 1  in this case runs through the centre of gravity of the receptacle unit  1  and preferably in the direction in which the open side of the tub element  2  is located. In the embodiment shown the rim unit  4  is fixed positively with corresponding engagement geometries on the tub element  2 . The base contour B of the rim unit  4  is particularly preferably oriented here to the geometry of the open side of the tub element  2 , which this is configured to be rectangular in the present embodiment. 
         [0036]      FIG. 4 b    shows the detailed view of the connecting region between the tub element  2  of the rim unit  4  characterized in  FIG. 4 a   . It is clear here that the engaging section  22  of the tub element  2  is preferably configured as a projection which engages in a locking section  42  of the rim unit  4 , which is corresponding at least in sections, in order to fix the rim unit  4  on the tub element  2 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 5 a    shows a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the receptacle unit  1  according to the invention in which the rim unit  4  is formed from two lifting sections  6  designed as individual components which can be fixed individually on the tub element  2 . In this case, the embodiment shown here differs not only in that the lifting sections  6  are configured as separate components but also in that the lifting sections  6  are not arranged along a diagonal of the cross-sectional area of the open side of the tub element  2  but along an area-halving line of this cross-sectional area. It is understood that this arrangement of the lifting sections  6  can be used independently of the further development of the rim unit  4  also in the embodiments of the receptacle unit  1  or the rim unit  4  shown in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 4   b.    
         [0038]      FIG. 5 b    shows the sectional view shown in  FIG. 5 a    of the embodiment of the receptacle unit  1  shown in  FIG. 5 a   . It is preferably provided here that the locking section  42  of the rim unit  4  is provided on the lifting section or locking section  42  on each lifting section  6 . The tub element  2  has engaging sections  22  configured accordingly corresponding to the locking sections  42 . In this case, it is particularly preferred that the engaging sections  22  of the tub element  2  identifiable in  FIG. 5 b    extend in a uniformly profiled manner along the dashed line shown in  FIG. 5 a    so that the lifting sections  6  can be arranged at any arbitrary position both on the left and right sides of the tub element  2  and also on the top and bottom sides of the tub element  2  and thus a plurality of possible lifting units can be used together with the preferred embodiment of the receptacle unit  1  shown. 
         [0039]      FIGS. 6 a , 6 b  and 6 c    show perspective views of a preferred embodiment of the receptacle unit  1  according to the invention where it is particularly clear how a lifting unit can be used to raise the receptacle unit  1 . The lifting unit is in this case preferably a cleaning device equipped with wiping blade, sponge or a textile covering. The user of the receptacle unit  1  guides the lifting unit preferably from a position outside the receptacle unit  1 , as shown in  FIG. 6 a   , into a position as shown in  FIG. 6 b   . Then it is possible to bring the lifting unit into engagement with the lifting section  6  of the rim unit  4  of the receptacle unit  1 , as shown in  FIG. 6 c   . It is understood that the position of the lifting unit shown in  FIG. 6 c    relative to the receptacle unit  1  can also be achieved by rotating the lifting unit whilst simultaneously introducing into the receptacle unit  1 . As soon as the lifting unit is in engagement with the lifting section  6  (shown in  FIG. 6 c   ), the user can apply a lifting force to the lifting unit, preferably to the handle thereof, by means of which the receptacle unit  1  can be raised and transported to the next deployment location. 
         [0040]      FIG. 7  shows a preferred embodiment of the lifting section  6  according to the invention. The lifting section  6  preferably has a draining element  64  on the upper side or the side facing away from the tub element  2  in the installed state of the lifting section  6 . As shown, it is preferable if a plurality of draining elements  64  are provided on the lifting section  6 . Alternatively the draining elements  64  can also be arranged on the base section  41  of the frame unit  4 . It is understood that draining elements  64  can also be used on the embodiments of the frame unit  4  shown in  FIGS. 1 to 6   c  even if they are not shown there for simplicity. Preferably the locking section  42  is provided on the lifting section  6  where the lifting section  6  can either be fixed without further elements of the frame unit  4  on the tub element  2  or engages through cut-outs on the base section  41  in order to be fixed on the tub element  2  and at the same time to also fix further elements of the frame unit  4  on the tub element  2 . 
       REFERENCE LIST 
       [0000]    
       
           2  Tub element 
           22  Engaging section 
           4  Rim unit 
           41  Base section 
           42  Locking section 
           44  Splash guard 
           6  Undercut 
           62  Side wall 
           64  Draining element 
           8  Rounding 
         B Base contour 
         R 1  First direction