Patent Publication Number: US-2013232705-A1

Title: Cleaning solution container

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a non-provisional of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/608,898, entitled “Cleaning Solution Container,” filed on Mar. 9, 2012, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to cleaning implements. In particular, this invention relates to a container for a cleaning solution that selectively attaches to a cleaning implement, a cleaning implement with such a container, and the method of making such a container. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The use of mops and similar devices as cleaning implements for floors and other surfaces is widely known. Often, a mop or similar device is immersed in a container of water before being swept across a portion of the floor or surface so that the mop can remove the various soils more efficiently. To further enhance cleaning or to provide a desirable look or scent after cleaning, a cleaning chemical or cleaning solution may be added to the water. A user may add the cleaning solution when initially filling the container of water or when replacing water that has become dirty from the various soils removed from the floor or surface. A user may also desire to add additional solution to the water while cleaning is in progress. The appropriate cleaning solutions, however, are often stored in a different location than the mop and container, especially in households, or in a different location than where the container can easily be filled with water. Moreover, cleaning solutions are often kept in large, cumbersome containers that a user cannot easily carry around with them while mopping, meaning additional cleaning solution is not readily accessible. Therefore, a user desiring to mop with a cleaning solution is often forced to take time-consuming detours. 
     To alleviate these inefficiencies, it may be desirable to utilize a cleaning implement that has a readily available source of cleaning solution. Specifically, it would be desirable to utilize a removable container containing a cleaning chemical or cleaning solution that can attach to the mop or cleaning implement. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide cleaning implements or containers that, amongst other features and advantages, address these objectives. It is an object of certain embodiments of the invention to provide a container configured to selectively attach to the handle of a cleaning implement. It is an object of certain other embodiments of the invention to provide a cleaning implement with a removable container. It is an object of still other embodiments of the invention to provide a method for making a removable container for a cleaning solution. These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention or of certain embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following disclosure and description of exemplary embodiments. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a removable container configured to selectively allow attachment to a handle of a cleaning implement is provided that includes an exterior surface, an interior surface, an interior cavity defined by the shape of the interior surface, wherein the exterior surface defines an opening that allows access to the interior cavity and the container further comprises a removable cover for the opening. In certain exemplary embodiments, the interior cavity of the container contains a cleaning solution or a cleaning chemical. 
     In other exemplary embodiments of the invention, the exterior surface of the container comprises a first lip and a second lip, and a portion of the exterior surface between the first lip and second lip is shaped to define a recess relative to at least one other portion of the exterior surface, wherein the recess is sized to receive at least a portion of the intermediate section of the handle of a cleaning implement. 
     In still other embodiments the exterior surface of the container comprises a first lip and a second lip, and a portion of the exterior surface between the first and second lip is shaped to define a hole relative to at least one other portion of the exterior surface, wherein the hole is sized to receive the top end of the handle of a cleaning implement. 
     In certain embodiments, the container further comprises an attachment means that selectively allows removal and attachment of the removable container to the handle. In some of these embodiments, the attachment means comprises at least one deformable tab and at least one corresponding recess, while in others it comprises at least two protrusions or tabs configured to interface with at each other to create a positive interlock. In still other embodiments, the attachment means comprises at least one protrusion sized to enter a corresponding cavity. In certain other embodiments, the attachment means comprises a recess in the exterior surface of the removable container sized to receive at least a portion of the intermediate section of the handle of a cleaning implement. In yet others the attachment means comprises a hole in the exterior surface of the removable container sized to receive the top end of the handle of a cleaning implement. In other embodiments, the attachment means comprises corresponding threads, snap fasteners, hooks, or hook and loop fasteners. In some other exemplary embodiments of the invention, the container is configured to selectively attach to the handle of a wet mop, a roller mop, a flat mop, a spray mop, a steam mop or a sponge mop. 
     In certain embodiments of the invention, the container is made from a rigid material with elastic or deformable properties. In some of these embodiments the container is made from plastic. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a cleaning implement is provided that includes an elongated handle comprising a top end, a bottom end and an intermediate section along a longitudinal axis, a cleaning element secured to the bottom end of the handle, and a removable container configured to selectively attach to the handle of the cleaning implement, the removable container comprising an exterior surface, an interior surface, and an interior cavity defined by the shape of the interior surface, wherein the exterior surface defines an opening that allows access to the interior cavity, and wherein the removable container further comprises a removable cover for the opening. In certain embodiments of this aspect of the invention the interior cavity of the removable container contains a cleaning solution or a cleaning chemical. 
     In some exemplary embodiments, the exterior surface of the removable container of the cleaning implement further comprises a first lip and a second lip, and a portion of the exterior surface between the first lip and second lip is shaped to define a recess relative to at least one other portion of the exterior surface, wherein the recess is sized to receive at least a portion of the intermediate section of the handle of the cleaning implement. In yet other embodiments, the exterior surface of the removable container further comprises a first lip and a second lip, and a portion of the exterior surface between the first and second lip is shaped to define a hole relative to at least one other portion of the exterior surface, wherein the hole is sized to receive the top end of the handle of the cleaning implement. 
     In additional exemplary embodiments of this aspect of the invention, the cleaning implement further comprises an attachment means that selectively allows removal and attachment of the removable container to the handle. In some of these embodiments, the attachment means comprises at least one deformable tab and at least one corresponding recess, while in others it comprises at least two protrusions or tabs configured to interface with at each other to create a positive interlock. In still other embodiments, the attachment means comprises at least one protrusion sized to enter a corresponding cavity. In certain other embodiments, the attachment means comprises a recess in the exterior surface of the removable container sized to receive at least a portion of the intermediate section of the handle of a cleaning implement. In yet others the attachment means comprises a hole in the exterior surface of the removable container sized to receive the top end of the elongated handle of the cleaning implement. In other embodiments, the attachment means comprises corresponding threads, snap fasteners, hooks, or hook and loop fasteners. In some other exemplary embodiments of the invention, the cleaning element is element a wet mop, a roller mop, a flat mop, a spray mop, a steam mop or a sponge mop. In certain other embodiments of this aspect, the removable container is made from plastic. 
     Other aspects of the invention relate to a method of making a removable container for a cleaning solution that includes forming a removable container comprising an exterior surface, an interior surface, an interior cavity defined by the shape of the interior surface, an opening in the exterior surface that allows access to the interior cavity and a removable cover for the opening, adding an attachment means to allow selective attachment of the removable container to a cleaning implement, and adding a cleaning solution or a cleaning chemical to the interior cavity of the removable container. 
     In some exemplary embodiments of this aspect of the invention, the attachment means are added by shaping the exterior surface of the removable container to form a first lip and a second lip, and a portion of the exterior surface between the first lip and second lip is shaped to define a recess or hole relative to at least one other portion of the exterior surface, wherein the recess is sized to receive at least a portion of an intermediate section of a handle of the cleaning implement or a top end of the handle of the cleaning implement. In certain other embodiments of the method, the removable container is made from plastic. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Exemplary embodiments of the disclosure will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the cleaning implement with the removable container attached. 
         FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the container. 
         FIG. 3  shows a side view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 2  from another angle. 
         FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of the same exemplary embodiment as in  FIG. 2  with the removable cover removed. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     The embodiments, apparatuses and methods described herein provide a container for a cleaning solution, a cleaning implement with a removable container or a method of making such a container. These and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention or of certain embodiments of the invention will be further understood by those skilled in the art from the following description of exemplary embodiments. 
       FIG. 1  shows an exemplary embodiment of the cleaning implement with the removable container. In this embodiment, the cleaning implement  10  comprises an elongated handle  11  with a top end  12 , a bottom end  13  and an intermediate section  14  along a longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the handle  11  has a rounded or circular exterior and is primarily cylindrical in shape, while in others it has an angular, facial or elliptically shaped exterior surface. In some embodiments the handle is made of plastic, metal, wood, steel or aluminum. In certain embodiments the handle is hollow, while in others it is solid. The handle may be adjustable in length or may have a fixed length. In certain embodiments, the fixed length of the handle will be anywhere between about two and a half feet to about six feet. In certain other embodiments the length may be adjustable inside this same range. In yet other embodiments the handle comprises a wringer. 
     In  FIG. 1 , a cleaning element  15  is secured to the bottom end  13  of the handle  11 . In this exemplary embodiment, the cleaning element  15  is a flat mop. In other embodiments the cleaning element is a wet mop, a roller mop, a spray mop, a sponge mop, or a steam mop. In certain embodiments the cleaning element comprises a microfiber cleaning pad, a melamine sponge, cotton yarn, or a scrubber. 
     The exemplary embodiment in  FIG. 1  includes a removable container  20  that is configured to selectively attach to the handle  11  of the cleaning implement  10 . In this embodiment, the removable container  20  has an exterior surface  16 , an interior surface and an interior cavity defined by the shape of the interior surface. In this embodiment, the exterior surface defines an opening that allows access to the interior cavity and a removable cover  17  for the opening. In certain embodiments, the interior cavity of the removable container is partially or entirely filled with a cleaning chemical or a cleaning solution. In some embodiments, the removable container is made from a rigid material with elastic or deformable properties. In certain of these embodiments, the removable container is made of plastic or metal. In some of these embodiments, it is made from polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, poly-propylene or polystyrene. The removable container can have a wide range of shapes and sizes. In some embodiments, it is primarily cylindrical, circular, rectangular, triangular or square in shape. In yet other embodiments, it has a total volume between about one and about twenty five fluid ounces. Preferably, however, the removable container has a total volume between about three and about five fluid ounces. In some embodiments it has a volume of about four fluid ounces. 
     In  FIG. 1 , the removable container comprises a first lip  18  and a second lip  19 , and a portion of the exterior surface  16  is shaped to define a recess between the first lip and second lip. In this embodiment, the recess is shaped and sized to receive a portion of the intermediate section  14  of the handle  11 . In other embodiments the recess is shaped and sized to receive the top end of the handle. In certain embodiments, the recess selectively attaches to the handle using solely a friction fit. In some embodiments, the recess and handle include or are made of materials which result in a high coefficient of friction when in contact with each other in order to strengthen the friction fit. In certain of these embodiments, these materials are rubber, plastic, metal or a combination thereof. 
     In other embodiments, the first lip and the second lip wrap around a portion of the handle to further engage with and retain the handle. In certain of these embodiments, the recess is shaped and sized to have a smaller opening than the diameter of a circularly shaped handle or the width of a differently shaped handle, but the recess has sufficient size to entirely contain the handle once the handle is inside the recess. In certain of these embodiments, the material of the removable container deforms slightly when the handle is pressed against the first lip and the second lip to allow the handle to be inserted into the recess before reverting back to its original shape such that the first lip and the second lip wrap around the handle and help retain it inside the recess. When the handle is pulled away from the recess, the material of the removable container deforms slightly so that the handle can be pulled out of the recess between the first lip and the second lip before reverting back to its original shape after the handle is removed. In some embodiments, the recess is shaped and sized to contact about 180 degrees of the circular surface of a handle with a circular shape. In others, the recess contacts between about 180 and about 330 degrees of the handle&#39;s surface. In others the recess contacts about 270 degrees of the circular surface of a handle with a circular shape. In still others the recess contacts between about 90 degrees and about 180 degrees of the circular surface, where in certain of these embodiments the removable container and handle have additional features to assist in selectively attaching the removable container. 
     In certain other exemplary embodiments, a portion of the exterior surface between the first lip and the second lip is shaped to define a hole relative to at least one other portion of the exterior surface, wherein the hole is sized to receive the top end of the elongated handle. In some embodiments, the hole goes through the entire container and some or all of the top end of the handle enters into the hole. The top end may become wedged inside the hole using solely a friction fit. Either the hole or the top end of the handle, or both, may include or are made of materials that result in a high coefficient of friction when in contact with each other in order to strengthen the friction fit. In certain of these embodiments, these materials are rubber, plastic, metal or a combination thereof. In other embodiments, the hole is tapered such that the top end will become wedged inside the hole. In other embodiments, the top end may pass entirely through the hole and the removable container can be attached to the intermediate section. In certain other embodiments, the top end or the intermediate section has a ridge, tab, tongue or raised area that meets the exterior surface of the container, the lip or lips of the exterior surface or the inner sides of the hole. In these embodiments, the ridge, tab, tongue or raised area may lock the removable container in place, prevent it from moving further down the handle along the longitudinal axis, or both. 
     In some embodiments, the ridge, tab, tongue or raised area is made of the same material as the handle, while in others it is made of a different material, including but not limited to a material that provides a high coefficient of friction when in contact with the material of the handle. In certain of these embodiments, the materials of the handle and the ridge, tab, tongue or raised area are rubber, plastic, metal, or a combination thereof. 
     In certain embodiments, the handle and container each comprise one or more magnets. In these embodiments, the handle and container are shaped such that the magnetic attraction between the handle and container is easily achieved. In these embodiments, the areas of the handle and container having the magnets may be curved, planar, or any other shape as long as these portions of the handle and container correspond to each other to allow proximity of the magnets when desired. In some embodiments, a portion of the handle is colored in a contrasting manner or otherwise indicates the area containing the magnet to allow the user to easily reattach the container. In certain embodiments, the magnet in the cleaning solution container is contained in cavity in the exterior surface of the container. In others, it is contained on an exterior face of the container. 
     In certain other embodiments, the cleaning implement further comprises an attachment means that selectively allows removal and attachment of the removable container to the handle. In some exemplary embodiments, the attachment means comprises at least one deformable tab on the exterior surface of removable container and at least one corresponding recess in the intermediate section or top end of the handle of the cleaning implement configured to interface with the at least one deformable tab. In certain of these embodiments, a recess extends around the entire exterior or circumference of the handle. In others the at least one recess only covers a portion or multiple portions of the handle. In certain embodiments the at least one deformable tab is made of plastic or metal. In yet other exemplary embodiments the attachment means comprises at least one deformable tab on the intermediate section or top end of the handle of the cleaning implement and at least one corresponding recess in the exterior surface of removable container configured to interface with the at least one deformable tab. 
     In yet other embodiments the attachment means comprises at least two opposing protrusions or tabs, wherein at least one protrusion or tab is located on the exterior surface of the removable container and at least one protrusion or tab is located on intermediate section or top end of the handle of the cleaning implement, and wherein the at least two opposing protrusions or tabs are configured to interface with each other and create a positive interlock. In some embodiments, the cavity will have an enlarged portion where the tip of the corresponding protrusion or tab will reside when the two opposing protrusions or tabs are interlocked, and the protrusion or tab will have a size and shape to enter this enlarged portion of the cavity to form the positive interlock. In certain embodiments, the protrusion or tabs will be slightly deformable, such that when a user pulls on the container the positive interlock can be selectively broken. In some embodiments, the protrusion or tab will create a cavity between itself and the surface of the container or handle, where the cavity has a similar size and shape to the protrusion or tab so that it will accept a similarly sized and shaped protrusion or tab to form the positive interlock. 
     In still other exemplary embodiments, the attachment means comprises at least one protrusion from the exterior surface of the removable container sized to enter a corresponding cavity in the intermediate section or top end of the handle of the cleaning implement. In others the attachment means comprises at least one protrusion from the intermediate section or top end of the handle of the cleaning implement sized to enter a corresponding cavity in the exterior surface of the removable container. These protrusions and corresponding cavities may have a wide variety of shapes and sizes. In some embodiments they are cylindrical or rectangular in shape or are “hook shaped.” 
     In certain other exemplary embodiments, the attachment means comprises a recess in the exterior surface of the removable container sized to receive at least a portion of the intermediate section of the handle. In certain others it comprises a hole in the exterior surface of the removable container sized to receive the top end of the elongated handle. 
     In yet other exemplary embodiments, the attachment means comprises corresponding threads located on the removable container and the top of the handle. In some embodiments, the threads are located inside a cavity in the removable container and on a corresponding protrusion on the handle or on the top end of the handle. In yet others the threads may be located on a protrusion from the removable container and in a corresponding cavity in the handle. In yet other embodiments the attachment means comprises corresponding snap fasteners located on the removable container and the handle. In certain others the attachment means comprises corresponding hooks located on the removable container and the handle. In still others the attachment means comprises hook and loop fasteners located on the removable container and the handle. 
     These descriptions of the cleaning implement are merely exemplary. In certain embodiments, the cleaning implement comprises additional combinations or substitutions of some or all of the components described above. Moreover, additional and alternative suitable variations, forms and components for the cleaning implement will be recognized by those skilled in the art given the benefit of this disclosure. 
     Other aspects of the invention relate to a container for a cleaning chemical or cleaning solution that is configured to selectively allow attachment to a handle of a cleaning implement. The container may have any number of the features described above for the removable container of the cleaning implement, or any combination thereof.  FIG. 2  shows an exemplary embodiment of a container configured to selectively allow attachment to a handle of a cleaning implement. In this exemplary embodiment, the container  20  comprises an exterior surface  16 , an interior surface, an interior cavity defined by the shape of the interior surface, wherein the exterior surface  16  defines an opening that allows access to the interior cavity, and the container further comprises a removable cover  17  for the opening, and wherein the container is configured to selectively allow attachment of the exterior surface to a handle of a cleaning implement. This attachment may be direct or indirect. In certain embodiments, the interior cavity of the container contains a cleaning chemical or a cleaning solution. In yet other embodiments, the container is configured to attach to the handle of a wet mop, a roller mop, a flat mop, a spray mop, a steam mop or a sponge mop. 
     In  FIG. 2 , the exterior surface  16  of the container further comprises a first lip  18  and a second lip  19 , and a portion of the exterior surface between the first lip  18  and the second lip  19  is shaped to define a recess  21  relative to other portions of the exterior surface  22 . In this exemplary embodiment, the container  20  is configured to selectively allow attachment to the handle of a cleaning implement by having a recess  21  that is sized to receive at least a portion of an intermediate section of the handle of a cleaning implement. In certain other embodiments, the first lip, the second lip and a portion of the exterior surface between the first lip and the second lip is shaped to define a hole relative to at least one other portion of the exterior surface, wherein the hole is sized to receive a top end of the handle. 
     In certain embodiments of the container, the container further comprises an attachment means that selectively allows removal and attachment of the container to the handle of a cleaning implement. In certain embodiments the attachment means comprises at least one deformable tab on the exterior surface of removable container configured to interface with at least one corresponding recess in the intermediate section or top end of the handle of a cleaning implement. In others the attachment means comprises at least one recess in the exterior surface of removable container configured to interface with at least one corresponding deformable tab on the intermediate section or top end of the handle of a cleaning implement. 
     In other exemplary embodiments, the attachment means comprises at least one protrusion or tab, wherein the at least one protrusion or tab is located on the exterior surface of the removable container and is configured to interface with at least one protrusion or tab located on intermediate section or top end of the handle of a cleaning implement to create a positive interlock. 
     In still other embodiments the attachment means comprises at least one protrusion from the exterior surface of the removable container sized to enter a corresponding cavity in the intermediate section or top end of the handle of a cleaning implement. In certain other exemplary embodiments, the attachment means comprises at least one cavity in the exterior surface of the removable container sized to receive at least one corresponding protrusion from the intermediate section or top end of the handle of a cleaning implement. 
     In some embodiments, the attachment means comprises a recess in the exterior surface of the removable container sized to receive at least a portion of the intermediate section of the handle of a cleaning implement. In others the attachment means comprises a hole in the exterior surface of the removable container sized to receive the top end of an elongated handle of a cleaning implement. 
     In other exemplary embodiments, the attachment means comprises threads located on a protrusion or in a recess of the removable container, wherein the threads are sized to correspond with threads on the top of the handle of a cleaning implement or threads in a cavity located on the intermediate section or top end of the handle. In certain other exemplary embodiments the attachment means comprises at least one snap fastener located on the removable container sized to correspond with at least one snap fastener on the handle of a cleaning implement. 
     In still other embodiments, the attachment means comprises at least one hook located on the removable container sized to correspond with at least one hook on the handle of a cleaning implement. In others the attachment means comprises hook fasteners located on the removable container designed to correspond with loop fasteners on the handle of a cleaning implement. In certain other embodiments the attachment means comprises loop fasteners located on the removable container designed to correspond with hook fasteners on the handle of a cleaning implement. 
       FIG. 3  shows the exemplary embodiment of the container from  FIG. 2  from a different, namely side, angle. As shown more clearly from this angle, in this exemplary embodiment the first lip  18 , the second lip  19  and the portion of the exterior surface between the first lip  18  and the second lip  19  define a recess  21  relative to other portions of the exterior surface  22  that is substantially circular or cylindrical in shape. In this exemplary embodiment, the recess  21  is sized and shaped to receive at least a portion of an intermediate section or top end of a cylindrical or circularly shaped handle of a cleaning implement. 
     In this embodiment, the first lip  18  and the second lip  19  wrap around a portion of the handle to further engage with and retain the handle because the recess  21  is shaped and sized to have a smaller opening than the diameter of a circularly shaped handle. In this embodiment, however, the recess  21  has sufficient size to entirely contain the handle once the handle is inside the recess. When the handle is pressed against the first lip and second lip in this embodiment, the material of the container deforms slightly to push the first lip and second lip away from each other, allowing the handle to be inserted into the recess before reverting back to its original shape such that the first lip and second lip wrap slightly around the handle and help retain it inside the recess. In this embodiment, the recess and lips contact about 270 degrees of the circular surface of a handle when it is inside the recess. 
       FIG. 4  shows the same shows the exemplary embodiment of the container from  FIG. 2  with the removable cover removed. In this view of the embodiment, the interior surface  23  of the container is visible, where the shape of the interior surface  23  defines the shape and size of the interior cavity. In this view of the embodiment, the area of the exterior surface  16  that defines an opening  24  that allows access to the interior cavity is visible. In this exemplary embodiment, the exterior surface  16  and the opening  24  form a spout  25  to assist the user pour out of the contents of the interior cavity and the exterior surface of the spout  25  comprises threads  26  that correspond to threads on the removable cover to selectively secure the removable cover. In other embodiments, the opening will be a hole in a flat or non-raised portion of the exterior surface  16 . In some embodiments, the removable cover is a cap or plug. In yet other embodiments, the removable cover is made from plastic, metal, rubber or other suitable material. 
     These container descriptions are merely exemplary. In certain embodiments, the container comprises additional combinations or substitutions of some or all of the components described above. Additional and alternative suitable variations, forms and components for the container will be recognized by those skilled in the art given the benefit of this disclosure. Moreover, any of the features discussed in the exemplary embodiments of the container may be features of embodiments of the removable container for the cleaning implement described above, and vice versa. 
     Other aspects of the invention relate to a method for making a container for a cleaning solution including forming a container comprising an exterior surface, an interior surface, an interior cavity defined by the shape of the interior surface, an opening in the exterior surface that allows access to the interior cavity and a removable cover for the opening, adding an attachment means to allow selective attachment of the container to a cleaning implement, and adding a cleaning solution or a cleaning chemical to the interior cavity of the removable container. In some embodiments of the method, the container is made of plastic. In still other embodiments, the container is made by a conventional molding process, for example by an injection molding process, an extrusion blow molding process, a coextrusion blow molding process, a coinjection molding process, a coinjection blow molding process, and/or a coinjection stretch blow molding process. 
     In certain embodiments of the method, an attachment means is added to the cleaning implement by shaping the exterior surface of the removable container to form a first lip and a second lip, and a portion of the exterior surface between the first lip and second lip is shaped to define a recess or hole relative to at least one other portion of the exterior surface, wherein the recess is sized to receive at least a portion of an intermediate section of a handle of the cleaning implement or a top end of the handle of the cleaning implement. In still other embodiments, the method will include steps to add any of the features discussed for the container or removable container described above. 
     These method descriptions are merely exemplary. In certain embodiments, the method may include additional combinations or substitutions of some or all of the steps described above. Moreover, additional and alternative suitable variations, forms and components for the method will be recognized by those skilled in the art given the benefit of this disclosure.