Patent Publication Number: US-2010122428-A1

Title: Portable cleaning assembly with vacuum unit disposed within cavity of waste container

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application No. 61/196,003, filed Oct. 14, 2008, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The subject invention relates to a portable cleaning assembly and specifically to a portable vacuum unit and waste container. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In the field of industrial and office cleaning, portable cleaning assemblies having both a waste container and a vacuum unit are becoming well known. In these prior art assemblies, the vacuum unit, which includes a motor and a filter, is typically stored in a transport mechanism supporting the waste container or hung on an exterior of the waste container. 
     The transport unit may also be used to store batteries for powering the vacuum unit. As such, when the vacuum unit is stored in the transport mechanism, less physical area is available for the batteries. Furthermore, when the vacuum unit is hung on the exterior of the waste container, the waste container may become unbalanced. 
     Also, the portable cleaning assemblies of the prior art do not sufficiently address the need for additional cleaning devices beyond the vacuum unit and waste container. 
     Therefore, the present invention is directed towards solutions to these shortcomings. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES 
     The present invention includes a cleaning assembly having a vacuum unit for cleaning debris from an area. The vacuum unit includes a motor for creating a vacuum and a filter apparatus in fluidic communication with the motor for capturing the debris. The assembly also includes a waste container for collecting waste separate from the debris collected by the vacuum unit. The waster container includes an upper end, a lower end, and a sidewall extending between the upper and lower ends. A transport mechanism supports the waste container and the vacuum unit for moving the waste container and the vacuum unit thereof. A cavity is defined by the sidewall for accommodating at least one of the filter apparatus and the motor therewithin. 
     Accommodating the filter apparatus within the cavity provides the cleaning assembly of the present invention numerous advantages over the prior art. First, as the filter apparatus and/or motor are not disposed within the transport mechanism itself, the transport mechanism has additional area to store batteries. Second, the filter apparatus disposed in the cavity is easily accessible by an operator of the cleaning assembly, such that the debris may be removed from the filter apparatus. Finally, by partially disposing the filter apparatus and/or motor within the cavity, balance of the waste container is improved. 
     The transport mechanism may also include a top surface having a first area supporting the waste container and a second area for supporting an article separate from the waste container. 
     The second area can support important cleaning articles, such as, but not limited to, a mop bucket, clothing racks, or an additional vacuum unit, which can moved simultaneously with the vacuum unit and waste container. As such, the cleaning assembly provides additional functionality for more efficient cleaning. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a cleaning assembly showing a filter apparatus for a vacuum unit disposed within a cavity formed in a waste container and a motor and batteries for the vacuum unit disposed within a housing of a transport mechanism; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the cleaning assembly showing the filter apparatus removed from the cavity and showing a frame for supporting the filter apparatus; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the cleaning assembly showing a filter apparatus and the motor of the vacuum unit disposed within the cavity; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the cleaning assembly showing the filter apparatus and motor removed from the cavity and showing a hole in the frame to accommodate an exhaust port of the vacuum unit; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the cleaning assembly showing the filter apparatus disposed in a first cavity and the motor disposed in a second cavity; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the cleaning assembly showing the transport mechanism having a top surface with a first area and a second area; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the cleaning assembly showing the waste container supported by the first area and a mop bucket and press supported by the second area with the entire vacuum unit disposed within the housing of the transport mechanism; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the cleaning assembly showing the waste container supported by the first area and the mop bucket supported by the second area with the filter assembly disposed within the cavity of the waste container; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the cleaning assembly showing the waste container supported by the first area, an auxiliary rack supported by the waste container, and an upholstery cleaner supported by the second area; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the cleaning assembly showing the waste container supported by the first area and a battery pack supported by the second area; 
         FIG. 11A  is a perspective view of shelves that may be supported by the transport mechanism; 
         FIG. 11B  is a perspective view of a cabinet that may be supported by the transport mechanism; 
         FIG. 11C  is a perspective view of a power washer that may be supported by the transport mechanism; 
         FIG. 11D  is a perspective view of a bin that may be supported by the transport mechanism; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the cleaning assembly showing the waste container supported by the first area, the bin and a clothes rack supported by the second area, and the battery pack supported by a third area between the first and second areas; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the cleaning assembly showing the mop bucket supported by the first area, a wet vac supported by the second area, and the bin supported by the third area; and 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the cleaning assembly showing the mop bucket trailered to the transport mechanism. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, a cleaning assembly  20  is shown herein. 
     The cleaning assembly  20  includes a vacuum unit  22  for applying a vacuum used in cleaning debris from an area. Vacuum units  22  are known to those skilled in the art and various configurations may be employed with the subject invention. The vacuum unit  22  includes a motor  24  for use in creating the vacuum as is well known to those skilled in the art. The vacuum unit  22  also includes a filter apparatus  26  in fluidic communication with the motor for capturing the debris as is also well known to those skilled in the art. In the illustrated embodiments, the filter apparatus  26  includes a shell (not numbered) and a filter (not numbered) disposed within the shell such that debris is captured by, and may be emptied from, the shell. The motor  24  and filter apparatus  26  may be disposed adjacent one another and directly connected as an integrated unit. Alternatively, the motor  24  and filter apparatus  26  may be disposed apart from one another.  10 . A hose  27  may be connected to the motor  24  and the filter apparatus  26  for providing the fluidic communication therebetween, as is seen in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  4 . 
     The cleaning assembly  20  also includes a waste container  28  for collecting waste. The waste collecting in the waste container  28  is separate from the debris collected by said vacuum unit  22 . (However, the debris collected by the vacuum unit  22  may, at some point, be deposited in the waste container  28 .) The waste container  28  for use with the subject invention is preferably, but not limited to, a circular fifty-five or a forty-four gallon barrel. However, differently shaped and sized containers may be utilized depending upon the particular applications. The waste container  28  has an upper end  30  defining an opening  32  and a lower end  34  with a bottom (not numbered). The opening  30  is designed to receive and secure a waste liner (not shown) and/or to receive any waste deposited therein. The waste container  28  includes a sidewall  40  extending between the upper end  30  and the lower end  34 . The sidewall  40  defines an interior  42  and an exterior  44  of the waste container  28 . Handles (not numbered) may extend from the sidewall  40 . A waste container lid (not shown) may be disposed on the upper end  30  for enclosing the waste container  28 . 
     The cleaning assembly  20  also includes a transport mechanism  46  supporting at least the vacuum unit  22  and the waste container  28 . As such, the transport mechanism  46  allows portable, self-contained movement of the waste container  28  and the vacuum unit  22  about an area. Therefore, the vacuum unit  22  may be utilized to collect the debris and while allowing for independent filling of the waste container  28  with waste. The transport mechanism  46  preferably includes wheels  48  for moving about the area, and more preferably includes at least three castors (not labeled). Of course, it is to be understood that different types of wheels  48  may be utilized depending upon the type of vacuum unit  22  and waste container  28 . 
     In the illustrated embodiments, the assembly  20  includes at least one battery  50  electrically connected to the vacuum unit  22  for supplying electrical power to the vacuum unit  22 . More specifically, the at least one battery  50  is electrically connected to the motor  24  of the vacuum unit  22 . The term battery  50  herein refers to a cell for holding an electric charge, as is well known to those skilled in the art. The battery  50  may be of the many types known to those skilled in the art, such as, but not limited to, rechargeable, disposable, lead acid, Alkaline, Nickel-Metal-Hydride (NiMH), and Lithium Ion (LiO). The at least one battery  50  is typically implemented as a plurality of batteries  50 . The batteries  50  may be connected in parallel and/or series to generate a proper level of electric power to operate the vacuum unit  22 . The use of the term “batteries” herein is done for convenience and does not necessarily require that multiple batteries  50  are implemented with the assembly  20 . In other embodiments (not shown), electrical power is supplied to the vacuum unit  22  via conventional utility power using a cord (not shown). 
     The transport mechanism  46  may define a housing  52  for storing various components. The housing  52  is preferably disposed between the wheels  48  and the waste container  28 , however other locations for the housing  52  may alternatively be utilized. In a first embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the housing  52  stores the motor  24  of the vacuum unit  22  and the batteries  50 . In a second embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , and a third embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the housing  52  stores the batteries  50 . Other uses for the housing  52  may also be utilized. 
     The waste container  28  may also include a cavity  54  defined by the sidewall  40 , as best seen in  FIG. 2 . The cavity  54  preferably accommodates part of the vacuum unit  22  therewithin. Specifically, the cavity  54  preferably accommodates the filter apparatus  26 , the motor  24 , or both the filter apparatus  26  and the motor  24 . Of course, the cavity  54  may also accommodate other components of the vacuum unit  22  and/or components not related to the vacuum unit  22 . However, in the first embodiment, shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the cavity  54  accommodates only the filter apparatus  26 , while the motor  24  is disposed within the transport mechanism  46 . 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the cleaning assembly  20  preferably includes a frame  56  attached to the sidewall  40 . The frame  56  surrounds a peripheral edge (not numbered) of the cavity  54  for detachably receiving the filter apparatus  26 . The frame  56  includes a platform  58  disposed adjacent a bottom (not numbered) of the cavity  54  for supporting the filter apparatus  26 . Of course, the frame  56  and/or platform  58  may also be utilized to support the motor  24  and/or other components off the vacuum unit  22 . The frame  56  of the first embodiment preferably includes one or more attachment mechanisms (not numbered) to secure the filter apparatus  26  while still allowing convenient removal of the filter apparatus  26 . 
     The frame  56  preferably protrudes into the interior  42  of the waste container  28 , as can be seen in  FIGS. 2 and 4 . As such, part of the filter apparatus  26  (or other components) is disposed on one side of the sidewall  40  and part of the filter apparatus  26  is disposed on the other side of the sidewall  42 . That is, part of the filter apparatus  26  is partially disposed within the interior  42  of the waste container  28 . 
     In a second embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , both the filter apparatus  26  and the motor  24  are disposed within the cavity  54 . Preferably, in the second embodiment, the filter apparatus  26  is removable from the cavity  54  while the motor  24  says secured in place. In the second embodiment, the frame  56  also defines a hole  58 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . The hole  58  receives air exhausted from the filter apparatus  26  such that the exhausted air is sent to the interior  42  of the container  28 . 
     Disposition of the filter apparatus  26  and/or the motor  24  in the cavity  54  provides the cleaning assembly  20  of the present invention numerous advantages. First, as the filter apparatus  26  and/or motor  24  is not disposed within the housing  52  of the transport mechanism  46 , the housing  52  is able to store more batteries  50  than in prior art embodiments where the filter apparatus  26  and/or motor  24  are disposed within the transport mechanism  46 . Second, the filter apparatus  26 , when disposed in the cavity  54 , is easily accessible by an operator of the cleaning assembly, such that the debris may be removed from the filter apparatus  26 . Finally, by partially disposing the filter apparatus  26  and/or motor  24  on either side of the sidewall  42 , balance of the waste container is improved over prior art implementations where the vacuum unit  22  is attached to the sidewall  42  on the exterior of the waste container  28 . 
     In a third embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the cavity  54  is further defined as a first cavity  54   a  and a second cavity  54   b  separate from the first cavity  54   a.  In this third embodiment, the filter apparatus  26  is disposed within the first cavity  54   a  and the motor  24  is disposed within the second cavity  54   b.  Preferably, the first and second cavities  54   a,    54   b  are disposed in opposition with on another, that is, on opposite “sides” of the waste container  28 . As such, the filter apparatus  26  and motor  24  are balanced with one another, to prevent tip-over of the waste container  28 . 
     The transport mechanism  46  may support others articles, aside from the waste container  28 , vacuum unit  22 , and batteries  50  described above. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the transport mechanism of a fourth embodiment includes a top surface  60  having a first area  62  and a second area  64 . As can be seen in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the first area  62  supports the waste container  28 . The second area  64  may then be utilized to support an article  65  separate from the waste container  28 . Preferably, the second area  64  is at least 50% of the size of the first area  62 . More preferably, and as best shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the first area  62  and the second area  64  are the same size. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the top surface  60  is oval shaped. However, other suitable shapes for the top surface  60 , such as, but not limited to, a figure-eight shape, may also be acceptable. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the transport mechanism  46  preferably includes a first interface  66  extending from the first area  62  and a second interface  68  extending from the second area  64 . The first interface  66  is preferably for interfacing with the waste container and the second interface  68  is preferably for interfacing with the article  65 . The interfaces  66 ,  68  shown in the Figures are circular; however other suitable shapes may be implemented. Each of the interfaces  66 ,  68  shown in  FIG. 6  also include a plurality of tongues  69  extending therefrom. These tongues  69  interlock with corresponding grooves (not shown) on the waste container  28  and/or the article  65 . 
     Many different articles  65  could be supported by the second area  64 . As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , one potential article  65  is a mop bucket  70 . The mop bucket  70  is engagable with the second interface  68  to prevent accidental tip-over of the mop bucket  70 . Another potential article  65 , as shown in  FIG. 9 , is an upholstery/rug cleaner  72 . The upholstery/rug cleaner  72  may be electrically connected to the batteries  50 , such that the upholstery/rug cleaner  72  and the vacuum unit  22  share the same batteries  50  as power source. Alternatively, the upholstery/rug cleaner may have an independent power source.  FIG. 9  also shows an auxiliary rack  73  which may be disposed around the opening  32  of the waste container  28 . The auxiliary rack  73  may be utilized to hold various cleaning supplies (not shown). 
     Another potential article  65  supported by the second area  64 , as shown in  FIG. 10 , is a battery pack  74 . The battery pack  74  stores one or more batteries  50  for providing electric power to the vacuum unit  22 . Other potential articles  65  are shown in  FIGS. 11A-11D . These articles  65  include, but are not limited to, shelves  76 , a cabinet  78  such as a tool box, a pressure washer  80 , and a bin  82 . Other examples of potential articles  65  include a clothes hanging rack  84 , as shown in  FIG. 12 . The article  65  supported by the second area  64  may also be another vacuum unit  22 . For example, one vacuum unit  22  may be used primarily for dry debris, i.e., a “dry vac”, while the other vacuum unit  22  may be used primarily for liquids and wet debris, i.e., a “wet vac”. 
     The top surface  60  may be divided into more than two areas. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the top surface  60  may be divided into the first area  62 , the second area  64 , and a third area  86 . In this embodiment, the third area  86  is disposed between the first and second areas  62 ,  64 . In one example of the fourth embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 12 , the vacuum unit  22  is disposed within the housing  52  of the transport mechanism  46 , the waste container  28  is supported on the first area  62 , the bin  82  and a clothes rack  84  is supported on the second area  64 , and the battery pack  74  is supported on the third area  86 . In another example, as shown in  FIG. 13 , one vacuum unit  22  and batteries  50  are disposed within the housing  52 , the mop bucket  70  is supported on the first area  62 , another vacuum unit  22  (e.g., a wet vac) is supported on the second area  64 , and the waste container  28  is supported by the third area  86 . 
     The cleaning assembly  20  may also include a handle  88  operatively connected to the transport mechanism  46 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . The handle  88  assists in movement of the assembly  20 . This is particularly useful in the fourth embodiment which includes the larger top surface  60 , and thus, more mass carried by the assembly  20 . 
     In a fifth embodiment of the invention, as shown in  FIG. 14 , the cleaning assembly  20  includes the mop bucket  70  trailered by the transport mechanism  46 . That is, the mop bucket  70  includes auxiliary wheels  90  independent from the wheels  48  of the transport mechanism  46 . The mop bucket  70  and transport mechanism  46  are operatively connected together such that when the transport mechanism  46  is moved, the mop bucket  70  moves as well, and vice-versa. A pair of straps  92  is utilized to operatively connect the transport mechanism  46  to the mop bucket  70 , as shown in  FIG. 14 . However, those skilled in the art realize other techniques to connect the transport mechanism  46  and the mop bucket  70 . 
     The present invention has been described herein in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Obviously, many modifications and variations of the invention are possible in light of the above teachings. The invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described within the scope of the appended claims.