Containment Systems with Multiple Containers

INVENTOR: Keith Mirchandani

231 Mendham Road

Bernardsville, New Jersey

Citizenship: United States

Technical Field

The present invention generally relates to the field of containment systems, and specifically to compact multiple container sanitary containment systems.

Background of the Invention

Flat mops include a flat pad that captures fluids, dirt, and debris. These mops are typically cleaned by placing the mop in a liquid or by pressing the pad against a surface to release the liquid, dirt, and debris. Some flat mops utilize a mechanism to fold the ends of the flat mop together to discharge captured liquids, dirt, and debris from the flat mop. The problem with these systems and methods is that a single container is utilized to dampen the mop before mopping and to store the dirt and debris after mopping. As a result, the liquid in the container needs to be periodically replaced.

Various means and methods are known for separating the clean and dirty liquids used for cleaning with a mop. A disadvantage of these systems and methods is that they require multiple containers that are difficult to keep together, or are bulky and demand large storage space. Separating a single container into multiple containers or suitable volume increases the size of the containment system. There is a need in the art to improve such systems, and an object of the invention is to improve such systems.

Summary of Embodiments of the Invention

According to an embodiment of the invention a containment system includes adjacent interlocked containers that are, when unlocked, stackable one in another. According to various other embodiments, the containment system is a sanitary containment system that includes a first container, second container, and flat mop. The body of the first container is formed from side walls and a bottom to create a substantially rectangular container. Similarly, the body of the second container is formed of side walls and a bottom to create a substantially rectangular container. Both containers include a handle. The first container and second container are configured to stack when stored. Further, the first and second containers include a locking mechanism on a sidewall to couple the containers while in use. In the preferred embodiment the locking mechanism includes tabs that couple to the side wall of another container. The tabs of the first container are positioned to not interfere with the tabs of the second container. During use, one container can store dirty content while the other container can store clean content for cleaning a surface. The flat mop of the sanitary containment system is configured to be disassemble and be stored in the body of the first container or second container.

The various aspects of the invention are pointed out in the claims forming a part of this specification. Other objects, features, and characteristics of the present invention, as well as methods of operation and functions of the related elements of the structure and the combination of parts, will become apparent from consideration of the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form part of this specification. Brief Description of the Drawings

The detailed description makes reference to the accompanying figures wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a sanitary containment system comprising multiple containers and a flat mop in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the sanitary containment system shown in FIG. 1 wherein the containers are stacked.

FIG. 3 illustrates the structure for a disassembled flat mop for use with the sanitary containment system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates the assembled structure of the flat mop shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 illustrates a structure for a sanitary containment system wherein the width of the containers differ.

FIG. 6 illustrates the sanitary containment system shown in FIG. 5 wherein the containers are stacked. FIG. 7 illustrates a structure for a sanitary containment system and dolly.

FIG. 8 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the sanitary containment system shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 9 illustrates a structure for a dolly for use with the sanitary containment system shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 illustrates a structure for a sanitary containment system and dolly wherein the containers are stacked and the dolly is disassembled.

FIG. 11 illustrates the structure of the disassembled dolly shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 illustrates the structure of the assembled dolly shown in FIG. 10.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

The following presents a detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the figures.

In FIG. 1 a sanitary containment system 100 includes a first container 102A, second container 102B and a flat mop. First container 102A includes first body 104A and first handle 110A. First body 104A is formed from side walls and first bottom 108 A to create a substantially rectangular container.

Similarly, second container 102B includes second body 104B and second handle HOB. Second body 104A is formed from side walls and second bottom 108B to create a substantially rectangular shape. First body 104A and second body 104B are preferably composed of plastic and an inner surface of first bottom 108 A and second bottom 108B preferably include a ribbed surface.

In a preferred embodiment, a locking mechanism is positioned on a side wall of first body 104A and second body 104B. As shown in FIG. 1, the locking mechanism for first body 104A includes at least one tab 106A positioned on the outside surface of the side wall. The at least one tab 106A is configured to couple with the side wall of another container, for example, second container 102B. Tabs 106A are positioned within second container 102B when coupled to the side wall of second container 102B. Tabs 106B of second container 102B are preferably positioned to not overlap with tabs 106A of first container 102A. In the present embodiment, tabs 106A and 106B are configured to couple at only one side wall, but it would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art to configure the remaining side walls to allow the locking mechanism to couple on more than one side wall. For example, the locking mechanism can utilize a clasp that can snap onto a side wall to secure the container. In another embodiment, the locking mechanism can include a slot on the body of the container that is configured to accept a protuberance portion of another container. The protuberance portion is slid into the slot to couple the containers.

In FIG. 2, second container 102B is stacked on top of first container 102A. This configuration minimizes the space required to store sanitary containment system 100. In a preferred embodiment, the side walls of first body 104A and second body 104B are tapered. It would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize other forms of stackable containers. For example, in another embodiment described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 5-6, the first container and second container can have a different width to permit stacking.

In FIG. 3, sanitary containment system 100 includes flat mop 200. Flat mop 200 includes head assembly 202, intermediate section 204, and handle section 206. Head assembly 202 includes first flap 208 and second flap 210. An end of first flap 208 can be unsecured and rotated in an upward direction to allow insertion of an end of pad 212 into first flap 208. Similarly, an end of second flap 210 can be unsecured and rotated in an upward direction to allow insertion of an opposite end of pad 212 into second flap 210. The position of pad 212 is secured by rotating downward and securing the end of first flap 208 and second flap 210, respectively. In a preferred embodiment, pad 212 is composed of microfiber material. It would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize other materials for collecting dirt and/or liquid.

Head assembly 202 further includes head holder 214 which is coupled to mounting assembly 220. Mounting assembly 220 includes first rotation axis 216 and second rotation axis 218. First rotation axis 216 rotates within the XZ plane, while second rotation axis 218 rotates within the YZ plane. As shown in FIG. 3, first rotation axis 216 is configured to rotate and lock head holder 214 into predetermined positions, for example, 0 Degree, 90 Degrees, and 180 Degrees. Head holder 214 is parallel to first flap 208 and second flap 210 at the 0 Degree and 180 Degrees positions. Head holder 214 is perpendicular to first flap 208 and second flap 210 at the 90 Degrees position. Second rotation axis 218 is configured to rotate head holder 214 in an upward and downward direction.

FIG. 4, illustrates an assembled flat mop 200. The male threaded portion of head holder 214 is coupled to a female threaded portion of intermediate section 204. Thereafter, the male threaded portion of intermediate section 204 is coupled to the female threaded section of handle section 206. As shown, second rotation axis 218 of head assembly 202 is configured to lock head holder 214, intermediate section 204, and handle 206 in a substantially vertically position.

The cleaning process in accordance with a preferred embodiment includes various steps. First, a user unstacks first container 104A and second container 104B. Next, the user couples first container 104A to second container 104B using the locking system described in detail above with reference to FIG. 1. Thereafter, the user assembles flat mop 200. Generally, flat mop 200 is assembled by attaching a cleaning pad to the first flap and second flap of the mop head assembly. Next, the intermediate section of the flat mop is threadably coupled to the mop head assembly. Finally, a handle section is threadably coupled to the intermediate section. Next, the user places water and/or a cleaning solution into second container 104B. The user places water and/or a cleaning solution into first container 104A. Thereafter, the user places the pad of the assembled flat mop into second container 104B. The user can then proceed to clean a surface with the flat mop. When the cleaning pad of the flat mop is dirty the user places the dirty pad in first container 104A. The user can also press and move the cleaning pad across the bottom surface of first container 104A to remove particles of dirt that are stuck in the cleaning pad. Thereafter the user can lift the mop head from the fluid in first container 104A and drain any excess liquid into first container 104A. Next the user places the mop head assembly into second container 104B to apply cleaning solution on the mop pad. By utilizing one container to store the dirty contents and the second container to store clean content the user can continue cleaning with a clean mop. When the user is done cleaning the user can remove the contents in first container 104A and second container 104B. Next, the user disassembles the flat mop and places the disassembled flat mop into either first container 104A or second container 104B. Thereafter, first container 104 A and second container 104B can be stacked and stored.

In FIG. 5, sanitary containment system 300 includes first container 302A, second container 302B, and a flat mop. First container 302A includes first body 304A and first handle 308A. First body 304A is formed from side walls and a bottom to create a substantially rectangular container. Second container 302B includes second body 304B and second handle 308B. Second body 304B is formed from side walls and a bottom to create a substantially rectangular shape. In the present embodiment, the width of second body 304B is less than the width of first body 304A. Further, second body 304B includes a locking mechanism including tab 306B. As shown, tab 306B is positioned on the outside surface of a side wall of body 304B. In this embodiment, tab 306B preferably extends the length of a side wall and is configured to couple with a side wall of first container 302A.

In FIG. 6, second container 302B is stacked on top of first container 302A. In this embodiment, the width of second container 302B is less than the width of first container 302A. This structure allows second container 302B to stack on top of first container 302A and prevents first container 302A from stacking on top of second container 302B. Further, a side wall of first body 304A and second body 304B are tapered to assist with stacking.

In FIG. 7, sanitary containment system 400 includes first container 402A, second container 402B and a flat mop. First container 402A includes first body 404A and first handle 406A. Second container 402B includes second body 404B and first handle 406B. Sanitary containment system 400 further includes dolly 500. In this embodiment, first container 402A and second container 402B are positioned on top of dolly 500. Thereafter, sanitary containment system 400 can be transported from one location to another with minimal lifting of first container 402A and second container 402B using first handle 406A and second handle 406B, respectively.

FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of sanitary containment system 400. Dolly 500 preferably includes at least one wheel 502, and in this instance four wheels. In FIG. 9, dolly 500 further includes indent 504. First container 402A and second container 402B are secured onto dolly 500 by placing them into indent 504.

In FIG. 10, sanitary containment system 600 includes first container 602A, second container 602B and a flat mop. First container 602A includes first body 604A and first handle 606A. Second container 602B includes second body 604B and second handle 606B. Sanitary containment system 600 further includes dolly 700. As shown in FIG. 10, second container 602B is stacked on top of first container 602A. Further, dolly 700 is dissembled. This configuration minimize the space required to store sanitary containment system 600. In FIG.11, dolly 700 includes first section 702 and second section 704. First section 702 and second section 704 include an indent 706A and indent 706B, respectively. Indent 706A and indent 706B are configured to secure first container 602A and second container 602B when dolly 700 is assembled. FIG. 12 depicts the assembly process of dolly 700. First section 702 includes at least one male feature 708. The at least one male feature 708 is configured to couple to at least one female feature 710 of second section 704.

The present invention provides a multiple liquid container containment system that is easily assembled for use with containers fixed relative to each other during cleaning, and reassembled into a compact volume for storage.

The present invention provides a containment system with multiple containers that can separate different liquids.

The present invention further provides containers that can separate and include individual handles.

The present invention provides a flat mop that is configured to fit within a container when

disassembled.

The present invention provides containers that can stack for compact storage.

While detailed illustrative embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein, techniques, methods, processes, systems, and operating structures in accordance with the present invention may be embodied in a wide variety of forms and modes, some of which may be quite different from those in the disclosed embodiment. Consequently, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative, yet in that regard, they are deemed to afford the best embodiment for purposes of disclosure and to provide a basis for the claims herein which define the scope of the present invention.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words "include," "comprising," and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not limited to." As used herein, the terms "connected," "coupled," or any variant thereof, means any connection or coupling, either direct or indirect, electronic or otherwise, between two or more elements; the coupling of connection between the elements can be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. Additionally, the words "herein," "above," "below," and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. Where the context permits, words in the Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments using the singular or plural number may also include the plural or singular number respectively. The word "or," in reference to a list of two or more items, covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list, and any combination of the items in the list.

While the present invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, which has been set forth in considerable detail for the purposes of making a complete disclosure of the invention, the preferred embodiment is merely exemplary and is not intended to be limiting or represent an exhaustive enumeration of all aspects of the invention. The scope of the invention, therefore, shall be defined solely by the claims. Further, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that numerous changes may be made in such details without departing from the spirit and the principles of the invention. It should be appreciated that the present invention is capable of being embodied in other forms without departing from its essential characteristics.