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  Mopping system method of useUSPTO Application #: 20070113418Title: Mopping system method of use Abstract: Methods for using a novel mopping system are disclosed. A mop assembly includes a mop head that is adapted to be spun around a generally vertical rotational axis thereof when the mop head is fixed within a mop head spinning means of a bucket assembly. When the mop head is spun at a relatively high rate of rotational speed, water retained in the mop is forcefully dispelled from the mop by centrifugal force. The water leaves the mop and is retained within a spin chamber of the bucket assembly. A drain plunger is included to allow the collected water to be drained from the bucket assembly. An ozone generator may be included for introducing ozone gas into the collected fouled water in the spin chamber. A clean water tank with a pump and spraying means, mounted within the spin chamber just below the mop head when the mop head is engaged with the mop head spinning means, is preferably included to allow introduction of clean water to the moping surface of the mop head. The mop assembly may include a lever means for selectively detaching the mop head from the handle. A control circuit controls the spraying of clean water onto the mop head, the ozone generator, and the activation and speed of the mop head spinning means, such that various wash-dry cycles are available. (end of abstract)
Agent: Quickpatents, Inc. - San Juan Capistrano, CA, US Inventor: Robert Palmer USPTO Applicaton #: 20070113418 - Class: 034058000 (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070113418. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/204,550, filed on Aug. 16, 2005, incorporated herein by reference. STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT [0002] Not Applicable. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0003] This invention relates to mops, and more particularly to a mop that has a mop head adapted for spin drying within a motorized bucket assembly. DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART [0004] Conventional mops used in retail and commercial locations such as restaurants, shopping malls, and the like are typically of the type having an elongated handle and a string cloth mop head. A wheeled bucket is usually included that contains either one compartment for a clean water solution, or two compartments for holding the clean water solution and fouled water. A wringer may be included to wring-out the mop into the fouled water compartment. [0005] In use, the mop is wrung-out and submerged into the clean water solution so as to absorb a quantity thereof. Such clean water may also include a cleaning agent such as bleach, or the like. The mop is then applied to the floor where it deposits a layer of the clean water solution and, simultaneously, picks-up dirt, grease and other water-fouling material. The mop, now contaminated, is then wrung-out, and the mop is once again submerged into the clean water solution. However, at this point not all of the contaminants have been removed from the mop in the wringing process, and a significant amount of water fouling material is deposited into the clean water compartment. As a result, it is not long before there is little distinction between the two compartments, both containing fouled water. [0006] In prior art mop buckets with only a single bucket compartment, the problem is compounded by the fact that dirt that is removed from the mop and wrung-out into the water compartment can be immediately picked-up again by the mop and re-applied to the floor surface that is being mopped. Mopping with such prior art buckets quickly becomes an exercise in futility, as applying contaminated water to a contaminated floor does little to clean the floor. Further, often the employees who are charged with mopping the floor are indifferent as to whether or not the process actually cleans the floor, the result being poor sanitary conditions throughout the establishment. [0007] Moreover, to make conditions worse, in practice many mop buckets are not emptied for days, the same fouled water sitting stagnant, a perfect media for bacteria and other biologically active organisms to thrive and multiply. Instead of cleaning the floors in a retail establishment, mopping with such a universal mopping bucket can often do more to contaminate the floors with dangerous biological agents than not mopping at all. [0008] Several improved wringing devices have been invented that attempt to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks with the prior art. Such devices strive to more thoroughly clean the mop during the wringing process. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,464,809 and 4,344,201, issued on Aug. 14, 1984 and Aug. 17, 1982, both to Trisolini, disclose a mop with a rotating head that cooperates with a rotating mop wringer that is spun by a motorized bucket. The mop wringer takes the form of a perforated basket, and strands of the mop are thrown against the side walls thereof, whereby water and dirt are extracted from the mop. However, the perforated basket of such a device applies not only centrifugal force to the strands of the mop, but also centripetal force, which serves to keep particles of dirt and debris in the mop head. The force of the strands against the perforations of the basket can actually block water and dirt flow out of the mop strands. Thus, while such a device is better at removing dirt and water from the mop, it is by no means optimal at such. A further drawback to the Trisolini devices is that they are somewhat tall in their profile, and are therefore more difficult to store and maneuver. Further, such prior art mop assemblies are heavy due to the hollow cleaning fluid chamber therein, and as such a person mopping with such a device can quickly become exhausted. [0009] Another prior art device, also to Trisolini, is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,561,141 issued on Dec. 31, 1985. This device incorporates a motor and a wringing basket into the mop assembly, for providing a self-wringing mop. The main drawback with such a device is, again, the mop of such a device is heavy and quickly becomes exhausting to use. The motor of such a device, as well as the batteries to power it, are extra weight that the user is forced to propel around the floor while mopping. [0010] Several improvements have been devised for sterilizing germs that may be present in the mop bucket or on the mop itself. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,135,269 to Marston on Jan. 23, 1979, teaches a mop bucket that includes an ultraviolet light sterilizing system. Japanese Patent Application JP11206666A2 to Akihiro on Aug. 3, 1999 teaches a bucket including an ozone generator for bubbling ozone up through the liquid contained in the mop bucket. Both such prior art inventions may accomplish their goals, but neither patent is directed towards a device for cleaning both the fouled water contained in the bucket and the mop head simultaneously. Further, such prior art devices do not include intelligent controlling means for shutting-off the sterilizing device if the bucket is empty or is not being used. Thus, one can easily inadvertently leave such a device activated, both wasting energy and possibly over-exposing the mop and surrounding areas to UV light and ozone. [0011] Therefore, there is a need for an improved mopping system that allows for convenient, quick and thorough cleaning and drying of a mop head. Such a needed device would allow clean water or a cleaning solution to be applied to the mop head easily, and would not allow cross-contamination between the clean water solution and the fouled-water container. Moreover, such a needed device would provide for easy sterilization of the mop head and the fouled water to prevent biological growth therein, and would facilitate emptying of the fouled water. The needed device would be self-contained and easily portable from location to location as needed. Further, such a needed device would greatly improve the sanitary conditions of mopped floors, substantially eliminating re-contamination thereof by a fouled mop head. The present invention accomplishes these objectives. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0012] The present device is a mopping system comprising a mop assembly and a bucket assembly. In the preferred embodiment, the mop assembly includes a mop head that is detachably fixed to a lower end of an elongated handle. The mop head is adapted to be spun around a generally vertical rotational axis thereof when the mop head is fixed within a mop head spinning means of the bucket assembly. As such, when the mop head is spun at a relatively high rate of rotational speed, water retained in the mop is forcefully dispelled from the mop by centrifugal force. The fouled water leaves the mop and is retained within the spin chamber, where it collects at the bottom thereof A drain plunger is preferably included to allow the collected fouled water to be drained from the spin chamber into either a floor drain or a drain water container included with the invention. An ozone generator may be included for introducing ozone gas into the collected fouled water in the spin chamber, thus sterilizing any biologically active organisms contained therein. [0013] A clean water tank with a pump and spraying means is preferably included to allow introduction of clean water to the moping surface of the mop head. Such a clean water tank is preferably mounted within the spin chamber just below the mop head when the mop head is engaged with the mop head spinning means. The clean water tank is sealed so that fouled water dispensed from the mop head during rotation does not contaminate the clean water or other cleaning fluid contained in the clean water tank. [0014] The mop assembly may include a lever means for selectively detaching the mop head from the handle. As such, the user does not have to bend down to engage the mop head with the mop head spinning means of the bucket assembly. Alternately, the mop head may be rotationally fixed to the elongated handle such that it can only spin around its rotational axis when engaged with the mop head spinning means. [0015] The present invention is an improved mopping system that allows for convenient, quick and thorough cleaning and drying of a mop head. The present device allows clean water or a cleaning solution to be applied to a mop head easily, and prevents contamination between a clean water solution and a fouled-water container. Moreover, the present invention provides for easy sterilization of the mop head and the fouled water to prevent biological growth therein, and allows for easy, hands-free emptying of the fouled water. The invention is self-contained, easily portable from location to location as needed, and greatly improve the sanitary conditions of floors mopped therewith, substantially eliminating re-contamination thereof by a fouled mop head. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0016] FIG. 1 is a cut-away left-side elevational view of the invention, illustrating a mop assembly of the present invention in a position to engage a mop head thereof with a bucket assembly of the present invention; [0017] FIG. 2 is a cut-away left-side elevational view of the invention, illustrating the mop head as engaged with a mop head engagement means of the bucket assembly; [0018] FIG. 3 is a cut-away left-side elevational view of the invention, illustrating a spinning mop head rotated by a mop head spinning means of the invention, and further illustrating dirty water being flung away from the mop head while clean water is sprayed to an underside of the mop head; Continue reading... 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