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

Abstract

A portable cleaning assembly includes a vacuum unit for cleaning debris, a waste container for collecting waste separate from the debris, and a transport mechanism for moving the waste container and the vacuum unit. The waste container includes a sidewall defining a cavity. At least part of the vacuum unit, i.e., a motor and/or a filter assembly, is disposed within the cavity. Batteries are stored in a housing of the transport mechanism for powering the vacuum unit. A top surface of the transport mechanism may also include an additional area to support an article besides the waste container.

1 . A cleaning assembly comprising:
 a vacuum unit for cleaning debris from an area including a motor for creating a vacuum and a filter apparatus in fluidic communication with said motor for capturing the debris;   a waste container for collecting waste separate from the debris collected by said vacuum unit and including an upper end, a lower end, and a sidewall extending between the upper and lower ends;   a transport mechanism supporting said waste container and said vacuum unit for moving said waste container and said vacuum unit thereof; and   a cavity defined by said sidewall for accommodating at least one of said filter apparatus and said motor therewithin.   
     
     
         2 . A cleaning assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said filter apparatus is disposed within said cavity. 
     
     
         3 . A cleaning assembly as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said transport mechanism defines a housing and said motor is disposed within said housing. 
     
     
         4 . A cleaning assembly as set forth in  claim 3  further comprising at least one battery electrically connected to motor for supplying electrical power to said motor. 
     
     
         5 . A cleaning assembly as set forth in  claim 4  wherein said at least one battery is disposed within said housing. 
     
     
         6 . A cleaning assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein both said filter apparatus and said motor are disposed within said cavity. 
     
     
         7 . A cleaning assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said cavity is further defined as a first cavity and a second cavity separate from said first cavity. 
     
     
         8 . A cleaning assembly as set forth in  claim 7  wherein said filter apparatus is disposed within said first cavity and said motor is disposed within said second cavity. 
     
     
         9 . A cleaning assembly as set forth in  claim 8  wherein first cavity and said second cavity are disposed in opposition with on another such that said motor and said filter apparatus are balanced with one another to prevent tip-over of said cleaning assembly. 
     
     
         10 . A cleaning assembly as set forth in  claim 2  further comprising a frame attached to said sidewall and surrounding a peripheral edge of said cavity for detachably receiving said filter apparatus. 
     
     
         11 . A cleaning assembly as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said frame includes a platform disposed adjacent a bottom of said cavity for supporting said at least one of said filter apparatus and said motor. 
     
     
         12 . A cleaning assembly as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said sidewall separates an interior of said waste container from an exterior of said waste container and wherein said frame protrudes into said interior. 
     
     
         13 . A cleaning assembly as set forth in  claim 12  wherein said frame defines a hole to receive air exhausted from said filter apparatus. 
     
     
         14 . A cleaning assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said sidewall separates an interior of said waste container from an exterior of said waste container and wherein said at least one of said filter apparatus and said motor is disposed at least partially within said interior of said waste container. 
     
     
         15 . A cleaning assembly comprising:
 a vacuum unit for cleaning debris from an area including a motor for creating a vacuum and a filter apparatus in fluidic communication with said motor for capturing the debris;   a waste container for collecting waste separate from the debris collected by said vacuum unit and including an upper end, a lower end, and a sidewall extending between the upper and lower ends; and   a transport mechanism supporting said waste container and said vacuum unit for moving said waste container and said vacuum unit thereof; wherein   said transport mechanism including a top surface having a first area supporting said waste container and a second area for supporting an article separate from said waste container.   
     
     
         16 . A cleaning assembly as set forth in  claim 15  further comprising a first interface extending from said first area of said top surface for interfacing with said waste container and a second interface extending from said second area of said top surface for interfacing with said article. 
     
     
         17 . A cleaning assembly as set forth in  claim 15  wherein said top surface is oval shaped. 
     
     
         18 . A cleaning assembly as set forth in  claim 15  wherein said article is further defined as a mop bucket. 
     
     
         19 . A cleaning assembly as set forth in  claim 15  wherein said article is further defined as a mop bucket. 
     
     
         20 . A cleaning assembly as set forth in  claim 15  further comprising a handle operatively connected to said transport mechanism for assisting in movement of said assembly.