Mop buckets and associated methods

Abstract

Mop buckets and methods of using the same are provided. A mop bucket includes a liquid-retaining portion that permits retained liquid to move in a liquid-movement direction extending from the first sidewall portion toward the second sidewall portion within a higher-momentum region and an energy-dissipation device disposed within the liquid-retaining portion and extending into the higher-momentum region, the energy-dissipation device being configured to inhibit buildup of momentum of liquid in the higher-momentum region along at least a portion of the liquid-movement direction by breaking surface tension of the liquid. The energy-dissipation device includes at least three baffles.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A mop bucket system comprising:
 a mop bucket comprising:
 a first sidewall; 
 a second sidewall; 
 a third sidewall; 
 a fourth sidewall, wherein the first sidewall, the second sidewall, the third sidewall, and the fourth sidewall together define a first rim along a top of the mop bucket; 
 a shelf that extends at least partially along a middle portion of the first sidewall, at least partially along a middle portion of the second sidewall, and at least partially along a middle portion of the fourth sidewall, wherein a first capacity of the mop bucket below the shelf is less than a second capacity of the mop bucket above the shelf; 
 a first wall extending from the second sidewall, wherein the first wall is parallel to the first sidewall; and 
 a second wall extending from the fourth sidewall, wherein the second wall is aligned with the first wall; 
 wherein the first wall and the second wall are separated so as to form a fluid pathway therebetween. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second sidewall and the fourth sidewall comprise symmetrical configurations. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first sidewall and the third sidewall comprise asymmetrical configurations. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a length of a gap between the first wall and the second wall is equal to or greater than a length of the first wall. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a third wall extending from the first sidewall, wherein the third wall is laterally centered between the second sidewall and the fourth sidewall, and is laterally aligned with the gap.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a top of the first wall is positioned relatively lower than the shelf. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first wall and the second wall are disposed at a center of the mop bucket. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a wringer comprising:
 a first wringing plate; 
 a second wringing plate, which is moveable toward the first wringing plate to wring liquid from a mop; 
 a wringer arm configured to be actuated to cause movement of the second wringing plate toward the first wringing plate, such that the wringer is actuated between a mop-receiving position and a mop-wringing position; 
 linkage coupling the wringer arm to the second wringing plate; and 
 a spiral torsion spring engaging the linkage or the wringer arm, such that the wringer is urged into the mop-receiving position, absent an actuating force being applied, 
   wherein the spiral torsion spring comprises radially wound spring material configured to expand and contract in a radial direction.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the first and second wringing plates each extend between a first wringer sidewall and a second wringer sidewall. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first sidewall is a rear sidewall and the first sidewall is a front sidewall. 
     
     
         11 . A system comprising:
 a wringer; and   a mop bucket comprising:
 a first sidewall; 
 a second sidewall; 
 a third sidewall; 
 a fourth sidewall; 
 a shelf that extends at least partially along a middle portion of the first sidewall, at least partially along a middle portion of the second sidewall, and at least partially along a middle portion of the fourth sidewall, wherein a first capacity of the mop bucket below the shelf is less than a second capacity of the mop bucket above the shelf; 
 a first wall extending from the second sidewall, wherein the first wall is parallel to the first sidewall, and wherein a top of the first wall is positioned relatively lower than the shelf; and 
 a second wall extending from the fourth sidewall, wherein the second wall is aligned with the first wall; 
 wherein the first wall and the second wall are separated so as to form a fluid pathway therebetween. 
   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the first sidewall, the second sidewall, the third sidewall, and the fourth sidewall together define a first rim along a top of the mop bucket. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the second sidewall and the fourth sidewall comprise symmetrical configurations, and wherein the first sidewall and the third sidewall comprise asymmetrical configurations. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein a length of a gap between the first wall and the second wall is equal to or greater than a length of the first wall. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a third wall extending from the first sidewall, wherein the third wall is laterally centered between the second sidewall and the fourth sidewall.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the third wall is laterally aligned with the gap. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the first wall and the second wall are disposed at a center of the mop bucket. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the wringer comprises:
 a first wringing plate;   a second wringing plate, which is moveable toward the first wringing plate to wring liquid from a mop;   a wringer arm configured to be actuated to cause movement of the second wringing plate toward the first wringing plate, such that the wringer is actuated between a mop-receiving position and a mop-wringing position;   linkage coupling the wringer arm to the second wringing plate; and   a spiral torsion spring engaging the linkage or the wringer arm, such that the wringer is urged into the mop-receiving position, absent an actuating force being applied,   wherein the spiral torsion spring comprises radially wound spring material configured to expand and contract in a radial direction.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the first and second wringing plates each extend between a first wringer sidewall and a second wringer sidewall. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the first sidewall is a rear sidewall and the first sidewall is a front sidewall.