Self-Cleaning Plunging Apparatus and Method of Use

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/US2024/060605, filed on Dec. 17, 2024, which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. provisional Ser. No. 63/611,421, now expired, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. No new matter has been added.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to devices and tools for plumbing, and more specifically provides a novel, useful and non-obvious self-sanitizing plunger apparatus and method of using it.

Plungers are available in a variety of sizes and shapes with various functionality. They are, broadly speaking, tools used to clear blockages in drains and pipes, including toilets. Typically, they consist of a flexible force cup or suction component attached to a stick or shaft to allow the cup to be pushed against, then pulled away from a drain or pipe opening, forcing a vacuum to be created that pulls blocking materials out of pipes or drains.

One point of concern regarding plungers made and used for toilets is sanitation; a variety of microbes and harmful pollutants can live in or be found in and on toilets and toilet accessories. If they are not appropriately handled they can lead to contamination and possible spread of infection and disease. Therefore, the ability to sanitize plunging devices is critical, particularly in industrial and hospital environments, which are especially prone to contamination and infection.

Exploration of patents and application disclosures, industry and professional articles, and commercially available goods reveals a variety of functionality and designs related to self-sanitizing toilet plungers and brushes. UV and UV-A/UV-C light sources have been deployed, and so have negative pressure seat stickers, disposable plastic sheaths, flush brushes and anti-bacterial disposable trays to sanitize plungers and toilet brushes. These devices, however, have limitations. Lighted, electrical and other non-mechanical solutions require wires, electrical jacks and inputs, which are not practical in many industrial or hospital environments in part because of practical considerations of liquid handling, and can pose danger, or require regular maintenance to replace batteries and bulbs. With most mechanically actuated related art, introduction of contaminants to and from a toilet bowl is inevitable because of the design of a plunger—the bell shape of the typical plunger body captures liquids and inoculates surfaces, toilet bowls and plunger or brush containers as it is moved between the toilet and where it is placed or stored. Even brushes and plungers placed or stored in sanitizing fluid can result in contamination because of drips and run off of fluid, and may not remove heavier contaminated material or debris adhered to the surface of the bell. What is needed is a mechanical plunging solution that reduces or eliminates this problem by providing a method of sanitization, then removal of sanitizing solutions prior to movement, storage or use.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a self-sanitizing toilet plunger apparatus, a cleaning and storage vessel with removable and replaceable brushes, and method of using the invention to sanitize a plunger after using it. After plunging, the plunger of the device is placed in solution in contact with the brushes within the cleaning and storage vessel, and the user engages a foot pedal that causes oscillation or spin of the brushes inside the vessel to mechanically brush the surfaces of the plunger both inside and outside the bell to sanitize it. A set of contoured bristles cleans, then removes excess liquid from the plunger. It is operated mechanically by hand and foot, and safely reduces the spread of viruses, bacteria, and other microbes that can cause infection and disease. It controls potential odors, and allows for closed storage in close proximity to a toilet.

Remarkable features and improvements of the invention disclosed include but are not limited to these, which are further described in the following description and drawing figures.

• • The vessel comprises an exterior bucket and a removeable interior bucket, making it effective for both sanitation and storage functions.
  • The removeable interior bucket holds all soiled liquids and any solids and unwanted germs, keeping the exterior receptacle and lower mechanism clean. Because it is removeable, water and cleaning solution are contained in the interior bucket during operation, then the bucket can be emptied and cleaned between uses.
  • A flexible membrane or slider on the lid of the vessel can receive and support a plunger handle while closing the lid; the slider covers the handle opening and protects against potential splash-back of soiled liquid during plunger cleaning.
  • A lid tab positioned on the side of the lid provides a sanitary way to lift the lid and avoid touching the apparatus close to surfaces that may have been exposed to soiled liquid.
  • Removable and replaceable brushes are releasably attached to the apparatus in order to conveniently allow for replacement, ensuring durability and industrial applications.
  • A pedal mechanism featuring two gear sets includes a first connecting pedal to intermediate gear, and a second intermediate gear to spur gear on the bottom of the interior bucket; the gearing is engaged to transfer foot pedal pressing motion to actuate rotation of the interior bucket. The pedal mechanism gearing set provides sufficient rotational force to allow the interior bucket to spin further than 120 degrees.
  • Lower gearing deliberately focuses on lower speed and higher torque provided to the interior bucket due to the physical contact cleaning action of the brushes. The system relies on the friction between the brushes and plunger, as well as the liquid, which in a preferred embodiment includes water and cleaning solution, in the inner bucket to clean the plunger surface. This is in contrast to the high gear ratio of devices such as mop spinners, which rely on centrifugal force at high speed to shed water from the mop. These inventions are distinguished from the present invention in that no relative motion occurs between the mop and perforated bucket that the mop sits in.
  • A set of side brushes covers and cleans the full outer surface of the plunger; in a preferred embodiment three sets of outer brushes are placed 120 degrees apart, although other configurations are possible that could have a substantially similar result, and are considered to be within the scope of this disclosure. The side brushes are contoured to the bell shape, and conform to and contact the plunger bell for optimal surface area contact and therefore cleaning efficacy.
  • A center brush with bristles is in contact with the full inner surface of the plunger and has a flexible, collapsible middle wall that allows the plunger to “burp” while the brush remains inside the plunger. Burping the plunger allows it to expel the air trapped within the plunger prior to operating the pedal mechanism, allowing liquid including water and cleaning solution to contact the inner plunger surface, resulting in effective cleaning.
  • In an embodiment of the present invention, pressure from a user's foot collapses the pedal and turns the interior bucket clockwise; when the user lifts the foot off of the pedal, torsion springs under the pedal raise the pedal again and turn the interior bucket counterclockwise.
  • In another embodiment, pressure from a user's foot collapses the pedal and turns the interior bucket in a single direction, either clockwise or counterclockwise.

It is an object of this invention to provide a self-sanitizing, manually operated apparatus for sanitizing a plunger after plunging that incorporates a liquid sanitizing solution with a system for removing debris and organisms from the plunger by oscillating or spinning an interior bucket within its exterior receptacle and capturing the liquid after decontamination.

It is another object of this invention to provide a solution to the persistent problem of contamination on plumbing devices including plungers using mechanically generated rotational motion.

REFERENCE CHARACTERS USED IN THE DRAWINGS

• • 1. Interior bucket
  • 3. Interior bucket handle
  • 5. Side brushes
  • 10. Central brush
  • 15. Brush holder
  • 20. Exterior handle
  • 25. Exterior bucket
  • 30. Lid
  • 35. Slider
  • 40. Foot pedal pivot
  • 50. Foot pedal base
  • 55. Foot pedal
  • 57. Torsion Spring
  • 60. Gear set
  • 65. Fasteners
  • 75. One-way spur gear
  • 77. One-way bearing
  • 78. Bucket pin
  • 80. Thrust bearing plate
  • 82. Thrust bearing
  • 84. Plunger
  • 85. Plunger bell
  • 90. Plunger handle
  • 95. Plunger bearing

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

The following figures form part of the specification and are included to further demonstrate certain aspects of the claimed subject matter and should not be used to limit or define the claimed subject matter. The invention may be better understood by reference to one or more of the drawings in combination with the description of the embodiments presented. A more complete understanding of the present embodiments and further features and advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals may identify like elements, with the same or similar reference numerals.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the exterior of the apparatus of the invention with the lid in the closed position.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the exterior of the apparatus with the lid in the open position.

FIG. 3(a) is a cross section of the apparatus with the pedal in a depressed configuration.

FIG. 3(b) is a cross section of the apparatus with the pedal in a retracted configuration.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a cross section showing an embodiment of a brush and plunger profile.

FIG. 6 is a cross section of the interior bucket showing brushes in contact with the plunger bell.

FIG. 7 is a top view showing the inside of the interior bucket.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the underside of the apparatus with pedal mechanism components shown.

FIG. 9 is an exploded isometric view of the pedal mechanism with interior bucket connections with the foot pedal and base in an embodiment where the inner bucket spins one-way.

FIG. 10 is an exploded isometric view of the pedal mechanism with interior bucket connections with the foot pedal and base in an embodiment where the inner bucket oscillates.

FIG. 11 is an isometric view of the interior bucket positioned above and ready for placement within the exterior bucket.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While various embodiments are described herein, it should be appreciated that the present invention encompasses many inventive concepts that may be embodied in a wide variety of contexts. Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below. Not all features of an actual implementation for all embodiments are necessarily described in this specification. In the development of any such actual embodiment, implementation specific decisions may be made to achieve the design specific goals, which may vary from one implementation to another. It will be appreciated that such a development effort would be a routine undertaking for persons of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

The apparatus and method detailed in the following description and drawings provide a self-sanitizing toilet plunger, a cleaning and storage vessel for a plunger 84 with removable and replaceable brushes, and a method of using the invention to clean and sanitize a plunger 84 after it us used to unblock plumbing fixtures.

In FIG. 1, an isometric view of the apparatus of the invention with the lid 30 in the closed position is presented. The apparatus of the invention comprises an exterior bucket 25 with a closable lid 30 and an exterior handle 20 used to carry the apparatus. The exterior bucket 25 surrounds and is in removeable contact with an interior bucket 1. The interior bucket 1 is in contact with a plurality of cleaning brushes (not shown in this figure), and a foot pedal 55 at the bottom of the exterior bucket 25, wherein the pedal mechanism is hidden within bottom of the exterior bucket 25. The interior bucket 1 fits within and is surrounded by the exterior bucket 25, and is capable of containing liquids, including but not limited to cleaning solutions, antimicrobial agents and soiled water and other material, keeping the exterior bucket 25 and lower mechanism dry and clean. A plunger 84 is maintained upright in the device by placing the plunger handle 90 in the slider 35 of the lid 30. At the bottom of the device, a foot pedal 55 is releasably positioned upon a foot pedal base 50; the foot pedal 55 is capable of moving between a raised and lowered position. The raising and lowering of the foot pedal 55 by a user's foot actuates either oscillation or single directional rotation.

In FIG. 2, an isometric view of the apparatus with the lid 30 in the open position is depicted. The lid 30 is hingedly connected (connected by a hinge) to the exterior bucket 25; it covers and overlaps the top of the exterior bucket 25. When the interior bucket 1 is positioned within the exterior bucket 25, the lid also covers the interior bucket, blocking any liquid from leaving the interior bucket while the apparatus is in use. The lid 30 contains a flexible membrane or slider 35 to allow the plunger handle 90 to pass through the lid 30 while closing it. The slider 35 may be constructed out of silicon, rubber, water-resistant fabric or other flexible, reflexive and liquid impermeable material. The slider 35 is capable of receiving and positioning the plunger handle 90 and allowing the lid 30 to close while the plunger handle 90 is positioned within the apparatus. The slider 35 comprises an aperture or slot, which is an opening that is surrounded by the flexible and reflexive material. The slider 35 is in removeable contact with, and positions and supports the plunger handle 90 within the lid 30, and also functions to eliminate potential splash-back of soiled liquid during plunger cleaning operations. Additionally, in an embodiment of the invention, the apparatus includes a tab connected to or integrated with a side of the lid 35 that can be used to lift the lid 35; this tab allows a user of the device to avoid touching the apparatus close to surfaces that may have been exposed to soiled liquid. In operation, the interior bucket 1 is positioned within the exterior bucket 25. The interior bucket further comprises an interior bucket handle 3 that is used to place or remove the interior bucket 1 from inside of the exterior bucket 25. The interior bucket 1 also includes a plurality of brush holders 15 that releasably secure the side brushes 5 on the inside of the interior bucket 1 so that side brushes 5 can be fixed firmly to or upon the interior bucket 1 during use of the apparatus and still be conveniently removed and replaced. In an exemplary configuration, raised and contoured tab and slot features allow the side brushes to slide onto, grip and remain in place; flexible tabs on the brushes interact with clip components to allow release. Other types of mounting mechanisms that securely attach and release the brushes could also be used, and are specifically contemplated herein.

In FIG. 2, the foot pedal 55 is also shown; the foot pedal 55 is in a raised position in this drawing relative to the foot pedal base 50. The foot pedal 55 is in mechanical communication with the foot pedal base 50; the foot pedal 55 is connected to the foot pedal base 50 with a foot pedal pivot 40 and one or more springs. In a preferred embodiment, torsion springs are used, however one skilled in the art would appreciate that other types of springing components would be suitable and still fall within this disclosure. The foot pedal 55 and foot pedal base 50 are positioned at the base of the exterior bucket and are removeably fastened to the interior bucket.

FIG. 3(a) shows a cross section of the apparatus with the foot pedal 55 in a lowered or depressed configuration atop the foot pedal base 50. In FIG. 3(b), a cross section of the apparatus with the foot pedal 55 in a raised or retracted position is shown. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus is cylindrical in shape, although other bucket, canister or similar shapes are contemplated. In the embodiment depicted, three sets of side brushes 5 are mounted inside the interior bucket 1; the side brushes 5 are placed one hundred and twenty (120) degrees apart so that they can contact the entirety of the outer surface of the plunger 84 as the interior bucket 1 rotates around the plunger. One or more central brushes 10 has contoured bristles distributed such that the central brush 10 contacts the full inner surface of the plunger bell 85. In operation, the foot pedal 55 is retracted until pressure from user's foot depresses the foot pedal 55, collapsing it towards and eventually upon the foot pedal base 50. Depressing the foot pedal 55 towards the foot pedal base 50 actuates the interior bucket 1, turning it relative to the exterior bucket 25, which remains fixed. When the user lifts the foot off of the foot pedal 55, torsion springs 57 under the foot pedal 55 raise the foot pedal 55 to the original retracted position.

In one embodiment of the invention, the interior bucket 1 oscillates, or rotates in one direction and then another, for example counterclockwise then clockwise. In this embodiment, the interior bucket 1 rotates in one direction during downward foot pedal 55 stroke, then reverses on the return pedal stroke. The pedal mechanism includes a plurality of gear sets 60. A spur gear feature is rigidly mated to the bottom of interior bucket. When the interior bucket 1 is inserted into the exterior bucket 25, the spur gear at the bottom of the interior bucket 1 is inserted into the gearing mechanism. In a first gear set 60, the foot pedal 55 is geared to an intermediate gear. In the second gear set 60, the intermediate gear engages with the spur gear on the bottom of the interior bucket 1 to transfer the foot pedal 55 pressing motion to the rotating interior bucket 1.

In a second embodiment of the invention, the interior bucket 1 spins in a single direction, either clockwise or counter-clockwise. In this embodiment, the interior bucket 1 is propelled forward during downward foot pedal 55 stroke, and the interior bucket 1 continues rotating forward under its own inertia during return foot pedal 55 stroke to the retracted position. Here, a vertical pin protrudes from the bottom of the interior bucket 1, while a separate one-way gear with one-way bearing remains in the exterior bucket 25 assembly. The vertical pin at the bottom of the interior bucket 1 is inserted into the one-way bearing when the interior bucket 1 is placed in the exterior bucket 25.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the apparatus. In this figure, the interior parts of the apparatus are shown. A plunger 84 comprises the plunger bell 85 and the plunger handle 90. The plunger handle 90 is attached to a plunger bell 85. When positioned within the interior bucket 1, the plunger bell 85 matingly conforms to the shape of the brushes, and they are in contact such that the plunger bell 85 interacts with the side brushes 5 and the central brush 10. The interior bucket 1 is placed within the exterior bucket 25; an interior bucket handle 3 is provided to easily remove the interior bucket 1 from and insert the interior bucket into the exterior bucket 25. A gear set 60 contacts and retains the foot pedal 55, which is hingeably connected to the foot pedal base 50 by a foot pedal hinge pivot 40, fasteners 65 and one or more torsion springs 57. As presented, the parts interact to sanitize the plunger 84 after it has been used in a toilet plunging. In some situations, it may be an advantage for the interior bucket 1 of the apparatus to rotate in one direction as opposed to oscillating counterclockwise, then clockwise or vice versa. In those situations, the one-way spur gear 75 turned by a gear set 60 and contains a one-way bearing 77 is used. The one-way bearing is housed in the one-way gear, and functions to limit the spin of the interior bucket 1 to one direction. When the interior bucket 1 is placed into the exterior bucket 25, the vertical pin on the bottom of the interior bucket 1 is inserted into the one-way bearing 77. This results in a single-direction rotation.

FIG. 5 is a cross section showing the side brush 5 and central brush 10 profile. The plunger 84 is capable of sliding into the bristle profile of the side brushes 5 and contacts the central brush 10 at the underside of the plunger bell 85. The outside of the plunger bell 85 is in contact with the side brushes 5, which scrub the plunger bell 85 to remove debris.

FIG. 6 is a cross section showing the side brushes 5 and central brush 10 in contact with the plunger bell 85. The plunger handle 90 protrudes above the lid 30, passing through the lid 30 at and supported by the slider 35. This figure further illustrates how the side brushes 5 and central brush 10 in contact with the plunger bell 85 are positioned within the interior bucket 1, as further illustrated in FIG. 7.

FIG. 7 is a top view showing the inside of the interior bucket. 1 The side brushes 5 are positioned around the central brush 10 such that a plunger bell 85 can be slid onto the central brush 10 by pushing the plunger handle 90 down and onto the central brush 10. In the embodiment of the invention depicted in FIG. 7, three (3) side brushes 5 are releasably mounted equidistant from each other on the interior bucket 1 at substantially one hundred and twenty (120) degrees apart. The profile of the side brushes 5 matingly conforms to the plunger bell 85 such that the plunger bell 85 will contact the side brushes 5 evenly and with sufficient pressure to assure contact without deterring spin from the foot pedal 55.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the underside of the apparatus. The foot pedal base 50 connects to the foot pedal 55 via a foot pedal pivot 40 coupled with torsion springs 57. The foot pedal 55, when depressed, is geared to actuate movement of the interior bucket 1 relative to the exterior bucket 25. In embodiments with one-way interior bucket 1 spin, a separate one way spur gear 75 is positioned at the bottom of the interior bucket 1. The one-way spur gear 75 has a one-way bearing 77 in it. As the foot pedal 55 is depressed toward the foot pedal base 50, the gear set 60 mechanism drives the spur gear in a counterclockwise or clockwise spin. When the foot lifts from the foot pedal 55, the torsion springs 57 under the foot pedal 55 return the foot pedal 55, intermediate gear, and spur gear to their starting state, while the interior bucket 1 is permitted to keep spinning in the initial driven direction due to the one-way bearing in the one-way spur gear 75.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are exploded views of the interior bucket 1 and the components connecting and actuating the apparatus; FIG. 9 shows the interior bucket 1 positioned above the mechanical components for an oscillating embodiment, and FIG. 10 shows the interior bucket 1 and componentry for the single directional embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 10, the interior bucket 1 further comprises a bucket pin 78 on the underside of the interior bucket 1. A thrust bearing mechanism, including a thrust bearing plate 80 and a thrust bearing 82 conforming to and fitted within the thrust bearing plate 80 connect the foot pedal 55 and one or more gear sets 60. The thrust bearing mechanism is positioned at the bottom of the exterior bucket 25 such that when the interior bucket 1 is placed within the exterior bucket 25, the bottom of the interior bucket 1 rests upon the thrust bearing 82. At least one gear set 60 connects the interior bucket 1 with the foot pedal 55; the foot pedal 55 is in mechanical communication with a foot pedal base 50 and the gear set 60, and is connected to the foot pedal base 50 with a foot pedal pivot 40 and one or more torsion springs 57, and the foot pedal 55 and foot pedal base 50 are positioned at the base of the exterior bucket 25 and can be removeably fastened to the interior bucket 1 with fasteners 65. A thrust bearing 82 conforms to and interacts with the thrust bearing plate 80 to reduce friction and improve spin of the interior bucket 1. In embodiments that spin one way, a one way bearing 77 and a one way spur gear 75 interacts with the gear set 60 to drive the interior bucket 1 in one direction, as shown in FIG. 9. In both embodiments depicted on this sheet, a foot pedal mechanism includes a foot pedal 55 and a foot pedal base 50. The foot pedal 55 is attached to the gear set 60, and also to the foot pedal base by torsion springs, so that when the foot pedal 55 is depressed to the foot pedal base 50, the interior bucket 1 is actuated to spin either clockwise, counterclockwise, or to oscillate within the exterior bucket 25, causing the brushes mounted within the interior bucket 1 to spin around the plunger, cleaning off dirt and debris and moving cleaning fluids or antimicrobial solutions around the plunger bell 85 and base of the plunger handle 90 that has been exposed to a toilet or other unclean plumbing situation.

Inside and on the bottom of the interior bucket 1, an aperture allows for the central brush 10 to be removeably attached; when the central brush 10 is attached the aperture is blocked or closed off by the central brush 10 attachment such that it contains any liquid in the interior bucket 1. A plunger bearing 95 is fixed around the base of the central brush 10. The plunger bearing 95 is a ring or disc that clips into the bottom of the interior bucket 1 and spins freely; it provides a bearing surface for the bottom edge of the plunger bell 85, preventing direct contact between the plunger bell 85 and the interior bucket 1. When the plunger handle 90 is depressed, the plunger 84 and plunger bearing 95 are in contact and stay stationary, while the inner bucket is actuated and spins relative to the plunger 84, plunger bearing 95 and exterior bucket 25, which remain in place while the interior bucket 1 and brushes rotate. In this way, friction is reduced as the interior bucket 1 and brushes spin around the plunger 84. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the plunger bearing 95 comprises a disk with a first side and a second side, and with surface ridges and surface valleys on each of the first side and the second side. The ridges of the first side contact the bottom of the interior bucket and the ridges of the second side contact the plunger bell when the plunger is positioned within the apparatus, and liquid can pass through the surface valleys on the first side and the second side. In this way, thorough sanitization of the whole plunger 84 surface is enabled during cleaning operation, as liquid can move freely around and through the spaces created by the ridges and valleys of the plunger bearing 95.

The plunger bearing 95 is fixed to the inside of the bottom of the interior bucket 1 by clips, clasps, hooks, barbs, tabs or other raised features (“tabs”) that retain the plunger bearing 95 while allowing it to spin freely. In one embodiment, tabs conforming to the plunger bearing 95 are formed into and located at the bottom of the interior bucket 1. The plunger bearing 95 fits over the tabs, such that it can spin freely but it is retained in place on the bottom of the interior bucket by the tabs.

The invention further comprises a method of using the apparatus to sanitize the plunger and to remove debris and potentially harmful microorganisms therefrom. The method of using the device comprises the following steps. One skilled in the art would appreciate that these steps might be undertaken out of the order provided and still fall within the specification of the present invention:

For operation of the apparatus, the following methodology is generally undertaken. A user lifts the lid 30 and fills the interior bucket 1 with a sanitizing liquid, such as water and cleaning solution. The plunger 84 is then inserted into the interior bucket 1, and is positioned between the side brushes 5 and on top of the central brush 10, and covered therein by the liquid. The lid 30 is moved over the apparatus such that the plunger handle 90 fits through the flexible membrane in the slider 35. The lid 30 is closed fully while the user guides the plunger handle to the center of the lid 30. The plunger 84 is pushed down once to burp out air trapped inside the plunger 84, then the plunger 84 pops back up, returning to its original configuration, as is typical in operation of standard and presently available toilet plungers. The user holds the plunger handle 90 to keep it from spinning, then repeatedly presses and releases the foot pedal 55, causing the interior bucket 1 and brushes to oscillate or spin around plunger. Once cleaning is complete, the user lifts the lid 30 fully until plunger handle 90 is free of the slider 35. The plunger 84 is then removed from the interior bucket 1. The user takes the interior bucket handle 3 and lifts the interior bucket 1 out, dumps out and discards soiled liquid in a toilet or drain. The user can further rinse interior bucket with clean water if desired.

A method of replacement of the side brushes 5 and the central brush 10 is also disclosed. A user can put on rubber or otherwise protective gloves. Any liquid is in the apparatus is removed so that the interior bucket 1 is completely empty. The side brushes 5 are released, removed and replaced; mechanisms fastening the side brushes 5 can include spring tabs, clips or other fasteners that are released, then the side brushes 5 are lifted out of the interior bucket 1. The user then inserts replacement side brushes 5. Similarly, the user can remove the soiled or worn center brush 10 by pushing it down to release it, then rotating it until the center brush 10 can be pulled upwards out of the interior bucket 1. A replacement center brush 10 is attached to the apparatus by inserting it in an aperture in the center of the of the bottom of the interior bucket 1, and twisting until it is secured in place. The lid 30 is then closed, and the apparatus is ready for moving or storage.