Disinfecting bucket

Abstract

A mop bucket can be used to apply liquid to a stack of flat mop pads. The mop bucket includes a container body with an opening at a top portion thereof, a liquid storage area within the container body, and a pad storage area within the container body and in fluid communication with the liquid storage area. The liquid storage area is below the pad storage area when the bucket is in an upright position. The mop bucket also includes a lid configured to form a substantially liquid-tight seal of the opening of the container body.

1 . A method of applying liquid to a stack of flat mop pads, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a bucket having a container body, a lid for the container body, a liquid storage area within the container body, and a pad storage area within the container body, wherein the liquid storage area and the pad storage area are in fluid communication, and the liquid storage area is below the pad storage area when the bucket is in an upright position;    pouring liquid into at least the liquid storage area;    placing a stack of flat mop pads in the pad storage area;    attaching the lid to the container body containing the liquid and stack of pads to seal the container body;    at least partially inverting the bucket to distribute the liquid into the pad storage area for absorption by the stack of flat mop pads; and    removing the lid from the container body.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid is disinfectant.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of: 
 attaching a mop frame to a first flat mop pad in the stack of flat mop pads; and    mopping a floor.    
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising the steps of: 
 removing the first flat mop pad from the mop frame;    attaching the mop frame to a second flat mop pad in the stack of flat mop pads; and    mopping a floor.    
   
   
       5 . A mop bucket for applying liquid to a stack of flat mop pads, the mop bucket comprising: 
 a container body with an opening at a top portion thereof;    a liquid storage area within the container body;    a pad storage area within the container body and in fluid communication with the liquid storage area, wherein the liquid storage area is below the pad storage area when the bucket is in an upright position; and    a lid configured to form a substantially liquid-tight seal of the opening of the container body.    
   
   
       6 . The mop bucket of  claim 5 , where in the liquid is disinfectant.  
   
   
       7 . The mop bucket of  claim 5 , wherein the container body includes a bottom wall, and the liquid storage area includes a plurality of upward projections from the bottom wall.  
   
   
       8 . The mop bucket of  claim 7 , wherein the heights of the upward projections are configured to be above the height of the liquid.  
   
   
       9 . The mop bucket of  claim 5 , wherein the container body includes a bottom wall and graduated projections that extend above the bottom wall and that signify liquid fill levels.  
   
   
       10 . The mop bucket of  claim 5 , further comprising a connecting mechanism for affixing the lid to the container body.