Multiple purpose wringer and method of wringing articles

Abstract

An adjustable wringer can wring a variety of different types and sizes of mops, wipes, sponges and other wringable items for use in cleaning clean rooms. The wringer has two side plates situated in a spaced relationship relative to one another, each of the side plates having a slot. The wringer has a lever which has a handle and a rod. The handle has side posts, with the lower end of each side post being rotatably mounted to a respective side plate, and a handle bar extending across and connecting the upper ends of the first and second side posts. The rod is attached at each end to a handle side post, with each end of the rod passing through a respective slot in the side plates. The wringer also has a crank which has a crank handle and a rotatable crank shaft that extends from one side plate to the other. A substantially lint-free, flexible web is attached at one end to the rod and at the other end to the crank shaft. Once a wringable item has been placed in the wringer, the rod may be moved adjacent to the crankshaft. The crank handle may then be rotated to tighten the flexible web about the wringable item, thereby wringing the item. The wringer may additionally include low-friction bushings to replace the lubricating oils and greases typically found in wringers, thereby making the wringer suitable for sterilization in an autoclave.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An adjustable wringer for use in cleaning clean rooms which can wring a variety of different types and sizes of mops, wipes, sponges and other wringable items, the wringer comprising: first and second side plates, said first and second side plates being situated in a spaced relationship relative to one another, said first and second side plates each having a transverse slot;   a lever comprising: a) a handle having first and second handle side posts, each side post having an upper end and a lower end, said first post being rotatably mounted at its lower end to said first side plate and said second post being rotatably mounted at its lower end to said second side plate, said handle further comprising a handle bar which is interposed in between and connected to said upper ends of said first and second side posts; and   b) a rod attached at one end to said first side post and attached at its other end to said second side post, with one end of said rod passing through said slot of said first side plate and the other end of said rod passing through said slot of said second side plate;     a crank having a crank handle and a rotatable crank shaft, said crank shaft extending from said first plate to said second plate; and   a substantially lint-free, flexible web which is attached at one end to said rod and which is attached at its other end to said crank shaft;   wherein said wringer has an open position in which said rod is spaced a distance from said crank shaft and in which a user may place a wringable item of a variety of different dimensions onto said web from above, and a closed position in which said rod is substantially adjacent to said crankshaft and in which the flexible web substantially envelopes the wringable item, said lever being movable from said open to said closed position;   whereby the user may rotate the crank handle in said closed position to tighten the flexible web about the wringable item, thereby wringing the item.   
     
     
       2. An adjustable wringer for use in cleaning clean rooms as defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second side plates each include a bucket mount. 
     
     
       3. An adjustable wringer for use in cleaning clean rooms as defined in clam 1 wherein said wringer further comprises at least one sleeve bearing, said at least one sleeve bearing at least partially supporting said crankshaft and comprising polytetrafluoroethylene. 
     
     
       4. An adjustable wringer for use in cleaning clean rooms as defined in claim 1 wherein said side plates, said handle bar, said first and second handle side posts, and said crankshaft are made of stainless steel. 
     
     
       5. An adjustable wringer for use in cleaning clean rooms as defined in claim 1 wherein said flexible web is made of polyester. 
     
     
       6. An adjustable wringer for use in cleaning clean rooms as defined in claim 1 wherein said first side plate further comprises indicia indicating which direction to turn said crank handle for wringing the wringable item. 
     
     
       7. An adjustable wringer for use in cleaning clean rooms as defined in claim 1 wherein said wringer is substantially free of grease and lubricating oil. 
     
     
       8. An adjustable wringer for wringing a variety of different types and sizes of mops, wipes, sponges and other wringable items, the wringer comprising: first and second side supports, said first and second side supports being situated in a spaced relationship relative to one another, said first and second side supports each having a slot;   a movable bar, with one end of said bar passing through said slot of said first side support and the other end of said bar passing through said slot of said second side support;   a crank having a crank handle and a rotatable crank shaft, said crank shaft extending from said first side support to said second side support;   a flexible web which is attached at one end to said bar and which is attached at its other end to said crank shaft;   wherein said wringer has a loading position in which said bar is spaced a distance from said crank shaft and in which a user may place a wringable item of any of a variety of different dimensions onto said flexible web, and a wringing position in which said bar is relatively closer to said crank shaft and in which the flexible web substantially envelopes the wringable item, said movable bar being movable along said slots from said loading position to said wringing position;   whereby the user may rotate the crank handle in said wringing position to tighten the flexible web about the wringable item, thereby wringing the item.   
     
     
       9. An adjustable wringer as defined in claim 8 wherein said wringable item may be loaded onto said flexible web from above. 
     
     
       10. An adjustable wringer as defined in claim 8, wherein: said wringer further comprises a handle having a handle side post, said side post having an upper end and a lower end, said post being rotatably mounted at its lower end to said first side support, said handle further comprising a handle bar which is connected to said side post; and   said movable bar is connected to said handle.   
     
     
       11. An adjustable wringer as defined in claim 8 wherein said first and second side supports each include a bucket mount. 
     
     
       12. An adjustable wringer as defined in claim 8 wherein said wringer comprises at least one moving part, said wringer further comprising at least one low-friction surface adjacent to said at least one moving part, wherein said wringer is substantially free of grease and lubricating oil. 
     
     
       13. An adjustable wringer as defined in claim 8 wherein said crank is also movable relative to said movable bar. 
     
     
       14. A wringer for .[.mops, wipes, sponges and other.]. wringable items, the wringer comprising: a wringer frame having a .Iadd.first .Iaddend.member;   a wringing element having a .[.crank.]. .Iadd.rotatable element .Iaddend.which is supported by said wringer frame, such that said .Iadd.first .Iaddend.member and said .[.crank.]. .Iadd.rotatable element .Iaddend.can be spaced apart; and   a flexible web having .[.ends.]. .Iadd.end portions.Iaddend., said web being .[.attached.]. .Iadd.supported .Iaddend.at one end .[.to.]. .Iadd.portion by .Iaddend.said .[.crank.]. .Iadd.rotatable element such that rotation of the rotatable element wraps at least part of the web about the rotatable element, .Iaddend.and being .[.attached.]. .Iadd.supported .Iaddend.at another end .[.to.]. .Iadd.portion by .Iaddend.said .Iadd.first .Iaddend.member of said wringer frame;   wherein at least one of said .Iadd.first .Iaddend.member and said .[.crank.]. .Iadd.rotatable element .Iaddend.is a movable element which is movable relative to the other, said wringer having a closer position in which said .[.crank.]. .Iadd.rotatable element .Iaddend.and said .Iadd.first .Iaddend.member are relatively closer to one another and a farther position in which said .[.crank.]. .Iadd.rotatable element .Iaddend.and said .Iadd.first .Iaddend.member are relatively farther from each other;   whereby a user may rotate said .[.crank.]. .Iadd.rotatable element .Iaddend.in said closer position to wring .[.the.]. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.wringable item.   
     
     
       15. A wringer as defined in claim 14 wherein said .Iadd.first .Iaddend.member is .[.said.]. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.movable element and .[.said.]. .Iadd.wherein the rotatable element is a .Iaddend.crank .[.is.]. fixed in position relative to said frame. 
     
     
       16. A wringer as defined in claim 14 wherein .Iadd.the rotatable element is a crank and wherein .Iaddend.said crank is said movable element and said .Iadd.first .Iaddend.member is fixed in position relative to said frame. 
     
     
       17. A wringer .[.as defined in claim 14 wherein said wringer further comprises.]. .Iadd.for mops, wipes, sponges and other wringable items, the wringer comprising: a wringer frame having a first member;   a wringing element having a crank which is supported by said wringer frame, such that said first member and said crank can be spaced apart;   a flexible web having ends, said web being attached at one end to said crank and being attached at another end to said first member of said wringer frame; and .Iaddend.   first and second side supports, at least one of said first and second side supports having a slot.Iadd.;   wherein at least one of said first member and said crank is a movable element which is movable relative to the other, said wringer having a closer position in which said crank and said first member are relatively closer to one another and a farther position in which said crank and said first member are relatively farther from each other;   whereby a user may rotate said crank in said closer position to wring the wringable item.Iaddend..   
     
     
       18. A wringer as defined in claim 17 wherein said movable element comprises a bar having an end portion, at least some of said end portion being disposed in said at least one slot. 
     
     
       19. An adjustable wringer as defined in claim 18, wherein: said wringer further comprises a lever having a lever side post, said side post having an upper end and a lower end, said post being rotatibly mounted at its lower end to said fast side support, said lever further comprising a handle bar which is connected to said side post;   said movable element is connected to said handle bar; and   a portion of said movable element is disposed in said at least one slot.   
     
     
       20. An adjustable wringer as defined in claim 14 .Iadd.wherein said rotatable element is a crank, .Iaddend.wherein said farther position comprises a loading mode in which said .Iadd.first .Iaddend.member and said crank are spaced a distance from one another and in which a user may place a wringable item of any of a variety of different dimensions onto said flexible web, and wherein said wringer has a wringing mode in said closer position in which the flexible web substantially envelopes and applies substantially uniform pressure about the wringable item, said movable element being movable from said loading position to said wringing position. 
     
     
       21. An adjustable wringer .[.as defined in claim 20.]. .Iadd.for mops, wipes, sponges and other wringable items, the wringer comprising: a wringer frame having a first member;   a wringing element having a crank which is supported by said wringer frame, such that said first member and said crank can be spaced apart; and   a flexible web having ends, said web being attached at one end to said crank and being attached at another end to said first member of said wringer frame;   wherein at least one of said first member and said crank is a movable element which is movable relative to the other, said wringer having a closer position in which said crank and said first member are relatively closer to one another and a farther position in which said crank and said first member are relatively farther from each other;   whereby a user may rotate said crank in said closer position to wring the wringable item;   wherein said farther position comprises a loading mode in which said first member and said crank are spaced a distance from one another and in which a user may place a wringable item of any of a variety of different dimensions onto said flexible web, and wherein said wringer has a wringing mode in said closer position in which the flexible web substantially envelopes and applies substantially uniform pressure about the wringable item, said movable element being movable from said loading position to said wringing position;.Iaddend.   in which said wringer in said loading mode .[.has.]. .Iadd.defines .Iaddend.a space having edges, said space being defined along one edge by said crank and being defined along an opposing edge by said .Iadd.first .Iaddend.member, said space being substantially continuous in between said crank and said .Iadd.first .Iaddend.member such that wringable items of various sizes may be individually loaded onto said flexible web following a path that traverses said space and which passes in between said crank and said .Iadd.first .Iaddend.member.   
     
     
       22. An adjustable wringer as defined in claim 14 wherein said wringer comprises at least one moving part, said wringer further comprising at least one low-friction surface which is in contact with said at least one moving part, and wherein said wringer is substantially free of grease and lubricating oil. 
     
     
       23. An adjustable wringer for wringing a variety of different types and sizes of mops, wipes, sponges and other wringable items comprising: a wringer frame having a first member and a second member.Iadd., one of the first and second members having an axis of rotation.Iaddend.; and   a flexible web having ends and a surface, said flexible web being attached at an end to said first member and being attached at another end to said second member.Iadd., one of said ends being attached longitudinally along one of said members and parallel to an axis of rotation of said one of said members.Iaddend.;   wherein said wringer has a first mode in which a wringable item may be loaded onto said surface of said flexible web in between said first member and said second member, and a second mode in which said flexible web substantially envelopes and applies substantially uniform pressure about at least a major portion of the wringable item.   
     
     
       24. An adjustable wringer as defined in claim 23 wherein said wringer comprises at least one moving part, said wringer further comprising at least one low-friction surface which is immediately adjacent to said at least one moving part, said wringer being substantially free of grease and lubricating oil. 
     
     
       25. A wringer as defined in claim 23 wherein said first member is movable relative to said second member and said second member is fixed in position relative to said frame. 
     
     
       26. A wringer as defined in claim 25 wherein said first member is a moveable rod and said second member is a crank. 
     
     
       27. .[.A.]. .Iadd.An adjustable .Iaddend.wringer .[.as defined in claim 26,.]. .Iadd.for wringing a variety of different types and sizes of mops, wipes, sponges and other wringable items comprising: a wringer frame having a first member and a second member; and   a flexible web having ends and a surface, said flexible web being attached at an end to said first member and being attached at another end to said second member;   wherein said wringer has a first mode in which a wringable item may be loaded onto said surface of said flexible web in between said first member and said second member, and a second mode in which said flexible web substantially envelopes and applies substantially uniform pressure about at least a major portion of the wringable item;   wherein said first member is movable relative to said second member and said second member is fixed in position relative to said frame;   wherein said first member is a movable rod and said second member is a crank;.Iaddend.   wherein said frame includes a slot which defines a path of motion, a portion of said first member being engaged in said slot such that said first member may move along said path of motion.   
     
     
       28. A wringer as defined in claim 23 wherein said first member is a crank and said second member is a rod. .Iadd. 
     
     
       29.  The wringer of claim 14 wherein the web is attached at one end portion to the rotatable element and at another end portion to the first member..Iaddend..Iadd.30. The wringer of claim 14 wherein said rotatable element is part of a crank, wherein said closer position has said crank and said first member relatively closer to one another and wherein said farther position has said crank and said first member relatively farther from each other whereby a user may rotate said crank in said closer position to wring the wringable item..Iaddend..Iadd.31. The wringer of claim 30 wherein the movable element includes a handle for moving the movable element between the closer and farther positions..Iaddend..Iadd.32. The wringer of claim 31 wherein the movable element is different from the rotatable element and wherein the rotatable element is mounted to the wringer frame to permit rotation relative to the frame..Iaddend..Iadd.33. The wringer of claim 32 wherein rotation of the rotatable element changes the length of the web..Iaddend..Iadd.34. The wringer of claim 30 wherein movement of the movable element does not 
     
     
        result in the length of the web changing..Iaddend..Iadd.35.  The wringer of claim 14 wherein the web has a length between the end portions and wherein rotation of the rotatable element changes the length of the web that extends between the rotatable element and the first member..Iaddend..Iadd.36. A wringer for mops, wipes, sponges and other wringable items, the wringer comprising: a wringer frame having a first member;   a wringing element having a crank which is supported by said wringer frame, such that said first member and said crank can be spaced apart; and   a flexible web having ends, said web being supported at one end by said crank and being supported at another end by said first member of said wringer frame, one of said ends being attached longitudinally along one of said crank and said first member and parallel thereto;   wherein at least one of said first member and said crank is a movable element which is movable relative to the other, said wringer having a closer position in which said crank and said first member are relatively closer to one another and a farther position in which said crank and said first member are relatively farther from each other;   whereby a user may rotate said crank in said closer position to wring the   
     
     
        wringable item..Iaddend..Iadd.37.  A wringer as defined in claim 36 wherein said first member is said movable element and said crank is fixed in position relative to said frame..Iaddend..Iadd.38. A wringer as defined in claim 36 wherein said crank is said movable element and said first member is fixed in position relative to said frame..Iaddend..Iadd.39. A wringer as defined in claim 36 wherein said wringer further comprises first and second side supports, at least one of said first and second side supports having a slot..Iaddend..Iadd.40. A wringer as defined in claim 39 wherein said movable element comprises a bar having an end portion, at least some said end portion being disposed in said at least one slot..Iaddend..Iadd.41. An adjustable wringer as defined in claim 40, wherein: said wringer further comprises a handle having a handle side post, said side post having an upper end and a lower end, said post being rotatably mounted at its lower end to said first side support, said handle further comprising a handle bar which is connected to said side post;   said movable member is connected to said handle; and   a portion of said movable member is disposed in the slot..Iaddend..Iadd.42. An adjustable wringer as defined in claim 36 wherein said farther position comprises a loading mode in which said first member and said crank are spaced a distance from one another and in which a user may place a wringable item of any of a variety of different dimensions onto said flexible web, and wherein said wringer has a wringing mode in said closer position in which the flexible web substantially envelopes and applies pressure to the wringable item, said movable member being movable from said loading position to said wringing position..Iaddend..Iadd.43. An adjustable wringer as defined in claim 42 in which said wringer in said loading mode defines a space having edges, said space being defined along one edge by said crank and being defined along an opposing edge by said first member, said space being substantially continuous in between said crank and said first member such that wringable items of various sizes may be individually loaded onto said flexible web following a path that traverses said space and which passes in between said crank and said   
     
     
        member..Iaddend..Iadd.44.  An adjustable wringer as defined in claim 36 wherein said wringer comprises at least one moving part, said wringer further comprising at least one low friction surface which is in contact with said moving part, wherein said wringer is substantially free of grease and lubricating oil..Iaddend..Iadd.45. A wringer for mops, wipes, sponges and other wringable items, the wringer comprising: a wringer frame;   a first member supported by the frame;   a wringing element having a rotatable element which is supported by said wringer frame, such that said first member and said rotatable element can be spaced apart and movable toward and away from each other; and   a flexible web having ends, said web being attached at one end to said rotatable element and being attached at another end to said first member of said wringer frame, one of said ends being attached longitudinally along one of said rotatable element and said first member and parallel thereto..Iaddend..Iadd.46. The wringer of claim 45 wherein the first member extends longitudinally in a first direction and wherein the wringing element extends at least partly in the first direction and wherein the flexible web extends between the first member and the wringing element..Iaddend..Iadd.47. The wringer of claim 46 wherein rotation of the rotatable element wraps the web around the rotatable element..Iaddend..Iadd.48. The wringer of claim 45 wherein the first member and the rotatable element extend longitudinally side-by-side and are oriented parallel to each other..Iaddend..Iadd.49. A method of wringing items, the method comprising:   positioning a wringer having a first member, a rotatable wringing element and a flexible web supported by the first member and by the rotatable wringing element such that rotation of the rotatable element wraps at least part of the web about the rotatable element;   placing a wringable element on the web and rotating the rotatable element so that part of the web wraps around the rotatable element while the web is still supported by the first member; and   moving the rotatable wringing element and the first member closer together..Iaddend..Iadd.50. The method of claim 49 further comprising the step of placing the first member and the rotatable wringing element relatively closer together using a handle..Iaddend.