CN210825059U

CN210825059U - Cleaning pad, cleaning head and cleaning system for escalators or electric walks

Info

Publication number: CN210825059U
Application number: CN201920459792.7U
Authority: CN
Inventors: O·罗森鲍姆; 刘涛
Original assignee: Esca Technologies Pte Ltd
Current assignee: Esca Technologies Pte Ltd
Priority date: 2018-11-06
Filing date: 2019-04-04
Publication date: 2020-06-23
Anticipated expiration: 2029-04-04
Also published as: CN111137776A; NL2021944B1

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a cleaning pad for an escalator or electric walkway, comprising: a contact surface comprising ridges and/or grooves for contacting the ridges and/or grooves of an escalator or a motor walkway, wherein at least the contact surface of the cleaning pad is made of a single absorbent foam material, which is an open-celled flexible foam material, in particular foamed polyurethane.

Description

Cleaning pad, cleaning head and cleaning system for escalators or electric walks

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a cleaning pad for an escalator or a motor walkway, an escalator cleaning head provided with at least one such cleaning pad, and an escalator cleaning system provided with at least one cleaning pad or escalator cleaning head.

Background

Public electric travelators or escalators are the most expensive, the largest, the most obvious, and the most dangerous areas of all floor areas on the earth. While most floors, including those leading to and away from escalators, are typically cleaned daily, more expensive, more obvious, more trafficable, and more dangerous escalators are relegated to non-routine cleaning, primarily due to the expense and complexity associated with escalator cleaners and the cleaning services available and most commonly used today. Escalators are typically provided with a plurality of interconnected escalator steps, with each step having a plurality of parallel ridges and grooves. These ridges and grooves provide a rather rough surface that prevents people from slipping over the step surface. On the other hand, dust, mud, soil and debris are also easily collected in these grooves, which are also difficult to access.

Disclosure of Invention

It is therefore an object of the present disclosure to provide an improved escalator cleaning system.

The present disclosure provides a cleaning pad for an escalator or electric walkway, comprising: a contact surface comprising ridges and/or grooves for contacting the ridges and/or grooves of an escalator or a motor walkway, wherein at least the contact surface of the cleaning pad is made of a single absorbent foam material, in particular foamed polyurethane.

The contact surface of the cleaning pad itself is provided with ridges so that the ridges can interlock with the grooves of the escalator to be cleaned, wherein these ridges of the mat can thus extend into the grooves of the escalator steps.

The cleaning pad can be used, for example, in conjunction with a liquid cleaning solution. A pad with ridges can then be used to dispense the liquid cleaning solution onto the escalator thread (or ridges and grooves), and once the dirt begins to wet, emulsify, and loosen, the cleaning pad contacts the surface material to complete the actual cleaning job. To absorb the running cleaning solution, moisture or mud, dust or debris, the cleaning pad is made of an absorbent material so that the liquid cleaning solution can be retained by the cleaning pad. The cleaning pad thus acts as a sponge.

By a single absorbent material, it is meant that the entire contact surface of the cleaning pad is made of the same material. This eliminates the need to use a variety of materials, such as one for absorbing cleaning liquid and one for rubbing or polishing the surface of the escalator steps. While the use of multiple materials may allow for the selection of materials based on a particular purpose, bonding different materials together is expensive and cumbersome, ultimately resulting in a slower manufacturing process and more expensive cleaning pads. A unitary absorbent material may also mean that the contact surface of a unitary pad is made of a single material. There is then no separate material or additional padding on one side of the cleaning pad, such as the side of the pad that rubs against the comb (comb) of the escalator during cleaning.

In a preferred embodiment, the mat is both absorbent and rigid, wherein the mat has a stiffness in excess of 70-ILD, more particularly in excess of 80-ILD and preferably in excess of 90-ILD, as measured according to ASTM-D3574, particularly the B1 method using a 4 inch thick sample. The stiffness of the mat is required to give the mat sufficient strength to be able to bear against the comb of the escalator, and the mat usually has a position to withstand the maximum pressure. The stiffness of the mat also contributes to the scrubbing action of the ridges of the mat in the grooves of the escalator. In accordance with the present disclosure, because the entire cleaning pad is both absorbent and rigid, the entire cleaning pad contributes to their absorbent and rigid function, which increases the cleaning action of the pad per surface area.

ASTM D3574 is a widely accepted test standard for testing flexible polyurethane foams. There are some test procedures in the standard to help determine the compression, deflection, tear and tensile properties of flexible cellular materials (urethane and polyurethane foams). IFD (Indentation force deflection) and ILD (Indentation load deflection) are two of the more common compression tests in the present standard and are interchangeable. The test consists of measuring the force required to create a given indentation in the foam product. In ASTM D3574, the indentation force deflection program is method B1, which measures the force (in pounds) required to press a 8 inch diameter steel plate (called an indentation foot) into a foam sample to a certain percentage of the initial height of the test sample (typically four inches). The test procedure, for example, compresses a 4 inch thick foam sample until it reaches 3 inches thick and measures the compressive load required for the displacement. Typically IFD values are generated at 25% and 65% of the initial height. For example, 35lb IFD foam is associated with a medium hardness foam pad, and 45lb IFD foam is associated with a very hard pad.

In an embodiment, the cleaning pad is not provided with a backing layer, in particular not with a backing layer made of polyethylene. As mentioned above, the cleaning contact surface is made of a single foam material. Such backing or backing material may be used in the cleaning pad to impart the desired stiffness to the cleaning pad. The cleaning pad of the present disclosure may itself have sufficient rigidity and eliminate the need for a backing layer. The backing or backing layer, typically a relatively rigid layer of material disposed on one side of the cleaning pad, serves the sole purpose of protecting the cleaning pad.

The cleaning pad can be used, for example, to clean an escalator as it moves or rotates. These steps rise to the top of the escalator, turn inwards and move downwards again inside the escalator, not visible to the user of the escalator. At the top of the escalator, the steps thus appear one after the other. The cleaning pad may be disposed on top. The part of the escalator that forms the transition between the escalator steps and the top deck is called the comb. The required stiffness of the cleaning pad allows the pad to be placed on top of the escalator against the comb of the escalator without the cleaning pad being damaged on the comb by the force of the moving escalator steps. These steps in turn move under the cleaning pad and the interlocking ridges and grooves clean each subsequent step.

The density of the contact surface may for example be more than 20 kg per cubic meter, particularly more than 30 kg per cubic meter, more particularly more than 40 kg per cubic meter, e.g. as measured according to ISO845: 2006. The relatively high density of contact surfaces results in a more intimate contact surface capable of withstanding greater forces, which increases the cleaning and rubbing ability of the pad contact surface and particularly the ridges. On the other hand, the density of the contact surface should preferably not be so high that the ridge can no longer be deformed slightly to accommodate possible geometrical changes between different escalator steps, in particular the geometrical changes of the threads thereof.

In a preferred embodiment, the indentation hardness of the contact surface is at least 250N at 25%, at least 350N at 40%, and/or at least 800N at 65%, more particularly at 25%, at least 300N, at 40%, at least 400N, and/or at 65%, at least 900N, measured according to ISO 2439. Indentation hardness tests are used in mechanical engineering to determine the hardness of material deformation. Hardness measurements quantify the resistance of a material to plastic deformation. The relatively hard nature of the contact surface results in a pad that can withstand greater forces, which increases the cleaning and frictional capabilities of the pad contact surface and particularly the ridges. On the other hand, the hardness of the contact surface should preferably not be so high that the ridge can no longer be deformed to accommodate possible geometrical changes between different escalator steps, in particular the geometrical changes of its threads.

The indentation hardness of a flexible cellular material is a measure of its load bearing properties. The international standard specifies four methods (a to D) for determining indentation hardness and one method (E) for determining the compression deflection coefficient and the hysteresis loss rate of a flexible porous material. 25-40-65% is method B of this standard.

The open-cell flexible foam preferably has a cell distribution of 40 to 90 cells per inch, in particular between 50 and 80 cells per inch. The pore distribution may be a measure of the porosity or absorbency of the mat. The open-cell flexible foam preferably has a cell diameter of between 25-75 microns. The number of pores per inch and the size of the pores determine the permeability. The range of holes provided has been found to be particularly useful for cleaning escalator steps.

The cleaning pad may comprise an attachment surface arranged on the opposite side of the pad compared to the contact surface for attaching the cleaning pad to the escalator cleaning head, wherein the attachment surface is provided with attachment elements, preferably cooperating with complementary attachment elements on the escalator cleaning head. Typically, the contact surface of the cleaning pad is disposed toward the bottom surface, or bottom, or surface of the escalator step to be cleaned, while the attachment surface is disposed toward the sky or top, toward the cleaning head. The attachment element is preferably integrally formed with the cleaning pad and is made of the same material. The attachment surface and coupling elements allow the mat to be attached indirectly or directly to another structure. Thus, the structure may be an escalator cleaning head, or a part of a cleaning system. In particular, the structure may be provided with a handle to allow cleaning movement from a distance from the pad.

The cleaning pad may further be arranged for cleaning a riser (riser) of the escalator and/or arranged for cleaning a ridge and/or a groove of the running surface of the escalator. The running surface of an escalator is usually a horizontal surface, while the risers are mainly vertical surfaces. For example, it is envisaged that the mat may be rotated 90 degrees, or that the end of the mat perpendicular to the contact surface of the mat is also provided with ridges.

The cleaning pad may be formed by mixing and reacting a polyisocyanate compound, preferably a diisocyanate, preferably 4, 4' -diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), and may also include a castor oil-like additive, with a polyol and/or polyamine compound. The reaction is typically a polymerization reaction. Polyurethane foams may be formed by the reaction of these components. Isocyanates are generally very reactive materials. The polyol itself is a polymer and has an average of two or more hydroxyl groups per molecule. Polyether polyols are primarily prepared by polymerizing ethylene oxide and propylene oxide with suitable polyol precursors. If water is present in the reaction mixture (usually deliberately added to make the foam), the isocyanate reacts with the water to form urea linkages and carbon dioxide gas, and the resulting polymer contains urethane and urea linkages. This reaction is called the foaming reaction.

The stiffness of the mat can be varied by varying the ratio of isocyanate to polyol. The required stiffness may for example be achieved by increasing the ratio to over 0.25:1, in particular over 0.33: 1. By increasing the amount of isocyanate, the amount of hard segments in the polyurethane is increased. Alternatively, the amount of alcohol groups or-OH groups in the polyol may be varied. Polyols with high functionality produce rigid, more crosslinked polyurethane foams. For example, the polyol may thus be a high functionality polyol, or a polyol having from 3 to 8 hydroxyl groups per mole.

In the examples, the functionality of the polyol, or the amount of groups of the polyol, alcohol or-OH, is expressed as N. For example, the polyol may be a trihydroxy polyether and N would be three. The amount of polyol multiplied by N can be expressed as the functional energy of the polyol. The ratio of the amount of functional polyol to isocyanate may be between 1:1.33 and 1.33:1, preferably between 1:1.25 and 1.25: 1. The amount of the polyol may be the total weight of the polyol compound. The amount of isocyanate may be the total weight of the isocyanate compound.

Rigid polyurethane foam formulations may contain many ingredients. For example, polyols are a source of hydroxyl (OH) or other isocyanate-reactive groups. The processing and properties of the resulting foam can be significantly influenced by the choice of the structure of the starting polyol. Polyols primarily used in PUR are low molecular weight hydroxyl-terminated polyethers, polyesters and natural products (e.g. castor oil). Polyether polyols are typically prepared by the addition of 1, 2-Propylene Oxide (PO) and Ethylene Oxide (EO) to the hydroxyl (or amino) groups of low molecular weight molecules by an anionic chain mechanism. Polyester polyols are prepared by polycondensation of di-or polycarbonates or their anhydrides (e.g. phthalic acid, phthalic anhydride) with diols and polyols (e.g. ethylene glycol). The isocyanate may provide a source of NCO groups to react with functional groups from the polyol, water and other ingredients in the formulation. Generally for PUR, the formulation provides an excess of isocyanate to achieve the desired final properties.

Catalysts may also be used. Of the many classes of compounds studied, amines and organometallic compounds have been found to be most useful. The use of various catalyst combinations has established an optimum balance between the polymerization reaction and the blowing reaction. The rates of polymer and gas formation must be balanced so that the gas is effectively entrained in the gelled polymer and the cell walls develop sufficient strength to maintain their structure without collapsing or shrinking. Catalysts are also important to ensure completion of the reaction or "cure" in the finished foam. The most commonly used catalysts are tertiary amines, such as triethylamine, and alkali metal salts, such as potassium acetate. Some catalysts, such as tertiary amines, affect the polymerization and blowing reactions, while others, such as dibutyltin dilaurate, promote mainly the polymerization and chain growth.

In addition, a foaming agent may be used to create a cellular structure in the polymer matrix through a foaming process. During the polymerization reaction, they generate bubbles, which expand the polymer. The surfactants can also be used to produce rigid polyurethane foams, for example nonionic, silicone-based surfactants which stabilize the cell walls.

In an embodiment, the foam composition comprises:

composition (I)	Content (wt.)
		Polyether polyols, e.g. PPG 5602	2-4%, as 3%
Polymer polyols, e.g. POP 2045	50-65%, as 60%
		Toluene diisocyanate	20-30%, as 25%
Water (W)	0-2%, as 1%
		Silicone oil	0-1%, as 0.5%
Foam hardening agent	3-5%, as 4%
		Water absorbent	5-9%, as 7%
Coloring agent	0.5-2%, as 1.5%

The polyether polyol may be polypropylene glycol. The polymeric polyol can be a trihydroxy polyether prepared by polymerizing glycerol with propylene oxide and ethylene oxide in the presence of a base catalyst. The polymer polyol is preferably a polyurethane resin POP 2045. Instead of a different polyol, the foam may also comprise 50-70% of a polyol, preferably 60-65%. All percentages are compared to the total weight of the ingredients.

Open-celled rigid polyurethane foams can also be produced in a known manner, for example as disclosed in US5457138 or US5889067, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference with respect to the formation of open-celled rigid polyurethane foams.

According to this publication, the components of the foam are processed at room temperature and placed in a box. The liquid is then injected into a mould, for example a U-shaped channel, under pressure (preferably high pressure, above atmospheric pressure to ensure mixing of the ingredients) and allowed to expand in the mould. The mold is moved forward slowly to keep the material added at the injection point. The movement is preferably continuous to provide a stable foam along the length. The resulting foam material is then cured, for example for 24 hours, to produce a stable foam. Then, the foam is cut in the longitudinal direction.

The present disclosure further relates to an escalator cleaning head provided with at least one cleaning pad according to the present disclosure.

The present disclosure further relates to an escalator system provided with at least one cleaning pad or escalator cleaning head according to the present disclosure.

Drawings

The disclosure will be elucidated on the basis of the non-limitative exemplary embodiments shown in the following figures, in which:

figure 1 schematically shows a cleaning pad according to the present disclosure; and

figure 2 schematically shows a cleaning pad according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 schematically shows a cleaning pad (1) according to the present disclosure. The cleaning pad (1) comprises a contact surface (2), the contact surface (2) comprising ridges (3) and/or grooves (4) for contacting the ridges and/or grooves of an escalator or a motor walkway. The cleaning pad (1) further comprises an attachment surface (5) arranged on the opposite side of the cleaning pad (1) compared to the contact surface (2), in which case the attachment surface (5) is at the top and the contact surface is at the bottom. The contact surface (5) is configured for connecting the cleaning pad (2) to an escalator cleaning head, wherein the connection surface (5) is provided with an attachment element (6). The attachment element (6) in fig. 1 is embodied as a depression in the attachment surface (5) of the cleaning pad (1). Preferably, these coupling elements (6) cooperate with complementary coupling elements on the escalator cleaning head. Optionally, the coupling element (6) is embodied as a projection, while the recess is arranged on the escalator cleaning head.

Fig. 2 schematically illustrates a cleaning head (10) according to the present disclosure provided with a cleaning pad (1) as shown in fig. 1. The attachment elements (6) of the cleaning pad (1) mate with complementary attachment elements (11), the attachment elements (11) being shown as protrusions on the cleaning head (10). The cleaning head (10) is further provided with an attachment (12) for connecting the cleaning head (10) to a handle (13) or broom (13). The cleaning head (10) is fitted into a soaking tub (14) which may contain, for example, cleaning solution or water.

Features shown in the figures are interchangeable between embodiments unless otherwise stated.

Claims

1. A cleaning pad (1) for an escalator or a motor-driven walkway, the cleaning pad (1) comprising:

a contact surface (2), the contact surface (2) comprising ridges (3) and/or grooves (4) for contacting ridges and/or grooves of the escalator or electric travelator; the method is characterized in that:

the cleaning pad comprises an attachment surface (5) arranged on the cleaning pad (1) on the opposite side to the contact surface (2) for attaching the cleaning pad (1) to an escalator cleaning head (10); wherein the connection surface (5) is provided with a coupling element (6); wherein the attachment element (6) is made integral with the cleaning pad (1); wherein the attachment element (6) is a depression in the attachment surface (5) of the cleaning pad (1) and wherein the attachment element (6) cooperates with a complementary attachment element (11) formed as a protrusion on the escalator cleaning head (10).

2. A cleaning pad (1) according to claim 1 characterized by said cleaning pad (1) being absorbent and rigid wherein said cleaning pad has a stiffness expressed as indentation deflection of more than 70lbs measured according to ASTM-D3574.

3. A cleaning pad (1) according to any of claims 1 or 2 characterized by not being provided with a backing layer.

4. A cleaning pad (1) according to any of claims 1 or 2, characterized by the contact surface (2) having a density of more than 20 kg per cubic meter, measured according to ISO 845.

5. A cleaning pad (1) according to any of claims 1 or 2 characterized by having an indentation hardness of the contact surface (2) of at least 250N at 25%, at least 350N at 40% and/or at least 800N at 65%, measured according to ISO 2439.

6. A cleaning pad (1) according to any of claims 1 or 2, characterized by being arranged for cleaning the risers of escalators and/or arranged for cleaning the ridges and/or grooves of the running surface of escalators.

7. Escalator cleaning head, characterized in that at least one cleaning pad according to any of the preceding claims is provided.

8. Escalator cleaning system, characterized in that at least one cleaning pad or escalator cleaning head according to any of the preceding claims is provided.