DE2328941A1 - FLOOR CLEANER - Google Patents

Description

DR. ING. E. HOFFMANN DxPL. IZiG. W. EITLE · DK. KER. NAT. K. HOFFMANN

PATENT LAWYERS D-βΟΟΟ MÖNCHEN 81ARABELLASTRASSE 4 TELE FON (0811) 9110 87

23 996/7

Clarke-Gravely Corporation, Muskegon, Michigan (USA)

Floor cleaning device

The invention relates to a portable floor cleaning device, which is a downwardly open rectangular housing with a front and a rear Wall, as well as with a handle extending upwards and backwards, and in particular on a floor cleaning device, in which a cleaning liquid is applied to the floor or on a carpet and in Direction of movement of the device is removed again.

In order to extend the life of your flooring, it is important that you use them on a regular basis be cleaned of dirt, sand or the like.

409881/0109

Such cleaning is relatively easy if the surface of the floor is made of a material with a smooth Surface is formed, for example linoleum or hardwood; however, the floor is covered with a carpet or one Runners covered, so in areas that are often walked on, dirt is entered into the carpet pile and adheres to it Fibers seize and cannot be easily removed by working with an ordinary vacuum cleaner. at a method of cleaning carpets; commonly referred to as "dry shampooing" is used relatively dry soap foam or chemically treated granules that are applied to the carpet pile, brushed into this, and after a certain time vacuumed off the carpet with a vacuum cleaner. Repetitive Shampooing of this kind leads to the formation of shampoo residues and foreign substances, so that the shampooing has no effect will. In addition, mechanical treatment with the wet cleaner leads to certain carpet materials for the formation of static charges in the carpet pile, which attracts foreign matter particles with the opposite charge, which are very difficult to remove from the carpet pile.

Another method uses a liquid, usually water, mixed with soap or a detergent is offset, and which is usually applied to the carpet pile by a rotating scrubbing brush, then vacuum cleaning as much water and soap as possible. In this latter method this essentially leads to complete moisture penetration of the carpet, which means a longer drying time becomes necessary, during which the carpet should not be stepped on if possible.

-3-

409881/0109

232894Ί

In general, the prior art has disclosed two types of surface cleaning devices in patents described. In the case of self-contained devices, as described in U.S. Patents 3,040,362, 3,060,484, 3,332,101 and Re 25 is a generally upright housing fitted with a brush-like rubbing device is provided at the lower end, equipped with a container, which is to be applied to the surface to be cleaned Contains cleaning agent, which after use by a suction device, which is housed in the housing and within a receiving device is arranged in this, is removed. In the other type of surface cleaning equipment, as described, for example, in U.S. Patents 3,079,285, 3,262,146, and 3,496,592 is generally a cleaning head is provided, which is in contact with the ground, through which a cleaning agent to the cleaning surface is applied while the head is carried by elastic lines with a vacuum generator carried on wheels is connected, which a certain amount of cleaning fluid and a collection container for the used Contains liquid.

These self-contained units have the disadvantage that they only contain a limited amount of cleaning agent, which has to be replaced frequently, whereby the container for the used liquid has to be emptied.

The main disadvantage of other cleaning devices in which a wheeled structure is provided, which contains a container for the cleaning agent and a receptacle for the used liquid that this device must be moved from one room to another together with the operating personnel, and that the Purchase and maintenance costs represent an additional burden.

-4-

409881/0109

According to the invention, a cleaning device is now the initially described type provided, which comprises the following parts: A first, the housing dividing in the transverse direction Partition wall which, together with the front wall, forms a suction nozzle; a second, the housing in the transverse direction dividing partition, which forms a receiving chamber for used cleaning liquid, and with the suction nozzle is in communication; a fan device in the housing which is in communication with the chamber and rapidly withdraws air from this, taking a large amount of air and used cleaning fluid through the suction nozzle to be pulled; a liquid pump within the housing having an inlet port communicating with the chamber for drawing off spent cleaning liquid in communication, the liquid pump having an outlet opening having; an elongated outlet conduit which at one end with the outlet opening and at the other end with a more distant drain is connected; a spray head for spraying a cleaning liquid onto one Part of a floor surface to be cleaned, the spray head being arranged inside the housing, and the cleaning takes place near and in front of the suction nozzle when moving the suction nozzle over the floor, while the spray head is on his the other end is connected to a more distant source of liquid.

In one embodiment of the invention, some advantageous features of the two aforementioned types of Applied cleaning equipment. This results in a relatively lightweight unit that is controlled by an operator can be, and in which a water source of the usual water supply with the device over an extended Line is connected, for example a normal faucet, wherein the water is mixed with a detergent

-5-

409881/0109

before it is sprayed onto the surface to be cleaned. In addition, the used cleaning fluid is removed from the carpet surface removed immediately after application by a motor provided in the device, which creates a negative pressure, whereby the wetting of the carpet or the like is reduced to a minimum. Simultaneously with the negative pressure generating motor also works in the device, a pump, so that the used cleaning fluid through an elongated elastic line is led to an outlet point, for example to the drain at the sink or sink, from which the water is also taken. In addition, the mass of the device is easily controlled by the operator can be used to bring the suction nozzle of the device into firm contact with the floor surface to be cleaned, so that, as it were, a squeeze suction effect is achieved.

Another advantage of the invention can be seen in the fact that a constant surface is applied to the surface to be cleaned Amount of heated cleaning liquid is applied near a cleaning head in its path of movement, and that the used cleaning liquid with loosened dirt and the like continuously from the surface by suction removed, leaving the cleaned area essentially dry.

In the following the invention is now based on the attached Drawing described and explained in more detail. Show it:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the cleaning device according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the cleaning device in an enlarged representation;

-6-

409881 / 0-09

6 Fig. 3 is a plan view of the cleaning device;

4 shows a vertical cross section along line 4 4

from Fig. 3, and

5 is a perspective view of a liquid and lint separating unit in an enlarged illustration.

In the drawing, the reference numeral 1O denotes the entire Designates cleaning device which has a housing 12 and a control housing 14. The housing 12 is essentially rectangular and has an open bottom, a horizontal upper wall 16, which with vertical side walls 18 and 20 is connected, a vertical rear wall 22 and a forwardly and downwardly inclined, preferably through-the-front wall Wall 24. A cylindrical, tube-like roller 26 with closed ends 28 is on a tubular axis 30 stored, which extends across the side walls 18 and 20 extends near the rear wall 22 so that a peripheral region extends of roller 26 extends downwardly beyond the horizontal lower end of the side walls of the housing, whereby the rear portion of the housing is supported at a distance above the surface of the floor or the like, the is indicated by the line 32. The position of the tubular axis 30 also holds a peripheral area of the roller 26 behind the plane of the rear wall 22. The advantage of using a cylindrical roller 26 is that this the mass of the device is distributed over a larger area than castors or the like do if the device has a carpeted area is moved; in addition, the device can be moved up and down a flight of stairs, whereby the exposed peripheral area of the roller 26 enables it to be aligned with the surface of the forage step and the horizontal Surface of stairs comes into contact and this

-7- 409881/0109

follows when the device moves up and down a stairwell will. In the rest position, the device is carried by the roller 26 so that the downwardly protruding edge of the front Wall 24 rests on the supporting surface 3 2.

Reference is now made particularly to Fig. 4, from which it can be seen that the housing 14 at its downward protruding end is connected to the upper surface of the rear portion of the upper wall 16 of the housing and extends from this extends from at an angle backwards and upwards by a predetermined distance. A tubular part is on one end connected to a peripheral portion of the housing 14 near the upper end thereof and extending laterally downward and away from the rear of the housing to form a handle 34. The handle 34 is provided with a "quick release valve" 36 provided, the purpose for which will be described below.

The housing 12 has a first partition wall 38 which extends transversely thereto and which extends at a predetermined distance extends parallel behind the front wall 2 4. The downwardly protruding edge of this first partition wall lies in the bounded by the downwardly protruding edges of the side walls and the front wall, while its upper plane End extends in a horizontal plane halfway up the front wall 24, creating a suction nozzle or opening 40 arises, which extends between the side walls 18 and 20 for reasons that are clearly evident.

The first partition wall 38 is spaced from the inner surface of the front wall 24 by a plurality of spacers or stops 42 and 44 which are generally planar and supported by curved side edges

-8th-

409881/0109

which lie between the front wall 24 and the front partition wall 38 and a pair of passages or channels 46 at the upper end of the nozzle opening 40 limit, whereby the cross-section of the flow path of the suction nozzle reduced and the flow rate of the used cleaning liquid and air is increased, which are drawn through this in a manner to be described.

A second transverse partition which has a has vertical plate portion 48 with a substantially horizontal plate portion 50 substantially is connected at a right angle, divides the front upper portion of the housing interior so that a Air passage and a chamber 52 for receiving used cleaning liquid are formed.

A fan device 54, which has a motor M drivingly connected to a fan F, is located inside of the housing, the fan F being carried by the vertical partition plate 48 around an inlet opening formed therein is. An upwardly projecting partition screen or partition 58 extends transversely through the rear section the chamber 52, wherein the downwardly extending edge of the wall 58 is attached to the horizontal partition wall 50 so that the lateral end edges are attached to the inner surface of the relevant side wall 18 or 20 of the housing, and the partition wall 58 at its upper horizontal end at a distance below the plane of the upper wall 16 of the housing runs. The wall 58 lies parallel at a distance in front of the vertical partition plate 48, so that an air chamber 60 is formed which communicates with the fan inlet port 56. A screen 61 extends between the upper ends of the wall 58 and the plate 40, thereby limiting the opening of the air chamber 60, so that lint and the like cannot penetrate. The fan F lets air

-9-

409881/0109

- Exit 9 downwards through the open bottom of the housing.

A spray head 62 extends downwardly through, and is supported by, partition 50, wherein its outlet end to the lower horizontal end of the suction nozzle 40 behind the first partition wall 38 so directed is that a spray stream of cleaning fluid is applied to the surface 32 in a manner to be described in FIG the same direction as the transverse distance between the side walls 18 and 20 is applied.

A longer length of resilient line 64 is connected at one end to the handle 34, while the other End connected to a water source, preferably with a hot water pipe on a sink faucet or the like is. An electrical resistance heater is mounted inside the housing 14, one end of which is connected to the end of the handle 34 connected to the housing via a line 68. Another line 70 connects the other end of the heater 66 to the inlet port of a conventional mixing unit 72 with constant Passage cross-section, which is arranged on the rear wall 22 of the housing. The mixing unit 72 is preferably provided with a transparent storage container 74 for a certain amount of detergent, which is indicated by line 76 and mixes with the water flowing through the unit. The outlet opening the unit 72 is connected to the spray nozzle 62 by a line 78, so that when it is opened manually of the valve 36 in the handle 34 water flows into the unit 72, in which there is a predetermined amount of detergent 76 is mixed and applied to the surface 32 by the spray head 62, as indicated by the arrow 80 is. In addition, the water is through the heating device

-10-

409881/0109

heated to a preselected temperature. A liquid pump P is mounted on a mounting arm 82, which protrudes downward in front of the partition plate 50, the inlet opening of the pump extending through the plate 50 and is in communication with chamber 52. The outlet port of the pump P is via a line 84 with a connector 85 connected to the upper end portion of the wall of the housing 14, the line 84 extending through the housing 12 and the control housing 14 extends. An elongated outlet pipe, preferably a transparent tube, is connected to the connector 85 on the housing, while the other End is connected to a drain, for example with the drain of a wash basin near the water supply or in these joins. The line is transparent so that it can be determined whether the device is dirty, used cleaning fluid give up or not. The inlet port of the pump is preferably provided with a filter 88 for removing lint or leftovers from the water flowing into the pump P are covered.

Reference is now made to FIG. 5, in which, designated by the reference numeral 90, a receptacle provided with a filter or a filter device is specified, which is preferably carried by the housing in the chamber 52 and for Main filtering of the used cleaning fluid is used. The filter device preferably has a transparent plate 92 which forms part of the upper wall section of the housing and in the plane thereof near the upper end of the front wall 24 between the side walls 18 and 20 and is arranged in front of the housing 14. The filter device has a pair of side plates 94, which of the respective end portions of the top plate 92 near the inner end of the respective side walls 18 and 2O of the housing protrude downwards. The side panels

-11-

409881/0109

94 end at a distance below the separating plate 50. The downwardly projecting end sections of these lateral plates 94 are connected to one another by a filter screen 96 which forms a substantially U-shaped passage, see above that used cleaning liquid, the lint or the like contains, falls through the filter screen 96 due to the force of gravity, whereby the lint is separated out. the Filter means can be easily removed for cleaning by pulling it out of the chamber by a button-like handle 98 52 is raised. If the filter device 90 is not used, its wall section 92 forms a part the upper wall 16 of the housing and serves as a sight glass and removable plate,

A plug socket 100 for electrical power is with connected to the housing 14 near the handle 3 4 and provided for receiving a conventional plug 102 with a mains connection, which supplies power from a power source (not shown) to the motor M, the pump P and the water heater 66, the are interconnected by lines (not shown), a corresponding control device being provided which comprises an "ON-OFF" switch S which is provided within the upper end portion of the housing 14,

In operation, the supply lines 6 are 4 and the outlet line 86 each connected to the handle 34 and the connector 85 for the outlet line, while its other end is connected to a water source and a drain, but none of which is shown. The network connection 102 is with connected to an electrical energy source. The lines and 86, as well as the network connection 102 are preferably next to one another attached so that easy control is possible in the operation of the device 10. The switch S is on "ON" switched, and water that was previously heated by the heating device 66 is on the surface to be cleaned

-12-

409881/0109

surface 32 applied by hand control of the valve 36 housed in the handle. The operator lifts the by hand
rear portion of the device from the surface 32, so that
however, the downwardly protruding edge of the front wall 24 still remains in contact with the surface 32, with a
Most of the mass of the device essentially depends on the after
downwardly protruding edge surface of the front wall 24 is carried. As a result, the downwardly extending edge surface of the first partition wall 38 is close to, but spaced from, the surface 32, whereby the air flow
is made possible by the nozzle opening 40. While the cleaning agent continues to be sprayed onto the surface 32,
the device is pulled back by hand so that the downwardly extending edge surface of the front wall 2 4 exerts a squeezing or rubbing effect on the surface 32, whereby the cleaning liquid is removed together with the dirt contained therein. The used cleaning liquid is drawn up in the direction of the arrow through the suction nozzle 40 into the chamber 52, where the air is separated from the water and flows into the chamber 60, whereby it
down through the housing by means of the fan
F is blown out while the water is pumped by the pump P to the outlet point.

-13-

409881/0109

Claims (8)

- 13 claims ηJ Portable floor cleaning device, which has a downwardly open rectangular housing with a front and a rear wall, as well as with an upward and rearward extending handle, which is connected to the housing, characterized by a first partition which divides the housing in the transverse direction, which together with the front wall forms a suction nozzle; a second partition wall which divides the housing in the transverse direction and which forms a receiving chamber for used cleaning liquid and is in communication with the suction nozzle; fan means in the housing communicating with the chamber and rapidly drawing air therefrom, drawing a large amount of air and used cleaning liquid through the suction nozzle; a liquid pump within the housing having an inlet port communicating with the chamber for drawing off spent cleaning liquid, the liquid pump having an outlet port; an elongated outlet conduit connected at one end to the outlet opening and at the other end to a more distant drain; a spray head for spraying a cleaning liquid onto a part of a floor surface to be cleaned, wherein the spray head is arranged inside the housing, and wherein the cleaning takes place near and in front of the suction nozzle when moving the suction nozzle over the floor, while the spray head at its other end with a more distant liquid source is connected. 2. Floor cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized by an electrical resistance heating device connected to a source of electrical energy and is arranged in a supply line; a -14- 409881/0109 Mains connection with plug, which connects an electrical energy source with the blower device and the liquid pump connects, and a cleaning agent containing mixing unit in the supply line between the heating device and the spray head. 3. Floor cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second partition wall has an opening extending through it; that the blower device is generally arranged behind the second partition wall near the opening and is connected to this for the rapid suction of air from the chamber thus formed; that a separating screen is generally arranged in front of the opening within the chamber at a distance from the second partition wall, the opening at the ^top and an opening at the top through which air from a chamber formed by the separating screen is released by the fan device through the opening at the top the separating screen and then can be pulled off through the opening. 4. Bodenreinigungsgerat according to claim 1, 2 or 3, g e indicates by a shield device inside the chamber for receiving used cleaning liquid for filtering off the liquid entering the liquid pump. 5. Bodenreinigungsgerat according to claim 4, characterized by one in the chamber in general opening leading above the screen device, and a transparent cover over the opening to look into the device. 6. Floor cleaning device according to claim 3, characterized through a screen on top of the divider screen. -15- 409881/0109 7. Floor cleaning device according to claim 3, characterized in that the opening is on top of the The partition screen extends from the second partition wall to the top of the partition screen, causing the air to generally pass through the top of the screen and flows down through the opening. 8. Floor cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims f, characterized by a transversely through the housing near the lower end of the rear wall extending axis, and a substantially extending in the same direction roller with the same transverse dimensions as the housing, which is mounted on the axis is that normally much of the mass of the device is carried by the roller. 409881/0109