EP0292901B1 - Apparatus for application of materials for cleaning and maintaining floors - Google Patents

Abstract

A container for liquid floor treatment preparations adapted to be mounted at its back to the handle of a long-handled floor wiper, wherein the container includes a return flow cutoff funnel with an inlet, and a lower outlet tube with an exit port coupled to one end of a flexible hose that is selectively kinked to prevent fluid flow from the container to the floor, or unkinked to obtain such fluid flow.

Description

The invention relates to a device for applying floor cleaning and care products, in particular self-gloss emulsion, with the aid of a floor wiper fastened to a device handle, which during operation receives a mop cover or the like, with a storage container for a pipe on the device handle for the device cleaning or maintenance agent to be applied is attached, which has a drainage stop consisting of a hose integrated into the pipeline and to be kinked for blocking.

A floor wiper used in the device itself is described in DE-OS 34 11 858. The known device consists of two frame parts to be folded against one another about a pivot axis and to be locked in their pivoting position with the aid of a locking device. One frame part has a T-shape, and the other frame part has a U-shape that essentially complements the T to form a rectangular plate. The pivot axis is aligned approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the T or U legs. Finally, the device contains a magnetic closure.

Another floor wiper is specified in DE-OS 34 32 685. This device also consists of a two pivotable relative to each other, to be locked by a magnetic lock Frame having frame parts. A pedal is attached to one frame part of the wiper device, which acts on the other frame part and can be moved in the separating direction of the two frame parts in order to release the magnetic closure more easily and thus to be able to open the wiper device more quickly.

With the help of the known devices, floor cleaning and care products, in particular self-gloss emulsions, can be applied relatively evenly. However, the supply of the treatment agents to be distributed on the floor with the wiper device is problematic. For example, emulsions or the like from canisters are poured onto the floor and distributed with the application device. This can result in different layer thicknesses of the applied films. Overdosing and underdosing can lead to streaking or blistering. Particularly when applying emulsions, the production of a second or third coating is problematic, because the distributed emulsion dissolves the first film and reworking is therefore only possible for a short time and with an extremely quick workflow. Finally, the used damp mop covers or the like generally bind an amount of 500 to 800 g of the treatment agent, which is thus removed from the actual use.

From US-A-2,768,401 a device for applying floor cleaning and care products, in particular self-gloss emulsion, according to the preamble of claim 1 is known. This device consists of a handle with a floor wiper attached to it. A storage container for the cleaning or care agent to be applied is also attached to the handle of the device and has a hose leading to the floor. The hose is used to form a drainage barrier to bend. The storage container is closed with a lid having a ventilation hole.

The invention has for its object to improve the storage container so that it is constantly ready to receive new treatment agent, but at the same time prevents the treatment agent from leaking during wiping.

In a device of the type mentioned in the introduction, this object is achieved in accordance with the invention in that the storage container has a filling funnel which is designed as a backstop and is always open. Because of the weight to be moved during handling, a storage container with a volume on the order of two liters is preferred.

The invention provides an application device which is equipped with a storage container with a funnel-shaped insertion aid, which also forms a spout block, with a metering valve or the like and with an ergonomically favorable and trouble-free container closure. This ensures that the treatment agent is controlled to the extent desired by the operator and adapted to the requirement of the treatment area to be applied to the floor. The container carried has an always open hopper, so it can be refilled without difficulty, preferably by hand, so that it is sufficient to carry a relatively small amount of treatment agent. Since there is sufficient fresh treatment agent available in every position of the floor wiper, the mop cover can be dimensioned for a minimal treatment agent intake, so that the corresponding loss is also minimal.

The hopper of the storage container should be geometrically shaped so that it represents a closure against leakage of the treatment agent and at the same time a ventilation opening. The hopper should therefore be formed in one piece so that it forms a tight seal against the escape of treatment agents even when the device or its handle is pivoted, but is always ready to receive new treatment agents.

The container according to the invention can, for example, be clamped or bounced onto the handle of a known floor mopping device with the aid of a groove which is recessed or molded in at the rear. It is then expedient to provide a hose olive at the lowest point of the storage container during operation and to connect it to an outlet pipe directed towards the floor via an elastic hose, in particular silicone.

Since it is difficult for some floor treatment agents to construct a valve that is always functional, the valve function of a kink in the connecting hose is exploited. The kink can be actuated by the handle of the device handle, for example with the help of a Bowden cable. The Bowden cable or the like is preferably pretensioned in such a way that a kink provided in the elastic hose normally precludes the flow of treatment agent. The operator can then control the flow of treatment agent according to the particular need by more or less stretching the kink, in particular by selecting the tension generated by the Bowden cable.

Further features of the invention are the counter-band of claims 5 to 10.

Fig. 1

eine Längsschnitt durch ein Gerät zum Auftragen von Fußbodenbehandlungsmitteln; und

Fig. 2

einen Längsschnitt senkrecht zur Ebene von Fig. 1.

Details of the invention are explained on the basis of the schematic drawing of an exemplary embodiment. Show it:

Fig. 1

a longitudinal section through a device for applying floor treatment agents; and

Fig. 2

2 shows a longitudinal section perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 1.

The device according to the invention according to the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1 and 2 consists of a floor wiper designated overall by 1, an associated device handle 2 and a container 3 fastened to the handle 2 with a hose 4 containing pipe 6 ending above the floor 5. The handle 2 has a handle 7, with the help of which the device should be able to be handled essentially. The actual floor wiper 1 can be designed, for example, according to the teachings according to DE-OS 34 11 858 and 34 32 685 mentioned at the beginning.

The storage container, designated as a whole by 3, can be clamped or bruised by means of a groove 9, which is recessed or molded in at the back and contains clips 8, by pressure on the handle 2. In work, the container 3 hangs below the stem 2 on average 10 / so between the floor 5 and the obliquely positioned stem 2 that the container bottom 10 is approximately parallel to the floor 5. The container 3 has a filling funnel 11. The associated funnel outlet 12 should reach the highest point of the liquid level when the device is hanging obliquely to the floor 5. Such a construction ensures that, on the one hand, there is always an open pouring aid and, on the other hand, the closure is secured against escaping liquid. Even if the handle 2 is strong when wiping on transferred surfaces must be lowered and / or jerky movements create a swell in the container 3, liquid does not leak. Through the always open filling opening it is also achieved that the container 3 is aerated according to the (controlled) liquid outflow.

In the exemplary embodiment, the liquid outflow from the container 3 does not take place via conventional valves or taps, since the slightest treatment agent residues dry in these areas and can block the functionality of valves or taps. Rather, as a spout for the device according to the exemplary embodiment, a special valve is provided on the container bottom 10 or at the lowest point with an angled hose olive 13 projecting into the open. On this hose olive 13 the elastic, for example about 7 cm long and made of silicone hose 4 is plugged, which is to be pushed at the other end over an approximately 2 cm long, serving as an outlet to the floor 5 metal tube 14.

According to the exemplary embodiment, the pipe 6 emanating from the container 3 is closed by kinking the hose 4. The position without the kink 15 of the hose 4 is shown in dashed lines in FIG. 1.

In order to be able to control the closing or opening of the container outlet designed as a hose olive 13 from the handle 7 by means of a more or less strong kinking or stretching of the hose 4, an eyelet 16 is provided on the hose 4 or on the metal pipe 14 attached to its outlet. into which a Bowden cable 17 is to be hung, for example with the aid of a hook.

• Der Auslaufmechanismus kann handgerecht in ergonomisch günstiger Körperhaltung betätigt werden.
• Der komplette Bowdenzug 17 liegt im Stielinnern und ist somit keiner Verschmutzung oder Beschädigung ausgesetzt.
• Die Anbindung des Bowdenzugs 17 erfolgt problemlos über ein Häkchen am Ende des Zugteils und eine Öse 16 an der Rohrleitung 6.
• Die großen Durchflußöffnungen von Schlaucholive 13, Schlauch 4 und Auslauf-Metallrohr 14 führen auch bei unsachgemäßer Behandlung nie zu Verstopfungen.
• Der Behälter 3 kann leicht montiert und demontiert werden.
• Das Befüllen bzw. vorzeitige Entleeren des Behälters 3 läßt sich ohne Schwierigkeit ausführen.
• Der Behälter 3 kann, da er lösbar am Stiel 2 befestigt wird, schnell gereinigt werden.
• Der Behälter 3 läßt sich aus transparentem Material, z. B. Polyethylen, herstellen, so daß der Füllstand visuell zu kontrollieren ist.
• Das Gesamtgerät eignet sich grundsätzlich zum Auftragen aller Flüssigkeiten auf horizontalen Flächen.

By actuating the Bowden cable 17, the kinking or the automatic stretching of the hose 4 during the application can can be controlled from the handle 7 without the operator having to bend down to the lower end of the container 3. The cable of the Bowden cable 17 can be passed through the interior of the handle 2. An opening for the Bowden cable 17 is then provided in the handle 2 in the area adjacent to the hose 4 to be bent. At the other end of the handle 2 - that is, in the region of the handle 7 - the Bowden cable 17 in the exemplary embodiment is kept constantly under tension with the aid of a spiral spring 18 arranged in the handle 2 such that the hose 4 is normally bent, that is, without actuating the Bowden cable 27 and is closed with it. The tension of the Bowden cable 17 can be lifted against the tensile force of the spiral spring 18 with the aid of a sleeve 19 placed on the stem 2 such that the hose 4 can stretch and the kink 15 closing the drain is more or less completely removed. The sleeve 19 can be connected to the spiral spring 18 or to the Bowden cable 17 via a pin which runs through the slot with the handle 2. In the exemplary embodiment, both one end of the spiral spring 18 and one end of the Bowden cable 17 are connected to the sleeve 19, so that the pulling force of the spring 18 is canceled and the hose 4 is stretched by sliding the sleeve 19 downward.
According to the exemplary embodiment, the pipeline 6 ends with the metal pipe 14 above the actual floor wiper 1. The arrangement is thus made such that when the hose 4 is stretched, the treatment liquid 20 can flow onto the floor 5 with a jet at a distance from the body of the floor wiper 1. To fill or empty the container 3, it can be pulled off the stem 2 in the exemplary embodiment. There is therefore a rotatably mounted ring 21 on the hose olive 13, which holds the bent hose 4 or the pipe 6, if necessary.
The device according to the exemplary embodiment according to the invention provides the following advantages:

• The outlet mechanism can be operated in an ergonomically favorable posture.
• The complete Bowden cable 17 is inside the handle and is therefore not exposed to dirt or damage.
• The Bowden cable 17 is easily connected via a tick at the end of the pulling part and an eyelet 16 on the pipeline 6.
• The large flow openings of hose olive 13, hose 4 and outlet metal pipe 14 never lead to blockages even when handled improperly.
• The container 3 can be easily assembled and disassembled.
• The filling or early emptying of the container 3 can be carried out without difficulty.
• The container 3 can be cleaned quickly since it is detachably attached to the handle 2.
• The container 3 can be made of transparent material, e.g. B. polyethylene, so that the level can be checked visually.
• The entire device is basically suitable for the application of all liquids on horizontal surfaces.

Reference symbol list

1 =

Floor mop

2 =

Tool handle

3 =

container

4 =

tube

5 =

floor

6 =

Pipeline

7 =

Handle

8 =

Bracket

9 =

Groove

10 =

Tank bottom

11 =

hopper

12 =

Funnel outlet

13 =

Hose olive

14 =

Metal pipe

15 =

Kink

16 =

eyelet

17 =

Bowden cable

18 =

Coil spring

19 =

Sleeve

20 =

Treatment liquid

21 =

ring

Claims (10)

1. Device for the application of floor cleaning and maintenance agents, in particular of polishing emulsion, with the aid of a floor wiper (1), which is fastened at an appliance stick (2) comprising a handle (7) and in operation receives a wiper covering or the like, wherein a storage container (3), which comprises a pipe duct (6) to the floor (5), for the cleaning and maintenance agents to be applied is fastened at the appliance stick (2) and comprises an outflow barrier which is integrated into the pipe duct (6) and consists of a hose (4) to be kinked for a blockage (4), characterised thereby, that the storage container (11) possesses an always open filling funnel (11) constructed as return flow barrier.
2. Device according to claim 1, characterised thereby, that the storage container (11) possesses a groove (9), which is shaped or let in rearwardly, for clamping or impacting onto the stick (2).
3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised thereby, that the filling funnel (11) of the storage container (3) in the case of one-piece construction possesses the geometric shape of a closure against an outflow of the treatment agent and, at the same time, a ventilation opening.
4. Device according to one or more of the claims 1 to 3, characterised thereby, that a hose adapter (13) is provided at the base (10), which is situated lowest in operation, of the storage container (3) and that this hose adapter (13) is connected by way of an elastic hose (4), in particular of silicon, with a metal tube (14) directed towards the floor (5).
5. Device according to claim 4, characterised thereby, that the metal tube (14) ends at a spacing above the floor (5).
6. Device according to one or more of the claims 1 to 5, characterised thereby, that a Bowden cable pull (17), which engages around the hose (4) by way of an eyelet (16) and is to be actuated from the handle (7) of the stick (2), is provided for the kinking or straightening of the hose.
7. Device according to claim 6, characterised thereby, that the Bowden cable pull (17) is led partially through the interior space of the stick (2).
8. Device according to claim 6 or 7, characterised thereby, that the Bowden cable pull (17) is connected in the region of the handle (7) to a spiral spring (18), which is kept under constant tension, in such a manner that the hose (4) normally displays a kink (15) and is closed thereby.
9. Device according to claim 8, characterised thereby, that an actuating means, which stands in connection with the Bowden cable pull (17) and in particular is an axially displaceable sleeve (19) for the cancellation or adjustment of the spring force of the spiral spring (18), is provided on the stick (2).
10. Device according to claim 9, characterised thereby, that the spiral spring (18) and the Bowden cable pull (17) are articulated at the sleeve (19).

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