EP0632705A1

EP0632705A1 - Method for cleaning vertical and horizontal glazed or similarly smooth surfaces, and apparatus therefor

Info

Publication number: EP0632705A1
Application number: EP93920547A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Willy Leroux
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-03-24
Filing date: 1993-03-23
Publication date: 1995-01-11
Also published as: JPH08507223A; AU3757893A; WO1993018698A1; FI944411A; TW362006B; NO943525L; FI944411A0; CA2132628A1; FR2688996A1; FR2688996B1; NO943525D0; BR9306142A; IE930662A1

Abstract

A method for cleaning vertical and horizontal glazed or similarly smooth surfaces, and an apparatus therefor. The method comprises using: a device for dispensing a mixture of a liquid cleaning aid and low-pressure steam having a physical, chemical or thermal effect on said cleaning aid, transforming same and dislodging dirt by immediately dissolving and/or dispersing it in a recondensed residual liquid; an assembly (1) for spraying the steam/cleaning aid mixture onto said surface, whereby the dirt dissolved and/or dispersed in the residual liquid may be removed and the surface dried in a single step; an assembly for automatically supplying the spraying assembly with steam and cleaning agent contained in an optionally portable housing (2); and an assembly for controlling the outflow of steam and liquid cleaning aid as well as the other functions of the apparatus according to use. The method and apparatus may be used for all smooth surfaces such as glazing and smooth finishings for modern building façades; indoor glazing and smooth surfaces such as painted walls and ceilings; smooth floors, tiling and synthetic coverings for offices, workshops and various buildings; and industrial sheet metal work, bodywork and windscreens for various vehicles.

Description

METHOD FOR CLEANING GLASS OR SMOOTH SURFACES AND VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL ANALOGS AND APPARATUS FOR IMPLEMENTING SAME.

The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for carrying out the instant cleaning process of panes and other smooth vertical and horizontal similar surfaces, such as glazing, smooth exterior coverings, floors (tiled and smooth), ceilings, murals, paintings. of various vehicles etc.

A first type of apparatus is currently known which projects water vapor at low or medium pressure onto the surface to be cleaned and a second type of apparatus projects a cleaning product having a detergent effect or the like on said surface. These two types of apparatus are used with a hand-held squeegee of the straight-ruler type or with a scraper brush which entrains dirt and residual liquid, or else also comprising a sponge, or at least a fixed or rotary brush, or directly with the steam jet. Some devices include means for recovering the cleaning liquid by suction, in which the dirt is in solution. These devices do not make it possible to remove resistant, dried and hardened dirt which generally remains after a first pass either of steam or of detergent. The wetting power of the steam is poor. The wetting power of cleaning products at room temperature is slow. It is therefore necessary to use a mechanical action supplémentai e ^r i for the removal of these resistant dirt and steam cleaners. The drawbacks presented by these techniques and devices for incomplete processing make them ineffective, even unusable for optimal quantitative (rapidity of cleaning) and qualitative (absence of dirt and residual traces) work.

The current working technique of a washer comprises two mechanical operations A (dissolving and / or dispersing the dirt) and B (eliminating the soils dissolved and / or dispersing) and two constraints C (obligation of perfect result ) and D (permanent security obligation). A - Dissolution and / or dispersion of fouling present on the surface to be cleaned, glazed or not:

The washer soaped the window and the brush with a wiper impregnated with water and liquid additive. The surface-wetting effect is about 30 mN / m, the detergent action is used. The soils are dissolved and completely dispersed non-instantaneously.

The cleaning dilution gradually wets and disintegrates dirt, dried deposits or encrustations by the action of surfactants present in the product. It penetrates them by acting on their contact with the glass or other surface. Surfactants and solvents authorized by law, used for cleaning windows or other surfaces, not acting quickly enough, require additional mechanical brushing action on these deposits to peel them off more quickly. This phase is long. B - Final elimination of soils dissolved and / or dispersed by entrainment and drying simultaneously by the action of a flexible lip. The duration of this action is very close to zero. Cleaning is effective, coupled with phase A, but long.

The washer moves on the surface a rule known as "to pull" or squeegee entraining the mixture containing the stains and simultaneously drying the surface. The glass is all the clearer as step A is treated (chemical and mechanical action). C - Obligation of sparkling result:

The washer must not leave traces that cloud the window or alter the cleaned surface.

D - Permanent obligation of security and legality:

The products used must not have any harmful action on the health of the washer or on the environment. It must not flood or degrade by accidental flow, the floor coverings.

Current attempts to remove Stage A using a squeegee, classified into four groups:

1 - The devices combining rotary brushes, cleaning liquid adjuvant and squeegee:

The drawing of a squeegee on a window takes place in a fraction of a second. Despite the speed at which the brushes operate, they do not have the time to properly perform their function relative to the speed of the washer's movement (fraction of a second). The operator is obliged to make numerous passes until the dirt is removed. The cleaning time is long, but with good results.

2 - Devices combining a water / liquid admixture mixture under high pressure and a squeegee: This combination leads to catastrophic floods, particularly in the case of glazing, vertical walls or ceilings in the presence of carpet-type flooring. For cleaning floors and flooring, cleaning is not instantaneous despite the pressure. He consumes a lot of product. It is very unsuitable for cleaning vertical surfaces.

3 - Devices combining a sprayed cleaning liquid adjuvant with a squeegee, phase B, (RIGGERS DE-A-2 913 367 patent for example):

The surface tensions of the water / detergent mixture are approximately 30 mN / m, which represents a weak wetting leading to a poor result because the detergent action has very little effect due to the absence of contact time. Cleaning is ineffective.

4 - Appliances combining Your diffusion of hot water vapor and a squeegee: -: πc The wetting effect of the steam, 60 mN / m, is even more mediocre than that of authorized cleaning products. Detergent action is absent. There is a definite thermal action, but which does not allow the evaporation of certain stains and the softening of solid encrustations, but they are not eliminated in the absence of detergent action. The result is even less convincing, cleaning is ineffective.

Self-cleaning products require a relatively long wait to remove dirt and require an abundant rinse and / or wiping.

The problem not resolved by the aforementioned methods and means, therefore, consists in obtaining instantaneous, total and sparkling cleaning in results using legal and safe products, in a single rapid passage at more than 2 m / sec, without any mechanical action of scraping or brushing, a handy short handle hand tool. Soils generally require, to be removed, a prior mechanical action, vigorous brushing or scraping after being soaked with a detergent liquid. This results in a significant loss of time. These soils resist the prolonged action of steam, the wetting power of which is insufficient despite its thermal action. The wetting and detergent action of cleaning products on the market is not fast enough to perform cleaning in a single pass. The object of the present invention is to completely solve the problem posed above by the instantaneous solution and / or total dispersion of the dirt and / or stains present on the surfaces to be cleaned, to remove them and to dry said surface. The method for cleaning windows or other smooth surfaces according to the invention, simultaneously uses on a surface to be cleaned:

the combined implementation of an emission of a liquid adjuvant with cleaning action and an emission of hot water vapor at low pressure, producing a physical, chemical and thermal action on the liquid adjuvant and transforming it, the effects of this combination causing detachment, dissolution and / or instantaneous dispersion of the dirt present on this surface,

- a flexible lip in action mounted on a tool, evacuating the cleaning liquid containing dirt, dissolved and / or dispersed and drying the surface.

The hot water vapor generates a double change of state of the liquid adjuvant by transforming it into a gaseous mixture consisting of vapors, and into charged micro-droplets, during the following phases: - a vaporization phase of a part of the materials having their boiling point lower than or equal to that of water vapor,

- a phase of nebulization of the liquid part of the additive in charged spherical micro-droplets having a geometrically optimal contact surface increasing the wetting effect of the process, - a phase of thermal action of water vapor on the micro - charged droplets thus formed optimizing to the extreme the physicochemical action potentials of surface-active agents and solvents, further increasing their exceptional action of wettability, cleaning and degreasing, - a phase of agitation of the micro - charged droplets, due to thermal convention currents generated by hot water vapor. It then uses said gaseous mixture of vapors and the micro-droplets, as well as the flexible lip, during the following phases:

- an exceptional wetting, cleaning and degreasing action phase, solvent vapors and micro-droplets having their highly optimized effects on the dirt present on the surface to be cleaned,

- an instant vaporization phase of volatile oils and fats, - a propagation phase due to the agitation of the micro-droplets, acting on the soiling, at the level of the zone of contact with the surface, by fragmenting them, peeling them off, dissolving them and dispersing them so as to be able to entrain them by flexible lip, - a phase of optimizing the entrainment of dirt by partial recondensation of water vapor and vaporized solvents, due to the significant difference in temperature between the gas mixture and the surface to be cleaned,

- a phase of entrainment of the residual liquid containing the dirt in suspension, and of drying by the action of the flexible lip.

The liquid adjuvant with cleaning action is of a common nature or is adapted in composition and concentration according to the varieties and the degree of soiling present on the surfaces to be cleaned. These relative concentrations of raw material are adjusted so that in the presence of hot water vapor, a homogeneous nebulization of the product occurs. Most of these raw materials have emulsifying properties. Said liquid adjuvant consists of raw materials in the following percentage order of magnitude:

- glycols alcohols and ethers 30% - dimethyl amide of unsaturated fatty acid with long hydrocarbon chain or other amides> 0.5%

- hydrotropic agent 1%

- 2% hydrocarbon surfactants

- fluorocarbon surfactants> 0.5% - sequestering agents 2%

- additives 2%

- demineralized water Q. S. P. the liquid adjuvant is very concentrated in raw materials, in that the micro-droplets, present in the gas mixture, are very heavily loaded with non-vaporizable raw materials; the vapors of said gaseous mixture subject the raw materials of said micro-droplets to a temperature of the order of 100 to 180 °.

The charge of the micro-droplets comprises a functional amino fluorocarbon surfactant depositing on the surface, simultaneously with the dissolution and / or dispersion of the dirt, a regular and homogeneous reflective film, uniformly spread by the flexible lip, that the amino function is provided for the physical adsorption of said film on the surface. The reflectance of said film is increased by increasing the concentration of said functional amino fluorocarbon surfactant. The mechanical characteristics of the reflective film and the regularity of its deposition are increased, by the association, in the formulation of the liquid adjuvant, of an amide with the functional amino hydrocarbon surfactant. The recondensed residual liquid containing the soilings in suspension, is sucked up at the time of the last phase of the process. The flow rate of the cleaning liquid adjuvant is adjusted relative to the flow rate of hot water vapor by regulating the flow rate of the supply means of said adjuvant. According to the invention, the cleaning process uses the following means:

a means for emitting a cleaning liquid adjuvant on the surface to be cleaned,

a means for emitting hot water vapor at low pressure, simultaneously or not simultaneously with the emission of the liquid adjuvant,

a tool (1) for local emission of hot water vapor and of the cleaning liquid adjuvant on said surface, ensuring, in a single pass, a function for removing dirt in solution and / or in dispersion of the residual liquid and a function of drying the cleaned surface by means of a flexible lip,

a means of storing the cleaning liquid adjuvant,

means for supplying the entire emission with hot water vapor and with adjuvant cleaning liquid,

means for controlling the emission of hot water vapor and cleaning liquid adjuvant,

- a means of suctioning the residual liquid.

The automatic means for supplying the tool (1) with water vapor and with cleaning liquid adjuvant are arranged in a portable housing, these means comprise: - an electric generator of water vapor heated by an armored resistance and whose internal temperature is controlled by an adjustable thermostat and whose vapor pressure is controlled by a pressure gauge,

- a tank containing a cleaning liquid adjuvant of composition and concentration appropriate to the nature of the dirt, - pipes for filling the steam generator and the tank (11) of cleaning liquid adjuvant, a pipe for leaving the connected tank on a feed pump as an adjuvant; - a solenoid valve or Tadjuvant taps, mounted on the pipe and a solenoid valve for steam distribution control on Diffusion hose,

- steam outlet and liquid adjuvant pipes grouped together at the outlet of the box with the electrical conductors coming from a sealed electrical supply box for the various devices and extended by flexible pipes included in the flexible supply pipe of Diffusion everything,

- ventilation holes or openings; - an opening attachment means, maintaining a large ease loop of the flexible hose, allowing the range of movements of the operator and the use of an extension for working at height. The mixture diffusion tool includes:

- a short thermally insulated and extendable handle, provided with a carcass ending in a support on which is mounted an interchangeable elastomer profile or the like, comprising a lip whose flexibility is a function of the nature of the surface to be wiped and dried by evacuation of the very small amount of residual liquid containing the dirt, is mounted perpendicularly on said support, - a diffusion nozzle in sheet integral with said support arranged parallel to the flexible lip and in the vicinity thereof, emitting the vapor mixture hot water at low pressure and the cleaning liquid adjuvant, over a width slightly less than that of the flexible lip, - means for controlling the automatic supply device for the steam diffusion nozzle and the diffusion nozzle for Tadjuvant cleaning fluid,

- means for controlling the opening of the emission of steam and of the emission of cleaning liquid adjuvant. The diffusion of the mixture of steam and cleaning liquid adjuvant takes place simultaneously through a single central nozzle, in that the emission of adjuvant and the emission of steam mixes in the vicinity of the inlet of the said Toutil nozzle.

The vapor emission and the emission of cleaning liquid adjuvant meet and mix at the outlet of the housing at the inlet of the flexible pipe in a single supply pipe of diffusion Toutil.

The electrical control means for the emission of the mixture of cleaning liquid additive and hot steam is located on Toutil or on the carrying means. The flexible supply hose of Toutil in mixture, is provided with a length allowing the use of an extension; Toutil is provided with a means of extension of the flexible supply cord for the water vapor and adjuvant mixture. According to the invention, for cleaning large surfaces such as floors, ceilings or walls, the device comprises:

means of automatic supply of Toutil with diffusion of hot water vapor, with adjuvant of cleaning liquid and compressed air as well as a means of suction of the residual liquid in which the soiling is dissolved or dispersed, preferably arranged on a trolley, the water tanks, adjuvant cleaning liquid and recovery of aspirated residual liquid, being of volume adapted to the dimensions of the surfaces to be cleaned,

a diffusion tool comprising an extended handle for working on the ground according to ergonomic standards, in that said tool is equipped with at least one rotary brush for removing dirt from the porous floors to be cleaned, in that said tool is provided with a suction nozzle for the residual liquid, in that said tool is provided with a compressed air outlet for rapid drying of the cleaned surface, - electrical means for controlling the emission of vapor from hot water and liquid adjuvant, compressed air diffusion and suction of the residual liquid, arranged on the handle of said tool.

The apparatus also applies to the cleaning of the bodies and windshields of various vehicles, in that Toutil of diffusion comprises in this case a flexible flexible lip as well as an additional nozzle of emission of compressed air of complement drying.

The advantages presented by the process and its means of implementation are the following:

- total cleaning, almost instantaneous, in a single rapid passage at more than 2m / sec, without turning back, without mechanical action, of the vertical and horizontal smooth surfaces even very dirty, comprising deposits and dry and hardened aggregates;

- removal of the protection of carpets, tapestries, curtains and other interior coverings of apartments, offices and various premises due to the total absence of projection or flow of water or cleaning product;

- significant time savings compared to known means, at least three times shorter than conventional methods; - economy of liquid adjuvant with cleaning action and of water, because the process considerably increases the combined efficiency of these two fluids;

- possibility of using much more concentrated liquid cleaning aids;

- compactness and greater lightness of the device, the process of which requires less volume of vapor and less cleaning aid;

- simplicity and ease of use for both professional and domestic uses; The process applies to all smooth surfaces such as:

- smooth glazing and cladding on the facades of modern buildings;

- interior glazing and smooth interior surfaces such as wall and ceiling paints;

- smooth floors, tiles and synthetic coverings for offices, workshops and various buildings;

- industrial sheet metal, bodywork of various vehicles.

The invention is described in detail in the following text, with reference to the accompanying drawings given by way of non-limiting examples, showing: - fig.l, a perspective view of the implementation of the apparatus according to the method of the invention;

- Fig.2, a schematic sectional view of the portable housing in which are arranged the supply means, cleaning tool, steam and adjuvant cleaning liquid; - Figs. 3 and 4, a front view and a side view of a first version of diffusion Toutil;

- Figs. 5 and 6, a front view and a side view of a second version of Toutil for diffusing cleaning fluids;

- Fig.7, a sectional view according to Tax AA of Figure 3, the flexible supply hose of Toutil of diffusion of cleaning fluids

- Figs. 8 and 9, a front view and a side view of a third version of Toutil for diffusing cleaning fluids;

- fig. 10, a first example of a section of vapor diffusion nozzle and adjuvant; - fig. 11, a second example of a section of vapor diffusion nozzle and of adjuvant; As shown in use in FIG. 1, the device comprises a diffusion tool 1 with a short handle, thermally sealed, held in the hand by the operator on the back of which is strapped a portable housing 2 comprising a flexible hose 3 for supplying diffusion fuel 1 of the vapor and adjuvant mixture.

The top of the housing includes the filling orifices 4 and 5 of the boiler 8 and of the tank of cleaning liquid adjuvant.

Fig.2 shows the means for automatically supplying cleaning fluids contained in the portable housing 2 on the back by means of straps; they include:

- an electric steam generator 8, the water of which is heated by an armored resistor 9; the temperature is controlled by an adjustable thermostat 10 and the vapor pressure by a pressure gauge,

a reservoir 11 containing a liquid adjuvant of composition and concentration adapted to the nature of the dirt present on the surfaces to be cleaned;

- pipes 13, 14, for filling the steam generator 8 and the tank 11 with liquid additive, a pipe 16, for leaving the tank 11 connected to a pump 18 for supplying the additive; - a solenoid valve or tap 19, 20 for selecting the adjuvant to be used, mounted on the pipe 16 and a solenoid valve 21 for controlling the steam distribution on the diffusion element 1;

- steam outlet pipes 22 and liquid additive 23 grouped together at the bottom of the housing 2 with the electrical conductors 25 coming from a sealed housing 26 for supplying electrical power to the various devices 9, 10, 18, 19, 21 and extended by flexible hoses included in the flexible hose 3 for supplying Diffusion 1;

- holes or ventilation openings 24 managed on the housing 2; - An opening attachment means (not shown), to maintain a large ease loop of the flexible hose 3, allowing the amplitude of the movements of the operator and the possible use of an extension for working at height. Of course, the device can be connected to the mains by electrical conductors of sufficient length, or connected to a small portable generator on a scooter or the like,

Figs. 3 and 4 show a front view and a side view of an example of a version of Toutil 1 for diffusing the cleaning mixture. It consists of a rigid part 28 acting as a short handle or handle for proximity uses and arranged to receive an extension that can be telescopic for working at height, or a long handle for cleaning floors. This handle 28 includes an electrical control 29, opening control of the solenoid valves 19 (adjuvant) and 21 (steam), and of the Toutil 1 feed pump with liquid adjuvant.

The pipes 22, 23 extend into the handle 28 and lead respectively to the nozzles, 30 of vapor diffusion and 31 of cleaning liquid adjuvant, integral with a carcass 32 ending in a perpendicular support 33 on which is mounted so removable, an ëlasto era profile or similar. This profile has a relatively flexible lip 34, ensuring the removal of the very small amount of residual cleaning liquid in which the dirt is in solution, and drying the cleaned surface. The nozzles 30, 31 may consist of metal or heat-resistant plastic tubes, comprising either a diffusion slot over their entire length, or successive perforations arranged parallel to the lip 34. The whole of Toutil can be made either in light alloy or in injected plastic. The vapor diffusion zone 35 and the adjuvant diffusion zone 36 have been shown relatively distant from the lip 34.

In FIGS. 5 and 6, a preferred version has been shown comprising a single diffusion nozzle 30 in the form of a set of very fine holes. The tubular nozzle is shown very close to the lip 34. It can be further from the lip, like the nozzle 31 in FIG. 3. In the different versions of Toutil, the tubular nozzles are slightly shorter than the lip 34. This lip 34 can be very long, 45 to 50 centimeters and even more, since it does not have to provide a scraping function and that the adjuvant comprises an agent facilitating the sliding of this lip on the surface to be wiped requiring only 'a very low pressure on said surface.

In FIG. 7, an exe-uple of cross section of the flexible pipe 3 according to AA of FIGS. 3 and 5 has been shown. The pipes 22 for the passage of vapor and 23 of liquid additive, as well as the electrical conductors 25, are overmolded in a flexible elastomer. In the third variant of diffusion kit 1 of FIGS. 8 and 9, the nozzles 30, 31 for diffusion in the form of a sheet, have been replaced by a single central diffusion nozzle 40 of the adjuvant vapor mixture. It is also possible to have a sheet nozzle for one of the cleaning fluids and a central nozzle for the other. It is however preferable to carry out the vapor / adjuvant mixture before its diffusion, that is to say at the inlet of the flexible hose 3, at the outlet of the housing 2, which lightens the latter since there is only one single pipe for passage of the mixture, either in the vicinity of the central outlet nozzle or in sheet 30 or 40 of the mixture.

In FIG. 10, an example of a diffusion tube has been shown in which the pipe 44 for the passage of the liquid admixture is included in the pipe 45 for the passage of the vapor. These two pipes are joined on the diffusion side. They are drilled laterally with holes 46 and 47 for leaving liquid additive and vapor.

FIG. 11 shows a variant of the diffusion nozzle made up of two identical contiguous sections, for example extruded 50, 51 comprising a tubular half-part secured to a plane fin 52 bearing Tune on the other and secured by bonding or welding. Holes 46, 47 allow the projection of the liquid adjuvant and of the vapor.

As a variant, Toutil de diffusion 1 can be provided with an additional suction nozzle for liquid residues, in particular for working on the ground, for which the volume of the residual liquid after cleaning, may be greater than in the case of cleaning of vertical or ceiling surfaces where it is very reduced. This nozzle is connected by a hose, to a vacuum cleaner arranged either in the portable case, or independent, placed on the ground. For cleaning large or very large surfaces such as floors, ceilings or walls, offices and various workshops, the device includes:

means of automatic supply of spraying vapor and cleaning liquid to Toutil, of compressed air as well as a means of suction of the residual liquid in which the dirt is in solution or in dispersion, preferably arranged on a carriage, the reservoirs of water, of adjuvant cleaning liquid and of recovery of residual fluid sucked in, being of volume adapted to the dimensions of the surfaces to be cleaned;

a diffusion tool comprising an extended handle for working on the ground in accordance with ergonomic standards, in that said tool is equipped with at least one rotary brush for removing dirt from the dirt contained in the pores of the soil to be cleaned;

- a suction nozzle for the residual liquid added to the diffusion tool; - A compressed air outlet for rapid drying of the cleaned surface also disposed on said diffusion tool;

- electrical control means, vapor diffusion and liquid adjuvant, compressed air diffusion and suction of residual liquid, disposed on the handle of said tool (these means are neither shown nor described because they are all well known to the man of Tart);

- a hooded carriage in which are arranged all the means for automatically supplying steam diffusion with adjuvant and cleaning liquid, as well as the means for sucking up the residual liquid and the means for supplying compressed air; the water tanks, adjuvant cleaning liquid and recovery of residual liquid are of volume adapted to the dimensions of the surfaces to be cleaned. The residual liquid discharge lip is more resistant in this case than for cleaning glass. In the case of application to the cleaning of vehicle bodies, the wiping lip is shorter and more flexible to make it easier to follow the curved surfaces of these and Toutil of diffusion comprises an additional nozzle of emission of compressed air to complete the drying of the cleaned surface. The process is carried out as follows:

A liquid adjuvant with cleaning action and hot water vapor at low pressure are projected onto the surface to be cleaned, acting in a physico-chemical and thermal manner on the liquid adjuvant by subjecting it to partial changes of state for the part containing components with a low boiling point and by nebulizing the other part in homogeneous micro-droplets within a cloud of water vapor. The purpose of this action is to cause detachment, fragmentation and dissolution and / or total and instantaneous dispersion of soiling and / or soiling. We associate with these projections, the mechanical action of Toutil 1 comprising the flexible lip in order to entrain dirt in suspension and / or in solution in the residual liquid and to dry the surface simultaneously and very quickly in a single pass, with a result perfect. This result is obtained even with a high degree of fouling and without the aid of a brushing or scraping action to remove the dirt beforehand. The surface-wetting effect is very optimized. It is of the order of 20 to 25 mN / m.

It uses products and vapor pressures authorized by the laws and / or standards of toxicity and use in force. The rise in temperature and thermal agitation around the charged spherical micro¬ droplets, due to the thermal convection of hot water vapor, increases ^" by 20% the contact with dirt (fatty deposits, liquids, solid impurities, nicotine, etc.) .), optimizes their spread, their wetting and detergent effects, and dirt is very quickly and effectively impregnated, penetrated and then peeled off.

The liquid adjuvant with cleaning action is of a common nature or is adapted in composition and concentration according to the varieties and the degree of soiling present on the surfaces to be cleaned. These concentrate ^'! Ons for non vaporized raw material are adjusted so that in the presence of hot steam, it produces a homogeneous nébullisation product. This nebulization is favored by using: - solvents of the glycol ether type and alcohols whose physicochemical characteristics of speeds, evaporation points, viscosities, flash point, corresponding to hot use. Their hydrophilic and lipophilic balance are adapted to a high solubility of fats; - surfactants selected for their high wetting, detergency and more particularly emulsification characteristics;

- additives: film-forming agents, sequestrants, dispersants, hydrotropes. Most of these raw materials have emulsifying properties.

All these components are selected in formulation and have a decomposition temperature higher than the temperature of the solvent and water vapors and have excellent compatibility with

Taluminium and its alloys.

Non-limiting examples of the components used in the formulation of the liquid cleaning adjuvant are given below: - Alcohol _, isopropyl very common on the market;

- Solvents: Monomethyl ether of propylene glycol, name PM, supplier

DOW USA;

Dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, name DPM, DOW, USA;

- Dymethyl amide of unsaturated fatty fatty acid with long hydrocarbon chain or other amides, name DMAD, supplier BUCKMAN, Belgium;

- Hydrotropic agent: octane sulfonate of linear bioterge PAS 8SF, supplier STEPAN France;

REPLACEMENT SHEET - Hydrocarbon surfactant, name LAUROPAL X 1205 supplier WITCO, France;

- Polyoxyethylenes fatty alcohol, name LAUROPAL X 1205 supplier WITCO, France; - Fluorocarbon surfactant, ZONYLS family, supplier DUPONT DE NEMOURS, USA

- Sequestering agent: derived from nitrilotriacetic acid

DISOLVINE A, supplier AKZO CHEMISTRY BASE, France base NTA - Additives: glycolic acid, preservatives, colorants.

By way of nonlimiting example, said cleaning liquid adjuvant consists of raw materials in the following percentage order of magnitude:

- alcohol and glycol ethers 30% - dimethyl amide of unsaturated fatty acid with long hydrocarbon chain or other amides> 0.5%

- hydrotropic agents 1%

- 2% hydrocarbon surfactants

- functional amino fluorocarbon surfactants> 0.5% - sequestering agents 2%

- additives 2%

- demineralized water Q. S. P. The components listed above have a good toxicological profile, low toxicity for terrestrial and aquatic organisms, better biodegradability. They are very favorably classified in relation to the regulations for controlling air emissions and pollution in water. They respect the building materials (metal and aluminum uprights, even polished-shiny marbles, carpets, various coatings such as varnish, paints, plastics). Selection of constituents and optimization of their content:

- Adapted evaporation rate.

Solvents have boiling points close to the temperature of water vapor.

- Synergistic action between glycol ethers and surfactants. This results in a high solubility of fats accompanied by a systematic disintegration of organic deposits and dirt; this thanks to adapted hydrophilic-lipophilic scales.

- Excellent wettability of the surface to be treated (by lowering the surface tension of the mixture to a value below 23 mN / m). This characteristic further improves the cleaning properties of the treatment. It allows a complete and uniform spreading of the product, and facilitates its application: Toutil slides on a perfectly smooth surface. In a medium at a temperature of the order of 100 to 150 °, in the presence of hydrocarbon-based surfactants, the fluorocarbon surfactants and the ethyl amide of unsaturated fatty acid with a long hydrocarbon chain very clearly amplify the detergent properties of the product. This results in a marked improvement in wettability, emulsification and dispersion of soiling. This mixture with very strong detergent action, instantly penetrates and disintegrates organic deposits and puts them in solution and / or dispersion in the residual liquid with perfect results. The level of concentration of the materials in a liquid adjuvant formulation depends on the degree and nature of the dirt present on the surface to be cleaned.

The raw materials used in the composition of the liquid cleaning aid vaporize at temperatures of the order of 100 to 150 ° under the thermal action of the vapor. They are very highly concentrated in percentage in the formulation. It is thanks to this nebulization action generated by hot water vapor and its thermal action on charged micro-droplets, that Ton can obtain such strong and unusual concentrations, which are only effective. To effectively clean and dry with a single pass of a flexible lip having an action speed of more than 2m / sec on any smooth surface, the product must act instantly on all types and varieties of soiling and depending on the temperature of the supports. All this changes the speed and the point of evaporation of a liquid which cannot universally clean without leaving traces. In addition, to remove deposits due to nicotine and easily clean a heavily soiled window, additives with a boiling range> 100o must be used. A product in the liquid phase cannot meet these specifications. In addition, it was previously impossible to strongly concentrate the raw materials of the formulations or to use them at temperatures above 100 ° due to evaporation. Systematically, after the passage of the flexible lip, a very opaque white and / or blue veil due to the non-evaporated dry extracts. A product in the liquid phase also cannot meet this second specification. The flexibility of action of the process according to the invention (micro-droplets charged with suitable raw materials, within a gas mixture, undergoing temperatures of more than 100 °).

It is the use of a functional amino fluorocarbon surfactant such as ZONYL FSP (manufactured by DUPONT DE NEMOURS, USA) in the charge of these micro-droplets and undergoing the thermal action of the vapors of the gas mixture greater than lOOo which allows to deposit a reflective film which adsorbs. The characteristics of the film and the regulation of its deposition are increased by adding an amide such as the dimethyl amide of unsaturated fatty acid with a long hydrocarbon chain DMAD type (manufactured by BUCKMAN, Belgium) to the charge of the micro-droplets. . The flexible lip spreads the film evenly. The latter has mechanical robustness properties due to the adsorption phenomenon. It has particularly interesting characteristics of biodegradability, possibly a simple mild soaping is enough to remove it immediately. It protects the surface by making it hydrophore, it becomes fluorocarbophilic, and therefore prepared for a new application which further increases its re ectoration until optically obtaining the three-dimensional reconstruction of objects or of the landscape observed through the glass thus treated by rendering it apparently Virtual. In addition, the tendency of this non-greasy film to retain solid impurities such as dust and tars, is clearly delayed. It avoids the blue stains that can be observed when a window has been cleaned with oily detergents, especially in winter when it undergoes very large temperature differences between day and night.

The quantity of liquid adjuvant formulated and the material concentration thereof are adapted according to the quantity and the predetermined temperature of the hot water vapor, so as to obtain the best characteristics of the microdroplets and of the mixture gaseous. Provision has been made to use a microprocessor for controlling the various parameters of the control of the electrical members and of the steam and adjuvant flows,

Claims

CLAIMS:

1 - Method for cleaning glass panes or other smooth surfaces, characterized in that it simultaneously uses on a surface to be cleaned: - the combined use of an emission of a liquid adjuvant with cleaning action and emission of hot water vapor at low pressure, producing a physical, chemical and thermal action on the liquid admixture and transforming it, the effects of this combination causing detachment, dissolution and / or instantaneous dispersion of dirt present on this surface,

- a flexible lip in action (34) mounted on a tool (1), evacuating the cleaning liquid containing the dirt, dissolved and / or dispersed and drying the surface.

2 - A cleaning method according to claim 1, characterized in that the hot water vapor generates a double change of state of the liquid adjuvant by transforming it into a gaseous mixture consisting of vapors, and into charged micro-droplets, during of the following phases:

- a phase of vaporization of a part of the materials having their boiling point less than or equal to that of water vapor, - a phase of nebulization of the liquid part of the adjuvant in micro¬ charged spherical droplets having a surface of geometrically optimal contact increasing the wetting effect of the process,

- a thermal action phase of water vapor on the charged micro¬ droplets thus formed optimizing to the extreme the physicochemical action potentials of the surfactants and solvents, further increasing their exceptional action of wettability, cleaning and degreasing,

- a phase of agitation of the micro-droplets due to the thermal convection currents generated by the hot water vapor. 3 - A cleaning method according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that it implements said gaseous mixture of vapors and the micro¬ charged droplets, as well as the flexible lip, during the following phases:

- an instantaneous vaporization phase of volatile oils and greases, - an exceptional wetting, cleaning and degreasing action phase, solvent vapors and micro-droplets having their highly optimized effects on the dirt present on the surface to be cleaned, - a propagation phase due to the agitation of the micro-droplets, acting on the soiling, at the level of the zone of contact with the surface, by fragmenting them, peeling them off, dissolving them and dispersing them so as to be able to entrain them by flexible lip, - a phase of optimizing the entrainment of dirt by partial recondensation of water vapor and vaporized solvents, due to the significant difference in temperature between the vapors and the surface to be cleaned,

4 - A cleaning method according to claims 1, 2 and 3, characterized in that the liquid adjuvant with cleaning action is of a routine nature.

5 - A cleaning method according to claims 1, 2 and 3, characterized in that the liquid cleaning adjuvant is adapted in composition and concentration according to the varieties and the degree of soiling present on the surfaces to be cleaned, in that these relative concentrations in raw material are adjusted so that in the presence of hot steam, there is a homogeneous nebulization of the product, in that most of these raw materials have emulsifying properties, in that said liquid adjuvant is consisting of raw materials in the following percentage order of magnitude:

- glycol alcohols and ethers 30% - dimethyl amide of unsaturated fatty acid with long hydrocarbon chain or other amides> 0.5%

- hydrotropic agents 1 .- ° ^*** >

- 2 ° hydrocarbon surfactants

- fluorocarbon surfactants> 0.5% - sequestering agents 2%

- additives 2%

- demineralized water Q. S. P.

6 - A method of cleaning glass surfaces according to at least one of claims 1, 2, 3 and 5, characterized in that the liquid adjuvant is very concentrated in raw materials, in that the micro-droplets present in the gas mixture, are very heavily loaded with non-vaporizable raw materials, in that the vapors of said gaseous mixture subject the raw materials of said micro-droplets to a temperature of the order of 100 to 180 °. 7 - A cleaning method according to Tune at least. Of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the charge of the micro-droplets comprises a functional amino fluorocarbon surfactant depositing on the surface, simultaneously with the dissolution and / or dispersion of soiling, a regular and homogeneous reflective film, spread out uniformly by the flexible lip, in that the function has been provided for the physical adsorption of said film on the surface, in that the reflectance of said film is increased by increasing the concentration of said functional amino fluoro carbon surfactant. 8 - A cleaning method according to at least one of claims 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7, characterized in that the tone increases the mechanical characteristics of the reflective film and the regularity of its deposition, by association, in the formulation liquid adjuvant, an amide with the functional amino fluorocarbon surfactant. 9 - A cleaning method according to claims 1 and 3, characterized in that the recondensed residual liquid containing the soil in suspension, is sucked at the time of the last phase of the process.

10 - Process according to claims 1, 2 and 3, characterized in that the amount of liquid adjuvant formulated and the concentration of materials thereof are adapted according to the quantity and the predetermined temperature of the hot steam water.

11 - Apparatus for implementing the cleaning process according to claims 1, 2 and 3, characterized in that it implements:

a means for emitting a cleaning liquid adjuvant on the surface to be cleaned,

a means of storing the cleaning liquid adjuvant,

- means for supplying emission of hot water vapor and adjuvant cleaning liquid,

- a means of suctioning the residual liquid.

REPLACEMENT SHEET 12 - Apparatus for implementing the method according to claim 11, consisting of a manual scraper for scraping and cleaning dirty surfaces and a portable housing, characterized in that the automatic means of feeding Toutil (1) in steam and adjuvant cleaning liquid are disposed in said portable housing (2), in that these means comprise:

- an electric steam generator (8) heated by an armored resistor (9) and whose internal temperature is controlled by an adjustable thermostat (10), and whose vapor pressure is controlled by a pressure gauge,

- a reservoir (11) containing a liquid cleaning adjuvant of composition and concentration appropriate to the nature of the soiling,

- pipes (13, 14), for filling the steam generator (8) and the reservoir (11) of cleaning liquid adjuvant, a pipe

(16) outlet from the reservoir (11) connected to a pump (18) for admixture supply;

- a solenoid valve or a tap (19, 20) of adjuvant, mounted on the pipe (16), and an electro-valve (21) for piloting the distribution of steam on the diffusion element (1),

- a microprocessor for controlling the various parameters for controlling the electrical components and the steam and adjuvant flow rates,

- steam outlet pipes (22) and liquid additive (23) grouped together at the outlet of the housing (2) with the electrical conductors (25) coming from a sealed housing (26) for supplying the various devices (9, 10, 18, 19, 21) and extended by flexible hoses included in the flexible hose (3) supplying Toutil (1),

- ventilation holes or openings (24); - an opening attachment means, maintaining a large ease loop of the flexible hose (3), allowing the amplitude of the movements of the operator and the use of an extension for working at height.

13 - Apparatus for implementing the cleaning method according to claim 11, characterized in that Toutil (1) comprises: - a short handle (28), thermally insulated and extendable, provided with a carcass (32) ending in a support (33), in that an interchangeable elastomer profile or the like, comprising a lip (34) whose flexibility is a function of the nature of the surface to be wiped and dried by evacuation of the very small amount of residual liquid containing the dirt, is mounted perpendicularly on said support (33),

- a sheet diffusion nozzle (30) integral with said support arranged parallel to the flexible lip (34) and in the vicinity thereof, emitting the mixture of hot water vapor at low pressure (30) and

Cleaning liquid adjuvant, over a width slightly less than that of the flexible lip (34),

means for controlling the automatic supply device for the vapor diffusion nozzle and the diffusion nozzle for the cleaning liquid adjuvant,

- means for controlling the opening of the emission of steam and of the emission of cleaning liquid adjuvant.

14 - Apparatus according to claims 11 and 12, characterized in that the diffusion of the steam and the cleaning liquid adjuvant takes place simultaneously through a single central nozzle, in that the emission of adjuvant and the vapor emission mixes in the vicinity of the entrance of said Toutil nozzle (1).

15 - Apparatus according to claims 11 and 12, characterized in that the steam emission and the emission of cleaning liquid adjuvant meet and mix at the outlet of the housing at the inlet of the flexible pipe (3) in a single diffusion supply hose

(1).

16 - Apparatus according to claims 11 and 12, characterized in that the electrical control means (29) of the emission of the mixture of cleaning liquid adjuvant and hot water vapor is located on Toutil (1).

17 - Apparatus according to claims 11 and 12, characterized in that the manual control means (29) for diffusing the water vapor and the cleaning liquid adjuvant is disposed on the carrying means (2).

18 - Apparatus according to claims 11 and 12, characterized in that the flexible pipe (3) is provided with a length allowing the use of an extension, in that the portable element (2) comprises a removable means of maintenance of a loop of said pipe (3) in normal use.

19 - Apparatus according to claims 11 and 12, characterized in that Toutil (1) is provided with a means for extending the flexible cord (3) for supplying steam and liquid adjuvant. 20 - Apparatus according to claims 11 and 12, characterized in that for cleaning large surfaces of the floor type, ceilings or walls, it comprises: - means of automatic supply of Toutil (1) for diffusion of hot vapor water, adjuvant cleaning liquid and compressed air as well as a means of suction of the residual liquid in which the dirt is dissolved or dispersed, preferably arranged on a cart, the water tanks, adjuvant cleaning liquid and recovery of aspirated residual liquid, being of volume adapted to the dimensions of the surfaces to be cleaned,

- a diffusion tool comprising an extended handle for working on the ground according to ergonomic standards, in that said tool is equipped with at least one rotary brush for removing dirt from the porous floors to be cleaned, in that said tool is provided with a suction nozzle for the residual liquid, in that said tool is provided with a compressed air outlet for rapid drying of the cleaned surface,

- Electric means for controlling the emission of hot water vapor and liquid adjuvant, the diffusion of compressed air and the suction of residual liquid, arranged on the handle of said tool.

21 - Apparatus according to claims 11 and 12, characterized in that it applies to the cleaning of bodies and windshields of various vehicles, in that Toutil of diffusion comprises in this case une.lé flexible (34) shorter as well as an additional compressed air emission nozzle for additional drying.