EP1232025A1 - Procede et dispositif de nettoyage de disque d'entretien des sols - Google Patents

Procede et dispositif de nettoyage de disque d'entretien des sols

Info

Publication number
EP1232025A1
EP1232025A1 EP00977733A EP00977733A EP1232025A1 EP 1232025 A1 EP1232025 A1 EP 1232025A1 EP 00977733 A EP00977733 A EP 00977733A EP 00977733 A EP00977733 A EP 00977733A EP 1232025 A1 EP1232025 A1 EP 1232025A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
rotatable
tank
agitator assembly
cleaning machine
agitators
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP00977733A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1232025B1 (fr
Inventor
Peter M. Woolford
Jeremy Richard Thorn
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP1232025A1 publication Critical patent/EP1232025A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1232025B1 publication Critical patent/EP1232025B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B1/00—Cleaning by methods involving the use of tools
    • B08B1/30—Cleaning by methods involving the use of tools by movement of cleaning members over a surface
    • B08B1/32—Cleaning by methods involving the use of tools by movement of cleaning members over a surface using rotary cleaning members

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a cleaning device for cleaning a variety of objects. It is particularly applicable, but in no way limited, to cleaning floor maintenance pads used in conjunction with mechanical floor cleaners.
  • the pads used with most commercial floor scrubbers, cleaners and polishers are disc-shaped. They are generally in the order of 2cm to 5cm thick and have a circular hole through which they are mounted for use.
  • the pad material, comprised of a mesh network, is prepared in sheet form, with individual floor pads stamped out therefrom. Because of this uniform stamping, most pads have a circular hole of about a 9cm diameter through the centre. The outer diameters of these pads vary in size depending upon their intended use and the brand of commercial machine involved.
  • a floor pad Once a floor pad becomes sufficiently saturated with soil, it is removed and either discarded or set aside for later cleaning, with a new pad inserted in its place.
  • these pads are readily available and sold in bulk quantities, the increased cost of said pads necessitates more than one use per pad.
  • a floor pad Because of its mesh network construction, a floor pad can be reused if it is properly cleaned. A majority of the soil contained within the mesh network can be dislodged by pressure hosing the pad with water. However, this operation can only be performed satisfactorily out of doors and creates a large amount of mess. Where the pads have to be scrubbed by hand to rid them of collected debris this is also a messy operation. Any brushing action which is vigorous enough to dislodge soil tends to spray dirty water over the cleaning technician. None of these operations can be easily performed with a cleaning solution.
  • a cleaning machine comprising:-
  • a rotatable agitator assembly incorporating one or more agitators, said agitator assembly being mountable over the tank such that the agitator(s) extend downwards into the tank said rotatable agitator assembly being rotatable about a spindle; (iii) a turning means with which to rotate the agitator assembly.
  • This arrangement allows one or more items to be cleaned to be placed one on top of each other in the tank, which is filled with cleaning solution such that the cleaning solution covers the uppermost item to be cleaned, and the agitator assembly is placed on top and simply rotated by hand.
  • the agitators clean the uppermost face of the uppermost item in the tank.
  • the items to be cleaned are then repositioned such that each face of each item is cleaned in turn.
  • the tank incorporates a central spindle adapted to accommodate both the rotatable agitator assembly and the item(s) to be cleaned.
  • This arrangement makes it particularly easy to load the machine and to rotate the agitator assembly.
  • the rotatable agitator assembly incorporates a roller, said roller being adapted to contact, during the cleaning operation, the uppermost item to be cleaned such that the bottom(s) of the agitator(s) are positioned in a predetermined configuration with respect to the object being cleaned.
  • the roller is preferably placed substantially below the turning means. This arrangement avoids the operator having to judge accurately the optimum downward force to apply to the agitator assembly whilst turning it.
  • the agitator(s) are mounted on a rotatable lid which substantially covers the tank.
  • the rotatable lid does not cover substantially the whole of the top of the tank but leaves a clear area to allow visual inspection of the tank contents.
  • one or more agitators are rotatably mounted with respect to the rotatable agitator assembly.
  • the rotatable agitator assembly further comprises a gearing arrangement, adapted to engage with gear teeth on the spindle, such that one or more of the agitators rotate about their own axis as the agitator assembly rotates around the tank.
  • the agitators are formed from protrusions on the underside of a rotatable lid.
  • the protrusions can take the form of one or more annular rings.
  • the protrusions can take the form of a series of tines or undulations attached to or integral with the underside of the rotatable lid.
  • the agitators take the form of brushes.
  • the brushes are mounted on a rotatable lid which substantially covers the tank.
  • the rotatable agitator assembly incorporates three brushes, each extending radially outward from the centre of the assembly.
  • Figure 1 shows a diagrammatic exploded view of a cleaning machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 2 shows an exploded perspective view according to a first embodiment showing a tank, a circular floor cleaning pad to be cleaned and a rotatable agitator assembly including three brushes (not shown);
  • Figure 3 is a side elevation of the items shown in Figure 2;
  • Figure 4 illustrates a second embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 5 illustrates a plan view of the tank and rotatable agitator member of the embodiment shown in Figure 4;
  • Figure 6 illustrates a possible gearing arrangement for rotatable cleaning agitators
  • Figure 7 illustrates in cross-section a clip on lip arrangement for the tank.
  • FIG. 1 which illustrates a first embodiment of the present invention, this shows a tank 10 which incorporates a central spindle 1 1.
  • the spindle has two functions. Firstly, it is designed to accommodate the item or items to be cleaned and secondly it allows a rotatable agitator assembly or rota 12 to be placed over the tank.
  • the rota incorporates at least one agitator or in this embodiment a brush element or brush 13. In this example two brushes are shown, 13A and 13B. These extend radially outwardly form the centre of the rotatable agitator assembly.
  • the rotatable agitator assembly incorporates at its centre a collar or spindle mount 14 adapted to fit over the spindle in the tank.
  • the rotatable agitator assembly may also include two other important features; a turning means which in this case is a handle 15 with which to rotate it and a roller 16 located such that it engages the item(s) to be cleaned.
  • the item is a floor-cleaning pad 17.
  • the tank 10 can be formed in any suitable size or shape provided it is liquid tight and can accommodate in some way the rotatable agitator assembly. It is advantageous to provide a drain plug (not shown) to allow the tank to be emptied without physically tipping it out.
  • the drain plug typically has provision for connecting a hose such that liquid can be directed to drain or to a storage tank.
  • An alternative to a drain plug is a spout formed in the edge of the tank such that liquid can be tipped out of the tank in a controlled fashion.
  • spindle in this description is also intended to have a broad meaning. Its main purpose is to allow the rotatable agitator assembly to rotate over the top of the item to be cleaned. Thus any functional equivalent or structure which facilitates this comes within the definition of "spindle” herein. It could, for example, be a depression in the centre of the tank which accommodates a similarly shaped downward protrusion on the rotatable agitator assembly.
  • roller is intended to encompass any feature which supports the rotatable agitator assembly above the item to be cleaned whilst still allowing it to rotate.
  • a conventional roller, a wheel or wheels, ball, caster or skid will all serve this purpose. It is not necessary that the roller must be able to physically rotate but this may be an advantage.
  • turning means has a broad meaning in this context and as well as including a simple handle is intended to encompass any mechanical arrangement which, in operation, results in a rotation of the agitator assembly.
  • the agitators associated with the rotatable agitator assembly can take any suitable form, depending on what item is being cleaned. They need not contain individual bristles as with a conventional brush but could be a series of plastic or metal tines, or undulations in the underneath surface of the rotatable agitator assembly. They can also be replaceable elements such as when they wear, or a different cleaning job has to be done, they can be replaced. Or, alternatively, they could be formed integrally with the rotatable agitator assembly. Further types of agitator as illustrated in a second embodiment are shown in Figures 4 and 5. This illustrates a tank 30 with a central spindle 31. A pad 37 fits over the spindle 31 and rests on the bottom of the tank.
  • the pad is prevented from rotating by gripping means 38 in the bottom of the tank.
  • gripping means can take a wide variety of forms. They could, for example, be individual tines formed in the bottom of the tank. They could take the form of gripping pads, as illustrated in Figure 4, set into the bottom of the tank. They simply need to be able to engage with the pad material in some way to prevent it rotating. Hooked, barbed or angled tines are beneficial, where the hooks or angled ends of the tines point in a direction opposite to the direction in which the pad would tend to rotate.
  • the agitators are formed from annular rings 33 projecting down from the underside of the rotatable agitator assembly.
  • These rings can be of various sizes and shapes and need not be of substantially circular cross-section as illustrated in Figure 5.
  • These annular rings have proved particularly effective at lifting soil off the pad. This is probably due to eddy currents being set up within the rings as they move across the surface of the pad. These currents are set up as a result of pressure differentials between the inside and outside of the ring and across the ring itself.
  • the profile of these rings can vary considerably.
  • a circular profile has the advantage of cost because the rings can be formed by cutting lengths off a piece of pipe.
  • oblong, rectangular, square or irregular shaped annuli would also work. Their optimum size, number and location can be determined by experiment.
  • the rings are spaced and positioned such that every part of the pad falls within the swept area. Preferably there is some overlap so that the area of the pad is swept by two rings or parts of two rings.
  • the rings may be secured to the underside of the lid by adhesive or welding or may be formed as an integral part of the lid.
  • the rings may be of different sizes. 50mm diameter and 66mm diameter rings have proved a good combination and a depth of 18mm has proved optimum.
  • some or all of the agitators can take the form of rotatable cogs as shown in Figure 6. These cogs are mounted onto the underside of the lid and rotate about their own central axes.
  • the central spindle has teeth formed around its outside edge and these teeth are so sized and shaped that they engage with the cog nearest the centre of the lid.
  • the teeth on the central spindle could be formed by placing a fixed cogwheel over the spindle or could be an integral part of the spindle itself.
  • cogs are relatively large and the movement of the large teeth over the surface of the pad dislodges any dirt.
  • This action can be augmented by having the underside of the cogs hollow and thus creating eddy currents as with the annular rings.
  • a series of undulating ribs formed on the underside of the agitator assembly could be used (not shown). These would function in a similar way to the leading edges of the rings. It will therefore be appreciated that the term 'agitator' in this description has a very broad meaning and is intended to encompass any physical feature capable of dislodging dirt from a surface as the agitator assembly passes over that surface.
  • the tank has an inwardly facing lip 42 to encourage any liquid in the tank to fall back into the tank in the event that it splashes up against the sides.
  • the tank wall 41 is preferably angled outwards slightly. However, an inward depending lip would prevent the tank from being released from the mould.
  • the lip 42 can be formed from a separate moulding which is clipped over the rim of the tank wall.
  • This moulding can be a light fit or can be held in place by adhesive or some form of weld.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates an interesting alternative arrangement.
  • the rota 22 in this embodiment consists of three brush arms 23A, 23B, 23C extending radially and equally spaced away from a central collar. The space between each brush arm is just that, a void. It has surprisingly been discovered that because the brushing action takes place well below the surface of the cleaning solution, there is substantially no splashing. Thus, it is not necessary to have a solid top to contain any liquid splashes which saves considerably on materials and thus on cost. It also means that the operator can see exactly how the cleaning process is proceeding.
  • the bottom of the tank can be formed with a rough surface to increase friction if necessary.
  • a series of spiked protrusions can be formed in all or part of the bottom surface of the tank which achieves the desired result.
  • this cleaning apparatus can be used to clean a wide variety of items. It is not restricted to cleaning floor maintenance pads but could, for example, be used to clean other circular items such as tyres.
  • the components described above can be constructed from any suitable material as specified by a materials expert. Typically, the items will be constructed from plastics material or from metal or from a combination of both. It will be appreciated therefore that when used to clean floor maintenance pads, this pad renovator fills a gap in the janitorial supply market.
  • the apparatus is in two main sections; a circular bowl or tank in which floor cleaning pads of various sizes can be soaked and a rotatable top section equipped with agitators or bristles, roller and a handle.
  • the rotatable top section has a central collar to locate it over and around a central spindle formed as part of the bowl moulding.
  • the bowl is deep enough to accommodate several pads and at a little over 450cm in diameter will accommodate all popular pad sizes in the United Kingdom.
  • the rotatable top section has three arms furnished with integral bristles along their length on the underside. A turning handle for manual operation is on the upper side of one of the rota arms.
  • the rota moulding includes two lugs on the under side to accommodate a snap-on roller.
  • the roller component regulates the brush pressure that is applied by the operator thus allowing for the smooth operation of the mechanism once a cleaning solution has been introduced. Where rings are used as agitators a roller is not required.

Landscapes

  • Cleaning In General (AREA)
  • Manufacturing Of Printed Wiring (AREA)
  • Cleaning By Liquid Or Steam (AREA)
  • Automatic Analysis And Handling Materials Therefor (AREA)
  • Confectionery (AREA)
  • Vehicle Cleaning, Maintenance, Repair, Refitting, And Outriggers (AREA)
  • Nozzles For Electric Vacuum Cleaners (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne une machine de nettoyage comprenant (i) un réservoir se chargeant par le dessus (10) et (ii) un ensemble agitateur rotatif (12) pourvu d'au moins un agitateur (13a, b). Cet ensemble agitateur, qui vient se monter sur le réservoir de façon à descendre dans le réservoir, est capable de rotation autour d'un axe (11). L'appareil comprend également (iii) un organe tournant (15) qui anime d'un mouvement de rotation l'ensemble agitateur.
EP00977733A 1999-11-26 2000-11-27 Procede et dispositif de nettoyage de disque d'entretien des sols Expired - Lifetime EP1232025B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB9927829.3A GB9927829D0 (en) 1999-11-26 1999-11-26 Cleaning apparatus and method
GB9927829 1999-11-26
PCT/GB2000/004493 WO2001038015A1 (fr) 1999-11-26 2000-11-27 Procede et dispositif de nettoyage de disque d'entretien des sols

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1232025A1 true EP1232025A1 (fr) 2002-08-21
EP1232025B1 EP1232025B1 (fr) 2005-04-06

Family

ID=10865097

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP00977733A Expired - Lifetime EP1232025B1 (fr) 1999-11-26 2000-11-27 Procede et dispositif de nettoyage de disque d'entretien des sols

Country Status (7)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1232025B1 (fr)
JP (1) JP2003514661A (fr)
AT (1) ATE292525T1 (fr)
AU (1) AU770728B2 (fr)
DE (1) DE60019330T2 (fr)
GB (2) GB9927829D0 (fr)
WO (1) WO2001038015A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2365322A (en) * 2000-08-01 2002-02-20 Michael Anthony Wilkinson Cleaning apparatus especially for cooking grills
US8347442B2 (en) 2009-02-26 2013-01-08 Bernard Micael Peacocke Barbeque grill cleaning device

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3884250A (en) * 1973-08-02 1975-05-20 Merrill P Beesley Cleaning structure for revolvable pads of floor maintenance equipment
IE56445B1 (en) * 1985-02-14 1991-07-31 Fritsch Joseph Frederick A plastics apparatus
US4597126A (en) * 1985-05-13 1986-07-01 Beech Robert A Machine for cleaning a plurality of floor maintenance pads
US4654917A (en) * 1985-06-17 1987-04-07 Recoton Corporation Compact disc cleaner
DE8630385U1 (de) * 1986-11-13 1987-01-08 Hawig Maschinenfabrik Gmbh, 6140 Bensheim Waschvorrichtung für Reinigungsscheiben

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO0138015A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2357426A (en) 2001-06-27
DE60019330T2 (de) 2006-03-23
WO2001038015A1 (fr) 2001-05-31
AU1536801A (en) 2001-06-04
ATE292525T1 (de) 2005-04-15
AU770728B2 (en) 2004-02-26
GB2357426B (en) 2002-01-09
GB0028805D0 (en) 2001-01-10
GB9927829D0 (en) 2000-01-26
JP2003514661A (ja) 2003-04-22
DE60019330D1 (de) 2005-05-12
EP1232025B1 (fr) 2005-04-06

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