EP1586262B1 - Apparatus for cleaning and desinfecting a surface - Google Patents

Abstract

The cleaning appliance (1) consists of a steam generator (2) and a handle (3) connected to a cleaning head (4) that has a sole plate covered with a cloth (6) and set adjacent and parallel to a steam dispenser (7), with a tube (8) feeding the steam from the generator to the dispenser. The handle is connected to the cleaning head by a universal joint (9), and the steam feed tube (8) is separate from the handle.

Description

The present invention relates to an apparatus for cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, particularly flat surfaces, such as for example a broom, using steam and particularly ergonomic and practical, designed especially for professional use.

Many professionals in the medical, food and hotel sectors today face multiple hygiene and disinfection problems. Thus, it is known to use steam to clean public places such as hospitals, places of collective catering, collective kitchens, hotels, public transport, etc ...

Appliances used in the collective sectors, such as steam cleaners, are bulky and heavy, unwieldy and not very ergonomic and are not suitable for cleaning and disinfecting the living places of individuals. Indeed, in such places, the surfaces to be cleaned are generally small but congested. On the other hand, they can be very varied: the floors, the walls, the ceilings, the picture windows are concerned.

It is known various devices, similar to a broom, combining both a distribution of steam and the presence of a textile to wipe the impurities.

In general, in known prior art apparatus, steam is conveyed to the end of the broom within the broom handle and passes through the textile piece before reaching the floor. These devices have the disadvantage that the steam has lost its effectiveness when it reaches the ground due to the loss of temperature and pressure due to its passage through the textile part. Moreover, in this case, the textile piece is very quickly saturated with water, it no longer picks up the residues effectively and leaves very significant moisture traces.

The document JP2001-327449 proposes a broom in which the textile piece and the nozzle dispensing the steam are mounted in parallel. However, in the broom of JP2001-327449 , steam is conducted to the nozzle through the broom handle. Thus, this handle is heavy, bulky and not very ergonomic. Another disadvantage of the broom JP2001-327449 is he is not very manoeuvrable, the handle being fixed to the textile piece and the steam dispensing nozzle rigidly.

However, it is important, during the cleaning of a surface, in particular a flat surface, to achieve a "flat" cleaning, that is to say that the cleaning part perfectly fits the surface and therefore passes on this surface flat in the case of a flat surface. Indeed, if the cleaning part perfectly covers the surface, a single pass is enough to perfectly clean and disinfect this surface. Time and energy are saved.

Finally, in steam cleaning, it is important that the steam dispensing nozzle is at a constant distance from the surface to be cleaned. In particular, it is important that this distance is not too great. In a broom as described in JP2001-327449 due to the rigidity of the connection between the handle and the cleaning part, as soon as the user changes the inclination of the handle, for example in the vertical direction, the cleaning part is lifted, forwards or towards the back. This part peels off the surface to be cleaned and the distance of the nozzle from the steam distributor to the surface increases. Steam arrives on the floor at too low a temperature and does not effectively disinfect the surface to be cleaned.

The present invention aims to remedy these disadvantages.

An object of the present invention is to provide a broom combining textile and steam room which is compact, lightweight, easy to maneuver, usable flat on any surface, even small, regardless of the inclination of the handle of the broom compared at this surface and reliably provide effective cleaning and disinfection, preferably in a single pass.

• le manche est relié à la tête nettoyante par un système à cardan,
• le système de transfert de vapeur est distinct du manche.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for cleaning and disinfecting a surface, comprising i) a steam generator, ii) a handle provided at at least one of its ends with a cleaning head comprising at least one sole adapted to receive at least one textile piece, said soleplate being mounted adjacent and parallel to at least one steam distributor and iii) at least one vapor transfer system of said steam generator to said steam distributor,
characterized in that

• the handle is connected to the cleaning head by a cardan system,
• the vapor transfer system is separate from the handle.

The apparatus according to the invention is light and easy to maneuver. It is particularly ergonomic and practical for cleaning all surfaces, particularly flat surfaces, such as floors, but also vertical or oblique surfaces, as well as walls, ceilings, windows ...

Whatever the inclination of the handle relative to the surface to be cleaned, the sole perfectly fits said surface, particularly thanks to the connection system by cardan shaft to the cleaning head. Thanks to the apparatus according to the invention, in particular thanks to its lightness and its maneuverability, it is possible to apply the sole flat on walls, ceilings or windows or on oblique surfaces and to clean and disinfect these surfaces perfectly.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the soleplate is provided on its face opposite its face connected to the handle, means for fixing a piece of textile. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, these fixing means are loops, respectively pins, intended to intermingle with pins, respectively loops, complementary to a textile piece to fix, at least temporarily , this textile piece on the sole.

In this embodiment, it is thus possible to fix and then remove very easily a piece of textile, such as a wipe, on the sole of the cleaning head. It is thus possible to replace the piece of dirty or used textile with a piece of clean or new textile at any time. The textile parts used can be washable or disposable. They can be in natural or synthetic fibers. Preferably, this textile piece is a microfiber cloth, such as polyester, polyamide or a mixture of polyester and polyamide.

Thus, the steam effect combines with the textile effect for particularly effective cleaning and disinfection.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the steam distributor has a distribution manifold provided with steam outlet nozzles, the distance of the nozzles to the surface to be cleaned and disinfected being less than or equal to 2 cm. Preferably, this distance is from 3 mm to 2 cm and more preferably from 5 mm to 2 cm.

In another embodiment of the invention, the cleaning head comprises a second steam distributor. In such a case, preferably, the two steam distributors are mounted on either side of the sole, in parallel.

In another embodiment of the invention, the apparatus further comprises a fluid dispenser other than steam. This fluid dispenser other than steam may for example be located at the bottom of the handle of the device or on the cleaning part. The fluid may be a detergent or disinfectant product. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the apparatus is free of a fluid dispenser other than steam.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the vapor transfer system is a tube of a flexible, waterproof, high temperature resistant and lightweight material such as silicone. This tube may have a length ranging from 3 to 20 meters, preferably from 10 to 20 meters.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the handle is adjustable in length by a telescopic system. Thus, regardless of the size and position of the user, it is possible to keep the cleaning head of the device perfectly flat on the surface to be cleaned.

• on dispose d'un appareil tel que décrit ci-dessus,
• on met en place ledit appareil sur la surface à nettoyer et désinfecter en plaçant le distributeur de vapeur entre la semelle et l'utilisateur,
• l'utilisateur imprime à la tête nettoyante un mouvement en huit sur la surface à nettoyer tout en reculant.

The present invention also relates to a method for cleaning and disinfecting a surface comprising the steps of:

• we have an apparatus as described above,
• said apparatus is placed on the surface to be cleaned and disinfected by placing the steam distributor between the soleplate and the user,
• the user prints the cleaning head a movement in eight on the surface to be cleaned while moving back.

Such a method allows for particularly effective cleaning and disinfection in one pass. Indeed, thanks to the connection of the handle to the cleaning part by cardan, the cleaning part is perfectly flat on the surface to be cleaned and dirt is collected from the first pass.

Preferably, the steam is injected onto the surface to be cleaned and disinfected at a pressure of from 2.5 to 5 bar. Preferably, the steam is injected onto the surface to be cleaned and disinfected at a temperature above 100 ° C, more preferably from 100 ° C to 160 ° C.

Preferably, the distance from the nozzles to the surface to be cleaned and disinfected is less than or equal to 2 cm, preferably from 3 mm to 2 cm, more preferably from 5 mm to 2 cm.

According to the method according to the invention, in a first step, the steam distribution manifold acts by injecting the steam on the surface to be cleaned, preferably at a temperature ranging from 100 ° C. to 160 ° C. and at a pressure ranging from from 2.5 to 5 bars. According to the method according to the invention, the steam encounters no obstacle between its exit from the nozzles and the surface to be cleaned and / or disinfected. In particular, the vapor does not meet and must not pass through any textile part: the vapor is therefore in contact with the surface to be cleaned and / or disinfected at a pressure ranging from 2.5 to 5 bar and at a temperature ranging from 100 ° C. at 160 ° C: its cleaning and / or disinfecting action is therefore particularly effective. Steam has excellent cleaning power. It dissolves fats, removes residues, impurities, dirt and proteins from the surface, acts as a surfactant and cleans thoroughly. Simultaneously, it has a disinfecting action. It is active on bacteria, yeasts and molds and has a disinfecting power, particularly according to the AFNOR N FT 72-281 standard. The vapor thus has a bactericidal, fungicidal and sporicidal action.

In a second step, because it is mounted parallel to the dispenser, the sole, equipped with the textile piece, retrieves and removes the residues of the treated surface. The textile piece, preferably a microfiber cloth, is fixed, preferably temporarily, to the sole, it can be replaced at any time by a new wipe for extra efficiency.

The present invention further relates to the use of an apparatus as described above for cleaning and disinfecting a surface, in particular a flat surface.

• La figure 1 est une vue en perspective de l'appareil selon l'invention,
• La figure 2 est une vue de dessous de la tête nettoyante d'un appareil selon l'invention,
• La figure 3 est une vue en coupe de la tête nettoyante de l'appareil de la figure 1 prise selon la ligne II-II de la figure 1, à plat sur une surface à nettoyer,
• La figure 4 est une vue partielle en perspective de la tête nettoyante d'un appareil selon l'invention,
• La figure 5 est une vue de dessus montrant le déplacement en huit de l'appareil selon l'invention selon la méthode de nettoyage de l'invention.

For a good understanding, the invention is described below with reference to the attached schematic drawing, showing, by way of non-limiting example, preferred embodiments of the device it relates.

• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus according to the invention,
• FIG. 2 is a view from below of the cleaning head of an apparatus according to the invention,
• FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the cleaning head of the apparatus of FIG. 1 taken along line II - II of FIG. 1, flat on a surface to be cleaned,
• FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the cleaning head of an apparatus according to the invention,
• Figure 5 is a top view showing the movement in eight of the apparatus according to the invention according to the cleaning method of the invention.

In Figure 1 is shown an apparatus 1 for cleaning and disinfecting a surface. This apparatus 1 comprises a generator 2 of steam and a handle 3, which can be telescopic and which is provided at one end with a cleaning head 4. This cleaning head 4 comprises a sole 5 receiving a piece of textile 6. The cleaning head 4 also comprises, mounted adjacent to the sole 5, a steam distributor 7. The distributor 7 and the sole 5 are separate and mounted next to each other, in parallel. Thus, the steam does not cross the textile part. The apparatus 1 comprises a system 8 for transferring steam from said steam generator 2 to said steam distributor 7.

The handle 3 is connected to the cleaning head 4 by a cardan system 9. Thus, it is possible to tilt the handle both from front to back and also from one side and the other as will be explained further.

The system 8 for transferring the steam from the generator 2 to the distributor 7 is distinct from the handle. This system 8 is preferably a tube made of a flexible material, waterproof, resistant to high temperatures and lightweight such as silicone. The fact that this system 8 is separate from the handle 3 increases the handling of the device 1. The length of this system 8 may for example be about 10 meters.

In Figure 2, there is shown the cleaning head 4 seen from below. In the example shown, the sole 5 comprises, on its face 10 opposite its face connected to the handle, means 11 for fixing a textile piece. In the example shown, these fastening means are studs 12 distributed along two rectangular surfaces, these pins 12 being intended to intermingle with loops of a textile piece not shown. This textile piece may for example be a wipe. Preferably, this textile piece is a microfiber cloth.

The cleaning head 4 also comprises a steam distributor 7 mounted adjacent and parallel to the sole 5, for example by means of a metal bridge 13 connecting the sole 5 to the distributor 7. This distributor 7 comprises a ramp 14 provided with nozzles 15 steam outlet.

As shown in Figure 3, the nozzles 15 are located at a distance from the surface 16 to be cleaned. Preferably, this distance is less than or equal to 2 cm and more preferably this distance is from 3 mm to 2 cm, preferably from 5 mm to 2 cm. With this preferred distance, the steam comes into contact with the surface to be cleaned and / or disinfected at a pressure ranging from 2.5 to 5 bar and at a temperature ranging from 100 ° C to 160 ° C.

In an embodiment not shown, the cleaning head 4 comprises a second steam distributor 7, for example, for example located on the other side of the sole 5 with respect to the first steam distributor 7.

In an embodiment not shown, the apparatus 1 comprises a fluid dispenser other than steam, such as a detergent or disinfectant dispenser. Preferably, the apparatus 1 is free of a fluid dispenser other than steam.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the handle 3 is connected to the cleaning head 4 by means of a cardan system 9. The gimbal 9 conventionally comprises a moving part 17 traversed by a first axis 18 and by a second axis 19 perpendicular to said first axis 18, the movable member 17 being pivotable about each of these axes 18 and 19 simultaneously. The handle 3 comprises a yoke 20 receiving the ends of the first axis 18 of the gimbal 9 and the sole 5 comprises a yoke 21 receiving the ends of the second axis 19 of the gimbal 9. Thus, the handle 3 can thus pivot about the first axis 18 and of the second axis 19 of the gimbal 9, simultaneously. This keeps the cleaning head 4 flat, in continuous contact with the surface to be cleaned and disinfected, regardless of the inclination of the handle 3 relative to this surface 16.

Thanks to the apparatus according to the invention, it is possible to clean and disinfect a surface, in particular a flat surface, in a single pass. This cleaning method is illustrated in Figure 5. There is an apparatus 1 as described above. The user puts the device 1 on the surface 16 to be cleaned by placing the steam distributor 7 between the sole 5 and him. The user can adjust the length of the telescopic handle according to its size and position relative to the surface to be cleaned for good ergonomics and efficiency. The user then prints to the cleaning head 4 a movement in eight on the surface 16 to be cleaned while receding, for example along a substantially straight line, as the line AA 'shown in Figure 5. With such a method, in a first step, the steam distribution manifold works by injecting the steam on the surface to be cleaned, preferably at a pressure ranging from 2.5 to 5 bar. The effect of the steam is not hindered by the textile piece since the latter is mounted in parallel with the steam distributor and the steam does not cross therethrough. The vapor dissolves and separates the residues, soils and proteins present on said surface. This steam acts simultaneously as a disinfecting agent by eliminating bacteria. In a second step, the soleplate, which is mounted parallel to the steam distributor and equipped with the textile part 6, passes over the surface to be cleaned and / or disinfected behind the steam distributor and recovers and removes the residues from the surface 16 treated.

In Figure 5, we see that, whatever the position of the user and whatever the inclination of the handle 3 relative to the cleaning head 4, the latter remains constantly flat on the surface 16 to be cleaned. Thus, the distance of the steam outlet nozzles to the surface 16 to be cleaned is constant and the textile piece is also in permanent contact with the ground. A single pass of the device is sufficient to obtain a perfectly cleaned and disinfected surface. Due to the high temperature steam quality, the treated surface is dried almost instantaneously after the passage of the apparatus.

Thus, thanks to its gimbal system, the apparatus according to the invention ensures the respect of two parameters necessary for a reliable and certain result in terms of cleaning and disinfection, and this, whatever the position of the user and what whatever the position of the handle: the permanent flat contact of the soleplate with the surface to be treated and the respect of a constant minimum distance between the steam distribution nozzles and the surface to be treated. The disinfectant effect of the steam is totally preserved.

In addition, thanks to the lightness and flexibility of the steam transfer system, separate from the handle, the device is perfectly manageable, ergonomic and lightweight. Preferably, the entire cleaning head, the steam transfer system and the handle weigh less than 3 kg. Its range of action can range from 10 to 20 meters. This unit is therefore very suitable for the efficient cleaning of difficult surfaces, such as furniture benches, beds, vertical or oblique surfaces or ceilings, picture windows.

The apparatus according to the invention provides advantages over prior art devices, which are unwieldy and inefficient. In particular, it is non-polluting and respects the environment. Indeed, the apparatus according to the invention, in particular used according to the cleaning method of the invention, has a low water consumption and does not require the addition of chemicals. The use of the apparatus according to the invention thus preserves natural resources and reduces waste management. In addition, the apparatus according to the invention has no noise pollution.

An example illustrating the invention will now be given.

EXAMPLE: Evaluation of the cleaning and disinfecting efficacy of the method according to the invention:

• la vapeur est injectée sur la surface à nettoyer et désinfecter à 160°C et 5 bars ;
• la semelle est recouverte d'une pièce en textile en microfibres 100% polyamide,
• la distance des buses à la surface à nettoyer et désinfecter est d'environ 3 mm.

An area of about 1 m ² is contaminated with 10 ml of a stain composed of blood and a suspension of Staphylococcus aureus CIP 4.83 (reference SR 0051C from Oxoid). The surface is then cleaned and disinfected according to the following method: an apparatus according to the invention is used for which:

• the steam is injected on the surface to be cleaned and disinfected at 160 ° C and 5 bar;
• the sole is covered with a 100% polyamide microfibre textile piece,
• the distance of the nozzles to the surface to be cleaned and disinfected is about 3 mm.

The device is placed on the surface to be cleaned and disinfected by placing the steam distributor between the soleplate and the user and the user prints the cleaning head a movement in eight on the surface to be cleaned and disinfected while retreating as illustrated in FIG. 5 of the present application.

1 °) Cleaning effect :

The cleaning efficiency is evaluated with the naked eye by visual comparison between the state of soiling of the test surface before and after application of the method according to the invention. Three tests are carried out.

It is found that the level of soiling after application of the method according to the invention is very much lower than that visible before application of the cleaning method according to the invention.

2 °) Disinfectant effect: Evaluation of the biocidal effect of the cleaning and disinfection method according to the invention:

Surfaces of about 0.2 m ² are contaminated with a blood stain whose concentration of Staphylococcus aureus CIP 4.83 theoretically varies from 10 ⁸ CFU / ml to 10 ⁵ CFU / ml. 2 ml of each concentration are spread on the test surfaces.

The level of microbiological contamination of the test supports is achieved by the "Count Tact" box imprint technique: after contamination, a "Count act" surface sampling is performed in the center of the surface in order to evaluate the level. means of initial contamination of the support. After application of the cleaning and disinfection method according to the invention as described above in the present example, two "count tact" boxes are made to evaluate the number of residual bacteria remaining on the surface of the test medium.

In total, three tests are carried out.

Firstly, the initial concentration of bacteria present on the surface of the test zone was evaluated as a function of the concentration of bacteria deposited. In a second step, after treatment, that is to say after application of the method according to the invention as described in the present example, the average number of isolated bacteria was evaluated. The results are collated in the following Table I: <u> Table I: </ u> Theoretical concentration of bacteria in the spread suspension (CFU / ml) Average number of enumerated bacteria Nb. UFC / 25 cm ² Before treatment Average number of enumerated bacteria Nb. UFC / 25 cm ² after treatment 10 ⁷ 159.3 0.66 10 ⁶ 36.7 2.16 10 ⁵ 14.3 1.5

These results show that overall, regardless of the concentration of bacteria initially present on the surface of the test medium, the number of bacteria isolated after application of the cleaning and disinfection method according to the invention varies little and the average number of viable microorganisms found per unit area is less than 2.5 CFU / 25 cm ² .

The cleaning and disinfection method according to the invention therefore makes it possible to reduce by a significant factor the microbiological load initially present on a surface to be cleaned and disinfected.

Claims (16)

1. Apparatus (1) for cleaning and disinfecting a surface (16), comprising i) a steam generator (2), ii) a handle (3) with, at at least one of its ends, a cleaning head (4) comprising at least one sole plate (5) able to accept at least one textile article (6), said sole plate (5) being mounted adjacent to and parallel to at least one steam dispenser (7), and iii) at least one system (8) for transferring steam from said steam generator (2) to said steam dispenser (7), said apparatus being characterized in that:

   - the handle (3) is connected to the cleaning head (4) by a universal joint (9), and

   - the steam transfer system (8) is separate from the handle (3).
2. Apparatus (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the sole plate (5) is provided, on its opposite face (10) to its face connected to the handle (3), with means (11, 12) for attaching a textile article (6).
3. Apparatus (1) according to Claim 3, characterized in that the attachment means (11, 12) are loops or hooks (12) designed to tangle with complementary hooks or loops, respectively, on a textile article (6).
4. Apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the textile article (6) is a wipe made of microfibres, such as for example polyester, polyamide or a blend of polyester and polyamide.
5. Apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the steam dispenser (7) comprises a perforated dispensing pipe (14) with steam outlet nozzles (15), the distance between the nozzles (15) and the surface (16) to be cleaned and disinfected being less than or equal to 2 cm.
6. Apparatus (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said distance is from 3 mm to 2 cm, preferably from 5 mm to 2 cm.
7. Apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning head (4) comprises a second steam dispenser (7).
8. Apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it also comprises a dispenser of fluid other than steam.
9. Apparatus (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it has no dispenser of fluid other than steam.
10. Apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the steam transfer system (8) is a tube made of a flexible impermeable lightweight material resistant to high temperatures, such as silicone.
11. Apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the length of the handle (3) is adjustable by a telescopic system.
12. Method for cleaning and disinfecting a surface (16), comprising the following steps:

    - an apparatus (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 11 is provided,

    - said apparatus (1) is placed on the surface (16) to be cleaned and disinfected, the steam dispenser (7) being positioned between the sole plate (5) and the user,

    - and the user moves backward while moving the cleaning head (4) in a figure-of-eight pattern over the surface (16) to be cleaned.
13. Method according to Claim 12, characterized in that the steam is injected onto the surface (16) to be cleaned and disinfected at a pressure of from 2.5 to 5 bar.
14. Method according to Claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the steam is injected onto the surface (16) to be cleaned and disinfected at a temperature greater than 100°C, preferably from 100°C to 160°C.
15. Method according to any one of Claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the distance between the nozzles and the surface (16) to be cleaned and disinfected is less than or equal to 2 cm, preferably from 3 mm to 2 cm, and more preferably from 5 mm to 2 cm.
16. Use of an apparatus (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 11, for cleaning and disinfecting a surface (16), especially a flat surface.

Images