EP2559368A1

EP2559368A1 - Tool for the treatment of floors and surfaces in general

Info

Publication number: EP2559368A1
Application number: EP11425223A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Davide Fornasari
Original assignee: E' COSI' Srl; FALPI - Srl
Current assignee: E' COSI' Srl; FALPI - Srl
Priority date: 2011-08-19
Filing date: 2011-08-19
Publication date: 2013-02-20
Also published as: EP2559368A8

Abstract

The present invention relates to a tool for the treatment of floors and surfaces in general.

The tool comprises a strip (2) that can be dragged, during use, along a surface to be treated. At least one first surface portion (3) of the strip (2) is made of water-repellent material, so as to ensure the sweeping and consequent removal of dust, dirt particles and residues in general from the surface to be treated, following an entrainment action of the strip (2) thereon. At least one second surface portion (4) of the strip (2) is made of hydrophilic material, for its impregnation with a liquid in advance, and the consequent washing and/or disinfection and/or sanitization of the surface to be treated, following the same entrainment action of the strip (2) thereon.

Description

The present invention relates to a tool for the treatment of floors and surfaces in general.
Nowadays, the hygienic sanitary conditions of the environments in which we live (be they domestic buildings, offices, industrial buildings, public places etc.) are in the focus of ever increasing attention, geared to ensure continually increasing standards of cleanliness and hygiene.
Therefore, the efforts of individuals, cleaning staff and specialized companies are often concentrated on removing all types of dirt and contamination, through activities that are periodic and diversified.
More precisely, and with specific reference to cleaning floors and other exposed surfaces, first of all it is often necessary to provide for the removal of dirt particles, dust, the remains of food or work etc., by sweeping the area with brushes and similar utensils.
Moreover, the above-mentioned surfaces require constant washing (with water or adapted liquids), for their cleaning and/or sanitization, for the purpose of eliminating bacteria, microbes and substances of various types. To proceed with this activity, typically the selected detergent is poured onto the surface, and is then spread over the entire extent thereof using scrubbing brushes and pieces/rags of fabric or other materials.
Such solutions are not, however, devoid of drawbacks.
It appears evident in fact, from the description in the foregoing paragraphs, that the complete cleaning and sanitization of surfaces requires repeated passes to carry out treatments of different types (sweeping and washing), for which the use of different utensils and tools (brushes and scrubbing brushes with rags) is required.
Consequently, this means it is necessary to proceed with the activities described above at different times, each time using the specific utensil designed to perform the determinate procedure, with consequent inconvenience for the cleaning staff member and evident waste of time.
The aim of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks, by providing a tool that makes it possible to perform treatments of floors and surfaces in general, in a practical and quick manner.
Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a tool that makes it possible to clean and/or sweep and/or wash and/ sanitize floors and surfaces in general in a quick and effective manner.
Another object of the invention is to provide a tool that ensures a high reliability of operation.
Another object of the invention is to provide a tool that can be easily implemented using elements and materials that are readily available on the market.
Another object of the invention is to provide a tool that is low-cost and safe to apply.
This aim and these objects are achieved by a tool for the treatment of floors and surfaces in general, characterized in that it comprises a strip that can be dragged, during use, along a surface to be treated, at least one first surface portion of said strip being made of water-repellent material, for the sweeping and consequent removal of dust, dirt particles and residues in general from the surface to be treated, following an entrainment action of said strip thereupon, at least one second surface portion of said strip being made of hydrophilic material, for its impregnation with a liquid in advance, and the consequent washing and/or disinfection and/or sanitization of the surface to be treated, following the same entrainment action of said strip thereupon.
Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the description of two preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments of the tool according to the invention, which are illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a view from above of the tool according to the invention, partially folded onto itself, in a first embodiment;
Figure 2 is a view from above of the tool according to the invention, in a second embodiment.

With reference to the figures, a tool according to the invention, generally designated with the reference numeral 1, is designed for the treatment of floors and surfaces in general (according to the methods that will be described in detail below). It should be noted that the tool 1 can be used for floors of health facilities, private houses, public places, factory sheds and industrial buildings, offices, exterior environments etc, and these uses constitute the preferred application of the present invention.
However, the possibility is not excluded, and in any case remains within the scope of protection claimed herein, of using the tool 1 for the treatment of different surfaces, according to specific applicative requirements.
According to the invention, the tool 1 comprises a strip 2 that can be dragged, during use, along a surface to be treated (such as for example a floor, as indicated above).
At least one first surface portion 3 of the strip 2 is made of water-repellent material, so as to enable the sweeping and consequent removal of dust, dirt particles and residues in general from the surface to be treated, following an entrainment action (for example, manual) of the strip 2 on such surface.
It should be noted that at least the first surface portion 3 can be removable and/or made of disposable materials, and thus easily replaceable at the end of each use, if necessary.
Furthermore, at least one second surface portion 4 of the strip 2 is made of hydrophilic material, so as to enable its impregnation with a liquid in advance (but while keeping the first portion 3 substantially dry), and thus ensure the consequent washing and/or disinfection and/or sanitization of the surface to be treated, following the same entrainment action of the strip 2 thereupon.
It should be noted that the liquid can be any, without for this reason leaving the scope of protection claimed herein, and can be selected as a function of the specific treatment of washing, disinfection, sanitization (in addition to removing the dust, which is made possible by the first portion 3) to which the surface is to be subjected. Merely for the purposes of example, it is possible for the liquid to be ordinary water, or a detergent and/or sanitizing and/or hygienizing and/or disinfectant liquid, possibly of a commercial type (optionally diluted in water).
According to the preferred embodiment, cited for the purposes of non-limiting example of the application of the invention, the strip 2 comprises a laminar band 5, which is directed during use with one face thereof, which constitutes the first portion 3, toward the surface, to push and enclose dust, dirt particles and residues in general, following the entrainment action of the strip 2 on the surface.
For example, the laminar band 5 can be constituted by a polymeric material, optionally treated, conveniently selected so as to ensure the desired water-repellency (and preferably such as to resist the chemical agents normally used).
With further reference to the preferred embodiment, which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the second surface portion 4 is substantially constituted by a plurality of surface fringes 6 made of hydrophilic material and arranged in a random distribution, in proximity to the first portion 3 and directed toward the surface to be treated, during use.
For the purposes of non-limiting example, it is possible for the fringes 6 to be constituted by microfibers made of a synthetic or natural material, including a material of the known type, conveniently selected so as to ensure the desired property of hydrophilia.
However, the possibility is not excluded of implementing tools 1 provided with different types of second portions 4 which are still equipped with the peculiarity of being substantially hydrophilic, in order to allow its impregnation with a liquid, as noted previously.
According to a first embodiment, the strip 2 can simply be constituted by the laminar band 5 and by the second portion 4 (which is for example constituted by the fringes 6), side by side and coupled to each other.
According to the preferred embodiment, shown in the accompanying drawings, the strip 2 comprises a base flap 7 (which is also, for example, made of a polymeric material). The above-mentioned laminar band 5 is thus coupled to a first surface region of the flap 7, while the fringes 6 extend from a second surface region, contiguous with the first region, of the flap 7.
More precisely, in the solution proposed in the figures, for the non-limiting purpose of illustrating the application of the invention, the flap 7 is substantially rectangular in shape, as is the laminar band 5, which protrudes from one side of the flap 7, and as is the second portion 4 (which protrudes from the opposite side of the flap 7) constituted by a plurality of fringes 6. So on the whole, as can be seen from the accompanying figures, the strip 2 has a substantially rectangular shape as well.
According to a possible embodiment, the laminar band 5 and the fringes 6 are sewn to the flap 7, respectively at the first surface region and at the second surface region.
According to a different embodiment, the laminar band 5 and the fringes 6 are glued to the flap 7, respectively at the first surface region and at the second surface region.
In a further embodiment (which is not exhaustive of the methods of mutual coupling between the elements in the invention that in any case fall within the scope of protection claimed herein), the laminar band 5 and the fringes 6 are welded (by ultrasound for example) to the flap 7, respectively at the first surface region and at the second surface region.
Conveniently, the flap 7 is provided, on the side opposite to the first portion 3 and to the second portion 4, with means for coupling 8 with a handle 9, so as to facilitate the subsequent entrainment of the strip 2 by a cleaning staff member.
In particular, in the solution proposed for the purposes of non-limiting example in Figure 2, the coupling means 8 comprise a plate 10, for example made of a metallic material such as aluminum or the like, that can be removably fixed to the flap 7 on the side opposite to the first portion 3 and to the second portion 4. A joint 11 is pivoted to the plate 10, which joint 11 provides a stable accommodation seat 12 for one end of the handle 9.
More specifically, the joint 11 can comprise a first pivot 13, oriented along the longer dimension of the plate 10, which is rectangular in shape. The end appendages of the first pivot 13 are accommodated, so that they can rotate, in two raised supports 14 which extend perpendicularly from the plate 10. In turn, the first pivot 13 is provided with a lateral ridge 15 in which a slot is provided for the rotatable insertion of a second pivot (oriented perpendicularly to the first pivot 13), fixed to a stem 16 in which the accommodation seat 12 for the handle 9 is provided on the side opposite to the second pivot.
The handle 9, once it has been inserted in the accommodation seat 12, can thus be easily held in the hand of a cleaning staff member, and the presence of the first pivot 13 and of the second pivot ensure the rotation capability of the handle 9 with respect to the plate 10, and with respect to the strip 2, according to the axes defined by the first pivot 13 and by the second pivot.
It should be noted that the possibility exists of marketing the tool 1 according to the invention provided with only the strip 2 and the coupling means 8. Conversely, according to a different possibility, the tool 1 comprises the handle 9, fixed at its end to the joint 11 pivoted to the plate 10, with the plate 10, as described, removably fixed to the flap 7 of the strip 2, on the side opposite to the first portion 3 and to the second portion 4.
More specifically, as illustrated in Figure 2, the flap 7 is provided, on the side opposite to the first portion 3 and to the second portion 4, with a first surface layer 17 made of a material of the type of Velcro (which is a registered trademark), which can be mated with a second surface layer arranged along the plate 10, on the side opposite to the joint 11.
According to an alternative embodiment (which is not exhaustive of the methods of coupling between plate 10 and flap 7 that fall within the scope of protection claimed herein), the flap 7 can be provided, on the side opposite to the first portion 3 and the second portion 4, with a seat for the stable accommodation of respective protrusions, complementary in shape, provided along the plate 10, for the interlocking coupling between the plate 10 and the flap 7, and thus the strip 2.
The use of the tool according to the invention appears evident from the foregoing description, and in particular it is clear that, faced with the necessity of sweeping and washing a floor or other surface, it is possible to perform this activity with a single operation, by means of the tool 1, and following its entrainment along the surface to be treated.
In fact, after having impregnated the second portion 4 (with the first portion 3 kept dry thanks to the choice of the water-repellent material of which it is made), it is sufficient to drag the tool 1 along the surface (manually or, preferably, by gripping the handle 9), orienting it in such a way that it is the first portion 3 that contacts the surface. It is precisely the first portion 3 (and thus for example the laminar band 5) that is in fact capable, during movement, of pushing and enclosing dust, dirt particles, and residues in general, thus removing them from the surface and thus ensuring optimal sweeping.
Following the entrainment, and during the same action, after the first portion 3 has passed the second portion 4 (and thus for example the fringes 6) pass over the surface which second portion 4 is contiguous to the first one. The second portion 4, impregnated with the desired liquid, ensures the washing of the surface, and makes use of low quantities of liquid (thanks to the use of the above-mentioned microfibers, which ensure optimal washing results), which impregnate the fringes 6.
The surface to be treated is thus passed over, progressively, by the first portion 3 and by the second portion 4 (while the tool 1 is kept suitably oriented during use), thus obtaining, with a single pass, first the sweeping and then the washing of the floor (or other surface), without imposing two separate operations on members of the cleaning staff and without the need to resort to two or more utensils.
In practice it has been found that the tool according to the invention fully achieves the set aim, in that the use of a strip that can be dragged along a surface to be treated, provided with at least one first surface portion made of water-repellent material, for the sweeping of the surface to be treated, and at least one second surface portion made of hydrophilic material, for its impregnation with a liquid in advance, and the consequent washing and/or disinfection and/or sanitization of the surface to be treated, following the same entrainment action of the strip thereupon, makes it possible to provide a tool that is capable of performing treatments of floors and surfaces in general, in a practical and quick manner.
The invention, thus conceived, is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, all the details may be substituted by other, technically equivalent elements.
In the embodiments illustrated, individual characteristics shown in relation to specific examples may in reality be interchanged with other, different characteristics, existing in other embodiments.
In practice, the materials employed, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.
Where the technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference numerals and/or signs, those reference numerals and/or signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference numerals and/or signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference numerals and/or signs.

Claims

A tool for the treatment of floors and surfaces in general, characterized in that it comprises a strip (2) that can be dragged, during use, along a surface to be treated, at least one first surface portion (3) of said strip (2) being made of water-repellent material, for the sweeping and consequent removal of dust, dirt particles and residues in general from the surface to be treated, following an entrainment action of said strip (2) thereupon, at least one second surface portion (4) of said strip (2) being made of hydrophilic material, for its impregnation with a liquid in advance, and the consequent washing and/or disinfection and/or sanitization of the surface to be treated, following the same entrainment action of said strip (2) thereupon.
The tool according to claim 1, characterized in that said strip (2) comprises a laminar band (5), which is directed during use and with one face thereof, constituting said first portion (3), toward the surface, so as to push and enclose dust, dirt particles and residues in general, following the entrainment action of said strip (2) upon that surface.
The tool according to claim 1, characterized in that said second surface portion (4) is substantially constituted by a plurality of surface fringes (6) made of hydrophilic material and arranged in a random distribution, in proximity to said first portion (3) and directed toward the surface to be treated, during use.
The tool according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said strip (2) comprises a base flap (7), said laminar band (5) being coupled to a first surface region of said flap (7), said fringes (6) extending from a second surface region, contiguous to said first region, of said flap (7).
The tool according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said laminar band (5) and said fringes (6) are sewn to said flap (7), respectively at said first surface region and at said second surface region.
The tool according to one or more of claims 1 to 4 and as an alternative to claim 5, characterized in that said laminar band (5) and said fringes (6) are glued to said flap (7), respectively at said first surface region and at said second surface region.
The tool according to one or more of claims 1 to 4 and as an alternative to claims 5 and 6, characterized in that said laminar band (5) and said fringes (6) are welded to said flap (7), respectively at said first surface region and at said second surface region.
The tool according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said flap (7) is provided, on the side opposite to said first portion (3) and to said second portion (4), with means for coupling (8) with a handle (9), for facilitating the entrainment of said strip (2) by a cleaning staff member.
The tool according to claim 8, characterized in that said coupling means (8) comprise a plate (10), which can be removably fixed to said flap (7) on the side opposite to said first portion (3) and to said second portion (4), said plate (10) being pivoted to a joint (11), which provides a stable accommodation seat (12) for one end of the handle (9).
The tool according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises said handle (9), fixed at said end to said joint (11) pivoted to said plate (10), said plate (10) being removably fixed to said flap (7) of said strip (2), on the side opposite to said first portion (3) and to said second portion (4).
The tool according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said flap (7) is provided, on the side opposite to said first portion (3) and to said second portion (4), with a first surface layer (17) made of a material of the type of Velcro®, which can be mated with a second surface layer arranged along said plate (10), on the side opposite to said joint (11).
The tool according to one or more of claims 1 to 9 and as an alternative to claim 10, characterized in that said flap (7) is provided, on the side opposite to said first portion (3) and to said second portion (4), with a seat for the stable accommodation of respective protrusions, complementary in shape, provided along said plate 10, for the interlocking coupling between said plate 10 and said strip 2.