EP2665403B1

EP2665403B1 - Container, cleaning system and method for impregnation of cleaning textiles

Info

Publication number: EP2665403B1
Application number: EP12736719.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Kenneth RIGBO; Christofer OHLSSON
Original assignee: Gipeco AB
Current assignee: Gipeco AB
Priority date: 2011-01-17
Filing date: 2012-01-13
Publication date: 2021-09-15
Anticipated expiration: 2032-01-13
Also published as: EP2665403A4; SE1100033A1; EP2665403A1; DK2665403T3; WO2012099526A1

Description

Technical field

The present invention relates to a logistical cleaning system with a portable unit worn on the person, which makes cleaning easier and makes cleaning work more ergonomic and more efficient, and to arrangements for this.

Technical field

Cleaning or office cleaning involves cleaning offices or other environments. A person who carries out cleaning duties professionally is called a cleaner or office cleaner. Cleaning is a routine occupation in private homes, at workplaces and in public places. It is very important that cleaning is carried out thoroughly. In professional cleaning, many machines are used, especially for cleaning floors. Office cleaning is one of the most common jobs in Sweden. Cleaning contributes to well-being. Office cleaners are often happy with their work and proud of it. At the same time, it is an occupation often associated with injuries and work-related diseases. Good cleaning equipment and cleaning methods are important to ensure that the cleaning work does not become too strenuous. With the right cleaning equipment, cleaning becomes easier, and money, time and the environment are saved. The question of which cleaning methods are to be used depends on the surface layer. Chemical products and the like that are used for cleaning have to be adapted to the instructions from the floor and inventory supplier. Dosing pumps for chemicals have to be used in such a way that excess dosing is avoided. This requires that the office cleaners are trained in how the chemicals are to be dosed, which is not always the case. Handling chemicals in the wrong way not only adversely affects the cleaning result, it also poses a danger to health for the office cleaners and for other persons who are present when cleaning is being carried out. In most occupations, equipment has been developed that makes things easier for the users. For example, joiners have been provided with belts on which tools are placed in leather pockets. In this way, the tools are always to hand and permit improved ergonomics and efficiency. Similar belts with attached pockets are also used by electricians and plumbers. Even when it comes to window cleaning, there are belts available with storage pockets for tools. These belts are designed for repetitive work using the same tools and cleaning items. When it comes to cleaning floors and offices, things are more difficult, since cleaning equipment, rubbish or consumables have to be continuously fetched and set down. This has long been known to be the case, but no satisfactory solution to the problem has hitherto been advanced. A cleaning system comprising a container suitable for impregnation of cleaning textiles is already known e.g. from WO-A-0196182 .

The invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to avoid the previously known problems of office cleaning by providing a cleaning system which makes cleaning easier and makes cleaning work more ergonomic and more efficient, and providing arrangements for this. The invention is based on a complete circuit-like logistical system for cleaning, which is adapted to office cleaners and which comprises everything from hygienic storage of cleaning textiles in the from of mops and cleaning cloths, consumables and the like, to the dosing of water and chemicals. The invention involves a unit which is worn on the person and which comprises a carrier arrangement with quick fasteners for storage bags. These can then be easily moved between the unit worn on the person and a "logistics station", which can consist of a cleaning trolley, cleaning cupboard, backpack or a vehicle and then forms a system base such that the users do not have to continually go back and forth to fetch various articles. The system ensures that the handling and the movement of the cleaning textiles during work are closed in tight containers until such time as they are used. The dosing of water and chemicals takes place directly in the containers, which hold a certain number of mops, such that the dosing provides an optimal moisture balance in the cleaning textiles. The cleaning textiles that have been used are put back into such containers, which are forwarded for washing and drying, after which the cleaning textiles are placed back into containers in order to be used again.

Description

The invention, which is based on a complete system for cleaning, is adapted to office cleaners, with a portable logistical system worn on the person for transportation of cleaning equipment, such as floor mops, cleaning cloths, consumables, hygiene paper, soap dispensers, spray containers, rubbish and disposable articles. The unit worn on the person comprises a carrier arrangement with quick fasteners for storage bags. For example, a bag on each side can allow the office cleaner to keep one container with new mops on one side, and used mops can be placed in an empty container on the other side. The carrier arrangement consists of a harness or backpack or alternatively a tunic or jacket. The quick fasteners are in the form of buckles or alternatively mortise locks, velcro tapes, hooks, zippers, press-buttons, knobs or the like, so as to easily uncouple or fasten releasable bags or other kinds of receptacles with quick fasteners. These can then be easily moved between the unit worn on the person and a "logistics station" which, for example, can consist of a cleaning trolley, cleaning cupboard or a vehicle. This then forms a system base in which the receptacles with cleaning equipment, rubbish or consumables are fetched or set down. Different receptacles are designed for different tasks. For example, one receptacle can hold articles needed for cleaning a WC. Another receptacle holds paper towels, another one floor mops, and another one cleaning cloths or disposable material. Office cleaners do not have to go constantly back and forth to the system base in order to fetch individual items, and instead they simply need to change receptacles with quick fasteners.
The system also comprises a circuit-like logistical system through handling of everything from hygienic storage of cleaning textiles, in the form of mops or cleaning cloths, to the dosing of water and chemicals, which gives an optimal moisture balance for the surfaces that are to be cleaned. In the system, the handling and movement of the cleaning textiles take place in containers which are closed until such time as the cleaning textiles are to be used. The containers can consist of a pouch made of textile material, which is treated or untreated, or alternatively a pouch made of plastic, a bucket or a tub. The container is water-tight, such that it can be turned upside down during impregnation. After use, the used cleaning textiles are placed in such a container which is then forwarded for washing and drying of the cleaning textiles, after which these are placed back into a closable container in order to be used again. The cleaning textiles are placed in the containers, which are adapted for a defined number of mops or cleaning cloths in each container. The dosing of water and chemicals takes place directly in the container which, by means of containing a defined number of cleaning textiles, permits dosing with optimal moisture balance in the cleaning textiles. The impregnation is carried out with liquid in the form of water, or alternatively with cleaning fluid (water + chemicals), which is measured out in a jug, measuring glass or the like in order to be avoid excess dosage. Liquid is poured onto the cleaning textiles in the containers such that the impregnation of the cleaning textiles takes place directly in the closable containers, which are water-tight. The containers are then closed either with tape, velcro, clips, quick fasteners, strings, buttons or zippers. The containers are then turned upside down such that the liquid provides a complete impregnation of the cleaning textiles. The containers are placed in storage bags which are provided with quick fasteners for attachment to the carrier arrangement of the unit worn on the person, where they are easily accessible for use and are opened when the impregnated cleaning textiles are to be used. Dirty and used cleaning textiles are placed in empty containers for transport to a washing and drying stage.
An embodiment of the invention is described below and is illustrated in the attached drawing, in which

Fig. 1 illustrates how the movement between a cleaning trolley and the various areas that are to be cleaned takes place at present.
Fig. 2 illustrates how the movement between a system base and the various areas that are to be cleaned takes place using the novel logistical system.
Fig. 3 shows a base station with a cleaning cupboard, a vehicle and a cleaning trolley with prepared liquids for various purposes.
Fig. 4 shows an office cleaner wearing a portable logistical system for the cleaning equipment.
Fig. 5 shows, in the manner of a circuit diagram, a complete logistical system with a system base for cleaning, which is designed for office cleaners.

A logistical cleaning system with a portable unit worn on the person, according to figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 , can represent the configuration that is suitable in the example shown here.
The current cleaning system according to figure 1 illustrates how the movement takes place today between a cleaning trolley (2) and the various objects (1) that are to be cleaned. The office cleaners have to move constantly to and from the cleaning trolley (2) according to the arrows (3) in order to collect individual items that are to be used in the various objects (1) to be cleaned, which can be a room, individual space, a place or a building.
The novel cleaning system according to figure 2 illustrates the movement between a system base (6), with containers for various work tasks, and the various objects (1) that are to be cleaned. The novel logistical system for cleaning, with the unit (5) worn on the person and having quick fasteners, means that the office cleaners do not have to go constantly back and forth in order to fetch individual items, and instead they can move starting from the system base (6) and then from one object (1) to be cleaned to another object (1) to be cleaned according to the arrows (4), which saves both energy and time.
The novel cleaning system according to figure 3 shows a system base (6) which, for example, can consist of a cleaning cupboard (7), a vehicle (8) or a cleaning trolley (2), which is here shown as one of the components that can be included in the system base in order to create a logistical system for transportation of cleaning equipment, such as floor mops, cleaning cloths, consumables, paper towels, soap dispensers, spray containers, rubbish, and disposable items. The cleaning trolley (2) is shown here with prepared bags (9) for various purposes. The bags (9) are anchored to and in the base unit (6) by quick fasteners (10) in the form of buckles or alternatively mortise locks, velcro tapes, hooks, zippers, press-buttons or the like, so as to be able to easily fasten or release the bags (9) to/from the cleaning trolley (2) or alternatively the cleaning cupboard (7) or the vehicle (8) .
The novel cleaning system according to figure 4 shows an office cleaner (11) wearing a portable unit, which comprises a carrier arrangement (12) with quick fasteners (10) for storage bags (9). For example, with a bag (9) secured on each side in the carrier arrangement (12), an office cleaner (11) can keep a container with new mops on one side, and used mops are placed in an empty container on the other side. The carrier arrangement (12) consists of a harness, backpack, or alternatively a tunic or jacket. The quick fasteners (10) allow the bags (9) to be easily released or fastened. These can then be easily moved between the portable unit (5) and a "logistics station" which, for example, can be in the form of a cleaning trolley, cleaning cupboard or a vehicle, which then constitutes a system base, where the bags or receptacles with cleaning equipment, rubbish or consumables are fetched or set down. Different receptacles are designed for different purposes. One receptacle can, for example, hold items needed for cleaning a WC. Another receptacle holds paper towels, another one floor mops, and another one cleaning cloths or disposable material. The office cleaners do not then have to move constantly to and from the system base in order to fetch individual items, and instead they only need to change containers with the quick fasteners.
The novel cleaning system according to figure 5 shows a complete circuit for the handling of cleaning textiles (13) in the form of mops and cleaning cloths. A defined number of new or washed and dried cleaning textiles (13) are packed in a container (14), which is closed (15) and supplied to the base unit (6), where they are stored dry and free of dust until such time as they are to be used. When the cleaning textiles (13) are to be used, the container (16) is opened and water or cleaning fluid is measured out in a jug (17), measuring glass or the like, after which the fluid (18) is poured onto the cleaning textiles. The container (19) is closed and turned upside down such that the cleaning textiles (13) all acquire an optimal moisture balance for the surfaces that are to be cleaned. The office cleaner (11) then places the container (19) in one of the bags (9) on one side of the unit (5) worn on the person, where the container (19) is opened and the cleaning textiles (13) are made accessible for use. When the cleaning textiles (13) have been used, they are transferred to the other bag (9) on the other side of the unit (5) worn on the person and placed in an empty, open container (20), which is closed (21) when it is full. The container (21) is then moved on to a washing stage, where it is opened (22) and the cleaning textiles (13) are removed and sorted out. Cleaning textiles (13) that have become worn are discarded, and the others are forwarded for washing (23), after which they are dried (24) and the process begins all over again.
According to one aspect of the invention, it comprises a logistical cleaning system with a portable unit worn on the person, characterized by a system base (6) which, for example, can consist of a cleaning cupboard (7), a vehicle (8) or a cleaning trolley (2), which is included in the system base (6) in order to create a logical system for transportation of cleaning equipment, such as floor mops, cleaning cloths, consumables, paper towels, soap dispensers, spray containers, rubbish, and disposable items, and where bags (9) are anchored to and in the base unit (6) by quick fasteners (10), so as to be able to be easily released and moved between the base system (6) with containers for various work tasks and the various objects (1) that are to be cleaned, and where a portable unit (5) worn on the person and having quick fasteners (10) means that the office cleaners (11) do not have to go constantly back and forth in order to fetch individual items, and instead they can move starting from the system base (6) and then from one object (1) to be cleaned to another object (1) to be cleaned, and where a complete circuit for the handling of cleaning textiles (13) in the form of mops and cleaning cloths is included in the system.
According to one embodiment, the cleaning system is characterized in that the portable unit worn on the person comprises a carrier arrangement (12) with quick fasteners (10) for storage bags (9), and where, for example, a bag (9) can be secured on each side in the carrier arrangement (12), which means that the office cleaner (11) can keep a container with new mops on one side, and used mops are placed in an empty container on the other side, and where the carrier arrangement (12) consists of a harness (12), backpack, or alternatively a tunic or jacket, and where the quick fasteners (10) allow the bags (9) to be easily released or fastened, such that these can be easily moved between the portable unit (5) worn on the person and a base station (6).
According to a further embodiment, the cleaning system is characterized by a complete circuit for the handling of cleaning textiles (13) in the form of mops and cleaning cloths, where a defined number of new or washed and dried cleaning textiles (13) are packed in a container (14), which is closed (15) and supplied to a base unit (6), where they are stored dry and free of dust until such time as they are to be used when the container (16) is opened and water or cleaning fluid is measured out in a jug (17), measuring glass or the like, after which the fluid (18) is poured onto the cleaning textiles, and the container (19) is closed and turned upside down such that the cleaning textiles (13) are impregnated and acquire an optimal moisture balance for the surfaces that are to be cleaned, after which the office cleaner (11) then places the container (19) in one of the bags (9) on one side of the unit (5) worn on the person, where the container (19) is opened and the cleaning textiles (13) are made accessible for use, and where the cleaning textiles (13), after use, are transferred to the other bag (9) on the other side of the unit (5) worn on the person and are placed in an empty, open container (20), which is closed (21) when it is full, after which the container (21) is then moved on to a washing stage, where it is opened (22) and the cleaning textiles (13) are removed and sorted out, such that cleaning textiles (13) that have become worn are discarded, and the others are forwarded for washing (23), after which they are dried (24) and the process begins all over again.
According to one embodiment, the cleaning system is characterized in that the containers can be in the form of a pouch made of textile material, which is treated or untreated, or alternatively a pouch made of plastic, a bucket or a tub, and where the containers are water-tight, such that it is possible for them to be turned upside down during impregnation.
According to one embodiment, the cleaning system is characterized in that the portable unit worn on the person comprises a carrier arrangement (12) with quick fasteners (10) for storage bags (9), and where the carrier arrangement (12) consists of a harness (12), backpack, or alternatively a tunic or jacket, and where the quick fasteners (10) allow the bags (9) to be easily released or fastened, and where the quick fasteners (10) are in the form of buckles or alternatively mortise locks, velcro tapes, hooks, zippers, press-buttons or the like.
The invention has been described in connection with a preferred set-up and configuration, and it will be appreciated that certain modifications and changes can be made without departing from the basic concept. The example described here comprises bags with quick-couplings that can be coupled to the portable unit and to the base unit. Of course, other receptacles containing cleaning equipment can be coupled to the portable unit and to the base unit by quick fasteners. Likewise, the generally described container can consist of pouches or alternatively buckets or tubs with lids. The description shows how the cleaning textiles are impregnated in the containers at the base station. The impregnation can also be carried out in the washing machine and delivered directly to the base station. Therefore, the invention must not be seen as being limited to what has been disclosed and described above, and instead variations are included in the inventive concept and are to be regarded as being within the scope of the attached claims.

Claims

A cleaning system comprising a container (14) for impregnation of cleaning textiles (13), characterized in that the container comprises a water-tight pouch made of a textile material or a plastic material, the container being closable and adapted, when open, to receive a number of cleaning textiles and water or cleaning fluid (18), and, after being closed, to be turned upside down for impregnation of the cleaning textiles, wherein the system further comprises
at least one bag (9) adapted to store a container (14), and

a portable unit (5) adapted to be worn on a person,

the bag being provided with a quick fastener (10), formed by a buckle, mortise lock, velcro tape, hook, zipper, press-button or the like, so as to be able to be fastened to or released from the portable unit worn on the person,

wherein the container is adapted to allow said water or cleaning fluid to be received for impregnation of cleaning textiles when the cleaning textiles are to be used.
The cleansing system according to claim 1, wherein the container (14) comprises a closure (15), consisting of tape, velcro, clips, strings, buttons or zipper, for closing the pouch.
The cleaning system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pouch is made of a textile material treated so as to be water-tight.
A logistical cleaning system with a portable unit adapted to be worn on the person, characterized by comprising:
a cleaning system according to any of claims 1 ― 3, and

a system base (6) which, for example, can consist of a cleaning cupboard (7), a vehicle (8) or a cleaning trolley (2) that is included in the system base (6) in order to create a logical system for transport of cleaning equipment such as floor mops, cleaning cloths, consumables, hygiene paper, soap dispensers, spray containers, rubbish and disposable articles, and

a plurality of bags (9) for storing containers (16) for impregnation of cleaning textiles, which are anchored to and in the system base (6) by quick fasteners (10) formed by buckles or alternatively mortise locks, velcro tapes, hooks, zippers, press-buttons or the like, so as to be able to be easily fastened to, or released from, the system base (6) and to be easily moved between the system base (6) and the portable unit (5) of the cleaning system, wherein the bags (9) are adapted to store containers for different work tasks and the different objects (1) that are to be cleaned, so that the cleaning textiles do not need to be constantly fetched from and left at the system base.
The logistical cleaning system according to claim 4, wherein the portable unit (5) worn on the person comprises a carrier arrangement (12) with quick fasteners (10), for example formed by buckles or alternatively mortise locks, velcro tapes, hooks, zippers, press-buttons or the like, and where, for example, a bag (9) can be secured on each side of the carrier arrangement (12), which can consist of a harness (12), backpack, or alternatively a tunic or jacket, and where the quick fasteners (10) allow the bags (9) to be easily released or fastened such that they can be easily moved between the portable unit (5) worn on the person and the system base (6).
The logistical cleaning system according to claim 4, wherein the containers can be in the form of a pouch made of textile material, which is treated or untreated, or alternatively a pouch made of plastic, a bucket or a tub, and where the containers are water-tight, such that it is possible for them to be turned upside down during impregnation.
The logistical cleaning system according to claim 4, wherein the portable unit (5) worn on the person comprises a carrier arrangement (12) with quick fasteners (10), for example formed by buckles or alternatively mortise locks, velcro tapes, hooks, zippers, press-buttons or the like, and where, for example, a bag (9) can be secured on each side of the carrier arrangement (12), which can consist of a harness (12), backpack, or alternatively a tunic or jacket, and where the quick fasteners (10) allow the bags (9) to be easily released or fastened such that they can be easily moved.
Method for impregnation of cleaning textiles (13), characterized in that the method comprises the steps of:
providing a defined number of dry cleaning textiles (13) in a container (16) comprising a water-tight pouch made of a textile material or a plastic;

measuring water or cleaning fluid in a jug (17), measuring glass or the like;

pouring the measured water or cleaning fluid onto the cleaning textiles (13) in said container;

closing the container (19) after having received the dry cleaning textiles (13) and the measured water or cleaning fluid, and

turning the container (19) upside down to impregnate the cleaning textiles (13) such that the cleaning textiles (13) all acquire an optimal moisture balance for the surfaces that are to be cleaned,

wherein the measured water or cleaning fluid is provided in said container (16) when the cleaning textiles (13) are to be used.
Method according to claim 8, wherein the method comprises the step of storing the container (19) in a bag (9) adapted to store said container.
Method according to claim 9, wherein the bag (9) is provided with a quick fastener (10), formed by a buckle, mortise lock, velcro tape, hook, zipper, press-button or the like, and wherein the method further comprises the step of fastening and releasing the bag (9) to or from a portable unit (5) adapted to be worn on a person.
Method according to claim 10, wherein the method comprises the step of moving the bag (9) between a system base (6) and the portable unit (5) worn on a person.
Method according to any of claims 9 - 11, wherein the method comprises the step of providing a plurality of bags (9) adapted to store containers (19) for different work tasks and different objects (1) that are to be cleaned.
Method according to any of claims 11 - 12, wherein used cleaning textiles (13), when they have been used, are transferred to another bag (9) storing an empty, open container (20) which is closed (21) when it is full of used cleaning textiles (13).
Method according to any of claims 8 - 13, wherein cleaning textiles (13) that have become worn are discarded, and the others are forwarded for washing (23), after which they are dried (24).
Method according to any of claims 8 - 14, wherein the defined number of cleaning textiles, which are new or washed and dried, are packed in a container (14) which is closed (15) and supplied to the system base (6) where they are stored dry and free of dust until such time they are to be used.