ES2382531A1 - Floor cleaning system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention is based on the rotation of a roller (2) mounted on a structure comprising two containers, one on top of the other, in such a way that, when said roller (2) rotates, as it comes into contact with the floor, it collects particles and liquids, driving the particles into the first container (1) where they are stored, while a draining element (9) drains the liquids collected by the roller into the second container (1'). Water is applied to the roller (2) from an upper receptacle (7) that ends in a tip with a type of scraper (8) for preventing rotation of the roller (2) in the opposite direction and for cleaning off particles that may be adhered to the roller. Flexible bristles (17) or mop strips are provided in the upper and rear part of the container (1) so that, when the set is in the inverted position, after being rotated and tipping up, a sweeping and/or mopping action is performed. Said set comprises a pivoting handle (18) and a skid (13) for clearing obstacles and uneven parts.

Description

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a floor cleaning system, intended to perform all cleaning functions and corresponding to sweeping, dirt collection, scrubbing and drying of the floor itself, whereby the system brings together in a single set what It is considered as a broom, a dustpan, a mop and a bucket.

The object of the invention is to unify the means used in floor cleaning, reduce cleaning times and save the cleaning tasks themselves and reduce physical effort.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the cleaning of floors, a sweep is first involved in the dragging and collection of the particles or objects that were on the surface of the soil, then a scrubbing of that floor already cleaned of particles is carried out, an operation that is carried out by means of a mop and a bucket of drained, while in the first case a broom or brush and a dustpan are required.

As is evident, these tasks require different and totally independent tools, in addition to having to first perform the cleaning of particles and then the floor scrubbing, all of which entails a significant economic cost and an important operating time, to which we must add the fact that the physical action of sweeping and scrubbing is more uncomfortable and unpleasant than "pushing a roller".

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The floor cleaning system that has been recommended has been designed to solve the problems described above, since based on the special structuring of the same, in a single set retain the elements to perform both cleaning or sweeping the floor and scrubbing and drying of it.

More specifically, the system of the invention comprises a container of general prismatic configuration, with its face considered as inclined anterior on which a roller associated with a handle is rotatably mounted, also rotatable with respect to the roller itself, all in such a way that the rotation of the roller itself produces the collection of particles and dirt from the ground, driving them into the container, together with the water that is also collected from the ground and propelled in the same way into the container as the roller is absorbent material (type sponge), so that in the latter the dirt particles are stored, defining a second container for collecting the liquids, while in correspondence with the upper part on the roller the exit of a container of clean water with soap impinges , in whose incidence an element acts as a scraper that prevents the dragging of dirt particles that could take with it the roller in its turn, which would be carried from inside the container, also existing in correspondence with the latter, a second roller of a very small diameter that contacts laterally, according to one of the generatrices, with the main roller, to achieve the draining of the liquid and that it falls into the second compartment described, absorbed by that main roller and at the same time carry out the cleaning of the particles that the latter could carry in its turn.

Optionally, and compatible with the secondary roller, the main roller could be drained by including a flat surface that presses said roller causing it to drain onto said second compartment.

On the other hand, it is envisaged that on the back of the container of particles of dirt and liquid, there is a special palette to remove the dirt lodged next to the skirting boards and the walls.

The lower surface of that container will have means with drying and cleaning effect of the smooth surface through which the roller is previously passing in its turn, so that that lower surface of cleaning and drying can be constituted in different materials and / or fabrics, depending on the type of floor or surface to be cleaned.

In the front part of the container a skate with the arched and ascending front is provided to overcome small obstacles and / or unevenness through which the assembly is dragged, with sliding by rotation of the main roller, this also having a circumferential groove that adapts to a rib established in the internal part of the general structure of the container, to avoid the exit of the collected liquids.

Another feature is that on the top and back and on the side of the container there are bristles, which can be flexible and / or absorbent that allow broom and / or mop functions to be carried out, when such tilt is carried out. container and its position is reversed, the skate acting as a support and tilting element and immobilization of the device, in whose inverted position the bristles are supported on the ground to carry out the functions of broom and / or mop.

In this case or inverted position and use of the assembly, the handle may be locked, through a broken section thereof, in a slot established at the beginning of the skate, in order to carry out the handling and corresponding operation of the assembly.

The said containers of particles and liquids will be assisted by their corresponding caps for extraction of the particles and liquids collected respectively in each of them.

Lastly, the skid established in the lower front part of the container is determined by two lateral elements with an inclined oblique section that rubs on the ground to direct the objects and dirt towards the roller itself, that is, towards the collection system of said roller and towards the container itself.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complement the description that will then be made and in order to help a better understanding of the features of the invention, in accordance with a preferred example of practical implementation thereof, a set of drawings is accompanied as an integral part of said description. where the following has been represented by way of illustration and not limitation:

Figure 1 shows a representation corresponding to a side sectional view of the device in which the floor cleaning system object of the invention is realized.

Figure 2.- Shows a side elevational view of the assembly represented in the previous figure, in which the previous roller and the groove of the roller are shown, as well as its assembly on the corresponding inclined anterior plane of the container.

Figure 3.- Shows a view like that of the previous figure, but in this case with the handle mounted on the roller shaft.

Figure 4.- Shows a top plan view of the part of the structure of the assembly in which the rotating handle is mounted, as well as the inclination of the side skates.

Figure 5.- Shows a front view of the assembly represented in the previous figure.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

As can be seen in the aforementioned figures, the system of the invention comprises a first container (1) as a storage and collection tank for particles, dirt and objects that are collected on a floor surface. That first container (1) has an inclined plane frontally, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, on which it assembles a roller (2) that is rotatable, with the direction of rotation indicated by the arrow (3) represented in Figure 1, so that the roller (2) will be constituted in a spongy, flexible, smooth and continuous body material to absorb liquids and any particles and / or dirt. In the support (4) of the roller (2) on the floor (5) or surface to be cleaned, a small deformation of said roller (4) is established, which in its turn entails the dragging of the particles and water that were on the ground (5), and through the small ramp that can be inclined and concave (6) that acts tangentially to the ground, established in the front part of the container (1), those particles, dirt, objects are propelled into the interior of that container (1), remaining in this collection, while the liquids are absorbed in said roller, to be poured onto a second container (1 ').

Thus, in the support (4) and rotation of the roller (2) on the ground (5) the absorption of the liquid takes place and at the same time the scrubbing with clean and soapy water, and / or any cleaning product, collected from a upper tank (7), as indicated in figure 1, tank (7) containing clean and soapy water and applied on the lateral surface of the roller

(2) with the rotation of this, through a kind of nozzle (8) that acts as a scraper element of the surface of the roller (2) to clean the possible particles or impurities adhered to it. In addition, that nozzle that acts as a scraper fulfills the function of preventing the roller from rotating in the opposite direction to that indicated, also establishing an opening or nozzle proper for wetting the roller (2) with clean and soapy water from the tank (7) . It is possible to provide this nozzle with a system to reduce and / or prevent the application of water so that it acts only as a broom.

Inside the container (1) a draining element (�) is provided, which could be materialized in a roller, either on a flat surface, or in a combination of both, which in any case its function is to exert pressure on the lateral surface of the roller (2) and produce the draining of the liquid absorbed by such roller (2), in turn performing said draining element (�) a cleaning of the particles that could lead to its rotation the roller (2) at its exit from the first container (1), so that the drained liquid is poured onto the second container (1 ') located immediately above the first container (1).

The lower part or surface (10) of the container (1) will be materialized in any fabric or material that allows to carry out a drying and cleaning effect of the floor surface that is left after the passage of the roller (2).

Likewise, a special pallet (11) is provided on the back of the container (1) whose function is to be able to extract the dirt that exists next to the skirting boards or at the corners.

In figures 2 and 3 it can be seen as the first container

(1) on the front, it is extended in a flat section (12) of support and whose function is to force it to act horizontally on the smooth surface to be cleaned, and the front part being a profile roller (13) Curved-concave projected divergently upward, to overcome small obstacles or unevenness, presenting that skate (13), as shown in Figure 4, oblique and divergent sections (13 ') to channel the particles into the first container (1) . The roller (2) is mounted on a rotating shaft (14) with appropriate fixing means in its assembly and with the possibility of disassembly to carry out any type of maintenance operation, such as removing parts, replacing them, cleaning elements, etc.

The roller itself (2) has a groove (15) attachable in a rib (16) provided in the internal part of the container structure (1), in order to prevent the outflow of the collected liquids.

A grouping of bristles (17) that can be flexible, or mop strips, is provided on the back of the container (1) to use the assembly as a sweeping or scrubbing element, since this will only be enough to lift and rotate the container (1) putting it in an inverted position so that these bristles (17) rest on the ground, so that this change of position is made with the roller (13) as a support element, to carry out the rotation or tilting and stabilization of the device in its use as a broom.

More specifically, a rotating handle (18) with a broken section (1�) is mounted on the axis (14) of the roller assembly (2) which, in the inverted position of the device, as previously stated, interlocked in a slot (20) established for the purpose at the beginning of the skate (13), slot (20) visible in figures 2 and 3, which allows stabilizing the device for use as a broom.

In figure 3 the arc (22) can be observed indicating the turn towards one side and another of the handle (18), being this removable.

Finally, it is worth mentioning that the said containers (11 ') will be assisted by their corresponding caps (21-21') for the extraction of the collected particles and liquids respectively.

Claims (2)

 R E I V I N D I C A C I O N E S 1�.- � floor cleaning system, which being designed to allow the functions of sweeping, collecting, scrubbing and drying a floor surface, is characterized in that it comprises a first container container (1) for collection and storage of the dirt collected on the ground itself (5), counting in the front part of that first container (1) with a rotating roller (2) that rests on the ground itself (5) and in its turn drags impurities and liquids, having provided that a second container (1 ') receiving the liquids absorbed by the roller is established on the first container, having provided that in the upper part there is a reservoir (7) container of clean water with soap that flows into a nozzle with a scraper (8) for the application of clean water on the lateral surface of the roller itself (2) and for the cleaning of the particles adhered to the roller (2) in its turn inside the container (1), having also provided for said container (1) draining means (�), such as a small roller, or a flat surface that in any case is arranged so that it rests on one of the roller generatrices (2) for draining water from the same towards the second container (1 ') and for the cleaning of particles adhered to it. 2�.- Floor cleaning system, according to claim 1, characterized in that the container (1) has its lower surface (10) provided with a drying material and a floor surface cleaning material (5) that leaves behind the roller (2) in its turn and cleaning on the floor. 3�.- Floor cleaning system, according to previous claims, characterized in that a pallet (11) for cleaning the baseboards, walls and related places is provided on the back of the container (1). 4�.- Floor cleaning system, according to previous claims, characterized in that the roller (2) is made of spongy, flexible and smooth material and has a continuous body to absorb liquids and any particles and / or dirt. 5�.- Floor cleaning system, according to previous claims, characterized in that, in correspondence with the back and top of the container (1), bristles (17) are provided, flexible and / or absorbent, to allow the actuation of the set as a broom and / or mop, prior to lifting, tilting and inverted position of the container (1), with support on the floor of said bristles (17). 6�.- Floor cleaning system, according to previous claims, characterized in that a rotating handle (18) with the power to assemble and disassemble is provided on the corresponding axis of assembly and rotation of the roller (2). 7�.- Floor cleaning system, according to previous claims, characterized in that in correspondence with the front part of the container (1) a flat section (12) of support is provided on the floor surface (5) and a skate (13) with arched and ascending front to overcome small obstacles and / or unevenness, counting the beginning of said skate (13) with a groove (20) in which an element (1�) established in the handle (18) can be interlocked, when the lifting, tilting and inversion occurs in its position of the container (1) to act as mop and / or broom. 8�.- Floor cleaning system, according to previous claims, characterized in that the containers (1-1 ') will be assisted by their corresponding covers (21-21') for extraction of the particles and liquids collected in each of them respectively. ��.- � floor cleaning system, according to claims 5 above, characterized in that the roller (2) has a groove (15) in which a lateral rib (16) located in the inner part of the container (1) is located to prevent the exit of liquids collected by the roller itself (2). 13 14 15 SPANISH OFFICE OF THE PATENTS AND BRAND Application no .: 201031677 SPAIN Date of submission of the application: 15.11.2010 Priority Date: REPORT ON THE STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE 51 Int. Cl.: A47L11 / 292 (2006.01) RELEVANT DOCUMENTS

Category

56 Documents cited Claims Affected

X

WO 0137719 A2 (BREONICS INC et al.) 31.05.2001, page 3, line 14 - page 5, line 26; figures. 1-6.8

TO

US 5657504 A (KHOURY FOUAD M) 19.08.1997, the whole document. 1-9

TO

US 6266838 B1 (CARVENO STEVEN JEROME) 31.07.2001, the whole document. 1-9

TO

US 2006 150352 A1 (FIELD BRUCE F) 13.07.2006, the whole document. 1-9

TO

US 977701 A (BROBERG KARL TORSTEN) 06.12.1910, the whole document. 1-9

TO

WO 2005055795 A1 (VORWERK CO INTERHOLDING et al.) 23.06.2005, figures & Summary of the WPI database. Recovered from EPOQUE; AN 2005-445006. 1-9

TO

US 2003204923 A1 (NAKAMURA KAZUO) 06.11.2003, the whole document. 1-9

Category of the documents cited X: of particular relevance Y: of particular relevance combined with other / s of the same category A: reflects the state of the art O: refers to unwritten disclosure P: published between the priority date and the date of priority submission of the application E: previous document, but published after the date of submission of the application

This report has been prepared • for all claims • for claims no:

Date of realization of the report 10.04.2012

Examiner E. Usero Sánchez Page 1/4

REPORT OF THE STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE Application number: 201031677 Minimum documentation searched (classification system followed by classification symbols) A47L Electronic databases consulted during the search (name of the database and, if possible, terms of search used) INVENES, EPODOC State of the Art Report Page 2/4  WRITTEN OPINION Application number: 201031677 Date of Written Opinion: 10.04.2012 Statement

Novelty (Art. 6.1 LP 11/1986)

Claims Claims 1-9 IF NOT

Inventive activity (Art. 8.1 LP11 / 1986)

Claims Claims 7, 9 1-6, 8 IF NOT

The application is considered to comply with the industrial application requirement. This requirement was evaluated during the formal and technical examination phase of the application (Article 31.2 Law 11/1986).  Opinion Base.- This opinion has been made on the basis of the patent application as published. State of the Art Report Page 3/4  WRITTEN OPINION Application number: 201031677 1. Documents considered.- The documents belonging to the state of the art taken into consideration for the realization of this opinion are listed below.

Document

Publication or Identification Number publication date

D01

WO 0137719 A2 (BREONICS INC et al.) 31.05.2001

D02

US 5657504 A (KHOURY FOUAD M) 19.08.1997

D03

US 6266838 B1 (CARVENO STEVEN JEROME) 31.07.2001

D04

US 2006 150352 A1 (FIELD BRUCE F) 13.07.2006

D05

US 977701 A (BROBERG KARL TORSTEN) 06.12.1910

D06

WO 2005055795 A1 (VORWERK CO INTERHOLDING et al.) 06/23/2005

2. Statement motivated according to articles 29.6 and 29.7 of the Regulations for the execution of Law 11/1986, of March 20, on Patents on novelty and inventive activity; quotes and explanations in support of this statement The present application refers to a floor cleaning system intended to perform the functions of sweeping, collecting dirt, scrubbing and drying. The object of the invention according to claims 1-4 is a floor cleaning system comprising a tank for the collection and storage of dirt, a rotating roller of flexible and smooth spongy material to carry away impurities and liquids, a receiving container for the liquids absorbed by the roller, a tank of clean water with soap that flows into a nozzle with scraper for the application of clean water to the surface of the roller and the cleaning of particles adhering thereto, a means of draining the roller, a material secant on the bottom surface and a palette for cleaning skirting boards or walls at the back. Document D01 describes a floor cleaning system comprising a rotating roller of spongy material, a scraper for the separation of the particles adhered thereto and its deposit in a container provided for this purpose, a roller for draining by pressure of Cleaning roller, a tank for collecting drained water and a spatula on the front for cleaning areas near walls. In an alternative design, the system also has an additional roller of drying material placed on the front of the system in such a way that by rotating the device to change its position the floor can be dried after scrubbing (page 3, line 5 - page 14, line 26; figures). The provision of a container for storing clean soapy water and a nozzle for application to the surface of the cleaning roller is a technique widely known in the state of the art (see documents D02, D03, D04, D05 and D06) by what is considered obvious to the person skilled in the art. Likewise, the fact that the drying surface instead of a roller consists of a material adhered to the lower surface of the device is a design alternative considered a mere obvious particular execution for the person skilled in the art. The object of claim 5 is a cleaning system as claimed previously, which has bristles that can act as a mop or a broom after placing the container in an inverted position. The placement of additional cleaning means on the outside of the body of the device so that by modifying the position of the device one or the other can be used is known from document D01, it being not considered that these means are bristles for sweeping or scrubbing instead. of a roller for drying, nor that which are located in a different place implies inventive activity. On the other hand, the design features of dependent claims 6 and 8 are also considered mere particular executions obvious to the person skilled in the art. Accordingly, claims 1-6 and 8 lack inventive activity based on what is described in document D01. Finally, none of the aforementioned documents or any relevant combination of them reveals a cleaning system provided in its front part with a flat section and a skate with the arched and ascending front part to overcome small obstacles or in which the roller counts with a groove in which a nerve of the container is located to prevent the exit of the liquids collected in the container, so that they only reflect the state of the art and it is considered that the invention object of claims 7 and 9 is new, It implies inventive activity and is susceptible of industrial application. State of the Art Report Page 4/4