FR2669841A1 - Cleaning machine - Google Patents

Abstract

Cleaning machine of the kind which spreads either a cleaning liquid or a rinsing liquid on a surface, the machine being characterised in that the tank (3-4) containing the liquids is connected by two hoses (7-8) to a cleaning device (2). The cleaning device (2) takes the form of a flattened bell and has two brushes (12) whose axes lie parallel with the surface to be treated. The cleaning device has, connected to the hoses, a sprinkler pipe (9) which, by the action of pumps situated in the bottom of the tanks (3-4), pours the selected liquid over the brushes (12).

Description

 The present invention relates to a cleaning machine of the kind for spreading on a surface either a cleaning liquid or a rinsing liquid.

 In this area, there is often the problem of cleaning vertical surfaces and ceilings. Known machines do not allow cleaning of these surfaces because the cleaning member is integral with the machine, the assembly constituting a whole, inseparable and very heavy, which cannot be lifted.

 The invention, which overcomes these drawbacks, is remarkable in that the cleaning member is connected by flexible pipes to the machine, comprising the aforementioned liquids, which rests on the ground.

 The cleaning member is in the form of a flattened bell comprising two rotary brushes, the axes of rotation of which extend parallel to the surface to be cleaned, and a spraying boom for said brushes.

 The machine itself consists of a tank with two compartments surmounting a base in which are housed the pumps for extracting liquids. This assembly rests on self-orientating wheels of a known type.

Other characteristics will emerge more clearly from the description which follows, made with reference to the appended drawing, by way of indicative example only, in which
FIG. 1 is a schematic view, partially in perspective, showing a machine according to the invention
FIG. 2 is the side view of the cleaning member with partial cutaway
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 111-I II in FIG. 2.

 Referring to the drawing, it can be seen that the machine has two separate parts 1 and 2 respectively.

 Part 1 consists of a tank with two compartments 3 and 4, one of which contains a cleaning product and the other, a rinsing product such as water.

 The reservoir 1, with two compartments, surmounts a base 5 which can be moved on the ground by means, for example, of self-orientable wheels of a known type.

 In the base 5 are housed two pumps (not visible in the drawing), one per tank, making it possible to supply the cleaning member 2 having the shape of a flattened bell and comprising a handle 6.

 Each reservoir is connected to the member 2 by means of a flexible pipe 7 and 8 respectively. Usual means are provided for quickly connecting the pipes 7 and 8.

 The two pipes are connected to a sprinkler rail 9 arranged inside the member 2. Electric switches arranged, for example on the handle 6, are provided for alternately supplying one or the other of the pumps. You can use a toggle switch like the one 10.

 Naturally, the device is supplemented by a general switch such as that 11 located, for example, on part 1.

 The liquid reaching the ramp 9 is poured onto two rotary brushes 12 whose axes extend parallel to the surface to be cleaned. The two brushes are tangent, even slightly intersecting.

 One of the brushes is driven by an electric motor 13 which, by means of two toothed pinions 14 and 15, transmits the movement to the second brush. In this way, the two brushes rotate in opposite directions to each other.

 The pressure produced by the pumps is judiciously adjusted so as to moisten the brushes 12 but without projection of liquid against the surface to be treated, it is said brushes which effect the transfer of the liquid on said surface and, this, to avoid untimely runoff. For this purpose, too, the direction of rotation of the brushes is such that they tend to make the liquid penetrate inside the member 2. This direction is indicated by the direction of the arrows F in FIG. 3.

 The liquid, thus collected, flows towards a bulge 16 provided on the member 1 which forms a pocket provided with an outlet orifice 17 to which a pipe, not shown, which collects the used liquid can be connected. It should be noted that the orifice 17 is located so as to always be at the lowest point, whether the member 2 is vertical or horizontal under a ceiling.

 Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described and shown but extends, on the contrary, to all variants of shapes and dimensions.

 Thus, among other things, the general switch can be located on the handle, the motor can be controlled by said general switch or have its own switch. In the same spirit, each pump can be placed under the dependence of an on-off switch.

Claims (5)

 1-Cleaning machine of the kind used for spreading on a surface either a cleaning liquid or a rinsing liquid, characterized in that the reservoir (3-4), containing the liquids is connected, by two flexible pipes ( 7-8), to a cleaning device (2).  2-machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the cleaning member (2) takes the form of a flattened bell and comprises two brushes (12) whose axes extend parallel to the surface to be treated.  3-machine according to claim 2, characterized in that the cleaning member comprises a spray bar (9), connected to the flexible pipes which, by means of pumps located at the bottom of the tank (3-4 ), pours the selected liquid onto the brushes (12).  4-machine according to claim 3, characterized in that the brushes (12) are driven in opposite directions to each other and as indicated by the arrows F in Figure 3.  5-Machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the cleaning member has a bulge (16), forming a collector, provided with a discharge orifice (17).