GB2114508A

GB2114508A - Liquid-absorbent material

Info

Publication number: GB2114508A
Application number: GB08203086A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Louis Weatherill
Original assignee: VARRAM Ltd
Current assignee: VARRAM Ltd
Priority date: 1982-02-03
Filing date: 1982-02-03
Publication date: 1983-08-24
Also published as: FI833592A0; NO833514L; FI833592A; EP0099916A1; WO1983002789A1; DK455583D0; DK455583A; JPS59500178A

Abstract

A machine for absorbing liquid from a surface such as a playing field comprises a driven roller (4) provided with a liquid-absorbent element (12). The element (12) is made from a foamed plastics or rubber backing (15) provided on its outer periphery with a reinforcing layer (16) comprising an open weave filamentary material or ribs disposed in the form of netting. The reinforcing layer (16) resists wear and scuffing of the foam material and provides improved pick-up of water from the surface being cleared.

Description

SPECIFICATION Liquid-absorbent material This invention relates to liquid-absorbent material, and particularly, although not exclusively, to a device utilizing such material for clearing surface water from, for example, playing fields.

According to the present invention there is provided material for absorbing liquid, the material comprising an absorbent backing and a reinforcing layer provided on a face of the backing, the reinforcing layer being pervious or having apertures to permit the passage of liquid into and out of the backing.

The present invention also provides a device for absorbing liquid from a surface, the device comprising a liquid-absorbent element formed from material as just defined.

The absorbent backing preferably comprises a foam material, such as a synthetic plastics or rubber foam. The reinforcing layer may be bonded to the backing by welding or by an adhesive. The reinforcing layer, in a preferred embodiment, is in the form of netting which may be made from plastics or rubber. The netting is preferably continuously molded so that the filaments are integrally joined at their intersections. The cross-section of each filament preferably has a flat portion for contact with the backing. The pitch of the net may, for example, be in the range 4 to 5 centimetres, and the width of the filaments may be approximately 2 millimetres.

The reinforcing layer can take forms other than that of netting. For example, the reinforcing layer may comprises pervious material such as open weave plastics material, similar to that used for scouring cloths.

Although material in accordance with the present invention was devised primarily for use with machines for clearing surface water from reacreational areas such as playing fields, cricket pitches and the like, it can also be utilized in, for example, domestic mops or in devices for clearing liquids other than water from, for example, factory premises.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure lisa side view of a machine suitable for clearing surface water from playing fields; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the liquid-absorbent element of the machine of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan view of the liquid absorbent element of Figure 3; and Figure 4 shows three alternative cross-sections of the reinforcing layer shown in Figures 2 and 3.

The machine shown in Figure 1 comprises a frame 2 in which a roller 4 is supported. The roller 4 is powered by a motor 6. A small-diameter roller 8 is provided to give the machine stability, and a handle 10 is provided to enable the machine to be controlled by an operatorwalking behind it. Suitable controls (not shown) are mounted on the handle 10.

The roller 4 is covered by a liquid-absorbent element 12. As is clear from Figure 1, this element 12 is compressed between the roller4 and the ground by the weight of the machine. It is also compressed by a squeeze roller 14 provided to the rear of the roller 4.

In operation, the motor 6 rotates the roller 4 to drive the machine over the area to be cleared. As the element 12 rolls over the ground, it is progressively compressed by the ground contact and released. As the element 12 moves off the ground at the rear of the roller 4 and is allowed to expand, it draws water from the ground surface. This water is carried by the element 12 as far as the squeezing roller 14, which compresses the element 12 again, squeezing out the water into a trough (not shown) at the bottom of the frame 2. The water is pumped from the trough into a tank on the machine or, via a hose, to a tank situated nearby.

Figure 2 illustrates schematically the material from which the liquid-absorbing element 12 is made. The element 12 comprises an absorbent backing 15 provided with a reinforcing layer 16. The absorbent backing 15 comprises a resilient synthetic plastics or rubber foam and the reinforcing layer comprises moulded plastics material in the form of netting which is bonded to the backing 15 by welding or by the use of a suitable adhesive.

The thickness of the backing 15 is approximately 4 centimetres, and, as shown in Figure 3, the pitch of the netting is preferably in the range 4 to 5 centimetres, although for some uses, such as indoor use, the pitch may be about 1 centimetre. Figure 4 shows three possible cross-sections for the filaments of the netting, i.e. a triangular cross-section A, a square cross-section B and a generally square cross-section with a rounded radially outer contour C. In each case, there is a flat surface 18 to ensure good contact between the netting 16 and the backing 15. The filaments constitute ribs which project outwardly from the backing 15.

In each case, the width and height of the filaments is approximately 2 millimetres.

Instead of the illustrated reinforcing layer 16, other types of material can be used. For example, open weave plastics material may be suitable, in which case the thickness of the reinforcing layer could be in the range 11/2 mm to 5 mm. The material would preferably be welded or bonded to the backing 15 over its whole area.

The reinforcing layer 16 provides increased resistance to damage to the relatively fragile backing 15 from, for example, stones and other sharp objects on the ground, and inhibits the propagation of cuts and tears in the backing 15. Resistance to wearfrom scuffing is also improved. Furthermore, it is found that the relatively rigid reinforcing layer 16 enables the liquid-absorbing element 12 to penetrate deeper into soft working surfaces such as grass and carpeting so as to increase the pick-up of water from such surfaces.

Although the present invention has been described with particular reference to a motorised machine for clearing relatively large areas such as playing fields, the present invention is also suited to the reinforcement of other water-absorbing ele ments, such as self-wringing domestic mops of the type having water-absorbing elements in the form of sponges. Also, material in accordance with the present invention can be used to absorb liquids other than water, for example in factories and other industrial premises, provided that the compositions of the backing 15 and the reinforcing layer 16 are selected to be compatible with the liquids to be absorbed.

Claims

1. Material for absorbing liquid, the material comprising an absorbent backing and a reinforcing layer provided on a face of the backing, the reinforcing layer being pervious or having apertures to permit the passage of liquid into and out of the backing.

2. Material as claimed in claim 1, in which the backing comprises a resilient foam.

3. Material as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the reinforcing layer comprises ribs projecting outwardly from the backing.

4. Material as claimed in claim 3, in which the ribs have flat surfaces engaging the backing.

5. Material as claimed in claim 3 or 4, in which the ribs have triangular cross-sections.

6. Material as claimed in claim 3 or 4, in which the ribs have square cross-sections.

7. Material as claimed in claim 3 or 4, in which the ribs have cross-sections which are generally square with rounded peripheries on the sides away from the backing.

8. Material as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 7, in which the ribs are disposed in the form of netting.

9. Material as claimed in claim 8, in which the netting has a square mesh.

10. Material as claimed in claim 8 or 9, in which the pitch of the netting is not less than 4 centimetres and not greater than 5 centimetres.

11. Material as claimed in any one ofthe preceding claims, in which the reinforcing layer is made from moulded plastics or rubber material.

12. Material as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the reinforcing layer is bonded to the backing.

13. Material substantially as described herein with reference to, and as shown in, Figures 2 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.

14. A device for clearing liquid from a surface, the device comprising a liquid absorbent element made from material as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

15. A device as claimed in claim 14, in which the liquid-absorbent element comprises a generally cylindrical cover on a rigid roller of the device.

16. A device as claimed in claim 15, in which the roller is powered.

17. A device for absorbing liquid from a surface substantially as described herein with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.

New claims or amendments to claims filed on 27 Aug 1982 Superseded claims New or amended claims 18 to 23

18. A machine for removing liquid from a surface, the machine comprising a liquid absorbent element mounted for movement around a circulating path and for engagement with the surface at one region of the circulating path to absorb liquid from the surface, removal means being provided at another location of the circulating path for removing absorbed liquid from the absorbent element.

19. A machine as claimed in claim 18, in which the liquid absorbent element comprises a generally cylindrical cover on a rigid roller of the machine.

20. A machine as claimed in claim 18 or 19, in which the removal means comprises a squeeze roller for compressing the liquid absorbent element.

21. A machine as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 20, in which a tank is provided for receiving liquid removed from the absorbent element.

22. A machine as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 21, in which means is provided for discharging liquid removed from the absorbent material to a location away from the machine.

23. A machine as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 22, in which means is provided for driving the liquid absorbent element around the circulating path.