GB2153660A - Apparatus for cleaning textile materials - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for cleaning textile materials such as carpets and upholstery in situ, especially in public service vehicles, comprises a mobile cleaning fluid delivery unit (2) and a mobile suction unit (1) both operable by compressed air, and a cleaning head (7) having a suction nozzle connected to the suction unit via hose (5) and a spray nozzle connected to the cleaning fluid delivery unit via hose (6). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Apparatus for Cleaning Textile Materials in Situ Field of the invention This invention relates to apparatus for cleaning textile materials such as carpets, furniture covers and other soft furnishings, for example in public transport vehicles such as railways cars, autobuses, aircraft, subway coaches and the like.

Background to the invention Conventionally, such apparatus incorporates a mouthpiece with two adjacent nozzles, able to perform simultaneously or separately, at will, and dependent on the characteristics of the surface to be treated, the functions of suction and of injection or spraying of a liquid cleaning substance or simply water, to which end the mouthpiece connects with two pipes, namely a suction pipe and feed pipe, the latter terminating with a nozzle formed as an ejection spout. The suction and feed pipes commonly connect with two independent units, one of them used for suction and the other being able and operative to deliver under pressure a fluid in either liquid or foam form, into the feed pipe leading to the terminal mouthpiece.

The invention In accordance with one aspect of the invention, each of the two above-mentioned units is driven by means of pneumatic devices, advantageously from a single compressed air source which can be formed by a stationary or mobile station having multiple outlets. The two units essentially consist of a) a high capacity detritus collecting tank having attached to its outlet a suction device actuated by compressed air by means of a Venturi device, and b) a cleaning product tank also connected to the compressed air generating source, enabling the cleaning fluid to be supplied towards the surface to be selectively treated, either by spraying or atomizing.The apparatus is thus adaptable in the most favourable way to the different conditions of texture and flexibility of the areas to be treated, and also to modify the treatment speed and the total time required for its completion, thus reaching a compromise between cleaning action and the time available in each case for service requirements, which is an important factor when public services vehicles have to be adapted to a high utilisation rate, thus jeopardizing cleaning tasks by allowing only a very limited time for them to be carried out.

According to a further feature of the invention, the apparatus is provided with a series of interchangeable mouthpiece items for enabling maximum utilisation of the apparatus in a given cleaning time.

Thus, the apparatus according to the invention has a series of mouthpiece devices all pneumatically operated, which gives very favourable safety conditions in comparison with other electrically driven cleaning equipment, especially taking into account the working conditions and the fact that liquid phase products are normally used during the work, in addition to the frequent wet conditions which may exist at the areas to be treated. The pneumatic system offers, in addition, better operative conditions at a lower equipment maintenance cost, increasing its service life, and allowing a very long working life with minimum failure of the various components of the apparatus.Moreover, the equipment is extremely versatile in enabling modification to suit the conditions of treatment in a very simple way, in a very short time, and requiring the minimum number of additional or interchangeable parts or implements substantially to modify the operating action on the surface to be cleaned.

Thus, it will be appreciated, furnishings, carpets and the like are best cleaned when it is possible in a very accurate way to adapt every treatment to specific features of the material (cleaning fluid penetration depth, vacuum rate/flow rate characteristic, etc.) and/or to a pre-determined operation time.

Another aspect of the invention concerns the specific arrangement adopted for the Venturi device used, which has a design whereby pressure losses are minimised in a very favourable way, thus enabling high efficiency and affording a suction capacity which would normally require use of a more powerful air source. The invention thereby enables use of a compressed air source of lower power and therefore of less size, which facilitates its movement and/or storage, etc.

Specifically, the Venturi device in the suction unit is extremely simple, as will be appreciated from its later description, in relation to the normal arrangement of conventional Venturi devices, which has an advantageous effect on running costs. In addition, given the aforementioned facts, considerable energy savings are obtained which directly affects the cleaning service cost.

Finally, the construction and functional features of the unit carrying the cleaning product are also a feature of this invention. This unit, hereafter referred to as a spraying-foaming unit (because it can offer both service variants) is coupled, as before mentioned, to the mouthpiece that constitutes the terminal portion of the apparatus. The mouthpiece assembly, in addition to being adaptable to operate according to working conditions and the requirements of the treatment to be performed, is able to operate as spraying unit or foaming unit at will and with a very easy change of those operative modes by only altering the position of the compressed air feeding connection and the product supply connection, and also by virtue of a check valve situated in the compressed air inlet, whereby the unit can be separated for a predetermined period from its connection with compressed air source.This last feature facilitates equipment mobility and supply pipe connections, thus improving and simplifying the overall cleaning task.

The preferred Venturi-type suction device, which is pneumatically operated, constitutes a head attached to the mouth of the large capacity detritus collection tank. The latter is mounted on a supporting structure with wheels to facilitate movement.

The suction duct of the aforementioned mouth piece is connected to the Venturi device. This mouthpiece is formed, in a preferred construction, by a cylindrical pipe which is connected at one of its ends to a hose or a flexible hose, connecting with the Venturi pneumatic device. The pipe terminates through a 120 degrees bent nipple, with an interchangeable rectangular section nozzle, elongate-shaped, which can have several effective widths according to the area to be treated (floors, seats, etc.) and with a progressive narrowing of its cross section towards its end. It is thus able to suck dust and liquid porducts from inside the material to be cleaned, being those liquid products injected or atomized through a second duct which has, as an extension of its laterial walls, two small wings which delimitate a cavity open at the bottom of the nozzle.The aforementioned cylindrical pipe can form a handle for the entire part, having an appropriate diameter for this purpose. The aforementioned cylindrical pipe also incorporates at its terminal portion, near the suction nozzle, a support housing a pipe provided with a valve actuated by means of a lever or cam pushbutton. This pipe connects through its upstream end to a flexible pipe which is, in its turn, connected to the cleaning product supplying unit. The cleaning product is supplied through this pipe in liquid or foam form by means of the compressed air source linked in an operative way to the spraying/foaming unit.

This ducting ends with the spout-type ejector previously mentioned, which has an adjustable calibrator or, in the case of a very wide nozzle, a shunt through a Tee connection to a transverse pipe provided with a number of such calibrators, all adjustable, and directed in such a way that the liquid jet injected through them falls directly on the surface to be treated.Means associated with the end of that duct, or in the calibrators themselves (for instance, by means of a bevelling of part of the cross section) may modify the angular working position of the referred to ejectors, in such a way that the ejectors can be selectively orientated against the bottom wall of the suction mouth, which wall forms a rebound surface for the liquid ejected by the aforementioned spout, thereby to cause atomization as it impinges onto the surface to be treated, with uniform distribution over that surface and less penetration into it. In this way, by selecting the system for injection or for atomization, there can be obtained a more or less deep treatment in accordance with the cleaning time available for a given area to be cleaned or for adjusting the cleaning treatment to the vehicle working schedule, as hitherto mentioned.

The preferred Venturi device includes a dish or disc which is coupled into the outlet of the detritus collecting tank. The disc is provided with a duct for the compressed air, formed by a uniform circular section pipe, the main longer run of which crosses the surface of the aforementioned disc orthogonally and eccentrically.The pipe terminates upstream and downstream ends with runs respectively bent to opposite sides, the upstream end run being internally threaded to be connected to the compressed air supply pipe or to a linking pipe to the same, and having a control valve; and the inferior end run, which remains under the disc, extends longitudinally and parallel to the disc surface just beyond the centre thereof, being closed in its end and provided with a transverse spout of a calibrated diameter, orientated along the axis of the disc, and communicating with a disc central portion which has a through opening. This opening has an inverted frustum-shaped mouth and is extended at its upstream portion by a channelled neck also frustum-shaped, in turn communicating with a long cylindrical pipe also axially orientated, in line and directly facing the aforementioned spout.This cylindrical pipe is arranged in its turn inside a shell, preferably made of fibre glass, which contains a number of metal screens and sponge blankets to form a silencing filter and air outlet speed reducer. The air emerges through a space between the mentioned shell and a second cylindrical/frustum-shaped envelope or cover, in an area near the spout, where a negative pressure is generated by means of the Venturi effect. The second envelope is surrounded by a screen and a spongy material blanket which forms an antidust filter.Recalling that the compressed air supply duct has a valve, it is feasible to adjust the magnitude of the negative pressure created in the area near the calibrated spout when crossed by the air at high speed, it thus being possible then to modify the characteristic vacuum degree/suction flow rate to adapt it in every case in a selected way to particular conditions of the surface to be treated.

Finally, according to another feature of the invention, the cleaning product carrying unit preferably consists of a large capacity tank, mounted on a frame provided with runners to enable easy transport, and with a product filling opening and a central top mouth having a head with two direct inlets to the vessel inside through its top portion. One of these inlets has a pipe which extends down to near the tank bottom, in such a way that when the compressed air is introduced through this inlet, the water/detergent solution inside forms foam which is conveyed under pressure through the flexible duct, while if the compressed air condition and the outlet connection are interchanged, as well as the position of a check valve associated with the compressed air feeding point, the cleaning product is conveyed in liquid form to the service head. This arrangement means that, once a previously determined pressure is reached inside the tank, it is possible to disconnect it temporarily from the compressed air station and use it, moving readily throughout the working area until the internal pressure drops below the previously determined threshold value, all this during a time also previously evaluated.

Description of drawings Further features of the invention will be apparent from the following description of embodiments, making reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus for deep cleaning textile materials in situ. It can be clearly seen the two independent, mobile units which form the equipment, related to a selectively bi-functional mouthpiece, being the two units advantageously operated by means of a common air compressed source or compressor, also mobile, not shown in the figure; Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of the compressed air admission device and Venturi-system vacuum generator main body; Figure 3 is a cutaway view of the Venturi head used to vacuum production by using as primary energy the compressed air from a compressor;; Figure 4 is a side elevation and partially cutaway view of one mouthpiece used for suction, and for injection or atomization of liquid phase cleaning product, cleaning foam produced by the same cleaning product, or simply water; Figure 5a, 5b and 5c show different calibrating items which can be interchangeably coupled to the ejector or ejectors of that mouthpiece, thus modifying the injection conditions of the liquid product through the mouthpiece shown in Figure 4; Figure 6 is a plan view from the underside of the mouthpiece shown in Figure 4; Figure 7 shows a conventionally configured mouthpiece provided with two closed ducts, with its terminal portion partially cut, which also incorporates aspects of the present invention;; Figures 8 and 9 show possible mouthpiece alternatives, in respective elevational views, one with a wider mouthpiece and one with a greater number of ejectors, mounted to enable modification of their angular positions; and Figure 10 is a cutaway elevation view of the cleaning product supply tank.

Description of embodiments The preferred equipment includes an air compressor, which can be stationary, mobile or portable, and which is not shown in the drawings, which operates a Venturi device to produce the vacuum used for suction and to provide the pressure needed to convey cleaning fluid towards the service head from the cleaning product tank.

Figure 1 shows all the constitutive components of the equipment, with the exception of the compressor. It can be seen the two units 1 and 2, mounted on respective wheeled support frames 3 and 4 to make transport easy, connect through the ductings 5 and 6 to a mouthpiece 7 able simultaneously to perform suction and liquid injection, this latter function being optional and both functions being adjustable within a wide range.

Figure 2 shows the Venturi device main body, which consists of an annular plate or disc 8, provided with a central through hole 9, which has a frustum shaped countersunk entrance 10, which is extended into a cylindrical neck 11, to which a long, cylindrical pipe 12 is fitted orthogonally to the plane of the disc 8. This disc 8 fits airtightly into the mouth of a dust collecting tank, which can be seen in Figure 1 as a part of the unit 1. The disc 8 incorporates a duct 13, for compressed air intake, of circular, uniform section pipe, the longest main run of which orthogonally and eccentrically crosses through the disc 8. The pipe 13 ends upwards and downwards in two bent runs directed to opposite directions.The top end 13' is internally threaded so that it can be connected to a compressed air piping 14 (see Figure 3), on which a control valve 15 and a fast connector 15', which provides a high versatility to the assembly, are fitted. The bottom end 13" of the pipe 13, which remains below the disc 8, extends parallel to the latter just beyond the disc axis, and incorporates a plug 16 and a calibrated diameter transverse spout 17. The spout 17 is axially orientated, directly in front of the opening 9 in the centre of the disc and aligned with the pipe 12. In this way, the compressed air from the compressor channelled through the duct 13 arrives at a suction chamber, marked as an assembly with number 18, where its only outlet is the calibrated spout 17 directed upwardly and aligned with the pipe 12.This pipe 12 constitutes the outlet and is located inside a shell 19 which is also cylindrically frustum-shaped. By means of this arrangement a high efficiency vacuum can be obtained since the compressed air passing at a very high speed through the space delimited by the calibrated spout 17, the disc 8, the central hole 9, and the pipe 12, draws air into the dust collecting tank, to the mouth of which the head 18 and the disc 8 are fitted, thus creating a vacuum with corresponding suction power.The air injected by pipe 12 inside the shell 19 emerges through opening 20 between this shell 19 and a second internal envelope 21, the latter being provided with a number of filters internally placed, made of metal mesh screens and plastic sponge layers according to conventional practice, which in addition to reducing air discharge speed provides the assembly with a high level of noise damping. Another enveloping screen and a spongy material blanket also surrounds the calibrated spout 17, with the object of forming an anti-dust filter in the mouth of the aforementioned detritus collecting tank 1.

The mouthpiece shown in Figure 4 is one which can simultaneously perform, in addition to suction of products from the surface to be treated, preferentially liquids, the ejection or atomization of liquids in a selective way, being constructed as a cylindrical duct 22 having a diameter adequate to perform a double function. The first function is to be used as a handle for the user, and the second to constitute the suction duct for liquids and dust or dirt particles in front of the suction mounth 23, which is the active or working area of the exhaust appliance.

Coupled to this pipe or duct 22 and welded to it is a support 24 for a valve 25 operated by means of a lever 26. This valve 25 is coupled downwardly to a flexible pipe 27, which is the cleaning product duct, and upwards to a nozzle 28 with a calibrating item 29, interchangeable, provided with a mounting system having a transverse pin which can be located in any of three different positions, which enables three different angular directions of the nozzle 28 by rotating the assembly of the pipe run that carries the valve 25 around the point 31 in the support 24.By means of this arangement it can be achieved that the pressure injected fluid falls directly on the surface to be cleaned or, as an alternative, it impinges under a selected angle on the mouthpiece lower wall 32, which thus forms a rebound surface for the liquid ejected by the nozzle 28, causing an atomization of the cleaning product ejected, thus making a high efficiency combined tool. The mouthpiece has also in the lower area of its suction portion, and on both sides, two small wings 33 which delimitate a cavity where the nozzle 28 provided with the changeable calibrating tip is situated.

Figures 5a, 5b and 5c show different calibrating tips 29 applicable to the aforementioned ejection nozzle 28.

Figure 6 is a plan view of the nozzle 28 from its lower side, on which can be seen the pipe section 22, the valve 25, the lever 26 to operate the valve, and the above mentioned ejection nozzle 28, which has coupled thereto the calibrated tip 29, interchangeable so as to be able to be angularly orientated to direct the jet either on the lower surface 32 of the mouthpiece 23 or directly on the surface to be cleaned.

Figure 7 illustrates an alternative arrangement of the aforementioned mouthpiece which presents two ducts, 34 and 35, which respectively correspond to the suction nozzle and to the ejector 28 with its calibrating tip 29, again enabling the cleaning product to be atomized or directly ejected on to the surface to be selectively treated.

In a similar way, Figures 8 and 9 illustrate in two elevational views two possible alternative constructions of the mouthpiece. The long cylindrical pipe 22 is replaced by a long tubular pole or rod 36, bent at its end portion or holding section 36', whereat is located the lever 37 to control the valve on the pipe 38 for the cleaning product supply. The suction portion 39 has a flattened design and larger width, with a couple of ejecting nozzles which are fixed but could possess an adjustable mounting as illustrated in Figure 4, for selective ejection or atomization of the cleaning product.

Figure 10 shows the cleaning product supply tank, which consists of a high volume vessel 41 provided with a product filling mouth 41' and top central neck whereat is located a head which incorporates two interchangeable inlets, 43 and 44, with a check valve 45 also joinable to each one of the inlets. The inlets 43, 44 are for compressed air admission or to connect the outlet hose 6 (Figure 1).

One of these inlets (43) is in direct communication with the interior top of the vessel through the duct 43', while the other inlet (44) extends by means of the pipe 44' to exit near the bottom of the vessel 40, thereby to work this unit as a spraying machine or a foaming machine when the compressed air supply is connected to inlet 43 or inlet 44, respectively, in accordance with the preceding description and having previously operated the check valve 45 in the compressed air supply.

It will be appreciated that various modifications of the above described embodiments are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (13)

1. Apparatus for cleaning textile material in situ, comprising a mobile unit having a tank for containing cleaning fluid and a pumping means, a mobile unit having a detritus collecting tank and a Venturi-type suction device, and a cleaning head having nozzles one for the ejection of cleaning fluid and one for sucking, each nozzle connected by a flexible hose to its associated mobile unit, wherein the two mobile units are adapted for connection to a source of compressed air and the pumping means and the Venturi-type suction device are both adapted to be driven by compressed air delivered from said source.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ejection nozzle is adjustable to deliver cleaning fluid in atomized or in non-atomized form.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the position of the ejection nozzle is angularly adjustable either for delivery of cleaning fluid direct on to the surface to be treated or to direct the fluid on to a rebound surface to cause atomisation of the fluid.

4. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the ejection nozzle has a detachable ejection tip interchangeable with other tips to provide for differing forms of ejection jet.

5. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cleaning head comprises a suction duct also forming a handle, an angled mouthpiece having a suction mouth, a support on the handle, and an ejection nozzle assembly carried on the support generally in the space defined by the angle between the handle and the mouthpiece.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 when appendant to claim 3, wherein the surface of the mouthpiece constitutes said rebound surface, the nozzle assembly being pivotable on the support towards and away from the handle.

7. Apparatus according to either of claims 5 or 6, wherein the ejection nozzle assembly includes a valve which is operable by a lever which is positioned for operation by a hand gripping the handle.

8. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the Venturi-type suction device comprises an annular plate sealing an opening in the wall of the detritus collecting tank, a compressed air delivery duct leading to a suction chamber which includes an air ejection spout aligned with the central aperture of the plate to direct air into an air escape pipe leading through filtering means to an outlet.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the compressed air delivery duct comprises a main portion passing eccentrically and orthogonally through the annular plate, and respective end portions at right angles to the main portion, one for connection to a compressed air delivery hose and the other having a transverse spout constituting the air ejection spout aligned with the central disc aperture.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the said one end portion of the duct incorporates a control valve and a quick hose attachment device.

11. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the cleaning fluid ejection unit includes a cleaning fluid tank having at the top an inlet for compressed air admission and a cleaning fluid outlet, the latter communicating with the bottom interior of the tank.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the compressed air supply inlet incorporates a check valve for maintaining pressurisation in the tank if the compressed air hose is disconnected.

13. Cleaning apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.