GB2297244A

GB2297244A - Cleaning device for louvre curtains, Venetian blinds and pleated curtains

Info

Publication number: GB2297244A
Application number: GB9601745A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gebhard Neumann
Original assignee: GEBHARD NEUMANN ROHSTOFFHANDEL
Current assignee: GEBHARD NEUMANN ROHSTOFFHANDEL
Priority date: 1995-01-28
Filing date: 1996-01-29
Publication date: 1996-07-31
Anticipated expiration: 2016-01-29
Also published as: GB2297244B; GB9601745D0

Description

2297244 Cleaning device for louvre curtains, Venetian blinds and pleated

curtains.

The invention relates to a cleaning device for louvre curtains, having containers, the walls of which are interrupted by openings and in which at least one louvre curtain in packed-together form can be inserted, and having at least two fluid tanks in which the containers containing the louvre curtains can be acted upon by cleaning fluid.

DE 37 16 989 C2 discloses a cleaning device of that kind for louvre curtains, in which the louvre curtains are laid together to form a pack and coiled, in their packed-together form, spirally in a container or slatted basket. Together with this basket the louvres are then repeatedly immersed by means of a lifting assembly in a bath of cleaning fluid. By virtue of the openings in the walls of the slatted baskets, as the packs of louvre curtains in the slatted baskets are immersed in the cleaning fluid bath they are brought into contact with the cleaning fluid and cleaned.

In the case of the known device, a lifting assembly is required, by means of which the container or basket containing the louvre curtain is held and repeatedly immersed in the cleaning fluid bath.

The invention is based on the problem of improving the cleaning device of the type described in the preamble in such a manner that smaller quantities of cleaning fluid are required for cleaning the louvre curtains.

That problem is solved according to the invention in that between the fluid tanks, of which there are at least two, there is arranged a pump device by means of which the cleaning fluid Is arranged to be pumped from one into the other fluid tank, and from the other into the first fluid tank, and that at least two containers can be placed in each fluid tank.

By =cans of the pump device, it In possible for the cleaning fluid which in the one fluid tank has just washed through the containers containing the packs of louvres to be pumped Into the other fluid tank, in which there are also two containers containing packs of louvres. During the pumping operation there is a relatively long-lasting relative movement between the cleaning fluid and the surfaces of the louvres, which results in a good cleaning action. The cleaning fluid can be used several times in circulating operation until its quality as a cleaning fluid is no longer satisfactory.

Furthermore, when using the device known from DE 37 16 989 C2, undesirable lasting deformation of the louvres cannot be ruled out, since they adopt a spirally curled configuration for a comparatively long period, and, because of the spiral form, curling of the individual louvres is effected always in the same direction. So that no lasting deformation of the individual louvres can occur, in an advantageous form of the invention guide members are provided in the containers, by means of which the packed-together louvre curtains can be arranged in a serpentine manner in the containers. Because of the serpentine arrangement of the louvre packs inside the containers, the direction of curvature of the individual louvres changes continuously, so that noticeable and lasting deformation of the louvres is reliably excluded.

As an alternative to the guide members, it is also possible to fold the louvre curtains so closely together that they support each other.

If the containers are constructed so that they can be stacked, they can be arranged in a simple manner inside the fluid tanks; moreover, it is possible to arrange a comparatively large number of the containers one above the other for the purpose of drying the louvre curtains, resulting in a reduction in the space required.

If a first connecting conduit runs between the two fluid tanks between the floor of one and the upper end part of the other f ' luld tank and a second connecting conduit runs between the two fluid tanks between the floor of the other fluid tank and the upper end part of the first fluid tank, and a circulating pump is arranged in each of the two connecting conduits, by means of which the cleaning fluid can be pumped from the floor of the first or second fluid tank to the upper end part of the second or first fluid tank, it is possible to ensure that the cleaning fluid entering the fluid tanks flows over the surface of the louvres for as long as possible.

To achieve the same effect, it is also possible to provide a circulating pump having a switchable delivery direction, which is connected by means of connecting conduits to the floors and to the upper end parts of the fluid tanks and by which the cleaning fluid can be pumped from the floor of the first to the upper end part of the second fluid tank and from the floor of the second to the upper part of the first fluid tank.

In an advantageous construction of the invention, the floors of the two fluid tanks are arranged sloping at an angle and the connection of the connecting conduits are provided close to the lowest region of the floors.

The best possible use of the cleaning fluid, and consequently its optimum use from an ecological point of view, Is achieved when the horizontal internal dimensions of the fluid tanks are somewhat larger than the horizontal external dimensions of the containers, and the vertical internal dimensions of the fluid tanks from the upper end part to the floor correspond approximately to an integral multiple of the vertical external dimensions of the containers.

It has proved especially advantageous when at least three containers are stacked in each fluid tank.

Advantageously, provision can be made for the cleaning device according to the invention to be connected to a source of rinsing fluid, so that when the actual cleaning process is complete, unwanted traces of cleaning fluid can be removed from the louvre curtains by rinsing fluid.

The mode of operation of the cleaning device according to the invention can be facilitated if the cleaning device is arranged to be emptied by means of a drain pump through a waste conduit.

in order to be able to wash a large number of louvre curtains simultaneously, it can be an advantage for three or more fluid tanks to be provided, each one being interconnected with the others by means of connecting conduits containing pump devices.

To reduce or minimise the consumption of cleaning and rinsing fluid, it is advantageous for the quantities of cleaning and rinsing fluid to be adjustable so that the level of a quantity of cleaning or rinsing fluid present in a fluid tank is a little way above the upper wall of the uppermost container.

If adjustable and exchangeable dividing wall elements are arranged between the fluid tanks, so that by removing a comparatively short dividing wall element and inserting a comparatively long dividing wall element the horizontal internal dimensions of the fluid tanks can be changed so that elongate containers suitable for receiving collapsed Venetian blinds and pleated curtains can be accommodated, it is possible, through slight modification of the cleaning device, to convert this so that apart from louvre curtains it is suitable also for Venetian blinds and pleated curtains; unlike louvre curtains, these cannot generally be arranged serpentine-fashion.

The invention is explained in greater detail by way of an embodiment and with reference to the drawings, in which Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the cleaning device according to the invention for louvre curtains; Figure 2 is a plan view of an open container containing a louvre curtain; Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a further embodiment of the cleaning device according to the invention; and Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the cleaning device illustrated in Figure 3, into which a short dividing wall element has been inserted.

A cleaning device for louvre curtains, shown in the schematic diagram of Figure 1, has two fluid tanks 1, 2 In the emb odiment Illustrated. The two fluid tanks 1, 2 are arranged side by side and each has a respective floor 3, 4 that is inclined at an angle with respect to the horizontal plane. Close to its lowest region, the floor 3 of the fluid tank 1 Is connected to a first connecting conduit 5, which leads from the floor 3 of the fluid tank 1 to an upper end part 6 of the second fluid tank 2 and in the upper end part 6 opens into the second fluid tank 2. In the first connecting conduit 5 there is arranged a first circulating pump 7, by means of which the cleaning fluid, not illustrated in the Figures, can be pumped from the first fluid tank 1 through the first connecting conduit 5 into the second fluid tank 2.

Close to its lowest region, the floor 4 of the second fluid tank 2 is connected to a second connecting conduit 8, which leads from the floor 4 of the second fluid tank 2 to an upper end region 9 of the first fluid tank 1 and there opens into the first fluid tank 1. In the second connecting conduit 8 there is arranged a second circulating pump 10, by means of which the cleaning fluid, not illustrated in the Figures, can be pumped out of the second fluid tank 2 through the second connecting conduit 8 into the first fluid tank 1.

In the embodiment illustrated, the first connecting conduit 5 is connected to a waste conduit 11 in which there is arranged a drain pump 12, by means of which used cleaning fluid can be discharged from the cleaning device.

In the embodiment illustrated, in both the first fluid tank 1 and the second fluid tank 2 there are in each case three containers, 13, 14, 15 and 16, 17, 18, respectively. The containers 13 to 18 are configured o that they can be stacked one above the other. Their xternal dimensions correspond approximately to the internal dimensions in the horizontal direction of the fluid tanks 1, 2. The vertical dimensions of the fluid tanks 1, 2 correspond to an integral multiple of the vertical dimensions of the containers 13 to 18. The region between the upper end parts 6, 9 and the upper nd region of the floors 3, 4 is taken into onsideration here.

In each of the containers 13 to 19 there is at least one louvre curtain 19. To receive the louvre curtain 19 inside the containers 13 to 18, the containers 13 to 18, as is clear from Figure 2, have guide members 20 which extend in the vertical direction of the containers 13 to 18. As is also clear from Figure 2, a louvre curtain 19, the louvres of which have been laid together to form a pack, is inserted in the container 13 serpentine-fashion using the guide members 20. This can be effected, for example, immediately after taking down the louvre curtain 19 in an office or similar location. The container 13 is then closed by a lid or similar means.

The walls of the container 13 are provided with openings, so that fluid is able to enter the container 13 from the outside.

The container 13 containing the louvre curtain 19 is then transported and placed without further measures in the fluid tank 1. Further containers 14 to 18, in which there are also louvre curtains 19, are then - a similarly inserted in the f luld tanks 1 and 2 until there are throw containers 13 to 18 in each of the fluid tanks 1 and 2.

Cleaning fluid is then let into the fluid tank 1 until the fluid level of the cleaning fluid inside the fluid tank 1 in a little way above the upper wall of the uppermost container 15.

As soon as the above-mentioned fluid level in the fluid tank 1 is reached, the circulating pump 7 is witched on; it pumps the cleaning fluid present in the luld tank 1 through the first connecting conduit 5 into the upper end portion 6 of the second fluid tank 2. The first circulating pump 7 remains in operation until all of the clwaning fluid has been conveyed from the fluid tank 1 into the fluid tank 2. Once that pumping operation has finished, the second circulating pump 10 is set in operation, and then pumps the cleaning fluid out of the second fluid tank 2 back into the first fluid tank 1. These pumping operations are repeated until the louvre curtains 19 contained in the containers 13 to 18 have been cleaned in the required manner or until the quality of the cleaning fluid becomes too poor, whereupon fresh cleaning fluid is let into the fluid tank 1 as described and the process is continued as described. The drain pump 12 arranged in the waste conduit 11 serves to draw off the used cleaning fluid.

it is also possible, after removing the cleaning fluid from the cleaning device, to introduce rinsing fluid into the cleaning device instead of further cleaning fluid, and to remove traces of cleaning fluid from the louvre curtains 19 located in the containers 13 to 18 by several pumping operations. The procedure is analogous in that case.

The repeated pumping processes mean that the cleaning or rinsing fluid flows past the surface of the louvres of the louvre curtains 19 several times. Dirt Is consequently effectively removed from the surface of the louvres of the louvre curtains 19.

Once the cleaning and rinsing operations are complete, the containers 13 to 18 are taken out of the fluid tanks 1 and 2 and stacked, for example, for drying purposes. The containers 13 to 18 can be transported back to the location where the curtains 19 are to be hung, and the containers 13 to 18 can then be opened, the curtains 19 removed and the containers 13 to 18 transported to a further location.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, two fluid tanks 21, 22 are separated from one another only by exchangeable dividing wall elements 23, 24. The dividing wall element 23 divides the trough element 25 forming the two fluid tanks 21, 22 in the transverse direction, whereas the trough element 25 is divided in the longitudinal direction by the elongate dividing wall element 24. In the Illustration in Figure 3, the elongate dividing wall element 24 has been inserted in the trough element 25, so that the trough element 25 is divided into the two elongate fluid tanks 21 and 22.

it is also possible, however, instead of the elongate wall element 24 to insert in the trough element 25 the comparatively short dividing wall element 23, illustrated by a broken line in Figure 3. This produces differently shaped separate fluid tanks in which the ratio between length and width is not as great as in the case of the fluid tanks 21 and 22 illustrated in Figure 3.

Containers 26. 27 of elongate configuration can similarly be Inserted in the fluid tanks 21, 22 which are separated from one another by the elongate dividing wall element 24; several containers 26, 27 can also be arranged above and below one another.

Venetian blinds and pleated curtains 28 can be inserted in the containers 26, 27; it would be impossible to insert them in the containers illustrated in connection with the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, since they cannot be arranged in a serpentine configuration.

The connecting conduits and pump device of the embodiment shown in Figure 3 are constructed analogously to those of the embodiment explained with reference to Figures 1 and 2; the arrangement of the outlets from and inlets into the trough element 25 is selected so that when the short dividing wall element 23 is exchanged for the elongate dividing wall element 24 no modifications have to be made to the connecting conduits or pump device.

As illustrated in Figure 4, with suitable dimensions of the trough element 25 it is possible for, for example, two containers, such as the containers 13 to 18 described in connection with the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, to be arranged side by side when the short dividing wall element 23 is installed in the trough element 25. Depending on the vertical dimensions of the trough element 25 and the dividing wall element 23, several such containers can also be arranged one above the other or one below the other in the vertical direction.

The dividing wall elements 23, 24 and the corresponding receiving sections of the trough element 25 are constructed so that transfer of fluid from the fluid tanks 21 to the fluid tank 22 is possible only through the connecting conduits.

Claims

Patent Claims

1. A cleaning device for louvre curtains, Venetian blinds and pleated curtains, having containers (13 to 18), the walls of which are interrupted by openings and Into which at least one louvre curtain (19), Venetian blind or a pleated curtain In packed-together form can be Inserted, and having at least two fluid tank& (1, 2) in which the containers (13 to 18) containing the louvre curtains (19), the Venetlan blinds or the pleated curtains can be acted upon by cleaning fluid, characterized in that between the fluid tanks (1, 2), of which there are least two, there is arranged a pump device (7, 10) by means of which the cleaning fluid is arranged to be pumped from one tank (1) into the other (2), and from the second tank (2) into the first fluid tank (1), and that'at least two containers (13 to 18) can be placed in each fluid tank (1, 2).

2. A cleaning device according to claim 1, characterised in that in the containers (13 to 18) there are provided guide members (20), by means of which the packed-together louvre curtains (19) can be arranged serpentine fashion in the containers (13 to 18).

3. A cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2, in which the containers (13 to 18) are constructed so that they can be stacked.

4. A cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which a first connecting conduit (5) runs between the two fluid tanks (1, 2) between the floor (3) of one fluid tank (1) and the upper end part (6) of the other fluid tank (2) and a second connecting conduit (8) runs between the two fluid tanks (1, 2) between the floor (4) of the other fluid tank (2) and the upper and part (9) of the first fluid tank (1), a respective circulating pump (7, 10) being arranged in each of the two connecting conduits (5, 8), by means of which the cleaning fluid can be pumped from the floor (3), (4) of the one (1) or other (2) fluid tank to the respective upper end part (6, 9) of the other (2) or first (1) fluid tank.

5. A cleaning device according to claims 1 to 3, in which a circulating pump having a switchable delivery direction is provided, which pump is connected by means of connecting conduits to the floors (3, 4) and to the upper and parts (6, 9) of the fluid tanks (1, 2) and by which the cleaning fluid can he pumped from the floor (3) of the one (1) to the upper end part (6) of the other fluid tank (Z) and from the floor (4) of the other (2) to the upper part (9) of the first fluid tank (1).

6. A cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which the floors (3, 4) of the two fluid tanks (1, 2) are arranged sloping at an angle and the connections of the connecting conduits (5, 8) are provided close to the lowest region of the floors (3, 4).

7. A cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the horizontal internal dimensions of the fluid tanks (1, 2) are somewhat larger than the horizontal external dimensions of the containers (13 to 18) and the vertical internal dimensions of the fluid tanks (1, 2) from the upper end part (9, 6) to the floor (3, 4) correspond approximately to an integral multiple of the vertical external dimensions of the containers (13 to 18).

8. A cleaning device according to claim 7, in which at least three containers (13 to 18) are stackable in each fluid tank.

9. A cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 8. which is arranged to be connected to a source of rinsing fluid.

10. A cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 9. which is arranged to be emptied by means of a drain pump (12) through a waste conduit (11).

11. A cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, which has three or more fluid tanks which are interconnected with one another by means of connecting conduits containing pump devices.

12. A cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, the quantity of cleaning and rinsing fluid of which is adjustable so that the level of a quantity of cleaning or rinsing fluid present in a fluid tank (1, 2) is a little way above the upper wall of the uppermost container (13 to 18).

13. A cleaning device according to any one of claims 1, or 3 to 12, in which between the fluid tanks (21, 22) there are arranged adjustable and exchangeable dividing wall elements (23, 24), so that by removing a comparatively short dividing wall element (23) and inserting a comparatively long dividing wall element (24) it is possible to change the horizontal internal dimensions of the fluid tanks (1, 2) so that elongate containers (26, 27) suitable for receiving collapsed Venetian blinds (28) and pleated curtains can be accommodated in the fluid tanks (21, 24).