GB2464355A

GB2464355A - Apparatus for cleaning footwear

Info

Publication number: GB2464355A
Application number: GB0904784A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Neil Last
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-10-14
Filing date: 2009-03-20
Publication date: 2010-04-21
Anticipated expiration: 2029-03-20
Also published as: GB0904784D0; GB2464355B

Abstract

Apparatus for cleaning soiled footwear comprises a footwear holder 21 arranged to hold an article of footwear for cleaning in use of the apparatus and a footwear cleaner (50,fig 4) arranged to clean the article of footwear in an enclosure (6,fig 1) in use of the apparatus. The footwear holder 21 is supported in the enclosure (6,fig 1) with the long axis (A-A,fig 1) of the article of footwear being in an orientation that is substantially maintained throughout cleaning by the footwear cleaner. The cleaning apparatus is preferably hand portable and may include electrical connections. The footwear cleaner 50 can be in the form of a flat element such as an endless brush belt and pump (65,fig 6) may be present to circulate cleaning fluid around the enclosure (6,fig 1). A number of other arrangements relating to similar apparatus for cleaning footwear are also disclosed.

Description

Footwear cleaning apparatus

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a footwear cleaning apparatus. Moreover, the present invention relates to a footwear cleaning apparatus that is particularly suitable for cleaning of sports footwear.

Background

Sports footwear -for example football boots and golf shoes -is particular prone to accumulating mud and other debris, which generally needs to be cleaned off manually.

This can be an arduous task typically involving banging together a pair of shoes to loosen the dirt, scrubbing with a brush and applying water to wash off the remnants of the dirt. Furthermore, if this task is left until the dirt has dried, it is made all the more difficult.

Washing machines are sometimes used to clean footwear, but this can cause damage to the washing machine and/or to the footwear. Also, the interior of the footwear becomes saturated with water requiring a drying-off period before the footwear can be used again.

Cleaning machines dedicated to cleaning footwear exist, but suffer from a number of drawbacks. For example, motor-driven brush cleaning machines are usually unnecessarily bulky and typically involve a user wearing the footwear during a sequence of cleaning operations. Where used to remove mud from shoes, for example, after a game of golf, these machines are usually situated outdoors as a bespoke installation and are heavy, costly and complicated. They need to be situated outdoors because they create mess as dislodged debris flies off the footwear.

US Patent No. 7,036,178 describes a footwear cleaning machine that removes the need for a user to be present during the entire cleaning process. The machine confines and disposes of the dirt and does not soak footwear in the way that a washing machine would do. For this purpose, a robotic arm is used to hold the footwear, carry it into a confined area, and manipulate the footwear to present different surfaces of the footwear to rotating brushes to effect cleaning. However, the machine described is overly complicated and requires a large number of control systems to ensure correct operation.

For example, the robotic arm needs to be guided from a position in which it picks up an item of footwear to another set of positions within the machine where the different surfaces of that item are cleaned. Most significantly, this machine occupies a large volume, and can be very costly and difficult to produce, operate and maintain.

Therefore a footwear cleaning apparatus is required that overcomes or mitigates the above-mentioned problems.

Disclosure of the invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for cleaning soiled footwear, the apparatus comprising a footwear holder arranged to hold an article of footwear for cleaning in use of the apparatus, the article of footwear having a long axis extending between a toe region and a heel region thereof, and a footwear cleaner arranged to clean the article of footwear in an enclosure in use of the apparatus, the enclosure being arranged to contain dirt removed from the article of footwear by the footwear cleaner, wherein, in use, the footwear holder is supported in the enclosure with the long axis of the article of footwear being in an orientation that is substantially maintained throughout cleaning by the footwear cleaner.

Maintaining the orientation of the article of footwear about its long axis means that the volume occupied by the article of footwear during cleaning is minimised, thereby promoting the compactness of the footwear cleaning apparatus. In particular, the article of footwear is prevented from moving in a manner that requires a large amount of space within the enclosure (i.e. for cleaning, requiring a volume of movement far greater than the volume of the article of footwear itself).

Preferably, during cleaning by the footwear cleaner, the footwear holder and the footwear cleaner move relative to one another. Advantageously, relative movement between the footwear holder and the footwear cleaner can allow different surfaces of the article of footwear to be cleaned successively through the cleaning operation. This minimises the size of the footwear cleaner as it does not have to clean all the surfaces of the article of footwear simultaneously.

Preferably, said relative movement of the footwear holder and the footwear cleaner occurs substantially about the long axis of the article of footwear. Advantageously, relative movement about the long axis can minimise the volume occupied by the article of footwear, the footwear holder and/or the footwear cleaner within the enclosure during apparatus operation. The minimised space occupied by the footwear, the holder and the footwear cleaner within the enclosure (as a result of movement occurring about the long axis of the footwear) means that the size of the enclosure, and therefore the footwear cleaning apparatus can be much smaller than other known dedicated footwear cleaning machines. In particular, it is possible for the footwear cleaning apparatus to be portable.

Relative movement about the long axis may be rotational movement about the long axis.

The footwear cleaning apparatus may be elongate in the direction of the long axis of the article of footwear. The footwear cleaning apparatus may, in use, rest on a base located at one end of its length, thereby vertically orienting the footwear cleaning apparatus.

This minimises the footprint of the footwear cleaning apparatus.

Preferably, the footwear cleaning apparatus is hand portable. The footwear cleaning apparatus may comprise a handle for allowing a user to carry the footwear cleaning apparatus by hand. Preferably, the handle is positioned at an end of the length of the footwear cleaning apparatus opposite to the base. This is advantageous as the vertical orientation of the footwear cleaning apparatus can be maintained during transport.

The footwear cleaning apparatus may comprise a status indicator for providing feedback about the cleaning operation. The status indicator may comprise a display, for example, an LCD display for providing visual feedback. The status indicator may comprise a speaker for providing audible feedback.

The enclosure may be transparent, or translucent, at least in part, to allow the cleaning operation to be viewed.

The enclosure may be opened and closed by relative movement between first and second enclosure portions. Preferably, the footwear holder is associated with the first enclosure portion so that an article of footwear can be engaged with the footwear holder when the enclosure is open, and the footwear cleaner is associated with the second enclosure portion such that when the enclosure is closed, the footwear holder is brought into a cleaning position in which an article of footwear engaged therewith is supported relative to the footwear cleaner for cleaning.

It will be understood that having the footwear holder associated with the first portion, which is moveable relative to the second portion associated with the footwear cleaner facilitates engagement of the article of footwear to the footwear holder. This is because the relative movement can move the footwear holder to a position away from the footwear cleaner, thereby increasing the accessibility of the footwear holder.

Additionally, separating the footwear holder and the footwear cleaner avoids danger and inconvenience in the event that the footwear cleaner is activated prematurely. Another advantage is that only a single action is required to both open the enclosure, and remove the article of footwear from the vicinity of the footwear cleaner. Similarly, a single action both closes the enclosure, and positions the article of footwear into a cleaning position relative to the footwear cleaner. It will be noted that the compactness of the footwear cleaning apparatus is not sacrificed to provide this functionality.

Preferably, when the enclosure is open, the first and second enclosure portions are spaced apart from one another. Indeed, when the enclosure is open, the first and second enclosure portions may be detached from one another. Preferably, the footwear cleaning apparatus comprises a release mechanism for controlling relative movement of the first and second enclosure portions to open and close the enclosure. This prevents unwanted opening of the enclosure, for example during transport of the footwear cleaning apparatus, or during a cleaning operation.

Preferably, the first and second enclosure portions comprise complementary sealing surfaces. It is also preferred that the first and second enclosure portions comprise complementary electrical and/or mechanical connectors positioned and arranged to allow electrical and/or mechanical coupling between the first and second enclosure portions when the enclosure is closed so as to transmit electrical and/or mechanical power between the first and second enclosure portions. This is particularly advantageous in the situation where an electrical or mechanical drive source is present in only one of the enclosure portions, and drive needs to be transferred to the other of the enclosure portions.

Preferably, the enclosure defines an internal volume a first portion of which is dedicated to accommodating an article of footwear throughout a cleaning operation. The first portion may have a first portion volume a majority of which is occupied by an article of footwear at any point in time during that cleaning operation.

It will therefore be understood that the article of footwear maximally occupies the space allocated to it within the enclosure, and so there is little wasted space within the enclosure.

Preferably, the first portion of the internal volume occupies a majority of the internal volume. Therefore, it will be understood that most of the internal volume of the enclosure is dedicated to accommodating the article of footwear and at any one time during cleaning, the article of footwear occupies most of that allocated space. This maximises the compactness of the footwear cleaning apparatus.

A second portion of the internal volume may be dedicated to accommodating the footwear cleaner throughout the cleaning operation, that second portion occupying a minority of the internal volume.

Preferably, the first portion of the internal volume dedicated to accommodating the article of footwear is elongate and defines a longitudinal axis, and in use, the footwear holder is supported within the first portion of the internal volume such that the long axis of the article of footwear is generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of that first portion.

Advantageously, the footwear cleaner may comprise a cleaning element that is substantially flat. Preferably, the footwear cleaner is shaped to present a cleaning face towards the article of footwear at least in use of the apparatus. The cleaning face may be substantially planar, for example, defining a major face of the footwear cleaner and/or the cleaning element. This has the advantage of better utilising the available space within the enclosure. In addition, a cleaning face can provide a better cleaning action than a cleaning element that presents a convex cleaning surface (for example, a rotary brush) as the face can better complement or conform to the contours of the article of footwear to be cleaned. The cleaning face may be deformable to conform better to the contours of the article of footwear.

It is preferred that, when the footwear holder and the footwear cleaner are moved relative to one another to bring the article of footwear into cleaning relation with the footwear cleaner, the relative movement is in a direction transverse to the plane of the cleaning face.

Preferably, the cleaning face is movable independently of the relative movement between the footwear holder and the footwear cleaner. It is also preferred that the independent movement of the cleaning face maintains the orientation of the cleaning face relative to the article of footwear. For example, the cleaning face can rotate with the centre of rotation being substantially perpendicular to its plane. Alternatively, or in addition, the cleaning face can slide along its plane.

The footwear cleaner may comprises an endless cleaning element. The endless cleaning element may be an endless brush belt. The footwear cleaner may comprise a plurality of rollers, a pair of which rotationally support the endless cleaning element.

Preferably, the pair of rollers have rotational axes that are substantially parallel to one another, and support the planar cleaning face therebetween.

It is preferred that the footwear cleaner is, at least in part, removable from the footwear cleaning apparatus so as to facilitate cleaning.

Ideally, the footwear cleaning apparatus comprises a positioning mechanism for moving the footwear cleaner and the footwear holder relative to one another. Advantageously, the positioning mechanism may comprise a positioning sensor arranged to sense the positioning of the footwear cleaner and the footwear holder relative to one another. Thus the positioning sensor can determine the positioning of the article of footwear relative to the footwear cleaner for optimal cleaning. The positioning mechanism may comprise a motor, and the positioning sensor may be a torque sensor. The positioning sensor may be integrated with the positioning mechanism.

Preferably, the footwear cleaning apparatus comprises a drive mechanism for driving the cleaning element of the footwear cleaner. The footwear cleaning apparatus may comprise a drive sensor for sensing the drive of the drive mechanism. Ideally, the footwear cleaning apparatus is arranged to control the drive mechanism moderated by the drive sensor. The drive mechanism may comprise a motor, and the drive sensor may be a torque sensor.

It is preferred that the footwear holder is arranged, in use, to change the orientation of the article of footwear so that different surfaces of the article of footwear are presented to the footwear cleaner, preferably, the cleaning surface of the footwear cleaner.

Preferably, the footwear holder is arranged, in use, to rotate a held article of footwear about a footwear holder axis.

Ideally, the footwear holder is configurable to allow the footwear holder axis to be substantially aligned with the long axis of an article of footwear. For example, the footwear holder may comprise a first section for holding the article of footwear, and a second section for transmitting rotational drive via the first section to the article of footwear, the first and second sections being adjustable relative to one another to vary the position of the long axis of the article of footwear relative to the footwear holder axis.

The first and section sections may be detachably attachable to one another at a plurality of attachment locations. The attachment locations may each have a different radial offset from the footwear holder axis.

The footwear holder may be, at least in part, detachably attached to the footwear cleaning apparatus. This can also permit different types of footwear holders to be used to accommodate differently shaped footwear, and also can aid fitment of the article of footwear to the footwear holder.

Advantageously, the footwear holder may comprise a sealing portion arranged to seal the interior of the article of footwear from the exterior of the article of footwear. This minimises ingress of debris and fluids into the interior of the article of footwear during cleaning. Ideally, the sealing portion is positioned around the ankle region of the footwear holder.

Preferably, the footwear holder comprises a last, at least part of which is arranged to fit within the article of footwear to be cleaned. It will be understood that as the interior of an item of footwear is hollow, a last presents an effective way in which to hold the footwear securely without wasting space within the enclosure of the footwear cleaning apparatus.

In particular, the last can improve the accuracy and consistency of the positioning of the article of footwear with respect to the footwear cleaner.

The footwear cleaning apparatus may comprise a pump for pumping cleaning fluid onto surfaces of the article of footwear to be cleaned. It is preferred that the footwear cleaning apparatus comprises a pump filter fluidly coupled to the pump. This is so that cleaning fluid that has already been pumped onto the footwear can be recycled. This has the advantage of doing away with the need for a large fluid reservoir, thereby promoting the compactness and portability of the apparatus.

The footwear cleaning apparatus may comprise a sprayer, fluidly coupled to the pump, from which pumped fluid can be directed onto surfaces of the article of footwear during cleaning. The sprayer may be shaped to spray pumped fluid evenly across surfaces of the article of footwear during cleaning.

The footwear cleaning apparatus may comprise a waste container for receiving solid and/or liquid waste matter (e.g. dirt and cleaning fluid such as water) from the article of footwear during cleaning. The waste container may be positioned relative to the footwear cleaner and/or the footwear holder so as to catch solid and/or liquid waste matter removed from the article of footwear. The footwear cleaning apparatus may comprise a deflector to deflect solid and/or liquid waste matter into the waste container.

The deflector may be integrated with the enclosure.

Advantageously, the waste container may comprise a waste container filter arranged to separate solid waste matter from liquid waste matter. This promotes easy disposal of the waste matter removed from the article of footwear and helps to prevent blockages in the apparatus. For example, solid waste matter can be disposed in a litterbin, and liquid waste matter can be disposed in a sink, or toilet.

The waste container may comprise a fluid reservoir. Preferably, the waste container filter is positioned and arranged so that liquid waste matter filters through the waste container filter into the fluid reservoir. Preferably, the fluid reservoir is fluidly coupled to the pump for pumping cleaning fluid onto surfaces of the article of footwear to be cleaned. The fluid reservoir may comprise the pump filter. The reservoir may be contoured to direct fluid towards an inlet of the waste container that, in use of the apparatus, is fluidly coupled to the pump.

Preferably, the waste container is removable from the footwear cleaning apparatus so as to permit easy disposal of waste matter. The waste container may comprise a connector adapted to provide a detachable fluid coupling between the reservoir and the sprayer.

Preferably, the connector is arranged so that removal of the waste container from the footwear cleaning apparatus fluidly decouples the connector.

The waste container may comprise a fluid retainer arranged to retain fluid within the reservoir when it is fluidly decoupled from the outlet. The fluid retainer may comprise a fluid pipe routed to at least to a position near an upper end of the waste container. The fluid retainer may comprise a valve.

Further aspects of the present invention will now be described. It will be understood that features relating to the first aspect may be part of further aspects where context allows.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for cleaning soiled footwear, the apparatus comprising a footwear holder arranged to hold an article of footwear for cleaning, a footwear cleaner arranged to clean the article of footwear in use of the apparatus, and an enclosure for containing dirt removed from the article of footwear in use of the apparatus, which enclosure can be opened and closed by relative movement between first and second enclosure portions, wherein the footwear holder is associated with the first enclosure portion so that an article of footwear can be engaged with the footwear holder when the enclosure is open and the footwear cleaner is associated with the second enclosure portion such that when the enclosure is closed, the footwear holder is brought into a cleaning position in which an article of footwear engaged therewith is supported relative to the footwear cleaner for cleaning.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for cleaning soiled footwear, the apparatus comprising a footwear holder arranged to hold an article of footwear for cleaning, a footwear cleaner arranged to clean the article of footwear in use of the apparatus and an enclosure for containing dirt removed from the article of footwear in use of the apparatus, the footwear holder and the footwear cleaner being disposed within the enclosure at least during use of the apparatus, wherein relative movement within the enclosure between the footwear holder and the footwear cleaner brings into cleaning relation the footwear cleaner and different surfaces of the article of footwear held by the footwear holder, said relative movement occurring substantially about a long axis of the article of footwear that extends between a toe region and a heel region of the article of footwear.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for cleaning soiled footwear, the apparatus comprising a footwear cleaner arranged to clean an article of footwear in use of the apparatus and an enclosure for containing dirt removed by the footwear cleaner from the article of footwear in use of the apparatus, said enclosure defining an internal volume, wherein the footwear cleaner is disposed within the enclosure leaving a remaining portion of the internal volume of the enclosure, the arrangement being such that an article of footwear can, in use of the apparatus, occupy most of said remaining portion.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for cleaning soiled footwear, the apparatus comprising a footwear cleaner arranged to clean an article of footwear in use of the apparatus and an enclosure for containing dirt removed by the footwear cleaner from an article of footwear in use of the apparatus, said enclosure defining an internal volume wherein a first portion of the internal volume is dedicated to accommodating an article of footwear throughout a cleaning operation, said first portion having a first portion volume a majority of which is occupied by an article of footwear at any point in time during that operation.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for cleaning soiled footwear, the apparatus comprising a footwear holder arranged to hold an article of footwear for cleaning in use of the apparatus, the article of footwear having a long axis extending between a toe region and a heel region thereof, a footwear cleaner arranged to clean the article of footwear in use of the apparatus and an enclosure for containing dirt removed from the article of footwear in use of the apparatus, the footwear holder and the footwear cleaner being disposed within the enclosure at least during use of the apparatus wherein a portion of the internal volume of the enclosure is dedicated to accommodating the article of footwear throughout a cleaning operation, said portion being elongate and defining a longitudinal axis and wherein, in use, the footwear holder is supported in said portion of the internal volume of the enclosure such that the long axis of the article of footwear is generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of said portion.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for cleaning soiled footwear, the apparatus comprising a footwear cleaner arranged to clean an article of footwear in use of the apparatus and an enclosure for containing dirt removed by the footwear cleaner from the article of footwear in use of the apparatus, said enclosure defining an internal volume, a first, major portion of the internal volume being dedicated to accommodating the article of footwear throughout a cleaning operation and a second, minor portion of the internal volume being dedicated to accommodating the footwear cleaner throughout that cleaning operation.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for cleaning soiled footwear, the apparatus comprising a footwear cleaner arranged to clean an article of footwear in use of the apparatus and an enclosure for containing dirt removed by the footwear cleaner from the article of footwear in use of the apparatus, wherein the footwear cleaner is shaped to present a cleaning face towards the article of footwear at least in use of the apparatus.

Brief description of the embodiments

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; Figure 1 is a perspective view of a footwear cleaning apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is another perspective view of the footwear cleaning apparatus of Figure 1 in a configuration in which a head portion is partially separated from a body portion of the footwear cleaning apparatus; Figure 3 is a sequence of schematic diagrams showing how the footwear cleaning apparatus of Figure 1 may be set up and used; Figure 4 is a sequence of schematic interior views of the footwear cleaning apparatus of Figure 1 showing a cleaning operation; Figure 5 is an exploded view of the footwear cleaning apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 6 is a schematic sectional view of a footwear cleaning apparatus according to a second embodiment viewed from the front; Figure 7 is a schematic sectional view of the footwear cleaning apparatus of Figure 6 viewed from above, taken on section line VIl-VIl of Figure 6, in which a brush element of the footwear cleaning apparatus is moved to one extremity of its movement; Figure 8 is the same view as Figure 7 in which the brush element is moved to another extremity of its movement; Figure 9 is a schematic sectional view of the footwear cleaning apparatus of Figure 7 viewed from the right side, taken on section line IX-IX of Figure 7; and Figure 10 is a schematic sectional view of footwear cleaning apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed description of the embodiments

Figure 1 shows a footwear cleaning apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The footwear cleaning apparatus 1 comprises a head portion 2 and a body portion 4 which together define an enclosure 6 within which an article of footwear is received during operation of the footwear cleaning apparatus 1.

The general shape of the footwear cleaning apparatus 1 is of an elongate cuboid, defining four elongate side walls 10, 11, 12, 13, a top square face 14, and a bottom square face 15, the bottom square face 15 acting as the base of the footwear cleaning apparatus 1. A long axis A of the footwear cleaning apparatus 1 extends between the centre of the top face 14 and the centre of the bottom face 15.

It will be noted that Figure 1 appears to show the footwear cleaning apparatus 1 in an orientation in which it is lying on one of its elongate sidewalls 12. However this is not the intended orientation during use of the footwear cleaning apparatus. Figure 2 shows the intended orientation of the footwear cleaning apparatus 1 during use. The footwear cleaning apparatus 1 is upright such that the footwear cleaning apparatus 1 rests on its base. This facilitates the cleaning operation of the footwear cleaning apparatus 1 (as will be described in more detail below) and reduces the footprint of the footwear cleaning apparatus 1 to save space.

Referring to Figure 2, the head portion 2 and the body portion 4 are detachably connected to one another along a junction defined by a rim 26 on the head portion 20, and a complementary lip 28 and seal 27 on the body portion 4. The long axis A of the footwear cleaning apparatus 1 runs through the junction.

Referring back to Figure 1, the head portion 2 comprises a handle 20 that is set into the top square face 14. The handle 20 spans between opposite corners of the top square face 14 thereby maximising the length of the handle 20. The handle 20 comprises a release mechanism 20a that permits the head portion 2 and the body portion 4 to be selectively detached from one another. Therefore, when the head portion 2 and the body portion 4 are attached to one another, the handle 20 allows hand portability of the whole footwear cleaning apparatus 1. When the release mechanism 20a is activated, and the head portion 2 and the body portion 4 are detached from one another, the handle 20 can be used to facilitate separation of the head portion 2 and the body portion 4.

It also will be noted that positioning of the handle 20 at the top square face 14 allows the footwear cleaning apparatus 1 to hang in a convenient vertical orientation when carried.

The body portion 4 comprises a window 40 through which the interior of the enclosure 6 is visible, a status indicator 42 for indicating the status of the cleaning operation of the footwear cleaning apparatus 1, an electrical cord 44 for enabling the footwear cleaning apparatus 1 to be connected to a power source, and a waste container for catching dirt removed from an article of footwear to be cleaned.

The waste container 70 extends into the enclosure 6 via an opening in and extending between two adjacent sidewalls 10, 11 of the footwear cleaning apparatus 1.

This maximises the opening that accommodates the waste container 70, and hence maximises the size of the container 70 itself. Yet, as shown in Figure 1, when the waste container 70 is in place, its exterior faces are generally coplanar with one or other of the sidewalls 10, 11 so as to maintain the compactness and general shape of the footwear cleaning apparatus 1.

The waste container 70 comprises a waste container handle 71 positioned along an edge defined between the two sidewalls 10, 11. The waste container handle 71 facilitates removal of the waste container 70 by allowing it to be drawn out from the body portion 4 by sliding it in a direction away from the two adjacent sidewalls 10, 11 as is shown in Figure 2.

Referring to Figure 2, the body portion 4 also comprises a power switch 43 for switching on and off the footwear cleaning apparatus 1.

Referring to the exploded view of Figure 5, the head portion 2 also comprises a last 21 for holding an item of footwear to be cleaned relative to a brush element 50 of the body portion 4.

In the interests of clarity, a brief overview of the typical sequence of use of the footwear cleaning apparatus 1 will first be described before a more detailed description is given of the structure and operation of the footwear cleaning apparatus 1.

Referring to Figure 3, a soiled item of footwear 3 is fitted to the last 21 of the head portion 2 by inserting the last 21 into the article of footwear 3. The head portion 2 is engaged with the body portion 4 so that the item of footwear 3 is in a cleaning position relative to the brush element 50 within the enclosure 6. The footwear cleaning apparatus 1 is connected to a mains power source via the electrical cord 44 and an associated mains plug 45. A user then activates the cleaning operation of the footwear cleaning apparatus 1 using the power switch 43. The cleaning operation involves engagement of the brush element 50 with different exterior surfaces of the article of footwear 3 as will be described in more detail below.

The status indicator 42 displays the progress of the cleaning operation, and indicates to a user when the cleaning operation is complete. In particular, the status indicator 42 comprises an LCD display that displays text such as a numerical countdown and also a progress bar. Once the cleaning operation is complete, the user removes the article of footwear 3 and may repeat the cleaning operation with another soiled article of footwear 3a.

The upright orientation of the footwear cleaning apparatus 1 positions the article of footwear being cleaned 3, 3a above the waste container 70, SO dirt and other debris that is removed from the article of footwear 3, 3a drops under the action of gravity into the waste container 70.

The waste container 70 is removable from the body portion 4 so that the dirt and other debris can be easily disposed of after the cleaning operation.

The structure and operation of the footwear cleaning apparatus 1 will now be described in more detail.

Referring back to Figure 5, the head portion 2 comprises a last drive motor 36 coupled via a gearbox 38 to a wheel 32 to which the last 21 is attached. The last drive motor 36, when activated, drives the wheel 32 to rotate about a last rotation axis X which is substantially parallel with the long axis A of the footwear cleaning apparatus 1 when the head portion 2 and body portion 4 are together to define the enclosure 6.

The last 21 is joined to the wheel 32 via a neck 24 stemming from an ankle region of the last 21. The neck 24 is attached to the wheel 32 at an eccentric position radially offset with respect to the last rotation axis X. The neck 24 allows the last 21 to hold an article of footwear 3 through engagement with the inside of the article of footwear 3, thereby leaving exposed the exterior surfaces of the article of footwear 3 for cleaning.

The neck 24 is shaped to orient the last 21 sO that the last rotation axis X passes through the last 21. In particular, when an article of footwear 3 is fitted to the last 21, the last rotation axis X is substantially parallel with a long axis of the article of footwear 3.

The long axis of the article of footwear 3 runs from a heel region to a toe region of the article of footwear 3.

The long axis of the article of footwear 3 preferably extends between the upper surface and sole of the article of footwear 3, and also extends between the sides of the article of footwear 3 SO that the article of footwear 3 occupies a minimal volume during a 360-degree rotation about its long axis. However, in alternative arrangements, other orientations of the long axis of the article of footwear are possible as will be discussed below.

The last 21 comprises a resilient seal 23 for sealing between the last 21 and the interior of the article of footwear 3. The resilient seal 23 is disposed circumferentially around the ankle region of the last 21. This position allows the resilient seal 23 to come into contact with the interior of the article of footwear 3 close to the main opening of the article of footwear 3. The resilient seal 23 thereby presents a barrier to ingress of water and/or dirt into the interior of the article of footwear 3 during cleaning.

The body portion 4 contains sprayers 46a, 46b for spraying water onto the article of footwear and the brush element 50 during a cleaning operation.

Referring to the sequence of views of Figure 4, the brush element 50 comprises an endless brush belt 54 which, in use, is driven around a first brush roller 51 a having a first rotational axis Bi, and a second brush roller 51 b with a second rotational axis B2.

The first and second axes Bi, B2 are parallel to one another and spaced from one another to define between them a plane to which a cleaning surface 53 of the brush element 50 is parallel. The cleaning surface 53 faces toward the article of footwear 3 in use of the footwear cleaning apparatus 1.

The brush element 50 comprises a linkage 55 that brings the brush element 50 into cleaning relation with the article of footwear 3 during cleaning.

During a cleaning operation, the brush belt 54 engages with the article of footwear 3 and aided by a cleaning fluid sprayed onto the article of footwear 3 by the sprayers 46a, 46b, mud and other debris is removed from the surface of the article of footwear 3 with which the brush element 50 is engaged. During this process, the article of footwear 3 is rotated by the last drive motor 36 via the gearbox 38, wheel 32 and neck 24 so as to present different surfaces of the article of footwear 3 to the brush element 50, so that mud and debris can be removed from those surfaces.

A more detailed description of the structure and operation of the footwear cleaning apparatus 1 will now be given with reference to Figures 6 to 9 in which is shown a second embodiment of the footwear cleaning apparatus 1. It will be understood that features shown or described in respect of one of the embodiments can be considered to be present in the other embodiments where context allows. Reference numerals in common indicate corresponding parts.

Figure 6 is a schematic sectional view of the footwear cleaning apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment. In this embodiment, the head portion 2 defines a cavity 31 containing the last drive motor 36 and a gearbox 38, which can drive the wheel 32 about a spindle 34 centred on the last rotation axis X. The wheel 32 is rotationally supported by the head portion 2 via axial bearings 33.

The rim 26 of the head portion 2 comprises a jack 29 which is electrically coupled to the last drive motor 36 within the head portion 2. When the head portion 2 is coupled to the body portion 4 to form the enclosure 6, the jack 29 engages a complementary socket 69 disposed within the lip 28 of the body portion 4. Therefore, in the single action of bringing together the head portion 2 and the body portion 4, they are both mechanically and electrically coupled to one another. In this respect, it should be noted that locating the electrical socket 69 on the body portion 4 is a safety feature as power is provided from the body portion 4 to the head portion 2 via the socket 69 being electrically coupled to the jack 29.

The body portion 4 comprises a chamber 60 in its lower end. The chamber 60 contains electrical components of the footwear apparatus 1 and isolates these components from ingress of, for example, dirt and water. In particular, the chamber 60 contains a transformer 61 for converting mains AC voltage supplied via the electrical cord 44 into a lower DC voltage. This is primarily in the interests of electrical safety.

The chamber 60 also contains a positioning motor 62 for acting on the linkage 55, a brush belt motor 63 for driving the brush belt 54, a fluid pump 65 for pumping cleaning fluid to the sprayers 46a, 46b and a control board 64 for electrically connecting and controlling electrical signals between the transformer 61, the positioning motor 62, the brush belt motor 63, and the fluid pump 65. The control board 64 is also electrically connected to the status indicator 42 and the power switch 43.

The control board 64 is also connected to the socket 69 via an internal cable 68 running up through one of the sidewalls 13 of the footwear cleaning apparatus 1. Thus, when the head portion 2 is coupled to the body portion 4, the control board 64 is electrically connected to the last drive motor 36 within the head portion 2 via the socket 69 and the jack 29.

The brush belt motor 63 is rotationally coupled via associated brush belt gears 63a to the second brush roller Sib that is centred on axis B2. Referring to Figure 9, the second brush roller Si b is rotationally coupled to the brush belt 54. Therefore, when the brush belt motor 63 is activated, drive is transferred to the brush belt 54. The first brush roller Si a freewheels as the brush belt 54 moves around it. The first brush roller Si a is connected by the linkage SS to the positioning motor 62 (not shown in Figure 9).

Referring to Figures 7 and 8, the positioning motor 62 is arranged to drive the linkage SS back and forth along a guide slot S2. The guide slot S2 is curved with a radius 3S of curvature centred on axis B2. Therefore, the entire brush element 50 can pivot about axis B2. This movement is independent of rotational movement of the brush belt 54 about the two axes Bi, B2.

The resulting movement of the brush element 50 by the positioning motor 62 moves the brush element 50 and its cleaning surface 53 into cleaning relation with an article of footwear 3 disposed within the enclosure 6.

Referring back to Figure 6, the waste container 70 comprises a waste container filter 72 for catching coarse solid debris dislodged from the article of footwear 3 during a cleaning operation. The waste container filter 72 is held is place by supports 73 and extends across the open top of the waste container 70. The waste container filter 72 is also shown in Figure 9 but is omitted in Figures 7 and 8 for the purposes of clarity.

The waste container 70 also comprises a cleaning fluid reservoir 75, an intake 77 communicating with the fluid reservoir 75, a spigot 80 on the outside of the reservoir and a intake pipe 76 between the intake 77 and the spigot 80, fluidly coupling them together.

The intake 77 is positioned at the bottom of the fluid reservoir 75 and the spigot 80 is positioned near the top of the fluid reservoir 75. A waterline mark 79 within the fluid reservoir 75 indicates the maximum level to which the fluid reservoir 75 is to be filled with fluid. The waterline mark 79 is below the spigot 80, which is open to an exterior of the waste container 70. Therefore, a cleaning fluid held within the fluid reservoir 75 will be retained within the fluid reservoir 75 SO long as the waterline is below the waterline mark 79.

The waste container 70 can be removed from the body portion 4 by using the waste container handle 71 to withdraw the waste container 70 horizontally. Figures 7, 8 and 9 show the waste container 70 in a position partially removed from the body portion 4.

Referring to Figure 9, the waste container 70 comprises an inclined base 78 which is contoured to guide fluid within the fluid reservoir 75 towards the intake 77. The waste container 70 also comprises a pump filter 74 disposed immediately upstream of the intake 77 such that fluid in the fluid reservoir 75 must pass through the pump filter 74 before entering the intake 77.

The body portion 4 comprises a female coupling 81 shaped in complement with the spigot 80. The female coupling 81 is fluidly coupled to the fluid pump 65 via a pump pipe 85, and the fluid pump 65 is fluidly coupled to the sprayers 46a, 46b via sprayer pipes 86, 86a.

The female coupling 81 is positioned on the body portion 4 so that when the waste container 70 is received completely in place within the body portion 4, the spigot and female coupling 81 engage with one another in a push-fit arrangement. When a user guides the waste container 70 into place, the resistance experienced as the spigot 80 engages the female coupling 81 confirms to the user that the waste container 70 has been correctly positioned within the body portion 4. The spigot 80 and female coupling 81 have a complementary taper to aid their alignment and engagement during this movement.

Once the spigot 80 and the female coupling are engaged with one another, the fluid reservoir 75 is fluidly coupled to the sprayers 46a, 46b, via the fluid pump 65.

It will be noted that in the present, second embodiment, the waste container 70 slots into a single side wall 12. Therefore, it is drawn out from the body portion 4 by sliding it in a direction perpendicular to the side wall 12. This is different from the first embodiment, in which the waste container 70 fits across two adjacent sidewalls 10, 11.

It should be understood that this variation does not materially affect the way in which the first and second embodiments operate.

A detailed description of the operation of the footwear cleaning apparatus 1 of the second embodiment will now be provided. It will be understood that the basic operation is akin to that of the first embodiment.

As mentioned in respect of the first embodiment, a user fits a soiled item of footwear 3 to the last 21 and engages the head portion 2 with the body portion 4, so as to place the item of footwear 3 into a cleaning position relative to the brush element 50 within the enclosure 6.

A user then fills the fluid reservoir 75 of the waste container 70 to below the waterline mark 79 with clean water, and inserts the waste container 70 into the body portion 4.

The user then switches on the footwear cleaning apparatus 1 using the power switch 43. On activation of the footwear cleaning apparatus 1, the control board 64 controls the positioning motor 62 to drive the brush element 50, pivoting about axis B2 to a first position, shown in Figure 7, in which the brush element 50 is spaced from the article of footwear 3. The first position is the default position for the brush element 50.

The control board 64 then controls the last drive motor 36 so as to turn the article of footwear through 360 degrees about its long axis. A last drive motor torque sensor (not shown), associated with the control board 64 determines whether the article of footwear 3 is obstructed during that 360-degree turn, for example, if the footwear snags onto a sidewall of the enclosure 6. If so, then the control board 64 can control the status indicator 42 to indicate this to a user and ceases operation.

If the 360-degree turn of the article of footwear 3 is not obstructed, then the control board 64 activates the brush belt motor 63, which drives the brush belt 54 about the rollers 51 a, 51 b. The control board 64 then controls the positioning motor 62 to drive the entire brush element 50 from the first, default position, towards a second position shown in Figure 8.

The positioning motor 62 does not necessarily drive the brush element 50 to the extremity of its movement as shown in Figure 8. This is because the brush element 50 may come into sufficient cleaning contact with the article of footwear 3 when the brush element 50 is at an optimal footwear-engagement position between the first and second positions.

A positioning motor torque sensor (not shown) associated with the control board 64 provides load information about the positioning motor 62 to the control board 64 which, in turn, controls the positioning motor 62 to guide the brush element 50 to the optimal footwear-engagement position which corresponds to a predetermined load on the positioning motor 62. Once at that position, the cleaning surface 53 of the rotating brush belt 54 engages with and cleans a facing surface of the article of footwear 3.

The control board 64 continues to control the last drive motor 36 to maintain rotation of the article of footwear 3 about its long axis, so that different surfaces of the article of footwear 3 are presented to the cleaning surface 53 of the rotating brush belt 54.

Throughout the cleaning operation, the control board 64 receives information from the last drive motor torque sensor and the positioning motor torque sensor and, in response, controls the positioning motor 62, the last drive motor 36 and the brush belt motor 63 to maintain effective cleaning.

During cleaning, dirt and mud that is on the surface of the article of footwear 3, is brushed off, and falls under the action of gravity down towards the waste container 70.

The waste container 70 catches coarse solid debris in the waste container filter 72. Debris that is not coarse enough to be caught in the waste container filter 72 falls further into the fluid reservoir 75.

Next, the control board 64 activates the fluid pump 65 to draw water from the fluid reservoir 75. The water is filtered by the pump filter 74 to remove debris that is fine enough to have passed through the waste container filter 72. The filtered water is drawn into the intake 77, up the reservoir pipe 76, across from the spigot 80 to the female coupling 81 and down via the pump pipe 85 into the fluid pump 65. From the fluid pump 65, the water is forced up the sprayer pipes 86, 86a to the sprayers 46a, 46b and sprayed onto the article of footwear 3 and the brush element 50. The water loosens and entrains dirt from the article of footwear 3, which is removed from the article of footwear 3 by the brush portion 50 in the manner described above. It will be understood that sprayed water will also flow down across the surfaces of the article of footwear 3, under the action of gravity, and eventually drip into the waste container 70. The water is filtered, once by the waste container filter 72 and a second time by the pump filter 74 and therefore can be recycled a number of times. This obviates the need for a continuous supply of fresh water.

The status indicator 42 presents on its LCD display a progress bar displaying the progress of the cleaning operation, and also indicates by a numeric countdown display when the cleaning operation will be complete.

When the cleaning operation is complete, the head portion 2 is detached from the body portion 4 and the article of footwear 3 is removed from the last 21. Additionally, the waste container 70 is removed from the body portion 4 in order to dispose of the solid waste matter collected in the waste container filter 72 and the liquid waste matter collected in the fluid reservoir 75. To facilitate disposal of waste matter, and also to facilitate cleaning of the waste container 70, the waste container filter 72 is removable from the fluid reservoir 75 by lifting it away from the supports 73. The pump filter 74 is also removable.

A third embodiment of the footwear cleaning apparatus will now be described with reference to Figure 10. As mentioned previously, features shown or described in respect of one of the previous embodiments can be considered to be present in the third embodiment where context allows. Reference numerals in common indicate corresponding parts.

As shown in Figure 10, a pair of articles of footwear 3, 3a is received into a common enclosure 6. The enclosure 6 is divided by a common brush element 50 into two halves, each of which receives a respective one of the pair.

The head portion 2 comprises two lasts 21, 21a, each adapted to receive a respective article of footwear 3, 3a, and each being attached to respective wheels 32, 32a in the same manner as described above. Each of the wheels 32, 32a is coupled via a respective spindle 34, 34a to the head portion 2. One of the spindles 32 is centred on a last rotation axis Y and the other spindle 32a is centred on another last rotation axis Z allowing rotational movement of each of the articles of footwear 3, 3a about respective axes Y, Z. The two axes Y, Z are parallel to one another, and are also parallel to the long axis A of the footwear cleaning apparatus 1 extending between the centre of the top face 14 and the centre of the bottom face 15.

The cavity 31 of the head portion 2 contains a common last drive motor 36 and a gearbox 38, which can act to drive simultaneously both of the wheels 32, 32a about their respective axes Y, Z. The body portion 4 comprises two waste containers 70, 70a, each independently removable, and each being positioned beneath a respective article of footwear 3, 3a.

Each of the waste containers 70, 70a is fluidly coupled via a respective pump 65, 65a to sprayers 46a, 46b in the manner described above.

It will be understood that, alternatively, a common waste container 70 may be used. However separate waste containers 70, 70a are preferred as this makes it easier for a user to manipulate the waste containers, especially when they are filled with water.

In preparation for use of the footwear cleaning apparatus 1, a user couples the head portion 2 with the body portion 4 and fills each of the waste containers 70, 70a with water. The user then starts the cleaning operation using the power switch 43.

In a similar manner to that of the second embodiment, on initiation of the cleaning operation, the brush element 50 reverts to a default position in which it is spaced from each of the articles of footwear 3, 3a. Each last 21, 21 a then completes a 360-degree turn to check for obstruction in the manner described above. The brush belt 54 of the brush element 50 may then be driven via the brush belt motor 63.

The positioning motor 62 is then used to move the brush element 50 into cleaning relation with each of the articles of footwear 3, 3a in turn. In particular, the guide slot 52 extends into both halves of the common enclosure 6 allowing the brush element to extend towards one or the other of the articles of footwear 3, 3a.

The further structure and operation of the footwear cleaning apparatus 1 of the third embodiment is substantially the same as that of the first and second embodiments, and so is not further described in the interests of brevity.

As demonstrated, the third embodiment effects cleaning of two articles of footwear 3, 3a during the same cleaning operation, without requiring intervention of a user. This is advantageous over the previous embodiments because footwear generally requires cleaning as a pair.

In addition, use of common elements to effect cleaning of two articles of footwear leads to an overall space, weight and cost saving as compared with use of a separate footwear cleaning apparatus 1 for each article of footwear.

It will be understood that variations to the operation and structure of the footwear cleaning apparatus 1 of each of the above-described embodiments are possible. For example, in alternatives, the neck of the last may be detachable from the wheel to facilitate fitment of the article of footwear to the last.

The neck of the last may be attachable to a number of locations on the wheel, for example an array of attachment positions spaced along a radius of the wheel. This would allow a user to better align the last rotation axis with a respective long axis of an article of footwear -thereby allowing adjustment to minimise the volume of rotation of different shapes and sizes of footwear, and to account for different sizes and shapes of footwear.

The neck of the last could be resilient so that if the footwear snags during last rotation the neck can flex and so allow continued rotation of the article of footwear. This gives greater freedom in positioning the long axis of the article of footwear with respect to the last rotation axis.

The last could be shaped or be adjustable to be able to fit within and effectively hold different shapes and sizes of footwear.

In alternatives, instead of the footwear cleaning apparatus 1 necessarily requiring connection to mains voltage during operation, the apparatus could comprise a portable power source, for example, rechargeable batteries. This would increase the portability of the footwear cleaning apparatus 1. It is also possible to supply low-voltage power to the apparatus via a remote transformer, thus reducing the insulation requirements of the apparatus.

In the above-mentioned embodiments, the power switch simply turns the footwear cleaning apparatus on or off. However, in alternatives, a more sophisticated user input means may be provided, for example one which allows a user to change certain settings of the footwear cleaning apparatus. This could allow a user to control parameters of the cleaning operation -e.g. to modify the contact force between the cleaning element and an article of footwear, to modify the duration of operation, to modify the speed of the brush belt and/or to modify the timing of certain operations -for example when the sprayers are activated.

With the above-mentioned embodiments, the control board can register if the head portion is removed from the body portion by virtue of the jack and socket being disconnected from one another. In such an event, the footwear cleaning apparatus is deactivated for the purposes of safety. In alternatives, additional safety features can also be incorporated. For example, a contact sensor could register whether the waste container has been properly inserted, and the control board could pause a cleaning operation until the waste container has been properly inserted.

In further alternatives, the status indicator could provide a variety of different types of information to a user. In particular, it could provide feedback about a setting of the footwear cleaning apparatus, or more detailed information about the status of the footwear cleaning apparatus -for example, whether or not one of the motors have jammed, whether the machine needs cleaning and whether the head portion is properly coupled to the body portion. The status indicator may also include an audible output for indicating certain status conditions, in particular status conditions requiring the user's attention. This would be a convenient way to notify a user of completion of the cleaning operation, or of a problem encountered with the cleaning operation (e.g. a motor stall) as it does not need a user to view the status indicator continually.

Dirt and mud that is brushed off from the article of footwear may be flung onto and may stick to the side walls. Cleaning of the side walls is facilitated by the head and body portions being separable, and the waste container being removable. In alternatives, cleaning can further be facilitated by other components of the footwear cleaning apparatus being removable. For example, the brush element could be removable, by sliding it up along the direction of the axes Bi, B2 to disengage the rollers from supporting spindles. This also facilitates maintenance of the footwear cleaning apparatus as the brush element can be easily replaced with another brush element when the cleaning surface has worn.

It is also possible for the apparatus to self-clean by spraying water within the enclosure to wash dirt and mud off the side walls during or after a cleaning operation.

In the above embodiments, it is preferable for the last to be oriented so that the article of footwear occupies a minimal volume during a 360-degree rotation about the last rotation axis. However, it will be understood that a slight offset may be advantageous.

For example, the sole of an article of footwear may require more extensive cleaning, and so it could be advantageous for the sole to extend out further -and so be closer to the brush element during cleaning than the uppers of the article of footwear.

In alternatives to the above-described embodiments, the footwear cleaning apparatus may comprise a dryer for drying the article of footwear following a cleaning operation. The dryer may comprise a heating element. The footwear holder may comprise the heating element. This can lead to the advantage of more efficient heating, as the footwear holder is generally in contact with at least part of the article of footwear -and so the heating element will be at least in close proximity to the article of footwear.

For example, the heating element may be integral with the last, and so can heat the article of footwear from the inside. This can be advantageous because locating the heater within the interior of the article of footwear can shield the heater from the cleaning operation. Advantageously, the compactness of the enclosure maximises the efficiency of the heating element, as heat tends to be confined within the enclosure. The dryer may also comprise a blower arranged to blow air across the surfaces of the article of footwear.

Claims

Claims 1. An apparatus for cleaning soiled footwear, the apparatus comprising a footwear holder arranged to hold an article of footwear for cleaning in use of the apparatus, the article of footwear having a long axis extending between a toe region and a heel region thereof, and a footwear cleaner arranged to clean the article of footwear in an enclosure in use of the apparatus, the enclosure being arranged to contain dirt removed from the article of footwear by the footwear cleaner, wherein, in use, the footwear holder is supported in the enclosure with the long axis of the article of footwear being in an orientation that is substantially maintained throughout cleaning by the footwear cleaner.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein during cleaning by the footwear cleaner, the footwear holder and the footwear cleaner move relative to one substantially about the long axis of the article of footwear.
3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the footwear cleaning apparatus is hand portable.
4. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the enclosure may be opened and closed by relative movement between first and second enclosure portions, the footwear holder being associated with the first enclosure portion so that an article of footwear can be engaged with the footwear holder when the enclosure is open, and the footwear cleaner being associated with the second enclosure portion such that when the enclosure is closed, the footwear holder is brought into a cleaning position in which an article of footwear engaged therewith is supported relative to the footwear cleaner for cleaning.
5. An apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a release mechanism for controlling relative movement of the first and second enclosure portions to open and close the enclosure.
6. An apparatus according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the first and second enclosure portions comprise complementary electrical and/or mechanical connectors positioned and arranged to allow electrical and/or mechanical coupling between the first and second enclosure portions when the enclosure is closed so as to transmit electrical and/or mechanical power between the first and second enclosure portions.
7. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the enclosure defines an internal volume, a first portion of which is dedicated to accommodating an article of footwear throughout a cleaning operation, said first portion having a first portion volume the majority of which is occupied by an article of footwear at any point in time during that cleaning operation; and/or the first portion volume occupies a majority of the internal volume; and/or the first portion volume is elongate and defines a longitudinal axis, the footwear holder being supported within the first portion of the internal volume such that the long axis of the article of footwear is generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of said first portion.
8. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the footwear cleaner comprises a cleaning element that is substantially flat, thereby presenting a cleaning face towards the article of footwear at least in use of the apparatus.
9. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the cleaning element comprises an endless brush belt.
10. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the footwear cleaner is, at least in part, removable from the footwear cleaning apparatus.
11. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the footwear holder is arranged, in use, to rotate a held article of footwear about a footwear holder axis, said footwear holder being configurable to allow the footwear holder axis to be substantially aligned with the long axis of an article of footwear.
12. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the footwear holder is, at least in part, detachably attached to the footwear cleaning apparatus.
13. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the footwear holder comprises a sealing portion arranged to seal the interior of the article of footwear from the exterior of the article of footwear.
14. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the footwear holder comprises a last, at least part of which is arranged to fit within the article of footwear to be cleaned.
15. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising a pump for pumping cleaning fluid onto surfaces of the article of footwear to be cleaned and a pump filter fluidly coupled to the pump for recycling cleaning fluid.
16. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising a waste container for receiving solid andlor liquid waste matter from the article of footwear during cleaning and a waste container filter arranged to separate solid waste matter from liquid waste matter.
17. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the waste container is removable.
18. An apparatus according to claim 16 or claim 17, when dependent on claim 15, wherein the waste container comprises a fluid reservoir for holding fluid such as cleaning fluid and liquid waste matter, the fluid reservoir being fluidly coupled to the pump.
19. An apparatus according to claim 18 when dependent on claim 17, comprising a connector arranged to provide a detachable fluid coupling between the fluid reservoir and the pump.
20. An apparatus for cleaning soiled footwear, the apparatus comprising a footwear holder arranged to hold an article of footwear for cleaning, a footwear cleaner arranged to clean the article of footwear in use of the apparatus, and an enclosure for containing dirt removed from the article of footwear in use of the apparatus, which enclosure can be opened and closed by relative movement between first and second enclosure portions, wherein the footwear holder is associated with the first enclosure portion so that an article of footwear can be engaged with the footwear holder when the enclosure is open and the footwear cleaner is associated with the second enclosure portion such that when the enclosure is closed, the footwear holder is brought into a cleaning position in which an article of footwear engaged therewith is supported relative to the footwear cleaner for cleaning.
21. An apparatus for cleaning soiled footwear, the apparatus comprising a footwear holder arranged to hold an article of footwear for cleaning, a footwear cleaner arranged to clean the article of footwear in use of the apparatus and an enclosure for containing dirt removed from the article of footwear in use of the apparatus, the footwear holder and the footwear cleaner being disposed within the enclosure at least during use of the apparatus, wherein relative movement within the enclosure between the footwear holder and the footwear cleaner brings into cleaning relation the footwear cleaner and different surfaces of the article of footwear held by the footwear holder, said relative movement occurring substantially about a long axis of the article of footwear that extends between a toe region and a heel region of the article of footwear.
22. An apparatus for cleaning soiled footwear, the apparatus comprising a footwear cleaner arranged to clean an article of footwear in use of the apparatus and an enclosure for containing dirt removed by the footwear cleaner from the article of footwear in use of the apparatus, said enclosure defining an internal volume, wherein the footwear cleaner is disposed within the enclosure leaving a remaining portion of the internal volume of the enclosure, the arrangement being such that an article of footwear can, in use of the apparatus, occupy most of said remaining portion.
23. An apparatus for cleaning soiled footwear, the apparatus comprising a footwear cleaner arranged to clean an article of footwear in use of the apparatus and an enclosure for containing dirt removed by the footwear cleaner from an article of footwear in use of the apparatus, said enclosure defining an internal volume wherein a first portion of the internal volume is dedicated to accommodating an article of footwear throughout a cleaning operation, said first portion having a first portion volume a majority of which is occupied by an article of footwear at any point in time during that operation.
24. An apparatus for cleaning soiled footwear, the apparatus comprising a footwear holder arranged to hold an article of footwear for cleaning in use of the apparatus, the article of footwear having a long axis extending between a toe region and a heel region thereof, a footwear cleaner arranged to clean the article of footwear in use of the apparatus and an enclosure for containing dirt removed from the article of footwear in use of the apparatus, the footwear holder and the footwear cleaner being disposed within the enclosure at least during use of the apparatus wherein a portion of the internal volume of the enclosure is dedicated to accommodating the article of footwear throughout a cleaning operation, said portion being elongate and defining a longitudinal axis and wherein, in use, the footwear holder is supported in said portion of the internal volume of the enclosure such that the long axis of the article of footwear is generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of said portion.
25. An apparatus for cleaning soiled footwear, the apparatus comprising a footwear cleaner arranged to clean an article of footwear in use of the apparatus and an enclosure for containing dirt removed by the footwear cleaner from the article of footwear in use of the apparatus, said enclosure defining an internal volume a first, major portion of the internal volume being dedicated to accommodating the article of footwear throughout a cleaning operation and a second, minor portion of the internal volume being dedicated to accommodating the footwear cleaner throughout that cleaning operation.
26. An apparatus for cleaning soiled footwear, the apparatus comprising a footwear cleaner arranged to clean an article of footwear in use of the apparatus and an enclosure for containing dirt removed by the footwear cleaner from the article of footwear in use of the apparatus wherein the footwear cleaner is shaped to present a cleaning face towards the article of footwear at least in use of the apparatus.
27. An apparatus for cleaning soiled footwear substantially as described herein with reference to or as shown in any of the accompanying drawings.