GB2611604A

GB2611604A - Portable cleaning device

Info

Publication number: GB2611604A
Application number: GB2207736.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lilburne James
Original assignee: Good Clean Fun Ltd
Current assignee: Good Clean Fun Ltd
Priority date: 2022-05-26
Filing date: 2022-05-26
Publication date: 2023-04-12
Anticipated expiration: 2042-05-26
Also published as: GB202207736D0; GB2611604B

Abstract

A portable cleaning device 10 for cleaning an object with a jet of cleaning fluid comprising: a deformable container 100 for retaining a cleaning fluid 101 and holding an internal pressure generated by an applied external load that may lead to a reduction in internal volume of said deformable container; an inlet aperture 103 into the deformable container for receiving the cleaning fluid and a bung or cap arrangement 107 for sealing therein; and a hose 104 for transferring the cleaning fluid from the deformable container to an outlet aperture 105 where the cleaning fluid may be released as the jet of cleaning fluid. The outlet may be secured by a bung or cap arrangement. The device may comprise a sleeve to house the container. The sleeve may comprise a rigid member. The hose may be attached to a nozzle 106 at the outlet aperture. The device may comprise a bellows arrangement to allow deformation and restoration of the container.

Description

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

The present disclosure concerns a portable cleaning device. BACKGROUND Outdoor activities such as hiking, dog walking, mountain biking, cross-country running and camping may lead to contamination of the participants, pets or equipment with dirt. A sustained spray or jet of cleaning fluid, typically water, is an established means to clean such objects due to its effectiveness, safety, and simplicity. However, said activities are often practiced in relatively remote locations away from mains water supplies or electrical power grids, so some form of portable cleaning device may be needed.

Some existing cleaning devices may need to be used with service connections to mains electricity, the electrical power supply of a vehicle, or a battery to provide a pumping power for a sustained jet of cleaning fluid, but the need for these service connections would naturally limit the portability. Other inherent disadvantages of such cleaning systems may include: a relatively time-consuming set up, with more steps involved and further risk of spreading the dirt into the source of the service connections (for example, the vehicle); relatively high number of components, which may increase complexity, cost and failure modes, and may increase the overall size and weight of the system to the detriment of portability; and the compounded effect of these disadvantages when constrained by relevant regulations governing the use of electrical power close to conductive fluids.

Other cleaning devices may use mechanical means to provide a pumping power without direct service connections, such as with an operator-powered hand pumping apparatus to pressurise a fluid-filled container prior to using that stored pressure to drive a sustained jet of cleaning fluid. Although beneficially not requiring an electrical power supply, such manual mechanical means to provide a pumping pressure may have similar portability issues as with electrically-powered cleaning devices due to the number and size of components, and there may be more steps in the operation that may increase overall cleaning duration. Some other mechanical cleaning devices require submersion within a relatively large source of cleaning fluid, which adds size and weight to the overall device to the detriment of portability.

With relatively few components, other cleaning devices utilise direct hand pressure applied to a deformable fluid-filled container to provide an internal pressure within the container and hence expel a jet of cleaning fluid. However, due to biomechanical limits of the human hand the internal pressure realistically achievable with direct compressive hand pressure would be relatively low and may not be sufficient to provide an effective cleaning jet without a relatively large outlet aperture to provide a proportionally high volumetric flow rate of cleaning fluid. Higher volumetric flow rate of cleaning fluid for a given cleaning performance leads to additional cleaning fluid needing to be transported for a given cleaning task, thus impacting actual portability.

Similarly, gravity-powered portable jet cleaning devices will inherently provide limited pressure, as they must reply on the hydrostatic head to create a pressure differential which is limited by the height difference. Furthermore, the useability may be limited by the need for the fluid container to be positioned physically higher than the cleaning spray.

Notwithstanding the potential cleaning effectiveness of the prior art discussed, a need still exists for a portable cleaning device that can adequately pressurise the cleaning fluid to provide an effective and efficient jet, such as with the electrically or mechanically-powered devices, while being sufficiently small and simple to maximise portability and useability.

To meet this need, according to various examples there is provided a portable cleaning device for cleaning an object, such as a person, pet animal or equipment with a jet of cleaning fluid comprising: a deformable container for retaining a cleaning fluid and holding an internal pressure generated by an applied external load that may lead to a reduction in internal volume of said deformable container; an inlet aperture into the aforementioned deformable container for receiving the cleaning fluid and a bung or cap arrangement for sealing therein; and a hose for transferring the aforementioned cleaning fluid from the aforementioned deformable container to an outlet aperture where the aforementioned cleaning fluid may be released as the aforementioned jet of cleaning fluid.

The portable cleaning device may further comprise: a nozzle connected to the aforementioned hose at the aforementioned outlet aperture for moderating and shaping the flow of the aforementioned cleaning fluid exiting the aforementioned portable cleaning device as the aforementioned jet of cleaning fluid and for agitating the dirt on the aforementioned object; a bung or cap arrangement for means to open and close the aforementioned outlet aperture; a combined bung or cap arrangement with hose for means to seal the aforementioned inlet aperture and connect the hose to the aforementioned cleaning fluid retained in the deformable container; a strap arrangement for means to secure one or more bung or cap arrangement or combined bung or cap arrangement with hose to the aforementioned deformable container or any other feature of the aforementioned portable cleaning device; a sleeve for means to house the aforementioned deformable container; one or more rigid members within the aforementioned sleeve for means to transfer the aforementioned external load evenly onto the aforementioned deformable container for even and complete deformation to maximise the utilisation of the aforementioned cleaning fluid; and a hook or clip arrangement for means to suspend the aforementioned outlet aperture, nozzle or hose from any nearby structure in a suitable position to clean the aforementioned object.

INTRODUCTION TO THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the Figures, in which: Fig. 1 illustrates a schematic cross sectional view of a portable cleaning device according to various examples; Fig. 2 illustrates a schematic cross sectional view of a further portable cleaning device according to various examples; Fig. 3 illustrates a schematic cross sectional view of a further portable cleaning device during opening and closing of the various apertures illustrated in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 illustrates a schematic cross sectional view of another portable cleaning device during opening and closing of the inlet aperture illustrated in Fig. 1; Fig. 5A and 5B illustrate schematic cross sectional views of a deformable container according to various examples; Fig. 6A and 6B illustrate schematic cross sectional views of a further deformable container according to various examples; Fig. 7 illustrates a portable cleaning device according to various examples in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, the terms 'connected' and 'coupled' mean operationally connected and coupled. It should be appreciated that there may be any number of intervening components between the mentioned features, including no intervening components.

Fig. 1 illustrates a schematic cross sectional view of a portable cleaning device 10 according to various examples. The portable cleaning device 10 includes a deformable container 100 for retaining a cleaning fluid 101, an inlet aperture 103, a bung or cap arrangement 107, and a hose 104 with an outlet aperture 105 and a nozzle 106. The portable cleaning device 10 may be used for cleaning an object 14 such as a person, pet animal or equipment.

The deformable container 100 may comprise any suitable material such as any flexible, waterproof, noncorrosive material (for example, rubber or other elastomers, plastic). The deformable container 100 may have any suitable shape for retaining a cleaning fluid 101 and remaining stable under any external load 12 applied during operation (for example, cuboidal, ellipsoidal, ovoidal). The deformable container 100 defines an inlet aperture 103 for receiving cleaning fluid 101. The inlet aperture 103 may have any suitable shape for receiving cleaning fluid 101 (for example, circular).

The bung or cap arrangement 107 may comprise any suitable material, such as any resilient, waterproof, non-corrosive material (for example, plastic, rubber or other elastomers, stainless steel). The bung or cap arrangement 107 may have any suitable shape for sealing inside the inlet aperture 103 as a 'bung' (for example) cylindrical, tapered cylindrical) or may have any suitable shape for sealing over the outside the inlet aperture 103 as a 'cap' that may be coupled to the deformable container 100 (for example, circular). The coupling of the bung or cap arrangement 107 inside or over the of the inlet aperture 103 for sealing may include an interference fit between the adjacent faces of the bung or cap arrangement 107 and the inlet aperture 103 or the deformable container 100, or may include additional mechanical features to strengthen the connection (for example, threaded features, clips) that may comprise any suitable material, such as any robust, waterproof, non-corrosive material (for example, plastic, stainless steel).

The hose 104 may comprise any suitable material, such as any flexible, waterproof, non-corrosive material (for example, rubber or other elastomers, plastic). The hose 104 may have any suitable shape for transferring cleaning fluid 101 from the deformable container 100 to an outlet aperture 105 (for example tubular). The external load 12 applied to the deformable container 100 may lead to a reduction in internal volume 102. The bung or cap arrangement 107 within the inlet aperture 103 may prevent any cleaning fluid 101 exiting the deformable container 100 through the inlet aperture 103. The hose 104 may also be connected to the deformable container 100. The cleaning fluid 101 retained in the deformable container 100 may be pressurised as a result of the reduction in internal volume 102 of the deformable container 100. The hose 104 may provide a route for the cleaning fluid 101 to exit the deformable container 100 at a pressure above ambient pressure towards the outlet aperture 105.

The outlet aperture 105 may have any suitable shape for moderating and shaping the flow of cleaning fluid 101 exiting the hose 104 through the outlet aperture 105 as the jet of cleaning fluid 13 (for example, circular, elliptical, oval, rectangular).

The nozzle 106 may comprise any suitable material, such as any non-corrosive material (for example, plastic, stainless steel, rubber). The nozzle 106 may have any suitable shape for being coupled to the hose 104 at the outlet aperture 105, and for moderating and shaping the flow of the aforementioned cleaning fluid 101 exiting the aforementioned portable cleaning device 10 as the aforementioned jet of cleaning fluid 13 and for agitating the dirt on the aforementioned object 14 (for example, domed with a plurality of holes, bristles, sponge).

Fig. 2 illustrates a schematic cross sectional view of a further portable cleaning device 20 according to various examples. The portable cleaning device 20 is similar to the portable cleaning device 10 and where features are similar, the same reference numerals are used. The portable cleaning device 20 differs from the portable cleaning device 10 in that the portable cleaning device 20 further comprises a sleeve 109 and one or more rigid members 110.

The sleeve 109 may comprise any suitable material, such as any flexible, durable, non-corrosive material (for example, textile, plastic). The sleeve 109 may have any suitable shape for housing the deformable container 100 and any other features of the portable cleaning device 20 (for example, thin walls with one or more opening).

The rigid members 110 may comprise any suitable material, such as any tough, non-corrosive material (for example, plastic, carbon composite, metal, wood). The rigid members 110 may have any suitable shape for transferring the external load 12 evenly onto the deformable container 100 for even and complete deformation to maximise the utilisation of the cleaning fluid 101 (for example, flat rectangular or spherical or oval or elliptical plates). The rigid members 110 may be coupled to the sleeve 109 or deformable container 100.

Fig. 3 illustrates a schematic cross sectional view of a further portable cleaning device 21 during opening and closing 108, 119 of the various apertures illustrated in Fig. 1. The portable cleaning device 21 is similar to the portable cleaning device 20 and the portable cleaning device 10 and where features are similar, the same reference numerals are used. The portable cleaning device 21 differs from the portable cleaning device 10 and the portable cleaning device 20 in that the portable cleaning device 21 further comprises a bung or cap arrangement 111, a strap arrangement 120, a strap arrangement 113 and a hook or clip arrangement 115.

The bung or cap arrangement 111 may comprise any suitable material, such as any resilient, waterproof, non-corrosive material (for example, plastic, rubber or other elastomers, stainless steel). The bung or cap arrangement 111 may have any suitable shape for sealing inside the outlet aperture 105 as a 'bung' (for example, cylindrical, tapered cylindrical) or may have any suitable shape for sealing over the outside the outlet aperture 105 as a 'cap' that may be coupled to the hose 104 (for example, circular). The coupling of the bung or cap arrangement 111 inside or over the of the outlet aperture 105 for sealing

S

may include an interference fit between the adjacent faces of the bung or cap arrangement 111 and the outlet aperture 105 or hose 104, or may include additional mechanical features to strengthen the connection (for example, threaded features, clips) that may comprise any suitable material, such as any robust, waterproof, non-corrosive material (for example, plastic, stainless steel).

The strap arrangement 120 may comprise any suitable material, such as any strong, flexible, noncorrosive material (for example, textile, plastic). The strap arrangement 120 may have any suitable shape for securing the bung or cap arrangement 111 to the hose 104, nozzle 106 or any other feature of the portable cleaning device 21 (for example, cylindrical).

The strap arrangement 113 may comprise any suitable material, such as any strong, flexible, noncorrosive material (for example, textile, plastic). The strap arrangement 113 may have any suitable shape for securing a bung or cap arrangement 107 to the deformable container 100 or any other feature of the portable cleaning device 21 (for example, cylindrical).

The hook or clip arrangement 115 may comprise any suitable material, such as any strong, non-corrosive material (for example, textile, plastic, stainless steel). The hook or clip arrangement 115 may have any suitable shape for suspending the hose 104, outlet aperture 105 or nozzle 106 from any nearby structure in a suitable position to clean the aforementioned object (for example, hook, carabiner).

The bung or cap arrangement 107 and the deformable container 100 may be brought together or separated at the inlet aperture 103 as indicated by the opening and closing 108 arrows in Fig. 3. The bung or cap arrangement 111 and the hose 104 may be brought together or separated at the outlet aperture 105 as indicated by the opening and closing 119 arrows in Fig. 3.

Fig. 4 illustrates a schematic cross sectional view of another portable cleaning device 22 during opening and closing 108 of the inlet aperture 103 illustrated in Fig. 1. The portable cleaning device 22 is similar to the portable cleaning device 21, the portable cleaning device 20 and the portable cleaning device 10 and where features are similar, the same reference numerals are used. The portable cleaning device 22 differs from the portable cleaning device 21, the portable cleaning device 20 and the portable cleaning device 10 in that the portable cleaning device 22 further comprises a combined bung or cap arrangement with hose 112.

The combined bung or cap arrangement with hose 112 may comprise any suitable materials indicated for the bung or cap arrangement 107 and hose 104 described. The combined bung or cap arrangement 112 may have any suitable shape for sealing inside the inlet aperture 103 as a 'bung' (for example) cylindrical, tapered cylindrical) or for sealing over the outside the inlet aperture 103 as a 'cap' that may be coupled to the deformable container 100 (for example, circular), and for transferring cleaning fluid 101 from the deformable container 100 to the outlet aperture 105 (for example tubular). The coupling of the combined bung or cap arrangement with hose 112 inside or over the of the inlet aperture 103 for sealing may include an interference fit between the adjacent faces of the combined bung or cap arrangement with hose 112 and the inlet aperture 103 or the deformable container 100, or may include additional mechanical features to strengthen the connection (for example, threaded features, clips) that may comprise any suitable material, such as any robust, waterproof, non-corrosive material (for example, plastic, stainless steel).

Fig. 5A and 5B illustrate schematic cross sectional views of a deformable container 117 according to various examples. The deformable container 117 is similar to the deformable container 100 and where features are similar, the same reference numerals are used. The deformable container 117 differs from the deformable container 100 in that the deformable container 117 further comprises a bellows arrangement 114.

The bellows arrangement 114 may comprise any suitable material such as any flexible, waterproof, noncorrosive material (for example, rubber or other elastomers, plastic). The bellows arrangement 114 may have any suitable shape for allowing deformation and restoration of the deformable container 117 from the position at Fig. 5a to the position at Fig. 5b and back again (for example, concertina).

Fig. 6A and 6B illustrate schematic cross sectional views of a deformable container 118 according to various examples. The deformable container 118 is similar to the deformable container 117 and deformable container 100 and where features are similar, the same reference numerals are used. The deformable container 118 differs from the deformable container 117 and deformable container 100 in that the deformable container 118 further comprises a hinge arrangement 116.

The hinge arrangement 116 may comprise any suitable material, such as any strong, wear resistant, noncorrosive material (for example, plastic, stainless steel). The hinge arrangement 116 may have any suitable shape for guiding the deformation and restoration of the bellows arrangement 114 around a pivot point (for example, pin in hole).

Fig. 7 illustrates a portable cleaning device 10, 20, 21, 22 according to various examples being used in operation by an operator 11 to clean an object 14 with a jet of cleaning fluid 13. The external load 12 may be applied to the deformable container 100, 117, 118 by any suitable means, such as any means to apply sufficient load to eject cleaning fluid 101 retained in the deformable container 100, 117, 118 as a jet of cleaning fluid 13 out of the outlet aperture 105 or nozzle 106 (for example, a load applied by a body part of the operator 11 or by placement of a heavy object onto the deformable container 100, 117, 118 reacted by the ground or other solid structure through the deformable container 100, 117, 118). The jet of cleaning fluid 13 may be directed to the object 14 by any suitable means, such as any means to direct the jet of cleaning fluid 13 to effectively clean the object 14 (for example, the hand or other body part of the operator 11 holding the nozzle 106 or hose 104, using the hook or clip arrangement 115 in Fig. 3).

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments above-described and various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the concepts described herein.

Except where mutually exclusive, any of the features may be employed separately or in combination with any other features and the disclosure extends to and includes all combinations and sub-combinations of one or more features described herein.

Claims

CLAIMS1) A portable cleaning device for cleaning an object with a jet of cleaning fluid comprising: a deformable container for retaining a cleaning fluid and holding an internal pressure generated by an applied external load that may lead to a reduction in internal volume of said deformable container; an inlet aperture into the aforementioned deformable container for receiving cleaning fluid and a bung or cap arrangement for sealing therein; and a hose for transferring the aforementioned cleaning fluid from the aforementioned deformable container to an outlet aperture where the aforementioned cleaning fluid may be released as the aforementioned jet of cleaning fluid.
2) A device as in claim 1, further comprising a nozzle connected to the aforementioned hose at the aforementioned outlet aperture for moderating and shaping the flow of the aforementioned cleaning fluid exiting the aforementioned portable cleaning device as the aforementioned jet of cleaning fluid and for agitating the dirt on the aforementioned object.
3) A device as in claims 1 or 2, further comprising a bung or cap arrangement for means to open and close the aforementioned outlet aperture.
4) A device as in claims 1,2 or 3, further comprising a combined bung or cap arrangement with hose for means to open and close the aforementioned inlet aperture and connect the hose to the aforementioned cleaning fluid retained in the deformable container.
5) A device as in claims 1,2, 3 or 4, further comprising one or more strap arrangements for means to secure one or more bung or cap arrangement or combined bung or cap arrangement with hose to the aforementioned deformable container or any other feature of the aforementioned portable cleaning device.
6) A device as in any of the preceding claims, further comprising a sleeve for means to house the aforementioned deformable container.
7) A device as in claim 6, further comprising one or more rigid members within the aforementioned sleeve for means to transfer the aforementioned external load evenly onto the aforementioned deformable container for even and complete deformation to maximise the utilisation of the aforementioned cleaning fluid.
8) A device as in claims 6 or 7, wherein the aforementioned sleeve is integral to the aforementioned deformable container.
9) A device as in claims 6,7 or 8, wherein any of the other features of the aforementioned portable cleaning device may also be placed within the aforementioned sleeve for means of protection and tidiness during transport.
10) A device as in any of the preceding claims, wherein the aforementioned deformable container includes a bellows arrangement for means to allow deformation and restoration of said deformable container.
11) A device as in claim 10, wherein the aforementioned deformable container includes a hinge arrangement for means to guide the deformation and restoration of the aforementioned bellows arrangement around a pivot point.
12) A device as in any of the preceding claims, further comprising a hook or clip arrangement for means to suspend the aforementioned outlet aperture, nozzle or hose from any nearby structure in a suitable position to clean the aforementioned object.
13) A portable device for cleaning an object with a jet of cleaning fluid as claimed in any of the preceding claims.