ITFI20150112A1 - HEAD FOR SUCTION OF LIQUIDS, ESPECIALLY SUITABLE FOR CLEANING IRREGULAR SURFACES WITH STEAM. - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

Attached to the application for a PATENT FOR INDUSTRIAL INVENTION entitled:

Head for suction of liquids, especially suitable for steam cleaning irregular surfaces.

Technical field

The present invention belongs to the sector of heads for aspirating liquids; pi? exactly the invention belongs to the sector of heads for steam cleaners equipped with a condensate suction system.

In particular, the present invention relates to a head for cleaning machines of the type comprising a coating which increases the effectiveness of the cleaning action, such as a coating made of textile material or the like. Furthermore, the present invention is particularly suitable for irregular surfaces.

State of the art

For some time now there have been known devices for cleaning, domestic and otherwise, which provide for the supply of steam, the latter in fact? able to carry out an intense cleaning action, both thanks to the heat and the humidity? which it brings to the surface to be cleaned.

After steam cleaning, the problem of removing the liquid arises. format, the same problem arises when a surface has to be dried after washing, however carried out.

To solve the problem of condensation removal, the steam cleaners have been equipped with vacuum suction systems.

Italian patent application ITMI961822 (A1) describes a cleaning head comprising steam dispensing means and sliding profile means for wiping a surface from the steam condensate; it is a solution that can only be used on flat surfaces, such as floors or windows, as it is unsuitable for cleaning irregularly shaped surfaces, such as kitchen hobs.

To increase the effectiveness of the cleaning action? it is often advantageous to wrap the head in a cloth or cloth, in order to increase the abrasive effect of the rubbing, examples are shown in US2007130719 (A) and in US 2006000049 (A1). In these solutions the textile element? for? placed on a cleaning head without condensate suction system; in fact if the head? wrapped in an element of textile material or similar, as soon as the latter gets wet it becomes an obstacle to the suction of condensate, greatly reducing the conductance of the vacuum suction system.

The suction condition, in fact, differs from that of the steam output both for the greater difference in pressure of the steam that comes out with respect to the suction depression, and because? condensation wets the textile element, greatly reducing its permeability.

In addition to the above, it must be remembered that the cleaning of irregular surfaces also requires a particular shape of the head that cannot? be planar or in any case rectilinear, but must be shaped in such a way as to be able to follow the curvatures and irregularities? of the surface.

A steam dispensing head suitable for cleaning uneven surfaces and designed to be wrapped in a vapor permeable material? shown in WO2010098852 (A1); this patent application illustrates a head comprising a base fixed to a handle and a plurality of of support elements that extend from the base and on which the material permeable to vapor, of talch? the support elements and the base define a chamber for distributing the steam; the same question also specifies that flexibility? of the cleaning head increases in proximity? of its extremity? distal. However, the question in question does not address the problems related to the aspiration of condensate or liquids.

Aims and summary of the invention

Purpose of the present invention? therefore that of making a head capable of sucking up liquids, which is particularly suitable for steam cleaning devices, where the problem of sucking up condensate arises, and which is also capable of functioning well on irregularly shaped surfaces.

A further purpose of the present invention? the creation of a head capable of sucking liquids through a layer of textile material or other material suitable for increasing the effectiveness of the rubbing exerted by the operator.

The solutions illustrated in the present patent application solve the problems described above by means of a hollow box-like body, maintained under vacuum by the liquid suction duct, to which? associated with a special permeable pad which includes full and empty spaces; in a non-limiting sense in the present text, said hollow box-like body? called handle, since? can advantageously also perform this function.

A possible embodiment provides for the use of spongy material while other embodiments use still other materials, in any case the elements that make up the full spaces define an external contact surface, generally convex, on which it can be used. comfortably arrange the layer of textile material, while the empty spaces are used to ensure the passage of the sucked fluids, from the outside to the suction duct. Very advantageously the permeable pad? made of at least partially elastic material, so that its shape can even better adapt to irregularities? of the surfaces to be cleaned.

However, the flexibility? it must not be excessive because, during the suction of the condensate, the wet textile layer offers a high resistance to the passage of air and therefore the pressure difference between the external environment and the area in depression inside the head pushes it wet textile layer towards the cavity evacuated, inducing loads on the permeable pad that tend to compress and deform it, until it becomes obstructed.

If the pad is particularly flexible, to avoid the risk of deformation,? provided that between its proximal portion and the hollow handle a rigid diaphragm is interposed, with one or more? holes in the pad and with references that allow them to be aligned.

The embodiments of the permeable plug can be many and some examples are shown in the figures described below.

A particularly simple and practical solution provides that the special permeable plug is made, at least partially, of spongy material. Excellent results are obtained using open cell polyurethane foam sponge. The spongy open cell material? very breathable so it dries well and lets the steam through, however there? the risk that during the suction phase, under the effect of the depression, the spongy material deforms and tends to be sucked in; in this case ? therefore it is advisable to use the rigid diaphragm.

At the hollow grip? solidly connected also an? extremity? the duct that delivers the steam; the jet of steam can? come out both directly and through the pad through a special duct.

In one embodiment, the hollow handle? in turn shaped so as to include an internal duct which transfers the steam from the duct that delivers it to the duct included in the plug.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1 shows a front view of an embodiment of the head object of the present patent application where? It is possible to observe the hollow box-like body, called handle (1), having been removed the vapor permeable textile layer. In the view? trace III of the cutting plane of Fig. 3 is shown.

Fig. 2 shows an axonometric view of an embodiment of the plug (4) with the tubular projections (47) coaxial to each other and connected by connections (48); the tubular prominence pi? internal defines a duct (43) for expelling the steam. The figure shows the proximal (41) and distal (42) parts of said pad with reference to the position assumed on said handle. The proximal part (41) has holes (44).

Fig. 3 shows a sectional view where the thin walls of the internal ribs of the handle are also covered. The figure, in which? said layer (5) has also been shown, showing the internal duct (21) through which the steam flowing from the duct to said expulsion duct (43) and the tubular projections (47). Also, the tampon? been mounted together with a diaphragm pi? rigid (6).

Fig. 4 shows a bottom view, with the handle slightly inclined, where? the intake duct (3) is clearly visible.

Fig. 5 shows a side view of a different embodiment of the plug (4) which in any case has a distal part (41) and a proximal part (42). Trace VI of the cutting plane? the one in the following figure.

Fig. 6 shows a sectional view of the previous figure where the empty spaces (45), the full spaces (46) and the steam duct (43) are observed.

Fig. 7 shows a side view of a different embodiment of the plug (4) which in any case has a distal part (41) and a proximal part (42). Trace VIII of the cutting plane? the one in the following figure. Fig. 8 shows a sectional view of the previous figure where the empty spaces (45), the full spaces (46) and the steam duct (43) are observed.

Fig. 9 shows a side view of a different embodiment of the plug (4) with the elongated projections which in any case define a distal part (41) and a proximal part (42). The X trace of the cutting plane? the one in the following figure.

Fig. 10 shows a sectional view of the previous figure showing the empty spaces (45) and the full spaces (46) which include elongated projections. Fig. 11 shows an axonometric view from above of the plug (4) of the embodiment of Fig. 5.

Fig. 12 shows an axonometric view from below of the plug (4) of the embodiment of Fig. 5 where the holes (44) are observed.

Fig. 13 shows an axonometric view from above of the plug (4) of the embodiment of Fig. 7.

Fig. 14 shows an axonometric view from below of the plug (4) of the embodiment of Fig. 7 where the holes (44) are observed.

Fig. 15 shows an axonometric view from above of the plug (4) of the embodiment of Fig. 9 where the holes (44) and the diaphragm (6) are observed.

Fig. 16 shows an axonometric view from above of the diaphragm (6) used in the previous figure, where it is possible to observe the holes placed in correspondence with those of the plug.

Fig. 17 shows a side view of the head of Fig. 1 which allows to observe the arrangement of the layer (5) of material permeable to vapor and liquid.

Fig. 18 shows a bottom view of the handle (1) where the suction duct (3) and the expulsion duct (21) are visible; the latter, at the extremity? invisible, ? connected to the steam pipe. ? also reported the XIX trace of the cutting plane of the following figure.

Fig. 19? a sectional view of Fig. 18 which, contrary to Fig. 3, shows the inside of the handle (1) without the internal ribs.

Detailed description of an embodiment of the invention

In one of its embodiments, the head for steam cleaners object of the present patent application comprises a hollow handle (1) placed at the extremity. a suction duct (3) used to extract the condensate; the handle also accommodates a special permeable pad (4) through which the sucked condensate flows and which, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, can be wrapped in a layer (5) of textile material or other material capable of increasing the rubbing effect which is, at the same time, permeable to vapor or / and liquid.

The steam emission pipe, connected to a source of steam, also reaches the handle (1).

To facilitate the cleaning of uneven surfaces, the pad can? be made using elastic material, such as silicone or the like, or even in spongy material.

The special pad (4) includes a proximal part (41), which interfaces directly with the cavity. inside the handle (1) and has a plurality of holes (44) through which the sucked liquid enters the handle and is then expelled through the suction duct (3).

The distal portion (42) of the pad (4) comprises a plurality of full spaces (46), which develop from said proximal zone (41) alternating with empty spaces (45); at least part of the latter are placed in correspondence with said holes (44) and extended up to the external surface. According to a preferred embodiment, the solid spaces (46) are made in the form of tubular projections, often coaxial, often also having connections (48) which join together the tubular projections so as to increase the rigidity of the special permeable plug (4 ). According to a preferred embodiment, the end? of the pipe that delivers the steam ends inside the handle and? to this solidly connected; the steam jet comes out passing through the pad (4); in the case that the latter has been made with spongy material, crossing it; or through a suitable conduit (43). The handle (1)? in turn shaped so as to include an internal duct (21) which transfers the steam from the outlet of the pipe to the inlet of the duct (43).

According to a simple and practical embodiment, the duct (43)? defined by the tubular prominence pi? internal, made in correspondence with one of the holes (44) present in the proximal part (41) of the plug (4).

To ensure a good functioning of the device? It is important that all the connections of the steam duct are sealed, otherwise the steam would fill the internal part of the hollow handle (1), exhausting the capacity? vacuum cleaner. For this reason, if the coupling takes place through cup joints or the like,? it is advisable that o-rings be interposed; however, the elasticity? of the material used for the realization of the pad (4) allows a good seal to the vapor simply inserting with slight interference the end? outlet of the duct (21), inside the head (1), in the hole corresponding to the duct (43).

Claims (16)

CLAIMS 1. Head for cleaners with liquid suction system, comprising a hollow handle (1) evacuated thanks to a suction duct (3) characterized in that said hollow handle (1)? associated with a special pad (4), permeable to vapor or liquid, through which the sucked liquid flows, called special pad (4) comprising: - a proximal part (41) for interfacing with said hollow handle (1) and - a distal part (42) whose external profile defines an external contact surface with the surface to be treated. 2. Head as per the preceding claim characterized in that said pad (4)? made of at least partially elastic material. 3. Head as per one or more? of the preceding claims characterized in that said pad (4)? made of spongy material. 4. Head as per one or more? of the preceding claims characterized in that said external contact surface of said distal part of said pad (4)? coated with a layer (5) of material permeable to vapor or liquid. 5. Head as per one or more? of the preceding claims characterized in that said proximal part (41) of said pad (4) has a plurality of of holes (44) through which the liquid is sucked and that said distal part (42) of said plug (4) comprises a plurality of of full spaces (46), which develop on said proximal part (41) alternating with empty spaces (45), the latter located in correspondence with said holes (44) and extending up to said external surface. 6. Head as per one or more? of the preceding claims characterized in that said full spaces (46) comprise one or more? tubular projections (47). 7. Head as per one or more? of the preceding claims characterized in that said tubular projections (47) are substantially coaxial. 8. Head as per one or more? of the preceding claims characterized in that said full spaces (46) comprise one or more? protrusions of elongated shape. 9. Head as per one or more? of the preceding claims characterized in that said solid spaces (46) comprise connections (48) which join said projections together. 10. Head as per one or more? of the preceding claims characterized in that said external surface defined by the external profile of said distal part (42) has a convex shape. 11. Head as per one or more? of the preceding claims characterized in that said hollow handle (1)? functionally connected to a steam emission pipe. 12. Head as per one or more? of the preceding claims characterized in that said plug (4) comprises a duct (43), operatively connected to said pipe, and through which the steam escapes. 13. Head as per one or more? of the preceding claims characterized in that said duct (43)? consisting of one of said tubular projections (47). 14. Head as per one or more? of the preceding claims characterized in that said duct (43)? consisting of the tubular prominence pi? internal. 15. Head as per one or more? of the preceding claims characterized in that said duct (43)? operatively connected to said pipe through at least one of said holes (44) present on said proximal area (41) of said plug (4). 16. Head as per one or more? of the preceding claims characterized in that between said hollow handle (1) and said special permeable pad (4)? interposed a diaphragm (6) of rigid material having at least the same holes present in said proximal part.