KR20000022336A - Cleaning method and apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A method and apparatus is provided, which removes gum by directing a steam jet at an individual piece of gum at a pressure sufficient to penetrate the gum. CONSTITUTION: The machine(1) has a complex head having a rotating blade, a rotating brush, a suction tube, and a steam outlet. The head must be placed in position over the gum in a manner whereby the blade initially scrapes the bulk of the material away, and the brush then removes the remaining material. The machine comprises the steam outlet directing steam onto the bristles of the brush to heat up the bristles and the remaining gum to make it easier for the brush to remove it. The steam temperature is in excess of 140°C, preferably in excess of 150°C and is typically 170°C. The steam pressure is less than 50 bar. The steam is directed at the gum for a time period of from 3 to 10 seconds, most preferably for a period of from 4 to 5 seconds.

Description

Gum removal method and device

Many advances have been made to clean the ground, but little success has been achieved in removing gum. As will be appreciated, the gum tissue tends to harden over time until it is almost stuck to the ground.

Therefore, it remains unsightly in public places such as in the streets and shopping centers.

Previously, there were three main ranges of attempts to remove gum. That is, physical removal by scratching, the use of chemical cleaners and the use of high pressure water spray.

For the physical removal of gum this is a very time consuming and very time consuming task. Also, if the floor is not very shiny, this method will not be able to remove it completely and will leave stains.

The use of chemical cleaners is sometimes satisfactory if they are used indoors and can be satisfactorily removed later, but they are not satisfactory because the use of chemical cleaners in general on streets or walks has to be observed with great care and can cause environmental problems. It can also be stained on surfaces such as gravel packages.

Using high pressure water spray is a successful method-the physical force of water spray removes gum from the street. However, there are some problems with using the method, firstly, if the surface is rough, stains may remain and high pressure may be included to damage the ground.

For example, high pressure water spray can loosen paved stones by removing grout and physically removing the stones. In addition, the problem has become more sensitive in recent years when walking on the pavement in public places.

Prior art, such as FR 2,723,113, describes a machine having the characteristics of using some of the principles described above. The machine has a complex head applied to the ground and the head has a rotating blade, a rotating blush, a suction tube and a steam outlet. The head should initially be placed on top of the gum so that the blade can scratch most of the material, and then the brush removes the remaining material.

The steam outlet sends steam to heat the steam towards the hair of the brush, making it easier for the brush to remove the remaining gum and the suction tube to remove debris.

The use of the machine described above is quite difficult because the head is considerably larger than the normal size of a piece of gum on the ground, and it is difficult for the head to come to the correct position during cutting and brushing operations to remove the gum.

In addition, the machine has a very complicated structure because the blade and brush must be driven, the suction tube must be operated, and steam must be transferred to the head.

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for cleaning the ground, in particular for removing chewing gum from the ground. The term ground, as used herein, means both ground and floor.

1 is a schematic view showing a state using the gum remover of the present invention.

2A-2D are schematic diagrams showing how the gum is removed.

3 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a gum remover;

4 is a rear view of the present invention in a state where the cover is covered.

5 is a partial side cross-sectional view of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a rear perspective view of the present invention with the cover removed.

* Code Description

1: eliminator 2: gum

4: chassis 5: hitch

6: wheel 7: cover

8: lamp 9: hose

10: nozzle 11: steam injection

12: lance 14: trigger

15: particle 18: reservoir

23: baffle 25: water outlet

28: spiral tube 29: valve

35: generator 40: tank

42: pump

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for removing gum in a more effective way than in the case described above. In particular, the present invention provides an apparatus for removing gum in a simple, fast and hygienic manner.

According to the present invention, there is provided a method for removing chewing gum from a surface, the method comprising applying steam to the gum. The steam preferably has a temperature and pressure sufficient to separate the gum from the particles.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the steam temperature is at least 140 ° C. and preferably at least 150 ° C., typically 170 ° C. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the steam pressure is 50 bar or less.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the steam is applied to the gum for 3 to 10 seconds and more preferably for 4 to 5 seconds. The method preferably further comprises the step of removing the particles after cooling to an appropriate temperature.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the steam is applied at a horizontal name and at an exact angle because the particles are dispersed and then dispersed in the cooling zone.

Typically the steam is injected from the nozzle. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the nozzle has a diameter of 0.7 mm to 1.3 mm, more preferably 0.8 to 1.0 mm.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the steam is sprayed with a diameter of 60 mm or less and more preferably 50 mm and applied to the gum.

In one embodiment of the invention, the nozzle is located at the end of a hand-held open lance and more preferably the nozzle is coaxial with the lance. Typically the steam flow rate is 1.0-2.0 kg / min.

The present invention also provides a water supply, a water pump connected to the water supply and a boiler having an inlet connected to the water pump, the boiler comprising means for carrying steam to an outlet and means for injecting steam and steam nozzles connected to the boiler outlet. It provides a gum removing device comprising a supporting mobile frame.

The nozzle is preferably located at the end of the hose having a handle for applying steam to the gum. The nozzle is preferably at the end of an elongated rigid opening lance having a handle and a control valve.

In one embodiment of the invention, it is preferred to include means for injecting steam such that the nozzle has a diameter of less than 60 mm.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the nozzle has a diameter in the range from 0.7 to 1.3 and most preferably in the range from 0.8 to 1.0 mm. The nozzle is preferably coaxial with the lance.

The boiler preferably comprises a device for generating steam having a nozzle temperature of at least 140 ° C. and preferably at 170 ° C. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the boiler comprises means for generating steam having a back pressure of up to 50 bar. The water supply is a water reservoir mounted on the mobile frame. Typically, the apparatus further comprises an electric generator for powering the pump.

The invention is more clearly understood by means of the drawings, which are illustrated by way of example from the following description of several embodiments.

According to the figure, a gum remover is shown which the operator uses to remove a piece of gum from the street. The machine comprises a chassis 4 having a traction hitch 5 and a wheel 6. The functional part of the machine is covered by a cover 7 with an indicator lamp 8 for the following purpose.

The boiler at the bottom of the cover carries steam to the nozzle 10 through the hose 9. The nozzle 10 is at the end of the hand opening lance 12 and has a handle with a control trigger 14.

Before describing the structure of the gum remover 1 in detail, the manner in which the gum is removed is described with reference to FIGS. 2A-2D. The nozzle 10 is about 1 mm in diameter.

The superheated steam from the boiler is a high speed jet 11 having a central core flow 11a and a diffusion envelope exiting the nozzle 10.

The steam passes through each part of the gum and has sufficient temperature and pressure to separate the gum into a number of small particles. The combination of pressure, heating and humidifying effects causes the adsorbents of the gum to be incapacitated and the gum to separate.

The force and direction of the steam causes the particles to disperse from the original position to a cooler position, as shown schematically in FIG. 2, thus reaggregating the particles.

In this step, the particles are easily cleaned up and processed. Optionally the particles are removed by an inhaler.

Thus, the removal of the chewing gum piece allows the operator to easily grasp the lance 12 and actuate the trigger 14 so that the nozzle is located in an area of 5 cm from the piece and spray steam at the angle of the chewing gum. The angled approach allows steam to penetrate the bottom of the piece, allowing for quick removal of the gum. If the steam has enough pressure, the gum will be removed in seconds. The operator can easily control the nozzle position using the lance handle 13, thus allowing for quick cleaning even at wide walking distances.

More specifically, the gum is removable in a fairly short time of about 3 to 10 seconds and generally 3 to 5 seconds. In addition, since the steam is applied from an opening lance easily controlled by the operator, a very fast cleaning progress at a distance is achieved.

By using an opening lance instead of the head, no condensation is required and the steam is used very effectively for gum removal. Again, the lance provides easy access to difficult locations, such as the entrance and the bottom of the drain.

Very fast gum removal is accomplished by the use of steam having a temperature and pressure sufficient to break the gum into particles. Temperature of 140 ° C. or higher Preferably, temperature of 150 ° C. or higher is very effective.

The steam pressure preferably has a pressure of 50 bar or less to be suitable for passing the gum and to break the gum into particles with the steam temperature.

The pressure level is such that it does not damage the ground, such as grouting between paving stones. If the lance is fixed at the correct horizontal angle, there is an additional effect that the particles are dispersed and blown away from the nozzle for quick cooling.

Thus, the particles are usually swept away or sucked out within a few seconds. The direction of steam injection at a certain angle makes it easier to pass through the bottom of the gum and is not essential, but it expedites the process of disassembling the gum.

Steam injection of up to 60 mm in diameter and more preferably up to 50 mm is best. Preferred pressures and spray sizes are achieved using nozzles 1 mm in diameter. More generally, nozzles having a diameter in the range of 0.7 to 1.3 are effective and more preferably in the range of 0.8 to 1.0. Again, gum removal is particularly effective when the nozzle is coaxial with the lance. Particularly effective are steam flow rates in the range of 1.0 to 2.0 kg / min.

As a test, a steam temperature in the range of 170 ° C. at the nozzle outlet is effective. The pressure of the steam in the line in front of the nozzle outlet is approximately 48 bar. The force exerted by the steam at the outlet of the nozzle is approximately 48 newtons or 10.97 lbs.

Typically, the amount of water used is on the order of 3 to 3.5 liters per minute when the lance is operated continuously. However, in use, the trigger alternately operates to apply steam for about half of the period in which the unit is used. The hoses used to transfer steam from the boiler to the hands are typically 10 mm and have an internal diameter of 3/8 inch.

Typically, the steam envelope has a width of approximately 5 cm in which steam is in contact with the gum. The central injection of heated steam carried by the nozzle extends a distance of approximately 2 cm from the nozzle tip.

In use, the nozzle is usually fixed at a distance of 1 to 2 cm from the gum to separate the gum. In some instances, the nozzle is initially fixed about 5 cm away from the gum to soften the gum, particularly in areas where the ground is not firm or has significant grouting. Usually, the gum removal procedure takes about 4 to 5 seconds.

3 to 5, the structure of the cleaner 1 is described. The cleaner 1 comprises a water reservoir 17 with a suction inlet 18 with a filter. The float 20 is used by the circuit 21 to activate the lamp 8 to detect the height of the water and to indicate the low water level. The reservoir comprises a combination of cross baffles 23 extending longitudinally and transversely with respect to the direction of travel so as to reduce the displacement of water during operation.

A water outlet 25 with a filter is connected to a pump that operates to transfer water to a spiral coil boiler with a spiral tube 28. The boiler operates to transfer steam to the hose 9 through the valve 29. Electric force is supplied from the mounted generator 35 which is operated by gasoline.

A subcleaner tank 40 and a pump 42 are installed which are connected to supply the cleaner directly to the boiler tube at regular intervals to remove the limescale.

Optionally, the water emulsifier additive is filled into the water reservoir and added to the water in a balanced manner. For example, balanced mixing is achieved using venturi-type devices. As is clear from the figure, the water reservoir occupies most of the chassis space and other elements are supported on the infrastructure. This effectively makes use of maximum water storage.

The present invention is intended to remove the gum in a very quick and simple and environmentally friendly way. The operator may leave the site early in the morning and proceed along the street. The lance allows for very simple and effective visual control of the machine and very quickly allows steam to be applied to the piece of gum.

Each piece is removed in seconds and the particles are scattered if the lance is held at the correct angle as the operator moves forward. This allows easy access to difficult locations such as cracks, drainages and porches.

The particles are blown forward at regular intervals, and the operator can conveniently remove them using a convenient distance cleaning suction device.

At the end of the run, not only the gum is removed, but the distance is very clear. In addition, gravel pavement packed with loose grout does not damage the ground.

This is very important because the municipalities are very expensive to build the roads mentioned above and are also important because the damage is not due to the power washer.

The present invention is accomplished by its steam removing the gum very simply and effectively without additional complicated work or equipment.

The present invention is not limited by the following examples and may be variously modified in detail.

Claims (32)

In the method for removing chewing gum from the surface, A method of removing chewing gum from a surface comprising applying steam to the gum. The method of claim 1 wherein the steam has a temperature and pressure sufficient to break the gum into particles. 3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the steam temperature is at least 140 ° C. The method of claim 1, wherein the steam temperature is 150 ° C. or higher. The method of claim 1, wherein the steam temperature is 170 ° C. or higher. The method of claim 1, wherein the steam pressure is 50 bar or less. The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein the steam is applied to the gum for 3 to 10 seconds. The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein the steam is applied to the gum for 4-5 seconds. 10. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of removing particles after cooling to ambient temperature. The method of claim 1, wherein the steam is applied horizontally to the gum at an exact angle so that the particles are dispersed into the cooling zone before the particles are removed. The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein the steam is injected from the nozzle. 12. The method of claim 11 wherein the nozzle has a diameter in the range of 0.7-1.3. 13. The method of claim 12 wherein said nozzle has a diameter in the range of 0.8-1.0. The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein the steam is steam injected such that the steam has a diameter of 60 mm or less. And steam is sprayed to have a diameter of 50 mm or less. 16. The method of any of claims 11 to 15, wherein the nozzle is located at the end of a hand-held open lance. 17. The method of claim 16 wherein the nozzle is coaxial with the lance. The method of claim 1, wherein the steam flow rate is in the range of 1.0-2.0 kg / min. A method for removing chewing gum substantially as described above with reference to the drawings. Boiler having a water supply, a water pump connected to the water supply and an inlet connected to the water pump, the boiler includes a means for carrying the steam to the outlet, the mobile frame supporting the steam nozzle and the means for injecting steam connected to the boiler outlet Gum removal device characterized in that it comprises a number. 21. The gum removal device of claim 20, wherein the nozzle is at the end of the hose having a handle for applying steam to the gum. 22. The gum removal device of claim 21, wherein the nozzle is at the end of an extended solid opening lance having a handle and a control valve. 23. The gum removing apparatus according to any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein the steam is sprayed so that the nozzle has a diameter of 60 mm or less. 24. The gum removal device according to any one of claims 20 to 23, wherein the nozzle has a diameter in the range of 0.7 to 1.3 mm. 25. The gum removal device of claim 24, wherein the nozzle has a diameter in the range of 0.8-1.0 mm. 26. The gum removal device according to any one of claims 22 to 25, wherein the nozzle is coaxial with the lance. 26. The gum removal apparatus according to any one of claims 19 to 25, wherein the boiler comprises means for generating steam having a nozzle temperature of at least 140 ° C. 28. The gum removal device of claim 27, wherein the boiler comprises means for generating steam having a nozzle temperature of about 170 ° C. 29. The gum removal device according to any one of claims 20 to 28, wherein the boiler comprises means for generating steam having a nozzle back pressure of 50 bar or less. 30. The gum removal device according to any one of claims 20 to 29, wherein the water supply is a water reservoir installed on a mobile frame. 31. The gum removal device according to any one of claims 20 to 30, wherein the device further comprises an electric generator for powering the pump. Gum removal apparatus as described above with reference to the drawings.