WO1994006342A1 - Tete de nettoyage - Google Patents

Tete de nettoyage Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1994006342A1
WO1994006342A1 PCT/GB1993/001922 GB9301922W WO9406342A1 WO 1994006342 A1 WO1994006342 A1 WO 1994006342A1 GB 9301922 W GB9301922 W GB 9301922W WO 9406342 A1 WO9406342 A1 WO 9406342A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
cleaning head
cleaning
liquid
agitating
head according
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB1993/001922
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Christopher Lowe
Original Assignee
Vax Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GB929219500A external-priority patent/GB9219500D0/en
Priority claimed from GB939302893A external-priority patent/GB9302893D0/en
Application filed by Vax Limited filed Critical Vax Limited
Priority to AU49784/93A priority Critical patent/AU4978493A/en
Publication of WO1994006342A1 publication Critical patent/WO1994006342A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
    • A47L11/29—Floor-scrubbing machines characterised by means for taking-up dirty liquid
    • A47L11/30—Floor-scrubbing machines characterised by means for taking-up dirty liquid by suction
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
    • A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
    • A47L11/4036—Parts or details of the surface treating tools
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
    • A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
    • A47L11/4036—Parts or details of the surface treating tools
    • A47L11/4044—Vacuuming or pick-up tools; Squeegees
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
    • A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
    • A47L11/408—Means for supplying cleaning or surface treating agents
    • A47L11/4088—Supply pumps; Spraying devices; Supply conduits

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a cleaning head for an apparatus for cleaning a surface by application of a cleaning liquid to the surface and removal of the cleaning liquid from the surface by suction. More particularly, the invention relates to a cleaning head suitable for use in such cleaning of floor surfaces which are of a relatively unyielding and non-absorbent nature.
  • materials commonly used for floors or floor coverings, and affording surfaces of the type with which the invention is intended to be used comprise plastics materials, e.g. vinyl, in the form of a large sheet or small portions constituting "tiles", laid on an underlying supporting surface; ceramic materials, e.g. glazed or unglazed tiles; rubber based materials; or wood, cork or concrete if the surface is sealed with a suitable coating to prevent or reduce absorption of liquid.
  • cleaning liquid may be water containing a suitable detergent.
  • cleaning heads which may be provided as part of single-purpose cleaning appliances or as accessories for multi-purpose cleaning appliances of the suction cleaner ("vacuum cleaner”) type, usually include means for distributing the cleaning liquid onto the surface to be cleaned, at least one passage arranged to be connected to a source of suction and having at least one opening arranged to collect liquid from the surface being cleaned, and means for agitating the cleaning liquid in contact with the surface being cleaned to assist the action thereof in removing dirt from the surface.
  • Such agitating means typically comprises a brush or brushes, which may be static as disclosed for example in US patent specification No. 2986764, or which may be arranged to be driven, e.g. rotated, by means such as an electric motor provided in or in association with the cleaning head, as disclosed for example in US patent specification No. 4000538.
  • a sponge or mop element may be provided, e.g of a suitable plastics or rubber foam or cellular material as disclosed for example in US patent specification No. 2885713.
  • a cleaning head for surface cleaning comprising agitating means engageable with the surface for agitating cleaning liquid thereon; means for delivery of a cleaning liquid to the surface in the region of the agitating means; passage means adapted for connection to a source of suction and having at least one opening for collection of liquid by suction from the surface, and means for shielding the agitating means from airflow through said at least one opening caused by suction in the passage means.
  • the means for shielding the agitating means from airflow comprises an elongate element having an operative surface of densely packed thin flexible filaments, e.g. a strip of pile fabric; especially a plush fabric.
  • Such an element in addition to shielding the agitating means from airflow through the opening and thereby retaining the cleaning liquid in the region of the agitating means to enable it to clean effectively before being collected by suction, also assists in spreading the cleaning liquid across the surface for uniform cleaning.
  • a cleaning head for reciprocation over a surface to be cleaned comprising: means for delivery of a cleaning liquid to the surface; agitating means engageable with the surface for agitating the liquid thereon; respective retaining means disposed forwardly and rearwardly of the agitating means, the retaining means being co-operable in use with the surface to retain some of the cleaning liquid in the region of the agitating means in use; and passage means adapted for connection to a source of suction and having openings disposed forwardly of the retaining means in front of the agitating means and rearwardly of the other retaining means, for collection of liquid from the surface.
  • the agitating means preferably comprises an array of bristles supported to extend from a support member towards the surface to be cleaned, so as to have a scrubbing action upon the surface when the cleaning head is in use.
  • the bristles may be disposed in a number of tufts of bristles, and the array may include tufts of bristles of different stiffness at different parts of the array.
  • the means for delivery of the cleaning liquid is arranged to deliver the liquid in the midst of the array of bristles constituting the agitating means.
  • the liquid delivery means may comprise conduit means leading to a plurality of outlets provided in said support member for the array of bristles.
  • outlets are provided at spaced intervals across substantially the entire width of the array of bristles, and substantially intermediate the front and rear boundaries of the array of bristles.
  • Each retaining means preferably comprises an element having an operative surface of densely packed thin flexible filaments, such as is afforded by a pile fabric, especially a plush fabric.
  • Such a retaining means will also act as a means for spreading the cleaning liquid in such a way that a relatively uniform distribution thereof across the width of the cleaning head will be obtained.
  • Each retaining means may include, in addition to the pile fabric, a flexible blade element engageable with the surface.
  • a blade element is preferably provided in the midst of the flexible filaments, and extends through the entire retaining element.
  • the blade element in the retaining member helps support the filaments of the pile fabric especially if such filaments are relatively long, so that they engage the surface effectively.
  • the blade element in the retaining means has the additional advantage of acting as a relatively impervious element, to enhance the effectiveness of the retaining means in retaining liquid in the region of the agitating means.
  • the cleaning head further comprises respective forward and rearward squeegee elements associated with said openings of the passage means, said openings being arranged between the respective squeegee element and the retaining means.
  • the squeegee elements preferably extend across substantially the entire width of the cleaning head, and the passage means may include further openings respectively forwardly and rearwardly of the forward and rearward squeegee elements.
  • Such squeegee elements render the collection of liquid from the surface by suction more efficient, since their engagement with the surface as the cleaning head is reciprocated wipes the liquid on the surface into a locally increased film thickness to be more readily collected.
  • the provision of openings leading to the passage means for suction on both sides of the squeegee elements has the advantage that such collection is, for each squeegee element, effective in both directions of movement of the cleaning head over the surface.
  • the agitating means, retaining means and squeegee elements are readily detachable and replaceable relative to a body of the cleaning head. This facilitates the replacement of worn such elements when required.
  • the agitating means, retaining means and optionally the squeegee elements may be mounted together as a cartridge which is readily detachable from and refittable to the body. A user may thus rapidly replace all parts of the cleaning head which may be subject to wear in use.
  • a cleaning head according to the invention may comprise part of a cleaning appliance comprising means for storage of clean cleaning liquid, means for supplying said cleaning liquid to the cleaning head for delivery thereof to the surface, means providing suction for collecting liquid from the surface, and storage means for cleaning liquid thus collected.
  • FIGURE 1 is a front view of one embodiment of cleamng head which forms part of a floor cleaning appliance
  • FIGURE 2 is a section through a cleaning head on the line II-II of Figure 1;
  • FIGURE 3 is an underneath plan view of the cleaning head of Figures 1 and 2;
  • FIGURE 4 shows in side view one embodiment of a floor cleaning appliance incorporating a further embodiment of cleaning head in accordance with the invention;
  • FIGURE 5 shows a top plan view of a cleaning head forming part of such appliance
  • FIGURE 6 shows a front elevation of the head partly broken away and partly in section to show a cartridge housed therein;
  • FIGURE 7 shows a top plan view of the cartridge partly broken away to show a sub-cartridge therein;
  • FIGURE 8 shows an underneath plan view of the cartridge partly broken away
  • FIGURE 9 shows a vertical section on the line IX-IX of Figure 5.
  • the cleaning head shown in Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings is intended for use in the cleaning of floor surfaces which are of a relatively unyielding and non-absorbent nature, as hereinbefore referred to.
  • the cleaning head will be reciprocated across such a floor surface in the direction shown by double-headed arrow A in Figure 2, and references hereafter to the length of the cleaning head, and to the "front" and “rear” thereof are references to the dimensions and parts in such directions.
  • references to the width of the cleaning head and to the size thereof are references to the dimensions and parts of the cleaning head in the direction transverse to the arrow A.
  • the cleaning head comprises a casing 1 which is of hollow configuration, defining an internal space 12, and of generally rectangular shape in plan view. From the rear of the casing there extends, upwardly therefrom at an angle of about 45°, a hollow cylindrical spigot 14 with a forward extension 15 the interior of which communicates with the space 12 defined within the casing 1.
  • the spigot 14 is adapted to be connected to a source of suction which will normally be a suitable electric motor and fan unit such as is provided in a suction cleaner.
  • the cleaning head may be provided as part of a cleaning appliance which has the cleaning head at the lower end of a body of the appliance and which also incorporates in or in association with the body the source of suction and also means for storage of clean cleaning liquid and means for storage of dirty cleaning liquid collected from a floor surface as described hereafter.
  • a cleaning appliance which has the cleaning head at the lower end of a body of the appliance and which also incorporates in or in association with the body the source of suction and also means for storage of clean cleaning liquid and means for storage of dirty cleaning liquid collected from a floor surface as described hereafter.
  • it may comprise part of a hand-held attachment which is connected to the body of such an appliance by means of a flexible suction hose.
  • the spigot may provide for a swivelling connection to the source of suction.
  • the casing 1 of the cleaning head defines a generally downwardly facing recess which receives an assembly, indicated generally at 2, comprising the following components for cooperation with a surface being cleaned, namely an agitating means indicated generally at 3, respective retaining elements 4 disposed one forwardly and one rearwardly of the agitating means, and respective squeegee elements 5 disposed one forwardly of the front retaining element and one rearwardly of the rear retaining element.
  • the agitating means 3 comprises an array of bristles in tufts 32,33 mounted in a body member 21.
  • the tufts are arranged in six rows spaced from one another in the direction forwardly and rearwardly of the cleaning head, but it will be appreciated that more or fewer than six rows may be provided if required.
  • the body member 21 and tufts 32,33 of bristles extend across substantially the entire width of the cleaning head 1.
  • the tufts 33 in the foremost and rearmost rows may be harder than the tufts 32 in the rows therebetween, and the laterally outermost tufts of such rows may be harder than the other tufts of bristles in such rows.
  • all the tufts of bristles may be of the same hardness as one another.
  • the body member 21 is provided with a plurality of apertures 22 spaced from one another in the direction widthwise of the cleaning head. These apertures 22 communicate with a transverse duct 23 formed in the body member 21. Inlet bosses 24 formed on the member 21 protrude through apertures 16 in the casing 1 and pipes 6 are provided for connection to a source of cleaning liquid. Under the control of a suitable valve means, not shown, cleaning liquid may thus be delivered to the surface being cleaned in the midst of the tufts 32,33 of bristles constituting the agitating means of the cleaning head.
  • apertures or openings may be provided in configurations other than the single row of apertures 22 illustrated for delivering cleaning liquid to the surface being cleaned in the region of the agitating means.
  • Each retaining element 4 comprises a holder 41 for a pile fabric element having a backing strip 42 and pile fabric strip 43 comprising densely packed thin flexible filaments.
  • a thin flexible element 44 in the form of a blade or fin of plastics material extends from the backing strip 42.
  • the retaining elements 4 extend across the entire width of the cleaning head and the blade or fin element 44 in each retaining element extends in unbroken form across such width and protrudes slightly beyond the ends of the pile filaments.
  • Each squeegee element 5 comprises a flexible blade 51, e.g. of rubber, held in a carrier member 52.
  • the squeegee elements 5 extend, like the retaining elements 4, across the entire width of the cleaning head.
  • the surface of each blade 51 at its outer side, remote from the agitating means, is serrated in form having vertical grooves (not shown in Figure 1) in such surface as indicated at 53.
  • suction openings 25 formed between the body member 21 and the squeegee blade carrier members 52 lead to the internal space 12 of the cleaning head. Additional suction slots 26 are provided between the carrier members 52 and the casing 1.
  • the carrier members 52 for the flexible blades 51 of the squeegee elements 5, and the holders 41 for the pile fabric retaining elements 4, may be permanently secured, e.g. by welding or adhesive, to the body member 21 or suitable formations may be integrally formed into the body member 21 so that the assembly 2 may be formed as a cartridge which can be readily attached to and removed from the casing 1 of the cleaning head.
  • the cartridge assembly 2 is preferably attachable to and removable from the casing 1 of the cleaning head without the use of tools, e.g. by the provision of suitable formations which provide a "snap fit" connection.
  • the retaining elements 4 both retain such liquid in the region of the bristles for sufficient time to enable it to be effective in such dirt removal, and also spread such liquid in the direction of the width of the cleaning head so that it is effective across substantially the entire width of the head.
  • Such retaining and spreading action is achieved by virtue of the configuration of the retaining elements 4 with the pile fabric strip 43 and the flexible blade elements 44.
  • excess liquid passes the retaining elements 4 to be wiped by the squeegee elements 5 and collected by suction through the openings 25.
  • each squeegee element 5 enhances the effectiveness of such liquid collection, by ensuring that the increased film thickness of liquid created by the wiping action of each squeegee element is collected on both forward and rearward movement of the cleaning head in use.
  • the retaining elements 4 also have the effect of concentrating suction in the regions between the blade elements 44 thereof and the adjacent squeegee blades 51, providing improved liquid collection in such regions.
  • the cleaning head is able effectively to clean close to a wall or other vertical surface bounding a floor which is being cleaned, or to an article standing on such surface.
  • the laterally outermost bristles of the cleaning head tend to be subject to harsher treatment than bristles farther away from the wall, and if the laterally outermost tufts of bristles of each row of bristles are harder than the other tufts they are able better to withstand such treatment.
  • the cleaning head It would be possible, if required, to provide the cleaning head with wheels or rollers by which it is at least supported in use on a surface being cleaned.
  • wheels or rollers if present would mean that some part of the width of the cleaning head is not available for the components thereof which engage the floor surface for cleaning purposes, and therefore it is preferable for the cleaning head to be arranged to be supported solely by the bristles constituting the agitating means.
  • each of the squeegee blades 51 has its surface remote from the agitating means provided with a plurality of grooves 53 extending upwardly of the blade from the surface on which the cleaning head is being used.
  • the grooved surface of the blade wipes over the floor surface causing the cleaning liquid on the surface to be broken up into narrow streams or jets. This enhances the effectiveness of collection of such cleaning liquid, and any particles of dirt suspended therein, by the suction exerted through the openings 25. Thus less suction power is required for effective collection of liquid.
  • the opposite, ungrooved, surface of the squeegee blade wipes across the floor surface effectively wiping the floor surface clear of the film of cleaning liquid thereon.
  • the cleaning liquid is preferably supplied continuously to the surface being cleaned through the apertures 22 in the midst of the array of bristles constituting the agitating means of the cleaning head.
  • Such continuous irrigation of the bristles by the cleaning liquid has the result that the bristles are kept relatively clean, substantially not collecting any greasy dirt which may be on the surface being cleaned and thus not spreading any such dirt beyond the area in which it was present.
  • the ability of the assembly 2 to be readily detached from the casing 1 of the cleaning head enables, in addition to replacement of the assembly if any parts thereof become worn, the removal of the assembly for cleaning if it should accumulate dirt after long service. Further, it may be desirable occasionally to remove the assembly 2 to permit cleaning and/or disinfection of the internal surfaces of the cleaning head.
  • a suction cleaner incorporating an alternative embodiment of cleaning head in accordance with the present invention includes a body 10 comprising a rear casing 110, an upper front casing 120 and a lower front casing 125 which in combination define a housing for the various operative components, including a motor/impeller unit 100 which provides a source of suction to draw air through a suction duct 180 and into an air/liquid separator and valve assembly 20.
  • a motor/impeller unit 100 which provides a source of suction to draw air through a suction duct 180 and into an air/liquid separator and valve assembly 20.
  • the casing components also define at the upper end of the body a handle 130 which is equipped with an electrical switch 131 to control energisation of the motor, and a trigger 132 which is coupled by means of a mechanical linkage system indicated diagrammatically at 133 to control the operation of a delivery valve 340 whereby a cleaning liquid can be dispensed from a removable container 30, by way of a delivery pipe 280 to a suction head 50 which is mounted by means of a swivel joint 40 within a lower extension 140 of the rear casing 110.
  • the suction head 50 includes a removable cartridge 60 whereby liquid delivered through pipe 280 can be applied to a floor surface to be cleaned.
  • the suction head 50 also includes suction slots which communicate with the suction duct 180 whereby the floor surface may be dried.
  • the container 30 is removably located within an open-fronted recess 150 and affords an inner compartment 350 which is connected to the air/liquid separator and valve assembly 20 to receive recovered water, and engages abutment ribs 213 to facilitate pivotal movement of the lower end of the container 30 into the lower end of the recess 150.
  • the illustrated embodiment incorporates a motor/impeller unit 100 for generating the required suction at the head 50, this unit may be omitted and instead the cleaner may be adapted for connection to an external source of suction, either as a free-standing unit or as a remote installation including one more suction points within the premises to be cleaned, in either case coupled to the cleaner by means of a flexible hose.
  • the invention as hereinafter described may be incorporated into a suction head which is carried at the lower end of a supporting member which affords a handle at its upper end to enable the user to move the head over the floor, the head being coupled by means of a flexible hose in well-known manner to a free-standing unit which houses the container, with the supporting member in some cases forming a suction duct to which the hose is connected.
  • the suction head 50 comprises a casing 500 which comprises an upper wall 504 which is hollow and defines therein a shallow transversely extending suction chamber 520 which communicates by way of an outlet spigot 530 with the suction duct 180 within the body 10 of the cleaner.
  • the upper wall 504 of the casing 500 is formed with an internal inlet boss 510 to receive the end of the delivery pipe 280, and the casing 500 at its lower side affords a rectangular opening defined by a peripheral flange comprising a front wall 501, rear wall 502 and end walls 503 depending from the upper wall 504.
  • the rectangular opening receives a replaceable- cartridge assembly 60 which includes an array of bristles 820 to which the cleaning liquid is supplied to carry out a cleaning operation, as well as means for drying the floor or floor covering, and the boss 510 at its lower end affords a releasable fluid-tight connection with the cartridge 60 as hereinafter described.
  • the cartridge 60 as illustrated in Figures 6 to 9, comprises a hollow rectangular body 600 comprising a top wall 604 having at its underside a peripheral flange comprising outer front and rear walls 601 and 602 joined by transversely extending end walls 603.
  • Inner front and rear walls 611, 612 extend parallel to the respective outer walls 601, 602 and each pair of outer walls 601, 602 and inner walls 611,612 between them define a downwardly open longitudinal slot 610 which is shaped to receive a squeegee blade 650 which extends substantially across the entire width of the cartridge adjacent to the front and rear edges thereof and is secured within the slot 610 by means of a retainer member 640.
  • the retainer member 640 is assembled with the body 600 by means of longitudinally spaced laterally projecting nibs 645 thereon engaging in corresponding recesses 605 formed through the top plate 604 and into the walls 601,611;602,612 so as to terminate adjacent the lower ends thereof and thereby form internal shoulders on which the underside of the nibs 645 are retained.
  • the top wall 604 is formed with a respective rib 615 which serves to bear down on the upper end of the squeegee blade 650 and hold it firmly within the retainer member 640.
  • the cartridge assembly 60 also includes respective longitudinally extending slots 620 disposed adjacent to the slots 610, each defined between the respective inner wall 611, 612 and a respective angled wall 621 which includes an oblique part 622 extending downwardly towards the adjacent inner wall 611,612 and terminating in a downwardly extending rib 623 parallel to the adjacent inner wall 611,612.
  • Spacer ribs 619 extend at longitudinally spaced intervals between the angled walls 621 and the adjacent inner walls 611.
  • the top wall 604 is formed centrally with a pair of longitudinal ribs 631, which define the upper portion of a transversely extending liquid delivery duct 630 as hereinafter described. Adjacent to the opposite ends of the top wall 604 the longitudinal ribs 631 are joined by transverse ribs 632 to define the end of the duct 630.
  • the top wall 604 is formed with an upstanding tubular spigot 635 which includes a reduced-diameter nose portion 636 adapted to enter the lower end of the inlet boss 510.
  • the nose portion 636 carries a sealing ring 637 to establish a liquid-tight seal with the inlet boss 510, which may itself be formed internally with a calibrated aperture adjacent to its lower end.
  • the cartridge 60 may be retained within the head 50 by any appropriate quick-release means.
  • the end walls 503 of the head casing 500 are formed with shallow internal recesses 506 to receive corresponding rounded protuberances 606 formed externally on the end walls 603 of the body 600 for this purpose.
  • finger pieces 608 are formed to extend outwardly from the lower edge of the outer rear wall 602 of the body 600 through recesses 508 formed at the lower edge of the rear wall 502 of the casing 500.
  • one or more turn-buckle or quick-release type threaded fasteners may be captively associated with the head casing so as to be operable on the upper side thereof, to engage complementary formations provided on the body of the cartridge 60.
  • quick-release catches may be provided either at opposite ends of the cartridge assembly or at spaced positions along the front and rear sides, to engage suitable complementary formations on the head casing.
  • the cartridge 60 as mentioned above is completed by a sub-cartridge 80 for releasable assembly with the body 600.
  • the underside of the body 600 is formed as a housing to receive the sub-cartridge, and recesses 628 are formed internally of the ribs 623 to co-operate with corresponding latch elements provided on the sub-cartridge 80 as hereinafter described.
  • the applicator sub-cartridge 80 comprises a body 800 generally in the form of a shallow channel-shaped member with side walls 801 spanned at their lower ends by a bottom wall 804 which in combination form a channel which extends along the entire length of the body 800.
  • each side wall 801 carries an upwardly extending flange 809 which affords spaced external nibs 808 which engage within the corresponding spaced recesses 628, which are formed internally of the ribs 623 which form the lower part of the angled walls 621 of the body 600, to hold the sub-cartridge 80 in position.
  • Finger-grip portions 802 at the ends of the side walls 801 are formed to facilitate removal of the sub-cartridge 80 from the body 600 when required.
  • the bottom wall 804 carries a downwardly projecting array of bristles 820 which are grouped into tufts embedded at their upper ends in four rows of upwardly projecting bosses 810 and a pair of upwardly extending central walls 811.
  • the walls 811 are additionally formed centrally with respective upstanding longitudinal ribs 831 which engage the lower edges of the ribs 631 to define in combination therewith the liquid delivery duct 630 previously mentioned.
  • Holes 805 formed in the bottom wall 804 between the central walls 811 at spaced intervals along the length of the duct 630 enable liquid from the inlet boss 510 and the spigot 635 when assembled therewith to be applied to the array pf bristles 820 carried by the sub-cartridge 80.
  • each retaining element 850 comprises a backing strip 851 carrying a pile fabric material 852 such as a plush material comprising densely packed thin flexible filaments. Additionally, a thin flexible blade 853 runs centrally along the length of the element 850.
  • the retaining elements 850 assist in the retention of the cleaning liquid in the vicinity of the array of bristles 820, to which the liquid is delivered. Whilst the retaining elements 850 desirably comprise both the plush material 852 and the blade 853, it would be possible to utilise either of these without the other. Alternatively the retaining elements could take the form of additional squeegee blades.
  • the external faces of the side walls 801 of the body 800 align with the external faces of the ribs 623 of the body 600 and are spaced inwardly from the squeegee blades 650 so that the suction slots 620 open at their lower ends into the space between the retaining elements 850 and the squeegee blades 650, and at their upper ends into the suction chamber 520.
  • Air can thus be drawn from beneath the head 50 through the slots 620, through the suction chamber 520 and the outlet spigot 530.
  • the upper surface of the top plate 604 between the slots 620 is of curved form so as to allow any liquid which becomes deposited thereon to drain gravitationally back towards the slots 620, and the oblique parts 622 of the angled walls 621 further ensure that such liquid runs into the slots so as again to become entrained in the air flow.
  • the suction chamber 520 defined by the upper wall 504 of the head is as shallow as possible in order to reduce the volume of the chamber 520 to a minimum, thereby minimising the reduction in the velocity of the air flow leaving the suction slot 620.
  • cleaning solution supplied along pipe 280 is fed through inlet boss 510 and spigot 635 at a rate determined by the dimension of the calibrated aperture of the inlet boss 510, and into the duct 630, and thence through the holes 805 to the arrays of bristles 820 for application to the surface to be cleaned.
  • suction is applied through the slots 620 so as to draw up soiled cleaning solution as the head is moved to-and-fro, the squeegee blades 650 further assisting in drying the surface.
  • the entire cartridge 60 may be removed by means of the finger pieces 608 for cleaning the interior of the suction chamber 520 and also to facilitate removal or replacement of the applicator sub-cartridge 80.
  • the applicator as above-described and illustrated is formed as part of a separable sub-cartridge within the removable cartridge 60, and the body 600 of the cartridge 60 defines the suction slots 620 and also carries the squeegee blades 650 directly
  • the body 600 may be incorporated into the casing 500 as an effectively permanent base so that the squeegee blades are then carried directly by such modified head casing instead of by the cartridge 80, the interchangeable cartridge in such a case then being equivalent to the sub-cartridge described above.
  • the squeegee blades may be carried directly by the head casing and the cartridge may then be equivalent to only the central portion of the body 600 between the suction slots 620 in combination, integrally or separably, with the applicator assembly of sub-cartridges 80.
  • This arrangement would enable the width of the suction slots to be varied according to width of the modified cartridge, the slot being defined by the gap between the side walls of the cartridge (equivalent to walls 621 as illustrated) and the inner walls (equivalent to the walls 612 as illustrated) of the squeegee blade mountings incorporated into the head casing in accordance with this modification. This would also facilitate cleaning of the suction slots by removal of the modified cartridge.
  • the applicator may be integrated with squeegee blade mountings and the body 600 in a manner which does not facilitate ready separation therefrom, so as to form complete cartridge.

Landscapes

  • Brushes (AREA)
  • Cleaning Implements For Floors, Carpets, Furniture, Walls, And The Like (AREA)

Abstract

Une tête de nettoyage pour assurer une action de récurage sur un sol à surface généralement dure comprend un agencement de poils raides (32, 33; 820) disposés sensiblement sur toute la largeur de la tête, une conduite d'alimentation en liquide (23; 630) conçue pour apporter un liquide de nettoyage à l'agencement de poils raides, des moyens de retenue du liquide (4; 850) s'étendant vers l'avant et vers l'arrière de l'agencement de poils raides pour coopérer avec la surface en cours de nettoyage et retenir le liquide de nettoyage dans la région de l'agencement de poils raides, des moyens de raclage (5; 650) s'étendant vers l'avant et vers l'arrière des moyens de retenue pour faciliter le séchage de la surface mouillée et des fentes d'aspiration (25; 620) disposées entre les moyens de retenue et les moyens de raclage pour aspirer le liquide de la surface en cours de nettoyage au moyen d'une aspiration appliquée à une chambre d'aspiration (12; 520) située dans la tête.
PCT/GB1993/001922 1992-09-15 1993-09-10 Tete de nettoyage WO1994006342A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU49784/93A AU4978493A (en) 1992-09-15 1993-09-10 Cleaning head

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB929219500A GB9219500D0 (en) 1992-09-15 1992-09-15 Cleaning head
GB9219500.7 1992-09-15
GB9302893.4 1993-02-13
GB939302893A GB9302893D0 (en) 1993-02-13 1993-02-13 Applicator head for surface cleaning appliances

Publications (1)

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WO1994006342A1 true WO1994006342A1 (fr) 1994-03-31

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Family Applications (3)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1993/001923 WO1994006343A1 (fr) 1992-09-15 1993-09-10 Tete d'application pour des appareils destines au nettoyage de surfaces
PCT/GB1993/001922 WO1994006342A1 (fr) 1992-09-15 1993-09-10 Tete de nettoyage
PCT/GB1993/001924 WO1994006344A1 (fr) 1992-09-15 1993-09-10 Tete de nettoyage

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PCT/GB1993/001923 WO1994006343A1 (fr) 1992-09-15 1993-09-10 Tete d'application pour des appareils destines au nettoyage de surfaces

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1993/001924 WO1994006344A1 (fr) 1992-09-15 1993-09-10 Tete de nettoyage

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WO (3) WO1994006343A1 (fr)

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0692220A1 (fr) * 1994-07-15 1996-01-17 FLOOR S.p.A. Machine d'entretien des sols avec buse additionnelle à raccordement rapide, réservoir amovible et suction frontale ou arrière fonction de son déplacement
WO1996010945A1 (fr) * 1994-10-07 1996-04-18 Senson Investments Limited Dispositif de nettoyage
WO1998027856A1 (fr) * 1996-12-20 1998-07-02 Sjoegreen Joergen Dispositif de lavage du sol a double action
US6009594A (en) * 1995-02-18 2000-01-04 Vax Limited Cleaning head
US6101668A (en) * 1996-02-16 2000-08-15 Vax Limited Cleaning heads and adaptors for use therewith
WO2001054555A1 (fr) * 2000-01-29 2001-08-02 Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co. Tete de nettoyage pour un appareil de nettoyage de sols
RU2597530C2 (ru) * 2011-06-28 2016-09-10 Клеено Аб Жидкостная система для очистительной машины
WO2019020264A1 (fr) * 2017-07-27 2019-01-31 Robert Bosch Gmbh Dispositif de nettoyage

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP3887678B2 (ja) * 1995-04-21 2007-02-28 フォルベルク・ウント・ツェーオー、インターホールディング・ゲーエムベーハー 表面の湿式洗浄用真空クリーナのアタッチメント
US7254867B2 (en) * 2003-03-07 2007-08-14 Nilfisk-Advance, Inc. Squeegee assembly
ITPN20080006A1 (it) * 2008-01-30 2009-07-31 Nilfisk Advance S P A "macchina lava-asciuga pavimenti perfezionata".
DE102009011433A1 (de) 2009-02-20 2010-09-02 Kärcher Futuretech GmbH Sprühextraktionsdüse zum Reinigen einer Oberfläche, insbesondere zum Dekontaminieren der Oberfläche
GB2590497B (en) * 2019-12-20 2023-12-27 Techtronic Cordless Gp A cleaner head for a cleaning appliance
ES2936984A1 (es) * 2021-09-21 2023-03-23 Cecotec Res And Development S L Cabezal de limpieza para aspiradora humeda y seca

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FR1094940A (fr) * 1952-12-10 1955-05-25 Kooperativa Foerbundet Suceur pour aspirateurs
DE1922651A1 (de) * 1969-05-03 1970-12-03 Reima Reinigungsmaschinen Gmbh Pflegegeraet fuer Fussbodenbelaege
FR2554340A1 (fr) * 1983-11-07 1985-05-10 Toulon Daniel Brosse-suceur d'aspiration a elements interchangeables pour usage menager
DE8715873U1 (fr) * 1987-12-01 1988-02-04 Vorwerk & Co Interholding Gmbh, 5600 Wuppertal, De
DE8716748U1 (fr) * 1987-12-19 1988-02-11 Alfred Kaercher Gmbh & Co, 7057 Winnenden, De
EP0542193A1 (fr) * 1991-11-12 1993-05-19 Moulinex Tête de nettoyage de surfaces planes

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US2168692A (en) * 1936-09-05 1939-08-08 Vidal Charles Henry Cleaning apparatus
US2885713A (en) * 1956-02-06 1959-05-12 Melvin V Morrill Washing device with water pickup attachment
US3992747A (en) * 1975-04-09 1976-11-23 Service Master Industries Inc. Cleaning tool
US4270238A (en) * 1978-07-31 1981-06-02 Service Master Industries, Inc. Cleaning tool
DE3024113A1 (de) * 1980-06-27 1982-01-21 Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co, 7057 Winnenden Reinigungskopf zur reinigung von planen flaechen
CA1245407A (fr) * 1983-08-31 1988-11-29 Leonard N. Nysted Appareil et methode de nettoya-e des tissus a l'aide d'un produit mousseux
GB2206478B (en) * 1987-07-10 1991-04-24 Vax Appliances Ltd Cleaning head

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR1094940A (fr) * 1952-12-10 1955-05-25 Kooperativa Foerbundet Suceur pour aspirateurs
DE1922651A1 (de) * 1969-05-03 1970-12-03 Reima Reinigungsmaschinen Gmbh Pflegegeraet fuer Fussbodenbelaege
FR2554340A1 (fr) * 1983-11-07 1985-05-10 Toulon Daniel Brosse-suceur d'aspiration a elements interchangeables pour usage menager
DE8715873U1 (fr) * 1987-12-01 1988-02-04 Vorwerk & Co Interholding Gmbh, 5600 Wuppertal, De
DE8716748U1 (fr) * 1987-12-19 1988-02-11 Alfred Kaercher Gmbh & Co, 7057 Winnenden, De
EP0542193A1 (fr) * 1991-11-12 1993-05-19 Moulinex Tête de nettoyage de surfaces planes

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0692220A1 (fr) * 1994-07-15 1996-01-17 FLOOR S.p.A. Machine d'entretien des sols avec buse additionnelle à raccordement rapide, réservoir amovible et suction frontale ou arrière fonction de son déplacement
WO1996010945A1 (fr) * 1994-10-07 1996-04-18 Senson Investments Limited Dispositif de nettoyage
US6009594A (en) * 1995-02-18 2000-01-04 Vax Limited Cleaning head
US6101668A (en) * 1996-02-16 2000-08-15 Vax Limited Cleaning heads and adaptors for use therewith
WO1998027856A1 (fr) * 1996-12-20 1998-07-02 Sjoegreen Joergen Dispositif de lavage du sol a double action
WO2001054555A1 (fr) * 2000-01-29 2001-08-02 Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co. Tete de nettoyage pour un appareil de nettoyage de sols
RU2597530C2 (ru) * 2011-06-28 2016-09-10 Клеено Аб Жидкостная система для очистительной машины
WO2019020264A1 (fr) * 2017-07-27 2019-01-31 Robert Bosch Gmbh Dispositif de nettoyage
CN113693484A (zh) * 2017-07-27 2021-11-26 罗伯特·博世有限公司 清洁装置
US11490771B2 (en) 2017-07-27 2022-11-08 Robert Bosch Gmbh Cleaning device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU4978693A (en) 1994-04-12
WO1994006343A1 (fr) 1994-03-31
WO1994006344A1 (fr) 1994-03-31
AU4978593A (en) 1994-04-12
AU4978493A (en) 1994-04-12

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