WO2013131541A1

WO2013131541A1 - Cleaning device made of foam having an abrasive surface

Info

Publication number: WO2013131541A1
Application number: PCT/EP2012/004876
Authority: WO
Inventors: Karl-Ludwig Gibis; Marc Hunger
Original assignee: Carl Freudenberg Kg
Priority date: 2012-03-07
Filing date: 2012-11-26
Publication date: 2013-09-12
Also published as: EP2822436A1; DE102012004331A1; US20150059111A1

Abstract

A cleaning device (4, 4a, 4b, 4'b, 4c, 4'c, 4d, 4'd) for cleaning surfaces comprising a main body (5, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) made of foam, is characterised, in regard to the task of designing and improving a cleaning device of the type mentioned above such that it has an abrasive surface with which liquid, but at the same time hair and dirt particles, can be reliably collected, in that flock material (2, 2d) is assigned to the main body (5, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) and the flock material (2, 2d) is arranged on a surface (6, 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) of the main body (5, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) which can face a floor surface to be cleaned.

Description

CLEANING MACHINE FROM FOAM WITH

ABRASIVE SURFACE

description

Technical area

The invention relates to a cleaning device according to the preamble of

Patent claim 1.

State of the art

Cleaning devices for floor cleaning are already known from the prior art, which have a base made of foam.

The main body can suck in an advantageous manner with liquid and deliver it to a floor surface to be cleaned. In addition, such a body can be wrung out easily and thereby be rid of water. A non-liquid filled foam body can accommodate a liquid film from a bottom surface due to its capillary action.

In practice, it is often necessary to remove stubborn dirt from one

To dissolve floor surface. Furthermore, it is often necessary to pick up breadcrumbs, hair or grains of sand from a bottom surface.

CONFIRMATION COPY The known from the prior art cleaning devices often do not meet the requirements mentioned above. Against this background, a cleaning device has become known from US 2004/018 72 40 A1, which is relatively cumbersome to handle since bristles are arranged separately on a handle.

If these bristles are damaged or worn, substantial parts of the cleaner must be replaced. Moreover, cleaning of the bristles is difficult because they are designed relatively inflexible.

The invention is therefore based on the object, a cleaning device of the type mentioned in such a way and further, that this has an abrasive surface, with which liquid but at the same time hair and dirt particles can be reliably absorbed. The present invention achieves the aforementioned object by the features of patent claim 1.

An inventive cleaning device for cleaning surfaces, in particular for floor cleaning, comprises a base body

Foam.

According to the invention it is provided that the base body flock material is assigned, wherein the flock material is arranged on a surface of the base body, which is zuwendbar a floor surface to be cleaned. According to the invention it has been recognized that a flock material has relatively hard and resistant fibers which can develop a abrasive effect. With the help of the flocking material, stubborn dirt can be removed from the floor surface. In addition, it can be ensured with a suitable arrangement of the flock material that hair, crumbs and / or dirt particles are absorbed by the flock material. In

According to the invention, it has been recognized that a relatively softer

Foamed body can be provided by the flock material with an abrasive property. It has been concretely recognized that the advantages of the foam, namely its water storage capacity, can be combined with the advantages of a hard surface, namely the flock material.

Since the flocking is mounted on the usual wiping surface, the user can use the flocked areas easily and without, in particular anatomically, unfavorable angles of attack for the removal of dirt.

The life of the flocking is adapted to the life of the foam, so that when it is replaced an original quasi-as new cleaning power can be achieved. The flocking is applied to the flexible foam. As a result, when cleaning the cleaner in the water better cleaning of the fibers of the

Flock material given because they can move relative to each other. Surprisingly, in comparison with a conventional foam, there is a tremendous increase in the ability to clean with regard to the removal of stubborn dirt, the absorption of hair, namely by more than 200%, and particulate dirt. This is accompanied by a slight flushability of the foam together with flock material. In that regard, a cleaning device is specified, which achieved the object mentioned.

The flock material could be arranged in an insular manner and / or in regions isolated on the surface such that it is not completely covered by flock material. The island-like arrangement ensures that channels or spaces are formed between individual islands of flock material. In these channels or spaces hair and dirt particles can be easily taken and taken. The isolated in areas

Arrangement of flock material on the surface ensures that a sufficiently large area is not covered by flock material. The surface not covered by flock material is available for receiving liquid from a floor surface or for delivering liquid to the floor surface.

Against this background, the flock material could be fibers and a

Include adhesive matrix, wherein the fibers are injected into the adhesive matrix such that free ends of the fibers protrude from the adhesive matrix. The fibers injected into the adhesive matrix are very firmly bonded to the adhesive matrix. Furthermore, the fibers are dense

arranged side by side so that they form a relatively hard tuft, which develops abrasive effects. The free ends of the fibers can detach stubborn dirt from a floor surface. The free ends of the fibers can be guided like a brush on a floor surface.

The flock material could have fibers whose thickness is in the range of 20 to 100 dtex. Surprisingly, it has been found that fibers of this strength are sufficiently stiff to develop an abrasive effect, but nevertheless Fine enough to absorb small particles of dirt between them like in a comb.

The flock material could have fibers whose Abragelänge is in the range 1 to 3 mm. Defragment length is understood to mean the area of a fiber which is not accommodated in the adhesive matrix. By a Abragelänge of 1 to 3 mm, the fibers are on the one hand sufficiently bendable and

on the other hand sufficiently hard and brittle. The flock material could be arranged directly on the base body made of foam. In this specific embodiment, the adhesive matrix is arranged directly on the base body. As a result, the surface of the foam is covered only by the adhesive matrices. All other areas of the surface of the foam are available for liquid delivery.

The flock material could be arranged on a layer which is applied to the base body made of foam. Against this background, it is conceivable that nonwoven or nonwoven fabric is laminated to the base body. Through this specific embodiment, the flock material in a

separate manufacturing step can be easily applied in a defined pattern on the location. In particular, in the arrangement of complex patterns, it makes sense initially to form them on a flat surface of nonwoven or nonwoven fabric and the nonwoven or the nonwoven fabric after training of the

Pattern when applied to the body to deform. This makes it easy to arrange complex patterns of flock material on a base with curved surfaces. On the main body grip or holding means could be arranged. By the handle or holding means, the cleaning device can be easily handled by hand. The grip or holding means could be designed as a head with a receptacle for a stem or have such. Through this concrete

Design can easily be screwed or latched a stem into the receptacle. So the cleaning device can easily for

Floor cleaning can be used. In particular, the cleaning device can be used as a mop.

The gripping or holding means could be designed as holding webs, which can be brought into engagement with a further device. The retaining webs can be inserted like a rail in a device. The device itself can be provided with a handle, which allows the finished

Easy to run cleaning device over a floor surface.

The flock material could be designed as an elongated edge, which runs along a sweeping edge of the base body, which is to be cleaned

Floor surface is zuwendbar. The oblong edge forms an isolated

arranged area of flock material on the surface of the body. This concrete embodiment can be solved with the sweeping edge of the body persistent dirt, with one of the sweeping edge

facing away from a liquid film can be absorbed by the bottom surface.

Against this background, a set could consist of a cleaning device of the type described herein and a dustpan, the dustpan having flocking material. This concrete embodiment can be a

Body of foam on the inner side walls of the dustpan be stripped off. The flock material can thereby hair and / or

Remove dirt particles from the body and absorb them. As already described, flock material is made in the fibers in a

Adhesive matrix to be shot. The fibers are concretely electrostatically fired into an adhesive, the fibers preferably having 22 dtex, 50 dtex or 100 dtex.

Against this background, the dustpan could have a support edge, is arranged on the flock material. As a result, the body can be stripped off when sweeping up dirt.

The dustpan could have an upper edge on which flock material is placed. The upper edge offers a particularly large stripping surface.

Brief description of the drawing

In the drawing show

Fig. 1 in the upper view of a plan view of a pattern

Flock material, which is arranged island-like and in regions isolated on a layer, in the lower view a sectional view of the layer,

Fig. 2 in the upper view, the position shown in FIG. 1, in the middle

View a cleaning device, in which the position is connected to a base body made of foam, in the lower view, a detailed view of an area of the

Cleaning device, Fig. 3 in the upper view is a perspective view of a

Cleaning device for floor cleaning, which is designed as a sponge, in the lower left view a sectional view of the cleaning device and in the lower right view a detailed view of the cleaning device,

Fig. 4 in the upper view another cleaning device for

Floor cleaning, which is provided with a head for receiving a stem, in the middle view a detailed

Representation of a portion of the cleaning device, in the lower left view sectional view of the cleaning device, in the lower right view, another embodiment of the cleaning device, wherein the flock material is arranged on two sides of the base body,

Fig. 5 in the upper view, another embodiment of a

Cleaning device, which is provided with a stem, in the lower left view, a sectional view of the cleaning device, in the middle lower view, another embodiment of the cleaning device, wherein the flock material on two

6 is a top view of a cleaning device whose base body is equipped with a sweeping edge made of flock material, in the lower left view a sectional view of the base body is arranged in the lower right view of the cleaning device, in the middle lower view, another embodiment of a cleaning device with two opposite Fegekanten flock material and in the lower right view θ detailed representation of a portion of the cleaning device with two Fegekanten,

7 is a perspective view of a dustpan with flock material

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the dustpan according to Fig. 7, wherein the

Sectional plane AA shown in FIG. 7, and

9 shows a further sectional view of the dustpan according to FIG. 7, wherein the sectional plane BB according to FIG. 7 is shown.

Embodiment of the invention

Fig. 1 shows in the upper view a layer 1, which is provided with a punctiform pattern of flock material 2. The flock material 2 is arranged like an island or in regions isolated on the layer 1. Between the flock material 2 free areas 3 are formed, in which hair and / or

Catch dirt particles. Fig. 1 shows in the bottom view a sectional view of the layer 1, protrudes from which flock material 2 with a height X. The situation 1 can as

Textile material, in particular as a nonwoven or nonwoven fabric, be configured.

Fig. 2 shows in the upper view, the layer 1 of FIG. 1, which on a cleaning device 4 for cleaning surfaces, in particular for

Floor cleaning, arranged.

Fig. 2 shows in the middle view a sectional view of

Cleaning device 4. The cleaning device 4 is a

Cleaning device 4 for cleaning surfaces, in particular for Floor cleaning comprising a main body 5 of foam. Flock material 2 is associated with main body 5, wherein flock material 2 is arranged on a surface 6 of main body 5, which is facing a floor surface to be cleaned. The flock material 2 protrudes at a height X from a layer 1 which defines the flock material 2 on the surface 6 of the main body 5.

Fig. 2 shows in the lower view a region Z, which is shown in the middle view. It is shown concretely that the flocking material 2 is arranged in an island-like manner and in regions isolated on the surface 6, which are not completely covered by flocking material 2. The flock material 2 is connected to the surface 6 via the layer 1.

The flock material 2 comprises fibers and an adhesive matrix, wherein the fibers are injected into the adhesive matrix such that free ends of the fibers protrude from the adhesive matrix. The flock material 2 has fibers whose thickness is in the range of 20 to 100 dtex. The flock material 2 has fibers whose Abragelänge is in the range 1 to 3 mm. Fig. 3 shows a further embodiment of a cleaning device 4a for cleaning surfaces, in particular for floor cleaning. In the upper view of Fig. 3, the cleaning device 4a is shown in perspective. The cleaning device 4a comprises a main body 5a made of foam. Flock material 2 is assigned to main body 5a, with flock material 2 being arranged on a surface 6a of main body 5a, which can be turned towards a bottom surface to be cleaned.

Fig. 3 shows in the lower left view a sectional side view of the cleaning device 4a. The flock material 2 protrudes with a height X from a layer 1. The designated area Z is in the lower right-hand view of FIG. 3 shown in detail. It is shown concretely that the flock material 2 is arranged on a layer 1, which is applied to the base body 5a made of foam. 4 shows a further embodiment of a cleaning device 4b. On the main body 5b grip or holding means 7b are arranged. The grip or holding means 7b have a head 8b for receiving a stem. The main body 5b is designed substantially prism-shaped. It has a pin-shaped strip 9b, which is nut- and spring-like received in the handle or holding means 7b.

In the middle view of FIG. 4, a region Z is shown in detail. There it is shown that the base body 5b protrudes flock material 2, which is arranged on a layer 1.

In the lower left view of Fig. 4, the cleaning device 4b is shown in a sectional side view. It is shown that the

Flock material 2 only from a convexly curved surface 6b of the

Base body 5b protrudes. The flock material 2 protrudes at a height X from a layer 1.

Fig. 4 shows in the lower right view of another embodiment. There, a cleaning device 4'b is shown, from the main body 5b on both sides

Flock material 2 protrudes. Concretely, two opposite are convex

curved surfaces 6b of the main body 5b, each provided with a layer 1, on which flock material 2 is arranged.

The surface 6b of the main body 5b is curved convexly outwardly. The main body 5b is in cross-section substantially as a ball triangle configured, wherein at one edge of the ball triangle, the pin-shaped bar 9b extends.

Fig. 5 shows a further embodiment of a cleaning device 4c. In this cleaning device 4c, the main body 5c is held in a clamp shape by grip or holding means 7c. The handle or holding means 7c is associated with a stem 10c. The grip or holding means 7c are integrally formed with the stem 10c. The grip or holding means 7c are provided with pin-like fastening means 11c, which pass through the main body 5c. The main body 5c is connected to a layer c, from which flock material 2 protrudes.

Fig. 5 shows in the lower left view a sectional view of

Cleaning device 4c. The flock material 2 protrudes from two surfaces 6c from the main body 5c. The surfaces 6c are oriented orthogonal to each other.

In the middle view of Fig. 5, another embodiment is shown. This cleaning device 4'c has a main body 5c, which has three surfaces 6c with flock material 2. Flock material 2 projects from each of these surfaces 6c. The flock material 2 protrudes at a height X from a layer 1c.

This is shown concretely in the lower right-hand view of FIG. 5. There, the area Z from the lower middle view of FIG. 5 is shown. Of the

The main body 5c has three surfaces 6c. In this case, two surfaces 6c are oriented parallel to one another and a surface 6c is oriented orthogonally to the two mutually parallel surfaces 6c. The flock material 2 can therefore protrude in this main body 5c in three directions from the main body 5c. Fig. 6 shows a further embodiment of a cleaning device 4d. In the upper view of FIG. 6 it is shown that the flock material 2d is configured as an elongate edge which extends along a sweeping edge 12d of the main body 5d, which can be turned towards the floor surface to be cleaned.

FIG. 6 shows in the lower left view that the flock material 2d projects from two surfaces 6d of the main body 5d that are oriented orthogonally to one another.

Fig. 6 shows in the lower middle view, another embodiment. This cleaning device 4'd has two Fegekanten 12d, on which each flock material 2d is arranged as an elongated edge. In the lower right-hand view of FIG. 6, it is shown in detail that the flock material 2d is arranged on a layer 1d. The right lower view of FIG. 6 shows the region Z, which is marked in the middle lower view of FIG. The elongated edge of flock material 2d is formed such that the flock material 2d protrudes from the main body 5d in two orthogonal directions.

In all exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the layer 1, 1c or 1d may be made of a nonwoven or a nonwoven fabric. Fig. 7 shows a dustpan 13, in particular for use in a set of a cleaning device of the type described here and a dustpan 13. The dustpan 13 has flock material 2.

FIG. 7 shows that the dustpan 13 has a bearing edge 14 on which flock material 2 is arranged. The flock material 2 is on outer areas arranged the support edge 14. The dustpan 13 has an upper edge 15, on which flock material 2 is arranged. The flocking material 2 is disposed at outer portions of the upper edge 15. Moreover, a rod-shaped protruding handle 16 is provided on the dustpan 13. The

Dustpan 13 also has a return surface 17. The flocking material 2 is disposed on the side of the reverse surface 17.

FIG. 8 shows a sectional view of the dustpan 13 according to FIG. 7, wherein the sectional plane AA according to FIG. 7 is shown, which runs through the handle 16 of the dustpan 13.

FIG. 9 shows a sectional view of the dustpan 13 according to FIG. 7, wherein the sectional plane BB according to FIG. 7 is shown, which extends through an outer region of the dustpan 13 offset in parallel with the handle 16.

Claims

claims

1. Cleaning device (4, 4a, 4b, 4'b, 4c, 4'c, 4d, 4'd) for cleaning

Surfaces comprising a base body (5, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) of foam,

characterized in that the base body (5, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) flock material (2, 2d) is assigned, wherein the flock material (2, 2d) on a surface (6, 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) of the body (5, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) is arranged, which is zuwendbar a floor surface to be cleaned.

2. Cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that the flock material (2, 2d) is arranged island-like and / or in areas isolated on the surface (6, 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) that they are not over the entire surface of flock material ( 2, 2d) is covered.

3. Cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the flock material (2, 2d) comprises fibers and an adhesive matrix, wherein the fibers are injected into the adhesive matrix such that free ends of the fibers protrude from the adhesive matrix.

4. Cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flock material (2, 2d) has fibers which are in the range 20 to 100 dtex.

5. Cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flock material (2, 2d) has fibers whose Abragelänge is in the range 1 to 3 mm.

6. Cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flock material (2, 2d) is arranged directly on the base body (5, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) made of foam.

7. Cleaning device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized

in that the flock material (2, 2d) is arranged on a layer (1, 1c, 1d) which is applied to the base body (5, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) made of foam.

8. Cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base body (5b, 5c, 5d) grip or holding means (7b, 7c, 7d) are arranged.

9. Cleaning device according to the preceding claim, characterized

in that the gripping or holding means (7b, 7c, 7d) are designed or have a head (8b) with a receptacle for a handle (10c, 0d).

10. Cleaning device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the grip or holding means (7b, 7c, 7d) are designed as holding webs, which can be brought into engagement with a further device.

11. Cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flock material (2d) is designed as an elongated edge, which along a sweeping edge (12d) of the body

(5d), which is zuwendbar the ground surface to be cleaned.

12. Set of a cleaning device according to one of the preceding

Claims and a dustpan, wherein the dustpan (13)

Flock material (2). Set according to claim 12, characterized in that the dustpan (13) has a support edge (14) on which flock material (2) is arranged.

Set according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the dustpan (13) has an upper edge (15) on which

Flock material (2) is arranged.