WO2022043592A1

WO2022043592A1 - Device for removing solid waste and disinfecting the sole of footwear

Info

Publication number: WO2022043592A1
Application number: PCT/ES2021/000027
Authority: WO
Inventors: Antonio Gallego Velez
Original assignee: Antonio Gallego Velez
Priority date: 2020-08-25
Filing date: 2021-07-09
Publication date: 2022-03-03
Also published as: ES1260994Y; ES1260994U

Abstract

Disclosed is a device for removing solid waste and disinfecting the sole of footwear to remove particles adhered to the sole and disinfect it, the device being characterised in that it comprises two separate but couplable modules for cleaning/disinfection and drying. The cleaning-disinfection device comprises an external body having a cover provided with an opening, and a movable tray. The external body comprises several racks, a battery and support springs to support the movable tray, the tray being provided with rotary brushes having toothed wheels that mesh with the racks. A support bar is installed in a position equidistant between two brushes. The drying module contains a block with drying fabric. The movable tray, with disinfecting liquid, has ultraviolet lamps. The end brushes rotate in opposite directions. A presence sensor instructs the ultraviolet lamps to switch on. The drying fabric has absorbent terry-type cloth with a sponge layer, and the brushes are rotated by an electric motor.

Description

DESCRIPTION

DEVICE TO ELIMINATE SOLID RESIDUE AND DISINFECT THE SOLE OF THE

FOOTWEAR

TECHNICAL OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention refers to an apparatus conceived for the elimination of solid residues adhered to the sole of footwear, complementing it with its disinfection so that pathogenic elements disappear.

The apparatus is shown in the form of a bucket containing water to which a disinfectant element is added. In addition, the bucket is equipped with five rotating brushes, with or without a motor, which are intended to remove solid residues from the soles of shoes. Ultraviolet radiation is also used for disinfection. TECHNICAL SECTOR TO WHICH THE INVENTION RELATES

The invention that is presented affects the Sector of Current Necessities of Life, chapter of Personal or Domestic Objects in relation to objects for personal use and brushes, influencing, from the industrial point of view, the manufacture of complements and accessories destined for the shoe cleaning.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the field of shoe cleaning there are many registered antecedents as footwear, today, is a universal garment

However, the known inventions are especially related to the cleaning of the visible part of the footwear, that is, with regard to the polishing and protection of the skin or leather with which they are manufactured.

Among them the following can be mentioned:

- ES-0127224 U A brush for cleaning shoes

- ES-0197234 U Device for cleaning and polishing footwear

- ES-0250181 U Electric shoe brush

- ES-0275113 U Manual electric shoe cleaning device

- ES-0321528 A3 Improvements in shoe cleaning machines Some describe brushes for manual use and others describe machines with two rotating brushes so that the user brings the shoe closer to the first brush, which the machine itself impregnates with cream or polish, proceeding with cleaning in the area of the tip, instep and sides. Then the shoe is brought closer to the other brush that is intended to give shine. Inventions conceived for cleaning the interior of shoes are also known, such as the one registered with patent number ES-2299370 A1 entitled "Brush for cleaning the interior of footwear with dry foam spray" that has had other documents that perfect said invention . The invention described in this document relates to a device intended for cleaning shoe soles. Patent ES-2060483 A1 entitled "Cleaning apparatus for shoe soles" is known in this formula, which is the closest to the one described here. However, there are substantial differences that notably improve the cited patent, including important improvements that are related not only to the cleaning operation but also to the disinfection operation, which, at the present time, is very topical due to a pandemic that is requiring taking very exceptional measures in the field of cleaning in general.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As indicated above, the invention describes an apparatus designed for the elimination of solid residues adhered to the sole of footwear, complementing it with its disinfection.

The device is made up of two independent and associable modules. The first module is the one for cleaning and disinfection. It is hollow with a parallelepiped external shape with a rectangular base, inside which the liquid cleaning mixture is deposited and where five rotating brushes are installed, related to each other by means of gears that move pushed by vertical racks joined to a platform of horizontal bars where the brush sits. shoe to be cleaned When a person wants to proceed with the cleaning, they place the corresponding foot on the platform and press down, turning the set of brushes that clean the sole. When the pressure is released, the platform rises to its initial level thanks to the existence of recovery springs, repeating the cycle as many times as the user wants.

The liquid deposited on the bottom has a sufficient level to moisten the brushes, the set of liquid and brushes being illuminated by ultraviolet radiation that is emitted from sealed sources installed on the bottom or on the side walls of the module. It is preferably supplied by a battery or by direct connection to the network, with a mechanical switch or presence detector that activates ultraviolet radiation as soon as the user sets foot on the platform.

The other module is intended for drying the sole, also having a parallelepiped shape with a rectangular floor plan, of lower height than the cleaning module, being equipped, at the base top, of a towel-type cloth, replaceable, supported by a layer of soft, spongy material that facilitates drying.

In a second improved embodiment, the rotating brushes are driven by a motor installed in the drying module, whose shaft delivers power to the existing gear mechanism in the cleaning and disinfection module.

In the section of figures that follows, as an inseparable part of this document, the details that allow understanding the main characteristics of the invention are indicated. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Eight figures are inchjyen, which are considered sufficient for the correct interpretation of the invention.

Figure 1 represents the plan view of the cleaning and disinfection module. The following items have been noted:

1.- Cleaning and disinfection module

2.- Cover

2.1.- Roof window

3.- Support bar

4.- Brush

Figure 2

Represents the plan view of the drying module. The following items have been noted:

8.- Drying module

9.- Lid

9.1.- Cover window

10.- Thyme

11.- Blotting tissue

Figures 3, 4 and 5

They are the schematic profile (Fig.3), side (Fig.4) and top (Fig.5) views of the cleaning and disinfection module. In (Fig.5) the cover has been removed to better visualize the interior elements.

4.1. - gear wheel 5.- Disinfectant liquid

6.- Ultraviolet lamp

7.- Battery

12.- External body

13.- Zipper

14.- Mobile bucket

15.- Spring

Figures 6, 7 and 8 are the schematic profile (Fig.6), side (Fig.7) and top (Fig.8) views of the drying module that has been represented without the cover.

16.- Support block

DETAILED EXPLANATION OF MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Device for removing solid waste and disinfecting the sole of footwear (Figs. 1 to 8), designed to remove dirt adhering to the sole of footwear, complementing it with its disinfection which, in a way preferred embodiment by its inventor, it is made up of a cleaning and disinfection module (1) and a drying module (8). Both modules are independent although they can be associated, at the user's will, forming a single block. They are represented in top view plan in (Figs.1 and 2).

The cleaning and disinfection module (1) (Figs.1, 3, 4 and 5) has an external body (12). with a rectangular floor plan, in the upper part of which a cover (2) is attached, equipped with a cover window (2.1) having in its interior a mobile tray (14) that admits vertical movements sliding, with a small play, with respect to the external body (12).

Several linear racks (13) are integrated in the two longer interior walls of the external body (12), vertically, the teeth of which are oriented to the right or to the left for operating reasons that are explained later. These racks (13) can be configured in the manufacturing process of the external body (12) with suitable molds or can be incorporated as independent pieces, making them solid by means of any of the usual procedures.

In addition, the external body (12) has a compartment for housing a battery (7) and its base serves as a support and fastening for a series of springs (15), as shown in (Figs. 3 and 4 ). where it is observed that the mobile bucket (14) rests on the upper part of said springs (15). Essential elements of the invention are incorporated in the mobile bowl (14), since five brushes (4) are installed in it, which can rotate on existing bearings on the side walls of the mobile bowl (14). Each one of the axes extends towards the outside of the mobile bowl (14) and at both ends of each one of them there are joined toothed wheels (4.1) designed to engage with the corresponding racks (13).

Near the upper edge of the mobile bowl (14), in a centered position between each two brushes (4), support bars (3) are installed to position the shoe during the cleaning process. As there are five brushes (4), four gaps are formed between them, so the number of support bars (3) is four. On the other hand, according to the function of the support bars (3) that we have just mentioned, it is logical that the size of the roof window (2.1) must be wide enough for any shoe to pass comfortably through the hole in the roof. said window. As for the height of the brushes (4) with respect to the support bars (3), the upper part of the brushes protrudes in the order of one cm. of the tangent plane defined by the bars, that is, of the virtual plane where the shoe rests.

The mobile basin (14) is filled with disinfectant liquid (5) up to a level that exceeds the lower part of the brushes (4) so that they are impregnated with the aforementioned disinfectant liquid (5) and carry out a good cleaning and disinfection operation.

As for the operation of the cleaning and disinfection module (1), once its general configuration has been explained, it is very simple, since it is enough for the user to place the shod foot on the support bars (3) and press down overcoming the force necessary to deform the set of springs (15). The effect of said action is that the toothed wheels (4.1), when engaging in the racks (13), generate a rotating movement in the brushes (4) which, consequently, rub the sole of the footwear with their bristles, cleaning them. When the person relaxes the pressure, the energy stored in the springs (15) is released, which pushes the mobile tray (14) up to its highest position. This action can be repeated as many times as deemed necessary until the user has finished cleaning the footwear on one foot and decides to start on the other.

It should be noted that the position of the racks (13) with respect to the toothed wheels (4.1) defines the direction of rotation of the corresponding brushes (4). Taking this into account and in order to minimize possible splashes, the installation is made in such a way that the two brushes closest to each of the sides of the mobile bowl (14) turn towards the inside of the bowl, the rotation of the bowl being indifferent. central brush that can be installed for a left or right turn. In (Fig.4) it can be seen that the two racks (13) on the right have the teeth on the right side of the corresponding toothed wheels (4.1) and that the other racks, located on the left side, have the teeth on the left side of their corresponding toothed wheels (4.1).

As for the disinfection derived from the action of the disinfectant liquid (5) contained in the mobile basin (14), it is complemented by the action of the rays emitted by the ultraviolet lamps (6) installed on both sides of said basin. There is a presence detector (not shown) which, as soon as it detects that the footwear is positioned on the support bars (3), commands the switching on of the ultraviolet lamps (6) powered by the battery (7).

The drying module (8), represented in (Figs. 2, 6, 7 and 8) has a plan similar to that of the cleaning and disinfection module (1) although its height is about half.

It is made up of a support block (16) on the top of which is placed a blotting fabric (11) made up of a towel-type cloth and complemented by a spongy layer. In (Figs.6, 7 and 8) the arrangement of this blotting fabric (11) on the support block (16) can be seen.

When placing the lid (9), equipped with the lid window (9.1), fastening it with screws (10) or any other means, such as a quick-closing device, the blotting fabric (11) is shown as shown in the (Fig.2).

Once the cleaning and disinfection operation is finished, the footwear is lightly rubbed on the blotter (11) and the process is finished.

In a second embodiment, the movement of the brushes (4) is achieved by means of an electric motor installed in the drying module (8). In this case, it is necessary that said module and the cleaning and disinfection module (1) are coupled side by side and properly secured to prevent them from separating.

It is not considered necessary to make the content of this description more extensive so that a person skilled in the art can understand the scope and advantages derived from the invention, as well as develop and put into practice the object of the same. However, it should be understood that the Invention has been described according to preferred embodiments thereof, so it may be subject to modifications without this affecting or implying any alteration to the basis of said invention. In other words, the terms in which this preferred description of the invention has been set forth should always be taken broadly and not limitingly.

Claims

1. Device for removing solid waste and disinfecting the sole of footwear designed to remove dirt adhering to the sole of footwear, complementing it with disinfection, characterized by consisting of a cleaning and disinfection module (1) and a disinfection module drying (8) being both independent modules although they can be coupled, at the user's will, forming a single block. The cleaning and disinfection module (1) has an external body (12), with a rectangular floor plan, on whose upper part a cover (2) is attached. equipped with a cover window (2.1) having inside a mobile tray (14) that admits vertical movements sliding, with a small play, with respect to the external body (12). Several racks (13) are integrated in the two longest interior walls of the external body (12), in a vertical direction, with a compartment for housing a battery (7) and a series of springs (15), which serve as supporting the mobile bucket (14) where five rotating brushes (4) are installed, provided, at the ends of their axes, with toothed wheels (4.1) that mesh with the corresponding racks (13). In an equidistant position, between each two brushes (4), a support bar (3) is installed.

The drying module (8) is made up of a support block (16) on top of which a blotter (11) is placed, immobilized by means of a lid (9.1).

2. Device for removing solid waste and disinfecting the sole of footwear, according to the first claim, characterized in that two ultraviolet lamps (8) are installed in the mobile bucket (14).

3. · Device for removing solid waste and disinfecting the sole of footwear, according to the first claim, characterized in that the mobile bucket (14) contains disinfectant liquid (5) inside.

4.- Device for removing solid waste and disinfecting the sole of footwear, according to the first claim, characterized in that each pair of end brushes (4) rotates in opposite directions to those of the other end as a result of the position of the zippers (13) with respect to to the gear wheels (4.1).

5. Device for removing solid waste and disinfecting the sole of footwear, according to the first and second claims, characterized in that a presence detector (not shown) commands the switching on of the ultraviolet lamps (6) powered by the battery (7).

6. Device for removing solid residues and disinfecting the sole of footwear, according to the first claim, characterized in that the blotting fabric (11) is made of an absorbent towel-type fabric complemented with a spongy layer.

7. Device for removing solid waste and disinfecting the sole of footwear, according to the first claim, characterized in that the brushes (4) rotate driven by an electric motor.