U.S. patent application number 09/742511 was filed with the patent office on 2001-05-03 for multi-functional cleaning machine.
Invention is credited to Robinson, Robert S..
Application Number | 20010000576 09/742511 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26745364 |
Filed Date | 2001-05-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010000576 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Robinson, Robert S. |
May 3, 2001 |
Multi-functional cleaning machine
Abstract
A particular multi-functional cleaning machine, in accordance
with the principles of the invention, includes a water-tank and a
liquid delivery line extending from the water tank to a
high-pressure spray gun. The liquid delivery line has an inner end,
a pump, and an outer end, with the inner end connected to the water
tank, and the outer end connected to the high-pressure spray gun.
The machine also has a cleaning-liquid draw line which is connected
to the liquid delivery line using a cleaning-liquid injector.
Because the machine has a separate cleaning-liquid draw line, an
operator is able to choose from among any of a number of different
cleaning liquids stowed in containers on the machine, and to draw a
particular liquid through the draw line, into the liquid delivery
line, where it may be combined with water from the water tank and
subsequently sprayed onto a surface to be cleaned. The machine also
incorporates a vac tank, a vacuum connected to the vac tank, and a
vac-hose assembly, thereby enabling a user to vacuum spent cleaning
solution and soil into the vac tank. Other aspects of the invention
include a grout cleaning tool, a plunger gun, a liquid transport
device, and a method of cleaning a soiled surface.
Inventors: |
Robinson, Robert S.;
(Hamilton, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WOOD, HERRON & EVANS, L.L.P.
2700 Carew Tower
Cincinnati
OH
45202
US
|
Family ID: |
26745364 |
Appl. No.: |
09/742511 |
Filed: |
December 20, 2000 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09742511 |
Dec 20, 2000 |
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09108411 |
Jul 1, 1998 |
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60065225 |
Nov 13, 1997 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
134/169C ;
134/21; 15/321; 15/322; 15/401 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 11/4016 20130101;
E03C 1/304 20130101; A47L 11/34 20130101; A47L 11/4027 20130101;
A47L 11/4083 20130101; B08B 2203/0229 20130101; A47L 11/4019
20130101; A47L 11/30 20130101; A47L 11/4008 20130101; B08B 3/026
20130101; A47L 11/4091 20130101; B08B 9/0321 20130101; A47L 11/4011
20130101; A47L 11/4013 20130101; A47L 11/4036 20130101; A47L
11/4088 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
134/169.00C ;
134/21; 15/321; 15/322; 15/401 |
International
Class: |
B08B 003/04; B08B
005/04; A47L 009/06 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A multi-functional cleaning machine, comprising: a water tank; a
liquid delivery line having an inner end, a pump, and an outer end,
the inner end connected to the water tank; a cleaning-liquid draw
line connected to the liquid delivery line; a vac tank; and a
vacuum connected to the vac tank.
2. The machine of claim I further including a cleaning liquid
injector connecting the cleaning-liquid draw line to the liquid
delivery line.
3. The machine of claim 2 wherein the cleaning-liquid draw line is
connected to the liquid delivery line between the pump and the
outer end.
4. The machine of claim 1 further including a liquid return line
connecting the pump to the water tank.
5. The machine of claim 4 wherein the liquid return line includes
an unloader.
6. The machine of claim 4 wherein the liquid return line is
directly connected to the pump.
7. The machine of claim 1 wherein the cleaning-liquid draw line is
releasably connectable to a cleaning liquid container.
8. The machine of claim 7 wherein the cleaning-liquid draw line
includes a quick disconnect member and a corresponding quick
disconnect member.
9. The machine of claim 1 wherein the cleaning-liquid draw line
includes a chemical proportioning element.
10. The machine of claim 9 wherein the element is removable.
11. The machine of claim 1 further including a spray gun
connectable to the outer end of the liquid delivery line.
12. The machine of claim 1 wherein the spray gun has a low-pressure
spray mode and a high-pressure spray mode.
13. The machine of claim 1 wherein the vac tank includes a vac
intake port.
14. The machine of claim 1 wherein the vac tank includes a stand
pipe having an upper opening.
15. The machine of claim 14 wherein the vac tank includes a float
closure capable of closing the upper opening.
16. The machine of claim 14 wherein the vacuum includes a suction
intake, and the stand pipe is connected to the suction intake.
17. The machine of claim 1 wherein the vac tank includes a
reinforcing member.
18. The machine of claim 1 wherein the vacuum includes an exhaust
outlet, the machine further including a muffler connectable to the
exhaust outlet.
19. The machine of claim 1, wherein the vac tank includes a vac
intake port, the machine further including a wet-vac floor
vacuuming assembly connectable to the vac intake port.
20. The machine of claim 1 wherein the vacuum includes an exhaust
outlet, the machine further including a blow-dry assembly
connectable to the exhaust outlet.
21. The machine of claim 1 wherein the vac tank includes a
dirty-water outlet.
22. The machine of claim 21 further including a dump hose connected
to the outlet.
23. The machine of claim 22 wherein the machine has a front wall
including an elongated, recessed cavity, the dump hose positioned
substantially within the cavity when the dump hose is in a stowed
position.
24. The machine of claim 21 wherein the vac tank has a bottom wall,
with the bottom wall and the dirty-water outlet being sufficiently
high enough above the ground that, when the vac tank contains dirty
water, substantially all of the dirty water may be drained through
the outlet into a toilet of standard height.
25. The machine of claim 1 wherein the vac tank includes an access
port.
26. The machine of claim 25 further including a dry-vac canister
mountable on the access port.
27. The machine of claim 26 further including a dry-vac tool
assembly connectable to the dry-vac canister.
28. The machine of claim 1 wherein the water tank has a top wall,
the top wall including a recessed well sized to receive a cleaning
liquid container.
29. The machine of claim 1 wherein the water tank has a top wall,
the top wall including a fill port and a spillway extending from
the fill port toward the back of the water tank.
30. The machine of claim 1 wherein the water tank has a front wall
and the vac tank has a back wall oriented toward the water tank
front wall, the water tank front wall and the vac tank rear wall
each having a longitudinal recess, thereby creating a passageway
outside the water tank and vac tank, the passageway containing the
cleaning-liquid draw line and electrical wiring.
31. The machine of claim 1 further including a cleaning-tool
stowing assembly, the stowing assembly comprising a strap having a
first end and a second end, the first end secured to the machine,
the second end releasably securable to the machine, thereby
enabling a user to position a cleaning tool between a wall of the
machine and the strap, and releasably secure the second end to a
wall of the machine.
32. The machine of claim 31 wherein the first end is secured to a
wall of the machine, and the second end is releasably securable to
an adjacent wall of the machine.
33. The machine of claim 32 wherein the wall and the adjacent wall
have an interior angle, the interior angle being about 90 degrees
or less.
34. The machine of claim 1 further including an upper wrap
projection and a corresponding lower wrap projection.
35. The machine of claim 1 further including a grout cleaning tool
connectable to the water tank and the vac tank, the grout cleaning
tool comprising: a housing having a front, a back, a top surface, a
left side, and a right side, the top surface including a liquid
delivery opening and a soil uptake opening; and a flexible wall
having a front portion depending from the front and a back portion
depending from the back, thereby forming a blast chamber between
the front and back portions.
36. The machine of claim 1 further including a carpet extractor
tool connectable to the water tank and the vac tank.
37. The machine of claim 1 further including a plunger gun
connectable to the water tank, the plunger gun comprising: a
high-pressure spray gun including an elongated barrel; and a
plunger bulb connected to the barrel, the plunger bulb releasably
sealable about a conduit opening of a conduit, thereby enabling
water under an elevated pressure to be controllably delivered into
the conduit.
38. A grout cleaning tool for use with a high-pressure liquid
supply and a vacuum supply, comprising: a housing having a front, a
back, a top surface, a left side, and a right side, the top surface
including a liquid delivery opening and a soil uptake opening; and
a flexible wall having a front portion depending from the front and
a back portion depending from the back, thereby forming a blast
chamber between the front and back portions.
39. The tool of claim 38 wherein the wall further includes a left
portion depending from the left side, and a right portion depending
from the right side.
40. The tool of claim 39 wherein the wall is continuous.
41. The tool of claim 39 wherein each of the housing left and right
sides has an end, at least one of the left and right wall portions
extending laterally outward beyond the left or right housing end,
respectively, thereby creating an air intake into the blast
chamber.
42. The tool of claim 38 wherein the wall includes an interior
surface, an exterior surface, and a base surface having an outer
edge, the outer edge having serrations which extend upward along
the exterior surface of the wall.
43. The tool of claim 38 wherein the liquid delivery opening
includes a blast chamber orifice having a diameter of about 0.05
inch or less.
44. A plunger gun for use with a high-pressure liquid supply,
comprising: a high-pressure spray gun including an elongated
barrel; a plunger bulb connected to the barrel, the plunger bulb
releasably sealable about a conduit opening of a conduit, thereby
enabling a liquid under an elevated pressure to be controllably
delivered into the conduit.
45. A liquid transport device, comprising: a liquid conduit having
a first end with a liquid-receiving opening and a second end with a
liquid-dispensing opening, the liquid conduit further having a
conduit-reinforcing member; and a faucet fastener connected to the
liquid conduit.
46. The device of claim 45 wherein the liquid conduit includes a
length of hose.
47. The device of claim 46 wherein the hose includes rubber.
48. The device of claim 47 wherein the rubber is natural
rubber.
49. The device of claim 45 wherein the liquid conduit includes an
outer liquid conduit, the outer liquid conduit having a passageway
for conveying liquid, the conduit-reinforcing member being
positioned in the passageway.
50. The device of claim 49 wherein the conduit-reinforcing member
has a rigidity which is greater than the rigidity of the outer
liquid conduit.
51. The device of claim 49 wherein the conduit-reinforcing member
is biased against the outer liquid conduit.
52. The device of claim 49 wherein the conduit-reinforcing member
is fastened to the outer liquid conduit with a fastener.
53. The device of claim 49 wherein the conduit-reinforcing member
is adjacent the second end.
54. The device of claim 45 wherein the faucet fastener includes a
Velcro.RTM. strap.
55. The device of claim 54 wherein the Velcro.RTM. strap is
adjacent the first end.
56. A method of cleaning a soiled surface, comprising the steps of:
providing a multi-functional cleaning machine, comprising: a water
tank containing water; a liquid delivery line having an inner end,
a pump, a cleaning liquid injector, and an outer end, the inner end
connected to the water tank; a spray gun connected to the outer end
and having a liquid passageway and a liquid outlet; a
cleaning-liquid container; a cleaning-liquid draw line connected to
the cleaning liquid container and to the cleaning liquid injector;
a vac tank; a vacuum connected to the vac tank; and a vac hose
connected to the vac tank; aiming the liquid outlet of the spray
gun at the soiled surface; opening the liquid passageway of the
spray gun, thereby spraying water and cleaning liquid onto the
soiled surface, the cleaning liquid being drawn from the
cleaning-liquid container, through the cleaning-liquid draw line,
into and through the cleaning-liquid injector, and through the
liquid delivery line and spray gun; adjusting the pressure of the
water passing from the water tank through the liquid delivery line
and spray gun; opening the liquid passageway of the spray gun,
thereby spraying rinsing water onto the soiled surface; and
vacuuming water, cleaning liquid, and soil from the soiled surface,
through the vac hose and into the vac tank.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. I. Field of the Invention
2. This invention is directed to multi-functional cleaning
machines, and in particular, to multi-functional cleaning machines
for use in cleaning areas of commercial, industrial, institutional,
and public buildings.
3. II. Description of Prior Art
4. Maintaining the cleanliness of commercial, industrial,
institutional, and public buildings is an ongoing effort, and at
times, an effort which seems more like a losing battle. This is
particularly true for areas such as restrooms, locker rooms,
cafeterias, and food service kitchens, where the volume of traffic
in the particular area may make it difficult to maintain the
cleanliness of the facility.
5. Building maintenance staff typically clean such areas on a
routine basis using traditional mop-and-bucket assemblies, in which
the bucket includes a detachable mop wringer, and is positioned on
caster wheels, thereby enabling a building maintenance person to
move the mop bucket from place to place, typically by pushing on
the mop handle. Depending on the cleanliness of the mop, a worker
may be able to make a good start in cleaning a floor using the mop
bucket system. However, as soon as the worker makes a first pass
and wrings the mop out, the entire mop bucket system is
contaminated. From that point on, each time the worker plunges the
mop into the bucket and rings the mop out, both the mop and
"cleaning water" become more and more dirty.
6. One way to attempt to solve this problem is to make frequent
water and mop changes. However, this adds time to an already
laborious process, and therefore, there is little worker incentive
to make frequent water and mop changes. Moreover, because a slop
sink, source of clean water, or custodial supply room may be far
away, a worker is even less inclined to make water and mop
changes.
7. The end result is that a dirty floor gets cleaned by pushing
dirty water around with a dirty mop. At best, the surface may have
the appearance of being cleaned if concentrated spots of highly
visible soil have been removed or spread around. In reality,
however, given the limitations of these tools, the worker still is
simply pushing dirt around the floor, as evidenced by the
"five-o'clock shadow" of dirt seen frequently along the surface of
walls adjacent the floor, as well as the "finger painting-like
streaks" left by the mop when the water on the floor dries.
8. The cleanliness problem may be especially severe in the
restrooms of these various buildings, and in fact, the number-one
building maintenance complaint is dirty restrooms. Given the
frequency with which these facilities are used, as well as the
tools available for cleaning restrooms, the dirty restroom
complaint is not particularly surprising. Building maintenance
workers typically use the mop-and-bucket system described above to
clean restroom floors. And, as noted above, while this system may
pick up some dirt, it tends more typically to spread dirty water
around on the floor. In addition, restrooms have many surfaces,
such as urinals, toilets, dividers, walls, mirrors, sinks, and
countertops, which simply cannot be cleaned using the
mop-and-bucket approach. The tools for cleaning these surfaces,
such as brushes, sponges, spray-bottle chemical disinfectants,
cloth wipes, and the like, are extremely hands-on, and therefore,
are less desirable to use. And, when chemical disinfectants
solutions are used, generally a worker will spray the solution onto
a surface, and wipe the solution off, either right away or within a
few minutes. However, a chemical disinfectant typically must remain
in contact with a surface for about ten minutes in order to kill
bacteria. Accordingly, little, if any, chemical disinfecting
actually is being done. Because these cleaning tools and methods
are relatively unpalatable, building maintenance workers tend to
clean these kinds of surfaces less frequently, and when they are
cleaned, they are not cleaned thoroughly. The sanitation
maintenance industry offers other pieces of cleaning equipment,
such as pressure washers, wet vacs, pump-up sprayers, and janitor's
carts. However, because of the limitations of several of these
tools, as well as their single-task focus, sanitary maintenance
professionals tend to use them in actual cleaning either
infrequently, or not at all.
9. Most pressure washers operate at a pressure of 1000 PSI and
above, a pressure which is far too high for many cleaning
applications. For example, if such a pressure washer were use to
mechanically clean a painted wall, it would blast the paint off of
the wall surface. On the other end of the pressure spectrum are
pressure washers having a pressure of about 100 PSI or less. And
because of the type of pump used in these low pressure sprayers,
the liquid exiting the sprayer actually has a far, far lower
pressure, for example, about 40 PSI. Although such a low-pressure
washer may be beneficial in applying a cleaning solution, it lacks
the mechanical power required to actually clean a particular
surface once the solution has been applied. Because pressure
washers generally include a single clean-liquid water tank or
container, both cleaning chemicals and water are loaded into this
same container, which may be damaging to the device, particularly
if a harsh cleaning chemical passes through a mechanical component,
such as a pump. Because most pressure washers do not have there own
water source, an operator must use a garden-type hose, and must
have ongoing access to a corresponding faucet throughout the
pressure washing process. Moreover, these pressure washers
generally lack a convenient on-board storage system for storing the
garden hose and power cord during transport.
10. Conventional wet-vacs provide a user with the ability to vacuum
soiled cleaning solution from a floor. However, movement of these
devices from place to place can be difficult because the vac hose,
wand, and various tools typically must be carried independently of
the wet-vac device. Furthermore, the drain outlet on such devices
is designed for draining into a custodial slop sink, thereby
requiring the user to take the wet-vac to a particular location in
order to drain the device.
11. Pump-up sprayers also are available, which enable a sanitation
maintenance worker to sprinkle a cleaning solution under
low-pressure onto a particular surface. In addition, the Industry
provides various mobile janitorial carts, which may include storage
shelves for various supplies, as well as a frame for a trash
bag.
12. As is apparent from the discussion of the various cleaning
tools presented above, sanitary maintenance professionals have a
variety of tools from which to choose. However, these tools are
either inadequate to do a proper cleaning job, or are so
task-specific that they become user-unfriendly, given the many
aspects involved in proper sanitation maintenance. Accordingly,
given the relative ineffectiveness and/or inefficiency of the
various tools available, particular facilities are not cleaned as
well or as frequently as they should be, and morale and job
satisfaction among many building maintenance professionals are
relatively low.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
13. The present invention provides an integrated, multi-functional,
cleaning center, suitable for use in any of a number of different
applications in the field of sanitary maintenance. To this end, and
in accordance with the principles of the invention, one aspect of
the invention is a multi-functional cleaning machine. The
multi-functional cleaning machine includes a water tank, a liquid
delivery line flowing from the water tank and capable of delivering
liquid to a surface to be cleaned, and a cleaning-liquid draw line
flowing into the liquid delivery line and capable of delivering a
cleaning liquid from an independent source into the draw line. The
cleaning machine further includes a vac tank capable of receiving
dirty cleaning solution, and a vacuum connected to the vac
tank.
14. The cleaning-liquid draw line enables a user to tailor the
cleaning machine to a specific application within seconds. In
particular, the user may select a first cleaning liquid to be used
in cleaning a surface by connecting the draw line to that liquid.
If a second (or third, or fourth, etc.) cleaning liquid is desired,
the user simply disconnects the draw line and re-connects it to the
second, or subsequent, cleaning liquid.
15. A particular version of the multi-functional cleaning machine
further includes a spray gun connected to the liquid delivery line.
In one form, the spray gun has a low-pressure setting and a
high-pressure setting. When a user operates the gun in the
low-pressure setting, cleaning liquid is drawn into the delivery
line, where it combines with water from the water tank to form a
cleaning solution. This cleaning solution then exits the spray gun
under a relatively low pressure which does not aerosolize the
cleaning solution. And because the solution does not get
aerosolized, the risk of a worker breathing cleaning solution is
dramatically lowered. When the user operates the gun in the
high-pressure setting, cleaning liquid is no longer drawn into the
delivery line, and water exits the spray gun at a relatively high
pressure. The power of this more-pressurized water is particularly
beneficial in mechanically cleaning a surface, and in rinsing
loosened dirt and cleaning solution from a surface, thereby
enabling a user to clean a surface thoroughly and prevent
surface-buildup of cleaning liquid.
16. The invention also includes a method of cleaning, using the
multi-functional cleaning machine. In contrast to traditional
cleaning methods, the method of the invention allows disinfecting
solutions to remain on soiled surfaces long enough for thorough
disinfecting actually to occur.
17. Another aspect of the invention is a grout cleaning tool for
use with a high-pressure liquid supply and a vacuum supply, for
example, the liquid delivery line and vacuum of the
multi-functional cleaning machine. The grout cleaning tool is
particularly useful for cleaning floors which include grout lines,
such as quarry tile and ceramic tile floors typically found in
commercial kitchens and restrooms. The tool includes a housing
having a front, a back, a top surface, a left side, and a right
side, with the top surface including a liquid delivery opening and
a soil uptake opening. In addition, the tool has a flexible wall
with a front portion depending from the housing front and a back
portion depending from the housing back, thereby forming a blast
chamber between the front and back portions. This design enables a
highly pressurized liquid to be delivered directly to a grout line,
thereby removing soil, such as caked-on dirt and grease, and
providing a cleaner and safer environment.
18. Yet another aspect of the invention is directed to a plunger
gun for use with a high-pressure liquid supply, for example, the
liquid delivery line of the multi-functional cleaning machine. The
plunger gun includes a high-pressure spray gun having an elongated
barrel, and a plunger bulb connected to the barrel. The plunger
bulb may be releasably sealed about a conduit opening, for example,
the opening of a toilet bowl or a drain pipe, thereby enabling a
liquid under high-pressure to be controllably delivered into the
conduit. While the plunger gun has many uses, it is particularly
beneficial for unstopping passageways, such as clogged toilets and
drains.
19. Another aspect of the invention is a liquid transport device.
The liquid transport device may be used in any of a number of
different sanitary maintenance situations, and is particularly
useful in transporting any type of liquid from a faucet or spigot
to another container. The device, itself, includes a liquid conduit
having a first end with a liquid-receiving opening, and a second
end with a liquid-dispensing opening, with the liquid conduit
further including a conduit-reinforcing member. The transport
device also has a faucet fastener connected to the liquid conduit.
The liquid transport device is especially beneficial in filling the
water tank of the multi-functional cleaning machine, in that it
enables a user to fill the water tank from any conventional faucet
without having to move the multi-functional cleaning machine to a
special janitorial closet or other specific location.
20. The various aspects of the invention discussed briefly above
combine to provide an effective and efficient cleaning tool, useful
in cleaning numerous areas in and around commercial, industrial,
institutional, and public buildings. Moreover, because the various
aspects of the invention allow a sanitation maintenance worker to
clean a particular room or facility more effectively, and to do so
without having to touch soiled surfaces directly with the hands,
the invention actually provides an incentive for these workers to
do a thorough cleaning job, and may even assist in boosting worker
morale.
21. These and other benefits and advantages of the invention will
be made apparent from the accompanying drawings and description of
the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
22. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in, and
constitute a part of, this specification, illustrate embodiments of
the invention, and, together with the general description of the
invention given above and the detailed description of the drawings
given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
23. FIG. 1 is a partially-broken-away side view of one version of
the multi-functional cleaning machine according to the principles
of the invention;
24. FIG. 2 is a partially-broken-away side view of another version
of the multi-functional cleaning machine in accordance with the
principles of the invention;
25. FIG. 3 is a generally-broken-away side view of the base unit of
the multi-functional cleaning machine shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,
showing a schematic flow diagram of various elements entering and
exiting the base unit;
26. FIG. 4 is a partial top view of the multi-functional cleaning
machines shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;
27. FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the
multi-functional cleaning machine, taken generally along line 5--5
of FIG. 4;
28. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the front wall of
the vac tank and base unit of the multi-functional cleaning machine
of FIGS. 1 and 2;
29. FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the
multi-functional cleaning machine taken generally along line 7--7
of FIG. 2;
30. FIG. 8 is a partially-broken-away side view of one version of
the liquid transport device of the present invention;
31. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a version of the grout cleaning
tool of the present invention;
32. FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of the grout cleaning
tool shown in FIG. 9;
33. FIG. 11 is another partial cross-sectional view of the grout
cleaning tool of FIG. 9; and
34. FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view of a version of the
plunger gun of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
35. With reference to FIG. 1, one version 6 of the multi-functional
cleaning machine 10 (Machine), in accordance with the principles of
the invention, includes: a water tank 12; a liquid delivery line 14
having an inner end 16, a pump 18, and an outer end 20, the inner
end being connected to the water tank; a cleaning-liquid draw line
22 connected to the liquid delivery line; a vac tank 24; and a
vacuum 26 connected to the vac tank. With reference to FIG. 2,
another version 8 of the Machine 10 includes these same
components.
36. As is evident from the particular machines 6, 8 shown in FIGS.
1 and 2, the multi-functional cleaning machine truly is a mobile,
cleaning center. In further detail, and as best shown in FIGS. 1-4,
the Machine includes a base unit 28 which houses several of the
Machine components, and which supports various tank assemblies. The
base unit further includes two large wheels 30 and two caster
wheels 32, thereby enabling a single person to move the Machine
from one location to another with ease. The top wall 34 of the base
unit serves as a platform for the water tank and the vac tank, both
of which are securely fastened to the base unit. These three
structural components combine to provide a framework for the
various cleaning systems and features of the multi-functional
cleaning machine. For instance, they serve as the frame-work for a
pressure washing system and a vacuum recovery system.
37. In the pressure washing system, and with reference to FIGS. 1
and 4, the top wall 36 of the water tank includes several recessed
wells 38, which may be used to receive and releasably hold various
cleaning items. Most advantageously, the wells are used to hold
spray bottles, jugs, or other containers 40 of various cleaning
liquids. The front right well 35 includes a round opening in its
base, and serves as a fill port 37 for filling the water tank with
clean water. This front right well also includes a peripheral
flange 39 along the base for supporting a container, such as a
spray bottle or the like. The central well 42 also includes a round
opening in its base, and serves as an additional access port 44.
This access port includes a peripheral flange 46 along the base for
supporting a container, for example, a gallon jug. As shown in
FIGS. 2 and 4, the top wall further includes a spillway 48
extending from the access port to the back of the water tank. The
spillway serves to direct water toward the back 50 of the Machine,
in the event that an operator accidentally overfills the water
tank. With respect to the recessed wells in the top wall of the
water tank, it should be understood that these wells may be made in
any of a number of different sizes and positioned in any of a
number of different alignments. For example, if desired, the top
wall of the water tank may be molded such that the recessed wells
have a shape or shapes which correspond with the proprietary shape
or shapes of a particular cleaning liquid company's containers.
Although any suitably sized water tank may be used, a water tank
having a capacity of about 20 gallons has been found to be
particularly beneficial.
38. With reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, the inner end of the liquid
delivery line is connected to a water intake opening 52 in the
bottom wall of the water tank, with the liquid delivery line
extending down into the base unit, where it subsequently exits from
the right sidewall 56 of the base unit, with the outer end of the
liquid delivery line being releasably connected to a high-pressure
spray gun. One suitable spray gun 58 is the MV910 spray gun
available from Pump Tech, Inc., Minneapolis, Minn. As best shown in
FIG. 3, the liquid delivery line includes a water tank-to-pump
section 60, the pump itself, a pump-to-cleaning-liquid injector
section 62, a cleaning-liquid injector 64, and an external section,
with the outer end of the external section being connectable with
the spray gun.
39. Although various types of pumps may be used, with the pumps
offering different gallon-per-minute (GPM) and pounds-per-square
inch (PSI) values, advantageously, the pump is a positive
displacement pump. Moreover, it has been found that particularly
beneficial results may be achieved with a positive displacement
pump having 400 PSI and 1.0 GPM performance characteristics. One
such pump is the Series 205 pump available from Pump Tech, Inc.,
Minneapolis, Minn. In addition, if desired, several of the other
components of the liquid delivery line may be obtained from Pump
Tech, Inc. as well. For example, the water tank-to-pump section may
be a Pump Tech 1/2inch KP hose, connected to the water tank and
pump using Pump Tech barbed tubing fittings. The
pump-to-cleaning-liquid injector section may be a Pump Tech pulse
hose having a male swivel at one end for connection to the pump,
and a female connector at the other end for connection to the
cleaning-liquid injector. If desired, a conventional in-line filter
(not shown) may be positioned in this pump-to-cleaning-liquid
injector section; for example, the filter may be threaded directly
to the injector. The cleaning-liquid injector advantageously Is a
venturi-type injector, in which the injection portion of the
injector becomes open or closed as a function of the pressure in
the portion of the liquid delivery line between the pump and the
spray gun. One suitable injector is the Pump Tech injector having a
1.6 millimeter injection orifice and a 3/8" male connection on each
side of the injector. The injector may be secured directly to a
Pump Tech bulk head fitting positioned on the right side of the
base unit, with the external section of the liquid delivery line
advantageously being a 50 foot length of Pump Tech's 1/4inch inner
diameter 300 PSI pressure hose. In addition, the water intake
opening of the bottom wall of the water tank includes a filter 68
which extends up into the interior space of the water tank. If
desired, the filter may be a 311 filter available from Custom
Plastics Manufacturing of Ontario, Calif. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 3,
the pressure washing system also includes a liquid return line 70
which includes an unloader 72. If desired, the unloader may be
connected directly to the pump, with the liquid return line
connecting the unloader to a return opening 74 in the bottom wall
of the water tank. Advantageously, the unloader may be a Pump Tech
MV510-350 unloader, connected to the pump using a Pump Tech reducer
and elbow, and connected to the water tank using Pump Tech's
1/2inch KP hose and a barbed tubing fitting on each end of the
hose.
40. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 3-5, one of the many highly beneficial
features of the Machine is the existence of an independent
cleaning-liquid feed system, which enables an operator to select
from any one of a number of different cleaning liquids positioned
in separate containers atop the Machine, and to have the selected
liquid drawn into the liquid delivery line downstream of the pump.
One of the many benefits of the particular versions of the Machine
in which the cleaning-liquid draw line enters the liquid delivery
line downstream of the pump is that any particularly harsh cleaning
liquid, such as an acidic chemical, does not pass through the pump
itself, thereby extending the life of the pump. This feed system
also allows an operator to switch from one cleaning-liquid to
another, quickly and easily, at anytime during the cleaning
process. In more detail, the cleaning liquid feed system includes a
cleaning-liquid draw line 22 extending from above the top wall of
the Machine, down through a passageway 76 between the water tank
and the vac tank, with the lower end 78 of the draw line being
secured to the injection port 80 of the cleaning-liquid injector.
If desired, a conventional in-line filter (not shown) may be
positioned along the cleaning liquid draw line; for example, the
Filter may be spliced into the draw line. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 4,
the portion of the draw line above the top wall may be connected
to, or disconnected from, any of a number of different containers,
through the use of a quick disconnect member 82, which mates with a
corresponding quick disconnect member 84. The upper end 86 of the
draw line includes a proportioning element 88 in the form of a
metering tip, with the proportioning element enabling a user to
select a desired ratio of cleaning-liquid-to water exiting from the
spray gun. In addition, because the proportioning element is
removable, an operator may select a particular proportioning
element from a series of elements having different sizes, thereby
enabling the operator to choose a different
cleaning-liquid-to-water ratio. Suitable metering tips are
available from Essential Industries of Merton, Wis.
41. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the Machine's vacuum system is a
multi-functional, multi-component system, including a wet-vac
assembly 90, a detachable dry-vac assembly 92, and a detachable
blow-dry assembly 94, any of which may be operated using the same
vacuum source. With reference to FIGS. 1-4, the top 96 of the vac
tank includes a vac intake port 98 having a vac intake nozzle 100
which is sized to slidingly engage with a hose cuff 102 on the
inner end 104 of a vacuum hose 106. The top of the vac tank further
includes a switch box 108 with switches 110 for operating the pump
and vacuum assemblies, as well as an access port 112. The access
port includes a threaded mounting ring 114 for engaging with a
corresponding threaded access port cover 116. The interior of the
vac tank includes a stand pipe 118 which is securely fastened to an
opening 120 in the bottom wall of the vac tank. A float closure 122
is connected to the top of the stand pipe, in order to prevent
liquid from entering into the pipe.
42. A vacuum motor assembly 124 is mounted in the base unit, with
the vacuum suction intake 126 being connected to the stand pipe via
a section of vac hose 128, and the vacuum exhaust nozzle 130
extending outward from the lower front wall of the base unit. The
vacuum motor assembly may be any suitable assembly. One such
assembly is vacuum motor model number 115937 available from the
Lamb Electric Division of Ametek Inc., Kent, Ohio. As best seen in
FIGS. 1 and 4, the vac tank also includes an elongated,
conically-shaped reinforcing member 134 extending from the vac tank
front wall 136 to the vac tank rear wall 138. This reinforcing
member is centrally positioned within the vac tank, with respect to
the vac tank top and bottom walls 96, 140, as well as the vac tank
left and right sidewalls 142, 144.
43. With reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 6, the front of the Machine
includes a hose wrap 146 for storing the vac hose when not in use.
The vac hose wrap is formed by a forwardly extending projection of
both the vac tank and the base unit, and includes an upper
retaining member 148 and a lower retaining member 150 which assist
in maintaining the vac hose in its stowed position. When the
Machine is prepared for use in the wet-vac mode, the wet-vac floor
vacuuming assembly is connected to the vac intake port. In more
detail, the wet-vac floor vacuuming assembly includes the vac hose,
a hand-held wand 152, and a floor squeegee tool 154. A suitable
wand is the 21AP5 wand from United Electric, Burlington, N.C., and
a suitable tool is the D370 floor squeegee tool from Wessel Werk,
Hillsboro, N.J. The floor squeegee and wand sub-assembly may be
removed from a stowed position (not shown) on the Machine. If
desired, the stowing position (not shown) may be on the front wall
of the vac hose wrap, and include a clamp on an upper portion of
the wrap front wall, and a cup-like receptacle on the lower portion
of the wrap front wall. If desired, the clamp may be a CLPR-150B C
clamp from Beckson Manufacturing, Bridgeport, Conn., and the
receptacle may be a conventional piece of PVC pipe having a cap on
the lower end. In addition, the vac hose may be unwound and removed
from the vac hose wrap, with one end of the vac hose being
connected to the wand, and the other end being connected to the vac
intake port, as shown in FIG. 1. Also as shown in FIG. 1, the
Machine includes a muffler assembly 156 which is attached to the
exterior of the base-unit bottom wall 158. This muffler assembly
includes a muffler 160 connected to a length of vac hose 162 having
a hose cuff 164 on the other end. If desired, the muffler assembly
may be used when the Machine is operated in either the wet-vac or
dry-vac mode, simply by inserting the muffler assembly hose cuff
into the vacuum exhaust nozzle. A suitable muffler is the 9835K27
muffler available from McMaster Carr of Aurora, Ohio.
44. If the Machine is to be operated in the dry-vac mode, an
operator simply removes the cover from the access port, and secures
a dry-vac canister 166 to the access port. The dry-vac canister
should be operated with a filter (not shown), such as a reusable
cloth filter or a disposable paper filter. As shown in FIG. 1, the
dry-vac canister includes a removable lid 168 and intake port 170
for connection to a dry-vac tool assembly. A suitable dry-vac
assembly is easily formed by attaching a conventional dry-vac tool
(not shown) to the hand-held wand, and connecting this sub-assembly
to the vac hose. Although any desired length of vac hose may be
used, a length of about 25 feet has been found to be beneficial.
Suitable vac hose material (for example 15N50WO vac hose), as well
as hose cuffs (for example, 150 ES cuffs) may be obtained from
United Electric of Burlington, N.C.
45. With reference to FIG. 2, if the Machine is to be operated in
the blow-dry mode, the muffler-assembly hose cuff is removed from
the vacuum exhaust nozzle, and a blow-dry assembly is attached to
the exhaust nozzle. The blow-dry assembly is conveniently formed by
attaching one end of the vac hose to the vacuum exhaust nozzle, and
connecting a blow-dry tool 172 to the other end of the vac hose
174. As one of ordinary skill will appreciate, a number of
different tools are available for use in the blow-dry mode. The
particular tool shown may be releasably secured to the Machine
using a conventional clamp, when not in use. One suitable clamp is
the CLPR-150B C clamp from Beckson Manufacturing. If desired, the
clamp may be positioned on the back wall of the water tank, toward
the top of the tank.
46. As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 6, the portion of the forwardly
projecting vacuum hose wrap formed by the water tank includes an
elongated, recessed cavity 176. At the base of this cavity, the vac
tank includes a dirty-water outlet 178 adjacent the vac-tank bottom
wall. The dirty-water outlet is connected to a flexible dump hose
180 having a removable extension plug 182 releasably connected to
its outer end 184. The dump hose may be made of the same vac hose
material described above, with a suitable expansion plug being the
2613K21 plug from McMaster Carr of Aurora, Ohio. In addition, the
upper portion of the recessed cavity includes a clamp 186 which
clamps about the upper end of the dump hose when the hose is in its
stowed, upright position. One suitable clamp is the CLPR-200B C
clamp from Beckson Manufacturing. Moreover, the dump hose is
positioned substantially within the elongated, recessed cavity when
it is in this stowed position. One of the many advantages of the
dirty-water outlet is its height above the level of the ground. In
particular, the outlet is high enough above the ground that, when
the vac tank contains dirty water to be drained, substantially all
of the dirty water may be drained through the outlet into a toilet
of standard height. Therefore, there is no need for an operator to
drain the water into a floor drain, which tends to overflow,
dirtying an already-cleaned floor surface. Moreover, if the Machine
is being used in a restroom, the operator does not have to move the
Machine to a specific custodial slop sink or drain, which may be
far away from the restroom being cleaned. If desired, the Machine
may be sized such that the dirty-water outlet is at least about 14
inches above ground level (standard toilet bowl height is about 14
inches) and advantageously, at least about 16 inches above ground
level.
47. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the Machine also includes easily
accessible wraps for stowing the external section 188 of the liquid
delivery line and the external section 190 of the power cord. In
more detail, the upper portion of the vac tank includes a liquid
delivery line upper wrap 192 on the right-hand side and a power
cord upper wrap 194 on the left-hand side. These upper wraps may be
used in conjunction with their corresponding left (not shown) and
right 196 lower wraps positioned on the left and right exterior
sidewalls of the base unit.
48. The multi-functional cleaning machine's power system may be
better understood with reference to FIGS. 3-5. The exterior end of
the power cord includes a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI)
198, which may be connected to any conventional 110 volt outlet.
The external section of power cord may be any desired length, with
50 feet having been found to be a particularly useful length. The
external power cord then enters the base unit through an opening
200 along the left sidewall, above the power-cord lower wrap (not
shown), where the appropriate wires are connected to a terminal
strip 202, as will be readily understood by one of ordinary skill
in the art. In addition, and with reference to FIG. 5, the toggle
switches of the switch box are wired using conventional wiring
techniques, with the electrical wiring 204 running from the switch
box, down through the passageway created by the vac-tank
longitudinal recess 206 and by the water-tank longitudinal recess
208, through the passageway opening 209 in the top wall of the base
unit, where the electrical wiring is connected to the power strip,
as will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. The
cleaning-liquid draw line shares this same passageway between the
water tank and vac tank, with the upper portion of the draw line
extending up through the switch box. The switch box is a separate,
rotationally molded part, which may be bolted onto the top wall of
the vac tank.
49. The multi-functional cleaning machine includes several other
features, all of which serve to enhance the usefulness of the
Machine as a mobile, multi-functional cleaning center, and to
enhance the effectiveness, productivity, and morale of the
personnel using the Machine. For example, the Machine includes a
cleaning tool stowing assembly. The particular version 210 of the
assembly shown in FIGS. 2 and 7 comprises a strap 212 having a
first end 214 and a second end 216, with the first end secured to
the right sidewall of the water tank, the second end releasably
secured to the back wall of the water tank, and the interior angle
217 between the walls being about 90 degrees. This stowing assembly
advantageously includes a loop pull 218 at the second end, and male
and female button fasteners 220, 222 adjacent the second end, for
quickly accessing and/or stowing a particular tool. The machine
further includes a receiving well 224 along the exterior of the
right sidewall of the base unit, which may be used to receive a
handle end-portion of a particular cleaning tool. The particular
version of the Machine shown in FIG. 2 also has a chassis 226 along
the bottom wall of the base unit. The chassis includes a first
elongated tube 228 connected to the right side of the base unit
bottom wall and a second elongated tube (not shown) connected to
the left side of the bottom wall of the base unit. The first
elongated tube supports a caster wheel at the front and a large
wheel at the rear, with similar wheels (not shown) being attached
to the second elongated tube. A suitable caster wheel is the 1G242
4 inch caster wheel assembly from Grainger of Cincinnati, Ohio, and
a suitable large wheel is the ten inch, rotationally molded,
polyethylene wheel from Industrial Farm Tank, Inc., Lewiston, Ohio.
In connecting the large wheels to the chassis, the chassis further
incorporates an axle (not shown) which is rigidly connected to the
elongated tubes. The large wheels then may be positioned on the
axle, with a conventional hubcap securing each wheel onto the
axle.
50. The particular version of the Machine shown in FIG. 2 also
includes an upper rearward extension 230. The extension is molded
as a part of the water tank, and includes a right-side rear
extension 232 having an upper wheel 234 and a left-side rear
extension also having an upper wheel (not shown). If desired, the
upper wheel may be a 3 inch, rubber wheel from Grainger of
Cincinnati, Ohio. The upper rearward extension further includes a
handle bar (not shown) running between the right-side and left-side
extension pieces. The handle bar is particularly useful in enabling
an operator to push or pull the cleaning machine in a desired
direction. In addition, because of the relatively compact size of
this particular version of the Machine, the Machine may be readily
stowed in a horizontal position, with the water-tank back wall 236
and the base-unit back wall 238 facing downward, and the Machine
resting on the upper wheels and the large wheels. Moreover, the
Machine may be conveniently loaded into a vehicle by leaning the
upper end of the Machine toward and onto the vehicle support
surface, and then rolling the Machine into the particular vehicle
using the upper wheels.
51. The particular version of the multi-functional cleaning machine
shown in FIG. 1 is quite similar to the version of FIG. 2. However,
the version shown in FIG. 1 is a longer Machine, having an
elongated chassis and correspondingly elongated wheel base.
Moreover, this unit includes an upper storage tray 240 and a lower
storage tray 242 for additional storage capacity onboard the mobile
machine.
52. The multi-functional cleaning machine may be made in several
convenient steps. In one particular method, each of the water tank,
vac tank, and base unit housings is made using traditional plastic
rotational molding techniques. The water tank is molded such that
it includes three threaded inserts (not shown) rotationally molded
into the bottom wall, and accessible from the bottom wall exterior
of the water tank, with one insert being centrally located in the
bottom wall of the water tank, a second insert being positioned in
the back left quadrant, and a third insert being positioned in the
back right quadrant. The bottom wall of the water tank further
includes a downwardly extending key (not shown) which fits into a
corresponding keyway (not shown) on the top wall of the base unit.
The exterior front wall of the water tank includes a threaded
insert (not shown) molded into the upper left and upper right
portions of the water tank, as well as a longitudinal keyway (not
shown) extending along part of the length of the front wall, for
engaging with a corresponding key (not shown) on the exterior back
wall of the tank. The molded water tank also has a longitudinal
recess along the front wall, which is used in forming the
passageway for receiving the electrical wiring and cleaning-liquid
draw line.
53. With regard to the vac tank housing, the bottom wall of the vac
tank includes three rotationally molded threaded inserts (not
shown), with one insert being centrally located in the bottom wall
of the vac tank, a second insert being positioned in the front left
quadrant, and a third insert being positioned in the front right
quadrant, with the three molded inserts being accessible from the
exterior of the vac tank bottom wall. As mentioned briefly above,
the back wall includes a key running along a portion of the length
of the vac tank, which corresponds with the keyway of the water
tank. In addition, the bottom wall of the vac tank includes a key
(not shown) extending along at least a part of the base of the
tank, in the direction of the front and rear walls, for engagement
with the corresponding keyway in the top wall of the base unit
housing. The vac tank housing also includes a portion of the vac
hose wrap, as well as various molded components along the top and
front walls of the vac tank housing. These molded components
include the vac intake port and an upper wrap projection on the
left and right sides for use in coiling the power cord and liquid
delivery line, respectively. The back-wall of the vac tank further
includes a longitudinal recess which, in combination with the
water-tank longitudinal recess, forms a passageway for the
cleaning-liquid draw line and electrical wiring.
54. The base unit housing includes a keyway extending along at
least a part of the length of the top wall of the housing between
the housing front and rear, for receiving the key portion of the
bottom wall of the water tank and the vac tank. In addition, the
base unit housing includes various molded portions, such as the
lower portion of the vac hose wrap along the front of the unit, as
well as the lower wrap projection on the left and right sides
corresponding with each upper wrap projection, for use in coiling
the power cord and liquid delivery line, respectively.
55. Once the three housing units have been manufactured, various
holes are formed in the units. For example, two side-by-side holes
(not shown) are formed in the bottom wall of the water tank, with
one of the holes serving as a water intake opening for water to
move into the liquid delivery line, and the other hole serving as a
return opening for water to return to the tank. A 52HD fitting
(having 3/8inch internal threads at both ends) from Custom
Plastics, Ontario, Calif. is spin welded into each hole. In
addition, two holes are drilled in the top wall of the water tank,
thereby forming the water-tank fill port and access port. With the
vac tank, a hole is formed in the front wall of the vac intake
port, and a No. 72 (11/2smooth) fitting is spin welded into the
hole, thereby forming the vac intake port nozzle. A hole is formed
in the front left quadrant of the bottom wall of the tank, with the
hole serving as a vacuum suction intake access port between the
stand pipe and the connecting hose leading to the vacuum suction
intake. A 56 DT fitting (11/2inch internal threading) from Custom
Plast hole. In addition, a hole (not shown) is formed in the upper
left and right quadrants of the back wall of the vac tank, and a
hole is formed in the front wall of the vac tank, near the base of
the elongated, recessed cavity, with this hole serving as the
dirty-water outlet for water to flow into the dump hose. A No. 72
fitting (11/2smooth) from Custom Plastics is spin welded into the
dirty-water outlet hole. With the base unit housing, holes are
formed in the top of the housing which correspond with the
side-by-side holes of the water tank, the stand-pipe hole of the
vac tank, and the elongated passageway leading downward between the
water-tank and vac-tank. Additionally, a hole is formed above the
left-side and right-side lower wraps through which the power cord
and liquid delivery line, respectively, will subsequently extend.
In the lower left quadrant of the front wall of the base unit (when
viewed from the exterior front), a hole is formed for the exhaust
nozzle of the vacuum assembly. In addition, a large rectangular
opening is cut in the bottom wall of the base unit housing, thereby
providing ready access to the interior of the housing for
installation of various components, such as the pump assembly, vac
assembly, and power strip.
56. At this point in the process, the water tank housing and vac
tank housing may be attached to one another. This is accomplished
by orienting the front wall of the water tank toward the back wall
of the vac tank. The bottom walls of the two housings are connected
to one another by running a metal strip along the bottom of the two
housings, from one centrally located threaded insert to the other
centrally located threaded insert, and installing a bolt through
each end of the strip and into the corresponding metal insert. The
water tank and vac tank housings are further secured to one another
by placing a bolt through each of the upper left and right
quadrants of the vac tank back wall, and threading each of these
bolts into the corresponding insert molded into the front wall of
the water tank.
57. With the water tank and vac tank housings connected together,
the water filter may be threaded into a spin weld fitting of the
water tank intake opening, followed by the installation of a
downwardly-connected hose barb connector. On the vac tank housing,
a mounting flange having internal threads is aligned with the
access port on the top wall of the vac tank, and the flange is
bolted to the top wall, with the flange capable of threadingly
engaging with the access port cover, as well as with the base of
the dry-vac canister. The dump hose may be connected to the fitting
of the dirty-water outlet by putting a silicone sealant onto the
fitting and/or interior of the hose, and placing a hose cuff on the
hose. At the other end of the hose, a 11/2inch length of aluminum
tubing (for example, a section of hose-wand material) may be
inserted into the hose end, to provide enhanced rigidity for the
outwardly expandable hose plug. The stand pipe is threaded into a
spin weld fitting of the vacuum suction intake access port on the
bottom wall of the tank, and the float closure is mounted to the
top of the stand pipe, and a thread-to-pipe adapter is attached to
the same spinweld fitting from the exterior of the vac tank bottom
wall. As shown in FIG. 1, the float closure 122 is hingedly
connected to the top of the stand pipe. In particular, the float
closure includes a pivot plate having a float bulb on one end and a
hemispherically-shaped sealing member, such as 1/2of a neoprene
rubber ball on the other end of the pivot plate. This pivot plate
is hingedly connected to a 11/2in female-to-female coupling using a
conventional plastic hinge, with the coupling further including a
mesh filter. This coupling is connected to a 11/2inch pipe thread
adapter, which is connected to the top of the stand pipe. In an
alternate, and perhaps more beneficial version (not shown) of the
float closure, the float closure is a rotationally molded unit
which is releasably connected to the top of the standpipe. In
particular, this particular unit includes a horizontal rectangular
element integrally connected to a depending jug- or flask-like
element. Both the horizontal rectangular element and the jug-like
element are hollow, with the jug-like element including a tapered
opening which narrows toward the top of the element, where the
element meets the horizontal rectangular element. The float chamber
includes a float ball, and the opening at the interface of the
jug-like element and horizontal rectangular element is sized such
that, when the float ball rises to the top of the jug-like element,
it forms a releasable seal, thereby closing off the opening between
the two elements, and preventing solution in the vac tank from
flowing into the stand pipe. In further detail, the float chamber
includes one or more apertures or ports which enable air, and
ultimately soiled solution, to enter into the float chamber.
Advantageously, a mesh filter bag is positioned around the exterior
of the float chamber, and secured about the top of the tapered neck
of the float chamber with a draw string or other similar device.
The horizontal rectangular element further includes a spin weld
fitting depending from its bottom wall, which releasably fits into
the top opening of the standpipe. If desired, the float ball may be
installed in the float chamber by drilling a hole in the base of
the chamber, placing the float ball in the chamber, and
subsequently closing the hole by spin welding a patch over the
hole.
58. At this point, the base unit housing may be secured to the
water tank/vac tank combination by positioning the key along the
bottom wall of the water tank and vac tank into the keyway along
the top wall of the base unit housing, while simultaneously
aligning the holes between the bottom surface of the water tank/vac
tank assembly and the top surface of the base unit housing. The
base unit then is bolted to the water tank and vac tank housings by
inserting bolts in the holes in the corner quadrants of the base
unit top wall and into the corresponding threaded inserts formed in
the bottom wall of the water tank and vac tank housings.
59. Prior to mounting the pump within the base unit housing, the
pump may be prepared by attaching the water tank-to-pump section of
line into a pump intake port, attaching the liquid-return line,
including the unloader, to a pump discharge port, and connecting
the pump-to-cleaning-liquid injector section of line to another
pump discharge port, with the other end of the section being
connected to the cleaning-liquid injector. The pump, itself, may be
bolted to the left inside wall of the base unit, with the vacuum
motor assembly being bolted to the right inside wall of the base
unit, and the terminal strip being bolted to the left inside wall
of the base unit. If desired, the vacuum assembly may be positioned
such that a portion of the motor, including the cooling fan
sub-assembly, is positioned within the cavity created by the lower
right wrap projection, as generally shown in FIG. 3. In addition,
once all components have been assembled and connected within the
base unit, a cover plate may be releasably secured to the bottom
wall, thereby covering the large access opening.
60. In use, the multi-functional cleaning machine is a highly
versatile, productive cleaning tool, suitable for use in a number
of different sanitary applications. For example, the Machine is
beneficial in cleaning restrooms. In this particular cleaning
application, as with any other application in which the Machine is
used, the Machine may be operated by a single person, or by a team
of people. If, for example, a two-person team is used, then various
features of the Machine may be used simultaneously.
61. One particular two-person method for cleaning a restroom using
the multi-functional cleaning machine involves a "gunner" and a
"loader". The gunner is the lead person, having overall
responsibility for the operation of the Machine, whereas the loader
follows the gunner's lead, and has primary responsibility for
supplies and for the preparation of the restroom for cleaning.
First, the gunner fills the water tank at a convenient water
source, by adding water through the fill port of the water tank,
using any of a number of traditional filling methods. The water
tank may be filled to within several inches of the top of the tank.
In the meantime, the loader may stock paper and soap dispensers,
flush fixtures, pick-up trash and large objects from the floor,
move chairs, trash cans and other movable objects out of the
restroom, and, if desired, place a walk-off mat in the doorway of
the restroom, to prevent tracking any water out into the
hallway.
62. Depending upon the layout of the particular building, or room
being cleaned, it may be beneficial to use a liquid transport
device, such as the device 244 shown in FIG. 8, to fill the water
tank. A liquid transport device is particularly advantageous
because it allows an operator to fill the water tank virtually
anywhere a faucet is located. For example, if a restroom is being
cleaned, a restroom sink faucet may be used, whereas if a cafeteria
or cafeteria kitchen is being cleaned, a kitchen sink faucet may be
used. Without the use of a liquid transport device, an operator may
be forced to move the machine to a different part of the building
in order to fill the water tank, thereby wasting valuable time.
However, a liquid transport device gives the operator fantastic
flexibility, in that the water tank may be filled wherever a faucet
is located. The version of the liquid transport device shown in
FIG. 8 includes a liquid conduit 246 having a first end 248 with a
liquid-receiving opening 250, a second end 252 with a
liquid-dispensing opening 254, and a conduit reinforcing member
256. The liquid transport device also includes a faucet fastener
258 connected to the liquid conduit, which enables the liquid
transport device to be releasably connected to a faucet 260. The
particular version of the liquid transport device shown in FIG. 8
includes an outer liquid conduit 262 in the form of a natural
rubber hose having a length of about five feet. The outer liquid
conduit has a passageway 264 for conveying water from the faucet,
with the conduit reinforcing member being positioned in the
passageway. The conduit reinforcing member shown is a length of spa
hose which has a rigidity greater than the rigidity of the natural
rubber hose. This conduit reinforcing member shown is adjacent the
second end of the liquid conduit, and, depending upon the curving
forces exerted on the liquid conduit, the conduit reinforcing
member is biased against the outer liquid conduit. As shown, the
conduit reinforcing member is fastened to the outer liquid conduit
with any conventional fastener, for example, a rivet or the like.
The faucet fastener advantageously is a length of Velcro.RTM. strap
which is securely fastened to the first end of the liquid
conduit.
63. In use, the first end of the liquid conduit is releasably
fastened to the faucet by pulling the first end onto and over a
portion of the faucet, wrapping the length of Velcro.RTM.
tangentially around the faucet and first end, and securing the
Velcro.RTM. snugly onto itself. The second end of the liquid
conduit is placed through the fill port into the water tank of the
Machine, and the faucet may be turned on, thereby delivering water
into the water tank. Depending upon the position of the liquid
transport device, the conduit reinforcing member may be beneficial,
in that it can prevent the liquid conduit from crimping or
collapsing, thereby preserving the ability of the device to
transport water from a faucet into the water tank. Once the water
tank has been filled, the liquid transport device may be
conveniently stowed away by wrapping the unreinforced portion of
liquid conduit about the reinforced portion, securing the
Velcro.RTM. strap about this bundle, and reinserting the second end
of the liquid conduit through the fill port in the water tank. If
the water is particular hard, it may be beneficial to add a rinse
additive to the water tank, thereby increasing the sheeting action
of the cleaning solution and/or water being sprayed from the spray
gun, and reducing the likelihood of the formation of water spots.
Any conventional rinse additive may be used, such as those
typically used in the commercial dishwashing industry for washing
glassware.
64. Once the water tank has been filled, the gunner may unwrap both
the vac hose and the external section of the liquid delivery line.
The gunner then unwraps the external section of the power cord and
plugs the ground fault circuit interrupter into a wall outlet,
preferably an outlet outside the restroom. The gunner then pushes
the "on" button on the ground fault circuit interrupter.
65. If the Machine has been used to clean other restrooms or other
areas of the particular building, the vac hose may contain a bit of
dirty water and debris. If this is the case, the gunner quickly and
conveniently rinses out the vac hose by keeping the inner end of
the vac hose securely fastened to the vac intake port, and
positioning the outer end of the vac hose through the water-tank
access port, and into the water in the tank. The gunner then turns
the vac switch on and allows the vacuum motor to run for several
minutes, thereby flushing the hose by sucking water from the water
tank into and through the vac hose, and into the vac tank. Then, in
order to dry the vac hose, the gunner removes the vac hose outer
end from the water tank, and secures the outer end to the vacuum
exhaust nozzle. In this fashion, air is forced through the vac
hose, thereby drying the interior of the hose. Once this hose
cleaning procedure is completed, the gunner may turn the vac motor
off.
66. At this point, the gunner selects the desired cleaning liquid
from the various cleaning liquids conveniently stored in the
recessed wells across the top of the water tank. Then, the gunner
simply connects the quick disconnect member to the complementary
quick disconnect member on the desired chemical container. If the
gunner is operating a Machine which does not include the quick
disconnect feature, then the operator simply places the upper end
of the cleaning-liquid draw line into the desired container.
67. At this point, the gunner takes up the spray gun, turns on the
pump motor, and, using the lower pressure, sprinkle mode of the
spray gun, sprays diluted cleaning solution on all of the
water-safe surfaces in the restroom, adjusting the spray pattern of
the gun from fan to pinpoint, as needed. If the Pump Tech gun is
used, the gunner simply pushes the cone (not shown) on the end of
the gun forward, thereby activating the low-pressure mode. Because
the gunner uses the spray gun in the sprinkle mode during this
particular phase of the cleaning process, the gunner prevents the
particular solution from being aerosolized, thereby reducing the
risk of inhaling any of the cleaning liquid. Simultaneously, if
needed, the loader follows behind the gunner with a manual brush,
and brushes any extremely soiled surfaces. When the gunner has
finished spraying cleaning solution onto the water-safe surfaces,
the loader disconnects the quick disconnect from the particular
cleaning liquid container, or removes the liquid feed line from the
container. The gunner then clears the remaining cleaning solution
from the external section of the liquid delivery line by adjusting
the spray gun to the high-pressure mode and running the spray gun
until the solution has been cleared from the line section. If the
Pump Tech gun is used, the gunner converts the machine to the
high-pressure mode by pulling the cone on the gun back.
Accordingly, the switch from low-pressure to high-pressure is made
quickly and easily at the spray gun, itself, without having to
return to the water tank or vac tank, which may be many feet away.
The gunner typically can tell when the section has been cleared
because the liquid coming out of the gun will begin to run clear.
The timing of this procedure will vary depending on the length of
the external section, and if, for example, a twenty-five foot
section is used, the process typically takes about 10 seconds.
68. At this point, the loader manually brushes the areas of the
floor around the urinals, toilets, and sinks, as needed, using a
corner brush and a deck brush, a process which typically takes
about 10 minutes. This step loosens deep soils and allows
disinfectant in the cleaning solution sufficient time to act on
bacteria which may exist on various restroom surfaces. At this
point, the gunner and loader are ready to begin the high-pressure
cleaning, rinsing, and blow-drying steps. The gunner maintains the
spray gun in the high-pressure mode, and continues the cleaning
process by pressure-washing and rinsing all of the water-safe
surfaces, in a generally top-to-bottom movement, thereby flushing
dirt and cleaning liquid to the floor. Because the gunner follows
the chemical disinfecting step with a mechanical pressure-cleaning
step, the various restroom cleaning surfaces are cleaned far more
thoroughly than they would be using conventional cleaning
equipment. Moreover, with respect to the pressure-cleaning step,
the gunner may adjust the intensity of the mechanical cleaning
action of the water by adjusting the spray gun nozzle to achieve
spray patterns of different diameter and intensity (from pinpoint
to fan) and/or by adjusting the amount of trigger-pull. During this
pressure-cleaning and rinsing step, the gunner should avoid
spraying water onto electrical outlets, electrical fixtures, and
other surfaces susceptible to water damage.
69. Either prior to or during the pressure-cleaning step, the
loader or gunner repositions the vac hose on the Machine so that
the Machine is ready to operate in the blow-dry mode. This
conversion is done swiftly and conveniently by removing the inner
end of the vac hose from the vac intake port, and connecting the
inner end of the vac hose to the vac exhaust nozzle. In addition,
the loader or gunner attaches the blow-dry tool to the vac hose
outer end. With the blow-drying assembly in place, the loader then
turns the vac motor on, and follows behind the gunner, who is
performing the simultaneous pressure-cleaning and rinsing step, and
blows air on the various fixtures, working in a generally
top-to-bottom motion. While the loader is completing the
blow-drying step, the gunner loops the external section of the
liquid delivery line around the upper and lower wraps, while
simultaneously wiping the section dry with a cloth.
70. At this point, the gunner converts the cleaner into its
wet-vac, suction mode by removing the inner end of the vac hose
from the vac exhaust nozzle and securing the inner end to the vac
intake port. The gunner then connects the floor squeegee tool and
wand to the vac-hose outer end. If desired, the gunner or loader
may apply a conventional defoamer to the floor. For example, the
defoamer may be applied using a conventional spray bottle. The use
of a defoamer may be particularly beneficial where there is a high
concentration of cleaning chemicals on the floor. In such a
situation, if a defoamer is not used, it is quite likely that suds
will form in the vac tank during the extraction step. However, by
spraying a small amount of defoamer onto various portions of the
wet floor, the loader or gunner actually prevents suds from being
formed, thereby avoiding the potential problem of sud formation in
the vac-tank.
71. At this point, if the vac motor has been turned off, the gunner
turns the vac motor on, and extracts the solution of spent cleaning
liquid and dirty water into the vac tank, while simultaneously
cleaning and drying the floor. While the gunner is performing the
extraction step, the loader returns any furniture or other items to
the restroom which may have been removed at the beginning of the
process, and picks up the walk-off mat. When the gunner has
completed the extraction process, the gunner disconnects the wand
from the vac hose, and stows the wand on the side of the Machine.
The gunner then loops the vac hose onto the vac hose wrap, allowing
the vac motor to continue to run, so as to prevent dripping from
the end of the hose, and wipes the outer surface of the hose with a
cloth as necessary. At this point, the multi-functional cleaning
machine and the gunner are ready to move on to the next restroom,
where the loader has already begun the cleaning process described
above. Note that, although the process of using the Machine has
been described in detail in conjunction with a restroom, the same
general process may be used, or modified, to clean any suitable
area in and around a building, as will be apparent to one of
ordinary skill upon reading this Detailed Description.
72. At some point in the process of cleaning multiple areas of a
particular building with the Machine, the vac tank will become
full, and the gunner will have to drain the dirty solution from the
vac tank. The gunner will know that the vac tank is full because
the float closure will seal the top of the stand pipe, thereby
preventing the vac motor from drawing a vacuum. Because of the
Machine's design, the gunner may drain the vac tank in virtually
any convenient draining location, even including a standard
restroom toilet. In particular, the bottom wall of the vac tank is
positioned at a level which is high enough above the ground that
the soiled solution may be drained into a toilet. In performing the
draining step, the gunner grasps the upper portion of the flexible
dump hose and releases the upper portion from the clamp which is
attached to the vac tank front wall in the elongated, recessed
cavity. The gunner then unscrews the expandable plug and removes it
from the end of the dump hose, while keeping the outer end of the
hose above the liquid level of the vac tank. Then the gunner
positions the hose into the toilet or other drain, and allows the
soiled solution to drain from the vac tank. Once the vac tank has
been emptied, the gunner secures the expandable plug back into the
end portion of the dump hose, and reattaches this end portion to
the clamp on the front wall of the vac tank.
73. As mentioned briefly above, the Machine is capable of
performing numerous other cleaning applications, depending upon the
sanitary maintenance needs of the particular facility. For example,
the Machine is effective in cleaning cafeterias, kitchens, locker
rooms, and shower rooms. The Machine also may be used to strip
floors, clean carpets, dust in high, hard-to-reach areas, pick up
salt and/or water during winter time and rainy seasons, and clean
entrance mats, windows, walls, and stair wells.
74. In performing these various cleaning applications, an operator
may want to use job-specific, detachable, Machine components. For
example, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 4, when an operator needs to
perform traditional dry vacuuming, he or she may convert the
Machine into dry-vac mode. In order to do this, the operator
removes the threaded cover from the access port of the vac tank,
and threads a dry-vac canister onto the access port. The operator
then may open the dry-vac canister, install a vacuum bag, place the
canister lid back on the canister, and connect the inner end of the
vac hose to the intake port on the top of the dry-vac canister. In
this fashion, the Machine then may be operated in dry-vac mode
simply by turning on the vac motor switch. The dry-vac canister may
be made using the same rotational molding process used to form the
water tank, vac tank, and base unit.
75. If an operator needs to clean grout lines, such as those
frequently found on floors used in commercial kitchens and
restrooms, the operator may use a grout cleaning tool, such as the
version 266 shown in FIGS. 8-10. In order to prepare the Machine
for grout cleaning, the user simply replaces the floor squeegee
tool on the end of the wand with the grout cleaning tool, connects
the wand to the vac hose, and connects the vac hose to the vac
intake port. In addition, the user disconnects the spray gun from
the liquid delivery line, and attaches the line to the liquid
delivery opening 268 on the grout cleaning tool. The user then
turns on both the vac motor and pump motor, and moves the grout
cleaning tool along the grout lines to be cleaned.
76. With reference to FIGS. 8-10, the version of the grout cleaning
tool shown includes a housing 270 having a front 272, a back 274, a
top surface 276, a left side 278, and a right side 280, the top
surface including a liquid delivery opening and a soil uptake
opening 282. The tool further includes a flexible wall 284 having a
front portion 286 depending from the housing front, and a back
portion 288 depending from the housing back, thereby forming a
blast chamber 290 between the front and back portions. In more
detail, the housing left side includes a left end 292 and the
housing right side includes a right end 294. In addition, the
flexible wall is continuous, including a left wall portion 296 and
a right wall portion 298, extending laterally outward beyond the
left end and right end, respectively, thereby creating a left air
intake 300 and a right air intake 302 into the blast chamber. The
flexible wall further includes an interior surface 304, and a base
surface 306 having an outer edge 308, with the outer edge having
serrations 310 which extend upward along the exterior surface 312
of the flexible wall. If desired, the grout cleaning tool also may
include a T-slot system for connecting the flexible wall front and
back portions to the front and back walls of the housing. In such a
system (not shown), the flexible wall may have a first end and a
second end which are connectable, so as to form a flexible wall
which is continuous. In addition, the front and back portions may
have a T-shaped cross-section, corresponding with a T-shaped
channel in the housing front and back. Alternatively, the T-shaped
channel may be formed in a separate elongated member which fits
tightly into an elongated cavity in the housing front and back.
Such a T-slot system provides for quick removal and replacement of
the flexible wall.
77. In further detail, the liquid delivery opening of the tool
includes a blast chamber orifice 314 which is extremely small and
generally cylindrical, thereby directing a relatively narrow jet of
highly pressurized water directly onto a grout line 316. The tool
also incorporates a left glide 318 and a right glide 320, both of
which depend from the housing, and assist in maintaining the
housing slightly above the level of the floor 322 being cleaned.
However, because the flexible wall is somewhat longer than the
glides, the flexible wall remains in contact with the floor,
thereby reducing the chance that water and/or soil from a grout
line will escape from beneath the tool.
78. As best seen in FIG. 10, one of the many advantages of the tool
is the flexible wall having serrations which extend from the outer
edge of the base surface upward along the exterior surface, whereas
the inner edge of the base surface is generally smooth. As shown in
FIG. 10, when the grout cleaning tool is moved in a forward
direction, the flexible-wall front and back portions bend slightly
backward. This action enables air, water, and/or soil to enter into
the blast chamber through the space created between the serrations
and the floor as at 324. On the other hand, the wall back portion
provides a smooth surface against the floor, thereby having a
squeegee like effect as at 326, containing the water and dirt in
the blast chamber until it is taken up through the soil uptake
opening. This same beneficial situation occurs when the tool is
pulled back in a rearward direction along a grout line, with the
roles of the front and back portions essentially being
reversed.
79. As will be apparent to one of ordinary skill upon reading this
Detailed Description, the grout cleaning tool may be made from any
of a number of different materials. For example, if desired, the
housing and the glides may be made of plastic using a conventional
plastic injection molding process. And if the glides are made as
separate components, they may be secured to the housing using
screws, an adhesive, or another fastening device. The soil uptake
opening may include any conventional fastening device capable of
releasably engaging with the wand. With respect to delivery of a
highly focused blast of pressurized liquid, a brass pipe fitting
may serve as a dual coupler 328, and may be positioned in the
liquid delivery opening, and secured in place using a cement. A
1/4inch pipe fitting 330 having a 45 degree elbow may be threaded
into the upper end of the coupler, with the other end of the elbow
having female threads for receiving male threads on the end of the
external section of the liquid delivery line. The pipe plug 332
which is positioned on the interior side of the coupler may
conveniently be a {fraction (1/4)} inch pipe plug having male
threads which threadingly engage with the female threads on the
coupler. This pipe plug advantageously has a blast chamber orifice
with a diameter of about 0.05 inch or less. If desired, a diameter
of about 0.043 inch or 0.02 inch may be used. In addition, the
serrated flexible wall may be made of a neoprene rubber and held in
place in any of a number of different ways. For example, the wall
may be adhesively bonded to the front and rear walls of the
housing, or connected using the T-slot system discussed above.
80. If an operator wishes to use the Machine as a carpet extractor,
then the operator may attach any conventional carpet extractor tool
(not shown) to the wand, and to the external section of the liquid
delivery line, as will readily be understood by those of ordinary
skill in the art upon a review of this Detailed Description.
81. If an operator needs to unstop clogged toilets or drains, or
perform a similar function, the operator may use a plunger gun,
such as the version 334 shown in FIG. 12. The plunger gun shown
includes a high-pressure, spray gun 336 having an elongated barrel
338, and a plunger bulb 340 connected to the barrel. In order to
prepare the Machine for plunger gun use, a user simply disconnects
the spray gun from the liquid delivery line, and releasably
attaches the line to the plunger gun. Then the user turns the pump
on, and releasably seals the plunger bulb about the toilet bowl
opening 342 or drain opening, exerting a continuous force against
the opening. Because of the high degree of pressure and high volume
of water coming out of the plunger gun, it may be beneficial to
seat the plunger bulb in place before turning the pump motor on.
The plunger gun may be manufactured conveniently using any
conventional high-pressure spray gun having a barrel-like
extension, and any conventional plunger bulb. Advantageously, the
spray-gun is the same MV910 spray gun from Pump Tech discussed
above, and the elongated barrel is Pump Tech's MV20B barrel.
Depending on the diameter and surface features of the outer end of
the barrel portion, as well as the diameter of the upper opening of
the plunger bulb, the barrel and bulb may be secured in any of a
number of different ways, as will readily be appreciated by those
of skill in the art. For example, if the plunger bulb includes
standard broom threads, and the diameter of the upper opening of
the bulb is smaller than the diameter of the barrel, it may be
necessary to drill the threads out of the upper end of the plunger,
so that the plunger may be securely fastened to the outer end
portion of the barrel.
82. While the present invention has been illustrated by description
of versions, and while the illustrative versions have been
described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the
inventor to restrict or any way limit the scope of the appended
claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will
readily appear to those skilled in the art upon reading this
Detailed Description. Therefore, the invention, in its broader
aspects, is not limited to these specific details, representative
apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and
described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details
without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventor's
general inventive concept.
* * * * *