U.S. patent application number 12/427341 was filed with the patent office on 2009-10-22 for hard surface cleaner.
Invention is credited to Edward Richards.
Application Number | 20090260177 12/427341 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41199866 |
Filed Date | 2009-10-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090260177 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Richards; Edward |
October 22, 2009 |
HARD SURFACE CLEANER
Abstract
A surface cleaner, comprising a tank having a fluid-filled part
and an air-filled part; a vacuum pump; a fluid pressure pump; a
cleaning head having a cleaning chamber and a vacuum chamber, the
cleaning chamber forming a cavity bounded by a surface to be
cleaned, the vacuum chamber having an inlet lip at the periphery of
the cleaning chamber; jet nozzles mounted within the cleaning
chamber; wherein the pressure pump draws fluid from the tank and
ejects it into the cleaning chamber through the nozzles; wherein
the vacuum pump maintains a low pressure in the air-filled part of
the tank and a high pressure in the cleaning chamber; and wherein
the inlet lip is in fluid communication with the air-filled part of
the tank portion whereby fluid ejected into the cleaning chamber is
drawn into the inlet lip and returned to the tank.
Inventors: |
Richards; Edward; (Davie,
FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LOTT & FRIEDLAND, P.A.
P.O. BOX 141098
CORAL GABLES
FL
33114-1098
US
|
Family ID: |
41199866 |
Appl. No.: |
12/427341 |
Filed: |
April 21, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61046621 |
Apr 21, 2008 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/320 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 11/34 20130101;
A47L 11/4083 20130101; A47L 11/4044 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/320 |
International
Class: |
A47L 7/00 20060101
A47L007/00 |
Claims
1. A surface cleaner, comprising: a sealed tank portion having a
fluid-filled part and an air-filled part; a pneumatic vacuum pump
having an inlet and an exhaust; a fluid pressure pump having an
inlet and an exhaust; a cleaning head portion having an inner
cleaning chamber and an annular vacuum chamber, said inner cleaning
chamber forming a hollow cavity which is bounded at its lower end
by a surface to be cleaned, said annular vacuum chamber having an
inlet lip disposed at the periphery of said inner cleaning chamber;
one or more jet nozzles mounted within said inner cleaning chamber;
wherein said inlet of said pressure pump is in fluid communication
with said fluid-filled part of said sealed tank portion drawing
fluid from said sealed tank portion; wherein said exhaust of said
pressure pump is in fluid communication with said one or more jet
nozzles thus ejecting said drawn fluid from said sealed tank
portion into said inner cleaning chamber through said one or more
jet nozzles; wherein said inlet of said vacuum pump is in fluid
communication with said air-filled part of said sealed tank portion
maintaining a lower than atmospheric pressure in said air-filled
part; wherein said exhaust of said vacuum pump is in fluid
communication with said inner cleaning chamber maintaining a higher
than atmospheric pressure in said inner cleaning chamber; and
wherein said inlet lip of said annular vacuum chamber is in fluid
communication with said air-filled part of said sealed tank portion
whereby said fluid ejected into said inner cleaning chamber is
drawn into said inlet lip and returned to said air-filled part of
said sealed tank.
2. The surface cleaner of claim 1 wherein one or more filters are
disposed between said inlet of said pressure pump and said
fluid-filled part of said sealed tank so as to substantially remove
debris from said fluid before it enters said pressure pump.
3. The surface cleaner of claim 2 wherein said one or more filters
are removable.
4. The surface cleaner of claim 1 further comprising a skirt
disposed peripherally around said inlet lip of said annular vacuum
chamber.
5. The surface cleaner of claim 1 wherein said one or more jet
nozzles rotate while ejecting fluid into said inner cleaning
chamber.
6. The surface cleaner of claim 1 wherein said annular vacuum
chamber is formed by inner and outer walls of said cleaning head
portion.
7. The surface cleaner of claim 1 further comprising means for
regulating the pressure within said sealed tank portion.
8. The surface cleaner of claim 1 further comprising means for
regulating the pressure within said inner cleaning chamber.
9. The surface cleaner of claim 1 further comprising means for
regulating the pressure at which said fluid is ejected into said
cleaning chamber through said one or more jet nozzles.
10. The surface cleaner of claim 1 wherein said sealed tank portion
is removable.
11. The surface cleaner of claim 1 further comprising: in said
cleaning head portion, an annular pressure chamber, said annular
pressure chamber having an exit lip disposed at the periphery of
said inlet lip of said annular vacuum chamber; and wherein said
annular pressure chamber is in fluid communication with said
exhaust of said vacuum pump whereby pressurized air is ejected
through said exit lip of said annular pressure chamber.
12. The surface cleaner of claim 11 further comprising means for
regulating the pressure within said annular pressure chamber.
13. A surface cleaner, comprising: a removable sealed tank portion
having a fluid-filled part and an air-filled part; a pneumatic
vacuum pump having an inlet and an exhaust; a fluid pressure pump
having an inlet and an exhaust; a cleaning head portion having an
inner cleaning chamber and an annular vacuum chamber, said inner
cleaning chamber forming a hollow cavity which is bounded at its
lower end by a surface to be cleaned, said annular vacuum chamber
formed by inner and outer walls of said cleaning head portion and
having an inlet lip disposed at the periphery of said inner
cleaning chamber; one or more jet nozzles mounted within said inner
cleaning chamber; a skirt disposed peripherally around said inlet
lip of said annular vacuum chamber; wherein said inlet of said
pressure pump is in fluid communication with said fluid-filled part
of said sealed tank portion drawing fluid from said sealed tank
portion; wherein said exhaust of said pressure pump is in fluid
communication with said one or more jet nozzles thus ejecting said
drawn fluid from said sealed tank portion into said inner cleaning
chamber through said one or more jet nozzles; wherein said inlet of
said vacuum pump is in fluid communication with said air-filled
part of said sealed tank portion maintaining a lower than
atmospheric pressure in said air-filled part; wherein said exhaust
of said vacuum pump is in fluid communication with said inner
cleaning chamber maintaining a higher than atmospheric pressure in
said inner cleaning chamber; wherein said inlet lip of said annular
vacuum chamber is in fluid communication with said air-filled part
of said sealed tank portion whereby said fluid ejected into said
inner cleaning chamber is drawn into said inlet lip and returned to
said air-filled part of said sealed tank; wherein one or more
filters are disposed between said inlet of said pressure pump and
said fluid-filled part of said sealed tank so as to substantially
remove debris from said fluid before it enters said pressure pump;
wherein said one or more filters are removable; wherein said one or
more jet nozzles rotate while ejecting fluid into said inner
cleaning chamber; wherein the pressure within said sealed tank
portion is variable through regulating means; wherein the pressure
within said inner cleaning chamber is variable through regulating
means; and wherein the pressure at which said fluid is ejected into
said cleaning chamber through said one or more jet nozzles is
variable through regulating means.
14. The surface cleaner of claim 13 further comprising: in said
cleaning head portion, an annular pressure chamber, said annular
pressure chamber having an exit lip disposed at the periphery of
said inlet lip of said annular vacuum chamber; and wherein said
annular pressure chamber is in fluid communication with said
exhaust of said vacuum pump whereby pressurized air is ejected
through said exit lip of said annular pressure chamber.
15. The surface cleaner of claim 14 further comprising means for
regulating the pressure within said annular pressure chamber.
Description
PRIORITY CLAIM
[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of the
filing date of corresponding U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.
61/046,621, filed on Apr. 21, 2008, the disclosure and contents of
which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to high-pressured fluid
cleaning systems for cleaning indoor and outdoor floor
surfaces.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Several existing cleaning systems use an extractor method
wherein a detergent cleaning fluid is distributed by the device
along the floor surface and the device simultaneously extracts the
fluid and the dirt from the floor surface using a suction source in
a continuous operation as the device moves along the surface.
However, a number of these systems require maintaining two separate
tanks within the device such that a first tank contains the unused
cleaning fluid and a second tank contains the recovered fluid and
dirt that was extracted from the floor surface. Once filled with
dirty fluid, the second tank has to be removed in order to discard
the dirty fluid and to be cleaned. Also, the first tank must be
replenished with new cleaning fluid. Therefore, it would be
advantageous to be able to reuse the recovered cleaning fluid such
that the device only needs to carry one tank and to eliminate the
additional time and expense it takes to continuously remove, clean
and replenish to the two separate tanks. The present invention
provides a novel and efficient cleaning device and system that
contains only one tank and recycles the fluid recovered from the
floor surface using a filter mechanism in order for the fluid to be
reused.
[0004] In addition, several of these existing cleaning systems that
use a cleaning fluid extractor method distribute a cleaning
chemical or solution along the floor surface and rely generally on
the chemical or solution to clean the floor. In some instances, the
device includes a sponge, brush or squeegee having an abrasive
surface for scrubbing the floor in combination with the distributed
chemical or solution. However, these types of harsh chemicals,
solutions and tools having abrasive surfaces can cause damage to
the floor surface. The present invention beneficially eliminates
the possibility of scratching or damaging the floor surface by
cleaning the floor surface using pressurized fluid distribution to
dislodge any dirt or debris.
[0005] Furthermore, many of the existing cleaning systems that use
a cleaning fluid extractor method leave behind a wet floor surface
as it is impossible to be able to extract all of the fluid that was
distributed along the floor surface when using a suction source.
This results in a dangerous and slippery condition and requires
additional time for drying before the floor surface is ready to be
used. Accordingly, it would be beneficial for the cleaning device
to be capable of simultaneously drying the floor surface
immediately after it has been cleaned such that a portion of the
floor is cleaned and dried in the instance that the device passes
over that floor portion. The present invention provides an
efficient method of distributing forced air from the device along
the just cleaned floor portion using the air vacuum that is
required for the suction source to operate. Thus, the cleaned floor
portion can be dried without using any additional energy or
resources to implement the drier function.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention is a portable and self-contained
high-pressure fluid cleaning apparatus for use on a variety of
surface floor coverings and in particular, on indoor and outdoor
hard surface floor coverings that contain grooves and crevices that
are ordinarily difficult to clean, such as tile, grout, epoxy and
stained concrete. The apparatus operates simultaneously as both a
fluid pressure cleaning device and as a wet-dry vacuum such that
dirt and debris is effectively dislodged from the floor surface and
is simultaneously picked up along with the ejected cleaning fluid
by the vacuum suction of the apparatus. Through the use of one or
more cartridge-type filter elements, the dirty cleaning fluid that
is removed from the floor surface can be recycled and reused
thereafter such that only one fluid tank is needed for both
operations of the apparatus.
[0007] The apparatus is comprised of a tank portion, a power
portion and a cleaning head portion. The tank portion is comprised
of a tank that is positioned on a base wherein the tank's volume is
partially filled with a suitable amount of cleaning fluid. The
cleaning fluid is introduced into the tank through an opening in
the tank that may be closed and sealed. The remaining volume of the
tank contains air. The tank portion has a closeable opening for
adding or removing cleaning fluid. When closed, the tank portion is
hermetically sealed in order that a negative pressure vacuum can be
maintained inside the tank portion. Located within the
fluid-containing volume inside the tank are one or more
cartridge-type filter elements of suitable particle size for
adequately filtering the recycled cleaning fluid.
[0008] The power portion is preferably located below the tank and
is comprised of a vacuum pump and a pressure pump. Each pump may be
powered by its own independent motor or both pumps may be powered
from a mutual single motor. The motors may be electric or gasoline
powered. The vacuum pump provides the suction that is needed to
maintain the negative pressure in the air-filled portion or cavity
of the sealed tank using a vacuum line that extends from the vacuum
pump to the air-filled portion of the tank. In addition, the
exhaust air from the vacuum pump is routed through a pressurized
air line to a pressurized air inlet on the cleaning head
portion.
[0009] The pressure pump provides pressurized cleaning fluid to a
jet nozzle that is located in the cleaning head portion and directs
the cleaning fluid onto the floor surface at high velocity. Prior
to entering the pressure pump, the cleaning fluid is filtered
through the filter element located in the tank portion. The
filtered cleaning fluid is fed into the pressure pump through a
supply line that extends from the outlet side of the filter element
in the fluid-containing volume of the tank to the pressure pump.
The pressure pump provides a flow of pressurized cleaning fluid to
the water jet nozzle through a pressure line that extends from the
pressure pump to the water jet nozzle.
[0010] The cleaning head portion of the apparatus, which is
optionally detachable, is comprised of a double-walled shroud
having inner and outer walls and further includes the jet nozzle,
an annular vacuum chamber, a pressurized air inlet and a vacuum
port. The inner wall of the shroud of the cleaning head portion
defines an inner chamber in which the jet nozzle is located and
which is fluidly connected to the pressurized air inlet.
[0011] The water jet nozzle is fed cleaning fluid by the pressure
pump through the pressure line as described above. Simultaneously,
pressurized air is provided to the inner chamber of the cleaning
head through the pressurized air inlet which, as described above,
is fed by the exhaust from the vacuum pump in the power portion.
The pressurized air provides dual benefits: (a) it creates an "air
cushion" effect which facilitates displacement of the device over
the surface being cleaned; and (b) it forces air and cleaning fluid
to the periphery of the inner chamber where, as described below, it
is ingested through the annular vacuum chamber and is returned to
the tank portion.
[0012] The annular vacuum chamber is contained between the inner
and outer walls of the cleaning head shroud and is fluidly
connected to the vacuum port. The annular vacuum chamber includes
an inlet lip that is disposed peripherally around the inner
cleaning chamber so that pressurized air and cleaning fluid exiting
the inner chamber is ingested through the inlet lip and exits
through the vacuum port. The vacuum port is connected by a suction
return line to the air-filled volume or cavity of the tank, which,
as previously stated, generates suction through a negative pressure
differential.
[0013] A skirt barrier may optionally be applied along the
periphery of the outer wall of the cleaning head shroud such that
it contacts the floor surface and prevents the cleaning head
portion from contacting the floor. The skirt barrier may also serve
as a physical barrier to prevent cleaning fluid and pressurized air
from leaking outside the cleaning head, thus improving the
integrity of the air cushion generated by the pressurized air and
simultaneously preventing dirt and cleaning fluid from escaping
before being vacuumed into to the tank portion. The skirt may be
formed from a material that is suitable for wiping the floor
surface in order to further aid in dislodging dirt and debris from
the floor surface.
[0014] Optionally, an annular pressure chamber may be provided
which envelops the annular vacuum chamber and provides a curtain of
pressurized air through a lip disposed peripherally around the lip
of the annular vacuum chamber. The pressurized air curtain provides
additional lift further facilitating displacement of the cleaner
and also provides a further barrier to prevent cleaning fluid and
pressurized air from escaping before being vacuumed into the tank
portion. The pressurized air curtain also facilitates the drying of
the surface immediately after it has been cleaned. The air in the
annular pressure chamber may optionally be heated to further
facilitate drying.
[0015] In order to further facilitate movement of the apparatus
along the floor surface, two or more wheels may be incorporated
into the base of the apparatus.
[0016] In operation, the apparatus is powered through a switch, or
a series of switches, that sequentially energizes the vacuum and
pressure pumps. When the apparatus is powered, the vacuum and
pressure pumps are fully primed. Cleaning fluid from the tank is
then drawn by the pressure pump through the one or more filter
elements and down through the supply line and into the pressure
pump. The cleaning fluid is ejected at high pressure by the
pressure pump through the jet nozzle in the inner chamber of the
cleaning head portion and is forcibly directed downwards onto the
floor surface thereby dislodging any dirt and other debris on the
floor surface. Simultaneously, pressurized air is fed into the
inner chamber of the cleaning head. The force of the ejected fluid
combined with the pressurized air provides buoyancy to allow the
entire apparatus to be easily displaced on the surface being
cleaned.
[0017] As the apparatus is being pushed across the floor surface,
the inlet lip of the annular vacuum chamber comes into position
directly above the freshly cleaned floor surface and the dislodged
dirt and debris is vacuumed through the inlet lip and is returned
into the tank. As previously stated, this process is aided by the
pressurized air inside the inner chamber of the cleaning head.
[0018] Once inside the tank, the dirty fluid is drawn through the
filter element(s) by gravitational force and by the pressure pump
thus removing the dirt and debris contained in the fluid. The fluid
can then be recycled and re-used for cleaning.
[0019] In order for the apparatus to perform optimally, the
apparatus may optionally be equipped with controls that can adjust
the pressure differential between the inner chamber of the cleaning
portion and the annular vacuum chamber. Depending on the physical
characteristics of floor surface that is being cleaned, the
operator of the apparatus may vary said pressure differential to
optimize the cleaning force, buoyancy and vacuuming force.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a fluid flow diagram of an apparatus in accord
with the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the cleaning head
portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1.
[0023] FIG. 4 is a bottom elevational view of the cleaning head
portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1.
[0024] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative
embodiment of the cleaning head portion of the apparatus of FIG.
1.
[0025] FIG. 6 is a bottom elevational view of an alternative
embodiment of the cleaning head portion of the apparatus of FIG.
1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0026] For a better understanding of the present invention,
reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in
conjunction with the appended claims and the accompanying
drawings.
[0027] The present invention is a portable, self-contained hard
surface floor cleaning apparatus 1 that operates simultaneously as
a water pressure cleaning device and a wet-dry vacuum. The
apparatus is suitable for use in both indoor and outdoor spaces on
a variety of hard surface floor coverings such as tile, grout,
epoxy and stained concrete. The apparatus is comprised of a tank
portion 2, a power portion 3 and a cleaning head portion 4 that may
optionally be detachable.
[0028] FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of the present invention. The
tank portion 2 is comprised of a tank 5 that is preferably
positioned upright above the power portion 3 wherein the tank's
volume is partially filled with a suitable cleaning fluid 6 that is
fed through a supply line 9 to the power portion 3 of the
apparatus. Both the tank portion 2 and the power portion 3 are
positioned upright on a base 22.
[0029] Preferably, the tank 5 is cylindrical in shape and may be
made from a durable, molded plastic or other suitable material. The
tank 5 may be removable for cleaning or to simplify fluid or filter
servicing. In addition, the tank 5 may be made wholly or partially
transparent in order that the volume level and cleanliness of the
contained cleaning fluid 6 may be monitored by the user. The supply
line 9 is preferably made from molded rigid conduit but any other
suitable material is acceptable.
[0030] The cleaning fluid 6 may be any solvent, such as water, and
may optionally include detergent additives and/or anti-foaming
agents. The remaining volume of the tank contains air 12 to allow a
negative pressure to be maintained in the tank portion 2. The tank
portion 2 includes an opening 30 for adding or removing cleaning
fluid 6, said opening 30 being closeable an providing a hermetic
seal upon closing. For this purpose a hinged door 7, or other
suitable mechanism, such as, for example, a screw-cap may be
provided. Located within the fluid-containing volume inside the
tank 5 are one or more cartridge-type filter elements 8 which are
removable for cleaning and replacement. The filter element (or
elements) 8 should be of suitable particle size such that it
adequately filters the recycled cleaning fluid and provides
sufficient fluid flow to the power portion 3 as described more
fully below.
[0031] The power portion 3 is preferably located below the tank 5
and above base 22. The power portion 3 is comprised of a vacuum
pump 10 and a pressure pump 11. Each pump may be powered by its own
independent motor or both pumps may be powered from a single motor.
The motors may be electric or gasoline powered and a power cord 23
may be provided for connecting the apparatus to an electrical power
source. The motors may be set to different speeds and/or pressures
through the use of switching mechanisms known in the art. In
addition, it is preferred that one or more safety mechanisms known
in the art, such as a "dead man's switch", be employed in order
that the motor(s) and/or the pumps are automatically turned off for
protection of their components. A mercury switch may also be
employed to shut off the apparatus in the event it has tipped
over.
[0032] As depicted in the fluid flow diagram in FIG. 2, the vacuum
pump 10 provides the suction that is needed to maintain a negative
pressure in the air cavity 12 of the tank 5 through a vacuum line
13 that extends from the vacuum pump 10 into the air cavity 12 of
the tank 5. As described in further detail below, the type and
speed of the vacuum pump 10 are dependent upon the amount of
pressure that is needed to maintain a negative pressure in the tank
5 and the amount of suction needed in the cleaning head portion 4.
In one embodiment, the vacuum pump 10 is capable of creating a
static pressure of 50-115 psi and an air flow of 80-180 cfm. The
vacuum line 13 is preferably made from molded rigid conduit but any
other suitable material is acceptable.
[0033] The exhaust air from vacuum pump 10 is routed through a
pressurized air line 31 to a pressurized air inlet 32 on the
cleaning head portion 4. This pressurized air provides positive air
pressure trough one or more cleaning chamber air inlets 28 within
the inner cleaning chamber 33 of the cleaning head portion 4 which
lifts the apparatus and facilitates its displacement during
operation. In an alternative embodiment (not shown on FIG. 2 but
discussed in FIGS. 5 and 6) exhaust air may also optionally be
routed through pressurized air line 31 to and pressurized air inlet
32 to an annular pressure chamber with an exit lip that provides
additional buoyancy and also provides a barrier to prevent cleaning
fluid and pressurized air from escaping before being vacuumed.
[0034] The pressure pump 11 is fed by the filtered cleaning fluid 6
from inside the tank 5 through the supply line 9 that extends
between the tank 5 and the pressure pump 11. The pressure pump 11
provides a flow of pressurized cleaning fluid 6 to a jet nozzle 15
within the detachable cleaning head portion 4 through a pressure
line 16. (See FIG. 2). As also described in further detail below,
the type and speed of the pressure pump 11 is dependent upon the
amount of pressure needed to draw the cleaning fluid 6 from the
tank 5 and the force at which the cleaning fluid 6 must exit the
jet nozzle 15 in the cleaning head portion 4. In one embodiment,
the pressure pump 11 is capable of creating a pressure of between
1,400 psi and 2,000 psi. The pressure line 16 is preferably made
from flexible reinforced conduit but any other suitable material is
acceptable.
[0035] As shown in detail in FIGS. 3 and 4, the cleaning head
portion 4 is comprised of a double-walled shroud 24 wherein an
annular vacuum chamber 25 is defined between the inner and outer
walls (26 and 27 respectively) of the shroud 24. The inner wall 26
of the shroud 24 defines an inner cleaning chamber 33 within the
cleaning head portion 4. The cleaning head portion 4 is further
comprised of a jet nozzle 15, a pressurized air inlet 32 and a
vacuum port 17.
[0036] The jet nozzle 15 is located within the inner cleaning
chamber 33 and may optionally be attached to an arm 14 that rotates
at high velocity in response to the flow of the pressurized
cleaning fluid 6. In alternate embodiments of the present
invention, more than one jet nozzle 15 and arm 14 may be employed.
As described above, the jet nozzle 15 is fed by the pressure pump
11 via pressure line 16.
[0037] The vacuum port 17 is positioned on the cleaning head
portion 4 and is in fluid communication with the annular vacuum
chamber 25. Connected to the vacuum port 17 is a suction line 18
that returns "dirty" fluid to the air-filled cavity 12 of the tank
5. The suction line 18 is preferably made from molded rigid conduit
but other suitable materials are acceptable. The annular vacuum
chamber includes an inlet lip 35 that is disposed peripherally
around the inner cleaning chamber 33 so that pressurized air and
cleaning fluid exiting the inner cleaning chamber 33 is ingested
through the inlet lip 35 and exits through the vacuum port 17. The
vacuum port is connected by suction return line 18 to the
air-filled cavity 12 of the tank 5.
[0038] In addition, pressurized air exhausted from the vacuum pump
10 is fed into the inner cleaning chamber 33 by means of one or
more cleaning chamber air inlets 28 through pressurized air inlet
32 and pressurized air line 31. The pressurized air creates a
positive air pressure differential within the inner cleaning
chamber 33 that lifts the cleaner 1 and counteracts the suction
force that is created by the vacuum pump 10 at the inlet lip 35
thereby giving the apparatus 1 buoyancy off the floor surface in
order that the cleaning head portion 4 moves easily and smoothly
across the floor surface. The pressurized air also forces cleaning
fluid 6 to be displaced to the periphery of the inner cleaning
chamber 33 where it is ingested into the annular vacuum chamber 25
through the inlet lip 35 from where it is returned to the tank
5.
[0039] A skirt 21 or other type of barrier may be applied to the
periphery of the cleaning head portion 4 just outside the inlet lip
35 such that it contacts the floor surface. The skirt 21 acts as a
spacer creating a gap between the cleaning head portion 4 and the
floor surface in order to prevent the cleaning head portion 4 from
coming into direct contact with, and potentially damaging, the
floor surface. The skirt 21 also acts as a barrier to prevent
cleaning fluid and debris to escape from being vacuumed. The skirt
21 may be formed from a material that is suitable for wiping the
floor surface in order to further aid in dislodging dirt and debris
from the floor surface. The skirt 21 may consist of broom bristles,
or other suitable materials.
[0040] In order to move the apparatus 1 along the floor surface,
wheels 19 are incorporated onto the base 22 of the apparatus 1. For
example, the apparatus 1 may include one or more 6'' inch rear
wheels and one or more 1.5'' inch front caster wheels. The wheels
may be manually rolled over the floor surface using a handle 20.
Alternatively, the wheels 19 can be powered or power-assisted.
[0041] In operation, the present invention functions simultaneously
as a water pressure cleaning device and a wet-dry vacuum. With
respect to the water pressure cleaning function, the tank 5 is
initially partially filled with a suitable amount of cleaning fluid
6 via the hinged door 7 or another opening in the tank that may be
closed and sealed. The apparatus is powered into an ON position
preferably by both an electric switch (not shown) that is
associated with the vacuum pump 10 and a pressure sensor (not
shown) that is associated with the pressure pump 11. As shown in
the fluid flow diagram in FIG. 2, when the apparatus 1 is powered
into an ON position and the vacuum pump 10 and the pressure pump 11
are fully primed, the cleaning fluid 6 in the tank 5 is drawn by
the pressure pump 11 through the filter element 8 and down through
the supply line 9 into the pressure pump 11.
[0042] The cleaning fluid is then ejected at a high pressure by the
pressure pump 11 through the jet nozzle 15 inside the inner
cleaning chamber 33 in the cleaning head portion 4 and is forcibly
directed downwards onto the floor surface thereby dislodging any
dirt and debris that is on the floor. The jet nozzle 15 can
optionally rotate at a high rate of speed as it ejects fluid. The
rotation of the jet nozzle 15 can be generated naturally in
reaction to the fluid's exit through the nozzle, or through
alternate means such as through the use of a small motor (not
shown).
[0043] As the cleaner 1 is pushed across the floor surface, the
inlet lip 35 moves directly above the freshly ejected cleaning
fluid and the dislodged dirt and debris such that the fluid, dirt
and debris is ingested into the annular vacuum chamber 25 and
through the suction line 18 into the vacuum air-filled cavity 12 of
the tank 5. Simultaneously, pressurized air generated by the
exhaust from the vacuum pump 10 is fed into the inner cleaning
chamber which generates positive pressure within the inner cleaning
chamber 33 and aids in forcing the fluid, dirt and debris into the
annular vacuum chamber 25. Closing the cycle, gravity and suction
from the pressure pump 11 causes the used cleaning fluid 6 entering
the tank 5 to flow through the one or more filter elements 8 prior
to the fluid being recycled into the pressure pump 11.
[0044] It should be noted that the pressurized air emanating from
the vacuum pump's 10 exhaust will be, in most types of pneumatic
pumps, at a warmer temperature than ambient air, which further
assist in drying of the freshly cleaned floor. In an embodiment of
the present invention the exhaust air may be additionally heated
through the use of an electric radiator or through other methods
known in the art.
[0045] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, shown
in FIGS. 5 and 6, the shroud 24 may contain a third external wall
37 which creates an additional annular pressure chamber 38 that
surrounds the annular vacuum chamber 25. The annular pressure
chamber 38 has an exit lip 39 peripherally situated around the
inlet lip 35 of the vacuum annular chamber 25. The annular pressure
chamber 38 is in fluid communication with pressurized air inlet 32
so that, like the inner cleaning chamber 33, it receives
pressurized air from the exhaust of the vacuum pump 10. In
operation the pressurized air enters the annular pressure chamber
38 through the pressurized air inlet 32 and exits through the exit
lip 39 creating an air curtain that supplements or replaces the
function of the skirt 21 and provides additional lift to facilitate
displacement of the cleaner.
[0046] In order for the apparatus 1 to operate optimally, it is
desirable to have a suitable pressure balance or differential
between, on the one hand, the suction at the annular vacuum chamber
25, and on the other hand the fluid exiting the jet nozzle 15, the
air pressure inside the inner cleaning chamber 33, and if used, the
annular pressure chamber 38.
[0047] This optimal pressure differential can be achieved through
controls that regulate the amount of vacuum and pressure generated
through the vacuum pump 10 and pressure pump 11. The pressure
differential can, in some embodiments, be manually adjusted by the
operator to suit different types of floor surfaces and to different
preferences regarding the facility with which the cleaner should be
displaced along the floor. In other embodiments, there may be one
or more pre-selected settings that adjust the pressure differential
to a set of "factory settings" determined to be suitable to a
variety of floor types.
[0048] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the
pressurized air that is fed to the pressurized air inlet 32 may
originate from an auxiliary air pump (not shown) rather than from
the exhaust of the vacuum pump 10.
[0049] In the foregoing description, the present invention has been
described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that a person
understanding this invention may conceive of changes or other
embodiments or variations, which utilize the principles of this
invention without departing from the broader spirit and scope of
the invention. The specification and drawings are, therefore, to be
regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.
Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited
except as may be necessary in view of the appended claims.
* * * * *