U.S. patent number 3,575,348 [Application Number 04/758,447] was granted by the patent office on 1971-04-20 for device for washing and rinsing.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Lincoln Manufacturing Company, Inc.. Invention is credited to Robert H. MacKay.
United States Patent |
3,575,348 |
MacKay |
April 20, 1971 |
DEVICE FOR WASHING AND RINSING
Abstract
A portable cart is provided with a pump which receives water
through a hose connection, and pumps this water through a pressure
relief circuit to a venturi injector. The injector receives a
liquid detergent or the like, and mixes this detergent with the
water. The mixture is supplied to a spray nozzle which is hand
operated. The ratio of detergent and water can be varied as a
function of the rate that liquid is dispensed from the nozzle.
Inventors: |
MacKay; Robert H. (Fort Wayne,
IN) |
Assignee: |
Lincoln Manufacturing Company,
Inc., (Fort Wayne, IN)
|
Family
ID: |
25051787 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/758,447 |
Filed: |
September 9, 1968 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
239/127; 137/895;
239/526; 239/172; 239/310 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L
1/02 (20130101); B08B 3/026 (20130101); B08B
2203/0217 (20130101); Y10T 137/87643 (20150401); B08B
2203/0205 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47L
1/00 (20060101); A47L 1/02 (20060101); B08B
3/02 (20060101); B05b 009/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;239/124,126,127,146,172,310,526 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Wood, Jr.; M. Henson
Assistant Examiner: Mar; Michael Y.
Claims
I claim:
1. An improved device for washing and rinsing, comprising:
a. a portable mobile cart having means for rolling said cart
thereon;
b. a liquid pump mounted on said cart, said pump having an inlet
for receiving liquid, an outlet for discharging said received
liquid under a higher pressure, and mechanical means for operating
said pump;
c. an electric motor mounted on said cart, said motor having an
output shaft connected to said mechanical means of said liquid
pump, and having means for connecting said electric motor to a
source of electric power;
d. a flow distribution device having first, second, and third
liquid connections;
e. means for connecting said first connection of said flow
distribution device to a source of water;
f. means connecting said second connection of said flow
distribution device to said inlet of said liquid pump;
g. an unloader valve having a liquid inlet, a first liquid outlet,
and a second liquid outlet, said unloader valve being arranged so
that its liquid inlet is normally connected to its first liquid
outlet, and so that its liquid inlet is disconnected from its first
liquid outlet and connected to its second liquid outlet in response
to a selected pressure differential between said liquid inlet and
said second liquid outlet;
h. means connecting said liquid inlet of said unloader valve to
said outlet of said liquid pump;
i. means connecting said first liquid outlet of said unloader valve
to said third liquid connection of said flow distribution
device;
j. a venturi injector device mounted on said cart and having a main
liquid inlet connected to a main liquid outlet, and a liquid
injection inlet connected to said connected main liquid inlet and
main liquid outlet;
k. means connecting said main liquid inlet of said venturi injector
device to said second outlet of said unloader valve;
l. a container mounted on said cart for storing liquid detergents
and the like;
m. means connecting said container to said liquid injection inlet
of said venturi injector device; and
n. manually operable spray means connected to said main liquid
outlet of said venturi injector device comprising a nozzle, a
handle and a manually operable flow control valve whereby
adjustment of said valve produces a variable ratio of detergent to
water, said ratio varying directly as a function of the rate of
liquid dispensed from said spray means, said ratio being
approximately zero for small dispensing rates and increasing as the
dispensing rate increases.
2. The improved device of claim 1 wherein said unloader valve
comprises means for selectively adjusting said pressure
differential.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
My invention relates to an improved device for washing and rinsing,
and particularly to such a device that is portable or mobile, and
that has means for varying the ratio of water and detergent or
other liquid.
Various establishments, such as institutions, cafeterias,
hospitals, or auditoriums, have large areas which require frequent
cleaning. Typically, such areas are cleaned with an ordinary mop or
similar device. While such cleaning may be effective, it requires
considerable time and labor. Frequently, it is difficult to get
personnel to perform such labor. Even if such personnel are
available, their wages represent a relatively large part of the
total cost for such cleaning.
Accordingly, an object of my invention is to provide an improved
device for washing and rinsing large areas.
Another object of my invention is to provide a portable or mobile
cart having hose means for connection to a water supply, a supply
of detergent in the cart, and spray means for spraying a mixture of
water and detergent in a ratio determined by the rate of spray.
Still another object of my invention is to provide an improved
mobile cart that carries a detergent or other liquid and a pump,
that has means for easily connecting the cart to a source of water
and to a source of electricity without reducing the mobility of the
cart.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly, these and other objects are achieved in accordance with my
invention by a cart that is supported on rolling means. A liquid
pump driven by an electric motor is mounted in the cart, and means
are provided to supply water to the pump from a flexible hose
connected between the pump and a faucet. The pump outlet is
connected to a pressure relief circuit, and to a venturi injector
device. The venturi injector device is connected to the pump
outlet, and to a supply of liquid detergent or other material, so
as to mix the material with the water in a proportion that varies
as a function of the rate of flow of water through the venturi
injector device. The outlet of the venturi injector device is
connected to a spray type of nozzle which is preferably held and
operated by one hand. When the nozzle is operated, a spray of water
and detergent is released. The ratio of water and detergent can be
selected by changing the rate of flow from the nozzle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The subject matter which I regard as my invention is particularly
pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims. The structure and
operation of my invention, together with further objects and
advantages, may be better understood from the following description
given in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a cart containing the improved
device for washing and rinsing in accordance with my invention;
and
FIG. 2 shows a diagram illustrating the components and connections
provided in my cart of FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
With reference to FIG. 1, I have shown a cart 10 in accordance with
my invention. The cart 10 is made portable or mobile, such as by
mounting it on a set of wheels 12 so that the cart 10 may be easily
moved around. A handle 14 (partially shown) is provided at one end
of the cart 10 for maneuvering and pushing the cart 10. The cart 10
is generally rectangular in shape, and is provided with a front
panel 16 having a threaded or snap inlet 17 for receiving a hose 18
that is connected to a suitable supply of water, such as a threaded
faucet (not shown). The panel 16 also has a threaded or snap outlet
19 which provides water and detergent or other material under
pressure. One end of a hose 20 is connected to the outlet 19. A
spray mechanism 21 is connected to the other end of the hose 20. As
known, the spray mechanism 21 may include a handle 22 and a trigger
or actuator 23. The trigger 23 is connected to a valve inside of
the structure of the handle 22 so as to control the rate of flow of
liquid between the hose 20 and a spray nozzle 24. Electrical power
is provided to the cart 10 through a suitable cord 28, and this
electrical power may be turned on and off by a switch 29 which may
be located on the panel 16, or at some other convenient location.
The top of the cart 10 is preferably provided with a hinged lid 30
which can be opened to provide access to the inside of the cart 10.
The lid 30 is partially shown in a partially open position. A tank
or container 32, partially visible, is provided in the cart 10 to
store liquid detergent or other similar material.
FIG. 2 shows a diagram of the various components contained within
the cart 10 and the connections between these various components.
Parts shown in FIG. 2 which correspond to those parts shown in FIG.
1 have the same reference numerals. The hose 18 is shown connected
to the inlet 17. The inlet 17 is connected to one connection of a
flow distribution device or plumbing tee 34. Another connection of
the plumbing tee 34 is connected to the inlet of a suitable water
pump 35. The pump 35 is provided with a mechanical coupling or
connection to the output shaft of an electric motor 36. The motor
36 is supplied with electrical power through the switch 29 and the
cord 28. The outlet side of the pump 35 is connected to an inlet 37
of a conventional unloader or pressure relief valve 38. The valve
38 has a first outlet 39 and a second outlet 40. Ordinarily, the
inlet 37 is connected to the first outlet 39 by a spring-positioned
valve. However, when the pressure at the second outlet 40 falls
below the pressure at the inlet 37 by a selected amount, the spring
force is overcome and the valve moves to connect the inlet 37 to
the second outlet 40. The spring force and hence the operating
pressure may be made variable. The first outlet 39 is connected
back to another connection of the flow distribution device or tee
34. Thus, in the absence of flow from the second outlet 40, the
pump 35 has a pressure relief path from its outlet, through the
inlet 37 and first outlet 39 of the pressure relief valve 38, and
back to the inlet of the pump 35 as indicated by the arrows.
The second outlet 40 is connected to a venturi injector device 42
at its main inlet 43. A second injection inlet 44 is provided for
the venturi device 42 to supply the liquid material in the
container or tank 32 by the known venturi effect. The second inlet
44 is preferably connected to the tank 32 by a housing 46 which
contains a filter or strainer. The main outlet 45 of the venturi
device 42 is connected to the outlet 19, which in turn is connected
to the spray mechanism 21 as explained in connection with FIG.
1.
When the device is in operation, the electric motor 36 is turned on
to drive the pump 35. If the trigger 23 is released, no liquid
flows from the nozzle 24, so that the pump 35 simply pumps around
its pressure relief circuit. However, when the trigger 23 is
depressed, liquid can flow from the nozzle 24. When the trigger 23
is depressed, reduced pressure is presented at the second outlet 40
of the unloader or pressure relief valve 38, so that the valve
within the unloader valve 38 operates to connect the inlet 37 to
the second outlet 40. Water flows through the venturi injector
device 42, and as it does so, it creates a suction. This suction
draws the liquid detergent from the container 32 so that a mixture
of water and liquid detergent or other material flows from the
outlet 45, through the outlet 19 and the hose 20, and out of the
spray nozzle 24. The ratio of liquid material to water can be
varied by changing the rate of flow from the nozzle 24. If the rate
of flow is increased, a proportionately larger amount of liquid
detergent is drawn into the system by the venturi device 42.
Conversely, if the rate of flow is decreased, a proportionately
smaller amount of liquid detergent is drawn into the system by the
venturi device 42. After a small amount of use, and with the
venturi device 42 properly set, a person can control the trigger 23
which controls a valve in said spray mechanism so that only water
is provided at the spray nozzle 24, or so that some desired ratio
of liquid detergent and water is provided at the spray nozzle
24.
In one embodiment of my device which was actually constructed, the
cart 10 had a length of 261/8inches, a width of 151/8inches, and a
height of 241/2inches. The electric motor 36 had a 1 horsepower,
115 volts, 60 cycle rating, and the pump 35 had a 2 gallons per
minute positive displacement. The unloader valve 38 was model
number 3390-6 manufactured by the Hypro Corporation of Minneapolis,
Minnesota, and the venturi injector device 42 was model number 201
manufactured by the Dema Corporation of St. Louis, Missouri. With
these components, and with the hose 18 connected to a source of
water pressure between 20 and 50 pounds per square inch, the nozzle
24 could provide selected pressures between 350 and 700 pounds per
square inch. These changes of output pressure and hence changes in
the rate of flow permitted the ratio of liquid detergent and water
to be varied from approximately zero to approximately 27 percent by
volume.
It will thus be seen that my invention provides a new and improved
device for washing and rinsing large areas. My device is relatively
simple in operation and construction, and is portable or mobile, so
that it can be operated by one person. I have found that a person
can manipulate or maneuver the cart 10 through the handle 14 with
one hand, and can operate the spray mechanism 21 with the other
hand, thus increasing the efficiency of operation. Persons skilled
in the art will appreciate that modifications may be made. For
example, various sizes of motors and pumps, various types and
ratings of unloader valves, and various types and ratings of
venturi injector devices can be utilized. Also, various liquids of
various viscosities can be used in the container 32 for mixing with
the water. Therefore, while my invention has been described with
reference to a particular embodiment, it is to be understood that
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the
invention or from the scope of the claims.
* * * * *