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.

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.

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.