U.S. patent number 3,747,129 [Application Number 05/179,104] was granted by the patent office on 1973-07-24 for automatic cleaning system for a habitable enclosure.
Invention is credited to Dillard F. Dyar.
United States Patent |
3,747,129 |
Dyar |
July 24, 1973 |
AUTOMATIC CLEANING SYSTEM FOR A HABITABLE ENCLOSURE
Abstract
A system is disclosed for automatically cleaning an enclosure
such as a bathroom or the like. Sufficient spray nozzles are
disposed about the enclosure to ensure adequate spray coverage of
same and are connected through the enclosure walls with a fluid
supply line such as a water line. A cleaning solution supply,
sanitizing solution supply or the like is associated with the fluid
supply line to be discharged therein at the appropriate time.
Likewise, a dryer means such as an air blower is disposed
appropriately within the enclosure so as to assist in removing the
fluid therefrom after cleaning. Further, a control means is
provided that operatively associates all of the aforementioned
elements into a cleaning cycle, whereby, upon actuation of the
control means, particular valves are actuated to permit the flow of
fluid to the spray nozzles for washing down the walls, floor and
the like of the enclosure. At the appropriate time in the cycle,
cleaning solution, sanitizers, or the like are discharged into the
fluid supply line and carried with the fluid into the confines of
the enclosure. Subsequent to cleaning, a rinse cycle is optionally
included. After all washing steps are completed, the drying means
is actuated as a part of the clean cycle to assist in removal of
the cleaning solution from within the enclosure. Structures having
the above described system incorporated therein are also
claimed.
Inventors: |
Dyar; Dillard F. (Abbeville,
SC) |
Family
ID: |
22655251 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/179,104 |
Filed: |
September 9, 1971 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/662; 134/168R;
134/167R |
Current CPC
Class: |
E03D
9/002 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E03D
9/00 (20060101); A47k 017/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;4/1,145-156,2-5,173
;52/69,79 ;134/167R-169R |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Artis; Henry K.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An automatic cleaning system for a walled enclosure
comprising:
a. a cleaning fluid supply;
b. a plurality of rotatable fluid spray nozzles received in said
enclosure, each of said nozzles being secured to a wall of said
enclosure and being operatively associated with said fluid supply,
said nozzles further being secured against substantial axial
movement with respect to the walls to which they are secured and
permitting substantial spray coverage of at least the lower area of
the enclosure;
c. control means operatively associated with said fluid spray
nozzles to operate at a predetermined time; and
d. dryer means operatively associated with said control means in
timed sequence to dry said enclosure after spraying.
2. An automatic cleaning system for a walled enclosure as defined
in claim 1 wherein at least one fluid spray nozzle is received in a
bottom wall of said enclosure and at least one fluid spray nozzle
is received in a top wall of said enclosure.
3. An automatic cleaning system for a walled enclosure as defined
in claim 1 further comprising an additive supply associated with
said cleaning fluid supply and said control means, said additive
supply being dischargeable at a predetermined time in a clean
cycle.
4. An automatic cleaning system for a walled enclosure as defined
in claim 1 wherein said control means comprises a plurality of
electrically actuatable valves and an electrical timer, said timer
being programmed for a sequential cleaning cycle.
5. An automatic cleaning system for a walled enclosure as defined
in claim 4 wherein said valves are equipped with solenoids for the
operation thereof.
6. An automatic cleaning system for a walled enclosure as defined
in claim 1 wherein at least one nozzle spray nozzle is received in
a bottom wall of said enclosure, said nozzle comprising a rotatable
plate that is movable to a spray position by a fluid force thereon
and rotated by fluid passing therethrough, said plate having a
plurality of drain openings therein.
7. An automatic cleaning system for a walled enclosure as defined
in claim 1 wherein said dryer means comprises an air blower and at
least one rotatable air nozzle associated therewith.
8. An automatic cleaning system for a walled enclosure as defined
in claim 4 wherein said timer is manually actuatable.
9. A modular, self-cleaning structure comprising:
a. a plurality of mating structural sections, said sections being
connectable to define at least a portion of a building unit, said
unit having at least one closure associated therewith, said closure
mating with adjacent portions of said unit to substantially
preclude passage of liquid thereby;
b. at least one fluid supply line associated with said unit;
c. at least one fluid spray nozzle received in at least one of said
sections, said nozzle being operatively associated with said fluid
supply line;
d. control means received in a portion of said unit, said control
means being operatively associated with said fluid supply, whereby
upon actuation said control means selectively admits fluid in timed
sequence to said nozzle to permit fluid spray into said unit;
and
e. dryer means received in a portion of said unit, said dryer means
being operatively associated with said control means to operate in
timed sequence for removal of at least a portion of fluid from
within said unit.
10. A modular, self-cleaning structure as defined in claim 9
further comprising an additive supply operatively associated with
said fluid supply line and said control means whereby additives may
be discharged into said fluid supply line in timed sequence.
11. A modular, self-cleaning structure as defined in claim 10
wherein said structure further contains built-in bathroom
fixtures.
12. A modular, self-cleaning structure as defined in claim 10
wherein further at least one fluid spray nozzle is received in a
top of at least one section of said unit, and one nozzle is
received in a bottom of at least one section of said unit, said
nozzles being operatively associated with said fluid supply
line.
13. A modular bathroom comprising a plurality of structural
sections, said sections being connectable to define a complete
bathroom, at least certain of said sections having bathroom
facilities incorporated therein, said sections having fluid supply
lines secured thereto, said lines being connectable to provide a
fluid supply line system, said system being operatively connectable
with a fluid supply; at least one of said sections having a spray
nozzle secured to a portion thereof, said nozzle being recessed in
said portion of said section and secured to said fluid supply line,
a plurality of valves received in said fluid supply line, said
valves determining flow through said line, a control means
associated with said bathroom, said control means being operatively
associated with at least certain of said valves, said control means
having a predetermined time sequence incorporated therein, said
control means being actuatable to start said time sequence; and
dryer means received in at least one of said sections, said dryer
means being operatively associated with said control means, whereby
upon actuation of said control means, fluid will be sprayed into
said bathroom after which said bathroom will be dried.
14. A modular bathroom as defined in claim 13 comprising further an
additive supply operatively associated with said fluid supply line
and said control means whereby at a predetermined time in said
timed seqeunce, additives will be discharged into said supply line
and sprayed into said bathroom along with said fluid.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are numerous rooms and other types of enclosures throughout
the business and industrial world that require cleaning on a daily
basis due to health and general sanitation standards. Normally
speaking, competent labor for the physical cleaning of these
facilities is scarce, thus presenting a sizeable bottleneck in the
maintenance of the enclosures. While not inclusive, prime examples
of such enclosures are restrooms at factories, service stations,
and other public facilities. The manual cleaning of such restrooms
is now accomplished by individuals who manually mop the floors and
clean the commodes, lavatories, and the like. Quite often, the
walls as well as the various types of dividers are left uncleaned,
and as such present definite health and sanitation hazards.
Moreover, in general, the cleaning of these rooms is less than
desired whereby the enclosures or rooms are never really cleaned to
a point of good sanitary acceptance and even to the point of good
visual acceptance.
Attempts have been made heretofore to improve the cleaning
operation of these facilities. Such attempts include the design of
cleaning machines, complicated cleaning systems suspended from the
ceilings and the like. None of these systems have gained commercial
acceptance due to their unwieldy use, expense and the like.
The present invention describes and teaches a system that may be
cheaply installed in new or existing facilities to realize a much
superior cleaning of the enclosures than that now being realized.
This cleaning system substantially reduces the labor requirements
for cleaning the enclosures. By use of the present system, once the
system is actuated, a time cycle takes over and the cleaning
operation is automatically conducted by spraying water, cleaning
solution, sanitizing chemicals and the like into the enclosure
after which the enclosure is rinsed and dried. It may then be
necessary for an individual to quickly move through the enclosure
and to hand wipe certain areas that are not adequately cleaned by
the system of the present invention. This "touch up" cleaning is,
however, a substantial reduction as opposed to previous
requirements. As such, use of the present invention will now enable
those areas where cleanliness was heretofore a problem, to be
cleaned on a periodic basis thus improving the utility of the
facilities as well as the cleanliness and santitation thereof.
The prior art contains teachings that could be considered analogous
to the present invention. There is, however, no teaching or
suggestion of the present invention in the prior art which is
exemplified by U. S. Pat. Nos. 2,712,863 to Busch; 3,005,205 to
Breen; 3,212,105 to Baker et al.; 3,381,312 to Whitla and 3,447,166
to Gordon.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic
cleaning system for an enclosure.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a structure
having automatic cleaning apparatus incorporated therewith.
Still further, another object of the present invention is to
provide a modular structure having incorporated therein an
automatic cleaning system.
Generally speaking, the present invention relates to an automatic
cleaning system for a walled enclosure, said system comprising a
cleaning fluid supply; at least one fluid supply nozzle received in
at least one of said walls of said enclosure, said nozzle being
operatively associated with said fluid supply and responsive to
fluid therefrom to spray same over a desired area within said
enclosure; control means operatively associated with said fluid
supply to operate said fluid nozzle in a timed sequence; and dryer
means received in at least one of said walls and operatively
associated with said control means.
More specifically, the present invention comprises a system where a
sufficient number of spray nozzles are disposed about the interior
of the enclosure so as to provide adequate coverage for the entire
enclosure. These nozzles may reside in the floor, side walls or
ceiling of the enclosure and are connected to fluid supply lines
which provide fluid thereto at a predetermined time or in a
prearranged sequence after actuation of a control system
therefor.
Depending upon the environment in which the system of the present
invention is employed, the spray nozzles will be connected to a
fluid supply line such as a water line and may also have associated
therewith chemical dispensers, such that, a predetermined amount of
detergent, sanitizer, deodorant, or the like may be introduced into
the fluid supply line at a predetermined interval to be sprayed
through the nozzles along with the water into the enclosure. Hence
through suitable valving and actuator means, the spray nozzles
throughout the enclosure may be simultaneously or sequentially
actuated so as to dispense a cleaning solution or the like onto the
particular area of the enclosure to be cleaned.
Insofar as the timed sequence for the system is concerned, any
suitable timer may be employed that will, at a predetermined
interval, actuate only a particular portion of the system while
being capable of deactuating other parts of the system. An electric
timer is preferred having a preset clean cycle. Hence upon starting
the cycle, electrical contact will be sequentially made so as to
operate suitable valving or other means to actuate and/or deactuate
a predetermined segment of the apparatus of the system. The time
interval as well as the order of actuation can be varied according
to the requirements of the system.
Insofar as the enclosure per se is concerned, the system of the
present invention may be added to an existing enclosure or may be
incorporated into the walls of the enclosure during construction. A
modular type enclosure may be provided such that the enclosure may
be positioned at the desired site and the fluid lines and drains
connected, after which the system will be operable. Moreover, while
the system of the present invention is primarily designed for the
automatic cleaning of industrial restrooms and the like, it
likewise has suitability for the cleansing of any enclosure where
it is desirable to wash down the walls, floors and the like on a
periodic basis. A good example of such an enclosure could be a room
in a slaughter house, animal cages, barns, silos, storage bins and
the like. Moreover, it may be desirable or necessary to provide the
enclosure with proper seals or gaskets around doors, windows,
cabinet doors, and the like so as to preclude the passage of water
or other cleaning solution through the space through such
openings.
The spray nozzles employed with the system of the present invention
can be any type nozzle that is suitable for use within the
enclosure. For example, it is preferable that all the nozzles
utilized in the floor of the enclosure should be recessed within
the floor and should either spray from within the recess or should
raise from the recessed position during spraying. Likewise, it is
preferable that wall nozzles would be recessed within the wall so
as not to affect the aesthetics of the enclosure and also to avoid
the placement of a safety hazard within the enclosure. Ceiling
nozzles, on the other hand, are generally out of the way and may be
recessed or may be suspended from the ceiling as desired. The dryer
means for use with the present system, while preferably air blower
means that are used to direct hot air onto the wet surfaces, could
be any type dryer means that may be suitably employed in
conjunction with the spray system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a modular type enclosure having the
automatic cleaning system of the present invention incorporated
therewith.
FIG. 2 is a vertical cross sectional view of the enclosure of FIG.
1 taken along lines II--II.
FIG. 3 is a vertical cross sectional view of FIG. 1 taken along
lines III--III.
FIG. 4 is a vertical cross sectional view of FIG. 1 taken along
lines IV--IV.
FIG. 5 is a line drawing of the piping and control arrangements for
a cleaning system for the enclosure as shown in FIG. 1 according to
the teachings of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a pictoral illustration of a clean cycle according to the
teachings of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a vertical cross sectional view of a preferred floor
spray nozzle according to the teachings of the present
invention.
FIG. 8 is a vertical cross sectional view of a ceiling spray nozzle
according to the teachings of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to the Figures, preferred embodiments of the present
invention will now be described in detail. In FIGS. 1 through 4,
there is shown a modular unit for a bathroom that may be
incorporated into a building structure such as a home, factory,
service station or the like. An automatic cleaning system according
to the teachings of the present invention is incorporated
therein.
The enclosure generally indicated as 10 is shown to have a floor
12, side walls 13, 14, 15 and 16 and a celining 17. As mentioned
hereinbefore, the automatic cleaning system of the present
invention may be employed with numerous types of enclosures. Hence
though a residential bathroom is shown with the normal fixtures
therein, wide variation is possible for the enclosures, per se.
Specific descriptions of the present invention will, however, be
made with respect only to a bathroom or restroom environment.
Enclosure 10 is shown provided with a bath tub 22, a commode 24 and
a lavatory 26. Certainly any fixture arrangement would be
acceptable and would include any number of suitable fixtures.
Enclosure 10 is further illustrated as containing three sections,
A, B and C, which, when united at flanges provided therefor, form
the modular unit. Side walls 13 and 15 are equipped with flanges
13' and 15' respectively that define the inner edges of the
sections. If necessary or desired, flanges 12' and 17' may be
provided on floor 12 and ceiling 17 whereby the sections may be
joined completely around the peripheries thereof. Thus by joining
flanges 12', 13', 15' and 17', sections A, B and C are united to
form a unitary enclosure 10.
Wall 14, as shown in FIG. 1 is also provided with a door 19 for
access to the inside of enclosure 10. Since water or other cleaning
solution will be sprayed throughout enclosure 10, door 19 is
provided with a gasket or the like 19' to seal the area around door
19 against the passage of liquid thereby. Likewise lavatory 26 is
shown having a cabinet 27 therearound. Cabinet 27 provides storage
space under lavatory 26 and is provided with a door 27' that like
door 19 is provided with a sealing gasket 27". Any other opening in
the walls of enclosure 10 or areas within enclosure 10 should also
be so equippped if it is desirable to prevent the passage of liquid
therethrough.
A floor spray nozzle generally indicated as 30 and a ceiling spray
nozzle generally indicated as 40 (See FIG. 3) are provided in
enclosure 10. Both nozzle 30 and nozzle 40 are connected to a
suitable fluid supply line as will be described hereinafter and
preferred forms of the nozzles are illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8
respectively. Nozzles 30 and 40 will be described in greater detail
hereinafter. Insofar as the placement of nozzles 30 and 40 are
concerned, only one of each is illustrated in central locations
within enclosure 10. The type of nozzle used and as the particular
use of the enclosure will dictate the number of nozzles desired as
well as the specific placement of the nozzles. As such, elaboration
as to placement of spray nozzles will not be further discussed.
Piping, to include hot and cold water supply lines and drains are
shown to be enclosed within the enclosure walls. Except where
necessary to show operation of the present cleaning system, piping
will not be shown or discussed. Likewise conventional connections
for the fixtures, through obviously included are thought to be such
that elaboration thereon is superfluous and not necessary. Drain
lines 28 for all of the fixtures and floor nozzle 30, shown within
enclosure 10 run together to form a common drain line 28' which is
the only drain connection required for the modulator enclosure.
A dryer means 80 is also shown mounted in ceiling 17 of enclosure
10 in the form of a nozzle. As shown in FIG. 3, dryer means 80 is
preferably one or more nozzles 81 that are received around the
inside of enclosure 10 as required and are mounted for rotation in
bearings 82. The nozzle 81 is thus connected to an air duct 85
which supplies hot air thereto from an air heater and blower 87
positioned beneath lavatory 26. Upon actuation of heater-blower 87,
hot air is forced through duct 85 to nozzle 81. Air passing through
nozzle 81 acts on the curved configuration thereof and causes the
nozzle to rotate and thus distribute hot air throughout a
particular area of the inside of enclosure 10. Air ducts for the
dryer nozzles 81 are illustrated as being positioned within the
walls of enclosure 10 along with the water pipes, etc. Though hot
air is preferred as a drying medium, any type dryer means may be
employed that will adequately remove the lingering moisture from
within enclosure 10 after the washing and/or rinsing portion of the
automatic cleaning cycle.
FIG. 7 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the floor spray nozzle
30. Nozzle 30 is shown to comprise a housing 31 which includes a
connector 32 for union with a fluid supply line, said connector
extending into housing 31 and turning upwardly, a connector 33 for
attachment to a drain line 28, with a seat 34 at the upper end
thereof. A disc 35 resides within seat 34 and has a stem 35' that
is received for rotary and limited axial movement within supply
line connector 32. Disc 35 is provided with a plurality of radially
extending fluid passageways 36 that are preferably tortuous and
communicate with an opening 37 in stem 35' to permit fluid to pass
from the fluid supply line into the enclosure. The outer ends 36'
of passageways 36 around disc 35 may be presented at varying angles
with respect to disc 35 to direct fluid in different directions
therefrom. Further a plurality of drain openings 38 may be spaced
around disc 35 between passageways 36 to permit fluid from
enclosure 10 to pass therethrough into housing 31 and into drain
line 28. Upon receipt of fluid pressure from the fluid supply line,
disc 35 and stem 35' move upwardly away from housing 31 and seat
34. Fluid then passes through opening 37 and passageways 36,
causing disc 35 to rotate. The fluid passing through passageways 36
exits disc 35 at an angle determined by the angle of the outer end
36' of the particular passageway 36. Once the fluid flow is
interrupted, pressure on disc 35 ceases and disc 35 returns to its
formant position, in engagement with seat 34 of housing 31.
Thereafter, fluid previously sprayed may pass through drain
openings 38, housing 31 and into drain line 28. Any fluid remaining
within enclosure 10 is later removed by dryer means 80 and/or
manual wiping.
A preferred design of spray nozzle 40 that is received in the
ceiling 17 of enclosure 10 is shown in FIG. 8. Nozzle 40 comprises
a housing 41 having a supply line connector 42 that passes into
housing 41, and a seat 43 at an outer end of said housing. A disc
44, having a stem 45 extending outwardly therefrom is rotatably
received within housing 41. Stem 45 passes into connector 42 and is
rotatably received thereat while being secured against axial
movement. Disc 44 has a plurality of radially extending, tortuous,
fluid passageways 46, said passageways 46 being in communication
with an axial opening 47 in stem 45 and thus in communication with
fluid supply line connector 42. Hence as fluid is introduced from
the fluid supply line into connector 42, fluid passes through axial
opening 47 and passages 46 into the interior of enclosure 10. The
tortuous path of passageways 46 causes disc 44 to rotate as the
fluid passes therethrough. Preferably, nozzle 40 is mounted flush
with ceiling 17 so as to present a good aesthetic appearance. Also,
a nozzle such as nozzle 40 could be used in a side wall of the
enclosure if desired.
Referring to FIG. 5, a piping arrangement for a system according to
the teachings of the present invention will be described. Again
making reference to an enclosure containing a lavatory 26, a
commode 24 and a bath tub 22, a hot water supply line 50 is shown
having a leg 51 and a leg 52 being connected to the lavatory 26 and
tube 22 respectively. Likewise, legs 53 and 54 lead from hot water
supply line 50 to T connections which lead to overhead spray nozzle
supply line 40' and floor spray nozzle supply line 30'
respectively. Nozzle supply lines 30' and 40' are, in turn,
connected to spray nozzles 30 and 40. A cold water line 60 is
likewise provided having legs 61, 62 and 63 connected to lavatory
26, commode 24 and tub 22 respectively. Likewise, legs 64 and 65
are connected to nozzle supply lines 40' and 30' respectively. A
dispensing container 70 is also shown being connected by lines 71,
72 and 73 to nozzle supply lines 30' and 40'. Obviously the lines
to the tub, commode and lavatory are provided with suitable valving
at the individual fixtures. The legs connecting the water supply
lines to the spray nozzle supply lines, however, each contain a
suitable valve for the passage of water or other fluid
therethrough. Such valves are indicated as 53', 54', 64' and 65'.
Likewise valves 71', 72' and 73' are provided in the dispensing
lines 71, 72 and 73 so as to control gravity flow of soap, etc.
from the dispenser 70 to the particular spray nozzle supply line
being utilized.
The piping arrangement as shown in FIG. 5 is illustrative of an
arrangement according to the present invention. Whereas both hot
and cold water supply lines 50 and 60 respectively are shown, it is
satisfactory if only one is used. Likewise, both may be used
simultaneously, blending water into the nozzle supply lines 40' and
30'. Further, as mentioned hereinbefore, any number of spray
nozzles may be provided to adequately clean the particular
enclosure in which they are located.
Having described the apparatus of the present invention, operation
of the cleaning system will now be described with reference to
FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 6 graphically illustrates a timer device 100
being connected by an electrical connector 101 to a source of
electrical current 102. Timer 100 has a plurality of fixed
electrical contacts disposed thereabout with each contact being
electrically associated with a pertinent portion of apparatus of
the system of the present invention. Timer 100 also has a contact C
that moves in a clockwise manner at a predetermined speed. After
timer 100 is actuated, contact C moves therearound, progressively
engaging the surrounding fixed contacts to actuate and/or deactuate
the various segments of the cleaning system.
A dial face 100' may be provided for timer 100 with indicia thereon
showing the various operations and describing the portion of the
time cycle in which the operation is conducted. Accordingly, timer
100 may be actuated by manual movement of dail face 100' to the
start position or to any particular portion of the cycle as
desired. Lkewise, if desirable, a remote switch means may be
provided to permit actuation of timer 100 from without the
enclosure 10. With manual operation, a time delay sequence should
be incorporated into the timer to permit withdrawal from enclosure
10 prior to actuation of the cleaning system. Depending upon the
particular environment, the cycle may be modified to vary the
number of wash steps, rinse steps, drying steps or the like as well
as the time for each operation. Set forth below is one example of
the operation of a complete clean cycle. For the sake of clarity
only the cold water operation is being considered.
Once timer 100 is actuated, by manual movement or by an electrical
switch means, movable contact C starts it clockwise movement, away
from stop contact 111. When contact C engages contact 103, the
cycle begins. Closing of contact 103 actuates a solenoid associated
with valves 64' and 65' which opens valves 64' and 65' and admits
water to spray nozzles 40 and 30 through lines 40' and 30'
respectively. Water is thus sprayed into enclosure 10 to wet down
the interior thereof. Contact C continues to move and next engages
contact 104 which closes the switch to solenoids associated with
valves 71', 72' and 73' to open the said valves and permit a
detergent, soap, etc. to flow by gravity from dispenser 70 through
lines 71, 72 and 73 into nozzle supply lines 30' and 40'. The flow
of water thorugh lines 40' and 30' thus carries the detergent
through lines 40' and 30' to nozzles 40 and 30. Also, detergent is
mixed with the water during travel and a detergent solution is thus
sprayed into enclosure 10 onto the desired area.
Contact 105 is next engaged by contact C to close the switch and
provide a further electrical current to the solenoids associated
with valves 71', 72' and 73' whereby valves 71', 72' and 73' are
closed and detergent ceases to flow into supply lines 40' and 30'.
At that point, however, valves 64' and 65' are not changed and
water continues to be sprayed through nozzles 30 and 40 to rinse
the detergent solution from within enclosure 10. As water is
sprayed into enclosure 10, the water collects on the floor 12 and
runs to housing 31 of nozzle 30 where it passes therethrough into
drain line 28.
Further movement of contact C brings about engagement with contact
106 which reintroduces detergent into the water, followed by
another rinse step at contact 107. Certainly any number of wash and
rinse steps may be provided as are necessary to ensure cleaning of
enclosure 10. After the last rinse step as shown in FIG. 6, contact
C engages contact 108, which actuates the appropriate solenoids to
close valves 64' and 65' and interrupt water flow to nozzles 40'
and 30' respectively. This step in the operation is a hold step
where the water remaining in enclosure 10 stands. Thereafter,
contact C engages contact 109 to reinstitute a rinse step by
allowing water to flow to nozzles 40' and 30' for a predetermined
period of time. At the end of the last rinse step contact 110 is
engaged by contact C to actuate the drying means 80 for a time
sufficient to remove at least a major portion of the water now
present in enclosure 10. Dryer means 80 would preferably comprise
an air heater and blower 87 which forces hot air through a conduit
85 that is connected to the one or more air nozzles 81 mounted
within the enclosure. After the prescribed drying time has elapsed,
the contact C will again stop contact 111 to cut off the dryer
means and deactuate the timer.
Once the clean cycle is completed, the enclosure should, for all
practical purposes, be completely washed down and dried. Obviously,
there may be areas or fixtures within the enclosure that will
require a hand wiping so as to clean and dry same. As mentioned
above, however, such cleaning would be greatly reduced over that
now being experienced if everything in the restroom is to be
cleaned.
The specific embodiment shown in the Figures, utilizes a single
floor spray nozzle and a single ceiling nozzle. Obviously,
depending upon the particular enclosure and the degree of
cleanliness required, any number of nozzles may be employed with
all of the valving for the nozzles being associated with the timer
mechanism so as to control the flow of fluid to the nozzles. In
fact, a particular arrangement may involve the operation of only a
portion of the nozzles at any one time. Additional dispensers may
be provided for the addition of any number of chemicals to the wash
water. In this regard, while a gravity flow is shown for the
dispenser, certainly a pump could be provided if necessary to
introduce the chemicals into the fluid supply lines. Likewise,
additional drying means may be required. In fact, the drying means
has been shown in the Figures to be a forced hot air type dryer.
Other type dryers may equally be employed. It is also feasible to
add small amounts of a highly volatible solvent in with the
cleaning solution to improve the drying efficiency within the
enclosure.
Insofar as the clean cycle is concerned, the specific number of
soapy water wash cycles, rinse cycles and the like may be modified
as desired. Likewise, it may be desirable to include a wash down
with a deodorizer, sanitizer or the like after the wash step and
before drying. Further, the time element involved with the complete
cycle may vary according to the dictates of the particular
environment.
A further feature of the present invention that may optionally be
provided as a precautionary measure, is a circuit breaker provided
in any enclosure having a door or the like thereon. With such a
circuit breaker in use, if any one of the doors to or in the
enclosure are open, the circuit to the timer mechanism is broken
and the clean cycle will not function. It would thus be impossible
for one to start the system with a door open whereby water would
escape from within the enclosure and create a safety hazard or
possibly damage to the surrounding area.
Electrical connections for the present system are not shown in the
Figures. Such connections are conventional and can be readily made
by one having an ordinary skill in the art.
The modular unit shown in FIG. 1 through 4 may be constructed as
desired. In fact, such units for the bathroom per se are readily
molded from synthetic plastic materials. Such may likewise be
utilized according to the teachings of the present invention
wherein the various piping arrangements are embedded in the
plastic, or are affixed to the outside of the enclosure walls.
Likewise, the various nozzles may be incorporated into the molded
walls. As shown in the Figures, it is preferable to mold the
enclosure in more than one section so as to permit ease of
transportation and assembly. As such, the sections are manufactured
in suitable fashion such that when assembled the joints on the
inside of the enclosure will not be appreciably noticeable.
Insofar as additional apparatus is concerned, for the system
according to the teachings of the present invention, the soap
dispenser, valves, timer, air heater, and the like may be located
under a suitable cover within the enclosure, such as under the
lavatory as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Location of these devices
outside the enclosure is also satisfactory, though the apparatus
should be positioned at a fairly accessible location so as to
permit maintenance thereof as required.
Having described the present invention in detail, it is obvious
that one skilled in the art will be able to make variations and
modifications thereto without departing from the scope of the
invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should
be determined only by the claims appended hereto.
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