U.S. patent number 3,761,985 [Application Number 05/179,969] was granted by the patent office on 1973-10-02 for cleaning device for producing and applying a cleansing foam.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Leifheit International Gunter Leifheit KG. Invention is credited to Gunter Leifheit.
United States Patent |
3,761,985 |
Leifheit |
October 2, 1973 |
CLEANING DEVICE FOR PRODUCING AND APPLYING A CLEANSING FOAM
Abstract
A housing can be moved over a surface to be cleaned and contains
a reservoir for a foamable cleaning liquid which is received by
foaming means by which it is foamed and then applied to the
surface. The liquid is supplied to the foaming means by a float
accommodated in the reservoir and having an outlet via which the
latter communicates with the foaming means.
Inventors: |
Leifheit; Gunter (Nassau/Lahn,
DT) |
Assignee: |
Leifheit International Gunter
Leifheit KG (Nassau/Lahn, DT)
|
Family
ID: |
5782265 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/179,969 |
Filed: |
September 13, 1971 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
|
Sep 12, 1970 [DT] |
|
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P 20 45 176.7 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
15/50.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L
11/325 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47L
11/00 (20060101); A47L 11/32 (20060101); A47l
011/34 () |
Field of
Search: |
;15/29,5R,5C,98,320
;401/274 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Roberts; Edward L.
Claims
I claim:
1. A cleaning device for producing and applying a cleansing foam,
comprising a housing adapted for movement over a surface to be
cleaned; a reservoir for a foamable cleaning liquid; foaming means
for receiving liquid from said reservoir, foaming the liquid and
applying the resulting foam to said surface; and supplying means
for supplying liquid from said reservoir to said foaming means,
comprising a float in said reservoir, and an outlet provided in
said float and communicating with said reservoir and with said
foaming means.
2. A device as defined in claim 1, said float being adapted for
floating immersion in said liquid to a predetermined level; and
wherein said outlet is provided on said float above said level.
3. A device as defined in claim 1, said float being of
substantially disc-shaped configuration and having a
liquid-collecting channel provided with an upwardly directed open
side and extending substantially transversely to the direction of
movement of said housing over said surface.
4. A device as defined in claim 3, wherein said float is of
rectangular outline.
5. A device as defined in claim 1; and further comprising at least
one guide element associated with said float and guiding the same
for vertical displacement in said reservoir.
6. A device as defined in claim 5, said reservoir having a bottom
wall, and said guide element comprising a frame portion located
beneath said float in the region of said bottom wall, and at least
two arm portions extending vertically from said frame portion in
guiding engagement with said float and having a height
corresponding substantially to that of said reservoir.
7. A device as defined in claim 6, said frame portion having one
section fixedly secured in said region of said bottom wall, and an
other section carrying said arm portions and pivotably connected
with said one section.
8. A device as defined in claim 7; further comprising integral
hinge means connecting said sections pivotally with one
another.
9. A device as defined in claim 7; further comprising a control
member for pivoting said other section relative to said one
section, said control member having a control cam track provided
with an ascending portion; and wherein said other section comprises
a projection extending in parallelism with its pivot axis and
riding on said control cam track.
10. A device as defined in claim 9, said reservoir having a filling
opening for said liquid, and a closure member of predetermined
cross-section for said filling opening; said control member being
provided in the region of said filling opening and having a
cross-section corresponding to said predetermined cross-section;
and further comprising coupling portions for coupling said control
member with said closure member against relative rotation.
11. A device as defined in claim 9, said reservoir having a filling
opening bounded by a marginal portion, and a closure member for
said filling opening; and wherein said control member has a collar
overlying said marginal portion and said closure member is tightly
engageable with said collar when closing said filling opening.
12. A device as defined in claim 1, said supplying means further
having a supply conduit connecting said outlet with said foaming
means and having an outlet opening communicating with the latter;
and further comprising valve means in said supply conduit upstream
of said outlet opening for permitting and preventing the flow of
liquid to the latter.
13. A device as defined in claim 12, wherein said valve means
comprises a turnable valve flap in said supply conduit.
14. A device as defined in claim 13, said valve flap being movable
between an open and a closed position and having mounting means
mounting it for such movement in said supply conduit, and wherein
said valve flap is normally in said closed position and composed at
least in part of elastically deformable material in the region of
said mounting means so as to have a permanent bias toward said
closed position when moved toward said open position.
15. A device as defined in claim 14, said valve flap being turnable
about a substantially horizontal axis and havng a general plane
which is at least substantially vertically oriented when said valve
flap is in said closed position; and further comprising contact
portions operatively associated with said valve flap and adapted
for contact with a surface to be cleaned, so as to move said valve
flap to said open position in response to such contact.
16. A device as defined in claim 15, said contact portions being
rotatably journalled on said valve flap and adapted to support said
housing on said surface for movement over the same.
17. A device as defined in claim 16, said contact portions being
elongated and having spaced ends; and further comprising
journalling means located at opposite lateral sides of said valve
flap for journalling the respective ends of said contact
portions.
18. A device as defined in claim 12, said supply conduit including
a distributing portion for distributing liquid to said foaming
means and having an inlet side and an outlet side of which the
latter communicates with said foaming means; and wherein said valve
means are located in the region of said inlet side.
19. A device for treating floor and other surfaces, comprising
housing means movable over a surface to be treated, and including
at least one surface-engaging component movable relative to said
housing means when the latter is so moved; reservoir means for a
treating liquid; converting means provided on said housing means
and adapted to receive treating liquid and convert it to a foamed
state; passage means connecting said reservoir means and said
converting means; valve means in said passage means for controlling
the flow of liquid therethrough and being displaceable between a
normally closed and an open position; biasing means biasing said
valve means to said normally closed position; and connecting means
between said valve means and said movable surface-engaging
component for displacing the former toward said open position in
response to movement of said surface-engaging component.
20. A device as defined in claim 19, said biasing means comprising
spring means.
21. A device as defined in claim 19, said movable component being a
surface-engaging rolling element.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to cleaning devices, and
more particularly to cleaning devices using foam as a cleaning
agent. Still more particularly the invention relates to a cleaning
device for producing and applying a cleaning foam to a surface.
Such devices of the general type here under discussion are already
known. One such device utilizes a flexible bag which contains the
foamable cleaning liquid and whose outlet communicates with a
conduit through which liquid is dripped and from which in turn
liquid drips through many apertures onto the foaming device. The
bag is so mounted that the conduit inlet is located above the
liquid level in the bag so that liquid is periodically into the
conduit by movement of the liquid and flowing of the liquid over
and into the inlet of the conduit, as a result of movement of the
cleaning device. Alternately, inflow of the liquid into the inlet
of the conduit can be provided by exerting pressure from the
exterior against the bag, thereby raising the liquid level and
causing liquid to flow into the conduit.
This prior-art construction has not been found entirely
satisfactory. Firstly, the flexibility of the bag makes it
difficult to fill the latter with liquid, at least without spilling
some of the liquid. Furthermore, the flexibility of the bag also
necessitates that the bag be protected against puncture or other
damage by accommodating it in a rigid casing, which involves an
additional expense. Furthermore, a substantial disadvantage of this
prior-art construction is that the supply of liquid to the foaming
device must always be such that the inlet is above the level of
liquid in the bag, so that-- given the fact that the bag holds only
a relatively small quantity of liquid--the device must be of rather
high construction in order to be able to accommodate the various
components in the requisite manner. It is a further disadvantage of
this construction that if the device is tilted during operation,
with simultaneous raising of the bag with reference to the inlet of
the conduit, an uncontrolled quantity of cleaning liquid will flow
through the conduit to the foaming device and can then contact the
surface to be treated in unfoamed condition, meaning that the
surface and the underlying material become wetted to an
unacceptable extent, which will usually result in damage of some
type.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, accordingly, an object of the present invention to provide
an improved cleaning device of the type here under discussion which
is not possessed of the disadvantages of the prior art.
A concomitant object of the invention is to provide such a cleaning
device which is simple in its construction as well as in its
operation, and which can be handled reliably even by persons having
neither technical skill nor understanding, thereby avoiding the
danger that unfoamed cleaning liquid might come in contact with the
material being treated.
A further object of the invention is to provide such a cleaning
device in which it is assured that the supply of liquid cleaning to
the foaming device will be properly regulated, and will be
automatically started or stopped, irrespective of any possible
deviations of the cleaning device from its normal operating
position.
In pursuance of the above objects, and of others which will become
apparent hereafter, one feature of the invention resides in a
cleaning device for producing and applying a cleansing foam, which
device comprises, briefly stated, a housing adapted for movement
over a surface to be cleaned. A reservoir is provided for a
foamable cleaning liquid, and foaming means is provided for
receiving liquid from the reservoir, foaming it and applying the
resulting foam to the surface. There is, furthermore, provided
supplying means for supplying liquid from the reservoir to the
foaming means, and this comprises, in accordance with the
invention, a float located in the reservoir and provided with an
outlet communicating both with the reservoir and with the foaming
means. The outlet is located in a portion of the float which is
above the upper level to which the float can become immersed in the
cleaning liquid, thereby assuring that the outflow of liquid is
continuously adapted to changes in the level of the cleaning liquid
inside the reservoir, even if the device is tilted out of its
normal operating position. Moreover, with this construction the
cross-section of the outlet can be made large enough to prevent
clogging of the outlet conduit communicating with the outlet
opening, because in this construction a discharge of cleaning
liquid through the outlet takes place only when the device
undergoes a to-and-fro movement which is typical of the operational
movements of such devices, with the inertia of the float and of the
cleaning liquid resulting in an overflowing into the outlet of the
float when the direction of movement of the device is reversed at
the end of its operating strokes. If, on the other hand, the device
is accidentally or purposely tilted with respect to its normal
operating position, the float will accommodate itself to the
changes to the level of the cleaning liquid in the reservoir and
the outlet will under all circumstances remain reliably above the
level of the cleaning liquid unless the tilting movement is
accommodated by so strong a to-and-fro movement of the device that
liquid can enter the outlet, a circumstance which is not normally
to be expected.
It is, of course, also important that it be possible for the
reservoir to empty completely during the operation of the device if
and when this is desired. To make this possible it is currently
preferred to construct the float in essentially a disk-shaped
configuration, preferably in a rectangular outline, and to provide
with an upwardly open groove which extends essentially transversely
to the direction of movement of the device and which communicates
with the outlet. With this construction a very good accuracy of
dispensing of the liquid is obtained, because during each reversal
of direction at the ends of the operating strokes of the device the
liquid will run into the groove, filling the same, and during the
period between the just-mentioned reversal of direction and the
reversal of direction which takes place at the end of the
next-following operating stroke, the contents of this groove will
empty through the outlet and be supplied to the foaming means. At
the next reversal of direction the groove will be again be filled
and the process be repeated, so that during each reversal of
direction an identical or nearly identical amount of liquid--
corresponding to the volumetric content of the groove--will be
supplied.
It is conceivable that under certain circumstances the float might
not remain in upright or vertical orientation. In order to insure
that the position of the float is stable and a constant accurate
dispensing of liquid is assured, it is advantageous to associate
the float with a vertical guidance element in the interior of the
reservoir, and it is currently preferred to construct the guidance
element in such a manner that it has a frame located in the bottom
region of the reservoir bottom beneath the float, and is provided
with vertically extending arm portions which guide the float and
whose length corresponds approximately to the height of the
reservoir. In fact, it is further contemplated to provide a first
section of the frame which is anchored rigidly with the device, for
instance to a rigid portion of the conduit connecting the outlet
with the foaming means, and a second section carrying the vertical
arms and which is pivotably connected with the first section, for
instance by means of integral hinges. The term integral hinge
refers to a flexible portion--usually plastic--which is of one
piece with two other portions of the same material which are to be
capable of pivotal movement relative to one another. In essence
this is a relatively thin film-like or strip-like portion of the
same material of which the relatively pivotable portions are
made.
By constructing the frame in the aforementioned manner a
displacement of the pivotable frame section permits a tilting of
the float, thus that the aforementioned groove and the outlet can
be raised so as to be far enough above the level of liquid in the
reservoir that no liquid can enter into them at such times as this
is not desired.
If the construction is such as just mentioned above, namely
permitting this displacement of the float at the will of a user,
then of course it is important that such displacement or adjustment
be possible without difficulties and without requiring special
skill or care. For this purpose it is advantageous to provide the
pivotable section of the frame with a projection which extends
advantageously radially with reference to its pivot axis and which
rides on an upwardly inclined control cam track of a control member
which can be so moved that as the cam track moves, the projection
will ride up on the latter and raise the movable section of the
frame and thereby the float. The control member should of course be
accessible at the exterior of the device so that the desired
adjustment can be made at any time without any difficulties. It is
particularly advantageous to locate the control member in the
region of the filling opening of the reservoir and to accommodate
its cross-sectional dimensions to the exterior cross-sectional
dimensions of a preferably cup-shaped closure element for the
filling opening, with which it can be made to be coupled so that
the two cannot rotate with reference to one another. In this manner
the closure element can be removed from the filling opening
whenever this is necessary or desired, whereas the control element
remains in place, and when the closure element is fully inserted
into the liquid opening its turning movement results in a
synchronous turning movement of the control member leading to a
change in the position of the pivotable section of the frame and
thereby of the float.
The control member can be provided with a collar overlying a
marginal portion of a wall in which the filling opening is
provided, and the closure element can tightly engage this collar to
prevent leakage, with the collar being advantageously so
constructed that it engages the aforementioned marginal portion in
such a manner as not to interfere with rotatable movement of the
control member but to prevent it from undesirable withdrawal
axially of the filling opening. Of course, in order to make it
still simpler for the user to adjust the position of the control
member and thereby of the float, end abutments cooperating with the
control cam track may also be provided in the interior of the
reservoir.
The conduits communicating with the outlet and with the foaming
means can also be provided with a closure valve to afford
additional assurance against undesired flow of cleaning liquid.
This can be a particularly advantageous feature in the event that
the control of liquid flow by the float should malfunction for any
reason, in which case uncontrolled outflow of cleaning liquid can
be prevented by this additional valve. Furthermore, this additional
valve also assures that when the device is taken out of use, that
is when it is put away after having been used, any liquid which is
still in the outlet conduit or in the aforementioned groove
communicating with the outlet will not be able to reach the foaming
means and to pass through or beyond the latter to contact the
surface in non-foamed condition.
Such an additional valve is advantageously constructed as a valve
flap associated with the outlet end portion of the conduit, which
outlet opening may approximately be contoured to the desired
closure position of the valve flap. Such a construction is both
simple and not subject to malfunction, a consideration which is
particularly important in view of the fact that the cleaning
liquids used in such devices are usually of slightly tacky
character which in other constructions would tend to clog the valve
and prevent its proper operation. It is advantageous that the valve
flap be so mounted that it be elastically deformable in the region
of its mounting, the elastic deformability setting up a biassing
stress tending to move the flap to closed position whenever it is
moved away from closed and towards open position. Thus, the valve
flap would normally tend to close without requiring any positive
action on the part of a user of the device, whereas it is necessary
for the user to take a positive action when he wishes the valve
flap to open. This movement towards open position can, however,
also in highly advantageous manner be made the automatic response
of an action which the user must perform in any case when he wishes
to use the device, namely by so mounting the valve flap that it can
be turned about a substantially horizontal pivot axis, and is
provided or associated with surface or ground contacting portions
which, when the device is placed on the surface to be treated, will
move the valve flap to open position to permit flow of cleaning
liquid, whereas as soon as the device is lifted off the surface and
the contact portions move out of engagement with the surface, the
valve flap will automatically return to closed position.
It is advantageous that such contact portions be the portions on
which the entire device moves over the surface to be treated or
cleaned, advantageously in form of rollers, wheels or the like,
with the valve flap being provided with journals for these
portions, preferably at opposite lateral sides of the flap so that
opposite ends of the portions can be journalled therein. It is
advantageous that in the closed position of the valve flap the
journal portions provided thereon will be located lower than the
journal portions for the other ends of the contact portions,
preferably by an amount corresponding to the distance through which
the valve flap moves between its open and closed positions. In this
manner the contact elements, such as rollers, will move to
necessary orientation when the valve flap moves to open position
during the operation of the device.
It is also advantageous if the valve flap is mounted in the region
of the side of a distributor for the cleaning liquid, which side
faces the incoming cleaning liquid arriving from the reservoir, so
that the path through which the cleaning liquid can move out of the
reservoir before encountering the valve flap be as short as
possible.
The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the
invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The
invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its
method of operation, together with additional objects and
advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following
description of specific embodiments when read in connection with
the accompanying drawing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a device according to the
present invention;
FIG. 2 is a bottom-plan view of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a partly sectioned fragmentary plan view of a detail of
the device in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a section taken on line IV--IV of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a section taken on line V--V of FIG. 3; and
FIG. 6 is a section taken on line VI--VI of FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Discussing now the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, it will be
seen that FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a cleaning device
according to the present invention, that is a cleaning device for
producing and applying a cleansing foam which device is to be moved
over a surface to be treated, for instance a rug, carpet,
upholstery or the like. The device is identified in toto with
reference numeral 10 in FIG. 1, and only those portions thereof
have been illustrated which are necessary for an understanding of
the invention. It will be seen that the device 10 is provided with
a pivotable bracket 12 to a holder 11 of which a handle can be
secured, this handle having been omitted as not essential for an
understanding of the invention. Also, details of the cover which
upwardly closes the foaming means 13 and the reservoir 14 for the
liquid to be foamed, have been omitted as not necessary for an
understanding of the invention.
The foaming means 13 will be seen to comprise a plurality of
cylindrical turnably mounted elements 15, 16 and 17 of absorbent
character. In known manner each of these elements 15, 16 and 17 is
composed of a rigid core which is surrounded by a jacket of
elastically compressible absorbent material, such as synthetic
plastic foam material. The elements 15-17 are so mounted and
journalled that they define with one another a rectangular outline
with the element 15 being located beneath the elements 16 and 17
which in turn are located in a common horizontal plane. The spacing
of the journals for these elements is so selected that during
rotation the jackets on the elements 15-17 will become
incrementally pressed and, subsequently, be relaxed again, whereby
liquid absorbed into these jackets becomes intensively admixed with
air and undergoes foaming.
Roller elements 20 and 21 are provided with which the device 10
contacts and rolls on the surface to be treated. These in turn are
associated with annular gears 19 which cooperate with annular gears
18 by means of which the elements 16 and 17 are driven in rotation.
As shown particularly in FIG. 2, th elements 20 and 21 are
constructed in this embodiment as essentially cylindrical brushes
in which the bristles and the carriers therefor are of one piece of
an elastic synthetic plastic to prevent damage to the surface to be
treated and on the other hand to provide sufficient contact with
the surface that proper driving in rotation of the elements 16 and
17 is assured.
During operation of the device 10, the elements 20 and 21 roll on
the surface to be treated; additional like elements 22 are located
at a side of the device 10 remote from the element 20. All of these
elements transmit their turning movement via the gears 19 and 18 to
the elements 16 and 17 which in turn rotate the element 15 by their
frictional engagement therewith. The alternating compressing and
relaxation of increments of the jackets on the different elements
15-17 results in the aforementioned formation of foam. This foam is
applied adjacent the roller elements 20 and 21 onto the surface to
be treated, and the brush-like roller elements work the foam into
this surface.
The reservoir containing the cleaning liquid which is to be foamed
is identified with reference numeral 14 and located essentially at
the same level with the device 13. At its upper side it is provided
with a filling opening 25 which can be closed by means of a
preferably cup-shaped closure element 26, whose cup-shaped
configuration makes it possible to use this element also for
measuring the quantity of cleaning liquid which is to be filled
into the reservoir container 24. When the element 26 is to be used
to close the filling opening 25, the open side of the element 26 is
directed towards the filling opening 25 and the element 26 then
inserted into this opening, with a handle or grip 27 provided on
the element 26 remote from its open side being exposed on the
exterior of the device 10 for engagement by a user.
Located in the interior of the reservoir container 24 is a float 28
which in the illustrated embodiment is constructed as a flat
disk-shaped member of approximately rectangular outline. It is
provided with an outlet 29 for the cleaning liquid which is
accessible only at the upper side of the float and which, as shown
particularly in FIG. 3, communicates with an upwardly open groove
24 formed in the float in the region of the upper side thereof,
with the groove 24 in proper operational position of the flat
extending transversely to the direction of movement of the device
10 over a surface to be treated. In the illustrated embodiment the
float is guided for free movement in vertical direction, but with
its position stabilized, for which purpose two arms 30 and 31
extend in vertical orientation from the bottom wall towards the
upper side of the container 24, with the arm 30 engaging in a
recess 32 of the float 28, whereas the arm 31 laterally contacts
the float. The arms 30 and 31 are carried on a frame section 36 of
a frame portion 33, a section 34 which is secured in the region of
the bottom wall of the container 24. Sections 34 and 36 are
connected by hinge portions 35 for pivotal movement of the section
36 relative to the section 34 about a horizontal pivot axis, and in
the illustrated embodiment these hinge portions are constructed as
integral hinges, that is as webs for strips of the same material of
which the remainder of the frame 33 is composed. The frame section
36 thus can press the float 28 upwardly underneath the cover
closing the upper open side of the container 24, and in order to
carry out such displacement at will, the frame 33 is provided with
a lateral projection 37 which rides on a control cam track 38
rising in upward direction in form of a rising or upwardly inclined
helix and which is formed at the outer periphery of a hollow
cylindrical control member 39 which is inserted into the inlet
opening 25. The member 39 is provided in its upper region with a
circumferential recess 41 bounded by a collar 40, and it is snapped
with this recess 41 into the marginal portion bounding the opening
25, so that the member 39 can be turned about its longitudinal axis
but is held in place by axial displacement. The inner diameter of
the member 39 is so dimensioned that the closure element 26 can be
sealingly inserted into it, and a peripheral cutout 42 is provided
in the member 39 into which an appropriately configurated
circumferential bead or thickening 43 of the element 26 can be
inserted so that the position of insertion of the element 26 into
the opening 25 is always predetermined and turning of the element
26 via the handle 27 causes a turning of the element 29 and thereby
a raising or lowering of the frame section 36 from the exterior of
the device 10.
As pointed out before, the device 10 will in normal operation be
moved to and fro over the surface to be treated. At the end of each
stroke, that is at the time the direction of movement of the device
is reversed, the differential inertia of the float end of the
cleaning liquid will cause the latter to overflow over the float,
and a portion of the thus-overflowing liquid will enter into the
groove 24, filling the latter, and this portion will thus be
metered by the volumetric content of the groove 24 and enter
through the outlet 29 from where it is conducted away by a
yieldable outlet or supply conduit 45 which does not influence the
position of the float 28 in the liquid. The end portion of the
conduit 45 is configurated as a rigid knee 46 in order to prevent
squeezing and closing of the conduit 45 --which is flexible in its
other regions--
where it passes through the wall 47. The knee 46 is also provided
with a collar 48 which is inserted into an appropriately
configurated annular gap in the wall 47 in order to secure the
supply conduit against movement in this region.
Coming to FIG. 4, it will be seen that the end portion of the
supply conduit 45 which is located exteriorly of the reservoir
means 14 can be closed by a valve 49 which, in the illustrated
embodiment, is in form of a valve flap a sealing layer of which
--preferably of synthetic plastic foam material-- sealingly
contacts the open end of the conduit 45. The valve flap 49 is
mounted for turning movement by means of another integral hinge 51,
the construction of which is such that in normal operation the
valve will always sealingly contact the open end of the conduit 45,
whereas when the valve flap is moved from the normally closed to an
open position, it will be subject to a biassing action of the
thus-deformed flexible material of the integral hinge. The flap 49
is located essentially within a channel 52 extending from the
conduit 45 to a distributor 56 and extends with lateral portions
beyond the edge of the channel 52 --which is partly opened at its
upper side-- towards the bottom of the device 10, and these
portions 53 are provided with journalled portions 54 for the
elements 21 which are journalled at opposite side of the channel 52
as shown in FIG. 2.
It should be noted in the illustrated embodiment the position of
the journalled portions 54 is so selected that in the normal
position of the flap 50, that is in the closure position thereof,
there will be located lower than the other journalled portions of
the remaining surface contacting elements, so that in the region of
the journalled portions, these surface contacting elements extend
downwardly towards the surface to be treated. When the device 10 is
placed in use, and is put on the surface to be treated, the weight
of the device causes the elements 21 to be moved to a straightened
or horizontal position whereby the journal portions 54 are
displaced upwardly, resulting in simultaneous displacement of the
valve flap 49,50 to an open position permitting the flow of
cleaning fluid.
When the cleaning fluid can thus flow through the supply conduit
45, it enters via the channel 52 into the distributor 56.
Intermediate the same and the outlet end of the channel 52, there
is provided a groove 57 which extends over the entire length of the
distributor 56 and from which the incoming cleaning fluid is
rapidly and evenly distributed to all points of the distributor 56
which in turn is of substantially trough-shaped configuration with
its longitudinal margins 58 being provided with inward
reinforcements of beads. The end wall portions 59 are of
essentially pocket-shape configuration and opened towards the
center of the distributor 56.
Reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 will show that the distributor 56 is
mounted at the level of the bottom wall of the reservoir means 14
and the elements 15,16 and 17. The element 15 is so journalled that
it extends with increments into the distributor 56, in which it
picks up the liquid cleaning material entering into this end, by
absorbing it over the entire length of the element 15. The
cross-section of the distributor 56 is so chosen that the inwardly
projecting beads 58 tightly contact the circumference of the
element 15 whereas the axially end portions of the element 15 in
turn tightly contacts the edge portions 60 so that the cleaning
liquid in the distributor 56 cannot in uncontrolled manner flow
onto the surface on which the device is supported, but will always
be absorbed by the element 15 which is journalled for rotation with
a rigid shaft 15' in journals 61. Rotation of the element 15 then
results in continuous transportation of the absorbed cleaning
liquid until the element 15 initially contacts the elements 16,17
and foam is generated. Because the subsequent supply of cleaning
fluid into the distributor 56 is controlled by the float 28, a
continuous supply of liquid --and thus a continuous evenly
controlled formation of foam is assured. When the device is taken
out of operation, a further flow of cleaning liquid out of the
reservoir means 14 is immediately terminated because reduction of
pressure on the journals of the elements 21 permit the valve flap
49 to close the conduit 45, and in addition, the cessation of the
to and fro movement of the device 10 will no longer cause the
liquid to enter into the outlet 29 of the float 28. In order to
assure that even when the device is stored in various different
positions, cleaning liquid cannot enter the outlet 29. The member
39 can be manipulated to raise the float 28 via the frame section
36 so that the outlet 29 will be located too high in the reservoir
means 24 for liquid to enter into it.
In the illustrated embodiment, it will be seen that the reservoir
means 14 and the distributor 56 together constitute a rigid
structural unit which is removably mounted on the remainder of the
device 10. Reference to FIG. 3 will show that at the outer sides of
the distributor 56, opposite the journals 61, there are provided
circular projections 62 which are inserted in corresponding
recesses provided in the frame of the device. The connection
between the distributor 56 and the reservoir means 14 --in a sense
making them a rigid structural unit-- is achieved on the one hand
by the channel 52, and on the other hand by rigid portions or webs
63, so that however adequate space remains between the distributor
56 and to the reservoir means 14 for a passage of the foam which is
produced by the elements 15,16 and 17. This foam must of course be
capable of reaching the surface over which the device 10 is moved.
In the illustrated embodiment, the rigid structural unit composed
of the distributor 56 and the reservoir means 14 is assembled of
two one-piece sections which are connected with one another after
the components which must be accommodated in the reservoir means 14
have been inserted into the latter, and each of these sections
constitutes half of the reservoir means 14, half of the channel 52,
and half of the distributor 56, so that the sections together
constitute the just-enumerated elements.
Naturally, various modifications and changes in the illustrated
embodiment are possible without departing in any way from the scope
and intent of the invention. The elements 15,16 and 17 can of
course be constructed and arranged in a manner different from that
illustrated; for instance, the elements 15 and 16 could be
constructed as rigid rods or bars. Also, the surface contacting
elements can be configurated or constructed differently than what
has been illustrated, depending upon different requirements, or for
instance depending upon the force required for driving the elements
15-16 in rotation. Also, it is possible to journal the surface
contacting elements in different manner and quite clearly the
overall contour and outline of the device 10 can be changed.
It is further possible to have the valve flap 49 normally
maintained and urged in closed position in a manner other than that
illustrated, for instance by having a biassing element engage the
reverse --that is non-sealing-- side of the valve flap, pressing
against the same and in a sense urging it to a closed position.
Such biassing element can then bear also against the opposite upper
portion of the channel 52 which in this region is still
circumferentially closed. Such a biassing element may for instance
be an elastomeric biassing element, for instance one of foam
plastic material.
It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or
two or more together, may also find a useful application in other
types of constructions differeing from the types described
above.
While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied
in a cleaning device for producing and applying a cleansing foam,
it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since
various modifications and structural changes may be made without
departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.
Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the
gist of the present invention that others can by applying current
knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without
omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly
constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific
aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should
and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of
equivalence of the following claims.
What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters
Patent is set forth in the appended claims.
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