Mop Treating Apparatus

Abstract

A mop treating apparatus includes a relatively small volume reservoir drawer wherein mop treating fluid is maintained at an elevated temperature. The volume of mop treating fluid in the reservoir drawer is held constant by a centrifugal pump which withdraws fresh mop treating fluid from a source and a float controlled valve mounted in the drawer which governs the level of mop treating fluid in the reservoir drawer. An air actuated reciprocating pump withdraws mop treating fluid from the reservoir drawer and forces the mop treating fluid through a pair of spray heads mounted over a conveyor. The conveyor is actuated through a slip clutch to transport dust mops under the spray heads whereupon mop treating fluid is applied to the dust mops. Excess fluid is returned to the reservoir drawer through a filter screen situated in the upper portion thereof.

Description

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a mop treating apparatus, and more particularly to apparatus for spraying dust mops with a relatively high viscosity fluid.

At the present time dust mops are frequently handled on a service basis. In such a case used mops are exchanged for clean mops and are washed and treated prior to being returned to service. The treating step comprises applying a light oil or similar material to the mops so as to improve their performance in picking up dust, etc.

At least three methods are currently employed to treat dust mops. The first comprises mixing a light oil into a quantity of water and immersing the mops in the resulting liquid. This is unsatisfactory because an emulsifying agent must be employed in order to mix the oil into the water and also because old mops, which are relatively absorbent, and new mops, which are relatively non-absorbent, do not receive the same quantity of oil. The second method comprises treating the mops in a centrifugal extractor. This procedure usually results in excellent treatment of the mops with oil, but is unsatisfactory because centrifugal extractors are prohibitively expensive and require the services of a skilled operator. Also, if mops are stacked in an extractor, treatment is often non-uniform between the various layers. The third procedure comprises spraying the dust mops with a light oil. The latter procedure is generally deemed to be the best compromise in that it provides treatment of the mops which is nearly as satisfactory as centrifugal treatment at a price which is competitive with that of the immersion mop treatment method.

Unfortunately, the various mop spraying apparatus that have been available heretofore have exhibited a number of disadvantageous characteristics. For example, although it is necessary to heat the various oils that are used to treat dust mops in order to obtain satisfactory spray discharge characteristics, the mop spraying apparatus that have been available heretofore have typically been equipped with heating mechanisms which are unsatisfactory because they operate too slowly. Second, prior art mop spraying apparatus have generally been equipped with relatively large reservoirs capable of receiving the entire contents of a 55 gallon drum. In such a case, as long as two hours may be required in order to bring the contents of the reservoir up to temperature. Third, it has generally been necessary to equip prior art mop treating apparatus with a hood in order to contain spurious spray therefrom. This is unsatisfactory because it prevents the direct observation of the dust mops as they are being treated. Fourth, prior art mop treating apparatus have often been equipped with motors which are incapable of pumping mop treating fluids for extended periods of time without burning out. Fifth, it has been found that prior art mop treating apparatus frequently require excessive maintenance. For example, it may be necessary to spend as long as two hours in cleaning lint and other foreign matter from such devices. Sixth, many prior art mop spraying apparatus have employed centrifugal pumps to force mop treating fluid from a reservoir through spray heads. Pumps of this type have proved to be inadequate to handle mop treating fluids in excess of 70 seconds viscosity. Seventh, difficulties have been experienced in the use of prior art mop spraying apparatus due to the differing pH factors of various mop treating fluids.

The present invention comprises a novel mop treating apparatus which overcomes the foregoing and other problems that have long been associated with the prior art. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, a mop treating apparatus comprises a relatively small reservoir equipped with a relatively high capacity heater so that the contents of the reservoir are rapidly brought up to the required temperature and are thereafter maintained at that temperature. The mop treating fluid is pumped out of the reservoir by a compressed air actuated reciprocating pump that is capable of pumping mop treating fluid virtually indefinitely without damage, and is discharged through spray heads which do not generate spurious spray. Excess fluid is returned to the reservoir through a filter screen which is situated in the top of the reservoir and is readily accessible. Further advantageous characteristics of the present invention comprise a conveyor for moving dust mops under the spray heads which is actuated through a slip clutch so as to prevent jamming, a continuous operating pump and a float controlled valve for maintaining a predetermined volume of mop treating fluid in the reservoir, and a solenoid operated cut-off of the air actuated reciprocating pump for discontinuing the discharge of mop treating fluid spray whenever the conveyor is not operating.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the following Detailed Description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mop treating apparatus incorporating the preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the mop treating apparatus shown in FIG. 1 in which certain parts have been broken away more clearly to illustrate certain features of the invention;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the mop treating apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view showing the operating components of the mop treating apparatus; and

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view showing the conveyor drive mechanism of the mop treating apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the Drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown a mop treating apparatus 10 comprising the preferred embodiment of the invention. The mop treating apparatus 10 includes a frame 12 comprising opposed leg portions 14 and 16 and an upper portion 18 which extends substantially horizontally between the leg portions. Those skilled in the art will realize that whereas the frame 12 illustrated in the Drawing is fabricated entirely from sheet metal, the frame of the mop treating apparatus 10 may be constructed by means of other conventional techniques, if desired.

A conveyor 20 is mounted in the upper portion 18 of the frame 12 for actuation to transport dust mops along a path extending lengthwise of the frame. The conveyor 20 comprises a plurality of flights 22 which are mounted in spaced relation to define openings therebetween. The course of the conveyor 20 is defined by a plurality of sprockets 24 mounted at the opposite ends of the upper portion 18 of the frame 12.

As is best shown in FIG. 5, the conveyor 20 is drive by an electric motor 26 which is operatively connected to the conveyor 20 by a chain and sprocket drive 28 and a slip clutch 30. This construction has been found to be highly advantageous for two reasons. First, the component parts of the chain and sprocket drive 28 may be interchanged to vary the speed of operation of the conveyor 20. Second, the use of the slip clutch 30 completely eliminates any possibility of injury or damage due to jamming of the conveyor 20.

The mop treating apparatus 10 further includes a small capacity mop treating fluid reservoir 32. The reservoir 32 comprises a drawer which is supported on the frame 12 beneath the conveyor 20 for sliding movement between the position shown in FIG. 1 and the position shown in FIG. 2. This construction has been found to be highly advantageous in that it permits ready access to the interior of the reservoir drawer 32 whereby various maintenance operations involved in the use of the mop treating apparatus 10 are greatly facilitated.

As is best shown in FIG. 2, several component parts of the mop treating apparatus 10 are located within the reservoir drawer 32. A filter screen 34 is situated in the upper portion of the reservoir drawer 32 and is therefore readily accessible when the reservoir drawer 32 is pulled outwardly to the position shown in FIG. 1. A float controlled valve 36 is positioned below the filter screen 34 and functions to maintain a predetermined volume of mop treating fluid 38 within the reservoir drawer 32. A mop treating fluid outlet 40 including a filter screen 42 is situated in the reservoir drawer 32 beneath the level of the volume of mop treating fluid 38, and an electric resistance heating element 44 is positioned beneath the outlet 40. This arrangement is advantageous because it assures that the heating element will always be immersed in mop treating fluid. The lowermost component of the mop treating apparatus 10 that is positioned within the reservoir drawer 32 comprises a thermostat 46. The reservoir drawer 32 is also provided with a normally closed drain valve 48.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the mop treating apparatus 10 is equipped with an electrically driven centrifugal pump 50. The pump 50 normally operates continuously and functions to supply fresh mop treating fluid to the mop treating apparatus 10 from a source, such as a 55 gallon drum or other container. The pump 50 withdraws mop treating fluid from the source through a conduit 52 and directs the fluid to the reservoir drawer 32 through a conduit 54. As is best shown in FIG. 2, the conduit 54 extends to the float controlled valve 36. Thus, although the pump 50 functions to provide a source of fresh mop treating fluid for the reservoir drawer 32 whenever it is operating, the flow of additional mop treating fluid into the reservoir drawer 32 is actually controlled by the valve 36 in accordance with the volume of mop treating fluid in the reservoir drawer 32. Those skilled in the art will realize that the pump 50 may comprise a compressed air actuated reciprocating pump, if desired.

Referring again to FIG. 4, the mop treating apparatus 10 is also provided with a compressed air actuated reciprocating pump 56 which is preferably of the type manufactured by the Aro Corportion of Byran, Ohio, and identified by that company as Model Number 650230-C. The pump 56 is driven by compressed air which is received through a solenoid controlled valve 58. The pump 56 functions to withdraw mop treating fluid from the reservoir drawer 32 through the outlet 40 and a conduit 60 connected thereto and to force mop treating fluid through a conduit 62.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 4, the conduit 62 includes an orifice 64 which provides back pressure for the pump 56, a flexible portion 66, and a rigid portion 68. The rigid portion 68 of the conduit 62 is adjustably supported on the frame 12 by a fixture 70 and extends initially angularly upwardly and then transversely across the frame 12 above the conveyor 20. The rigid portion 68 of the conduit 62 supports a pair of spray heads 72 which function to discharge mop treating fluid downwardly toward the conveyor 20 of the mop treating apparatus 10.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 2 and 3, the spray heads 72 form fan-shaped spray patterns and therefore provide a combined spray pattern extending entirely across the conveyor 20 but having substantially no dimension in the direction of the path of movement of the conveyor. This has been found to be highly advantageous in obtaining the application of a uniform amount of mop treating fluid to each mop that is treated by the mop treating apparatus 10. The spray pattern generated by the spray head 72 is also advantageous in that it eliminates the need for a hood extending over the conveyor 20. Instead, a pair of side panels 74 supported on the upper portion 18 of the frame 12 serve to completely prevent any spurious discharge of mop treating fluid from the mop treating apparatus 10.

As is best shown in FIG. 2, the upper portion 18 of the frame 12 of the mop treating apparatus 10 is provided with members 76 which function to return excess mop treating fluid to the reservoir drawer 32. All excess mop treating fluid entering the reservoir drawer 32 flows through the filter screen 34 which functions to remove lint therefrom. This has been found to be highly advantageous in that mop treating fluid is not wasted and yet the positioning of the filter screen 34 in the drawer 32 permits ready removal of the filter screen 34 to allow lint removal.

A control panel 78 for the mop treating apparatus 10 is mounted in the leg portion 16 of the frame 12. The control panel 78 includes a master switch 80, and a second master switch 82 is mounted in the leg portion 14. The switches 80 and 82 are both operable to disable all of the operating components of the mop treating apparatus 10. Thus, in case of an emergency, the operation of the mop treating apparatus 10 can be stopped from either end of the frame 12.

The control panel 78 further includes a switch 84 which functions to operate the conveyor in forward and reverse directions and to stop the conveyor. The solenoid operated valve 58 is interconnected with the switch 84 to prevent the flow of compressed air to the pump 56 whenever the switch 84 is actuated to either stop or reverse the direction of operation of the conveyor 20. By this means the discharge of treating fluid from the spray heads 72 is prevented except when the conveyor 20 is operating in the forward direction, and the application of excess treating fluid to any particular mop is thereby prevented. An indicator lamp 86 is included in the control panel for indicating the mode of operation of the conveyor 20 under the action of the switch 84.

The control panel 78 is also equipped with a switch 88 for controlling the operation of the centrifugal pump 50. This permits the operation of the mop treating apparatus 10 with the pump 50 disabled, if desired. A lamp 90 is provided for indicating the operational mode of the pump 50 under the control of the switch 84.

In addition to the switches 80, 84 and 88, the control panel 78 includes a knob 92 for selective actuation to control the temperature of the quantity of mop treating fluid 38 in the reservoir drawer 32. A pair of lamps 94 and 96 are provided for indicating the operation of the resistance heating element 44 to initially bring the quantity of mop treating fluid up to temperature and to indicate that the mop treating apparatus 10 is ready for use, respectively. The control panel 78 is completed by a gauge 98 for indicating the output pressure of the pump and a regulator 100 for controlling the speed of operation of the pump 56 and thereby controlling the rate at which mop treating fluid is discharged from the spray heads 82.

OPERATION

In the use of a mop treating apparatus 10 incorporating the present invention, a particular mop treating fluid that is initially selected for use in treating a particular type of dust mop. For example, a relatively light paraffin-base oil having a flash point of about 350.degree. F. comprises a typical mop treating fluid. Of course, any of the varius fluids that are commonly employed to treat dust mops may be utilized in a mop treating apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention, if desired.

The selection of a particular mop treating and the nature of the particular type of dust mop or similar article that is to be treated establish the various operating parameters for the mop treating apparatus. That is, both the adjustment of the fixture 70 to control the vertical positioning of the spray head 72 and the speed of operation of the conveyor 20 under the action of the motor 26 are determined to some extent by the type of dust mop that will be treated. Similarly, the setting of the temperature control knob 92 to maintain the fluid in the reservoir drawer 32 at a particular temperature and the setting of the regulator 100 to control the operation of the pump 56 are determined by the viscosity of the selected mop treating fluid and the quantity of mop treating fluid that is to be applied.

As soon as the operating parameters of the mop treating apparatus 10 have been established, the device may be utilized to treat dust mops or other dust control apparatus. During such operation, the resistance heating element 44 is periodically actuated under control of the thermostat 46 to maintain the contents of the reservoir drawer 32 at the desired temperature, and the pump 50 is operated continuously to maintain a predetermined quantity of mop treating fluid within the reservoir drawer 32. Finally, the pump 56 is operated continuously to cause a constant discharge of mop treating fluid from the spray heads 72. Since the pump 56 comprises a compressed air actuated reciprocating pump, there is no danger of damage to the pump 56 notwithstanding its utilization to pump mop treating fluid on a continuous basis.

As soom as the pump 56 is operating to discharge mop treating fluid from the spray heads 72, the mop treating apparatus 10 is in condition to treat dust mops with mop treating fluid. Dust mops are positioned on the conveyor 20 at the end corresponding to the leg portion 16 of the frame 12 and are transported by the conveyor 20 at a uniform speed to the end of the conveyor corresponding to the leg portion 14. During this movement the mops pass umnder the spray heads 72 whereupon a uniform coating of mop treating fluid is applied over the exposed surface of each mop. It will be understood that dust mops may be loaded onto the conveyor 20 either manually or automatically and that following treatment the mops may either be removed from the conveyor 20 by an automatic mechanism or discharged directly into a cotainer.

From the foregoing it will be understood that the present invention comprises a mop treating apparatus characterized by highly accurate control over the temperature of the mop treating fluid and in which the danger of motor burnout is completely eliminated. Mop treating apparatus incorporating the invention do not need any sort of hood over the conveyor and the spray heads. Thus, the use of a mop treating apparatus incorporating the present invention completely eliminates the various problems that have heretofore been characteristic of apparatus for applying treating fluids to dust mops and the like.

Although the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiment disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions of parts and elements without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims

We claim:

1. A mop treating apparatus comprising: conveyor means for transporting mops along a predetermined path;

at least one spray head positioned over the conveyor means for spraying mop treating fluid onto mops traveling along the path under the action of the conveyor means;

a relatively small volume mop treating fluid reservoir;

heating means for maintaining the contents of the reservoir at an elevated temperature;

first pumping means comprising an air actuated reciprocating pump for forcing heated mop treating fluid from the reservoir through the spray head; and

second pumping means for supplying fresh mop treating fluid and thereby maintaining a predetermined volume of mop treating fluid in the reservoir.

2. The mop treating apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the conveyor means comprises a plurality of flights which are interconnected to provide spacing therebetween, and further including means for returning excess mop treating fluid to the reservoir and means mounted in the upper portion of the reservoir for removing lint from excess mop treating fluid entering the reservoir.

3. The mop treating apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the heating means comprises a thermostatically controlled electric resistance heating element mounted in the lower portion of the reservoir and wherein the first pumping means withdraws mop treating fluid from the reservoir situated above the resistance heating element.

4. The mop treating apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the second pumping means comprises a continuously operating centrifugal pump for pumping mop treating fluid from a source to the reservoir and a float controlled valve for controlling the flow of mop treating fluid from the centrifugal pump into the reservoir.

5. A mop treating apparatus comprising:

a frame

a conveyor mounted in the upper portion of the frame for transporting mops along a path extending lengthwise thereof;

means mounted on the frame and positioned above the conveyor for spraying mop treating fluid toward the conveyor and onto mops positioned thereon;

a relatively small volume mop treating fluid reservoir comprising a drawer slidably supported on the frame beneath the conveyor;

means mounted on the frame for directing excess mop treating fluid spray into the mop treating fluid reservoir drawer;

filter means removably supported in the upper portion of the reservoir drawer for removing lint from excess mop treating fluid entering the reservoir drawer;

first pump means for pumping mop treating fluid from the drawer through the spraying means; and

second pump means for maintaining a predetermined quantity of mop treating fluid in the reservoir drawer.

6. The mop treating apparatus according to claim 5 further characterized by means for actuating the conveyor around a course including a portion extending along the path; and

means for disabling the first pump means whenever the conveyor actuating means is inoperative.

7. The mop treating apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the spraying means comprises at least one spray head mounted above the conveyor for generating a spray pattern which extends entirely across the conveyor and which has substantially no dimension in the direction of movement of the conveyor.

8. The mop treating apparatus of claim 5 further comprising:

heating means for maintaining the contents of the reservoir drawer at a predetermined elevated temperature.

9. The mop treating apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the first pump means compriss an air actuated reciprocating pump for forcing mop treating fluid through a conduit extending from the reservoir drawer to the spraying means and an orifice in the conduit between the pump and the spraying means for maintaining back pressure on the pump.

10. A mop treating apparatus comprising:

a frame;

conveyor means mounted in the upper portion of the frame for transporting mops along a predetermined path;

at least one spray head positioned over the conveyor means for spraying mop treating fluid onto mops traveling along the path under the action of the conveyor means;

a relatively small volume mop treating fluid reservoir comprising a drawer slidably supported in the frame beneath the conveyor means;

heating means for maintaining the contents of the reservoir drawer at a predetermined elevated temperature;

means mounted on the frame for returning excess mop treating fluid to the reservoir drawer;

filter means remobably supported in the upper portion of the reservoir drawer for removing lint from excess mop treating fluid entering the reservoir drawer;

first pumping means for forcing heated mop treating fluid through a conduit extending from the reservoir drawer to the spray head; and

means for maintaining a predetermined volume of mop treating fluid in the reservoir drawer.

11. The mop treating apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the spray head is supported on the conduit, and further including means for adjustably supporting the conduit on the frame and thereby adjustably positioning the spray head relative to the conveyor means.

12. The mop treating apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the heating means comprises a thermostatically controlled electric resistance heating element positioned in the lower portion of the reservoir drawer and wherein the first pumping means withdraws mop treating fluid through an outlet located in the reservoir drawer above the heating element.

13. The mop treating apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the volume maintaining means includes a pump for forcing fresh mop treating fluid through a conduit extending from a source to the reservoir drawer and further including a float controlled valve mounted in the reservoir drawer for controlling the flow of mop treating fluid from the pump into the reservoir drawer.

14. The mop treating apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the conveyor means is further characterized by a plurality of flights interconnected to provide spacing therebetween, a motor for actuating the flights around a course including a portion extending along the predetermined path, and a slip clutch forming a drive connection between the motor and the flights.