Brushing – scrubbing – and general cleaning – Machines – Wiping
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-22
2001-07-31
Till, Terrence R. (Department: 1744)
Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning
Machines
Wiping
Reexamination Certificate
active
06266838
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a cleaning implement having a moving absorbent surface for picking up liquid, and more particularly to such an implement which can be manipulated much like a conventional mop to clean hard surfaces, particularly uncarpeted flooring or other surfaces.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the art of bare (i.e. uncarpeted) floor care, a “scrubber” that employs one or more spinning discs, surfaced with bristles and/or scouring materials, is known. It is also known that a vacuuming system may be employed to pick up soiled fluids following scrubbing. These systems create an atmospheric vacuum remote from the site of pickup. It is also known that various methods of wringing a mop or the like have been employed. For example see U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,822,433 and 4,642,832.
A spinning cylinder that is sheared by a rigid wiper to remove water has been suggested. See U.S. Pat. No. 3,789,449.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is intended to provide a relatively simple hard surface care system, which preferably is inexpensive and light enough in weight to address the needs of residential and commercial users.
The invention is a device for cleaning floors or other hard surfaces. In one aspect of the invention, the device includes a moving absorbent surface, a shear member, and a drive for the moving absorbent surface.
As defined herein, a “moving” surface is defined as a surface that normally moves when the present device is in use. An “endless moving surface” is defined as a moving surface having one or more elements that normally periodically traverses an established closed path and thus regularly returns to any point on the path without stopping. A reciprocating surface is a moving surface that moves back and forth along a straight or curved path, usually (but not necessarily) stopping momentarily at each end of its travel. “Absorbent surface” has its usual meaning, and need not be a continuous absorbent surface. In other words, the present moving absorbent surface, even if “endless,” can be one or more isolated elements interrupted by scrubbing bars, non-absorbent regions, or the like within the scope of the present invention.
The moving absorbent surface can have several different forms. One such form is a rigid or flexible cylindrical roller having an absorbent outer surface and rotatable about its axis. Another such form is a belt defining an absorbent outer surface and carried on one or more rollers or other structure. Yet another such form is a flexible, rotating disk adapted to be disposed at an angle to a hard surface with a portion of the disk on one side of its center of rotation pressed into contact with the surface and thus bent out of the plane of the disk (much as a flexible sanding disk is used). Another class of moving absorbent surfaces contemplated herein is a reciprocating surface, which may reciprocate in a straight line or along a curved path (or both).
Each of these forms of a moving absorbent surface has a first portion adapted to be normally disposed substantially in contact with a hard surface to define an area of contact and a second portion adapted to be normally disposed out of contact with the hard surface. Particular elements of the absorbent surface move through the first portion and the second portion alternately, thus periodically coming into contact and leaving contact with the surface to be cleaned.
The shear member may take various forms, such as a blade or a squeeze roller. The shear member is located near the absorbent outer surface of the roller and runs generally parallel to the roller (although it may be slightly skewed to promote drainage, as is further discussed below). The shear member has a fluid transporting surface having first and second portions. The shear member can at least substantially contact the absorbent surface to channel away a previously absorbed fluid to the second portion of the fluid transporting surface.
The shear member optionally can have a second position at least substantially clear of the absorbent outer surface. A mechanism can be provided for moving at least one of the shear member and the absorbent surface relative to the other, thus moving the movable shear member between its first and second positions.
Several advantages are realized if the operator is able to disengage the shear member from the roller. First, cleaning fluid can be used more efficiently by not engaging the shear member until the fluid is too soiled to further clean the hard surface being cleaned. Second, roller wear and power consumption are reduced while the shear member is disengaged. Reduced power consumption is particularly important if the implement is battery-driven. Third, the operator has more control over the cleaning process if he or she is able to operate the implement with the shear member selectively engaged or disengaged.
A mechanism is provided for moving the absorbent surface relative to the hard surface at the area of contact as the device is being used. This arrangement creates a scrubbing action between the absorbent outer surface and the hard surface at the area of contact.
Another aspect of the invention is a hard surface cleaning device including a support, an absorbent surface, a shear member, and a peristaltic pump. The support may be a housing, a frame, or other suitable structure for supporting the other elements of the device. The absorbent surface has been described above. The shear member at least substantially contacts the second portion of the absorbent surface for removing fluid absorbed in the absorbent surface. The shear member is not necessarily movable as described above, though it may be movable. The peristaltic pump is provided for transporting away the fluid removed by the shear member. The pump optionally may include a stator and a rotor, one driven in common with the absorbent surface and the other supported by the support, so the pump operates when the absorbent surface is moving.
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McAndrew, Held & Malloy, Ltd.
Till Terrence R.
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