Brushing – scrubbing – and general cleaning – Machines – With air blast or suction
Patent
1998-08-17
2000-08-15
Snider, Theresa T.
Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning
Machines
With air blast or suction
15328, 15393, 15401, 15338, A47L 906
Patent
active
061016683
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
This invention relates to cleaning heads, for use with or as part of an apparatus for cleaning a surface by application of a cleaning liquid to the surface and removal of the cleaning liquid from the surface by suction.
More particularly, the invention relates to such cleaning heads suitable for use in such cleaning of floor surfaces which are of a relatively unyielding and non-absorbent nature. Examples of materials commonly used for floors or floor coverings, and affording surfaces of the type with which the invention is intended to be used, comprise plastics materials, e.g. vinyl, in the form of a large sheet or small portions constituting "tiles" laid on an underlying supporting surface; ceramic materials, e.g. glazed or unglazed tiles; rubber based materials; or wood, cork or concrete if the surface is sealed with a suitable coating to prevent or reduce absorption of liquid.
There have been many proposals for apparatus for cleaning such surfaces by the application of a cleaning liquid thereto and removal of such liquid, together with dirt removed thereby from the surface, by suction. The cleaning liquid may be water containing a suitable detergent. Cleaning heads for such apparatus, which may be provided as part of single-purpose cleaning appliances or as accessories for multi-purpose cleaning appliances of the suction cleaner ("vacuum cleaner") type, usually include means for distributing the cleaning liquid on to the surface to the cleaned, at least one passage arranged to be connected to a source of suction and having at least one opening arranged to collect liquid from the surface being cleaned, and means for agitating the cleaning liquid whilst in contact with the surface to assist the action thereof in removing dirt from the surface. The agitating means typically comprises at least one brush, a sponge or mop element, e.g. of suitable plastics or rubber foam or cellular material, or a combination thereof.
A cleaning head for such cleaning, and an appliance incorporating the head, are disclosed in our International patent application, Publication No. WO94/06342.
Such cleaning heads cannot normally be used for cleaning surfaces by picking up dry material, particularly from carpeted or upholstered surfaces, without the application of a cleaning liquid, and where an appliance is intended to be used both for wet and for dry cleaning operations, it has been the practice in the past to provide separate and interchangeable heads to perform the respective functions.
This naturally adds to the overall cost of manufacture.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a cleaning head which can readily be adapted for wet or for dry use by means of a user-removable and replaceable member, i.e. an adaptor.
It will be appreciated that a cleaning head in accordance with the invention normally is used in a predominantly reciprocating motion over the surface being cleaned. Accordingly references herein to the front and rear of the cleaning head, to the length thereof, and analogous expressions, refer to parts of the cleaning head spaced thereon in the intended direction of reciprocation thereof in use, and to dimensions in such direction. Similarly references to the sides of the cleaning head and to the width thereof, and analogous expressions, refer to the direction transverse to the direction of reciprocation of the cleaning head in normal use.
According to one aspect of the present invention, we provide a cleaning head for surface cleaning comprising applicator means for applying cleaning liquid to a surface to be cleaned and air passage means for collection of liquid from said surface thereby enabling the head to be operated in a wet mode in which liquid is applied to, and picked up from, the surface, and in combination therewith a cover means adapted to be removably assembled with said cleaning head and which, when in place, effectively encloses said applicator means whilst maintaining communication between the surface and said air passage means, ther
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Kinberg Robert
Snider Theresa T.
Spencer George H.
VAX Limited
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