Self-cleaning flooring system

Abstract

A self-cleaning flooring system is provided that includes at least one module. The module comprises a drain pan, a plurality of discharge ports, and at least one side wall. The drain may have a ramp and a drain outlet. The ramp may slope downward towards the drain outlet. The discharge ports may be disposed about a periphery of the drain pan and may be directed towards the drain outlet to direct flushing fluid towards the drain outlet. The side wall may circumscribe a portion of the periphery of the drain pan and include a hollow passage and at least one fluid inlet. The fluid inlet may be in fluid communication with the hollow passage for delivering flushing fluid to the discharge ports.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 282,393, filed Oct. 29, 2002, and co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 11 / 074,814, filed Mar. 8, 2005, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH / DEVELOPMENT [0002] Not Applicable BACKGROUND [0003] The present invention relates generally to flooring protection and, more particularly, to a self-cleaning flooring system having modules which are interconnectable to horizontally adjacent modules to form a continuous flooring system for catching waste products in a variety of applications and industries including, but not limited to, laundry facilities and food preparation facilities. The flooring system of the present invention may also be formed as a permanent installation that is cast in a concrete floor using removable male mold inserts that duplicate the shape of a drain pan and over whi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] The present invention specifically addresses and alleviates the above referenced deficiencies associated with flooring systems. More particularly, the present invention is an improved self-cleaning flooring system for catching waste products. In one embodiment, the flooring system is modular and is configured such that it may be cleaned using cleaning equipment that is typical of the industry wherein the flooring system is installed. For example, if the flooring system is installed in a commercial kitchen, the flooring system is adapted to be cleaned using commercial dishwashing equipment. In another embodiment, the flooring system may be cast-in-place into a concrete substrate using foam inserts such that upon curing of the concrete, removal of the foam inserts, installation of plumbing, and laying of floor grids, a durable flooring system is provided.

[0015] Waste products that fall through the floor grid are washed by the flushing fluid down the ramps toward the drain channel. Once in the drain channel, the flushing fluid then washes the waste products toward the drain outlet. Removable strainer trays may be used over the drain channel to prevent waste products from entering the drain channel. Drain baskets may be installed over the drain outlet to prevent waste products from washing down the drain outlet. Floor grids may be installed over the drain pan to support personnel standing or working above the drain pans. The floor grids are preferably sized and configured to prevent waste products of a predetermined size from entering the drain pan.

Problems solved by technology

The kitchen flooring in restaurants, hotels, institutions, and commercial food vending facilities in general is subject to frequent spillage from waste products.

Spilled waste products may create a sanitation hazard as a hot kitchen is a natural breeding ground for harmful bacteria that may be caught in tile grout, and around pipes, drains or other kitchen fixtures.

Because of the immovable nature of such kitchen fixtures, cleanliness is difficult if not impossible to maintain.

Daily cleaning of walls, counter tops, appliances and floors involves a great deal of hand labor consuming a considerable amount of time.

In addition, the waste products may create a health hazard in that spilled food products are often wet or sticky, creating a high risk that kitchen personnel may be injured in a fall.

Furthermore, spilled grease or oil creates a fire safety hazard requiring the cessation of all operations in the kitchen until the grease or oil is removed from the floor.

As may be expected, shutting down all kitchen operations in a restaurant or hotel may result in a significant loss of revenue.

In addition, current cleaning methods of facilities such as commercial kitchens may entail the temporary removal and / or dismantling of certain equipment and flooring systems followed by lengthy washing with water.

As may be appreciated, such cleaning methods results in the use of large quantities of water which may increase water conservation issues in certain locales.

Although the device addresses a few safety and sanitation issues mentioned above in that it provides a disposal means for fluid waste, the device lacks installation flexibility in that it must be custom fitted to a particular floor configuration.

In addition, the size of the grids and sub-floor are such that these components are too heavy and too large to be individually washed, either by hand or by mechanical means, such as in a commercial dishwasher.

However, a major drawback to the device is that a large portion of the subsurface of the flooring member is in direct contact with the moist support floor.

Although this device addresses some safety concerns in that it provides a non-slip surface upon which personnel may stand, the device is subject to the problems of mildew and degradation of the subfloor arising from captured water.

Furthermore, the device is not configured to be easily washable by hand or by mechanical means.

Finally, the above-mentioned devices require the use of large amounts of water for thorough cleaning thereof.

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