Chemical distribution system for floor cleaning machine

Abstract

A chemical distribution system for a floor cleaning machine is described. The system utilizes at least one container that is selectively connected to a pump that pumps a cleaning chemical solution from the container into a tee for combining with a fluid from an onboard fluid tank at a rate determined by a machine operator. Chemical containers may be readily and interchangeably connected to the pump to permit various solutions to be selectively utilized to optimize floor cleaning.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit, under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 275,621, filed Aug. 31, 2009, under 35 U.S.C. §111(b), which application is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to a system for using a cleaning chemical with a floor cleaning machine and a method of distributing cleaning chemicals from the machine.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Floor cleaning machines, which include scrubbers, are well-known devices utilized for cleaning and maintaining floor surfaces. Generally, there are two types of scrubbers, both of which distribute water, or a cleaning fluid solution, on a floor where it can be worked by brushes or pads to clean the floor.[0004]Typically, in a first type of scrubber an operator simply adds a cleaning chemical to a fluid, for example, clean water, that is in an onboard fluid tank. The operator meters a predetermined am...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The patent describes a chemical distribution system for an automatic floor scrubber. The system includes a fluid tank, valve control, adjustment valve, and chemical pump. The chemical container contains a cleaning chemical solution and has a chemical pump line connected to it. A tee has a flow meter feedback line connected to the pump control and chemical pump. The flow meter is also connected to an outlet line to distribute the fluid solution and cleaning chemical solution to pads and / or a floor. The technical effect of this system is to provide a precise and efficient chemical distribution system for floor scrubber machines."

Problems solved by technology

Further, the various floors and surfaces are subject to different kinds and amounts of debris and dirt.

Consequently, the above-described first type of scrubber is not optimized for dealing with various types of floors and various kinds and amounts of dirt and debris.

As a result, it has been found that this first type of scrubber is ineffective and inefficient at cleaning floors.

It has been found, however, that many times the operator's calculation for increasing or decreasing an overall cleaning chemical ratio of a cleaning solution in the onboard fluid tank is incorrect or is made too casually.

This results in wasted cleaning chemicals and an inefficient cleaning method.

There are numerous disadvantages associated with the current known designs for this second type of scrubber.

Since some cleaning circumstances call for increased or decreased fluid flow, this is a disadvantage.

Further, the chemical metering system makes it difficult to change a type of cleaning chemical and a rate at which the cleaning chemical is drawn from the separate chemical container.

These specially designed chemical containers add to the expense of the system and do not permit an operator to use chemical containers from other suppliers that may be less expensive and equally, if not more, effective.

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