A machine for cleaning floors and associated wearable element

Abstract

Apparatus for treating and cleaning floors, comprising a head comprising at least one tool for treating a floor, a handle for guiding the head, a tank for collecting dirt aspirated from the floor after treatment by suitable suction means powered by a rechargeable battery, a possible other tank configured to contain a liquid to be used for cleaning the floor, wherein at least one of said possible tank for containing a liquid to be used for cleaning the floor and said battery are detachable from the head and handle of the apparatus to be arranged on a special garment wearable by a user.

Description

[0001] TITLE

[0002] A MACHINE FOR CLEANING FLOORS AND ASSOCIATED WEARABLE ELEMENT.

[0003] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention relates to machines for dry cleaning and floor washing.

[0005] PRIOR ART

[0006] In essence, two types of machines are currently available for cleaning and treating floors: machines extending horizontally and comprising a fixed rigid guide handle, possibly adjustable in height, and machines of a more recent design where the handle is longer, does not have a fixed position but is free to rotate about at least one axis, and where part of the machine components (e.g., the tank for the cleaning liquid, when present, and the power supply batteries) is arranged along the guide handle or housed therein.

[0007] The machines of the first type, so-called “horizontal” machines, have the disadvantage of being bulky and poorly maneuverable in small spaces (e.g., under sinks or under tables or other types of furniture) or when tight bends or generally difficult routes need to be traveled. The machines of the second type, so-called “vertical” machines, are far more maneuverable in confined spaces since they are more compact and generally equipped with a tilting handle adapted to facilitate the movement of the machine head.

[0008] In particular, in “vertical” floor-cleaning machines, at least one tank of the two tanks present - a tank containing the cleaning solution and a recovery tank - is positioned on the handle, so as to reduce the overall size of the head and thus allow for a greater usability of the machine in situations where the available spaces are small.

[0009] However, even this type of floor-cleaning machines has drawbacks which are linked, in this case, to ergonomics and maneuverability. In fact, in machines of this type, imbalances can occur as a result of the displacement, inside the tanks, of the liquid mass during operation of the floor-cleaning machine. The movements of the handle affect the load effectively applied to the machine head and this undesired effect can be added to a similar effect due to the displacement of the liquid in the tank present on the head and it can also become very bothersome for the operator depending on the degree of filling of the two tanks. Indeed, the result is a poor handling which can involve considerable discomfort and effort by the operator. The situation is even worse when both of the aforesaid tanks are arranged on the handle of the machine since the user needs to operate and support an even heavier handle but with a light head provided with less inertia.

[0010] In order to try to solve the aforesaid problems, some manufacturers of floor-cleaning machines have thus tried to manufacture machines with a heavier head to reduce the weight on the operator’s arms, but the result was too bulky machines, especially for applications such as the cleaning of train and subway carriages where the overall height must be minimal with maximum ergonomics to ensure usability in narrow spaces and with lengthy operating times.

[0011] Other problems affecting the vertical-type floor-cleaning machines provided with a recovery tank on the head are also linked to the small dimensions of the tank itself that, in fact, limit the operating autonomy thereof. Some machines of this type have tanks on the handle which do not exceed a capacity of 5 liters and an autonomy of only 15 minutes, which is widely inadequate for professional use.

[0012] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a machine for treating and cleaning floors which allows solving the problems of the prior art.

[0013] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This description solves the described technical problems with a machine for treating and cleaning floors which, in a first embodiment, is of the washer-dryer type, comprising a head provided, on the lower side, with brushes, and an elongated, rotatable handle, hinged to said head and free to rotate about at least one rotation axis, and adapted to removably accommodate at least one recovery tank for collecting dirty water from the floor.

[0014] Said dirty water recovery tank is connected to suction means comprising a suction turbine, electrically powered by a battery, and connected to a suction circuit associated at one end with a floor-wiper arranged on the lower side of said head and preferably, but not necessarily, comprising two sealing lips. The floor-cleaning machine according to the description further comprises a clean water or cleaning solution tank, associated with a hydraulic circuit for extracting clean water from the related tank, said hydraulic circuit preferably comprising a pump and a flexible, removable tube preferably provided with a shutoff valve and connected to the brushes positioned on the lower part of the head.

[0015] In the floor-cleaning machine according to said first embodiment, in order to minimize the overall size and favor maneuverability and ergonomics, at least the clean water tank or at least the power supply battery, or both, are detachable from the handle and the head so as to be arranged on a garment wearable by the user, so that the weight and dimensions of the handle are minimized while ensuring maximum cleaning and drying performance.

[0016] When the power supply battery is not placed on the machine head, it is connected to the machine handle by means of a wiring provided with a quick-release electrical connector. Said wiring may be housed inside the aforesaid handle for connecting the suction turbine arranged on the head.

[0017] When the clean water tank is present and arranged on a vest wearable by the user, said flexible tube belonging to said hydraulic circuit will have a length such as to allow the user to conveniently maneuver the floor-cleaning machine while maintaining proper functionality of the hydraulic circuit.

[0018] In another preferred embodiment, the machine according to the present description is a dry vacuum cleaner machine in which the collected dirt container is made of a foam material to limit the weight and thus improve maneuverability and ergonomics, and increase the available volume as compared to traditional tanks and in which, as in the previously described embodiment, the battery can be removable from the apparatus and insertable onto the belt or another garment wearable by an operator. In this case, the battery will be connected to the dry vacuum cleaner machine, for example by means of a spiral extensible cable.

[0019] The described features cause the floor-cleaning machine according to the present description to allow a very high level of maneuverability and driveability, avoiding the problems associated with the currently available machines of this type.

[0020] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0021] Further features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from reading the following description given by way of non-limiting example, with the aid of the figures shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0022] Fig. 1 shows an axonometric view of an embodiment of the floor-cleaning apparatus according to the present description and a front view of a garment wearable by a user and comprising a battery and a water tank;

[0023] Fig. 2 shows a side view of the embodiment of the floor-cleaning apparatus according to the present description shown in Fig. 1 , in which the cleaning liquid tank and the related supply circuit are highlighted; Fig. 3 shows an axonometric view of an embodiment of the floor-cleaning apparatus according to the present description and a front view of a garment wearable by a user and comprising a battery;

[0024] Fig. 4 shows an axonometric view of an embodiment of the floor-cleaning apparatus according to the present description, in which a power supply battery and the related electrical wiring are highlighted, and

[0025] Fig. 5 shows a section side view of the image in Fig. 4 in which a housing compartment for the power supply battery is highlighted.

[0026] The following description of exemplary embodiments refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in different drawings identify the same or similar elements. The following detailed description does not limit the invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

[0027] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0028] With reference to the accompanying Figs. 4 and 5, in a preferred embodiment, the floorcleaning machine 10 according to the present description comprises a head 11 provided, on the lower side, with at least one fixed or rotating brush or a similar fixed or rotating element for cleaning and / or polishing surfaces; an elongated rotatable handle 12, hinged to said head 11 and free to rotate about at least one rotation axis; at least one recovery container 13 for collecting dirt lifted from the floor, said recovery container 13 being preferably arranged on said handle 12 in a removable manner and connected to suction means comprising a suction turbine, electrically powered by a battery 14 and connected to a suction circuit having one end associated with the lower face of said head 11 and with said at least one brush. Said battery 14 is detachable from said handle 12 and said head 11 and can be arranged on a garment 17 wearable by a user. This wearable garment can be a jacket, a vest, a belt or a backpack, etc.

[0029] The wiring 21 for connecting said battery 14 to the above suction turbine will have a length such as to ensure the necessary freedom of movement for the operator. The above wiring can also be provided with a quick-release electrical connector 19. Advantageously, in a preferred embodiment, the wiring may be housed in the aforesaid handle 12. In another preferred embodiment of the machine 10 according to the present description, said wiring 21 is made with a spiral extensible electrical cable.

[0030] A compartment 22 configured to house said battery 14 may be provided in a position inside or adjacent to the container 13, accessible from the outside. Said compartment 22 can be provided with a cover.

[0031] In an embodiment, said recovery container 13 is made of a foam material to impart lightness, thus allowing the volume of said container 13 to be increased without weighing down the floor-cleaning machine 10 according to the present description.

[0032] With reference to the accompanying Figs. 1 , 2 and 3, in a preferred embodiment, the floorcleaning machine 10 according to the present description comprises a head 11 provided, on the lower side, with at least one brush or similar element for cleaning and / or polishing surfaces; a rotatable elongated handle 12, hinged to said head 11 and free to rotate about at least one rotation axis; at least one recovery tank 13 for collecting dirty water from the floor, said recovery tank 13 being preferably arranged on said handle 12 in a removable manner and connected to suction means comprising a suction turbine, electrically powered by a battery 14, and connected to a suction circuit preferably provided, at one end, with a floor-wiper 18 arranged on the lower side of said head; a clean water or cleaning solution tank 15, associated with a hydraulic circuit for extracting clean water from said tank 15, where at least one element of said clean water tank 15 and said battery 14 can be detachable from said handle 12 and said head 11 so as to be arranged on a garment 17 wearable by a user. This wearable garment can be a jacket, a vest, a belt or a backpack, etc.

[0033] If the clean water tank 15 is detached from said handle 12 and said head 11 , the hydraulic circuit will thus be provided with a connection duct having a suitable length to ensure the necessary freedom of movement for the operator. Similarly, if said battery 14 is detached from said handle 12 and said head 11 , the wiring 21 for the connection of the battery with the aforesaid suction turbine will have a length such as to ensure the necessary freedom of movement for the operator. Moreover, the aforesaid wiring can advantageously be provided with a quick-release electrical connector 19. Moreover, the wiring can advantageously be housed in the aforesaid handle 12.

[0034] The hydraulic circuit for extracting clean water from said tank 15 preferably comprises a pump 20 for extracting water from the tank 15, connected to flexible, removable ducts 16 communicating on one side with said tank 15 and on the other side with the head 11 of the machine 10. Advantageously, said ducts 16 can comprise a shut-off valve for allowing easy insertion or removal thereof.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A floor-cleaning machine (10) comprising: a head (11 ) provided, on the lower side, with at least one element for cleaning and / or polishing surfaces; an elongated rotatable handle (12), hinged to said head (11 ) and free to rotate about at least one rotation axis; at least one recovery container (13) for collecting dirt lifted from the floor, said recovery container (13) being removably arranged on said handle (12) and connected to suction means comprising a suction turbine, electrically powered by a battery (14) and connected to a suction circuit having one end associated with the lower face of said head (11 ) and with said at least one element for cleaning and / or polishing surfaces, wherein said battery (14) is detachable from the handle (12) and the head (11 ) and adapted to be arranged on a garment (17) wearable by a user.

2. A floor-cleaning machine (10) according to claim 1 , comprising a tank (13) of clean water or cleaning solution, associated with a hydraulic circuit for extracting clean water from said tank (13).

3. A floor-cleaning machine (10) according to claim 2, wherein said tank (13) of clean water or cleaning solution is detachable from the handle (12) and the head (11 ) and adapted to be arranged on a garment (17) wearable by a user.

4. A floor-cleaning machine (10) according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein said suction circuit comprises a floor-wiper (18) arranged on the lower side of said head (1 1 ).

5. A machine according to claim 4, wherein said floor-wiper (18) comprises two sealing lips.

6. A machine according to one or more of claims 1 to 5, wherein said battery (14) is connected to a wiring (21 ) made from a spiral extensible electrical cable.

7. A machine according to claim 6, wherein said wiring (21 ) is provided with an electrical connector (19).

8. A machine according to claim 7, wherein said electrical connector (19) is of the quickrelease type.

9. A machine according to one or more of claims 2 to 8, wherein said hydraulic circuit comprises a pump (18) for extracting water from the tank (13) and a flexible, removable tube (16) connected to said head (11 ).

10. A machine according to claim 9, wherein said flexible, removable tube (16) comprises a shut-off valve.11 . A machine according to claim 2, wherein said recovery container (13) is made of a foam material.

12. A machine according to one or more of claims 1 to 11 comprising a compartment(22) configured to house said battery (14).

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