Equipment for sanitizing items using flexible plates.

Abstract

"Equipment for sanitizing articles in flexible sheets". This patent refers to equipment for sanitizing articles in flexible sheets (100) for sanitizing a sheet article, such as gym mats, comprising: a solid debris removal station (200); a sanitizing station (300); a drying station (400); wherein each station (200, 300, 400) has at least one pair of rotating rollers (210a, 210b; 310a, 310b; 410a, 410b) that scrub the sheet article; where, for each pair of rollers (210a, 210b; 310a, 310b; 410a, 410b), the rotational speed of the upper roller (210b, 310b, 410b) is greater than the rotational speed of the respective lower roller (210a, 310a, 410a).The transmission of motion between the pairs of rollers (210a, 210b; 310a, 310b; 410a, 410b) is achieved by means of pairs of gears (250, 260; 350, 360; 450, 460) or, alternatively, by means of pairs of pulleys (255, 265; 355, 365; 455, 465) associated with crossed belts (280, 380, 480).

Description

Descriptive report Equipment for sanitizing items using flexible plates.

[001] This patent application refers to a machine or equipment for sanitizing flexible sheet items, such as mats used in gyms or fitness centers for physical exercise.

[002] Exercise mats are sheets, commonly made of foam or elastomeric material, covered with a fabric or polymer covering. They are used for various purposes, notably in gyms, fitness centers, yoga classes, Pilates, etc. Due to physical exercise, they usually become impregnated with sweat. Eventually, they may become dusty if stored for a long time. Therefore, they need to be cleaned before the next use.

[003] Due to the large number of mattresses that an establishment needs to sanitize, manual washing or cleaning can become expensive. Therefore, equipment is needed that promotes the sanitization of the mats quickly and efficiently. Petition 870190101356, dated 09 / 10 / 2019, page 4 / 41 2 / 17

[004] Equipment is proposed that performs the sanitization of sheet items, such as gym mats, in a fast and automated manner. This equipment has a casing or cover, with an opening for the entry of the sheet item to be sanitized and another opening for the exit of the item.

[005] Cleaning takes place in three stages or stations. A first station removes dry debris from the item using parallel rollers, in order to remove any solid materials and vacuum up dust particles. A second station, adjacent to the first, involves spraying a sanitizing liquid followed by rubbing the product onto the plate. A third and final stage involves drying the item using drying rollers and applying hot air to the mat. The assembly is driven by an electric motor with a triple pulley to drive the lower rollers of the stations. In each station, the lower roller is equipped with a pulley at one end of its axis of rotation. The lower roller drives the respective upper roller by means of gears located at the other end. The nominal diameter of the lower gear is larger than the nominal diameter of the upper gear, so the rotation speed of the rollers is different.Due to the difference in angular velocity of the gears. Petition 870190101356, dated 09 / 10 / 2019, p. 5 / 41 3 / 17 promotes efficient rubbing of the article on the plate. State of the Art Description

[006] There are some known examples in the State of the Art of equipment for sanitizing gym mats or sheet items, such as carpets, car mats, etc.

[007] Document US2015107633A1, published on 23 / 04 / 2015, discloses equipment for washing mattresses (numerical references in this paragraph belong to US2015107633A1) in which the mattress is inserted at the bottom of the machine and removed at the top, comprising: a lower input substation (106) by means of rollers (124a, 124b); a Substation for debris removal (108) using brooms or silicone blades (130a, 130b), which includes a dust extractor; a disinfection or sanitization substation (110) with cleaning product spray nozzles (134a, 134b) and coated scrubbing rollers (140a, 140b), in this substation the rollers (140) are provided to rotate at a higher speed than the rollers (124); a drying substation (112) using rubber or silicone blades (144a, Petition 870190101356, dated 09 / 10 / 2019, p. 6 / 41 4 / 17 144b) and application of UV light to facilitate drying and elimination of bacteria, where rollers with absorbent material and application of air current are provided; an upper output substation (114) by means of rollers (156a, 156b). In US2015107633A1 the drive of the assembly is done by an electric motor that drives independent pulleys and belts for the rollers (124, 140 and 156). In addition, straps (182) are provided to guide the ends of the mattress.

[008] Document EP1094146A1, published on 04 / 25 / 2001, deals with a vehicle conveyor belt washer (numerical references in this paragraph belong to EP1094146A1) which provides pressurized jets for applying cleaning products (3) and water jets (hot or cold) (5). In this prior art, a brush roller (4) is observed followed by means for suction of water (6) and hot air jets (7). The assembly is driven by a conveyor belt (2) and the movement of the article is essentially horizontal.

[009] National document PI0304604-4A (or BR0304604A), published on 06 / 28 / 2005, describes an automotive carpet washing machine (numerical references in this paragraph belonging to PI0304604-4) in which the laminated article is manually immersed in a tank (4) that Petition 870190101356, dated 09 / 10 / 2019, p. 7 / 41 5 / 17 contains a cleaning product. Rotating brush rollers (1-2) clean the carpet and water jets (5) remove excess product. Air jets (7) help dry the blade. An electric motor (12) and a pulley and belt drive drive the lower roller (2) which drives the upper roller (1) by means of gears (20).

[010] Document US8479342B2, published on 09 / 07 / 2013, discloses a machine for sanitizing gym mats (numerical references in this paragraph belong to US8479342B2) in which the article enters from the top and is removed from the bottom with an essentially C-shaped movement and comprises 4 pairs of rollers, in which rollers (7) and (10) are soaked in reservoirs (8) and (11) with a cleaning product. Scrubbing rollers with bristles (13) and blades (13) are provided to remove excess cleaning product from the mat. The mechanism is driven by an electric motor (not shown) or by manual drive on the gear (22). A single chain (27) transmits the movement to the rollers.

[011] It is noted that none of the listed documents includes a power transmission system for the rollers via a triple pulley and the fact that the gearing Petition 870190101356, dated 09 / 10 / 2019, page 8 / 41 The 6 / 17 spacing between the rollers in each pair allows them to rotate at different speeds. Patent objectives

[012] The present invention aims to provide equipment that sanitizes sheet metal items, such as gym mats, quickly and automatically. The objective of the present invention is to provide equipment in which the item is introduced through an opening, sanitized, and then expelled through an outlet opening. Description of the drawings

[013] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the front of the equipment for sanitizing items on flexible plates.

[014] Figure 2 shows a view of the top part, without the outer casing, of the Equipment for sanitizing articles on flexible plates.

[015] Figure 3 shows a front-side perspective view of the roller pairs and drive means by pulleys and belts of the Equipment for sanitizing articles on flexible plates.

[016] Figure 4 shows a view Petition 870190101356, dated 09 / 10 / 2019, page 9 / 41 7 / 17 front-side (opposite side to the previous figure) of the roller and gear pairs of the Equipment for sanitizing articles on flexible plates.

[017] Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the back of the equipment for sanitizing items on flexible plates.

[018] Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the back and side of the equipment for sanitizing articles on flexible plates.

[019] Figure 7 shows a detail of the meshing between the lower and upper rollers.

[020] Figure 8 shows another perspective view of the back of the equipment for sanitizing items on flexible plates.

[021] Figure 9 reveals a perspective view of a second mode of motion transmission between the lower rollers and the upper rollers.

[022] Figure 10 reveals a perspective detail of a second mode of motion transmission between the lower rollers and the upper rollers. Detailed description of the drawings

[023] Taking Figures and 2 as a reference, the sanitizing equipment (100) for Petition 870190101356, dated 09 / 10 / 2019, page 10 / 41 8 / 17 sanitization of an article on a flexible plate (not shown) features a metal frame (110) supported on a base (120). The metal frame (110) is encased in a housing (130) that covers the sanitization units or stations, the transmission and drive components.

[024] On its front portion, the sanitizing equipment (100) has an entry opening (140) with dimensions compatible (thickness and width) with those of a gym mat. It is through the opening (140) that the sheet item to be sanitized is inserted into the equipment (100). The movement of the flexible item inside the machine is essentially horizontal.

[025] In its rear portion, the sanitizing equipment (100) has an outlet opening (150) with dimensions compatible (thickness and width) with those of a gym mat, aligned and equal to that of the inlet opening (140). It is through the opening (150) that the sanitized sheet item is expelled from the equipment (100).

[026] Taking the Figure as a reference, the cleaning of the plate article takes place in three stations. One station for debris removal. Petition 870190101356, dated 09 / 10 / 2019, page 11 / 41 9 / 17 solids (200), a sanitizing station (300) for applying a cleaning product, and a drying station (400). The stations are supported by a base (120).

[027] The first station, here called the solid debris removal station (200), is intended for the removal of dry debris, such as dust, or any material that may be impregnated in the plate article. The removal of debris from the plate article is carried out by means of at least one pair of parallel rollers (210a, 210b) - See Figures 2 to 4 - of the same diameter that rub the article on the plate and remove solid debris. Both the lower roller (210a) and the upper roller (210b) can be covered with suitable scrubbing material such as brush bristles, non-woven fabric, microfiber blanket, etc. The scrubbing itself occurs because the rollers (210a, 210b) rotate at different speeds, in magnitude.

[028] Considering Figures 3, 4 and 6; The lower roller (210a) is provided at one end with a pulley (220) driven by the belt (230) in connection with the triple pulley (510) coupled to the electric motor (500). The lower roller (210a) has at the end opposite the pulley (220) a lower gear (250). The lower gear (250) meshes with a gear Petition 870190101356, dated 09 / 10 / 2019, page 12 / 41 10 / 17 upper (260) integral with the upper roller (210b). The nominal diameter of the lower gear (250) is larger than the nominal diameter of the upper gear (260). Thus, in addition to the fact that the rollers (210a, 210b) rotate in opposite directions, it is observed that the rotational speed of the upper roller (210b) is, in magnitude, greater than the rotational speed of the lower shaft (210a). This difference (in magnitude) in rotational speeds is responsible for the scrubbing and removal of solid debris from the plate article. The meshing between the gear pair (250-260) is the same as that which occurs between the gear pair (450-460) in Figure 7 (described later).

[029] The solid waste removal station (200) further comprises means for aspirating the waste in which a sub-casing (270) is provided connected to aspirating nozzles (275). Such nozzles may preferably be opposed as shown in Fig. 4. The sub-casing (270) is preferably constructed of rigid plastic material and has openings for the passage of the flexible plate article.

[030] The suction nozzles (275) are provided and connected to the sub-shell (270) and are responsible for removing solid debris inside the debris removal station (200). Means, not shown, but known in the art Petition 870190101356, dated 09 / 10 / 2019, page 13 / 41 11 / 17 such as, for example, suction ducts and suction pumps with electric motor are also supplied to the suction nozzles (275) and can be installed below the base (120).

[031] A second station, adjacent to station (200) - see Figs. 2 to 6 and 8 - is here called the sanitization station (300) and is intended for the sanitization of the plate article itself by means of application of a suitable cleaning product, followed by scrubbing by at least one pair of parallel rollers. Upon entering the sanitization station (300), the plate article receives the application of a cleaning liquid by means of spray nozzles (340) that bathe the article on both sides. The spray nozzles are preferably installed in opposition so as to bathe the article completely (see Fig. 2).

[032] The cleaning liquid used in the sanitization of the present patent may be any disinfectant liquid, the composition of which may contain alcohol and / or detergent. The cleaning liquid is supplied to the spray nozzles (340) by means known in the art, but not shown here, such as a storage reservoir, valves, a pump that feeds a pressurized line, etc. Such means may be installed below the metal base (120). Petition 870190101356, dated 09 / 10 / 2019, page 14 / 41 12 / 17

[033] Subsequently, after spraying the cleaning liquid, the plate article is rubbed by means of at least one pair of parallel rollers (310a, 310b) of the same diameter which rub the plate article, effectively impregnating and sanitizing the article. Both the lower roller (310a) and the upper roller (310b) may be covered with suitable scrubbing material such as brush bristles, nonwoven fabric, microfiber blanket, etc. The scrubbing itself occurs because the rollers (310a, 310b) rotate at different speeds, in magnitude.

[034] As foreseen in the solid waste removal station (200), the lower roller (310a) is provided at one end with a pulley (320) driven by the belt (330) in connection with the triple pulley (510) of the electric motor (500). The lower roller (310a) has at the end opposite the pulley (320) a lower gear (350). The lower gear (350) meshes with an upper gear (360) integral with the upper roller (310b). The nominal diameter of the lower gear (350) is greater than the nominal diameter of the upper gear (360). Thus, in addition to the fact that the rollers (310a, 310b) rotate in opposite directions, it is observed that the rotational speed of the upper roller (310b) is, in magnitude, greater than the rotational speed of the lower shaft (310a). Petition 870190101356, dated 09 / 10 / 2019, page 15 / 41 13 / 17 This difference (in magnitude) in rotational speeds is responsible for the scrubbing and sanitizing of the plate item. The meshing between the pair of gears (350-360) is the same as that which occurs between the pair of gears (450-460) in Figure 7 (described later).

[035] A third and final station, referred to here as the drying station (400), adjacent to the sanitizing station (300), is provided - see Figs. 2 to 8. In this station the sheet article is dried before being dispensed through the outlet opening (150).

[036] The drying of the plate article is carried out by means of at least one pair of parallel rollers (410a, 410b) of the same diameter which rub the plate article and remove excess cleaning liquid. Both the lower roller (410a) and the upper roller (410b) may be covered with suitable material for rubbing and drying such as absorbent fabric, microfiber blanket, etc.

[037] Similar to what occurs in stations (200, 300), in the aforementioned drying station (400), the rollers (410a, 410b) rotate at different speeds, in magnitude. The drive of the pair of rollers (410a, 410b) is Petition 870190101356, dated 09 / 10 / 2019, p. 16 / 41 14 / 17 essentially the same as the rollers (210a, 210b, 310a, 310b). The motor (500) drives the belt (430), which in turn moves the pulley (420) at the end of the lower roller (410a). The lower roller (410a) has a lower gear (450) at the end opposite the pulley (420). The lower gear (250) meshes with an upper gear (460) attached to the upper roller (210b). The nominal diameter of the lower gear (450) is greater than the nominal diameter of the upper gear (460). As occurs in the roller pairs of stations (200, 300), the rotational speed of the upper roller (410b) is, in magnitude, greater than the rotational speed of the lower shaft (410a).

[038] The meshing of the gear pair (450-460) can be seen in detail in Figure 7. Note that the lower gear (450) has a larger nominal diameter than the upper gear (460). The same type of coupling occurs in gear pairs (250-260, 350-360).

[039] The drying station (400) further comprises hot air jet nozzles (470) adjacent to the pair of rollers (410a, 410b) which complete the drying of the sheet article by means of jets of heated air. Said hot air jet nozzles (470) are preferably Petition 870190101356, dated 09 / 10 / 2019, p. 17 / 41 15 / 17 installed in opposition to promote complete drying of the sheet article. After passing through the hot air jet nozzles (470), the article is dispensed through the outlet opening (150). Also provided for, but not shown, are means known in the art of supplying heated air to said nozzles (470) such as ducts, electric heating resistors, fans, etc. Such means may be installed below the metal base (120).

[040] Taking Figures 9 and 10 as a reference, a second mode of motion transmission between the lower rollers and the upper rollers is described below.

[041] As shown in Fig. 9 and in greater detail in Fig. 10, the transmission of motion between the lower rollers and the upper rollers is carried out by means of pulleys and crossed belts. The second embodiment has essentially the same components and the same stations (200, 300, 400) described in Figures 1 to 8. However, the gears at the ends of the rollers are omitted and replaced by pulleys integral to the respective rollers.

[042] Each lower roller (210a, 310a, 410a), instead of gears, features Petition 870190101356, dated 09 / 10 / 2019, p. 18 / 41 16 / 17 respectively at their opposite end to the pulley driven by the electric motor, a lower pulley (255, 355, 455) drives the respective upper pulley (265, 365, 465), connected to the respective upper shaft (210b, 310b, 410b). The drive between the lower pulleys (255, 355, 455) and the respective upper pulleys (265, 365, 465) is achieved by means of respective crossed pulleys (280, 380, 480). The transmission by crossed pulleys allows the lower and upper rollers to rotate in opposite directions, just like the gear transmission described in Figures 1 to 8.

[043] In order for the upper rollers (210b, 310b, 410b) to have rotational speeds, in magnitude, greater than the angular speed of the lower rollers (210a, 310a, 410a), the diameter of the upper pulleys (265, 365, 465) is smaller than the diameter of the lower pulleys (255, 355, 455). This difference in the diameter of the motion transmission pulleys between the lower and upper rollers allows the respective rollers to rotate at different angular speeds (in magnitude), promoting adequate rubbing of plate articles at each station (200, 300, 400).

[044] As can be seen from the description above, efficient sanitization is achieved due to the sequence of stations to which the plate item is subjected, at the high rotation speed. Petition 870190101356, dated 09 / 10 / 2019, p. 19 / 41 17 / 17 of the roller pairs combined with the rubbing resulting from the difference in rotational speed of the rollers.

[045] Although the preferred embodiment of the invention is intended for the sanitization of exercise mats, those familiar with the art may realize that the disclosed equipment can be used for sanitizing a wide variety of flexible sheet items such as carpets, car mats, etc.

[046] In addition, the equipment may also be provided with control and operation elements for the various components (electric motors, pumps, valves, etc.) by means known in the art, such as a control panel (not shown).

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Equipment for sanitizing items on flexible plates (100) for sanitizing an item on a plate comprising: - a solid debris removal station (200); - a sanitizing station (300); - a drying station (400); - wherein each station (200, 300, 400) has at least one pair of rotating rollers (210a, 210b; 310a, 310b; 410a, 410b) of the same diameter that scrub the item on the plate; - wherein each lower roller (210a, 310a, 410a) is provided at one end by a lower gear (250, 350, 450) which meshes respectively with an upper gear (260, 360, 460) provided and integral with each upper roller (210b, 310b, 410b); or - wherein each lower roller (210a, 310a, 410a) is provided at one end by a lower pulley (255, 355, 455) which drives an upper pulley (265, 365, 465), provided and integral with each upper roller (210b, 310b, 410b), respectively by means of a crossed belt (280, 380, 480);the sanitizing equipment being CHARACTERIZED BY the fact that: for each pair of rollers (210a, 210b; 310a, 310b; 410a, 410b), the rotation speed of the upper roller (210b, 310b, 410b) is greater than the rotation speed of the respective lower roller (210a, 310a, 410a); - wherein the nominal diameter of each lower gear (250, 350, 450) is respectively greater than the nominal diameter of each upper gear (260, 360, 460); or Petition 870240009789, dated 05 / 02 / 2024, page. 20 / 28 2 / 5 - where the diameter of each lower pulley (255, 355, 455) is respectively larger than the diameter of each upper pulley (265, 365, 465).

2. Equipment for sanitizing articles on flexible plates (100) according to claim 1 CHARACTERIZED IN that each lower roller (210a, 310a, 410a) is provided at one end with a respective pulley (220, 320, 420) driven by a belt (230, 330, 430) in connection with a triple pulley (510) connected to an electric motor (500).

3. Equipment for sanitizing articles on flexible plates (100) according to claim 1 CHARACTERIZED IN that the sanitizing equipment (100) has a metal frame (110) supported by a base (120), covered by a housing (130).

4. Equipment for sanitizing articles on flexible plates (100) according to claim 3 CHARACTERIZED IN that, on its front portion, the sanitizing equipment (100) has an entry opening (140) into which the plate article to be sanitized is inserted into the equipment (100).

5. Equipment for sanitizing articles on flexible plates (100) according to claim 3 CHARACTERIZED IN that in its rear portion the sanitizing equipment (100) has an outlet opening (150) through which the sanitized plate article is expelled from the equipment (100).

6. Equipment for sanitizing articles on flexible plates (100) according to claim 1 CHARACTERIZED IN that the solid debris removal station (200) is provided with at least one pair of parallel rollers (210a, 210b) of the same diameter that scrub the plate article and remove the solid debris.

7. Equipment for sanitizing articles on flexible plates (100) according to claim 6 CHARACTERIZED IN that both the lower roller (210a) and the upper roller (210b) are covered with brush bristles, non-woven fabric or microfiber blanket.

8. Equipment for sanitizing articles on flexible plates (100) according to claim 6 CHARACTERIZED IN that, in the solid debris removal station (200), a sub-casing (270) is provided connected to suction nozzles (275), wherein the sub-casing (270) has openings for the passage of the plate article.

9. Equipment for sanitizing articles on flexible plates (100) according to claim 1 CHARACTERIZED IN that, adjacent to the station (220), a sanitizing station (300) is provided comprising at least one pair of parallel rollers (310a, 310b) of the same diameter.

10. Equipment for sanitizing articles on flexible plates (100) according to claim 9 CHARACTERIZED IN that both the lower roller (310a) and the upper roller (310b) are covered with non-woven fabric brush bristles or microfiber blanket.

11. Equipment for sanitizing articles on flexible plates (100) according to claim 9 CHARACTERIZED BY the fact that, upon entering the sanitizing station (300), the plate article receives the application of a cleaning liquid by means of spray nozzles (340) that bathe the article on both sides.

12. Equipment for sanitizing articles on flexible plates (100) according to claim 11 CHARACTERIZED BY the fact that the cleaning liquid used in the sanitization of the present patent is a disinfectant liquid.

13. Equipment for sanitizing articles on flexible plates (100) according to claim 1 CHARACTERIZED IN that a drying station (400), adjacent to the sanitizing station (300), is provided and comprises at least one pair of parallel rollers (410a, 410b) of the same diameter.

14. Equipment for sanitizing articles on flexible plates (100) according to claim 13 CHARACTERIZED IN that both the lower roller (410a) and the upper roller (410b) are covered with absorbent material or microfiber blanket.

15. Equipment for sanitizing articles on flexible plates (100) according to claim 13 CHARACTERIZED IN that the drying station (400) further comprises hot air jet nozzles (470) adjacent to the pair of rollers (410a, 410b) that complete the drying of the plate article by means of jets of heated air.

16. Equipment for sanitizing articles in flexible plates (100) according to claim 13 CHARACTERIZED BY the fact that after passing through the hot air jet nozzles (470), the article is dispensed Petition 870240009789, dated 05 / 02 / 2024, page 23 / 28 5 / 5 through the outlet opening (150).

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