A machine for cleaning a floor and a related wearable element

Abstract

A device for treating and cleaning floors includes: a head including at least one tool for treating the floor; a handle for guiding the head; a housing for collecting dirt, which is then sucked from the floor by a suitable suction device powered by a rechargeable battery; and an optional additional housing configured to contain liquid for cleaning the floor, wherein at least one of the optional housing for containing the liquid for cleaning the floor and the battery is detachable from the head and handle of the device for placement on a specially designed garment worn by a user.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to machines for dry cleaning and floor cleaning. Background Technology

[0002] Essentially, there are two types of machines currently available for cleaning and treating floors: machines that extend horizontally and include a fixed, rigid guide handle (which may be height-adjustable); and newer machines with a longer handle that is not fixed in place but can rotate freely about at least one axis, wherein some parts of the machine (e.g., a cleaning fluid tank (if present) and a power battery) are arranged along or housed in the guide handle.

[0003] The disadvantage of the first type of machine (the so-called "horizontal" machine) is its large size and poor maneuverability in confined spaces (e.g., under a sink, table, or other type of furniture), when sharp turns are required, or on normally difficult paths.

[0004] The second type of machine (the so-called "vertical" machine) is much more maneuverable in tight spaces because it is more compact and is usually equipped with a tilting handle that facilitates the movement of the machine head.

[0005] In particular, in “vertical” floor cleaning machines, at least one of the two existing compartments (i.e., the compartment containing the cleaning solution and the recovery compartment) is positioned on the handle to reduce the overall size of the head, thereby allowing for increased machine usability in situations where available space is limited.

[0006] However, even this type of floor cleaning machine has drawbacks related to ergonomics and mobility.

[0007] In fact, in this type of machine, an imbalance can occur due to the displacement of liquid mass within the tanks during floor cleaning machine operation. The movement of the handle affects the actual load applied to the machine head, and this undesirable effect can superimpose on a similar effect caused by liquid displacement within the tanks on the head, potentially causing significant inconvenience to the operator depending on the filling level of the two tanks. The practical result is poor maneuverability, which can cause considerable discomfort and physical exertion for the operator. The situation is exacerbated when both tanks are positioned on the machine handle, as the user needs to operate and support the heavier handle, while the head is lighter and has less inertia.

[0008] In an attempt to address these issues, some floor cleaning machine manufacturers have tried to create machines with a heavier head to reduce the load on the operator's arms. However, the result has been machines that are too bulky, especially for applications such as cleaning train and subway cars. The overall height must be minimized while ergonomics are optimized to ensure usability in confined spaces and during extended operation.

[0009] Other issues affecting vertical floor cleaning machines with a collection bin on the head are also related to the small size of the bin itself, which effectively limits its operating autonomy. Some machines of this type have bins with a capacity of no more than 5 liters on the handle and an operating time of only 15 minutes, which is far from sufficient for professional use.

[0010] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a machine for treating and cleaning floors that allows for the resolution of problems in the prior art. Summary of the Invention

[0011] This specification solves the described technical problem by means of a machine for treating and cleaning floors, which in a first embodiment is a wash-dryer type, comprising: a head having a brush on its underside; and an elongated, rotatable handle hinged to the head and freely rotatable about at least one axis of rotation, and adapted to removably accommodate at least one recycling tank for collecting wastewater from the floor.

[0012] The wastewater collection tank is connected to a suction device comprising a battery-powered suction turbine connected to a suction circuit, one end of which is associated with a floor squeegee disposed below the head. The squeegee preferably, but not necessarily, includes two sealing lips. The floor cleaning machine according to the invention also includes a water or cleaning solution tank associated with a hydraulic circuit for drawing water from the associated tank. This hydraulic circuit preferably includes a pump and a flexible removable tube, which preferably has a shut-off valve and is connected to a brush positioned below the head.

[0013] In the floor cleaning machine according to the first embodiment, in order to minimize the overall size and facilitate mobility and ergonomics, at least the water tank or at least the power supply battery, or both, can be detached from the handle and head so as to be mounted on the user's wearable clothing, thereby minimizing the weight and size of the handle while ensuring maximum cleaning and drying performance.

[0014] When the power battery is not placed on the machine head, it is connected to the machine handle via a wire equipped with a quick-release electrical connector. This wire can be housed inside the handle and is used to connect to the suction turbine located on the head.

[0015] When the clean water tank is present and positioned on a wearable vest, the length of the flexible tube belonging to the hydraulic circuit is arranged to allow the user to easily operate the floor cleaning machine while maintaining the normal functionality of the hydraulic circuit.

[0016] In another preferred embodiment, the machine according to the invention is a dry vacuum cleaner machine, wherein the container for collecting waste is made of foam material to limit weight, thereby improving mobility and ergonomics and increasing usable volume compared to conventional housings, and wherein, as in the previously described embodiment, the battery is removable from the device and can be inserted into a belt or other garment worn by the operator. In this case, the battery would be connected to the dry vacuum cleaner machine, for example, via a spiral retractable cable.

[0017] The described features enable the floor cleaning machine according to the invention to allow a very high level of mobility and maneuverability, thus avoiding the problems associated with this type of machine currently available. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, given by means of non-limiting examples shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 An axonometric view of an embodiment of a floor cleaning device according to the present invention and a front view of a user-wearable garment including a battery and a water tank are shown. Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 The side view shown is of an embodiment of the floor cleaning device according to the present invention, wherein the cleaning fluid tank and its associated supply circuit are highlighted; Figure 3 An axonometric view of an embodiment of a floor cleaning device according to the present invention and a front view of a user-wearable garment including a battery are shown. Figure 4 An isometric view of an embodiment of a floor cleaning device according to the present invention is shown, wherein the power supply battery and its associated electrical wiring are highlighted; and Figure 5 It shows Figure 4 The image shows a cross-sectional side view, in which the compartment used to house the power supply batteries is highlighted.

[0019] The following description of exemplary embodiments is with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in different drawings denote 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. Detailed Implementation

[0020] refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5In a preferred embodiment, the floor cleaning machine 10 according to the invention includes: a head 11 having at least one fixed or rotating brush or similar fixed or rotating element for cleaning and / or polishing surfaces on its underside; an elongated rotatable handle 12 hinged to the head 11 and freely rotatable about at least one axis of rotation; and at least one collection container 13 for collecting dirt sucked from the floor, preferably removably disposed on the handle 12 and connected to a suction device including a suction turbine powered by a battery 14 connected to a suction circuit, one end of which is associated with the lower surface of the head 11 and with the at least one brush.

[0021] The battery 14 is detachable from the handle 12 and the head 11 and can be placed on wearable clothing 17. The wearable clothing can be a jacket, vest, belt, or backpack, etc.

[0022] The wire 21 used to connect the battery 14 to the aforementioned suction turbine will have a length that ensures the necessary freedom of movement for the operator. The wire may also be equipped with a quick-release electrical connector 19. Advantageously, in a preferred embodiment, the wire can be housed within the aforementioned handle 12. In another preferred embodiment of the machine 10 according to the invention, the wire 21 is made of a spiral retractable cable.

[0023] The compartment 22 for accommodating the battery 14 may be located inside or adjacent to the container 13 and accessible from the outside. The compartment 22 may be provided with a cover.

[0024] In one embodiment, the recycling container 13 is made of foam material to achieve lightweighting, thereby allowing the volume of the container 13 to be increased without increasing the weight of the floor cleaning machine 10 according to the invention.

[0025] refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3In a preferred embodiment, the floor cleaning machine 10 according to the invention includes: a head 11 having at least one brush or similar element for cleaning and / or polishing surfaces on its underside; a rotatable, elongated handle 12 hinged to the head 11 and freely rotatable about at least one axis of rotation; at least one collection tank 13 for collecting wastewater from the floor, preferably removably disposed on the handle 12 and connected to a suction device including a suction turbine powered by a battery 14 connected to a suction circuit, preferably having a floor squeegee 18 disposed at one end on the underside of the head; and a water or cleaning solution tank 15 associated with a hydraulic circuit for drawing water from the tank 15, wherein at least one element of the water tank 15 and the battery 14 is detachable from the handle 12 and the head 11 for placement on wearable clothing 17. The wearable clothing may be a jacket, vest, belt, or backpack, etc.

[0026] If the water tank 15 is detached from the handle 12 and the head 11, the hydraulic circuit will therefore be provided with a connecting pipe of suitable length to ensure the necessary freedom of movement for the operator. Similarly, if the battery 14 is detached from the handle 12 and the head 11, the wire 21 for connecting the battery to the aforementioned suction turbine will be of sufficient length to ensure the necessary freedom of movement for the operator. Furthermore, the wire may advantageously be provided with a quick-release electrical connector 19. Additionally, the wire may advantageously be housed within the handle 12.

[0027] The hydraulic circuit for drawing clean water from the tank 15 preferably includes a pump 20 for drawing water from the tank 15, the pump 20 being connected to a flexible removable conduit 16 communicating with the tank 15 on one side and with the head 11 of the machine 10 on the other side. Advantageously, the conduit 16 may include a shut-off valve to facilitate its insertion or removal.

Claims

1. A floor cleaning machine (10), comprising: A head (11) having at least one element on its underside for cleaning and / or polishing surfaces; an elongated rotatable handle (12) hinged to the head (11) and capable of rotating freely about at least one axis of rotation; at least one collection container (13) for collecting dirt sucked from the floor, the collection container (13) being removably disposed on the handle (12) and connected to a suction device comprising a suction turbine powered by a battery (14) connected to a suction circuit, one end of the suction circuit being associated with the lower surface of the head (11) and associated with the at least one element for cleaning and / or polishing surfaces, wherein the battery (14) is detachable from the handle (12) and the head (11) and is adapted to be disposed on a user-wearable garment (17).

2. The floor cleaning machine (10) according to claim 1, comprising: A water or cleaning solution tank (13) is associated with a hydraulic circuit for drawing water from the tank (13).

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

4. The floor cleaning machine (10) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, The suction circuit includes a floor squeegee (18) disposed on the underside of the head (11).

5. The machine according to claim 4, wherein, The floor squeegee (18) includes two sealing lips.

6. The machine according to one or more of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The battery (14) is connected to a wire (21) made of a spiral retractable cable.

7. The machine according to claim 6, wherein, The wire (21) is provided with an electrical connector (19).

8. The machine according to claim 7, wherein, The electrical connector (19) is of the quick-release type.

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

10. The machine according to claim 9, wherein, The flexible removable tube (16) includes a shut-off valve.

11. The machine according to claim 2, wherein, The recycling container (13) is made of foam material.

12. The machine according to one or more of claims 1 to 11, including a compartment (22) configured to house the battery (14).

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