Container for a cleaning system, and cleaning system

Abstract

The invention relates to a container for a cleaning system for cleaning a mop using a cleaning liquid, comprising a tank (10) for storing the cleaning agent, a cleaning basin (20) for washing the mop, and a liquid-conducting connection between the tank and the cleaning basin, wherein the liquid-conducting connection is paired with a closing device. According to the invention, the closing device is designed such that the closing device automatically closes the liquid-conducting connection when a specified liquid level (21) of the cleaning agent is reached in the cleaning basin (20). The invention also relates to a cleaning system comprising a mop and such a container.

Description

[0001] Container for a cleaning system and cleaning system

[0002] Description

[0003] Technical area

[0004] The invention relates to a container for a cleaning system for cleaning a mop with a cleaning fluid, comprising a tank for storing the cleaning agent and a cleaning basin for rinsing the mop, as well as a fluid-conducting connection between the tank and the cleaning basin, wherein a closing device is associated with the fluid-conducting connection. The invention further relates to a cleaning system with such a container.

[0005] State of the art

[0006] A container of the type mentioned above is known from WO2022 / 148596 A1.

[0007] The known cleaning container comprises a tank for storing a cleaning agent and a basin for rinsing a mop. The tank and the cleaning basin are fluid-connected by a first opening in the lower area of ​​the cleaning basin. This first opening can be closed using a slide. In the upper area of ​​the tank there is a second opening for filling the tank with cleaning fluid. While the tank is being filled, the first opening between the tank and the cleaning basin is closed to prevent the cleaning fluid from escaping uncontrollably through this opening during filling. After filling, the second opening is closed and the first opening between the tank and cleaning basin is opened by operating the slide. The cleaning fluid now enters the cleaning basin through the first opening. Accordingly, air enters the tank through the first opening.As soon as the cleaning fluid level reaches the upper edge of the first opening, no more air can enter the tank and, since it is now hermetically sealed, no more cleaning fluid can escape. The upper edge of the opening therefore determines the height of the fluid level in the cleaning basin. This height is dimensioned so that it is sufficient for a mop to be rinsed out in the cleaning basin once. The mop absorbs cleaning fluid, which means that the fluid level drops again to a level below the upper edge of the opening, especially after the mop has been removed from the cleaning basin. This allows air to enter the tank through the opening and fresh cleaning fluid to escape into the cleaning basin.This automatic filling system, based on the so-called "drop-bottle principle," ensures that a predetermined amount of fresh cleaning fluid is always available before each rinse of the mop, without the need to operate a valve or other actuating device. This continues until the tank is empty. Then, the first opening is closed again using the slide valve, and the second opening is opened to fill the tank. A prerequisite for automatic filling using the so-called "drop-bottle principle" is that the tank is essentially airtight when the filling opening is closed and the first opening is flooded.

[0008] In the container described above, the tank is constructed in two parts. Both parts are welded together. It must be ensured that the weld seam is tight so that the tank is also airtight. This is complex to manufacture and can lead to higher rejects due to the rejection of leaky tanks.

[0009] Furthermore, the requirement for airtightness creates disadvantages for the user. If the user does not close the filling opening, they must interrupt the water flow by operating the slide valve, reopen it after each flush, and close it when the desired water level in the cleaning tank is reached. This results in increased operating effort. Furthermore, the non-predetermined dosage of water in the cleaning tank reduces the possible number of flush cycles if the user closes the slide valve too late.

[0010] Alternative joining techniques to welding require costly sealing systems due to the required airtightness and are subject to wear and failure during use.

[0011] Description of the invention

[0012] The object of the invention is to further develop a container of the type mentioned above so that it can be manufactured easily and cost-effectively while retaining its advantageous performance characteristics. Furthermore, a cleaning system comprising a mop and such a container is to be provided.

[0013] This object is achieved with a container having all the features of patent claim 1. Claim 10 describes a cleaning system with such a container. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the subclaims.

[0014] According to the invention, in a container for a cleaning system for cleaning a mop with a cleaning fluid, which comprises a tank for storing the cleaning agent and a cleaning basin for rinsing the mop, as well as a fluid-conducting connection between the tank and the cleaning basin, wherein a closing device is assigned to the fluid-conducting connection, it is provided that the closing device is designed such that it automatically closes the fluid-conducting connection when a predetermined fluid level of the cleaning agent is reached in the cleaning basin. In contrast to the generic cleaning container, the cleaning container according to the invention provides a closing device for automatically closing the fluid-conducting connection when a predetermined fluid level is reached in the cleaning basin when the cleaning basin is being filled.This eliminates the need for airtightness of the tank, making it not only simple and cost-effective to manufacture, but also ensures that any operating errors, such as improperly closing the lid covering the filler opening or excessive mechanical stress that could lead to leaks in the welds, do not impair the functionality of the cleaning container according to the invention. Since airtight welding is not required, the container, with a detachable connection, can be easily disassembled for cleaning or drying the interior.

[0015] According to the invention, the closing device is designed to automatically close the fluid-conducting connection when a predetermined level of the cleaning agent is reached in the cleaning tank. The operation of a lever or foot pedal, as is also known from the prior art, is not required. This maintains the ease of use of the generic cleaning container.

[0016] The closing device can, for example, be an electromechanical closing device that is sensor-controlled.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the closing device is designed as a float valve. The float valve can comprise a float and a shut-off element in a manner known per se. The invention makes use of Archimedes' principle, according to which a body in a liquid experiences a buoyancy force that corresponds to the weight of the liquid it displaces. According to the invention, the float and the shut-off element are therefore designed and arranged in the cleaning container in such a way that, by utilizing Archimedes' principle, they automatically shut off the liquid-conducting connection between the tank and the cleaning basin when the liquid level in the cleaning basin reaches a predetermined level. When the cleaning basin is filled, the float experiences a buoyancy force and rises upwards.The shut-off element is coupled to the float in such a way that this upward movement automatically moves it into a position where it closes the fluid-conducting connection. If the fluid level in the cleaning tank drops, the buoyancy force also decreases, and the float sinks accordingly, causing the shut-off element to automatically release the fluid-conducting connection. It can be provided that the float only causes the shut-off element to be removed from the fluid-conducting connection when the cleaning fluid level falls below a predetermined lower level.

[0018] The closing and opening positions can be easily determined by the design and location of the float valve in the cleaning tank. This requires only simple calculations based on Archimedes' principle, taking into account the weight of the float and the buoyancy forces acting on the float depending on the (changing) liquid level in the cleaning tank.

[0019] Various designs are conceivable for the float. For example, it could simply comprise an air-filled hollow plastic body. The hollow plastic body can be manufactured from two parts that are welded together to enclose the hollow space.

[0020] It can also be manufactured using a blow molding or gas injection molding process. The float can also be made of a foamed polymer. The preferred polymer is a closed-cell foam. Alternatively, naturally occurring materials with a density of >1 g / cm3 can also be used. 3 such as cork.

[0021] The shut-off element can form the valve body of the float valve. The associated valve seat can be assigned to the fluid-conducting connection. The fluid-conducting connection can also be designed in a variety of ways, for example, as a fluid line, flexible or rigid, with openings in the tank or in the cleaning basin, or simply as a direct through-opening between the tank and the cleaning basin, without an intermediate line element. The opening designed as a valve seat can be equipped with sealing elements.

[0022] A simple design solution involves providing the shut-off element with sealing elements or designing it as a sealing element itself. The sealing material can comprise rubber-elastic materials in a conventional manner.

[0023] The float can float on the liquid surface, preferably in the cleaning basin, and move the shut-off element into the closed or opened position following the up and down movement of the liquid level. However, there is a risk that it could be damaged or at least impaired by the immersed mop. Therefore, the float is preferably located outside the immediate immersion area of ​​the mop and is protected from mechanical damage by the mop by a type of housing.

[0024] The float and the shut-off element are operatively connected to each other. This can be achieved, as with conventional float valves, via lever devices. A lever is attached to the float, to which the shut-off element is coupled. When the float rises, the shut-off element is pressed into the opening to be closed via the lever, and when it descends, it is removed from the opening again.

[0025] Preferably, the float and the shut-off element are directly coupled to each other, i.e., without the interposition of a lever. The float and shut-off element can be formed as a single piece. Such a valve is simple and cost-effective to manufacture and robust in operation.

[0026] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the tank and the cleaning basin are designed such that the liquid volume in the tank is several times the volume of the cleaning basin to be filled. This ensures that one tank capacity is sufficient for several rinses of the mop with fresh cleaning liquid before the tank needs to be refilled for a new wash cycle.

[0027] Preferably, the tank and the cleaning basin are fluidically connected to each other in the lower area like communicating tubes. As long as the fluid level in the tank is higher than that in the cleaning basin, gravity ensures that the cleaning fluid flows through the fluid-conducting connection from the tank into the cleaning basin when the closing device is open. The closing device according to the invention enables automatic, metered filling of the cleaning basin after the tank has been filled or after each rinsing process.

[0028] A particularly simple design is achieved when the tank and the cleaning basin are arranged directly adjacent to each other. Preferably, the tank and the cleaning basin share a common side wall with a through-opening as a fluid-conducting connection.

[0029] Advantageously, the float and the shut-off element are arranged on such a side wall, either on the tank side or on the cleaning basin side, in such a way that the shut-off element closes the passage opening when the float floats upwards. Guide elements can be provided that bring the shut-off element into the closed position or that guide the float in a substantially vertical direction when it floats upwards. The guide elements can be formed by a type of housing.

[0030] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the float pulls the shut-off element into the through-opening in the direction of the buoyancy force. If the closure element and / or the through-opening are designed to be at least partially conical, the shut-off element automatically centers itself in the opening due to the pull of the float. This prevents jamming and ensures reliable closure.

[0031] The cleaning basin can, for example, extend into the tank and form a housing for the float valve there, with the through opening being arranged in the upper wall of the housing.

[0032] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the tank extends below the cleaning basin, with the common through-opening being arranged in the bottom of the cleaning basin. The through-opening extends in the horizontal plane. Particularly advantageous in this embodiment is a closing device which comprises a valve arrangement with a valve body and valve seat in the bottom region of the cleaning basin and a float for opening and closing the through-opening between the tank and the cleaning basin. The float could be connected to the valve in such a way that it can carry at least the valve body in a (substantially vertical) upward floating direction in order to pull it into the valve seat. In this embodiment, the float can also be designed in the manner of a buoyancy body. The float can also represent part of the valve arrangement or be connected to it.However, the closing device described above can also be used in other embodiments of the invention.

[0033] The through opening in the side wall between the tank and the cleaning basin can be closed by the shut-off element from the cleaning basin side or from the tank side. If the closure is made from the tank side, in an advantageous design, the water pressure in the tank acts on the closure element when the opening is closed, thus supporting the seal. This reduces the required buoyancy of the float. It can therefore be made smaller and have a higher weight. The weight of the float is then designed such that it opens the closure element against the pressure of the water in the tank when the liquid level in the cleaning tank is low.

[0034] This design allows the opening of the connection and the subsequent flow of water to be delayed when the fluid level drops. This results in less fresh water flowing during the flushing process.

[0035] In an advantageous design, the float pulls the shut-off element into the through-opening in the direction of the buoyancy force. If the closure element and / or the through-opening are at least partially conical, the shut-off element automatically centers itself in the opening due to the pull of the float. This prevents jamming and ensures reliable closure.

[0036] A cleaning system according to the invention comprises a mop and a cleaning container according to the invention. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a dehumidification device, for example a wringing basket, can also be provided.

[0037] Short description of the drawing

[0038] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to Figures 1 to 10. They each show schematically in a side sectional view:

[0039] Fig. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the invention, in which the sealing element is arranged on the tank side in the filling state;

[0040] Fig. 2 shows the embodiment of Figure 1 in the closed state;

[0041] Fig. 3 shows a further preferred embodiment of the invention, in which the sealing element is arranged in a through opening in the bottom of the cleaning basin in the filling state;

[0042] Fig. 4 shows the embodiment of Fig. 3 in the closed state;

[0043] Fig. 5 shows a further preferred embodiment of the invention with a float valve with a lever in the through opening in the bottom of the cleaning tank in the filling state;

[0044] Fig. 6 shows the embodiment of Fig. 5 in the closed state;

[0045] Fig. 7 shows a further preferred embodiment of the invention, in which the sealing element is arranged on the cleaning basin side, in the filling state;

[0046] Fig. 8 shows the embodiment of Fig. 7 in the closed state; Fig. 9 shows a perspective view of a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, in which a float valve

[0047] Fig. 10 shows the embodiment from Fig. 9 in a side sectional view.

[0048] Implementation of the invention

[0049] Fig. 1 shows a cleaning container 1 according to the invention with a tank 10 for a cleaning liquid and a cleaning basin 20 adjacent to the tank for immersing a mop (not shown here). A float valve consisting of a float 3 and a shut-off element 4 is arranged in a housing 6 in the cleaning basin 20. The float 3 and the shut-off element 4 are formed as a single piece in this embodiment without restricting generality. According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the shut-off element 4 is provided with a sealing element. At the upper end of the housing 6 there is a through-opening 5 leading to the tank 10. The embodiment illustrated shows the cleaning container 1 according to the invention during the filling of the cleaning basin 20. The liquid level 21 in the cleaning basin 20 is so low that the float 3 with the sealing element 4 has sunk and exposes the through-opening 5.The cleaning fluid flows through the through-opening 5 into the cleaning basin 20. This causes the fluid level 21 in the cleaning basin 20 to rise; the resulting buoyancy force causes the float 3 with the shut-off element 4 to float upwards until the shut-off element 4 finally closes the through-opening 5. The flow of cleaning fluid is thus interrupted.

[0050] Fig. 2 shows the cleaning container from Fig. 1 in the closed state after filling. It can be seen that the liquid level 11 in the tank 10 has decreased, while the liquid level 21 in the cleaning basin 20 has risen accordingly.

[0051] Fig. 3 shows a further preferred embodiment of a cleaning container 1 according to the invention. In this embodiment, the tank 10 continues below the cleaning basin 20, and the through-opening 5 to the tank is located in the bottom of the cleaning basin 20. The closure element, here consisting, without restriction of generality, of a float 3 and a shut-off element 4, passes through the through-opening 5 in such a way that the shut-off element 4 is located below the through-opening 5 in the tank 10, and the float 3 is above the through-opening 5 in the cleaning basin 20. The two are coupled to one another. In the embodiment shown, the float 3 is located above the liquid level 21 in the cleaning basin 20, and the shut-off element 4 coupled to the float is located below the through-opening 5. Cleaning liquid can now enter the cleaning basin 20 from the tank 10 through the through-opening 5 and fill it.When the cleaning tank 20 is filled, the liquid level 21 reaches the float 3, which floats on the liquid surface and moves upwards as the liquid level 21 rises. The shut-off element 4 coupled to the float 3 follows the upward movement of the float 3 and is automatically moved by this upward movement into a position in which it closes the passage opening 5 when a predetermined liquid level 21 in the cleaning tank 20 is reached. If the liquid level 21 in the cleaning tank 20 drops, the float 3 also sinks downwards, thereby causing the sealing element 4 to automatically open the passage opening 5 again.

[0052] Fig. 4 shows the embodiment shown in Fig. 3 with the through opening 5 closed after filling.

[0053] In the further preferred embodiment in Fig. 5, a float valve is used in which the shut-off element, designed as a sealing element 4, is coupled to the float 3 via a lever 7. In this embodiment, too, the tank 10 continues below the cleaning basin 20, and the through-opening 5 is located in the bottom of the cleaning basin 20. The shut-off element 4 and the float 3 are arranged in the cleaning basin 20. As the liquid level in the cleaning basin 20 rises, the float 3 floats and moves the shut-off element 4 toward the through-opening 5 by means of the lever 7 until the shut-off element 4 closes the through-opening 5 after a predetermined liquid level in the cleaning basin 20 is reached. Fig. 6 shows the preferred embodiment of the cleaning basin from Fig. 5 after filling with the through-opening 5 closed.It can also be seen in this embodiment that when the float 3 sinks as the liquid level 21 drops, the shut-off element 4 coupled to the float 3 via the lever 7 is lifted off the through opening 5 again and releases it for refilling.

[0054] Fig. 7 shows a further preferred embodiment of a cleaning container 1 according to the invention, in which the float 3 and the shut-off element are formed in one piece, as in the variants from Figs. 1 and 2. The shut-off element 4 is arranged on the through-opening side of the float 3 and is firmly connected to it. The closing element thus formed is arranged, according to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, in a housing 6 at the edge of the cleaning basin 20. It is thus located outside the immediate immersion area of ​​a mop (not shown here) and is protected by the housing 6 from mechanical damage caused by the mop.

[0055] In this embodiment too, the tank 10 and the cleaning basin 20 are arranged adjacent to one another and have a common side wall in which the through-opening 5 is located. It can be seen that in this embodiment, the through-opening 5 is closed from the side of the tank by the float 3 with the shut-off element 4. This has the advantage that when the through-opening is closed, the water pressure in the tank 10 exerts pressure on the shut-off element 4 with the float 3 and thus supports the sealing. This reduces the necessary buoyancy force of the float 3. It can therefore be made smaller and have a higher weight. The weight of the float 3 can then be designed such that it opens the shut-off element 4 against the pressure of the water in the tank 10 when the liquid level 21 in the cleaning container 10 is low.This design allows the opening of the through-hole 5 and the subsequent flow of water to be delayed as the liquid level 21 drops. As a result, less fresh water flows during the flushing process.

[0056] Fig. 8 shows the embodiment of a cleaning container from Fig. 7 after filling in the closed state. Figures 9 (perspective) and 10 (side sectional view) show a particularly preferred embodiment of a cleaning container according to the invention. In this embodiment, the tank 10 is formed by a double-walled hollow body that surrounds the cleaning basin 20 at least in part and extends horizontally to below the cleaning basin 20, at least in a limited area. At least in this area, the inner wall 20a of the cleaning basin 20 has a groove-like, elongated recess 20b extending from top to bottom, which ends in a raised area of ​​the bottom 20c of the cleaning basin. The through-opening 5 to the tank 10 arranged below is located in this raised area of ​​the bottom 20c.The float 3 of the float valve is arranged and guided in the groove-like recess 20b. A cover 61 (omitted in Fig. 9 for clarity) provides protection against mechanical damage caused by a mop toward the interior of the cleaning basin 20.

[0057] The shut-off element 4, which in this embodiment is plate-shaped without restriction of generality, is located below the through-opening 5 and is firmly connected to the float via a connecting element 3a which passes through the through-opening.

[0058] In the figure, reference number 8 designates a receptacle for a dehumidification device not shown here, for example a wringing basket.

[0059] The opening and closing of the valve is analogous to the operation of the embodiment described in Figures 3 and 4, to whose description of the figures reference is hereby made.

Claims

Claims 1. Container for a cleaning system for cleaning a wiper mop with a cleaning liquid, comprising a tank (10) for storing the cleaning agent and a cleaning basin (20) for rinsing the wiper mop, and a fluid-conducting connection between the tank and the cleaning basin, wherein a shut-off device is assigned to the fluid-conducting connection, characterized in that the shut-off device is designed such that it automatically causes the fluid-conducting connection to be closed when a predetermined liquid level (21) of the cleaning agent in the cleaning basin (20) is reached.

2. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the shut-off device comprises a float valve with at least one float (3) to which at least one shut-off body (4) is assigned.

3. The container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the float (3) and the shut-off body (4) are integrally formed.

4. The container according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the shut-off body (4) has a sealing element or is formed by a sealing element.

5. The container according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the tank 10 and the cleaning basin 20 are formed in the manner of communicating pipes, the liquid-conducting connection connecting the tank 10 and the cleaning basin 20 in the lower region.

6. The container according to at least one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the liquid-conducting connection is formed by a through-opening 5 between the tank 10 and the cleaning basin 20.

7. Container according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the passage opening 5 extends substantially horizontally between the tank 10 and the cleaning basin 20.

8. Container according to at least one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the tank 10 extends at least in part horizontally downwards below the bottom of the cleaning basin 20 and the passage opening 5 is located in this area.

9. Container according to at least one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the tank 10 is at least in part designed as a double-walled hollow body which at least in part surrounds the cleaning basin 20.

10. Container according to at least one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that the floating valve passes through the passage opening 5, the float 3 being arranged in the cleaning basin 20 and the shut-off element 4 being arranged in the tank 10.

11. The container according to claim 10, characterized in that the float 3 is arranged in a long groove-like recess 20b in the wall 20a of the cleaning basin 20.

12. The container according to claim 11, characterized in that the float 3 is shielded from the cleaning basin 20 by a cover 61.

13. A cleaning system comprising a wiping mop and a container according to at least one of claims 1 to 12.

14. The cleaning system according to claim 11, characterized in that a dehumidifying device is provided.

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