Method for manufacturing a cleaning and / or drying element, cleaning or drying brush and a washing system

Abstract

A method for manufacturing a cleaning and / or drying element (1) for a vehicle in a washing system (100) comprising the steps of: preparing a material (B); performing at least one cold compression of the material (B) by means of at least one pair of compression elements (R), of which at least one is shaped; making a cut (T) on the material (B) immediately after the cold compression step in order to obtain a first portion (P1) and a second portion (P2). The cold compression imparted by the compression elements (R) on the material (B) subjected to the cut (T) produces a first embossed surface on the first portion (P1) and a second embossed surface on the second portion (P2); the process will transmit at least one geometric pattern to at least one part of the first surface and of the second surface.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A CLEANING AND / OR DRYING ELEMENT, CLEANING OR DRYING BRUSH AND A WASHING SYSTEM

[0003] Technical field

[0004] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a cleaning or drying element for a vehicle in a washing system.

[0005] The present invention also relates to a cleaning or drying brush for a washing system comprising cleaning or drying elements manufactured according to the aforementioned method.

[0006] The present invention also relates to a washing system for a vehicle comprising the above cleaning and / or drying elements.

[0007] Background art

[0008] Brushes for the washing of vehicles, and in particular used in automatic vehicle washing systems, comprising brushes consisting of a plurality of embossed strips made of an expanded or foamed polymeric material, such as expanded polyethylene (PE), PU, and ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) for example, are currently known in the prior art. In particular, such strips are fixed to a shaft moved through rotation or oscillation in proximity to the vehicle, so that the strips slide against the outside of the vehicle in order to obtain a cleaning of the vehicle itself.

[0009] Embossing is an operation in which the outside of said strips is processed to have a geometric pattern, defining reliefs and recesses, which allows the capacity to retain water or additives for cleaning to be increased, and also the friction on the surface to be increased and therefore, overall, the cleaning capacity of each strip.

[0010] One of the most common methods for obtaining the embossed strips in expanded polymeric material consists of performing a hot compression of the expanded or foamed polymeric material to impart a texturing to the surface of the strip and obtain said pattern. In particular, hot compression or heat-pressing provides for pressing performed by means of pressing members, for example moulds or rollers, heated so as to cause the deformation of the surface part of the strip in direct contact with the heated surface of the mould or the roller.

[0011] Disadvantageously, the material of the strip subjected to a heat-pressing process has at least superficially a layer of thickened material, also called “skin” in jargon, which, from a technical standpoint, can be too aggressive during the vehicle washing step, creating scratches on the paint of the vehicles.

[0012] For example, if the expanded or foamed polymeric material has a specific weight of 100 kg / m3, the layer of “skin” can reach a density of up to 10 times higher. Similarly, the Shore A surface hardness is significantly increased with respect to the original material, making the material more aggressive against the painted surfaces of the vehicles.

[0013] A further disadvantage of the aforementioned production process consists of the impact of the cost of the production process and the environmental impact.

[0014] In particular, not only does heat-pressing cause an energy consumption in having to heat these pressing members, but can also produce highly polluting and toxic processing fumes.

[0015] LIS2014 / 033464 and US2008 / 078048 disclose a known washing brush.

[0016] Disclosure of the invention

[0017] The task of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a cleaning and / or drying element for a vehicle in a washing system; a cleaning and / or drying brush for a washing system obtained using cleaning and / or drying elements manufactured according to the aforementioned method; and a washing system for a vehicle comprising cleaning and / or drying elements manufactured according to the aforementioned method or by means of at least one cleaning and / or drying brush for a washing system, which are capable of overcoming the drawbacks that have emerged from the prior art. An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a method for manufacturing a cleaning and / or drying element for a vehicle in a washing system made of a compressible material that does not have production waste or produce toxic volatile elements impacting on the environment and / or on the in-house production cost for their disposal.

[0018] A further object of the present invention is therefore to provide a cleaning and / or drying element for a vehicle in a washing system made of a compressible material that does not require the use of work tools acting through compression by means of heated surfaces and, therefore, allowing an energy saving to be obtained during production of said cleaning or drying element.

[0019] A further object of the present invention is therefore to provide a method for manufacturing a cleaning or drying element for a vehicle in a washing system made of a compressible material that allows a considerable improvement in the washing power on the outer surfaces of the vehicles, maintaining unaltered the physical characteristics thereof that ensure gentleness on the paint of the vehicles, noiselessness and lengthy duration.

[0020] A further object is therefore to provide a cleaning and / or drying brush for a washing system obtained using cleaning and / or drying elements manufactured according to the aforementioned method, which can be easily manufacturable and installable inside a vehicle washing system.

[0021] A further object is therefore to provide a washing system for a vehicle comprising cleaning or drying elements manufactured according to the aforementioned method and / or a cleaning or drying brush for a washing system obtained using cleaning or drying elements manufactured according to the aforementioned method that can be easily manufactured and subjected to maintenance operations and that allows a more efficient washing or drying of the surface of a vehicle without damaging the vehicle itself and, in particular, the surface paint of said vehicle. The specified technical task and the specified objects are substantially achieved by a method for manufacturing a cleaning or drying element for a vehicle in a washing system, a cleaning or drying brush for a washing system and a washing system for a vehicle comprising the technical features set forth in one or more of the appended claims. The dependent claims correspond to possible embodiments of the invention.

[0022] In particular, the specified technical task and the specified objects are substantially achieved by a method for manufacturing a cleaning or drying element for a vehicle in a washing system, made of a compressible material that is substantially shaped as an embossed flexible strip, having a substantially elongated extension comprised between a first end and a second end.

[0023] The method comprising a plurality of steps.

[0024] A first step consists of preparing a compressible material comprising a first surface and a second surface arrange opposite to each other.

[0025] A further step consists of performing a cold compression of said material by means of at least one pair of compression elements, of which at least one is shaped, arranged opposite to each other with respect to the material and acting respectively on the first surface and on the second surface.

[0026] A further step consists of making a cut on the material simultaneously with or immediately after the cold compression step, the cut being made interposed between the first surface and the second surface to separate a first portion and a second portion of the material.

[0027] The cold compression imparted by the compression elements on the material subjected to the cut produces a first embossed surface on the first portion and a second embossed surface on the second portion, the process transmitting at least one geometric pattern to at least one part of the first surface and of the second surface.

[0028] Advantageously, if compression of the material is exerted by two compression elements with identical shape, surfaces with identical patterns will be obtained; inversely, if the compression of the material is exerted by two compression elements with different shape, surfaces with different patterns will be obtained.

[0029] Advantageously, the method for manufacturing cleaning and / or drying elements has a lower economical and environmental impact with respect to alternative methods known in the prior art, since it limits to a minimum the waste of material that produces polluting fumes thereof deriving from processes comprising heat-compression or processes comprising removal of material.

[0030] At the same time, the method allows cleaning and / or drying elements having homogeneous physical and mechanical characteristics to be obtained, which allows their cleaning power to be increased without reducing the gentleness on the surfaces of the vehicle to be cleaned and / or dried.

[0031] Preferably, the method for manufacturing a cleaning and / or drying element further comprises a step of die-cutting or cutting of the first portion and the second portion so as to obtain several sub-portions shaped like embossed strips and wherein the cleaning or drying element corresponds with one of said sub-portions.

[0032] This step of die-cutting or cutting can also provide for a step of fringing of the first or second end intended, in use, to come into contact with the vehicle.

[0033] Advantageously, providing for said further cutting step allows a process for manufacturing cleaning and / or drying elements starting from blocks of material having variable dimensions first embossed and then cut to obtain the cleaning and / or drying elements shaped as a fringed and embossed strip according to geometries as desired.

[0034] Advantageously, this further step allows a cleaning and / or drying element having considerably improved washing or drying capacities on the surfaces of the vehicles treated by the cleaning or drying element itself to be obtained. Advantageously, the present method allows transmitting the pattern simultaneously with or immediately before the cutting step, minimising the overall dimensions inside a single work station.

[0035] According to a variant of the present method, the cold compression step is performed by performing a plurality of passes by means of rollers (defining the compression elements described above) along the first and the second surface of the material, the plurality of passes comprising at least one pass performed at least partly simultaneously with or in immediate proximity to the cutting step of said material.

[0036] Advantageously, the use of a plurality of rollers allows an increase in the plasticity of the material being processed in preparation for the cutting step or in preparation for further processing following the cutting step.

[0037] According to a first embodiment variant, the cold compression step is performed by means of at least one shaped roller.

[0038] Preferably, the cold compression step is performed by means of at least one pair of rollers opposite to each other, wherein at least one roller is shaped.

[0039] Even more preferably, the cold compression step is performed by means of one pair of rollers opposite to each other, wherein both rollers are shaped.

[0040] Alternatively, the cold compression step is performed by means of at least one shaped roller and at least one plate, arranged opposite to the shaped roller with respect to the material being processed.

[0041] Alternatively, the cold compression step is performed by means of a pair of plates, wherein at least one plate is shaped.

[0042] The cold compression step is performed so as to transmit in negative at least one geometric pattern to at least one zone of the first surface and of the second surface of said material.

[0043] Advantageously, the present method allows only partially embossed cleaning elements to be obtained.

[0044] According to a variant of the present method, the cold compression step is performed by transmitting at least two different geometric patterns to different zones of the first surface and of the second surface of the material.

[0045] The cold compression step is performed by means of a plurality of pairs of rollers, of which at least one roller (of each pair) is shaped.

[0046] Advantageously, the present method allows cleaning elements having different zones, and different patterns, to be obtained, so as to obtain at least one cleaning element specifically designed to perform diversified cleaning or drying operations along its extension in length.

[0047] The specified technical task and the specified objects are further achieved by a cleaning and / or drying brush for a washing system, intended, in use, to be used on a vehicle.

[0048] The brush comprises a support and a plurality of cleaning and / or drying elements manufactured by means of the above method, in which the cleaning or drying elements are configured to be fixable or fixed, in use, at the corresponding first ends to at least one part of the support.

[0049] Advantageously, the present invention allows providing a brush using a plurality of cleaning and / or drying elements that is easy to manufacture and that exploits overall the individual features of the cleaning and / or drying elements.

[0050] Preferably, the support is manufactured with a substantially circular extension around an extension axis, comprising a substantially circular outer surface and a central hole, advantageously centred around said extension axis, the central hole being configured, in use, to be fitted around a shaft intended to be moved at least in rotation around said extension axis.

[0051] Preferably, the plurality of cleaning and / or drying elements is fixable or fixed at the corresponding first or second ends, said ends being configured, in use, to be fixed radially along said outer surface of the support.

[0052] Advantageously, this embodiment of the brush allows an easy assembly on a rotating shaft and / or maintenance thereof inside an automatic vehicle washing system.

[0053] The specified technical task and the specified objects are further achieved by a washing system for a vehicle.

[0054] The system comprises at least one shaft arranged in the washing system along a cleaning path for said vehicle.

[0055] The system further comprises a plurality of cleaning and / or drying elements, manufactured according to the method described above, fixed or fixable on at least one section of the shaft.

[0056] As an alternative, the system comprises at least one cleaning and / or drying brush fixed or fixable on at least one section of the shaft.

[0057] Advantageously, this embodiment of a system allows exploiting in an optimised manner of said plurality of cleaning and / or drying elements singly and the relative features singly or configured to obtain at least one brush.

[0058] The shaft is movable by translation and / or rotation and is configured to transmit to the plurality of cleaning or drying elements or to at least one cleaning or drying brush at least one between an alternating oscillatory movement around a rotation axis of the shaft itself or a rotary movement around the rotation axis of the shaft.

[0059] Advantageously, this embodiment allows obtaining an automatic washing system that can implement a washing or a drying of the surfaces without damaging the vehicle itself and, in particular, the paint arranged on the surface of the vehicle.

[0060] Brief description of drawings

[0061] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the indicative, and therefore non-limiting, description of a method for manufacturing a cleaning or drying element for a vehicle in a washing system, of at least one embodiment of a cleaning and / or drying brush for a washing system and of at least one embodiment of a washing system for a vehicle. Such a description will be set out below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are provided solely for illustrative and therefore non-limiting purposes, in which:

[0062] - Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a brush comprising a plurality of the cleaning or drying elements subject-matter of the present invention;

[0063] - Figure 1A shows a first embodiment of a shaft of a washing system comprising a plurality of brushes obtained as in Figure 1 arranged in series and installed radially on said shaft;

[0064] - Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of a cleaning or drying brush, wherein the plurality of the elements are obtained according to a second solution in which they are bent longitudinally in a “V” shape;

[0065] - Figure 3 shows a third embodiment of a cleaning or drying brush;

[0066] - Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of a shaft for a washing system comprising a plurality of brushes fitted onto said shaft and comprising a plurality of cleaning or drying elements subject-matter of the present invention, obtained as in Figure 3;

[0067] - Figure 5 shows a detail of the arrangement in series of the plurality of brushes on the shaft illustrated in Figure 4;

[0068] - Figure 6 shows examples of possible patterns obtainable for the cleaning or drying elements subject-matter of the present invention;

[0069] - the pairs of Figures 7, 7A and 8, 8A show respectively a first embodiment of the step of preparing a material according to the described method subject-matter of the present invention, according to a perspective side view and a perspective front view, and the step of compression and cutting of a material according to the described method subject-matter of the present invention, according to a perspective side view and a perspective front view, wherein the compression elements consist of a pair of shaped rollers;

[0070] - Figures 9 and 10 show respectively a second embodiment of the step of preparing a material according to the described method subject-matter of the present invention and the step of compression and cutting of a material according to the described method subject-matter of the present invention, wherein the compression elements consist of a compression plate and a shaped roller;

[0071] - Figures 11 and 12 show respectively a third embodiment of the step of preparing a material according to the described method subject-matter of the present invention and the step of compression and cutting of a material according to the described method subject-matter of the present invention, wherein the compression elements consist of a smooth roller and a shaped roller;

[0072] - Figures 13 and 14 show respectively a fourth embodiment of the step of preparing a material according to the described method subject-matter of the present invention and the step of compression and cutting of a material according to the described method subject-matter of the present invention, wherein the compression elements consist of two pairs of shaped rollers;

[0073] - Figure 15 shows an embodiment of a washing system comprising one shaft provided with a plurality of brushes arranged horizontally and two shafts provided with brushes arranged vertically.

[0074] Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

[0075] With reference to Figure 1 , a brush 10 configured to form part of a washing system for a vehicle 100 is shown.

[0076] The brush 10 comprises a plurality of cleaning or drying elements 1 for a vehicle.

[0077] Each cleaning or drying element 1 for a vehicle, called exclusively “cleaning element 1” below, is made of a compressible material. Opportunely, each cleaning element 1 can be shaped substantially as an embossed flexible strip, advantageously fringed.

[0078] In particular, each cleaning element 1 can be made of an expanded or foamed polymeric, synthetic felt or microfibre material. Preferably, the polymeric material can be one of expanded polyethylene (PE), ethylenevinyl acetate (EVA), expanded polypropylene (PP), polyurethane (Pll) or other physically or chemically expanded plastic materials. The cleaning element 1 has a substantially elongated extension 2 comprised between a first end 3a and a second end 3b.

[0079] With reference to figures 7 to 14, the cleaning element 1 is obtainable by means of a manufacturing method comprising a plurality of steps.

[0080] The first step, illustrated in figures 7 and 7A, consists of preparing a material “B” in compressible material.

[0081] The material “B” is preferably shaped as a prismatic body, comprising a length “L”, a width “W’ and a height “H”.

[0082] The material “B” can be sized according to a shape substantially corresponding with the dimensions of the final cleaning element 1 or can be larger (so as to be able to obtain several cleaning elements 1 from a single block).

[0083] In particular, the material “B” can have length “L” and width “W’ corresponding with the final cleaning element 1 .

[0084] In particular, the material “B” has a length “L” that will coincide substantially with the longitudinal extension 2 of the cleaning element 1 .

[0085] In a particular solution, the material “B” is obtained by progressively unrolling a reel of wound material.

[0086] The material “B” comprises a first surface “B1” and a second surface “B2” arranged opposite to each other, preferably coinciding with the main surfaces that extend along the dimensions of length “L” and width “W with respect to the material “B”.

[0087] With reference to figures 8 and 8A, in order to manufacture the cleaning element 1 , it is envisaged to perform a cold compression of the material “B” by means of at least one pair of compression elements “R”, of which at least one is shaped, arranged opposite to each other with respect to the material “B” and acting respectively on said first surface “B1” and second surface “B2”. Said pair of compression elements “R” could comprise / be, for example, a pair of rollers “R”.

[0088] As illustrated in the present figures, each roller of said pair of rollers “R” is preferably shaped. As an alternative, as illustrated in figures 9 and 10, the compression elements can be / comprise a shaped roller “R” and a compression plate “Hi”

[0089] As an alternative, as illustrated in figures 11 and 12, the compression elements can be / comprise a pair of rollers “R” of which only one roller is shaped.

[0090] As an alternative, as illustrated in figures 13 and 14, the compression elements can be / comprise several pairs of shaped rollers “R”, for example two pairs of shaped rollers “R”.

[0091] Further alternative embodiments given by the different combinations referred to here above are possible.

[0092] For example, an embodiment not shown can provide for the use of a pair of compression plates, of which at least one, or preferably both, shaped.

[0093] As previously indicated, at least one of the compression elements of the pair is shaped and therefore comprises a geometric design (typically that is modularly repeated) in relief / recess.

[0094] Advantageously, both the compression elements of the pair are shaped and therefore comprise a geometric design (typically that is modularly repeated) in relief / recess.

[0095] What is described in this description (in particular below) will be performed with reference to an embodiment in which the compression elements consist of rollers and / or shaped rollers.

[0096] Cold compression means that the compression elements “R” do not undergo additional heating processes by means of external sources, remaining at room temperature or at a temperature much lower than the melting temperature of the material that comprises the material “B”, preferably not higher than 50°C.

[0097] Advantageously, cold compression allows energy consumption to be reduced, as it is not necessary to heat the rollers “R”, with respect to a hot process. Shaped rollers “R” means that each roller “R” comprises a shape configured to transmit in negative at least one geometric pattern to the material “B”. As already explained previously, even only one of the rollers “R” could be shaped.

[0098] With reference to figures 7, 7A and 8, 8A, preferably, the rollers “R” are cylindrically shaped and rotating with respect to corresponding rotation axes “A” parallel to each other.

[0099] Preferably, the compression step provides for the material “B” being processed along the entire width “W” by a pair of opposite rollers “R”, each roller “R” having an axial length compatible with that width “W’.

[0100] The preparation step provides for the material “B” to be interposed between the rollers “R” and moved respectively to the rollers “R” according to a first direction of movement “M1”, preferably aligned with the extension in length “L” of the material “B” itself.

[0101] The rollers “R” are moved close to each other along a second direction of movement “M2” transverse with respect to the first direction of movement “M1”.

[0102] In other words, the rollers “R” are moved having respective rotation axes “A” moved close in a parallel manner to each other and preferably perpendicular with respect to the first direction of movement “M1”.

[0103] Preferably, these rotation axes “A” are oriented transverse with respect to both the first direction of movement “M1” and the second direction of movement “M2”.

[0104] The movement of the material “B” can be actuated by a movement member that acts on the material “B”, imparting to it a movement along the first direction of movement “M1”.

[0105] In addition or as an alternative, the material “B” can be moved by the rollers “R” (which compress it and move it).

[0106] The compression step provides for the rollers “R” to perform respectively a pressure action on said first and second surface “B1 and B2” of the material “B”. In particular, the rollers simultaneously push against the first and second surface “B1 and B2” of the material “B”, performing a pincer action with respect to the material “B”.

[0107] Simultaneously with or immediately after the cold compression step, the method provides for making a cut “T” of the material “B”.

[0108] In particular, the cut “T” is made interposed between the first surface “B1” and the second surface “B2” of the material “B”, in order to obtain a first portion “P1” and a second portion “P2” of the material “B”.

[0109] Preferably, the cut “T” is made substantially parallel to the first direction of movement “M1”.

[0110] Preferably, the cut “T” is made at the median point of the thickness “H” of the material “B”, so as to obtain a first and a second portion “P1 e P2” of correspondingly equal thickness.

[0111] If the compression elements comprise at least one roller “R”, advantageously the first portion P1 and the second portion P2 move away from each other spontaneously after the cut. If the compression elements comprise / are two compression plates, these are reciprocally moved away from each other to allow moving away of the first and second portion P1 , P2, and also elastic / at least partially elastic return of the compressed material.

[0112] Each of the first and the second portion “P1 and P2” comprise respectively a first face “Pa” and a second face “Pb”.

[0113] The corresponding first faces “Pa” of the first and second portion “P1 and P2” are obtained at the cut “T” of the material “B”.

[0114] The corresponding second faces “Pb” of the first portion “P1” and of the second portion “P2” coincide respectively with the first surface “B1” and the second surface “B2” of the original material “B”.

[0115] According to the present invention, the first faces “Pa” of the first portion “P1” and of the second portion “P2” are embossed due to elastic return or at least partially elastic return of the expanded polymeric material of which they consist. In contrast, the second faces “Pb” of the first portion “P1” and of the second portion “P2” are smooth.

[0116] In particular, during the compression step, the material “B” undergoes an internal deformation imparted by the shape of the rollers “R”.

[0117] Actuating the cut “T” while the material “B” is still deformed by the cold compression allows an embossing in negative of the faces “Pa” of the first portion “P1” and of the second portion “P2” to be obtained, by exploiting the at least partially elastic return of the material itself.

[0118] Advantageously, the elastic return of the material after the cutting step allows more or less marked textures to be obtained, depending on the compression pressure applied on the material “B”, the return time of the material “B” itself and the time that elapses between the maximum compression step and the cut “T”; the greater the compression, the greater will be the return time of the material, the shorter the time between maximum compression and cut and the greater will be the final marking of the surface textures.

[0119] In particular, the action of the compression elements causes a deformation of the first and the second surface (B1 , B2), the cutting action between the first and the second surface (B1 , B2) produces the first faces “Pa”. The elastic return of the material towards the first and the second surface (B1 , B2) recalls material from the first faces “Pa”, causing corresponding deformations (recesses / depressions) of the first faces “Pa”.

[0120] A cleaning element 1 is obtained starting from each first portion “P1” or second portion “P2” or a sub-portion of the first portion “P1” or of the second portion “P2”.

[0121] In other words, the first portion “P1” or second portion “P2” correspond with a cleaning element 1 already after the cutting step or can be further cut and / or shaped along a length thereof to obtain the cleaning element 1 . Advantageously, the surface texturing by means of cold compression allows a considerable improvement in the washing power of the cleaning element 1 , maintaining unaltered the physical characteristics that ensure gentleness on paints, noiselessness and lengthy duration.

[0122] Furthermore, the use of a single central cut “T” allows production waste to be minimised, saving on both the costs of the material and on cleaning and disposal operations.

[0123] With reference to Figure 6, the texturing by means of cold compression can provide for a plurality of different geometries, for example, patterns with polka dots; horizontal, vertical or oblique lines; cross or “X” patterns, wavy lines or “Z” patterns, etc.

[0124] Advantageously, several geometric patterns can be applied on the same surface.

[0125] The method for manufacturing a cleaning element 1 described is also very quick to implement, since the compression step can be performed simultaneously with the cutting step inside a single work station.

[0126] According to a variant of the present method, the manufacturing of a cleaning element 1 can further comprise a step of cutting the first portion “P1” and the second portion “P2” so as to obtain several sub-portions shaped like embossed strips and in which the cleaning element 1 corresponds to a sub-portion (in other words, several cleaning elements are obtained from the first portion “P1” or from the second portion “P2”).

[0127] Advantageously, the presence of this cutting step allows obtaining embossed strips shaped according to different geometries with respect to the initial geometry of the material “B”.

[0128] Preferably, strips having a substantially linear elongated extension 2 correspond to the cleaning elements 1 , wherein said elongated extension 2 preferably has a dimension comprised between 5 cm and 1 m, even more preferably comprised between 20 cm and 70 cm.

[0129] According to a variant of the present method, the cold compression step is performed so as to transmit in negative at least one geometric pattern to at least one zone of the first surface “B1” and of the second surface “B2” of the material “B”. In other words, the compression performed on the material “B” can be performed selectively on a fraction of the material “B”, so as to obtain at least one cleaning element 1 only partially embossed.

[0130] According to a variant of the present method, the cold compression step can comprise a plurality of passes of the shaping rollers “R” along said first and second surface “B1 , B2” of the material “B”.

[0131] According to a variant of the present method, the cold compression step is performed by transmitting at least two different geometric patterns to different zones of the first surface “B1” and of the second surface “B2” of the material “B”.

[0132] This plurality of passes can be performed by a single pair of rollers “R” or a plurality of pairs of rollers “R”, arranged opposite to each other with respect to the material “B”.

[0133] Alternatively, according to an embodiment not illustrated, the method can provide for at least two pairs of rollers “R” arranged aligned transversely to the first direction of movement “M1”, allowing continuous processing of different zones, for example adjacent ones, of the material “B”.

[0134] Furthermore, said plurality of passes comprises a pass performed immediately before the cut “T” of the material “B”, but can also comprise several passes performed before the cut “T” of the material “B”.

[0135] The plurality of pairs of rollers “R” can provide for an identical shape for each pair of rollers “R” that work in series.

[0136] As an alternative, said plurality of pairs of rollers “R” have different shapes to each other and transmit at least two different geometric patterns to the material “B”.

[0137] Advantageously, it is possible to obtain cleaning elements 1 comprising different surface texturings, variable in the type of outlines, spacings or pressing capacities of the embossing, therefore being able to configure the cleaning element 1 as a function of the type of washing and / or drying operation to be performed on the surfaces of a vehicle, the type of dirt and so on. The method for manufacturing a cleaning element 1 can further comprise a step of fringing the cleaning element 1 along the extension 2 intended, in use, to come into contact with the vehicle.

[0138] For example, the first or the second end 3a or 3b of the cleaning element 1 is cut into fringes in order to increase the cleaning or drying capacity of the single cleaning element 1 . Possibly both the first and the second end 3a or 3b of the cleaning element is fringed (for example, the strip can be folded in half and therefore both the first and the second end 3a, 3b are intended to come into contact with the vehicle).

[0139] According to the present invention, the cleaning elements 1 are preferably grouped together to construct cleaning tools, in particular brushes for cleaning and / or drying 10, even more in particular usable in a washing system for vehicles 100.

[0140] Below, the brush for cleaning and / or drying 10 will simply be called “brush 10”.

[0141] With reference to figures 1 , 1A, 2, 3, 4 and 5, a brush 10 is shown that is compatible with being used in a washing system 100 and intended, in use, to be used on a vehicle.

[0142] The brush 10 comprises a support 11 and a plurality of cleaning elements 1 manufactured according to the method described above, in which the cleaning elements 1 are configured to be fixable or fixed to at least one part of the support 11.

[0143] For example, the cleaning elements can be fixed to the support 11 at the first end 3a or the second end 3b or halfway between the first and the second end 3a or 3b (in the case of a folded strip).

[0144] The brush 10 has the support 11 made with a substantially circular extension around an extension axis “X”, comprising a central hole 12 centred around said extension axis “X” and configured, in use, to be fitted around a shaft 101 intended to be moved at least in rotation around said extension axis “X”. The cleaning elements 1 are fixable or fixed along an outer surface 13 of the support 11 .

[0145] According to the embodiments illustrated, said support 11 houses the shaft 101 passing through and the brush 10 is fixed solidly constrained to the shaft 101 .

[0146] In use, the brush 10, and therefore the cleaning and / or drying elements 1 , is moved in a radial direction with respect to the extension axis “X”.

[0147] With particular reference to figure 1 , the cleaning elements 1 are manufactured according to a first embodiment.

[0148] In a particular solution, possibly the cleaning elements 1 could be arranged in pairs, arranged in adhesion with each other and preferably having the embossing facing outwards.

[0149] With reference to figure 2, an alternative embodiment provides for the cleaning elements 1 folded longitudinally in a “V” shape.

[0150] With reference to figure 3, 4 and 5, the cleaning elements 1 can be made sufficiently soft and flexible to assume different orientations as a function of the force of gravity and the speed of rotation of the shaft 101 .

[0151] The brush 10 is configured, in use, to allow the cleaning elements 1 to move away radially with respect to the extension axis “X”.

[0152] Alternative embodiments not illustrated can provide for the cleaning elements 1 to be fixed halfway between the first end 3a and the second end 3b with respect to the support 11 , substantially in a “U-shaped” configuration, in which the cleaning function of the cleaning element 1 is assigned to both the first and the second end 3a, 3b.

[0153] The cleaning elements 1 can possibly be configured to be folded on themselves so as to define different geometries that are transverse when fixed to the support 11 : in particular, they can be folded first longitudinally and then transversely (in that case, they can assume a cup-like shape).

[0154] An alternative embodiment not illustrated can provide, in use, for such support 11 to be shaped to house an end of a shaft, housing said end of the shaft in the central hole 12. The support 11 comprises a plurality of cleaning elements, oriented in the opposite direction to the hole 12 configured to house the shaft, fixable or fixed at a section of the outer surface 13. The brush 10 can comprise a support defining a disc from which the cleaning elements 1 intended to come into contact with the vehicle (as is the case of rim washers, for example) extend.

[0155] The plurality of cleaning elements 1 can be fixed removable or irremovable from the support 11 .

[0156] With reference to the embodiment illustrated, the plurality of cleaning elements 1 can be arranged only partially on the outer surface 13 of said support 11 or, as an alternative, along the entire outer surface 13 of said support 11.

[0157] The choice of arrangement of the cleaning elements 1 can vary as a function of the type of movement of the brush 10 required.

[0158] For example, a partial arrangement of cleaning elements around an outer surface of the support 11 can provide for the brush to be moved with oscillatory movements around the extension axis “X”.

[0159] As an alternative, an arrangement of cleaning elements 1 along the entire perimeter of the support 11 is preferable for brushes 10 configured, in use, to rotate repeatedly according to a predetermined direction with respect to the extension axis “X”.

[0160] The present invention also provides a washing system 100.

[0161] In particular, with reference to figure 15, the washing system 100 comprises at least one shaft 101 along a cleaning path for a vehicle.

[0162] Preferably, the washing system 100 comprises a plurality of movable shafts 101 arranged along a cleaning path, said movable shafts 101 being oriented with different orientations to each other.

[0163] In particular, said plurality of shafts 101 are automated and arranged according to a horizontal, vertical and / or oblique orientation, defining with each other said path crossed or crossable by a vehicle in order to be subjected to cleaning and / or drying.

[0164] The system 100 comprises a plurality of cleaning elements 1 , manufactured according to the method described above, said cleaning elements 1 being fixed or fixable directly or indirectly on at least one section of the shaft 101 .

[0165] In other words, the shaft 101 has a plurality of cleaning elements 1 that can be fixed at least along the first end 3a; a part of said cleaning elements 1 , in use, moving away in a radial direction, by centrifugal effect, from the shaft 101 itself.

[0166] As an alternative, the cleaning elements 1 are fixed or fixable halfway between the first and the second end 3a and 3b, said cleaning elements 1 being arranged, in use, in a substantially “U-shaped” configuration with respect to the shaft 101.

[0167] The cleaning elements can be fixed in a removable or irremovable manner from said shaft 101 .

[0168] According to an embodiment illustrated in figure 15, the system 100 comprises at least one cleaning and / or drying brush 10, said brush 10 obtained according to the present invention, wherein the brush 10 is fixed or fixable on at least one section of the shaft 101 .

[0169] With reference to figures 1A and 4, said brushes 10 are arranged aligned respectively along the axis “X” and intended to be fitted in succession on the shaft 101 .

[0170] Advantageously, a system 100 comprising a plurality of brushes 10 allows assembly or maintenance of the present system to be facilitated and speeded up, allowing simultaneous extraction and replacement of the entire group of cleaning elements 1.

[0171] The washing system for a vehicle provides for the shaft 101 to be movable by translation and / or rotation and is configured to transmit to the plurality of cleaning and / or drying elements 1 or to the brush 10 at least one between an alternating oscillatory movement around a rotation axis “Y” of the shaft 101 itself or a rotary movement around the rotation axis “Y”.

[0172] With reference to the embodiment of a system 100 using a plurality of brushes 10, preferably the extension axis “X” of each brush coincides with the rotation axis “Y” of the shaft 101 , wherein each brush 10, fixed solidly constrained with the shaft 101 , undergoes the rotation of the shaft 101 around the rotation axis “Y”.

[0173] Alternative embodiments not illustrated can provide for shafts movable exclusively through translation, comprising a plurality of cleaning elements 1 and / or at least one cleaning brush 10, moved according to translating movements, for example horizontal or vertical or oblique movements with respect to the vehicle.

[0174] Preferably, the embossed strip has a density of the first face higher than or equal to the overall average density of the strip and lower than or equal to the overall average density of the strip increased by 20%.

[0175] Advantageously, the present invention allows the drawbacks which have emerged from the prior art to be overcome.

[0176] Advantageously, the present invention allows production waste or the production of toxic volatile elements impacting on the environment and / or on the in-house production cost for their disposal to be reduced, if not even eliminated altogether. In other words, the present method and therefore the products obtained from it have a reduced or eliminated environmental impact and a reduced or eliminated cost for their disposal. Advantageously, the present invention does not require the use of work tools acting through compression by means of heated surfaces and, therefore, allowing an energy saving to be obtained during production of the cleaning and / or drying element itself.

[0177] Advantageously, the present invention allows a considerable improvement of the washing power on the outer surfaces of the vehicles. In particular, the cleaning and / or drying elements are able to maintain unaltered the physical characteristics that ensure gentleness on the paints of the vehicles. Furthermore, the cleaning and / or drying elements guarantee a high noiselessness and longer useful lifetime with respect to those present in the prior art. Advantageously, the system of the present invention is easy to manufacture and to subject to maintenance operations. Furthermore, the system allows a more efficient washing or drying of the surface of a vehicle without damaging the vehicle itself and, in particular, without removing the surface paint of the vehicle itself.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method for manufacturing a cleaning or drying element (1) for a vehicle in a washing system, made of a compressible material that is substantially shaped as an embossed flexible strip, having a substantially elongated extension comprised between a first end (3a) and a second end (3b), comprising the steps of:- preparing a compressible material (B) comprising a first surface (B1 ) and a second surface (B2) arranged opposite to each other;- performing a cold compression of said material (B) by means of at least one pair of compression elements (R), of which at least one is shaped, arranged opposite to each other with respect to said material (B) and acting respectively on said first surface (B1 ) and second surface (B2);- making a cut (T) on said material (B) at least partly simultaneously with or immediately after said step of cold compression, said cut (T) being made interposed between said first surface (B1 ) and said second surface (B2) to separate a first portion (P1 ) and a second portion (P2) of said material (B); each of the first and the second portion (P1 , P2) comprising respectively a first face (Pa) and a second face (Pb), the corresponding first faces (Pa) being obtained at said cut (T) on said material (B), at least one part of at least said first faces (Pa) being embossed through at least partially elastic return of the compressible material; and wherein one said cleaning or drying element (1 ) corresponds with said first portion (P1 ) or said second portion (P2) or a sub-portion of said first portion (P1 ) or said second portion (P2).

2. The method for manufacturing a cleaning or drying element (1 ) according to claim 1 , further comprising a step of cutting said first portion (P1 ) and said second portion (P2) so as to obtain several sub-portions shaped like embossed strips and wherein said cleaning or drying element (1 ) corresponds with one of said sub-portions.

3. The method for manufacturing a cleaning and / or drying element (1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a step of fringing said cleaning and / or drying element (1) along said first end (3a) and / or second end (3b) intended, in use, to come into contact with a vehicle, so as to define a plurality of fringes.

4. The method for manufacturing a cleaning or drying element (1 ) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said pair of compression elements (R) is / comprises a pair of rollers (R).

5. The method for manufacturing a cleaning or drying element (1 ) according to claim 4, wherein said cold compression step is performed by performing a plurality of passes of said rollers (R) along said first and second surfaces (B1 , B2) of said material (B), said plurality of passes comprising at least one pass performed at least partly simultaneously with or immediately before said cutting step of said material (B).

6. The method for manufacturing a cleaning or drying element (1 ) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said cold compression step is performed so as to transmit in negative at least one geometric pattern to at least one zone of said first surface (B1) and of said second surface (B2) of said material (B).

7. The method for manufacturing a cleaning or drying element (1 ) according to claim 6, wherein said cold compression step is performed by transmitting at least two different geometric patterns to different zones of said first surface (B1 ) and second surface (B2) of said material (B).

8. A cleaning or drying brush (10) for a washing system, intended in use to be used on a vehicle, comprising:- a support (11 );- a plurality of said cleaning or drying elements (1) manufactured by means of the method according to one or more of claims 1 to 7; said cleaning or drying elements (1) being configured to be fixable or fixed in use at the corresponding first ends (3a) to at least one part of said support (11 ).

9. The cleaning or drying brush (10) for a washing system according to claim 8, wherein said support (11 ) is manufactured with a substantially circular extension around an extension axis (X), comprising a substantially circular outer surface (13) and a central hole (12), which extend around said extension axis (X), said central hole (12) being configured in use to be fitted around a shaft intended to be moved at least in rotation around said extension axis (X); and said plurality of cleaning or drying elements (1 ) are fixable or fixed at the corresponding first ends (3a) along said outer surface (13) of said support (11 ).

10. The cleaning or drying brush (10) for a washing system according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the second faces (Pb) of the first portion (P1 ) and of the second portion (P2) are smooth.11 . A vehicle washing system (100), comprising:- at least one shaft (101 ) arranged in said washing system (100) along a cleaning path for said vehicle;- a plurality of cleaning or drying elements (1 ) manufactured according to the method described in one or more of claims 1 to 7, said cleaning or drying elements (1 ) being fixed or fixable directly or indirectly onto at least one section of said shaft (101 ); or- at least one cleaning or drying brush (10) according to claim 8 or 9 or 10; said cleaning or drying brush (10) being fixed or fixable on at least one section of said shaft (101 ).

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