Improved squeegee assembly for a scrubbing machine and scrubbing machine comprising the same

Abstract

Squeegee assembly (10) for a scrubbing machine (1), comprising a main body (11), two squeegees (12, 13) operatively connected to the main body (11) and adapted to be arranged in contact with a floor (P) to be washed. The main body (11) comprises a surface (14) interposed between the squeegees (12, 13) along a horizontal direction (X) and facing the floor (P). The squeegees (12, 13) and the surface (14) define a chamber (15) adapted to contain a liquid. The squeegee assembly (10) further comprises an opening (16) extending at the surface (14) along a vertical direction (Z) and adapted to allow suction of the liquid contained in the chamber (15). The surface (14) is inclined with respect to a plane (n) perpendicular to the vertical direction (Z).

Description

[0001] "IMPROVED SQUEEGEE ASSEMBLY FOR A SCRUBBING MACHINE AND SCRUBBING MACHINE COMPRISING THE SAME"

[0002] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0003] This Patent Application claims priority from Italian Patent Application No . 102024000008890 filed on April 18 , 2024 , the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference .

[0004] FIELD OF THE ART

[0005] The present invention relates to a squeegee assembly for a scrubbing machine and to a scrubbing machine comprising such a squeegee assembly .

[0006] BACKGROUND ART

[0007] Scrubbing machines for cleaning floors are known comprising :

[0008] - a frame ;

[0009] - at least one brush rotatable with respect to the frame about an axis of rotation and adapted to be arranged in direct contact with the floor to be washed;

[0010] - a first tank containing a detergent mixture ; and

[0011] - a plurality of noz zles fluidly connected to the first tank and arranged at the rotating brush .

[0012] The noz zles are adapted to spray the detergent mixture while the brush i s rotating, resulting in the washing of the floor . Scrubbing machines of the known type further comprise :

[0013] - a squeegee assembly, which is carried by the frame , is adapted to be arranged in abutment against the floor and is adapted to collect the exhausted mixture , i . e . the mixture emitted by the noz zles and containing the dirt removed by the rotation of the brush;

[0014] - a second tank adapted to contain the exhausted mixture collected by the squeegee assembly; and

[0015] - a suction system adapted to suck the exhausted mixture from the squeegee assembly and send it to the second tank .

[0016] In detail , the squeegee assembly comprises , in turn, a main body adapted to be mounted on the frame , a front squeegee facing the brush and a rear squeegee , which is arranged opposed to the brush with respect to the front squeegee .

[0017] The front and rear squeegees are adapted to be arranged in direct contact with the floor and are arranged in such a way as to define a chamber . Speci fically, the suction system comprises at least one suction point at this chamber .

[0018] In addition, the front squeegee comprises a plurality of through openings adapted to allow the exhausted mixture to enter the chamber .

[0019] It has been observed, however, that scrubbing machines of the known type do not always ef ficiently suck the exhausted mixture , sometimes leaving non-negligible amounts thereof on the floor . This phenomenon is particularly evident when switching of f the scrubbing machines and negatively af fects the final quality of the wash .

[0020] In light of the above , there is a need to improve the scrubbing machines of the known type ; in particular, there is a need to improve the collection of exhausted mixture .

[0021] An aim of the invention is to meet the need set out above , preferably in a simple and economical manner .

[0022] DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] The aim is achieved by a squeegee assembly as defined in claim 1 . The dependent claims define particular embodiments of the invention .

[0024] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] In the following, an embodiment of the invention is described for a better understanding thereof by way of nonlimiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings , wherein :

[0026] - Figure 1 is a perspective view of a scrubbing machine comprising a squeegee assembly according to the present invention;

[0027] - Figure 2 is a perspective and enlarged scale view of the scrubbing assembly of Figure 1 ;

[0028] - Figure 3 is a view from below of the squeegee assembly of Figures 1 and 2 ;

[0029] - Figure 4 is a section view along the line IV- IV of Figure 3 .

[0030] EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0031] In Figure 1 , reference number 1 is used to denote , as a whole , a scrubbing machine for washing and drying a floor P .

[0032] Without losing generality, the scrubbing machine shown in Figure 1 is a machine adapted to be moved manually with respect to a reference system integral to the floor P, for example by an operator . For this purpose , the scrubbing machine 1 comprises a handle la . In other words , the scrubbing machine 1 is , for example, a scrubbing machine operable by a walking person .

[0033] Nevertheless , the scrubbing machine that is obj ect of the present invention could be moved automatically or semi- automatically with respect to the aforesaid reference system .

[0034] In other words , the scrubbing machine 1 could be a sel f- propelled scrubbing machine with a man on board .

[0035] As shown in Figure 1 , the scrubbing machine 1 comprises a frame 2 , at least one and advantageously two brushes 3 , 4 rotatable with respect to the frame 2 about their respective axes of rotation and drive means 9 operatively connected to at least one of the brushes 3 , 4 to rotate it about its axis of rotation . In particular, the drive means 9 comprise an electric motor .

[0036] Speci fically, the brushes 3 , 4 are aligned with each other along a direction Y parallel to the floor P and are preferably circular or substantially circular in shape . In addition, the axes of rotation of the brushes 3 , 4 are vertical or substantially vertical with respect to the floor P .

[0037] As shown only schematically in Figure 1 , the scrubbing machine 1 further comprises a tank 5 adapted to contain a detergent mixture and a plurality of noz zles 6 fluidly connected to the tank 5 and adapted to spray the detergent mixture onto the floor P . In detail , the nozzles 6 are arranged at or near the brushes 3 , 4 and are preferably adapted to emit the detergent mixture while the brushes 3 , 4 are rotating . By way of example , the detergent mixture comprises water or water and a detergent .

[0038] The scrubbing machine 1 also comprises a squeegee assembly 10 , which is carried by the frame 2 and is adapted to collect the exhausted mixture , i . e . the mixture emitted by the noz zles 6 and containing the dirt removed from the floor P due to the rotation of the brushes 3 , 4 .

[0039] Considering a forward direction A of the scrubbing machine 1 , the squeegee assembly 10 is arranged at the rear of the brushes 3 , 4 ( Figure 1 ) .

[0040] Still as schematically shown in Figure 1 , the scrubbing machine 1 comprises an additional tank 7 adapted to contain the exhausted mixture and a suction system 8 adapted to suck the exhausted mixture from the squeegee assembly 10 and convey it to the tank 7 .

[0041] The squeegee assembly 10 comprises , in turn, a main body 11 and two squeegees 12 , 13 operatively connected to the main body 11 and adapted to be arranged in contact with the floor P . One of the squeegees 12 or front squeegee is facing the brushes 3 , 4 and the other squeegee 13 or rear squeegee , which i s arranged opposed to the brushes 3 , 4 with respect to the squeegee 12 along a direction X hori zontal to the floor P ( Figure 1 ) .

[0042] Referring to Figure 4 , the squeegee assembly 10 further comprises a surface 14 interposed between the squeegees 12 , 13 along the direction X and facing the floor P . In detail , the surface 14 is integral with and / or integrated into the main body 11 .

[0043] In other words , the main body 11 comprises a lower wall which, in use , is arranged facing the floor P and contributes to forming the surface 14 .

[0044] The squeegees 12 and 13 , on the other hand, are preferably carried by the front wall and the rear wall , respectively, with respect to the direction X, of the main body 11 .

[0045] In the embodiment shown, the squeegees 12 , 13 protrude from the main body 11 both along the direction Y and along a vertical direction Z with respect to the floor P . In detail, the squeegees 12, 13 comprise respective ends 12a, 13a parallel to the direction Z, which are free and adapted to be placed in direct contact with the floor P. As shown in Figure 4, the ends 12a and 13a are aligned with each other parallel to the direction Z.

[0046] The squeegees 12, 13 and the surface 14 define a chamber 15 adapted to contain the exhausted mixture. In detail, the surface 14 defines the top of the chamber 15 and the surfaces of the squeegees 12, 13 facing each other define the side walls of the chamber 15. In addition, the chamber 15 is open at its end opposed to the surface 14 along the direction Z, i.e. it is directly facing the floor P.

[0047] The squeegee 12 comprises a plurality of through slots 20. In detail, the slots 20 extend from the end 12a parallel to the direction Z. In the embodiment shown, the slots 20 have an inverted U-shape.

[0048] The squeegees 12, 13 are also made of a deformable material, preferably an elastomeric material, e.g. rubber. Thus, the adherence of the squeegees 12, 13 to the floor P during the handling of the scrubbing machine 1 is ensured.

[0049] In addition, the squeegees 12, 13 have a curved shape in the plane n. In detail, both squeegees 12 and 13 have a concave shape relative to brushes 3, 4.

[0050] Preferably, considering the centre of curvature of the squeegee 12, the slots 20 are passing through the squeegee 12 along respective radial directions passing through this centre of curvature . In addition, the slots 20 are spaced from each other along a circumferential direction defined at the squeegee 12 .

[0051] As shown in Figures 2 and 3 , the squeegee 12 comprises two ends 12c, 12d opposed to each other along the direction Y; the squeegee 13 comprises two ends 13c, 13d opposed to each other along the direction Y . In particular, the ends 12c and 13c are placed side by side to each other ; the ends 12d and 13d are also placed side by side to each other .

[0052] Proceeding from the ends 12c and 13c to the ends 12d and 13d parallel to the direction Y, the distance between the squeegee 12 and the squeegee 13 parallel to the direction X first increases progressively and then decreases progressively . In detail , the distance between the squeegee 12 and the squeegee 13 parallel to the direction X is greatest at the centreline of the squeegees 12 and 13 along the direction Y .

[0053] The squeegee assembly 10 further comprises an opening 16 extending at the surface 14 along the direction Z and is adapted to allow the passage of the exhausted mixture contained in the chamber 15 and sucked by the suction system 8 . In detail , the opening 16 is fluidly connected to the suction system 8 .

[0054] In the embodiment shown, the opening 16 has a circular shape in a plane perpendicular to the direction Z . In addition, the opening 16 is arranged at the centreline of the chamber 15 along the direction Y .

[0055] Advantageously, the surface 14 is inclined with respect to a plane n perpendicular to the direction Z ( Figure 4 ) .

[0056] In detail , proceeding parallel to the direction X from the squeegee 12 to the squeegee 13 , the distance between the surface points 14 and the ends 12a, 13a parallel to said direction Z gradually decreases . In further detail , the surface 14 is spaced parallel to the direction Z from both the end 12a and the end 13a . In addition, the surface 14 is flat .

[0057] In the embodiment shown, the surface 14 is inclined with respect to the plane n by an angle less than 45 ° . Preferably, the surface 14 is inclined with respect to the plane n by an angle less than 35 ° .

[0058] The inclined positioning of the surface 14 has the technical ef fect of bringing the mouth of the opening 16 close to the floor P, in particular the portion of the mouth of the opening 16 positioned at the squeegee 13 . This improves the suction of the exhausted mixture on the floor P, because it allows to create air vortices within the chamber 15 that help li ft and then suck the exhausted mixture , thereby overcoming the adhesion forces between the exhausted mixture itsel f and the floor P . The squeegee assembly 10 further comprises three wheels 30 rotatable with respect to the main body 11 about respective rotation axes directed parallel to the direction Y . In detail , the wheels 30 are arranged on the side of the squeegee 13 arranged opposed to the squeegee 12 along the direction X ( Figure 3 ) .

[0059] The operation of the squeegee assembly 10 and of the scrubbing machine 1 is described below .

[0060] In use , the scrubbing machine 1 is moved in relation to the floor P, the brushes 3 and 4 rotate about their respective axes , and the noz zles 6 spray the detergent mixture .

[0061] During the rotation of the brushes 3 , 4 , the detergent mixture spread on the floor P collects the dirt . The exhausted mixture is then collected by the squeegee assembly 10 , is sucked by the suction system 8 and is collected in the tank 7 .

[0062] In detail , as the squeegees 12 and 13 rub in contact with the floor P, the exhausted mixture centri fuged by the brushes 3 , 4 passes through the slots 20 into the chamber 15 , wherein the suction system 8 has established a depression . In further detail , the exhausted mixture penetrates through the slots 20 in the opposite direction to the direction of advancement A, impacts against the surface 14 , which is incl ined, and is then sucked through the opening 16 . Speci fically, the traj ectory of the particles of the mixture within the chamber 15 is comparable to that of a convective motion .

[0063] From the foregoing, the advantages of the squeegee assembly 10 and o f the scrubbing machine 1 according to the invention are obvious .

[0064] In particular, since the surface 14 is inclined with respect to the plane n, the exhausted mixture entering the chamber 15 through the slots 20 is subj ected to abrupt changes in direction, which greatly improve suction thereof through the opening 16 .

[0065] In other words , the surface 14 inclined with respect to the plane n allows to create air vortices inside the chamber 15 that help li ft and suck the exhausted mixture .

[0066] This makes it possible to limit the amount of exhausted mixture left on the floor after the passage of the scrubbing machine 1 , and thus to ensure a satis factory quality of the wash .

[0067] Finally, it is clear that modi fications and variations may be made to the squeegee assembly 10 and to the scrubbing machine 1 according to the invention, which, however, do not depart from the scope of protection defined by the claims . The scrubbing machine 1 may comprise a number of brushes

[0068] 3 , 4 other than two . In particular, the scrubbing machine 1 may comprise only one brush or more than two brushes .

[0069] Alternatively or additionally, the scrubbing machine 1 may comprise a single roller with an axis of rotation approximately hori zontal and transverse to the direction of advancement of the machine 1 , or two or more rollers adj acent to each other and with an axis of rotation approximately hori zontal and transverse to the direction of advancement of the machine 1 .

[0070] The surface 14 may not be flat , but still such that a plane tangent to the surface 14 is inclined to the plane n .

Claims

CLAIMS1.- Squeegee assembly (10) for a scrubbing machine (1) , comprising :- a main body (11) ;- two squeegees (12, 13) operatively connected to said main body (11) and adapted to be arranged, in use, in contact with a floor (P) to be washed; said squeegee assembly (10) comprising a surface (14) at least partially interposed between said two squeegees (12, 13) along a first direction (X) that is, in use, horizontal with respect to said floor (P) ; said surface (14) being adapted to face, in use, said floor (P) ; said two squeegees (12, 13) and said surface (14) defining a chamber (15) adapted to contain, in use, a liquid; said squeegee assembly (10) further comprising an opening (16) extending at said surface (14) along a second direction (Z) , in use, vertical with respect to said floor (P) ; said opening (16) being adapted to allow the suction, in use, of said liquid contained in said chamber (15) ; characterised in that said surface (14) is inclined with respect to a plane (n) perpendicular to said second direction (Z) .2.- Squeegee assembly according to claim 1, wherein one (12) between said two squeegees (12, 13) comprises at leastone slot (20) passing parallel to said first direction (X) .3.- Squeegee assembly according to claim 2, wherein said squeegees (12, 13) comprise respective ends (12a, 13a) parallel to said second direction (Z) adapted to be arranged, in use, in contact with said floor (P) ; wherein, proceeding parallel to said first direction (X) from the squeegee (12) comprising said slot (20) to the other (13) of said two squeegees (12, 13) , the distance between the points of said surface (14) and said ends (12a, 13a) parallel to said second direction (Z) , progressively decreases.4.- Squeegee assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said surface (14) is flat.5.- Squeegee assembly according to claim 4, wherein the angle formed between said surface (14) and said plane (n) is less than 45° .6.- Squeegee assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said squeegees (12, 13) have a curved shape in said plane (n) .7.- Scrubbing machine (1) comprising:- a frame ( 2 ) ;- at least one brush (3, 4) rotatable with respect to said frame (2) about an axis of rotation;- a first tank (5) capable of containing, in use, a detergent mixture; and- a plurality of nozzles (6) fluidly connected to saidfirst tank (5) and adapted to spray said detergent mixture; a squeegee assembly (10) according to any of the preceding claims, which is fixed with respect to said frame (2) and adapted to collect a liquid; said liquid being the mixture emitted, in use, from said nozzles (6) ; a second tank (7) adapted to contain said liquid collected by said squeegee assembly (10) ; and- a suction system (8) adapted to suck said liquid from said squeegee assembly (10) and feed it to said second tank (7) .8.- Scrubbing machine according to claim 7 when dependent on claim 2 or 3, wherein the squeegee (12) of said two squeegees (12, 13) comprising said at least one slot (20) is facing said at least one brush (3, 4) and the other one (13) of said two squeegees (12, 13) is opposite said at least one brush (3, 4) with respect to the squeegee (12) comprising said at least one slot (20) .9.- Scrubbing machine according to claim 7 or 8, wherein said surface (14) faces said at least one brush (3, 4) .10.- Scrubbing machine according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterised in that it is adapted to be driven manually, semi-automatically or automatically.

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