Floor cleaning apparatus

• US 20050015915A1
• Filed: 01/06/2004
• Published: 01/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Diversey Incorporated (Sealed Air)
• Original Assignee: Benjamin L. Wirz, Colin Angle, Gideon Coltof, Jayant Sharma, John P O'Brien, Joseph L. Jones, Lee F. Sword, Mark Chiappetta, Paul E. Sandin, Philip R. Mass, Robert K. Kay, Rosario Robert, Victor W. Thomas Sr
• Inventors: Sword, Lee F., Mass, Philip R., Sandin, Paul E., O'Brien, John P., Jones, Joseph L., Chiappetta, Mark, Robert, Rosario, Coltof, Gideon, Angle, Colin, Sharma, Jayant, Wirz, Benjamin L., Thomas, Victor W. Sr., Kay, Robert K.
• Granted Patent: US 7,240,396 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/320
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/14 with rotating tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/24 Floor-sweeping machines, motor-driven
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/282 having rotary tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/30 by suction
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4011 Regulation of the cleaning machine by electric means; Control systems and remote control systems therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4036 Parts or details of the surface treating tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4038 Disk shaped surface treating tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4041 Roll shaped surface treating tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4044 Vacuuming or pick-up tools; Squeegees
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4052 Movement of the tools or the like perpendicular to the cleaning surface
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4069 Driving or transmission means for the cleaning tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4088 Supply pumps; Spraying devices; Supply conduits

Abstract

A floor cleaner is provided for cleaning a floor, where the floor cleaner has a front and a rear and includes: a sweeper for sweeping the floor; a scrubber, connected to the sweeper and located in the rear of the sweeper, for wetting and cleaning the floor; and a burnisher, connected to the scrubber and located in the rear of the scrubber, for burnishing the floor.

Claims

1. A floor cleaning cleaner device for cleaning a floor, the floor cleaner having a front and a rear, the floor cleaner comprising:

a scrubber for wetting and cleaning the floor, the scrubber having a front and a rear; and

a burnisher for burnishing the floor, the burnisher positioned in closer proximity to the rear of the scrubber than to the front of the scrubber, wherein the scrubber comprises a scrubber brush having an axis of rotation substantially parallel to the floor and substantially perpendicular to an axis running from the front to the rear of the floor cleanersaid burnisher comprising a burnisher pad and a motor for spinning the burnisher pad at a speed at or above 1000 revolutions per minute.

2. The floor cleaner of claim 1 wherein the scrubber brush further comprises polymeric bristles.

3. The floor cleaner of claim 2 wherein the bristles range from 0.1 millimeters to 0.5 millimeters in diameter.

4. The floor cleaner of claim 1 wherein a first flexible blade for collecting bulk water liquid is positioned to contact the floor between the scrubber and the burnisher.

5. The floor cleaner of claim 4 further comprising a vacuum source for applying suction to a portion of the floor in front of the first flexible blade to collect liquid gathered by the first flexible blade.

6. The floor cleaner of claim 5 further comprising a second flexible blade positioned in front of, and spaced apart from, the first flexible blade, the vacuum source applying suction to the space between the first and second flexible blades.

7. The floor cleaner of claim 1 wherein the burnisher further comprises a burnisher pad, the burnisher and the scrubber being positioned relative to one another such that a front-most point of the burnisher pad is located less than 40 centimeters from a rear-most point of contact of the scrubber brush with the floor.

9. The floor cleaner of claim 1 wherein the motor is an electric motor.

10. The floor cleaner of claim 1 further comprising a sweeper, the sweeper positioned in closer proximity to the front of the scrubber than to the rear of the scrubber.

43. The floor cleaner of claim 1 wherein the distance between the scrubber and the burnisher is no greater than 40 centimeters.

44. The floor cleaner of claim 5 wherein the vacuum source for applying suction to a portion of the floor in front of the first flexible blade to collect liquid gathered by the blade is applied to the portion of the floor located within 25 centimeters of the burnisher.

8. (Cancelled)

11. A floor cleaner for cleaning a floor, the floor cleaner having a front and a rear, the floor cleaner comprising:

a sweeper having a front and a rear;

a scrubber for wetting and cleaning the floor, the scrubber having a front and a rear, the front of the scrubber positioned in closer proximity to the rear of the sweeper than to the front of the sweeper; and

a burnisher for burnishing the floor, the burnisher positioned in closer proximity to the rear of the scrubber than to the front of the scrubber.

51. The floor cleaner of claim 11 further comprising:

a housing having a front end and a rear end, wherein the sweeper is located closer to the front end of the housing than to the rear end of the housing, further wherein the scrubber is located closer to the sweeper than to the front end of the housing;

the scrubber further comprising a squeegee, the squeegee located between the scrubber and burnisher, wherein each of the sweeper, scrubber and burnisher is being powered at the same time.

52. The floor cleaner of claim 51 wherein at least one of the sweeper, scrubber and burnisher is powered using battery power.

53. The floor cleaner of claim 51 wherein at least substantial portions of the burnisher are located outwardly of the housing.

54. The floor cleaner of claim 51 further comprising:

a battery storage between the front end and the rear end of the housing;

a battery pack; and

a battery support that supports the battery pack, wherein the battery pack and the battery support are movable to be repositioned within the battery storage and to be removed therefrom, wherein each of the sweeper, scrubber and burnisher is being activated by the battery pack at the same time.

55. The floor cleaner of claim 54 wherein at least substantial portions of the burnisher are movable relative to the housing.

12. A floor cleaner for cleaning a floor, the floor cleaner having a front and a rear, the floor cleaner comprising:

a sweeper having a front and a rear;

a scrubber for wetting and cleaning the floor, the scrubber having a front and a rear, the front of the scrubber positioned in closer proximity to the rear of the sweeper than to the front of the sweeper;

a burnisher for burnishing the floor, the burnisher positioned in closer proximity to the rear of the scrubber than to the front of the scrubber;

one or more rotating sweeper elements;

a hopper spaced apart from the sweeper elements; and

a ramp, the ramp connected to the hopper and located between the sweeper elements and the hopper, a portion of the ramp being located under a portion of the sweeper elements.

13. A floor cleaner for cleaning a floor, the floor cleaner having a front and a rear, the floor cleaner comprising:

a scrubber for wetting and cleaning the floor, the scrubber having a front and a rear; and

a burnisher for burnishing the floor, the burnisher positioned in closer proximity to the rear of the scrubber than to the front of the scrubber, wherein the distance between the scrubber and the burnisher is no greater than 40 centimeters.

56. The floor cleaner of claim 13 wherein a first flexible blade for collecting liquid is positioned to contact the floor between the scrubber and the burnisher.

57. The floor cleaner of claim 56 further comprising a vacuum source for applying suction to a portion of the floor in front of the first flexible blade to collect liquid gathered by the first flexible blade.

58. The floor cleaner of claim 57 further comprising a second flexible blade positioned in front of, and spaced apart from, the first flexible blade, the vacuum source applying suction to the space between the first and second flexible blades.

59. The floor cleaner of claim 13 wherein the burnisher further comprises a burnisher pad and a motor for spinning the burnisher pad at a speed at or above 1000 revolutions per minute.

60. The floor cleaner of claim 59 wherein the motor is an electric motor.

61. The floor cleaner of claim 13 further comprising a sweeper, the sweeper positioned in closer proximity to the front of the scrubber than to the rear of the scrubber.

62. The floor cleaner of claim 57 wherein the vacuum source for applying suction to a portion of the floor in front of the first flexible blade to collect liquid gathered by the blade is applied to the portion of the floor located within 25 centimeters of the burnisher.

14. A floor cleaner for cleaning a floor, the floor cleaner having a front and a rear, the floor cleaner comprising:

a scrubber for wetting and cleaning the floor, and

a burnisher located to the rear of the scrubber for burnishing the floor, and

liquid removal apparatus for removing bulk liquid from the floor,

said apparatus located between the scrubber and the burnisher, wherein the point of liquid

removal from the floor is located within 25 cm of the burnisher.

15. The cleaner of claim 14 wherein the point of liquid removal from the floor is located within 10 cm of the burnisher.

16. (Cancelled)

17. (Cancelled)

18. (Cancelled)

19. (Cancelled)

20. (Cancelled)

21. (Cancelled)

22. (Cancelled)

23. (Cancelled)

24. (Cancelled)

25. (Cancelled)

26. (Cancelled)

27. (Cancelled)

28. (Cancelled)

29. (Cancelled)

30. (Cancelled)

31. (Cancelled)

32. (Cancelled)

33. (Cancelled)

34. (Cancelled)

35. (Cancelled)

36. (Cancelled)

37. (Cancelled)

38. (Cancelled)

39. (Cancelled)

40. (Cancelled)

41. (Cancelled)

42. A floor cleaner for cleaning a floor comprising:

a scrubber for wetting and cleaning the floor,

a squeegee blade, and

a squeegee mount for housing the squeegee blade positioned adjacent the rear of the scrubber for collecting liquid, wherein the squeegee mount includes a groove for slidably mounting the squeegee blade.

45. A floor cleaner device for cleaning a floor, the floor cleaner having a front and a rear, the floor cleaner comprising:

a scrubber for wetting and cleaning the floor, the scrubber having a front and a rear;

a sweeper positioned in closer proximity to the front of the scrubber than to the rear of the scrubber;

a burnisher for burnishing the floor, the burnisher positioned in closer proximity to the rear of the scrubber than to the front of the scrubber, wherein the scrubber comprises a scrubber brush having an axis of rotation substantially parallel to the floor and substantially perpendicular to an axis running from the front to the rear of the floor cleaner

one or more rotating sweeper elements;

a hopper spaced apart from the sweeper elements; and

a ramp, the ramp connected to the hopper and located between the sweeper elements and the hopper, a portion of the ramp being located under a portion of the sweeper elements.

46. A floor cleaner device for cleaning a floor, the floor cleaner having a front and a rear, the floor cleaner comprising:

a scrubber for wetting and cleaning the floor, the scrubber having a front and a rear; and

a burnisher for burnishing the floor, the burnisher positioned in closer proximity to the rear of the scrubber than to the front of the scrubber, wherein the scrubber comprises a scrubber brush having an axis of rotation substantially parallel to the floor and substantially perpendicular to an axis running from the front to the rear of the floor cleaner, said cleaner further comprising control circuitry connected to the scrubber and the burnisher, the control circuitry executing in parallel a first program module operating the scrubber and a second program module operating the burnisher.

47. The floor cleaner of claim 46 wherein the first program module supplies data to the second program module and the second program module modifies the operation of the burnisher based on the data supplied from the first program module.

48. The floor cleaner of claim 46 wherein the control circuitry comprises at least two processors, a first processor executing the first program module and a second processor executing the second program module.

49. The floor cleaner of claim 46 further comprising a sweeper, wherein the control circuitry is further connected to the sweeper, the control circuitry executing, in parallel with the first program module and second program module, a third program module operating the sweeper.

50. A floor cleaner device for cleaning a floor, the floor cleaner having a front and a rear, the floor cleaner comprising:

a scrubber for wetting and cleaning the floor, the scrubber having a front and a rear;

a sweeper positioned in closer proximity to the front of the scrubber than to the rear of the scrubber

a burnisher for burnishing the floor, the burnisher positioned in closer proximity to the rear of the scrubber than to the front of the scrubber, wherein the scrubber comprises a scrubber brush having an axis of rotation substantially parallel to the floor and substantially perpendicular to an axis running from the front to the rear of the floor cleaner wherein the sweeper further comprises a retractable sweeper assembly;

at least one rotatable sweeper brush;

a sweeper brush motor for rotating the sweeper brush; and

a sweeper assembly motor for raising and lowering the sweeper brush; and

wherein the scrubber further comprises a retractable scrubber assembly;

the scrubber brush;

a squeegee assembly proximate the scrubber brush;

a scrubber brush motor for rotating the scrubber brush;

a scrubber assembly motor for raising and lowering the scrubber brush and the squeegee assembly;

a cleaning fluid pump for supplying cleaning fluid proximate the scrubber brush; and

a vacuum source including an inlet proximate the scrubber brush; and

wherein the burnisher further comprises a retractable burnisher assembly;

at least one rotatable burnishing pad;

a burnishing pad motor for rotating the burnishing pad; and

a burnisher assembly motor for raising and lowering the burnishing pad; and

wherein the floor cleaner further comprises a control system including circuitry configured, upon command, to automatically selectively energize and deenergize the sweeper brush motor, the sweeper assembly motor, the scrubber brush motor, the scrubber assembly motor, the cleaning fluid pump, the vacuum source, the burnishing pad motor and the burnishing assembly motor in accordance with a preselected sequence.

63. A floor cleaner for cleaning a floor, the floor cleaner having a front and a rear, the floor cleaner comprising:

a scrubber for wetting and cleaning the floor, the scrubber having a front and a rear; and

a burnisher for burnishing the floor, the burnisher positioned in closer proximity to the rear of the scrubber than to the front of the scrubber, wherein the distance between the scrubber and the burnisher is no greater than 40 centimeters;

a sweeper positioned in closer proximity to the front of the scrubber than to the rear of the scrubber;

one or more rotating sweeper elements;

a hopper spaced apart from the sweeper elements; and

a ramp, the ramp connected to the hopper and located between the sweeper elements and the hopper, a portion of the ramp being located under a portion of the sweeper elements.

64. A floor cleaner for cleaning a floor, the floor cleaner having a front and a rear, the floor cleaner comprising:

a scrubber for wetting and cleaning the floor, the scrubber having a front and a rear; and

a burnisher for burnishing the floor, the burnisher positioned in closer proximity to the rear of the scrubber than to the front of the scrubber, wherein the distance between the scrubber and the burnisher is no greater than 40 centimeters

control circuitry, the control circuitry connected to the scrubber and the burnisher, the control circuitry executing in parallel a first program module operating the scrubber and a second program module operating the burnisher.

65. The floor cleaner of claim 64 wherein the first program module supplies data to the second program module and the second program module modifies the operation of the burnisher based on the data supplied from the first program module.

66. The floor cleaner of claim 64 wherein the control circuitry comprises at least two processors, a first processor executing the first program module and a second processor executing the second program module.

67. The floor cleaner of claim 64 further comprising a sweeper, wherein the control circuitry is further connected to the sweeper, the control circuitry executing, in parallel with the first program module and second program module, a third program module operating the sweeper.

68. A floor cleaner for cleaning a floor, the floor cleaner having a front and a rear, the floor cleaner comprising:

a scrubber for wetting and cleaning the floor, the scrubber having a front and a rear; and

a burnisher for burnishing the floor, the burnisher positioned in closer proximity to the rear of the scrubber than to the front of the scrubber, wherein the distance between the scrubber and the burnisher is no greater than 40 centimeters;

a sweeper positioned in closer proximity to the front of the scrubber than to the rear of the scrubber;

wherein the sweeper further comprises a retractable sweeper assembly;

at least one rotatable sweeper brush;

a sweeper brush motor for rotating the sweeper brush; and

a motor for raising and lowering the sweeper brush; and

wherein the scrubber further comprises

a retractable scrubber assembly;

a scrubber brush;

a squeegee assembly proximate the scrubber brush;

a scrubber brush motor for rotating the scrubber brush;

a scrubber assembly motor for raising and lowering the scrubber brush and the squeegee assembly;

a cleaning fluid pump for supplying cleaning fluid proximate the scrubber brush; and

a vacuum source including an inlet proximate the scrubber brush; and

wherein the burnisher further comprises

a retractable burnisher assembly;

at least one rotatable burnishing pad;

a burnishing pad motor for rotating the burnishing pad; and

a burnisher assembly motor for raising and lowering the burnishing pad; and

wherein the floor cleaner further comprises a control system including circuitry configured, upon command, to automatically selectively energize and deenergize the sweeper brush motor, the sweeper assembly motor, the scrubber brush motor, the scrubber assembly motor, the cleaning fluid pump, the vacuum source, the burnishing pad motor and the burnishing assembly motor in accordance with a preselected sequence.