Advanced data controlled cleaning system

• US 20060140703A1
• Filed: 02/22/2006
• Published: 06/29/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avet AG, Avet-USA, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Avet AG
• Inventors: Sacks, Roland
• Granted Patent: US 7,431,524 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 401/139
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 13/20 Mops
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 13/22 with liquid-feeding devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network

Abstract

An intelligent cleaning mop is disclosed, which includes a support shaft, a flat mophead connected to the support shaft, a cleaning pad detachably secured to the mophead, a reservoir, a sprayer for spraying cleaning fluid from the reservoir, a power supply device, a sensor for counting the number of times that the mophead oscillates, and a controller which enables deactivation of the sprayer when a predetermined criterion is meet. The intelligent cleaning mop further includes a port for downloading data and a key adaptor for local activation of the mop. The cleaning pad includes one or more microchips for providing ID and recording usage cycles. Further disclosed is an advanced data controlled cleaning system including a plurality of the intelligent mops and information-technology (IT) system. The IT system includes monitoring stations and/or central station, which communicates with the controllers and monitors usage of the intelligent mops and cleaning activities.

Claims

1. An intelligent mop comprising:

(a) a support shaft having upper and distal ends;

(b) a flat mophead having a upper surface connected to said distal end of said support shaft by pivot means, and a substantially flat bottom surface;

(c) a cleaning pad detachably secured to said bottom surface of said mophead;

(d) a reservoir attached to said support shaft, for storing cleaning fluid;

(e) a sprayer in fluid communication with said reservoir, for spraying said cleaning fluid from said reservoir;

(f) a sensor for counting the number of times that said mophead oscillates; and

(g) a controller in communication with said sensor, said controller enabling deactivation of said sprayer when a predetermined criterion is meet.

2. The intelligent mop of claim 1 further comprising a power supply device electronically connected to said sensor, controller, and sprayer.

3. The intelligent mop of claim 1, wherein said sprayer comprises a spray head, an electronic pump and valve assembly connected between said sprayer head and said reservoir for controlling spraying.

4. The intelligent mop of claim 3, wherein said spray head is disposed on said upper surface of said mophead.

5. The intelligent mop of claim 1, wherein said sensor is a motion sensor, disposed on said mophead or at distal end of said support shaft.

6. The intelligent mop of claim 1, wherein said controller is a PC board with software, said PC board being disposed on said mophead.

7. The intelligent mop of claim 6, wherein said cleaning pad comprises an identification device.

8. The intelligent mop of claim 7, wherein said identification device is a microchip electronically communicating with said controller.

9. The intelligent mop of claim 8 further comprising a key adaptor, for activation of said intelligent mop by a key.

10. The intelligent mop of claim 9, wherein said controller collects data from said sensor, said microchip, and said key adaptor.

11. The intelligent mop of claim 10, wherein said controller deactivates said sprayer when said data meets said predetermined criterion.

12. The intelligent mop of claim 10 further comprising a communication port for uploading software to and/or downloading data from said controller.

13. The intelligent mop of claim 1, wherein said controller communicates remotely with an information-technology (IT) system.

20. The intelligent mop of claim 10, wherein said IT system enables activation and deactivation of said intelligent mops.

14. An advanced data controlled cleaning system comprising:

(i) a plurality of intelligent mops, each of said intelligent mops comprising;

(a) a support shaft having upper and distal ends;

(b) a mophead connected to said distal end of said support shaft;

(c) a cleaning pad detachably secured to said mophead;

(d) a reservoir connected to said support shaft, for storing cleaning fluid;

(e) a sprayer in fluid communication with said reservoir, for spraying said cleaning fluid from said reservoir; and

(f) a sensor for counting the number of times that said mophead oscillates; and

(g) a controller in communication with said sensor; and

(ii) an information-technology (IT) system in remote communication with said controller.

15. The advanced data controlled cleaning system of claim 14, wherein said IT system monitors activities of said plurality of intelligent mops in real time.

16. The advanced data controlled cleaning system of claim 14, wherein said IT system comprises one or more monitoring stations.

17. The intelligent mop of claim 14, wherein said controller is a PC board with software, said PC board being disposed on said mophead.

18. The intelligent mop of claim 17, wherein said cleaning pad comprises a microchip electronically communicating with said controller.

19. The intelligent mop of claim 18, wherein said controller collects data from said sensor and said microchip.