Surface treating device with top load cartridge-based cleaning systsem

• US 20060288519A1
• Filed: 06/28/2005
• Published: 12/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SC Johnson & Son Incorporated
• Original Assignee: SC Johnson & Son Incorporated
• Inventors: Gipp, Mark M., Jaworski, Thomas, Harwig, Jeffrey L., Cheng, Fukyuen, Laru, Kathleen M., Chen, Seakee, Tam, Kamfong
• Granted Patent: US 7,578,020 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/340.100
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/28 Floor-scrubbing machines, motor-driven A47L11/29 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/33 having means for storing dirt
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4036 Parts or details of the surface treating tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4047 Wound-up or endless cleaning belts
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4083 Liquid supply reservoirs; Preparation of the agents, e.g. mixing devices
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2201/00 Robotic cleaning machines, i.e. with automatic control of the travelling movement or the cleaning operation

Abstract

A robotic surface treating device that can perform carpet sweeping, hard-surface dry sweeping/wiping, and hard-surface sweeping/mopping is disclosed. The robotic surface treating device includes a sweeper brush, a dust bin for collecting debris from the brush, a reel-to-reel sheet of cleaning material, and a fluid delivery system for delivering fluid from a fluid reservoir onto the sheet of cleaning material and/or onto the surface to be treated. The dust bin, reel-to-reel sheet of cleaning material, and the fluid reservoir are separately installed from the top of the device, and may be separately removed for replacement.

Claims

1. A robotic surface treating device, comprising:

a dust bin;

a sheet of cleaning material;

means for moving the sheet of cleaning material relative to a surface to be treated; and

a housing including a compartment having an open end for separately removably receiving the dust bin and the sheet of cleaning material.

2. The robotic surface treating device of claim 1, wherein the open end of the compartment faces upward if the device is placed on a horizontal floor.

3. The robotic surface treating device of claim 1, further comprising a fluid delivery system including a fluid reservoir.

4. The robotic surface treating device of claim 3, wherein the open end of the compartment separately removably receives the fluid reservoir.

5. The robotic surface treating device of claim 3, wherein the fluid delivery system includes a pump for delivering fluid from the fluid reservoir onto the sheet of cleaning material and/or onto the surface to be treated.

6. The robotic surface treating device of claim 5, further comprising a wheel, means for measuring rotation of the wheel, and a controller in communication with the pump and the means for measuring rotation of the wheel, wherein the controller provides fluid delivery signals to the pump such that fluid is not delivered onto the sheet of cleaning material and/or the surface to be treated when the rotation of the wheel is less than a predetermined amount.

7. The robotic surface treating device of claim 1, wherein the means for moving the sheet of cleaning material comprises a first roller suitable for letting out a roll of the sheet of cleaning material, a second roller suitable for reeling in the sheet of cleaning material, and a motor to cause the sheet of cleaning material to transfer between the first roller and the second roller.

8. The robotic surface treating device of claim 7, wherein the means for moving the sheet of cleaning material further comprises a sensor for monitoring the amount of the sheet cleaning material let out by the first roller.

9. The robotic surface treating device of claim 7, wherein the means for moving the sheet of cleaning material further comprises a cartridge for mounting the first roller and the second roller.

10. The robotic surface treating device of claim 9, wherein the open end of the compartment separately removably receives the cartridge.

11. The robotic surface treating device of claim 9, wherein the means for moving the sheet of cleaning material further comprises a window for viewing a position of the sheet of cleaning material in the cartridge.

12. The robotic surface treating device of claim 9, wherein the means for moving the sheet of cleaning material further comprises a platen for pressing the sheet of cleaning material against the surface being treated.

13. The robotic surface treating device of claim 9, wherein the cartridge is pivotally connected to the housing at a first end of the cartridge such that a second opposite end of the cartridge can move up and down when encountering changes in elevation in the surface being treated.

14. The robotic surface treating device of claim 9, wherein the cartridge is connected to the housing such that the cartridge can be positioned in an up position or in a down position below the up position.

15. The robotic surface treating device of claim 14, wherein the means for moving the sheet of cleaning material further comprises a level sensor for sensing changes in elevation in the surface being treated and means for moving the cartridge into the up position or the down position in response to signals from the level sensor.

16. The robotic surface treating device of claim 1, wherein the dust bin includes a flexible blade provided adjacent the dust bin and directed toward the dust bin to direct dirt into the dust bin from a sweeper brush coupled to the housing.

17. The robotic surface treating device of claim 1, wherein the dust bin includes a spring loaded door that closes over an opening in the dust bin when the dust bin is removed from the housing.

18. The robotic surface treating device of claim 1, wherein the dust bin includes a handle and means for removably securing the dust bin to the housing whereby the device can be picked up by the handle when the dust bin is secured to the housing.

19. A robotic surface treating device, comprising:

a fluid delivery system including a fluid reservoir;

a sheet of cleaning material;

means for moving the sheet of cleaning material relative to a surface to be treated; and

a housing including a compartment having an open end for separately removably receiving the sheet of cleaning material and the fluid reservoir.

20. The robotic surface treating device of claim 19, wherein the open end of the compartment faces upward if the device is placed on a horizontal floor.