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Method and apparatus for extended use of cleaning fluid in a floor cleaning machine

  • US 8,966,693 B2
  • Filed: 07/28/2010
  • Issued: 03/03/2015
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/05/2009
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A floor cleaning machine, comprising:

  • a chassis that is supported by a plurality of wheels;

    at least one vessel for holding unused cleaning fluids and at least one vessel for holding spent cleaning fluids;

    at least one dispensing apparatus for dispensing unused cleaning fluid;

    at least one vacuum apparatus for retrieving spent cleaning fluids; and

    a floor cleaning apparatus comprising;

    a substantially circular brush rotatable about a substantially vertical axis wherein the machine is devoid of any other brush;

    a first squeegee spaced about 0.2 to 1.0 inches from said substantially circular brush and having a generally arcuate shape which substantially conforms to an outer contour of said brush along approximately 180°

    of the circumference of said brush, said first squeegee comprising a plurality of apertures on a bottom edge of said first squeegee;

    a second squeegee having a generally arcuate shape and positioned on the opposite side of said first squeegee as said brush;

    wherein said first squeegee is positioned substantially flush to a floor surface to permit a pooling area of cleaning fluid thereon, said cleaning fluid at least partially overlapping the area of the floor surface in contact with said brush, so that at least a portion of said brush may continually pass through said pooling area, wherein said plurality of apertures in said first squeegee are positioned a distance away from each other to permit fluid to exit said pooling area by passing through said plurality of apertures;

    wherein at least two apertures are in fluid communication with said at least one vacuum apparatus and are spaced a distance apart from a mid-point of the first squeegee such that said mid-point of said first squeegee is devoid of apertures such that said pooling area of cleaning fluid is provided at least partially between said at least two apertures, and said pooling area maintains said brush in a substantially lubricated state wherein a fluid flow rate through said first squeegee is less than approximately 0.50 gallons per minute.

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