Surface treating device with cartridge-based cleaning system

• US 20050229340A1
• Filed: 02/04/2005
• Published: 10/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SC Johnson & Son Incorporated
• Original Assignee: SC Johnson & Son Incorporated
• Inventors: Sawalski, Michael M., Gipp, Mark M., Jaworski, Thomas, Harwig, Jeffrey L., Leonard, Stephen B., Laru, Kathleen M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,784,139 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/50.300
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/24 Floor-sweeping machines, motor-driven
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/28 Floor-scrubbing machines, motor-driven A47L11/29 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/32 Carpet-sweepers combined with suction cleaners A47L7/02
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/33 having means for storing dirt
• 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 11/4013 Contaminants collecting devices, i.e. hoppers, tanks or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4041 Roll shaped surface treating tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4047 Wound-up or endless cleaning belts
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4088 Supply pumps; Spraying devices; Supply conduits
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 13/26 Other cleaning devices with liquid supply arrangements such arrangements on floor-polishing machines A47L11/00, on scrapers A47L13/03, on mops A47L13/22; cloths, pads, or the like containing cleaning agents A47L13/17, A47L13/19
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 13/29 having movable or detachable polishing or shining cloths
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2201/00 Robotic cleaning machines, i.e. with automatic control of the travelling movement or the cleaning operation

Abstract

A cartridge is disclosed comprising a reel-to-reel roll of cleaning material, for use in a hand-held or robotic cleaning device. The cartridge provides either an electrostatic dust cloth or wet mop, and includes a fluid reservoir for maintaining the wet mop cloth during use. A dust bin is also provided on the cartridge, and includes a hinged lid for providing selective access to the dust inside of the bin. A motor, optical sensor, and fluid pump inside of a cleaning apparatus control the operation of the reel-to-reel cloth, and control fluid delivery to the wet cloth.

Claims

1. A robotic surface treating device, comprising:

a housing including an aperture sized and dimensioned to receive a cleaning cartridge;

a sweeper brush coupled to the housing; and

a cleaning cartridge comprising a dust bin positioned adjacent an edge of the housing, a sheet cleaning material, and means for moving said cleaning material relative to the surface to be treated.

2. The robotic surface treating device as defined in claim 1, further comprising a pump for delivering a fluid onto the sheet cleaning material.

3. The robotic surface treating device as defined in claim 1, further comprising a sensor for monitoring the roll of sheet cleaning material.

4. The robotic surface treating device as defined in claim 1, further comprising a controller for providing control signals to drive the motor and the pump, and for monitoring the sensor to adjust the control signals based on feedback.

5. A cartridge for use in a cleaning device, the cartridge comprising:

a housing;

a resistive supply reel coupled to an axle in the housing;

a take-up reel coupled to an axle in the housing;

a dust bin positioned adjacent an edge of the housing; and

a cleaning material, a first end of the cleaning material being coupled to the resistive supply roll, and the opposing end being coupled to the take-up reel.

6. The cartridge as defined in claim 5, further comprising a platen extending from a bottom surface of the housing, the roll of cleaning material extending by the platen between the supply reel and the take-up reel.

7. The cartridge as defined in claim 6, further comprising a fluid inlet port for receiving a fluid supply.

8. The cartridge as defined in claim 6, further comprising a lid provided on the dust bin.

9. The cartridge as defined in claim 6, further comprising a flexible blade, provided adjacent the dust bin and directed toward the dust bin to direct dirt into the dust bin.

10. The cartridge as defined in claim 5, further comprising a window for viewing the roll of cleaning material in the cartridge.

11. The cartridge as defined in claim 5, further comprising a fluid reservoir for providing a fluid to the roll of cleaning material.

12. The cartridge as defined in claim 5, further comprising a latching device for latching the cartridge into a cleaning apparatus.

13. The cartridge as defined in claim 12, wherein the cleaning apparatus is a hand operated device.

14. The cartridge as defined in claim 12, wherein the cleaning apparatus is an autonomous robotic device.

15. The cartridge as defined in claim 5, wherein the cleaning material comprises an electrostatic dusting material.

16. The cartridge as defined in claim 5, wherein the cleaning material comprises a wet mop material.

17. The cartridge as defined in claim 8, wherein the cover is hinged.

18. The cartridge as defined in claim 6, wherein the platen in compliant.

19. The cartridge as defined in claim 5, wherein the cleaning material is provided in a roll.

20. The cartridge as defined in claim 5, wherein the cleaning material comprises folded cloth.