Automated rotary mopping, waxing, and light sweeping systems
First Claim
1. A device for cleaning hard surfaces, the device comprising:
- A. a generally cylindrical roller having an axis of rotation adapted to be normally disposed substantially parallel to a hard surface and an absorbent outer surface adapted to remove a waste fluid from the hard surface when said device is in use, wherein said absorbent outer surface normally contacts the hard surface at an area of contact while said device is in use;
B. a shear member shiftable between a first position at least substantially contacting said absorbent outer surface for removing fluid absorbed in said absorbent outer surface and a second position at least substantially clear of said absorbent outer surface for allowing absorbed fluid to remain in said absorbent outer surface;
C. a mechanism for moving said roller in a direction and at a velocity sufficient to cause said absorbent outer surface to move relative to the hard surface at said area of contact as the implement is being used, creating a scrubbing action between said absorbent outer surface and the hard surface at said area of contact; and
D. a pump for transporting away the fluid removed by said shear member.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device for cleaning floors or other hard surfaces is disclosed. The device includes a roller, a shear member, and a pump. The cylindrical surface of the roller contacts a hard surface as it is being cleaned. The roller has an absorbent outer surface adapted to scrub the hard surface and remove a waste fluid from the hard surface. The shear member may take various forms, such as a fixed blade or a squeeze roller. The shear member selectively contacts the absorbent outer surface of the roller and channels away a fluid previously absorbed in the absorbent outer surface of the roller. The pump conveys away a fluid removed from the roller by the shear member. The device may be used much like a mop for cleaning floors, and is particularly suited for residential use by consumers.
48 Citations
46 Claims
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1. A device for cleaning hard surfaces, the device comprising:
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A. a generally cylindrical roller having an axis of rotation adapted to be normally disposed substantially parallel to a hard surface and an absorbent outer surface adapted to remove a waste fluid from the hard surface when said device is in use, wherein said absorbent outer surface normally contacts the hard surface at an area of contact while said device is in use; B. a shear member shiftable between a first position at least substantially contacting said absorbent outer surface for removing fluid absorbed in said absorbent outer surface and a second position at least substantially clear of said absorbent outer surface for allowing absorbed fluid to remain in said absorbent outer surface; C. a mechanism for moving said roller in a direction and at a velocity sufficient to cause said absorbent outer surface to move relative to the hard surface at said area of contact as the implement is being used, creating a scrubbing action between said absorbent outer surface and the hard surface at said area of contact; and D. a pump for transporting away the fluid removed by said shear member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A hard surface cleaning device for dispensing a clean fluid to be applied to a hard surface, removing a waste fluid from the hard surface and storing the waste fluid, the device comprising:
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A. an assembly including a main housing, a handle attached to the main housing, and a staging area supported by the main housing; B. a roller having an outer cylindrical surface adapted to contact the hard surface along a length thereof, the roller being pivotally attached within a portion of the main housing and rotatable relative to the main housing, the roller being further adapted to frictionally rotate relative to a hard surface and absorb a waste fluid thereon; C. an electric drive operatively coupled to the roller for selectively imparting rotational motion to the roller; D. a first reservoir containing the clean fluid and a second reservoir storing the waste fluid disposed above the staging area; E. a fluid dispenser in fluid communication with the first reservoir for dispensing the clean fluid, the fluid dispenser including a valve capable of selectively being maintained in an open or a closed condition and a valve control for selectively operating said valve to dispense clean fluid from the first reservoir; F. a movable shear member disposed adjacent the staging area capable of being placed in selective contact with the length of the roller, and a shear member control for moving the shear member into and out of contact with the roller, the shear member, when in contact with the roller, removing the waste fluid absorbed in the roller and directing the waste fluid into the staging area for collection; and G. a pump for transporting the waste fluid from the staging area to the second reservoir. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42)
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43. A device for cleaning hard surfaces, the device comprising:
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A. a generally cylindrical roller having an axis of rotation adapted to be normally disposed substantially parallel to a hard surface and an absorbent outer surface adapted to remove a waste fluid from the hard surface when said device is in use; B. a shear member disposed near said absorbent outer surface, defining a fluid transporting surface having first and second portions, having a first position at which the first portion of said fluid transporting surface at least substantially contacts said absorbent outer surface for removing fluid absorbed in said absorbent outer surface to the second portion of said fluid transporting surface, and having a second position at least substantially clear of said absorbent outer surface; C. a mechanism for moving said shear member relative to said roller between its first and second positions; D. a pump having an inlet communicating with the second portion of the shear member and an outlet; E. a conduit connected to the outlet of said pump for conveying away a fluid removed from said roller by said shear member; and F. a handle having a distal portion adapted for use by an operator to control the device and a proximal portion operatively attached to said roller to allow rotation of said roller relative to said handle.
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44. A device for cleaning hard surfaces, the device comprising:
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A. a generally cylindrical roller having an axis of rotation adapted to be normally disposed substantially parallel to a hard surface and an absorbent outer surface adapted to remove a waste fluid from the hard surface when said device is in use; B. a shear member disposed near said absorbent outer surface, defining a fluid transporting surface having first and second portions, having a first position at which the first portion of said fluid transporting surface at least substantially contacts said absorbent outer surface for removing fluid absorbed in said absorbent outer surface to the second portion of said fluid transporting surface, and having a second position at least substantially clear of said absorbent outer surface; C. a mechanism for moving said shear member relative to said roller between its first and second positions; D. a pump having an inlet communicating with the second portion of the shear member and an outlet; E. a conduit connected to the outlet of said pump for conveying away a fluid removed from said roller by said shear member; and F. a fluid dispensing outlet.
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45. A device for cleaning hard surfaces, the device comprising:
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A. a generally cylindrical roller having an axis of rotation adapted to be normally disposed substantially parallel to a hard surface and an absorbent outer surface adapted to remove a waste fluid from the hard surface when said device is in use; B. a shear member disposed near said absorbent outer surface, defining a fluid transporting surface having first and second portions, having a first position at which the first portion of said fluid transporting surface at least substantially contacts said absorbent outer surface for removing fluid absorbed in said absorbent outer surface to the second portion of said fluid transporting surface, and having a second position at least substantially clear of said absorbent outer surface; C. a mechanism for moving said shear member relative to said roller between its first and second positions; D. a pump having an inlet communicating with the second portion of the shear member and an outlet; and E. a conduit connected to the outlet of said pump for conveying away a fluid removed from said roller by said shear member; and F. a splash guard disposed about at least a portion of said roller and operatively attached to said roller to allow rotation of said roller relative to said splash guard.
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46. A device for cleaning hard surfaces, the device comprising:
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A. a generally cylindrical roller having an axis of rotation adapted to be normally disposed substantially parallel to a hard surface and an absorbent outer surface adapted to remove a waste fluid from the hard surface when said device is in use; B. a shear member disposed near said absorbent outer surface, defining a fluid transporting surface having first and second portions, having a first position at which the first portion of said fluid transporting surface at least substantially contacts said absorbent outer surface for removing fluid absorbed in said absorbent outer surface to the second portion of said fluid transporting surface, and having a second position at which the first portion of said fluid transporting surface is at least substantially clear of said absorbent outer surface; C. a mechanism for moving said shear member between said first and second positions; D. a pump having an inlet communicating with the second portion of the shear member and an outlet, said pump comprising a stator and a rotor, wherein said rotor is driven by said roller with respect to said stator to operate said pump; and E. a conduit connected to the outlet of said pump for conveying away a fluid removed from said roller by said shear member.
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Specification