EP1219225A1 - Apparatus for moistening of mops - Google Patents

Abstract

The device for wetting a mop (3) comprises a pump (8) which feeds water to a spray (12). It is fitted on to a mop pail (5) and is removable.

Description

The invention relates to a device for moistening a wiping part of a damp mop with a container for holding a liquid and one from a pump fed moistening device for moistening the wiping part.

The term damp mop is used to refer to all cleaning devices that are absorbent Have a wiping part that is soaked in a liquid and in a moist state can be passed over surfaces or objects to be cleaned. As a liquid generally water, if necessary, used together with additives. Known Embodiments for damp mops are, for example, mops and mop pads, which have a frayed or flat wiping part that attaches to the end of a stem is. Such wet wipers are usually used together with a container Uptake of the liquid used, the container being a dehumidifier can have, with which the wiping part can be pressed out or wrung out. For cleaning, the wiper is usually with its wiping part for moistening the liquid is submerged, partially dehumidified in order to obtain an optimal moisture level for cleaning achieve, and then passed over the surface to be cleaned. Then will the wiping part is usually immersed in the liquid to the absorbed Rinse out dirt from the wiping part and moisten it again. These activities are repeated very often when cleaning.

By washing out the wiping part with the liquid, it gets dirty when cleaning ever stronger, so that the wiping part moistened with it gets dirty. In order to To prevent the wiping part from picking up too much dirt from the liquid, it must are changed frequently. Furthermore, it is necessary to start the cleaning process fill the container with the liquid and at the end of the cleaning process the Empty the container again. When filling, there is often the problem that the in the Usually large containers are poorly kept under a tap for filling can, whereas when emptying the container, the problem often occurs, which occurs when Pouring out the liquid and the dirt it contains is distributed in the spout.

The invention has for its object a device for moistening a wiping part of a damp mop that makes handling the liquid easier becomes.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by the specified in claim 1 Features resolved. Advantageous developments of the invention result from the subclaims.

Due to the detachable fastening of the container for holding liquid with the humidification device can be easily removed from the device and set again become. The removed container can be easily cleaned with cleaning liquid be filled. One between the container and the humidifier Coupling arrangement prevents leakage of residual liquid when the container of the humidifier is separated. This prevents cleaning solution, in particular the dirty cleaning liquid intended for disposal can escape from the connection opening from the container if the container is separated from the humidifier. The clutch arrangement prevents removed container also the dripping of cleaning liquid from the inlet of the hose on the pump.

A known automatic clutch can be used as the clutch arrangement Has closing valves that the flow channel for liquid between the container and Moisture device closes automatically when the container is released. alternative can be provided a manually operated valve assembly that the user has to close before loosening the container, for example via a lever.

The pump, pump motor and humidifier, as well as any supply lines preferably arranged separately from the container so that if possible no electrical Connections between the container and the device are required. However, it is also possible parts of it, such as the supply lines and also the pump and / or motor in the Integrate containers. The container can also have a filter arrangement, for example a sieve, which are removed together with the container can. The filter assembly can be used during the disposal of the dirty cleaning fluid getting cleaned. The removability of the container for the cleaning liquid has the particular advantage that handling is improved.

By providing a further line that can be guided to the outside, the device can considerable additional benefits can be achieved with very little effort. On the one hand emptying the liquid from the container is considerably simplified. Even at liquid outlet of the outwardly routable liquid line rigidly attached to the container emptying is simplified since the container can no longer be overturned must, but only has to be arranged so that the liquid outlet over a Spout is arranged. Is a flexible line or in Emptying the shape of a hose, the emptying is simplified or even further higher spouts can also be used to drain the liquid. In in this case only the end of the hose has to be placed over the spout, without having to lift the entire device with the liquid.

Furthermore, the device can also be cleaned more easily in this way since it can be sprayed clean with a flexible liquid line. You can do this first the liquid contaminated by cleaning is pumped out of the pipe into a spout be followed by clean liquid and the hose when the pump is switched on, point it at the dirty parts of the device. The Liquid constantly flows into the container from which it is pumped out again becomes.

The pump can be actuated in various ways to pump off the liquid become. For example, a switch for the pump can be attached to the device must be constantly pressed to operate the pump. That way Prevent the pipe from slipping out of the spout and the Pump the liquid to the bottom emptied.

It is also conceivable to provide a valve at the end of the liquid line with which a Residual amounts of liquid can be prevented from flowing out of the line.

In the case of a liquid line which can be closed by a valve, a pressure switch can be provided be connected to the liquid line and the pump to one Pressure drop switches on. In this way, a constant in the liquid line Pressure is generated, in the event of a pressure drop due to an opening of the valve the pump is switched on and liquid is added. Furthermore, with a liquid line with the valve, the pump also constantly and especially with reduced performance operated so that there is constant pressure in the liquid line and the liquid can be pumped out via the line.

In an advantageous development, the device is additionally equipped with a dehumidifying device provided, in particular by pressing between two rollers liquid can be withdrawn from the wiping part after moistening. This Dehumidifier can be powered by a motor, which advantageously can also be used to drive the pump. The cleaning will this makes it much easier since manual dehumidification requires a lot of power. To drive the pump and dehumidifier with a single To be able to control the moistening device or spray nozzle separately, a controllable valve can be arranged in the line to the spray nozzle. In this way At least the dehumidifier can be operated without a spray nozzle.

If the fluid line has a coupling for an extension, the Liquid line are advantageously rigid and short, so that on the one hand the extension can be easily connected and the other is the Device attached piece of liquid line takes up little space and handling less impaired.

To avoid that dirty cleaning fluid is accidentally pumped out if a hose is not connected to the device, a sensor is provided, who detects the presence of the liquid line and an actuation of the Setting means for switching the changeover valve into a position prevents the outlet the pump is connected to the fixed end of the liquid line when the Liquid line is not available. A pumping out of dirty Cleaning liquid is only possible if the liquid line on the Device is locked. As an alternative to the mechanical blocking of the changeover valve There may also be an electrical cut in the power supply to the pump motor be provided. The detection of the presence or absence of the Liquid conduction can be done mechanically or, for example, via paths or, for example, via inductive, capacitive or optical sensors respectively.

Fig. 1

eine seitliche Schnittansicht durch eine erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung zum Befeuchten und Entfeuchten zusammen mit dem Feuchtwischer,

Fig. 2

eine Vorderansicht der Antriebs- bzw. Entfeuchtungseinrichtung der Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 1,

Fig. 3

eine teilweise Ansicht einer zweiten Ausführungsform der Erfindung,

Fig. 4

eine Schnittansicht durch eine erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung mit einem von der Vorrichtung lösbarem Behälter für die Reinigungsflüssigkeit,

Fig. 5

einen schematische Darstellung eines Sensors, der das Vorhandensein der Flüssigkeitsleitung erkennt und

Fig. 6

einen Querschnitt durch das Umschaltventil aus Fig. 5.

Two exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown purely schematically in the drawings and are described in more detail below. Show it

Fig. 1

2 shows a sectional side view through an inventive device for moistening and dehumidifying together with the damp mop,

Fig. 2

2 shows a front view of the drive or dehumidifying device of the device according to FIG. 1,

Fig. 3

2 shows a partial view of a second embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 4

2 shows a sectional view through a device according to the invention with a container for the cleaning liquid that can be detached from the device,

Fig. 5

a schematic representation of a sensor that detects the presence of the liquid line and

Fig. 6

5 shows a cross section through the changeover valve from FIG. 5.

In Fig. 1, a wet mop 1 is shown in the form of a wiping pad, in the bottom a partially shown stem a support plate 2 is hinged, which in turn has an absorbent wiping part 3 on the underside. The wiping part 3 consists of a Textile material.

1 is a first embodiment of a device 4 according to the invention shown for moistening or dehumidifying the wiping part 3. The device 4 has a container 5 for receiving a cleaning liquid 6. The container 5 is at the top closed by an intermediate floor 17 on which the others for humidification or dehumidification necessary components are attached and together with these components can be taken out of the container 5.

Above the intermediate floor 17, a drive device is arranged, which comes from opposite Rollers 9, 10, of which the lower rollers 10 by a motor 16th is drivable. The wiping part 3, together with the carrier plate 2, can be removed from the rollers 9, 10 detected and moved in the longitudinal direction of the wiping part 3. The distance between the rollers 9, 10 is dimensioned such that the wiping part 3 is pressed together when it is moved through and thereby liquid 6 contained therein is squeezed out. About the squeezing effect to improve and grasp and move the wiping part 3 safely can, the roller 10 has an elastic covering. In front and behind the one from the reels 9, 10 formed drive or dehumidifier are guides 13 for the support plate 2 and wiping part 3 arranged.

In the drawing to the left of the dehumidifier 9, 10 is a humidifier 12 arranged in the form of a slot nozzle. The slot nozzle 12 is from a pump 8 supplied with the liquid 6 via a hose 11. The admission of the Hose 11 may be provided with an input filter. The pump 8 is with the intermediate floor 17 connected and together with this out of the container 5 be taken. The pump 8 can have its own drive or from the motor 16 are driven, for which purpose only suitable transmission means are to be provided.

The intermediate floor 17 also has a removable filter 15 through which Liquid 6, which is above the intermediate floor 17 by the dehumidifying device 9, 10 has been pressed out of the wiping part 3, can flow into the container 5.

In the insertion area for the wiping part 3, a switch 14 is also arranged, which at Inserting the carrier plate 2 and the wiping part 3 is activated.

In Fig. 2 the drive device is shown from the side. The lower roller 10 extends spread over the entire width of the wiping part 3 and is fixed on the sides to the intermediate floor 17 connected vertical supports. The motor 16 for driving the roller 10 and possibly the pump 8 is also on a vertical support attached to the intermediate floor 17. Above the two end sections of the roller 10 one roller 9 each, with enough between the rollers 9 in the axial direction Distance is present in order to be able to pass the handle of the damp mop 1. The Rollers 9 press from above against the carrier plate 2, which in turn against the wiping part 3 presses the roller 10. In this way, the wiping part 3 is driven to pass through and dehumidified at the same time. The roller 10 is provided with an elastic covering, to better drive and dehumidify the wiping part 3.

The device 4 shown in Fig. 1 also has a two-way valve 19 with which the output of the pump 8 either with the spray nozzle 12 or with an external liquid line 18 can be connected. The external liquid line 18 consists of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 from a piece of pipe that over the edge of the container 5 is guided and the end of which is arranged at the top outside of the container 5 is. Furthermore, a switch 21 is arranged on top of the intermediate floor 17, with the the pump 8 can be controlled.

In order to clean a floor with the wet mop 1, the floor with its wiping part 3 inserted into the device 4 from the left. It is from the carrier plate 2 and the Wiping part 3 of the switch 14 actuated in the guides 13, which then the motor 16 and controls the pump 8. If the wiping part 3 is now guided over the spray nozzle 12, then the wiping part 3 is moistened by the liquid jet and, if necessary, adheres to it Rinsed out dirt. As soon as the wiping part 3 and the carrier plate 2 have the roller 10 reached, it can be grasped by this and from left to right through device 4 be pulled through. The wiping part 3 is pressed between the rollers 9, 10 and dehumidifies. The liquid 6 squeezed out flows onto the intermediate floor 17 and from there through a filter 15 back into the container 5. The control The device 4 is designed so that the motor 16 and pump 8 continue for a while remain controlled when the wiping part 3 is past the switch 14, so that Wiping part 3 is pulled completely through the device 4. Then can with the moistened wiping part 3, for example, the floor to be cleaned is wiped become. In order to free the wiping part 3 from the dirt picked up during wiping and moisten again, it only needs again through the device as previously described 4 are passed through, being rinsed and moistened first and then is dehumidified to the desired residual moisture. This can happen at heavier soiling of the wiping part 3 can also be repeated more often.

The dirt picked up by the floor collects in the course of the cleaning process in the filter 15. This can be removed, cleaned and reinserted from time to time be, which can also happen during the cleaning process, as long as at least the spray nozzle 12 is out of order.

At the end of the cleaning process, the liquid 6 is usually disposed of. To in the device 4 according to the invention, the two-way valve 19 is flipped and thus the outlet of the pump 8 is connected to the external liquid line 18. Subsequently the device 4 is arranged so that the end of the external liquid line 18 is located above a spout. In this position, the switch 21 the pump 8 are actuated, which thereupon the liquid 6 from the container 5 pumped out through the liquid line 18. The device 4 is designed such that the pump 8 can only be controlled with the switch 21 when the two-way valve 19 is in the position in which it is the outlet of the pump 8 with the external liquid line 18 connects.

3 shows a further embodiment of the invention, in which the liquid line 18 is formed by a flexible hose. The flexible hose 18 has at its end a valve 7 with an actuating element 21. This actuator 21 serves on the one hand to control the pump 8 and is for this purpose via electrical Lines connected to a controller of the device 4 and the other for closing of the hose 18, so that an unintentional outflow of residual amounts can be prevented from the hose 18. In this case, the emptying of the Container 5 further simplified because the device 4 only moves in the vicinity of a spout are needed and the liquid 6 is pumped out through the hose 18 into the spout can be. Since the pump 8 for loading the spray nozzle 12 in any case Generally designed for a higher operating pressure, there are also large delivery heads possible when pumping the liquid 6.

In the second embodiment too, the device 4 is set up such that the pump 8 can only be actuated with the actuating element 21 if the two-way valve 19 is in the position in which it is the outlet of the pump with the hose 18 connects.

In both exemplary embodiments, a further switch can be provided with which the Delivery direction of the pump 8 is reversible. In this way, the pump 8 Container 5 not only emptied but also filled. This requires the end of the liquid line 18 are immersed in a liquid, for example in a bucket, and the pump 8 can be controlled in the opposite direction of delivery.

The device 4 is also equipped with a splash guard, not shown, which can be placed on top of the container 5 and spraying out of the Spray nozzle 12 prevents liquid 6 escaping. To insert the wet mop 1 To be able to, the splash guard has a slot or passage that is in the direction extends in which the wet mop 1 is passed through the device 4. The passage through the splash guard has essentially the same cross section like the lower end of the damp mop seen from the direction the Moist wiper is passed through the device 4. The gap or the passage the splash guard advantageously has a seal made of rubber lips or rows of bristles to prevent splashing out through this slot.

Furthermore, the device 4 can be a device for detecting the fill level of the container 5 have. The level can be displayed to the outside, so that a Operator can inform himself about the level, with additional under or An optical and / or acoustic signal is emitted if limit values are exceeded can be. Furthermore, the detected fill level when controlling the device 4 are taken into account, for example, by operation when the level is too low or too high Level is prevented or the pump 8 at low level with lower performance is operated in order not to lower the level so much during operation.

In Fig. 4, the container 5 for the cleaning liquid 6 is detachably connected to the device. The coupling arrangement 22 is in this example between container 5 and Pump 8 arranged. On the device there is a locking means 23 which the in the device used fixed the container. The container 5 also has a handle 24 to remove the container from the device. On the container 5 is one Filter arrangement 26 is provided, which can be detached from the container via a separate handle part 25.

5 shows how a mechanical sensor 27 on the liquid line 18 is applied. If there is a liquid line 18 on the sensor 27, the lever 30 a button 29 is actuated, which establishes the electrical connection to the motor 31 of the pump 8.

In cooperation with a mechanical link 32 with the lever 30, an actuation of the changeover valve 19 prevented when there is no liquid line 18 on the sensor 27. Only when the lever 30 slides out of the link 32 can the actuating means 28 the switching valve 19 are actuated.

6 is the cross section through the changeover valve 19 and that driven by the motor 31 Pump 8 shown.

Claims (20)

Device for moistening a wiping part (3) of a damp mop (1) with a liquid (6), with a container (5) for holding the liquid (6), one Humidification device (12), the one pump (8) with one in the container (5) opening and one that can be connected to the moistening device (12) Has outlet. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the container (5) is detachably connected to the moistening device (8, 12). Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that a coupling arrangement (22) is provided between the container (5) and the moistening device (8, 12) in terms of fluid technology, which prevents liquid (6) from escaping when the container (5) is removed from the moistening device (8 , 12) is separated. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the coupling arrangement (22) is arranged between the container (5) and the pump (8). Device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the coupling arrangement (22) is arranged between the pump (8) and the moistening device (12) and that the pump (8) forms a structural unit with the container (5) which is detachably attached to the moistening device (12) is attached. Device according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that a latching means (23) is present which releasably fixes the container (5) on the moistening device (8, 12). Device according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the detachable container (5) comprises a handle (24) and / or a filter arrangement (26). Device according to Claim 1, characterized by a liquid line (18) with a free end which can be guided outside the device (4) and with an end which can be connected to the outlet of the pump (8). Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the free end of the liquid line (18) is rigidly connected to the device (4) and leads to the outside of the device (4). Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the liquid line (18) is flexible. Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized by a winding device for the liquid line (18). Device according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that the liquid line (18) has a valve (20) at its free end. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the device (4) has a pressure-dependent switch which is connected to the liquid line (18) and which controls the pump (8) when a pressure drop is detected. Device according to one of claims 8 to 13, characterized in that the device (4) has a changeover valve (19) with which the outlet of the pump (8) either with the humidification nozzle (12) or with the fixed end of the liquid line (18 ) is connectable. Apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that a sensor (27) is provided which detects the presence of the liquid line (18) and prevents actuation of the adjusting means (28) for switching the changeover valve (19) into a position in which the outlet of the Pump (8) is connected to the fixed end of the liquid line (18) when the liquid line (18) is not present. Device according to one of Claims 8 to 15, characterized in that the device (4) has a dehumidifying device (9, 10) for dehumidifying the wiping part (3) and means for removing liquid (6) extracted from the wiping part (3) into the container (5) to lead. Apparatus according to claim 16, characterized by a motor (16) for driving the dehumidifying device (9, 10) and for driving the pump (8). Device according to one of claims 8 to 17, characterized in that the delivery direction of the pump (8) is reversible. Device according to one of claims 8 to 18, characterized in that the liquid outlet (12) of the moistening device (8, 12) is a spray nozzle. Device according to one of claims 8 to 19, characterized in that the liquid line (18) has a coupling to which an extension of the liquid line (18) can be connected.

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