Scrubber-Dryer for Floors

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit of Italian Application No. 202024000002656 filed Jun. 24, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by this reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present invention relates to a scrubber-dryer for floors.

BACKGROUND

Nowadays, scrubber-dryers for floors are used increasingly often. These are, in fact, devices capable of washing and sucking away water residues in a single pass, in such a manner as to obtain a cleaning activity that is rapid and effective. In large buildings such as, for example, commercial concerns, hotels or gyms, the use of scrubber-dryers is extremely convenient because it means public places can be available for use in rapid order, without the need to wait for the floor to dry after washing, so allowing activities to proceed as normal.

Conventional modern scrubber-dryers have various dimensions and technical characteristics. More specifically, a first type of scrubber-dryer, of large dimensions, is motorized, is generally driven by an operator riding on board the scrubber-dryer and is used to sanitize very large areas that necessitate deep cleaning in rapid times. Smaller scrubber-dryers on the other hand are driven by an operator walking behind on the floor and are found to be very practical and versatile, as they can be used both for cleaning in environments that contain many furnishings, where it is necessary to reach cramped and hidden spaces, and for finishing, in rooms that have already been treated with a larger scrubber-dryer.

Generally, each scrubber-dryer is provided with one or more rotating rollers and/or brushes or with an oscillating plate, and with one or more tanks, for example two tanks, one containing clean water and detergent and the other containing the dirty water remaining after washing.

Generally, the vacuuming action is provided by means of a rear vacuuming port/floor wiper, capable of removing the residual water and any small debris present on the floor.

The expression “rear vacuuming port/floor wiper” means that the vacuum port/floor wiper is associated with the scrubber-dryer in a portion thereof that is designed to come into contact substantially last of all with a predetermined area of the floor to be cleaned, along the advancement direction of the scrubber-dryer in the configuration for use.

Such conventional scrubber-dryers for floors are not devoid of drawbacks, however.

They have, in fact, a configuration such that, in the advancement direction of the machine, the roller goes before the vacuuming port/floor wiper: when the machine advances and encounters an obstacle, for example a wall or a table under which the area of floor to be cleaned is located, the roller cleans but, since the scrubber-dryer cannot advance any further, the vacuuming port is unable to vacuum up the water used for washing and the residual debris, because it is located further back from the area cleaned. This means that a region proximate to/at obstacles will remain wet and it is necessary to wait for a certain time for it to dry, and also that small debris and dust will remain on the floor; in fact, it is generally not possible to turn the scrubber-dryer around and make it advance in the opposite direction, owing to lack of space and of maneuverability.

The drawbacks given above have been solved by providing scrubber-dryers for floors equipped with two vacuuming ports, a first port located in front and a second port located behind with respect to the means used for the washing action (or the rollers, brushes or oscillating plates), so as to be able to wash and vacuum in both directions of travel.

The term “in front” means that the first vacuuming port is associated with the scrubber-dryer in a portion thereof that is designed to come into contact substantially first of all with a predetermined area of the floor to be cleaned, along the advancement direction of the scrubber-dryer in the configuration for use.

The term “behind” means that the second vacuuming port is associated with the scrubber-dryer in a portion thereof that is opposite from the portion with which the first vacuuming port is associated, with respect to the means used for the washing action.

However, this solution too has a number of aspects that show room for improvement.

In fact, a double vacuuming action uses motors that require a rather large amount of power overall, which leads to a limited range of the scrubber-dryer if the scrubber-dryer is battery-powered, as is generally the case: the scrubber-dryer can be, in fact, both mains-powered and battery-powered, but the latter solution is usually preferred as it avoids the hindrance of the power cable and the problem of limited mobility for the operator.

SUMMARY

The aim of the present invention is to provide a scrubber-dryer for floors that is capable of improving the known art in one or more of the above mentioned aspects.

Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a scrubber-dryer for floors that makes it possible to clean the floor and to vacuum up the water used for washing even proximate to/at obstacles that impede the advancement of the scrubber-dryer.

Another object of the invention is to provide a scrubber-dryer for floors that makes it possible to obtain superior cleaning with respect to similar, conventional scrubber-dryers, which are not capable of vacuuming up dust and debris close to such obstacles.

A further object of the invention is to provide a scrubber-dryer for floors that ensures a cleaning in both directions of travel, so making it possible to reduce energy consumption with respect to similar, conventional scrubber-dryers for floors.

Another object of the invention is to provide a scrubber-dryer for floors that is easier to handle with respect to similar, conventional scrubber-dryers.

A further object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the background art in a manner that is alternative to any existing solutions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a scrubber-dryer for floors that is highly reliable, easy to implement and low cost.

This aim and these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a scrubber-dryer for floors, comprising a body shell with wheels and maneuvering means, said body shell comprising internally vacuuming means and cleaning means, at least one floor wiper being associated with said body shell,

• • said scrubber-dryer being characterized in that said cleaning means are interposed between said vacuuming means and said at least one floor wiper, said at least one floor wiper being arranged at the front and on a plane at right angles to the advancement direction of said scrubber-dryer in the configuration for use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the scrubber-dryer for floors according to the invention, which is illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the scrubber-dryer for floors according to the invention, in a first configuration for use thereof;

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view, partially exploded, of the scrubber-dryer for floors shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view, partially exploded, of a first part of the scrubber-dryer for floors shown in the previous figures;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view from one side of the first part of the scrubber-dryer for floors shown, partially exploded, in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view from the other side of the first part of the scrubber-dryer for floors shown in FIGS. 3 and 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second part of the scrubber-dryer for floors shown in the previous figures;

FIG. 7 is a plan view from below of the second part of the scrubber-dryer for floors shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the floor wiper, according to the invention, of the scrubber-dryer for floors shown in the previous figures;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the scrubber-dryer for floors shown in FIG. 1 in a second configuration for use thereof;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the scrubber-dryer for floors shown in FIGS. 1 and 9 in a third configuration for use thereof;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the scrubber-dryer for floors shown in FIGS. 1, 9 and 10 in a fourth configuration for use thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to the figures, the scrubber-dryer for floors is generally designated by the reference numeral 10 and comprises a body shell 11 with wheels 8 and maneuvering means 9.

The body shell 11 comprises internally vacuuming means 12 and cleaning means 13, and at least one floor wiper 14 is associated with the body shell 11.

According to the invention, the cleaning means 13 are interposed between the vacuuming means 12 and a floor wiper 14, which is arranged at the front and on a plane at right angles to the advancement direction of the scrubber-dryer 10 in the configuration for use.

The term “in front” means that the floor wiper is associated with the scrubber-dryer in a portion thereof that is designed to come into contact substantially first of all with the predetermined area of the floor to be cleaned, along the advancement direction of the scrubber-dryer in the configuration for use.

Advantageously, the cleaning means 13 comprise at least one cleaning roller 15 which extends longitudinally along a first axis 101 substantially parallel to the floor and at right angles to the advancement direction of the scrubber-dryer 10 in the configuration for use.

More specifically and as can be seen in the above figures, the embodiment to which the present description refers has a roller 15, which is arranged at a front portion 111 of the body shell 11 and is adapted to rotate about the first axis 101.

The term “front portion” refers to a portion located at the front of the scrubber-dryer 10.

The roller 15 comprises a cylindrical body 16, which is centrally hollow and is provided with a plurality of bristles 17 radially distributed about it, which are preferably made of polyamide, polypropylene, microfiber and/or of abrasive material.

Conveniently, furthermore, the scrubber-dryer 10 comprises two first supports, of which only one is visible in the figures and is indicated with the reference numeral 18; the other first support, not shown, is mirror-symmetrical with respect to the first support 18.

These first supports are necessary for fixing the roller 15 to the body shell 11 and each one has:

• • a first element 18a which extends substantially flat and lies on a plane substantially at right angles to the first axis 101,
  • a second element 18b which protrudes from the first element 18a along an axis substantially parallel to and coincident with the first axis 101 and is structured like a bearing, so that the roller 15 is fitted externally over it with its body 16 and is free to rotate.

The first support 18 comprises, at a radial portion of the first element 18a, which has a partially circular profile, a fairing 118, adapted to act as a locking element for the floor wiper 14, as will be better described below.

Conveniently, the vacuuming means 12 comprise at least one vacuuming port 19, which comprises a rigid second support 20 which extends longitudinally along a second axis 102 substantially parallel to the first axis 101; the port 19 has an elongated hollow shape structure.

The port 19 comprises a first accessory floor wiper 1a and a second accessory floor wiper 1b, which are mounted on the second support 20 on opposite faces thereof.

The first accessory floor wiper 1a is mounted on the face of the second support 20 directed toward the roller 15, has a flat extension and a plurality of semi-circular holes at the lower edge, i.e. the edge in contact with the floor (not visible in the figures). The function of these holes is to allow the residual water in the area cleaned by the roller to pass through to the port 19, so that it can be vacuumed up.

The second accessory floor wiper 1b is mounted on the face of the second support 20 opposite to the face directed toward the roller 15, has a flat extension and:

• • on the innermost side, directed toward the second support 20, has a smooth flat surface;
  • on the outermost side, directed toward a rear portion 80, has a plurality of first channels 21 along its perimetric profile 22, which allow the passage of water and small debris.

Advantageously, the first channels 21 extend in a portion of the second accessory floor wiper 1b directed toward the floor and along a direction substantially at right angles to it.

In this manner, when the machine advances in the normal condition for use, the port 19 vacuums up the residual water that passes through the semi-circular holes of the first accessory floor wiper 1a, and the innermost side of the second accessory floor wiper 1b makes a seal with the floor, preventing the dirty water or debris and dust from being left behind. When the machine moves in the opposite direction of travel, the second accessory floor wiper 1b flexes, allowing the passage of water and small debris, so that it can be vacuumed up by the port 19.

Furthermore, the port 19 is arranged at a rearward end 112 of the front portion 111 with respect to the advancement direction of the scrubber-dryer in the configuration for use.

Advantageously, the floor wiper 14 extends longitudinally along a 10 third axis 103 substantially parallel to the first axis 101 and to the second axis 102 and is arranged at a forward end 113 of the front portion 111 with respect to the advancement direction of the scrubber-dryer 10 in the configuration for use; this forward end 113 is opposite from the rearward end 112 with respect to the front portion 111.

The floor wiper 14 comprises, at an upper portion 23a thereof, a rigid element 26, H-shaped for its detachable association with the body shell 11, which is co-molded with a soft element 24, preferably made of rubber.

Both the rigid element 26 and the soft element 24 extend longitudinally along the third axis 103; the soft element 24, in particular, has a flat surface on a rear side 25b and a roundness 23 on the front side 25a, to act as a bumper.

The term “front side” refers to the side of the floor wiper 14 facing and toward the advancement direction of the scrubber-dryer 10 in the configuration for use.

The term “rear side” means a side of the floor wiper 14 opposite from the front side 25a with respect to the advancement direction of the scrubber-dryer 10 in the configuration for use.

The latter has, in fact, at the forward end 113, a first seat 28 which reproduces in negative form the geometric shape of the rigid element 26, so that it can be inserted, by sliding, and along its longitudinal direction of extension, into such first seat 28 and in this manner it can be fixed to the body shell 11.

The floor wiper 14 is kept in position by each one of the fairings 118 of the first supports 18, which act as a side supporting abutment for it.

Removal of the first support 18, which is also detachably fixed to the body shell 11, therefore allows both the extraction of the floor wiper 14 from the respective first seat 28, and also the removal of the roller 15, for their cleaning and/or replacement.

Advantageously, the floor wiper further comprises a lower portion 23b contiguous to the upper portion 23a and designed to come into contact with the floor.

The lower portion 23b has a plurality of second channels 27 at the front side 25a, which are defined by a plurality of grooves that extend longitudinally along an axis substantially at right angles to the floor; the lower portion 23b has a surface that is smooth and substantially sharp-edged at the rear side 25b.

The floor wiper 14 is conveniently made of elastomeric material; the flexibility of rubber in fact allows the floor wiper 14 to be elastically deformed, so that it can flex backward when the scrubber-dryer 10 advances so that the second channels 27 each create a route for the passage of dust, small debris and/or water.

Alternatively, if the scrubber-dryer 10 is reversed, in the opposite direction with respect to the advancement direction, the shape structure of the floor wiper 14 on the rear side 25b ensures that the latter is able to make a hermetic contact with the floor and to drag along the water used for washing and any small debris without leaving residues on the floor.

Conveniently, the scrubber-dryer 10 comprises an electric motor 29, kinematically connected to the roller 15 by means of a kinematic transmission chain 30 comprising:

• • a first sprocket 31 defined at one end of the transmission shaft 32 of the electric motor 29 protruding therefrom and having an axis of rotation coinciding with a fourth axis 104 substantially parallel to the first axis 101, to the second axis 102 and to the third axis 103;
  • a first pulley 33, keyed on an intermediate shaft (not shown in the figures) oriented along a fifth axis 105 substantially parallel to and interposed between the fourth axis 104 and the first axis 101, comprising a first crown gear 35 and a second sprocket 36,
  • a second pulley 37, comprising a second crown gear 38, keyed on the body 16 of the roller 15.

The transmission chain 30 also comprises a first transmission belt 39 partially mounted on the first sprocket 32 and on the first crown gear 35 and a second transmission belt 40 partially mounted on the second sprocket 36 and on the second crown gear 38.

Advantageously, the configuration of such an internal kinematic mechanism makes it possible to transmit the rotary motion of the electric motor 29, about the fourth axis 104, to the roller 15, which rotates about the first axis 101 and can thus clean, with its bristles, the area of floor of interest.

The wheels 8 are arranged in a portion of the scrubber-dryer 10 that is directed toward the floor and are in contact with the floor, so as to facilitate moving the scrubber-dryer 10 around; more specifically, the scrubber-dryer 10 shown in the figures comprises a plurality of wheels 8, of which a first wheel 8a is partially enclosed by a fairing 8b shaped like a half-shell, which extends at the rear portion 80 of the scrubber-dryer 10, opposite from the front portion 111 with respect to its advancement direction in the configuration for use.

The maneuvering means 9 advantageously comprise a handle 109, associated with the scrubber-dryer 10 by means of an articulated coupling 119 and comprising a work grip 219 and a carry grip 220.

By means of the articulated coupling 119, the handle 109 can be inclined with respect to the normal operating configuration, shown in FIG. 9, in which it forms an acute angle with respect to the floor. With particular reference to FIG. 10, for example, in order to facilitate the movement of the scrubber-dryer 10 under tables and/or low items of furniture, the operator can incline the handle 109 toward the floor by means of a rotation about a seventh axis 107 parallel to the floor and at right angles to the advancement direction of the scrubber-dryer 10, so reducing the acute angle that it forms with the floor. Alternatively, again by means of the articulated coupling 119, the handle 109 can be brought to a substantially vertical position, i.e. at right angles to the floor, as shown in FIG. 1, for example to stow the scrubber-dryer 10 after use.

Advantageously, furthermore, the articulated coupling 119 allows the handle 109 to rotate about an axis that coincides substantially with a sixth axis 106 which identifies its longitudinal direction of extension; FIG. 11 shows a rotation to the right by the operator, but a similar rotation can also be made to the left.

Conveniently, by virtue of the articulated coupling 119, substantially all the intermediate configurations between the configurations shown in the above mentioned figures are possible, so that the scrubber-dryer 10 can be easily used according to requirements.

The solution of clean water and detergent is placed in a first tank 93 from which it flows toward the roller 15 during the operation of the scrubber-dryer 10.

Advantageously, the first tank 93 defines a passage conduit 82 for the clean water and detergent necessary for cleaning, which are conveyed to the roller 15 by internal pipes, not shown in the figures.

The first tank 93 is detachably associated with the handle 109 at a second seat 128 provided therein, so that it can be removed from the scrubber-dryer 10 for easier filling. It has a longitudinal extension substantially in the direction of longitudinal extension of the handle 109 and is provided, frontally, with a first watertight dosage cap 94.

The term “frontally” means at a portion of the first tank 93 facing and toward the advancement direction of the scrubber-dryer 10 in the configuration for use.

The first tank 93 is fluidically associated with the conduit 82, so that, through the latter, the solution of water and detergent is conveyed to the roller 15.

The scrubber-dryer 10 further comprises a second tank 83, which collects the dirty water after washing and any remaining debris following the vacuuming.

The second tank 83 is also associated detachably with the scrubber-dryer 10, and therefore it can be removed for emptying.

In particular, the second tank 83 is arranged in a third seat 129 defined substantially at an intermediate portion 120 of the scrubber-dryer 10, which is adjacent to the front portion 111.

The second tank 83 is accessed by removing a second watertight cap 84, so that it can be emptied after use of the scrubber-dryer 10 has ended.

The second tank 83 is arranged substantially above the vacuuming port 19, therefore the pressure drop is practically nil and this allows an excellent vacuuming of the residual water on any type of flooring.

The expression “substantially above” means that the second tank 83 is arranged in a portion of the scrubber-dryer 10 on the opposite side from the floor with respect to the vacuuming port 19.

The operation of the scrubber-dryer 10, according to the invention, is easily intuited from the description up to this point.

More specifically, by virtue of the mechanical connection provided by the kinematic transmission chain 30, the motor 29 transmits its rotary motion to the roller 15, the bristles of which are soaked in clean water and detergent, held in a dedicated first tank, in order to wash the floor.

The operator, by means of the hand grip of the maneuvering means 9, guides the advancement of the scrubber-dryer 10, assisted by the presence of a plurality of wheels 8; when the scrubber-dryer 10 advances, the floor wiper 14 flexes backward and the second channels 27 provided on the front side 25a each create a route for the passage of small debris and/or dust present on the area of floor that it is desired to clean. The presence of the second channels 27 and this flexing of the floor wiper 14 are necessary because, otherwise, the residues to be cleaned and subsequently vacuumed up would remain “stuck” in front of the floor wiper 14 and would simply be dragged over the floor as the scrubber-dryer advances, without being vacuumed by the vacuuming means 12.

When the scrubber-dryer 10 advances, therefore, the area to be sanitized is first cleaned by the roller 15; following this operation, dirty water and possible residues, such as the above mentioned small debris and/or dust, remain on the floor and are then vacuumed up by the port 19.

If the scrubber-dryer 10 encounters an obstacle that prevents it from advancing further, such as a wall or a table, it can be reversed by the operator in the opposite direction of travel with respect to the advancement direction, and the floor wiper 14, by virtue of the smooth profile and sharp edge on the rear side 25b, will drag the residues of dirty water and small debris backward, bringing them to an area that is more accessible to the scrubber-dryer 10, which at this point can be easily rotated and maneuvered to vacuum them.

In practice it has been found that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects by providing a scrubber-dryer for floors that is capable of cleaning the floor of interest and of vacuuming up the residual water used for washing, even proximate to obstacles that impede its advancement, by virtue of the particular configuration and arrangement of the floor wiper with respect to the roller and to the vacuuming port.

An advantage of the invention consists in that using the scrubber-dryer for floors according to the invention makes it possible to obtain a superior cleaning with respect to similar, conventional scrubber-dryers.

Furthermore, by virtue of the positioning of the floor wiper at the forward end of the scrubber-dryer for floors and by virtue of the use of a single motor that powers both the vacuuming through the vacuuming port, and actuation of the roller for cleaning the floor, a scrubber-dryer for floors is obtained that is capable of cleaning the floor in both directions of travel, thus ensuring a much lower energy consumption than conventional scrubber-dryers for floors.

Not least an advantage of the invention consists in that it gives superior maneuverability with respect to similar, conventional scrubber-dryers.

The invention, thus conceived, is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, all the details may be substituted by other, technically equivalent elements.

In practice the materials employed, provided they are compatible with the specific use, and the contingent dimensions and shapes, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.