METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CLEANING A DIRTY SURFACE

Abstract: A method and a device for cleaning a dirty surface, wherein water is squirted from a nozzle against the dirty surface in order to wash away the dirt with the water, characterized in that compressed air is supplied to the water in a mixing chamber (12), which is located upstream of the nozzle, at a predetermined pressure, after which the water is squirted against the dirty surface in a spray of droplets, downstream of the nozzle.

Description: METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CLEANING A DIRTY SURFACE The invention relates to a method for cleaning a dirty surface, wherein water is squirted from a nozzle against the dirty surface in order to wash away the dirt with the water. Such a method is generally known. With the known method water is forcefully squirted from the nozzle onto the dirty surface, whereby the dirt is washed away from the surface with the water and a cleaned surface is obtained. One drawback of the known method is that apart from the fact that a relatively large amount of water is needed to achieve an adequate cleaning effect, that statutory regulations in a growing number of countries furthermore forbid the discharge of the washed-away water, which is contaminated with dirt, into the surface water. This drawback will be explained in more detail by means of the example below. Consumer demands force growers to present their crops to the retail trade in clean condition, that is, looking attractive. For the average Dutch leek grower this meant in 1996'that as many as 30,000 litres of pure water had to be used per hour to wash leek adequately. Now that pure water is becoming increasingly rare and consequently more expensive these days, such quantities of used-up water are unacceptable, also from a social point of view. Leek growers are legally prohibited from discharging the water contaminated with dirt from the leek into the surface water just like that, however, so that the grower is obliged to take additional measures for purifying the washing water. Usually the so-called "basin method" is used thereby, the washing water contaminated with earth is allowed to settle in a basin, as a result of which the earth can deposit on the bottom of the basin and the water in the upper portions of the basin will become relatively pure. Taking into account the above-mentioned amounts of water required for cleaning leek, huge basins are needed in practice, also because the sedimentation process typical of the "basin method" proceeds very slowly. It will be apparent that the industry in general is faced on the one hand with the need to supply clean products in order to meet consumer requirements, and on the other hand with the need to use less and less (tap) water, whereby washing water is only discharged into the surface water after being purified. In spite of the industry's long- felt need to find an adequate solution for this dilemma, nobody has succeeded in doing so up to now. The object of the invention is to provide a method for cleaning a dirty surface, wherein the drawbacks of the prior art are overcome in a simple yet efficient manner, that is, that considerably less water is required for cleaning a dirty surface, without this having an adverse effect on the cleaning result. In order to accomplish that objective a method of the kind referred to in the introduction is according to the invention characterized in that compressed air is supplied to the water in a mixing chamber, which is upstream of the nozzle, at a predetermined pressure, after which the water is squirted against the dirty surface in a spray of droplets, downstream of the nozzle. Extensive research has surprisingly shown that when the water is mixed with the pressurized air in the mixing chamber, it becomes possible to squirt the water in a spray of droplets against the dirty surface downstream of the nozzle. A very great cleaning effect is achieved with the mixture of water and compressed air exiting the nozzle and the fine water droplets thus produced. Furthermore the water droplets hitting the dirty surface appear to wash away the dirt and thus produce a cleaning effect, whilst the force at which the spray of water droplets is squirted onto the dirty surface appears to be so small in practice, that the surface is not damaged. The velocity at which the water droplets, which have a particular mass, are being moved is effected by the compressed air, as it were, which results in an optimum impetus of the water droplets. Compared with the known method the method according to the invention appears to provide a water saving of more than 95%, which in the above-discussed example of the washing of leek boils down to an amount of 300 litres of water per hour being used up compared with the 30,000 litres of water per hour that were used previously. This means a saving of as much as 237,600 litres of water per eight hours. It is noted that the invention has a very wide range of applications, as will be explained in more detail yet, wherein in particular bulb growing, fruit and vegetable growing, shower cubicles, carwashes, dishwashers and washing machines, industrial washing plants and machine cleaning plants may be considered. International patent publication No. WO 96/33817 (Lawrence) describes a suds generator, wherein water under high pressure is supplied to a mixing chamber in a high-pressure mode, and is subsequently discharged via a discharge pipe and a high-pressure spray nozzle. Water and a soap solution under low pressure are supplied to the mixing chamber in a low-pressure mode, whilst air under high pressure is carried to the aqueous soap solution present in the mixing chamber through a perforated pipe. As a result of this suds are produced in the mixing chamber, which suds leave said mixing chamber via the discharge pipe and a low-pressure nozzle . In one preferred embodiment of a method according to the invention the air pressure is at least 1 bar, preferably at least 1.5 bar. More in particular the air pressure can be regulated, preferably even steplessly so. A finely divided spray of water droplets is obtained by mixing the water with the thus pressurized air in the mixing chamber, whereby the consumption of water is minimized in an optimum manner without affecting the cleaning result. In another preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention pressurized water is supplied to the mixing chamber at a predetermined pressure, downstream of the nozzle, whereby the water pressure can be regulated, preferably steplessly so. This makes it possible to adapt the shape and the size of the droplets and the water/air ratio to the conditions of the surface to be cleaned. Ideally the water pressure can be regulated independently of the air pressure. In another preferred embodiment of a method according to the invention the air pressure and the water pressure are set to a ratio ranging between 2 : 1 and 1 : 2. In another preferred embodiment of a method according to the invention the water is squirted against the surface in a spray of droplets, from a distance which is smaller than the distance at which the water becomes turbulent downstream of the nozzle. It has become apparent that the spray of droplets becomes turbulent at a particular distance from the nozzle, whereby there is no longer a water jet, but whereby the water droplets "float" as it were. In that case the water droplets no longer have an " impetus" , as a result of which they are hardly able to remove dirt from the surface. 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CL 0 CQ CL CL tr rt tr TJ 0 0 P- Hi PJ 0 P- Φ J rt N Hi PJ CL rt PJ PJ Hi 0 rt φ Φ Φ Hi CL Hi Ω TJ CL H; PJ CD Ω Hi rt Φ N rt CQ 0 0 CL Φ P- Ξ Hi P- Φ ft PJ φ Hi Φ tr PJ Φ Hj h- 1 TJ £ tr TJ rt tr TJ P- 3 ø 0 Hi P- CD < tr CQ tr Φ <; TJ h- 1 ≤ ft J Hi Φ HJ PJ Φ Hi Φ ≤ PJ 0 - Hi 0 P- ø Φ P- Φ tr P- Hh P- Hi Φ P- PJ 0 0 CL . Φ Φ Φ CQ Φ iQ PJ ?r rt 0 Hh CD Ω Hi PJ Φ CQ φ Ω φ H-" 0 Ω CL H{ Hi Hh ø CQ TJ Φ rt 3 P- PJ H- 1 Φ rt Hi Φ CD CO CQ Ω Ω 0 P3 Φ 0 CO Hj H- 1 CQ PJ tr tr 0 rt PJ 0 PJ P- Z 3 PJ O ft O TJ Φ TJ tr Hi 0 N 0 Φ TJ . Hi Φ 0 CQ P- Φ PJ 3 Φ Φ PJ tr PJ 0 Φ PJ rt H Hj ^ 1 Φ PJ Hh N Hi CQ PJ Φ φ Hi 0 0 CQ 0 3 Ω TJ CD φ Ω HJ TJ CO tr C Φ Φ tr Φ CQ CQ Hi H J Φ to PJ CQ TJ Ω φ Ω Hj 0 ø φ "< Ω Φ φ P- CQ rt PJ rt Φ - 0 tr P- P- H{ Hi Φ 3 0 0 h- 1 CQ O . Φ 3 0 CQ tr CO CL • ; tr • Hj 3 CO Φ Ω ø ø Φ CQ PJ tr Hj <; rt rt rt Hj CD φ PJ CQ 0 P- < Φ rt P- Φ Φ J Q PJ J ^ 0 Φ CL Φ tr P- tr CL CD J P- Hi p J P- PJ 3 0 N PJ - 0 0 • • Hi Hi Hi P- CL 0 Φ rt Φ P- H-" ø Hi ft P- CQ ω 0 3 O Φ 0 0 CO PJ 0 0 Mi 0 ^ ω 0 N rt rt P- Hi rt CL CD 0 φ Hi ^ Hh rt CQ CQ Φ PJ X Φ ^ rt CL tr tr Hh rt CL CQ P- Φ Hi 1 P- 0 φ rt rt 0 0 tr Φ CQ Hi ø P- 0 O O HJ Φ CQ 0 Hi The invention also relates to a method and a device for cleaning flower bulbs, flower tubers or perennial plant (s) (parts), wherein the water pressure and the air pressure are set in accordance with claim 9. The invention furthermore relates to a method and a device for cleaning soft fruit, in particular strawberries, grapes, plums, red currants, blueberries or peaches, according to any one of the preceding claims 1- 8, wherein the water pressure and the air pressure are set in accordance with claim 10. The invention also relates to a method and a device for cleaning medium hard crops, in particular leek, asparagus, beans, stone leeks, paprikas, gherkins, cucumbers, cabbage varieties (cauliflower, white cabbage, green cabbage, red cabbage, etc.) or tomatoes, wherein the water pressure and the air pressure are set in accordance with claim 11. The invention also relates to a method and a device for cleaning hard crops, in particular carrots, scorzoneras and rootstocks and/or fruit trees, stem crops and/or root crops for multiplication purposes, products stemming from the cultivation of onions and/or silver- skin onions or carrots, wherein the water pressure and the air pressure are set in accordance with claim 12. The invention also relates to a method and a device for cleaning sugar beets, beetroots or potatoes, or the products stemming therefrom, in particular chips, pulp and cattle fodder products, wherein the water pressure and the air pressure are set in accordance with claim 13. The invention also relates to a method and a device for cleaning roads, in particular porous asphalt, wherein the water pressure and the air pressure are set in accordance with claim 14. The method and the device are excellently suited for being used for cleaning roads fouled by cadavers. The invention also relates to a method and a device for cleaning vehicles, in particular passenger cars in a car wash, trains, buses or lorries in special washing facilities, wherein the water pressure and the air pressure are set in accordance with claim 15. The invention also relates to a method and a device for cleaning crockery, cutlery and the like in a dishwasher, and machines or tools in an industrial washing-up machine, wherein the water pressure and the air pressure are set in accordance with claim 16. The invention also relates to a method and a device for cleaning persons, using a shower head, wherein the water pressure and the air pressure are set in accordance with claim 17. In this connection the use of nozzles/shower heads for cleaning purposes with accidents or calamities may be considered. The invention also relates to a method and a device for cleaning hard surfaces, in particular facades of houses, industrial and commercial buildings, glass, plastics and metal, wherein the water pressure and the air pressure are set in accordance with claim 18. The invention also relates to a method and a device for cleaning soft surfaces, in particular wool or fibrous materials, such as cotton, flax, textile, silk or paper, wherein the water pressure and the air pressure are set in accordance with claim 19. It is explicitly noted that the above preferred uses of a method and a device according to the invention may form the subject matter of a divisional patent application. The invention will be explained in more detail hereafter with reference to Figures illustrated in a drawing, which all relate to preferred variants, wherein: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic sectional view of a nozzle of a device according to the invention; Figure 2 corresponds with Figure 1, with the understanding that another embodiment of the nozzle is shown; Figure 3 is a sectional view of nozzles mounted on a rotatable arm; Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view of a device according to the invention; Figure 5 relates to a detail of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view of an bulb re- washing machine according to the invention; Figure 7 is a diagrammatic plan view of a detail of a leek washing machine according to the invention; - Figure 8 is a side view of a detail of Figure 7; Figure 9 is a diagrammatic sectional view of a carwash according to the invention; - Figure 10 is a diagrammatic sectional view of a dishwasher according to the invention; and ω ω to t H H in o C 1 o tπ O in rt rt CL z s3 TJ Φ tr PJ Ω tr Ω CD 3 2! ► τ tr Hi ø Ω Ω 33 Ω ^ Ω S3 Ω PJ Ω ^ 1 tr tr P- PJ PJ HJ X Φ J o TJ Φ tr PJ Φ P- PJ HJ φ PJ 0 0 0 tr 0 0 0 J 0 O P- Φ φ HJ ft CD φ Ω P- TJ 0 o P- Φ ø X rt φ rt ω N 0 0 p- 0 Hi ø rt 0 S3 0 CQ ft φ tr O Φ ø PJ 0 0 0 ø CQ Φ rt Φ CQ s3 rt N 0 0 Ω 0 ft ø Φ 0 PJ 0 0 CL 0 Hi Φ φ ( Q Hj φ iQ Φ Ω 0 Hi CQ Φ Φ H- 1 Φ Φ tr φ tr Φ HJ Φ rt Φ HJ p- tr P- Pi 0 Φ Ω rt rt CQ rt Hj 0 φ ø Φ Ω Ω Ω Φ Ω Ω Φ Ω φ rt 4- HJ CQ C rt Φ 3 0 rt Φ CQ tr P- Φ P- HJ ø P- ft ft PJ ft Hi rt Ω rt Hj ft 0 P- rt φ Hi PJ 0 P- rt P- CD TJ Φ rt 0 CO Φ ø H P- P- ø 3 P- ^ P- P- H 3 CQ Ω TJ 0 ≤ 0 ft X o rt Hi tr 0 Φ TJ CQ H 0 0 ø rt 0 0 J 0 Ω 0 tr ø P- rt Φ TJ PJ 0 Φ rt 0 P- J PJ φ X 3 0 M CQ 0 0 0 Hi 0 0 CQ 0 CQ CO HJ CQ 0 H" ^ •< CL tr ø > < P- 0 P- p- o Φ Hi P- P- 1 Φ ø 0 tr φ Φ P- Φ Φ rt PJ 33 CQ Φ HJ 3 Hi rt X N CQ P- CO tr ) J PJ ifc- Φ tr 0 tr 0 Hi 33 CD rt rt tr CD = » rt P- CL P- P- φ N CQ 0 . 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Hi P- rt Φ Ω tr N CQ CQ P- TJ ø ø 0 ø co ø ø' CL Φ Φ tr TJ O φ CQ PJ Φ HJ 0 tr H{ tr H- 1 P- 0 Hi ø Ω Φ P- in p- P- P- Ω Hi PJ PJ H" CO P- Ω tr 0 Ω 0 rt rt Φ Φ PJ PJ Φ Ω 0 CQ φ P- 0 ø Ω Ω ø PJ Ω 0 ft CQ rt φ TJ ft CL ft 3 tr O tr 3 0 tr CQ CQ Ω 0 0 rt PJ P- CQ P- tr i P- ft Hi ^ CD TJ CQ Φ $. •<; tr tr PJ LΠ Φ PJ 0 N p- ft co HJ 0 O PJ ft CD J • Hi PJ 0 Hh PJ Φ 0 0 3 ui • 0 rt Φ N 0 P- in Ω rt 0 3 tr ^ J Φ P- Hi PJ P- rt PJ Hj Hi 0 tr ft P- Ω h- 1 CQ 0 TJ Ω 0 o PJ PJ Hi Φ Φ 0 CQ HJ P- P- 3 0 Φ P- CO Φ tr > O rt Φ 0 HJ P- 0 ø Φ 0 0 CL tr CQ ft Hi 0 φ Hi CO H Mi P- Hi ^ tr 0 P- tr 0 co 0 CQ ft H CO CQ CQ Hi Φ 0 P- 0 0 to P- 0 TJ Φ ø tr I- 1 s3 <! 0 P- tr <! 0 0 0 Ω Hi 3 tr Ω 0 CL TJ P- Ω iQ H 3 H rt ≤ CQ o 0 P- P- CO φ CQ Φ P- PJ Hi Hi 3 J Pi Φ P- J Φ rt HJ Hi ft φ to Φ Φ sS P- ø Ω rt CL Ω Ω rt φ 3 ft Hh Φ P- 0 P- rt CD 0 Φ PJ sS oi PJ CQ Φ rt tr CQ X tr Φ Hi ft CQ P- S3 0 PJ 0 HJ tr H O TJ CQ tr P- P" • P- 0 CQ Φ tr P- CL φ P- ø 0 0 Ω rt 0 tr rt P- tr CO Hi CQ rt J co CQ 0 ø o 0 t S3 S3 0 0 <; 0 0 Mi Φ tr rt Φ CQ rt Φ Φ 0 φ tr • HJ J Ω CQ . J 33 φ 0 Hh Φ Hi rt J Φ tr Ω P- 33 rt Hj Hh 0 Φ P- ? rt P- pi ø CQ S 0 rt φ 0 0 PJ ω Φ rt 0 Hi Hj in Φ rt ω PJ rt PJ tr Hh 3 rt • tr Hi to HJ tr p- P- 0 P- rt PJ Φ Φ Φ 3 PJ ^ ø PJ 0 Hi Ω tr P- Hi Φ PJ rt 0 0 tr Φ HJ CL 0 CL water are used. The cleaning action of the water is strongly enhanced, as a result of which much less water is used for the same degree of fouling. Figure 2 shows a spray nozzle 14 with a rotating jet, whereby the jet exiting from nozzle 14 rotates about a central axis 15. A nozzle housing 16, which corresponds with nozzle housing 5 of Figure 1, is provided with a water channel 17 and an air channel 18. An intermediate ring 19 is screwed onto nozzle housing 19, thus forming a mixing chamber 20. Mixing chamber 20 comprises an opening 21 to a chamber 22, which is formed by a holder 23 and intermediate ring 19. A rotating member 24 is provided in chamber 22, which member comprises a wear- resistant part 25, which is supported in an opening of holder 23. Rotating member 24 is capable of rotation about a central axis 26, and when member 24 rolls on the inner wall of holder 23 whilst the wear-resistant part is supported in the opening of holder 23, central axis 26 will rotate about the central axis 15 of nozzle 14 with a spraying angle 27. Rotating member 24 and wear-resistant part 26 are provided with a spray channel 28, and rotating member 24 is also provided with blades 29. Water flowing from opening 21 into chamber 22 strikes against the blades 29, causing rotating member 24 to rotate about central axis 15 and about central axis 26. The water exits chamber 22 through the spray channel 28. It has become apparent that the amount of water required for causing rotating member 24 to rotate about its axis will be strongly reduced when water mixed with air is caused to exit from opening 21. A second advantage is that nozzle 14 can be blown dry in a simple manner, thus eliminating the problem of rotating member 24 caking onto holder 23 and nozzle 14 becoming unusable. This air support makes it possible to use nozzle 14 over a larger working area. Figure 3 shows spray nozzles 31 mounted on a rotatable arm 30, which arm 30 is mounted on a connecting block 2 by means of a rotatable coupling 32. The air and water connections are indicated by numerals 3 and 4 respectively. The interior of the unit actually functions as a mixing chamber 33, which - in view of its large dimensions - ensures an ideal mixing of water with compressed air. Numeral 34 indicates the axis of rotation of arm 30. Figure 4 diagrammatically shows a device according to the invention, which comprises a water source 35 and an air source 36. Water is supplied to a mixing chamber 39 by means of a pump 37 and a pressure control valve 38, whilst pressurized air is likewise carried to mixing chamber 39 via a pump 40 and a pressure control valve 41. Furthermore a spray nozzle 42 is provided, which - unlike the situation shown in the drawing - is disposed in a wall of mixing chamber 39. Nozzle 42 is accommodated in a separate housing 43, so that this is a closed system, wherein water can be reused and contamination of the surrounding area by the spray of water droplets from nozzle 42 is not possible. Figure 5 is a larger-scale view of the detail shown in the box of Figure 4. Figure 6 shows a bulb re-washing machine 44, in which contaminations in the form of loose earth or sand are removed from bulbs B, for example tulip bulbs, hyacinth bulbs and the like, by washing said bulbs with water. Bulbs B are placed on a screen belt 45 via a chute, screen belt 45 is passed over pulleys 46, which are driven by a drive unit 47. The velocity of the screen belt 45 can be controlled steplessly, it will for example amount to 5 m/min. The velocity is set in such a manner that one to three layers of bulbs B are present on the belt, depending on the type of bulbs (dimensions) . The layer of bulbs must not be much thicker than 0,05 m, in order to ensure a proper discharge of dirt by spraying. At the end of screen belt 45 the cleaned bulbs 48 are caught in a container. Three rows of respectively two spray nozzles 1 according to Figure 1 and one row of two arms 30 comprising spray nozzles 31 according to Figure 3 are disposed under a cover 49 above screen belt 45, which is about 1 m wide, which spray nozzles spray in the direction of screen belt 45. The distance between the nozzles and screen belt 45 is about 0.20 - 0.30 m. A receptacle 50 is disposed under screen belt 45, in which the spray medium and the washed-off dirt are caught and discharged via a drain D. Nozzles 1 and 31 are connected to an air pipe 51 and a water pipe 52. Air pipe 51 is connected to a pressure vessel 55 via an electrically controlled valve 53 and an adjustable pressure reducing valve 54. Pressure vessel 55 is maintained at a pressure set in a pressure switch 56 by means of a compressor 57. Pressure vessel 55 is furthermore fitted with a manometer 58. Water pipe 52 is connected to a pressurization unit 60 via an electrically controlled valve 59. Pressurization unit 60 is connected to a water supply C and may be set to various pressure values in a manner which is known per se. The water consumption at water supply C is about 900 - 3500 litres per hour when a water pressure of 4 - 8 bar is used and an air pressure of likewise 4 - 8 bar and the consumption of air is 1.5 - 2 m 3 . In that case the washing capacity of the device will be 10 m 3 of bulbs per hour at a belt velocity of 5 m/min. The various components of the bulb re-washing machine 44 are controlled from a control box 61. The air pressure in pipe 51 is set manually by means of adjustable pressure reducing valve 54, and the water pressure in pipe 52 may be set by means of a control valve (not shown) in pressurization unit 60. When spraying is carried out with air support very fine droplets are formed at nozzles 1 and 31, as a result of which all bulbs are properly moistened and a flow of water is created on the bulbs. It has become apparent thereby that it is not necessary for the bulbs to be hit directly by a jet of water from nozzles 1 and 31 in order to create a flow of water discharging the dirt. The atomized fine droplets fall on the bulbs to be cleaned and transport the dirt to receptacle 50. Since the water is mixed with air, the jet of water being squirted from the nozzle orifice is not hard, so that no damage will be caused to bulbs B, not even to the bulbs that are passed right under nozzles 1 and 31. The pressure of the water and of the air can be varied by adjusting the valves, which makes it possible to adapt the cleaning operation to the type of dirt, for example the soil type, and the amount of dirt to be removed. Besides the embodiment shown herein it is also possible to catch the water being discharged at drain B in a container having a capacity of for example 2 - 3 m 3 , and to recirculate the water. In that case the earth or the other dirt being washed off the bulbs will remain behind in the tank as sediment . 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This breather channel may be connected, in a manner not shown, to the intake of the compressor (not shown) , as a result of which air pipes 74 and 76 are supplied with air, so that there will be recirculation of the air. In addition to using air for atomizing the water into extra fine droplets, it is also possible to use the air supply when no water is being supplied. As a result of this the objects present in washing space 72 will be dried extra quickly. In one preferred embodiment the dishwasher only comprises spray nozzles 1 according to the invention in door 71. Figure 11 shows a tumbler washing machine 79 comprising a housing 80 provided with a door 81. Disposed within housing 80 is a tub 82, in which a rotating drum 83 provided with perforations is present. The inside of rotating drum 83 forms a washing space 84. Tub 82 and rotating drum 83 may contain an amount of water, whereby the water level is sufficiently high for immersing the laundry present in drum 83. Rotating drum 83 is attached to rotating shaft 85, which runs in bearings 86, and which is provided with a pulley 87, by means of which said shaft can be driven. Tumbler washing machine 79 furthermore comprises all the other components which are known for such a machine, in so far as they are not described as being different hereafter. Spray nozzles 1 corresponding with the nozzles shown in Figure 1 are mounted on the inside of drum 83. Nozzles 1 are connected to a pump 91 via a water pipe 88, a connecting block 89 and a water pipe 90. Spray nozzles 1 are also connected to a compressor 94 via an air pipe 92, connecting block 89 and air pipe 93. Mounting air- supported nozzles 1 makes it possible to produce a fine 10 10 t t P> H in o in o in σ in to NJ H H in O in O in <J C J P- Hi CD P- Ω PJ 0 0 CQ rt CQ CO Φ P. rt tr P- PJ 0 rt rt Hi tr PJ Φ P- 1 TJ P- S3 iQ P- ø rt Hi tr Φ P- CD ø - rt P- tr rt φ PJ CD Ω O 0 0 TJ φ φ X 0 rt Hi Φ ø rt CL tr CO Φ rt P- 0 ø <! 0 φ rt ø tr rt Φ P- H{ 0 0

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A method for cleaning a dirty surface, wherein water is squirted from a nozzle against the dirty surface in order to wash away the dirt with the water, characterized in that compressed air is supplied to the water in a mixing chamber located upstream of the nozzle, at a predetermined pressure, after which the water is squirted against the dirty surface in a spray of droplets, downstream of the nozzle. 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the air pressure is at least 1 bar, preferably at least 1.5 bar. 3. A method according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the air pressure can be regulated, in particular steplessly so. A method according to claim 1, 2 or 3 , wherein pressurized water is supplied to the mixing chamber at a predetermined pressure, downstream of the nozzle. A method according to claim 4, wherein the water pressure can be regulated, preferably steplessly so. 6. A method according to claim 5, wherein the water pressure can be regulated independently of the air pressure . 7. A method according to any one of the preceding claims 1 - 6, wherein the air pressure and the water pressure are set to a ratio ranging between 2 : 1 and 1 : 2. 8. A method according to any one of the preceding claims 1 - 7, wherein the water is squirted against the surface in a spray of droplets, from a distance which is smaller than the distance at which the water becomes turbulent downstream of the nozzle. 9. A method for cleaning flower bulbs, flower tubers or perennial plant (s) (parts) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 - 8, wherein the water pressure and the air pressure are set as follows: water pressure (bar) air pressure (bar, as an overpressure relative to the water pressure) from 0.5 to 1.5 from 8 to 8.5 from 1.5 to 3 from 7.5 to 8 from 2.8 to 4.2 from 5.5 to 6 from 4 to 6.2 from 5 to 5.5 from 6 to 10 from 3.5 to 4 or from 4 to 4.5 or from 4.5 to 5 or from 5 to 5.5 or from 5.5 to 6 or from 6 to 6.5 10. A method for cleaning soft fruit, in particular strawberries, grapes, plums, red currants, blueberries or peaches, according to any one of the preceding claims 1 - 8, wherein the water pressure and the air pressure are set as follows: water pressure (bar) air pressure (bar, as an overpressure relative to the water pressure) 0 to 0.5 1.5 to 2 or from 2 to 2.5 0.5 to 1.5 1.5 to 2 or from 2 to 2.5 11. A method for cleaning medium hard crops, in particular leek, asparagus, beans, stone leeks, paprikas, gherkins, cucumbers, cabbage varieties (cauliflower, white cabbage, green cabbage, red cabbage, etc.) or tomatoes, according to any one of the preceding claims 1 - 8, wherein the water pressure and the air pressure are set as follows: water pressure (bar) air pressure (bar, as an overpressure relative to the water pressure) from 2.8 to 4.2 from 6.5 to 7 or from 7 to 7.5 or from 7.5 to 8 or from 8 to 8.5 or from 8.5 to 9 or from 9 to 9.5 from 4 to 6.2 from 6.5 to 7 or from 7 to 7.5 or from 7.5 to 8 or from 8 to 8.5 or from 8.5 to 9 or from 9 to 9.5 from 6 to 10 from 6.5 to 7 or from 7 to 7.5 or from 7.5 to 8 or from 8 to 8.5 or from 8.5 to 9 or from 9 to 9.5 12. A method for cleaning hard crops, in particular carrots, scorzoneras and rootstocks and/or fruit trees, stem crops and/or root crops for multiplication purposes, products stemming from the cultivation of onions and/or silver-skin onions or carrots according to any one of the preceding claims 1 - 8, wherein the water pressure and the air pressure are set as follows: water pressure (bar) air pressure (bar, as an overpressure relative to the water pressure) from 2.8 to 4.2 from 9.5 to 10 or from 10 to 15 or from 15 to 20 from 4 to 6.2 from 9.5 to 10 or from 10 to 15 or from 15 to 20 from 6 to 10 from 9.5 to 10 or from 10 to 15 or from 15 to 20 13. A method for cleaning sugar beets, beetroots or potatoes, or the products stemming therefrom, in particular chips, pulp and cattle fodder products according to any one of the preceding claims 1 - 8, wherein the water pressure and the air pressure are set as follows: water pressure (bar) air pressure (bar, as an overpressure relative to the water pressure) from 6 to 10 from 4 to 4.5 or from 4.5 to 5 or from 5 to 5.5 or from 5.5 to 6 or from 6 to 6.5 or from 6.5 to 7 or from 7 to 7.5 or from 7.5 to 8 or from 8 to 8.5 or from 8.5 to 9 or from 9 to 9.5 or from 9.5 to 10 or from 10 to 15 or from 15 to 20 14. A method for cleaning roads, in particular porous asphalt, according to any one of the preceding claims 1 - 8, wherein the water pressure and the air pressure are set as follows: water pressure (bar) air pressure (bar, as an overpressure relative to the water pressure) from 6 to 10 from 7 to 7.5 or from 7.5 to 8 or from 8 to 8.5 or from 8.5 to 9 or from 9 to 9.5 or from 9.5 to 10 or from 10 to 15 or from 15 to 20 15. A method for cleaning vehicles, in particular passenger cars in a car wash, trains, buses or lorries in special washing facilities, according to any one of the preceding claims 1 - 8, wherein the water pressure and the air pressure are set as follows : water pressure (bar) air pressure (bar, as an overpressure relative to the water pressure) from 0.5 to 1.5 from 2.5 to 3 or from 3 to 3.5 or from 3.5 to 4 or from 4 to 4.5 or from 4.5 to 5 or from 5 to 5.5 or from 5.5 to 6. 16. A method for cleaning crockery, cutlery and the like in a dishwasher, and machines or tools in an industrial washing-up machine, according to any one of the preceding claims 1 - 8, wherein the water pressure and the air pressure are set as follows: water pressure (bar) air pressure (bar, as an overpressure relative to the water pressure) from 0.5 to 1.5 from 4.5 to 5 or from 5 to 5.5 or from 5.5 to 6 or from 6 to 6.5 or from 6.5 to 7 or from 7 to 7.5 or from 7.5 to 8. 17. A method for cleaning persons, using a shower head, according to any one of the preceding claims 1 - 8, wherein the water pressure and the air pressure are set as follows: water pressure (bar) air pressure (bar, as an overpressure relative to the water pressure) from 0.5 to 1.5 from 1.5 to 2 or from 2 to 2.5 or from 2.5 to 3 or from 3 to 3.5 or from 3.5 to 4 or from 4 to 4.5 or from 4.5 to 5 from 1.5 to 3 from 1.5 to 2 or from 2 to 2.5 or from 2.5 to 3 or from 3 to 3.5 or from 3.5 to 4 or from 4 to 4.5 or from 4.5 to 5. 18 A method for cleaning hard surfaces, in particular facades of houses, industrial and commercial buildings, glass, plastics and metal, according to any one of the preceding claims 1 - 8, wherein the water pressure and the air pressure are set as follows : water pressure (bar) air pressure (bar, as an overpressure relative to the water pressure) from 6 to 10 from 9.5 to 10 or from 10 to 15 or from 15 to 20. 19. A method for cleaning soft surfaces, in particular wool or fibrous materials, such as cotton, flax, textile, silk or paper, wherein the water pressure and the air pressure are set as follows: water pressure (bar) air pressure (bar, as an overpressure relative to the water pressure) from 2.8 to 4.2 from 6.5 to 7 or from 7 to 7.5 or from 7.5 to 8 or from 8 to 8.5 or from 8.5 to 9 or from 9 to 9.5 from 4 to 6.2 from 6.5 to 7 or from 7 to 7.5 or from 7.5 to 8 or from 8 to 8.5 or from 8.5 to 9 or from 9 to 9.5 from 6 to 10 from 6.5 to 7 or from 7 to 7.5 or from 7.5 to 8 or from 8 to 8.5 or from 8.5 to 9 or from 9 to 9.5 20. A device for carrying out a method according to any one of the preceding claims 1 - 19, characterized in that it comprises a mixing chamber, at least one nozzle connected thereto, as well as means for supplying water, which may or may not be pressurized, and compressed air at a predetermined pressure to the mixing chamber, which is located upstream of the nozzle. 21. A device according to claim 20, wherein the nozzle is present in a wall of the mixing chamber. 22. A device according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the mixing chamber preferably converges in the direction of the nozzle. 23. A device according to claim 20, 21 or 22, wherein means are provided for regulating the air pressure, preferably steplessly so, as well as means for regulating the water pressure, preferably steplessly so, in particular independently of the steplessly so, in particular independently of the air pressure. 24. A device according to any one of the preceding claims 20 - 23, wherein the nozzle is movable, and wherein the nozzle is preferably mounted on a rotatable arm. 25. A device according to any one of the preceding claims 20 - 24, wherein the mixing chamber comprises a member which is capable of rotation under the influence of the water for rotatably squirting the water in a spray of droplets downstream of the nozzle. 26. A device according to any one of the preceding claims 20 - 25, wherein the device is accommodated in a housing. 27. A device for cleaning flower bulbs, flower tubers or perennial plant (s) (parts) according to any one of the preceding claims 20 - 26 for carrying out the method according to claim 9. 28. A device for cleaning soft fruit, in particular strawberries, grapes, plums, red currants, blueberries or peaches, according to any one of the preceding claims 20 - 26 for carrying out the method according to claim 10. 29. A device for cleaning medium hard crops, in particular leek, asparagus, beans, stone leeks, paprikas, gherkins, cucumbers, cabbage varieties (cauliflower, white cabbage, green cabbage, red cabbage, etc.) or tomatoes, according to any one of the preceding claims 20 - 26 for carrying out the method according to claim 11. 30. A device for cleaning hard crops, in particular carrots, scorzoneras and rootstocks and/or fruit trees, stem crops and/or root crops for multiplication purposes, products stemming from the cultivation of onions and/or silver-skin onions or carrots according to any one of the preceding claims 20 - 26 for carrying out the method according to claim 12. 31. A device for cleaning sugar beets, beetroots or potatoes, or the products stemming therefrom, in particular chips, pulp and cattle fodder products according to any one of the preceding claims 20 - 26 for carrying out the method according to claim 13. 32. A device for cleaning roads, in particular porous asphalt, according to any one of the preceding claims 20 - 26 for carrying out the method according to claim 14. 33. A device for cleaning vehicles, in particular passenger cars in a car wash, trains, buses or lorries in special washing facilities, according to any one of the preceding claims 20 - 26 for carrying out the method according to claim 15. 34. A device for cleaning crockery, cutlery and the like in a dishwasher, and machines or tools in an industrial washing-up machine, according to any one of the preceding claims 20 - 26 for carrying out the method according to claim 16. 35. A device for cleaning persons, using a shower head, according to any one of the preceding claims 20 - 26 for carrying out the method according to claim 17. 36. A device for cleaning hard surfaces, in particular facades of houses, industrial and commercial buildings, glass, plastics and metal, according to any one of the preceding claims 20 - 26 for carrying out the method according to claim 18. 37. A device for cleaning soft surfaces, in particular wool or fibrous materials, such as cotton, flax, textile, silk or paper, according to any one of the preceding claims 20 - 26 for carrying out the method according to claim 19.

Inventors: WINTERS ANTONIUS PAUL LEO MARI, WINTERS, ANTONIUS, PAUL, LEO, MARIA
Applicants: H T RESEARCH B V, WINTERS ANTONIUS PAUL LEO MARI, H.T. RESEARCH B.V., WINTERS, ANTONIUS, PAUL, LEO, MARIA
Application year: 1997
Main classification: B08B3
IPC codes: A23N12, A23N15, A47L15, B01F3, B01F5, B05B3, B05B7, B08B3, B60S3, D06F39