Abstract:
A clean and capture tool  1  to service floor surfaces. The tool  1  includes brackets between which there extends a circular cleaning head  3.  The head  3  includes an outer cover  6  below which there is located a rotatably driven arm  3  which directs water sprays at the floor surface. The cover  6  includes a downwardly facing peripheral channel  8  to which a vacuum is delivered to withdraw water and loosened dirt and waste material from the surface being cleaned.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to equipment for the cleaning of surfaces, particularly equipment for pressurised water cleaning of hard surfaces to remove dirt, debris and other materials from the surface. 
     BACKGROUND 
     There is a large variety of cleaning equipment used for domestic and industrial cleaning, ranging from domestic vacuum cleaners to liquid based cleaning devices. Devices for cleaning hard surfaces involve loosening dirt, grease, oil and other materials by scrubbing or the application of water under high pressure. Cleaning liquids such as solvents or detergents may also be utilised. The loosened material is usually removed by flushing with water. 
     One disadvantage with existing cleaning and flushing arrangements concerns the effective disposal of the loosened material. Flushing such material down open drains may offend anti-pollution regulations because of the contaminate levels in the loosened materials and waste water. There is also a considerable cost in collecting the loosened material and transporting it to a suitable waste disposal or treatment facility. 
     There is a commercial need for equipment which, not only effectively cleans the surface, but which also captures the loosened material and provides for proper disposal of such material. 
     There have been attempts at providing clean and capture devices utilising vacuum extraction and flexible sealing skirts. The effectiveness of these devices has been limited. For example, the disposition of the vacuum inlet has limited their effectiveness and versatility. In many cases, the mobility of these devices is restricted due to the provision of wheels or castors which support the weight of the device during operation. In such devices the flexible sealing skirt usually includes a brush arrangement that only partially supports the weight of the device. A further disadvantage of such devices is that they cannot effectively clean undulating hard surfaces because of the air gap beneath the brush skirt which results in the surface being left damp, thus presenting a slip hazard. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which substantially overcomes or at least ameliorates one or more of the abovementioned disadvantages, or which at least provides the consumer with a useful choice. 
     In one broad form, the present invention provides a tool for liquid based cleaning of a surface, the tool having: 
     a head to generally cover an area of the surface, the head including a generally downwardly facing channel to which a vacuum is applied to draw air, the liquid and material removed from the area by the tool into the channel; 
     an outlet communicating with the channel and to which the vacuum is applied, the outlet being provided to direct the air, liquid and material from within the channel; 
     a spray assembly to direct the liquid, under pressure, at the area to aid in loosening the material from the surface; and 
     a fringe member mounted on the head and extending generally downwardly therefrom and generally surrounding the channel and area, the fringe member having formed therein a plurality of apertures through which air passes to enter a space generally enclosed by the head and the fringe member. 
     In another broad form, the present invention provides a system for liquid based cleaning of a surface, the system having: 
     a cleaning tool; 
     a water source for supplying water to at least one supply tank; 
     a first supply tank for supplying water to a source of reduced pressure; 
     a second supply tank for supplying water to the cleaning tool; 
     a first filtering device for filtering water received from the second supply tank; 
     a pressure pump for pressurising the water received from the first filtering device; 
     a heating device for heating the water received from the pressure pump; 
     a source of reduced pressure to recover liquid applied by the cleaning tool and material loosened from an area being cleaned; 
     a waste tank assembly comprising a first separator device and a second filtering device, the first separator device for separating solid waste from the liquid and loosened material recovered from the cleaned area, the second filtering device for filtering liquid from the first separator device; and 
     a waste pump for discharging the liquid from the second filtering device into a sewer. 
     In another broad form, the present invention provides a system for delivering liquid for cleaning of a surface, the system having: 
     a tool adapted to apply liquid, under pressure, to an area to be cleaned; 
     a water source; 
     a supply tank for supplying liquid to the tool; 
     a filtering device for filtering liquid received from the supply tank; 
     a pressure pump for pressurising liquid received from the filtering device; and 
     a heating device for heating liquid received from the pressure pump. 
     In another broad form, the present invention provides a system for recovering applied liquid and material loosened in cleaning of a surface, the system having: 
     a tool adapted to recover, under reduced pressure, applied liquid and loosened material from an area being cleaned; 
     a source of reduced pressure; 
     a supply tank for supplying water to the reduced pressure source; 
     a waste tank assembly comprising a first separator device and a filtering device, the first separator device for separating solid waste from the liquid and loosened material recovered from the cleaned area, the filtering device for filtering liquid from the first separator device; and 
     a waste pump for discharging the liquid from the filtering device into a sewer. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In order that the present invention may be more fully understood and put into practice, preferred embodiments thereof will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG.  1 . is a perspective view of an operative portion of a clean and capture tool; 
     FIG.  2 . is an inverted plan view of the tool of FIG. 1; 
     FIG.  3 . is a vertical cross sectional view of the tool of FIG. 1; 
     FIG.  4 . is a vertical cross sectional view of the tool of FIG. 1 showing the configuration of a skirt and fringe member; 
     FIG.  5 . illustrates the operation of the tool of FIG. 1; 
     FIG.  6 . is a schematic illustration showing the interrelationship between the components of a clean and capture system; 
     FIG.  7 . is a perspective view of a separator device in a waste tank assembly; 
     FIG.  8 . is a plan view of the separator device of FIG. 7; and 
     FIG.  9 . is a representation similar to FIG. 6 but of an alternative embodiment. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIGS. 1,  2  and  3  show a clean and capture tool  1  which has brackets  2  connected to a handle (not shown). The brackets  2  secure the handle to a generally circular cleaning head  3 . The head  3  includes a liquid delivery member  4  and outlet means  5 , to which a vacuum is applied. 
     As best seen in FIG. 3, the head  3  is formed of an outer cover  6  and inner section  7  between which a downwardly facing channel  8  is defined. The channel  8  communicates with the outlet means  5  (which may be one or more outlet ports) and acts as a passage for the transportation of loosened dirt and waste material extracted from the surface being cleaned. The outer cover  6  is generally circular in configuration so as to have a base  68  with a depending flange  69 . The inner section  7  is also circular in configuration so as to have a base  70  with a depending flange  71 . The flanges  69  and  71  border the downwardly facing channel  8 . The bases  68  and  70  provide a cavity  72  from which the outlet means  5  extends. 
     The outer cover  6  and inner section  7  are each substantially inverted U-shaped in major cross-section and aligned relative to one another such that the cross sectional area of the channel  8  is substantially constant. The outer cover  6  and inner section  7  are typically made from stainless steel. 
     An annular skirt  9  is mounted to a lower outer edge of the outer cover  6 . The skirt  9  supports a downwardly projecting fringe member  10 , which contacts the surface being cleaned and provides support for the weight of the tool  1  in operation. In this case, the fringe member is an annular brush having a plurality of bristles, but it may be a blade of resilient material. 
     As can be seen in FIG. 3, the under surface of the inner section  7  is elevated above the surface to be cleaned. Rotatably mounted on the under surface of the inner section  7  via a coupling  11  is a spray assembly  12  which includes a hollow arm  13  with a pencil jet  14  mounted substantially near each end of the arm  13 . The aperture of the pencil jet  14  may vary to suit the particular application. The arm  13  preferably spins at approximately 2,500 rpm as a result of liquid pressure and flow applied thereto. The coupling  11  is connected through the channel  8  to a liquid delivery member  4 . The coupling  11  preferably utilises the VENTURI-Jet high pressure swivel manufactured by Fluid Controls Inc of Jenks, Okla., USA. 
     As can be seen in FIG. 4, the fringe member  10  includes a plurality of grooves or apertures  15  arranged in its lower periphery and which provide unrestricted air passages into the area beneath the outer cover  6 . There are typically 12 or 13 in number of the apertures  15  which are preferably located in an arc substantially corresponding with the forward facing region of the fringe member  10 . In the case where the fringe member is a brush, the apertures  15  are provided by bristles of shorter length. 
     The aperture  15  provides passages for air to be drawn into the channel  8  as a result of the reduced pressure being applied through the channel  8 . The air passing through the apertures  15  provides for positive ventilation as indicated by the arrow  16  (best seen in FIG. 3) which acts to direct loosened dirt and materials away from the surface being cleaned into the channel  8 . 
     As can be seen in FIG. 3, the channel  8  formed between the outer cover  6  and the inner section  7  is unitary. The outer cover  6  is mounted to the inner section  7  by a nut and bolt arrangement  17 . Spacers  18  are provided to ensure a predetermined separation therebetween. In this case, the separation is approximately ¾ inch or 18.75 mm. The mixture of loosened material, air and water is drawn out of the channel  8  through two conduits  19 , typically flexible hoses, mounted on the upper surface of the outer cover  6  which are connected to the outlet means  5 . 
     As can be seen in FIG. 5, in operation the tool  1  is pushed in a forward motion in the direction of the arrow  21 . The operator cleans a region of the surface and walks over the freshly cleaned region to clean another soiled region in front of the freshly cleaned region. As the head  3  is moved in a forward direction across the surface to be cleaned, the high speed jets of water or other cleaning liquids delivered through the pencil jets  14  loosen the dirt, grease, oil and the like from the surface. The loosened material and liquid is drawn into the channel  8 . The apertures  15  in the fringe member  10  permit positive ventilation and prevent the escape of water and loosened material from beneath the head  3 . The positive ventilation provided by the apertures  15  also assists the operative mobility and manoeuvrability of the tool  1  across the surface to be cleaned, thereby avoiding the need for wheels, castors and the like. 
     FIG.  6 . shows a schematic illustration of the interrelationship between the components of one embodiment of a clean and capture system  30 . The system  30  is preferably trailer mounted for mobility to enable an operator to move and use the apparatus from site to site by towing behind a vehicle. 
     Liquid, typically cold water, from a water source  31 , such as a locally positioned faucet or hydrant, flows through inlet conduits  32 , typically flexible hoses, into supply tanks  33  and  34  which, in this case, each hold approximately 25 liters of water. The supply tanks  33  and  34  include a float valve arrangement to keep the water within a predetermined level. In operation, the water level is maintained by water from the water source  31 . 
     Water from the supply tank  34  flows through a conduit  36 , typically a pipe, and is filtered by a filtering device  37  such as a JETWAVE model 2afil manufactured by Interpump Group SpA of 42040 S Ilario Reggio Emilia, Italy. Filtered water is pressurised by a pressure pump  38 , such as a JETWAVE model ws202 also manufactured by Interpump Group SpA of Italy. The pressure pump  38  supplies approximately 21 liters of water per minute when operating at 1450 rpm with a maximum pressure of 200 bar. The filtering device  37  is configured to meet input requirements of the pressure pump  38 . Water pressure is regulated by a pressure regulator valve  39 , with bypass water being returned to the supply tank  34  by means of a conduit  40 . Pressure regulated water flows through a conduit  41  to a heating device  42 . One example of such a heating device is an AALADIN model 635 manufactured by Aaladin Industries Inc of Elk Point, S. Dak., USA., which enables the water to be heated to approximately 150° F. above the ambient input water temperature at 2900 psi. Extending from the heating device  42  is a conduit  43 , typically an insulated flexible hose, configured to transport heated pressurised water to the tool  1 . Operation of the tool  1  is as described above by reference to FIGS. 1-5. 
     The tool  1  is coupled to a source of air having a reduced pressure than atmosphere, in this case a power vacuum pump  20 . Extending from the tool  1  is a conduit  44 , typically a flexible hose, configured to transport, under reduced pressure, loosened material, air and water drawn out of the tool  1  to a waste tank assembly comprising a separator device  45  and a filtering device  47 . An air hose  50  is provided to connect the filtering device  47  to the vacuum pump  20 . 
     In this case, the separator device  45  is a cyclonic separator developed by the present inventor and is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The separator device  45  includes a sealed cylindrical vessel  60  with a centrally located tube  61  extending vertically to a level not exceeding that of an inlet  62 . In this case, approximately 20 mm below the inlet  62 . Water and loosened materials drawn out of the tool  1  is drawn into the vessel  60  through the inlet  62 , which is preferably angled tangentially to cause the water to swirl inside the vessel  60  under the influence of gravity. Solids  63  sink to the bottom of the vessel  60  which causes a vertical displacement of the water which, when it reaches a level above the upper extent of the tube  61 , overflows into the tube  61 . The overflow is then delivered, via a conduit  46 , for filtration by the filtering device  47  typically of the type manufactured by Aussie Red Carpet Equipment of Castle Hill, New South Wales, Australia. 
     Dirty waste water is discharged, via a waste pump  48  and conduit  59  into a sewer. The solids  63  are drained from the separator device  45  and the filtering device  47  at the completion of cleaning operations and collected in a suitable waste container for disposal, preferably at a land fill waste facility. 
     In this case, the waste pump  48  is a REGENT model 102rbsn manufactured by Regent Pumps of Dingley, Victoria which is of centrifugal configuration with a discharge rate of approximately 134 liters per minute. The filtering device  47  is positioned above the vacuum pump  20  and is also preferably elevated above the waste pump  48  to permit gravity feed. The filtering device  47  is connected to the waste pump  48  by a conduit  49 . In this case, the conduit  49  is a wire reinforced hose. Dirty waste water is discharged into the sewer via a PVC layflat hose  58  connected to a ¾″ (18.75 mm) rigid walled hose  59 . Suction from the vacuum pump  20  causes the PVC layflat hose  58  to be flattened. When the waste pump  48  is running at a speed within a range of approximately 2800-3300 rpm, pressure from the waste pump  48  eventually exceeds the reduced pressure exerted by the vacuum pump  20 , causing the PVC layflat hose  58  to be opened and permitting discharge of the dirty waste water into the sewer via the rigid walled hose  59 . 
     The vacuum pump  20  is typically a centrifugal pump where an impeller rotates water within a cylinder. An example of such a pump is the type manufactured under the WATERING trade mark by Flowmax International of Ellerslie, Auckland, New Zealand. The vacuum pump  20  requires a constant water supply. In this case, approximately 4.5-6.5 liters per minute is required and supplied from the supply tank  33  via a conduit  51 . The vacuum pressure created is approximately 15 inches of mercury. Water supplied to the vacuum pump  20  is compressed and heat is generated. The vacuum pump  20  discharges that heated water. 
     Extending from the vacuum pump  20  is a conduit  52 , configured to transport air and water discharged from the vacuum pump  20  to the supply tank  34 . The supply tank  34  also contains a separator device  35 , typically utilising a baffle arrangement, which separates the discharged air and water. Extending from the separator outlet of the supply tank  34  is a conduit  53 , typically a pipe, configured to transport discharged air into the atmosphere. 
     A prime mover  54 , for example, a diesel motor model 4lelpw01 manufactured by Isuzu of Japan, and water cooled by a radiator  55  is provided. The prime mover  54  preferably directly drives the vacuum pump  20  via a shaft  56 . The vacuum pump  20  preferably being connected to the pressure pump  38  by a pulley and belt arrangement  57 . 
     FIG. 9 shows a schematic illustration of another embodiment of a clean and capture system  100  in which like components with the arrangement of FIG. 6 have been allocated the same reference number and to which the corresponding description applies. 
     In order to improve filtration and waste water discharge, a water air separator device  65  is provided. In this case the separator device  65  is of the type manufactured under the FLYNTECH trade mark by Ideal Milking Machines of 483 Mangitikei Street, Palmerston North, New Zealand. 
     In this embodiment, saturated air and water from the vacuum pump  20  is discharged via a conduit  64  to the separator device  65  which causes the water to fall to the bottom of the separator device  65  to be then drawn into a conduit  66  before being returned, via conduit  46 , to the filtration device  47  before eventual discharge to the sewer through the waste pump  48 . Saturated air separated from the water by the separator device  65  is allowed to escape to atmosphere via a conduit  67 , typically a pipe. The inclusion of the separator device  65  is advantageous because it permits fine particulate (non-buoyant) matter such as sand and silt, as well as buoyant mater such as dislodged moss and other vegetable matter, to be discharged. Otherwise, as with the embodiment of FIG. 6, in the absence of regular maintenance and cleaning of the filtration device  47 , this matter tends to accumulate in excess levels and may be drawn into the air hose  50  and returned, via conduit  52 , to the supply tank  34  and through the pressure pump  38 . This matter may cause wearing of the pressure regulator valve  39 . 
     It can also be seen that, in the embodiment of FIG. 9, air and water is no longer returned to supply tank  34  from the vacuum pump  20  and as such the water air separator device  35  is omitted from the supply tank  34 . 
     In yet another embodiment of the invention, the prime mover  54  is, for example, a 15 kilowatt 4 pole electric motor of the type manufactured by CMG Electric Motors of 19 Corporate Ave, Rowville, Victoria, Australia. The prime mover  54  preferably directly drives the vacuum pump  20  via the shaft  56 . The vacuum pump  20  is preferably connected to the pressure pump  38  by a direct coupling. 
     The foregoing describes only preferred embodiments of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     For example, rather than being a mobile unit, either clean and capture system  30  or  100  may be permanently installed and fitted at a site which requires regular cleaning, for example, a shopping centre or factory. 
     Wheels, preferably retractable, may be provided on the brackets  2 . The wheels facilitate moving the tool  1  to the site to be cleaned, but would be retracted when the tool  1  is in operation.