Patent Publication Number: US-9883784-B2

Title: Steam cleaner for cleaning domestic and industrial surfaces

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to an apparatus for cleaning domestic and industrial surfaces, which is generally designed for cleaning and sanitizing floors and other surfaces of buildings. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Apparatus for cleaning floors and other surfaces, typically vacuum cleaner appliances are known, which use the suction force generated by a motor, the latter rotatably driving a suction fan located along a suction circuit within the apparatus. 
     The suction circuit is housed in a container body of the apparatus and has an outwardly facing end, typically the end designed to be the front end, with a connection mouthpiece for a hose, which is designed to be held and handled by a user, whereas the opposite end of the circuit is connected to a storage tank in which the sucked dirt material is collected. 
     In view of improving the performances of these apparatus, in many cases suction operation is combined with the disruptive force of steam, which is typically generated in a boiler arranged within the body of the apparatus. 
     A volume of a liquid to be heated and turned into steam, typically water, is loaded into the boiler through a water-tight filling opening. 
     A set of controllable resistors arranged in the boiler heats water until it turns into steam, the latter being later ejected in the form of jets through a conduit that is typically coupled to the suction pipe, for strongly impinging upon the surfaces to be cleaned and sanitized. 
     Typically, the controls that regulate steam jet ejection and suction are disposed on a handle located on the suction pipe and can be easily actuated by one hand. 
     These apparatus may have various sizes according to their intended use, and typically smaller apparatus are generally designed for use in home environments, whereas larger apparatus are generally designed for use in industrial environments. 
     This prior art suffers from certain drawbacks. 
     A first drawback is that in prior art apparatus the two separate or combined suction and steam delivery actions are only carried out through the distal end of the single hose that connects the debris collection tank with the boiler. 
     This involves time-consuming cleaning operations for users, especially in case of large surfaces to be cleaned, because the hose must be displaced in every direction to reach all the points of the surfaces to be cleaned. 
     A second drawback is that these time-consuming operations are also burdensome for users, who are required to both manoeuver the suction hose in every direction and pull the apparatus to reach every point of the surface and clean it thoroughly. 
     A further drawback is that, in spite of the use of steam, in many cases the dirt deposited in less exposed locations changes its consistency until it becomes an incrustation which firmly adheres to the surfaces, and cannot be removed not only by suction force, but also by the combined and targeted action of steam jets, however powerful they may be. 
     Another drawback is that prior art apparatus must be typically connected to a power supply point by means of a connection cable for operation, and for this reason users must repeatedly disconnect the cable from one connection point and re-connect it to another point for displacement of the apparatus in every desired direction. 
     Yet another drawback is that systematic and progressive build-up of calcareous residues in the boiler causes repeated heating and cooling, and reduces the efficiency of both the boiler and the safety devices mounted thereto with the purpose of preventing overpressure and accidental ejection of steam jets (which reach temperatures exceeding 100° C.) when a user is accidentally in front of the steam outlet. 
     DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention has the object to improve the prior art. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for cleaning domestic and industrial surfaces that affords quick and effortless cleaning of surfaces of any extent. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for cleaning domestic and industrial surfaces that allows users to choose how to clean surfaces according to the conditions of the latter. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for cleaning domestic and industrial surfaces that may also operate for a long time in self-powered mode, i.e. without having to be connected to a power supply point. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for cleaning domestic and industrial surfaces that is easy to handle and use. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for cleaning domestic and industrial surface that can carry all the attachments that may be used for cleaning any surfaces aboard. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for cleaning domestic and industrial surfaces that has a safe operation and allows full removal of any kind of dirt, irrespective of its consistency. 
     In one aspect the invention relates to an apparatus for cleaning domestic and industrial surfaces as defined in the features of claim  1 . 
     The invention achieves the following advantages: 
     thorough cleaning of any kind of surface and selection of the mode of operation; 
     easy and effortless displacement of the apparatus; 
     provision of a considerably larger cleaning brush as compared with prior art brushes, for use on large surfaces; 
     high-safety use of the apparatus; 
     ready availability of all the attachments required for cleaning. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will be more apparent from the detailed description of a preferred, non-exclusive embodiment of an apparatus for cleaning domestic and industrial surfaces, which is shown as non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the apparatus for cleaning domestic and industrial surfaces according to the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged view of a valve element having a selector in a first position for selecting a first suction and steam carrying direction, combined with a joint for a suction pipe; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the valve element of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a view of the valve element of  FIG. 2  with the selector rotated to a second position for selecting a second suction and steam carrying direction, combined with a joint for a suction pipe; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the valve element of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a rear detail view of the selector of the valve element of  FIG. 2  in the same selected direction; 
         FIG. 7  is a rear detail view of the selector of the valve element of  FIG. 4  in the same selected direction; 
         FIG. 8  is a broken-away perspective view of a joint for a pipe, the upper cover being omitted to show the interior thereof; 
         FIG. 9  is a general view of the joint of  FIG. 8  and the valve element of  FIGS. 2 and 3 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a multifunctional element removed from the apparatus of the invention, in a working position, i.e. fully lowered to the ground; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the multifunctional element of  FIG. 10  in an idle position, i.e. raised from the ground; 
         FIG. 12  is an enlarged view of a detail of the area at which the arms that support the multifunctional element attach to the apparatus of the invention; 
         FIG. 13  is a partial and enlarged view of the multifunctional element in a swinging position, slightly raised from the ground; 
         FIG. 14  is a partial view of the multifunctional element of  FIG. 13  in a swinging position, fully lowered to the ground; 
         FIG. 15  is a highly schematic, longitudinal sectional view of the multifunctional element. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to the above mentioned figures, numeral  1  generally designates an apparatus for cleaning domestic and industrial surfaces, hereinafter briefly referred to as apparatus  1 . 
     The machine  1  comprises a box-like machine body  2 , which is designed to contain the devices for operation, namely at least one boiler and a suction unit driven by a motor. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the machine body  2  has a handle  3 , which is supported by two parallel arms  4  and may be easily held by a user to displace the apparatus  1  over the surface “S” of the ground. 
     For this reason, the apparatus  1  is equipped with wheels at its bottom, freely rotating about respective vertical axes of rotation and adapted to be braked by special braking devices, referenced  107 . 
     The handle  3  faces a portion of the machine body  2 , intended as the rear portion, generally referenced  102 , whereas the opposite front portion, generally referenced  202 , has a control box  5  thereon, with a display  6  and a joint  8  for the equipment to be maneuvered by users for operation of the apparatus  1 . 
     More in detail, the equipment comprises at least one pipe  9 , the figures only showing the end thereof for connection to the joint  8 , and a second pipe  10  which, like the first pipe  9 , fits into the joint  8  through a common valve body  11  having a flow selector  12 , as better explained hereinafter. 
     Both the first and second pipes  9  and  10  have respective steam conveying and carrying conduits, referenced  109  and  110 , which extend from the boiler inside the machine body  2  to the outside, as described below. 
     The apparatus  1  also has a tank  13  in its rear portion  102 , which tank is removable for emptying and collects the sucked up debris and dirt. 
     Furthermore, a removable box  15  is adapted to be mounted between the arms  4 , for containing the attachments that will be used during operation of the apparatus  1 . 
     As shown in the figures, the apparatus  1  has a multifunctional unit  16  in its front portion  202 , which unit is supported by the machine body  2  through two bilateral and parallel arms  17 , that are hinged thereto to rotate between two end positions, i.e. a working position, i.e. fully lowered to the surface “S” of the ground, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 10 , and a raised upwardly rotated idle position, as schematically shown in  FIG. 11 . 
     The multifunctional unit  16  is located beyond the front portion  202  in a distal direction relative to the handle  3  and is provided in the form of a brush with a box-like body  18  transversely supported between the distal ends  117  of the arms  17 . 
     The box-like body  18  is supported to pivot about two hinges  19  located in the distal area of the ends  117  and its rotation is controlled by adjustment means  20  disposed at both sides between the box-like body  18  and the distal ends  117 , which provide controlled rotation through a circumferential arc of limited extent. 
     These adjustment means  20  comprise, for each side of the box-like body  18  ( FIGS. 13 and 14 ) an aperture  21  formed in a proximal area thereof with a transversely and overhangingly extending peg  22  engaged therein, integral with the ends  117 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1  and to  FIGS. 15, 16, 17 , it shall be noted that the second pipe  10  reaches a median area of the box-like body  18  in which suction takes place through a suction port  23  formed in the box-like body  18 , namely in the bottom face  118  thereof. 
     The steam carrying conduit  110  also reaches such median area in which a special mount  25  is provided for connection to a plurality of ejecting nozzles  24 , also mounted to the bottom face  118  and facing the surface “S” of the ground. 
     The box-like element  18  optionally accommodates a set of ultrasonic transducers  26  on its bottom face  118 , which are arranged between the nozzles  24  and the suction port  23 . 
     Also, the bottom face  118  may have UV lamps  27  arranged thereat in a compartment  28  formed within the box-like element  18 , and protected by a high-purity glass  29 , to prevent undesired filtering of bactericidal radiation emitted from the lamps  27 . 
     The distal or front area of the bottom face of the box-like element  18  has a line of bristles  28  therein, which form a transverse brush for collection of dust and residues from the surface “S”. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1, 10, 11, 12 , it shall be noted that the pair of arms  17  are equipped with respective stop devices  20  for stopping rotation toward the surface “S”, that may adjusted in position. 
     Typically, each of these stop devices  30  comprises a L-bracket  31 , having one leg  32  secured to the corresponding inner surface of the arm  17  and one leg  33  extending at right angles to the leg  32  toward the corresponding opposed leg  33 . 
     A threaded hole  34  is formed in the leg  33  (see  FIG. 12 ) for the shank  35  of a knob  36  to be tightened therein against a helical spring  37  that coaxially encircles the shank  35  and abuts the leg  33 . 
     The shank  35  is of such a length as to extend through and beyond the leg  33  and to abut a stop surface  38  formed in a lateral element  39  which is located on one side of the machine body  2  and provides, with its homologue on the opposite side of the machine body  2 , the hinge point for the two arms  17 . 
     As shown in the figures, the two arms  17  are hinged to the machine body  2  by means of two hinges  40  having horizontal and coincident axes, with their respective proximal ends  217  that face away from the ends  117  forming each a flat bracket with two holes  41  and  42  formed therein. 
     The hole  41  is designed for engagement of a sphere  43  (see  FIG. 11 ) which is outwardly biased by a spring  44  held within a seat  45  formed in each lateral element  39 , whereas the hole  42  receives a magnetic element  46 , which is designed for alignment with a corresponding magnetic detector element  47 , also held within a seat  48  formed in each lateral element  39 , only when the two arms  17  are in the working position, i.e. fully lowered to the ground “S”. 
     The coupling arrangement between the magnetic elements  46  and the corresponding magnetic detector elements  47  forms a safety device that only allows operation of the apparatus  1  when the two arms  17  are lowered to the surface “S”, with the face  118  of the box-like body  18  lightly touching such surface, and stops its operation when the two arms  17  are in a raised idle position, and the magnetic elements  46  are no longer detected by the magnetic detectors  47 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2 to 7 , the conformation of the above mentioned valve body  11  is shown in detail. 
     In detail, the valve body  11  is shown to form a horizontal conduit  111  and a conduit  112  perpendicular to the conduit  111 . 
     At the junction between the two horizontal  111  and perpendicular  112  conduits a selector  12  is inserted in the valve body  11 , and is rotated through a handle  212  from the outside to two positions. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , the selector  12  has a substantially cylindrical body  312 , which is tightly and sealingly held within a hollow seat  50  formed in the valve body  11 , to be able to rotate between two alternately selectable end positions. 
     The cylindrical body  312  has three passages  412 , circumferentially arranged at 90° with respect to each other, extending therethrough, whereas the fourth supposed passage  512  ( FIG. 3 ) of the body  312  is a blind passage. 
     These passages  412  are designed to be alternately aligned with the horizontal conduit  111  or the perpendicular conduit  112  by rotating the selector  12  to allow them to alternately communicate with the suction unit of the apparatus  1 . 
     Typically, the suction circuit of the apparatus  1  reaches the valve body  11  and as the selector  12  is rotated, the suction operation will be addressed to the first pipe  9  or the second pipe  10  and vice versa. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the steam carrying pipes also branch into two pipes within the attachment  8 , as referenced  53  and  54 . 
     The steam can be also alternately selected to flow into the pipe  53  or into the pipe  54 , according to the suction action selected by the selector  12 . 
     In greater detail, the body  312  of the selector  12  is shown to comprise, at the end opposite to the one with the hand grip  212 , a cam profile  55  designed as a groove  56  that extends over part of the peripheral surface of the body  312  such that its ends define an ungrooved area, i.e. a kind of ridge  57 . 
     This cam profile  55  is engaged by one end  58  of a contact feeler  59  of a micro-switch  60  which controls selection of steam flow into the pipe  53  or the pipe  54 . 
     Therefore, rotation of the body  312  of the selector  12  between the two possible positions will cause simultaneous selection of either suction through the first pipe  9  and steam flow in the corresponding steam conduit  109  or suction through the second pipe  10  and steam flow in the corresponding steam conduit  110 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 to 5 , the joint  8  is also equipped with a multipole connector  61  for connection of the electric lines that control operation of the apparatus  1 . 
     In a possible embodiment of the apparatus, the operation of all the devices that compose it is not powered by connecting a typical cable to the mains, but using an electric accumulator, typically an onboard rechargeable battery, e.g. located within the box  15 , which will make the apparatus  1  free of any connection to power delivery points in the environments in which it is used. 
     The operation of the apparatus for cleaning domestic and industrial surfaces “S” will be now described. 
     When the user chooses to use the apparatus  1  in a conventional manner, i.e. as a normal vacuum cleaner with steam generation, he/she will place the selector  12  in the position as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , thereby establishing a direct communication between the suction circuit and the first pipe  9  and, through the micro-switch  60 , between the corresponding steam carrying conduit  109  and the boiler within the machine body  2 . 
     In this configuration, as mentioned above, the apparatus  1  operates by sucking up debris through the first pipe  9  conveying it into the tank  13 . 
     When needed, the user may operate the steam generation control, for steam to be ejected in jet form through the conduit  109 . 
     In this state, the multifunctional unit  16  is maintained idle, and the two arms  17  are raised from the surface “S”. 
     Otherwise, when the user chooses to operate the apparatus  1  by actuating the multifunctional unit  16  and excluding the first pipe  9  and the corresponding steam carrying conduit  109  from operation, he/she will rotate the selector  12  to the position as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , thereby connecting together the second pipe  10  and the suction unit of the apparatus, located within the machine body  2 . 
     At the same time, as the selector  12  is rotated, the end  58  of the feeler  59  also changes its position, by engaging in the groove  56  and switching electric connections in the micro-switch  60 , to stop steam from flowing into the pipe  54  connected with the conduit  104  and to open the passage to the conduit  110  through which steam reaches the box-like body  14  and is ejected outwardly therefrom through ejector nozzles  24 . 
     In this configuration, both arms  17  are rotated toward the surface “S” to move the bottom face  118  of the box-like element  18  as close as possible to it, with such element swinging about the hinges  19  to follow the profile of the surface “S”, to the extent this is allowed by the adjustment means  20  which control abutment against the surfaces  38 , by tightening or loosening the knobs  36 . 
     When the multifunctional unit  16  is actuated, the apparatus is found to be able to clean to a much greater width as compared with a typical brush attachment of a vacuum cleaner, even a large vacuum cleaner. 
     Therefore, the apparatus  1 , whose operation may be also optionally powered by a rechargeable battery unit, will be able to clean very large surfaces without requiring the user to systematically hold and maneuver the first pipe  9 , the user being simply required to easily push the machine body  2  in every direction. 
     More in detail, in order to extend the battery-powered operation time, the apparatus  1  may be connected before use to a normal power-distribution network, to support the greater power requirements for heating the boiler to the evaporation temperature of water contained therein using the mains power and then, during operation, battery power may be only used to keep the evaporation temperature substantially constant. 
     When the user has to reach hardly accessible locations, he/she may switch the selector  12  again to temporarily disable the multifunctional unit  16  and functionally re-enable the pipe  9  and its respective steam carrying conduit  109 , thereby restoring the apparatus  1  to its conventional vacuum cleaner operation. 
     It should be noted that, if needed, the box-like element  18  may be equipped with ultrasonic transducers  26  which will respond to contact with a layer of liquid “L” (see  FIG. 15 ) created on the surface “S” by steam jets from ejector nozzles  24 , by emitting ultrasounds that will spread throughout the layer of liquid “L” and disrupt dirt event in encrusted form. 
     Furthermore, the box-like element  18  may be also equipped with UV lamps  27 , with the purpose of decontaminating the surface “S” from any bacterial form. 
     The multifunctional element  16  may have special clips  66  on the top face opposite to the bottom face  118 , for removably fastening and holding cleaning cloths and rags. 
     The invention has been found to fulfill the intended objects. 
     The invention so conceived is susceptible to changes and variants within the inventive concept. 
     Also, all the details may be replaced by other technical equivalent elements. 
     In its practical implementation, any material, shape and size may be used as needed, without departure from the scope as defined by the following claims.