Abstract:
A chemical distribution system for a floor cleaning machine is described. The system utilizes at least one container that is selectively connected to a pump that pumps a cleaning chemical solution from the container into a tee for combining with a fluid from an onboard fluid tank at a rate determined by a machine operator. Chemical containers may be readily and interchangeably connected to the pump to permit various solutions to be selectively utilized to optimize floor cleaning.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit, under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/275,621, filed Aug. 31, 2009, under 35 U.S.C. §111(b), which application is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a system for using a cleaning chemical with a floor cleaning machine and a method of distributing cleaning chemicals from the machine. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Floor cleaning machines, which include scrubbers, are well-known devices utilized for cleaning and maintaining floor surfaces. Generally, there are two types of scrubbers, both of which distribute water, or a cleaning fluid solution, on a floor where it can be worked by brushes or pads to clean the floor. 
         [0004]    Typically, in a first type of scrubber an operator simply adds a cleaning chemical to a fluid, for example, clean water, that is in an onboard fluid tank. The operator meters a predetermined amount of the cleaning chemical into a measuring device, such as a measuring cup, and then pours the cleaning chemical into the onboard fluid tank which results in a cleaning fluid. Often the rate at which the machine draws the cleaning chemical out of the onboard fluid tank is varied by the operator. 
         [0005]    However, various floors and surfaces have different physical characteristics that require them to be cleaned with different cleaning fluids or approaches. Further, the various floors and surfaces are subject to different kinds and amounts of debris and dirt. Consequently, the above-described first type of scrubber is not optimized for dealing with various types of floors and various kinds and amounts of dirt and debris. Instead, this first type of scrubber simply puts down whatever cleaning solution (defined in the first type of scrubber as fluid that flows from the onboard fluid tank) is in the onboard fluid tank regardless of the floor type or debris encountered. As a result, it has been found that this first type of scrubber is ineffective and inefficient at cleaning floors. 
         [0006]    Further, even if the operator recognizes that a particular floor or a particular dirt/debris problem on a floor requires a different cleaning approach or cleaning solution, the operator may have to empty the entire onboard fluid tank so that a proper overall cleaning solution can be attained. It can be readily appreciated that emptying the entire onboard fluid tank wastes cleaning chemicals, fluid, operator time, and undesirably takes the scrubber out of service. 
         [0007]    On the other hand, some operators may recognize the need for a different cleaning chemical ratio in the onboard fluid tank for a particular cleaning problem and thereby may try to increase or decrease the cleaning chemical ratio by further adding water or a cleaning chemical to the onboard fluid tank. It has been found, however, that many times the operator&#39;s calculation for increasing or decreasing an overall cleaning chemical ratio of a cleaning solution in the onboard fluid tank is incorrect or is made too casually. This results in wasted cleaning chemicals and an inefficient cleaning method. 
         [0008]    In a second type of scrubber, cleaning chemical metering systems are utilized to draw a cleaning chemical from a separate chemical container and combine it with clean water as the water flows out of the onboard fluid tank, where an overall cleaning solution for the second type of scrubber is defined as the combination of the cleaning chemical with the fluid from the onboard fluid tank. 
         [0009]    There are numerous disadvantages associated with the current known designs for this second type of scrubber. For example, when the chemical metering system is activated, it only permits fluid (e.g., water) to be drawn from the onboard fluid tank at a single, fixed rate. Since some cleaning circumstances call for increased or decreased fluid flow, this is a disadvantage. Further, the chemical metering system makes it difficult to change a type of cleaning chemical and a rate at which the cleaning chemical is drawn from the separate chemical container. 
         [0010]    For example, one design of this second type of scrubber locates a means for changing a rate change of fluid being drawn from the onboard fluid tank at the front of the scrubber, while the operator&#39;s station is at the rear of the scrubber. This same design also requires the use of specially designed chemical containers that are only available from the manufacturer of the scrubber, which have their own signaling means to alert the operator of level/amount of cleaning chemicals remaining in the chemical containers. These specially designed chemical containers add to the expense of the system and do not permit an operator to use chemical containers from other suppliers that may be less expensive and equally, if not more, effective. 
         [0011]    It would, therefore, be preferable for a scrubber operator to have the opportunity to tailor not only the type of cleaning fluid to be used on a particular floor, but also to tailor the type, amount, and/or concentration of the selected cleaning chemical to be combined with the fluid from the onboard fluid tank and to permit the operator to do so from a convenient location. It would also be preferable that the overall cleaning solution concentration (i.e., the overall combination of the cleaning chemical with the fluid) be easily selectable so that the cleaning chemical and time are both optimized. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    A chemical distribution system for an automatic floor scrubber, which has a body portion mounted on a set of wheels, comprises the following elements. A fluid tank contains a fluid solution and has a fluid tank line. A valve control has a valve control line. An adjustment valve is connected to the fluid tank line and is also connected to the valve control line. The adjustment valve also has a valve fluid line. 
         [0013]    At least one chemical container is disposed on or within a floor scrubber body portion, where the chemical container contains a cleaning chemical solution and has a chemical container line connected to the chemical container. A chemical pump is connected to the chemical container line and the chemical pump has a chemical pump line. A pump control has a pump control line electrically connected to the chemical pump and the pump control also has a flow meter feedback line. A tee has a first port that is connected to the valve fluid line, a second port is connected to the chemical pump line, and a third port is connected to a tee line. 
         [0014]    A flow meter is connected to the tee line. Also, the flow meter is connected to the flow meter feedback line, so as to be connected in a closed feedback loop to the pump control and the chemical pump. Further, the flow meter is connected to at least one outlet line to distribute a combination of the fluid solution and the cleaning chemical solution to pads and/or a floor. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    The advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description when considered in light of the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a three dimensional perspective view of a first embodiment of a floor cleaning scrubber in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a schematic of a chemical distribution system of the floor cleaning scrubber of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a three dimensional perspective view of a second embodiment of a floor cleaning scrubber in accordance with the present invention; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a schematic of a chemical distribution system of the floor cleaning scrubber of  FIG. 3 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    It is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts. Hence, specific dimensions, directions or other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed are not to be considered as limiting, unless expressly stated otherwise. 
         [0021]      FIGS. 1 and 2  depict a first embodiment of a floor cleaning machine  10 , with a chemical distribution system  20 , utilized with the present invention. The floor cleaning machine  10  of  FIG. 1  is an automatic floor scrubber but the present invention is not limited to floor scrubbers. Instead, the present invention maybe used with any floor cleaning machine known to those skilled in the art. 
         [0022]    The automatic floor scrubber  10  is constructed of a body portion  12  mounted on a set of wheels  14  (one or more not shown but common in the art) that permits the body portion  12  to be moved over a floor F. Machine controls  16  are provided for an operator to turn the machine  10  on and off, to steer and control the speed of the machine  10  and monitor machine performance, among other functions provided by automatic scrubbers in general. The machine controls  16  are provided at a rear portion  18  of the machine  10 , where the operator is located. 
         [0023]    In general, the flow of fluids  22 ,  24 ,  24   a - n ,  26 ,  26 ′ throughout  FIGS. 1-4  is shown with solid arrow-headed lines  28 ,  28   a - n ,  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  36 ,  38 ,  40 ,  42  that indicate the direction of fluid flow. Specifically, regarding the fluid flow depicted in the first embodiment  10 , a fluid tank  44  is provided forward of the operator in the body portion  12 . The fluid tank  44  may hold water or a fluid solution. While either water or fluid solution may be used, for simplicity, the remainder of the description will use the term fluid solution  22 . 
         [0024]    The fluid solution  22  flows out of the fluid tank  44  via gravity, or may be drawn out by a pump (not shown). Subsequently, the fluid solution  22  is combined with a chemical solution  24  to result in an overall cleaning solution  26 . The overall cleaning solution  26  is then sprayed or distributed by the floor outlet line  42  directly onto the floor F as shown, or by respective outlet lines  34 ,  40  to floor cleaning pads  46 ,  48 , via one or more nozzles (not shown). As a result, the floor cleaning pads  46 ,  48  scrub the overall cleaning solution  26  on the floor F surface to clean the floor F. 
         [0025]    Further to the construction of the scrubber  10 , one or more motors  50  may be located in the body portion  12  as well. The motors  50  power drive systems (not shown) that move the machine  10  over the floor F. One such drive system may have an electric motor powered by one or more batteries (not shown), which would also be located in the body portion  12 . The motor  50  is connected to various controls and functioning parts and is electronically linked to the machine controls  16 . The motor  50  may be physically linked to the wheels  14  so that the operator can control the scrubber  10  at the desired speed over the floor F. 
         [0026]    The same motor  50 , or different motors located in the body portion  12 , may rotate the floor cleaning pads  46 ,  48 . The pads  46 ,  48  may be located at a forward portion  52  of the body portion  12 , although other locations are permissible. The pads  46 ,  48  are readily replaceable, as they wear out over time with use. Therefore, different pads  46 ,  48  can be used for different floor surfaces F and different cleaning circumstances. 
         [0027]    The body portion  12  also supports a recovery tank  54 . The recovery tank  54  is connected to a vacuum system (only partially shown). The vacuum system, which may be powered by the motor  50 , vacuums an overall cleaning solution  26 . Once the overall cleaning solution  26  has been worked into the floor F, it typically contains debris that is undesirable to leave on the floor F, and it is undesirable to leave the floor F wet because it is slippery. 
         [0028]    Hence, the vacuum system draws cleaning solution from the floor F into the recovery tank  54 . The recovery tank  54  can then be emptied in a preferred location at the operator&#39;s convenience. 
         [0029]    One or more squeegees  56  may be used to direct and collect the cleaning solution from the floor F. The squeegee(s)  56  is typically located at the rear portion  18  of the machine  10  and positioned against the floor F to wipe the floor F of any excess cleaning solution  26  that then contains debris and other contaminants. 
         [0030]      FIG. 1  further depicts a container receptacle  58  in the forward portion  52  of the body portion  12 . In the depicted embodiment  10 , the container receptacle  58  is attached to or formed at least partially within the outer surface  68  of the scrubber  10 . Therefore, a portion of the volume of the solution tank  44  is reduced approximately by the volume of the container receptacle  58 . This is not problematic, however, because the volume of the solution tank  44  is large and the volume taken up by the container receptacle  58  is relatively small in comparison. 
         [0031]    The container receptacle  58  may be a separate component that is attached to the body portion  12  or it may be integrally formed, one-piece and unitary with the body portion  12 . In the depicted embodiment  10 , the container receptacle  58  is a separate component that is attached to the body portion  12  with mechanical fasteners  59 , like screws that are common in the art. Other means, in addition to or separately from mechanical fasteners, may be utilized as well. 
         [0032]    The container receptacle  58  preferably comprises a five sided holding device with four sides  60  and a bottom surface  62  connected to the sides. It is preferred that the sides  60  and bottom surface  62  are fluid tight, since on the other side of the sides  60  and bottom surface  62 , there is the fluid solution  22  of the fluid tank  44 . 
         [0033]    Preferably, the top  64  of the container receptacle  58  is open so that removable chemical containers  66  of solution can be easily added or removed from the receptacle  58 . It is within the scope of the present invention for the container receptacle  58  to have a top cover (as shown in  FIG. 3  where the covers are lids  64   a - n  and where removable chemical containers  66  can be placed, quick-connected  70 , and removed as needed) that is selectively openable and/or for the sides of the container receptacle  58  to extend above the outer surface  68  of the body portion  12 . 
         [0034]    The container receptacle  58  depicted in  FIG. 1  is substantially rectangular in cross-section. The present invention, however, is not limited to this particular shape. Instead, the container receptacle  58  maybe of any cross-section, including, but not limited to, circular or any polygonal shape. 
         [0035]    A standard removable chemical container  66  is depicted as being partially located in the container receptacle  58 . Preferably, the container receptacle  58  is of a predetermined depth so as to maintain the removable chemical container  66  securely during operation of the machine. It is also preferred that the container receptacle  58  has sufficient depth so that the removable chemical container  66  sits low enough on the machine  10  so as not to interfere with the operation, including storage, of the machine  10 . It is also within the scope of the present invention for the removable chemical container  66  to reside entirely within the container receptacle  58 , like the internal chemical containers  66   a, . . . , n  depicted in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0036]    A quick connect connection  70  is provided on an end  72  of a chemical container line  28 . The connection  70  may be such as a male-female coupling or a threaded connection that permits the chemical container line  28  to be easily and yet securely connected to the removable chemical container  66 . Preferably, the chemical container line  28  extends beyond the connection  70  and into the removable chemical container  66 , as shown by the dashed line extending into the removable chemical container  66  that is illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Specifically, the various lines  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  66 ,  38 ,  40 ,  42  indicate the flow of the fluid solutions  22  (associated with lines  32 ,  36 ),  24  (associated with lines  28 ,  30 ),  26  (associated with lines  34 ,  38 ,  40 ,  42 ) through the chemical distribution system  20 . 
         [0037]    This arrangement permits almost any known floor removable chemical containers  66  to be used with the present invention at any time. For example, an operator may begin with one removable chemical container  66  for one floor area F. During cleaning, the operator may determine that a different solution is required based on a different floor type and/or different dirt or debris encountered. The operator may remove the original removable chemical container  66  from the container receptacle  58 , disconnect it from the chemical container line  28 , connect a different removable chemical container (not shown) to the chemical container line  28 , locate the removable chemical container  66  in the container receptacle  58  and continue cleaning. It can be appreciated that the removable chemical container  66  could first be located the in the container receptacle  58  and then a different removable chemical container could be connected to the chemical container line  28 . 
         [0038]    It can also be appreciated that multiple containers  66  located in separate container receptacles  58 , each of which could have a different removable chemical container  66  with a different cleaning chemical therein, could be located in the machine  10 . These individual receptacles  58  would be similar to those illustrated in  FIG. 3  (see internal containers  66   a - n ). In any case, the different cleaning chemical solutions  24  or  24   a - n  ( FIG. 3 ) can be immediately used by the machine  10 . 
         [0039]    The chemical container line  28  extends from the quick connect connection  70  rearwardly from the container receptacle  58 . In the depicted embodiment  10 , the chemical container line  28  extends into the body portion  12  rearwardly to the rear portion  18 . The chemical container line  28  may be a single continuous line or it may comprise a plurality of lines  28   a, b, . . . , n  connected together as discussed later for a second embodiment  10 ′ and illustrated in  FIGS. 3-4 . 
         [0040]      FIGS. 1-2  illustrate that the chemical container line  28  is preferably connected to a chemical pump  74 . The pump  74  may be located anywhere in or on the body portion  12 . It has been found, however, that it is convenient to locate the chemical pump  74  at the rear portion  18  in the operator&#39;s area so that the pump control  76  for the chemical pump  74  are within easy reach. The pump control  76  permits the operator to request particular amounts of chemical solution  24 , in order to establish a ratio of chemical solution  24  over fluid solution  22 , from the removable chemical container  66  by setting the pump  74  at a particular pumping rate. The pump  74  may be tied into the machine control  16  for additional coordination between machine functions and the chemical pump  74 , as well as for electrical power. 
         [0041]    The chemical pump  74  may be any fluid pump, such as, but not limited to, bellows, centrifugal, diaphragm, drum, flexible liner, gear, manual or hand, piston, rotary lobe or vane, or peristaltic. 
         [0042]    A chemical pump line  30  extends from the pump  74 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the chemical pump line  30  extends within the body portion  12  of the machine  10 . However, whether the chemical pump line  30  travels within or on the body portion  12 , it is not critical to the function of the invention. Although other fluid connection means may be used, preferably the chemical pump line  30  is connected to a first port of a tee  78 . It should also be noted that, as depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the various items and their associated control lines (e.g., items  74 ,  76 ,  78 ,  86 ,  94  and lines  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  36 ,  38 ,  88 ,  90 ,  92 ) are shown to be within various parts of the body portion  12 . However, the present invention is not limited to the placement of these items and associated lines within or on the body portion  12 . 
         [0043]    The fluid tank line  36  from the fluid tank  44  is connected to the input side of an adjustment valve  80 , which is controlled by way of a valve control line  82  from a valve control  84 . The valve control line  82  may be electrically, mechanically, or manually controlling. The output side of the adjustment valve  80  is connected to a valve fluid line  32  which is connected to a second port of the tee  78 . 
         [0044]    As a result of the two incoming connections to the tee  78 , the fluid solution  22  flows from the fluid tank  44  through to the second port of the tee  78  by gravity or a fluid pump (not shown). Then, in the tee  78 , the chemical solution  24  from the chemical container  66  combines with the fluid solution  22  from the fluid tank  44  to result in the overall cleaning solution  26  that flows from the third port of the tee  78 , by way of the tee line  38 . In turn, the tee line  38  is connected to a flow meter  86 . 
         [0045]    The flow meter  86  may be of any known design for determining fluid flow through a fluid line. The flow meter  86  is used to communicate an open loop feedback flow rate through the tee line  38 , by way of a flow meter feedback line  88 , to the pump control  76  and then by way of a pump control line  90  to the chemical pump  74 . Also, the flow rate through the tee line  38  can be communicated, preferably electrically, to an operator by way of a flow display line  92  that is connected to a flow display  94  that is visible by the operator who, as mentioned earlier, is located at the rear of the scrubber  10 . 
         [0046]    The flow meter  86  is then connected to various means of distributing the overall cleaning solution  26  to the floor F so as to clean the floor F. As shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , the flow meter  86  distributes the overall cleaning solution  26  to at least one outlet line  34 ,  40 ,  42  for distribution to right and left pads  46 ,  48  and/or directly to the floor F. Subsequently, the pads  46 ,  48 , which are respectively attached to the scrubber  10  by way of right and left hubs  96 ,  98  on which they are mounted, contact the floor F for scrubbing. The above-mentioned vacuum system of the machine  10  is then used to collect the resulting dirt and debris laden solution from the floor F and transport this dirt and debris laden solution to the recovery tank  54 . 
         [0047]      FIGS. 3-4  illustrate the second embodiment  10 ′ of an automatic floor scrubber. The floor scrubber  10 ′ is much the same as that of the first embodiment  10 , except that this second embodiment  10 ′ is configured to have at least two internal chemical containers  66   a - n  with individual chemical container lids  64   a - n  that respectively cover the chemical containers  66   a - n , wherein each chemical container  66   a - n  can have a separate chemical solution  24   a - n  therein and each chemical container  66   a - n  is separately and selectively connected  28   a - n  to the chemical pump  74 . Illustrated are any number (n) of individual internal chemical containers  66   a - n  that may be contained within the body portion  12 . As a result of this configuration, the tee  78  would combine any combination of the chemical solutions  24   a - n  with fluid solution  22  to result in an overall cleaning solution  26 ′, as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0048]    The flow of the fluid solution  22  and chemical solutions  24 ,  24   a - n , the setting of the ratio of chemical solutions  24 ,  24   a - n  over fluid solution, and the pumping rate of overall cleaning solutions  26 ,  26 ′ is provided by the chemical pump  74  in conjunction with the flow meter  86  and pump control  76 , which are in a closed feedback loop. These functions are provided to the scrubber operator at the rear portion  18  of the scrubber  10 ,  10 ′ which makes it convenient for the operator. 
         [0049]    Also, even though the placement of the containers  66 ,  66   a - n  is shown located in the front  52  of the machines  10 ,  10 ′, it can be appreciated that these containers  66 ,  66   a - n  could be located anywhere (for example, in the rear  18  or on the sides) in much the same manner as that described for the front portion  52  of the body portion  12 . The location selection would depend on scrubber design-wise considerations or if the location would provide operational convenience to the operator. In any case, the containers  66   a - n  could be integrally formed, one-piece and unitary with the body portion  12 . 
         [0050]    In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the present invention has been described in what is considered to represent its preferred embodiments. However, it should be noted that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its spirit or scope.