Patent Description:
In particular, the object of the present invention is a sanitizing mat and a sanitization kit for cleaning soles and/or wheels.

Because of the current pandemic situation due to the spread of the SARS-CoV2 virus, the need to ensure correct sanitization of environments has increased substantially. This need, already perceived in the past and exacerbated by the spread of the COVID-<NUM> disease, has favored the use of floor cleaning devices for the correct cleansing of soles and/or wheels, for example wheels of lift trucks or of generic means of transportation, before they enter an environment such as a production area, a commercial building or a residential structure.

In the prior art, devices constituted by a tank made of a metal material where a grill is housed are already known. Clumps of bristles protrude through the openings of the grill and, when a means of transport or a user passes, interfere with the wheels or with the soles in such a way as to remove dust, dirt and/or incrustations which, once removed, are deposited in the bottom of the tank.

Disadvantageously, because of the grill and the clumps of bristles, it is difficult to determine from the outside the amount of dust, dirt and incrustations that has collected in the bottom of the tank. Therefore, a maintenance operator should raise the grill in order to inspect the tank and, when necessary, vacuum out the dust, dirt and incrustations. Considering the heavy weight of the grill, it is easy to understand how the maintenance operations are extremely inconvenient and laborious for the operator.

The patent <CIT>, filed in the name of the same Applicant, describes a floor cleaning device equipped with a tank and removable brushing modules. Each brushing module comprises a stainless steel sheet on which a tile made of POM, that is polyoxymethylene, is fixed, from which groups of bristles protrude. The metal sheet applied to the tile ensures dimensional stability and rigidity, so as to avoid thermal expansion and permanent deformations of the brushing module.

Disadvantageously, as far as each brushing module is individually removable, the presence of the metal sheet makes the tile heavy, and therefore the maintenance operations, however simplified, are still burdensome for the operator.

The object of the present invention is to propose a sanitizing mat and a sanitization kit for cleaning soles and/or wheels that is capable of overcoming, at least in part, the aforementioned drawbacks related to the floor cleaning devices of the prior art.

The document <CIT> describes a sanitizing mat according to the preamble of independent claim <NUM>.

<CIT> shows a sanitizing device in the form of a treatable mat, in particular a doormat, having the function of sanitizing the support surfaces of a user on the mat, in particular the soles of the shoes.

<CIT> describes doormat consists of a frame with a set of supports in which the bristles are inset in strips, in slots in the supports, with the strips at right angles to the direction of movement of the feet of the user.

In particular, it is the object of the present invention to propose a sanitizing mat that is able to carry out effective cleaning of the wheels of a generic means of transport, for example a forklift or a lift truck, or of the soles of a user.

A further object of the present invention is to obtain a floor cleaning device that is capable of combining the high cleaning effect with a structure that is simpler and easier to manage.

These objects are achieved by a sanitizing mat according to claim <NUM> and by a sanitization kit according to claim <NUM>. The dependent claims describe preferred embodiments of the invention.

The features and the advantages of the sanitizing mat and of the sanitization kit according to the invention shall be made readily apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments thereof, provided purely by way of indicative and non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein:.

In the following description, elements common to the various embodiments represented in the drawings are indicated with the same reference numerals.

In said drawings, a sanitizing mat has been indicated with <NUM> and a sanitization kit has been indicated with <NUM> according to the invention as a whole.

In a general embodiment, the sanitizing mat <NUM> for cleaning soles and/or wheels is suitable for being embedded in a walking surface P or placed on said walking surface P.

The sanitizing mat <NUM> comprises a tank <NUM> and at least one sanitizing module <NUM> which may be housed in the tank <NUM>.

The sanitizing module <NUM> comprises in turn a support base <NUM> and a plurality of bristle bundles <NUM>. The support base <NUM> is delimited above by a support surface <NUM> lying on an imaginary support plane A.

For the purposes of the present discussion, when the sanitizing mat <NUM> lies on the walking surface P, if the term "upper" (and related derivatives) is associated with a characteristic (or with an element), it is to be understood that said characteristic (or element) is positioned distally with respect to the walking surface P. Vice versa, when the term "lower" (and related derivatives) is associated with a characteristic (or with an element), it is to be understood that said characteristic (or element) is positioned proximally with respect to the walking surface P.

Furthermore, considering the sanitizing mat <NUM> in operational conditions, that is embedded in or rested on the walking surface P so that it may be walked on with a sole and/or traveled over with a wheel, the direction orthogonal to the walking surface defines a vertical direction.

A plurality of slits <NUM> is made in the support base <NUM> and each slit of said plurality of slits <NUM> is configured as a depression with respect to the imaginary support plane A.

Each slit further comprises a first groove <NUM> and a second groove <NUM> arranged parallel to each other along a first direction of use D1 and connected by a connecting groove <NUM> incident to the first direction of use.

Bundles of bristles are fixed at the bottom of each slit, wherein each bristle bundle <NUM> of said plurality of bristle bundles <NUM> projects beyond the lying surface of the imaginary support plane A to interfere with the soles or wheels and to exert a cleaning action of brushing or scrubbing.

In other words, the cleaning is guaranteed by the mechanical scrubbing action of the bristle bundles against the contact surface of the wheel or of the sole.

The width of the slit is greater than that of each bristle bundle so as to allow the possible suction of dirt and debris accumulated at the bottom of the slit.

It is specified that, in the case of the first groove <NUM> and of the second groove <NUM>, the width of the slit is measured orthogonally to the first direction of use D1. In the case of the connecting groove <NUM>, however, the width of the slit is measured orthogonally to the main direction of the development of the connecting groove <NUM>.

In one embodiment, each slit comprises at least one further groove <NUM> arranged along the first direction of use D1 and connected to the first groove <NUM> or to the second groove <NUM> by means of at least one further connecting groove <NUM> (<FIG>).

According to an embodiment, the connecting groove <NUM> and the further connecting groove <NUM> are arranged parallel to each other along a connecting direction D3 incident to the first direction of use D1.

Furthermore, the connecting groove <NUM> connects an end of the first groove <NUM> to an end of the second groove <NUM>; while the further connecting groove <NUM> connects an end of the further groove <NUM> to an end of the first <NUM> or second groove <NUM>.

According to one embodiment, the sanitizing mat <NUM> also comprises a cleaning solution contained in the tank <NUM>.

Thanks to the presence of the cleaning solution, the cleaning efficacy due to the mechanical scrubbing action of the bristle bundles is further increased.

As shown in the embodiment of <FIG>, a drainage hole <NUM> is made in the tank <NUM> for draining any fluid collected in the tank <NUM>, or for suctioning debris that has accumulated at the bottom of the tank.

Preferably, the tank <NUM> is made of stainless steel.

According to the embodiment shown in the attached <FIG> and <FIG>, the tank <NUM> is defined by a bottom wall <NUM> and a side wall <NUM> delimiting a compartment <NUM>. The drainage hole <NUM> is obtained in the bottom wall <NUM>.

The tank <NUM> further comprises an extension <NUM> engageable to the drainage hole <NUM> so as to protrude from the bottom wall <NUM>. This extension has at least one opening <NUM> in fluidic communication with the drainage hole <NUM> and suitable for preventing the cleaning solution or any fluid collected in the tank <NUM> from exceeding a predetermined limit level.

For example, during the use of the sanitizing mat, the volume occupied by the sole of a user or by the wheel of a generic means of transport causes a raising of the level of cleaning solution which, as a result, may exceed the predetermined threshold level. The opening <NUM>, which is configured as an upper spillway, prevents the tank <NUM> from overflowing.

According to the embodiment of <FIG>, a plurality of sanitizing modules placed side by side so that the support surface <NUM> of each sanitizing module <NUM> lies on the imaginary support plane A is housed in the tank <NUM>. In the present case, the plurality of sanitizing modules is arranged so as to completely occupy the compartment <NUM> of the tank <NUM>. Furthermore, said sanitizing modules are placed side by side with play in between them.

The level of cleaning solution contained in the tank <NUM> exceeds the lay of the imaginary support plane A, so that only the plurality of bristle bundles <NUM> projects beyond the lying plane of said imaginary support plane A. In other words, with the exception of the plurality of bristle bundles <NUM>, the plurality of sanitizing modules turns out to be substantially immersed in the cleaning solution.

For the purposes of the present description, it is specified that the predetermined threshold level and the level of cleaning solution are measured along the vertical direction.

In one embodiment, the opening <NUM> is positioned at a height, measured vertically starting from the walking surface P, which is higher than the height at which the imaginary support plane A lies.

According to one embodiment, each sanitizing module <NUM> is tile-shaped and bears a grid of channels <NUM>, <NUM> for channeling the cleaning solution. Said grid of channels <NUM>, <NUM> is also in fluidic communication with the plurality of slits <NUM>, so that each bristle bundle, subjected to the weight force exerted by a sole or by a wheel, flattens getting wet in the cleaning solution and exerting both a cleaning and cleansing action by brushing and/or scrubbing.

In particular, the "tile" shape is substantially a parallelepiped shape in which two dimensions are preponderant over a third one.

In one embodiment, the grid of channels is obtained on the support surface <NUM> of each sanitizing module <NUM> and comprises a first group of channels <NUM> oriented parallel to each other along the first direction of use D1 and/or a second group of channels <NUM> arranged parallel to each other and oriented along a second direction of use D2 incident to the first D1.

Preferably, said first D1 and second directions of use D2 are orthogonal to each other.

Advantageously, the first and the second direction of use define two main directions of use of the sanitizing mat where the plurality of bristle bundles carries out the greatest brushing and/or scrubbing cleaning action, ensuring maximum cleaning and cleansing.

According to one embodiment, between one sanitizing module <NUM> and the adjacent sanitizing module, and/or between a sanitizing module <NUM> and the side wall <NUM> of the tank <NUM>, there is a gap <NUM> allowing the cleaning solution to reach the grid of channels <NUM>, <NUM> and the plurality of slits <NUM>.

According to one embodiment, the support base <NUM> is made of POM-C.

Advantageously, the polyacetal resin (or POM-C) is a semi-crystalline copolymer which has a density greater than that of POM, thereby increases the rigidity of the sanitizing module and reduces the risk of undesirable permanent deformations.

A further advantage due to the fact that the sanitizing modules are made of POM-C is that of making the presence of the stainless steel plate no longer necessary, and therefore every sanitizing module turns out to be lighter and easily maneuverable by the operator.

According to one aspect of the invention, the sanitization kit <NUM> for cleaning soles and/or wheels comprising a sanitizing mat <NUM> and plurality of ramp modules <NUM> is proposed, wherein each ramp module of said plurality of ramp modules <NUM> is an inclined plane for connecting the walking surface P with the imaginary support plane A.

Preferably, each ramp module is made of polyethylene or stainless steel.

In one embodiment, the sanitization kit <NUM> further comprises a lifting and release tool <NUM> provided with coupling means <NUM> engageable with respective coupling counter-means <NUM> obtained on each sanitization module <NUM>, on each ramp module of the plurality of ramp modules <NUM> and/or on the extension <NUM>.

Innovatively, the sanitizing mat and the sanitization kit according to the present invention achieve the aforementioned object.

Advantageously, the sanitizing mat that is the object of the present invention is extremely versatile, as it may be utilized dry or damp, i.e., with the cleaning solution.

According to one advantageous aspect, the sanitization kit allows the use of the sanitizing mat on any type of walking surface without the need to perform any masonry installation work on the ground for the mat.

Claim 1:
Sanitizing mat (<NUM>) for cleaning soles and/or wheels suitable for being embedded in or placed on a walking surface (P), said sanitizing mat comprising:
- a tank (<NUM>);
- at least one sanitizing module (<NUM>) housed in the tank (<NUM>) and comprising a support base (<NUM>) delimited above by a support surface (<NUM>) lying on an imaginary support plane (A), and a plurality of bristle bundles (<NUM>), characterized in that
a plurality of slits (<NUM>) is made in the support base (<NUM>), wherein each slit of said plurality of slits (<NUM>) is configured as a depression with respect to the imaginary support plane (A) and comprises a first groove (<NUM>) and a second groove (<NUM>) arranged parallel to each other along a first direction of use (D1) and connected by a connecting groove (<NUM>) incident to the first direction of use,
at the bottom of each slit bundles of bristles being fixed, wherein each bundle of bristles of said plurality of bundles of bristles (<NUM>) projects beyond the lying surface of the imaginary support plane (A) to interfere with the soles or wheels and to exert a cleaning action of brushing or scrubbing,
and wherein the width of the slit is greater than that of each bundle of bristles so as to allow the possible suction of dirt and debris accumulated at the bottom of the slit.