GB2265080A

GB2265080A - Forecourt wet/dry vacuum cleaner

Info

Publication number: GB2265080A
Application number: GB9203146A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Desmond Furniss Goulder
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-02-14
Filing date: 1992-02-14
Publication date: 1993-09-22
Anticipated expiration: 2012-02-14
Also published as: GB2265080B; GB9203146D0

Abstract

Cleaning apparatus (10) for use in car valeting comprises an air pump 22, a suction hose, and means such as a sprayer for supplying cleaning fluid to the other end of the hose whereby spent cleaning fluid constrained in the air in said hose is transported to a container 34. An outlet port 44 of the container includes a spring loaded closure plate which is kept closed in use by the low pressure within the system. After a predetermined time the motor stops and the outlet port 44 opens, discharging the container. The apparatus may be coin-operated and include means for sensing the level of clean cleaning fluid available, a heater, and means for delivering a controlled amount of concentrated detergent to the fluid. Warm discharge air may be directed at the discharge hopper 46 to reduce icing in winter. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO CLEANING APPARATUS The present invention concerns improvements in or relating to cleaning apparatus, especially cleaning apparatus for use on car interiors.

It is well known to provide on the forecourts of filling stations, garages, etc. car cleaning devices in the form of vacuum cleaners which are actuated by feeding a coin or token and operate for a predetermined fixed time to enable the user to clean loose dirt or rubbish from the interior of the car using a powerful vacuum cleaner.

In certain other instances it has been known to provide a "wet vacuum cleaner" which can be used to clean the upholstery and carpets of car interiors. Such cleaners supply a spray of water including a detergent which is directed onto the car upholstery and removed therefrom together with any dirt which it picks up by way of a suction hose, the spraying head being incorporated in the nozzle of the hose.

In the past such apparatus has proved to be disadvantageous, not so much from the point of view of the end user, that is the motorist but from the point of view of the operator, in that it requires fairly frequent attention to remove the spent water and detergent which accumulates within the apparatus.

It suffers from other operating disadvantages and it is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate these and other disadvantages.

According to the present invention there is provided a cleaning apparatus comprising an air pump, a suction hose connected at one end to the inlet of the air pump and having interposed therein a collecting vessel, means for supplying cleaning fluid to the other end of the hose whereby spent cleaning fluid is constrained in the air in said hose and deposited in said container, and means for discharging the container when the air pump is not actuated.

Preferably the container has a dished bottom leading to an outlet therefrom. Preferably the outlet therefrom discharges into a hopper.

Preferably a spring loaded closure means is provided at the outlet and is maintained in the closed position by the underpressure within the container caused by operation of the air pump.

Preferably the air pump is electrically powered for a predetermined time which is controlled by a variable timing device.

Preferably a coin or token operated mechanism operates in conjunction with the variable timing device to actuate a cleaning cycle.

Preferably the apparatus includes also means for supplying cleaning fluid, said means comprising a storage tank having upper and lower sensors to control respectively the inlet and outlet of cleaning fluid therefrom. Means for supplying concentrated detergent to the tank is also provided. Preferably a first diaphragm pump is provided for pumping fluid from the container to a spray head at the said other end of the suction base.

Further preferably a further diaphgram pump is provided for supplying concentrated detergent from a storage vessel incorporated within the apparatus to the said tank.

Preferably the upper and lower level sensors control a solenoid operated water supply valve for supplying water to the said tank.

Preferably the said tank includes also a thermostatically controlled electric heater.

Preferably the tank is provided with a dump valve whereby the contents of the container can be lowered to the level of the lower sensor if a predetermined volume of cleaning fluid is not used during a cleaning operation.

Preferably the apparatus includes also a dry vacuum cleaner which operates for a predetermined period of time prior to the operation of the air pump. Alternatively, the air pump may operate for a predetermined period of time before the pump supplying cleaning fluid operates whereby a dry vacuuming cycle can be carried out by the said suction hose.

Preferably the supply of cleaning fluid to the spray head can be controlled by a trigger operated on/off valve.

Preferably the outlet from the collecting vessel discharges directly to waste.

Preferably the entire apparatus is contained within a lockable cabinet which is preferably formed from glass reinforced plastics material.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 shows a front view of a cleaning apparatus in its closed position; Fig. 2 shows the apparatus with the door removed; Fig. 3 shows a sectional end elevation on the line D-D of Fig. 2; Figs. 4, 5 and 6 show respectively cross-sectional plans on the lines A-A, B-B and C-C of Fig. 2.

A cabinet 10 and its hinged front closure door- 12 are fabricated from glass fibre reinforced plastics material, the closure door 12 having locks 14. The door carries also first and second feed mechanisms 16,18, electrically connected to an electrical control panel 20 including a printed circuit board (Fig. 4) mounted on the rear of the cabinet 10 and controlling the electrical operation of the apparatus. The printed circuit board includes timing mechanisms, fail-safe mechanisms, relays, etc. which will not be described in detail but the operation of which will become apparent later in this description.

An upper shelf 21 fixed within the cabinet 10 supports an air pump 22 and two diaphragm fluid pumps 24,26 all of which are electrically connected to the control panel 20. A flexible suction hose 28 leads from a nozzle 30 at the end of the hose to the inlet 32 to the air pump 22 and has a liquid collecting vessel 34 interposed therein. The vessel is closed and has an inlet connection 36, an outlet connection 38 and an air-tight lid 41. As can be best seen from Figs. 2 and 3 the base of the container 40 is dished and is inclined downwardly and rearwardly towards an outlet port 44 which incorporates a spring urged closure plate operating against a sealing ring (neither of which is shown in the drawings) mounted to the outside of the vessel.A discharge hopper 46 is attached to the vessel 34 around the outlet 42 and is connectable by means of a tubular member 48 to a pipe leading to a drain located externally of the apparatus. It will be realised therefore that when the air pump is operating a negative pressure will be created within the vessel 34 and this will draw the valve plate of the outlet 42 into closer engagement with the sealing ring thereby making the vessel water-tight during operation of the air pump.

The apparatus is provided also with means for supplying cleaning fluid to the nozzle 30 by means of a tube 50 which has an on/off valve (not shown in the drawings) incorporated in it adjacent to the nozzle.

Cleaning fluid is supplied to the tube 50 from a tank 52 arranged alongside the collecting vessel 34. The vessel 52 is provided with a thermostatically controlled immersion heating element 54 connected to the control panel 20. It is provided also with two inlets, the first of which 56 supplies cold water from the mains by way of a solenoid operated valve 58 electrically connected to the control panel 20 and operated in accordance with signals given off by upper and lower level sensors 60,62 mounted in the side of the tank, the sensors also being connected to the control panel 20. The second inlet 64 supplies a predetermined dose of concentrated detergent from a detergent storage vessel 66 located in the base of the apparatus, concentrated detergent being pumped from the vessel 66 to the tank 52 by the diaphragm pump 24 described above.

Two outlets are provided from the tank, the first outlet 68 conveying heated water including detergent to the spray head 50 by way of the diaphragm pump 26. The second outlet 70 is provided in the base of the tank and leads to the external drain having a solenoid operated dump valve 72 interposed therein An overflow pipe (not shown) may be provided in the event of failure of the sensor 60.

Located in the base of the cabinet 10 alongside the concentrated detergent supply vessel 66 there is provided a standard dry vacuum cleaner 74 which will not be described in detail. The cleaner 74 is electrically connected to the control panel 20 and has a suction hose 76 leading therefrom.

In operation, by supplying coin or token to the first coin feed arrangement 16 the user can cause the vacuum cleaner 74 to operate for a predetermined period of time. Alternatively, by depositing a coin or token in the coin feed mechanism 18 he can cause the vacuum cleaner and the wet cleaning apparatus to operate.

The operating sequence is as follows: On commissioning the machine the water tank 52 is filled with water by way of the solenoid operated valve 58 until the water level reaches the upper sensor 60. At the same time as filling is commenced the control panel 20 causes the diaphragm pump 24 to operate for a predetermined period of time, thereby supplying the predetermined dose of concentrated detergent (which has a disinfectant included therein) into the tank and the thermostatically controlled immersion heater 54 is supplied with power to raise and maintain the temperature of the water in the tank at a predetermined level.On detecting that the appropriate coin or token has been supplied to the coin feed mechanism 18 the control panel 20 then causes the vacuum cleaner 74 to operate for a predetermined period of time during which the user can clean loose rubbish and dirt from the interior of his car.

At the end of this predetermined period the air pump 22 is actuated together with the cleaning fluid pump 26 so that by depressing the trigger on the cleaning head 3 a spray of warm detergent carrying water can be directed onto the car upholstery or carpets and after performing its cleaning funtion can be removed therefrom by the suction hose 28. Owing to the inter position of the container 34 in the hose 28 liquids entrained in the air passing through the vessel are deposited and collect in the base of the vessel. As explained above, during operation, the vessel, by virtue of its sub-atmospheric internal pressure is closed against the outlet of liquid therefrom as the outlet 42 is closed.

Air, which is effectively removed of most water particles therein, is exhausted from the air pump 22 through an exhaust hose (not shown) which is directed into the outlet hopper 46 and as a result of the heat picked up by the air during its passage through a by-pass round the electric motor of the air pump 22, icing of the discharge hopper in cold weather is mitigated After a predetermined period of time determined by the control panel 20 the air pump and cleaning fluid supply pump are stopped The apparatus is ready for a further operation when an appropriate coin or token is fed to it.When the air pump stops atmospheric pressure returns to the interior of the vessel 34 and the weight of water therein causes the outlet valve 42 to open thereby discharging the spent liquid from the vessel through the hopper 44 to the drain, the dished rearwardly inclined base of the container causing complete discharge.

If a user has been sparing with his use of cleaning fluid, the level of liquid within the tank 52 will not have reached the lower level sensor 62. Consequently, if the tank is refilled with water up to the level of the upper sensor 60 and a total fresh dose of concentrated detergent fed thereto the detergent level in the tank will be above that desired during the next cleaning operation.

To avoid this difficulty, at the end of the timed cleaning cycle the control panel 20 causes the dump valve 72 in the base of the tank to open until such time as the liquid level therein reaches the lower sensor 62. The dump valve 72 is then caused to close and this is followed by the opening of the solenoid inlet valve 58 to provide fresh water to the tank until its level reaches the upper sensor 60. Fresh concentrated detergent can be pumped from the storage vessel 66 to the tank 52 by the pump 24 at the same time as the water is added.

Various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the air pump 22 can be caused to operate for a predetermined initial period of time without the cleaning liquid pump 26 operating so that a preliminary dry vacuum cycle can be achieved.

The arrangement of valves, sensors and pumps can be modified in accordance with various different operational aspects.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

Claims:

1. A cleaning apparatus comprising an air pump, a suction hose connected at one end to the inlet of the air pump and having inter#posed therein a collecting vessel, means for supplying cleaning fluid to the other end of the hose whereby spent cleaning fluid constrained in the air in said hose is deposited in said container, and means for discharging the container when the air pump is not actuated.

2. A cleaning apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the container has a dished bottom leading to an outlet therefrom, said outlet discharging into a hopper.

3. A cleaning apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein a spring loaded closure means is provided at the outlet and is maintained in the closed position by the underpressure within the container caused by operation of the air pump.

4. A cleaning apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the air pump is electrically powered for a predetermined time which is controlled by a variable timing device.

5. A cleaning apparatus according to Claim 4, including a coin or token operated mechanism adapted to operate in conjunction with the variable timing device to actuate a cleaning cycle.

6. A cleaning apparatus according to any preceding claim, including means for supplying cleaning fluid, said means comprising a storage tank having upper and lower sensors to control respectively the inlet and outlet of cleaning fluid therefrom.

7. A cleaning apparatus according to Claim 6, including means for supplying concentrated detergent to said storage tank.

8. A cleaning apparatus according to Claim 6 or 7, including a first diaphragm pump for pumping fluid from said tank to a spray head at said other end of the suction hose.

9. A cleaning apparatus according to any of Claims 6 to 8, including a further diaphgram pump for supplying concentrated detergent from a storage vessel incorporated within the apparatus to said tank.

10. A cleaning apparatus according to any of claims 6 to 9, wherein the upper and lower level sensors control a solenoid operated water supply valve for supplying water to said tank.

11. A cleaning apparatus according to any of Claims 6 to 10, wherein said tank includes a thermostatically controlled electric heater.

12. A -cleaning apparatus acording to any of Claims 6 to 11, wherein said tank is provided with a dump valve whereby the contents of the container can be lowered to the level of the lower sensor if a predetermined volume of cleaning fluid is not used during a cleaning operation.

13. A cleaning apparatus according to any preceding Claim, including a dry vacuum cleaner which operates either for a predetermined period of time prior to the operation of the air pump, or for a predetermined period of time before the pump supplying cleaning fluid operates whereby a dry vacuuming cycle can be carried out by the said suction hose.

14. A cleaning apparatus according to any preceding Claim, wherein the supply of cleaning fluid to said other end of the hose can be controlled by a trigger operated on/off valve.

15. A cleaning apparatus according to Claim 14, wherein said other end of the hose is provided with a spray head.

16. A cleaning apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the outlet from the collecting vessel discharges directly to waste.

17. A cleaning apparatus according to any preceding Claim which is entirely contained within a lockable cabinet.

18. A cleaning apparatus according to Claim 17, wherein said lockable cabinet is formed from glass reinforced plastics material.

19. A cleaning apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

20. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter herein disclosed, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.