GB2408446A

GB2408446A - Surface washing device

Info

Publication number: GB2408446A
Application number: GB0321908A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Steven Cleaver
Original assignee: S C SERVICES Ltd
Current assignee: S C SERVICES Ltd
Priority date: 2003-09-19
Filing date: 2003-09-19
Publication date: 2005-06-01
Also published as: GB0321908D0

Abstract

A surface washing device comprises a casing and a high-pressure, high flow rate, fluid dispenser 18, the casing at least partially surrounding the fluid dispenser, the casing defining a mouth which is arranged to open onto a surface, the dispenser being arranged to dispense a high-pressure, high flow rate fluid onto a surface, the fluid dispenser having an inlet (20) suitable for connection to a fluid supply, wherein the surface washing device comprises a seal 30 to at least partially close a space defined between the casing and a surface to be cleaned, and the washing device comprising a second seal 28, the seals co-operating to define a duct, the duct (32) defining an outlet suitable for connection to a fluid removal means, so that at least some of the fluid used to wash a surface can be stopped by the seal and removed through the outlet. The fluid supply is preferably via a rotatable arm 19 provided with nozzles 22. The removal of liquid from the duct formed by the seals, which is annular in the embodiment, is by means of suction. Also claimed is a device where there is only one seal but the casing nevertheless still provides a duct for removal of cleaning fluid from the surface. The seals, duct and casing are also claimed as a retrofit device for fitting to an existing cleaning apparatus of similar type.

Description

P304736GB Surface washing device The present invention relates to a

surface washing device.

Conventionally, when a pavement is jet washed with a rotary jet washing device, the flow rate of water is so high that a space exists between casing of the device and the ground surface to be cleaned so as to avoid build-up of water within the casing.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a surface washing device, the surface washing device comprising a casing and a fluid dispenser, the casing at least partially surrounding the fluid dispenser, the casing defining a mouth which is arranged to open onto a surface, the dispenser being arranged to dispense a fluid onto a surface, the fluid dispenser having an inlet suitable for connection to a fluid supply, wherein the surface washing device comprises a seal to at least partially close a space defined between the casing and a surface to be cleaned, and the surface washing device comprising a second seal, the seals co-operating to define a duct, the duct defining an outlet suitable for connection to a fluid removal means, so that at least some of the fluid used to wash a surface can be stopped by the seal and removed through the outlet.

The dispenser is preferably a high-pressure fluid dispenser. The dispenser is preferably a high flow rate fluid dispenser.

The seals are preferably closed so as to envelope fluid as it is forced radially outwards.

The seals are preferably ring shaped. The first seal and the second seal are concentric with one another. The seal are preferably arranged outside the dispenser. The seals may be attached to the casing at the periphery of the casing.

The seals may be resilient, e.g. rubber. The seals may be one-piece.

The seals may be ground engaging, e.g. a squeegee, so as to scrape fluid off the surface.

The seals are height adjustable. The device may comprise wheels of adjustable height.

The inner seal may have one or more recesses defined therein to allow some fluid through to the space between the inner and outer seals.

I he fluid dispenser is preferably a liquid dispenser. The dispenser is preferably a rotary 1 5 dispenser.

The washing device may have a plurality of outlets. The outlets may be spaced regularly about the duct.

The washing device may be connected to a fluid removal means and may capture more than half of the fluid dispensed. Preferably, the device captures more than 75 percent.

The washing device is connected to a fluid removal means and is arranged to dispense fluid and remove fluid through the outlet simultaneously.

The dispenser may be arranged to dispense fluid at a flow rate exceeding 10 litres per minute, preferably up to 21 litres per minute.

The surface washing device is preferably a (hard) ground surface washing device.

The fluid dispenser is preferably a hot fluid dispenser.

The casing is preferably substantially rigid.

The device may be arranged to dispense substantially all fluid directly, i.e. without interruption, onto a surface. The device is preferably brushless.

The washing device of the first aspect of the invention may be connected to a separate fluid removal means, wherein the fluid removal means comprises a tank for collecting fluid. In this way, manocuvrability of the washing device is kept.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a guard arranged to be retrofitted on a high-pressure fluid hard ground surface washing device, the guard having first and second seals, one seal being arranged inside the other, the seals co-operating to define a duct therebetween, the duct defining an outlet for connection to a fluid removal means.

The second seal is preferably closed. The seals are preferably ring shaped. The first seal and the second seal are preferably concentric with one another.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a surface washing device comprising a casing and a fluid dispenser, the dispenser being arranged to dispense fluid at a high flow rate, the casing at least partially surrounding the dispenser, the casing defining a mouth which is arranged to open onto a surface, the dispenser being arranged to dispense a fluid onto a surface, the dispenser having an inlet suitable for connection to a fluid supply, wherein the surface washing device comprises a seal to at least partially close a space defined between the casing and a surface to be cleaned, and the fluid, the surface washing device defining a duct, the duct defining an outlet suitable for connection to a fluid removal means, so that at least some of the fluid used to wash a surface can be stopped by the seal and removed through the outlet.

The duct is preferably inbound of the seal. The seal is preferably closed so as to envelope fluid as it is forced radially outwards from the dispenser.

Preferably, the surface washing device comprises a second seal. The second seal is preferably closed. l he second seal is preferably arranged outside the first seal, the seals co-operating to define a duct. The or each seal is preferably ring shaped. The first seal and the second seal are concentric with one another. The or each seal is preferably arranged outside the dispenser. The or each seal may be attached to the casing at the periphery thereof.

The or each seal is preferably resilient, e.g. rubber. The or each seal may be one-piece.

The or each seal may be ground engaging, e.g. a squeegee, so as to scrape fluid off the surface.

The or each seal is height adjustable. The device may comprise wheels of adjustable 1 0 height.

The inner seal may have one or more recesses defined therein to allow some fluid through to the space between the inner and outer seals. This recessing should be optimised so as not to significantly impair the vacuum effect when the fluid removal 1 S means is a vacuum.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of washing a ground surface, comprising the steps of:- providing a highpressure fluid, surface washing device in accordance with the first or third aspect of the invention, or a surface washing device in accordance with the second aspect of the invention, and ducting fluid into device, and removing fluid through outlet.

A surface washing device in accordance with the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a view from below of part of a surface washing device, Figure 2 is a side view of part of the surface washing device along the line IIII in Figure 3, Figure 3 is a plan view of part of the surface washing device, and Figure 4 is a side view of the surface washing device.

Referring to Figure 4, a surface washing device 10 comprises a bowlshaped casing 12.

The bowl-shaped casing 12 has a base 14 and a wall 15. The wall 15 defines a mouth 16. The base 14 of the casing 12 is arranged uppermost is and the mouth 16 is arranged to open onto a ground surface.

The casing 12 is made of substantially rigid plastics material.

The base 14 of the casing 12 defines a central aperture, through which a liquid dispenser 18 is arranged. The liquid dispenser 18 comprises a rotatable arm 19, which is The liquid dispenser 18 has an inlet 20 suitable for connection to a liquid supply, which is not shown for conciseness.

Referring to Figure 1, the rotatable arm 19 comprises two outlets 22. In use, the liquid dispenser 19 is arranged to dispense liquid through the outlets 22 at a high flow rate (e.g. 15 litres per minute), and under high-pressure (e.g. at 200 bar).

The outlets 22 face downwardly so that the high-pressure fluid is dispensed onto a part of a ground surface enclosed by the mouth 16. The liquid dispenser 19 can be arranged to dispense a hot or cold liquid.

Referring to Figure 4, the surface washing device 10 comprises a handle 24, which allows movement of the surface washing device 10 over a ground surface.

l 5 The above-mentioned features of the specific description are known from a conventional ground surface washing device.

In accordance with the invention, and referring to Figures I to 4, the ground surface washing device comprises a guard 26. The guard 26 comprises a first seal 28 and a second seal 30. Each seal 28, 30 is made, in one-piece, of a resilient material, e.g. rubber. The first seal 28 and the second seal 30 are ring-shaped and concentric with one another, the first seal 28 being arranged inside the second seal 30. Referring to Figure 2, each seal 28, 30 is extended by an upright wall (an outer wall 31 is shown in Figure l). Conveniently, the upright walls 31 are made oJ aluminium. The seals 28, 30, one another, the first seal 28 being arranged inside the second seal 30. Referring to Figure 2, each seal 28, 30 is extended by an upright wall (an outer wall 31 is shown in Figure 1). Conveniently, the upright walls 31 are made of aluminium. The seals 28, 30, and upright walls 31, co-operate to define a duct 32 therebetween, shown in Figure 4.

The guard 26 also comprises a crosswise wall 34, which is arranged to close an upper end of the duct 32. Again, conveniently, the wall 34 is made of aluminium. Referring to Figures I to 3, the wall 34 defines an outlet 36 suitable for connection to a vacuum device for removing the liquid (which, being conventional, is not shown for conciseness). Instead of a single outlet 36, the wall 34 can have a plurality of outlets spaced at, possibly regular, intervals about the periphery of the wall 34.

Referring to Figures 1 and 3, the wall 34 comprises four arms 35 which extend radially outward therefrom. Each of the arms 35 comprises a wheel 38 of adjustable height.

Since the wall 34 is fixed relative to the seals, adjustment of the height of the wheels tends to adjust the seal height.

The guard 26 can be originally attached to the high-pressure fluid ground surface washing device 10, or retrofitted on the high-pressure fluid ground surface washing device 10 simply using fasteners (not shown).

During retrofit assembly, the guard 26 is attached to the wall 15 of the casing 12.

Referring to Figure 3, the guard, which is of annular form, is broken at point 40. Each of the two ends of the guard adjacent the break point 40 comprises a flange 42. A fastener 42 is provided to clamp the flanges together, thereby fastening the guard on the casing 12. The first (i.e. The inner) seal 28 is coaxial with the periphery of the wall 15.

In this way, the seals can stop the liquid as it is forced radially outwards from the dispenser. Each seal 28, 30 is in the form of a squeegee, i.e. ground engaging, so as to scrape liquid off the ground surface.

In use, the surface washing device 10 is arranged on a hard ground surface to be washed. The washing device 10 is connected to a separate vacuum device for removing liquid. In this way, the weight of the washing device 10 is minimised and consequently manoeuvrability of the washing device is kept. A vacuum hose ducting liquid from the outlet 36 to the separate vacuum device can be clipped to the handle 24 as shown in Figure 4. An uppermost part of the hose has a connector suitable for extending the duct to the vacuum device. The liquid dispenser 18 is arranged to dispense liquid at a flow rate typically between 10 1itres per minute and 21 litres per minute, washing the surface in the conventional manner. The seals 28, 30 stop the liquid as it is forced radially downwards and outwards from the arm 19. Whilst liquid is dispensed and stopped, liquid is simultaneously removed through the outlet 36. In particular, the vacuum device sucks liquid stopped by the seals 28, 30 at a high flow rate (e.g. up to 15 litres per minute) through the duct 32, and the aperture 36 to a suitable tank or waste. This is important because with such a high flow rate of liquid the closed casing would quickly flood if it was not vented. The seals can capture more than 75 percent of the liquid dispensed onto the surface.

In an embodiment of the invention not shown in the drawings, the inner seal 28 can have one or more recesses defined therein to allow some fluid through to the duct 32 between the inner and outer seals 30. This recessing should be optimised so as not to impair significantly the vacuum effect of the vacuum device.

Claims

Claims 1. A surface washing device, the surface washing device comprising

a casing and a fluid dispenser, the casing at least partially surrounding the fluid dispenser, the casing defining a mouth which is arranged to open onto a surface, the dispenser being arranged to dispense a fluid onto a surface, the fluid dispenser having an inlet suitable for connection to a fluid supply, wherein the surface washing device comprises a seal to at least partially close a space defined between the casing and a surface to be cleaned, and the washing device comprising a second seal, the seals co-operating to define a duct, the duct defining an outlet suitable for connection to a fluid removal means, so that at least some of the fluid used to wash a surface can be stopped by the seal and removed through the outlet.
2. A surface washing device according to Claim 1, wherein the dispenser is a high-pressure fluid dispenser.
3. A surface washing device according to Claim I or 2, wherein the dispenser is a high flow rate fluid dispenser.
4. A surface washing device according to any of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the seals are closed so as to envelope fluid as it is forced radially outwards.
5. A surface washing device according to any of Claims I to 4, wherein the seals are ring shaped.
6. A surface washing device according to Claim 5, wherein the first seal and the second seal are concentric with one another.
7. A surface washing device according to any of Claims I to 6, wherein the seals are arranged outside the fluid dispenser.
8. A surface washing device according to any of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the seals are attached to a periphery of the casing.
9. A surface washing device according to any of Claims I to 8, wherein the seals are resilient, e.g. rubber.
10. A surface washing device according to any of Claims 1 to 9, wherein the seals are one-piece.
11. A surface washing device according to any of Claims 1 to 10, wherein the seals are ground engaging, e.g. in the form of a squeegee, so as to scrape fluid off the surface.
12. A surface washing device according to any of Claims 1 to 11, wherein the seals are

height adjustable.
13. A surface washing device according to Claim 12, wherein the device comprises wheels of adjustable height.
14. A surface washing device according to any preceding claim, wherein the inner seal has one or more recesses defined therein to allow some fluid through to the duct between the inner and outer seals.
15. A surface washing device according to any preceding claim, wherein the fluid dispenser is a liquid dispenser.
16. A surface washing device according to any preceding claim, wherein the dispenser is a rotary dispenser.
17. A surface washing device according to any preceding claim, wherein the surface washing device has a plurality of outlets suitable for connection to a fluid removal means.
18. A surface washing device according to Claim 17, wherein the outlets are spaced regularly about the duct.
19. A surface washing device according to any preceding claim, wherein the surface washing device is connected to a fluid removal means and captures more than half of the fluid dispensed.
20. A surface washing device according to Claim 19, wherein the device captures more than 75 percent.
21. A surface washing device according to any preceding claim, wherein the washing device is connected to a fluid removal means and is arranged to simultaneously dispense fluid through the dispenser and remove fluid through the outlet.
22. A surface washing device according to any preceding claim, wherein the dispenser is arranged to dispense fluid at a flow rate exceeding 10 litres per minute.
23. A surface washing device according to any preceding claim, wherein the dispenser is arranged to dispense fluid at a flow rate up to 21 litres per minute.
24. A surface washing device according to any preceding claim, wherein the surface washing device is a (hard) ground surface washing device.
25. A surface washing device according to any preceding claim, wherein the fluid dispenser is a hot fluid dispenser.
26. A surface washing device according to any preceding claim, wherein the device is arranged to dispense substantially all fluid directly onto surface, without interruption, e.g. device is brushless.
27. A surface washing device, the surface washing device comprising a casing and a high-pressure, high flow rate, fluid dispenser, the casing at least partially surrounding the fluid dispenser, the casing defining a mouth which is arranged to open onto a surface, the dispenser being arranged to dispense a high-pressure, high flow rate, fluid onto a surface, the fluid dispenser having an inlet suitable for connection to a fluid supply, wherein the surface washing device comprises a seal to at least partially close a space defined between the casing and a surface to be cleaned, and the washing device comprising a second seal, the seals cooperating to define a duct, the duct defining an outlet suitable for connection to a fluid removal means, so that at least some of the fluid used to wash a surface can be stopped by the seal and removed through the outlet.
28. A guard arranged to be retrofitted on a high-pressure fluid hard ground surface washing device, the guard having first and second seals, one seal being arranged inside the other, the seals co-operating to define a duct therebetween, the duct defining an outlet for connection to a fluid removal means.
29. A guard according to Claim 28, wherein the seals are closed so as to envelope fluid as it is forced radially outwards.
30. A surface washing device comprising a casing and the dispenser being arranged to dispense fluid at a high flow rate, the casing at least partially surrounding the dispenser, the casing defining a mouth which is arranged to open onto a surface, the dispenser being arranged to dispense a fluid onto a surface, the dispenser having an inlet suitable for connection to a fluid supply, wherein the surface washing device comprises a seal to at least partially close a space defined between the casing and a surface to be cleaned, and the fluid, the surface washing device defining a duct, the duct defining an outlet suitable for connection to a fluid removal means, so that at least some of the fluid used to wash a surface can be stopped by the seal and removed through the outlet.
31. A surface washing device according to Claim 1, wherein the duct is inbound of the seal.
32. A surface washing device according to Claim 30 or 31, wherein the seal is closed so as to envelope fluid as it is forced radially outwards from the dispenser.
33. A surface washing device according to any of Claims SO, 31 and 32, wherein the surface washing device comprises a second seal.
34. A surface washing device according to Claim 33, wherein the second seal is closed.
35. A surface washing device according to Claim 33 or 34, wherein the second seal is arranged outside the first seal, the seals co-operating to define a duct.
36. A surface washing device according to any of Claims 30 to 35, wherein the or each seal is ring shaped.
37. A surface washing device according to Claim 36, wherein the first seal and the second seal are concentric with one another.
38. A surface washing device according to any of Claims 30 to 37, wherein the or each seal is arranged outside the dispenser.
39. A surface washing device according to any of Claims 30 to 38, wherein the or each seal is attached to a periphery of the casing.
40. A surface washing device according to any of Claims 30 to 39, wherein the or each seal is resilient, e.g. rubber.
41. A surface washing device according to any of Claims 30 to 40, wherein the or each seal Is one-pece.
42. A surface washing device according to any of Claims 30 to 41, wherein the or each seal is ground engaging, e.g. a squeegee, so as to scrape fluid off the surface.
43. A surface washing device according to any of Claims 30 to 42, wherein the or each seal is height adjustable.
44. A surface washing device according to any of Claims 30 to 42, wherein the device comprises wheels of adjustable height.
45. A surface washing device according to any of Claims 30 to 43, wherein the dispenser is a high-pressure fluid dispenser.
46. A method of washing a ground surface, comprising the steps of, providing a high-pressure fluid, surface washing device in accordance with any of Claims I to 45, and ducting fluid into device, and removing fluid through outlet.