[0001] The present invention relates to a cleansing unit.
[0002] Kitchen floors are frequently cleaned by means of a soft-bristle brush which is in
many instances more suitable than a mobile vacuum cleaner since the latter may not
be able to remove dirt, (e.g. crumbs, fluff, etc.) from corners, this being a simple
operation with the soft bristles of the brush. However, the swept up dirt has normally
either to be collected with a dust pan or like utensil, which can be a tiresome operation,
or swept outside.
[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide a cleansing unit which allows
swept-up dirt to be removed quickly and easily.
[0004] According to the present invention there is provided a cleansing unit comprising
at least one upwardly extending face with a lowermost aperture, and suction means
disposed within the casing, said suction means having a suction inlet disposed proximate
said opening and being associated with dirt collection means to which dirt is delivered
by the suction means.
[0005] The cleansing unit of the invention may be positioned, preferably fixed in position,
on the floor of a kitchen or other room or area to be swept. Dirt or the like may
be swept along the floor towards the opening in the cabinet and, when sufficiently
close thereto, can be sucked into the unit upon activation of the suction means and
collected in the dirt collection means. Suitable controls, e.g. a switch, may be provided
on or in the vicinity of the unit for operating the suction means when desired to
collect the swept-up dirt. The need to remove the dirt from the floor by means of
a dustpan or the like is thus avoided.
[0006] The casing of the unit may be formed of any suitable material, for example wood or
plywood. For installation in a fitted kitchen the casing may be of the same colour
and appearance as other units (e.g. cupboards) in the kitchen so as to blend with
surrounding fitments and be unobtrusive.
[0007] The suction means is for preferance a material handling fan, most preferably a centrifugal
fan. The suction inlet may be a nozzle, e.g. of fish-tail configuration, which is
provided at or in the vicinity of the opening in the casing. Dirt collection means
may be provided by a bag, preferably a cloth bag, to which dirt is passed from the
suction means.
[0008] The invention will be further described by way of example only with reference to
the accompanying drawing showing an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of
cleansing unit in accordance with the invention.
[0009] The illustrated cleansing unit includes a box like casing 1 sitting on the floor
2 of a room and havinga front face 3, shown removed in the drawings for the purpose
clarity. An elongate slot 4 is provided at the bottom of face 3.
[0010] Within the casing 1 is mounted a centrifugal fan 5 associated with a fish-tail configuration
suction nozzle 6, the inlet of which locates at the slot 4 when the face 3 is in position.
A cloth dirt collection bag 7 communicates with the centrifugal fan 5 via a tube 8
on the end of which the bag 7 is removably mounted. An access opening (not shown)
is provided in the casing so that access may be gained for removing the bag 7 from
tube 8 for emptying purposes. Suitable controls, not shown, are provided for operating
the fan 4.
[0011] In use of the unit 1, dirt is swept from the floor 2 of the room towards the slot
4. The fan 5 may then be operated to suck the dirt through the nozzle 6 such that
it is collected in bag 7. Once the bag 7 is full it may be emptied as indicated above
and subsequently replaced.
[0012] It will thus be appreciated that the invention provides a simple and effective solution
for removing swept up dirt from the floor of a room.
1. A cleansing unit comprising at least one upwardly extending face with an aperture
at or adjacent the bottom thereof, and suction means disposed within the casing, said
suction means having a suction inlet disposed proximate said opening and being associated
with dirt collection means to which dirt is delivered by the suction means.
2. A cleansing unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the suction means is a material
handling fan.
3. A cleansing unit as claimed in claim 2 wherein the material handling fan is a centrifugal
fan.
4. A cleansing unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the suction inlet
is of fish-tail configuration.
5. A cleansing unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the dirt collection
means is a bag.
6. A cleansing unit substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
