Multipurpose portable apparatus for surface cleaning

Abstract

 A portable apparatus for cleaning surfaces, of the type comprising a main module (10) equipped with a housing (11) in which are located means for the aspiration of dust and/or liquids and means for the generation of steam, comprising an intake blower unit (100) detachably connected to said main module (10) via a first extended conduit (126) in fluid communication with the means of aspiration and via a second extended conduit (136) in fluid communication with the means for the generation of steam.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a portable apparatus with a wide variety of cleaning functions, e.g. a vacuum cleaning function and a steam generation function.

[0002] Portable apparatus with these two functions are already known in the art. For instance, EP-A-0586762 describes an apparatus with a housing whose rear portion is shaped like a handle and whose front portion has a port to aspirate air, and another port for delivering steam. Both the intake and the emission ports are located in the lower part of the housing.

[0003] Because of its shape, this known portable apparatus is suitable for cleaning small surfaces within arms' reach of the operator. However, if, for instance, the operator has to clean even a small section of floor, then he has to bend down to hold the apparatus in such a way as to ensure that the intake and outlet ports are sufficiently in contact with the floor. If the surface to be cleaned is not within easy reach, e.g. panes of window glass, then the operator has to climb on a ladder. The apparatus is not very versatile and is inconvenient in use.

[0004] That being stated, one object of the present invention is to propose a portable apparatus which, while of reduced dimensions, is particularly practical and convenient to use.

[0005] Another object of the present invention is to propose a portable apparatus which can carry out a wide range of cleaning operations.

[0006] These objects are achieved by the present invention, which relates to a portable apparatus for cleaning surfaces, of a type comprising a main module fitted with a housing in which there are located means of aspiration for aspirating dust and/or liquids and means for generating steam, characterised by comprising an intake/blower unit detachably connected to the main module by means of a first extended conduit in fluid communication with the means of aspiration, and by means of a second extended conduit in fluid communication with the means for the generation of steam.

[0007] Producing the intake/blower unit separated from the main module of the apparatus and connected to it by means of extended conduits renders the apparatus itself useful in a much more practical and convenient way.

[0008] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the apparatus further comprises means for generating an outflow of air from the main module to the intake/blower unit. In this way, it is possible to use a continuous flow of air in conjunction with the jet of steam to dry out any condensation formed on the surfaces undergoing the cleaning treatment.

[0009] According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, the intake/blower unit comprises a head portion which oscillates with respect to the conduits which connect it to the main module. This gives - the operator - greater control of the apparatus.

[0010] The main module of the apparatus comprises at least one seat to receive a long rod fitted with a handgrip to support and move the apparatus. In this way, the job of cleaning difficult-to-reach surfaces can be made particularly simple. A handgrip for support and movement of the apparatus integral with the main module could also be fitted.

[0011] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be more evident from the following description which is by way of example but not limiting, and in which reference is made to the attached drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a side view of the main module of the apparatus, with the housing in section, according to a possible embodiment of the invention, and
• Figure 2 is a side view in section of the intake/blower unit to be coupled to the main module shown in Figure 1.

[0012] In Figure 1 the main module of the portable cleaning apparatus according to a possible embodiment of the present invention is indicated by 10. The main module 10 is fitted with a housing 11 in which are located the means for aspirating dust and/or liquids and the means of generating steam.

[0013] According to a preferential embodiment of the present invention, the main module 10 comprises at least one seat 1 to receive the long bar 2 fitted with a handgrip on the opposite extremity (not shown) for supporting and moving the apparatus. In combination with this embodiment a handgrip 3 (shown by broken lines) integral with the housing 11 of the main module 10 could be provided.

[0014] The means of aspiration comprise a motor 20 driving an aspirating fan 21, a filter 22 and a flow port 23 which opens into a collection chamber 24. There is a bag 25, preferably of the disposable type, lodged in the collection chamber 24 to collect the dust and detritus sucked in. The bag is detachable and can be inserted and removed via a side door (not shown).

[0015] The bag 25 is fitted tightly over the internal extremity of a portion of the collector 56 which is equipped with a non-return valve 27 to prevent the escape of the dust and detritus sucked in. The external extremity of the portion of the collector 56, which is equipped with a conduit 26 for the blown and aspirated air as well as a conduit 36 for the blown steam, suitable to fit into the respective conduit extensions 126 and 136 in the tubular element 156 (Figure 2), which connects the main module with the intake/blower unit 100.

[0016] The means for the generation of steam comprise a tank 30, fitted with a cover 37 to seal the refill inlet of the tank 30. Water is withdrawn from the latter via a feeder conduit 31 which is capable of supplying the same to the remainder of the system regardless of the orientation of the apparatus. For instance, the conduit 30 could be a pipe of a flexible type fitted with an intake in the form of a perforated sphere at its extremity such that the intake is always below the surface of the water in the tank whatever the orientation of the latter to the horizontal.

[0017] From the tank 30 the water is fed to a pump 32 via a flexible conduit 33 to be then supplied under pressure to a steam-generating device 34. The steam leaving the latter is sent to the conduit 36 of the collector 56 via the connecting conduit 35. The conduit 36 for the transmission of steam to the intake/blower 35 runs inside the air conduit 26 in the same way as the conduit 136 which brings the steam to the head portion 110 of the intake/blower unit 100 (Figure 2) runs inside the air conduit 126.

[0018] According to an advantageous aspect of the invention further means are provided for the generation of a flow of air out of the apparatus. These means comprise in particular, a motor 40 which drives a blower fan 41 which takes air from the louvers 50, (e.g. the same louvers through which the air from the fan 21 is expelled) and sends it to a chamber 42 and conduit 43 created by mouldings in the housing 11. The conduit opens into the air conduit 26 of the portion of collector 56 via a non-return valve 44.

[0019] The pulse of air created by the fan 41 is of such intensity as to open the valve 44 but not the valve 27 present at the internal extremity of the collector 56 and corresponding to the conduit 26. In the same way when the motor 20 and fan 21 are operated, the flow of aspirating air is discharged through the same louvers 50 and is not able to enter chamber 42. In this way, a jet of steam together with a flow of air - which may also be heated - is obtained.

[0020] An electronic control circuit shown schematically in Figure 1 as block 51 is provided to operate the various means incorporated into the apparatus. This control unit can be controlled externally by a switch or a plurality of push-buttons 52. The electronic circuit 51 housed in the chamber 42, for instance, could also comprise a heating element (not shown) to provide a flow of air at higher than ambient temperature.

[0021] Figure 2 shows the intake/blower unit 100 comprising an elongated tubular element 156 and a head portion 110. The elongated tubular element 156 may be inserted and snap-locked in a detachable way into the external extremity portion of the collector 56. The means of snap-locking (not shown here) are well-known in this particular branch of the art.

[0022] The tubular element 156 incorporates a conduit 136 to conduct steam being emitted and a conduit 126 to conduct air being emitted and air being sucked in through the head portion 110. The conduit 136 for the steam comprises a spigot extremity 137 fitted with two O-ring type seals 138 to be inserted into the external extremity of the conduit 36 present on the collector 56 of the main module 10. Into the opposite extremity of the conduit 136 is inserted the spigot connector 135 - also fitted with two O-ring type seals 138 - of the flexible conduit 131 which conducts the steam into a distribution chamber 132 from where it is expelled through a plurality of holes 133.

[0023] Once the tubular element 156 is fitted onto the collector 56 the conduit 126 is automatically in fluid communication with the conduit 26 of the collector 56. The aspiration and delivery of air is via the large orifice 120 in communication with conduit 126. The head portion 110 may also comprise further means (not shown) for facilitating the cleaning, such as brushes or the like, and/or for making the contact with the surface to be cleaned more soft or free-running, such as padding elements or elements fitted with low-friction surfaces.

[0024] Various modifications may be made without going outside the ambit of the present invention. For instance, the tank 30 could be of the detachable type, and could comprise means, such as valves or the like, to permit its removal and replacement without losing water. In the same way, means for de-calcifying the water could also be provided for, possibly incorporated into the detachable tank, in such as way as to permit normal tap-water from the mains to be used.

[0025] The apparatus may be modified to make it suitable for the aspiration of liquids, although in small quantities. In that case it would be appropriate to add a chamber for the collection of liquids, positioned between the collector 56 and the chamber 24 for the collection of dust, together with at least one valve, actuated by a float, for instance, in order to block the flow of the aspirated liquids into the chamber 24 and the leaking of the same into the conduit 26.

Claims

1. Portable apparatus for the cleaning of surfaces, of a type comprising a main module equipped with a housing within which are located means for the aspiration of dust and/or liquids and means for the generation of steam, characterised by comprising an intake/blower unit detachably connected to said main module by means of a first extended conduit in fluid communication with said means of aspiration and by means of a second extended conduit in fluid communication with said means for the generation of steam.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, characterised by further comprising means for the generation of a flow of air from said main module to said intake/blower unit.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 2, characterised in that said means for the generation of a flow of air are connected to said intake/blower unit via said first extended conduit.

4. Apparatus according to any of the preceding Claims, characterised in that said intake/blower unit comprises a head portion which oscillates with respect to said first and said second conduit.

5. Apparatus according to any of the preceding Claims, characterised in that said intake/blower unit comprises at least one first orifice for the aspiration or emission of air and at least one second orifice for the emission of steam alone.

6. Apparatus according to Claim 1, characterised in that said second extended conduit for the transfer of steam to said intake/blower unit is contained inside said first extended conduit for the transfer of air to and from said intake/blower unit.

7. Apparatus according to Claim 1, characterised in that said main module comprises at least one seat to receive an elongated bar filled with a hand-grip for the support and movement of the apparatus.

8. Apparatus according to Claim 1, characterised by comprising a hand-grip integral with said main module for the support and movement of the apparatus.

Drawing