Patent Application
20180334376
This application claims priority to French patent application number 1754529, filed May 22, 2017, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
The present invention relates to a mobile and self-contained cleaning unit also referred to hereinafter as a ‘cart’. Since a number of years, cleaning companies have been equipping some of their clients' sites with specific automatic dilution devices for diluting detergents used on those sites. Such dilution devices are marketed in particular by the company EDERMYL (France) and the company SEKO SpA (Italy).
These dilution devices are connected to the drinking water system and equipped with a dip-tube placed into a container or reservoir of concentrated or pure product, which supplies to the personnel responsible for the maintenance of the sites a ready to use aqueous solution. These dilution devices operate by making use of a Venturi system, without a power supply, the drawing of detergent being created by the force of the water supply.
Unfortunately, this type of equipment is installed on less than 5% of the sites, because in the sector of cleaning, a vast majority of sites do not have dedicated facilities/premises for use by the cleaning company, let alone a water supply line for connecting a dilution station thereto.
As a result, across the majority of buildings cleaned in particular all the small sites of the tertiary sector (bank office, insurance agency, postal office, administrative office, public buildings, etc.) the cleaning products made available by the cleaning services providers are:
The shortcomings of these principles are numerous:
For the service personnel:
For the environment:
More particularly, for the cleaning of industrial establishments, installations or facilities such as workshops, garages, warehouses and factories, commercial or public establishments, facilities or installations of the services sector such as offices, public places, canteens, restaurants or hotels or even sanitary and medical establishments, facilities or installations facilities such as showers, WCs, hospitals, the cleaning personnel uses three types of cleaning products depending upon the type and/or the condition of the surfaces to be cleaned, namely:
These products are packaged initially in the form of large containers of 5 to 25 litres of highly concentrated products, but are then delivered to the cleaning companies or directly to the end-user clients preferably in the form of smaller containers diluted products that are ready to use by the cleaning personnel.
These products are in fact used by the cleaning personnel in the form smaller containers of 1 to 2 L at dilutions of 2% to 3% by volume in water prepared from the concentrated products, the said dilutions being different and very precise for the 3 categories of detergents.
Currently, on account of the relatively expensive and toxic nature of the said detergent products, they are delivered to the cleaning companies and to the end-users, in small containers of 1 to 2 L that are pre-diluted and pre-labelled with an indication of the type of detergent, for direct use of the diluted product by the cleaning personnel. Additionally each small container must also include a specific label identifying the product contained and its dosage.
Once a container has been depleted of its content by the cleaning personnel, it is to be rinsed with water before in practice being disposed off by the cleaning personnel once it is emptied—which thus avoids having to manage the recovery of used containers. This therefore results in environmental pollution by way of discharging toxic products during the rinsing process and in addition causes a significant economic loss in terms both of labels as well as containers.
On the other hand, the fact that preparing the dilution requires precise dosing, the delivery of small containers thus represents a relatively large volume of delivery and therefore high transportation costs associated with the use.
Where the goods are delivered in concentrated form and in large containers in order to reduce the transportation costs, this requires for the dilution to be carried out directly by the cleaning companies, and as may be necessary, by the cleaning personnel in small containers from the large concentrated containers. In this case, the risks of product and/or dosing and/or labelling related errors occurring are possible, to say nothing of the risks of environmental damage in case of loss of product during the transferring or decanting of the said toxic products, and also health risks in case of bodily injury in connection with such transferring or decanting of products.
The precision of the dilutions of the cleaning products is a critical prerequisite. In fact, if this type of cleaning product is under-diluted the effects of the cleaning are disastrous, in that the surface being cleaned can get fouled up by the creation of a biofilm, and it must indeed be recognized that, at these ratios of dilution, the visual assessment by the agent at the time of carrying out the dilution is no longer possible.
In addition, in switching from conventional cleaning chemicals diluted at average ratios approaching 3.00% to biotechnology-based cleaning products diluted on average at 0.30%, it is possible to achieve a drop of 8 to 10 times less volumes, fewer trucks on the roads, lower inventories to be held and contained across the establishments and facilities, a real plus in terms of sustainable development.
The objective of the present invention is thus to offer a cleaning device and method that provide the means to improve the economic and ecological conditions related to the preparation, delivery and handling of relatively expensive biotechnology-based cleaning products that require precise and varied specific dilutions by overcoming the disadvantages or problems mentioned here above.
In order to do this, the present invention provides a mobile cleaning unit for dilution, storage and dispensing of cleaning products referred to hereinafter as a ‘cart’, that forms a storage-organization cabinet unit mounted on castor wheels, comprising at least:
a) one vertical rear wall above a horizontal planar work surface disposed between two vertical lateral walls delimiting a front face that is adapted so as to be closed by a detachable shutter member;
b) at least one dilution and dispensing device disposed against the said vertical rear wall or one said lateral wall, above the said horizontal planar work surface;
c) a plurality of label dispensers for dispensing labels of various types, disposed against the said vertical rear wall or one said lateral wall, above the said horizontal planar work surface; the different types of labels of the various different label dispensers respectively indicating the names of the various different detergent cleaning products; and
d) at least one first retention basin supported or defined by the said horizontal planar work surface, preferably disposed below the said dilution and dispensing device, preferably two retention basins respectively disposed below two dilution stations;
e) a first shelf below the planar work surface supporting a plurality of vertical partitions arranged parallel to the said lateral walls that delimit a plurality of compartments, each adapted so as to contain a plurality of the said small containers bearing labels of one of the different said cleaning products respectively in the said different compartments; and
f) a second shelf or bottom wall supporting a plurality of the said large reservoirs filled at least in part with various different detergent cleaning products, with at least one second retention basin in which are disposed the plurality of the said large reservoirs.
It is understood that:
This device or cart according to the invention is advantageous in that it makes it possible to:
The mobile unit according to the invention is also advantageous in that it makes it possible to reduce:
This mobile cleaning unit is self-contained thanks to its permanent connection to the water supply source.
More particularly, the mobile unit according to the invention comprises two said dilution and dispensing devices disposed against the said rear wall and the two said first retention basins on the said planar work surface. This embodiment provides the means for simultaneous intervention by two operators. Use is to be made in particular of the Venturi system based dilution and dispensing devices of the company ERDEMYL (France) or SEKO (Italy) known as dispensers that allow for preparing detergent solutions diluted to a precise percentage.
Even more particularly, the said vertical partitions are removable, and movable laterally, the said compartments thus having the ability to be variable in terms of number and volume in order to hold different quantities of the said small containers bearing different labels. Thus, it is possible to provide an initial compartment of large volume containing the unlabeled new empty containers and to subsequently reduce the volume of this compartment in a progressive manner so as to make room for the compartments for labelled containers used in part in order to be reused.
Still more particularly, the mobile cleaning unit according to the invention comprises:
Even more particularly, the said first shelf comprises of four said compartments of which three compartments each contain a different category of containers bearing a said label and at least in part filled with a said different detergent cleaning product in each compartment, a fourth compartment containing empty new containers without labels.
Even more particularly, the said large reservoirs containing the different sais cleaning products are respectively of different colors and the said labels identifying the various different said cleaning products are respectively of different colors.
Even more particularly, the said second shelf or bottom wall supports two rows of a said plurality of the said large reservoirs, preferably two rows of three said large reservoirs of 10 to 25 L capacity. A first row contains the plurality of different large reservoirs containing the various different cleaning products while being connected to the one or more said dilution and dispensing devices. A second row contains the large reserve reservoirs in a manner such that these latter are replaced as soon as they are moved into the first row and/or connected on to a said dilution and dispensing device which makes it possible to avoid the risks of supply disruption or shortage.
Even more particularly, the said dilution and dispensing device includes a single preset for a dosing of one of the said cleaning products but with a higher flow rate. This greater flow rate makes it possible to supply a reservoir for a mobile self-contained cleaning apparatus such as that of an auto-washer and a product dispensing pipe for dispensing the detergent cleaning product diluted with water, that extends from the said dilution device for filling an external receptacle or reservoir such as buckets used by the personnel or a self-contained auto-washer type apparatus.
Even more particularly, each said compartment is adapted so as to receive at least 10 said small containers of 1 to 2 litres capacity, preferably 15 said small containers.
Even more particularly, the said detachable shutter member is constituted by a roller shutter that extends between a ceiling and a floor (bottom) of the said cabinet.
Even more particularly, the said bottom wall or a said lateral wall supports above the planar work surface, a computer such as a tablet equipped with a software program or a support medium with operating instructions, that is adapted so as to assist an operator by displaying instructions that guide the preparation of the said small containers and the actions to be undertaken and/or conduct to be adhered to by the personnel in order to carry out the cleaning.
Even more particularly, the said detergent cleaning products are products that are sourced or derived biotechnologically comprising a plurality of different active ingredients such as stabilizing or surfactant organic compounds, bacterial cultures, enzyme extracts, stabilizers, and inorganic mineral compounds, etc.).
Other characteristic features and advantages of the present invention will become more clearly apparent upon reading the description that will follow, provided by way of illustration and not intended to be limiting, with reference made to the accompanying drawings in which:
The mobile cleaning unit 10 or cart according to the invention comprises a storage-organization cabinet unit 1 mounted on four castor wheels 1e that comprises a horizontal ceiling top wall 1b, a vertical rear wall 1-1 above a horizontal planar work surface 1-2 and a horizontal floor wall 1c, disposed between two vertical lateral walls 1a. The depth of the ceiling top wall 1b is less than that of the planar work surface 1-2 and the floor 1c such that the lateral walls 1a have upper front edges 1a1 above the planar work surface which are curved and lower front edges 1a2 below the planar work surface 1-2 which are vertical, the said front edges delimiting a front face adapted so as to be closed by a detachable shutter member 11 in the form of a roller shutter 11. The bottom wall 1c supports on the underside 4 castor wheels with brakes 1e.
The lateral walls 1a include at mid-height and/or in the proximity of the planar work surface level, slots 1a3 that serve as handgrips for manual handling of the cabinet cart.
The planar work surface 1-2 supports two small retention basins 4 intended for receiving small containers 7 during the filling thereof.
The bottom wall 1-1 supports at least 2, preferably 3 dilution and dispensing devices 2, 2a, 2b 2c. These automatic dilution devices are equipped with a Venturi system. The 3 dilution devices 2, 2a, 2b, 2c are supplied with water via a pipe network 2-1 meant to be connected on to a water supply source. The two dilution devices 2a and 2b each include a button 2-5 that provides the ability to select a product inlet by rotation among three product inlets 2-4a, 2-4b, 2-4c corresponding to three supplies of different concentrated cleaning products in three large reservoirs 8a, 8b, 8c via three supply pipes and connecting pipes 2-2a, 2-2b, 2-2c, which extend from the dilution devices up to the three large reservoirs 8a, 8b, 8c. Each of the product inlets/selectors 2-4a, 2-4b, 2-4c may dilute the concentrated products based on a different dilution ratio. Represented in
The two dilution devices 2a and 2b each open out on a product dispensing pipe 2-3 for dispensing the detergent cleaning product diluted in water, so as to fill the small containers 7 placed on the planar work surface 1-2 in a retention basin 4. The two dilution devices 2a and 2b provide the means to dispense the products diluted based on two flow rates of 4 l/min and 14 l/min. In practice, one chooses the reduced flow rate of 4 l/min is selected for filling the small containers 7 of 1 L capacity.
A third dilution device 2c is intended to fill a bucket or a larger volume reservoir (not shown) of a self-contained auto washer for cleaning of floors and walls with a diluted product containing the product from one of the 3 large reservoirs 8a, 8b, 8c. In practice, flow rate of 14 l/min is selected for filling this auto washer reservoir.
In addition, disposed on the rear wall 1-1 above the planar work surface 1-2, 3 are the label dispensers 3. The 3 types of labels of the 3 label dispensers respectively mention the names or identification details of the 3 detergent cleaning products of the 3 large reservoirs 8a-8c.
Two small retention basins 4 are arranged on the said horizontal planar work surface 1-2, the two dilution and dispensing devices 2a and 2b.
The 3 large reservoirs 8a, 8b, 8c of 10 to 25 L capacity, filled at least in part with concentrated cleaning products and bearing the relevant labels of one of the different said cleaning products, are disposed in a large retention basin 9 placed on the floor 1c and retained in position by a floor edge 1d. Three other reserve large reservoirs 8a, 8b, 8c have been provided for, and are completely filled with cleaning products in order to avoid supply disruptions or shortages. Thus; the large retention basin 9 contains two rows of three said large reservoirs.
The small containers 7 are stored on a shelf 1-3 disposed below the planar work surface 1-2 and above the large reservoirs 8 placed on the floor 1c. The shelf 1-3 supports 3 vertical partitions 7a disposed parallel to the said lateral walls 1a delimiting four compartments 7b each containing or adapted so as to contain three rows of five containers 7 at least partially filled with the diluted cleaning products bearing the labels of one of the different said cleaning products respectively in three of the said different compartments. A fourth compartment is filled with new empty containers without labels. The compartments 7b having adjustable dividers 7a contain the new and used containers 7 being returned from the sites.
The compartments 7b also serve as storage for the empty containers 7 being returned from the clients sites, because the deliveries of containers 7 filled on the sites are accompanied by the recovery of the empty containers, which upon being returned are either filled again or placed on standby in the station. Provision has also been made in this storage element for a space for empty new containers 7 in reserve, that may be deployed at new clients' sites after having been labelled on site in accordance with the law, by making use of the three label dispenser roller holders.
In
In order to do this, the removable partitions 7a are set in place or removed by sliding in the parallel grooves 1-3a that are 8 in number, on the upper face of the shelf 1-3. The partitions 7a, 7a1 are provided with a machined slot 1-3a that serves as gripping handle on the front face (similar to those 1a3 serving as handles for the rolling). The moving of the partitions 7a allows the user depending on the configuration necessary, to adjust the number and volume of the compartments 7b.
Thus, it is possible to reduce the number of compartments 7b for example to 3 (
The said large reservoirs containing the different said cleaning products are respectively of different colors and the said labels identifying the various different said cleaning products are respectively of different colors.
On an optional basis, provision is made for a detachable safety shutter constituted by a roller shutter 11 that extends between the ceiling 1b and the floor 1c along the slide rail on the front edges of the lateral walls 1a of the said cabinet unit 1 as represented in
The said rear wall supports above the planar work surface, a computer such as a tablet 5 equipped with a software program or video to enable watching tutorial videos of the preparation and use of the cleaning products diluted by the users at the dilution station and a support medium with operating instructions 6 or wall chart as a reminder/ready reckoner installed within an integrated support medium, that is able to assist an operator by displaying instructions that guide the preparation of the said small containers and the actions to be undertaken and/or conduct to be adhered to by the personnel in order to carry out the cleaning.
The mobile cleaning unit according to the invention makes it possible to avoid supply disruptions or stock-outs and warehouses being full of products. It also possible to avoid the need for a “cleaning” facility with water supply source and dilution device within the cleaning companies' branches and at the clients' sites.
Two operators can work on the dilution at the same time, 2 stations with 4 product inlets/selectors of which 1 is a high flow rate selector for quickly filling the reservoirs of mobile self-contained cleaning apparatus such as auto-washers. The two dilution devices provide the ability to perform dilutions with 2 operators working simultaneously.
The retention basins 4 and 9 are intended to prevent damage in the event of overflow during the filling or handling of the containers 7 and reservoirs 8 in order to be in compliance with the regulations.
Two rapid connections with flexible hose 2-1 for the drinking water supply inlet are possible from the left or from the right.
Two handles 1a3 in the form of slots on the lateral walls 1a are used to facilitate the moving of the cart on castor wheels.
The pre-dilution is carried out as follows. The dilution devices 2 are configured in order to perform a dilution from the reservoirs 8 of cleaning products described here below concentrated to 20% by volume. On an on-demand basis, a “ready to use” dilution is possible for important sites.
Use is made in particular of the following three products characterized by their highly concentrated biotechnological nature, in particular in the form of kits known by the name “Trio Kleen” from the Company Innuscience (Canada), including for example the following 3 detergents:
Listed here above are only the ingredients which have an impact on the risk classification of the product. This is why, for “Nu-Kleen” no ingredients are indicated while for the other two only two ingredients are indicated. But each of these formulations is composed of 10 to 15 different active ingredients (surfactants, bacterial cultures, enzyme extracts, stabilizers, minerals, etc.) and these formulations are all different and specific. The 3 formulations are therefore very different in terms of composition and mode of action.
The use of these biotechnology-based cleaning products, imposes on the concerned operators extremely precise and durable dilutions of these products which present charges that are more than ten times higher as compared to conventional cleaning chemicals. This use, for the reasons cited above, requires the implementation at the clients' sites or at the cleaning company premises, of a diluting station with three multi-purpose concentrated products that allow for precise dilutions and guarantees for product.
When a small container 7 has been depleted of its content by the cleaning personnel, it is no longer necessary to rinse it with water or to throw it away because it is retrieved as on consignment during subsequent deliveries.
The mobile cleaning unit according to the invention thus makes it possible to avoid the disposing of empty containers in the waste on the sites, the rinsing of the empty containers on site and the associated emissions, and there is no longer the need for carrying out local dosing on a constant basis in a dedicated room. The mobile cleaning unit according to the invention further makes it possible to avoid the health risks related to the performing of the dilution on site, and the bearing or handling of heavy reservoirs.
With regard to the dilution performed directly within the janitorial services agencies or the cleaning companies, and as may be necessary by the cleaning personnel in small containers or sprayers from large reservoirs with concentrated products, the risks of product and/or labelling related errors occurring are no longer possible, not to mention the risks of environmental damage in the event of improper decanting or transfer of the said toxic products that are removed, as are the health risks in the event of bodily injury in connection with such transferring or decanting of products.
In practice, use is made of the automatic dilution devices 2a, 2b, marketed by the company SEKO SpA (Italy) under the reference PROMAX under the reference PROMAX 4 product inlets/selectors at flow rate of 4 liters per minute for filling in about 15 seconds the 1 liter capacity containers 7. On these devices, for each of the 4 product inlets/selectors there are four preset positions numbered from 1 to 4, for the selection button 2-5 and positioned upstream, four tips at the base of the device where happen to be connected each of the four dip tubes 2-2a, 2-2b, 2-2c for each of the large products reservoirs 8a, 8b and 8c. Therefore there is one unused position.
The dilution device 2c is a reference device PROMAX 1 product inlet/selector only with one tip connected to a dip tube (not shown) for the product Nu Action 3, which will provide the means to dilute this single product at the rate recommended for mechanized cleaning, at a flow rate of 14 liters per minute in order to rapidly fill (3-4 minutes) buckets or a reservoir of an auto washer, through a pipe 2-3a provided on the external face of a lateral wall 1a on the left side of the casing (
By way of illustration, the following overall dimensions have been studied so as to ensure that the equipment is capable of being placed in all buildings and in particular is able to go through all standard doors and enter elevator cars:
The width L1 of 1148 mm has been selected in order to ensure that it can accommodate two persons working simultaneously.
The cart 10 is designed so as to provide for appropriate ergonomics and ease of use to all employees of the cleaning companies who are responsible for the management of the cleaning products. Its lateral faces 1a having rounded front edges allow for the available lighting of the room in which it is positioned to favorably light up the work station, situated at 1.10 m from the ground that is to say, at a height compatible with any person of average height.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1754529 | May 2017 | FR | national |
