US3753777A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Surface cleaning method
Assignee: Tennant Co
•
Filing: 1971-10-13
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Granted: 1973-08-21
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Expires: 1991-10-13
Abstract
Abstract A method for cleaning surfaces such as floors and pavements that includes incorporating a polyelectrolyte in the cleaning solution and a surface scrubbing machine for carrying out the process. As specifically disclosed, the method comprises applying the cleaning solution to the surface together with agitating the solution on the surface to cause formation of flocs, removing the floc containing solution from the surface by, for example, squeegeeing, and returning the recovered solution to a solution tank and, if desired, separating out the flocs. With a scrubbing machine the solution tank is on the machine, and the agitation may be provided by, for example, a rotary brush on the machine, or by applying the cleaning solution to the surface by forcing the solution under pressure through discharge nozzles. Although not necessary for some cleaning operations, in others a detergent or soap compatible with the polyelectrolyte is incorporated in the solution. With various combinations of polyelectrolyte and detergent, the addition of a suitable flocculation aid such as metallic salts to the solution enhances the degree of flocculation and the strength and size of the flocs.
Inventors
- 👤 D Thomsen
- 👤 F Herpers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:07
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47L; A47L11/00; A47L11/40; A47L11/4036; A47L11/4044; A47L11/29; A47L11/30; A47L11/4013; A47L11/4016; A47L11/4022; A47L11/408; A47L11/4083; C; C11; C11D; C11D3/00; C11D3/16; C11D3/37; C11D3/3746; C11D3/3757; C11D3/3761; E; E01; E01H; E01H1/00; E01H1/10; E01H1/101; E01H1/103; C11D2111/00; C11D2111/10; C11D2111/14; C11D2111/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
43 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the agitated solution is permitted to remain on the surface to permit flocs to form to leave a film of clarified solution on the surface prior to removal of the flocculated material and solution from the surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
57 words
The process of claim 1 further characterized in that flocs float off the surface with remaining clarified solution adjacent the surface, and wherein the step of removing the flocculated material and solution from said surface comprises removing the flocs and a major portion of the solution, and leaving only a film of clarified solution on said surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 3 including the further step of separating the flocs from the clarified solution subsequent to removal from said surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 4 including the further step of reapplying the solution from which flocs are removed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
122 words
A process for scrubbing a surface with a surface scrubbing machine having a cleaning solution tank, comprising the steps of at least partially filling the tank with a cleaning solution having a polyelectrolyte therein, applying the cleaning solution from the tank to the surface to be cleaned and scrubbing and violently agitating the solution on the surface to form flocs containing the soilage from the surface and polyelectrolyte, recovering at least a substantial part of the solution having the flocs therein, and returning the recovered solution to the cleaning solution tank and reapplying the recovered solution to the surface including separating out the flocs whereby the recovered solution having the flocs separated therefrom is recycled to again be applied to the surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The process of claim 6 further characterized in that the cleaning solution includes a detergent or soap compatible with the polyelectrolyte to aid in loosening the soilage from the surface being cleaned.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
The process of claim 6 further characterized in that the solution applying step compriSes brushing the surface having the cleaning solution thereon to aid in loosening the soilage from the surface and to aid in forming and suspending the flocs as they are formed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
82 words
The process of claim 6 further characterized in that the recovery and returning steps include applying a vacuum to the tank and to a squeegee of the machine fluidly connected thereto to induce fluid flow from the surface to the tank to draw solution containing the flocs into the tank, and filtering out of the flocs from the solution returned to the tank to block recycling of the flocs with the solution in the tank that is subsequently applied to the surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
The process of claim 6 further characterized in that the polyelectrolyte has a molecular weight of at least 5,000 and is of a concentration in the solution in the range of about 0.0002 percent to 5 percent by weight as it is being used.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
222 words
A process for scrubbing a surface with a surface scrubbing machine having a tank for containing a cleaning solution to be dispensed on the surface and receive recovered solution from the surface, means for agitating solution dispersed on the surface, means for recovering a solution from the surface and returning the recovered solution to the tank, and a filter for filtering the solution returned to the tank, the steps of at least partially filling the tank with a cleaning solution with a suitable polyelectrolyte of an effective concentration for flocculating soilage on the surface, applying the solution from the tank to the surface ahead of the recovery means in the normal forward direction of movement of the machine together with scrubbing and violent agitation to form flocs containing the soilage that are suspended in the solution on the surface, and recovering at least a major portion of solution to remove flocs from the surface to leave a film of clarified solution on the surface and return the recovered solution to the tank to mix with the solution therein, said process including separating out flocs from the solution recovered from the surface and retaining the flocs out of the solution subsequently applied to the surface whereby at least part of the original solution in the tank is recycled without recycling of the flocs.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The process of claim 11 further characterized in that the cleaning solution includes a detergent or soap compatible with the polyelectrolyte to aid in loosening the soilage from the surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 12 further characterized in that the step of scrubbing and violently agitating the solution on the surface includes machine brushing the surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
The process of claim 12 further characterized in that the step of applying the solution to the surface includes dispensing the solution and directing air under pressure on the solution on the surface to agitate the solution.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process of claim 12 further characterized in that the polyelectrolyte is of a concentration of about 0.001 percent to 2 percent by weight of the solution.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
The process of claim 12 further characterized in that a flocculation aid compatible with the detergent and polyelectrolyte is incorporated in the solution in an effective amount to enhance the formation of flocs of strength and size suitable for separation.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process of claim 12 further characterized in that the scrubbing and violently agitating steps comprise discharging the solution from the tank onto the surface under high pressure.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
173 words
A process for scrubbing surfaces with a mobile scrubbing machine wherein a cleaning solution is applied to the surface from a cleaning solution tank on the machine with violent agitation of the solution on the surface, a substantial portion of the applied solution is removed from the surface rearwardly in the normal direction of movement of the machine from the location of application of the solution, and the recovered solution is returned to the tank to be recycled to the surface including the separating out of a major portion of the entrained solids from the recovered solution to block recycling said solids, the improvement comprising incorporating a polyelectrolyte in the solution in the tank that will flocculate the soilage that is loosened from the surface to clarify the solution at the location of agitation whereby the flocs are removed from the surface with the solution recovered from the surface, the polyelectrolyte being of an effective concentration to form flocs of a size and strength that can be readily separated from the recovered solution.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process of claim 18 further characterized in that the concentration of the polyelectrolyte in the solution is at least about 0.001 percent by weight of the solution.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
38 words
The process of claim 19 further characterized in that a detergent compatible with the polyelectrolyte and of a type that loosens soilage from the surface is incorporated in the solution to aid in loosening soilage from the surface.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
91 words
A process for scrubbing a surface with a scrubbing machine having a cleaning solution tank, comprising the steps of at least partially filling the tank with a cleaning solution having therein, a polyelectrolyte and a detergent compatible with the polyelectrolyte to aid in loosening soilage from the surface being cleaned, applying the cleaning solution to the surface being cleaned including scrubbing and violently agitating the solution on the surface to loosen the soilage and cause formation of flocs on said surface and removing the flocculated material and solution from said surface.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
58 words
The process of claim 21 further characterized in that the removing step includes returning the recovered solution to the cleaning solution tank, and that the applying step includes reapplying the recovered solution to the surface including separating out flocculated material whereby the recovered solution having the flocs separated therefrom is recycled to again be applied to the surface.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-08-20 | 1977-02-19 | 1977-08-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-20 | 1981-02-19 | 1981-08-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-20 | 1985-02-19 | 1985-08-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |