DE202024001703U1 - Hollow body cleaning device with ultrasonic control and UV-C emitting glass fiber bristles - Google Patents

Abstract

Hollow body cleaning device, comprising a handle with a grip portion and a flexible cleaning body which is attached to the end of the handle, wherein the cleaning body has raised, ultrasonically controllable cleaning elements which consist of glass fiber bristles and emit UV-C rays, and wherein the cleaning body consists of elastic plastic and comprises a tongue-like base body to which the cleaning elements are attached.

Description

The present patent relates to a hollow body cleaning device with movable bristles, which is designed for the forward and/or retractive transport of a long-dimensioned body with a round cross-section, such as a strong wire or a thin, particularly flexible shaft. The device is particularly useful for carrying out various operations in narrow hollow passages, channels, long bores or pipelines, such as pulling in, pulling through or retracting inserts as well as cleaning and internally treating these hollow bodies.

State of the art:

EP3238806B1 2022-06-08 Use of a filter element and vacuum cleaner with filter holder for such a filter element

EP0265466B1 1990-07-18 Pile fiber brush for cleaning textile fabrics

DE10045525C1 2002-02-07 wringing device

DE102019112779B3 2020-10-15 Cleaning device for cleaning a rotating brush head of a cleaning device and cleaning system

DE102013102263A1 2014-09-11 Wet cleaning device, in particular window cleaning device

EP2937029B1 2017-05-10 Suction nozzle for vacuuming smooth floors, especially tiled floor surfaces

DE202007011485U1 2007-10-11 Mop washing and wringing system DE102017118896A1 2019-02-21 Attachment for a vacuum cleaner suction tube

DE202007011613U1 2007-11-29 Arrangement for cleaning radiators, especially panel radiators

DE19521341A1 1996-12-19 Cleaning device for wet wiping

DE102009032149B4 2013-10-24 Device for cleaning sockets DE102005041801A1 2007-03-08 Vacuum cleaner floor nozzle with bristle strip DE102007033489B4 2013-07-18 Attachment part of a cleaning device, in particular suction nozzles or brush head, as well as cleaning device

DE202006010915U1 2006-09-07 Filter insert, as well as device for wet and/or dry vacuuming with such a filter insert

DE102009042658B4 2013-02-07 Protective cover for a suction nozzle on a vacuum cleaner DE202014105382U1 2014-11-18 Sealing device for a cleaning device and cleaning device, in particular household floor cleaning device

DE10159793C2 2003-10-16 Hand cleaning device

WO2007025876A1 2007-03-08 Vacuum cleaner floor nozzle

DE202011000185U1 2011-03-31 suction nozzle

EP1068830B1 2006-09-13 Device for cleaning mop covers

DE202017002073U1 2017-06-29 Vacuum cleaner

DE202009000045U1 2010-06-17 cleaning device

DE102019128442A1 2021-04-22 Vacuum cleaner for cleaning floor surfaces and dust bags for such a

DE10317111B4 2007-09-13 Vacuum cleaner with level measurement

DE102013210337B3 2014-09-25 Mop washing and wringing system

State of the art

Hollow body cleaning devices, especially for applications such as toilet brushes, kitchen cleaners or similar cleaning tools, are known in a variety of designs and materials. The focus of these technologies is to ensure effective cleaning properties that meet hygienic standards and have a long service life. The state of the art shows various approaches to improving cleaning performance and minimizing microbial growth on the surfaces of the cleaning devices.

A common concept is the use of flexible cleaning bodies that are attached to the end of a handle and have a variety of cleaning elements, such as bristles or knobs. These cleaning elements are often made of elastic plastics that ensure good adaptability to different surfaces and angles. Such cleaning bodies are often designed to have different structures and geometries to enable optimal cleaning, such as a bristle-free, dimpled surface or a structured arrangement of cleaning elements. In some designs, the cleaning bodies are also designed as semi-ellipsoidal or hollow structures delimited by wall sections to improve flexibility and cleaning performance.

An essential aspect of modern cleaning devices is antimicrobial treatment to prevent the growth of bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms on the surfaces of the device. The state of the art describes cleaning devices in which antimicrobial substances are either mixed into the plastic material or applied as a coating. These substances can, for example, contain silver or copper components that release silver or copper ions on contact, which have an antimicrobial effect. Other known antimicrobial agents include polychlorinated phenoxyphenols or substances embedded in zeolite matrices. There are also approaches in which the cleaning body is partially provided with antimicrobial viscose fibers, e.g. based on bamboo or beech.

Another technical advance is the adaptability of the cleaning elements to different cleaning requirements. Some cleaning devices are equipped with movable bristles, the length of which is variable in order to increase efficiency in different applications. The handle and the cleaning body of these devices can also be positively connected to one another, which improves the stability and durability of the entire cleaning device.

Materials such as polyolefins (e.g. polyethylene or polypropylene) and silicone-like carrier materials are often used to optimize the mechanical and chemical properties of the cleaning equipment. These materials are known for their resistance to moisture, chemicals and mechanical stress.

In summary, the state of the art shows a wide variety of design and material approaches for hollow body cleaning devices that aim to maximize both cleaning performance and hygiene through the use of advanced materials and antimicrobial technologies.

The main component of the device is a cylindrical brush head that rotates on its axis and against which the body to be transported is pressed. Depending on the direction of rotation of the brush head, the body is moved forwards or backwards. Optimum function is achieved when the body forms an acute angle to the direction of rotation of the brush head, which allows variable adjustment of the pushing or pulling forces and the speed of movement.

Another important feature of the invention is the additional rotational movement of the body around its own longitudinal axis, which makes it easier to overcome resistance in curves or uneven areas of the hollow body. Should the body nevertheless encounter insurmountable resistance, the direction of rotation of the brush head and thus also that of the body can be changed in order to overcome the resistance by swiveling.

To prevent the brush head and body from sliding over each other, the surfaces are designed in such a way that there is sufficient friction. This can be achieved by a rubber coating on the brush head and a roughened or grooved surface on the body. A particularly effective solution is a flexible shaft made of a steel spiral wire helix that engages the rubber coating of the brush head like a screw and enables high power transmission.

To ensure stability, the flexible shaft is guided through sleeve-like guides in front of and behind its contact point with the brush head. This arrangement can be housed in a flat housing, with the guides being adjustable at an angle to the brush head axis in order to adjust the force and speed of the movement. A mirror-image adjustability of the angle position also enables the direction of rotation of the shaft to be reversed.

A special feature of the hollow body cleaning device is that the bristles can be adjusted in length within the device. This allows the bristle length to be precisely adjusted to different cleaning requirements and ensures optimum cleaning performance by ensuring that the bristles are always the optimal length to reach the cavities to be cleaned.

In addition, the device has the ability to optimize cleaning through the use of ultrasound and UVC rays emitted by fiberglass bristles, which helps increase cleaning efficiency while providing an antimicrobial treatment to the surfaces cleaned.

The hollow body cleaning device can be operated either manually or by motor. A rotary handle is provided for manual operation, whereby the brush head axis also forms the rotary axis of the handle. Alternatively, a gear can be inserted for different transmission ratios. A handle on the housing makes handling easier and its angle can be variable to improve operation.

Various interchangeable devices can be attached to the head of the flexible shaft, depending on the application. These can be a rotating ball tip, a barbed tip or a brush to perform specific cleaning or treatment tasks in the duct.

One example of the device shows a cylindrical brush head in a round flat housing, which is driven by a handle. The flexible shaft is guided at an acute angle to the brush head and pressed by a pressure roller, which enables forward or backward movement. The pressure roller is spring-mounted and adjustable by a tension screw. A conical head piece on the guide sleeve prevents the shaft from bending when it exits.

The device described can be used for pulling in cables, cleaning pipes and other similar applications. A motor drive is possible for larger models, as is a hand-operated or spring-motor-operated drive. The invention is versatile and is not limited to the embodiments described.

A

Summary

#The present patent describes a hollow body cleaning device with movable bristles, which was specially developed for the transport and cleaning of long-dimensional bodies with a round cross-section, such as strong wires or flexible shafts, in narrow cavities, channels or pipelines.

The main component of the device is a cylindrical roller that moves the body to be transported forwards or backwards depending on the direction of rotation. An additional rotational movement of the body around its own longitudinal axis makes it easier to overcome resistance in curves or uneven surfaces. To prevent sliding over one another, the surface of the device is designed in such a way that there is sufficient friction between the roller and the body.

A special feature of the device is the ability to adjust the length of the bristles to adapt to different cleaning needs. In addition, cleaning can be optimized through the use of ultrasound and UVC rays emitted by fiberglass bristles. This function increases cleaning efficiency and allows for antimicrobial treatment of the cleaned surfaces.

The device can be operated either manually or by motor. A crank handle is provided for manual operation, while a gearbox can be connected for different gear ratios. Various interchangeable devices on the head of the flexible shaft enable specific cleaning or treatment tasks in the hollow passage.

One embodiment shows a cylindrical roller in a flat housing that is driven by a hand crank and transports a flexible shaft forwards or backwards. This shaft is pressed by a pressure roller and stabilized by conical guide sleeves. The device is versatile and not limited to the described embodiments.

Reference Character List

1

Bürstenkopf

2

Borste aus Glasfaser

3

UVC Leuchtionen

4

Ultraschall

5

Spule

6

Drehbarer Griff

7

Energieversorgung

8

Schaltelement

9

Ultraschall Generator

10

Akku

11

Verschluss

12

Kontakte für Ladestation

13

alternativer Hohlraum für Motor

14

Biegsamer Bereich Welle

15

drehbarer Handgriff

16

Spannschraube

Fig -1-

1

brush head

2

fiberglass bristles

3

UVC luminous ions

4

Ultrasonic

5

Sink

6

Rotating handle

7

energy supply

8

switching element

9

ultrasonic generator

10

battery

11

closure

12

contacts for charging station

13

alternative cavity for engine

14

Flexible area shaft

15

rotating handle

16

clamping screw

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 3238806 B1 [0002]
• EP 0265466 B1 [0003]
• DE 10045525 C1 [0004]
• DE 102019112779 B3 [0005]
• DE 102013102263 A1 [0006]
• EP 2937029 B1 [0007]
• DE 202007011485 U1 [0008]
• DE 102017118896 A1 [0008]
• DE 202007011613 U1 [0009]
• DE 19521341 A1 [0010]
• DE 102009032149 B4 [0011]
• DE 102005041801 A1 [0011]
• DE 102007033489 B4 [0011]
• DE 202006010915 U1 [0012]
• DE 102009042658 B4 [0013]
• DE 202014105382 U1 [0013]
• DE 10159793 C2 [0014]
• WO 2007025876 A1 [0015]
• DE 202011000185 U1 [0016]
• EP 1068830 B1 [0017]
• DE 202017002073 U1 [0018]
• DE 202009000045 U1 [0019]
• DE 102019128442 A1 [0020]
• DE 10317111 B4 [0021]
• DE 102013210337 B3 [0022]

Claims (16)

Hollow body cleaning device, comprising a handle with a grip portion and a flexible cleaning body which is attached to the end of the handle, wherein the cleaning body has raised, ultrasonically controllable cleaning elements which consist of glass fiber bristles and emit UV-C rays, and wherein the cleaning body consists of elastic plastic and comprises a tongue-like base body to which the cleaning elements are attached. Hollow body cleaning device according to claim 1 , whereby the glass fiber bristles are treated with an antimicrobial substance that is either mixed into the plastic of the cleaning body or applied as a coating. Hollow body cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the handle is made of plastic and is treated with an antimicrobial substance which is either mixed into the plastic or applied as a coating. Hollow body cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the antimicrobially active substance contains silver-containing components, in particular colloidal silver, which is designed to release silver ions. Hollow body cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the antimicrobially active substance contains copper-containing components which are designed to release copper ions. Hollow body cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the antimicrobially active substance contains polychlorinated phenoxyphenols. Hollow body cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cleaning body is partially provided with antimicrobially effective viscose fibers, in particular those based on bamboo or beech. Hollow body cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the antimicrobially active substance is incorporated into a carrier matrix which contains zeolites, preferably calcined synthetic zeolite. Hollow body cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein either the handle or the cleaning body consists mainly of a polyolefin material, in particular polyethylene or polypropylene. Hollow body cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cleaning body consists partly of a silicone-like carrier material which contains the antimicrobially active substance. Hollow body cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cleaning body has a bristle-free, nubbed surface which is provided with raised nubs as cleaning elements. Hollow body cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cleaning body has a structured arrangement of cleaning elements on its surface. Hollow body cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cleaning body has a base body with a semi-ellipsoidal design. Hollow body cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cleaning body has at least one cavity which is delimited by at least one wall section. Hollow body cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the handle and the cleaning body are positively connected to one another. Hollow body cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the length of the glass fiber bristles is displaceable within the device to enable adaptation to different cleaning requirements.

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