WO2023218493A1

WO2023218493A1 - Floor treatment apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2023218493A1
Application number: PCT/IT2023/050122
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lorenzo PACINI
Original assignee: 4Cleanpro S.R.L.
Priority date: 2022-05-10
Filing date: 2023-05-09
Publication date: 2023-11-16

Abstract

The apparatus for treating floors, in particular the scrubber dryer for floors, includes a floor- contact part (2) provided with at least one tool (6) for treating a floor, and a guide part (3) equipped with at least one handle (32).

Description

FLOOR TREATMENT APPARATUS

Technical field

[01] The present invention relates to an apparatus for treating floors, in particular a scrubber dryer for floors.

Prior art

[02] Apparatuses for treating floors have long been known. In particular, apparatuses that can combine different treatment operations are known, which are suitable, for example, for suctioning, brushing, scrubbing and drying floors.

[03] These apparatuses may have a very different structure, depending on use. For example, for industrial applications, floor treatment apparatuses may be very bulky and therefore difficult to operate. On the other hand, apparatuses intended for domestic use, which requires limited power, usually have a small volume and are therefore more easily maneuverable.

[04] For example, EP 3742950 in the name of the same Applicant illustrates a manually guided apparatus for treating floors, in particular a scrubber dryer apparatus, comprising a floorcontact part equipped with at least one rotating tool for treating the floor and a guide part, mutually connected by an articulation assembly. The apparatus also comprises a lifting assembly, provided with support means and control means alternatively operable between an idle condition, in which the support means are spaced away from the floor, and an active condition, in which the aforementioned support means supports the at least one rotating tool in a lifted position, suitable for transporting the apparatus and when it is inactive.

[05] US 2019/0191951 , US 3,040,362, US 2018/0098677 describe further examples of manually guided apparatuses for treating floor.

[06] In the specific sector, there is a need to ensure optimal maneuverability of the equipment for its easy and effective use.

Disclosure

[07] It is an object of the present invention to obviate the aforementioned issues, by devising an apparatus for treating floor, which ensures optimal maneuverability and effective use.

[08] It is a further object of the invention to provide a floor treatment apparatus, which is versatile and reliable in operation, and relatively inexpensive.

[09] The mentioned objectives are achieved, according to the present invention, by the apparatus for treating floors of claim 1.

[10] The floor treatment apparatus, in particular a floor scrubber dryer apparatus, comprises a floor-contact part equipped with at least one tool for treating a floor and a guide part connected to the floor-contact part and provided with a handle. [11] The guide part comprises a support rod, a control assembly for controlling the treatment operations, arranged at one end of the rod and a locking body arranged at the opposite end of the same rod. The support rod is locked between the control assembly and the locking body.

[12] The body preferably integrally carries a fixing member to ensure the connection of the rod to the floor-contact part.

[13] The body preferably shapes a substantially hollow shell, suitable for housing and stably locking the rod.

[14] The body is preferably divided into a first half shell and a second half shell, removably attached, to lock the support rod.

[15] The rod is preferably tubular shaped and contains the power cables for the control assembly.

[16] The control assembly is preferably made in the shape of a hollow dashboard, bearing a control panel.

[17] The dashboard preferably carries the handle for guiding by an operator.

[18] The handle preferably has the shape of a handlebar, providing a first handle and a second handle protruding in a substantially aligned manner from opposite parts of the dashboard.

[19] The dashboard preferably comprises a stem, adapted to receive internally a portion of the support rod.

[20] The dashboard is preferably divided into two halves or mutually engageable parts, i.e. into a first part and a second part.

[21] According to a possibly autonomous aspect, independent of the aforementioned features, the apparatus may comprise a tank for the containment of the operating fluid for treating floors, removably coupled.

[22] According to this independent aspect, the guide part preferably carries a support member provided with a centering element.

[23] The tank in turn preferably externally shapes a cavity delimited by at least a pair of facing centering walls which, in a condition in which the tank is coupled to the guide part, are engaged by the centering element.

[24] The centering walls are preferably parallel to a median plane of the guide part in said condition where the tank is coupled to the guide part.

[25] The cavity is preferably arranged centrally to said tank.

[26] Preferably the cavity is formed below the tank, on a rear side with reference to a condition of use of the apparatus along a direction of advancement.

[27] According to a particular aspect, the tank can be coupled to the guide part, by means of a tilting movement around a coupling axis arranged on the support member transversely to the median plane of the apparatus, between an inclined position, at which the tank rests on the guide part at the coupling axis and a coupling position, at which the tank is rotated around the coupling axis and coupled against the guide part.

[28] The apparatus may comprise at least one coupling device to permit a removable coupling between the guide part and the tank.

[29] The coupling device preferably comprises at least a first coupling element carried by the guide part and a second coupling element removably coupled to the first coupling element carried by the tank.

[30] At least one of the first and second coupling elements is preferably made up of an elastic coupling means.

[31] According to a further aspect also possibly autonomous, independent of the above- mentioned features, said tank may in turn preferably comprise an inlet opening for the collected liquid and an outlet opening for the suction of air separated from the collected liquid.

[32] The tank may include a liquid level control device, comprising a closure member secured to close the outlet opening, a containment cup secured to the closure member, and a float contained in the cup. The closure member may also comprise a protection portion interposed between the inlet opening and the cup in order to block the outlet to any fluid splashes.

[33] The protection portion preferably perimetrically surrounds, at least in part, the cup.

[34] The closure portion preferably supports a filter inside thereof, to stop any outflow of foam that might be generated in the operating liquid.

[35] The cup preferably comprises a tubular collar at the top, adapted to be inserted on a connecting portion protruding below the closure member.

[36] The float is preferably freely inserted inside the cup, so as to be raised by flotation by the operating liquid collected inside the tank, up to a maximum level, at which the float reaches the collar obstructing the passage of liquid through the closure member.

[37] The different aspects and features described herein or claimed in the dependent claims may be applied individually, where possible, and may be the subject of divisional applications.

Description of drawings

[38] The details of the invention become more evident from the detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus for treating floors according to the invention, illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figures 1 , 2 and 3 are respectively a perspective view from a front angle, a perspective view from a rear angle, according to a direction of advance and a sectional view according to a median longitudinal plane of a floor treatment apparatus according to the invention;

Figures 4 and 5 are respectively a perspective view of a first part and a second part of a control assembly applied to a guide part of the apparatus;

Figures 6, 7, 8 and 9 are respectively a perspective view from a front angle, a rear front, side and plan view of a portion of a locking body applied to the guide part of the same apparatus;

Figures 10, 11 , 12 and 13 are respectively a perspective view from a rear angle, a front, side and plan view of a further portion of the locking body applied to the guide part of the apparatus;

Figures 14a, 14b are respectively a perspective view from a front side to a rear side with respect to the apparatus, of a tank of collection of the operating liquid, intended to be implemented in the apparatus;

Figures 15a, 15b, 16 and 17 are respectively a front, rear and front, side and plan view of the same tank shown in Figures 14a and 14b;

Figure 18 is a sectional view of a portion of the guide part of the apparatus according to a longitudinal plane;

Figure 19 is a perspective view, from a rear side, of a part of the apparatus, in which a part of the tank is removed to show further details of the coupling between the tank and a support body;

Figure 20 is a schematic side view of a portion of the apparatus in a tank-engaged position;

Figures 21 and 22 are respectively a perspective view and a front sectional view of a component of a floating unit, preferably used in the same apparatus;

Figures 23 and 24 are respectively a perspective view and a front section view of a further component of the floating unit preferably used in the same apparatus.

Description of embodiments of the invention

[39] With particular reference to these figures, the apparatus for treating floors according to the invention is indicated as a whole with numeral reference 1 .

[40] The apparatus 1 is preferably a scrubber dryer, suitable for treating the floor with an operating fluid, generally a liquid such as water or a mixture of water and detergent, and for sucking it after the treatment, thus leaving the floor washed and dried.

[41] The apparatus 1 comprises a floor-contact part 2 and a guide part 3, mutually connected, preferably by means of an articulation unit 4, which allows the guide part 3 to be oriented in different angular positions with respect to the floor-contact part 2.

[42] The guide part 3 comprises a support rod 30, a control assembly 31 carried by the rod 30, a handle 32 for guiding the apparatus 1 and a locking body 33, for fixing the rod 30, as well as for connecting the rod 30 to the floor-contact part 2.

[43] Preferably the body 33 is also useful for supporting a tank 5 for collecting operating fluid sucked from the treated floor, as described in detail hereafter. [44] The support rod 30 is preferably made in tubular form and extends along at least part of the longitudinal development of the apparatus 1 .

[45] The tubular shape of the rod 30 advantageously allows the housing of electrical cables for the power supply of the control assembly 31.

[46] The control assembly 31 is preferably made in the form of a hollow dashboard 310. The dashboard 310, being preferably hollow, can house the electrical cables for power supply and possibly sensors or other control devices, to optimally ensure the operating and/or guiding functions of the apparatus 1 , conveying the necessary connections inside the support rod 30.

[47] The dashboard 310 is preferably made of plastic material, for example made by molding.

[48] The dashboard 310 is preferably divided into two halves or mutually engageable parts, i.e. into a first part 311 , which is for example front, and a second part 312, which is for example rear, according to a direction of advance B (see Figure 3 and Figures 4, 5) of the apparatus 1 .

[49] The first part 311 and the second part 312 may be fixed to each other by fixing means of a type known in the art.

[50] Each part 311 , 312 may in fact provide suitable seats 313 and/or through holes 314 on a corresponding coupling surface, for the insertion of fixing screws for example of the thermoforming type. In this case, the assembly of the two parts is particularly easy.

[51] The dashboard 310 also preferably has a stem 315, adapted to internally receive a portion of the support rod 30, in particular an end portion, locking it firmly thereto.

[52] In the described embodiment, in which the dashboard 310 is divided into two halves, the stem 315 is likewise divided into two substantially mirror halves, which can be fixed by the aforementioned fixing means.

[53] The dashboard 310 preferably bears a control panel 316, easily accessible to the operator for controlling the apparatus 1 (see Figures 1 and 2). For example, the panel 316, which may be applied to an upper side of the dashboard 310, has a control interface for sending the commands of control of the parameters of floor treatment, such as the rotational speed of the treatment tools or the amount of operating liquid to be employed.

[54] Preferably, the dashboard 310 also has the handle 32 for guiding the apparatus 1 by an operator.

[55] The handle 32 extends outside the dashboard 310.

[56] Preferably the handle 32 extends in the form of a first handle 320 and a second handle 321 , protruding and preferably aligned, from the opposite sides of the dashboard 310 itself, for an ergonomic guidance of the apparatus 1. In practice, a preferred shape of the handle 32 provides that the handles 320, 321 are substantially arranged in the form of a handlebar. [57] The handle 32, preferably in the form of the two handles 320, 321 , may be made integrally with the dashboard 310. Like the latter, it may therefore be divided into two halves, removably attached (see Figures 4 and 5).

[58] The locking body 33 preferably forms a substantially hollow shell, adapted to house and stably lock the support rod 30.

[59] In particular, the locking body 33 is adapted to lock the rod 30 at a portion, in particular end portion, of the support rod 30, which is distal with respect to the portion of the same rod, locked inside the dashboard 310.

[60] The locking body 33 is preferably formed of a plastic material, for example obtained by molding.

[61] The locking body 33 is also preferably divided into two parts or half shells, removably coupled, to allow easy assembly and disassembly operations.

[62] More precisely, the locking body 33 may comprise a first half shell 330 and a second half shell 331 , which may be releasably coupled to each other to lock the support rod 30. To this end, respective fixing seats 332 and/or through openings 333 are preferably provided on the coupling surfaces of the half shells, for the insertion of fixing screws, for example thermoforming, for the mutual fixing of the first half shell 330 and the second half shell 331.

[63] The locking body 33 further comprises an inlet opening 334 for the insertion of the support rod 30. Such opening is preferably shaped partly on the first shell 330 and partly on the second shell 331 , preferably at the top (see in particular Figures 6 and 10) thereof.

[64] The locking body 33 may comprise further shaped seats 335, for example arranged on transverse ribs 336 made internally, in succession, at the first half shell 330 and/or the second half shell 331 , for supporting the rod 30 along the body itself.

[65] The locking body 33 also comprises a housing seat 337 for an air suction tube 10 separated from the collection operating liquid, described in detail hereafter.

[66] The housing seat 337 may be formed by a rear side of the locking body 33, for example at a rear side of the second half shell 331 (see Figure 10), preferably by a pair of substantially parallel sides 337a. In particular, the housing seat 337 can therefore form, thanks to the sides 337a, a longitudinally developing channel, which opens into an outlet opening 338 shaped at the base by the locking body 33 itself.

[67] The locking body 33 further comprises a pocket 339 arranged at the base thereof, for inserting a fixing member 35 to the floor-contact part 2.

[68] Preferably said fixing member 35 is made in the form of a plate, preferably angular, insertable inside the pocket 339, according to a direction, which is for example transverse to the body 33 itself, in particular horizontal when the apparatus is arranged upright at rest. [69] The fixing member 35 may comprise fixing seats, for example preferably threaded holes, to allow a firm coupling, by means of screws, to the floor-contact part 2, in particular to the articulation assembly 4 (see Figure 3). In particular, thanks to the insertion of the fixing member 35 in the pocket 339, the guide part 2 is firmly joined, in particular tightened, to the floor-contact part 2.

[70] The pocket 339, in particular, can be made partly on the first half-shell 330 and partly on the second half-shell 331 (see Figures 7 and 10).

[71] The locking body 33 is also preferably removably coupled to the tank 5 by a coupling device 36 (see Figure 18).

[72] The coupling device 36 allows an easy coupling and uncoupling of the tank 5, in such a way as to facilitate the circumstances in which it must be removed to be emptied after a working cycle, for example, and re-inserted empty to be ready for a new working cycle of the apparatus 1.

[73] For example, the coupling device 36 may comprise at least a first coupling element 360 carried by the locking body 33 and a second coupling element 361 removably coupled to the first coupling element 360 carried by the tank 5.

[74] More precisely, the first coupling element 360 can be made for example up of a ribbon or wire spring, shaped so as to form an elastic seat for the second coupling element 361 .

[75] The second coupling element 361 may in turn be made by a shaping element conjugated to the receiving seat formed by the first coupling element 360. In the embodiment shown for example in Figure 18, the first coupling element is a shaped band spring with an open receiving seat, comprising a pair ef facing curved walls. The second coupling element 361 is instead of a cylindrical body form. Alternatively, different solutions can be provided, provided that they are suitable for the purpose of stably coupling in removable manner the tank 5 to the body 33.

[76] The locking body 33 may comprise openings 362, preferably slots, for the application for example of the first coupling element 360. The openings 362 are preferably made slotlike, to permit the adjusting of the position where the first coupling element 360 is engaged.

[77] Preferably the openings 362 are made on special walls 363, for example plates applied inside, in particular on the top, of the second half shell 331 .

[78] In practice, the first coupling element 360 can be fixed with fixing means of known type, for example of screw type, to the second half shell 331 so as to protrude rearwardly therefrom. Preferably a plurality, for example a pair, of coupling devices 36 are provided, for example arranged on each side of a longitudinal median plane. Likewise, the second coupling element 361 can be carried by means of a bracket 364 in a corresponding position of the tank 5, adapted to be abutted against the second half shell 331. [79] The tank 5 is intended to contain the collection operating liquid, coming from the floorcontact part 2.

[80] The tank 5 has an inlet opening 50 for the engagement of a collection tube 20 of the fluid collected from the floor-contact part 2 and an outlet opening 51 for the suction of the air separated from the washing fluid.

[81] The inlet opening 50 and the outlet opening 51 are arranged at the top of the tank 5. More precisely, the inlet opening 50 is preferably arranged on a rear side of the apparatus 1 , in particular of the tank 5 in assembled condition, while the outlet opening 51 is preferably arranged at the top of the tank 5.

[82] The collection tube 20 adapted to engage the inlet opening 50 can be divided into a first tubing 21 and a second tubing 22 connected at a support member 37 integral with the guide part 3, in particular the body 33 (see Figure 3), as described in detail below.

[83] The tank 5 can usefully form a recess 500 defined by guide walls 501 , in particular by a pair of facing walls 501 , to firmly house, in particular, the aforementioned first tubing 21 (see Figure 14b). The recess 500 is in use at the rear side of the apparatus 1.

[84] Likewise, the tank 5 can usefully form a hollow seat 510 arranged on the side adapted to be hooked in operation to the body 33. The hollow seat 510 is defined by mutually facing side walls 511 for guiding the suction tube 10 towards the floor-contact part 2.

[85] More precisely, in an assembly condition of the tank 5 on the guide part 3, the side edges 337a defining the housing seat 337 of the suction tube 10, on the second half shell 331 , are engaged between the side walls 511 of the tank 5, to further stabilize its positioning.

[86] The support member 37 can be made of an angled bracket, comprising a first portion 372 adapted to be fixed to the fixing member 35, in particular to a respective folded portion thereof, and a second portion 373 adapted to carry through a tubular engagement 370 for the connection of the first tube 21 , on one side, and of the second tube 22, on the other side of the support member 37. The coupling 370 thus acts as a connection between the two portions of the collection tubing 20. Furthermore, the support member 37 allows the correct positioning of the collection tubing 20 with respect to the tank 5, in particular its housing inside the recess 500 made specifically on the tank 5 (see for example Figure 14b).

[87] The support member 37 can also advantageously carry a centering element 371 , adapted to center the positioning, in particular lateral positioning, of the tank 5 when it is positioned on the guide part 3.

[88] In practice, the centering element 371 can form a spacer, adapted to engage a respective cavity 53 formed by the tank 5. For example, the centering element 371 can be made in the form of a pair of suitably spaced fins, folded transversely to the plane of the second portion 373 of the support element 37 (see in particular Figure 19). [89] The tank 5 may have, at a centering zone, on the rear side of the apparatus 1 in assembled condition, the aforementioned cavity 53, delimited by a pair of facing walls 54, intended to be engaged by the centering element 371 (see figures 3, 19 and 20, in particular).

[90] In particular, the walls 54 are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rod 30.

[91] More precisely, the tank 5 is capable of being coupled to the guide part 3, in particular to the body 33, by means of a tilting movement around a coupling axis A (see Figure 20 in which the coupling axis A is orthogonal to the plane of the figure), transverse to a median plane of the apparatus 1 , in particular containing the axis of the rod 30, between an inclined position 5', at which the tank 5 rests on the guide part 3, in particular on the support member 37 and/or on the fixing member 35, at the coupling axis A, and a coupling position, in which the tank 5 is arranged rotated around the hooking axis A and hooked against the guide part 3.

[92] In particular, in the engagement position, the axis of the rod 30 and the axis of the channel 337 of the body 33 are substantially parallel.

[93] Said axis of oscillation preferably lies on the plane of the second portion 373 of the support element 37, so that during such movement the tank 5 can rest with a respective lower portion thereon, preferably with portions laterally opposite to the cavity 54. More precisely, the tank 5 may rotate about this axis, abutting on opposite edges of said second portion 373.

[94] In addition, the fixing member 35 may cooperate as a support in such coupling movement, providing a respective shaped profile in the L-folded part, constrained to the support element 37. This profile, for example, can be provided with at least one lateral edge 350 which is aligned, in the condition mounted to the support element 37, with the plane of the second portion 373 of the support element 37 itself, thus offering its own thickness as a further support to the tilting movement for the coupling of the tank 5 (see Figure 19).

[95] The coupling movement can furthermore provide for a slight sliding, in addition to said rotational movement, in particular on the plane of the second portion 373 of the support element 37.

[96] Locking of the tank 5 in the mounting position is then ensured by the coupling made by the coupling device 36.

[97] The tank 5 further comprises a pair of protrusions 55 arranged on the sides of the hollow seat 510. In an assembled configuration, said protrusions 55 at least partly embrace the body 33, giving the guide part 3 a continuous and enveloping conformation, around the support rod 30.

[98] Said protrusions 55 extend longitudinally, preferably from the base of the body 33 to the top of the tank 5. [99] More precisely, the protrusions 55 can abut in a condition mounted on the base of the body 33 and be shaped at the bottom with a profile at least partly inclined and/or curved.

[100] The tank 5 may further advantageously comprise a control device 60 for controlling the level of the operating liquid collected in the tank 5 itself.

[101] The control device 60 preferably comprises a closure member 61 and a containment cup 62 containing a float 63, preferably ball-shaped.

[102] The closing member 61 is arranged in use on the top of the tank 5, so as to close the outlet opening 51.

[103] The closure member 61 has a tubular shape. It serves in fact to connect the interior of the tank 5 with an air suction circuit separated from the operating fluid. Said circuit comprises the suction tube 10, adapted to be engaged on the closing member 61 to carry out said connection, and a suction assembly 100, preferably integrated in the floor-contact part 2 of the apparatus 1.

[104] The suction tube 10 is then engaged, in use, on the closing member 61.

[105] The tube itself then develops in a preferably curved manner, exiting from the closing member 61 and deviating towards the floor-contact part 2 through the housing seat 337 defined between the first half-shell 330 and the second half-shell 331 , as described above.

[106] The closing element 61 has a flanged portion 610, intended to be arranged in abutment on the top of the tank 5. The flanged portion 610 is preferably blocked by special locking means provided at the top of the tank 5.

[107] The closing element 61 also has a tubular connection portion 611 on which the containment cup 62 is adapted to be engaged. The closing element 61 further comprises a protection portion 612, which perimetrically envelops at least in part the containment cup 62, to block the passage of any splashes coming from the inlet opening 51 through the suction duct 10.

[108] Advantageously, the closing element 61 supports therein a filter 64, for example made of spongy material, capable of stopping the outflow of any foam generated in the operating liquid (see Figure 3).

[109] The cup 62 in turn has a tubular shape, closed at the base to retain the float 63. The walls of the cup 62 are preferably made of wire mesh, for example of steel, permeable to operating fluid and air.

[110] The cup 62 comprises at the top a tubular collar 620, adapted to be inserted, by interference, on the connecting portion 612 of the closing member 61.

[111] The float 63 is inserted freely inside the cup 62, being adapted to be raised by floating by the surrounding operating fluid, up to a maximum level, at which point the float 63 reaches the collar 620, obstructing it and thus preventing the passage of fluid inside the suction circuit 10.

[112] The floor-contact part 2 comprises at least one preferably rotatable tool 6, for example a pair of tools 5, arranged so as to have a respective operative surface 6a facing the floor to be treated and, in particular, in operation, being in contact with it (see Figure 3).

[113] The tools 6, if provided in pairs, can be arranged side by side, at the opposite parts with respect to the guide part 3, rotatable according to an axis of rotation substantially orthogonal to the floor, therefore, for example, substantially vertical when the tools are in operation resting on a substantially horizontal floor, in such a way that the operating surface 5a of each tool 6 is substantially parallel to the floor to be treated and can interact with it. The tools 6, for example brushes, are driven in rotation by respective movers, in the opposite direction.

[114] Alternatively and in known manner, the axis of rotation of the tools 6 can be arranged slightly inclined with respect to an axis orthogonal to the floor. In practice, the axes of the tools 6 can have opposite and mirror inclinations with respect to a longitudinal median axis of the apparatus. As a result of the aforementioned inclination between the operative surface 6a of each tool 6 and the floor, a differentiated friction action is generated, which is greater at the portion that, following rotation, comes closer to the floor, such as to determine a resultant action that is not zero, consistent for the pair of counter-rotating tools 6. This resulting action has a continuous propulsive effect, thus causing an autonomous advance of the apparatus.

[115] Hereinbelow, reference will be made to a pair of tools 5, however also meaning the case in which the tool 6 is a single one, for example in the form of a rotating brush with a substantially vertical axis or a roller with a horizontal axis.

[116] The floor-contact part 2 preferably also comprises, in a manner known in the art, a suction strip 7 (see Figure 2), arranged at the back of the tools 6, according to the direction of travel B.

[117] The suction strip 7, known in the sector as "squeegee", is arranged, in operation, in contact with the floor, to contain and convey the dirty operating fluid diverted by the tools 6, following the interaction with the floor.

[118] More precisely, the suction strip 7 comprises at least one pair of bands, preferably arranged curved peripherally to the floor-contact part 2, so as to substantially cover the operating width of the tools 6. In particular, the pair of bands provides a front band 7a and a rear band 7b, with respect to the direction of travel of the apparatus 1 : the first is preferably provided with slots for the drawing of the operating fluid to be collected, the second, on the other hand, is continuous, therefore free of slots, for the collection of the same fluid. A chamber for collecting dirty operating fluid is thus formed between said strips, and the fluid can be sucked in. [119] The bands 7a, 7b are further supported by a frame 8 (see Figure 2) fixed to the structure of the floor-contact part 2 and associated to the suction unit 100 operated by a mover 110 arranged, for example, on the same floor-contact part 2 (see Figure 3).

[120] The mover 110, which is preferably of the brush or permanent magnet type, is powered for example by a battery assembly 111 arranged in the floor-contact part 2.

[121] Preferably the mover 110 and the battery assembly 111 are contained within a containment casing 9 of the floor-contact part 2.

[122] The operation of the apparatus for treating floors according to the invention is easily understandable from the foregoing description.

[123] In the particular case of a scrubber dryer apparatus, the operator mounts the tank 5 by coupling it with the body 33, after having possibly emptied it from the fluid used in the previous cycle. For this operation, the operator rests the tank 5 on the base of the locking body 33, centering it thanks to the centering member 371 and rotating it slightly until it is coupled to the locking body 33 itself.

[124] The operator then activates the control device 31 and, in particular, adjusts the parameters of the treatment cycle by acting on the controls present on the panel 316.

[125] The apparatus 1 is then started and, with the aid of the handle 32, is guided through a treatment path. The guiding is particularly easy, thanks to the compactness and lightness of the guide part 3, comprising the rod 30, the control unit 31 and the locking body 33.

[126] A cleaning operating fluid, for example water, already arranged on the edge of the floorcontact part 2 is fed onto the floor and sucked upon actuation of the mover 110, together with the dirt, through the suction strip 7.

[127] The operating fluid is then conveyed through the collection tubing 20 towards the tank 5 coupled to the locking body 33 of the guide part 3.

[128] The level of the operating fluid in the tank 5 is controlled by the control device 60, by raising the float 63.

[129] The air separated from the collected operating fluid is then conveyed through the suction tube 10 to drain out of the apparatus.

[130] The apparatus for treating floors according to the invention therefore achieves the aim of ensuring optimal maneuverability and effective treatment.

[131] In the practical implementation of the invention, the materials used, as well as the shape and size, may be modified depending on needs.

[132] Should the technical features mentioned in any claim be followed by reference signs, such reference signs were included strictly with the aim of enhancing the understanding of the claims and hence they shall not be deemed restrictive in any manner whatsoever on the scope of each element identified for exemplifying purposes by such reference signs.

Claims

An apparatus for treating floors, in particular a scrubber dryer for floors, comprising a floorcontact part (2) equipped with at least one tool (6) for treating a floor, and a guide part (3) connected to said floor-contact part (2) and equipped with a handle (32), said guide part (3) comprising a support rod (30), a control unit (31) for controlling the treatment operations, arranged at one end of said rod (30) and a locking body (33) arranged at the opposite end of the same rod (30), said support rod (30) being blocked between said control assembly (31) and said locking body (33), characterized in that said body (33) forms a substantially hollow shell, capable of housing and stably locking said rod (30), divided into a first half shell (330) and a second half shell (331 ), which can be removably engaged, to lock said support rod (30). The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said body (33) integrally bears a fixing member (35) to ensure the connection of said rod (30) to said floor-contact part. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said rod (30) has a tubular shape and contains the power cables for said control assembly (31 ). The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said control assembly (31) is made in the form of a hollow dashboard (310), bearing a control panel (134). The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said dashboard (310) carries said handle (32) for operator's guiding. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said handle (32) has the shape of a handlebar, providing a first handle (320) and a second handle (321) projecting in a substantially aligned way from the opposite parts of said dashboard (310). The apparatus of any one of claims 4 - 6, wherein said dashboard (310) comprises a stem (315), adapted to internally receive a portion of said support rod (30). The apparatus of any one of claims 4 - 7, wherein said dashboard (310) is divided into two halves or parts that may be reciprocally coupled, that is into a first part (311 ) and into a second part (312). The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein it comprises a tank (5) for containing an operating fluid for floor treatment, removably coupled, said guide part (3) bearing integral thereto a support member (37) equipped with a centering element (371) and said tank (5) forming an external cavity (53) delimited by at least one pair of facing centering walls (54), said centering element (371) engaging said walls (54) centering in a condition in which said tank (5) is coupled to said guide part (3). The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said tank (5) is adapted to be coupled to said guide part (3), by means of a tilting motion around an attachment axis (A) arranged on said support member (37) transversely to a median plane of the apparatus (1), between an inclined position (5'), at which said tank (5) abuts on said guide part (3) at said coupling axis (A) and a coupling position, at which said tank (5) is rotated around said coupling axis (A) and coupled in abutment of said guide part (3). The apparatus of claim 9 or 10, wherein it comprises at least one coupling device (36) for allowing a removable coupling between said guide part (3) and said tank (5), said coupling device comprising at least one first coupling element (360) carried by said guide part (3) and a second coupling element (361) removably coupled to said first coupling element (360), carried by said tank (5). The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein at least one of said first and said second coupling element (360, 361 ) is an elastic coupling means. The apparatus of any one of claims 9-12, wherein said centering walls (54) are parallel to a median plane of said guide part (3) in said condition in which said tank (5) is coupled to said guide part (3). The apparatus of any one of claims 9-13, wherein said cavity (53) is arranged centrally to said tank (3). The apparatus of any one of claims 9-14, wherein said cavity (53) is obtained below said tank (5), on a rear side with reference to an operational condition of the apparatus (1) along a direction of travel (B). The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein it comprises a tank (5) for containing an operating fluid for floor treatment, comprising an inlet opening (50) for the collected liquid and an outlet opening (51) for the suction of air separated from said collected liquid, said tank (5) including a control device (60) of the level of said liquid, comprising a closure member (61 ) fixed to close said outlet opening (51 ), a containment cup (62) fixed to said closure member (61) and a float (63) contained in said cup (62), said closure member (61 ) also comprising a protective portion (612) interposed between said inlet opening (50) and said cup (62) to block the outflow of any fluid splashes. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said protection portion (612) perimetrically surrounds said cup (62). The apparatus of claim 16 or 17, wherein said closure portion (61) supports a filter (64) inside it, to stop the outflow of any foam generated in the operating liquid. The apparatus of any one of claims 16-18, wherein said cup (62) comprises at the top a tubular collar (620), able to be inserted on a connection portion (612) protruding downwardly from said closure member (61 ). The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said float (63) is freely inserted inside said cup (62), so as to be raised by floating by said operating liquid collected inside said tank (5), up to a maximum level, at which said float (63) reaches said collar (620) obstructing the passage of said liquid through said closure member (61).