Robotic surface treating device with non-circular housing

Abstract

A robotic cleaning device includes a housing having a rounded leading portion and a non-circular trailing portion. The width of the trailing portion is no greater than that of the leading portion. The trailing portion can have an electrostatic skirt or bottom cover for cleaning a surface. The skirts can be in the form of a disposable ruffle.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A robotic surface treating device, comprising: 
 a housing having a leading portion that is rounded along its periphery in top view and a trailing portion that is non-circular along at least a portion of its periphery in top view;    the leading portion housing a control system for directing movement of the robotic cleaning device;    the trailing portion being linked to a surface contact element, and having a widest side-to-side width which is equal to or less than the widest side-to-side width of the leading portion.    
     
     
         2 . The robotic surface treating device of  claim 1 , wherein the widest side-to-side width of the trailing portion is less than the widest side-to-side width of the leading portion.  
     
     
         3 . The robotic surface treating device of  claim 2 , wherein the device is a cleaning device and the surface treating contact element is a cleaning cloth.  
     
     
         4 . The robotic surface treating device of  claim 3 , wherein the cleaning cloth is linked to a dust ruffle.  
     
     
         5 . The robotic surface treating device of  claim 3 , wherein the cleaning cloth is made of an electrostatic material.  
     
     
         6 . The robotic surface treating device of  claim 5 , wherein the cleaning cloth is linked to an electrostatic skirt in the form of a dust ruffle, both the skirt and the dust sheet being positioned so as to contact a surface being treated by the device when the device is moved over the surface.  
     
     
         7 . The robotic surface treating device of  claim 6 , wherein the ruffle also extends radially outward along the rear and sides of the trailing portion.  
     
     
         8 . The robotic surface treating device of  claim 7 , wherein the ruffle is impregnated with at least one of a fragrance, an insecticide, a polish, or a cleaning fluid.  
     
     
         9 . The robotic surface treating device of  claim 2 , wherein the trailing portion is constructed to provide pressure on the dust sheet to assist its contact with a surface to be treated by the device.  
     
     
         10 . The robotic surface treating device of  claim 2 , wherein the device is selected from the group of vacuum cleaners, floor polishers, floor waxers, mowers and dispensers of agricultural chemicals.  
     
     
         11 . The robotic surface treating device of  claim 2 , wherein the trailing portion is essentially rectangular in top view.  
     
     
         12 . The robotic surface treating device of  claim 2 , further comprising a motor for causing movement of the device.  
     
     
         13 . The robotic surface treating device of  claim 1 , wherein the cleaning cloth comprises a first section comprising a cleaning material and a second section comprising a treating material.  
     
     
         14 . A disposable dust ruffle for use with a  claim 5  device, the ruffle comprising: 
 an essentially cup-shaped portion made at least in part of an electrostatic material;  
 a fastener attached along an upper rim of the cup; and  
 a skirt made at least in part of an electrostatic material and extending radially outward and downward from the upper rim of the cup.  
 
     
     
         15 . The ruffle of  claim 12 , wherein the fastener is an elastic band.  
     
     
         16 . A method of treating a surface comprising moving a device of  claim 1  over the surface.