Floor burnishing apparatus with active dust control

Abstract

A burnishing apparatus having at least one burnishing disc engageable with a floor includes a shroud surrounding the burnishing disc. The shroud defines a vacuum zone in fluid communication with a filtration system. The filtration system has an inlet, wherein the vacuum zone is in fluid communication with the inlet. In one embodiment, a vacuum source is in fluid communication with the inlet, wherein the vacuum source draws dust from the vacuum zone into the filtration system through the inlet, and at least some of the dust is collected by the filtration system. In another embodiment of the invention, an agitation device regenerates at least one filter element forming part of the filtration system.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A burnishing apparatus comprising: 
 at least one burnishing disc engageable with a floor;    a shroud surrounding said burnishing disc defining a vacuum zone;    a filtration system having an inlet, wherein said vacuum zone is in fluid communication with said inlet;    a vacuum source in fluid communication with said inlet, wherein said vacuum source draws dust from said vacuum zone into said filtration system through said inlet, and at least some of said dust is collected by said filtration system.    
     
     
         2 . The burnishing apparatus as in  claim 1  including a chassis and at least one floor engaging wheel supporting said chassis above the floor, wherein said at least one floor engaging wheel is rotatably driven to propel said chassis along the floor, and said at least one burnishing disc is disposed beneath said chassis.  
     
     
         3 . The burnishing apparatus as in  claim 2 , in which said filtration system includes a filter enclosure, and said filter enclosure supports a driver seat above said chassis.  
     
     
         4 . The burnishing apparatus as in  claim 1 , in which said filtration system includes at least one filter element which collects dust passing through said inlet.  
     
     
         5 . The burnishing apparatus as in  claim 4 , including an agitation device engageable with said at least one filter element to dislodge dust collected by said at least one filter element.  
     
     
         6 . The burnishing apparatus as in  claim 4 , in which said filtration system includes a removable tray disposed beneath said at least one filter element for collecting dust drawn into said filtration system.  
     
     
         7 . The burnishing apparatus as in  claim 4 , in which said at least one filter element is formed from a polymer felt material.  
     
     
         8 . The burnishing apparatus as in  claim 1 , in which said vacuum source is a centrifugal fan.  
     
     
         9 . The burnishing apparatus as in  claim 1 , in which said shroud includes an inner shroud surrounded by an outer shroud.  
     
     
         10 . A burnishing apparatus comprising: 
 at least one burnishing disc engageable with a floor;    a shroud surrounding said burnishing disc defining a vacuum zone;    a filter enclosure having an inlet and an outlet, said inlet being in fluid communication with said vacuum zone; and    at least one filter element disposed in said filter enclosure and interposed between said inlet and said outlet.    
     
     
         11 . The burnishing apparatus as in  claim 10 , including a chassis and at least one floor engaging wheel supporting said chassis above the floor, wherein said at least one floor engaging wheel is rotatably driven to propel said chassis along the floor, and said at least one burnishing disc is disposed beneath said chassis.  
     
     
         12 . The burnishing apparatus as in  claim 11 , in which said filter enclosure supports a driver seat above said chassis.  
     
     
         13 . The burnishing apparatus as in  claim 10 , including an agitation device engageable with said at least one filter element to dislodge dust collected by said at least one filter element.  
     
     
         14 . The burnishing apparatus as in  claim 10 , in which a removable tray is disposed in said filter enclosure beneath said at least one filter element for collecting dust entering said filter enclosure through said inlet.  
     
     
         15 . The burnishing apparatus as in  claim 10 , in which said at least one filter element is formed from a polymer felt material.  
     
     
         16 . The burnishing apparatus as in  claim 10 , in which a vacuum source is in fluid communication with said outlet to draw dust into said filter enclosure through said inlet.  
     
     
         17 . The burnishing apparatus as in  claim 16 , in which said vacuum source is a centrifugal fan.  
     
     
         18 . The burnishing apparatus as in  claim 10 , in which said filter enclosure has a cover which provides access to said at least one filter element.  
     
     
         19 . The burnishing apparatus as in  claim 10 , in which said shroud includes an inner shroud surrounded by an outer shroud.  
     
     
         20 . A method of burnishing a floor, said method comprising: 
 engaging a floor with at least one rotatably driven burnishing disc surrounded by a shroud, wherein said shroud defines a vacuum zone;    drawing dust created by said rotatably driven burnishing disc engaging the floor into a filtration system in fluid communication with said vacuum zone; and    separating said dust from air drawn into said filtration system.    
     
     
         21 . The method as in  claim 20 , in which separating said dust includes drawing said air through at least one filter element which traps at least some of said dust.  
     
     
         22 . The method as in  claim 21 , including dislodging dust from said at least one filter element, and collecting said dislodged dust for disposal.