Floor cleaning machine using micro-fiber pad

Abstract

A floor cleaning machine includes a vacuum pick-up in front of the machine for suctioning loose material and debris off the floor. A micro fiber pad assembly is mounted beneath the machine for cleaning the floor following the vacuum pick-up. The micro fiber pad may be motor driven. A source of solution delivers a controlled amount of solution or water to moisten the micro fiber pad. A vacuum motor provides suction to the forward vacuum pick-up, routes the suctioned air through filter, and the filtered air is then delivered to an air diffuser at the rear of the machine to dry any residual moisture behind the micro fiber pad.

1 . A floor cleaning machine comprising: 
 floor-engaging support wheels;    a vacuum pick-up on said machine at a forward portion thereof, and engaging and cleaning a swath of floor;    a filter;    a vacuum motor on said machine and coupled to said vacuum pick-up to suction air and recovered debris through said vacuum pick-up, said vacuum motor passing said suctioned air through said filter for removing debris and particles from said suctioned air;    a micro fiber pad assembly, including a micro fiber pad engaging said floor located beneath said machine and to a rear of said vacuum pick-up, said micro fiber pad including a layer of micro fiber material engaging said floor;    source of solution on said machine, coupled to deliver a controlled amount of solution to moisten said micro fiber pad;    an air diffuser carried by said machine and located to the rear of said micro fiber pad assembly,    said air diffuser receiving air passed through said filter and delivering said filtered air to said air diffuser, said diffuser directing said filtered air to said swath cleaned by said micro fiber pad assembly.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a second motor on said machine for driving said micro fiber pad assembly.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said second motor drives said micro fiber pad assembly in rotary motion.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said second motor drives said micro fiber pad assembly in oscillating or reciprocating motion.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said vacuum pick-up includes a nozzle having an inlet opening extending the width of the machine in length at least equal to an operating width of said micro fiber pad.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein said micro fiber pad is circular.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein said vacuum pick-up includes a lower front edge equipped with one of a brush, micro fiber pad material, and notched edge permitting material to pass therethrough and be recovered by suctioned air.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said vacuum pick-up includes side edges and a rear edge engaging the floor, each of said side edges and rear edge being covered with one of a felt material and micro fiber pad material.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said filter includes a cloth filter bag.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said filter includes a HEPA filter.