Rotary Cleaning head having indirect fluid application

Abstract

A rotary cleaning device having a plurality of flush pad extractors can provide improved debris removal and reduced residual material. More specifically, a rotary cleaning device can include a plurality of flush pad extractors which are oriented generally circumferentially about a common rotation axis. These unique flush pad extractors can include a fluid applicator and a vacuum member oriented behind the fluid applicator such that during operation of the device the fluid applicator contacts a surface to be cleaned prior to contact by the vacuum member. In accordance with the present invention, the fluid applicator provides passive delivery of fluid to the surface to be cleaned. Passive delivery of fluid allows for reduced fluid usage and more controlled and even distribution of fluid across a surface without overwetting.

1 . A rotary cleaning device, comprising a plurality of flush pad extractors oriented generally circumferentially about a common rotation axis, said flush pad extractors including a fluid applicator and a vacuum member oriented behind the fluid applicator such that during operation the fluid applicator contacts a surface to be cleaned prior to contact by the vacuum member, said fluid applicator providing passive delivery of fluid to the surface to be cleaned. 
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each flush pad extractor is attached to a common central hub using separate extension members. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the vacuum member is oriented immediately behind the fluid applicator. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each flush pad extractor is attached to a bottom surface of a rotating disk. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the flush pad extractors further comprises an agitating brush immediately after the vacuum member. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid applicator includes a non-absorbent agitating pad. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the non-absorbent agitating pad is an artificial turf pad. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the fluid applicator further comprises a kicker plate for receiving and holding the non-absorbent agitating pad, said kicker plate having a distal edge which is contoured upward. 
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the vacuum member includes a vacuum opening which includes a forward edge and a rear edge such that the forward edge is raised above the rear edge. 
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 9 , further comprising a vacuum source operatively connected to each vacuum member. 
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 9 , further comprising a cleaning fluid source operatively connected to each fluid applicator. 
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a motor operatively connected to the common rotation axis and configured to rotate the plurality of flush pad extractor about the common rotation axis. 
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 1 , additionally including means for supplying fluid to the fluid applicator during operation of the device. 
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the means for supplying fluid to the fluid applicator during operation of the device includes a nozzle oriented to spray fluid into the fluid applicator. 
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the means for supplying fluid to the fluid applicator during operation of the device includes a fluid reservoir area behind the fluid applicator to supply fluid to the fluid applicator. 
   
   
       16 . A method of cleaning floor coverings, comprising the steps of:
 a) passively applying a cleaning fluid to the floor covering in a rotational pass using a fluid applicator; and   b) immediately removing at least a portion of the cleaning fluid during the same rotational pass using a vacuum member behind the fluid applicator.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the step of passively applying a cleaning fluid includes a plurality of fluid applicators. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the cleaning fluid consists essentially of water. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the floor covering is a carpet. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the rotational pass is repeated at a rate from about 100 rpm to about 180 rpm. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the fluid applicator includes an artificial turf pad. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the cleaning fluid substantially penetrates no more than about ⅓ to about ½ a depth of the floor covering. 
   
   
       23 . A rotary cleaning head retrofit kit, comprising:
 a) a plurality of fluid applicators which include non-absorbent agitating pads; and   b) a plurality of vacuum members;   
   
   
       24 . The kit of  claim 23 , wherein the non-absorbent agitating pad comprises a perforated artificial turf. 
   
   
       25 . The kit of  claim 23 , further comprising a plurality of bristle pads.