GB2491661A

GB2491661A - A cleaning apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2491661A
Application number: GB1117776.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Martin John Whitbread; James Dutson
Original assignee: GUM PAK Ltd
Current assignee: GUM PAK Ltd
Priority date: 2011-06-06
Filing date: 2011-10-14
Publication date: 2012-12-12
Anticipated expiration: 2031-10-14
Also published as: GB2491661B; GB201117776D0

Abstract

A cleaning apparatus comprises a lance that includes a burner 12, connectable via a hose 8 to a source of fuel 4, a coil 18 adjacent the burner 12 such that heat from the burner 12 will heat the coil 18 and its contents, the coil 18 being connectable via a hose 6 to a source of fluid 2, a discharge tube 24 on the distal end of the coil 18 and a sheath 30 around the burner 12 and the coil 18 and the sheath 30 being provided with vents 32 for venting exhaust heat and fumes from the burner 12. The fuel and source of fluid are preferably in containers 2, 4 which may be mounted in a backpack 36 or on a trolley. The coil 18 may be a tapered double coil with a tapered outside winding and a parallel inside winding with the wider end of the taper being closest to the burner 12. The sheath 30 is preferably made from a carbon composite material which is lined with ceramic wool matting or silica material.

Description

Cleaning Apparatus The present invention relates to cleaning apparatus, particularly though not exclusively for the removal of gum from pavements.

Chewing gum on pavements is unsightly and is not usually removed by standard street cleaning apparatus, which generally comprises a broom, either mechanical or hand operated, with or without cold water. Various methods have been used to try to remove chewing gum from the pavements, none being totally effective.

One method of gun removal involves the use of hot water and/or steam provided as a jet from a lance. This method uses a large volume of water, all of which had to be heated to the correct, high temperature. This then causes disruption to users of the street while it is being cleaned, due to the volume of water used.

The object of the present invention is to provide improved cleaning apparatus, * typically though not exclusively, for the removal gum. ****

According to the invention there is provided cleaning apparatus including:-.

* : * a lance for delivering heated fluid, the lance including: * 20 * a burner, connectable via a hose to a source of fuel; * * a coil adjacent the burner such that heat from the burner will heat the * ****S * coil and its contents, the coil connectable via a hose to a source of fluid; * * a discharge tube on the distal end of the coil, * a sheath around the burner and coil, the sheath being provided with vents for venting exhaust heat and fumes from the burner. *

* * 4 Usually the cleaning apparatus will further include a container for holding a supply of fluid and connectable to the coil via a hose. A pump may also be provided to pump a predetermined volume of fluid through the coil. Advantageously, this can * ***** be provided as a backpack for easy transportation by an operator or in a trolley.

Preferably the fluid with be a solution designed for the cleaning job to be carried out. Where the apparatus is to be used for gum removal, the solution will be designed to soften and remove gum. Generally the fluid will be aqueous based and may include gum dispersing chemicals. The fluid may be plain water.

Advantageously the discharge tube can be provided with a brush on its distal end to assist in cleaning. This is removable for use when required and for easy replacement. When used for gum removal, the brush can be a brass brush.

Alternatively a brush of bristle or high melting point plastics material can be used.

Usually the cleaning apparatus will also include a container for a source of fuel, and a hose for connecting the fuel to the burner. Conveniently the fbel may be LPG but other forms of gaseous or liquid fuels can be used. Typically the container of fuel and the container of fluid will be provided together in a backpack or on a * is trolley.

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* 550.5 * Preferably the sheath is made of a carbon composite material. Typically it is * lined with a ceramic wool matting or silica material to retain and withstand the heat.

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Usually the coil will be a double coil with a tapered outside windings and parallel inside windings. However in some embodiments both the outside and the **s seS * inside may be tapered. In other embodiments the coil will be a single layer of tapering windings. The windings are tapered to a smaller diameter coil further away from the burner, with the wider diameter coils being closer to the burner.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the apparatus s. also includes an exhaust system to prevent overheating of the lance. The exhaust * 55t system includes a fan for blowing air into a tube that connects to a hot air discharge tube also adjacent the burner. The blown-air tube initially connects around the : * .* 30 outside of the discharge tube, drawing the hot air and exhaust gases away from the burner. The discharge tube ends a short distance after the connection.

To help understanding of the invention, two specific embodiments thereof will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view o f apparatus according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view o f apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figure 1, the device 1 comprises a container 2 holding a fluid to to be heated for use in cleaning, arid a second container 4 for holding fuel. The fluid may be water or may be an aqueous fluid including chemicals designed for the particular cleaning job to be carried out. For example, when used for gum removal from pavements, the fluid will be an aqueous solution including chemicals to soften and disburse gum. The fuel will be in the form of a liquefied or pressurised gas, * is typically LPG, although other fuels can be used. * U

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* .eeUU * The containers 2, 4 are connected by flexible hoses 6, 8 to a lance 10 for delivering heated fluid for cleaning purposes.

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*SUU*U * U The lance 10 includes a burner 12 connected by the hose 8 to the fuel : . container 4. The burner is also provided with an ignitor 14, connected to a switch 15 positioned on a handle 16 of the lance.

The lance also includes a coil 18 connected via the hose 6 to the fluid container. The coil 18 is provided adjacent the burner so that the coil is heated by the burner. The coil is a double coil and is provided with a taper on the outside winding of the coil, the wider end 20 being closest to the burner and the narrower end 22 being "U further from the burner. The inside winding 23 as shown is not tapered, although this *UU.

may also be tapered, or may not be present. It has been found that the tapering of coil 7 30 provides the most efficient heating to the coil and thus its contents. * * 4

Extending from the end 22 of the coil is a delivery tube 24 for discharge of the heated fluid, generally in the form of steam. As shown the delivery tube 24 is provided with a brass brush 26 extending therefrom. This is designed to be removable for easy replacement, and because for some cleaning jobs such a brush will not be advantageous. In other embodiments the brush may be made of other materials such as stiff hair or high temperature resistance plastics materials.

The burner and coil are protected by a sheath 30. This is typically made of carbon composite material and lined with a ceramic wool matting or silica to prevent heat loss. The sheath is provided with vents 32, to allow discharge of exhaust gases and excess heat from the burner.

A pump 34 is provided to supply a constant supply of fluid to the coil, when the device is turned on. The volume of fluid can be set for a particular job. For the removal of gum from a pavement area, typically a volume of 0.O3ml of fluid per second is provided to the coil. Any volume between 0.OlmlIs and Sml/s can be provided through the coil. A l2v pump is sufficient for this purpose, and is provided together with a battery power supply, which advantageously may be rechargeable.

* *b S 55 * . Generally, the containers 2, 4 can be provided in a backpack 36 for ease of 5..

carriage. A back pack of 3 00mm by 100mm by 200mm will enable the container to * : : be carried easily. Alternatively the container can be provided on a trolley, wheeled container or the like. * S * S..

555 SIS * In use, one container 2 is filled with cleaning fluid, and the other container 4 is filled with ftiel. The fluid will be chosen for the particular cleaning job. For example * if weeds are to be cleaned from a path or gravel area, plain water may be used. If the * 25 device is to be used to remove gum from pavements, an aqueous solution also include gum softening chemicals may be used. The burner is then ignited using the ignition switch 15 on the handle and the pump set to delivery a suitable amount of fluid, for example 0.03m1 per second, and also turned on using the switch on the handle 38.

The burner heats the coil 18 and as the fluid passes through the coil it is heated generally turning to steam, which is expelled from the delivery tube 24, whence it can S..

* be applied as appropriate. If fixed, the brush can be used to assist in the removal of the gum or the like.

Referring now to Figure 2, the lance 110 thereshown is attached to a back pack unit as shown in Figure 1, although fuel and fluid may also be contained in a trolley or the like. The lance includes a handle portion 140 which holds hoses 106, 108 carrying fluid to be heated and fuel from tanks in the back pack. The handle is s typically is hollow tube, generally made of carbon fibre material or other fire and high temperature resistant materials.

Attached to the handle is a sheath 130 containing the burner 112. The sheath is also typically made of carbon fibre, or a fire resistant material. It may also be lined with a further fire resistant material. Additionally or alternatively it may be lined with a silica sleeve, which reduces fire risk and prevents overheating of the sheath, which would potentially be a hazard to a user.

The coil 118 is positioned adjacent the burner. As discussed previously, the * is burned may be provided with a tapered coil, with the widest diameter turn 120 being * positioned closest to the burner, and the narrower diameter turn 123 being positioned furthest from the burner. As shown, a single coil is provided and the coil is connected *Csc to the feed of fluid at its narrowest diameter turn 123, furthest from the burner.

* Alternatively a double or even treble winding could be provided, for example as * 20 shown in the first embodiment. However, the arrangement as described above has * been found to the most efficient. Around the burner 112 is provided a mesh 132, *** q*S * * which prevents spread of the flame. Extending from the end of the mesh way from the burner is an exhaust tube 136, to remove heated air and exhaust gases created by * the burner. 0*

Also within the sheath 130 is a fan 134. This is provided at one end of an air-flow tube 138. The air-flow tube 138 extends parallel to the burner and mesh, and *t then is angled to meet the exhaust tube 136. The air-flow tube is of wider diameter than the exhaust tube, with the exhaust tube extending inside the air flow tube for a short distance. As the air-flow passes the end of the exhaust tube is creates a thaw, * St thawing the heated air and exhaust gases away from the burner. Thus the air-flow created by the fan passes along the air flow tube and around the outside of the exhaust tube once it passes inside the air flow tube. The air-flow tube 138 is connected into an aperture 142 at the end of the sheath, away from the discharge of the heated fluid.

Thus the heated air and exhaust gases from the burner are exhausted out of the sheath preventing overheating of the sheath and a potential fire hazard.

The heated fluid passes from the coil 118 into an outlet tube 144 where is can be applied, typically to chewing gun, via a brush 126.

This device is designed particularly for removing chewing gum from pavement. However, it can also be used for other cleaning purposes, and for example weed killing and insect removal. For these purposes different fluids may be used, and at different volumes. As discussed, for chewing gum removal, it has been found that a delivery rate of 0.O3ml/s of cleaning fluid is suitable. However, other volumes could also be provided, for other purposes, or if for example the composition of chewing gum alters. 0.Olml/s to 5m1/s could be'provided through the coil. As discussed in relation to the first embodiment, the equipment is also provided with a * 15 pump and power supply as required. To compliment this, the air-flow tube is 22mm * diameter, and the exhaust tube is 1 5mm diameter. The air-flow tube extends for * ** 00 * 20mm while inside the air flow tube with the fan tube then extending for a further 30mm.

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Now turning to Figure 3, the lance 210 theresbown is attached to a back pack unit as shown in Figure 1, although the fuel and fluid containers may equally be S.....

* provided in a trolley or the like. The lance includes a handle portion 250 that holds the hoses 206, 208 carrying fluid to be heated and fuel from tanks in the back pack or other support. The handle is a hollow tube, typically made of carbon fibre material.

Other material could be used, preferably being fire and high temperature resistant.

Connected to the handle is a sheath 230, which holds a burner 212 for buming * .: fuel to heat the fluid. The sheath is also typically made of carbon fibre material, although it could also be made of other fire and high temperature resistant materials.

The part of the inside of the tube adjacent the burner is lined with a silica sleeve 231.

* In other embodiments the sleeve may cover the entire length of the sheath, or be omitted altogether. It is however advantageous in minimising overheating of the sheath and reducing fire risk, which would be a danger to an operator. $7

The burner 212 is connected to the fuel line 208 and is provided with a piezo ignition system 233, which creates a spark to light the fuel, which will typically be LPG or any other gaseous fuel.

A coil 218 is provided where the flame from the burner 212 will be at its hottest. A stainless steel mesh 232 is provided to cover the full extent of the flame and prevent spreading of the flame. The coil 218 is a single turn of stainless steel tube, of 6mm outside diameter, having a 1mm wall thickness. The coil could be made of copper pipe but as stainless steel can resist higher temperatures, and thus is more resistant to melting even in the absence of fluid to be heated, stainless steel is preferred. The tube could also be of different dimension, but the size described above one chosen for the vDlume and the cleaning fluid required, and the type and volume of fluid used, for the removal of gum from pavements. The coil is then connected to an outlet tube 244 that has a 6mm outside diameter but a 1mm inside diameter. This outlet tube 244 is typically made of copper. This tube is design to retain the heat from * the heated fluid, which will be substantially steam, gas and vapour at this stage. The outlet tube 244 extends out of the sheath 230 from whence heated fluid and vapour ** can be applied to gum on a pavement. Usually a brush, 226, typically a wire brush, or other hard, heat resistant material will be provided at the distal end of the outlet tube, r 20 to aid with the gum removal.

* Extending around the end of the mesh 232 is a hood 234 that leads to a chimney 236, which is connected to an outlet 238 in the sheath. This allows heated * air and exhaust gases from the burner to exit from the sheath. A vent, or series of * 25 vents 240, in the sheath, near the outlet tube, provides an airflow passage through the sheath in the direction of the flame of the burner, exhausting the gases. ** *

* *t* The invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the above-described embodiment. For instance, the device can be used to clean and remove substances other than gum. For example it can be used to remove weeds from paths **** * and gravel areas. In this example the weeds can be destroyed by the use of steam alone and thus the fluid can be plain water. In addition while the device will usually be sized for street cleaning, or weed control, it may also be provided in a smaller size for gun removal from seats on trains for example. In addition the device can be used for cleaning and sanitising surfaces, including cooking surfaces, floors, lavatories, and surfaces in hospitals, for example floors, trolleys, beds and other surfaces. For this purpose either a larger or smaller sized device may be used.

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Claims

CLAIMS: 1. Cleaning apparatus including:- * a lance for delivering heated fluid, the lance including: * a burner, connectable via a hose to a source of fuel; * coil adjacent the burner such that heat from the burner will heat the coil and its contents, the coil connectable via a hose to a source of fluid; * a discharge tube on the distal end of the coil, * a sheath around the burner and coil, the sheath being provided with vents for venting exhaust heat and fumes from the burner.
2. Cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus further includes a container for holding a supply of fluid and connectable to the coil via a hose.
3. Cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the apparatus further includes a pump to pump a predetermined volume of fluid from the fluid container through the * I * *
4. Cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the fluid container contains fluid designed for the cleaning job to be carried out.
5. Clearnng apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the fluid is an aqueous solution *1*eI* * including gum-dispersing chemicals,
6. Cleaning apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus * . * further includes a brush on the distal end of the discharge tube.
7. Cleaning apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the application further includes a container holding a supply of fuel,
8. Cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the fuel is LPG.
9. Cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8, further including a backpack for holding the container of fuel and the container of fluid.
10. Cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8, further including a trolley for holding the container of fuel and the container of fluid
11. Cleaning apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sheath is made S..of a carbon composite material.
12. Cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the sheath is lined with a ceramic wool matting or silica material to retain and withstand the heat. I013. Cleaning apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the coil is a tapered coil 14. Cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the coil is tapered with wider turns closer to the burner and narrower turns further from the burner.15. Cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 13 or 14, wherein the coil is a double coil with a tapered outside winding and a parallel inside winding.16. Cleaning apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus further includes an exhaust system to prevent overheating of the lance.17. Cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the exhaust system includes a fan for blowing air into a tube that connects to a hot air discharge tube also adjacent the burner.18. Cleaning apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1, Figure 2 or Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.IS..... * .* **.** * I * S *5*S *5*5*S * S S. * S * II.SS..... * *SISSS S.SI *45