TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the pad holders that can be found on scrubber-sweeping machines. The invention solves the problem of uneven water distribution and/or suction through the disc pad (scouring, scrubbing, or buffing pad) used on scrubber-sweepers. To this end, the invention provides a pad holder which is provided with channels that ensure a radial distribution of the water and/or suction through the disc pad.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

All scrub-sweep-cleaning machines have a holder with a brush or a pad holder on the underside with needles or Velcro hooks for attaching non-woven cleaning pads. Due to their round shape, such pads are also referred to as disc pads.

The water and any cleaning products are distributed centrally or via the pad holder over this non-woven cleaning pad. The water and cleaning products find their way through the open cell structure of such a non-woven cleaning pad and centrifugal forces to the underside of the pad.

Other disc pads woven or other constructions with a more closed structure can therefore get very little water under a pad. There is therefore a need for a pad holder configured to provide better water distribution or suction, regardless of the type of pad used on the scrubber-sweeper.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention therefore primarily relates to a universal pad holder by means of channels configured for an even distribution of water through the disc pad. As already indicated above, the pad holder according to the present invention is particularly suitable for disc pads with a more closed structure such as woven, tufted or other constructions.

The channels are configured to provide radial water distribution through the disc pad. As shown in the figures, the channels depart radially from a common central space, and are evenly distributed on the inside of the pad holder over the contact surface of the pad holder with the pad. Preferably, they also extend over substantially the full diameter of the disc pad holder.

The channels can be rectilinear, i.e. radial lines, but also take on other shapes, such as a vortex, i.e. curved lines, or spiral like a spiral helix shape, a sun spiral shape and the like.

In one embodiment, the channels are open at the contact surface of the pad holder with the pad. By analogy with the existing pad holders, the pad holder according to the invention is provided on the underside, i.e. the contact side of the pad holder with the pad, with pad attachment means, such as needles or Velcro hooks for attaching the pad.

In a specific embodiment, the pad holder according to the present invention is configured to be used as an intermediate pad holder. In this embodiment the pad holder according to the invention is placed between the pad holder of the scrubber-sweeping machine and the disc pad. In this embodiment, the pad holder according to the present invention will be provided on the side opposite to the contact side of the pad holder with attachment means, such as needles or Velcro hooks for attaching the pad holder according to the invention to the pad holder of the scrubber-sweeping machine. In contrast to the contact side of the pad holder with the pad, the channels on this side are preferably closed. The latter prevents water from finding its way between the pad holder of the scrubber-sweeper and the pad holder according to the invention. The latter not only detracts from an efficient water distribution through the pad, but also weakens the good adhesion of the pad holder according to the invention to the pad holder of the scrubbersweeper. In a specific embodiment, the pad holder according to the invention is provided with a watertight layer on the contact side with the pad holder of the scrubber-sweeping machine. In particular a watertight layer which on the outside, i.e. the contact side with the pad holder of the scrubber sweeper, is provided with fastening means, such as needles or Velcro hooks for attaching the pad holder according to the invention to the pad holder of the scrubber sweeper

The common central space from which the channels depart radially is preferably cylindrical, and thus allows the supply of the water and/or cleaning products from the scrubber-sweepers to the channels configured for an even distribution of water through the disc pad. The common central space is centrally located, i.e. coaxial with the center axis of the pad holder, and is provided on one side with a supply for the water and/or cleaning products from the scrubber-sweeper. In this embodiment, in which the pad holder is provided with a watertight layer on the contact side with the pad holder of the scrubber-sweeping machine, the latter is provided with a passage at the level of the common central space, so that the supply of water and/or cleaning products from secure the scrubber-sweepers.

The opposite side of the supply side of the common central area can be open or closed.

The pad holder according to the invention is a universal pad holder and can therefore be used with any type of disc pad. As stated above, it was developed to solve the problem of uneven water distribution and/or suction through a more closed disc path (scouring, scrubbing, or polishing pad) used on scrubber-sweepers.

In the latter case, the pads on the contact side with the pad holder are preferably provided with several openings which are evenly distributed over the surface of the disc pad. In one embodiment, the openings follow the pattern of the radial channels. In another embodiment, the pad is closed at the level of the common central space. In a specific embodiment, the pad is closed at the level of the common central space and provided with several openings that fit with the pattern of the radial channels of the pad holder according to the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

With specific reference to the figures, it is emphasized that the details shown are for exemplary purposes only and for illustrative discussion of the various embodiments of the present invention. They are presented for the purpose of providing what is believed to be the most useful and timely description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show more structural details of the invention than are necessary for a basic understanding of the invention. The description in conjunction with the figures will make it clear to those skilled in the art how the various forms of the invention may be put into practice.

Figure 1 is a cross-section of the pad holder according to the invention placed on a pad holder of a scrubber-sweeping machine, with a pad at the bottom. The pad shown is closed at the level of the common central space and provided with openings at the level of the channels in the pad holder according to the invention. On the contact side with the scrubber-sweeper's padholder, the padholder is provided with a velcro for attachment to the scrubber-sweeper's padholder, on top of a waterproof layer as part of the padholder. This cross-section also clearly shows that the channels at the bottom, i.e. facing the (disk) pad, are open.

Figure 2A is a bottom view of a pad holder according to the invention in which the radial channels are rectilinear, i.e. radial lines, which start from a cylindrical common central space. In length they extend over almost the entire diameter of the disc-shaped pad holder.

Figure 2B is a bottom view of an alternative pad holder according to the invention, in which the radial channels are curved, forming a vortex, as it were, which again extends over substantially the entire diameter of the disc-shaped pad holder. It also shows an alternative with regard to the way in which the opening of the channels can be realized at the bottom. In contrast to Figure 2A, where the channels are completely cut out at the bottom, as shown in Figure 2B, the open character of the channels in relation to the (disc) pad can also be achieved by successive perforations that follow the pattern of the channel.

Figure 3A is a top view of a pad holder according to the invention. In addition to the centrally located lead-through to the cylindrical common central space, this figure shows the means (velcro) with which the pad holder is attached to the pad holder of the scrubber-sweeping machine. It is also clear from this figure that the pad holder is closed on this side.

Figure 3A is a bottom view analogous to Figure 2A with the radial channels being rectilinear, i.e. radial lines, emanating from a cylindrical common central space. In this embodiment the cylindrical common central space is also open on this side of the pad holder.

Cross Reference Numbers

1 channels 2 waterproof layer

3 common central area

4 the means (velcro) with which the pad holder is attached to the pad holder of the scrubbersweeper

5 the scrub sweeper pad holder 6 supply for the water and/or cleaning products from the scrubber-sweeper

7 openings in the pad

8 watertight closure of the pad at the level of the common central space

9 floor