Cleaning device

Abstract

A cleaning device having one or more water holding tanks having associated water supply outlets connected thereto and an associated pumping means to effect a supply of cleaning water under pressure from each of the one or more holding tanks; the device further including one or more return tanks having associated therewith a water return tank and a water return inlet and associated suction means to allow collection of water into the one or more return tanks. The water holding tanks are in fluid communication with the return tanks and having a series of intermediary filter and baffle elements positioned in a water flow path such that water passing from a return tank to a holding tank is subjected to sequential settling action en route.

1 . A cleaning device including; 
 a water holding tank having an associated water supply outlet connected thereto and an associated pumping means to effect a supply of cleaning water under pressure from the holding-tank;    a return tank having associated therewith a water return inlet and associated suction means to allow collection of water into the return tank;    the holding tank being in fluid communication with the return tank and having a series of intermediary filter and baffle elements positioned in a water flow path such that water passing from the return tank to the holding tank is subjected to sequential settling action en route.    
   
   
       2 . The cleaning device according to  claim 1 , wherein the intermediary filter and baffle elements include a first basket filter located below an inlet of the return tank and adapted to collect and retain large particulate material that settles under the action of gravity.  
   
   
       3 . The cleaning device according to  claim 1 , wherein the intermediary filter and baffle elements may include one or more settling areas located in either the holding tank or the return tank, each settling area allowing water to remain there for a period to allow particulate contaminants to settle.  
   
   
       4 . The cleaning device according to  claim 3 , wherein water passes out of the settling area by means of one of a water overflow or water underflow device.  
   
   
       5 . The cleaning device according to  claim 1 , wherein the suction means associated with the return tank comprises a vacuum device operative to produce a vacuum in a head space in the return tank; and wherein a liquid level in the return tank and the holding tank is maintained whereby the vacuum side of the cleaning device is separated from the pressure side of the cleaning device.  
   
   
       6 . The cleaning device according to  claim 1 , wherein there is provided an arrangement of three separate water tanks being a centrally located water return tank and two outer water holding tanks respectively.  
   
   
       7 . The cleaning device according to  claim 6;  further comprising a pump positioned beneath the centrally located water return tank, the pump drawing water from each water holding tank.  
   
   
       8 . The cleaning device according to  claim 7 , in which a supply manifold pipe leads out of the pump, the supply manifold having connected thereto hoses controlled by means of respective valves.  
   
   
       9 . The cleaning device according to  claim 1 , wherein the water holding tank and the water return tank of the cleaning device are constructed of steel and are hot dip galvanized to improve corrosion resistance.  
   
   
       10 . The cleaning device according to  claim 1 , wherein the return tank includes a vacuum device in fluid communication with a suction head through a hose.  
   
   
       11 . The cleaning device according to  claim 1 , wherein fluid entering the return tank through the water return inlet is confined to a corner of the return tank by means of a baffle that, together with the corner of the return tank defines a generally columnar space extending downwardly from an upper corner of the return tank to a lower corner of the return tank.  
   
   
       12 . The cleaning device according to  claim 11 , wherein the return tank includes a base; and that portion of the base of the return tank below the generally columnar space slopes downwardly to encourage settling of particulate material on the base of the return tank.  
   
   
       13 . The cleaning device according to  claim 12 , additionally including a removable collecting basket positioned below the columnar space to facilitate easy removal of any particulate material collected.  
   
   
       14 . The cleaning device according to  claim 1 , in which the water return tank has sides which include a series of overflow apertures therein, the overflow apertures serving to allow water from the return tank to pass into the water holding tank.  
   
   
       15 . The cleaning device according to  claim 14 , in which the water holding tank has inner sides; an upper inside surface and a base; and wherein the holding tank is partitioned by a partition that extends parallel to the holding tank's inner sides from the upper inside surface downwardly towards the base of the holding tank, the partition leaving a gap between a lower edge of the partition and the base of the holding tank, and wherein the partition is located adjacent a side of the holding tank which includes the overflow apertures from the return tank; whereby water entering the holding tank from the return tank is initially directed in a downward flow encouraging any remaining undesirable particulate material to settle on the base of the holding tank.  
   
   
       16 . The cleaning device according to  claim 1;  in which a supply line leading from the pump is equipped with a series of element filters, the element filters each having attached thereto a purge valve that enables the supply line to be purged should the line become blocked.  
   
   
       17 . The cleaning device according to  claim 1 , wherein the water return and water holding tanks are constructed separately in modules and are connected for use.  
   
   
       18 . The cleaning device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device includes one or more water holding tanks in fluid communication with one or more water return tanks.