Transport cleaning device

Abstract

A device for removing waste from a surface includes a housing, first and second agitators rotateably attached to the housing, each having an arcuate surface area and rotation in opposite direction. A third agitator is located between the first and second agitators, the third agitator having an arcuate surface area and a counterclockwise rotation. The first agitator transports waste to the second agitator which in conjunction with the third agitator projects debris into a waste container. A method of using the device to remove debris from a surface is also described.

1 . A device for removing soils or debris from a surface, comprising: 
 a. a housing;    b. at least one first agitator mounted on said housing;    c. a second cylindrical agitator rotatably mounted on said housing and having an arcuate surface area; and    d. a third cylindrical agitator rotatably mounted on said housing that is interposed between said first and second agitators, said third agitator having an arcuate surface area, said second and third agitators rotating in opposing directions,    wherein said second and third agitators are positioned in a substantially close proximity to each other.    
     
     
         2 . A device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said first agitator is cylindrical and has an arcuate surface area, said first and second agitators rotating in opposing directions and said first and third agitators rotating in the same direction.  
     
     
         3 . A device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said first agitator is at least one rotary agitator.  
     
     
         4 . A device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein a surface of said first agitator and said arcuate surfaces of each of said second and third agitators are operable to contact said surface.  
     
     
         5 . A device as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said arcuate surfaces of each of said first, second, and third agitators are operable to contact said surface.  
     
     
         6 . A device as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said rotation of said first agitator is counterclockwise and said rotation of said second agitator is clockwise.  
     
     
         7 . A device as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising a power source mounted on said housing or remotely attached to said device through a drive shaft, said source being operatably connected to said agitator for imparting rotation to said agitators.  
     
     
         8 . A device as set forth in  claim 7  further comprising at least two drive gears.  
     
     
         9 . A device as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising a container for collecting material transported by said agitators.  
     
     
         10 . A device as set forth in  claim 9  wherein said container has an adjustable closeable lid for prevention of recovery of debris and cleaning solutions or compounds.  
     
     
         11 . A device as set forth in  claim 9  wherein said container has a mouth for use in combination with a suction means.  
     
     
         12 . A device as set forth in  claim 11  wherein said suction means is a vacuum.  
     
     
         13 . A device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said agitators are at least one of: 
 (a) cylindrical brushes;    (b) cylindrical rollers;    (c) bristled-rollers;    (d) rotary agitators; or    (e) any combination thereof.    
     
     
         14 . A device as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising a shroud, said shroud being positioned substantially above or just above said agitators and having at least one recess to accept a portion of at least one of said agitators.  
     
     
         15 . A device as set forth in  claim 14  wherein a portion of said shroud protrudes beyond said first agitator in a first direction horizontal to a horizontal plane of said surface to be cleaned.  
     
     
         16 . A device as set forth in  claim 14  wherein said shroud is unitary or is comprised of more than one piece.  
     
     
         17 . A device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said third agitator rotates at a speed greater than that of said first and second agitators.  
     
     
         18 . A device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said first and said second agitators rotate at speeds of about 1.5 to 5.5 meters per second.  
     
     
         19 . A device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said third agitator rotates at a speed of about 1.7 to about 7 meters per second.  
     
     
         20 . A device as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising first and second wheels, said first wheel being removably positioned between said first and third agitators on said housing and said second wheel being removably positioned on said housing by said second agitator and opposite said third agitator.  
     
     
         21 . A device as set forth in  claim 1  or  20  further comprising a lift mechanism comprising at least two retractable support bars positioned parallel to a horizontal plane of said device and that contact said surface when said mechanism is fully extended to lift said agitators substantially off of said surface.  
     
     
         22 . A device as set forth in  claim 20  wherein said first and second wheels are each comprised of a set of wheels or legs.  
     
     
         23 . A device as set forth in  claim 20  wherein at least one of said first and second wheels is retractable.  
     
     
         24 . A device as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising a handle or a dispenser, said handle or said dispenser being mounted on said housing, said dispenser being capable of dispensing cleaning chemicals or compounds.  
     
     
         25 . A device as set forth in  claim 24  wherein said handle is adjustable and comprises at least one telescoping member having first and second ends.  
     
     
         26 . A device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said surface is: 
 (a) substantially horizontal;    (b) substantially vertical;    (c) sloped;    (d) substantially textured;    (e) substantially smooth;    (f) or any combination thereof.    
     
     
         27 . A device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said surface comprises at least one of: 
 (a) carpet;    (b) floor;    (c) floor coverings;    (d) concrete;    (e) pavement;    (f) asphalt;    (g) rubber;    (h) wood;    (i) vinyl;    (j) brick;    (k) stone;    (m) grouted tile;    (n) a conveyor;    (o) an escalator;    (p) or a combination thereof.    
     
     
         28 . A device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said device is positioned on or suspended above said surface to be cleaned.  
     
     
         29 . A device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said third agitator has a diameter smaller than, larger than, or substantially the same as a diameter of said first and second agitators.  
     
     
         30 . A method of using a device as claimed in  claim 20  or  claim 21  for removing debris from a surface, comprising the following steps: 
 a. adjusting at least one of said first and second wheels and/or said lift mechanism to a retracted position; and    b. placing or suspending said device on or over said surface, said agitators moving said debris in a direction substantially away from said surface,    wherein steps a and b can be performed simultaneously or sequentially in any order.    
     
     
         31 . A method of using a device as claimed in  claim 20  or  claim 21  for removing debris from a surface, comprising the following steps: 
 a. adjusting at least one of said first and second wheels and/or said lift mechanism to a retracted position;    b. maintaining said device in a substantially stationary position; and    c. engaging said surface to move in a direction, said agitators moving said debris in a direction substantially away from said surface,    wherein steps a, b, and c can be performed simultaneously or sequentially in any order.