Tile and grout cleaning brushroll

Abstract

A brushroll having bristle tufts of different flexibility suitable to cleaning floor tile and grout between the tile, and for sweeping up debris, including liquid floor cleaner.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A brushroll for a tile and grout cleaning machine comprising a cylindrical dowel and two alternating series of V-shaped rows of bristle tufts each arranged around said dowel in chevron patterns , one of the series having grout cleaning bristle tufts stiff enough to enter the grout channels of a tile floor to clean the grout when the brushroll is rotated, and the other of the series of V-shaped rows being sweeping bristle tufts capable of sweeping up debris, including liquid floor cleaner, and assisting in cleaning the floor tile surfaces. 
     
     
         2 . A brushroll as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said dowel has a center belt drive portion, and wherein chevron patterns of bristles extends from said center portion toward both ends of said dowel. 
     
     
         3 . A brushroll as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said one series of V-shaped rows includes bristle tufts that are more flexible than said grout cleaning bristle tufts. 
     
     
         4 . A brushroll as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said sweeping bristle tufts are finer and more flexible than the other bristles of said brushroll. 
     
     
         5 . A brushroll as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said one series of V-shaped rows includes bristle tufts that disposed between and more flexible than said grout cleaning bristle tufts. 
     
     
         6 . A brushroll as in  claim 1  wherein said rows of bristle tufts are equally spaced apart around said dowel. 
     
     
         7 . A brushroll as in  claim 1  wherein each of said first series of V-shaped rows is rotated 225 degrees from one end through the apex to the other end. 
     
     
         8 . A brushroll as in  claim 1  wherein each of V-shaped rows are said second series is rotated 210 degrees from one end through the apex to the other end. 
     
     
         9 . A rotatable brushroll for use in a tile and grout cleaning machine comprising a dowel and chevron patterns made up of two alternating series of V-shaped rows of bristle tufts, one of said series having grout cleaning tufts stiff enough to get into the grout channels of a tile floor to clean the grout and alternating more flexible tufts that flex when in cleaning engagement with the tile surfaces, and the other of series being sweeping bristle tufts that cooperate in cleaning the tile surfaces and capable of sweeping up debris, including liquid floor cleaner, during cleaning operation of the machine, said sweeping tufts being longer, finer and more flexible than the other tufts of the brushroll. 
     
     
         10 . A brushroll as in  claim 9  wherein the bristle tufts in each row are equally spaced apart and all of the rows are equally spaced around said dowel. 
     
     
         11 . A brushroll as in  claim 9  wherein the tufts of the adjacent rows are staggered toward the center of the brushroll. 
     
     
         12 . A brushroll as in  claim 9  having chevron patterns separated by a belt drive portion of said brushroll.