RELATED PLANT

The present invention relates to an apparatus for sterilizing and/or washing a helmet and related plant.

More specifically, the invention concerns an apparatus capable of sterilizing, clean and disinfect the internal fabrics of helmets for motorcycle or the like, without damaging them.

In the following, the description will be directed to a motorcycle helmet, but it is clear that the same should not be considered limited to this specific use.

As it is well known, helmets for motorcycles have a inner lining, composed of breathable and non-allergenic fabrics, whose washing, being such fabrics very delicate, requires extreme care, to prevent their deterioration.

Currently, some helmet models provide for the possibility to remove the inner lining, to allow for cleaning, which usually is made with commonly used detergent products. However, the main problem is the dry, which should take place not in direct contact with the heat sources, in order not to damage the fabrics^ This implies rather long waiting times.

Moreover, by washing the interior of helmets according to the traditional methods, ensuring an optimal washing from the hygienic point of view is not always possible.

It seems evident that this procedure is expensive in terms of time and costs, also considering the risk of damaging the delicate internal hypoallergenic linings of helmets.

In the view of the above, it is, therefore, an object of the present invention, to propose an apparatus for washing the inner lining of a helmet, which can be rapid and automatic, without damaging fabrics.

Another object of the invention is to propose an automatic washing plant, which allows cleaning both the interior, as well as the outer surface of helmets.

These and other results are obtained according to the invention with an apparatus provided with a washing unit to be inserted within the helmet, provided on the surface with suitable means for sterilizating and/or washing and/or drying the interior of said helmet.

It is therefore a specific object of the present invention an apparatus for washing the inner lining of a helmet, comprising a washing unit, having an outer surface, said washing unit being intended to be inserted inside said helmet, so that the external surface is arranged close to said inner lining of said helmet, said washing unit being provided with sterilization and/or washing means arranged on said outer surface.

Always according to the invention, said sterilization and/or washing means could comprise a plurality of nozzles, suitable at emit water and/or detergents on said inner lining at a presettable pressure, and a plurality of holes suitable to distribute air for drying said inner lining.

Still according to the invention, said nozzles and said holes could be arranged uniformly on the outer surface of said washing unit.

Advantageously according to the invention, said apparatus could comprise means for delivering a pressurized mixture of water and/or any detergent products from said nozzles, means for generating air, preferably hot air from said holes, and a programmable central control nit, connected with said delivering means and with said air generating means.

Further according to the invention, said sterilization and/or washing means could comprise meatus to nebulize steam with cleaning agents, and/or means for the transmission of chemical substances for dry cleaning; and/or means to irradiate ultraviolet rays suitable to sterilize said inner lining of said helmet.

Always according to the invention, said sterilization and/or washing means could comprise means to emit compressed air.

Still according to the invention, said apparatus could comprise one or more supports, arranged on the top the said washing unit, for maintaining a predetermined distance between said lining to be washed of said helmet and said outer surface of said washing unit.

Advantageously according to the invention, said supports could have a spherical shape. Further according to the invention, said apparatus could comprise a support base, on which said washing unit is fixed.

Always according to the invention, said apparatus could comprise a fixing arm, to which a strap of said helmet can be fixed, said fixing arm being installed on said support base and placed under said washing unit, said fixing arm being further adjustable, preferably stepwise, according to a set of predetermined positions, in which it can be locked.

Advantageously according to the invention, said support base could comprise a connector for connecting with a nozzle for the pressurized delivery of the water and/or any detergent products mixture, said connector being preferably provided with a suitable gasket.

Further according to the invention, said support base could comprise fixing means, such as a clamp or the like, for fixing to a base or physical support, such as a table or the like.

Still according to the invention, said washing unit could have a spherical or elliptical shape.

It is further a specific object of the present invention a washing plant of helmets comprising one or more washing apparatuses (1), as defined above, a base on which said apparatuses are arranged, a control panel for selecting washing programs of said apparatuses, by said central control unit, and a nozzle for delivering water and/or high pressure air, to allow even the washing of the external surface of each of said helmets arranged on said washing unit.

The present invention will be now described, for illustrative but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, with particular reference to the figures of the enclosed drawings, wherein:

figure 1 shows a first embodiment of an apparatus for sterilizing and/or washing a helmet according to the present invention;

figure 2 shows the apparatus according to figure 1 , on which a helmet is arranged;

figure 3 shows the apparatus according to figure 2 in which the helmet is in section;

figure 4 shows the apparatus according to figure 3 in a first operating phase;

figure 5 shows the apparatus according to figure 3 in a second operating phase;

figure 6 shows a second embodiment of an apparatus for washing a helmet according to the present invention;

figure 7 shows a third embodiment of an apparatus for washing a helmet according to the present invention;

figure 8 shows a washing plant for helmets.

In the various figures, similar parts will be indicated by the same reference numbers.

Referring to figures 1 - 3, an apparatus 1 for washing a helmet 5, comprising a washing unit 2, a support base 3, above which said washing unit 2 is fixed, and a fixing arm 4, is shown.

Said washing unit 2 has a substantially spherical shape, intended to be inserted inside a helmet 5 to be washed. Said washing unit 2 comprises on the surface 2' sterilization and washing means, suitable to sterilize and to wash the interior of said helmet 5.

Said sterilization and washing means may be of different types, for example, by mixing of water and any, detergent products and/or water steam with detergents, and/or chemical substances for dry cleaning, and/or ultraviolet rays for cleaning and sterilizing.

In particular, in this embodiment, said sterilization and/or washing means both comprise a plurality of nozzles 21 , as well as a plurality of holes 22, arranged evenly on said surface 2', and, in particular, in the upper and lateral portion.

Said apparatus 1 also comprises pressurized delivering means (not shown in the figures) of water and any detergent products mixture. Said delivering means are connected so that said mixture can be sprayed from said nozzles 21. Furthermore, said apparatus 1 further comprises air delivering means (also not shown in the figures), preferably hot air, connected in such way that air can come out from said holes 22. Said delivering means and said air generating means are connected to a programmable central control unit (not shown in the figures), to run presettable washing procedures.

Said washing unit 2 can be manufactured both disposable made of plastic material, as well as openable, to allow the change of sterilizing substances, made of metallic material.

Washing unit 2 also comprises a plurality of supports 23, on which the helmet 5 to be washed rests, which, in the present embodiment, have a spherical shape, since this shape is particularly suitable to prevent damaging or tearing the inner lining 52 of said helmet 5.

Fixing arm 4 is arranged on said support base 3 and it is adjustable, preferably stepwise, according to a set of preset positions in which it is lockable, as shown in arrows A, so as to keep the strap 51 in tension bound to it.

The operation of the apparatus 1 according to the invention described above is as follows.

Once arranged helmet 5 to be washed so as to introduce said washing unit 2 within the same, as if it were the head of a user, said helmet 5 is fixed by bonding the strap 51 to said arm 4, by adjusting the latter in the most suitable position.

Subsequently, referring to figure 4, said delivering means are activated, which spray the water and detergents mixture on said inner liner 52 through said nozzles 21.

Of course, said nozzles 21 can spray also different mixtures, e.g. containing antibacterial, anti-dust mites and the like, according to an appropriate procedure programmable by said central control unit.

Subsequently, once the washing is carried out, drying phase occurs, shown in figure 5, in which air, preferably hot, comes out from said holes 22. Said air comes from said air generation means. In this way, the moisture is removed from said inner liner 52.

Figure 6 shows a second embodiment of the apparatus 1 for washing a helmet 5, according to the present invention, wherein washing unit 2 has an elliptical shape, so as to better adapt to the internal volume of the helmet 5 and to cleanse better its inner surface.

In a further embodiment shown in figure 7, support base 3 of apparatus 1 comprises at the bottom (i.e. at the opposite end of the washing unit 2), fixing means (not shown in the figure), such as a clamp or the like, for fixing the washing unit 2 in a suitable position to a base or physical support, such as a table or the like, and a connector 31 , suitable for the connection of a nozzle for the pressurized delivery of water or of water mixture, provided with a suitable gasket, for a quick installation or coupling to said nozzle, which can be simply inserted in said connector 31 , without the need of installations or fixed plants.

Referring to figure 8, a washing plant 6 of helmets 5, suitable to be installed, for example, in a common car wash of a petrol station, can be seen.

Said plant 6 comprises three apparatuses 1 , arranged on a base 61 preferably metallic. Said plant 6 also comprises the delivering and air generation means for said apparatus 1.

Plant 6 also provides a control panel 62 for selecting washing programs of said apparatuses 1 by means of the central control unit (not shown in the figure). Said plant 6 may also include a nozzle 63, for delivering water and/or high pressure air, also for washing the outer surface of the helmet 5.

As it can be seen, plant 6 can be easily adapted, or it can integrate, a conventional car wash.

As mentioned above, apparatus 1 according to the invention has different possible washing modes, such as:

- water washing, described above;

- steam cleaning: steam with detergent substances is nebulized from said washing unit 2, so as to carry out washing and disinfection at low temperatures, while the drying is carried out with the possible emission of perfumed compressed air always from said washing unit 2;

- dry cleaning, in this case said washing unit 2 emits chemicals substances of dry cleaning. Then there is the emission of perfumed compressed air to finish the washing;

- ultraviolet rays cleaning: ultraviolet rays are irradiated from said washing unit 2, capable of sanitizing the internal fabrics of the helmet. Thereafter, even in this case, said washing unit 2 emits perfumed compressed air to finish the cleaning.

Apparatus 1, as seen, allows to sanitize helmets with water (preferably warm), with steam, by means of the installation of a steam generator, dry, by means of the emission from the washing unit 2 of chemical substances, and ultraviolet rays, by irradiation of the same from the nozzles of the sphere.

An advantage of the present invention is the fact that the apparatus according to the invention allows a quick washing and drying (few minutes waiting) and can be installed anywhere, not only in service stations, but even in common laundries, coin-operated etc.. Among other things, said apparatus can be installed within a few hours, being it a modular and a very easy to assembly equipment.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the washing unit can be adapted to any shape and size of helmets and that the nozzles are arranged over the whole surface of said washing unit, sanitize and dry the whole interior of a helmet, through an exchange of a plurality of hygienizing substances and compressed air. By means of said washing unit, both hygienizing as well as drying phases are completed.

A further advantage of the apparatus according to the present invention is that it can be installed both to operate as self-service, by a coin mechanism connected to the equipment provided with keys, for selecting the operating program, so as to save in manpower, as well as to operate with staff.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it can be installed at petrol stations, supermarkets, fairs and any other point where there are a great numbers of motorcycles owners.

The present invention has been described for illustrative but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, but it is to be understood that modifications and/or changes can be introduced by those skilled in the art without departing from the relevant scope as defined in the enclosed claims.