BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Of wide use are various types of equipment for sanitizing footwear. As a rule, the equipment in question consists of a floor-mounted or a belt-conveyor passageway structure, which covers a basically horizontal surface and it is complete with rotating brushes that are kept sprayed with a disinfecting solution in order to brush and wash the soles and, where possible, the shoe vamps, too.

The different types of equipment currently in use do not entirely meet the requirements in terms of effectiveness, given that such systems clean only the lower surface of soles thoroughly enough, whereas they are not capable of removing the dirt from the perimetrical surface of the very soles or, such being the case occasionally, from the shoe vamps. Moreover, on the users stepping out of the sanitation machines, the shoes are still wet or damp, which does not prevent them from being contaminated again.

Finally, the rotating brushes bring about safety problems whenever shoes with laces are to be sanitized, as the laces may be entangled with the very brushes, thus resulting in considerable risk exposure for the user.

One further problem arises when mere brushing is employed for taking off dirt which can be hardly removed from the sole, such as earth, snow or other.

The annex US-A-4.313.328 shows a piece of equipment for sanitizing footwear, which is provided with a number of

brushes having an alternate rotating movement in either direction.

The Applicant has hereby designed, tested and embodied this invention to overcome the shortcomings herein accounted for and attain further advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention is set forth and characterised in the main claims. The dependent claims account for further characteristics of the main invention.

The purpose of this invention is to achieve a piece of equipment and the related procedure for sanitizing any kind of footwear, which may prove to be of easy use, reliable and effective in removing any contaminating substance.

The equipment according to the invention consists of at least one passageway structure, namely the passageway on which the user moves forward in order to have ones shoes sanitized. The structure in question is connected to brushes, which are set in alternate oscillatory movement fit for cleaning the lower surface and at least a portion of the perimetrical surface of soles.

In accordance with a preferential embodiment of the invention, the brushes in question are designed to clean the whole perimetrical surface of the sole, namely the sides, the front and the back (i. e.: around the tip and the heel) of the very sole.

According to the invention, the brushing devices are set in motion by one single actuation unit which is fit for bringing said brushes in two opposite-way alternate movements.

According to a preferential embodiment of the invention, such actuation unit of alternate movement causes both a first group of brushing devices to act on the lower surface of the soles and, at the same time, a second group of brushing devices to act on at least a portion of the

perimetrical surface of soles.

In one first embodiment of the invention, the first group of brushing devices, as mentioned above, oscillates by rotation, while at least some of the brushing devices in the second group oscillate by motion of translation.

According to a variant, at least some of the brushing devices oscillate by motion of translation, thus performing a horizontal movement which is basically parallel to the footwear sole.

According to another variant, such brushing devices are designed to also clean at least a portion of the vamp or bootleg.

According to one further variant, the floor-mounted passageway structure is provided with special devices delivering the detergent and/or disinfecting liquid.

According to another variant, the rolls which act on the shoe sole are equipped with devices delivering substances specially fit for melting such kind of hardened dirt as snow or other. In one embodiment of the invention, said substances are made of glycol, salt or similar, and they are aptly delivered to the shoe sole through a jet of air of hot water.

According to one further variant, the passageway structure includes devices for drying at least the sole of the shoes.

In one embodiment of the invention, the passageway structure is embedded in a pit, which makes it flush with the floor with no difference of level.

In one embodiment of the invention, brushes and drying devices are fitted up, in due angular positions, on the circumferential surface of at least one roll, which is connected to an actuation unit driving alternate movement fit for selectively turning the very roll in either sense of semi-rotation. One further recommended embodiment of the invention envisages two rolls, respectively provided with

brushes and drying devices, either of which is employed for one single sole.

The actuation unit is designed to cause the first rotation for the wide-angle setup of the rolls and to selectively move either of the brushes and the drying devices towards the respective sole to be sanitized. The actuator drives a narrow-angle alternate oscillatory movement to the rolls and subsequently it causes the brushes and the drying devices to sanitize the soles, the resulting sanitizing or drying effect being evenly and repeatedly performed on the entire surface of the soles.

In one further embodiment of the invention the brushing devices include at least one soft bristle brush and one hard bristle brush, whereas the drying devices are complete with a perforated pipe which takes in compressed air. According to a variant, the sanitizing equipment consists of two floor-mounted passageway structures, either of which is respectively complete with brushing devices as well as additional disinfecting liquid sprayers and with drying devices.

Another variant of the invention envisages brushes, disinfecting liquid atomisers and drying devices fit for sanitizing footwear vamps/boot legs.

According to the invention, the time required to perform the stages of brushing, disinfecting liquid spraying and drying is preset by a programmable control unit, so as to guarantee the complete sanitation of the shoes. What herein stated assures the versatility and the optimal employment feasibility of the equipment in any work environment.

Furthermore, the presence of brushing devices which also clean the side surface of the sole guarantees a very effective sanitation of the whole sole, even when shoes are very dirty.

The brushing operation actuated by an alternate oscillatory

movement of the brushing devices prevents the shoe laces from being entrapped, thereby guaranteeing the safety of the equipment, including any of its embodiments described hereafter.

According to another variant of the invention, at least part of the brushing devices oscillating with alternate movement are connected to end-stroke elastic means, such as spring devices or similar, which dampen the stroke at the end of the brushes as well as exert a thrust effect, thus inverting the sense of motion. Such embodiment allows to reduce the power of the actuation unit, which sets the brushing devices in motion, whilst keeping up the effectiveness of the sanitation effect imparted by the very brushes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The following description of some preferential forms of embodiment, to be regarded as a non-restrictive and merely exemplifying solution, shows what hereinbefore as well as additional characteristics of the invention, thus making reference to the Annex drawings wherein: -Fig. 1 shows a schematic axonometric layout of the footwear sanitizing equipment according to the present invention; -Fig. 2 shows the schematic front view of the actuation unit operating the rolls within the equipment shown in fig. 1; -Figs. 3a-3c show three operational positions of the rolls of the equipment shown in fig. 1; -Fig. 4 shows the top view of the roll shown in fig. 3c; -Fig. 5 shows a partly sectional front view of a further embodiment of the equipment shown in fig. l.

-Fig. 6 shows a front view of a further embodiment shown in fig. 1 -Fig. 7 shows a schematic axonometric layout an embodiment of the equipment shown in fig. 1.

-Fig. 8 shows a top view of the brushing devices in a different embodiment of the invention.

-Fig. 9 shows a schematic layout of the actuation unit operating the brushing devices in the embodiment as shown in Fig. 9.

-Fig. 10 shows a front view of Fig. 9.

-Fig. 11 shows the operating system layout of a number of brushing devices in the embodiment as shown in Fig.

8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A NUMBER OF PREFERENTIAL EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION With reference to the figures 1-6, number 10 shows the footwear sanitizing equipment, which comprises a floor- mounted passageway structure 11 and a handrail 12 fit up on one side, providing support for the user while moving forward on the very equipment 10.

The passageway structure 11 includes a floor-mounted base 16, which forms within a hollow space 13 whose upper part is designed to be closed by a grate 14. Such grate 14 is hinged to the floor-mounted base 16 by means of the hinges 15 which allow to lift it up and, accordingly, to easily service and clean the hollow space 13. The grate 14 is provided with two rows of transversal holes 17 and by being placed in the position designed to close the hollow space 13, it forms the passageway plane on which the user moves forward.

Within the hollow space 13 there are located two rolls 18 in longitudinal position, which are selectively caused to rotate by an acutation unit 20, the latter being external to the floor-mounted base 16. The actuation unit 20 is automatically operated through pressing a control button 19, which is performed whenever the grate 14 is lowered and the user is standing on it.

The circumferential surface of every roll 18 is fitted with a soft bristle brush 21 and a hard bristle brush 22-

distanced 120° one from the other in this embodiment-as well as a perforated pipe 23 suitable for compressed air intake.

According to a variant, the perforated pipe 23 is fit for hot-air supply intake which makes it easier to melt and remove the hardened dirt.

According to one further variant, the hot air supplied is mixed with glycol, salt or another substance used'for melting the hardened dirt, such as snow or other, thereby allowing smooth removal through the movement of the brushes 21 and/or 22.

The actuation unit 20 in the embodiment shown in figs. 1 and 2 includes a couple of cog wheels 24, either of which is jointed with the small shaft 25 of the respective roll 18.

The cog wheels 24 are geared with a rack 26, the latter being transversal to the rolls 18 and connected to a cylinder 27 that is designed to operate the rack in question by driving horizontal alternate motion according to adjustable strokes.

The cylinder 27 drives the rack 26 through either a rapid alternate short-stroke movement or a long-stroke movement in both senses. Such movements respectively determine a rapid alternate oscillation of the rolls 18 along their longitudinal axis and a wider angle for the positioning rotation of the very rolls: this makes it possible to selectively move upwards either of the brushes 21 and 22 or the perforated pipe 23 (see figs 3a-3c).

The longitudinal sides of the floor-mounted base 16, within the hollow space 13, are fitted with spray nozzles 28 which deliver and atomise the detergent and/or the disinfecting liquid towards the rolls 18 and/or towards the shoes.

According to a variant of the embodiment, the nozzles 28 deliver a polishing substance, such as a cream or a liquid.

The back post 29 of the two posts supporting the handrail 12

is equipped with a timer-operated safety gate 30. The gate is located at the exit of the passageway structure 11 and it is generally shut; on operating the actuation unit 20 the timer-programmed cycle gets started, and when the preset time is over, the gate 30 opens automatically, thereby allowing the exit. Footwear is this way subjected to time programmed sanitation.

On the users stepping out of the machine, the pressure on the grate 14 and, accordingly, on the button 19 is released, which causes the actuation unit 20 to stop and the gate 30 to shut again.

The sanitation procedure is aimed to have at the cycle setup the cylinder 27 positioned in such a way as to move the rolls 18 with the brush 21 or 22 turned upwards, still protruding only slightly from the holes 17 in the grate 14, so as to avoid the users crushing against it.

The users stepping on the passageway structure 11 causes the actuation of the control button 19, the latter consequently operates the actuation unit 20, thereby starting the sanitizing cycle. The cylinder 27 is thus actuated and it drives an alternate rapid short-stroke movement to the rack 26. Such movement makes the rolls 18 and, accordingly, the brushes 21 and 22 rapidly oscillate, whilst the nozzles 28 are spraying the detergent and/or the disinfecting or polishing liquid.

The rapid oscillatory movement of the brushes 21 or 22 removes the contaminating substance, the whole surface of the footwear soles being wiped. The time for the brushing operation is preset in such a way as to guarantee thorough dirt removal from the soles.

Whether the brush 21 or the brush 22 is to be employed depends upon the type of soles which need be cleaned and/or the specific contaminating substance.

Once the cleaning stage is over, the cylinder 27 moves the

rack 26 longitudinally and rotates the rolls 18 so that the perforated pipes 23 are turned towards above (see fig. 3c).

The perforated pipes 23 are supplied compressed air and the cylinder 27 drives one more rapid alternate short-stroke movement to the rack 26, which causes the rolls 18 to oscillate. As a result, the air given out from the pipes 23 is alternately conveyed on all the surface of the soles till they are completely dry.

Should the perforated pipes 23 be fitted up for the supply of hot air mixed with glycol or salt, first they are oriented towards the shoe sole on starting the sanitation process, then the brushes 21 and/or 22 are operated and, if required, drying is finally performed.

At this stage, after a preset time, the release of the safety gate 30 is operated automatically, in this case by an actuator 31, which allows the user to step down the passageway structure 11. As mentioned hereinbefore, on the users stepping down the passageway structure 11, the actuation unit 20 stops.

According to one further embodiment, the sanitation of footwear soles is carried out by involving both brushes 21 and 22 of the rolls 18 one after the other; for instance, the hard bristle brush 22 is first set going and so is the soft bristle brush 21 thereafter. According to another embodiment, the brushes 21 and/or 22 are fitted with electrostatically charged or magnetized bristles that are designed to draw and trap the contaminating substance.

The embodiment shown in fig. 5 is equipped with comb or blade devices 35 within the hollow space 13 and the respective location allows them to be connected to the brushes 21 and 22, yet without engaging the perforated pipes 23. Such devices 35 are designed to perform the cleaning of the brushes 21 and 22 while the rolls 18 are being operated.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 6 the actuation unit 20

operating the rolls 18 includes an actuator 32 that rotates in both senses and a couple of pulleys 34 mortised in the small shafts 25 of the rolls 18. One first pulley 34 is linked to one shaft of the oscillating actuator 32, whereas another pulley is connected to the former through a flexible driving device (belt or chain) 33; as a result, depending on the sense of rotation of the oscillating actuator 32, the pulleys 34 rotate in either sense.

In one further feasible embodiment the oscillating actuator 32 is made up of a pneumatic rotating cylinder and the angular location of the rolls 18 is determined by mechanical stroke-end devices.

According to a variant of the aforesaid embodiment, oscillating actuator in question 32 is made up of a reversible motor and, in this case, the angular location of the rolls 18 is determined by the positioning sensors.

According to another variant, each roll 18 is connected to spring-operated devices, which are designed to act like dampers at the end-stroke locations. The spring devices in question have both the primary function of preventing the rolls 18 shaking or striking hard when they reach the end- stroke position, and an additional function of letting off an elastic thrust as the roll 18 changes its direction, thus allowing to reduce the power of the cylinder 27 or the oscillating actuator 32 and, in the meantime, to keep up the effectiveness of the sanitation effect.

According to one further embodiment, the equipment 10 includes two passageway structures 11 lying in succession, in proximity to which the sanitizing and drying stages are respectively performed.

The embodiment, whose layout is shown in Figg. 8. 11, includes the equipment 10 with five longitudinal rolls 39: a central roll 39a, two side rolls 39b and two intermediate ones 39c. The equipment 10 is additionally provided with two

bars arranged crosswise 40, on which the respective brushes 41 are mounted.

The central roll 39a is fitted up with two brushes 42 in diametral opposition, either of which is turned towards its related intermediate roll 39c, whereas each of the two side rolls 39b is provided with a single brush 43, which is as well turned towards its related intermediate roll 39c.

Instead, an upward-turned brush 44, made of bristle belts arranged sideways, is mounted on each intermediate roll 39c.

When using the equipment, the user stands on the grate 14, namely his shoes lying on the brushes 44, so that every shoe is brought into contact even sideways with the brushes 42 and 43, the front and the back part being cleaned by brushes 41.

As shown in Fig. 11, the central roll 39a and the two side rolls 39b are located a level higher than the intermediate rolls 39c; this way, when the equipment 10 is being operated, the brushes 44 act on the lower surface of the soles, while the brushes 42 and 43 act on the side surface of the soles. At the same time, the brushes 41 are in contact with the front surface, that is the section around the tip, and with the back surface of the soles alike, namely around the heel.

The rolls 39 and the bars arranged crosswise 40 are driven an oscillatory movement by a single actuation unit 20 which causes the two-way alternate rotation, with reference to a given angular location, of the rolls 39 and, as a result, of the brushes 42,43 and 44, as well as the motion of alternate translation in the two directions and, with reference to a given stroke, the motion of translation of the bars arranged crosswise 40 and the brushes 41.

In the preferential embodiment accounted for above, the actuation unit 20 includes an oscillating actuator 32, which is conveniently designed to be of pneumatic kind, the latter

is connected to the main shaft 45, on which there are axially mortised the central roll 39a, a driving cog wheel 46 and two pull cog wheels 51 which are respectively arranged at the bottom and on top of the central roll 39a.

The driving cog wheel 46 is enmeshed from the opposite locations in respect with the main shaft 45 with a first group of two cog wheels 47, which are mortised in the small shafts 49 of the intermediate rolls 39c. The cog wheels 47 are enmeshed with a second group of cog wheels 48, which are mortised in the small shafts 50 of the side rolls 39b.

The two pull cog wheels 51 are enmeshed with the respective rack chains 52, either of which is connected to a bar 40 arranged crosswise.

On starting the actuation unit 20, the oscillating actuator 32 causes the main shaft 45 to rapidly oscillate and so does, straight thereafter, the central roll 39a of the brush 42. At the same time, the driving cog wheel 46 drives the oscillatory motion to the first cog wheels 47, which in turn oscillate the second cog wheels 48, thereby setting the intermediate cylinders 39c and the side cylinders 39b in motion.

Instead, the pull cog wheels 51 transmit the motion of alternate translation to the rack chains 52 and, thus, to the bars arranged crosswise 40.

According to one further variant of the invention, the passageway structure 11 is also fitted up with the brushes 36 which are designed to sanitize footwear vamps and, where necessary, boot legs.

In one first embodiment, its layout being shown in fig. 5, the brushes 36 are fitted on the rolls 37 that have an upright axis of oscillation. In another embodiment the brushes 36 are fitted on rolls with horizontal axis designed to drive to the very brushes a clamp-like movement around the footwear vamps.

According to one further embodiment, a self-contained floor mounted structure is fitted up with such brushes 36.

According to a further embodiment the passageway structure 11 is equipped with air hold devices aimed to partly cover the grate 14 and to prevent the air jets given off by the perforated pipe 23 from affecting the user.

In one first embodiment such air hold devices 38 are made up of bristle bands. According to a variant the devices in question are made up of inflatable chambers designed to wrap around the shoes.

The equipment 10 as shown in the embodiment of fig. 7 has a gate 30 of different type with respect to that shown in fig.

1 and is provided with two handrails 12.

The invention hereby accounted for may be modified and/or upgraded with additional elements, still pertaining to the field of the very invention.

For instance, the time programmed gate 30 may be a push- forward model which is kept blocked till completion of the drying stage. Furthermore, some constructive solutions may provide for the dry-type brushing and, in this case, the nozzles 28 are designed to deliver a sanitizing liquid once the very brushing stage is over.

It is likewise evident that, notwithstanding the specific examples through which the present invention has been accounted for, experts in this field may as well devise a number of similar types of equipment and procedure for sanitizing footwear, which are to be ascribed to the field of application of the present invention.