Innovation award 2010

Hako-AntiBac – the antibacterial dirty water tank – reduces the growth of bacteria and mould due to the fact that antibacterial additives have been incorporated into the tank. These antibacterial additives are organometallic compounds based on silver. The antibacterial effectiveness of silver has been known for centuries. It is based on the exchange of ions and associated cell damage and is not only, as is the case with many other products, a growth inhibitor. The antibacterial additives are incorporated into the tank by mixing them with the materials the tank is made of. Mixing in silver compounds with the synthetic carrier material presents an ideal process, as the melting together during the production process results in a stable compound which rules out mechanical wear and tear and – as a result of special processing steps – the amount of silver used can be limited to the required minimum.

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Produktbeschreibung Hako-AntiBac – Antibakterieller Schmutzwassertank
Bei Hako-AntiBac, dem antibakteriellen Schmutzwassertank handelt es sich um einen Tank, dem durch Beimischung von speziellen Zusätzen eine reduzierende Wirkung auf das Wachstum von Bakterien und Pilzen verliehen wird. Bei diesen antimikrobiellen Zusätzen handelt es sich um metallorganische Verbindungen auf Silberbasis. Diese bestechen durch eine gute Wirksamkeit, eine unbedenkliche Verarbeitung und ei einfaches Recycling. Die antimikrobielle Wirksamkeit des Silbers ist seit Jahrtausenden bekannt. Sie beruht auf dem Ionenaustausch und damit verbundener Zellschädigung und nicht nur, wie bei vielen anderen Produkten, einer Wachstumshemmung. Bei diesen antimikrobiellen Zusätzen handelt es sich um metallorganische Verbindungen auf Silberbasis. Diese bestechen durch eine gute Wirksamkeit, eine unbedenkliche Verarbeitung und ei einfaches Recycling. Die antimikrobielle Wirksamkeit des Silbers ist seit Jahrtausenden bekannt. Sie beruht auf dem Ionenaustausch und damit verbundener Zellschädigung und nicht nur, wie bei vielen anderen Produkten, einer Wachstumshemmung. Für den Wirksamkeitsnachweis haben sich zwei Methoden bewährt: Die Testmethode nach JIS Z 2801 und die ATP-Messung mittels Luminometer. Nach JIS Z 2801 ergab sich im Labor für die von Hako gewählte Materialzusammensetzung eine Reduzierung von 99,9% bei den Bakterienstämmen Staphylococcus aureus (grampositiv)und Escherichia coli (gramnegativ) sowie dem Schimmelpilz Aspergillus Niger. Eine vergleichende Testreihe unter praktischen Bedingungen mit kompletten Maschinen und anschließender ATP-Messung in den Schmutzwassertanks zeigte bei unbehandelten Tanks eine dreifache ATP-Konzentration gegenüber antibakteriell ausgestatteten. Das Bakterien- und Pilzwachstum in antibakteriellen Tanks wird also deutlich reduziert.

The scrubber drier CT40 ECS consists of three main elements: the Micro Scrub scrubbing system, the Chem Dose system and the Energy Saver technology. The Micro Scrub scrubbing system with microfibre pad from the IPC Ready System washes all types of floor saving more than 80% on water during cleaning operations because it uses just 0.15 litres of water per minute, instead of the 1.5 litres/minute consumed by conventional scrubber driers. This technology has been developed and improved in detail in order to maximise the system’s cleaning potential and functional characteristics. Results are guaranteed thanks to the three main technical features: 1) Ultra-high speed: 600 rpm to maximise the cleaning potential of millions of fibres. 2) Ultra-low pressure: the pad only skims the surface of the floor, allowing better oxygenation of the pad fibres. 3) Ultra-low water consumption: only 0.15 litres/minute are required to achieve results

This compact product with 50 cm working width and a maximum speed of 5 km/h is able to clean areas between 700 – 2500 m² productively and energy efficiently. The small turning radius of 1.2 m enables the cleaning of and turning in very narrow corridors. The field of vision starts only 30 cm from the front end of the machine and extends as far as the user’s eye can see. The system persuades with clear, well-arranged operating elements. The operating functions such as deep cleaning, maintenance, transport drive as well as the environmentally compatible Eco mode are easy to understand. In Eco mode, for instance, cleaning is automatically very quiet. However, the noise levels during other the cleaning programmes are also very environmentally friendly at 66.9 dB(A). The unique pivoting squeegee system provides added value. The squeegee pivots on the brush and ensures the complete absorption of water. The squeegee can be removed quickly and easily without tools. The machine convinces with simple access to solution and recovery tanks. Both tanks have a volume of 40 litres. This tank system is ideal as the device is quickly ready for operation and can be easily emptied after use. A weight of 180 kg simplifies the transport of the cleaning machine. Lashing eyes are mounted in order to support safe transport. After work the machine can be recharged effortlessly with the onboard charger.

The Travelator Cleaner.nl is easy to use, was designed with the latest technology and has a modern appearance. The device runs on a battery which allows the Travelator Cleaner to be used for a full day before requiring re-charging. The first step in cleaning the black marks and dirt on glass is to place the machine on a non-operating travelator. The side panels will hydraulically slide out and be placed on the glass at equal pressure. The panels automatically adjust to the different travelator heights. The 6 round microfibre pads start rotating cross wise and, if you activate the spraying system, the pads will start cleaning the glass. The high-quality spraying system sprays a very thin film of aqua pure water with glass protector which in combination with the microfibre pads will easily clean the most heavily polluted surfaces and provides a spotless result. The Travelator Cleaner can be used for a full day without requiring refilling thanks to its 5 litre reservoir.

A battery operated device for controlling the dosing of moisture content to a flat mop. Moistening occurs through spraying the surface of the mop with nozzles. The device is entirely enclosed and has a hinged access cover. The whole process of moistening the microfibre flat mop occurs inside the device itself. The process works as follows: the flat mop frame is introduced into the back of the device, initially the frame needs to pick up one of the mops, after this step the mop is attached to the side of the flat mop that has Velcro on it and brought forward onto a grate. By pressing down on the grate, the flat mop is sprayed by a pre-determined dose of water. The frame with mop then slides out of the front of the device and is ready for use. It is not possible to reintroduce the frame with flat mop into the device either through the back or front . It has a reserve of 10 mops, four dosage levels and has a cover that is open at the top to allow the frame with flat mop to slide through. The device has an opening for filling on the top (using a so-called Gardena connection) and an outlet valve. Liquid is removed by means of a built-in drain pump. The device is made from high-quality plastic, is easy to maintain and simple to disassemble when replacing parts. The NiMH battery is in a separate compartment and is easy to change. It is possible to use the device continually for long periods of time thanks to the battery's capacity and the ease with which the battery can be changed.

BLOE is a unit which is fitted between a toilet bowl and the wall. The BLOE unit consists of a computer chip that stores all kinds of information, such as how often the toilet is flushed, whether it is blocked and when a fault occurs. This information is collected via BLOE Connect and made directly available to facility managers via the Internet 24 hours a day. The information is useful as it provides real-time insight into how often each toilet on every floor of every building is used. The data can be analysed and used by the facility managers and cleaning services to compile smart customised cleaning programmes, resulting in improved customer appreciation. The BLOE unit also contains a unique, patented ventilation system designed to convey unpleasant odours directly into the sewer. In addition, the BLOE unit injects a special gel into the water every time the toilet is flushed. This gel prevents calcification by leaving a non-stick film in the toilet bowl. The essential oils, developed especially for BLOE, leave a permanent fresh fragrance. All the settings, including those controlling the ventilation system and the amount of gel and oil used, can be monitored and adjusted remotely online. The system complies with corporate social responsibility by reducing the volume of water used by 1 to 2 litres per toilet visit.

The scan offers organisations a concrete implementation plan. It quickly highlights which areas an organisation is or is not cleaning sustainably and whether strategic goals are being achieved in daily operation. The scan includes a cost/benefit analysis so that customers can choose which investments in methodology, resources and training will enable them to improve the sustainability of their cleaning, without compromising their primary cleaning goals. It provides a step-by-step implementation plan by means of which sustainable cleaning can actually be implemented. The Sustainability Consultant analyses, trains and supervises the cleaning staff and their managers.

Avista has developed a commercial time and attendance management product for service providers. The service provider uses a mobile phone or a phone with NFC reading capability, as a tool for attendance communication via a host server. With a view to increasing companies' efficiency and competitiveness Avista has designed a solution that uses NFC to communicate (swipe) via a tag placed at any given location 'on site'. This 'attendance record from the individually designated phone is sent to a server using GPRS where it is stored for online management access i.e.: a single management location can view all contracted cleaning 'visits' ensuring time targets and service levels are met. The service can be managed by staff (activity manager) to generate 'call out' SMS/Chat messages to other 'on – call' colleagues, should a timed visit not be met. If the reader is not activated via the designated phone host, the system can send a SMS reminder to that specific performer. If that performer cannot make the visit, the activity manager can communicate via SMS or other mobile message systems such as e-mail to other staff, calling on them to cover.

In professional cleaning the proper use of systems and materials is essential in order to achieve the desired performance and maximise return on investment. Using 'Vileda Professional E-College' modules, organisations can optimise their training programmes. The modules provide online learning, anywhere and at any time. New users can log on to the 'Vileda Professional E-College' platform online or use a DVD. The student chooses their language, either English or Dutch, and starts the e-learning module. An educational instructional film is presented. Then the student can go on with the evaluation part of the module. This tests their knowledge interactively. Students score points for the test and, if enough points are scored, the student has enough theoretical knowledge of the system and products. This information is then stored in a Vileda Professional E-College database. The student will be sent a certificate and his employer will be informed of the results. After having acquired basic, essential knowledge of the Vileda Professional system, the student will receive a brief training on skills provided by a Vileda Professional trainer or their employer. If their skills are scored positively, the students receive an approval on their certificates. The Vileda Professional E-College programme is not only a digital education tool, but also a management tool. Information will be available to the client's management about the training levels achieved by employees with regard to Vileda Professional systems. Finally, the quality and efficiency of cleaning will improve and thereby maximising return on investment.