1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to extraction cleaning. In one of its aspects, the invention relates to an extraction cleaner in which a cleaning solution is heated by an exothermic reaction. In another of its aspects, the invention relates to a method of cleaning a floor surface such as a carpet with a heated cleaning solution. In another of its aspects, the invention relates to heating a cleaning solution in an extraction cleaner by an exothermic reaction and applying the heated solution to a floor surface for cleaning.
2. Description of the Related Art
An extraction cleaning machine having a heater for dispensing a heated cleaning solution is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,131,237, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,522,190 discloses a flexible electrochemical heater comprising a supercorroding metallic alloy powder dispersed throughout a porous polyethylene matrix. Upon the addition of a suitable electrolyte fluid, such as a sodium chloride solution, heat is rapidly and efficiently produced. The electrochemical heater element can be contained in a porous envelope through which fluid can pass for reacting with the alloy powder to generate heat while keeping the alloy powder contained within the envelope.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,163,504 discloses a package heating device in the form of a membrane holding a quantity of microscopic spheres containing a hydrous substance such as water or saline solution. The membrane further contains an anhydrous substance such as magnesium sulfate proximate to the spheres containing the water or saline solution. The anhydrous substance can also be contained in spheres. To activate the heating device, the spheres are mechanically broken to release the substances contained therein. The blending of the hydrous and anhydrous substances within the membrane generates an exothermic reaction releasing heat into the container associated with the heating device.
A container having an integral module for heating the contents is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,979,164. By way of example, the integral module functions as a cap for the container and comprises a sealed cavity holding the reactants for an exothermic reaction. The reactants are physically separated until a user wishes to initiate the exothermic reaction. In use, a liquid is placed in the container and the module is placed on the container in contact with the liquid. The reactants are then mixed within the sealed cavity to generate the exothermic reaction, the resultant heat being transferred from the module to the liquid in the container while the reactants remain fluidly isolated from the liquid.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,029,651 discloses a cup enclosing an aqueous sodium acetate solution and a metallic activator strip in a cavity formed between inner and outer walls of the cup. The aqueous sodium acetate solution is supercooled. The activator strip is a flexible metal strip accessible to a user through a flexible portion of the outer wall of the cup. When the user flexes the activator strip, it initiates a crystallization of the sodium acetate with an accompanying generation of heat, which can then be transferred to the contents of the cup. The sodium acetate is returned to the supercooled condition by heating above its melting point and air cooling. Flexing of the activator strip will again initiate crystallization. This cycle can be repeated indefinitely, making the cup reusable for heating fluids.
According to an embodiment of the invention, a kit for cleaning a surface to be cleaned comprises a cleaning solution and an extraction cleaner having a housing, a cleaning solution dispensing system, a fluid recovery system and an exothermic heating system adapted to be placed in heat exchange relationship with the cleaning solution dispensing system to heat the cleaning solution to a temperature above room temperature for application to the surface to be cleaned. The exothermic heating system can comprise at least one reagent that is adapted to generate an exothermic reaction. When the cleaning solution is added to the cleaning solution dispensing system, the exothermic heating system is placed in heat exchange relationship with the cleaning solution dispensing system and the exothermic heating system is activated to generate an exothermic reaction, the cleaning solution is heated, whereby the cleaning solution thus heated can be applied to a surface to be cleaned for enhanced cleaning.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the exothermic heating system can comprise at least one compound or composition that can generate heat when transforming from one phase to another. The phase change can include changing phase from a liquid to a solid or from one solid phase to another. The exothermic heating system can also comprise a sodium acetate solution and can further include an activator that can be introduced into the sodium acetate solution. The activator can be in the form of a metal.
In another embodiment, the exothermic heating system can comprise two or more reagents that, when combined, undergo an exothermic reaction. The two or more reagents can include a base and an acid that undergo an exothermic reaction when combined. The exothermic heating system can comprise a mild acid in the cleaning solution tank and the cleaning solution can have a pH less than 7. The acid can be selected from the group consisting of stearic acid, citric acid and phosphoric acid. The base can be selected from the group consisting of diethanolamine, triethanolamine, sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide. A reaction product of the mild acid and base can be a surfactant that becomes part of the cleaning solution.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the exothermic heating system can comprise two or more reagents that, when combined, undergo an exothermic reaction. The two or more reagents can include a base and an acid that undergo an exothermic reaction when combined. The exothermic heating system can comprise a mild acid in the cleaning solution tank and the cleaning solution can have a pH less than 7. The acid can be selected from the group consisting of stearic acid, citric acid and phosphoric acid. The base can be selected from the group consisting of diethanolamine, triethanolamine, sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide. A reaction product of the mild acid and base can be a surfactant that becomes part of the cleaning solution.
According to another embodiment of the invention, an extraction cleaner can comprise a housing, a cleaning solution dispensing system, a fluid recovery system and a heater in heat exchange relationship with the cleaning solution dispensing system to heat the cleaning solution. The heater can include a double wall receptacle having an outer wall and an inner wall, the inner wall defining the cleaning solution tank for storing the cleaning solution, the inner and outer wall defining a reagent cavity, and an exothermic heating system comprising at least one reagent and at least one activator. The at least one activator can be integral with the outer wall of the reagent cavity for generating heat through an exothermic reaction in the reagent cavity. When heat is generated in the reagent cavity by the exothermic heating system, the heat can be transferred from the reagent cavity to the cleaning solution in the cleaning solution tank through the inner wall of the heater.
According to yet another embodiment of the invention, an extraction cleaner can comprise a housing, a cleaning solution dispensing system, a fluid recovery system and a heater in heat exchange relationship with the cleaning solution dispensing system to heat the cleaning solution. The heater can include a double wall receptacle having an outer wall and an inner wall, the inner wall defining the cleaning solution tank for storing the cleaning solution, the inner and outer wall defining a reagent cavity, an exothermic heating system comprising at least one reagent for generating heat through an exothermic reaction in the reagent cavity and at least one anode and one cathode located within the reagent cavity. When heat is generated in the reagent cavity by the exothermic heating system, the heat can be transferred from the reagent cavity to the cleaning solution in the cleaning solution tank through the inner wall of the heater. The exothermic heating system can be regenerated by applying an electric potential across the at least one anode and the at least one cathode.
In the drawings:
Referring to
Extraction cleaning using exothermic chemical heat according to the invention is not limited to the upright extraction cleaner 10 of
Referring now to
The reactants contained within the cavity 54 between the inner and outer walls 50, 52 are combined to initiate the exothermic reaction. The reactants are capable of separation by the application of opposing electrical charges 60 applied to an anode and cathode 64, 66 mounted within the cavity 54 for emersion in the fluid 100. The anode and the cathode 64, 66 are positioned remotely from one another to maximize the polarization of the reactant fluid 100 and resulting separation of the reactive components. Well-known heat pumps use similar systems in which heat energy is stored in separated components for release of heat energy upon combining of components.
The reactant fluid 100 can be rejuvenated by the application of the electrical potential between the anode 64 and cathode 66 after each use of the solution tank 18, or during pauses in use of the extraction cleaner. An advantage of the exothermic heating is found in the addition of thermal energy to the cleaning solution without the need to expend additional electrical energy during the cleaning process. The available electrical capacity can then be used in other components of the extraction cleaner, such as an agitation brush, suction source, or resistance heater. A resistance heater, such as an in-line heater or an in-tank heater, can be more effective in heating the cleaning solution to a more optimum temperature when used in combination with exothermic heating of the invention.
In a further embodiment of the invention shown in
Referring now to
In a third embodiment of the invention depicted in
Various combinations of additives that react exothermically are anticipated for use in this and other embodiments of the invention. One example is the addition of a mild acid, such as stearic acid, to the cleaning solution in the solution tank to lower the pH of the cleaning solution to less than 7, and preferably to the range of 4-5. The exothermic reaction is initiated by then adding a mild caustic such as triethanolamine, with a pH greater than 7, and preferably in the range of 8-9. This combination has the further beneficial effect of producing a surfactant that becomes part of the cleaning solution. Other acid/base combinations are equally anticipated for use, including citric or phosphoric acids, and diethanolamine, sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide. More aggressive exothermic reactions are available by the addition of metallic exothermic heating systems such as aluminum, which react with the caustic compounds. All of these compounds can be used either within the cleaning solution or, in some cases, in the cavity 54 of the embodiment of
In the embodiment shown in
In the embodiment of
Referring now to
In a fifth embodiment of the invention shown in
Referring to
The invention has been illustrated with respect to a particular upright extraction cleaning machine. The invention is applicable to all types of extraction cleaning machines, including commercial cleaning machines as well as domestic cleaning machines, canister extractors, hand held portable extractors.
While the invention has been specifically described in connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that this is by way of illustration and not of limitation. Reasonable variation and modification are possible within the forgoing description and drawings without departing from the spirit of the invention, which is embodied in the appended claims.
This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/065,480, filed Oct. 22, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,153,371, issued Dec. 26, 2006 and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/348,103, filed on Oct. 23, 2001.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 10065480 | Oct 2002 | US |
Child | 11612887 | US |