1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the extraction of dirt from surfaces such as carpet and bare floors. In another of its aspects, the invention relates to an extraction cleaning machine that applies a heated cleaning fluid to a surface to be cleaned with a minimum of heat loss prior to application to the surface. In another of its aspects, the invention relates to an extraction cleaning machine which is adapted to heat a cleaning fluid in close proximity to a surface to be cleaned. In another of its aspects, the invention relates to a mop that generates steam in close proximity to the surface to be cleaned. In yet another of its aspects, the invention relates to a method for extracting dirt from a surface to be cleaned by heating a cleaning fluid in close proximity to a surface to be cleaned to minimize heat loss between the time the cleaning fluid is heated and the time that the cleaning fluid is applied to the surface to be cleaned.
2. Description of the Related Art
Upright extraction cleaning machines have been used for removing dirt from surfaces such as carpeting and rugs. The known extraction cleaning machines can be in the form of a canister-type unit, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,237,720 to Blase et al., or an upright unit, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,131,237 to Kasper et al., both of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Both types of units contain a fluid delivery system for depositing a quantity of cleaning fluid on the carpet surface. The cleaning fluid dissolves the dirt, removes the dirt from the carpet fibers, and places the dirt in suspension, which aids in the extraction of dirt from the carpet. The cleaning fluid is typically dispensed on the carpet through one or more dispensers, such as spray nozzles, in the extraction cleaning machine where it can be worked into the carpet by one or more rotating brush-type agitators.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,131,237 to Kasper et al. discloses heating a cleaning fluid with an in-line heater between a cleaning fluid solution tank and the cleaning fluid dispenser. It is also known to heat cleaning solution with an immersion heater located in the solution tank, prior to depositing the cleaning fluid on the surface. Both types of heaters are generally located in the cleaning machine at a point somewhat removed from the cleaning fluid dispenser. The dispenser spray nozzles are frequently located in an upper wall of a chamber that encloses the rotating brushes. Thus, the cleaning fluid must pass through the chamber to contact the carpet surface. Cooling of the heated cleaning fluid can occur during the time that the cleaning fluid travels from the heater to the fluid dispenser. Additional cooling can occur as the cleaning fluid passes through the chamber to the carpet. This cooling can reduce the cleaning effectiveness of the cleaning fluid. Kasper et al. also disclose heating a cleaning solution in an in-line heater that is in a cleaning head attached to a wand that is connected to a canister extraction unit.
Increasing the temperature of the cleaning fluid in a conventional extractor is limited by the power available to generate heat and the potential for the cleaning fluid to overheat, pressurize, and damage the cleaning fluid delivery system. In-line heaters also suffer from clogging as a result of the buildup of sediment and other residues. Tank heaters can be slow to heat the cleaning fluid, and the tank must typically be insulated, thereby adding volume and weight to the cleaning machine.
Further, the carpet is relatively cool with respect to the heated cleaning fluid and thus extracts heat from the heated cleaning fluid as it is applied to the carpet surface, thereby diminishing the cleaning power of the cleaning solution. This problem may be overcome somewhat by raising the temperature of the cleaning solution. However, in conventional domestic carpet extractors, the power to continuously raise the temperature of the cleaning solution is limited by domestic circuits in the United States and Canada. Further, the volume of cleaning solution with respect to the area of the carpet is relatively small so that the cleaning solution has limited ability to raise the temperature of the carpet to limit the cooling of the heated cleaning solution as it is applied to the carpet.
Steam generating machines have been used to clean and sanitize hard-surface floors. Known steam machines can be in portable hand-held form or in the form of an upright machine. An example of a commercially-available stick-type upright steam machine is marketed by BISSELL Homecare, Inc. under the name Steam Mop™. All of the known prior art locates the steam generator remote from the dispensing opening.
The effectiveness of the cleaning process can be enhanced by using an extractor that can heat the cleaning fluid immediately prior to its application to the carpet or hard-surface floor.
The invention relates to a portable surface cleaning apparatus that includes a cleaner head for movement along a surface to be cleaned; a cleaning fluid supply system, including at least one cleaning fluid dispenser mounted to the cleaner head and adapted to apply a cleaning fluid to a surface to be cleaned; a suction nozzle mounted to the cleaner head; a vacuum source in fluid communication with the suction nozzle for removing cleaning fluid from the surface through the suction nozzle; and a heating element associated with the cleaner head for heating the cleaning fluid.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the heating element is positioned between the at least one dispenser and the surface to be cleaned for heating the cleaning fluid subsequent to discharge from the at least one dispenser.
In a specific embodiment, the heating element comprises a rectilinear body that extends horizontally and parallel to the suction nozzle. In another specific embodiment, the heating element comprises a cylinder that is mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis. In yet another specific embodiment, the at least one dispenser is mounted for discharge of the cleaning fluid onto the heating element prior to the fluid being applied to the surface. In still another specific embodiment, the heating element comprises a chamber that has at least one fluid outlet and a fluid inlet, the fluid inlet is fluidly connected to the at least one dispenser whereby the cleaning fluid passes from the at least one dispenser into the chamber where it is heated and the heated cleaning fluid passes through the at least one fluid outlet to the surface.
In yet another embodiment of the invention, the heating element is adapted to generate steam.
The cleaner head can have a rotating brush assembly mounted for scrubbing the surface to be cleaned. Further, the heating element is positioned between the suction nozzle and the rotating brush assembly.
In yet another embodiment of the invention, the heating element is adapted to contact and thereby heat the surface to be cleaned during movement of the cleaner head along the surface; and the heating element is positioned so that the cleaning fluid is heated at least in part by the heated surface as the cleaning fluid is applied to the surface to be cleaned.
Further according to the invention, a method for cleaning a surface such as a carpet or a bare floor comprises the steps of applying a heated cleaning fluid to the surface, recovering soiled cleaning fluid from the surface by the application of suction to the surface, and heating the cleaning fluid as it is applied to the surface to be cleaned.
In one embodiment, the heating step comprises heating the surface to be cleaned prior to the application of cleaning fluid to the surface. Further, the heating step further comprises heating the cleaning fluid before it is applied to the surface. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the steps of heating the cleaning fluid prior to application of cleaning fluid to the surface and the step of heating the surface to be cleaned prior to the application of cleaning fluid to the surface is carried out by a common heater.
In the drawings:
Referring now to the drawings and to
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
In one embodiment, the heating element 42 is attached to the base module 12 so that the underside is immediately above the carpet surface. In another embodiment, the heating element 42 is attached to the base module 12 so that the underside is in contact with the carpet surface. In yet another embodiment, the heating element 42 is attached to the base module 12 through a movable assembly that enables the heating element 42 to be selectively positioned in contact with the carpet surface, or at some selected distance above the carpet surface. Preferably, the heating element 42 is fabricated of cast aluminum, although other thermally conductive materials sufficiently unaffected by the deposition of the cleaning fluid thereon can be used.
The dispensers 40 are adapted to discharge cleaning fluid onto the heating element 42 for heating and delivery to the carpet surface. Thus, cleaning fluid can be discharged through the dispensers 40 onto the heating element 42 where it is heated, and thence to the carpet surface, during forward travel of the extraction cleaning machine 10, to be scrubbed by the brush assembly 26. Alternatively, the heating element 42 can be positioned in contact with the carpet surface to heat the carpet, followed by delivery of the cleaning fluid from the dispensers 40 directly onto the carpet surface where the cleaning fluid is heated by the elevated temperature of the carpet. In yet another alternative, the heating element 42 can heat the carpet surface, and the dispensers 40 can discharge cleaning fluid onto the heating element 42 so that the cleaning fluid is heated by both the heated carpet and the heating element 42. Rearward travel of the extraction cleaning machine 10 will result in the cleaning fluid being extracted from the surface through the suction nozzle 28 in a well-known manner.
Heating of the carpet surface can be advantageous in enhancing the cleaning process. The carpet is relatively cool compared to the heated cleaning solution. Thus, the heated cleaning fluid will give up heat to the carpet as it is applied to the carpet surface and thereby be cooled as a result. Heating of the carpet will lessen or minimize the loss of heat in the cleaning fluid and enhance the cleaning process. Further, the cleaning fluid can be heated solely by the heated carpet without heating the cleaning fluid before application to the carpet surface if sufficient heat is applied to the carpet by the heating element 42.
The heating element 42 is provided with a suitable heating element, such as a well-known calorimeter rod element (not shown), electrically interconnected through electrical leads 50, 52 to the cleaning machine power supply. The heating element can be electrically connected with a suitable operational and temperature control mechanism (not shown) for selectively activating and deactivating the heating element, and for adjusting the temperature of the heating element 42. Thus, the heating element 42 can be selectively deactivated when the heating of the liquid is not desired or when liquid is not being sprayed onto the carpet, or activated when heating of the liquid is desired. Furthermore, the temperature of the heating element 42 can be controlled so that heated liquid at one or more selected temperatures up to and including steam is produced. The heating element 42 can be heated using other heating devices such as a foil-type heater affixed to the upper surface of the heating element 42, a chemical heater, a resistance heater, and the like.
As illustrated in
Cleaning fluid delivered to the cleaning fluid inlets 64 enters the channelway 62 where it is heated to a selected temperature. The heated liquid 68 can flow from the cleaning fluid outlets 66 onto the carpet surface. By raising the temperature of the heating element 60 sufficiently, steam can be generated in the channelway 62 for delivery to the carpet surface through the liquid outlets 66.
Extending coaxially from each end wall 84, 86 is a stub axle 92, 96, respectively, having a bore 94, 98, respectively, extending coaxially therethrough for fluid communication with the steam chamber 88. The stub axle 92, 96 is preferably journaled into a bearing fixedly attached to the housing 20 and having a fluid-tight connector enabling the stub axle 92, 96 to rotate in the bearing while maintaining fluid communication between the bore 94, 98 and the cleaning fluid supply line 46 extending from the cleaning fluid reservoir 44. It is anticipated that a person having an ordinary level of skill in the relevant art will be familiar with a suitable means for connecting the cleaning fluid supply line 46 to the stub axles 92, 96 in order to enable the cylinder 80 to rotate while maintaining a fluid-tight connection between the bores 94, 98 and the fluid supply line 46. A one-way valve (not shown) can also be installed in each bore 94, 98 to prevent steam and liquid cleaning fluid from migrating from the steam chamber 88 to the cleaning fluid supply line 46 in order to direct the steam through the nozzles 90.
The cylinder 80 can be partially surrounded with an elongated, semicircular cowl 100 (shown in phantom in
The cylinder 80 is also fabricated with a heating element (not shown) suitable for heating the cylinder 80 to a temperature sufficient to convert cleaning fluid delivered from the cleaning fluid reservoir 44, through the cleaning fluid supply line 46 and the bore 94, 98, and into the steam chamber 88, from a liquid state into steam. An example of such a heating element is a flexible, resistance-type wire-wound or etched foil heating element laminated between thin layers of insulative, high temperature fiberglass-reinforced silicone rubber, such as marketed by Electro-Flex Heat, Inc., of Bloomfield, Conn. Alternately, one or more calorimeter rod elements can be incorporated into the cylinder wall 82 to heat the cylinder 80. Electrical leads from the heating element can be extended through a bore 94, 98 to the cleaning machine power supply for electrically energizing the heating element and to an operational and temperature control device (not shown). The interconnection of the electrical leads and the source of electricity is adapted to enable rotation of the cylinder 80 while maintaining electrical connectivity between the electrical leads and the energy source. The heating element can be attached to the interior surface of the annular wall 82 through an adhesive or other suitable means.
During operation of the extraction cleaning machine 10, the cylinder 80 is in contact with the surface to be cleaned and rotates over the surface during translation of the machine 10 along the surface. Heating of the cylinder 80 converts the cleaning fluid from a liquid to steam. The steam passes through the nozzles 90 into and over the surface. The cowl 100 directs the steam downwardly toward the surface rather than upwardly into the interior of the housing 20. Alternatively, the cylinder 80 can be heated to a temperature less than that required to convert the cleaning fluid from a liquid to steam in order to deliver heated cleaning fluid through the nozzles 90 to the surface to be cleaned. Furthermore, the contact of the cylinder 80 with the surface to be cleaned will heat the surface and further facilitate the loosening and removal of soil.
In another embodiment, the heating element 42, 60 is affixed in a similar manner to a generally conventional upright steam mop machine (not shown) comprising a base module and an upright pivoting handle similar to that found in the commercially available BISSELL Homecare, Inc. Steam Mop™. The heating element is preferably located in the base module immediately above the surface to be cleaned. A fluid reservoir is located in the upright handle. Fluid is allowed to flow under the force of gravity to the heating element through a user-actuated valve. Upon contact with the heating element, the fluid flashes off as steam and is directed to the surface to be cleaned as previously described.
The use of a heating element immediately above a surface being cleaned can facilitate the cleaning of the surface by raising the temperature of cleaning fluid applied to the surface immediately prior to application of the cleaning fluid. Heating the cleaning fluid immediately prior to its application reduces the cooling of the cleaning fluid that would otherwise occur with in-line heaters and tank heaters. The heating element can comprise a relatively small, lightweight body, resulting in a less expensive lighter weight machine. The use of a heating element at the terminus of the liquid delivery system reduces the potential for overheating and pressurizing of the system. The heating element can generate both steam and heated liquid, thereby optimizing the cleaning effectiveness of the cleaning fluid. Furthermore, sediment and other deposit buildup is minimized in the heating element and delivery lines. Finally, the use of a heating element lends itself well to low pressure systems (i.e. gravity feed), and eliminate the necessity of a pump for delivering the heated liquid to the dispensers.
The use of a heating element to provide heat to a surface to be cleaned enhances the cleaning process because it reduces the heat loss to the cleaning solution in the carpet or other surface itself. The heated carpet thus adds heat to the heating solution whether or not the cleaning solution has been heated prior to application of the cleaning solution to the floor.
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. For example, the invention is equally applicable to a canister extraction cleaner with a wand and a cleaner head that includes the heater between cleaning fluid dispensers and the surface to be cleaned. The invention is also applicable to hand held cleaners that include a cleaner head and other elements of an extractor in a single housing. Reasonable variation and modification are possible within the scope of the forgoing disclosure and drawings without departing from the spirit of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/593,265, filed Dec. 30, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
1969036 | Riebel, Jr. | Aug 1934 | A |
2870016 | Day et al. | Jan 1959 | A |
3335448 | Knestele | Aug 1967 | A |
5016313 | Yonehara | May 1991 | A |
5309593 | Yonehara | May 1994 | A |
6131237 | Kasper et al. | Oct 2000 | A |
6173905 | Schultes | Jan 2001 | B1 |
20050022333 | McDowell et al. | Feb 2005 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
60593265 | Dec 2004 | US |