Claims
- 1. In a fabric cleaning device of the type having a cleaning head tool movable over a fabric surface; a tank for holding cleaning liquid; a liquid conduit communicating the tank with the cleaning head tool for delivering the cleaning liquid to the cleaning head tool, the liquid conduit including a flexible liquid hose; a vacuum source; and a flexible vacuum hose communicating the vacuum source with the cleaning head tool for sucking up dirt and the cleaning liquid; the improvement comprising:
- an ozone generator for creating ozone in an air stream; and
- means for injecting the air stream into the cleaning liquid within the liquid conduit, whereby ozone in the air stream is mixed into the cleaning liquid.
- 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the means for injecting further comprises:
- a venturi disposed in the liquid conduit, the venturi including a constricted throat;
- an injection orifice disposed within the constricted throat; and
- an ozone delivery line from the ozone generator to the injection orifice;
- whereby the air stream is drawn through the delivery line to the injection orifice when cleaning liquid flows through the liquid conduit.
- 3. The device according to claim 2: further comprising a pump for forcing the cleaning liquid from the tank to the cleaning head tool; and wherein the venturi is disposed between the tank and the pump.
- 4. The device according to claim 2: further comprising a pump for forcing the cleaning liquid from the tank to the cleaning head tool; and wherein the venturi is disposed between the pump and the cleaning head tool.
- 5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the means for injecting further comprises means for creating an air pressure to drive the air stream into the cleaning liquid.
- 6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the means for injecting the air stream into the cleaning liquid comprises:
- an ozone delivery line from the ozone generator to the liquid conduit, and an injection orifice means for passing said air stream from said ozone delivery line into said liquid conduit.
- 7. The device according to claim 6, further comprising a pump for forcing the cleaning liquid from the tank to the cleaning head tool; and wherein said injection orifice is disposed between the pump and the tank.
- 8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the ozone generator uses electric voltage.
- 9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the ozone generator includes a transformer.
- 10. The device according to claim 8, wherein the ozone generator includes a frequency shifting circuit.
- 11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the ozone generator is selectively a portable ozone generator and a fixed ozone generator.
- 12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the means for injecting further includes
- interconnection means for coupling the means for injecting with the fabric cleaning device, at any desired location among the tank, the liquid conduit, and the cleaning head tool.
- 13. In a fabric cleaning unit of the type having means for moving the unit over a fabric surface, a cleaning head tool, means for delivering cleaning liquid to the cleaning head tool, a vacuum source communicating with the cleaning head tool for sucking up dirt and the cleaning liquid, and tanks for holding selectively cleaning liquid and sucked-up liquid; the improvement comprising:
- means for injecting an ozonated air stream into the cleaning liquid, whereby ozone in the air stream is mixed into the cleaning liquid.
- 14. The device according to claim 13, wherein the means for injecting includes a connector on the housing for accepting ozonated air from an auxiliary ozone generator.
- 15. The device according to claim 13, wherein the unit includes an ozone generator permanently mounted thereto.
- 16. The device according to claim 13, wherein the unit includes a rotary surface-contacting element.
Parent Case Info
This is a division of copending parent application Ser. No. 08/357,243, filed Dec. 13, 1994.
US Referenced Citations (7)
Divisions (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
357243 |
Dec 1994 |
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