Patent Application
20090293912
The present invention relates generally to surface maintenance or conditioning machines, and more particularly to those machines employing one or more surface maintenance or conditioning appliances or tools to perform a surface cleaning task.
In general, proper carpet maintenance involves regular vacuuming and periodic cleaning to remove soil by methods such as hot water extraction, shampooing, bonnet cleaning, foam cleaning, etc. Some of the soil is loosely found between carpet fibers while other soil is held upon the carpet fibers by some means such as electrostatic forces, van der Waals forces, or oil bonding. Still other soil is mechanically trapped by carpet fibers. Regular vacuuming is essential as it removes some of the loose soil that damages the fibers. Vacuuming maintains the surface appearance of a carpet and keeps the level of soil in the pile at an acceptable level. Vacuuming removes only particulate soil and some unbound or loosely bound surface dirt; therefore, other methods of cleaning are periodically required to improve the appearance of the carpet. Wet cleaning methods are better for removing oils, greases, bound dirt, and other forms of matter that cause soiling on carpet. These methods are often used by professional cleaners and trained personnel.
One type of surface maintenance machine for carpet cleaning is referred to as a bonnet cleaner. Bonnet cleaners employ an absorbent bonnet or pad (hereinafter referred to as the “pad”) attached to a rotary driver for rotating the pad about an axis generally perpendicular to the carpet surface. Cleaning liquid is sprayed directly onto the carpet followed by the rotating pad used to agitate the carpet and transfer soil from the carpet onto the bonnet, i.e., the pad. Since the pad is commonly two-sided, the pad may be reversed once one side of the pad gets soiled to a selected level. The pad may be periodically replaced and later cleaned depending upon the application and wear characteristics of the pad.
The soil transfer process of the bonnet cleaners may be characterized as a “circular engagement process” since the pad rotates relative to the carpet surface. The method employed by bonnet cleaners does have the advantage of being fast drying if a relatively small amount of cleaning liquid is employed. However, limitations of bonnet cleaners include transferring soil from soiled areas to a relatively cleaner area, leaving much of the cleaning fluid in the carpet, and having the potential to damage the carpet. With respect to the latter, some carpets, particular twisted ply variations, may be damaged by aggressive engagement with the rotating pad. Additionally, the bonnet cleaning process is a relatively labor intensive process since the pad requires frequent soil monitoring and frequent removal of soiled pads.
Yet another limitation of bonnet cleaners is the relatively uncontrolled use of cleaning liquid in the carpet cleaning process as some areas of the carpet may receive more cleaning liquid spray than other areas. Reliance on operator spraying of cleaning liquid to the carpet surface may result in overwetting of some areas and underwetting of other areas.
Another type of surface maintenance machine intended for carpet cleaning is referred to as an “extractor machine.” Extractor machines are commonly used for deep carpet cleaning. In general, an extractor is a transportable self-contained device which (i) sprays cleaning liquid directly onto the carpet to create a wetted carpet portion, (ii) agitates the wetted portion with a brush, and (iii) removes some of the cleaning liquid and soil in the carpet through a vacuum system. Generally, in the extraction process a relatively large quantity of cleaning liquid is applied on the carpet. While the vacuum system recovers a portion of the applied cleaning liquid, a significant portion is retained by the carpet. As a consequence, carpet drying times are substantially longer than in the bonnet cleaning process. Excessive carpet wetting may promote the growth of fungus and/or bacteria within the carpet. Additionally, carpet overwetting may also cause surface stains to appear or reappear as underlying soil or stains migrate from the bottom of the carpet to its surface. Additionally, extractors are generally limited to a single operational direction as the steps of wetting, agitation, and vacuuming are sequentially performed. As a result, extractor machines may be difficult to maneuver in some environments, i.e., complex floor layouts.
An object of the present invention is the provision of a carpet cleaning machine promoting efficient use of cleaning liquid in carpet cleaning.
Another object of the present invention is to enhance cleaning area per unit of cleaning solution.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning method that permits a carpet to dry more rapidly.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a carpet cleaning process that has the ability to lift carpet pile which exposes more of the carpet fibers to the surrounding drying air so as to permit the carpet to dry more rapidly than if the pile was not lifted.
Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of a cleaning process and apparatus for cleaning a variety of surfaces, including but not limited to floor surfaces, stairways, walls, and upholstered furniture or other fabric surfaces.
The present invention is directed both to a method of cleaning surfaces and an apparatus for performing the method. In a broad sense, the cleaning process is similar to a damp cloth wiping operation wherein soil from a surface is transferred to the damp cloth.
In accordance with the present invention, a revolving cleaning medium, which after being wiped against a surface intended to be cleaned is wetted, followed immediately by the step of extracting so as to remove cleaning solution and any soil from the cleaning medium, and again wiped against the surface—the process revolving or repeating. In a preferred operation, one portion of the cleaning medium is wetted with cleaning liquid, while another portion is being extracted to remove soil and cleaning liquid therefrom, and while yet another portion is being wiped against the surface to transfer soil from the surface to the cleaning medium. The process continues in a revolving or cyclical manner so that each portion of the cleaning medium is sequentially wetted, extracted, and wiped against the surface.
The method of cleaning surfaces in accordance with the present invention includes the steps of (i) wetting a revolving cleaning medium with a cleaning solution, (ii) followed by removing at least some of the cleaning liquid from the revolving cleaning medium directly after wetting by way of a moisture extraction device, and (iii) wiping the surface with the revolving cleaning medium so as to transfer soil from the surface to the revolving cleaning medium and subsequently removing transferred soil from the revolving cleaning medium.
In accordance with present invention, a transportable device is utilized to perform the cleaning process on a carpeted surface. The device may be a relatively portable machine having a cleaning liquid tank, a soiled solution recovery tank, a vacuum system, and cleaning head. The cleaning head may include a revolving cleaning medium and associated drive mechanism. A vacuum extractor may be used to engage the cleaning medium to remove soil and at least some of the cleaning liquid from the cleaning medium.
In accordance with one embodiment of the invention the revolving cleaning medium is configured as a pair of counter rotating cylindrical cleaning media having portions of each successively wetted, extracted, and wiped against a surface intended to be cleaned, with the process repeating or revolving.
The present invention is directed both to a method of cleaning surfaces and an apparatus for performing the method. In a broad sense as will subsequently be described, the cleaning process in accordance with the present invention is similar to a damp cloth wiping operation wherein soil from a surface is transferred to the damp cloth.
More particularly, the cleaning process in accordance with the present invention utilizes a revolving cleaning medium which after being wiped against a surface intended to be cleaned is wetted, followed immediately by the step of extracting so as to remove cleaning liquid, in part, and any soil from the cleaning medium, and again wiped against the surface—the process revolving or repeating.
In a preferred operation, one portion of the cleaning medium is wetted with cleaning liquid, while another portion is being extracted to remove soil and cleaning liquid therefrom, and while yet another portion is being wiped against the surface to transfer soil from the surface to the cleaning medium. The process continues in a revolving or cyclical manner so that each portion of the cleaning medium is sequentially wetted, extracted, and wiped against the surface.
Cleaning head 20, in accordance with the present invention, includes a cleaning medium 40 and associated drive assembly 60 as is more particularly shown in detail in
Referring to
As described above, cleaning medium 40 functions to transfer soil from surface 25 to the cleaning medium 40. For a carpet surface, cleaning medium 40 functions to wipe the carpet and transfer soil from carpet fibers to the cleaning medium 40. A variety of different materials may be utilized as a cleaning medium, including but not limited to fabrics and absorbent foams, i.e., being “foam rubber” like. Cleaning medium 40 in one embodiment of the invention as illustrated in the Figures includes a pair of cylindrical devices, i.e., cylindrical cleaning pads and/or brushes 62 and 64, hereafter referred to as simply brushes. However, it should be noted herein that cylindrical brushes 62 and 64, i.e. the cleaning medium 40, may be a constructed from any combination of pad-like or bristle-like or foam-like materials, and the like, which serve to transfer soil from the surface intended to be cleaned unto the cleaning medium.
An exemplary construction of brushes 62 and 64 includes a substrate, such as a woven synthetic fabric, having pile fibers tufted thereinto. In one embodiment of the invention, the substrate has an appearance and feel that is similar to the surface fabric used on a common paint roller. In some instances, it may be desirable to intersperse stiffer fibers, i.e., brush like bristles, into the substrate to enhance the agitation action of cleaning medium 40. A 0.75 inch pile 100% nylon roller fabric may be utilized to cover an extruded PVC tubing to form brush 62, 64. Other materials and tube forms may be utilized to form brush 62, 64.
With particular reference to
In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, cleaning dispenser 22 includes a pump 30, shown fixed to the main assembly of machine 10—see
As indicated earlier, extraction system 24 is intended to remove cleaning liquid 13 and any soil from the cleaning medium 40, for example brushes 62 and 64. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, extraction system 24 includes a vacuum extractor 42 which engages brushes 62, 64, a vacuum conduit 44, and a vacuum fan 46 to remove soiled solution from brushes 62, 64 and to transfer soiled solution to recovery tank 14. As particularly illustrated in
In operation, machine 10 is operator-propelled across a surface. In accordance with the present invention, machine 10 may be bi-directionally operated—i.e., machine 10 may be propelled forwardly or rearwardly during operation. To initiate a cleaning operation, appropriate controls, such as switches (not shown), are used to activate vacuum motor 46, cleaning medium drive 60 and cleaning liquid pump 30. Upon activation, brushes 62, 64 of cleaning medium 40 are revolved via drive assembly 60 and cleaning liquid 13 is dispensed through spray nozzle 34 to cleaning medium brushes 62, 64.
Wetted portions of brushes 62, 64 may be defined as those brush portions which receive cleaning liquid from the spray nozzle 34. Regarding brush 62, which rotates in a referenced clockwise manner, the wetted portion is generally that portion of brush 62 between approximately 9 o'clock and 12 o'clock. Regarding brush 64, which rotates in a referenced counterclockwise manner, the wetted portion is generally that portion of brush 64 between approximately 3 o'clock and 12 o'clock. Referring to
Prior to wetted brush portions 100, 102 being rotated into contact with carpet surface 25, the relative dampness is reduced by operation of vacuum extractor 42. Vacuum extractor 42 engages each brush 62, 64 to remove some of the just deposited cleaning liquid 13 and soil previously transferred from the carpet surface. Each brush 62, 64 of the cleaning medium 40 is engaged by respective vacuum apertures 92, 94 of vacuum extractor 42 to reduce the local wetness of brushes 62, 64. As a result, rotating brushes 62, 64 have a wetted portion 100, 102 as defined above, and a reduced wetness portion 104, 106 which engages the carpet surface and transfers soil from the carpet to brushes 62, 64.
As brushes 62, 64 are revolved, reduced wetness brush portions 104, 106 engage the carpet fibers and cause soil to be transferred from the carpet fibers to brushes 62, 64. As brushes 62, 64 are further rotated, the reduced wetness portions 104, 106 (having received soil from the carpet) are sprayed with cleaning liquid through nozzle 34 and subsequently vacuum extracted through extractor 42 to convey soiled cleaning liquid from brushes 62, 64 into soiled solution recovery tank 14.
The cleaning process, in accordance with the present invention, thus includes the steps of wetting a portion of cleaning medium 40 with cleaning liquid 13, reducing the relative wetness of the wetted portion of the cleaning medium by extraction, and then wiping the surface intended to be cleaned with the cleaning medium so as to transfer soil from the surface intended to be cleaned to the cleaning medium 40. Soil upon the cleaning medium 40 is subsequently removed as the revolving cleaning medium is rewetted and extracted. In turn, the aforesaid cleaning process repeats as a cycle with cleaning medium 40 revolving, cleaning liquid 13 being conveyed to cleaning medium 40, extractor 42 reducing the relative wetness of a portion of the cleaning medium 40 (and removing soiled solution therefrom), and cleaning medium 40 wiping the carpet to transfer soil from the carpet to the cleaning medium 40.
Additional aspects of the present invention will be addressed. It is envisioned that the cleaning process according to the present invention may be performed on a variety of different machines, ranging from small manually operated devices, to large self-propelled vehicles. The illustrated device is a self-contained portable cleaning machine, more particularly an operator propelled unit with solution, pump, brush, and vacuum recovery tank. In alternative embodiments, machine 10 may include a vehicle, such as a ride-on or towed-behind vehicle, or be a hand held machine performing a cleaning operation as described herein. Machine 10 may be powered through an on-board power source, such as batteries or an IC engine.
In alternative embodiments, cleaning head 20 may be provided as an accessory or optional item for use with other cleaning machines. In other embodiments, cleaning head 20 may be utilized upon larger, operator driven machines.
Embodiments of the present invention may be utilized for cleaning a variety of floor surfaces, including but not limited to carpets, rugs, tile, vinyl, terrazzo, wood floors, and concrete surfaces. Additional surfaces which may be cleaning through a process as described herein include walls, stairways, upholstered furniture or fabric, such as curtains and the like. In a particularly preferred embodiment and as described herein with reference to machine 10 operation, the present invention is utilized for cleaning floor coverings.
Surface cleaning medium 40 may be one or more elongated cylindrical elements, as depicted in the Figures, wherein each elongated cylindrical element rotates about a generally horizontal axis of rotation generally in parallel with the surface intended to be cleaned. The axis of rotation in a particularly preferred embodiment being aligned generally transverse to the direction of intended machine 10 operation. Alternatively, cleaning medium 40 may be one or more disk-shaped elements which rotate about one or more generally vertical axes of rotation generally transverse to the surface intended to be cleaned.
Yet another embodiment of cleaning medium 40 may include a belt, with an outward belt surface being a cleaning medium, trained between two or more rollers, the belt moving as the rollers rotate. With this belt-type cleaning medium, it should be appreciated that the belt is intended to revolve so that the outward belt surface having the cleaning medium thereon sequentially passes a wetting operation, followed by an extraction process, followed by a soil transfer process—i.e., wiping the intended surface to be cleaned with cleaning medium surface of the belt. Additional embodiments of cleaning mediums are of course possible as may be appreciated by those skilled in the relevant arts.
In another embodiment cleaning medium 40 may be a cylindrical shaped element having a combination of foam and bristle surfaces. (not shown) In alternative embodiments, cleaning medium 40 may comprise a revolving belt as aforesaid. Cleaning medium 40 may include a variety of different materials including fabrics, synthetic scouring pads and foam elements and the like which serve the intended function of transferring soil from a surface being wiped onto the cleaning medium.
Extractor 42 may be provided by a wide array of structures and techniques as may be appreciated by those skilled in the relevant arts including, including but not limited to non-vacuum techniques such as pressing or squeezing, all of which are intended to be within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.
Further, although cleaning solution dispenser 22 is illustrated as being operated by a pump on the main assembly of machine 10, other arrangements are of course possible so as to achieve the intended function. As used herein, and the appended claims, the cleaning liquid may comprise any cleaning solution which assists the transfer of the soil on the surface intended to be cleaned unto the cleaning medium. For example, cleaning liquid 13 could also be in the form of a foam, vapor, liquid with suspended solids, a granular cleaning material, plain water, and the like. Of course, liquid dispenser 22 would be of different form than that as illustrated in order to accommodate the selected cleaning liquid or material. Therefore, as used herein and the appended claims, wetting of the cleaning medium encompasses, but not limited to, depositing, applying, or conveying such material onto the cleaning medium 40.
In alternative embodiments of the present invention, cleaning head 20 may be coupled to machine 10 via a plurality of pivot points, a four bar linkage, or alternative structures which facilitate head movement and cleaning medium engagement across both even and uneven floor surfaces.
Other modifications to the described embodiment may also be practicable. One or more cleaning liquid dispensing devices may be utilized in alternative embodiments of the invention. Additionally, the vacuum extractor may be alternatively configured and include a different extractor structure. For example, a plurality of vacuum extracting locations may be practicable, i.e., a first vacuum extraction location for reducing the relative dampness of the rotating cleaning medium prior to contact with the floor surface, and a second vacuum extraction location for removing soiled solution from the cleaning medium. In yet another example, a rotating belt machine may include a first cleaning liquid dispensing device, a first extraction device for reducing the dampness of the belt prior to contact with carpet, a second cleaning liquid dispensing device, and a second extraction device for removing soiled solution from the belt. As various changes could be made in the above methods and devices without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
This is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 10/705,570, filed Nov. 10, 2003, which was a continuation-in-part application of U.S. Ser. No. 10/081,374, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,662,402, which claimed priority to U.S. Ser. No. 60/299,561, filed Jun. 20, 2001, and each application being incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60299561 | Jun 2001 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 10705570 | Nov 2003 | US |
| Child | 12540200 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 10081374 | Feb 2002 | US |
| Child | 10705570 | US |
