Patent Application
20070209139
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device for steam cleaning. More particularly, the present invention relates to a steam cleaner adapted to dispense a liquid, such as a cleaning fluid, while simultaneously steam cleaning.
2. Description of Related Art
It is known to provide devices that can be used to clean objects with steam. A reservoir can be used to hold a quantity of water. A heater can be used to heat the water to a temperature sufficient to convert at least a portion of the water to steam. The steam can then flow out of the device to the surface to be cleaned.
Inherent shortcomings associated with these known devices include the inconvenience of providing a cleaning fluid at the same time as using the steam cleaner. A user must either apply the cleaning fluid to an area first and then steam clean the area or vice versa. There is a need for a device that can enable a user to easily apply a cleaning fluid and steam to an area simultaneously.
There is also a need for a device in the form of a mop that is user-friendly. For example, there is a need for a device that can be easily maneuvered and used in kitchens or other rooms to fit under the kick-space, which is generally around 4 inches in height. There is also a need for a device that can be conveniently disassembled to be easily stored and packaged.
It is an object of the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art mentioned above. These and other objects are achieved by the present invention described herein.
The present invention achieves these and other objectives by providing a steam-cleaning device with a liquid dispenser that enables a user to dispense a liquid, such as a cleaning fluid, soap or detergent, for example, while simultaneously steam-cleaning. This can be accomplished through the use of a steam-cleaning device having a handle, a connecting rod, and a cleaning head.
In a preferred embodiment, the connecting rod and cleaning head are connected by multiple joints for ease of use and maneuverability. This joint configuration enables the cleaning head to be generally rotated 360° about the connecting rod with minimal movement of the connecting rod by the user selectively rotating the handle. The steam-cleaning device can be disassembled into several parts for easy packaging, as well as storage between uses.
A heating element is preferably in the cleaning head rather than in the handle or connecting rod. A removable cap can be removed to enable a user to add water and a liquid cleaner separately to the device. The water is heated and turned into steam. The steam and the liquid cleaner flow through different conduits to flow to and through a cloth or sponge on the bottom of the cleaning head.
The cap can be used as a measuring cup for the water and is sized to act in a predetermined ratio with the amount of cleaning liquid inserted into the cleaning liquid area. This allows for the cleaning liquid to run out at approximately the same time that the water in the reservoir of the steam-cleaning device runs out, thereby reducing the number of times that a user must stop to refill either the water or the cleaning liquid since they will run out at approximately the same time.
The present invention is more fully understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment with the drawings identified below.
In a preferred embodiment, the connecting rod 14 and cleaning head 16 are connected by a universal handle joint 18 for ease of use and maneuverability. The universal handle joint 18 is comprised of a rod end 20 and a head ring 22. The rod end 20 is preferably connected to the head ring 22 by a pin 24 running through the head ring 22. This enables the rod end 20, and thereby the connecting rod 14, to move in a rotational direction about the rod end pin 24 (i.e., direction A). The head ring 22 is preferably connected to the cleaning head 16 via two head ring pins 26 that preferably extend into slots within the cleaning head 16. This enables the head ring to rotate in a direction about an axis parallel to the top longitudinal surface of the cleaning head 16. The range of motion for the head ring 22 may be limited by the shape of the cleaning head 16. These joints 20, 22 together enable the cleaning head 16 to be generally rotated up to 360° about the connecting rod 14 with minimal movement of the connecting rod 14 by the user selectively rotating the handle. This method also provides the cord 17 with enough room to flex so that it will not break under many repetitions of rotation. However, any one of a variety of methods can be used to accomplish this purpose.
In an alternate embodiment, these joints 20, 22 enable the cleaning head 16 to be rotated more than 360°, possibly for multiple consecutive rotations. In another alternate embodiment, the joints 20, 22 are adapted to allow for a rotation less than 360° (e.g., up to 270°, for example).
Preferably, the steam-cleaning device can be conveniently disassembled into several parts for easy packaging, as well as storage between uses.
In a preferred embodiment, these parts 14, 16, 30, 32 are connected via tabs 34 and holes 36. One example can be seen on the distal end 33 of the handle 12. The tabs 34 are preferably adapted to be biased in an outward direction. A certain amount of force will overcome the bias to enable the tabs 34 to be temporarily flush with the distal end 33. The proximate end 35 of the first portion 30 can be slid over the distal end 33 of the handle 12. The inner wall of the first portion 30 of the rod can press the tabs 34 inward to overcome the bias. As the first portion 30 is pushed up, the hole 36 overlaps the tab 34. This enables the tab 34 to pop out through the hole 36 to create a temporary lock. This temporary lock can be overcome by pressing on the tab 34 and sliding the first portion 30 of the rod away from the handle. In one embodiment, this connection is also used between the second portion 32 of the rod and the cleaning head 16. In addition, other ways of making these connections can be utilized.
FIGS. 4 to 7 illustrate a preferred embodiment of the cleaning head 16.
As seen in
Preferably, the steam-cleaning device 10 operates via plugging the cord 17 into a power source. This supplies power to the heating element 48, which then heats the water from the water reservoir 44 into steam. When the cord 17 is unplugged, the heating element 48 cools, and the water is no longer converted into steam. In an alternative embodiment, a switch is placed on the handle 12 and/or cleaning head 16 to power the heating element 48 on or off.
In a preferred embodiment, the volume of the cap 40 is a known amount, so it may act as a measuring cup. The cap is sized to act in a predetermined ratio with the amount of cleaning liquid inserted into the cleaning liquid area 46. This allows for the cleaning liquid to run out at approximately the same time that the water in the reservoir 44 of the steam-cleaning device 10 runs out. This reduces the number of times that a user must stop to refill either the water or the cleaning liquid since they will run out at approximately the same time, thereby saving the user time and effort. Alternate fill ratios (e.g. 2 to 1, 3 to 1, etc.) can also be used.
While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been herein disclosed and described, it is understood that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/780,665 filed on Mar. 9, 2006, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60780665 | Mar 2006 | US |
