Patent Application
20110119843
The present invention relates to devices for treating a surface, and more particularly a surface treating device adapted for treating stains from articles composed of fabrics and textile-based materials such as carpets, rugs, and upholstery.
Household furnishings and textile-based materials such as, for example, carpets, rugs, and upholstery, can last for many years, when properly treated. Routine vacuuming and regular cleaning helps to maintain the appearance and useful life of such materials. Occasional spills and stains do occur even in the most carefully maintained homes. Such stains are typically the result of a chemical reaction between the staining agent and the fibers and finishes of a fabric or textile-based material. Many stains can be treated with the proper method or technique.
Generally, the stain treatment process must be implemented immediately to prevent the stain from setting permanently in the material. The treatment process for the stains involves applying a stain-treating agent or a solvent for the stain, blotting the affected area with a cloth or sponge and/or tamping the stain with a spoon until the stain is treated. It is generally suggested that vigorous scrubbing and rubbing be avoided. Such action can irreparably damage or prematurely wear the material or spread the stain to a larger area or even push the stain deeper into the material. Unfortunately, consumers often fail to follow the suggestion against scrubbing or rubbing the stained material.
There are several motorized cleaning devices available marketed for removing stains entrenched in fabric and textile-based materials such as carpets, rugs and upholstery. Such devices typically include a drive train including a shaft. The shaft coupled to a bristle holder, may rotate, oscillate or reciprocate, and imparting a scrubbing or rubbing action. Accordingly, such prior art devices are not suitable for treating strains without causing some degree of damage or wear.
A number of compositions are formulated for treating stains. Consumers generally prefer stain treating compositions which contain or generate gas bubbles. One such composition is formulated from solutions of baking soda (i.e., sodium bicarbonate) and a peroxide compound (e.g., hydrogen peroxide). The peroxide component and the baking soda component chemically react to produce an effervescent action effective for treating stains. The composition does not produce potentially odorous and/or irritating chemicals that may leave a residue or rings after use. The major drawback to using peroxide/baking soda compositions is the inconvenience associated with handling multiple components. Because the two components are reactive on contact, they must be kept separate from one another during storage, and mixed in appropriate proportions immediately before application to the stain.
Accordingly, there is a need for a surface treating device that is designed to treat stains from fabric or textile-based materials such as carpets, rugs and upholstery, while avoiding the problems described above. There is a need for a surface treating device that operates in a manner consistent with accepted stain treating practices, and substantially minimizes damage or wear to the treated area of the material. There is a further need for a surface treating device capable of conveniently preparing and delivering a stain treating fluid formulated in proper amounts from one or more components to the surface of the material.
The present invention relates to a surface treating device for treating stains from fabric and textile-based materials including carpets, rugs and upholstery. The surface treating device of the present invention is specifically designed to provide enhanced handling with minimal operational difficulties, while avoiding or at least substantially minimizing damage and wear to the material. The surface treating device includes a member adapted for engaging a surface to be treated in a manner, which enhances treatment without damage or excessive wear. A driver is operatively associated with the member, and is adapted for imparting a linear reciprocating motion to the member, wherein the member engages the surface in a substantially perpendicular manner (i.e., a tamping motion). The member may be in the form of a brush having a plurality of bristles. The surface treating device of the present invention is portable, hand-holdable, and simple and convenient to use. Furthermore, the surface treating device of the present invention is compact in size for easy storage and handling, and is especially suitable for consumer use.
The surface treating device of the present invention may further include a single fluid source for storing a fluid or multiple separate discrete fluid sources for storing a plurality of fluids and for combining the fluids in a convenient manner. The single or combination of fluids is delivered to the treatable material in proximity of the cleaning member. Preferably, in one embodiment of the present invention, the multiple discrete fluid sources comprise a peroxide fluid such as an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution in one, and a bicarbonate fluid such as an aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution in another. These fluid sources are maintained out of contact with one another (storage phase) until the combined fluid is used to clean a selected material. The discrete fluid sources may each be in the form of a pouch for facilitating easy replacement. The surface treating device of the present invention facilitates treatment of stains through both chemical and mechanical action. Accordingly, the surface treating device of the present invention offers a convenient self-contained comprehensive system for treating stains.
In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a surface treating device, comprising:
a member adapted for engaging a surface to be treated;
a driver operatively associated with the member, the driver being adapted for imparting a linear reciprocating motion to the member, wherein the member engages the surface to be treated in a manner substantially perpendicular to the surface to be treated; and
a dispenser for delivering a fluid, drawn directly from a discrete fluid source, to the surface being treated.
In a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a surface treating device, comprising:
a member having a plurality of bristles adapted for engaging a surface to be treated; and
a driver operatively associated with the member, the driver being adapted for imparting a linear reciprocating motion to the member, wherein the bristles engage the surface to be treated in a manner substantially perpendicular to the surface to be treated.
In a still further aspect of the invention, there is provided a fitment for a pouch for storing one of the fluids, comprising:
a valve portion for permitting passage of a fluid therethrough;
a fitment body housing the valve portion, the fitment body being adapted for attachment to a pouch; and
a throughhole extending laterally through the fitment body in communication with the interior of the pouch for permitting any gas present in the pouch to pass out of the pouch while at least substantially preventing passage of a liquid therethrough.
In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pouch comprising:
a flexible wall defining a fluid cavity for accommodating a fluid; and
a fitment comprising:
In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a plug comprising:
a tubular body having first and second ends, the first end configured for engaging a throughhole extending laterally through a fitment;
a laterally inclined opening located at the second end of the tubular body; and
a gas permeable membrane sealing the laterally inclined opening.
The following drawings are illustrative of embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the invention as encompassed by the claims forming part of the application.
The present invention is directed to a surface treating device for treating stains from fabric and textile-based materials including carpets, rugs and upholstery. The surface treating device of the present invention is specifically designed to provide enhanced handling with minimal operational difficulties, while avoiding or at least substantially minimizing damage and wear to the surface to be treated. The surface treating device includes a member adapted for engaging a surface to be treated in a manner, which enhances treatment without damage or excessive wear. A driver is operatively associated with the member, and is adapted for imparting a linear reciprocating motion to the member. As a result, the member engages in a path perpendicular to the surface to thereby provide a “tamping” action. As used herein the word “tamping” shall mean rapidly repeating movement of the device to contact with the surface in a direction or orientation perpendicular to the surface.
The member may be in the form of a brush having a plurality of bristles. The surface treating device of the present invention is portable, hand-holdable, and simple and convenient to use. Furthermore, the surface treating device of the present invention is compact in size for easy storage and handling, and is especially suitable for consumer use.
The surface treating device of the present invention may further include a dispenser for delivering a fluid for assisting in the cleaning of the surface. The fluid may be drawn from a single fluid source or multiple fluid sources. Preferably, as more fully described below, the fluid is comprised of a plurality of fluids, preferably mixed together (i.e., a combined fluid) drawn directly from a plurality of discrete fluid sources and delivered to the surface being treated. Preferably, the combined fluid is the combination of a peroxide fluid such as an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution and bicarbonate fluid such as an aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution.
Multiple discrete fluid sources may employed when it is desirable to separate the fluids from one another until the surface treatment process commences because the fluids rapidly react with one another as would occur when the fluids are, for example, a bicarbonate fluid and a peroxide fluid. The discrete fluid sources which house the fluids may be in the form of replaceable pouches. The treatment of stains and other cleaning functions are facilitated by the chemical action of the fluid and the mechanical action of the bristles and their linear reciprocating motion. Accordingly, the surface treating device of the present invention offers a convenient self-contained comprehensive system for treating stains and performing other cleaning functions. It will also be understood that the present invention may be configured to dispense a fluid from a single unitary fluid source such as a solution mixture of peroxide and bicarbonate, for example.
The term “fluid” refers generally to a substance, ingredient, composition or formulation, which may be inert, active or reactive (e.g., as forming part of a multi-component solution), and which is to be stored separately and optionally subsequently mixed with one or more other substances, ingredients, compositions or formulations, which may be inert, active or reactive, immediately prior to delivery to a surface to be treated for initiating treatment of stains or performing other related functions such as sanitization, odor removal, dander removal, and the like.
The term “discrete fluid source” refers to any storage means including, but not limited to, pouches, bags, compartments, hard and soft containers, and the like for storing a fluid, and, in embodiments having multiple discrete fluid sources, out of contact with other fluids. Preferably, the present invention is adapted to accommodate two fluids each contained within respective discrete fluid sources, for example, where one fluid source contains a peroxide such as an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution, and the other fluid source contains a bicarbonate such as an aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution.
Referring to
Optionally, the surface treating device 10 may include a brush cover 24 adapted to attach to the front end 14 of the housing 12 to enclose and guard the surface treating member 22 during non-use or storage. The brush cover 24 is secured to the housing front end 14 via engagement between projections (not shown) located on the interior side of the brush cover 24 and corresponding retaining notches 25 located on opposing sides of the housing 12. The surface treating device 10 may be stored in a prone position with the brush cover 24 attached or in a standing position.
The surface treating device 10 further includes a fluid dispensing outlet 26 located proximate to the member 22 at the front end 14 of the housing 12 through which a cleaning fluid such as a stain treating fluid may be dispensed. The stain treating fluid is delivered from the outlet 26 through actuation of a trigger 28 located on the inside portion of the handle 18 (shown best in
The stain treating fluid may be selected from any composition or formulation comprising one or more ingredients which may be known in the art for treating stains from articles or for performing other functions (e.g., sanitization, deodorization) including, but not limited to, water, solvents, detergents, acids, alkalis, bleaches, enzymes, and the like. The stain treating fluid may be delivered from a single discrete fluid source. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the stain treating fluid is a combined fluid composed of mixture of a peroxide fluid such as an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution, and a bicarbonate fluid such as an aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution, where the fluids are combined immediately prior to being delivered to the surface to be treated. Alternatively, the peroxide fluid and the bicarbonate fluid may be stored together as a solution mixture within a single fluid source.
As shown in
The surface treating member 22 includes a bristle holder 27 movably attached to the surface treating device 10, and a plurality of bristles 29 extending downwardly from the bottom of the bristle holder 27. The surface treating member 22 is normally positioned with the distal ends of the bristles 29 a distance below the base member cover 20. This ensures sufficient contact and pressure is applied to the surface 23 to be treated during operation. The bristles 29 directly engage the surface 23 during the tamping motion. It will be understood that the surface treating member 22 may be configured to substitute the bristles 29 with other forms of surface engaging elements including, but not limited to, woven materials such as fabrics, non-woven materials such as sponges and pads, relatively hard materials such as metals, wood or plastic, and the like, as known to one of ordinary skill in the art.
The base member cover 20 includes a surface contact portion 31 extending along the bottom area thereof. As discussed previously, the distal ends of the bristles 29 extends, in the absence of pressure thereto, a distance below the base member cover 20, or the surface contact portion 31. Preferably, the distance is at least 1 mm, more preferably from about 1 mm to 10 mm, and most preferably, at about 3 mm below the surface contact portion 31. The device 10 is placed with surface contact portion 31 proximately to the surface to be treated. The surface contact portion 31 is configured to appropriately orient and position the surface treating member 22 at the proper angle and distance relative to the surface 23. This ensures proper operation of the surface treating device 10, and minimizes damage or premature wear on the surface 23.
Once the surface treating member 22 is properly positioned, the agitating action of the surface treating member 22 is initiated via the power button 30. With the surface contact portion 31 in contact with the surface 23, the bristle holder 27 and the bristles 29 reciprocate along a vertical axis normal to the affected area. The bristles 29 periodically contact the surface 23 in a rapid, reciprocating manner to produce the tamping movement with sufficient agitation to effectively treat stains or perform another desired function. In the present embodiment of the invention, the surface treating member 22 is configured to reciprocate at a rate of at least 1,000 Hz, preferably from about 1,000 Hz to 15,000 Hz, and more preferably from about 5,500 Hz to 7,000 Hz.
Referring to
The latch 21 includes a pair of outwardly biased protrusions 38 configured for releasable engagement with corresponding keepers 40 of the housing 12. The latch 21 operates to securely lock the base member cover 20 in the closed position. The protrusions 38 of the latch 21 may be selectively disengaged from the keepers 40 by depressing release buttons 42 located on the exterior portion of the device 10. Once the latch 21 is disengaged, the base member cover 20 can be moved to an open position thereby gaining access to the interior compartment 32.
The surface treating device 10 includes one or more inlet ports 44 each configured for fluidly coupling with a pouch 34 via a fitment 46. The fitment 46 includes a fitment valve (not shown), which opens to permit fluid flow only when the inlet port 44 is fully seated therein. Thus, the fitment valve (not shown) is configured only for either fully open or fully closed states. Each of the pouches 34 comprises sidewalls 48 for storing a fluid 50. As discussed previously, the fluid 50 may comprise a substance, ingredient, composition or formulation, which may be inert, active or reactive, alone or as part of a combined fluid for performing a stain treating or related function.
The sidewalls 48 of the pouch 34 are fluidly sealed with the fitment 46. The fitments 46 are adapted to receive and retain (e.g., by snapping) a corresponding inlet port 44 therein to establish fluid coupling therebetween. When the trigger 28 (see
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the surface treating device 10 is adapted to accommodate two pouches 34. One pouch is shown in
The surface treating device 10 includes a battery housing assembly 54 with a battery compartment 56 (see
The housing 12 is constructed to provide a fluid resistant seal between the interior compartment 32 and the other internal components in the device 10. In the event of a fluid leak from one of the pouches 34, a fluid drain opening 60 is provided in the base member cover 20 to effectively channel the leaking fluid from the device 10 and away from the internal components.
Referring to
The driver 62 and the surface treating member 22 are movably attached to the housing 12 via a spring mechanism preferably in the form of cantilever spring 77 (see
The motor housing 68 provides an upper limit to the vertical movement of the driver 62 and surface treating member 22 relative to the surface to be treated. The bristles 29 thereby extend sufficiently into the surface 23 to perform the desired cleaning function without damaging or causing excessive wear of the surface 23. During operation, the motor 64 causes the drive shaft 70 and the off-centered weight 66 to rotate within the motor housing 68. The momentum generated by the rotating off-centered weight 66 effectively causes the surface treating member 22 to reciprocate in an up and down motion, thereby producing the tamping action on the surface to be treated. The reciprocation rate is at least 1,000 Hz, preferably from about 1,000 Hz to 15,000 Hz, and more preferably from about 5,500 Hz to 7,000 Hz.
The surface treating device 10 includes a fluid dispensing assembly 80 for storing and delivering a desired fluid such as a combined fluid to the surface to be treated. In the present embodiment of the invention, the fluid dispensing assembly 80 is adapted to draw fluids from two discrete fluid sources each in the form of pouches 34 (see
The fluid dispensing assembly 80 includes a pump assembly 82, and a fluid manifold assembly 84 adapted to mix the respective fluids 50a and 50b, and convey to the pump assembly 82, fluids 50a and 50b from the respective pouches 34a and 34b via the inlet ports 44 (only fluid 50a and pouch 34a are shown). The pump assembly 80 includes an inlet 86, a pump 88, the fluid dispensing outlet 26, the trigger 28 and an actuating linkage or yoke 90 located between the trigger 28 and the pump 88. The pump includes a movable plunger 92, a pump cavity or chamber 94, and a spring 96. The movable plunger 92 is actuated by the trigger 28 via the actuating linkage or yoke 90, and is adapted to permit one-way flow of fluid from the pump inlet 86 into the pump chamber 94.
As the trigger 28 is pulled up against the handle 18, the plunger 92 moves downwardly within the pump chamber 94 and forces fluid through the fluid dispensing outlet 26. The pump spring 96 biases the plunger 92 upwardly for the return stroke, which generates a negative pressure at the pump inlet 86. The pump inlet 86 is fluidly connected to a manifold outlet 98 of the fluid manifold assembly 84 via a hose or tube 100 (see
Referring to
The fluid manifold assembly 84 includes an inlet plate 110 having the inlet ports 44, and an outlet plate 112 having the manifold outlet 98. The inlet ports 44 each include an O-ring 114 seated thereon to provide a sealing engagement with the fitment 46 of the pouches 34, and a check valve, preferably in the form of an umbrella valve 116, disposed within the interior side thereof to provide a one-way only flow from the pouch 34 into the manifold assembly 84, when the pump assembly 82 is actuated. The check valves 116 prevent cross contamination of the respective fluids 50a and 50b upstream (i.e., fluid 50a contaminating fluid 50b contained in the pouch 34b). Such contamination can adversely affect the efficacy of the respective fluids over time during non-use. It is further noted that the manifold configuration and the position of the check valves 116 substantially reduces the residual volume of the mixed fluids within the pump assembly 82 and the corresponding fluid delivery path to the fluid dispensing outlet 26. This results in reduced waste and enhanced delivery of the newly combined fluid to the surface to be treated.
As shown in
Referring to
During storage, the fluid 50 contained within the pouch 34 (e.g., bicarbonate solution, peroxide solution) may generate gas, which over time can cause the pouch sidewalls 48 to expand resulting in an undesirable bloated appearance and/or release of fluid. To address the possible buildup of gas, the pouch 34 includes a optional gas vent 124 disposed in the fitment 46 for permitting a gas to pass from the pouch 34 while at least substantially preventing passage of the fluid therethrough. It will be understood that the gas vent is optional particularly where the fluid contained in the pouch 34 lacks the tendency to emit or generate gas.
The gas vent 124 allows a sufficient amount of gas to vent from the pouch 34 so that the pouch 34 retains its normal profile (i.e., prevents the pouch 34 from taking on a bloated appearance). The gas vent 124 provides communication between the interior or the pouch 34 and ambient to permit excess gas only to be released. In the present embodiment of the invention, the gas vent 124 further includes a gas permeable membrane 126 (see
Referring to
The fitment base 132 includes the gas vent 124 extending from the exterior side and opens up into a larger diameter throughbore 136 extending to the interior side thereof. The throughbore 136 is configured to receive a tubular gas permeable plug 138. The gas permeable plug 138 includes a laterally inclined opening 140 at one end, an opposing circular open end 142, and the gas permeable membrane 126 sealing the laterally inclined opening 140. The circular open end 142 of the plug 138 is inserted into the throughbore 136 and retained (e.g., by snapping) therein. An adhesive may be applied to securely retain the plug 138 within the throughbore 136.
The gas permeable membrane 126 is preferably a gas permeable film material configured for allowing gas and vapors to pass, while blocking passage of liquid therethrough. Such film materials are commercially available such as GORE-TEX® membrane from W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc. of Newark, Del.
Referring to
A formulation of a stain cleaning fluid for one embodiment of the present invention is shown in the following table below.
A formulation of a stain cleaning fluid for another embodiment of the present invention is shown in the following table below.
The foregoing discussion discloses and describes merely exemplary embodiments of the present invention. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from such discussion, and from the accompanying drawings and claims, that various changes, modifications and variations can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.
