Brushing – scrubbing – and general cleaning – Machines – With air blast or suction
Patent
1993-03-04
1996-01-23
Moore, Chris K.
Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning
Machines
With air blast or suction
154151, A47L 1130, A47L 700
Patent
active
054856523
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
DESCRIPTION
The present invention relates to a suction cleaning head. More particularly, the present invention relates to a suction cleaning head intended for use with wet suction apparatus to clean carpets and other natural and synthetic floor coverings including pile type rugs, upholstery and the like.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
Typically, one form of wet suction cleaning apparatus presently in use to clean carpets, floor coverings, upholstery and the like is known as a hot water extraction cleaner or carpet steam cleaner. Such apparatus typically comprises a spray type cleaning head which is connected by a flexible suction hose to a source of suction capable of recovering and storing liquids with the dirt or soils in suspension from the surfaces being cleaned. Such apparatus also comprises a separate cleaning liquid tank which is fitted with a high pressure pump such that cleaning liquids at various required temperatures may be sprayed onto the surface being cleaned via jets generally located behind the cleaning head and connected to this pump with a pressure hose.
The typical spray type cleaning head used in conjunction with this type of apparatus is often triangular in shape when viewed from the front or rear and enclosed at the sides to form an open mouth suction chamber with a tubular outlet at the top. This outlet is connected to a suction source through a hollow handle and a flexible vacuum hose. A separate pressure hose carries cleaning liquids at various required temperatures to jets located behind the head that deliver a fan shaped spray to the surface being cleaned. The supply of cleaning liquid is regulated manually by an operator controlled on/off valve. Generally the operator sprays cleaning liquid onto the surface being cleaned whilst moving the cleaning head forward in an outward stroke. Then with the control valve off, the operator draws the cleaning head backwards to suck up dissolved dirt or soils. In the case of a carpeted floor surface, the operator generally exerts a downward pressure on the cleaning head during the backward stroke which assists suction recovery by squeezing surplus cleaning liquid from the carpet fibres.
A difficulty with these spray type cleaning heads is the possibility of overwetting the surface being cleaned causing shrinkage, staining or prolonged drying as the flow of cleaning liquid must be regulated manually using the on/off valve and it is possible for an inexperienced operator to miscalculate the quantity of cleaning liquid required.
An additional difficulty occurs when higher temperature cleaning liquids are required with spray type cleaning heads to accelerate the cleaning action on exceptionally dirty or greasy surfaces. This difficulty is due to the reduction in temperature that occurs as the cleaning liquid is discharged to atmosphere prior to coming into contact with the surface being cleaned. The jets are mounted well above the surface for effective spray coverage which aggravates the cooling problem.
A further difficulty with spray type cleaning heads is that they have a very narrow opening between the front and back walls of the suction mouth, typically 6 mm across the entire width of the suction chamber, so that negligible downward force occurs due to atmospheric pressure when air is evacuated from within the head during the cleaning of carpeted floor surfaces. Any downward force needed to squeeze surplus cleaning liquid from carpet fibres must be provided by the operator. This is tiring and uneven pressure may cause damage to older carpets.
A still further difficulty is the substantial cost of high pressure pumps required to deliver cleaning liquid to the jets behind spray type cleaning heads and the problem of maintenance if a pump runs dry or a blockage occurs.
Another form of wet suction cleaning apparatus is disclosed in United Kingdom Patent Application Nos. 1,121,225 and 1,291,138 which operates in a similar manner to the more common form of hot water extraction cleaner or carpet steam cleaner but without a high pressure pump. This appara
REFERENCES:
patent: 3747155 (1973-07-01), Koellisch
patent: 4095309 (1978-06-01), Sundheim
patent: 4137600 (1979-02-01), Albishausen
patent: 4488330 (1984-12-01), Grave
patent: 4654925 (1987-04-01), Grave
patent: 4879784 (1989-11-01), Shero
patent: 5001806 (1991-03-01), Gurstein
Moore Chris K.
VAX Appliances Ltd.
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