Drying and gas or vapor contact with solids – Apparatus – With means to treat gas or vapor
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-17
2001-07-31
Wilson, Pamela A (Department: 3749)
Drying and gas or vapor contact with solids
Apparatus
With means to treat gas or vapor
C034S085000, C034S095100, C034S633000, C034S635000, C034S638000, C034S229000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06266892
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1.The Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a device for increasing the efficiency of a carpet cleaning machine and other extraction machines in removing cleaning solution and other liquids from fabric, such as carpet. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved vacuum head for penetrating carpet.
2. The Background Art
Carpet-cleaning machines spray a cleaning solution onto a fabric or carpet and then vacuum the solution from the carpet into the machine. Other extraction machines may spray a liquid onto a fabric or simply remove a pre-existing liquid from the fabric.
Carpet cleaning machines typically include a wand with a cleaning head that is movable over the carpet, or a rotating platform that rotates one or more cleaning heads over the carpet. The cleaning heads usually include a spray nozzle for spraying a liquid, such as a cleaning solution, onto and/or into the carpet. In addition, the cleaning heads usually include a vacuum head for vacuuming or sucking the fluid, and any dirt, from the carpet. The vacuum heads commonly include a large opening, such as with an inverted funnel, which sits and moves atop the carpet. vacuuming or sucking the fluid, and any dirt, from the carpet. The vacuum heads commonly include large opening, such as with an inverted funnel, which sit and move atop the carpet.
One disadvantage with many vacuum heads is their inefficiency. Some vacuum heads remove less than 20% of the fluid. It will be appreciated that the fluid remaining in the carpet renders the carpet wet, and thus off limits for many hours while the carpet dries. In addition, it will be appreciated that a significant amount of dirt remains in the carpet with the remaining fluid.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It has been recognized that it would be advantageous to develop a device for increasing the efficiency of carpet cleaning machines, and other extraction machines. In addition, it has been recognized that it would be advantageous to develop an improved vacuum head for removing a greater amount of fluid from carpet.
The invention provides a vacuum head device for attachment to the bottom of a wand or other nozzle that is used to vacuum liquid, especially liquid cleaning solution, from fabric, such as a carpet. The device includes an elongated base plate to be moved on the carpeted surface. The base plate can have a tapering cross section with a wider upper end and a narrower lower end to penetrate into the carpeted surface. In addition, the base plate includes a plurality of apertures formed in an array in the base plate to withdraw the fluid under a vacuum force.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the plurality of apertures can be sized larger than a width of a lower surface of the base plate to create a plurality of protrusions. The protrusions extend from the base plate to penetrate the carpeted surface.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a plurality of channels can be formed in the lower end of the base plate, and each extend from the forward surface to one of the plurality of apertures. The channels can channel the fluid to the apertures.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the device may further employ two mechanical concepts and two aerodynamic techniques to enhance the extraction of the liquid from the fabric.
Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, which together illustrate by way of example, the features of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1016435 (1912-02-01), Overholt
patent: 1601774 (1926-10-01), Scheffer
patent: 2219802 (1940-10-01), Bjorkman
patent: 2799040 (1957-07-01), Hageal
patent: 3169843 (1965-02-01), Campbell
patent: 3375540 (1968-04-01), Hyde
patent: 3619848 (1971-11-01), Salzmann
patent: 3624668 (1971-11-01), Krause
patent: 3697771 (1972-10-01), Colt
patent: 3701343 (1972-10-01), Bowers
patent: 3708824 (1973-01-01), Holubinka
patent: 3761997 (1973-10-01), Frazier
patent: 3950815 (1976-04-01), Fukuchi et al.
patent: 4000538 (1977-01-01), Tissier
patent: 4013039 (1977-03-01), Kubilius et al.
patent: 4182001 (1980-01-01), Krause
patent: 4264999 (1981-05-01), Monson
patent: 4270238 (1981-06-01), Shallenberg et al.
patent: 4308636 (1982-01-01), Davis
patent: 4339840 (1982-07-01), Monson
patent: 4345996 (1982-08-01), Lindman et al.
patent: 4391017 (1983-07-01), Bruensicke
patent: 4441229 (1984-04-01), Monson
patent: 4675935 (1987-06-01), Kasper et al.
patent: 4677705 (1987-07-01), Schuster
patent: 4692959 (1987-09-01), Monson
patent: 4862551 (1989-09-01), Martinez et al.
patent: 4922572 (1990-05-01), Kohl et al.
patent: 4945939 (1990-08-01), Maxwell et al.
patent: 4968166 (1990-11-01), Ingram
patent: 5213263 (1993-05-01), Corona
patent: 5463791 (1995-11-01), Roden
patent: 5485651 (1996-01-01), Payeur
patent: 5555595 (1996-09-01), Ligman
patent: 5593091 (1997-01-01), Harris
patent: 5647391 (1997-07-01), Chan et al.
patent: 5655255 (1997-08-01), Kelly
Concept Cleaning Systems, Inc.
Thorpe North & Western LLP
Wilson Pamela A
LandOfFree
Device for enhancing removal of liquid from fabric does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Device for enhancing removal of liquid from fabric, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Device for enhancing removal of liquid from fabric will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2548514