Sprayless surface cleaner

Details Sprayless surface cleaner Sprayless surface cleaner

1999-08-04

2001-06-12

Till, Terrence R. (Department: 1744)

Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning

Machines

With air blast or suction

C015S320000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06243914

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a tool for cleaning surfaces, and more particularly, to a tool for cleaning flooring surfaces, wall surfaces and upholstery. The tools utilize a cleaning fluid but do not include spray nozzles and therefore eliminate the problems associated therewith. The invention also relates to a method of delivering cleaning fluid to any one of a number of different tools. The cleaning fluid flows to the surface to be cleaned by traveling along the edge of the tool in a thin sheet, maintaining higher temperatures and allowing more complete recovery of the fluid and a reduced drying time.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Since the first installation of carpeting and upholstery, there have been innumerable ways and theories as to the best approach for keeping the carpeting and other fabric material clean, including wet versus dry cleaning, deep versus shallow cleaning, and invariably an equal number of instruments or tools to effect the cleaning process. The most commonly used cleaning method today is the process of applying cleaning fluid as a spray under pressure to the surface to both dissolve the dirt and stains and to scrub the fibers and simultaneously apply a vacuum or negative pressure to extract the cleaning fluid and the soil captured thereby. Although this relatively high pressure method is the method most commonly used, it has some disadvantages. First, it must be remembered that the very nature of the soiled surface defines that the majority of the soil will be at or near the surface of the fibers and, therefore, a high pressure cleaning tends to drive some of the surface soil and cleaning fluid deeper, thereby requiring a very powerful vacuum system to extract those particles which have been driven beneath the outermost surface. Further, the use of cleaning fluid under pressure, applied through conventional jets, likewise drives the fluid itself deeper, and the fluid that is not immediately removed by the vacuum source takes a significantly longer amount of time to dry. Again, an inconvenience; but further, if the carpeting is used prior to the time it is completely dry, it is more likely to become soiled. Further, the sprayed fluid is atomized and comes into contact with the air, causing significant heat loss, diminishing the cleaning power of the fluid.
Numerous different approaches to spraying cleaning fluid under pressure and then removing it with a vacuum are illustrated in the prior art supplied herewith but will not be discussed in detail.
Another approach to the cleaning of carpeting and upholstery has been the use of a rotating device wherein the entire machine is transported over the carpeting while the cleaning head is rotated about a vertical axis. Typically, these machines include a plurality of arms, each of which includes one or more spray nozzles or a vacuum source providing a more intense scrubbing action since, in general, more scrubbing surfaces contact the carpet. These devices are primarily illustrated in the patents granted to Monson, and again, these devices are listed in the prior art known to the inventor but not discussed in detail herewith.
A third body of material wherein the cleaning fluid is either attempted to be deflected or otherwise controlled is illustrated hereinbelow.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,137,600, granted to Albishausen on Feb. 6, 1970, discloses a cleaning apparatus wherein the cleaning fluid is changed into a liquid curtain by a baffle within the cleaning head.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,335,486, granted to Kochte on Jan. 22, 1982, discloses a surface cleaning machine wherein the cleaning fluid is deposited upon the surface of the carpet pile from a wick like device which is wetted with the cleaning fluid.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,649,594, granted to Grave on Mar. 17, 1987, discloses a cleaning head wherein the cleaning solution is sprayed through a narrow passage and some is wicked along the surface of the passage.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,157,805, granted to Pinter on Oct. 27, 1992, discloses a method and apparatus for cleaning a carpet wherein the cleaning fluid is sprayed by nozzle against the back of a striker plate and then flows downwardly and through the carpet to a pickup vacuum.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,561,884, granted to Nijland et al on Oct. 8, 1996, discloses a suction attachment spray member wherein the fluid is sprayed against the distributor plate, which creates a planar diverging liquid jet substantially filling the vacuum chamber.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The present invention in its broadest sense deals with the distribution of fluid to a surface for cleaning purposes. The fluid is distributed through a slot in a manifold which is in contact with the surface and the slot is effectively at an angle to the surface to be cleaned. The fluid is delivered in a thin film which because of fluidic attraction follows the contour of the edge of the slot, passing through the upper surface of the carpet or fiber being cleaned without having been formed into discrete particles as with spraying, thus maintaining a hotter liquid, and also allowing a more complete pickup and/or recycle of the fluid, since a greater portion moves directly to the vacuum return, reducing the amount of fluid left on the surface because of a lesser penetration, and thus reducing the subsequent drying time.
In addition to the above advantages, the current invention essentially eliminates the problem of overspray when the cleaning head is not immediately adjacent the surface to be cleaned.
With the above-noted prior art and objects in mind, it is an object of the present invention to provide a cleaning nozzle wherein the cleaning fluid is moved as a sheet along the edge of the nozzle and distributed as a film through the upper portion of the material to be cleaned and is immediately removed along with the grime.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning bar which is moved over the upper surface of the material to be cleaned, the bar dispenses a cleaning fluid which penetrates the upper portion of the material dissolving the soil, which is then immediately vacuumed away, leaving a clean and substantially dry surface.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a distribution manifold for cleaning fluid including a lower distribution surface and a distribution slot at an angle to the surface to be cleaned, allowing the fluid to flow over the edge of the slot and into the upper portion of the surface to be cleaned in a film.
Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning method wherein the cleaning fluid is distributed through a tubular member which is moved laterally across the surface to be cleaned, said tubular member having a longitudinal slot at an obtuse angle to the radius, allowing the fluid to be distributed as a film along the surface outside the slot and the surface to be cleaned.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning system having a cleaning fluid-applying device which substantially reduces the amount of fluid left on the cleaned surface while also substantially eliminating the problem of overspray.
Still a further object of the present invention is to delivery fluid to an adjacent surface in a thin, continuous film, controlling the amount of fluid and depth of penetration of the fluid.


REFERENCES:
patent: 791567 (1905-06-01), Moorhead
patent: 862695 (1907-08-01), Baldwin
patent: 1654727 (1928-01-01), Green et al.
patent: 3720977 (1973-03-01), Brycki
patent: 4075733 (1978-02-01), Parise et al.
patent: 4095309 (1978-06-01), Sundheim
patent: 4137600 (1979-02-01), Albishausen
patent: 4270238 (1981-06-01), Shallenberg et al.
patent: 4282626 (1981-08-01), Schneider
patent: 4335486 (1982-06-01), Kochte
patent: 4392270 (1983-07-01), Magee
patent: 4407041 (1983-10-01), Goldsmith
patent: 4488330 (1984-12-01), Grave
patent: 4521935 (1985-06-01), Johnston
patent: 4649594 (1987-03-01), Grave
patent: 4654925 (1987-04-01), Grave
patent: 4879784 (1989-11-01), Shero
patent: 5157805 (1992-10-01), Pinter
patent: 5485651 (1996-01-01), Payeur
patent: 5632670 (1997-05-01), Gwyt

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Sprayless surface cleaner does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Sprayless surface cleaner, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Sprayless surface cleaner will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2467690