Abstract: An improved cleaning system is provided for use in cleaning upholstery such as carpet, drapes, furniture coverings, etc. The system includes a cleaning unit having a solution tank for receiving a selected cleaning solution, in combination with a pump and associated flow lines for delivering the cleaning solution to a cleaning tool. The system further includes a vacuum unit having a vacuum tank and associated pump and hose for vacuuming excess cleaning solution and debris from an upholstered surface. A multiported control valve interconnects the cleaning unit with the vacuum unit for facilitating removal of cleaning solution from the solution tank and associated flow lines as well as the cleaning tool.

Abstract: The hand-held tool head assembly comprises a housing connected to a flexible vacuum hose to a source. The housing has an elongated front wall with a plurality of openings defining a suction surface. An intermediate portion of this wall is cut-out and formed with a receiving structure for receiving inserts. A first insert has a front wall portion with openings so that when it is received in the cut-out portion it is flush with the surface openings on either side of the cut-out to provide a continuous elongated cleaning surface. A second insert is arranged to be substituted for the first insert and has a front undulating suction surface defined by transverse fins with channels therebetween, the side walls of the fins, the front tips of the fins and the floors of the channels all having openings communicating with the interior of the tool head to provide suction surfaces for drapery pleats received within the channels.

Abstract: A recirculating system is provided for use with a cleaning machine including a recovery tank and a heated fluid solution dispensing tank for recirculating a part of the heated fluid passed from the dispensing tank to a hand-held fabric cleaning head. A normal vacuum hose connects a suction chamber in the hand-held cleaning head to the recovery tank of the machine. A dispensing fluid outlet line and a dispensing fluid return line are both preferably contained within the vacuum hose. The ends of the fluid inlet line and fluid outlet line at the machine extend laterally through appropriate fixtures from the vacuum hose to outlet and return inlet ports of the fluid dispensing tank. The far distal ends of the fluid outlet line and fluid inlet line at the hand-held head in turn connect to a block member having a third outlet for passing a portion of the dispensing fluid directly to a spray nozzle in the outlet head.

Abstract: A hand tool is constructed for detachable connection to a fluid cleaning machine such as a steam cleaning unit. A hollow head has convexly rounded front and rear edges to promote smooth back and forth sliding motion over fabric. Forward and rearward regions of the head constitute a suction chamber and a spray chamber respectively. A fluid solution line is surrounded and protected by a flexible suction hose that is releasably coupled to a neck of the hand tool. A flow control interconnects the fluid solution line and a spray nozzle in the spray chamber. Baffles positioned across a lower opening of the suction chamber reduce wrinkling and ridging tendencies of the fabric as it is being cleaned.