Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus is capable of both vacuum cleaning and steam cleaning, and can be operated in a vacuum cleaning mode and a steam cleaning mode. In the vacuum cleaning mode, power is supplied to the vacuum motor, and the heated vapor generator is inoperable. In the steam cleaning mode, power is supplied to the heated vapor generator, and the vacuum motor is inoperable.

Abstract: An extractor has a plurality of fluid delivery needles mounted to a housing in fluid communication with a fluid distribution system and positioned to penetrate a carpet surface to deliver a cleaning solution below the surface of the carpet and into the carpet nap. Soiled cleaning fluid is removed from the surface with suction. A method of cleaning a carpet or a pet coat having a nap comprises injecting cleaning fluid, such as a foam detergent, directly into the nap and removing soiled cleaning fluid from the carpet.

Abstract: A sustainable system for refilling a pressurized fluid dispenser comprises a container body having a first fluid dispenser that includes a valved opening, a pouch mounted within the container body for storing a fluid composition and fluidly coupled with the valved opening of the container for dispensing the contents of the pouch and a fluid refill system. A pressurized gas can be provided between the pouch and the container body for pressurizing the contents of the pouch. The fluid refill system includes at least one reservoir having a fluid composition therein and a second fluid dispenser having a fitting that is adapted to dispense the fluid composition from the at least one reservoir into the pouch. A controller can be programmed to respond to input signals to position the container with the fluid refill system and to dispense the fluid composition under pressure into the pouch.

Abstract: A light-sensitive stain sensing system for an extractor for detecting and treating biological stains, such as food or pet stains. The stain sensing system comprises an ultraviolet light-emitting element, a visible light-emitting element, and at least one light reader. Ultraviolet and visible light beams are reflected off the surface to be cleaned into a light reader that measures reflectance values and transmits the values to a processor. The processor compares a relative reflectance value to a predetermined threshold value. The presence of a biological stain is indicated when the relative reflectance value is greater than the threshold value, and may trigger a controller to automatically adjust one or more cleaning parameters of the extractor.

Abstract: According to the invention, a surface cleaning device comprises an electrolytic cell for generating bleach for use with a cleaning pad. The electrolytic cell is in fluid communication with the cleaning pad for delivering bleach to a surface to be cleaned. According to another embodiment of the invention, the surface cleaning device is a hand-held cleaning device capable of selectively generating bleach at the request of a user directly in the cleaning pad. A sufficient amount of bleach for cleaning a surface can be generated within the electrolytic cell at the request of a user, eliminating the need for storing and transporting large quantities of bleach.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner has a cleaning powder distribution system and an actuator connected to the powder distribution system for selectively dispensing powder from the powder distribution system to soiled spots on a floor surface. In addition, a cleaning fluid distribution system is adapted to selectively distribute a liquid cleaning solution to the soiled spot. A propellant, in the form of an aerosol or compressed gas can be used to distribute the cleaning powder to the floor. A method of cleaning a spot on a surface comprises applying a selected volume of fluid cleaning solution to a selected area on the surface to be cleaned, applying a selected amount of cleaning powder to the selected area and extracting the applied cleaning solution and cleaning powder from the selected area on the surface to be cleaned.

Abstract: A system for directing a cleaning apparatus on a surface to be cleaned comprises a body having a floor cleaner, at least one wheel operably interconnected with a motor for imparting motion to the wheel, a controller for providing a signal to the motor to control the motion of the at least one wheel, and at least one sensor operably interconnected to the controller for detecting a target on the surface at a distance spaced from the body. The system further comprises a signal emitting device separable from the body comprising a user interface portion for receiving signals from a user and transmitting a representation of those signals to a target projection on the surface. The sensor on the body detects the target projection on the surface and the controller can initiate at least one function to be performed by the body of the cleaning apparatus on the surface.

Abstract: An extractor has a duct door moveably mounted to a working air conduit for movement between a first position at which normal suction at a suction nozzle is reduced and a second position at which normal suction at the suction nozzle is unreduced. An actuator is connected to the duct door for selectively moving the duct door between the first position and second position. In one embodiment, a suction leak hole is formed within the working air conduit and the duct door is moveable with respect to the leek hole to selectively fluidly open and close the leak hole. In another embodiment, the duct door is moveable within the working air conduit to selectively fluidly restrict the working air flow in the working air conduit and the actuator selectively moves the duct door between the first and second positions. The suction reduction selectively increases the cleaning solution dwell time.

Abstract: A vacuum accessory tool comprises a nozzle body that forms a suction nozzle and that has an electrical element comprising one or a combination of an illumination element adapted to illuminate a surface to be cleaned, an ion generator or ozone generator to purify a surface to be cleaned and eliminate odors. The tool can further include a power generator for supplying power to the electrical element. The illumination element can further emit light in the ultraviolet spectrum to illuminate stains on the surface to the cleaned.

Abstract: A portable cleaning apparatus includes a base module having a base housing with a bottom base wall, and enclosing a fan. The base module is moveable along an external surface in a first direction. The fan can move air through the base housing from an interior of the base housing to exteriorly of the base housing through an exhaust outlet in the base housing. A plenum fluidly communicates at a first end with the exhaust outlet and at a second end with at least one plenum outlet opening. The at least one plenum outlet opening is between the base wall and the external surface. The at least one plenum outlet opening can direct air exhausted from the interior of the base housing along the external surface in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner has a cleaning powder distribution system and an actuator connected to the powder distribution system for selectively dispensing powder from the powder distribution system to soiled spots on a floor surface. In addition, a cleaning fluid distribution system is adapted to selectively distribute a liquid cleaning solution to the soiled spot. A propellant, in the in the form of an aerosol or compressed gas can be used to distribute the cleaning powder to the floor. A method of cleaning a spot on a surface comprises applying a selected volume of fluid cleaning solution to a selected area on the surface to be cleaned, applying a selected amount of cleaning powder to the selected area and extracting the applied cleaning solution and cleaning powder from the selected area on the surface to be cleaned.

Abstract: A portable cleaning apparatus comprises a base module for movement along a surface and a plenum. The base module comprises a base housing enclosing a fan for moving air through the housing from the interior of the housing to the exterior of the housing through an exhaust outlet in the housing. The plenum fluidly communicates at one end with the exhaust outlet and at another end with at least one plenum outlet opening adjacent the surface to direct air exhausted from the housing interior along the surface.

Abstract: An extractor has a plurality of fluid delivery needles mounted to a housing in fluid communication with a fluid distribution system and positioned to penetrate a carpet surface to deliver a cleaning solution below the surface of the carpet and into the carpet nap. Soiled cleaning fluid is removed from the surface with suction. A method of cleaning a carpet or a pet coat having a nap comprises injecting cleaning fluid, such as a foam detergent, directly into the nap and removing soiled cleaning fluid from the carpet.

Abstract: An extractor has a duct door moveably mounted to a working air conduit for movement between a first position at which normal suction at a suction nozzle is reduced and a second position at which normal suction at the suction nozzle is unreduced. An actuator is connected to the duct door for selectively moving the duct door between the first position and second position. In one embodiment, a suction leak hole is formed within the working air conduit and the duct door is moveable with respect to the leek hole to selectively fluidly open and close the leak hole. In another embodiment, the duct door is moveable within the working air conduit to selectively fluidly restrict the working air flow in the working air conduit and the actuator selectively moves the duct door between the first and second positions. The suction reduction selectively increases the cleaning solution dwell time.

Abstract: Surface cleaning includes applying a metal ion solution onto a surface to be cleaned, wherein the metal ion concentration in the cleaning solution as applied to the surface is effective to at least inhibit growth of microbes on the surface to be cleaned. An apparatus includes a metal ion generator that generates metal ions that are applied to a surface for disinfecting the surface. The metal ion generator is coupled to a liquid distribution system and power supply for generating metal ions and introducing the metal ions into a cleaning liquid. The metal ions can be distributed over the surface during application of the cleaning liquid to the surface.

Abstract: A portable cleaning apparatus comprises a base module for movement along a surface, the base module having a front portion, an upright handle pivotally attached to the base module, a cleaning liquid dispensing system for applying a cleaning liquid to a surface to be cleaned, an agitation assembly associated with the base module, and a vacuum inlet associated with the base module, the improvement comprising a blower assembly associated with one of the base module and the upright handle for blowing air tangentially across the surface to dry the surface.

Abstract: Extraction surface cleaning wherein a cleaning liquid is applied to a surface to be cleaned and extracted to remove the soiled cleaning fluid from the surface, and the surface is heated prior to or concurrent with the application of the cleaning fluid to the surface. A method and apparatus are disclosed.

Abstract: A portable extraction surface cleaner apparatus wherein a surface to be cleaned is heated to an elevated temperature and a cleaning fluid is applied to the surface to be cleaned sequentially or simultaneously. The cleaning fluid is removed from the surface by suction from a vacuum source. Power is applied alternatively or simultaneously to a heating element and to the vacuum source for recovering the deposited cleaning fluid.

Abstract: According to the invention, a surface cleaning device comprises an electrolytic cell for generating bleach for use with a cleaning pad. The electrolytic cell is in fluid communication with the cleaning pad for delivering bleach to a surface to be cleaned. According to another embodiment of the invention, the surface cleaning device is a hand-held cleaning device capable of selectively generating bleach at the request of a user directly in the cleaning pad. A sufficient amount of bleach for cleaning a surface can be generated within the electrolytic cell at the request of a user, eliminating the need for storing and transporting large quantities of bleach.

Abstract: A handheld cleaning apparatus for cleaning carpets and other surfaces comprises a housing, a motorized cleaning head, and a liquid container assembly removably mounted to the housing for storing and dispensing a cleaning liquid onto the surface to be cleaned. The housing and the cleaning head are designed such that the user can easily and comfortably apply a downward force to the cleaning head. Additionally, the liquid container preferably comprises a manual spray dispenser having an outlet orifice that is offset from the cleaning head for unobstructed dispensation of cleaning fluid onto the surface to be cleaned. A selectively heated pressure tip with a rounded end is mounted to the cleaning head for cleaning stains.