Apparatus for cleaning a surface area
An apparatus for cleaning a surface area includes a vacuum intake port having at least one air induction port, two or more spray jets offset from one another and oriented at an angle ranging from about 30° to about 60° relative to the surface, and a venturi shaped splashguard that extends down to approximately ½ inch above a plane defined by a bottom surface of the vacuum intake port.
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Carpets are used to provide color and style to the interior decor of a home or other edifice, muffle the sound of walking, reduce the disturbing influence of talking among adults, giggling by children, and shouting by others, as well as to enhance the warmth of the interior and provide comfort to the feet. Carpeting usually consumes a substantial portion of the start-up capitalization of any business, and its useful life is often measured by how much the owner spends on keeping it clean and free from damaging trash.
Carpets, draperies, blinds, upholstery, solid surfaces, and the like are often cleaned using steam/hot water systems. Since these units typically operate on similar principles, but at different pressures and with different solvents, they are all generically and interchangeably referred to herein as carpet cleaners, carpet cleaning machines, systems, equipment, units, and so on. These systems operate on a principal of spraying a fine mist of low-foaming, soap-based cleaning liquid onto the surface of the carpet and following this with a pass of a vacuum nozzle that sucks up the liquid along with water soluble dirt products. The system thus cleans the carpet of both dry material and the surface of the fibers, where most of the contact occurs with those walking over it. The carpet is also slightly washed to remove other dirt and stains. Annually or when needed, the carpets may be subjected to a deep steam cleaning to remove other products that are not picked up by dry vacuuming or the water-based washing.
Selecting the best steam/hot water carpet cleaning system depends upon many factors including operator skill and experience, the quality and condition of the machine, the solvents used, the temperature at which the cleaning fluid is dispensed, etc. However, each of these factors generally affects two characteristics: the cleansing ability of the system and the time required for the carpet to dry after cleaning (“dry time”).
In general, steam/hot water systems include the same basic components, namely a wand for dispensing and recovering a cleaning fluid, an optional reservoir for holding reserve fluid, a fluid pump for providing pressurized cleaning fluid at the wand, an air pump (sometimes referred to as a vacuum pump) for removing debris and spent fluid, and a spent fluid holding tank. The wand typically includes a dispensing tube and a cleaning head. Carpet cleaning systems contemplated herein range from relatively small residential units to large, truck mounted units with long hoses reaching from the truck to the surface to be cleaned.
Typical steam/hot water carpet cleaning systems contain spray nozzles or jets located on the head for spraying the cleaning fluid onto the surface to be cleaned. These jets are generally oriented to spray the fluid at about 900 relative to the surface. Unfortunately, these vertical jets drive dirt and debris deeper into the carpet, making the removal of dirt more difficult. The jets also increase the carpet dry time because the vertical spray injects moisture into the pad and backing of the carpet.
Typical cleaning systems also have long dry times because they create increased humidity in the areas and rooms surrounding cleaned surfaces. For example, typical cleaning heads usually have large gaps between the cleaned surface and the splashguard or shields that cover the spray jets. When the cleansing fluid is sprayed onto the surface, water and moisture escapes through the gap to the surrounding area, thereby increasing the humidity in the room and causing longer dry times. Further, cool, convective ambient air currents flow through the gaps, thus cooling the temperature of the cleansing fluid significantly. The ability of the cleansing fluid to effectively clean and disinfect the surface is substantially reduced due to its cooler temperature. The typical cleaning head also has relatively little airflow over wetted surfaces, thus resulting in a slow dry time and limited debris lift capacity.
Furthermore, the spray jets in a typical head are aligned in a straight line with each other. When the cleansing fluid is sprayed, many of the liquid particles collide with each other before impacting the surface, causing the particles to lose much of their kinetic energy. The reduced kinetic energy of the particles weakens their ability to penetrate into the surface and to break up and loosen dust, dirt, and debris.
SUMMARYAn apparatus for cleaning a surface area includes a vacuum intake port having at least one air induction port, two or more spray jets offset from one another and oriented at an angle ranging from approximately 30° to about 60° relative to the surface, and a venturi shaped splashguard configured to extend to less than approximately ½ inch of the cleaning surface during operation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments of the present apparatus and method, and are a part of the specification. The illustrated embodiments are merely examples of the present apparatus and method and do not limit the scope thereof.
Throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers designate similar, but not necessarily identical, elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONA cleaning apparatus is disclosed herein that allows for increased cleansing capabilities and decreased dry time. A wand assembly configured to dispense a cleansing solution and remove debris deposits from an underlying surface includes a vacuum tube coupled to a wand head at one end and a spent fluid holding tank at the other end. A solution conduit of the wand is attached to the vacuum tube and coupled to a high pressure nozzle disposed inside the wand head. The wand head contains offset angled jets, air induction ports and a venturi shaped splashguard to maximize cleansing capabilities and decrease carpet drying time, as will be explained in further detail below.
As used herein and in the appended claims, the term “water management system” shall be broadly understood to include any device or apparatus capable of supplying a pressurized solution to a cleaning wand or spray gun.
In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present method and apparatus. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present method and apparatus may be practiced without these specific details. Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearance of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.
Exemplary Structure
According to one exemplary embodiment, the control portion (160) of the present wand (100) includes a number of traditionally recognized control elements such as a trigger (170) or other actuating device, a solution quick connect (180), and a grip (150). The trigger (170), or other actuating device, is fluidly coupled to the proximal end of a solution conduit (140). The trigger (170) of the control portion (160) may be disposed on a pistol grip or other grasping portion of the spray gun. According to one exemplary embodiment, the trigger (170) of the control portion (160) is coupled to a variably regulated valve (185). According to this exemplary embodiment, a user may apply a variable pressure to the trigger (170) which causes a variable amount of solution to be passed through the control portion (160) and into the solution conduit (140). While a hand actuated trigger (170) is illustrated in
The solution quick connect (180) may be any coupler configured to couple a water management system to the present wand (100), thereby providing a desired cleaning solution to the system. According to one exemplary embodiment illustrated in
As noted above, the present wand (100) is configured to provide a cleaning solution to a surface area at a high pressure and temperature. Because the present wand (100) may provide a cleaning solution at very high temperatures and pressures, the solution quick connect (180) and the other internal components of the control portion (160) may be manufactured out of a metal such as brass or stainless steel to withstand the thermal and pressure requirements. While the present system and method will be described in the context of metal components, the present system and method may also be practiced with components manufactured of any number of materials including, but in no way limited to, high temperature plastics, composites, metals, and/or appropriate combinations thereof.
The wand (100) also includes a tube portion (115) having a solution conduit (140) attached to a vacuum tube (110). The solution conduit (140) has a proximal and a distal end and is fluidly coupled to the control portion (160) of the wand (100). As illustrated in
The vacuum tube (110) also has a distal end and a proximal end. The proximal end forms a vacuum couple (190) that is configured to allow coupling of a vacuum system to the vacuum tube (110) without interfering with the control portion (160). The vacuum couple (190) may be any orifice or coupling device configured to be sealingly coupled to a vacuum generating system. The distal end forms a wand head couple that is configured to allow coupling to a wand head (120).
The wand head (120) is configured to introduce a cleansing solution onto the surface to be cleaned, and then to remove by suction loose dirt or debris, cleansing solution, and residual moisture from the surface. Referring now to
The back face (214) also contains an orifice (250) roughly centered on the horizontal center axis of the wand head (220). A vacuum tube couple (260) is attached to the back face (214) over the orifice (250). The vacuum tube couple (260) is generally a hollow tube configured to couple the distal end of the vacuum tube (210). According to one embodiment the vacuum tube couple (200) is a male fitting that couples to a female wand head couple (270) at the distal end of the vacuum tube (210). This configuration minimizes restrictions to air flow through the wand head/vacuum tube connection, thereby enhancing the suction power and cleaning capabilities. The orifice (250) in the back face (214) is sufficiently large to permit the passage of large pieces of debris and dirt, and thus is generally about the same size as the diameter of the vacuum tube couple (260). The vacuum tube couple (260) may be any orifice or coupling device configured to be sealingly coupled to a wand head couple (270).
The vacuum intake port (200) also includes one or more air induction ports (280) on either or both side faces (218) and/or on the back face (214), as illustrated in
Additionally, as illustrated in
Referring now to
According to one embodiment, shown in
Referring again generally to
According to another embodiment, shown in
Referring again to
The shield (310) and splashguard (300) serve two general purposes. First, they help prevent cooling of the cleansing solution (292) after it is dispensed out of the jets (290) and before the deposited solution is removed by the vacuum intake port (200). The shield (310) and splashguard (300) protect the sprayed solution (292) from convective air currents that would otherwise cool the small liquid particles. As a result, the sprayed solution (292) can be up to approximately 20° F. hotter than a solution sprayed without the shield (310) and splashguard (300) described above. The hotter temperature of the cleansing solution enhances its cleansing and disinfecting capabilities, as well as helps to loosen dirt, debris and soils, and break bonds.
Second, the shield (310) and splashguard (300) keep the humidity level in and around the area being cleaned to a minimum by trapping the excessive humidity from the cleansing solution (292) near the wand head (220) where it can be removed via suction by the vacuum intake port (200) and/or the moisture control air induction ports (285) and deposited in a spent fluid holding tank. Decreasing the humidity in the area outside of the wand head (220) helps the carpet or other surface to dry faster in a room that has been cleaned with a steam/hot water solution.
Exemplary Implementation and Operation
As shown in
Once placed on the surface (320), the trigger (170;
As illustrated in
Once the wand head (220) has been translated over the desired surface area (320), a user may determine whether the area has been sufficiently cleaned (step 640;
The wand head (220) may be made by any method known to those of skill in the art. Generally, the vacuum intake port (200) is formed, which may also include a shield (310). One or more air induction ports (280) is formed into the side(s) (218) of the vacuum intake port (200) as desired. This can be done by any method known to those of skill in the art, such as cutting, drilling, sawing, stamping, or molding during formation of the vacuum intake port (200). One or more spray jets (290) is attached to the back face (214) of the vacuum intake port (200). According to one embodiment, the jets (290) are oriented at the dry angle described above. In another embodiment, a plurality of jets (590;
In conclusion, the present system and method provides a wand head that cleans and dries a desired surface location, such as a carpet. Due to the dry angle jetting, air induction cleaning head, and humidity control features of the wand, the cleansing capability is signficantly increased and dry time greatly reduced.
The preceding description has been presented only to illustrate and describe exemplary embodiments of the present system and method. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present system and method to any precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the present system and method be defined by the following claims.
Claims
1. A wand head for cleaning a surface, comprising: at least one spray jet, wherein said spray jet is oriented at an angle ranging from about 30° to about 60° relative to said surface.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said wand head further comprises a vacuum intake port and at least one air induction port providing fluid communication between an atmosphere and said vacuum intake port.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said wand head further comprises a splashguard having a venturi shape.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said wand head further comprises a vacuum intake port and a splashguard configured to extend down to less than approximately ½ inch above a plane defined by a bottom surface of said vacuum intake port.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said splashguard is configured to extend down to between approximately ⅛ inch and approximately ¼ inch above said plane.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said wand head comprises a plurality of spray jets, wherein said spray jets are offset from one another.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one humidity control orifice formed in a vacuum tube couple of said wand head.
8. A wand head for cleaning a surface, comprising:
- a vacuum intake port having a front face, a back face and sides, wherein said vacuum intake port includes two or more air induction ports on said sides.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a plurality of spray jets, wherein said jets are oriented at an angle ranging from approximately 30° to approximately 60° relative to said surface.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said jets are offset from one another.
11. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a splashguard and a shield, said splash guard comprising a venturi shape.
12. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising at least one air induction port formed on said back face, wherein said air induction port includes an orifice formed in said back face, said orifice originating on a bottom edge of said back face.
13. An apparatus for cleaning a surface, comprising:
- a vacuum intake port;
- a plurality of spray jets;
- a splashguard; and
- a shield; wherein said splashguard is venturi shaped configured to extend down to less than approximately ½ inch above a plane defined by a bottom surface of said vacuum intake port.
14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said splashguard is configured to extend down to between approximately ⅛ inch and approximately ¼ inch above said plane.
15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said spray jets are oriented at an angle ranging from about 30° to about 60° relative to said surface, and wherein said spray jets are offset from one another.
16. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising at least one air induction port formed in said vacuum intake port, wherein said at least one air induction port extends from a bottom surface of said vacuum intake port.
17. An apparatus for cleaning a surface, comprising:
- two or more spray jets offset from one another and oriented at an angle ranging from about 30° to about 60° relative to said surface;
- a vacuum intake port having a bottom surface and at least one air induction port formed in said bottom surface; and
- a splashguard; wherein said splashguard is venturi shaped and is configured to extend down to less than approximately ½ inch above a plane defined by said bottom surface.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising:
- a vacuum tube couple formed on said apparatus configured to couple said apparatus to a vaccum;
- wherein said vacuum tube couple is coupled to said vacuum intake port adjacent to said spray jets; and
- at least one humidity control orifice formed in said vacuum tube couple.
19. A method of forming a wand head for cleaning a surface, comprising:
- forming a vacuum intake port;
- forming at least one air induction port on said vacuum intake port;
- coupling at least one spray jet to said vacuum intake port at an angle ranging from about 30° to about 60° relative to said surface; and
- removably coupling a splashguard to said vacuum intake port.
20. The method of claim 19, further comprising removably coupling said splashguard such that said splashguard extends down to less than approximately ½ inch above a plane defined by a bottom surface of said vacuum port.
21. The method of claim 20, further comprising removably coupling said splashguard such that said splashguard extends down to between approximately ⅛ inch to approximately ¼ inch above said plane.
22. The method of claim 19, wherein said splashguard comprises a venturi-shape.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 3, 2005
Publication Date: Feb 8, 2007
Applicant:
Inventors: Jeffrey Carter (Provo, UT), Kelly McCloy (Murray, UT)
Application Number: 11/197,420
International Classification: A47L 5/38 (20060101); A47L 11/30 (20060101);