Soft-surface remediation device and method of using same

• US 20060213025A1
• Filed: 03/25/2005
• Published: 09/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SC Johnson & Son Incorporated
• Original Assignee: SC Johnson & Son Incorporated
• Inventors: Sawalski, Michael M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,757,340 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/344
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/14 cleaning by blowing-off, also combined with suction cleaning
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/24 Hand-supported suction cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/04 for using the exhaust air for other purposes, e.g. for distribution of chemicals in a room, for sterilisation of the air spraying or atomising in general B05
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/08 with means adapted for blowing
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/102 Dust separators cyclones A47L9/16
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1683 Dust collecting chambers; Dust collecting receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/322 for hand-supported suction cleaners

Abstract

A soft-surface remediation (SSR) device and method of remediating soft surfaces using preferably forced air is disclosed. The device is lightweight, and easy-to-use and preferably includes an outer housing with an optional corner pickup region and a removable cover, an inner housing, a motor housing for housing a fan assembly, an optional disposal catch mechanism, an optional mounted delivery device, a first air channel with an air outlet, a second air channel with an air inlet, and a return air channel in close proximity to the disposal mechanism. The method of performing soft-surface remediation preferably includes use of this SSR device.

Claims

1. A hand held, forced air soft surface remediation device having

a housing;

a cover removably attached to the housing, a fan within the housing;

a means for assessing if the filter needs to be changed;

a removable catch in fluid communication with the fan;

a motor attached to the fan;

a pickup orifice in communication with the housing; and

a mechanism to introduce chemistry onto the surface in fluid communication with the fan.

2. A cleaning device comprising

an outer housing,

an inner housing in communication with the outer housing,

a motor housing adjacent to the inner housing for housing a motor and fan assembly,

a first air channel with a first air outlet and a second air channel with a second air inlet in fluid communication with the inner housing and fan,

a return air channel in communication with at least one air channel, and

a replaceable catch mechanism in fluid communication with at least one air channel.

6. The device of claim 2, further comprising a system for atomizing and delivering chemistry to the surface and for then removing it from the surface.

7. The device of claim 2, further comprising a material delivery means in fluid communication with at least one air channel, and wherein the motor is driven by rechargeable battery power.

8. The device of claim 2, further comprising a material delivery means externally mounted to the housing.

9. The device of claim 2, wherein the device is configured to fit into the hand of a user;

and

at least one integral corner pickup region adjacent the housing.

10. The device of claim 2, wherein the device does not create an internal vortex.

11. The device of claim 6, wherein the device creates at least one internal vortex for moving the chemistry within the housing.

12. The device of claim 2, further comprising a telescoping handle attached to the housing.

13. The device of claim 2, further comprising a handle configured to allow the user to move the housing from horizontal to vertical position.

14. The device of claim 2, further comprising a removable cover attached to the housing at a top, wherein the cover is at least one of:

a screwed on cover, clip-on cover, and a transparent cover.

15. The device of claim 2, further comprising an air restricting ring at a bottom of the housing.

16. The device of claim 2, further comprising a mechanism that allows the user to see that the catch mechanism is dirty and needs to be replaced.

17. The device of claim 2, further comprising a mechanism to allow the user to hear that the catch mechanism is full and needs to be changed.

18. The device of claim 2, wherein the catch mechanism is an easily removable disposable filter.

19. The device of claim 2, further comprising a reservoir configured to release chemistry into the inside of the housing;

and the chemistry includes at least one of the following;

cleaners, odor eliminators, fresheners, protectants, herbicides, repellants, insecticides, antimicrobials, fragrances and disinfectants all of which may be in the form of liquids, gases, solids, gels and/or powders or combinations thereof.

20. The device of claim 2, wherein the catch mechanism is an easily removable and recyclable filter.

21. The device of claim 2, further comprising a dislodging mechanism that includes at least one of the following:

a duster, elastic fingers, a stiff brush for pet hair removal, a lint cloth or pad, a scrubby cloth or pad or other similar devices and a disposal member.

22. The device of claim 2, further comprising a foam cleaner which after being first set down by an outward flow is then picked up by the device.

23. The device of claim 6 wherein the chemistry remediates at least one of a:

pillow, mattress, carpet, car interior, drape, window, floor, plumbing drain, insect habitat, and couch.

24. The device of claim 2, wherein the catch mechanism is a HEPA filter.

25. The device of claim 2, further comprising attachable legs so that the device can be stationary for use also as at least one of:

an air filter, an air purifier, a fragrancer, a deodorizer, and a remediator.

26. The device of claim 7, further comprising robotic systems to move the device along a surface without direct user interface.

27. The device of claim 8, wherein material delivered includes at least one of:

insecticide, herbicide, a fungicide, antimicrobial, drain cleaner, REPELLANT, REFRESHER, FRAGRANCE, and ODOR NEUTRALIZER.

28. The device of claim 8, wherein the motor is impervious to water so that the device can be used in areas containing liquids.

29. The device of claim 2, wherein the device includes selling the device under on of the following:

GLADE-ATOR, ZEPHYR, THUNDERDOME, GLIDE-AIR, OUST, AND HOVERBEE.

3. A method of performing soft-surface remediation by use of a forced air device including the steps of

retrieving a device from storage,

adding a consumable filter and a formulation to the device,

activating the device,

performing a cleaning operation,

deactivating the device,

removing the filter

preparing for another use, and

storing the device.

4. A bagless device for dislodging, displacing, and disposing of contaminants comprising

a driver for creating an air stream and inserting into a surface in a non-destructive manner at least one of the following materials:

cleaning chemicals, odor eliminators, fresheners, protectants, herbicides, repellants, insecticides, antimicrobials, fragrances, and disinfectants all of which may be in the form of liquids, gases, solids, gels, and/or powders or combinations thereof; and

a catch for removing at least one of the materials from the air stream.

5. A apparatus for cleaning a surface comprising

an outer shell including a closed loop air flow system;

a reservoir for holding a chemistry that moves within the shell;

an impeller for creating within the shell a higher pressure air flow in a first direction and lower pressure in a second direction; and

a motor for spinning the impeller.