VACUUM CLEANER HAVING A FOAM GENERATOR

• US 3,751,755 A
• Filed: 03/12/1971
• Issued: 08/14/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Judson L. Smith
• Original Assignee: Judson L. Smith
• Inventors: Smith, Judson L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Blum, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US05/123,566
• Time in Patent Office: 886 Days
• Field of Search: 15/5R,302,314,320,321,322,330 222/4,190 239/343 401/41-43,45-47
• US Class Current: 15/302
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/30 by suction
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/34 Machines for treating carpets in position by liquid, foam, or vapour, e.g. by steam
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4044 Vacuuming or pick-up tools; Squeegees
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4083 Liquid supply reservoirs; Preparation of the agents, e.g. mixing devices
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4088 Supply pumps; Spraying devices; Supply conduits
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 261/26 Foam
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/3109 Liquid filling by evacuating container
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/3127 With gas maintenance or application

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner has a cleaning foam generating and conveying means for selectively discharging cleaning foam at the nozzle, brushing the surface to be cleaned, and sucking the dirt from the surface. An air bleed port at the nozzle controls application of foam or suction at the nozzle. Compressed air pressurizes and propels cleaning liquid from a reservoir to an air charged foam generator to generate the foam. An electric switch or a manual valve at the nozzle are included as alternate embodiments of the foam control.

Claims

1. A cleaner apparatus comprising:

an applicator, a first fluid mover coupled to said applicator and establishing a flow of a first fluid through said applicator;

a first source of a second fluid, said first source being coupled to said applicator;

control means including a valve coupled between said source and a portion of said applicator and operable to admit and terminate flow of said second fluid to a discharge point in said applicator; and

said control means further including means to terminate flow of said first fluid through said applicator during admission of said second fluid to said applicator;

a second source of fluid;

a bleed outlet on said applicator;

said valve having an operator coupled to a passageway from said second source to said bleed outlet and operable, by pressure rise in said passageway upon restriction of said bleed outlet, to admit flow of said second fluid to said applicator.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means to terminate include:

switch means having an operator coupled to said passageway and operable by pressure rise in said passageway upon restriction of said bleed outlet, to terminate operation of said first mover.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein:

said first fluid mover is a motor driven vacuum generator;

said first source of second fluid is a reservoir containing a cleaning liquid; and

said second source of fluid is an air compressor.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein:

said reservoir is coupled to said compressor and pressurized thereby to force said cleaning fluid toward said valve.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 and further comprising:

foam generator means coupled between said reservoir and said valve, said generator means having an input from said compressor.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said foam generator means include:

first and second generally parallel elongated chambers receiving compressed air from said compressor and pressurized thereby;

a third elongated chamber receiving said cleaning liquid from said reservoir;

a plurality of distributor passages providing communication between said first, second and third chambers for mixing of compressed air with said cleaning liquid to generate foam; and

an outlet from said third chamber and coupled to said valve to deliver foam to said valve.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 and further comprising:

an elongated fitting coupled to said generator means and extending into said third chamber, said fitting having a plurality of small apertures spaced along the length thereof and introducing said cleaning liquid from said reservoir to said chamber.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 and further comprising:

flow control means coupled between said foam generator means and said reservoir, and said compressor, and said valve.