Carpet cleaner and method for cleaning carpets
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A cleaning device comprising:
- means for movably supporting said cleaning device;
said cleaning device being movable in a direction of travel by said means for movably supporting;
means for applying a cleaning agent to a surface;
said means for applying a cleaning agent includesmeans for transforming said cleaning agent into a foam;
means for applying said foam to said surface;
means for scrubbing said foam into said surface;
said means for scrubbing having brushes movably mounted on said chassis such that said brushes contact said surface;
means for moving said brushes relative to said surface;
said means for moving said brushes includes means for rotating said brushes;
said means for rotating being effective to rotate said brushes in opposing directions;
means for removing said foam from said surface;
said means for removing mounted on said cleaning device behind said means for scrubbing relative to said direction of travel;
means for drying said surface;
said means for drying including means for blowing air on said surface; and
said means for drying mounted behind said means for removing relative to said direction of travel.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A carpet cleaner for cleaning carpets includes a foam generation unit, roller brushes and a heated air drying mechanism. The foam generation unit uses multiple stages of foam generation for creating a very fine foam which is applied to the carpet. A suction device removes excess foam from the carpet after the brushes have gone over the carpet. Finally, heated air is blown across the carpet after the suction device has removed the excess foam. The carpet is cleaned, dried and ready for immediate use.
96 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A cleaning device comprising:
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means for movably supporting said cleaning device; said cleaning device being movable in a direction of travel by said means for movably supporting; means for applying a cleaning agent to a surface; said means for applying a cleaning agent includes means for transforming said cleaning agent into a foam; means for applying said foam to said surface; means for scrubbing said foam into said surface; said means for scrubbing having brushes movably mounted on said chassis such that said brushes contact said surface; means for moving said brushes relative to said surface; said means for moving said brushes includes means for rotating said brushes; said means for rotating being effective to rotate said brushes in opposing directions; means for removing said foam from said surface; said means for removing mounted on said cleaning device behind said means for scrubbing relative to said direction of travel; means for drying said surface; said means for drying including means for blowing air on said surface; and said means for drying mounted behind said means for removing relative to said direction of travel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 4, 5)
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3. A cleaning device comprising:
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means for movably supporting said cleaning device; said cleaning device being movable in a direction of travel by said means for movably supporting; means for applying a cleaning agent to a surface; said means for applying a cleaning a gent includes means for transforming said cleaning agent into a foam; means for applying said foam to said surface; means for scrubbing said foam into said surface; means for removing said foam from said surface; said means for removing mounted on said cleaning device behind said means for scrubbing relative to said direction of travel; means for drying said surface; said means for drying including means for blowing air on said surface; said means for drying mounted behind said means for removing relative to said direction of travel; said means for transforming including; a foaming space; means for transferring said cleaning agent to said foaming space; means for mixing said cleaning agent with air in said foaming space to create said foam; said foam being a multiplicity of air bubbles in said cleaning agent wherein a volume of said air per unit of said foam far exceeds a volume of said cleaning agent per unit of said foam, each air bubble of said multiplicity of air bubbles having a size; a metal mesh; said size of said air bubbles being reduced after passing through said metal mesh; a sponge; said size of said air bubbles being further reduced after passing through said sponge; a duct connected to said foaming space; and said duct housing said metal mesh and said sponge.
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6. A carpet cleaner for cleaning a carpet comprising:
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a chassis having wheels and casters; a mechanism to urge said carpet cleaner in a direction of travel; said wheels and casters being effective to permit said carpet cleaner to move in said direction of travel when said mechanism urges said chassis; a cleaning agent tank mounted on said chassis; a foam applicator; a duct connecting said foam applicator and said cleaning agent tank; means for transforming said cleaning agent into a foam; said foam being a multiplicity of air bubbles in said cleaning agent wherein a volume of said air per unit of said foam far exceeds a volume of said cleaning agent per unit of said foam, each air bubble of said multiplicity of air bubbles having a size; said means for transforming mounted in said duct; means for discharging said foam from said foam applicator onto said carpet; brushes movably mounted on said chassis; means for moving said brushes relative to said carpet; means for removing excess foam from said carpet; a defoaming tank containing a defoaming solution; said defoaming tank mounted on said chassis rearward from said brushes relative to said direction of travel; a suction nozzle adjustably mounted on said chassis above said carpet; a defoaming duct connecting said suction nozzle and said defoaming tank; means for creating a negative pressure in said suction nozzle; said defoaming tank having means for releasing excess defoaming solution from said defoaming tank; means for drying said carpet mounted rearward from said means for removing excess foam relative to said direction of travel; a handle; said handle allowing manual movement of said carpet cleaner; and a control panel including controlling means for selectively starting and stopping said means for applying said foam, means for moving said brushes, means for removing excess foam, and means for drying said carpet. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A carpet cleaner for cleaning carpets comprising:
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a chassis; means for applying a cleaning agent to said carpet; said means for applying including means for transforming said cleaning agent into a foam, said foam being a multiplicity of air bubbles in said cleaning agent wherein a volume of said air per unit of said foam far exceeds a volume of said cleaning agent per unit of said foam, each air bubble of said multiplicity of air bubbles having a size; means for reducing said size including a series of at least two porous elements arranged in a sequence; each said at least two porous elements having pores of a defined pore size; a first porous element of said at least two porous elements having a largest pore size; each successive said porous element in said sequence after said first porous element having a smaller pore size than any said porous element preceding; means for scrubbing said carpet; suction means for removing excess cleaning agent from said carpet; a compressor; an air duct; a heater; means for directing air from said compressor to said heater effective to generate hot air; and means for blowing said hot air from said heater onto said carpet for drying said carpet. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification