Application apparatus for multiple solution cleaner

• US 6,554,207 B2
• Filed: 03/20/2001
• Issued: 04/29/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jeffrey N. Ebberts
• Original Assignee: Jeffrey N. Ebberts
• Inventors: Ebberts, Jeffrey N.
• Primary Examiner(s): DOUGLAS, LISA ANN
• Application Number:
  US09/812,503
• Publication Number:
  US 20010035467A1
• Time in Patent Office: 770 Days
• Field of Search: 239/135, 239/137, 239/146, 239/346, 239/337, 239/340, 239/407, 239/413, 239/373, 222/145.5, 222/608, 222/399, 222/146.5, 134/36, 134/42, 134/94.1
• US Class Current: 239/146
• 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 11/4083 Liquid supply reservoirs; Preparation of the agents, e.g. mixing devices
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/49 Mixing systems, i.e. flow charts or diagrams
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 12/1418 for supplying several liquids or other fluent materials in selected proportions to a single spray outlet controlling ratio of two or more flows of fluid G05D11/02
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 7/32 the fed liquid or other fluent material being under pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 2203/0217 Use of a detergent in high pressure cleaners; arrangements for supplying the same
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 3/02 Cleaning by the force of jets or sprays
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 3/04 Cleaning involving contact with liquid

Abstract

A pressurized system for the preparation and mixing of two or more component solutions comprising a cleaning solution to produce a prepared cleaning solution for use with various applicators in common use in the cleaning industry. The system is made up of a mobile frame for supporting a plurality of pressurized tanks which are connected through feed lines to a mixing tee fitting to produce the output mixed cleaning solution. An inline heater can be optionally added in one or more of the feed lines to provide heat to the component solution before mixing, and an inline heater can be optionally added after mixing to heat the prepared solution. Pressure is supplied to the system by an air compressor directly connected to each of the pressurized tanks so that the same pressure is applied to all tanks. Pressure is maintained in the system when changing tanks by use of liquid disconnects between the feed lines and the output valves of the tanks, gas disconnects between the compressed air line and the input valves of the tanks, and quick disconnects at all points where solutions may be extracted from the system. This allows easy removal and exchange for any solution tank without disrupting the solution flow through the system and further eliminates the need to drain solution tanks and purge solution lines. The system is composed of inexpensive parts commonly found in industry and is used in both residential and commercial applications for cleaning carpet, upholstery, drapes, and other such textile surfaces.

Claims

1. An apparatus for producing a prepared cleaning solution consisting of one or more component solutions, the apparatus adapted for use with an applicator for delivery of the prepared solution to a location proximate to a surface to be cleaned, the applicator having an open state for delivery of the prepared solution to the surface and a closed state for prevention of delivery of the prepared solution to the surface, the apparatus comprised of:

a. a plurality of tanks supported by a mobile base, each tank containing one of the component solutions, each tank having a liquid outlet valve and a gas inlet valve, wherein each valve allows a connection to be made to the valve which may be rapidly removed without tools and in which pressurization is maintained in the tank when the connection is removed from the valve;

b. a mixing means for receiving each component solution and combining the component solutions to create the prepared solution for presentation to the applicator;

c. a feed means connecting the tanks to the mixing means; and

,

d. a pressurization means in direct simultaneous communication with each tank to maintain elevated and equal pressure therein and in both the feed means and mixing means therethrough, the pressurization means being capable of rapid disconnection from each tank, the elevated pressure being sufficient to urge each component solution through the feed means to the mixing means with sufficient energy to promote thorough mixture of the component solutions within the mixing means when the applicator is in an open state.

2. The apparatus described in claim 1, wherein the mixing means comprises a tee connector having two opposed inlet ports and an outlet port, each said inlet port in communication with one tank and the outlet port providing the prepared solution to the applicator.

3. The apparatus described in claim 1, wherein the feed means comprises a directional check valve associated with each component solution, wherein flow of the component solution from tank holding the component solution to the mixing means is uninhibited and flow of the component solution from the mixing means to the tank holding the component solution is inhibited.

4. The apparatus described in claim 1, wherein the feed means is comprised of at least one inline heater.

5. The apparatus described in claim 1, wherein said pressurization means comprises an air compressor.

6. The apparatus described in claim 5, wherein the pressurized air produced by the compressor is in direct communication with every tank, whereby equal and constant pressure is provided thereto.

7. The apparatus described in claim 6, wherein the compressor maintains a constant and equal pressure by means of a blow-by valve.

8. The apparatus described in claim 1, wherein the feed means comprises a liquid disconnect configured for removable attachment to the liquid output valve, whereby the liquid disconnect may be rapidly removed from the liquid outlet valve without using tools so that, during and after removal, pressure is maintained within the tank.

9. The apparatus described in claim 1, wherein the pressurization means comprises a gas disconnect configured for removable attachment to the gas inlet valve of the tank, whereby the gas disconnect may be rapidly removed from the gas inlet valve without using tools so that, during and after removal, pressure is maintained within the tank and within the pressurization means.

10. A pressurized cleaning solution application apparatus for preparing a cleaning solution consisting of one or more component solutions, the apparatus adapted for use with an applicator for delivery of the solution to a location proximate to a surface to be cleaned, the applicator having an open state for delivery of the solution to the surface and a closed state for prevention of delivery of the solution to the surface, the apparatus comprised of:

a. a mobile frame having a plurality of wheels and a handle, the frame supporting a plurality of pressurized tanks, each tank each holding a component solution of the prepared solution, each tank with an input gas valve and an output liquid valve;

b. a mixing means having a plurality of input ports and a single output port, the output port providing the prepared solution to the applicator, the prepared solution resulting from mixture within the mixing means of the component solutions;

c. a plurality of feed lines, a selected feed line connecting the output liquid valve associated with a selected tank to a selected input port and placing the component solution contained therein in communication with the mixing means without permitting any component solution to come in contact with any other component solution beforehand, the selected feed line attached to the output liquid valve of the selected tank with a liquid disconnect; and

,

d. a pressurization means connected to the input valve of each tank with a gas disconnect to maintain elevated and equal pressure therein, the elevated pressure being sufficient to urge each component solution through the feed lines to the mixing means with sufficient energy to promote thorough mixture of the component solutions within the mixing means when the applicator is in an open state.

11. The apparatus described in claim 10, wherein each feed line contains a check valve permitting flow of the component solution from the tank to the input port and preventing flow of the component solution from the input port to the tank, for the tank and input port associated with the feed line.

12. The apparatus described in claim 10, wherein one or more feed lines contain a tee fitting with a quick disconnect, whereby a second applicator may be connected to the apparatus.

13. The apparatus described in claim 10, wherein the apparatus is comprised of two pressurized tanks.

14. The apparatus described in claim 10, wherein at least one feed line comprises an inline heater.

15. An apparatus for providing a prepared solution consisting of mixing a first component solution and a second component solution, the apparatus adapted for use with an applicator for delivery of the prepared solution to a location proximate to a surface to be cleaned, the applicator having an open state for delivery of the prepared solution to the surface and a closed state for prevention of delivery of the prepared solution to the surface, the apparatus comprised of:

a. a pressurized first tank with a gas input valve and a liquid output valve, the first tank containing the first component solution;

b. a pressurized second tank with a gas input valve and a liquid output valve, the second tank containing the second component solution;

c. an air compressor removably connected to the gas input valve of the first tank and to the gas input valve of the second tank, whereby the compressor is configured to provide air at elevated and equal pressure to both tanks for urging the contents therefrom;

d. a mixing means having an output port and first and second input ports, the first input port removably connected to the first tank with a first inline heater interposed therebetween, the second input port removably connected to the second tank with a second inline heater interposed therebetween;

e. a quick disconnect means fixedly connected to the output port to allow removable connection to the applicator, the quick disconnect means maintaining pressure within the mixing means when the applicator is disconnected; and

,

f. a mobile base supporting the tanks and the mixing means for portable transportation about a work site;

wherein equal amounts of component solutions flow from their respective tanks to the mixing means where they are mixed to form a prepared solution which flows under pressure to the applicator when the applicator is in the open state; and

when one of the two tanks becomes empty, flow to the applicator ceases when the applicator is in the open state.

16. The apparatus described in claim 15, wherein the mixing means comprises a tee connector having two opposed inlet ports and an outlet port, each said inlet port in communication with one tank and the outlet port providing the prepared solution to the applicator.

17. The apparatus described in claim 15, wherein a tee having two opposed inlet ports and an outlet port to which is fixedly attached a quick disconnect is interposed between a selected check valve and its associated tank to make the component solution contained in the associated tank available for external use before it is mixed with the other component solution.

18. The apparatus described in claim 15, wherein a check valve is interposed between the first input port and the first tank.

19. The apparatus described in claim 15, wherein a strainer is interposed between the first input port and the first tank.