Dual mode carpet cleaning device

• US 6,789,290 B2
• Filed: 07/02/2001
• Issued: 09/14/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Rug Doctor
• Original Assignee: Rug Doctor
• Inventors: Stephan, Frank, Kent, Roger, Pereira, Schubert
• Primary Examiner(s): Snider, Theresa T.
• Application Number:
  US09/898,584
• Publication Number:
  US 20030046788A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,170 Days
• Field of Search: 153/20, 153/21, 153/22, 153/29, 153/39
• US Class Current: 15/322
• 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: A47L 11/4088 Supply pumps; Spraying devices; Supply conduits
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/0031 Carpet, upholstery, fur or leather cleansers

Abstract

A dual mode carpet cleaning machine capable of being used in both a traditional deep cleaning mode and a fast drying surface cleaning mode. A selection mechanism provides selective communication with different sets of application jets. One set of application jets delivers a first cleaning solution that penetrates deeply into a carpet. After agitation with a scrub brush the device removes the cleaning solution and unwanted soil through a vacuum nozzle. The other set of jets delivers a lower flow rate of a second cleaning solution that does not penetrate deeply into the carpet. In addition, a novel cleaning solution is disclosed for use with the machine in differing concentrations, depending on the desired application. The carpet cleaning solutions dry more quickly when applied to carpet than previous solutions; the combined performance of the system displays similar cleaning efficiencies to previous carpet cleaning machines but obtains significantly reduced drying times.

Claims

1. A dual mode carpet cleaning machine having a deep cleaning mode and a surface cleaning mode comprising:

a selection mechanism to select between said deep cleaning mode and said surface cleaning mode, wherein the selection mechanism comprises a valve having a first position and a second position, an actuator attached to said valve such that operating said actuator moves said valve from said first position to said second position, and from said second position to said first position;

said actuator including an indicator, said indicator having a first setting and a second setting such that said indicator displays said first setting when the valve is in said first position and displays said second setting when the valve is in said second position;

a support housing, the selection mechanism being on the support housing;

a source of liquid on the support housing;

a first liquid discharging jet tip on the support housing, the first jet tip being in communication with the source of liquid through the selection mechanism;

a second liquid discharging jet tip on the support housing, the second jet tip being in communication with the source of liquid through the selection mechanism, the selection mechanism being operable to alternatively select one of the first jet tip and the second jet tip for communication with the source of liquid and for discharging liquid from the source of liquid; and

a spray nozzle chamber on the support housing, the spray nozzle chamber having an interior volume, and the first jet tip and the second jet tip being inside the spray nozzle chamber interior volume.

2. The dual mode carpet cleaning machine of claim 1, wherein the second jet tip delivers a liquid in a spray pattern with a width less than about 10.5 inches, preferably in the range of about 0.13 to 0.24 gallons per minute, more preferably 0.17 to 0.21 gallons per minute, and most preferably 0.19 gallons per minute.

3. The dual mode carpet cleaning machine of claim 1, wherein the second jet tip delivers a liquid in a spray pattern with a width greater than about 10.5 inches but less than about 12.5 inches, preferably in the range of about 0.19 to 0.32 gallons per minute, more preferably 0.25 to 0.30 gallons per minute, and most preferably 0.28 gallons per minute.

4. The dual mode carpet cleaning machine of claim 1, wherein the second jet tip delivers a liquid in a spray pattern with a width less than about 10.5 inches, in the range of about 24% to 44% the delivery of the first jet tip.

5. The dual mode carpet cleaning machine of claim 1, wherein the second jet tip delivers a liquid in a spray pattern with a width greater than about 10.5 inches but less than about 12.5 inches, in the range of about 29% to 49% the delivery of the first jet tip.

6. The dual mode carpet cleaning machine of claim 1, further comprising:

the first jet tip and the second jet tip having different liquid discharge flow rates.

7. The dual mode carpet cleaning machine of claim 1, further comprising:

a first conduit communicating the first jet tip with the selection mechanism and a second conduit communicating the second jet tip with the selection mechanism.

8. The dual mode carpet cleaning machine of claim 1, further comprising:

a brush mounted on the support housing for movement of the brush relative to the support housing, the brush being positioned adjacent the spray nozzle chamber.

9. The dual mode carpet cleaning machine of claim 8, further comprising:

a source of vacuum pressure on the support housing;

a vacuum nozzle on the support housing communicating with the source of vacuum pressure, the vacuum nozzle being positioned adjacent the brush.

10. The dual mode carpet cleaning machine of claim 9, further comprising:

a liquid recovery tank on the support housing, the liquid recovery tank communicating with the source of vacuum pressure and the vacuum nozzle.

11. The dual mode carpet cleaning machine of claim 1, further comprising:

the source of liquid being a solution tank on the support housing.

12. The dual mode carpet cleaning machine of claim 1 wherein the valve of the selection mechanism is a ball valve that is movable between first and second positions, in the first position the ball valve communicates the source of liquid with the first jet tip and in the second position the ball valve communicates the source of liquid with the second jet tip.

13. The dual mode carpet cleaning machine of claim 12 wherein the indicator of the ball valve is a manually operable indicator that is moved between first and second positions as the ball, valve is moved between the respective valve first and second positions.

14. The dual mode carpet cleaning machine of claim 12, further comprising:

a first conduit communicating the first jet tip with the ball valve and a second conduit communicating the second jet tip with the ball valve.

15. The dual mode carpet cleaning machine of claim 12, further comprising:

the source of liquid being a solution tank on the support housing.

16. The dual mode carpet cleaning machine of claim 12, further comprising:

a source of vacuum pressure on the support housing;

a vacuum nozzle on the support housing communicating with the source of vacuum pressure.

17. The dual mode carpet cleaning machine of claim 16, further comprising:

a liquid recovery tank on the support housing, the liquid recovery tank communicating with the source of vacuum pressure and the vacuum nozzle.

18. The dual mode carpet cleaning machine of claim 1, further comprising:

an application and extraction section attached to the support housing;

a storage section attached to the support housing and in fluid communication with the application and extraction section; and

a removal section attached to the support housing.

19. The dual mode carpet cleaning machine of claim 18, further comprising:

a solution pump in the storage section, the solution pump having an inlet and an outlet; and

a solution tank in the storage section, the solution tank being in fluid communication with the solution pump inlet.

20. The dual mode carpet cleaning machine of claim 18, further comprising:

a vacuum pump in the removal section, the vacuum pump having an intake and an exhaust;

a vacuum head in fluid communication with the vacuum pump;

a removal conduit in fluid communication with the vacuum pump intake; and

a waste recovery tank in fluid communication with the vacuum pump exhaust.

21. A dual mode carnet cleaning machine having a deep cleaning mode and a surface cleaning mode comprising:

a selection mechanism to select between said deep cleaning mode and said surface cleaning mode, wherein the selection mechanism comprises a valve having a first position and a second position, an actuator attached to said valve such that operating said actuator moves said valve from said first position to said second position, and from said second position to said first position;

said actuator including an indicator, said indicator having a first setting and a second setting such that said indicator displays said first setting when the valve is in said first position and displays said second setting when the valve is in said second position;

a support housing, the selection mechanism being on the support housing;

a source of liquid on the support housing;

a first liquid discharging jet tip on the support housing, the first jet tip being in communication with the source of liquid through the selection mechanism;

a second liquid discharging jet tip on the support housing, the second let tip being in communication with the source of liquid through the selection mechanism, the selection mechanism being operable to alternatively select one of the first let tip and the second jet tip for communication with the source of liquid and for discharging liquid from the source of liquid;

wherein the valve of the selection mechanism is a ball valve that is movable between first and second positions, in the first position the ball valve communicates the source of liquid with the first jet tip and in the second position the ball valve communicates the source of liquid with the second jet tip;

a first conduit communicating the first jet tip with the ball valve and a second conduit communicating the second jet tip with the ball valve; and

a spray nozzle chamber on the support housing, the spray nozzle chamber having an interior volume, and the first and second jet tips being inside the spray nozzle chamber interior volume.

22. A dual mode carpet cleaning machine having a deer cleaning mode and a surface cleaning mode comprising:

a selection mechanism to select between said deer cleaning mode and said surface cleaning mode, wherein the selection mechanism comprises a valve having a first position and a second position, an actuator attached to said valve such that operating said actuator moves said valve from said first position to said second position, and from said second position to said first position;

said actuator including an indicator, said indicator having a first setting and a second setting such that said indicator displays said first setting when the valve is in said first position and displays said second setting when the valve is in said second position;

a support housing, the selection mechanism being on the support housing;

a source of liquid on the support housing;

a first liquid discharging jet tip on the support housing, the first jet tip being in communication with the source of liquid through the selection mechanism;

a second liquid discharging jet tip on the support housing, the second jet tip being in communication with the source of liquid through the selection mechanism, the selection mechanism being operable to alternatively select one of the first jet tip and the second let tip for communication with the source of liquid and for discharging liquid from the source of liquid;

an application and extraction section attached to the support housing;

a storage section attached to the support housing and in fluid communication with the application and extraction section;

a removal section attached to the support housing;

a vacuum nozzle in the application and extraction section;

a brush in the application and extraction section adjacent the vacuum nozzle; and

a motor operatively connected to the brush for moving the brush when the motor is operated.

23. A dual mode carpet cleaning machine having a deep cleaning mode and a surface cleaning mode comprising:

a selection mechanism to select between said deep cleaning mode and said surface cleaning mode, wherein the selection mechanism comprises a valve having a first position and a second position;

a support housing, the selection mechanism being on the support housing;

a source of liquid on the support housing;

a first liquid discharging jet tip on the support housing, the first jet tip being in communication with the source of liquid through the selection mechanism;

a second liquid discharging jet tip on the support housing, the second jet tip being in communication with the source of liquid through the selection mechanism, the selection mechanism being operable to alternatively select one of the first jet tip and the second jet tip for communication with the source of liquid and for discharging liquid from the source of liquid; and

a spray nozzle chamber on the support housing, the spray nozzle chamber having an interior volume, and the first jet tip and the second jet tip being inside the spray nozzle chamber interior volume.

24. A dual mode carpet cleaning machine having a deep cleaning mode and a surface cleaning mode comprising:

a selection mechanism to select between said deep cleaning mode and said surface cleaning mode, wherein the selection mechanism comprises a valve having a first position and a second position;

a support housing, the selection mechanism being on the support housing;

a source of liquid on the support housing;

a first liquid discharging jet tip on the support housing, the first jet tip being in communication with the source of liquid through the selection mechanism;

a second liquid discharging jet tip on the support housing, the second jet tip being in communication with the source of liquid through the selection mechanism, the selection mechanism being operable to alternatively select one of the first jet tip and the second jet tip for communication with the source of liquid and for discharging liquid from the source of liquid;

an application and extraction section attached to the support housing;

a storage section attached to the support housing and in fluid communication with the application and extraction section;

a removal section attached to the support housing;

a vacuum nozzle in the application and extraction section;

a brush in the application and extraction section adjacent the vacuum nozzle; and

a motor operatively connected to the brush for moving the brush when the motor is operated.