Device for improved removal of liquid from fabric

• US 6,981,338 B2
• Filed: 12/23/2003
• Issued: 01/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Harris Research, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Harris Research, Inc.
• Inventors: Durrant, Edward E., Jensen, Dale S.
• Primary Examiner(s): GRAVINI, STEPHEN MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US10/743,930
• Publication Number:
  US 20050132605A1
• Time in Patent Office: 742 Days
• Field of Search: 34/81, 34/84, 34/92, 34/951, 346/38, 153/20, 153/21
• US Class Current: 34/92
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0009 with means mounted on the nozzle; nozzles specially adapted for the recovery of liquid
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0042 Gaskets; Sealing means
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/02 Nozzles suction nozzles for fluid transport B65G51/00

Abstract

A device for enhancing removal of liquid from fabric, such as a vacuum head device for removing liquid from carpet, includes a first and second surface forming an extraction slot. The first surface may include a plurality of channels extending towards the extraction slot configured to direct the liquid toward the extraction slot. Alternatively, the first surface may have a smaller surface area and the second surface may be configured with a lower surface in order to penetrate the carpet and act as a squeegee. The cross-sections of the first and second surfaces are preferably circular. In another embodiment, the cross-sections of the first and second surfaces may comprise, but are not limited to, a semi-rectangular cross section, a V-shaped cross-section, or an elliptical cross-section.

Claims

1. A vacuum head device for removal of liquid from a fabric, comprising:

a leading portion coupled to the device and configured to penetrate the fabric;

a trailing portion coupled to the device and configured to penetrate the fabric;

an extraction slot formed between the leading portion and trailing portion wherein the leading portion includes a plurality of channels extending from a leading surface of the leading portion to a trailing surface of the leading portion, and the plurality of channels are configured to be in direct physical communication with the fabric when the device is in operation.

2. The vacuum head device of claim 1, wherein the cross section of the leading portion is V-shaped.

3. The vacuum head device of claim 1, wherein the cross section of the trailing portion is V-shaped.

4. The vacuum head device of claim 1, wherein the cross section of the leading portion is substantially circular.

5. The vacuum head device of claim 1, wherein the cross section of the trailing portion is substantially circular.

6. The vacuum head device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of contact points disposed between the channels configured to apply pressure to the fabric.

7. The vacuum head device of claim 1, wherein the fabric is carpet.

8. The vacuum head device of claim 1, wherein the leading portion is smaller than the trailing portion.

9. The vacuum head device of claim 1, wherein the trailing portion is configured to penetrate the fabric deeper than any other portion of the device.

10. The vacuum head device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of channels comprise generally rounded profiles.

11. The vacuum head device of claim 6, wherein the contact points are generally semi-circular.

12. The vacuum head device of claim 1, wherein the leading portion comprises a rod-shaped member.

13. The vacuum head device of claim 1, wherein the trailing portion is a rod.

14. The vacuum head device of claim 1, wherein the extraction slot extends the entire width of the device.

15. The vacuum head device of claim 1, further comprising a sloping member configured to facilitate travel of the device across the fabric.

16. The vacuum head device of claim 1, wherein the leading portion is smaller than the trailing portion and the trailing portion is configured to penetrate the fabric deeper than any other portion of the device, wherein the device further comprises:

a plurality of contact points disposed between the channels configured to apply pressure to the fabric, wherein the contact points are generally semi-circular and the channels are generally rounded; and

a sloping member configured to facilitate travel of the device across the fabric.

17. The vacuum head device of claim 16, wherein the leading portion and the trailing portion each form a V-shaped cross section.

18. The vacuum head device of claim 16, wherein the leading portion and the trailing portion each form a generally circular cross section.

19. The vacuum head device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of channels is formed with a generally rounded profile.

20. The vacuum head device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of channels is generally funnel shaped.

21. A vacuum head device for removal of liquid from a fabric, comprising:

the first member coupled to the vacuum head device and configured to be proximate the fabric when in use;

a second member coupled to the vacuum head device proximate the first member and configured to penetrate the fabric;

an extraction slot defined by the first and second members, and configured to enable extraction of liquid from the fabric;

a first and a second contact point, each extending from the first member and each configured to be in direct physical communication with the fabric when the device is in operation, neither contact point on a line orthogonal to the first member; and

a channel between the first contact point and the second contact point, the channel configured to be in direct physical communication with the fabric when the device is in operation.

22. The vacuum head device of claim 21, further comprising a sloping member coupled to the device and configured to facilitate travel of the device across the fabric.

23. The vacuum head device of claim 21, wherein a cross-section of the second member is V-shaped.

24. The vacuum head device of claim 21, wherein the channel is generally funnel-shaped.

25. The vacuum head device of claim 21, wherein a cross-section of the second member is generally circular.

26. The vacuum head device of claim 21, wherein the first and second contact points are generally semi-circular.

27. The vacuum head device of claim 23, wherein a cross section of the second member is generally V-shaped and wherein the first and second contact points are generally semi-circular.

28. A vacuum head device for removal of liquids from a fabric, comprising:

a trailing member coupled to the vacuum head device, configured to penetrate the fabric, and having a shape that substantially traverses an intended direction of use of the vacuum head device;

a leading member coupled to the trailing member thereby forming an extraction slot between the trailing member and the leading member, configured to penetrate the fabric, and having a shape that substantially traverses an intended direction of use of the vacuum head device; and

a channel extending through the leading member and configured to be in direct physical contact with the fabric when the vacuum head device is in operation, wherein the channel is oriented substantially parallel to a direction of use thereby permitting liquid in the fabric to traverse the leading member.

29. The vacuum head device of claim 28, further comprising a sloping member coupled to the device and configured to facilitate travel of the device across the fabric.

30. The vacuum head device of claim 28, wherein a cross-section of the trailing member is generally V-shaped.

31. The vacuum head device of claim 28, wherein the channel is generally rounded.

32. The vacuum head device of claim 28, wherein a cross-section of the trailing member is generally circular.

33. The vacuum head device of claim 29, wherein a cross-section of the trailing member is generally V-shaped.

34. The vacuum head device of claim 29, wherein a cross-section of the trailing member is generally circular.

35. The vacuum head device of claim 29, wherein the channel is generally rounded.

36. The vacuum head device of claim 28, wherein the leading member is generally linear and the trailing member is generally linear.