Dual mode carpet cleaning method

• US 7,048,805 B2
• Filed: 09/13/2004
• Issued: 05/23/2006
• 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): Barr, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHAUDHRY, SAEED T
• Application Number:
  US10/939,783
• Publication Number:
  US 20050050645A1
• Time in Patent Office: 617 Days
• Field of Search: 134/21, 134/26, 134/34, 134/36, 153/21, 153/22
• US Class Current: 134/26
• 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 method is capable of being used in both a deep cleaning mode and a fast drying surface cleaning mode. The method utilizes a carpet cleaning apparatus that provides selective communication with different sets of cleaning jets. One set of cleaning jets is operated to deliver a first cleaning solution that penetrates deeply into a carpet in the deep cleaning mode. A second set of cleaning jets is operated to deliver a lower flow rate of a second cleaning solution that does not penetrate as deeply into the carpet and dries quickly. The method involves manually operating a valve on the apparatus to selectively communicate a source of cleaning fluid of the apparatus with one of the first set of cleaning jets and the second set of cleaning jets, and discharging the cleaning liquid from the selected one of the first set of cleaning jets and second set of cleaning jets onto a carpet to be cleaned.

Claims

1. A method of cleaning carpet comprising:

providing a carpet cleaning apparatus with a source of cleaning liquid, with a first cleaning jet, with a second cleaning jet that is different from the first cleaning jet, and with a valve that is selectively operable to communicate the source of cleaning liquid between the first cleaning jet and the second cleaning jet;

operating the valve to selectively communicate the source of cleaning liquid with one of the first cleaning jet and the second cleaning jet; and

,

discharging the cleaning liquid from the selected one of the first cleaning jet and second cleaning jet onto a carpet to clean the carpet.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

moving the apparatus over the carpet while cleaning the carpet.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

manually moving the apparatus.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

operating the valve by manually moving the valve.

5. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

providing the source of cleaning liquid on the apparatus where the source of cleaning liquid moves with the apparatus.

6. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

providing the source of cleaning liquid as a mixture of a cleaning concentrate and water.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

containing the mixture in a reservoir on the apparatus that moves with the apparatus.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

providing the source of cleaning liquid as one of a first mixture of the cleaning concentrate and water and a second mixture of the cleaning concentrate and water, where the second mixture has at least twice as much cleaning concentrate than the first mixture.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing both the first cleaning jet and the second cleaning jet in a nozzle.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

providing a vacuum source on the apparatus; and

,

communicating the vacuum source with the nozzle.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing the apparatus with the valve that is a two position valve that is manually movable between a first position and a second position.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

operating the valve by manually moving the valve to the first position where the valve communicates the source of cleaning liquid with the first cleaning jet and not the second cleaning jet.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

operating the valve by manually moving the valve to the second position where the valve communicates the source of cleaning liquid with the second cleaning jet and not the first cleaning jet.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

operating the valve to communicate the source of cleaning liquid with the first cleaning jet; and

,

discharging the cleaning liquid from the first cleaning jet onto the carpet having carpet fibers on a carpet backing to clean the carpet fibers and not the carpet backing.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

operating the valve to communicate the source of cleaning liquid with the second cleaning jet; and

,

discharging the cleaning liquid from the second cleaning jet onto the carpet to clean the carpet fibers and the carpet backing.

16. A method of cleaning carpet comprising:

providing an apparatus with a source of cleaning liquid in a reservoir on the apparatus, with a first cleaning jet, and with a second cleaning jet;

providing a carpet cleaning solution in one of first and second different concentrations in the apparatus reservoir;

communicating the first jet with the apparatus reservoir when the first concentration of carpet cleaning solution is in the apparatus reservoir to discharge the first concentration of carpet cleaning solution from the first jet onto a carpet to clean the carpet, and communicating the second jet with the apparatus reservoir when the second concentration of carpet cleaning solution is in the apparatus reservoir to discharge the second concentration of carpet cleaning solution from the second jet onto a carpet to clean the carpet.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

providing a valve on the apparatus that is selectively operable to communicate the apparatus reservoir with the first jet and the second jet; and

,

operating the valve communicating the apparatus reservoir with the first jet when the first concentration of cleaning solution is in the apparatus reservoir, and operating the valve communicating the apparatus reservoir with the second jet when the second concentration of cleaning solution is in the apparatus reservoir.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

operating the valve by manually moving the valve.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

providing the valve on the apparatus as a two position valve that is manually movable between a first and second position.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

operating the valve by manually moving the valve to the first position where the valve communicates the reservoir with the first jet and not the second jet.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

operating the valve by manually moving the valve to the second position where the valve communicates the reservoir with the second jet and not the first jet.

22. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

manually moving the apparatus over the carpet while cleaning the carpet.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

providing the reservoir on the apparatus where the reservoir moves with the apparatus.

24. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

providing the first concentration of the carpet cleaning solution as a first mixture of a cleaning concentrate and water; and

,

providing the second concentration of the carpet cleaning solution as a second mixture of the cleaning concentrate and water, where the second mixture has at least twice as much cleaning concentrate as the first mixture.

25. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

providing both the first cleaning jet and the second cleaning jet in a nozzle.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising:

providing a vacuum source on the apparatus; and

,

communicating the vacuum source with the nozzle.

27. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

discharging the first concentration of carpet cleaning solution from the first jet onto the carpet having carpet fibers on a carpet backing to clean the carpet fibers and not the carpet backing.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising:

discharging the second concentration of carpet cleaning solution from the second jet onto the carpet to clean the carpet fibers and the carpet backing.

29. A method of cleaning a carpet comprising:

providing an apparatus with a source of cleaning liquid in a reservoir on the apparatus, with a first cleaning jet, and with a second cleaning jet;

providing a carpet cleaning solution in the apparatus reservoir;

communicating the first jet with the apparatus reservoir to discharge the carpet cleaning solution from the first cleaning jet onto a carpet having carpet fibers on a carpet backing to clean the carpet fibers and not the carpet backing; and

,

communicating the second jet with the apparatus reservoir to discharge the carpet cleaning solution from the second cleaning jet onto the carpet to clean the carpet fibers and the carpet backing.

30. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

providing the apparatus with a valve that is manually movable between a first position of the valve and a second position of the valve;

manually moving the valve to the first position to communicate the reservoir with the first cleaning jet and not the second cleaning jet; and

,

manually moving the valve to the second position to communicate the reservoir with the second cleaning jet and not the first cleaning jet.