Soft-surface remediation device and method of using same

• US 7,757,340 B2
• Filed: 03/25/2005
• Issued: 07/20/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SC Johnson & Son Incorporated
• Original Assignee: SC Johnson & Son Incorporated
• Inventors: Sawalski, Michael M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Redding; David A
• Application Number:
  US11/090,438
• Publication Number:
  US 20060213025A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,943 Days
• Field of Search: 153/001, 153/20, 153/39, 153/44, 153/46, 153/47, 153/63, 153/93
• US Class Current: 15/300.1
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/14 cleaning by blowing-off, also combined with suction cleaning
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/24 Hand-supported suction cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/04 for using the exhaust air for other purposes, e.g. for distribution of chemicals in a room, for sterilisation of the air spraying or atomising in general B05
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/08 with means adapted for blowing
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/102 Dust separators cyclones A47L9/16
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1683 Dust collecting chambers; Dust collecting receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/322 for hand-supported suction cleaners

Abstract

A soft-surface remediation (SSR) device and method of remediating soft surfaces using preferably forced air is disclosed. The device is lightweight, and easy-to-use and preferably includes an outer housing with an optional corner pickup region and a removable cover, an inner housing, a motor housing for housing a fan assembly, an optional disposal catch mechanism, an optional mounted delivery device, a first air channel with an air outlet, a second air channel with an air inlet, and a return air channel in close proximity to the disposal mechanism. The method of performing soft-surface remediation preferably includes use of this SSR device.

Claims

1. A hand held, forced air soft surface remediation device having

a housing defining at least a first and a second air channel, the air channels in fluid communication at both ends of the channels;

a cover removably attached to the housing;

a removable filter in fluid communication with at least one of the air channels;

a fan within the housing;

a motor attached to and configured to rotate the fan;

a means for assessing if the filter needs to be changed;

a pickup orifice in communication with the housing;

at least one dust tray in communication with one of the air channels;

at least one dislodging member mounted to a bottom surface of the housing;

at least one standoff mounted to the bottom surface of the housing and positioned between the first and second air channels;

a mechanism to introduce chemistry onto the surface in fluid communication with the fan.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a handle configured to allow the user to move the housing from horizontal to vertical position.

3. An apparatus for cleaning a surface comprising

an outer shell defining at least a portion of a closed loop air flow system;

a reservoir for holding a chemistry that moves within the shell;

an impeller for creating within the shell a higher pressure air flow in a first direction and lower pressure in a second direction;

a motor for spinning the impeller; and

a retaining means for securing removable attachments to a bottom surface of the housing.

4. The device of claim 3, further comprising a system for atomizing and delivering the chemistry to the surface and for then removing it from the surface.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the device creates at least one internal vortex for moving the chemistry within the housing.

6. The device of claim 4 wherein the chemistry remediates at least one of a:

pillow, mattress, carpet, car interior, drape, window, floor, plumbing drain, insect habitat, and couch.

7. The device of claim 3, further comprising a material delivery means in fluid communication with at least one air channel, and wherein the motor is driven by rechargeable battery power.

8. The device of claim 3, wherein the device is configured to fit into the hand of a user;

and

at least one integral corner pickup region adjacent the housing.

9. The device of claim 3, further comprising a removable cover attached to the outer shell at a top, wherein the cover is at least one of:

a screwed on cover, clip-on cover, and a transparent cover.

10. The device of claim 3, further comprising a disposable filter.

11. The device of claim 10, further comprising a mechanism that allows the user to see that the disposable filter is dirty and needs to be replaced.

12. The device of claim 10, further comprising a mechanism to allow the user to hear that the disposable filter is full and needs to be changed.

13. The device of claim 10, wherein the disposable filter is an easily removable and recyclable filter.

14. The device of claim 10, wherein the disposable filter is a HEPA filter.

15. The device of claim 3, wherein the chemistry includes at least one of the following:

cleaners, odor eliminators, fresheners, protectants, herbicides, repellants, insecticides, antimicrobials, fragrances and disinfectants all of which may be in the form of liquids, gases, solids, gels and/or powders or combinations thereof.

16. The device of claim 3, wherein the chemistry includes at least one of:

insecticide, herbicide, a fungicide, antimicrobial, drain cleaner, repellant, refresher, fragrance, and odor neutralizer.

17. The device of claim 3, wherein the motor is impervious to water so that the device can be used in areas containing liquids.

18. A cleaning device comprising

an outer housing,

an inner housing in communication with the outer housing,

a motor housing adjacent to the inner housing for housing a motor and fan assembly,

a first air channel with a first air outlet and a second air channel with a second air inlet in fluid communication with the inner housing and fan,

a return air channel in communication with at least one air channel,

at least one dust tray in communication with one of the air channels,

a replaceable catch mechanism in fluid communication with at least one air channel, and

a foam cleaner which after being first set down by an outward flow is then picked up by the device.

19. A cleaning device comprising

an outer housing,

an inner housing in communication with the outer housing,

a motor housing adjacent to the inner housing for housing a motor and fan assembly,

a first air channel with a first air outlet and a second air channel with a second air inlet in fluid communication with the inner housing and fan,

a return air channel in communication with at least one air channel,

at least one dust tray in communication with one of the air channels, and

a replaceable catch mechanism in fluid communication with at least one air channel, wherein:

a first dust tray is positioned substantially along a lower end of the second air channel and is connected to one of the outer, inner, or motor housings, and

a second dust tray is positioned substantially along an upper end of the second air channel and is connected to one of the outer, inner, or motor housings.

20. The device of claim 19 further comprising a removable catch mechanism disposed in at least one of the dust trays.