Priming pump for multi-functional cleaning machine

• US 20040226578A1
• Filed: 12/15/2003
• Published: 11/18/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Castle Rock Entertainment Incorporated (Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Castle Rock Entertainment Incorporated (Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.)
• Inventors: Doll, Brian J., Pedlar, Roger, Guest, Michael
• Application Number:
  US10/737,027
• Publication Number:
  US 20040226578A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 134/10
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4044 Vacuuming or pick-up tools; Squeegees
• 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: A47L 11/4091 Storing or parking devices, arrangements therefor; Means allowing transport of the machine when it is not being used
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 2203/0217 Use of a detergent in high pressure cleaners; arrangements for supplying the same
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 2203/027 Pump details
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 3/026 Cleaning by making use of hand-held spray guns; Fluid preparations therefor

Abstract

The present invention relates to a multi-functional surface cleaning machine having a fluid tank, a primary fluid pump, a secondary priming pump, and at least one receptacle for holding concentrated cleaning chemicals. The receptacle(s) are in fluid communication with an operator controllable selector. The selector, either alone or in combination with a metering valve, may control which chemical(s) and the amount of such chemical(s) that will be allowed to flow to an inlet of a multi-inlet mixing member. A second input to the mixing member is a fluid to be stored within the fluid tank. The fluid and chemical which may be supplied to the mixing member may be mixed within the mixing member to create a cleaning solution, which may be supplied to any number of dispensing devices. One such device may be a spray gun for dispensing pressurized cleaning solutions onto a surface to be cleaned.

Claims

1. A cleaning machine comprising:

a fluid tank having a fluid inlet and fluid outlet;

a main pump, with an inlet and an outlet, which is adapted to transfer fluid through said pump outlet into a high-pressure fluid delivery line;

a mixing member having at least two fluid inlets and at least one fluid outlet;

a selector having at least two fluid inlets and one fluid outlet;

at least a first fluid receptacle and a second fluid receptacle, wherein said receptacles are in fluid communication with said at least two fluid inlets of said selector;

a first fluid delivery line in communication with said fluid outlet of said fluid tank and a first fluid inlet of said mixing member;

a second fluid delivery line in communication with said fluid outlet of said selector and a second fluid inlet of said mixing member;

a third fluid delivery line in communication with said fluid outlet of said mixing member, and in communication with said inlet of said main pump;

a secondary pump in fluid communication with said fluid tank and in fluid communication with said third fluid delivery line adapted to introduce pressurized fluid into said inlet of said main pump, thereby displacing trapped gas through said outlet of said main pump and out said high-pressure fluid delivery line.

2. The cleaning machine of claim 1, wherein said secondary pump is selectively activated by a switch.

3. The cleaning machine of claim 2, further comprising:

a fluid dispersion device, adapted to selectively disperse high-pressure fluid received from said high-pressure hose;

a switch activation device that is in communication with said switch of said secondary pump, wherein initiation of fluid dispersion with said fluid dispersion device signals said switch of said secondary pump to activate said secondary pump.

4. A cleaning device comprising:

a fluid storage means;

a first cleaning solution storage means;

a second cleaning solution storage means;

a mixing means that is in communication with said fluid storage means, first cleaning solution storage means, and said second cleaning solution storage means, the mixing means adapted to mix fluid stored in each said storage means;

a metering means that is adapted to selectively alter the ratio of fluids in said first cleaning solution storage means and said second cleaning solution storage means, wherein mixed fluid is in communication with said mixing means;

a main pumping means that is adapted to receive said mixed fluid from said mixing means, pressurizes it, and expels it into a high-pressure fluid delivery means;

a secondary pumping means, which is in communication with said fluid storage tank and said main pumping means, which is adapted to deliver pressurized fluid into said main pumping means thereby forcing air trapped therein to be expelled.

5. The cleaning device of claim 4, further comprising:

a fluid dispersion means in communication with said high-pressure fluid delivery means;

an activation means interconnected to said secondary pumping means that is activated by inputs received from said fluid dispersion means, wherein activation of said fluid dispersion means activates said secondary pumping means for a predetermined length of time.

6. The cleaning device of claim 4, wherein said pumping means is a solenoid pump.

7. The cleaning device of claim 5, wherein said fluid dispersion means is a spray gun that includes a trigger and an outlet that disperses mixed fluid, wherein activation of the trigger activates said secondary pumping means for a predetermined time.

8. The method of dispersing treated fluid to an area to be cleaned comprising:

adding fluid into a fluid storage tank;

providing a first cleaning solution that is adapted to be mixed with said fluid to create a solution adapted to clean a surface;

mixing said fluid with said cleaning solution to create a cleaning solution;

activating a priming pump that pressurizes said fluid and feeds it to a main pump;

feeding said cleaning solution into said main pump;

pressurizing said cleaning solution with said main pump to a predetermined amount and feeding it to a dispersion device to be selectively deposited onto the area to be cleaned.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of deactivating said priming pump.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein said activation of said priming pump is initiated by activation of said dispersion device.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising the steps of:

providing at least a second cleaning solution that is adapted to be mixed with said fluid and said first cleaning solution;

selectively mixing said first cleaning solution and said second cleaning solution to create a combined cleaning solution mixture of a predetermined concentration ratio.

12. A cleaning device comprising:

a main pump, adapted to pressurize fluid;

a priming pump in fluidic communication with said main pump, and adapted to supply said main pump with pressurized fluid, thereby substantially purging said trapped gasses therein, prior to said main pump activation; and

a microswitch in communication with said priming pump that is adapted to control the activation of said priming pump prior to the activation of said main pump.

13. The cleaning device of claim 12, further comprising a fluid dispersing device that is adapted to selectively disperse mixed, pressurized, cleaning fluid, wherein activation thereof controls the activation of said microswitch.

14. The cleaning device of claim 12, further comprising at least a first cleaning fluid receptacle and a second cleaning fluid receptacle, which are both in fluid communication with said main pump, and which may be selectively mixed to a predetermined concentration.

15. The cleaning device of claim 12, further comprising a check valve downstream of said priming pump adapted to prevent mixed solution from entering said priming pump.

16. The cleaning device of claim 12, further comprising a gas bleed valve in pneumatic communication with said main pump that is adapted to release the trapped air inside said main pump when said priming pump is activated.

17. The cleaning device of claim 16, wherein activation of said bleed valve is manual.

18. The cleaning device of claim 16, wherein activation of said bleed valve is automatic and is activated by a switching device that is controlled by said microswitch of said primary pump.

19. The cleaning device of claim 16, wherein activation of said bleed valve is automatic wherein it is a regulator valve that releases pressure at a predetermined pressure level.