Extraction Cleaning with Heating

• US 20090078284A1
• Filed: 12/04/2008
• Published: 03/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/13/1997
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bissell Homecare, Inc. (Bissell Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bissell Homecare, Inc. (Bissell Inc.)
• Inventors: Huffman, Eric C., McDowell, David E.
• Application Number:
  US12/328,003
• Publication Number:
  US 20090078284A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 134/11
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 9/026 where the surface of the brush body or carrier is not in one plane, e.g. not flat A46B9/005 takes precedence
• 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 11/4008 Arrangements of switches, indicators or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4016 specially adapted for collecting fluids
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4041 Roll shaped surface treating tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4044 Vacuuming or pick-up tools; Squeegees
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4075 Handles; levers
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4083 Liquid supply reservoirs; Preparation of the agents, e.g. mixing devices
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4086 Arrangements for steam generation
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4088 Supply pumps; Spraying devices; Supply conduits
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/30 with driven dust-loosening tools, e.g. rotating brushes
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/32 with means for connecting a hose hose couplings for suction cleaners A47L9/24
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0009 with means mounted on the nozzle; nozzles specially adapted for the recovery of liquid
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0028 Security means, e.g. float valves or level switches for preventing overflow
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0038 with means for emptying the tanks
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0042 Gaskets; Sealing means
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0036 specially adapted for holding the suction hose
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/54 with pinion and rack
• CPC Class Codes: F22B 1/284 with water in reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/00 Ohmic-resistance heating

Abstract

A portable extraction surface cleaner apparatus wherein a surface to be cleaned is heated to an elevated temperature and a cleaning fluid is applied to the surface to be cleaned sequentially or simultaneously. The cleaning fluid is removed from the surface by suction from a vacuum source. Power is applied alternatively or simultaneously to a heating element and to the vacuum source for recovering the deposited cleaning fluid.

Claims

1. A method for cleaning a surface comprising the steps of:

heating the surface to be cleaned;

thereafter, applying a cleaning fluid to the heated surface to be cleaned; and

recovering a soiled cleaning fluid from the surface to be cleaned.

2. A method for cleaning a surface according to claim 1 and further comprising scrubbing or agitating the surface to be cleaned between the applying and the recovering step.

3. A method for cleaning a surface according to claim 2 wherein the recovery step includes the step of applying a suction force to the surface to be cleaned.

4. A method for cleaning a surface according to claim 3 wherein the heating step includes the step of applying radiant energy to the surface to be cleaned.

5. A method for cleaning a surface according to claim 3 wherein the heating step includes the step of applying a heated vapor to the surface to be cleaned.

6. A method for cleaning a surface according to claim 5 wherein the heated vapor is air heated to an elevated temperature

7. A method for cleaning a surface according to claim 5 wherein the heated vapor is a vaporized liquid.

8. A method for cleaning a surface according to claim 7 wherein the vaporized liquid is water or an aqueous solution.

9. A method for cleaning a surface according to claim 8 wherein the aqueous solution is a cleaning solution.

10. A method for cleaning a surface according to claim 3 wherein the heating step includes the step of applying a liquid heated to an elevated temperature to the surface to be cleaned.

11. A method for cleaning a surface according to claim 10 wherein the liquid that is heated is the cleaning solution.

12. A method for cleaning a surface according to claim 3 wherein the heating step includes the step of heating the surface to be cleaned to a temperature in the range of 95-200°

F.

13. A method for cleaning a surface according to claim 3 wherein the heating step includes the step of heating the surface to be cleaned to a temperature in the range of 100-130°

F.

14. A method for cleaning a surface according to claim 1 wherein the recovery step includes the step of applying a suction force to the surface to be cleaned.

15. A method for cleaning a surface according to claim 1 wherein the heating step includes the step of applying radiant energy to the surface to be cleaned.

16. A method for cleaning a surface according to claim 1 wherein the heating step includes the step of applying a heated vapor to the surface to be cleaned.

17. A method for cleaning a surface according to claim 1 wherein the heated vapor is air heated to an elevated temperature

18. A method for cleaning a surface according to claim 1 wherein the heated vapor is a vaporized liquid.

19. A method for cleaning a surface according to claim 1 wherein the vaporized liquid is water or an aqueous solution.

20. A method for cleaning a surface according to claim 19 wherein the aqueous solution is a cleaning solution.

21. A method for cleaning a surface according to claim 1 wherein the heating step includes the step of applying a liquid heated to an elevated temperature to the surface to be cleaned.

22. A method for cleaning a surface according to claim 21 wherein the liquid that is heated is the cleaning solution.

23. A method for cleaning a surface according to claim 1 wherein the heating step includes the step of heating the surface to be cleaned to a temperature in the range of 95-200°

F.

24. A method for cleaning a surface according to claim 1 wherein the heating step includes the step of heating the surface to be cleaned to a temperature in the range of 100-130°

F.