US20130180550A1 - Cleaning heads and methods of use - Google Patents
Cleaning heads and methods of use Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20130180550A1 US20130180550A1 US13/727,972 US201213727972A US2013180550A1 US 20130180550 A1 US20130180550 A1 US 20130180550A1 US 201213727972 A US201213727972 A US 201213727972A US 2013180550 A1 US2013180550 A1 US 2013180550A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- cleaning head
- liquid
- bottom wall
- internal chamber
- opening
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
- A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
- A47L11/408—Means for supplying cleaning or surface treating agents
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
- A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
- A47L11/4036—Parts or details of the surface treating tools
- A47L11/4044—Vacuuming or pick-up tools; Squeegees
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
- A47L11/29—Floor-scrubbing machines characterised by means for taking-up dirty liquid
- A47L11/30—Floor-scrubbing machines characterised by means for taking-up dirty liquid by suction
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
- A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
- A47L11/4094—Accessories to be used in combination with conventional vacuum-cleaning devices
Definitions
- the field of the present disclosure relates generally to cleaning machines, and more particularly to a cleaning head or nozzle of a vacuum machine and methods of using the same.
- the present disclosure is directed to cleaning heads (e.g., suction heads or nozzles) that can be connected to a hose or other suction conduit of a vacuum machine and to cleaning methods.
- cleaning heads e.g., suction heads or nozzles
- FIG. 1 is an upper isometric view of a cleaning head, according to one embodiment.
- FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the cleaning head of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 3 is a bottom isometric view of a bottom of the head body of the cleaning head of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the cleaning head of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the head body of the cleaning head of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the head body of the cleaning head of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 7A is an upper isometric view of a cleaning head, according to another embodiment.
- FIG. 7B is an exploded view of the cleaning head of FIG. 7A .
- FIG. 8 illustrates adapters of the cleaning head of FIG. 7 .
- FIG. 9A is a top isometric view of a cleaning head, according to another embodiment.
- FIG. 9B is a side cross-sectional view of the cleaning head of FIG. 9A .
- FIG. 9C is a partial sectional view of the cleaning head of FIG. 9A .
- FIG. 10A is a top isometric view of a cleaning head, according to another embodiment.
- FIG. 10B is a partial sectional view of the cleaning head of FIG. 10A .
- FIG. 11A is bottom plan view of a cleaning head, according to another embodiment.
- FIGS. 11B and 11C are isometric views of a bottom wall of the cleaning head of FIG. 11A .
- the present disclosure is directed to cleaning heads (e.g., suction heads or nozzles) that can be connected to a hose or other suction conduit of a vacuum machine.
- a cleaning head may be used, for example, to lift spots and/or moisture out of carpet.
- the disclosed cleaning heads and methods may also be used to extract liquid from a surface.
- the disclosed cleaning heads and methods may pull more liquid, from deeper in the carpet and/or pad, with less effort than a traditional vacuum machine nozzle. By pulling more liquid from deeper in the carpet and/or pad, the disclosed cleaning heads and methods may extract more odors by extracting more of the source of odors (e.g., pet urine).
- a spot to be removed from carpet may be treated with a chemical spot remover.
- Water may be used to flush the spot and chemical spot remover from the carpet fibers.
- the disclosed cleaning head embodiments may be used to recover the spot, chemical spot remover, and water from the carpet fibers and/or the carpet backing and/or pad.
- the present disclosure is described primarily in terms of extracting liquid from carpet, the disclosed embodiments are not limited to use on carpet surfaces.
- the disclosed embodiments of a cleaning head and embodiments of a cleaning method may be capable of use on almost any surface.
- FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of a cleaning head 100 , according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
- the cleaning head 100 may include a head body 102 and a neck portion 104 .
- the head body 102 may be configured to be positioned in contact with the carpet or other surface being cleaned.
- the head body 102 may be molded, for example, rotationally molded or blow molded from plastic, to have an upper wall 106 and a bottom wall 108 defining an internal chamber 502 (see FIG. 5 ).
- the head body 102 may be injection molded, for example, by molding two pieces of the head body 102 and gluing, screwing, or otherwise coupling the two pieces together (see e.g., FIG. 7B ).
- the upper wall 106 may be injection molded separate from the bottom wall 108 and then the upper wall 106 and bottom wall 108 may be coupled together.
- the upper wall 106 of the head body 102 may be shaped and configured to provide a continuous and/or sealed upper surface of the internal chamber to transfer suction from a vacuum hose 10 (or other conduit from a vacuum machine) to the carpet being cleaned.
- the upper wall 106 of the head body 102 may also be shaped and configured to direct dirt, debris, and/or liquid taken up by the suction toward the neck portion 104 and/or the vacuum hose 10 .
- the upper wall 106 may include a lower section 111 and an upper conical portion 110 (or flared region) configured to define a conical region of the internal chamber 502 (see FIG. 5 ) that may function as a funnel to draw extracted liquid, dirt, and or debris into the neck portion 104 and/or into the vacuum hose 10 .
- the conical portion 110 and lower section 111 of the cleaning head 100 may be continuous surfaces in the illustrated embodiment, in other embodiments the upper wall 106 may comprise a plurality of walls shaped and configured to, with the bottom wall 108 , form the internal chamber 502 (see FIG. 5 ).
- the upper wall 106 may comprise one or more side walls and a top wall.
- the bottom wall 108 of the head body 102 may be configured to be positioned against the surface from which the liquid is extracted.
- a bottom, outer surface of the bottom wall 108 may be positioned against the surface from which the liquid is being extracted.
- the bottom wall 108 may define a plurality of openings or suction holes 302 (see FIG. 3 ) through the bottom wall 108 and into the internal chamber 502 (see FIG. 5 ).
- the bottom wall 108 is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 3 and 4 , and is described below with reference to the same.
- FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the cleaning head 100 of FIG. 1 , illustrating components of the neck portion 104 in relation to the upper wall 106 (including the conical portion 110 and the lower section 111 ) of the head body 102 .
- the neck portion 104 may include a cuff 120 , a sight portion 122 , and a collar 124 .
- the cuff 120 is configured to couple the vacuum hose 10 to the neck portion 104 .
- the cuff 120 may be configured to receive the vacuum hose 10 .
- the vacuum hose 10 may thread into the cuff 120 .
- the cuff 120 may be formed of a flexible PVC.
- the cuff 120 may be coupled to the sight portion 122 .
- the sight portion 122 may include a barb 202 configured to engage a recess in the cuff 120 . In these embodiments and other embodiments, the cuff 120 and the sight portion 122 may be glued together.
- the sight portion 122 may be configured to allow a user to see liquid that is extracted from the carpet as it is pulled toward the vacuum hose 10 .
- the sight portion 122 may be a transparent tube.
- the sight portion 122 may comprise a window or otherwise include a window section.
- the sight portion 122 may comprise a translucent tube or a translucent window.
- the sight portion 122 may couple to the collar 124 , which in turn may thread onto the head body 102 .
- An o-ring 204 may be positioned to aid in sealing the connection between the collar 124 and the head body 102 to improve sealing between the components and thereby enhance a transfer of a vacuum to the head body 102 .
- the o-ring 204 may buffer any miss-matched fit of the threaded components.
- a silicone bead or silicone tape may be used to further sealing between the coupled components (e.g., the hose 10 to the cuff 120 , the cuff 120 to the sight portion 122 , the sight portion 122 to the collar 124 , the collar 124 to the head body 102 ) and to limit the threads from backing off.
- an opening 212 may be formed in the upper wall 106 , adjacent to or near a top of the head body 102 .
- the opening 212 may be configured to couple to, for example, the neck portion 104 , the hose 10 , or another conduit from a vacuum machine.
- the opening 212 is in fluid communication with the internal chamber 502 (see FIG. 5 ).
- the upper wall 106 may define or otherwise include threads 214 adjacent to and/or around the opening 212 to enable coupling of the head body 102 to the neck portion 104 , to the hose 10 , or to another conduit from a vacuum machine.
- FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the bottom wall 108 of the head body 102 of the cleaning head 100 .
- FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the bottom wall 110 of the cleaning head 100 .
- the bottom wall 108 of the head body 102 may define a plurality of suction holes 302 , or openings, intermittently spaced around or over the surface of the bottom wall 108 .
- the suction holes 302 may pass (or provide a conduit) through the bottom wall 108 and into the internal chamber 502 (see FIG. 5 ). Instead of one large opening, as with typical vacuum nozzles, the plurality of small suction holes 302 is scattered and distributed across the bottom wall 108 .
- the suction holes 302 may be formed by drilling, molding (e.g., an injection molding process), or other suitable manufacturing process.
- the suction holes 302 may be equally spaced in a set pattern as shown or may be spaced in a varying or more randomly spaced distribution.
- the distribution of the suction holes 302 may allow extraction of liquid over a relatively large area (for example, compared to an individual suction hole 302 ) while the cleaning head 100 remains stationary.
- the cleaning head 100 may remain stationary long enough to be able to extract deep into, for example, carpet and carpet padding or other surface to be cleaned.
- the total area of the suction holes 302 may be roughly equivalent to the opening 212 at the top of the cleaning head 100 .
- the bottom wall 108 may further define a series of ridges 310 and depressions 312 (or valleys) on a lower, outer surface of the bottom wall 108 .
- the ridges 310 and depressions 312 may be arranged in a series of nested rings of increasing diameter, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 .
- the arrangement allows formation of continuous vacuum rings, one inside the other.
- the ridges 310 and depressions 312 may be arranged in other patterns and arrangements, such as the pattern shown in FIGS. 11A-11C and discussed below with reference to the same.
- the suction holes 302 may be positioned in the depressions 312 , as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 .
- the suction holes 302 may be positioned on the tips of the ridges 310 . In still other embodiments, the suction holes 302 may be positioned at an intermediate position between the depressions 312 and the tips of the ridges 310 . In still other embodiments, the suction holes 302 may be randomly positioned at varying locations on the ridges 310 and/or within the depressions 312 .
- the outer surface of the bottom wall 108 is disposed and configured to be positioned against the surface being cleaned.
- a user may press or otherwise exert force or pressure on the upper wall 106 (see FIGS. 1 and 2 ), such as an upper and/or exterior surface, to thereby press the bottom wall 108 against the surface being cleaned.
- the shapes of the ridges 310 and depressions 312 may enable creation of multiple vacuum chambers that function to extract liquid from the surface being cleaned.
- Each vacuum chamber may operate as an individual vacuum nozzle.
- the tips of the ridges may form a vacuum seal against, for example, carpet, thereby forcing air and liquid to be pulled into the internal chamber 502 (see FIG. 5 ) from the carpet and even from the padding.
- FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the head body 102 of the cleaning head 100 .
- the upper wall 106 defines a top (or ceiling) of an internal chamber 502 and the bottom wall 108 defines a floor of the internal chamber 502 .
- the internal chamber 502 may be a tall conical shape.
- the conical shape of the internal chamber 502 may serve to enhance airflow and aid in extraction of liquid from the surface being cleaned.
- the bottom wall 108 also defines the plurality of ridges 310 and depressions 312 (or valleys) on an outer surface 504 of the bottom wall 108 .
- the ridges 310 and depressions 312 may form corresponding depressions and ridges on an inner surface 506 of the bottom wall 108 , in the floor of the internal chamber 502 .
- the plurality of suction holes 302 are disposed in the depressions 312 on the outer surface 50 of the bottom wall 108 .
- the cross-sectional view provided in FIG. 5 illustrates that the suction holes 302 may pass through the bottom wall 108 and into the internal chamber 502 . Therefore, suction from the internal chamber 502 can draw liquid and/or debris through the suction holes 302 and into the internal chamber 502 from a surface being cleaned.
- the suction holes 302 may be disposed on the ridges 310 of the outer surface 504 of the bottom wall 108 . In still another embodiment, suction holes 302 may be disposed on both the ridges 310 and the depressions 312 of the outer surface 504 of the bottom wall 108 . In another embodiment, the inner surface 506 of the bottom wall 108 may be smooth and/or uniform, such that there are no depressions and ridges on the floor of the internal chamber 502 that correspond to the ridges 310 and depressions 312 on the outer surface 504 of the bottom wall 108 .
- FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the head body 102 of the cleaning head 100 .
- the head body 102 may have a circular portion having an circular shape, or arcuate edge forming a circular shape, and an area that may taper to form a point area 602 extending from the circumference of the circular portion. More specifically, a lateral area of the lower section 111 (see FIG. 5 ) of the upper wall 106 and the bottom wall 108 may taper to form a point area 602 .
- the point area 602 may form or comprise an angle between a pair of straight portions 606 that taper together to form a point, such as an angle that is ninety degrees or less.
- the point area 602 may be configured to enable use of the cleaning head 100 in corners, against walls, and on other similar smaller areas. For example, the straight portions 606 may be used against walls and the point area 602 may be used in corners.
- the bottom wall 108 is visible through the opening 212 .
- An innermost ridge and/or depression 604 is also visible on the floor of the internal chamber 502 (see FIG. 5 ).
- the opening 212 is in fluid communication with the internal chamber 502 . Extracted material, such as fluid, that is drawn into the internal chamber 502 is directed to the opening 212 and into a conduit from a vacuum machine.
- FIG. 7A is a upper isometric view of a cleaning head 700 , according to another embodiment.
- FIG. 7B is an exploded view of the cleaning head 700 of FIG. 7A .
- the cleaning head 700 comprises a head body 702 and a neck portion 704 .
- the head body 702 may comprise an upper wall 706 and a bottom wall 708 that define an internal chamber 701 (see, for example, the internal chamber 502 of FIG. 5 ).
- the head body 702 may be injection molded, for example, by molding the upper wall 706 and the bottom wall 708 and gluing, screwing, or otherwise coupling the upper wall 706 and the bottom wall 708 together.
- injection molding of the upper wall 706 may be separate and distinct from injection molding of the bottom wall 708 and then the upper wall 706 and bottom wall 708 may be coupled together.
- the bottom wall 708 of the head body 702 may be configured to be positioned against the carpet or other surface from which the liquid is to be extracted.
- a bottom, outer surface of the bottom wall 708 may be positioned against the surface from which the liquid is being extracted.
- the bottom wall 708 may define a plurality of suction holes 732 or openings, as shown in FIG. 7B .
- the suction holes 732 pass through the bottom wall 708 to the internal chamber 701 .
- the bottom wall 708 may be similar to the bottom wall 108 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , and described above with reference to the same.
- the bottom wall 708 may be similar to the bottom wall 1108 shown in FIGS. 11A-11C , and described below with reference to the same.
- the upper wall 706 of the head body 702 may be shaped and configured to form a portion of an upper surface of the internal chamber 701 . More specifically, the upper wall 706 may define a lower portion of the upper surface of the internal chamber 701 . (The neck portion 704 may define an upper portion of the upper surface of the internal chamber 701 , as discussed more fully below).
- the upper wall 706 of the head body 702 and the neck portion 704 may be configured to transfer suction from a vacuum hose 10 , or other conduit from a vacuum machine, to the carpet or other surface being cleaned.
- the upper wall 706 of the head body 702 may also direct dirt, debris, and/or liquid taken up by the suction.
- the upper wall 706 may direct dirt, debris, and/or liquid toward the neck portion 704 and/or the vacuum hose 10 .
- the upper wall 706 may include an opening 703 configured to provide fluid communication to the neck portion 704 .
- the upper wall may include threads 734 , or another coupling mechanism, configured to couple the head body 702 to the neck portion 704 .
- the threads 734 may be adjacent to and/or around the opening 703 to enable coupling of the head body 702 to the neck portion 704 .
- the neck portion 704 may include a collar 720 and a sight portion 722 .
- the collar 720 may be positioned at or near a top end of the neck portion 704 and may define an opening 712 configured to couple the vacuum hose 10 to the neck portion 704 of the cleaning head 700 .
- the opening 712 is in fluid communication with the internal chamber 701 .
- the opening 712 of the collar 720 may be configured to receive the vacuum hose 10 .
- a cuff 12 of the vacuum hose 10 may be inserted into and form a friction fit within the collar 720 .
- the collar 720 may be integrally formed with, or otherwise coupled to, the sight portion 722 .
- the collar 720 and the sight portion 722 may be glued together.
- the sight portion 722 may be configured to allow a user to see dirt, debris, and/or liquid that is extracted from the surface being cleaned (e.g., carpet) as the dirt, debris, and/or liquid is pulled toward the opening 712 and/or the vacuum hose 10 .
- the sight portion 722 may form a conical portion that defines a conical region of the internal chamber 701 that may function as a funnel to draw extracted liquid, dirt, and or debris into the collar 720 , through the opening 712 , and into the vacuum hose 10 .
- the sight portion 722 may comprise and/or be formed of a transparent material to allow visibility into the internal chamber 701 .
- the sight portion 722 may comprise a window or otherwise include a window section.
- the sight portion 722 may be formed of a translucent material or comprise a translucent window.
- the sight portion 722 may include corresponding threads, or other coupling mechanism, which in turn may thread onto the threads 734 of the head body 702 , or otherwise couple to the head body 702 .
- An o-ring, a silicone bead, and/or silicone tape may be used to provide a seal between the coupled components (e.g., the hose 10 to the collar 720 , the collar 720 to the sight portion 722 , the sight portion 722 to the head body 702 ) and to limit the threads 734 and corresponding threads from backing off.
- FIG. 8 illustrates a first adapter 802 and a second adapter 804 for use with the cleaning head 700 of FIGS. 7A and 7B .
- the various embodiments of a cleaning head disclosed herein, including the cleaning head 700 of FIGS. 7A and 7B may be used with a plurality of cleaning machines, including both household and commercial grade carpet cleaning machines and both household and commercial grade wet/dry vacuum machines, having a hose, such as the hoses 10 a , 10 b illustrated in FIG. 8 .
- the hose may be one of a variety of sizes. Generally a hose size is referenced based on a measurement of an inner diameter (“ID”), or approximate ID, of the hose.
- ID inner diameter
- Either a female cuff (such as cuff 12 a shown in FIG. 8 ) or a male cuff (such as cuff 12 b shown in FIG. 8 ) may be coupled to an end of the hose.
- a male cuff 12 b of a hose may have an ID that is the same or approximately the same as the ID of the hose.
- a female cuff 12 a may have an ID that is the same or approximately the same as the OD of a corresponding male cuff of the same hose size.
- carpet cleaning machines e.g., hot water and/or steam extraction machines
- a vacuum hose e.g., an accessory hose
- the measurements may indicate an ID, or an approximate ID, of the hose.
- a female cuff such as cuff 12 a shown in FIG. 8
- a male cuff such as cuff 12 b shown in FIG. 8
- carpet cleaning machine hose 10 may be coupled to an end of a carpet cleaning machine hose 10 .
- wet/dry vacuum machines generally include a vacuum hose having one of three standard sizes, namely a 1 and 1 ⁇ 4 inch hose, a 1 and 7 ⁇ 8 inch hose, and a 2 and 1 ⁇ 2 inch hose. (The measurement may indicate an ID, or an approximate ID, of the hose).
- a male cuff (such as cuff 12 b shown in FIG. 8 ) generally is coupled to an end of a wet/dry vacuum hose 10 .
- the diameter of the opening 712 of the cleaning head 700 may be configured to receive a 1 and 1 ⁇ 4 inch hose with a female cuff or a 1 and 1 ⁇ 2 inch hose with a male cuff, such as a hose of a home, rental, or commercial carpet cleaning machine.
- the diameter of the opening 712 of the collar 720 may also be configured to be received into a male cuff and vacuum hose having a 1 and 7 ⁇ 8 inch hose, such as a hose of a wet/dry vacuum. Accordingly, an adapter may be unnecessary to couple the vacuum hose 10 (See FIGS. 7A and 7B ) to the cleaning head 700 .
- an adapter such as the first adapter 802 or the second adapter 804 , may be useful to couple the cleaning head to a 1 inch hose, 1 and 1 ⁇ 4 inch hose, or a 2 and 1 ⁇ 2 inch hose.
- the first adapter 802 may be configured to couple the cleaning head 700 to a vacuum hose 10 a having a hose cuff 12 a that is smaller than the opening 712 of the collar 720 of the cleaning head 700 .
- the first adapter 802 may be configured to couple the cleaning head 700 to a 1 inch extractor hose or a 1 and 1 ⁇ 4 inch wet/dry vacuum hose.
- the first adapter 802 may have a first end 812 , a second end 814 , and a lumen 816 defined through the adapter 802 .
- the first end 812 of the first adapter 802 may have an outer diameter sized and configured to be received into the opening 712 of the cleaning head 700 .
- the outer diameter of the first end 812 may be similar to an inner diameter of the opening 712 of the cleaning head 700 , such that the opening 712 can receive the first end 812 of the first adapter 802 and may provide a friction fit or similar air tight, or substantially air tight, coupling between the cleaning head 700 and the first adapter 802 .
- the lumen 816 at the second end 814 of the first adapter 802 may have an inner diameter sized and configured to receive an outer diameter of a cuff 12 a of the vacuum hose 10 a .
- the inner diameter of the second end 814 may be smaller than the outer diameter of the first end 812 , such that a vacuum hose having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the opening 712 of the cleaning head 700 can be coupled to the cleaning head 700 .
- the first adapter 802 illustrated in FIG. 8 may include ribs 818 extending longitudinally and disposed around an outer diameter at the first end 812 of the first adapter 802 .
- the first adapter 802 may also include a flange 820 configured to engage the collar 720 , or a rim of the opening 712 of the collar 720 , to inhibit or restrict the adapter 802 from passing through the opening 712 into the internal chamber 701 (see FIG. 7A ).
- the second adapter 804 may be configured to couple the cleaning head 700 to a vacuum hose 10 b having a hose cuff 12 b that is larger than the opening 712 of the collar 720 of the cleaning head 700 .
- the second adapter 804 may be configured to couple the cleaning head 700 to a 2 and 1 ⁇ 2 inch hose, such as a vacuum hose of a wet/dry vacuum.
- the second adapter 804 may have a first end 822 , a second end 824 , and a lumen 826 defined through the second adapter 804 .
- the first end 822 of the second adapter 804 may have an outer diameter sized and configured to be received into the opening 712 of the cleaning head 700 .
- the outer diameter of the first end 822 may be similar in size to the size of an inner diameter of the opening 712 of the cleaning head 700 , such that the opening 712 can receive the first end 822 of the second adapter 804 and may provide a friction fit or similar air tight, or substantially air tight, coupling between the cleaning head 700 and the adapter 804 .
- the lumen 826 at the second end 824 of the second adapter 804 may have an inner diameter sized and configured to receive an outer diameter of a cuff 12 b of the vacuum hose 10 b .
- the inner diameter of the second end 824 may be smaller than the outer diameter of the first end 822 , such that a vacuum hose having a diameter larger than the diameter of the opening 712 of the cleaning head 700 can be coupled to the cleaning head 700 .
- the second end 824 of the second adapter 804 illustrated in FIG. 8 may define a shelf 828 that may engage or abut with the collar 720 , or a rim of the opening 712 of the collar 720 .
- adapters configured to couple the cleaning head to other sizes of vacuum hoses, including standard and non-standard sized vacuum hoses.
- FIG. 9A is a top isometric view of a cleaning head 900 , according to another embodiment.
- the cleaning head 900 may comprise a head body 902 , a neck portion 904 , and a liquid injection system 950 .
- FIG. 9B is a side cross-sectional view
- FIG. 9C is a partial sectional view of the cleaning head 900 of FIG. 9A illustrating various components of a liquid injection system 950 , according to one embodiment, relative to other components of the cleaning head 900 .
- the neck portion 904 and an upper wall 906 of the head body 902 are not shown (or are cut-away) in FIG. 9C , to illustrate the liquid injection system 950 .
- the head body 902 may comprise an upper wall 906 and a bottom wall 908 that define an internal chamber 901 , similar to the head body 102 of FIG. 1 and the head body 702 of FIGS. 7A and 7B .
- the bottom wall 908 may define a plurality of suction holes 932 that open into the internal chamber 901 .
- the upper wall 906 may form at least a portion of an upper surface of the internal chamber 901 and may be configured to direct dirt, debris, and/or liquid taken up by suction through the internal chamber 901 toward the vacuum hose 10 .
- the neck portion 904 may couple to the upper wall 906 of the head body 902 .
- the neck portion 904 may also couple the cleaning head 900 to a vacuum hose 10 .
- a sight portion 922 may allow a user to see dirt, debris, and/or liquid that is extracted from a surface, such as carpet, as the dirt, debris, and/or liquid is pulled toward the vacuum hose 10 .
- the sight portion 922 may comprise and/or be formed of a transparent and/or translucent material to allow visibility into the internal chamber 901 of the cleaning head 900 .
- the sight portion 922 may form a conical portion of an upper surface of the internal chamber 901 .
- the conical portion may define a conical region of the internal chamber 901 that may function as a funnel to draw extracted dirt, debris, and/or liquid toward the vacuum hose 10 .
- the liquid injection system 950 may be configured to enable a user of the cleaning head 900 to dispense liquid onto the surface that is to be cleaned (and also the surface from which the liquid may be extracted by the cleaning head 900 ).
- the liquid injection system 950 may include a liquid supply hose 952 , a control valve 954 , a plurality of liquid injection ports 956 , and an activator 958 .
- a plurality of distribution lines 960 which may include a main distribution line 962 , may convey liquid between the control valve 954 and the plurality of liquid injection ports 956 .
- liquid injection system 950 may be internal to, or at least partially internal to the cleaning head 900 . These components may be disposed, or at least partially disposed, within the internal chamber 901 .
- the liquid supply hose 952 may be configured to convey liquid from a liquid source to the cleaning head 900 .
- the liquid source may be remote from the cleaning head 900 , such as at a vacuum machine.
- the liquid supply hose 952 of the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 9A-9C is disposed through a lumen of the neck portion 904 , from within a lumen of the vacuum hose 10 and through a lumen of the cuff 12 of the vacuum hose 10 .
- the liquid source may be a small tank within the cleaning head 900 .
- the liquid source may be a tank separate from the vacuum machine and the cleaning head.
- the control valve 954 may control passage of liquid from or through the liquid supply hose 952 . In other words, the control valve 954 may control dispensing of liquid.
- the control valve 954 may be coupled to the liquid supply hose 952 and activation and/or manipulation of an activator 958 of the control valve 954 may cause the liquid injection system 950 to dispense liquid, such as onto a carpet or other surface to be cleaned, through the liquid injection ports 956 .
- the activator 958 may be a flexible switch (e.g. a rubber button) configured to activate (e.g., open) the control valve 954 when depressed. In another embodiment, the activator 958 may be a trigger.
- the liquid injection ports 956 may be ports or openings disposed in the bottom wall 908 of the cleaning head 900 .
- the liquid injection ports 956 may be in fluid communication with the liquid supply source, such as via the liquid supply hose 952 and/or the distribution lines 960 , 962 .
- the distribution lines 960 may be arranged in a plurality of nested rings of increasing diameter and disposed in corresponding depressions 972 formed by ridges 970 on a bottom surface of the bottom wall 908 .
- the ring distribution lines 960 may be fed by a main distribution line 962 coupled to the liquid supply hose 952 .
- liquid may pass from the liquid supply hose 952 , through the control valve 954 , into the main distribution line 962 , out to the distribution supply lines 960 , and out the liquid injection ports 956 .
- the liquid injection ports 956 and/or the distribution lines 960 , 962 may be configured to convey liquid from the liquid supply hose 952 to the outer surface of the bottom wall 908 of the head body 902 to dispense liquid, such as cleaner, cleaning solution, water, or the like.
- the liquid can be dispensed from the liquid injection ports 956 and/or the distribution lines 960 , 962 to the surface that is to be cleaned, such as carpet. Once dispensed, the liquid can then be extracted by suction through the suction holes 932 .
- the bottom wall 908 of the embodiment of a cleaning head 900 illustrated in FIGS. 9A , 9 B, and 9 C includes a plurality of ridges and depressions arranged as nested rings, similar to bottom wall 108 of FIG. 3 .
- other arrangements and configurations are possible and contemplated by the present disclosure, including the arrangement of ridges and depressions shown in FIGS. 11A-11C and described below with reference to the same.
- other arrangements of distribution lines 960 are possible, including any suitable arrangement to deliver fluid from the control valve 954 and/or the liquid supply hose 952 to the liquid injection ports 956 .
- FIG. 10A is a top isometric view of a cleaning head 1000 , according to another embodiment.
- FIG. 10B is a partial sectional view of the cleaning head 1000 of FIG. 10A .
- the cleaning head 1000 includes a liquid injection system 1050 with a liquid supply hose 1052 and a control valve 1054 that are external to the internal chamber 1001 of the cleaning head 1000 .
- the liquid supply hose 1052 is also external to the vacuum hose 10 .
- a neck portion 1004 and an upper wall 1006 of the head body 1002 are not shown in FIG. 10B (i.e., are cut-away), to illustrate distribution lines 1060 , 1062 of the liquid injection system 1050 .
- the head body 1002 may comprise an upper wall 1006 and a bottom wall 1008 that define an internal chamber 1001 , similar to the head body 102 of FIG. 1 and the head body 702 of FIGS. 7A and 7B .
- the bottom wall 1008 may define a plurality of suction holes 1032 that open into the internal chamber 1001 .
- the bottom wall 1008 may also define a plurality of liquid injection ports (see e.g., the liquid injection ports 956 of FIG. 9B ).
- the upper wall 1006 may form at least a portion of an upper surface of the internal chamber 1001 and may be configured to direct dirt, debris, and/or liquid taken up by suction through the internal chamber 1001 toward the vacuum hose 10 .
- the neck portion 1004 may couple to the upper wall 1006 of the head body 1002 .
- the neck portion 1004 may also couple the cleaning head 1000 to a vacuum hose 10 .
- a sight portion 1022 may allow a user to see dirt, debris, and/or liquid that is extracted from a surface, such as carpet, as the dirt, debris, and/or liquid is pulled toward the vacuum hose 10 .
- the sight portion 1022 may comprise and/or be formed of a transparent and/or translucent material to allow visibility into the internal chamber 1001 of the cleaning head 1000 .
- the liquid injection system 1050 may be configured to enable a user of the cleaning head 1000 to dispense liquid onto the surface that is to be cleaned (or the surface from which the liquid may be extracted by the cleaning head 1000 ).
- the liquid injection system 1050 may include the liquid supply hose 1052 , the control valve 1054 , a plurality of liquid injection ports (not shown, but see, for example, the liquid injection ports 956 of FIG. 9B ), the distribution lines 1060 , 1062 , and an activator 1058 .
- the liquid supply hose 1052 may be configured to convey liquid from a liquid source to the cleaning head 1000 , and specifically to the control valve 1054 , the distribution lines 1060 , 1062 , and/or the liquid injection ports.
- the liquid supply hose 1052 of the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 10A and 10B is disposed external to the vacuum hose 10 and directs liquid through an opening, such as a port 1080 , in the cleaning head 1002 at a location that is remote or distant from an opening and/or lumen of the neck portion 1004 where the vacuum hose 10 couples.
- the control valve 1054 is operative to control passage of liquid from the liquid supply hose 1052 .
- the control valve 1054 may control dispensing of liquid by the liquid injection system 1050 .
- the control valve 1054 may be integral to or coupled to the liquid supply hose 1052 and activation and/or manipulation of an activator 1058 of the control valve 1054 may cause the liquid injection system 1050 to dispense liquid, such as onto a carpet or other surface to be cleaned, through the liquid injection ports.
- the control valve 1054 and/or the liquid supply hose 1052 may mount to a top surface of the cleaning head 1000 , such as a conical portion of the neck portion 1004 .
- control valve 1054 and/or the liquid supply hose 1052 may mount to the upper wall 1006 of the head body 1002 .
- the control valve 1054 and/or the liquid supply hose 1052 of the liquid injection system 1050 enter the cleaning head 1000 through a port 1080 in the upper wall of the cleaning head 1000 .
- the port 1080 may be disposed lateral to an opening that couples the vacuum hose 10 to the cleaning head 1000 and/or the internal chamber 1001 .
- the activator 1058 may be a trigger or lever configured to activate (e.g., open) the control valve 1054 when depressed or otherwise manipulated.
- the activator 1058 may couple to or otherwise be a part of the control valve 1054 and may rotate about a pivot point 1074 .
- the activator 1058 may be sized and/or positioned such that a user grasping around the neck portion 1004 and/or the hose 10 at the top of the cleaning head 1000 can easily grasp and/or manipulate the activator 1058 with one or more fingers.
- the distribution lines 1060 may be arranged in a plurality of nested rings of increasing diameter and disposed in corresponding depressions formed by ridges (for example, the ridges 310 of FIG. 3 ) on a bottom surface of the bottom wall 1008 .
- the ring distribution lines 1060 may be fed by a main distribution line 1062 coupled to the liquid supply hose 1052 .
- the control valve 1054 opens allowing liquid to pass from the liquid supply hose 1052 , through the control valve 1054 , into the main distribution line 1062 , to the distribution supply lines 1060 , and out the liquid injection ports onto, for example, a surface to be cleaned. Once dispensed, the liquid can then be extracted by suction through the suction holes 1032 .
- FIGS. 11A , 11 B, and 11 C illustrate a bottom wall 1108 of a cleaning head 1100 , according to another embodiment.
- the bottom wall 1108 may define a plurality of suction holes 1132 , or openings, intermittently spaced around or over the surface of the bottom wall 1108 .
- the suction holes 1132 may pass (or provide a conduit) through the bottom wall 1108 and into an internal chamber of the cleaning head 1100 (for example, the internal chamber 502 of FIG. 5 ). Instead of one large opening as with typical vacuum nozzles, the plurality of small suction holes 1132 is scattered and distributed across the bottom wall 1108 .
- the suction holes 1132 may be formed by drilling, molding (e.g., an injection molding process), or other suitable manufacturing process.
- the suction holes 1132 may be equally spaced in a set pattern as shown or may be spaced in a varying or more randomly spaced distribution.
- the distribution of the suction holes 1132 may allow extraction of liquid over a relatively large area (for example, compared to an individual suction hole 1132 ) while the cleaning head 1100 remains stationary.
- the cleaning head 1100 may remain stationary long enough to be able to extract deep into, for example, carpet and carpet padding or other surface to be cleaned.
- the bottom wall 1108 may further define a series of ridges 1110 and depressions 1112 (or valleys) on a lower, outer surface of the bottom wall 1108 .
- the ridges 1110 and depressions 1112 may be arranged in a grid pattern, as shown in FIGS. 11A-11C .
- the depressions 1112 may be configured to define a pyramid-shaped recession, which extends upward and away from the ridges 1110 when the bottom wall 1108 is disposed against a surface from which liquid is to be retracted.
- the pyramid-shaped depressions 1112 may include four sides 1134 tapering to a point or nadir (a point of a depression 1112 that is furthest upward and away from the tip (or apex) of one or more adjacent ridges 1110 ).
- a junction 1136 between any two sides of the four-sided pyramid shape may be slightly rounded, as shown in FIGS. 11A-11C .
- the depressions 1112 allow formation of a plurality of vacuum chambers against the surface being cleaned.
- the suction holes 1132 may be positioned in the depressions 1112 , and more specifically at the nadir of the depressions 1112 , for example as shown in FIGS. 11A-11C .
- the depressions 1112 may be arranged in a grid, or grid-like pattern, with each depression 1112 defining a recession having a shape other than a pyramid shape, such as a hemispherical (convex) shape, a trapezoidal shape, a pear shape, an obelisk shape, a half ellipsoid shape, and the like.
- the suction holes 1132 may be positioned on the tips of the ridges 1110 . In still other embodiments, the suction holes 1132 may be positioned at an intermediate position with the depressions 1112 , for example between a nadir of the depressions 1112 and an apex of one or more of the adjacent ridges 1110 . In still other embodiments, the suction holes 1132 may be randomly positioned at varying locations on the ridges 1110 and/or within the depressions 1112 .
- the outer surface of the bottom wall 1108 is disposed and configured to be positioned against the surface being cleaned.
- a user may press or otherwise exert force or pressure on an upper and/or exterior surface of the cleaning head 1100 , to thereby press the bottom wall 1108 against the surface being cleaned.
- the shapes of the ridges 1110 and depressions 1112 may enable creation of multiple vacuum chambers.
- the multiple vacuum chambers may function to extract liquid from the surface being cleaned.
- Each vacuum chamber may operate similar to an individual vacuum nozzle.
- the tips of the ridges may form a vacuum seal against, for example, a section of carpet, thereby forcing air and liquid to be pulled into the internal chamber (for example, the internal chamber 502 shown in FIG. 5 ) from the carpet and even from padding beneath the carpet.
- a user may treat a spot to be removed from carpet with a carpet cleaner or other chemical spot remover and allow a dwell time (e.g., a period that the chemical or cleaner is on the carpet) for the chemical to break down and/or dissolve the spot.
- the cleaner may be applied using a liquid injection system (for example, the liquid injection system 950 of FIGS. 9A-9C and the liquid injection system 1050 of FIGS. 10A and 10B ).
- a dwell time of, for example, five to ten minutes may enhance the effectiveness of a cleaning process.
- Water may be used to flush the spot and chemical spot remover from the carpet fibers.
- the water may be applied and the area flushed using a liquid injection system (e.g., the liquid injection system 950 of FIGS. 9A-9C and the liquid injection system 1050 of FIGS. 10A and 10B ).
- a cleaning head may be used to recover the spot, chemical spot remover, and water from the carpet fibers and/or the carpet backing and/or pad.
- a user may connect the cleaning head to a distal end of a hose of a carpet cleaning machine or other wet/dry vacuum and turn on the vacuum.
- the suction head is placed over the spot and/or liquid to be removed from the carpet, with a bottom wall (or suction surface) facing down into the carpet.
- the user may press down firmly on the head body for a suitable time (for example, about one minute) or until no more liquid is being recovered through the sight portion.
- the cleaning head may be effective with only a downward force. Lateral force (for example, to move the cleaning head over a surface of the carpet being cleaned) may not be needed.
- the cleaning head, and suction therethrough may remove the spot and excess liquid from the carpet with relatively little effort by the user.
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- Nozzles For Electric Vacuum Cleaners (AREA)
Abstract
Cleaning heads for extracting liquid from a surface and methods of use are disclosed herein. A cleaning head may include a head body and/or a neck portion that define an internal chamber. A vacuum hose can couple to an opening into the internal chamber. A bottom wall of the head body can be positioned against the surface from which liquid is to be extracted. The bottom wall defines a floor of the internal chamber, a plurality of suction holes into the internal chamber, and a plurality of ridges and a plurality of depressions disposed on an outer surface of the bottom wall. The depressions form vacuum chambers against the surface as suction is applied through the suction holes. An upper wall defines a top of the internal chamber. A sight portion allows visibility of liquid and other material extracted and/or drawn into the vacuum hose.
Description
- The present application claims benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/586,627, filed Jan. 13, 2012, and titled “CLEANING HEAD,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
- The field of the present disclosure relates generally to cleaning machines, and more particularly to a cleaning head or nozzle of a vacuum machine and methods of using the same.
- Traditional vacuum cleaners remove dust and dirt from carpets, but may not effectively remove spots and stains. A steamer or water extractor may be used to deep clean carpets and remove spots and stains. However, steam and/or water extraction cleaning methods tend to leave carpets very wet, which results in extended drying periods. Moreover, over-wetting of carpet can damage the backing of the carpet and may even lead to mildew and/or mold in the carpet and/or pad below the carpet if the moisture is not sufficiently removed.
- The present disclosure is directed to cleaning heads (e.g., suction heads or nozzles) that can be connected to a hose or other suction conduit of a vacuum machine and to cleaning methods.
- Understanding that drawings depict only certain preferred embodiments and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting in nature, non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the disclosure are described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:
-
FIG. 1 is an upper isometric view of a cleaning head, according to one embodiment. -
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the cleaning head ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 3 is a bottom isometric view of a bottom of the head body of the cleaning head ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the cleaning head ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the head body of the cleaning head ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the head body of the cleaning head ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 7A is an upper isometric view of a cleaning head, according to another embodiment. -
FIG. 7B is an exploded view of the cleaning head ofFIG. 7A . -
FIG. 8 illustrates adapters of the cleaning head ofFIG. 7 . -
FIG. 9A is a top isometric view of a cleaning head, according to another embodiment. -
FIG. 9B is a side cross-sectional view of the cleaning head ofFIG. 9A . -
FIG. 9C is a partial sectional view of the cleaning head ofFIG. 9A . -
FIG. 10A is a top isometric view of a cleaning head, according to another embodiment. -
FIG. 10B is a partial sectional view of the cleaning head ofFIG. 10A . -
FIG. 11A is bottom plan view of a cleaning head, according to another embodiment. -
FIGS. 11B and 11C are isometric views of a bottom wall of the cleaning head ofFIG. 11A . - The present disclosure is directed to cleaning heads (e.g., suction heads or nozzles) that can be connected to a hose or other suction conduit of a vacuum machine. One configuration of a cleaning head may be used, for example, to lift spots and/or moisture out of carpet. The disclosed cleaning heads and methods may also be used to extract liquid from a surface. The disclosed cleaning heads and methods may pull more liquid, from deeper in the carpet and/or pad, with less effort than a traditional vacuum machine nozzle. By pulling more liquid from deeper in the carpet and/or pad, the disclosed cleaning heads and methods may extract more odors by extracting more of the source of odors (e.g., pet urine).
- A spot to be removed from carpet may be treated with a chemical spot remover. Water may be used to flush the spot and chemical spot remover from the carpet fibers. The disclosed cleaning head embodiments may be used to recover the spot, chemical spot remover, and water from the carpet fibers and/or the carpet backing and/or pad.
- Although the present disclosure is described primarily in terms of extracting liquid from carpet, the disclosed embodiments are not limited to use on carpet surfaces. The disclosed embodiments of a cleaning head and embodiments of a cleaning method may be capable of use on almost any surface.
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FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of acleaning head 100, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thecleaning head 100 may include ahead body 102 and aneck portion 104. Thehead body 102 may be configured to be positioned in contact with the carpet or other surface being cleaned. Thehead body 102 may be molded, for example, rotationally molded or blow molded from plastic, to have anupper wall 106 and abottom wall 108 defining an internal chamber 502 (seeFIG. 5 ). In another embodiment, thehead body 102 may be injection molded, for example, by molding two pieces of thehead body 102 and gluing, screwing, or otherwise coupling the two pieces together (see e.g.,FIG. 7B ). Theupper wall 106 may be injection molded separate from thebottom wall 108 and then theupper wall 106 andbottom wall 108 may be coupled together. - The
upper wall 106 of thehead body 102 may be shaped and configured to provide a continuous and/or sealed upper surface of the internal chamber to transfer suction from a vacuum hose 10 (or other conduit from a vacuum machine) to the carpet being cleaned. Theupper wall 106 of thehead body 102 may also be shaped and configured to direct dirt, debris, and/or liquid taken up by the suction toward theneck portion 104 and/or thevacuum hose 10. For example, theupper wall 106 may include alower section 111 and an upper conical portion 110 (or flared region) configured to define a conical region of the internal chamber 502 (seeFIG. 5 ) that may function as a funnel to draw extracted liquid, dirt, and or debris into theneck portion 104 and/or into thevacuum hose 10. - Although the
conical portion 110 andlower section 111 of thecleaning head 100 may be continuous surfaces in the illustrated embodiment, in other embodiments theupper wall 106 may comprise a plurality of walls shaped and configured to, with thebottom wall 108, form the internal chamber 502 (seeFIG. 5 ). For example, theupper wall 106 may comprise one or more side walls and a top wall. - The
bottom wall 108 of thehead body 102 may be configured to be positioned against the surface from which the liquid is extracted. In particular, a bottom, outer surface of thebottom wall 108 may be positioned against the surface from which the liquid is being extracted. Thebottom wall 108 may define a plurality of openings or suction holes 302 (seeFIG. 3 ) through thebottom wall 108 and into the internal chamber 502 (seeFIG. 5 ). Thebottom wall 108 is shown in greater detail inFIGS. 3 and 4 , and is described below with reference to the same. -
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of thecleaning head 100 ofFIG. 1 , illustrating components of theneck portion 104 in relation to the upper wall 106 (including theconical portion 110 and the lower section 111) of thehead body 102. Theneck portion 104 may include acuff 120, asight portion 122, and acollar 124. Thecuff 120 is configured to couple thevacuum hose 10 to theneck portion 104. In some embodiments, thecuff 120 may be configured to receive thevacuum hose 10. For example, thevacuum hose 10 may thread into thecuff 120. Thecuff 120 may be formed of a flexible PVC. Thecuff 120 may be coupled to thesight portion 122. Thesight portion 122 may include abarb 202 configured to engage a recess in thecuff 120. In these embodiments and other embodiments, thecuff 120 and thesight portion 122 may be glued together. - The
sight portion 122 may be configured to allow a user to see liquid that is extracted from the carpet as it is pulled toward thevacuum hose 10. Thesight portion 122 may be a transparent tube. In other embodiments, thesight portion 122 may comprise a window or otherwise include a window section. In still other embodiments, thesight portion 122 may comprise a translucent tube or a translucent window. Thesight portion 122 may couple to thecollar 124, which in turn may thread onto thehead body 102. An o-ring 204 may be positioned to aid in sealing the connection between thecollar 124 and thehead body 102 to improve sealing between the components and thereby enhance a transfer of a vacuum to thehead body 102. The o-ring 204 may buffer any miss-matched fit of the threaded components. A silicone bead or silicone tape may be used to further sealing between the coupled components (e.g., thehose 10 to thecuff 120, thecuff 120 to thesight portion 122, thesight portion 122 to thecollar 124, thecollar 124 to the head body 102) and to limit the threads from backing off. - As shown in
FIG. 2 , anopening 212 may be formed in theupper wall 106, adjacent to or near a top of thehead body 102. Theopening 212 may be configured to couple to, for example, theneck portion 104, thehose 10, or another conduit from a vacuum machine. Theopening 212 is in fluid communication with the internal chamber 502 (seeFIG. 5 ). Theupper wall 106 may define or otherwise includethreads 214 adjacent to and/or around theopening 212 to enable coupling of thehead body 102 to theneck portion 104, to thehose 10, or to another conduit from a vacuum machine. -
FIG. 3 is an isometric view of thebottom wall 108 of thehead body 102 of thecleaning head 100.FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of thebottom wall 110 of thecleaning head 100. Referring generally and collectively toFIGS. 3 and 4 , thebottom wall 108 of thehead body 102 may define a plurality of suction holes 302, or openings, intermittently spaced around or over the surface of thebottom wall 108. The suction holes 302 may pass (or provide a conduit) through thebottom wall 108 and into the internal chamber 502 (seeFIG. 5 ). Instead of one large opening, as with typical vacuum nozzles, the plurality of small suction holes 302 is scattered and distributed across thebottom wall 108. The suction holes 302 may be formed by drilling, molding (e.g., an injection molding process), or other suitable manufacturing process. The suction holes 302 may be equally spaced in a set pattern as shown or may be spaced in a varying or more randomly spaced distribution. The distribution of the suction holes 302 may allow extraction of liquid over a relatively large area (for example, compared to an individual suction hole 302) while thecleaning head 100 remains stationary. During use, the cleaninghead 100 may remain stationary long enough to be able to extract deep into, for example, carpet and carpet padding or other surface to be cleaned. In some embodiments, the total area of the suction holes 302 may be roughly equivalent to theopening 212 at the top of thecleaning head 100. - The
bottom wall 108 may further define a series ofridges 310 and depressions 312 (or valleys) on a lower, outer surface of thebottom wall 108. Theridges 310 anddepressions 312 may be arranged in a series of nested rings of increasing diameter, as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4 . The arrangement allows formation of continuous vacuum rings, one inside the other. In other embodiments, theridges 310 anddepressions 312 may be arranged in other patterns and arrangements, such as the pattern shown inFIGS. 11A-11C and discussed below with reference to the same. The suction holes 302 may be positioned in thedepressions 312, as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4 . In other embodiments, the suction holes 302 may be positioned on the tips of theridges 310. In still other embodiments, the suction holes 302 may be positioned at an intermediate position between thedepressions 312 and the tips of theridges 310. In still other embodiments, the suction holes 302 may be randomly positioned at varying locations on theridges 310 and/or within thedepressions 312. - The outer surface of the
bottom wall 108 is disposed and configured to be positioned against the surface being cleaned. A user may press or otherwise exert force or pressure on the upper wall 106 (seeFIGS. 1 and 2 ), such as an upper and/or exterior surface, to thereby press thebottom wall 108 against the surface being cleaned. The shapes of theridges 310 anddepressions 312 may enable creation of multiple vacuum chambers that function to extract liquid from the surface being cleaned. Each vacuum chamber may operate as an individual vacuum nozzle. In other words, the tips of the ridges may form a vacuum seal against, for example, carpet, thereby forcing air and liquid to be pulled into the internal chamber 502 (seeFIG. 5 ) from the carpet and even from the padding. -
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of thehead body 102 of thecleaning head 100. As illustrated, theupper wall 106 defines a top (or ceiling) of aninternal chamber 502 and thebottom wall 108 defines a floor of theinternal chamber 502. Theinternal chamber 502 may be a tall conical shape. The conical shape of theinternal chamber 502 may serve to enhance airflow and aid in extraction of liquid from the surface being cleaned. Thebottom wall 108 also defines the plurality ofridges 310 and depressions 312 (or valleys) on anouter surface 504 of thebottom wall 108. Theridges 310 anddepressions 312 may form corresponding depressions and ridges on aninner surface 506 of thebottom wall 108, in the floor of theinternal chamber 502. - The plurality of suction holes 302 are disposed in the
depressions 312 on the outer surface 50 of thebottom wall 108. The cross-sectional view provided inFIG. 5 illustrates that the suction holes 302 may pass through thebottom wall 108 and into theinternal chamber 502. Therefore, suction from theinternal chamber 502 can draw liquid and/or debris through the suction holes 302 and into theinternal chamber 502 from a surface being cleaned. - In another embodiment, the suction holes 302 may be disposed on the
ridges 310 of theouter surface 504 of thebottom wall 108. In still another embodiment, suction holes 302 may be disposed on both theridges 310 and thedepressions 312 of theouter surface 504 of thebottom wall 108. In another embodiment, theinner surface 506 of thebottom wall 108 may be smooth and/or uniform, such that there are no depressions and ridges on the floor of theinternal chamber 502 that correspond to theridges 310 anddepressions 312 on theouter surface 504 of thebottom wall 108. -
FIG. 6 is a top plan view of thehead body 102 of thecleaning head 100. Thehead body 102 may have a circular portion having an circular shape, or arcuate edge forming a circular shape, and an area that may taper to form apoint area 602 extending from the circumference of the circular portion. More specifically, a lateral area of the lower section 111 (seeFIG. 5 ) of theupper wall 106 and thebottom wall 108 may taper to form apoint area 602. Thepoint area 602 may form or comprise an angle between a pair ofstraight portions 606 that taper together to form a point, such as an angle that is ninety degrees or less. Thepoint area 602 may be configured to enable use of thecleaning head 100 in corners, against walls, and on other similar smaller areas. For example, thestraight portions 606 may be used against walls and thepoint area 602 may be used in corners. - In
FIG. 6 , thebottom wall 108 is visible through theopening 212. An innermost ridge and/ordepression 604 is also visible on the floor of the internal chamber 502 (seeFIG. 5 ). As shown, theopening 212 is in fluid communication with theinternal chamber 502. Extracted material, such as fluid, that is drawn into theinternal chamber 502 is directed to theopening 212 and into a conduit from a vacuum machine. -
FIG. 7A is a upper isometric view of acleaning head 700, according to another embodiment.FIG. 7B is an exploded view of thecleaning head 700 ofFIG. 7A . Referring generally and collectively toFIGS. 7A and 7B , the cleaninghead 700 comprises ahead body 702 and aneck portion 704. Thehead body 702 may comprise anupper wall 706 and abottom wall 708 that define an internal chamber 701 (see, for example, theinternal chamber 502 ofFIG. 5 ). Thehead body 702 may be injection molded, for example, by molding theupper wall 706 and thebottom wall 708 and gluing, screwing, or otherwise coupling theupper wall 706 and thebottom wall 708 together. In other words, injection molding of theupper wall 706 may be separate and distinct from injection molding of thebottom wall 708 and then theupper wall 706 andbottom wall 708 may be coupled together. - The
bottom wall 708 of thehead body 702 may be configured to be positioned against the carpet or other surface from which the liquid is to be extracted. In particular, a bottom, outer surface of thebottom wall 708 may be positioned against the surface from which the liquid is being extracted. Thebottom wall 708 may define a plurality of suction holes 732 or openings, as shown inFIG. 7B . The suction holes 732 pass through thebottom wall 708 to theinternal chamber 701. Thebottom wall 708 may be similar to thebottom wall 108 shown inFIGS. 3 and 4 , and described above with reference to the same. In another embodiment, thebottom wall 708 may be similar to thebottom wall 1108 shown inFIGS. 11A-11C , and described below with reference to the same. - The
upper wall 706 of thehead body 702 may be shaped and configured to form a portion of an upper surface of theinternal chamber 701. More specifically, theupper wall 706 may define a lower portion of the upper surface of theinternal chamber 701. (Theneck portion 704 may define an upper portion of the upper surface of theinternal chamber 701, as discussed more fully below). Theupper wall 706 of thehead body 702 and theneck portion 704 may be configured to transfer suction from avacuum hose 10, or other conduit from a vacuum machine, to the carpet or other surface being cleaned. Theupper wall 706 of thehead body 702 may also direct dirt, debris, and/or liquid taken up by the suction. More specifically, theupper wall 706 may direct dirt, debris, and/or liquid toward theneck portion 704 and/or thevacuum hose 10. Theupper wall 706 may include anopening 703 configured to provide fluid communication to theneck portion 704. As shown inFIG. 7B , the upper wall may includethreads 734, or another coupling mechanism, configured to couple thehead body 702 to theneck portion 704. Thethreads 734 may be adjacent to and/or around theopening 703 to enable coupling of thehead body 702 to theneck portion 704. - The
neck portion 704 may include acollar 720 and asight portion 722. Thecollar 720 may be positioned at or near a top end of theneck portion 704 and may define anopening 712 configured to couple thevacuum hose 10 to theneck portion 704 of thecleaning head 700. Theopening 712 is in fluid communication with theinternal chamber 701. In some embodiments, theopening 712 of thecollar 720 may be configured to receive thevacuum hose 10. For example, acuff 12 of thevacuum hose 10 may be inserted into and form a friction fit within thecollar 720. Thecollar 720 may be integrally formed with, or otherwise coupled to, thesight portion 722. For example, thecollar 720 and thesight portion 722 may be glued together. - The
sight portion 722 may be configured to allow a user to see dirt, debris, and/or liquid that is extracted from the surface being cleaned (e.g., carpet) as the dirt, debris, and/or liquid is pulled toward theopening 712 and/or thevacuum hose 10. Thesight portion 722 may form a conical portion that defines a conical region of theinternal chamber 701 that may function as a funnel to draw extracted liquid, dirt, and or debris into thecollar 720, through theopening 712, and into thevacuum hose 10. - The
sight portion 722 may comprise and/or be formed of a transparent material to allow visibility into theinternal chamber 701. In other embodiments, thesight portion 722 may comprise a window or otherwise include a window section. In still other embodiments, thesight portion 722 may be formed of a translucent material or comprise a translucent window. - The
sight portion 722 may include corresponding threads, or other coupling mechanism, which in turn may thread onto thethreads 734 of thehead body 702, or otherwise couple to thehead body 702. An o-ring, a silicone bead, and/or silicone tape may be used to provide a seal between the coupled components (e.g., thehose 10 to thecollar 720, thecollar 720 to thesight portion 722, thesight portion 722 to the head body 702) and to limit thethreads 734 and corresponding threads from backing off. -
FIG. 8 illustrates afirst adapter 802 and asecond adapter 804 for use with the cleaninghead 700 ofFIGS. 7A and 7B . The various embodiments of a cleaning head disclosed herein, including thecleaning head 700 ofFIGS. 7A and 7B , may be used with a plurality of cleaning machines, including both household and commercial grade carpet cleaning machines and both household and commercial grade wet/dry vacuum machines, having a hose, such as thehoses FIG. 8 . The hose may be one of a variety of sizes. Generally a hose size is referenced based on a measurement of an inner diameter (“ID”), or approximate ID, of the hose. - Either a female cuff (such as
cuff 12 a shown inFIG. 8 ) or a male cuff (such ascuff 12 b shown inFIG. 8 ) may be coupled to an end of the hose. Generally amale cuff 12 b of a hose may have an ID that is the same or approximately the same as the ID of the hose. Afemale cuff 12 a may have an ID that is the same or approximately the same as the OD of a corresponding male cuff of the same hose size. - By way of example, carpet cleaning machines (e.g., hot water and/or steam extraction machines) generally include a vacuum hose (e.g., an accessory hose) having one of three standard sizes, namely a 1 inch hose, a 1 and ¼ inch hose, and a 1 and ½ inch hose for, home, rental, or commercial applications. (The measurements may indicate an ID, or an approximate ID, of the hose.) A female cuff (such as
cuff 12 a shown inFIG. 8 ) or a male cuff (such ascuff 12 b shown inFIG. 8 ) may be coupled to an end of a carpet cleaningmachine hose 10. - As another example, wet/dry vacuum machines generally include a vacuum hose having one of three standard sizes, namely a 1 and ¼ inch hose, a 1 and ⅞ inch hose, and a 2 and ½ inch hose. (The measurement may indicate an ID, or an approximate ID, of the hose). A male cuff (such as
cuff 12 b shown inFIG. 8 ) generally is coupled to an end of a wet/dry vacuum hose 10. - The diameter of the
opening 712 of the cleaning head 700 (e.g., an ID of the opening 712) may be configured to receive a 1 and ¼ inch hose with a female cuff or a 1 and ½ inch hose with a male cuff, such as a hose of a home, rental, or commercial carpet cleaning machine. The diameter of theopening 712 of thecollar 720 may also be configured to be received into a male cuff and vacuum hose having a 1 and ⅞ inch hose, such as a hose of a wet/dry vacuum. Accordingly, an adapter may be unnecessary to couple the vacuum hose 10 (SeeFIGS. 7A and 7B ) to thecleaning head 700. However, an adapter, such as thefirst adapter 802 or thesecond adapter 804, may be useful to couple the cleaning head to a 1 inch hose, 1 and ¼ inch hose, or a 2 and ½ inch hose. - The
first adapter 802 may be configured to couple thecleaning head 700 to avacuum hose 10 a having ahose cuff 12 a that is smaller than theopening 712 of thecollar 720 of thecleaning head 700. For example, thefirst adapter 802 may be configured to couple thecleaning head 700 to a 1 inch extractor hose or a 1 and ¼ inch wet/dry vacuum hose. Thefirst adapter 802 may have afirst end 812, asecond end 814, and alumen 816 defined through theadapter 802. Thefirst end 812 of thefirst adapter 802 may have an outer diameter sized and configured to be received into theopening 712 of thecleaning head 700. More specifically, the outer diameter of thefirst end 812 may be similar to an inner diameter of theopening 712 of thecleaning head 700, such that theopening 712 can receive thefirst end 812 of thefirst adapter 802 and may provide a friction fit or similar air tight, or substantially air tight, coupling between the cleaninghead 700 and thefirst adapter 802. - The
lumen 816 at thesecond end 814 of thefirst adapter 802 may have an inner diameter sized and configured to receive an outer diameter of acuff 12 a of thevacuum hose 10 a. The inner diameter of thesecond end 814 may be smaller than the outer diameter of thefirst end 812, such that a vacuum hose having a diameter smaller than the diameter of theopening 712 of thecleaning head 700 can be coupled to thecleaning head 700. Thefirst adapter 802 illustrated inFIG. 8 may includeribs 818 extending longitudinally and disposed around an outer diameter at thefirst end 812 of thefirst adapter 802. Thefirst adapter 802 may also include aflange 820 configured to engage thecollar 720, or a rim of theopening 712 of thecollar 720, to inhibit or restrict theadapter 802 from passing through theopening 712 into the internal chamber 701 (seeFIG. 7A ). - The
second adapter 804 may be configured to couple thecleaning head 700 to avacuum hose 10 b having ahose cuff 12 b that is larger than theopening 712 of thecollar 720 of thecleaning head 700. For example, thesecond adapter 804 may be configured to couple thecleaning head 700 to a 2 and ½ inch hose, such as a vacuum hose of a wet/dry vacuum. Thesecond adapter 804 may have afirst end 822, asecond end 824, and alumen 826 defined through thesecond adapter 804. Thefirst end 822 of thesecond adapter 804 may have an outer diameter sized and configured to be received into theopening 712 of thecleaning head 700. More specifically, the outer diameter of thefirst end 822 may be similar in size to the size of an inner diameter of theopening 712 of thecleaning head 700, such that theopening 712 can receive thefirst end 822 of thesecond adapter 804 and may provide a friction fit or similar air tight, or substantially air tight, coupling between the cleaninghead 700 and theadapter 804. - The
lumen 826 at thesecond end 824 of thesecond adapter 804 may have an inner diameter sized and configured to receive an outer diameter of acuff 12 b of thevacuum hose 10 b. InFIG. 8 , the inner diameter of thesecond end 824 may be smaller than the outer diameter of thefirst end 822, such that a vacuum hose having a diameter larger than the diameter of theopening 712 of thecleaning head 700 can be coupled to thecleaning head 700. Thesecond end 824 of thesecond adapter 804 illustrated inFIG. 8 may define ashelf 828 that may engage or abut with thecollar 720, or a rim of theopening 712 of thecollar 720. - Other embodiments may include adapters configured to couple the cleaning head to other sizes of vacuum hoses, including standard and non-standard sized vacuum hoses.
-
FIG. 9A is a top isometric view of acleaning head 900, according to another embodiment. The cleaninghead 900 may comprise ahead body 902, aneck portion 904, and aliquid injection system 950.FIG. 9B is a side cross-sectional view andFIG. 9C is a partial sectional view of thecleaning head 900 ofFIG. 9A illustrating various components of aliquid injection system 950, according to one embodiment, relative to other components of thecleaning head 900. Theneck portion 904 and anupper wall 906 of thehead body 902 are not shown (or are cut-away) inFIG. 9C , to illustrate theliquid injection system 950. - Referring generally and collectively to
FIGS. 9A , 9B and 9C, thehead body 902 may comprise anupper wall 906 and abottom wall 908 that define aninternal chamber 901, similar to thehead body 102 ofFIG. 1 and thehead body 702 ofFIGS. 7A and 7B . Thebottom wall 908 may define a plurality of suction holes 932 that open into theinternal chamber 901. Theupper wall 906 may form at least a portion of an upper surface of theinternal chamber 901 and may be configured to direct dirt, debris, and/or liquid taken up by suction through theinternal chamber 901 toward thevacuum hose 10. Theneck portion 904 may couple to theupper wall 906 of thehead body 902. Theneck portion 904 may also couple thecleaning head 900 to avacuum hose 10. - A
sight portion 922 may allow a user to see dirt, debris, and/or liquid that is extracted from a surface, such as carpet, as the dirt, debris, and/or liquid is pulled toward thevacuum hose 10. Thesight portion 922 may comprise and/or be formed of a transparent and/or translucent material to allow visibility into theinternal chamber 901 of thecleaning head 900. As shown inFIGS. 9A and 9B , thesight portion 922 may form a conical portion of an upper surface of theinternal chamber 901. The conical portion may define a conical region of theinternal chamber 901 that may function as a funnel to draw extracted dirt, debris, and/or liquid toward thevacuum hose 10. - The
liquid injection system 950 may be configured to enable a user of thecleaning head 900 to dispense liquid onto the surface that is to be cleaned (and also the surface from which the liquid may be extracted by the cleaning head 900). Theliquid injection system 950 may include aliquid supply hose 952, acontrol valve 954, a plurality ofliquid injection ports 956, and anactivator 958. A plurality ofdistribution lines 960, which may include amain distribution line 962, may convey liquid between thecontrol valve 954 and the plurality ofliquid injection ports 956. Several components of theliquid injection system 950, including theliquid supply hose 952, thecontrol valve 954, and thedistribution lines cleaning head 900. These components may be disposed, or at least partially disposed, within theinternal chamber 901. - The
liquid supply hose 952 may be configured to convey liquid from a liquid source to thecleaning head 900. The liquid source may be remote from the cleaninghead 900, such as at a vacuum machine. Theliquid supply hose 952 of the illustrated embodiment ofFIGS. 9A-9C is disposed through a lumen of theneck portion 904, from within a lumen of thevacuum hose 10 and through a lumen of thecuff 12 of thevacuum hose 10. As can be appreciated, in another embodiment, the liquid source may be a small tank within the cleaninghead 900. In still another embodiment, the liquid source may be a tank separate from the vacuum machine and the cleaning head. - The
control valve 954 may control passage of liquid from or through theliquid supply hose 952. In other words, thecontrol valve 954 may control dispensing of liquid. Thecontrol valve 954 may be coupled to theliquid supply hose 952 and activation and/or manipulation of anactivator 958 of thecontrol valve 954 may cause theliquid injection system 950 to dispense liquid, such as onto a carpet or other surface to be cleaned, through theliquid injection ports 956. Theactivator 958 may be a flexible switch (e.g. a rubber button) configured to activate (e.g., open) thecontrol valve 954 when depressed. In another embodiment, theactivator 958 may be a trigger. - The
liquid injection ports 956 may be ports or openings disposed in thebottom wall 908 of thecleaning head 900. Theliquid injection ports 956 may be in fluid communication with the liquid supply source, such as via theliquid supply hose 952 and/or thedistribution lines FIG. 9C , thedistribution lines 960 may be arranged in a plurality of nested rings of increasing diameter and disposed in corresponding depressions 972 formed by ridges 970 on a bottom surface of thebottom wall 908. Thering distribution lines 960 may be fed by amain distribution line 962 coupled to theliquid supply hose 952. In response to activation and/or manipulation of theactivator 958, liquid may pass from theliquid supply hose 952, through thecontrol valve 954, into themain distribution line 962, out to thedistribution supply lines 960, and out theliquid injection ports 956. - The
liquid injection ports 956 and/or thedistribution lines liquid supply hose 952 to the outer surface of thebottom wall 908 of thehead body 902 to dispense liquid, such as cleaner, cleaning solution, water, or the like. The liquid can be dispensed from theliquid injection ports 956 and/or thedistribution lines - The
bottom wall 908 of the embodiment of acleaning head 900 illustrated inFIGS. 9A , 9B, and 9C includes a plurality of ridges and depressions arranged as nested rings, similar tobottom wall 108 ofFIG. 3 . As can be appreciated, other arrangements and configurations are possible and contemplated by the present disclosure, including the arrangement of ridges and depressions shown inFIGS. 11A-11C and described below with reference to the same. Correspondingly, other arrangements ofdistribution lines 960 are possible, including any suitable arrangement to deliver fluid from thecontrol valve 954 and/or theliquid supply hose 952 to theliquid injection ports 956. -
FIG. 10A is a top isometric view of acleaning head 1000, according to another embodiment.FIG. 10B is a partial sectional view of thecleaning head 1000 ofFIG. 10A . Thecleaning head 1000 includes aliquid injection system 1050 with aliquid supply hose 1052 and acontrol valve 1054 that are external to theinternal chamber 1001 of thecleaning head 1000. Theliquid supply hose 1052 is also external to thevacuum hose 10. Aneck portion 1004 and anupper wall 1006 of thehead body 1002 are not shown inFIG. 10B (i.e., are cut-away), to illustratedistribution lines liquid injection system 1050. - Referring generally and collectively to
FIGS. 10A and 10B , thehead body 1002 may comprise anupper wall 1006 and abottom wall 1008 that define aninternal chamber 1001, similar to thehead body 102 ofFIG. 1 and thehead body 702 ofFIGS. 7A and 7B . Thebottom wall 1008 may define a plurality ofsuction holes 1032 that open into theinternal chamber 1001. Thebottom wall 1008 may also define a plurality of liquid injection ports (see e.g., theliquid injection ports 956 ofFIG. 9B ). Theupper wall 1006 may form at least a portion of an upper surface of theinternal chamber 1001 and may be configured to direct dirt, debris, and/or liquid taken up by suction through theinternal chamber 1001 toward thevacuum hose 10. Theneck portion 1004 may couple to theupper wall 1006 of thehead body 1002. Theneck portion 1004 may also couple thecleaning head 1000 to avacuum hose 10. Asight portion 1022 may allow a user to see dirt, debris, and/or liquid that is extracted from a surface, such as carpet, as the dirt, debris, and/or liquid is pulled toward thevacuum hose 10. Thesight portion 1022 may comprise and/or be formed of a transparent and/or translucent material to allow visibility into theinternal chamber 1001 of thecleaning head 1000. - The
liquid injection system 1050 may be configured to enable a user of thecleaning head 1000 to dispense liquid onto the surface that is to be cleaned (or the surface from which the liquid may be extracted by the cleaning head 1000). Theliquid injection system 1050 may include theliquid supply hose 1052, thecontrol valve 1054, a plurality of liquid injection ports (not shown, but see, for example, theliquid injection ports 956 ofFIG. 9B ), thedistribution lines activator 1058. - The
liquid supply hose 1052 may be configured to convey liquid from a liquid source to thecleaning head 1000, and specifically to thecontrol valve 1054, thedistribution lines liquid supply hose 1052 of the illustrated embodiment ofFIGS. 10A and 10B is disposed external to thevacuum hose 10 and directs liquid through an opening, such as aport 1080, in thecleaning head 1002 at a location that is remote or distant from an opening and/or lumen of theneck portion 1004 where thevacuum hose 10 couples. - The
control valve 1054 is operative to control passage of liquid from theliquid supply hose 1052. In other words, thecontrol valve 1054 may control dispensing of liquid by theliquid injection system 1050. Thecontrol valve 1054 may be integral to or coupled to theliquid supply hose 1052 and activation and/or manipulation of anactivator 1058 of thecontrol valve 1054 may cause theliquid injection system 1050 to dispense liquid, such as onto a carpet or other surface to be cleaned, through the liquid injection ports. Thecontrol valve 1054 and/or theliquid supply hose 1052 may mount to a top surface of thecleaning head 1000, such as a conical portion of theneck portion 1004. In another embodiment, thecontrol valve 1054 and/or theliquid supply hose 1052 may mount to theupper wall 1006 of thehead body 1002. Thecontrol valve 1054 and/or theliquid supply hose 1052 of theliquid injection system 1050 enter thecleaning head 1000 through aport 1080 in the upper wall of thecleaning head 1000. Theport 1080 may be disposed lateral to an opening that couples thevacuum hose 10 to thecleaning head 1000 and/or theinternal chamber 1001. - The
activator 1058 may be a trigger or lever configured to activate (e.g., open) thecontrol valve 1054 when depressed or otherwise manipulated. Theactivator 1058 may couple to or otherwise be a part of thecontrol valve 1054 and may rotate about apivot point 1074. Theactivator 1058 may be sized and/or positioned such that a user grasping around theneck portion 1004 and/or thehose 10 at the top of thecleaning head 1000 can easily grasp and/or manipulate theactivator 1058 with one or more fingers. - As shown in
FIG. 10B , thedistribution lines 1060 may be arranged in a plurality of nested rings of increasing diameter and disposed in corresponding depressions formed by ridges (for example, theridges 310 ofFIG. 3 ) on a bottom surface of thebottom wall 1008. Thering distribution lines 1060 may be fed by amain distribution line 1062 coupled to theliquid supply hose 1052. In response to activation and/or manipulation of theactivator 1058, thecontrol valve 1054 opens allowing liquid to pass from theliquid supply hose 1052, through thecontrol valve 1054, into themain distribution line 1062, to thedistribution supply lines 1060, and out the liquid injection ports onto, for example, a surface to be cleaned. Once dispensed, the liquid can then be extracted by suction through the suction holes 1032. -
FIGS. 11A , 11B, and 11C illustrate abottom wall 1108 of acleaning head 1100, according to another embodiment. Referring generally and collectively toFIGS. 11A-11C , thebottom wall 1108 may define a plurality ofsuction holes 1132, or openings, intermittently spaced around or over the surface of thebottom wall 1108. The suction holes 1132 may pass (or provide a conduit) through thebottom wall 1108 and into an internal chamber of the cleaning head 1100 (for example, theinternal chamber 502 ofFIG. 5 ). Instead of one large opening as with typical vacuum nozzles, the plurality ofsmall suction holes 1132 is scattered and distributed across thebottom wall 1108. The suction holes 1132 may be formed by drilling, molding (e.g., an injection molding process), or other suitable manufacturing process. The suction holes 1132 may be equally spaced in a set pattern as shown or may be spaced in a varying or more randomly spaced distribution. The distribution of the suction holes 1132 may allow extraction of liquid over a relatively large area (for example, compared to an individual suction hole 1132) while thecleaning head 1100 remains stationary. During use, thecleaning head 1100 may remain stationary long enough to be able to extract deep into, for example, carpet and carpet padding or other surface to be cleaned. - The
bottom wall 1108 may further define a series ofridges 1110 and depressions 1112 (or valleys) on a lower, outer surface of thebottom wall 1108. Theridges 1110 anddepressions 1112 may be arranged in a grid pattern, as shown inFIGS. 11A-11C . Thedepressions 1112 may be configured to define a pyramid-shaped recession, which extends upward and away from theridges 1110 when thebottom wall 1108 is disposed against a surface from which liquid is to be retracted. The pyramid-shapeddepressions 1112 may include foursides 1134 tapering to a point or nadir (a point of adepression 1112 that is furthest upward and away from the tip (or apex) of one or more adjacent ridges 1110). Ajunction 1136 between any two sides of the four-sided pyramid shape may be slightly rounded, as shown inFIGS. 11A-11C . Thedepressions 1112 allow formation of a plurality of vacuum chambers against the surface being cleaned. The suction holes 1132 may be positioned in thedepressions 1112, and more specifically at the nadir of thedepressions 1112, for example as shown inFIGS. 11A-11C . - In other embodiments, the
depressions 1112 may be arranged in a grid, or grid-like pattern, with eachdepression 1112 defining a recession having a shape other than a pyramid shape, such as a hemispherical (convex) shape, a trapezoidal shape, a pear shape, an obelisk shape, a half ellipsoid shape, and the like. - In other embodiments, the suction holes 1132 may be positioned on the tips of the
ridges 1110. In still other embodiments, the suction holes 1132 may be positioned at an intermediate position with thedepressions 1112, for example between a nadir of thedepressions 1112 and an apex of one or more of theadjacent ridges 1110. In still other embodiments, the suction holes 1132 may be randomly positioned at varying locations on theridges 1110 and/or within thedepressions 1112. - The outer surface of the
bottom wall 1108 is disposed and configured to be positioned against the surface being cleaned. A user may press or otherwise exert force or pressure on an upper and/or exterior surface of thecleaning head 1100, to thereby press thebottom wall 1108 against the surface being cleaned. The shapes of theridges 1110 anddepressions 1112 may enable creation of multiple vacuum chambers. The multiple vacuum chambers may function to extract liquid from the surface being cleaned. Each vacuum chamber may operate similar to an individual vacuum nozzle. In other words, the tips of the ridges may form a vacuum seal against, for example, a section of carpet, thereby forcing air and liquid to be pulled into the internal chamber (for example, theinternal chamber 502 shown inFIG. 5 ) from the carpet and even from padding beneath the carpet. - When using a cleaning head of the present disclosure, a user may treat a spot to be removed from carpet with a carpet cleaner or other chemical spot remover and allow a dwell time (e.g., a period that the chemical or cleaner is on the carpet) for the chemical to break down and/or dissolve the spot. The cleaner may be applied using a liquid injection system (for example, the
liquid injection system 950 ofFIGS. 9A-9C and theliquid injection system 1050 ofFIGS. 10A and 10B ). A dwell time of, for example, five to ten minutes may enhance the effectiveness of a cleaning process. - Water may be used to flush the spot and chemical spot remover from the carpet fibers. The water may be applied and the area flushed using a liquid injection system (e.g., the
liquid injection system 950 ofFIGS. 9A-9C and theliquid injection system 1050 ofFIGS. 10A and 10B ). A cleaning head, according to the present disclosure, may be used to recover the spot, chemical spot remover, and water from the carpet fibers and/or the carpet backing and/or pad. - A user may connect the cleaning head to a distal end of a hose of a carpet cleaning machine or other wet/dry vacuum and turn on the vacuum. The suction head is placed over the spot and/or liquid to be removed from the carpet, with a bottom wall (or suction surface) facing down into the carpet. The user may press down firmly on the head body for a suitable time (for example, about one minute) or until no more liquid is being recovered through the sight portion. The cleaning head may be effective with only a downward force. Lateral force (for example, to move the cleaning head over a surface of the carpet being cleaned) may not be needed. The cleaning head, and suction therethrough, may remove the spot and excess liquid from the carpet with relatively little effort by the user.
- Various modifications, changes, and variations apparent to those of skill in the art may be made in the arrangement, operation, and details of the methods and systems of the disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Thus, it is to be understood that the embodiments described above have been presented by way of example, and not limitation.
- Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range is encompassed within the embodiments of the present invention. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges which may independently be included in the smaller ranges is also encompassed within the embodiments of the invention, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated range includes one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either or both of those included limits are also included in the embodiments of the invention.
- Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments of the invention belong. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the embodiments of the present invention, the preferred methods and materials are now described. All patents and publications mentioned herein, including those cited in the Background of the application, are hereby incorporated by reference to disclose and describe the methods and/or materials in connection with which the publications are cited.
- The publications discussed herein are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the embodiments of the present invention are not entitled to antedate such publication by virtue of prior invention. Further, the dates of publication provided may be different from the actual publication dates which may need to be independently confirmed.
- Other embodiments of the invention are possible. Although the description above contains much specificity, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. It is also contemplated that various combinations or sub-combinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the invention. It should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosed embodiments of the present invention. Thus, it is intended that the scope of at least some of the present invention herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above. The scope of the present invention should, therefore, be determined only by the following claims.
Claims (23)
1. A cleaning head for extracting liquid from a surface, the cleaning head comprising:
an internal chamber;
an opening configured to couple to a conduit to a vacuum machine, the opening in fluid communication with the internal chamber;
a bottom wall configured to be positioned against a surface from which a liquid is to be extracted, the bottom wall defining a floor of the internal chamber and defining a plurality of holes through the bottom wall into the internal chamber, the bottom wall further defining a plurality of ridges and a plurality of depressions disposed on an outer surface of the bottom wall; and
an upper wall that is continuous from the bottom wall to the opening and defining a top of the internal chamber.
2. A cleaning head of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of ridges and plurality of depressions are arranged as rings of progressively increasing diameter.
3. A cleaning head of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of ridges and plurality of depressions are arranged as a grid pattern.
4. A cleaning head of claim 3 , wherein a depression of the plurality of depressions defines a four-sided pyramid-shaped recession away from one or more adjacent ridges of the plurality of ridges.
5. A cleaning head of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of openings through the bottom wall are disposed in the plurality of depressions.
6. A cleaning head of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of openings through the bottom wall are disposed at apices of the plurality of ridges.
7. A cleaning head of claim 1 , wherein the upper wall includes threads adjacent to and around the opening to enable coupling of the cleaning head to the conduit to the vacuum machine.
8. A cleaning head of claim 1 , further comprising a neck portion configured to couple the opening to the conduit to the vacuum machine.
9. A cleaning head of claim 8 , wherein the neck portion comprises a sight portion configured to allow a user visibility into a lumen of the neck portion to view the liquid being extracted from the surface and taken into the conduit to the vacuum machine.
10. A cleaning head of claim 1 , wherein the upper wall comprises a sight portion configured to allow a user visibility into the internal chamber of the cleaning head to view the liquid being extracted from the surface and directed toward the conduit to the vacuum machine.
11. A cleaning head of claim 10 , wherein the sight portion comprises a upper conical portion of the upper wall and defines a conical region of the inner chamber, the conical region of the inner chamber configured to direct extracted material toward the conduit to the vacuum machine.
12. A cleaning head of claim 10 , wherein the sight portion comprises threads configured to couple to threads of the lower portion of the upper wall of cleaning head body.
13. A cleaning head of claim 1 , wherein the bottom wall and a lower portion of the upper wall comprise a circular portion that has a circumference within a plane configured to be positioned during use parallel to the surface from which the liquid is extracted.
14. A cleaning head of claim 1 , further comprising a liquid injection system configured to dispense liquid from one or more ports of the cleaning head onto the surface from which the liquid is extracted.
15. A cleaning head of claim 14 , the liquid injection system comprising:
a liquid supply hose to convey liquid from a liquid source to the cleaning head;
a control valve coupled to the liquid supply hose and configured to control passage of liquid from the liquid supply hose;
liquid injection ports in fluid communication with the liquid supply hose and configured to convey liquid from the liquid supply hose to the outer surface of the bottom wall of the head body to dispense onto the surface from which the liquid is extracted; and
an activator to activate the control valve and activate the liquid injection system.
16. A cleaning head of claim 15 , wherein the liquid injection ports are disposed on the plurality of ridges on the outer surface of the bottom wall.
17. A cleaning head of claim 15 , further comprising a plurality of distribution lines coupled to the liquid supply hose and disposed within depressions on an inner surface of the bottom wall at the floor of the internal chamber, the distribution lines comprising tubular members configured to convey liquid from the liquid supply hose to the liquid injection ports.
18. A cleaning head of claim 14 , wherein the liquid supply hose of the liquid injection system enters the cleaning head from the conduit to the vacuum machine and through the opening into the internal chamber.
19. A cleaning head of claim 14 , wherein the liquid supply hose of the liquid injection system enters the cleaning head through a port in the upper wall of the cleaning head, the port disposed lateral to the opening into the internal chamber.
20. A method of extracting liquid from a surface, comprising:
obtaining a cleaning head configured to extract liquid from a surface, the cleaning head having an internal chamber and comprising:
an opening in fluid communication with the internal chamber and configured to couple a conduit to a vacuum machine to the internal chamber and transfer suction from the vacuum machine to the internal chamber;
a bottom wall defining a floor of the internal chamber and a plurality of openings through the bottom wall and into the internal chamber, the bottom wall further defining a plurality of ridges and depressions on the bottom wall; and
an upper wall that is continuous from the bottom wall to the opening and defining a top of the internal chamber;
coupling a cleaning head to a conduit to a vacuum machine;
positioning the bottom wall against the surface from which the liquid is to be extracted; and
applying suction from the plurality of openings through the bottom wall to the surface to extract liquid from the surface.
21. The method of claim 20 , wherein the cleaning head further comprises a sight portion configured to allow visibility into the internal chamber of the cleaning head to view the liquid being extracted from the surface as the liquid is directed toward the conduit to the vacuum machine, wherein the method further comprises:
viewing the liquid through the sight portion as the liquid is extracted from the surface to confirm the suction is being applied to the surface.
22. The method of claim 21 , further comprising:
applying suction from the plurality of openings to the surface until only a nominal quantity of liquid is being extracted from the surface.
23. The method of claim 21 , further comprising:
coupling an adapter to the opening, the adapter configured to couple the conduit to the vacuum machine having a different diameter than a diameter of the opening.
Priority Applications (4)
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US13/727,972 US20130180550A1 (en) | 2012-01-12 | 2012-12-27 | Cleaning heads and methods of use |
PCT/US2013/021172 WO2013106668A1 (en) | 2012-01-13 | 2013-01-11 | Cleaning heads and methods of use |
EP13735842.0A EP2802250A4 (en) | 2012-01-13 | 2013-01-11 | Cleaning heads and methods of use |
CA2860772A CA2860772A1 (en) | 2012-01-13 | 2013-01-11 | Cleaning heads and methods of use |
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US29/410,867 USD689251S1 (en) | 2012-01-12 | 2012-01-12 | Cleaning head |
US201261586627P | 2012-01-13 | 2012-01-13 | |
US13/727,972 US20130180550A1 (en) | 2012-01-12 | 2012-12-27 | Cleaning heads and methods of use |
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US29/410,867 Continuation-In-Part USD689251S1 (en) | 2012-01-12 | 2012-01-12 | Cleaning head |
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CN108937753A (en) * | 2017-05-17 | 2018-12-07 | 哈高有限责任公司 | Suction for clean ground machine is taken off |
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CN103610426A (en) * | 2013-11-27 | 2014-03-05 | 苏州凯丽达电器有限公司 | Dust collector floor brush |
CN103610429A (en) * | 2013-11-27 | 2014-03-05 | 苏州凯丽达电器有限公司 | Novel dust collector floor brush |
CN103610428A (en) * | 2013-11-27 | 2014-03-05 | 苏州凯丽达电器有限公司 | Rolling floor brush |
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US6266892B1 (en) * | 1999-07-19 | 2001-07-31 | Concept Cleaning Systems, Inc. | Device for enhancing removal of liquid from fabric |
US6766556B2 (en) * | 2001-03-13 | 2004-07-27 | Franc Gergek | Apparatus for cleaning surfaces with automatic water supply and drain |
US6832409B2 (en) * | 2001-09-18 | 2004-12-21 | The Hoover Company | Wet/dry floor cleaning unit and method of cleaning |
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2012
- 2012-12-27 US US13/727,972 patent/US20130180550A1/en not_active Abandoned
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2013
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- 2013-01-11 EP EP13735842.0A patent/EP2802250A4/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2013-01-11 WO PCT/US2013/021172 patent/WO2013106668A1/en active Application Filing
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Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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CN108937753A (en) * | 2017-05-17 | 2018-12-07 | 哈高有限责任公司 | Suction for clean ground machine is taken off |
EP3415068A1 (en) * | 2017-05-17 | 2018-12-19 | Hako GmbH | Suction foot for a floor cleaning machine |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CA2860772A1 (en) | 2013-07-18 |
WO2013106668A1 (en) | 2013-07-18 |
EP2802250A4 (en) | 2015-07-08 |
EP2802250A1 (en) | 2014-11-19 |
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Owner name: KENT RESEARCH CORPORATION, ARKANSAS Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:KENT, WILLIE DEE;KENT, STEVEN RODGER;REEL/FRAME:029632/0298 Effective date: 20130111 |
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