US20110005025A1 - Cleaning system - Google Patents
Cleaning system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20110005025A1 US20110005025A1 US12/501,038 US50103809A US2011005025A1 US 20110005025 A1 US20110005025 A1 US 20110005025A1 US 50103809 A US50103809 A US 50103809A US 2011005025 A1 US2011005025 A1 US 2011005025A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- base member
- cleaning
- fluid
- cleaning apparatus
- nozzle
- 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
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- 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
- A47L13/00—Implements for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
- A47L13/10—Scrubbing; Scouring; Cleaning; Polishing
- A47L13/12—Implements with several different treating devices
-
- 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
- A47L11/02—Floor surfacing or polishing machines
- A47L11/20—Floor surfacing or polishing machines combined with vacuum cleaning devices
- A47L11/201—Floor surfacing or polishing machines combined with vacuum cleaning devices with supply of cleaning agents
-
- 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
-
- 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
-
- 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
- A47L11/4075—Handles; levers
-
- 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
- A47L11/4088—Supply pumps; Spraying devices; Supply conduits
-
- 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
- A47L13/00—Implements for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
- A47L13/10—Scrubbing; Scouring; Cleaning; Polishing
- A47L13/11—Squeegees
-
- 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
- A47L13/00—Implements for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
- A47L13/10—Scrubbing; Scouring; Cleaning; Polishing
- A47L13/20—Mops
- A47L13/24—Frames for mops; Mop heads
- A47L13/254—Plate frames
- A47L13/257—Plate frames for mops made of sponge material
-
- 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
- A47L13/00—Implements for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
- A47L13/10—Scrubbing; Scouring; Cleaning; Polishing
- A47L13/26—Other cleaning devices with liquid supply arrangements
-
- 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
- A47L7/00—Suction cleaners adapted for additional purposes; Tables with suction openings for cleaning purposes; Containers for cleaning articles by suction; Suction cleaners adapted to cleaning of brushes; Suction cleaners adapted to taking-up liquids
- A47L7/0004—Suction cleaners adapted to take up liquids, e.g. wet or dry vacuum cleaners
- A47L7/0009—Suction cleaners adapted to take up liquids, e.g. wet or dry vacuum cleaners with means mounted on the nozzle; nozzles specially adapted for the recovery of liquid
-
- 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
- A47L7/00—Suction cleaners adapted for additional purposes; Tables with suction openings for cleaning purposes; Containers for cleaning articles by suction; Suction cleaners adapted to cleaning of brushes; Suction cleaners adapted to taking-up liquids
- A47L7/0004—Suction cleaners adapted to take up liquids, e.g. wet or dry vacuum cleaners
- A47L7/0014—Suction cleaners adapted to take up liquids, e.g. wet or dry vacuum cleaners with additional means or devices between nozzle and casing
-
- 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
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/02—Nozzles
- A47L9/06—Nozzles with fixed, e.g. adjustably fixed brushes or the like
- A47L9/0606—Nozzles with fixed, e.g. adjustably fixed brushes or the like rigidly anchored brushes, combs, lips or pads
- A47L9/0626—Rigidly anchored lips, e.g. nozzles adapted for picking up liquids
-
- 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
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/02—Nozzles
- A47L9/06—Nozzles with fixed, e.g. adjustably fixed brushes or the like
- A47L9/068—Nozzles combined with a different cleaning side, e.g. duplex nozzles or dual purpose nozzles
-
- 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
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/24—Hoses or pipes; Hose or pipe couplings
- A47L9/248—Parts, details or accessories of hoses or pipes
Definitions
- constants may be introduced in the discussion that follows. In some cases illustrative values of the constants are provided. In other cases, no specific values are given. The values of the constants will depend on characteristics of the associated hardware and the interrelationship of such characteristics with one another as well as environmental conditions and the operational conditions associated with the disclosed system.
- the nozzle 42 is in fluid communication with the reservoir 34 , where the nozzle 42 selectively dispenses the fluid 44 onto a surface to be cleaned.
- the suction portion 40 of the base member 36 removes at least a portion of the fluid 44 from the surface during operation.
- a squeegee may be included for scraping the fluid 44 toward suction portion 40 before the fluid 44 is suctioned.
- the fluid 44 may be sprayed on the floor in a generally uniform distribution by the nozzle 42 .
- Spraying the fluid 44 by the nozzle 42 may be advantageous, because the fluid 44 may be distributed more evenly throughout the floor than if the fluid 44 were applied manually, such as, for example, by pouring the fluid on the floor with a bucket. Therefore, including the nozzle 42 with the cleaning system 20 may result in greater convenience, as amuser may not be required to manually apply fluid on the floor during cleaning.
- applying the fluid 44 in a generally uniform distribution may provide several advantages. In one example, applying the fluid 44 may result in less streaking than when the fluid 44 is applied manually.
- the connecting end 54 of the electrified wand 50 may be selectively attachable to a vacuum operated debris and waste collector (not shown).
- the debris and waste collector provides a vacuum force to the suction portion 40 of the base member 36 to remove the fluid 44 and debris from the floor.
- the debris and waste collector includes a receptacle for collecting contaminates as well as the fluid 44 suctioned from the floor.
- the connecting end 54 may be configured for threaded engagement with an attachment of the debris and waste collector, although other types of connection mechanisms are contemplated.
- the debris and waste collector may be any type of system used to remove contaminants from the environment.
- the waste and debris collector is a water based separation system, where a water tank is included for separating contaminates from air. An example of such a collector may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,174,350, the contents of which are incorporated by reference in its entirety.
- the fluid 44 may be any type of fluid that is appropriate for use on the surface 60 , such as, but not limited to, a cleaner, a deodorizer, a wax or an insect repellant.
- the fluid 44 may be a fluid that is appropriate for cleaning or polishing hardwood floors.
- the fluid 44 may also be a deodorizer, where the deodorizer may at least partially remove unwanted odors from a surface.
- the fluid 44 may be a type of insect repellent or spray, such as, for example, a cockroach repellant, that may be applied to the floor for repelling cockroaches or other types of unwanted insects.
- step 412 the fluid 44 suctioned by the suction device 28 may be communicated through the chamber 72 located in the mounting shaft 30 .
- the chamber 72 may be in fluid communication with the suction device 28 of the base member 36 . That is, as the fluid 44 is suctioned through the suction device 28 , the fluid 44 travels through the cleaning system 20 by way of the chamber 72 . Process 400 may then proceed to step 414 .
- the fluid 44 may be communicated from the chamber 72 to the electrified wand 50 , where the electrified wand 50 may be in fluid communication with a waste and debris collector that collects the fluid 44 suctioned by the suction device 28 .
- the electrified wand 50 includes the passageway 80 , where the passageway 80 is in fluid communication with both of the chamber 72 and the waste and debris collector that collects the fluid 44 that is suctioned by the suction portion 40 .
- the fluid 44 travels from the chamber 72 in the mounting shaft 30 through the passageway 80 in the electrified wand 50 and to the waste and debris collector. Process 400 may then terminate.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Nozzles For Electric Vacuum Cleaners (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present disclosure relates to a cleaning system, and in particular to a cleaning apparatus including a nozzle that selectively dispenses a fluid.
- There are several known cleaning systems available for washing floors. In one example, the cleaning system may include an integrated source of cleaning fluid and a disposable pad secured to a mop head. The cleaning fluid may be sprayed directly onto the floor and absorbed by the pad as a user wipes the mop head across the floor. However, this type of cleaning system is typically used to clean floors that are only lightly soiled. This is because the pad may not be absorbent enough to clean floors that are very dirty, and the pad may only remove a portion of the cleaner and dirt from the floor. In fact, the pad may even re-deposit at least some of the dirt and cleaner as the mop head is moved along the floor. Thus, in at least some instances this type of cleaning system might only create an illusion of a clean floor, while actually moving dirt about a surface during cleaning.
- In another example, a cleaning system may include a mop head for cleaning, where a fluid such as wax, water, or cleaner may be manually applied to the floor. The mop head may be used to absorb and remove the fluid from the floor. The fluid may be applied by pouring the fluid onto the floor with a bucket. Alternatively, the fluid may be applied by immersing the mop head in fluid first and then wiping the mop head across the floor. The fluid is manually applied to the floor, and as a result using this type of cleaning system may be time-consuming and inconvenient. Also, because the fluid must be poured on the floor manually, either too much or too little fluid may be used. Moreover, the fluid may be unevenly spread about the floor, resulting in floors that may be streaked or still dirty after cleaning.
- Therefore, there exists a need for a cleaning system that includes an integrated source of fluid for dispensing on a surface, while also including a device for effectively removing dirt and fluid from the surface.
-
FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a cleaning system that selectively dispenses fluid on a surface to be cleaned; -
FIG. 1B is an enlarged view ofRegion 1B inFIG. 1A where a base member of the cleaning system is positioned in a first cleaning position; -
FIG. 2 is a partial cross sectional view of the cleaning system ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is an elevational perspective view of an electrified wand; and -
FIG. 4 is a process flow diagram of a method of cleaning a floor using a cleaning system. - Referring now to the discussion that follows and also to the drawings, illustrative approaches to the disclosed systems and methods are shown in detail. Although the drawings represent some possible approaches, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated, removed, or partially sectioned to better illustrate and explain the present disclosure. Further, the descriptions set forth herein are not intended to be exhaustive or otherwise limit or restrict the claims to the precise forms and configurations shown in the drawings and disclosed in the following detailed description.
- Moreover, a number of constants may be introduced in the discussion that follows. In some cases illustrative values of the constants are provided. In other cases, no specific values are given. The values of the constants will depend on characteristics of the associated hardware and the interrelationship of such characteristics with one another as well as environmental conditions and the operational conditions associated with the disclosed system.
-
FIG. 1A illustrates anexemplary cleaning system 20. AlthoughFIG. 1A illustrates thecleaning system 20 as a type of mopping device typically used to clean a floor, it is understood that thecleaning system 20 may be any type of cleaning system used on any type of hard or generally non-porous surface. For example, thecleaning system 20 may also be used to clean a countertop. - The
exemplary cleaning system 20 includes amounting shaft 30, areservoir 34, abase member 36, anozzle 42 and afluid 44.FIG. 1A illustrates thebase member 36 of thecleaning system 20 as a mop head including acleaning portion 38 and asuction portion 40. Thecleaning portion 38 may include at least onecleaning surface 26 and thesuction portion 40 may include at least one suction device 28 (illustrated inFIG. 1B ). Although thebase member 36 is illustrated as a mop head, it is understood that thebase member 36 may be any member used to clean a generally non-porous surface, such as, for example, a bathtub or a countertop. Thecleaning system 20 may be selectively connected to anelectrified wand 50. The electrifiedwand 50 may further be attached to a handle 51 that includes atrigger 52 and a connecting end 54 (to be explained in further detail below). - The
nozzle 42 is in fluid communication with thereservoir 34, where thenozzle 42 selectively dispenses thefluid 44 onto a surface to be cleaned. Thesuction portion 40 of thebase member 36 removes at least a portion of thefluid 44 from the surface during operation. In one exemplary arrangement, a squeegee may be included for scraping thefluid 44 towardsuction portion 40 before thefluid 44 is suctioned. - The
fluid 44 may be sprayed on the floor in a generally uniform distribution by thenozzle 42. Spraying thefluid 44 by thenozzle 42 may be advantageous, because thefluid 44 may be distributed more evenly throughout the floor than if thefluid 44 were applied manually, such as, for example, by pouring the fluid on the floor with a bucket. Therefore, including thenozzle 42 with thecleaning system 20 may result in greater convenience, as amuser may not be required to manually apply fluid on the floor during cleaning. Moreover, applying thefluid 44 in a generally uniform distribution may provide several advantages. In one example, applying thefluid 44 may result in less streaking than when thefluid 44 is applied manually. - The connecting
end 54 of theelectrified wand 50 may be selectively attachable to a vacuum operated debris and waste collector (not shown). The debris and waste collector provides a vacuum force to thesuction portion 40 of thebase member 36 to remove thefluid 44 and debris from the floor. The debris and waste collector includes a receptacle for collecting contaminates as well as thefluid 44 suctioned from the floor. In one example, the connectingend 54 may be configured for threaded engagement with an attachment of the debris and waste collector, although other types of connection mechanisms are contemplated. The debris and waste collector may be any type of system used to remove contaminants from the environment. In one exemplary illustration, the waste and debris collector is a water based separation system, where a water tank is included for separating contaminates from air. An example of such a collector may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,174,350, the contents of which are incorporated by reference in its entirety. - The
mounting shaft 30 may also define an axis A-A that may be substantially linear and oriented in a generally longitudinal direction from thebase member 36. However, it is understood that the mountingshaft 30 may be curved as well. The mountingshaft 30 includes aconnection end 46. Theconnection end 46 of the mountingshaft 30 may be joined to arotation point 48 located on thebase member 36, such that thebase member 36 may be rotatably joined to the mounting shaft by therotation point 48. In one example, thebase member 36 may be rotatable about the axis A-A at therotation point 48 in both a clockwise direction D, as well as a counterclockwise direction D′. Thebase member 36 may be configured to be selectively removable at therotation point 48, where thebase member 36 may be interchangeable with another base member that may be used in conjunction with thecleaning system 20. - The
reservoir 34 of thecleaning system 20 may be used to store thefluid 44. In one example thereservoir 34 may be secured to the mountingshaft 30 through a retainingdevice 58. The retainingdevice 58 may be a sleeve, where thereservoir 34 is received within and is selectively and removably secured by the retainingdevice 58. Thereservoir 34 is positioned within retainingdevice 58 such thatreservoir 34 is configured to be in fluid communication with thenozzle 42, where thenozzle 42 sprays the fluid 44 onto asurface 60. - The fluid 44 may be any type of fluid that is appropriate for use on the
surface 60, such as, but not limited to, a cleaner, a deodorizer, a wax or an insect repellant. In one exemplary illustration, if thesurface 60 is constructed from wood, then the fluid 44 may be a fluid that is appropriate for cleaning or polishing hardwood floors. In another example, the fluid 44 may also be a deodorizer, where the deodorizer may at least partially remove unwanted odors from a surface. In yet another exemplary illustration, the fluid 44 may be a type of insect repellent or spray, such as, for example, a cockroach repellant, that may be applied to the floor for repelling cockroaches or other types of unwanted insects. - The fluid 44 may be selectively dispensed from the
nozzle 42 as desired by a user, where the fluid 44 may be sprayed on thesurface 60 when a user depresses thetrigger 52. In one exemplary configuration, as thetrigger 52 is depressed the fluid 44 in thereservoir 34 is fluidly communicated to thenozzle 42. Thenozzle 42 distributes the fluid 44 in a generally uniform pattern along thesurface 60. In one example, the fluid 44 may be dispensed from thenozzle 42 as a mist. Thenozzle 42 may be positioned along thecleaning system 20 in relation to thebase member 36 such that at least a portion of the fluid 44 that is sprayed on thesurface 60 may be suctioned by thesuction device 28. In particular, thenozzle 42 may be located behind thebase member 36, however it is understood that thenozzle 42 may also be located in front of or to the side of thebase member 36 as well. In one example, thenozzle 42 selectively sprays the fluid 44 onto thesurface 60 as the cleaningportion 38 of thebase member 36 makes contact with thesurface 60. In particular, a user may depress thetrigger 52 to cause thenozzle 42 to spray the fluid 44 on thesurface 60 as the cleaningsurface 26 of thebase member 36 contacts thesurface 60. However, it is understood that a user may also depress thetrigger 52 to spray the fluid 44 from thenozzle 42 as thesuction portion 40 contacts thesurface 60 as well. - The
base member 36 may include a first cleaning position and a second cleaning position, where thebase member 36 may be pivotable about the axis A-A between the first position and the second position. Turning now toFIG. 1B , thebase member 36 is in the first position, where thebase member 36 is in communication with thesurface 60 at the cleaningportion 38, and thecleaning surface 26 may contact thesurface 60. As the cleaningportion 38 selectively makes contact with thesurface 60, the fluid 44 may be sprayed on thesurface 60 by depressing the trigger 52 (illustrated inFIG. 1A ). - After cleaning the
surface 60 with the cleaningsurface 26, thebase member 36 may then be pivoted about the axis A-A to the second position, which is illustrated inFIG. 1A . InFIG. 1A , thebase member 36 is in communication with thesurface 60 at thesuction portion 40 of thebase member 36. Thesuction portion 40 may be used to suction the fluid 44, as well as dirt, grime, or other types of contaminates from thesurface 60. - The
base member 36 may be selectively pivoted by a user between the first cleaning position and the second cleaning position. More particularly, a user may contact thebase member 36 with thesurface 60 or by the user's foot in an effort to pivot thebase member 36 about the axis A-A between the different cleaning positions. - Allowing the
base member 36 to pivot about axis A-A may be advantageous. This is because thebase member 36 may be used to spread the fluid 44 about thesurface 60, and then suction the fluid 44 from thesurface 60. First, turning toFIG. 1B , thebase member 36 may be used at the cleaningportion 26 to spread the fluid 44 about thesurface 60. In addition, the cleaningportion 26 may also be used for at least partially removing contaminates from thesurface 60. That is, the cleaningsurface 26 may also be used to loosen embedded debris in thesurface 60 in addition to spreading the fluid 44 about thesurface 60. - The cleaning
surface 26 may be used to loosen dirt trapped on thesurface 60, such as, for example, dirt trapped in the grout of a tile floor. The cleaningsurface 26 may be any surface that may remove contaminants from thesurface 60, and in one example the cleaningsurface 26 may be a sponge or a brush. The fluid 44 may be sprayed onto thesurface 60 in an effort to loosen and break up the dirt trapped on thesurface 60. - Once the
surface 60 has been in contact with the cleaningportion 26, thebase member 36 may oriented such that thesuction portion 40 is positioned to be in selective contact with thesurface 60. In one embodiment, thebase member 36 may be rotated about one hundred and eighty degrees (180°) about the axis A-A to rotate thebase member 36 from the cleaningportion 38 to thesuction portion 40. In another embodiment, thebase member 36 may be pivoted about axis A-A to move thebase member 36 from the cleaningportion 38 to thesuction portion 40. Turning toFIG. 1A , thesuction portion 40 may be in selective contact with thesurface 60 when in the second cleaning position. - The
suction portion 40 of thebase member 36 may be used to remove the fluid 44 and dirt from thesurface 60. Thesuction portion 40 may include a squeegee 62 that is illustrated as a blade including an edge 64. In one illustration the squeegee 62 may be a flexible member constructed from materials such as, but not limited to, rubber. The squeegee 62 may be for drawing the fluid 44 off thesurface 60. In particular, the squeegee 62 scrapes the fluid 44 from thesurface 60 before the fluid 44 is sucked off thesurface 60 by thesuction device 28. Thesuction portion 40 may be used to remove substantially all of the fluid 44 sprayed on thesurface 60 by thenozzle 42. -
FIG. 2 is a partial cross sectional view of thecleaning system 20, where thereservoir 34, the mountingshaft 30 and thebase member 36 are sectioned. As seen inFIG. 2 , when in an engaged position, thereservoir 34 is in fluid communication with thenozzle 42. More specifically, thereservoir 34 is fluidly connected to thenozzle 42 by a series ofpassageways 70 such that the fluid 44 may travel from thereservoir 34 to thenozzle 42 through thepassageways 70. That is, as the trigger 52 (illustrated inFIG. 1 ) is depressed, wires (not shown) that are located in the mountingshaft 30 are electrified. The wires are in electrical communication with apump 84 and provide the power necessary to operate thepump 84. Thepump 84 is in fluid communication with thereservoir 34 and thenozzle 42. As thetrigger 54 is depressed, the fluid 44 moves from thereservoir 34 through thepassageways 70 through thepump 84, and to thenozzle 42. - The mounting
shaft 30 may include achamber 72, where thechamber 72 may be in fluid communication with thesuction device 28 of thebase member 36. That is, as the fluid 44 is suctioned through thesuction device 28, the fluid 44 travels through thecleaning system 20 by way of thechamber 72. In the illustration shown inFIG. 2 , thechamber 72 is generally cylindrical and generally conforms to the shape of the mountingshaft 30. However, it is understood that thechamber 72 may also include other configurations as well. For example, thechamber 72 may include a generally semi-circular cross-sectional area and may only conform to a portion of the mountingshaft 30. - The mounting
shaft 30 may also include anattachment point 76, where theattachment point 76 is for attachment to the electrifiedwand 50 seen inFIG. 1 . Theattachment point 76 may include several alternative attachment features for securing thehandle 30 to the electrifiedwand 50. In one example, theattachment point 76 may includeseveral openings 78, where theopenings 78 are configured for engagement with corresponding tabs that are located on the electrifiedwand 50. Thechamber 72 of the mountingshaft 30 may be in fluid communication with the electrifiedwand 50, where the fluid 44 first travels through thesuction device 28, through thechamber 72 of the mountingshaft 30, and to the electrifiedwant 50. -
FIG. 3 is an illustration of the electrifiedwand 50. The electrifiedwand 50 includes apassageway 80, where thepassageway 80 is in fluid communication with both thechamber 72 of the mountingshaft 30 and the waste and debris collector that collects the fluid 44 that is suctioned by thesuction portion 40. The fluid 44 travels from thechamber 72 in thehandle 30 through thepassageway 80 in the electrifiedwand 50 and to the cleaning system. The electrifiedwand 50 may also include several alternative attachment features for securing the electrifiedwand 50 to thehandle 30. In one example, the electrifiedwand 50 may includeseveral tabs 82 that correspondingly engage with theopenings 78 in the mountingshaft 30. Alternatively, the electrifiedwand 50 may includeopenings 82 instead of thetabs 82. The mountingshaft 30 may includetabs 78 instead ofopenings 78, where thetabs 78 engage with theopenings 82 in the electrifiedwand 50. - Use of the
cleaning system 20 will now be discussed and is illustrated generally inFIG. 4 as aprocess 400.Process 400 begins atstep 402, where thesurface 60 may be sprayed with the fluid 44 through thenozzle 42 located in thecleaning system 20. In one exemplary embodiment, atrigger 52 may be selectively depressed to dispense the fluid 44 from thenozzle 42 on thesurface 60. As discussed above, thetrigger 52 may be included with the electrifiedwand 50. However, it is understood that the trigger may be position in on locations, such as directly on mountingshaft 30 or on retainingdevice 58. - As discussed above, the
nozzle 42 may be positioned along thecleaning system 20 in relation to thebase member 36 such that at least a portion of the fluid 44 that is sprayed on thesurface 60 may be suctioned by thesuction device 28. Thenozzle 42 may be positioned behind thebase member 36, however it is understood that thenozzle 42 may also be positioned in front of or to the side of thebase member 36 as well. As thetrigger 52 is depressed, wires (not shown) that are located in the mountingshaft 30 are electrified. The wires are in electrical communication with thepump 84 and provide the power necessary to operate thepump 84. Thepump 84 is in fluid communication with thereservoir 34 and thenozzle 42. The fluid 44 may be any type of fluid that is appropriate for use on thesurface 60, such as, but not limited to, a cleaner, a deodorizer, a wax or an insect repellant.Process 400 may then proceed to step 404. - In
step 404, the cleaningportion 38 may be placed in contact with thesurface 60. In particular, thebase member 36 of the cleaningportion 38 is placed in the first cleaning position, where thebase member 36 is in communication with thesurface 60 at the cleaningportion 38. The cleaningportion 38 may extract at least some of the contaminants located along thesurface 60. As discussed above, the cleaningsurface 26 may be any material for removing contaminants from thesurface 60, such as, for example, a sponge or a brush.Process 400 may then proceed to step 406. - In
step 406, thebase member 36 may be rotated or pivoted about therotation point 48 from the first cleaning position to the second cleaning position. In one example, the user may contact thebase member 36 with thesurface 60 or by the user's foot in an effort to swivel thebase member 36 about the axis A-A.Process 400 may then proceed to step 408. - In
step 408, the fluid 44 that is sprayed on thesurface 60 may be scraped from thesurface 60 by the squeegee 62, before being suctioned off thesurface 60 by thesuction device 28. More particularly, the fluid 44 sprayed on thesurface 60 by thenozzle 42 of thecleaning system 20 may be scraped off thesurface 60 by the squeegee 62 before being sucked up by thesuction device 28.Process 400 may then proceed to step 410. - In
step 410, the fluid 44 is suctioned from thesurface 60 through thesuction device 28 of thebase member 36, when thebase member 36 is in the second cleaning position. Thesuction portion 40 of thebase member 36 may be used to remove the fluid 44, as well as contaminates or debris from thesurface 60. The fluid 44 may be a cleaning fluid, where the fluid 44 may be sprayed onto thesurface 60 in an effort to loosen and break up debris. In one example, thesuction portion 40 may be used to remove substantially all of the fluid 44 sprayed on thesurface 60 by thenozzle 42.Process 400 may then proceed to step 412. - In
step 412, the fluid 44 suctioned by thesuction device 28 may be communicated through thechamber 72 located in the mountingshaft 30. As discussed above, thechamber 72 may be in fluid communication with thesuction device 28 of thebase member 36. That is, as the fluid 44 is suctioned through thesuction device 28, the fluid 44 travels through thecleaning system 20 by way of thechamber 72.Process 400 may then proceed to step 414. - In
step 414, the fluid 44 may be communicated from thechamber 72 to the electrifiedwand 50, where the electrifiedwand 50 may be in fluid communication with a waste and debris collector that collects the fluid 44 suctioned by thesuction device 28. The electrifiedwand 50 includes thepassageway 80, where thepassageway 80 is in fluid communication with both of thechamber 72 and the waste and debris collector that collects the fluid 44 that is suctioned by thesuction portion 40. The fluid 44 travels from thechamber 72 in the mountingshaft 30 through thepassageway 80 in the electrifiedwand 50 and to the waste and debris collector.Process 400 may then terminate. - The present disclosure has been particularly shown and described with reference to the foregoing embodiments, which are merely illustrative of the best modes for carrying out the disclosure. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various alternatives to the embodiments of the disclosure described herein may be employed in practicing the disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined in the following claims. It is intended that the following claims define the scope of the disclosure and that the method and apparatus within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby. This description of the disclosure should be understood to include all novel and non-obvious combinations of elements described herein, and claims may be presented in this or a later application to any novel and non-obvious combination of these elements. Moreover, the foregoing embodiments are illustrative, and no single feature or element is essential to all possible combinations that may be claimed in this or a later application.
Claims (19)
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/501,038 US20110005025A1 (en) | 2009-07-10 | 2009-07-10 | Cleaning system |
PCT/US2010/025356 WO2011005334A1 (en) | 2009-07-10 | 2010-02-25 | Cleaning system |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/501,038 US20110005025A1 (en) | 2009-07-10 | 2009-07-10 | Cleaning system |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20110005025A1 true US20110005025A1 (en) | 2011-01-13 |
Family
ID=42060738
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/501,038 Abandoned US20110005025A1 (en) | 2009-07-10 | 2009-07-10 | Cleaning system |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20110005025A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2011005334A1 (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP2992798A1 (en) * | 2014-09-04 | 2016-03-09 | Black & Decker Inc. | Handheld cleaning device |
US9661975B2 (en) | 2014-08-27 | 2017-05-30 | Techtronic Industries Co., Ltd. | Spray mop having a pivoting liquid reservoir assembly |
US10485392B2 (en) * | 2017-09-27 | 2019-11-26 | Ningbo Shijia Cleaning Tools Co., Ltd. | Intelligent dust mop |
US20200077780A1 (en) * | 2018-09-11 | 2020-03-12 | Eddie Ellis | Broom Sprayer Apparatus |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US11239426B2 (en) | 2016-11-23 | 2022-02-01 | Lg Chem, Ltd. | Electroactive compounds |
Citations (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1393133A (en) * | 1919-10-06 | 1921-10-11 | Jarusz Leon | Scrubbing-machine |
US3079623A (en) * | 1959-06-29 | 1963-03-05 | Whirlpool Co | Vacuum cleaner floor tool |
US4893375A (en) * | 1989-03-17 | 1990-01-16 | Hako Minuteman, Inc. | Dual mode floor scrubbing machine |
US5280666A (en) * | 1992-05-19 | 1994-01-25 | Rexair, Inc. | Squeegee apparatus for a vacuum cleaner system |
US5497530A (en) * | 1991-08-03 | 1996-03-12 | Alfred Karcher Gmbh & Co. | Wiper device for hard surfaces, in particular a window wiper |
US5888006A (en) * | 1996-11-26 | 1999-03-30 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Cleaning implement having a sprayer nozzle attached to a cleaning head member |
US6486396B2 (en) * | 2000-08-09 | 2002-11-26 | Stein & Co. Gmbh | Electrified telescoping wand for vacuum cleaner |
US20060233593A1 (en) * | 2005-04-05 | 2006-10-19 | Yoshinori Tanaka | Cleaning implement |
Family Cites Families (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2206478B (en) * | 1987-07-10 | 1991-04-24 | Vax Appliances Ltd | Cleaning head |
SE505575C2 (en) * | 1995-12-22 | 1997-09-15 | Electrolux Ab | Våtsugningsmunstycke |
US6174350B1 (en) | 1999-04-23 | 2001-01-16 | Rexair, Inc. | Vacuum cleaner |
US20060026788A1 (en) * | 2004-08-06 | 2006-02-09 | Fischer Richard J | Upright vacuum cleaner incorporating telescopic handle and wand assembly with electrified hose |
-
2009
- 2009-07-10 US US12/501,038 patent/US20110005025A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2010
- 2010-02-25 WO PCT/US2010/025356 patent/WO2011005334A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1393133A (en) * | 1919-10-06 | 1921-10-11 | Jarusz Leon | Scrubbing-machine |
US3079623A (en) * | 1959-06-29 | 1963-03-05 | Whirlpool Co | Vacuum cleaner floor tool |
US4893375A (en) * | 1989-03-17 | 1990-01-16 | Hako Minuteman, Inc. | Dual mode floor scrubbing machine |
US4893375B1 (en) * | 1989-03-17 | 1994-03-01 | Hako Minuteman Inc | |
US5497530A (en) * | 1991-08-03 | 1996-03-12 | Alfred Karcher Gmbh & Co. | Wiper device for hard surfaces, in particular a window wiper |
US5280666A (en) * | 1992-05-19 | 1994-01-25 | Rexair, Inc. | Squeegee apparatus for a vacuum cleaner system |
US5888006A (en) * | 1996-11-26 | 1999-03-30 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Cleaning implement having a sprayer nozzle attached to a cleaning head member |
US6486396B2 (en) * | 2000-08-09 | 2002-11-26 | Stein & Co. Gmbh | Electrified telescoping wand for vacuum cleaner |
US20060233593A1 (en) * | 2005-04-05 | 2006-10-19 | Yoshinori Tanaka | Cleaning implement |
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9661975B2 (en) | 2014-08-27 | 2017-05-30 | Techtronic Industries Co., Ltd. | Spray mop having a pivoting liquid reservoir assembly |
EP2992798A1 (en) * | 2014-09-04 | 2016-03-09 | Black & Decker Inc. | Handheld cleaning device |
US20160066756A1 (en) * | 2014-09-04 | 2016-03-10 | Black & Decker Inc. | Handheld cleaning device |
JP2016055167A (en) * | 2014-09-04 | 2016-04-21 | ブラック アンド デッカー インクBlack & Decker Inc. | Handheld cleaning device |
US10485392B2 (en) * | 2017-09-27 | 2019-11-26 | Ningbo Shijia Cleaning Tools Co., Ltd. | Intelligent dust mop |
US20200077780A1 (en) * | 2018-09-11 | 2020-03-12 | Eddie Ellis | Broom Sprayer Apparatus |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2011005334A1 (en) | 2011-01-13 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US11202546B2 (en) | Bare floor cleaner | |
JP3220094U (en) | Surface cleaning device | |
JP2872306B2 (en) | Floor cleaning equipment | |
US7617564B2 (en) | Dual purpose floor cleaning apparatus and method of use | |
JP4913078B2 (en) | Apparatus and method for cleaning fabrics, floor coverings and bare floor surfaces using a soil transfer cleaning medium | |
EP1753335B1 (en) | Secondary introduction of fluid into vacuum system | |
JP3186168U (en) | Electric cleaning and cleaning device | |
EP0300637B1 (en) | Cleaning head | |
US7159275B2 (en) | Glass surface cleaning machine | |
US10188250B2 (en) | Floor cleaning tool having a mechanically operated pump | |
CA2082239A1 (en) | Flat surface cleaning head | |
JP2006518260A (en) | Dual mode carpet cleaning device using extraction device and dirt removal cleaning medium | |
US5697119A (en) | Accessory for a vacuum cleaner | |
US20110005025A1 (en) | Cleaning system | |
CN210520894U (en) | Cleaning and washing integrated cleaning device | |
US20030009843A1 (en) | Automate glass surface cleaning machine | |
US11000171B2 (en) | Dry and wet vacuum cleaner | |
CN219680503U (en) | Floor brush and cleaning equipment | |
KR19980060946U (en) | Mop | |
KR200401003Y1 (en) | Movable handy cleaner | |
KR950003351Y1 (en) | Weighting device for nozzle of vacuum cleaner | |
KR20050098157A (en) | Cleaning apparatus using water in vacuum cleaner | |
FR2607414A2 (en) | WORKING HEAD FOR APPARATUS FOR CLEANING BY SPREADING A CLEANING LIQUID AND DIRT SUCTION PROVIDED WITH A WETTING PAD AND ONE OR MORE SPRAY NOZZLES | |
AU600153C (en) | Cleaning head | |
KR101029799B1 (en) | Nozzle Assembly of Vacuum Cleaner for Both Wet and Dry Cleaning |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: REXAIR, LLC, MICHIGAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:CARRINGTON, THOMAS;HOWIE, MARK;SELEWSKI, STEVEN R.;AND OTHERS;SIGNING DATES FROM 20090623 TO 20090709;REEL/FRAME:022941/0774 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:REXAIR LLC;REEL/FRAME:023758/0123 Effective date: 20091222 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: RHONE GROUP L.L.C., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, NEW Y Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:REXAIR LLC;REEL/FRAME:023854/0752 Effective date: 20091222 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: REXAIR HOLDINGS, INC., MICHIGAN Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:RHONE GROUP, L.L.C., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT;REEL/FRAME:025655/0267 Effective date: 20101217 Owner name: REXAIR LLC, MICHIGAN Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:RHONE GROUP, L.L.C., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT;REEL/FRAME:025655/0267 Effective date: 20101217 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNORS:REXAIR LLC;REXAIR HOLDINGS, INC.;REEL/FRAME:031589/0302 Effective date: 20131009 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: REXAIR HOLDINGS, INC., MICHIGAN Free format text: RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.;REEL/FRAME:033663/0822 Effective date: 20140829 Owner name: REXAIR LLC, MICHIGAN Free format text: RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.;REEL/FRAME:033663/0822 Effective date: 20140829 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- AFTER EXAMINER'S ANSWER OR BOARD OF APPEALS DECISION |