US2975462A

US2975462A - Apparatus for applying detergent to rugs and the like

Info

Publication number: US2975462A
Application number: US660807A
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert A Yonkers; Henry T Lathrop
Original assignee: Bissell Inc
Current assignee: Bissell Inc
Priority date: 1957-05-22
Filing date: 1957-05-22
Publication date: 1961-03-21
Anticipated expiration: 1978-03-21
Also published as: GB841012A

Description

March 21, 1961 R. A. YONKERS ETAL 2,975,462

APPARATUS FOR APPLYING DETERGENT TO RUGS AND THE LIKE Filed May 22, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 fZG. 5.

March 21, 1961 R. A. YONKERS ETAL 2,975,452

APPARATUS FOR APPLYING DETERGENT TO RUGS AND THE LIKE Filed May 22, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent APPARATUS FOR APPLYING DETERGENT T0 RUGS AND THE LIKE Robert A. Yonkers and Henry T. Lathrop, Grand Rapids,

Mich., assignors to Bissell Inc., a corporation of Michigan Filed May 22, 1957, Ser. No. 660,807

15 Claims. (Cl. 15-532) This invention relates to an apparatus for applying detergent to surfaces particularly rugs, carpets and the like, and effectively working the, detergent into the nap. The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide an applicator for applying detergent containing liquids to rugs, carpets and like surfaces having nap and working or distributing the detergent into the nap.

Second, to provide an applicator which is adapted for applying a detergent containing liquid to a surface to be cleaned in the form of foam.

Third, to provide an applicator adapted for uses indicated which may be very easily manipulated and is highly efficient.

Fourth, to provide an applicator adapted for applying liquid detergent to surfaces in which the amount distributed can be easily controlled and is uniformly distributed.

Fifth, to provide a method of applying a detergent containing liquid having the quality of foaming on agitation to the surface to be cleaned in the form of foam.

Objects'relating to details and economies of the invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined and pointed out in the claims.

The invention provides a non-electric apparatus for manual application to a rug of a foaming type of detergent for removing dirt from the rug While the operator is standing. In carrying out the invention a roller of sponge-like resilient synthetic material of substantial radial thickness is employed at the end of an upright handle which applies pressure on the roller to deform it as it rolls forward and backward over the rug. The sponge-like material of the roller is adapted to receive a liquid detergent mix and to aerate the mix absorbed in the material and discharge the same in intimate contact with the nap of the rug as the material squeezes the foam therefrom under pressure contact with the rug.

In a more specific sense the apparatus has brushes fore and aft of the roller and which work the nap in the path of the roller and provide a more rapid and intimate application of the foam thereto without wetting the base.

The apparatus preferably carries a quantity of liquid detergent mix and has manually controlled valve means to discharge restricted amounts of the mix onto the roller in operation of the apparatus.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. l is a fragmentary side elevational view of an applicator embodying our invention, certain of the parts being shown conventionally, others broken away to show structural details thereof.

Fig. 2 is a top view or view looking downward with the parts in operative position as is shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevational view with parts broken away and in longitudinal-seq tion.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view on a line corresponding to line 44 of Figs. 2 and 3, certain parts being shown in full lines.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view on a line corresponding to line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view partially in section on a line corresponding to line 6-6 of Fig. 7 showing certain details of the tubular handle and of the liquid receptacle in disassembled relation.

Fig. 7 is a top view of the receptacle on a line corresponding to line 7-7 of Fig. 5 with the upper section of the handle omitted.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the surface of the applicator roller shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

The embodiment of our invention is well adapted for the application of a detergent containing liquid to the surfaceof fabrics to be cleaned, such as carpets, rugs, upholstery and the like, and the working of the detergent into the nap thereof. While the applicator is adapted for the application of a wide variety of detergent containing liquids to the object to be cleaned, it is particularly desirable for use in the application of detergents having the characteristic of foaming on agitation thereof and the working of the detergent material into the nap of the object to be cleaned in the form of foam, as distinguished from the mere application of the liquid in fluid form;

It is the applicants observation and experience that as a result of working the detergent into the material to be cleaned in the form of foam, the dirt and other foreign matter desired to be removed is elfectively loosened and deposited on the nap at or adjacent to the outer surface of the object being cleaned, so that when dry the foreign matter may be readily removed by means of a suction cleaner, carpet sweeper or the like.

The embodiment of our invention illustrated comprises a body member designated generally by the numeral 1 and including a rearwardly declined top wall 2, rear wall 3, front wall 4 and end walls 5. The front and rear walls are desirably curved and diverge downwardly. On the inner side of the top wall is a longitudinally extending rib-like conduit 6 having a central inlet 7 opening through the top wall and provided with an outwardly facing valve seat 8. The conduit is provided with a longitudinal series of quite closely spaced discharge openings 9. These openings are of such size that the liquid is discharged quite uniformly throughout the length of the conduit. These several parts are desirably formed integrally of molded plastic. The front and

rear walls

3 and 4 are provided with rib-like enlargements .10 at their lower edges and in each of which a row of'nap working bristles 11 are seated. Each row of bristles extends from end to end of the body member. The valve cage 12 has an outturned flange 13 at its bottom edge which is fixedly secured to the top Wall 2 by means of the rivets 14. The body member has an upwardly projecting annular flange 15 which, in the embodiment illustrated, is of oval shape and constitutes a guide for the lower end of the side walls of liquid receptacle 16. The handle designated generally by the numeral 17 comprises a bottom section 18 which is supportedly engaged with the valve cage 12 and an upper section 19 which is detachably engaged with the lower section. The receptacle 16 is provided with a top 161 having an 7 upwardly projecting flange 20 externally threaded at 21 and having vertical slits 22 therein. The section 18 of the handle projects through this flange and has an annular groove 23 therein in which the projecting flange 24 is clampingly engaged by means of the nut or collar 25 threaded upon the nipple 20. (See Fig. 5.)

The upper end of the section 18 of the handle is proant nna I H V vided with a bayonet slot 26 which is engaged by the stud 27 on the upper section 19 of the handle. The upper section 19 of the handle has an angularly disposed terminal portion 28 on which the grip 29 is detachably sleeved The upper end of the handle constitutes a filling tube for the receptacle 16, the handle being provided with openings 36; for the discharge of the liquid into the receptacle. The valve 31 coacts with the seat 8 and is urged upon the seat by the coil spring 32. The valve rod 33 is disposed longitudinally within the handle and extends at its upper end through an opening 34 provided in the handle and terminates in a finger piece 35 which is positioned to be engaged by the finger of the operator grasping the grip 29. v

The liquid detergent is discharged from the conduit 6 through ports 9 upon the distributing roller .0 which, in the embodiment illustrated, comprises a core 41 provided with journals AZ engaging the openings 43 in the end walls The end walls 5 are sufficiently springable so that the journals of the roller can be readily engaged or disengaged therefrom.

While the body member is desirably formed as a unit of molded plastic material, it is desired to point out that the body member may be greatly varied in structural details and material.

The roller of the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 to 9 inclusive comprises a sponge-like resilient peripheral portion 44 of substantial radial thickness desirably formed of synthetic rubber and substantially resilicut or yieldable. The liquid detergent or detergent containing liquid is discharged upon this roller and is absorbed into or held in the pores of the roller and is carried around and uniformly distributed upon the surface over which theapplicator is manipulated, for example, a rug, carpet or the like. The apparatus is manipulated with some pressure which squeezes the detergent out of the roller and onto the surface over which the applicator is manipulated and the applicator desirably manipulated back and forth, which results in the foaming of the detergcut and working it into the nap.

The amount of detergent discharged is readily controlled by the operator. As stated, this foaming causing the detergent to foam is highly effective in loosening the dirt or other foreign matter and tends to lift it to the surface so that when the detergent has dried such foreign matter can be readily removed by means of a suction cleaner, carpet sweeper or the like.

The brushes 11 coact with the roller in the working of the detergent into the nap and lift the nap which may be pressed down or matted by the thrust of the roller thereon.

The adaptation of the handle as a support for the receptacle 16 is a feature of substantial importance, as it enables the receptacle being formed of relatively light plastic material so that the contents are visible. The adaptation of the handle as a fiilling tube is not only of importance in the matter of filling the receptacle, but as we have pointed out the detergent desirably used tends to foam on agitation and it substantially foams in the receptacle as a result of the agitation resulting from the to and fro motion of the applicator. The handle being of sub stantial length prevents overflow as a result of this foammg.

We have illustrated and described our invention in a highly practical embodiment thereof and one which can be easily manipulated and controlled as to the matter of the liquid discharged. We have not attempted to illustrate or describe other embodiments or adaptations as we believe this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to adapt our invention as may be desired.

, Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and is desired to be secured by Letters Patent 1s:

1. In an implement of the class described, the combination of an elongated body member including integral side, top, and end walls defining a downwardly facing 4 chamber, the top wall having a longitudinally extending conduit member integral therewith and provided with a longitudinal series of uniformly spaced discharge openings extending from end to end thereof, said top wall having a central inlet opening to said conduit surrounded by an upwardly facing valve seat, a tubular handle connected to said body member in surrounding relation to said valve seat, brushes supportedly mounted on said body'rne mher and extending from end to end thereof with their bristles projecting downwardly from the body member, a liquid distributing roller of resilient spongy material dis posed between and journaled on said end walls in downwardly spaced non-contacting relation to said conduit to receive the discharge therefrom, said roller being disposed between and in laterally spaced non-contacting relation to said brushes with a substantial segment of the roller projection below the body member walls for a compressible driving engagement with a surface over 'whichit is translated, a liquid receptacle mounted on said body member in supported relation to said handle and in surrounding relation to said valve seat, a spring seated valve coacting with said valve seat, and a manually controlled means for opening said valve disposed within said handle.

2. In an implement of the class described, the combination of an elongated body member including integral side, top, and end walls defining a downwardly facing chamber, the top wall having a longitudinally extending conduit member integral therewith and provided with a longitudinal series of uniformly spaced discharge openings extending from end to end thereof, said top wall having a central inlet opening to said conduit surrounded by an upwardly facing valve seat, a handle connected to said body member in surrounding relation to said valve seat, brushes supportedly mounted on said body member and extending from end to end thereof with their bristles projecting downwardly from the body member, a liquid distributing roller of resilient spongy material disposed between and journalled on said end walls in downwardly spaced non-contacting relation to said conduit to receive the discharge therefrom, said roller being disposed between and in laterally spaced non-contacting relation to said brushes with a substantial segment of the roller projecting below the body member walls for compressible driving engagement with a surface over which it is translated, a liquid receptacle mounted on said body member in surrounding relation to said valve seat, a valve coacting with said valve seat, and a manually controlled means for opening said valve.

3. In an implement of the class described, the combination of an elongated chambered downwardly facing body member including laterally spaced side walls, the body member having a longitudinally extending discharge conduit therein discharging downwardly between said walls and having an inlet opening to said conduit, a liquid receptacle disposed on said body member in communication with said inlet to discharge thereto, a spring seated valve for said inlet, a handle connected to said body member to project upwardly therefrom and provided with a hand piece, means for manually opening said valve against the tension of its said seating spring including a finger piece positioned adjacent the hand piece of said handle, elongated brushes supportedly mounted on said body member and said body member extending 1ongitudinally thereof with the bristles of said brushes projecting downwardly therefrom, and, a liquid distributing roller of resilient spongy material rotatably mounted with in said body member in downwardly spaced non-contacting relation to said conduit to receive. the discharge therefrom and between and in laterally spaced non-contacting relation to said brushes with a substantial portion of the roller projecting below the body member walls for compressible driving engagement with a surface over which it is translated, both said roller and brushes. being resiliently yieldableunder use stresses.

gees-tea 4, Apparatus for applying liquid detergent mix to rugs and thelike surfaces having an upstanding nap, comprising a body member having a handle for manual manipulation of the member forward and backward over the nap surface, a cylindrical roller carried by said member and substantially supporting the same upon the nap surface, a source of liquid detergent mix subject to foaming by aeration, means carried by said member to supply restricted amounts of said liquid detergent mix to the upper surface of said roller, means to manually control said last named means, said roller having a substantial thicknessof resilient synthetic sponge material on its surface and which absorbs the liquid detergent mix and aerates the same to a foam' in working of the material in pressure contact with thenap of the surface,- and said handle being disposed to apply deforming -pressure to said roller against the nap surface during manipulation of the body member, and at least one brush carried by said member adjacent said roller and having its bristles facing downwardly to engage the nap in a sweeping action in the path of the roller and work the same in opposite direcf 'tions for conditioning the nap to receive a more uniform and thorough application of foam from the roller.

" 5. Apparatus for applying liquid detergent mix to rugs and the like surfaces having an upstanding nap, comprising a body member having a handle for manual manipula- 't ionof themember forward and backward over the nap surface, a cylindrical roller carried by said member and substantially supporting the same upon the nap surface, a source of liquid detergent mix subject to foaming by aeration, means carried by said member to supply restricted amounts of said liquid detergent mix to the upper surface of said roller, means to manually control .said

last nam ed means, said roller having a substantial thickmess of resilient syntheticsponge material on its surface and which absorbs the liquid detergent mix and aerates the same to a foam in working of the material in pressure contact with the nap of the surface, and said handle ibeing disposed to apply deforming pressure to said roller against the nap surface during manipulation of the body imember, and brushes carried by said member in front of and also to the rear of said roller, said brushes having bristles facing downwardly to engage the nap in a sweeping action and work the same in the path of said roller for conditioning the nap ahead of the roller in each directionof operation to thereby more effectively apply the foam by said roller.

' :6. Apparatus for applying liquid detergent mix to rugs and the like surfaces having an upstanding nap, compris- 7 ing a body member having a rigid handle for manual manipulation of the member forward and backward over the nap surface, a source of liquid detergent mix subject to, foaming by aeration and carried by said body member, manually controlled gravity discharge means for said mix, a single cylindrical roller carried by said member beneath said discharge means and substantially supporting the body member upon thejnap surface, said roller having a substantial thickness of resilient synthetic .sponge material on its surface and which absorbs liquid detergent'mix and aerates the same to a foam in, work- .ing of the material in pressure contact with the nap of the surface, said handle being disposed to apply deforming pressure to said roller against the nap surface during manipulation of the body member, and at least one brush canied by', said member adjacent said roller and having its, bristles facing downwardly to engage the nap in a sweeping action and work the same, the tilt of said handle {during manipulation of the body member controlling the 'actuation'of saidbrush to eflect conditioning of the nap I of the surface-for application of foam thereto by said roller.

an ar wsutetar ly sliq detergent x to a and the like surfaces having an upstanding nap, comprising a body member having a rigid handle for manual manipulation of the member forward and backward 6 over the nap surface, a source of liquid detergent mix subject to foaming by aeration and carried by said body member, manually controlled gravity discharge means for said mix, a single cylindrical roller carried by said member beneath said discharge means and substantially supporting the body member upon the nap surface, said roller having a substantial thickness of resilient synthetic sponge material on its surface and which absorbs liquid detergent mix and aerates the same to a foam in working of the material in pressure contact with the nap of the surface, said handle being disposed to apply deforming pressure to said roller against the nap surface during manipulation of the body member, and brushes carried by said member in front of and also to the rear of said roller, said brushes having bristles facing downwardly to engage the nap in a sweeping action and work the same in the path of said roller both fore andaft thereof to condition the nap for a more uniform application of foam thereto by said roller, and said rigid handle effecting a control of the actuation of said brushes by adjusting the tilt of the handle.

8. Apparatus for applying liquid detergent mix to rugs and the like surfaces having an upstanding nap, comprising a body member, a handle rigidly carried by said member and extending upwardly therefrom for manual manipulation of the member forward and backward over a rug by a standing operator, a single cylindrical roller carried by said member in substantially fixed bearings and substantially supporting the same upon the nap surface, brush means disposed adjacent said roller to engage the surface during forward and backward translation of said roller over the surface, means to supply restricted amounts of liquid detergent mix to the upper surface of said roller, and means to manually control said last named means, said roller having a substantial thickness of resilient synthetic sponge material on its surface and which absorbs the liquid detergent mix and aerates the same to a foam in workingof the material in pressure contact with the nap of the surface, and said handle being disposed to apply deforming pressure to said roller against the nap surface during manipulation of the body member effecting translation of the roller and brush over the surface.

9. Apparatus for applying liquid detergent mix to rugs and the like surfaces having an upstanding nap, corn-prising a body member, a handle rigidly carried by said member and extending upwardly therefrom for manual manipulation of the member forward and backward over a rug by a standing operator, a source of liquid detergent mix subject to foaming by aeration and carried by said body member, manually controlled gravity discharge means for said mix, a single cylindrical roller carried by said member beneath said discharge means and substantially supporting the same upon the nap surface, and brush means carried by said body member adjacent said roller and disposed to engage the nap surface and assist in the distribution of foam throughout the nap, said roller having a substantial thickness of resilient synthetic sponge material on its surface and which absorbs liquid detergent mix and aerates the same to a foam in working of the material in pressure contact with. the nap of the surface, and said handle being disposed to apply deforming pressure to said roller against the nap surface and to control the engagement of said brush to the surface during manipulation of the body member.

10. In an apparatus of the class described, an elongated body member provided with a handle, said body member having a longitudinally extending liquid conduit discharging downwardly, a liquid container connected to said body member for translation therewith, a discharge connection for said container to said discharge conduit provided with a manually controlled valve, elongated brushes amounted onsaid body member in laterally spaced relation to each other and relative to the vertical plane of the discharge of said conduit, and a generally cylindrical resiliently compressible synthetic sponge roller rotatively mounted on said body member between and in laterally spaced relation to said brushes and in downwardly spaced non-contacting relation to said conduit and positioned to receive the discharge from said conduit, said roller being capable of absorbing and translating a substantial quantity of liquid discharge thereon and being resiliently compressible whereby liquid in a substantially aerated form is squeezed therefrom upon a sur, face over which the roller is translated under surface contacting pressure, the brushes being positioned relative to the roller to engage the surface over which the device is translated by actuation of said handle.

11. An apparatus of the class described comprising an elongated manually operable body member having a longitudinally extending downwardly discharging liquid conduit, a liquid container connected to said body member for manipulation therewith and having a delivery connection to said conduit provided with a manually operable discharge valve, elongated brushes mounted on said body member in laterally spaced relation to each other and to extend longitudinally thereof, and a generally cylindrical resiliently compressible synthetic sponge roller rotatably mounted on said body member between said brushes and laterally spaced therefrom and positioned to project below said body member and in downwardly spaced non-contacting relation to said conduit and positioned to receive the liquid discharged therefrom and being capable of absorbing a substantial quantity of liquid discharged thereon and being resiliently compressible so that liquid carried thereby is squeezed therefrom in a substantially aerated form upon a surface over which the roller is translated under pressure, the brushes being positioned relative to the roller to extend in brushing relation to the surface upon which the device is translated by the manual operation of said body member.

12. An apparatus of the class described comprising an elongated manually operable body member having a longitudinally extending downwardly discharging liquid conduit, a liquid container connected to said body member for manipulation therewith and having a delivery connection to said conduit provided with a man ually operable discharge valve, an elongated brush mounted on said body member to extend longitudinally thereof, and a generally cylindrical resiliently compressible synthetic sponge roller rotatably mounted on said body member in spaced parallel relation to said brush and positioned to project below said body member and indownwardly spaced non-contacting relation to said conduit and to receive the liquid discharged therefrom and being capable of absorbing a substantial quantity of liquid discharged thereon and being resiliently compressible so that the liquid carried thereby is squeezed therefrom in a substantially aerated form upon a surface over which the roller is translated under presssure, the

brush being positioned relative to the roller to extend in brushing relation to the surface upon which the device is translated.

13. In an apparatus of the class described an elongated body member provided with a handle, said body member having a longitudinal extending liquid conduit discharging downwardly, a liquid container connected to said body member for translation therewith, a discharge connection for said container to said discharge conduit provided with a manually controlled valve, an elongated brush mounted on said body member in laterally spaced relation to the plane of the discharge of said conduit, and an elongated resiliently compressible roller rotatively mounted on said body member in laterally spaced parallel relation to said brush and positioned in downreceive the discharge from said conduit, said roller act- '8 ing to translate a substantial quantity of liquid discharge thereon upon a surface over which the roller is trans: lated under surface contacting pressure, the brush being positioned relative to the roller to extend in brushing relation to the surface over which said roller is translated by said handle. I

14. In a device for applying a foaming cleaning com; pound to nap surfaces, a source of'liquid cleaning compound subject to foaming when aerated, a roller for translation forward and backward over the nap surface to be treated and comprising a rigid core having a risilient compressible synthetic sponge material. of substantial radial thickness thereon, means to supply liquid from said source to said roller for absorption by said sponge material, means to translate said roller Over the nap surface and in continuous pressure contact therewith to eifect deformation of said sponge material and aeration of said cleaning compound with simultaneous discharge of the same in the form of foam upon the surface, said roller substantially supporting said translating means upon said surface and being free to deform in response to the support forces, and brush means carried by said translating means and disposed spaced from said roller to engage the nap surface in the path of the roller without interference with the latter and assist the distribution of the foam into the nap, said translating means being movable in directions other than the direction of translation to control the engagement of said brush means with the nap surface.

15. Apparatus for applying a foaming liquid detergent mix to rugs and the like surfaces havingan upstanding nap, comprising a roller for translation forward and backward over the nap surface to be treated and having a rigid core with a substantial radial thickness of during translation of the roller without direct interference therewith, said engagement of said brush means being controlled by said mounting means and generally increasing with increased deformation of said roller, and said roller having its lowermost rug engaging surface extending downwardly to the general plane of the bristle tips of said brush means to provide a substantial support for said mounting means and being free to deform at all times.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 489,828 Peterson Jan. 10, 1892 967,301 Andrews Aug. 16, 1910 1,111,697 Lichter Sept. 22, 1914 1,141,478 Mount June 1, 1915 1,175,723 Myers Mar. 14, 1916 1,461,947 Sporer July 17, 1923 1,550,052 Anderson Aug. 18, 1925 1,582,773 Nash Apr. 27, 1926 1,802,587 Tavender Apr. 28, 1931 2,154,990 Ombrello Apr. 18, 1939 2,250,692 Wise July 29, 1941 2,567,764 Davies Sept. .11, 1951 2,633,590 Mitchell Apr. 7, 1953 2,693,000 Minerley Nov. ,2, 1954 2,935,754 Abdo et a1. May 10, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 821,475 Germany Nov. 19, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTION Patent No. 2,975,462 March 21, 1961 Robert A, Yonkers et a1.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 4, line 57, for "for" read controlling line 63, strike out "said body member", second occurrence,

Signed and sealed this 22nd day of August 1961.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER Attesting Officer DAVID L. LADD Commissioner of Patents