U.S. patent application number 10/570404 was filed with the patent office on 2006-11-23 for cleaning device with cleaning head and cleaning product supply means.
This patent application is currently assigned to Reckitt Benckiser (UK) Limited. Invention is credited to Geoffrey Robert Hammond.
Application Number | 20060260089 10/570404 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29226565 |
Filed Date | 2006-11-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060260089 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hammond; Geoffrey Robert |
November 23, 2006 |
Cleaning device with cleaning head and cleaning product supply
means
Abstract
A cleaning device is adapted to be secured to a vacuum pump,
said cleaning device comprising a cleaning head (10) and cleaning
product supply means (16), wherein a first cleaning product is
located in a cleaning product section of the head section, the
cleaning device comprises a first path (14) from the cleaning
product supply means (16) to the cleaning head (10) and a second
path (12) from the cleaning head (10) to a reservoir (16), wherein
an ejection section (52) of the cleaning head (10) is operable to a
eject cleaning product (49) from the cleaning product supply means
(16) on/in to a surface (38) to be cleaned and a suction section
(42, 44, 46) of the cleaning head (10) is operable to draw ejected
cleaning product (49) from said surface (38) along said second path
(12).
Inventors: |
Hammond; Geoffrey Robert;
(Hull, East Yorkshire, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NORRIS, MCLAUGHLIN & MARCUS
875 THIRD AVE
18TH FLOOR
NEW YORK
NY
10022
US
|
Assignee: |
Reckitt Benckiser (UK)
Limited
103-105 Bath Road
Slough, Berkshire
GB
SL1 3UH
|
Family ID: |
29226565 |
Appl. No.: |
10/570404 |
Filed: |
August 20, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
August 20, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB04/03591 |
371 Date: |
April 7, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/322 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 11/4016 20130101;
A47L 9/06 20130101; A47L 11/4083 20130101; A47L 11/34 20130101;
A47L 9/0613 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/322 |
International
Class: |
A47L 11/30 20060101
A47L011/30 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 5, 2003 |
GB |
0320832.9 |
Claims
1. A cleaning device is adapted to be secured to a vacuum pump,
said cleaning device comprising a cleaning head and cleaning
product supply means, wherein a first cleaning product is located
in a cleaning product section of the head section, the cleaning
device comprises a first path from the cleaning product supply
means to the cleaning head and a second path from the cleaning head
to a reservoir, wherein an ejection section of the cleaning head is
operable to a eject cleaning product from the cleaning product
supply means on/in to a surface to be cleaned and a suction section
of the cleaning head is operable to draw ejected cleaning product
from said surface along said second path.
2. A cleaning device according to claim 1, in which the reservoir
comprises a part of the cleaning product supply means or is
separate from the cleaning product supply means.
3. A cleaning device according to claim 1, in which, on application
of suction from the vacuum pump, the cleaning head is adapted to at
least partially seal against a surface on which it is placed,
thereby causing suction on the ejection section, which suction is
operable to cause ejection of cleaning product from the ejection
section.
4. A cleaning device according to claim 1, in which the cleaning
head is adapted, in use, to eject cleaning product from the
cleaning head when the cleaning head is placed against a surface to
be cleaned and at least partly seals against the surface.
5. A cleaning device according to claim 1, in which, the suction
section incorporates a peripheral sealing element and an inner
sealing element forming a cavity.
6. A cleaning device according to claim 1, in which one of the
suction section and the ejection section is located within the
other.
7. A cleaning device according to claim 1, in which, in use,
suction from the suction section causes cleaning product from the
ejection section to be drawn into a surface to be cleaned and to
move around the inner flange and into the suction section.
8. A cleaning device according to claim 1, in which cleaning
product to be ejected from the head section comprises a second
cleaning product from the cleaning product supply section and the
first cleaning product.
9. A cleaning device according to claim 1, in which the first and
second cleaning products are preferably mixed in the cleaning
product section.
10. A cleaning device according to claim 1, in which he cleaning
product section is a cartridge received on or in a remainder of the
cleaning head.
11. A cleaning device according to claim 1, in which the cleaning
device is adapted such that on placing the cleaning head on a
surface to be cleaned suction along the second path draws free
material from the surface.
12. A cleaning device according to claim 1, in which the cleaning
device is adapted such that after a delay following placing the
cleaning head on a surface to be cleaned cleaning product is
ejected from the ejection means.
13. A cleaning device according to claim 1, in which the cleaning
product supply means includes a second cleaning product store.
14. A cleaning device according to claim 1, in which, the second
cleaning product store is received in a body section of the
cleaning product supply means.
15. A cleaning device according to claim 1, in which an obstruction
element is located in the path of an air stream carrying material
received from the cleaning head
16. A cleaning device according to claim 15, in which the cleaning
product supply means incorporates a filter section, which is
adapted to filter the air stream, after the air stream has passed
the obstruction element.
17. A cartridge for a cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein
the cartridge is adapted to be secured to a cleaning head of the
cleaning device and to form part of a first path thereof, said
cartridge including a first cleaning product.
18. A cartridge according to claim 17, which is adapted to eject
the first cleaning product from an ejection section of the cleaning
head on receipt of a second cleaning product from a cleaning
product supply means of the cleaning device.
19. A replaceable cleaning head operable to be secured to the
remainder of the cleaning device according to claim 1.
20. A method of cleaning which comprises the process steps of:
securing a vacuum pump to a cleaning product supply means of a
cleaning device, said cleaning device further incorporating a
cleaning head; drawing material into a suction section of the
cleaning head and along a second path to a reservoir; and drawing a
second cleaning product from the cleaning product supply means
along a first path for mixing with a first cleaning product;
ejecting the mixed first and second cleaning products from an
ejection section of the cleaning head; and drawing the mixed first
and second cleaning products and material cleaned from a target
surface into the suction section and along the second path.
21. A method according to claim 20, in which the reservoir
comprises a part of the cleaning product supply means or is
separate from the cleaning product supply means.
22. A method according to claim 20, which includes the additional
step of continuing suction with the suction means after the first
and/or second cleaning products have been exhausted.
23. A method according to claim 20, which includes partially
sealing the cleaning head against a surface to be cleaned to allow
a partial vacuum to be created in the ejection section in order to
draw the first cleaning fluid along the first path.
24. A method according to claim 23, which includes the partial seal
created by the cleaning head sealing both the suction section and
the ejection section.
25. A method according to claim 20, in which cleaning product from
the ejection section passes into a surface to be cleaned in order
to enter the suction section.
26. A method according to claim 20, in which a first suction stage
draws free material from the surface to be cleaned; a second
suction stage draws the second cleaning material along the first
path and through the surface to be cleaned; and a third suction
stage draws remaining free material from the surface.
Description
[0001] This invention relates to a cleaning device and to a
cleaning product cartridge therefor.
[0002] When a substance is spilled on a carpet or fabric a problem
arises in how the spill should be cleaned. Simply wiping the spill
with a cloth often has the effect of only diluting and spreading
the material that has been spilled. Sucking the spill from the
carpet or fabric with a suction device such as a vacuum cleaner is
also inappropriate, because the spilled material often penetrates
into the carpet or fabric to such an extent that suction alone will
not work.
[0003] It is an object of the present invention to address the
above mentioned disadvantages.
[0004] According to a first aspect of the invention, a cleaning
device is adapted to be secured to a vacuum pump, said cleaning
device comprising a cleaning head and cleaning product supply
means, wherein a first cleaning product is located in a cleaning
product section of the head section, the cleaning device comprises
a first path from the cleaning product supply means to the cleaning
head and a second path from the cleaning head to a reservoir,
wherein an ejection section of the cleaning head is operable to a
eject cleaning product from the cleaning product supply means on/in
to a surface to be cleaned and a suction section of the cleaning
head is operable to draw ejected cleaning product from said surface
along said second path.
[0005] The reservoir may comprise a part of the cleaning product
supply means (i.e. the reservoir and the cleaning product supply
means may be combined as a single vessel). Alternatively the
reservoir may be separate from the cleaning product supply
means.
[0006] Preferably, on application of suction from the vacuum pump,
the cleaning head is adapted to at least partially seal against a
surface on which it is placed, thereby causing suction on the
ejection section, which suction is preferably operable to cause
ejection of cleaning product from the ejection section.
[0007] Advantageously, suction is used to draw cleaning product
from the cleaning product supply means to the cleaning head for
ejection therefrom. Cleaning product is advantageously ejected from
the cleaning head when the cleaning head is placed against a
surface to be cleaned and at least partly seals against the
surface.
[0008] Preferably, the suction section incorporates a peripheral
sealing element, preferably a peripheral flange. The suction
section preferably incorporates an inner sealing element,
preferably an inner flange. The inner and outer flanges preferably
form a cavity. The cavity preferably leads to a suction chamber,
which preferably leads to the second path.
[0009] Preferably, one of the suction section and the ejection
section is located within the other. More preferably, the ejection
section is located within the suction section.
[0010] The ejection section is preferably located within the inner
flange of the suction section.
[0011] Advantageously, suction from the suction section causes s
cleaning product from the ejection section to be drawn into a
surface to be cleaned to move around the inner flange and into the
suction section.
[0012] Preferably, cleaning product to be ejected from the head
section comprises a second cleaning product, preferably water, from
the cleaning product supply section and the first cleaning
product.
[0013] The first and second cleaning products are preferably mixed
in the cleaning product section. The cleaning product section may
be a cartridge received on or in a remainder of the cleaning
head.
[0014] The cleaning product may be a gel or a powder or a liquid or
may be another material that may be mixed with water. The cleaning
product may be a detergent.
[0015] Advantageously a supply of water in the cleaning product
section is used to dilute/dissolve or is mixed with a cleaning
product in the cleaning product section.
[0016] Preferably, the cleaning device is adapted such that on
placing the cleaning head on a surface to be cleaned suction along
the second path draws free material, such as a spill, from the
surface. After a delay cleaning product is ejected from the
ejection means. Preferably, the delay is dictated by a strength of
suction along the second path, a length of the first path, a length
of the second path, sizes of the two paths and any constrictions
therein.
[0017] Preferably, the cleaning product supply means includes a
second cleaning product store. Preferably, the cleaning product
supply means includes a waste product store, adapted to receive
material from the cleaning head, via the second path.
[0018] Preferably, an obstruction element is located in the path of
an air stream carrying material received from the cleaning head.
The obstruction plate is preferably a generally vertically aligned
surface.
[0019] Advantageously, material impinging on the obstruction
element is separated from the air stream and passes to the waste
product store.
[0020] Preferably, the second cleaning product store is received in
a body section of the cleaning product supply means. Preferably,
the first path leads from the second cleaning product store to the
cleaning head.
[0021] The cleaning product supply means preferably incorporates a
filter section, which is adapted to filter the air stream, after
the air stream has passed the obstruction element.
[0022] The vacuum pump is preferably a vacuum cleaner.
[0023] According to a second aspect of the invention a cartridge
for a cleaning device as described in the first aspect is adapted
to be secured to a cleaning head of the cleaning device and to form
part of a first path thereof, said cartridge including a first
cleaning product.
[0024] The cartridge is preferably adapted to eject the first
cleaning product from an ejection section of the cleaning head on
receipt of a second cleaning product from a cleaning product supply
means of the cleaning device.
[0025] Advantageously, the use of a cartridge to contain the first
cleaning product allows simple replacement of the first cleaning
product, without the need for a user to contact that product, which
may be unsuitable for human contact.
[0026] The invention extends to a replaceable cleaning head
operable to be secured to the remainder of the cleaning device of
the first aspect.
[0027] According to a third aspect of the invention a method of
cleaning comprises: [0028] securing a vacuum pump to a cleaning
product supply means of a cleaning device, said cleaning device
further incorporating a cleaning head; [0029] drawing material into
a suction section of the cleaning head and along a second path to a
reservoir; and [0030] drawing a second cleaning product from the
cleaning product supply means along a first path for mixing with a
first cleaning product; [0031] ejecting the mixed first and second
cleaning products from an ejection section of the cleaning head;
and [0032] drawing the mixed first and second cleaning products and
material cleaned from a target surface into the suction section and
along the second path.
[0033] As in the first aspect of the invention the reservoir may
comprise a part of the cleaning product supply means (i.e., the
reservoir and the cleaning product supply means may be combined as
a single vessel). Alternatively the reservoir may be separate from
the cleaning product supply means.
[0034] The method may include the additional step of continuing
suction with the suction means after the first and/or second
cleaning products have been exhausted.
[0035] The method may include partially sealing the cleaning head
against a surface to be cleaned to allow a partial vacuum to be
created in the ejection section in order to draw the first cleaning
fluid along the first path.
[0036] A partial seal created by the cleaning head preferably
partially seals both the suction section and the ejection
section.
[0037] Preferably, cleaning product from the ejection section must
pass into a surface to be cleaned, such as a carpet or fabric, in
order to enter the suction section.
[0038] Advantageously a first suction stage draws free material
from the surface to be cleaned; a second suction stage draws the
second cleaning material along the first path and through the
surface to be cleaned; and a third suction stage draws remaining
free material from the surface.
[0039] All of the features described herein can be combined with
any of the above aspects, in any combination.
[0040] For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how
embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will
now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic
drawings in which:
[0041] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a head section of
a cleaning device showing connecting tubes extending towards a body
section of the cleaning device;
[0042] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of the body
section of the cleaning device showing the connecting tubes
extending leftwards towards the head section shown in FIG. 1;
[0043] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of the
cleaning head during a first stage of a cleaning operation;
[0044] FIG. 4 shows the same view of the cleaning head as shown in
FIG. 3 but in a second stage of a cleaning operation;
[0045] FIG. 5 shows the cleaning head in the same view as shown in
FIGS. 3 and 4 in a third stage of a cleaning operation;
[0046] FIG. 6 shows a side view of the cleaning head in the same
view as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, but in a fourth stage of a cleaning
operation; and
[0047] FIG. 7 shows a schematic plan view of an underside of the
head section of the cleaning device.
[0048] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a cleaning device comprises a
head section 10 having a vacuum tube 12 and a water supply tube 14
extending towards a body section 16 (in FIG. 2). The body section
16 also has a port 18 for connection to a vacuum cleaner hose 20 of
a vacuum cleaner (not shown).
[0049] In use, when the body section 16 is connected to the vacuum
cleaner hose 20 suction from the vacuum cleaner causes material at
the head section to be sucked back towards the body section 16.
Also, water from a subsidiary section of the body section 16 is
sucked from the body section 16 to the head section 10 for cleaning
of a surface to be cleaned and is then sucked down the vacuum tube
12 and into a main part of the body section 16 for retention.
[0050] In more detail, the body section 16 comprises a clean water
vessel 22 which sits on a main portion 24 of the body section 16.
The clean water vessel 22 has a peripheral flange 26 which is
received on an upper flange 28 of the main portion 24. The clean
water vessel 22 is removable from the main portion 24 to allow for
filling thereof with clean, warm water or the like.
[0051] A lid section 30 is provided to cover the clean water vessel
22. The lid section 30 has an opening 31 therein to allow the
ingress of air to replace water that is drawn from the vessel 22. A
downward protruding flange 32 of the lid section 30 is received in
an upper part of the clean water vessel 22 to seal said water
vessel 22. The water supply tube 14 extends downwards towards a
base of the clean water vessel to allow water to be sucked from the
clean water vessel 22 and along the water supply tube 14.
[0052] The water supply tube 14 passes through openings 34a and 34b
in the lid section 30 before extending towards the head section
10.
[0053] The port 18 is located at a lower section of the main
portion 24. The port 18 provides a spigot on or in which the vacuum
cleaner hose 20 can be secured. Leading into the port 18 from the
body section 16 is a cavity 34 in which is placed a coarse
absorbent filter material which removes any residual moisture or
particulate matter from air being sucked towards the port 18.
[0054] At a bottom section of the body section 16 soiled water from
the vacuum tube 12 is received and retained. A side wall 36 of the
clean water vessel 22 forms an obstruction plate, against which air
and entrained water from the suction pipe 12 impinges. Water that
hits the side wall 36 runs down the side wall 36 and drips to the
bottom of the body section 16. Such use of the side wall 36
beneficially removes water from the air flow so that only 30 air is
sucked into the port 18, after filtration by the coarse absorbent
filter in the cavity 34.
[0055] As shown in FIG. 3, when the head section 10 is placed on a
carpet 38 on which e.g. wine 40 has been spilled, air being sucked
through the vacuum tube 12 sucks the wine 40 into an annular ring
cavity 42 which leads into an upper cavity 43 and into the vacuum
tube 12. When the head section 10 is placed on the carpet 38 outer
and inner side walls 44 and 46 respectively of the annular ring
cavity 42 form a partial seal due to a partial vacuum created by
suction from the vacuum cleaner. This causes material from beneath
the annular ring cavity 42 and in the carpet 38 to the sides of
annular ring 42 to be subject to suction. This provides good
suction through the carpet, where the wine 40 is located.
[0056] It is important to note that when the head section 10 is not
placed on a carpet or pressed against a surface air is simply
sucked into the annular ring cavity 42 and back to the vacuum
cleaner with no or a much smaller vacuum or partial vacuum being
created in the annular ring cavity 42.
[0057] When the head section 10 has been placed on the carpet 38 or
another fabric a vacuum or partial vacuum builds up in a centre
portion 48 by virtue of the seal formed by the inner wall 46 of the
annular ring cavity 42. The vacuum or partial vacuum thus created
causes clean warm water to be drawn from the clean water vessel 22
and along the water supply tube 14. A period of approximately
thirty seconds elapses to allow for the vacuum pressure to build
and to allow for water to be pulled along the tube 14 from the
clean water vessel 22. The thirty second period is chosen to allow
free wine 40 to be drawn up by the vacuum before a detergent is
released as will be described below.
[0058] The period of thirty seconds is chosen for convenience, but
of course could be varied. The length of time taken for water to be
drawn from the clean water vessel 22 is based on the length of the
water supply tube 14, its diameter and any constriction therein.
Thus, suitable variation of these factors can be made to achieve a
desired length of time between initial placement of the head
section 10 on the soiled carpet 38 or other material and the
arrival of clean water at the head section 10.
[0059] The water supply tube 14 enters a cavity 50 of the head
section 10, in which cavity 50 is located a cleaning product 49,
such as a suitable detergent. The clean water from the clean water
vessel 22 causes the cleaning product to be either dissolved or
liquefied and is then carried into the centre section 48 via an
opening 52, as shown in FIG. 4.
[0060] The mixture of water and cleaning product can be worked into
the carpet 38 by movement of the head section 10. Bristles 54
extend downwardly through the centre section 48 and are used to
work the water and cleaning product into the carpet 38. The
bristles 54 may be moulded into the centre section 48 or may be
inserted after production of the remainder of the head section
10.
[0061] Water alone is passed through the cleaning head 10 via the
cavity 50, opening 52 and centre section 48 after sufficient water
has passed through the cavity 50 to remove all of the cleaning
product. This is done in order to provide a rinsing action in the
carpet 38 that is being cleaned, as shown in FIG. 5.
[0062] After the water in clean water vessel 22 has been exhausted,
as shown in FIG. 6, excess water is removed by further suction from
the vacuum cleaner, causing drying of the carpet 38.
[0063] Thus, it is expected that all of the water in the clean
water vessel 22 will be used up during a single cleaning operation,
as will the cleaning product in the cavity 50. Thus, the base of
the body section 16 should be sufficiently sized to take all of the
water from the clean water vessel 22 and also the cleaning product
from the cavity 50.
[0064] Preferably, the head section 10 is made of a flexible or
resilient material, possibly out of synthetic or natural rubber or
a suitable thermoplastic elastomer.
[0065] The head section 10 may be in the form of a cartridge which
is replaceable after each use, with the cavity 50 in the cartridge
carrying a fresh supply of cleaning product 49. The cartridge may
attach to the vacuum tube 12 and the water supply tube 14 by a snap
fit action.
[0066] In order to more easily facilitate connection of the head
section 10 to the vacuum tube 12 and water supply tube 14. The
tubes may be concentric with the water supply tube 14 being housed
within the vacuum tube 12 with a suitable connector at the end
thereof to allow connection to the head section 10.
[0067] The embodiment described above is a "one shot" system, in
which all of the water in the clean water vessel 22 is used.
However, it would be possible to incorporate a mechanism by which
the water supply from the clean water vessel 22 could be turned on
or off with a suitable valve in order to use only part of the water
in the water vessel 22.
[0068] In use, the water vessel 22 would typically be filled by
removal of the water vessel 22 and filling it from a tap or the
like.
[0069] An alternative arrangement for the head section 10 is to
have the cavity 50 forming a removable cartridge for containing the
cleaning product and for replacement by a fresh cartridge after use
of the cleaning product 49 therein. This would leave the remainder
of the head section 10 for repeated use attached to the vacuum tube
12. The cartridge of cleaning product 49 would have a connection
for the water supply tube 14.
[0070] The cartridge and/or the head section 10 may be formed by
injection moulding, or may be thermo-formed or be produced by blow
moulding.
[0071] A further embodiment of the cleaning device formed by the
head section 10 water supply tube 14, vacuum tube 10 and body
section 16 is to combine the head section 10 and body section 16
into a single unit. The connections between the two would still be
the same in that a flow path from a portion corresponding to the
body section 16 to a portion corresponding to the head section 10
and back from that section to the body section 16 would still be
present, although a user would manipulate the combined head and
body section in order to clean the carpet 38 or other material as
described above.
[0072] The cleaning device described herein is of particular use
for cleaning spills or stains, such as wine stains as described
above. However, the device could also be used for more general
cleaning purposes, in which case a larger clean water vessel 22
would be required, as well as larger cavity 34 for provision of a
greater amount of cleaning product 49.
[0073] The cleaning device described herein has particular
advantages in allowing spills to be cleaned using a simple
attachment to a vacuum cleaner which can easily filled with a small
amount of water to provide the necessary cleaning of a relatively
small spill. The provision of a cavity for including cleaning
product provides additional advantages over simply using water to
clean a spill. Furthermore, the provision of a cartridge of
cleaning product allows for easy replacement and easy repeated use
of the cleaning device.
[0074] The cleaning product used may be any of those suitable for
cleaning stains in carpets or fabrics etc. The products may be in
the form of a gel, a liquid, a powder (which may be compressed), or
any other suitable type that will be dispersed, dissolved or mixed
with water.
* * * * *