U.S. patent application number 12/237085 was filed with the patent office on 2009-01-15 for bidirectional piston pump.
Invention is credited to Vrdoljak Ognjen, Maximilian Rosenzweig.
Application Number | 20090016916 12/237085 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39052986 |
Filed Date | 2009-01-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090016916 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rosenzweig; Maximilian ; et
al. |
January 15, 2009 |
BIDIRECTIONAL PISTON PUMP
Abstract
A two-way mechanical pump for a steam appliance having a main
body having a boiler with a water inlet and a steam outlet
positioned therein in provided. The bidirectional pump on two-way
piston pump in accordance with the invention includes a cylinder
separated into two chambers by a piston coupled to a piston rod or
appliance handle. An inlet having a one-way valve and an outlet
having a one-way valve are connected to each change. Movement of
the piston from the first end of the cylinder to the second end
expels liquid out of the second end and outlet and draws water into
the first chamber through the first inlet and one-way valve and
movement of the piston towards the first and expels water out of
the first chamber and outlet through the first outlet valve and
draws water into the second chamber through the second inlet and
inlet valve.
Inventors: |
Rosenzweig; Maximilian;
(Montreal, CA) ; Ognjen; Vrdoljak; (Laval,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Michael I. Wolfson;Greenberg Traurig, LLP
200 Park Avenue, MetLife Building
New York
NY
10166
US
|
Family ID: |
39052986 |
Appl. No.: |
12/237085 |
Filed: |
September 24, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11769521 |
Jun 27, 2007 |
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12237085 |
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11496143 |
Jul 31, 2006 |
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11769521 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
417/535 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04B 43/0063 20130101;
F22B 1/285 20130101; A47L 13/225 20130101; F04B 5/02 20130101; F22B
1/28 20130101; A47L 13/22 20130101; A47L 13/256 20130101; B08B 1/00
20130101; B08B 2230/01 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
417/535 |
International
Class: |
F04B 1/02 20060101
F04B001/02 |
Claims
1. A two-way mechanical pump, comprising: a pump cylinder having a
first end and a second end; a piston moveably positioned in the
cylinder and dividing the cylinder into a first chamber at the
first end, and a second chamber at the second end; a first inlet
connected to the first chamber of the cylinder with a first one-way
inlet valve in the first inlet, and a second inlet connected to the
second chamber of the cylinder with a second one-way inlet valve on
the second inlet; a first outlet connected to the first chamber of
the cylinder with a first one-way outlet valve in the first outlet,
and a second outlet connected to the second chamber of the cylinder
with a second one-way outlet valve in the second outlet.
2. The two-way pump of claim 1, wherein the first and second inlets
are connected to a common water source.
3. The two-way pump of claim 1, wherein the first and second
outlets are connected to a common outlet.
4. The two-way pump of claim 1, wherein the outlet is connected to
a steam generator.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser.
No. 11/769,521, filed Jun. 27, 2007, which is a
continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/496,143, filed
Jul. 31, 2006.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates generally to a pump, and more
particularly to a bidirectional piston pump that is actuated by the
movement of the piston in either direction to pump water, and more
particularly to a pump for pumping water from a reservoir to a
boiler for generating steam to be distributed to a steam nozzle of
a steam mop for application to a surface to be cleaned.
[0003] Conventional mops have been widely used for cleaning floors.
However, conventional mops have not been effective at cleaning dirt
in small crevices and floor gaps. In addition, conventional mops
require frequent rising since mops can only effectively clean a
small surface area at a time.
[0004] Steaming devices used to apply steam to household objects
are well known. The uses of the devices vary widely, and may
include the application of steam to drapes or other fabrics to ease
wrinkles, and the application of steam to objects to assist in
cleaning the objects.
[0005] Typical steam devices have a reservoir for storing water
that is connected to an electrical water pump with an on/off
switch. The exit from the electric water pump is connected to a
steam boiler with a heating element to heat the water. The heated
water generates steam, which may be directed towards its intended
destination through a nozzle which controls the application of the
steam. Variation of the shape and size of the nozzle allows for
preferred distribution of generated steam to an object to be
cleaned. The nozzles may be disconnectable from the steam generator
to allow different nozzles to be utilized, based on the object to
be steamed. The nozzle may be either closely coupled to the steam
generator, or located at a distance from the steam generator,
requiring tubing or other steam transfer structures to be
interconnected between the steam generator and the discharge
nozzle. Typically, it is beneficial to provide suitable connectors
between the steam generator and the nozzle to allow either the
nozzle to be connected to the steam generator, or to allow the
interpositioning of transfer tubes or hoses between the steam
generator and the nozzle.
[0006] In general, the nozzles used with the steam cleaners do not
have large surface areas and a cloth to absorb the liquid
condensate of the steam. Here, the fabric pad is secured to the
nozzle by Velcro strips to a plurality of cleats on the bottom of
the nozzle. In another embodiment, a flat fabric piece is folded
around a flat brush or nozzle in order to increase the cleaning
surface area. The folded fabric on top of the brush or nozzle is
secured by a clip on top of the piece. Often steam injected behind
the cloth passes through the cloth at the points the bristles
contact on the cloth. This tends to wet the cloth and reduce the
cleaning effectiveness of the steam. In addition, the cloth covers
must be carefully attached not to cover the front or back of the
brush attachment.
[0007] Notwithstanding the wide variety of pumps suitable for a
steam generating appliance available, there exists the need to
provide an efficient, compact and easy to use bidirectional piston
pump for pumping water in response to movement of an appliance
handle and effectively improve the pumping action to improve
effective steam generation in steam appliances.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Generally speaking, in accordance with the invention, a
bidirectional piston pump for selectively injecting water from a
reservoir to a boiler in response to the push-pull movement of a
mop is provided. The mop includes a housing with an electric boiler
and a water pump wherein a user's back and forth movement of the
mop pumps water to the boiler for distribution of steam to a steam
pad frame attachment for cleaning. A fabric steam pad is mounted on
the steam pad frame to provide an improved cleaning surface.
[0009] The bidirectional pump or two-way piston pump in accordance
with the invention includes a cylinder separated into two chambers
by a piston coupled to a piston rod or appliance handle. An inlet
having a one-way valve and an outlet having a one-way valve are
connected to each chamber. Movement of the piston from the first
end of the cylinder to the second end expels liquid out of the
second end outlet and draws water into the first chamber through
the first inlet and one-way valve and movement of the piston
towards the first end expels water out of the first chamber and
outlet through the first outlet valve and draws water into the
second chamber through the second inlet and inlet valve.
[0010] Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an
improved bidirectional piston pump.
[0011] Another object of the invention is to provide a steam mop
including the improved pump.
[0012] A further object of the invention is to provide a mechanical
pump that is actuated by movement of the piston in either direction
pumps liquid from the pump.
[0013] Yet another object of the invention is to provide a steam
mop including the improved bidirectional piston pump.
[0014] Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in
part be obvious and will in part be apparent from the
specification.
[0015] The invention accordingly comprises a product possessing the
features, properties, and the relation of components which will be
exemplified in the product hereinafter described, and the scope of
the invention will be indicated in the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is
made to the following description taken in connection with the
accompanying drawing(s), in which:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of steam mop including a steam
pad frame attachment for receiving a fabric steam pad including a
bidirectional piston pump constructed and arranged in accordance
with the invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a two way valve suitable for
use with the steam mop of FIG. 1; and
[0019] FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a pump with the two way
valve of FIG. 2 connected to the boiler with steam pad frame and
fabric steam pad of the steam mop of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a steam mop 10 constructed
and arranged in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
Mop 10 includes a housing or main body 16 connected to a steam pad
frame 21 at one end of a pipe 20 and having a handle 11 at the
other end of pipe 20. Housing 16 includes a water container or tank
14 as shown in FIG. 2 as part of the upper part of housing 16 and
is connected to a boiler 46 by a pump 29 having a one-way outlet
valve 45. Any type of mechanical pump or some other means of
transporting the water to the boiler may be used with steam mop 10.
Preferably, pump 29 is a mechanical pump, such as a bellows pump or
a piston pump, that is actuated by movement of mop 10 by a user
pushing and pulling handle 11 at the end of pipe 20. An upper cord
hanger 17 is mounted on handle 11 and a lower cord hanger 18 for
easy storage of a power cord 47 is mounted on pipe 20.
[0021] Steam pad frame 21 is substantially rectangular in shape and
includes a central steam opening 23 as shown on FIG. 5. Steam
generated in steam boiler 46 shown in FIG. 2 dispenses steam into
frame 21 to central steam opening 23 of frame 21. A substantially
rectangular fabric steam pad 24 is mounted on frame 21 by attaching
a pair of Velcro strips on pad 24 to a plurality of cleats mounted
on frame 21.
[0022] Referring now to FIG. 2, a "two way" valve 250 suitable for
use in a steam mop. Valve 250 will pump water when an appliance or
handle 11 coupled to piston 254 is displaced both in the forward
motion and also in the return or backwards motion. Pump 250
includes a pump cylinder 251 having an upper chamber 252 and a
lower chamber 253 divided by a piston 254 that is connected to a
piston rod 255 which moves up and down in response to movement of
handle 11.
[0023] A first inlet unidirectional duck bill valve 256 and a first
outlet unidirectional duck bill valve 257 are connected to upper
chamber 252. A second inlet unidirectional duck bill valve 258 and
a second outlet unidirectional duck bill valve 259 are connected to
lower chamber 253. As shown in FIG. 3, both inlet duck bill valves
256 and 258 are connected in parallel to a water inlet pipe 261
having a water inlet fitting 262 for securing a hose from a
reservoir in housing 16. Water outlet duck bill valves 257 and 259
are connected in parallel to a water outlet pipe 263 that is
secured to a water outlet hose 266 connected to a boiler 267 at an
inlet 268. In order to create the pumping action to force water out
of valves 257 and 259, volume changes in chambers 252 and 253 must
be created.
[0024] A steam hose 269 is connected to steam generator 267 of any
suitable design, which can be used to distribute the steam in the
desired pattern. Water inlet 261 can be connected with any suitable
connection (rubber hose, direct connection to a water tank, etc) to
the water supply to enable pump 251 to pump and deliver the water
to steam generator 267.
[0025] As piston 254 is moving downward, the volume of lower
chamber 253 decreases which causes the water which is inside to
exit chamber 253 through duck bill valve 259. Water flow direction
is determined by the direction of a duck bill valve. Water can flow
only in one direction through a duck bill valve. At the same time
water flows through outlet valve 259, the volume of chamber 252
increases. This increase of the volume causes water to flow from
the reservoir into chamber 252 through inlet duck bill valve 256 as
shown by arrow A.
[0026] A steam appliance including a bidirectional piston pump
provides many advantages for ease of use because it eliminates the
need for an electric water pump and an on/off switch to activate
the electric water pump. Here, the user has more control over the
amount of water needed to be discharged into the boiler and
consequently, how much steam is needed by moving the mop forward
and backwards. In addition, the appliance can be designed as a low
pressure or non-pressurized system so it is safer for the user to
use. Further, since the amount of water routed to the boiler is
controlled, the boiler can create steam in a short amount of
time.
[0027] It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among
those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently
attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above
product without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above
description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be
interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
[0028] It is also to be understood that the following claims are
intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the
invention herein described and all statements of the scope of the
invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall
therebetween.
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