Abstract:
A portable cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface is provided and includes a housing for movement along the cleaning surface. A solution distribution system is mounted at least in part to the housing and includes a solution distributor operatively connected to the housing for distributing a cleaning solution onto the cleaning surface, a first solution tank for holding the cleaning solution, and a solid chemical containing a fragrance emitting substance provided in the first solution tank.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for distributing fragrance on a cleaning surface.  
         [0003]     2. Background Information  
         [0004]     It is known to have cleaning machines such as carpet extractors that distribute cleaning solution composed of detergent mixed with water to wash the cleaning surfaces. Some extractors can also distribute cleaning solution composed of clean water to rinse the cleaning surface in addition to cleaning solution composed of detergent mixed with water. Often, a clean water supply tank and a detergent supply tank are used for distributing either type of cleaning solution. Some cleaning machines further have mixing valves to selectively control the ratio of detergent and clean water in the cleaning solution. It would be desirable to provide a cleaning machine that distributes a cleaning solution that has fragrance attributes to produce the desired smell.  
         [0005]     Hence, it is an object the present invention to provide a cleaning machine that distributes a cleaning solution with fragrance attributes.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The foregoing and other objects of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following description and the attached drawings. In one aspect of the invention, a portable cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface is provided and includes a housing for movement along the cleaning surface. A solution distribution system is mounted at least in part to the housing and includes a solution distributor operatively connected to the housing for distributing a cleaning solution onto the cleaning surface, a first solution tank for holding the cleaning solution, and a solid chemical containing a fragrance emitting substance provided in the first solution tank.  
         [0007]     In another aspect of the invention, a portable cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface is provided and includes a housing for movement along the cleaning surface. A solution distribution system is mounted at least in part to the housing and includes a solution distributor operatively connected to the housing for distributing a cleaning solution onto the cleaning surface, a first solution tank for holding the cleaning solution, and a body of a fragrance emitting substance combined with an effervescent substance provided in said first solution tank.  
         [0008]     In another aspect of the invention, a method for applying a fragrance emitting substance to a cleaning surface is provided and includes the steps of placing a solid chemical composed of the fragrance emitting substance into a first solution tank in an extraction cleaning machine which includes the solution tank, placing a body of liquid in the solution tank to dissolve the solid chemical composed of fragrance emitting substance and emit the fragrance from the solid chemical, providing a distributor operatively connected to said extraction cleaning machine for distributing a liquid onto the cleaning surface in fluid communication with the first solution tank, and distributing the liquid containing the dissolved solid chemical onto the cleaning surface through the distributor as the extraction cleaning machine is moved over the surface. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]     The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the attached drawings, of which:  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a carpet extractor embodying the present invention;  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the base assembly of the carpet extractor illustrating the principal elements thereof;  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view of the fluid distribution system of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ; and  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is a magnified view of a bristle from the brush assembly of the carpet extractor of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0014]     Referring to the drawings,  FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of an upright carpet extractor  60  according to one embodiment of the present invention. The upright carpet extractor  60  comprises an upright handle assembly  62  pivotally connected to the rear portion of the floor-engaging portion or base assembly  64  that moves and cleans along a surface  74  such as a carpet.  
         [0015]     A supply tank assembly  76  is removably mounted to the handle portion  62  of the extractor  60  and includes a combination carrying handle and securement latch  78  pivotally connected thereto. A combined air/water separator and recovery tank  80  removably sets atop base assembly  64  and is surrounded by a hood portion  82 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , the base assembly  64  includes a frame assembly  83  which comprises a generally unitary molded rear body  84  having two laterally displaced wheels  66  (the left wheel  66 L being shown in  FIG. 1 ) rotatably attached to the rear of the rear body  84  via axles  67 . Integrally molded into the bottom of the rear body  84  is a circular stepped basin  86  receiving therein a motor/fan assembly  90  used to provide the suction power. The motor/fan assembly  90  is in fluid communication with the recovery tank  80 . A suitable motor/fan assembly is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,500,977, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.  
         [0016]     The base assembly  64  includes a brush assembly  70  having a plurality of rotating scrub brushes  72  ( FIG. 3 ) for scrubbing the surface. An air driven turbine  98  providing motive power for the brush assembly  70  is mounted on the front portion of the rear body  84 . The brush assembly  70  is contained in a brush cavity  73  formed in the underside of the front body  92 . A suitable brush assembly  70  is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,867,857; the disclosure which is incorporated herein by reference. Brush assembly  70  is operated by a suitable gear train (or other known means), not shown, contained in transmission housing  100 . A suitable air turbine driven gear train is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,443,362; the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. The brushes  72  include a plurality of bristles  201  ( FIG. 3 ) arranged in bundles that are compressively inserted into blind bores of the scrub brushes  72 .  
         [0017]     As depicted in  FIG. 4 , each bristle  201  is composed of an antimicrobial additive or material  203 , made by AgION Technologies, L.L.C., that suppresses the growth of various kinds of bacteria, mold and fungus. In particular, the material contains an inorganic substance having silver  205  in its ionic form. The antimicrobial material includes a zeolite carrier, or delivery system that allows a controlled and effective release of the silver ions  205 . Specifically, the moisture film  207  on the bristle  201  causes a controlled release of the silver ions  205  at a slow and steady rate to provide efficacy against bacteria  209 . The silver ions  205  appear to be effective against microbes in preventing cellular respiration, preventing cell replications, and causing cell wall destruction. This antimicrobial material  203  can endure temperatures of up to 800 degrees Celsius and pH values between 3 and 10, while retaining full antimicrobial effectiveness even during aggressive processing techniques.  
         [0018]     Turning back to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a floor suction nozzle assembly  124  is removably mounted to the hood portion  82  of the base assembly  64 . In particular, the floor suction nozzle assembly  124  includes a front plate  126  secured to a rear plate  128  that in combination define dual side ducts  130 ,  132  separated by a tear drop shaped opening  134  as best depicted in  FIG. 2 . The opening  134  extends down from an accessory hose opening  136 , formed in the front portion  126 , to a predetermined distance above the suction inlet  138  of the suction nozzle  124 . A door  168  is pivotally connected to the front portion  126  and releasably fits into the complimentary recess  167  to cover the opening  136  when the carpet extractor  60  is used to clean the floor.  
         [0019]     The front and rear plates or portions  126 ,  128  are secured to one another by ultrasonic welding and screw fasteners, however, other types of ways to secure them such as for example, by adhesive, can be used. The distance above the suction inlet  138  for the opening  134  is about one fourth of an inch, which provides a flow path for liquid and dirt pick up in the center of the suction inlet  138  of the nozzle  124 . The side ducts  130 ,  132  converge upstream into a recessed throat portion  149  ( FIG. 1 ), which terminates into an upwardly extending rear duct  150 . The rear duct  150  is positioned in a complementary recess portion  152  formed in the front lower portion of the recovery tank  80 . The duct  150  fluidly connects with the recovery tank  80 .  
         [0020]     As depicted in  FIG. 2 , the recovery tank  80  sets down over and surrounds a portion of the motor cover  230  of base frame assembly  64 . It is preferred that recovery tank  80  set atop and surround a portion of the motor fan assembly  90  thereby providing sound insulating properties and assisting in noise reduction of the extractor. The recovery tank lid assembly  301  incorporates therein the air/fluid separator. The motor/fan assembly  90  extracts the air and soiled liquid from the carpet and draws it through the suction nozzle  124  and side suction ducts  130 ,  132  to the lid assembly  301  of the recovery tank  80  where separation of the air and liquid occurs. A unshaped carrying handle  332  is pivotally connected to the upper portion of the recovery tank  80 .  
         [0021]     The supply tank assembly  76  comprises a clean water supply tank  620  and a detergent supply tank  622  with cap  720  ( FIG. 3 ) adhesively mounted to the clean water supply tank  620  as depicted in  FIG. 1 . The supply tank assembly  76  includes a combination carrying handle and tank securement latch  78  providing a convenient means for carrying the tank and/or securing the tank to the extractor handle assembly  62 . The supply tank assembly  76  is positioned upon a bottom base  624 , which with the tank assembly  76  is removably mounted to the handle.  
         [0022]     Placed within the clean water tank  620  on the bottom wall is a solid thin cylindrically shaped tablet  211  composed of a fragrance emitting material.  
         [0023]     In particular, the tablet  211  is composed of the fragrance emitting material, sodium bicarbonate, and citric acid. However, other bicarbonates or acids could also be used. Optionally, cornstarch could be added also. This formulation also provides an effervescent action when water is added to the clean water tank  620 , which dissolves the tablet  211 . Each tablet  211  further contains a water softening conditioner to treat one gallon of hard water. Each tablet  211  typically weighs between 6 and 8 grams and produces a pH in the range of 6 to 8 when dissolved in one gallon of water. However, the weight and pH could be other values if desired. The fragrance emitting material can contain one of several fragrances or popular aromatherapy oils such as, for example, jasmine, lavender or vanilla odor. Such a design produces the desired fragrance aroma in the area where the extractor cleans, after the cleaning solution with the dissolved fragrance tablet  211  is distributed on the cleaning surface  74 . If a stronger odor is desired, an additional tablet is placed in the clean water tank  620 .  
         [0024]     To apply the cleaning solution with the above-mentioned formulation, the supply tank assembly  76  is first removed from the handle  62  and the tablet  211  is placed within the clean water tank  620  on the bottom wall. The detergent tank  622  is filled with detergent and the clean water tank  620  is filled with hot water, which dissolves the tablet  211  and produces an effervescent action. The supply tank assembly  76  is mounted back on the handle  62 . After the tablet  211  completely dissolves, which takes about 0.5 to 2 minutes, the carpet extractor  60  is turned on to distribute the cleaning solution on the cleaning surface  74  and then to recover the cleaning solution and dirt from the cleaning surface  74 . Alternatively, the tablet  211  could be placed in the detergent tank  622  instead of the clean water tank  620 .  
         [0025]      FIG. 3  illustrates the overall solution distribution system, which will be described below. The carpet extractor  60  includes a solution hose  794  that fluidly connects the outlet of the clean water tank  620  to a shut off valve  800  used for selectively turning on and off the flow of clean water containing the dissolved fragrance tablet  211 . Another solution hose  790  fluidly connects the outlet of the water tank  620  to an inlet  812  of a pressure actuated shut off valve  804 . The outlet of the detergent tank  622  is fluidly connected to an inlet  523  of a mixing Tee  796  via a suitable flexible hose  798 .  
         [0026]     The pressure actuated shut off valve  804  is fluidly connected between the clean water tank  620  and the mixing valve  796  for turning off and on the flow of water. This shut off valve  804  is opened and closed by outside pressure via a conduit  806  connected between it and the outlet  807  of a pump  808  through a Tee  817 . The valve  804  includes a pressure port  822  fluidly connected to the outlet  807  of a pump  808 . The outlet of the valve  814  is fluidly connected to an inlet  521  of the mixing valve  796  via hose  815 . It should be known that clean water tank  620  could be fluidly connect to the outlet  814  of the valve  804  with the inlet  812  of the valve  804  being fluidly connect to the mixing Tee  796  so that fluid could flow the opposite direction if desired.  
         [0027]     In operation, when the pressure at the pressure port  822  is below a predetermined value such as between 7 to 10 psi, the valve  804  opens to allow water to flow in both directions. Such a pressure value at the pressure port  822  occurs when the main shut off valve  820  is opened and the pump  808  is turned on. The pump  808  also pressurizes the water containing the dissolved fragrance tablet mixed with detergent to draw it to the distributor  792 . When the pressure exceeds a second predetermined value such as between 20 to 30 psi, the valve  804  closes. This would occur if the main shut off valve  820  is closed and the pump is turned on. Thus, with the valve  804  closed, the cleaning solution is prevented from flowing through it. Various types of pumps can be used such as a piston pump, gear pump or centrifugal pump.  
         [0028]     Outlet  525  of the mixing Tee  796  is fluidly connected via flexible hose  823  to the inlet of the pump  808 , which provides pressure to draw the cleaning solution to the distributor  792 , when it is turned on. A relief valve  809  is fluidly connected across the pump  808  to limit the pressure at the outlet  807  of the pump  808  to a predetermine value. The outlet  807  of the pump  808  is fluidly connected to the main shut off valve  820  via flexible hoses  825 ,  874  and  876 . Both of the shut off valves  800 ,  820  are in the form of a solenoid valve, however, other electrical actuated valves could be also used.  
         [0029]     The valves  800 ,  820  are operated by a trigger switch  821  as depicted in  FIG. 1 . The trigger switch  821  is pivotally connected to the upper handle portion  358  approximately near a closed looped handgrip  824 . Slide switch  858  is used to select one of the shut off valve  800 ,  822  to be opened and closed by the trigger switch  821 . Slide switch  856  is the main power switch, which turns on and off the suction motor  90  and pump  808 . The cleaning solution containing the water and dissolved fragrance tablet  211  or the detergent mixed with it flows to their associated shut off valves  800 ,  820 . The cleaning liquid distributor  792  evenly distributes the cleaning solution to each of the rotary scrub brushes  72 . The scrub brushes  72  then spread the cleaning solution onto the carpet (or bare floor), scrub the cleaning liquid into the carpet and dislodge embedded soil. A solution discharge valve  877  allows the mixed detergent and clean water containing the dissolved fragrance tablet to flow through an integrally formed nipple  218  and a detachable solution tube  216  to a hand-held cleaning attachment (not shown) and dispense by typical spray means.  
         [0030]     As is commonly known, a user pivots the handle  62  in an incline position while moving the carpet extractor  60  over the surface to clean it. The carpet extractor  60  distributes the cleaning solution containing the dissolved fragrance tablet  211  to the carpeted surface using the brushes  72  and substantially simultaneously extracts it along with the dirt on the carpet in a continuous operation. In particular, soiled cleaning solution is extracted from the carpet by the suction nozzle  124  and transported into the recovery tank  80  where the liquid and air are separated. A vacuum is created in the recovery tank  80  by the suction motor  90 , which draws air from the recovery tank  80  and exhausts the air to the carpeted surface  74 . Further details of the above mentioned elements of the carpet extractor are disclosed in co pending application having Ser. No. 10/165,731; the disclosure being incorporated herein by reference.  
         [0031]     Alternatively, the tablet could be placed in cleaning machine that has one solution tank such as that disclosed by previously mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 5,500,977. The present invention has been described by way of example using the illustrated embodiments. Upon reviewing the detailed description and the appended drawings, various modifications and variations of the embodiments will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. All such obvious modifications and variations are intended to be included in the scope of the present invention and of the claims appended hereto.  
         [0032]     In view of the above, it is intended that the present invention not be limited by the preceding disclosure of the embodiments, but rather be limited only by the appended claims.