Abstract:
An improved non-portable cleaning system for performing water-based extraction and related cleaning operations is provided. A system in accordance with the invention is particularly useful for cleaning the carpeting and upholstery of vehicle interiors and can be operated with relative ease by ordinary consumers. In certain implementations, the system can be coin operated. Defoamer chemical can be automatically dispersed into a recovery tank of the system, thereby reducing foaming in the recovery tank. The recovery tank can be automatically rinsed and drained after cleaning operations are completed without requiring additional interaction by the consumer. A vending machine can be optionally provided with the system, allowing consumers to purchase cleaning supplies incident to performing cleaning operations with the system.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
         [0001]    (Not Applicable)  
         STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT  
         [0002]    (Not Applicable)  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to fabric cleaning systems, and more particularly to coin-operated non-portable water-based extraction systems which can be applied to cleaning the passenger compartment of a vehicle.  
           [0004]    While various methods exist for cleaning automobile interiors, consumers are often faced with a number of unsatisfactory choices.  
           [0005]    Professional automotive detail shops offer a variety of cleaning methods, ranging from bucket and brush techniques to hot and cold water extraction. Unfortunately, such professional shops typically require a professionally trained operator to perform the cleaning. Such shops may also require consumers to schedule an appointment and thereby surrender their vehicle for a period of time. This inconvenience, coupled with relatively high costs make these professional services an unattractive option for many consumers.  
           [0006]    Dri-foam shampooing systems are also available. Such systems are often preferred for cleaning cotton and wool-based fabrics. Unfortunately, vehicle interiors use synthetic fabrics. As such, dri-foam shampooing can be ill-suited for use on vehicle interiors. In addition, dri-foam shampooing systems typically agitate foam into fabric without rinsing. In effect, such systems may simply smear dirt and chemical into fabric, and may leave a vehicle interior damp. Residual cleaning chemicals remaining in the fabric can attract soil, thus allowing the vehicle interior to become easily re-soiled. In addition, solvent-based chemicals used in dri-foam shampooing may exhibit dangerous flash points rendering them undesirable for use by consumers.  
           [0007]    Professional carpet and upholstery cleaning systems for performing hot water extraction are also available. Such systems are usually portable and can require two 15-amp circuits which an ordinary consumer may only be able to provide through the use of two power cords connected to separate circuits. A recovery tank in these systems receives the dirty water extracted from fabrics. To prevent excessive foaming in the recovery tank, a manually supplied defoamer chemical is typically used, thereby preventing the vacuum motors of such systems from digesting too much wet foam. In addition, many of these systems require the recovery tank to be manually emptied and rinsed on a periodic basis. Such inconveniences are undesirable for operators of such systems.  
           [0008]    Smaller portable hot water extraction systems are also available for rent or purchase by consumers. Unfortunately, such systems often provide only minimal performance due to under-powered pumps and vacuums, as well as the use of high foaming chemicals that are neither application or fabric-specific. Such systems may also require the purchase of additional costly chemicals in order to perform cleaning operations. Such systems may also require consumers to perform periodic maintenance incident to using the systems. If consumers choose to rent a portable system, they may be inconvenienced by the effort required to obtain and then return the system after use. Clearly, these can be significant drawbacks for many consumers.  
           [0009]    In view of these unsatisfactory choices, there is a need for a cost-effective, low-maintenance system for cleaning the interior of a vehicle which can be operated by ordinary consumers.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0010]    The present invention, roughly described, is directed to an improved vehicle interior cleaning system which can be operated with relative ease by an ordinary consumer. In one embodiment, the cleaning system is coin-operated. In another embodiment, defoamer chemical is automatically dispersed into a recovery tank of the system, thereby reducing foaming in the recovery tank without requiring interaction by a user.  
           [0011]    In another embodiment, the recovery tank can be automatically rinsed and drained after cleaning operations are completed without requiring additional interaction by the user.  
           [0012]    In yet another embodiment, a user-operable vending machine can be optionally provided with the system, allowing a user to purchase auxiliary and/or specialized cleaning supplies incident to performing cleaning operations with the system.  
           [0013]    Other embodiments are also possible, as set forth in the present disclosure including the specification, drawings, claims, and abstract. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]    Features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reference to the drawings wherein:  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 1 illustrates a cleaning system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of a recovery tank used in a cleaning system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 3 is a plumbing diagram illustrating the basic plumbing for implementing a cleaning system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating steps performed by a cleaning system in response to user activation of the system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0019]    [0019]FIG. 1 illustrates an improved vehicle cleaning system  10  which can be used to perform water-based extraction and related operations for cleaning the passenger compartment (“interior”) of a vehicle. As a non-portable apparatus, system  10  can be permanently installed in a wall-mounted manner, pedestal-mounted manner, or island-mounted manner (such as in a detail center as part of an island package) at any convenient location which offers a local pressurized water supply, sewer access, and electrical power. For example, system  10  could be installed at any of the following locations: self-serve carwashes, convenience stores, gas and oil locations, quick lubes, truck stops, rest locations, auto enters, and camping &amp; RV locations.  
         [0020]    Electrical power (for example, 120 VAC power) for system  10  can be supplied in various ways known in the art. It will be understood that various numbers of dedicated and/or shared circuits can be used to power various components of system  10 . For example, in one embodiment, various hard-wired dedicated circuits can be provided on the premises where the system is installed (such as from the location owner&#39;s breaker box). This power is received by an electronic control system (not shown) that is safe for wet environments. The control system transforms the power into appropriate low voltages used by various components of system  10 , including water controlling and fluid management devices safe for wet locations. Power is also provided to a vacuum blower, heater, and other components used by system  10 .  
         [0021]    It is contemplated that appropriate voltages can be used for the various components of system  10  where desired. In addition, as referred to herein, “low voltage” denotes AC or DC voltages of approximately 12, 24, or 36 volts, or other voltages known in the art.  
         [0022]    In one embodiment, system  10  is manufactured using removable component cavity shelving, thus simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing down-time of the system. Such an embodiment also facilitates off-location troubleshooting and simplicity in repairing the system for both warranty and non-warranty claims.  
         [0023]    Referring to FIG. 1, system  10  includes a housing  12  which encloses various components of system  10  as further described herein. A meter  14  is attached to housing  12  for receiving money from a user in order to operate system  10 . In various embodiments, meter  14  can be mechanically operated or electrically operated, and can receive coins, dollar bills, credit cards, vouchers, tokens, and/or other forms of payment. In one embodiment, a user can operate cleaning system  10  for a limited period of time after supplying sufficient payment to meter  14 . Upon receiving sufficient payment, meter  14  triggers the control system to direct all functions of system  10 .  
         [0024]    A user-operable switch  15  is attached to housing  12  for selecting an operation to be performed by the cleaning system. By adjusting the orientation of switch  15 , different operations can be performed as further described herein. In one embodiment, switch  15  is a mechanically-operated rotary switch exhibiting eight positions. In other embodiments, switch  15  can be implemented as a push button, sensor, toggle switch, rocker switch, or other controls known in the art.  
         [0025]    A vending apparatus  16  can be optionally attached to the outside of housing  15 . Vending apparatus  16  can provide stain/spot-specific cleaning supplies for purchase by a user. In one embodiment, the cleaning supplies are dispensed in individual containers, such as 2-oz bottles. A user can pre-treat soiled portions of a vehicle interior with these cleaning supplies before using system  10  to clean the area. For example, if a user wishes to pre-treat a coffee stain prior to cleaning a vehicle interior, the user could purchase a coffee-specific spot remover using vending apparatus  16 . After applying the spot remover to the stained area, the user can spend further money to clean the area using cleaning system  10 . To save electrical power, both meter  14  and vending apparatus  16  can be entirely and/or substantially mechanically operated.  
         [0026]    A vacuum blower  48  can be installed within housing  12 . Vacuum blower  48  can be mounted above tank  26  and optionally connected to an optional drying tool  28  as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. However, it will be appreciated that other configurations are also possible. The vacuum blower  48  can be implemented using various types of vacuum systems as known in the art.  
         [0027]    System  10  also provides a recovery tank  26  for receiving waste solution retrieved by system  10 . Vacuum line  20  is connected between vacuum blower  48  and tank  26  to provide vacuum suction to tank  26 . User-operable cleaning tool  28  is attached to tank  26  through housing  12  and receives vacuum suction through tank  26 . Cleaning tool  30  can be any appropriate cleaning tool known in the art. In various embodiments, cleaning tool  30  can utilize jetless trigerless technology (such as the DRIMASTER tool available from HYDRAMASTER Corporation), separate vacuum chambers (for example, dual chambers), the venturi principle, and/or other implementations known in the art.  
         [0028]    Solution supply line  18  is connected to cleaning tool  30  to provide various cleaning solution mixtures from plumbing within housing  12  to cleaning tool  30 . In embodiments where cleaning tool  30  utilizes jetless triggerless technology, a flow management apparatus (such as a needle valve) can be used (not shown) on solution line  18  within housing  12 , allowing manual adjustment of the flow through line  18 .  
         [0029]    Cleaning tool  30  delivers cleaning solution to a surface selected by a user. Simultaneously, cleaning tool  30  vacuums waste solution and related waste products from the user-selected surface into tank  26 , thereby completing an extraction process.  
         [0030]    Optional drying tool  28  can be optionally connected to vacuum blower  48  through housing  12  to allow exhaust from the blower to dry surfaces which have been cleaned by cleaning tool  30 .  
         [0031]    Optional hose reels  29  can be affixed to housing  12  for storing tools  28  and  30  when not in use.  
         [0032]    Rinse water supply line  22  provides pressurized water to tank  26  for rinsing the tank after user operation of system  10 . Defoamer supply line  24  provides defoamer chemical periodically and/or continuously to tank  26  during user operation of system  10  in order to minimize foaming inside the tank, thus reducing the amount of foam carried through vacuum line  20  to vacuum blower  48 .  
         [0033]    It will be appreciated that lines  18 ,  20 ,  22 , and  24  can be implemented as hoses, pipes, and/or other components as desired to implement aspects of the present invention.  
         [0034]    A waterproof low voltage electronically-actuated valve  32  is attached to the bottom of tank  26  for draining recovered waste solution from the tank. Wiring  34  for valve  32  can be provided in any appropriate manner known in the art, and can optionally be enclosed by a conduit. When opened, valve  32  allows recovered waste solution to drain (as a result of gravity pressurization of tank  26 ) into local plumbing  35  for disposal of the waste solution. In various embodiments, valve  32  allows tank  26  to be drained into plumbing  35  having a diameter of approximately one and one half inches or larger. However, it will be appreciated that other diameters are also contemplated.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of tank  26  of cleaning system  10 . Vacuum nozzle  40  is attached to a lid  49  of tank  26  to receive vacuum suction from vacuum line  20  through a vacuum port opening in the lid  49 . Waste intake nozzle  42  is attached to an interior wall of tank  26  to receive waste solution through a waste intake port opening in the wall. Vacuum suction introduced to tank  26  by vacuum blower  48  through vacuum line  20  allows waste solution to be vacuumed from cleaning tool  30  into the interior of tank  26 . During user operation of system  10 , the vacuum blower  48  runs continuously, thus drawing waste solution into tank  26  through waste intake nozzle  42 .  
         [0036]    Filter  44  is provided for filtering out waste material received with the vacuumed waste solution. In various embodiments, filter  44  can be implemented as a mesh sock, horizontal screen, cylindrical filler, drain filter, or other filters known in the art.  
         [0037]    A high water auto-shutoff  46  is also provided and can be attached to the bottom, sides, or lid  49  of tank  26 . Auto-shutoff  46  comprises a riser  45  and a float valve  47 . As the waste solution level rises within the recovery tank, float valve  47  rises upwardly along riser  45 . When float valve  47  reaches a prescribed vertical elevation, valve  32  is activated to drain tank  26 , a service light (not shown) is activated, and system  10  shuts down. If tank  26  does not drain, the service light remains lit and system  10  remains shut down. If tank  26  does drain, then valve  32  closes, the service light is deactivated, and system  10  resumes normal operation.  
         [0038]    Defoamer supply line  24  passes through lid  49  in tank  26  to automatically provide defoamer chemical to the interior of tank  26  without the need for a personal attendant. While the vacuum blower  48  is running, defoamer chemical is periodically and/or continuously injected into tank  26 , thus reducing foaming caused by. aeration of any high foaming chemicals (previously applied by other systems) that are vacuumed into tank  26  with the waste solution. This reduces the amount of foam ingested by vacuum blower  48  through vacuum nozzle  40  and vacuum line  20 , allowing longer life for the vacuum blower motors. The use of defoamer chemical also resists odor and debris build up in tank  26 , and prevents excess foam from contacting electrical components of system  10 .  
         [0039]    Rinse water supply line  22  passes through lid  49  of tank  26  to provide rinse water to the interior of tank  26 . After a timed cleaning operation cycle of system  10  is completed, rinse water supply line  22  provides clean rinse water to the interior of tank  26  to automatically rinse the tank after each use without the need for a personal attendant. In one embodiment, proper pressure and rinsing action is provided through the use of multiple jets (not shown) coupled to the end of supply line  22  inside tank  26 . Simultaneously, valve  32  opens, thus allowing the rinse water and remaining waste solution to be automatically drained out of tank  26  without the need for a personal attendant.  
         [0040]    Optionally, solution supply line  18  can pass through lid  49  and/or wall(s) of tank  26  (not shown) to help prevent against theft of cleaning tool  28 .  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 3 illustrates the basic plumbing used to implement a cleaning system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, substantially all of the components of FIG. 3 are located above tank  26 , and reservoirs  58 ,  60 , and  62  are located to the left of, and adjacent to, tank  26 .  
         [0042]    Local water supply line  50  provides pressurized water to system  10 . In one embodiment, this water can be pressurized city water, thus precluding the need for a separate pump for rinse water supply line  22 . In other embodiments, the water can be provided by a pump (not shown) fed by a reservoir or tank (not shown). For example, in certain embodiments where system  10  is island-mounted, reservoirs or tanks could be provided at the island.  
         [0043]    The incoming water is received by pressure reducer  54 . Pressure reducer  54  serves to reduce the effects of pressure variations in local water supply line  50 , thus allowing consistent water pressure to be maintained downstream. It will be appreciated that pressure reducer  54  can be installed in other appropriate locations instead. For example, pressure reducer  54  could be installed downstream of union connector  55 .  
         [0044]    Incoming water passes through union connector  55  which facilitates the installation and removal of system  10  in embodiments implementing removable component cavity shelving. For example, supply line  50  and pressure reducer  54  could be permanently affixed at an installation location, while all components illustrated in FIG. 3 to the right of union connector  55  could be installed and/or removed together as a unit. An incoming water shutoff (not shown), such as a ball valve, can also be provided as appropriate to shut off incoming water  
         [0045]    Low voltage electronically-actuated dual manifold valve  52  receives the incoming water from union connector  55 . In one embodiment, valve  52  is implemented using brass. Valve  52  allows the incoming water to be routed to (1) rinse water supply line  22  in order to rinse tank  26 ; or (2) water passage  56   b  and downstream cleaning components.  
         [0046]    Solution valves  56   a  and  56   c  receive odor remover chemical from reservoir  60  and detergent from reservoir  58 , respectively.&#39;Valves  56   a  and  56   c  can be implemented as low voltage electronically-actuated fixed-orifice two-way venturi valves, allowing metered amounts of odor remover chemical and detergent to be injected inline. Where valves  56   a  and  56   c  are implemented as venturi valves, bushings (not shown) in water passage  56   b  can be used to provide a proper amount of water in relation to the other metered chemicals.  
         [0047]    Depending on the configuration of valves 56 a  and  56   c , desired combinations of water, detergent, and odor remover chemical can be mixed together to provide an appropriate cleaning solution for the type of cleaning operation desired by a user. In various embodiments, different chemicals can be employed instead of the detergent and/or odor remover chemical. In an alternate embodiment, valves  56   a  and  56   c  can be positioned downstream of pump  64 .  
         [0048]    Switch  15  (illustrated in FIG. 1) is in communication with the control system (not shown). When a user changes the orientation of switch  15 , the control system can actuate valves  56   a  and  56   c  to provide different cleaning solution mixtures.  
         [0049]    It will be appreciated that additional chemical reservoirs and valves can be used in various embodiments, thus allowing additional numbers of chemicals to be injected. For example, by using ten valves and ten reservoirs, ten separate chemicals could be provided. It will also be appreciated that pumps, siphons, manually-operated apparatus, gravity-operated apparatus, venturi-operated apparatus, and/or other devices can be used in place of valves  56   a  and  56   c  (or additional valves) to perform inline injection.  
         [0050]    Low voltage electric pump  64  receives the cleaning solution mixture from components  56   a - c  and provides pressure to propel the solution to other downstream components. Pressure relief valve  66  can be optionally provided.  
         [0051]    Heater  68  heats the cleaning solution received from pump  64  before outputting heated cleaning solution to downstream valve  72 . In various embodiments, heater  68  can be a conventional heater hardwired using two circuits, each circuit providing 120 VAC, 240 VAC, or other voltages. An optional heating device (not shown) can also be installed in system  10  to heat the cleaning solution.  
         [0052]    An optional normally-closed low voltage electronically-actuated trapping valve  72  operates in conjunction with valve  52  to create a trap between valve  52  and trapping valve  72 . The presence of cleaning solution in this trap allows heater  68  to be operated continuously (i.e. 24 hours per day), regulating itself. As a result, pre-heated cleaning solution residing in the trap can be available for use as soon as the cleaning system is activated by a user.  
         [0053]    Electric pump  70  operates periodically and/or continuously to provide pressure for propelling defoamer chemical from defoamer reservoir  62  through defoamer supply line  24  to tank  26  while the vacuum blower  48  is operating. This allows defoamer chemical to be periodically and/or continuously pumped into tank  26  during operation of the cleaning system, thus reducing the tendency of waste solution to foam excessively in tank  26 . The defoamer chemical is measured and precisely injected into tank  26  using flow management to achieve proper dilution ratios. In various embodiments, pump  70  is a low flow, low psi, self-priming pump which can be external to, or submersed in (not shown), defoamer reservoir  62 . In alternate embodiments, a siphon, gravity-operated apparatus, and/or other devices can be used in place of pump  70 .  
         [0054]    [0054]FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating steps performed by cleaning system  10  in response to user activation of the system. Beginning at step  80 , user payment (i.e. coins, dollar bills, credit cards, vouchers, tokens, and/or other forms of payment) is received by meter  14 . In response to the receipt of payment, a timed cleaning operation cycle is started through the use of a control system (step  82 ). For example, a five minute cycle could be started when $3.00 is deposited into meter  14 .  
         [0055]    As discussed above, a control system can be provide d for transforming electrical power. The control system can also be used to implement all timed operations of system  10 . All electronic components of system  10  can be activated and deactivated by the control system to implement the functionality described herein.  
         [0056]    At step  84 , power is supplied to appropriate components of system  10  which implement the cleaning operations corresponding to the position of switch  15 . At each switch position, an appropriate set of components is activated, allowing a user to achieve the functionality indicated by switch  15 . It will be appreciated that a variety of cleaning operations can be provided by system  10 . Accordingly, the cleaning operations explained below are for purposes of example, and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all possible operations.  
         [0057]    The following Table 1 illustrates a sample list of cleaning operations which can be performed in accordance with different settings of switch  15 :  
                           TABLE 1                                   Switch Setting   Operation Performed                           Vac Only   Vacuum surface           Clean Rinse   Clean surface using water only           Shampoo   Clean surface using detergent only           Shampoo Plus   Clean surface using detergent and               odor remover chemical only               (recommended)           Odor Remover   Clean surface using odor remover               chemical only           Dryer   Dry surface using drying tool           Expansion   Future functionality           Off   No operation                      
 
         [0058]    Vac Only Settinq: When switch  15  is set to “Vac Only,” power is applied to the vacuum blower  48 . This setting allows a user to vacuum a vehicle interior using cleaning tool  30 . Waste material collected by cleaning tool  30  is vacuumed through waste intake nozzle  42  into tank  26  where it can be trapped by filter  44 . Simultaneously, defoamer pump  70  provides defoamer chemical periodically and/or continuously to tank  26  for reducing foam in the tank.  
         [0059]    Clean Rinse Setting: When switch  15  is set to “Clean Rinse,” power is applied to the vacuum blower  48 , valve  52  (the lower port feeding water passage  56   b  is opened; the upper port feeding rinse water supply line  22  remains closed), pump  64 , trapping valve  72 , and pump  70 . This setting allows a user to clean a vehicle interior using water only. A cleaning solution of only water is pumped through heater  68  and trapping valve  72  into cleaning tool  30 . Waste solution is extracted back through tool  30  and collected in tank  26 . Simultaneously, defoamer pump  70  provides defoamer chemical periodically and/or continuously to tank  26  for reducing foam in the tank.  
         [0060]    Shampoo Setting: When switch  15  is set to “Shampoo,” power is applied as in the “Clean Rinse” setting, but valve  56   c  is also opened. This allows a cleaning solution of detergent and water to be provided.  
         [0061]    Shampoo Plus Settinq: When switch  15  is set to “Shampoo Plus,” power is applied as in the “Shampoo” setting, but both of valves  56   a  and  56   c  are opened. This allows a cleaning solution of detergent, odor remover chemical, and water to be provided.  
         [0062]    Odor Remover Setting: When switch  15  is set to “Odor Remover,” power is applied as in the “Clean Rinse” setting, but valve  56   a  is also opened. This allows a cleaning solution of odor remover chemical and water to be provided.  
         [0063]    Dryer Setting: When switch  15  is set to “Dryer,” power is applied to the vacuum blower  48 . This setting allows a user to dry a vehicle interior using optional drying tool  28 .  
         [0064]    Expansion Setting: When switch  15  is set to “Expansion,” power is applied in accordance with an operation to be implemented in the future.  
         [0065]    Off Setting: When switch  15  is set to “Off,” no power is applied and no cleaning operation is performed.  
         [0066]    At all settings of switch  15 , power continues to be supplied to heater  68  in order to preheat cleaning solution for future use.  
         [0067]    Referring again to FIG. 4, at step  86  the timed cycle initiated in step  82  ends. As a result, power for the vacuum blower  48 , trapping valve  72 , as well as components  56   a ,  56   c ,  64 , and  70  is turned off.  
         [0068]    At step  88 , an automatic rinsing and draining cycle is performed. During this step, all settings of switch  15  are null and void. The upper port of valve  52  is opened to feed rinse water supply line  22  (the lower port feeding water passage  56   b  is closed) to rinse tank  26 . Valve  32  is also opened, allowing waste solution collected in tank  26  to drain into local plumbing  35 .  
         [0069]    These valve settings are maintained for a fixed period of time (i.e. fifteen seconds) during step  88 , allowing the automatic cycle to complete. After the time period has expired, system  10  powers down and awaits the next deposit (step  90 ), wherein the steps of FIG. 4 can be repeated.  
         [0070]    While illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it will be understood that such embodiments have been provided for the purposes of disclosure and not limitation. The inventive concepts set forth herein may be otherwise variously embodied and employed. For example, it will be appreciated that where applicable, hoses, pipes, conduits, and other types of fluid lines can be used interchangeably to implement components of the present invention. Moreover, the appended claims are intended to be construed to include such variations except insofar as limited by prior art.