Handheld mechanical soft-surface remediation (SSR) device and method of using same

Abstract

A handheld mechanical soft-surface remediation (SSR) device and method of dislodging, displacing, and disposing of particulates from surfaces and performing disinfection and/or freshening is disclosed. The device is preferably lightweight, easy-to-use and includes a fan assembly, filter assembly, flapper assembly, battery assembly, and chemical delivery system. Performing soft-surface remediation with the mechanical SSR device includes the steps of retrieving the device from storage, installing the consumables into the device, activating the device, performing the cleaning operation, deactivating the device, removing the consumables from device, preparing the device for the next use, storing the device and, optionally, recharging the batteries.

1 . A method of cleaning a soft surface comprising the steps of: 
 mechanically dislodging and displacing of particulates from a soft surface with a handheld device having a slapper;    disposing of the particulates through use of filter in the device; and    disinfecting and freshening the surface with a sprayer containing connected to the handheld device.    
   
   
       2 . A handheld mechanical soft-surface remediation device comprising 
 a housing;    a fan assembly within the housing;    a filter assembly in fluid communication with the fan assembly;    a flapper assembly within the housing;    a battery assembly adjacent the housing; and    a delivery system operably connected to the housing.    
   
   
       3 . A method of performing soft-surface remediation by use of the mechanical device comprising the steps of: 
 retrieving the device from storage;    installing the consumables into the device, activating the device;    performing the cleaning operation with a flapper;    deactivating the device;    automatically activating chemical delivery system without direct user activation;    removing the consumables from the device;    preparing the device for the next use;    storing the device; and    recharging the batteries of the device.    
   
   
       4 . A handheld device comprising: 
 a light-weight housing including a large pickup area;    a motor operably associated with the housing;    a dislodging mechanism driven by the motor for effectively performing soft-surface remediation in a non-destructive manner; and    a means to introduce a cleaner onto a soft surface.    
   
   
       5 . A cleaning device comprising: 
 a housing;    an ingredient delivery mechanism operably associated with the housing for freshening, disinfection;    a flapper assembly in the housing; and    a catch within the housing for the removal of contaminants.    
   
   
       6 . A method of performing soft-surface remediation including the steps of: 
 retrieving from storage from a battery charging position a cleaning device having a body, an inlet, a displacement chamber, exhaust ports and a handle;    installing a consumable into the device by opening a filter access mechanism within the body and installing a new or cleaned filter;    opening a supply access mechanism within handle of body and inserting a new chemical supply;    closing at least one access mechanism;    grasping a handle and bringing inlet of the device into contact with a soft surface to be cleaned;    activating a fan motor to rotate a fan blade and create a flow of air by drawing air into the inlet in body, through the displacement chamber, through filter, past a fan assembly, and out the exhaust ports at the rear of body;    imparting motion to flapper motor to rotate a shaft via a pulley and belt;    rotating disks operably attached to the shaft to cause flappers to move up and down;    slapping the flapper assembly on a surface to dislodge particulates;    moving inlet of device over the soft surface to be cleaned by using a back-and-forth or side-to-side motion;    cleaning a surface by the action of flapper assembly and fan assembly;    displacing the particulates by a suction fan assembly to create an airflow moving through displacement chamber;    moving the particulates toward a filter;    capturing the particulates by a filtering action of filter;    using a spray pump;    activating a chemical delivery system to freshen or disinfect the surface;    deactivating the device by an on/off switch to stop fan motor and flapper motor;    opening the access mechanism for the filter within body to remove the dirty filter;    opening the supply access mechanism within handle of body to remove the chemical supply and recharge the supply;    preparing the device for a next use;    closing all access mechanisms; and    returning the device to its storage location.    
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the fan assembly includes a fan motor and a fan blade, 
 wherein the fan motor includes one of a single-speed or multi-speed AC or DC motor,    wherein the fan assembly is capable of developing a suction pressure of −0.15 to −0.66 pounds per square inch,    wherein the filter assembly includes a filter and a collection tray,    wherein the filter assembly includes a consumable non-woven portion or electrostatic cloth positioned in close proximity to fan blade.    
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the filter is at least one of a standard mesh high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter or HAF filter.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 2 , further comprising a collection tray positioned near a lower region of a filter in the filter assembly in order to capture particles that will not lodge within filter.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the filter assembly comprising a filter and a collection tray that are mechanically integrated for ease of access by a user.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the flapper assembly includes a set of flappers that are arranged parallel to one another and spaced apart to ensure a small air gap therebetween.  
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the flapper assembly includes a plurality of flappers that are formed of a rigid lightweight material and include a plurality of holes.  
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the flapper assembly includes flappers formed of spring steel; 
 a disk mechanically coupled to a flapper via an arm;    a pulley mounted at one end of a shaft and driven by a flapper motor via a standard belt; and    a flapper motor that is at least one of a DC motor, an AC motor, a single-speed motor, and a multi-speed motor.    
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein 
 the flapper assembly includes a flapper that is a solid piece of material that has no holes;    the flappers are attached at one end to a spring-loaded flapper hinge;    the flapper hinge is mechanically attached in close proximity to the filter assembly;    the hinge provides a pivot point for the flapper;    the spring-loaded hinge provides an appropriate spring force;    the flapper assembly includes a set of disks that are arranged along a shaft; and    the flapper disks are oriented orthogonal to the flappers and are mechanically coupled to flappers via a set of arms.    
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein when activated, a flapper motor imparts rotational motion to a shaft and, subsequently, to disks.  
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the flapper assembly includes a plurality of disks, and wherein each disk has one or more notches into which a curved end of an arm is alternately engaged and disengaged as each disk rotates.  
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the flapper assembly includes a plurality of disks are mounted on a shaft such that the notches are in alignment one to another, and wherein at least one disk is mounted on shaft such that its notches are 90 degrees out of phase with those of the other disks.  
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 2 , further comprising a displacement chamber bounded on two sides by inner walls of a housing body and, on an upper side near disks by an airflow guide.  
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the delivery system includes a chemical supply fluidly connected to a spray pump mounted within a handle in the housing; wherein the flapper assembly includes a flapper that slaps against a soft surface to be cleaned and dislodges particles of contaminants within its fibers in a non-destructive manner.  
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 5 , further including a piston mechanism arranged orthogonally to a plane of an inlet; wherein the piston mechanism is driven to impart an up and down motion to a flat paddle element that is oriented parallel to the plane of inlet for producing a slapping motion upon the soft surface to be remediated.