Method of cleaning a carpet segment

Abstract

The embodiments of the invention relate to methods of use of an extraction cleaning machine for cleaning a carpet segment of relatively rectangular configuration defined by a first edge, a second edge and opposite side edges comprising (a) applying a liquid cleaning solution to the carpet segment in a narrow band that extends between the side edges and moves between the first and second edges and (b) applying suction in a narrow band that extends between the side edges and moves between the first and second edges. Acts (a) and (b) can be repeated and performed in a predetermined sequence to improve the cleaning effectiveness of an extraction cleaning machine.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of cleaning a carpet segment of relatively rectangular configuration defined by a first edge, a second edge and opposite side edges, the method comprising:
 (a) applying a liquid cleaning solution to the carpet segment in a narrow band that extends between the side edges and moves between the first and second edges;   (b) applying suction in a narrow band that extends between the side edges and moves between the first and second edges;   (c) repeating act (a); and   (d) repeating act (b);   wherein acts (a), (b), (c) and (d) are carried out successively with an end of a preceding act defining a beginning of a subsequent act.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the movement of the cleaning solution narrow band in act (a) and the movement of the suction narrow band in act (b) are in opposite directions. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising mechanically agitating the carpet segment during the movement of the suction narrow band in acts (b) and (d). 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising heating the liquid cleaning solution prior to applying the liquid cleaning solution in acts (a) and (c). 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the acts (a) through (d) are carried out with an extraction machine. 
     
     
         6 . A method of cleaning a carpet segment of relatively rectangular configuration defined by a first edge, a second edge and opposite side edges, the method comprising:
 (a) applying a liquid cleaning solution to the carpet segment in a narrow band that extends between the side edges and moves between the first and second edges;   (b) repeating act (a);   (c) repeating act (a); and   (d) applying suction in a narrow band that extends between the side edges and moves between the first and second edges;   wherein acts (a), (b), (c) and (d) are carried out successively with an end of a preceding act defining a beginning of a subsequent act.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the movement of the cleaning solution narrow band in act (a) and the movement of the cleaning solution narrow band in act (b) are in opposite directions. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the movement of the cleaning solution narrow band in act (a) and the movement of the cleaning solution narrow band in act (c) are in the same direction. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the movement of the cleaning solution narrow band in act (a) and the movement of the suction narrow band in act (d) are in opposite directions. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising mechanically agitating the carpet segment during the movement of the suction narrow band in act (d). 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising heating the liquid cleaning solution prior to applying the liquid cleaning solution in acts (a), (b) and (c). 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the acts (a) through (d) are carried out with an extraction machine.