Sprayless surface cleaner

Abstract

A cleaning head for carpets, walls or upholstery, including a rigid, exterior, open-bottomed main body which defines the surface subjected to the cleaning process. Mounted within or adjacent to the main body portion coplanar with the bottom thereof is the fluid-applying device, which includes a slot at an acute angle to the plane of the bottom of the body located adjacent the plane of the bottom of the body, configured such that the fluid is applied in a thin sheet which flows out of the slot and into the upper portion of the surface to be cleaned and subsequently into the vacuum source for recovery.

1. A cleaning head including a main body portion adapted to be used with a source of cleaning liquid, and a vacuum source for cleaning a floor, wall or upholstered surface; comprising:
 a lower surface contact area defined by a rectangular lip defined by the main body of the head, outlining the limits of operation of the tool as it is guided over the floor;  
 liquid-applying means fixedly located within the confines of the lip, said liquid-applying means being configured such that the cleaning liquid is applied to the surface as a continuous film flowing over the lower surface, whereby the liquid is better controlled, there is no danger of overspray, and the surface is dried more quickly;  
 means to interconnect the cleaning head and a source of cleaning liquid; and  
 means to interconnect the cleaning head and a vacuum source.  
 
     
     
       2. A floor, wall or upholstery cleaning tool for use in conjunction with a source of cleaning liquid and a vacuum source comprising:
 means interconnecting the tool to the liquid source;  
 exterior envelope means and interior supply means wherein the exterior envelope has a substantially uniplaner lower surface wherein the envelope means defines a substantially enclosed area of the floor when in contact therewith and is connected to the vacuum source and the supply means is interconnected with the source of cleaning liquid, said interior supply means provides an elongated bottom lip substantially uniplaner with the lower surface of the envelope means and is configured such that the liquid is selectively applied to the floor as a thin film which flows over the bottom lip.  
 
     
     
       3. A tool as in  claim 2 , wherein the supply means is tabular  tubular and includes an elongated slot in its lower surface for delivering the cleaning liquid. 
     
     
       4. A tool as in  claim 3 , wherein the slot is at an acute angle to the plane formed by the lower surface of the exterior envelope means so as to create a fluid attraction, moving fluid toward the vacuum source. 
     
     
       5. A tool as in  claim 2 , wherein the supply means comprises a downwardly open narrow slot with its lower opening substantially in the same plane as the bottom surface of the envelope, means one side of which includes an inwardly projecting foot. 
     
     
       6. A cleaning head adapted to be used with a source of cleaning liquid and a vacuum source for cleaning a floor, wall or upholstered surface, comprising:
 a lower surface contact area defined by a lip surrounding an opening through which a vacuum is applied for removing fluid and entrained soil; and  
 a liquid supply means adjacent the lip, including an angled delivery slot, causing the liquid to flow in a sheet over the lip and into the vacuum.  
 
     
     
       7. A cleaning head for use with a source of cleaning liquid and a source of vacuum, the cleaning head comprising:
   a first chamber structured for connection to a source of vacuum and having a substantially planar opening;        a distribution chamber structured for connection to a source of cleaning liquid and having a distribution slot formed therein, the distribution slot being positioned adjacent to the planar opening of the first chamber; and        the distribution chamber further comprising a distribution surface adjacent to the planar opening of the first chamber and the distribution slot.     
     
     
       8. The cleaning head of  claim 7  wherein the distribution surface further comprises a substantially planar distribution surface. 
     
     
       9. The cleaning head of  claim 7  wherein the distribution surface further comprises a distribution surface containing the distribution slot. 
     
     
       10. The cleaning head of  claim 7  wherein the distribution chamber further comprises two interconnected opposing and spaced apart walls. 
     
     
       11. The cleaning head of  claim 7  wherein the distribution slot further comprises a foot portion of the distribution chamber narrowly spaced from an end of a wall portion of the distribution chamber. 
     
     
       12. The cleaning head of  claim 7  wherein the distribution slot is formed at an angle to the distribution surface. 
     
     
       13. The cleaning head of  claim 12  wherein the angle at which the distribution slot is formed further comprises an acute angle. 
     
     
       14. The cleaning head of  claim 7 , further comprising: a source of cleaning liquid, and a source of vacuum. 
     
     
       15. A cleaning head for use with a source of cleaning liquid and a source of vacuum, the cleaning head comprising:
   a first chamber structured for connection to a source of vacuum and having a substantially planar opening; and        a distribution chamber formed having a tubular section and being structured for connection to a source of cleaning liquid, the distribution chamber having a distribution slot formed therein; and        a distribution surface contiguous with the distribution slot and the planar opening of the first chamber.     
     
     
       16. The cleaning head of  claim 15  wherein the distribution surface further comprises a substantially planar distribution surface. 
     
     
       17. The cleaning head of  claim 15  wherein the distribution surface further comprises a distribution surface containing the distribution slot. 
     
     
       18. The cleaning head of  claim 15  wherein the distribution chamber further comprises a distribution surface adjacent to the planar opening of the first chamber and the distribution slot. 
     
     
       19. The cleaning head of  claim 18  wherein the distribution slot is further formed at an angle to the distribution surface. 
     
     
       20. The cleaning head of  claim 19  wherein the angle of the distribution slot further comprises an acute angle. 
     
     
       21. The cleaning head of  claim 15  wherein the distribution slot further comprises a foot portion of the distribution chamber that is narrowly spaced from an end of a wall portion of the distribution chamber. 
     
     
       22. The cleaning head of  claim 15 , further comprising: a source of cleaning liquid, and a source of vacuum.