Systems for steam cleaning

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10130237-B2
Application number	US-201615169647-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 31, 2016
Priority date	May 28, 2015
Publication date	Nov 20, 2018
Grant date	Nov 20, 2018

Abstract

Methods and Apparatuses for steam cleaning comprise a steam cleaning device/system employed for steam cleaning or treating operations. In an embodiment, a steam cleaning device may comprise agitation features employed for steam cleaning or treating. In another embodiment, the steam cleaning device may be a steam accessory employed for steam cleaning or treating. In yet another embodiment, the steam cleaning device may comprise various features employed for multi-purpose steam cleaning or treating.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus comprising:
a body comprising:
a steam generator unit configured to produce steam; a controller in electrical communication with the steam generator unit;
a first end, and
a second end defining a body outlet configured to output steam generated by the steam produced by the steam generator unit;

an extension attached to the first end of the body, the extension comprising a handle portion and a shaft extending between the handle portion and the first end of the body; and
a head removably attached to the second end of the body, wherein the head comprises a head inlet in fluid communication with the body outlet and configured to direct steam from the body outlet through the head to a target surface to be contacted by a first surface of the head for cleaning;
wherein the body comprises a scrubber member connected to the second end of the body;
wherein attachment of the head to the second end of the body prevents the scrubber member from reaching the cleaning surface;
wherein detachment of the head from the second end of the body permits the scrubber member from reaching the cleaning surface; and
wherein the controller is configured to operate the steam generator unit in a first mode to produce steam at a first rate that is different from a second steam rate in a second mode.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the head comprises a plurality of openings configured to output steam to the cleaning surface.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the scrubber member is pivotable relative to the second end of the body.

4. An apparatus comprising:
a body comprising:
a body outlet configured to output steam;
a scrubber member configured to be oriented in a retracted state or in a deployed state; and
an actuation mechanism configured to deploy or retract the scrubber member; and

a head removably coupled to the body, wherein the head comprises:
a head inlet in fluid communication with the body outlet; and
a head outlet in fluid communication with the head inlet;

wherein when the head is coupled to the body, the scrubber member is in a retracted state, the head inlet is configured to receive steam, and the head outlet is configured to output steam outside of the apparatus; and
wherein when the head is removed from the body, steam is output outside of the apparatus from the body outlet, and the scrubber member is configured to be in a deployed state by an actuation of the actuation mechanism.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein when the scrubber member is in the deployed state, the scrubber member extends away from the body and when the scrubber member is in retracted state, the scrubber member moves towards the body.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein a distance the actuation mechanism actuates is substantially similar to a distance the scrubber member extends away from the body.

7. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the actuation mechanism and the scrubber member are substantially co-axial relative to each other.

8. An apparatus comprising:
a steam generating unit configured to produce steam;
a body comprising a first end and a second end, the second end comprising a steam outlet outputting steam,
an extension removably attached to the first end of the body, the extension comprising a handle and a shaft extending between the first end of the body and the handle;
an attachment removably attached to the second end of the body, wherein the attachment comprises a steam inlet in fluid communication with the steam out of the body to receive steam; and
a controller configured to operate the steam generating unit in a first or second steam modes; wherein:
when the extension is attached to the body, the controller is configured to operate the steam generating unit in the first steam mode to produce steam at a first steam rate of the first steam mode; and
when the extension is detached from the body, the controller is configured to operate the steam generating unit in the second steam mode to produce steam at a first steam rate of the second steam mode, the first steam rate of the first steam mode and the first steam rate of the second steam mode are different.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 , further comprising a sensor configured to detect whether the extension is attached to the body and communicate with the controller.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the sensor comprises a Hall effect sensor, and the extension comprises a trigger detectable by the Hall effect sensor.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein when the extension is attached to the body, the controller is further configured to operate the steam generating unit in the first steam mode to produce steam at a second steam rate, the first and second steam rates of the first steam mode being different from each other and from the first steam rate of the second steam mode.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the first and second steam rates of the first steam mode correspond to a high setting and a low setting, respectively.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 , further comprising a control-panel user interface in communication with the controller and configured to toggle between the high setting and the low setting.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the first steam rate of the first steam mode in the high setting yields a steam delivery rate of about 28 grams per minute, and wherein the second steam rate of the first steam mode in the low setting yields a steam delivery rate of about 20 grams per minute.

15. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the first steam rate of the second steam mode yields a steam delivery rate of about 22 grams per minute.

16. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the controller is configured to operate in:
a standby mode that is triggered when the extension is attached or detached from the first end of the body;
wherein the standby mode, the controller is configured to be triggered by a signal from an user interface of the apparatus to start steam production in the first steam mode if the extension is attached to the first end of the body, and start steam production in the second steam mode if the extension is detached from the first end of the body.

17. An apparatus comprising:
a body comprising:
a first end; and
a second end;

a steam generating unit connected to the body;
a first attachment operable to be removably coupled to the second end and comprising a steam outlet;
a second attachment operable to be removably coupled to the second end and comprising a steam outlet;
a controller configured to operate the steam generating unit in a first and second steam modes; wherein:
in the first steam mode, the controller is configured to operate the steam generating unit to produce steam at a first rates whereby a substantially continuous steam flow is delivered through the steam outlet of the first attachment;
in the second steam mode, the controller is configured to produce steam at a second rate whereby a substantially continuous steam flow is delivered through the steam outlet of the second attachment, the second rate being different from the first rates.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 , further comprising:
a sensor operable to detect whether the first or second attachment is removably coupled to the second end of the body;
wherein the controller is in communication with the sensor and is configured to direct the steam generating unit to produce steam in the first steam mode if the first attachment is removably coupled and to direct the steam generating unit to produce steam in the second steam mode

Assignees

• Sharkninja Operating Llc

Inventors

• Innes Dan
• Cottrell Lee
• Grandstrand Paul

Classifications

• A47L13/254

  Plate frames · CPC title

• A47L13/26

  Other cleaning devices with liquid supply arrangements (such arrangements on floor-polishing machines A47L11/00, on scrapers A47L13/03, on mops A47L13/22; cloths, pads, or the like containing cleaning agents A47L13/17, A47L13/19) · CPC title

• A47L13/12

  Implements with several different treating devices · CPC title

• A47L13/225 Primary

  Steam mops · CPC title