Systems for steam cleaning

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11045062-B2
Application number	US-201816195390-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 19, 2018
Priority date	May 28, 2015
Publication date	Jun 29, 2021
Grant date	Jun 29, 2021

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 body outlet configured to output steam; and
a head coupled to the body, the head comprising:
a head inlet in fluid communication with the body outlet; and
a first and second head outlets in fluid communication with the head inlet;
wherein the first head outlet is defined through a first portion of the head, the first portion of the head defining a first axis, wherein the first head outlet is configured to discharge steam in a first mode of operation;
wherein the second head outlet is defined through a second portion of the head, the second portion of the head defining a second axis, wherein the second head outlet is configured to discharge steam in a second mode of operation; and
wherein when the first and second axes intersect at a first angle, steam is discharged in the first mode of operation, and when the first and second axes intersect at a second angle, steam is discharged in the second mode of operation.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first and second angles are different acute angles.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first and second angles are different obtuse angles.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a mechanism configured to switch between the first mode of operation and the second mode of operation.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the second portion of the head comprises a member in communication with the mechanism wherein:
in the first mode of operation, the mechanism prevents fluid communication between the head inlet and the second head outlet, thereby allowing fluid communication between the head inlet and the first head outlet, and
in the second mode of operation, actuation of the member causes the mechanism to prevent fluid communication between the head inlet and the first head outlet, thereby allowing fluid communication between the head inlet and the second head outlet.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first head outlet discharges steam out the front of the apparatus and the second head outlet discharges steam out the bottom of the apparatus.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the head inlet and the first head outlet are along substantially similar direction, and the head inlet and the second head outlet are substantially perpendicular to each other.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a first and second ends, the first end comprising a body inlet and the second end comprising the body outlet.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the head is configured to define an opening and a recess, wherein the first end of the body is received on the recess and the second end of the body is received in the opening.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the body further comprises a first button about the first end for decoupling the body from the head or a second button about the second end for controlling the discharge of steam from the body inlet to the body outlet.

Assignees

• Sharkninja Operating Llc

Inventors

• Innes Dan
• Cottrell Lee
• Grandstrand Paul

Classifications

• A47L13/225 Primary

  Steam mops · CPC title

• A47L13/254

  Plate frames · CPC title

• A47L13/12

  Implements with several different treating devices · 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