Application apparatus for multiple solution cleaner

#The current invention relates to an apparatus which combines two or more separate reactive solutions within a base unit, with or without additional heating of the combined solution, for presentation to a cleaning applicator connected to the base unit for remote application to a surface to be cleaned.

#The use of cleaning agents to remove soil, oils, and other stains from textiles in the form of carpet and upholstery is well known. The vast majority of these cleaning agents are composed of soaps and other detergents which are generally referred to as “surfactants.” A surfactant is defined as a synthetic, water soluble, amphipathic molecule which has a large non-polar hydrocarbon end and a polar end. Typically, a composition of this kind is premixed by adding the components to a common solution tank beforehand, where they are mixed and held until they are applied to the textile surface by an applicator.

#Other compositions derive their cleaning properties from the fact that they are self-carbonating. Their components may be held in separate containers and are mixed to produce carbon dioxide immediately before they are applied to the surface to be cleaned. Some compositions are mixed directly on the surface to be cleaned. Each component may be pre-heated before mixing or the combination may be heated after mixing, in order to increase solution reactivity. One example of such self-carbonating cleaners is found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,244,468, issued on Sep. 14, 1993, to Harris, in which a solution consisting of a carbonate salt, an acid, and urea is prepared in a single pressurized container at a gauge pressure of from about 0.5 to 15 atmospheres. Another example is found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,718,729, issued on Feb. 17, 1998, to Harris, in which a carbonate salt solution and an acid solution are separately heated and both directly applied to a textile surface where they react to form a carbonating solution which effervesces and cleans the textile fibers. Still another example is found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,624,465, issued on Apr. 29, 1997, to Harris, in which separate solutions of a carbonate salt and an acid are heated at ambient pressure and combined to produce a carbonating cleaning solution. U.S. Pat. No. 6,126,697, issued on Oct. 3, 2000, to Ebberts, describes combining two different carbonate salts and an acid under pressure to produce a carbonating cleaning solution.

#The prior objects and advantages of the invention will become evident upon examination of the following detailed description presented in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

#FIG. 1 shows an a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the invention illustrating a representative interconnection of constituents of the application apparatus for preparing and mixing a multiple component cleaning solution;

#FIG. 2 shows the front view of an embodiment of the invention, wherein the mobile base is shown as a dolly; and

#The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

#The present invention defines a method and apparatus for providing a prepared, pressurized solution for cleaning a surface, the prepared solution being dynamically mixed as needed by the apparatus. A pressurization means applies a constant pressure to each container via a common compression line connected to a gas disconnect on each container. Constant equal pressure is maintained throughout all hardware components of the system by use of valves in the form of quick disconnects at all connection points of the system. A blow-by valve for bleeding excess pressure is used with the pressurization means to prevent pressure from exceeding a given value and thus causing damage to the system.

#Because of the pressurization of the system is maintained by pressurized containers or tanks holding the component solutions, the system can be used for limited lengths of time in areas where power for the pressurization means is unavailable. This capability is also useful when the power requirements of the equipment being used in the cleaning process, e.g. vacuums, heaters, rotary brush attachments, compressors, etc., exceed that which is available at the work site. Such a situation is sometimes encountered in residential settings where heaters for large amounts of hot water and the motors of individual tools place too much of a load on residential power capacity. The compressor may be turned on for short periods of time and the invention operated from its residual pressurization when simultaneous use of the invention and other power equipment is required.