Color-coded cleaning nozzles and method of cleaning

Abstract

A plurality of color-coded cleaning nozzles, which are interchanged with a common vacuum cleaner and which are designated for use only in a particular area. A method for preventing cross-contamination between different areas of a facility while cleaning the areas with a common vacuum cleaner. The method includes the steps of providing a plurality of cleaning nozzles that are interchangeable with the vacuum cleaner; applying visual identifying indicia on each of the nozzles to uniquely identify each nozzle; assigning a particular nozzle to each distinct area of the facility; cleaning a first area of the facility with its assigned nozzle; cleaning a second area of the facility only after removing the first assigned nozzle from the vacuum cleaner and replacing it with the nozzle assigned to the second area; and, isolating each of the nozzles from one another.

1 . A method of preventing cross-contamination between different areas of a facility while cleaning the areas with a common vacuum cleaner, including the steps of: 
 a) providing a plurality of cleaning nozzles that are interchangeable with the vacuum cleaner;    b) applying visual identifying indicia on each of the nozzles to uniquely identify each nozzle;    c) assigning a particular nozzle to each distinct area of the facility;    d) cleaning a first area of the facility with its assigned nozzle;    e) cleaning a second area of the facility only after removing the first assigned nozzle from the vacuum cleaner and replacing it with the nozzle assigned to the second area; and,    f) isolating each of the nozzles from one another.    
   
   
       2 . The method recited in  claim 1 , wherein each nozzle has the same structural configuration but has different visual identifying indicia.  
   
   
       3 . The method recited in  claim 1 , wherein the identifying indicia are provided on the same location of each nozzle.  
   
   
       4 . The method recited in  claim 1 , wherein the identifying indicia are applied to the external surface of the nozzles.  
   
   
       5 . The method recited in  claim 1 , wherein the identifying indicia comprise a plurality of different colors.  
   
   
       6 . The method recited in  claim 5 , wherein at least a common portion of each nozzle has a different color.  
   
   
       7 . The method recited in  claim 5 , wherein a common component of each nozzle is made from a differently-colored common material.  
   
   
       8 . The method recited in  claim 1 , including the step of preventing removal of the identifying indicia from the nozzle.  
   
   
       9 . The method recited in  claim 1 , including the step of periodically sterilizing each nozzle without removing the identifying indicia.  
   
   
       10 . The method recited in  claim 9 , including the step of periodically sterilizing each nozzle in an autoclave or by washing and submersion in a COP tank.  
   
   
       11 . The method recited in  claim 1 , including the step of forming the nozzles from materials that are approved by the FDA for contact with human food.  
   
   
       12 . A vacuum cleaner nozzle set comprising a plurality of vacuum nozzles, each nozzle including: 
 a) a base having a top surface, bottom surface and peripheral surface;    b) an agitation skirt mechanically fastened to the peripheral surface of said base;    c) a concavity formed in the bottom surface;    d) an aperture extending through said base from the top surface to said concavity;    e) a pivotal connector mechanically fastened to the top surface of said base; and,    f) visual identifying indicia on each nozzle;    wherein said identifying indicia uniquely identify each nozzle.    
   
   
       13 . The vacuum cleaner nozzle set recited in  claim 12 , wherein said visual identifying indicia comprise a plurality of different colors.  
   
   
       14 . The vacuum cleaner nozzle set recited in  claim 13 , wherein the base of each nozzle is made of a differently-colored polymeric material.  
   
   
       15 . The vacuum cleaner nozzle set recited in  claim 12 , wherein said nozzles are constructed of materials approved by the FDA for contact with human food.  
   
   
       16 . The vacuum cleaner nozzle set recited in  claim 12 , wherein said nozzles can be sterilized in an autoclave.  
   
   
       17 . The vacuum cleaner nozzle set recited in  claim 12 , wherein said nozzles can be sterilized in a COP tank in a solution selected from the group consisting of hot water or steam; halogen sanitizers; quaternary ammonium compounds; high and low ph sanitizers; and detergent sanitizers.  
   
   
       18 . The vacuum cleaner nozzle set recited in  claim 12 , wherein said agitation skirt comprises an elastomeric strip having a plurality of serrations.  
   
   
       19 . The vacuum cleaner nozzle set recited in  claim 13 , wherein said agitation skirt comprises a plurality of bristles.  
   
   
       20 . A vacuum cleaner nozzle set comprising a plurality of vacuum nozzles, each nozzle having the same structural configuration as the other but having different visual identifying indicia thereon.