Method and apparatus for distributing fragrance on a cleaning surface

Abstract

A portable cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface is provided and includes a housing for movement along the cleaning surface. A solution distribution system is mounted at least in part to the housing and includes a solution distributor operatively connected to the housing for distributing a cleaning solution onto the cleaning surface, a first solution tank for holding the cleaning solution, and a solid chemical containing a fragrance emitting substance provided in the first solution tank.

1 . A portable cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface comprising: 
 a) a housing for movement along the cleaning surface;    b) a solution distribution system mounted at least in part to said housing and comprising: 
 a solution distributor operatively connected to said housing for distributing a cleaning solution onto the cleaning surface;  
 a first solution tank for holding the cleaning solution; and  
 a solid chemical containing a fragrance emitting substance provided in said first solution tank.  
   
     
     
         2 . The portable cleaning apparatus of  claim 1  including a recovery system comprising: 
 a recovery tank mounted on the housing for holding recovered dirt and the cleaning solution, a suction nozzle operatively connected to said housing and in fluid communication with said recovery tank for transporting the cleaning solution and dirt recovered from said cleaning surface to said recovery tank, a suction source in fluid communication with said suction nozzle and recovery tank for drawing the cleaning solution and dirt from the cleaning surface through the suction nozzle and to the recovery tank.    
     
     
         3 . The portable cleaning apparatus of  claim 2  including a handle pivotally mounted to said housing.  
     
     
         4 . The portable cleaning apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said solid chemical further includes an effervescent substance.  
     
     
         5 . The portable cleaning apparatus of  claim 1  including a recovery system comprising: 
 a recovery tank mounted on the housing for holding recovered dirt and the cleaning solution, a suction nozzle operatively connected to said housing and in fluid communication with said recovery tank for transporting the cleaning solution and dirt recovered from said cleaning surface to said recovery tank, a suction source in fluid communication with said suction nozzle and recovery tank for drawing the cleaning solution and dirt from the cleaning surface through the suction nozzle and to the recovery tank.    
     
     
         6 . The portable cleaning apparatus of  claim 5  wherein said solid chemical is composed of at least a bicarbonate substance and an acid.  
     
     
         7 . The portable cleaning apparatus of  claim 6  wherein said fragrance-emitting substance includes one of a lavender, jasmine, and vanilla odor.  
     
     
         8 . The portable cleaning apparatus of  claim 5  wherein said solid chemical includes a water-softener substance.  
     
     
         9 . The portable cleaning apparatus of  claim 1  including a second solution tank for holding detergent, and said first solution tank holding clean water.  
     
     
         10 . The portable cleaning apparatus of  claim 9  including a recovery system comprising: 
 a recovery tank mounted on the housing for holding recovered dirt and the cleaning solution, a suction nozzle operatively connected to said housing and in fluid communication with said recovery tank for transporting the cleaning solution and dirt recovered from said cleaning surface to said recovery tank, a suction source in fluid communication with said suction nozzle and recovery tank for drawing the cleaning solution and dirt from the cleaning surface through the suction nozzle and to the recovery tank.    
     
     
         11 . The portable cleaning apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said solution distribution system includes an inlet in fluid communication with each of the first and second solution tanks and an outlet in fluid communication with the distributor for distributing a mixture of detergent and water composed of said effervescent substance.  
     
     
         12 . A portable cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface comprising: 
 a) a housing for movement along the cleaning surface;    b) a solution distribution system mounted at least in part to said housing and comprising: 
 a solution distributor operatively connected to said housing for distributing a cleaning solution onto the cleaning surface;  
 first solution tank for holding the cleaning solution; and  
 a body of a fragrance emitting substance combined with water-softener substance provided in said first solution tank.  
   
     
     
         13 . The portable cleaning apparatus of  claim 12  wherein said fragrance-emitting substance includes one of a lavender, jasmine, and vanilla odor.  
     
     
         14 . The portable cleaning apparatus of  claim 12  wherein said body further includes an effervescent substance.  
     
     
         15 . The portable cleaning apparatus of  claim 12  wherein said body is composed of at least a bicarbonate substance and an acid.  
     
     
         16 . The portable cleaning apparatus of  claim 12  including a second solution tank for holding detergent, and said first solution tank holding clean water.  
     
     
         17 . The portable cleaning apparatus of  claim 16  wherein said solution distribution system includes an inlet in fluid communication with each of the first and second solution tanks and an outlet in fluid communication with the distributor for distributing a mixture of detergent and water composed of said effervescent substance.  
     
     
         18 . The portable cleaning apparatus of  claim 12  including a recovery system comprising: 
 a recovery tank mounted on the housing for holding recovered dirt and the cleaning solution, a suction nozzle operatively connected to said housing and in fluid communication with said recovery tank for transporting the cleaning solution and dirt recovered from said cleaning surface to said recovery tank, a suction source in fluid communication with said suction nozzle and recovery tank for drawing the cleaning solution and dirt from the cleaning surface through the suction nozzle and to the recovery tank.    
     
     
         19 . A method for applying a fragrance emitting substance to a cleaning surface comprising the steps of: 
 a) placing a solid chemical composed of the fragrance emitting substance into a first solution tank in an extraction cleaning machine which includes the solution tank;    b) placing a body of liquid in the solution tank to dissolve the solid chemical composed of fragrance emitting substance and emit the fragrance from the solid chemical;    c) providing a distributor operatively connected to said extraction cleaning machine for distributing a liquid onto the cleaning surface in fluid communication with the first solution tank; and    d) distributing the liquid containing the dissolved solid chemical onto the cleaning surface through the distributor as the extraction cleaning machine is moved over the surface.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the extraction cleaning machine further includes a recovery system for recovering dirt and liquid form the cleaning surface on which the liquid containing the dissolved solid chemical has been applied.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the cleaning surface is a carpeted surface.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20  including a second solution tank for holding detergent, and said first solution tank holding clean water.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22  wherein said solution distribution system includes an inlet in fluid communication with each of the first and second solution tanks and an outlet in fluid communication with the distributor for distributing a mixture of detergent and water composed of said effervescent substance.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 20  wherein said fragrance emitting substance includes one of a lavender, jasmine, and vanilla odor.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 20  wherein said body further includes a water-softener substance.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 20  wherein said body is composed of at least a bicarbonate substance and an acid.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 20  wherein said body is composed of at least sodium bicarbonate, cornstarch, and citric acid.