Steam cleaner with liquid dispenser

Abstract

There is provided a steam-cleaning device that enables a user to dispense a liquid, such as a cleaning fluid, soap or detergent while simultaneously steam-cleaning. This can be accomplished through a steam-cleaning device having a handle, a connecting rod, and a cleaning head, whereby the connecting rod and cleaning head are connected by multiple joints for ease of use and maneuverability and can be disassembled into several parts. A heating element can be located in the cleaning head rather than in the handle or connecting rod. A removable cap can be removed to enable a user to add water and a liquid cleaner separately to the device. The cap can be used as a measuring cup for the water and is sized to act in a predetermined ratio with the amount of cleaning liquid inserted into the cleaning liquid area. This allows for the cleaning liquid to run out at approximately the same time that the water in the reservoir runs out, thereby reducing the number of times that a user must stop to refill either the water or the cleaning liquid.

1 . A steam cleaning device comprising: 
 a handle;    a cleaning head connected to said handle;    a water reservoir in said cleaning head to hold water to be steamed;    a heater to heat said water into steam; and    a liquid dispenser for dispensing a cleaning fluid,    wherein said cleaning head is adapted to simultaneously emit said steam and said cleaning fluid.    
   
   
       2 . A steam cleaning device according to  claim 1 , further comprising 
 a rod to connect said handle and said cleaning head.    
   
   
       3 . A steam cleaning device according to  claim 2 , further comprising 
 a handle joint adapted to enable said cleaning head to be generally rotated up to 360 degrees about said rod.    
   
   
       4 . A steam cleaning device according to  claim 3 , wherein 
 said handle joint comprises a ring fastened to said cleaning head and a pin securing said rod to said ring, wherein said ring selectively rotates in a direction about an axis parallel to the top longitudinal surface of said cleaning head.    
   
   
       5 . A steam cleaning device according to  claim 2 , wherein 
 said rod comprises a first portion selectively connectable to said handle and a second portion selectively connectable to said cleaning head, and wherein said first portion and said second portion are adapted to be selectively connectable to each other.    
   
   
       6 . A steam cleaning device according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 said cleaning head further comprises an opening to receive said water and said cleaning fluid.    
   
   
       7 . A steam cleaning device according to  claim 6 , wherein 
 said cleaning head further comprises a removable cap to cover said water reservoir.    
   
   
       8 . A steam cleaning device according to  claim 7 , wherein 
 said removable cap is adapted to act as a measuring cup.    
   
   
       9 . A steam cleaning device according to  claim 8 , wherein 
 said removable cap has a volume that enables said water and said cleaning fluid to be depleted at approximately the same time.    
   
   
       10 . A steam cleaning device according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 said cleaning head has a height of less than approximately 4 inches.