Carpet and floor vacuuming device with improved suction head

Abstract

A carpet and floor vacuum device with an improved suction head is provided comprising a curved, fluorinated molding mounted on a vacuum cleaner head. The suction head is designed to move along the surface of the carpet, rather than penetrating into the carpet itself. The polymer molding defines a plurality of inlet perforations laterally-spaced along the curved surface, and the perforations are connected to an air-fed manifold. Following application of cleaning fluid to the carpet or floor, air is fed from the manifold into the carpet or onto the floor. Material including Ingested air, debris and spent liquid, are then removed from the carpet or from the floor and then returned to the perforations from the manifold. This material is then removed to a conventional vacuum collector, thereby drying out the carpet or floor. Use of a curved, fluorinated surface provides a smooth movement along the carpet surface without severely abrading the carpet fibers. When used either on a carpet or floor surface, an air buffer is formed between the suction head, thereby assisting in movement of the vacuuming device. In addition, use of a curved fluorinated surface further reduces abrasion.

1 . A light weight suction head for a carpet and floor cleaning device, comprising: a curved, fluorinated molded component defining a lower, central manifold defined on the molded component adjacent a carpet or floor and designed and constructed to apply suction force to remove ingested air, spent cleaning fluid and debris from the carpet and floor surface during a cleaning operation, the curved portion and manifold of the suction head being adapted for air buffering movement along the surface of the carpet or floor without significant penetration into the carpet, and with a minimum of fabric or fabric thread abrasion or floor scratching, the manifold defining a plurality of suction orifices laterally-spaced along the manifold, including raised perforations and slots which are connected to the carpet or floor cleaning device through which ingested air, spent cleaning fluid and debris are removed. 
   
   
       2 . The suction head of  claim 1 , in which the molded component includes machining and extrusion molding. 
   
   
       3 . The suction head of  claim 1 , in which the fluorinated component is selected from the class consisting of: polytetrafluoroethylene, fluorinated ethylene-propylene copolymers, ethylene-tetrafluoro copolymers, tetrafluoroethylene and perfluoroalkyl vinyl ethers, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, and poly (fluoro) silicones. 
   
   
       4 . The suction head of  claim 1 , in which the molded fluorinated component is mounted or coated on a metal substrate 
   
   
       5 . The suction head of  claim 1 , in which the length of the suction head varies from about 4.4″-14″. 
   
   
       6 . The suction head of  claim 5 , in which a combined area of perforations and slots is about 0.25″-1.25″. 
   
   
       7 . The suction head of  claim 5 , in which the suction force on the suction head is equivalent to about 2″ Hg-2.5″ Hg. 
   
   
       8 . The suction head of  claim 1 , in which the interior of the suction head is square-shaped, and the exterior profile is round-shaped.