US20040111822A1

US20040111822A1 - Steam vacuum cleaner

Info

Publication number: US20040111822A1
Application number: US10/318,533
Authority: US
Inventors: Wen-Cai Syu
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-12-14
Filing date: 2002-12-14
Publication date: 2004-06-17

Abstract

A steam vacuum cleaner comprising a vacuum cleaner and a steam mechanism, the present invention inhales dust and small particles, at the same time injects high temperature steam to soft and loose heavy stain and stubborn dirt for detailed cleaning and sterilization purpose.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

I. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to a steam vacuum cleaner and, more specifically, to a steam vacuum cleaner that also has sterilization function.

II. Description of the Prior Art

Heretofore, it is known that a vacuum cleaner can only inhale dust and small particles and is not able to remove heavy stain and stubborn dirt, not to mention the sterilization function, users have to apply mop with water or cleaner to clean the floor after vacuum to maintain floor cleaning; repeat cleaning is very tedious, the remaining chemical cleaner on the floor might considered unhealthy to human body The present invention improves on the heretofore known vacuum cleaner by providing a steam vacuum cleaner. The steam vacuum cleaner can supply high temperature steam for cleaning and sterilization purpose.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore a primary object of the invention to provide a steam vacuum cleaner to inhale dust and small particles and inject high temperature steam to remove heavy stain and stubborn dirt for detailed cleaning and sterilization purpose.

In order to achieve the objective set forth, a steam vacuum cleaner in accordance with the present invention comprises a dust container with a machinery plate on top to install a vacuum motor; a hose set composed of a hose and at least one hose turning tube made of hard material with definite length and turning angle, one end of the hose is plugged into the hose connector moveably; a nozzle with a dust inlet each on the front and end, a flute formed along the open of said dust inlet; a steam mechanism compromising of a steam generator to generate high temperature steam; a steam output structure to send out the high temperature steam; a steam conveying structure to send high temperature steam to the steam tube connector on said nozzle; several steam spouts located on the bottom center of said nozzle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accomplishment of the above-mentioned object of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and its accompanying drawings which disclose illustrative an embodiment of the present invention, and are as follows: [0007]
FIG. 1 is an assembly view of the first application of the present invention; [0008]
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first application of the present invention; [0009]
FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the nozzle of the first application of the present invention; [0010]
FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the nozzle of the second application of the present invention; [0011]
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the second application of the present invention; [0012]
FIG. 6 is an assembly view of the steam the present invention; [0013]
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 6 in accordance with the present.[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the present invention is composed of following: [0015]
a dust container ([0016] 10) with a machinery plate (11) on top to install a vacuum motor (12); the machinery plate (11) has a cover (13) on top to protect all the equipments inside; a hose connector (14) is on one side of the dust container (10);
a hose set, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, is further composed of a hose ([0017] 15) and at least one hose turning tube (16) made of hard material with definite length and turning angle; one end of the hose (15) is plugged into the hose connector (14) moveably;
a nozzle ([0018] 20), as shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, with a dust inlet (21), (22) each on the front and end, a flute (211), (221) is formed along the open of the dust inlet (21), (22) to increase the vacuum clean area; the dust inlet (21), (22) connect to the nozzle hose connector (23) through internal path inside the nozzle (20), the nozzle hose connector (23) moveably connects to the hose turning tube (16); several wheel (24) are installed on the sides of the bottom of the nozzle (20) so that the nozzle (20) can roll on the floor.
Based on the structure described above, users can activate the vacuum motor ([0019] 12); dust and small particles are sucked in from the dust inlet (21), (22) of the nozzle (20), pass through the hose (15) and the hose turning tube (16) finally reaches the dust container (10). The present invention consists of a steam mechanism; the steam mechanism consists of following:
a steam generator generates high temperature steam; two applications of the present invention are described below. Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the steam generator ([0020] 30) of the first application is installed on the machinery plate (11); the steam generator (30) further composes of a water tank (31) with a water inlet on top, the water inlet has a threaded water inlet cover (321), the water inlet cover (321) exposes outer the cover (13) for users to add cleaner or water; a heater (33) is under the water tank (31) to heat the fluid in the water tank (31) to generate high temperature steam; a steam outlet tube (34) is on near the top of the water tank (31) for the high temperature steam to go out. Referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the steam generator (40) of the second application is installed external to the main body; the main body of the vacuum cleaner described above is on top of a main base (41), the steam generator (40) is installed on the other side of the main base (41). The steam generator (40) has a water tank (42) on the main base (41), fluid is filled from top of the water inlet; a water outlet tube (43) is on the bottom of the water tank (42), the water outlet tube (43) can connect to a water pump (not shown in FIG) to press water into a heater (44) inside the main base (41), the heater (44) heats up the injected fluid into high temperature steam and output the high temperature steam through a steam outlet tube (45). The steam generator (30) of the first application boils the water in the water tank (31) to generate steam, users have to wait for a period of time until the water to heat up for steam cleaning function; users also have to wait till all the water is consumed before more water to fill in. The steam generator (40) of the second application continuously has water injected from the water tank (42) into the heater (44); the steam is generated in no time and continuously, users can fill water anytime to have the steam all the time;
a steam conveying structure is to send steam from the steam outlet tube ([0021] 34), (45) to the nozzle (20), the structure has two types: external and internal. The external type (as shown in FIG. 2) is to have the steam outlet tube (34) run along the hose (15) and the hose turning tube (16) externally to the steam tube connector (25) on the nozzle (20). The internal type (as shown in FIG. 5, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7) is to have the steam outlet tube (45) insert into and go along inside the hose (15), the end of the steam outlet tube (45) passes through the hose (15) and connects to the steam tube connector (25);
a steam output structure (as shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4), is to have a steam tube connector ([0022] 25) on the nozzle (20) for the steam outlet tube (34), (45) to connect; several steam spout (26) are on the bottom center of the nozzle (20), the steam spout (26) are connected to the steam tube connector (25) with the internal channel of the nozzle (20); two floor scraper (27), (28) are installed on two sides of the steam spout (26) on the bottom of the nozzle (20), the floor scraper (27), (28) can be in blade shape as shown in FIG. 3 or in brush shape as shown in FIG. 4.
Users can, activate the steam device, the steam generator ([0023] 30), (40) heats up water or cleaner into high temperature steam, the high temperature steam is output from the steam outlet tube (34), (45) and pressed through the steam tube connector (25) on the nozzle (20), finally injected out from the steam spout (26).
The external type steam outlet tube ([0024] 34) is fixed to the hose (15) and the hose turning tube (16) with several band (50).
The internal type steam conveying structure includes: [0025]
an “L” shape connector ([0026] 51) (as shown in FIG. 6, FIG. 7) is installed on the end of the hose (15) where the hose (15) is inserted into the dust container (10). An orientation piece (511) with curve shape can fix the whole structure onto the hose (15) internally; a thread section (512) stretching out of the hose (15) is beneath the orientation piece (511); a connector (513) is on top of the structure stretching toward the hose (15), the connector (513) connects to a internal steam tube (451) inside the hose (15).
a fixed nut ([0027] 52) is designated to attache to the end of the steam outlet tube (45); the fixed nut (52) has a holder (521) on one end bent inward;
a connecting tube ([0028] 53) with at least one ring (531) on surface for the steam outlet tube (45) to wrap around, a holding ring (532) is on one end of the connecting tube (53) to hold the steam outlet tube (45) from coming out; the fixed nut (52) wraps the connecting tube (53), the holder (521) reaches and is stopped by the ring (531), the fixed nut (52) is then turned and locked into the thread section (512) of the “L” shape connector (51), the fixed nut (52) and the internal steam tube (451) is fixed firmly together. The internal steam tube (451) extends inside the hose (15) and connects to the external steam outlet tube (45′) with the “L” shape connector (51) at the end; the external steam outlet tube (45′) stretches along the hose turning tube (16) and connects to the steam tube connector (25) of the nozzle (20).
The function of steam mechanism and vacuum cleaner are described below: [0029]
when steam vapor is generated, users can turn on vacuum motor ([0030] 12) for cleaning.
Users can push the nozzle ([0031] 20) on the floor back and forth to have the dust inlet (21), (22) inhale dust on floor; at the same time, the injected high temperature steam from steam spout (26) can soft and loose the stubborn stain, the stain along with the condensed water is sucked by the dust inlet (21), (22), the high temperature -steam also has sterilization function. The floor scraper (27), (28) also helps remove the stubborn dirt.
The floor scraper ([0032] 27), (28) not only help remove the stubborn stain, they also isolate the steam spout (26) from the dust inlet (21), (22) to prevent the steam from inhaling by the dust inlet (21), (22) when the steam is just injected from the steam spout (26) to let steam has more time to function.
While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described in detail, it will be readily understood and appreciated that numerous omissions, changes and additions may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. [0033]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A steam vacuum cleaner comprising:

a dust container with a machinery plate on top to install a vacuum motor, a hose set composed of a hose and at least one hose turning tube made of hard material with definite length and turning angle, one end of said hose is plugged into the hose connector moveably, a nozzle with a dust inlet each on the front and end, a flute formed along the open of said dust inlet;

a steam mechanism compromising of a steam generator to generate high temperature steam;

a steam output structure to send out the high temperature steam;

a steam conveying structure to send high temperature steam to the steam tube connector on said nozzle;

several steam spouts located on the bottom center of said nozzle.

2. The steam vacuum cleaner recited in claim 1, wherein said steam generator installed on the machinery plate and composing of a water tank with a water inlet on top, a heater located under said water tank to heat the fluid in said water tank to generate high temperature steam, a steam outlet tube located on near the top of said water tank for temperature steam to go out.

3. The steam vacuum cleaner recited in claim 1, wherein said steam generator composing a water tank on a main base, a water outlet tube located on the bottom of said water tank to press water into a heater, said heater heats up the injected fluid into high temperature steam and output the high temperature steam through a steam outlet tube.

4. The steam vacuum cleaner recited in claim 1, wherein a steam outlet tube running along said hose and said hose turning tube externally to said steam tube connector on said nozzle.

5. The steam vacuum cleaner recited in claim 4, wherein said steam outlet tube fixed to said hose and said hose turning tube with several bands.

6. The steam vacuum cleaner recited in claim 1, wherein said steam conveying structure having a steam outlet tube inserted into and gone along inside said hose, the end of said steam outlet tube passing through said hose and connecting to said steam tube connector.

7. The steam vacuum cleaner recited in claim 6, wherein said steam conveying structure compromising:

two the steam outlet tubes with one end connecting to said steam generator, the other end connecting to said steam tube connector of said nozzle;

two “L” shape connectors installed on both end of said hose, a thread section stretching out of said hose located on the bottom of said “L” shape connector, a connector located on top of said “L” shape connector stretching toward said hose;

an internal steam tube extending inside said hose and connecting said “L” shape connector on both ends;

two fixed nuts designated to attache to the end of said steam outlet tube, said fixed nut having a holder on one end bent inward;

two connecting tubes with at least one ring on surface for said steam outlet tube to wrap around, a holding ring located on one end of said connecting tube to hold said steam outlet tube from coming out, said fixed nut is turned and locked into said thread section of said “L” shape connector.

8. The steam vacuum cleaner recited in claim 1, wherein two floor scrapers installed on two sides of said steam spouts on the bottom of said nozzle.

9. The steam vacuum cleaner recited in claim 8, wherein said floor scrapers in blade shape.

10. The steam vacuum cleaner recited in claim 8, wherein said floor scrapers in brush shape.

11. A steam vacuum cleaner comprising:

a steam mechanism compromising of

a steam generator to generate high temperature steam, a water tank installed on said machinery plate, a heater located on the bottom of said water tank to heat up the fluid in said water tank, a steam outlet tube located on near the top of said water tank for high temperature steam to go out;

a steam conveying structure to have said steam outlet tube run along said hose and said hose turning tube externally to said steam tube connector of said nozzle;

several steam spouts located on the bottom center of said nozzle.

12. The steam vacuum cleaner recited in claim 11, wherein said steam outlet tube being fixed to said hose and said hose turning tube with several bands.

13. The steam vacuum cleaner recited in claim 11, wherein two floor scrapers installed on two sides of said steam spouts on the bottom of said nozzle.

14. The steam vacuum cleaner recited in claim 13, wherein said floor scrapers in blade shape.

15. The steam vacuum cleaner recited in claim 13, wherein said floor scrapers in brush shape.

16. A steam vacuum cleaner comprising:

a steam mechanism compromising of

a steam generator installed on the other side of the main base, a water tank located on said main base, a water outlet tube is on the bottom of said water tank to have water into a heater inside said main base, said heater heats up the injected fluid into high temperature steam and output the high temperature steam through a steam outlet tube;

a steam conveying structure to have said steam outlet tube insert into and go along inside said hose, the end of said steam outlet tube passes through said hose and connects to said steam tube connector;

several steam spouts located on the bottom center of said nozzle.

17. The steam vacuum cleaner recited in claim 16, wherein said steam conveying structure compromising:

18. The steam vacuum cleaner recited in claim 16, wherein two floor scrapers installed on two sides of said steam spouts on the bottom of said nozzle.

19. The steam vacuum cleaner recited in claim 18, wherein said floor scrapers in blade shape.

20. The steam vacuum cleaner recited in claim 18, wherein said floor scrapers in brush shape.