GB486500A - Improvements in or relating to methods and apparatus for cleaning carpets and other articles in a cleaning works - Google Patents

Abstract

<PICT:0486500/IV/1> Apparatus for cleaning carpets, fabrics, upholstery, &c. on the floor of a factory consists of means for supplying selectively to a surface-treating device any one or more of a plurality of treating liquids from fixed tanks in which the liquids are stored in bulk. The treating device is movable over the surface to be treated and comprises a suction nozzle which can be connected to a remote, high-power, suction means, for removing the liquids immediately after application. The plant comprises a suction fan 12 connected to a flexible pipe 48, and a series of tanks 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66 connected through pipes 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, a manifold 84, and a tubular, swinging, boom 52 to a flexible pipe 90. The pipes 48 and 90 may be connected respectively to the suction nozzle and the brush reservoir of the cleaning machine described in Specification 486,499, [Group XXIII]. The fan is connected to the pipe 48, and also to fixed pipes 28, 30 with suction couplings 36, by way of two dirt and liquid-traps 18, 20, either of which may be connected in the suction circuit by manipulation of coupled valves 22, 24 and 42, 44. The tanks contain various surface treating media, in the form of liquid, foam, paste, or powder, for cleansing, germicidal, deodorizing, dyeing, flame or mildew-proofing, bleaching, or rinsing purposes or for removing stains. The pipes 70-80 are connected to the manifold 84 through valves 82, and the manifold is connected to the hollow pivot 54 of the boom 52 through a valve 86. A high-pressure water main 103 supplies the tanks through a pipe 106, the manifold through a pipe 100 with valve 98, and a fixed pipe 102. Pipes 108, 110 can supply hot and soft water respectively both to the tanks and to the manifold. Compressed air may be supplied to some or all of the tanks by a pipe 140 for agitating or other purposes. As shown, air supplied to the distributer 141 forms foam in the tank 66, the foam passing by the pipe 146 to the pipe 80. By suitable control of the valves 82, 86, 98, water or any desired medium may be supplied at will to the surface-treating device, so that various treating operations may be performed in sequence, the used liquid being removed by suction after each operation. Couplings 150, 122 for the connection of flexible hoses may be provided in the medium and water pipes, and one or more manifolds may be arranged to supply two or more surface-treating devices. The media may be supplied by a pump or air pressure. Any form of portable surface-treating device, either manual or mechanical, and with or without a suction nozzle, may be supplied with different media by the plant described. The devices described in Specifications 398,852, 399,174, 414,163, 451,704, 463,735, and 470,192, [all in Group XXIII], may be adapted for the connection of the suction and supply pipes 48, 90.