Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02799627 2012-12-21
METHOD OF CLEANING A CARPET SEGMENT
BACKGROUND
Extraction cleaning machines are known for deep cleaning carpets and other
fabric
surfaces such as upholstery. Most carpet extractors comprise a fluid delivery
system, a fluid
recovery system, and, optionally, an agitation system. The fluid delivery
system typically
comprises one or more fluid supply tanks for storing cleaning fluid, a fluid
distributor for
applying the cleaning fluid to the surface to be cleaned, and a fluid supply
conduit for
supplying the fluid from the supply tank to the fluid distributor. The fluid
recovery system
typically comprises a recovery tank, a suction nozzle adjacent to the surface
to be cleaned and
in fluid communication with the recovery tank through a working air conduit,
and a vacuum
source in fluid communication with the working air conduit to draw cleaning
fluid from the
surface to be cleaned through the nozzle and working air conduit into the
recovery tank. The
agitation system can include an agitator element for scrubbing the surface to
be cleaned, an
optional drive means, and selective control means. The agitation system can
include a fixed
or driven agitator element that can comprise a brush, pad, sponge, cloth, and
the like. The
agitation system can also include driving and control means including motors,
turbines, belts,
gears, switches, sensors, and the like. See, for example, U.S. Patent No.
6,131,237 to Kasper
et al., and U.S. Patent No. 7,073,226 to Lenkiewicz et al.
BRIEF SUMMARY
According to an embodiment of the invention, a method of cleaning a carpet
segment
of relatively rectangular configuration defined by a first edge, a second edge
and opposite side
edges comprises: (a) applying a liquid cleaning solution to the carpet segment
in a narrow
band that extends between the side edges and moves between the first and
second edges, (b)
applying suction in a narrow band that extends between the side edges and
moves between the
first and second edges, (c) repeating act (a), and (d) repeating act (b). The
acts (a), (b), (c)
and (d) can be carried out successively with an end of a preceding act
defining a beginning of
a subsequent act.
1
CA 02799627 2012-12-21
According to another embodiment of the invention, the movement of the cleaning
solution narrow band in act (a) and the movement of the suction narrow band in
act (b) are in
opposite directions.
In yet another embodiment, the method can further comprise mechanically
agitating
the carpet segment during movement of the suction narrow band in acts (b) and
(d).
In another embodiment, the method can further comprise heating the liquid
cleaning
solution prior to applying the liquid cleaning solution in acts (a) and (c).
According to another embodiment of the invention, the acts (a) through (d) are
carried
out with an extraction machine.
In yet another embodiment, a method of cleaning a carpet segment of relatively
rectangular configuration defined by a first edge, a second edge and opposite
side edges
comprises: (a) applying a liquid cleaning solution to the carpet segment in a
narrow band that
extends between the side edges and moves between the first and second edges,
(b) repeating
act (a), (c) repeating act (a), and (d) applying suction in a narrow band that
extends between
the side edges and moves between the first and second edges. The acts (a),
(b), (c) and (d)
can be carried out successively with an end of a preceding act defining a
beginning of a
subsequent act.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the movement of the cleaning
solution narrow band in act (a) and the movement of the cleaning solution
narrow band in act
(b) are in opposite directions.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the movement of the cleaning
solution narrow band in act (a) and the movement of the cleaning solution
narrow band in act
(c) are in the same direction.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the movement of the cleaning
solution narrow band in act (a) and the movement of the suction narrow band in
act (d) are in
opposite directions.
In yet another embodiment, the method can further comprise mechanically
agitating
the carpet segment during movement of the suction narrow band in act (d).
2
CA 02799627 2012-12-21
. .
In another embodiment, the method can further comprise heating the liquid
cleaning
solution prior to applying the liquid cleaning solution in acts (a), (b), and
(c).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a schematic of an extraction cleaning machine according to a first
embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method of use of an extraction cleaning
machine
according to a second embodiment of the invention
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of use of an extraction cleaning
machine
according to a third embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The embodiments of the invention relate to methods of sequencing wet and dry
strokes
of an extraction cleaning machine, often referred to as an extractor or deep
cleaner, for
cleaning carpets and other soft surfaces. The methods can be used with any
suitable extractor,
non-limiting examples of which include commonly assigned U.S. Patent No.
6,131,237 to
Kasper et al., U.S. Patent No. 7,784,148 to Lenkiewicz et al., and U.S. Patent
No. 7,320,149
to Huffman et al., which are incorporated herein by reference in their
entirety. While the
embodiments of the invention are described in the context of cleaning carpets,
it will be
understood that the embodiments of the invention are also suitable for use
with any suitable
soft surface, non-limiting examples of which include rugs, upholstery and
drapes.
Figure 1 is a schematic of an extractor 10 suitable for use with the
embodiments of the
method. Any suitable type of extractor having a fluid delivery and recovery
system can be
used with the embodiments of the invention described herein. The details of
the extractor are
not germane to the invention; only those components necessary for a complete
understanding
of the embodiment of the invention are described.
The extractor 10 includes a fluid delivery system comprising a first cleaning
fluid
supply 12 and a second cleaning fluid supply 14 storing first and second
cleaning fluids,
3
CA 02799627 2012-12-21
respectively. The first and second cleaning fluid supplies 12, 14 can include
a refillable tank,
container and/or bladder. The first and second cleaning fluids can comprise
any suitable
cleaning fluid, including, but not limited to, water, concentrated and/or
diluted detergent, stain
remover, odor remover and the like. For example, the first cleaning fluid can
be water, and
the second cleaning fluid can be a concentrated detergent. Although not
illustrated, other
supply tanks or containers can be provided such that the fluid delivery system
delivers
cleaning fluid from separate tanks or containers that contain the same or
different
concentrations or compositions of cleaning fluid.
The first and second cleaning fluid supplies 12, 14 can be fluidly coupled
with a
mixing/metering assembly 16 through respective first and second cleaning fluid
supply lines
18, 20. The flow of fluid from the first and second cleaning fluid supplies
12, 14 through the
first and second cleaning fluid supply lines 18, 20 to the mixing/metering
assembly 16 can be
controlled by first and second valve mechanisms 22, 24, respectively. The
first and second
cleaning fluids can be optionally mixed by the mixing/metering assembly 16 to
provide a
cleaning solution to a spray assembly 26 for distributing the cleaning
solution onto the surface
to be cleaned. The spray assembly 26 can include one or more sprayers, such as
those
described in U.S. Patent No. 7,784,148 to Lenkiewicz et al. referenced above.
The fluid delivery system also includes an optional heater 28 and a pump
assembly 30.
The heater 28 can be any suitable heater configured to heat fluids, such as an
in-line heater.
The pump assembly 30 has a first inlet in fluid communication with the
mixing/metering
assembly 16 and an outlet in fluid communication with an inlet of the spray
assembly 26. The
pump assembly 30 is operatively connected to a motor/fan assembly 32 for
operation of a
primer stack portion thereof, as described in the aforementioned Kasper
patent. Alternatively,
the pump can comprise a conventional solenoid pump.
The fluid recovery system comprises a recovery chamber or tank 34 which is
used to
store spent cleaning solution and debris that is recovered from the surface to
be cleaned. A
nozzle assembly 36 is in fluid communication with the recovery tank 34 for
ingesting spent
cleaning solution and debris for collection within the recovery tank 34. The
nozzle assembly
36 can be part of a foot assembly (not shown) configured to be positioned
adjacent the surface
4
CA 02799627 2012-12-21
to be cleaned during use of the extractor 10. The foot assembly can further
include additional
components such as an agitator assembly comprising one or more agitators, such
as a brush
roll, for example, for agitating and providing mechanical cleaning action to
the surface to be
cleaned. The motor and fan assembly 32 is fluidly coupled with the nozzle
assembly 36 for
providing suction to draw the spent cleaning solution and debris on the
surface being cleaned
through the nozzle assembly 36 and into the recover chamber 34. Air drawn into
the fluid
recovery system through the nozzle assembly 36 is drawn through the motor and
fan assembly
32 before being exhausted from the extractor 10.
The extractor 10 can also include a control system 38 for operably controlling
the
various components of the extractor 10, such as the first and second valve
mechanisms 22, 24,
the mixing/metering assembly 16, the pump 28, the heater 30 and the motor/fan
assembly 32,
for example. The extractor 10 can also include an actuator 40, such as a
button or trigger,
which can be selectively actuated to control the delivery of cleaning solution
to the surface to
be cleaned.
In use, upon actuation of the actuator 40 by a user, the control system 38 can
control
the first and second valve mechanisms 22, 24 to supply the first and second
cleaning fluids to
the mixing/metering assembly 16 to generate a cleaning solution. The control
system 38 can
further control the pump 28 and optionally the heater 30 to provide the
cleaning solution to
the spray assembly 26 for application to the surface to be cleaned. The
control system 38 can
be configured to control the motor/fan assembly 32 such that during
application of the
cleaning solution, suction is not applied through the nozzle assembly 36.
Alternatively, the
control system 38 can be configured to apply suction during the application of
the cleaning
solution. Upon release of the actuator 40, the control system 38 can control
the components
of the extractor 10 to cease dispensing of the cleaning solution through the
spray assembly 26.
The spent cleaning solution and debris on the surface being cleaned can be
removed by
suction through the nozzle assembly 36 and stored in the recovery chamber 34
for later
disposal by the user. Suction through the nozzle assembly 36 can be initiated
automatically
by the control system 38 upon release of the actuator 40, manually by the user
through a
CA 02799627 2012-12-21
second actuator operably coupled with the motor/fan assembly 32, or suction
can be
automatically applied by the control system 38.
Figure 2 illustrates a method 100 of use of the extractor 10 for cleaning a
surface to be
cleaned, such as an area of carpet. The methods of the embodiments of the
invention are
described with respect to a "stroke" of the extractor 10. As used herein, a
stroke refers to
movement of the extractor 10 relative to the surface being cleaned in a single
direction, with
or without the distribution of cleaning solution, from the perspective of a
user positioned
behind the extractor 10. A "forward stroke" refers to movement of the
extractor 10 in a
forward direction, away from the user. A "reverse stroke" refers to movement
of the extractor
in a reverse direction, back towards the user. A "wet stroke" refers to a
stroke, either
forward or reverse, during which the user has actuated the actuator 40 to
distribute cleaning
solution to the surface being cleaned. A "dry stroke" refers to a stroke,
either forward or
reverse, during which the motor/fan assembly 32 is actuated to provide suction
to the nozzle
assembly 36 to remove spent cleaning solution and/or debris on the surface
being cleaned
without distribution of cleaning solution to the surface. During the dry
stroke, the agitator
assembly can also be actuated.
The method 100 starts with the assumption that the user has filled the first
and second
cleaning fluid supplies 12, 14 with the desired cleaning fluids, has
positioned the extractor 10
on the surface to be cleaned and is standing behind the extractor 10. At 102
the user can push
the extractor 10 in a forward direction, away from the user, while actuating
the actuator 40 to
distribute cleaning solution to the surface, thus completing a first wet
stroke. At 104 the user
can pull the extractor 10 in a reverse direction, back towards the user, over
the same general
area traversed during the first wet stroke 102, without actuating the actuator
40, thus
completing a first dry stroke. At 106 the user can again push the extractor 10
in a forward
direction, generally traversing the same area of the surface traversed during
the first wet
stroke at 102 and the first dry stroke at 104, while actuating the actuator 40
to distribute the
cleaning solution, thus completing a second wet stroke. At 108 the user can
pull the extractor
10 in a reverse direction, generally traversing the same area of the surface
traversed during the
6
CA 02799627 2012-12-21
previous strokes at 102, 104 and 106, without actuating the actuator 40, thus
completing a
second dry stroke.
While the method 100 is described as beginning with a forward stroke, it will
be
understood that the method 100 can begin with a reverse stroke. The method 100
can be
completed one or more times over the same general area of the surface or may
be used to
clean a larger area. For example, the method 100 can be used one or more times
on the same
general area to clean a stain or spot on the surface being cleaned. In another
example, the
method 100 can be repeated multiple times in the process of cleaning an entire
room.
The method 100 can be used to clean a carpet segment having a first edge
defined by a
position of the extractor 10 at the start of the first wet stroke, a second
edge defined by a
position of the extractor 10 at the end of the first wet stroke and opposite
side edges extending
between the first and second edges of the carpet segment. The width of the
carpet segment
between the opposite side edges can generally be defined by a width of a
cleaning solution
spray pattern that is dispensed by the spray assembly 26 and/or a width of the
nozzle
assembly 36. Alternatively, the width of the carpet segment can be defined by
the width of
the extractor foot assembly, with the cleaning solution spray pattern and the
width of the
nozzle assembly 36 extending across at least a portion of the width of the
foot assembly. In
this manner, movement of the extractor 10 according to the strokes of the
method 100 defines
a relatively rectangular carpet segment that is cleaned according to the
method 100.
Movement between edges of the carpet segment during the method 100 generally
defines a stroke, with each stroke being carried out successively such that an
end of one stroke
is followed by a beginning of a second stroke within a relatively short period
of time, on the
order of seconds or minutes, for example. In one example, the period of time
between strokes
may be based on the amount of time it takes a user to actuate the actuator 40
to dispense a
cleaning solution at the beginning of a wet stroke and provide momentum to
move the
extractor 10 and/or the amount of time it takes a user to release the actuator
40 at the end of a
wet stroke and reverse the movement of the extractor 10.
A distance between the first and second edges of the carpet segment can vary
depending on the user's approach to cleaning the surface to be cleaned. For
example, when
7
CA 02799627 2012-12-21
,
the user is cleaning an entire room, the distance between the first and second
edges of the
carpet segment may be greater than the distance between the first and second
edges when the
user is cleaning only a portion of a room, such as during a spot treatment.
Figure 3 illustrates a second method 200 of use of the extractor 10 for
cleaning a
carpet segment of a surface to be cleaned, such as an area of carpet. The
method 200 is
similar to the method 100 except for the sequence and ratio of wet and dry
strokes.
The method 200 starts with the assumption that the user has filled the first
and second
cleaning fluid supplies 12, 14 with the desired cleaning fluids, has
positioned the extractor 10
on the surface to be cleaned and is standing behind the extractor 10. At 202
the user can push
the extractor 10 in a forward direction, away from the user, while actuating
the actuator 40 to
distribute cleaning solution to the surface, thus completing a first wet
stroke. At 204 the user
can pull the extractor 10 in a reverse direction, back towards the user, over
the same general
area traversed during the first wet stroke 202, while actuating the actuator
40 to distribute
cleaning solution to the surface, to complete a second wet stroke. At 206 the
user can again
push the extractor 10 in a forward direction, generally traversing the same
area of the surface
traversed during the first and second wet strokes at 202 and 204, while
actuating the actuator
40 to distribute the cleaning solution, to complete a third wet stroke. At 208
the user can pull
the extractor 10 in a reverse direction, generally traversing the same area of
the surface
traversed during the previous strokes at 202, 204 and 206, without actuating
the actuator 40,
thus completing a first dry stroke.
Similar to the first method 100, the method 200 can be completed one or more
times
over the same general area of the surface or may be used to clean a larger
area. For example,
the method 200 can be used one or more times on the same general area to clean
a stain or
spot on the surface being cleaned. In another example, the method 200 can be
repeated
multiple times in the process of cleaning an entire room.
The methods 100 and 200 provide different cleaning stroke sequences that can
be used
with an extractor to provide improved cleaning performance compared to the
standard
sequence of cleaning strokes used with an extractor, as illustrated by the
test results provided
below.
8
CA 02799627 2012-12-21
,
Cleaning Performance Evaluation
Methods
ASTM International has proposed a test method for a laboratory test for
determining
the relative carpet cleaning effectiveness of a wet extraction cleaning system
when tested
under standard conditions titled "DRAFT Test Method for Measuring the Carpet
Cleaning
Effectiveness of Wet Extraction Cleaners," dated January 20, 2010. The
cleaning system is
defined as a wet extraction appliance coupled with its included or recommended
chemical
cleaning formula. The proposed standard determines the carpet cleaning
effectiveness based
on a standard cleaning method that includes two wet strokes followed by two
dry strokes
("two wet/two dry strokes").
The carpet cleaning effectiveness of three different commercially available
extraction
cleaning systems was tested according to the ASTM draft standard using the two
wet/two dry
strokes cleaning method outlined in the proposed standard. The cleaning
effectiveness was
also tested using the method 100 and 200 of Figures 2 and 3 according to the
ASTM draft
standard in place of the two wet/two dry strokes standard cleaning method to
compare the
cleaning effectiveness of the methods 100 and 200 with the standard method.
The amount of water retained ("water retention") by the carpet after cleaning
according to the ASTM draft standard using each of the different cleaning
methods was
determined by weighing the carpet test sample before and after cleaning.
Extraction Cleaning Systems
The three extraction cleaning systems tested include:
1) BISSELL Lift-Off Deep Cleaning System with the BISSELL 2X Professional
Deep Cleaning formula ("BISSELL Lift-Off ").
2) BISSELL Proheat 2X 9200 Deep Cleaning System with the BISSELL 2X
Professional Deep Cleaning formula ("BISSELL Proheat8").
3) Hoover Max Extract 60 with the Hoover 2X Concentrate Deep Cleansing
formula ("Hoover Max Extract ").
9
CA 02799627 2012-12-21
Test Results
Charts 1-7 illustrate test data obtained for the three extraction systems
listed above,
BISSELL Lift-Off, BISSELL Proheat , and Hoover Max Extract according to
the
ASTM draft standard using each of the different cleaning methods, the ASTM
standard
cleaning method and the methods 100 and 200 of Figures 2 and 3.
Charts 1-3 below illustrate the average percent clean test results at the 95%
confidence
interval for each of the three extraction cleaning systems according to the
ASTM draft
standard using the two wet/two dry strokes standard cleaning method, the
method 100 ("I wet
1 dry/1 wet 1 dry") and the method 200 ("3 wet/1 dry"). For all of the Charts
1-6, the grey
bars correspond to the first, forward stroke traveling in the direction of the
lay of the carpet
test sample (with the lay of the carpet) and the white bars correspond to the
first stroke
traveling in the direction opposite to the lay of the carpet test sample
(against the lay of the
carpet). The average percent clean value and percent clean value plus and
minus two standard
deviations ("+2s" and "-2s") is also shown. The percent clean values are
calculated as
described in the ASTM draft standard.
CA 02799627 2012-12-21
Chart 1: BISSELL Lift-01r % Clean
80.0%
70.0%
60.0%
50.0%
40.0%
(_)
30.0%
20.0% ¨
10.0"/o
0.0"/o
1 wet 1 dry/1 1 wet 1 dry/1
2 wet/2 dry 2 wet/2 dry 3 we 1 dry 3 wet/ 1 dry
wet 1 dry wet 1 dry
% Clean 55.84% 41.96% 61.55% 40.34% 67.90% 53.78%
Clean +2s 58.44% 46.12% 75.86% 47.76% 70.97% 66.94%
Clean -2s 53.24% 37.81% 47.25% 32.91% 64.83% 40.63%
11
CA 02799627 2012-12-21
Chart 2: BISSELL Proheat % Clean
80.0%
70.0%
60.0%
50.0%
(...) 40.0%
30.0% -
õ
20.0%
10.0 A)
_
0.0')/0
1 wet 1 dry/1 1 wet 1 dry/1
2 wet/2 dry 2 wet/2 dry 3 wet/ 1 dry 3 wet/ 1 dry
wet 1 dry wet 1 dry
% Clean 53.11% 39.35% 59.86% 39.46% 64.25% 49.76%
Clean +2s 60.44% 41.32% 62.05% 42.08% 70.07% 55.21%
Clean -2s 45.78% 37.38% 57.67% 36.84% 58.43% 44.31%
Chart 3: Hoover Max Extract (1/0 Clean
70.0%
60.0%
50.0% _ T
g 40.0% - ,
c'iiz'=! 30.0% - =
20.0% -
10.0% -
0.0 /0
I wet 1 dry/1 I wet 1 dry/1
2 wet/2 dry 2 wet/2 dry 3 wet/ I dry 3 wet/ I dry
wet I dry wet I dry
% Clean 45.43% 31.90% 49.37% 41.35% 53.53% 42.93%
Clean +2s 50.23% 50.74% 52.07% 55.05% 55.35% 58.61%
Clean -2s 40.63% 13.06% 46.67% 27.65% 51.72% 27.25%
12
CA 02799627 2012-12-21
Charts 4-6 illustrate the average Delta-E (AE) at the 95% confidence interval
for each
of the three extraction cleaning systems according to the ASTM draft standard
using the two
wet/two dry strokes standard cleaning method, the method 100 ("1 wet I dry/1
wet 1 dry")
and the method 200 ("3 wet/1 dry"). As discussed in the ASTM draft standard,
AE is a
number representing the distance in color space between two colors. AE is
derived
mathematically and is used in colorimetry to evaluate the extent of color
differences and
change. AE (s-e) is a measure of the change in AE between the soiled carpet
sample and the
carpet sample after it has been cleaned.
Chart 4: AE Clean (s-e) BISSELL Lift-Off
9.0
8.0
7.0
6.0
rJ 5.0
4.0
ces
3.0
2.0
1.0
0.0
I wet 1 1 dry/1
2 wet/2 dry 2 wet/2 drj/ 1 dry/1 wet 3
wet/ 1 dry 3 wet/ 1 dry
wet 1 dry wet 1 dry
DE Clean (s-e) 6.71 5.03 7.54 4.89 8.15 6.56
13
CA 02799627 2012-12-21
Chart 5: AE Clean (s-e) BISSELL Proheat
9.0
8.0
7.0
6.0
= 5.0
= 4.0
3.0
;4 2.0 .
1.0
0.0
1 wet 1 dry/1 1 wet 1 dry/1
2 wet/2 dry 2 wet/2 dry 3 wet/ 1 dry 3
wet/ 1 dry
wet 1 dry wet 1 dry
DE Clean (s-e) 6.84 4.85 7.58 5.05 8.03 6.18
Chart 6: AE Clean (s-e) Hoover Max Extract
7.0
6.0
5.0
= 4.0
3.0
U 2.0
= 1.0
0.0
1 wet 1 dry/1 I wet 1 dry/1
2 wet/2 dry 2 wet/2 dry 3 wet/ 1 dry 3
wet/ 1 dry
wet 1 dry wet 1 dry
DE Clean (s-e) 5.66 3.98 5.92 4.91 6.13 4.96
As can be seen in Charts 1-6, the sequencing of the wet and dry strokes used
during an
extraction cleaning method effects the carpet cleaning effectiveness of the
BISSELL Lift-
Off , BISSELL Proheat , and Hoover Max Extract extraction cleaning systems.
Referring now to Charts 1-3, in general, the average percent clean for 1 wet 1
dry/ 1 wet 1 dry
(method 100) and 3 wet/1 dry (method 200) cleaning methods is greater than the
standard 2
wet/2 dry cleaning method for all three extraction cleaning systems when
starting cleaning
14
CA 02799627 2012-12-21
. .
with the lay of the carpet. As illustrated in Charts 4-6, in general, AE(s-e)
is greater for the 1
wet 1 dry/ 1 wet 1 dry (method 100) and 3 wet/1 dry (method 200) cleaning
methods than the
standard 2 wet/2 dry cleaning method for all three extraction cleaning systems
both with and
against the lay of the carpet. This data suggests that the 1 wet 1 dry/ 1 wet
1 dry (method
100) and 3 wet/1 dry (method 200) cleaning methods are on par and often better
than the
standard 2 wet/2 dry cleaning method for cleaning carpets.
Chart 7 illustrates the average amount of liquid retained by the carpet when
cleaned
using each three extraction cleaning system for each cleaning method with and
against the lay
of the carpet.
Chart 7: Liquid Retention
120
100 ¨
iE .... i.: ...- i...... i., .E i.:.E i.: ......:...=
t A 80 .-=L-=ii....=
. . . . . . . .
i .-= E .-= ..= -=. =: :
E..======:.:....=;=:==
.=:=:=..=i:=:=E
.:::.::.::..-:..-.-:.:
:...='::.::.:.::::-.::
=
'' Milinil
-..:===.....=...===.."..E..i.i..E..=:...::=..,:..===
.......
ao
.,......i.:;.......:,........:............::..=:......:.=:,,.:
.......
60 .= : : : . . :
= . . . . . . . .
a" ....!.1..;..-...
::-... 1:...:::...:. ,
.......
40 - ........ ..... . d'ii.'.i=:ilig----- . . ! . . i . i . E
. E . i
c... .'..i.===.:=. ...i.===;=.!-
=...1==1'111:....1:....1:1.....1.......1.......1.:!..i.
,
."f". ..!.=. ..] ..;=== ..,.=-.=..; ,...=* -.i=== ,.=' ...==== ,..='1..===
i..== ....====
.:.=-=
i.... in.. ..=.t i.. .... ;.. .... ,:. it.... ........ ... :..
...
¨
og 20 1 ...=== ..= .::: .,= ..:.=== .,.
:::==.,= .i.===.11....1* ....===
... .... ... ..... ..... ..... ..... ...,.
. ¨
"e
..===:....===!1===!.====!.==:::: :=:!====;:iii :======= :.===;=::=======1==i=
.== ..= .-= ..= ..= i .=
.-.......: .., ) ) .... i
0
1 wet 1 dry/1 wet 1
2 wet/2 dry dry 3 wet/ 1
dry
0 BISSELL Lift-Off 49.2 73.6 100
OBISSELL Proheat 44.4 69.0
73.0
0 Hoover Max Extract 53.6 82.4
90.1
As can be seen in Chart 7, while each of the three cleaning methods includes
four
strokes, each method results in different amounts of liquid retained by the
carpet. For
example, while the standard 2 wet/2 dry method and method 100 of 1 wet 1 dry/1
wet ldry
both comprise two wet strokes and 2 dry strokes, the sequencing effects the
amount of liquid
retained by the carpet, with the method 100 resulting in an increase in the
amount of retained
CA 02799627 2012-12-21
liquid compared to the standard method. The method 200 of 3 wet/1 dry has four
strokes
total, the same as the standard method and method 100, however the method 200
has 3 wet
strokes and 1 dry, resulting in more liquid retained by the carpet than either
the standard
method or method 100.
Charts 8 and 9 illustrate the test data obtained for the BISSELL Lift-Off
extractor
used with the BISSELL 2X Professional Deep Cleaning formula and the BISSELL
2X
Fiber Cleansing formula according to the ASTM draft standard using each of the
different
cleaning methods, the ASTM standard cleaning method and the methods 100 and
200 of
Figures 2 and 3.
Chart 8: BISSELL Lift-Off Fiber Cleansing % Clean
80.0%
70.0%
60.0%
50.0% J. =
40.0% I -
L)
30.0%
20.0% -
10.0% _
ttC,
0.0%
I wet 1 dry/1 I wet 1 dry/I
2 wet/2 dry 2 wet/2 dry 3 wet/ 1 dry 3 we 1
dry
wet I dry wet I dry
% Clean 51.89% 32.58% 58.68% 34.83% .. 60.87% .. 42.61%
Clean +2s 54.48% 44.37% 71.33% 39.65% 69.23% 48.15%
Clean -2s 49.30% 20.79% 46.03% 30.01% 52.52% 37.07%
16
CA 02799627 2012-12-21
Chart 9: BISSELL Lift-Off Professional `)/0 Clean
80.0%
70.0%
60.0%
50.0%
40.0%
c.)
30.0% 1
*7;
20.0%
10.0')/0
0.0%
I W 1 dry/1 1 et wet 1 dry/1
2 wet/2 dry 2 wet/2 dry 3 wet/ 1 dry 3 wet/ 1
dry
wet I dry wet I dry
% Clean 34.81% 54.45% 37.97% 59.63% 40.93% 68.13%
Clean +2s 42.49% 57.27% 42.86% 62.01% 49.46% 69.47%
Clean -2s 27.13% 51.62% 33.08% 57.25% 32.40% 66.79%
As can be seen in Charts 8 and 9, even when different cleaning formulas are
used with
the extractor, the sequencing and ratio of wet and dry strokes in the cleaning
method affects
the cleaning effectiveness of the extraction cleaning system.
The results shown herein illustrate the effect of the sequencing and the ratio
of wet and
dry strokes in the cleaning effectiveness of an extraction cleaning system.
Even when the
total number of strokes in the cleaning method is the same, the cleaning
effectiveness and the
amount of liquid retained by the carpet varies depending on the sequencing and
the number of
wet and dry strokes. This information can be provided to a user in the form of
an instructional
manual or a label on the machine such that the user can make an informed
decision on how to
use the extraction cleaning system to clean the carpet to meet the needs of
the user.
For example, if the user only desires a normal level of cleaning effectiveness
and low
liquid retention, the standard 2 wet/2 dry method can be used. Alternatively,
if the user
desires a higher level of cleaning effectiveness and a slightly greater amount
of liquid
17
CA 02799627 2012-12-21
retention is acceptable, then the user can use the method 100 of 1 wet 1 dry/
1 wet 1 dry. In a
third option, if the user desires a higher level of cleaning effectiveness and
is not concerned
with the amount of retained liquid, the user can use the method 200 of 3 wet/1
dry. The user
can use additional dry strokes as needed following the method 200 or any of
the methods
described herein to suction additional liquid from the surface to decrease the
amount of liquid
retained by the surface.
To the extent not already described, the different features and structures of
the various
embodiments may be used in combination with each other as desired. That one
feature may
not be illustrated in all of the embodiments is not meant to be construed that
it cannot be, but
is done for brevity of description. Thus, the various features of the
different embodiments
may be mixed and matched as desired to form new embodiments, whether or not
the new
embodiments are expressly described.
While the invention has been specifically described in connection with certain
specific
embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that this is by way of
illustration and not of
limitation. The scope of the claims should not be limited by particular
embodiments set forth
herein, but should be construed in a manner consistent with the specification
as a whole.
18
