Method for cleaning carpets and like materials

Claim 1

A method according to claim 1, where the heat applied by the lip is at a controlled temperature of between 270* and 280* F. and wherein the long narrow spray has parallel spaced parts so that, from the motion as aforesaid, the strip is impinged by two jet strikes in succession.

Claim 2

A method of cleaning and drying carpets and other materials having a nap, the method including continuous operations as follows: a. direct a heated cleansing fluid under pressure to form a long narrow spray to impinge a strip of the material at an acute angle of between 20 and 40*, the strip having a leading edge, impingement by the spray dissolving and loosening soil imbedded in the nap urging it towards the leading edge, b. provide relative motion between the spray and the material so that a swath of material is impinged as aforesaid, c. the strip having been impinged by the spray, apply heat and pressure substantially simultaneously to the strip whilst continuing the motion, d. concurrently with operation (c) expose the strip to a vacuum to withdraw soil laden moisture from the sprayed strip, the pressure and heat aiding drying, the heat vacuum and pressure being applied by means of a heated head assembly, the pressure being an optimum depending upon kind of material, temperature, humidity and other factors, the optimum being defined as a value increase beyond which does not materially increase cleaning and drying effectiveness, and wherein the head assembly includes a suction nozzle with a lip, the heat being applied by pressure urging the lip against the nap, e. roll the strip prior to impingement by spray in step (a), and f. continue the motion and operations so that the swath is contInuous being formed of material which has been subjected to the operations above.