US4186031A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dry cleaning carpeting
Assignee: ARMSTRONG JOHN LEO
•
Filing: 1977-12-05
•
Granted: 1980-01-29
•
Expires: 1997-12-05
Abstract
Abstract Removal of soil or stains from carpeting by a dry cleaning process, in which a pad including yarn selected in accordance with the carpet material and an intermediate reduced area of metal foil is rotated in contact with a carpet area moistened with a first cleaning solution including volatile hydrocarbons such as lower petroleum fractions, detergents, a surfactant, and water, over which a second solution of water and hydrogen peroxide is applied. Pad rotation establishes a controlled electrostatic field, and vapor, liquids, soil particles, etc., are drawn into the pad.
Inventors
- 👤 John L. Armstrong
- 👤 Edward G. Tarkinson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 12:49
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47L; A47L11/00; A47L11/40; A47L11/4036; A47L11/4038; A47L11/34; D; D06; D06F; D06F43/00; D06F43/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
The method of dry cleaning a pile carpet by induced static electricity which comprises moistening an area of the carpet pile with an aqueous dry cleaning solution including a substantial proportion of a volatile hydrocarbon solvent, providing a flat circular cleaning pad having a carpet-contacting surface having a coefficient of static friction with respect to the carpet pile effective to generate static electricity as a result of friction and contact between the pad and carpet, electrically connecting condenser means between the carpet-contacting surface of the pad and ground, rotating the pad in pressure contact with the carpet at a speed of several hundred RPM, and providing a flow of static electricity from the pad to ground controlled by the condenser means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
121 words
The method of dry cleaning a pile carpet by induced static electricity which comprises moistening an area of the carpet pile with an aqueous dry cleaning solution including a substantial proportion of a volatile hydrocarbon solvent, providing a flat circular cleaning pad having a carpet-contacting surface having a coefficient of static friction with respect to the carpet pile effective to generate static electricity as a result of friction and contact between the pad and carpet, electrically connecting condenser means between the carpet-contacting surface of the pad and ground, rotating the pad in pressure contact with the carpet at a speed of several hundred RPM, and providing a flow of static electricity from the pad to ground controlled by the condenser means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method as defined in claim 1, in which the condenser means comprises a plurality of flat, circular, series connected condensers of diameters corresponding approximately to that of the pad.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method as defined in claim 1, in which the cleaning solution has approximately the following formula: ______________________________________
volatile hydrocarbon
such as naphtha or
other lower petroleum
fraction, 7.0%
butyl alcohol, 2.0%
non-foaming detergent builders
sodium borate 0.7%
sodium tripolyphosphate 10.0%
surfactant, 0.3%
water, 80.0%
______________________________________
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method as defined in claim 3, in which the surfactant is CH 3 (CH 2 )xCH 2 (OCH 2 CH 2 )nOH where the approximate values of x and and n are 14.5 and 10.5 respectively, and which includes spraying a small amount of a water-hydrogen peroxide mixture over the area moistened by the cleaning solution prior to applying frictional contact of the cleaning pad therewith.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as defined in claim 3, in which the cleaning solution in addition includes about 0.7% potassium chloride.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as defined in claim 1, in which the circular pad and condensing means have a diameter greater than twelve inches.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as defined in claim 1, which comprises rotating the pad at about 1700-1800 RPM.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method as defined in claim 1, in which the condenser means includes a flat circular condenser-forming elements bonded together to form a rigid circular drive block, and which comprises rotating the drive block in pressure contact with the upper surface of the pad to rotate the pad.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method as defined in claim 1, in which the step of moistening the carpet area with dry cleaning solution is accomplished by spraying the area, and which comprises thereafter spraying the carpet area with an approximately equal amount of an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
134 words
The method of dry cleaning a pile carpet by induced static electricity which comprises moistening an area of the carpet with an aqueous dry cleaning solution including a substantial proportion of a volatile hydrocarbon solvent, providing a flat circular cleaning pad having a carpet contacting surface having a coefficient of static friction with respect to the carpet pile effective to generate static electricity as a result of frictional contact between the pad and carpet through condenser means to control the flow of static electricity from the pad to ground, electrically connecting the cleaning pad to ground, rotating the pad in pressure contact with the carpet at a speed of several hundred RPM until the carpet area is substantially dry, and providing a flow of static electricity from the pad to ground through condenser means.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
134 words
The method of dry cleaning a pile carpet by induced static electricity which comprises moistening an area of the carpet with an aqueous dry cleaning solution including a substantial proportion of a volatile hydrocarbon solvent, providing a flat circular cleaning pad having a carpet contacting surface having a coefficient of static friction with respect to the carpet pile effective to generate static electricity as a result of frictional contact between the pad and carpet through condenser means to control the flow of static electricity from the pad to ground, electrically connecting the cleaning pad to ground, rotating the pad in pressure contact with the carpet at a speed of several hundred RPM until the carpet area is substantially dry, and providing a flow of static electricity from the pad to ground through condenser means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as defined in claim 10, which further comprises providing current limiting means in the connection between the pad and ground.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as defined in claim 10, which comprises rotating the pad at about 1700-1800 RPM.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method as defined in claim 10, in which the step of moistening the carpet area with dry cleaning solution is accomplished by spraying the area, and which comprises thereafter spraying the carpet area with an approximately equal amount of an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method as defined in claim 10, in which the cleaning solution has approximately the following formula: ______________________________________
volatile hydrocarbon
such as naphtha or
other lower petroleum
fraction, 7.0%
butyl alcohol, 2.0%
non-foaming detergent builders
sodium borate 0.7%
sodium tripolyphosphate 10.0%
surfactant, 0.3%
water, 80.0%
______________________________________
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
66 words
The method as defined in claim 14, in which the surfactant is CH 3 (CH 2 )xCH 2 (OCH 2 CH 2 )nOH where the approximate values of x and n are 14.5 and 10.5 respectively, and which includes spraying a small amount of a water-hydrogen peroxide mixture over the area moistened by the cleaning solution prior to applying frictional contact of the cleaning pad therewith.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as defined in claim 14, in which the cleaning solution in addition includes about 0.7% potassium chloride.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-01-28 | 1983-07-30 | 1984-01-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-01-28 | 1987-07-30 | 1988-01-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-01-28 | 1991-07-30 | 1992-01-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |