Handheld mechanical soft-surface remediation (SSR) device and method of using same

Abstract

A handheld mechanical soft-surface remediation (SSR) device and method of dislodging, displacing, and disposing of particulates from surfaces and performing disinfection and / or freshening is disclosed. The device is preferably lightweight, easy-to-use and includes a fan assembly, filter assembly, flapper assembly, battery assembly, and chemical delivery system. Performing soft-surface remediation with the mechanical SSR device includes the steps of retrieving the device from storage, installing the consumables into the device, activating the device, performing the cleaning operation, deactivating the device, removing the consumables from device, preparing the device for the next use, storing the device and, optionally, recharging the batteries.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an apparatus for soft-surface remediation (SSR). In particular, this invention relates to a handheld mechanical SSR device for dislodging, displacing, and disposing of particulates from soft-surfaces and for performing disinfection and / or freshening. [0003] 2. Discussion of the Related Art [0004] Indoor air is a very good transport mechanism for airborne particles or contaminants, such as dust and allergens. Dust is generally characterized as including, for example, soot, pet dander, skin flakes, carpet fibers, dust mite feces, hair, and lint. Allergens are generally characterized as including, for example, dust mites, pet dander, mold / mildew, pollen, and germs / bacteria. For energy efficiency reasons, modern homes are constructed to be as air-tight as possible, which has the adverse effect of creating an environment of poor indoor air quality, because it takes a significant amount of...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0019] It is therefore an aspect of the invention to provide a handheld SSR device that has a dislodging mechanism for effectively performing soft-surface remediation in a non-destructive manner.

[0020] It is another aspect of this invention to provide a low-powered, light-weight, handheld mechanical SSR device that has a large pickup area, in order to reduce the cleaning time.

[0021] It is yet another aspect of this invention to provide a more effective and efficient way to introduce a chemistry, fluid or cleaner onto a soft surface by use of a low-powered, light-weight, handheld mechanical SSR device.

[0022] It is yet another aspect of this invention to provide a low-powered, light-weight, handheld mechanical SSR device having a slapping mechanism, a dispenser, and a filter that reduces the time required for cleaning, freshening, and disinfecting soft surfaces.

[0023] It is yet another aspect of this invention to provide an easy-to-use, convenient mechanism that encourages consumers to perform touchup cleaning events more frequently.

Problems solved by technology

For energy efficiency reasons, modern homes are constructed to be as air-tight as possible, which has the adverse effect of creating an environment of poor indoor air quality, because it takes a significant amount of time to circulate air into and out of a room.

Consequently, airborne contaminants remain circulating in the air and, over time, may land on hard and soft surfaces in the home.

The vast majority of contaminants reside within the weave of the surface fabric or on the batting material of the upholstered item.

In particular, hair, dust, lint, and dust mite feces become lodged between the surface fabric weave.

Technical challenges exist with regard to SSR, which as used herein is any treatment to relieve, prevent, or cure the adverse effects of contaminants that collect thereon.

Both types of vacuum cleaners have considerable weight and are, therefore, cumbersome to use.

Additionally, typical canister or upright vacuum cleaners are corded, which limits their easy accessibility to some areas of the home.

In particular, standard vacuum cleaners are too cumbersome for use on soft surfaces, such as furniture upholstery, mattresses, and drapes.

Furthermore, the mechanical dislodging mechanism of standard vacuum cleaners are destructive the fabric itself.

However, handheld portable vacuum cleaners do not include a dislodging mechanism; they use vacuum power only.

Consequently, handheld portable vacuum cleaners are not powerful enough to clean to any sufficient depth and, thus, only the surface is cleaned.

In particular, handheld portable vacuum cleaners are not effective in removing hair, as hair is difficult to remove, because of the static cling to fabrics and the entanglement into the weave of the fabric itself.

It is difficult to introduce chemistry to the surface to be cleaned by use of a standard vacuum cleaner or a handheld portable vacuum cleaner, as neither includes a chemical delivery system.

The consumer must, therefore, resort to a separate device for applying a chemical or fluid, which means that the consumer is spending additional time performing separate cleaning, freshening, and disinfecting operations.

However, consumers tend not to do touchup cleaning, because existing soft-surface touchup cleaning approaches are not very effective.

Deep cleaning is effective, but very laborious and requires powerful tools, chemistry, and energy.

Furthermore, the more effective the deep-cleaning event, the more damaging it is to the soft surface.

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