Steam cleaner with liquid dispenser

Abstract

There is provided a steam-cleaning device that enables a user to dispense a liquid, such as a cleaning fluid, soap or detergent while simultaneously steam-cleaning. This can be accomplished through a steam-cleaning device having a handle, a connecting rod, and a cleaning head, whereby the connecting rod and cleaning head are connected by multiple joints for ease of use and maneuverability and can be disassembled into several parts. A heating element can be located in the cleaning head rather than in the handle or connecting rod. A removable cap can be removed to enable a user to add water and a liquid cleaner separately to the device. The cap can be used as a measuring cup for the water and is sized to act in a predetermined ratio with the amount of cleaning liquid inserted into the cleaning liquid area. This allows for the cleaning liquid to run out at approximately the same time that the water in the reservoir runs out, thereby reducing the number of times that a user must stop to refill either the water or the cleaning liquid.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 780,665 filed on Mar. 9, 2006, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] 1. Field of the Invention [0004] The present invention relates to a device for steam cleaning. More particularly, the present invention relates to a steam cleaner adapted to dispense a liquid, such as a cleaning fluid, while simultaneously steam cleaning. [0005] 2. Description of Related Art [0006] It is known to provide devices that can be used to clean objects with steam. A reservoir can be used to hold a quantity of water. A heater can be used to heat the water to a temperature sufficient to convert at least a portion of the water to steam. The steam can then flow out of the device to the surface to be cleaned. [0007] Inherent shortcomings associated with these known devices include the inconvenience of providing a cleaning fluid a...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the connecting rod and cleaning head are connected by multiple joints for ease of use and maneuverability. This joint configuration enables the cleaning head to be generally rotated 360° about the connecting rod with minimal movement of the connecting rod by the user selectively rotating the handle. The steam-cleaning device can be disassembled into several parts for easy packaging, as well as storage between uses.

[0013] The cap can be used as a measuring cup for the water and is sized to act in a predetermined ratio with the amount of cleaning liquid inserted into the cleaning liquid area. This allows for the cleaning liquid to run out at approximately the same time that the water in the reservoir of the steam-cleaning device runs out, thereby reducing the number of times that a user must stop to refill either the water or the cleaning liquid since they will run out at approximately the same time.

Problems solved by technology

Inherent shortcomings associated with these known devices include the inconvenience of providing a cleaning fluid at the same time as using the steam cleaner.

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