Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a surface deodorizer and more particularly to a surface deodorizer with vacuum cleaning capability, where ozone/oxidants are being used for deodorizing the contact surface while vacuum cleaning the surface at the same time.

Background of the Invention

Conventional vacuum cleaners generate negative pressure to vacuum-suck tiny dust particles from the surface that comes in contact with the suction head of the vacuum cleaner. Household items, such as furniture and carpet are made from designs which are prone to collect dust, hair and tiny fabric. The dust particles are either collected by filter bags by passing through microscopic pores and ready for further treatment, or being washed by liquid media within the vacuum cleaner device. Both types of treatments are commonly used and are efficient and effective means to vacuum clean household items. However, all of the conventionally designed vacuum cleaners are only capable of collecting particles from the contact surface but incapable of removing odors from the surface, since odors on fabric surface are primarily formed by chemical adsorption of odorous molecules into the fabric tissues. U.S. Patent Nos. 3439374, 3950814, 4701192, 5092913 disclose the various prior art vacuum cleaners.

Steam cleaner is another type of device designed to blaze out a controlled amount of steam through a nozzle. Steam is generated within the device and surface cleaning is accomplished by sweeping the nozzle near or against the surface to be cleaned. The ejected steam will be splashed upon the surface and dissolve the stink by thermal action. Such device is good at eliminating stinks and produce surface sterilization. However, it usually requires secondary treatment, such as like wiping, to clear the dissolved substance

from the surface. As water is consumed in the steam cleaning action, the system is usually bulky since a tank of water must be carried along with the cleaner to generate steam. U.S. Patent Nos. 4327459, 5347678, 6453506, 6484347 disclose the various prior art steam cleaners.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention is a surface deodorizer which makes use of high electric voltage to generate ozone/oxidant for surface treatment while an internal blower generates suction to capture the tiny particles and the residual oxidants through a filter media. The ozone/oxidant generator is located at the suction head, where an internal blower sucks ambient air and contaminants through an opening into the main canister housing. The ozone/oxidant being generated at the suction head is carried over by the air stream and make contact with the subject surface. A user places the suction head close to the subject surface for deodorization. The operation and the design of the surface deodorizer resemble a conventional vacuum cleaner. The deflector inside the suction head is configured to enable the ozone/oxidant to have prolonged contact time with the subject surface when the air is drawn from both the contact surface and the upper end air makeup grill.

According to the present invention, it provides for a surface deodorizer comprising a housing, wherein a motor and blower, a filter bag and a filter element are housed inside the housing; a suction means comprising an ozone/oxidant generator, a makeup air means and an suction inlet, whereby the filter bag and filter element are positioned between the suction means and the motor and blower; and means for supplying electrical power to the ozone/oxidant generator and the motor and blower. The various objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the

appended drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of a surface deodorizer with vacuum cleaning capability of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an isometric exploded view of the preferred embodiment and the components of the suction head of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation cross-sectional view of the flexible hose and conduit and conduit illustrating the embedded power cord FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the quick connector of the flexible hose and conduit and conduit illustrating the contact point of the power cord for supplying electrical power from the canister housing to the ozone/oxidant generator located within the suction head.

FIG. 5 is an isometric and partially exploded view illustrating all of the major components inside the main canister housing. FlG. 6 is an isometric and partially exploded view illustrating all of the detachable/replacement items inside the canister housing.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Referring now to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the suction head of the present invention is the contact point whereby ozone/oxidant comes in contact with the surface to be cleaned.

Air being drawn through the makeup air grill 14 will carry the ozone/oxidant generated by the ozone/oxidant generator 18 into the suction inlet 12. The ozone/oxidant generator

18 is located just behind the make up air grill 14. The total ozone generation rate for the suction head is between 2-5 gm. per hour. It is expected that this amount is sufficiently adequate to handle smoky stink on fabric surface. Optionally, it is desirable to control the ozone/oxidant generation rate with an actuation device.

The principle of stink removal is built upon oxidation of organic molecular material. Since most of the odors are associated with organic molecular materials including smoking odor, it is effective to make use of reactive oxygen species, such as ozone, to rapidly react with the organic compound on the subject surface to reduce or lessen the smell. In order to achieve effective oxidation on the surface, the contact time is crucial. The longer the ozone/oxidant can make contact with the odorous surface material before it is vacuumed into the filter, the more effective oxidation upon the surface is resulted. This is the main reason for placing the ozone/oxidant generator 18 behind the deflector 16 at the suction head. This channels the ozone/oxidant to follow the direction of the airflow 22 (see FIG. 2), hence induces a relatively prolonged contact time with the odorous surface.

The ozone/oxidant generator 18 is powered by an electric cord that passes through a tubular space embedded inside the flexible hose and conduit 30 (see FIG. 3). The flexible hose and conduit 30 is a hollow tubing approximately 2 meter in length, 4 cm in inner diameter and connects the suction head 10 to the main canister housing 40 where the replaceable zeolite media filter 48 and the motor and blower 50 are located. Both ends of the flexible hose and conduit 30 are detachable from the suction head 10 and the main canister housing 40, respectively, by quick connectors 32. The flexible hose and conduit 30 provides a passage for the air to carry the tiny dust particle and excessive ozone/oxidant back into the main canister housing 40. In the process, the tiny dust particles will be filtered and collected in the filter bag 46. Most excess ozone/oxidant would have been deteriorated into oxygen and moisture at this point. The remaining ozone/oxidant will be adsorbed into the zeolite media filter 48 by diffusion. The exhaust air 44 exiting from the main canister housing 40 is expected to be free of residual ozone. While the ozone/oxidant generator 18 is normally power by municipal electrical power, optionally, the ozone/oxidant generator 18 can be powered by a battery installed

inside the main canister housing 40. In addition, an activated carbon media or meso-phase porous material filter may be used instead of the zeolite media filter 48.

For safety reason, it is desirable to provide an automatic power on/off switch to prevent no ozone/oxidant from being generated when the surface deodorizer is turned off. Accordingly, the surface deodorizer of the present invention provides an optional pressure sensitive airflow trigger switch 20 in order to ensure that no ozone/oxidant is being generated when there is not suction flow. The optional airflow trigger switch 20 is installed at the suction inlet 12 close to the front end of the flexible hose and conduit 30 (see FIG. 2). The airflow trigger switch 20 controls the power of the ozone/oxidant generator 18. Normally, the airflow trigger switch 20 is in "off' position. When the surface deodorizer is in operation, the airflow _, suction generated by the blower 50 will trigger the pressure sensitive switch and will turn on the ozone/oxidant generator 18. When the surface deodorizer is turned off, it causes the airflow suction to stop which, in turn, causes the switch 20 to return to its "off' position. Preferably, the connections between the suction head 10, the flexible hose and conduit 30 and the main canister housing 40 can be detached from one another. Since the flexible hose and conduit 30 serves both as an airflow passage and a power cord tubing for the ozone generator 18, the present invention provides an optional quick connector 32 with embedded conductive contact points to serve as the power socket 34 (see FIG. 4). Power is wired from the main canister housing 40 through the flexible hose and conduit 30 to the suction head 10 where the ozone/oxidant generator 18 is located.

The main canister housing 40 is installed with a main power circuitry, a particle filter bag 46, a zeolite media filter 48, a motor and blower 50, the power cord retractor 52 and the connector with the flexible hose and conduit 30 (see FIG. 5). The intake air 42 being sucked into the main canister housing 40 first passes through the dust particle filter bag 46 to allow the tiny dust particles to be collected therein. The air will then pass through

the zeolite media filter 48 where the excessive ozone/oxidant and some other gas phase contaminants will be trapped thereon. The remaining exhaust air 44 will be sucked through the blower 50 and exits at the rear of the main canister housing 40. Optionally, apply another layer of filter can be placed at or near the exhaust air exit passage way. Since the filter bag 46 and the zeolite media filter 48 are disposable, casings for these items are detachable from the main canister housing 40. The mounting for these items on the main canister housing 40 should be fabricated air tight against any leakages from the casing enclosure. The main canister housing 40 is fabricated with an openable hatch 56 having sealant material provided along the edges to ensure air tightness. The openable hatch 56 is used for easy replacement of the filter bag 46 and the zeolite media filter 48.

In order to facilitate the cleaning action and to enhance portability of the suction head 10, cleaning brushes and casters may be installed on the suction head 10.

It is clear that the inventive concept of this surface deodorizer is not limited to canister vacuums. Any conventional vacuums, whether handheld or update vacuum cleaners, can incorporate the present inventive concept and provide for suitable dual ozone/oxidant stink removal and vacuum suction actions. Thus, the embodiments depicted herein are intended to be merely illustrative and not restrictive in any sense.

It is further understood that the present invention may be carried out in other specific way than those herein set forth without departing from the spirit and essential characteristics of such invention. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.