Steam cleaning appliance
Embodiments of the invention disclosed herein include steam appliances and methods which apply steam and a liquid containing a cleaning agent to the floor via separate outlets. In some embodiments, the liquid containing a cleaning agent is applied to an area of the floor that is physically separated from a steam application area. The steam may be applied to the floor through a steam-permeable fabric. The liquid containing a cleaning agent may be heated before being applied to the floor or being mixed with steam.
1. A steam cleaning appliance for cleaning floors comprising:
an appliance body;
a handle attached to the appliance body;
a liquid applicator to apply a first liquid to a floor;
a steam source to generate steam; and
a cleaning head to apply steam to the floor; wherein
movement of the handle in a forward and/or backward motion to move the cleaning head on the floor operates a liquid delivery system to deliver a second liquid to the steam source; and further comprising
a controller and a lock configured to automatically prevent delivery of the second liquid to the steam source in response to the steam cleaning appliance being disconnected from a power source.
2. A steam cleaning appliance as in claim 1 , further comprising:
a first reservoir to hold the first liquid, the liquid applicator being in communication with the first reservoir; and
a second reservoir to hold the second liquid, the steam source being in communication with the second reservoir.
3. A steam cleaning appliance as in claim 2 , wherein:
the handle is movably attached to the appliance body;
movement of the handle in a forward and/or backward motion to move the cleaning head results in a movement of the handle relative to the cleaning head, which movement pumps the second liquid from the second reservoir to the steam source; and
the controller comprises an obstruction which prevents movement of the handle relative to the cleaning head.
4. A steam cleaning appliance as in claim 1 , wherein the first liquid is different from the second liquid.
5. A steam cleaning appliance as in claim 1 , further comprising a steam-permeable cleaning pad mounted to the cleaning head, wherein the cleaning head is configured to apply steam to the floor through the pad.
6. A steam cleaning appliance as in claim 1 , wherein a solenoid is de-energized to automatically prevent delivery of the second liquid to the steam source in response to the steam cleaning appliance being disconnected from the power source.
7. A steam cleaning appliance as in claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to automatically prevent delivery of the second liquid to the steam source in response to a temperature sensor detecting a sensed temperature of the steam source being below a threshold temperature.
8. A steam cleaning appliance as in claim 1 , wherein the liquid applicator includes an electric pump.
9. A steam cleaning appliance for cleaning floors comprising:
an appliance body;
a handle attached to the appliance body;
a liquid applicator to apply a first liquid to a floor;
a steam source to generate steam; and
a cleaning head to apply steam to the floor; wherein
movement of the handle in a forward and/or backward motion to move the cleaning head on the floor operates a liquid delivery system to deliver a second liquid to the steam source; and further comprising
a controller and a lock configured to automatically prevent delivery of the second liquid to the steam source in response to the steam cleaning appliance being disconnected from a power source and/or a temperature sensor detecting a sensed temperature of the steam source being below a threshold temperature, wherein the lock is configured to prevent pushing and/or pulling movement of the handle relative to the appliance body and/or cleaning head in response to the steam cleaning appliance being disconnected from the power source and/or the temperature sensor detecting the sensed temperature of the steam source being below the threshold temperature.
10. A steam cleaning appliance as in claim 9 , wherein the lock includes a plunger configured to be received in an opening to prevent pushing and/or pulling movement of the handle relative to the appliance body and/or cleaning head in response to the steam cleaning appliance being disconnected from the power source and/or the temperature sensor detecting the sensed temperature of the steam source being below the threshold temperature.
11. A steam cleaning appliance comprising:
a handle;
a liquid applicator fluidly coupled to a first reservoir and configured to dispense a first liquid;
a steam generator fluidly coupled to a second reservoir and configured to generate steam;
a cleaning head to dispense steam from the steam generator;
a manually actuable pump to move a second liquid from the second reservoir to the steam generator in response to movement of the handle during pushing and/or pulling of the steam cleaning appliance; and
a controller and a lock configured to automatically prevent delivery of the second liquid to the steam source in response to the steam cleaning appliance being disconnected from a power source.
12. A steam cleaning appliance as in claim 11 wherein a solenoid is de-energized to automatically prevent delivery of the second liquid to the steam source in response to the steam cleaning appliance being disconnected from the power source.
13. A steam cleaning appliance as in claim 11 , wherein the controller is configured to automatically prevent delivery of the second liquid to the steam source in response to a temperature sensor detecting a sensed temperature of the steam source being below a threshold temperature.
14. A steam cleaning appliance as in claim 11 , wherein the liquid applicator includes an electric pump.
15. A steam cleaning appliance comprising:
a handle;
a liquid applicator fluidly coupled to a first reservoir and configured to dispense a first liquid;
a steam generator fluidly coupled to a second reservoir and configured to generate steam;
a cleaning head to dispense steam from the steam generator;
a manually actuable pump to move a second liquid from the second reservoir to the steam generator in response to movement of the handle during pushing and/or pulling of the steam cleaning appliance; and
a controller and a lock configured to automatically prevent delivery of the second liquid to the steam source in response to the steam cleaning appliance being disconnected from a power source and/or a temperature sensor detecting a sensed temperature of the steam source being below a threshold temperature, wherein the lock is configured to prevent pushing and/or pulling movement of the handle in response to the steam cleaning appliance being disconnected from the power source and/or the temperature sensor detecting the sensed temperature of the steam source being below the threshold temperature.
16. A steam cleaning appliance as in claim 15 , wherein the lock includes a plunger configured to be received in an opening to prevent pushing and/or pulling movement of the handle in response to the steam cleaning appliance being disconnected from the power source and/or the temperature sensor detecting the sensed temperature of the steam source being below the threshold temperature.