US2755130A - Steam cleaning machine - Google Patents

Description

July 17, 1956 P. ARANT 2,755,130

STEAM CLEANING MACHINE Filed Feb. 15, 1952 'lwil'll l M INVENTOR Perr yflranl s BY Ed -an? 741m ATTORNEYS July 17, 1956 P. ARANT 2,755,130

' STEAM CLEANING MACHINE Filed Feb. 15, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Peary Alan/Z y 7, 1956 P. ARANT 2,755,130

STEAM CLEANING MACHINE Filed Feb. 15, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I64 y 3mm Perl Alan? 1 10 1 9g 73 JA nite States Patent l 2,755,130 Patented July 17, 1956 STEAM CLEANING MACHINE Perry Arant, San Gabriel, Calif., assignor to Clayton Manufacturing Company, El Monte, Calil., a corporation of California Application February 15, 1952, Serial No. 271,815

20 Claims. (Cl. 299-84) The present invention relates to cleaning machines and more particularly to certain improvements in steam cleaning machines of the type designed to provide a vapor cleaning spray and a relatively high pressure rinse, either hot or cold.

The invention further relates to a new type of cleaning gun having permanently associated vapor and rinse nozzles, and valve means for rendering one nozzle operative while rendering the other inoperative.

The invention still further relates to a method of converting a vapor spray into a liquid rinse and to the coners on of a liquid rinse back into a vapor spray.

it has been customary, heretofore, in steam cleaning and rinsing machines, to employ two separate discharge hoses, one having a cleaning gun with a vapor nozzle at the discharge end thereof, and another having a cleaning gun with a rinse nozzle at the discharge end thereof, together with separate manually operable valves connected with each discharge hose for controlling the flow through the respective hoses. It has also been customary to employ various additional valves on the machine itself that must be opened or closed by the operator to convert the machine from one type of spray operation to another. Obviously, such prior apparatus has the disadvantage of requiring the operator to successively handle two cleaning guns and hoses, and to return to the machine to adjust arious valves whenever a change from a vapor spray to a rinse spray is desired, and vice versa. Moreover, the presence of two discharge hoses and two cleaning guns renders the apparatus somewhat cumbersome to use and handle and results in a waste of time, particularly in cases where the hoses are of substantial length and the operator is working on a ladder or scaffold, or a substantial distance from the machine, and must descend to the ground and walk over to the machine in order to adjust the machine to effect the desired conversion. The duplication of hoses and cleaning guns also renders the apparatus initially more costly and involves an increased maintenance cost.

Brie ly, and by way of contrast, the present invention comprises an improved steam cleaning machine having a. single discharge hose communicating at one end with a heating coil and with a source of supply of rinse water to be blended with the liquid from said coil, and a dual purpose cleaning gun connected with the opposite end of the discharge hose, the cleaning gun having separate apor and rinse nozzles adapted to be selectively placed into service by the operator. In a preferred form of construction. the cleaning gun includes conversion a e means built into the cleaning gun itself for elfecting cor-version or the discharge from vapor to rinse, and ice versa, as working conditions may require. The actuation of the conversion valve means results in varyg the pressure conditions in the system, and a pressure responsive rinse control valve on the machine is connected in the system to automatically open to permit flow f relatively unheated water to the discharge hose to blend with the liquid from the heating coil to produce a liquid rinse only after the conversion valve means has been adjusted for discharge through the rinse nozzle and a predetermined back pressure has been built up in the system. A pressure responsive soap control valve on the machine is also connected in the system to automatically decrease or terminate the flow of a cleaning agent to a water supply tank for the system at the time that the rinse valve is opened. Readjustment of the conversion valve means to change from a rinse operation to a vapor spray, will result in a pressure drop in the system which permits the rinse control valve to automatically close and the soap control valve to automa tically open. Thus, the operator, by merely actuating the conversion valve means at the cleaning gun can easily and quickly convert the system from one type of spray to another, and can do so without discontinuing or shutting off flow through the cleaning gun.

The pressure responsive rinse control valve disclosed herein can be employed to advantage (with or without the soap control valve) even in prior cleaning machines having separate vapor and rinse hoses and separate vapor and rinse guns, inasmuch as the rinse control valve will automatically respond to closing of the shut-off valve on the vapor gun and opening of the shutoff valve on the rinse gun in the same manner that it responds to the conversion valve means on the dual purpose cleaning gun embodied in the improved machine, as will be explained more fully hereinafter.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a vapor cleaning and rinsing machine embodying a single, dual purpose cleaning gun, and wherein the operator can convert the gun discharge from one type of spray to another, as working conditions require, simply by manipulation of control means at the cleaning gun. itself.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fluid heating and distribution system which is automatically conditioned to add liquid to the fluid discharging from a heating coil when a predetermined pressure condition is attained in the system.

Another object of the invention is to provide a vapor cleaning and liquid rinsing system embodying means automatically operable in response to conditioning of the cleaning gun for a rinsing operation for permitting the flow of relatively unheated water to the cleaning gun, for admixture with heated fluid from a heating coil connected with said gun, to provide a hot rinse.

Another object of the invention is to provide a vapor cleaning and rinsing system wherein unheated liquid for rinse purposes cannot be admixed with the liquid discharging from the heating coil until after a predetermined back pressure has been attained in the system.

Another object of the invention is to provide a vapor cleaning and rinsing system embodying means auto matically operable in response to conditioning of the cleaning gun for a rinsing operation for interrupting the addition of a cleaning agent to the liquid being introduced into the heating coil.

Still another object of the invention is to pro ide a vapor cleaning and rinsing system wherein the addition of a cleaning agent to the system is automatically interrupted substantially simultaneously with the addi tion of relatively cool rinse liquid to the discharge from the heating coil during a rinsing operation.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a vapor cleaning and rinsing system that can be automatically converted from one type of operation to another in response to manual actuation of conversion valve means associated with the vapor and rinse nozzles.

of conversion valve means for converting the issuing spray from vapor to rinse, and vice versa, and without shutting off flow through the cleaning gun.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a cleaning gun having vapor and rinse nozzles permanently mounted thereon and having builtin valve means for selectively directing flow to one of said nozzles while preventing fiow to the other.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a method for converting a vapor spray into a rinse spray, and vice versa.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 diagrammatically illustrates a cleaning machine or system embodying the principles of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary, diagrammatic view showing how a vapor hose and gun, and a rinse hose and gun can be connected with the system shown in Fig. 1, if desired;

Fig. 3 is a view partly in section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. l and particularly illustrating, in end elevation, the conversion valve of the cleaning gun;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view through the conversion valve taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a view partly in section taken on the line 55 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is an clevational view of a second form of cleaning gun having a different type of built-in conversion valve from that shown in Fig. I;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 77 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 88 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a view partly in section of a third type of cleaning gun including a coupling adapted to have different kinds of nozzles interchangeably connected thereto; and

Fig. I is an elevational view of a nozzle adapted to be connected with the coupling of the gun shown in Fig. 9.

Referring now to Fig. l of the drawings, the numeral 1 identifies a liquid storage tank 1 of small capacity adapted to contain a cleaning solution comprising water and a cleaning agent, such as soap or a detergent. A conventional float-operated valve 2 is mounted upon the tank 1 and has the inlet thereof connected with one end of a water supply pipe 3. A tloat 4 is connected to an arm pivotally mounted upon the valve 2 for effecting operation thereof, in a manner well understood, to allow opening of said valve when the liquid in the tank 1 drops below a predetermined level and to efiect closing of said valve when the water level rises above said predetermined level. A pipeline 6 has one end thereof connected with the bottom of the tank 1 and contains a pipe-T 7, which is joined by a section of pipe 8 to the inlet side of a feed water pump head 9 of a multiple head positive displacement pump 10. The pump 10 also includes a rinse feed head 11 whose inlet is connected with the pipeline 6 through a conventional, normally closed. pressure-responsive valve 12 so connected in the system that it is caused to open automatically when a back pressure of about 125 pounds per sq. inch is created in the system, as when the cleaning gun is converted from a vapor cleaning operation to a liquid rinsing operation, as will be explained more fully hereinafter. The pump 10 has a shaft 13 carrying a pulley l4 continuously driven by a belt 15, which passes over a pulley 16 mounted upon the drive shaft of a conventional electric motor 17.

The discharge outlet of the feed pump head 9 is connected by a pipe 18 with the inlet end 19 of a conventional heating coil 20. The heating coil 20 has an outlet end 21 which is connected to one branch 22 of a fourway pipe fitting 23.

The outlet of the rinse pump head 11 has one end of a pipeline 24 connected thereto and is, in turn, connected by a branch pipe 25 to another outlet 26 of the four-way litting 23. A pressure gauge 27 and a gauge cock 28 are connected with the feed pipe 18 to indicate the pressure A of the liquid being pumped into the inlet 19 of heating coil 20. A similar pressure gauge 29 is connected by a pipe 30 to a pipe-T 31 disposed in the branch pipe 26 for indicating the pressure at the discharge end 21 of the heating coil 20.

In order to avoid excess pressure in the feed pipe 18, a branch pipe 32 is connected therewith and communicates with a pressure relief valve 33, which may be set to open at any selected pressure, for example, pounds per sq. inch. A blow down valve 34 is connected in the pipeline 32 between the relief valve 33 and the feed pipe 18. A water pump discharge snubber 35 is also connected with the pipe 32 and with the rinse feed line 24 at a point beyond the connection of the branch pipe 25 therewith. A snubber drain valve 36 is mounted at the end of the rinse feed line 24 for draining the snubber 35. The pressure relief valve 33, the blow down valve 34, the snubber 35 and the drain valve 36 are conventional, and, therefore, their function and operation in the system need not be explained. It may be added that a drain valve 37 is connected with the lowermost portion of the heating coil 20 to permit draining of the coil when desired.

A storage tank 38 for a cleaning agent is arranged so that relatively cold water may be introduced thereinto through a pipe 39, one end of which is connected with the supply pipe 3 and the other end of which communicates with the interior of said tank. A manually operable valve 40 is connected in the pipe 39 for controlling the flow of water from the supply pipe 3 to the tank 38. A perforated basket or container 41 is adapted to have a predetermined quantity of a suitable powdered soap or other soluble cleaning compound placed therein and then inserted into the tank 38. The term soap as used herein is to be understood as meaning any suitable detergent or cleaning agent. Hot Water or steam can be introduced into the tank 38 through a pipe 42 having one end thereof connected with a branch 43 of the four-way fitting 23, and its opposite end positioned in the tank 38 to provide a jet discharging adjacent the basket 41 for effecting rapid dissolution of the cleaning agent therein and thorough mixing thereof with the liquid in the tank. A valve 44 is connected in the pipe 42 to control the flow of the heated fluid from the coil 20 to the tank 38. The tank 38 may be filled to one-third of its capacity by the hot fluid introduced through the pipe 42, and then substantially completely filled by relatively cold water introduced through the pipe 39.

A conventional pulsating type soap pump 45 is disposed adjacent the bottom of the tank 38 and is connected to one end of a tube 46 whose other end is connected as indicated at 47 with the discharge side of the pump head 9. The tube 46 is normally filled with water to provide a somewhat static water column, and as the pump head 9 is operated to force water into the inlet 19 of the heating coil 20, each pump impulse is transmitted through the water column in tube 46 to effect actuation of the soap pump 45. The soap pump 45 has intake ports (not shown) through which the concentrated scrap from the tank 38 is admitted and also has an outlet fitting 48 connected to one end of a soap pipe 49, the opposite end of which is bent into a generally inverted U-shape, as indicated at 50, in order to discharge soap into the tank 1. A manually adjustable valve 51 is connected in the pipe 49 for controlling the rate at which soap can flow through said pipe to the tank 1. The soap thus added to the tank 1 mixes with the water introduced into said tank to form a cleaning solution which is delivered to the heating coil 20 through the pump head 9. A manually operable shut-off valve 52 is connected in the pipeline 6 to control the flow of cleaning solution from the tank 1 to the inlet side of the feed pump head 9. A conventional, normally open, pressure-responsive valve 53 is connected in the soap pipe 49 between the soap pump 45 and the valve 51, and is constructed to close automatically when the system or cleaning gun is adjusted for a rinsing operation, as will be pointed out more fully hereinafter.

The motor 17 operates continuously, and it is to be understood that the pump heads 9 and 11 include a by-pass (not shown) for by-passing liquid at a time when the apparatus is not being used for cleaning or rinsing purposes. Normally, however the cleaning solution is continuously pumped from the small capacity tank 1 and introduced into the heating coil 20, and water is continuously introduced through the float valve 2 into the tank 1. simultaneously with the continuous proportionate addition of soap through the pipe 49. The liquid in the heating coil 20 is heated by an inverted burner B as it flows in continuous stream form through said heating coil.

The pressure-responsive rinse water control valve 12 and the pressure-responsive soap control valve 53 both derive operating fluid under pressure from a pipe 54 having one end thereof connected to a pipe-T 55 connected in the pipe 30 so that said valves are subject to the pressure adjacent the outlet of the heating coil.

Referring more particularly to the valve 12, this valve comprises a body 56 provided with a seat 57 and a closure member 58 for controlling the flow from the inlet to the outlet side of the valve through said seat. A valve stem 59 has one end thereof connected with the closure member 58 and its opposite end connected with a flexible diaphragm 60 whose opposite side is engaged by a spring 61 tending to maintain the closure member 58 seated to obstruct flow from the pipe 6 to the inlet side of the pump head 11. The spring 61 is a compression spring which will yield when a back pressure of about 125 pounds per sq. inch is produced in the system. The valve body 56 includes a pressure chamber 62 connected with one end of the pipe 54 so that when the pressure in said pipe excecds that required to overcome the force of the spring 61, the diaphragm 60 will be flexed toward the right to move the closure member 58 away from the seat 57 to permit flow from the pipe 6 to the pump head 11.

Similarly, the soap control valve 53 includes a body 63 containing a seat 64 and a closure member 65 for controlling the flow of soap through the soap pipe 49 to the tank 1. A stem 66 is connected with the closure member 65 and also with a flexible diaphragm 67. A spring 68 surrounds the stem 66 and exerts force in a direction to normally maintain the closure member 65 out of contact with the seat 64 to thus permit flow of soap through the valve 53. The spring 68 is designed so that it will yield and permit closing of the valve 53 when the back pressure in the system reaches a pressure of about 125 pounds per sq. inch. A pressure chamber 69 is formed in the valve 53 between the diaphragm 67 and the spring 68 and communicates with the pipe 54 through a pipe connection 70. When a back pressure of about 125 pounds per sq. inch is produced in the system, the force of the spring 68 will be overcome by the pressure in the chamber 69 to effect flexing of the diaphragm 67 toward the right and movement of the closure member 65 into engagement with the seat 64 to obstruct flow through the valve 53. Either the seat 64 or the closure member 65, or both. may be notched to permit some flow of soap to the tank 1 even when the closure member 65 is seated, if desired.

It will be noted from the foregoing that the pressure in the pipe 54 acts simultaneously upon the diaphragm 60 of the rinse control valve 12, and on the diaphragm 67 of the soap control valve 53, but in the case of the valve 12 the pressure acts to open the valve; whereas, in the case of the valve 53 the pressure acts to close the valve, so that the valve 12 is opened substantially simultaneously with the closing of the valve 53, all for a purpose which will be explained later.

A manually operable discharge control valve 71 has the inlet side thereof connected by a pipe nipple 72 with one branch of the four-way fitting 23. The outlet of the valve 71 is connected by a conventional pipe, union 73 with one end of a flexible hose or discharge conduit 74 that may be of any desired length. The opposite end of the hose 74 is connected by a coupling 75 to a tubular handle portion H, which in turn is connected to the inlet of a manually operable gun shut-off valve 76. The handle H includes a grip portion 11 adapted to be held by the operator. The handle H and the valve 76 comprise elements of a dual purpose cleaning gun generally identified by the letter G. The gun G may include a section of pipe 77 having one end thereof connected to the outlet of the valve 76 and its other end connected to the inlet of a manually operable conversion valve generally identified'by the letter C. A vapor discharge tube and nozzle assembly 78 and a rinse discharge tube and nozzle assembly 79 are both connected with the conversion valve C. The nozzle assemblies are firmly held together at their free ends by a band 79a. A handle portion or sleeve 80 of non-heat conducting material surrounds the pipe 77 and is adapted to be held by the operator while using the gun G to perform a cleaning or rinsing operation. The shut-off valve 76 is conveniently located at the gun to enable the operator to shut off all flow through the gun and avoids the necessity of the operator walking back to the machine to close the valve 71 whenever use of the gun G is to be discontinued. However, the valve 76 need not be closed to convert the machine from one type of spray to another, as will be apparent hereinafter.

The details of the conversion valve C are best illustrated in Figs. 3, 4 and 5. Thus, the valve C comprises a body portion 81 having a threaded inlet opening 82 to which one end of the pipe 77 is connected. The body portion 81 also has a threaded outlet 83 into which one end of the tube of the vapor nozzle assembly 78 is threaded. A seat 84 surrounds a passageway 85 in the body 81 and is disposed between the inlet 82 and the outlet 83.

The valve C further comprises a cover section 86 having a flange portion 87 secured to the body portion 81 by a plurality of cap screws 88, a suitable gasket 89 being interposed between said cover and body. The body 81 has a chamber 90 defined by a cylindrical wall 91 and communicates at all time with the inlet 82. The cover 86 is provided with a circular boss 92 adapted to engage with the wall 91 for centering the cover 86 relative to the body 81. A seat 93 depends from the boss 92 and surrounds a passage 94 leading to a threaded outlet opening 95 which is of substantially smaller diameter than the outlet opening 83. One end of the tube of the rinse nozzle assembly 79 is threaded into the opening 95.

A valve disc 96 is disposed between the seats 84 and 93 and is recessed to receive sealing members 97 and 98 adapted to engage the respective seats. A valve stem 99 extends through an opening 100 in the valve disc 96 and a washer 101 is interposed between the sealing member 98 and a shoulder 102 formed on said valve stem. A similar washer 103 is engaged with the other sealing member 97 and a nut 104 is mounted upon a threaded portion 105 of said valve stem for securing the valve disc 96, etc. in assembled relation with said valve stem. The valve stem 99 is reduced in diameter at its lower end 106 and is slidably received in a vented boss 107 in the body portion 81.

The upper portion of the stem 99 extends through an opening 108 in the cover section 86 and is guided for sliding movement in a conventional stufling box 109 which is also adapted to provide a seal around said stem. A knob 110 is carried by the upper extremity of the stem 99 and is adapted to be grasped by the operator to shift the position of the valve disc 96 from one seat 93 to the other seat 84.

The valve disc 96 has a periphery defined by two beveled surfaces Ill and U2 each disposed on an angle of about 45 with respect to a plane passing through a ridge ll3 formed on said disc. The beveled surfaces ill and H2 are adapted to cooperate with a plunger or detcut member IN having a cortical end 115 adapted to engage with either the beveled surface Ill or the beveled surface H2. The plunger H4 is slitlahly received in a recess 116 formed in a boss ll7 axially aligned with the inlet opening 82. A spring 118 is disposed between the bottom of the recess 116 and the pltlnger 114 for yicldahly urging the plunger toward the valve disc 96. A groove ll) is f-orn d in the plunger 114 to permit any fluid entrapped in the recess 116 to escape and not interfere with the retracting movement of the plunger [14.

The valve disc 96 is shown in fig. 2 in the position it assumes during a vapor cleaning operation and it is maintained in such position by the engagement of the springpressed plunger 114 with the beveled surface 112, the pressure of the fluid in the chamber 99 of the body 81 also aiding in maintaining the disc seated. Assuming that the shut-off valves 71 and 76 are open, heated fluid from the heating coil 20 can readily flow through the discharge conduit 74 and pipe 77 into the inlet 82 of the valve C, thence through passage 85 and outlet 83 into the vapor no/de assembly 78 from which it is discharged into the atmosphere in the form of a vapor spray to effect a cleaning operation. Should the operator desire to change from a vapor spray to n rinse operation, the knob llt) of the conversion valve need only he deprcvicd to shift the disc 96 toward the seat 84. As the tem 99 slides in its guides [07 and Ill). the beveled surface N2 of the disc M will cause the plunger IM to be extracted until after the ridge ll. passes the point of the core liS, .vhcreupon the beveled surface .lll will he engaged by the plunger and the spring [l8 will then act upon the plunger 114 to urge the disc 96 toward the seat 84 to obstruct flow through the opening 85 while at the same time permitting; flow through the opening 94 and outlet 95 for llow through the rinse nozzle assembly 7').

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the disc 96 has only two operative positions: one at one extreme end of its movement. in which it obstruct; llow through the outlet 95 and permits flow through the outlet 83 as illustrated in Fig. 3; and another position at the other cxtrcme end of its movement in which it obstructs flow through the seat 84 and outlet opening 83 and permits llow through the seat 93 and outlet opening )5. The plunger [14 functions to maintain the valve disc 96 in one or othe other of its extreme positions of rest, while preventing said valve disc from assuming any intermediate position ol rest, so that the cleaning gun (i must he adiustcd for either a vapor cleaning operation or a rinsing operation.

In the normal operation of the apparatus described above. the valve 52 is open and cleaning solution (water and cleaning agent) flows from the tank I through the pipe 6. pipe T 7 and pipe nipple 8 into the inlet of the feed pump head 9. The pump head 9 discharges the solution into the pipe 18 from when-.c it flows into the inlet end 19 of the heating coil 20. Simultaneously with the pumping of cleaning solution into the coil 20, the pump pulsations are transmitted through the liauid column in the tube 46 to actuate the soap pump 45. as aforede- :eri cd, to proportionately pump soap lrom the tank 33 through the pipe 49, and open valves 53 and Si into the tank l for admixture with the water entering said tank through the valve 2. The pump head 9. of course, includes a lay-pass (not shown) for by-passing solution at a time when the gun G is not in use. whereby to prevent an cscessive pressure from being built up in the system. However. should an excess pressure condition occur, the I: l t' valve 33 will automatically open to relieve such pressure when it reaches about 175 pounds per sq. inch.

Assuming that the gun G is in use and that a vapor cleaning spray is being discharged at a pressure of about 50 to pounds per sq. inch (and preferably at about 90 pounds per sq. inch), the rinse control valve 12 is closed, the soap control valve 53 is open, and the conversion valve C has the valve disc .96 thereof engaged with the seat 93, thereby blocking the discharge of fluid through the rinse nozzle 79. The cleaning solution s heated, of course, by the burner B during its passage through the treating coil 20 to a temperature such that it will be converted into vapor upon discharge into the atmosphere through the vapor nozzle 78. The operation of the burner it may be automatically controlled to modulate the supply of fuel in accordance with variations in pressure and/or temperature conditions, by conventional control devices. It will be understood that make-up water and soap are continuously added to the tank 1 to compensate for the solution discharged from the system through the gun G, so that the heating coil 20 is always maintained full of liquid. Normally, the discharge capacity at a solution discharge pressure of abeut 90 pounds per sq. inch is 150 gallons per hour. The charge or supply of soap or detergent in the tank 38 may be replenished whenever necessary in order to assure a vapor cleaning spray of the desired strength to accomplish the particular cleaning operation at hand.

Should it be desired to flush the cleaning solution from the surface previously cleaned by the vapor spray, the operator need only shift the valve disc 96 of the conversion valve C from the position it is then in (engaging seat 93), into its other extreme position (engaging seat 34) and this will automatically divert flow to the rinse nozzle 79 and convert the gun G from a vapor cleaning spray to a high velocity, high pressure, but water rinse. This is accomplished by the fact that, since the rinse nozzle 79 is smaller in size than the vapor nozzle 78. the discharge will be restricted and a back pressure will be set up in the system resulting in a corresponding pressure quickly being built up in the pipes 30 and 54, with the result that when the pressure in the system is increased to about 125 pounds per sq. inch, the diaphragm 60 of the rinse control valve 12 will be actuated to move the closure member 58 from its seat 57 and allow liquid from the pipe 6 to flow into the inlet of the rinse pump head ll. whereby relatively cool liquid from the tank I is made available for pumping by the pump head 11 into pipes 24 and 25 to the four-way fitting 23 where it becomes admixed with the discharge from the heating coil 20 and flows into the hose 74 for ultimate discharge through the rinse nozzle 79. Meanwhile, the same pres sure which effected opening of the rinse control valve 12, also acts upon the diaphragm 67 of the soap control valve 53, causing the soap valve to automatically close to interrupt the addition of soap to the tank 1, whereby soap is conserved and an excess of soap in the rinse jet is avoided. A normal rinsing operation is effected with the present apparatus at a working pressure in the system of about 150 pounds per sq. inch, and with a flow rate of about 275 gallons per hour.

Should the operator desire to convert back from a rinse spray to a vapor cleaning spray, it is only necessary to pull the knob to shift the valve stem 99 so that the valve disc 96 will be returned to its initial position in engagement with the seat 93 to block flow to the rinse nozzle 79. The pressure will then quickly drop in the system due to the removal of the flow restriction which had increased the back pressure (the relatively larger vapor discharge nozzle 78 offering less restriction than the rinse nozzle 79) so that as soon as the back pressure drops below pounds per sq. inch, the rinse control valve 12 will automatically close, thereby shutting off the flow from the pipe 6 to the rinse pump head 11, and the soap control valve 53 will automatically open, to permit rcsumption of soap addition to the tank 1 from the tank 38. The pressure in the system continues to drop quickly until it returns to the vapor cleaning pressure for which the machine has been set.

Thus, the present system eliminates the necessity for separate hoses and guns for vapor cleaning and rinsing operations heretofore considered necessary, and at the same time makes it extremely easy for the operator to condition the system so that it will automatically convert itself from a vapor cleaning operation to a rinsing operation, solely through the manipulation of the conversion control valve C.

Should a cold rinse be desired, such rinse can be obtained at any time by discontinuing the operation of the burner B.

Fig. 2 diagrammatically illustrates the manner in which two discharge hoses and two cleaning guns, such as have been employed heretofore in cleaning machines, may be used with the improved system illustrated in Fig. 1 in lieu of the single hose 74 and gun G and still obtain very desirable advantages by virtue of the fact that the new system lends itself to conversion control by adjusting means at the cleaning guns themselves, and which advantages could not be obtained with any prior steam cleaning and rinsing systems. Thus, a vapor gun V and a hose 74a are shown connected with a shut-off valve 71a by a coupling 731:. A shut-off valve 76a at the cleaning gun is connected to a handle portion Ha which is connected to the hose 74a by a coupling 75a and is adapted to be opened to provide a vapor cleaning spray.

The pipe-T 31 is replaced by a four-way pipe fitting 31 and a shut-off valve 71/) is connected with said fitting by a conventional pipe nipple 72!). A rinse hose 74b is connected by a coupling 73h with the discharge side of the shut-off valve 71b and a rinse gun R including a shut-01f valve 76b is shown connected with a handle portion Hb, which in turn is connected to the opposite end of the rinse hose 741) by a coupling 75]). The valve 761) is opened when a rinse spray is desired.

Assuming that the cleaning machine is in operation and the shut-off valves 71a and 7111 at the machine are both open, then opening of the valve 76a while the valve 76!; is closed will condition the system for the discharge of vapor through the vapor cleaning gun V, in the same manner as adjustment of the conversion valve C for vapor operation, as described hereinbefore. On the other hand, closing of the valve 76a and opening of the valve 76b for etfecting a rinse operation will inherently result in restricting the discharge from the system so that a back pressure is created suflicient to effect opening of the pressure-responsive rinse control valve 12 and closing of the pressure-responsive soap control valve 53, in the same manner described hereinbefore in connection with the adjustment of the conversion valve C for effecting a rinse operation.

The important fact to be noted here is that the use of the pressure-responsive valves 12 and 53, even in prior systems employing separate vapor and rinse guns, provides the advantage of enabling the operator to condition the system for automatic conversion from one type of spray to another by manipulation of the valves 76:! and 761), at the cleaning guns, without requiring the operator to return to the machine to open or close valves to convert the system from one type of spray to another. However, the system shown in Fig. l is preferred for obvious reasons.

It will be apparent, once the principles of the present system are understood, that conversion valve means diflrent from the valve C may be embodied in a cleaning gun for effecting automatic conversion of the system from vapor to rinse operation, and vice versa, at the will of the operator. By way of further example, in Figs. 6 to 8, a cleaning gun G is shown provided with a conversion valve C embodying rotary plug valve elements instead of the reciprocable valve disc 96 shown in Figs. 3 to 5. Thus, the valve C includes a body 125 having a threaded inlet 126 for mounting the same upon the pipe 77. The inlet 126 communicates with a chamber 127 which merges into two outlet passages, a vapor outlet passage 128 and a rinse outlet passage 129. The outlet passage 128 is intersected by an enlarged generally cylindrical bore 130 provided for the reception of a correspondingly shaped plug valve 131 having a port 132 adapted to be placed in alignment with the outlet passage 128. The outlet passage 129 is also intersected by an enlarged generally cylindrical bore 132 adapted to receive a plug valve 133 of similar shape. The plug valve 131 has a port 134 adapted to be placed in alignment with the passage 129, as shown in Fig. 8. The plug valves 131 and 133 and the bores 130 and 132 associated therewith are preferably slightly tapered to insure a tight fit. However, these plug valves and bores may be made truly cylindrical, if desired, provided that a close tolerance is maintained between the plugs and bores to prevent leakage.

The vapor outlet opening 128 is threaded at its outer end and a conduit comprising part of a vapor discharge nozzle assembly 135 is mounted therein. The outer end of the rinse passage 129 is also threaded and a conduit member of a rinse nozzle assembly 137 is threaded therein. The free ends of the nozzle assemblies 135 and 137 are secured together by a band 137a.

The plug valve 131 has an axial hub 138 upon which a spur gear 139 is mounted and non-rotatably secured thereto by a key 140 received in complemental keyways in said hub and gear. The plug valve 133 has a similar hub 141 upon which a spur gear 142 is non-rotatably secured by a similar key 143. The hub 141 includes a projecting stem portion 144 of reduced diameter that extends through an opening 145 formed in a cover 146, secured to the valve body 125 by a plurality of cap screws 147, a gasket 148 being interposed between said valve body and cover. The stem 144 also extends through a conventional stuffing box 149 which forms a seal around the same. An operating handle 150 is secured to the outer extremity of the stem 144 and serves as an operating means for the valve C. An annular corrugated spring 151 is interposed between the cover 146 and the gear 139 to maintain the plug valve 131 in intimate contact with the walls of its bore 130. A similar spring 152 is interposed between the cover 146 and th gear 142 to likewise maintain the plug valve 133 in intimate contact with its bore 132. The gears 139 and 142 have the same pitch diameter, so that any degree of angular rotation imparted to the plug valve 133 will necessarily result in rotation of the plug valve 131 through exactly the same angle. Thus, it will be apparent that by manually rotating the handle 150 through an angle of 90, the port 131 in the plug valve 133 will be rotated to a vertical position and the port 132 in the plug valve 131 will be rotated to a horizontal position. The aforesaid angular movement of the handle 150 is limited by stop pins 153 and 154 mounted on the cover 146. In Fig. 6, the handle 150 is shown engaged with the pin 153, and the letter R appears on the cover 146 opposite a pointed indicator on the end of said handle to indicate that the valve C is adjusted for a rinse operation. The position of the plug valves 131 and 133 corresponding to a rinse operation is illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8. Should the operator wish to convert the system from a rinse operation to a vapor spray operation, then the handle 150 need only be rotated clockwise, as viewed in Fig. 6, until it engages with the pin 1.54. The indicator end of the handle 150 will then lie in registration with the letter V appearing on the cover 146, to indicate to the operator that the gun has been conditioned for a vapor spray. The valve 76 need not be closed to enable conversion to be effected from one type of spray to another. Thus, the operation of the system incorporating the gun G, with the built-in conversion valve C, is exactly the same as that described hereinbefore in connection with the gun G.

Fig. 9 illustrates an extremely simple and relatively inexpensive form of cleaning gun G that can be used with the system shown in Fig. 1 in lieuof the cleaning guns G or G, and still afford some but not all of the advantages of the preferred form of cleaning machine and gun shown in Fig. l. In Fig. 9, a c upling 160 is threaded onto one end at the pipe "/7 and is preferably permanently lixcd thereto by merits of welding or otherwise. to prevent relation thereof relative to said pipe. A conduit l6l comprising part of a vapor nozzle assentbly is threaded onto the coupling 16). In Fig. 10, a rinse nozzle asserttbly 163 is shown having an enlarged internally thrcztdcd portion I64 at one end thereof which is adapted to be threaded onto tlte coupling to in lieu of the vapor nozzle assembly l6l.

It will be apparent that the nozzle assemblies 161 and 163 are interchangeable and that one may be ttsed in lieu of the other by mounting the same on the coupling 160. However, in using the gun i". whenever a change in type of spray is desired, the operator must close the shut-oil valve 76 to terminate the discharge from the system. The nozzle then connected with the coupling 160 can be removed by the operator and replaced by another type of nozzle.

Assuming that the operator has removed tltc vapor nozzle assembly I61 and has replaced it with the rinse nozzle assembly I63, v. hen the valve 76 is opened, it is very likely that the apparatus will already have been conditioned for a high pressure rinse spray by virtue of the fact that the closing 01' the valve 76 caused pressure to build up in the system. However if the clm'ng of the valve 7t, did not result in incrc g the back pressure in th: system suliic cnt to clicct i ;1'..i.lI t of the rinse control valve i2 and tloi-jt'tg o! the soap :"tntrol valve 53,1hcn the I'ctltitiliOn to discharge from the system ollcred by the rinse no 163 v.ill soon create a back n sstu'e sullicicnt to cll'cct n; ition otthe valvcs l2 and 53. the same as when convc 101 is cil cctcd by manipulation of the conversion va ves (Q or C, in the systctt"; previously described. 'lhus; when the gun til" is used, conversion of tire system from one type at spiny to another can still he cll'cctcd by the operator, at the gun. and without requiring the ot'ictntor to return to the machine to open or close any valves. A separate conversion valve is not necessary in the gun G", but the omission of such valve results in the di advtmtagc that the operator must close the valve 76 and change tlULL-Zltlfi whenever a different type of spray is desired.

It will be understood that various types of conversion valves cart be designed for use with th; dual purpose cleaning guns G and (i' disclosed herein and still obtain all of the advantage; aliordcd hy the present system embodying the automatic rinsc control vnlvc l2 and/or the automatic soap control valve 53. For example. the pipe 24 could he conncctcd to the pipe is instead ot to the pipe-T 31, so that the rinse water would pass through the heating coil with the teed water. in lieu of mixing with the heated stream at the -'l-' vay lilting 23. la this event a single diaphragm snuhl-icr would he used in lieu ol the double diaphragm snuhbcr 35 and would l c connected only with the pipe 32.

It will also be understood that \.trious changes may be made in the arrangement and dctuils of construction of the syst m and the varic s cleanin nun di closed herein, and that the various (-P-Ct'nlitrg rat." and pt'cwnrcs for steam Ll t lllllt', back pressure and rinse ptessut'c given by any of example :an r. samal ly he varied without departing from the principles of the invention or the scope ol the annexed claims. (.crtain improvements in cleaning; machine ol the type disclosed herein are embodied in my co-pen lint; application Serial No. 311,297, tiled September Z-l, l 7

I claim:

1. A lluid heating and distribution system. comprising: a heating: coil having an inlet and an outlet; :1 discharge conduit cotmnunicating with said outlet; pump means connected with said inlet for introducing liquid to be heated into said heating coil; additional pump means communicating with said discharge condttit for pumping relatively unheated liquid into said discharge conduit for admixture with the heated liquid from said heating coil; and automatic means in said system permitting flow of said relatively unheated liquid to said discharge conduit only after a predetermined pressure is attained in said system.

2. A fluid heating and distribution system, comprising: a heating coil having an inlet and an outlet; a dis charge conduit communicating with said outlet; ptttnp means having an outlet connected with said heating coil inlet for pumping liquid into said heating coil; additional pump means having an outlet communicating with said discharge conduit for pumping relatively cool liquid into said discharge conduit for admixture with the liquid from said heating coil; and a normally closed, fluid pressure operable valve connected in the system for permitting flow of liquid from said additional pump means to said discharge conduit only after a predetermined pressure is attained in said system sutficient to effect opening of said valve.

3. A fluid heating and distribution system, comprising: a heating coil having an inlet and an outlet; at discharge conduit communicating with said outlet; pump means having an outlet connected with said heating coil inlet for pumping liquid into said heating coil; additional pump means having an outlet communicating with said discharge conduit for pumping relatively cool liquid into said discharge conduit for admixture with the liquid from said heating coil; a normally closed, fluid pressure opcrable valve connected in the system for permitting tlow of liquid from said additional pump means to said discharge conduit only after a predetermined pressure is attained in said system sutlicient to effect opening of said valve; and means for restricting the discharge from sa d discharge conduit to create a back pressure in the system sntlicient to cause opening of said valve.

4. A fluid heating and distribution system, comprising: a heating coil having an inlet and an outlet; at discharge conduit communicating with said outlet; at liquid storage tank; pump means having an inlet connected with said storage tank and having an outlet connected with said heating coil inlet for pumping liquid from said tank into said heating coil; additional pump means having an inlet connected with said storage tank and having an outlet communicating with said discharge conduit for pumping relatively unheated liquid from said storage tank into said discharge conduit for admixture with the liquid from said heating coil; and a normally closed, tluid pressure operable valve disposed between said storage tank and said inlet of said additional pump means for permitting fiow of said relatively unheated liquid from said storage tank to said inlet of said additional pump only alter a predetermined pressure is attained in said system sulli cient to eltect opening of said valve.

5. A fluid heating and distribution system, compris ing: a heating coil having an inlet and an outlet; a dis charge condttit communicating with said outlet; at liquid storage tank; ptttnp means having an inlet connected with said storage tank and having an outlet connected with said heating coil inlet for pumping liquid from said tank into said heating coil to be heated in said heating coil; additional pump means having an inlet connected with said storage tank and having an outlet communicating with said discharge conduit for pumping relatively tut-- heated liquid from said storage tank into said discharge conduit for admixture with the heated liquid from said heating coil; a normally closed, fluid pressure operable valve disposed between said storage tank and said inlet of said additional pump means for preventing flow of said relatively unheated liquid from said storage tank to said inlet of said additional pump unless a predetermined pressure is attained in said system sufficient to ellcct opening of said valve; and means for restricting the discharge 13 from said discharge conduit to create a back pressure .in the system sufficient to cause opening of said valve.

6. A cleaning machine, comprising: a heating coil having an inlet and an outlet; means for heating said coil; a discharge conduit communicating with said outlet; a cleaning gun connected with said discharge conduit and including a vapor nozzle adapted to be placed in communication with said discharge conduit to provide a vapor. spray and a rinse nozzle of relatively smaller size than said vapor nozzle also adapted to be placed in communication with said discharge conduit to provide a liquid rinse spray; pump means connected with said inlet for introducing liquid to be heated into said heating coil; additional pump means communicating with said discharge conduit for pumping relatively unheated liquid into said discharge conduit for admixture with the heated liquid from said heating coil; and tneans at said gun for converting the gun discharge from a vapor spray to a high pressure liquid rinse spray, and vice versa, while allowing flow through said gun.

7. A cleaning machine, comprising: a coil having an inlet and an outlet; a discharge conduit communicating with said outlet; a cleaning gun connected with said discharge conduit having a vapor nozzle adapted to be selectively placed in communication with said discharge conduit and having a rinse nozzle of relatively smaller size than said vapor nozzle adapted to be selectively placed in communication with said discharge conduit; pump means connected with said inlet for introducing liquid into said coil; additional pump means communicating with said discharge conduit for pumping liquid into said dscharge conduit for admixture with the liquid from said coil; and automatic means for preventing flow of liquid to said discharge conduit from said additional pump means unless discharge is taking place through said rinse nozzle.

8. A cleaning machine, comprising: a heating coil having an inlet and an outlet; means for heating said coil; a discharge conduit communicating with said outlet; a cleaning gun connected with said discharge conduit and including a vapor nozzle adapted to be placed in communication with said discharge conduit to provide a vapor spray and a rinse nozzle of relatively smaller size than said vapor nozzle also adapted to be placed in communication with said discharge conduit to provide a high pressure liquid rinse spray; pump means connected with said inlet for introducing liquid to be heated into said. heating coil; additional pump means communicating with said discharge conduit for pumping relatively unheated liquid into said discharge conduit for admixture with the heated liquid from said heating coil; manually operable conversion valve means in said gun for selectively diverting flow from one nozzle to the other; and automatic means for preventing flow of said relatively unheated liquid to said discharge conduit from said additional pump means unless discharge is taking place through said rinse nozzle.

9. A cleaning machine, comprising: a heating coil having an inlet and an outlet; means for heating said coil; 21 first pump connected with said inlet of said heating coil I for pumping liquid into said coil to be heated; a second pump for pumping liquid for admixture with the discharge from the outlet of said heating coil; a flexible conduit having one end thereof connected with the outlet of. said heating coil; a cleaning gun having an inlet connected with the op osite end of said flexible conduit and including a vapor discharge nozzle and a rinse discharge nozzle; and conversion valve means at said gun operable to selec tively permit flow to one nozzle while obstructing flow to the other, said rinse nozzle having a passage smaller in size than the passage of said vapor nozzle, whereby to restrict flow and create a back pressure in said flexible conduit; and a pressure responsive valve controlling flow of liquid to said second pump arranged to automatically open when the pressure in the system exceeds a predetermined amount to allow liquid to be supplied to said second pump, and to automatically close and interrupt the liquid supply to said second pump when the pressure in said system is below a predetermined amount.

10. A cleaning machine, comprising: a heating coil having an inlet and an outlet; feed water pump means connected with said inlet for pumping cleaning liquid into said heating coil; means for heating the cleaning liquid in said coil; a discharge conduit connected at one end thereof with the outlet of said heating coil; a cleaning gun having an inlet connected with the opposite end of said discharge conduit, said cleaning gun having a rinse nozzle and a vapor nozzle and outlets respectively communicating with said nozzles, said rinse nozzle having a passage of smaller size than said vapor nozzle. whereby to automatically build up a back pressure in the system when a rinsing operation is desired; rinse water pump means connected with said discharge conduit for pumping relatively unheated rinse liquid into said discharge conduit for admixture with the heated liquid from said heating coil; valve means cooperable with said outlets for selectively effecting flow through one or the other of said nozzles; and pressure-responsive valve means in said system preventing flow of relatively unheated rinse water to said rinse water pump means until a predetermined back pressure is attained in said system.

11. A cleaning machine, comprising: a heating coil having an inlet and an outlet; feed water pump means connected with said inlet for pumping cleaning liquid into said heating coil; means for heating the cleaning liquid in said coil; discharge conduit connected at one end thereof with the outlet of said heating coil; a cleaning gun having an inlet connected with the opposite end of said discharge conduit, said cleaning gun having a vapor nozzle normally operable at a pressure of about 50 to pounds per sq. inch, and a rinse nozzle normally operable at a pressure of about to pounds per sq. inch, the latter nozzle having a passage of smaller size than the former, whereby to automatically build up a back pressure in the system when a rinsing operation is desired; rinse water pump means connected with said discharge conduit for pumping relatively unheated liquid into said discharge conduit for admixture with the heated liquid from said heating coil; valve means for selectively effecting flow through one or the other of said nozzles; and pressure responsive valve means in said system preventing flow of relatively unheated water to said second pump means until a predetermined back pressure of about 125 pounds per sq. inch is attained in said system.

12. A cleaning machine, comprising: a heating coil having an inlet end and an outlet end; means for heating said coil; a liquid storage tank; a first pump means; a first pipe line connecting said storage tank with said pump means and connecting said pump means with said inlet end of said coil; a discharge conduit connected with the outlet end of said coil; a second pump means; a second pipe line connecting said first pipe line with said second pump means and connecting said second pump means with said discharge conduit; a normally closed pressure responsive valve connected in said second pipe line actuatable in response to a predetermined pressure in said discharge conduit; a cleaning gun connected with said discharge conduit and having vapor and liquid discharge nozzles of diiferent sizes; and a conversion valve for controlling flow to one or the other of said nozzles, whereby when flow is directed through the smaller of said discharge nozzles a back pressure is created in said conduit effective upon said pressure responsive valve to allow flow to said second pump means to supply liquid to said discharge conduit in addition to the liquid delivered thereto from said heating coil. I

13. A cleaning machine, comprising: a heating coil having an inlet and on outlet; means for heating said coil; a liquid storage tank; means for automatically maintaining a predetermined minimum liquid level in said storage tank; feed pump means having an inlet communicating with said liquid tank and having an outlet communicating with the inlet of said treating coil for pumping liquid from said liquid tank into said heating coil at a given pressure to be heated to a temperature suflicient to cause vaporization upon discharge into the atmosphere; additional liquid pump means having an inlet communicating with said liquid tank and having an outlet communicating with the otttlct of said heating coil, whereby relatively cool liquid can be mixed with the heated liquid at the outlet of said heating coil; a normally closed, fluid pressure operable rinse control valve interposed between said liquid tank and said additional liquid pump means, said valve having a pressure chamber; conduit means connecting said pressure chamber of said valve with the system at a point adjacent said heating coil outlet 50 that said valve is automatically operable in response to pressure conditions in said system; a discharge conduit communicating with said heating coil outlet for discharging fluid from said heating coil, said fluid pressure operable rinse control valve being operable to open at a predetermined pressure above said given pressure, whereby to allow flow of liquid from said liquid tank to said additional liquid pump means whenever said predetermined increased pressure is attained in said system; a cleaning gun connected with said discharge conduit, said cleaning gun having a vapor nozzle and a relatively small rinse nozzle; and means for selectively directing flow for discharge through either said vapor nozzle or said rinse nozzle, said rinse nozzle restricting the discharge from said cleaning gun to create a back pressure in said system corresponding to said predetermined increased pressure to effect automatic actuation of said fluid pressure operable valve, as aforesaid.

[4. A cleaning machine, comprising: a heating coil having an inlet end and an outlet end; means for heating said coil; a liquid storage tank; means for automatically maintaining a predetermined minimum liquid level in said storage tank; a liquid soap storage tank; feed pump means having an inlet communicating with said liquid tank and having an outlet communicating with the inlet of said heating coil for pumping liquid from said liquid tank into said heating coil at a given pressure to be heated to a temperature sufficient to cause vaporization upon dis charge into the atmosphere; soap pump means for pump ing soap from said soap tank to said liquid tank; a normally open fluid pressure operable soap control valve interposed between said soap ptunp means and said liquid tank, said valve having a pressure chamber; conduit means connecting said pressure chamber of said valve with the system at a point adjacent said heating coil outlet so that said valve is automatically operable in response to pressure conditions in said system; a discharge conduit communicating with said heating coil outlet for discharging fluid from said heating coil, said fluid pressure operable soap control valve being operable to close at a prede tcrmined pressure above said given pressure, whereby to interrupt the flow of soap from said soap tank to said liquid tank whenever said predetermined increased pressure is attained in said system; a cleaning gun connected with said discharge conduit, said cleaning gun having a vapor nozzle and a relatively small rinse nozzle; and means for selectively diverting flow from said rinse nozzle to said vapor nozzle to thus restrict the discharge from said cleaning gun to create a back pressure in said system corresponding to said predetermined increased pressure to effect automatic actuation of said fluid pressure operable valve, as aforesaid.

15. A cleaning machine, comprising: a heating coil having an inlet and an outlet; means for heating said coil: a liquid storage tank; means for automatically maintaiuing a predetermined minimum liquid level in said storage tank: a liquid soap storage tank; feed putnp means having an inlet communicating with said liquid tank and having an outlet communicating with the inlet of said heatng coil for pumping liquid from said liquid tank into said heating coil at a given pressure to be heated to a temperature sufficient to cause vaporization upon discharge into the atmosphere; soap pump means for pumping soap from said soap tank to said liquid tank; additional liquid pump means having an inlet communicating with said liquid tank and having an outlet communicating with the outlet of said heating coil, whereby relatively cool liquid can be mixed with the heated liquid at the outlet of said heating coil; a normally closed, fluid pressure operable rinse control valve interposed between said liquid tank and said additional liquid pump means; a normally open fluid pressure operable soap control valve interposed between said soap pump means and said liquid tank, each of said valves having a pressure chamber; conduit means connecting said pressure chambers of said valves with the system at a point adjacent said heating coil outlet so that said valves are automatically operable in response to pressure conditions in said system; a discharge conduit communicating with said heating coil outlet for conducting fluid from said heating coil to a cleaning gun, said fluid pressure operable rinse and soap control valves being operable to respectively open and close substantially simultaneously at a predetermined pressure above said given pressure, whereby to allow flow of liquid from said liquid tank to said additional liquid pump means and to interrupt the flow of soap from said soap tank to said liquid tank whenever said predetermined increased pressure is attained in said system; a cleaning gun connected with said discharge conduit, said cleaning gun having a vapor nozzle and a relatively small high pressure rinse nozzle; and means for selectively directing flow for discharge through either said vapor nozzle or said Iinst: nozzle, said rinso nozzle restricting the discharge front said cleaning gun to create a back pressure in said system corresponding to said predetermined increased pressure to effect automatic actuation of said fluid pressure operable valvcs, as aforesaid.

l6. A vapor cleaning and rinsing gun, comprising: a body having an inlet adapted to be connected with a source of heated fluid under pressure; a vapor nozzle and a rinse nozzle connected with said body, said body having passages communicating with the respective nozzles; and conversion valve means in said body cooperable with said passages for controlling flow of fluid between said inlet and said nozzles, said conversion valve means being adjustable relative to said passages to permit flow of said vapor nozzle while obstructing flow to said rinse nozzle, and to permit flow to said rinse nozzle while obstructing flow to said vapor nozzle.

[7. A vapor cleaning and rinsing gun, comprising: a conduit portion; a shut-off valve mounted on one end of said conduit portion adapted to control the flow of fluid under pressure thereto; a hollow body having an inlet connected to the other end of said conduit portion: a vapor nozzle and a rinse nozzle connected with said body, said body having passages communicating with the respective nozzles; and conversion valve means in said body cooperable with said passages for controlling flow between said inlet and said nozzles; said conversion valve means being adjustable relative to said passages to permit flow to said vapor nozzle while obstructing flow to said rinse nozzle. and to permit flow to said rinse nozzle while obstructing flow to said vapor nozzle.

18. A vapor cleaning and rinsing gun, comprising: a body having an inlet, adapted to be connected with a source of heated fluid under pressure, and two Outlets, a vapor nozzle and a rinse nozzle connected with said body and communicating with respective of said outlet and a movable flow control member in said body between said inlet and said outlets, said flow control member being selectively movable from one extreme position to another and being operative in one extreme position to permit flow through one outlet to said vapor nozzle while obstructing flow to said rinse nozzle, and being operative in its other extreme position to permit flow through the 17 other outlet to said rinse nozzle while obstructing flow to said vapor nozzle.

19. A vapor cleaning and rinsing gun, comprising: a body having an inlet, adapted to be connected to a fluid source under pressure, and having two outlets each provided with a valve seat; nozzles having discharge passages of different size connected with the respective outlets; a movable flow control member in said body, said flow control member being selectively movable to engage one or the other of said valve seats to permit fiow through one outlet to one nozzle while obstructing flow through the other outlet to the other nozzle.

20. A vapor cleaning and rinsing gun, comprising: a body having an inlet adapted to be connected to a fluid source under pressure and having two outlets each provided with a valve seat, said valve seats being disposed in confronting relation to each other; a vapor nozzle having a passage of a given size connected with one of said outlets; a rinse nozzle having a passage of a relatively smaller size connected with the other of said outlets; a movable valve disc in said body disposed between said valve seats; a stem connected to said valve disc for selectively engaging said valve disc with one or the other of said valve seats to permit flow through one outlet to one of said nozzles while obstructing flow through the outlet to the other of said nozzles; and means requiring said valve disc to engage one valve seat or the other, whereby said valve disc is prevented from assuming a position of rest out of contact with both valve seats.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,276,659 Jensen Aug. 20, 1918 1,567,220 Williamson Dec. 29, 1925 2,073,779 Bramsen Mar. 16, 1937 2,091,166 Shiels Aug. 24, 1937 2,255,493 Pfalzgratf Sept. 9, 1941 2,345,614 Malsbary Apr. 4, 1944 2,350,876 Clarkson June 6, 1944 2,428,917 McFarland Oct. 14, 1947 2,487,348 Malsbary Nov. 8, 1949 2,538,211 Prout Jan. 16, 1951 2,554,200 Loepsinger May 22, 1951 2,571,575 Holmes Oct. 16, 1951 Oteldt July 29, 1952

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