Surface cleaning apparatus

• US 10,575,700 B2
• Filed: 12/22/2017
• Issued: 03/03/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
• Original Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
• Inventors: Conrad, Wayne Ernest, Petersen, Dave, Innes, Daniel, Udy, Adam
• Primary Examiner(s): Horton, Andrew A
• Application Number:
  US15/851,915
• Publication Number:
  US 20190082925A1
• Time in Patent Office: 802 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 59/20 Copper
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/201 with supply of cleaning agents
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/202 having separate drive for the cleaning brushes
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/30 by suction
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/302 having rotary tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/34 Machines for treating carpets in position by liquid, foam, or vapour, e.g. by steam
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4005 Arrangements of batteries or cells; Electric power supply arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4013 Contaminants collecting devices, i.e. hoppers, tanks or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4016 specially adapted for collecting fluids
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4027 Filtering or separating contaminants or debris
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4036 Parts or details of the surface treating tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4041 Roll shaped surface treating tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4044 Vacuuming or pick-up tools; Squeegees
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4083 Liquid supply reservoirs; Preparation of the agents, e.g. mixing devices
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4088 Supply pumps; Spraying devices; Supply conduits
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4091 Storing or parking devices, arrangements therefor; Means allowing transport of the machine when it is not being used
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4094 Accessories to be used in combination with conventional vacuum-cleaning devices
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/225 Convertible suction cleaners, i.e. convertible between different types thereof, e.g. from upright suction cleaners to sledge-type suction cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/24 Hand-supported suction cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/30 with driven dust-loosening tools, e.g. rotating brushes
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/32 : with means for connecting a hose hose couplings for suction cleaners A47L9/24
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/36 : Suction cleaners with hose between nozzle and casing; Suction cleaners for fixing on staircases; Suction cleaners for carrying on the back
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/38 : Built-in suction cleaner installations, i.e. with fixed tube system to which, at different stations, hoses can be connected
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0004 : Suction cleaners adapted to take up liquids, e.g. wet or dry vacuum cleaners floor-scrubbing machines taking-up dirty liquid by suction A47L11/30
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0009 : with means mounted on the nozzle; nozzles specially adapted for the recovery of liquid
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0014 : with additional means or devices between nozzle and casing
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0023 : Recovery tanks for cleaning machines A47L11/4013
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0028 : Security means, e.g. float valves or level switches for preventing overflow
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0038 : with means for emptying the tanks
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/009 : Details of suction cleaner tools for additional purposes
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/02 : with driven tools for special purposes with floor-polishing tools A47L11/20
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0633 : with retractable brushes, combs, lips or pads
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/122 : flat
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/127 : tube- or sleeve-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1608 : Cyclonic chamber constructions
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1625 : for series flow
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1641 : for parallel flow
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/165 : Construction of inlets
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1666 : with filtering means
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/1683 : Dust collecting chambers; Dust collecting receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/18 : Liquid filters
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/242 : Hose or pipe couplings
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/248 : Parts, details or accessories of hoses or pipes nozzles A47L9/02
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2826 : the condition of the floor
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2847 : Surface treating elements
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/2857 : User input or output elements for control, e.g. buttons, switches or displays
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2279/55 : for cleaning appliances, e.g. suction cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 29/35 : arranged for outward flow filtration
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 36/003 : Filters in combination with devices for the removal of liquids B01D35/185 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 45/08 : by impingement against baffle separators
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 45/12 : by centrifugal forces centrifuges B04B; cyclones B04C
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 45/16 : generated by the winding course of the gas stream , the centrifugal forces being generated solely or partly by mechanical means, e.g. fixed swirl vanes
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 50/20 : Combinations of devices covered by groups B01D45/00 and B01D46/00
• CPC Class Codes: B04C 2003/006 : Construction of elements by which the vortex flow is generated or degenerated
• CPC Class Codes: B04C 2009/002 : with external filters
• CPC Class Codes: B04C 2009/008 : with injection or suction of gas or liquid into the cyclone
• CPC Class Codes: B04C 3/06 : Construction of inlets or outlets to the vortex chamber
• CPC Class Codes: B04C 9/00 : Combinations with other devices, e.g. fans, expansion chambers, diffusors, water lockswith filters B01D50/00
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 65/38 : Packaging materials of special type or form
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/24 : Adaptations for preventing deterioration or decay of contents; Applications to the container or packaging material of food preservatives, fungicides, pesticides or animal repellants with thermal insulation B65D81/38

Abstract

A surface cleaning apparatus has a surface cleaning head having a hard floor cleaning brush and a carpet cleaning brush, wherein the surface cleaning apparatus is operable in a hard floor cleaning configuration in which a liquid is delivered from at least one nozzle to the soft brush bar, and the surface cleaning apparatus is operable in a carpet cleaning configuration in which a liquid is delivered from at least one nozzle to the carpet cleaning brush.

Claims

1. A surface cleaning apparatus comprising:

a) a surface cleaning head having a hard floor cleaning brush and a carpet cleaning brush; and

,

b) a liquid delivery system comprising at least one spray nozzle that delivers at least one liquid,

wherein the surface cleaning apparatus is operable in a hard floor cleaning configuration in which the liquid is delivered from the at least one nozzle to the hard floor cleaning brush, and in a carpet cleaning configuration in which the liquid is delivered from the at least one nozzle to the carpet cleaning brush.

2. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one spray nozzle comprises at least one first nozzle that delivers the liquid to the hard floor cleaning brush and at least one second nozzle that delivers the liquid to the carpet cleaning brush.

3. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 2, wherein the liquid comprises a hard floor cleaning solution and a carpet cleaning solution, wherein the at least one first nozzle delivers the hard floor cleaning solution to the hard floor cleaning brush and the at least one second nozzle delivers the carpet cleaning solution to the carpet cleaning brush.

4. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 3, wherein the at least one first nozzle is positioned to deliver the hard floor cleaning solution to the hard floor cleaning brush and the at least one second nozzle is positioned to deliver the carpet cleaning solution to the carpet cleaning brush.

5. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 2, further comprising an actuator operably connected to the cleaning solution delivery system wherein, in a hard floor cleaning actuation mode, the at least one first nozzle delivers the liquid to the hard floor cleaning brush and in a carpet cleaning actuation mode, the at least one second nozzle delivers the liquid to the carpet cleaning brush.

6. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 5, wherein the liquid comprises a hard floor cleaning solution and a carpet cleaning solution wherein, in a hard floor cleaning actuation mode, the at least one first nozzle delivers the hard floor cleaning solution to the hard floor cleaning brush and in a carpet cleaning actuation mode, the at least one second nozzle delivers the carpet cleaning solution to the carpet cleaning brush.

7. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein, in the hard floor cleaning actuation mode, the hard floor cleaning brush is rotated and the carpet cleaning brush is stationary and in the carpet cleaning actuation mode, the hard floor cleaning brush is stationary and the carpet cleaning brush is rotated.

8. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein, in both the hard floor cleaning actuation mode and the carpet cleaning actuation mode, both the hard floor cleaning brush and the carpet cleaning brush are rotated.

9. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one spray nozzle is moveably mounted whereby, in the hard floor cleaning configuration, the at least one spray nozzle is positioned to deliver the liquid to the hard floor cleaning brush, and in the carpet cleaning configuration, the at least one spray nozzle is positioned to deliver the liquid to the carpet cleaning brush.

10. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 9, further comprising an actuator operably connected to the cleaning solution delivery system wherein, in a hard floor cleaning actuation mode, the at least one nozzle delivers the liquid to the hard floor cleaning brush and in a carpet cleaning actuation mode, the at least one nozzle delivers the liquid to the carpet cleaning brush.

11. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 9, wherein, in the hard floor cleaning actuation mode, the hard floor cleaning brush is rotated and the carpet cleaning brush is stationary and in the carpet cleaning actuation mode, the hard floor cleaning brush is stationary and the carpet cleaning brush is rotated.

12. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 9, wherein, in both the hard floor cleaning actuation mode and the carpet cleaning actuation mode, both the hard floor cleaning brush and the carpet cleaning brush are rotated.

13. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the liquid comprises a hard floor cleaning solution and a carpet cleaning solution and the at least one spray nozzle is moveably mounted whereby, in the hard floor cleaning configuration, the at least one spray nozzle is positioned to deliver the hard floor cleaning solution to the hard floor cleaning brush, and in the carpet cleaning configuration, the at least one spray nozzle is positioned to deliver the carpet cleaning solution to the carpet cleaning brush.

14. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein, in the hard floor cleaning configuration, the liquid is delivered at a first rate and in the carpet cleaning configuration, the liquid is delivered at a second rate that is faster than the first rate.

15. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein, in the hard floor cleaning configuration, the liquid is delivered at a rate of 10-100 mL/min and in the carpet cleaning configuration, the liquid is delivered at a rate of at least 100 mL/min.

16. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein, in the hard floor cleaning configuration, the hard floor cleaning brush and the carpet cleaning brush are rotated at a first rate of rotation and in the carpet cleaning configuration, the hard floor cleaning brush and the carpet cleaning brush are rotated at a second rate of rotation that is faster than the first rate of rotation.

17. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein, in the hard floor cleaning configuration, the hard floor cleaning brush and the carpet cleaning brush are rotated at a rate of rotation of 1000-2400 RPM and in the carpet cleaning configuration, the hard floor cleaning brush and the carpet cleaning brush are rotated at a rate of rotation of 2400-5000 RPM.

18. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the liquid comprises a hard floor cleaning solution and a carpet cleaning solution and the cleaning solution delivery system comprises a hard floor cleaning solution reservoir and a carpet cleaning solution reservoir.

19. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the liquid comprises a hard floor cleaning solution and a carpet cleaning solution and the cleaning solution delivery system comprises a clean water reservoir and a mixing system for selectively preparing the hard floor cleaning solution and the carpet cleaning solution.