Surface cleaning apparatus

• US 10,575,701 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
• Primary Examiner(s): Bui, Dung H
• Application Number:
  US15/852,001
• Publication Number:
  US 20190082923A1
• 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 such as an extractor has a solid and liquid separation stage comprising a combined solid and liquid separator having a separated element outlet and, a solid and liquid collection chamber in communication with the separated element outlet. The solid and liquid separation chamber includes a screen provided therein, when the surface cleaning apparatus is in a floor cleaning orientation, the solid and liquid collection chamber has a lower region comprising a liquid collection region whereby, in operation, liquid passes through the screen and solid material collects on the screen.

Claims

1. A vacuum cleaner having a solid and liquid separation stage comprising:

a) a a cyclone having a cyclone chamber, a cyclone sidewall, a cyclone fluid inlet, a cyclone fluid outlet and a separated element outlet, wherein when the vacuum cleaner is in the floor cleaning orientation, the separated element outlet is at an upper end of the cyclone chamber and the cyclone fluid inlet and the cyclone fluid outlet are at a lower end of the cyclone chamber; and

,

b) a solid and liquid collection chamber in communication with the separated element outlet, the solid and liquid separation chamber including a screen provided therein, when the vacuum cleaner is in a floor cleaning orientation, the solid and liquid collection chamber has a lower region comprising a liquid collection region whereby, in operation, liquid passes through the screen and solid material collects on the screen.

2. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, further comprising a baffle provided on an outer surface of the cyclone sidewall proximate the separated element outlet and located below the separated element outlet when the vacuum cleaner is in the floor cleaning orientation.

3. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein, when the vacuum cleaner is in the floor cleaning orientation, the lower region extends to a position at a lower elevation than a lower end of the cyclone.

4. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein, the screen is oriented such that a first direction of flow of liquid through the screen is at an angle to the first direction of flow through the separated element outlet.

5. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein, the screen is configured such that an additional direction of flow of liquid through the screen is at an angle to first direction of flow of liquid through the screen.

6. The vacuum cleaner of claim 5, wherein, the screen is generally L-shaped.

7. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, further comprising at least one additional screen.

8. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein, when the vacuum cleaner is in the floor cleaning orientation, the solid and liquid collection chamber has an upper end and the upper end is openable.

9. The vacuum cleaner of claim 8, wherein, when the vacuum cleaner is in the floor cleaning orientation, the cyclone has an upper end and the upper end is openable concurrently with the upper end of the solid and liquid collection chamber.

10. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the vacuum cleaner is an upright vacuum cleaner comprising a surface cleaning head and an upright section moveably mounted thereto between a storage position and a reclined surface cleaning position and the solid and liquid separation stage is provided in the upright section and, when the upright section is in the storage position, the separated element outlet is provided at an upper end of the cyclone, the lower region extends to a position at a lower elevation than a lower end of the cyclone and the solid and liquid collection chamber has an upper end and the upper end is openable.

11. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein, when the vacuum cleaner is in a floor cleaning orientation, the vacuum cleaner has a drive handle located rearwardly on the vacuum cleaner and the separated element outlet is located on a rear side of the cyclone.

12. A vacuum cleaner having a solid and liquid separation stage comprising:

a) a cyclone having a cyclone chamber, a cyclone fluid inlet, a cyclone fluid outlet and a separation member wall having a separated element outlet; and

,

b) a solid and liquid collection chamber in communication with the separated element outlet, the solid and liquid separation chamber including a screen provided therein wherein, when the vacuum cleaner is in a floor cleaning orientation, the cyclone fluid inlet and the cyclone fluid outlet are at a lower end of the cyclone chamber, the separated element outlet is provided at an upper end of the cyclone chamber, a lower end of the solid and liquid collection chamber extends to a position at a lower elevation than a lower end of the cyclone chamber whereby in operation liquid passes through the screen and collects in the lower end of the solid and liquid collection chamber, and the solid and liquid collection chamber has an upper end and the upper end is openable.

13. The vacuum cleaner of claim 12, wherein, when the vacuum cleaner is in the floor cleaning orientation, the cyclone has an upper end and the upper end is openable concurrently with the upper end of the solid and liquid collection chamber.

14. The vacuum cleaner of claim 12, wherein the solid and liquid separation chamber further comprises a screen provided therein and, when the vacuum cleaner is in the floor cleaning orientation, the solid and liquid collection chamber has a lower region comprising a liquid collection region whereby, in operation, liquid passes through the screen and solid material collects on the screen.

15. The vacuum cleaner of claim 12, further comprising a baffle provided on an outer surface of the separation member wall proximate the separated element outlet and located below the separated element outlet when the vacuum cleaner is in the floor cleaning orientation.

16. The vacuum cleaner of claim 12, wherein, when the vacuum cleaner is in a floor cleaning orientation, the vacuum cleaner has a drive handle located rearwardly on the vacuum cleaner and the separated element outlet is located on a rear side of the cyclone.