Vacuum Device Including Selectively Activated, Secondary Vacuum Source and Floor Cleaning Machine Utilizing the Vacuum Device
First Claim
1. A floor cleaning machine comprising, in combination:
- a solution supplier for applying solution to a floor surface to be cleaned;
a tank including an inlet, a first air outlet, and a second air outlet, with each of the inlet and the first and second air outlets being in communication with the tank;
a check valve mounted in the second air outlet preventing airflow from the second air outlet to the tank, with the check valve allowing the air in the tank to be drawn out through the second air outlet, and with the check valve preventing airflow from the second air outlet to the tank when air is not being drawn out of the second air outlet and while air in the tank is being drawn out through the first air outlet; and
a vacuum tool including a first end in communication with the inlet of the tank and a second end for removing the solution from the floor surface for transference into the tank, with air in the tank being drawable out through the first air outlet for providing a vacuum power for sucking the solution from the floor surface through the vacuum tool and the inlet into the tank and selectively drawable out through the second air outlet for providing an additional vacuum power for sucking the solution from the floor surface through the vacuum tool and the inlet into the tank.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A floor cleaning machine (100) utilizing a vacuum device (10) includes a tank (20) having an inlet (22) through which dirt, debris, or soiled solution is pulled along with air into the tank (20). The tank (20) further includes first and second air outlets (24, 30) both in communication with the tank (20). Air in the tank (20) is drawable out through the first air outlet (24) and selectively drawable out through the second air outlet (30). A check valve (40) is mounted in the second air outlet (30) preventing airflow from the second air outlet (30) to the tank (20). The check valve (40) allows the air in the tank (20) to be drawn out through the second air outlet (30) when more vacuum power is needed. The check valve (40) prevents airflow from the second air outlet (30) to the tank (20) when air is not being drawn out of the second air outlet (30) and while air in the tank (20) is being drawn out through the first air outlet (24) when less vacuum power is needed. A vacuum tool (104) in communication with the inlet (22) removes previously applied solution from the floor surface which is agitated by an agitator (112).
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A floor cleaning machine comprising, in combination:
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a solution supplier for applying solution to a floor surface to be cleaned; a tank including an inlet, a first air outlet, and a second air outlet, with each of the inlet and the first and second air outlets being in communication with the tank; a check valve mounted in the second air outlet preventing airflow from the second air outlet to the tank, with the check valve allowing the air in the tank to be drawn out through the second air outlet, and with the check valve preventing airflow from the second air outlet to the tank when air is not being drawn out of the second air outlet and while air in the tank is being drawn out through the first air outlet; and a vacuum tool including a first end in communication with the inlet of the tank and a second end for removing the solution from the floor surface for transference into the tank, with air in the tank being drawable out through the first air outlet for providing a vacuum power for sucking the solution from the floor surface through the vacuum tool and the inlet into the tank and selectively drawable out through the second air outlet for providing an additional vacuum power for sucking the solution from the floor surface through the vacuum tool and the inlet into the tank. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A vacuum device comprising, in combination:
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a tank including an inlet, a first air outlet, and a second air outlet, with each of the inlet and the first and second air outlets being in communication with the tank, and with air in the tank being drawable out through the first air outlet and selectively drawable out through the second air outlet; and a check valve mounted in the second air outlet preventing airflow from the second air outlet to the tank, with the check valve allowing the air in the tank to be drawn out through the second air outlet, and with the check valve preventing airflow from the second air outlet to the tank when air is not being drawn out of the second air outlet and while air in the tank is being drawn out through the first air outlet. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification