Apparatus for cleaning by spreading cleaning liquid and by suction of the used liquid

• US 5,590,439 A
• Filed: 12/28/1994
• Issued: 01/07/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Famulus Co.
• Original Assignee: Famulus Co.
• Inventors: Alazet, Jean
• Primary Examiner(s): MOORE, CHRISTOPHER K
• Application Number:
  US08/365,234
• Time in Patent Office: 741 Days
• Field of Search: 15/320, 15/344, 15/401, 15/353
• US Class Current: 15/320
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 1/08 with provision for supplying liquids, e.g. cleaning agents A47L1/095, A47L1/13, A47L1/15 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/30 by suction
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4013 Contaminants collecting devices, i.e. hoppers, tanks or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4036 Parts or details of the surface treating tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4075 Handles; levers
• 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: B05B 11/0005 Components or details of single units wherein the flow is effected by a pump B05B11/1042
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/0056 with an additional opening for filling or refilling
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/1009 actuated by a lever

Abstract

A hand-held apparatus for cleaning by spraying cleaning liquid and by suction of the used liquid has a spray pump (20) for cleaning liquid associated with a brush (23) for spreading of the liquid on the surface to be cleaned. A flexible rubber wiper (14) has a suction opening for the used liquid. A used liquid reservoir (1) communicates with the suction orifice of the wiper (14) by a channel (13). A partitioning device (5) maintains under vacuum the used liquid reservoir (1). A control trigger (21) is provided for the spraying of the cleaning liquid and for the sucking up of the used liquid. A handle (3) functions as a grip and a manipulator.

Claims

1. A hand-held apparatus for cleaning smooth surfaces, comprising:

a reservoir (2) of cleaning liquid;

pump means (20 for spraying the cleaning liquid from the reservoir (2) onto smooth surfaces being cleaned;

means (14) for wiping used liquid from the smooth surfaces being cleaned;

channel means (13) for receiving used liquid wiped from the smooth surfaces being cleaned;

a reservoir (1) for said used liquid;

additional channel means (17) for extending the channel means (13) into an interior of said reservoir (1) of used liquid;

means for creating a vacuum in the reservoir (1) of used liquid;

wherein said means for creating a vacuum are mounted inside a compartment (5a) formed by an internal part (5) of the used liquid reservoir;

means (6,

     7) in said compartment for creating a vacuum within said used liquid reservoir (1);

air suction tubing (10) extending upwardly from said compartment for transmitting air from the used liquid reservoir (1) into said compartment for discharge outside said apparatus;

said additional channel means (17) prolonging said channel means (13) down to the level of the base of said air suction tubing (10).

2. A hand-held apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said means for creating a vacuum comprises electric motor means (6) and fan rotor means (7).

3. A hand-held apparatus, according to claim 1, further comprising removable means (22) for mounting the brush means (23) to the reservoir (2) of cleaning liquid.

4. A hand-held apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said pump means (20) and said brush means (23) are disposed adjacent to each other.

5. A hand-held apparatus, according to claim 1, further comprising removable means (15) for mounting the wiping means (14) to an upper portion of the channel means (13).

6. A hand-held apparatus, according to claim 1, further comprising trigger means (21) for controlling flow of the cleaning liquid from the reservoir (2) through the pump means (20) to the brush means (23).