Upright water extraction cleaning machine

• US 6,192,549 B1
• Filed: 09/29/1999
• Issued: 02/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bissell Homecare, Inc. (Bissell Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bissell Homecare, Inc. (Bissell Inc.)
• Inventors: Kelly, Luke E., Metzger, Eric R., Smith, Gary L., Reed, Charles A. Jr., Kasen, Timothy E.
• Primary Examiner(s): MOORE, CHRISTOPHER K
• Application Number:
  US09/408,997
• Time in Patent Office: 517 Days
• Field of Search: 153/20, 153/53, 153/52, 153/37
• US Class Current: 15/337
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/03 characterised by having provisions for supplying cleaning or polishing agents A47L11/065, A47L11/085, A47L11/125, A47L11/145, A47L11/161, A47L11/1625, A47L11/185, A47L11/201 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/30 by suction
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/305 the tools being disc brushes
• 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 11/4008 Arrangements of switches, indicators or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4011 Regulation of the cleaning machine by electric means; Control systems and remote control systems therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4016 specially adapted for collecting fluids
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4019 Fill level sensors; Security means to prevent overflow, e.g. float valves
• 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 11/4069 Driving or transmission means for the cleaning 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: A47L 5/28 Suction cleaners with handles and nozzles fixed on the casings, e.g. wheeled suction cleaners with steering handle A47L5/24 takes precedence
• 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 7/0009 with means mounted on the nozzle; nozzles specially adapted for the recovery of liquid
• 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 7/0042 : Gaskets; Sealing means
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0009 : Storing devices winding devices for electric cables A47L9/26; Supports, stands or holders
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0036 : specially adapted for holding the suction hose
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/02 : Nozzles suction nozzles for fluid transport B65G51/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/49 : Mixing systems, i.e. flow charts or diagrams
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/105 : Mixing heads, i.e. compact mixing units or modules, using mixing valves for feeding and mixing at least two components
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/718051 : being adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/81 : Forming mixtures with changing ratios or gradients

Abstract

A portable surface cleaning apparatus has a base for movement along a surface to be cleaned and an upright handle pivotally attached to a rearward portion of the base. A fluid dispensing nozzle for applying fluid to the surface and a suction nozzle for picking up fluid and debris from the surface are associated with the base. A clean water holding tank and a detergent holding tank are removably mounted to the handle while a recovery tank is removably mounted to the base. A mixing valve is fluidly connected between the holding tanks and the spray nozzle for changing the mixing ratio of the detergent with respect to the water. The fluid recovery tank includes an integrally molded conduit that extends from the suction nozzle and a mounting for an accessory hose that interrupts the fluid path from the suction nozzle in the conduit and redirects fluid flow through the hose. A pump is fluidly connected between the mixing valve and the dispensing nozzle and includes a pump priming valve that operates on negative air pressure to clear air from the fluid lines during pump operation. A free floating brush is pivotally attached to the base for automatically adjusting to different surface conditions during cleaning operations.

Claims

1. A recovery tank adapted for removable mounting in a base assembly of a portable surface cleaning apparatus having a handle pivotally attached to the base assembly, the base assembly including a first suction nozzle on the base assembly in fluid communication with a vacuum source through the recovery tank, the recovery tank comprising:

an upper wall a lower wall and at least one sidewall connected together to define an enclosed chamber, the upper wall sloping forwardly and downwardly and forming an inlet opening at an upper rearward portion thereof;

an enclosed channel formed at least in part by the upper wall and defining a working air conduit extending rearwardly from a lower front portion of the upper wall to an upper portion of the upper wall and having an inlet opening, at the lower front portion and a discharge opening at the upper portion the discharge opening being in fluid communication with the enclosed chamber through the inlet opening at the upper rearward portion of the upper wall, the working air conduit adapted to be in fluid communication between the suction nozzle and the vacuum source when the recovery tank is attached to the base to thereby draw liquid and debris from a surface to be cleaned and deposit the liquid and debris into the recovery tank.

2. A recovery tank according to claim 1 and further comprising a first diverter baffle attached to an inner surface of the upper wall adjacent the upper wall discharge opening, the baffle extending into the inner chamber from the upper wall to assist in separation of fluid and debris from the air during cleaning operations.

4. A recovery tank according to claim 1 and further comprising an opening in a lower portion of one of the walls, and a stand pipe in communication with the opening and extending upwardly therefrom to an upper free end of the stand pipe at an upper portion of the recovery tank.

5. A recovery tank according to claim 4 and further comprising an elongate float having a first end that is buoyant and a second end that is adapted to cover the upper free end of the stand pipe when liquid in the recovery tank reaches a predetermined level, to thereby block the transfer of air and liquid from the recovery tank to the vacuum source.

6. A recovery tank according to claim 5 and further comprising a guide wall extending from a lower portion of one of the walls adjacent the stand pipe, the first buoyant end of the float being located between the stand pipe and the guide wall for guiding movement of the float second end toward the stand pipe upper free end during liquid rise in the recovery tank.

7. A recovery tank according to claim 6 wherein the conduit comprises a plate that encloses an upper portion of the enclosed channel, an access opening formed in the channel in alignment with the inlet opening in the upper wall and a cap removably mounted in the access opening in the channel.

8. A recovery tank according to claim 7 and further comprising a locking member projecting from a side of the cap;

and

a locking lip formed in the upper wall of the recovery tank for receiving and holding the locking member to thereby secure the cap to the recovery tank.

9. A recovery tank according to claim 8 wherein the locking member comprises a first leg integrally formed with the mounting member and a second leg resiliently formed with the first leg, a free end of the second leg including a barb for locking engagement with the upper wall of the recovery tank.

10. A recovery tank according to claim 1 wherein the conduit comprises a plate that encloses an upper portion of the enclosed channel, an access opening formed in the channel in alignment with the inlet opening in the upper wall, and a cap removably mounted in the access opening in the channel.

11. A recovery tank according to claim 10 and further comprising a locking member projecting from a side of the cap;

and

a locking lip formed in the upper wall of the recovery tank for receiving and holding the locking member to thereby secure the cap to the recovery tank.

12. A recovery tank according to claim 11 wherein the locking member comprises a first leg integrally formed with the mounting member and a second leg resiliently formed with the first leg, a free end of the second leg including a barb for locking engagement with the upper wall of the recovery tank.

13. A recovery tank according to claim 1 wherein the enclosed channel has an access opening formed in the enclosed channel in alignment with the inlet opening in the upper wall, and a cap removably mounted in the access opening in the channel.

14. A recovery tank according to claim 13 wherein an upper portion of the enclosed channel is transparent which permits a user to easily observe the dirt and water passing up through the working air conduit.

15. A recovery tank according to claim 14 wherein the at least one sidewall is formed of a material which permits a user to easily observe the fluid level inside the recovery tank.

16. A recovery tank according to claim 15 wherein the material forming the at least one sidewall is translucent.

17. A recovery tank according to claim 1 wherein the tank further includes a handle pivotally mounted to an upper portion thereof for movement between an upright position and a retracted position.

18. A recovery tank according to claim 17 wherein the handle has a general U-shape and one of the tank walls forms a recess which receives at least a portion of the handle when the handle is in the retracted position.

19. A recovery tank according to claim 1 wherein an upper wall of the enclosed channel is transparent which permits a user to easily observe the dirt and water passing up through the working air conduit.

20. A recovery tank according to claim 1 wherein the at least one sidewall is formed of a material which permits a user to easily observe the fluid level inside the recovery tank.

21. A recovery tank according to claim 20 wherein the material forming the at least one sidewall is translucent.

3. A portable surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 3 and further comprising a second baffle mounted in the recovery tank directly below the first diverter baffle and transversely within the chamber to prevent the sloshing of liquid within the recovery tank.

22. In a portable surface cleaning apparatus having a base assembly for movement along a surface to be cleaned, an upright handle pivotally attached to a rearward portion of the base assembly, the base assembly including a recovery tank having an inner holding chamber, a first suction nozzle located at a lower portion of the base a conduit extending between the inner chamber and the suction nozzle, and a vacuum source in fluid communication with the inner chamber for generating a suction in the recovery tank, conduit and nozzle to thereby draw dirt and debris from a surface and deposit the dirt and debris in the recovery tank, the improvement comprising:

the recovery tank comprising;

an upper wall, a lower wall and at least one sidewall connected together to define an enclosed chamber, the upper wall sloping forwardly and downwardly and forming an inlet opening at an upper rearward portion thereof;

an enclosed channel formed at least in part by the upper wall and defining a working air conduit extending rearwardly from a lower front portion of the upper wall to an upper portion of the upper wall and having an inlet opening at the lower front portion and a discharge opening at the upper portion, the discharge opening being in fluid communication with the enclosed chamber through the inlet opening at an upper rearward portion of the upper wall, the working air conduit is in fluid communication between the suction nozzle and the vacuum source to thereby draw liquid and debris from a surface to be cleaned and deposit the liquid and debris into the recovery tank.

23. A recovery tank according to claim 22 wherein the enclosed channel has an access opening formed in the enclosed channel in alignment with the inlet opening in the upper wall, and a cap removably mounted in the access opening in the channel.

24. A recovery tank according to claim 23 wherein an upper portion of the enclosed channel is transparent which permits a user to easily observe the dirt and water passing up through the working air conduit.

25. A recovery tank according to claim 24 wherein the at least one sidewall is formed of a material which permits a user to easily observe the fluid level inside the recovery tank.

26. A recovery tank according to claim 25 wherein the material forming the at least one sidewall is translucent.

27. A recovery tank according to claim 22 wherein the tank further includes a handle pivotally mounted to an upper portion thereof for movement between an upright position and a retracted position.

28. A recovery tank according to claim 27 wherein the handle has a general U-shape and one of the tank walls forms a recess which receives at least a portion of the handle when the handle is in the retracted position.

29. A recovery tank according to claim 22 wherein an upper portion of the enclosed channel is transparent which permits a user to easily observe the dirt and water passing up through the working air conduit.

30. A recovery tank according to claim 22 wherein the at least one sidewall is formed of a material which permits a user to easily observe the fluid level inside the recovery tank.

31. A recovery tank according to claim 30 wherein the material forming the at least one sidewall is translucent.