Surface cleaning apparatus with recovery tank

• US 7,979,955 B2
• Filed: 12/19/2008
• Issued: 07/19/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bissell Inc.
• Original Assignee: Bissell Homecare, Inc. (Bissell Inc.)
• Inventors: Krebs, Alan J., Lenkiewicz, Kenneth M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Redding; David A
• Application Number:
  US12/340,007
• Publication Number:
  US 20090119868A1
• Time in Patent Office: 942 Days
• Field of Search: 153/272, 153/20, 153/22, 153/44, 15328-334
• US Class Current: 15/327.2
• 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 11/4016 specially adapted for collecting fluids
• 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 11/4058 for adjusting the height of the tool
• 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 11/4097 Means for exhaust-air diffusion; Exhaust-air treatment, e.g. air purification; Means for sound or vibration damping
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0036 specially adapted for holding the suction hose

Abstract

A surface cleaning apparatus comprises a recovery tank. The surface cleaning apparatus can further include a base, and the recovery tank can have side rails to facilitate alignment of the recovery tank with the base. The recovery tank can include a float assembly with a pivotable closure member. The recovery tank can have a lid with a handle and latch to secure the lid to the recovery tank. Further, the recovery tank can comprise a lid with a working air conduit mounted to the lid and removable from the recovery tank with the lid.

Claims

1. A surface cleaning apparatus comprising:

a housing including a base; and

a dirt recovery system mounted to the base and including;

a recovery tank having an open top removably covered with a lid;

a suction nozzle;

a working air conduit fluidly communicating the suction nozzle with the recovery tank, at least a portion of the working air conduit being mounted to and removable with the lid; and

a vacuum source in fluid communication with the suction nozzle and the recovery tank to draw dirt from a surface to be cleaned through the suction nozzle and into the recovery tank;

wherein the suction nozzle is removably mounted to the base separately from the portion of the working air conduit mounted to the lid.

2. The surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 1 and further comprising a hose mounted to the housing and adapted for connection to an accessory cleaning tool, wherein the working air conduit further fluidly communicates the hose with the recovery tank.

3. The surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the dirt recovery system further comprises a diverter valve mounted in the working air conduit and having an external actuator for movement of the diverter valve to selectively block fluid communication between the recovery tank and one of the suction nozzle and the hose.

4. The surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the diverter valve is removable with the lid.

5. The surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 1 and further comprising a fluid delivery system configured to store and dispense a cleaning fluid onto the surface to be cleaned and an air-fluid separator between the working air conduit and the recovery tank for separating recovered cleaning fluid from air drawn through the working air conduit for collection of the recovered cleaning fluid in the recovery tank.

6. A surface cleaning apparatus comprising:

a housing including a base;

a dirt recovery system mounted to the base and including;

a recovery tank having an open top removably covered with a lid;

a suction nozzle;

a working air conduit fluidly communicating the suction nozzle with the recovery tank, at least a portion of the working air conduit being mounted to and removable with the lid; and

a vacuum source in fluid communication with the suction nozzle and the recovery tank to draw dirt from a surface to be cleaned through the suction nozzle and into the recovery tank; and

a hose mounted to the housing and adapted for connection to an accessory cleaning tool, wherein the working air conduit further fluidly communicates the hose with the recovery tank;

wherein the dirt recovery system further comprises a diverter valve mounted in the working air conduit and having an external actuator for movement of the diverter valve to selectively block fluid communication between the recovery tank and one of the suction nozzle and the hose.

7. The surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the diverter valve is removable with the lid.

8. The surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 6 and further comprising a fluid delivery system configured to store and dispense a cleaning fluid onto the surface to be cleaned and an air-fluid separator between the working air conduit and the recovery tank for separating recovered cleaning fluid from air drawn through the working air conduit for collection of the recovered cleaning fluid in the recovery tank.