Stacked tank arrangement for a cleaning apparatus

• US 20060123587A1
• Filed: 12/10/2004
• Published: 06/15/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Healthy Gain Investments Limited
• Original Assignee: Healthy Gain Investments Limited
• Inventors: Parr, Richard S., O'Neal, David L., Durbin, Michael A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,870,637 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/320
• 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 11/4075 Handles; levers
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4083 Liquid supply reservoirs; Preparation of the agents, e.g. mixing 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 5/32 with means for connecting a hose hose couplings for suction cleaners A47L9/24
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/244 for telescopic or extensible hoses or pipes

Abstract

A cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface in which cleaning solution is dispensed to the surface and substantially simultaneously extracted along with the dirt on the surface in a continuous operation is provided. The cleaning apparatus includes a base portion for movement along the surface and a handle pivotally connected to the base portion. A solution tank for supplying a flow of cleaning solution to the surface is removably mounted to the handle. A recovery tank is removably mounted to the handle. A suction nozzle is secured to the base portion and in fluid communication with the recovery tank. A suction source is in fluid communication with the suction nozzle for generating suction to draw dirt and liquid through the suction nozzle and into the recovery tank. The recovery tank and solution tank are in an aligned stack arrangement when the handle is in both the upright and working positions.

Claims

1. A cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface in which cleaning solution is dispensed to the surface and substantially simultaneously extracted along with the dirt on the surface in a continuous operation comprising:

a) a base portion for movement along the surface;

b) a handle pivotally connected to said base portion;

c) a solution tank for supplying a flow of cleaning solution to the surface, said solution tank removably mounted to said handle and defining a first parting line between said solution tank and said handle;

d) a recovery tank removably mounted to said handle and defining a second parting line between said recovery tank and said handle;

e) a suction nozzle secured to said base portion and in fluid communication with said recovery tank;

f) a suction source in fluid communication with said suction nozzle for generating suction to draw dirt and liquid through said suction nozzle and into said recovery tank; and

g) wherein the recovery tank and solution tank are in an aligned stack arrangement when the handle is in both the upright and working positions, said first and second parting lines are straight and aligned with each other.

2. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein said handle includes a front portion, said solution tank includes a rear portion positioned adjacent to said front portion, wherein said front portion of said handle does not either enclose or partially enclose said solution tank.

3. The cleaning apparatus of claim 2 wherein said front portion is substantially planar.

4. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein said recovery tank is slidably but not pivotally mounted to said handle.

5. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein said suction source is mounted to said base portion.

6. A cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface in which cleaning solution is dispensed to the surface and substantially simultaneously extracted along with the dirt on the surface in a continuous operation comprising:

a) a base portion for movement along the surface;

b) a handle pivotally connected to said base portion;

c) a solution tank for supplying a flow of cleaning solution to the surface, said solution tank removably mounted to said handle;

d) a recovery tank removably mounted to said handle;

e) a suction nozzle secured to said base portion and in fluid communication with said recovery tank;

f) a suction source in fluid communication with said suction nozzle for generating suction to draw dirt and liquid through said suction nozzle and into said recovery tank; and

g) wherein the recovery tank and solution tank are in an aligned stack arrangement when the handle is in both the upright and working positions, wherein said handle includes a front portion, said solution tank includes a rear portion, wherein said front portion of said handle does not either enclose or partially enclose said solution tank.

7. The cleaning apparatus of claim 6 wherein said recovery tank is slidably but not pivotally mounted to said handle.

8. The cleaning apparatus of claim 6 wherein said suction source is mounted to said base portion.

9. A cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface in which cleaning solution is dispensed to the surface and substantially simultaneously extracted along with the dirt on the surface in a continuous operation comprising:

a) a base portion for movement along the surface;

b) a handle pivotally connected to said base portion;

c) a solution tank for supplying a flow of cleaning solution to the surface, said solution tank removably mounted to said handle;

d) a recovery tank removably mounted to said handle;

e) a suction nozzle secured to said base portion and in fluid communication with said recovery tank;

f) a suction source mounted to said base portion and in fluid communication with said suction nozzle for generating suction to draw dirt and liquid through said suction nozzle and into said recovery tank; and

g) wherein the recovery tank and solution tank are in an aligned stack arrangement when the handle is in both the upright and working positions.

10. The cleaning apparatus of claim 9 wherein said recovery tank is slidably but not pivotally mounted to said handle.