Surface cleaning apparatus

• US 4,798,613 A
• Filed: 09/02/1986
• Issued: 01/17/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/1985
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: IONA Appliances Incorporated /Appereils IONA Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Appareils IONA Incorporated, Iona Appliances, Inc.
• Inventors: Garner, David P., Hetherington, Michael W., Millman, Allan D.
• Primary Examiner(s): MOORE, CHRISTOPHER K
• Application Number:
  US06/902,591
• Time in Patent Office: 868 Days
• Field of Search: 15/320, 15/344, 15/353, 15/362, 15/385, 55/52, 55/190
• US Class Current: 95/267
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0019 Details of the casing
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0038 with means for emptying the tanks
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0042 Gaskets; Sealing means

Abstract

A portable vacuum surface cleaning apparatus for taking up and recovering fluids such as liquids and debris from floors or carpets that includes an elongated circuitous or convoluted passageway having an inlet at one end and an outlet at the other end adapted for communication with a vacuum source and communicating with the recovery chamber through a top access opening in a region thereof intermediately between the inlet and outlet, the elongated passageway including a first section extending from the inlet to an elevated region thereof remote from the inlet and above the recovery chamber portion, an intermediate section in communication with the first section in the elevated region thereof and extending therefrom to overlie and communicate with the top opening of the recovery chamber portion, and a third section in communication with the intermediate section in the region thereof above the top opening and extending therefrom toward the outlet.

Claims

1. In a vacuum surface cleaning apparatus an elongated passageway having an inlet at one end and an outlet at the other end and a recovery chamber portion having a top opening therein in communication with said elongated passageway intermediately of the extent thereof, said elongated passageway including a first section extending from said inlet to an elevated region thereof remote from said inlet and above said recovery chamber portion, an intermediate section in communication with said first section in said elevated region thereof and extending therefrom to overlie and communicate with said top opening of said recovery chamber portion with the flow path cross sectional area of said intermediate section exceeding the flow path cross sectional area of said first section, and a third section in communication with said intermediate section in the region thereof above said top opening and extending therefrom toward said outlet.

5. Apparatus according to claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein said first section of said elongated passageway converges from said inlet towards a region intermediately of the extent thereof so as to define a constricted throat portion therein.

6. Apparatus according to claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein said intermediate section of said elongated passageway is in communication with said top opening of said recovery chamber portion through the lowermost region thereof.

7. Apparatus according to claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein said intermediate section of said elongated passageway is downwardly sloped from the region thereof in communication with said first section to the region thereof in communication with said top opening into said recovery chamber portion.

8. Apparatus according to claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein said intermediate section of said elongated passageway includes depending baffle means therein in the region thereof upstream from said top opening and of an extent and in a disposition to thereby direct and divert recovered liquids impinging thereon towards said top opening.

9. Apparatus according to claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein said intermediate section of said elongated passageway includes baffle means in the region thereof adjacent to and downstream of said top opening and extending thereabove and thereacross so as to direct and divert recovered liquids impinging thereon towards said top opening.

10. Apparatus according to claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein said intermediate section of said elongated passageway includes first depending baffle means therein in the region thereof upstream of said top opening and second depending baffle means therein in the region thereof adjacent to and downstream of said top opening and with said respective baffle means having an extent and in a disposition to thereby respectively direct and divert impinging recovered liquids towards said top opening.

12. Apparatus according to claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the portion of said first section of said elongated passageway leading from said inlet converges from said inlet towards a region thereof intermediately between said inlet and said elevated region thereof so as to define a constricted throat portion therein with the upper portion of said first section after said constricted throat portion having a substantially constant cross-section extending therefrom to said elevated region.

13. Apparatus according to claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the portion of said first section of said elongated passageway leading from said inlet converges from said inlet towards the region intermediately between said inlet and said elevated region thereof so as to define a constricted throat portion therein, and with the portion of said first section after said constricted throat portion having a substantially constant cross-section extending therefrom to said elevated portion thereof and said intermediate section in the region thereof communicating with and adjacent to said first section having an increased cross-sectional area in relation to said elevated region of said first section and converging therefrom toward the region of said second section remote from said first section in communication with said top opening.

14. Apparatus according to claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein said inlet presented by said elongated passageway has a configuration wherein the length substantially exceeds the width so as to define a narrow elongated orifice and the portion of said first passageway section leading from said narrow elongated orifice converges downstream therefrom to define a constricted throat portion therein whereby under the application thereto of a vacuum generating source liquids are accelerated from said elongated orifice downstream therealong.

15. Apparatus according to claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein said several sections of said elongated passageway and said recovery chamber portion have a fixed relative disposition to one another and said inlet is presented beyond and below said recovery chamber portion in proboscis-like fashion.

16. Apparatus according to claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein said first section of said elongated passageway overlies said intermediate section and said succeeding section thereto extends between said first and intermediate sections thereof and said inlet is presented forwardly beyond and below said recovery chamber portion in proboscis-like fashion.

17. Apparatus according to claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein said first section of said elongated passageway overlies said intermediate section and said succeeding section thereto extends between said first and intermediate sections thereof, said inlet being presented forwardly beyond and below said recovery chamber portion in proboscis-like fashion and said outlet is disposed rearwardly beyond said recovery chamber portion.

18. Apparatus according to claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein said top opening of said recovery chamber portion has a configuration wherein the length substantially exceeds the width so as to define an elongated narrow entrance thereinto from said intermediate section, with the length thereof disposed to extend at substantially right angles to the flow path direction of said intermediate section.

2. In a vacuum surface cleaning apparatus for taking up and recovering liquids including a recovery chamber portion having a top opening therein and an elongated passageway having an inlet at one end and an outlet at the other end and being in communication with said recovery chamber portion through said top opening in a region thereof intermediately between said inlet and said outlet, said elongated passageway including a first section extending upwardly from said inlet to an elevated region thereof remote from said inlet and above and beyond said top opening of said recovery chamber portion, an intermediate section communicating with said first section in said elevated region thereof and extending downwardly reversely therefrom to overlie said top opening and with the flow path cross sectional area of said intermediate section exceeding the flow path cross sectional area of said first section, and a succeeding section communicating with said intermediate section in the region thereof above said top opening and extending therefrom toward said outlet.

3. In a vacuum surface cleaning apparatus for taking up and recovering liquids including a recovery chamber portion having a top opening therein and an elongated passageway having an inlet at one end and an outlet at the other end and being in communication with said recovery chamber portion through said top opening in a region thereof intermediately between said inlet and said outlet, said elongated passageway including a first section extending upwardly and rearwardly from said inlet disposed forwardly of said recovery chamber portion to an elevated region thereof remote from said inlet above and beyond said top opening of said recovery chamber portion, an intermediate section communicating with said first section in said aforementioned elevated region of said first section and extending downwardly forwardly therefrom to overlie said top opening and a succeeding section communicating with said intermediate section in the region thereof above said top opening and extending rearwardly therefrom toward said outlet.

11. Apparatus according to claims 3 or 4 wherein the flow path cross-sectional area of said intermediate section of said elongated passageway substantially exceeds the flow path cross-sectional area of said first section thereof.

4. In a vacuum surface cleaning apparatus for taking up and recovering liquids including a recovery chamber portion having a top opening therein and an elongated convoluted passageway having an inlet at one end and an outlet at the other end and being in communication with said recovery chamber portion through said top opening in a region thereof intermediately between said inlet and said outlet, said elongated convoluted passageway including a first section extending upwardly and rearwardly from said inlet to an elevated region thereof remote from said inlet above and beyond said top opening, an intermediate section communicating with said first section in said elevated region thereof and extending downwardly forwardly therefrom to overlie said top opening, a succeeding section communicating with said intermediate section in the lowermost region thereof and above said top opening and extending upwardly rearwardly therefrom to an elevated region thereabove and a still further succeeding section communicating with said third section in said elevated region thereof and extending downwardly therefrom to said outlet.

19. In a vacuum surface cleaning apparatus for taking up and recovering liquids including a recovery chamber portion having a top opening therein and an elongated convoluted passageway having an inlet at one end and an outlet at the other end and being in communication with said recovery chamber portion through said top opening in a region thereof intermediately between said inlet and said outlet, said elongated convoluted passageway including a first inclined section extending upwardly and rearwardly from said inlet to an elevated region thereof remote from said inlet above and beyond said top opening, an intermediate inclined section communicating with said first section in said aforementioned elevated region of said first section and extending downwardly forwardly therefrom to overlie said top opening, a succeeding inclined section communicating with said intermediate section in the lowermost region thereof and above said top opening and extending upwardly rearwardly therefrom to an elevated region thereabove and a still further succeeding section communicating with said succeeding section in said elevated region thereof and extending downwardly therefrom to said outlet spaced rearwardly from said recovery chamber portion with said first section of said elongated passageway converging from said inlet towards a region downstream and intermediately of the extent thereof so as to define a constricted throat portion therein whereby under the application to said outlet thereof of a vacuum generating source liquids are accelerated from said inlet downstream therealong for discharge into said recovery chamber portion, and wherein said intermediate inclined section of said elongated passageway is in communication through the lowermost region thereof with said top opening of said recovery chamber portion.

20. Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said inlet presented by said elongated passageway has a configuration wherein the length substantially exceeds the width so as to define a narrow elongated orifice and is presented forwardly beyond and below said recovery chamber portion in proboscis-like fashion.

21. Apparatus according to claim 20 wherein said top opening of said recovery chamber portion has a configuration wherein the length substantially exceeds the width so as to define an elongated narrow entrance thereinto with the length thereof disposed to extend generally at right angles to the flow path direction of said intermediate section and thereacross lowermost therebelow.

22. Apparatus according to claim 21 inclusive wherein the flow path cross-sectional area of said intermediate section of said elongated passageway substantially exceeds the flow path cross-sectional area of said first section of said elongated passageway.

28. Apparatus according to any one of claims 19, 27, 28, 30, or 31 inclusive, wherein said first section of said elongated passageway overlies said intermediate section thereof and said succeeding section thereto extends adjacent said first and intermediate sections.

30. Apparatus according to any one of claims 19, 23, 24, 25, 26 or 27 inclusive, wherein said first section of said elongated passageway extends from said inlet to an elevated region thereabove and beyond said top opening of said recovery chamber portion.

31. Apparatus according to any one of claims 19, 23, 24, 25, 26 or 27 inclusive, wherein said intermediate section of said elongated passageway is sloped downwardly from the region in communication with said first section to the region thereof in communication with said top opening of said recovery chamber portion.

32. Apparatus according to any one of claims 19, 23, 24, 25, 26 or 27 inclusive, wherein said intermediate section of said elongated passageway includes depending baffle means therein in the region thereof upstream from said top opening and of an extent and in a disposition to thereby direct and divert recovered liquids impinging thereon towards said top opening.

33. Apparatus according to any one of claims 19, 23, 24, 25, 26 or 27 inclusive, wherein said intermediate section of said elongated passageway includes baffle means in the region thereof adjacent to and downstream of said top opening of said recovery chamber portion and extending thereabove and thereacross so as to direct and divert recovered liquids impinging thereon towards said top opening.

34. Apparatus according to any one of claims 19, 23, 24, 25, 26 or 27 inclusive, wherein said intermediate section of said elongated passageway includes first depending baffle means therein in the region thereof upstream of said top opening and second depending baffle means therein in the region thereof adjacent to and downstream of said top opening and with said respective baffle means having an extent and in a disposition to thereby respectively direct and divert impinging recovered liquids towards said top opening.

35. Apparatus according to any one of claims 19, 23, 24, 25, 26 or 27 inclusive, wherein the portion of said first section of said elongated passageway leading from said inlet converges from said inlet towards a region thereof intermediately between said inlet and said elevated region thereof so as to define a constricted throat portion therein with the upper portion of said first section after said constricted throat portion having a substantially constant cross-section extending therefrom to said elevated region.

39. Apparatus according to claim 30 wherein said top opening of said recovery chamber portion has a configuration wherein the length substantially exceeds the width so as to define an elongated narrow entrance thereinto, with the length thereof disposed to extend at substantially right angles to the flow path direction of said intermediate section and lowermost thereof and therebelow.

40. Apparatus according to claim 39 wherein said succeeding sections of said elongated passageway and said recovery chamber portion have a fixed relative disposition to one another when said shell-like outer component and said hollow inner component are mated and wherein said inlet is presented beyond said mated components and below said recovery chamber portion in proboscis-like fashion.

41. Apparatus according to claim 40 wherein said outlet is disposed rearwardly beyond said recovery chamber portion.

42. Apparatus according to claim 41 wherein vacuum generating source means are connected to said outlet for exhausting air from said elongated passageway and from said recovery chamber portion to create a pressure drop between said inlet and outlet thereof so as to accelerate matter to be recovered into said inlet and convey same downstream therealong and into said top opening of said recovery chamber portion.

43. Apparatus according to claim 42 wherein said vacuum generating means includes centrifugal fan means and associated motor means for driving same, said motor means including motor shaft means extending outwardly therefrom and means for coupling said motor shaft means to said centrifugal fan means to drive same.

23. In a vacuum surface cleaning apparatus wherein an elongated passageway having an inlet at one end and an outlet at the other end comprises several succeeding sections with a recovery chamber portion having an opening thereinto in communication with an intermediate section thereof, a shell-like outer component which includes at least the first section of said elongated passageway and a mated hollow inner component nested within and separable from said shell-like outer component which includes an intermediate section of said, elongated passageway and said recovery chamber portion therewithin, said mated hollow inner and shell-like outer component having a configuration and extent so as to define when mated a succeeding section of said elongated passageway therebetween.

29. Apparatus according to any one of claims 23, 24, 25, 26 or 27, inclusive, wherein said inlet of said elongated passageway is disposed forwardly of and below said recovery chamber portion.

24. In a vacuum surface cleaning apparatus wherein an elongated passageway having an inlet at one end and an outlet at the other end comprises several succeeding sections with a recovery chamber portion having an opening thereinto in communication with an intermediate section thereof, a front end comprising a shell-like outer component which includes at least the first section of said elongated passageway and a mated hollow inner component nested within and separable from said shell-like outer component which includes an intermediate section of said elongated passageway and said recovery chamber portion therewithin, said mated hollow inner and shell-like outer component having a configuration and extent so as to define when mated a succeeding section of said elongated passageway therebetween and a rear end including a shell-like enclosure interengagable with and separable from said shell-like outer component of said front end so as to expose said mated separable hollow component nested therewithin with said front and rear end in their regions of interengagement having a configuration and extent so as to define a further succeeding section of said elongated passageway therebetween.

44. Apparatus according to claims 24 or 26 wherein said shelllike enclosure of said rear end includes an upstanding forward housing portion and an upstanding rearward housing portion, said upstanding forward housing portion enclosing centrifugal fan means therein having an inlet and an outlet with said shell-like enclosure in said region of interengagement with said shell-like component of said front end including aperture means therethrough communicating with said outlet of said elongated passageway and said centrifugal fan means inlet, with said shell-like enclosure in a region thereof remote from said region of interengagement having aperture means therethrough for communication between said centrifugal fan means outlet and the atmosphere.

45. Apparatus according to claims 24 or 26 wherein said shell-like outer component of said front end includes a surrounding edge formation extending rearwardly beyond said separable mating hollow inner component when nested therewithin and said shell-like enclosure of said rear end presents a surrounding recessed shoulder formation forwardly thereof to said surrounding edge formation of said shell-like outer component of said front end and in snug sliding fit therewithin and sealing engagement thereagainst and catch means carried by said respective front and rear ends in the region of interengagement for releasably securing same together against separation.

25. In a vacuum surface cleaning apparatus for taking up and recovering liquids wherein an elongated convoluted passageway comprises at least three discrete succeeding sections including a first section with an inlet followed by an intermediate section and a succeeding section leading from said intermediate section to an outlet and a liquid recovery chamber portion having a top opening therein in communication with the lowermost region of said intermediate section, a shell-like outer component and a separable mating hollow inner component, said shell-like outer component presenting a cavity with an access opening thereinto for the entry and withdrawal of said separable mating hollow inner component defined by top, side and bottom wall portions extending forwardly from said access opening, said upper wall portion of said shell-like outer component inclining upwardly rearwardly from the foremost extent of same to an elevated region thereabove and including said first section of said elongated passageway therein extending from said inlet presented foremost in the region of said bottom wall portion thereof to said elevated region, said separable mating hollow inner component including top, side, bottom and rear wall portions defining a hollow enclosure, said top, side and bottom wall portions of said hollow component having a configuration and extent generally matching the configuration and extent of the inner surfaces presented by said cavity of said shell-like outer component so as to nest snugly therewithin when mated, said inner hollow component including said intermediate section of said elongated passageway and said liquid recovery chamber portion therewithin, and with at least one of said adjacent top and side wall portions of said shell-like outer component and separable mating hollow inner component having a configuration so as to defined when mated said succeeding section to said intermediate section of said elongated passageway.

26. In a vacuum suface cleaning apparatus for taking up and recovering liquids wherein an elongated passageway having an inlet at one end and an outlet at the other end comprises at least several succeeding sections with a liquid recovery chamber portion having a top opening thereinto in communication with said second section thereof and disposed therebelow, a front end comprising a shell-like outer component which includes the first section of said elongated passageway and a mated hollow inner component nested within and separable from said shell-like outer component which includes the intermediate section of said elongated passageway and said liquid recovery chamber portion therewithin, said mated hollow inner and shell-like outer component having a configuration and extent so as to define when mated the succeeding third section of said elongated passageway therebetween and a rear end including a shell-like enclosure interengaging with and separable from said shell-like outer component of said front end so as to expose said mated separable hollow component nested therewithin, with said shell-like outer component and respective mated hollow inner component and shell-like enclosure of said front and rear ends in their region of interengagement having a configuration and extent so as to define the succeeding fourth section of said elongated passageway therebetween.

36. Apparatus according to claim 26 or 27 wherein the flow path cross-sectional area of said intermediate section of said elongated passageway substantially exceeds the flow path cross-sectional area of said first section.

37. Apparatus according to claim 36 wherein said intermediate section from the region communicating with and adjacent to said first section converges therefrom toward the region thereof in communication with said top opening of said recovery chamber portion.

38. Apparatus according to claim 37 wherein said inlet presented by said elongated passageway has a configuration wherein the length substantially exceeds the width so as to define a narrow elongated orifice.

27. In a vacuum surface cleaning apparatus for taking up and recovering liquids wherein an elongated passageway having an inlet at one end and an outlet at the other end comprises at least three succeeding sections with a liquid recovery chamber portion having a top opening thereinto in communication with an intermediate section thereof and disposed therebelow, a shell-like outer component which includes said first section of said elongated passageway and a mated hollow inner component nested within and separable from said shell-like outer component which includes said intermediate section of said elongated passageway and said liquid recovery chamber portion therewithin, with said mated inner and outer components having a configuration and extent so as to define when mated said succeeding third section of said elongated passageway therebetween.

46. In a vacuum surface cleaning apparatus for taking up and recovering liquids wherein an elongated convoluted passageway comprises a first section with an inlet, an intermediate second section, a succeeding section thereto and a fourth section leading to an outlet and a liquid recovery chamber portion having a top opening therein in communication with said intermediate second section of said elongated passageway in the lowermost region thereof, centrifugal fan means connected to said outlet for drawing air from said elongated passageway and said liquid recovery chamber portion to create a pressure drop between said passageway inlet and outlet, motor means including motor shaft means driving said centrifugal fan means, a shell-like outer component and a mated hollow inner component separable from said shell-like outer component, said shell-like outer component having an access opening thereinto for the passage of said inner hollow component therethrough and reversely said access opening being adapted to be disposed rearwardly and including top, side and bottom wall portions extending forwardly therefrom to thereby define a cavity for the nesting of said hollow inner component therewithin in mating registration, said upper wall portion of said outer shell-like component inclining upwardly rearwardly from the foremost extent of same and including said first section of said elongated passageway therein extending from said inlet presented forwardly lowermost in the region of said bottom wall portion thereof to an elevated region thereabove remote from said inlet and above and beyond said top opening of said recovery chamber portion and terminating in aperture means leading therefrom, and wherein the portion of said first section of said elongated passageway leading from said inlet converges from said inlet towards the region thereof intermediately between said inlet and said elevated region thereof so as to define a constricted throat portion therein, and with the portion of said first section after said constricted throat portion having a substantially constant cross-section and extending therefrom to said elevated region thereof, said hollow inner component including inlet aperture means leading thereinto arranged in aligned sealing engagement with said outlet aperture means of said first section when said separable components are mated, said hollow inner component including top, side, rear and bottom wall portions defining an enclosure disposed to extend generally forwardly of said inlet aperture means leading thereinto with said top wall portion thereof inclining forwardly downwardly for disposition below said top wall portion of said shell-like outer component, said hollow inner component including therewithin said second section of said elongated passageway and disposed below said top wall portion thereof and in communication with said inlet aperture means leading therein and in spaced relation above said bottom wall to thereby define said liquid recovery chamber portion therebelow, said second section of said elongated passageway leading from said inlet aperture means forwardly and downwardly and communicating lowermost with said top opening presented by said recovery chamber portion, said second section in the region adjacent to and communicating with said first section having an increased flow path cross-section in relation to said first section and converging therefrom toward the lowermost region of said second section, said upper wall portion of said inner hollow component having an aperture means therein in the region thereof above said top opening of said recovery chamber portion and communicating with said second section and serving as outlet means therefrom an inlet means into said third section, said shell-like outer component and said hollow inner component having a configuration in the region of said top and side wall portions thereof and so spaced apart when mated as to define said third section of said elongated passageway therebetween leading from said last mentioned aperture means to said access opening, and a fourth section communicating with said third section in the region of said access opening and extending downwardly therefrom to said outlet.

47. Apparatus according to claim 46 wherein said second section of said elongated passageway includes first depending baffle means therein in the region thereof upstream of said top opening and second depending baffle means therein in the region thereof adjacent to and downstream of said top opening and with said respective baffle means having an extent and in a disposition to thereby respectively direct and divert impinging recovered liquids towards said top opening.

48. Apparatus according to claim 47 wherein said first section of said elongated passageway overlies said second section and said third section thereof extends between said first and said second sections thereof, when said shell-like outer component and said hollow inner component are mated.

49. Apparatus according to claim 47 wherein said top opening of said recovery chamber portion has a configuration wherein the length substantially exceeds the width so as to define an elongated narrow entrance thereinto with the length thereof disposed to extend at substantially right angles to the flow path direction of said second section and lowermost thereof and thereacross.

50. Apparatus according to claim 49 wherein said recovery chamber portion includes outlet means therein remote from said top opening for discharging recovered liquids therefrom.

51. Apparatus according to claim 50 wherein said recovery chamber portion discharge outlet means includes releasably sealable aperture means.

52. In a method for taking up and recovering liquids the step of generating a gaseous stream so as to proceed through an inlet and along an upwardly rearwardly inclined first flow path, the step of reversing said gaseous stream when the uppermost region of the first flow path is reached so as to proceed along a downwardly forwardly inclined second flow path wherein the velocity thereof is so reduced as to substantially completely separate any entrained liquid from the gaseous stream followed by the step of again reversing the gaseous stream when the lowermost region of the second flow path is reached so as to proceed along an upwardly rearwardly inclined third flow path towards discharge, whereby the gaseous stream so generated from inlet to discharge is swung throughout at least 360°

taken in the same direction.