Cleaning and liquid contact with solids – Processes – Including use of vacuum – suction – or inert atmosphere
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-07
2001-12-04
Moore, Chris K. (Department: 1744)
Cleaning and liquid contact with solids
Processes
Including use of vacuum, suction, or inert atmosphere
C015S320000, C015S328000, C015S353000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06325864
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the carpet extractor arts. It finds particular application in conjunction with the cleaning of floors and above-floor surfaces, such as upholstery, stairs, and the like, using a liquid cleaning fluid.
Carpet extractors of the type which apply a cleaning solution to a floor surface and then recover dirty fluid from the surface are widely used for cleaning carpeted and wooden floors in both industrial and household settings. Generally, a vacuum source, such as a vacuum pump, applies a vacuum to a nozzle adjacent the floor surface. A recovery tank for storing the recovered fluid is generally mounted on a handle or base of the extractor for ease of access. The extractors are often bulky in order to store a sufficient quantity of the recovered fluid before emptying. When the recovery tank is handle mounted, the manipulation of the handle requires more effort due to the weight and size of the tank. When mounted on top of the base, the recovery tank tends to impede access of the extractor to low overhanging spaces, such as beneath chairs, and the like. For cleaning such areas, a low profile extractor is desirable.
Moreover, conventional carpet extractors are often difficult to clean themselves once the cleaning process is complete. Removable recovery tanks have been developed which allow the tank to be transported to a sink and cleaned thoroughly. However the nozzle often becomes clogged with dirt and carpet material. When the nozzle is attached to the base, it is difficult to clean without disassembling the base.
Accordingly, it has been considered desirable to develop a new and improved carpet extractor which provides access to hard to reach areas and which eases the cleaning of the extractor after use. The present invention provides a new and improved apparatus and method for which overcomes the above-referenced problems and others, while providing better and more advantageous overall results.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention a carpet extractor is provided. The extractor includes a base having a distributor for selectively applying a cleaning solution to a floor surface to be cleaned and a combined recovery tank and nozzle assembly removably mounted to the base. The recovery tank and nozzle assembly includes a nozzle for vacuuming dirty cleaning solution from the floor surface and a recovery tank for receiving the dirty cleaning solution from the nozzle. The nozzle is connected with the recovery tank such that the nozzle and the recovery tank are removable together from the base. A vacuum source communicates with the recovery tank and nozzle assembly for drawing a vacuum on the recovery tank and hence the nozzle.
In accordance with more limited aspects of this aspect of the present invention, the combined recovery tank and nozzle assembly further includes a nozzle cover which is releasably connected to an outer surface of the recovery tank to define a nozzle flowpath therebetween. The recovery tank preferably includes an inlet slot, having an elongate rear wall, in fluid communication with the nozzle flowpath, and a discharge opening, selectively covered by a lid in communication with the vacuum source. The inlet slot of the recovery tank may include an opening, normally sealed by a closure member, for receiving an accessory tool vacuum hose outlet tube. The lid may include a float cage and movable float which closes the discharge opening from the lid when the dirty cleaning fluid in the recovery tank reaches a preselected level. The recovery tank may include a movable handle. In a first functional position, the handle locks the recovery tank to the base. In a second functional position, the lid is removable from the recovery tank. In a third functional position, the recovery tank is removable from the base and the lid is locked to the recovery tank. The recovery tank and nozzle assembly is removable from the extractor when a directing handle is in a working or an upright position.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a combination dirty fluid tank and nozzle assembly is provided for a carpet extractor of the type which applies a cleaning solution to a floor surface and vacuums dirty cleaning solution from the floor surface. The assembly is selectively mounted on a base of the carpet extractor and includes a nozzle for vacuuming the dirty cleaning solution from a floor surface and a recovery tank which includes a chamber for receiving the dirty cleaning solution from the nozzle. The nozzle is secured to the recovery tank and communicates with the recovery tank chamber.
In accordance with a more limited aspect of this aspect of the present invention, the recovery tank further includes a lid, which selectively seals a discharge opening to the chamber, and a recovery tank handle which is movable between a first functional position, for locking the recovery tank to the base of the carpet extractor, a second functional position, in which the recovery tank is removable from the base and the lid is locked to the recovery tank, and a third functional position, in which the lid is removable from the recovery tank for emptying the dirty cleaning solution from the recovery tank chamber.
In accordance with a yet more limited aspect of this aspect of the present invention, the lid includes a float cage with a moveable float. The float is configured for closing the discharge opening of the recovery tank when the dirty cleaning solution in the recovery tank chamber reaches a preselected level. The lid may be hollow and include an outlet for coupling with a vacuum source.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, an upright carpet extractor is provided. The extractor includes a base assembly including a distributor for selectively applying the cleaning solution to a floor surface to be cleaned, a vacuum source for drawing a vacuum, and a combined recovery tank and nozzle assembly. The recovery tank and nozzle assembly includes a recovery tank and a nozzle for vacuuming dirty cleaning solution from the floor surface. A fluid flow path is defined between the nozzle and through the recovery tank to an inlet of the vacuum source. The nozzle is secured to the recovery tank. A directing handle is pivotally connected to said base assembly for manipulating the base assembly over a surface to be cleaned.
In accordance with a still further aspect of the present invention, a method of extracting a cleaning solution from a floor surface with a carpet extractor having a combined recovery tank and nozzle assembly removably mounted in a base portion is provided. The method includes applying a vacuum to a recovery tank of the recovery tank and nozzle assembly to draw the cleaning solution from the floor surface, through a nozzle of the recovery tank and nozzle assembly, and into the recovery tank. The method further includes removing the recovery tank and nozzle assembly as a unit from the carpet extractor, and emptying the cleaning solution from the recovery tank.
In accordance with more limited aspects of this aspect of the present invention, the method further includes the step of rinsing trapped dirt from the nozzle. The step of removing the recovery tank and nozzle assembly may include moving a handle pivotally mounted to the recovery tank from a first position, in which the recovery tank and nozzle assembly is locked to the carpet extractor, to a second position, in which the recovery tank and nozzle assembly is removable from the carpet extractor. The lid may be locked to the recovery tank in the second position and the step of emptying the cleaning solution include moving the handle to a third to a third position, in which the recovery tank and nozzle assembly is removable from the carpet extractor. This step may also include removing a float assembly from a recovery tank discharge opening.
One advantage of the present invention is the provision of a carpet extractor having a combined recovery tank and nozzle assembly which is selectively removable from t
Salo Robert A.
Stephens Paul D.
Zahuranec Terry L.
Fay Sharpe Fagan Minnich & McKee LLP
Moore Chris K.
Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.
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