Brushing – scrubbing – and general cleaning – Machines – With air blast or suction
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-10
2001-02-27
Moore, Chris K. (Department: 1744)
Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning
Machines
With air blast or suction
C015S339000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06192548
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an extraction cleaning. In one of its aspects, the invention relates to an upright extraction cleaning machine having a flow rate indicator for cleaning solution.
2. Description of Related Art
Upright extraction cleaning machines have been used for removing dirt from surfaces such as carpeting, upholstery, drapes and the like. The known extraction cleaning machines can be in the form of a canister-type unit as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,237,720 to Blase et al. or an upright unit as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,937,475 to Kasen et al.
The state of the art for water extraction cleaning machines utilizes one of two different technologies. First, water is mixed with a cleaning detergent and the resulting solution is sprayed onto the surface to be cleaned. The detergent includes chemical agents adapted to enhance the cleaning performance and dirt attraction of the cleaning solution. The vacuum motor is used to create a source of suction for withdrawing the cleaning solution and entrapped dirt back into the cleaning machine.
Cleaning solution is dispensed to a spray nozzle, in some cases through a pump, or by gravity flow. It is not clear to the operator how much, if any, cleaning solution is dispensed to a spray nozzle.
SUMMARY
According to the invention, a portable surface cleaning apparatus comprises a base module for movement along a surface and having a rear portion, an upright handle pivotally attached to the rear portion of the base module, a liquid dispensing system and a fluid recovery system. The liquid dispensing system comprises a liquid dispensing nozzle associated with the base module for applying liquid to a surface to be cleaned, a flexible bladder defining a fluid supply chamber for holding a supply of cleaning fluid and a fluid supply conduit fluidly connected to the fluid supply chamber and to the dispensing nozzle for supplying liquid to the dispensing nozzle. The fluid recovery system comprises a fluid tank on the base module having a recovery chamber for holding recovered fluid and enclosing the flexible bladder, a suction nozzle associated with the base, a working air conduit extending between the tank and the suction nozzle and a vacuum source in fluid communication with the tank for generating a flow of working air from the nozzle through the working air conduit and through the tank to thereby draw dirty liquid from the surface to be cleaned through the nozzle and working air conduit and into the tank. A flow indicator is mounted on the base module or the handle assembly and has a visibility window observable by a user. The flow indicator is disposed in the fluid supply conduit and is responsive to the flow of fluid through the fluid supply conduit to visually indicate the flow of fluid through the supply conduit to the user.
In another embodiment, the invention relates to an extraction surface cleaning apparatus having a housing, a liquid dispensing system mounted in the housing and including a liquid dispensing nozzle for applying liquid to a surface to be cleaned, a fluid supply chamber for holding a supply of cleaning fluid, a fluid supply conduit fluidly connected to the fluid supply chamber and to the dispensing nozzle for supplying liquid to the dispensing nozzle. A fluid recovery system is also mounted to the housing and includes a recovery tank for holding recovered fluid, a suction nozzle, a working air conduit extending between the recovery tank and the suction nozzle, and a vacuum source in fluid communication with the recovery chamber for generating a flow of working air from the nozzle through the working air conduit and through the recovery chamber to thereby draw dirty liquid from the surface to be cleaned through the nozzle and working air conduit, and into the recovery chamber. A flow indicator is mounted in a visible location on the housing and has a visibility window observable by a user. The flow indicator is disposed in the fluid supply conduit and responsive to the flow of fluid through the fluid supply conduit to visually indicate the flow of fluid through the supply conduit to the user.
In one embodiment of the invention, the flow indicator includes an indicator housing, and an indicator rotatably mounted in the indicator housing and drivable by the fluid flowing through the flow indicator. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the flow indicator further includes a filter disposed in the fluid supply conduit, adapted to filter debris in the fluid, and visible to the user through the visibility window.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1151029 (1915-08-01), McKinley
patent: 1844212 (1932-02-01), De Lancey
patent: 1893233 (1933-01-01), Hull
patent: 3119369 (1964-01-01), Harland et al.
patent: 3408673 (1968-11-01), Oxel
patent: 4114229 (1978-09-01), Jones et al.
patent: 4156952 (1979-06-01), Lynch
patent: 4559665 (1985-12-01), Fitzwater
patent: 4745877 (1988-05-01), Chang
patent: 5813086 (1998-09-01), Ueno
Bissell Homecare Inc.
Moore Chris K.
Rader, Fishman, Grauer & Mc Garry
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