Brushing – scrubbing – and general cleaning – Machines – With air blast or suction
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-29
2001-02-27
Moore, Chris K. (Department: 1744)
Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning
Machines
With air blast or suction
C015S320000, C015S352000, C015S353000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06192549
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to cleaning machines and, more particularly, to an upright water extraction cleaning machine.
2. Description of the Related Art
Water extraction clearing machines have long been used for removing dirt from surfaces such as carpeting, upholstery, drapes, and the like. The known water 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. 5,500,977 to McAllise et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 4,559,665 to Fitzwater.
The current water extraction cleaners can be difficult to use and often have limited adaptability for a variety of cleaning conditions. For example, none of the known water extraction cleaners can quickly and efficiently vary the mixture ratio of detergent and water. In addition, none of the known upright water extraction cleaners can automatically adjust the height of the roller-type agitation brush in response to changes on the surface being cleaned. Another problem inherent with the known water extraction cleaners is ease of use in filling and emptying the clean water tank and recovery tank. Finally, none of the known prior art water extraction cleaners can quickly and easily convert between on-the-floor cleaning and off-the-floor cleaning with an accessory hose and cleaning tool.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According the invention, a recovery tank adapted for attachment to the base of a portable surface cleaning apparatus comprises an upper wall, a lower wall and at least one side wall connected together to define an enclosed chamber. The upper wall has an enclosed channel defining a conduit and an opening extending from the conduit into the chamber. The conduit is in fluid communication between a suction nozzle and a vacuum source of the cleaning apparatus when the recovery tank is attached to the base to thereby draw liquid and debris from a surface and deposit the liquid and debris into the recovery tank. A baffle is attached to an inner surface of the upper wall adjacent the upper wall opening. The baffle extends into the inner chamber from the upper wall to thereby separate fluid and debris from the air during cleaning operations.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, a recovery tank is adapted for attachment to the base of a portable surface cleaning apparatus having a handle attached to the base and a suction nozzle adapted for fluid communication with the recovery tank and a vacuum source. The recovery tank comprises an upper wall, a lower wall and at least one side wall connected together to define an enclosed chamber for holding a predetermined level of recovered liquid from a surface being cleaned. A first opening is formed in one of the recovery tank walls above the predetermined level for fluid communication between the recovery tank and the suction nozzle. A second opening is formed in one of the walls of the recovery tank below the predetermined level for fluid communication between the recovery tank and the vacuum source. An exhaust stand pipe has a lower end attached to an inner surface of the recovery tank. The stand pipe lower end surrounds the second opening while an upper free end of the exhaust pipe extends above the predetermined level. With this arrangement, liquid at or below the predetermined level in the recovery tank is at least substantially prevented from entering the second opening and traveling to the vacuum source when the recovery tank is mounted on the base.
An elongate float has a first end that is buoyant and a second end that is adapted to cover the upper free end of the stand pipe when liquid in the recovery tank reaches the predetermined level to thereby block the transfer of air and liquid from the recovery tank to the vacuum source. Preferably, at least one guide wall extends from the lower wall adjacent the stand pipe and the first buoyant end of the float is located between the stand pipe and the guide wall for guiding movement of the float second end toward the stand pipe upper free end during liquid rise in the recovery tank.
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Kasen Timothy E.
Kelly Luke E.
Metzger Eric R.
Reed, Jr. Charles A.
Smith Gary L.
Bissell Homecare Inc.
Moore Chris K.
Rader, Fishman, Grauer & Mc Garry, an office of Rader, Fishman &
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