CA1299825C - Cleaning device with suction nozzle and liquid and gas separator - Google Patents
Cleaning device with suction nozzle and liquid and gas separatorInfo
- Publication number
- CA1299825C CA1299825C CA000613815A CA613815A CA1299825C CA 1299825 C CA1299825 C CA 1299825C CA 000613815 A CA000613815 A CA 000613815A CA 613815 A CA613815 A CA 613815A CA 1299825 C CA1299825 C CA 1299825C
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- tank
- fluid
- cleaning
- outlet
- fluid tank
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Abstract
CLEANING DEVICE WITH SUCTION NOZZLE
AND LIQUID AND GAS SEPARATOR
ABSTRACT
A machine for cleaning surfaces such as carpets, floors, and the like, has a frame (30) on which is mounted an upper housing (56) containing an air pump (62). An assembly of a fresh liquid container (48) stacked on a waste liquid container (50) is removably mounted on the frame with the aide of a cam latch (54). The air pump communicates with a housing (160) which provides pressurized air to outlets (158, 166, and 168) and suction to a suction nozzle (46) through a conduit (173) which carries waste liquid and air picked up from the carpet to a separator (58) in the housing (56). A cleaning fluid container (64) is removably mounted in a docking port (68) in the housing (56) and aligned and locked in communication with couplings (254) in the docking port (68) by a rotatable collar (66) having a camming recess (220). The clean liquid container (48) and the cleaning fluid container are pressurized by connections thereto from the air pump outlets (166 and 168) to provide for the delivery of fresh liquid or fresh liquid and cleaning solution mixtures of selected concentration to a spray nozzle (42) to which pressurized air is also applied from one of the pressurized air outlets (164) via a conduit (158).
The delivery and concentration of the fresh liquid and/or cleaning fluid is controlled by a actuator (40) which operates a rocker arm (102) for constricting tubing associated with a coupling (90, 126) in which the pressurized cleaning fluid and fresh liquid are combined. The suction nozzle has a passage (274, 276) for facilitating flow of air and waste water and making such flow visible. The separator (58) includes a conical shroud (172) which facilitates separation of waste liquid from the air picked up from the surface being cleaned. The assembly of fresh water and waste water tanks (48, 50) has a conduit (181) leading from the bottom of the separator housing (160) through the fresh liquid tank into the waste liquid tank. A keyway (184) on the tanks facilitates their alignment with a member on the frame (30) containing the conduits (159 and 173) for the pressurized air to the spray nozzle and the air and waste liquid from the suction nozzle and which provides a key for alignment of the assembly of containers (48 and 50) on the frame (30). The cleaner may be rolled on wheels (32) by a handle (36) connected to the frame (30).
AND LIQUID AND GAS SEPARATOR
ABSTRACT
A machine for cleaning surfaces such as carpets, floors, and the like, has a frame (30) on which is mounted an upper housing (56) containing an air pump (62). An assembly of a fresh liquid container (48) stacked on a waste liquid container (50) is removably mounted on the frame with the aide of a cam latch (54). The air pump communicates with a housing (160) which provides pressurized air to outlets (158, 166, and 168) and suction to a suction nozzle (46) through a conduit (173) which carries waste liquid and air picked up from the carpet to a separator (58) in the housing (56). A cleaning fluid container (64) is removably mounted in a docking port (68) in the housing (56) and aligned and locked in communication with couplings (254) in the docking port (68) by a rotatable collar (66) having a camming recess (220). The clean liquid container (48) and the cleaning fluid container are pressurized by connections thereto from the air pump outlets (166 and 168) to provide for the delivery of fresh liquid or fresh liquid and cleaning solution mixtures of selected concentration to a spray nozzle (42) to which pressurized air is also applied from one of the pressurized air outlets (164) via a conduit (158).
The delivery and concentration of the fresh liquid and/or cleaning fluid is controlled by a actuator (40) which operates a rocker arm (102) for constricting tubing associated with a coupling (90, 126) in which the pressurized cleaning fluid and fresh liquid are combined. The suction nozzle has a passage (274, 276) for facilitating flow of air and waste water and making such flow visible. The separator (58) includes a conical shroud (172) which facilitates separation of waste liquid from the air picked up from the surface being cleaned. The assembly of fresh water and waste water tanks (48, 50) has a conduit (181) leading from the bottom of the separator housing (160) through the fresh liquid tank into the waste liquid tank. A keyway (184) on the tanks facilitates their alignment with a member on the frame (30) containing the conduits (159 and 173) for the pressurized air to the spray nozzle and the air and waste liquid from the suction nozzle and which provides a key for alignment of the assembly of containers (48 and 50) on the frame (30). The cleaner may be rolled on wheels (32) by a handle (36) connected to the frame (30).
Description
CLEANING DEVICE WITH SUCTION NOZZLE
AND LIQUID AND GAS SEPARATOR
DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENT~ON
s The present inventlon relates to clean$ng devices and more particularly to an improved machine for the cleaning of surfaces such as carpet~, floors and the like.
In carpet cleaning mach~nes, a liquid i8 pro~ected onto the carpet and the dirty liquid i8 removed by a suction nozzle. An alr-llquid separator is generally provided to remove air from the dlrty, waste liquid and disperse the air into the atmosphere. Cleaning fluid may be added to the liquid. Usually the liquids trickle into a spray nozzle since they are above the spray nozzle. The liquids may be mixed in a mixing manifold. A ty~p~cal example of such carpet cleaners is illustrated ln U.S.
Patent 2,986,764 ~ssued June 6, 1961 to D. C. X~ammes.
Other systems use various arrangements of tanks, valves and controls to carry out carpet cleaning operations. In spite of all of these efforts directed to the cleaning of floors and carpets, there has not, heretofore, been provided a machine adapted for domestic use which provides effective cleaning of surfaces such as carpets, floors and the like, which is simple to use and sufficiently low in cost to be attractive to domestic users.
Accordingly, it is the object of the present invention to provide an improved machine for cleaning surfaces such as carpets, floors and the like which can be manufactured and sold at low cost and which, nevertheless, is both simple to use and effective in operation.
Here described is a machine having improved arrangements of containers for cleaning fluids, such as shampoos and concentrated cleaning solutions, fresh liquids, such as clean water and for the reception of waste liquids. The machine has a nozzle for projecting the liquids onto the surface to be cleaned and for picking up the waste liquid from the surface. Both the separation of waste liquid and air and the delivery of the liquids is conjointly carried out with suction and air pressure generated in a housing to which a common air pump is connected. The machine is further improved by facilities for removably attaching the containers to the frame of the machine and for the eontrolled and selective application of the liquids with different concentrations of cleaning liquid and fresh liquid.
Briefly, a machine is here described for cleaning surfaces sueh as earpets, floors and the like has a frame.
An air pump is mounted on the frame. A housing eommunicating with the pump has a suetion inlet and pressurized air outlets. A suction nozzle is mounted on the frame at the end of the frame which is disposed adjaeent to the surface to be eleaned. A liquid projecting nozzle is also mounted on the frame at the end adjacent to the surfaee to be eleaned. A plurality of containers for concentrated cleaning liquid, fresh and waste liquid 1~ are utilized. The containers are removably mounted to the frame and the housing with a conduit connecting the housing and the waste liquid container to communicate waste liquid separated from air and liquid transported into the housing to the waste liquid container. A conduit for air and waste liquid from the suction nozzle is eonneeted to the suetion inlet of the housing. A
eoupling between the pressurized air outlets, the eleaning fluid container and the fresh liquid lX99825 container provide for the pressurization thereof. A further coupling is connected to the outlets from the fresh liquid and cleaning liquid containers, in which coupling the fresh and cleaning liquids flow together to an outlet to the liquid projection nozzle so as to apply the fresh and cleaning liquids to the surface. This coupling utilizes simplified mixing and valving to control the flow of the liquid to the liquid projecting nozzle and to provide selected concentrations of the cleaning liquid and the fresh liquid.
Other features and advantages are provided by the arrangements used for assembling the containers, for providing the pressurized air and suction, and for separating waste liquid picked up from the surface to be cleaned from the air, the container for the cleaning liquid which is adapted to be readily attached and removed from the housing of the machine and the liquid projection and spray nozzles themselves.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention there is provided, a cleaning device comprising a spray nozzle for spraying cleaning fluid onto a surface;
a cleaning fluid tank having an outlet connected to said spray nozzle;
a suction nozzle for removing fluid from said surface;
separator means having an inlet connected to said suction nozzle, an air outlet and a fluid outlet for separating air from said removed fluid;
waste fluid tank having an inlet;
a connector means mechanically connecting said cleaning fluid and waste fluid tanks displaced along a common axis together as a unit and fluidically connecting said separator mean's fluid outlet to said waste fluid tank's inlet.
In accordance with a second aspect of the invention there is provided a tank unit comprising a first fluid tank having an outlet;
a second fluid tank having an inlet; and I29982~
a connector means engaging the top of said first fluid tank at one end and connected to said second fluid tank's inlet at its other end fcr attaching said tanks to each other together as a unit and providing an inlet to said second fluid tank adjacent the top of said first fluid tank.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein;
n BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective of a new cleaning device.
Figure 2 is a side view of the cleaning device of Figure 1.
5Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the cleaning device.
Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a spray nozzle.
Figure 5 is a plan view of a control switch and mixer in its initial closed position.
Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 6-6 of Figure 5.
Figure 7 is a plan view of the control switch and mixer in its spotting position.
15Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 8-8 of Figure 7.
Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the trigger and spotting actuator.
Figure 10 is a top view of a portion of the water tank and separator assembly.
Figure 11 is a combined cross-sectional view taken along lines 11-11 of Figure 10 and a fluid schematic of the fluid system.
Figure 12 is a back view of the separator housing.
Figure 13 is a partial cross-section taken along lines 13-13 of Figure 12.
Figure 14 is a top view of the separator taken along lines 14-14 of Figure 3.
Figure 15 is a top view of the water tank taken along lines 15-15 of Figure 3.
Figure 16 is a top view of the waste fluid tank taken along lines 16-16 of Figure 3.
Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view of the cam latch device in its unlatched position.
Figure 18 is a side view of a cleaning fluid cartridge.
Figure 19 is a top view taken along lines 19-19 of Figure 18.
Figure 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 20-20 of Figure 18.
Figure 21 is a perspective of a collar.
Figure 22 is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge and docking port.
Figure 23 is a cross-sectional view of the suction nozzle taken along lines 23-23 of Figure 24.
Figure 24 is a perspective view of the suction nozzle.
1;299825 DETAILED DESCRIPTION
A new cleaning device is illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3 as including a frame 30 to which are mounted a pair of wheels 32 by strut 34. As illustrated in Figure 2, the wheels are in their operable position allowlng the cleaning device to move across the surface to be cleaned.
For the stored position, the wheels are rotated forward or counter-clockwise in Figure 2 and comes to rest below the front end of the frame 30. Extending from the top end of the frame 30 is a handle 36 having fluid activation trigger 38 and a spotter actuator 40. ~ounted to the front end of the frame is a spray nozzle 42 for projecting cleaning fluid mixtures onto the surface to be cleaned and a suction nozzle 46 mounted to pipe 44 for removing fluids from the surface to be cleaned.
A water tank 48 and waste fluid or return tank 50 are connected as a single unit including a handle 52. The tanks are removably mounted to the frame 30 and are secured thereto ~y a cam latch 54 engaging the bottom of the waste fluid tank 50. An upper housing 56 mounted to frame 30 above the tank unit includes an air fluid separator 58, a motor 60 and a pump or fan 62 as illustrated in Figure 3.
An opening 57 is provided in the upper housing 56 to view the fluid in the separator 58 which has a transparent body. An electrical switch 63 activates the motor 60 and an electric cord 65 provides power.
A container or cartridge of detergent, shampoo or other concentrated clean$ng flu1~ 64 including a collar 66 is mounted to docking port 68 in the upper housing 56 as illustrated in Figure 2. The cleanlng fluld is mixed with water from the water tank and projected through spray nozzle 42.
Initially, the water tank 48 is filled with fluid and mounted to the frame 30 and securely held there~o by cam latch 54. A concentrated cleaning fluid cartridge 64 ls mounted lnto dock~ng port 6B. Now the system i8 ready for operation. As w~ll be explained more fully below, the clean~ng devlce operates by activating the motor 63 to turn on the motor to operate the fan and pump 62 to create a force to project a mixture of cleaning fluid and water out of spray nozzle 42 on the surface as wèll as to create a suction to draw fluid through suction noizle 46. With the trigger 3B ln lts normal position, no fluld ls dispensed. ~pon depressing trlgger 38, the amount of fluid pro~ected from spray noz21e 42 can be controlled. If a stubborn stain or especially dlrty surface is to be cleaned, the spotting actùator 40 is operatea to lncre~se the mixing rat~o of detergent to water. The dirty or waste fluid from suction nozzle 46 is provided to separator 58 wherein the air ~s separated from the dirty flu~d which is provided to waste fluid tank 50. The a~r ls prov~ded back through the fan/pump 62 to be re-introduced to the spray nozzle 42. Once the cleaning is done, the tank assembly is removed by g releasing cam latch 54 and the contents of the waste fluid tank 50 are emptied. This cycle.,of operation may be repeated.
The spray nozzle 42, which is illustrated in detail in Figure 4, is an air venturi system which draws a Gleaning fluid mixture and projects it onto the clean$ng surface. Spray nozzle 42 includes an air manifold having two complementary pieces 70 and 72 joined along a line or plane 74 ~see Figure 2). As illustrated in detail in Figure 4 with the top air manifold 72 removed, the nozzle of the air manifold is generally fan-shaped having a plurality of nozzle channels 76 extending therçthrough. Unitary to the air manifold is an inlet tube or conduit 78 connected to a source of pressurized air or the output of the fan 62. Mounted interior the air manifold is a fluid mAn$fold 80 having a plurallty o fingers 82 extending therefrom and lying ln the nozzle channels 76.
Supports 84 and 85, which are integral with the air manifold elements 70 and 72, posit~on the fluid mani~old 80 and its fingers 82 central within the air manifold and supports B4 and the nozzle channels 76. The fluid manifold 80 includes an inlet,86 extending through the back wall of the air,manifold and is connected by tubing 8B to the source of a cleaning fluid mixture.
Air introduced into conduit 78 moves through the air j manifold around the liquid manifold 80 and fingers 82 and exit, ! 25 nozzle channels 76. The restrictlon of the a~r through the :~9~325 nozzle channels creates a venturi effect so as to draw or educe cleaning fluid mixture from.the fingers 82 to be forceably ejected onto a surface to be cleaned. Although the system has been designed to operate on a pure eduction principle, it is preferred that the source of cleaning fluid mixture be pressurized so as to maintain an even flow of clean$ng mixture 1uid to the spray nozzle 42. S~nce the principle force to draw the cleaning fluid mixture is the venturi effect produced by the air manifold, the pressure provided to the cleaning fluid source is substantially smaller than that provided to the air manifold.
The cleaning fluid mixture provided to the spray noz21e 42 by tubing 68 is from a control switch and mixer illustrated specifically in Figures S-8 and operated by the trigger aetuator 40 and the spotting actuator 38 illustrated in detail in Figure 9. A mixing V or connector 90 which is mounted to the frame 30 has a mixing outlet connected to tube 88, a water inlet connected to tube 92 and a cleaning fluid inlet connected to tubing 94. The water from tube 92 ahd the cleaning fl~id from tube 94 are mixed in the V 90 and provided to outlet tube 88. Engaging one side of the outlet tube 88 is an anvil 96 and adjacent one side of the water inlet tube 92 is an anvil 98.
Pivotally connected to the frame 30 at 100 is a rocker arm 102 having hammers 104 and 106 respectively on opposite sides of the plvot 100. A biasing means or sprin~ 108 is received in a ~99825 spring housing 110 on the frame 30 and engages the rocker arm 102 around post 112. ~he biasing means or spring 108 biases the rocker arm 102 counter-clockwise in Figure 5. A slot 114 in the rocker arm 102 receives a control link or wire 116 connected to the spotter actuator 40 and the trigger 38.
Without operation of the trigger 38 or spotting actuator 40, spring 108 rotates the rocker arm 102 to its ~nit~al position illustrated in Figure 5 such that h~mmer 104 is pressed against anvil 96 completely restricting the tubing 88 at the outlet of the mixer 90. ~his is $11ustra~ed specifically in the cross-secton of Figure 6. In thls position, no clean$ng fluid m~xture is provided to the spray nozzle 42. Thus, if the electric motor is actuated, only air is blown onto the surface to be cleaned. This could produce an air drying if desired.
With movement of the control wire 116 to the right, the rocker arm 102 rotates counter-clockwise moving the hammer 104 away from the anvil 96 so as to begin to open the closed outlet tube 88. Dependent upon the amount of motion of wire 116 and pivotal rotation of rocker arm 102, the flow r~te of clesning fluid mixture can be controlled. The rocker arm 102 can be rotated to a position allowing unrestricted flow o the outlet tube 88 as well as unrestricted flow from water inlet tubing 92.
j Further ri~htward motion of wire 116 and counter-clockwise ~ 25 rotat~on of rocker arm 102 causes hammer 106 to engage the water inlet tube 92 and being restricting its flow into the mixing V 90. ~he degree o.restrlction of water inlet 92 permitted is defined by a stop 118 and is illustrated ~n Figures ~ and 8. ~his restricted position of water inlet tube 92 defines a specific ratio of concentra~ed cleaning fluid from tube 94 and water from tube 92 to remove stubborn stains or spots and is known as the spotting posit$on.
Thus, it can be seen that the rocker arm 102 sequentially operates from a flrst position illu6trated in Flgure 5 wherein the outlet is restricted by anvil 96 and hammer 104 for zero flow rate through 2 first plurality of $ntermediate angular positions having intermediate restrictlon~ of the outlet to define various flow rates and a second plurality of in~ermediate angular posltions havlng lntermediate restrictions of the water inlet 92 provided ~y anvil 98 and hammer 106 to define the m$xing ratio. Thus, a single assembly is provlded which controls both the flow rate of dispensing cleaning fluid mixture as well as the mlxing ratio of cleaning fluid to water. If required, the rocker arm can be reshaped such that hammer 106 will begin to restrict water inlet tube 92 while hammer 104 also restricts outlet tube 88.
The operation of the rocker arm 102 is controlled v$a wire 116 by the spotting actuator 40 and trigger 38 illustrated in detail in Figure 9. The spotting actuator 40 is pivotally mounted to the handle 36 at 120 as is trigger 38. ~he control ~99825 wire 116 is connected to post 122 on spotting actuator 40.
Post 122 lies in a elongat~d slot 124 in the trigger 38. The spotting actuator 40 extends from the top of the handle while the trigger 38 extends from the bottom of the handle. This S allows activation of either control with the same han~ that holds and directs the cleaning device. The spotting 2ctuator 40 may be controlled by the thumb and the trigger 38 by the other fingers wh1ch wrap about the handle 36.
Counter-clockwise rotation of trigger 38 as illustrated in Figure 9 from its init~al position causes counter-clockwise rotation of the spotting actuator 40 and moves the control wire 116 to the right. The trigger 38 is designed such that the total amount of angular motion which it is capable of travelling is limited to produce via control wire 116 rotation of the rocker arm 102 from the fully restricted condition of outlet tube 88 of mixer 90 to the completely unrestricted condition of outlet tube 88 and no restriction of the water inlet tube 92. The restriction of water inlet tube 92 by hammer 106 is produced by the further motion by travel produced by spotting actuator 40. ~he counter-clockwise rotation of spotter actuator 40 moves the wire 116 further to the right without further motion of trigger 38 since post 122 moves in slot 124. It should also be noted that spotter actuator 40 may be operated independent of trigger 3~ because of the 810t 124.
T~e biasing means 108 of rocker arm 102 is sufficiently strong to clamp the outlet tu~ing 88 and reta$ns the spotting actuator 38 and trigger 40 in their-position illustrated in F~gure 9 via wire 116.
The water line 92 and the cleaning fluid line 94 of the S mixina V 90 are connected to the fluid circuit ~llustrated in Figure 11. A block 126 includes an air port 128 and a water port 130. An air inlet nipple 132 and a water outlet nipple 134 are provided in the top of water tank 48. A tube 136 extends down from the water outlet nipple 134 to the bottom of the water tank 48. The nipples 132 and 134 are ~eceived in ports 128 and 130 respectively of the block 126. As will be explained more fully below, the block 126 ~s mounted to the separator 58 to receive the nipples 132 and 134 during mounting of the tank assembly onSo the frame as illustrated in Figure lS 10. A ball 138 in water port 130 acts as a check valve to prevent back flow into the water tank 48.
~ onnected to the other end of water port 130 is a first fitting 140 having a main outlet 142 connected to the m~xing water inlet tube 92 and a restricted outlet 144. The axis of the inlet of fitting 140 is coincident with the axis of the restricted outlet 144 and ~s orthogonal to the main outlet 142 axis. The cross-sectional area of main outlet 142 is su~stantially larger than the cross-sectional ~rea of restricted outlet 144. By way of example, the ma~n outlet may have a cross-sectional area four times that of the restricted outlet.
Connected to the first fitting 140 about restricted outlet 144 is a second fitting 146. A primary cleaning fluid inlet 148 of fitting 146 is connected to the concentrated clean~ng fluid container 64 by tube 150. The restricted outlet 144 provides a secondary inlet to the second fitting 146. The outlet 152 of the second fitting 146 is connected to cleaning fluid lnlet p~pe 94 of the mixer 90. The fan or pump 62 provides pressurized alr v$a tublng 154 to an input of the concentrated cleaning fluid container 64 and by tubing 156 to water tank 4B via air port 128. The primary outlet of pump 62 is through conduit 158 to the alr manifold of spray nozzle 142.
When the outlet tubing 88 of mixer 90 is totally restricted, no fluid is flowing in the ~ircultry of Figure 11.
Once the restriction of outlet tubing 88 is removed, water under pressure leaves the tank 48 through tubing 136, nipple 134 and port 132 to raise check valve 138 and the flow through main outlet 142 and tubing 92 to the mixing valve 90.
Similarly, concentrated cleaning fluid from container 64 flows via conduit 150 and fitting 146 to tubing 94 and mixer 90. In this state, very little water, if any, exits the restricted outlet 144 from the first fitting 140 into the second fitting 146. For spotting or any other condltion wherein the water inlet tubing 92 is restricted, the flow in main outlet 142 of fitting 140 is reduced and therefore the flow in restricted outlet 144 is increased. Although this flow introduces water ~;~99825 into the concentrated cleaning fluid, it does not dilute it compared to the unrestrict~d waterline flow mixture. It also increases the pressure $n tubing 94. This allows for greater flow rate of the concentrated clehning fluid into the mixer 90 and thus the resulting clean$ng fluid mixture ex~ting the m$xer 90 has a substantially $ncreased rat$o of cleaning flu$d to water.
As can be seen from the c$rcuit of Figure 11, the water and the cleaning fluid supp~y of the system are pressurized. This produces even control of the fluids such that their mixing ratio and flow rate can be assured. The system also takes advantage of the natural siphoning effect wh$ch results from the venturi spray nozzle 42.
Reali2ing this, the pressure provided by pump 62 v$a tubing lS 154 and 156 to the concentrated cleaning fluid supply and the water supply respectively is small compared to the overall air pressure provided via conduit 158 to the venturi spray nozzle 42. Although the pressure supply via tubing 154 and 156 $s small, it is very important that it be constant to maintain the desired mixing ratio and flow rates. It should also be noted that by providing the water outlet on the top of t~nk 48 and the secondary passage 144 of fittlng 140 be$ng vert$cal, the force of gravity helps to further reduce the amount of fluid ¦ flowing through restr$ctive passage 144 into the concentrated cleaning fluid fitting 146.
i~9~825 A pump capable of producing the high air flow rate for the venturi spray nozzle as we~l as a uniform small ~low rate ~or the pressurized water and cleaning fluid con~ainers $s illustrated specifically in Figures 3 and 12-14. The separator 5 58 includes a substantially cylindrical housing 160 with a top rim 162 which forms the housing for the fan or a~r pump. The pressurized air exiting the chamber formed by the wall of the rim 162 enters tangentially as illustrated in Figure 14 to a first portion 163 of primary outlet 164. The condult 158 connected to ehe venturi spray nozzle is connected to second portion 165 of primary outlet 164.
A pair of secondary smaller outlets 166 and 168 are provided in a wall 169 of the primary outlet 164 and aligned parallel to the flow axis of the second portion of the pr~mary outlet 164. ~he axis of the secondary outlets 166 and 168 are perpendicular to the flow axis of the second portlon oi the primary outlet. A ledge or wall 167 extends t~ansverse to the flow axis of the second portion 165 of the primary outlet 164 ~o create a zone of relatively constant pressure compared to the remainder of the primary out~et. The secondary outlets are adjacent the ledge 167 in this zone. Rs is evident from the drawings, the cross-sectional area of the primary outlet 164 is quite substantially larger than the cross-sectional area of the I secondary outlets 164 and 166. This particular structure ~ 25 provides a uniform pressure at second~ry outlets 166 and 168.
lZ9982S
An air inlet 170 to the separator housing 160 is illustrated in Figure 12 a~d provides a flow axis tangential to the cyl~ndrical separator housing 160. This causes a centrifugal flow within the interior. A conical shroud 172, illustrated in Figure 3 interior the cylindrical housing 160 has interior thereto an air outlet 174 covered by screen 176.
The shroud 172 and the outlet 174 are an integral part of plate 178 w~ich is mounted to the cylindrical separator housing 160.
Fluid outlet 180 at the bottom of the cylindrlcal housing is provided at the bottom of the cylindrical separator housing 160. The outlet 174 is displaced vertically and horizontally from the lower edge of the conical shroud 172. Dirty flu$d and air enter the separator housing 160 through opening 170 and begin a spiraling down and out motion. The shroud 172 forces the air fluid mixture to the outside of the cylindrical housing or that portion having a greater radius and velocity.
By using a conical shroud, the area at the entry port 170 is not diminished to retard flow of the mixture into the separator ch~mber while directing the downward moving mlxture to the highest velocity portion of the flow thereby maximizing separation of the air and the liquid. The heavier flu~d moves towards the cylindrical housing 160 and continues down through outlet 180. The lighter air turns a sharp angle and exits through screen 176 and outlet 1~4 into the fan or pump 62. The position of the outlet 174 should not be too close to the outer 1299aZ5 edge of the shroud, otherwise the exiting air will not be completely separated from the fluid. Similarly, if the outlet 174 is displaced too far from the edge of the shroud, the system will choke. The liquid outlet 180 of the separator 58 is connected to the waste fluid tank 50 by a condu$t 181.
The tank assembly including fresh water tank 48 and waste fluid tank 50 is illustrated in ~igures 3, 15 and 16. The clean water tank 48 includes a U-shaped keyway 184 extending along its length. In the top portion of the keyway as illustrated in Figure 15 11es the conduit 181 connectins the liquid outlet 180 of the separator 58 and the ~nlet to the return or dirty ~luid tank 50. In the bottom of the keyway mounted to the frame 30 are received air conduit 15B providing pressurized air to the spray nozzle and return conduit 173 bringing waste fluid back from the suction nozzle 46. Thus, the air ~nd fluid conduits 158 and 173 respectively form the key for the tank assembly or unit keyways. Similarly, as illustrated in Figure 16, the return tank 50 also has a longitudinal U-shaped keyway 185 receiving conduits 158 and 173.
The conduit lBl is flared at 182 at its upper end to provide a funnel and includes a flange 183 extendin~ therefrom to engage the eop of the fresh liquid water tank 48 and provide the handle 52 for carrying the tank units. The lower end of conduit 181 includes a rim 191 which is received in an indenture 188 in the neck 190 extending from the return tank 50 ~299825 into the keyway 184 of the fresh water tank 48. The base 193 of neck 190 is rectangular ~nd is received in rectangular shoulder 195 in the bottom of water tank 48. ~he fresh water tank 4e has an inlet 186 covered by cap 187 which is secured to the handle 52.
~ o assemble the tank unit, the waste fluid tank 50 is inserted onto the lower end of the clean water tank with the neck 190 extending into the keyway 184 and base 193 in shoulder l9S. The conduit 181 is then inserted from the other end snapping rid~e 191 into indenture 188 to mount the condult to the waste fluid tank and securely mount the clean water tank and the waste flu$d tank together. It is evident that the neck 190 and base 193 of the waste fluid tank extending into the keyway and shoulder of the clean water tank 48 stab~lizes the lS tank assembly.
A portion 192 of keyway 185 of the waste fluid tank 50 is inclined to receive a conduit 194 between the fluid return conduit 173 and tube 44 leading to the suction nozzle 46. The bottom of the tank 50 includes a recess 196 (Figure 1) having a camming surface 198 therein. As illustrated in Figure 3, the cam latch 54 lies in the recess 196 and rests ~gainst the camming surface 198 of the return tank 50. As will be explained more fully, the cam latch 54 will be rotated into I recess 196 to initially al~gn and ride on camming surface 198 i 25 to move the tank assembly along the keys formed by condu$ts 158 and 173 into alignment with the upper housing 56. This mates the flared portion 182 of conduit 181 with the outlet 180 of the separator 58 as well ~s nipples 132 and 134 into port 128 and 130 respectively of block 126.
S As illustrated in Pigures 3 and 1~, the cam latch 54 includes a substantially L-shaped handle 203 having a camming surface 201 and a lever portion 203. The camming surface 201 engages the camming surface 198 $n the bottom of the waste fluid tank 50. The handle 54 is pivotally mounted at its lower end at 205 to the block 20? of the frame 30. An L-shaped l~tch 209 is pivotally connected at 211 the jùncture of the legs to the L-shaped handle 203. A spring 213 engages the interior of handle 203 and one of the legs of latch 209 to bias the latch counter-clockwise relative to the handle as illustrated in lS Figures 3 and 17. A ridge or shoulder 215 in the block 207 forms a catch for a leg of latch 209 which acts as a detent to lock the cam latch in the positLon illustrat~ in Figure 3.
The unlatch position, allowing removal of the tank assembly from the cleaning device, is illustrated in Figure 1?.
In order to release the cam latch 54 from the position illustrated in ~igure 3, the latch 209 is rotated clockwise against the spring 213 with the handle 203 stationary allowing the detent and the latch 209 to ride out of the cam latch or , ridge 215 on block 207. ~he cam latch 54 may then be rotated ; 25 counter-clockwise. To mount the tank assembly to the clean~ng device, the tank assembly is mounted wlth the keyways 184 and lB5 on the keys formed by conduits 158 and 173 and 194. The cam latch 54 is rotated back into recess 196 in the bottom of return tank S0 ~nd engagqs camming surface 198. ~he detent portion 20 of latch 209 rides along the exterior edge 217 of block 207 until it exceeds the top thereof and falls into the catc~ 215.
~he unique cartridge 64 includlng collar 66 is illustrated in Figures 18-21. The cartridge 64 $ncludes a non-circular body 200 having a neck 202 extendlng therefrom. Threaded portions 204 oh neck 202 receives cap 206. A circumferential ridge 208 on neck 202 retains the collar 66 between the top of the cartridge and the r$dge 20B such that the collar may rotate relative to the cartridge 64 without any axial motion between lS the collar and cartridge. ~he sides of the cartridge ad~acent the top lncludes four indentures 210, 212, 214 and 216.
Indentures 210 and 212 receive a handle 218 extending from collar 66 to define two d$stinct positions of the collar relative to the body. As will be explained more fully below, when the handle 218 is in recess 210, the collar 66 is in its initial angular position capable of entering into the docking port 68 of the cleaning device. As the collar 66 is rotated counter-clockwise in Figure 19, the handle will be received in recess 212 which will define a final locked angular position of the collar in the docking port. It should also be noted that the recess 210 allows the handle to be received substantially within the body 200 and therefore allows for easy packaging.
~he collar 66 includes a pair of camming recesses 220 therein to receive a pair of tabs in the docking port of the cleaning device. Each recess 220 includes an entry slot 222 on the top of the collar connected respectlvely to a inclined port$on 224 followed by a horizontal lock portion 226. A pair of lugs 260 (Figure 22) on the docking port 68 are received in entry slots 222 and the collar is rotated relative to the body causing the total assembly to move axially without rotation of the cartridge 64. The lugs 260 ride down the inclined portion 224 along portion 226 to lock the collar and cartridge in place in the docking port. The locking portion 226 prevents reverse rotation by vibration or use of the cleaning device. Since the cartridge is part of a pressure fluid system, it is important that the docklng be firm and secure for proper operation of the clearling device. Thus, alignment and airtight connection is critical. As illustrated in Figure 21, the collar 66 is formed o~ two portions connected by an integral lying hinge 228. ~he collar i5 wrapped around the neck 202 below r~dge 208 with latch 232 locking on top of catch 230.
Indentures 214 and 216 receive shoulders or keys in the docking port to align and restrain the cartridge from rotating during axial insertion into the docking port by hand as well as by rotation of the collar 66.
~ece$ved in the top opening of the bottle neck 202 is an insert 234 having a pair of nozzles 236 and 238 thereon. As will be explained below, these nozzles are aligned with ports in the docking port with nozzle 236 being an air inlet and nozzle 238 being a fluid outlet. The insert 234 has a pair of circumferial ridges 240 wh~ch engage and seal the insert against the interior of the neck 202. As previously discussed, this is a positive pressure supply system and there~ore this seal must be maintained. An axlal keyway 242 is provided in the insert 234 and is received in key 244 running along the interior of the neck 202. This aligns the insert 234 and the nozzles 236 and 238 to the cartridge and consequently to the collar. ~his assures alignment of the nozzle and the appropriate inlet and outlet of the docking port. A tube 246 extends from the bottom of the body 200 to the fluid outlet nozzle 238.
The cartridge 64 in docking port 68 is illustrated in detail in Figure 22. The docking port is ~n assembly whlch includes a docking housing 250 mounted to the upper housing 56. A pa$r of opposed slots 252 are provided in the docking housing 250. A ~-shaped clip 254 is inserted in the docking housing having a pair of nipples 256 and 258 extending througX
the housing 250 to receive ~ir inlet conduit 154 from the outlet of the pump and cleaning fluid supply tubing 15~ leading to the second fitting 146 (see Pigure 11). The outer edges of lZ9982~;
the U-shaped clip 254 has tabs 260 which engage the bottom of the slots 252 in the docking hous~ng to maintain the clip therein. Extending to the interior of th~ docking housing are a pair of lugs 262. These lugs form the complementary camming s surfaces to be used with the camming recesses 220 ~n the collar 66. A molded rubber sealing disc 264 is received ln the U-shaped clip 254.
By using a clip 254 to be inserted through the docking housing, it can be made of hard material capable of many insertions on the camming surface. For example, ~t may be made of ~elrin plastic. This reduces the cost of the overall device by making the shaped clip of such expensive material instead of requiring the whole docking housing to be so made. The molded rubber seal 264 creates an airtight seal s~nce it receives noz21es 236 and 238 on the container and deforms as the container is moved axially within the docking housing. A pair of shoulders 266 and 268 extend from the housing wall 56 and provide guides or key for indentures 214 and 216 of the cartridge.
As can be seen from Figures 2 and 22, the cartridge 64 lies in a chamber in the upper housing 56 wi~h the neck portion 202 extending into a recess portion and the body 200 lying in a cavity portion of the chamber. The cavity encompasses at least ¦ three of the sides of the body.
A cartridge 64 of concentrated cleaning fluid may be mo~nted to the docking port 68 by aligning the indentures 214 and 216 of the cartridge with shoulders 266 and 268 of the housing, respectively. ~he collar 66 is placed in its ~nitial or insertion position as defined by the handle 218 lying in indenture 210 of the body. The body and collar are moved ax~ally until the lugs 262 of the dock$ng port are received $n entry slots 222 in the top of the collar. ~he collar 66 is then rotated by handle 218 accessible from the exter$or of the cavity causing the body and collar to move axl~lly during rotatlon of the collar. ~he indentures 214 and 216 engage the shoulders 266 and 268 to prevent the cartridge 64 from rotating. The collar is rotated to its final or lock posit~on def$ned by the handle 218 being rece$ved in indenture 212 on lS the body. In this position, or$fices in nozzles 236 and 238 are allgned and received w$th apertures in th!e bsse of nipples 256 and 258. The insert 234 having a keyway assures alignment of the nozzles with the body and the camming recess 220 of t~e collar with tabs 262 assure initial alignment as well as indentures 214 and 216 of the body and shoulders 266 and 268 of the housing assure $nitial al$gnment of the body and nozzles during the axial movement of the body produced by rotation of the collar 66.
The s~ctlon nozzle 46 of the present invention as illustrated in ~igures 23 and 24 $s composed of a front-top ~299825 piece 270 and a back-bottom piece 272 joined by appropriate fasteners. The nozzle includes a first or inlet passage 274 and a second or outlet passage 276. The inlet passage 274 is generally U-shaped along a cross-sect$on transverse to the flow axis having a flat bight portion 278 ~nd a pair of short leg portions 280. The front flat blght portlon 278 has a substantially triangular configuration d~minishing from the base or nozzle inlet 282 to its juncture 284 with the outlet passage 276. As can be seen from Figure 23, the distance of separation between the front and back portions of the walls of the front and bottom pieces 270 and 272, respect~vely increase from the base or inlet portion 282 to the juncture 284 between ~he inlet, first passage 274 and the outlet, ~econd passage 276. ~his change of distance of separation compensates for the diminishing triangular portion of the front and back faces such that the cross-sectional area of the inlet passage 274 is substantially equal along the flow axis. This allows a uniform draw or suction throughout the inlet passage 278 and prevents fluid from hanging up and flowing back out the lnlet 282.
The second passage or outlet passage 276 as illustrated in Pigure 23 has a generally triangular cross-section along the flow axis such that its cross-sectional area, transfers to the flow axis, increases along the flow axis. A cylindrical connector portion 285 receives pipe 44 of the housing. The bottom wall 286 of the outlet passage extends diagonally across 12g9825 the connector inlet 284 ~see Figure 3). Thus, the projected axis of the pipe 44 and outlet connector 285 intersects the first, inlet passage 278 below the juncture 284 of the inlet and outlet passages 274 and 276, respectively, and forms an 5 oblique angle therewith. Thus, the outlet passage 276 forms a horizontal trough to collect flu~d which will drip from the condu~ts between t~e nozzle 46 and the fluid separator 58 when the motor and suction system are deactivated. ~hus, no fluld will exit the outlet 282 when the device is turned off.
In order for the user to determine the condition of the extracted fluid being drawn through nozzle inlet 282, at least the top wall 288 of the outlet section 276 should be transparent. The front, top ~nd sides of the top piece of the nozzle 46 sre transparent. This allows viewing of the fluid by 15 the user during use. ~he operator cannot see the front wall of passage 274 since he generally stands behind the device during use. To further increase visibility of the fluid, the enlarged cross-sectional area of the trough 276 causes a pressure drop to slow down the fluid at the ~uncture or intersection 284.
20 The bottom wall 286 maintains the fluid ad~acent t~e top wall 288 for be~ter viewelng. When this fluid ~s slowed down, the exact content and color can be more readily ascertained. It should als~ be noted that by providing the front or inlet passage 274 as t~-shaped, the fluid from legs 280 on enterlng 2S the outlet passage 276 intersect the primary flow from the bight portion 280 ~nd create eddy currents at their junction.
~hese eddy currents further slow down the fluid ln the viewlng area.
To further increase visibility, the back And bottom walls of the bottom p$ece 272 should be made of non-transparent material. Preferably, they should be white such that additional light may be provided from the back to illuminate the extracted fluids. It should be noted that the outside side walls are extended at 290 to provide a shield for the spray nozzle 42 to prevent water from being sprayed outside the suction nozzle 46.
From the preceding description of the preferred embodiments, it is evident that the objects of the invention are attained, and although the invention has been described and lS illustrated in detail, it is to be clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation. The ~pirit and scope of the ; invention are to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims.
AND LIQUID AND GAS SEPARATOR
DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENT~ON
s The present inventlon relates to clean$ng devices and more particularly to an improved machine for the cleaning of surfaces such as carpet~, floors and the like.
In carpet cleaning mach~nes, a liquid i8 pro~ected onto the carpet and the dirty liquid i8 removed by a suction nozzle. An alr-llquid separator is generally provided to remove air from the dlrty, waste liquid and disperse the air into the atmosphere. Cleaning fluid may be added to the liquid. Usually the liquids trickle into a spray nozzle since they are above the spray nozzle. The liquids may be mixed in a mixing manifold. A ty~p~cal example of such carpet cleaners is illustrated ln U.S.
Patent 2,986,764 ~ssued June 6, 1961 to D. C. X~ammes.
Other systems use various arrangements of tanks, valves and controls to carry out carpet cleaning operations. In spite of all of these efforts directed to the cleaning of floors and carpets, there has not, heretofore, been provided a machine adapted for domestic use which provides effective cleaning of surfaces such as carpets, floors and the like, which is simple to use and sufficiently low in cost to be attractive to domestic users.
Accordingly, it is the object of the present invention to provide an improved machine for cleaning surfaces such as carpets, floors and the like which can be manufactured and sold at low cost and which, nevertheless, is both simple to use and effective in operation.
Here described is a machine having improved arrangements of containers for cleaning fluids, such as shampoos and concentrated cleaning solutions, fresh liquids, such as clean water and for the reception of waste liquids. The machine has a nozzle for projecting the liquids onto the surface to be cleaned and for picking up the waste liquid from the surface. Both the separation of waste liquid and air and the delivery of the liquids is conjointly carried out with suction and air pressure generated in a housing to which a common air pump is connected. The machine is further improved by facilities for removably attaching the containers to the frame of the machine and for the eontrolled and selective application of the liquids with different concentrations of cleaning liquid and fresh liquid.
Briefly, a machine is here described for cleaning surfaces sueh as earpets, floors and the like has a frame.
An air pump is mounted on the frame. A housing eommunicating with the pump has a suetion inlet and pressurized air outlets. A suction nozzle is mounted on the frame at the end of the frame which is disposed adjaeent to the surface to be eleaned. A liquid projecting nozzle is also mounted on the frame at the end adjacent to the surfaee to be eleaned. A plurality of containers for concentrated cleaning liquid, fresh and waste liquid 1~ are utilized. The containers are removably mounted to the frame and the housing with a conduit connecting the housing and the waste liquid container to communicate waste liquid separated from air and liquid transported into the housing to the waste liquid container. A conduit for air and waste liquid from the suction nozzle is eonneeted to the suetion inlet of the housing. A
eoupling between the pressurized air outlets, the eleaning fluid container and the fresh liquid lX99825 container provide for the pressurization thereof. A further coupling is connected to the outlets from the fresh liquid and cleaning liquid containers, in which coupling the fresh and cleaning liquids flow together to an outlet to the liquid projection nozzle so as to apply the fresh and cleaning liquids to the surface. This coupling utilizes simplified mixing and valving to control the flow of the liquid to the liquid projecting nozzle and to provide selected concentrations of the cleaning liquid and the fresh liquid.
Other features and advantages are provided by the arrangements used for assembling the containers, for providing the pressurized air and suction, and for separating waste liquid picked up from the surface to be cleaned from the air, the container for the cleaning liquid which is adapted to be readily attached and removed from the housing of the machine and the liquid projection and spray nozzles themselves.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention there is provided, a cleaning device comprising a spray nozzle for spraying cleaning fluid onto a surface;
a cleaning fluid tank having an outlet connected to said spray nozzle;
a suction nozzle for removing fluid from said surface;
separator means having an inlet connected to said suction nozzle, an air outlet and a fluid outlet for separating air from said removed fluid;
waste fluid tank having an inlet;
a connector means mechanically connecting said cleaning fluid and waste fluid tanks displaced along a common axis together as a unit and fluidically connecting said separator mean's fluid outlet to said waste fluid tank's inlet.
In accordance with a second aspect of the invention there is provided a tank unit comprising a first fluid tank having an outlet;
a second fluid tank having an inlet; and I29982~
a connector means engaging the top of said first fluid tank at one end and connected to said second fluid tank's inlet at its other end fcr attaching said tanks to each other together as a unit and providing an inlet to said second fluid tank adjacent the top of said first fluid tank.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein;
n BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective of a new cleaning device.
Figure 2 is a side view of the cleaning device of Figure 1.
5Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the cleaning device.
Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a spray nozzle.
Figure 5 is a plan view of a control switch and mixer in its initial closed position.
Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 6-6 of Figure 5.
Figure 7 is a plan view of the control switch and mixer in its spotting position.
15Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 8-8 of Figure 7.
Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the trigger and spotting actuator.
Figure 10 is a top view of a portion of the water tank and separator assembly.
Figure 11 is a combined cross-sectional view taken along lines 11-11 of Figure 10 and a fluid schematic of the fluid system.
Figure 12 is a back view of the separator housing.
Figure 13 is a partial cross-section taken along lines 13-13 of Figure 12.
Figure 14 is a top view of the separator taken along lines 14-14 of Figure 3.
Figure 15 is a top view of the water tank taken along lines 15-15 of Figure 3.
Figure 16 is a top view of the waste fluid tank taken along lines 16-16 of Figure 3.
Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view of the cam latch device in its unlatched position.
Figure 18 is a side view of a cleaning fluid cartridge.
Figure 19 is a top view taken along lines 19-19 of Figure 18.
Figure 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 20-20 of Figure 18.
Figure 21 is a perspective of a collar.
Figure 22 is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge and docking port.
Figure 23 is a cross-sectional view of the suction nozzle taken along lines 23-23 of Figure 24.
Figure 24 is a perspective view of the suction nozzle.
1;299825 DETAILED DESCRIPTION
A new cleaning device is illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3 as including a frame 30 to which are mounted a pair of wheels 32 by strut 34. As illustrated in Figure 2, the wheels are in their operable position allowlng the cleaning device to move across the surface to be cleaned.
For the stored position, the wheels are rotated forward or counter-clockwise in Figure 2 and comes to rest below the front end of the frame 30. Extending from the top end of the frame 30 is a handle 36 having fluid activation trigger 38 and a spotter actuator 40. ~ounted to the front end of the frame is a spray nozzle 42 for projecting cleaning fluid mixtures onto the surface to be cleaned and a suction nozzle 46 mounted to pipe 44 for removing fluids from the surface to be cleaned.
A water tank 48 and waste fluid or return tank 50 are connected as a single unit including a handle 52. The tanks are removably mounted to the frame 30 and are secured thereto ~y a cam latch 54 engaging the bottom of the waste fluid tank 50. An upper housing 56 mounted to frame 30 above the tank unit includes an air fluid separator 58, a motor 60 and a pump or fan 62 as illustrated in Figure 3.
An opening 57 is provided in the upper housing 56 to view the fluid in the separator 58 which has a transparent body. An electrical switch 63 activates the motor 60 and an electric cord 65 provides power.
A container or cartridge of detergent, shampoo or other concentrated clean$ng flu1~ 64 including a collar 66 is mounted to docking port 68 in the upper housing 56 as illustrated in Figure 2. The cleanlng fluld is mixed with water from the water tank and projected through spray nozzle 42.
Initially, the water tank 48 is filled with fluid and mounted to the frame 30 and securely held there~o by cam latch 54. A concentrated cleaning fluid cartridge 64 ls mounted lnto dock~ng port 6B. Now the system i8 ready for operation. As w~ll be explained more fully below, the clean~ng devlce operates by activating the motor 63 to turn on the motor to operate the fan and pump 62 to create a force to project a mixture of cleaning fluid and water out of spray nozzle 42 on the surface as wèll as to create a suction to draw fluid through suction noizle 46. With the trigger 3B ln lts normal position, no fluld ls dispensed. ~pon depressing trlgger 38, the amount of fluid pro~ected from spray noz21e 42 can be controlled. If a stubborn stain or especially dlrty surface is to be cleaned, the spotting actùator 40 is operatea to lncre~se the mixing rat~o of detergent to water. The dirty or waste fluid from suction nozzle 46 is provided to separator 58 wherein the air ~s separated from the dirty flu~d which is provided to waste fluid tank 50. The a~r ls prov~ded back through the fan/pump 62 to be re-introduced to the spray nozzle 42. Once the cleaning is done, the tank assembly is removed by g releasing cam latch 54 and the contents of the waste fluid tank 50 are emptied. This cycle.,of operation may be repeated.
The spray nozzle 42, which is illustrated in detail in Figure 4, is an air venturi system which draws a Gleaning fluid mixture and projects it onto the clean$ng surface. Spray nozzle 42 includes an air manifold having two complementary pieces 70 and 72 joined along a line or plane 74 ~see Figure 2). As illustrated in detail in Figure 4 with the top air manifold 72 removed, the nozzle of the air manifold is generally fan-shaped having a plurality of nozzle channels 76 extending therçthrough. Unitary to the air manifold is an inlet tube or conduit 78 connected to a source of pressurized air or the output of the fan 62. Mounted interior the air manifold is a fluid mAn$fold 80 having a plurallty o fingers 82 extending therefrom and lying ln the nozzle channels 76.
Supports 84 and 85, which are integral with the air manifold elements 70 and 72, posit~on the fluid mani~old 80 and its fingers 82 central within the air manifold and supports B4 and the nozzle channels 76. The fluid manifold 80 includes an inlet,86 extending through the back wall of the air,manifold and is connected by tubing 8B to the source of a cleaning fluid mixture.
Air introduced into conduit 78 moves through the air j manifold around the liquid manifold 80 and fingers 82 and exit, ! 25 nozzle channels 76. The restrictlon of the a~r through the :~9~325 nozzle channels creates a venturi effect so as to draw or educe cleaning fluid mixture from.the fingers 82 to be forceably ejected onto a surface to be cleaned. Although the system has been designed to operate on a pure eduction principle, it is preferred that the source of cleaning fluid mixture be pressurized so as to maintain an even flow of clean$ng mixture 1uid to the spray nozzle 42. S~nce the principle force to draw the cleaning fluid mixture is the venturi effect produced by the air manifold, the pressure provided to the cleaning fluid source is substantially smaller than that provided to the air manifold.
The cleaning fluid mixture provided to the spray noz21e 42 by tubing 68 is from a control switch and mixer illustrated specifically in Figures S-8 and operated by the trigger aetuator 40 and the spotting actuator 38 illustrated in detail in Figure 9. A mixing V or connector 90 which is mounted to the frame 30 has a mixing outlet connected to tube 88, a water inlet connected to tube 92 and a cleaning fluid inlet connected to tubing 94. The water from tube 92 ahd the cleaning fl~id from tube 94 are mixed in the V 90 and provided to outlet tube 88. Engaging one side of the outlet tube 88 is an anvil 96 and adjacent one side of the water inlet tube 92 is an anvil 98.
Pivotally connected to the frame 30 at 100 is a rocker arm 102 having hammers 104 and 106 respectively on opposite sides of the plvot 100. A biasing means or sprin~ 108 is received in a ~99825 spring housing 110 on the frame 30 and engages the rocker arm 102 around post 112. ~he biasing means or spring 108 biases the rocker arm 102 counter-clockwise in Figure 5. A slot 114 in the rocker arm 102 receives a control link or wire 116 connected to the spotter actuator 40 and the trigger 38.
Without operation of the trigger 38 or spotting actuator 40, spring 108 rotates the rocker arm 102 to its ~nit~al position illustrated in Figure 5 such that h~mmer 104 is pressed against anvil 96 completely restricting the tubing 88 at the outlet of the mixer 90. ~his is $11ustra~ed specifically in the cross-secton of Figure 6. In thls position, no clean$ng fluid m~xture is provided to the spray nozzle 42. Thus, if the electric motor is actuated, only air is blown onto the surface to be cleaned. This could produce an air drying if desired.
With movement of the control wire 116 to the right, the rocker arm 102 rotates counter-clockwise moving the hammer 104 away from the anvil 96 so as to begin to open the closed outlet tube 88. Dependent upon the amount of motion of wire 116 and pivotal rotation of rocker arm 102, the flow r~te of clesning fluid mixture can be controlled. The rocker arm 102 can be rotated to a position allowing unrestricted flow o the outlet tube 88 as well as unrestricted flow from water inlet tubing 92.
j Further ri~htward motion of wire 116 and counter-clockwise ~ 25 rotat~on of rocker arm 102 causes hammer 106 to engage the water inlet tube 92 and being restricting its flow into the mixing V 90. ~he degree o.restrlction of water inlet 92 permitted is defined by a stop 118 and is illustrated ~n Figures ~ and 8. ~his restricted position of water inlet tube 92 defines a specific ratio of concentra~ed cleaning fluid from tube 94 and water from tube 92 to remove stubborn stains or spots and is known as the spotting posit$on.
Thus, it can be seen that the rocker arm 102 sequentially operates from a flrst position illu6trated in Flgure 5 wherein the outlet is restricted by anvil 96 and hammer 104 for zero flow rate through 2 first plurality of $ntermediate angular positions having intermediate restrictlon~ of the outlet to define various flow rates and a second plurality of in~ermediate angular posltions havlng lntermediate restrictions of the water inlet 92 provided ~y anvil 98 and hammer 106 to define the m$xing ratio. Thus, a single assembly is provlded which controls both the flow rate of dispensing cleaning fluid mixture as well as the mlxing ratio of cleaning fluid to water. If required, the rocker arm can be reshaped such that hammer 106 will begin to restrict water inlet tube 92 while hammer 104 also restricts outlet tube 88.
The operation of the rocker arm 102 is controlled v$a wire 116 by the spotting actuator 40 and trigger 38 illustrated in detail in Figure 9. The spotting actuator 40 is pivotally mounted to the handle 36 at 120 as is trigger 38. ~he control ~99825 wire 116 is connected to post 122 on spotting actuator 40.
Post 122 lies in a elongat~d slot 124 in the trigger 38. The spotting actuator 40 extends from the top of the handle while the trigger 38 extends from the bottom of the handle. This S allows activation of either control with the same han~ that holds and directs the cleaning device. The spotting 2ctuator 40 may be controlled by the thumb and the trigger 38 by the other fingers wh1ch wrap about the handle 36.
Counter-clockwise rotation of trigger 38 as illustrated in Figure 9 from its init~al position causes counter-clockwise rotation of the spotting actuator 40 and moves the control wire 116 to the right. The trigger 38 is designed such that the total amount of angular motion which it is capable of travelling is limited to produce via control wire 116 rotation of the rocker arm 102 from the fully restricted condition of outlet tube 88 of mixer 90 to the completely unrestricted condition of outlet tube 88 and no restriction of the water inlet tube 92. The restriction of water inlet tube 92 by hammer 106 is produced by the further motion by travel produced by spotting actuator 40. ~he counter-clockwise rotation of spotter actuator 40 moves the wire 116 further to the right without further motion of trigger 38 since post 122 moves in slot 124. It should also be noted that spotter actuator 40 may be operated independent of trigger 3~ because of the 810t 124.
T~e biasing means 108 of rocker arm 102 is sufficiently strong to clamp the outlet tu~ing 88 and reta$ns the spotting actuator 38 and trigger 40 in their-position illustrated in F~gure 9 via wire 116.
The water line 92 and the cleaning fluid line 94 of the S mixina V 90 are connected to the fluid circuit ~llustrated in Figure 11. A block 126 includes an air port 128 and a water port 130. An air inlet nipple 132 and a water outlet nipple 134 are provided in the top of water tank 48. A tube 136 extends down from the water outlet nipple 134 to the bottom of the water tank 48. The nipples 132 and 134 are ~eceived in ports 128 and 130 respectively of the block 126. As will be explained more fully below, the block 126 ~s mounted to the separator 58 to receive the nipples 132 and 134 during mounting of the tank assembly onSo the frame as illustrated in Figure lS 10. A ball 138 in water port 130 acts as a check valve to prevent back flow into the water tank 48.
~ onnected to the other end of water port 130 is a first fitting 140 having a main outlet 142 connected to the m~xing water inlet tube 92 and a restricted outlet 144. The axis of the inlet of fitting 140 is coincident with the axis of the restricted outlet 144 and ~s orthogonal to the main outlet 142 axis. The cross-sectional area of main outlet 142 is su~stantially larger than the cross-sectional ~rea of restricted outlet 144. By way of example, the ma~n outlet may have a cross-sectional area four times that of the restricted outlet.
Connected to the first fitting 140 about restricted outlet 144 is a second fitting 146. A primary cleaning fluid inlet 148 of fitting 146 is connected to the concentrated clean~ng fluid container 64 by tube 150. The restricted outlet 144 provides a secondary inlet to the second fitting 146. The outlet 152 of the second fitting 146 is connected to cleaning fluid lnlet p~pe 94 of the mixer 90. The fan or pump 62 provides pressurized alr v$a tublng 154 to an input of the concentrated cleaning fluid container 64 and by tubing 156 to water tank 4B via air port 128. The primary outlet of pump 62 is through conduit 158 to the alr manifold of spray nozzle 142.
When the outlet tubing 88 of mixer 90 is totally restricted, no fluid is flowing in the ~ircultry of Figure 11.
Once the restriction of outlet tubing 88 is removed, water under pressure leaves the tank 48 through tubing 136, nipple 134 and port 132 to raise check valve 138 and the flow through main outlet 142 and tubing 92 to the mixing valve 90.
Similarly, concentrated cleaning fluid from container 64 flows via conduit 150 and fitting 146 to tubing 94 and mixer 90. In this state, very little water, if any, exits the restricted outlet 144 from the first fitting 140 into the second fitting 146. For spotting or any other condltion wherein the water inlet tubing 92 is restricted, the flow in main outlet 142 of fitting 140 is reduced and therefore the flow in restricted outlet 144 is increased. Although this flow introduces water ~;~99825 into the concentrated cleaning fluid, it does not dilute it compared to the unrestrict~d waterline flow mixture. It also increases the pressure $n tubing 94. This allows for greater flow rate of the concentrated clehning fluid into the mixer 90 and thus the resulting clean$ng fluid mixture ex~ting the m$xer 90 has a substantially $ncreased rat$o of cleaning flu$d to water.
As can be seen from the c$rcuit of Figure 11, the water and the cleaning fluid supp~y of the system are pressurized. This produces even control of the fluids such that their mixing ratio and flow rate can be assured. The system also takes advantage of the natural siphoning effect wh$ch results from the venturi spray nozzle 42.
Reali2ing this, the pressure provided by pump 62 v$a tubing lS 154 and 156 to the concentrated cleaning fluid supply and the water supply respectively is small compared to the overall air pressure provided via conduit 158 to the venturi spray nozzle 42. Although the pressure supply via tubing 154 and 156 $s small, it is very important that it be constant to maintain the desired mixing ratio and flow rates. It should also be noted that by providing the water outlet on the top of t~nk 48 and the secondary passage 144 of fittlng 140 be$ng vert$cal, the force of gravity helps to further reduce the amount of fluid ¦ flowing through restr$ctive passage 144 into the concentrated cleaning fluid fitting 146.
i~9~825 A pump capable of producing the high air flow rate for the venturi spray nozzle as we~l as a uniform small ~low rate ~or the pressurized water and cleaning fluid con~ainers $s illustrated specifically in Figures 3 and 12-14. The separator 5 58 includes a substantially cylindrical housing 160 with a top rim 162 which forms the housing for the fan or a~r pump. The pressurized air exiting the chamber formed by the wall of the rim 162 enters tangentially as illustrated in Figure 14 to a first portion 163 of primary outlet 164. The condult 158 connected to ehe venturi spray nozzle is connected to second portion 165 of primary outlet 164.
A pair of secondary smaller outlets 166 and 168 are provided in a wall 169 of the primary outlet 164 and aligned parallel to the flow axis of the second portion of the pr~mary outlet 164. ~he axis of the secondary outlets 166 and 168 are perpendicular to the flow axis of the second portlon oi the primary outlet. A ledge or wall 167 extends t~ansverse to the flow axis of the second portion 165 of the primary outlet 164 ~o create a zone of relatively constant pressure compared to the remainder of the primary out~et. The secondary outlets are adjacent the ledge 167 in this zone. Rs is evident from the drawings, the cross-sectional area of the primary outlet 164 is quite substantially larger than the cross-sectional area of the I secondary outlets 164 and 166. This particular structure ~ 25 provides a uniform pressure at second~ry outlets 166 and 168.
lZ9982S
An air inlet 170 to the separator housing 160 is illustrated in Figure 12 a~d provides a flow axis tangential to the cyl~ndrical separator housing 160. This causes a centrifugal flow within the interior. A conical shroud 172, illustrated in Figure 3 interior the cylindrical housing 160 has interior thereto an air outlet 174 covered by screen 176.
The shroud 172 and the outlet 174 are an integral part of plate 178 w~ich is mounted to the cylindrical separator housing 160.
Fluid outlet 180 at the bottom of the cylindrlcal housing is provided at the bottom of the cylindrical separator housing 160. The outlet 174 is displaced vertically and horizontally from the lower edge of the conical shroud 172. Dirty flu$d and air enter the separator housing 160 through opening 170 and begin a spiraling down and out motion. The shroud 172 forces the air fluid mixture to the outside of the cylindrical housing or that portion having a greater radius and velocity.
By using a conical shroud, the area at the entry port 170 is not diminished to retard flow of the mixture into the separator ch~mber while directing the downward moving mlxture to the highest velocity portion of the flow thereby maximizing separation of the air and the liquid. The heavier flu~d moves towards the cylindrical housing 160 and continues down through outlet 180. The lighter air turns a sharp angle and exits through screen 176 and outlet 1~4 into the fan or pump 62. The position of the outlet 174 should not be too close to the outer 1299aZ5 edge of the shroud, otherwise the exiting air will not be completely separated from the fluid. Similarly, if the outlet 174 is displaced too far from the edge of the shroud, the system will choke. The liquid outlet 180 of the separator 58 is connected to the waste fluid tank 50 by a condu$t 181.
The tank assembly including fresh water tank 48 and waste fluid tank 50 is illustrated in ~igures 3, 15 and 16. The clean water tank 48 includes a U-shaped keyway 184 extending along its length. In the top portion of the keyway as illustrated in Figure 15 11es the conduit 181 connectins the liquid outlet 180 of the separator 58 and the ~nlet to the return or dirty ~luid tank 50. In the bottom of the keyway mounted to the frame 30 are received air conduit 15B providing pressurized air to the spray nozzle and return conduit 173 bringing waste fluid back from the suction nozzle 46. Thus, the air ~nd fluid conduits 158 and 173 respectively form the key for the tank assembly or unit keyways. Similarly, as illustrated in Figure 16, the return tank 50 also has a longitudinal U-shaped keyway 185 receiving conduits 158 and 173.
The conduit lBl is flared at 182 at its upper end to provide a funnel and includes a flange 183 extendin~ therefrom to engage the eop of the fresh liquid water tank 48 and provide the handle 52 for carrying the tank units. The lower end of conduit 181 includes a rim 191 which is received in an indenture 188 in the neck 190 extending from the return tank 50 ~299825 into the keyway 184 of the fresh water tank 48. The base 193 of neck 190 is rectangular ~nd is received in rectangular shoulder 195 in the bottom of water tank 48. ~he fresh water tank 4e has an inlet 186 covered by cap 187 which is secured to the handle 52.
~ o assemble the tank unit, the waste fluid tank 50 is inserted onto the lower end of the clean water tank with the neck 190 extending into the keyway 184 and base 193 in shoulder l9S. The conduit 181 is then inserted from the other end snapping rid~e 191 into indenture 188 to mount the condult to the waste fluid tank and securely mount the clean water tank and the waste flu$d tank together. It is evident that the neck 190 and base 193 of the waste fluid tank extending into the keyway and shoulder of the clean water tank 48 stab~lizes the lS tank assembly.
A portion 192 of keyway 185 of the waste fluid tank 50 is inclined to receive a conduit 194 between the fluid return conduit 173 and tube 44 leading to the suction nozzle 46. The bottom of the tank 50 includes a recess 196 (Figure 1) having a camming surface 198 therein. As illustrated in Figure 3, the cam latch 54 lies in the recess 196 and rests ~gainst the camming surface 198 of the return tank 50. As will be explained more fully, the cam latch 54 will be rotated into I recess 196 to initially al~gn and ride on camming surface 198 i 25 to move the tank assembly along the keys formed by condu$ts 158 and 173 into alignment with the upper housing 56. This mates the flared portion 182 of conduit 181 with the outlet 180 of the separator 58 as well ~s nipples 132 and 134 into port 128 and 130 respectively of block 126.
S As illustrated in Pigures 3 and 1~, the cam latch 54 includes a substantially L-shaped handle 203 having a camming surface 201 and a lever portion 203. The camming surface 201 engages the camming surface 198 $n the bottom of the waste fluid tank 50. The handle 54 is pivotally mounted at its lower end at 205 to the block 20? of the frame 30. An L-shaped l~tch 209 is pivotally connected at 211 the jùncture of the legs to the L-shaped handle 203. A spring 213 engages the interior of handle 203 and one of the legs of latch 209 to bias the latch counter-clockwise relative to the handle as illustrated in lS Figures 3 and 17. A ridge or shoulder 215 in the block 207 forms a catch for a leg of latch 209 which acts as a detent to lock the cam latch in the positLon illustrat~ in Figure 3.
The unlatch position, allowing removal of the tank assembly from the cleaning device, is illustrated in Figure 1?.
In order to release the cam latch 54 from the position illustrated in ~igure 3, the latch 209 is rotated clockwise against the spring 213 with the handle 203 stationary allowing the detent and the latch 209 to ride out of the cam latch or , ridge 215 on block 207. ~he cam latch 54 may then be rotated ; 25 counter-clockwise. To mount the tank assembly to the clean~ng device, the tank assembly is mounted wlth the keyways 184 and lB5 on the keys formed by conduits 158 and 173 and 194. The cam latch 54 is rotated back into recess 196 in the bottom of return tank S0 ~nd engagqs camming surface 198. ~he detent portion 20 of latch 209 rides along the exterior edge 217 of block 207 until it exceeds the top thereof and falls into the catc~ 215.
~he unique cartridge 64 includlng collar 66 is illustrated in Figures 18-21. The cartridge 64 $ncludes a non-circular body 200 having a neck 202 extendlng therefrom. Threaded portions 204 oh neck 202 receives cap 206. A circumferential ridge 208 on neck 202 retains the collar 66 between the top of the cartridge and the r$dge 20B such that the collar may rotate relative to the cartridge 64 without any axial motion between lS the collar and cartridge. ~he sides of the cartridge ad~acent the top lncludes four indentures 210, 212, 214 and 216.
Indentures 210 and 212 receive a handle 218 extending from collar 66 to define two d$stinct positions of the collar relative to the body. As will be explained more fully below, when the handle 218 is in recess 210, the collar 66 is in its initial angular position capable of entering into the docking port 68 of the cleaning device. As the collar 66 is rotated counter-clockwise in Figure 19, the handle will be received in recess 212 which will define a final locked angular position of the collar in the docking port. It should also be noted that the recess 210 allows the handle to be received substantially within the body 200 and therefore allows for easy packaging.
~he collar 66 includes a pair of camming recesses 220 therein to receive a pair of tabs in the docking port of the cleaning device. Each recess 220 includes an entry slot 222 on the top of the collar connected respectlvely to a inclined port$on 224 followed by a horizontal lock portion 226. A pair of lugs 260 (Figure 22) on the docking port 68 are received in entry slots 222 and the collar is rotated relative to the body causing the total assembly to move axially without rotation of the cartridge 64. The lugs 260 ride down the inclined portion 224 along portion 226 to lock the collar and cartridge in place in the docking port. The locking portion 226 prevents reverse rotation by vibration or use of the cleaning device. Since the cartridge is part of a pressure fluid system, it is important that the docklng be firm and secure for proper operation of the clearling device. Thus, alignment and airtight connection is critical. As illustrated in Figure 21, the collar 66 is formed o~ two portions connected by an integral lying hinge 228. ~he collar i5 wrapped around the neck 202 below r~dge 208 with latch 232 locking on top of catch 230.
Indentures 214 and 216 receive shoulders or keys in the docking port to align and restrain the cartridge from rotating during axial insertion into the docking port by hand as well as by rotation of the collar 66.
~ece$ved in the top opening of the bottle neck 202 is an insert 234 having a pair of nozzles 236 and 238 thereon. As will be explained below, these nozzles are aligned with ports in the docking port with nozzle 236 being an air inlet and nozzle 238 being a fluid outlet. The insert 234 has a pair of circumferial ridges 240 wh~ch engage and seal the insert against the interior of the neck 202. As previously discussed, this is a positive pressure supply system and there~ore this seal must be maintained. An axlal keyway 242 is provided in the insert 234 and is received in key 244 running along the interior of the neck 202. This aligns the insert 234 and the nozzles 236 and 238 to the cartridge and consequently to the collar. ~his assures alignment of the nozzle and the appropriate inlet and outlet of the docking port. A tube 246 extends from the bottom of the body 200 to the fluid outlet nozzle 238.
The cartridge 64 in docking port 68 is illustrated in detail in Figure 22. The docking port is ~n assembly whlch includes a docking housing 250 mounted to the upper housing 56. A pa$r of opposed slots 252 are provided in the docking housing 250. A ~-shaped clip 254 is inserted in the docking housing having a pair of nipples 256 and 258 extending througX
the housing 250 to receive ~ir inlet conduit 154 from the outlet of the pump and cleaning fluid supply tubing 15~ leading to the second fitting 146 (see Pigure 11). The outer edges of lZ9982~;
the U-shaped clip 254 has tabs 260 which engage the bottom of the slots 252 in the docking hous~ng to maintain the clip therein. Extending to the interior of th~ docking housing are a pair of lugs 262. These lugs form the complementary camming s surfaces to be used with the camming recesses 220 ~n the collar 66. A molded rubber sealing disc 264 is received ln the U-shaped clip 254.
By using a clip 254 to be inserted through the docking housing, it can be made of hard material capable of many insertions on the camming surface. For example, ~t may be made of ~elrin plastic. This reduces the cost of the overall device by making the shaped clip of such expensive material instead of requiring the whole docking housing to be so made. The molded rubber seal 264 creates an airtight seal s~nce it receives noz21es 236 and 238 on the container and deforms as the container is moved axially within the docking housing. A pair of shoulders 266 and 268 extend from the housing wall 56 and provide guides or key for indentures 214 and 216 of the cartridge.
As can be seen from Figures 2 and 22, the cartridge 64 lies in a chamber in the upper housing 56 wi~h the neck portion 202 extending into a recess portion and the body 200 lying in a cavity portion of the chamber. The cavity encompasses at least ¦ three of the sides of the body.
A cartridge 64 of concentrated cleaning fluid may be mo~nted to the docking port 68 by aligning the indentures 214 and 216 of the cartridge with shoulders 266 and 268 of the housing, respectively. ~he collar 66 is placed in its ~nitial or insertion position as defined by the handle 218 lying in indenture 210 of the body. The body and collar are moved ax~ally until the lugs 262 of the dock$ng port are received $n entry slots 222 in the top of the collar. ~he collar 66 is then rotated by handle 218 accessible from the exter$or of the cavity causing the body and collar to move axl~lly during rotatlon of the collar. ~he indentures 214 and 216 engage the shoulders 266 and 268 to prevent the cartridge 64 from rotating. The collar is rotated to its final or lock posit~on def$ned by the handle 218 being rece$ved in indenture 212 on lS the body. In this position, or$fices in nozzles 236 and 238 are allgned and received w$th apertures in th!e bsse of nipples 256 and 258. The insert 234 having a keyway assures alignment of the nozzles with the body and the camming recess 220 of t~e collar with tabs 262 assure initial alignment as well as indentures 214 and 216 of the body and shoulders 266 and 268 of the housing assure $nitial al$gnment of the body and nozzles during the axial movement of the body produced by rotation of the collar 66.
The s~ctlon nozzle 46 of the present invention as illustrated in ~igures 23 and 24 $s composed of a front-top ~299825 piece 270 and a back-bottom piece 272 joined by appropriate fasteners. The nozzle includes a first or inlet passage 274 and a second or outlet passage 276. The inlet passage 274 is generally U-shaped along a cross-sect$on transverse to the flow axis having a flat bight portion 278 ~nd a pair of short leg portions 280. The front flat blght portlon 278 has a substantially triangular configuration d~minishing from the base or nozzle inlet 282 to its juncture 284 with the outlet passage 276. As can be seen from Figure 23, the distance of separation between the front and back portions of the walls of the front and bottom pieces 270 and 272, respect~vely increase from the base or inlet portion 282 to the juncture 284 between ~he inlet, first passage 274 and the outlet, ~econd passage 276. ~his change of distance of separation compensates for the diminishing triangular portion of the front and back faces such that the cross-sectional area of the inlet passage 274 is substantially equal along the flow axis. This allows a uniform draw or suction throughout the inlet passage 278 and prevents fluid from hanging up and flowing back out the lnlet 282.
The second passage or outlet passage 276 as illustrated in Pigure 23 has a generally triangular cross-section along the flow axis such that its cross-sectional area, transfers to the flow axis, increases along the flow axis. A cylindrical connector portion 285 receives pipe 44 of the housing. The bottom wall 286 of the outlet passage extends diagonally across 12g9825 the connector inlet 284 ~see Figure 3). Thus, the projected axis of the pipe 44 and outlet connector 285 intersects the first, inlet passage 278 below the juncture 284 of the inlet and outlet passages 274 and 276, respectively, and forms an 5 oblique angle therewith. Thus, the outlet passage 276 forms a horizontal trough to collect flu~d which will drip from the condu~ts between t~e nozzle 46 and the fluid separator 58 when the motor and suction system are deactivated. ~hus, no fluld will exit the outlet 282 when the device is turned off.
In order for the user to determine the condition of the extracted fluid being drawn through nozzle inlet 282, at least the top wall 288 of the outlet section 276 should be transparent. The front, top ~nd sides of the top piece of the nozzle 46 sre transparent. This allows viewing of the fluid by 15 the user during use. ~he operator cannot see the front wall of passage 274 since he generally stands behind the device during use. To further increase visibility of the fluid, the enlarged cross-sectional area of the trough 276 causes a pressure drop to slow down the fluid at the ~uncture or intersection 284.
20 The bottom wall 286 maintains the fluid ad~acent t~e top wall 288 for be~ter viewelng. When this fluid ~s slowed down, the exact content and color can be more readily ascertained. It should als~ be noted that by providing the front or inlet passage 274 as t~-shaped, the fluid from legs 280 on enterlng 2S the outlet passage 276 intersect the primary flow from the bight portion 280 ~nd create eddy currents at their junction.
~hese eddy currents further slow down the fluid ln the viewlng area.
To further increase visibility, the back And bottom walls of the bottom p$ece 272 should be made of non-transparent material. Preferably, they should be white such that additional light may be provided from the back to illuminate the extracted fluids. It should be noted that the outside side walls are extended at 290 to provide a shield for the spray nozzle 42 to prevent water from being sprayed outside the suction nozzle 46.
From the preceding description of the preferred embodiments, it is evident that the objects of the invention are attained, and although the invention has been described and lS illustrated in detail, it is to be clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation. The ~pirit and scope of the ; invention are to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims.
Claims
THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY
OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A cleaning device comprising:
a spray nozzle for spraying cleaning fluid onto a surface;
a cleaning fluid tank having an outlet connected to said spray nozzle:
a suction nozzle for removing fluid from said surface;
separator means having an inlet connected to said suction nozzle, an air outlet and a fluid outlet for separating air from said removed fluid;
waste fluid tank having an inlet;
a connector means mechanically connecting said cleaning fluid and waste fluid tanks displaced along a common axis together as a unit and fluidically connecting said separator mean's fluid outlet to said waste fluid tank's inlet.
2. A cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein said connector means includes a conduit having at one end a flange transverse to its flow axis engaging the top of said cleaning fluid tank, said conduit traversing the length of said cleaning fluid tank and connected to its other end to said waste fluid tank's inlet.
3. A cleaning device according to claim 2, wherein said flange extends beyond said cleaning fluid tank to form a handle for said tank unit.
4. A cleaning device according to claim 2, wherein said cleaning fluid tank includes a longitudinal recess and said conduit lies in said recess.
5. A cleaning device according to claim 4, wherein said waste fluid tank's inlet includes a neck extending into said longitudinal recess of said cleaning fluid tank.
6. A cleaning device according to claim 2, wherein said conduit is flared at said first end to form a funnel.
7. A cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein said cleaning fluid tank's outlet is at the top of said tank, and including a fluid port mounted to said cleaning device connecting said fluid tank's outlet and said spray nozzle.
8. A cleaning device according to claim 7, wherein said tank unit is removably mounted to said cleaning device at said separating mean's fluid outlet and at said fluid port.
9. A cleaning device according to claim 8, including a latch means for releasably securing said tank unit to said cleaning device and said waste fluid tank includes a recess to receive said latch means.
10. A tank unit comprising:
a first fluid tank having an outlet;
a second fluid tank having an inlet; and a connector means engaging the top of said first fluid tank at one end and connected to said second fluid tank's inlet at its other end for attaching said tanks to each other together as a unit and providing an inlet to said second fluid tank adjacent the top of said first fluid tank.
11. A tank according to claim 10, wherein said connector means includes a conduit having at one end a flange transverse to flow axis engaging the top of said first fluid tank, said conduit traversing the length of said first fluid tank and connected at said other end to said second fluid tank's inlet.
12. A tank according to claim 11, wherein said flange extends beyond said first fluid tank to form a handle for said tank unit.
13. A tank according to claim 11, wherein said cleaning fluid tank includes a longitudinal recess and said conduit lies in said recess.
14. A tank according to claim 13, wherein said waste fluid tank's inlet includes a neck extending into said longitudinal recess of said cleaning fluid tank.
15. A tank according to claim 10, wherein said second tank includes a recess in its bottom wall to receive a cam latch of a device to which said tank structure is to be mounted.
16. A tank according to claim 10, wherein said tanks both include a keyway extending substantially along the length of their rear walls for receiving a key on a device to which the tank unit is to be mounted.
OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A cleaning device comprising:
a spray nozzle for spraying cleaning fluid onto a surface;
a cleaning fluid tank having an outlet connected to said spray nozzle:
a suction nozzle for removing fluid from said surface;
separator means having an inlet connected to said suction nozzle, an air outlet and a fluid outlet for separating air from said removed fluid;
waste fluid tank having an inlet;
a connector means mechanically connecting said cleaning fluid and waste fluid tanks displaced along a common axis together as a unit and fluidically connecting said separator mean's fluid outlet to said waste fluid tank's inlet.
2. A cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein said connector means includes a conduit having at one end a flange transverse to its flow axis engaging the top of said cleaning fluid tank, said conduit traversing the length of said cleaning fluid tank and connected to its other end to said waste fluid tank's inlet.
3. A cleaning device according to claim 2, wherein said flange extends beyond said cleaning fluid tank to form a handle for said tank unit.
4. A cleaning device according to claim 2, wherein said cleaning fluid tank includes a longitudinal recess and said conduit lies in said recess.
5. A cleaning device according to claim 4, wherein said waste fluid tank's inlet includes a neck extending into said longitudinal recess of said cleaning fluid tank.
6. A cleaning device according to claim 2, wherein said conduit is flared at said first end to form a funnel.
7. A cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein said cleaning fluid tank's outlet is at the top of said tank, and including a fluid port mounted to said cleaning device connecting said fluid tank's outlet and said spray nozzle.
8. A cleaning device according to claim 7, wherein said tank unit is removably mounted to said cleaning device at said separating mean's fluid outlet and at said fluid port.
9. A cleaning device according to claim 8, including a latch means for releasably securing said tank unit to said cleaning device and said waste fluid tank includes a recess to receive said latch means.
10. A tank unit comprising:
a first fluid tank having an outlet;
a second fluid tank having an inlet; and a connector means engaging the top of said first fluid tank at one end and connected to said second fluid tank's inlet at its other end for attaching said tanks to each other together as a unit and providing an inlet to said second fluid tank adjacent the top of said first fluid tank.
11. A tank according to claim 10, wherein said connector means includes a conduit having at one end a flange transverse to flow axis engaging the top of said first fluid tank, said conduit traversing the length of said first fluid tank and connected at said other end to said second fluid tank's inlet.
12. A tank according to claim 11, wherein said flange extends beyond said first fluid tank to form a handle for said tank unit.
13. A tank according to claim 11, wherein said cleaning fluid tank includes a longitudinal recess and said conduit lies in said recess.
14. A tank according to claim 13, wherein said waste fluid tank's inlet includes a neck extending into said longitudinal recess of said cleaning fluid tank.
15. A tank according to claim 10, wherein said second tank includes a recess in its bottom wall to receive a cam latch of a device to which said tank structure is to be mounted.
16. A tank according to claim 10, wherein said tanks both include a keyway extending substantially along the length of their rear walls for receiving a key on a device to which the tank unit is to be mounted.
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000616154A CA1331425C (en) | 1984-03-02 | 1991-08-13 | Cleaning device with liquid container retaining structure |
| CA000616153A CA1334473C (en) | 1984-03-02 | 1991-08-13 | Cleaning device with suction nozzle and liquid and gas separator |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US585,561 | 1984-03-02 | ||
| US585,548 | 1984-03-02 | ||
| US06/585,561 US4558484A (en) | 1984-03-02 | 1984-03-02 | Tank unit for cleaning devices |
| US06/585,548 US4566149A (en) | 1984-03-02 | 1984-03-02 | Cam latch for cleaning devices |
Related Parent Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000472219A Division CA1269210A (en) | 1984-03-02 | 1985-01-16 | Machine for cleaning surfaces such as carpets, floors and the like |
Related Child Applications (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000616154A Division CA1331425C (en) | 1984-03-02 | 1991-08-13 | Cleaning device with liquid container retaining structure |
| CA000616153A Division CA1334473C (en) | 1984-03-02 | 1991-08-13 | Cleaning device with suction nozzle and liquid and gas separator |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1299825C true CA1299825C (en) | 1992-05-05 |
Family
ID=27079430
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000613815A Expired - Lifetime CA1299825C (en) | 1984-03-02 | 1989-09-27 | Cleaning device with suction nozzle and liquid and gas separator |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1299825C (en) |
-
1989
- 1989-09-27 CA CA000613815A patent/CA1299825C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |