CA1302357C - Cleaning device with container, collar and docketing recess - Google Patents

Abstract

CLEANING DEVICE WITH CONTAINER, COLLAR AND DOCKETING RECESS

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 18 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 (158 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

~3~3~;7 CLEANING DEVICE WITH CONTAINER, COLLAR AND DOCKETING RECESS

D SC~PTION

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY_O~ T1113 INVENTION

5The present invention relates to cleaninq dev~ces and more particularly to an lmproved machine fo~ the cleaning of surfaces such as carpets, floors and the like.
In carpet clean$ng machlnes, a liquid i8 pro~ected onto the carpet and the dirty liquid i8 removed by a suctlon nozzle. An air-liquid separator ~ 8 generally provided to remove air from the dirty, waste llquid and disperse the a$r into the atmosphere. Cleaning fluld may be added to the liquid. Usually the liquids trickle into a spray nozzle since they are above the spray nozzle. The liquids ~ay be mixed in a mixing manifold. A typical example of such carpet cleaners is illustrated ln U.S.
Patent 2,986,764 issued June 6, 1961 to D. C. KEammes.

-13~23S7 Other systems use varlous arrangements of tanks, valves and controls to carry out carpet cleanlng operatlons, In spite of all of these effort~ d kected to the cleanlng of ~loors and carpetQ, there has not, heretofore, been prov~ded a machlne adapted for domestic use whlch provid~s effective cleanlng of surfaces such as carpets, ~loors and th~ like, whlch 18 slmple to use and su~lclently low ln c08t to b~ attractlve to domest~c users ~ccordlngly, it 18 th~ ob~ect of th~ prQ8ent 10 lnventlon to provlde an lmproved machlna ~or cl~anlng surfaces such as carpets, floors ~nd th~ llk~ whlch can b~
manufactured ~nd sold at low C08t and wh~ch, nqvertheless, is both slmple to uqe and effe~tlve ~n operatlon.
Here described is a machine having 15 impro~ed arrangements of con~ain~rs ~or cleanlng ~lulds, such a8 shampoos and concentratsd cleanlng solutlons, fresh llquld~, such a~
clean water and for the receptlon of waste llquld~. ThR
machine has a nozzle for pro~ectlng th~ llquids onto th~
20 surface to be cleaned and for picklng up the wast~ llquld from the surface, Both the separatlon of wast~ llquld and air and the dellvery of the llqulds $8 con~olntly carsled out wlth suctlon and air pre~sure generated ln a housing to which a common air pump 18 connected. The machlne 18 13~Z35~

further i~proved by ~acilitles for ~emovably attaching the contalnars to the ~rame of ths machlna and for th~
cont~olled and selective ~ppllcatlon o~ the l~quids wlth d~erent concentrations o~ cl~aning llquld and fr~sh 5 liquld.
~r~efly, a machine is here described for cleaning surfaces such as carpets, floors and th~ llk~ ha3 a frame. An alr pump 18 mountod on the ~rame. A hou31ng communicatin~ wlth the pump ha~ a ~uotlon inlet and pressurized alr outlet~. A su~tlon nozzle i~ mounted on tba frame at the end o~ the frama whlcb ls dl~po~ed ad~acent to the 8Ur~A~ ~0 be claan~d.
A llquid pro~cting nozzle 18 al80 mounted on th~ fram~ ~t th~ end ad~acent to the surfa6e to b~ oleanQd. A
15 plurallty o~ contalners for concentrat~d cloanln~ llquld, fresh and waste llquld are utlllzed. The contalners ara removably mounted to the frame and th~ houslng wlth a conduit connectlng the houslng and the wasta llquld contalner to communicate wast~ liquld separat~d ~rom ~lr and li~uld transported lnto th~ hou~lng to tha wasta llquid contalnerO A condult ~or air and waste llqu~d ~rom th~ suctlon nozzle $s connected to the suctlon lnlct of the houslng. A coupling between the pr2ssuElzed ~lr outlets, the cleanlng ~luid contalner and the ~resh llquid ~E-133COMPCT

13at23S7 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.
More particularly in accordance with a first aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for use in a cleaning device for assembling a container with said cleaning device, said apparatus characterized in that said cleaning device has a housing, a docking recess in said housing, a pair of spaced apertures in a base wall of said docking recess, a container being receivable in said docking recess, said container having a pair of laterally spaced orifices with the - 4a -same central spacing as said pair of apertures, and collar means mounted to said container and engaging said docking recess for aligning and axially advancing said container in said docking recess to mate said apertures and orifices when rotated without S rotation of said container and for locking said container onto said housing.
In accordance with a second aspect of the invention there is provided a container mountable to a cleaning device comprising:
a body;
a pair of laterally spaced orifices;
a collar encompassing and rotatable about a portion of said body;
a cam surface on said collar for cooperating with a respective cam surface of said device; and means on said collar and said body defining an initial entry angular position of said collar on said body and defining a final locked angular position of said collar on said body.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein;

~`
. . . -~3{~23S7 B~IE~ D~SCR~PT~ON OF T~E D~AWINGS
Flgure 1 ~s a perspective of a new cleaning device.
P~gure 2 is a slde view of the cleanlng devlce of Figu~e 1.
Figure 3 ls a partlal cross-sec~$onal view of the cleaning device.
Figure 4 ls a .cross-sectional vlew o~ a spray nozzle.
Figure 5 ls a plan vlew o~ s control swltch and mixer ln l~s init~al closed positlon.

Flgure 6 is a cross-sectlonal vlew taken along llnes 6-6 of ~igure 5.
~ igure 7 ~s a plan vlew of the control switch and mixer ln lts spottlng posltlon.
F~gure 8 ls a cross-sectional view taken along llnes 8-8 o~
~igure 7.
F~gure 9 is a crosQ-sec~lonal vlew o~ the tr~gg~ and ~po~tlng actuator.
~ lgure 10 ls a top v~ew of a portlon of the wat~ tank and separator assembly.
Flgure 11 ls a comblned cross-sectlonal Yiew tak~n alon9 lines 11-11 o~ Flgure 10 and a flu~d schematlc of th~ ~luld system .

~3~Z3~7 F$gure 12 ls a b~ck v~ew of the separator houslng.

Flgure 13 is a part~al cross-sectlon taken along llnas 13^13 of Flgure 12.
F$gure 14 ls ~ top vlew of the separator taken along llnes 14-14 of Flgure 3.
F~gure lS 18 a top vlew of the water tank taken alon3 llnes 15-lS of Figure 3.
Flgure 16 i8 a top view of the was~e ~luld tank ~aken along llnes 16~16 o~ F~gure 3.
F~gure 17 i~ a cross-sectlonal v~ew o~ the cam lateh devlc~
ln lts unlatched poslt~on.
Flgure 18 ~s ~ side vlew o~ a cleanlng ~luld cartr~dge-Flgure 19 ls a top vlew taken along llnes 19-19 o~ Flgure 18.
Flgure 20~18 a cross-sectio~al view t~ken along l~ne~ 20-20 of F~gure lB.
Flgure 21 ~ 5 a perspectlve of a ooll~r.
Flgure 22 ls a cross-sectlon~l vlew o~ the c~rtr~dg~ and docklng port .

~gure 23 is a cross-sectlonal v~ew o~ the suc~on nozzle taken along l~nes 23-23 o~ F$gure 24.
F~gure 24 ls a perspe~t$ve view of the suctlon nozzl~.

~3~23S7 DETAILED DESCR~PTION

A new cleaning device is illustrated ln Figures 1, 2 ~nd 3 ~s ~ncluding a frame 30 to which are mounted a pair of wheels 32 by strut 34. As illustrated ln Figure 2, the wheels are in their operable position allowing the cleaning device to move across the surface to be cleaned. For the stored posltlon, the wheel~ are rotated forward or counter-clockwi~e ~n ~gure 2 ~nd com~s to rest below the ~ront end o~ the frame 30. Extendlng from the top end o~ the frame 30 i8 a handle 36 havlng flu~d actlv~tlon trigger 38 and a spotter ac~uator 40. ~ounted to the ~ront ~nt o~ the frame ~s a spray no~-~le 42 for pro~ectlng ~l~nnlng ~luld m~xtures onto tha sur~ace to be cleaned and a ~uction nozzl~ 46 mounted to plpe 44 ~or ~emovlng fluld~ from the su~a¢e to be cleaned, A water t~nk 48 and waste ~luid or return tan~ 50 ar~
connected as ~ ~ln~le unlt lncludlng a hand~a 52. The tan~s are removably mounted to the frame 30 And ar~ secured thersto ~y a cam latch 54 engaglng the bottom o the waste fluld tank 50. An upper houslng 56 mounted to frama 30 above th~ tan~
unit includes an air fluid separ~or 58, a motor 60 and ~ pump or fan 62 as lllustrated in Figure 3. An openlng 57 1 provlded in the upper housing 56 to view the fluid ln the ~eparator 58 wh~ch has ~ transparent body. An electr~cal sw~tch 63 activates the motor 60 and an electrlc cord 65 provides power.

13~23S7 A conta~ne~ or car~rldge of detergent, shampoo or other concentra~ed cleanlng flui~ S4 includ~ng a collar 66 is mounted to docklng port 68 ln the upper houslng 56 as lllus~rated $n Figure 2. ~he clean$ng fluld is mixed wlth water from the water tank and projected through ~pray nozzle 42.
Initially, the water tank 48 is f$11ed wlth fluld and mounted to the frame 30 and securely held thereto by cam latch 54. A concentrated cleaning fluid cartrldge 64 ls mounted lnto docking port 68. Now the system $s ready for operatlon. As wlll be explained more fully below, the clean~ng devlce operates by act~vatlng the motor 63 to turn on the motor to operate the fan and pump 62 to create a force to pro~ect a mlxture of clean~ng fluid and water out of spray nozzle 42 on the surface as wèll as to create ~ suctlon to draw fluld through suct~on noizle 46. Wlth the trlgger 38 ln lts normal posltion, no fluld ls d~spensed. Upon depresslng ,trigger 38, the amount of flu~d pro~ected from spray nozzle 42 can be controlled. If a stubborn sta~n or especlally dlrty surface ls to be cleaned, the spotting actuator 40 is operated to lncrease the m~xlng ratlo of detergent to water. The dlrty or waste fluid from suction nozzle 46 ls prov$ded to separator 5B
wherein the air is separated from the dlrty ~luid whlch 1~
provided to waste fluld tank 50. The alr ~s provid~d back through the fan/pump 62 to be re-~ntroduced to the ~pray nozzle 42. Once the cleaning is done, the tank ~ssembly ls removed by ~3~Z3S7 g releasing cam latch 54 and the contents of the waste fluid tank 50 are emptied. This cycle of operat$on may be repeated.
~he spray nozzle 42, which is ~llustr ted ln detail in Figure 4, $s an air venturi system whlch draws a cleaning flu~d mixture and projects lt onto the cleaning surface. Spray nozzle 42 includes an air manifold havlng two complementary pieces 70 and 72 joined along a l$ne or plane 74 ~see Figure 2). As illustrated ~n detail ~n Figure 4 with the top alr manifold 72 removed, the nozzle of the air manifold i8 qenerally fan-shaped havinq a plural~ty of nozzle ~hannels 76 extend1ng therçthrough. 'Jnitary to the air manlfold ~s 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 manifold 80 having a plural~ty of fingers 82 extending therefrom and lyinq ln the nozzle channelæ 76.
Supports 84 and 85, which are ~ntegral with the a~r man~fold elements 70 and 72, position the fluid manifold 80 and $ts finqers 82 central wlthin the air man~fold and supports 84 and the nozzle channels 75. The flu~d man~fold 80 lncludes an inlet 86 extending through the back wall of the air.manifold and is connected by tubinq 88 to the source of a cleaning fluid mixture.
Air introduced ~nto conduit 78 moves through the air manifold around the liquid manifold 80 and fin~er~ 82 and exlt nozzle channels 76. The restrict~on of the air through the I

13~23~7 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 pr$nciple, it is preferred tha~ the source of cleaning fluid m$xture be pressurl2ed so as to ma$ntain an even ~low of cleanlng mixture fluid to the spray nozzle 42. Since the principle ~orce to draw the cleaning fluid mixture ls the ven~uri effect produced by the a~r manifold, the pressure prov~ded to the cleanlng fluid source is substantlally ~maller than that provided to the a~r manifold.
The cleaning fluid m~xture prov~ded to the spr~y nozzle 42 by tubing 88 is from a control switch and mixer illustrated specifically in Figures 5-8 and operated by the ~rlgger actuator 40 and the spotting actuator 38 ~llustrated ~n detall in Figure 9. A mixlng V or connector 90 which is mounted to the frame 30 has a mixing outlet connected to tube 88, a wa~er inlet connected to tube 92 and a cleaning fluid lnlet connected to tubing 94. The water from tube 92 and the clean~ng fluid from tube 94 are mixed ~n the V 90 and provided to outlet tube 88. Engaging one side of the outlet tube 88 ls an anvil 96 and adjacent one side of the water inlet t~be 92 is an anvil 98.
Pivotally connected to the frame 30 at 100 is a rocker arm 102 ! hav$ng hammers 104 and 106 respect~vely on opposlte 81des of 1 25 the plvot 100. A biasing means or 5pring 108 ls recelved ln a spring housing 110 on the frame 30 and engages the rocker arm 102 around post 112. The biasing means or spring 108 biases the rocker arm 102 counter-clockwise in Figure 5. A slot 114 in the rocker arm 102 receives 8 control link or wlre 116 connected ~o the spottér actuator 40 and the trigger 38.
Without operation of the tr~gger 38 or spottlnq actuator 40, spring 108 rotates the rocker ~rm 102 to ~ts initi~l position illustrated ln Figure S such that hammer 104 ~s pressed against anvil 96 completely res~ricting the tublng 88 at the outlet of~the mixer 90. Thls $s illustrated specific~lly in the cross-section of Figure 6. In thls position, no cleanlng fluld mixture is provided to the spray nozzle 42. Thus, ~f the electric motor ~s actu~ted, 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 wlre 116 and pivotal rotation of rocker arm 102, the flow rate o~ cleaning fluid mlxture can be controlled. The rocker arm 102 can be rotated to a position allowing unrestricted flow of the outlet tube 88 as well as unrestricted flow from water inlet tubing 92.
j Further rightward motion of wlre 116 and counter-clockwise 1 25 rotation of rocke~ arm 102 causes hammer 106 to engage the 13q~Z3S7 water inlet tube 92 and being restricting its flow into the mixing V 90. ~he degree o~ restrlc~lon of water inlet 92 permitted is def~ned by a stop 118 and is illustrated in Figures 7 and 8. This restrlcted posltion of water inlet ~ube 92 defines a specific ratio of concentrated clean~ng fluid from tube 94 and water from tuhe 92 to remove stubborn sta~ns or spots and 1~ known as the spottlng position.
Thus, it can be ~een that the rocker arm 102 se~uent~ally oper~tes from a first positlon ~llustrated in Flgure 5 whereln the outlet is restricted by ~nvil 96 ~nd hammer 104 for zero flow rate through a first plur~lity of intermediate angular positions having $ntermediate restrictions of the outlet to define various flow rates and a second plural~ty of intermediate angular positions hav~ng in~ermediate restrictlons o~ the water lnlet 92 provided ~y anv~l 98 and hammer 106 to define the mixing ratio. Thus, a single assembly 18 provlded which controls both the flow rate of dispensing cleaning fluid mixture as well as the mixing rat~o of cleaning fluid to water. If required, the rocker arm can be resh~ped such that hammer 106 will begin to restrict water lnle~ tube 92 wh$1e hammer 104 also restricts outlet tube 88.
The opera~ion of the rocker arm 102 is controlled via wire 116 by the spotting actuator 40 and trlgger 38 illustrated in detail in Figure 9. The spotting actuator 40 i~ pivo~ally i 25 mounted to the handle 36 at 120 as ~s trigger 38. The control I

~3U'~3S7 wire 116 is connected to pos~ 122 on spotting actuator 40.
Post 122 lies in a elongated slot 124 in the trigger 38. The spotting actuator 40 extends from the top of the handle wh$1e the trigger 38 extends ~rom the bottom of the handle. Thls S allows activation of either control with the same hand that holds and directs the cleaning device. The spotting actuator 40 may be controlled by the thumb and the t~igger 38 by the other fingers which wrap about the handle 36.
Counter-ciockwise rotation of trigger 38 as lllustrated in ~igure 9 from ~ts init~al position causes oounter-clockwlse rotatlon of the spotting actuator 40 ~nd moves the control wire 116 to the right. The trigger 38 ls designed such that the total amount of angular motion which lt ~s capable of travell~ng ~s limited to produce via control w$,re 116 rotation of the ro~ker arm 102 from the fully restr$cted condition of outlet tube 88 of mixer 90 to the completely unrestricted condition of outlet tube 88 and no restriction of the water inlet tube 92. The restrict$on of water inlet tube 92 by hammer 106 is produced by the further motion by travel ~roduced by spotting actuator 40. The counter-clockwise rotat$on of spotter actuator 40 mo~es the wlre 116 further to the right without further motion of trigger 38 since post 122 moves ~n slot 124. It should also be noted that spotter actuator 40 may be operated independent of trlgger 38 be~au3e of the slot 124.
The biaslng means 108 of rocker arm 102 is suff$c$ently strong :~31~Z357 to clamp the outlet tubing 88 and retains the spott$ng actuator 38 and trigger 40 in thelr position illustrated ~n Flgure 9 vla wire 116.
The water line 92 and the cleaning fluid l$ne 94 of the mixing V 90 are connected to the fluld clrcult lllustrated in Figure 11. A block 126 lncludes ~n air port 128 ~nd a water port 130. An air lnlet n~pple 132 ~nd a water outlet nipple ~34 are provided in the top of water tank 48. A tube 136 extends down from the water outlet nipple 134 ~o the bottom of the water tank 48. The nlpples 132 ~nd 134 are recelved ln ports 128 and 130 respect~vely of the bloc~ 126. As will be explained more fully below, the block 126 $s mounted to the separator 58 to receive the nlpples 132 and 134 during mountlng of the tank assembly onto ~he ~rame as illustrated ln Flgure 10. A ball 138 in water port 130 acts as a check valve to prevent back ~low in~o the water tank 48.
Connected to the other end of water port 130 is A first fitting 140 having a main outlet 142 connected to the mlxinq water inlet tube 92 and a restr~cted outlet 144. The ax~ of the inlet of fitting 140 ls colnc$dent with the axls o4 the restrlcted outlet 144 and is orthogonal to the maln outlet 142 axis. The cross-sectional area of maln outlet 142 is substan~ially larser than the cross-sectional area of . restricted outlet 144. By way of example, the maln outlet may ; 25 have a cross-sectional area four times that of the restrlcted outlet.

~3~J~3S7 Connected to the fir~ f$tting 140 about re~tricted outlet 144 is a second f~tting 146. A prlmary cleaning fluid inle~
148 of f$tting 146 is connected to the concentrated cleaning fluid contalner 64 by tube 150. The reætricted outlet 144 provides a secon~ary inlet to the second fltting 146. The outlet 152 of the second f$tting 146 is connected to cleaning fluid lnlet pipe 94 of the mlxer 90. The fan or pump 62 provldes pressurized air via tublng 154 to an lnput of the concentrated cleaning fluid container 64 nnd by tubing 156 to water tank 48 via air por~ 128. The primary outlet of pump 62 is through conduit 158 to the a$r manifold of spr~y nozzle 142.
When the outlet tubing 88 of mixer 90 is totally restricted, no fluid is flowing in the circuitry of Figure 11.
Once the restriction of outlet tubln~ 88 is removed, water under pressure leaves the tank 48 through tublng 136, nlpple 134 and port 132 to raise check valve 138 an~ the flow th~ough main outlet 142 and tubing 92 to the mixing valve 90.
Similarly, concentrated ~leaning fluid from contalner 64 flows via conduit 150 and f~tting 146 to tubing 94 ~nd mixer 90. In this state, very llttle water, i~ any, exits the restricted outlet 144 from the first fitt~ng 140 lnto the second fitting 146. For spotting or any other condition where$n the water inlet tubing 92 ~s restricted, the flow in main outlet 142 of fitting 140 ls reduced and therefore the flow in restricted outlet 144 is increased. Although th~s flow $ntroduce~ water 13~DZ357 into the concentrated clean~ng fluid, it does not dllute ~t compared to the unrestr~cted waterline flow mixture. It al80 $ncreases the pressure ln tub$ng 94. Th$s allows for greater flow rate of the concentr~ted cleaning fluid into the m$xer 90 S and thus the resulttng clean~ng fluld mixture exit~ng the mixer 90 has a substantially increased ratio of clean$ng flu$d to water.
As can be seen from the c$rcu$t of Figure 11, the water and the cleaning fluid supply o~ the system are pressurlzed. This producec even control of the fluids such that thelr m~xing rat~o and flow r~te can be assured. The system al~o takes advantage of the natural siphonlng effect wh$ch results from the venturi ~pray nozzle 42.
Realiz~ng this, the pressure provided by pump 62 v$a tubing 154 and 156 to the concentrated clean$ng flu$d supply and the water supply respect~vely $s small compared to the overall ~$r pressure provided via condu$t 158 to the venturi spray nozzle 42, Although the pressure supply v~a tub~ng 154 ind 156 $s small, it is very $mportant that $t be constant to maintain the desired mixing ratio and flow rntes. It should al50 be noted that by prov~d$ng the water outlet on the top of t~nk 48 and the secondary pass~ge 144 of f$ttlng 140 be~ng vertical, the force of gravity helps to further reduce the amount of fluid ¦ flowing through restrict$ve passage 144 ~nto the concentr~ted ' 25 cleaning flu$d f~ttlng 146.

13C~Z3~7 A pump cap~ble of produc~ng the h~gh air flow rate ~or the venturi spray nozzle as we~l as a uniform small flow rate for the pressur$zed water and cle~ning ~lu~d containers is illustrated specifically in F~gures 3 and 12-14. The separator 58 includes a substantially cyl~ndrical housing 160 with a top rim 162 which forms the hous~ng for the fan or slr pump. The pressurized air exiting the chamber formed by the wall of the r$m 162 enters tan~entially as ~llustrated in Figure 14 to a f$rst portion 163 of primary outlet 164. The condult 158 connected to the venturi ~pray nozzle ~s connected to second portion 165 of primary outlet 164.
A pair of secondary smaller outlets 166 ~nd 168 ~re prov~ded in a wall 169 of the prlmary outlet 164 and ~ligned parallel to the flow axis o~ the second portion o~ the primary outlet 164. The ax~s of the secondary outlets 166 and 168 are perpendicular to the flow axi~ of the second portlon of the pr~mary outlet. A ledge or wall 167 extends transverse to the flow axis of the second portion 165 of the primary outlet 164 to create a zone of relatively constant pres~ure compared to the remainder oi the primary outlet. The seqondary outlets are adjacent the ledge 167 in this zone. As is evident from the draw$ngs, the cross-sectional area of the pr1mary outlet 164 ls quite substantially larger than the crossosectional area of the ¦ secondary outlets 164 and 166. This particular structure 1 25 provides 2 uniform pressure at secondary outlet~ 166 ~nd 168.

~3~Z3S7 An air inlet 170 to the separator houslng 160 $s illustrated $n ~igure 12 and provides a flow axis tangentlal to the cyl$ndrical separator housing 160. This causes 2 centrifugal flow within the $nter$or. A con$cal shroud 172, illustrated in Figure 3 inter~or the cylindrical houslng 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 which is mounted to the cylindrical separator housing 160.
Fluid outlet 180 at the bottom of the cylindrlcal housing ls provided at the bottom of the cylindrical fieparator houslng 160. The outlet 174 $s displ~ced vertically and horlzontally from the lower edge of the conical shroud 172. Dirty fluid and air enter the separator houslng 160 through openlng 170 and begin a spiraling down and out motion. The shroud 172 ~oroes the air flu$d m~xture to the outside of the cyllndr$~al housing or that portion hav~ng a greater radius and veloclty.
By using a conical shroud, the area at the entry port 170 is not d$minished to retard flow of the m1xture $nto the separator chamber while d1recting the downw~rd mov~ng mlxture to the highest veloc$ty portion of the flow thereby.maxfm$zlng separation of the air ~nd the l$qu$d. The heav~er fluld moves towards the cylindrical housing 160 and cont$nues down through outlet 180. The lighter air turns a sharp angle and exlts through screen 176 and outlet 174 into the fan or pump 62. The position of the outlet 174 should not be too close to the outer 13~Z3S7 edge of the shroud, otherwise the exlting air wlll not be completely separated from ~he fluld. Sim$1arly, lf the outlet 1~4 $s displaced too far from the edge of the shroud, the system will choke. ~he liqu$d outlet 180 of the separator 58 is connected to the waste fluld tank 50 by a condu~t 181.
The tank assembly $nclud$ng fresh water tank 48 and waste fluid tank 50 is $11ustrated ln ~lgures 3, 15 and 16. The clean water tank 48 lncludes a U-shaped keyway 184 extendlng along its length. In the top portlon of the keyway ~8 illustr~ted in Figure 15 l$es the conduit 181 connecting the liquid outlet 180 of the separator 58 and the 1nlet to the return or dirty fluid tank S0. In the bottom of the keyway mounted to the frame 30 are received alr condu~t 158 prov~ding pressurized a$r to the spray nozzle and return condult 173 bringing waste fluid back from the suction nozzle 46. ~hus, the air and fluid condu~ts 158 and 173 respectively form the key for the tank assembly or unit keyways. Simllarly, as illustrated in Figure 16, the return tank 50 also has a longltudinal U-shaped keyway 185 receiv$ng conduits 158 ind 173.
The conduit lBl ls flared ~t 182 at its upper end to prov$de a funnel and lncludes a flange 183 extèndlng therefrom to engage the top of the fresh l$quld water tank 48 and provide the handle 52 for carrying the tank units. ~he lower end of condu$t 181 includes a rlm 191 which is received in an lndenture 188 $n the neck 190 extending from the return tank 50 i3~3S7 into the keyway 184 of the fresh water tank 48. ~he b~se 193 of neck 190 is rectangular ~nd is received in rectangular shoulder 195 in the bottom of water tank 48. The ~resh water tank 48 has an inlet 186 covered by cap 187 which ls secured to the handle 52.
To assemble the tank unit, the waste fluid tank 50 ls inserted onto the lower end of the clean water tank wlth the neck 190 extending into the keyway 184 and base 193 ln shoulder 195. The conduit 181 ~s then lnserted from the other end snappin~ ridge 191 into indenture 188 to mount the condu~t to the waste fluid tank and securely mount the clean water tank and the waste fluid tank together. ~t is evldent that the neck 190 and base 193 of the waste flu~d tank extending into the keyway and shoulder of the clean water tank 48 stabillzes the tank assembly.
A portion 192 of keyway 185 of the waste fluld tank 50 ls inclined to receive a condu~t 194 between the flul~ return conduit 173 and tube 44 leading to the suction nozzle 46. The bottom of the tank 50 includes ~ recess 196 lFigure 1) having a camming surface 198 therein. As illustrated in Fig~re 3, the cam latch 54 lies in the recess 196 and rests agaln~t the camming surface 198 of the return tank 50. As will be -explained more fully, the cam latch 54 will be rotated $nto recess 196 to initial~y alisn and ride on camming sur~ace 198 to move the tank assembly along the keys formed by conduits 158 ~3tl~3S7 and 173 into alignment w~th the upper hous~ng 56. Thls mates the flared portion 182 o~ condu~t 181 wlth the ou~let 180 of the separator 58 as well as nipples 132 and 134 into port 128 and 130 respectively of block 126.
As illustrated in Figures 3 and 17, the cam la~ch 54 $ncludes a su~stantially L-shaped handle 203 having a cammlng surface 201 and a lever portion 203, The camming surface 201 engages the camming surface 198 $n the bottom of the waste flu$d tank 50. The handle 54 ~s plvotally mounted at lt~ lower end at 205 to the block 207 of the frame 30. An L-shaped latch 209 is pivotally connected at 211 the juncture of the legs to the L-shaped handle 203. A spring 213 engages the $nterlor of handle 203 and one of the legs of latch 209 to blas the latch counter-clockwise relative to ~he handle as ~llustrated in Figures 3 and 17. A ridge or shoulder 215 ln the block 207 forms a catch for a leg of latch 209 wh~ch acts as a detent to lock the cam latch in the position illustrated ~n Flgure 3.
The unlatch posltion, allowing removal of the tank assembly from the cleaning dev~ce, is illust;ated ~n Figure 17.
In order to release the cam latch 54 from the pos$tion illustrated in Figure 3, the latch 209 is rotated clockw~se against the spring 213 w$th the handle 203 stationary sllowing the detent and the latch 209 to ride out of the cam latch or ridge 215 on block 207. The cam latch 54 may then ~e rotated counter-clockw~se. To mount the ~ank asæembly to the clean~ng ~3~Z357 device, the tank assembly is mount~d wlth the keyways 184 and 185 on the keys formed by condu~ts 158 and 173 and 194. ~he cam latch 54 ~s rotated back into recess 196 $n the bottom of return tank 50 and engages camming surface l9B. The detent portion 20 of latch 209 rides nlong the exterior edge 217 of block 207 until it exceeds the top thereof and falls lnto the catch 215.
~he unique cartr~dge 64 $ncludlng collar 66 is illustra~ed in Figures 18-21. The cartrldge 64 lncludes a non~circular body 200 having a neck 202 extending therefrom. ~hre~ded portlons 204 oh neck 202 recelve cap 206. A circumferential r$dge 208 on neck 202 retains the collar 66 between the top of the cartridge and the ridge 208 ~uch that the collar m~y rotate relative to the cartridge 64 w$thout any axial motion between the collar and cartridge. ~he s$des of the cartrldge ad~acent the top $ncludes four $ndentures 210, 212, 214 and 216.
Indentures 210 and 212 receive a handle 218 extending ~rom collar 66 to def$ne two d~stinct pos$tions of the collar relative to the body. As will be explained more fully below, when the handle 218 $s in recess 210, the collar 66 ls ln its $nitlal angular posit$on capable of entering $nto the docking port 68 of the c?eaning dev$ce. As the collar 66 ~s rotated counter-clockwise in F~gure 19, the handle will be received $n recess 212 which w$11 define a flnal locked angular posltion of 0 25 the collar ~n the docking port. It Rhould al50 be noted that 13'~357 the secess 210 allows the handle to be rece$ved substantially within the body 200 and therefore allows for easy packaging.
The collar 66 includes a pair of camming recesses 220 therein to receive a pair of tabs ln the docking port of the cleaning device. Each recess 224 lncludes an entry slot 222 on the top of the collar connected respectively to a in~l$ned port$on 224 followed by a hor~zontAl lock portion 226. A pair o~ lugs 260 ~F1gure 22) on the dock$ng port 68 are received in entry slots 222 and the collar ~s rotated relative to ~he body causing the ~otal assembly to move axially w~thout rotation of the car~ridge 64. The lugs 260 r~de down the incllned portion 224 along portion 226 to lock the collar and cartr~dge ln place in the docklng port. The lock$ng portion 226 prevents reverse rotation by v$br~tion or use of the cleaning de~ice. Slnce the cartr~dge i~ part of a pressure fluld system, it i~ lmportant that the docklng be f$rm ~nd secure for proper operation of the cleanlng device. Thus, alignment and airtight connection ls critical. As $11ustrated ~n Figure 21, the collar 66 $s formed of two portions connected by an integral lying hinge 228. The collar is wrapped around the neck 202 below ridge 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.

13t~23S~

~eceived in the top opening of the bottle neck 202 is an insert 234 having a palr of no2zles 236 and 238 ~hereon. As will be explalned below, these nozzles are allgned w$th ports in the docking port with nozzle 236 being an alr inlet and nozzle 238 being a fluid outlet. The insert 234 has a pair of circumfer$al r$dges 240 which engage and seal the ~nsert against ~he $nterior o the neck 202. As prev~ously d$scussed, this $s a positive pressure supply system and therefore this se~l must be maintained. An axial keyway 242 is provided in the insert 234 and is recelved ln key 244 running along the interior of the neck 202. This aligns the insert 234 ~nd the nozzles 236 ~nd 238 to the cartrldge ~nd consequently to the collar. This assures alignment of the nozzle and the appropria~e inlet and outlet of the docking port. A tube 246 extends from the bottom of the body 200 to the fluld outlet nozzle 238.
The cartridge 64 in docking port 68 is illustrated in detail ln Figure 22. The docking port ls an ~ssembly which includes a docking houslng 250 mounted to the upper hous$ng 56. A pair of opposed slots 252 are provided ln tbe docking housing 250. A U-shaped clip 254 is inserted in the docking housing havlng a pair of n~pples 256 and 258 exeending through the housing 250 to receive a$r inlet conduit 154 from the , outlet of the pump and cleaning fluld supply tubing 150 lead~ng ; 25 to the ~econd fitting 146 ~see Figure 11). The outer edges of ~3~X3S7 the U-shaped clip 254 has tabs 260 which engage the bottom of the slots 252 in the dock~ng housing to main~aln the clip therein. Extending to the $nterlor o the docking housing are a pa$r of lugs 262. Thes2 lug~ ~o~m ~he complementary camming s surfaces to be used wlth the camming recesses 220 in the collar 66. A molded rubber seallng disc 2~4 $s received in the U-shaped clip 254.
By using a clip 254 to be inserted ~hrough the docking housing, it can be made o~ hard mater~al capable of many $nsert~ons on the cammlng sur~ace. ~or example, it may be made of Delrin plastic. Th$s reduces the cost of the overall device by making the shaped clip of such expensive material instead of requiring the whole docking housing ~o be so made. The molded rubber seal 264 creates an airtight seal since it rece~ves nozzles 236 and 238 on the con~ainer and deforms as the container is moved axially within the docking houslng. A pair of shoulders 266 and 268 extend from ~he housing wall 56 and provide guides or key for ~ndentures 214 and 216 of the cartridge.
As can be seen from Figures 2 and 22, the cartridge 64 lies in a chamber ln the upper houslng 56 with the neck port~on 202 extanding into a recess portion and the body 200 lying in a cavity portion of the chamber. The cavtty encompasses at least three of the sldes of the ~ody.
I

~3~Z357 A cartr~d~e 64 of concentrated cleaning fluid may be mounted to the docking port 68 by align~ng the ~ndentures 214 and 216 of the cartridge with shoulders 266 and 268 of the housing, respect~vely. The collar 66 ~s placed in $ts $n$t$al 5 or lnsert~on positton as defined by the handle 218 ly~ng ~n indenture 210 of the body. The body and coll~r are movea axially unt~1 the lugs 262 of the docking port are received in entry slots 222 in the top of the collar. The collar 66 is then rotated by handle 218 accessible from the exterior of the cavity causing the body and collar to move ~xlally durlng rotation of the colla~. The ~ndentures 214 and 216 eng~ge the shoulders 266 and 268 to prevent the cartr$dge 64 from rotat$ng. ~he collar $s rotated to lt~ in~1 or lock po~$tlon defined by the handle 218 being received in indenture 212 on the body. In th~s position, or$fices in nozzles 236 and 238 are aligned and rece~ved with apertures in t~e base of n$pples 256 and 258. The $nsert 234 having ~ keyway assures alignment of the nozzles with the body and the camming reces~ 220 of the collar with tabs 262 assure in~tial alignment as well a~
indentures 214 and 216 of the body and shoulders 266 and 268 of the housing assure $n~tial alignment of the body and nozzles during the ax~al movement of the body produced by rotat$on of the collar 66.
~he suction nozzle 46 of the present $nvent$on as illustrated in Figures 23 and 24 $s compo~ed of ~ front-top ~3~;~3S7 piece 270 and a back-bottom plece 272 tolned by appropriate fasteners. The nozzle ~ncludes a fir~t or inlet pascage 274 and a second or outlet pas~age 276. The $nlet passage 274 ls generally U-shaped along a cross-section transverse to the flow S axis havlng a flat blght portlon 278 and a pa~r of short leg portions 280. ~he front flat bight portlon 2~8 has a substantially triengular configuratlon dlm$nlshlng from the base or nozzle inlet 282 to lts ~uncture 284 wlth the outlet passage 276. As can be seen from F~gure 23, the dlstance of separation between the front and back portions of the wall~ of the front and bottom pleces 270 and 272, respect$vely lncrease from the base or inlet portion 282 to the ~uncture 284 between the inlet, Sirst passage 274 and the outlet, second passa~e 276. This change of d$stance of separation compen~ate~ ~or the diminish~ng trlangular portion of the front and back faces such that the cross-sectlonal area of the lnlet passage 274 $s substantially e~ual along the flow axls. ~his allows a un~form draw or ~uct~on throughout the lnlet passage 278 and prevents fluld from hanglng up and flowing back out the $nlet 282.
Tbe second passage or outlet passaqe 276 as illustrate~ ~n Figure 23 has ~ generally t~iangular cross-sect$on along the flow axis such that $ts cross-sectlonal are~, t~ansfers to the flow ax$s, increases along the flow axis. A cyllndrlcal connector portion 285 recelves p~pe 44 of the housing. The bottom wall 286 of the outlet pas~age extends dla~onally across ~3~Z3$7 the connector lnle~ 284 tsee Yigure 3). Thus, the pro~ected axis of t~e pipe 44 ~nd outlet connector 285 ~ntersects the first, ~nlet passage 278 below the ~uncture 284 of the lnlet and outlet passages 274 and 276, respectlvely, and forms 2n obllque angle ~herewlth. Thus, the outlet p~ss~ge 276 forms a hor~zontal trough to collect fluld whlch w~ll dr~p ~om the condu~ts between the nozzle 46 and the flu~d separator 58 when the motor and suction sy~tem are deactivated. ~hus, no ~lu~d will exit the outlet 282 when the devlce ~s ~urned off.
In order for the user to determlne the cond~tion of the extracted flu~d being drawn through nozzle lnlet 282, at least the top wall 288 of the outlet sec~lon 276 should be transparent. ~he front, top and sides of the top piece of the nozzle 46 are transparent. ~h~s allows viewlng of the lu~d by the user during use. ~he operator cannot see the ~ront wall of passage 274 since he generally stands behind the device dur~ng use. To further ~ncrease vislblllty of the fluid, the enlarged cross-sect~onal area of the trough 276 causes a pressure drop to slow down the flu~d at the ~uncture or intersect~on 284.
20 The bottom wall 286 malntains the fluid ad~acent the top wall 288 for be~ter vieweing. When this fluid $s;slowed down, the exact content and color can be more readily ascertalned. It should also be noted that by provld~ng the front or inlet ! passage 274 as U-shaped, the fluid from le~s 280 on entering ~ 25 the outlet passage 276 lntersect the prlmary flow ~rom the ~ 3S 7 bight portion 2~0 and create eddy currents at the$r ~unction.
These eddy currents further 810w down the 1uid ln the v~ew~ng area.
~o further $ncrease visibility, the back and bottom walls of the bottom piece 272 should be made of non-transp~rent material. Preferably, they should be white such that addit~onal light may be provided from the back to illuminate the extracted fluids. It should be noted that the outside slde walls re ex~ended at 290 to provide a shield for the spray nozzle 42 to prevent water from being sprayed outside the suction nozzle 46.
From the preceding description of the preferred embodiments, it is evident th~t the objects o$ the invention are attained, and although the invention has been descrlbed and 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 spirit and scope o$ 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. Apparatus for use in a cleaning device for assembling a container with said cleaning device, said apparatus characterized in that said cleaning device has a housing, a docking recess in said housing, a pair of spaced apertures in a base wall of said docking recess, a container being receivable in said docking recess, said container having a pair of laterally spaced orifices with the same central spacing as said pair of apertures, and collar means mounted to said container and engaging said docking recess for aligning and axially advancing said container in said docking recess to mate said apertures and orifices when rotated without rotation of said container and for locking said container onto said housing.
2. The apparatus according to Claim 1 including a non-circular cross-section cavity extending from said docking recess, and said container having a non-circular cross-section at least in said cavity and being prevented from rotation by engaging the walls of said cavity.
3. The apparatus according to Claim 2 wherein said container includes a neck portion in said docking recess, and said collar means encompasses said neck and includes a handle extending therefrom and accessible from exterior said cavity.
4. The apparatus according to Claim 3 wherein said cavity encompasses three lateral walls of said container and exposes a portion of a fourth lateral wall and a portion of said collar means, and wherein said collar means includes a portion in said docking recess and a portion in said cavity and said handle extends from said collar means cavity portion.
5. The apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein said docking recess includes at least one radially extending lug, and said collar means includes a circumferential camming recess to receive said lug and axially advance said container when said collar means is rotated.
6. The apparatus according to Claim 5 wherein a pair of said lugs extend from said recess, said camming recess includes two camming recesses, one for each lug.
7. The apparatus according to Claim 5 wherein said camming recess includes at least one entry slot at the top of said collar means to receive said lug.
8. The apparatus according to Claim 7 wherein said camming recess includes an incline portion extending from the entry slot to produce the axial motion upon rotation of said collar means.
9. The apparatus according to Claim 8 wherein said camming recess includes at least one level portion extending from a respective incline portion to produce said locking.
10. The apparatus according to Claim 7 wherein said lug is made of a material different from said docking recess and is mounted therein.
11. The apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein said collar means includes a handle extending therefrom and accessible from exterior said docking recess.
12. The apparatus according to Claim 9 wherein said handle and said container are shaped so that said handle engages said container in an entry angular position and in a locked angular position.

13. The apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein said orifices are each on a respective nozzle extending above said container neck, said nozzles extending into a respective aperture.
14. The apparatus according to Claim 13 wherein said apertures are in a deformable seal layer between said body and said nozzles.
15, The invention according to Claim 1 wherein said recess includes at least one longitudinal key and said container includes a longitudinal keyway for aligning and limiting rotation of said container in said docking recess.
16. A container mountable to a cleaning device comprising:
a body:
a pair of laterally spaced orifices:
a collar encompassing and rotatable about a portion of said body;
a cam surface on said collar for cooperating with a respective cam surface of said device: and means on said collar and said body defining an initial entry angular position of said collar on said body and defining a final locked angular position of said collar on said body.
17. A container according to Claim 16 wherein said body includes a neck portion, said collar encompasses said neck and said orifices are on the top of said neck.
18. A container according to Claim 17 wherein said neck includes a circumferential ridge for engaging said collar and preventing axial motion of said collar relative to said body.

19. A container according to Claim 17 including a cap threadably mounted to said neck and covering said orifices.
20. A contianer according to Claim 17 wherein said neck includes an interior key and said orifices are in a lid mounted in said neck and having a keyway aligned with said key.
21. A container according to Claim 20 wherein said orifices are in a pair of nozzles extending from said lid.
22. A container according to Claim 16 wherein said cam surface on said collar is a circumferential camming recess having a pair of entry slots in the top of said collar.
23. A container according to Claim 22 wherein said camming recess includes a pair of inclined portions extending from a respective slot and a pair of level portions extending from a respective inclined position.
24. A container according to Claim 16 wherein said defining means includes a handle extending from said collar and engaging said body at a first point to said entry position and at a second point to define said locked position.
25. A container according to Claim 24 wherein said collar and handle are unitary and include two halves connected at a first end by a hinge and at a second end by a latch.
26. A container according to Claim 24 wherein said body includes a pair of indentures, one at each of said points for receiving said handle.

27. A container according to Claim 26 wherein said indentures have a depth sufficient to receive a substantial portion of said handle.
28. A container according to Claim 16 including a pair of spaced keyways in a back wall of said body and extending down from the top wall for receiving alignment keys on a dispenser.
29. A container according to Claim 16 wherein said body is transparent.