EP0404279A2 - Dispositif avec un réservoir amovible pour machine de nettoyage - Google Patents

Dispositif avec un réservoir amovible pour machine de nettoyage Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0404279A2
EP0404279A2 EP90202187A EP90202187A EP0404279A2 EP 0404279 A2 EP0404279 A2 EP 0404279A2 EP 90202187 A EP90202187 A EP 90202187A EP 90202187 A EP90202187 A EP 90202187A EP 0404279 A2 EP0404279 A2 EP 0404279A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
container
collar
recess
pair
extending
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP90202187A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0404279A3 (fr
EP0404279B1 (fr
Inventor
Edwin Fitzwater
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
TRC Acquisition Corp
Original Assignee
TRC Acquisition Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US06/585,547 external-priority patent/US4570856A/en
Priority claimed from US06/585,873 external-priority patent/US4559666A/en
Application filed by TRC Acquisition Corp filed Critical TRC Acquisition Corp
Publication of EP0404279A2 publication Critical patent/EP0404279A2/fr
Publication of EP0404279A3 publication Critical patent/EP0404279A3/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0404279B1 publication Critical patent/EP0404279B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
    • A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
    • A47L11/4036—Parts or details of the surface treating tools
    • A47L11/4044—Vacuuming or pick-up tools; Squeegees
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
    • A47L11/29—Floor-scrubbing machines characterised by means for taking-up dirty liquid
    • A47L11/30—Floor-scrubbing machines characterised by means for taking-up dirty liquid by suction
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
    • A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
    • A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
    • A47L11/4013—Contaminants collecting devices, i.e. hoppers, tanks or the like
    • A47L11/4016—Contaminants collecting devices, i.e. hoppers, tanks or the like specially adapted for collecting fluids
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
    • A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
    • A47L11/4027—Filtering or separating contaminants or debris
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
    • A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
    • A47L11/4075—Handles; levers
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
    • A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
    • A47L11/408—Means for supplying cleaning or surface treating agents
    • A47L11/4083—Liquid supply reservoirs; Preparation of the agents, e.g. mixing devices
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L11/00—Machines for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
    • A47L11/40—Parts or details of machines not provided for in groups A47L11/02 - A47L11/38, or not restricted to one of these groups, e.g. handles, arrangements of switches, skirts, buffers, levers
    • A47L11/408—Means for supplying cleaning or surface treating agents
    • A47L11/4088—Supply pumps; Spraying devices; Supply conduits
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F23/00—Mixing according to the phases to be mixed, e.g. dispersing or emulsifying
    • B01F23/40—Mixing liquids with liquids; Emulsifying
    • B01F23/49—Mixing systems, i.e. flow charts or diagrams

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to cleaning devices and more particularly to an improved machine for the cleaning of surfaces such as carpets, floors and the like.
  • a liquid is projected onto the carpet and the dirty liquid is removed by a suction nozzle.
  • An air-liquid separator is generally provided to remove air from the dirty, waste liquid and disperse the air into the atmosphere.
  • Cleaning fluid may be added to the liquid.
  • the liquids trickle into a spray nozzle since they are above the spray nozzle.
  • the liquids may be mixed in a mixing manifold.
  • a typical example of such carpet cleaners is illustrated in U.S. Patent 2,986,764 issued June 6, 1961 to D. C. Krammes. Other systems use various arrangements of tanks, valves and controls to carry out carpet cleaning operations.
  • the objects and advantages of the invention are obtained in 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 controlled and selective application of the liquids with different concentrations of cleaning liquid and fresh liquid.
  • a machine in accordance with the invention for cleaning surfaces such as carpets, floors and the like has a frame.
  • An air pump is mounted on the frame.
  • a housing communicating with the pump has a suction inlet and pressurized air outlets.
  • a suction nozzle is mounted on the frame at the end of the frame which is disposed adjacent to the surface to be cleaned.
  • a liquid projecting nozzle is also mounted on the frame at the end adjacent to the surface to be cleaned.
  • a plurality of containers for concentrated cleaning liquid, fresh and waste liquid 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 connected to the suction inlet of the housing.
  • a coupling between the pressurized air outlets, the cleaning fluid container and the fresh liquid 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.
  • a 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 allowing 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. Mounted to the front end of the frame is a spray nozzle 42 for projected 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 by 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 cleaning fluid 64 including a collar 66 is mounted to docking port 68 in the upper housing 56 as illustrated in Figure 2.
  • the cleaning fluid is mixed with water from the water tank and projected through spray nozzle 42.
  • the water tank 48 is filled with fluid and mounted to the frame 30 and securely held thereto by cam latch 54.
  • a concentrated cleaning fluid cartridge 64 is mounted into docking port 68. Now the system is ready for operation.
  • the cleaning device 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 well as to create a suction to draw fluid through suction nozzle 46.
  • the trigger 38 With the trigger 38 in its normal position, no fluid is dispensed. Upon depressing trigger 38, the amount of fluid projected from spray nozzle 42 can be controlled.
  • the spotting actuator 40 is operated to increase the mixing ratio of detergent to water.
  • the dirty or waste fluid from suction nozzle 46 is provided to separator 58 wherein the air is separated from the dirty fluid which is provided to waste fluid tank 50.
  • the air is provided back through the fan/pump 62 to be re-introduced to the spray nozzle 42.
  • the tank assembly is removed by 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 cleaning fluid mixture and projects it onto the cleaning 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).
  • the nozzle of the air manifold is generally fan-shaped having a plurality of nozzle channels 76 extending therethrough.
  • an inlet tube or conduit 78 mounted 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 plurality of fingers 82 extending therefrom and lying in the nozzle channels 76.
  • Supports 84 and 85 which are integral with the air manifold elements 70 and 72, position the fluid manifold 80 and its fingers 82 central within the air manifold and supports 84 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 88 to the source of a cleaning fluid mixture.
  • Air introduced into conduit 78 moves through the air manifold around the liquid manifold 80 and fingers 82 and exit nozzle channels 76.
  • the restriction of the air through the 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.
  • the source of cleaning fluid mixture be pressurized so as to maintain an even flow of cleaning mixture fluid to the spray nozzle 42. Since 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 nozzle 42 by tubing 88 is from a control switch and mixer illustrated specifically in Figures 5-8 and operated by the trigger actuator 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 and the cleaning fluid 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.
  • a rocker arm 102 Pivotally connected to the frame 30 at 100 is a rocker arm 102 having hammers 104 and 106 respectively on opposite sides of the pivot 100.
  • a biasing means or spring 108 is received in 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 a control link or wire 116 connected to the spotter actuator 40 and the trigger 38.
  • the rocker arm 102 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.
  • the flow rate of cleaning fluid mixture 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.
  • the rocker arm 102 sequentially operates from a first position illustrated in Figure 5 wherein the outlet is restricted by anvil 96 and hammer 104 for zero flow rate through a first plurality of intermediate angular positions having intermediate restrictions of the outlet to define various flow rates and a second plurality of intermediate angular positions having intermediate restrictions of the water inlet 92 provided by anvil 98 and hammer 106 to define the mixing ratio.
  • a single assembly is provided which controls both the flow rate of dispensing cleaning fluid mixture as well as the mixing ratio of cleaning fluid to water.
  • 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 via 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.
  • the control wire 116 is connected to post 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 while the trigger 38 extends from the bottom of the handle. This 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 trigger 38 by the other fingers which wrap about the handle 36.
  • Counter-clockwise rotation of trigger 38 as illustrated in Figure 9 from its initial 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.
  • the 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.
  • spotter actuator 40 may be operated independent of trigger 38 because of the slot 124.
  • the biasing means 108 of rocker arm 102 is sufficiently strong to clamp the outlet tubing 88 and retains the spotting actuator 38 and trigger 40 in their position illustrated in Figure 9 via wire 116.
  • 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 received in ports 128 and 130 respectively of the block 126.
  • the block 126 is mounted to the separator 58 to receive the nipples 132 and 134 during mounting of the tank assembly onto the frame as illustrated in Figure 10.
  • a ball 138 in water port 130 acts as a check valve to prevent back flow into the water tank 48.
  • first fitting 140 Connected to the other end of water port 130 is a first fitting 140 having a main outlet 142 connected to the mixing 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 is orthogonal to the main outlet 142 axis.
  • the cross-sectional area of main outlet 142 is substantially larger than the cross-sectional area of restricted outlet 144.
  • the main outlet may have a cross-sectional area four times that of the restricted outlet.
  • a primary cleaning fluid inlet 148 of fitting 146 is connected to the concentrated cleaning 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 inlet pipe 94 of the mixer 90.
  • the fan or pump 62 provides pressurized air via tubing 154 to an input of the concentrated cleaning fluid container 64 and by tubing 156 to water tank 48 via air port 128.
  • the primary outlet of pump 62 is through conduit 158 to the air manifold of spray nozzle 142.
  • the water and the cleaning fluid supply 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 which results from the venturi spray nozzle 42.
  • the pressure provided by pump 62 via tubing 154 and 156 to the concentrated 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.
  • the pressure supply via tubing 154 and 156 is 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 tank 48 and the secondary passage 144 of fitting 140 being vertical, the force of gravity helps to further reduce the amount of fluid flowing through restrictive passage 144 into the concentrated cleaning fluid fitting 146.
  • the unique cartridge 64 including collar 66 is illustrated in Figures 18-21.
  • the cartridge 64 includes a non-circular body 200 having a neck 202 extending therefrom. Threaded portions 204 on neck 202 receives cap 206. A circumferential ridge 208 on neck 202 retains the collar 66 between the top of the cartridge and the ridge 208 such that the collar may rotate relative to the cartridge 64 without any axial motion between the collar and cartridge.
  • the sides of the cartridge adjacent the top includes four indentures 210, 212, 214 and 216. Indentures 210 and 212 receive a handle 218 extending from collar 66 to define two distinct positions of the collar relative to the body.
  • 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.
  • the 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 respectively to a inclined portion 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.
  • the collar 66 is 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.
  • an insert 234 Received 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 which engage and seal the insert against the interior of the neck 202. As previously discussed, this is a positive pressure supply system and therefore this seal must be maintained.
  • An axial 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. This 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 an assembly which includes a docking housing 250 mounted to the upper housing 56.
  • a pair of opposed slots 252 are provided in the docking housing 250.
  • a U-shaped clip 254 is inserted in the docking housing having a pair of nipples 256 and 258 extending through the housing 250 to receive air inlet conduit 154 from the outlet of the pump and cleaning fluid supply tubing 150 leading to the second fitting 146 (see Figure 11).
  • the outer edges of the U-shaped clip 254 has tabs 260 which engage the bottom of the slots 252 in the docking housing to maintain the clip therein.
  • Extending to the interior of the docking housing are a pair of lugs 262. These lugs form the complementary camming surfaces to be used with the camming recesses 220 in the collar 66.
  • a molded rubber sealing disc 264 is received in the U-shaped clip 254.
  • a 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, it may be made of Delrin 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 since it receives nozzles 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.
  • the cartridge 64 lies in a chamber in the upper housing 56 with 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 mounted to the docking port 68 by aligning the indentures 214 and 216 of the cartridge with shoulders 266 and 268 of the housing, respectively.
  • the collar 66 is placed in its initial or insertion position as defined by the handle 218 lying in indenture 210 of the body.
  • the body and collar are moved axially until 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 axially during rotation of the collar.
  • the 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 position defined by the handle 218 being received in indenture 212 on the body.
  • orifices in nozzles 236 and 238 are aligned and received with apertures in the base 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 the 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 initial alignment of the body and nozzles during the axial movement of the body produced by rotation of the collar 66.
  • the suction nozzle 46 of the present invention as illustrated in Figures 23 and 24 is composed of a front-top 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-section transverse to the flow axis having a flat bight portion 278 and a pair of short leg portions 280.
  • the front flat bight portion 278 has a substantially triangular configuration diminishing from the base or nozzle inlet 282 to its juncture 284 with the outlet passage 276.
  • This 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 inlet 282.
  • the second passage or outlet passage 276 as illustrated in Figure 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 the connector inlet 284 (see Figure 3).
  • 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 oblique angle therewith.
  • the outlet passage 276 forms a horizontal trough to collect fluid which will drip from the conduits between the nozzle 46 and the fluid separator 58 when the motor and suction system are deactivated. Thus, no fluid will exit the outlet 282 when the device is turned off.
  • the top wall 288 of the outlet section 276 should be transparent.
  • the front, top and sides of the top piece of the nozzle 46 are transparent. This allows viewing of the fluid by the user during use. The operator cannot see the front wall of passage 274 since he generally stands behind the device during use.
  • the enlarged cross-sectional area of the trough 276 causes a pressure drop to slow down the fluid at the juncture or intersection 284.
  • the bottom wall 286 maintains the fluid adjacent the top wall 288 for better vieweing. When this fluid is slowed down, the exact content and color can be more readily ascertained.
  • the fluid from legs 280 on entering the outlet passage 276 intersect the primary flow from the bight portion 280 and create eddy currents at their junction. These eddy currents further slow down the fluid in the viewing area.
  • the back and bottom walls of the bottom piece 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.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Cleaning By Liquid Or Steam (AREA)
  • Nozzles (AREA)
  • Cleaning In General (AREA)
  • Dry Shavers And Clippers (AREA)
  • Separation Of Suspended Particles By Flocculating Agents (AREA)
  • Detergent Compositions (AREA)
  • Cleaning Implements For Floors, Carpets, Furniture, Walls, And The Like (AREA)
  • Filling Of Jars Or Cans And Processes For Cleaning And Sealing Jars (AREA)
EP90202187A 1984-03-02 1984-11-02 Dispositif avec un réservoir amovible pour machine de nettoyage Expired - Lifetime EP0404279B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (7)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US58560984A 1984-03-02 1984-03-02
US585547 1984-03-02
US585609 1984-03-02
US585873 1984-03-02
US06/585,547 US4570856A (en) 1984-03-02 1984-03-02 Liquid and detergent mixing chamber and valves
US06/585,873 US4559666A (en) 1984-03-02 1984-03-02 Air-liquid separator for cleaning devices
EP84904255A EP0174312B1 (fr) 1984-03-02 1984-11-02 Machine de nettoyage de surfaces telles que des tapis, des planchers et autres

Related Parent Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP84904255.1 Division 1984-11-02
EP84904255A Division EP0174312B1 (fr) 1984-03-02 1984-11-02 Machine de nettoyage de surfaces telles que des tapis, des planchers et autres

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0404279A2 true EP0404279A2 (fr) 1990-12-27
EP0404279A3 EP0404279A3 (fr) 1992-03-25
EP0404279B1 EP0404279B1 (fr) 1995-02-15

Family

ID=27416457

Family Applications (3)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP90202186A Expired - Lifetime EP0404278B1 (fr) 1984-03-02 1984-11-02 Appareil pour laver le sol
EP84904255A Expired - Lifetime EP0174312B1 (fr) 1984-03-02 1984-11-02 Machine de nettoyage de surfaces telles que des tapis, des planchers et autres
EP90202187A Expired - Lifetime EP0404279B1 (fr) 1984-03-02 1984-11-02 Dispositif avec un réservoir amovible pour machine de nettoyage

Family Applications Before (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP90202186A Expired - Lifetime EP0404278B1 (fr) 1984-03-02 1984-11-02 Appareil pour laver le sol
EP84904255A Expired - Lifetime EP0174312B1 (fr) 1984-03-02 1984-11-02 Machine de nettoyage de surfaces telles que des tapis, des planchers et autres

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (3) EP0404278B1 (fr)
AT (2) ATE121918T1 (fr)
AU (1) AU3671884A (fr)
DE (3) DE3486370T2 (fr)
WO (1) WO1985003853A1 (fr)

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EP0535782A1 (fr) * 1991-07-15 1993-04-07 Trc Acquisition Corporation Appareil de nettoyage du sol
EP0744148A2 (fr) * 1991-07-26 1996-11-27 Hoover Limited Appareil de nettoyage
DE102004063201A1 (de) * 2004-12-23 2006-07-06 Alfred Kärcher Gmbh & Co. Kg Flächenreinigungsgerät

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GB9302890D0 (en) * 1993-02-13 1993-03-31 Vax Appliances Ltd Appliances for cleaning or otherwise treating floor and other surfaces
EP0908135B1 (fr) * 1997-09-16 2003-02-12 JohnsonDiversey, Inc. Système, ensemble et procédé pour l'entretien des surfac
GB2431864B (en) * 2003-12-06 2008-05-21 Hoover Co A Cleaning Machine for Cleaning a Surface
GB2431865B (en) * 2003-12-06 2008-05-21 Hoover Co A cleaning machine for cleaning a surface
US7870637B2 (en) 2004-12-10 2011-01-18 Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited Stacked tank arrangement for a cleaning apparatus
US7958652B2 (en) * 2005-01-07 2011-06-14 Bissell Homecare Inc. Extraction cleaning with plenum and air outlets facilitating air flow drying
DE102011077277A1 (de) 2011-06-09 2012-12-13 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Saugdüse und Staubsauger
GB2531176B (en) 2013-03-15 2017-10-18 Bissell Homecare Inc Fluid delivery system
CN104138237B (zh) * 2013-05-10 2016-12-07 天佑电器（苏州）有限公司 一种吸尘器
US11751585B1 (en) 2022-05-13 2023-09-12 Sharkninja Operating Llc Flavored beverage carbonation system
US11647860B1 (en) 2022-05-13 2023-05-16 Sharkninja Operating Llc Flavored beverage carbonation system
US11738988B1 (en) 2022-11-17 2023-08-29 Sharkninja Operating Llc Ingredient container valve control
US11634314B1 (en) 2022-11-17 2023-04-25 Sharkninja Operating Llc Dosing accuracy
US11745996B1 (en) 2022-11-17 2023-09-05 Sharkninja Operating Llc Ingredient containers for use with beverage dispensers
US11871867B1 (en) 2023-03-22 2024-01-16 Sharkninja Operating Llc Additive container with bottom cover
US11925287B1 (en) 2023-03-22 2024-03-12 Sharkninja Operating Llc Additive container with inlet tube
US11931704B1 (en) 2023-06-16 2024-03-19 Sharkninja Operating Llc Carbonation chamber

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0535782A1 (fr) * 1991-07-15 1993-04-07 Trc Acquisition Corporation Appareil de nettoyage du sol
EP0744148A2 (fr) * 1991-07-26 1996-11-27 Hoover Limited Appareil de nettoyage
EP0744148A3 (fr) * 1991-07-26 1997-02-12 Hoover Ltd Appareil de nettoyage
DE102004063201A1 (de) * 2004-12-23 2006-07-06 Alfred Kärcher Gmbh & Co. Kg Flächenreinigungsgerät

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0404278B1 (fr) 1995-05-03
EP0174312A4 (fr) 1986-07-24
EP0404279A3 (fr) 1992-03-25
DE3485060D1 (de) 1991-10-17
EP0404279B1 (fr) 1995-02-15
EP0404278A3 (fr) 1992-03-25
DE3486386D1 (de) 1995-06-08
ATE121918T1 (de) 1995-05-15
EP0404278A2 (fr) 1990-12-27
DE3486386T2 (de) 1996-01-25
DE3486370T2 (de) 1995-06-14
WO1985003853A1 (fr) 1985-09-12
AU3671884A (en) 1985-09-24
EP0174312A1 (fr) 1986-03-19
EP0174312B1 (fr) 1991-09-11
DE3486370D1 (de) 1995-03-23
ATE118324T1 (de) 1995-03-15

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