EP0529805B1 - Staubsauger - Google Patents

Staubsauger Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0529805B1
EP0529805B1 EP92306845A EP92306845A EP0529805B1 EP 0529805 B1 EP0529805 B1 EP 0529805B1 EP 92306845 A EP92306845 A EP 92306845A EP 92306845 A EP92306845 A EP 92306845A EP 0529805 B1 EP0529805 B1 EP 0529805B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cleaner
carrier
compartment
mode
suction cleaner
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP92306845A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0529805A3 (en
EP0529805A2 (de
Inventor
William Newlands Cottage Gilchrist
Craig Ian Whightman
James Cowan Braid Ferguson
William Edwards
Anthony Charles Ralph Harvey
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.)
Hoover Ltd
Original Assignee
Hoover Ltd
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
Application filed by Hoover Ltd filed Critical Hoover Ltd
Priority to EP96110973A priority Critical patent/EP0744148B1/de
Publication of EP0529805A2 publication Critical patent/EP0529805A2/de
Publication of EP0529805A3 publication Critical patent/EP0529805A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0529805B1 publication Critical patent/EP0529805B1/de
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
    • A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
    • A47L9/10—Filters; Dust separators; Dust removal; Automatic exchange of filters
    • A47L9/14—Bags or the like; Rigid filtering receptacles; Attachment of, or closures for, bags or receptacles
    • A47L9/1427—Means for mounting or attaching bags or filtering receptacles in suction cleaners; Adapters
    • 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
    • A47L11/34—Machines for treating carpets in position by liquid, foam, or vapour, e.g. by steam
    • 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
    • A47L11/4002—Installations of electric equipment
    • A47L11/4008—Arrangements of switches, indicators or the like
    • 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
    • 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
    • A47L11/4097—Means for exhaust-air diffusion; Exhaust-air treatment, e.g. air purification; Means for sound or vibration damping
    • 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
    • A47L7/00—Suction cleaners adapted for additional purposes; Tables with suction openings for cleaning purposes; Containers for cleaning articles by suction; Suction cleaners adapted to cleaning of brushes; Suction cleaners adapted to taking-up liquids
    • A47L7/0004—Suction cleaners adapted to take up liquids, e.g. wet or dry vacuum cleaners
    • A47L7/0009—Suction cleaners adapted to take up liquids, e.g. wet or dry vacuum cleaners with means mounted on the nozzle; nozzles specially adapted for the recovery of liquid
    • 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
    • A47L7/00—Suction cleaners adapted for additional purposes; Tables with suction openings for cleaning purposes; Containers for cleaning articles by suction; Suction cleaners adapted to cleaning of brushes; Suction cleaners adapted to taking-up liquids
    • A47L7/0004—Suction cleaners adapted to take up liquids, e.g. wet or dry vacuum cleaners
    • A47L7/0023—Recovery tanks
    • A47L7/0028—Security means, e.g. float valves or level switches for preventing overflow
    • 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
    • A47L7/00—Suction cleaners adapted for additional purposes; Tables with suction openings for cleaning purposes; Containers for cleaning articles by suction; Suction cleaners adapted to cleaning of brushes; Suction cleaners adapted to taking-up liquids
    • A47L7/0004—Suction cleaners adapted to take up liquids, e.g. wet or dry vacuum cleaners
    • A47L7/0023—Recovery tanks
    • A47L7/0038—Recovery tanks with means for emptying the tanks
    • 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
    • A47L7/00—Suction cleaners adapted for additional purposes; Tables with suction openings for cleaning purposes; Containers for cleaning articles by suction; Suction cleaners adapted to cleaning of brushes; Suction cleaners adapted to taking-up liquids
    • A47L7/0004—Suction cleaners adapted to take up liquids, e.g. wet or dry vacuum cleaners
    • A47L7/0042—Gaskets; Sealing means
    • 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
    • A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
    • A47L9/0009—Storing devices ; Supports, stands or holders
    • A47L9/0018—Storing devices ; Supports, stands or holders integrated in or removably mounted upon the suction cleaner for storing parts of said suction cleaner
    • A47L9/0027—Storing devices ; Supports, stands or holders integrated in or removably mounted upon the suction cleaner for storing parts of said suction cleaner specially adapted for holding the suction cleaning tools
    • 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
    • A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
    • A47L9/10—Filters; Dust separators; Dust removal; Automatic exchange of filters
    • A47L9/12—Dry filters
    • A47L9/122—Dry filters flat
    • 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
    • A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
    • A47L9/32—Handles

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a suction cleaner.
  • EP 0 176 697 discloses a suction cleaner which provides the alternative functions of dry pick-up, wet pick-up, and washing: in the latter mode, cleaning fluid is delivered to the carpet or other surface material being treated and this material is then subjected to suction drying.
  • a dust bag is fitted into the cleaner in order to collect the dust and the like which is picked up, and an air filter is fitted between the dust bag and the suction fan.
  • the dust bag and the air filter are removed and the wet materials which are picked up are collected in an appropriate container within the cleaner. It is often tedious to remove or replace the dust bag and air filter, and often a problem to set the dust bag and air filter down, when not in use, so that they will not contaminate the surface on which they are placed.
  • a suction cleaner having an internal waste-receiving compartment which comprises a container and a carrier arranged to support a dust receptacle, the suction cleaner having a first mode of operation in which waste picked up by the cleaner is received in said dust receptacle, and a second mode of operation in which waste picked up by the cleaner is received in said container, said carrier being disposed in the compartment during said first mode of operation, such that the dust receptacle is supported in said container, said dust receptacle being removed from the compartment during said second mode of operation, characterised in that the carrier comprises a foot or stand the carrier and dust receptacle being removed from the compartment during said second mode of operation, the foot or stand enabling the carrier to support the dust receptacle away from a surface on which the carrier is stood, away from the rest of the suction cleaner, during said second mode of operation.
  • the carrier is preferably arranged also to support an air filter.
  • the foot or stand enables the carrier to be set down on a surface (e.g. the floor) without the dust receptacle or air filter coming into contact with that surface and without the risk of dust spilling from the dust receptacle.
  • the carrier is preferably arranged to support the dust receptacle with its opening facing upwardly so that dust is not spilled from the receptacle when the carrier is removed from the cleaner e.g. when it is being carried or when it is stood on a surface away from the cleaner.
  • the carrier includes a pair of opposed grooves into which the opposite edges of a flat collar around the opening of the dust receptacle can be slid, in order to engage the dust receptacle with the carrier.
  • the carrier includes a carrying handle or grip at its top, for use in lifting the carrier out of the compartment in which it is normally disposed.
  • the cleaner has a lid from which a suction hose of the cleaner extends, with a tubular connector to the suction hose projecting from the underside of the lid. Then when the lid is closed, this tubular connector engages into the opening of the dust receptacle, preferably sealing within an aperture in the flat collar around the opening.
  • the cleaner comprises a cleaning fluid dispensing system which comprises a reservoir divided into two compartments by a flexible wall, a first compartment for containing cleaning fluid and having a dispensing outlet, and the second compartment having an inlet for water under pressure.
  • a cleaning fluid dispensing system which comprises a reservoir divided into two compartments by a flexible wall, a first compartment for containing cleaning fluid and having a dispensing outlet, and the second compartment having an inlet for water under pressure.
  • cleaning fluid is dispensed from the reservoir.
  • the water under pressure is branched from a main flow of water passing to the cleaning or washing head of the apparatus, and the dispensed cleaning fluid mixes with this flow downstream of the branching point in a WASH mode of the cleaner.
  • the cleaning fluid reservoir is mounted in a hand-grip, which comprises a tubular portion connectable at a first end to a flexible suction hose extending from a suction cleaner body of the cleaner and at its second end to a wand or directly to the cleaning or washing head of the cleaner (at the user's choice).
  • the hand-grip includes an L-shaped handle joined at its opposite ends to the tubular portion: preferably the second end of the latter is angled to extend generally parallel to the adjacent, first arm of the L-shaped handle. The user grips the hand-grip around the second arm of the L-shaped handle.
  • the dispensing system includes a control valve for controlling the flow of the water under pressure.
  • the water is applied to the dispenser over a branch to dispense cleaning fluid into the main flow.
  • the branch to the dispenser is shut-off and clean water only flows to the cleaning head, for rinsing purposes.
  • the branch to the dispenser is connected to the air suction stream to drain the water compartment of the dispenser and so allow the cleaning fluid compartment to expand for refilling the latter with cleaning fluid.
  • the feed of water to the dispenser and to the cleaning head and the suction to the water compartment of the dispenser are all shut-off, to provide a DRYING mode in which the cleaner applies normal suction only to the cleaning head.
  • the dispensing system is controlled by a single valve permitting one-handed operation, with the cleaning fluid mixing with the water downstream of the valve and therefore without the risk of the valve becoming blocked.
  • control valve is mounted in the hand-grip and is manually operated by an actuator (preferably a slidable trigger) also mounted on the hand-grip.
  • actuator preferably a slidable trigger
  • the actuator detents in its respective positions.
  • the actuator includes indicia or other markings visible, in each of its positions, to indicate the operating mode.
  • the reservoir is tubular in shape and the flexible wall comprises an elastomeric diaphragm sealed across one end of the compartment.
  • the diaphragm is a rolling-wall type of diaphragm, comprising a series of annular sections, one encircling another and joined together to form a convoluted configuration. Under pressure from one side of the diaphragm, the diaphragm expands along the length of the reservoir by means of the annular sections inverting: for example, they may invert one-by-one, starting with the centre section.
  • the dispensing outlet of the reservoir forms a constriction which determines the rate of flow of cleaning fluid, for a constant applied water pressure, so that the water finally passing to the cleaning head will include a constant concentration of the cleaning fluid.
  • the dispensing outlet is provided with a non-return valve.
  • a body 1 of a suction or vacuum cleaner comprising a casing 2 which contains the operating components of the cleaner and has two pairs of running wheels 4, 31 on its underside.
  • the casing 2 is substantially box-shaped, and has a lid 5 on its upperside, hinged at 23.
  • a motor 10 inside the body 1 drives a two stage centrifugal fan 11 which draws air down a flexible suction hose 28 and into the body 1.
  • the air is expelled from the fan 11 through an exhaust duct 14 and into the atmosphere through one portion of a grill 15 formed in the rear of the casing 2.
  • the motor 10 is sealed from the fan 11, and is cooled by a secondary fan 12.
  • the exhaust from the secondary fan flows through a duct 13 which vents through a separate portion of the grill 15.
  • any dirt and dust which is drawn into the body is collected in a dust receptacle 20 which may comprise a porous body or box. Clean air is drawn through the porous walls of the dust bag 20 and through a secondary cloth filter 19.
  • a ball-shaped float 18 is disposed inside a cage 29, the float 18 being free to move up and down within the cage.
  • An inverted U-shaped pipe comprising elements 16, 17 is connected to a neck at the top of the cage 29.
  • the down-tube 16 of the U-shaped pipe is integrally formed within the walls of a bucket 21, and an elbow 17 connects the down-tube 16 to the cage 29.
  • the U-shaped pipe assembly and float 18 form a snorkel-type arrangement which shuts off the air flow through the U-shaped tube to the fan 11 should the bucket 21 become full of liquid. Under normal conditions the ball 18 stays well below the neck of the cage 29, thereby allowing the free flow of air to the fan 11.
  • the bag and filter are mounted on a common one-piece carrier 22 which can be lifted out of the casing and set aside whilst the cleaner is being used in the wet mode.
  • FIG 4 shows the bag and filter carrier 22, comprising a rectangular diffuser 96 which is formed from a series of intersecting horizontal and vertical webs to form a honeycomb type of structure.
  • a removable cloth filter (not shown) is stretched over the curved rear of the diffuser 96.
  • a carrying handle 95 is formed on the upper surface of the diffuser, and two fingers 99 project outwardly from the upper surface.
  • the fingers 99 are formed with inwardly facing grooves which receive a square cardboard collar 91 fixed to the neck of the dust bag 20.
  • a circular inlet hole is formed in the centre of the collar 91 and an annular rubber seal 93 surrounds this hole for sealing the dust bag to an air inlet tube 30 of the cleaner, which projects from the underside of the lid 5.
  • the lowermost horizontal web of the diffuser 96 is extended outwardly to form a foot 92.
  • the bag and filter carrier 22 are housed inside the wet pick-up bucket 21 as shown in Figure 5.
  • Side edges of the front of the diffuser 96 are formed with grooves e.g. 96a which slide on two vertical ribs e.g. 98 formed on the bucket.
  • the user simply opens the lid 5 of the cleaner and lifts out carrier 22 together with the bag and filter as one unit.
  • the foot 92 allows the carrier to be stood aside without its bag or filter soiling the surface on which it is placed and without the risk of the dust bag tipping over and spilling its contents.
  • the cleaner can be used to pick-up liquids, the bucket 21 collecting any liquids which are sucked into the cleaner.
  • the float 18 rises inside the cage 29: if the liquid exceeds a predetermined level the ball 18 shuts off the suction thereby preventing any further liquids entering the bucket 21. If the cleaner is knocked over accidentally whilst containing liquid, again the ball 18 shuts off the U-shaped pipe to stop any liquid from entering the tube 16 leading to the centrifugal fan 11.
  • a foldable carrying handle 94 is provided on the bucket 21 and can be used to lift the bucket out of the cleaner for emptying.
  • a fresh water storage tank 24 is provided within the cleaner, below the bucket 21.
  • water is pumped out of the tank 24 by means of a pump 25, and pumped along a pipe 26 to a fluid feed tube 50 running along the hose 28 to feed the water to a cleaning head for shampooing or rinsing carpets etc., as will be described below.
  • the pipe 26 passes through a handle on the top of the lid 5 of the cleaner, and includes a coil before entering the handle, to allow for extension of the pipe when the lid is hinged open.
  • Figures 2 and 3 show that the cleaner has a compartment at its rear, closed by a hinged door 32, preferably of translucent material.
  • the compartment normally contains a rack 94 which holds accessories.
  • the rack 94 of accessories is however removable and then a steam generating apparatus may be installed in its place, for use in steam cleaning.
  • the steam generating apparatus comprises a vessel or kettle 6 for holding water and having an electric element 7 which is connected to an electrical connector (not shown) mounted within the compartment.
  • a steam outlet pipe 8 extends from the top of the kettle and a safety pressure valve (not shown) is provided adjacent the outlet pipe 8.
  • the rack 94 In use for steam cleaning, the rack 94 is removed from its compartment and replaced by the kettle 6 as shown in Figure 1.
  • the electrical connector 34 engages with a complementary electrical socket provided on the floor of the compartment.
  • the steam outlet pipe 8 is connected via an elbow as shown to a pipe 9.
  • a thermostat mounted inside the kettle ensures that the water is kept constantly at boiling point.
  • a first switch has three positions for selecting VACUUM ON/POWER OFF/STEAM READY.
  • a second switch is operable when the first switch is set to STEAM READY and is used to select STEAM ON/OFF.
  • the third switch provides power to the pump 25 for shampooing and rinsing, but the first switch should be set to VACUUM for suction cleaning/washing.
  • each end of the hose 28 has an end connector 38 or 49 for connecting to a tubular collar 37 of a hand-grip and to the cleaner body 1 respectively.
  • the end connector 38 snap-engages within the tubular collar 37 of the hand-grip, the inner surface of the collar 37 having a stepped profile complementary to the outer surface of the end connector 38 so as to co-operate with two O-rings 40, 41 disposed on the end connector 38 in sealed manner, but the two elements are free to rotate through an unlimited angle.
  • the end connector 38 cannot be removed from the collar 37 once engaged therewith: the end connector 49 at the other end of the hose snap-engages with the connector on the cleaner body but releasable latches are provided to enable disengagement.
  • annular space 39 is left between the two O-rings 40, 41 once the end connector 38 is engaged within the collar 37 of the hand-grip.
  • a passage 43 is formed through the hand-grip collar, and opens into the annular space 39: thus communication is established between the cleaning fluid feed tube 50 and the passage 43 in the hand-grip, the annular space 39 forming a sealed water gallery.
  • a similar annular space is defined to form a similar water gallery, which establishes communication between the feed tube 26 within the cleaner and the fluid feed tube 50 that runs along the section hose 28.
  • the hand-grip comprises an injection moulded plastics body which is formed in two halves to allow components to be mounted inside the hand-grip before the halves are joined.
  • the hand-grip includes a straight tubular portion 75 formed at one end with the tubular collar 37 which connects to the suction hose 28, and formed at its opposite end with an angled portion which terminates in an end connector 70 to which an extension tube or a cleaning accessory may be connected.
  • the hand-grip further comprises an L-shaped handle, having a first arm joined to the tube 75 adjacent the end connector 70 and a second arm joined to the tube 75 adjacent the end connector 37.
  • the first arm of the L-shaped handle lies parallel to the axis of the end connector 70 and the second arm of the handle lies substantially perpendicular to the axis of the end connector 70.
  • a slidably-mounted suction control knob 57 is mounted on the tube 75 under the L-shaped handle, to control a window allowing air to enter and reduce the suction at the inlet connector 70 if desired.
  • the passage 43 which receives water from the fluid feed tube 50, is connected to a port 100 of a dispenser valve 55 housed within the second arm of the L-shaped handle and shown in detail in Figure 8.
  • the dispenser valve 55 comprises a piston 101 which is slidably mounted in a barrel 102.
  • An actuating rod 73 connects the piston 101 to a trigger 56 on the handle.
  • the valve further comprises a manifold 74 having three ports 103, 104, 105 which extend through the side wall of the barrel 102 and are connected to outlets 80, 81, 82 respectively.
  • O-ring seals e.g. 83 are mounted around the piston 101 at intervals along its length.
  • An annular cut-out 84 is formed in the piston 101 to connect ports 103 and 104 together when the piston is slid fully into the barrel, i.e. when the end of the piston is positioned at A ( Figure 11).
  • An elongate cylindrical shampoo reservoir 66 is disposed within the first arm of the handle of the hand-grip.
  • a removable plug 67 covers an aperture 68 for filling the shampoo reservoir 66, preferably from a sachet of shampoo.
  • a fine gauze filter 69 covers the aperture to prevent any dirt entering the reservoir.
  • a portion of the handle wall overlying the reservoir 66 is formed with a window 65 which enables the user to see how much shampoo is left within the reservoir 66.
  • An elastomeric diaphragm 64 is sealed across an end of the reservoir 66: the diaphragm 64 is a rolling wall type, moulded in a convoluted shape such that it is able to open out when unequal pressures are applied to the compartments 34, 36 on its opposite sides.
  • a pipe 58 is connected to the adjacent end wall of the reservoir 66 from the outlet 81 of the dispenser valve 55.
  • Orifice plate 62 comprises a metal disc having a small hole in its centre, the size of the hole determining the rate of flow of shampoo from the compartment 36 of the reservoir.
  • a non-return valve 63 of the duck-bill type, is mounted over the orifice plate 62.
  • FIG 8 shows the dispenser valve set in the wash mode, by setting the piston with its end at position D. In this mode both water and shampoo are fed to the shampoo head via an outlet pipe 61. Water under pressure enters the valve barrel and passes out through ports 104 and 105 and along pipes 58 and 59. Pipe 58 is connected to the compartment 34 of the shampoo reservoir 66.
  • the water pressure on the inlet side of the diaphragm 64 is approximately 22 psi, whilst the other side of the diaphragm (in contact with the shampoo) is at atmospheric pressure.
  • FIG 11 shows the piston 101 fully inserted into the barrel 102 to position A, to provide the drain mode.
  • the annular cut-out 84 formed in the piston 101 now connects the water space behind the diaphragm to the tube 75 of the hand-grip, by way of a pipe 71 connected to the manifold 74.
  • the nozzle of a shampoo sachet is introduced into the filling aperture 68 and squeezed by hand to refill the reservoir: this refilling is assisted in that as the diaphragm 64 collapses, fresh shampoo is drawn into the compartment 36 by suction.
  • the piston 101 is set to position C within its barrel as shown in Figure 9. In this rinse mode, water passes out of the valve 55 only through the fresh water pipe 59. No shampoo is dispensed in this mode because no water pressure is applied to the diaphragm 66 in the shampoo reservoir.
  • the trigger 56 which controls the piston 101 is slidably mounted and projects through the second arm of the L-shaped handle.
  • the piston actuating rod 73 is journalled to the trigger 56 such that sliding the trigger inwardly or outwardly moves the piston 101 into or out of the valve barrel.
  • the user places his or her index finger on the profiled inner end of the trigger 56 to move it outwards and his or her thumb on the outer end of the trigger to move in inwards: the trigger detents in each of its different positions.
  • the angled end connector 70 of the hand-grip comprises an oval-section female socket as shown in Figure 7.
  • An outlet pipe 72 is mounted to project into this socket parallel to its axis, the inner end of the pipe 72 being connected to the pipe 61.
  • the female connector 70 is arranged for receiving the male end of an extension tube or cleaning accessory.
  • two rigid extension tubes are provided with the cleaner, each having a male connector at one end and a female at the other.
  • the extension tubes connect the hand-grip to the tool being used e.g. a shampoo cleaning head.
  • the outlet pipe 72 of the hand-grip connects to a fluid feed tube running along the extension tubes.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Vehicle Cleaning, Maintenance, Repair, Refitting, And Outriggers (AREA)
  • Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)

Claims (10)

  1. Saugreiniger mit einem inneren, schmutzaufnehmenden Abteil, das einen Behälter (21) und einen Träger (22) umfaßt, der eingerichtet ist, einen Staubbehälter (20) zu tragen, wobei der Saugreiniger eine erste Betriebsart, bei der der von dem Saugreiniger aufgesammelte Schmutz in dem Staubbehälter (20) aufgenommen wird, und eine zweite Betriebsart aufweist, bei der der von dem Saugreiniger aufgesammelte Schmutz in dem Behälter (21) aufgenommen wird, wobei der Träger (22) während der ersten Betriebsart in dem Abteil so angeordnet ist, daß der Staubbehälter (20) in dem Behälter getragen wird, und wobei der Staubbehälter (20) während der zweiten Betriebsart aus dem Abteil entfernt wird, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Träger (22) einen Fuß oder Ständer (92) umfaßt, daß der Träger (22) und der Staubbehälter (20) während der zweiten Betriebsart aus dem Abteil entfernt werden, und daß der Fuß oder Ständer (92) es dem Träger ermöglicht, während der zweiten Betriebsart den Staubbehälter (20) entfernt von einer Oberfläche, auf die der Träger (22) gestellt ist, und entfernt vom Rest des Saugreinigers zu haltern.
  2. Saugreiniger nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Träger (22) zusätzlich dafür eingerichtet ist, einen Luftfilter (19) zu tragen.
  3. Saugreiniger nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Träger (22) dafür eingerichtet ist, den Staubbehälter (20) so zu tragen, daß dessen Öffnung nach oben weist, wenn der Träger (22) während der zweiten Betriebsart entfernt vom Rest des Saugreinigers abgestellt ist.
  4. Saugreiniger nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Träger (22) ein Paar gegenüberliegender Nuten umfaßt, in die die gegenüberliegenden Kanten eines flachen, um die Öffnung des Staubbehälters (20) herum angeordneten Kragens (91) eingeschoben werden können, um den Staubbehälter (20) mit dem Träger (22) zu verbinden.
  5. Saugreiniger nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Träger (22) an seiner Oberseite einen Traghenkel oder -griff (95) umfaßt.
  6. Saugreiniger nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, gekennzeichnet durch ein System zur Abgabe eines Reinigungsfluids, das ein Reservoir (66) umfaßt, das durch eine flexible Wand (64) in zwei Abteile (34, 36) aufgeteilt ist, wobei ein erstes Abtei (36) des Reservoirs zur Aufnahme eines Reinigungsfluids dient und eine Abgabeöffnung (60) aufweist, und wobei das zweite Abteil (34) des Reservoirs einen Einlaß (58) für druckbeaufschlagtes Wasser aufweist.
  7. Saugreiniger nach Anspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das druckbeaufschlagte Wasser von einem Hauptwasserstrom abgezweigt wird, der zu einem Reinigungs- oder Waschkopf des Saugreinigers fließt, und daß sich das abgegebene Reinigungsfluid bei einer Betriebsart "Waschen" des Saugreinigers mit diesen Strom stromabwärts des Abzweigungspunktes vermischt.
  8. Saugreiniger nach Anspruch 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Abgabesystem eine Steuerventileinrichtung (55) umfaßt, die betätigbar ist, um in einer Betriebsart "Spülen" des Saugreinigers das zweite Abteil (34) des Reservoirs von dem druckbeaufschlagten Wasser zu entlasten.
  9. Saugreiniger nach Anspruch 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Steuerventileinrichtung (55) betätigbar ist, um in einer Betriebsart "Trocknen" des Saugreinigers den Hauptwasserstrom zu unterbrechen und das zweite Abteil (34) des Reservoirs von dem druckbeaufschlagten Wasser zu entlasten.
  10. Saugreiniger nach Anspruch 8 oder 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Steuerventileinrichtung (55) betätigbar ist, um den Hauptwasserstrom zu unterbrechen und das zweite Abteil (34) des Reservoirs zu belüften, um ein Wiederbefüllen des ersten Abteils (36) mit Reinigungsfluid zu ermöglichen.
EP92306845A 1991-07-26 1992-07-27 Staubsauger Expired - Lifetime EP0529805B1 (de)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP96110973A EP0744148B1 (de) 1991-07-26 1992-07-27 Reinigungsgerät

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB919116200A GB9116200D0 (en) 1991-07-26 1991-07-26 Suction cleaner
GB9116200 1991-07-26

Related Child Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP96110973.3 Division-Into 1992-07-27
EP96110973A Division EP0744148B1 (de) 1991-07-26 1992-07-27 Reinigungsgerät

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0529805A2 EP0529805A2 (de) 1993-03-03
EP0529805A3 EP0529805A3 (en) 1993-05-12
EP0529805B1 true EP0529805B1 (de) 1997-01-15

Family

ID=10699053

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP96110973A Expired - Lifetime EP0744148B1 (de) 1991-07-26 1992-07-27 Reinigungsgerät
EP92306845A Expired - Lifetime EP0529805B1 (de) 1991-07-26 1992-07-27 Staubsauger

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP96110973A Expired - Lifetime EP0744148B1 (de) 1991-07-26 1992-07-27 Reinigungsgerät

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (2) EP0744148B1 (de)
DE (2) DE69231070T2 (de)
GB (1) GB9116200D0 (de)

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US6662600B1 (en) 2002-08-07 2003-12-16 Tennant Company Foamed cleaning liquid dispensing system
US6735811B2 (en) 2001-07-30 2004-05-18 Tennant Company Cleaning liquid dispensing system for a hard floor surface cleaner
US8051861B2 (en) 2001-07-30 2011-11-08 Tennant Company Cleaning system utilizing purified water
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US8028365B2 (en) 2003-09-02 2011-10-04 Tennant Company Hard and soft floor cleaning tool and machine
MX2007013798A (es) 2005-05-05 2008-01-21 Tennant Co Maquina para barrido y fregado de pisos.
US8584294B2 (en) 2005-10-21 2013-11-19 Tennant Company Floor cleaner scrub head having a movable disc scrub member
DE102008009389B3 (de) * 2008-02-14 2009-04-16 Truplast Kunststofftechnik Gmbh Griffanordnung an einem Saugschlauch
DE102010035335A1 (de) 2010-08-24 2012-03-01 Robert Thomas Metall- Und Elektrowerke Gmbh & Co. Kg Bodenpflegegerät und Staubbehälter für Bodenpflegegerät
EP2644075A1 (de) 2012-03-27 2013-10-02 Jan Schultink Verfahren zum Optimieren einer Vorrichtung zum Staubsaugen mit Boden- oder Upright-Staubsaugergerät und Filterbeutel
EP2644077A1 (de) 2012-03-27 2013-10-02 Jan Schultink Verfahren zum Optimieren einer Vorrichtung zum Staubsaugen mit Hand-, Kompakt oder Upright-Staubsaugergerät und Filterbeutel
DE102012110850A1 (de) * 2012-11-12 2014-05-15 Alfred Kärcher Gmbh & Co. Kg Dampfsauggerät
WO2015000504A1 (de) * 2013-07-02 2015-01-08 Alfred Kärcher Gmbh & Co. Kg Dampfgerät und verfahren zum betreiben eines dampfgeräts
RU2640706C2 (ru) 2013-07-02 2018-01-11 Альфред Кэрхер Гмбх Унд Ко. Кг Очистительный всасывающий аппарат
DE102013012241A1 (de) * 2013-07-23 2015-01-29 Festool Gmbh Sauggerät mit einem Schmutzsammelbehälter
PL228042B1 (pl) 2015-08-07 2018-02-28 Bsh Hausgeraete Gmbh Odkurzacz
DE102019121604B4 (de) * 2019-08-09 2021-12-30 Leifheit Ag Nass-/Trockensauggerät
EP3772314A1 (de) 2019-08-09 2021-02-10 Leifheit AG Nass-/trockensauggerät
CN112930132B (zh) * 2021-02-01 2022-06-28 广东智意机器人科技有限公司 清洁机
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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0744148A2 (de) 1996-11-27
GB9116200D0 (en) 1991-09-11
DE69216716D1 (de) 1997-02-27
DE69231070D1 (de) 2000-06-21
DE69216716T2 (de) 1997-05-28
EP0744148A3 (de) 1997-02-12
DE69231070T2 (de) 2000-09-14
EP0744148B1 (de) 2000-05-17
EP0529805A3 (en) 1993-05-12
EP0529805A2 (de) 1993-03-03

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