NZ582060A

NZ582060A - A high pressure water jet cleaner with removable reservoir

Info

Publication number: NZ582060A
Application number: NZ58206009A
Authority: NZ
Inventors: John Charles Turner
Original assignee: John Charles Turner
Priority date: 2008-12-24
Filing date: 2009-12-17
Publication date: 2011-06-30
Also published as: AU2009250988A1; AU2009250988B2

Abstract

A high pressure water jet cleaning system, for domestic use, is disclosed. The cleaning system comprises a cleaner body assembly, a removable water reservoir sitting on or within the cleaner body assembly, a high pressure pump housed within the cleaner body assembly, a 3-way valve within the cleaner body assembly, and a fluid coupling system between the water reservoir and the 3 way valve. The 3-way valve within the cleaner body assembly is in fluid connection with a first port to the inlet of the high pressure pump, a second port to the removable water reservoir, and a third port to an external water supply connection point on the cleaner body assembly. The fluid coupling system is located between the water reservoir and the 3 way valve. This allows the water reservoir to be removed from, and reinstalled on or within, the cleaner body assembly quickly and conveniently without the use of tools and without having to carry out a separate action to connect/disconnect the fluid coupling. Therefore, no significant water leakage or air is able to enter the water supply line to the high pressure pump. In operation the high pressure pump draws water either from the water reservoir through the fluid coupling system and the 3 way valve or from the external water supply connection point through the 3 way valve.

Description

<div class="application article clearfix" id="description"> Page 1 Patents Form No. 5 NEW ZEALAND Patents Act 1953 10 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION 15 20 Invention Title: WATER JET CLEANER WITH REMOVABLE RESERVOIR 25 30 I, John Charles Turner of 71 Waterview St., Putney, New South Wales 2112, 35 AUSTRALIA, a New Zealand citizen residing in Australia HEREBY declare the invention for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- Page 2 WATER JET CLEANER WITH REMOVABLE RESERVOIR The present invention relates to water jet cleaning devices and in particular to such devices that have an integral reservoir and are not dependant on a 5 reticulated water supply. Background Water jet cleaners have been in use as appliances for many years. In recent years however the use of water jet cleaners has been restricted in areas suffering from water shortages such as many areas in Australia. A common restriction is 10 the prohibition of running water jet cleaners connected directly to the reticulated water supply. Often in such areas water jet cleaners can be used provided the water supply is from a separate reservoir such as a bucket. However many water jet cleaners are not well suited to being operated in this mode because firstly the pump may be difficult to prime without a pressurised water supply and secondly 15 the pump and reservoir, being separate items connected by a hose are awkward to move from one location to another and are prone to the inadvertent ingress of air to the inlet of the pump. There is however an advantage in being able to move the reservoir separately in that it can be taken to a water source more easily than an entire pump assembly. 20 Water jet cleaners currently available for domestic use need a clean water source. The pumps are generally positive displacement pumps and are intolerant to particulates in the water supply. Accordingly most water jet cleaners have a small filter positioned in the pump inlet. These filters are for preventing larger 25 particulates that may be in the reticulated water supply from entering the pump but are very small surface area filters (generally less than 5000mm2) and are not at all suited for general filtering of contaminated water. The provision of a large surface area, easily cleaned filter with a small pore size on the inlet to the pump makes it possible to use contaminated water as a feed to the pump. 30 An additional consideration is the statutory requirement in most of the developed world for there to be a recognised means of backflow prevention wherever the domestic water supply is coupled to any device that may contain contaminated 35 water. A water jet cleaner with an integral but removable reservoir, a facility to prime the pump easily and with a backflow prevention device would be usefully versatile in that it could be used with a reticulated water supply where possible but could 40 equally be used with any pressurised or non pressurised water supply. Page 3 It is an object of the present invention to address or ameliorate some of the above disadvantages and limitations or to at least provide the public with a useful choice. 5 Note The term "comprising" (and grammatical variations thereof) is used in this specification in the inclusive sense of "having" or "including", and not in the exclusive sense of "consisting only of". 10 The term "water" as it relates to the fluid being pumped by the water jet cleaner includes other cleaning liquids such as detergent solutions. By sliding spigot connection we mean a fluid tight connection between a socket 15 and a spigot such that when the spigot is slid into the socket a valve arrangement is automatically opened to allow fluid communication between the socket and the spigot. Said valve arrangement automatically closing when the spigot withdraws from the socket. 20 Brief Description of Invention A high pressure water jet cleaning system substantially for domestic use, said cleaning system comprising in combination: 25 (a) a cleaner body assembly, (b) a removable water reservoir sitting on or within the said cleaner body assembly, (b) a high pressure pump housed within the said cleaner body assembly, 30 (c) a 3-way valve within the said cleaner body assembly and in fluid connection on a first port to the inlet of the said high pressure pump and on a second port to the said removable water reservoir and on a third port to an external water supply connection point on the said cleaner body assembly, 35 (e) a fluid coupling system between the said water reservoir and the said 3-way valve such that the said water reservoir can be removed from and reinstalled on or within the said cleaner body assembly quickly and conveniently and without the use of tools and without having to carry out a separate action to connect/disconnect the said 40 fluid coupling and without significant water leakage and without allowing air to enter the water supply line to the said high pressure pump and wherein the said high pressure pump draws water either from the said 45 water reservoir through the said fluid coupling system and the said 3 way Page 4 valve or from the said external water supply connection point through the said 3 way valve. Preferably a non-return valve is fitted between the said external supply 5 connection point of said cleaning system and the said first port of the said 3-way valve. Preferably said 3 way valve is a T port 3 way valve as described within this specification. 10 Preferably said fluid coupling system allows the said water reservoir to be lifted vertically from the said cleaner body assembly and is positioned above the top surface of the said cleaner body assembly such that when decoupled no air can enter the water supply line to the pump and no water runs out from 15 the water supply line to the pump. Preferably the cleaner body assembly is mounted on wheels or skids such that it may be easily moved from one location to another. 20 Preferably said cleaning system contains a filter assembly connected in-line with the pump inlet such that water drawn by the said pump passes firstly through the said filter assembly before entering the pump. Preferably said filter assembly contains a filter with a surface area greater 25 than 10000mm2. Preferably said filter assembly contains a filter with a surface area greater than 50000mm2. 30 Preferably said filter assembly contains a filter with a pore size less than 100 microns. Preferably said filter assembly contains a filter with a pore size less than 50 35 microns. Preferably said filter assembly is contained within the water reservoir such that water passes firstly through the said filter assembly before leaving the said water reservoir. 40 Preferably said filter assembly contains a cartridge type filter. Preferably said filter assembly is a low squat filter such that the water level in the water reservoir can reduce significantly without uncovering the filter 45 surface. Page 5 Preferably said filter assembly contains a shroud covering the actual filter such that as the water level in the said reservoir drops the effective surface area of the filter available to filter the water does not diminish. 5 Preferably said fluid coupling system consists of a sliding spigot connection substantially as defined and described within this specification. Preferably said sliding spigot connection provides in turn a spigot on which to locate a filter assembly. 10 Preferably a foot operated lever arrangement is provided to assist with the separation of the said reservoir from the cleaner body. Said lever arrangement providing a separation force at points of connection where there may be a frictional force to be overcome. 15 Preferably said high pressure pump can be primed by a pressurised water supply connected to the said external water supply connection point. Preferably a priming pump is fitted in the water supply line to the said high 20 pressure pump such that the priming pump supplies a pressurised water supply to the said high pressure pump. Preferably said priming pump is an electric centrifugal pump. 25 Preferably said electric centrifugal pump is a sealed magnetic drive electric centrifugal pump. Preferably said priming pump has an independent switch and control to that it can be operated independently of the said high pressure pump. 30 Preferably said priming pump is electrically connected in parallel to the said high pressure pump and operates automatically whenever the said high pressure pump operates. 35 Preferably said reservoir contains baffles so as to prevent the liquid surging whilst the said cleaner is being moved. Preferably said baffles also act as filter surfaces to filter the water of impurities prior to its use by the high pressure pump. 40 Preferably said reservoir has a detachable lid. Preferably said reservoir is anchored to the body of said cleaner by means of quick release catches. 45 Page 6 Preferably said high pressure pump is driven by a variable speed motor arrangement such that the flow and output pressure of the said pump can be varied. 5 Preferably said water reservoir has a vacuum recovery system fitted to it whereby water delivered from the said high pressure pump to the surface being cleaned is recovered by means of a vacuum and returned to the said water reservoir. 10 In a further broad form of the invention there is provided a method for the avoidance of the need to use a reticulated water supply and for the use of potentially contaminated water in a water jet cleaning operation. Said method including the steps of: 15 (a) supplying water to a water jet pump from a reservoir integral to the water jet cleaner but easily removed from it without the use of tools. (b) filtering said water with a filter assembly interposed between the said reservoir and the inlet of said pump, (c) providing a 3-way valve on the inlet of said pump and within the 20 said cleaner body such that by configuring the valve in any one of 4 possible configurations the pump may be run with the water supply from the said reservoir; the pump may be run with the water supply from an external source; the pump may be primed by means of a pressurised water source; the said reservoir may be replenished by 25 means of a pressurised water source. Brief Description of Drawings Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: 30 40 Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a water jet cleaner with an integral but removable reservoir according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, Figure 2A is a sectional view of a sliding spigot connection shown with the two 35 component assemblies separated, Figure 2B is a sectional view of the sliding spigot connection shown in Figure 2A with the two assemblies brought partially together but without fluid communication between the two assemblies, Figure 2 C is a sectional view of the sliding spigot connection shown in Figure 2B with the two assemblies brought fully together and with fluid communication between the two assemblies, Page 7 Figure 3A is a sectional view of a foot operated lever arrangement designed to assist with the separation of the reservoir from the cleaner body but with the separation mechanism not activated. 5 Figure 3B is the sectional view of a foot operated lever arrangement designed to assist with the separation of the reservoir from the cleaner body shown in figure 3A but with the separation mechanism activated. Figure 4 is a schematic representation of a water jet cleaner with removable 10 reservoir and vacuum recovery system fitted according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments With reference to figure 1 a water jet cleaner 1 includes a cleaner body 2 and a 15 water reservoir 3 sitting atop the cleaner body 2 or within (not shown) the cleaner body. Within the cleaner body 2 is a pressure pump 14 connected on its inlet to a 3-way valve 15 and on its outlet to a flexible high pressure hose 13. The high pressure hose 13 is connected at its other end to a suitable hand piece (not shown). 20 In a preferred embodiment the cleaner body 2 is mounted on wheels 17 or skids or the like and can be urged from location to location by means of a handle (not shown). 25 In a preferred arrangement the reservoir 3 is removable so that it can be taken to a different location for the purposes of filling, emptying or cleaning etc without the need to take the whole cleaner. Additionally the reservoir 3 can be easily tilted or upended if it is not connected to the cleaner body 2. Reservoir 3 can be lifted by means of handles 7. 30 Preferably the reservoir 3 is fitted with a lid 5 that can be lifted by handle 6. Preferably the reservoir 3 is located on the cleaner body 2 by means of location lugs 12 fitted to the top of the cleaner body at intervals around the periphery of 35 the base of the reservoir. The location lugs 12 guide the base of the reservoir 3 into its correct location on the body 2 when the reservoir 3 is lowered down into position. Preferably the reservoir 3 is held firmly in place on the body 2 by means of quick 40 release clips 20 that engage a suitable protrusion attached to or integral with the reservoir 3. By way of non limiting example such a clip might be an over-centre clamp engaging a hook like protrusion. This clip arrangement makes the cleaner 1 and reservoir 3 an integral unit that is easier to move and with superior stability. Page 8 In another preferred embodiment the reservoir 3 is fitted with internal baffles 8 to minimize the water surface 4 surging within the reservoir when the cleaner is moved. The baffles 8 are shown as vertical baffles but any orientation can be used. Additionally the baffles 8 can be configured so as to act as filtration media 5 (not shown). In a preferred arrangement the baffles are arranged as a series of concentric rings surrounding the water outlet from the reservoir. The rings, not necessarily circular can be arranged such that the outermost ring acts as a course filter and the innermost ring acts as a fine filter. 10 In a preferred embodiment the cleaner is fitted with a filter assembly in line with the pump such that water is drawn firstly through the said filter assembly before entering the pump inlet. Preferably the filter has a surface area of greater than 10,000mm2. More preferably the filter has a surface area of greater than 50,000mm2. Preferably the filter has a small pore size less than 100 microns and 15 more preferably less than 50 microns in size so that water containing suspended solids can be used in the cleaner without risk of passing the said solids into the pump. Still with reference to Figure 1 in a preferred form of the said filter arrangement 20 the reservoir 3 is fitted with the filter assembly 9. The filter assembly filters the water as it is drawn into the 3-way valve 15 and thence to the pump 14. The filter assembly 9 must not restrict the water flow to the pump and accordingly must maintain a sufficiently large filtering surface area regardless of the water level in the reservoir. This could be accomplished by using a low squat type of filter (not 25 shown). In a preferred arrangement shown in figure 1 the filter assembly 9 consists of a cartridge filter 10 covered by a shroud 11 with a water inlet 23 at the bottom of the shroud 11 such that a filter chamber is formed within the shroud. The filter cartridge 10 is clamped and sealed between the shroud 11 and the bottom surface of the filter chamber. A preferred form of clamping arrangement is 30 a rod 25 having a rigid connection to the bottom of the reservoir and a threaded portion on the top. The shroud is then clamped down against the filter cartridge 10 by means of nut or preferably wing nut 24. A suitable sealing arrangement (not shown) is used to ensure the top of the shroud remains air tight such that as the water level 4 in the reservoir drops below the top of the shroud the filter 35 chamber remains full of water and the entire surface area of the cartridge filter remains available. Still with reference to Figure 1 there is shown a 3-way valve 15 in fluid connection at one port with the pump inlet 22, at a second port to an external water supply 40 connection point 18 and at the third port to the water outlet from the reservoir 3. Preferably the connection to the external water supply connection point 18 is through a non-return valve 19 wherein the non-return valve allows flow from the external water supply connection point 18 through to the 3-way valve15 but not in 45 the reverse direction. The non return valve 19 prevents air from entering the supply line to the pump through connection point 18 if the 3 way valve 15 is 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 Page 9 inadvertently turned to an incorrect position and may provide a means of complying with municipal water supply authority regulations and with the relevant safety standards that mandate the use of a backflow prevention device to prevent the possibility of any contaminated water entering domestic water supplies. Preferably the 3-way valve 15 is what is commonly referred to as a T port valve wherein the valve can be configured such that any 2 of the 3 ports can be connected or alternatively all 3 ports may be connected. Thus by turning the valve handle (not shown) any one of the 4 following possible connections can be made: (i) The pump inlet 22 is connected to the reservoir outlet. (ii) The pump inlet 22 is connected to the external water supply connection point 18. (iii) The external water supply connection point 18 is connected to the reservoir outlet. (iv) The pump inlet 22, the reservoir outlet and the external water supply connection point 18 are all interconnected. Valve configuration (i) allows the pump 14 to draw water from the reservoir 3. This configuration is the normal operating configuration whilst using the cleaner with the water supply from the reservoir. Operation of the cleaner with the reservoir providing the water supply allows detergents and/or other additives to be mixed in an exact ratio with the water. Additionally when the cleaner is fitted with a filter, water contaminated with particulates may be used in the cleaner without risking the ingress of damaging particulates to the pump. Valve configuration (ii) allows the pump 14 to draw water through the non return valve 19 from an external supply (not shown) connected to the external water supply point 18. Preferably the external supply (not shown) is pressurised. The use of a pressurised external water supply provides a convenient means of priming the pump 14 whereby water can flow under pressure through the non return valve 19 then through the 3-way valve 15 and into the pump 14 thus purging the pump of air. Additionally, valve configuration (ii) provides a convenient means of purging the pump 14 of any contaminated water that may have entered the pump from the reservoir 3. Valve configuration (iii) allows water to flow under pressure through the non return valve 19 from an external supply (not shown) connected to the external water supply point 18 then through the 3-way valve 15 and into the reservoir 3 through the reservoir outlet. This configuration provides a convenient means of filling or topping up the reservoir 3 whilst it is in situ on the cleaner body 2. Valve configuration (iv) allows the pump to draw water from the reservoir 3 and concurrently for water to be admitted to the system through the non return valve Page 10 19 from an external supply (not shown) connected to the external water supply point 18. With further reference to figure 1 there is shown a priming pump 26 fitted to the 5 inlet line of high pressure pump 14 such that the said priming pump can draw water from reservoir 3 or from connection point 18 and provide a pressurised water supply to high pressure pump 14. Preferably said priming pump is positioned at the lowest point of the water supply 10 line to the high pressure pump. Preferably the said priming pump is an electric centrifugal pump. More preferably the said priming pump is a sealed magnetic drive, electric centrifugal pump such that water cannot escape from rotary seals and the electrical supply to the said 15 priming pump is safe in a wet environment. In a preferred arrangement the priming pump 26 has its own switch and control to allow the said priming pump to be operated independently of the high pressure pump. 20 In an alternative preferred arrangement the priming pump 26 operates automatically whenever the high pressure pump 14 operates. Still with reference to figure 1 there is shown a quick connect fluid coupling 25 system (QCS) 16 between the reservoir 3 and the 3-way valve 15. The QCS provides a quick and convenient means of separating the fluid connection between the reservoir 3 and cleaner body 2 without the use of tools and without significant water spillage from the reservoir when the QCS decouples. Preferably the QCS 16 allows the reservoir 3 to be lifted vertically from the cleaner body 2. 30 Preferably the QCS is positioned above the top surface of the cleaner body 2 such that when decoupled no air can enter the water supply line to the pump and no water runs out from the water supply line to the pump. Referring now to figures 2A, B and C there is shown 3 sectional views of a 35 preferred form of QCS referred to within this specification as a sliding spigot connection. The sliding spigot connection consists of 2 mating assemblies. The body assembly 48 being integral with the cleaner body mating with the reservoir assembly 30 being integral with the reservoir. 40 Referring to figure 2A the two assemblies 30 & 48 are shown separated or decoupled. The body assembly 48 consists of a hollow cylindrical spigot 35 protruding through the top of the cleaner body 34. At the tip of the spigot 35 is a small tip 46. On opposite sides of the tip 46 are openings 47 that connect with the internal bore 43 of the spigot such that fluid may pass down through the openings 45 47 in the top of the spigot 35 and into the internal bore 43. The tip 46 essentially being supported on a bridge (not shown) running between the openings 47. Page 11 Towards the top of the spigot 35 on the outer surface is a groove containing a seal 36 such as an O ring designed to make a fluid seal with a cylindrical opening 49 in the reservoir assembly 30. 5 In a preferred embodiment the spigot 35 and tip 46 have no sharp edges that might damage any sealing face of the opposing reservoir assembly. In another preferred embodiment the top of the spigot has a rounded or tapered profile so as to assist with alignment as it engages the reservoir assembly. 10 In another preferred embodiment the spigot 35 also seals against the top fabric of the body. More preferably said seal is established between a concentric vertical wall 50 of the cleaner body by means of an O-ring or similar seal (not shown). 15 The reservoir assembly 30 consists of a flanged outer bush 31 containing a closely fitting flanged inner bush 32 and a spring 37 loaded poppet 38. The assembly 30 fits into the bottom membrane 33 of the reservoir by means of the membrane 33 being encapsulated between the flanges of the outer bush 31 and inner bush 32. The inner bush flange is sealed to the reservoir membrane making 20 a water tight seal. The two flanges and the reservoir membrane are held together by a suitable means such as screws or adhesive (not shown). The poppet 38 seals against the inner bush by means of a suitable seal 39 such as an O ring. The seal is maintained by the spring 37 pushing the poppet down against the inner bush. Preferably the surface that the poppet 38 seals against is tapered 25 such that the spring force generates an increased sealing force. At the bottom of the poppet is a crucifix section 40 that guides the poppet 38 within the bore of the inner bush but still allows fluid communication with minimal restriction down past the poppet 38 when it is lifted away from the inner bush 32. Preferably the entrance to the cylindrical opening 49 of the reservoir assembly 30 is tapered or 30 rounded in profile to assist with alignment of the spigot as it engages the reservoir assembly. In operation the fluid connection between the reservoir assembly and the body assembly is made when the reservoir assembly is lowered onto the body 35 assembly such that firstly the spigot 35 seals against the cylindrical opening 49 in the inner bush 32 and then with further lowering the tip 46 of the spigot lifts the poppet 38 away from its sealed position against the inner bush. Water can then flow past the poppet and into the spigot without leakage. Figure 2B shows the relative positions of the reservoir assembly and body assembly at the point where 40 the poppet is still sealed against the inner bush but just about to be lifted away. Figure 2C shows the two assemblies fully engaged with fluid flow through the connection formed between the assemblies. A more complete explanation follows. 45 Referring to figure 2B there is shown the reservoir assembly 30 partially engaged with the body assembly 48 such that the spigot 35 has engaged the cylindrical Page 12 opening 49 in the inner bush 32 of the reservoir assembly 30 and seal 36 has formed a water tight seal between the inner bush 32 and the spigot 35 but the poppet 38 is still sealed against the inner bush at the seal 39 by means of the spring force from spring 37. Thus at this point of partial engagement a full fluid 5 seal is made between the spigot 35 and the reservoir assembly 30 prior to the poppet 38 being lifted away from its seal against the inner bush 32 and while there still exists a gap 45 between the two assemblies. Referring to figure 2C there is shown the reservoir assembly 30 fully engaged 10 with the body assembly 48 such that the reservoir assembly is resting on the body assembly with no gap between. Spigot 35 is fully engaged and the tip 46 has lifted against the spring force from spring 37 the poppet and its seal 39 away from the corresponding face of the inner bush such that water 44 can now flow freely through an at least one hole 41 in the side of the outer bush 31, down 15 through the crucifix section 40 of the poppet, through the openings in the top of the spigot and into the spigot internal bore 43. Thus a fully sealed fluid connection is made. In another preferred embodiment shown in figure 3A a filter assembly 10 centres 20 on a sliding spigot connection 30 such that water being drawn into the said sliding spigot connection travels firstly through the said filter assembly. In operation a person need only lower the reservoir down onto the cleaner body for the spigot to engage the reservoir assembly and establish the required fluid 25 connection. Conversely a person need only lift the reservoir from the cleaner body for the fluid connection to be broken and the reservoir to become water tight again. No tools are necessary and importantly the fluid connection is made and broken automatically as part of the lifting action. 30 Referring now to figures 3A and 3B there is shown sectional side views of a preferred arrangement to assist with the separation of a reservoir 3 from a cleaner body 61. In this case the device is positioned to apply a separation force at a sliding spigot connection 30 but it is not limited to this configuration. The lever 62 is used to generate a separation force between the reservoir 3 and the 35 cleaner body 61 when the foot pedal 65 is depressed. The lever 62 rotates about fulcrum 64. Figure 3A shows the lever in the up position and figure 3B shows the lever in the depressed position. The upwards force on the reservoir is provided by the ends 63 of a horseshoe shaped (in plan view) lever arm pushing either side of the spigot 68 on a thrust washer 66 40 This device assists with the separation in cases where any frictional forces necessary to be overcome exceed the weight of the cleaner body. Such frictional forces can become appreciable when seals such as O-rings have not been moved for a period of time and/or when there is no lubricating liquid such as 45 water present. Page 13 In another preferred embodiment the pump is driven by a variable speed motor arrangement such that the flow and pressure of the pump can be varied. With reference now to Figure 4 in a preferred embodiment of the invention there 5 is shown a water jet cleaner 1 with a vacuum recovery system 70 fitted to the water reservoir 3. High pressure water 74 is delivered to the surface to be cleaned (not shown) by high pressure flexible hose 13 and an appropriate hand piece (not shown). A vacuum source (not shown) within the vacuum recovery system 70 provides a vacuum to suck the water 73 delivered to the target surface 10 back to the said vacuum recovery system through vacuum hose 71. An appropriate liquid/gas separator (not shown) within the said vacuum recovery system separates the water from the air stream and allows the water thus recovered 72 to return to the water reservoir 3. In this manner the water may be recovered. 15 In Use In use the system herein described provides a cleaner that can be used variously with an external pressurised or unpressurised water supply or with a water supply 20 from an integral reservoir that is easily removable from the said cleaner without the use of tools. The system additionally provides for the use of a water supply containing particulates that would otherwise not be compatible with a water jet cleaner. The system additionally provides for the easy priming of the said pump with any pressurised water supply or with an integral priming pump. 25 The above describes only some of the present invention. Modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. RECEIVED at IPONZ on 26 April 2011 Page 14 </div>

Claims

<div class="application article clearfix printTableText" id="claims"> Claims

1. A high pressure water jet cleaning system substantially for domestic use, said cleaning system comprising in combination: 5 (a) a cleaner body assembly, (b) a removable water reservoir sitting on or within said cleaner body assembly, (b) a high pressure pump housed within said cleaner body assembly, 10 (c) a 3-way valve within said cleaner body assembly and in fluid connection on a first port to the inlet of said high pressure pump and on a second port to said removable water reservoir and on a third port to an external water supply connection point on said cleaner body assembly, 15 (e) a fluid coupling system between said water reservoir and said 3- way valve such that said water reservoir can be removed from and reinstalled on or within said cleaner body assembly quickly and conveniently and without the use of tools and without having to carry out a separate action to connect/disconnect said fluid coupling 20 and without significant water leakage and without allowing air to enter the water supply line to said high pressure pump and wherein said high pressure pump draws water either from said water reservoir through said fluid coupling system and said 3 way 25 valve or from said external water supply connection point through said 3 way valve.

2. The cleaning system of claim 1 wherein a non-return valve is fitted between said external supply connection point of said cleaning 30 system and said first port of said 3-way valve.

3. The cleaning system of claim 1 wherein said 3 way valve is a T port 3 way valve wherein said valve can be configured such that any 2 of the 3 ports can be interconnected or alternatively all 3 ports may be 35 interconnected.

4. The cleaning system of claim 1 wherein said fluid coupling system allows said water reservoir to be lifted vertically from said cleaner body assembly and is positioned above the top surface of said cleaner 40 body assembly such that when decoupled no air can enter the water supply line to the pump and no water runs out from the water supply line to the pump. RECEIVED at IPONZ on 28 February 2011 Page 15

5. The cleaning system of claim 1 wherein the cleaner body assembly is mounted on wheels or skids such that it may be easily moved from one location to another.

6. The cleaning system of claim 1 wherein said cleaning system contains a filter assembly connected in-line with the pump inlet such that water drawn by said pump passes firstly through said filter assembly before entering the pump.

7. The cleaning system of claim 6 wherein said filter assembly contains a filter with a surface area greater than 10000mm2.

8. The cleaning system of claim 7 wherein said filter assembly contains a filter with a surface area greater than 50000mm2.

9. The cleaning system of claim 6 wherein said filter assembly contains a filter with a pore size less than 100 microns.

10. The cleaning system of claim 9 wherein said filter assembly contains a filter with a pore size less than 50 microns.

11. The cleaning system of claim 6 wherein said filter assembly is contained within the water reservoir such that water passes firstly through said filter assembly before leaving said water reservoir.

12. The cleaning system of claim 6 wherein said filter assembly contains a cartridge type filter.

13. The cleaning system of claim 6 wherein said filter assembly is a low squat filter such that the water level in the water reservoir can reduce significantly without uncovering the filter surface.

14. The cleaning system of claim 11 wherein said filter assembly contains a shroud covering the actual filter such that as the water level in said reservoir drops the effective surface area of the filter available to filter the water does not diminish.

15. The cleaning system of claim 1 wherein said fluid coupling system consists of a sliding spigot connection.

16. The cleaning system of claim 15 wherein said sliding spigot connection provides in turn a spigot on which to locate a filter assembly. 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 RECEIVED at IPONZ on 28 February 2011 Page 16

17. The cleaning system of claim 1 wherein a foot operated lever arrangement is provided to assist with the separation of said reservoir from the cleaner body, said lever arrangement providing a separation force at points of connection where there may be a frictional force to be overcome.

18. The cleaning system of claim 1 wherein said high pressure pump can be primed by a pressurised water supply connected to said external water supply connection point.

19. The cleaning system of claim 1 wherein a priming pump is fitted in the water supply line to said high pressure pump such that the priming pump supplies a pressurised water supply to said high pressure pump.

20. The cleaning system of claim 19 wherein said priming pump is an electric centrifugal pump.

21. The cleaning system of claim 20 wherein said electric centrifugal pump is a sealed magnetic drive electric centrifugal pump.

22. The cleaning system of claim 19 wherein said priming pump has an independent switch and control to that it can be operated independently of said high pressure pump.

23. The cleaning system of claim 19 wherein said priming pump is electrically connected in parallel to said high pressure pump and operates automatically whenever said high pressure pump operates.

24. The cleaning system of claim 1 wherein said reservoir contains baffles so as to prevent the liquid surging whilst said cleaner is being moved.

25. The cleaning system of claim 24 wherein said baffles also act as filter surfaces to filter the water of impurities prior to its use by the high pressure pump.

26. The cleaning system of claim 1 wherein said reservoir has a detachable lid.

27. The cleaning system of claim 1 wherein said reservoir is anchored to the body of said cleaner by means of quick release catches.

28. The cleaning system of claim 1 wherein said high pressure pump is driven by a variable speed motor arrangement such that the flow and output pressure of said pump can be varied. RECEIVED at IPONZ on 28 February 2011 Page 17

29. The cleaning system of claim 1 wherein said water reservoir has a vacuum recovery system fitted to it whereby water delivered from said high pressure pump to the surface being cleaned is recovered by means of a vacuum and returned to said water reservoir. 5

30. A water jet cleaning system as herein described and with reference to the accompanying drawings. </div>