WO2023288087A1 - Surface cleaner - Google Patents
Surface cleaner Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2023288087A1 WO2023288087A1 PCT/US2022/037342 US2022037342W WO2023288087A1 WO 2023288087 A1 WO2023288087 A1 WO 2023288087A1 US 2022037342 W US2022037342 W US 2022037342W WO 2023288087 A1 WO2023288087 A1 WO 2023288087A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- inlet
- tank
- outlet
- surface cleaner
- recovery tank
- Prior art date
Links
- 238000011084 recovery Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 68
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 25
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 11
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 10
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 2
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 230000004888 barrier function Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005187 foaming Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002401 inhibitory effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003993 interaction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 1
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
- A47L11/29—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
- 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
Definitions
- the present invention relates to surface cleaners, and more particularly, a recovery tank of a wet surface cleaner.
- a surface cleaner including a body, a handle positioned on the body, a suction source, and a recovery tank.
- the suction source is configured to generate a suction airflow along an airpath between a suction inlet and an air exhaust.
- the recovery tank is along the airpath in communication with the suction inlet and the suction source.
- the recovery tank has an upper portion including a cover removably connected to the upper portion, a lower portion, and sidewalls connecting the upper portion and the lower portion.
- the recovery tank has a tank inlet in communication with the suction inlet and an outlet duct within the recovery tank and in communication with the air exhaust.
- the outlet duct extends from the lower portion toward the upper portion.
- the cover forms an outlet chamber adjacent the outlet duct when the cover is connected to the recovery tank.
- Fig. l is a perspective view of a surface cleaner according to one embodiment.
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a surface cleaner according to an alternate embodiment.
- Fig. 3 is a side view of a recovery tank of the surface cleaner of Fig. 1.
- Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the recovery tank of Fig. 3.
- Fig. 5 is a side view of the recovery tank of Fig. 3, shown with a cover in a removed position.
- Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the recovery tank of Fig. 5.
- Fig. 7 is a bottom view of a cover of a recovery tank, according to one embodiment.
- Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the recovery tank of Fig. 3, shown with recovery tank walls removed.
- Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an inlet duct and a tank inlet, according to one embodiment.
- the present disclosure relates to a surface cleaner, specifically a surface cleaner configured to recover and/or distribute cleaning liquid.
- the surface cleaner includes a recovery tank configured to collect dirt water and debris from a surface to be cleaned.
- the recovery tank has a cover that is removably connected to an upper portion of the recovery tank.
- the recovery tank also has an outlet duct that extends form a lower portion of the recovery tank, where the cover forms an outlet chamber over the outlet duct. This arrangement forces air to travel along a path through the recovery tank in order to reach the outlet duct, thus inhibiting liquid entering the outlet duct.
- Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a surface cleaner 10 according to an embodiment of the invention.
- the surface cleaner 10 is configured to clean a surface 100.
- the surface cleaner 10 is an extractor, a hard floor cleaner, or the like, configured to distribute liquid to the surface and suction up debris and soiled liquid.
- the surface cleaner 10 has a body 12 with a base 14 that supports the surface cleaner 10 on the cleaning surface 100.
- the base 14 is pivotably coupled to the body 12 and is configured to move across the cleaning surface 100.
- the body 12 also includes a handle 16, opposite the base 14.
- the surface cleaner 10 is a spot cleaner.
- the spot cleaner shown in Fig. 2 is configured to distribute liquid to the surface and suction up debris and soiled liquid through a hose 62 or wand (shown in a stowed position) to clean the surface.
- the surface cleaner 10 (Figs. 1 and 2) has a suction source 28 configured to generate a suction airflow along an airpath between a suction inlet 18 and an air exhaust 24.
- a recovery tank 30 is along the airpath in communication with the suction inlet 18 and the suction source 28.
- the recovery tank 30 is configured to separate liquid from the air and retain the liquid in the recovery tank 30.
- the recovery tank 30 includes a tank inlet 38 in fluid communication an inlet duct 58.
- the recovery tank 30 also includes a tank outlet 40 in fluid communication with an outlet duct 42.
- the tank outlet 40 includes one or more ribs 64. The ribs 64 inhibit large debris from entering the tank outlet 40.
- the suction inlet 18 is in the base 14 of the surface cleaner 10. In the embodiment illustrated in Fig.
- the airpath is similar, but the suction inlet 18 is in a cleaning tool 60 rather than in the base 20.
- the recovery tank 30 has an upper portion 32, a lower portion 34, and side walls 36 connecting the upper portion 32 and the lower portion 34.
- the recovery tank 30 has a cover 50 removably connected to the upper portion 32.
- the outlet duct 42 is in communication with the air exhaust 24 and the outlet duct 42 extends from the lower portion 34 toward the upper portion 32.
- the tank outlet 40 is positioned in the upper portion 32.
- the tank outlet 40 is in the airpath between the recovery tank 30 and the outlet duct 42.
- the cover 50 forms an outlet chamber 44 adjacent the tank outlet 40 and adjacent at least a portion of the outlet duct 42 when the cover 50 is connected to the recovery tank 36. As illustrated in Figs.
- the cover 50 includes a cover top wall 90, a cover front wall 90' opposite the tank outlet 40, a cover back wall 90"" opposite the cover front wall 90', a cover first side wall 90", and a cover second side wall 90'" opposite the cover first side wall 90".
- the cover top wall 90 is opposite an area open to the volume of the recovery tank 30.
- the outlet chamber 44 is formed by one or more surrounding walls of the recovery tank 30 rather than of the cover 50.
- the outlet chamber 44 is bounded by the surrounding cover walls 90, 90', 90", 90'", 90"" of the cover 50.
- the outlet chamber 44 is an area surrounding the tank outlet 40 or outlet duct 42 separating the tank outlet 40 from the adjacent area in the recovery tank 30.
- the cover 50 and outlet chamber 44 prevent a direct flow from the tank inlet 38 to the tank outlet 40.
- the indirect air path improves air and water separation as air travels to the tank outlet 40 and outlet duct 42 from the recovery tank inlet 58 along a path 80 in order to exit through the tank outlet 40.
- the indirect air path inhibits liquid from exiting through the tank outlet 40.
- the surface cleaner 10 includes a fluid distributor 22 configured to distribute cleaning liquid to the surface to be cleaned 100.
- the cleaning liquid is stored in a supply tank 20.
- the fluid distributor 22 is positioned in the base 14 of the surface cleaner.
- the fluid distributor is not shown but is positioned on the cleaning tool 60 positioned to distribute cleaning liquid to the surface when the cleaning tool 60 is being used.
- the supply tank 20 is in fluid communication with the fluid distributor 22 through a fluid line (not shown).
- the surface cleaner 10 is configured to suction up debris and soiled liquid but does not include a supply tank and fluid distributor.
- the tank inlet 38 is in communication with the suction inlet 18.
- the inlet duct 58 extends from the lower portion 34.
- the recovery tank 30 includes an inlet top wall 92, an inlet back wall 92', an inlet front wall 92" opposite the inlet back wall 92', an inlet first side wall 92'", and an inlet second side wall 92"" opposite the inlet first side wall 92'".
- the surrounding inlet walls 92, 92', 92", 92'", 92"" extend around the tank inlet 38 forming an inlet chamber 46 surrounding the tank inlet 38.
- the inlet back wall 92' separates the tank inlet 38 from the tank outlet 40.
- the cover front wall 90' is omitted and the tank inlet 38 is separated from the tank outlet 40 by the inlet back wall 92' and the outlet chamber 44 is bounded by the inlet back wall 92'.
- the inlet walls 92, 92', 92", 92'", 92"" forming the inlet chamber 46 and the cover walls 90, 90', 90", 90'", 90”” forming the outlet chamber 44 work individually and together to separate the tank inlet 38 and the tank outlet 40 so that air must travel in an indirect path and through the recovery tank 36 in order to exit through the tank outlet 40.
- the inlet duct 58 has one tank inlet 38.
- the inlet duct 58 has two tank inlets 38, 38' opening to the recovery tank 30.
- the tank inlets 38, 38' are positioned in a generally T-shaped arrangement relative to the inlet duct 58. The liquid and debris flow along the path 80'.
- the inlet duct 58 includes a flow splitter 66.
- the flow splitter 66 is positioned such that the liquid and debris flow 80' are split, with a portion exiting tank inlet 38 and the remaining portion exiting tank inlet 38'.
- the inlet duct 58 has a cross-sectional distance 84 and the tank inlets 38, 38' have a cross-sectional distance 86, 86', respectively.
- the flow 80' running through the cross- sectional distance 84 of the inlet duct 58 is split by the flow splitter 66 and exits through the cross-sectional distances 86, 86' of the tank inlets 38, 38'.
- the two tank inlets 38, 38' create more cross-sectional area for the liquid and debris to flow through, thus reducing the velocity of the incoming liquid and debris.
- the decreased velocity of the incoming liquid and debris entering the recovery tank 30 reduces turbulence and foaming in the recovery tank 30.
- the recovery tank 36 further includes a baffle wall 52 extending from the lower portion 34.
- the baffle wall 52 is positioned between the tank inlet 38 and the tank outlet 40.
- the baffle wall 52 creates another barrier between the tank inlet 38 and the tank outlet 40 and helps reduces waves and splashing in the recover tank 30.
- a top portion 48 of the outlet duct including the tank outlet 40 extends above an outlet sidewall 36' adjacent the tank outlet 40.
- the tank outlet 40 extends above the outlet sidewall 36' a distance 82.
- the outlet duct 42 and the tank outlet 40 are exposed above the outlet sidewall 36' the distance 82 as desired, such that the outlet duct 42 is accessible to the user from the top.
- the distance 82 is between 1 and 20 millimeters.
- the cover 50 is fully removable from the recovery tank 30.
- the cover 50 is openable to allow access to the recovery tank 30 for emptying, cleaning, or maintenance, but the cover 50 remains coupled to the recovery tank 30 such as by a hinge.
- the cover 50 is attached to the recovery tank 30 by a latch 70 and is retained by a detent 72 and protrusion 74 interaction.
- the cover 50 can be attached to the recovery tank by a snap- fit, quarter-turn lock, or other connection means, as desired to accommodate the shape and desired operation of the recovery tank.
- the recovery tank 30 further comprises a front portion 54 and a back portion 56.
- the front portion 54 is in the direction of forward movement, and the back portion 56 is opposite the direction of forward movement.
- the tank inlet 38 is positioned in the front portion 54 and the tank outlet 40 is positioned in the back portion 56.
- the tank inlet 38 is positioned in the front portion 54 and the tank outlet 40 is positioned in the back portion 56.
Landscapes
- Cleaning In General (AREA)
- Filters For Electric Vacuum Cleaners (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
CN202280056099.XA CN117835885A (en) | 2021-07-16 | 2022-07-15 | Surface cleaner |
AU2022311823A AU2022311823A1 (en) | 2021-07-16 | 2022-07-15 | Surface cleaner |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US202163222528P | 2021-07-16 | 2021-07-16 | |
US63/222,528 | 2021-07-16 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2023288087A1 true WO2023288087A1 (en) | 2023-01-19 |
Family
ID=82851668
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2022/037342 WO2023288087A1 (en) | 2021-07-16 | 2022-07-15 | Surface cleaner |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
CN (1) | CN117835885A (en) |
AU (1) | AU2022311823A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2023288087A1 (en) |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5012549A (en) * | 1990-04-25 | 1991-05-07 | Williams William H | Side loading dual pail wet vacuum with flow divider |
US5779744A (en) * | 1997-05-09 | 1998-07-14 | The Hoover Company | Air and liquid separator for a carpet extractor |
US6368373B1 (en) * | 1999-06-04 | 2002-04-09 | The Hoover Company | Air and liquid separator for a carpet extractor |
WO2021087668A1 (en) * | 2019-11-04 | 2021-05-14 | Black & Decker Inc. | Wet-dry vacuum cleaner device |
-
2022
- 2022-07-15 WO PCT/US2022/037342 patent/WO2023288087A1/en active Application Filing
- 2022-07-15 CN CN202280056099.XA patent/CN117835885A/en active Pending
- 2022-07-15 AU AU2022311823A patent/AU2022311823A1/en active Pending
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5012549A (en) * | 1990-04-25 | 1991-05-07 | Williams William H | Side loading dual pail wet vacuum with flow divider |
US5779744A (en) * | 1997-05-09 | 1998-07-14 | The Hoover Company | Air and liquid separator for a carpet extractor |
US6368373B1 (en) * | 1999-06-04 | 2002-04-09 | The Hoover Company | Air and liquid separator for a carpet extractor |
WO2021087668A1 (en) * | 2019-11-04 | 2021-05-14 | Black & Decker Inc. | Wet-dry vacuum cleaner device |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CN117835885A (en) | 2024-04-05 |
AU2022311823A1 (en) | 2024-02-15 |
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