Bissell Homecare, Inc.

Bissell Inc.

Other

Timothy E Kasen

Luke E Kelly

Charles A Reed, Jr

Gary A Kasper

Kenneth M Lenkiewicz

Gary L Smith

Eric C Huffman

Eric R Metzger

Jonathan A Miner

Alan J Krebs

Stephen Joseph Simpson

Jonathan L Miner

Michael R Blase, Deceased

By Gloria Blase, Legal Representative

An upright deep cleaner including a base housing pivotally connected to an upright handle, the upright handle carrying a liquid supply tank and the base housing including a recovery tank. The liquid supply tank includes an internal siphon tube for ensuring liquid flow to a feed valve when the upright handle is in the inclined position. The base housing includes a suction nozzle adjacent a spray bar, and removable floating brush for contacting a surface being cleaned, the brush being interchangeable with a bare floor tool including a sponge, brush, and squeegee. The recovery tank includes an internal baffle for preventing foaming of solution and a tank vent housing including a sponge-type filter to prevent spray from exiting the recovery tank. A vacuum motor cooling outlet is positioned on underside of the base housing to distribute air heated by the motor onto the surface to be cleaned.

Extraction with air venting

A portable surface cleaning apparatus including a base modulefor movement along a surface, an upright handle pivotally attached to the base module, a liquid dispensing systemincluding a flexible bladder defining a fluid supply chamber for holding a supply of cleaning fluid, a fluid recovery systemincluding a tank on the base module having a fluid recovery chamber for holding recovered fluid and housing the flexible bladder, and a fluid passageway between the fluid supply chamber and the recovery chamber, whereby the recovery chamber is in fluid communication with the fluid supply chamber and the pressure in the flexible bladder is equalized with the pressure in the tank as the cleaning fluid is dispensed from the supply chamber and the dirty liquid is collected in the recovery chamber. In a further embodiment the tank has an outlet opening in a bottom portion thereof and a drain plug is removably mounted in the outlet opening. In another embodiment a lid mounted on the tank defines an expansion chamber having an inlet opening, an outlet passage, and first and second diverters against which the working air flow reverses direction twice between the inlet opening of the expansion chamber and the tank. In another embodiment the working air conduit includes a manual actuator knob having an over-center linkage mechanism connected to a conversion valve for movement between first and second positions and thereby selectively moving the conversion valve between open and closed positions, whereby fluid communication between the tank and the suction nozzle is selectively opened and closed. In a further embodiment, a flow indicator is mounted to the base module and has a visibility window observable to a user and the flow indicator is disposed in the fluid supply conduit and is responsive to the flow of fluid through the fluid supply conduit to visually indicate the flow of fluid through the supply conduit to the user. Another embodiment includes a pump primer connected to the pump and having a housing defining a priming chamber with a valved opening connected to the vacuum source, an inlet opening connected to the fluid supply chamber, and an outlet opening connected to an inlet for the pump. A further embodiment includes a first mechanical connector extending between the motor drive shaft and the pump drive shaft, whereby the motor drives both the agitation brush and the pump. In a further embodiment, the base module includes an upper housing portion and a lower housing portion and an upright handle is pivotably mounted to the rear portion of the base module through at least one bearing for rotatable reception in the housing. In another embodiment, an elevator assemblyisreciprocally mounted to the base module and movable in response to movement of the upright handle from an operative position to the upright position for upwardly pivoting a pivot arm mounting an agitation brush.

Upright extraction cleaning machine

An upright deep cleaner including a base housing pivotally connected to an upright handle, the upright handle carrying a liquid supply tank and the base housing including a recovery tank. The liquid supply tank includes an internal siphon tube for ensuring liquid flow to a feed valve when the upright handle is in the inclined position. The base housing includes a suction nozzle adjacent a spray bar, and removable floating brush for contacting a surface being cleaned, the brush being interchangeable with a bare floor tool including a sponge, brush, and squeegee. The recovery tank includes an internal baffle for preventing foaming of solution and a tank vent housing including a sponge-type filter to prevent spray from exiting the recovery tank.

Small area deep cleaner

A portable surface cleaning apparatus including a liquid dispensing system including a flexible bladder defining a fluid supply chamber for holding a supply of cleaning fluid and a fluid recovery tank having a fluid recovery chamber for holding recovered fluid and housing the flexible bladder. A fluid passageway between the fluid supply chamber and the recovery chamber equalizes the pressure in the flexible bladder as the cleaning fluid is dispensed from the supply chamber and the dirty liquid is collected in the recovery chamber. A lid mounted on the tank defines an expansion chamber having an inlet opening, an outlet passage, and first and second diverters against which the working air flow reverses direction twice between the inlet opening of the expansion chamber and the tank. The working air conduit includes a manual actuator knob having an over-center linkage mechanism connected to a conversion valve for movement between first and second positions and thereby selectively moving the conversion valve between open and closed positions, whereby fluid communication between the tank and the suction nozzle is selectively opened and closed. A flow indicator is mounted to the base module and has a visibility window observable to a user and the flow indicator is disposed in the fluid supply conduit and is responsive to the flow of fluid through the fluid supply conduit to visually indicate the flow of fluid through the supply conduit to the user. A pump primer is connected to the pump and has a housing defining a priming chamber with a valved opening connected to the vacuum source, an inlet opening is connected to the fluid supply chamber, and an outlet opening is connected to an inlet for the pump. A motor drives the impeller, the pump and an agitation brush. An elevator assembly is reciprocally mounted to the base module and movable in response to movement of the upright handle from an operative position to the upright position for raising an agitation brush.

A portable surface cleaning apparatus including a base module for movement along a surface, an upright handle pivotally attached to the base module, a liquid dispensing system including a flexible bladder defining a fluid supply chamber for holding a supply of cleaning fluid, a fluid recovery system including a tank on the base module having a fluid recovery chamber for holding recovered fluid and housing the flexible bladder, and a fluid passageway between the fluid supply chamber and the recovery chamber, whereby the recovery chamber is in fluid communication with the fluid supply chamber and the pressure in the flexible bladder is equalized with the pressure in the tank as the cleaning fluid is dispensed from the supply chamber and the dirty liquid is collected in the recovery chamber. In a further embodiment the tank has an outlet opening in a bottom portion thereof and a drain plug is removably mounted in the outlet opening. In another embodiment a lid mounted on the tank defines an expansion chamber having an inlet opening, an outlet passage, and first and second diverters against which the working air flow reverses direction twice between the inlet opening of the expansion chamber and the tank. In another embodiment the working air conduit includes a manual actuator knob having an over-center linkage mechanism connected to a conversion valve for movement between first and second positions and thereby selectively moving the conversion valve between open and closed positions, whereby fluid communication between the tank and the suction nozzle is selectively opened and closed. In a further embodiment, a flow indicator is mounted to the base module and has a visibility window observable to a user and the flow indicator is disposed in the fluid supply conduit and is responsive to the flow of fluid through the fluid supply conduit to visually indicate the flow of fluid through the supply conduit to the user. Another embodiment includes a pump primer connected to the pump and having a housing defining a priming chamber with a valved opening connected to the vacuum source, an inlet opening connected to the fluid supply chamber, and an outlet opening connected to an inlet for the pump. A further embodiment includes a first mechanical connector extending between the motor drive shaft and the pump drive shaft, whereby the motor drives both the agitation brush and the pump. In a further embodiment, the base module includes an upper housing portion and a lower housing portion and an upright handle is pivotably mounted to the rear portion of the base module through at least one bearing for rotatable reception in the housing. In another embodiment, an elevator assembly is reciprocally mounted to the base module and movable in response to movement of the upright handle from an operative position to the upright position for upwardly pivoting a pivot arm mounting an agitation brush.

A portable surface cleaning apparatus has a base for movement along a surface to be cleaned and an upright handle pivotally attached to a rearward portion of the base. A fluid dispensing nozzle for applying fluid to the surface and a suction nozzle for picking up fluid and debris from the surface are associated with the base. A clean water holding tank and a detergent holding tank are removably mounted to the handle while a recovery tank is removably mounted to the base. A mixing valve is fluidly connected between the holding tanks and the spray nozzle for changing the mixing ratio of the detergent with respect to the water. The fluid recovery tank includes an integrally molded conduit that extends from the suction nozzle and a mounting for an accessory hose that interrupts the fluid path from the suction nozzle in the conduit and redirects fluid flow through the hose. A pump is fluidly connected between the mixing valve and the dispensing nozzle and includes a pump priming valve that operates on negative air pressure to clear air from the fluid lines during pump operation. A free floating brush is pivotally attached to the base for automatically adjusting to different surface conditions during cleaning operations.

Upright water extraction cleaning machine pump priming

Upright water extraction cleaning machine

A portable surface cleaning apparatus including a base module for movement along a surface, an upright handle pivotally attached to the base module, a liquid dispensing system including a flexible bladder defining a fluid supply chamber for holding a supply of cleaning fluid, a fluid recovery system including a tank on the base module having a chamber for holding recovered fluid and housing the flexible bladder, and a passageway between the fluid supply chamber and the recovery chamber, whereby the recovery chamber is in communication with the fluid supply chamber and the pressure in the flexible bladder is equalized with the pressure in the tank as the cleaning fluid is dispensed from the supply chamber and the dirty liquid is collected in the recovery chamber. In a further embodiment the tank has an outlet opening in a bottom portion thereof and a drain plug is removably mounted in the outlet opening. In another embodiment a lid mounted on the tank defines an expansion chamber having an inlet opening, an outlet passage, and first and second diverters against which the working air flow reverses direction twice between the inlet opening of the expansion chamber and the tank. In another embodiment the working air conduit includes a manual actuator knob having an over-center linkage mechanism connected to a conversion valve for movement between first and second positions, thereby selectively moving the conversion valve between open and closed positions, whereby fluid communication between the tank and the suction nozzle is selectively opened and closed.

A portable surface cleaning apparatus has a base for movement along a surface to be cleaned and an upright handle pivotally attached to a rearward portion of the base. A fluid dispensing nozzle for applying fluid to the surface and a suction nozzle for picking up fluid and debris from the surface are associated with the base. Supply tanks are removably mounted to the handle or base while a recovery tank is removably mounted to the handle or base. An outlet in each supply tank includes a valve to close the outlet when the supply tank is removed from the base. A protrusion in a bottom surface of the supply tank defines a measuring volume for concentrated cleaning solution and is further adapted to stabilize the supply tank in the base or handle. The supply tank also includes an aperture through a lower portion selectively closed by a drain plug. A conduit connecting each supply tank to a dispensing nozzle includes a check valve restricting fluid flow to a direction from the tank and to the nozzle. Also, a float assembly in the recovery tank includes a first end for covering an air exit from the recovery tank and a second end, which is buoyant and elevated by the rising recovered fluid in the tank, for raising the first end to cover the air exit.

Upright water extraction cleaning machine with improved tank structure

The invention relates to a water extraction cleaning machine having a variable solution mixing valve adapted to create cleaning solution mixtures of variable constituent ratios. Clean water and detergent are provided from tanks supported on the water extraction cleaning machines. The size of the detergent inlet opening can be altered through rotation of a control knob provided on the outside of the water extraction cleaning machine. The knob is interconnected to at least one member which is adapted to vary the size of one of the detergent fluid inlet and the clean water inlet so that the ratio of constituent elements can be altered depending upon the cleaning application.

Water extraction cleaning machine with variable solution mixing valve

A portable surface cleaning apparatus has a base for movement along a surface to be cleaned and an upright handle pivotally attached to a rearward portion of the base. A fluid dispensing nozzle for applying fluid to the surface and a suction nozzle for picking up fluid and debris from the surface are associated with the base. Supply tanks are removably mounted to the handle or base while a recovery tank is removably mounted to the handle or base. An outlet in each supply tank includes a valve to close the outlet when the supply tank is removed from the base. A float valve assembly in the recovery tank includes a first end for covering an air outlet port from the recovery tank and a second end, which is buoyant and elevated by the rising recovered fluid in the tank, for raising the first end to cover the air outlet port.

Growing community of inventors

Jenison, MI, United States of America

Timothy E Kasen