Alto U.S. Inc.

Nilfisk-advance, Inc.

William R Eklund

Emert R Whitaker

Trent A Fulghum

A method of maintaining a floor comprises discharging a diluting fluid from a first reservoir to a mixing apparatus, discharging a cleaner concentrate from a second reservoir to the mixing apparatus, continuously identifying changes in fluid level within the first reservoir with a level sensor, providing a first signal indicative of an identified change in fluid level, passing the cleaner concentrate and diluting fluid through a flow control device, and processing the first signal to generate an output signal and controlling operation of the pump and the flow control device in response to the output signal to provide a flow of fluid to a cleaning device at a substantially constant ratio of the diluting fluid from the first reservoir to the cleaner concentrate from the second reservoir for substantially all fluid levels of the first reservoir.

Floor maintenance machine

A floor maintenance machine is provided. The machine can be used to clean hard or soft floors. A cleaning fluid is dispensed by a dispensing system containing at least two reservoirs, one for a diluting bulk fluid and another for cleaner concentrate. The dispensing system effects both a controlled ratio of bulk fluid to cleaner concentrate and the rate of cleaning solution dispensed for cleaning.

A recovery system for use in a floor cleaning machine of the type including a dispensing system and a recovery system. The dispensing system configured for dispensing a liquid cleaning solution onto a floor surface to facilitate the removal of dirt from the floor surface. A recovery system configured for recovering cleaning solution and dirt from the floor surface thereby leaving a cleaned floor surface. The recovery system comprises a recovery tool movable over the floor surface. The recovery tool comprises a body including an interior suction chamber in fluid communication with a source of vacuum. At least one blade is secured to the tool body and depending therefrom for engagement with the floor surface to provide fluid communication between the suction chamber and the floor surface, whereby cleaning solution and dirt are suctioned from the floor surface. The blade is substantially rigid to inhibit deformation of the blade during operation of the floor cleaning machine and is movable relative to the tool body such that the blade remains substantially in engagement with the floor surface while moving relative to the tool body to adapt to contours in the floor surface.

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Springdale, AR, United States of America

William R Eklund