Abstract: A floor cleaner has a fluid flow path, a fluid flow motor, a liquid distribution assembly, and a recovery tank positioned in the fluid flow path and configured to receive liquid-laden air from the air inlet. The liquid distribution assembly has a first supply tank for a first liquid, a second supply tank for a second liquid, and a mixing module for mixing the first liquid and the second liquid. The mixing module has a mixing chamber that allows the first and second liquids to mix before being expelled through an outlet of the mixing module. The mixing module includes a closure that is movable between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the closure closes the outlet to prevent fluid flow through the outlet. In the open position, the closure opens the outlet to allow fluid flow through the outlet.

Abstract: A floor cleaner having a recovery tank, a suction source, and a filter basket. The suction source is configured to generate an airflow along a fluid flow path to draw fluid and debris from a surface to be cleaned into the recovery tank. The recovery tank has an outlet duct on a tank body. The filter basket is positioned in the outlet duct on the tank body and configured to filter debris from the airflow.

Abstract: A floor cleaner includes a hose port in an upper wall of a nozzle, the hose port is located at an elevation between an outlet of the suction nozzle and an inlet of the suction nozzle. A cover for the hose port is movable relative to the suction nozzle between an open position and a closed position. The floor cleaner further includes a hose including a connector, the connector insertable into the hose port when the cover is in the open position to removably couple the hose to the hose port and provide fluid communication between the hose and a recovery tank through the outlet of the suction nozzle.

Abstract: A floor cleaner having a recovery tank, a suction source, and a filter basket. The suction source is configured to generate an airflow along a fluid flow path to draw fluid and debris from a surface to be cleaned into the recovery tank. The recovery tank has an outlet duct on a tank body. The filter basket is positioned in the outlet duct on the tank body and configured to filter debris from the airflow.

Abstract: A cleaning head housing for a floor cleaner that moves along a surface to be cleaned includes a brushroll chamber defining a top surface having a top opening and a bottom surface having a bottom opening positioned closer to the surface to be cleaned than the top opening. A suction nozzle has an upper nozzle wall, a lower nozzle wall, and a nozzle passageway formed between the upper and lower nozzle walls. The suction nozzle is releaseably connected to the brushroll chamber to selectively cover the top opening of the brushroll chamber. A brushroll is positioned within the brushroll chamber and engages the surface to be cleaned through the bottom opening of the brushroll chamber. The brushroll is accessible through the top opening for cleaning while the suction nozzle is disconnected from the brushroll chamber. The brushroll is removable from the brushroll chamber other than through the top opening.

Abstract: A floor cleaner having a recovery tank, a suction source, and a filter basket. The suction source is configured to generate an airflow along a fluid flow path to draw fluid and debris from a surface to be cleaned into the recovery tank. The recovery tank has an outlet duct on a tank body. The filter basket is positioned in the outlet duct on the tank body and configured to filter debris from the airflow.

Abstract: A floor cleaner having a recovery tank, a suction source, and a filter basket. The suction source is configured to generate an airflow along a fluid flow path to draw fluid and debris from a surface to be cleaned into the recovery tank. The recovery tank has an outlet duct on a tank body. The filter basket is positioned in the outlet duct on the tank body and configured to filter debris from the airflow.

Abstract: A cleaning head housing for a floor cleaner that moves along a surface to be cleaned includes a brushroll chamber defining a top surface having a top opening and a bottom surface having a bottom opening positioned closer to the surface to be cleaned than the top opening. A suction nozzle has an upper nozzle wall, a lower nozzle wall, and a nozzle passageway formed between the upper and lower nozzle walls. The suction nozzle is releaseably connected to the brushroll chamber to selectively cover the top opening of the brushroll chamber. A brushroll is positioned within the brushroll chamber and engages the surface to be cleaned through the bottom opening of the brushroll chamber. The brushroll is accessible through the top opening for cleaning while the suction nozzle is disconnected from the brushroll chamber. The brushroll is removable from the brushroll chamber other than through the top opening.

Abstract: An improved pail container includes a container body that includes an opening and a chamber that is configured to receive and hold, e.g., a liquid, and, a lid that is removably attachable to the container body; wherein the container body may include a base defining a bottom of the container body and a sidewall that is configured to project upward from the base and form the opening; wherein the base and the sidewall include the chamber; and wherein the container body includes at least one cavity for a user to hold the pail container.

Abstract: An improved pail container includes a container body that includes an opening and a chamber that is configured to receive and hold, e.g., a liquid, and, a lid that is removably attachable to the container body; wherein the container body may include a base defining a bottom of the container body and a sidewall that is configured to project upward from the base and form the opening; wherein the base and the sidewall include the chamber; and wherein the container body includes at least one cavity for a user to hold the pail container.

Abstract: An agitator having a hollow spindle housing with first and second ends, and one or more agitating devices projecting from the spindle housing. A first bearing retainer holds the first end of the spindle housing and a first race of a first bearing, and a second bearing retainer holds the second end of the spindle housing and a first race of a second bearing. A first agitator mount holds a second race of the first bearing, and a second agitator mount holds a second race of the second bearing. A rigid inner support may be located inside the spindle housing and connect the first and second bearing retainers together to hold the first races of the first and second bearings in axial alignment. The spindle housing may have sound reducing members to reduce the amplitude of human-audible sounds generated by the agitator.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner cyclone separator having a cyclone chamber with an air inlet and an air outlet. The cyclone chamber directs an airflow into a cyclonic pattern to remove a first amount of debris from the airflow. A filter shroud is located within the cyclone chamber and separates the air inlet from the air outlet. The filter shroud includes an air-pervious filter surface adapted to allow the airflow to pass from the air inlet to the air outlet and remove a second amount of debris from the airflow. One or more protrusions are associated with the filter surface, and configured and dimensioned to direct at least a portion of the airflow passing generally parallel to the filter surface away from the filter surface before passing through the filter surface. A dirt collection assembly having a cyclone separator and a method for using a cyclone separator are also disclosed.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner dust cup having a sidewall surrounding an open bottom end, and a shelf extending from the sidewall. A lid is pivotally connected to the cup adjacent the bottom end and is movable between a first position in which it covers the open bottom end, and a second position in which it does not cover the open bottom end. A latch is attached to the lid and has a contact surface adapted to engage the shelf to hold the lid in the first position. An actuator is mounted adjacent the cup sidewall and is movable in a first direction to move the contact surface of the latch out of engagement with the shelf to allow the lid to move about the hinge to the second position. In some embodiments, the actuator does not apply any substantial force to move the lid out of the first position.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner cyclone separator having a cyclone chamber with an air inlet and an air outlet. The cyclone chamber directs an airflow into a cyclonic pattern to remove a first amount of debris from the airflow. A filter shroud is located within the cyclone chamber and separates the air inlet from the air outlet. The filter shroud includes an air-pervious filter surface adapted to allow the airflow to pass from the air inlet to the air outlet and remove a second amount of debris from the airflow. One or more protrusions are associated with the filter surface, and configured and dimensioned to direct at least a portion of the airflow passing generally parallel to the filter surface away from the filter surface before passing through the filter surface. A dirt collection assembly having a cyclone separator and a method for using a cyclone separator are also disclosed.

Abstract: An agitator having a hollow spindle housing with first and second ends, and one or more agitating devices projecting from the spindle housing. A first bearing retainer holds the first end of the spindle housing and a first race of a first bearing, and a second bearing retainer holds the second end of the spindle housing and a first race of a second bearing. A first agitator mount holds a second race of the first bearing, and a second agitator mount holds a second race of the second bearing. A rigid inner support may be located inside the spindle housing and connect the first and second bearing retainers together to hold the first races of the first and second bearings in axial alignment. The spindle housing may have sound reducing members to reduce the amplitude of human-audible sounds generated by the agitator.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having an inlet nozzle, a dirt collection chamber having a chamber opening, and a lid adapted to selectively close the chamber opening. The lid includes a lid passage that extends between a lid inlet and a lid outlet, and the lid outlet is in fluid communication with the dirt collection chamber. A dirty air inlet passage is fluidly connected between the inlet nozzle and the lid inlet. A fan is provided and adapted to convey dirty air into the inlet nozzle, through the dirty air inlet passage, through the lid passage, and into the dirt collection chamber. The lid passage includes a removable portion that can be removed to expose at least a portion of the lid passage to allow removal of obstructions from the lid passage. The vacuum may have a plug recess to hold a power cord plug while it powers the vacuum.

Abstract: An agitator assembly having a spindle having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis. One or more primary agitators are attached to the spindle between the first end and the second end, and edge agitators are attached in a generally circumferential pattern around the spindle's first end. In one aspect, the edge agitators may be arranged at different inclination angles. In another aspect, the edge agitators may be attached on offset circumferential lines. In another aspect, at least one of the edge agitators is more flexible than a primary agitator. In another aspect, the first end has an edge cleaning assembly that is attached to the spindle and rotationally fixed relative thereto by one or more rotationally interlocking structures formed integrally with the edge cleaning assembly. Also provided is a cleaner having a housing and a spindle, with a window through the housing to view the first end of the spindle and substantially no other parts of the spindle.