Abstract: The present disclosure provides a floor cleaner that includes a replaceable component, such as a filter. The floor cleaner has a detection mechanism comprising a magnet on the replaceable component and a Hall Effect sensor positioned to detect the permanent magnet when the replaceable component is correctly installed on the floor cleaner. Operation of one or more electrically-powered components of the floor cleaner is prevented when the permanent magnet is not detected by the Hall Effect sensor.
Abstract: A portable surface cleaning apparatus for a floor surface includes a main housing assembly adapted to be hand carried by a user, the main housing assembly carrying a fluid delivery system adapted for storing cleaning fluid and delivering the cleaning fluid to the surface to be cleaned, and a fluid recovery system adapted for removing the cleaning fluid and debris from the surface to be cleaned and storing the cleaning fluid and debris that was recovered, the main housing assembly comprising a base housing, a supply tank received on the main housing assembly, a recovery tank received on the main housing assembly separately from the supply tank.
Abstract: A system and method for selectively manually controlling an autonomous floor cleaner includes an autonomous floor cleaner and a remote control device, such as a smartphone. The smartphone can have a downloaded application for controlling one or more functions of the cleaning robot, including manually directing the movement of the cleaning robot.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 6, 2018
Date of Patent:
October 3, 2023
Assignee:
BISSELL , Inc.
Inventors:
Adam Brown, Eric D. Buehler, Derek E. Smith, David VanKampen
Abstract: The present disclosure provides a surface cleaning apparatus that includes a steam delivery system for steam mopping a floor surface after sweeping dry dirt, dust, hair, and other debris from the floor surface. The surface cleaning apparatus can be configured to perform multiple cleaning functions, including dry sweeping and steam mopping. The surface cleaning apparatus can have a steam vent for venting a portion of the steam from a brush chamber.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 25, 2022
Date of Patent:
October 3, 2023
Assignee:
BISSELL Inc.
Inventors:
Jason W. Pruiett, Jacob Resch, James Theodore Hotary, Guoshun Wang
Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes an odor neutralizer and dust plume abatement system. The odor neutralizer and dust plume abatement system delivers a mist to a working air path of the vacuum cleaner, such as at or upstream of a working air treatment assembly defining a portion of the working air path.
Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes an upright body mounted to a base that moves over a surface to be cleaned. A rotational coupling can be provided between the upright body and the base for coupling the upright body to the base for movement about at least one rotational axis. The rotational coupling can include at least a swivel joint. A cord rewinder can be provided above the swivel joint for storing and dispensing a power cord.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 28, 2020
Date of Patent:
September 12, 2023
Assignee:
BISSELL Inc.
Inventors:
Phong Hoang Tran, Todd Richard VanTongeren
Abstract: An autonomous vacuum cleaner includes an autonomously moveable housing carrying a vacuum collection system for generating a working air flow for removing dirt from the surface to be cleaned and storing the dirt in a collection space. Distance sensors for position sensing are mounted to the housing, behind a sensor cover. The distance sensors can be staggered and/or positioned above a brush chamber for a brushroll.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 19, 2020
Date of Patent:
September 12, 2023
Assignee:
BISSELL Inc.
Inventors:
Jeffrey A. Scholten, Jake Andrew Mohan, Andrew James Brouwers, Eric Daniel Buehler, James Joseph Minnema, Jr., Derek Everett Smith, David VanKampen
Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus is provided with a base assembly, an upright assembly, and a fluid recovery system. The base assembly includes a base housing, a brush chamber, at least one brushroll in the brush chamber; and a removable brush housing. A portion of the brush chamber is removable with the brush housing.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 26, 2022
Date of Patent:
September 5, 2023
Assignee:
BISSELL Inc.
Inventors:
Steven M. Johnson, James Michael Preston, Alan Finnie, Mitchell J. DeJonge, Jason W. Pruiett
Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes an air treatment or debris removable assembly with a multi-layer filtration stage. The multi-layer filtration stage can include an outer mesh screen, a louvered exhaust grill, and a multi-layer filter. Optionally, an inner perforated exhaust grill is also provided. The debris removable assembly can further include a cyclonic filtration stage.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 1, 2020
Date of Patent:
September 5, 2023
Assignee:
BISSELL Inc.
Inventors:
Matthew T. Acker, Gabriel Melching, Mark J. Bissell
Abstract: The present disclosure provides a surface cleaning apparatus that includes a housing including a base adapted for movement across a surface to be cleaned, a fluid delivery system, and a recovery system. The surface cleaning apparatus can be configured to clean multiple surfaces, including hard and soft surfaces, and for different cleaning modes, including wet cleaning, dry vacuum cleaning, and self-cleaning. Methods for self-cleaning a surface cleaning apparatus are also provided.
Abstract: An extraction cleaner is provided with a removable recovery tank having a recovery container, a drain opening quick-empty valve, and an actuator assembly for emptying the recovery container. The drain opening can be provided on a lower portion of the recovery container. The actuator assembly can selectively open the valve. At least a portion of the actuator assembly can be provided on an upper portion of the recovery container.
Abstract: The present disclosure provides a surface cleaning apparatus that includes a recovery system that extracts liquid and debris with a drying cycle in which forced air flows through a recovery pathway of the recovery system to dry out components that remain wet and/or retain moisture after normal operation of the apparatus. The post-operation drying cycle can dry out components such as an agitator or brushroll, a brush chamber, a suction nozzle, a recovery tank, a filter, and any of the various conduits, ducts, and/or hoses fluidly coupling components of the recovery system together.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 25, 2021
Date of Patent:
August 29, 2023
Assignee:
BISSELL Inc.
Inventors:
Kurt Ashbaugh, Jason W. Pruiett, David M. Miller, Todd R. VanTongeren
Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus includes a steam delivery system, a liquid delivery system, and a recovery system. The steam delivery system may include a steam dispenser having one outlet to dispense steam toward the surface to be cleaned and another outlet to dispense steam away from the surface to be cleaned as visible steam vapor. The apparatus may have multiple cleaning modes, including a mode where liquid is dispensed and a mode where liquid and steam are dispensed. Methods for operating a surface cleaning apparatus and for self-cleaning a surface cleaning apparatus are also provided.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 25, 2022
Date of Patent:
August 22, 2023
Assignee:
BISSELL Inc.
Inventors:
Jacob Resch, Andrew Woodcox, Jeremy W. Hoffmann
Abstract: An autonomous floor cleaning system includes an interlock for physically interlocking an autonomous floor cleaner with a docking station. The interlock selectively engages when the robot is docked at the docking station, and can automatically engage as when a predefined locking criterion is met. The interlock can remain engaged until a predefined unlocking criterion is met. Methods for docking an autonomous floor cleaner with a docking station are disclosed.
Abstract: The present disclosure provides a surface cleaning apparatus that includes a headlight or other light source that selectively illuminates upon the occurrence of a predetermined condition. The headlight turns on to emit light when the surface cleaning apparatus us turned on, and emits light in a different color when cleaning fluid is dispensed. Methods for operating a headlight or light source are also disclosed.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 1, 2021
Date of Patent:
August 22, 2023
Assignee:
BISSELL Inc.
Inventors:
Tom Minh Nguyen, Nim Chung Ku, Roger Hoskens, Mike Luyckx
Abstract: Self-cleaning features for extraction cleaners and attachments for extraction cleaners, such as accessory tools, wands, and/or hoses, are provided. The self-cleaning features are configured redirect cleaning fluid from a fluid supply system of the extraction cleaner into a working air or fluid recovery path of the extraction cleaner, including, but not limited to into the working air or fluid recovery path of a tool, wand, and/or hose of the extraction cleaner.
Type:
Application
Filed:
April 17, 2023
Publication date:
August 17, 2023
Applicant:
BISSELL Inc.
Inventors:
Victoria J. Royale, Aaron P. Griffith, David M. Miller, Michael Luyckx, Brian C. Wolfe, Justin Benacquisto