Patents Examined by Van Nguyen
  • Patent number: 11241134
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus includes a housing including an upright handle assembly and a base mounted to the upright handle assembly and adapted for movement across a surface to be cleaned. The surface cleaning apparatus is further provided with a fluid delivery system comprising a fluid dispenser configured to dispense fluid to a brushroll and at least one fluid delivery channel forming a portion of a fluid delivery pathway. The fluid delivery channel can extend adjacent to a portion of the suction nozzle assembly. An interference wiper interfaces with a portion of the brushroll to remove excess liquid from the brushroll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: BISSELL Inc.
    Inventors: Jincheng Xia, Jianjun Ge, Zhenjiang Yin, Xin Chen, Yongsheng Liang, Kam Hoi Ma
  • Patent number: 11235360
    Abstract: A drain clearing air gun includes a housing defining a main body, a handle positioned on a first end of the main body, and a nose positioned on a second end of the main body. A tank is at least partially positioned within the housing and includes a chamber for receiving pressurized air. A motor is positioned within a main body of the housing, and a pump is positioned within the main body of the housing and operatively coupled to the motor. The pump is driven by the motor to pump air into the tank. A pressure gauge is supported by the housing and includes an automatic shutoff feature. The pressure gauge is in fluid communication with the tank. When a predetermined pressure within the tank is reached the automatic shutoff feature is activated to stop the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sean T. Kehoe, Ryan J. Denissen, Michael C. Reed, Vasil Zhmendak, Samuel J. Krohlow, Jingyuan Liang
  • Patent number: 11229338
    Abstract: A handheld extraction cleaner includes a unitary body provided with a carry handle, and further provided with a supply tank, a recovery tank, and a suction source, all of which are carried on the unitary body. The various components of the extraction cleaner can be arranged for a balanced weight in hand. The supply and recovery tanks are configured to optimize the usable volume within the tanks, among other functions. A powered cleaning head including a removable brushroll is provided on the unitary body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: BISSELL Inc.
    Inventor: Victoria J. Royale
  • Patent number: 11229341
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a housing having a dust inlet and a first latch. The first latch is moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The vacuum cleaner also includes a second latch moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position, and a spring pressing the second latch to the locked position. The vacuum cleaner also includes a dust bin securable on the housing with the first latch and the second latch. When the dust bin is being installed onto the housing, the second latch is moved from the locked position to the unlocked position until the spring presses the second latch back to the locked position. The dust bin is secured on the housing when the dust bin is installed on the housing, the first latch is in the locked position, and the second latch is in the locked position. The dust bin is removable from the housing when the dust bin is installed on the housing, the first latch is in the unlocked position, and the second latch is in the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited
    Inventor: Jerald Bradley
  • Patent number: 11219303
    Abstract: A brush product, in particular a toothbrush, having a base body with a head part with a front and a rear side, which includes a bristle carrier with a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis and a bristle field protruding therefrom, wherein the bristle field is formed by at least one group of cleaning elements; a handle part; and a neck part connecting the head part and the handle part; wherein the bristle carrier is provided with bristles which are mounted without being anchored and wherein the bristle carrier includes substantially a central support area, an upper support area, a lower support area, a right support area and a left support area, in which the groups of cleaning elements are arranged. Also, a corresponding method and tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: TRISA HOLDING AG
    Inventors: Reto Strähler, Jost Lötscher, Oskar Trevisan, Martin Zwimpfer
  • Patent number: 11206960
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus comprises a brushroll that rotates about an axis. The brushroll defines a cylindrical portion and the axis extends centrally through the cylindrical portion. The brushroll also includes a rib that extends in a direction away from the axis. The rib includes a face extending along a line that is collinear with a secant through the cylindrical portion. A brush member extends from the face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited
    Inventors: Robert McRorie, Douglas Rukavina
  • Patent number: 11203096
    Abstract: A glass grinding apparatus includes a base unit assembly having a work-piece support assembly and a motor housing assembly. The work-piece support assembly includes a work-piece support grating and a water basin. The motor housing assembly includes a motor housing containing a grinding motor and a power supply. The grinding motor has a rotatable motor shaft whose upper end is configured to receive a glass grinding bit operable to grind a glass work-piece situated on the work-piece support grating. In one aspect, the grinding motor operates on direct current provided by an AC/DC power supply that is directly operable with different utility mains. In another aspect, the work-piece support assembly is a discrete unit having lifting handles. In another aspect, the work-piece support grating has water-restriction baffles and/or a water-level view port. In another aspect, an integrated lamp-shield assembly is provided. In another aspect, a self-contained pedestal assembly is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Inventor: Michael Hacikyan
  • Patent number: 11197592
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner (10) includes a handle assembly (22) pivotally coupled to a foot (42). The handle assembly (22) includes an air treatment member, an actuator (34) centrally arranged on a rear side of the handle assembly (22) and a cord reel assembly (14) arranged on a front side of the handle assembly (22). The cord reel assembly (14) includes a cord reel (30) and a cord (26) configured to be coupled to an AC power source and provide power to the suction source. The cord reel (30) is switchable between a first state, in which the cord reel (30) winds the cord (26), and a second state, in which the cord reel (30) does not wind. The actuator (34) is moveable between a first position and a second position. In response to the actuator (34) moving from the first position to the second position, the cord reel (30) switches from the second state to the first state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited
    Inventors: Rong Zhou, David Khalil, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11191409
    Abstract: Ergonomic gripping mechanisms of handheld air movement apparatuses are provided. A handheld air movement apparatus may include a handle portion and a tool portion. The handle portion may include a grip, a trigger, and a handle pivot. The grip may have first and second ends. The trigger may be positioned toward the first end of the grip and the handle pivot may be positioned toward the second end of the grip. The tool portion may include a housing, a nozzle coupled to the housing, and a handle connection base. The tool portion may provide air movement into and/or out of the nozzle in response to a signal received from the trigger of the handle portion. The handle connection base of the tool portion may be pivotally coupled to the handle portion at the handle pivot to provide directional height adjustment of the tool portion with respect to the handle portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: TRANSFORM SR BRANDS LLC
    Inventor: Ross Carl
  • Patent number: 11172802
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Techtronic Cordless GP
    Inventors: Ryan Bloomer, Juan Aviles Quintero, Mohammed Irfan, John Morphey
  • Patent number: 11172801
    Abstract: A cleaning system comprising a vacuum source, a current sensor, a recovery tank having a shutoff float configured to float on a surface of fluid within the recovery tank, and a controller. The vacuum source is in fluid communication with a suction inlet via first and second air paths within the recovery tank. The shutoff float is further configured to block the first air path upon the fluid within the recovery tank reaching a desired level. The controller is configured to receive, from the current sensor, a signal indicative of the current drawn by the vacuum source. The controller is further configured to determine, based on the current drawn by the vacuum source crossing a threshold, the fluid within the recovery tank has reached the desired level and control an operating element of the cleaning system upon determining the fluid within the recovery tank has reached the desired level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Techtronic Cordless GP
    Inventors: Kevin Pohlman, Rafael Davila, Nicholas DeBlasio
  • Patent number: 11166611
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a cleaning robot and a roller cleaning device thereof. The cleaning robot comprises a shell and a roller cleaning device. The roller cleaning device comprises a flexible roller, a roller motor for driving the flexible roller to rotate, a water sink close to and in communication with a surface of the flexible roller, a water tank, and a sewage pressing member. The water tank comprises a filter member. One end of the water sink is in communication with the water tank through a sewage pipe at a position above the filter member, and the other end of the water sink is in communication with a clean water pipe at a position below the filter member. The water tank is connected to a vacuum pump, and the sewage pressing member squeezes the sewage in the flexible roller into the water tank when the flexible roller rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: HIZERO TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yang Li
  • Patent number: 11160431
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a surface cleaning apparatus that includes a housing adapted for movement over a surface to be cleaned and a headlight having at least one light emitting element internal to the housing. A light pipe is integrated with a cover for a brushroll, and conveys light emitted from the light emitting element to an exterior of the housing. Methods for operating the headlight are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: BISSELL Inc.
    Inventors: Tom Minh Nguyen, Nim Chung Ku, Roger Hoskens, Mike Luyckx
  • Patent number: 11154172
    Abstract: A nozzle for a cleaner has a nozzle housing including a suction flow path configured to allow air and dust to flow therethrough. A water tank is mounted on the nozzle housing to store water. The nozzle also has first and second rotation cleaning units arranged on a lower side of the nozzle housing. Each of the first and second rotation cleaning units include a rotation plate coupled to a mop. The nozzle includes a first driving device that has a first driving motor to drive the first rotation cleaning unit. The nozzle also includes a second driving device that has a second driving motor to drive the second rotation cleaning unit. Further, the nozzle has a water discharge port provided at a bottom of the nozzle housing to supply water in the water tank to each of the first and second rotation cleaning units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jinho Kim, Hyeri Kwon, Sungjun Kim, Kyoungho Ryou, Jungwan Ryu, Jinhyouk Shin, Ingyu Yang, Youngsoo Kim
  • Patent number: 11147425
    Abstract: A service station and a service process for servicing cleaning machines are provided, the service station comprising a first inlet line including an electric conduit and configured to connect to a power source, a second inlet line including a fluid conduit and configured to connect to a cleaning liquid source, a control unit, a charging unit electrically connected to the first inlet line and to the control unit, the charging unit being configured to provide a charging current, a first flow controller fluidly connected to the second inlet line, a first supply line electrically connected to the charging unit and configured to receive the charging current and to deliver the charging current to a first connector plug for providing the charging current to the machine to be serviced, a second supply line fluidly connected to the first flow controller and to a second connector plug for providing cleaning liquid to the machine to be serviced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Diversey, Inc.
    Inventor: Dieter Windmeisser
  • Patent number: 11147426
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus adapted for movement across a surface to be cleaned. The surface cleaning apparatus can dock within a storage tray and charge a power supply. Electrical contacts on the surface cleaning apparatus and the storage tray can be shielded when the surface cleaning apparatus is not docked within the storage tray. Furthermore, the storage tray can include a reservoir for a self-cleaning mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: BISSELL Inc.
    Inventors: Tom Minh Nguyen, Jacob S. Boles, Jacob Resch, Ying Chun Wong, Jian Hua Tang, Yunfu Wang
  • Patent number: 11147422
    Abstract: A cleaner includes: a suction unit; a suction motor that generates suction force for sucking air through the suction unit and includes an impeller; a dust separation unit that includes one or more cyclone units generating cyclonic flow to separate dust from air flowing inside through the suction unit; a dust container that stores dust separated by the dust separation unit and is disposed under the suction motor; a battery disposed behind the dust container to supply power to the suction motor; and a handle disposed behind the suction motor, wherein a rotational axis of the impeller and an axis of the cyclonic flow vertically extend and an extension line from the rotational axis of the impeller passes through the one or more cyclone units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Bohyun Nam, Namhee Kim, Jinju Kim, Hyeonjeong An, Jungbae Hwang
  • Patent number: 11148391
    Abstract: An abrasive wipe includes a spunbond layer that forms a first outer surface of the wipe, a meltblown layer positioned over the spunbond layer so as to form an inner layer of the wipe and an abrasive layer positioned over the meltblown layer so as to form a second outer surface of the wipe. The spunbond layer, the meltblown layer and the abrasive layer are bonded together in a single bonding step, and, in an exemplary embodiment, the abrasive wipe has an MD tensile strength of at least 700 g/cm and a CD tensile strength of at least 500 g/cm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: PFNONWOVENS LLC
    Inventors: Paul DeNoia, Karthik Ramaratnam, Michael Kauschke, Peter Zajaczkowski
  • Patent number: 11141252
    Abstract: An oral care apparatus that includes an oral care implement and a tracking module detachably coupled to the oral care implement. The oral care implement includes a body having an inner surface that defines an internal cavity. The tracking module may be coupled to the oral care implement by inserting a portion of the tracking module into the internal cavity of the body. The tracking module includes a coupling portion and an electronics portion that are coupled together so as to be fixed together in the axial direction but freely rotatable relative to one another. The tracking module may only be able to be inserted into the internal cavity of the body in a single orientation. Furthermore, when in the internal cavity, the electronics portion of the tracking module may be non-rotatable relative to the body while the coupling portion of the tracking module remains rotatable relative to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Takahide Okai, Thuan Chong Tan, Mickael Norbert Bouffaut
  • Patent number: 11134818
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus including a vacuum cleaner and a docking station is provided. The cleaning apparatus includes a vacuum cleaner including a dust collecting chamber in which foreign substances are collected, and a docking station configured to be connected to the dust collecting chamber to remove the foreign substances collected in the dust collecting chamber. The dust collecting chamber is configured to collect foreign substances through centrifugation, and configured to be docked to the docking station, and the docking station includes a suction device configured to suction the foreign substances and air in the dust collecting chamber docked to the docking station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: See Hyun Kim, In Gyu Choi, Ki Hwan Kwon, Shin Kim, Hyeon Cheol Kim, Do Kyung Lee, Hyun Ju Lee, Yun Soo Jang, Seung Ryong Cha, Jung Gyun Han