Patents by Inventor Alan J. Krebs

Alan J. Krebs has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • CYCLONE MODULE FOR VACUUM CLEANER
    Publication number: 20190174985
    Abstract: A cyclone module for a vacuum cleaner includes a primary separator, a bulk collection chamber, at least one secondary separator and a fines collection chamber. First and second doors are provided for closing debris outlets at the bottom ends of the bulk and fines collection chambers, respectively. The fines collection chamber is elevated within the bulk collection chamber, with the second door spaced above the first door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2019
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: Alan J. Krebs, Kenneth M. Lenkiewicz
  • Upright steam mop with auxiliary hose
    Patent number: 10307033
    Abstract: A steam mop with an upright handle assembly pivotally mounted to a foot includes a fluid distribution system. The fluid distribution system includes a steam generator, a fluid distributor in the foot that applies steam to a floor surface and an auxiliary hose that applies steam to above-floor surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: BISSELL Homecare, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan J. Krebs, Kurt E. Ashbaugh
  • SURFACE CLEANING APPARATUS WITH FLEXIBLE BELLOWS
    Publication number: 20190159644
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus includes a housing including an upright handle assembly and a base mounted to the handle assembly and adapted for movement across a surface to be cleaned. A fluid delivery system can be provided on the housing and can include a fluid supply chamber and a fluid dispenser. A fluid recovery system can be provided on the housing and include a suction nozzle assembly, a recovery chamber, and a vacuum source to draw fluid from the surface to be cleaned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Lenkiewicz, Alan J. Krebs
  • Surface cleaning apparatus with movable squeegee
    Patent number: 10238260
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus has a base configured to be moved across a surface to be cleaned, a fluid delivery system, and a fluid recovery system with a suction nozzle assembly defining a fluid flow path. A squeegee is provided in the suction nozzle assembly and is mounted within the fluid flow path to slide forwardly and rearwardly within the suction nozzle assembly as the base is moved rearwardly and forwardly, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: BISSELL Homecare, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Lenkiewicz, Alan J. Krebs
  • Cyclone module for vacuum cleaner
    Patent number: 10231587
    Abstract: A cyclone module for a vacuum cleaner includes a primary separator, a bulk collection chamber, at least one secondary separator and a fines collection chamber. First and second doors are provided for closing debris outlets at the bottom ends of the bulk and fines collection chambers, respectively. The fines collection chamber is elevated within the bulk collection chamber, with the second door spaced above the first door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: BISSELL Homecare, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan J. Krebs, Kenneth M. Lenkiewicz
  • VACUUM CLEANER
    Publication number: 20190075989
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Inventors: Alan J. Krebs, Thomas K. Ankney
  • AGITATOR WITH DISKS
    Publication number: 20190059665
    Abstract: An agitator is provided for a surface cleaning apparatus, the agitator including a dowel. The dowel defines an axis of rotation. A plurality of disks extends radially from the dowel to a scalloped peripheral edge. The scalloped peripheral edge includes a series of curved recesses, the series of curved recesses extending inwardly toward the dowel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventor: Alan J. Krebs
  • SELF-CLEANING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EXTRACTION CLEANERS
    Publication number: 20180344112
    Abstract: Systems and method for self-cleaning extraction cleaners, including upright or robot extraction cleaner are provided. In one system, a tray can be provided for docking the extraction cleaner during the self-cleaning mode. The tray may include one or more sprayers for spraying a cleaning fluid toward an agitator of the extraction cleaner. In another system, a nozzle flushing manifold mounted on the nozzle assembly of the extraction cleaner includes a plurality of distributor outlets configured to spray cleaning fluid into the suction pathway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Alan J. Krebs, Kenneth M. Lenkiewicz, Scott Miller Vogel, Aaron P. Griffith, Eric Daniel Buehler, Jeffrey A. Scholten, Jake Boles
  • AUTONOMOUS FLOOR CLEANING SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20180344114
    Abstract: A floor cleaning system includes multiple autonomous floor cleaners or robots. The robots are configured to share a mapping, navigation, and/or stain sensing system. A first robot carries the mapping, navigation, and/or stain sensing system, and a second robot receives information from the mapping, navigation, and/or stain sensing system of the first robot. The system can include at least one dry vacuuming robot and at least one deep cleaning robot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Scholten, Alan J. Krebs
  • Agitator with disks
    Patent number: 10143344
    Abstract: An agitator provided for a surface cleaning apparatus includes a dowel defining an axis of rotation and multiple disks extending radially from the dowel to a peripheral edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: BISSELL Homecare, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan J. Krebs
  • HANDHELD VACUUM CLEANER
    Publication number: 20180338658
    Abstract: A handheld vacuum cleaner is provided with a hand-carriable body housing the components of a vacuum collection system, which can include a working air path through the body from an air inlet to an air outlet. An air deflector is positioned in opposition to the air inlet and directs a working airstream from the air inlet downwardly within a debris removal assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: Alan J. Krebs, Thomas K. Ankney
  • VACUUM CLEANER ACCESSORY TOOL CONFIGURED TO DISTRIBUTE MIST
    Publication number: 20180333736
    Abstract: An accessory tool for use with a vacuum cleaner. The accessory tool has a fluid delivery system configured to distribute nebulized mist onto various surfaces to be cleaned, including soft surfaces such as upholstery, dog beds, pillows, and automobile interiors. The mist can contain a solution or combination of solutions, such as an odor eliminator, a sanitizer, a stain remover, a deodorizer, a fragrance, or any combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Inventor: Alan J. Krebs
  • VACUUM CLEANER
    Publication number: 20180263444
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a foot assembly having a suction inlet thereon, a suction source in fluid communication with the suction inlet to produce a working airflow there through, and a dirt container in fluid communication with the suction inlet and suction source. The foot assembly further comprises a body defined by a central portion and a pair of extension arms, a rotatable agitator on each extension arm, and a drive assembly configured to counter-rotate the agitators. The counter-rotating agitators are operable to cooperate with the suction source to direct dust and debris towards the suction inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventor: Alan J. Krebs
  • Handheld vacuum cleaner
    Patent number: 10064530
    Abstract: A handheld vacuum cleaner is provided with a hand-carriable body housing the components of a vacuum collection system. The vacuum collection system can include a working air path through the body, and includes a portion which passes through a handle of the hand-carriable body that is adapted to be gripped by a user during operation of the vacuum cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: BISSELL Homecare, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan J. Krebs, Thomas K. Ankney
  • MOTORIZED FLOOR MOP
    Publication number: 20180235425
    Abstract: A motorized floor mop that can deliver liquid to a surface to be cleaned is provided with a handle, a base, a fluid delivery system, a motorized agitation system and a multi-axis swivel joint coupling the handle with the base for movement of the handle. A lock-out mechanism selectively locks out one of the axes of rotation of the multi-axis swivel joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: Junfeng Ding, Jianjun Ge, Alan J. Krebs
  • STEAM CLEANING APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20180213995
    Abstract: A steam cleaning apparatus for delivering steam of a surface to be cleaned is provided with a steam unit, a handle tube and an indexable base. The base can be indexed between a wide orientation where a long edge of the base is orthogonal to the direction of travel and a narrow orientation where a short edge of the base is orthogonal to the direction of travel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventors: Alan J. Krebs, Chi Keung Li, Jing Yang, Ming Luo
  • Vacuum cleaner
    Patent number: 9993127
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a foot assembly having a suction inlet thereon, a suction source in fluid communication with the suction inlet to produce a working airflow therethrough, and a dirt container in fluid communication with the suction inlet and suction source. The foot assembly further comprises a body defined by a central portion and a pair of extension arms, a rotatable agitator on each extension arm, and a drive assembly configured to counter-rotate the agitators. The counter-rotating agitators are operable to cooperate with the suction source to direct dust and debris towards the suction inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: BISSELL Homecare, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan J. Krebs
  • Vacuum cleaner
    Patent number: 9901232
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner has a separation/collection module for separating dirt and other contaminants from a dirt-containing working airstream and collecting the separated dirt. The module can include at least one cyclonic separation stage and an exhaust grill fluidly positioned between the separation stage and an air outlet from the collection module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: BISSELL Homecare, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan J. Krebs
  • Multi-function cleaning tool
    Patent number: 9867517
    Abstract: A multi-function cleaning tool for use with a suction cleaner having a suction source includes a nozzle body rotatably coupled to a housing assembly, where the nozzle body includes multiple suction nozzles and/or agitators that are configured to clean different portions of a surface to be cleaned, such as a stairway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: BISSELL Homecare, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan J. Krebs, Kurt E. Ashbaugh
  • VACUUM CLEANER
    Publication number: 20170367551
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner for cleaning a surface is convertible between an upright mode and a canister mode. The vacuum cleaner includes a diverter assembly to selectively divert a working air flow through different working air flow paths which correspond to the upright mode and the canister mode. The vacuum cleaner can further include a removable suction nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventor: Alan J. Krebs