Patents by Inventor David E. McDowell
David E. McDowell 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).
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Publication number: 20190357748Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus includes a heated vapor generator for generating steam and a supply tank for containing a supply of fluid. A liquid conduit that is in fluid communication with the supply tank is in heat exchange relationship with a vapor conduit that is in fluid communication with the heated vapor generator.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2019Publication date: November 28, 2019Inventors: David E. McDowell, Eric C. Huffman
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Patent number: 10376124Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus includes a heated vapor generator for generating steam and a supply tank for containing a supply of fluid. A liquid conduit that is in fluid communication with the supply tank is in heat exchange relationship with a vapor conduit that is in fluid communication with the heated vapor generator.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2017Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignee: BISSELL Homecare, Inc.Inventors: David E. McDowell, Eric C. Huffman
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Publication number: 20170251897Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus includes a heated vapor generator for generating steam and a supply tank for containing a supply of fluid. A liquid conduit that is in fluid communication with the supply tank is in heat exchange relationship with a vapor conduit that is in fluid communication with the heated vapor generator.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2017Publication date: September 7, 2017Inventors: David E. McDowell, Eric C. Huffman
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Publication number: 20160037990Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus is capable of both vacuum cleaning and steam cleaning, and can be operated in a vacuum cleaning mode and a steam cleaning mode. In the vacuum cleaning mode, power is supplied to the vacuum motor, and the heated vapor generator is inoperable. In the steam cleaning mode, power is supplied to the heated vapor generator, and the vacuum motor is inoperable.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2015Publication date: February 11, 2016Inventors: David E. McDowell, Eric C. Huffman
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Patent number: 7918909Abstract: A cyclone separator assembly comprises a cyclone separator that removes large particles of dirt from a working airstream as it flows through the cyclone separator, and the separated large particles of dirt are deposited into a dirt cup. The cyclone separator assembly further includes a fine particle separation member comprising a plurality of apertures for separating fine particles of dirt from air in the cyclone separator or the dirt cup. The fine particle separation member can be formed in a wall of the cyclone separator, a sidewall of the dirt cup, or in the outlet of the cyclone separator assembly. The cyclone separator assembly can further include a guide plate for creating a direction change in the path of the working airstream to aid in the separation of fine particles of dirt from air passing through the outlet.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2007Date of Patent: April 5, 2011Assignee: BISSELL Homecare, Inc.Inventor: David E. McDowell
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Patent number: 7752705Abstract: A portable extraction surface cleaner apparatus wherein a surface to be cleaned is heated to an elevated temperature and a cleaning fluid is applied to the surface to be cleaned sequentially or simultaneously. The cleaning fluid is removed from the surface by suction from a vacuum source. Power is applied alternatively or simultaneously to a heating element and to the vacuum source for recovering the deposited cleaning fluid.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2004Date of Patent: July 13, 2010Assignee: Bissell Homecare, Inc.Inventors: David E. McDowell, Eric C. Huffman
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Patent number: 7748079Abstract: A cyclone separator assembly comprises a cyclone separator that removes large particles of dirt from a working airstream as it flows through the cyclone separator, and the separated large particles of dirt are deposited into a dirt cup. The cyclone separator assembly further includes a fine particle separation member comprising a plurality of apertures for separating fine particles of dirt from air in the cyclone separator or the dirt cup.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2005Date of Patent: July 6, 2010Assignee: Bissell Homecare, Inc.Inventors: David E. McDowell, George Moyher, Jr., Charles A. Reed, Jr., Timothy S. Parker
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Publication number: 20090078284Abstract: A portable extraction surface cleaner apparatus wherein a surface to be cleaned is heated to an elevated temperature and a cleaning fluid is applied to the surface to be cleaned sequentially or simultaneously. The cleaning fluid is removed from the surface by suction from a vacuum source. Power is applied alternatively or simultaneously to a heating element and to the vacuum source for recovering the deposited cleaning fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2008Publication date: March 26, 2009Applicant: BISSELL Homecare, Inc.Inventors: David E. McDowell, Eric C. Huffman
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Patent number: 7475712Abstract: A portable extraction surface cleaner has a base housing, an upright handle pivotally mounted to the base housing, a liquid dispensing system including a cleaning fluid supply tank for holding a supply of cleaning liquid and removably mounted in a well in the base housing, a liquid recovery system that includes a recovery tank, a suction nozzle, a working air conduit extending between the recovery chamber and the suction nozzle and a vacuum source to draw soiled liquid from the suction nozzle into the recovery tank. The vacuum source is mounted in an enclosed chamber juxtaposed to the well. A detergent supply tank is removably mounted in a second well in the base.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: January 13, 2009Assignee: BISSELL Homecare, INc.Inventor: David E. McDowell
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Patent number: 7247181Abstract: The invention relates to dirt separator module comprising a dirt-separation housing having an inlet and an outlet opening and defining a cyclonic airflow separator, and a suction source fluidly connected with the dirt-separation housing. A separator plate and a cylindrical wall of the dirt-separation housing form a toroidal cyclonic airflow chamber in the dirt-separator for aiding in the separation of dirt from a suction airstream developed by the suction source. The separator plate has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical wall of the dirt-separation housing, creating a gap between the outer edge of the separator plate and the inner wall of the dirt tank. A further embodiment includes dual cyclonic separators fluidly connected through a filter assembly. A further embodiment includes a cyclonic separator in the form of a tangential helical ramp.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2004Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Bissell Homecare, Inc.Inventors: Samuel N. Hansen, Gary L. Smith, Eric R. Metzger, David E. McDowell
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Patent number: 7188388Abstract: A multi-use vacuum cleaner capable of use as an upright vacuum or as a detachable vacuum module further comprising a cyclonic dirt separator has a detachable vacuum module selectively mounted to the base and support member of an upright vacuum cleaner. The vacuum module includes the vacuum motor, motor driven fan, cyclonic dirt separator and hose. The vacuum cleaner may be operated as an upright vacuum, or alternatively, the module can be separated from the base assembly and may be used independently of and at a great distance from the base assembly for a wide variety of cleaning purposes.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2003Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: BISSELL Homecare, Inc.Inventors: Michael F. Best, Douglas J. Medema, David E. McDowell
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Patent number: 7062816Abstract: A portable surface cleaning apparatus comprises a fluid dispensing system including at least one fluid supply tank, a dispensing nozzle connected to the fluid supply tank through a fluid supply conduit for applying a cleaning fluid to a surface to be cleaned, a fluid recovery tank for holding recovered fluid, a suction nozzle, a working air conduit extending between the recovery tank and the suction nozzle, a vacuum source in fluid communication with the recovery tank for generating a flow of working air from the suction nozzle through the working air conduit and to the recovery tank to thereby recover fluid from the surface to be cleaned through the suction nozzle and working air conduit and into the recovery tank, and a power drive mechanism for selectively propelling the portable cleaning apparatus over the surface to be cleanedType: GrantFiled: August 9, 2002Date of Patent: June 20, 2006Assignee: Bissell Homecare, Inc.Inventors: Gary A. Kasper, Allen W. Scott, Phong Hoang Tran, David E. McDowell, Gary L. Smith
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Patent number: 7013528Abstract: A battery-powered, upright vacuum sweeper comprises a base assembly and a handle pivotably attached thereto. The base assembly comprises a vacuum fan assembly fluidly communicating with an inlet for vacuuming dust and the debris particles from a surface into a removable reservoir. A rotating roller brush attached to the base assembly sweeps the particles into the inlet. A dust pad assembly comprises a disposable dust cloth extending over a portion of the base assembly in contact with the surface to be cleaned for removing dust particles which are not removed by vacuuming.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2002Date of Patent: March 21, 2006Assignee: Bissell Homecare, Inc.Inventors: Timothy S. Parker, David L. Haan, David E. McDowell
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Patent number: 6898820Abstract: A portable surface cleaning apparatus comprises a fluid dispensing system including at least one fluid supply tank, a dispensing nozzle for applying a cleaning fluid to a surface to be cleaned, and a block heater for heating the fluid to be applied to the surface to be cleaned to a temperature less than boiling; a fluid recovery tank for holding recovered fluid; a suction nozzle; a working air conduit extending between the recovery tank and the suction nozzle; and a vacuum source in fluid communication with the recovery tank for generating a flow of working air from the suction nozzle through the working air conduit and into the recovery tank to thereby recover fluid from the surface to be cleaned.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2001Date of Patent: May 31, 2005Assignee: BISSELL Homecare, Inc.Inventors: Gary A. Kasper, David E. McDowell
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Publication number: 20040216263Abstract: A multi-use vacuum cleaner capable of use as an upright vacuum or as a detachable vacuum module further comprising a cyclonic dirt separator has a detachable vacuum module selectively mounted to the base and support member of an upright vacuum cleaner. The vacuum module includes the vacuum motor, motor driven fan, cyclonic dirt separator and hose. The vacuum cleaner may be operated as an upright vacuum, or alternatively, the module can be separated from the base assembly and may be used independently of and at a great distance from the base assembly for a wide variety of cleaning purposes.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2003Publication date: November 4, 2004Applicant: BISSELL HOMECARE, INC.Inventors: Michael F. Best, Douglas J. Medema, David E. McDowell
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Patent number: 6810557Abstract: The invention relates to a cyclonic dirt separator comprising a dirt-collection assembly including a dirt tank having an inlet aperture and an outlet aperture, a cyclonic separator, at least one filter element, and a suction source fluidly connected with the dirt collection assembly. In one embodiment, the cyclonic dirt separator includes a separator plate cooperating with the housing to form a toroidal region of the dirt tank for aiding in the separation of dirt from a suction airstream developed by the suction source. The separator plate has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the dirt tank, creating a gap between the outer edge of the separator plate and the inner wall of the dirt tank. A further embodiment includes fins projecting from a sidewall of the dirt tank, and fingers projecting from a bottom wall of the dirt tank, to reduce re-entrainment of dirt particles.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2002Date of Patent: November 2, 2004Assignee: Bissell Homecare, Inc.Inventors: Samuel N. Hansen, David E. McDowell, Lindsay Michelle Swartz
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Publication number: 20040154126Abstract: The invention relates to a cyclonic dirt separator comprising a dirt-collection assembly including a dirt tank having an inlet aperture and an outlet aperture, a cyclonic separator, at least one filter element, and a suction source fluidly connected with the dirt collection assembly. In one embodiment, the cyclonic dirt separator includes a separator plate cooperating with the housing to form a toroidal region of the dirt tank for aiding in the separation of dirt from a suction airstream developed by the suction source. The separator plate has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the dirt tank, creating a gap between the outer edge of the separator plate and the inner wall of the dirt tank. A further embodiment includes fins projecting from a sidewall of the dirt tank, and fingers projecting from a bottom wall of the dirt tank, to reduce re-entrainment of dirt particles.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2002Publication date: August 12, 2004Inventors: Samuel N. Hansen, David E. McDowell, Lindsay Michelle Swartz
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Publication number: 20040045126Abstract: A battery-powered, upright vacuum sweeper comprises a base assembly and a handle pivotably attached thereto. The base assembly comprises a vacuum fan assembly fluidly communicating with an inlet for vacuuming dust and the debris particles from a surface into a removable reservoir. A rotating roller brush attached to the base assembly sweeps the particles into the inlet. A dust pad assembly comprises a disposable dust cloth extending over a portion of the base assembly in contact with the surface to be cleaned for removing dust particles which are not removed by vacuuming.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2002Publication date: March 11, 2004Inventors: Timothy S. Parker, David L. Haan, David E. McDowell
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Publication number: 20020174507Abstract: A portable surface cleaning apparatus comprises a fluid dispensing system including at least one fluid supply tank, a dispensing nozzle connected to the fluid supply tank through a fluid supply conduit for applying a cleaning fluid to a surface to be cleaned, a fluid recovery tank for holding recovered fluid, a suction nozzle, a working air conduit extending between the recovery tank and the suction nozzle, a vacuum source in fluid communication with the recovery tank for generating a flow of working air from the suction nozzle through the working air conduit and to the recovery tank to thereby recover fluid from the surface to be cleaned through the suction nozzle and working air conduit and into the recovery tank, and a power drive mechanism for selectively propelling the portable cleaning apparatus over the surface to be cleanedType: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2002Publication date: November 28, 2002Inventors: Gary A. Kasper, Allen W. Scott, Phong Hoang Tran, David E. McDowell, Gary L. Smith
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Patent number: 6446302Abstract: The invention relates to an extraction cleaning machine including condition sensors for generating condition signals representative of a condition of the surface being cleaned, a controller, and variable-control cleaning systems, wherein the controller sends control signals to the variable-control cleaning systems in response to sensor signals received from the condition sensors. The invention further relates to a self-propelled extraction cleaning machine, and to an extraction cleaning machine including condition sensors and audible or visual indicators to notify the operator of the condition of the surface being cleaned.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2000Date of Patent: September 10, 2002Assignee: Bissell Homecare, Inc.Inventors: Gary A. Kasper, Samuel N. Hansen, Jonathan L. Miner, David E. McDowell