Patents by Inventor Gary Kasper
Gary Kasper 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: 20070067945Abstract: A canister vacuum cleaner comprises a base, a recovery tank, and a clean solution tank. The vacuum cleaner can be used for dry vacuuming, wet vacuuming, and can distribute cleaning solution to a floor surface and has means for a fluid distribution system and a recovery system. The clean solution tank can be filled with a cleaning solution for distribution to a floor surface and the recovery tank is used for collecting dry or liquid matter recovered from vacuuming.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2006Publication date: March 29, 2007Applicant: BISSELL HOMECARE, INC.Inventors: Gary Kasper, Allen Scott, Jose Santiago
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Publication number: 20060288518Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus comprises a fluid delivery system including a supply of cleaning fluid and a fluid recovery system for drawing dirty cleaning fluid from the surface to be cleaned. The apparatus can comprise a passageway that passes heated motor cooling air in heat exchange with the cleaning fluid to heat the cleaning fluid. The apparatus can further comprise a mixing manifold that mixes first and second cleaning fluids at different concentrations for different cleaning modes. The apparatus can further comprise a fluid valve having a shape memory alloy actuator.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2006Publication date: December 28, 2006Applicant: BISSELL HOMECARE, INC.Inventors: Kenneth Lenkiwicz, Alan Krebs, Allen Scott, Kurt Ashbaugh, Linsay Ulman, Evelyn Trudell, Gary Kasper
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Patent number: 7140068Abstract: A cyclone outlet assembly with a frusto-conical dirt blocking plate minimizes clogging at the outlet of the cyclone separator. An upright vacuum cleaner with a cyclone separator is mounted on and in fluid communication with an elongated rigid tube that forms part of a working air conduit and also forms part of an upright handle that is pivotally mounted to a base module with a suction nozzle upstream from a conventional bag filter in a dirty air or clean air dust collection vacuum cleaner.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2003Date of Patent: November 28, 2006Assignee: Bissell Homecare, Inc.Inventors: Gabriel S. Vander Baan, Gary A. Kasper
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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: 6968593Abstract: A liquid extraction cleaner comprises a solution dispensing system, a liquid recovery system, and an agitation brush assembly. The solution dispensing system includes a cleaning solution supply tank affixed to the cleaner and fluidly connected to a solution spray nozzle through a trigger-operated manual solution spray pump. The supply conduit interconnecting the cleaning fluid supply tank and the spray nozzle traverses a passage formed integrally with the air-liquid separator housing, spray nozzle being mounted in the passage at a front portion of the cleaner. The liquid recovery system includes a air-liquid separator fluidly connected with a suction nozzle and a suction source for drawing liquid and debris into the air-liquid separator, and a recovery tank releasably mounted to the air-liquid separator for collecting recovered liquid. The agitation brush assembly is mounted in a lower forward portion of the cleaner for contact with a surface being cleaned.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2002Date of Patent: November 29, 2005Assignee: Bissell Homecare, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth M. Lenkiewicz, Alan J. Krebs, Phong Hoang Tran, Jonathan Miner, Gary A. Kasper, Eric C. Huffman, Charles A. Reed, Jr., Eric J. Hansen
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Patent number: 6934993Abstract: An extraction cleaning machine has a solution dispensing system and a recovery system for applying a cleaning solution to a surface and recovering the solution from the surface, and an agitation brush assembly for agitating the surface. The agitation brush assembly can include friction-type or other dampers for reducing brush bounce, and biasing elements for maintaining a constant downward force on the brush. The brush can have multiple helical rows of tufted bristles, preferably at least four rows, or can comprise a continuous helix of bristles in a twisted-wire spindle. The brush can further have a removable fabric cover for mounting over a bristle brush for contacting a surface being cleaned. The brush assembly can function in an upright extraction cleaning machine with or without an above floor cleaning tool, a hand-held extractor, or a hand-held attachment to a canister extractor or an above floor tool in upright extractor.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2002Date of Patent: August 30, 2005Assignee: Bissell Homecare, Inc.Inventors: Eric C. Huffman, Gary A. Kasper, Charles A. Reed, Eric J. Hansen, Stefan G. Rider
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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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Patent number: 6868578Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner with a small cyclone separator is mounted on and in fluid communication with an elongated rigid tube that forms part of a working air conduit and also forms part of an upright handle that is pivotally mounted to a base module with a suction nozzle upstream from a conventional bag filter in a dirty air or clean air dust collection vacuum cleaner.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2002Date of Patent: March 22, 2005Assignee: Bissell Homecare, Inc.Inventors: Gary A. Kasper, Thomas K. Ankney
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Publication number: 20050000053Abstract: A hand-held nozzle is attached to the end of a vacuum and fluid delivery hose of an upright deep cleaner. The nozzle includes a reservoir to contain a solution to be applied to a surface. When a solution delivery system of the deep cleaner is pressurized, water from the upright cleaner clean water tank is routed through the hose to the hand-held nozzle. The water is routed through a venturi valve connected to the reservoir, which draws the solution to the valve to mix with the water stream. The resultant mixture flows from the hand-held nozzle for application to a surface being treated. One embodiment of the solution reservoir includes a retainer cap bonded to the reservoir and utilizing a bayonet-type mounting arrangement for mounting the reservoir to a nozzle assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2004Publication date: January 6, 2005Applicant: BISSELL Homecase, Inc.Inventors: Gary Kasper, Samuel Hansen, John Jansen, Phong Tran, Eric Hansen, Gabriel Vander Baan
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Patent number: 6775880Abstract: A hand-held nozzle is attached to the end of a vacuum and fluid delivery hose of an upright deep cleaner. The nozzle includes a reservoir to contain a solution to be applied to a surface. When a solution delivery system of the deep cleaner is pressurized, water from the upright cleaner clean water tank is routed through the hose to the hand-held nozzle. The water is routed through a venturi valve connected to the reservoir, which draws the solution to the valve to mix with the water stream. The resultant mixture flows from the hand-held nozzle for application to a surface being treated. One embodiment of the solution reservoir includes a retainer cap bonded to the reservoir and utilizing a bayonet-type mounting arrangement for mounting the reservoir to a nozzle assembly.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2002Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: Bissell Homecare, Inc.Inventors: Gary A. Kasper, Samuel N. Hansen, John L. Jansen, Phong Hoang Tran, Eric J. Hansen, Gabriel S. Vander Baan
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Patent number: 6609269Abstract: An extraction cleaning apparatus including a base housing, a fluid recovery system including a tank having a fluid recovery chamber for holding recovered fluid, a working air conduit, an above floor accessory hose mounted at one end to the housing for optional above floor cleaning, and a unitary duct mounted to the housing and connected at a first end to the accessory hose one end and, at another end, connected to the working air conduit at an accessory hose inlet a conversion valve in the working air conduit between the suction nozzle and the accessory hose inlet to selectively connect the vacuum source to either the suction nozzle or to the accessory hose. Portions of the unitary duct are flat and an intermediate portion of the unitary duct extends beneath the recovery tank.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2002Date of Patent: August 26, 2003Assignee: Bissell Homecare, Inc.Inventor: Gary A. Kasper
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Patent number: 6532619Abstract: According to the invention, a portable surface cleaning apparatus includes a fluid recovery system, a liquid dispensing system, and a rotatable agitation brush comprising a brush body and having a plurality of pliable agitation elements mounted along the brush body for contacting a surface to be cleaned. The agitation elements include a face extending along a length which is sufficient to draw the face across the surface to be cleaned as the brush body is rotated. The agitation elements are formed of elongated straps of fabric having a roughened or textured face and that can be formed of nylon knit strapping, synthetic felt, polyester velour, the loop portion of a hook-and-loop fastener system, pressed fiber material, microfiber polishing cloth, or reinforced synthetic fabric, or, in the alternative, formed of elongated fabric threads or string having a roughened or textured surface and formed of cotton roping or braided polyester threads.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2001Date of Patent: March 18, 2003Assignee: Bissell Homecare, Inc.Inventors: Gary A. Kasper, Stefan G. Rider
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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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Publication number: 20020166193Abstract: An extraction cleaning apparatus including a base housing, a fluid recovery system including a tank having a fluid recovery chamber for holding recovered fluid, a working air conduit, an above floor accessory hose mounted at one end to the housing for optional above floor cleaning, and a unitary duct mounted to the housing and connected at a first end to the accessory hose one end and, at another end, connected to the working air conduit at an accessory hose inlet a conversion valve in the working air conduit between the suction nozzle and the accessory hose inlet to selectively connect the vacuum source to either the suction nozzle or to the accessory hose.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2002Publication date: November 14, 2002Inventor: Gary A. Kasper
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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
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Patent number: 6438793Abstract: A portable surface cleaning apparatus including a liquid dispensing system including a flexible bladder defining a fluid supply chamber for holding a supply of cleaning fluid and a fluid recovery tank having a fluid recovery chamber for holding recovered fluid and housing the flexible bladder. A fluid passageway between the fluid supply chamber and the recovery chamber equalizes the pressure in the flexible bladder as the cleaning fluid is dispensed from the supply chamber and the dirty liquid is collected in the recovery chamber. A lid mounted on the tank defines an expansion chamber having an inlet opening, an outlet passage, and first and second diverters against which the working air flow reverses direction twice between the inlet opening of the expansion chamber and the tank.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2000Date of Patent: August 27, 2002Assignee: Bissell Homecare, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan L. Miner, Timothy E. Kasen, Gary A. Kasper
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Publication number: 20020092117Abstract: A hand-held nozzle is attached to the end of a vacuum and fluid delivery hose of an upright deep cleaner. The nozzle includes a reservoir to contain a solution to be applied to a surface. When a solution delivery system of the deep cleaner is pressurized, water from the upright cleaner clean water tank is routed through the hose to the handheld nozzle. The water is routed through a venturi valve connected to the reservoir, which draws the solution to the valve to mix with the water stream. The resultant mixture flows from the hand-held nozzle for application to a surface being treated. One embodiment of the solution reservoir includes a retainer cap bonded to the reservoir and utilizing a bayonet-type mounting arrangement for mounting the reservoir to a nozzle assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2002Publication date: July 18, 2002Inventors: Gary A. Kasper, Samuel N. Hansen, John L. Jansen, Phong Hoang Tran, Eric J. Hansen, Gabriel S. Van Baan
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Patent number: 6412141Abstract: A portable surface cleaning apparatus including a base module for movement along a surface, an upright handle pivotally attached to the base module, a liquid dispensing system including a flexible bladder defining a fluid supply chamber for holding a supply of cleaning fluid, a fluid recovery system including a tank on the base module having a fluid recovery chamber for holding recovered fluid and housing the flexible bladder, and a fluid passageway between the fluid supply chamber and the recovery chamber, whereby the recovery chamber is in fluid communication with the fluid supply chamber and the pressure in the flexible bladder is equalized with the pressure in the tank as the cleaning fluid is dispensed from the supply chamber and the dirty liquid is collected in the recovery chamber. In a further embodiment the tank has an outlet opening in a bottom portion thereof and a drain plug is removably mounted in the outlet opening.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2001Date of Patent: July 2, 2002Assignee: Bissell Homecare, Inc.Inventors: Gary A. Kasper, Jonathan A. Miner, Timothy E. Kasen, Kenneth M. Lenkiewicz, Eric C. Huffman, Luke E. Kelly
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Patent number: 6401294Abstract: A portable surface cleaning apparatus including a base module for movement along a surface, an upright handle pivotally attached to the base module, a liquid dispensing system including a fluid supply chamber in the form of a bladder for holding a supply of cleaning fluid, a fluid recovery system including a tank on the base module having a fluid recovery chamber for holding recovered fluid and housing the flexible bladder, wherein the recovery chamber is in fluid communication with the fluid supply chamber and the pressure in the flexible bladder is equalized with the pressure in the tank as the cleaning fluid is dispensed from the supply chamber and the dirty liquid is collected in the recovery chamber. The base module includes upper and lower housing portions and the upright handle is pivotably mounted to the base module through at least one bearing for rotatable reception in the housing.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2001Date of Patent: June 11, 2002Assignee: Bissell Homecare, Inc.Inventor: Gary A. Kasper
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Patent number: RE39304Abstract: A portable surface cleaning apparatus including a base module for movement along a surface , an upright handle pivotally attached to the base module, a liquid dispensing system including a flexible bladder defining a fluid supply chamber for holding a supply of cleaning fluid , a fluid recovery system including a tank on the base module having a fluid recovery chamber for holding recovered fluid and housing the flexible bladder, and a fluid passageway between the fluid supply chamber and the recovery chamber, whereby the recovery chamber is in fluid communication with the fluid supply chamber and the pressure in the flexible bladder is equalized with the pressure in the tank as the cleaning fluid is dispensed from the supply chamber and the dirty liquid is collected in the recovery chamber. In a further embodiment the tank has an outlet opening in a bottom portion thereof and a drain plug is removably mounted in the outlet opening.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2003Date of Patent: September 26, 2006Assignee: Bissell Homecare, Inc.Inventors: Timothy E. Kasen, Gary A. Kasper