Abstract: A floor cleaner has a fluid flow path, a fluid flow motor, a liquid distribution assembly, and a recovery tank positioned in the fluid flow path and configured to receive liquid-laden air from the air inlet. The liquid distribution assembly has a first supply tank for a first liquid, a second supply tank for a second liquid, and a mixing module for mixing the first liquid and the second liquid. The mixing module has a mixing chamber that allows the first and second liquids to mix before being expelled through an outlet of the mixing module. The mixing module includes a closure that is movable between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the closure closes the outlet to prevent fluid flow through the outlet. In the open position, the closure opens the outlet to allow fluid flow through the outlet.

Abstract: A surface cleaner includes a base including a suction inlet in fluid communication with a debris separator and a suction source. The base includes a housing having a channel extending around at least a portion of the suction inlet, the channel having a first sidewall offset from a second sidewall. The base further includes a soleplate configured to slide along the surface being cleaned, the soleplate including a suction inlet aperture that defines at least a portion of the suction inlet, the soleplate further including an inner rib, an outer rib, and a channel between the inner rib and the outer rib. The inner rib frictionally engages the first sidewall and the outer rib frictionally engages the second sidewall to create a seal between the soleplate and the housing.

Abstract: A floor cleaner has a fluid flow path, a fluid flow motor, a liquid distribution assembly, and a recovery tank positioned in the fluid flow path and configured to receive liquid-laden air from the air inlet. The liquid distribution assembly has a first supply tank for a first liquid, a second supply tank for a second liquid, and a mixing module for mixing the first liquid and the second liquid. The mixing module has a mixing chamber that allows the first and second liquids to mix before being expelled through an outlet of the mixing module. The mixing module includes a closure that is movable between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the closure closes the outlet to prevent fluid flow through the outlet. In the open position, the closure opens the outlet to allow fluid flow through the outlet.

Abstract: A surface cleaner includes a base including a suction inlet in fluid communication with a debris separator and a suction source. The base includes a housing having a channel extending around at least a portion of the suction inlet, the channel having a first sidewall offset from a second sidewall. The base further includes a soleplate configured to slide along the surface being cleaned, the soleplate including a suction inlet aperture that defines at least a portion of the suction inlet, the soleplate further including an inner rib, an outer rib, and a channel between the inner rib and the outer rib. The inner rib frictionally engages the first sidewall and the outer rib frictionally engages the second sidewall to create a seal between the soleplate and the housing.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner including a surface cleaning head having a brushroll rotatable about an axis defining an axial direction, and a brushroll housing at least partially surrounding the brushroll. The brushroll housing includes an outlet port disposed at a first axial location, and a bottom housing. The bottom housing includes a front wall, a rear wall spaced from the front wall to define the suction inlet, and at least one rib disposed below the brushroll and extending across the suction inlet between the front and rear walls. Each rib includes a forward portion connected to the front wall, a rearward portion connected to the rear wall, and a central portion extending linearly orthogonal to the axial direction between the forward and rearward portions. The rearward portion is turned toward the first axial location of the outlet port to define a flow guide.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner including a surface cleaning head having a brushroll rotatable about an axis defining an axial direction, and a brushroll housing at least partially surrounding the brushroll. The brushroll housing includes an outlet port disposed at a first axial location, and a bottom housing. The bottom housing includes a front wall, a rear wall spaced from the front wall to define the suction inlet, and at least one rib disposed below the brushroll and extending across the suction inlet between the front and rear walls. Each rib includes a forward portion connected to the front wall, a rearward portion connected to the rear wall, and a central portion extending linearly orthogonal to the axial direction between the forward and rearward portions. The rearward portion is turned toward the first axial location of the outlet port to define a flow guide.

Abstract: A surface cleaner includes a base including a suction inlet in fluid communication with a debris separator and a suction source. The base includes a housing having a channel extending around at least a portion of the suction inlet, the channel having a first sidewall offset from a second sidewall. The base further includes a soleplate configured to slide along the surface being cleaned, the soleplate including a suction inlet aperture that defines at least a portion of the suction inlet, the soleplate further including an inner rib, an outer rib, and a channel between the inner rib and the outer rib. The inner rib frictionally engages the first sidewall and the outer rib frictionally engages the second sidewall to create a seal between the soleplate and the housing.

Abstract: A floor cleaner has a fluid flow path, a fluid flow motor, a liquid distribution assembly, and a recovery tank positioned in the fluid flow path and configured to receive liquid-laden air from the air inlet. The liquid distribution assembly has a first supply tank for a first liquid, a second supply tank for a second liquid, and a mixing module for mixing the first liquid and the second liquid. The mixing module has a mixing chamber that allows the first and second liquids to mix before being expelled through an outlet of the mixing module. The mixing module includes a closure that is movable between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the closure closes the outlet to prevent fluid flow through the outlet. In the open position, the closure opens the outlet to allow fluid flow through the outlet.

Abstract: A floor cleaner having a recovery tank, a suction source, and a filter basket. The suction source is configured to generate an airflow along a fluid flow path to draw fluid and debris from a surface to be cleaned into the recovery tank. The recovery tank has an outlet duct on a tank body. The filter basket is positioned in the outlet duct on the tank body and configured to filter debris from the airflow.

Abstract: A floor cleaner includes a hose port in an upper wall of a nozzle, the hose port is located at an elevation between an outlet of the suction nozzle and an inlet of the suction nozzle. A cover for the hose port is movable relative to the suction nozzle between an open position and a closed position. The floor cleaner further includes a hose including a connector, the connector insertable into the hose port when the cover is in the open position to removably couple the hose to the hose port and provide fluid communication between the hose and a recovery tank through the outlet of the suction nozzle.

Abstract: A floor cleaner having a recovery tank, a suction source, and a filter basket. The suction source is configured to generate an airflow along a fluid flow path to draw fluid and debris from a surface to be cleaned into the recovery tank. The recovery tank has an outlet duct on a tank body. The filter basket is positioned in the outlet duct on the tank body and configured to filter debris from the airflow.

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.

Abstract: A floor cleaner having a recovery tank, a suction source, and a filter basket. The suction source is configured to generate an airflow along a fluid flow path to draw fluid and debris from a surface to be cleaned into the recovery tank. The recovery tank has an outlet duct on a tank body. The filter basket is positioned in the outlet duct on the tank body and configured to filter debris from the airflow.

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.

Abstract: A floor cleaner having a recovery tank, a suction source, and a filter basket. The suction source is configured to generate an airflow along a fluid flow path to draw fluid and debris from a surface to be cleaned into the recovery tank. The recovery tank has an outlet duct on a tank body. The filter basket is positioned in the outlet duct on the tank body and configured to filter debris from the airflow.

Abstract: An improved pail container includes a container body that includes an opening and a chamber that is configured to receive and hold, e.g., a liquid, and, a lid that is removably attachable to the container body; wherein the container body may include a base defining a bottom of the container body and a sidewall that is configured to project upward from the base and form the opening; wherein the base and the sidewall include the chamber; and wherein the container body includes at least one cavity for a user to hold the pail container.

Abstract: An improved pail container includes a container body that includes an opening and a chamber that is configured to receive and hold, e.g., a liquid, and, a lid that is removably attachable to the container body; wherein the container body may include a base defining a bottom of the container body and a sidewall that is configured to project upward from the base and form the opening; wherein the base and the sidewall include the chamber; and wherein the container body includes at least one cavity for a user to hold the pail container.

Abstract: An agitator having a hollow spindle housing with first and second ends, and one or more agitating devices projecting from the spindle housing. A first bearing retainer holds the first end of the spindle housing and a first race of a first bearing, and a second bearing retainer holds the second end of the spindle housing and a first race of a second bearing. A first agitator mount holds a second race of the first bearing, and a second agitator mount holds a second race of the second bearing. A rigid inner support may be located inside the spindle housing and connect the first and second bearing retainers together to hold the first races of the first and second bearings in axial alignment. The spindle housing may have sound reducing members to reduce the amplitude of human-audible sounds generated by the agitator.