Patents by Inventor Kenneth M. Lenkiewicz
Kenneth M. Lenkiewicz 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: 20090094781Abstract: An upright deep cleaner including a base housing pivotally connected to an upright handle, the upright handle carrying a liquid supply tank and the base housing including a recovery tank. The liquid supply tank includes an internal siphon tube for ensuring liquid flow to a feed valve when the upright handle is in the inclined position. The base housing includes a suction nozzle adjacent a spray bar, and removable floating brush for contacting a surface being cleaned, the brush being interchangeable with a bare floor tool including a sponge, brush, and squeegee. The recovery tank includes an internal baffle for preventing foaming of solution and a tank vent housing including a sponge-type filter to prevent spray from exiting the recovery tank. A vacuum motor cooling outlet is positioned on underside of the base housing to distribute air heated by the motor onto the surface to be cleaned.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2008Publication date: April 16, 2009Applicant: BISSELL HOMECARE, INC.Inventors: Kenneth M. Lenkiewicz, Alan J. Krebs
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Publication number: 20090089957Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus with a recovery tank that has side rails to facilitate alignment of the recovery tank with the base. The recovery tank can include a float assembly with a pivotable closure member. The recovery tank can have a lid with a handle and latch to secure the lid to the recovery tank. Further, the recovery tank can include a lid with a working air conduit mounted to the lid and removable from the recovery tank with the lid.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2008Publication date: April 9, 2009Applicant: BISSELL HOMECARE, INC.Inventor: Kenneth M. Lenkiewicz
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Publication number: 20090090021Abstract: A method of drying a surface using a portable cleaning apparatus by removing a mixture of air and liquid from the surface through the application of suction to the surface through a suction nozzle while moving the suction nozzle along a first direction, separating the air and liquid, pressurizing the separated air and passing the pressurized air in a second direction transverse to the first direction and along the surface laterally of the suction nozzle. The pressurized air is directed along the surface from a location spaced from the suction nozzle.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2008Publication date: April 9, 2009Applicant: BISSELL HOMECARE, INC.Inventors: Eric C. Huffman, Kenneth M. Lenkiewicz
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Patent number: 7475451Abstract: An upright deep cleaner including a base housing pivotally connected to an upright handle, the upright handle carrying a liquid supply tank and the base housing including a recovery tank. The liquid supply tank includes an internal siphon tube for ensuring liquid flow to a feed valve when the upright handle is in the inclined position. The base housing includes a suction nozzle adjacent a spray bar, and removable floating brush for contacting a surface being cleaned, the brush being interchangeable with a bare floor tool including a sponge, brush, and squeegee. The recovery tank includes an internal baffle for preventing foaming of solution and a tank vent housing including a sponge-type filter to prevent spray from exiting the recovery tank. A vacuum motor cooling outlet is positioned on underside of the base housing to distribute air heated by the motor onto the surface to be cleaned.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2004Date of Patent: January 13, 2009Assignee: BISSELL Homecare, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth M. Lenkiewicz, Alan J. Krebs, Timothy E. Kasen
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Publication number: 20080216278Abstract: A wet/dry canister vacuum cleaner has a base assembly, a recovery tank, and a solution tank. A hose interface adapted to mount a vacuum hose is pivotally mounted on the base assembly for selective fluid communication with the inlet to the recovery tank. The hose interface is moveable between a position in which the hose interface is coupled with the recovery tank and a suction source in fluid communication with the recovery tank can draw fluid through the hose interface and the recovery tank, and a second position, in which the hose interface is removed from the recovery tank and the recovery tank can be removed from the vacuum cleaner without having to disconnect the vacuum hose from the vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner can further comprise a diverter assembly for switching between dry and wet mode cleaning, where the diverter assembly forms an inlet to the recovery tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2007Publication date: September 11, 2008Applicant: BISSELL HOMECARE, INC.Inventors: Alan J. Krebs, Kenneth M. Lenkiewicz
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Publication number: 20080196193Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus comprising an extractor has a primary fluid delivery system and an auxiliary fluid delivery system. A first button on a handle of the extractor controls the delivery of cleaning fluid from the primary fluid delivery system. A second button on the handle of the extractor controls the delivery of cleaning fluid from the auxiliary fluid delivery system, which includes a spot sprayer mounted to the base assembly through which cleaning fluid is delivered. The handle is provided with an interlock between the first and second buttons so that cleaning fluid cannot simultaneously be delivered by both the primary and auxiliary fluid delivery systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2007Publication date: August 21, 2008Applicant: BISSELL HOMECARE, INC.Inventors: Eric C. Huffman, Kenneth M. Lenkiewicz
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Patent number: 7225503Abstract: A liquid extraction cleaner includes a solution dispensing system, a liquid recovery system, and an agitation brush assembly. The solution dispensing system includes a supply tank removably affixed to a housing and fluidly connected to a fluid distributor through a trigger-operated manual spray pump. The liquid recovery system includes a recovery tank removably mounted to the housing adjacent to the supply tank. An air liquid separator is provided within the recovery tank. Another assembly within the housing provides a vacuum source, where working air comes from the recovery tank to an inlet between a motor and an impeller. The agitation brush assembly is removably mounted in a lower forward portion of the housing.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2003Date of Patent: June 5, 2007Assignee: Bissell Homecare, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth M. Lenkiewicz, Alan J. Krebs
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Patent number: 7073226Abstract: A portable extraction cleaning machine has a housing assembly including a housing enclosure centrally mounted on a housing base and a handle adapted for user carrying of the extraction cleaner, a suction motor and impeller assembly sealed within the housing enclosure and a solution tank for cleaning solution and a recovery tank removably mounted to the housing base in a fore and aft position. The recovery tank has an integrally molded spout and an air/liquid separator comprising a riser tube having an internal divider separating the riser tube into fluidly isolated first and second conduits. A plurality of different decorative face plates are adapted to be removably mounted to the housing enclosure and each of which is adapted to cover at least a substantial visible portion of the visible surface of the housing enclosure when mounted on the housing enclosure.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2002Date of Patent: July 11, 2006Assignee: Bissell Homecare, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth M. Lenkiewicz, Alan J. Krebs
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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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Publication number: 20040111821Abstract: An upright deep cleaner including a base housing pivotally connected to an upright handle, the upright handle carrying a liquid supply tank and the base housing including a recovery tank. The liquid supply tank includes an internal siphon tube for ensuring liquid flow to a feed valve when the upright handle is in the inclined position. The base housing includes a suction nozzle adjacent a spray bar, and removable floating brush for contacting a surface being cleaned, the brush being interchangeable with a bare floor tool including a sponge, brush, and squeegee. The recovery tank includes an internal baffle for preventing foaming of solution and a tank vent housing including a sponge-type filter to prevent spray from exiting the recovery tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2003Publication date: June 17, 2004Applicant: BISSELL HOMECARE, INC.Inventors: Kenneth M. Lenkiewicz, Alan J. Krebs, Timothy E. Kasen
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Patent number: 6658692Abstract: An upright deep cleaner including a base housing pivotally connected to an upright handle, the upright handle carrying a liquid supply tank and the base housing including a recovery tank. The liquid supply tank includes an internal siphon tube for ensuring liquid flow to a feed valve when the upright handle is in the inclined position. The base housing includes a suction nozzle adjacent a spray bar, and removable floating brush for contacting a surface being cleaned, the brush being interchangeable with a bare floor tool including a sponge, brush, and squeegee. The recovery tank includes an internal baffle for preventing foaming of solution and a tank vent housing including a sponge-type filter to prevent spray from exiting the recovery tank.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2002Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Bissell Homecare, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth M. Lenkiewicz, Alan J. Krebs, Timothy E. Kasen
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Publication number: 20030005545Abstract: An upright deep cleaner including a base housing pivotally connected to an upright handle, the upright handle carrying a liquid supply tank and the base housing including a recovery tank. The liquid supply tank includes an internal siphon tube for ensuring liquid flow to a feed valve when the upright handle is in the inclined position. The base housing includes a suction nozzle adjacent a spray bar, and removable floating brush for contacting a surface being cleaned, the brush being interchangeable with a bare floor tool including a sponge, brush, and squeegee. The recovery tank includes an internal baffle for preventing foaming of solution and a tank vent housing including a sponge-type filter to prevent spray from exiting the recovery tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2002Publication date: January 9, 2003Inventors: Kenneth M. Lenkiewicz, Alan J. Krebs, Timothy E. Kasen
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Patent number: 6467122Abstract: An upright deep cleaner including a base housing pivotally connected to an upright handle, the upright handle carrying a liquid supply tank and the base housing including a recovery tank. The liquid supply tank includes an internal siphon tube for ensuring liquid flow to a feed valve when the upright handle is in the inclined position. The base housing includes a suction nozzle adjacent a spray bar, and removable floating brush for contacting a surface being cleaned, the brush being interchangeable with a bare floor tool including a sponge, brush, and squeegee. The recovery tank includes an internal baffle for preventing foaming of solution and a tank vent housing including a sponge-type filter to prevent spray from exiting the recovery tank.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2001Date of Patent: October 22, 2002Assignee: Bissell Homecare, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth M. Lenkiewicz, Alan J. Krebs
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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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Publication number: 20010047562Abstract: An upright deep cleaner including a base housing pivotally connected to an upright handle, the upright handle carrying a liquid supply tank and the base housing including a recovery tank. The liquid supply tank includes an internal siphon tube for ensuring liquid flow to a feed valve when the upright handle is in the inclined position. The base housing includes a suction nozzle adjacent a spray bar, and removable floating brush for contacting a surface being cleaned, the brush being interchangeable with a bare floor tool including a sponge, brush, and squeegee. The recovery tank includes an internal baffle for preventing foaming of solution and a tank vent housing including a sponge-type filter to prevent spray from exiting the recovery tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2001Publication date: December 6, 2001Inventors: Kenneth M. Lenkiewicz, Alan J. Krebs
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Patent number: 6286181Abstract: 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: May 23, 2000Date of Patent: September 11, 2001Assignee: 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: 6230362Abstract: 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 chamber for holding recovered fluid and housing the flexible bladder, and a passageway between the fluid supply chamber and the recovery chamber, whereby the recovery chamber is in 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: February 3, 2000Date of Patent: May 15, 2001Assignee: Bissell Homecare, Inc.Inventors: Gary A. Kasper, Timothy E. Kasen, Kenneth M. Lenkiewicz, Luke E. Kelly
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Publication number: 20010000830Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 2, 2001Publication date: May 10, 2001Inventors: Gary A. Kasper, Jonathan L. Miner, Timothy E. Kasen, Kenneth M. Lenkiewicz, Eric C. Huffman, Luke E. Kelly
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Patent number: 6167587Abstract: 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: July 8, 1998Date of Patent: January 2, 2001Assignee: Bissell Homecare, Inc.Inventors: Gary A. Kasper, Jonathan A. Miner, Timothy E. Kasen, Kenneth M. Lenkiewicz, Eric C. Huffman, Luke E. Kelly