Patents by Inventor Tom Minh Nguyen

Tom Minh Nguyen 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).

  • Patent number: 12213633
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus adapted for movement across a surface to be cleaned. The surface cleaning apparatus can dock within a storage tray and charge a power supply. Electrical contacts on the surface cleaning apparatus and the storage tray can be shielded when the surface cleaning apparatus is not docked within the storage tray. Furthermore, the storage tray can include a reservoir for a self-cleaning mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: BISSELL Inc.
    Inventors: Tom Minh Nguyen, Jacob S. Boles, Jacob Resch, Ying Chun Wong, Jian Hua Tang, Yunfu Wang
  • Publication number: 20240349969
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus, such as a carpet extractor, includes a suction nozzle for removing dirt and debris from the surface to be cleaned and an electrical system including a vacuum motor that is fluidly connected to the suction nozzle. A modular electrical cord is removably connected to the electrical system by a connector assembly for easy replacement of the electrical cord.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2024
    Publication date: October 24, 2024
    Inventors: Tom Minh Nguyen, Thomas E. Wiedmaier, Jeffrey A. Scholten, Kevin Haley
  • Patent number: 12114820
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus includes a recovery tank, a suction nozzle in fluid communication with the recovery tank, and a suction source in fluid communication with the suction nozzle and the recovery tank to generate a working air path to transport debris-containing fluid including air and liquid from the suction nozzle into the recovery tank. An air/liquid separator can be provided within the recovery tank for separating liquid from air in the debris-containing fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: BISSELL Inc.
    Inventors: Tom Minh Nguyen, David M. Miller, Michael D. Graham, YunMing Huang, Chiu Yeung Lee
  • Publication number: 20240335078
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus includes a recovery tank, an enclosure including a motor housing and a fan housing, and a suction source comprising a motor within the motor housing and a fan within the fan housing. The enclosure includes a muffler that muffles noise generated by an exhaust air flow produced by the fan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2024
    Publication date: October 10, 2024
    Inventor: Tom Minh Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20240315514
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus adapted for movement across a surface to be cleaned includes a recovery system and a fluid delivery system. The surface cleaning apparatus can have a rechargeable battery and a battery housing for the rechargeable battery. The surface cleaning apparatus has a self-cleaning mode of operation in which an unattended automatic cleanout cycle is executed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2024
    Publication date: September 26, 2024
    Inventors: Tom Minh Nguyen, Jacob S. Boles, Jacob Resch, Ying Chun Wong, Jian Hua Tang, Yunfu Wang
  • Patent number: 12059109
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus includes a recovery tank, a suction nozzle in fluid communication with the recovery tank, and a suction source in fluid communication with the suction nozzle and the recovery tank to generate a working air path to transport debris-containing fluid including air and liquid from the suction nozzle into the recovery tank. An air/liquid separator can be provided within the recovery tank for separating liquid from air in the debris-containing fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: BISSELL Inc.
    Inventors: Tom Minh Nguyen, David M. Miller, Michael D. Graham, YunMing Huang, Chiu Yeung Lee
  • Patent number: 12053131
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus, such as a carpet extractor, includes a fluid recovery system for drawing dirty cleaning fluid from a surface to be cleaned. The fluid recovery system includes a recovery tank with a removable lid that has a handle that is pivotally mounted to the lid and is configured to releasably lock the lid to the tank and to assist in removing the lid from the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: BISSELL Inc.
    Inventors: Tom Minh Nguyen, Thomas E. Wiedmaier
  • Patent number: 12042107
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus includes a recovery tank and an electronic sensing system configured to detect liquid at one or more levels within the recovery tank and determine when to shut-off or otherwise interrupt the recovery system. In addition, the sensing system can detect whether the recovery tank is missing from the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: BISSELL Inc.
    Inventors: Tom Minh Nguyen, Nim Chung Ku, Roger Hoskens, Mike Luyckx
  • Publication number: 20240188776
    Abstract: An extraction cleaner includes a recovery tank assembly with a recovery tank that has a removable cover assembly and a separator adapted to provide fluid separation between an inlet of the recovery tank assembly and an exhaust outlet of the recovery tank assembly. The recovery tank assembly also includes a float that is slidably arranged within the recovery tank proximate the cover assembly. A suction inlet is in fluid communication with the recovery tank assembly. A recovery duct assembly is interconnected with the recovery tank assembly and includes a vertical inlet conduit and a vertical exhaust duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2024
    Publication date: June 13, 2024
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Lenkiewicz, Tom Minh Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20240148214
    Abstract: An accessory tool assembly adapted to couple with a hose of an extraction cleaner including a suction source includes a tool head and at least one fluid distributor for supplying and directing a cleaning fluid therethrough. The tool head includes a front end and a rear end opposed to the front end, wherein a longitudinal direction extends through the front and rear ends and a transverse direction extends perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The tool head includes a working surface on an underside of the front end that defines a working surface edge. A plurality of agitators extend from the working surface adjacent to at least a portion of the working surface edge and define a first interior area therewithin. An extraction nozzle is positioned in the first interior area and defines at least a portion of a suction air inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2023
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Applicant: BISSELL Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph D. Fordahl, Tom Minh Nguyen, Michael Remi Bernhard
  • Patent number: 11910987
    Abstract: An extraction cleaner includes a portable extractor and a base adapted to be moved to perform a cleaning operation on a floor surface when the portable extractor is operably mounted to the base. The portable extractor includes a recovery tank assembly provided on the housing adjacent to the recovery tank assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: BISSELL Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Lenkiewicz, Tom Minh Nguyen
  • Patent number: 11903538
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus having a suction source defining a portion of a working air path and a fluid delivery system includes at least one fluid distributor, a fluid supply path, a first pump in the fluid supply path, and a second pump in the fluid supply path. The pumps are operable to effect dispensing cleaning fluid at different volumetric flow rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: BISSELL Inc.
    Inventor: Tom Minh Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20230404349
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus, such as a carpet extractor, includes a fluid recovery system for drawing dirty cleaning fluid from a surface to be cleaned. The fluid recovery system includes a recovery tank with a removable lid that has a handle that is pivotally mounted to the lid and is configured to releasably lock the lid to the tank and to assist in removing the lid from the tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Tom Minh Nguyen, Thomas E. Wiedmaier
  • Publication number: 20230346186
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus includes a recovery tank and an electronic sensing system configured to detect liquid at one or more levels within the recovery tank and determine when to shut-off or otherwise interrupt the recovery system. In addition, the sensing system can detect whether the recovery tank is missing from the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Tom Minh Nguyen, Nim Chung Ku, Roger Hoskens, Mike Luyckx
  • Patent number: 11771286
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus, such as a carpet extractor, includes a base and a fluid recovery system for drawing dirty cleaning fluid from a surface to be cleaned. The fluid recovery system includes a suction nozzle in fluid communication with a recovery chamber. The suction nozzle is mounted to the base for vertical movement with respect to the base and is biased into contact with the surface to be cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: BISSELL Inc.
    Inventor: Tom Minh Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20230292975
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus having a suction source defining a portion of a working air path and a fluid delivery system includes at least one fluid distributor, a fluid supply path, a first pump in the fluid supply path, and a second pump in the fluid supply path. The pumps are operable to effect dispensing cleaning fluid at different volumetric flow rates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventor: Tom Minh Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20230284857
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a surface cleaning apparatus that includes steam delivery. The apparatus includes a hand-carried body adapted to be hand-carried by a user, the hand-carried body including a supply tank, a recovery tank, a liquid supply pump, a steam supply pump, a heater, and a suction source including a vacuum motor. A flexible hose is mounted to the hand-carried body and a hand-held cleaning tool mounted to an end of the hose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: Tom Minh Nguyen, Joseph D. Fordahl
  • Patent number: 11730332
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a surface cleaning apparatus that includes a headlight or other light source that selectively illuminates upon the occurrence of a predetermined condition. The headlight turns on to emit light when the surface cleaning apparatus us turned on, and emits light in a different color when cleaning fluid is dispensed. Methods for operating a headlight or light source are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: BISSELL Inc.
    Inventors: Tom Minh Nguyen, Nim Chung Ku, Roger Hoskens, Mike Luyckx
  • Patent number: D1000739
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: BISSELL Inc.
    Inventors: Colin J. Bloemendaal, Tom Minh Nguyen
  • Patent number: D1013304
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: BISSELL Inc.
    Inventors: Colin J. Bloemendaal, Tom Minh Nguyen