SURFACE CLEANER

Abstract

A wet surface cleaner operable to draw liquid and debris from a surface to be cleaned into a recovery tank. The recovery tank includes a cover that is removable from the recovery tank. where the cover is capable of surrounding at least a portion of a tank outlet.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/222,528, filed Jul. 16, 2021, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to surface cleaners, and more particularly, a recovery tank of a wet surface cleaner.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment a surface cleaner is disclosed including a body, a handle positioned on the body, a suction source, and a recovery tank. The suction source is configured to generate a suction airflow along an airpath between a suction inlet and an air exhaust. The recovery tank is along the airpath in communication with the suction inlet and the suction source. The recovery tank has an upper portion including a cover removably connected to the upper portion, a lower portion, and sidewalls connecting the upper portion and the lower portion. The recovery tank has a tank inlet in communication with the suction inlet and an outlet duct within the recovery tank and in communication with the air exhaust. The outlet duct extends from the lower portion toward the upper portion. The cover forms an outlet chamber adjacent the outlet duct when the cover is connected to the recovery tank.

Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a surface cleaner according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a surface cleaner according to an alternate embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a recovery tank of the surface cleaner of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the recovery tank of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the recovery tank of FIG. 3, shown with a cover in a removed position.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the recovery tank of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of a cover of a recovery tank, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the recovery tank of FIG. 3, shown with recovery tank walls removed.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an inlet duct and a tank inlet, according to one embodiment.

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates to a surface cleaner, specifically a surface cleaner configured to recover and/or distribute cleaning liquid. The surface cleaner includes a recovery tank configured to collect dirt water and debris from a surface to be cleaned. The recovery tank has a cover that is removably connected to an upper portion of the recovery tank. The recovery tank also has an outlet duct that extends form a lower portion of the recovery tank, where the cover forms an outlet chamber over the outlet duct. This arrangement forces air to travel along a path through the recovery tank in order to reach the outlet duct, thus inhibiting liquid entering the outlet duct.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a surface cleaner 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. The surface cleaner 10 is configured to clean a surface 100. The surface cleaner 10 is an extractor, a hard floor cleaner, or the like, configured to distribute liquid to the surface and suction up debris and soiled liquid. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the surface cleaner 10 has a body 12 with a base 14 that supports the surface cleaner 10 on the cleaning surface 100. The base 14 is pivotably coupled to the body 12 and is configured to move across the cleaning surface 100. The body 12 also includes a handle 16, opposite the base 14. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the surface cleaner 10 is a spot cleaner. The spot cleaner shown in FIG. 2 is configured to distribute liquid to the surface and suction up debris and soiled liquid through a hose 62 or wand (shown in a stowed position) to clean the surface.

The surface cleaner 10 (FIGS. 1 and 2) has a suction source 28 configured to generate a suction airflow along an airpath between a suction inlet 18 and an air exhaust 24. A recovery tank 30 is along the airpath in communication with the suction inlet 18 and the suction source 28. The recovery tank 30 is configured to separate liquid from the air and retain the liquid in the recovery tank 30. The recovery tank 30 includes a tank inlet 38 in fluid communication an inlet duct 58. The recovery tank 30 also includes a tank outlet 40 in fluid communication with an outlet duct 42. In the illustrated embodiments, the tank outlet 40 includes one or more ribs 64. The ribs 64 inhibit large debris from entering the tank outlet 40. In operation, liquid and debris enter the suction inlet 18, moves along the airpath to the recovery tank 30 through the inlet duct 58, out the tank inlet 38 in the recovery tank 30, through the recovery tank 30 to the tank outlet 40, and along the outlet duct 42 to the air exhaust 24. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the suction inlet 18 is in the base 14 of the surface cleaner 10. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the airpath is similar, but the suction inlet 18 is in a cleaning tool 60 rather than in the base 20.

The recovery tank 30 has an upper portion 32, a lower portion 34, and side walls 36 connecting the upper portion 32 and the lower portion 34. The recovery tank 30 has a cover 50 removably connected to the upper portion 32. The outlet duct 42 is in communication with the air exhaust 24 and the outlet duct 42 extends from the lower portion 34 toward the upper portion 32. The tank outlet 40 is positioned in the upper portion 32. The tank outlet 40 is in the airpath between the recovery tank 30 and the outlet duct 42. The cover 50 forms an outlet chamber 44 adjacent the tank outlet 40 and adjacent at least a portion of the outlet duct 42 when the cover 50 is connected to the recovery tank 36. As illustrated in FIGS. 4, 6, and 7, the cover 50 includes a cover top wall 90, a cover front wall 90′ opposite the tank outlet 40, a cover back wall 90″″ opposite the cover front wall 90′, a cover first side wall 90″, and a cover second side wall 90′″ opposite the cover first side wall 90″. The cover top wall 90 is opposite an area open to the volume of the recovery tank 30. In other embodiments, the outlet chamber 44 is formed by one or more surrounding walls of the recovery tank 30 rather than of the cover 50. The outlet chamber 44 is bounded by the surrounding cover walls 90, 90′, 90″, 90′″, 90″″ of the cover 50. Generally, the outlet chamber 44 is an area surrounding the tank outlet 40 or outlet duct 42 separating the tank outlet 40 from the adjacent area in the recovery tank 30. The cover 50 and outlet chamber 44 prevent a direct flow from the tank inlet 38 to the tank outlet 40. The indirect air path improves air and water separation as air travels to the tank outlet 40 and outlet duct 42 from the recovery tank inlet 58 along a path 80 in order to exit through the tank outlet 40. The indirect air path inhibits liquid from exiting through the tank outlet 40.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the surface cleaner 10 includes a fluid distributor 22 configured to distribute cleaning liquid to the surface to be cleaned 100. The cleaning liquid is stored in a supply tank 20. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the fluid distributor 22 is positioned in the base 14 of the surface cleaner. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the fluid distributor is not shown but is positioned on the cleaning tool 60 positioned to distribute cleaning liquid to the surface when the cleaning tool 60 is being used. The supply tank 20 is in fluid communication with the fluid distributor 22 through a fluid line (not shown). In one embodiment, the surface cleaner 10 is configured to suction up debris and soiled liquid but does not include a supply tank and fluid distributor.

In operation, air and fluid enter the recovery tank 30 through the tank inlet 38. The air and fluid travel along the inlet duct 58 and out the tank inlet 38 into the recovery tank 30. The tank inlet 38 is in communication with the suction inlet 18. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 6, the inlet duct 58 extends from the lower portion 34. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the recovery tank 30 includes an inlet top wall 92, an inlet back wall 92′, an inlet front wall 92″ opposite the inlet back wall 92′, an inlet first side wall 92′″, and an inlet second side wall 92″″ opposite the inlet first side wall 92′″. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the surrounding inlet walls 92, 92′, 92″, 92′″, 92″″ extend around the tank inlet 38 forming an inlet chamber 46 surrounding the tank inlet 38. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the inlet back wall 92′ separates the tank inlet 38 from the tank outlet 40. In one embodiment, there is no inlet front wall and the tank inlet 38 is separated from the tank outlet 40 by the cover 50 and the inlet chamber 46 is bounded by the cover front wall 90′. In one embodiment, the cover front wall 90′ is omitted and the tank inlet 38 is separated from the tank outlet 40 by the inlet back wall 92′ and the outlet chamber 44 is bounded by the inlet back wall 92′. The inlet walls 92, 92′, 92″, 92′″, 92″″ forming the inlet chamber 46 and the cover walls 90, 90′, 90″, 90′″, 90″″ forming the outlet chamber 44 work individually and together to separate the tank inlet 38 and the tank outlet 40 so that air must travel in an indirect path and through the recovery tank 36 in order to exit through the tank outlet 40. In one embodiment, the inlet duct 58 has one tank inlet 38. In embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, the inlet duct 58 has two tank inlets 38, 38′ opening to the recovery tank 30. The tank inlets 38, 38′ are positioned in a generally T-shaped arrangement relative to the inlet duct 58. The liquid and debris flow along the path 80′. The liquid and debris exit the inlet duct 58 and enter the tank inlets 38, 38′ at an angle 102 between 60 degrees and 110 degrees. Said another way, the liquid and debris exiting the tank inlets 38, 38′ is transverse to the flow 80′ of the inlet duct 58. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, the inlet duct 58 includes a flow splitter 66. The flow splitter 66 is positioned such that the liquid and debris flow 80′ are split, with a portion exiting tank inlet 38 and the remaining portion exiting tank inlet 38′. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the inlet duct 58 has a cross-sectional distance 84 and the tank inlets 38, 38′ have a cross-sectional distance 86, 86′, respectively. The flow 80′ running through the cross-sectional distance 84 of the inlet duct 58 is split by the flow splitter 66 and exits through the cross-sectional distances 86, 86′ of the tank inlets 38, 38′. The two tank inlets 38, 38′ create more cross-sectional area for the liquid and debris to flow through, thus reducing the velocity of the incoming liquid and debris. The decreased velocity of the incoming liquid and debris entering the recovery tank 30 reduces turbulence and foaming in the recovery tank 30.

In the illustrated embodiment, the recovery tank 36 further includes a baffle wall 52 extending from the lower portion 34. The baffle wall 52 is positioned between the tank inlet 38 and the tank outlet 40. The baffle wall 52 creates another barrier between the tank inlet 38 and the tank outlet 40 and helps reduces waves and splashing in the recover tank 30.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, a top portion 48 of the outlet duct including the tank outlet 40 extends above an outlet sidewall 36′ adjacent the tank outlet 40. The tank outlet 40 extends above the outlet sidewall 36′ a distance 82. When the cover 50 is attached, as shown in FIG. 4, the outlet duct 42 and the tank outlet 40 are covered. When the cover 50 is removed from the recovery tank 30, the outlet duct 42 and the tank outlet 40 are exposed above the outlet sidewall 36′ the distance 82 as desired, such that the outlet duct 42 is accessible to the user from the top. In one embodiment, the distance 82 is between 1 and 20 millimeters.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the cover 50 is fully removable from the recovery tank 30. In one embodiment, the cover 50 is openable to allow access to the recovery tank 30 for emptying, cleaning, or maintenance, but the cover 50 remains coupled to the recovery tank 30 such as by a hinge. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the cover 50 is attached to the recovery tank 30 by a latch 70 and is retained by a detent 72 and protrusion 74 interaction. In other embodiments, the cover 50 can be attached to the recovery tank by a snap-fit, quarter-turn lock, or other connection means, as desired to accommodate the shape and desired operation of the recovery tank.

In one embodiment, the recovery tank 30 further comprises a front portion 54 and a back portion 56. Where the surface cleaner is an upright cleaner, the front portion 54 is in the direction of forward movement, and the back portion 56 is opposite the direction of forward movement. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the tank inlet 38 is positioned in the front portion 54 and the tank outlet 40 is positioned in the back portion 56. In one embodiment, the tank inlet 38 is positioned in the front portion 54 and the tank outlet 40 is positioned in the back portion 56. By separating the tank inlet 38 and the tank outlet 40, there is more distance for the debris laden liquid to travel, thereby improving separation of debris from the liquid.

Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A surface cleaner comprising:

a body;

a handle positioned on the body;

a suction inlet;

an air exhaust;

a suction source configured to generate a suction airflow along an airpath between the suction inlet and the air exhaust;

a recovery tank along the airpath in communication with the suction inlet and the suction source;

the recovery tank including an upper portion, a cover removably connected to the upper portion, the recovery tank further including a lower portion, side walls connecting the upper portion and the lower portion, a tank inlet in communication with the suction inlet, and an outlet duct within the recovery tank in communication with the air exhaust, wherein the outlet duct extends from the lower portion toward the upper portion, and wherein the cover forms an outlet chamber adjacent the outlet duct when the cover is connected to the recovery tank.

2. The surface cleaner of claim 1, further comprising a supply tank in communication with a distributor.

3. The surface cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the outlet duct includes a tank outlet in the upper portion, the tank outlet being in the airpath between the recovery tank and the outlet duct.

4. The surface cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the tank inlet includes an inlet chamber formed by inlet walls where the inlet walls are a part of the recovery tank.

5. The surface cleaner according to claim 4, wherein the inlet chamber and the outlet chamber are separated by at least one of a cover wall and an inlet wall.

6. The surface cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the outlet duct is surrounded on 3 sides by the cover.

7. The surface cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the outlet duct is surrounded on 4 sides by the cover.

8. The surface cleaner according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the outlet duct extends above an outlet sidewall of the recovery tank.

9. The surface cleaner of claim 8, wherein the outlet duct extends between 1 and 20 millimeters above the outlet sidewall.

10. The surface cleaner according to claim 1, wherein a top portion of the outlet duct is accessible from the top when the cover is removed from the recovery tank.

11. The surface cleaner according to claim 4, wherein the lower portion of the recovery tank includes a baffle wall positioned between the inlet chamber and the outlet chamber.

12. The surface cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the recovery tank includes a front portion and a back portion.

13. The surface cleaner of claim 12, wherein the tank inlet is positioned in one of the front portion and the back portion and the outlet duct is positioned in the other of the front portion and the back portion.

14. The surface cleaner according to claim 1, wherein a baffle wall is positioned between the tank inlet and the tank outlet.

15. The surface cleaner according to claim 4, wherein the inlet chamber and the outlet chamber are formed in the recovery tank.

16. The surface cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the recovery tank includes a second tank inlet in communication with the suction inlet.

17. The surface cleaner of claim 16, wherein the tank inlet and the second tank inlet are positioned such that liquid and debris flows generally tangentially to the air flow through an inlet duct.

18. The surface cleaner according to claim 16, wherein the inlet duct includes a flow splitter.