Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
1331~2.~
CLEANING DEVICE WIT~ LIQUID CONTAINER RETAINING STRUCTURE
DESCRIPTION
~ .
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to cleaning devices
and more partlcularly to an improved machine for the
cleaning of surfa~es such ais carpets, floor`s and the like.
n carpet cleaning mach~nes, a liquld i8
pro~ected onto the carpet and the dirty liquid ls removed ;
by a suctlon nozzle. An air-llquid separator is generally
provided to remove air from the dirty, waste liquid and
disperse the àir into the atmosphere. Cleaning fluid may
be added to the liquid. Usually the liquids trickle into
a spray nozzle since they are above the spray nozzle. The
liquids may be mixed in a mixing manifold. A typ~cal
example of such carpet cleaners is illustrated ln U.S.
Patent 2,986,764 issued June 6, 1961 to D. C. Krammes.
~..
~ .
.i$2~ ::
Other systemQ u~e varlous arrangements of tanks, valve~
and controls to carry out carpet cleanlng operatlons. ~n ~-
splte o~ all of these eforts dlrected to the cleanlng o~
~loorq and carpetR, ther~ ha~ not, heretoore, bcen
provlded a machlne adapted ~or domestlc u~ whlch provldes
e~fective cleaning o~ ~urfaces such as carpets, floozs and
th~ l~ke, whlch 18 simple to u8e and su~ isn~ly low ln -~
cost to be ~ttr~ct~ve to dom~t~c users -~
A~cordlngly, lt 18 the ob~aet of the pEQsent
lO lnventlon ~o provlde an lmprov~d machln~ gor cl~anlng
surfacQs such as carpets, floors and the ll~e whlch c~n bs
manufa~tured and sold at low cost and whlch, nQv~rthsle~s,
18 both simple to U8~ and e~ctlv~ ln op~ratlon. ;~
Here described is a machine having :`;
15 improved arrangements o ;~`
contaln~rs for cleanlng ~lulds, such as shampoos and
concentra~ad cl~aning solutlons, fr~sh ll~u~ds, auch as `~
clean water and for khe rQeeptlon of waste liqulds. The
`~ machlne h~-q a nozzle ~or pro~ctlng th~ llqulds onto th~
20 sur~ace to be clQansd and for plcking up thc wa~ liquld ~-
from the ~ur~ac~. Bo~h th~ s~paratlon of wasta llquld .and :~
~` alr and the dellv~ry of the llqulds is con)olntly~carrl~d ;~
out wlth suctlon and alr prsssure generated ln a houslng
to wh~ch a common alr pump 18 connected. The machlne 1 8;~
.'.'~''
:~.
,~
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13 31 ~ 2 ~
- 3
~urth~r lmp~ov~d by fac:Llltl~ ~or removakly attachlng tha
contalners to the ~ame of th~ machin~ and for thQ
cont~oll~d and s~lectlvl~ appllaatlon o~ the llqul~ w~th
d~ nt conG~ntratlon~ o~ cl~anlng llquld and ~resh
llquld.
~r~efly, a machine is here
described for cleaning surfaces such as carpets,
~loors and tha llke ha3 a ~ame. An al~ pump 18 moun~d
on ~h~ ftamQ. A hou~lng communlcntln~ wlth th~ pump has a
suction lnlst and pr~ssu~lz~d a~ outlet~. A suctlon
nozzl~ lq mounted on the f~am~ at th~ ~nd of tha ~am~
whi~h 18 dl~pos~d ad~acent to th~ Qur~ac~ to b~ ~laa~cd.
~: A llquld pro~ctlng nozzle 18 al~o mount~d on th~ f~am~ ~t
th~ ~nd ad~ac~nt to the surfacs to b~ cl~nsd. A
~:: 15 plurallty o~ cont~ln~rs for concentrat~d cl~anln~ llquld,
~ssh and wa~t~ llquid ~r~ utlllzed, ~h~ containa~ ~E~
~movably mount~d to th~ f~ams and the houslng with a
condult conn~ctlng the houslng and th~ wast~ uld ~-
contaln~r to communlcate wast~ llquld ~paratQd ~om alr
and llquld transport~d lnto thQ houslng to th~ wa~te
liquld contalner. A condult for alr and wast~ uld f~om
h~ suctlon nozzle iQ Gonnected to the suctlon lnl~t o~
the houslng. A coupllng b~tw~n th~ p~a~surlzed alr
outlet~, the cleanlnq fluld contalner ~nd th~ f r~h llquld
.
~ .
~-~ 1331~2a
-- 4 --
container provide for the pressurization thereof'. A f'urther
coupling is connected to the outlets ~'rom the f'resh liquid and
cleaning liquid containers, in which coupling the f'resh and ~`
cleaning liquids f'low together to an outlet to the liquid
projection nozzle so as to apply the fresh and cleaning liquids
to the sur~'ace. This coupling utilizes simplified mixing and
valving to control the flow of the liquid to the liquid
projecting nozzle and to provide selected concentrations of the
cleaning liqu,id and the fresh liquid.
Other features and advantages are provided by the
arrangements used for assembling the containers, for providing
the pressurized air and suction, and for separating waste liquid ~
picked up from the surface to be cleaned from the air, the ~ -
container fox the cleaning liquid which is adapted to be readily
attached and removed from the housing of the machine and the
liquid projection and spray nozzles themselves.
More particularly in accordance with the invention
there is provided, in a cleaning device having a liquid
container removably mounted in said cleaning device, the
improvement comprising: a collar receiving the top of said
container; a cam having a rotatable camming surface engaging
,~
the bottom of said container, rotatably mounted on said cleaning
! ! i device for moving said container into said collar by rotating
said cam from a first to a second position; and latch means
engaging said cam to lock said cam in said second position to
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~' .'~'', .`',,~ ..''' `, ;,.'..'..'. .'; ' `
` ~331~2~
- 4a -
retain said container in said collar. Pre~erably the container
includes a recess in its bottom wall with a camming surface in
the recess and with a cam lying in the recess engaging the
camming surface. There can be a latch means on the cleaning
device with a detent movably mounted on the cam and which rests
in the catch when the cam is in the second position.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described
with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein;
. ' ,
133142~ ~ ~
BR~EF DESCPIPTION OP T~E DRAW~NGS
Figure 1 ~s ~ perspectlve of a new cleaning
devi ce .
Flgure 2 $s a side vlew of the cleanlng d~vice of ~lgu~ 1.
Flgu~e 3 1s a partlal cross-sectlonal vlew of the cleanlng
devic~.
Flgure 4 ls a cross-sectlonal vlew of a spray
nozzle. :
Figure 5 is ~ plan vlew o~ ~ control ~wltch and mlxer ln
10 lts ~nlti~l closed posltlon. ~
. . '
Flgure 6 is a cross-sectlonal vlew taken along llne~ 6-6 of
Figure 5.
~ igure 7 15 a plan vlew of the control sw~tch and mlxer ln :: :
15 its ~potting posltlon. ~:
F~ure 8 ls a cross-sectlonal view taken along lln~s 8~8 o~
~lgure 7.
Flgure 9 ls ~ cross-~ectlonal view of the trlgger and
spottlng actuator.
~' ```
~; Figure 10 i a top view of a po~tlon of the wat~r tank ~nd
separator assembly.
F~gure 1~ is a comblned cross-sectional vlew taken along
lines 11-11 o~ Flgure 10 and a fl~id sohematic o~ th~ ~luld
system .
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6- ~33~42~
~lgu~e 12 is a b2ck vlew of the sepa~ator houslng.
~gure 13 is a partlal cross-7~ection taken along llnes
13-13 o~ F~gure 12.
Flgure 1~ is ~ top vlew of the separator taken along llne8
14-14 o~ ~lgure 3.
~lgure 15 18 a top vlew of the water tank taken along lln~s
15-15 of Flgure 3.
F~ gure 16 i8 a top view of the.waste ~luld tank ~ak~n alon~
llnes 16-16 of Flgure 3.
gure l? is a cro~8-se~tlonal vlew o~ the c~m latch devlcQ
~; ln 1~ unlatched po~t~on.
: Figure 18 18 a s~d~ v~ew of a cl~a~lng ~luld c~rt~ldg~.
Figure 19 ~s a top vlew taken along lln~8 19-19 o~ ~19U~
18.
~: ~lg~re 20~18 a crosi6-sectlo~al vlew t~ken along l~ne8 20~2C
of F~gure 18.
~: F~gure 21 ls a per8pectlv~ of a collar. :
, .
Flgure 22 ~s a cross-~ectlonal vlew of the ca~tridge and
. docklng por~ .
::
~lgure 23 ls a c~oss-sectional vlew of the ~ctlon nozzle ~.
taken along llnes 23-23 of Flgu~e 24.
Flgure 2~ ~s a p~rspectlve vlew of the ~uctlon nozzle.
~ ? i . i ~
~3314~
D TAILED D~:SCRIPTION
A new cleaning device is
illustrated ln Flgurez l, 2 and 3 as including a frame 30 to
whlch are mounted a palr of wheels 32 by strut 34. As
illustrated in Figure 2 r the wheels are ln thelr operable
position allow~ng the ~lean~.ng device to move across the
surace to be cleaned. For the stored posltlon, th~ wheel~ ar~ :
rota~ed ~orwa~d or counter-clockwlse ln ~igure 2 ~nd comes to
: rest below the front end of the ~rame 30. Extendlns from the
top end of the frame 30 ~8 a handle 36 havlng fluid actlvatlon
~; trigger 38 and a spotter ac~uator 40, MountQd to th~ ~ont ~nd ~'-
of the ~rame ls a 8pr~y nozzle ~2 for pro~t~ng clQ~nlng ~l~ld ;~.
mlxtu~es onto th~ surface to be cleaned and a suctlon nozzl~ ~6 ..
mounted to plpe 44 for removlng 1uld~ from the ~ur~ac~ to bQ .
lS claan~d.
~ A wat~r ~ank 48 a~d wa-~te ~luld or rQturn tan~ ~0 ars `;
;:~ connected ~ a s~n9le unlt lncludlng a handle 52.` Th~ tan~
a~e removably mounted to the ~rame 30 and ar2 ~curQd the~to
by a oam latch 54 engaglng th~ bottom of th~ waste fluld tank
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50. An u~per ho~slng 56 mounted to frame 30 abov~ th~ t~nk
,; . unlt lncludes an alr flu~d separator 58, ~ motor 60'and a pump
or fan 62 ~s ill~strated ~n ~lgure 3. An openlng 57 1~ :;
prov~ded ~n the upper houslng 56 to vlew the flu~d ln the -`
~eparator. 58 wh~ch has a transp~rent body. An electrlcal
switch 6 3 actlvates the motor 60 and an electr lc cord 65
prov~des power.
- 8 - 1 3 31 42 a
A container or cartr$dge of detergent, shampoo or other
concentrated cleaning fluid 64 lncluding a collar 66 is mounted
to dock~ng port 68 in the upper housing 56 as lllustrated ~n
Figure 2. ~he cleaning fluid i~ mixed with water from the
water tan~ and projected through spray nozzle 42.
Initially, the water tank 48 is filled with fluid and
mounted to the frame 30 and securely held thereto by cam latch
54. A concentrated cleaning fluld cartridge 64 is mounted into
docking port 68. Now the sy~tem is ready for operation. As
will be explained more fully below, the cleaning devlce
operates by activating the motor 63 to turn on the motor to
operate the fan and pump 62 to create a force to project a
mixture o~ cleaning fluid and water out of spray nozzle 42 on
the surface as wèll as to create a suc~ion to draw fluid
through suction nozzle 46. With the trigger 38 ln its normal
position, no fluid is dispensed. Upon depressing trigger 38,
the amount of fluid projected from spray nozzle 42 can be
controlled. If a stubborn stain or especlally dirty surface is
~; to be cleaned, the spotting actuator 40 is operated to increase
20 ,the mixing ratio of detergent to water. The dirty or waste
fluid from suction nozzle 46 is provided to separator 58
wherein the air is separated from the dirty fluid which is
provided to waste fluid tank 50. The air ls provided back
through the fan/pump 62 to be re-introduced to the spray nozzle
42. Once the cleaning is done, the tank assembly is removed by
9 133142~
releasing cam latch 54 and the contents of the waste fl~id tank
50 are emptied. This cycle of ~peration may be repeated.
The spray nozzle 42, which is illustrated in detail in
Figure 4, is an air venturi system which draws a cleaning fluid
mixture and projects it onto the cleaning surface. Spray
nozzle 42 includes an air man~fold having two complementary
pieces 70 and 72 jolned along a line or plane 74 (see Figure
2). As illust~ated in detail in Figure 4 with the top air
manifold 72 removed, the nozzle of the air manifold is
generally fan-shaped having a plurality of nozzle channels 76
extending therethrough. ~nitary to the air manifold is an
inlet tube or conduit 78 connected to a source of pressurized
air or the output of the fan 62. Mounted interior the air ~`-
manifold is a fluid manifold 80 having a plurality of fingers
lS 82 extending therefrom and lying in the nozzle channels 76.
Supports 84 and 85, which are integral with the air manifold `~
elements 70 and 72, position the fluid manifold 80 and its
fingers 82 central within the air manifold and supports 84 and ~;
the nozzle channels 76. The fluid manifold 80 includes an
inlet 86 extending through the back wall of the air manifold
and is connected by tubing 88 to the source of a cleaning fluid
mixture.
Air introduced into conduit 73 moves through the air
i manifold aro~nd the liquid manifold 80 and fingers 82 and exit
nozzle channels 76. The restriction of the air through the
- 10 - 133142 â
nozzle channels creates a venturi effect so as to dra~ or educe
cle~ning fluid mixture from.the fingers 82 to be forceably
ejected onto a surface to be cleaned. Although the system has
béen designed to operate on a pure eduction principle, i~ is
preferred that the source of c:leaning fluid mixt~re be
pressurized so as to maintain lan even flow of cleaning mixt~re
fluid to the spray nozzle 42. Since the principle force to
draw the cleaning fluid mixture is the venturi effect produced
by the air mani~old, the pressure provided to the cleaning
fluid source is substantially ~maller than that provided tO the
air manifold.
The cleaning fluid mixture provided to the spray nozzle 42
by tubing 88 is from a control switch and mixer illustrated
specifically in Figures 5-8 and operated by the trigger
actuator 40 and the spotting actuator 38 111ustrated in detail
in Figure 9. A mixing V or connector 90 which is mounted to
the frame 30 has a mixing outlet connected to tube 88, a water
inlet connected to tube 92 and a cleaning fluid inlet connected ~ :
to tubing 94. The water from tube 92 and the cleaning fluid ~
20 from tube 94 are mixed in the V 90 and provided to outlet t~be ~:
88. Engaging one side of the outlet tube 88 is an! anvil 96 and
adjacent one side of the water inlet tube 92 is an anvil 98.
Pivotally connected to the frame 30 at 100 is a rocker arm 102 ~`
having hammers 104 and 106 respectively on opposite sides Of ~i
the pivot 100. A biasing means or spring 108 is received in a
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13 314 2 3
spring housing 110 on the frame 30 and engages the rocker arm
102 around post 112. The biasing means or spring 108 biases
the rocker arm 102 counter-clockwise in Figure 5. A slot 114
in the rocker arm 102 receives a control link or wire 116
s connected to the spotter actuator 4~ and the trigger 38. :.
Without operation of the trigger 38 or spotting actuator
40, spring 108 rotates the rocker arm 102 to its initial
position illustrated in ~igure ~ such that hammer 104 is
pressed against anvil 96 completely restricting the tubing 88
at the outlet of the mixer 90. This is illustrated
specifically in the cross-~ection of Figure 6. In this
position, no cleaning fluid mixture is provided to the spray
~: nozzle 42. Thus, if the electric motor is actuated, only air
; is blown onSo the surface to be cleaned. This could produce an
15 air drying if desired. ~.
With movement of the control wire 116 to the right, the -.
rocker arm 102 rotates counter-clockwise moving the hammer 104
away from the anvil 96 so as to begin to open the closed outlet
tube 88. Dependent upon the amount of motion of wire 116 and
pivotal rotation of rocker arm 102, the flow rate of cleaning
,~ . fluid mixture can be controlled. The rocker arm 102 can be
rotated to a position allowing unrestricted flow of the outlet ~.
tube 88 as well as unrestr~cted flow from water inlet tubing 92.
j Further rightward motion of wire 116 and counter-clockwise
1 25 rotation of rocker ar= 102 causes hammer 106 to engage the
-` . ~ 12 - 1 3 3 ~ ~ 2 ~
water inlet tube 92 and be~ng restricting its flow into the
mixing V 90. The degre-e o~ restriction of water inlet 92
permitted is defined by a stop 118 and is illustrated in
Figures 7 and 8. This restricted position of water inlet tube
s 92 defines a specific ratio of concentrated cleaning fluid from
tube 94 and water from tube 92 to remove stubborn stains or
spots and is known as the spotting position.
Thus, it can be seen that the rocker arm 102 sequentially
operates from a first position illustrated ln Figure 5 wherein
the outlet is restricted by anvil 96 and hammer 104 for zero
flow rate through a first plurality of intermediate angular
positions having intermediate restrictions of the outlet to ~:
. .
define various flow rates and a second plurali~y of
intermediate angular positions having intermediate restrictions
1~ of the water inlet 92 provided ~y anvil 98 and hammer 106 to
define the mixing ratio. Thus, a single assembly is provided
which controls both the flow rate of dispensing cleaning fluid ~:
-
~ mixture as well as the mixing ratio of cleaning fluid to
;~ water. If required, the rocker arm can be reshaped such that ;~ ;
: 20 hammer 106 will begin to restrict water inlet tube 92 while :;
~ hammer 104 also restricts outlet tube 88.
.~ . ,~.
The operation of the rocker arm 102 is controlled via wire ...
116 by the spotting actuator 40 and trigger 38 illustrated in
detail in Figure 9. The spotting actuator 40 is p~votally
i 25 mounted to the handle 36 at 120 as is trigger 38. The control . ~:
~ I ~
- 13 - 133 1 ~ ~ ~
wire 116 is connected to post 122 on spotting actuator 40.
Post 122 lies in a elongated slot 1~4 in the trigger 38. The
spotting actuator 40 extends from the top of the handle while
the trigger 38 extends from the bottom of the handle. This
S allows activation of either control with the same hand that
holds and directs the clean~ng device. The spotting actuator
40 may be controlled by the th~mb and the trigger 38 by the
other fingers which wrap about the handle 36.
Counter-clockwise rotation of trigger 38 as illustrated in
Figure 9 from its initial position causes counter-clockwise
rotation of the spotting actuator 40 and moves the control wire
116 to the right. The trigger 38 is designed such that the
total amount of angular motion which it is capable of
travelling is limited to produce via control wire 116 rotation
of the rocker arm 102 from the fully restricted condition of
;~ outlet tube 88 of mixer 90 to the completely unrestricted
condition of outlet tube 88 and no restriction of the water
inlet tube 92. The restriction of water inlet tube 92 by
hammer 106 is produced by the further motion by travel produced
by spottin~ actuator 40. The counter-clockwise rotation of
`spotter actuator 40 moves the w~re 116 further to the right
without further motion of trigger 38 s~nce post 122 moves in
slot 124. It should also be noted that spotter actuator 40 may
be operated independent of trigger 38 because of the slot 124.
The bias~ng means 108 of rocker arm 102 is sufficiently strong
- 14- 133142~
to clamp the outlet tubing 88 and retains the spotting actuator
38 and trigger 40 in their .position illustrated ln Figure 9 via
wire 116.
The water line 92 and the c:leaning fluid line 94 of the
mixing V 90 are connected ~o thle fluid circuit illustrated in
Figure 11. A block 126 includes an air port 12B and a water
port 130. An air inlet nipple 132 and a water outlet nipple ~;:
134 are provided in the top of water tank 48. A tube 136
extends down from the water outlet nipple 134 to the bottom of ~
the water tank 48. The nipples 132 and 134 are rec.eived in ~
ports 128 and 130 respectively of the block 126. As will be ~:
explained more fully below, the block 126 is mounted to the
separator 58 to receive the nipples 132 and 134 during mounting
of the tank assembly onto the frame as illustrated in Figure
:: 15 10. A ball 138 in water port 130 acts as a check valve to ':
: prevent back flow into the water tank 48.
: Connected to the other end of water port 130 is a first
fitting 140 having a msin outlet 142 connected to the mixing .~
water inlet tube 92 and a restricted outlet 144. The axis of ::-
20 the inlet of fitting 140 is coincident with the axis of the ~
, .. re5tricted outlet 144 and is orthogonal to the main outlet 142
~ axis. The cross-sectional area of main outlet 142 is
:~ substantially larger than the cro~s-sectional area of
restricted outlet 144~ By way of example, the main outlet may ;.
have a cross-sectional area four times that of the restricted
outlet.
- 15- 1331~
Connected to the flrst fitting 140 about restricted outlet
144 is a second fitting 146. A primary cleaning fluid inlet
148 of fitting 146 is connected to the concentrated cleaning
fluid container 64 by tube 150. The restricted outlet 144
provides a secondary inlet to the second.fitting 146. The
outlet 152 of the second fitting 146 $s connected to cleaning
fluid inlet pipe 94 of the mixer 90. The fan or pump 62
provides pressurized a~r via tublng 154 to an input of the
concentrated cleaning fluid container 64 and by tubing 156 to
water tank 48 via air port 128. The primary o~tle~ of pump 62
is through conduit 158 to the air manifold of spray nozzle 142. ~
When the outlet tubing 88 of mixer 90 is totally .
:~restricted, no fluid is flowing in the circuitry of Figure 11.
Once the restriction of outlet tubing 88 is removed, water
under pressure leaves the tank 48 through tubing 136, nipple
134 and port 132 to raise check valve 138 and the flow through
main outlet 142 and tubing 92 to the mixing valve 90.
Similarly, concentrated clean~ng fluid from container 64 flows
via conduit 150 and fitting 146 to tubing 94 and mixer 90. In ~
20 this state, very little water, if any, exits the restricted ~:
outlet 144 from the first fitting 140 into the second~ fitting
146. For spotting or any other condition wherein the water ~.
inlet tubing 92 is restricted, the flow in main outlet 142 of
fitting 140 is reduced and therefore the flow ln restricted
outlet 144 i's increased. Although this flow introduces water
- 16 - ~ 3 3 1 ~C~ ~
into the concentrated cleaning fluid, it does not dilute it
compared to the unrestrict,e~ s~aterline flow mixture. It also
increases the pressure in tubing 94. This allows for greater ;
flow rate of the concentrated cleaning fluid ~nto the mixer 90
and thus the resulting cleaning fluid mixture exiting the mixer
90 has a substantially ~ncreased ratlo of cleaning flu~d to
water.
,:
As can be seen from the circuit of Pigure 11, the water and
the cleaning fluid supply of the system are pressurized. This
produces even control of the fluids such that their mixing
~ ratio and flow rate can be assured. ~he system also takes
;~ advantage of the natural siphoning effect which results from '~
the venturi spray nozzle 42. ,;~
Realizing this, the pressure provided by pump 62 via tubing
15 154 and 156 to the concentrated cleaning fluid supply and the ~
water supply respectively is small compared to the overall air ~`
pressure provided via conduit 158 to the venturi spray nozzle
: :,
42. Although the pressure supply via tub~ng 154 and 156 is ~"
small, it is very important that it be constant to maintain the
desired mixing ratio and flow rates. It should also be noted
that by providing the water outlet on the top of tank 4B and ~
the secondary passage 144 of fitting 140 being vertical, the ~'
force of gravity helps to further reduce the amount of fluid
~' ¦ flowing through restrictive passage 144 into the concentrated
25 cleaning fluid fitting 146. ~,,,
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- 17 - 1 3 3 1 ~ ~ ~
A pump capable of producing the h~gh air flow rate for the
venturi spray nozzle as we~l 2S a uniform small flow rate ~or
the press~rized water and cleanLng fluid containers is
illustrated specifically in Figures 3 and 12-14. ~he separator
58 includes a substantially cylindrical housing 160 with a top
rim 162 which forms the housing for the fan or air pump. The
pressurized air exiting the chamber formed by the wall of the
rim 162 enters tangentially as illustrated in Figure 14 to a
first portion 163 of primary outlet 164. The conduit 158
connected to the venturi spray nozzle is connected to second
portion 165 of primary outlet 164.
A pair of secondary smaller outlets 166 and 168 are
provided in a wall 169 of the primary outlet 164 and aligned
parallel to the flow axis of the second portion of the primary
outlet 164. The axis of the secondary o~utlets 166 and 168 are
perpendicular to the flow axis of the second portion of the
primary outlet. A ledge or wall 167 extends transverse to the
flow axis of the second portion 165 of the primary outlet 164
to create a zone of relatively constant pressure compared to
the remainder of the primary outlet. The secondary outlets are
adjacent the ledge 167 in this zone. As is evident from the
drawings, the cross-sectionaI area of the primary outlet 164 is
quite substantially larger than the cross-sectional area of the
¦ secondary o~tlets 164 and 166. This particular structure
1 25 provides s uniform pressure at secondsry outlets 166 and 168.
~331~2~ ~
~n air inlet 170 to the separator housing 160 is
illustra~ed in Figure 12 ~nd provides a flow axis tangential to ~;
the cylindri~al separator housing 160. This causes a
centrifugal flow within the intlerior. A conical shroud 172,
illustrated in Figure 3 interior the cylindrical housing 160
has interior thereto an air outlet 174 covered by screen 176.
The shroud 172 and the outle~ 174 are an in~egral part of plate
178 which is mounted to the cylindrical separator housing 160.
Fluid outlet 180 at the bottom of the cyllndrical housing is :~
provided at the bottom of the cylindrical ~eparator housing
~; 160. The outlet 174 is displaced vertically and horizonta~ly
~ from the lower edge of the conical shroud 172. Dirty fluid and
;;~ air enter the separator housing 160 through opening 170 and
begin a spiralin~ down and out motion. The shroud 172 forces
15 the air fluid mixture to the outside of the cylindrical housing ~`:
or that portion having a greater radius and velocity. `~
~ By using a conical shroud, the area at the entry port 170
;~ is not diminished to retard flow of the mixture into the
separator chamber while directing the downward moving mixture ~.~
20 to the highest velocity portion of the flow thereby maximi~ing . ;
separation of the air and the l~quid. The heavier fluid moves .<
towards the cylindrical housing 160 and continues down through `
outlet 180. The lighter air turns a sharp angle and exits
through screen 176 and outlet 174 into the fan or pump 62. The ;~
position of the outlet 174 should not be too close to the outer
:"'
- 19 1 3 3 1 ~ 2 ~`
edge of the shroud, otherwise the exi~ing air will not be
completely separated from the fluid. Similarly, if the outlet
174 is displaced too far from the edge of the shroud, the
sy~tem will choke. The liquicl outlet 180 of the separator 58
is connected to the waste flui.d tank 50 by a condult 181.
The tank assembly including fresh water ~ank 48 and waste
fluid tank 50 is illu~trated ~n ~igures 3, 15 and 16. The
clean water tank 48 includes a U-shaped keyway 184 extending
along its length~ In the top port$on of the keyway as
: 10 illustrated in Figure 15 lies the conduit 181 connectins the
liquid outlet 180 of the separator 58 and the inlet to the
return or dirty fluid tank 50. In ~he bottom of the keyway
mounted to the frame 30 are received a~r conduit 158 providing
pressurized air to the spray nozzle and return conduit 173
bringing waste fluid back from the suction nozzle 46. Thus,
the air and fluid conduits 158 end 173 respectively form the
key for the tank assembly or unit keyways. Similarly, as
~ illu~trated in Figure 16, the return tank 50 also has a
: longitudinal ~-shaped keyway 185 receiving conduits 158 and 173.
:~ 20 The conduit 181 is flared at 182 at its upper end to
provlde a funnel and includes ~ flange 183 extending therefrom
to engage the top of the fresh liquid water tank 48 and provide
the handle 52 for carrying the tank units. The lower end of
conduit 181 :includes a rfm 191 wh~ch is received in an
indenture 188 in the neck 190 extending from the return tank 50
2 0
133142a
into the keyway 184 of the fresh water tank 48. The base 193
of neck 190 is rectangular ~nd is received in rectangular
shoulder 195 in the bottom of water tank 48. The fresh water
tank 48 has an inlet 186 covered by cap 187 which is secured to
the handle 52.
To assemble the tank unit, the waste fluid tank 50 is
inserted onto the lower end of the clean water tank with the
neck 190 extending into the keyway 184 and base 193 in shoulder
195. The conduit 181 is then inserted from the other end
snapping ridge 191 into indenture 188 to mount the conduit to
the waste fluid tank and securely mount the clean water tank
and the waste fluid tank together. It is evident that the neck .
190 and base 193 of the waste fluid tank extending into the .
keyway and shoulder of the clean water tank 43 stabilizes the
tank assembly.
A portion 192 of keyway 185 of the waste fluid tank 50 is ;
inclined to receive a conduit 194 between the fluid return
conduit 173 and tube 44 leading to the suction nozzle 46. The ~
bottom of the tank 50 includes a recess 196 (Figure 1) having a -.
20 camming surface 198 therein. As illustrated in Fig~re 3, the ;~
cam latch 54 11es in the recess 196 and rests against the . :
camming surface 198 of the return tank 50. As will be
explained more fully, the cam latch 54 will be rotated into
recess 196 to initially align and ride on camming surface 198 . ;
to move the tank assembly along the keys formed by conduits 158
~.
~ 21 - 133~2~
and 173 into alignment with the upper ho~sing 56. This mates
the flared portion 182 o conduit 181 with the outlet 180 of
the séparator 58 as well as nipples 132 and 134 into port 128
and 130 respectively of block 1:26.
As illustrated in Figures 3 and 17, the cam latch 54
includes a substantially L-~haped handle 203 having a camming
surface 201 and a lever portion 203. The camming surface 201
engages the camming surface 198 in the bottom of the waste
fluid tank 50. The handle 54 ls pivotally mounted at its lower
end at 205 to the block 207 of the frame 30. An L-shaped latch
209 is pivotal~y connected at 211 the juncture of the legs to
the L-shaped handle 203. A spring 213 engages the interior of
handle 203 and one of the legs of latch 209 to bias the latch
counter-clockwise relative to the handle as illustrated in
Figures 3 and 17. A ridge or shoulder 215 in the block 207
~ forms a catch for a leg of latch 209 which acts as a detent to ;~
;~ : lock the cam latch in the position illustrated in Figure 3.
The unlatch position, allowing removal of the tank assembly
from the cleaning dev~ce, is illustrated in Figure 17.
In order to release the cam latch 54 from the position
,. , i , : j ~ ,
~; illustrated in Figure 3, the latch 209 is rotated clockwise
against the spring 213 with the handle 203 stationary allowing
the ~etent and the latch 209 to ride out of the cam latch or
ridge 215 on block 207. ~he cam latch 54 may then be rotated
counter-clockwise. To mo~nt the tank assembly to the cleaning
- 22-
~331~25
device, the tank assembly is mounted with the keyways 184 and
185 on the keys formed by cionduits 158 and 173 and 194. The
cam latch S4 is rotated back into recess 196 ln the bottom of
return tank 50 and engag~s camming surface 198. The detent
5 portion 20 of latch 209 rides ~long the exterior edge 217 of
block 207 until it exceed~ the top thereof and falls ~nto the
catch 215.
~he unique ca~tridge 64 includlng collar 66 is illustrated
in Figures 18-21. The cartridge 64 includes a non-circular
body 200 having a neck 202 extendlng therefrom. Threaded
portions 204 o~ neck 202 receives cap 206. A circumferential
ridge 208 on neck 202 retains the collar 66 between the top of
the cartridge and the ridge 208 such that the collar may rotate
relative to the cartridge 64 without any axial motion between
the collar and cartridge. The sides of the cartridge adjacent
the top includes four indentures 210, 212, 214 and 216.
Indentures 210 and 212 receive a handle 218 extending from ;~
collar 66 to define two distinct positions of the collar
relative to the body. As will be explained more fully below,
when the handle 218 is in recess 210, the collar 66 is in its :~
initial angular position capab~e of entering into the docking
port 68 of the cleaning device. As the collar 66 is rotated
counter-clockwise in Figure 19, the handle w~ll be received in - -
recess 212 which will define a flnal locked angular position of
the collar in the dockin9 port. It should also be noted that
- 23 _ 133142'a
the recess 210 allows the handle to be received substantially
within the body 200 and therefore allows for easy packaging.
~ he collar 66 includes a pair of camming recesses 220
therein to receive a pair of tabi~ ~n the docking port of the
S cleaning device. Each recess 22t) lncludes an entry slot 222 on
the top of the collar connected respectively to a inclined
portion 224 followed by a hor$zontal lock portion 226. A pair
of lugs 260 (Figure 22~ on the dock~ng port 68 are received in
entry slots 222 and the collar is rotated relative to the body
causing the total assembly to move axially without rotation of
the cartridge 54. The lugs 260 ride down the inclined portion
224 along por~ion 226 ~o lock the collar and cartridge in place
in the docking port. The locking portion 226 prevents reverse
rotation by vibràtion or use of the cleaning device. Since the
15 cartrldge is part of a pressure fluid system, it is important `~
; ; that the dock~ng be firm and ~ecure for proper operation of the
cleaning device. Thus, alignment and airtight connection is
. ~
critical. As illustrated in Figure 21, the collar 66 is formed
of two portions connected by an ~ntegral lying hinge 228. The
collar is wrapped around the neck 202 below ridge 208 with
latch 232 locking on top of catch 230.
Indentures 214 and 216 receive shoulders or keys in the
docking port to align and restrain the cartridge from rotating
during axial insertion into the docking port by hand as well as
25 by rotation of the collar 66.
`_ - 24
133142~ ;
Received in the top opening of the bottle neck 202 is an
insert 234 having a pair o~ nozzles 236 and 238 thereon. As
will be explained below, these nozzles are aligned with ports
in the docking port with nozzle 236 being an air inlet and
nozzle 238 being a fluid outlet. The insert 234 has a pair of
circumferial ridges 240 which lengage and seal the insert
against the interior of the neck 202. As previously discussed,
this is a positive pressure supply system and therefore this
seal must be maintalned. An axial keyway 242 i5 provided in
10 the -insert 234 and is received $n key 244 running along the
interior of the neck 202. This aligns the insert 234 and the
nozzles 236 and 238 to the cartridge and consequently to the
collar. This assures alignment of the nozzle and the
appropriate inlet and outlet of the docking port. A tube 246 ~`
extends from the bottom of the body 200 to the fluid outlet
nozzle 238.
The cartridge 64 in docking port 68 is illustrated in
detail in Figure 22. The docking port is an assembly which ;~
includes a docking housing 250 mounted to the upper housing
2Q 56. A pair of opposed slots 252 are provided in the docking
housing 250. A U-shaped clip 254 is inserted in the docking
housing having a pair of nipples 256 and 258 extending through
the housing 250 to receive air inlet conduit 154 from the
outlet of the pump and cleaning fluid supply tubing 150 leading
to the second fitting 146 (see Figure 11). The outer edges of
~ ~`'
-- 25 --
~331~2~
the U-shaped clip 254 has tabs 260 which engage the bottom of
the slots 252 in the dock~ng housing to maintain the clip
therein. Extending to the interior of the docking housing are
a pair of lugs 262. These 1U9E; form the complementary camming
surfaces to be used with the camm~ng r2cesses 2~0 in the collar
66. A molded rubber sealing dLsc 264 is received t n the
U-shaped clip 254.
By using a clip 254 ~o be inserted through the docking
housing, it can be made of hard materlal capable of many
insertions on the camming surface. For example, it may be made
of Delrin plastic. This reduces the cost of the overall device
by making the shaped clip of such expensive material instead of
requiring the whole docking housing to be so made. The molded
rubber seal 264 creates an airtight seal since it receives ~-
nozzles 236 and 238 on the container and deforms as the
container is moved axlally within the docking housing. A pair
of shoulders 266 and 268 extend from the housing wall 56 and
provide guides or key for indentures 214 and 216 of the
cartridgQ.
As can be seen from Figures 2 and 22, the cartridge 64 lies
in a chamber tn the upper housing 56 with the neck portion 202
' extending into a recess portion and the body 200 lying in a
.: i
cavity portion of the chamber. The cavity encompasses at least ``
¦ three of the sides of the body. ~
~.'.:,',
,~ ,",,,
- 26-
1331~2~
A cartridge 64 of concentrated cleaning fluid may be
mounted to the docking port 68 by aligning the lndentures 214
and 216 of the cartridge with shoulders 2~6 and 268 of the
housing, respectively. The collar 66 is placed in its initial
or insertion position as defined by the handle 218 lying in
indenture 210 of the body. ~he body and collar are moved
axially until the lugs 262 of the docking port are received in
entry slo~s 222 in the top of the collar. The collar 66 is
then rotated by handle 218 accessible from the exterior of the
cavity causing the body and collar to move axially during
rotation of the collar. The indentures 214 and 216 engage the
shoulders 266 and 268 to prevent the cartridge 64 from
rotating. The collar is rotated to its final or lock position
defined by the handle 218 being received in indenture 212 on
the body. In this position, or~f~ces in nozzles 236 and 238 are
aligned and received with apertures in t~e base of nipples 256
and 258. The insert 234 having a keyway assures alignment of
the nozzles with the body and the camming recess 220 of the
collar with tabs 262 assure initial alignment as well as
indentures 214 and 216 of the body and shoulders 266 and 268 of
the housing assure initial alignment of the body and nozzles
during the axial movement of the body produced by rotation of
the collar 66.
The suction nozzle 46 of the present invention as
illustrated in Figures 23 and 24 i5 composed of a front-top
. "
~7 -
133142~
piece 270 and a back-bottom piece 272 joined by appropriate
fasteners. ~he nozzle includes a first or inlet passage 274
and a second or outlet passage 276. The inlet passage 274 is
generally U-shaped along a cross-section transverse to the flow
axis having a flat bight portion 278 and a pair o~ short leg
portions 280. The front flat bight portion 27B has a
substantially triangular configuratlon diminish~ng from the
base or nozzle inlet 282 to its ~uncture 284 w~th the outlet
passage 276. As can be seen from Figure 23, the distance of
separation between the front and back portions of the walls of
~ the front and bottom pieces 270 and 272, respect~vely increase
; from the base or inlet portion 282 to ~he juncture 284 between
the inlet, first passage 274 and the outlet, second passage
~ 276. This change of distance of separation compensates for the
: 15 diminishing triangular portion of the front and back faces such
that the cross-sectional area of the inlet passage 274 is :
substantially equal ~long the flow axis. This allows a uniform
:~ draw or suction throughout the inlet passage 278 and prevents
fluid from hanging up and flowing back out the inlet 282. : ;~
The second passage or outlet passage 276 as illustrated in .
Pigure 23 has a generally triangular cross-section along the
flow axis such that its cross-sectional area, transfers to the
flow axis, increases along the flow axis. A cylindrical `:
connector port~on 285 receives pipe 44 of the housing. The
bottom wall 286 of the outlet passage extends diagonally across
-- 28 --
13~142~
the connector inlet 284 ~see Figure 3). Thus, the projected
axis of the pipe 44 and outlet connector 285 intersects the
first, inlet passage 278 below the juncture 284 of the inlet
and outlet passages 274 and 276, respectively, and forms an
oblique angle therew~th. Thus, the outlet passage 276 forms a
horizontal trough to collect fluld which will drip from the
conduits between the nozzle 46 and the fluid separator 58 when
the motor and suction system are deactivated. Thus, no fluid
will exit the outlet 282 when the device i~ turned off.
In order for the user to determine the condition of the
extracted fluid being drawn through nozzle ~nlet 282, at least `
the top wall 288 of the outlet section 276 should be ~
transparent. The front, top and sides of the top piece of the -
nozzle 46 are transparent. This allows viewing of the fluid by
th~ user during use. The operator cannot see the front wall of
passage 274 since he generally stands behind the device during ~`
use. To further increase visibility of the fluid, the enlarged
cross-sectional area of the trough 276 causes a pressure drop
to slow down the fluid at the juncture or intersection 284.
20 The bottom wall 286 maintains the fluid adjacent the top wall ~ `~
.. ~, .
288 for better vieweing. When this fluid is slowed down, the
exact content and color can be more readily ascertained. It
should also be noted that by providing the front or inlet
1 passage 274 as t~-shaped, the fluid from legs 280 on entering
1 25 the outlet passage 276 intersect the primary flow from the
- 29 - 1 3 31 ~ 2 5
bight portion 2B0 and create eddy currents at their junction.
These eddy currents further slow down the fluid in the viewing
area.
To further incresse visibility, ~he back and bottom walls
S of the bottom piece 272 should be made of non-transparent
material. Preferably, they should be white such that
additional light may be provided from the back to illuminate
the extracted fluids. It should be noted that the outside side
walls are extended at 290 to provide a shield for the spray
nozzle 42 to prevent water from being sprayed outside the
suction nozzle 46.
From the preceding description of the preferred
embodiments, it is evident that the objects of the invention
are attained, and although the invention has been described and - -
illustrated in detail, it is to be clearly understood that the
same is by way of illustration and example only and is not to
be taken by way of limitation. The spirit and scope of the -
invention are to be limited only by the terms of the appended
claims.
, ::
-,~ ,...
