Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
1334473
CLEANING DEVICE WITH SUCTION NOZZLE
AND LIQUID AND GAS SEPARATOR
DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to cleaning devices
and more particularly to an improved machine for the
cleaning of surfaces such as carpets, floors and the like.
In carpet cleaning machines, a l$quid i8
projected onto the carpet and the dirty liquid is removed
by a suction nozzle. An air-liquid separator is generally
provided to remove air from the dirty, waste liquid and
disperse the air 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 mixin~ manifold. A typlcal
example of such carpet cleaners is illustrated in U.S.
Patent 2,986,764 issued June 6, 1961 to D. C. ~rammes.
133~ 73
Other systems use varlous arrangements of tanks, valves
and controls to carry out carpet clean'ng operatlons. rn
sp~te of all of these efforts d'rected to the cleanlng of
floors and carpetQ, there has not, heretofore, been
S provlded a machlne adapted for domestlc use whlch provldes
effectlve cleanlng of surfaces such as carpets, floors and
the llke, whlch 18 slmple to use and sufflclently low ln
cost to be attractlve to domestic users.
Accord~ngly, lt 18 the ob~ect of the pres~nt
10 lnvent'on to provlde an 'mproved machlne for cl~anlng
surfaces such as carpets, floors and the llke whlch can be
manufactured and sold at low cost and whlch, nevertheless,
is both slmple to use and effectlve ln operatlon.
Here described is a machine having
15 improved arrangements of
contalners for cleaning flulds, such as shampoos and
concentrated cleanlng solutlons, fresh llqulds, such as
clean water and for the receptlon of waste llqulds. The
machlne has a nozzle for pro~ectlng the llquld3 onto the
20 surface to be cleaned and for plcklng up the waste llquld
from the surface Both the separat~on of waste llqu'd .and
alr and the dellvery of the llqulds 18 con~olntly carrled
out wlth suctlon and alr pressure generated ln a houslng
to whlch a common a~r pump '~ connected. The machlne 18
133~73
- 3 -
further lmproved by facilltles for removably attachlng thQ
contalners to the frame of the machlne and for the
cont~olled and selectlve appllQatlon Of the l~qulds with
different concentratlons of cleanlng liquld and f~esh
5 l~quid.
~r~efly, a machine is here
described for cleaning surfaces such as carpets,
floors and the l~ke has a frame. An alr pump 18 mount~d
on the frame. A hous~ng communlcatlng wlth th~ ~ump has a
~uctlon lnlet and p~essu~lzed air outlets. A suctlon
nozzle 1~ mounted on the f ~ame at the Qnd of ths f Same
whlch i8 disposed ad~acent to the surface to b~ clQ~n~d.
A llquld pro~ectlng nozzle ~ 8 also mounted on the f~am~ at
the end ad~acent to the surface to be clean~d. A
15 plurallty of contalners for concentrated cleanlng llquld,
fresh and waste llquld are utlllzed. The containers are
removably mounted to the fram~ and the hQusing wlth a
condult connectlng the housing and the waste llquld
contalner to communlcate waste llquld separated from a~r
and llquid transported lnto the houslng to the waste
llquld conts~ner. A conduit for a~r and waste llquld from
the suctlon nozzle ~s connected to the $uctlon lnlet o~
the housing. A coupllng between the pres~url~Qd alr
outlets, the cleanlng fluld contalner and the fresh ll~uld
~ , . . . . . . . . ..
- 4 - 1 33 4~ 73
container provide for the pressurization thereof. A further
coupling is connected to the outlets from the fresh liquid and
cleaning liquid containers, in which coupling the fresh and
cleaning liquids flow together to an outlet to the liquid
projection nozzle so as to apply the fresh and cleaning liquids
to the surface. 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 liquid 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 for 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 comprising:
a suction nozzle;
suction means for removing fluid from a surface to be
cleaned through said suction nozzle;
separating means between said suction nozzle and said
suction means for separating liquid and gas from said removed
fluid, outputting said gas to said suction means, and retaining
said liquid; and
- 4a - 1334473
said separating means having a cylindrical housing, a
fluid inlet to said housing, a gas outlet displaced from said
fluid inlet, a vertically downwardly increasing diameter conical
shroud in said housing extending substantially to the top
thereof, said fluid inlet being at the level of the top exterior
of said shroud into the large end of a vertically upwardly
increasing area extending from the top of said housing between
said shroud and said housing, which area directs said fluid
downwardly while increasing the velocity thereof, and said gas
outlet being interiorly of said shroud and extending upwardly
through the top of said housing into communication with said
suction means. Preferably the axis of the fluid inlet is
tangential to the cylindrical housing so as to produce a spiral
flow in the fluid.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described
with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein;
133~473
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAW~NGS
Flgure 1 is a perspectlve of a new cleaning
device.
Figure 2 ls a ~de vlew of the clesnlng devlce of Flgure l.
~igure 3 ls a partlal cross-sect~onal vlew of the clean~ng
device.
F~gure 4 is a cross-sectlonal vlew of a spray
nozzle.
Figure 5 is a plan vlew of a control swltch and mlxer ln
its lnltlal closed posltlon.
Fiqure 6 is a cross-sectional vlew taken along llnes 6~6 of
Figure 5.
Figure 7 ls a plan v~ew of the control swltch and mlxer ln
lts gpott~ng posltlon.
Flgure 8 ls a cross-sectlonal vlew taken along llnes 8-8 o~
Figure 7.
Flgure 9 ~s ~ cross-sectlonal vlew of the trlgger and
spottlng actuator.
Flgure 10 ls a top view of a portlon of the water tank and
separator assembly.
Figure 11 ls a comb~ned cross-sectlonal v~ew taken along
lines ll-ll of Flgure 10 and a fluld schematlc of the fluld
system .
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1334~73
Flgure 12 ls a back v~ew of the separator houslng.
Flgure 13 is a part~al cross-sect~on taken along lines
13-13 of Figure 12.
Flgure lq ~s a top vlew of the separator taken along llnes
14-14 of Flgure 3.
Flgure 15 is 8 top vlew of the water tank taken along l~nes
15-15 of Flgure 3.
F~gure 16 ls a top v~ew of the waste fluld tank taken along
l~nes 16-16 of Flgure 3.
F~gure 17 ~s a cso~s-sectlonal v~ew of the cam latch devlce
~n ~ts unlatched poslt~on.
F~gure 18 18 a slde v~ew of a cleanlng ~lu~d cart~dge
F~gure l9 ls a top v~ew taken along l~nes l9-~9 of F~gure
18.
~lgure 20 ls a cros~-sectlo~al view taken along l~nes 20-20
of Flgure 18.
Flgure 21 ls a perspect~ve of a collar.
Flgure 22 ~s a cross-sect~onal v~ew of the cartr~dge and
docklng port .
Flgure 23 is a cross-sectional view of the suct~on nozzle
taken along l~nes 23-23 of F~gure 24.
Flgure 24 ~s a perspectlve vlew of the suctlon nozzle.
_ 7 - 133~7~
DETAILED DESCRIPTION ~F THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
A new cleaning device is
lllustrated ln Flgures l, 2 and 3 as includ~ng a frame 30 to
which are mounted a pair of wheels 32 by strut 3q. As
illustrated in Figure 2, the wheels are in thelr operable
posltion allowlng the cleaning device to move across the
surface to be cleaned. For the stored posltlon, the wheels are
rotated forward or counter-clockwlse ln Figure 2 and comes to
rest below the front end of the frame 30. Extend~ng from the
top end of the frame 30 ls a handle 36 havlng fluid act~vatlon
trigger 38 and a spotter actuator ~0. Mounted to the front end
of the frame ls a spray nozzle 42 for pro~ectlng clean~ng fluid
mlxtures onto the surface to be cleaned and a suct~on nozzle 46
mounted to plpe 44 for removlng fluids from the surface to be
cleaned,
A water tank 48 and waste fluld or return tank 50 ase
connected as a slngle unlt lncludlng a handle 52. Th~ tan~s
are removably mounted to the frame 30 and are secured thereto
by a cam latch 54 engaglng the bottom of the waste fluld tank
50. An upper houslng 56 mounted to frame 30 above the tank
unlt lncludes an air fluld separator 58, a motor 60 and a pump
or fan 62 as illustr~ted ~n ~gure 3. An openlng 57 18
provlded ln the upper housing 56 to view the fluld ln the
separator 58 which has a transparent body. An electrlcal
swltch 63 actlvates the motor 60 and an electrlc cord 65
provldes power.
8 - ~
133~73
A container or cartridge of detergent, shampoo or other
concentrated cleaning flui~ 64 including a collar 66 is mounted
to docking port 68 in the upper housing 56 as illustrated in
Figure 2. ~he clean$ng fluid is mixed with water from the
5- water tank 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 fluid cartridge 64 is mounted into
docking port 68. Now the system is ready for operation. As
will be explained more fully below, the cleaning device
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 of cleaning fluid and water out of spray nozzle 42 on
the surface as wèll as to create a suction to draw fluid
through suction nozzle 46. With the trigger 38 in its normal
position, no fluid is dispensed. ~pon depressing trlgger 38,
the amount of fluid projected from spray nozzle 42 can be
controlled. If a stubborn stain or especially dirty surface is
to be cleaned, the spotting actuator 40 is operated to increas~
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 is 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
.. . . . . ..
- 1334473
releasing cam latch 54 and the contents of the waste fluid tank
50 are emptied. This cycle of operation may be repeated.
The spray nozzle 42, which is illustrated in detail in
~igure 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 manifold having two complementary
pieces 70 and 72 joined along a line or plane 74 (see Figure
2). As illustrated 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. Unitary 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
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 78 moves through the air
manifold around the liquid manifold 80 and fingers 82 and exit
nozzle channels 76. The restriction of the air through the
.. , . , ,, . , , ~ .. . . . , ~ . .. . .
-- 10 --
1334~73
nozzle channels creates a venturi effect so as to draw or educe
cleaning fluid mixture fro~.the fingers 82 to be forceably
ejected onto a surface to be cleaned. Although the system has
been designed to operate on a pure eduction principle, it is
preferred that the source of cleaning fluid mixture be
pressurized so as to maintain an even flow of cleaning mixture
fluid to the spray nozzle 42. Since the principle force to
draw the c}eaning fluid mixture is the venturi effect produced
by the air manifold, the pressure provided to the cleaninq
fluid source is substantially smaller 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 S-8 and operated by the trigger
actuator 40 and the spotting actuator 38 illustrated 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
from tube 94 are mixed in the V 90 and provided to outlet tube
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
the pivot 100. A biasing means or spring 108 is received in a
.. . . ..
1334~73
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
connected to the spotter actuator 40 and the trigger 38.
Without operation of the trigger 38 or spotting actuator
40, sprinq 108 rotates the rocker arm 102 to its initial
position illustrated in Figure 5 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-section 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 onto the surface to be cleaned. This could produce an
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 unrestricted flow from water inlet tubing 92.
~ Further rightward motion of wire 116 and counter-clockwise
! 25 rotation of rocker arm 102 causes hammer 106 to engage the
-- 12 --
- 13~73
water inlet tube 92 and being restricting its flow into the
mixing V 90. The degree of.restriction of water inlet 92
permitted is defined by a stop 118 and is illustrated in
Figures ~ and 8. This restricted position of water inlet tube
~ 5 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 se~uentially
operates from a first position illustrated in 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 plurality of
intermediate angular positions having intermediate restrictions
of the water inlet 92 provided by 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
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 pivotally
mounted to the handle 36 at 120 as is trigger 38. The control
... . . .
133~473
wire 116 is connected to post 122 on spotting actuator 40.
Post 122 lies in a elongat~d slot 124 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 cleaning device. The spotting actuator
40 may be controlled by the thumb 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 spotting actuator 40. The counter-clockwise rotation of
spotter actuator 40 moves the wire 116 further to the right
without further motion of trigger 38 since 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 biasing means 108 of rocker arm 102 is sufficiently strong
-
- 14 - 1 3 3 44 73
to clamp the outlet tubing 88 and retains the spotting actuator
38 and trigger 40 in their-position illustrated in Figure 9 via
wire 116.
The water line 92 and the cleaning fluid line 94 of the
mixing V 90 are connected to the fluid circuit illustrated in
Figure 11. A block 126 includes an air port 128 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 received 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
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 main outlet 142 connected to the mixing
water inlet tube 92 and a restricted outlet 144. The axis of
the inlet of fitting 140 is coincident with the axis of the
restricted outlet 144 and is orthogonal to the main outlet 142
-
axis. The cross-sectional area of main outlet 142 is
substantially larger than the cross-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.
1 33~ 73
Connected to the first 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
5 provides a secondary inlet to the second fitting 146. The
outlet 152 of the second fitting 146 is connected to cleaning
fluid inlet pipe 94 of the mixer 90. The fan or pump 62
provides pressurized air via tubing 154 to an input of the
concentrated cleaning fluid container 64 and b~y tubing 156 to
10 water tank 48 via air port 128. The primary outlet of pump 62
is through conduit 158 to the air manifold of spray nozzle 142.
When the outlet tubing 8B 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
15 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 cleaning 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. ~or 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 in restricted
25 outlet 144 is increased. Although this flow introduces water
1334473
into the concentrated cleaning fluid, it does not dilute it
compared to the unrestrict~d waterline flow mixture. It also
increases the pressure in tubing 94. This allows for greater
flow rate of the concentrated cleaning fluid into the mixer 90
and thus the resulting cleaning fluid mixture exiting the mixer
90 has a substantially increased ratio of cleaning fluid to
water.
As can be seen from the circuit of Figure 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. The system also takes
advantage of the natural siphoning effect which results from
the venturi spray nozzle ~2.
~ealizing this, the pressure provided by pump 62 via tubing
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 tubing 154 and 156 is
small, it is very important that it be constant to ma~ntain the
desired mixing ratio and flow rates. It should also be noted
that by providing the water outlet on the top of tank 48 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
cleaning fluid fitting 146.
133~73
A pump capable of producing the high air flow rate for the
venturi spray nozzle as we~l as a uniform small flow rate ~or
the pressurized water and cleaning fluid containers is
illustrated specifically in Figures 3 and 12-14. The 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 ~igure 14 to a
first portion 163 of primary outlet 164. The condult 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
o~tlet 164. The axis of the secondary outlets 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-sectional area of the primary outlet 164 is
quite substantially larger than the cross-sectional area of the
secondary outlets 164 and 166. This particular structure
j 25 provides a uniform pressure at secondary outlets 166 and 168.
-- 18 --
1334473
An air inlet 170 to the separator housing 160 is
illustrated in Figure 12 and provides a flow axis tangential to
the cylindrical separator housing 160. This causes a
centrifugal flow within the interior. 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 outlet 174 are an integral part of plate
178 which is mounted to the cylindrical separator housing 160.
Fluid outlet 180 at the bottom of the cylindrical housing is
provided at the bottom of the cylindrical separator housing
160. The outlet 174 is displaced vertically and horizontally
from the lower edge of the conical shroud 172. Dirty fluid and
air enter the separator housing 160 through opening 170 and
begin a spiraling down and out motion. The shroud 172 forces
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
to the highes-t velocity portion of the flow thereby maximizing
separation of the air and the liquid. 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
-lg- 133~73
edge of the shroud, otherwise the exiting air will not be
completely separated from ~he fluid. Similarly, if the outlet
174 is displaced too far from the edge of the shroud, the
system will choke. The liquid outlet 180 of the separator 58
is connected to the waste fluid tank 50 by a conduit 181.
The tank assembly including fresh water tank 48 and waste
fluid tank 50 is illustrated in ~igures 3, 15 and 16. The
clean water tank 48 includes a U-~haped keyway 184 extending
along its length. In the top portion of the keyway as
illustrated in Figure 15 lies the conduit 181 connecting the
liquid outlet 180 of the separator 58 and the inlet to the
return or dirty fluid tank 50. In the bottom of the keyway
mounted to the frame 30 are received air 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 and 173 respectively form the
key for the tank assembly or unit keyways. Similarly, as
illustrated in Figure 16, the return tank 50 also has a
longitudinal ~-shaped keyway 185 receiving conduits 158 and 173.
The conduit 181 is flared at 182 at its upper end to
provide a funnel and includes a 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 rim 191 which is received in an
indenture 188 in the neck 190 extending from the return tank 50
-
-- 20 --
133~7~
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 S0 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 48 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
camming surface 198 therein. As illustrated in Fig~re 3, the
cam latch 54 lies 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 --
133~73
and 173 into alignment with the upper housing 56. This mates
the flared portion 182 of conduit 181 with the outlet 180 of
the separator 58 as well as nipples 132 and 134 into port 128
and 130 respectivel-y of block 126.
As illustrated in ~igures 3 and 17, the cam latch 54
includes a substantially L-shaped 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 is pivotally mounted at its lower
10 end at 205 to the block 207 of the frame 30. An L-shaped latch
209 is pivotally 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
15 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 device, is illustrated in Figure 17.
In order to release the cam latch 54 from the position
illustrated in Figure 3, the latch 209 is rotated clockwise
against the spring 213 with the handle 203 stationary allowing
the detent and the latch 209 to ride out of the cam latch or
ridge 215 on block 207. The cam latch 54 may then be rotated
; 25 counter-clockwise. To mount the tank assembly to the cleaning
-- 22 --
1334473
device, the tank assembly is mounted with the keyways 184 and
185 on the keys formed by conduits 158 and 173 and 194. The
cam latch 54 is rotated back into recess 196 in the bottom of
return tank 50 and engag~s camming surface 198. The detent
portion 20 of latch 209 rides along the exterior edge 217 of
block 207 until it exceeds the top thereof and falls into the
catch 215.
The unique cartridge 64 including collar 66 is illustrated
in Figures 18-21. The cartridge 64 includes a non-circular
10 body 200 having a neck 202 extending 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 capable of entering into the docking
port 68 of the cleaning device. As the collar 66 is rotated
counter-clockwise in ~igure 19, the handle will be received in
recess 212 which will define a final locked angular position of
the collar in the docking port. It should also be noted that
.
-- 23 --
133~473
the recess 210 allows the handle to be received substantially
within the body 200 and therefore allows for easy packaging.
The collar 66 includes a pair of camming recesses 220
therein to receive a pair of tabs in the docking port of the
cleaning device. Each recess 220 ~ncludes an entry slot 222 on
the top of the collar connected respectively to a inclined
portion 224 followed by a horizontal lock portion 226. A pair
of lugs 260 (Figure 22) on the docking 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 64. The lugs 260 ride down the inclined portion
224 along portion 226 to lock the collar and cartridge in place
in the docking port. The locking portion 226 prevents reverse
rotation by vibration or use of the cleaning device. Since the
cartridge is part of a pressure fluid system, it is important
that the docking be firm and secure 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 integral 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
by rotation of the collar 66.
-- 24 --
1 3344 73
Received in the top opening of the bottle neck 202 is an
insert 234 having a pair of 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 engage 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 maintained. An axial keyway 242 is provided in
10 the insert 234 and is received in 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
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 leadi~
to the second fitting 146 (see Figure 11). The outer edges o
. .. .. .. . . ... .. . .
-- 25 --
133~473
the U-shaped clip 254 has tabs 260 which engage the bottom of
the slots 252 in the docking housing to maintain the clip
therein. Extending to the interior of the docking housing are
a pair of lugs 262. These lugs form the complementary cammin~
5 surfaces to be used with the camming recesses 220 in the collar
66. A molded rubber sealing disc 264 is received in the
~-shaped clip 254.
By using a clip 254 to be inserted through the docking
housing, it can be made of hard material 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 axially 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
cartridge.
As can be seen from Figures 2 and 22, the cartridge 64 lies
in a chamber in the upper housing 56 with the neck portion 202
extending into a recess portion and the body 200 lying in a
cavity portion of the chamber. The cavity encompasses at least
three of the sides of the body.
1334~7~
A cartridge 64 of concentrated cleaning fluid may be
mounted to the docking port 68 by aligning the indentures 214
and 216 of the cartridge with shoulders 266 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. The body and collar are moved
axially until the lugs 262 of the docking port are received in
entry slots 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, orifices in nozzles 236 and 238 are
aligned and received with apertures in the 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 is composed of a front-top
1334473
piece 270 and a back-bottom piece 272 joined by appropriate
fasteners. The 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 of short leg
portions 280. The front flat bight portion 278 has a
substantially triangular configuration diminishing from the
base or nozzle inlet 282 to its juncture 284 with 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, respectively increase
from the base or inlet portion 282 to the juncture 284 between
the inlet, first passage 274 and the outlet, second passage
276. This change of distance of separation compensates for the
diminishing triangular portion of the front and back faces such
that the cross-sectional area of the inlet passage 274 is
substantially equal along 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
F1gure 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 portion 285 receives pipe 44 of the housing. The
bottom wall 2136 of the outlet passage extends diagonally across
. , .. . . . , ,, . . ~
-- 28 --
1~34~73
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 fluid 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 is turned off.
In order for the user to determine the condition of the
extracted fluid being drawn through nozzle inlet 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
the 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.
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
i passage 274 as ~-shaped, the fluid from legs 280 on entering
~ 25 the outlet passa~e 276 intersect the primary flow from the
,.. .. . .
.. . .. . .
~ -- 29 --
133~473
bight portion 280 and create eddy currents at their junction.
These eddy currents further..slow down the fluid in the viewing
area.
To further increase visibility, the back and bottom walls
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 attainea, 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.
