Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
SURFACE CLEANING APPARATUS WITH STEAM DELIVERY
[0001] This paragraph is intentionally left blank.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Extractors are well-known surface cleaning devices for deep
cleaning carpets
and other fabric surfaces, such as upholstery. Most extractors comprise a
fluid delivery system
and a fluid recovery system. The fluid delivery system typically includes one
or more fluid
supply tanks for storing a supply of cleaning fluid, a fluid distributor for
applying the cleaning
fluid to the surface to be cleaned, and a fluid supply conduit for delivering
the cleaning fluid
from the fluid supply tank to the fluid distributor. The fluid recovery system
usually comprises
a recovery tank, a nozzle adjacent the surface to be cleaned and in fluid
communication with
the recovery tank through a conduit, and a source of suction in fluid
communication with the
conduit to draw the cleaning fluid from the surface to be cleaned and through
the nozzle and
the conduit to the recovery tank. Other wet cleaning apparatuses include steam
cleaners that
dispense steam, and spot cleaners that may dispense liquid and scrub the
surface, but do not
recover liquid.
[0003] Extractors and other wet cleaners can be adapted to be hand-
carried by a user,
and in some cases include a hose coupled with a tool carrying the fluid
distributor and nozzle.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0004] A surface cleaning apparatus with steam delivery is provided
herein. In certain
embodiments, the surface cleaning apparatus is a portable extraction cleaner
or portable deep
cleaner adapted to be hand carried by a user to carpeted areas of cleaning
relatively small areas,
such as small rugs and upholstery. Steam delivery can be provided through a
hand tool of the
portable extraction cleaner.
[0005] According to one aspect of the disclosure, the apparatus includes
a hand-carried
body adapted to be hand carried by a user, the hand-carried body having a main
housing, a
supply tank, a liquid supply pump, a steam supply pump, and a heater, a
flexible hose mounted
to the hand-carried body, and a hand-held cleaning tool mounted to an end of
the hose.
[0006] In one of its aspects, the apparatus has a first pressure relief
device in a supply
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-12-23
path between the supply tank and the hose to limit the pressure in the fluid
path, the first pressure
relief device configured to open at a predetermined set pressure.
[0007] In another of its aspects, the apparatus has a second pressure
relief device in a
supply path between the heater and the hose to limit the pressure in the fluid
path, the second
pressure relief device configured to open at a predetermined negative set
pressure.
[0008] In another of its aspects, the apparatus has a pressure control
device to cut off
power to the steam supply pump at a predetermined control pressure.
[0009] In yet another of its aspects, the apparatus has a temperature
switch to control
power to the steam supply pump, wherein the temperature switch senses
temperature at the
heater and powers the steam supply pump at a predetermined minimum
temperature.
[0010] In still another of its aspects, the apparatus has a temperature
switch to cut off
power to the heater at a predetermined temperature.
[0011] In a further aspect, the apparatus has a single trigger
controlling liquid and steam
dispensing.
[0012] In yet a further aspect, the apparatus has a user interface on the
main housing,
the user interface including a power button to activate and de-active at least
one electrical
component of the extraction cleaner, and a mode selector to select one of a
plurality of cleaning
modes, wherein the mode selector comprises a dial surrounding the power
button. In some
aspects, a vacuum motor remains actuated/on in each of the cleaning modes.
[0013] In still a further aspect, the apparatus has a recovery system
including a vacuum
motor mounted within the main housing and a recovery tank disposed on the main
housing, and
the hand-held cleaning tool comprises an extraction nozzle to recover soiled
cleaning fluid from
the surface to be cleaned.
[0014] The embodiments of a surface cleaning apparatus with steam
disclosed herein
enable a better cleaning experience. Selectively dispensing steam when and
where it is needed
provides a better spot and stain cleaning experience.
[0015] These and other features and advantages of the present disclosure
will become
apparent from the following description of particular embodiments, when viewed
in accordance
with the accompanying drawings and appended claims.
[0016] Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in detail,
it is to be
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-12-23
understood that the invention is not limited to the details of operation or to
the details of
construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following
description or
illustrated in the drawings. The invention may be implemented in various other
embodiments
and of being practiced or being carried out in alternative ways not expressly
disclosed herein.
In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used
herein are for the
purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of
"including" and
"comprising" and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed
thereafter and
equivalents thereof as well as additional items and equivalents thereof.
Further, enumeration
may be used in the description of various embodiments. Unless otherwise
expressly stated, the
use of enumeration should not be construed as limiting the invention to any
specific order or
number of components. Nor should the use of enumeration be construed as
excluding from the
scope of the invention any additional steps or components that might be
combined with or into
the enumerated steps or components. Any reference to claim elements as "at
least one of X, Y
and Z" is meant to include any one of X, Y or Z individually, and any
combination of X, Y and
Z, for example, X, Y, Z; X, Y; X, Z; and Y, Z.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable extraction cleaner with
steam
dispensing according to a first embodiment of the invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the portable extraction cleaner from
FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a cross-section view showing a trigger and valve-
actuator assembly
taken through line III-III of FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a top view of a user interface of the portable
extraction cleaner from
FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 5 is an electrical system schematic for the portable
extraction cleaner of
FIG. 1; and
[0022] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a portable extraction cleaner with
steam dispensing
according to a second embodiment of the invention;
[0023] FIG. 7 is a top view of a user interface of the portable
extraction cleaner from
FIG. 1 according to a third embodiment of the invention;
[0024] FIG. 8 is an electrical system schematic for the portable
extraction cleaner of
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-12-23
FIG. 1 according to a fourth embodiment of the invention;
[0025] FIG. 9 is a cross-section view similar to FIG. 1, showing a
trigger and valve-
actuator assembly according to a fifth embodiment of the invention; and
[0026] FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of the valve-actuator
assembly of FIG. 9,
with the trigger shown in phantom line for clarity.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] The disclosure generally relates to a surface cleaning apparatus
with steam
delivery. Aspects of the disclosure described herein relate to a surface
cleaning apparatus that
delivers cleaning fluid to a surface to be cleaned, such as an extraction
cleaner that also extracts
cleaning fluid and debris from the surface. Aspects of the disclosure
described herein are further
related to a portable extraction cleaner (e.g. a deep cleaner) that is adapted
to be hand carried
by a user to carpeted, upholstered, and other areas for cleaning relatively
small areas.
[0028] FIGS. 1-2 show a surface cleaning apparatus with steam delivery in
the form of
a portable extraction cleaner 10 according to a first embodiment of the
invention. The extraction
cleaner 10 includes a hand-carried body including a main housing 12, a fluid
delivery system
14 configured to store cleaning fluid and to deliver the cleaning fluid to the
surface to be
cleaned, and a fluid recovery system 16 configured to remove the fluid and
debris from the
surface to be cleaned and to store the recovered fluid and debris.
[0029] The fluid delivery system 14 can more particularly be a
liquid/steam delivery
system 14 configured to store cleaning fluid and to deliver the cleaning fluid
to the surface to
be cleaned as liquid, steam, or both. As discussed in further detail below,
the portable extraction
cleaner 10 is provided with various features and improvements related to steam
delivery, which
are described in further detail below.
[0030] For purposes of description related to the figures, the terms
upper, lower,
vertical, horizontal, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the exemplary
extraction cleaner 10
as oriented in FIG. 1, with the extraction cleaner 10 resting on a surface or
being carried by the
carry handle. However, it is to be understood that aspects of the present
disclosure may assume
various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the
contrary.
[0031] The main housing 12 is adapted to selectively mount components of
the fluid
delivery system 14 and the fluid recovery system 16 to form an easy-to-carry
unit that can be
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-12-23
transported by a user to different locations with surfaces to be cleaned. The
extraction cleaner
is adapted to be hand carried by a user to carpeted areas for cleaning
relatively small areas
and extract cleaning fluid and debris from the surface. Additional, non-
limiting examples of
areas that can be cleaned include area rugs, upholstery, vehicle interiors,
drapery, and
mattresses.
[0032] The fluid delivery system 14 can include a supply tank 18 for
storing a supply
of cleaning fluid, a liquid distributor 20 provided on a hand-held cleaning
tool 22, and a steam
distributor 24 provided on a hand-held cleaning tool 22. A heater 26 is
provided in the flow
path between the supply tank 18 and the steam distributor 24 to heat the
cleaning fluid to
produce steam.
[0033] The cleaning fluid stored by the supply tank 18 can comprise one
or more of any
suitable cleaning liquids, including, but not limited to, water, compositions,
concentrated
detergent, diluted detergent, etc., and mixtures thereof. For example, the
fluid can comprise a
mixture of water and concentrated detergent. The cleaning fluid can be stored
in liquid form.
[0034] The supply tank 18 can be refillable, and can be formed of a
transparent or tinted
translucent material, which permits a user to view the contents thereof. The
supply tank 18 can
be removably mounted on the main housing 12.
[0035] The heater 26 preferably heats the cleaning fluid to about 100 C,
where "about"
includes 10 C. This temperature may be the temperature at the steam
distributor 24. Since
some heat loss between the outlet of the heater 26 and the steam distributor
24 is possible, the
setpoint of the heater 26 may be higher. One non-limiting example of a
setpoint for the heater
26 is from about 165 to about180 C. Some non-limiting examples of a suitable
heater
26 include, but are not limited to, a flash heater, a boiler, an immersion
heater, and a flow-
through steam generator.
[0036] The heater 26 may produce steam. As used herein, the term "steam"
includes a
liquid, such as but not limited to water or solutions containing water (like
water mixed with a
cleaning chemistry, fragrance, etc.), at least partially converted to a gas or
vapor phase. The
liquid can be boiled or otherwise converted to the gas or vapor phase by
heating or mechanical
action like nebulizing. In other embodiments, the heater 26 produces heated
cleaning fluid in a
mixture of vapor phase and liquid phase. It is also understood that,
regardless of the phase of
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-12-23
cleaning fluid output by the heater 26, the phase composition of the cleaning
fluid may change
between the heater 26 and the steam distributor 24, with heat loss and/or
condensation returning
a portion of the fluid in the vapor phase to the liquid phase. Likewise, the
temperature of the
cleaning fluid output by the steam distributor 24 may be less than the
temperature of cleaning
fluid output by the heater 26. For example, the heater 26 may have a setpoint
in the range of
about 165 to about 180 C, however, the fluid dispensed by the steal
distributor 24 (after
traveling along about 6 foot of tubing between an outlet of the heater 26 and
the steam
distributor 24) may comprise a mixture of vapor and liquid droplets having a
temperature of
less than about 100 C. For example, the mixture of vapor and liquid droplets
dispensed by the
steam distributor 24 can have a temperature in a range of from about 90 C to
about 100 C,
about 90 C to about 99 C, about 90 C to about 98 C, about 90 C to about 97 C,
about 90 C
to about 96 C, about 90 C to about 95 C, about 90 C to about 94 C, about 94 C
to about 100
C, about 94 C to about 99 C, about 94 C to about 98 C, about 94 C to about 97
C, about 94
C to about 96 C, about 94 C to about 95 C, about 95 C to about 100 C, about
95 C to about
99 C, about 95 C to about 98 C, about 95 C to about 97 C, about 95 C to about
96 C, about
96 C to about 100 C, about 96 C to about 99 C, about 96 C to about 98 C,
about 96 C to
about 97 C, about 97 C to about 100 C, about 97 C to about 99 C, about 97
C to about 98
C, about 98 C to about 100 C, about 98 C to about 99 C, or about 99 C to
about 100 C.
Without being limited by any theory, the difference in temperature of the
fluid exiting the heater
26 and the fluid dispensed from the steam distributor 24 may be due at least
in part to loss of
heat to the surrounding environment as the fluid travels between heater 26 and
the steam
distributor.
[0037]
The fluid recovery system 16 can include an extraction path in the form of an
extraction nozzle 28 provided on the cleaning tool 22, which is adapted to be
used on the surface
to be cleaned, a recovery tank 30, and a flexible hose assembly 32 defining a
portion of a
vacuum or suction conduit 33 in fluid communication with the extraction nozzle
28 and the
recovery tank 30. The recovery tank 30 can include an air/liquid separator
(not shown) that
includes a stack for guiding air and liquid through the recovery tank 30 and a
float for
selectively closing the extraction path through the recovery tank 30. Examples
of suitable
air/liquid separators are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 7,073,226, issued July
11, 2006, and U.S.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-12-23
Patent No. 9,615,703, issued April 11, 2017. Other air/liquid separators are
possible. The
recovery tank 30 can be formed of a transparent or tinted translucent
material, which permits a
user to view the contents thereof. The recovery tank 30 can be removably
mounted on the main
housing 12.
[0038] The fluid recovery system 16 further includes a suction source 34,
for example
in the form of a motor/fan assembly including a vacuum motor 36, in fluid
communication with
the extraction nozzle 28 for generating a working airflow to draw liquid and
entrained debris
through the extraction path. The suction source 34 can be provided fluidly
downstream of the
recovery tank 30, although other extraction paths are possible.
[0039] Various arrangements for the housing 12 and tanks 18, 30 are
possible. In one
arrangement, the main housing 12 can include a carry handle 42 to form an easy-
to-carry unit
with the supply and recovery tanks 18, 30 that can be transported by a user to
different locations
with surfaces to be cleaned. The main housing 12 can further include a base 38
on which the
supply and recovery tanks 18, 30 are at least partially supported, and a
partition 40 extending
upwardly from the base 38, between the supply and recovery tanks 18, 30. The
partition 40 can
comprise an enclosure housing one or more components of the extraction cleaner
10, such as
the heater 26 and the suction source 34.
[0040] The base 38 can comprise a housing with a flat bottom that is
adapted to rest
directly on a surface, such as a horizontal surface or floor surface.
Conveniently, the carry
handle 42 can be provided opposite the flat bottom so that a user can easily
pick up the
extraction cleaner 10.
[0041] In FIG. 1, the hand-held tool 22 and hose 32 are shown in a use or
operational
position. The hand-held tool 22 and hose 32 may be stored on the main housing
12, for example
by wrapping the hose 32 around the base 38 and the tool 22 clipped or
otherwise attached to
the housing 12.
[0042] A brush 44 can be provided on the tool 22 for scrubbing the
surface to be
cleaned. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the brush 44 can comprise a
plurality of
bristles. The bristles can be bundled together in tufts to provide the desired
stiffness and
durability for agitation. Other agitators for the tool 22 are possible.
[0043] A user interface 46 through which the user can provide inputs to
control the
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-12-23
extraction cleaner 10, including the systems or components thereof, is
provided on the cleaner
10. As described in further detail below, the user interface 46 accept inputs
to control the supply
of power from a power source of the extraction cleaner 10 to one or more
electrical components
of the extraction cleaner 10. The power source of the extraction cleaner 10
can, for example,
comprise a power cord 48 or a battery onboard the extraction cleaner 10. The
user interface 46
is shown herein as provided adjacent the carry handle 42. Other configurations
for the user
interface 46 are possible.
[0044] Various other components and combinations of components can be
incorporated
into the fluid delivery system 14, such as pumps, valves, and/or fluid control
features, as well
as suitable conduits or tubing fluidly connecting the components of the fluid
delivery system
14 together to effect the supply of cleaning fluid from the supply tank 18 to
the distributors 20,
24.
[0045] In one embodiment, the fluid delivery system 14 includes a flow
control system
for controlling the flow of fluid from the supply tank 18 to the distributors
20, 24. In one
configuration, the flow control system can comprise a liquid supply pump 50
which pressurizes
a liquid dispensing path 52 of the system 14 and controls the delivery of
cleaning fluid to the
liquid distributor 20, and a steam supply pump 54 which pressurizes a steam
dispensing path
56 of the system 14 and controls the delivery of steam to the steam
distributor 24. The pumps
50, 54 can be a solenoid pump, a centrifugal pump, or the like. While separate
pumps 50, 54
are illustrated for supplying fluid to the distributors 20, 24, respectively,
it is within the scope
of the present disclosure for a single, split, or multi-stage pump to be
utilized to supply fluid to
the distributors 20, 24.
[0046] In some embodiments, the liquid pump 50 delivers cleaning fluid at
a higher
flow rate than the steam pump 54. In one non-limiting example, the liquid pump
50 delivers
cleaning liquid at a flow rate of about 400 mL/min measured at the liquid
distributor 20 and the
steam pump 54 delivers steam at a flow rate of about 40 mL/min measured at the
steam
distributor 24. In other embodiments, the pumps 50, 54 can have multiple
speeds and/or flow
rates so that a flow rate of cleaning fluid out of the distributors 20, 24 can
be varied.
[0047] The paths 52, 56 can include one or more ducts, tubing, hoses,
etc. fluidly
coupling the components of the fluid delivery system 14 together. As shown in
FIG. 2, portions
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-12-23
of the suction conduit 33, the liquid dispensing path 52, and the steam
dispensing path 56 can
be defined by the hose assembly 32 and the tool 22. For example, the paths 52,
56 can include
separate liquid and steam conduits routed through the hose assembly 32, such
as inside the
suction conduit 33 used for extraction. In another embodiment, one or both of
the liquid and
steam conduits can be routed along an exterior of the suction conduit 33.
Suitable air, liquid,
and steam connectors (not shown) can be provided at either end of the hose
assembly 32 for
connection with the fluid supply and recovery components of the main housing
12 and the tool
22.
[0048] The dispensing of cleaning fluid by the tool 22 may be controlled
by the user.
For example, the extraction cleaner 10 can include dispensing valves 58, 60
that control the
flow of cleaning fluid through the distributors, respectively to the
distributors 20, 24, with the
distributors 20, 24 configured to distribute cleaning fluid upon opening of
the dispensing valves
58, 60. Aside from this function, the dispensing valves 58, are not
particularly limited, and may
comprise any components and/or configurations suitable for use in/as a
dispensing valve. The
dispensing valves 58, 60 can, for example, be disposed on the hand-held
cleaning tool 22 or on
a wand connecting the cleaning tool 22 to the hose 32 and may be associated
with appropriate
user controls for operating the valves 58, 60.
[0049] The distributors 20, 24 can comprise any structure, such as a
nozzle, a spray tip,
or a manifold, and can comprise one or multiple outlets for cleaning fluid. In
one non-limiting
example, the liquid distributor 20 is a spray tip configured to distribute
cleaning fluid upon
opening of the valve 58 and the steam distributor 24 is a spray tip configured
to distribute
cleaning fluid upon opening of the valve 60. Referring to FIG. 1, the steam
distributor 24 is
shown located on an underside of the tool 22 adjacent the liquid distributor
20. In this location,
the steam distributor 24 is located behind the extraction nozzle 28 and the
brush 44, so that
steam dispensed from the distributor 24 can be viewed by the user and does not
get suctioned
into the nozzle 28 before reaching the surface to be cleaned. In another
embodiment, the steam
distributor 24 can be a manifold located behind the inlet of the extraction
nozzle 28 and in front
of the brush 44.
[0050] The tool 22 can comprise at least one dispensing control operably
connected to
one of the valves 58, 60 to affect and control opening and closing of the
valves 58, 60. Non-
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-12-23
limiting examples of a dispensing control include a trigger, button, toggle,
key, switch, or the
like, or any combination thereof.
[0051] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the release of cleaning fluid can be
controlled by
a trigger 68. The trigger 68 can operate both valves 58, 60, where depressing
the trigger 68
opens both valves 58, 60. Release of the trigger 68 closes the valves 58, 60.
The trigger 68 and
valves 58, 60 can be located on the tool 22, or on a wand 70 connecting the
tool 22 to the
hose 32.
[0052] In one embodiment, the trigger 68 operates a dual-stem valve body
72 coupled
with a valve head 74 for the liquid valve 58 and a valve head 76 for the steam
valve 60, where
the valve heads 74, 76 can open or close the dispensing paths 52, 56 to the
distributors 20, 24.
The trigger 68 and valve body 72 are biased outwardly from the tool 22 or wand
70 by at least
one, and optionally more than one, spring 78 to a position where the valve
heads 74, 74 block,
plug, or otherwise close the dispensing paths 52, 56 to the distributors 20,
24. In FIG. 3, the
trigger 68 is undepressed and the valves 58, 60 are closed, with the valve
heads 74, 74 closing
off an upstream portion of the dispensing paths 52U, 56U from a downstream
portion of the
dispensing paths 52D, 56D. Depression of the trigger 68 forces the valve body
72 to move,
against the bias of the spring or springs 78, and the valve heads 74, 76 to
unlock, unplug, or
otherwise open the dispensing paths 52, 56 to the distributors 20, 24.
[0053] The dual-stem valve body 72 can include integrally-formed stems
75, 77, each
supporting or coupled with one of the valve heads 74, 76, such that the entire
valve body 72
moves as one by depression of the trigger 68 or under the biasing force of the
spring or springs
78.
[0054] Referring to FIGS. 9-10, in an alternative embodiment, the trigger
68 operates
individual valve bodies 120, 122 for the liquid valve 58 and steam valve 60,
respectively. The
trigger 68 may still operate both valves 58, 60, and may be operable under
decreased force in
comparison to the dual-stem configuration.
[0055] The liquid valve body 120 can include a valve stem 124 supporting
or coupled
with a valve head 126, and biased by a spring 128 to a position where the
valve head 126 blocks,
plugs, or otherwise closes the dispensing path 52 to the liquid distributor 20
(FIG. 2).
[0056] The steam valve body 122 can include a valve stem 130 supporting
or coupled
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-12-23
with a valve head 132, and biased by a spring 134 to a position where the
valve head 132 blocks,
plugs, or otherwise closes the dispensing path 54 to the steam distributor 24
(FIG. 2).
[0057] In FIG. 9, the trigger 68 is undepressed and the valves 58, 60 are
closed.
Depression of the trigger 68 forces the valve bodies 120, 122 to move, against
the bias of the
springs 128, 134, and the valve heads 126, 132 to unlock, unplug, or otherwise
open the
dispensing paths 52, 56 to the distributors 20, 24.
[0058] The valve heads 126, 132 and/or the trigger 68 may have anti-
rotation features
to prevent rotation of either stem 124, 130 that could block flow internal to
the valves 58, 60.
The valve heads 126, 132 may, for example, align with ribs 136 on an inner
surface of the
trigger 68 to prevent rotation. Additionally or alternatively, the valve heads
bodies 120, 122
may have flats 138, 140, respectively that are engaged by the ribs 136 or
another portion of the
trigger 68 to prevent rotation.
[0059] Referring to FIGS. 1-2, as described in further detail below, in
some
embodiments, release of liquid and/or steam upon depression of the trigger 68
can be mode-
dependent. In other words, depending on a selected cleaning mode of the
extraction cleaner 10,
depression of the trigger 68 may or may not release liquid to the liquid
distributor 20 and may
or may not release steam to the steam distributor 24. In some aspects, the
vacuum motor remains
actuated/on in each of the selectable cleaning modes, such that suction
remains actuated both
when the trigger 68 is depressed and also when it is not depressed.
[0060] In yet another embodiment, a separate steam dispensing control
(not shown)
selectively operates the steam valve 60 to control steam dispensing, while the
trigger 68
selectively operates the liquid valve 58 to control liquid dispensing. A user
may operate both
controls at the same time for simultaneous liquid and steam dispensing.
[0061] Referring to FIG. 2, in some embodiments, an optional check valve
62 in the
fluid path between the supply tank 18 and the steam supply pump 54 provides
unidirectional
flow of fluid through the path 56, i.e., preventing backflow into the tank 18.
When present, the
check valve 62 is configured for unidirectional flow into or through the steam
supply pump 54
(e.g. in one direction from the tank 18 to the pump 54). Aside from this
function, the check
valve 62 is not particularly limited, and may comprise any components and/or
configurations
suitable for use in/as a check valve. In some aspects, when present, the check
valve 62 may
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-12-23
inhibit forward flow of liquid from the supply tank 18 in the event of
negative pressure in the
fluid path 56 as the heater 26 cools. This may inhibit and/or minimize
creepage of liquid from
the supply tank 18 through the path 56 when the heater 26 is de-activated
after use. The creepage
of liquid from the supply tank 18 after de-activation of the heater 26 may
result in liquid
remaining in the path 56 such that the next time the user activated the
cleaner 10 in a mode that
includes steam, this liquid remaining in the path 56 from the previous use
would be dispensed
in front of the steam, which may be undesirable to the user.
[0062] A first or positive pressure relief device 64 in the fluid path
between the supply
tank 18 and the hose 32 controls or limits the pressure in the fluid delivery
system 14. The first
pressure relief device 64 opens at a predetermined set positive pressure to
protect the fluid
delivery system 14 from being subjected to high pressures that exceed their
design criteria.
When the set pressure is met or exceeded, the pressure relief device 64
diverts cleaning fluid
through a bypass line 66 to the recovery tank 30. Aside from this function,
the pressure relief
device 64 is not particularly limited, and may comprise any components and/or
configurations
suitable for use in/as a pressure relief. In one embodiment, the pressure
relief device 64 is a
spring valve that opens at a predetermined set pressure.
[0063] During steam generation, pressure will build in the fluid delivery
system 14
unless the pressure is released. Pressure is released, for example, when the
trigger 68 is
depressed to dispense steam from the steam distributor 24. When the trigger 68
is not pressed
or the steam valve 60 otherwise remains closed for a period of time, when the
heater 26 is
activated, pressure will build in the in the fluid delivery system 14 as
liquid is heated and steam
is generated. When the pressure in the fluid delivery system 14 reaches the
set pressure, the
pressure relief device 64 opens, and cleaning fluid circulates back to the
recovery tank 30 via
the bypass line 66, allowing pressure to vent via the recovery system 16. Once
pressure in the
fluid delivery system 14 drops below the set pressure, such as may occur if
the trigger 68 is
pressed to release cleaning fluid or if the cleaner 10 is powered off, the
pressure relief device
64 closes. The recovery tank 30 is fluidly coupled with the airflow generated
by the vacuum
motor 36 such that the recovery tank 30 vents to atmosphere by way of the
vacuum motor
exhaust when the vacuum motor 36 is powered off.
[0064] The set pressure may be, for example, about 10 PSI to about 30
PSI, about 10
12
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-12-23
PSU to about 20 PSI, about 10 PSI, about 11 PSI, about 12 PSI, about 13 PSI,
about 14 PSI,
about 15 PSI, about 16 PSI, about 17 PSI, or about 18 PSI, although it is
understood that the set
pressure may vary depending on the design limits of the portable extraction
cleaner 10. In some
embodiments, the first pressure relief device 64 can be configured to begin
opening when a first
predetermined set pressure is reached and then fully open when a second
predetermined set
pressure, greater than the first, is reached. For example, the first pressure
relief device 64 can
be configured to begin to open when the pressure reaches about 10 PSI and
fully open when the
pressure reaches about 18 PSI.
[0065] The cleaner 10 can include a second or negative pressure relief
device 65
provided in the steam dispensing path 56. The second pressure relief device 65
can be used
alone or in combination with the first pressure relief device 64. The second
pressure relief
device 65 can be configured to open to the ambient environment at a
predetermined set negative
pressure. Aside from this function, the pressure relief device 65 is not
particularly limited, and
may comprise any components and/or configurations suitable for use in/as a
pressure relief. In
one embodiment, the second pressure relief device 65 is a spring valve that
opens at a
predetermined set pressure.
[0066] As the heater 26 cools (such as when the cleaner 10 is powered off
or the user
selects a mode that does not include steam), a negative pressure may be
generated in the steam
dispensing path 56. The system may attempt to equalize this pressure by
drawing liquid from
the tank 14 into the steam dispensing path 56. This may result in liquid
remaining in the steam
dispensing path 56 during storage or in between use conditions. This liquid
remaining in the
steam dispensing path 56 may then be dispensed the next time the user
depresses the trigger 68,
which may be surprising and undesirable. In addition, liquid remaining in the
steam dispensing
path 56 during long storage periods may not be desirable. The second pressure
relief device 65
can be configured to open to atmosphere at a predetermined set negative
pressure, e.g., - 1 PSI,
to prevent or minimize the amount of liquid drawn into the steam dispensing
path 56 from the
tank 14 during cooling of the heater 26. Once pressure in the steam dispensing
path 56 rises
above the set negative pressure, the pressure relief device 65 closes.
[0067] FIG. 4 is a top view of one embodiment of the user interface 46.
The user
interface 46 can have a power button 80 to activate and de-active at least one
electrical
13
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-12-23
component of the extraction cleaner 10 and a mode selector to select a
cleaning mode. The
mode selector comprises a dial 82 surrounding the power button 80. The dial 82
has multiple
positions corresponding to different cleaning modes. In another embodiment,
the user interface
46 can include a rotary dial selector that can be rotated by a user between
multiple positions to
select a cleaning mode and to turn the extraction cleaner off. In yet another
embodiment, the
user interface 46 can include individual buttons or switches that allow a user
to select a
particular cleaning mode, optionally with a separate power switch.
[0068] The extraction cleaner 10 can have a liquid/steam cleaning mode, a
liquid
cleaning mode, and a steam cleaning mode. Each position has an icon 84, 86, 88
in the form of
a graphic, symbol, word, or a combination thereof that gives the user an
indication of the
cleaning mode corresponding to that position of the dial 82. For example, the
position
corresponding to the liquid/steam cleaning mode has an icon 84 in the form of
a graphic
depicting a drop of liquid and steam, the position corresponding to the liquid
cleaning mode
has an icon 86 in the form of a graphic depicting a drop of liquid, and the
position corresponding
to the steam cleaning mode has an icon 88 in the form of a graphic depicting
steam.
[0069] The user interface 46 has at least one status indicator that
communicates a
condition or status of the extraction cleaner 10 to the user, including, but
not limited to,
communicating the selected cleaning mode to the user. Non-limiting examples of
status
indicators include visual indicators such as lights (e.g., LEDs), icon
displays, textual displays,
graphical displays, or the like, or any combination thereof. The user
interface 46 can also
include an auditory output component, such as a speaker. In FIG. 4, the status
indicator is an
indicator light 90 carried by the dial 82. In operation, a user can select a
desired cleaning mode
by turning the dial 82 until the indicator light 90 points to the icon 84, 86,
88 associated with
the desired cleaning mode.
[0070] The cleaning modes can have associated operating parameters for
the heater 26,
vacuum motor 36, liquid pump 50, and/or steam pump 54 (FIG. 2). The power cord
48 provides
power to the electrical components of the extraction cleaner 10 from a source
of power, such
as a home power supply, upon actuation of the power button 80 dependent on the
selected
cleaning mode. Alternatively, the extraction cleaner 10 can be cordless and
powered by a
portable power supply, such as a battery, upon actuation of the power button
80 dependent on
14
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-12-23
the selected cleaning mode. As noted above, in all cleaning modes, the release
of cleaning
fluid can be controlled by the trigger 68. Alternatively, release of cleaning
liquid can be
controlled by the trigger 68 and release of steam can be controlled by a
separate steam control.
In some aspects, the vacuum motor 36 is activated in each of the selectable
cleaning modes and
remains activated in each cleaning mode regardless of whether or not the
trigger 68 is depressed
by the user.
[0071] Table 1 below lists some non-limiting examples of operating
parameters for the
cleaning modes, including whether the heater 26, vacuum motor 36, liquid pump
50, and steam
pump 54 are on or off. Other operating parameters for the cleaning modes and
other cleaning
modes are possible.
[0072] TABLE 1
Cleaning
Vacuum Motor Liquid Pump Steam Pump Heater
Mode
Liquid/ Steam ON ON ON ON
Liquid ON ON OFF OFF
Steam ON OFF ON ON
[0073] FIG. 5 is an electrical system schematic for the portable
extraction cleaner 10 of
FIG. 1-4. Power to the vacuum motor 36, liquid pump 50 and heater 26 are
controlled by
switches (e.g., microswitches) 94, 96, 98, respectively. When the extraction
cleaner 10 turns
on, e.g. by a user pressing the power button 80 (FIG. 4), the vacuum motor 36
is activated. The
liquid pump 50 is not activated until one of the cleaning modes with liquid
delivery is selected.
In other words, the liquid pump 50 turns on in the liquid/steam cleaning mode
and in the liquid
cleaning mode. Similarly, the heater 26 is not activated until one of the
cleaning modes with
steam is selected. In other words, the heater 26 turns on in the liquid/steam
cleaning mode and
in the steam cleaning mode. Rotation of the dial 82 (FIG. 4) to select a
cleaning mode selectively
actuates the pump switch 96 and the heater switch 98, dependent on the
selected cleaning mode.
For example, the dial 82 can be coupled with a cam (not shown) that
selectively closes the
microswitches 96, 98 dependent on the selected cleaning mode.
[0074] Power to the steam pump 54 is controlled by a first temperature
switch 100 that
controls when the steam pump 54 energizes to limit any unheated water from
coming out of the
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-12-23
tool 22 at the beginning of operation. The temperature switch 100 senses
temperature at the
heater 26 and turns the steam pump 54 on at a predetermined minimum
temperature. The
minimum temperature can correspond to a minimum temperature at which steam is
produced
by the heater 26. When the minimum temperature is met or exceeded, the
temperature switch
100 powers the steam pump 54 to pressurize the steam dispensing path 56 and
deliver steam to
the tool 22. Aside from this function, the temperature switch 100 is not
particularly limited, and
may comprise any components and/or configurations suitable for use in/as a
temperature
switch. In one embodiment, the temperature switch 100 is a normally-open (NO)
thermostat on
the heater 26. When the minimum temperature is met or exceeded, the thermostat
closes and
powers the steam pump 54.
[0075] The minimum temperature may be, for example, 165 C, although it
is
understood that the minimum temperature may vary depending on the design
limits of the
portable extraction cleaner 10 and the desired characteristics of the
dispensed steam. The
minimum temperature may be set based on an expected minimum operating
temperature for the
heater 26 that will produce steam with a desired stream quality.
[0076] The extraction cleaner 10 can include an indicator light 102 to
indicate to the
user when steam is ready and available for dispensing. This indicator light
102 can be energized
by the first temperature switch 100. The indicator light 102 can comprise at
least one light
source behind a transparent or translucent cover, and may be located on the
main housing 12,
such as on the partition 40 and/or on the user interface 46, or on the tool
22. The light can
comprise any element or assembly capable of emitting light, and can, for
example, a light
emitting diode (LED) as shown herein. Other lights include incandescent lamps,
e.g. halogen,
arc lamps, and gas-discharge lamps, e.g. fluorescent.
[0077] A second temperature switch 104 cuts off power to the heater 26 at
a
predetermined maximum temperature to control or limit the temperature of the
heater 26. The
temperature switch 104 senses temperature at the heater 26 and cuts off power
to the heater 26
at a predetermined maximum temperature. The maximum temperature can be a
temperature at
which the heater 126 may operate within the design limits of the surrounding
components of
the extraction cleaner 10, and may also be a threshold above which heater 26
need not operated
to produce a desired steam output for effective cleaning. When the maximum
temperature is
16
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-12-23
met or exceeded, the temperature switch 104 cuts off power to the heater 26 to
allow the heater
26 to cool. Once the temperature of the heater 26 drops below the maximum
temperature, the
temperature switch 104 supplies power to the heater 26 and the heater 26 is
energized. Aside
from this function, the temperature switch 104 is not particularly limited,
and may comprise
any components and/or configurations suitable for use in/as a temperature
switch. In one
embodiment, the temperature switch 104 is a normally-closed (NC) thermostat on
the heater
26. When the maximum temperature is met or exceeded, the thermostat opens and
cuts off
power to the heater 26. When the temperature of the heater 26 drops below the
maximum
temperature, the thermostat closes and the heater 26 is energized.
[0078] The predetermined maximum temperature may be, for example, 180 C,
although it is understood that the maximum temperature may vary depending on
the design
limits of the portable extraction cleaner 10 and the desired characteristics
of the dispensed
steam.
[0079] FIG. 6 shows a portable extraction cleaner 10 according to a
second embodiment
of the invention, in which like elements are referred to with the same
referenced numerals used
for the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, a pressure control device
92 cuts off power
to the steam pump 54 to control or limit the pressure in the fluid delivery
system 14. The
pressure control device 92 cuts off power to the steam pump 54 at a
predetermined control
pressure to prevent excessive cleaning fluid from being wasted through the
first pressure relief
device 64. When the control pressure is met or exceeded, the pressure control
device 92 cuts
off power to the steam pump 54 to stop cleaning fluid from flowing through the
steam
dispensing path 56. Once the pressure drops below the control pressure, the
pressure control
device 92 supplies power to the steam pump 54 and the steam pump 54 is
energized. Aside
from this function, the pressure control device 92 is not particularly
limited, and may comprise
any components and/or configurations suitable for use in/as a control device
for a pump. In one
embodiment, the pressure control device 92 is an electrical switch, such as a
normally-closed
(NC) pressure switch.
[0080] The control pressure is preferably lower than the set pressure at
which the
pressure relief device 64 opens, so that the pressure can first be alleviated
by turning off the
steam pump 54 and not circulating fresh cleaning fluid into the recovery tank
30. If pressure
17
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-12-23
continues to rise or the pressure control device 92 fails, the pressure relief
device 64 acts as a
backup. The control pressure may be, for example, 4 PSI, although it is
understood that the
control pressure may vary depending on the design limits of the portable
extraction cleaner 10.
[0081] FIG. 7 is a top view of another embodiment of a user interface 106
for the
extraction cleaner 10 of FIG. 1. The user interface 106 included a rotary dial
selector 108 that
can be rotated by a user between multiple positions to select a cleaning mode
and to turn the
extraction cleaner off. Each position has an icon 110, 112, 114, 116 in the
form of a graphic,
symbol, word, or a combination thereof that gives the user an indication of
the cleaning mode
corresponding to that position of the dial selector 108. For example, the
position corresponding
to turning the extraction cleaner off has an icon 110 in the form of the word
"OFF", the position
corresponding to the liquid/steam cleaning mode has an icon 112 in the form of
a graphic
depicting a drop of liquid and steam, the position corresponding to the liquid
cleaning mode
has an icon 114 in the form of a graphic depicting a drop of liquid, and the
position
corresponding to the steam cleaning mode has an icon 116 in the form of a
graphic depicting
steam. In FIG. 7, the dial selector 108 is in the "OFF" position and points to
icon 110. To turn
the extraction cleaner 10 on and select a desired cleaning mode, a user can
turn the dial selector
108 until it points to the icon 112, 114, 116 associated with the desired
cleaning mode.
[0082] FIG. 8 is another embodiment of an electrical system schematic for
the portable
extraction cleaner 10 of FIG. 1. A single multi-position rotary switch 118 can
provide different
actuation states for multiple circuits 51, S2, S3 for controlling operation of
the heater 26,
vacuum motor 36, liquid pump 50, and steam pump 54. The rotary switch 118 can,
for example,
comprise a 4-position rotary switch 118 controlled by the dial selector 108
(FIG. 7). The
switches 51, S2, S3 are connected to connectors A, B which provide input
signals indicative of
the activation state of circuits 51, S2, S3 in order to provide four modes of
operation utilizing
the three circuits 51, S2, S3. The liquid pump 50 is activated by circuit 51,
the heater 26 and
steam pump 54 are activated by circuit S2, and the vacuum motor 36 is
activated by circuit S3.
[0083] Table 2 provides a list of the mode selection possibilities of the
4-position rotary
switch 118 with circuits 51, S2, S3 in the different activation states.
18
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-12-23
[0084] TABLE 2
Switch
Si S2 S3
Position
OFF 0 0 0
Liquid/ Steam 1 1 1
Liquid 1 0 1
Steam 0 1 1
[0085] When the extraction cleaner 10 turns on, e.g. by a user rotating
the dial selector
108 (FIG. 7) until it points to the icon 112, 114, 116 of the desired cleaning
mode, the vacuum
motor 36 is activated by circuit S3. The liquid pump 50 is not activated until
one of the cleaning
modes with liquid delivery is selected. In other words, circuit Si turns the
liquid pump 50 on
in the liquid/steam cleaning mode and in the liquid cleaning mode. The heater
26 is not activated
until one of the cleaning modes with steam is selected. In other words, the
circuit S2 turns the
heater 26 on in the liquid/steam cleaning mode and in the steam cleaning mode.
In addition to
the second circuit S2, power to the steam pump 54 is controlled by first
temperature switch 100
as described for the embodiment of FIG. 5. Other components such as the
indicator light 102
and second temperature switch 104 also operate as described for the embodiment
of FIG. 5.
[0086] While shown on a portable device adapted to be hand carried by a
user for
cleaning relatively small areas, in other embodiments the functional systems
of the surface
cleaning apparatus with steam delivery can be arranged into other
configurations, such as an
upright device having a base and an upright body for directing the base across
the surface to be
cleaned, a canister device having a cleaning implement connected to a wheeled
base by a
vacuum hose, or a commercial device. Any of the aforementioned cleaners can be
adapted to
include a flexible vacuum hose, which can form a portion of the working air
conduit between a
nozzle and the suction source.
[0087] While the device is illustrated as an extraction cleaner, in other
embodiments the
surface cleaning apparatus with steam delivery can be may be applicable
surface cleaning
apparatus which have steam delivery capability but not extraction
capabilities.
[0088] To the extent not already described, the different features and
structures of the
various embodiments of the present disclosure may be used in combination with
each other as
19
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-12-23
desired. Thus, the various features of the different embodiments may be mixed
and matched as
desired to form new embodiments, whether or not the new embodiments are
expressly
described.
[0089] The above description relates to general and specific embodiments
of the
disclosure. However, various alterations and changes can be made without
departing from the
spirit and broader aspects of the disclosure as defined in the appended
claims, which are to be
interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law including the
doctrine of equivalents.
As such, this disclosure is presented for illustrative purposes and should not
be interpreted as
an exhaustive description of all embodiments of the disclosure or to limit the
scope of the claims
to the specific elements illustrated or described in connection with these
embodiments. Any
reference to elements in the singular, for example, using the articles "a,"
"an," "the," or "said,"
is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular.
[0090] Likewise, it is also to be understood that the appended claims are
not limited to
express and particular compounds, compositions, or methods described in the
detailed
description, which may vary between particular embodiments that fall within
the scope of the
appended claims. With respect to any Markush groups relied upon herein for
describing
particular features or aspects of various embodiments, different, special,
and/or unexpected
results may be obtained from each member of the respective Markush group
independent from
all other Markush members. Each member of a Markush group may be relied upon
individually
and or in combination and provides adequate support for specific embodiments
within the scope
of the appended claims.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-12-23
