Extractor cleaning machine

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12239266-B2
Application number	US-202217576586-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 14, 2022
Priority date	Nov 11, 2015
Publication date	Mar 4, 2025
Grant date	Mar 4, 2025

Abstract

A handheld extractor that includes a housing, a supply tank adjacent a first side of the housing, and a recovery tank adjacent a second side of the housing. A cleaning chamber is in the third side of the housing. A fluid flow path is between the supply tank and the cleaning chamber. The cleaning chamber receives a suction nozzle and a suction source provides suction through a hose and the second fluid flow path to extract the cleaning fluid from the supply tank, along the fluid flow path into the cleaning chamber, through the hose and into the recovery tank to flush the cleaning fluid through the hose to clean the hose when the suction nozzle is received in the cleaning chamber.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A handheld extractor comprising:
a housing including a first side, a second side, and a third side;
a suction source within the housing;
a hose in communication with the suction source, the hose forming a suction nozzle movable relative to the housing;
a supply tank configured to store a cleaning fluid, the supply tank carried by the housing adjacent the first side of the housing;
a distribution nozzle;
a first fluid flow path between the supply tank and the distribution nozzle;
a fluid delivery system in communication with the supply tank via the first fluid flow path, the fluid delivery system delivers the cleaning fluid from the supply tank to a surface to be cleaned through the distribution nozzle;
a recovery tank carried by the housing adjacent the second side of the housing, the suction source in communication with the recovery tank and the hose for drawing fluid through the hose and storing the drawn fluid in the recovery tank;
a cleaning chamber in the third side of the housing; and
a second fluid flow path extending within the housing from the supply tank to the cleaning chamber,
a cleaning chamber valve that permits introduction of the cleaning fluid into the cleaning chamber when the suction nozzle is received in the cleaning chamber and the cleaning chamber includes a valve housing,
wherein the cleaning chamber receives the suction nozzle and the suction source provides suction through the hose and the second fluid flow path to extract the cleaning fluid from the supply tank, along the second fluid flow path into the cleaning chamber, through the hose and into the recovery tank to flush the cleaning fluid through the hose to clean the hose when the suction nozzle is received in the cleaning chamber,
wherein the valve housing also receives a portion the suction nozzle, and
wherein the cleaning chamber valve includes a plunger that is actuatable between a closed position to inhibit the cleaning fluid from entering the cleaning chamber and an open position to permit the cleaning fluid to enter the cleaning chamber through the plunger.

2. The handheld extractor of claim 1 , wherein the second side of the housing is directly opposed to the first side of the housing.

3. The handheld extractor of claim 2 , wherein the third side of the housing extends from the first side to the second side of the housing.

4. The handheld extractor of claim 3 , wherein the housing includes a handle to facilitate moving and carrying the handheld extractor, wherein the handle extends in a longitudinal direction extending between the first side of the housing and the second side of the housing.

5. The handheld extractor of claim 4 , wherein the handle is located at a top of the housing.

6. The handheld extractor of claim 5 , wherein the cleaning chamber is in an area of the third side bounded by the handle, the supply tank, and the recovery tank.

7. The handheld extractor of claim 6 , further comprising an opening located between the handle and the housing, wherein the cleaning chamber is located directly below the opening.

8. The handheld extractor of claim 1 , wherein the distribution nozzle is adjacent the suction nozzle.

9. The handheld extractor of claim 1 , wherein the cleaning chamber has a shape that corresponds to a shape of the suction nozzle such that the suction nozzle seals against the cleaning chamber.

10. The handheld extractor of claim 1 , wherein the plunger has an outer diameter that is less than the inner diameter of the valve housing such that an annular gap exists between the plunger and the valve housing.

11. The handheld extractor of claim 1 , wherein the suction nozzle contacts the plunger when the suction nozzle is inserted into the cleaning chamber to move the plunger from the closed position to the open position.

12. The handheld extractor of claim 1 , wherein the housing includes an upwardly extending portion disposed between the supply tank and the recovery tank.

13. The handheld extractor of claim 12 , wherein the cleaning chamber is disposed in the upwardly extending portion of the housing.

14. An extractor comprising:
a housing including a first side, a second side, and a third side;
a suction source within the housing;
a hose in communication with the suction source, the hose forming a suction nozzle movable relative to the housing;
a supply tank configured to store a cleaning fluid, the supply tank carried by the housing;
a distribution nozzle;
a first fluid flow path between the supply tank and the distribution nozzle;
a fluid delivery system in communication with the supply tank via the first fluid flow path, the fluid delivery system delivers the cleaning fluid from the supply tank to a surface to be cleaned through the distribution nozzle;
a recovery tank carried by the housing, the suction source in communication with the recovery tank and the hose for drawing fluid through the suction nozzle and through the hose and storing the drawn fluid in the recovery tank;
a cleaning chamber including an opening having a cylindrical portion; and
a second fluid flow path extending within the housing from the supply tank to the cleaning chamber,
a cleaning chamber valve that permits introduction of the cleaning fluid into the cleaning chamber when the suction nozzle is received in the cleaning chamber and the cleaning chamber includes a valve housing,
wherein the cleaning chamber receives the suction nozzle through the cylindrical portion of the opening and the suction source provides suction through the hose and the second fluid flow path to extract the cleaning fluid from the supply tank, along the second fluid flow path into the cleaning chamber, through the hose and into the recovery tank to flush the cleaning fluid through the hose to clean the hose when the suction nozzle is received in the cleaning chamber,
wherein the valve housing also receives a portion the suction nozzle, and
wherein the cleaning chamber valve includes a plunger that is actuatable between a closed position to inhibit the cleaning fluid from entering the cleaning chamber and an open position to permit the cleaning fluid to enter the cleaning chamber through the plunger.

15. The extractor of claim 14 , wherein the opening of the cleaning chamber is keyhole shaped.

16. The extractor of claim 14 , wherein the suction nozzle includes a cylindrical portion that corresponds to the cylindrical portion of the cleaning chamber such that the suction nozzle seals against the cleaning chamber.

17. The extractor of claim 14 , wherein the plunger has an outer diameter that is less than the inner diameter of the valve housing such that an annular gap exists between the plunger and the valve housing.

18. The extractor of claim 14 , wherein the suction nozzle contacts the plunger when the suction nozzle is inserted into the cleaning chamber to move the plunger from the closed position to the open position.

Assignees

• Techtronic Floor Care Tech Ltd

Inventors

• Wright Michael
• Bantum John
• Poitinger Marlee
• Davila Rafael

Classifications

• A47L11/4088

  Supply pumps; Spraying devices; Supply conduits · CPC title

• A47L11/4083

  Liquid supply reservoirs; Preparation of the agents, e.g. mixing devices · CPC title

• A47L11/4016

  specially adapted for collecting fluids · CPC title

• A47L11/4008

  Arrangements of switches, indicators or the like · CPC title

• A47L11/34 Primary

  Machines for treating carpets in position by liquid, foam, or vapour, e.g. by steam · CPC title