Floor cleaning machine including a sanitize mode

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9968235-B2
Application number	US-201313827273-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 14, 2013
Priority date	Mar 14, 2013
Publication date	May 15, 2018
Grant date	May 15, 2018

Abstract

A floor cleaning machine for cleaning a surface includes a body, a distribution nozzle supported by the body, a supply tank assembly coupled to the body in fluid communication with the distribution nozzle, a suction nozzle supported by the body, and a suction source in fluid communication with the suction nozzle. The suction source is operable to draw fluid and dirt from the surface through the suction nozzle. The floor cleaning machine also includes a recovery tank coupled to the body in fluid communication with the suction source to receive and store fluid and dirt drawn through the suction nozzle. The floor cleaning machine is operable in a first mode to wash the surface and is operable in a second mode to sanitize the surface.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A floor cleaning machine for cleaning a surface, the floor cleaning machine comprising:
a body;
an actuator supported by the body;
a distribution nozzle supported by the body;
a supply tank assembly coupled to the body in fluid communication with the distribution nozzle;
a suction nozzle supported by the body;
a suction source in fluid communication with the suction nozzle, the suction source operable to draw fluid and dirt from the surface through the suction nozzle; and
a recovery tank coupled to the body in fluid communication with the suction source to receive and store fluid and dirt drawn through the suction nozzle,
wherein the floor cleaning machine is operable in a first mode to wash the surface, is operable in a second mode to sanitize the surface, and is operable in a third mode to rinse the surface,
wherein the actuator is manually operable to switch between the first mode, the second mode, and the third mode,
wherein the floor cleaning machine has a first recovery rate while in the first mode and a second recovery rate while in the second mode, wherein the second recovery rate is less than the first recovery rate,
wherein the suction nozzle defines a bleed hole, wherein the bleed hole is substantially covered by a cover member when the floor cleaning machine is in the first mode, and wherein the bleed hole is open when the floor cleaning machine is in the second mode.

2. The floor cleaning machine of claim 1 , wherein the body includes a foot that is movable along the surface and a handle that is pivotally coupled to the foot.

3. The floor cleaning machine of claim 1 , wherein the floor cleaning machine kills at least 99% of microorganisms on the surface when operating in the second mode.

4. A floor cleaning machine for cleaning a surface, the floor cleaning machine comprising:
a body;
an actuator supported by the body;
a distribution nozzle supported by the body;
a supply tank assembly coupled to the body in fluid communication with the distribution nozzle;
a suction nozzle supported by the body;
a suction source in fluid communication with the suction nozzle, the suction source operable to draw fluid and dirt from the surface through the suction nozzle;
a recovery tank coupled to the body in fluid communication with the suction source to receive and store fluid and dirt drawn through the suction nozzle; and
a lift member,
wherein the floor cleaning machine is operable in a first mode to wash the surface, is operable in a second mode to sanitize the surface, and is operable in a third mode to rinse the surface,
wherein the actuator is manually operable to switch between the first mode, the second mode, and the third mode,
wherein the floor cleaning machine has a first recovery rate while in the first mode and a second recovery rate while in the second mode, wherein the second recovery rate is less than the first recovery rate,
wherein the suction nozzle defines an opening and a flowpath extending from the opening to the recovery tank, wherein the opening is spaced a first distance from the surface when the floor cleaning machine is in the first mode, wherein the opening is spaced a second distance from the surface that is greater than the first distance when the floor cleaning machine is in the second mode, and
wherein the lift member is coupled to the suction nozzle and configured to engage the surface when the floor cleaning machine is in the second mode.

5. The floor cleaning machine of claim 4 , wherein a portion of the lift member is received in the opening of the suction nozzle to block a portion of the opening and to couple the lift member to the suction nozzle.

6. The floor cleaning machine of claim 4 , wherein the body includes a foot that is movable along the surface and a handle that is pivotally coupled to the foot.

7. The floor cleaning machine of claim 4 , wherein the floor cleaning machine kills at least 99% of microorganisms on the surface when operating in the second mode.

8. A floor cleaning machine kit for cleaning a surface, the floor cleaning machine kit comprising:
a body;
an actuator supported by the body;
a distribution nozzle supported by the body;
a supply tank assembly coupled to the body in fluid communication with the distribution nozzle;
a suction nozzle supported by the body;
a suction source in fluid communication with the suction nozzle, the suction source operable to draw fluid and dirt from the surface through the suction nozzle; and
a recovery tank coupled to the body in fluid communication with the suction source to receive and store fluid and dirt drawn through the suction nozzle,
wherein the floor cleaning machine is operable in a first mode to wash the surface, is operable in a second mode to sanitize the surface, and is operable in a third mode to rinse the surface,
wherein the actuator is manually operable to switch between the first mode, the second mode, and the third mode,
wherein the floor cleaning machine has a first recovery rate while in the first mode and a second recovery rate while in the second mode, wherein the second recovery rate is less than the first recovery rate,
wherein the suction nozzle is a first suction nozzle, and further comprising a second suction nozzle having a lower recovery rate than the first suction nozzle, wherein the first suction nozzle is coupled to the body in fluid communication with the suction source and the recovery tank when the floor cleaning machine is in the first mode, and wherein the second suction nozzle is coupled to the body in fluid communication with the suction source and the recovery tank when the floor cleaning machine is in the second mode.

9. The floor cleaning machine kit of claim 8 , wherein the first and second suction nozzles are interchangeably supported by the body so that the first suction nozzle is supported by the body while in the first mode, and the second suction nozzle is supported by the body while in the second mode.

10. The floor cleaning machine of claim 8 , wherein the body includes a foot that is movable along the surface and a handle that is pivotally coupled to the foot.

11. The floor cleaning machine of claim 8 , wherein the floor cleaning machine kills at least 99% of microorganisms on the surface when operating in the second mode.

12. A floor cleaning machine for cleaning a surface, the floor cleaning machine comprising:
a body;
an actuator supported by the body;
a distribution nozzle supported by the body;
a supply tank assembly coupled to the body in fluid communication with the distribution nozzle;
a suction nozzle supported by the body;
a suction source in fluid communication with the suction nozzle, the suction source operable to draw fluid and dirt from the surface through the suction nozzle; and
a recovery tank coupled to the body in fluid communication with the suction source to receive and store fluid and dirt drawn through the suction nozzle,
wherein the floor cleaning machine is operable in a first mode to wash the surface, is operable in a second mode to sanitize the surface, and is operable in a third mode to rinse the surface,
wherein the actuator is manually operable to switch between the first mode, the second mode, and the third mode,
wherein the floor cleaning machine has a first recovery rate while in the first mode and a second recovery rate while in the second mode, wherein the second recovery rate is less than the first recovery rate,
wherein the suction source includes a motor electrically coupled to the actuator, wherein the motor operates at a first speed when the floor cleaning machine is in the first mode, and wherein the motor operates

Assignees

• Techtronic Floor Care Tech Ltd
• Techtronic Floor Care Tech Ltd

Inventors

• Vail Kevin
• Quinn Patrick J
• Salo Robert A
• Bantum John R
• Phalen Lucas W
• Lovano Gino S
• Kettavong Phonesacksith G
• Noward Brent
• Wheaton Kyle J

Classifications

• A47L11/4072

  Arrangement of castors or wheels · CPC title

• A47L11/408

  Means for supplying cleaning or surface treating agents · CPC title

• A47L11/4088

  Supply pumps; Spraying devices; Supply conduits · CPC title

• A47L11/4058

  for adjusting the height of the tool · CPC title

• A47L11/4011

  Regulation of the cleaning machine by electric means; Control systems and remote control systems therefor · CPC title