IP Library Granted Patent US 10,966,586
Granted Patent B2
US 10,966,586 · App. 16/599,280 · Granted Apr 6, 2021

Surface cleaning apparatus

Inventors: Michael Luyckx (Ada, MI); Jacob Resch (Grand Rapids, MI)
Assignee: BISSELL Inc.
A47L11/4025A47L7/0004A47L9/16A47L11/201A47L11/305A47L11/4016A47L11/4027A47L11/4083A47L11/4088
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,966,586
App. No.
16/599,280
Granted
Apr 6, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

A surface cleaning apparatus includes include at least a recovery system for removing the spent cleaning fluid and debris from the surface to be cleaned and storing the spent cleaning fluid and debris. The recovery system is provided with a recovery tank having a removably strainer that is configured to strain large debris and hair out of the recovery tank prior to emptying the recovery tank.

Claims (36)

1. A surface cleaning apparatus, comprising:

a housing including an upright handle assembly and a cleaning head mounted to the upright handle assembly and adapted for movement across a surface to be cleaned; and

a fluid recovery system, comprising:

a suction source;

a suction nozzle provided on the cleaning head in fluid communication with the suction source;

a recovery tank container having a bottom end and a top end opposite the bottom end; and

a strainer removably mounted within the recovery tank container, the strainer comprising:

a strainer base defining a planar surface and having a plurality of drain holes therein; and

an elongated grip extending upwards from the strainer base toward the top end of the recovery tank container.

2. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the recovery tank container comprises a bottom wall at the bottom end and a side wall extending from the bottom wall toward the top end, and wherein the strainer base is spaced from the bottom wall of the recovery tank container.

3. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 2 wherein the elongated grip extends upwardly along an inner surface of the side wall of the recovery tank container.

4. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 3 wherein the strainer base is provided at a lower end of the elongated grip and substantially covers the bottom wall of the recovery tank container.

5. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the elongated grip extends generally perpendicular to the planar surface of the strainer base.

6. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 5 wherein the elongated grip includes a hook and the strainer base includes a corresponding pocket shaped to receive the hook.

7. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the strainer base comprises an opening and a standpipe passes through the opening.

8. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the drain holes are formed via a grid or mesh.

9. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the strainer base comprises a raised rim around a perimeter thereof.

10. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 9 , further comprising a plurality of spacer ribs on an outer surface of the raised rim, wherein the spacer ribs are in engagement with an inner surface of the recovery tank container and space the raised rim away from the inner surface of the recovery tank container.

11. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the strainer base comprises a cup-shaped colander.

12. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 11 wherein the strainer base and the elongated grip are joined by a press-fit connection.

13. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the elongated grip is provided at one side of the strainer base, and the strainer base extends laterally relative to a lifting axis defined along the elongated grip.

14. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the recovery tank container comprises a removable lid assembly, and wherein the elongated grip is accessible from the top end of the recovery tank container when the removable lid assembly is removed from the recovery tank container.

15. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 14 wherein the recovery tank container comprises a float assembly for interrupting suction when fluid in the recovery tank container reaches a predetermined level, and wherein the float assembly is carried by and removable with the removable lid assembly.

16. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 14 wherein the removable lid assembly comprises a cover at least partially enclosing an open top of the recovery tank container and defining an air outlet of the recovery tank container in fluid communication with the suction source.

17. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 16 wherein the recovery tank container comprises a filter assembly provided fluidly upstream of the air outlet, and wherein the filter assembly is carried by and removable with the removable lid assembly.

18. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the recovery tank container is removably mounted on the upright handle assembly.

19. A surface cleaning apparatus, comprising:

a housing including an upright handle assembly and a cleaning head mounted to the upright handle assembly and adapted for movement across a surface to be cleaned; and

a fluid recovery system, comprising:

a suction source

a suction nozzle provided on the cleaning head in fluid communication with the suction source;

a recovery tank container having a bottom end and a top end opposite the bottom end; and

a strainer removably mounted within the recovery tank container, the strainer comprising:

a strainer base at the bottom end of the recovery tank container and having a raised rim about a periphery thereof, the strainer base having a plurality of apertures therethrough; and

an elongated grip extending from the strainer base toward the top end of the recovery tank container.

20. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 19 wherein the strainer further comprises ribs on an outboard surface of the raised rim.

Assignments (3)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE PROPERTY NUMBER PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 52136 FRAME: 467. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Mar 24, 2020
From: BISSELL HOMECARE, INC.
To: BISSELL INC.
Reel/Frame 052210/0954 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 10, 2020
From: BISSELL HOMECARE, INC.
To: BISSELL INC.
Reel/Frame 052136/0467 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 11, 2019
From: LUYCKX, MICHAEL; RESCH, JACOB
To: BISSELL HOMECARE, INC.
Reel/Frame 050687/0086 →
Cited By (3)
US 12,336,682 US 12,383,106 US 12,484,746