The present invention relates to extractor cleaning machines and, more particularly, to supply tank assemblies for extractor cleaning machines.
Extractor cleaning machines typically include tanks that dispense premixed water and detergent for cleaning a surface. Some extractor cleaning machines include two separate tanks for water and for detergent such that the water and detergent may be mixed when needed. Other extractor cleaning machines include detergent tanks combined with water tanks into a single assembly. Often, these tanks include flexible membranes that separate the cleaning fluids in each tank. Furthermore, the tanks must typically be removed from the extractor cleaning machines in order to access fill openings of the tanks.
In one embodiment, the invention provides an extractor cleaning machine including a foot movable along a surface to be cleaned. The foot includes a distribution nozzle and a suction nozzle. The extractor cleaning machine also includes a handle coupled to the foot to facilitate movement of the foot along the surface 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 extractor cleaning machine further includes a recovery tank coupled to at least one of the foot and the handle. The recovery tank is in fluid communication with the suction source to receive and store the fluid and dirt drawn through the suction nozzle. The extractor cleaning machine also includes a distributor in fluid communication with the distribution nozzle. The distributor is operable to distribute a first cleaning fluid and a second cleaning fluid to the surface through the distribution nozzle. The extractor cleaning machine further includes a supply tank assembly coupled to at least one of the foot and the handle. The supply tank assembly includes a first tank in fluid communication with the distributor. The first tank has a rigid body defining a first storage chamber for storing the first cleaning fluid and supplying the first cleaning fluid to the distributor. The supply tank assembly also includes a second tank positioned within the first storage chamber of the first tank in fluid communication with the distributor. The second tank has a rigid body defining a second storage chamber for receiving the second cleaning fluid and supplying the second cleaning fluid to the distributor. At least a portion of the rigid body of the second tank defines a boundary of the first storage chamber to separate the first cleaning fluid and the second cleaning fluid.
In another embodiment, the invention provides an extractor cleaning machine including a foot movable along a surface to be cleaned. The foot includes a distribution nozzle and a suction nozzle. The extractor cleaning machine also includes a handle coupled to the foot to facilitate movement of the foot along the surface 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 extractor cleaning machine further includes a recovery tank coupled to at least one of the foot and the handle. The recovery tank is in fluid communication with the suction source to receive and store the fluid and dirt drawn through the suction nozzle. The extractor cleaning machine also includes a distributor in fluid communication with the distribution nozzle. The distributor is operable to distribute a first cleaning fluid and a second cleaning fluid to the surface through the distribution nozzle. The extractor cleaning machine further includes a supply tank assembly coupled to at least one of the foot and the handle. The supply tank assembly includes a base defining a first outlet for supplying the first cleaning fluid to the distributor and a second outlet for supplying the second cleaning fluid to the distributor, and an exterior sidewall extending upwardly from the base. The exterior sidewall includes a bottom end coupled to the base and a top end opposite the bottom end. The supply tank assembly also includes an upper portion coupled to the top end of the exterior sidewall opposite the base. The upper portion, the base, and the exterior sidewall together define a storage volume of the supply tank assembly. The supply tank assembly further includes a first tank for storing the first cleaning fluid. The first tank is defined by at least a portion of the exterior sidewall, at least a portion of the upper portion, and a portion of the base. The supply tank assembly also includes a first tank inlet for filling the first tank. The first tank inlet extends through the upper portion of the supply tank assembly. The supply tank assembly further includes an interior sidewall extending upwardly from the base and located within the storage volume, and a second tank for storing the second cleaning fluid. The second tank is at least partially defined by the interior sidewall, at least a portion of the upper portion, and a portion of the base. The supply tank assembly also includes a second tank inlet for filling the second tank. The second tank inlet extends through the upper portion of the supply tank assembly.
In yet another embodiment, the invention provides an extractor cleaning machine including a foot movable along a surface to be cleaned. The foot includes a distribution nozzle and a suction nozzle. The extractor cleaning machine also includes a handle coupled to the foot to facilitate movement of the foot along the surface 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 extractor cleaning machine further includes a recovery tank coupled to at least one of the foot and the handle. The recovery tank is in fluid communication with the suction source to receive and store the fluid and dirt drawn through the suction nozzle. The extractor cleaning machine also includes a distributor in fluid communication with the distribution nozzle. The distributor is operable to distribute a first cleaning fluid and a second cleaning fluid to the surface through the distribution nozzle. The extractor cleaning machine further includes a supply tank assembly coupled to at least one of the foot and the handle. The supply tank assembly includes a base defining a first outlet for supplying the first cleaning fluid to the distributor and a second outlet for supplying the second cleaning fluid to the distributor, and an exterior sidewall extending from the base. The exterior sidewall includes a first end coupled to the base and a second end opposite the first end. The supply tank assembly also includes an upper portion coupled to the second end of the exterior sidewall opposite the base. The upper portion, the exterior sidewall, and the base together define a storage volume of the supply tank assembly. The supply tank assembly further includes a tube positioned within the storage volume. The tube extends between the base and the upper portion to interconnect the base and the upper portion. The supply tank assembly also includes a first tank for storing the first cleaning fluid. The first tank is defined by the exterior sidewall, a portion of the upper portion, and a portion of the base. The supply tank assembly further includes a second tank for storing the second cleaning fluid. The second tank is defined by the tube, a portion of the upper portion, and a portion of the base.
Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.
Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.
The illustrated extractor 10 includes a base or foot 14, a handle 18 coupled to the foot 14, a suction source 22 supported by the foot 14, a recovery tank 26 coupled to the foot 14, a distributor 30 supported by the handle 18, and a supply tank assembly 34 coupled to the handle 18. The foot 14 is movable along the surface to be cleaned and supports the other components of the extractor 10. Two wheels 38 (only one of which is shown in
As shown in
The illustrated handle 18 is pivotally coupled to and extends from the foot 14. The handle 18 is pivotable or tiltable relative to the foot 14 from the generally vertical storage position shown in
As shown in
Referring back to
The suction source 22 is in fluid communication with the suction nozzle 46 to draw fluid and dirt from the surface through the nozzle 46. In some embodiments, the suction source 22 may include a fan that generates a vacuum to draw the fluid and dirt through the nozzle 46. In the illustrated embodiment, the suction source 22 is supported by the foot 14 generally underneath the recovery tank 26. In other embodiments, the suction source 22 may be supported by the handle 18 or may be positioned elsewhere on the extractor 10.
The recovery tank 26 is in fluid communication with the suction source 22 and the suction nozzle 46 to receive and store the fluid and dirt drawn through the nozzle 46. The illustrated recovery tank 26 is removably coupled to an upper surface of the foot 14. The recovery tank 26 includes a lift handle 102 to facilitate removing and handling the tank 26 apart from the extractor 10. In other embodiments, the recovery tank 26 may be supported by the handle 18 of the extractor 10.
The distributor 30 is in fluid communication with the distribution nozzle 42 to draw cleaning fluid from the supply tank assembly 34 and distribute the fluid to the surface through the distribution nozzle 42. The illustrated distributor 30 draws two separate cleaning fluids (e.g., water and detergent) from the supply tank assembly 34, mixes the fluids, and distributes the mixed cleaning fluid onto the surface. Actuating the power/mode knob 94 adjusts the mixing ratio of the two cleaning fluids or the amount of cleaning fluid that is distributed. In some embodiments, the distributor 30 may include a pump that propels the cleaning fluid to the distribution nozzle 42. In the illustrated embodiment, the distributor 30 is supported by the handle 18 generally behind the supply tank assembly 34. In other embodiments, the distributor 30 may be supported by the foot 14 or may be positioned elsewhere on the extractor 10.
As shown in
As discussed above, the illustrated supply tank assembly 34 is received in the cavity 54 (
Referring to
A first valve 146 is coupled to the base 114 at the first outlet 138 and a second valve 150 is coupled to the base 114 at the second outlet 142. Actuating the first and second valves 146, 150 fluidly connects the first and second tanks 106, 110, respectively, to the distributor 30. In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second valves 146, 150 are poppet valves, although other suitable valves may alternatively be employed. Each valve 146, 150 includes a piston 154, 158, a biasing member 162, 166 (e.g., a coil spring), and a seal 170, 174. The pistons 154, 158 extend through the first and second outlets 138, 142 and are guided by brackets 178, 182 coupled to an inner surface 186 of the base 114. The biasing members 162, 166 are positioned between the inner surface 186 of the base 114 and the brackets 178, 182. The biasing members 162, 166 surround portions of the pistons 154, 158 to bias the pistons 154, 158 to a closed position such that the cleaning fluids do not flow out through the outlets 138, 142. When the supply tank assembly 34 is supported on the tank tray 58, posts 190, 194 (
Referring to
The upper portion 122 is coupled to the top end 202 of the exterior sidewall 118 opposite the base 114. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper portion 122 is integrally formed as a single piece with the exterior sidewall 118. In other embodiments, the upper portion 122 may be a separate piece that is permanently or removably coupled to the exterior sidewall 118. The upper portion 122, the exterior sidewall 118, and the base 114 together define a storage volume of the entire supply tank assembly 34. The storage volume is equal to the volume of the first tank storage chamber 126 plus the volume of the second tank storage chamber 134.
As shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, the first tank inlet 218 and the aperture 222 are located on the upper portion 122 such that both the first tank 106 and the second tank 110 may be filled when the supply tank assembly 34 is connected to and supported by the handle 18. As shown in
Referring back to
The illustrated supply tank assembly 34 also includes a tank handle 262 coupled to the upper portion 122 and a latch 266 coupled to the tank handle 262. The tank handle 262 facilitates removing the supply tank assembly 34 from the extractor 10. The tank handle 262 also facilitates carrying and holding the supply tank assembly 34 if a user desires to fill the tanks 106, 110 when the assembly 34 is disconnected from the extractor 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the tank handle 262 is integrally formed as a single piece with the upper portion 122 and extends from the upper portion 122 generally between the first tank inlet 218 and the aperture 222. In other embodiments, the tank handle 262 may be removably coupled to the upper portion 122 or may be located elsewhere on the supply tank assembly 34.
The latch 266 is operable to engage a corresponding surface 270 (
As shown in
The interior sidewall 130 is spaced apart from the exterior sidewall 118 such that the interior sidewall 130 defines an inner boundary of the first tank storage chamber 126 and an outer boundary of the second tank storage chamber 134. The second tank 110 is thereby positioned entirely within the storage chamber 126 of the first tank 106 and within the outer perimeter 206 of the base 114 to separate the first cleaning fluid and the second cleaning fluid. As such, when the first tank storage chamber 126 is filled, the first cleaning fluid surrounds the interior sidewall 130. Similar to the exterior sidewall 118, in some embodiments, at least a portion of the interior sidewall 130 is transparent such that a user may visually identify the amount of cleaning fluid in the second tank 110. In other embodiments, other indicator means, such as, for example, a float, may also or alternatively be employed to indicate the amount of cleaning fluid.
The interior sidewall 130 defines a second tank inlet 298 at the top end 286 for filling the second tank 110 with the second cleaning fluid. The second tank inlet 298 is aligned with the aperture 222 formed in the upper portion 122 such that the inlet 298 extends through the upper portion 122 and the second tank 110 is filled through the aperture 222 and the inlet 298. In the illustrated embodiment, the second tank inlet 298 is located generally beneath and vertically inline with the aperture 222. The flange 226 (
Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects of the invention as described.
Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.