CN105358030A - Surface cleaning apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A surface cleaning apparatus comprising: a cleaning head having a body defining a base surface adjacent to a surface to be cleaned; and a fluid storage container; wherein the cleaning head includes a nozzle configured to direct fluid from the storage container to the body Surfaces other than the basal surface.

Description

surface cleaning equipment

technical field

The present invention relates to surface cleaning equipment. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to apparatus for cleaning surfaces such as floors or walls using a steam source. It should be understood that the present invention is applicable to many other types of surface cleaning equipment, eg, carpet cleaning equipment/vacuum cleaners.

Background technique

The use of steam cleaners to clean floors and other surfaces is well known. For cleaning floor surfaces, steam cleaners typically have a cleaning head that includes a body that can be moved by the user over the surface to be cleaned The cleaning element or carrier of material includes cleaning elements composed of the materials described above. Steam (or very hot water) is expelled from the main body and passes through the cleaning elements into contact with the surface being cleaned and has the effect of loosening dirt from the surface. The cleaning element absorbs dirty water formed by steam condensation on the surface.

In order to enable the cleaning head to be maneuvered over the surface being cleaned, the cleaning head may be attached to a hard tube and steam supplied to the cleaning head from a separate steam generator through a hose. Alternatively, the wand itself may be provided with a steam generator and water supply to form a self-contained steam cleaning device, sometimes referred to as a "stick" or "mop" steam cleaner.

Another feature known in such steam cleaners is the ability to store cleaning agent, such as a suitable detergent solution, to assist in the cleaning operation.

Contents of the invention

According to the present invention, we provide a surface cleaning device comprising:

a cleaning head having a body defining a base surface adjacent to a surface to be cleaned;

fluid storage containers;

Wherein the cleaning head includes a nozzle configured to direct fluid from the reservoir to a surface other than the base surface of the body.

Further characteristics of the invention are defined in the appended claims.

Description of drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a surface cleaning device according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the cleaning head of the surface cleaning apparatus shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the cleaning head shown in Figure 2;

Figures 4 and 5 are left and right side views of the cleaning head shown in Figure 2; and

6 and 7 are rear and front views, respectively, of the cleaning head shown in FIG. 2 .

detailed description

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a surface cleaning apparatus 10 in accordance with the present invention. The device 10 has a cleaning head with a body 20 pivotably connected to a user-graspable handle 11 . Connected to the user-graspable handle 11 is a water storage container 30 and a housing 50 that houses a steam generator, a pump for supplying water from the water storage container 30 to the steam generator, and for generating steam. The output of the device is connected to the fluid passage of the cleaning head body 20. The operation of the internal components of device 10 will be described in more detail below.

As can be seen from the drawings, the lower end of the handle 11 is pivotably connected to the main body 20 via a link 11a. For the sake of clarity, the handle 11 is not shown in FIGS. 2 to 7 .

The cleaning head body 20 is generally triangular in plan view (see FIG. 3 ), and has a rear wall 20a and front facing walls 20b and 20c. Walls 20a, 20b and 20c define a footprint F adjacent the surface to be cleaned.

Advantageously, the device 10 comprises a nozzle 40 configured for directing the fluid to a surface other than the base surface F. As shown in FIG. In the current embodiment, the nozzle 40 is attached to the forwardmost portion of the cleaning head body 20 (at the junction of the walls 20b, 20c) and is shaped to direct fluid downward toward surfaces other than the base surface F. As shown in FIG. In the current embodiment, the nozzle 40 is fixed relative to the cleaning head body 20 , but it should be understood that the nozzle 40 is movable relative to the body 20 . For example, the nozzle may be rotationally movable so as to direct fluid to either side of a centerline extending through the body 20 . Still alternatively, the nozzle may be angularly and/or laterally movable relative to the body 20 . Such movement of the nozzle 40 will allow the user to more precisely position the nozzle 40 onto the surface being cleaned.

Although not shown in the figures, the nozzle may include a portion that moves telescopically to effect displacement between the outlet of the nozzle 40 and the body 20 . In other words, the nozzle 40 can be configured such that its overall length can be extended and/or shortened to provide the user with greater control over the distance between the outlet of the nozzle 40 and the surface being cleaned.

In some embodiments, the nozzle 40 can be made of a resilient material such that it can move elastically relative to the body 20 . For example, the nozzle may be made of rubber or a rubber-like material.

In some embodiments, the nozzle 40 may be detachably connected to the body 20, such as by a screw, press or bayonet fitting. Although only a single nozzle 40 is provided in the current embodiment, other embodiments including two or more nozzles 40 are also envisioned. In such embodiments, the nozzles may be positioned anywhere around the perimeter of the cleaning head body 20 . For example, one nozzle may be positioned somewhere along wall 20b while another nozzle is positioned somewhere along wall 20c. Additionally, or alternatively, a nozzle or one of a plurality of nozzles may be positioned on the rear wall 20a.

Apparatus 10 includes a valve for controlling the flow of fluid from container 30 to nozzle 40 . The valve is actuated by a user-operable switch 60 located on the cleaning head body 20 . Switch 60 is operable by hand or foot.

In the present invention, the device 10 includes a steam generator fluidly connected to the water storage container 30, as described above. The steam generator comprises at least one heating element located in a suitable housing which heats the water pumped by the pump from the container 30 to the housing. The purpose of the steam generator is to boil the water to generate steam which is then passed through suitable fluid passages to the underside of the cleaning head body 20 and to the nozzles 40 . Thus, the floor F of the body 20 receives a proportion of the steam generated and when the valve is opened by pressing the switch 60, the steam can be delivered to the nozzle 40 through a suitable fluid path. In some embodiments, the valve may be configured to allow steam to be delivered to either the floor F or the nozzle, or both the floor F and the nozzle 40 .

In some embodiments, the apparatus may include a detergent storage container and a detergent passage for directing detergent from the detergent storage container to the nozzle 40 . In such an embodiment, the device 10 may include a common passage connecting the outlet of the steam generator to the detergent passage for providing a combination of detergent and steam to the nozzles 40 . Alternatively, the nozzles may comprise respective outlets from the steam generator and from the detergent passage (ie there are two outlets from the nozzles 40). In some embodiments, the apparatus may include means for controlling the amount of steam and/or detergent delivered to the nozzles 40, such as a switch or a user controllable dial. Such means may include one or more valves positioned within the steam and detergent pathways to control fluid flow through the one or more valves.

Although not shown in the figures, the device may include one or more tools for cleaning, each tool having a conduit, such as a flexible tube or similar, connectable to the outlet of the nozzle 40 . Alternatively, in the case where the nozzle 40 is detachably connected to the main body 20, a conduit suitable for each tool may be connected to the corresponding part of the main body to which the nozzle 40 is connected. This connection can be a press connection, a screw connection or a bayonet connection. Other suitable connections may be envisaged without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The present invention has an advantage over prior art devices due to its ability to deliver fluids (such as steam and/or detergent) to floor surfaces other than the base surface F. This is highly desirable to users as they can more easily clean floor areas with stubborn soiling. The steam emitted from the nozzles is preferably at a higher pressure and/or flow rate than is delivered to the substrate surface F, which means that floor areas with stubborn soiling can be cleaned more easily and quickly. For example, the invention is suitable for surfaces such as tiled floors and walls, where the nozzle is particularly useful in cleaning grout joints between adjacent tiles.

Although not shown in the figures, embodiments of the present invention may include a suction source, such as a vacuum source, for removing dirt, emulsified dirt, and/or condensed water from the surface being cleaned.

The terms "comprises, comprising" and variations thereof used in the present description and claims mean that the specified features, steps or means are included. These terms are not to be interpreted as excluding the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or in the following claims or drawings, as required in their particular form, or in terms of means for performing the disclosed function or methods or processes for obtaining the disclosed results, may be individually or The present invention can be realized in its various forms in any combination of these features.

Claims (34)

1. A surface cleaning device comprising: a cleaning head having a body defining a base surface adjacent to a surface to be cleaned; fluid storage containers; Wherein the cleaning head includes a nozzle configured to direct fluid from the reservoir to a surface other than the base surface of the body. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises two or more of the nozzles, each nozzle configured for directing fluid from the storage container to a surface other than the base surface of the body. 3. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the nozzle is connected to the main body. 4. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the nozzle is connected to a forward facing portion of the body. 5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the nozzle is movable relative to the body. 6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the nozzle is rotatably movable relative to the body. 7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the nozzle is angularly movable relative to the body. 8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the nozzle is movable laterally relative to the body. 9. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the nozzle comprises a portion which is telescopically movable to vary the displacement between the nozzle outlet and the body. 10. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the nozzle is movable towards and away from the surface to be cleaned. 11. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the nozzle is elastically movable. 12. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the nozzle is detachably connected to the body. 13. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the detachable connection is provided by one of a suitable screw or bayonet connection provided on the body and nozzle. 14. A device as claimed in claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the device comprises a plurality of said nozzles, each nozzle being selectable by a user for connection to the body. 15. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus comprises a valve for controlling the flow of fluid from the reservoir to the nozzle. 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the valve is actuatable by a user operable switch. 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the switch is configured to control the amount of fluid delivered to the nozzle. 18. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the fluid storage container is a water storage container, and wherein the apparatus comprises: Steam generators including heating elements; a pump for supplying water from the water storage container to the steam generator; and a fluid path for directing steam from a steam generator to a cleaning head of the device; Wherein the device comprises a further fluid passage for directing steam from the steam generator to the nozzle. 19. An apparatus as claimed in claim 18 when appended to claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the switch is configured for controlling the amount of steam delivered from the steam generator to the nozzles and/or cleaning head. 20. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the fluid storage container is configured to contain a fluid containing detergent. 21. Apparatus according to claim 20 when appended to claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the switch is configured to control the delivery of detergent from the detergent reservoir to the nozzles and/or cleaning head amount. 22. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the fluid storage container is a water storage container, and wherein the apparatus comprises: a steam generator in fluid communication with the water storage container, the steam generator including a heating element; a pump for supplying water from the water storage container to the steam generator; a fluid path for directing steam from a steam generator to a cleaning head of the device; Another steam path for directing steam from the steam generator to the nozzle; Detergent storage containers; and A detergent passage for guiding detergent from the detergent storage container to a spray nozzle. 23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the detergent passage and the further steam passage are connected to a common passage, the common passage being connected to a nozzle. 24. Apparatus as claimed in claim 22 or claim 23, wherein the nozzles comprise respective outlets of the further steam passage and the detergent passage. 25. Apparatus according to any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein the apparatus comprises means for controlling the amount of steam and/or detergent directed to the nozzles. 26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the means comprises one or more valves. 27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the valve is controlled by a user operable switch. 28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the user-operable switch is hand- or foot-operable and located on the body of the cleaning head. 29. An apparatus as claimed in claim 27 or claim 28, wherein the apparatus comprises a wand/handle, and wherein the user operable switch is positioned thereon. 30. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus comprises one or more tools for cleaning, each tool having a conduit connectable to the nozzle. 31. Apparatus according to any preceding claim when appended to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the apparatus comprises one or more tools for cleaning, each tool having a conduit, said The conduit is connectable to the corresponding part of the body to which the nozzle is connected. 32. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, comprising a suction source for removing eg dirt, emulsified dirt and/or condensed water from the surface being cleaned. 33. An apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described and as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 34. Any novel feature or novel combination of features described herein and/or in the drawings.