# US 11,297,994 B2 · Unattended spot cleaning with surface sanitization > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,297,994 B2 - Document ID: US11297994B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/590,680 - Filed: 2019-10-02 - Published: 2020-01-30 - Granted: 2022-04-12 - Earliest claimed: 2008-05-29 - Assignees: BISSELL Inc. - Applicants: BISSELL Homecare, Inc. - Inventors: Phong Hoang Tran; Charles A. Reed, Jr.; Jeremy Moog; Eric C. Huffman - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11297994B2 ## CPC - A47L 11/405: {Machines using UV-lamps, IR-lamps, ultrasound or plasma cleaning} - A47L 11/305: {the tools being disc brushes} - A47L 11/34: Machines for treating carpets in position by liquid, foam, or vapour, e.g. by steam - A47L 11/4008: {Arrangements of switches, indicators or the like} - A47L 11/4011: {Regulation of the cleaning machine by electric means; Control systems and remote control systems therefor} - A47L 11/4016: {specially adapted for collecting fluids} - A47L 11/4038: {Disk shaped surface treating tools} - A47L 11/4044: {Vacuuming or pick-up tools; Squeegees} - A47L 11/4083: {Liquid supply reservoirs; Preparation of the agents, e.g. mixing devices} - A47L 11/4086: {Arrangements for steam generation} - A47L 11/4088: {Supply pumps; Spraying devices; Supply conduits} - A47L: DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING (brushes A46B; cleaning quantities of bottles or of other hollow articles of one kind B08B9/00; laundry D06F); SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL (cleaning in general B08) ## Abstract An unattended extraction cleaning machine includes a housing with a bottom portion that is adapted to rest on a surface to be cleaned, a fluid delivery system including a fluid distributor, a fluid extraction system including a suction nozzle, at least one carriage assembly mounting the suction nozzle to the housing for movement with respect thereto and with respect to the surface to be cleaned, and an ultraviolet light mounted on at least one of the housing and the carriage assembly to emit ultraviolet light onto the surface to be cleaned. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An unattended extraction cleaning machine, comprising: a housing with a bottom portion that is adapted to rest on a surface to be cleaned and that defines an opening in an underside of the housing; a fluid delivery system mounted to the housing and including a fluid distributor for delivering a cleaning fluid to the surface to be cleaned beneath the opening in the underside of the housing; a fluid extraction system including a suction nozzle for recovering soiled cleaning fluid from the surface to be cleaned beneath the opening in the underside of the housing; a carriage assembly mounting the suction nozzle to the housing for movement with respect thereto and with respect to the surface to be cleaned; a carriage assembly lens having a body operably coupled to a lower portion of the housing, the body defining a cavity that receives at least a portion of the carriage assembly, and at least one ultraviolet light emitting element mounted adjacent the carriage assembly and configured to emit ultraviolet light into the cavity. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The unattended extraction cleaning machine of claim 1 wherein the at least one ultraviolet light emitting element is provided on the body. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The unattended extraction cleaning machine of claim 2 wherein a mounting channel is included within the body and the at least one ultraviolet light emitting element is provided therein. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The unattended extraction cleaning machine of claim 3 wherein the at least one ultraviolet light emitting element comprises at least one arcuate tubular glass body. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The unattended extraction cleaning machine of claim 3 wherein the body is a transparent body. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The unattended extraction cleaning machine of claim 5, further comprising reflective elements located within mounting channel and configured to direct ultraviolet light emitted by the at least one ultraviolet light emitting element onto the surface to be cleaned. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The unattended extraction cleaning machine of claim 2, further comprising reflective elements located within mounting channel and configured to direct ultraviolet light emitted by the at least one ultraviolet light emitting element onto the surface to be cleaned. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) The unattended extraction cleaning machine of claim 2 wherein the at least one ultraviolet light emitting element comprises at least one arcuate tubular glass body. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) The unattended extraction cleaning machine of claim 2 wherein the at least one ultraviolet light emitting element surrounds at least a portion of a perimeter of the cavity. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The unattended extraction cleaning machine of claim 9 wherein the at least one ultraviolet light emitting element comprises a plurality of ultraviolet light emitting LEDs. ### Claim 11 (depends on 2) The unattended extraction cleaning machine of claim 2 wherein the fluid distributor extends into the cavity and a second ultraviolet light emitting element is fixed adjacent the fluid distributor. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The unattended extraction cleaning machine of claim 11 wherein the at least one ultraviolet light emitting element comprises a straight tubular body. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The unattended extraction cleaning machine of claim 11 wherein the second ultraviolet light emitting element is mounted within a center opening of the carriage assembly to direct ultraviolet light onto the surface to be cleaned. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The unattended extraction cleaning machine of claim 11, further comprising a swivel fitting fluidly coupling a working air plenum downstream of the suction nozzle to a motor and fan assembly, the swivel fitting. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The unattended extraction cleaning machine of claim 1, further comprising a swivel fitting fluidly coupling a working air plenum downstream of the suction nozzle to a motor and fan assembly. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The unattended extraction cleaning machine of claim 15 wherein the at least one ultraviolet light emitting element is mounted to the swivel fitting. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The unattended extraction cleaning machine according to claim 16 wherein the at least one ultraviolet light emitting element is fixed adjacent the fluid distributor. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The unattended extraction cleaning machine according to claim 17 wherein the at least one ultraviolet light emitting element comprises a straight tubular body. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The unattended extraction cleaning machine of claim 17 wherein the fluid delivery system further comprises a steam generator and steam is delivered to the surface to be cleaned via the fluid distributor. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The unattended extraction cleaning machine according to claim 1 wherein the at least one ultraviolet light emitting element is mounted within an opening of the carriage assembly to direct ultraviolet light onto the surface to be cleaned.