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US 11,432,699 B2Granted
Steam cleaning apparatus
AssigneeBISSELL Inc.
InventorAlan J. Krebs
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A steam cleaning apparatus includes a cleaning head, a handle operably coupled with the cleaning head, a supply tank, a steam generator in fluid communication with the supply tank, and a steam outlet in fluid communication with the steam generator. A diverter is provided in a steam distribution path between the steam generator and the steam outlet and is configured to selectively divert steam away from the steam outlet.
Claims19
A steam cleaning apparatus comprising:
- a cleaning head movable along a floor surface;
- a handle operably coupled with the cleaning head and movable between an upright parked position and a reclined use position;
- a supply tank adapted to hold a quantity of liquid;
- a steam generator in fluid communication with the supply tank and configured to heat liquid to at least 100° C. to generate steam;
- a steam outlet in fluid communication with the steam generator and positioned to distribute steam to the floor surface;
- a steam distribution path between the steam generator and the steam outlet;
- and
- a diverter in the steam distribution path and configured to divert steam away from the steam outlet when the handle is in the upright parked position and to deliver steam to the steam outlet when the handle is in the reclined use position;
- wherein the diverter comprises a diverter valve having an inlet in fluid communication with the steam generator, a first outlet in fluid communication with the steam outlet, and a second outlet in fluid communication with a steam exhaust port spaced apart from the steam outlet.
6 more elements
A steam cleaning apparatus comprising:
- a cleaning head movable along a floor surface;
- a handle operably coupled with the cleaning head and movable between an upright parked position and a reclined use position;
- a supply tank adapted to hold a quantity of liquid;
- a steam generator in fluid communication with the supply tank and configured to heat liquid to at least 100° C. to generate steam;
- a steam outlet in fluid communication with the steam generator and positioned to distribute steam to the floor surface;
- a steam distribution path between the steam generator and the steam outlet;
- and
- a diverter in the steam distribution path and configured to divert steam away from the steam outlet when the handle is in the upright parked position and to deliver steam to the steam outlet when the handle is in the reclined use position;
- wherein the diverter comprises a diverter valve having an inlet in fluid communication with the steam generator and a first outlet in fluid communication with the steam outlet;
- and
- wherein the diverter valve is configured to move to a first position in which the steam distribution path between the steam generator and the steam outlet is open when the handle is in the reclined use position, and a second position in which the steam distribution path between the steam generator and the steam outlet is closed when the handle in the upright parked position.
8 more elements
A steam cleaning apparatus comprising:
- a cleaning head movable along a floor surface;
- a handle operably coupled with the cleaning head and movable between an upright parked position and a reclined use position;
- a supply tank adapted to hold a quantity of liquid;
- a steam generator in fluid communication with the supply tank and configured to heat liquid to at least 100° C. to generate steam;
- a steam outlet in fluid communication with the steam generator and positioned to distribute steam to the floor surface;
- a steam distribution path between the steam generator and the steam outlet;
- a diverter in the steam distribution path and configured to divert steam away from the steam outlet when the handle is in the upright parked position and to deliver steam to the steam outlet when the handle is in the reclined use position;
- and
- a diversion nozzle in fluid communication with the diverter and positioned to direct steam away from the floor surface, wherein the diverter is configured to deliver steam to the diversion nozzle when the handle is in the upright, parked position and to divert steam away from the diversion nozzle when the handle is in the reclined use position.
6 more elements
A steam cleaning apparatus comprising:
- a cleaning head movable along a floor surface;
- a handle operably coupled with the cleaning head and movable between an upright parked position and a reclined use position;
- a supply tank adapted to hold a quantity of liquid;
- a steam generator in fluid communication with the supply tank and configured to heat liquid to at least 100° C. to generate steam;
- a steam outlet in fluid communication with the steam generator and positioned to distribute steam to the floor surface;
- a steam distribution path between the steam generator and the steam outlet;
- and
- a diverter in the steam distribution path and configured to divert steam away from the steam outlet when the handle is in the upright parked position and to deliver steam to the steam outlet when the handle is in the reclined use position;
- wherein the cleaning head further comprises a steam exhaust port and the steam outlet comprises a floor nozzle on the cleaning head, and wherein the diverter is configured to divert steam to the steam exhaust port when the handle is in the upright, parked position.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.