# US 11,992,165 B2 · Self-cleaning features for extraction cleaners > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,992,165 B2 - Document ID: US11992165B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/301,414 - Filed: 2023-04-17 - Published: 2023-08-17 - Granted: 2024-05-28 - Earliest claimed: 2017-10-06 - Assignees: BISSELL Inc. - Applicants: BISSELL Inc. - Inventors: Victoria J. Royale; Aaron P. Griffith; David M. Miller; Michael Luyckx; Brian C. Wolfe; Justin Benacquisto - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11992165B2 ## CPC - A47L 11/4016: {specially adapted for collecting fluids} - A47L 11/4091: {Storing or parking devices, arrangements therefor; Means allowing transport of the machine when it is not being used} - A47L 11/201: {with supply of cleaning agents} - A47L 11/30: by suction - A47L 11/302: {having rotary tools} - A47L 11/34: Machines for treating carpets in position by liquid, foam, or vapour, e.g. by steam - A47L 11/4088: {Supply pumps; Spraying devices; Supply conduits} - A47L 11/4094: {Accessories to be used in combination with conventional vacuum-cleaning devices} - 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 Self-cleaning features for extraction cleaners and attachments for extraction cleaners, such as accessory tools, wands, and/or hoses, are provided. The self-cleaning features are configured redirect cleaning fluid from a fluid supply system of the extraction cleaner into a working air or fluid recovery path of the extraction cleaner, including, but not limited to into the working air or fluid recovery path of a tool, wand, and/or hose of the extraction cleaner. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for cleaning a recovery path of an extraction cleaner, the extraction cleaner having a fluid delivery system comprising a supply container and a recovery system comprising a recovery container, the system comprising: a wand fluidly coupled with the fluid delivery system and the recovery system, the wand comprising: a fluid delivery pathway adapted for fluid communication with the supply container and having a wand fluid connector; and an airflow pathway adapted for fluid communication with the recovery container and having a wand airflow connector; and a wand cap configured for attachment to the wand, the wand cap being defined by a cap housing with a cap fluid connector and a cap airflow connector; and wherein the cap housing forms a cap fluid pathway when the cap fluid connector is fluidly coupled with the wand fluid connector and the cap airflow connector is fluidly coupled with the wand airflow connector, the cap fluid pathway directing flow of a cleaning fluid between the wand fluid connector and the wand airflow connector. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein: the cap housing includes a first internal fluid channel in fluid communication with the cap fluid connector, and a second internal fluid channel in fluid communication with the cap airflow connector; and the cap housing includes a wall separating the first internal fluid channel and the second internal fluid channel, the wall having at least one passage opening for guiding the cleaning fluid from the wand fluid connector into the wand airflow connector when the wand cap is installed on the wand. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the cap housing is transparent. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein: the cap housing includes an end wall, and a peripheral side wall extending from the end wall to an open opposite end; and the wand cap is adapted to be attached to the wand at the open opposite end of the cap housing. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4, wherein: the wand airflow connector defines an inlet end of the wand; and the end wall is spaced from the inlet end of the wand to permit working air to flow from the wand cap through the airflow pathway when the wand cap is installed on the wand. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the wand cap further includes at least one air vent formed in the cap housing, the at least one air vent being in fluid communication with the cap fluid pathway. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6, wherein: the cap housing includes an end wall, and a peripheral side wall extending from the end wall to an open opposite end; and the at least one air vent is disposed in the peripheral side wall. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein: the cap housing includes a first internal fluid channel in fluid communication with the cap fluid connector, and a second internal fluid channel in fluid communication with the cap airflow connector; the cleaning fluid is directed through the wand fluid connector into the first internal fluid channel and the second internal fluid channel; and the cleaning fluid is directed downstream from the second internal fluid channel into the airflow pathway, through the wand airflow connector. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising: a valve provided in the fluid delivery pathway for controlling the flow of cleaning fluid to the wand fluid connector, the wand having a wand housing; and a trigger installed on the wand housing, the trigger being selectively operable to control the valve and activate delivery of the cleaning fluid into the cap fluid pathway. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein: the cap housing includes a detent opening; and the wand includes a detent engageable with the detent opening of the cap housing for securing the wand cap to the wand. ### Claim 11 A system for cleaning a recovery path of an extraction cleaner, the extraction cleaner having a fluid delivery system comprising a supply container and a recovery system comprising a recovery container, the system comprising: a wand fluidly coupled with the fluid delivery system and the recovery system, the wand comprising: a fluid delivery pathway adapted for fluid communication with the supply container and having a wand fluid connector; and an airflow pathway adapted for fluid communication with the recovery container and having a wand airflow connector; a wand cap configured for attachment to the wand; wherein the wand cap is defined by a cap housing having an end wall, and a peripheral side wall extending from the end wall to an open opposite end; and wherein the cap housing forms a cap fluid pathway when the wand cap is attached to the wand at the open opposite end of the cap housing, the cap fluid pathway directing flow of a cleaning fluid between the wand fluid connector and the wand airflow connector. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein the cap housing includes a cap fluid connector and a cap airflow connector, the cap fluid pathway being formed when the cap fluid connector is fluidly coupled with the wand fluid connector and the cap airflow connector is fluidly coupled with the wand airflow connector. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12, wherein: the cap housing includes a first internal fluid channel in fluid communication with the cap fluid connector, and a second internal fluid channel in fluid communication with the cap airflow connector; and the cap housing includes a wall separating the first internal fluid channel and the second internal fluid channel, the wall having at least one passage opening for guiding the cleaning fluid from the wand fluid connector into the wand airflow connector when the wand cap is installed on the wand. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12, wherein: the cap housing includes a first internal fluid channel in fluid communication with the cap fluid connector, and a second internal fluid channel in fluid communication with the cap airflow connector; the cleaning fluid is directed through the wand fluid connector into the first internal fluid channel and the second internal fluid channel; and the cleaning fluid is directed downstream from the second internal fluid channel into the airflow pathway, through the wand airflow connector. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein at least a portion of the cap housing is transparent. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, further comprising: a valve provided in the fluid delivery pathway for controlling the flow of cleaning fluid to the wand fluid connector, the wand having a wand housing; and a trigger installed on the wand housing, the trigger being selectively operable to control the valve and activate delivery of the cleaning fluid into the cap fluid pathway. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein: the cap housing includes a detent opening; and the wand includes a detent engageable with the detent opening of the cap housing for securing the wand cap to the wand. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein: the wand airflow connector defines an inlet end of the wand; and the end wall is spaced from the inlet end of the wand to permit working air to flow from the wand cap through the airflow pathway when the wand cap is installed on the wand. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein the wand cap further includes at least one air vent formed in the cap housing, the at least one air vent being in fluid communication with the cap fluid pathway. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The system of claim 19, wherein the at least one air vent is disposed in the peripheral side wall.