US 12,245,731 B2
Surface cleaning apparatus with steam
Jacob Resch, Rockford, MI (US); Andrew Woodcox, Holland, MI (US); and Jeremy W. Hoffmann, Comstock Park, MI (US)
Assigned to BISSELL Inc., Grand Rapids, MI (US)
Filed by BISSELL Inc., Grand Rapids, MI (US)
Filed on Jun. 29, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/215,878.
Application 18/215,878 is a continuation of application No. 17/704,626, filed on Mar. 25, 2022, granted, now 11,730,335.
Prior Publication US 2023/0337888 A1, Oct. 26, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A47L 11/40 (2006.01); A47L 11/34 (2006.01)
CPC A47L 11/4086 (2013.01) [A47L 11/4016 (2013.01); A47L 11/4041 (2013.01); A47L 11/4083 (2013.01); A47L 11/4088 (2013.01); A47L 11/34 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A surface cleaning apparatus, comprising:
an upright body comprising a handle and a frame;
a base assembly coupled with the upright body and adapted for movement across a surface to be cleaned, the base assembly comprising a brush chamber;
a moveable joint assembly mounting the base assembly to the upright body, wherein the upright body is pivotable via the joint assembly between an upright stored position and a reclined use position;
a recovery system comprising a recovery pathway, a suction inlet port on the base assembly in fluid communication with the brush chamber and at least partially defining the recovery pathway, a recovery tank at least partially defining the recovery pathway, and a vacuum motor in fluid communication with the suction inlet port;
a brushroll in the brush chamber and at least partially within the recovery pathway, the brushroll configured to rotate about an axis to agitate the surface to be cleaned;
a supply tank configured to store a supply of cleaning fluid;
a liquid dispenser; and
a heater in fluid communication with the supply tank and configured to heat cleaning fluid to generate steam;
wherein the base assembly comprises a steam dispenser comprising:
a floor steam outlet to dispense steam toward the surface to be cleaned, wherein the floor steam outlet is forward of the brushroll, the brush chamber, and the liquid dispenser to dispense steam toward the surface to be cleaned in front of the brushroll, the brush chamber, and the liquid dispenser; and
a steam vapor outlet to dispense steam away from the surface to be cleaned as visible steam vapor;
wherein the steam vapor outlet is fluidly isolated from the brush chamber.