US 12,070,178 B2
Surface cleaning apparatus with drying cycle
Kurt Ashbaugh, Rockford, MI (US); Jason W. Pruiett, Grand Rapids, MI (US); David M. Miller, Zeeland, MI (US); and Todd R. VanTongeren, Ada, MI (US)
Assigned to BISSELL Inc., Grand Rapids, MI (US)
Filed by BISSELL Inc., Grand Rapids, MI (US)
Filed on Jul. 10, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/219,953.
Application 18/219,953 is a continuation of application No. 17/211,965, filed on Mar. 25, 2021, granted, now 11,737,622.
Application 17/211,965 is a continuation of application No. 16/797,003, filed on Feb. 21, 2020, granted, now 11,019,966, issued on Jun. 1, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/810,525, filed on Feb. 26, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2023/0346176 A1, Nov. 2, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A47L 7/00 (2006.01); A47L 11/30 (2006.01); A47L 11/34 (2006.01); A47L 11/40 (2006.01); F26B 21/00 (2006.01)
CPC A47L 7/0085 (2013.01) [A47L 7/0014 (2013.01); A47L 11/302 (2013.01); A47L 11/34 (2013.01); A47L 11/4088 (2013.01); F26B 21/001 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for post-operation maintenance of a surface cleaning apparatus comprising a fluid recovery system having a recovery pathway, a suction nozzle, a motor/fan assembly in fluid communication with the suction nozzle for generating a working air stream flowing through the recovery pathway, the motor/fan assembly comprising a vacuum motor and a fan operably coupled with the vacuum motor, and a recovery tank, the recovery tank and the suction nozzle at least partially defining the recovery pathway, the method comprising:
initiating a drying cycle;
powering the vacuum motor at a reduced power level; and
generating, with the fan, a forced air flow through the recovery pathway to dry components of the fluid recovery system;
wherein powering the vacuum motor at the reduced power level comprises powering the vacuum motor at lower power level during the drying cycle than during normal operation of the surface cleaning apparatus.