US-20260123801-A1 - CLEANING APPARATUS WITH INTERIOR DEBRIS TRAP AND FLUID DISPENSER WITH STEAM

Abstract

A cleaning apparatus includes a suction source, a recovery tank in fluid communication with the suction source, a supply tank for storing a cleaning fluid, and at least one pump for directing the cleaning fluid from the supply tank. A base assembly includes at least one agitator, a suction inlet in fluid communication with the suction source, and a fluid dispenser in fluid communication with the supply tank. A debris trap is disposed between the at least one agitator and the suction inlet for catching debris material from the at least one agitator.

Inventors

• Ryan J. Alt
• Phong H. Tran
• Bing Wen Zheng

Assignees

• BISSELL INC.

Dates

Publication Date

20260507

Application Date

20251103

Claims (20)

1. 1 . A cleaning apparatus, comprising: a suction source; a recovery tank in fluid communication with the suction source; a supply tank for storing a cleaning fluid; at least one pump for directing the cleaning fluid from the supply tank; and a base assembly including: at least one agitator; a suction inlet in fluid communication with the suction source; a fluid dispenser in fluid communication with the supply tank; and a debris trap disposed between the at least one agitator and the suction inlet for catching debris material from the at least one agitator.
2. 2 . The cleaning apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the debris trap is disposed forward of the at least one agitator and rearward of the suction inlet.
3. 3 . The cleaning apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the debris trap includes a sloped lower surface that slopes toward the at least one agitator.
4. 4 . The cleaning apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the debris trap defines at least one opening for liquid of the debris material to drain from the debris trap.
5. 5 . The cleaning apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the at least one opening is defined at a lower end of the sloped lower surface for directing the liquid through the at least one opening to a surface to be cleaned.
6. 6 . The cleaning apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the debris trap includes at least one retaining feature to retain a solid material from the debris material on the debris trap, and wherein the at least one retaining feature extends from a lower end of the sloped lower surface proximate to the at least one agitator.
7. 7 . The cleaning apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the at least one opening includes a plurality of openings, and wherein the at least one retaining feature includes a plurality of retaining features, and further wherein the plurality of openings and the plurality of retaining features are arranged in an alternating pattern along a length of the debris trap.
8. 8 . The cleaning apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the debris trap is disposed over the fluid dispenser.
9. 9 . The cleaning apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the debris trap is spaced from the at least one agitator such that the debris trap is free of physical engagement with the at least one agitator.
10. 10 . The cleaning apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising: a splitter in fluid communication with the supply tank, wherein the splitter is configured to selectively direct the cleaning fluid along a first flow path and a second flow path; and a heater disposed along the first flow path, wherein the fluid dispenser includes: first and second fluid inlets in fluid communication with the supply tank; a first reservoir in fluid communication with the first fluid inlet, a first liquid outlet, and a steam outlet, wherein the cleaning fluid is configured to be directed along the first flow path and form heated cleaning fluid that is directed through the first reservoir to be dispensed via the first liquid outlet and the steam outlet; and a second reservoir in fluid communication with the second fluid inlet and a second liquid outlet, wherein the cleaning fluid is configured to be directed along the second flow path through the second reservoir to be dispensed via the second liquid outlet.
11. 11 . A cleaning apparatus, comprising: a suction source; a supply tank for housing a cleaning fluid; a pump for directing the cleaning fluid along a flow path; and a base assembly including: at least one agitator; a suction nozzle assembly defining a suction inlet in fluid communication with the suction source; a fluid dispenser in fluid communication with the supply tank, the fluid dispenser forming a portion of the flow path for dispensing the cleaning fluid; and a debris trap disposed over the fluid dispenser for catching debris material from the at least one agitator, wherein the debris trap is spaced from the at least one agitator.
12. 12 . The cleaning apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the suction nozzle assembly includes an inner wall disposed adjacent to the at least one agitator, and wherein the debris trap is selectively coupled with the inner wall.
13. 13 . The cleaning apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the base assembly includes an inner wall that forms an agitator chamber for housing the at least one agitator, and wherein the debris trap is selectively coupled with the inner wall.
14. 14 . The cleaning apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the debris trap and the fluid dispenser are disposed between the suction nozzle assembly and the at least one agitator, and wherein the at least one agitator is a brushroll configured to rotate in a counterclockwise direction during a cleaning process which, consequently, causes release of the debris material onto the debris trap.
15. 15 . The cleaning apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the debris trap includes a sloped lower surface and at least one opening for draining liquid included in the debris material from the debris trap, and wherein the sloped lower surface of the debris trap slopes downward toward the at least one agitator.
16. 16 . The cleaning apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the debris material includes solid material and the liquid, and wherein the at least one opening includes a plurality of openings defined proximate to a lower end of the sloped lower surface of the debris trap for draining the liquid from the debris trap, and further wherein the debris trap includes at least one retaining feature proximate the lower end for retaining the solid material on the debris trap.
17. 17 . A cleaning apparatus, comprising: an agitator cover assembly including an inner wall at least partially defining an agitator chamber; an agitator at least partially disposed within the agitator chamber and disposed proximate to the inner wall; a fluid dispenser disposed proximate to the inner wall for dispensing a cleaning fluid; and a debris trap coupled with the inner wall for catching debris material from the agitator, wherein the debris trap is spaced from the agitator.
18. 18 . The cleaning apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the fluid dispenser is disposed between the inner wall and the agitator, and wherein the debris trap is disposed over the fluid dispenser.
19. 19 . The cleaning apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the debris trap includes a sloped lower surface, and wherein the debris trap includes at least one opening proximate a lower end of the sloped lower surface for allowing liquid from the debris material to drain from the debris trap, and further wherein the debris trap includes at least one retaining feature extending from the lower end of the sloped lower surface for retaining a solid material from the debris material on the debris trap, the at least one retaining feature extending at an obtuse angle from the lower end and toward a top of the agitator to maintain a space between the at least one retaining feature and the agitator.
20. 20 . The cleaning apparatus of claim 17 , further comprising: a base assembly, wherein the agitator cover assembly is removable from the base assembly, wherein the debris trap is removable from the base assembly with the agitator cover assembly.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/715,919, filed on Nov. 4, 2024, entitled, “CLEANING APPARATUS WITH INTERIOR DEBRIS TRAP AND FLUID DISPENSER WITH STEAM,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure is generally related to a surface cleaning apparatus with a debris trap and fluid dispenser, and more particularly to an extraction cleaning apparatus with an interior debris trap in a base assembly and a fluid dispenser for dispensing unheated cleaning fluid and heated cleaning fluid, including steam. BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE Extraction cleaners can be used for cleaning various types of surfaces including carpet, upholstery, and other fabric surfaces. Many extraction cleaners include systems for storing and delivering cleaning fluid to a surface to be cleaned. Other cleaners, such as steam mops, can be used for cleaning hard surfaces and utilize steam to wet a cleaning pad. BRIEF SUMMARY According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a cleaning apparatus includes a suction source, a recovery tank in fluid communication with the suction source, a supply tank for storing a cleaning fluid, and at least one pump for directing the cleaning fluid from the supply tank. A base assembly includes at least one agitator, a suction inlet in fluid communication with the suction source, and a fluid dispenser in fluid communication with the supply tank. A debris trap is disposed between the at least one agitator and the suction inlet for catching debris material from the at least one agitator. According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a cleaning apparatus includes a suction source, a supply tank for housing a cleaning fluid, and a pump for directing the cleaning fluid along a flow path. A base assembly includes at least one agitator, a suction nozzle assembly defining a suction inlet in fluid communication with the suction source, a fluid dispenser in fluid communication with the supply tank. The fluid dispenser forms a portion of the flow path for dispensing the cleaning fluid. A debris trap is disposed over the fluid dispenser for catching debris material from the at least one agitator. According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a cleaning apparatus includes an agitator cover assembly including an inner wall at least partially defining an agitator chamber. An agitator is disposed at least partially disposed within the agitator chamber and disposed proximate to the inner wall. A fluid dispenser is disposed proximate to the inner wall for dispensing a cleaning fluid. A debris trap is coupled with the inner wall for catching debris material from the agitator. The debris trap is spaced from the agitator. According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a cleaning apparatus includes a supply tank for storing a cleaning fluid. A splitter is in fluid communication with the supply tank, and the splitter is configured to selectively direct the cleaning fluid along a first flow path and a second flow path. A heater is in fluid communication with the supply tank and disposed along the first flow path. A drip bar assembly is in fluid communication with the supply tank and forms a portion of each of the first and second flow paths. The drip bar assembly includes a body and a cover. The body includes a first fluid inlet in fluid communication with the supply tank, a first reservoir in fluid communication with the first fluid inlet, at least one first liquid outlet, and at least one steam outlet. The cleaning fluid is configured to be directed along the first flow path to be heated by the heater and form heated cleaning fluid that is directed through the first reservoir to be dispensed via the at least one first liquid outlet and the at least one steam outlet. The body also includes a second fluid inlet is in fluid communication with the supply tank and a second reservoir is in fluid communication with the second fluid inlet and at least one second liquid outlet. The cleaning fluid is configured to be directed along the second flow path through the second reservoir to be dispensed via the at least one second liquid outlet. These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present disclosure will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings: FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a cleaning apparatus having a recovery system and a fluid delivery system with a dispenser for dispensing heated and unheated cleaning fluid, according to an aspect of the present disclosure; FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of an upright cleaning apparatus, according to an aspect of the present disclosure; FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of a base assembly for a cleaning apparatus, according to an aspect of the pr