Handheld Extraction Cleaner

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/919,949, filed Oct. 18, 2024, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/555,830, filed Dec. 20, 2021, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/108,026, filed Dec. 1, 2020, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/943,442, filed Dec. 4, 2019, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Extraction cleaners can be embodied as upright units or portable, hand-carriable units. Handheld extraction cleaners can include a cleaning solution supply tank and a recovery tank. These extraction cleaners typically have a vacuum motor that powers an impeller to create low pressure on one side of the impeller and higher pressure on the other side thereof. The recovery tank is typically positioned between the low pressure side of the impeller and a fluid collection nozzle to remove fluid from a surface and deposit it in the recovery tank. It is also known to provide a separate cleaning fluid pump for directing cleaning fluid from the supply tank to the surface.

The invention relates to a handheld extraction cleaner having a fluid delivery system for storing cleaning fluid and delivering the cleaning fluid to the surface to be cleaned and a recovery system for removing the spent cleaning fluid and debris from the surface to be cleaned and storing the spent cleaning fluid and debris.

According to one aspect of the invention, the handheld extraction cleaner includes a powered brushroll. The brushroll is operably coupled with a brush drive motor by a drive assembly.

In one embodiment, the brushroll is removable from a brush chamber of the extraction cleaner. A bottom cover or sole plate secures the brushroll within the brush chamber. Removable of the sole plate allows for removal of the brushroll.

In certain embodiments, the brushroll has a handle on a non-driven end of the brushroll to facilitate removal of the brushroll from the brush chamber. Optionally, the brushroll is exchangeable with a different agitator.

In certain embodiments, the powered brushroll is at a forward end of the body and the vacuum motor is at a rearward end of the body. Optionally, the extraction cleaner comprises a battery below the carry handle.

In one embodiment, the extraction cleaner has a cleaning head and a neck connecting the cleaning head to a rearward body. A suction nozzle and the brushroll can be provided in the cleaning head. The vacuum motor, recovery tank, and battery can be provided in the rearward body. Optionally, the neck projects forwardly to support the cleaning head away from a surface on which the extraction cleaner is resting, spacing the suction nozzle and brushroll out of contact with the surface.

These and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description of particular embodiments, when viewed in accordance with the accompanying drawings and appended claims.

Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details of operation or to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention may be implemented in various other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in alternative ways not expressly disclosed herein. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including” and “comprising” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items and equivalents thereof. Further, enumeration may be used in the description of various embodiments. Unless otherwise expressly stated, the use of enumeration should not be construed as limiting the invention to any specific order or number of components. Nor should the use of enumeration be construed as excluding from the scope of the invention any additional steps or components that might be combined with or into the enumerated steps or components. Any reference to claim elements as “at least one of X, Y and Z” is meant to include any one of X, Y or Z individually, and any combination of X, Y and Z, for example, X, Y, Z; X, Y; X, Z; and Y, Z.

The invention relates generally to extraction cleaners, and more particularly to a portable, handheld extraction cleaner which applies cleaning fluid to a surface and then extracts the applied fluid therefrom.

is a perspective view of a handheld extraction cleaneraccording to one embodiment of the invention. As illustrated herein, the extraction cleaneris adapted to be handheld and portable, and can be easily carried or conveyed by hand. The hand-carriable extraction cleanercan have a unitary bodyprovided with a carry handleattached to the unitary body, and is small enough to be transported by one user (i.e. one person) to the area to be cleaned.

For purposes of description related to the figures, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “inner,” “outer,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented infrom the perspective of a user behind the extraction cleaner, which defines a rear end of the extraction cleaner, and carrying the extraction cleanerby the handle, which defines an upper end of the extraction cleaner. When used in referring to a direction, the term “longitudinal” refers to a direction generally extending along the length of the extraction cleaner, between a forward endand a rearward endof the housing, and the terms “transverse” or “lateral” refer to a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. The use of directional terms should not be interpreted to limit the invention to any specific orientation.

The handheld extraction cleanercomprises a unitary bodyor housing that carries the various functional systems of the extraction cleaner, including a fluid delivery system for storing cleaning fluid and delivering the cleaning fluid to the surface to be cleaned and a recovery system removing the spent cleaning fluid and debris from the surface to be cleaned and storing the spent cleaning fluid and debris. The term “debris” as used herein may include dirt, dust, soil, hair, and other debris, unless otherwise noted. The term “cleaning fluid” as used herein primarily encompasses liquids, and may include steam unless otherwise noted.

Referring additionally to, the recovery system can include a working air path through the body, and may include a dirty air inlet and a clean air outlet. The working air path can be formed by, among other elements, a suction nozzledefining the dirty air inlet, a suction sourcein fluid communication with the suction nozzlefor generating a working air stream, a recovery tankfor separating and collecting fluid and debris from the working airstream for later disposal, and exhaust ventsin the housing defining the clean air outlet. The recovery system can further include a separatorfor separating liquid and entrained debris from the working airstream. The separatorcan be formed in a portion of the recovery tank, or, as illustrated herein, can be separate from the recovery tank. The separated fluid and debris can be collected in the recovery tank. One suitable separatoris disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,968,593 to Lenkiewicz et al., issued Nov. 29, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Other examples of suitable separators are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,225,503 to Lenkiewicz et al., issued Jun. 5, 2007 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,189,178 to Roberts, issued Feb. 20, 2001, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

The fluid delivery system can include a supply reservoir or supply tankfor storing a supply of fluid. The fluid can comprise one or more of any suitable cleaning fluids, including, but not limited to, water, compositions, concentrated detergent, diluted detergent, etc., or mixtures thereof. For example, the fluid can comprise a mixture of water and concentrated detergent. The fluid delivery system can further comprise a flow control systemfor controlling the flow of fluid from the supply tankto at least one fluid distributor. In one embodiment, described in further detail below, the flow control systemof the fluid delivery system can comprise a pump(see), which pressurizes the system. Optionally, a heater (not shown) can be provided for heating the cleaning fluid prior to delivering the cleaning fluid to the surface to be cleaned. In yet another example, cleaning fluid can be heated using exhaust air from a motor-cooling pathway for the suction source.

The suction source, which may be a motor/fan assembly, is provided in fluid communication with the recovery tank. As shown, the motor/fan assemblyincludes a vacuum motorand a fan. A chamberfor the motor/fan assemblycan be defined by molded features in the housing.

An agitator can be provided adjacent to the suction nozzlefor agitating the surface to be cleaned so that the debris is more easily ingested into the suction nozzle. As shown, the agitator comprises a powered brushroll. The brushrollcan be provided at a forward portion of the housingand received in a brush chamber. The brushrollis configured for rotational movement about a substantially horizontal rotational axis, relative to the normal use position of the extraction cleaner. While a horizontally-rotating brushrollis shown herein, in some embodiments, dual horizontally-rotating brushrolls, one or more vertically-rotating brushrolls, or a stationary brush can be provided on the extraction cleaner.

The brushrollcan be operably coupled to and driven by a drive assembly including a brush drive motor. A chamberfor the drive motorcan be defined by molded features in the housing. The coupling between the brushrolland the drive motorcan comprise one or more belts, gears, shafts, pulleys or combinations thereof. Alternatively, the vacuum motorcan provide both vacuum suction and brushroll rotation.

The extraction cleanercan include at least one user interfacethrough which a user can interact with the extraction cleaner. The user interfacecan enable operation and control of the extraction cleanerby the user. The user interfacecan be electrically coupled with electrical components, including, but not limited to, circuitry electrically connected to various components of the fluid delivery and collection systems of the extraction cleaner. The user interfacecan include one or more input controls,,, which can comprise a button, trigger, toggle, key, switch, touch screen, or the like, or any combination thereof. In the embodiment shown herein, one input controlis a power input control which controls the supply of power to the vacuum motor, another input controlis a power input control which controls the supply of power to the pump, and another input controlis a power input control which controls the supply of power to the drive motor. Thus, suction, fluid delivery, and brush rotation can be implemented individually, or in any combination, by operation of the input controls,,. In the embodiment shown, the input controls,,can comprise on/off buttons in register with a printed circuit board (PCB). The buttons can be provided on a forward end of the carry handleand the PCBcan be located within the carry handle. The input controls,,can conveniently be provided on an upper side of the handle, at a forward end thereof, for operation of the controls by a thumb of the user's hand that is gripping the carry handle.

Electrical power can be provided by a source of mains electricity or by a battery or battery pack. In the present embodiment, the extraction cleanercomprises a rechargeable battery pack. An appropriate charger can be provided with the extraction cleaner. A charging portcan be provided on the housingand can be electrically coupled with the battery pack. In the illustrated embodiment, the charging portis provided on a rear end of the carry handle. A storage and recharging cradle (not shown) can mount the extraction cleanerwhen not in use, and can include a recharging connector that couples with the charging portand an electrical cord electrically connected between the recharging connector and an AC/DC transformer that can be plugged into an electrical outlet for supplying DC recharging current to the battery pack. In an alternative embodiment, the extraction cleanercan have charging contacts on the housing, and a docking station (not shown) can be provided for docking the extraction cleanerfor recharging the battery pack.

is a side view of the handheld extraction cleanerfrom, shown in one example of an operative or normal use position relative to a surface S to be cleaned. In the operative or normal use position, the extraction cleaneris held with the suction nozzlegenerally adjacent the surface to be cleaned. The suction nozzleis provided at a forward endof the housingwhile the suction source, shown in phantom line in, is provided at a rearward endof the housing. The supply tankcan be provided forwardly of the suction source, and above the suction nozzle. The recovery tankcan be provided on the housingbelow the supply tankand suction source, and can be longitudinally disposed between the supply tankand the suction source. The carry handleis disposed above the recovery tank, and extends behind the supply tankin the longitudinal direction. The carry handle includes a hand grip portion and a finger receiving area, which can be a closed volume, e.g. a closed loop handgrip. The brushrolland brush drive motor, shown in phantom line in, are provided at the forward endof the housing. The pumpand battery pack, shown in phantom line in, are provided above the recovery tankand below the carry handle. This arrangement of component parts of the extraction cleaneroffers a balanced weight in hand for the user, and a comfortable carrying and operational position.

The housingcan include a cleaning headand a neckconnecting the cleaning headto a rearward bodyincluding the carry handle. The suction nozzleand brushrollcan be provided in the cleaning head. The suction source, recovery tank, and battery packcan be provided in the rearward body. As can be seen in, the carry handleis oriented so that cleaning headis flat against the surface S when carry handleis generally parallel to the surface S. The recovery tank, and particularly the bottom endof the recovery tank, can be angled away from the surface S in this position for maneuverability.

The handheld extraction cleanercan be rested in a stable manner on a surface, without leakage from either tank,.is a side view of the handheld extraction cleanershowing the handheld extraction cleanerin a self-standing or at rest position on a surface S. As shown, the extraction cleanercan rest on the surface S in a horizontal position, with the handheld extraction cleanersupported on a substantially flat bottom endof the recovery tank. The flat bottom endof the recovery tankcan lie on the surface S, while the neckof the housingprojects forwardly to support the cleaning headaway from the surface S. This can be helpful, because a user can set the extraction cleanerdown in a stable position, upon a shelf or a countertop, for example, without having the suction nozzleor brushrollin contact with the surface S, and any residual fluid or dirt on the brushrollwill not transfer to the surface S. Heavy components (relative to the weight of other components of the cleaner) such as the suction sourceand battery packare disposed in the rearward body, which increases stability in the horizontal position.

Returning to, the suction nozzlecan include a front walland a rear walldefining a narrow suction pathwaytherebetween, with an opening forming a suction nozzle inletat a lower end thereof. The suction pathwayis in fluid communication with the separatorleading to the recovery tank.

The front wallcan optionally be formed by a nozzle coverthat is removable from the housingfor cleaning clogs and the like in the suction pathway. The rear wallcan optionally define a portion of the brush chamber, and can be disposed forwardly of the brushroll. Alternatively, the front and rear walls,can be fixedly attached together in a non-separable configuration. For example, the front and rear walls,can be welded together.

The fluid distributorcan include at least one distributor outletfor delivering fluid to the surface to be cleaned. The outletcan be positioned to deliver fluid directly to the surface to be cleaned, outwardly in front of the suction nozzleso that user can clearly see where fluid is being applied. Alternately, the outletcan deliver fluid onto the brushrollwithin the brush chamber, rearwardly of the suction nozzle. Alternatively, the outletcan deliver fluid behind the suction nozzleand brush chamber. The outletcan comprise any structure, such as a nozzle or spray tip. Multiple outlets can also be provided in other embodiments of the extraction cleaner. As illustrated in, the distributorcan comprise one spray tip provided on the front of the suction nozzlewhich distributes cleaning fluid to the surface to be cleaned in front of the suction nozzlefrom the distributor outlet.

is a partially-exploded view of the handheld extraction cleanerfrom, illustrating the removal of the recovery tank, supply tank, and nozzle coverfrom the housing. The recovery tankcan be removably mounted in a recovery tank receiverformed on a lower side of the housing. The supply tankcan be removably mounted in a supply tank receiverformed on an upper side of the housing. The supply tank receiverhas a tank receiver inletwhich couples with the supply tankto place the supply tankin fluid communication with the pump(). Latches or other suitable structures can be provided on the housingto secure the tanks,within their respective receivers,. Other mounting arrangements for the tanks,are possible, including mounting arrangements where one or both of the tanks,are fixedly attached to the housingin a non-separable configuration.

An openingfrom the suction pathwayto the separatorcan be formed in the rear wallof the suction nozzledefining the suction pathway. The nozzle covercan be removably mounted over a forward endof the housingto enclose the openingto the separator. Optionally, in addition to the front and rear walls,the suction pathwaycan further by at least one peripheral wallextending between the front and rear walls,and around one or more of the sides and top of the suction pathway. As shown herein, the peripheral wallcan comprise a rib extending from the rear walland mating with the nozzle coverwhen the nozzle coveris mounted on the forward endof the housing.

At least a portion of the fluid distributorcan extend through an openingin the nozzle coverto position the distributor outleton the exterior of the nozzle cover. The openingreceives and holds the fluid distributorwhen the coveris mounted on the housing. When the user removes the nozzle coverfrom the housing, the fluid distributorremains on the housing.

The extraction cleanercan include a retainerto removably secure the nozzle coveron the housing. In the illustrated embodiment, the retainerincludes a flexible latchon the nozzle coverand a latch receiveron the housing. To mount the nozzle coverto the housing, the nozzle covercan be hooked onto the forward endof the housingat a lower end thereof via a hook (not shown) and pivoted until the latchsnap-fits into the latch receiver. The supply tankcan rest on top of the nozzle coverwhen mounted in the supply tank receiver, further securing the nozzle coverin place. To remove the nozzle cover, a user can lift up on a lipof the latchto free the latchfrom the latch receiverand pull the coveroff the housing. With the embodiment of the extraction cleanershown herein, the supply tankmust be removed prior to removal of the nozzle cover. In other embodiments, the nozzle covermay be removable without first removing the supply tank.

is a schematic view of the fluid delivery system of the handheld extraction cleaner. As discussed above, the fluid delivery system illustrated herein includes the supply tank, the pump, the fluid distributor, and optionally additional conduits, ducts, tubing, hoses, connectors, etc. fluidly coupling the components of the fluid delivery system together and providing a supply path from the tankto the fluid distributor. For example, a first conduitcan connect an outletof the receiverwith an inletof the pumpand a second conduitcan connect an outletof the pumpwith an inletof the fluid distributor, which is in fluid communication with the outlet. The conduits,are indicated in phantom line in, but it is understood that any of the conduits can comprise flexible tubing or molded rigid conduits.

The pump power input controlcan be provided to power the pumpand dispense fluid to the distributor. In one example, the pumpcan be a centrifugal pump. In another example, the pumpcan be a diaphragm or membrane pump. In still another example, the pumpcan be a manually actuated spray pump. In yet another configuration of the fluid delivery system, the pumpcan be eliminated and the flow control systemcan comprise a gravity-feed system having a valve fluidly coupled with an outlet of the supply tank, whereby when valve is open, fluid will flow under the force of gravity to the distributor. However, the use of a pump offers the advantage of orienting the supply tankand fluid distributorrelative to other components on the bodyto provide a more balanced weight in hand as well as providing more consistent fluid flow rate compared to a gravity fed system.

is a close-up sectional view showing the supply tank. The supply tankcomprises a hollow tank bodydefining a supply chamberfor holding a supply of cleaning liquid, with a tank outlet. The tank outletcan comprise a quick connect fittingconfigured to mate with the tank receiver inlet, whereby the tank outletcan be quickly connected and unconnected to the receiver inletusing a single hand. The quick connect fittingcan have a check valvethat is closed with the quick connect fittingis disconnected from the receiver inlet. Via the check valve, the cleaning fluid is contained within the supply tankautomatically when the supply tankis disconnected from the housing, preventing leaks.

shows an exemplary liquid level, indicated by phantom line L, in the tankin the operative or normal use position of the extraction cleaner(see).shows the liquid level L when the extraction cleaneris tipped forward. In the tipped position, the liquid moves into a spacedisposed generally opposite from the tank outlet. To prevent the liquid from getting trapped, the supply tankincludes a drain pipeso that the pumpcan suck liquid from the supply tankeven when the extraction cleaneris tipped forward. Below a certain level of liquid and at certain degrees of tip, liquid in the tankwould not be able to reach the tank outletwithout the drain pipe.

The quick connect fittingis on one side of the tank bodyand thus, without the drain pipe, a significant portion of liquid gets trapped in the spacedisposed generally opposite from the quick connect fittingwhen the tankis tipped as shown in. In the embodiment shown herein, where the quick connect fittingis on the back or rear corner of the tank body, the spacegenerally covers a front corner of the tank bodyopposite the quick connect fitting. As shown herein, the tank bodyincludes at least a front wall, rear wall, bottom walland side walls, and the spacecan be the space or volume of the supply chamberdefined by a lower portion of the front wall, forward portion of the bottom walland lower forward portions of the side walls. The quick connect fittingcan project outwardly from the rear wall.

The drain pipeis disposed at the bottom of the supply chamber, and comprises a pipe inletin fluid communication with the supply tankand a pipe outletin fluid communication with, or optionally forming, the tank outlet. In the embodiment shown herein, liquid is supplied through the pipe outletto the check valve. The drain pipecan be defined by a horizontal baffleseparating the supply chamberfrom a drain pathway. Optionally, the drain pipecan be a molded feature integrally formed with the tank bodyas shown, or a separated pipe inserted into the tank body.

Referring to, the supply tankhas a fill openingthrough which cleaning liquid can be poured into the supply chamberand a fill capselectively closing the fill opening. The fill capis pivotally coupled to the tank bodyand can be opened to expose the fill opening. The pivotable coupling ensures the fill capwill not completely separate from the tank bodyduring filling. The fill openingcan be provided at a side of the tank bodythat is accessible to a user when the supply tankis mounted on the housing, i.e. on a portion of the supply tankthat is exterior rather than interior to the extraction cleanerwhen the supply tankis mounted on the housing.

The fill capcan include a coverand a plugon a lower side of the coverwhich fits into the fill openingwhen the fill capis closed. The plugis aligned with the fill openingand sized to seal the fill openingwhen the fill capis closed for a fluid-tight closure, such that the supply tankdoes not leak when the fill capis closed. The plugcan be at least partially received in the fill openingto stop up the fill openingand can comprise a seal made of an elastomeric or other resilient material. Other sealing arrangements are possible, including seals which are not received within the fill openingitself, but which provide a fluid-tight and leak proof engagement between the fill openingand the fill cap.

A first check valveis provided on the fill capto allow ambient air into the supply tankto displace dispensed liquid. The check valvecan be, for example, an umbrella valve, having a resilient circular sealing flapfor selectively sealing at least one vent hole, which can be formed in the plugof the fill cap. The sealing flapcan lie adjacent to an inner surface of the plugwhen closed. As liquid is pumped out of the supply tank, negative pressure inside the supply tankpulls the sealing flapopen, drawing ambient air into the supply chambervia the vent hole(s)to equalize pressure. Once pressure equalizes, the check valvecloses.

A second check valveis provided on the tank bodyfor relieving positive pressure or off-gassing caused by some cleaning liquids. With some formulations of cleaning liquids, excess gas is generated inside the supply tankdue to reactions between various additives or off-gassing from peroxide formulations, for example. The check valvecan be, for example, an umbrella valve, having a resilient circular sealing flapfor selectively sealing at least one vent hole, which can be formed in a top wallof the tank body, which is covered by the fill capwhen the fill capis closed. The sealing flapcan lie adjacent to the top wallwhen closed. As excess gas forms in the supply tank, positive pressure inside the supply tankpushes the sealing flapopen, thereby venting the excess gas through the vent hole(s)and under the fill capinto the surrounding atmosphere. Once pressure equalizes, the check valvecloses.

is a perspective view showing the fill capin an open or fill position. The fill capcan be opened by lifting a lipof the fill capthat can be spaced from the top wall. When the fill capis open, liquid from a liquid source, such as a faucet, hose, vessel, etc. can pour into the supply chamber. Because the supply tankcan be refilled whether it is removed from or still connected with the housing, the supply tankis readily refilled. In the illustrated embodiment, the supply tankis removable from the housing, and can be refilled when the supply tankis removed from the housingor when the supply tankis still mounted on the housing. In another embodiment, the supply tankmay not be removable from the housingby the user, and is refilled by carrying the entire extraction cleanerto a faucet or the like.

is a sectional view showing the recovery system of the handheld extraction cleaner. As discussed above, the recovery system illustrated herein includes the suction nozzle, the separator, the recovery tank, the suction source, the exhaust vents(), and optionally additional conduits, ducts, tubing, hoses, connectors, etc. fluidly coupling the components of the recovery system together and providing a recovery path from the nozzle inletto the exhaust vents. For example, working air separated from liquid and debris by the separatorcan travel through a diffuser conduitbefore reaching an inletof the suction source. The diffuser conduithas a gradually-increasing cross-sectional area to decrease the speed of the working air and increase its pressure. The diffuser conduitcan pass underneath the carry handle. Optionally, a tortuous conduitcan connect an air outletof the separatorwith an inletof the diffuser conduitto improve air/liquid separation and reduce noise.

Referring to, the recovery tankcomprises a hollow tank bodydefining a collection chamberfor holding a recovered liquid and debris, with an inlet openingthat is in fluid communication with the separator(). A removable tank capcan be provided in an outlet openingformed in the tank bodyfor emptying any liquid or debris in the recovery tankthat may be collected in the collection chamber.

The recovery tankcan include a flapper doorthat seals the inlet openingwhen the recovery tankis removed from the housing. The flapper doornormally closes the inlet opening, as shown in, and can pivot between the closed position shown inand an open position shown in. A torsion springor other suitable biasing means can bias the flapper doortoward the closed position. When removed from the housing, the spring-loaded flapper doorautomatically seals the inlet opening. Optionally, a sealcan be provided on the flapper doorfor sealing the interface between the flapper doorand the recovery tank inlet openingwhen the flapper dooris closed.

Referring to, the separatorincludes a debris outletfor transferring debris and liquid separated from the working airstream into the recovery tank. A flapper actuatorcan be provided adjacent the debris outletin order to automatically open the flapper doorwhen the recovery tankis mounted on the housing. In one embodiment of the invention, the actuatorcan comprise at least one ribwhich pushes the flapper dooropen, or away from the tank inlet opening, for example to the open position shown in. The ribcan extend longitudinally across the debris outletand project downwardly. The flapper doorcan include at least one projectionwhich is engaged by the actuator. In the embodiment shown, the flapper doorincludes a pair of projectionsand the actuatorincludes a pair of ribs, although only one is shown in. Other configurations for the flapperand flapper actuatorare possible.

The projectionsand ribscan have complementary rounded profiles, which help to prevent scratching. The projectionsalso allow the ribsto be shorter and less likely to be damaged while the recovery tankis disassembled from the housing.

When the recovery tankis mounted on the housing, the ribspush open the flapper door. Debris and liquid separated from the working airstream by the separatorcan enter the recovery tankvia the aligned separator debris outletand recovery tank inlet opening. Optionally, a sealcan be provided around the separator debris outletfor preventing debris, liquid and air leaks between the separator debris outletand the recovery tank inlet opening. The working airflow from the separatorpasses through the air outletto the tortuous conduitand diffuser conduitconnecting the separatorwith the suction source.

In some embodiments, the recovery tankhas an anti-spill shape which directs dirty liquid away from the inlet openingwhen the extraction cleaneris at rest, such as in the self-standing horizontal position shown in, reducing the change for spillage.shows an exemplary dirty liquid level, indicated by phantom line D, in the tankin the operative or normal use position of the extraction cleaner.shows the liquid level D when the extraction cleaneris at rest in the self-standing horizontal position. In the rest position, the liquid moves away from the tank inlet opening.

The recovery tankshown is approximately V-shaped in side elevation, and includes a first portion or legand a second portion or legthat extends non-parallel to the first leg. The inlet openingcan be provided at an upper end of the first legand the outlet openingcan be provided at an upper end of the second leg(see). In operation, dirty liquid is received through the inlet openingat the first legof the recovery tankand flows to the lowest point in the collection chamberas shown in, generally indicated at. When the extraction cleaneris rested in the horizontal position, as shown in, the lowest pointin the collection chambershifts due to the changing angle of the recovery tankand the liquid flows toward the second leg, away from the inlet openingin the first leg. While a V-shaped tank is shown, other anti-spill shapes for the recovery tankare possible, such as an L-shaped recovery tank.