Cleaning apparatus and method

Abstract

A portable cleaning device that is configured to receive an unclean fluid and discharge a substantially clean fluid includes a canister configured to receive the unclean fluid and a housing coupled to the canister. An inlet portion is formed as part of the housing and includes an inlet flow path having an inlet, an outlet, and a tapered portion between the inlet and the outlet. An outlet portion is formed as part of the housing and includes an outlet flow path having an inlet defining an inlet area and an outlet defining an outlet area that is smaller than the inlet area.

1 . A portable cleaning device for cleaning an enclosure retaining water, the device comprising: 
 a single-piece housing defining an inlet passage, an outlet passage, and a threaded portion that are each fixed with respect to one another, the inlet passage receiving water from the enclosure;    a receptacle removably connected to the threaded portion of the housing, the receptacle being in fluid communication with both the inlet passage and the outlet passage;    an inlet aperture at an end of the inlet passage near the receptacle; and    an outlet aperture at an end of the outlet passage near the receptacle.    
   
   
       2 . The cleaning device of  claim 1 , further comprising a tube connected to the housing near the inlet passage and extending beyond the receptacle, the tube being in fluid communication with the inlet passage.  
   
   
       3 . The cleaning device of  claim 2 , wherein the inlet passage includes an inner wall, a substantially straight portion near the tube, and a curved portion near the inlet aperture, the inner wall having a generally cylindrical shape and a diameter extending along the straight portion, the inner wall having a slanted portion slanting radially inwardly to decrease the diameter as the straight portion progresses toward the curved portion and inlet aperture, the tube extending into the straight portion of the inlet passage and providing an interference fit with the slanted portion forming a seal between the tube and the housing.  
   
   
       4 . The cleaning device of  claim 2 , wherein the tube includes a collar that engages the housing near the inlet passage, the collar having a flange that extends into the inlet passage and deflects radially inwardly between the inlet passage and the tube as the collar is coupled to the housing.  
   
   
       5 . The cleaning device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a handle having a first gripping portion positioned near the top of the housing, and a second gripping potion projecting outwardly from the housing forward of the first gripping portion.  
   
   
       6 . The cleaning device of  claim 5 , wherein the first gripping portion is substantially D-shaped, and the second gripping portion is substantially T-shaped.  
   
   
       7 . The cleaning device of  claim 5 , wherein the first gripping portion and the second gripping portion are integrally-formed as part of the housing.  
   
   
       8 . The cleaning device of  claim 1 , wherein the inlet passage includes an inlet cross-sectional area, and the outlet passage includes an outlet cross-sectional area, the inlet cross-sectional area being greater than the outlet cross-sectional area.  
   
   
       9 . A portable cleaning device adapted to pump a fluid, the cleaning device comprising: 
 a canister configured to contain the fluid, the canister including an aperture and a first threaded portion surrounding the aperture; and    a housing defining a first flow path, a second flow path, and a second threaded portion that are all fixed with respect to one another, the threaded portion being selectively engageable with the first threaded portion.    
   
   
       10 . The cleaning device of  claim 9 , wherein the housing includes a handle having a first gripping portion positioned near the top of the housing, and a second gripping potion projecting outwardly from the housing forward of the first gripping portion.  
   
   
       11 . The cleaning device of  claim 10 , wherein the first gripping portion is substantially D-shaped, and the second gripping portion is substantially T-shaped.  
   
   
       12 . The cleaning device of  claim 10 , wherein the first gripping portion and the second gripping portion are integrally-formed as part of the housing.  
   
   
       13 . The cleaning device of  claim 1 , wherein the first flow path includes an inlet cross-sectional area, and the second flow path includes an outlet cross-sectional area, the inlet cross-sectional area being greater than the outlet cross-sectional area.  
   
   
       14 . The cleaning device of  claim 9 , wherein the second flow path defines an inlet flow area and an outlet flow area, and wherein the inlet flow area is larger than the outlet flow area.  
   
   
       15 . The cleaning device of  claim 9 , further comprising a filter coupled to the housing such that a portion of the filter is disposed within the second flow path and the remainder of the filter is disposed within the canister.  
   
   
       16 . A portable cleaning device configured to receive an unclean fluid and discharge a substantially clean fluid, the cleaning device comprising: 
 a canister configured to receive the unclean fluid;    a housing coupled to the canister;    an inlet portion formed as part of the housing and including an inlet flow path having an inlet, an outlet, and a tapered portion between the inlet and the outlet; and    an outlet portion formed as part of the housing and including an outlet flow path having an inlet defining an inlet area and an outlet defining an outlet area that is smaller than the inlet area.    
   
   
       17 . The cleaning device of  claim 16 , further comprising a filter coupled to the outlet portion such that a portion of the filter is disposed within the outlet flow path and the remainder of the filter is disposed within the canister.  
   
   
       18 . The cleaning device of  claim 16 , further comprising a sealing mechanism disposed between the canister and the housing to provide a substantially air tight seal therebetween.  
   
   
       19 . The cleaning device of  claim 16 , wherein the housing includes a first threaded portion and the canister includes a second threaded portion configured to engage the first threaded portion.  
   
   
       20 . The cleaning device of  claim 19 , wherein the first threaded portion is formed as part of the housing and the first threaded portion, the inlet portion, and the outlet portion are all fixed with respect to one another.