Surface cleaning apparatus

Abstract

A surface cleaning apparatus that includes a cleaning head having a body that defines a footprint to sit adjacent a surface to be cleaned. The apparatus further includes a fluid storage container and the cleaning head includes a nozzle configured for directing fluid from the storage container to a surface outside of the footprint of the body.

1 . A surface cleaning apparatus including:
 a cleaning head having a body that defines a footprint to sit adjacent a surface to be cleaned; and   a fluid storage container;   wherein the cleaning head includes a nozzle configured for directing fluid from the storage container to a surface outside of the footprint of the body.   
     
     
         2 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the apparatus includes at least two of said nozzles, each of the at least two nozzles configured for directing fluid from the storage container to a surface outside of the footprint of the body. 
     
     
         3 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the nozzle is connected to the body. 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein the nozzle is connected to a forwardly facing part of the body. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the nozzle is moveable relative to the body. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the nozzle is rotationally moveable relative to the body. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the nozzle is angularly moveable relative to the body. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the nozzle is laterally moveable relative to the body. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the nozzle includes a portion which is telescopically moveable so as to effect a displacement between an outlet of the nozzle and the body. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the nozzle is moveable towards and away from the surface to be cleaned. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the nozzle is resiliently moveable. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the nozzle is detachably connected to the body. 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus according to  claim 12  wherein the detachable connection is provided by one of suitable screw or bayonet connection formations provided on the body and nozzle. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus according to  claim 12  wherein the apparatus includes a plurality of said nozzles, each of which is connectable to the body as selected by a user. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the apparatus includes a valve for controlling the flow of fluid from the storage container to the nozzle. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus according to  claim 15  wherein the valve is actuated by a user operable switch. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus according to  claim 16  wherein the switch is configured for controlling the amount of fluid which passes to the nozzle. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the fluid storage container is a water storage container and wherein the apparatus further includes:
 a steam generator including a heating element; 
 a pump for feeding water from the water storage container to the steam generator; and 
 a fluid passage for directing steam from the steam generator to a cleaning head of the apparatus, 
 wherein the apparatus includes a further fluid passage for directing steam from the steam generator to the nozzle. 
 
     
     
         19 . An apparatus according to  claim 18  wherein the apparatus includes a valve for controlling the flow of fluid from the storage container to the nozzle, wherein the valve is actuated by a user operable switch, and wherein the switch is configured for controlling the amount of steam which passes from the steam generator to the nozzle. 
     
     
         20 . An apparatus according to  claim 17  wherein the fluid storage container is configured for holding a fluid containing a detergent. 
     
     
         21 . An apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein the apparatus includes a valve for controlling the flow of fluid from the storage container to the nozzle, wherein the valve is actuated by a user operable switch, and wherein the switch is configured for controlling the amount of detergent which passes from the detergent storage container to the nozzle. 
     
     
         22 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the fluid storage container is a water storage container and wherein the apparatus includes:
 a steam generator in fluid communication with the water storage container, the steam generator including a heating element; 
 a pump for feeding water from the water storage container to the steam generator; 
 a steam passage for directing steam from the steam generator to a cleaning head of the apparatus; 
 a further steam passage for directing steam from the steam generator to the nozzle; 
 a detergent storage container; and 
 a detergent passage for directing detergent from the detergent storage container to the nozzle. 
 
     
     
         23 . An apparatus according to  claim 22  wherein the detergent passage and the further steam passage are connected to a common passage which connects to the nozzle. 
     
     
         24 . An apparatus according to  claim 22  wherein the nozzle includes respective outlets from the further steam passage and from the detergent passage. 
     
     
         25 . An apparatus according to  claim 22  wherein the apparatus includes a device for controlling the amount of steam and/or detergent which is directed to the nozzle. 
     
     
         26 . An apparatus according to  claim 25  wherein the device includes a valve. 
     
     
         27 . An apparatus according to  claim 26  wherein the valve is controlled by a user operable switch. 
     
     
         28 . An apparatus according to  claim 27  wherein user operable switch is hand or foot operable and is positioned on the body of the cleaning head. 
     
     
         29 . An apparatus according to  claim 27  wherein the apparatus includes a wand and wherein the user operable switch is positioned thereon. 
     
     
         30 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the apparatus includes a tool for cleaning, the tool having a conduit which is connectable to the nozzle. 
     
     
         31 . An apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the apparatus includes a tool for cleaning, each tool having a conduit which is connectable to a respective part of the body to which the nozzle connects. 
     
     
         32 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  including a source of suction for removing water from the surface being cleaned. 
     
     
         33 .- 34 . (canceled)