Surface cleaning apparatus

Abstract

A surface cleaning apparatus including a water storage container, a steam generator including a heating element, a pump for feeding water from the storage container to the steam generator, and a fluid passage for directing steam from the steam generator to a cleaning head of the apparatus. The apparatus includes a device for blocking the fluid passage which is moveable between blocking and unblocking positions and the apparatus includes a pressure relief valve and there being a further passage connecting the pressure relief valve to the water storage container.

1 . A surface cleaning apparatus including:
 a water storage container;   a steam generator including a heating element;   a pump for feeding water from the 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 device for blocking the fluid passage which is moveable between blocking and unblocking positions and wherein the apparatus includes a pressure relief valve and there being a further passage connecting the pressure relief valve to the water storage container.   
     
     
         2 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the further passage connecting the pressure relief valve to the water storage container terminates in an upper part of the water storage container. 
     
     
         3 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the further passage extends into the water storage container and includes a buoyancy member connected to a free end thereof. 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the further passage connecting the pressure relief valve to the water storage container terminates in a part of the water storage container which does not contain water. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the pressure relief valve is fluidly connected to a passage which connects an outlet from the pump to an inlet to the steam generator. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein the pressure relief valve is fluidly connected to the fluid passage for directing steam from the steam generator to a cleaning head. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the pressure relief valve includes a one-way valve. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the water storage container is open to atmosphere, and preferably includes an aperture which is covered by a hydrophobic filter. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the device for blocking the fluid passage includes a valve. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus according to  claim 9  wherein the valve is actuated by an electrically operated solenoid. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus according to  claim 9  wherein the valve is positioned close to the cleaning head. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the apparatus includes a user operable switch for controlling operation of the blocking device 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the apparatus includes a user operable switch for controlling operation of the pump 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the apparatus includes a user operable switch for controlling operation of the heating elements. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein there is provided one user operable switch for substantially simultaneously controlling the supply of electrical power to the pump, heating element and blocking device. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus according to  claim 15  wherein the switch is moveable between first and second conditions, and wherein, in the first condition, an electrical connection is provided so as to supply power substantially simultaneously to the pump and heating element and the blocking device is moved to an unblocking position. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus according to  claim 15  wherein, in the second condition, the electrical connection is broken so that power is not supplied to the pump and heating element and the blocking device moves to its blocking position. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the blocking device automatically moves to its blocking position when there is no supply of electrical power supply to the apparatus. 
     
     
         19 .- 20 . (canceled)