Cleaning apparatus with front flow control

Abstract

A cleaning apparatus includes a front portion in distal position, which has a fluid dispenser and a vacuum port; a handle portion in proximal position, which is coupled to and in fluid communication with the front portion and is configured to be held by an operator's hand; and a flow control member, which controls flow of the fluid to the fluid dispenser through a flow control valve and is shaped as a rotatable member extending outwardly from an outer surface of the cleaning apparatus. Both the fluid control member and the flow control valve are disposed distally of the position of the operator's hand.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cleaning apparatus comprising:
 a front portion in distal position, the front portion having a fluid dispenser and a vacuum port;   a handle portion in proximal position coupled to the front portion, the handle portion being in fluid communication with the vacuum port and being configured to be held by an operator's hand; and   a flow control member controlling flow of the fluid through a flow control valve to the fluid dispenser,   wherein the flow control member is configured as a rotatable member extending outwardly from an outer surface of the cleaning apparatus, and   wherein the flow control member and the flow control valve are disposed distally of the operator's hand position.   
     
     
         2 . The cleaning apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the rotatable member is a rotatable cylindrical member. 
     
     
         3 . The cleaning apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the flow control member extends upwardly from an upper outer surface of the cleaning apparatus. 
     
     
         4 . The cleaning apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the flow control member is provided at a junction area between the front portion and the handle portion of the cleaning apparatus. 
     
     
         5 . The cleaning apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the flow control member is provided in a distal end area of the handle portion. 
     
     
         6 . The cleaning apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the flow control valve is disposed inside of the cleaning apparatus. 
     
     
         7 . The cleaning apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the flow control member is disposed in a same longitudinal position of the cleaning apparatus as the flow control valve. 
     
     
         8 . The cleaning apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising one or more vacuum release openings provided at a proximal end of the cleaning apparatus. 
     
     
         9 . The cleaning apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the one or more vacuum release openings are a plurality of radial openings disposed in a same longitudinal position over a portion of a perimeter of the proximal portion of the cleaning apparatus. 
     
     
         10 . The cleaning apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the one or more release openings are in a recessed position, further comprising a cover that is slidable over the portion of the perimeter such to obstruct at least one of the vacuum release openings.