Surface cleaning apparatus

Abstract

A surface cleaning apparatus includes a heated vapor generator for generating steam and a supply tank for containing a supply of fluid. A liquid conduit that is in fluid communication with the supply tank is in heat exchange relationship with a vapor conduit that is in fluid communication with the heated vapor generator.

1 . A surface cleaning apparatus, comprising:
 a base module including a housing adapted to move along a floor surface to be cleaned;   a heated vapor generator adapted to heat fluid to approximately 212° F. to generate steam;   a supply tank for containing a supply of fluid;   a vapor nozzle positioned at a forward portion of the base module adjacent the surface to be cleaned, the vapor nozzle configured to dispense steam to the surface to be cleaned; and   a liquid spray nozzle configured to dispense liquid to a surface to be cleaned.   
     
     
         2 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a vapor conduit in fluid communication with the heated vapor generator and the vapor nozzle and wherein the vapor conduit is on forward face of the housing. 
     
     
         3 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the vapor conduit is on an exterior portion of the housing. 
     
     
         4 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a liquid conduit in fluid communication with the supply tank and the liquid spray nozzle and wherein the liquid conduit is in an interior defined by the housing. 
     
     
         5 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the base module comprises a suction nozzle in fluid communication with a vacuum source. 
     
     
         6 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising an agitator brush located within the suction nozzle. 
     
     
         7 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the liquid spray nozzle is provided with the suction nozzle. 
     
     
         8 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a valve positioned between the supply tank and an inlet of the heated vapor generator. 
     
     
         9 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising a first actuator operably coupled with the valve to move the valve to an opened condition to allow fluid to reach the heated vapor generator. 
     
     
         10 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising a pump fluidly coupled to the supply tank, wherein the pump is operable independently of the heated vapor generator. 
     
     
         11 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising a second actuator operably coupled to the pump and a second valve and configured to dispense the liquid through the liquid spray nozzle. 
     
     
         12 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising a temperature sensor within the heated vapor generator to detect a temperature therein. 
     
     
         13 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a vacuum source for generating a vacuum force and a suction nozzle in fluid communication with the vacuum source. 
     
     
         14 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the heated vapor generator is operable independently of the vacuum source. 
     
     
         15 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the surface cleaning apparatus is an upright unit having a handle assembly pivotally attached to the base module. 
     
     
         16 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the heated vapor generator comprises a vessel and a heater element within the vessel. 
     
     
         17 . A surface cleaning apparatus, comprising:
 a base housing adapted for movement along a surface to be cleaned;   an upright handle pivotally mounted to the base housing;   a liquid dispensing system comprising:
 a liquid dispenser associated with the base housing for applying liquid to a surface to be cleaned; and 
 a liquid supply tank for holding a supply of cleaning liquid; 
   a liquid recovery system, comprising:   a recovery tank removably mounted on the base housing and having a liquid recovery chamber for holding recovered liquid;
 a suction nozzle associated with the base housing and adapted to draw dirty liquid from the surface to be cleaned; 
 a working air conduit extending between the recovery chamber and the suction nozzle; and 
 a vacuum source in fluid communication with the recovery chamber for generating a flow of working air from the nozzle through the working air conduit and through the recovery chamber to thereby draw dirty liquid from the surface to be cleaned through the nozzle and working air conduit, and into the recovery chamber to thereby recover the dirty liquid from the surface to be cleaned; 
   a heated vapor generator adapted to heat fluid to approximately 212° F. to generate steam; and   a vapor nozzle positioned at a forward portion of the base housing adjacent the surface to be cleaned, the vapor nozzle configured to dispense steam to the surface to be cleaned.   
     
     
         18 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising a vapor conduit in fluid communication with the heated vapor generator and the vapor nozzle and wherein the vapor conduit is on forward face of the housing. 
     
     
         19 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 18  wherein the vapor conduit is on an exterior portion of the housing. 
     
     
         20 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 18 , further comprising a liquid conduit in fluid communication with the liquid supply tank and the liquid spray nozzle and wherein the liquid conduit is in an interior defined by the base housing.