Handheld cleaner with l-shaped suction nozzle & recovery tank assembly

Abstract

A handheld extraction cleaner includes a unitary body including a suction source and defining a front side and a receiving cavity extending inwardly from the front side. A recovery unit defines a recovery flow path extending between a suction inlet defined on a first end of the recovery unit and an outlet port positionable in communication with the suction source. The recovery unit includes a tank defining a collection chamber having an open top side and a front face on an exterior of the collection chamber and a lid positionable over the open top side of the tank to enclose the collection chamber and having a front portion extending along the front face of the tank.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A handheld extraction cleaner, comprising:
 a unitary body including a carry handle and a suction source positioned within the unitary body and defining a front side and a receiving cavity extending inwardly from the front side; and   a recovery unit defining a recovery path extending between a suction inlet defined on a first end of the recovery unit and an outlet port positionable in communication with the suction source, the recovery unit including:
 a tank defining a collection chamber having an open top side and a front face on an exterior of the collection chamber; and 
 a lid positionable over the open top side of the tank to enclose the collection chamber and having a front portion extending along the front face of the tank, the suction inlet being defined between and edge of the front portion and an adjacent portion of the front face of the tank, the recovery unit being receivable within the receiving cavity of the unitary body with the lid positioned over the open top side of the tank. 
   
     
     
         2 . The handheld extraction cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the recovery unit further includes a separator positioned within the recovery path to separate dirty liquid from the recovery path and direct the dirty liquid into the collection chamber. 
     
     
         3 . The handheld extraction cleaner of  claim 2 , wherein the separator is coupled with the lid and extends downwardly past an upper edge of the front face when the lid is positioned over the open top side of the tank. 
     
     
         4 . The handheld extraction cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the recovery unit includes a nozzle portion defined between the front face of the tank and the front portion of the lid, the recovery path extending through the nozzle portion. 
     
     
         5 . The handheld extraction cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the recovery unit includes a forward portion external to the cavity and a rearward portion configured to be received within the cavity, the forward portion defining an L-shape with the rearward portion. 
     
     
         6 . The handheld extraction cleaner of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the unitary body defines a cleaning angle guide surface; and   the forward portion of the recovery unit defines a lower surface that extends contiguously from the cleaning angle guide surface.   
     
     
         7 . The handheld extraction cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the unitary body further defines first and second lateral sides, the receiving cavity being open at the first and second lateral sides. 
     
     
         8 . The handheld extraction cleaner of  claim 7 , wherein respective side portions of the recovery unit are visible on an exterior of the unitary body when received within the receiving cavity. 
     
     
         9 . The handheld extraction cleaner of  claim 8 , wherein at least the side portions of the recovery unit are transparent such that a fluid level within the collection chamber can be viewed on an exterior of the unitary body. 
     
     
         10 . The handheld extraction cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the recovery unit and the receiving cavity define inter-engaging tapered profiles such that the unitary body exerts a compressive force on the recovery unit when received therein to maintain the lid in engagement with the tank over the top side thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The handheld extraction cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the suction opening has a first portion defined on the tank and a second portion defined on the lid, and   the unitary body defines a suction opening within the receiving cavity, the outlet port being positionable in communication with the suction source by receipt of the recovery unit within the receiving cavity such that the recovery path extends to the suction source.   
     
     
         12 . The handheld extraction cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the lid defines an open bottom side surrounded by a perimeter edge; and   at least a portion of the perimeter edge aligns with an edge surrounding the open top side of the tank when the lid is positioned over the open top side of the tank.   
     
     
         13 . The handheld extraction cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the lid defines a lower wall that partially encloses the collection chamber, including by extending over a portion of the open top side of the collection chamber. 
     
     
         14 . A handheld extraction cleaner, comprising:
 a unitary body including a carry handle and a suction source positioned within the unitary body and defining a front side, first and second lateral sides, and a receiving cavity in the form of a notch extending inwardly from the front side and being open at the first and second lateral sides; and   a recovery unit defining a recovery path extending between a suction inlet defined on a first end of the recovery unit and an outlet port positionable in communication with the suction source, the recovery unit including:
 a tank defining a collection chamber having an open top side and a front face on an exterior of the collection chamber; and 
 a lid positionable over the open top side of the tank to enclose the collection chamber, the recovery unit being receivable within the receiving cavity of the unitary body with the lid positioned over the open top side of the tank such that the respective side portions of the recovery unit are visible on an exterior of the unitary body when received within the receiving cavity. 
   
     
     
         15 . The handheld extraction cleaner of  claim 14 , wherein at least the side portions of the recovery unit are transparent such that a fluid level within the collection chamber can be viewed on an exterior of the unitary body. 
     
     
         16 . The handheld extraction cleaner of  claim 14 , wherein the recovery unit and the notch define inter-engaging tapered profiles such that the unitary body exerts a compressive force on the recovery unit when received therein to maintain the lid in engagement with the tank over the top side thereof. 
     
     
         17 . A handheld extraction cleaner, comprising:
 a unitary body including a carry handle and a suction source positioned within the unitary body and defining a front side, a receiving cavity extending inwardly from the front side; and   a recovery unit having an exterior defining a forward portion and a rearward portion arranged in an L-shape, the rearward portion being receivable in the cavity with the forward portion external to the cavity, the recovery unit further having an interior defining recovery path extending between a suction inlet exposed on the exterior on a first end of the recovery unit and an outlet port positionable in communication with the suction source, the recovery unit including:
 a tank defining a collection chamber having an open top side and a front face on an exterior of the collection chamber; and 
 a lid positionable over the open top side of the tank to enclose the collection chamber, the receipt of the rearward portion of the recovery unit retaining the lid over the open top side of the tank. 
   
     
     
         18 . The handheld extraction cleaner of  claim 17 , wherein:
 the unitary body defines a cleaning angle guide surface external to the cavity; and   the forward portion of the recovery unit defines a lower surface that extends contiguously from the cleaning angle guide surface.   
     
     
         19 . The handheld extraction cleaner of  claim 17 , wherein the recovery unit and the receiving cavity define inter-engaging tapered profiles such that the unitary body exerts a compressive force on the recovery unit when received therein to maintain the lid in engagement with the tank over the top side thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The handheld extraction cleaner of  claim 17 , wherein respective portions of the forward and rearward portions of the recovery unit are defined on each of the tank and the lid.