Extractor cleaning machine

Abstract

A handheld extractor that includes a housing, a supply tank, a recovery tank, and a cleaning chamber. A fluid flow path is between the supply tank and the cleaning chamber. The cleaning chamber receives a suction nozzle and a suction source provides suction through a hose and the second fluid flow path to extract the cleaning fluid from the supply tank, along the fluid flow path into the cleaning chamber, through the hose and into the recovery tank to flush the cleaning fluid through the hose to clean the hose when the suction nozzle is received in the cleaning chamber.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An extractor comprising:
 a housing;   a suction source within the housing;   a hose in communication with the suction source;   a suction nozzle in fluid communication with the hose;   a supply tank configured to store a cleaning fluid, the supply tank coupled to the housing;   a recovery tank coupled to the housing, the suction source in fluid communication with the recovery tank, the hose, and the suction nozzle for drawing fluid through the suction nozzle and the hose and storing the drawn fluid in the recovery tank;   a cleaning chamber disposed on the housing; and   a fluid flow path extending from the supply tank to the cleaning chamber,   a cleaning chamber valve that permits introduction of the cleaning fluid into the cleaning chamber when the suction nozzle is received in the cleaning chamber,   wherein the cleaning chamber receives the suction nozzle and the suction source provides suction through the hose and the fluid flow path to extract the cleaning fluid from the supply tank, along the fluid flow path into the cleaning chamber, through the hose and into the recovery tank to flush the cleaning fluid through the hose to clean the hose when the suction nozzle is received in the cleaning chamber,   wherein the cleaning chamber valve includes a plunger that is actuatable between a closed position to inhibit the cleaning fluid from entering the cleaning chamber and an open position to permit the cleaning fluid to enter the cleaning chamber through the plunger, and   wherein the plunger is moved from the closed position to the open position by insertion of the suction nozzle into the cleaning chamber.   
     
     
         22 . The extractor of  claim 21 , further comprising a spring, wherein the spring forces the plunger toward the closed position. 
     
     
         23 . The extractor of  claim 22 , wherein the suction nozzle moves the plunger toward the open position compressing the spring when the suction nozzle is inserted into the cleaning chamber. 
     
     
         24 . The extractor of  claim 21 , wherein the suction nozzle contacts the plunger when the suction nozzle is inserted into the cleaning chamber to move the plunger from the closed position to the open position. 
     
     
         25 . The extractor of  claim 21 , wherein the cleaning chamber includes a valve housing, wherein the plunger moves relative to the valve housing between the open position and the closed position, and wherein the valve housing receives a portion of the suction nozzle. 
     
     
         26 . The extractor of  claim 25 , wherein the suction nozzle seals against the valve housing when the suction nozzle is interested into the valve housing. 
     
     
         27 . The extractor of  claim 25 , wherein the plunger has an outer diameter that is less than the inner diameter of the valve housing such that an annular gap exists between the plunger and the valve housing. 
     
     
         28 . The extractor of  claim 21 , wherein the fluid flow path is a second fluid flow path, the extractor further comprising,
 a distribution nozzle;   a first fluid flow path between the supply tank and the distribution nozzle;   a fluid delivery system in communication with the supply tank via the first fluid flow path, the fluid delivery system delivers the cleaning fluid from the supply tank to a surface to be cleaned through the distribution nozzle.   
     
     
         29 . The extractor of  claim 28 , wherein the distribution nozzle is adjacent the suction nozzle. 
     
     
         30 . The extractor of  claim 21 , wherein the cleaning chamber has a shape that corresponds to a shape of the suction nozzle such that the suction nozzle seals against the cleaning chamber. 
     
     
         31 . The extractor of  claim 21 , wherein the hose includes a hose end and wherein the suction nozzle is formed by the hose end. 
     
     
         32 . The extractor of  claim 21 , further comprising an accessory tool attached to the hose, wherein the accessory tool includes the suction nozzle. 
     
     
         33 . An extractor comprising:
 a housing;   a suction source within the housing;   a hose in communication with the suction source;   a suction nozzle in fluid communication with the hose;   a supply tank configured to store a cleaning fluid, the supply tank coupled to the housing;   a distribution nozzle;   a first fluid flow path between the supply tank and the distribution nozzle;   a fluid delivery system in communication with the supply tank via the first fluid flow path, the fluid delivery system includes a pump in fluid communication with the supply tank to deliver the cleaning fluid from the supply tank to a surface to be cleaned through the distribution nozzle;   a recovery tank coupled to the housing, the suction source in fluid communication with the recovery tank, the hose, and the suction nozzle for drawing fluid through the suction nozzle and the hose and storing the drawn fluid in the recovery tank;   a cleaning chamber disposed on the housing; and   a second fluid flow path extending from the supply tank to the cleaning chamber, the second fluid flow path does not pass through the pump,   wherein the cleaning chamber receives the suction nozzle and the suction source provides suction through the hose and the second fluid flow path to extract the cleaning fluid from the supply tank, along the second fluid flow path into the cleaning chamber, through the hose and into the recovery tank to flush the cleaning fluid through the hose to clean the hose when the suction nozzle is received in the cleaning chamber.   
     
     
         34 . The extractor of  claim 33 , further comprising a cleaning chamber valve that permits introduction of the cleaning fluid into the cleaning chamber when the suction nozzle is received in the cleaning chamber. 
     
     
         35 . The extractor of  claim 34 , wherein the cleaning chamber valve includes a plunger that is actuatable between a closed position to inhibit the cleaning fluid from entering the cleaning chamber and an open position to permit the cleaning fluid to enter the cleaning chamber through the plunger, and wherein the plunger is moved from the closed position to the open position by insertion of the suction nozzle into the cleaning chamber. 
     
     
         36 . The extractor of  claim 35 , further comprising a spring, wherein the spring forces the plunger toward the closed position. 
     
     
         37 . The extractor of  claim 36 , wherein the suction nozzle moves the plunger toward the open position compressing the spring when the suction nozzle is inserted into the cleaning chamber. 
     
     
         38 . The extractor of  claim 33 , wherein the second fluid flow path branches off the first fluid flow path before the pump. 
     
     
         39 . The extractor of  claim 33 , wherein the hose includes a hose end and wherein the suction nozzle is formed by the hose end. 
     
     
         40 . The extractor of  claim 33 , further comprising an accessory tool attached to the hose, wherein the accessory tool includes the suction nozzle.