The invention relates to an emptying arrangement on the collecting container of a wet vacuum cleaner. Wet vacuum cleaners are generally known and comprise generally a collecting container with a connecting stub for a suction hose arranged somewhat above the bottom and an opening for connecting a suction assembly. The collecting container is frequently shaped as a vessel the upper opening of which is intended to receive the suction assembly and the connecting stub of the suction hose is mounted high in the side wall of the vessel. In use the collecting container is filled with water and dirt at a level below the hose connecting stub, following which it must be emptied at least partially. This is frequently effected by removing the suction assembly whereafter the contents of the collect¬ ing container are discharged into an outlet, a slop sink, a toilet bowl or the like. From International published patent specification No. WO-A-91/11952 it is known to mount the collecting container rotatably in a frame to facilitate the emptying operation.

It is moreover known from DE published Patent Specification DE-A-28 11 139 to make the suction assembly blow down into the collecting container, thereby forcing the liquid therein to be passed out through the suction hose.

The object of the present invention is to provide an emptying device on the collecting container of a wet vacuum cleaner which is simple and reliable to use.

To obtain this an emptying device on the collecting container of a wet vacuum cleaner, in which the collect¬ ing container includes an emptying opening with an edge

is according to a first aspect of the invention charac¬ terized by an element secured to part of the element and arranged to occupy a position in which it is positioned inside the collecting container, and a second position in which it extends from the container to constitute a pour spout. This provides for obtaining that the collecting container may be emptied by discharging the contents at a high degree of security against spill outside the outlet, the slop sink etc. In use of the wet suction device the element is positioned in the first position and will so in no way impede the operation and use of the wet vacuum cleaner while emptying the element is in the second position and constitutes a pour spout which facilitates the emptying operation and makes it more secure.

The element may be substantially stiff and have the same shape whether it is in its position inside the collecting container or it is in its second position, in which it extends from the container. The element may as such also be collapsible or foldable in fields.

In a preferred embodiment, the element is collaps¬ ible having several fields of sheet material, the fields being interconnected by hinge portions. The hinge portions may be formed by areas of sheet material with a thickness that is reduced in relation to the fields and the sheet material may then comprise a thermoplastic elastomer or a rubberlike material.

In a second aspect of the invention an emptying arrangement on the collecting container of a wet vacuum cleaner comprising an outlet stub positioned at the bottom of the collecting container and having a flexible outlet hose is characterized in that the outlet hose at its outlet end is provided with a seat for a valve member which by means of an elastic means is secured so to the outlet end of the outlet hose that it may be

moved between a closing position in the valve seat and an opening position away from the valve seat. This makes it possible to easily empty the collecting container at least partially into a floor drain by placing the outlet end of the outlet hose at the floor drain and move the valve member from the closing position to the opening position. By returning after emptying the valve member to the closing position it is ensured that liquid from the collecting container is not unintentionally emptied through the outlet hose.

The valve member is preferably substantially spherical and the elastic member extends preferably from diametrically opposite points of the outlet hose near the outlet end thereof to diametrically opposite points of the valve member. The elastic member may then extend diametrically through the valve member.

In a preferred embodiment the outlet hose is near its outlet end provided with a collar to which the elastic member is secured and on which the valve member abuts in "the opening position.

The invention will now be described in detail by examples with reference to the drawings, in which

Fig.l shows a wet vacuum cleaner,

Fig 2 shows the outlet end of an outlet hose provided according to the invention with a valve member in a valve seat,

Fig. 3 shows the outlet end of the outlet hose from Fig. 2, the valve member being in the opening position,

Fig. 4 shows the collecting container of the wet vacuum cleaner, the suction device being removed and the element being rotated so as to provide a pour spout,

Fig. 5 shows the emptying of the collecting container by pouring out the contents,

Fig. 6 emptying of liquid from the collecting con- tainer through the outlet hose, and

Fig.7 an enlarged view of the element in a pre¬ ferred embodiment.

Fig. 1 shows a wet vacuum cleaner 1 with a collecting container 2 which constitutes a lower part, and an upper part 12 comprising for instance a suction assembly, such as this is generally known. The collect¬ ing container 2 comprises a connecting stub 13 for a suction hose not shown, and a handle 14.

The wet vacuum cleaner 1 is mounted on a carriage with a handle 15, wheels 16 and guide rollers 17. The wet vacuum cleaner 1 is mounted in the carriage so that the collecting container 2 is allowed to rotate about an axis near its rear edge, as described in the following. Fig. 5 shows the emptying of the collecting container 2 into a toilet bowl after the upper part 12 has been removed. The collecting container is passed with the carriage to the toilet bowl, following which the collecting container 2 is rotated about the above mentioned" axis by means of the handle 14, whereby the collecting container may be completely emptied. As it likewise appears from Fig.5 the collecting container is provided at its bottom with an outlet stub 20 with an outlet hose 21. Fig. 4 shows the top of the collecting container 2, the upper part 12 being removed, and with an element 14 unfolded as a pour spout. In the illustrated embodi¬ ment element 4 includes a series of fields 5 to 8 of an elastic sheet material, preferably a thermoplastic elastomer or a rubber material. The fields 5 to 8 are interconnected by hinge portions 9 to 11, preferably constituted by areas of sheet material with a thickness smaller than the fields 5 to 8.

The element 4 thus includes a central element 5 secured to the edge 3 of the opening of the collecting

container 2 and adjacent fields 7 and 8, likewise secured to the edge 3. The adjacent fields 7 and 8 are interconnected by the hinge portion 9, while between the central element 5 and the adjacent fields 7 there are inserted intermediate fields 6 engaging the central field 5 through hinge portions 11 and engaging the adjacent fields 7 through hinge portions 10. With the illustrated design it is possible to rotate the element so that it from its unfolded position as shown is passed to a position inside the container, in which it substan¬ tially is adjacent to the inner side wall of the collecting container 2.

Fig. 7 shows a preferred embodiment for the element 4, in which the fields 6, 7, 8 are divided by hinge portions 36, 37a and 37b and 38, respectively, to make them more flexible in a controlled manner, thereby facilitating the rotation of the element between the two positions. The element shown in Fig.7 further comprises a skirt 39 for mounting on the collecting container and connected to the fields 6, 7, 8 through a hinge portion 40.

In the position shown in Fig. 4 the element 4 constitutes a pour spout which facilitates and ensures the function of the pouring operation shown in Fig. 5. As it appears from Fig. 4 the element 4 extends in the example along a curved portion of the edge 3. This contributes to stabilize the element 4 in the illus¬ trated unfolded condition.

The outlet hose 21 shown in Fig.5 is provided at its outlet end with a valve seat 22 (Figs 2 and 3) for a valve member 23 in the form of a sphere. The outlet hose 21 is further provided with a collar 25, in which an elastic member 24 is secured, e.g. in the form of a rubber band which at its one end is secured to the collar 25, extends diametrically through a hole in the

valve member 23 and is secured at its other end to the collar 25 at a point diametrically opposite the securing of the first end. A very simple and easily operable closing valve is thereby obtained for the outlet hose 21. The spherical valve member 23 is easily pushed laterally from the seat 22, thereby opening the outlet hose 21. To close the outlet hose the valve member 23 is easily pushed back to its home position in the seat 22, because the valve member 23 in the opening position rests against the collar 25 and the end of the hose 21, whereby the movement between the opening position and the closing position in seat 22 has the character of a tilting movement across the edge of the seat 22.

Fig. 6 shows the emptying of liquid from the collecting container 2 through the outlet hose 21. Its end is e.g. placed on the grid of a floor drain, following which the valve member is pushed away from the seat 22 and the outlet hose is open. After emptying the outlet hose is again closed so as to avoid unintentional emptying. The outlet hose 21 may when not used be placed in a holder 26 on the collecting container 2 (see Fig.2).