Login| Sign Up| Help| Contact|

Patent Searching and Data


Title:
FLOOR TREATMENT MACHINE
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2011/131949
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
The present invention relates to the field of floor treatment machines which collect water or other liquids from floor surfaces, such as carpet cleaning machines, wet vacuum machines and floor scrubbing machines. The invention provides a floor treatment machine comprising a body portion comprising a collection reservoir, the body portion being provided with wheel means permitting travel of the machine over a floor surface and means for withdrawing soiled liquid from the floor surface and discharging the liquid into the collection reservoir, wherein the body portion comprises an upstanding sidewall portion which defines a body portion enclosure and wherein the collection reservoir is configured and arranged to nest within the enclosure at an upper region thereof. In one aspect the invention is characterised in that a collection reservoir drain conduit is provided which extends from the collection reservoir and through the enclosure sidewall portion to an exterior of the body portion so as to permit draining of the collection reservoir while nested in the clean reservoir. In another aspect the invention is characterised in that the outside dimensions of the collection reservoir match the internal dimensions of an upper region of the enclosure so that an intimate sliding fit is made when the collection reservoir nests in the enclosure upper region. In yet another aspect the invention is characterised in that the enclosure sidewall portion is formed with at least one slot which slot extends generally vertically down from an upper rim portion of the sidewall portion, the slot being open at a rim end thereof and terminating at a lower end region thereof, and wherein a collection reservoir drain conduit or a collection reservoir inlet conduit extends from the collection reservoir through the enclosure sidewall portion to an exterior of the body portion, said slot being of a width to permit one or other of the inlet or drain conduit to be accommodated in the slot when the collection reservoir is nested in the enclosure, the slot further permitting removal of the collection reservoir and associated conduit by lifting of the collection reservoir from the enclosure.

Inventors:
BOYES ALLYN (GB)
Application Number:
PCT/GB2011/000635
Publication Date:
October 27, 2011
Filing Date:
April 21, 2011
Export Citation:
Click for automatic bibliography generation   Help
Assignee:
NUMATIC INT LTD (GB)
BOYES ALLYN (GB)
International Classes:
A47L11/34
Foreign References:
NL7513513A1977-05-23
US5735017A1998-04-07
GB1462615A1977-01-26
FR2698777A11994-06-10
EP0245873A11987-11-19
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
BROWN, Fraser, Gregory, James et al. (40 - 43 Chancery Lane, London WC2A 1JQ, GB)
Download PDF:
Claims:
Claims

1. A floor treatment machine comprising a body portion comprising a collection reservoir, the body portion being provided with wheel means permitting travel of the machine over a floor surface and means for withdrawing soiled liquid from the floor surface and discharging the liquid into the collection reservoir, wherein the body portion comprises an upstanding sidewall portion which defines a body portion enclosure and wherein the collection reservoir is configured and arranged to nest within the enclosure at an upper region thereof, characterised in that a collection reservoir drain conduit is provided which extends from the collection reservoir and through the enclosure sidewall portion to an exterior of the body portion so as to permit draining of the collection reservoir while nested in the clean reservoir.

2. A floor treatment machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein the drain conduit extends from a base region of the collection reservoir so that the reservoir may be drained by gravity. 3. A floor treatment machine as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the drain conduit comprises a pipe, at least a portion of which extends generally laterally from a wall portion of the collection reservoir.

4. A floor treatment machine as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a soiled water inlet conduit is provided which passes through the enclosure sidewall and through a wall of the collection reservoir so as to discharge into the collection reservoir.

5. A floor treatment machine as claimed in claim 4 wherein the inlet conduit passes generally laterally through the enclosure sidewall.

6. A floor treatment machine as claimed in claim 4 or 5 wherein the inlet conduit passes generally laterally through the collection reservoir wall.

7. A floor treatment machine as claimed in any of claims 4 to 6 wherein the inlet conduit extends generally upstanding in the collection reservoir, so as to discharge into an upper region of the reservoir.

8. A floor treatment machine comprising a body portion comprising a collection reservoir, the body portion being provided with wheel means permitting travel of the machine over a floor surface and means for withdrawing soiled liquid from the floor surface and discharging the liquid into the collection reservoir, wherein the body portion comprises an upstanding sidewall portion which defines an enclosure and wherein the collection reservoir is configured and arranged to nest within the enclosure at an upper region thereof,

characterised in that the enclosure sidewall portion is formed with at least one slot which slot extends generally vertically down from an upper rim portion of the sidewall portion, the slot being open at a rim end thereof and terminating at a lower end region thereof, and wherein a collection reservoir drain conduit or a collection reservoir inlet conduit extends from the collection reservoir through the enclosure sidewall portion to an exterior of the body portion, said slot being of a width to permit one or other of the inlet or drain conduit to be accommodated in the slot when the collection reservoir is nested in the enclosure, the slot further permitting removal of the collection reservoir and associated conduit by lifting of the collection reservoir from the enclosure.

9. A floor treatment machine as claimed in claim 8 wherein a lower end region of the slot provides a seat on which the conduit can rest when the collection reservoir is nested in the enclosure.

10. A floor treatment machine as claimed in claim 9 wherein the lower region has a shape which cups a conduit accommodated therein. 1 1. A floor treatment machine as claimed in any of claims claim 8 to 10 wherein the collection reservoir is provided with both an inlet conduit and a drain conduit and there are two said slots formed in the sidewall portion, one which accommodates the inlet conduit and another which accommodates the drain conduit. 12. A floor treatment machine as claimed in claim 11 wherein the slots are provided in opposite regions of the sidewall portion.

13. A floor treatment machine as claimed in any of claims 8 to 12 wherein the enclosure is provided with a detachable lid portion which forms a collection reservoir lid, removal of which lid portion permits the collection reservoir to be removed from the enclosure.

14. A floor treatment machine as claimed in claim any of claims 8 to 13 wherein the, or each, slot is formed with a tapered entry so that an upper span of the slot is wider than a lower span thereof.

15. A floor treatment machine as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the collection reservoir has a capacity of at least 10 litres.

16. A floor treatment machine as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the enclosure sidewail portion is generally cylindrical and the collection reservoir has a generally annular base region which nests in an upper region of the enclosure sidewail.

17. A floor treatment machine as claimed in any preceding claim wherein an upper region of the enclosure is defined by a lid portion which may be detached from the enclosure to allow access to the reservoir interior. 18. A floor treatment machine as claimed in clam 17 wherein the lid is domed and an inlet conduit discharge port is disposed in the collection reservoir and oriented upwards to discharge air-entrained waste water against an interior surface of the domed lid.

19. A floor treatment machine comprising a body portion comprising a collection reservoir, the body portion being provided with wheel means permitting travel of the machine over a floor surface and means for withdrawing soiled liquid from the floor surface and discharging the liquid into the collection reservoir, wherein the body portion comprises an upstanding sidewail portion which defines a body portion enclosure and wherein the collection reservoir is configured and arranged to nest within the enclosure at an upper region thereof, and characterised in that the outside dimensions of the collection reservoir match the internal dimensions of the upper region of the enclosure wall so that an intimate sliding fit is made between the collection reservoir and the enclosure upper region inside wall when the collection reservoir nests in the enclosure. 20. A floor treatment machine as claimed in claim 19 wherein the collection reservoir sidewail is generally cylindrical and the enclosure upper region is correspondingly generally cylindrical.

21 . A floor treatment machine as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein a clean water reservoir is provided in addition to the collection reservoir and means are provided for delivering liquid from the clean water reservoir to a floor surface, wherein a lower region of the enclosure provides the clean water reservoir and the waste reservoir nests in the enclosure above the clean water reservoir. 22. A floor treatment machine as claimed in claim 21 which is configured as a carpet cleaning machine and wherein the floor surface to be cleaned is a carpet surface.

23. A floor treatment machine as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the means for withdrawing soiled liquid from the floor surface and discharging the liquid into the collection reservoir comprises a vacuum suction drive.

Description:
Floor Treatment Machine

The present invention relates to the field of mobile floor treatment machines such as carpet cleaners, wet vacuum machines, and floor scrubbers. Such machines draw-up dirty liquid from a floor surface for collection in the machine. In some machines, such as carpet cleaning machines and floor scrubbers, a clean water reservoir may be provided in the machine from which liquid may be deposited onto a floor surface to effect cleaning. A wide range of floor surfaces may be cleaned, including without limitation concrete, stone, wood, carpet, lino and tiled. The invention relates in one embodiment to carpet cleaners of a type which have a nozzle through which water (or other cleaning liquid) is introduced into a carpet from a clean reservoir and then withdrawn as soiled water for collection in a collection or waste reservoir. The collection of waste water is typically by means of a vacuum system in which water is entrained into air drawn through a collection nozzle. The nozzle may be at the end of a user "wand" or may be on an underside of a machine body. These machines are also known as carpet extractor machines.

One mobile carpet cleaning machine that is known in the art and aimed at the domestic or light commercial market is available under the trade name George (product code GVE370) from Numatic International Ltd. This machine is also capable of operating as a conventional dry vacuum cleaner and some compromises are made to permit this. The machine has a clean water reservoir and a waste water collection reservoir, with the clean water reservoir being disposed within the waste water tank. Industrial or commercial (i.e. non-domestic) carpet cleaning machines generally have two water reservoirs, arranged one above the other. The machines operate in a single mode (i.e. they do not operate as conventional vacuum cleaners, but exclusively as carpet wet cleaning machines). FR-A-2698777 (10 June 1994) discloses an industrial carpet cleaning machine of a type well known in the art. This has a wand type cleaning head which is connected to the machine main body by a flexible vacuum collection conduit with a cleaning fluid feed pipe running alongside. The feed pipe runs to a cleaning fluid spray nozzle provided in the cleaning head for wetting the carpet tufts with vapour or steam. A vacuum collection nozzle entrains and lifts soiled liquid from the carpet for conveying back to the machine body via the collection conduit. The main body includes a clean liquid reservoir which feeds the spray nozzle. Solid water returned via the vacuum conduit is either filtered and returned to the clean reservoir for re-use, or directed to a separate waste tank in the body for subsequent disposal. A similar machine is disclosed in EP-A-0245873 (published 19 November 1987).

In a conventional arrangement, shown schematically in figure 1A, a waste water collection reservoir 1 is placed nested within and above a clean water reservoir 2 of a cleaning machine main body portion 3. The collection reservoir is offset to one side within the clean reservoir, with a flange plate 4 serving as a mezzanine which separates a waste water collection vacuum chamber 5 from the clean water reservoir below. The vacuum chamber is defined at an upper end by a domed lid 7 and at the lower end by the flange plate and reservoir walls/liquid surface. The plate 4 is formed with an aperture through which a vertical waste discharge pipe 6 extends to vent into the chamber 5. When it is desired to empty the waste reservoir 1 , the lid 7 is removed and the waste reservoir 1 is lifted out from the clean reservoir 2 with the integral flange plate slid up past the upper end of the discharge pipe, as shown in figure 1 B.

The capacity of the waste water collection reservoir is limited by the need for a user to be able to safely lift the reservoir from the machine. In practice the capacity is limited to about seven litres. A problem arises if it is desired to increase the time between emptying of the waste water reservoir. If the capacity is increased it may not be possible for the user to easily lift the reservoir. If waste water is recycled rather than collected, the filtration system may become clogged over time, thereby reducing collection performance.

The present invention, in one aspect, seeks to overcome these problems so as to provide an extended use cycle and/or more flexible and convenient operation.

According to various aspects of the invention there are provided floor treatment machines as set forth in the claims hereinafter.

According to a general aspect of the invention, there is provided a floor treatment machine comprising a body portion comprising a collection reservoir, the body portion being provided with wheel means permitting travel of the machine over a floor surface and means for withdrawing soiled liquid from the floor surface and discharging the liquid into the collection reservoir, wherein the body portion comprises an upstanding sidewall portion which defines a body portion enclosure and wherein the collection reservoir is configured and arranged to nest within the enclosure at an upper region thereof. The machine is preferably configured and arranged to permit removal of the collection reservoir from the enclosure in which it nests.

In one aspect of the invention, the machine is preferably characterised in that a collection reservoir drain conduit is provided which extends from the collection reservoir and through the enclosure sidewall portion to an exterior of the body portion so as to permit draining of the collection reservoir while nested in the clean reservoir.

The drain conduit may extend from a base region of the collection reservoir so that the reservoir may be drained by gravity. The drain conduit may comprise a pipe, at least a portion of which extends generally laterally from a wall portion of the collection reservoir. The pipe may have a flexible distal end region which is situated projecting from an exterior of the sidewall. The pipe may be manually moved from a vertical storage orientation to a horizontal or downward emptying orientation.

A soiled water inlet conduit (for example, from a vacuum work head or wand) may be provided which passes through the enclosure sidewall and through a wall of the collection reservoir so as to discharge into the collection reservoir. The inlet conduit preferably passes generally laterally through the enclosure sidewall. The inlet conduit may also pass generally laterally through the collection reservoir wall. The inlet conduit preferably has a discharge portion which extends generally upstanding in the collection reservoir, so as to discharge into or onto an upper region of the reservoir.

In another aspect of the invention the machine is characterised in that the enclosure sidewall portion is formed with at least one slot which slot extends generally vertically down from an upper rim portion of the sidewall portion, the slot being open at a rim end thereof and terminating at a lower end region thereof. A collection reservoir drain conduit or a collection reservoir inlet conduit may extend from the collection reservoir through the enclosure sidewall portion to an exterior of the body portion, said slot being of a width to.permit one or other of the inlet or drain conduit to be accommodated in the slot when the collection reservoir is nested in the enclosure. The slot permits removal of the collection reservoir and associated conduit by lifting of the collection reservoir from the enclosure.

A lower end region of the slot conveniently may provide a seat on which the conduit can rest when the collection reservoir is nested in the enclosure. The lower region may have a shape which cups a conduit accommodated therein. In most cases the shape is semi-circular when the conduit has a tubular outside surface. In a preferred arrangement the collection reservoir may be provided with both an inlet conduit and a drain conduit and there are two said slots formed in the sidewall portion. One of these may accommodate the inlet conduit and another may accommodate the drain conduit. The slots may be provided in opposite regions of the sidewall portion. In an embodiment in which the sidewall is generally cylindrical, the slots may be disposed diametrically opposed.

The enclosure may be provided with a detachable lid portion which forms a collection reservoir lid, removal of which lid portion permits the collection reservoir to be removed from the enclosure. The, or each, slot may be formed with a tapered entry so that an upper span of the slot is wider than a lower span thereof.

The collection reservoir preferably has a capacity of at least 10 litres. This is rather more than is conventional for removable waste reservoirs due to the mass of water which may thereby be carried. The provision of a separate drain conduit allows the collection reservoir to be drained in situ in the machine if required.

In one embodiment the enclosure sidewall portion is generally cylindrical and the collection reservoir has a generally annular base region which nests in an upper region of the enclosure sidewall. The sidewall inner surface (or whole wall) may be slightly outwardly flared to ease nesting and release of the collection reservoir. Similarly an outside contact surface of the collection reservoir may be corresponding flared to aid nesting. In yet another aspect of the invention a lower region of the enclosure sidewall portion defines the liquid capacity of the clean water reservoir and an upper region of the enclosure is defined by a lid portion which may be detached from the enclosure to allow access to the reservoir interior. The lid is preferably domed. An inlet conduit discharge port may be disposed in the collection reservoir and oriented upwards to discharge air-entrained waste water against an interior surface of the domed lid.

In yet another aspect of the invention a clean water reservoir may be provided in addition to the collection reservoir. Means may be provided for delivering liquid from the clean water reservoir to a floor surface. A lower region of the enclosure may provide the clean water reservoir. The collection (or waste) reservoir may then nest in the enclosure above the clean water reservoir. In yet a further aspect of the invention there is provided a floor treatment machine comprising a body portion comprising a collection reservoir, the body portion being provided with wheel means permitting travel of the machine over a floor surface and means for withdrawing soiled liquid from the floor surface and discharging the liquid into the collection reservoir, wherein the body portion comprises an upstanding sidewall portion which defines a body portion enclosure and wherein the collection reservoir is configured and arranged to nest within the enclosure at an upper region thereof, and characterised in that the outside dimensions of the collection reservoir sidewall match the internal dimensions of an upper region of the enclosure wall so that an intimate sliding fit is made when the collection reservoir nests in the enclosure upper region.

Preferably in this aspect the collection reservoir sidewall is generally cylindrical and the enclosure upper region is correspondingly generally cylindrical. In a further aspect of the invention the floor treatment machine is configured as a carpet cleaning machine. In this case the floor surface to be cleaned is a carpet surface.

Typically the means for withdrawing soiled liquid from the floor surface and discharging the liquid into the collection reservoir comprises a vacuum suction drive. In some embodiments the machine includes an elongate wand and a flexible air conduit which extends between the wand and machine. The air conduit may be, or be connected to, the inlet conduit

hereinbefore mentioned. A distal end of the wand includes a work head adapted to introduce cleaning liquid (for example by spraying or injection) into the carpet. The work head also includes a suction vent for drawing up dirty liquid from the carpet.

In a yet further aspect of the invention there is provided a carpet cleaning machine comprising a body portion which is provided with a clean water reservoir and a collection reservoir, the body portion being provided with wheel means permitting travel of the machine over a floor surface, wherein the machine is provided with means for delivering liquid from the clean water reservoir to a carpet surface and means for withdrawing soiled liquid from the carpet surface and discharging the liquid in the collection reservoir. The liquid may be delivered to the carpet as steam, a spray or as a liquid stream. The collection reservoir is typically arranged to nest in and above the clean water reservoir. The walls of the clean reservoir can serve as the body portion exterior walls.

In a preferred aspect of the invention a collection reservoir drain conduit is provided which extends from the collection reservoir and through a wall of the clean water reservoir and to the exterior of the body portion so as to permit draining of the collection reservoir while nested in the clean reservoir. The provision of a drain conduit allows the waste collection reservoir to be emptied without lifting out from the machine body (or clean reservoir which may define the body walls). Thus the reservoir can be made larger in capacity to permit a longer work cycle before emptying. Thus a waste reservoir having a capacity of more than 7 litres, preferably more than 10 litres is possible. Preferably the waste reservoir is still removable, so can be emptied manually when required or when the waste level is below capacity. This also permits access to the clean reservoir for cleaning or servicing. The drain conduit typically extends from a base region of the collection reservoir so that the reservoir may be drained by gravity. The drain conduit conveniently comprises a pipe. At least a portion of the pipe extends generally laterally from a wall portion of the collection reservoir. In another aspect of the invention, a soiled water inlet conduit is provided which passes through a wall of the clean reservoir and through a wall of the collection reservoir. The conduit preferably discharges into a vacuum chamber which corresponds to a region above the water level in the waste reservoir. The prior art device shown in figure 1 has a waste conduit which does not pass through the waste reservoir, rather it passes through a flange plate and vents into the vacuum chamber. Thus with the arrangement of this aspect of the invention, the capacity of the waste reservoir may be made larger (i.e. can extend across substantially the width of the machine), without increasing the overall size of the machine body portion per se. In an embodiment the inlet conduit passes generally laterally through the clean reservoir wall. The inlet conduit may pass generally laterally through the collection reservoir wall. The inlet conduit may extend generally upstanding in the collection reservoir, so as to discharge into an upper region of the reservoir which serves as the vacuum chamber. The clean water reservoir typically has one or more generally upstanding sidewall(s) through which a collection reservoir inlet conduit and/or a drain conduit pass to communicate between an exterior of the body portion and the interior of the collection reservoir. The clean reservoir sidewall(s) may serve as an external housing of the machine. In a further aspect of the invention the water reservoir sidewall is formed with at least one slot through the wall, which slot extends generally vertically down from a rim portion of the clean water reservoir. The slot is preferably open at the rim end thereof and terminates at a lower end region thereof, he slot being of a width to permit one or other of the inlet conduit or drain conduit to be accommodated in the slot at a lower end region thereof. The slot allows the conduit(s) to pass through the sidewalk In the typical arrangement there are two said slots, one which accommodates the inlet conduit and another which accommodates the drain conduit. The slots may be provided in opposite regions of the clean reservoir side wall. Thus when the clean reservoir has an upstanding cylindrical form the slots may be formed 180 degrees from each other. So as to limit the spilling of clean water through the slot or slots, the collection reservoir is sized and shaped to correspond closely to that of upper region of the clean reservoir, so that an intimate sliding or interference fit is achieved between a collection reservoir outer sidewall surface and the inner sidewall surface of the clean reservoir.

The collection reservoir is preferably removable from the clean reservoir and the slot or slots permit one or both drain and inlet conduits to be lifted with the collection reservoir out of the clean reservoir, and conversely returned.

Each slot is preferably formed with a tapered entry so that an upper region of the slot is wider than the lower region thereof. The lower region preferably has a profile or shape which cups a conduit accommodated therein, so as to provide a conduit seat.

In one preferred embodiment the clean water reservoir is generally cylindrical. The collection reservoir may have a generally annular base region which nests in an upper region of the clean water reservoir. A base region of the waste reservoir defines the liquid capacity of the reservoir and an upper chamber above the reservoir is defined by a lid portion which may be detached from the base region to allow access to the reservoir interior. The vacuum chamber effectively extends from any liquid level in the reservoir to the lid of the upper chamber. The lid is preferably domed to provide an upper space in which waste water entrained in air may be discharged. The inlet pipe preferably discharges into this upper space. Air-entrained liquid condenses onto the lid underside and falls into the waste reservoir below.

Following is a description, by way of example only, and with reference to the figures of the drawings of modes for putting the present invention into effect.

In the drawings:- Figure 1 A is schematic cross-sectional representation of a prior art carpet cleaning machine body, showing the arrangement of reservoirs and inlet pipe. Figure 1 B shows the machine of figure 1 A during an emptying event.

Figure 2 is a perspective front view of a carpeting cleaning machine body in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. Figure 3A is a schematic cross-sectional view of the machine of the invention.

Figure 3B shows the same machine during an emptying event.

Figure 4 is an exploded perspective front three quarter view of the machine of the invention.

Figure 5 is an exploded perspective rear three quarter view of the machine of the invention.

Figure 6A is a front elevation of the machine of the invention. Figure 6B is a longitudinal cross-sectional view along section A-A of figure 6A.

In figure 2 a carpet cleaning machine body portion is shown generally as 10. The machine has a base plinth portion 1 1 provided on an underside thereof with two spaced apart castor wheel sets 12,13. Control switches 14 are provided on an upper front surface 15 of the base plinth portion.

A cylindrical enclosure sidewall 16 is upstanding from the base portion. The sidewall has a slight outward taper. An upper edge of the sidewall is formed with an annular lip 17. The position of a cylindrical waste water collection bucket or reservoir 18 is shown in dashed lines in this figure, and is shown in section in figure 3A. The waste bucket nests in the enclosure sidewall and is an intimate, sliding fit therein. The bucket has a base wall 19 and an upstanding cylindrical sidewall 39 (which also tapers outwardly slightly). The upper edge of the sidewall flares to form an annular rim 20. A clear dome lid 21 is formed of translucent plastics material and sits on the upper edge of rim 20. The dome lid is retained by clamps 22, 23 which may be released to permit removal of the dome and extraction of the waste bucket. The housing sidewall 16 serves as the sidewall of a clean water reservoir 25, which is shown clearly in figure 3A. The clean water reservoir is formed with front and rear tapered vertical cut-outs or slots 26 (figure 2), 27 (dashed lines in figure 2) respectively. A lower end region 28 of the front slot is radiused to correspond to the outside cross section of a waste inlet pipe 29 which projects laterally from a lower region of the waste bucket front sidewall. The lower end region 30 of the rear slot is similarly radiused to correspond to the outside cross section of a waste bucket drain pipe 31 which extends laterally from a rear base region of the bucket. The drain pipe may by integrally formed with the waste bucket as a single moulding (as shown in figure 3A and 3B) or may comprise a tubular recess portion 40 in which is formed a laterally extending stub pipe 41. The stub pipe is mated with a flexible hose 42. The hose may be releaseably held in a vertical orientation (see figure 6B) by a spring clip 44. A free end of the hose may be provided with a stopper or tap closure 45.

The inlet conduit projects from the bucket wall as an outward facing collar 43 (see figure 4). The collar forms a connection with a flexible air conduit 32, which leads to a wand and work head combination (not shown) of conventional design for treating carpets. The internal configuration of the inlet pipe is shown in figure 3A. The pipe passes through the waste bucket sidewall as an integral rigid moulding. The inlet pipe has an elbow 33 from which the pipe projects vertically. A free end 34 of the inlet pipe vents into an upper vacuum chamber 35 defined within the space provided by the domed lid and above the waste water collected.

A vacuum drive 49 (figures 6B) generates a pressure drop in the central frusto-conical tubular column 50. The column opens at an upper end thereof into the vacuum chamber 35, thereby to maintain the chamber at reduced pressure (not of course a perfect vacuum, but reduced enough to draw air-entrained waste liquid into the chamber). A central frusto-conical sleeve 51 formed in the collection reservoir (figures 4 & 5) engages with the upper end of the column 50. An annular step or shoulder feature 52 provides a seat which supports the weight of the central region of the collection reservoir. A folding semi-circular handle 55 is attached to a diametrically extending cross bar 56 in the collection reservoir (see figures 4 & 5).

A cleaning liquid feed pipe (not shown) delivers cleaning fluid 37 (e.g. water plus detergent) under pressure from the clean water reservoir to a spray nozzle of a wand work head (not shown, but of a type known in the art - see for example FR-A-2 698 777).

A collection nozzle in the wand accelerates air drawn into the wand by the pressure drop. Dirty liquid from the carpet is entrained into the air and drawn along the flexible conduit and into the inlet pipe 29. The air-entrained water is then discharged into the upper chamber 35 and falls into the waste receptacle to form a volume of collected waste water 36. The capacity of the waste reservoir is comfortably 15 litres, preferably more to the rim. When it is desired to empty the waste water from the bucket, the drain tap (not shown) may be opened and the hose pipe 42 undipped to drain water from the receptacle under gravity feed. If it is desired to remove the waste bucket, for example for cleaning or to allow access to the clean water reservoir (for say re-filling or addition of detergent) the domed lid may be removed (see figure 3B) by releasing the clamps 22,23. The waste receptacle may then be lifted out of the enclosure by use of the handle 55. The inlet and drain pipes rise up through the slots and are thus lifted with the bucket/waste reservoir so as to leave the clean reservoir accessible, as shown in figures 3B, 4 and 5.

The machine of the present invention can collect more waste liquid than a conventional machine because manual lifting of the waste/collection reservoir obviated by the use of the drain pipe. The use of vertical sidewall slots means that disconnection of the inlet pipes/conduits and drain pipes is not necessary in order to remove the receptacle. This makes it easy to use and avoids the disassembly of pipes/conduits that would otherwise be required. The taper of the slots serves to facilitate re-assembly, with the pipes descending into a snug fit at the base region of the slots.

In summary, the present invention relates to the field of floor treatment machines which collect water or other liquids from floor surfaces, such as carpet cleaning machines, wet vacuum machines and floor scrubbing machines. The invention provides a floor treatment machine comprising a body portion comprising a collection reservoir, the body portion being provided with wheel means permitting travel of the machine over a floor surface and means for withdrawing soiled liquid from the floor surface and discharging the liquid into the collection reservoir, wherein the body portion comprises an upstanding sidewall portion which defines a body portion enclosure and wherein the collection reservoir is configured and arranged to nest within the enclosure at an upper region thereof. In one aspect the invention is characterised in that a collection reservoir drain conduit is provided which extends from the collection reservoir and through the enclosure sidewall portion to an exterior of the body portion so as to permit draining of the collection reservoir while nested in the clean reservoir. In another aspect the invention is characterised in that the outside dimensions of the collection reservoir match the internal dimensions of an upper region of the enclosure so that an intimate sliding fit is made when the collection reservoir nests in the enclosure upper region. In yet another aspect the invention is characterised in that the enclosure sidewall portion is formed with at least one slot which slot extends generally vertically down from an upper rim portion of the sidewall portion, the slot being open at a rim end thereof and terminating at a lower end region thereof, and wherein a collection reservoir drain conduit or a collection reservoir inlet conduit extends from the collection reservoir through the enclosure sidewall portion to an exterior of the body portion, said slot being of a width to permit one or other of the inlet or drain conduit to be accommodated in the slot when the collection reservoir is nested in the enclosure, the slot further permitting removal of the collection reservoir and associated conduit by lifting of the collection reservoir from the enclosure.