Patent ID: 6370728
Filing Date: 2002-04-16
Classification: A47L,B08B

Abstract:
A hard surface cleaning appliance comprising:a hood separating an interior space within the hood from an exterior space outside the hood, the hood comprising: a top wall; a solid outer side wall depending from the top wall, the outer side wall comprising a lower edge that is adapted to contact a surface to be cleaned; an inner side wall depending from the top wall, the inner side wall comprising a lower edge spaced inwardly of the outer side wall that is elevated above the surface to be cleaned; a vacuum passage formed between the inner side wall and the outer side wall; a vacuum relief passage extending through the hood and thereby fluidly connecting the interior space with the exterior space; and a vacuum relief valve that prevents fluids from exiting the interior space through the vacuum relief passage, but that allows fluids to enter the interior space through the vacuum relief passage, the vacuum relief valve comprising: a plate that is moveable between a closed position wherein it does not allow fluids to pass through the vacuum relief passage and an open position wherein it allows fluids to pass through the vacuum relief passage; and a biasing member that biases the plate toward the closed position; a vacuum source fluidly connected to the vacuum passage; and a spout within the interior space that is fluidly connected to a cleaning liquid source.