Patent Publication Number: US-2021169285-A1

Title: Extraction cleaner and cleanout tool for the same

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/183,165, filed Nov. 7, 2018, now allowed, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/072,828, filed Mar. 17, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,165,197, issued Jan. 1, 2019, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/134,061, filed Mar. 17, 2015, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Extraction cleaners are well-known surface cleaning apparatuses for deep cleaning carpets and other fabric surfaces, such as upholstery. Most carpet extractors comprise a fluid delivery system and a fluid recovery system. The fluid delivery system typically includes one or more fluid supply tanks for storing a supply of cleaning fluid, a fluid distributor for applying the cleaning fluid to the surface to be cleaned, and a fluid supply conduit for delivering the cleaning fluid from the fluid supply tank to the fluid distributor. An agitator can be provided for agitating the cleaning fluid on the surface. The fluid recovery system usually comprises a recovery tank, a nozzle adjacent the surface to be cleaned and in fluid communication with the recovery tank through a working air conduit, and a source of suction in fluid communication with the working air conduit to draw the cleaning fluid from the surface to be cleaned and through the nozzle and the working air conduit to the recovery tank. Other surface cleaning apparatuses include vacuum cleaners, which can have a nozzle adjacent the surface to be cleaned in fluid communication with a collection system and an agitator can be provided for agitating the cleaning fluid on the surface. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
     An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a surface cleaning apparatus, including a fluid delivery system, comprising at least one fluid container for storing a supply of fluid, and a fluid distributor in fluid communication with the at least one fluid container for delivering fluid to the surface to be cleaned, a recovery system, comprising a suction nozzle assembly defining a suction pathway, a suction source in fluid communication with the suction nozzle for generating a working air stream; and a recovery container for collecting fluid and debris from the working air stream for later disposal, an agitator provided adjacent to the suction nozzle for agitating the surface to be cleaned, and a tool mount 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will now be described with respect to the drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of an extraction cleaner; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a cleanout tool for the extraction cleaner of  FIG. 1  according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of a portion of the cleanout tool from  FIG. 2 , showing a nozzle cleaning implement of the tool; 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of a portion of the cleanout tool from  FIG. 2 , showing a brush cleaning implement of the tool; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an extraction cleaner with a cleanout tool according to a second embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a section view through a suction nozzle of the extraction cleaner from  FIG. 5  showing a method of using the cleanout tool to clean the suction nozzle; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the extraction cleaner from  FIG. 5  showing a method of using the cleanout tool to clean the suction nozzle; 
         FIGS. 8-9  are bottom perspective views of the extraction cleaner from  FIG. 5  showing a method of using the cleanout tool to clean an agitator of the extraction cleaner; 
         FIG. 10  is a partial exploded view of the extraction cleaner of  FIG. 5 , illustrating an alternative storage location for the cleanout tool on the extraction cleaner; and 
         FIG. 11  is a partial exploded view of the extraction cleaner of  FIG. 5 , illustrating yet another alternative storage location for the cleanout tool on the extraction cleaner. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a cleanout tool for a surface cleaning apparatus such as an extraction cleaner that delivers cleaning fluid to a surface to be cleaned and extracts spent cleaning fluid and debris (which may include dirt, dust, stains, soil, hair, and other debris) from the surface. In one of its aspects, the invention relates to a cleanout tool configured to remove hair, fuzz, carpet fibers or any other material that may become clogged within the suction nozzle or stuck/intertwined on the agitator of the extraction cleaner. The cleanout tool may also be used to clean the suction nozzle or agitator of a vacuum cleaner. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic view of various functional systems of a surface cleaning apparatus in the form of an extraction cleaner  10 . The functional systems of the extraction cleaner  10  can be arranged into any desired configuration, such as an upright extraction device having a base and an upright body for directing the base across the surface to be cleaned, a canister device having a cleaning implement connected to a wheeled base by a vacuum hose, a portable extractor adapted to be hand carried by a user for cleaning relatively small areas, or a commercial extractor. Any of the aforementioned extraction cleaners can be adapted to include a flexible vacuum hose, which can form a portion of the working air conduit between a nozzle and the suction source. 
     The extraction cleaner  10  can include a fluid delivery system  12  for storing cleaning fluid and delivering the cleaning fluid to the surface to be cleaned and a recovery system  14  for removing the spent cleaning fluid and debris from the surface to be cleaned and storing the spent cleaning fluid and debris. 
     The recovery system  14  can include a suction nozzle  16 , a suction source  18  in fluid communication with the suction nozzle  16  for generating a working air stream, and a recovery container  20  for separating and collecting fluid and debris from the working airstream for later disposal. A separator  21  can be formed in a portion of the recovery container  20  for separating fluid and entrained debris from the working airstream. 
     The suction source  18 , such as a motor/fan assembly, is provided in fluid communication with the recovery container  20 . The suction source  18  can be electrically coupled to a power source  22 , such as a battery or by a power cord plugged into a household electrical outlet. A suction power switch  24  between the suction source  18  and the power source  22  can be selectively closed by the user, thereby activating the suction source  18 . 
     The suction nozzle  16  can be provided on a base or cleaning head adapted to move over the surface to be cleaned. An agitator  26  can be provided adjacent to the suction nozzle  16  for agitating the surface to be cleaned so that the debris is more easily ingested into the suction nozzle  16 . Some examples of agitators include, but are not limited to, a horizontally-rotating brushroll, dual horizontally-rotating brushrolls, one or more vertically-rotating brushrolls, or a stationary brush. 
     The extraction cleaner  10  can also be provided with above-the-floor cleaning features. A vacuum hose  28  can be selectively fluidly coupled to the suction source  18  for above-the-floor cleaning using an above-the floor cleaning tool  30  with its own suction inlet. A diverter assembly  32  can be selectively switched between on-the-floor and above-the floor cleaning by diverting fluid communication between either the suction nozzle  16  or the vacuum hose  28  with the suction source  18 . 
     The fluid delivery system  12  can include at least one fluid container  34  for storing a supply of fluid. The fluid can comprise one or more of any suitable cleaning fluids, including, but not limited to, water, compositions, concentrated detergent, diluted detergent, etc., and mixtures thereof. For example, the fluid can comprise a mixture of water and concentrated detergent. 
     The fluid delivery system  12  can further comprise a flow control system  36  for controlling the flow of fluid from the container  34  to a fluid distributor  38 . In one configuration, the flow control system  36  can comprise a pump  40  which pressurizes the system  12  and a flow control valve  42  which controls the delivery of fluid to the distributor  38 . An actuator  44  can be provided to actuate the flow control system  36  and dispense fluid to the distributor  38 . The actuator  44  can be operably coupled to the valve  42  such that pressing the actuator  44  will open the valve  42 . The valve  42  can be electrically actuated, such as by providing an electrical switch  46  between the valve  42  and the power source  22  that is selectively closed when the actuator  44  is pressed, thereby powering the valve  42  to move to an open position. In one example, the valve  42  can be a solenoid valve. The pump  40  can also be coupled with the power source  22 . 
     The fluid distributor  38  can include at least one distributor outlet  48  for delivering fluid to the surface to be cleaned. The at least one distributor outlet  48  can be positioned to deliver fluid directly to the surface to be cleaned, or indirectly by delivering fluid onto the agitator  26 . The at least one distributor outlet  48  can comprise any structure, such as a nozzle or spray tip; multiple outlets  48  can also be provided. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the distributor  38  can comprise two spray tips  48  which distribute cleaning fluid to the surface to be cleaned. For above-the-floor cleaning, the cleaning tool  30  can include an auxiliary distributor (not shown) coupled with the fluid delivery system  12 . 
     Optionally, a heater  50  can be provided for heating the cleaning fluid prior to delivering the cleaning fluid to the surface to be cleaned. In the example illustrated in  FIG. 1 , an in-line heater  50  can be located downstream of the container  34  and upstream of the pump  40 . Other types of heaters  50  can also be used. In yet another example, the cleaning fluid can be heated using exhaust air from a motor-cooling pathway for the suction source  18 . 
     As another option, the fluid delivery system can be provided with an additional container  52  for storing a cleaning fluid. For example, the first container  34  can store water and the second container  52  can store a cleaning agent such as detergent. The containers  34 ,  52  can, for example, be defined by a supply tank and/or a collapsible bladder. In one configuration, the first container  34  can be a bladder that is provided within the recovery container  20 . Alternatively, a single container can define multiple chambers for different fluids. 
     In the case where multiple containers  34 ,  52  are provided, the flow control system  36  can further be provided with a mixing system  54  for controlling the composition of the cleaning fluid that is delivered to the surface. The composition of the cleaning fluid can be determined by the ratio of cleaning fluids mixed together by the mixing system. As shown herein, the mixing system  54  includes a mixing manifold  56  that selectively receives fluid from one or both of the containers  34 ,  52 . A mixing valve  58  is fluidly coupled with an outlet of the second container  52 , whereby when mixing valve  58  is open, the second cleaning fluid will flow to the mixing manifold  56 . By controlling the orifice of the mixing valve  58  or the time that the mixing valve  58  is open, the composition of the cleaning fluid that is delivered to the surface can be selected. 
     In yet another configuration of the fluid delivery system  12 , the pump  40  can be eliminated and the flow control system  38  can comprise a gravity-feed system having a valve fluidly coupled with an outlet of the container(s)  34 ,  52 , whereby when valve is open, fluid will flow under the force of gravity to the distributor  38 . The valve can be mechanically actuated or electrically actuated, as described above. 
     The extraction cleaner  10  shown in  FIG. 1  can be used to effectively remove debris and fluid from the surface to be cleaned in accordance with the following method. The sequence of steps discussed is for illustrative purposes only and is not meant to limit the method in any way as it is understood that the steps may proceed in a different logical order, additional or intervening steps may be included, or described steps may be divided into multiple steps, without detracting from the invention. 
     In operation, the extraction cleaner  10  is prepared for use by coupling the extraction cleaner  10  to the power source  22 , and by filling the first container  34 , and optionally the second container  52 , with cleaning fluid. Cleaning fluid is selectively delivered to the surface to be cleaned via the fluid delivery system  12  by user-activation of the actuator  44 , while the extraction cleaner  10  is moved back and forth over the surface. The agitator  26  can simultaneously agitate the cleaning fluid into the surface to be cleaned. During operation of the recovery system  14 , the extraction cleaner  10  draws in fluid and debris-laden working air through the suction nozzle  16  or cleaning tool  30 , depending on the position of the diverter assembly  32 , and into the downstream recovery container  20  where the fluid debris is substantially separated from the working air. The airstream then passes through the suction source  20  prior to being exhausted from the extraction cleaner  10 . The recovery container  20  can be periodically emptied of collected fluid and debris. 
     During operation, hair, fuzz, carpet fibers or other material may become clogged within the suction nozzle  16  or stuck/intertwined on the agitator  26 . The present invention provides a cleanout tool which can be used to effectively cleanout or remove hair, fuzz, carpet fibers, etc. from the suction nozzle  16  and the agitator  26  and restore optimum performance to the system. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a cleanout tool  60  for the extraction cleaner of  FIG. 1  according to one embodiment of the invention. The cleanout tool  60  includes an elongated, flexible body  62  with opposing ends  64 ,  66 . The body  62  can be flat or planar and generally rectilinear in shape, with opposing broad sides  68 ,  70  and opposing narrow sides or edges  72 ,  74  which join the broad sides  68 ,  70 . Other embodiments of the invention may include a cleanout tool with a non-flat or non-rectilinear body. One end  64  of the body  62  can include a nozzle cleaning implement  76  and the opposite end  66  can include a brush cleaning implement  78 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the body  62  can be thin, with the broad sides  68 ,  70  defining a width than is significantly greater than the thickness defined by the narrow sides or edges  72 ,  74 . Regardless of the proportions of the tool  60 , the thickness of the tool  60  may not exceed the smallest dimension of the suction nozzle  16  in order to fit within the suction nozzle  16 . The thickness defined by the opposing edges  72 ,  74  may remain substantially constant along the length of the body  62 , while the width defined by the broad sides  68 ,  70  may vary. For example, the body  62  may widen toward the brush cleaning implement  78 . It is further noted that the length of the body  62  is significantly greater than the width of the broad sides  68 ,  70 . The length of the body  62  allows the nozzle cleaning implement  76  to reach up into the nozzle of an extraction cleaner, as described in greater detail below. 
     The cleanout tool  60  can be formed of a flexible material which allows it to bend and flex as needed to traverse a non-linear path, such as those commonly found in extraction cleaner nozzles and agitator chambers, but return to substantially its original straight shape when not in use. In one example, the cleanout tool  60  may bend and flex relative to a plane parallel to the broad sides  68 ,  70  rather than the edges  72 ,  74 , as needed to traverse an extraction cleaner nozzle, as described in greater detail below. In one example, the body  62  is a molded article, with the nozzle cleaning implement  76  and the brush cleaning implement  78  integrally molded with the body  62  from a common polymeric material. Some non-limiting examples of materials for the cleanout tool  60  include polypropylene and polyethylene. These materials also provide the cleanout tool  60  with chemical resistance. 
       FIG. 3  is a top view of a portion of the cleanout tool  60  from  FIG. 2 , showing the nozzle cleaning implement  76 . The illustrated nozzle cleaning implement  76  includes at least one hook  80  for catching debris or other clogged material in an extraction cleaner nozzle. In the illustrated embodiment the nozzle cleaning implement  76  includes a transversely-extending cross member  82  defining a flat edge  84  on the end of the body  62 , with the cross member  82  having two opposing hooks  80  that project laterally. Each hook  80  includes an inner hooked edge  86  and an outer edge  88  that meets the flat edge  84 . The inner hooked edge  86  meets the edges  72 ,  74  of the body  62 . The broad side  68  of the body  62  can taper toward the nozzle cleaning implement  76  and meet the inner hook edge  86 , which widens outwardly. 
     The inner hooked edge  86  can be curved or made up of multiple linear segments having a generally hooked or bent shape as illustrated herein. The linear segments include a medial segment  90  extending from the edges  72 ,  74  and a lateral segment  92  extending to the outer edge  88  of the hook  80 . The segments  90 ,  92  can interconnect at an angle  94  to form the hooked shape of the hooked edge  86 . The angle  94  may be obtuse. 
       FIG. 4  is a top view of a portion of the cleanout tool  60  from  FIG. 2 , showing the brush cleaning implement  78 . The illustrated brush cleaning implement  78  includes a comb  96  for removing debris or other material from an extraction cleaner agitator. The brush cleaning implement  78  can include two angled edges  98 ,  100  that extend from the edges  72 ,  74  of the body  62  and meet at a pointed end  102 . The comb  96  can be provided on one of the angled edges  100 . Disposing the comb  96  at an angle relative to the body  62  provides for a more ergonomic use of the brush cleaning implement  78 . The comb  96  is provided with a set of tines  104  that define open-ended slots  106  therebetween. The tines  104  can have blunt ends which can define the angled edge  100 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , depending on which cleaning implement  76 ,  78  is in use, various portions of the body  62  can form a handle for the cleanout tool  60 . For example, when the nozzle cleaning implement  76  is in use, the portions of the body  62  distal to the nozzle cleaning implement  76  can form the handle, including the central portion of the body  62  and the brush cleaning implement  78 . When the brush cleaning implement  78  is in use, the portions of the body  62  distal to the brush cleaning implement  78  can form the handle, including the central portion of the body and the nozzle cleaning implement  76 . 
     A gripping area  108  can be provided on the body  62  to aid the user in gripping the cleanout tool  60 . The gripping area  108  can include gripping features, such as an array or grouping of raised or recessed features provided on at least one of the broad sides  68 ,  70 . The gripping area  108  can run across the entire length of the body  62  or be provided on a smaller section of the body  62 . In the illustrated embodiment, the gripping area  108  is on a portion of the body  62  closer to the brush cleaning implement  78 . The gripping area  108  is further shown in the form of an array of recessed hexagons  110  on the first broad side  68  of the body  62 . 
     Text  112 ,  114  can be provided on the cleanout tool  60  to indicate the function of each end  64 ,  66 . The text  112  provided on the first end  64  can indicate to the user that the function of the first end  64  is to clean a nozzle. One non-limiting example of such text  112  is shown in  FIG. 2  and reads “NOZZLE CLEAN OUT TOOL.” The text  114  provided on the second end  66  can indicate to the user that the function of the second end  66  is to clean an agitator, such as but not limited to a brushroll. One non-limiting example of such text  114  is shown in  FIG. 2  and reads “BRUSH ROLL HAIR REMOVER.” A logo  116  of the tool provider can also be provided on the cleanout tool  60 ; as shown herein the logo  116  can be text reading “BISSELL.” It is noted that the text  112 ,  114  and logo  116  on the cleanout tool  60  may be raised or recessed, and may form a gripping surface to aid the user in gripping the cleanout tool  60 . In the embodiment illustrated herein, the logo  116  can lie within the array of recessed hexagons  110  and form a portion of the gripping area  108 . 
     The gripping area  108 , text  112 ,  114  and logo  116  are all shown herein as being provided on the same broad side  68  of the body  62 . The opposite broad side  70  of the body  62  may be featureless, i.e. flat and without any grips or text or other ornamentation. Otherwise, similar grips and/or text may be provided on the opposite broad side  70  as well. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating the cleanout tool  60  stored on one non-limiting example of an extraction cleaner  120 , according to a second embodiment of the invention. As illustrated herein, the extraction cleaner  120  is an upright extraction cleaner having a housing that includes an upright handle assembly  122  that is pivotally connected to a base assembly  124  for directing the base assembly  124  across the surface to be cleaned. The extraction cleaner  120  can comprise the various systems and components schematically described for  FIG. 1 , including the fluid delivery system  12  for storing and delivering a cleaning fluid to the surface to be cleaned and the recovery system  14  for extracting and storing the dispensed cleaning fluid, dirt and debris from the surface to be cleaned. The various systems and components schematically described for  FIG. 1 , including the fluid delivery system  12  and fluid recovery system  14  can be supported by either or both the base assembly  124  and the handle assembly  122 . 
     The extraction cleaner  120  can be configured to store the cleanout tool  60  when not in use. The extraction cleaner  120  can be provided with a tool mount  126  for mounting the cleanout tool  60  on a portion of the extraction cleaner  120 . In the illustrated embodiment, the cleanout tool  60  is stored on the base assembly  124 . More specifically, the base assembly  124  includes the suction nozzle  16 , and the tool mount  126  is provided on the front of the suction nozzle  16 . The tool mount  126  can include a plurality of detents  128  which releasably retain the cleanout tool  60  on the suction nozzle  16 . To mount the cleanout tool  60  on the suction nozzle  16 , the cleanout tool  60  can be pressed between the detents  128 , which may flex about the cleanout tool  60  to secure it in place. 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate a method of using the cleanout tool  60  to remove debris from the suction nozzle  16  of the extraction cleaner  120 . The suction nozzle  16  of the extraction cleaner  120  is typically narrow, and may include a front wall  132  and a rear wall  134  defining a narrow suction pathway  136  therebetween with an opening  138  adjacent the surface to be cleaned. The walls  132 ,  134  may further be curved to define a curved pathway  136 . During a cleaning operation, debris  130  may become lodged or stuck in the pathway  136 , rather than being ingested into the recovery container  20  ( FIG. 5 ). A user may become aware of the clogged debris  130  by reduced suction force at the opening  138  or may be able to see such debris  130  through the front wall  132  if it is made from a transparent material. 
     To clean out the debris  130 , a user grips the cleanout tool  60  and inserts the nozzle cleaning implement  76  into the suction nozzle  16 . The flexible tool  60  can traverse the pathway  136  to reach the debris  130  and the hooks  80  grip debris  130 , with the debris  130  being removed from the suction nozzle  16  as the cleanout tool  60  is removed from the suction nozzle  16 . The cleanout tool  60  may be moved laterally in a wiping motion to ensure the entire pathway  136  is cleared of debris. The provision of the opposing hooks  80  allow the cleanout tool  60  to be wiped in either direction as needed. 
       FIGS. 8 and 9  illustrate a method of using the cleanout tool  60  to remove debris, shown herein as hair  140  from the agitator  26  of the extraction cleaner  120 . The agitator  26  of the extraction cleaner  120  includes dual horizontally-rotating brushrolls  142 . A non-rotating brush strip  144  and edge brushes  146  are also provided. During a cleaning operation, hair  140  may become wrapped or intertwined on the rotating brushrolls  142 , rather than being ingested into the suction nozzle  16 . A user may become aware of the wrapped hair  140  by turning over the extraction cleaner  120  and looking at the underside of the base assembly  124 . 
     To clean the hair  140  off the brushroll  142 , with the extraction cleaner  120  tipped back to laid on its side to access the brushrolls  142 , a user grips the cleanout tool  60 , such as at the gripping area  108 , and runs the brush cleaning implement  78  over the brushroll  142 . The angled comb  96  serves to grip hair  140  on the brushroll  142 , with the hair being removed from the brushroll  142  as the cleanout tool  60  is moved laterally across the length of the brushroll  142  ( FIG. 8 ), and around the circumference of the brushroll  142  ( FIG. 9 , and/or in a combination of lateral and circumferential strokes to release the hair  140  from the bristles of the brushroll  142 . The angled comb  96  allows the user to hold the cleanout tool  60  at an angle so that the user&#39;s hand is positioned above and does not contact the brushroll  142 . The cleanout tool  60  can also be used to remove debris or hair from the brush strip  144  or edge brushes  146 . 
       FIG. 10  is a partial exploded view of the extraction cleaner  120  of  FIG. 5 , illustrating an alternative storage location for the cleanout tool  60  on the extraction cleaner  120 . In this embodiment, the suction nozzle  16  is removable from the base assembly  124  and the tool mount  126  is provided on an inner surface of the base assembly  124  in order to store the cleanout tool  60  in a concealed or hidden location. 
       FIG. 11  is a partial exploded view of the extraction cleaner  120  of  FIG. 4 , illustrating yet another alternative storage location for the cleanout tool  60  on the extraction cleaner  120 . In this embodiment, the suction nozzle  16  is removable from the base assembly  124  and the tool mount  126  is provided on an inner surface of the suction nozzle  16  in order to store the cleanout tool  60  in a concealed or hidden location. 
     While the various embodiments illustrated herein show the cleanout tool  60  being stored on the base assembly  124  of the extraction cleaner  120 , in other embodiments of the invention the cleanout tool  60  can be stored on other portions of the extraction cleaner  120 , such as on the upright handle assembly  122  ( FIG. 4 ) or anywhere on the extraction cleaner  120 . The cleanout tool  60  may also be stored anywhere on and used to clean other types of extraction cleaners, including, but not limited to, a canister device having a cleaning implement connected to a wheeled base by a vacuum hose, a portable extractor adapted to be hand carried by a user for cleaning relatively small areas, or a commercial extractor. 
     Further, while the various embodiments illustrated herein show the cleanout tool  60  being used with an extraction cleaner  10 , the cleanout tool  60  may also be used to clean the suction nozzle or agitator of a vacuum cleaner. As used in the art, a vacuum cleaner typically does not deliver or extract liquid, but rather is used for collecting relatively dry debris (which may include dirt, dust, stains, soil, hair, and other debris) from a surface. The cleanout tool  60  can be configured to remove hair, fuzz, carpet fibers or any other material that may become stuck/intertwined on the agitator of the vacuum cleaner. In typical vacuum cleaners, the agitator is placed at or within the suction nozzle, and is therefore relatively wide in comparison to the suction nozzle of an extraction cleaner; as such the suction nozzle of a vacuum cleaner may not be as difficult to clean as the suction nozzle of an extraction cleaner. However, the cleanout tool  60  may still be helpful in removing hair, fuzz, carpet fibers or any other material that may become clogged within the suction nozzle of a vacuum cleaner. As with the extraction cleaner, the cleanout tool  60  can be stored anywhere on the vacuum cleaner. 
     The cleanout tool  60  disclosed herein provides a multi-function tool that improves cleaning and maintenance of surface cleaning apparatuses, such as extraction cleaners and vacuum cleaners. One advantage that may be realized in the practice of some embodiments of the described cleanout tool  60  is that debris can be effectively removed from the suction nozzle of an extraction cleaner. The nozzles on extraction cleaners are typically narrow, and debris ingested into the cleaner may become stuck in the suction nozzle rather than taken into the recovery container. These suction nozzles are historically difficult to clean out because of the narrow suction pathway. Previous attempts to clean the suction nozzle have required the user to disassemble the suction nozzle, which is time consuming and messy. The cleanout tool  60  provides a device for removing clogged debris from the pathway without having to disassembly the suction nozzle. 
     Another advantage that may be realized in the practice of some embodiments of the described cleanout tool  60  is that hair and other debris can be effectively removed from agitators as well. Brushrolls typically have a generally cylindrical dowel with multiple bristles extending radially from the dowel. In operation, debris on a surface to be cleaned is loosened by the brushroll for ingestion through the suction nozzle; in some cases, elongated debris such as hair may become wrapped around the brushroll. Typically, hair must be removed by a user by manually pulling or cutting the hair off the brushroll. The cleanout tool  60  provides a device for removing hair without having to directly touch the brushroll, which is often dirty and/or wet after use. 
     Yet another advantage that may be realized in the practice of some embodiments of the described cleanout tool  60  is that a single tool has been provided for performing multiple commonplace maintenance functions for a surface cleaning apparatus. The cleanout tool  60  is provided with opposing ends, each adapted for performing one maintenance function: nozzle cleaning or agitator cleaning. 
     The disclosed embodiments are representative of preferred forms of the invention and are intended to be illustrative rather than definitive of the invention. To the extent not already described, the different features and structures of the various embodiments may be used in combination with each other as desired. That one feature may not be illustrated in all of the embodiments is not meant to be construed that it may not be, but is done for brevity of description. Thus, the various features of the different embodiments may be mixed and matched as desired to form new embodiments, whether or not the new embodiments are expressly described. Reasonable variation and modification are possible within the forgoing disclosure and drawings without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined by the appended claims.