Patent ID: 7954200

Claim:
A cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface in which cleaning solution is dispensed to the surface and substantially simultaneously extracted along with the dirt on the surface in a continuous operation comprising: a) a distributor for dispensing solution to said surface; b) a first solution tank fluidly connected to said distributor for supplying a flow of solution to said distributor, said first solution tank having a bottom portion and an upper portion; c) a recovery rank mounted to said cleaning apparatus; d) a suction nozzle secured to said cleaning apparatus and in fluid communication with said recovery tank for transporting air and liquid into said recovery tank; and e) a first vent tube providing an air path communicating between an interior of said first solution tank and the atmosphere, said first vent tube extending down from said upper portion to a sufficient above said bottom portion such that, as a volume of solution is supplied to said distributor from said first solution tank air travels through said first vent tube from the atmosphere to the interior of the first solution tank to replace such volume, and the flow of solution from said first solution tank to said distributor is substantially constant independent of the level of solution in said first solution tank.