Rotary surface cleaning tool including tools suitable for cleaning carpets, and associated systems and methods

Abstract

Rotary surface cleaning machines with recovery tanks and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative rotary surface cleaning machine in accordance with the present disclosure includes a base assembly, a support frame coupled to the base assembly, a recovery tank carried by the support frame, a vacuum blower, and a discharge pump. The vacuum blower draws a mixture of air and fluid from the base assembly to the recovery tank when the base assembly is in operation. Then the discharge pump discharges a liquid portion of the mixture from the recovery tank.

I/We claim: 
     
         1 . A rotary surface cleaning machine, comprising:
 a base assembly having an exhaust port and carrying a rotary surface cleaning tool that includes a plurality of spray nozzles;   a support frame coupled to the base assembly;   a handle assembly operably coupled to the support frame;   a recovery tank carried by the support frame and in fluid communication with the exhaust port;   a drive motor carried by the support frame and coupled to the rotary surface cleaning tool;   a vacuum blower carried by the support frame and coupled in fluid communication to the exhaust port to draw a mixture of air and fluid from the exhaust port into the recovery tank; and   a discharge pump carried by the support frame and coupled to the recovery tank to discharge a liquid portion of the mixture from the recovery tank.   
     
     
         2 . The rotary surface cleaning machine of  claim 1  wherein the drive motor is positioned within the recovery tank. 
     
     
         3 . The rotary surface cleaning machine of  claim 1  wherein the recovery tank includes a first compartment and a second compartment, and wherein the first compartment is coupled to the rotary surface cleaning tool to deliver a cleaning fluid to the rotary surface cleaning tool, and wherein the second compartment is in fluid communication with the exhaust port and is not in fluid communication with the first compartment at the recovery tank. 
     
     
         4 . The rotary surface cleaning machine of  claim 3  wherein the first compartment and the second compartment are separated by a flexible baffle. 
     
     
         5 . The rotary surface cleaning machine of  claim 3  wherein the first compartment and the second compartment are separated by a bladder. 
     
     
         6 . The rotary surface cleaning machine of  claim 1 , further comprising a wheel assembly coupled to the support frame to support the support frame. 
     
     
         7 . The rotary surface cleaning machine of  claim 1  wherein the recovery tank includes a tank lid. 
     
     
         8 . The rotary surface cleaning machine of  claim 1  wherein the handle assembly is formed in a shape corresponding to a shape of the recovery tank. 
     
     
         9 . The rotary surface cleaning machine of  claim 1 , further comprising a housing carried by the support frame and positioned to accommodate the vacuum blower and the discharge pump. 
     
     
         10 . A recovery system for use with a rotary surface cleaning tool having an exhaust port, the recovery system comprising:
 a support frame;   a recovery tank carried by the support frame and positioned to couple in fluid communication with the exhaust port;   a housing positioned adjacent to the recovery tank;   a vacuum blower positioned in the housing and coupled to the recovery tank to draw a mixture of air and fluid from the exhaust port into the recovery tank;   a discharge pump positioned in the housing and coupled to the recovery tank to discharge a liquid portion of the mixture of air and fluid from the recovery tank; and   a control unit coupled to the recovery tank and positioned to monitor a status of the recovery tank.   
     
     
         11 . The recovery system of  claim 10 , further comprising a drive motor positioned within the recovery tank to rotate the rotary surface cleaning tool. 
     
     
         12 . The recovery system of  claim 10  wherein the recovery tank includes a first compartment and a second compartment, and wherein the first compartment is coupled to the rotary surface cleaning tool to deliver a cleaning fluid to the rotary surface cleaning tool, and wherein the second compartment is in fluid communication with the exhaust port and is not in fluid communication with the first compartment at the recovery tank. 
     
     
         13 . The recovery system of  claim 10  further comprising a notification unit coupled to the control unit to generate a signal in response to an operation event. 
     
     
         14 . The recovery system of  claim 10  wherein the recovery tank includes a first compartment and a second compartment, and wherein the first compartment is separated from the second compartment by a flexible baffle operably positioned within the recovery tank. 
     
     
         15 . A method for cleaning surfaces, comprising:
 elevating the temperature of a cleaning fluid;   delivering the cleaning fluid to a rotary surface cleaning tool coupled to a support frame;   rotating the rotary surface cleaning tool to generate a mixture of air and cleaning fluid;   drawing at least a portion of the mixture through an exhaust port of the rotary surface cleaning tool to a recovery tank via a vacuum blower, while the recovery tank is carried by the support frame;   storing a liquid portion of the mixture in the recovery tank; and   discharging the liquid portion of the mixture in the recovery tank via a discharge pump.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising storing the liquid portion of the mixture when the rotary surface cleaning tool is in operation. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein discharging the liquid portion includes discharging the liquid portion to a drain, a sewer, or a waste receptacle. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15  wherein elevating the temperature of the cleaning fluid includes transferring heat from the vacuum blower or the discharge pump to the cleaning fluid. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising storing clean water in a first compartment of the recovery tank and storing the liquid portion of the mixture in a second compartment of the recovery tank. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the recovery tank includes a first compartment and a second compartment, and wherein the first compartment is separated from the second compartment by a flexible baffle, the method further comprising increasing the size of the first compartment of the recovery tank by adjusting the flexible baffle.