Steam cleaning device

Abstract

A steam cleaning device comprising a water tank, a boiler in fluid communication with the water tank, a steam outlet in constant fluid communication with the boiler and a pump for pumping water from the water tank to the boiler. The steam cleaning device includes a first flow path from the water tank to the boiler via the pump and a second flow path from the boiler to the water tank bypassing the pump, and a valve moveable between a first position for selecting the first flow path and a second position for selecting the second flow path.

1 . A steam cleaning device comprising:
 a water tank;   a boiler in fluid communication with the water tank;   a steam outlet in constant fluid communication with the boiler; and   a pump for pumping water from the water tank to the boiler;   wherein the steam cleaning device comprises a first flow path from the water tank to the boiler via the pump and a second flow path from the boiler to the water tank bypassing the pump; and   a valve moveable between a first position for selecting the first flow path and a second position for selecting the second flow path.   
     
     
         2 . The steam cleaning device according to  claim 1  wherein the valve is arranged to select the second flow path when pump or boiler are not in operation. 
     
     
         3 . The steam cleaning device according to  claim 1  wherein the valve is arranged to select the first flow path when the pump or boiler are in operation. 
     
     
         4 . The steam cleaning device according to  claim 1  wherein the valve comprises a fluid port wherein the fluid port is a water outlet for outputting water to the boiler when the valve is in first position and a steam inlet for receiving steam from the boiler when the valve is in the second position. 
     
     
         5 . The steam cleaning device according  claim 1  wherein a user actuated trigger is coupled to the valve with an actuating rod and the actuating rod is arranged to push the valve into the first position when the user actuates the trigger. 
     
     
         6 . The steam cleaning device according to  claim 1  wherein the valve comprises a deformable diaphragm moveable between a first position and a second position for respectively selecting the first flow path or the second flow path. 
     
     
         7 . The steam cleaning device according to  claim 6  wherein valve comprises a shoulder portion and the deformable diaphragm is sealable against a shoulder portion. 
     
     
         8 . The steam cleaning device according to  claim 7  wherein the deformable diaphragm is sealed against the shoulder when the valve is in the first position. 
     
     
         9 . The steam cleaning device according to  claim 1  wherein the valve is biased to the second position. 
     
     
         10 . The steam cleaning device according to  claim 1  wherein the second flow path comprises a tube immersed in the water tank such that steam returning from the boiler flows into the water. 
     
     
         11 . The steam cleaning device according to  claim 1  wherein the end of the tube comprises a dissipating element for dispersing the steam into the water in the water tank. 
     
     
         12 . The steam cleaning device according to  claim 1  wherein the steam cleaning device comprises an override mechanism arranged to force the valve into the first position. 
     
     
         13 . The steam cleaning device according to  claim 12  wherein the override mechanism comprises an engaging arm for mechanically coupling with the actuating rod. 
     
     
         14 . The steam cleaning device according to  claim 1  wherein the override mechanism comprises a recess for receiving an actuating projection for actuating the override mechanism. 
     
     
         15 . The steam cleaning apparatus according to  claim 12 ; further comprising
 a chassis for receiving the steam cleaning device having a floor head arranged to be in fluid communication with the steam output when the steam cleaning device is coupled to the chassis and a projection for actuating the override mechanism.