Automatic flushing of interim nozzle on a cleaning machine

Abstract

A portable cleaning assembly is provided. The cleaning assembly comprises a fluid dispensation path for ejecting at least a first and a second cleaning solution from the assembly. The dispensation path comprises at least one shared segment, and a second fluid or solution is preferably passed through the shared segment wherein the second fluid comprises a solvent and is operable to clean at least one of the shared segment and an ejection nozzle associated with the shared segment.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A floor treatment apparatus comprising:
 a chassis;   a cleaning assembly comprising a vacuum motor, and wherein at least a portion of the cleaning assembly is provided on a lower portion of the apparatus and is operable to clean a floor surface;   a fluid delivery system comprising a fluid delivery path, a first ejection nozzle and a second ejection nozzle;   a first solution storage tank;   the fluid delivery path extending between and provided in fluid communication with the first solution storage tank and at least one of the first ejection nozzle and the second ejection nozzle;   the fluid delivery path comprising a bifurcation provided upstream of the first ejection nozzle and the second ejection nozzle;   wherein the bifurcation separates the fluid delivery path into a first branch and a second branch, and wherein the first ejection nozzle is provided on the first branch and the second ejection nozzle is provided on the second branch;   a pump operable to convey fluid from the storage tank through the fluid delivery path;   a first solenoid valve provided on the first branch and in communication with the fluid delivery path, wherein the first solenoid valve is operable to activate and terminate a fluid flow to the first ejection nozzle;   a second solenoid valve provided on the second branch and in communication with the fluid delivery path, wherein the second solenoid valve is operable to activate and terminate a fluid flow to the second ejection nozzle; and   a control member that is operable to control the solenoid valve, and wherein fluid may be selectively dispensed from the first solution storage tank to the at least one of the first ejection nozzle and the second ejection nozzle.   
     
     
         2 . The floor treatment apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a second solution storage tank, and wherein the second solution storage tank is in fluid communication with at least one of the first ejection nozzle and the second ejection nozzle. 
     
     
         3 . The floor treatment apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the second solution storage tank is in fluid communication with the fluid delivery path. 
     
     
         4 . The floor treatment apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the floor treatment apparatus comprises a walk-behind cleaning machine. 
     
     
         5 . The floor treatment apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the floor treatment apparatus comprises a steering column. 
     
     
         6 . The floor treatment apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the steering column comprises a telescoping column. 
     
     
         7 . The floor treatment apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the steering column comprises an articulating and selectively adjustable steering column. 
     
     
         8 . The floor treatment apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cleaning assembly comprises a rotatable cleaning head provided beneath the chassis. 
     
     
         9 . A floor treatment apparatus comprising:
 a chassis;   a cleaning assembly comprising: a brush, a vacuum motor, and a pick-up orifice; and wherein at least a portion of the cleaning assembly is provided on a lower portion of the apparatus and is operable to clean a floor surface;   a collection tank in communication with the pick-up orifice;   a fluid delivery system comprising a solution storage tank and a fluid delivery path;   a first ejection nozzle operable to dispense a first cleaning solution;   a second ejection nozzle operable to dispense a second cleaning solution;   the fluid delivery path comprising a first length wherein a single conduit is provided, and wherein a fluid from the solution storage tank is provided through the single conduit;   the fluid delivery path further comprising a bifurcation separating the single conduit from the first ejection nozzle and the second ejection nozzle;   a pump operable to convey fluid from the storage tank through the fluid delivery path;   a first valve provided downstream of the bifurcation and operable to control fluid flow to the first ejection nozzle and the second ejection nozzle;   a second valve provided downstream of the bifurcation, and wherein at least one of the first valve and the second valve comprises a solenoid valve;   a steering column comprising a control member, and wherein the control member is operable to selectively control the first valve and the second valve.   
     
     
         10 . The floor treatment apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising a steering column, and wherein the steering column comprises a telescoping column. 
     
     
         11 . The floor treatment apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising a steering column, and wherein the steering column comprises an articulating member. 
     
     
         12 . The floor treatment apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising a second solution storage tank, and wherein the solution storage tank and the second solution storage tank are in fluid communication with at least a portion of the fluid delivery path. 
     
     
         13 . The floor treatment apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the cleaning assembly comprises a rotatable cleaning head provided beneath the chassis. 
     
     
         14 . The floor treatment apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the second solution storage tank is operable to contain a solvent for cleaning at least a portion of the fluid delivery path. 
     
     
         15 . A method of operating a floor treatment apparatus comprising:
 providing a floor treatment apparatus comprising: a chassis; a brush, a vacuum motor, and a pick-up orifice, and wherein at least a portion of the cleaning assembly is provided on a lower portion of the apparatus and is operable to clean a floor surface; a fluid delivery system comprising a solution storage tank and a fluid delivery path; a first ejection nozzle operable to dispense a first cleaning solution; a second ejection nozzle operable to dispense a second cleaning solution; wherein the fluid delivery path comprises a first length comprising a shared length; a pump operable to convey fluid from the solution storage tank through the fluid delivery path; a valve operable to control fluid flow to the first ejection nozzle and the second ejection nozzle;   directing a first fluid from the solution storage tank through the shared length of the fluid delivery path, and wherein the first fluid comprises an encapsulation cleaning solution;   directing a second fluid from the second solution storage tank through the shared length of the fluid delivery path, and wherein the second fluid comprises a solvent; and   wherein the second fluid is operable to remove the first fluid from the fluid delivery path.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of manipulating a control member to selectively direct at least one of the first fluid and the second fluid. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of activating the vacuum motor to collect at least one of the first fluid and the second fluid. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of refilling the solution storage tank with a solvent after the encapsulation cleaning solution has been exhausted. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of allowing a predetermined amount of time to elapse after dispensing the first solution and prior to a dispensation of the second solution. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the apparatus comprises a user-interface and wherein dispensation of at least one of the first fluid and the second fluid is selectively controlled by operation of the user-interface.