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.

1 . A method of operating a floor treatment apparatus, the method comprising:
 providing a floor treatment apparatus comprising:
 a fluid delivery system; 
 a solution storage tank; and 
 a fluid delivery path; 
 wherein the fluid delivery path comprises a common delivery line for chemicals and solutions provided in the solution storage tank; 
 a bifurcation in the fluid delivery path; 
 a first ejection nozzle operable to dispense a cleaning solution; 
 a second ejection nozzle operable to dispense a cleaning solution; 
 a pump operable to convey fluid from the solution storage tank through the fluid delivery path; and 
 a valve provided on an opposing side of the bifurcation relative to the storage tank, and wherein the valve is operable to control fluid flow; 
   providing the valve in a closed position and directing a first fluid from the solution storage tank through the shared length of the fluid delivery path and through the first ejection nozzle until substantially all of the first solution is emptied from the solution storage tank, and wherein the first fluid comprises a cleaning solution;   terminating a flow of the first fluid;   supplying a second fluid to the solution storage tank;   providing the valve in an open position;   activating a flow of the second fluid from the solution storage tank, wherein the second fluid comprises a solvent, and purging the first fluid from the shared length and the first ejection nozzle by directing the second fluid through the shared length of the fluid delivery path, the first ejection nozzle, and the second ejection nozzle and wherein the second fluid is further used as a cleaning or working fluid.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of manually manipulating a control member to selectively direct at least one of the first fluid and the second fluid. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of activating a vacuum provided on the apparatus to collect at least one of the first fluid and the second fluid that has been dispensed from the apparatus. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a flow of the second fluid is automatically terminated after a predetermined amount of time. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , 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. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , 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. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first fluid comprises an encapsulation carpet cleaner. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the second fluid comprises a solvent that is operable to clean a floor surface and remove the encapsulation carpet cleaner from the apparatus. 
     
     
         9 . A method of operating a floor treatment apparatus, the method comprising:
 providing a floor treatment apparatus comprising a cleaning assembly provided on a lower portion of the apparatus, and 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;   providing the valve in a closed position and directing a first fluid from the solution storage tank through the shared length of the fluid delivery path and through the first ejection nozzle, and wherein the first fluid comprises a cleaning solution;   allowing substantially all of the first solution to be emptied from the solution storage tank;   supplying a second fluid to the solution tank;   providing the valve in an open position and directing the second fluid from the solution storage tank through the shared length of the fluid delivery path and through the first ejection nozzle and the second ejection nozzle; and   wherein the second fluid comprises a solvent that is operable to remove the first fluid from the fluid delivery path and the first ejection nozzle;   wherein the second fluid comprises a flow rate that is suitable to purge or clean the first fluid from the fluid delivery path and the first ejection nozzle; and   further using the second fluid as a working fluid in a floor cleaning operation.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising the step of manually manipulating a control member to selectively dispense at least one of the first fluid and the second fluid. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising the step of activating a vacuum provided on the apparatus to collect at least one of the first fluid and the second fluid after the fluid has been dispensed from the apparatus. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the pump automatically terminates a flow of the second fluid after a predetermined amount of time. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , 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. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , 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. 
     
     
         15 . A method of operating a floor treatment apparatus, the method comprising:
 providing a floor treatment apparatus having a cleaning assembly 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;   refilling the solution storage tank with a second fluid after the first fluid has been exhausted;   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, and wherein the second fluid is further operable to be used to clean a floor surface.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of manipulating a control member to selectively dispense 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 . (canceled) 
     
     
         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.