Floor cleaning machine with solid chemical recovery tank defoaming assembly

Abstract

A floor cleaning machine is provided. The floor cleaning machine includes a cleaning head configured for cleaning a floor surface with a cleaning solution. A collection mechanism is configured to collect used cleaning solution following use by the cleaning head. A conduit fluidly connects the collection mechanism with a recovery tank. The conduit is configured to convey a flow of the used cleaning solution from the collection mechanism to the recovery tank. A defoaming system is positioned proximate the recovery tank and includes a solid chemical defoaming form. The solid chemical defoaming form is configured for dissolution within the flow of the used cleaning solution. The flow of the used cleaning solution is directed over the solid chemical defoaming form and into the recovery tank.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A floor cleaning machine comprising:
 a cleaning head configured for cleaning a floor surface with a cleaning solution;   a collection mechanism configured to collect used cleaning solution following use by the cleaning head;   a conduit fluidly connects the collection mechanism with a recovery tank, the conduit configured to convey a flow of the used cleaning solution from the collection mechanism to the recovery tank;   a defoaming system positioned proximate to the recovery tank, the defoaming system including a solid chemical defoaming form, the solid chemical defoaming form configured for dissolution within the flow of the used cleaning solution, wherein the flow of the used cleaning solution is directed over the solid chemical defoaming form and into the recovery tank.   
     
     
         2 . The floor cleaning machine of  claim 1 , wherein the solid chemical defoaming form is positioned within a retention cage. 
     
     
         3 . The floor cleaning machine of  claim 2 , wherein the combination of the solid chemical defoaming form and the retention cage are attached to a base screen. 
     
     
         4 . The floor cleaning machine of  claim 2 , wherein the retention cage includes a plurality of apertures configured to facilitate exit of the used cleaning solution flowing over the solid chemical defoaming form from the defoaming system and into the recovery tank. 
     
     
         5 . The floor cleaning machine of  claim 1 , wherein the solid chemical defoaming form has the shape of a solid cylinder. 
     
     
         6 . The floor cleaning machine of  claim 3 , wherein the base screen includes a plurality of apertures configured to facilitate exit of the used cleaning solution flowing through the base screen to the solid chemical defoaming form. 
     
     
         7 . The floor cleaning machine of  claim 3 , wherein the retention cage including a plurality of retention segments configured for engagement with retention elements formed on the base screen. 
     
     
         8 . The floor cleaning machine of  claim 3 , wherein the base screen includes a support collar configured to seat on a recovery tank support. 
     
     
         9 . The floor cleaning machine of claim, wherein the solid chemical defoaming form includes powdered, silicone antifoam trans  2112  as the primary defoamant. 
     
     
         10 . The floor cleaning machine of  claim 1 , wherein the solid chemical defoaming form has a measured dissolution rate. 
     
     
         11 . A method of operating a floor cleaning machine, the method comprising the steps of:
 cleaning a floor surface with a cleaning head and a cleaning solution;   collecting the cleaning solution used by the cleaning head with a collection mechanism;   conveying a flow of the used cleaning solution from the collection mechanism to a recovery tank;   directing the flow of the used cleaning solution over a defoaming system positioned proximate to the recovery tank, the defoaming system including a solid chemical defoaming form, the solid chemical defoaming form configured for dissolution within the flow of the used cleaning solution.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , including the step of positioning the solid chemical defoaming form within a retention cage. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , including the step of attaching the combination of the solid chemical defoaming form and the retention cage to a base screen. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , including the step of forming a plurality of apertures in the retention cage, the apertures configured to facilitate exit of the used cleaning solution flowing over the solid chemical defoaming form from the defoaming system and into the recovery tank. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the solid chemical defoaming form has the shape of a solid cylinder. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , including the step of forming a plurality of apertures in the base screen, the plurality of apertures configured to facilitate exit of the used cleaning solution flowing through the base screen to the solid chemical defoaming form. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , including the step of forming a plurality of retention segments on the retention cage, the plurality of retention segments configured for engagement with retention elements formed on the base screen. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , including the step of seating the base screen on a recovery tank support. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the solid chemical defoaming form includes powdered, silicone antifoam trans  2112  as the primary defoamant. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the solid chemical defoaming form has a measured dissolution rate.