Surface cleaning apparatus

Abstract

A surface cleaning apparatus includes a recovery tank, a suction nozzle in fluid communication with the recovery tank, and a suction source in fluid communication with the suction nozzle and the recovery tank to generate a working air path to transport debris-containing fluid including air and liquid from the suction nozzle into the recovery tank. An air/liquid separator can be provided within the recovery tank for separating liquid from air in the debris-containing fluid.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A surface cleaning apparatus, comprising:
 a base assembly adapted for movement across a surface to be cleaned;   an upright assembly including a frame; wherein the upright assembly is pivotably connected to the base assembly for directing the base assembly across the surface to be cleaned;   a fluid container including a tank defining a chamber therein for containing fluid used on the surface; wherein the frame includes a container receiver adapted to receive and support the fluid container;   a handle pivotably connected to the tank; and   a biasing mechanism biasing the handle to pivot away from the tank and toward a portion of the frame when the tank is seated at the container receiver to secure the fluid container within the frame.   
     
     
         2 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the handle is pivotably mounted at opposing sides of the tank and extends at a front of the tank between the opposing sides, the biasing mechanism urging the handle to pivot upward and away from the front of the tank. 
     
     
         3 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the handle is flush with the opposing sides of the tank when the tank is seated at the container receiver with the biasing mechanism biasing the handle toward the frame. 
     
     
         4 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the handle is exposed at the opposing sides of the tank and at the front of the tank when the tank is seated at the container receiver with the biasing mechanism biasing the handle toward the frame. 
     
     
         5 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the handle includes side arms pivotably mounted at opposing sides of the tank and includes a front portion extending at a front of the tank and connecting the side arms; and
 wherein the biasing mechanism is disposed at the side arms.   
     
     
         6 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the handle has a first side arm and a second side arm, the first and second side arms disposed at opposing sides of the tank; and
 wherein the biasing mechanism includes a first biasing member at the first side arm and a second biasing member at the second side arm.   
     
     
         7 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one protrusion on a top side of the handle extending away from the tank and against the frame when the tank is seated at the container receiver.   
     
     
         8 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the container receiver includes a fluid opening; and
 wherein the tank includes an outlet that mates with the fluid opening in the container receiver when the tank is seated at the container receiver.   
     
     
         9 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the biasing mechanism biases the tank against the container receiver to seal the outlet at the fluid opening when the tank is seated at the container receiver. 
     
     
         10 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid container is removable from the frame by pivoting the handle away from the portion of the frame and toward the tank, disengaging the handle from the frame. 
     
     
         11 . The surface cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid container is removable from the frame by pushing the handle downwardly to disengage the handle from the frame. 
     
     
         12 . A fluid container for a surface cleaning apparatus that cleans a surface, the fluid container comprising:
 a tank defining a chamber therein for containing fluid used on the surface;   a handle pivotably connected to the tank; and   a biasing mechanism biasing the handle to pivot away from the tank.   
     
     
         13 . The fluid container of  claim 12 , wherein the handle is pivotably mounted at opposing sides of the tank and extends at a front of the tank between the opposing sides, the biasing mechanism urging the handle to pivot upward and away from the front of the tank. 
     
     
         14 . The fluid container of  claim 13 , wherein the handle is flush with the opposing sides of the tank when the handle is pivoted against the biasing mechanism toward the tank. 
     
     
         15 . The fluid container of  claim 13 , wherein the handle is exposed at the opposing sides of the tank and at the front of the tank. 
     
     
         16 . The fluid container of  claim 12 , wherein the handle includes side arms pivotably mounted at opposing sides of the tank and includes a front portion extending at a front of the tank and connecting the side arms; and wherein the biasing mechanism is disposed at the side arms. 
     
     
         17 . The fluid container of  claim 12 , wherein the handle has a first side arm and a second side arm, the first and second side arms disposed at opposing sides of the tank; and
 wherein the biasing mechanism includes a first biasing member at the first side arm and a second biasing member at the second side arm.   
     
     
         18 . The fluid container of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 at least one protrusion on a top side of the handle extending away from the tank.   
     
     
         19 . The fluid container of  claim 12 , wherein the handle is disposed at a top of the tank; and
 wherein the tank includes an outlet at a bottom of the tank.