David E Mcdowell

US Patent:

6446302, Sep 10, 2002

Filed:

Jun 13, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/593126

Inventors:

Gary A. Kasper - Grand Rapids MI
Samuel N. Hansen - Hudsonville MI
Jonathan L. Miner - Rockford MI
David E. McDowell - Grand Rapids MI

Assignee:

Bissell Homecare, Inc. - Grand Rapids MI

International Classification:

A47L 1130

US Classification:

15319, 15339, 15320, 153403, 15389

Abstract:

The invention relates to an extraction cleaning machine including condition sensors for generating condition signals representative of a condition of the surface being cleaned, a controller, and variable-control cleaning systems, wherein the controller sends control signals to the variable-control cleaning systems in response to sensor signals received from the condition sensors. The invention further relates to a self-propelled extraction cleaning machine, and to an extraction cleaning machine including condition sensors and audible or visual indicators to notify the operator of the condition of the surface being cleaned.

US Patent:

6810557, Nov 2, 2004

Filed:

Jan 28, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/058514

Inventors:

Samuel N. Hansen - Jenison MI
David E. McDowell - Grand Rapids MI
Lindsay Michelle Swartz - Rockford MI

Assignee:

Bissell Homecare, Inc. - Grand Rapids MI

International Classification:

A47L 916

US Classification:

15353, 15352, 55426, 55429, 554591, 55DIG 3

Abstract:

The invention relates to a cyclonic dirt separator comprising a dirt-collection assembly including a dirt tank having an inlet aperture and an outlet aperture, a cyclonic separator, at least one filter element, and a suction source fluidly connected with the dirt collection assembly. In one embodiment, the cyclonic dirt separator includes a separator plate cooperating with the housing to form a toroidal region of the dirt tank for aiding in the separation of dirt from a suction airstream developed by the suction source. The separator plate has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the dirt tank, creating a gap between the outer edge of the separator plate and the inner wall of the dirt tank. A further embodiment includes fins projecting from a sidewall of the dirt tank, and fingers projecting from a bottom wall of the dirt tank, to reduce re-entrainment of dirt particles.

US Patent:

6898820, May 31, 2005

Filed:

Jul 23, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/911228

Inventors:

Gary A. Kasper - Grand Rapids MI, US
David E. McDowell - Grand Rapids MI, US

Assignee:

BISSELL Homecare, Inc. - Grand Rapids MI

International Classification:

A47L011/30

US Classification:

15320

Abstract:

A portable surface cleaning apparatus comprises a fluid dispensing system including at least one fluid supply tank, a dispensing nozzle for applying a cleaning fluid to a surface to be cleaned, and a block heater for heating the fluid to be applied to the surface to be cleaned to a temperature less than boiling; a fluid recovery tank for holding recovered fluid; a suction nozzle; a working air conduit extending between the recovery tank and the suction nozzle; and a vacuum source in fluid communication with the recovery tank for generating a flow of working air from the suction nozzle through the working air conduit and into the recovery tank to thereby recover fluid from the surface to be cleaned.

US Patent:

7013528, Mar 21, 2006

Filed:

Dec 18, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/248101

Inventors:

Timothy S. Parker - Rockford MI, US
David L. Haan - Wyoming MI, US
David E. McDowell - Grand Rapids MI, US

Assignee:

Bissell Homecare, Inc. - Grand Rapids MI

International Classification:

A47L 9/06

US Classification:

15403, 15364, 15 4, 15 521, 15 98

Abstract:

A battery-powered, upright vacuum sweeper comprises a base assembly and a handle pivotably attached thereto. The base assembly comprises a vacuum fan assembly fluidly communicating with an inlet for vacuuming dust and the debris particles from a surface into a removable reservoir. A rotating roller brush attached to the base assembly sweeps the particles into the inlet. A dust pad assembly comprises a disposable dust cloth extending over a portion of the base assembly in contact with the surface to be cleaned for removing dust particles which are not removed by vacuuming.

US Patent:

7062816, Jun 20, 2006

Filed:

Aug 9, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/064723

Inventors:

Gary A. Kasper - Grand Rapids MI, US
Allen W. Scott - Grand Rapids MI, US
Phong Hoang Tran - Caledonia MI, US
David E. McDowell - Grand Rapids MI, US
Gary L. Smith - Belding MI, US

Assignee:

Bissell Homecare, Inc. - Grand Rapids MI

International Classification:

A47L 5/00

US Classification:

153402, 15410, 15320, 153403

Abstract:

A portable surface cleaning apparatus comprises a fluid dispensing system including at least one fluid supply tank, a dispensing nozzle connected to the fluid supply tank through a fluid supply conduit for applying a cleaning fluid to a surface to be cleaned, a fluid recovery tank for holding recovered fluid, a suction nozzle, a working air conduit extending between the recovery tank and the suction nozzle, a vacuum source in fluid communication with the recovery tank for generating a flow of working air from the suction nozzle through the working air conduit and to the recovery tank to thereby recover fluid from the surface to be cleaned through the suction nozzle and working air conduit and into the recovery tank, and a power drive mechanism for selectively propelling the portable cleaning apparatus over the surface to be cleaned.

US Patent:

7188388, Mar 13, 2007

Filed:

Jul 17, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/604401

Inventors:

Michael F. Best - Rockford MI, US
Douglas J. Medema - Belding MI, US
David E. McDowell - Grand Rapids MI, US

Assignee:

BISSELL Homecare, Inc. - Grand Rapids MI

International Classification:

A47L 9/16

US Classification:

15329, 15353, 15410, 55DIG 3

Abstract:

A multi-use vacuum cleaner capable of use as an upright vacuum or as a detachable vacuum module further comprising a cyclonic dirt separator has a detachable vacuum module selectively mounted to the base and support member of an upright vacuum cleaner. The vacuum module includes the vacuum motor, motor driven fan, cyclonic dirt separator and hose. The vacuum cleaner may be operated as an upright vacuum, or alternatively, the module can be separated from the base assembly and may be used independently of and at a great distance from the base assembly for a wide variety of cleaning purposes.

US Patent:

7247181, Jul 24, 2007

Filed:

Nov 23, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/904689

Inventors:

Samuel N. Hansen - Jenison MI, US
Gary L. Smith - Belding MI, US
Eric R. Metzger - Sand Lake MI, US
David E. McDowell - Grand Rapids MI, US

Assignee:

Bissell Homecare, Inc. - Grand Rapids MI

International Classification:

B01D 45/12

US Classification:

55337, 55345, 55426, 55429, 554591, 55472, 55482, 55525, 55DIG 3

Abstract:

The invention relates to dirt separator module comprising a dirt-separation housing having an inlet and an outlet opening and defining a cyclonic airflow separator, and a suction source fluidly connected with the dirt-separation housing. A separator plate and a cylindrical wall of the dirt-separation housing form a toroidal cyclonic airflow chamber in the dirt-separator for aiding in the separation of dirt from a suction airstream developed by the suction source. The separator plate has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical wall of the dirt-separation housing, creating a gap between the outer edge of the separator plate and the inner wall of the dirt tank. A further embodiment includes dual cyclonic separators fluidly connected through a filter assembly. A further embodiment includes a cyclonic separator in the form of a tangential helical ramp.

US Patent:

7475712, Jan 13, 2009

Filed:

Oct 31, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/931523

Inventors:

David E. McDowell - Grand Rapids MI, US

Assignee:

BISSELL Homecare, INc. - Grand Rapids MI

International Classification:

A47L 11/30
A47L 11/34

US Classification:

15320, 15321, 15339

Abstract:

A portable extraction surface cleaner has a base housing, an upright handle pivotally mounted to the base housing, a liquid dispensing system including a cleaning fluid supply tank for holding a supply of cleaning liquid and removably mounted in a well in the base housing, a liquid recovery system that includes a recovery tank, a suction nozzle, a working air conduit extending between the recovery chamber and the suction nozzle and a vacuum source to draw soiled liquid from the suction nozzle into the recovery tank. The vacuum source is mounted in an enclosed chamber juxtaposed to the well. A detergent supply tank is removably mounted in a second well in the base.