The present invention relates to the field of floor treatment machines which involve wet treatment of a floor or carpet in which dirty liquid is collected by suction. In one aspect there is provided a float valve assembly for a collection tank in a suction liquid collection device, the assembly comprising: a float constrained in an enclosure which is configured to permit the float to rise in response to a rising liquid level, a closure feature disposed above the float and connected thereto so that as the float rises the closure feature rises from an initial position, wherein a suction port is disposed in the tank vertically spaced apart from the initial position of the closure feature, the suction port being in fluid communication with a suction drive which in use draws air-entrained liquid into the collection tank, the arrangement being such that as liquid fills the tank the liquid acts upon the float to cause the closure feature to travel towards the suction port, and when the closure feature rises sufficiently, the closure feature obturates the suction port, thereby closing the suction port and preventing further air-entrained liquid from entering. The closure feature may be connected to the float by a plunger which is disposed above the float so that the float shunts the plunger to travel in an upwards direction as the float rises.
Float valve
2020-01-01
Patent
Electronic Resource
English