EP4678080A1

EP4678080A1 - Surface cleaning apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP4678080A1
Application number: EP24188057.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Willem WIERSEMA; Matthijs Hendrikus Lubbers
Original assignee: Versuni Holding BV
Current assignee: Versuni Holding BV
Priority date: 2024-07-11
Filing date: 2024-07-11
Publication date: 2026-01-14
Also published as: WO2026012888A1

Abstract

Provided is a surface cleaning apparatus (100) comprising a cleaner head (102), a handle portion (104), and a connecting portion (106) extending between the handle portion and the cleaner head so as to enable a user grasping the handle portion to move the cleaner head across a surface to be cleaned (108). The surface cleaning apparatus further comprises a cleaning liquid tank (110) for containing cleaning liquid for delivering to the surface to be cleaned, and a container (124) for containing a surface treatment agent, with the container being provided in addition to the cleaning liquid tank. At least part of the container is arranged in the handle portion.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a surface cleaning apparatus comprising a cleaner head, a handle portion, and a connecting portion extending between the handle portion and the cleaner head so as to enable a user grasping the handle portion to move the cleaner head across a surface to be cleaned, such as a floor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Flooring is traditionally cleaned using a mop and bucket. However, a growing number of surface cleaning apparatuses seek to replace such a mop and bucket. Both manually operated and electrically powered surface cleaning apparatuses have been proposed.
Such surface cleaning apparatuses tend to include a cleaning liquid tank, in other words a reservoir that contains cleaning liquid which is to be delivered to the surface to be cleaned.
In some cases, a pre-mixed solution of surface treatment agent, e.g. detergent, and water is used to fill the reservoir. When the reservoir is empty, it can be refilled with more pre-mixed solution. There are surface cleaning apparatuses which have a reservoir which can be filled by the user with water, and the user can add their own surface treatment agent to the water in the reservoir. In the latter case, difficulties have been encountered in controlling the ratio between water and surface treatment agent to create a cleaning liquid having a suitable concentration of surface treatment agent.
Using a cleaning liquid with an excessive concentration of surface treatment agent can hamper/damage the surface cleaning apparatus or result in a suboptimal cleaning result. This issue can be alleviated by the user being instructed to first add a limited amount of surface treatment agent into a dosing cup with a defined volume, and transfer this amount of surface treatment agent to the reservoir. However, this additional step tends to be inconvenient for the user.
It becomes even more inconvenient when the surface treatment agent is relatively highly concentrated, since the user is burdened with having to be very precise in dosing relatively small amounts of the surface treatment agent to the reservoir.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is defined by the claims.
According to examples in accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided a surface cleaning apparatus comprising: a cleaner head; a handle portion; a connecting portion extending between the handle portion and the cleaner head so as to enable a user grasping the handle portion to move the cleaner head across a surface to be cleaned; a cleaning liquid tank for containing cleaning liquid for delivering to the surface to be cleaned; and a container for containing a surface treatment agent, the container being provided in addition to the cleaning liquid tank, at least part of the container being arranged in the handle portion, wherein the surface cleaning apparatus is configurable to adopt: a cleaning liquid delivery configuration in which the cleaning liquid is deliverable from the cleaning liquid tank towards the surface to be cleaned while the surface treatment agent is not deliverable from the container into the cleaning liquid tank; and a filling configuration in which the surface treatment agent is receivable in the cleaning liquid tank from the container while liquid is not deliverable from the cleaning liquid tank towards the surface to be cleaned.
Due to no liquid, e.g. water or cleaning liquid, being deliverable from the cleaning liquid tank when the filling configuration is adopted, a desired/specified concentration of the surface treatment agent in the cleaning liquid tank can be accurately achieved.
Moreover, by the surface treatment agent not being deliverable from the container into the cleaning liquid tank while the cleaning liquid delivery configuration is adopted, unintended increase in concentration of the surface treatment agent in the cleaning liquid tank during cleaning can be prevented. This can alleviate the risk of, for example, excessive foaming of the cleaning liquid on the surface to be cleaned.
By arranging at least part of the container in the handle portion, the surface treatment agent can be stored in a convenient location, where the surface treatment agent is less likely to be misplaced or lost by the user. Regarding convenience, arranging at least part of the container in the handle portion can reduce risk of user annoyance associated with the surface treatment agent being stored away from where the surface cleaning apparatus is prepared for use and/or refilled during use, for example due to a bottle containing the surface treatment agent being downstairs on a kitchen counter while a quick refill is due in a bathroom upstairs.
Moreover, arrangement of at least part of the container in the handle portion can provide a spatially efficient way of storing the surface treatment agent in the surface cleaning apparatus, noting that the handle portion can provide a storage location which provides minimal compromise in terms of performance of the surface cleaning apparatus.
Since the handle portion is typically unused as a storage location, arranging at least part of the container in the handle portion can leave other parts of the surface cleaning apparatus available as storage for the cleaning liquid, and in some embodiments for dirty liquid removed from the surface to be cleaned. Thus, arranging at least part of the container in the otherwise unoccupied handle portion can help to minimize reduction in use-time, in other words time between refills of the cleaning liquid tank, and in some embodiments time between emptying of a dirty liquid collection tank.
In some embodiments, the surface cleaning apparatus comprises a delivery assembly, e.g. a pump mechanism, for delivering the surface treatment agent from the container into the cleaning liquid tank. Such a delivery assembly can facilitate safe and efficient delivery of the surface treatment agent into the cleaning liquid tank, particularly when the surface treatment agent, e.g. detergent, has a relatively high concentration. The delivery assembly can help to overcome issues relating to spilling of the surface treatment agent that can be associated with manual measuring and/or pouring the surface treatment agent into the cleaning liquid tank.
In some embodiments, the delivery assembly is configured to deliver a metered dose of the surface treatment agent, e.g. from the container into the cleaning liquid tank. Thus, the delivery assembly can assist the user to prepare cleaning liquid having a specified concentration of the surface treatment agent.
In particular, the metered dosing of the surface treatment agent can assist to reduce the risk of overdosing of the surface treatment agent, e.g. detergent, which overdosing can cause suboptimal operation of the surface cleaning apparatus, e.g. excessive foaming.
The risk of underdosing of the surface treatment agent can additionally be reduced, which underdosing can also result in suboptimal operation of the surface cleaning apparatus.
The risk of measurable suboptimal operation of the surface cleaning apparatus in the form of inadequate stain removal, striping, or shine, can accordingly be lessened via metered dosing of the surface treatment agent using the delivery assembly. Similarly, the risk of the user perceiving that performance is suboptimal, e.g. indicated by smell, can be reduced, and more generally the risk of the user being unconvinced of the benefits offered by the surface treatment agent can be lessened, by the metered dosing of the surface treatment agent.
It is noted that the term "metered dose" as used herein may refer to a consistent or accurate quantity, e.g. volume, of the surface treatment agent being delivered in each operation of the delivery assembly.
In some embodiments, the cleaning liquid tank is mounted in the surface cleaning apparatus when the cleaning liquid delivery configuration is adopted, and is demountable from the surface cleaning apparatus, e.g. to enable adoption of the filling configuration. In such embodiments, demounting of the cleaning liquid tank can assist the user to empty or (re)fill the cleaning liquid tank.
In some embodiments, the cleaning liquid tank, when demounted from the surface cleaning apparatus, is configured to interface with the delivery assembly to receive the surface treatment agent from the container when the filling configuration is adopted. This can provide a convenient and intuitive way of delivering the surface treatment agent into the cleaning liquid tank.
For example, following demounting of the cleaning liquid tank, the cleaning liquid tank can receive water, e.g. from a tap in the user's home. The cleaning liquid tank can then be interfaced with the delivery assembly, and the surface treatment agent, e.g. the metered dose thereof, can be delivered into the cleaning liquid tank. Subsequently, the cleaning liquid tank containing the surface treatment agent-comprising cleaning liquid can be (re)mounted in the surface cleaning apparatus.
The delivery assembly can have any suitable design. In some embodiments, the delivery assembly comprises an outlet element arranged to protrude from part, e.g. an end, of the handle portion, and the cleaning liquid tank, when demounted from the surface cleaning apparatus, is configured to interface with the outlet element to receive the surface treatment agent from the container.
In embodiments in which the outlet element is arranged to protrude from the end of the handle portion, the cleaning liquid tank can interface with the outlet element by being lowered towards the end of the handle portion.
In some embodiments, the surface cleaning apparatus can include a seal arrangement arranged to retain liquid within the cleaning liquid tank when the cleaning liquid tank is interfacing with the delivery assembly, e.g. with the outlet element thereof.
Thus, the surface treatment agent can be added to the liquid, e.g. water, already received in the cleaning liquid tank without this addition causing leakage of the liquid from the cleaning liquid tank.
In some embodiments, the surface cleaning apparatus comprises a cover for covering the outlet element when the outlet element is not interfacing with the cleaning liquid tank. The cover can assist to minimize the risk of unintended delivery of the surface treatment agent when the outlet element is not interfaced with the cleaning liquid tank.
The outlet element can deliver the surface treatment agent, e.g. the metered dose of the surface treatment agent, by the outlet element being actuatable, e.g. pushable, to deliver the surface treatment agent into the cleaning liquid tank.
Actuation of the outlet element can be implemented by, for example, pushing of the cleaning liquid tank, while interfaced with the outlet element, against the outlet element.
For instance, the cleaning liquid tank can be pushed downwardly, e.g. pushed further in a downwards direction along which the cleaning liquid tank is initially moved to interface with the outlet element, to actuate the outlet element.
In some embodiments, the outlet element is configured, e.g. biased, to return to a starting position following actuation of the outlet element.
Returning to the starting position can conveniently ready the outlet element for a subsequent delivery of the surface treatment agent, e.g. for delivery of a subsequent metered dose of the surface treatment agent.
In some embodiments, the cleaning liquid tank comprises a valve through which the cleaning liquid is deliverable towards the surface to be cleaned, e.g. when the cleaning liquid delivery configuration is adopted. In embodiments in which the cleaning liquid tank is demountable from the surface cleaning apparatus, the valve can prevent leakage from the cleaning liquid tank when the cleaning liquid tank is demounted from the surface cleaning apparatus.
When the cleaning liquid tank is mounted in the surface cleaning apparatus, a connector element included in the surface cleaning apparatus can interface with the valve to establish a fluid connection between the inside of the cleaning liquid tank and the surface cleaning apparatus's cleaning liquid delivery system.
In embodiments in which the cleaning liquid tank includes the valve, the valve can be configured to admit the surface treatment agent into the cleaning liquid tank, e.g. when the filling configuration is adopted. Thus, the valve can permit delivery of the surface treatment agent into the cleaning liquid tank, as well as allowing delivery of the cleaning liquid therethrough towards the surface to be cleaned when the cleaning liquid delivery configuration is adopted.
The valve can, for example, be configured to interface with the outlet element to enable the cleaning liquid tank, when demounted from the surface cleaning apparatus, to receive the surface treatment agent via the valve.
The container can be arranged (at least partly) in the handle portion in any suitable manner. In some embodiments, the container is inserted or insertable into the handle portion via an opening arranged at an end of the handle portion.
In some embodiments, the container is removably insertable into the handle portion, e.g. via the opening arranged at the end of the handle portion.
In such embodiments, the user may remove the container once the container has been emptied, and insert a (re)filled container into the handle portion.
Alternatively or additionally, the handle portion, and optionally at least part of the connecting portion, can include a viewing portion arranged to enable the user to visually assess an amount of the surface treatment agent remaining in the container.
The viewing portion can, for example, comprise an optically transmissive material or an opening defined in the handle portion, and optionally in the at least part of the connecting portion.
In some embodiments, the connecting portion is narrower than the handle portion, at least at a part of the connecting portion that adjoins the handle portion. Thus, the handle portion can be identified as a thicker portion adjoining an end of a narrower part of the connecting portion.
By the handle portion being thicker than (at least) the adjoining part of the connecting portion, the handle portion may be relatively easily grasped and manipulated by the user. Moreover, such a thicker handle portion can, for example, receive a larger diameter container for the surface treatment agent.
In some embodiments, the entirety of the container is arranged in the handle portion, for example entirely within the thicker handle portion that adjoins the narrower part of the connecting portion.
In other embodiments, the container can protrude from the handle portion into the connecting portion, for example from the thicker handle portion into the adjoining narrower part of the connecting portion.
The surface cleaning apparatus can be of any suitable type. For example, the surface cleaning apparatus may comprise a wet vacuum cleaner, e.g. a stick type or upright type wet vacuum cleaner, or a wet mopping device. Particular mention is made of the surface cleaning apparatus comprising a wet mopping device, noting that the space-saving mounting of the container for the surface treatment agent in the handle portion can be especially beneficial in a wet mopping device in which space for components may be limited due to the user's expectation of a compact design for the wet mopping device.
These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiment(s) described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 schematically depicts a surface cleaning apparatus according to an example;
FIG. 2 shows the surface cleaning apparatus shown in FIG. 1 but with a cleaning liquid tank demounted from the surface cleaning apparatus;
FIGs. 3 to 7 show interfacing of the demounted cleaning liquid tank with a delivery assembly, delivery of surface treatment agent into the cleaning liquid tank using the delivery assembly, and uncoupling of the demounted cleaning liquid tank from the delivery assembly; and
FIGs. 8 and 9 show remounting of the cleaning liquid tank to the surface cleaning apparatus with the cleaning liquid tank containing the surface treatment agent.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The invention will be described with reference to the Figures.
It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating exemplary embodiments of the apparatus, systems and methods, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the apparatus, systems and methods of the present invention will become better understood from the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the Figures are merely schematic and are not drawn to scale. It should also be understood that the same reference numerals are used throughout the Figures to indicate the same or similar parts.
Provided is a surface cleaning apparatus comprising a cleaner head, a handle portion, and a connecting portion extending between the handle portion and the cleaner head so as to enable a user grasping the handle portion to move the cleaner head across a surface to be cleaned. The surface cleaning apparatus further comprises a cleaning liquid tank for containing cleaning liquid for delivering to the surface to be cleaned, and a container for containing a surface treatment agent, with the container being provided in addition to the cleaning liquid tank. At least part of the container is arranged in the handle portion.
FIG. 1 schematically depicts a surface cleaning apparatus 100 according to an example. The surface cleaning apparatus 100 can be of any suitable type. For example, the surface cleaning apparatus 100 may be a wet vacuum cleaner, e.g. a stick type or upright type wet vacuum cleaner, or a wet mopping device. Particular mention is made of the surface cleaning apparatus 100 being a wet mopping device.
The surface cleaning apparatus 100 comprises a cleaner head 102, a handle portion 104, and a connecting portion 106 extending between the handle portion 104 and the cleaner head 102 so as to enable a user grasping the handle portion 104 to move the cleaner head 102 across a surface to be cleaned 108, such as a floor.
In some embodiments, the connecting portion 106 is pivotably coupled to the cleaner head 102. This can assist the user grasping the handle portion 104 to maneuver the cleaner head 102 on the surface to be cleaned 108.
The cleaner head 102 can be equipped with a cleaning material (not visible) for contacting the surface to be cleaned 108. The cleaning material can apply cleaning liquid to the surface to be cleaned 108.
The cleaning material can, for example, comprise a fabric cleaning material, such as a woven or knitted fabric cleaning material.
The cleaning material can, for example, be detachably coupled to the cleaner head 102. Thus, the cleaning material can be detached to enable cleaning or replacement of the cleaning material after use.
In some embodiments, the surface cleaning apparatus 100 comprises an underpressure generator (not visible), e.g. a pump, arranged to apply suction to the cleaning material, and the cleaning material comprises pores through which dirty liquid on the surface to be cleaned 108 can be drawn at least partly as a consequence of the suction applied by the underpressure generator.
In such embodiments, the surface cleaning apparatus 100 can further include a dirty liquid collection tank (not visible), with the underpressure generator being arranged to draw the dirty liquid through the pores of the cleaning material and into the dirty liquid collection tank.
A dirt inlet structure may be defined in the cleaner head 102, with the dirt inlet structure being arranged to apply the suction generated by the underpressure generator to the cleaning material.
A liquid pick-up region of the cleaning material may be delimited by sealing attachment of the cleaning material around the dirt inlet structure.
This sealing attachment of the cleaning material around the dirt inlet structure may assist to maintain the underpressure in the dirt inlet structure with or without flow being applied by the underpressure generator.
The cleaner head 102 can have any suitable design and can be formed from various materials. In some embodiments, the cleaner head 102 comprises a support substrate for supporting the cleaning material.
The support substrate may, for example, be regarded as a main body of the cleaner head 102.
The support substrate may, for instance, be a pliable support substrate. Such a pliable support substrate can assist the cleaner head 102 to follow contours on the surface to be cleaned 108. Alternatively or additionally, the pliability of the pliable support substrate may assist cleaning of the cleaner head 102 after use, for example involving wringing liquid from the cleaner head 102 and/or washing the cleaner head 102 in the user's washing machine.
In embodiments in which the support substrate is a pliable support substrate, the support substrate may be formed from any suitable pliable material. In some embodiments, the pliable material forming the pliable support substrate comprises a polymeric material and/or elastomeric material.
In embodiments in which the cleaner head 102 comprises the support substrate, e.g. the pliable support substrate, the dirt inlet structure may be recessed into and/or embossed on a bottom surface of the support substrate, which bottom surface faces, in use, the surface to be cleaned 108.
The connecting portion 106 may comprise an elongate member, e.g. a stick, which extends between the cleaner head 102 and the handle portion 104. When the surface cleaning apparatus 100 is being used to clean the floor, the connecting portion 106 can permit the user to grasp the handle portion 104 while he/she is standing and the cleaner head 102 is positioned on the floor.
In some embodiments, such as shown in FIG. 1, the connecting portion 106 is narrower than the handle portion 104, at least at the part of the connecting portion 106 that adjoins the handle portion 104. Thus, the handle portion 104 can be identified as a thicker portion adjoining an end of a narrower part of the connecting portion 106.
By the handle portion 104 being thicker than (at least) the adjoining part of the connecting portion 106, the handle portion 104 may be relatively easily grasped and manipulated by the user.
The handle portion 104 and the connecting portion 106 can be made of any suitable material. In some embodiments, one or both of the handle portion 104 and the connecting portion 106 comprise(s) a metal or metal alloy and/or a rigid plastic.
More generally, the cleaning liquid for applying to the surface to be cleaned 108 is stored in a cleaning liquid tank 110 included in the surface cleaning apparatus 100. The surface cleaning apparatus 100 can also include a cleaning liquid delivery system 112 arranged to transport the cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid tank 110 towards the surface to be cleaned 108, e.g. via cleaning liquid outlet(s) included in the cleaner head 102.
In some embodiments, such as shown in FIG. 1, the cleaning liquid tank 110 comprises a valve 114 through which the cleaning liquid is deliverable towards the surface to be cleaned 108. In such embodiments, and as best shown in FIG. 2, the cleaning liquid delivery system 112 can comprise a connector element 116 arranged to interface with the valve 114 to establish a fluid connection between the inside of the cleaning liquid tank 110 and the cleaning liquid delivery system 112.
In some embodiments, the valve 114 is a two-way valve 114 that allows the cleaning liquid to pass therethrough out of the cleaning liquid tank 110 and also allows fluid to pass therethrough into the cleaning liquid tank 110.
The significance of the valve 114 permitting fluid to pass therethrough into the cleaning liquid tank 110 will be explained in more detail herein below.
The valve 114 can be positioned in any suitable manner. In some embodiments, such as shown in FIGs. 1 and 2, the valve 114, e.g. in the form of a two-way valve 114, is arranged at a base portion 118 of the cleaning liquid tank 110.
Arrangement of the valve 114 at the base portion 118 can assist the cleaning liquid to flow out of the cleaning liquid tank 110, with the assistance of gravity. Such a base portion-arranged valve 114 can also assist admittance of fluid into the cleaning liquid tank 110, as described further herein below.
The valve 114 can have any suitable design and can be formed from any suitable material. In some embodiments, the valve 114 is formed from a metal or metal alloy, such as brass. It is noted that brass is durable and resistant to corrosion, and hence is an appropriate material to use for the valve 114.
The cleaning liquid tank 110 can be formed from any suitable robust material capable of retaining liquid in the cleaning liquid tank 110. In some embodiments, the cleaning liquid tank 110 is formed from a plastic material and/or an optically transmissive material for enabling the user to visually assess an amount of the cleaning liquid remaining in the cleaning liquid tank 110.
In some embodiments, and referring to FIG. 2, the cleaning liquid tank 110 is demountable from the surface cleaning apparatus 100. In such embodiments, demounting of the cleaning liquid tank 110 can assist the user to empty or (re)fill the cleaning liquid tank 110.
It is noted that demounting of the cleaning liquid tank 110 is denoted in FIG. 2 by the arrow 120.
When the cleaning liquid comprises water 122, referring now to FIGs. 2 and 3, demounting of the cleaning liquid tank 110 can assist the user to (re)fill the cleaning liquid tank 110 with water 122. While the cleaning liquid tank 110 is demounted from the surface cleaning apparatus 100, surface treatment agent can be delivered into the cleaning liquid tank 110, e.g. so as to combine the surface treatment agent with water 122 already contained within the cleaning liquid tank 110.
It is noted that the surface treatment agent can include any suitable type of reagent for treating, e.g. cleaning, the surface to be cleaned 108. Particular mention is made of detergent being included in the surface treatment agent.
In embodiments in which the cleaning liquid tank 110 comprises the valve 114 and the cleaning liquid tank 110 is demountable from the surface cleaning apparatus 100, the valve 114 can prevent liquid leakage from the cleaning liquid tank 110 while the cleaning liquid tank 110 is demounted from the surface cleaning apparatus 100.
When the cleaning liquid tank 110 is mounted in the surface cleaning apparatus 100 (referring again to FIG. 1), the connector element 116 can interface with the valve 114 to establish the fluid connection between the inside of the cleaning liquid tank 110 and the cleaning liquid delivery system 112.
Referring to FIGs. 1 to 3, the surface cleaning apparatus 100 comprises, in addition to the cleaning liquid tank 110, a container 124 for containing the surface treatment agent. At least part of the container 124 is arranged in the handle portion 104.
By arranging at least part of the container 124 in the handle portion 104, the surface treatment agent can be stored in a convenient location, where the surface treatment agent is less likely to be misplaced or lost by the user. Regarding convenience, arranging at least part of the container 124 in the handle portion 104 can reduce risk of user annoyance associated with the surface treatment agent being stored away from where the surface cleaning apparatus 100 is prepared for use and/or refilled during use, for example due to a bottle containing the surface treatment agent being downstairs on a kitchen counter while a quick refill is due in a bathroom upstairs.
Moreover, arrangement of at least part of the container 124 in the handle portion 104 can provide a spatially efficient way of storing the surface treatment agent in the surface cleaning apparatus 100, noting that the handle portion 104 can provide a storage location which provides minimal compromise in terms of performance of the surface cleaning apparatus 100.
Since the handle portion 104 is typically unused as a storage location, arranging at least part of the container 124 in the handle portion 104 can leave other parts of the surface cleaning apparatus 100 available as storage for the cleaning liquid, and in some embodiments for the dirty liquid removed from the surface to be cleaned 108. Thus, arranging at least part of the container 124 in the otherwise unoccupied handle portion 104 can help to minimize reduction in use-time, in other words time between refills of the cleaning liquid tank 110, and in some embodiments time between emptying of the dirty liquid collection tank.
The container 124 can be arranged (at least partly) in the handle portion 104 in any suitable manner. For example, the handle portion 104, and optionally the connecting portion 106, comprise(s) a hollow tube, e.g. a hollow metal tube, in which the container 124 is receivable.
Mounting elements, such as a threaded or bayonet coupling, can be included in the handle portion 104 and in the container 124 for securing, e.g. releasably securing, the container 124 to the handle portion 104.
In some embodiments, the container 124 is inserted or insertable into the handle portion 104 via an opening arranged at an end of the handle portion 104. The container 124 can, for example, be removably insertable into the handle portion 104, e.g. via the opening arranged at the end of the handle portion 104.
In such embodiments, the user may remove the container 124 once the container 124 has been emptied, and insert a (re)filled container 124 into the handle portion 104.
Alternatively or additionally, the handle portion 104, and optionally at least part of the connecting portion 106, includes a viewing portion arranged to enable the user to visually assess an amount of the surface treatment agent remaining in the container 124.
The viewing portion can, for example, comprise an optically transmissive material or an opening defined in the handle portion 104, and optionally in the at least part of the connecting portion 106.
In some embodiments, such as shown in FIGs. 1 to 3, the entirety of the container 124 is arranged in the handle portion 104, for example entirely within the thicker handle portion 104 that adjoins the narrower part of the connecting portion 106.
In other embodiments (not shown), the container 124 can protrude from the handle portion 104 into the connecting portion 106, for example from the thicker handle portion 104 into the adjoining narrower part of the connecting portion 106.
More generally, the surface cleaning apparatus 100 can be configurable to adopt a cleaning liquid delivery configuration (as shown in FIGs. 1 and 9) in which the cleaning liquid is deliverable from the cleaning liquid tank 110 towards the surface to be cleaned 108 while the surface treatment agent is not deliverable from the container 124 into the cleaning liquid tank 110.
By the surface treatment agent not being deliverable from the container 124 into the cleaning liquid tank 110 when the cleaning liquid delivery configuration is adopted, unintended increase in concentration of the surface treatment agent in the cleaning liquid tank 110 during cleaning can be prevented. This can alleviate the risk of, for example, excessive foaming of the cleaning liquid on the surface to be cleaned 108.
FIGs. 4 to 6 schematically depict a filling configuration in which the surface treatment agent is receivable in the cleaning liquid tank 110 from the container 124 while liquid, e.g. the water 122 or the cleaning liquid, is not deliverable from the cleaning liquid tank 110 towards the surface to be cleaned 108.
Due to no liquid, e.g. water 122 or cleaning liquid, being deliverable from the cleaning liquid tank 110 when the filling configuration is adopted, a desired/specified concentration of the surface treatment agent in the cleaning liquid tank 110 can be accurately achieved.
In some embodiments, and referring now to FIGs. 3 to 7, the surface cleaning apparatus 100 comprises a delivery assembly 126, e.g. a pump mechanism, for delivering the surface treatment agent from the container 124 into the cleaning liquid tank 110. Such a delivery assembly 126 can facilitate safe and efficient delivery of the surface treatment agent into the cleaning liquid tank 110, particularly when the surface treatment agent, e.g. detergent, has a relatively high concentration. The delivery assembly 126 can help to overcome issues relating to spilling of the surface treatment agent that can be associated with manual measuring and/or pouring the surface treatment agent into the cleaning liquid tank 110.
In some embodiments, the delivery assembly 126 is configured to transfer a metered dose of the surface treatment agent from the container 124 into the cleaning liquid tank 110. Thus, the delivery assembly 126 can assist the user to prepare cleaning liquid having a specified concentration of the surface treatment agent.
In particular, the metered dosing of the surface treatment agent can assist to reduce the risk of overdosing of the surface treatment agent, e.g. detergent, which overdosing can cause suboptimal operation of the surface cleaning apparatus 100, e.g. excessive foaming.
The risk of underdosing of the surface treatment agent can additionally be reduced, which underdosing can also result in suboptimal operation of the surface cleaning apparatus 100.
The risk of measurable suboptimal operation of the surface cleaning apparatus 100 in the form of inadequate stain removal, striping, or shine, can accordingly be lessened via metered dosing of the surface treatment agent using the delivery assembly 126. Similarly, the risk of the user perceiving that performance is suboptimal, e.g. indicated by smell, can be reduced, and more generally the risk of the user being unconvinced of the benefits offered by the surface treatment agent can be lessened, by the metered dosing of the surface treatment agent.
In some embodiments, and referring to FIGs. 3 to 7, the cleaning liquid tank 110, when demounted from the surface cleaning apparatus 100, is configured to interface with the delivery assembly 126 to receive the surface treatment agent from the container 124. This can provide a convenient and intuitive way of delivering the surface treatment agent into the cleaning liquid tank 110.
For example, following demounting of the cleaning liquid tank 110, as shown in FIG. 2, the cleaning liquid tank 110 can receive water 122, e.g. from a tap in the user's home, as shown in FIG. 3. The cleaning liquid tank 110 can then be interfaced with the delivery assembly 126, as denoted by the arrow 130 shown in FIG. 3, and the surface treatment agent, e.g. the metered dose thereof, can be delivered into the cleaning liquid tank 110, as shown in FIGs. 4 to 6. Subsequently, the cleaning liquid tank 110 containing the surface treatment agent-comprising cleaning liquid 132 can be (re)mounted in the surface cleaning apparatus 100, as denoted by the arrow 134 in FIG. 8.
It is noted that the surface cleaning apparatus 100 with the cleaning liquid tank 110, containing the surface treatment agent-comprising cleaning liquid 132, (re)mounted in position is shown in FIG. 9.
The delivery assembly 126 can have any suitable design. In some embodiments, and as best shown in FIGs. 3 to 7, the delivery assembly 126 comprises an outlet element 136 arranged to protrude from part, e.g. the end, of the handle portion 104, and the cleaning liquid tank 110, when demounted from the surface cleaning apparatus 100, is configured to interface with the outlet element 136 to receive the surface treatment agent from the container 124.
In embodiments in which the outlet element 136 is arranged to protrude from the end of the handle portion 104, the cleaning liquid tank 110 can interface with the outlet element 136 by being lowered towards the end of the handle portion 104 (see the direction indicated by the arrow 130 in FIG. 3).
Whilst not visible in the Figures, the surface cleaning apparatus 100 can include a seal arrangement arranged to retain liquid, e.g. water 122, within the cleaning liquid tank 110 when the cleaning liquid tank 110 is interfacing with the delivery assembly 126, e.g. with the outlet element 136 thereof. Thus, the surface treatment agent can be added to the liquid, e.g. water 122, already received in the cleaning liquid tank 110 without this addition causing leakage of the liquid from the cleaning liquid tank 110.
In embodiments in which the cleaning liquid tank 110 includes the valve 114, the valve 114 can be configured to admit the surface treatment agent into the cleaning liquid tank 110. Thus, the valve 114 can permit delivery of the surface treatment agent into the cleaning liquid tank 110 when the filling configuration is adopted, as well as allowing delivery of the cleaning liquid therethrough towards the surface to be cleaned 108 when the cleaning liquid delivery configuration is adopted.
In some embodiments, the valve 114 is configured to interface with the outlet element 136 to enable the cleaning liquid tank 110, when demounted from the surface cleaning apparatus 100, to receive the surface treatment agent via the valve 114.
It is noted that the interface between the valve 114 and the delivery assembly 126, e.g. the outlet element 136 thereof, can, once formed, be sealed to minimize or prevent leakage of liquid at this interface.
Accordingly, leakage of the water 122 and the surface treatment agent, e.g. liquid detergent, can be minimized or prevented once the sealed interface has been established.
In FIG. 3 the valve 114 is closed, with the valve 114 being opened when the outlet element 136 is interfaced with the valve 114, as shown in FIG. 4.
The outlet element 136 can deliver the surface treatment agent, e.g. the metered dose of the surface treatment agent, by the outlet element 136 being actuatable, e.g. pushable in the direction indicated by the arrow 138 in FIG. 4, to deliver the surface treatment agent into the cleaning liquid tank 110.
Actuation of the outlet element 136 can be implemented by, for example, pushing of the cleaning liquid tank 110, while interfaced with the outlet element 136, against the outlet element 136.
For instance, the cleaning liquid tank 110 can be pushed downwardly, e.g. pushed further (see the arrow 138 in FIG. 4) in the downwards direction 130 along which the cleaning liquid tank 110 is initially moved to interface with the outlet element 136.
The outlet element 136 can be configured, e.g. biased, to return to a starting position following actuation of the outlet element 136. This return to the starting position is denoted in FIG. 5 by the arrow 140.
The arrow 142 in FIG. 6 denotes a direction of uncoupling of the cleaning liquid tank 110 from the delivery assembly 126, and in this particular example uncoupling of the cleaning liquid tank 110 from the outlet element 136. The cleaning liquid tank 110 can uncouple from the delivery assembly 126 by, for example, being lifted away from the end of the handle portion 104 (see also FIG. 7).
The valve 114 can be closed before the seal of the sealed interface between the cleaning liquid tank 110 and the delivery assembly 126 is broken.
This may minimize or prevent spillage of liquid, e.g. the surface treatment agent-comprising liquid 132, from the cleaning liquid tank 110.
In some embodiments, and referring to FIGs. 1, 2, 8 and 9, the surface cleaning apparatus 100 comprises a cover 144 for covering the outlet element 136 when the outlet element 136 is not interfacing with the cleaning liquid tank 110. The cover 144 can assist to minimize the risk of unintended delivery of the surface treatment agent when the outlet element 136 is not interfaced with the cleaning liquid tank 110.
Prior to interfacing with the cleaning liquid tank 110, the cover 144 can be removed to expose the outlet element 136, as denoted by the arrow 146 in FIG. 2. The cover 144 can be replaced over the outlet element 136, as denoted by the arrow 148 in FIG. 8, after delivery of the surface treatment agent into the cleaning liquid tank 110.
Variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality.
The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.
If the term "adapted to" is used in the claims or description, it is noted the term "adapted to" is intended to be equivalent to the term "configured to".
Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

A surface cleaning apparatus (100) comprising:
a cleaner head (102);

a handle portion (104);

a connecting portion (106) extending between the handle portion and the cleaner head so as to enable a user grasping the handle portion to move the cleaner head across a surface to be cleaned (108);

a cleaning liquid tank (110) for containing cleaning liquid for delivering to the surface to be cleaned; and

a container (124) for containing a surface treatment agent, the container being provided in addition to the cleaning liquid tank, at least part of the container being arranged in the handle portion, wherein the surface cleaning apparatus is configurable to adopt:
a cleaning liquid delivery configuration in which the cleaning liquid is deliverable from the cleaning liquid tank towards the surface to be cleaned while the surface treatment agent is not deliverable from the container into the cleaning liquid tank; and

a filling configuration in which the surface treatment agent is receivable in the cleaning liquid tank from the container while liquid is not deliverable from the cleaning liquid tank towards the surface to be cleaned.
The surface cleaning apparatus (100) according to claim 1, comprising a delivery assembly (126) for delivering the surface treatment agent from the container (124) into the cleaning liquid tank (110).
The surface cleaning apparatus (100) according to claim 2, wherein the delivery assembly (126) is configured to deliver a metered dose of the surface treatment agent.
The surface cleaning apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cleaning liquid tank (110) is mounted in the surface cleaning apparatus when the cleaning liquid delivery configuration is adopted, and is demountable from the surface cleaning apparatus to enable adoption of the filling configuration.
The surface cleaning apparatus (100) according to claim 4 as according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the cleaning liquid tank (110), when demounted from the surface cleaning apparatus, is configured to interface with the delivery assembly (126) to receive the surface treatment agent from the container (124) when the filling configuration is adopted.
The surface cleaning apparatus (100) according to claim 5, wherein the delivery assembly (126) comprises an outlet element (136) arranged to protrude from part of the handle portion (104), and wherein the cleaning liquid tank (110), when demounted from the surface cleaning apparatus, is configured to interface with the outlet element to receive the surface treatment agent from the container (124).
The surface cleaning apparatus (100) according to claim 6, comprising a seal arrangement arranged to retain liquid within the cleaning liquid tank (110) when the cleaning liquid tank is interfacing with the outlet element (136).
The surface cleaning apparatus (100) according to claim 6 or claim 7, comprising a cover (144) for covering the outlet element (136) when the outlet element is not interfacing with the cleaning liquid tank (110).
The surface cleaning apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the cleaning liquid tank (110) comprises a valve (114) through which the cleaning liquid is deliverable towards the surface to be cleaned (108) when the cleaning liquid delivery configuration is adopted.
The surface cleaning apparatus (100) according to claim 9, wherein the valve (114) is further configured to admit the surface treatment agent into the cleaning liquid tank (110) when the filling configuration is adopted.
The surface cleaning apparatus (100) according to claim 10 as according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the valve (114) is configured to interface with the outlet element (136) to enable the cleaning liquid tank (110), when demounted from the surface cleaning apparatus, to receive the surface treatment agent via the valve.
The surface cleaning apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the container (124) is inserted or insertable into the handle portion (104) via an opening arranged at an end of the handle portion.
The surface cleaning apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the handle portion (104), and optionally at least part of the connecting portion (106), includes a viewing portion arranged to enable the user to visually assess an amount of the surface treatment agent remaining in the container (124).
The surface cleaning apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the connecting portion (106) is narrower than the handle portion (104), at least at a part of the connecting portion that adjoins the handle portion.
The surface cleaning apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the surface cleaning apparatus comprises a wet mopping device.