Cleaning device having fluid reservoir handle with integral refill/reservoir receiver

A mop or like cleaning implement with a fluid reservoir and dispensing handle and with an integral refill/add-on reservoir receiver which embraces the handle. A refill/add on reservoir fluid container is inserted into the receiver to supplement and/or replenish the volume of liquid contained in the fluid reservoir handle. The refill fluid container can be removed and replaced when empty. The reservoir and dispensing handle can be filled and refilled independently of the refill fluid container, or can be refilled using the refill container. Either way, a refill container can be inserted into the refill receiver to supplement the volume of fluid in the reservoir handle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to cleaning implements with gravity feed liquid dispensers. Liquid dispensers associated with cleaning implements, including mops, squeegees and brooms, are well known in the art of applying cleaning liquids, germicides and waxes to floor surfaces. Dispensers are provided as a container appended externally to the cleaning implement. For example, a liquid container may be mounted with brackets onto a mop handle. With the dispenser mounted to the mop handle, an operator may apply liquids onto a surface on which the operator is conducting cleaning tasks without re-saturating the mop by dipping the mop into a bucket or container filled with a cleaning liquid. Accordingly, the operator may conduct the cleaning task uninterrupted by frequent re-saturations, and without having to transport a bucket filled with cleaning liquids.

Typically, liquid is dispensed from handle mounted containers by the force of gravity. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,469,991 to Hamalainen, a bulky airtight liquid holding container is connected externally to a mop handle. Liquid flows out from the appended container through a system of tubes onto a surface by its own weight. The principle of operation of the dispenser is such that when air is allowed to enter the appended external container, a corresponding amount of liquid held in the appended container is dispensed onto the surface by force of gravity.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,467,983 and 6,227,744 disclose bucketless mops having fluid retaining and dispensing handles. An upper dispensing valve is mounted in the top of the tubular handle of the mop can be removed to facilitate filling the handle with cleaning fluid. Alternatively, the handle may include a separate filling opening, not shown in the drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a mop or like cleaning implement with a fluid reservoir handle, and with an integral refill/acid-on reservoir receiver. A refill/add-on reservoir fluid container can be removably inserted into the refill receiver to supplement and/or replenish the volume of liquid contained in the fluid reservoir handle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF TILE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Introduction

In the preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a refill/add-on reservoir receiver and dispensing system400integrated into a cleaning implement1with a fluid reservoir handle10. (FIGS. 1 and 7) Refill receiver and dispensing system400comprises a refill/add-on reservoir container410(sometimes referred to as a “refill container”) and a receiver450integrally mounted on said reservoir handle10for receiving said refill container410and dispensing the fluid contained therein into said reservoir handle10.

Preferred Cleaning Implement1

Any cleaning implement which includes a reservoir handle can be employed in the present invention. In the preferred embodiment, the cleaning implement1is of the type shown and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,467,983 and 6,227,744. The description of cleaning implement1from those patents is substantially repeated herein.

FIG. 1depicts the reservoir and dispensing handle as it would be configured while conducting a cleaning task (sometimes referred to simply as a “dispensing handle). Dispensing handle10is coupled to a flat mop head80. Liquid is dispensed directly from the dispensing outlet98as depicted.

With reference toFIG. 2, the internal components of the reservoir and dispensing handle generally include an upper valve assembly20, a push rod50, a lower valve assembly40, and an end connector90. Preferably, all components are made from non-corrosive, rigid materials such as plastic, stainless steel or an anodized aluminum alloy, or any combination thereof.

As can be seen inFIGS. 2 and 3, the upper valve assembly20includes a cylindrical upper valve body22that fits closely into a tubular reservoir portion11of handle10. This upper valve body is preferably manually removable from the tubular reservoir portion11to facilitate filling of chamber52with liquid, and cleaning of the valve assemblies, but may also be fixedly attached the tubular reservoir portion11, if alternative filling orifices (not shown) are provided in the tubular reservoir portion to allow liquid to be injected into chamber52. Chamber52is merely the interior of reservoir portion11, and hence reference to “filling chamber52,” or “filling reservoir portion11” are simply alternative ways to refer to the same thing. Similarly, speaking of the level of liquid in reservoir portion11or chamber52means the same thing.

O-ring24creates an air tight seal between the upper valve body22and the tubular reservoir portion11. Lip25abuts and seats against an edge12of the tubular reservoir portion at the upper portion of the tubular reservoir portion11. Edge12is preferably beveled to facilitate filling of the tubular reservoir portion11with liquid. The upper valve body22includes an internal bore in which a push button assembly30is longitudinally disposed.

The push button assembly30includes push button32and valve stem34, connectively attached to push button32with pin36. Alternatively, the push button32and valve stem34may be connected by adhesives, screws or other fasteners, or formed from a single piece. Push button32also may be solid rather than as depicted including an internal longitudinal bore37. Bias element38, preferably a coil spring, encircles valve stem34and provides bias between the upper valve body22and the push button32within the internal longitudinal bore37. The bias element may be a helical or leaf spring, elastomer, or any other material suitable for biasing push button32relative to the upper valve body22while resisting corrosion due to liquids used in the dispensing handle10.

Upper valve stem34fits through upper valve body passageway23, and extends below the upper valve body22. At the lower most portion of the upper valve stem34is lip33. O-ring35is disposed on, or at least near, lip33. In storage mode (shown in solid lines), O-ring35seats tightly between lip33and the lower portion of the upper valve body22so that fluids (liquid or air) cannot pass through passageway23. In dispensing mode (shown in broken lines) upper valve stem34is displaced downward to break the seal between lip33and the lower portion of upper valve body22. In an alternative embodiment, the lower portion of the upper valve body22may be beveled (not shown) to facilitate seating of the O-ring35against the upper valve body22. Notably, any sealing mechanism may be used in place of O-ring35to create an airtight seal between the lower portion of the upper valve body22and lip33.

As illustrated inFIGS. 2, 3 and 4, push rod50is preferably a hollow tubular reservoir portion to promote weight savings for the dispensing handle. Disposed at the lower end of the push rod50are radial holes51which provide drainage outlets for liquid that would otherwise become trapped in the push rod50if the dispensing handle was in a substantially vertical position. Push rod50extends from immediately below the upper valve assembly20to immediately above the lower valve assembly40. Notably, the push rod50does not abut directly against upper valve stem lip33in storage mode. Because of this, the reservoir and dispensing handle10may be oriented substantially horizontally without allowing any fluid to leak out from chamber52through upper valve body passageway23.

As illustrated in the preferred embodiment ofFIG. 4, the push rod50receives in its internal bore the lower valve stem60. Lower valve stem60is attached to push rod50by pin66. Alternatively, a screw, adhesive or the like may be used in place of pin62to attach push rod50to lower valve stem60. Lower valve stem60extends from push rod50through internal bore45of lower valve body42, and through passageway43, to below lower valve body42, where the lower valve stem60terminates at lower lip63. In an alternative embodiment, the lower valve stem may be of reduced diameter, or include valleys, in the portion surrounded by passageway43to improve the flow of liquid through the passageway43between the lower valve body42and the lower valve stem60.

In the preferred embodiment, bias element68encircles valve stem60and provides bias between push rod50and lower valve body42. O-ring65is disposed on, or at least near lower lip63. In storage mode (shown in solid lines) O-ring65seats tightly between lower lip63and the lower portion of the lower valve body42so that fluid cannot pass through passageway43. Notably, any sealing mechanism may be used in place of the O-ring to create an air tight seal between the lower portion of lower valve body42and lip63. In an alternative embodiment, the lower portion of the lower valve body42around the passageway43may be beveled to facilitate seating of the O-ring65against the valve body42. In dispensing mode (shown in broken lines) lower valve stem60is displaced downward to break the seal between lower lip63and lower valve body42.

As depicted inFIGS. 2 and 4, the lower valve body42is sealably displaced in tubular reservoir portion11. O-ring44creates an air tight seal between lower valve body42and tubular reservoir portion11. Any sealing mechanism may be used in place of O-rings24and44that creates an air tight seal between lower valve body42and tubular reservoir portion11. Further, any number of O-rings in addition to those depicted may be used, depending on the application.

In the preferred embodiment, the lower portion of the lower valve body42abuts end connector90. In an alternative embodiment, the lower portion of lower valve body42may include a valve seat (not shown) which couples directly to an internal annular bore (not shown) of end connector90. In the preferred embodiment as depicted inFIGS. 2 and 4, end connector90is cylindrical and sealably fits inside tubular reservoir portion11. The end connector90is fixed to the tubular reservoir portion by way of detents12. Other means of attachment, such as fasteners or adhesives, are readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, O-ring94creates an air tight seal between tubular reservoir portion11and end connector90. End connector90includes a first internal bore95, in which lip63and lower valve stem60may longitudinally traverse, and a second internal bore93.

At the lower most portion of the second internal bore93, discharge outlet98extends radially outward. Discharge outlet is threaded so that it can receive outlet nozzle100. In an alternative embodiment, discharge outlet98is not threaded and therefore cannot receive any outlet nozzle. In the preferred embodiment, because the discharge outlet is threaded, it can accept a variety of different sized and shaped nozzles to accommodate various flow rates of fluid, as well as fluids of different viscosities being dispensed.

End connector90is outfitted with yoke slot102, and bolt hole104. As depicted inFIGS. 1 and 4, yoke82is received in yoke slot102, with bolt104positioned through the yoke to secure the mop head80to the dispensing handle10. Other end connectors will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that would sufficiently connect mop head80to dispensing handle10. Other cleaning implements such as a string mop, a squeegee, and a broom may be substituted for the flat mop head80as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

In an alternative embodiment, as depicted inFIGS. 5 and 6, the end connector290is configured to attach to an autoclavable mounting connector300. End connector290mounts and seals with O-ring294in tubular reservoir portion11in the manner described above in the preferred embodiment. Notably, the discharge outlet298of the alternative embodiment may be threaded to receive a variety of different nozzles as described above.

End connector290includes receiver shaft280. Receiver shaft280defines holes281. Holes281are positioned to receive tongs306and attach mounting connector300to the end connector290. Many other means for releasably attaching receiver shaft280to mounting connector300will be readily appreciated by those in the art. Mounting connector includes slot302and bolt hole304, which may be used in the same manner as described above in the preferred embodiment to attach various cleaning attachments thereto.

The main principle of operation of the preferred embodiment shown inFIGS. 2, 3 and 4is that when air enters the chamber52, though upper valve assembly20by depressing the button assembly30, a corresponding amount of liquid held in chamber52is discharged through the lower valve assembly40, out through discharge outlet98, and onto a surface being cleaned. Liquid will tend to flow out of the chamber by gravity, but the liquid is not discharged from the chamber unless an equal amount of air replaces it.

The dispensing handle generally has two modes in which it may be used; storage mode, and dispensing mode. In storage mode, liquid is retained in tubular reservoir portion11, sealed between valve assemblies20and40by way of associated O-rings24and44.

As seen inFIGS. 3 and 4, in storage mode (shown in solid lines) spring38provides bias to force upper valve stem34, lip33, and associated O-ring35upward, to form a fluid tight seal between O-ring35and the lower portion of upper valve body22. In this manner, no air can enter chamber52through internal passageway23. Accordingly, no liquid may be displaced from chamber52.

In storage mode, push rod50is displaced near upper valve stem34, but not immediately abutting the valve stem34. However, push rod50is contacted when the push button assembly is fully depressed in dispensing mode, as described below. Push rod50does not abut valve stem34so that should push button assembly30be accidentally partially depressed, push rod50will not activate lower valve assembly40to dispense fluid from the dispensing handle.

In storage mode (shown in solid lines) as depicted inFIGS. 3 and 4, the lower valve assembly prevents liquid from being emptied from chamber52. Spring68provides an upward force against push rod50, and consequently lower valve stem60. Accordingly, O-ring65seals itself between the lower portion of lower valve body42and lip63, effectively sealing off passageway43so that no liquid may flow there through and into internal bore95. In storage mode with both upper and lower valve assemblies20and40acting in concert, liquid cannot escape internal chamber52.

In dispensing mode, air is allowed to enter the internal chamber52through upper valve assembly20, and a corresponding amount of liquid is dispensed through lower valve assembly40.

As depicted inFIGS. 2, 3 and 4, to initiate the dispensing mode, push button32is manually depressed by an operator. During initial depression, spring38is compressed, the airtight seal created by O-ring35between the lower portion of upper valve body22and lip33is broken, allowing air to enter internal chamber52through internal passageway23. As depicted inFIG. 3in broken lines, after the push button32has been depressed halfway through its stroke, it engages push rod50. Upon further depression, push rod50is also forced downward. When push rod50moves downward, it compresses spring68, and simultaneously moves lower valve stem60downward. Consequently, the air tight seal created by O-ring65between the lower portion of lower valve body42and lip63is broken, allowing liquid to empty from internal chamber52, through passageway43, through first internal bore95, through second internal bore93, and out discharge outlet98into the environment. As discussed above, discharge nozzle100may be of varying configurations to provide different dispensing patterns or flow rates to allow fluids of different viscosities to be dispensed. To change the nozzle100, nozzle100is simply unscrewed from the threads and replaced with another nozzle suitable for the given application.

Dispensing of fluid out from chamber52into the environment will continue until the chamber is empty while push button32is fully depressed by the operator. To cease dispensing and return the dispensing handle to storage mode the operator must discontinue depressing push button32. When depression is discontinued, spring68moves lower valve stem60and lip63upward so that fluid tight seal is formed by the O-ring65pressed against the lower portion of the lower valve body42. Accordingly, liquid can no longer escape from internal chamber52through now-sealed passageway43.

Similarly, when the operator discontinues depression of push button32as depicted inFIG. 3spring38moves upper valve stem34upward so that O-ring35forms an air tight seal between lip33and the lower portion of the upper valve body22, effectively sealing off passageway23so that air can no longer enter internal chamber52. The operator may dispense liquid in a variety of volumes depending on how long the push button32is fully depressed to allow liquid to escape by gravity from the internal chamber52.

Notably, the above described structure of the dispensing handle11also facilitates filling and routine cleaning of the dispensing mechanisms. To fill the tubular reservoir portion11, that is, internal chamber52, the operator must grasp the upper valve assembly20by lip25and pull it out from tubular reservoir portion11. Liquid may then be poured into the tubular reservoir portion11. Beveled edge12facilitates such pouring. After the tubular reservoir portion is filled, the operator may replace the upper valve assembly20back in tubular reservoir portion11.

Refill/Add-On Reservoir Receiver and Dispensing System400

In the preferred embodiment, refill/add-on reservoir receiver and dispensing system400includes refill/add-on reservoir container410, and a receiver450therefore, which is integrally mounted on fluid reservoir portion11of handle10(FIGS. 1 and 7). Receiver450includes a receiver dispensing drain430which embraces and is secured to the tubular reservoir portion11of handle10. Receiver side panel451is secured to drain430, and opposite side panel452is secured to side panel451, to create a holster into which refill container410can be removably inserted (FIG. 14). Drain430includes a receiver dispensing valve assembly440, and refill container410includes bottom container valve420(FIG. 8). When a refill container410is inserted into receiver450, bottom container valve420interacts with receiver dispensing valve440to open both valves, allowing liquid in container410to drain into the reservoir portion11of handle10, as needed to replenish the liquid in reservoir portion11.

Refill/add-on reservoir container410includes a threaded top opening411, and a threaded cap412tethered to it by a strap412. A threaded bottom opening413may conic with a second cap412(not shown) on bottom opening413. However, in use, the cap412on bottom opening413is replaced with an internally threaded container valve420. In this embodiment, container valve420is in the shape of an internally threaded cap, such that it can be threaded onto bottom opening413in place of a conventional cap412. Alternatively, refill container410could be sold and/or reused with container valve420permanently or threadably attached to bottom opening413. Container valve420controls the flow of fluid from container410.

Refill container410also has a shape which is relatively thin from front to back such that it fits snugly around the reservoir tube11of handle10. To that end, it includes a handle embracing recess414(FIG. 7A), and wings415which extend outwardly from recess414and further around to the sides of handle10, but spaced therefrom.

Bottom container valve420includes a valve body421with an internally threaded cap portion421a, and insert portion421band an O-ring groove421cfor receiving O-ring seal422(FIGS. 8, 12, 12A and 13). A valve seal assembly423is provided which is moveably secured within container valve420by a retainer cage426. Cage426includes cylindrical body which fits within the insert portion421bof container valve420, and includes barbed tabs426awhich snap into apertures in the internal sides of insert portion421bto secure cage426in place.

Cage426includes upper fluid flow openings426cthrough which fluid can flow from container410when valve420is open. Cage426also includes a valve seal guide426bat its top, into which the stem423eof valve seal423is slideably inserted. Valve seal423includes a sealing plate423awith openings423dat or near the perimeter (FIG. 12A) which allows fluid to flow through when valve420is open. Sealing plate423ais positioned atop and integral with a downwardly projecting sealing washer mounting barrel423c. Sealing washer424fits around mounting barrel423c, and has a smaller diameter than sealing plate423a, such that the apertures423dat or near the perimeter of sealing plate423aare not blocked by sealing washer424. Barrel423cincludes an inwardly tapered bottom portion, such that when valve seal423is pushed upwardly by pressure on pusher stem423b, fluid will flow through openings426cat the top of cage426, down through plate423aperimeter openings423d, and down and around the inwardly tapered lower portion of sealing washer mounting barrel423c. A spring425around the stem423eof valve seal423biases sealing plate423aand sealing washer424downwardly against the bottom of container valve420, such that valve420is normally closed.

Receiver dispensing drain430(sometimes referred to as “drain430”) includes an upper receiver chamber431which terminates at an inwardly projecting ledge431a, and opens into a valve passageway432(FIGS. 8-11). Valve passageway432terminates at a bottom floor432a. Floor432aincludes a centrally located valve stem guide432cwhich projects above and below floor432a. Floor432aalso includes an opening432bon each side of valve stem guide432c, which allows fluid to flow through and out of valve passageway432and into lower drain passage433(FIGS. 8-11). Drain passage433terminates at a drain insert fitting433awhich projects from the side of drain430, for insertion into an opening in the wall of reservoir tube portion11of handle10. Drain430includes handle mounting arms434which embrace handle reservoir tube11. Each of the two arms include two fasteners receiving ears434alocated at the top and bottom outside corners of arms434. An arcuately shaped handle mounting strap435is shaped to fit partially around tube11opposite handle mounting arms434. Strap435includes laterally projecting fastener receiving ears435a, which match fastener receiving ears434aon the handle mounting arms434. Attachment fasteners434-5, preferably screws, pass through openings in ears434aand are threaded into receiving openings in ears435aon strap435, thus firmly holding receiver dispensing drain430in place on reservoir tube11of handle10. Located on the outer side of drain430and inner side (toward reservoir tube11) of drain430are attachment bosses436(FIGS. 10 and 11) for mounting sidewall451of receiver450(FIG. 14), as will be discussed further below.

Receiver valve assembly is seated and secured in valve passageway432of drain430. A valve body431includes side spring tabs432which snap fit into recesses in the sidewalls of valve passageway432to hold valve body431in place. Valve inlet443at the top of valve body441allows fluid to flow into valve441when it is open. Stand-off tabs444around the top of inlet443keep the bottom of container valve seal barrel423cfrom blocking valve inlet443when container valve420is inserted into receiver431of drain430. Fluid can thus flow out of refill reservoir410through container valve420, and around the sides of stand-off tabs444and into valve body441. Valve body441includes on O-ring receiving groove445, which accepts and O-ring seal446.

The stem447cof valve seal member447is slideably inserted into valve stem guide432c. Valve seal447includes a top sealing plate447awhich includes openings447cat or near the perimeter of sealing plate447a. A top hat447bprojects upwardly from the center of sealing plate447a, to provide a mount for sealing washer448. Sealing washer448is seated over top hat447b, and serves to seal valve inlet opening443when valve440is closed. A valve spring449wraps around the stem447cof valve seal member447and extends between the bottom of sealing plate447band floor432aof valve passageway432. Thus, valve440is biased to its closed position.

Receiver450includes to side panels451and452(FIG. 14). Side panel451includes two fastener receivers452. Fasteners (preferably screws)453are inserted through the openings in bosses436on the outside and inside of drain430, and are threaded into fastener receivers452. This secures side panel451to drain430. Panel451also includes a plurality of additional fastener receivers451aaround its perimeter. Side panel452includes fastener openings452aaround its perimeter which correspond in assembled location to fastener receivers451a. Fasteners453(preferably screws), are inserted through openings452aand are threaded into receivers451a, to secure the two receiver side panels451and452together, forming a holster for receiving a refill container410.

Interaction of Container Valve420and Dispensing Drain Valve440

Container valve420is biased to its closed position, such that refill/reservoir container410can be stored and carried with container valve420threaded onto bottom opening413without any fluid leaking out of container410. Similarly, receiver dispensing valve440is biased closed, such that the reservoir portion11of handle10can be full of fluid, and can be used to mop, without fluid leaking back out through drain430, so long as there is no container410positioned in receiver holster450.

However, when a refill reservoir container410is inserted into receiver450, container valve420and dispensing valve440interact to open both valves, and allow fluid to flow from refill/reservoir container410into reservoir handle10any time the level of fluid in the reservoir portion11has descended below the position of drain fitting433ain reservoir portion11of handle10. This interaction occurs when pusher423bon container valve420engages the top of valve seal447of drain dispenser valve440. The resulting interaction pushes valve seal447down and valve seal423up. Pushing valve seal423lifts sealing washer424up, and lifts barrel423csufficiently high that fluid flows past the tapered lower portion of barrel423c, and down into the inlet443of drain valve440. Pushing valve seal447down pushes sealing washer448down, opening inlet443in valve440. Fluid thus flows down through the perimeter openings in sealing top plate447a, down through valve passageway442, through bottom openings432b, into bottom drain passage433, and out into reservoir tube11of reservoir handle10. When the level of fluid in reservoir tube11is above the position of drain fitting433a, fluid will not back flow out into refill reservoir container410, so long as top opening cap412is tightly secured.

Refill/Add-On Reservoir Use

There are several ways to use the refill/add-on reservoir system400as integrated into cleaning implement1with its fluid reservoir handle10.

1. Container410can be sold as a refill/add-on reservoir with or without container valve420attached. If sold without, bottom drain opening413would be capped with a conventional cap. To use the refill, container valve420would be substituted for the conventional cap, and container410with attached container valve420would then be inserted into receiver450.

2. A used container410can simply be discarded and replaced with a new refill, or can itself be refilled. Preferably, the empty container410would be removed from receiver450prior to refilling. Top cap412would be unscrewed and removed, such that fluid can be poured into container410through top opening411. Container valve420can be left in place during refilling, since it will be closed by being out of engagement with the dispensing drain valve440of receiver450.

3. Whether containers410are used as new or refilled containers, it is contemplated that a user would have enough filled containers on a service cart as he or she made cleaning rounds, to replace empty containers410as they are used.

4. Container410can be used solely as an add-on reservoir, by independently filling or refilling handle reservoir11directly, and inserting container410into receiver450for replenishing fluid to handle reservoir11as it is depleted through use. Handle reservoir11of cleaning implement1can be filled directly with fluid, by removing from handle10the upper valve assembly20. Liquid may then be poured into the tubular reservoir portion11. After the tubular reservoir portion11is filled, the operator may replace the upper valve assembly20back in tubular reservoir portion11. A full container410could be used to refill handle reservoir11by simply opening top cap412and pouring liquid from container410into the open top of reservoir11.

5. Handle reservoir11can be filled with fluid with or without a refill/add-on reservoir container410inserted in receiver450. Of course, an empty container410would be removed from receiver450prior to refilling handle reservoir tube11directly, but a full replacement container410could be inserted into receiver450either before or after direct refilling of handle reservoir11. Either way, added fluid will not drain out of handle reservoir11through add-on reservoir drain430during the refilling process, since drain valve440will be closed if container410is not present during the refilling operation, and the top cap412will be tightly sealed if the full container410is present during the handle reservoir filling.

6. Containers410can also be used to refill an empty handle reservoir11by removing the empty container410from receiver450and inserting a full container410into receiver450. For such refilling of handle reservoir11, container cap412would be loosened to allow air to flow into container410. Container410would then drain quickly through open valves420and440into the empty handle reservoir11. If this process were conducted with implement handle10in a generally vertical position, as shown inFIG. 1, reservoir11would only be filled to the level of drain opening through fitting433a. However, by laying handle10flat, with drain opening433alocated on the top side of the horizontal handle10, the entire handle reservoir11could be refilled without removing upper valve assembly20. It might take more than one refill container410to fully fill handle reservoir11, depending on relative capacities of container410and reservoir11. Either way, a fresh container410can be inserted into receiver450after the refilling of reservoir is complete and any container410has been depleted.

7. Most preferably however, handle reservoir11is never allowed to become totally empty during use in the cleaning process. Instead, the user simply removes and replaces containers410as they become empty. That will always occur before handle reservoir11becomes totally empty, since receiver450will be located on handle10at some convenient distance above the bottom of handle reservoir11.

Regardless of which or which combination of the above variations on use of containers410are employed, the function of container410during the cleaning process remains the same. As the liquid is dispensed from handle10, the fluid in handle reservoir11eventually drains to the point that fluid from container410begins to flow into reservoir portion11. Top cap412remains tightly sealed during cleaning use, such that cleaning implement1can be used vigorously and set aside in various positions during use without worrying about liquid being siphoned back through or draining out of container410through an open or only loosely covered top opening411of container410. As containers410are depleted, the depleted container410is removed from receiver450and a new or refilled container410is inserted into it. The refill/add-on reservoir system400of the present invention gives the user a greater amount of fluid to dispense than is the case with the reservoir handle implement alone. It also gives the user a convenient way to keep operating without having to worry about refilling a totally empty handle reservoir11during use.

The above description is that of a preferred embodiment of the invention. Various alterations and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and broader aspects of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Further, any reference to claim elements in the singular, for example, using the articles “a,” “and,” “the,” or “said,” is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular. The claims are to be interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents.