Abstract:
A liquid dispensing mechanism contained in a handle of a cleaning implement. The handle includes internal upper and lower valve assemblies sealably mounted within the handle to provide an air tight chamber therebetween for holding liquid. The upper valve assembly includes a push button actuator for introducing air into the chamber. The lower valve assembly includes a dispensing outlet for discharging the liquid from the chamber. When air is introduced into the air tight chamber through the upper valve assembly, a corresponding amount of liquid is dispensed from the chamber and out from the handle through the dispensing outlet.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to gravity feed liquid dispensers, and more particularly, to liquid dispensers associated with cleaning implements.  
           [0002]    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.  
           [0003]    Typically, liquid is dispensed from handle mounted containers by the force of gravity. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,469,991 to Hämäläinen, hereby incorporated by reference, an 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.  
           [0004]    While solving a long felt need for a liquid dispenser attached to a cleaning implement, conventional handle mounted liquid dispensers require an unwieldy container to be mounted to the handle. This inhibits movement of the handle as required to carry out various cleaning or waxing tasks. Positioning of a full liquid container at a position relatively high on the handle also makes it difficult to maneuver the cleaning implement in tight spaces. Additionally, the appended container requires bracketry to mount the container to the handle; therefore, the cost of manufacture is increased.  
           [0005]    Further, conventional liquid dispensers use tubes to conduct and dispense liquid. These tubes are prone to kinking, plugging and blockage if anything but very viscous liquids are used therein. Along the same lines, it is difficult to remove the tubes and tubed valve assemblies from the handle to effectively perform routine cleaning of the tubing. Finally, the conventional externally mounted liquid dispensers do not easily allow the operator to select different flow rates for liquids, nor do they allow the operator to use liquids of significantly different viscosities.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    The aforementioned problems are overcome in the present invention which internally integrates a liquid dispensing mechanism and a liquid retaining container or chamber within the handle of a cleaning implement. With the dispensing mechanism and chamber integrated into the handle of the cleaning implement, there is no unwieldy structure to impede an operator&#39;s movements while conducting cleaning tasks. Further, additional mounting bracketry is not required to attach an external container to the handle.  
           [0007]    The handle of the cleaning implement generally is a tubular shaft which includes two valve assemblies; one at the top of the tubular shaft, the other at the bottom of the tubular shaft. Both valve assemblies include seals to create an air tight chamber within the tube. Accordingly, when the chamber has liquid in it, the liquid cannot escape onto the surface to be cleaned until air is introduced into the chamber. The top valve assembly includes a push button mechanism to allow air into the air tight chamber. By introducing air, an equal amount of liquid is dispensed out from the handle through the lower valve assembly.  
           [0008]    In a second aspect of the invention, the unique structure of the upper and lower valve assemblies eliminates the need for extensive plastic tubing which is prone to kinking or blockage. In a third aspect of the invention, the entire air/hydraulic valve system is removably disposed in the handle of the cleaning implement and generally includes only two valves. This valve system may be easily pulled manually from the tubular handle to perform routine cleaning or repair of the internal components of the dispensing mechanism. In a fourth aspect of the invention, a unique end connector for connecting the handle to various cleaning attachments, such as different mop heads, is coupled to the handle below the lower valve assembly. This end connector is compatible with various discharge nozzles that can accommodate different flow rates of liquid and different liquid viscosities. Accordingly, the same end connector can be used for multiple liquids and rates of flow merely by changing the discharge nozzle.  
           [0009]    These and other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will be more readily understood and appreciated with reference to the detailed description of the preferred embodiment and drawings.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a liquid dispensing apparatus of the type used in the present invention with a cleaning attachment mounted thereto;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the internal components of the apparatus;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the apparatus taken along line  3 - 3  of FIG. 2;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the apparatus taken along line  3 - 3  of FIG. 2;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 5 is an alternative embodiment of the internal components and attachments of the apparatus; and,  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the apparatus taken along line  6 - 6  of FIG. 5.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0016]    A preferred embodiment of the liquid dispensing apparatus of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 and generally designated  10 . FIG. 1 depicts the dispensing handle as it would be configured while conducting a cleaning task. Dispensing handle  10  is coupled to a flat mop head  80 . Liquid is dispensed directly from the dispensing outlet  98  as depicted.  
         [0017]    With reference to FIG. 2, the internal components of the dispensing handle generally include an upper valve assembly  20 , a push rod  50 , a lower valve assembly  40 , and an end connector  90 . Preferably, all components are made from non-corrosive, rigid materials such as plastic, stainless steel or an anodized aluminum alloy, or any combination thereof.  
         [0018]    As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the upper valve assembly  20  includes a cylindrical upper valve body  22  that fits closely into a tubular shaft  11 . This upper valve body is preferably manually removable from the tubular shaft  11  to facilitate filling of chamber  52  with liquid, and cleaning of the valve assemblies, but may also be fixedly attached the tubular shaft  11  as long as alternative filling orifices (not shown) are provided in the tubular shaft to allow liquid to be injected into chamber  52 . O-ring  24  creates an air tight seal between the upper valve body  22  and the tubular shaft  11 . Lip  25  abuts and seats against an edge  12  of the tubular shaft at the upper portion of the tubular shaft  11 . Edge  12  is preferably beveled to facilitate filling of the tubular shaft  11  with liquid. The upper valve body  22  includes an internal bore in which a push button assembly  30  is longitudinally disposed.  
         [0019]    The push button assembly  30  includes push button  32  and valve stem  34 , connectively attached to push button  32  with pin  36 . Alternatively, the push button  32  and valve stem  34  may be connected by adhesives, screws or other fasteners, or formed from a single piece. Push button  32  also may be solid rather than as depicted including an internal longitudinal bore  37 . Bias element  38 , preferably a coil spring, encircles valve stem  34  and provides bias between the upper valve body  22  and the push button  32  within the internal longitudinal bore  37 . The bias element may be a helical or leaf spring, elastomer, or any other material suitable for biasing push button  32  relative to the upper valve body  22  while resisting corrosion due to liquids used in the dispensing handle  10 .  
         [0020]    Upper valve stem  34  fits through upper valve body passageway  23 , and extends below the upper valve body  22 . At the lower most portion of the upper valve stem  34  is lip  33 . O-ring  35  is disposed on, or at least in close proximity to, lip  33 . In storage mode (shown in solid lines), O-ring  35  seats tightly between lip  33  and the lower portion of the upper valve body  22  so that fluids (liquid or air) cannot pass through passageway  23 . In dispensing mode (shown in broken lines) upper valve stem  34  is displaced downward to break the seal between lip  33  and the lower portion of upper valve body  22 . In an alternative embodiment, the lower portion of the upper valve body  22  may be beveled (not shown) to facilitate seating of the O-ring  35  against the upper valve body  22 . Notably, any sealing mechanism may be used in place of O-ring  35  to create an airtight seal between the lower portion of the upper valve body  22  and lip  33 .  
         [0021]    As illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and  4 , push rod  50  is preferably a hollow tubular shaft to promote weight savings for the dispensing handle. Disposed at the lower end of the push rod  50  are radial holes  51  which provide drainage outlets for liquid that would otherwise become trapped in the push rod  50  if the dispensing handle was in a substantially vertical position. Push rod  50  extends from immediately below the upper valve assembly  20  to immediately above the lower valve assembly  40 . Notably, the push rod  50  does not abut directly against upper valve stem lip  33  in storage mode. Because of this, the dispensing handle  10  may be oriented substantially horizontally without allowing any fluid to leak out from chamber  52  through upper valve body passageway  23 .  
         [0022]    As illustrated in the preferred embodiment of FIG. 4, the push rod  50  receives in its internal bore the lower valve stem  60 . Lower valve stem  60  is attached to push rod  50  by pin  66 . Alternatively, a screw, adhesive or the like may be used in place of pin  62  to attach push rod  50  to lower valve stem  60 . Lower valve stem  60  extends from push rod  50  through internal bore  45  of lower valve body  42 , and through passageway  43 , to below lower valve body  42 , where the lower valve stem  60  terminates at lower lip  63 . In an alternative embodiment, the lower valve stem may be of reduced diameter, or include valleys, in the portion surrounded by passageway  43  to improve the flow of liquid through the passageway  43  between the lower valve body  42  and the lower valve stem  60 .  
         [0023]    In the preferred embodiment, bias element  68  encircles valve stem  60  and provides bias between push rod  50  and lower valve body  42 . O-ring  65  is disposed on, or at least in close proximity to lower lip  63 . In storage mode (shown in solid lines) O-ring  65  seats tightly between lower lip  63  and the lower portion of the lower valve body  42  so that fluid cannot pass through passageway  43 . 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 body  42  and lip  63 . In an alternative embodiment, the lower portion of the lower valve body  42  around the passageway  43  may be beveled to facilitate seating of the O-ring  65  against the valve body  42 . In dispensing mode (shown in broken lines) lower valve stem  60  is displaced downward to break the seal between lower lip  63  and lower valve body  42 .  
         [0024]    As depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3, the lower valve body  42  is sealably displaced in tubular shaft  11 . O-ring  44  creates an air tight seal between lower valve body  42  and tubular shaft  11 . Any sealing mechanism may be used in place of O-rings  24  and  44  that creates an air tight seal between lower valve body  42  and tubular shaft  11 . Further, any number of O-rings in addition to those depicted may be used, depending on the application.  
         [0025]    In the preferred embodiment, the lower portion of the lower valve body  42  abuts end connector  90 . In an alternative embodiment, the lower portion of lower valve body  42  may include a valve seat (not shown) which couples directly to an internal annular bore (not shown) of end connector  90 . In the preferred embodiment as depicted in FIGS. 2 and 4, end connector  90  is cylindrical and sealably fits inside tubular shaft  11 . The end connector  90  is fixed to the tubular shaft by way of detents  12 . Other means of attachment, such as fasteners or adhesives, are readily appreciated by those skilled in the art. O-ring  94  creates an air tight seal between tubular shaft  11  and end connector  90 . End connector  90  includes a first internal bore  95 , in which lip  63  and lower valve stem  60  may longitudinally traverse, and a second internal bore  93 .  
         [0026]    At the lower most portion of the second internal bore  93 , discharge outlet  98  extends radially outward. Discharge outlet is threaded so that it can receive outlet nozzle  100 . In an alternative embodiment, discharge outlet  98  is 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.  
         [0027]    End connector  90  is outfitted with yoke slot  102 , and bolt hole  104 . As depicted in FIGS. 1 and 4, yoke  82  is received in yoke slot  102 , with bolt  104  positioned through the yoke to secure the mop head  80  to the dispensing handle  10 . Other end connectors will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that would sufficiently connect mop head  80  to dispensing handle  10 .  
         [0028]    In an alternative embodiment, as depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6, the end connector  290  is configured to attach to an autoclavable mounting connector  300 . End connector  290  mounts and seals with O-ring  294  in tubular shaft  11  in the manner described above in the preferred embodiment. Notably, the discharge outlet  298  of the alternative embodiment may be threaded to receive a variety of different nozzles as described above.  
         [0029]    End connector  290  includes receiver shaft  280 . Receiver shaft  280  defines holes  281 . Holes  281  are positioned to receive tongs  306  and attach mounting connector  300  to the end connector  290 . Many other means for releasably attaching receiver shaft  280  to mounting connector  290  will be readily appreciated by those in the art. Mounting connector includes yoke slot  307  and bolt hole  304 , which may be used in the same manner as described above in the preferred embodiment to attach various cleaning attachments thereto.  
       Operation  
       [0030]    The main principle of operation of the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and  4  is that when air enters the chamber  52 , though upper valve assembly  20  by depressing the button assembly  30 , a corresponding amount of liquid held in chamber  52  is discharged through the lower valve assembly  40 , out through discharge outlet  98 , 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.  
         [0031]    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 shaft  11 , sealed between valve assemblies  20  and  40  by way of associated O-rings  24  and  44 .  
         [0032]    As seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, in storage mode (shown in solid lines) spring  38  provides bias to force upper valve stem  34 , lip  33 , and associated O-ring  35  upward, to form a fluid tight seal between O-ring  35  and the lower portion of upper valve body  22 . In this manner, no air is allowed to enter chamber  52  through internal passageway  23 . Accordingly, no liquid may be displaced from chamber  52 .  
         [0033]    In storage mode, push rod  50  is displaced near upper valve stem  34 , but not immediately abutting the valve stem  34 . However, push rod  50  is contacted when the push button assembly is fully depressed in dispensing mode, as described below. Push rod  50  does not abut valve stem  34  so that should push button assembly  30  be accidentally partially depressed, push rod  50  will not activate lower valve assembly  40  to dispense fluid from the dispensing handle.  
         [0034]    In storage mode (shown in solid lines) as depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4, the lower valve assembly prevents liquid from being emptied from chamber  52 . Spring  68  provides an upward force against push rod  50 , and consequently lower valve stem  60 . Accordingly, O-ring  65  seals itself between the lower portion of lower valve body  42  and lip  63 , effectively sealing off passageway  43  so that no liquid may flow there through and into internal bore  95 .  
         [0035]    In storage mode with both upper and lower valve assemblies  20  and  40  acting in concert, liquid cannot escape internal chamber  52 .  
         [0036]    Now there will be described the manner in which liquid is dispensed from the dispensing handle  11 .  
         [0037]    In dispensing mode, air is allowed to enter into the internal chamber  52  through upper valve assembly  20 , and a corresponding amount of liquid is dispensed through lower valve assembly  40 .  
         [0038]    As depicted in FIGS. 2, 3 and  4 , to initiate the dispensing mode, push button  32  is manually depressed by an operator. During initial depression, spring  38  is compressed, the airtight seal created by O-ring  35  between the lower portion of upper valve body  22  and lip  33  is broken, allowing air to enter into internal chamber  52  through internal passageway  23 . As depicted in FIG. 3 in broken lines, after the push button  32  has been depressed halfway through its stroke, it engages push rod  50 . Upon further depression, push rod  50  is also forced downward. When push rod  50  moves downward, it compresses spring  68 , and simultaneously moves lower valve stem  60  downward. Consequently, the air tight seal created by O-ring  65  between the lower portion of lower valve body  42  and lip  63  is broken, allowing liquid to empty from internal chamber  52 , through passageway  43 , through first internal bore  95 , through second internal bore  93 , and out discharge outlet  98  into the environment. As discussed above, discharge nozzle  100  may be of varying configurations to provide different dispensing patterns or flow rates to allow fluids of different viscosities to be dispensed. To change the nozzle  100 , nozzle  100  is simply unscrewed from the threads and replaced with another nozzle suitable for the given application.  
         [0039]    Dispensing of fluid out from chamber  52  into the environment will continue until the chamber is empty while push button  32  is fully depressed by the operator. To cease dispensing and return the dispensing handle to storage mode the operator must discontinue depressing push button  32 . When depression is discontinued, spring  68  moves lower valve stem  60  and lip  63  upward so that fluid tight seal is formed by the O-ring  65  pressed against the lower portion of the lower valve body  42 . Accordingly, liquid can no longer escape from internal chamber  52  through now-sealed passageway  43 .  
         [0040]    Similarly when the operator discontinues depression of push button  32  as depicted in FIG. 3, spring  38  moves upper valve stem  34  upward so that O-ring  35  forms an air tight seal between lip  33  and the lower portion of the upper valve body  22 , effectively sealing off passageway  23  so that air can no longer enter into internal chamber  52 . The operator may dispense liquid in a variety of volumes depending on how long the push button  32  is fully depressed to allow liquid to escape by gravity from the internal chamber  52 .  
         [0041]    Notably, the above described structure of the dispensing handle  11  also facilitates filling and routine cleaning of the dispensing mechanisms. To fill the tubular shaft  11 , that is, internal chamber  52 , the operator must grasp the upper valve assembly  20  by lip  25  and pull it out from tubular shaft  11 . Liquid may then be poured into the tubular shaft  11 . Beveled edge  12  facilitates such pouring. After the tubular shaft is filled, the operator may replace the upper valve assembly  20  back in tubular shaft  11 .  
         [0042]    Routine cleaning/inspection of the valve assemblies is performed in a similar manner. The operator removes upper valve assembly  20  as described above. The operator may then grasp push rod  50  with his or her fingers, or a pinching tool if necessary. Pulling the push rod  50 , outward from the tubular shaft  11 , will consequently pull lower valve assembly  40  out from the shaft because the push rod  50  and the lower valve body  42  are interconnected by the lip  63  of the lower valve stem.  
         [0043]    After the upper and lower valve assemblies have been inspected and cleaned, the operator may replace the lower valve assembly  40  back into the tubular shaft  11 , and push it into the tubular shaft  11  with the push rod  50 , until it abuts end connector  90 . Notably, the beveled edge  12  facilitates inserting the O-ring sealed valve assemblies into the tubular shaft  11 .  
         [0044]    Once the lower valve assembly  40 , and push rod  50  have been replaced in the tubular shaft, the upper valve assembly  20  may be replaced as well.  
         [0045]    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.