Patent Publication Number: US-2004040102-A1

Title: Foamed cleaning liquid dispensing system

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] The present invention relates generally to mobile hard floor surface cleaners and, more particularly, to a foamed cleaning liquid dispensing system for use in a hard floor surface cleaner.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] Hard floor surface cleaners are widely used to clean the floors of industrial and commercial buildings. They range in size from a small model that is controlled by an operator walking behind the machine, which may clean a path ranging from 15 inches to 36 inches wide, to a large model that is controlled by an operator riding on the machine, which may clean a path as wide as 5 feet. These hard floor surface cleaners include motorized drive wheels, a solution tank to hold a cleaning solution and a recovery tank to hold soiled cleaning solution recovered from the floor being scrubbed.  
       [0003] The cleaning solution from the solution tank is applied to the hard floor surface adjacent a motorized scrub head. The cleaning solution is typically a mixture of a cleaning agent and water. The scrub head generally contains one or more scrubber brushes attached either in front of, under, or behind the vehicle. The scrubber brushes are rotated to provide the desired scrubbing engagement with the hard floor surface. The soiled cleaning solution is then recovered using a solution recovery system, which returns the soiled cleaning solution to the recovery tank.  
       [0004] Conventional hard floor surface cleaners apply the cleaning liquid to the floor at a high volume flow rate to provide complete wetting of the floor being cleaned. This wetting of the hard floor surface allows the scrub head to transfer dirt from the floor into the cleaning liquid, which is then removed from the hard floor surface and deposited in the recovery tank as soiled cleaning liquid.  
       [0005] Unfortunately, the high volume flow rate of the cleaning solution of prior art hard floor surface cleaners also results in extended operational downtime due to the numerous disposals of soiled cleaning solution and refills of cleaning solution that must be performed for a given job. Such refills typically involve manually filling the solution tank with water and mixing in a cleaning agent or chemical to form the cleaning liquid. In addition to being time-consuming, such manual mixing of the cleaning liquid invites errors in the formulation. Typically, operators add too much cleaning agent to the water, which results in an undesirable residue of the cleaning agent on the floor. The residue can be unsightly and slippery.  
       [0006] There is a continued demand for improvements to hard floor surface cleaners including increasing the cleaning efficiency, improving control of the cleaning liquid formulation, reducing residue on the hard floor surface following a cleaning operation, and other improvements.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0007] The present invention is directed to a foamed cleaning liquid dispensing system for use in a mobile hard floor surface cleaner. Embodiments of the present invention operate to increase cleaning efficiency and improve the control of the cleaning liquid formulation by automating the formulation of the cleaning liquid. Additionally, the cleaning liquid dispensing system of the present invention converts the cleaning liquid into a foamed cleaning liquid to improve the cleaning efficiency of the cleaning liquid, which allows for a reduction to the amount of cleaning agent that is used in the cleaning liquid formulation. This reduction to the amount of cleaning agent in the cleaning formulation reduces the amount of residue that remains on the hard floor surface following a cleaning operation resulting in better looking and safer floors.  
       [0008] The foamed cleaning liquid dispensing system generally includes a cleaner cartridge, a flow control device, and an aerator. The cleaner cartridge includes a collapsible bag containing a supply of cleaning agent. The flow control device is configured to receive a flow of the cleaning agent from the cartridge and a flow of a primary cleaning liquid component. The flow control device combines the flows of cleaning agent and primary cleaning liquid component and produces an output flow of cleaning liquid at an output. The aerator includes a nozzle having an inlet fluidically coupled to the output of the flow control device, an outlet, a body having a bore extending between the inlet and the outlet, and a radial port. The nozzle is configured to receive the output flow of cleaning liquid at the inlet, inject air into the output flow of cleaning liquid through the radial port, and produce an output flow of foamed cleaning liquid through the outlet.  
       [0009] Additional embodiments of the present invention are directed to a hard floor surface cleaner that includes embodiments of the above-described foamed cleaning liquid dispensing system, and a foamed cleaning liquid dispensing kit in which embodiments of the above-described foamed cleaning liquid dispensing system are packaged for installation into a hard floor surface cleaner.  
       [0010] Other features and benefits that characterize embodiments of the present invention will be apparent upon reading the following detailed description and review of the associated drawings. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0011]FIG. 1 is simplified side elevation view of a hard floor surface cleaner in accordance with embodiments of the invention.  
     [0012]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a fluid recovery system and recovery tank of a hard floor surface cleaner in accordance with embodiments of the invention.  
     [0013]FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a foamed cleaning liquid dispensing system in accordance with embodiments of the invention.  
     [0014]FIG. 4 is a simplified front elevation view of a hard floor surface cleaner having an open front portion exposing a foamed cleaning liquid dispensing system in accordance with embodiments of the invention.  
     [0015]FIG. 5 is a front elevation view and partial cross-section of a cleaner cartridge in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  
     [0016]FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of a cleaner cartridge illustrating various embodiments of the invention.  
     [0017]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a housing of a cleaner cartridge in accordance with embodiments of the invention.  
     [0018]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a cleaner cartridge installed on a cartridge receiver in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  
     [0019]FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an aerating nozzle in accordance with embodiments of the invention.  
     [0020]FIGS. 10 and 11 are schematic diagrams of a foamed cleaning liquid distributor and aerator in accordance with embodiments of the invention.  
     [0021]FIG. 12 is a side cross-sectional view of a portion of a scrub head and foamed cleaning liquid distributor in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  
     [0022]FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a foamed cleaning liquid distributor and aerator in accordance with embodiments of the invention.  
     [0023]FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of distributing conduit shown in FIG. 13 taken generally along line  14 - 14 .  
     [0024]FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of a foamed cleaning liquid distributor and aerator in accordance with embodiments of the invention.  
     [0025]FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of a foamed cleaning liquid distributor in accordance with embodiments of the invention.  
     [0026]FIGS. 17 and 18 are simplified front and side views of a leading portion of a hard floor surface cleaner in accordance with embodiments of the invention.  
     [0027]FIG. 19 is a side elevation view of a scrubber-less hard floor surface cleaner in accordance with embodiments of the invention.  
     [0028]FIGS. 20 and 21 are simplified front and side views of a leading portion of a hard floor surface cleaner in accordance with embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
     [0029] The present invention is directed to a foamed cleaning liquid dispensing system, generally designated as  100 , for use with a hard floor surface cleaner, such as hard floor surface cleaner  110  shown in FIG. 1. Hard floor surface cleaner  110  is illustrated as a walk-behind cleaner used to clean hard floor surfaces  111 , such as concrete, tile, vinyl, terrazzo, etc., over which cleaner  110  travels. Alternatively, cleaner  110  can be a ride-on or towed-behind cleaner performing a scrubbing operation as described herein. Cleaner  110  may include electrical motors powered through an on-board power source, such as batteries, or through an electrical cord. Alternatively, an internal combustion engine system could be used either alone, or in combination with, the electric motors.  
     [0030] Cleaner  110  generally includes a recovery tank  112 , a lid  114 , a cleaning liquid component tank  118 , and a scrub head  120 . Lid  114  is attached along one side of the recovery tank  112  by hinges (not shown) so that lid  114  can be pivoted up to provide access to the interior of tank  112 . Tank  118  contains a primary cleaning liquid component (i.e. water) that is combined with a cleaning agent by the dispensing system  100  of the present invention to form a cleaning liquid that can be applied to hard floor surface  111 , as will be discussed in greater detail below. Scrub head  120  includes a scrubbing member  122 , shrouds  124 , and a scrubbing member drive  126 . Scrubbing member  122  may be one or more brushes, such as bristle brushes, pad scrubbers, or other hard floor surface scrubbing elements. Drive  126  includes one or more electric motors to rotate the scrubbing member  122 . Drive  126  may also oscillate scrubbing member  122 . Scrub head  120  is attached to cleaner  110  such that scrub head  120  can be moved between a lowered cleaning position and a raised traveling position. Other embodiments of cleaner  110  will be discussed below that utilize alternative scrub heads  120  and that eliminate the scrub head  120  completely.  
     [0031] A machine frame or mobile body  127  supports recovery tank  112  on wheels  128  and castors  129 . Details of the frame are shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,611,105, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Wheels  128  are preferably driven by a motor and transaxle assembly shown schematically at  130 .  
     [0032] The rear of the frame  127  carries a linkage  131  to which a fluid recovery device  132  is attached. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the fluid recovery device  132  includes a vacuum squeegee  134  and a vacuum  135  communication with an inlet chamber of recovery tank  112  through a hose  136 , which is illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 2. The bottom of the inlet chamber is provided with a drain  140  with a drain hose  142  connected to it. Soiled cleaning solution that is collected by squeegee  134  is sucked into recovery tank  112  by vacuum  135 . A residue of cleaning liquid typically remains on the hard floor surface  111  until air dried. Alternative mechanical devices, structures, or systems may be used to convey the soiled solution from the floor surface into recovery tank  112 .  
     [0033] Cleaner  110  can include a battery compartment  150  in which batteries  152  reside. Batteries  152  provide power to drive motors  126 , vacuum fan  154  of vacuum  135 , and other electrical components of cleaner  110 . Vacuum fan  154  is mounted under lid  114 . A control unit  156  mounted on the rear of the body of cleaner  110  includes steering control handles  158  and operating controls and gages for cleaner  110 . Additional aspects of automatic hard floor surface cleaners are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,483,718, 5,515,568, and 5,566,422, each of which are incorporated herein by reference.  
     [0034] Foamed cleaning liquid dispensing system  100  of the present invention dispenses a wet foamed cleaning liquid for use by the hard floor surface cleaner  110  during surface cleaning operations. In general, dispensing system  100  combines a cleaning agent with a primary cleaning liquid component (i.e., water) to form a cleaning liquid, which is then aerated to produce a foamed cleaning liquid for use by cleaner  110  to clean a hard floor surface. As will be discussed below, the foamed cleaning liquid is a very wet foam that allows for the complete wetting of the hard floor surface. Additionally, the foamed cleaning liquid utilizes very little cleaning agent thereby reducing the amount of residue remaining on the hard floor surface, reducing chemical waste, and extending the life of the cleaning agent supply.  
     [0035]FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of dispensing system  100  in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. FIG. 4 is a simplified front view of cleaner  110  that includes dispensing system  100 . Dispensing system  100  generally includes a supply of cleaning agent  200 , a flow control device  202 , and an aerator  204 . Flow control device  202  includes a cleaning agent input  206  that is configured to receive a flow of cleaning agent  208  from supply  200 . Flow control device  202  is also configured to receive a flow of primary cleaning liquid component  210  at an input  212 . Flow control device  202  is further configured to combine the flows of cleaning agent  208  and primary cleaning liquid component  210  and produce an output flow of cleaning liquid  214  at an output  216 . Aerator  204  is configured to receive the output flow of cleaning liquid  214  and aerate the cleaning liquid to produce an output flow of foamed cleaning liquid  218 . A foamed cleaning liquid distributor  220  can receive the output flow of foamed cleaning liquid  218  and discharge the output flow  218  for wetting of a surface  222 , as illustrated in FIG. 2.  
     [0036] The primary cleaning liquid component  224  is preferably water and is contained in tank  118  or provided from another source. The flow of primary cleaning liquid component  210  is preferably driven through conduit  226  by a pump  228  at a flow rate that is desired for the cleaning operation. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the flow of primary cleaning liquid component  210  is driven at a substantially constant flow rate of approximately 0.5 gallons per minute. Pump  228  is generally positioned in line with fluid conduit  226  and includes an outlet  230  that is maintained at a desired high pressure. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the pressure at outlet  230  is held substantially constant at approximately 60 pounds per square inch (psi).  
     [0037] Cleaning agent supply  200  may include one or more surfactants, builders, solvents, or other components. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, cleaning agent  200  includes an anionic surfactant, a non-anionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant, or a combination thereof. A particularly preferred surfactant is DeTeric CP-Na-38 manufactured by DeForest Enterprises, Inc. of Boca Raton, Fla. Cleaning agent is preferably in a concentrated form (e.g., more than 30, solids). In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the supply of cleaning agent  200  is contained in a container such as a collapsible bag  232  of a cleaner cartridge  234  (FIG. 2), which will be discussed in greater detail below.  
     [0038] Flow control device  202  preferably combines the flow of cleaning agent  208  with the flow of primary cleaning liquid component  210  at a ratio of 1 part cleaning agent to 1000 parts primary cleaning liquid component. Accordingly, the resultant cleaning liquid  214  is formed of 0.1% cleaning agent, which is substantially less than conventional hard floor surface cleaning liquids. As a result, the present invention leaves very little cleaning agent residue on the surface  222 , produces very little chemical waste, and increases the life of the cleaning agent supply  200 .  
     [0039] Flow control device  202  injects the flow of cleaning agent  208  into the flow of primary cleaning liquid component using an injector  236  at a rate that is generally less than 10.0 cubic centimeters per minute and is preferably less than approximately 2.0 cubic centimeters per minute to provide the desired 0.1% concentration level of cleaning agent in the cleaning liquid  214  when the flow of primary cleaning liquid  210  is approximately 0.5 gallons per minute. Injector  236  preferably operates to siphon the cleaning agent flow  208  from the supply  200  using a venturi member  238 . In operation, the flow of primary cleaning liquid through venturi member  238  creates a vacuum, preferably approximately −12.0 psi, that draws the flow of cleaning agent  208  into the flow of primary cleaning liquid component  210  at the desired rate. One such suitable flow control device  202  is the 50580 siphon produced by Spraying Systems Company of Wheaton, Ill.  
     [0040] The vacuum produced by flow control device  202  allows the supply  200  contained in collapsible bag  232  of cleaner cartridge  234  to be completely drained regardless of its position. That is, cleaner cartridge  234  can be positioned below flow control device  202  without affecting the draw of the cleaning agent  200  through conduit  240 . However, it is preferred that the length of conduit  240  be kept to a minimum to avoid unnecessary resistance to the flow of cleaning agent  208  therethrough.  
     [0041] In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the injector  236  is adjustable using, for example, a needle seat valve  242  that is configured to provide accurate adjustment to the slow output flow of cleaning agent  208 . Needle seat valve  242  preferably includes a sharp needle having for example, a two degree needle tip for improved sensitivity.  
     [0042] Dispensing system  100  preferably includes a valve  244  as a component of flow control device  202  (FIG. 2) or as a separate component (FIG. 3) that is in line with supply  200 . Valve  244  can also be formed as part of the injector  236 . In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, valve  244  is a check valve that operates to prevent the backflow of cleaning agent and/or primary cleaning liquid component through flow control device  202  when the flow rate of the flow of primary cleaning liquid component  210  drops below a threshold value. For example, valve  244  can be a 1.0 psi check valve that terminates the flow of cleaning agent  208  when the pressure at the upstream side  246  is below 1.0 psi, as would occur when pump  228  is deactivated.  
     [0043] In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, system  100  includes one or more additional supplies of cleaning agent that can be selectively mixed with the flow of primary cleaning liquid component  210  in addition to first supply of cleaning agent  200  or in the alternative. Thus, system  100  can include a second supply of cleaning agent  250 , such as a surfactant as described above for first cleaning agent supply  200 . Alternatively, second cleaning agent supply  250  can be a brightener, a disinfectant, or other surface treatment chemical. Supply of second cleaning agent  250  is preferably contained in a container, such as collapsible bag  232 , of a cleaner cartridge  234  as discussed above with respect to first cleaning agent supply  200 .  
     [0044] In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a second flow control device  252  is provided to control the injection of a flow  254  of the second cleaning agent from supply  250 . Flow control device  252  includes valve  256  and an injector  258 , which generally operate in the manner described above for the corresponding components of flow control device  202 . Valves, such as valves  244  and  256 , can be selectively opened and closed to control whether one or both of the first and second cleaning agent supplies  200  and  250  is added to the flow of the primary cleaning liquid component  210  to form the desired cleaning liquid  214 . Alternatively, second cleaning agent supply  250  can be fed to valve  244  of flow control device  202 , which can be a multi-way valve capable of selecting either flow  208  of first cleaning agent  200  or flow  254  of second cleaning agent  250  to be passed to injector  236 .  
     [0045] As mentioned above, the cleaning agents, such as first and second cleaning agents  200  and  250 , are preferably contained in a cleaner cartridge  234 , as will be discussed in greater detail with reference to FIGS.  5 - 8 . Cleaner cartridge  234  generally includes a container  260  having an interior cavity  262  and conduit  264 , as shown in FIG. 5. Conduit  264  includes a first end  266  that is fluidically coupled to interior cavity  262  and a second end  268  that is connectable to flow control device  202  through, for example, conduit  240  (FIG. 4). A volume of 2.8 liters, for example, of the supply of cleaning agent  200  can preferably be contained within interior cavity  262  for dispensing to flow control device  202  through conduit  264  and  240 .  
     [0046] Container  260  is preferably a collapsible bag  232  that is completely sealed except where connected to conduit  264 . Thus, container  260  shrinks as the cleaning agent  200  stored therein is depleted. In accordance with this embodiment, container  260  can be formed of vinyl or other suitable material. Alternatively, container  260  can take the form of a rigid container, such as a box, that includes a vent for replacing dispensed cleaning agent  200  with air. Container  260  can be transparent or translucent to allow the cleaning agent  200  to be viewed. Additionally, container  260  can be formed of a material that prevents the exposure of the cleaning agent contained therein from light.  
     [0047] First end  266  of conduit  264  is preferably attached to container  260  such that it is flush with the inside of outlet  270 . A seal  272  is formed between first end  266  and container  260  at outlet  270  to prevent cleaning agent  200  from escaping at that junction. In accordance with one embodiment, seal  272  includes an annular neck  274  surrounding first end  266  and adjoining container  260 . A weld can be formed between annular neck  274 , first end  266  and container  152  to further seal the junction. Other methods for sealing the junction of first end  266  and container  260  can also be used.  
     [0048] Conduit  264  can also include a flow control member  276 , shown in FIG. 6, mounted to second end  268  of conduit  264  to terminate the flow of cleaning agent  200  therethrough when conduit  264  is disconnected from flow control device  202 . Flow control member  276  preferably includes a connector (quick-disconnect coupling)  278  that includes a shut-off valve that is actuated when disconnected from flow control device  202  to seal container  260  and prevent the out flow of cleaning agent  200  therethrough. Other types of flow control members  276  can also be installed at second end  268  of conduit  264  to seal interior cavity  262  of container  260  such as a valve, a metering device, a clamp, a membrane, or a cap.  
     [0049] In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, cleaner cartridge  234  includes a housing  280 , shown in FIG. 7, that can enclose container  260 , conduit  264 , connector  278  and flow control member  276 . Housing  280  provides protection and support to container  260 , which is particularly useful when container  260  is in the form of a collapsible bag  232 . Housing  280  is preferably made from a single piece of rigid or semi-rigid material, such as plastic, cardboard and/or metal that is folded to form a box, which is preferably glued shut at, for example, tab  282 . In accordance with a preferred embodiment, housing  280  is formed of corrugated plastic or cardboard.  
     [0050] Housing  280  also includes openings  284  and  286  on at least one side wall  288  that are preferably defined by removable portions  290  and  292 , respectively. Portions  290  and  292  have perforated edges  294  and  296 , which facilitate their easy removal to expose openings  284  and  286 . Housing  280  can also include apertures  298  and  300  to provide finger access to further simplify the removal of portions  290  and  292 . Opening  284  generally provides visual access to container  260  and allows a user to asses the volume of cleaning agent  200  contained therein. Opening  286  also provides access to conduit  264 , connector  278  and flow control member  276  for connection to flow control device  202 . In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, opening  290  and removable portion  292  can also be formed on bottom  302  through which conduit  264  can extend for efficient dispensing of the cleaning agent  200  in container  260 , as shown in FIG. 7. Other openings can also be provided in housing  280  as desired.  
     [0051] Cleaner cartridge  234  is preferably removably receivable in a cartridge receiver  304  of cleaner  110 , shown in FIG. 8. Cartridge receiver  304  can be a bracket having a back plate  306 , opposing side walls  308  and  310 , a front wall  312 , and a bottom  314 . Back plate  306  is mountable to a wall of cleaner  110  to position cleaner cartridge  234  proximate flow control device  202 . Bottom  314  and side wall  308  include an opening through which conduit  264  can extend for connection to flow control device  202 . Cartridge  234  can be secured to cartridge receiver  304  using a strap or other suitable means. Due to the limited jostling that occurs during cleaning operations, such securing devices are typically unnecessary. Multiple cleaner cartridges  234  can be provided proximate their corresponding flow control device  202  to accommodate the multiple chemical dispenser embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 3.  
     [0052] In operation, cleaner cartridge  234  is provided and a supply of cleaning agent  200  is stored in interior cavity  262  of container  260 . Next, second end  268  of conduit  264  is coupled to flow control device  202  and cartridge  234  is installed in cartridge receiver  304 . Flow control device  202  can then receive the supply of cleaning agent  200  through conduit  264  and provide a controlled output flow  208  of cleaning agent, as discussed above. When container  260  is a collapsible bag  232 , container  260  collapses in response to the output flow of cleaning agent  208 .  
     [0053] Aerator  204  preferably includes at least one aerating nozzle  320 , as shown in FIG. 4 and the simplified cross-sectional view of FIG. 9. Nozzle  320  includes a nozzle body  322  having an inlet  324  fluidically coupled to the output  216  of the flow control device  202  for receiving the output flow of cleaning liquid  214 . A suitable fitting  326  (FIG. 4) can connect to nozzle  320  at threaded section  328  (FIG. 9) to couple inlet  324  to conduit  330  through which cleaning liquid flow  214  travels from output  216  of flow control device  202 . The output flow of cleaning liquid  214  travels through a bore  332  toward an outlet  334  of nozzle  320 . The bore  332  includes a constricted throat portion  336  having a convergent upstream end  338  and a divergent downstream end  340 . Nozzle  320  also includes one or more radial ports  342  extending through a side  344  of the body  322  to throat  336 . Air, represented by arrows  346 , is sucked through radial ports  342  in response to a vacuum generated within throat  336  by the output flow of cleaning liquid  214  for mixing therewith. The aeration of the cleaning liquid  214  by air induction through radial ports  242  produces the aerated or foamed cleaning liquid  218  that is discharged through outlet  334  of nozzle  320 . One example of a suitable nozzle  320  is the “FoamJet” nozzle (also designated as FJP-20015-CE) produced by Spraying Systems Company of Wheaton, Ill.  
     [0054] A check valve, such as check valve  350  shown in FIG. 4, is preferably upstream of outlet  334  of nozzle  320  to terminate the flow of cleaning liquid  214  through nozzle  320  when pump  228  is deactivated. Preferably, the check valve  350  is integrated into nozzle  320 .  
     [0055] The foamed cleaning liquid  218  from aerator  204  is a very wet foam relative to that used by carpet cleaners. Such a wet foam is necessary to provide the desired wetting of the hard floor surface. A foam&#39;s “wetness” or “dryness” may be defined in relation to this volumetric expansion ratio. A “dry” foam has a higher expansion ratio as compared to a “wet” foam. High-expansion foams are “dry” due to the high ratio of air to water and are useful in carpet cleaning to facilitate quick drying of the cleaned carpet. A “wet” foam is not used in carpet cleaning devices since they can cause excessive wetting of the carpet, which leads to long drying times and may result in mold development. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the ratio of volumes between the cleaning liquid (non-aerated)  214  and the foamed cleaning liquid  218  is approximately 1:8. For example, 0.15 gallons of cleaning liquid is aerated to occupy 1.25 gallons. Other volume ratios would yield acceptable wetting results as well.  
     [0056] Foamed cleaning liquid dispensing system  100  can also include a foamed cleaning liquid distributor  220 , shown schematically in FIG. 3. Foamed cleaning liquid distributor  220  is generally configured to direct the output flow of foamed cleaning liquid  218  for wetting of a surface  222 , such as surface  111  on which cleaner  110  travels; wetting the scrubbing member  122  of scrub head  120 ; or other surfaces as will be discussed below. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, foamed cleaning liquid distributor  220  includes nozzle  320 , which directs the output flow of foamed cleaning liquid  218  directly to the desired surface  222 , such as surface  111 , as illustrated in the schematic diagram of FIG. 10. One or more nozzles  320  can be fluidically coupled to the output flow of cleaning liquid  214  by conduit  330  to cover a wide section of surface  211  that extends across a width of cleaner  110 . Outlet  334  of each nozzle  320  is preferably slotted to provide wide dispersion of the foamed cleaning liquid output flow  218 . As mentioned above, check valves  350  can be placed upstream of outlet  334  of nozzle  320  to prevent passage of cleaning liquid  214  through conduit  330  when pump  228  (FIGS. 3 and 4) is deactivated.  
     [0057] In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, foamed cleaning liquid distributor  220  receives the output flow of foamed cleaning liquid  218  from outlet  334  of nozzle  320  and discharges the output flow of foamed cleaning liquid  218  for wetting of the desired surface  222 , such as surface  111 , as shown in FIG. 11. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, foamed cleaning liquid distributor  220  includes distributing conduit  352  having a first end  354  coupled to outlet  334  of nozzle  320  that receives the foamed cleaning liquid flow  218  and discharges the flow  218  to the desired surface  222 , as shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and  11 . Distributing conduit  352  can include one or more sections or branches  356  that receive foamed cleaning liquid flow  218  from a second end  358  of conduit  352  and operate to spread out the discharging of the foamed cleaning liquid flow  218  directly to surface  222 , such as surface  111  across the width of cleaner  110 , as shown in FIG. 11. Check valves  360  can be provided in each branch  356  of distributing conduit  352 , or in line with the branch  362  of distributing conduit  352  receiving the cleaning liquid flow  218  from outlet  334  of nozzle.  
     [0058] Branches  356  can also be configured to discharge the foamed cleaning liquid flow  218  onto scrubbing member  122  of scrub head  120 , as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, which in turn wets surface  111 . As illustrated in FIG. 12, distributing conduit  352  can discharge foamed cleaning liquid flow  218  into an annular trough  364  in the hub  366  of the rotating scrubbing members  122 . A series of holes  368  in the bottom of trough  364  pass the foamed cleaning liquid  218  down to the central region of the scrubbing member  122 . During operation, the foamed cleaning liquid  218  is centrifuged out under the scrubbing member  122  in contact with the hard floor surface  111 .  
     [0059] Another embodiment of distributing conduit  352  is illustrated in the front plan view of FIG. 13 and the cross-sectional view of FIG. 14 taken generally along line  14 - 14  of FIG. 13. Distributing conduit  352  includes one or more substantially horizontal sections or branches  356  that include a plurality of apertures  370  in a top side  372  that is opposite a floor-facing side  374 . Sections  356  of distributing conduit  352  are preferably formed of rigid plastic tubing that is mounted to cleaner  110  in a desired location. Each section  356  includes an end cap  376  closing an end  378 . During operation, foamed cleaning liquid flow  218  travels into closed sections  356 . Once sections  356  fill with foamed cleaning liquid  218 , the foamed cleaning liquid  218  is discharged through apertures  370 . The discharged foamed cleaning liquid  218  flows over the exterior surface  380  of sections  356  and drops to the surface immediately below, such as surface  111 . Preferably, the apertures  370  positioned closest to ends  378  have a larger diameter than those farther from ends  378  to compensate for pressure drops in sections  356 . This design of foamed cleaning liquid distributor  220  prevents undesirable dripping of foamed cleaning liquid  218  to the surface following deactivation of pump  228  of dispensing system  100  by containing the foamed cleaning liquid  218  within sections  356  of distributing conduit  352 .  
     [0060] In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, foamed cleaning liquid distributor  220  includes a wand member  390 , shown in FIG. 15, that allows a user to direct the foamed cleaning liquid is discharged to a surface  392  that is remote from cleaner  110 . Wand member  390  generally includes a rigid tubing section  394  supporting nozzle  320  of aerator  204  at a dispensing end  396 . Accordingly, wand member  390  can operate in the manner described above with reference to FIG. 10. A length of flexible tubing  330  connects a receiving end  398  to output  216  of flow control device  202 . During operation a user can extend the tubing  330  from cleaner  110  and apply the foamed cleaning liquid  218  to remote surface  392 , such as a wall or an object, for cleaning.  
     [0061]FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of a foamed cleaning liquid distributor  220  that includes first and second distributing components  400  and  402 , respectively. The discharging of foamed cleaning liquid  218  through either first or second distributing component  400  or  402  is controlled by a valve  404 . First and second distributing components  400  and  402  can comprise any of the embodiments of foamed cleaning liquid distributor  220  described above. For example, first distributing component  400  can take the form of wand member  390  and second distributing component  402  can take the form of distributing conduit  352  shown in FIG. 11. As a result, foamed cleaning liquid  218  can be easily applied to different types of surfaces, such as surfaces  406  and  408 .  
     [0062] As discussed above, hard floor surface cleaner  110  can be configured to include a motorized scrub head  120  that includes a scrubbing member  122  that is configured for rotating engagement with hard floor surface  111 , over which the mobile body  127  of cleaner  110  travels. FIGS. 17 and 18 show simplified front and side views of a front or leading portion of a cleaner  110  that includes a scrub head  120  in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. Scrub head  120  includes a scrubbing member  122  formed of a plurality of discs  410  mounted to a shaft  412  that is rotated by a motor (not shown). The discs  410  are preferably concentrically aligned with the axis of rotation  414  of the shaft  412  and can be positioned to engage surface  111 . Discs  410  can be mounted to shaft  412  using glue or other suitable means. Discs  410  are preferably formed of a liquid absorbing material, such as material composed of approximately 70% polyester and 30% polyamide, or microfiber. Such liquid absorbing material is known to hold many times its weight in viscous liquid. Additionally, such material collects dirt, dust, mildew and other materials without a need for a large volume of foamed cleaning liquid  218 , thereby eliminating a need for fluid recovery device  132  (FIG. 1). Large particles of dirt and dust that do not adhere to the discs  410  can be captured by a debris collector  416  positioned immediately behind scrub head  120 . Another advantage to the vertically oriented discs  410  is that they can clean grooves that may be encountered in tile, brick, cement, and rock floors. As illustrated in FIG. 18, foamed cleaning liquid distributor  220  can discharge the foamed cleaning liquid  218  to a leading side  418  of scrub head  120  as indicated by arrow  420 , on discs  410  as indicated by arrow  422 , or even through the scrubbing member  122 .  
     [0063]FIG. 19 is a simplified side elevation view of another embodiment of hard floor surface cleaner  110  that does not include a motorize scrub head  120 . Such a scrubber-less cleaner  110  can be used on delicate floor surfaces that would be susceptible to abrasive damage from contact with rotating scrubbing members  122 . Cleaner  110  relies upon the cleaning power of the foamed cleaning liquid  218  that is applied to hard floor surface  111  by system  100 , as illustrated by arrow  430 , to clean the surface  111 . The wetting of the floor with the foamed cleaning liquid  218  traps dirt particles with the bubbles of the foam, which are then carried into the recovery tank  112  by the fluid recovery system  132 . The scrubber-less cleaner  110  uses far less power than those including motorized scrub heads  120  thereby allowing for the removal of some of the batteries  152  used to power cleaner  110 . Scrubber-less cleaner  110  can also be formed much lighter and smaller due to the elimination of scrub head  120  and batteries  152 , or the solution and recovery tanks  118  and  112  can be formed larger to accommodate longer operational runtimes for cleaner  110 . Finally, the elimination of some of the components of cleaner  110  allows scrubber-less cleaner  110  to be manufactured quicker and cheaper that those incorporating scrub heads  120 .  
     [0064] In order to facilitate complete wetting of hard floor surface  111 , cleaner  110  can include a non-motorized wetting component  440 , shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, which are front and side views of a leading portion of cleaner  110 , respectively. Wetting component  440  generally includes a plurality of liquid dispersing members  442  each having a first end  444  that is connected adjacent to a bottom side  446  of mobile body  127  of cleaner  110 . A second end  448  of each liquid dispersing member  442  is positioned to engage hard floor surface  111 . Liquid dispersing members  442  are preferably formed of a soft material that conforms to surface  111 . Foamed cleaning liquid  218  is discharged by foamed cleaning liquid distributor  220  of dispensing system  100  either on members  442  as indicated by arrow  450 , or to a leading side of members  442  as indicated by arrow  452 , as shown in FIG. 21. Liquid dispersing members  442  evenly distribute the foamed cleaning liquid  218  on surface  111  as cleaner  110  moves across surface  111 . Cleaner  110  may include a scrub head  120  downstream of liquid dispersing members  442  to scrub surface  111  with evenly distributed foamed cleaning liquid  218  thereon, or cleaner  110  can be scrubber-less and a portion of the foamed cleaning liquid  218  can be removed from surface  111  by fluid recovery system  132 .  
     [0065] Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a foamed cleaning liquid dispensing kit that is configured to be retrofitted to a hard floor surface cleaner  110  that includes a primary cleaning liquid component dispenser (i.e., tank  218  and pump  228 ) that is configured to provide an output flow  210  of primary cleaning liquid component (FIG. 3). The kit includes packaging containing a supply of cleaning agent (such as supply  200 ), a flow control device (such as  202 ), and an aerator (such as  204 ) that are formed in accordance with the embodiments described above. The packaging can be any suitable packaging such as a bag, a shrink-fit package, a box, a canister, etc. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, supply of cleaning agent  200  is contained in a cleaner cartridge  234 . Conduit sections (such as  240  and  330 ) can also be contained in the packaging. Additionally, embodiments of foamed cleaning liquid distributor  220  can be included in the kit and contained in the packaging.  
     [0066] Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It should be understood that fittings, couplings and other conventional components have not been illustrated to simplify the figures.