Patent Publication Number: US-11033166-B2

Title: Floor treatment system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation application under 35 U.S.C. 111(a) of international application number PCT/EP2017/059347, filed Apr. 20, 2017, which claims the benefit of German application number 20 2016 102 396.3, filed May 4, 2016, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a floor treatment system, comprising a mobile floor treatment apparatus and a docking station therefor, wherein the floor treatment apparatus has at least one liquid container with a container wall and a container interior. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The floor treatment system is for example a floor cleaning system, wherein the floor treatment apparatus takes the form of a floor cleaning apparatus. This may have at least one cleaning unit for cleaning the floor surface, to which a cleaning liquid (usually water) may be applied from the at least one liquid container for enhancing the cleaning effect. 
     However, also conceivable are floor treatment apparatuses and systems in which a liquid can be used that are constructed in other ways. Examples that may be mentioned here are in particular floor polishing systems, wherein the liquid may be a polishing agent. 
     The at least one liquid container may therefore be in particular a reservoir for the liquid. As the level of the liquid in the liquid container falls, the floor treatment apparatus may be transferred to a docked position on the docking station. In the docked position, liquid may be provided to the at least one liquid container. For example, a reservoir may be filled. 
     An object underlying the present invention to construct a floor treatment system of the type mentioned in the introduction that has greater operational safety. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In an aspect of the invention, a floor treatment system comprises a mobile floor treatment apparatus and a docking station therefor, wherein the floor treatment apparatus has at least one liquid container with a container wall and a container interior. The docking station comprises at least one supply conduit through which, in a docked position of the floor treatment apparatus on the docking station, a liquid is suppliable to the container interior. The floor treatment system comprises an opening device by way of which a wall portion of the container wall is movable into an open position, for clearing at least one container opening of the at least one liquid container. In the docked position of the floor treatment apparatus the liquid can exit from the container interior through the container opening. The wall portion is transferable into the open position by the opening device by moving the floor treatment apparatus from a non-docked position into the docked position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing summary and the following description may be better understood in conjunction with the drawing figures, of which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a side view of a floor treatment system in accordance with the invention, having a docking station and a floor treatment apparatus adopting a non-docked position; 
         FIG. 2  shows the floor treatment system from  FIG. 1 , wherein the floor treatment apparatus adopts a docked position; and 
         FIG. 3  shows a perspective (partial) illustration of the floor treatment apparatus from  FIG. 1 , having a cover adopting an open position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     Although the invention is illustrated and described herein with reference to specific embodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to the details shown. Rather, various modifications may be made in the details within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims and without departing from the invention. 
     The present invention relates to a floor treatment system, comprising a mobile floor treatment apparatus and a docking station therefor, wherein the floor treatment apparatus has at least one liquid container with a container wall and a container interior. The docking station comprises at least one supply conduit through which, in a docked position of the floor treatment apparatus on the docking station, a liquid is suppliable to the container interior. The floor treatment system comprises an opening device by way of which a wall portion of the container wall is movable into an open position, for clearing at least one container opening of the at least one liquid container. In the docked position of the floor treatment apparatus the liquid can exit from the container interior through the container opening. The wall portion is transferable into the open position by the opening device by moving the floor treatment apparatus from a non-docked position into the docked position. 
     In the floor treatment system in accordance with the invention, it is provided for a wall portion of the container wall to be able to adopt an open position when the floor treatment apparatus adopts the docked position. In the open position, at least one container opening of the liquid container is clear. This provides the possibility for example of venting the container interior when the liquid is supplied. If the level of liquid in the container interior rises too much, it may further be provided for liquid to be able to exit from the container interior through the container opening. In this way, the pressure in the container interior may be limited, and a backlog of liquid and backflow of liquid through the at least one supply conduit may be prevented. The supply conduit may be protected from ingress of germs or particles that are possibly present in the liquid container and liquid therein. This is in particular significant if the docking station is connected to a mains liquid supply network by the supply conduit. The wall portion is transferable into the open position by the opening device by moving the floor treatment apparatus from a non-docked position into the docked position. As the floor treatment apparatus is moved to the docking station for adopting the docked position, the wall portion may be transferred into the open position automatically and preferably without a drive. This ensures that the at least one container opening is already clear when the floor treatment apparatus is docked to the docking station. As a result, the floor treatment system in accordance with the invention has greater operational reliability than generic floor treatment systems. 
     In relation to the at least one liquid container, the wall portion may adopt a closed position in which the at least one container opening is preferably covered over and closed off. 
     In an advantageous embodiment of the floor treatment system, the floor treatment apparatus is favorably self-propelling and self-steering. By way of the floor treatment apparatus, which is configured as a robot, autonomous processing and in particular cleaning of the floor surface can be performed. The floor treatment apparatus may visit the docking station automatically, in particular, for filling a reservoir with the liquid. 
     As an alternative or in addition, it may be provided for the floor treatment apparatus to be guided manually. A manually guided floor treatment apparatus may be a ride-on apparatus and/or a walk-behind apparatus. An operator may transfer the floor treatment apparatus to the docked position on the docking station in particular for filling the liquid container. Optionally, the floor treatment apparatus may be provided with a drive for a travelling gear. 
     Depending on the mode of operation, it may be provided for the floor treatment apparatus to be operated in self-propelling and self-steering manner or with manual guidance. 
     In an advantageous embodiment of the floor treatment system, the floor treatment apparatus is preferably a floor cleaning apparatus and has at least one cleaning unit for cleaning a floor surface. For example, the floor cleaning apparatus is a scrubber/vacuum cleaner, and the cleaning unit has at least one roller-shaped or plate-shaped cleaning tool that is drivable in rotation. A dirt receiving device may be provided to transfer a mixture of cleaning liquid and dirt—the dirty liquid—to a dirty liquid container of the floor cleaning apparatus. 
     Favorably, the at least one container opening is an overflow opening. If the level of liquid rises as far as the rim of the at least one container opening, the liquid can exit from the container interior by overflowing. 
     It is advantageous if a rim of the at least one container opening runs at least in certain regions along an external contour of the floor treatment apparatus, formed by a housing of the floor treatment apparatus, so that the liquid can flow out over the outside of the housing. Leaking liquid can flow down the outside of the housing, and liquid can be prevented from flowing into the inside of the floor treatment apparatus. This enables any dirtying or damage by leaking liquid to be avoided. 
     In particular, a portion of the rim that is lowest is favorably arranged on the external contour of the floor treatment apparatus. 
     The opening device may take different forms. For example, a mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic and/or magnetic opening device is provided. The opening device may take the form of an active component and comprise at least one drive or actuator to transfer the wall portion. The drive or actuator may act directly or indirectly on the wall portion. A restoring device may be provided to transfer the wall portion from the open position back into a closed position. The adoption of the docked position on the docking station may be detected by at least one sensor device. 
     The opening device may be arranged on or comprised by the floor treatment apparatus or the docking station. Also conceivable is an opening device in which the components are arranged on or comprised by both the docking station and the floor treatment apparatus. 
     In an advantageous embodiment of the floor treatment system, the opening device comprises an abutment or slide element on the station and a contact element on the wall portion, wherein the contact element couples to the abutment or slide element when the floor treatment apparatus is docked to the station. In this way, the wall portion may be transferred into the open position, in a simple construction and without a drive, in the event of movement from a non-docked position into the docked position. This already ensures at the time of docking that the at least one container opening is clear. The slide element may have a slide surface that is oriented at an angle to a direction in which the floor treatment apparatus is docked to the docking station. 
     Favorably, the slide element takes the form of a wedge shape. For example, the slide element may engage in an intermediate space between the wall portion and a housing portion of the floor treatment apparatus. On making contact with the slide element, the contact element may be acted upon by a force that opens the wall portion. 
     As an alternative or in addition it is advantageous if the slide element engages below the wall portion for transferring it into or keeping it in the open position. A configuration of this kind is particularly advantageous if the wall portion is formed or comprised by a cover wall and in particular a cover of the at least one liquid container. 
     Advantageously, in the docked position of the floor treatment apparatus the wall portion is kept in the open position by the opening device. 
     Advantageously, in the docked position of the floor treatment apparatus the wall portion is still kept in the open position if the liquid is not applied to the at least one liquid container through the supply conduit. Even if the floor treatment apparatus has been docked to the docking station but no liquid for the at least one liquid container is provided by way of the at least one supply conduit, the wall portion can adopt the open position for clearing the at least one container opening. Venting of the container interior and an exit of liquid continues to be possible in order to enhance the operational safety of the floor treatment system. 
     Preferably, at least one valve is positioned in the at least one supply conduit, wherein the at least one valve is actuatable for clearing and/or blocking the at least one supply conduit. 
     The at least one valve is preferably clearable or actuatable by a control device of the floor treatment system. The control device may be arranged in the floor treatment apparatus or in the docking station. 
     It may be provided for the at least one valve to be actuatable for clearing by moving the floor treatment apparatus into the docked position. Conversely, it may be provided for the at least one valve to be actuatable for blocking by moving the floor treatment apparatus out of the docked position and into a non-docked position. 
     The container wall may comprise a cover wall that comprises or forms the wall portion. 
     In an advantageous embodiment, the floor treatment apparatus has a cover of the at least one liquid container, which comprises or forms the wall portion. For this reason, the cover may, as a whole or in part, be a portion of the container wall. The above-mentioned cover wall may be formed by the cover. 
     It is favourable if the cover is raiseable away from a rim of the at least one container opening by the opening device, making it possible to clear the container opening. Correspondingly, it is advantageous if, in a closed position, the cover abuts against the rim of the at least one container opening, at least in certain regions, and covers over the container interior. 
     The wall portion, in particular the cover, may be mounted pivotally and/or displaceably for being pivoted open or slid open by the opening device. Preferably, the wall portion is mounted on a housing of the floor treatment apparatus. 
     In an advantageous embodiment, the wall portion is formed or comprised by a cover that can make contact, by a contact element, with a slide element of the opening device when the floor treatment apparatus rolls from a non-docked position into the docked position. By sliding on the docking station, the cover may be pivoted and hence the at least one container opening cleared. 
     It is favourable if the wall portion, in particular the cover, is transferable under the effect of gravity from the open position into a closed position in which the at least one container opening is covered over. This gives the floor treatment system a simple structural form. If the wall portion is not kept in the open position by the opening device, it returns to the closed position automatically, for example when the floor treatment apparatus is undocked from the docking station. 
     As an alternative or in addition, it may be provided for the wall portion to be transferable from the open position into a closed position using a restoring device. 
     In a structurally simple embodiment of the floor treatment system, it has proved favourable if the at least one supply conduit is received in a housing of the docking station. 
     It may be provided for the at least one supply conduit to be positioned, at least in certain regions, in a housing portion of the housing that is arranged above the at least one container opening when the floor treatment apparatus is in the docked position. The liquid can flow, by way of the at least one supply conduit, through the container opening from above and into the at least one liquid container. 
     In an advantageous embodiment of the floor treatment system, the above-mentioned abutment or slide element is preferably arranged on the housing portion. In particular, a slide surface for the wall portion may be formed on the housing portion. 
     It is advantageous if the at least one supply conduit has at least one outlet opening for liquid, and if, in the open position of the wall portion, the at least one outlet opening is positioned above a rim of the at least one container opening, in relation to a height direction. In this way, in the open position of the wall portion, the at least one outlet opening may be at a spacing from the rim and from the at least one container opening. If the level of the liquid in the container interior rises as far as the rim, this ensures that the liquid does not reach the at least one outlet opening. This enhances the operational reliability of the floor treatment apparatus, since it is not possible for any particles or germs to reach the at least one supply conduit and, in the worst case, result in contamination. 
     Indications of position and orientation such as “above”, “below” or similar are to be understood in relation to a position of use of the floor treatment system on a set-down surface. The at least one outlet opening is thus positioned, in the height direction starting from the set-down surface, above the rim of the at least one container opening but not necessarily directly above the rim. 
     The at least one outlet opening is preferably positioned, in relation to a height direction, above a lowest position of the rim of the at least one container opening when the wall portion adopts the open position. 
     In an advantageous embodiment of the floor treatment system, there is provided as the liquid container a reservoir for a consumable liquid, and there is provided as the supply conduit a filling conduit for filling the reservoir with the consumable liquid. In the case of a floor treatment system, the consumable liquid may be for example a cleaning liquid, in particular water or a chemical cleaning agent. The cleaning liquid may be applicable to the floor surface, which may be cleaned using at least one cleaning unit. If the level of the consumable liquid exceeds a threshold level on filling, the consumable liquid may exit from the container interior through the container opening. 
     As an alternative or in addition, in an advantageous embodiment of the floor treatment system may be provided a dirty liquid container as the liquid container for receiving a dirty liquid, and a rinsing conduit as the supply conduit for rinsing the dirty liquid container. For example, in the case of a floor treatment apparatus a dirty liquid container may be provided into which the dirty liquid is transferred after being taken up from the floor surface. By way of the rinsing conduit, the rinsing liquid may be used, for example by a rinsing device of the floor treatment system, for rinsing the dirty liquid container. It may for example happen that an outlet or draining opening of the dirty liquid container is closed or blocked, with the result that when rinsing liquid is applied to the container interior the level thereof in the dirty liquid container rises. The dirty liquid can exit from the container interior through the at least one container opening. 
     The explanations above show that the floor treatment apparatus may comprise more than one liquid container. 
     In an advantageous embodiment, it is provided for the at least one supply conduit to branch at a switchable valve into a first supply conduit portion and a second supply conduit portion through which liquid is providable to a respective liquid container. The valve may be controlled for example by the above-mentioned control device of the floor treatment system. For example, a reservoir may be filled with a consumable liquid, or a dirty liquid container may be rinsed with a rinsing liquid. 
     As an alternative, it may be provided for the at least one supply conduit to branch into two supply conduit portions into each of which a valve is connected. 
     Further, it may be provided for two separate supply conduits to be provided, for applying liquid to a respective liquid container. 
     Preferably in the open position the wall portion clears the respective container opening of the liquid containers. A wall portion, in particular formed or comprised by a cover, may be provided as a constituent part of a respective container wall for more than one liquid container. By transferring only one wall portion, container openings of more than one liquid container may be cleared. 
     The container openings are preferably positioned laterally next to one another, wherein favorably in a closed position the wall portion abuts against a rim that encloses both container openings. In a closed position, the wall portion, in particular the cover, may cover over both container openings. 
     It may be provided for the container openings of two liquid containers to have a common rim portion. This rim portion may be the lowest rim portion of a rim of at least one container opening. This provides the possibility for example, for liquid from a first container interior to exit, and in particular to overflow, over the lowest rim portion into a further container interior. 
       FIG. 1  shows a preferred embodiment of a floor treatment system in accordance with the invention that bears the reference numeral  10  and is designated the system  10  below for the sake of simplicity. The system  10  comprises a docking station  12  and a mobile floor treatment apparatus  14 , designated the apparatus  14  below for the sake of simplicity. The system  10  is positioned in a position of use on a set-down surface, which at the same time forms a floor surface  16  to be cleaned. 
     The docking station  12  comprises a supply conduit  18 , which is connectable to a mains supply network. This is in particular a mains water supply network in order to bring water to the supply conduit  18 . As explained below, water is both a reserve liquid and a rinsing liquid for the apparatus  14 . 
     The docking station  12  comprises a housing  20  that receives the supply conduit  18 . Further arranged in the housing  20  is a valve  22 . At the valve  22 , the supply conduit  18  branches into a first supply conduit portion  24  and a second supply conduit portion  26 . It is also possible for the valve  22  to form two individual valves. 
     The valve  22  is controllable by a control device  28  of the system  10 . In the present case, the control device  28  is arranged in the apparatus  14 , but it could also be positioned in the docking station  12 . By way of a control line  30 , which has line portions  32 ,  34  that are electrically connected to one another when the apparatus  14  is in a docked position, the valve  22  may be switched such that liquid is optionally supplied to one or both of the supply conduit portions  24 ,  26 . 
     Downstream of the valve  22 , certain portions of the supply conduit portions  24 ,  26  are arranged in a housing portion  36 . The housing portion  36  is formed on the upper side of the housing  20 . The housing portion  36  projects beyond an end face  38  of the rest of the housing  20 . The housing portion  36  may engage over the apparatus  14 —a point discussed below—when the apparatus  14  is in a docked position on the docking station  12 . 
     Indications of position and orientation such as “above”, “below” or similar are to be understood in relation to the position of use of the system  10  on the floor surface  16 . 
     An outlet opening  40  is formed at the end of the first supply conduit portion  24 . The supply conduit  18  is operational, by way of the first supply conduit portion  24 , as a filling conduit  42  for filling a reservoir of the apparatus  14 . 
     At least one outlet opening  44  is formed on the second supply conduit portion  26 . Preferably, at least one nozzle may be arranged on the outlet opening  44  in order to generate a flat or annular jet. The supply conduit  18  is operational, by way of the second supply conduit portion  26 , as a rinsing conduit  46  for rinsing a dirty liquid container of the apparatus  14 . 
     When the respective supply conduit portion  24  and  26  is acted upon, liquid can exit downwards from the respective outlet opening  40  and  44 , in the direction of the floor surface  16 . 
     Further, the docking station  12  comprises an opening device  48 . As explained below, the opening device  48  serves to transfer a cover of the apparatus  14  into an open position and to keep the cover in the open position. 
     The opening device  48  has a slide element  50  that is for example arranged on or comprised by the housing  20 . The slide element  50  is formed by a projection on the housing portion  36 . The slide element  50  takes the form of a wedge shape and comprises a slide surface  52 . In the present case, the slide surface  52  is oriented at an angle to a plane defined by the floor surface  16  and points upwards. If the floor surface  16  is assumed to be horizontal, this plane is a horizontal plane, so the slide surface  52  is oriented at an angle to the horizontal. 
     The apparatus  14  takes the form of a floor treatment apparatus and comprises a housing  54 , on the underside of which there is arranged a travelling gear  56  for rolling on the floor surface  16 . Further, a cleaning unit  58  is arranged on the housing  54  in order to clean the floor surface  16 . 
     The apparatus  14  is a scrubber/vacuum cleaner, so the cleaning unit  58  has at least one brush-shaped or plate-shaped cleaning tool (not shown in the drawing) that is drivable in rotation. A further cleaning unit is provided on the apparatus  14  in the form of a dirt receiving device  60  (not illustrated in  FIG. 3 ). The dirt receiving device  60  has a suction bar  62  and a suction unit  64  for applying negative pressure to the suction bar  62 . 
     The apparatus  14  comprises a first liquid container  66 , which is a reservoir  68  for a consumable and in particular cleaning liquid, specifically water. Further, the apparatus  14  comprises a second liquid container  70  for receiving dirty liquid, which may be rinsed by a rinsing liquid, in particular water. The second liquid container  70  is thus a dirty liquid container  72 . 
     The housing  54  of the apparatus  14  comprises a so-called container-in-container concept, in which the dirty liquid container  72  is enclosed by the reservoir  68  surrounding it. Accordingly, the housing  54  takes a double-walled form with an outer wall  74  and an inner wall  76 . 
     The reservoir  68  is delimited by a container wall  78  that comprises among other things the outer wall  74 , the inner wall  76  and a base wall (not shown in the drawing). The container wall  78  delimits a container interior  80 . Provided at the upper side of the reservoir  68  is a container opening  82  that has a rim  84 . The rim  84  comprises a rim portion  86  along the external contour of the housing  54  and a rim portion  88  remote from the external contour of the housing  54 . 
     The dirty liquid container  72  comprises a container wall  90  that comprises the inner wall  76  and a base wall (not shown in the drawing). The container wall  90  encloses a container interior  92 . At the upper side, the dirty liquid container  72  has a container opening  94  that is enclosed by a rim  96 . For the most part, the rim  96  runs along the external contour of the housing  54 . A portion of the rim  96  is the rim portion  88  of the rim  84 . As a result, the container opening  82  and the container opening  94  are separated from one another by the rim portion  88 . 
     When the apparatus  14  is in operation, the cleaning liquid in the reservoir  68  may be applied to the floor surface  16 , optionally and preferably mixed with a chemical cleaning agent. Dirt can be detached from the floor surface  16  using the cleaning unit  58 . The dirty liquid can be taken up from the floor surface  16  by way of the dirt receiving apparatus  60  and deposited in the dirty liquid container  72 . 
     As a constituent part of the housing  54 , the apparatus  14  has a covering for the liquid containers  66 ,  70 . The covering takes the form of the cover  98 . In the present case, the cover  98  is held on the rest of the housing  54  such that it is pivotal about a pivot axis  100 . The cover  98  can be flipped open and closed by being pivoted. 
     In the present case, the cover  98  forms a cover wall for both the reservoir  68  and the dirty liquid container  72 . Accordingly, the cover  98  forms a constituent part of the container wall  78  of the reservoir  68 , in the form of a wall portion  102 . Further, the cover  98  forms a constituent part of the container wall  90  of the dirty liquid container  72 , in the form of a wall portion  104 . 
     At an underside the cover  98  has a peripheral rim  106 . The rim  106  takes a form largely corresponding with the rim  96  of the container opening  94 . 
     When the cover  98  is in a closed position, the rim  106  abuts against, and in particular lies on, the rim  96  and the rim portion  86  ( FIG. 1 ). The cover  98  covers over the container opening  82 , as a wall portion  102 , and the container opening  94 , as a wall portion  104 . Both the reservoir  68  and the dirty liquid container  72  are closed. 
     By being pivoted about the pivot axis  100 , the cover  98  can be transferred into an open position ( FIGS. 2 and 3 , with different positions of opening). In the open position, the rim  106  is raised away from the rim  96  and the rim portion  86 , and the container openings  82  and  94  are cleared. This is particularly clearly visible in  FIG. 3 , but the container openings  82  and  94  are still cleared even with a relatively small pivot angle of the cover  98  in the position of opening of the cover  98  that is illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
     The cover  98  has a wedge-shaped projection  110  arranged on the upper side of the cover  98 , in the region of a front side  108  of the apparatus  14 . Formed between the projection  110  and the housing  54 , in particular at the rim  96 , is an intermediate space  112 . The intermediate space  112  is still present when the cover  98  adopts the closed position. 
     The term “front side” relates to a direction of longitudinal or principal movement of the apparatus  14 . In the docked position of the apparatus  14 , the front side  108  faces an end face of the docking station  12 . 
     The apparatus  14  may be a self-propelling and self-steering floor treatment apparatus (a floor cleaning robot) by which the floor surface  16  may be cleaned autonomously. The control device  28  can control the movements of the apparatus  14 , by control of a drive for the travelling gear  56  and also the cleaning units. 
     As an alternative or in addition, it may be provided for the apparatus  14  to be guided manually, and to be guided over the floor surface  16  by an operator. A drive for the travelling gear  56  may be provided. The operator may operate the apparatus  14  by way of a handle  114 , which is illustrated schematically in the drawing and comprises in particular a gripping device. 
     For filling the reservoir  68  and rinsing the dirty liquid container  72 , the apparatus  14  may be docked to the docking station  12 . During this procedure, the apparatus  14  is moved, automatically or guided by the operator, from a non-docked position ( FIG. 1 ) at a spacing from the docking station  12 , to a docked position ( FIG. 2 ). 
     During docking and on adopting the docked position, the opening device  48  is active so as to transfer the cover  98 , and hence the wall portions  102 ,  104  of the container walls  78  and  90  respectively, from the closed position into an open position and to keep them there. Here, the slide element  50  engages in the intermediate space  112  during docking (and also in the docked position). A contact element  116 , which is formed by the projection  110 , makes contact with the slide surface  52  of the slide element  50  by means of a corresponding slide surface  118 . 
     During docking the apparatus  14  in a docking direction  120 , in the present case parallel to the floor surface  16  and hence horizontally, the contact element  116  as a result slides over the slide element  50 . An opening force is applied to the cover  98  and hence the wall portions  102 ,  104  for pivoting them about the pivot axis  100 . The rim  106  is raised away from the rim  96  and the rim portion  86 , and the container openings  82  and  94  are cleared. The wall portions  102 ,  104  adopt an open position. 
     The housing portion  36  engages over part of the apparatus  14 , in the region of the container opening  82  and the container opening  94 . In the open position of the wall portions  102 ,  104 , the outlet opening  40  is arranged at a spacing from the container opening  82 . Correspondingly, the outlet opening  44  of the rinsing conduit  46  is arranged at a spacing from the container opening  94 . This respectively means in particular that, in relation to a height direction, the outlet openings  40 ,  44  are at a respective spacing from the rim  84  and  96  respectively, and hence from a respective liquid level that can reach the rims  84  and  96 . 
     The system  10  in accordance with the invention has enhanced operational safety. 
     When the apparatus  14  adopts the docked position, with the valve  22  switched to the appropriate position by the control device  28 , it is possible in particular for the reservoir  68  to be filled with the reserve liquid. The supply conduit  18  is operational, by way of the supply conduit portion  24 , as a filling conduit  42 . The outlet opening  40  is at a spacing in relation to the rim  84 , and the reservoir  68  is filled both over a free path passing through the air and also through the container opening  82 . 
     The container opening  82  that is clear in the open position of the wall portion  102  makes it possible to vent the reservoir  68  during filling, for limiting pressure. This limits the pressure in the reservoir  68 , which is protected for example from bursting. A backlog of liquid to the supply conduit  18  is avoided. The liquid level can rise until the reserve liquid exits at the rim  84  from the container interior  80 . Here, the outlet opening  40  is at a spacing from the maximum liquid level. This avoids a possible risk of contamination of the supply conduit  18  by particles and/or germs in the liquid in the reservoir  68 . 
     The container opening  82  is an overflow opening. The liquid can overflow over the rim portion  88 , which is lower down than the rim portion  86 , wherein overflowing reserve liquid is collected in the container interior  92  of the dirty liquid container  72 . This prevents overflowing reserve liquid from reaching the interior of the housing  54  and making it dirty or damaging it. 
     The valve  22  may further be switched such that the dirty liquid container  72  is rinsed with rinsing liquid. The supply conduit  18  is operational, by way of the supply conduit portion  26 , as a rinsing conduit  46 . Preferably, dirty liquid received in the container interior  92  is previously removed through an outlet or draining opening (not illustrated in the drawing), for example the dirty liquid is drained off to the docking station  12 . 
     During rinsing of the dirty liquid container  72 , the rinsing liquid is applied to the container interior  92 . If the outlet or draining opening is closed or blocked, the liquid level in the container interior  92  can rise. This liquid level can also rise as a result of overflowing reserve liquid, as mentioned, from the reservoir  68 . 
     In the open position of the wall portion  104 , the container opening  94  is cleared for venting, in order to prevent a rise in pressure in the container interior  92 , a backlog of liquid to the supply conduit  18  and bursting of the dirty liquid container  72 . 
     The container opening  94  is likewise an overflow opening. If the liquid level in the container interior  92  reaches the rim  96 , the liquid can exit from the container interior  92  and in particular overflow. It is advantageous if the liquid can flow down the external contour of the housing  54  and so does not reach the interior of the housing  54 . 
     In the open position of the wall portion  104 , the outlet opening  44  is arranged at a spacing from the rim  96 . This makes it possible to avoid contact between the rinsing conduit  46  and liquid contaminated by any particles and/or germs in the container interior  92 . In this case too, contamination of the supply conduit  18  is avoided. 
     The cover  98  and hence the wall portions  102 ,  104  may be transferred from the open position back into the closed position automatically. When the apparatus  14  is undocked from the docking station  12 , the cover  98  pivots again under the effect of gravity about the pivot axis  100  until the rim  106  lies on the rim  96  and the rim portion  86 , and closes off both liquid containers  66 ,  70 . 
     REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       10  Floor treatment system 
       12  Docking station 
       14  Apparatus 
       16  Floor surface 
       18  Supply conduit 
       20  Housing 
       22  Valve 
       24  Supply conduit portion 
       26  Supply conduit portion 
       28  Control device 
       30  Control line 
       32  Line portion 
       34  Line portion 
       36  Housing portion 
       38  End face 
       40  Outlet opening 
       42  Filling conduit 
       44  Outlet opening 
       46  Rinsing conduit 
       48  Opening device 
       50  Slide element 
       52  Slide surface 
       54  Housing 
       56  Travelling gear 
       58  Cleaning unit 
       60  Dirt receiving device 
       62  Suction bar 
       64  Suction unit 
       66  Liquid container 
       68  Reservoir 
       70  Liquid container 
       72  Dirty liquid container 
       74  Outer wall 
       76  Inner wall 
       78  Container wall 
       80  Container interior 
       82  Container opening 
       84  Rim 
       86  Rim portion 
       88  Rim portion 
       90  Container wall 
       92  Container interior 
       94  Container opening 
       96  Rim 
       98  Cover 
       100  Pivot axis 
       102  Wall portion 
       104  Wall portion 
       106  Rim 
       108  Front side 
       110  Projection 
       112  Intermediate space 
       114  Handle 
       116  Contact element 
       118  Slide surface 
       120  Docking direction