Patent Description:
Some floor cleaning machines are known from <CIT>, <CIT> or <CIT>.

Example embodiments of the present invention provide a floor cleaning device that uses mechanical action to pressurize a reservoir containing cleaning solution such that the cleaning solution may be sprayed onto the floor (e.g., via user activation of a trigger). Example embodiments provide a swiveling head that uses a material to clean floors by utilizing said material and the cleaning solution. Example embodiments of the present invention include cleaning capsules that are punctured upon insertion into the cleaning device. Said capsules contain a concentrated cleaning liquid. Example embodiments contain a reservoir that can be filled with a dilution chemical (e.g., water, vinegar, and/or the like) and attached to the cleaning device. Example embodiments of the invention allow the dilution chemical and concentrated cleaning liquid to mix within the reservoir to form a cleaning solution. Example embodiments of the present invention contain a mechanism to build up air pressure within the reservoir. Said mechanism will pressurize the cleaning solution (e.g., cleaning liquid/dilution chemical mixture) and allow it to be sprayed out of the cleaning device.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a floor cleaning device that can spray a cleaning solution (e.g., without the use of batteries) is provided. In an example embodiment, said cleaning device comprises a handle that is attached to a rod. Said handle also comprises a trigger. In an example embodiment, said cleaning device also comprises a pump handle that is affixed to the rod and is capable of movement along a portion of a length of the rod. Example embodiments have a mechanism that compresses air (e.g., through the movement of the pump handle along the portion of the length of the rod). Example embodiments have a removable reservoir that can carry dilution chemical (e.g., water, ionized water, filtered water, tap water, vinegar, and/or the like), cleaning liquid, and/or cleaning solution (e.g., a mixture of dilution chemical and cleaning liquid). Example embodiments provide a capsule chamber reservoir to hold cleaning capsules. The apparatus also comprises a way to puncture the cleaning capsules and a lid to the chamber reservoir. When the capsule is positioned within the capsule chamber and the lid is closed, the capsule is punctured, and cleaning solution is provided to the reservoir. Example embodiments provide outlet tubing that connects the reservoir to the cleaning device head. Example embodiments also comprise a spray nozzle and/or atomizer nozzle located on or near the head of the cleaning device. When the trigger is pushed, the pressurized cleaning solution goes through the tubing and leaves the cleaning device through the spray nozzle.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a floor cleaning device is provided. In an example embodiment, the floor cleaning device comprises a rod, the rod extending between a proximate end and a distal end; a handle comprising a trigger secured to the proximate end of the rod; a cleaning head secured to the distal end of the rod; a nozzle disposed proximate the distal end of the rod; and a cleaning solution dispensing unit secured to the rod between the proximate end and the distal end. The cleaning solution dispensing unit comprises a housing comprising a capsule chamber configured to receive a cleaning capsule therein. When the trigger is activated, cleaning solution is dispensed through the nozzle via a dispensing tube extending from the cleaning solution dispensing unit to the nozzle.

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which one embodiment is shown. This invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments merely provide exemplary embodiments.

As shown in <FIG>, in various embodiments, a floor cleaning device <NUM> comprises a rod or shaft <NUM>. Attached to said rod <NUM> at a first end of the rod <NUM> is a handle <NUM> and a cleaning device head <NUM>. In an example embodiment, the handle <NUM> is located at a proximate end of the rod <NUM> and the cleaning device head <NUM> is located at a distal end of the rod <NUM>. In various embodiments, a cleaning solution dispensing unit <NUM> is also secured to the rod <NUM> between the proximate end of the rod <NUM> and the distal end of the rod <NUM>. In various embodiments, a pump handle <NUM> and a corresponding pump <NUM> are secured to the rod <NUM> proximate the cleaning solution dispensing unit <NUM>. In various embodiments, the pump <NUM> and pump handle <NUM> may be disposed an/dor secured to the rod <NUM> at various locations along the rod <NUM>. In an example embodiment of the invention, the rod <NUM> is made of a metal. However, the rod can be made of any appropriate material known to those with skill in the art (e.g., plastic, wood, and/or the like).

In various embodiments, the handle <NUM> of the floor cleaning device <NUM> is configured for a user to hold in their hand while using the floor cleaning device. For example, the user may hold the handle <NUM> in their hand and push the floor cleaning device <NUM> about the floor such that the cleaning head <NUM> (and/or a cleaning cloth/material <NUM> affixed to the cleaning head <NUM>) is in contact with the floor (and/or other surface to be cleaned). In an example embodiment, the handle <NUM> also includes a trigger <NUM>. In certain embodiments, when the trigger <NUM> is activated (e.g., pulled, pressed, and/or the like), the spray nozzle <NUM> opens, causing pressurized cleaning solution to be expelled through the spray nozzle as a mist, spray, and/or the like. Additionally, in example embodiments, the cleaning device utilizes a trigger. In other embodiments, the cleaning device utilizes a button or other trigger element to expel the cleaning fluid out of the spray nozzle.

In various embodiments, the floor cleaning device <NUM> comprises a cleaning solution dispensing unit <NUM>. In various embodiments, the cleaning solution dispensing unit comprises a housing <NUM> and a removable reservoir <NUM>. In various embodiments, the cleaning solution dispensing unit (e.g., the housing <NUM>) comprises a capsule chamber <NUM> that allows cleaning capsules <NUM> to be placed into it. The capsule chamber <NUM> has a hole located at the distal end of the capsule chamber <NUM> to allow the concentrated cleaning liquid released from a cleaning capsule within the capsule chamber <NUM> to flow into the reservoir <NUM>. Once in the reservoir <NUM>, the concentrated cleaning liquid may mix with any dilution chemical in the reservoir <NUM>. Said capsule chamber <NUM> also includes a lid <NUM>. The closing of the lid <NUM> causes the puncture of the cleaning capsule <NUM> (e.g., via one or more puncture devices), which releases the cleaning liquid from the cleaning capsule <NUM> into the hole at the distal end of the chamber <NUM> and then into the reservoir <NUM>.

In various embodiments, a pump <NUM> is secured to the rod <NUM> of the floor cleaning device <NUM>. In an example embodiment, the pump <NUM> is configured to pressurize the reservoir. In an example embodiment, the pump <NUM> comprises a pump handle <NUM>. The pump handle <NUM> is secured to the rod <NUM> such that the pump handle may be moved along a portion the length of the rod <NUM>. The pump is configured such that movement of the pump handle <NUM> along at least a part of the portion of the length of the rod <NUM> causes air to be pumped into the reservoir <NUM>, causing the reservoir <NUM> to be pressurized. For example, in an example embodiment, the movement of the pump handle <NUM> along the portion of the length of the rod <NUM> pressurizes the reservoir <NUM> by pushing air into an interior chamber <NUM> of the reservoir. In various embodiments, the pump <NUM> comprises a piston that causes air to be pushed into the reservoir <NUM>. In example embodiments, as the pump handle <NUM> moves along a portion of the length of the rod, this action causes the piston in the pump <NUM> to force air into the reservoir <NUM>. In example embodiments, this air moves through a one way flow valve <NUM>, through a length of air flow tubing <NUM> (shown in <FIG>). In example embodiments, the air continues to move through a water backflow prevention valve <NUM> and into the internal cavity <NUM> of the reservoir <NUM>. In this manner, the cleaning fluid becomes pressurized. In other embodiments, the cleaning device utilizes a lever to pump air. Also, in various embodiments a pressure gauge allows users to know when the reservoir is sufficiently pressurized.

Example embodiments also include a dispensing tube <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) that connects the reservoir <NUM> to the spray nozzle <NUM> located toward the distal end of the rod <NUM>. In an example embodiment, the dispensing tube <NUM> is located within the rod <NUM>. In certain embodiments, when the trigger <NUM> is activated (e.g., pulled, pressed, and/or the like), the spray nozzle <NUM> opens, causing the pressurized cleaning fluid to be expelled there through as a mist, spray, and/or the like. In various embodiments, cleaning solution is prevented from flowing though dispensing tube <NUM> by a pinch bar <NUM> that clamps the dispensing tube <NUM>. In example embodiments, the cleaning solution is released by a spray nozzle <NUM> when the trigger <NUM> is activated. In example embodiments, the floor cleaning apparatus <NUM> contains a spring that causes the pinch bar <NUM> to remain closed when the trigger <NUM> is not being activated. When force is applied to the trigger <NUM> (e.g., by a user pushing, squeezing, pulling, and/or the like the trigger <NUM>), the force is transferred to the pinch bar <NUM> acting in opposition to the aforementioned spring. When enough force is applied to the trigger <NUM>, this force overcomes the force of the spring and the pinch bar <NUM> is lifted. In an example embodiment, when the pinch bar <NUM> is lifted and/or otherwise is made to decrease its compression of the dispensing tube <NUM>, cleaning solution may be able to flow through the dispensing tube <NUM>. For example, if the reservoir <NUM> is pressurized, the cleaning solution will flow through dispensing tube <NUM>, which terminates at the spray nozzle <NUM>. Other mechanisms of controlling the flow of cleaning solution through the dispensing tube <NUM>, such as any number of standard valves, may be used in other embodiments. Other cleaning solution and/or pressure release means for regulating the cleaning solution flow through the dispensing tube <NUM> after the trigger <NUM> has been activated may also be used in certain embodiments.

Once the cleaning solution arrives at the spray nozzle <NUM>, the cleaning solution is released through narrow openings on the spray nozzle <NUM> such that the cleaning solution is sprayed or misted onto a surface. A user can then move the cleaning device head <NUM> over the surface to clean the surface with the cleaning solution.

In various embodiments, a pivot connector <NUM> is used to secure the cleaning head <NUM> to the distal end of the rod <NUM> such that the cleaning head <NUM> may pivot, swivel, and/or rotate with respect to the distal end of the rod <NUM>. In various embodiments, a cleaning cloth/material <NUM> is capable of being affixed to the cleaning device head <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an example embodiment the cleaning solution dispensing unit <NUM>. In an example embodiment, the cleaning solution dispensing unit <NUM> comprises a housing <NUM> that secures the cleaning solution dispensing unit <NUM> to the rod <NUM> of the floor cleaning device <NUM>. In various embodiments, the housing comprises a capsule chamber <NUM> and an attachment portion <NUM>. In various embodiments, the housing <NUM> and/or portions thereof may be made of metal, plastic, and/or other appropriate materials.

In various embodiments, the housing <NUM> may further include and/or house a reservoir pipette <NUM> configured to provide cleaning liquid from a cleaning capsule disposed within the capsule camber <NUM> into the interior cavity <NUM> of the reservoir <NUM>. In various embodiments, the housing <NUM> further include and/or house at least a portion of a dispensing tube <NUM> that may extend from a mouth <NUM> disposed within the interior cavity <NUM> of the reservoir <NUM> (e.g., when the reservoir <NUM> is secured to the housing <NUM>) to the spray nozzle <NUM>. In an example embodiment, the dispensing tube <NUM> extends through the housing <NUM> into an interior passage of the rod <NUM>. In an example embodiment, the dispensing tube <NUM> extends along an exterior of the rod <NUM> and/or in a channel on the exterior of the rod <NUM> from the cleaning solution dispensing unit <NUM> to the spray nozzle <NUM>. In various embodiments, the housing <NUM> further includes and/or houses at least a portion of the air flow tubing <NUM>. In an example embodiment, the air flow tubing <NUM> extends from the pump <NUM> into the interior cavity <NUM> of the reservoir <NUM> (e.g., when the reservoir <NUM> is secured to the housing <NUM>). In an example embodiment, the flow of air through the air flow tubing <NUM> is controlled by a one way flow valve <NUM>. In an example embodiment, the prevention of cleaning solution being sucked into the air flow valve is controlled through a backflow prevention valve <NUM>. In an example embodiment, a one way valve, backflow prevention valve, and/or the like <NUM> may prevent cleaning liquid, dilution chemical, cleaning solution and/or air from exiting the interior cavity <NUM> of the reservoir <NUM> via the reservoir pipette <NUM>.

The attachment portion <NUM> of the housing <NUM> is configured to secure the reservoir <NUM> to the housing <NUM>. The attachment portion <NUM> may comprise threads or another mating mechanism for securing the reservoir <NUM> to the housing <NUM>. For example, the attachment portion <NUM> of the reservoir <NUM> may comprise corresponding threads or another complimentary mating mechanism such that the reservoir <NUM> may be screwed and/or otherwise secured onto the housing <NUM>.

In various embodiments, the housing <NUM> comprises a capsule chamber <NUM>. The capsule chamber <NUM> portion of the housing <NUM> is configured to receive the cleaning capsule <NUM> therein and comprises one or more elements configured to puncture the cleaning capsule <NUM> to release the cleaning liquid contained within the cleaning capsule <NUM>. In example embodiments, the capsule chamber <NUM> may comprise a seat <NUM> configured to have the ridge portion <NUM> of the cleaning capsule <NUM> engage therewith. The capsule chamber <NUM> may further comprise a cup receiving portion <NUM> configured to receive the cup portion <NUM> of a cleaning capsule <NUM> therein. The capsule chamber <NUM> may further comprise a mechanism for at least partially opening the cleaning capsule <NUM>. For example, the capsule chamber <NUM> may comprise a first puncture pin <NUM> configured to at least partially open (e.g., puncture) a first surface of the cleaning capsule <NUM> (e.g., the lid portion <NUM> of the cleaning capsule <NUM>) when the lever <NUM> is moved from an open position to a closed position on the housing <NUM>. A second puncture pin <NUM> is configured to partially open (e.g., puncture) a second surface of the cleaning capsule <NUM> (e.g., the capsule cup <NUM>) simultaneous to the first puncture of the first surface (e.g., lid portion <NUM>) of the cleaning capsule <NUM>. This is achieved upon moving of the lever <NUM> from an open position to a closed position when the cleaning capsule <NUM> is disposed within the cup receiving portion <NUM> and the ridge portion <NUM> of the cleaning capsule <NUM> is engaged with the seat <NUM>. For example, when the lever <NUM> is in the open position, a lid <NUM> may be in a position such that the cup receiving portion <NUM> of the capsule chamber <NUM> is accessible (e.g., a cleaning capsule <NUM> may be inserted into and/or removed from the cup receiving portion <NUM>). The lid <NUM> may be supported at least in part in the open position by one or more lever arm supports <NUM>. When the lever <NUM> is in the closed position, the lid <NUM> is in a position such that the lid at least partially covers the cup receiving portion <NUM> such that cup receiving portion <NUM> is not accessible (e.g., a cleaning capsule <NUM> may not be inserted into and/or removed from the cup receiving portion <NUM>). For example, the lid <NUM> may be coupled to the lever <NUM> (e.g., possibly via the lever arm support(s) <NUM>) such that moving of the lever <NUM> from the open position to the closed position causes the lid <NUM> into a position where the lid <NUM> encloses and/or at least partially seals the cup receiving portion <NUM> of the capsule chamber <NUM>. In various embodiments, the lid <NUM> is coupled to the lever <NUM> (e.g., possibly via the lever arm support(s) <NUM>) such that moving the lever <NUM> from the closed position to the open position causes the lid <NUM> to move into a position where the cup receiving portion <NUM> is accessible (e.g., not closed or sealed such that a cleaning capsule may be inserted into and/or removed from the cup receiving portion <NUM>).

In various embodiments, moving the lever <NUM> from the open position to the closed position causes the lid <NUM> to move to enclose and/or at least partially seal the capsule <NUM> within the capsule chamber <NUM>. In an example embodiment, moving the lever <NUM> from the open position to the closed position may cause the capsule chamber <NUM> to move (e.g., on a hinge mechanism provided via the one or more lever arm supports <NUM> and/or the like) such that the opening of the cup receiving portion <NUM> moves toward the lever arm <NUM>. For example, the capsule chamber <NUM> may move such that a ridge portion <NUM> of the cleaning capsule <NUM> disposed within the capsule chamber <NUM> (e.g., such that the ridge portion <NUM> is proximate and/or engages seat <NUM>) engages a lip of the lid <NUM>. For example, the lid <NUM> and/or the capsule chamber <NUM> may move (e.g., in a hinged manner) in response to movement the lever <NUM>, in various embodiments.

In various embodiments, the first puncture pin <NUM> is disposed on and/or coupled to the lid <NUM> such that moving the lever <NUM> from the open position to the closed position causes the first puncture pin <NUM> to engage and puncture a first surface (e.g., the capsule lid <NUM>) of a cleaning capsule <NUM> disposed within the cup receiving portion <NUM>. The second puncture pin <NUM> may be disposed in the cup receiving portion <NUM>. In an example embodiment, the moving of the lever <NUM> from the open position to the closed position causes a lip of the lever lid <NUM> to engage the ridge portion <NUM> of the cleaning capsule disposed within the cup receiving portion <NUM>, causing the cup <NUM> to be pressed against the second puncture pin <NUM> within the cup receiving portion <NUM> such that the second puncture pin <NUM> punctures the cup <NUM>. In an example embodiment, the second puncture pin is coupled to the reservoir pipette <NUM> such that cleaning solution may vacate the cleaning capsule <NUM> via the puncture in the cup <NUM> caused by engagement of the second puncture pin <NUM> with the cup <NUM> and enter the reservoir pipette <NUM>. For example, the second puncture pin <NUM> may be a hollow puncture pin affixed to a mouth <NUM> of the reservoir pipette <NUM>. The reservoir pipette <NUM> facilitates the flow of cleaning liquid from the cleaning capsule <NUM> to the interior cavity <NUM> of the reservoir <NUM> for dilution, mixing, and dispensing.

In example embodiments, the cleaning solution dispensing unit <NUM> comprises a reservoir <NUM>. The reservoir <NUM> may comprise an internal cavity <NUM>, and an attachment portion <NUM>. In example embodiments, the attachment portion <NUM> is configured to secure the reservoir <NUM> to the housing <NUM>. The internal cavity <NUM> is a hollow portion of the reservoir <NUM> configured to receive cleaning liquid, dilution chemical, and/or cleaning solution therein and provide the cleaning solution to the mouth <NUM> of the dispensing tube <NUM> such that the cleaning solution may be dispensed via the nozzle <NUM>. In example embodiments, a line on the reservoir container instructs and/or illustrates to users how much dilution chemical (e.g., water, vinegar, and/or the like) to put into the internal cavity <NUM> of the reservoir <NUM>. In example embodiments, the reservoir <NUM> is made of a metal. However, any appropriate material known by those with skill in the art can be used to make the reservoir <NUM> (e.g., plastic, glass, and/or the like).

In example embodiments, the internal cavity <NUM> may comprise a hollow portion within the reservoir <NUM> configured for receiving cleaning liquid therein from the cleaning capsule <NUM> (e.g., via the reservoir pipette <NUM>). For example, the cleaning capsule <NUM> may provide cleaning liquid to the internal cavity <NUM>. The internal cavity <NUM> may contain the cleaning liquid therein. For example, the internal cavity <NUM> may be configured to receive and/or contain a dilution chemical (e.g., water, vinegar, and/or the like) therein for mixing with cleaning liquid provided by the cleaning capsule <NUM>. In example embodiments, the internal cavity <NUM> may be configured to have a dilution chemical (e.g., water, vinegar, and/or the like) and cleaning liquid mixed therein to provide a cleaning solution.

The internal cavity <NUM> may be defined by an end surface <NUM> and a wall <NUM>. In an example embodiment, the wall <NUM> may be a cylindrical shell (e.g., having an annular cross-section that is round, oval, square, rectangular, polygon, and/or the like where the cross-section is taken in a plane generally and/or substantially parallel to the end surface <NUM>) closed at one end by the end surface <NUM>. The end surface <NUM> may define one end of the hollow portion of the reservoir <NUM>. Wall <NUM> may join the end surface <NUM> to the attachment portion <NUM>. The interior of the wall <NUM> and the end surface <NUM> may define the hollow portion of the internal cavity <NUM>. In various embodiments, the end surface <NUM> is planar, convex, concave, and/or a combination thereof. In example embodiments, the mouth <NUM> of the dispensing tube <NUM> may be located directly below the attachment portion <NUM> proximate the center of the bottom surface <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

In example embodiments, the attachment portion <NUM> of the reservoir <NUM> comprises a mechanism for securing the reservoir <NUM> to the housing <NUM>. For example, the attachment portion <NUM> of the reservoir <NUM> may comprise threads that correspond to threads on the attachment portion <NUM> of the housing <NUM> and/or another mating mechanism that corresponds to (e.g., is configured to mate with) the mating mechanism of the attachment portion <NUM> of the housing <NUM>.

<FIG> provides various views of an example embodiment of a cleaning capsule <NUM>. In an example embodiment, a cleaning capsule <NUM> is configured to hold cleaning liquid therein. In an example embodiment, the cleaning capsule <NUM> comprises a first surface and a second surface. For example, in an example embodiment, the first surface is at least a part of a lid portion <NUM> of the cleaning capsule <NUM> and the second surface is at least a portion of a cup <NUM> of the cleaning capsule <NUM>. The cup <NUM> is configured to hold cleaning liquid therein. The lid portion <NUM> is configured to seal the cleaning liquid within the cup <NUM>. The cleaning capsule <NUM> may further comprise a ridge portion <NUM>. The ridge portion <NUM> may be where the lid portion <NUM> is secured to the cup <NUM>. The ridge portion <NUM> may further be configured to assist in securing the cleaning capsule <NUM> into the capsule chamber <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. For example, the ridge portion <NUM> may be configured to aid in the alignment of the cleaning capsule within the capsule chamber <NUM> of the cleaning solution dispensing unit <NUM> or be secured within the capsule chamber <NUM> or other portion of the cleaning solution dispensing unit <NUM>.

In various embodiments, the cup portion <NUM> is configured to hold one to two ounces of cleaning liquid. In an example embodiment, the cleaning capsule <NUM> is configured to contain <NUM> to <NUM> ounces of the cleaning liquid. In an example embodiment, the cleaning capsule <NUM> is configured to contain <NUM> to <NUM> ounces of the cleaning liquid. In other embodiments, smaller or larger volumes of cleaning liquid may be accommodated by the cup portion <NUM> of the cleaning capsule <NUM>. In an example embodiment, the cup portion <NUM> is configured to hold a single cleaning session worth of cleaning solution. For example, the cup portion <NUM> may be configured to hold enough cleaning solution to clean one room, one hundred square feet, one hundred fifty square feet, two hundred square feet, four hundred square feet, five hundred square feet, a thousand square feet, and/or the like. In various embodiments, the cup portion <NUM> may be configured to hold between about <NUM>-<NUM> doses (each dose corresponding to a single actuation of the trigger <NUM> to dispense a dose of cleaning solution through the nozzle <NUM>). In an example embodiment, the cup portion <NUM> may be configured to hold approximately <NUM> doses (e.g., <NUM> to <NUM> doses). In example embodiments, the cleaning liquid may be a concentrated cleaning liquid. In some embodiments, the concentrated cleaning liquid may be of a cleaning solution strength that is ready to use. In some embodiments, the cleaning liquid may be intended to be diluted (e.g., by putting water or another dilution chemical into the reservoir <NUM> for mixing with the cleaning liquid to form a cleaning solution). In various embodiments, the cleaning liquid may be a wood cleaning liquid, tile cleaning liquid, laminate cleaning liquid, pet stain cleaning liquid, carpet cleaning liquid, marble cleaning liquid, metal cleaning liquid, leather cleaning liquid, and/or the like.

In example embodiments, the cup portion <NUM> may be color-coded based on the cleaning liquid type contained therein. In example embodiments, the cup portion <NUM> may be made of aluminum, another metal, plastic, cardboard, paperboard, a natural post-consumer recycled material, or another appropriate material and/or combination thereof.

In example embodiments, the lid portion <NUM> may be configured to seal the cleaning solution within the cup portion <NUM>. For example, the cup portion <NUM> may comprise an opening and the lid portion <NUM> may seal the opening. In example embodiments, the lid portion <NUM> comprises aluminum (e.g., a rigid sheet of aluminum and/or aluminum foil), another metal, plastic, cardboard, paperboard, or another appropriate material and/or combination thereof. In an example embodiment, the lid portion <NUM> may be a foil lid. The lid portion <NUM> may have information/data printed thereon. For example, the printed information/data may comprise a cleaning solution type indicator, branding, and/or other printed information and/or indicia. The printed information/indicia may be on an exterior surface of the lid portion <NUM> opposite the side of the lid portion <NUM> that directly faces the opening of the cup portion <NUM>.

In example embodiments, the lid portion <NUM> may be sealed to the cup portion <NUM> to a ridge portion <NUM> surrounding the opening of the cup portion <NUM>. The ridge portion <NUM> may be configured to assist in securing the cleaning capsule <NUM> into the capsule chamber <NUM>. For example, when the cleaning capsule <NUM> is properly inserted into the capsule chamber <NUM>, the ridge portion <NUM> may be configured to abut a seat <NUM> within the capsule chamber <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. When the lever <NUM> is in a closed position, the ridge portion <NUM> may be engaged by both a lip of the lid <NUM> and a seat <NUM> within the capsule chamber <NUM>, thereby holding the cleaning capsule <NUM> in place with respect to components of the housing <NUM>.

<FIG> provides a flowchart that illustrates various processes that may be completed to dispense a cleaning solution from a floor cleaning device <NUM> and/or to clean a floor using the floor cleaning device <NUM>. Starting at block <NUM>, the reservoir <NUM> is secured to the housing <NUM>. For example, a user may mate the mating mechanism(s), threads, and/or the like of the attachment portion <NUM> of the reservoir <NUM> with the corresponding mating mechanism(s), threads, and/or the like of the attachment portion <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. In an example embodiment, a user may add a dilution chemical (e.g., water, vinegar, and/or the like) to the internal cavity <NUM> of the reservoir <NUM> prior to securing the reservoir <NUM> to the housing <NUM>. For example, the internal cavity <NUM> and/or wall <NUM> and/or reservoir <NUM> may include a fill line and the user may add the dilution chemical to the internal cavity <NUM> until the dilution chemical reaches the fill line. Various other mechanisms may be used to guide a user in adding an appropriate amount of the dilution chemical (e.g., water, vinegar, and/or the like) to the internal cavity <NUM> of the reservoir <NUM> in various embodiments.

At block <NUM>, with the lever <NUM> in the open position, a cleaning capsule <NUM> is inserted into a capsule chamber <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. For example, a user may insert a cleaning capsule <NUM> into the capsule chamber <NUM> of the housing <NUM> such that the cup portion <NUM> of the cleaning capsule <NUM> is within the cup receiving portion <NUM> and the ridge portion <NUM> of the cleaning capsule <NUM> rests against and/or proximate a seat <NUM> of the capsule chamber <NUM>. For example, the cup portion <NUM> may be pressed against and/or proximate a second puncture pin <NUM> of the capsule chamber <NUM>. In some embodiments, the user may press the cleaning capsule <NUM> into the capsule chamber <NUM> until the second puncture pin <NUM> punctures the cup portion <NUM> to create a puncture hole. In other embodiments, the cleaning capsule <NUM> may rest against and/or be positioned in the vicinity of the second puncture pin <NUM> but not actually engaged with the second puncture pin <NUM> at this point.

At block <NUM>, the lever <NUM> is moved from an open position to a closed position. In example embodiments, moving the lever <NUM> from the open position to the closed position causes the lid <NUM> coupled to the lever <NUM> to enclose and/or at least partially seal the cup receiving portion <NUM> of the capsule chamber <NUM>. For example, moving the lever <NUM> from the open position to the closed position causes the lid <NUM> to secure the cleaning capsule <NUM> within the capsule chamber <NUM>. For example, a lip of the lid <NUM> may engage the lid <NUM> side of the ridge portion <NUM> of the cleaning capsule <NUM> to press the opposite side of the ridge portion <NUM> (e.g., the cup portion <NUM> side) against and/or into engagement with the seat <NUM> of the capsule chamber <NUM>. Moving of the lever <NUM> from the open position to the closed position may further cause the first puncture pin <NUM> to open (e.g., puncture) the lid portion <NUM>. Thus, a puncture hole may be created in the lid portion <NUM>. In an example embodiment, the puncture hole in the lid portion <NUM> may act as a vent hole for evacuating the cleaning liquid from the cleaning capsule <NUM> via a puncture hole in the cup portion <NUM>. If the second puncture pin <NUM> has not yet punctured the cup portion <NUM>, closing of the lever <NUM> may cause the second puncture pin <NUM> to puncture the cup portion <NUM>. Thus, the cleaning liquid may be infused, released, provided, and/or the like into the reservoir pipette <NUM>. In some embodiments, the cleaning liquid is not infused, released, provided and/or the like into the reservoir pipette <NUM> until both the first puncture pin <NUM> and the second puncture pin <NUM> have punctured the cleaning capsule <NUM>. In various embodiments, the cleaning liquid flows through the mouth <NUM> of the reservoir pipette <NUM>, through the reservoir pipette <NUM>, and into the interior cavity <NUM> of the reservoir <NUM>. For example, the second puncture pin <NUM> may be hollow and coupled to the mouth <NUM> of the reservoir pipette <NUM> such that the cleaning liquid may flow, once the at least the second puncture pin <NUM> has punctured the cup portion <NUM> of the cleaning capsule <NUM>, through the second puncture pin <NUM>, through the mouth <NUM> of the reservoir pipette, and through the reservoir pipette <NUM> into the interior cavity <NUM> of the reservoir <NUM>.

In an example embodiment, as noted above, before securing the reservoir <NUM> to the housing <NUM>, the interior cavity <NUM> of the reservoir <NUM> may be at least partially filled with a dilution chemical (e.g., water, vinegar, and/or the like). Thus, when the cleaning liquid is provided to the interior cavity <NUM> of the reservoir <NUM> (as a result of the lever <NUM> being moved from the open position to the closed position), the resulting cleaning solution in the interior cavity <NUM> of the reservoir <NUM> may be a diluted and/or deconcentrated cleaning liquid such as a regular or normal strength cleaning solution. For example, the cleaning liquid provided by the cleaning capsule <NUM> is provided to the interior cavity <NUM> of the reservoir <NUM> through the reservoir pipette <NUM>, the cleaning liquid may be diluted to a less concentrated cleaning solution.

At block <NUM>, the floor cleaning device <NUM> may be shaken, stirred, turned, twirled, swirled, and/or the like. For example, the user may shake, stir, turn, twirl, swirl, and/or the like the floor cleaning device <NUM>. In example embodiments, shaking the floor cleaning device <NUM> may cause at least a portion of any cleaning liquid still residing in the cleaning capsule <NUM> to be infused, released, and/or provided to the interior cavity <NUM> through the reservoir pipette <NUM>. In another example, shaking the floor cleaning device <NUM> may cause the cleaning liquid to mix generally uniformly with any dilution chemical (e.g., water, vinegar, and/or the like) within the interior cavity <NUM> such that the resulting cleaning solution is a relatively uniform cleaning solution.

At block <NUM>, the pump handle <NUM> may be actuated to cause air to be pumped into the interior cavity <NUM> of the reservoir (e.g., via the air flow tube <NUM>) to increase the pressure within the interior cavity <NUM> of the reservoir <NUM>. For example, user may move the pump handle <NUM> back and forth along the portion of the length of the rod <NUM> one or more times to cause air to be pumped into the interior cavity <NUM> of the reservoir <NUM>, causing the interior cavity <NUM> to become pressurized. For example, a user may pressurize the interior cavity <NUM> of the reservoir <NUM> using the pump handle <NUM> to cause the pump <NUM> to pump air into the interior cavity <NUM>.

At block <NUM>, the trigger <NUM> may be activated to cause the cleaning solution to be dispensed. For example, the user may activate the trigger <NUM> by pulling, pushing, pressing, pumping, squeezing, or otherwise activating the trigger <NUM>. When the trigger <NUM> is activated, a pinch bar <NUM> that clamps the dispensing tube <NUM> (and/or another mechanism used to prevent cleaning solution and/or air from leaving the interior cavity <NUM> via the dispensing tube <NUM>) may be released such that cleaning solution is pushed out through the dispensing tube <NUM> (e.g., due to the pressurization of the interior cavity <NUM>). For example, activating the trigger <NUM> may cause and/or allow cleaning solution to exit the interior cavity <NUM> through the dispensing tube <NUM> and be dispensed (e.g., sprayed onto the floor and/or other surface to be cleaned) via the spray nozzle <NUM>. Thus, activating the trigger <NUM> causes cleaning solution to be dispensed from the interior cavity <NUM>, through dispensing tube <NUM>, and out of the nozzle <NUM>. In various embodiments, a user activates the trigger <NUM> (e.g., pushing, pressing, squeezing, and/or the like the trigger <NUM>) to cause the trigger <NUM> to enter a compressed state. When the user stops activating the trigger <NUM> (e.g., releases the trigger <NUM>), a spring and/or the like may cause the trigger <NUM> to return to a decompressed state from the compressed state such that the trigger <NUM> is ready to be activated again. Similarly, when the user stops activating the trigger <NUM> (e.g., releases the trigger <NUM>) a spring coupled to the pinch bar <NUM> may cause the pinch bar to clamp the dispensing tube <NUM> such that the dispensing of the cleaning solution via the nozzle <NUM> is ceased.

The operations of blocks <NUM> and <NUM> may be repeated as necessary for cleaning the floor and/or other surface. When the supply of cleaning solution within the interior cavity <NUM> is depleted, the operations of blocks <NUM>-<NUM> may be repeated to prepare additional cleaning solution for additional cleaning of the floor and/or other surface.

Claim 1:
A floor cleaning device (<NUM>) comprising:
a rod (<NUM>),
the rod extending between a proximate end and a distal end;
a handle (<NUM>) comprising a trigger (<NUM>) secured to the proximate end of the rod;
a cleaning head (<NUM>) secured to the distal end of the rod;
a nozzle (<NUM>) disposed proximate the distal end of the rod;
a cleaning solution dispensing unit (<NUM>) secured to the rod between the proximate end and the distal end, wherein the cleaning solution dispensing unit comprises a housing comprising a capsule chamber configured to receive a cleaning capsule therein; and
a reservoir (<NUM>) removably secured to the housing (<NUM>), the capsule chamber (<NUM>) is configured to provide a cleaning solution stored within the cleaning capsule (<NUM>) to an interior cavity of the reservoir (<NUM>),
wherein, when the trigger is activated, cleaning solution is dispensed through the nozzle (<NUM>) via a dispensing tube extending from the cleaning solution dispensing unit to the nozzle.