BACKGROUND

[0001] The present invention relates to water soluble packages for a floor cleaner.

SUMMARY

[0002] In one embodiment the invention provides a floor cleaner comprising a handle, a body coupled to the handle, a base coupled to the handle and movable over a surface to be cleaned, a supply tank having an inlet opening defining an inlet opening width, the supply tank configured to store a fluid, a water soluble package having a cleaning solution, the water soluble package configured to be inserted within the supply tank and combine with the fluid stored in the supply tank to form a cleaning fluid, and a distribution nozzle in communication with the supply tank, the distribution nozzle configured to disperse the cleaning fluid toward a surface. Wherein the water soluble package has an unfolded dimension defined by a first width that is larger than the inlet width, a height defined orthogonal to the first width, and a thickness defined orthogonal to the first width and the height. Wherein the water soluble package folds from the unfolded dimension to a compact size having a folded dimension defined by a second width that is smaller than the inlet opening width.

[0003] In another embodiment the invention provides a method of using a water soluble package in a floor cleaner including a supply tank having an inlet opening defining an inlet opening width, the supply tank configured to store a fluid. The method comprising providing the water soluble package having a cleaning solution, the water soluble package having an unfolded dimension defined by a first width that is larger than the inlet width, a height defined orthogonal to the first width, and a thickness defined orthogonal to the first width and the height, folding the water soluble package from the unfolded dimension to a compact size having a folded dimension defined by a second width that is smaller than the inlet opening width, and inserting the water soluble package through the inlet opening to combine the water soluble package with the fluid stored in the supply tank to form a cleaning fluid.

[0004] Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a floor cleaner according to one embodiment.

[0006] Fig. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the floor cleaner of Fig. 1.

[0007] Fig. 3 is a front view of a water soluble package according to one embodiment.

[0008] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a water soluble package according to another embodiment.

[0009] Fig. 5 is a perspective exploded view of a supply tank of the floor cleaner of Fig.

1, illustrating the water soluble package of Fig. 4 being inserted within an inlet opening of the supply tank.

[0010] Fig. 6 is a perspective exploded view of a supply tank according to another embodiment, illustrating the water soluble package of Fig. 4 being inserted within an inlet opening of the supply tank.

[0011] Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] Fig. 1 illustrates a floor cleaner 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the floor cleaner 10 includes a base 12 and a body 14 pivotally coupled to the base 12. The body 14 is pivotal relative to the base 12 between an upright storage position and an inclined operating position. The floor cleaner 10 further includes a supply tank 16, a recovery tank 18, and a vacuum source 20. The supply tank 16 is configured to store a cleaning fluid and the floor cleaner 10 is operable to dispense the cleaning fluid onto a surface 22 to be cleaned.

[0013] Referring to Fig. 2, the vacuum source 20 includes a motor 24 and a fan 26. The motor 24 and the fan 26 are operable to draw the cleaning fluid from the surface 22 into the recovery tank 18. The base 12 is movable over the surface 22 to be cleaned. In the illustrated embodiment, the base 12 includes wheels 28 to facilitate moving the base 12 over the surface 22. The base 12 includes a suction inlet 30 in fluid communication with the vacuum source 20 and the recovery tank 18. The cleaning fluid is drawn from the surface 22 through the suction inlet 30 and into the recovery tank 18. The base 12 further includes a distribution nozzle 32 in fluid communication with the supply tank 16. The distribution nozzle 32 dispenses the cleaning fluid toward the surface 22.

[0014] The floor cleaner 10 further includes a handle 34. The handle 34 includes a grip 36 and an actuator 38 adjacent the grip 36. The grip 36 is grabbed by the user to move the floor cleaner 10 along the surface 22 and to pivot the body 14 relative to the base 12. The actuator 38 controls the flow of cleaning fluid from the supply tank 16 through the distribution nozzle 32. The handle 34 further includes an extension 40 that extends from the body 14. The extension 40 includes a first end 42, a second end 44, and a handle axis 46 that extends centrally through the first end 42 and the second end 44 as illustrated in Fig. 2. The first end 42 is coupled to and adjacent the body 14. The second end 44 is adjacent the grip 36. The floor cleaner 10 further includes a battery 48 (Fig. 2) that provides power to the vacuum source 20. The battery 48 is a rechargeable lithium-ion battery in one embodiment.

[0015] Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the floor cleaner 10 further includes an upper end 50 and a lower end 52 opposite the upper end 50. The handle 34 is adjacent the upper end 50 and the base 12 is adjacent the lower end 52. The floor cleaner 10 further include a front side 54 and a back side 56 opposite the front side 54. The suction inlet 30 is adjacent the front side 54. In the illustrated embodiment, the supply tank 16 is coupled to the front side 54 and the recovery tank 18 is coupled to the back side 56 of the body 14. In other embodiments, the supply tank 16 and the recovery tank 18 may be coupled to the base 22 or the handle 34.

[0016] Referring to Figs. 2 and 5, the supply tank 16 includes an inlet opening 60 defining an inlet opening width WL and a cap 64 (FIG. 5) removably coupled to the supply tank 16 (e.g., threadably coupled) to selectively enclose the inlet opening 60. In the illustrated embodiment, the inlet opening 60 is circular and the inlet opening width WL is the diameter of the inlet opening 60. The inlet opening width WL may be in a range from 20 mm to 50 mm. In some embodiments, the inlet opening WL may be greater than 50 mm. In other embodiments, the inlet opening 60 may have an alternative geometry (rectangular, triangular, etc.). [0017] Fig. 3 illustrates a water soluble package 110 according to an embodiment. The water soluble package 110 includes a film 114 defining compartments 118, 122, 126 that house cleaning solutions 130, 134, 138. The film 114 defines a first compartment 118 having a first cleaning solution 130, a second compartment 122 having a second cleaning solution 134, and a third compartment 126 having a third cleaning solution 138. In other embodiments, the film 114 may define more (e.g. four, five, etc.) or less (e.g., two) compartments.

[0018] In one embodiment, the second cleaning solution 134 is different than the first cleaning solution 130 and the third solution 138 is the same as the first cleaning solution 130. In other embodiments, the third cleaning solution may be different than the first and second cleaning solutions 130, 134. Further, the first cleaning solution 130 includes a liquid ingredient and the second cleaning solution 134 includes a powder ingredient. The powder ingredient includes one or more of a surfactant, a PH adjuster, and a preservative. The liquid ingredient includes one or more of a surfactant and a fragrance. In the illustrated embodiment, the ratio of liquid ingredient to powder ingredient is 1-1. In other embodiments, the ratio may be 2-1, 1-2, 3-1, or 1-3. The water soluble package 110 may weigh 10 grams in some embodiments.

[0019] With continued reference to Fig. 3, the first compartment 118 and the third compartment 126 have a first geometry and the second compartment 122 has a second geometry that is different than the first geometry. In the illustrated embodiment, the first geometry is generally triangular and the second geometry is a wishbone shape. In other embodiments, the first and second geometries may have an alternative construction (e.g., cylindrical, rectangular, or the like)

[0020] The water soluble package 110 has an unfolded dimension defined by a first width W1 that is larger than the inlet width WL, a height H defined orthogonal to the first width Wl, and a thickness (e.g., into the page with reference to Fig. 3) defined orthogonal to the first width Wl and the height H. The film 114 of the water soluble package 110 further includes a first fold line 142 positioned between the first compartment 118 and second compartment 122 and a second fold line 146 positioned between the second compartment 122 and the third compartment 126. As described in more detail below, the water soluble package 110 folds from the unfolded dimension (Fig. 3) to a compact size having a folded dimension defined by a second width that is smaller than the inlet opening width WL. For example, the first compartment 118 may be folded relative to the second compartment 122 about the first fold line 142 and the third compartment 126 may be folded relative to the second compartment 122 about the second fold line 146. In the folded dimension, the water soluble package 110 may be inserted within the supply tank 16 and combine with the fluid stored in the supply tank 16 to form a cleaning fluid.

[0021] Fig. 4 illustrates a water soluble package 210 according to another embodiment of the invention. The water soluble package 210 is like the water soluble package 110 shown in Fig. 3 and described above. Therefore, like features are identified with like reference numerals plus “100”, and only the differences between the two will be discussed. It should also be appreciated that the water soluble package 110 may be inserted within the supply tank 16 in a similar fashion as the water soluble package 210.

[0022] The water soluble package 210 includes a film 214 defining a first compartment 218 having a first cleaning solution 230, a second compartment 222 having a second cleaning solution 234, and a third compartment 226 having a third cleaning solution 238. In the illustrated embodiment, each compartment 218, 222, 226 includes a cylindrical construction. In particular, the first compartment 218 and the third compartment 226 have a first diameter and the second compartment has a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter. As such, the first compartment 218 and the third compartment 226 have a first geometry and the second compartment 222 has a second geometry that is different than the first geometry.

[0023] The water soluble package 210 has an unfolded dimension defined by a first width W1 that is larger than the inlet width WL, a height H defined orthogonal to the first width Wl, and a thickness (e.g., into the page with reference to Fig. 4) defined orthogonal to the first width Wl and the height H. The film 214 of the water soluble package 210 further includes a first fold line 242 positioned between the first compartment 218 and the second compartments 222 and a second fold line 246 positioned between the second compartment 222 and the third compartment.

[0024] With reference to Figs. 4 and 5, the water soluble package 210 folds from the unfolded dimension (Fig. 4) to a compact size (Fig. 5) having a folded dimension defined by a second width W2 that is smaller than the inlet opening width WL. For example, the first compartment 218 is folded relative to the second compartment 222 about the first fold line 242 (Fig. 4) and the third compartment 226 is folded relative to the second compartment 222 about the second fold line 246 (Fig. 4). In the illustrated embodiment, the first and third compartments 218, 226 are folded in the same direction onto the second compartment 222. In the folded dimension, the water soluble package 210 is inserted within the supply tank 16 and combines with the fluid stored in the supply tank 16 to form a cleaning fluid.

[0025] Fig. 6 illustrates a supply tank 316 according to another embodiment. The supply tank 316 may be coupled to a floor cleaner such as an extractor. Similar to the supply tank 16, the supply tank 316 includes an inlet opening 360 and a cap removably coupled to the supply tank to selectively enclose the inlet opening 360. In the folded dimension the water soluble package 110 or the water soluble package 210 may be inserted within the inlet opening 360.

[0026] Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.