Cartridge and wet cleaning assembly

Abstract

There is provided a cartridge (100) attachable to a wet cleaning device, in particular a wet floor cleaning device, suitable for dosing a surface treatment agent from the cartridge. The cartridge includes a chamber (106) for containing a surface treatment agent. The cartridge also has an interface portion (107) for interfacing with a wet cleaning device. The interface portion includes a coupling portion (113) for coupling the cartridge to a complementary coupling portion of the wet cleaning device during attachment of the cartridge. The cassette includes a cover assembly (139) for covering at least a portion of the interface portion prior to attachment of the cassette. The cover assembly includes another complementary coupling portion (114A) configured to be removably coupled to the coupling portion such that the cover assembly covers at least a portion of the interface portion when the cartridge is not attached to the wet cleaning device, removal of the other complementary coupling portion from the coupling portion enabling attachment of the cartridge to the wet cleaning device using the coupling portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cartridge attachable to a wet cleaning appliance, such as a wet floor cleaning appliance. The present invention also relates to a wet cleaning assembly comprising such a cartridge and a wet cleaning appliance. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a mop and bucket are used to clean floors. However, a growing number of wet cleaning devices are being developed to replace these mops and buckets. Both manually operated and electrically powered wet cleaning devices have been proposed.

[0003] Such wet cleaning equipment typically includes a cleaning liquid tank, ie, a reservoir containing cleaning liquid to be delivered to the surface to be cleaned.

[0004] In some cases, a premixed solution of a surface treatment agent (e.g., detergent) and water is used to fill a reservoir. When the reservoir is empty, it can be refilled with more premixed solution. There are wet cleaning devices that have a reservoir that can be filled with water by the user, and the user can add their own surface treatment agent to the water in the reservoir. In the latter case, difficulties are encountered in controlling the ratio between water and surface treatment agent to produce a cleaning solution with an appropriate concentration of surface treatment agent.

[0005] The capacity of the reservoir may be limited compared to older buckets. This may mean that a surface treatment agent formulated for addition to such a bucket (which can hold a larger volume of water for diluting the surface treatment agent) is not suitable for addition to the reservoir of a wet cleaning apparatus because the concentration of the surface treatment agent is too high.

[0006] Using a cleaning solution with too high a concentration of surface treatment agent can hinder or damage wet cleaning equipment or result in suboptimal cleaning results. This problem can be mitigated by instructing the user to first add a limited amount of surface treatment agent to a dosing cup with a defined capacity and then transfer that amount of surface treatment agent to the reservoir. However, this additional step is often inconvenient for the user.

[0007] This becomes even more inconvenient when the concentration of the surface treatment agent is relatively high, as the user must very accurately dose a relatively small amount of the surface treatment agent into the reservoir, which increases the burden.

[0008] AU 2020 100 206A4 discloses a sweeper comprising a fluid delivery system for providing a cleaning fluid to a floor surface.

[0009] US Pat. No. 11,219,347 B2 discloses an autonomous floor cleaner or floor cleaning robot comprising an autonomously movable housing and a drive system for autonomously moving the autonomously movable housing over a surface to be cleaned based on input from a controller. The brush chamber, debris container, and supply tank are formed as an integral assembly that is removable from the autonomously movable housing.

[0010] EP 2 636 353 A2 discloses a surface cleaning device, such as a steam mop or a fluid transfer mop, comprising a handle and a foot coupled to the handle for movement along a surface to be cleaned. Summary of the Invention

[0011] The invention is defined by the claims.

[0012] According to an example of the first aspect of the present invention, a box attachable to a wet cleaning device is provided for quantitatively supplying a surface treatment agent from the box, the box comprising: a chamber for accommodating the surface treatment agent; an interface portion for docking with the wet cleaning device, the interface portion comprising a connecting portion, the connecting portion being used to connect the box to a complementary connecting portion of the wet cleaning device during attachment of the box; and a covering assembly for covering at least a portion of the interface portion before attaching the box, wherein the covering assembly comprises another complementary connecting portion, the other complementary connecting portion being configured to be detachably connected to the connecting portion, so that when the box is not attached to the wet cleaning device, the covering assembly covers at least a portion of the interface portion, and detachment of the other complementary connecting portion from the connecting portion enables the box to be attached to the wet cleaning device via the connecting portion.

[0013] Because the cover assembly covers at least a portion of the interface portion of the cartridge that interfaces with the wet cleaning device, it can prevent leakage of the surface treatment agent before the cartridge is attached to the wet cleaning device. Otherwise, such leakage may occur, for example, due to pressure and / or temperature changes during transportation of the cartridge. The cover assembly can also help provide tamper-evident protection and / or protection of at least a portion of the interface portion during storage and transportation of the cartridge.

[0014] Since the connecting part is detachably connected to another complementary connecting part of the covering assembly and can also be connected to a complementary connecting part of the wet cleaning device, the complementary connecting part of the wet cleaning device can correspond to another complementary connecting part of the covering assembly (e.g., a cover), in other words, using the same connecting principle as the other complementary connecting part of the covering assembly.

[0015] This may facilitate attaching the cartridge to the wet cleaning apparatus, as the same coupling principles as when attaching the cartridge to the wet cleaning apparatus may be used when attaching / detaching the covering assembly (eg lid) to cover / expose at least a portion of the interface portion.

[0016] The coupling portion may comprise (eg be) a bayonet coupling portion, a snap-connection coupling portion or a threaded coupling portion for attaching the cartridge to a complementary connection portion comprised in a wet cleaning device.

[0017] In some embodiments, the interface portion further comprises a sealing region that functions as a sealing region for the cartridge to limit leakage of the surface treatment agent at the interface between the attached cartridge and the wet cleaning apparatus.

[0018] The one or more sealing members may be arranged to seal the interface between the interface portion of the cassette and the wet cleaning apparatus.

[0019] One or more sealing members may be included in the cartridge and / or in the wet cleaning apparatus.

[0020] In embodiments where the sealing member is included in a cartridge, replenishment of the surface treatment agent may be combined with preventative maintenance of the wet cleaning assembly involving replacement of the sealing member.

[0021] More generally, attaching the coupling portion to the complementary coupling portion may enable a sealing area to be provided at the interface between the cartridge and the wet cleaning apparatus.

[0022] In some embodiments, the cover assembly and the sealing area are arranged to sealingly engage one another when the cover assembly covers at least a portion of the interface portion.

[0023] This can help to enhance leak prevention before attaching the cartridge to the wet cleaning apparatus.

[0024] In some embodiments, one or more recesses are defined in an outer surface of the box, at least a portion of the interface portion is located in the one or more recesses, and the covering assembly includes one or more protrusions that are configured to extend into the recesses (e.g., each of the recesses).

[0025] Such protrusions may help to enhance the leak protection provided by the cover assembly.

[0026] In some embodiments, the coupling portion is configured to provide tactile feedback when attached to the complementary coupling portion.Thus, tactile feedback may be provided upon completion of the coupling of the coupling component to the complementary coupling component such that the coupling component is attached to the complementary coupling component.

[0027] Thus, the user may be provided with a tactile response informing him / her that the cartridge is attached to the wet cleaning device.

[0028] In embodiments where attachment of the coupling portion and the complementary coupling portion results in a sealing area being provided at the interface between the cartridge and the wet cleaning apparatus, tactile feedback may indicate that a sealing area is provided at the interface between the cartridge and the wet cleaning apparatus.

[0029] The bayonet coupling portion and the snap-connect coupling portion described above may be examples of coupling portions configured to provide tactile feedback when attached to a complementary coupling portion included in a wet cleaning device.

[0030] Alternatively or additionally, the coupling portion is arranged to be coupleable to the complementary coupling portion in a unidirectional manner.

[0031] This may help to minimize user confusion when attaching the cartridge to a wet cleaning appliance.

[0032] In some embodiments, the interface portion is adapted to interface with a volume displacement device of a wet cleaning appliance, thereby defining a dosing assembly during attachment of the cartridge.

[0033] In such an embodiment, the cartridge may further include at least one one-way valve configured to: allow fluid to exit the chamber or the chamber and dosing assembly through operation of the volume displacement device; and restrict passage of the surface treatment agent therethrough prior to attachment of the cartridge.

[0034] The inclusion of a one-way valve can facilitate the quantitative delivery of the surface treatment agent, such as metered delivery, and, together with the cover assembly, can also facilitate safe and secure storage and / or transport of the cartridge containing the surface treatment agent in the chamber. Such properties can make the cartridge particularly advantageous for containing and dosing relatively high concentrations of the surface treatment agent. This is because the one-way valve, together with the cover assembly, helps reduce the risks associated with the storage, transportation, and inadvertent use of excessive amounts of such highly concentrated surface treatment agents during operation of the wet cleaning apparatus.

[0035] It should also be noted that the one-way valve may be a component that is more susceptible to wear and degradation during the operational life of a wet cleaning assembly, including a wet cleaning device and a cartridge. Therefore, by including a one-way valve in a cartridge (e.g., a disposable cartridge), the one-way valve can be replaced directly while replenishing the surface treatment agent. Thus, replenishment of the surface treatment agent can be advantageously combined with preventative maintenance of the wet cleaning assembly.

[0036] The interface portion of the cassette can be arranged relative to the one or more one-way valves so that when the dosing assembly is defined by the interface portion that interfaces with the volume displacement device, the one or more one-way valves cooperate with the volume displacement device, for example by interfacing with a port of the volume displacement device through which fluid can be delivered.

[0037] In some embodiments, the cartridge can be attached to a cleaning liquid tank of a wet cleaning apparatus, and the surface treatment agent exiting the metering assembly can be received in the cleaning liquid tank. In such embodiments, the surface treatment agent can be metered into the cleaning liquid tank via the metering assembly, whereupon the surface treatment agent can be diluted with the cleaning liquid contained in the cleaning liquid tank.

[0038] In some embodiments, the cartridge is included in or attachable to a cover for enclosing the cleaning liquid tank.

[0039] This may provide a convenient way to position the cartridge. In use, when the cleaning liquid tank is closed by the cover, by arranging the cover above the cleaning liquid tank, the surface treatment agent from the cartridge contained in the cover may, with the aid of gravity, access the diluted cleaning liquid (e.g. water) in the cleaning liquid tank.

[0040] In some embodiments, the at least one one-way valve includes a first one-way valve configured to enable fluid to move out of or into the chamber through operation of the volume displacement device.

[0041] The first one-way valve can help maintain the surface treatment agent within the chamber when the cartridge is not attached to the wet cleaning apparatus while also helping to meter (eg, deliver) the surface treatment agent from the chamber through operation of the volume displacement device.

[0042] For example, the first one-way valve is selected from an umbrella valve, a duckbill valve or a ball check valve.

[0043] It should be noted that a ball check valve may include a ball member resiliently mounted to a valve seat.

[0044] The resilient mounting of the ball member to the valve seat may be achieved in any suitable manner, for example by means of a spring element connecting the ball member to the valve seat.

[0045] For example, the ball check valve may include (eg, be) a spring-loaded ball valve, eg, where the spring is formed from a metal or polymer material.

[0046] In a non-limiting example, the spring element can be formed of a polymer material that connects a ball member formed of a polymer material to a valve seat formed of a polymer material. In such an example, the ball check valve can be formed as a unitary piece of polymer material.

[0047] The first one-way valve may be of a standard design. Alternatively, the first one-way valve may be of a custom design that adapts the first one-way valve to the application in the cassette.

[0048] The above-mentioned spring element formed of a polymer material (connecting a ball member formed of a polymer material to a valve seat formed of a polymer material) (eg formed as a single piece) may be considered an example of a custom design of the first one-way valve.

[0049] As an alternative or in addition to the at least one one-way valve comprising a first one-way valve, the at least one one-way valve may comprise a second one-way valve configured to enable fluid to exit the dosing assembly.

[0050] The second one-way valve can facilitate dosing (eg, metering) of the surface treatment agent from the chamber through operation of the volume displacement device, while also facilitating retention of the surface treatment agent within the chamber when the cartridge is not attached to a wet cleaning apparatus.

[0051] For example, the second one-way valve is selected from an umbrella valve, a duckbill valve or a ball check valve.

[0052] It should be reiterated that the ball check valve may include a ball member resiliently mounted to a valve seat, as described above with respect to the first one-way valve.

[0053] The second one-way valve may be of a standard design. Alternatively, the second one-way valve may be of a custom design making the second one-way valve suitable for use in / with the cassette.

[0054] The above-mentioned spring element formed of a polymer material (connecting a ball member formed of a polymer material to a valve seat formed of a polymer material) (eg formed as a single piece) may be considered an example of a custom design of the second one-way valve.

[0055] In some embodiments, the cartridge includes a combination valve that integrates the first one-way valve and the second one-way valve. Such a combination valve can help simplify assembly of the cartridge.

[0056] In some embodiments, the combination valve includes a first one-way valve in the form of an umbrella valve and a second one-way valve in the form of a duckbill valve.

[0057] In a first set of embodiments, the first one-way valve is configured to allow fluid to be moved out of the chamber by a first action of the volume displacement device, and the second one-way valve is configured to allow the fluid moved out of the chamber by the first action to leave the metering supply assembly by a second action of the volume displacement device.

[0058] In a second set of embodiments, the first one-way valve is configured to enable fluid to move into the chamber by operation of the volume displacement device, and the second one-way valve is configured to enable fluid displaced by the fluid moved into the chamber to exit the cassette.

[0059] In this second set of embodiments, the first one-way valve and the second one-way valve may be spatially separated from each other across the chamber. This arrangement of the first one-way valve and the second one-way valve may facilitate metering of the surface treatment agent into, for example, a cleaning liquid storage tank located below the second one-way valve.

[0060] In some embodiments, the cartridge includes an upper end and a lower end opposite the upper end, the interface portion being disposed at or near the upper end, wherein at least one one-way valve (e.g., a second one-way valve) is arranged to direct fluid away from the dosing assembly in a direction away from the upper end. This arrangement of the at least one one-way valve can facilitate dosing of the surface treatment agent, particularly in embodiments where the cartridge is included in or attachable to a cover for enclosing a cleaning liquid reservoir.

[0061] In some embodiments, the chamber has an annular shape with a fluid channel extending around the exterior of the chamber. In such embodiments, the fluid channel extends between an upper end and a lower end of the cartridge, and at least one one-way valve (e.g., a second one-way valve) is disposed at or near the upper end.

[0062] This fluid passageway facilitates direct delivery of the surface treatment agent to the exterior of the chamber. Consequently, the surface treatment agent can be delivered more efficiently from the dosing assembly; in other words, there is less likelihood of incomplete delivery of the surface treatment agent. A cartridge comprising an annular chamber and a fluid passageway is particularly suitable for use with the first set of embodiments described above.

[0063] In some embodiments, the cover assembly is configured to cover one or more of the at least one one-way valve prior to attachment of the cassette.

[0064] In some embodiments, the cover assembly is configured to cover the first one-way valve and / or the second one-way valve prior to attachment of the cassette.

[0065] The cover assembly may include a seal, such as a removable and / or pierceable seal, for sealingly covering the at least one one-way valve prior to attachment of the cassette.

[0066] In some embodiments, such as the first set of embodiments, the cartridge includes a vent for allowing air to enter the chamber.

[0067] The coupling portion and the vent may be arranged relative to each other to enable air to enter the chamber via the vent when the coupling portion is attached to the complementary coupling portion.

[0068] In embodiments where the attachment of the coupling portion to the complementary coupling portion results in a sealing area being provided at the interface between the box and the wet cleaning apparatus, the vent may be spatially removed from the sealing area of ​​the box to enable air to enter the chamber when the coupling portion is attached to the complementary coupling portion.

[0069] The vent hole may be provided in the coupling portion. Alternatively, the vent hole may be provided in the housing defining the chamber (in other words, the cartridge body).

[0070] Regardless of where the vent is located within the box, the covering assembly can be arranged to cover the vent of the box before the box is attached to the wet cleaning device, wherein the covering assembly is configured to expose the vent to allow air to enter the chamber when fluid is drawn out of the chamber, for example by a first action of the volume displacement device.

[0071] In some embodiments, the vent is exposed by detaching a coupling portion from another complementary coupling portion.

[0072] In some embodiments, the cover assembly is arranged to cover the vent and one or more of the at least one one-way valve (eg, the first one-way valve and / or the second one-way valve).

[0073] In some embodiments, the covering assembly includes a unitary covering member, such as a cap, covering the vent and the at least one one-way valve.

[0074] This may facilitate attachment of the cartridge as the integral cover member may simply be manipulated, for example by detaching a coupling portion from another complementary coupling portion, in order to access the interface portion and expose the vent.

[0075] It should be noted that, as an alternative to such a vent, a flexible or collapsible housing may define the chamber, the housing being able to bend or collapse in response to a first actuation of the volume displacement device to reduce the volume of the chamber.

[0076] For example, with reference to the first set of embodiments, the housing may be configured to collapse more, in other words continuously, with each successive first actuation of the volume displacement device.

[0077] In at least some embodiments, the cartridge is disposable.

[0078] Such a disposable cartridge may be discarded by a user of the wet cleaning assembly, for example, once the surface treatment agent in the chamber has been sufficiently depleted and / or the used disposable cartridge has been removed from the wet cleaning apparatus.

[0079] Alternatively or additionally, a surface treatment agent is contained in the cartridge.

[0080] In such embodiments, the surface treatment agent contained in the cartridge (eg, contained in a chamber of the cartridge received by a user) may be a liquid surface treatment agent.

[0081] By supplying such a liquid surface treatment agent to a cartridge (eg, a disposable cartridge), a user can begin using the wet cleaning assembly with minimal preparatory steps required.

[0082] In alternative embodiments, the surface treatment agent contained in the cartridge (eg, contained in a chamber of a cartridge received by a user) may be a solid surface treatment agent composition.

[0083] In such an alternative embodiment, a user may dilute and / or dissolve the solid surface treatment agent component, for example using water, prior to attaching the cartridge (eg, a disposable cartridge) to the wet cleaning device.

[0084] While supplying such a solid surface treatment agent component to the cartridge (in the form of a diluted and / or dissolved solid surface treatment agent component) may increase preparation steps, the cartridge can be made lighter because the surface treatment agent is supplied uncooked, which helps reduce shipping costs.

[0085] More generally, the surface treatment agent may comprise any suitable type of agent for treating (eg cleaning) a surface. Particular mention is made of detergents that are included in the surface treatment agent.

[0086] It should be noted that the term "fluid" as used herein may refer to a gas (eg, air) and / or a liquid (eg, a liquid surface treatment agent), depending on the context.

[0087] According to another aspect, a wet cleaning assembly is provided, comprising: a cartridge according to any embodiment disclosed herein, and a wet cleaning apparatus comprising a complementary coupling portion to which the coupling portion of the cartridge can be coupled during attachment of the cartridge to the wet cleaning apparatus.

[0088] The cartridge included in the wet cleaning assembly may be a cartridge of any embodiment described above in relation to the first aspect.

[0089] In some embodiments, the wet cleaning apparatus includes a volume displacement device, wherein the interface portion of the cassette can interface with the volume displacement device to define a dosing assembly during attachment of the cassette to the wet cleaning apparatus.

[0090] In such an embodiment, the wet cleaning assembly may include a first one-way valve configured to enable fluid to move out of or into the chamber through operation of the volume displacement device and a second one-way valve configured to enable fluid to exit the dosing assembly.

[0091] The first one-way valve and / or the second one-way valve may be included in the cartridge and configured to restrict passage of the surface treatment agent therethrough prior to attachment of the cartridge.

[0092] In some embodiments, the first one-way valve is included in the cartridge and the second one-way valve is included in the wet cleaning apparatus.

[0093] For example, the second one-way valve is included in the volume displacement device.

[0094] In some embodiments, the wet cleaning assembly further comprises a cleaning liquid storage tank for receiving the surface treatment agent exiting the metering assembly via the second one-way valve.

[0095] In some embodiments, the volume displacement device includes a resiliently compressible container, the resilient compression of which at least partially defines the operation of the volume displacement device.

[0096] In some embodiments, the resiliently compressible container is at least partially bounded by a light-transmissive wall to allow viewing of the fluid inside the resiliently compressible container.Thus, a user may have a visual indication of whether the surface treatment agent is being dosed.

[0097] In some embodiments, the surface treatment is colored.

[0098] With respect to the second set of embodiments described above, the first and second one-way valves may be arranged such that compression of the resiliently compressible container moves fluid into the chamber via the first one-way valve, and fluid displaced by the fluid moved into the chamber exits the cartridge via the second one-way valve.

[0099] With respect to the first group of embodiments described above, the first and second one-way valves may be arranged such that, during the period when the elastically compressible container returns to its rest shape after being compressed, the fluid moves out of the chamber via the first one-way valve, and during subsequent compression of the elastically compressible container, the fluid drawn from the chamber leaves the metering assembly via the second valve.

[0100] In some embodiments, dosing of the surface treatment agent from the cartridge is triggered by installing a cleaning liquid reservoir (eg, along with a dosing assembly) in the wet cleaning assembly.

[0101] Therefore, the metered supply of the surface treatment agent can be regarded as being performed in a semi-automatic manner.

[0102] In such an embodiment, installation of the cleaning liquid reservoir may include engagement features of the wet cleaning assembly that engage with the volume displacement device during installation to enable metered delivery of the surface treatment agent.

[0103] For example, when a cleaning liquid reservoir (eg, along with a dosing assembly) is positioned in a wet cleaning assembly, installation of the cleaning liquid reservoir may cause engagement features of the wet cleaning assembly to compress the resiliently compressible container.

[0104] In some embodiments, the volume displacement device comprises an electric volume displacement device.

[0105] In such an embodiment, the electric volume displacement device may be arranged to effectuate automatic dosing of the surface treatment agent from the cartridge.

[0106] In some embodiments, the volume displacement device may be covered by a housing portion of the wet cleaning apparatus.The housing portion may prevent access to the volume displacement device, such as the resiliently compressible container.

[0107] This helps prevent inadvertent operation of the volume displacement device.

[0108] The wet cleaning assembly may include one or more of a wet mop device, a wet vacuum cleaner, a window cleaner, and a sweeper.

[0109] Alternatively or additionally, the wet cleaning assembly includes a robotic wet cleaning device configured to move autonomously over the surface to be cleaned.

[0110] In some embodiments, the wet cleaning equipment includes a base station including a cleaning liquid tank, and the wet cleaning assembly includes a wet floor cleaning device, such as a robotic wet cleaning device, provided with cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid tank in the base station.

[0111] In such an embodiment, the surface treatment agent metered from a cartridge attached to the wet cleaning apparatus may enter a cleaning liquid reservoir included in a base station of the wet cleaning apparatus. However, the cleaning liquid may be dispensed onto the surface to be cleaned by a wet cleaning device supplied with cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid reservoir in the base station.

[0112] In some embodiments, the robotic wet cleaning device may be configured to autonomously return (eg, repeatedly autonomously return) to a base station to obtain more cleaning liquid containing the surface treatment for application to the surface to be cleaned.

[0113] These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0114] For a better understanding of the present invention, and in order to more clearly show the manner in which it may be put into practice, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0115] Figure 1 schematically depicts a wet cleaning assembly according to a first example;

[0116] Figure 2 schematically depicts a wet cleaning assembly according to a second example;

[0117] Figure 3A schematically depicts a wet cleaning assembly in a partially disassembled state according to a third example;

[0118] Figure 3B Shows the assembly Figure 3A The wet cleaning assembly shown in ;

[0119] Figure 4A schematically depicts a wet cleaning assembly in a partially disassembled state according to a fourth example;

[0120] Figure 4B Shows the assembly Figure 4A The wet cleaning assembly shown in ;

[0121] Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of a dosing assembly according to a first example is provided;

[0122] Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of a dosing assembly according to a second example is provided;

[0123] Figure 7 schematically depicts a one-way valve of a cartridge according to an example;

[0124] Figure 8 schematically depicts a volume displacement device according to an example;

[0125] Figure 9A provides a cross-sectional view of a dosing assembly according to a third example;

[0126] Figure 9B Shown when the cartridge is removed from the volume displacement device Figure 9A The cartridge and volume displacement device of the dosing assembly shown in ;

[0127] Figure 10A provides a view of the cartridge and volume displacement device when disassembled from one another;

[0128] Figure 10B Shows when attached to each other Figure 10A The cassette and volume displacement device shown in ;

[0129] Figures 11A to 11C provides a view of a box including a cover assembly according to an example;

[0130] Figure 12 shows a portion of a box including a cover assembly according to another example;

[0131] Figure 13A A cross-sectional view of a cartridge having a one-way valve is provided;

[0132] Figure 13B Provided Figure 13A A perspective exploded view of the box shown in ;

[0133] Figure 14 Provides including Figure 13A and Figure 13Ba cross-sectional view of the volume displacement device and the dosing assembly of the cartridge shown in FIG; and

[0134] Figure 15 A cross-sectional view of another cassette having a one-way valve is provided. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0135] The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0136] It should be understood that although exemplary embodiments of the devices, systems, and methods are indicated, the detailed description and specific examples are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the devices, systems, and methods of the present invention will become better understood from the following description, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the drawings are schematic and not drawn to scale. It should also be understood that the same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to indicate the same or similar components.

[0137] A box that can be attached to a wet cleaning device (particularly a wet floor cleaning device) is provided, the box being suitable for quantitatively supplying a surface treatment agent from the box. The box includes a chamber for accommodating the surface treatment agent. The box also has an interface portion for docking with the wet cleaning device. The interface portion includes a coupling portion for coupling the box to a complementary coupling portion of the wet cleaning device during attachment of the box. The box includes a covering assembly for covering at least a portion of the interface portion before attaching the box. The covering assembly includes another complementary coupling portion, the other complementary coupling portion being configured to be detachably coupled to the coupling portion so that when the box is not attached to the wet cleaning device, the covering assembly covers at least a portion of the interface portion, and the other complementary coupling portion is detached from the coupling portion so that the box can be attached to the wet cleaning device using the coupling portion.

[0138] Because the cover assembly covers at least a portion of the interface portion of the cartridge that interfaces with the wet cleaning device, it can provide protection against leakage of the surface treatment agent before the cartridge is attached to the wet cleaning device. Otherwise, such leakage may occur, for example, due to pressure and / or temperature changes during transportation of the cartridge. The cover assembly can also help provide tamper-evident protection and / or protection of at least a portion of the interface portion during storage and transportation of the cartridge.

[0139] Since the connecting part is detachably connected to another complementary connecting part of the covering assembly and can also be connected to a complementary connecting part of the wet cleaning device, the complementary connecting part of the wet cleaning device can correspond to another complementary connecting part of the covering assembly (e.g., a cover), in other words, use the same connecting principle as the other complementary connecting part.

[0140] This can facilitate attaching the box to the wet cleaning device because the same connection principle is used when attaching / detaching the covering component (e.g., a lid) to cover / expose at least a portion of the interface portion as when attaching / detaching the box to / from the wet cleaning device.

[0141] In some embodiments, the cartridge may further include at least one one-way valve configured to allow fluid to exit the chamber and / or dosing assembly as determined by operation of the volume displacement device during attachment of the cartridge to the wet cleaning apparatus. The at least one one-way valve may also restrict passage of the surface treatment agent through the at least one one-way valve prior to attachment of the cartridge.

[0142] Including a one-way valve in the cartridge can facilitate quantitative delivery of the surface treatment agent, such as metered delivery, and, together with the cover assembly, can also facilitate safe and secure storage and / or transport of the cartridge when the surface treatment agent is present in the chamber. Such properties can make the cartridge particularly advantageous for containing and dosing relatively high concentrations of the surface treatment agent. This is because the one-way valve, together with the cover assembly, helps reduce the risks associated with storage, transportation, and inadvertent use of excessive amounts of such highly concentrated surface treatment agents during operation of the wet cleaning apparatus.

[0143] It should be noted that the term "metered dosing" as used herein may refer to dosing a consistent or precise amount (eg, volume) of the surface treatment agent with each operation of the volume displacement device.

[0144] The one-way valve may be a component that is more susceptible to wear and degradation during the operating life of a wet cleaning assembly, including the wet cleaning device and the cartridge. For example, the one-way valve may have an expected lifespan of approximately six months. Therefore, by including the one-way valve in a cartridge (e.g., a disposable cartridge), the one-way valve can be replaced directly while the surface treatment agent is being replenished. Thus, replenishment of the surface treatment agent can be advantageously combined with preventative maintenance of the wet cleaning assembly.

[0145] Figure 1 Schematically shown is a cartridge 100 attached to a wet cleaning device (e.g., a wet floor cleaning device). The wet cleaning device includes a volume displacement device 102. A wet cleaning assembly 104 (e.g., a wet floor cleaning assembly 104) may include the cartridge 100 and the wet cleaning device (e.g., a wet floor cleaning device).

[0146] In some embodiments, the wet cleaning assembly 104 includes a wet floor cleaning device in the form of, for example, a wet mop apparatus, a wet vacuum cleaner, a window cleaner, and / or a sweeper.

[0147] Alternatively or additionally, the wet cleaning assembly 104 includes a robotic wet cleaning device configured to move autonomously over the surface to be cleaned.

[0148] The cartridge 100 has a chamber 106 for containing a surface treatment agent. The surface treatment agent (not visible in the figure) is suitable for treating the surface to be cleaned, such as a floor.

[0149] Cartridge 100 may be attached (eg, removably coupled) to a wet cleaning apparatus to enable replenishment of the surface treatment agent once the surface treatment agent in chamber 106 has been sufficiently depleted, eg, once chamber 106 has been emptied of the surface treatment agent.

[0150] In at least some embodiments, the cartridge 100 is a disposable cartridge 100 .

[0151] Such a disposable cartridge 100 may be discarded by a user of the wet cleaning assembly 104, for example, once the surface treatment agent in the chamber 106 has been sufficiently depleted, and / or the used disposable cartridge 100 may be removed from the wet cleaning apparatus.

[0152] As an alternative or in addition to the cartridge 100 being a disposable cartridge 100, the cartridge 100 may include a surface treatment agent. In other words, the surface treatment agent may be provided to the user together with the cartridge 100 (eg, a disposable cartridge 100).

[0153] In such embodiments, the surface treatment agent contained in the cartridge 100, such as the surface treatment agent contained in the chamber 106 of the cartridge 100 received by the user, may be a liquid surface treatment agent.

[0154] By supplying a cartridge 100 (eg, a disposable cartridge 100) with such a liquid surface treatment agent, a user can begin using a wet cleaning assembly 104 including the cartridge 100 with minimal preparatory steps.

[0155] In alternative embodiments, the surface treatment agent contained in the cartridge 100 (eg, contained in the chamber 106 of the cartridge 100 as received by the user) may be a solid surface treatment agent composition.

[0156] In such an alternative embodiment, a user may dilute and / or dissolve the solid surface treatment agent component, for example, using water, before attaching the cartridge 100 (eg, a disposable cartridge 100 ) to a wet cleaning device.

[0157] While supplying such a solid surface treatment agent component to a cartridge 100 (e.g., a disposable cartridge 100) may increase preparation steps (in the form of diluting and / or dissolving the solid surface treatment agent component), the cartridge 100 can be made lighter because the surface treatment agent is not supplied in a pre-diluted / dissolved form. This can help reduce shipping costs.

[0158] More generally, the surface treatment agent may comprise any suitable type of agent for treating (eg cleaning) a surface. Particular mention is made of detergents included in the surface treatment agent.

[0159] The housing of the cartridge 100 may define the chamber 106 , in other words, delimit the chamber 106 .

[0160] Such a housing can be formed from any suitable material capable of retaining the surface treatment agent within the chamber 106. In at least some embodiments, the housing is formed from a plastic material, such as a thermoplastic material.

[0161] The plastic material may, for example, comprise a polyolefin (such as polyethylene or polypropylene) or a polyester (such as polyethylene terephthalate).It should be noted that such polyolefin and polyester materials may be thermoplastic in nature.

[0162] In embodiments where the cartridge 100 is a disposable cartridge 100, the housing may be formed from a recyclable or reusable material, such as a recyclable or reusable plastic material, such as a thermoplastic material.

[0163] Any suitable recyclable or reusable plastic material is contemplated, such as a polyolefin (eg polyethylene or polypropylene) or a polyester (eg polyethylene terephthalate).

[0164] In some embodiments, the housing is at least partially formed of a light-transmissive material to enable viewing of the surface treatment agent in the chamber 106 through the housing.

[0165] The surface treatment may also be colored to facilitate viewing of the surface treatment, such as to allow a user to assess how much surface treatment remains within chamber 106. For example, the color of the surface treatment may be selected to contrast with the light-transmissive material, thereby facilitating viewing of the surface treatment.

[0166] The box 100 may include information about the surface treatment agent (e.g., detergent). Such information may be applied to the outer surface of the housing, for example, via a label, pad printing, laser engraving, or the like.

[0167] In embodiments where the cartridge 100 contains (in other words is supplied with) a surface treatment agent, the surface treatment agent may be dispensed into the chamber 106, for example by filling the chamber 106 from the bottom, and then closing the cartridge 100. Preferably, a seal is formed where the cartridge 100 is closed.

[0168] The box 100 can be closed in any suitable manner (e.g., hermetically closed), such as via a welding technique, wherein a first portion of the box 100 including the chamber 106 filled with the surface treatment agent is welded to a second portion of the box 100 to close the chamber 106.

[0169] In embodiments where the cartridge 100 is closed via a weld between the first and second portions of the cartridge 100, any suitable welding technique is contemplated. Particular mention is made of ultrasonic welding, particularly where the housing defining the chamber 106 is formed from thermoplastic.

[0170] The locally generated heat associated with ultrasonically welding the first and second portions of the cartridge 100 to each other can help minimize or avoid degradation of the surface treatment during the welding process. Ultrasonic welding can also provide a relatively secure seal between the first and second portions of the cartridge 100.

[0171] The volume of the chamber 106 may range from 2.5 mL to 1000 mL, preferably from 30 mL to 50 mL.

[0172] The volume may be chosen according to the concentration of the surface treatment agent to provide a sufficiently long operating life of the cartridge 100, combined with a suitably compact design of the cartridge 100. The latter may facilitate storage and transport of the cartridge 100 before receipt by a user.

[0173] More generally, the cartridge 100 includes an interface portion 107 for docking with the volume displacement device 102 of the wet cleaning apparatus to define a metering assembly 108 during attachment of the cartridge 100 to the wet cleaning apparatus. Once the interface portion 107 docks with the volume displacement device 102, the surface treatment agent may be metered via the metering assembly 108, as shown. Figure 1 As shown by the arrow 109.

[0174] In at least some embodiments, the interface portion 107 is a single interface portion 107 that defines the only interface between the cartridge 100 and the wet cleaning device.

[0175] This may facilitate (and in particular simplify) the attachment of the cartridge 100 to the wet cleaning device.

[0176] In some embodiments, for example Figure 1 In the embodiment shown, the cartridge 100 may be attached to a cleaning liquid tank 110 of a wet cleaning apparatus.

[0177] In such an embodiment, the surface treatment agent may be metered into the cleaning liquid tank 110 via the metering assembly 108 , whereupon the surface treatment agent may be diluted with the cleaning liquid 111 (eg, a cleaning liquid 111 comprising water) contained in the cleaning liquid tank 110 .

[0178] For example, the cleaning liquid reservoir 110 can be filled with water from any faucet in the house, wherein the cartridge 100 provides a convenience associated with the user in that the user does not need to carry a raw material bottle of surface treatment agent with them each time they visit such a faucet, nor does the user need to locate such a raw material bottle each time the cleaning liquid reservoir 110 is filled (or refilled), as well as a measuring cup for transferring a specific amount from the raw material bottle to the cleaning liquid reservoir 110.

[0179] In embodiments where the wet cleaning assembly 104 comprises a wet floor cleaning apparatus, the cleaning fluid 111 may be a floor cleaning fluid 111 , such as an aqueous floor cleaning fluid 111 .

[0180] In such an embodiment, the wet floor cleaning apparatus, or a wet cleaning device included in the wet floor cleaning apparatus, may be configured to deliver floor cleaning liquid 111 to a surface to be cleaned using the wet floor cleaning apparatus.

[0181] The volume of the cleaning liquid storage tank 110 may be 100 mL to 2500 mL, for example, 100 mL to 1000 mL.

[0182] This volume of the cleaning fluid tank 110 may facilitate relatively extended wet cleaning using a wet cleaning apparatus (eg, a wet floor cleaning apparatus) including the cleaning fluid tank 110 .

[0183] The volume of the cleaning fluid tank 110 may depend, at least in part, on whether the cleaning fluid tank 110 itself is being moved over the surface to be cleaned, for example, with a wet cleaning apparatus.

[0184] In some embodiments, the wet cleaning equipment includes a base station including a cleaning liquid tank 110 , and the wet cleaning assembly 104 includes a wet floor cleaning device, such as a robotic wet cleaning device, provided with cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid tank 110 in the base station.

[0185] In such an embodiment, the surface treatment agent can be metered from a cartridge 100 attached to the wet cleaning apparatus into a cleaning liquid reservoir 110 included in the base station of the wet cleaning apparatus. However, the cleaning liquid can be dispensed onto the surface to be cleaned by a wet cleaning device supplied with cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid reservoir 110 in the base station.

[0186] In some embodiments, the robotic wet cleaning device may be configured to autonomously return (eg, repeatedly autonomously return) to a base station to obtain more cleaning liquid containing the surface treatment for application to the surface to be cleaned.

[0187] In embodiments where a base station (eg, a base station to which the robotic wet cleaning device returns) includes the cleaning liquid tank 110 , the volume of the cleaning liquid tank 110 may be up to 2500 mL.

[0188] In at least some embodiments, volume displacement device 102 is configured to allow for control over the amount of surface treatment agent dosed from cartridge 100 .

[0189] This can enhance ease of use, for example relative to manually metering the surface treatment agent from a raw material bottle of the surface treatment agent.

[0190] In such an embodiment, volume displacement device 102 may be arranged such that operation of volume displacement device 102 doses a specific amount of surface treatment agent from cartridge 100 into cleaning liquid reservoir 110 , for example.

[0191] The ability to meter a specific (eg, precise) amount of surface treatment agent from cartridge 100 may allow for the use of relatively higher concentrations of surface treatment agent, as the risks associated with using excess amounts of such highly concentrated surface treatment agent during operation of the wet cleaning apparatus may be correspondingly minimized.

[0192] The ability to use relatively high concentrations of surface treatment agent, in turn, may also help minimize the size of the cartridge 100 , with storage and shipping benefits, as well as the cartridge 100 occupying less space within the wet cleaning assembly 104 .

[0193] In some embodiments, volume displacement device 102 is arranged to be capable of dosing a volume in the range of 0.5 mL to 10 mL from cartridge 100 during each operation of volume displacement device 102 .

[0194] This range may provide a sufficient amount of surface treatment agent so that the design of the cartridge 100 according to the present invention can achieve a relatively high surface treatment agent concentration.

[0195] In some embodiments, volume displacement device 102 is arranged to dose a volume ranging from 0.5 mL to 10 mL from cartridge 100 per operation of volume displacement device 102 , and cartridge 100 contains between 5 and 100 doses of that volume.

[0196] Therefore, the cartridge 100 and the volume displacement device 102 can enable multiple refills of the cleaning liquid storage tank 110 , for example, the cleaning liquid storage tank 110 itself has a volume of 100 mL to 1000 mL.

[0197] In some embodiments, cartridge 100 contains a sufficient amount of surface treatment agent (eg, cleaning agent) for 30 to 50 doses, in other words, for 30 to 50 operations of volume displacement device 102 .

[0198] In such an embodiment, a relatively high concentration of a surface treatment agent, such as a detergent, may be used, where approximately 1 mL of detergent is sufficient for 300 mL to 400 mL of water. Thus, the chamber 106 may have a volume of 30 mL to 50 mL.

[0199] In some embodiments, for example Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the cartridge 100 is included in (eg, defines) a cover or lid 112 for enclosing a cleaning fluid reservoir 110 .

[0200] This may provide a convenient way to integrate the cartridge 100 within the wet cleaning assembly 104. By positioning the cover 112 above the cleaning liquid reservoir 110, the surface treatment agent from the cartridge 100 contained within the cover 112 may, with the aid of gravity, access the liquid 111 (e.g., water) in the cleaning liquid reservoir 110 when the cleaning liquid reservoir 110 is enclosed by the cover 112 and the wet cleaning assembly 104 is oriented for use.

[0201] In an alternative embodiment, for example Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the cartridge 100 may be attached to such a covering portion 112 , such as a lid, for closing the cleaning liquid reservoir 110 .

[0202] The cleaning liquid tank 110 may be filled with liquid 111 (eg, water) up to the cartridge 100 , or the cartridge 100 may be in direct contact with the liquid 111 .

[0203] It should be noted that when the cartridge 100 is attached to the wet cleaning apparatus, such as by being placed in the cleaning liquid tank 110 , the cartridge 100 may have a single fixed position.

[0204] More generally, the interface portion 107 of the cartridge 100 includes a coupling portion 113 for coupling the cartridge 100 to a wet cleaning apparatus.

[0205] The coupling portion 113 may have any suitable design. In some embodiments, the coupling portion 113 comprises a bayonet, a snap-fit ​​connection or a threaded connection.

[0206] In other words, the cartridge 100 may include a bayonet coupling portion 113 , a snap-connection coupling portion 113 , or a threaded connection coupling portion 113 for attaching the cartridge 100 to a complementary coupling portion included in a wet cleaning device.

[0207] In some embodiments, cartridge 100 includes a coupling portion 113 configured to provide tactile feedback when attached to a complementary coupling portion included in a wet cleaning device.

[0208] Thus, the user may be provided with a tactile response informing him / her that the cartridge 100 is attached to a wet cleaning device.

[0209] The bayonet coupling portion and snap-connect coupling portion 113 described above may be examples of coupling portions 113 configured to provide tactile feedback when attached to a complementary coupling portion included in a wet cleaning device.

[0210] Alternatively or additionally, the coupling portion 113 may be arranged to be attachable to a complementary coupling portion of a wet cleaning appliance in a unidirectional manner.

[0211] This may help minimize user confusion when attaching cartridge 100 to a wet cleaning device.

[0212] In embodiments where the cartridge 100 may be attached to the cover 112 to enclose the cleaning fluid reservoir 110, for example Figure 2 In the embodiment shown, a coupling portion 113 may extend from the cartridge 100 to the cover 112. Such a coupling portion 113 may include a bayonet, snap-fit ​​connection, or a threaded coupling as described above.

[0213] In such an embodiment, the cartridge 100 may be suspended from the cover 112 and extend inside the cleaning liquid tank 110 .

[0214] In some embodiments, for example Figure 3A and Figure 3B In the embodiment shown in FIG, the dosing assembly 108 including the cassette 100 and the volume displacement device 102 may be attachable to the cover 112 and / or may be detachable from the cover 112.

[0215] In such an embodiment, the interface portion 107 of the cartridge 100 can interface with the volume displacement device 102 to provide the dosing assembly 108, and the dosing assembly 108 can be attached to the cover 112 in a separate (eg, subsequent) step. Figure 3A As shown in FIG, the resulting wet cleaning assembly 104 is Figure 3B Shown in.

[0216] In an alternative embodiment, for example Figure 4A and Figure 4B In the illustrated embodiment, volume displacement device 102 may be included in cover 112, and cartridge 100 may interface with volume displacement device 102 to provide dosing assembly 108 when cover 112 and volume displacement device 102 are attached to one another. Figure 4A Then, the cover 112 can be placed on the cleaning liquid storage tank 110 to close the cleaning liquid storage tank 110, and the quantitative supply assembly 108 is attached to the cover 112, as shown. Figure 4B shown.

[0217] exist Figure 4A and Figure 4B As can be clearly seen in FIG. 1 , although schematically, it is the complementary coupling portion 114 that secures the interface between the interface portion 107 and the volume displacement device 102 , to which the coupling portion 113 of the cassette 100 may be coupled.

[0218] In some embodiments, and with reference to Figure 5 and Figure 6 , the cartridge 100 includes at least one one-way valve 116, 120 configured to enable fluid to exit the chamber 106, or to exit the chamber 106 and the dosing assembly 108. Furthermore, the at least one one-way valve 116, 120 can restrict the passage of the surface treatment agent through the at least one one-way valve 116, 120 prior to attachment of the cartridge 100. Thus, when the cartridge 100 is not attached to a wet cleaning device, such as during storage or transport of the cartridge 100, the at least one one-way valve 116, 120 can help retain the surface treatment agent within the chamber 106.

[0219] In some embodiments, the at least one one-way valve 116 , 120 includes a first one-way valve 116 configured to enable fluid to be moved out of or into the chamber 106 via operation of the fluid displacement device 102 .

[0220] Non-limiting examples of such a first one-way valve 116 include an umbrella valve (e.g. Figure 5 and Figure 6 shown), duckbill valve, or ball check valve.

[0221] First one-way valve 116 can help maintain the surface treatment agent within chamber 106 when cartridge 100 is not attached to a wet cleaning apparatus, while also facilitating metered delivery (eg, metered delivery) of the surface treatment agent from chamber 106 via operation of volume displacement device 102 .

[0222] In some embodiments, for example Figure 5 and Figure 6 In the embodiments shown in FIG, first one-way valve 116 is arranged to interface with port 118 of volume displacement device 102 when cassette 100 is attached to a wet cleaning apparatus.

[0223] Also like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, a second one-way valve 120 allows fluid to exit the dosing assembly 108 (defined by the interface portion 107 of the cassette 100 that interfaces with the volume displacement device 102).

[0224] The interface portion 107 can be arranged relative to the first one-way valve 116 and / or the second one-way valve 120 so that, when the dosing assembly 108 is defined by the interface portion 107 that interfaces with the volume displacement device 102, one or both of the first one-way valve 116 and the second one-way valve 120 cooperate with the volume displacement device 102, for example, by one or both of the first one-way valve 116 and the second one-way valve 120 being interfaced with the port 118 of the volume displacement device 102.

[0225] In some embodiments, the second one-way valve 120 allows fluid to exit the dosing assembly 108 and enter the cleaning liquid reservoir 110. The second one-way valve 120 can also restrict the flow of the surface treatment agent through the second one-way valve 120 prior to attachment of the cartridge 100. Thus, when the cartridge 100 is not attached to a wet cleaning device, such as during storage or transport of the cartridge 100, the second one-way valve 120 can help retain the surface treatment agent within the chamber 106.

[0226] The second one-way valve 120 can facilitate quantitative delivery (e.g., metered delivery) of the surface treatment agent from the chamber through operation of the volume displacement device, while also helping to retain the surface treatment agent within the chamber 106 when the cartridge 100 is not attached to a wet cleaning device. Non-limiting examples of the second one-way valve 120 include an umbrella valve (e.g., Figure 5 As shown), duckbill valve (as Figure 6 shown) or ball check valve.

[0227] In some embodiments, and with specific reference to Figure 5 In the illustrated embodiment, first one-way valve 116 is configured to enable fluid to be moved into chamber 106 by operation of volume displacement device 102, and second one-way valve 120 enables fluid displaced by the fluid moved into chamber 106 to exit cartridge 100 and, in doing so, exit dosing assembly 108.

[0228] Operation of volume displacement device 102 can force fluid (e.g., air) into chamber 106 via first one-way valve 116. The fluid (e.g., air) forced into chamber 106 can displace fluid (e.g., surface treatment agent) caused to exit cartridge 100 via second one-way valve 120.

[0229] In such an embodiment, the first one-way valve 116 and the second one-way valve 120 may be spatially separated from each other across the chamber 106, such as Figure 5 This arrangement of the first and second one-way valves 116 and 116 can facilitate quantitative supply of the surface treatment agent, for example, into the cleaning liquid storage tank 110 located below the second one-way valve 120 .

[0230] For example, the first one-way valve 116 and the second one-way valve 120 can be arranged opposite each other across the chamber 106, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 As shown, or at least respectively arranged at or adjacent to different ends of the box 100.

[0231] In other embodiments, and with specific reference to Figure 6 In the illustrated embodiment, the first one-way valve 116 is configured to allow fluid to be moved out of the chamber 106 by a first action of the volume displacement device 102. This first movement of the fluid (eg, surface treatment agent) occurs at Figure 6 Indicated by arrow 121A.

[0232] The second one-way valve 120 moves the fluid (e.g., surface treatment agent) out of the chamber 106 by the first action to leave the metering assembly 108 by the second action of the volume displacement device 102. The movement of the fluid (e.g., surface treatment agent) caused by the second action Figure 6 Indicated by arrow 121B.

[0233] In some embodiments, for example Figure 6 In the illustrated embodiment, the cartridge 100 includes a valve combination 122 that integrates the first one-way valve 116 and the second one-way valve 120. The valve combination 122 can help simplify assembly of the cartridge 100.

[0234] In some embodiments, as Figure 6 In the illustrated embodiment, the combination valve 122 includes a first one-way valve 116 in the form of an umbrella valve and a second one-way valve 120 in the form of a duckbill valve.

[0235] In an alternative embodiment, if Figure 5 and Figure 7 In the embodiments shown, the first one-way valve 116 and the second one-way valve 120 are not integrated into the Figure 6 In the combination valve type shown. Figure 7 In the non-limiting example shown, the first one-way valve 116 and the second one-way valve 120 are distinct components spatially separated from one another, in this particular case in the form of an umbrella valve and the second one-way valve 120 in the form of an umbrella valve.

[0236] In some embodiments, and again with reference to Figure 5 and Figure 6In the embodiments shown in FIG, the cartridge 100 includes an upper end 124 and a lower end 126 opposite the upper end 124, the interface portion 107 is disposed at or adjacent the upper end 124, and the second one-way valve 120 is arranged to allow fluid to exit from the metering assembly 108 in a direction away from the upper end. This arrangement of the second one-way valve 120 can facilitate metered supply of the surface treatment agent, particularly in embodiments where the cartridge 100 is included in or attachable to the cover 112 for enclosing the cleaning liquid storage tank 110.

[0237] The volume displacement device 102 may have any suitable design, so long as the operation of the volume displacement device 102 enables metered delivery of the surface treatment agent from the cartridge 100 .

[0238] In some embodiments, for example Figures 5 to 8 In the embodiment shown in FIG, volume displacement device 102 includes an elastically compressible container 128, the elastic compression of which at least partially defines the operation of volume displacement device 102.

[0239] The resiliently compressible container 128 may be at least partially bounded by a light-transmissive wall 130 to allow viewing of the fluid within the resiliently compressible container 128. Thus, a user may have a visual indication of whether the surface treatment agent is being dosed.

[0240] It should be reiterated that in some embodiments the surface treatment is colored.

[0241] This colored surface treatment is more easily visible to the user, particularly through the light-transmissive wall 130 .

[0242] In some embodiments, as Figure 5 In the illustrated embodiment, the first one-way valve 116 and the second one-way valve 120 are arranged so that compression of the elastically compressible container 128 causes fluid (e.g., air) to be moved into the chamber 106 via the first one-way valve 116, and the fluid (e.g., surface treatment agent) displaced by the fluid moved into the chamber 106 leaves the box 100 and therefore leaves the metering supply component 108 via the second one-way valve 120.

[0243] In such an embodiment, the resiliently compressible container 128 may have an air inlet 131 for allowing air from outside the dosing assembly 108 to enter the compressible container 128 to enable the compressible container 128 to return to its rest shape.

[0244] In some embodiments, for example Figure 6 and Figure 7In the embodiments shown in FIG, the first one-way valve 116 and the second one-way valve 120 are arranged so that during the period when the elastically compressible container 128 returns to its rest shape after being compressed, the fluid is moved out of the chamber 106, for example, into the elastically compressible container 128, as shown by arrow 121A. During the subsequent compression of the elastically compressible container 128, the fluid drawn out of the chamber 106 is caused to leave the dosing assembly 108 via the second one-way valve 120 in the direction shown by arrow 121B.

[0245] The return of resiliently compressible container 128 to the rest shape may correspond to the above-described first motion of volume displacement device 102 , and the subsequent compression of resiliently compressible container 128 may correspond to the above-described second motion of volume displacement device 102 .

[0246] It should be noted that the box 100 can define a vent 132 to allow air to enter the chamber 106 while the fluid (e.g., surface treatment agent) is moved out of the chamber 106 via the first one-way valve 116 during a first movement of the volume displacement device 102, such as during the recovery of the elastically compressible container 128 to the rest shape.

[0247] The elastic compressibility of the elastically compressible container 128 can be achieved in any suitable manner. In some embodiments, for example Figures 5 to 7 In those embodiments shown in FIG, the elastic compressibility is provided by the wall 130 of the elastically compressible container 128 being made at least in part of an elastic material.

[0248] In such an embodiment, the wall can be considered to define a flexible membrane or bellows, wherein the membrane / bellows can be deformed by force applied to the membrane / bellows by a user to reduce the volume inside the elastically compressible container 128, but the elasticity of the membrane / bellows enables the elastically compressible container 128 to return to its original / rest shape.

[0249] In some embodiments, a spring may be added within the bellows to help the bellows return to its original / resting shape.

[0250] In other embodiments, for example Figure 8 In the illustrated embodiment, volume displacement device 102 includes an elastically compressible container 128 , the elastic compressibility of which is provided via a piston 133 coupled to a spring 134 .

[0251] The volume of the elastically compressible container 128 (eg, bellows) may be sufficient to dose approximately 1 mL of surface treatment agent in one actuation. This may mean that the volume displacement of the elastically compressible container 128 may be approximately 1 mL when activated after the first actuation.

[0252] Although Figures 5 to 7 In the illustrated embodiment, first one-way valve 116 is arranged to interface with port 118 of volume displacement device 102 when cartridge 100 is attached to a wet cleaning apparatus, but this is not limiting. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), a piston element (e.g., a piston element included in cartridge 100) may be moved by operation of volume displacement device 102. In such an embodiment, first one-way valve 116 may not interface with a port of volume displacement device 102 because operation of volume displacement device 102 moves the piston element, rather than fluid.

[0253] More generally, volume displacement device 102 may be manually operable, such as Figures 5 to 8 Alternatively or additionally, volume displacement device 102 may include an electric volume displacement device 102. In such an embodiment, the electric volume displacement device may be arranged to enable automatic metered delivery of the surface treatment agent from cartridge 100.

[0254] Such automatic dosing of the surface treatment agent may be particularly advantageous in embodiments in which the wet cleaning assembly 104 comprises a robotic wet cleaning device configured to move autonomously over the surface to be cleaned.

[0255] Automatic dosing may be achieved in any suitable manner, such as by using a solenoid arranged to activate a mechanism of volume displacement device 102 .

[0256] In some embodiments, for example Figure 6 、 Figure 9A and Figure 9B , the chamber 106 has an annular shape with a fluid passage 135 extending around the exterior of the chamber 106. In such an embodiment, the fluid passage 135 extends between an upper end 124 and a lower end 126 of the cartridge 100, with at least one one-way valve 116, 120 (e.g., the second one-way valve 120) being arranged at or adjacent the upper end 124.

[0257] Such fluid passage 135 can facilitate direct delivery of the surface treatment agent to the exterior of chamber 106. Thus, the surface treatment agent can be more efficiently delivered from dosing assembly 108, or in other words, there is less likelihood of incomplete delivery of the surface treatment agent. Furthermore, fluid passage 135 can help minimize the risk of the exterior surface of the housing being contaminated (e.g., becoming sticky) by the surface treatment agent.

[0258] It should be noted that the cartridge 100 having the annular chamber 106 and the fluid passage 135 may be particularly suitable for embodiments in which the second one-way valve 120 allows fluid (e.g., a surface treatment agent) removed from the chamber 106 by a first action of the volume displacement device 102 to exit the metering assembly 108 by a second action, such as by the elastically compressible container 128 being opened. Figure 6 and Figure 9A Compression in the direction indicated by arrow 136.

[0259] The combined valve 122 , along with the cartridge 100 having the annular chamber 106 and the fluid passage 135 , can help provide a relatively short trajectory over which the surface treatment agent is delivered.

[0260] In some embodiments, for example Figure 9A and Figure 9B In the illustrated embodiment, the cartridge 100 includes a dip tube 137. Such a dip tube 137 can help minimize waste of the surface treatment agent, particularly in the context of embodiments in which the first one-way valve 116 is configured to enable fluid to be moved out of the chamber 106 by a first action of the volume displacement device 102 (e.g., by the elastically compressible container 128 returning to its rest shape).

[0261] In some embodiments, as Figure 9A and Figure 9B In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom surface defining the chamber 106 is sloped towards the inlet end of the dip tube 137. Thus, in use, the surface treatment agent remaining in the chamber 106 can be caused to flow down the slope in the direction of the inlet end of the dip tube 137.

[0262] The inlet end of the dip tube 137 is preferably located at the lowest portion of the inclined bottom surface.

[0263] It should be noted that the bottom surface 106 of the chamber 106 may be adjacent the lower end 126 of the cartridge 100 .

[0264] The dip tube 137 may have an inner diameter of 0.8 mm to 1.5 mm.

[0265] Such an inner diameter may help make the dosing operation more efficient while minimizing volumetric loss of the surface treatment agent by delivering the surface treatment agent through the dip tube 137 .

[0266] In at least some embodiments, the interface between cartridge 100 and volume displacement device 102 can include a sealing area for preventing leakage of the surface treatment agent.

[0267] The interface portion 107 may include a sealing region that provides a sealing region function for the cartridge 100. Such a sealing region may be included in the interface portion 107 together with the coupling portion 113, for example, the coupling portion 113 is separate from the sealing region.

[0268] For this reason, and as Figure 9A 、 Figure 9B 、 Figure 10A and Figure 10B As shown, one or more sealing members 138A, 138B may be arranged to seal the interface between the interface portion 107 of the cassette 100 and the volume displacement device 102 .

[0269] One or more sealing members 138A, 138B may be included in the cartridge 100 and / or the wet cleaning apparatus. In embodiments where the sealing members 138A, 138B are included in the cartridge 100, replenishment of the surface treatment agent may be combined with preventative maintenance of the wet cleaning assembly involving replacement of the sealing members 138A, 138B.

[0270] Reference Figure 10A and Figure 10B The one or more sealing members 138A, 138B may include a first sealing member 138A (eg, an O-ring) and a second sealing member 138B (eg, an O-ring). However, any number of sealing members 138A, 138B may be contemplated, such as one, three, four, etc.

[0271] In embodiments where the cartridge 100 has a vent 132, for example Figure 6 and 9A to 10B In the embodiments shown, the vent hole 132 may be arranged, for example, between the sealing area of ​​the coupling portion 113 and the interface portion 107 .

[0272] More generally, the coupling portion 113 and the vent 132 may be arranged relative to one another such that air can enter the chamber 106 via the vent 132 when the coupling portion 113 is attached to the complementary coupling portion 114 .

[0273] In an embodiment where the attachment of the coupling portion 113 to the complementary coupling portion 114 results in a sealing area being provided at the interface between the box 100 and the wet cleaning apparatus, the vent 132 can be spatially avoided from the sealing area of ​​the box 100 to allow air to enter the chamber 106 when the coupling portion 113 is attached to the complementary coupling portion 114.

[0274] The vent hole 132 may be provided in the coupling portion 113. Alternatively, the vent hole 132 may be provided in a housing (in other words, a cartridge body) that defines the chamber 106.

[0275] Now refer to Figures 11A to 11C and Figure 12 , the cassette 100 includes a cover assembly 139 for covering at least a portion of the interface portion 107 prior to attachment of the cassette 100 .

[0276] In some embodiments, the covering assembly 139 is arranged to cover one or more (e.g., each) of at least one one-way valves 116, 120 prior to attachment of the box 100, wherein the covering assembly 139 is configured to enable the interface portion 107 to be approached so as to allow the interface portion 107 to dock with a wet cleaning device (e.g., a volume displacement device 102 included in the wet cleaning device).

[0277] The cover assembly 139 may include a seal, such as a removable and / or pierceable seal, for sealingly covering the at least one one-way valve 116 , 120 prior to attachment of the cassette 100 .

[0278] The cover assembly 139 can further provide protection against leakage of the surface treatment agent before the cartridge 100 is attached to the wet cleaning equipment, in addition to that provided by the at least one one-way valve 120. Such leakage may occur, for example, due to pressure and / or temperature changes during transportation of the cartridge 100. The cover assembly 139 can also help provide tamper-evident protection and / or protection of the at least one one-way valve 116, 120 during storage and transportation of the cartridge 100.

[0279] As an alternative or in addition to cover assembly 139 covering at least one one-way valve 116, 120, cover assembly 139 may cover vent 132 before attachment of cassette 100, but leave vent 132 exposed to allow air to enter chamber 106 when fluid is drawn out of chamber 106, such as by a first actuation of volume displacement device 102. Figures 11A to 11C and Figure 12 Such an example is shown in .

[0280] In such embodiments, the covering assembly 139 may include a cap or seal for sealingly covering the vent 132 , such as a removable and / or pierceable seal.

[0281] The cover assembly 139 may be held in place via an area between the coupling portion 113 and the sealing area (eg, an adhesion area).

[0282] In some embodiments, for example Figures 11A to 11C and Figure 12 In those embodiments shown in , the cover assembly 139 includes a unitary cover member that covers the vent 132 and at least one one-way valve 116 , 120 , such as the first one-way valve 116 and / or the second one-way valve 120 .

[0283] This may facilitate attachment of the cartridge 100 as the integral cover member may simply be manipulated, for example by detaching the coupling portion 113 from another complementary coupling portion included in the cover assembly 139 , in order to access the interface portion 107 .

[0284] A cover assembly 139 (eg, a unitary cover member) may, for example, seal the vent 132 and the combination valve 122 .

[0285] In an embodiment where the first one-way valve 116 and the second one-way valve 120 are integrated into the combination valve 122, as shown in FIG. Figures 11A to 11C and Figure 12 As shown, such an integral cover member is particularly useful. In such an embodiment, the integral cover member (eg, the seal) can provide a seal in a single plane.

[0286] In embodiments where the at least one one-way valve 116, 120 and the vent 132 are disposed in a recess defined in an outer surface of the cartridge 100, for example Figure 12 In the illustrated embodiment, the cover assembly 139 (eg, a unitary cover member) may include one or more protruding portions 140A, 140B configured to extend into each of the recesses, for example.

[0287] Such protrusions 140A, 140B can help enhance the leak protection provided by the cover assembly 139.

[0288] The present disclosure also provides a wet cleaning assembly 104 comprising a cartridge 100 according to any embodiment described herein, and a wet cleaning device comprising a complementary coupling portion 114 to which a coupling portion 113 of the cartridge 100 may be coupled during attachment of the cartridge 100 to the wet cleaning device.

[0289] In some embodiments, the wet cleaning apparatus includes a volume displacement device 102 , and during attachment of the cartridge 100 to the wet cleaning apparatus, an interface portion 107 of the cartridge 100 can interface with the volume displacement device 102 to define a dosing assembly 108 .

[0290] In such an embodiment, the wet cleaning assembly 104 may include a first one-way valve 116 and a second one-way valve 120, wherein the first one-way valve 116 is configured to enable fluid to be moved out of or into the chamber 106 through operation of the volume displacement device 102, and the second one-way valve 120 is configured to enable fluid to exit the metering supply assembly 108, wherein the first one-way valve 116 and / or the second one-way valve 120 are included in the cartridge 100 and are configured to restrict the passage of the surface treatment agent through itself prior to attachment of the cartridge 100.

[0291] The cartridge 100 included in the wet cleaning assembly 104 may be Figures 1 to 12 The cartridge 100 of any of the embodiments described.

[0292] Alternatively, first one-way valve 116 and / or second one-way valve 120 may be part of cartridge 100 , or may be part of a wet cleaning apparatus, such as volume displacement device 102 .

[0293] In some embodiments, for example Figure 13A 、 Figure 13B and Figure 14 In the embodiment shown in FIG, a first one-way valve 116 is included in the cartridge 100 and a second one-way valve 120 is included in the wet cleaning apparatus, in particular as part of the volume displacement device 102 .

[0294] In such an embodiment, the first one-way valve 116 may include, for example, a ball check valve (e.g., Figure 13A 、 Figure 13B and Figure 14 ) and umbrella or duckbill valves.

[0295] The second one-way valve 120 may include, for example, a duckbill valve (eg, Figure 14 shown), umbrella valve, or ball check valve.

[0296] exist Figure 13B It is obvious from the exploded view provided that the ball 141 of the first one-way valve 116 is in the form of a spherical check valve. The ball 141 can be formed of any suitable material, such as metal or glass. In particular, the ball 141 is made of glass beads.

[0297] like Figure 13A and Figure 13B , the cassette 100 having the first one-way valve 116 further includes a cover assembly 139 for covering (e.g., sealingly covering) the first one-way valve 116 before attachment of the cassette 100. In this example, the cover assembly 139 includes a protrusion 140A extending into a recess in the outer surface of the cassette 100, with the first one-way valve 116 disposed in the protrusion 140A.

[0298] The coupling portion 113 (eg, part of a bayonet coupling) may be included in the second portion 142 of the cartridge 100 , which closes the first portion 144 of the cartridge 100 , eg, by snap-fitting the second portion 142 onto the first portion 144 .

[0299] The first portion 144 of the cartridge 100 may be filled with the surface treatment, and the second portion 142 snap-fitted onto the first portion 144 to close the chamber 106. Other techniques for closing the cartridge 100 are also contemplated, such as welding the first and second portions 142, 144 to each other, as previously described.

[0300] It should be reiterated that interface portion 107 can include a sealing region that functions as a sealing region for cassette 100 to limit leakage of the surface treatment agent at the interface between cassette 100 and volume displacement device 102. As previously described, such a sealing region can be included in interface portion 107 along with coupling portion 113.

[0301] In some embodiments, as Figure 13A 、 Figure 13B and Figure 14 As shown in FIG, the cartridge 100 includes one or more sealing members 138A that at least partially define a sealing area.

[0302] It should be noted that the combination of the sealing member 138A and the ball check valve 116 may hinder the consumer's Figure 13A and Figure 13B The box 100 shown in FIG is refilled. Once closed, for example via a snap fit, the box 100 may also be relatively difficult to open.

[0303] More generally, and with further reference to Figure 13A and Figure 13B , a covering assembly 139 (eg, a covering assembly 139 comprising an integral covering member), such as a lid, includes another complementary coupling portion 114A for coupling to the coupling portion 113 when the cartridge 100 is not attached to a wet cleaning apparatus.

[0304] In particular, the other complementary connecting part 114A is configured to be detachably connected to the connecting part 113, so that when the box 100 is not attached to the wet cleaning device, the covering assembly 139 covers at least a portion of the interface part 107, and when the other complementary connecting part 114A is removed from the connecting part 113, the box 100 can be attached to the wet cleaning device via the connecting part 113.

[0305] Since the connecting portion 113 is detachably connected to another complementary connecting portion 114A of the covering assembly 139 and can also be connected to the complementary connecting portion 114 of the wet cleaning device, the complementary connecting portion 114 of the wet cleaning device can correspond to another complementary connecting portion 114A of the covering assembly 139 (e.g., a cover).

[0306] This can facilitate attaching the box 100 to the wet cleaning device because the same connection principle as when attaching / detaching the covering assembly 139 (e.g., a cover) to cover / expose the interface portion 107 can be used as when attaching / detaching the box 100 to / from the wet cleaning device.

[0307] exist Figure 13A 、 Figure 13B 、 Figure 14 and Figure 15 Evident in the illustrated cartridge 100 and dosing assembly 108 is the dip tube 137 .

[0308] Reference Figure 15 , the inlet end of the dip tube 137 is shown located at the lowest portion of the inclined bottom surface. In addition, in this example, the lower end 126 of the box 100 has a raised central portion 146 and a peripheral support portion 147 extending around the raised central portion 146.

[0309] The shape of the lower end 126 of the box 100 provided by the raised central portion 146 and the peripheral support portion 147 can make the box 100 stable when supported in an upright position on a surface via the peripheral support portion 147.

[0310] This shape may also create space for molding features without obstructing a stable surface and may provide the aforementioned lowest portion where the inlet end of the dip tube 137 may be located.

[0311] exist Figure 13A 、 Figure 13B 、 Figure 14 and Figure 15 In the example shown, first one-way valve 116 is configured to enable fluid to be moved out of chamber 106 by a first motion of volume displacement device 102, which in this case corresponds to the return of elastically compressible container 128 to its rest shape. In this example, fluid is drawn out of chamber 106 through a ball check valve defining first one-way valve 116.

[0312] The second one-way valve 120 allows the fluid (e.g., surface treatment agent) that has been displaced out of the chamber 106 by the first action to exit the dosing assembly 108 by the second action of the volume displacement device 102, which in this case corresponds to the compression of the resiliently compressible container 128. In this example, the fluid is pushed out of the dosing assembly 108 through the duckbill valve that defines the second one-way valve 120.

[0313] Note that the first one-way valve 116 (in this case a ball check valve) is arranged so that the ball 141 is forced against the valve seat to prevent fluid from flowing back into the cassette 100 during the second actuation of the volume displacement device 102. Furthermore, the second one-way valve 120 (in this case a duckbill valve) is arranged so that air is prevented from being drawn into the dosing assembly 108 from outside the dosing assembly 108 during the first actuation of the volume displacement device 102.

[0314] In some embodiments, for example Figure 14 In the illustrated embodiment, the wet cleaning apparatus includes a fluid passage 143 extending from the second one-way valve 120 (eg, in the direction of the cleaning liquid storage tank 110 ).

[0315] Although not visible in the figures, the dosing assembly 108 (particularly the volume displacement device 102 ) can be covered by a housing portion of the wet cleaning apparatus. The housing portion can prevent access to the volume displacement device 102 , such as the elastically compressible container 128 .

[0316] This can help prevent inadvertent operation of volume displacement device 102. This design can also help simplify electronic activation of volume displacement device 102, such as via a solenoid.

[0317] In some embodiments, dosing of the surface treatment agent from the cartridge 100 is triggered by installing the cleaning liquid reservoir 110 in the wet cleaning assembly 104 (eg, along with the dosing assembly 108 ).

[0318] Therefore, the metered supply of the surface treatment agent can be regarded as being performed in a semi-automatic manner.

[0319] In such an embodiment, installation of the cleaning liquid reservoir 110 may include engaging engagement features of the wet cleaning assembly 104 with the volume displacement device 102 during installation to cause metered delivery of the surface treatment agent.

[0320] For example, when cleaning liquid tank 110 (eg, with dosing assembly 108 ) is positioned (eg, rotated into place) in wet cleaning assembly 104 , installation of cleaning liquid tank 110 may cause engagement features of wet cleaning assembly 104 to compress resiliently compressible container 128 .

[0321] More generally, the cartridge 100 and wet cleaning assembly 104 of the present invention can enable the use (in other words, metering from the cartridge 100) of relatively high concentrations of surface treatment agents that, in some cases, can be harmful to the wet cleaning equipment and / or to the surface being treated / cleaned using the wet cleaning equipment (e.g., a floor).

[0322] However, the risks associated with such high concentrations of surface treatment agent can be mitigated by dilution that is metered into and accompanied by the cleaning liquid contained in the cleaning liquid reservoir 110. The high concentration nature of the surface treatment agent can allow the cartridge 100 to be relatively small and, therefore, occupy only a limited amount of space in the wet cleaning assembly 104.

[0323] The interface between the box 100 and the wet cleaning equipment (e.g., the interface between the box 100 and the volume displacement device 102 of the wet cleaning equipment) can help ensure that the correct surface treatment agent is used and the correct amount is metered in. Depending on their wearability, components can be placed on the box side or the volume displacement device side of the interface.

[0324] Variations of the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention by studying the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality.

[0325] The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

[0326] If the term "adapted to" is used in the claims or specification, it should be noted that the term "adapted to" is intended to be equivalent to the term "configured to."

[0327] Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

1. A cartridge (100) attachable to a wet cleaning apparatus for metering a surface treatment agent from the cartridge, the cartridge comprising: a chamber (106) for containing a surface treatment agent; an interface portion (107) for interfacing with the wet cleaning device, the interface portion comprising a coupling portion (113) for coupling the cartridge to a complementary coupling portion (114) of the wet cleaning device during attachment of the cartridge; as well as A covering assembly (139) for covering at least a portion of the interface portion before the box is attached, wherein the covering assembly includes another complementary connecting portion (114A), the other complementary connecting portion (114A) being configured to be detachably connected to the connecting portion so that when the box is not attached to the wet cleaning device, the covering assembly covers at least a portion of the interface portion, and detachment of the other complementary connecting portion from the connecting portion enables the box to be attached to the wet cleaning device via the connecting portion.

2. The box (100) according to claim 1, wherein The interface portion (107) further includes a sealing area, which serves as a sealing area for the cartridge to prevent leakage of the surface treatment agent at the interface between the attached cartridge and the wet cleaning device.

3. The box (100) according to claim 2, wherein The cover assembly (139) and the sealing area are arranged to sealingly engage one another when the cover assembly covers the at least a portion of the interface portion (107).

4. The cartridge (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The coupling portion (113) is configured to provide tactile feedback when attached to the complementary coupling portion (114); and / or wherein the coupling portion is arranged to couple to the complementary coupling portion in a unidirectional manner.

5. The cartridge (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The interface portion (107) is used to interface with the volume displacement device (102) of the wet cleaning device, thereby defining a dosing assembly (108) during attachment of the cartridge, the cartridge further comprising at least one one-way valve (116, 120), the at least one one-way valve (116, 120) being configured to: enabling fluid to exit the chamber or the chamber and the dosing assembly through operation of the volume displacement device; and Prior to attaching the cartridge, the surface treatment agent is prevented from passing therethrough.

6. The box (100) according to claim 5, wherein The cover assembly (139) is configured to cover one or more of the at least one one-way valves (116, 120) prior to attachment of the cartridge.

7. The cartridge (100) according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein The at least one one-way valve (116, 120) includes a first one-way valve (116) configured to enable fluid to be moved out of or into the chamber (106) through operation of the fluid displacement device (102).

8. The cartridge (100) according to claim 7, wherein The at least one one-way valve (116, 120) further includes a second one-way valve (120) configured to allow fluid to exit the dosing assembly (108).

9. The cartridge (100) according to claim 8, comprising a combination valve (122) integrating the first one-way valve (116) and the second one-way valve (120).

10. The cartridge (100) according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein The first one-way valve (116) is configured to allow fluid to be displaced out of the chamber (106) by a first action of the volume displacement device (102), and the second one-way valve (120) is configured to allow fluid displaced out of the chamber by the first action to exit the dosing assembly (108) by a second action of the volume displacement device.

11. The cartridge (100) according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the first one-way valve (116) being configured to enable fluid to move into the chamber (106) through operation of the volume displacement device (102), and the second one-way valve (120) being configured to enable fluid displaced by the fluid moved into the chamber to exit the cartridge; Optionally, the first one-way valve and the second one-way valve are spatially separated from each other across the chamber.

12. The cartridge (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising a vent (132) for allowing air to enter the chamber.

13. The cartridge (100) according to claim 12, wherein The cover assembly (139) is arranged to cover the vent (132) of the cartridge before the cartridge is attached to the wet cleaning apparatus, the cover assembly being configured to expose the vent to allow air to enter the chamber (106) as fluid is drawn out of the chamber.

14. The cartridge (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein The cartridge is disposable; and / or wherein the surface treatment agent is contained within the cartridge.

15. A wet cleaning assembly (104), comprising: The box (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 14; as well as a wet cleaning device comprising a complementary coupling portion (114), the coupling portion (113) being coupleable to the complementary coupling portion (114) during attachment of the cartridge to the wet cleaning device; and optionally A cleaning liquid storage tank (110) is used to receive the surface treatment agent quantitatively supplied by the cartridge.

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