Surface cleaning device capable of releasing a constant quantity of cleaning fluid

Abstract

The invention relates to a surface cleaning apparatus (100) comprising a reservoir assembly (400) including a main reservoir (410) refillable with a cleaning fluid, and a discharge reservoir (420) superimposed on top of each other. The discharge reservoir includes: an opening opposite a discharge port of the main reservoir, a discharge port, and a valve (430) rotatable between an initial position and a discharge position. The valve, rotated by an actuator, is configured so that, in its initial position, the opening is open and the discharge port is closed, and vice versa in the discharge position. When the opening is open, cleaning fluid from the main reservoir flows into the discharge reservoir. When the discharge port is open, only the fluid from the discharge reservoir flows out of the apparatus. The apparatus thus allows for the release of a constant quantity of fluid.Figure for the abridged version: Fig.1.

Description

Description Title of the invention: Apparatus for cleaning a surface capable of release a constant amount of cleaning fluid Technical field of the invention

[0001] — The present invention relates to the technical field of cleaning devices of a surface.

[0002] — The present invention relates in particular to an apparatus for cleaning a surface, with an integrated tank for storing a cleaning liquid. The invention finds particular application for surface cleaning devices, such as flat mop. Prior art

[0003] There are many models of cleaning devices on the market with a integrated reservoir, usually mounted on the handle, and containing a liquid cleaning. The tank is connected to a flexible pipe which directs the liquid from cleaning towards a cleaning head.

[0004] …— Two techniques are commonly used to release a quantity of liquid from cleaning the tank, through the flexible conduit.

[0005] — A first technique is based on the use of a pinching device of the flexible conduit. By default, the pinching stresses it exerts on the conduit flexible deforms it. The deformation of the flexible conduit is such that it condemns lo- Secure the flexible conduit so that no cleaning fluid can leak out. When activating the pinch device, the pinch stresses exerted on the flexible conduit are then reduced, or even cancelled, allowing the liquid to cleaning to circulate through it.

[0006] — A second technique is based on the use of a device for pressurizing the tank. When the pressurization device is activated, the pressure in the reservoir increases. Beyond a predetermined pressure threshold, the liquid cleaning fluid contained in the tank is ejected through the flexible conduit.

[0007] — Manual activation of these two types of devices, by a user, is class- usually carried out using a trigger or a press button.

[0008] — But although these techniques remain easy to use, they present however some drawbacks.

[0009] = To begin with, any modulation of the pinching of the flexible conduit can lead to a degradation over time of the mechanical properties, in particular the sealing, of the flexible conduit of the cleaning device.

[0010] — Furthermore, said manual activation devices do not allow control of the quantity of cleaning fluid released. The hose pinch modulation of the first technique depends on the intensity of pressure exerted by a user on the trigger or the press button. This intensity varies intrinsically from one user to another. This intensity varies intrinsically from one press to another by the same user. Similarly, for the second technique, where the variation in the intensity and duration of the press by a user generates different intensities and durations of pressure and therefore a variable quantity of cleaning fluid released. Presentation of the invention The present invention aims to remedy the drawbacks of the solutions proposed by the prior art, in particular those set out above, by proposing a surface cleaning device capable of releasing a constant quantity of cleaning liquid, said surface cleaning device comprising: a handle, said handle extending longitudinally along a first axis, between two ends, a cleaning head attached to one of the two ends of said handle, a reservoir assembly configured to store a cleaning liquid, characterized in that the tank assembly comprises two superimposed tanks extending longitudinally along a second axis, parallel to the first axis, and securely connected to each other: a main reservoir, extending longitudinally between a base and a upper end, said base comprising a so-called flow orifice, said main reservoir delimiting an internal volume Vp, , a discharge tank, extending longitudinally between a base and a upper wall, said base comprising a so-called evacuation orifice, said upper wall comprising an opening arranged opposite the orifice flow from the base of the main tank, said discharge tank de- limiting an internal volume Vd, and comprising, in said internal volume Vd, a body called a mobile valve rotating around the second axis, and moving between a so-called initial position and a so-called discharge position, in that the tank assembly comprises a filling device configured to allow said main tank to be filled with the cleaning liquid, and in that the reservoir assembly comprises an actuator comprising a user interface, the actuator being configured to drive the valve in rotation between the initial position and the discharge position, so that in the initial position: the opening of said upper wall of the discharge tank is not obstructed by said valve, allowing the passage of cleaning liquid between the main tank and discharge tank, and the discharge opening of said base of the discharge tank is obstructed by said valve, preventing the cleaning liquid from evacuating through the orifice evacuation of said base of said discharge tank, and such that in the discharge position: the opening of said upper wall of the discharge tank is obstructed by said valve, preventing the passage of cleaning liquid between the tank main and said discharge tank, and the discharge opening of said base of the discharge tank is not obstructed by said valve, allowing the cleaning liquid to be evacuated through the orifice discharge from said base of said discharge tank. The opening in the upper wall of the discharge tank remains permanently coincident (facing) with the flow orifice in the base of the main tank. This coincidence ensures a passage for the cleaning liquid between the internal volume Vp of the main tank and the internal volume Vd of the discharge tank. Before use of the device, the internal volume Vp of the main tank is empty. The valve is considered in the initial position. Thus, the opening of said upper wall of the discharge tank is not obstructed by said valve, and the discharge orifice of said base of the discharge tank is obstructed by said valve. During use, the user of the device first fills said internal volume Vp of the main tank with cleaning liquid, via the filling device. Preferably, said filling is carried out vertically. Vertical means an orientation of the tank assembly for which the second axis remains substantially coincident with the gravitational interaction axis of the Earth. The opening of said upper wall of the discharge tank not being obstructed by said valve, and the discharge orifice of said base of the discharge tank being obstructed by said valve, this advantageously results in the filling of the internal volume Vp of the main tank and the filling of the internal volume Vd of the discharge tank. The user of the device operates the actuator, whenever desired via the user interface. Actuation of the actuator then causes the valve to rotate from its initial position to its discharge position. The opening of said upper wall of the discharge tank is then obstructed by said valve, preventing the passage of the cleaning liquid between the main tank and said discharge tank, and the discharge orifice of said base of the discharge tank is no longer obstructed by said valve, allowing the evacuation of the cleaning liquid through the discharge orifice of said base of said discharge tank. Advantageously, only the cleaning liquid from the discharge tank of the tank assembly of the apparatus which flows through said orifice is released from the apparatus. Unlike commercially available devices, the invention presented here is capable of releasing a constant volume of cleaning liquid. This is made possible in particular because, on the one hand, the internal volume Vd of the discharge tank is fixed and, on the other hand, only the cleaning liquid contained in the discharge tank can be released from the device (once the valve is positioned in the discharge position). Advantageously, this cleaning device ensures a constant quantity of cleaning liquid released, with each use. Each use can be carried out by the same user. Each use can be carried out by several users. Unlike current devices with a flexible conduit pinching device, the present invention does not damage any internal components. Advantageously, the present invention remains permanently watertight over time. As a result, the present invention ensures improved durability over time compared to said current devices. According to particular embodiments, the apparatus according to the invention further meets the following characteristics, implemented separately or in each of their technically operational combinations. According to preferred embodiments of the invention, the valve of the apparatus has a first base arranged opposite said base of the discharge tank, and comprising a so-called outlet orifice, and a second base arranged opposite said upper wall of the discharge tank, and comprising a so-called inlet orifice. The actuator of the apparatus is configured so that: in the initial position, the inlet orifice of said second base of said valve is in opposite (facing) said opening of said upper wall of said discharge tank, and the outlet orifice of said first base of said valve is not arranged opposite (facing) the discharge orifice of said base of said discharge tank, in the discharge position, the inlet orifice of said second base of said valve is not arranged opposite (facing) said opening of said wall upper part of said discharge tank, and the outlet orifice of said first base of said valve is opposite (facing) the discharge orifice of said base of said discharge tank. Advantageously, this results in improved robustness of the valve and fluid flow speeds of the cleaning liquid in the tank assembly which can be configured as a function of the dimensions of the inlet orifice and the outlet orifice of the flap. The discharge tank of the apparatus comprises a first sealing element configured to ensure peripheral sealing of the opening of the upper wall of said discharge tank with the valve, and a second sealing element configured to ensure peripheral sealing of the discharge orifice of the base of said discharge tank with the valve. Advantageously, this results in loss-free (leak-free) fluid flows between the main tank and the discharge tank. This also results in the absence of leakage within and at the outlet of the tank assembly of the apparatus, the tank assembly containing the discharge tank. According to preferred embodiments of the invention, the apparatus comprises a protective casing for the reservoir assembly, said protective casing being securely connected to the handle. Advantageously, this results on the one hand in easy attachment of the tank assembly to the handle of the device and, on the other hand, in optimal protection of the tank assembly by said protective casing. According to preferred embodiments of the invention, the reservoir assembly is removable from the protective casing. The user of the apparatus can advantageously interchange a first reservoir assembly containing a first cleaning liquid with a second reservoir assembly containing a different cleaning liquid, without having to use all of the first cleaning liquid of said first reservoir assembly. The reservoir assembly is also easily cleanable, and replaceable, when damaged. According to preferred embodiments of the invention, the internal volume Vp of the main tank is a multiple of the internal volume Vd of the discharge tank. Advantageously, this results in a guaranteed number of refills of the discharge tank, by any cleaning liquid contained in the main tank. The guaranteed number of refills corresponds to said multiple. The invention also relates to an assembly which comprises a filling station and an apparatus for cleaning a surface according to one of its embodiments, said filling station comprising a tank comprising an emptying device configured to interact with the filling device of the reservoir assembly of the apparatus for cleaning a surface. The tank comprises the cleaning liquid. Advantageously, said tank of the filling station facilitates the filling of the main tank of the tank assembly of the device. This filling is automated. Such filling allows the user of the assembly not to get dirty. Brief description of the figures The invention will be better understood by reading the following description, given by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the following figures: [Fig.1] illustrates a perspective view of an apparatus for cleaning a surface according to one embodiment of the invention, [Fig.2] illustrates an exploded view of a reservoir assembly of the cleaning apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention, [Fig.3] illustrates a perspective view of a valve of the reservoir assembly, [Fig.4] illustrates exploded view of the discharge tank, valve and sealing components, [Fig.5] illustrates schematic representations in iso-view of a base of a main tank of the tank assembly (representation a), of an upper wall of a discharge tank of the tank assembly (representation b), of a base of the discharge tank (representation c), of the valve in the initial position (representation d) and of the valve in the discharge position (representation e), [Fig.6] illustrates an exploded view of the filling device according to one embodiment of the invention, [Fig.7] illustrates a perspective view of a filling station and surface cleaning apparatus assembly, [Fig.8] illustrates a perspective view of a portion of a device for emptying a tank of the filling station with the apparatus for cleaning a surface. Description of the embodiments An example of a surface cleaning apparatus 100 is now described and illustrated in Figures 1 to 7. In the remainder of the description, the surface cleaning device 100 will simply be referred to as device 100. The invention is described in the preferred example of a broom-type apparatus for washing floors. [Fig. 1] shows the apparatus 100 in its entirety. The apparatus 100 comprises: a handle 300 for gripping said device by a user, a cleaning head 200, intended to be in contact with the surface to be cleaned, a 400 tank assembly. The handle 300 extends longitudinally along an axis called the first axis 1000, between two ends. In the non-limiting example of [Fig. 1], said handle is cylindrical in shape, with a circular section. Preferably, said handle is made of a hard and rigid material. In a non-limiting example of embodiment, said handle is made of a plastic material, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or polypropylene (PP). The cleaning head 200 is connected, in a conventional manner, to one of the two ends of the handle 300. The cleaning head 200 is preferably in the form of a plate, intended to be equipped with a fringe (not shown). The term fringe is not considered here as limiting and covers, among other things, flat fringes, brushes, microfiber skins. Preferably, to ensure the maneuverability of the device 100, the cleaning head 200 is connected to the handle 300 by means of an articulated connecting element (not referenced). In an exemplary embodiment, the articulated connecting element is a pivot or ball joint type connection. Preferably, the cleaning head is made of a hard and rigid material. In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the cleaning head is made of a plastic material, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or polypropylene (PP). The reservoir assembly 400, illustrated in [Fig. 2], is configured to store, on the one hand, a cleaning liquid and, on the other hand, release a predefined quantity of said cleaning liquid, at the request of the user. The reservoir assembly 400 is preferably connected to the handle 300, via a protective casing 480, which will be described later. Said reservoir assembly comprises two superimposed reservoirs, a main reservoir 410 and a discharge reservoir 420, as illustrated in [Fig. 2]. The main reservoir 410 and the discharge reservoir 420 are integrally connected to each other. Preferably, the reservoir assembly 400 has a total length less than a length of the handle 300. The main reservoir 410 delimits a hollow internal volume Vp. The discharge reservoir 420 delimits a hollow internal volume Vd. The internal volume Vp of the main reservoir 410 is greater than the internal volume Vd of the discharge reservoir. The internal volume Vp of the main reservoir 410 and the internal volume Vd of the discharge reservoir 420 represent the maximum storage volume of the cleaning liquid in the device. The internal volume Vd of the discharge reservoir 420 represents the volume of the cleaning liquid that will be released from the reservoir assembly 400, at each user request.Preferably, the internal volume Vp of the main tank 410 is a multiple of the internal volume Vd of the discharge tank 420. The internal volume Vp of the main tank 410 may represent, for example, between 5 and 10 times, preferably 6 times, the internal volume Vd of the discharge tank 420. Advantageously, this results in an assured number of releases of a constant quantity of cleaning liquid from the reservoir assembly 400 of the apparatus 100. Preferably, both said main tank and said discharge tank are made of a hard and rigid material. Preferably, the material used for the main tank 410 and the discharge tank 420 is identical. In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the material used is a plastic material, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or polypropylene (PP). Preferably, the main tank 410 and the discharge tank 420 are transparent in order to allow visualization of the level of cleaning liquid contained in each of the two tanks. Preferably and as illustrated in [Fig. 2], the main reservoir 410 extends longitudinally between a base 411 and a so-called upper end 412. The upper end 412 is preferably open. Preferably, the main reservoir 410 comprises a plug 415 configured to close the upper end 412 of said main reservoir. The base 411 comprises a so-called flow orifice 413, as illustrated in representation a) of [Fig. 5]. In the remainder of the description, by abuse of language, the flow orifice 413 of the base 411 of the main reservoir 410 will simply be called the flow orifice 413 of the main reservoir. The flow orifice 413 of the main reservoir 410 is a through orifice. In a non-limiting manner and in the remainder of the description, the main reservoir 410 is cylindrical in shape and circular in cross-section. Preferably and as illustrated in [Fig. 2], the discharge tank 420 extends longitudinally between a base 421 and an upper wall 422. The base 421 comprises a so-called discharge orifice 423 and the upper wall 422 comprises an opening 424, as illustrated respectively in the representations b) and c) of [Fig. 5]. In the remainder of the description, by abuse of language, the opening 424 of the upper wall 422 of the discharge tank 420 will be simply called opening 424 of the discharge tank 420, and the discharge orifice 423 of the base 421 of the discharge tank 420 will be simply called discharge orifice 423 of the discharge tank 420. The opening 424 and the discharge orifice 423 of the discharge tank 420 are through orifices. In a non-limiting manner and in the remainder of the description: the discharge tank 420 is cylindrical in shape and circular in section. Preferably, the main tank 410 and the discharge tank 420 are coaxial, along an axis, called the second axis 2000. Preferably, the second axis 2000 is substantially parallel to the first axis 1000 of the handle 300, advantageously guaranteeing reduced bulk of the device 100. Preferably, as illustrated in [Fig. 2], the main tank 410 and the discharge tank 420 have the same cross-section, so that the discharge tank 420 is in the extension of the main tank 410. The main tank 410 and the discharge tank 420 are superimposed on each other. the other, such that the flow orifice 413 of said main tank is opposite the opening 424 of said discharge tank, creating a passage for the cleaning liquid between the two tanks. Preferably, the cross-section of the opening 424 of said discharge tank is identical to the cross-section of the flow orifice 413 of said main tank. The tank assembly 400 includes a filling device 470 for the main tank 410, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 6. Preferably, said filling device is arranged at a through orifice (not shown) made in the cap 415 of said main reservoir. The filling device 470 is configured to: by default, block the through hole of the 415 plug in order to prevent the passage of cleaning fluid into or out of the main tank, when a force is exerted on it, release the through hole of the plug 415 to allow the cleaning liquid to pass into the tank main. In an exemplary embodiment, the filling device 470 is a valve system, associated with a spring device, together forming a shutter for the through-orifice of the plug 415. When the spring device is at rest, the valve system blocks the through-orifice of the plug 415. When a force is exerted on the spring device, the valve system releases the through-orifice of the plug 415. Preferably, the cap 415 of the main reservoir 410 comprises a peripheral protrusion 416 (illustrated in [Fig.6]) extending around the through-orifice of the cap. The peripheral protrusion is for example threaded. Preferably, as illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 6, the apparatus 100 may comprise an adapter 500 configured to be assembled, by screwing, to the peripheral protrusion 416 of the cap 415. When the adapter 500 is in place on the peripheral protrusion 416, said adapter simultaneously presses on the filling device 470 of the reservoir assembly 400 to release the through-orifice of said cap from the main reservoir 410 and allow said main reservoir to be filled with the cleaning liquid. The release of the through-orifice of said cap remains effective as long as the adapter 500 is fixed to the peripheral protrusion. The user of the apparatus 100 may use a funnel to facilitate the filling of the main reservoir 410 of said apparatus via the adapter 500. It is understood that other means of assembly between the peripheral protrusion and the adapter are also possible, without departing from the scope of the invention. The discharge tank 420 comprises, in its internal volume Vd, a body called a valve 430. Said valve is movable in rotation around the second axis 2000 and moves between a so-called initial position and a so-called discharge position. Advantageously, the valve 430 is sized and arranged in the discharge tank 420 such that: in the initial position, said valve does not obstruct the opening 424 of the reservoir of discharge 420, but obstructs the discharge orifice 423 of the tank of discharge 420, in the discharge position, said valve obstructs the opening 424 of the tank of discharge 420, but does not obstruct the discharge orifice 423 of the tank discharge 420. Thus, when the valve 430 is in the initial position, a quantity of the cleaning liquid contained in the main tank can flow towards the discharge tank, via the flow orifice 413 of said main tank and the opening 424 of said discharge tank, and remains stored in the discharge tank since the discharge orifice 423 of said discharge tank is obstructed. When the valve 430 is in the discharge position, all the cleaning liquid contained in the discharge tank 420 can be discharged from said discharge tank, via the discharge orifice 423 of said discharge tank, while preventing the passage of the cleaning liquid from the main tank 410 to the discharge tank since the opening 424 of said discharge tank is obstructed. Thus, only the quantity of cleaning liquid located in the discharge tank 420 is discharged from said discharge tank. The valve 430 advantageously makes it possible to regulate the quantity of cleaning liquid which is discharged from the discharge tank 420. In a preferred embodiment of the valve, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the valve 430 comprises a first base 431 and a second base 432. The first base 431 is arranged opposite the base 421 of the discharge tank 420. The second base 432 is arranged opposite the upper wall 422 of the discharge tank 420. Said first base and second base are connected for example to a hollow rod 436, of longitudinal axis, the second axis. In a non-limiting embodiment, the first base 431 and second base 432 are semi-circular in shape. The first base 431 and second base 432 are arranged to be diametrically opposite each other. The first base 431 and second base 432 are preferably connected to each other by two cores 437 extending radially from the hollow rod 436, and diametrically opposed. In an exemplary embodiment, illustrated in figures 3 and 4, to stiffen the valve, said valve comprises two stiffeners 435, a stiffener for connecting the first base 431 to the hollow rod 436 and a stiffener for connecting the second base 432 to the hollow rod 436. Preferably, the valve 430 is single-piece and made of the same material as that of the discharge tank 420. The first base 431 comprises an orifice called an outlet 433. The second base 432 comprises an orifice called an inlet 434. In the remainder of the description, by abuse of language, the inlet orifice 434 of said second base of said valve will be called the inlet orifice 434 of said valve, and the outlet orifice 433 of said first base of said valve will be called the outlet orifice 433 of said valve. Preferably, the outlet orifice 433 of said valve and the inlet orifice 434 of said valve are through orifices. Preferably, the cross-section of the outlet orifice 433 of the valve 430 corresponds to the cross-section of the discharge orifice 423 of the discharge tank 420. The cross-section of the inlet orifice 434 of the valve 430 corresponds to the cross-section of the opening 424 of the discharge tank 420. In [Fig. 5], representation d) of the valve illustrates the positioning of the valve when it is in the initial position and representation e) of the valve illustrates the positioning of the valve when it is in the discharge position. Representations a), b) and c) of [Fig. 5] illustrate, for their part and in said tank assembly, respectively the fixed positioning of the flow orifice 413 of the main tank 410, the opening 424 of the discharge tank 420 and the discharge orifice 423 of the discharge tank 420. Thus, in the non-limiting example of the valve 430 comprising the first base 431 and the second base 432, each with a through orifice, said valve is arranged in the discharge tank 420 such that: in initial position: the inlet orifice 434 of said valve is opposite the opening 424 of the discharge tank 420, (see the relative positioning of the inlet orifice 434 of said valve and the opening 424 of said discharge tank in representations d) and b) illustrated in figure 5), the outlet orifice 433 of the valve 430 is not opposite the orifice 423 discharge tank discharge 420, (see posi- relative operation of the outlet orifice 433 of said valve and the orifice evacuation 423 of said discharge tank in the representations 4) and c) illustrated in Figure 5), in discharge position: the inlet orifice 434 of said valve is not opposite the opening 424 of the discharge tank 420, (see the positioning relative to the inlet orifice 434 of said valve and the opening 424 said discharge tank in representations e) and b) illustrated in figure 5), the outlet orifice 433 of said valve is opposite the orifice 423 discharge tank discharge 420 (see posi- relative operation of the outlet orifice 433 of said valve and the orifice evacuation 423 of said discharge tank in the representations e) and c) illustrated in Figure 5). Thus, it follows that in the initial position: valve 430 leaves open the passage between the main tank and the reservoir discharge (fluid passage through the flow orifice 413 of said main tank and opening 424 of said discharge tank), and the valve 430 obstructs the discharge orifice 423 of said discharge tank. A quantity of cleaning liquid contained in the main tank 410 (through the filling device 470) accordingly flows into the discharge tank 420 until said discharge tank is filled. In discharge position: the valve 430 closes the passage between the main tank 410 and the tank discharge 420 (no fluid passage because the opening 424 of said tank discharge is blocked), and the valve 430 releases the discharge orifice 423 of the discharge tank 420. Only the cleaning liquid contained in the internal volume Vd of the discharge tank 420 can flow through the discharge orifice 423 of said discharge tank, out of said discharge tank. Preferably, as illustrated in [Fig. 4], the discharge tank 420 comprises, at the opening 424 of the discharge tank 420, a first sealing element 450 which comes to bear on the second base 432 of the valve 430. The first sealing element 450 is configured to ensure a peripheral seal around the opening 424 of the discharge tank 420 with the valve 430 when said valve is in the discharge position. This advantageously results in that, when the valve 430 is in the discharge position, the first sealing element 450 forms a sealing barrier against the second base 432 of the valve 430 and no leakage of cleaning liquid from the main reservoir 410 into the discharge reservoir 420 is possible through the opening 424 of said discharge reservoir. In a preferred embodiment, the first sealing element 450 is an O-ring. Preferably, as illustrated in [Fig.4], the discharge tank 420 comprises, at the discharge orifice 423 of said discharge tank, a second sealing element 440 which bears against the first base 431 of the valve 430. The second sealing element 440 is configured to provide a peripheral seal around the discharge orifice 423 of the discharge tank 420 with the valve 430 when said valve is in the initial position. This advantageously results in that, when the valve 430 is in the initial position, the second sealing element 440 forms a sealing barrier against the first base 431 of the valve 430 and no leakage of cleaning liquid from the discharge tank 420 out of said discharge tank is possible through the discharge orifice 423 of said discharge tank. In a preferred embodiment, the second sealing element 440 is an O-ring. The reservoir assembly 400 of the apparatus 100 advantageously comprises an actuator 460 configured to drive the valve 430 in rotation in the discharge reservoir 420, between the initial position and the discharge position. In an exemplary embodiment, said actuator comprises a user interface 461 (illustrated in [Fig.1]). Said user interface is preferably arranged at the level of the cap 415 of the main tank 410. The user interface 461 is intended to be operated manually by the user. The actuator comprises a rod 462 (illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 6) extending longitudinally along the second axis 2000, between the user interface 461 and the valve 430. The rod 462 of said actuator is securely connected to the user interface and to the valve, more particularly to the hollow rod 436 of said valve. The rod 462 of the actuator passes through, from one side to the other, and in a sealed manner, the main reservoir 410. The user interface 461 thus advantageously drives the rod 462 in rotation around the second axis 2000, itself driving the valve 430 in rotation. In a preferred embodiment, said user interface comprises a button that can rotate about the second axis 2000, between two stable positions. A first stable position corresponds to the initial position of the valve 430. A second stable position corresponds to the discharge position of said valve. Thus, advantageously, any rotation of said button of the user interface 461, by a user of the device 100, causes, via the rod 462 of the actuator 460, the rotation of the valve 430 either to the initial position or to the discharge position. Preferably, the reservoir assembly 400 is housed partly in the protective casing 480 of the apparatus 100, as illustrated in [Fig. 1]. Said protective casing comprises a hollow housing (not shown in the figures) for receiving, with clearance, the two reservoirs. Said protective casing extends longitudinally along the sleeve 300. In a preferred embodiment, the protective casing is formed by two longitudinal half-shells assembled together and around the handle 300, for example by reversible fixing means, of the screw type. When the reservoir assembly 400 is inserted into said protective casing, only the cap 415 of the main reservoir 410, with the filling device 470 and the user interface 461, protrudes from said protective casing. The cap 415 is advantageously sized to bear on the protective casing 480. The protective casing 480 preferably comprises, at a longitudinal end located on the side of the cap 415 of the main tank, a groove 482 whose utility will be described later. The reservoir assembly 400 is advantageously removable from the protective casing 480 of the apparatus 100. Thus, the user of the apparatus 100 can advantageously interchange a first reservoir assembly 400 containing a first cleaning liquid with a second reservoir assembly 400 containing a different cleaning liquid, without having to use all of the first cleaning liquid of said first reservoir assembly. The reservoir assembly 400 is also easily cleanable, and replaceable, when it is damaged. The apparatus 100 preferably comprises a reversible locking element 900 for holding the reservoir assembly 400 in position in the protective casing, as illustrated in [Fig. 1]. In a preferred embodiment, the protective casing 480 of the apparatus 100 comprises at least one transparent window 481 arranged to view the level of cleaning liquid contained in the main tank 410 and in the discharge tank 420 of the tank assembly 400 of said apparatus. In the non-limiting example illustrated in [Fig.7], four windows are illustrated. The apparatus 100 comprises a flexible conduit 490 from the protective housing 480 to the cleaning head 200, as illustrated in [Fig. 1]. The protective casing 480 advantageously allows a fluid passage for the cleaning liquid released via the discharge orifice 423 of the discharge tank 420, between said discharge orifice of said discharge tank and the flexible conduit 490. The flexible conduit 490 advantageously makes it possible to evacuate the cleaning liquid flowing from the discharge tank 420 through the discharge orifice 423 of said discharge tank towards the cleaning head 200. In an exemplary embodiment, the cleaning head 200 comprises an upper wall 201 connected to the flexible conduit 490 and a lower wall (not shown in the figures) for receiving the mop. The lower wall of the cleaning head 200 is advantageously provided with a plurality of holes allowing the liquid to cleaning to pass through the lower wall to directly impregnate the fringe. The holes are preferably distributed in the lower wall so as to advantageously allow total impregnation of the fringe. Thus, when the user uses the apparatus 100, after previously filling the reservoir assembly 400, he manipulates the user interface 461 to the first position, if the discharge reservoir 420 is not full, so that the discharge reservoir fills completely with a quantity of cleaning liquid contained in the main reservoir 410, then he manipulates said user interface again to the second position so that the discharge reservoir 420 empties completely. The cleaning liquid released from said discharge reservoir flows, via the flexible conduit 490 towards the mop and impregnates it. The user of the apparatus 100 can then clean the surface with said apparatus.When he wants cleaning liquid on the mop again, he repeats the operation of manipulating the user interface 461 to the first position to fill the discharge tank 420 and then to the second position to empty said discharge tank. The quantity of cleaning liquid released at each operation is thus always the same, and will correspond to the volume contained in the discharge tank 420. The operator can repeat the operations as long as said discharge tank contains cleaning liquid. Advantageously, the device 100 may be part of an assembly 800 comprising a filling station 600, as illustrated in [Fig. 7]. Said filling station is intended to fill the main tank 410 of the device. The filling station 600 comprises a tank 604. The tank 604 is intended to contain the cleaning liquid, for use by the apparatus 100. The tank can receive various components constituting the cleaning liquid, for example water and possibly an additive, such as a detergent. The said tank is preferably in a parallelepiped shape. The tank 604 delimits an internal volume Vc. The internal volume Vc of the tank 604 is greater than the internal volume Vp of the main tank 410 of the tank assembly 400 of said device. Preferably, the internal volume Vc of the tank 604 is a multiple of the internal volume Vp of the main tank 410. The internal volume Vc of the tank 604 may represent, for example, between 5 and 15 times, preferably 10 times, the internal volume Vp of the main tank 410. The tank 604 comprises, at a so-called upper wall 610, a through inlet orifice to allow it to be filled. The tank 604 comprises a removable cover 611 to access or close the through orifice. The cover 611 may comprise an integrated dosing device (not shown) to ensure reliable and precise dosing of a volume of an additive. The dosing device is for example in the form of a hollow tubular body, open at its free end and secured to said cover at the end opposite. The dosing device is fully inserted into the internal volume Vc of the tank 604, when the cover 611 closes said tank. Thus, by being connected to the cover, the dosing device is always within reach of the user of the filling station 600, while being concealed in the tank 604, when it is not in use. The upper wall 610 advantageously comprises a recess 605 for the temporary storage of the cover 611 during the filling of the tank 604 or the filling of the dosing device. The tank 604 has, in a lower part, an outlet orifice (not shown) for the tank cleaning liquid. The outlet orifice is extended by a connector extending out of the tank. The tank 604 comprises a tank emptying device 606, partially illustrated in [Fig.8]. Preferably, said emptying device is configured to: by default, block the connection to prevent the passage of liquid from cleaning outside the tank 604, when force is exerted on it, release the fitting to allow the evacuation of the cleaning liquid from said tank. In an exemplary embodiment, the emptying device 606 comprises: a 603 user interface, a valve system, associated with a spring device, together forming an ob- turner for the connection, a rod (not shown in the figure), connecting the user interface to the valve system. In an embodiment illustrated in [Fig.7], the user interface 603 of said emptying device is preferably arranged at the level of the upper wall 610 of the tank 604. The user interface is intended to be manually actuated by the user. In an exemplary embodiment, the user interface 603 is a push button. The rod of the emptying device 606 extends into the tank 604 from the user interface 603 to the connector. The rod of the emptying device 606 is securely connected to the user interface of the emptying device. The valve system is configured so that when the spring device is at rest, the valve system locks the fitting, and when force is exerted on the spring device, the valve system releases the fitting. Thus, any pressing of the push button of the emptying device, by a user of the filling station, causes, via the rod of the emptying device, the movement of the valve system out of the connection and unlocks the connection. As long as the push button of the emptying device 606 is pressed, the cleaning liquid is evacuated from the tank 604. And when the user stops pressing the push button of said drain device, the drain device's valve system automatically returns to block the connection. In a preferred embodiment, the filling station 600 comprises a support 607 for receiving the tank 604. Said tank is preferably removable from the receiving support 607. Said receiving support can be fixed directly against a wall, at a predefined height. In another exemplary embodiment, the assembly 800 comprises a cleaning trolley 700. The receiving support 607 is fixed, in a reversible manner, on the cleaning trolley 700, as illustrated in [Fig.7]. Preferably, the receiving support 607 comprises a reversible attachment element 602 of the device 100 to the filling station 600. In the example of [Fig.7], the reversible attachment element 602 is an elastic fitting element, such as a clip, which grips the handle 300 of the device 100. Preferably, the receiving support 607 comprises guide elements 601 advantageously making it possible to guide and hold the device 100 in position in the filling station. The guide elements 601 are arranged on the receiving support in such a way that they are inserted into the groove 482 of the protective casing 480 of the device 100. Thus, when the device 100 is in place in the filling station, the connection of the tank 604 is opposite, and against, the peripheral protrusion 416 of the cap 415 of the main tank 410 of the tank assembly 400 of the device 100. The handle 300 of the device 100 is further held by the reversible attachment element 602 of the receiving support 607 of the filling station 600. When the device 100 is in place in the filling station 600, a fluid passage between the tank 604 of said filling station and said main reservoir of said device, via the outlet orifice of the tank 604 and the through orifice of the cap 415 of said main reservoir, appears. The emptying device 606 of said tank of said filling station then advantageously interacts with the filling device 470 of the reservoir assembly 400 of said device to transfer the cleaning liquid contained in said tank of said filling station to said main reservoir of said reservoir assembly of said device. When the user of the filling station 600 presses the user interface 603 of the emptying device 606 of the tank 604, the rod of the emptying device 606 causes the valve system to move out of the connector until it presses the valve system of the through-hole of the button of the main tank 410, causing the unlocking of both the connection of the tank 604 and the through-hole of the cap 415 of the main tank 410 of the tank assembly 400 of the apparatus 100. The cleaning liquid contained in the tank of the filling station can flow directly into said main tank of the tank assembly of said device. As long as the user presses the push button (user interface 603), the cleaning liquid is discharged from the tank 604 to the main tank 410. And when the user stops pressing the push button (user interface 603), the valve system of the emptying device 606 moves in the opposite direction, under the action of the return of the spring device, causing the blocking of the through-orifice of the cap 415 of the main tank 410 by the valve system of the filling device 470 of the tank assembly 400 of the device 100 and returns to automatically block the connection. The filling station as described is preferably adapted to the apparatus 100, without this being limiting of the invention. It is entirely possible for the filling station 600 to be used alone or to be associated with any other type of surface cleaning apparatus as long as the latter comprises a filling device compatible with the emptying device of the filling station. It is thus not necessary for the cleaning apparatus used with the filling station to comprise a reservoir assembly 400 as described here.

Claims

Claims

1. Apparatus for cleaning a surface (100) comprising: a handle (300), said handle extending longitudinally along a first axis (1000), between two ends, a cleaning head (200) connected to one of the two ends of the said handle, a reservoir assembly (400) configured to store a liquid cleaning, characterized in that the reservoir assembly (400) comprises two re- superimposed reservoirs (410, 420) extending longitudinally along a second axis (2000), parallel to the first axis (1000), and linked together between them: a main reservoir (410), extending longitudinally between a base (411) and an upper end (412), said base (411) comprising a so-called flow orifice (413), said main reservoir delimiting an internal volume Vp, a discharge tank (420), extending longitudinally between a base (421) and an upper wall (422), said base comprising a so-called evacuation orifice (423), said su- upper part comprising an opening (424) arranged opposite from the flow orifice (413) of the base (411) of the tank main (410), said discharge tank delimiting a internal volume Vd, and comprising, in said internal volume Vd, a body called a valve (430) movable in rotation around the second axis (2000), and evolving between a so-called initial position and a so-called discharge position, in that the reservoir assembly (400) comprises a device for filling pleating (470) configured to allow the filling of said reservoir main by cleaning liquid, and in that the reservoir assembly (400) comprises an actuator (460) comprising a user interface (461), the actuator being configured to drive the valve (430) in rotation between the initial position and the discharge position, so that in the initial position: the opening (424) of said upper wall of the tank of discharge (420) is not obstructed by said valve, allowing the passage of cleaning liquid between the main tank (410) and said discharge tank, and the discharge orifice (423) of said base of the tank of discharge (420) is obstructed by said valve, preventing the cleaning liquid is evacuated through the drain hole (423) of said base of said discharge tank, and such that in the discharge position: the opening (424) of said upper wall of the tank of discharge (420) is obstructed by said valve, preventing the passage of cleaning liquid between the main tank (410) and said discharge tank, and the discharge orifice (423) of said base of the tank of discharge (420) is not obstructed by said valve, allowing the cleaning liquid is evacuated through the drain hole (423) of said base of said discharge tank.

2. Apparatus for cleaning a surface (100) according to claim previous, in which the valve (430) has: a first base (431) arranged opposite said base of the discharge tank (420), and comprising an orifice called exit (433), a second base (432) arranged opposite said wall upper part of the discharge tank (420), and comprising a so-called inlet orifice (434), and wherein the discharge tank (420) comprises: a first sealing element (450) configured to ensure a peripheral seal of the opening (424) of the wall upper (422) of said discharge tank with the valve, a second sealing element (440) configured to ensure the peripheral sealing of the evacuation orifice (423) of the base (421) of said discharge tank with the flap, and in which the actuator is configured so that, in the initial position: the inlet orifice (434) of said second base of said valve is opposite said opening (424) of said upper wall said discharge tank, and the outlet orifice (433) of said first base of said valve is not arranged opposite the discharge orifice (423) of said base of said discharge tank, and so that, in the discharge position: the inlet orifice (434) of said second base of said valve is not arranged opposite said opening (424) of said upper wall of said discharge tank, and the outlet orifice (433) of said first base of said valve is opposite the discharge orifice (423) of said base of said discharge tank.

3. Apparatus for cleaning a surface (100) according to one of the claims- previous indications comprising a protective casing (480) of the tank assembly (400), said protective casing being solidly connected daringly to the handle (300).

4. Apparatus for cleaning a surface (100) according to claim previous in which the reservoir assembly (400) is removable from the casing of protection.

5. Apparatus for cleaning a surface (100) according to one of the claims- previous indications in which the internal volume Vp of the tank main (410) is a multiple of the internal volume Vd of the reservoir of discharge (420).

6. Assembly comprising a filling station (600) and a filling apparatus cleaning a surface (100) according to one of claims 1 to 5, said filling station comprising a tank (604) comprising a dump device (606) configured to interact with the device filling (470) of the tank assembly (400) of the device cleaning a surface (100).