Liquid atomiser for hard floor cleaner

Abstract

A liquid atomiser for a hydration system is provided. The liquid atomiser comprises an atomising element mounted to rotate about a spin axis, and an inlet for delivering liquid onto the atomising element. The liquid atomiser further comprises a shield which extends around the spin axis to at least partially surround the atomising element. The shield defines an opening to allow atomised liquid to pass therethrough as the atomising element rotates.

Description

[0001] 1 P004922-W001

[0002] LIQUID ATOMISER FOR HARD FLOOR CLEANER

[0003] BACKGROUND

[0004] Wet-dry hard floor cleaners with motor driven rotating cleaning rollers are becoming more popular. The performance of such cleaners is superior to traditional mops as the number of passes that a motor driven cleaning roller is able to make over a stained region of a floor in any given period of time far exceeds the number of passes possible when using a traditional mop.

[0005] Known wet floor cleaners typically wet the cleaning rollers by spraying cleaning liquid through nozzles. These nozzles are prone to limescale buildup and blockage, and are unsuitable for achieving even hydration across the roller surface.

[0006] It is against this background that the invention has been devised.

[0007] SUMMARY

[0008] According to the invention, a liquid atomiser for a hydration system is provided. The liquid atomiser comprises an atomising element mounted to rotate about a spin axis, or rotation axis, and an inlet for delivering liquid onto the atomising element. The liquid atomiser further comprises a shield, or guard, which extends around the spin axis to at least partially surround the atomising element. The shield may be arranged to intercept atomised liquid as the atomising element rotates.

[0009] Additionally or alternatively, the shield may be defined by a housing which is comprised as part of the liquid atomiser and within which the atomising element is mounted. The housing may define a liquid collector tray arranged to collect liquid blocked by the shield as the atomising element rotates. The liquid collector tray may be arranged to direct collected liquid onto the atomising element.

[0010] The shield defines an opening to allow atomised liquid to pass therethrough as the atomising element rotates. The opening is arranged away from the spin axis so that the spin axis does 2 P004922-W001 not intersect the opening. In other words, the opening is arranged radially about the spin axis. The opening may extend 90 to 180 degrees around the spin axis.

[0011] The atomising element may take the form of a disc or a ball, that is, a form with a substantially circular cross-section.

[0012] The liquid atomiser may further comprise a motor configured to rotate the atomising element about the spin axis at a speed of 20,000 to 60,000 rpm. The motor may be provided integrally with the liquid atomiser. Alternatively, the motor may be provided separately from the liquid atomiser and assembled together with the liquid atomiser for use.

[0013] The inlet may be configured to deliver liquid into the housing in a direction parallel to the spin axis. In other examples, the inlet may be configured to deliver liquid into the housing in a direction perpendicular to the spin axis.

[0014] Also according to the invention, a cleaner head for a wet floor cleaner is provided. The cleaner head comprises an elongate roller for cleaning a floor and the liquid atomiser. The elongate roller is mounted to rotate about a roller axis, and the liquid atomiser is mounted with the opening facing towards the roller so that, in use, atomised liquid that passes through the opening wets an outer surface of the roller. Accordingly, the liquid atomiser is arranged to hydrate and clean the roller.

[0015] The liquid atomiser may be mounted with the spin axis of the atomising element arranged perpendicular to the roller axis of the elongate roller so that, in use, atomised liquid that passes through the opening wets an elongate portion of the outer surface of the roller which is parallel to the roller axis. Additionally or alternatively, the liquid atomiser may be mounted above the elongate roller with reference to the position of the roller during normal use so that, in use, atomised liquid that passes through the opening wets a portion of the outer surface of the elongate roller above the roller axis. Additionally or alternatively, the liquid atomiser may be mounted with the spin axis of the atomising element at an angle so that, in use, atomised liquid that passes through the opening does so on a plane which is angled 3 P004922-W001 relative to the floor, having regard to the orientation of the cleaner head when arranged for use.

[0016] In embodiments, the roller may be configured to rotate in a forward direction when in use, and the liquid atomiser may be mounted with the opening facing towards the forward direction.

[0017] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional schematic view of a cleaner head for a wet-dry hard floor cleaner;

[0019] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a liquid atomiser according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0020] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a motor unit of the liquid atomiser shown in Figure 2;

[0021] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a cover unit of the liquid atomiser shown in Figure 2;

[0022] Figure 5 is a side on cross-sectional view of the liquid atomiser shown in Figure 2;

[0023] Figure 6 is a front on cross-sectional view of the liquid atomiser shown in Figure 2;

[0024] Figure 7 is a schematic view of the liquid atomiser shown in Figure 2 arranged with a cleaning roller of the cleaner head shown in Figure 1;

[0025] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the arrangement shown in Figure 7.

[0026] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] In general terms, embodiments of the invention provide a liquid atomiser for a hydration system arranged for wetting the cleaning roller of a wet-dry floor cleaner. The liquid atomiser is generally arranged to deliver cleaning fluid in a flat, sheet like spray pattern into the housing cavity containing the cleaning roller. The liquid atomiser is positioned and 4 P004922-W001 orientated so that the spray pattern impacts the surface of the roller along a line which is substantially parallel to the axis about which the roller rotates. Accordingly, the liquid atomiser is configured to wet a length of the roller surface so that the curved surface of the roller is continuously wetted as the roller rotates. In other words, in use, the fluid atomiser provides a thin wall of liquid spray which the roller surface passes through as the roller rotates.

[0028] To provide the desired spray pattern described above, the liquid atomiser generally comprises a housing and an atomising element mounted within the housing. The atomising element is mounted to be spun at high speed so that, in use, it flings cleaning fluid from its surface in a planar spray pattern through an opening formed in the housing. The opening in the housing extends partially around the spin axis so that atomised liquid exits and spreads away from the housing in a generally fan shaped spray pattern.

[0029] To provide context for the invention, Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a cleaner head 10 for a hard floor cleaner. The cleaner head 10 is disposed at one end of the cleaner, and a handle (not shown) is arranged at the other end to allow a user to manoeuvre the cleaner head 10 over a hard floor surface 12 from a standing position. During normal use, the cleaner head 10 is moved forward and backward over the floor 12 in the ‘movement direction’ as indicated by arrow M.

[0030] The cleaner head 10 comprises a main housing 14 defining a cavity 16, or roller cavity, which opens onto the floor surface 12; and two elongate cleaning rollers 20 arranged in parallel within the cavity 16 to contact the floor surface 12 when the floor cleaner is arranged for use. The cleaner head 10 is generally symmetric about a central plane which extends between the two parallel rollers 20 so that the floor cleaner can be operated bi-directionally over the floor surface 12.

[0031] Each cleaning roller 20 is generally cylindrical in shape and extends between two roller ends to define a longitudinal axis 24, or roller axis, about which the roller 20 is configured to rotate when mounted. In use, the rollers 20 are mounted within the cavity 16 with their roller 5 P004922-W001 axes 24 generally parallel to the floor surface 12 and perpendicular to the in use direction of movement M of the cleaner head 10.

[0032] The rollers 20 are powered to rotate or spin about their respective roller axes 24 by one or more motors (not shown). When in use, the rollers 20 are powered to rotate in opposite directions so that the innermost sides 26 (or inboard sides) of the rollers 20 rotate upwardly away from the floor surface 12, while the outermost sides 28 (or outboard sides) of the rollers 20 rotate downwardly towards the floor surface 12. In the context of this description, it will be understood that the inboard side 26 of a roller 20 is the portion of that roller 20 which is between the roller axis 24 and the central plane 22 of the cleaner head 10, while the outboard side 28 is the other side of the roller 20 opposite from the inboard side 26. Similarly, the top 27 of the roller 20 is the portion of the roller 20 which is above the roller axis 24 when the cleaner head 10 is arranged for use. Meanwhile the bottom 29 of the roller 20 is the portion of the roller 20 which is below the roller axis 24, between the roller axis 24 and the floor 12, when the cleaner head 10 is arranged for use.

[0033] With reference to the view shown in Figure 1, the left hand roller 20 is configured to rotate anticlockwise (as shown by arrow RA) and the right hand roller 20 is configured to rotate clockwise (as shown by arrow Rc). As such, in use, the rollers 20 rotate against the floor surface 12 to push debris and moisture towards the central plane 22 into the housing cavity 16, as indicated by arrows D.

[0034] The floor cleaner 10 is specifically a ‘wet-dry’ floor cleaner, meaning that it comprises a hydration system which circulates cleaning fluid through the roller cavity 16 for wetting the floor surface 12 and cleaning the rollers 20. As such, for each roller the hydration system comprises one or more fluid dispensers 30 arranged to spray cleaning fluid onto the roller 20. These fluid dispensers 30 are generally configured as liquid atomisers, meaning they are configured to fragment the cleaning liquid into a fine mist, or spray, of droplets.

[0035] With reference to Figures 2 to 6, one of the liquid atomisers 30 will now be described in more detail. 6 P004922-W001

[0036] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a liquid atomiser assembly 30 for a hydration system, The liquid atomiser assembly 30 comprises an atomising element 32, a cover unit 34, and a motor unit 36 coupled to the cover unit 34.

[0037] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the motor unit 36 and Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the cover unit 34. As shown, the motor unit 36 comprises a motor 38 and a housing plate 40 shaped to receive the cover unit 34. In more detail, the housing plate 40 defines a continuous groove 42 for receiving a correspondingly shaped portion 44 of the cover unit 34. The housing plate 40 also comprises a pair of fixing apertures 46 for receiving coupling members such as bolts. The cover unit 34 defines an interface portion 44 for inserting into the groove 42 of the housing plate 40, and two fixing apertures 46 which align with the fixing apertures 46 in the housing plate 40. The cover unit 34 and the motor unit 36 can therefore be coupled together by mating the interface portion 44 with the groove 42 and fixing coupling members through the aligned fixing apertures 46.

[0038] Together, the housing plate 40 and the cover unit 34 define a housing for the atomising element 32. In other words, when assembled, the housing plate 40 and the cover unit 34 (i.e. the housing) define a cavity 48 within which the atomising element 32 is mounted (see Figure 5). The housing plate 40 defines a back wall of the cavity 48 and the cover unit 34 defines an opposing front wall 52 of the cavity 48, parallel to the back wall 50. The cover unit 34 further comprises a curved wall which extends perpendicularly from the front wall 52 to the interfacing portion 44 to define side walls 54 of the cavity 48.

[0039] As best seen in Figure 5, which shows a cross-sectional view of the liquid atomiser assembly, the motor unit 36 further comprises a drive shaft 56 which projects into the cavity 48 when the motor unit 36 and the cover unit 34 are assembled. The drive shaft 56 defines a spin axis 58 about which it rotates when the motor 38 is operated. The motor 38 is configured to spin the drive shaft 56 at high speed, for example between 20,000 and 60,000 rpm, more specifically at 40,000 rpm.

[0040] As shown, the atomising element 32 is fixedly mounted on the drive shaft 56 within the housing cavity 48 so that it spins within the housing cavity 48 about the spin axis 58 when 7 P004922-W001 motor 38 is operated. In the example shown, the atomising element 32 takes the form of a substantially spherical ball which is mounted to the drive shaft 56 so that the spin axis 58 passes through the centre of the ball 32.

[0041] Figure 6 shows a cross-section of the liquid atomiser assembly 30 taken on a plane A-A (see Figure 5) which is perpendicular to the spin axis 58 and passes through the centre of the ball 32. For the purposes of the following description, plane A-A may be referred to as the rotational midplane 60 of the atomising element 32. As seen, the ball 32 defines a circular outer perimeter 62 on the rotational midplane 60. The outer perimeter 62 defines the maximum radial extent of the surface of the ball away from the spin axis 58. In other examples, the atomising element 32 may take the form of a disc mounted so that the spin axis 58 passes through the centre of the disc to provide a circular outer perimeter 62 on plane A-A, i.e. on a plane which is perpendicular the spin axis 58 and coplanar with the centre of the disc.

[0042] As best seen in Figure 3 (but as partly shown in Figure 6), the housing plate 40 comprises an inlet 64 arranged to deliver cleaning liquid from a reservoir of the hydration system to the cavity 48. The inlet 64 is positioned above the spin axis 58 (relative to the orientation of the liquid atomiser assembly when arranged for use) so that cleaning liquid delivered therethrough flows over the atomising element 32. In other words, the inlet 64 is positioned to wet the atomising element 32 when in use. Specifically, in this example, the inlet 64 is arranged in the back wall 50 of the cavity 48 to deliver liquid into the housing in a direction that is parallel to the spin axis 58.

[0043] The atomising element 32 is made from rigid non-porous material such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic to allow the cleaning fluid to pass over its surface without being absorbed.

[0044] With reference again to Figure 6, the atomising element 32 is arranged to spin anticlockwise about the spin axis 58, as shown by arrow S. As the wetted atomising element 32 spins, a centrifugal force (Fc) acts radially outwards from the spin axis 58 to push cleaning liquid on the surface of the ball 32 towards the outer perimeter 62. Once the cleaning liquid reaches 8 P004922-W001 the outer perimeter 62, the centrifugal force (Fc) continues to act to force the cleaning liquid away from the surface of the ball until the liquid is released from the outer perimeter 62. Depending on the rotational speed of the atomising element 32, the liquid may be released as droplets, ligaments or as a sheet which eventually disintegrate / s into droplets.

[0045] The liquid released from the outer perimeter 62 initially travels tangentially away from the outer perimeter 62 on the rotational midplane 60 of the atomising element 32 (examples indicated by the dotted arrows in Figure 6), that is, until other forces such as gravity cause the released liquid to move away from this plane 60, or until the released liquid is intercepted. In other words, the atomising element 32 provides a substantially planar spray of atomised liquid which spreads away from the surface of the atomising element in a disc-like form.

[0046] The side walls of the housing define a shield 66, or guard, which extends around the spin axis 58 to at least partially surround the atomising element 32. More specifically, the shield 66 is arranged to partially surround the outer perimeter 62 of the atomising element 32 so that, when the liquid atomiser assembly 30 is in use, the shield 66 intercepts some of the atomised liquid released from the atomising element 32. In other words, the shield 66 is arranged to block a first portion of the planar spray of atomised liquid.

[0047] The shield 66 further defines an opening 68 which is arranged to allow atomised liquid to pass therethrough as the atomising element 32 rotates. The opening 68 takes the form of a slot which is radially aligned with a portion of the outer perimeter 62 of the atomising element 32. As shown, the opening 68 extends around the spin axis 58 so that the two do not intersect. In other words, the opening 68 is arranged away from the spin axis 58 so that the spin axis 58 does not intersect the opening 68. Accordingly, the opening 68 is arranged to allow a second portion of the planar spray of atomised liquid to exit the housing. This exiting planar spray defines the spray pattern provided by the liquid atomiser assembly 30 when in use.

[0048] As will be understood, and as described further below with reference to Figure 7, the circumferential extents of the slot 68 and the shield 66 relative to the atomising element 32 define the planar geometry of the spray pattern provided by the liquid atomiser assembly 30. 9 P004922-W001

[0049] However, generally, the shield 66 is arranged to block atomised liquid released from the atomising element 32 in a horizontal or upward direction according to the orientation of the liquid atomiser assembly when arranged for use (and as shown in Figure 6).

[0050] The liquid atomiser assembly 30 further comprises a liquid collector tray 70 arranged to collect liquid blocked by the shield 66 and to feed said liquid back onto the atomiser element 32. In this example, the liquid collector tray 70 is defined by the housing. As shown in Figure 6, the shield 66 comprises a hooked portion 72 which extends towards the atomising element spin axis 58. This hooked portion 72 extends from the anticlockwise end of the shield 66, that is, the end of the shield 66 which is furthest around the spin axis 58 in the direction in which the atomising element 32 spins when in use. Accordingly, as the atomising element 32 spins, liquid is released from the outer surface towards the hooked portion 72 where it collects and pools. The hooked portion 72 is shaped to guide the collected liquid onto the downwardly rotating side of the atomising element 32 so that it may be sprayed through the opening 68. In this way, the hooked portion 72 serves to recycle liquid blocked by the shield 66 through the housing. Providing such a liquid collector tray 70 further reduces the amount of liquid blocked by the shield 66 that subsequently drips through the opening without being atomised.

[0051] Turning back to Figure 5, the liquid atomiser assembly further comprises a second liquid collector tray 70 arranged on either side of the opening 68 to extend around the spin axis 58. As shown, this ‘second’ liquid collector tray 70 is formed in the housing and is angled to feed liquid towards the opening 68. The ball-shaped atomising element 32 is positioned close enough to the opening 68 and the associated collector tray 70 so that liquid fed towards the opening 68 is re-entrained onto the outer surface of the ball 32 as the ball spins. Thus, like the first described liquid collector tray 70, this second liquid collector tray 70 serves to direct collected liquid onto the atomising element 32 so that it may be atomised again as the atomising element rotates.

[0052] Figure 7 shows a schematic view of the liquid atomiser assembly 30 arranged with one of the cleaning rollers 20 described above with reference to Figure 1. Arrows Ti and T2 10 P004922-W001 represent the outermost extents of the spray pattern 72 and the angle between these outermost extents, a, is the spray angle. As shown, the shield 66 and the opening 68 are arranged to provide a substantially triangular spray pattern 72, or a flat fan shaped spray pattern which extends substantially symmetrically either side of the liquid atomising assembly 30.

[0053] In more detail, the opening 68 extends predominantly around one side of the atomising element 32, and specifically on the side of the atomising element 32 that rotates towards the cleaning roller 20. This is so that atomised liquid released from the atomising element in a tangential direction towards the cleaning roller 20 is able to exit the housing through the opening 68 and continue towards the cleaning roller 20. Conversely, the shield 66 extends around the atomising element 32 to block atomised fluid released from the atomising element 32 in a direction that is away from the cleaning roller 20. In other words, the shield 66 is generally arranged to surround the side of the atomising element 32 that rotates away from the cleaning roller 20, while the opening 66 is generally arranged to align with the side of the atomising element 32 that rotates towards the cleaning roller 20.

[0054] In this example, the slot 68 extends substantially 180 degrees around the spin axis 58 to expose half of the outer perimeter 62 of the atomising element 32. However, it will be understood that the spray angle a may be reduced by extending the shield 66 further around the spin axis 58 of the atomising element 32 so as to block a larger portion of the planar spray of atomised liquid. In other words, extending the opening 66 further around the spin axis 58 to expose more of the outer perimeter 62 will enlarge the portion of the planar spray of atomised liquid which exits the housing in use, and thereby result in a wider spray pattern.

[0055] As shown, the liquid atomising assembly 30 and the roller 20 are arranged adjacent to each other so that the cleaning roller 20 interrupts the spray pattern 72 provided by the liquid atomiser assembly 30. That is to say, the liquid atomiser assembly 30 is arranged in the cleaner head 10 with the opening 68 facing towards the roller 20 so that, in use, atomised liquid that passes through the opening wets an outer surface of the roller 20.

[0056] As shown in Figure 7, the liquid atomiser assembly is mounted with the spin axis 58 of the atomising element 32 arranged perpendicularly to the roller axis 24 of the roller 20. As a 11 P004922-W001 result, the spray pattern 72 provided by the liquid atomiser assembly 30 intercepts the roller 20 along a line 74, or elongate target area, of length LT which is substantially parallel to the roller axis 24.

[0057] In this example shown, the liquid atomiser assembly 30 is arranged substantially centrally between the two ends 76 of the roller 20 and is spaced away from the roller 20 so that the elongate target area 74 extends substantially along the whole length of the roller, meaning the whole length of the roller (between the two ends 76) is wetted by the liquid atomising assembly 30 when in use.

[0058] However, as will be understood, as the spray pattern 72 extends away from the atomising element, fragmentation of the atomised liquid increases and the density of droplets within the spray pattern 72 decreases. Hence, the distance between the atomising element 30 and the roller 20 determines the density of atomised liquid that strikes the elongate target area 74. Thus, arranging the liquid atomising element 30 closer to the roller 20 will increase the wetting achieved with each roller rotation, but will reduce the length, LT, of the wetted area (i.e. the elongate target area 74).

[0059] Therefore, other embodiments are contemplated in which multiple liquid atomiser assemblies 30 are arranged in series along the length of the roller 20 to provide increased wetting along adjacent elongate target areas 74. Liquid atomiser assemblies 30 positioned near to an end 76 of the roller 20 may have shields 66 which extend further around the atomising element 32 to provide a spray pattern 72 targeted away from the end 76 of the roller 20.

[0060] Turning now to Figure 8, a cross-sectional view of a cleaning roller 20 and an associated liquid atomiser assembly 30 arranged within a cleaner head 10 is shown. The cleaning roller 20 shown comprises a substantially cylindrical main body 78 and a series of vanes 80 which project outwardly from the main body 78. The vanes 80 are arranged to wipe the floor surface 12 and to flick fluid and debris away as the roller 20 rotates. 12 P004922-W001

[0061] Generally, the liquid atomiser assembly 30 is arranged above the roller 20 (relative to the orientation of the cleaner head 10 when arranged for use) so that the spray pattern 72 provided by the liquid atomiser assembly 30 wets the top of the roller 20, that is, the side of the roller which is above the roller axis 24. In other words, the elongate target area 74 is on the top of the roller 20.

[0062] In this example, the liquid atomiser assembly 30 is mounted at an angle so that the opening 68 faces towards the outboard side 28 of the roller 20, i.e. so that the exiting planar spray72 is directed in the direction, RA, in which the roller 20 rotates when in use. In other words, the liquid atomiser assembly 30 is mounted so that the spin axis 58 is angled towards the floor surface 12 in the inboard direction.

[0063] Accordingly, as the roller 20 rotates, the spray 72 from the liquid atomiser assembly 30 strikes the ‘wiping’ side 82 of each roller vane 80 (i.e. the side which contacts the floor as the roller rotates) in a direction that is substantially parallel to the surface of the vane. Since the spray 72 is angled towards the direction in which the vane 80 moves as the roller 20 rotates, it acts to wash away debris that might remain on the wiping side 82 of the vane 80 following its previous pass over the floor 12. Moreover, as the vane 80 rotates, towards the floor surface 12, it deposits liquid collected on its trailing side 84 (i.e. the side opposite to the wiping side) onto the floor 12 in front of the next vane to wipe the floor surface 12.

[0064] To prevent over wetting of the floor surface 12 in front of the roller 20, the liquid atomising assembly 30 is positioned inboard of the roller 20 so that the elongate target area 74 of the spray 72 is vertically aligned with or inboard of the roller axis 24. This positioning ensures that the liquid atomising element 30 does not spray liquid directly onto the floor surface 12.

[0065] Although the liquid atomiser in the embodiments above have been described in relation to a hand operated floor cleaner, the liquid atomiser may alternatively be provided on a robotic floor cleaner. It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the present application.

Claims

13 P004922-W001CLAIMS1. A liquid atomiser for a hydration system, wherein the liquid atomiser comprises: an atomising element mounted to rotate about a spin axis, an inlet for delivering liquid onto the atomising element; and a shield which extends around the spin axis to at least partially surround the atomising element; wherein the shield defines an opening to allow atomised liquid to pass therethrough as the atomising element rotates.

2. A liquid atomiser according to claim 1, further comprising a housing, wherein: the atomising element is mounted within the housing; and the housing defines the shield.

3. A liquid atomiser according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the shield is arranged to intercept atomised liquid as the atomising element rotates.

4. A liquid atomiser according to any preceding claim, wherein the opening is arranged away from the spin axis so that the spin axis does not intersect the opening.

5. A liquid atomiser according to claim 4, wherein the opening extends 90 to 180 degrees around the spin axis.

6. A liquid atomiser according to any preceding claim, wherein the atomising element is a disc or a ball.

7. A liquid atomiser according to any preceding claim, further comprising a motor configured to rotate the atomising element about the spin axis at a speed of 20,000 to 60,000 rpm.

8. A liquid atomiser according to any of claims 2 to 7, wherein the inlet is configured to deliver liquid into the housing in a direction parallel to the spin axis.14 P004922-W0019. A liquid atomiser according to any preceding claim of claims 2 to 8, wherein the housing defines a liquid collector tray arranged to collect liquid blocked by the shield as the atomising element rotates.

10. A liquid atomiser according to claim 8, wherein the liquid collector tray is arranged to direct collected liquid onto the atomising element.

11. A cleaner head for a wet floor cleaner, the cleaner head comprising: an elongate roller for cleaning a floor, wherein the elongate roller is mounted to rotate about a roller axis; and a liquid atomiser according to any preceding claim, wherein the liquid atomiser is mounted with the opening facing towards the roller so that, in use, atomised liquid that passes through the opening wets an outer surface of the roller.

12. A cleaner head according to claim 11, wherein the liquid atomiser is mounted with the spin axis of the atomising element arranged perpendicular to the roller axis of the elongate roller so that, in use, atomised liquid that passes through the opening wets an elongate portion of the outer surface of the roller, wherein the elongate portion is parallel to the roller axis.

13. A cleaner head according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the liquid atomiser is mounted above the elongate roller with reference to the position of the roller during normal use so that, in use, atomised liquid that passes through the opening wets a portion of the outer surface of the elongate roller above the roller axis.

14. A cleaner head according to any of claims 11 to 13, wherein the liquid atomiser is mounted with the spin axis of the atomising element at an angle so that, in use, atomised liquid that passes through the opening does so on a plane which is angled relative to the floor.

15. A cleaner head according to any of claim 14, wherein:P004922-W001 the roller is configured to rotate in a forward direction when in use; and the liquid atomiser is mounted with the opening facing towards the forward direction.

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