Dispensing system for a floor treatment composition

Abstract

A dispensing system for a floor treatment composition. The dispensing system includes a housing partially enclosing a cavity and a cradle moveable within the housing along a z-axis from a first position to a second position. The dispensing system further includes a chassis and a sliding lock that includes an open frame. An inlet canula projects through the open frame. When the cradle is in the second position, the inlet canula entrance projects through the open frame and through a liquid transport aperture in the cradle. Latches extending from the open frame also project through engagement apertures in the cradle when the cradle is in the second position. The dispensing system further includes a pump in fluid communication with the inlet canula and a mop head in fluid communication with the pump.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A dispensing system, said dispensing system comprising:
 a housing partially enclosing a cavity, wherein said cavity is aligned with a z-axis;   a cradle moveable within said housing along said z-axis from a first position to a second position, wherein said cradle comprises a liquid transport aperture aligned with said z-axis;   a chassis in a fixed position along said z-axis;   a sliding lock slidingly engaged with said chassis and reciprocatingly movable relative to said z-axis at a fixed position along said z-axis through a range of motion, wherein said sliding lock comprises;
 (i) a button oriented directionally away from said z-axis; 
 (ii) an open frame engaged with said button, wherein said open frame is open in line with said z-axis through said range of motion of said sliding lock; and 
 (iii) latch, said latch extending from said open frame directionally towards said cradle to a free end, wherein said latch has a catch surface oriented towards said open frame; 
   an inlet canula projecting directionally parallel to said z-axis through said open frame, wherein said inlet canula comprises an inlet canula entrance, wherein when said cradle is in said first position said inlet canula entrance is between said chassis and said cradle and when said cradle is in said second position said inlet canula entrance projects through said cradle at said liquid transport aperture in said cradle;   a pump in fluid communication with said inlet canula; and   a mop head in fluid communication with said pump;   wherein said cradle comprises an engagement aperture aligned with said latch, wherein when said cradle is in said second position said latch projects through said engagement aperture.   
     
     
         22 . The dispensing system according to  claim 21 , wherein said sliding lock comprises more than one latch, wherein said cradle comprises more than one said engagement aperture. 
     
     
         23 . The dispensing system according to  claim 21 , wherein said cradle has an interior facing surface oriented towards said chassis and an exterior facing surface opposite said interior facing surface, wherein a pair of opposing movable cradle supports oriented towards said z-axis are engaged with said interior facing surface when said cradle is in said first position. 
     
     
         24 . A method of using the dispensing system of  claim 23  comprising the steps of:
 while said cradle is in said first position, disengaging said cradle supports from said interior facing surface; and 
 after disengaging said cradle supports from said interior facing surface, moving said cradle from said first position to said second position, wherein when said cradle is in said second position, said inlet canula projects through said liquid transport aperture. 
 
     
     
         25 . The dispensing system according to  claim 23 , wherein said cradle has a peripheral edge around said z-axis, wherein each cradle support extends from an activation arm that extends outboard of said peripheral edge and over at least a portion of said exterior facing surface. 
     
     
         26 . The dispensing system according to  claim 25 , wherein each cradle support is engaged with a lever arm engaged with said chassis at a hinge, wherein each said lever arm is biased rotationally towards said z-axis. 
     
     
         27 . The dispensing system according to  claim 21 , wherein said open frame has an engaged position and a disengaged position, wherein said button is further away from said z-axis when said open frame is in said engaged position than when said open frame is in said disengaged position. 
     
     
         28 . The dispensing system according to  claim 21 , wherein said dispensing system further comprises a pair of opposing carriage stops projecting outwardly from said open frame directionally away from said z-axis, wherein each carriage stop is engaged with an individual stop catch engaged with said chassis. 
     
     
         29 . The dispensing system according to  claim 21 , wherein said dispensing system further comprises a vent canula projecting directionally parallel to said z-axis through said open frame, wherein said vent canula comprises a vent canula outlet, wherein when said cradle is in said first position said vent canula outlet is between said chassis and said cradle and aligned with said liquid transport aperture. 
     
     
         30 . The dispensing system according to  claim 29 , wherein said vent canula is in fluid communication with a one-way vent valve open to fluid flow in a direction towards said vent canula outlet. 
     
     
         31 . The dispensing system according to  claim 21 , wherein said dispensing system further comprises a handle, wherein said housing is between said handle and said mop head, wherein said handle comprises a switch that is part of an electrical circuit connected to said pump. 
     
     
         32 . The dispensing system according to  claim 21 , wherein said catch side of said free end has a beveled surface oriented away from said open frame. 
     
     
         33 . The dispensing system according to  claim 21 , wherein said cradle has an interior facing surface oriented towards said chassis and an exterior facing surface opposite said interior facing surface, wherein said cradle further comprise a pair of spaced apart guides protruding from said exterior facing surface. 
     
     
         34 . A method of using the dispensing system of  claim 21  comprising the steps of moving said cradle from said first position to said second position, wherein when said cradle is in said second position, said inlet canula projects through said liquid transport aperture.