Method and apparatus of applying a floor product solution

Abstract

An applicator tool for applying a liquid onto a surface of a floor includes an applicator and a handle connected to the applicator. The applicator includes a housing having a bottom surface and a plurality of sidewalls. The bottom surface is connected to the sidewalls to define a reservoir. The bottom surface has at least one opening in fluid for substantially continuously dispensing the liquid.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an applicator tool.

FIG. 2 is a partial top perspective view of a first embodiment of an applicator of the applicator tool.

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of a first embodiment of a spreading mechanism of the applicator.

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of a second embodiment of the spreading mechanism of the applicator.

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of a third embodiment of the spreading mechanism of the applicator.

FIG. 5A is a partial perspective view of the third embodiment of the spreading mechanism of the applicator.

FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view a fourth embodiment of the spreading mechanism of the applicator.

FIG. 6A is a partial perspective view of the second embodiment of the spreading mechanism of the applicator.

FIG. 7 is a partial top perspective view of a second embodiment of an applicator of the applicator tool.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged top view of the second embodiment of the applicator of the applicator tool.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged top plan view of the second embodiment of the applicator of the applicator tool.

Claims

1. An applicator tool for applying a liquid onto a surface of a floor, the applicator tool comprising: (a) a housing having a bottom surface and a plurality of sidewalls, wherein the sidewalls are connected to the bottom surface to define a reservoir, and wherein the bottom surface has at least one opening for substantially continuously dispensing the liquid; and(b) a handle connectable to the housing.

2. The applicator tool of claim 1, wherein the bottom surface comprises a plurality of openings.

3. The applicator tool of claim 1, wherein the sidewalls angle generally upward and inward from the bottom surface.

4. The applicator tool of claim 1, wherein the liquid has a viscosity of between approximately 1 centipoise and approximately 2000 centipoise.

5. The applicator tool of claim 1, and further comprising a spreading mechanism connected to the bottom surface.

6. The applicator tool of claim 5, wherein the spreading mechanism comprises: (a) a spreading element connected along at least a portion of a perimeter of the bottom surface; and(c) a plurality of protrusions connected to the bottom surface of the housing, wherein the liquid is spread at a thickness substantially equal to a height of the protrusions.

7. The applicator tool of claim 6, wherein the protrusions are flexible.

8. The applicator tool of claim 1, wherein the spreading mechanism is textile-free.

9. The applicator tool of claim 5, wherein the spreading mechanism comprises: (a) a base connected to the bottom surface of the applicator, and(b) a plurality of projections connected to the base;(c) wherein the projections are flexible and configured to bend an amount sufficient to maintain the base a distance from the floor.

10. The applicator tool of claim 9, wherein the base has at least one opening aligned with the opening of the bottom surface of the housing.

11. The applicator tool of claim 1, wherein the reservoir holds from about 1 to about 4 liters of liquid.

12. The applicator of claim 1, wherein the housing is formed of at least one of: steel and a polymer.

13. A method of dispensing a liquid product onto a surface, the method comprising: (a) filling a reservoir of an applicator with liquid product, wherein the applicator has an open top surface, a bottom surface, and at least one opening formed in the bottom surface;(b) moving the applicator across the surface; and(c) continuously dispensing the liquid product from the applicator through the opening in the bottom surface of the applicator.

14. The method of claim 13, and further comprising using a spreading mechanism to apply a coating of the liquid product onto the surface.

15. An applicator tool for applying a liquid product onto a floor, the applicator tool comprising: (a) an applicator having a substantially planar bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface comprises at least one opening for continuously dispensing the liquid product;(b) a handle connectable to the applicator; and(c) a spreading mechanism formed of a flexible material connected to the bottom surface of the applicator, wherein the spreading mechanism spaces the bottom surface of the applicator from the floor.

16. The applicator tool of claim 15, wherein the applicator further comprises a front wall, a rear wall, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall, wherein the walls are connected to the bottom surface, and wherein the walls and the bottom surface define a reservoir.

17. The applicator tool of claim 16, wherein the sidewalls angle substantially upward and inward from the bottom surface.

18. The applicator tool of claim 16, wherein the rear wall includes a notch engagable with the handle.

19. The applicator tool of claim 16, wherein the reservoir holds from about 1 to about 4 liters.

20. The applicator tool of claim 15, wherein the handle is rotatably connected to the applicator.