Embodiments of the invention disclosed herein include steam appliances and methods which apply steam and a liquid containing a cleaning agent to the floor via separate outlets. In some embodiments, the liquid containing a cleaning agent is applied to an area of the floor that is physically separated from a steam application area. The steam may be applied to the floor through a steam-permeable fabric. The liquid containing a cleaning agent may be heated before being applied to the floor or being mixed with steam.

A portable liquid dispensing apparatus is described, which comprises a battery, a heating element, a liquid reservoir, a pump, an outlet, and a pipe, extending from the reservoir to the outlet and passing adjacent the heating element. In operation, the pump drives liquid from the reservoir into and through the pipe while the power source causes the heating element to heat the liquid passing through the portion of the pipe adjacent to the heating element to be expelled from the outlet at a temperature greater than the ambient temperature.

A surface cleaning apparatus, such as a fluid delivery or steam mop, comprises a handle assembly comprising a steam distributor and a foot assembly pivotally attached to the handle assembly and comprising a base housing. The foot assembly can be used in two positions, whereby opposing sides of a cleaning pad on the base housing can selectively engage a surface to be cleaned. The foot assembly is further swivelable relative to the steam distributor, such that fluid can be delivered to the surface to be cleaned in both of the two use positions.

Cleaning articles including a heat engine incorporated therein. The cleaning article may include a substrate (e.g., a non-woven wipe) including one or more layers. The heat engine may be in the wipe or pad, and includes a reactive metal composition which upon contact with a salt water (e.g., saline) composition, reacts to produce heat. The cleaning article may thus produce water vapor and/or steam upon activation of the heat engine. A venting structure may be provided adjacent to or surrounding the heat engine that includes an impermeable material (e.g., impermeable to water and/or air or other gas), which includes one or more vents through the impermeable material. The venting structure directs water vapor and/or steam to a desired face of the cleaning article, away from the user. A heat barrier layer may insulate a user's hand from the generated heat, and/or a handle may be attachable to the pad.

A bare floor cleaner with an upright assembly pivotally mounted to a base assembly, a steam generator, a fluid distributor which distributes steam onto the surface to be cleaned, and a brush assembly provided on the base assembly. A steam distribution manifold is provided within an interior of the brush assembly and fluidly coupled with the steam generator to distribute steam through the brush assembly.

A surface cleaning apparatus, such as a steam mop, includes a steam delivery system having a steam delivery pathway. A fragrance dispenser for receiving a fragrant material is provided on the apparatus, and a portion of the steam delivery pathway is in in heat exchange relationship with the fragrance dispenser to heat the fragrant material in the fragrance dispenser by heat transfer from the steam in the pathway. Fragrance is dispensed from apparatus via heat transfer utilizing the steam pathway as a thermal radiation source.

Dispensing enclosure system for a container includes a body having an exterior surface and an interior surface, where the interior surface is configured to be coupled to the container. The system includes a valve on the exterior surface of the body, where the valve is capable of allowing fluid to exit from the container. The system also includes a seal disposed within the interior surface of the body, the seal having an inner circumference and an outer circumference such that in a relaxed configuration each of the inner circumference and the outer circumference is located on a separate plane, and in an engaged configuration a first portion of the inner circumference and the outer circumference are located substantially on the same plane, and a second portion of the inner circumference forms a curvature, where the second portion is between the first portion and the outer circumference.

A steam mop with an upright handle assembly pivotally mounted to a foot includes a fluid distribution system. The fluid distribution system includes a steam generator, a fluid distributor in the foot that applies steam to a floor surface and an auxiliary hose that applies steam to above-floor surfaces.

The present disclosure provides a surface cleaning apparatus that includes a fluid delivery system for mopping a floor surface after sweeping debris from the floor surface. The surface cleaning apparatus can have a brushroll, a collection bin that receives dirt and liquid swept by the brushroll, and a cleanout member configured to empty the collection bin and mechanically remove dirt and liquid accumulated on one or more internal surfaces of the base.

A surface cleaning apparatus comprises a supply tank and a distributor for delivering fluid to a surface to be cleaned. A constant flow of fluid can be delivered from the supply tank to the distributor via a regulator tank in fluid communication with the supply tank for exchanging liquid and air with the supply tank.