Abstract: A vacuum cleaning apparatus comprises a head; a handle for holding; and an upward cleaning element about the head of the apparatus; wherein the cleaning element extends left further than a left side of the head, and extends right further than a right side of the head; wherein at least a central portion or a whole of the cleaning element is removably attachable.

Abstract: An autonomous floor cleaner includes a base that is movable over a surface to be cleaned, a top coupled with the base, a collection chamber associated with the base, and at least one sweeping element for sweeping dirt on the surface to be cleaned toward the collection chamber.

Abstract: A flexible scraper for a grader or other solid object processing system. The flexible scraper is adjustably mounted to a frame and contacts a rotating roller to clean the rotating roller or prevent components from wrapping around the roller, as well as maintain products within designated lanes. Connectors allow insertion and release of the scraper into and from the frame. The flexible scraper is inserted into slots in the frame and held against the rotating roller by gravity.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to systems, methods and apparatuses for removing precipitation from an exterior of a building in an expedited and automated fashion. The precipitation removal system includes one or more sweeper assemblies and one or more hoisting assemblies. The sweeper assemblies are suspended from the roof, ledge or other portion of a building. The hoisting assemblies assist the sweeper assemblies with vertically traversing the exterior of the building. As a sweeper assembly vertically traverses the side of the building, precipitation that accumulates on the exterior of the building is removed. The sweeper assemblies can remove precipitation from connecting structures on the exterior of the building which are used by building maintenance personnel to perform maintenance operations on the exterior of the building.

Abstract: An oral-care implement comprises a mounting surface having a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and a plurality of filaments outwardly extending from the mounting surface in at least one direction not parallel to either one of the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis, each filament having a free end terminating with a tip. At least some of the filaments possess at least one functional characteristic selected from the group consisting of filament's structure, composition, cross-sectional shape, tip geometry, and any combination thereof. A plurality of filament tips comprises a working surface that includes at least a first color and a second color different from the first color.

Abstract: A two-component brush and methods of providing same, including a method in which first and second bristle portion are each separately glued together at the base, and then the bases are cut into “A” and “B” section, and the “A” section of the first bristle portion is combined with the “B” section of the second bristle portion. Also included is a method which includes the use of a two-section mold into which first and second bristle portions are placed into first and second mold portions, and the first and second bristle portions are fixed together before being removed. Also included is a dual sided retractable configuration.

Abstract: A pocket insert card is received within a pocket of a garment. An absorbent fabric sheet is attached to the card such that the sheet can be situated outside the pocket for cleaning purposes while the card remains in the pocket. The fabric sheet may be elongated and folded in face-to-face portions attached to the card. A hook and loop patch may support an object on the fabric sheet. A holder for a spare golf tee or pencil is provided, as is a retainer for a scorecard. The fabric sheet may be inserted into the pocket or may form the pocket body itself. The fabric sheet may also be used without the pocket, attached directly to the interior of a garment. A double sided snap may be used to mount a ball marker to the fabric sheet.

Abstract: A disposable pad for treating or cleaning various types of surfaces is presented. The disposable pad has one or more flaps that are operatively affixed to the first surface on the first sheet of the pad and is rotatably movable between a first configuration and a number of second configurations to expose one of many surface pairs having a cleaning material unique to the desired application. A second sheet is operatively affixed to the second surface of the first sheet on at least two edges to form a mitt-like cavity and provides for ambidextrous wielding of the disposable pad.

Abstract: A cleaner head for a cleaning appliance, comprising a main body, a first bearing assembly, a second bearing assembly and a brushbar. The first bearing assembly is secured to the main body, and comprises a first stationary part fixed with respect to the main body and a first rotary part arranged to rotate with respect to the first stationary part. The second bearing assembly is secured to the main body, and comprises a second stationary part fixed with respect to the main body and a second rotary part arranged to rotate with respect to the second stationary part. The brushbar is coupled for rotation with the first and second rotary parts such that the brushbar rotates with the first and second rotary parts, and is configured to slidably engage the first and second rotary parts such that it can be separated from the first and second rotary parts for cleaning.

Abstract: Described is a trowel having wings made from a pentagonal blank of stainless steel sheet that is typically 1.2 mm thick and bent about its central minor axis to include an angle theta of 105 degrees. The end of each wing has a peak at its outermost lateral extremity relative to the central axis. The part of the wing between the peaks and a working edge is bent toward the front of the trowel and, in use, is oriented toward the drywall panels. An elevated trailing edge of each wing has a narrow flange, respectively, which again points frontward and, in use, toward the panels. The flanges have radiused ends for smoothing the edges of the compound.

Abstract: A cloth accessory and methods for the use thereof are disclosed and described. In one aspect, the cloth accessory may include a cover member forming an enclosure with a cavity therein, and a cloth attached to the cover member. The cloth may have a first configuration wherein the cloth is retracted substantially into the cover member, and a second configuration wherein the cloth is extended substantially out of the cover member without becoming detached therefrom.

Abstract: A hand-held apparatus employing a non-liquid cleaning composition for cleaning touch screen is described. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a hand-held cleaning instrument and a cap. The hand-held cleaning instrument comprises a handle and a replaceable cleaning pad. The cleaning pad comprises an engagement mechanism for removably coupling the cleaning pad to the handle. When not in use, the cleaning pad may be folded and received in the cap in a stowed configuration. When in use, the cap is removed and the cleaning pad is deployed in an extended position. The cleaning composition on the cleaning pad comprises a combination of carbon black and a hemihydrate of calcium sulfate.

Abstract: An toothbrush having a handle and a head. The handle may include a first component and a second component covering at least a portion of the first component. The first and second components may be chemically compatible. The first and second components may both comprise a hard polyolefin. The first and second components may have different transparencies. In one aspect, the first component may be opaque and the second component may be transparent or semi-transparent. In some aspects, the handle may also include a third component comprising a thermoplastic elastomer. Furthermore, there may be at least one projection extending outwardly from an outer surface of the first component.

Abstract: A toothbrush system includes a toothbrush having a floss pick with position sensors. The position sensors can be used to create a digital representation of the user's mouth and by monitoring the movement of the toothbrush while in use, the system can determine if all surface areas of the teeth have been properly brushed based upon the measured brush time and force. The system can determine if the teeth have been properly flossed based upon the measured floss time and position. If any areas of the teeth have not been properly brushed or flossed, the system can emit a signal informing the user of the areas that need additional brushing or flossing.

Abstract: A pipe pig is provided with linked wheels, and at least a central wheel of the linked wheels is pivotally linked to adjacent wheels through a spring loaded connection that biases the central wheel out of straight line alignment with the adjacent wheels. The pipe pig may be used to negotiate tight bends in a pipe and carry sensing electronics.

Abstract: In a device and method of removing particles from a surface of a web of material, a member is provided which is made from an electrically non-conducting material, and has an electrostatically chargeable and dischargeable surface. The surface is moved along a path to and from a particle removal area. In the particle removal area the member and the web of material interact which each other to transfer particles from the web of material to the charged member surface by electrostatic attraction. Upstream of the particle removal area, the member surface is electrostatically charged. Downstream of the particle removal area, a flow of air is generated over the member surface for removal of particles from the member surface, while electrically neutralizing the member surface and particles on the member surface. The member comprises a hollow member cylinder, having a chargeable and dischargeable outer surface movable along a circular path by rotating the member cylinder around an axis.

Abstract: A multi-component quick assembly handle includes a first tubular member made of a permanently deformable material and having a first end permanently formed with a predetermined diameter (x) and connecting to a second end forming a remaining portion of said first tubular member of a smaller diameter (x??a), a second tubular member made of a permanently deformable material having a first end with a predetermined diameter (x) and connecting a second end having a larger diameter (x+?b) and an inner diameter (y) to complementary receive by way of a friction fit said second end of said first tubular member. A method of forming multi-component quick assembly handle employs male and female tools to accomplish this.

Abstract: A cleaning structure is attachable to a submersible pool cleaning vehicle (PCV). In one exemplary embodiment the PCV has an endless loop track and a chassis therefore. The cleaning structure attaches to the chassis and acts as a cap covering the drive wheels and track. The cleaning structure includes a base and bristles extending outwardly therefrom. The bristles define fingers. In one embodiment, the fingers are of a uniform length. In another embodiment, the fingers are of a graduated length. Others embodiments include the fingers being distributed on the base in a random pattern.

Abstract: A brush hanging system for efficiently and safely hanging a brush from another object such as a paint can. The brush hanging system generally includes a brush such as a paint brush. The brush includes a groove formed within the body of the brush, such as on its handle or any other position other than its bristles. A hanger rod is pivotally connected within the groove, with the hanger rod being adapted to selectively engage or disengage with the rim of an object such as a paint can. When extended, the hanger rod engages with the rim to removably secure the brush against the object. When retracted, the hanger rod is completely positioned within the groove in a flush or recessed configuration. Both the groove and hanger rod each comprise distinct segments which ensure that the hanger rod may pivot within the groove and engage with the rim.

Abstract: The application discloses an improved wheel cleaning device, comprising a lifting system, a brush system, a clamping rotating system, a turnover system and an ejection system. When the device is used, a cylinder II drives a left sliding plate to synchronously clamp a wheel, and a servo motor II drives the wheel to rotate; a servo motor I drives a horizontal brush to rotate, cylinders I drive the rotating horizontal brush and vertical brush to ascend, and when the horizontal brush contacts a wheel flange, base powder which is redundant during spraying therein can be removed; an electric servo cylinder drives the vertical brush to move right, and when the vertical brush contacts a center hole of the wheel, base powder which is redundant during spraying sprayed therein can be removed; after the base powder is removed, a servo motor III drives the clamped wheel to turn over 180 degrees.