Abstract: A method and machine for assembling a fabric sweeper having a fabric piece, such as velour, on a rigid part, such as a roller, is disclosed. Fabric is pre-coated with a heat-activated adhesive and cut into fabric pieces. The adhesive on a fabric piece is heated and placed into contact with the roller. A portion of the fabric piece is rolled over and onto the inside of the roller. The adhesive bonds the fabric piece to the roller creating a fabric covered roller assembly. Once the roller assembly is complete it is joined to a base. The base is then connected to a top handle that includes directions for use.

Abstract: Portable devices for mitigating the accumulation and localized settling of airborne particulates are provided. The devices establish airflow patterns which push or carry various airborne particulates outwardly away therefrom, thereby establishing a localized zone having relatively fewer airborne particulates. Correspondingly, each the devices establishes a localized zone, defined circumferentially about the perimeter of the device, in which there is relatively less surface accumulation of particulates which were previously airborne and settled out. The devices establish such airflow patterns by proving a fan which draws a volume of air axially through a top portion of the device, then pushes the volume of air axially down through the device where it is radially emitted from the bottom portion of the device, defining a circumferentially expanding plane of airflow.

Abstract: A flexible cleaning tool (22) is disclosed. The cleaning tool (22) includes a handle (24) connected to an elongated flexible support member (26) that includes a plurality of discrete, rotatably interconnected segments (40). A cleaning pad (28) encloses the support rod (26).

Abstract: A visual indicator for the cleaning effectiveness and end of useful life of a cleaning implement, e.g., a fabric sweeper, for removing dust, dirt, pet hair and other debris present on a fabric surface. The implement comprises a housing and a pair of fabric-covered rollers. During a cleaning operation, the implement is swept over the surface to be cleaned. Debris is retained by the fabric on the rollers and transported to a collection chamber by the opposing roller. The fabric covering the rollers is a unidirectional fabric such as velour with a light color such as light blue. The light color provides an indication of cleaning effectiveness since the hair and debris loaded on the rollers contrasts with the light color and therefore can easily be quantified. The light color further aids in determining when the rollers have become too dirty such that the implement should be disposed and a new implement used.

Abstract: A flexible cleaning tool for use in wet, damp or dry cleaning is disclosed. The cleaning tool includes a handle connected to an elongated flexible support member. A cleaning pad encloses the support member. In one embodiment, the handle defines a fluid reservoir receiving cradle.

Abstract: A cleaning tool 410 designed to be used with at least one cleaning implement/replaceable dusting sleeve/cleaning mitt or cleaning pad 11 is disclosed. The cleaning tool 410 includes a telescoping support 409 comprised of a plurality of telescopingly received shafts or sections (412, 413, 414, 415) wherein one of the shafts is an I-beam 415. The shafts 412, 413, 414 and 415 may be freely extended into a locked fully extended position 401 and released via depression of a first engaging projection 439. A primary support head 416 and secondary support head 418 are pivotally mounted to a forward mount 440 and releasably locked together.

Abstract: The present invention is a device (10) for use in cleaning a fabric surface (16) of dust, dirt, pet hair and other debris (20) present on the surface (16). The device (10) includes a pair of cleaning members or rollers (60, 61) disposed on an underside of the device (10) which can roll with respect to the device (10) and with respect to one another. The rollers (60, 61) are selectively contacted with one another such that each roller (60, 61) can assist in removing debris (20) picked up by the opposite roller (60, 61) and dispensing the debris (20) into a collection chamber (32) releasably positioned within a housing (11). The removal of the debris (20) from each roller (60, 61) is also facilitated by opposed edges of a central opening (58) in the housing (11) that contact the rollers (60, 61) and direct the debris (20) into the debris collection chamber (32).

Abstract: The present invention is a device for use in cleaning a fabric surface of dust, dirt, pet hair and other debris present on the surface. The device includes a pair of cleaning members or rollers disposed on an underside of the device which can roll with respect to the device and with respect to one another. The rollers are selectively contacted with one another such that each roller can assist in removing debris picked up by the opposite roller and dispensing the debris into a collection chamber releasably positioned within the housing. The removal of the debris from each roller is also facilitated by opposed edges of a central opening in the housing that contact the rollers and direct the debris into the debris collection chamber.

Abstract: A device (20) for cleaning surfaces is provided utilizing a web (94) of a tackified sheet material movably secured between rollers (56, 58) on the device (20) that enable the web (94) to be moved over the surface in opposite directions. The device (20) includes a supply roller (56) and a take-up roller (58) secured to opposed ends of the web (94) of adhesive sheet material, with at least one roller (56, 58) including a biasing mechanism (82) disposed within the roller (56, 58). The web (94) can be engaged with the surface by passing over a number of idler rollers (98) positioned between the supply roller (56) and take-up roller (58). The biasing mechanism (82) is designed to bias the movement of the web (94) onto the take-up roller (58), such that the mechanism (82) can be selectively operated to advance the web (94) from the supply roller (56) to the take-up roller (58) to expose a clean section of the adhesive sheet material (94).

Abstract: The present invention is a device for applying a cleaning or polishing solution to a surface and wiping the solution over the surface. The device includes a rotatable valve that allows for the dispensing of the solution through either a nozzle that sprays the solution in front of a disposable sponge-like pad secured to the device, or directly into the pad for application to the surface by the pad. The device also includes a rearward opening that releasably receives a container of the solution to be dispensed from the device. When the container is empty, the container is removed and replaced in order to allow the device to be used in a generally continuous manner for cleaning and polishing the surface. The disposable pad connected to the device may also include a cleaning surface capable of picking up dust, dirt and other debris in addition to applying the polishing and cleaning solutions to the surface.

Abstract: A flexible cleaning tool (22) is disclosed. The cleaning tool (22) includes a handle (24) connected to an elongated flexible support member (26) that includes a plurality of discrete, rotatably interconnected segments (40). A cleaning pad (28) encloses the support rod (26).

Abstract: A fabric cleaning device (20) is disclosed. The fabric cleaning device (20) includes a hand held support (22) having a plurality of loosening projections (50) associated therewith, and a resilient pad (26) comprising a plurality of individual flexible cleaning sheets (60) receiving the loosening projections (50) and having an affinity for debris.

Abstract: A flexible cleaning tool for use in wet, damp or dry cleaning is disclosed. The cleaning tool (222), (322) includes a handle (224) defining a fluid reservoir receiving cradle (231) pivotally connected to an elongated flexible support member (226) (326). A cleaning pad (228) (328) encloses the support rod (226) (326).

Abstract: A knife system including a mechanism for automatically advancing a cutting blade. The knife system includes a click mechanism that a user is capable of selectively actuating. Each actuation of the click mechanism causes the cutting blade to become either exposed or unexposed. The knife system also includes a break off mechanism that aids a user in removing individual blade segments from the cutting blade.