Abstract: An automated method and apparatus for cleaning articles by direct application of concentrated product to a soiled surface of the article is disclosed. The article type is identified and a product dispensing sequence is activated to control the type of product dispensed onto the articles based on the article type and/or soil type on the article. Product, duration, and other parameters are tailored according to the article type and/or soil type during each sequence of the wash cycle. Product, wash and rinse liquids are applied at specific locations and from specific directions from within the cleaning apparatus based upon the article type and/or soil type on the article.

Abstract: The present invention is both a method and an apparatus for utilizing a container/connector 10. The container/connector 10 holds a second liquid 110 that is mixed with a first liquid 12a in container 12. Then after mixing to form a use solution, the use solution flows back through the container 10 and out for use by a suitable applicator.

Abstract: An automated method and apparatus for cleaning articles by direct application of concentrated product to a soiled surface of the article is disclosed. The article type is identified and a product dispensing sequence is activated to control the type of product dispensed onto the articles based on the article type and/or soil type on the article. Product, duration, and other parameters are tailored according to the article type and/or soil type during each sequence of the wash cycle. Product, wash and rinse liquids are applied at specific locations and from specific directions from within the cleaning apparatus based upon the article type and/or soil type on the article.

Abstract: A cleaning device that includes a first component, a second component and a handle. The first component is configured to hold a first portion of the cleaning device. The second component is configured to hold a second portion of the cleaning device. The first and second components are connected and are configured so that the first portion and the second portion on the respective first and second components are independently replaceable. The handle is coupled to the second component to control an application of at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the cleaning device on a surface to be cleaned.

Abstract: A cleaning device that includes a first component, a second component and a handle is provided. The first component is configured to hold a first portion of the cleaning device. The second component is configured to hold a second portion of the cleaning device. The first and second components are connected and are configured so that the first portion and the second portion on the respective first and second components are independently replaceable. The handle is coupled to the second component to control an application of at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the cleaning device on a surface to be cleaned.

Abstract: A device for generating a liquid detergent concentrate from a solid detergent is provided. The device includes a solid detergent reservoir for holding solid detergent, a stock solution reservoir for holding stock solution, and a hot water heater for controlling the temperature of water used to generate the stock solution from the solid detergent. A method for generating a liquid detergent concentrate from a solid detergent and a method for washing a vehicle are provided.

Abstract: A liquid detergent concentrate is provided. The liquid detergent concentrate includes about 1 wt. % to about 40 wt. % combination anionic surfactant component and nonionic surfactant component containing about 0.5 wt. % to about 30 wt. % anionic surfactant and about 0.5 wt. % to about 30 wt. % nonionic surfactant, about 5 wt. % to about 60 wt. % of a water conditioning agent, and about 40 wt. % to about 95 wt. % water. The liquid detergent concentrate can be diluted with water to provide a liquid detergent use solution containing greater than 95 wt. % water. A method for washing textiles is provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for applying a detergent use solution to a washing surface of a motor vehicle, including the steps of: (a) providing a liquid detergent concentrate that includes an active ingredient level from about 0.1 wt. % to about 15 wt. %; (b) introducing the liquid detergent concentrate into a water stream to provide a detergent use solution that includes an active ingredient level from about 0.03 wt. % and 1 wt. %; and (c) applying the detergent use solution to a washing surface of a motor vehicle. In addition, the present invention also relates to a method for washing a washing surface of a vehicle, wherein the method includes: (a) providing a liquid detergent concentrate having an active ingredients level from about 0.1 wt. % to about 15 wt.

Abstract: A device for generating a liquid detergent concentrate from a solid detergent is provided. The device includes a solid detergent reservoir for holding solid detergent, a stock solution reservoir for holding stock solution, and a hot water heater for controlling the temperature of water used to generate the stock solution from the solid detergent. A method for generating a liquid detergent concentrate from a solid detergent and a method for washing a vehicle are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for applying a detergent use solution to a washing surface of a motor vehicle, including the steps of: (a) providing a liquid detergent concentrate that includes an active ingredient level from about 0.1 wt. % to about 15 wt. %; (b) introducing the liquid detergent concentrate into a water stream to provide a detergent use solution that includes an active ingredient level from about 0.03 wt. % and 1 wt. %; and (c) applying the detergent use solution to a washing surface of a motor vehicle. In addition, the present invention also relates to a method for washing a washing surface of a vehicle, wherein the method includes: (a) providing a liquid detergent concentrate having an active ingredients level from about 0.1 wt. % to about 15 wt.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing a finish product with the concurrent in-line addition of an additive to the finish product onto vehicles in a vehicle wash station includes providing a base product, adding the additive to the base product to create a resultant solution, and applying the resultant solution to the vehicle.

Abstract: A device for generating a liquid detergent concentrate from a solid detergent is provided. The device includes a solid detergent reservoir for holding solid detergent, a stock solution reservoir for holding stock solution, and a hot water heater for controlling the temperature of water used to generate the stock solution from the solid detergent. A method for generating a liquid detergent concentrate from a solid detergent and a method for washing a vehicle are provided.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of reducing slippage between a mat having a flexible polymer back surface and a substrate surface contiguous to the back surface, the method comprising applying a liquid comprising an aqueous solution of poly(vinyl acetate) to the back surface and contacting the back surface with the liquid thereon to the substrate surface while the aqueous solution is still wet. The method is especially effective where the mat comprises a flexible polymeric back surface comprising a flexible polymer selected from the group consisting of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, natural elastomers and synthetic elastomers. The contacting may be performed before the aqueous solution is completely dried. The aqueous solution may be applied directly to the back surface by spraying said aqueous solution onto said surface. The aqueous solution may be applied directly to the substrate surface.

Abstract: A liquid detergent concentrate is provided. The liquid detergent concentrate includes about 1 wt. % to about 40 wt. % combination anionic surfactant component and nonionic surfactant component containing about 0.5 wt. % to about 30 wt. % anionic surfactant and about 0.5 wt. % to about 30 wt. % nonionic surfactant, about 5 wt. % to about 60 wt. % of a water conditioning agent, and about 40 wt. % to about 95 wt. % water. The liquid detergent concentrate can be diluted with water to provide a liquid detergent use solution containing greater than 95 wt. % water. A method for washing textiles is provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for applying a detergent use solution to a washing surface of a motor vehicle, including the steps of: (a) providing a liquid detergent concentrate that includes an active ingredient level from about 0.1 wt. % to about 15 wt. %; (b) introducing the liquid detergent concentrate into a water stream to provide a detergent use solution that includes an active ingredient level from about 0.03 wt. % and 1 wt. %; and (c) applying the detergent use solution to a washing surface of a motor vehicle. In addition, the present invention also relates to a method for washing a washing surface of a vehicle, wherein the method includes: (a) providing a liquid detergent concentrate having an active ingredients level from about 0.1 wt. % to about 15 wt.

Abstract: An apparatus that prevents an undesirable chemical reaction between different liquid chemical streams in a dispenser comprising a dispenser having a common manifold leading to a use locus. The common manifold has a pumping station directed to the common manifold and the pumping station has at least two chemical input lines. The dispenser is controlled by an electromechanical controller that prevents pumping two liquid chemical streams in sequence without an intervening water flush and prevents pumping two liquid chemical streams simultaneously. The liquid inputs to the pumping station are keyed such that the inputs can be connected only to containers that fit the keyed inputs.

Abstract: A device for generating a liquid detergent concentrate from a solid detergent is provided. The device includes a solid detergent reservoir for holding solid detergent, a stock solution reservoir for holding stock solution, and a hot water heater for controlling the temperature of water used to generate the stock solution from the solid detergent. A method for generating a liquid detergent concentrate from a solid detergent and a method for washing a vehicle are provided.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of reducing slippage between a mat having a flexible polymer back surface and a second surface contiguous to the back surface, the method comprising applying a liquid comprising an aqueous solution of poly(vinyl acetate) to the back surface and contacting the back surface with the liquid thereon to the second surface while the aqueous solution is still wet. The method is especially effective where the mat comprises a flexible polymeric back surface comprising a flexible polymer selected from the group consisting of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, natural elastomers and synthetic elastomers. The contacting may be performed before the aqueous solution is completely dried. The aqueous solution may be applied directly to the back surface or directly to the back surface by spraying said aqueous solution onto said the surface. The aqueous solution may applied directly to the second surface, also possibly by spraying.

Abstract: The ability of aqueous laundry compositions to remove organic hydrophobic soils, such as oily, greasy or particulate soils, from a laundry item is substantially improved by pre-spotting or pre-treating such a soiled item with a treatment composition having a surfactant comprising a unique hydrophillic ethoxylate surfactant with less than two moles of ethylene oxide or a or blend of at least two surfactant compositions with a blended HLB value of about 7-12. The blend of surfactants with this HLB value penetrates soils and renders the soil more easily removed from the item using aqueous laundry detergent. The treatment composition can be used in a liquid or solid form and can be applied to individual laundry items in the form of a solid stick or liquid spray prior to introduction to the laundry machine. Laundry items can also be contacted in the laundry machine with the pre-spot or pre-treatment composition in the form of an aqueous presoak, preflush, prewash, or other step prior to the cleaning step.

Abstract: The ability of aqueous laundry compositions to remove organic hydrophobic soils, such as oily, greasy or particulate soils, from a laundry item is substantially improved by pre-spotting or pre-treating such a soiled item with a treatment composition having a surfactant comprising a unique hydrophillic ethoxylate surfactant with less than two moles of ethylene oxide or a or blend of at least two surfactant compositions with a blended HLB value of about 7-12. The blend of surfactants with this HLB value penetrates soils and renders the soil more easily removed from the item using aqueous laundry detergent. The treatment composition can be used in a liquid or solid form and can be applied to individual laundry items in the form of a solid stick or liquid spray prior to introduction to the laundry machine. Laundry items can also be contacted in the laundry machine with the pre-spot or pre-treatment composition in the form of an aqueous presoak, preflush, prewash, or other step prior to the cleaning step.