Abstract: A treatment and containment system for treating an elongate object to be treated. The system comprises surface treatment equipment or device for treating a portion of the elongate object to be treated; a housing defines an enclosed treatment area and separates the enclosed treatment area from an operator of the surface treatment equipment or device, and the housing is opened at opposed ends thereof; each opposed opened end of the housing accommodates a pair of movable doors which seal against the elongate object to be treated and thereby closing each opposed opened end of the housing; the housing has an access aperture therein through which the surface treatment device passes and communicates with the enclosed treatment area, and the access aperture facilitates manipulation of the surface treatment device within the housing; and a transparent viewing aperture facilitates viewing of the elongate object to be treated by the operator.

Abstract: An adjustable surface treatment device which comprises a hollow elongate main body and an adjustable discharge nozzle being supported adjacent a free end of the main body. The adjustable discharge nozzle is coupled to a blasting media supply conduit for supplying blasting media thereto. An articulating mechanism is coupled to the adjustable discharge nozzle for adjusting a position of the adjustable discharge nozzle relative to the main body. method and system for positioning a tool in a desired orientation relative to a surface to be treated is also disclosed.

Abstract: A treatment and containment system for treating an elongate object to be treated. The system comprises surface treatment equipment or device for treating a portion of the elongate object to be treated; a housing defines an enclosed treatment area and separates the enclosed treatment area from an operator of the surface treatment equipment or device, and the housing is opened at opposed ends thereof; each opposed opened end of the housing accommodates a pair of movable doors which seal against the elongate object to be treated and thereby closing each opposed opened end of the housing; the housing has an access aperture therein through which the surface treatment device passes and communicates with the enclosed treatment area, and the access aperture facilitates manipulation of the surface treatment device within the housing; and a transparent viewing aperture facilitates viewing of the elongate object to be treated by the operator.

Abstract: An adjustable surface treatment device which comprises a hollow elongate main body and an adjustable discharge nozzle being supported adjacent a free end of the main body. The adjustable discharge nozzle is coupled to a blasting media supply conduit for supplying blasting media thereto. An articulating mechanism is coupled to the adjustable discharge nozzle for adjusting a position of the adjustable discharge nozzle relative to the main body method and system for positioning a tool in a desired orientation relative to a surface to be treated is also disclosed.

Abstract: A treatment system for achieving a substantially uniform surface profile of a surface to be treated. The treatment system comprises a support panel which supports a rotatable orb, and the rotatable orb has an access aperture extending therethrough which facilitates receiving a desired surface treatment equipment. The access aperture is sized so as to permit the desired surface treatment equipment to pass therethrough and move relative thereto the access aperture, during surface treatment. The treatment system comprises a monitoring system for monitoring at least one of a spacing of a remote end of the surface treatment equipment from the surface to be treated and a treatment angle of the surface treatment equipment in order to control the surface treatment of the surface to be treated and achieve a substantially uniform surface profile, of the surface to be treated, following treatment.

Abstract: A treatment system for achieving a substantially uniform surface profile of a surface to be treated. The treatment system comprises a support panel which supports a rotatable orb, and the rotatable orb has an access aperture extending therethrough which facilitates receiving a desired surface treatment equipment. The access aperture is sized so as to permit the desired surface treatment equipment to pass therethrough and move relative thereto the access aperture, during surface treatment. The treatment system comprises a monitoring system for monitoring at least one of a spacing of a remote end of the surface treatment equipment from the surface to be treated and a treatment angle of the surface treatment equipment in order to control the surface treatment of the surface to be treated and achieve a substantially uniform surface profile, of the surface to be treated, following treatment.

Abstract: A containment system comprising a rigid support panel separating a treatment area from a work area, the rigid support panel having an access aperture within which a spherical orb is rotatably and pivotably supported. The spherical orb has a port for accommodating a surface treatment equipment and the spherical orb has a viewing aperture to facilitate viewing of a surface of an object to be treated during surface treatment. The rigid support panel is used in combination with one of a rigid structure and flexible barrier to prevent any blasting media, contaminants and debris from escaping a treatment area. A transparent window seals the viewing aperture and separates an operator from a treatment area accommodating the object to be treated. The flexible barrier is translucent to permit exterior light to pass therethrough and illuminate the object to be treated.

Abstract: A containment system comprising a rigid support panel separating a treatment area from a work area, the rigid support panel having an access aperture within which a spherical orb is rotatably and pivotably supported. The spherical orb has a port for accommodating a surface treatment equipment and the spherical orb has a viewing aperture to facilitate viewing of a surface of an object to be treated during surface treatment. The rigid support panel is used in combination with one of a rigid structure and flexible barrier to prevent any blasting media, contaminants and debris from escaping a treatment area. A transparent window seals the viewing aperture and separates an operator from a treatment area accommodating the object to be treated. The flexible barrier is translucent to permit exterior light to pass therethrough and illuminate the object to be treated.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for applying a blasting media, comprised of at least first and second separate types of particles, to a surface to be treated. Each type of particle may comprise a core coated with a desired component, e.g. abrasive, absorptive, polishing, etc., and the components are selected so as to minimize the density variation of different types of media being combined with one another for the surface treatment. The different types of particles are mixed with one another prior to application to a surface to be treated. The mixing may occur in a mixing tank prior to use, in the media supply conduit prior to the nozzle, at the discharge outlet of the nozzle, or just prior to contacting the surface to be treated. By employing different types of particles, cleaning and reuse of the media is facilitated while also minimizing the amount of media consumed per unit area of wall to be treated.

Abstract: A cleaning system for facilitating cleaning of a desired surface. The cleaning system comprising a base framework supporting a dust pan comprising a ramp area located adjacent a temporary collection receptacle, and the including a pivotal door to facilitate transfer of collected debris. The base framework also supporting a storage bin located adjacent the temporary collection receptacle. An actuation lever is connected to the base framework and operatively coupled to the dust pan to facilitate movement of the dust pan and transfer of any debris, temporarily stored in the temporary collection receptacle, to the storage bin once the pivotal door of the temporary collection receptacle opens.

Abstract: A cleaning system for facilitating cleaning of a desired surface. The cleaning system comprising a base framework supporting a dust pan comprising a ramp area located adjacent a temporary collection receptacle, and the including a pivotal door to facilitate transfer of collected debris. The base framework also supporting a storage bin located adjacent the temporary collection receptacle. An actuation lever is connected to the base framework and operatively coupled to the dust pan to facilitate movement of the dust pan and transfer of any debris, temporarily stored in the temporary collection receptacle, to the storage bin once the pivotal door of the temporary collection receptacle opens.

Abstract: A mopping system for facilitating mopping of a desired surface to be cleaned. The mopping system comprising a base framework supporting a fluid dispensing container and a fluid collection container. The mopping system further including a wringing mechanism supported by the base framework, and the wringing system is coupled to the fluid dispensing container for receiving a cleaning fluid therefrom and facilitate cleaning of a mopping assembly when located within the wringing mechanism. The wringing mechanism is coupled to a collection container for conveying collected fluid from the wringing mechanism to the collection container. A filter is located, between the wringing mechanism and the collection container, to filter the fluid wrung from the mopping assembly prior to discharge the wrung fluid in the collection container. The positions of the collection container and the dispensing container can be reversed, once the collection container is substantially full of collected fluid.

Abstract: A single-drive input, double gripper media transport element positionable for accessing storage media cartridges in a cartridge media store and an optical disk drive and simultaneously transporting multiple storage media cartridges comprises a housing, at least two sliders mounted within the housing moving along respective parallel slider paths, a cartridge gripper mounted on each of the sliders, a slider lead screw mounted within the housing for positioning the sliders along their respective slider paths, a slider motor for rotating the slider lead screw, and a lead screw nut on the lead screw for simultaneously or alternately engaging the slider lead screw with each of the sliders.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved blasting media which has a lattice fiber structure which is used as a carrier for other desired components. Desired abrasive component(s), polishing component(s) and/or absorptive component(s) are attached to the strands of the carrier components in order to form a plurality of individual, discrete granules which are readily propellable by conventional blasting equipment against the surface to be treated. The latticed fiber carrier component has improved integrity over prior art media carriers as it is not prone to readily break down during use and thereby facilitates regeneration of the blasting media once the effectiveness of the media has been substantially reduced.

Abstract: A method of recycling a reusable composite blasting media comprising a plurality of discrete particles of an abrasive component combined with a carrier component. The method comprises the steps of collecting the recyclable composite blasting media after at least one blasting cycle, mixing at least one of additional abrasive component and additional carrier component with the collected composite blasting media, and forming the composite media into a plurality of granules each containing a plurality of discrete particles of the abrasive component and the carrier component.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a pliant particulate media device for the same which includes a supply of pliant blasting media, a medium for conveying the pliant blasting media from the supply and a discharge line. The supply is connected with a feed device that meters out a desired quantity of blasting media into a discharge line which conveys the blasting media to a discharge nozzle where it is discharged against a surface to be treated to achieve the desired treatment.

Abstract: Particles of abrasives such as Garnet, Staurolite or Wollastonite bound to polymer are used as propellant particles to remove undesired materials from surfaces such as floors, walls, ceilings, machinery etc. For example, soil, paint, oil, grease etc. can be thereby removed.

Abstract: A composite media comprising a plurality of discrete particles of an abrasive component mixed with and attached to a carrier component. The abrasive component and the carrier component are selected to provide desired wear of the composite media, during use, to expose additional underlying abrasive material and to enhance cleaning of the surface being treated. The composite media facilitates feeding of the blasting media and results in deeper penetration of the blasting media into the surface being treated. A method for forming the mixture of the composite media is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pliant particulate media device which includes an air source for supplying air pressure to a supply container, containing a quantity of pliant blasting media, and a discharge line. The container is connected with a mechanical feed device that positively meters out a desired quantity of blasting media into a discharge line which conveys the blasting media to a discharge nozzle where it is discharged against a surface to be treated to achieve the desired treatment. The invention additionally relates to a recovery system for separating the pliant blasting media from the debris and the other unwanted materials and a system for removing undesired liquids and chemicals from the pliant blasting media after use.

Abstract: An improved cleaning apparatus system used for cleaning a surface comprising in combination a surface cleaning head having a frame supporting a rotatable belt for absorbing liquid and contaminants from a surface to be cleaned, a mechanism for conveying the rotatable belt and removing liquid and contaminants therefrom which have been absorbed from the surface to be cleaned and a storage device for storing the liquid and contaminants removed from the rotatable endless belt, a handle member connected to the surface cleaning head whereby the handle member can be used to facilitate operation of the surface cleaning head, wherein the rotatable endless belt is rotatable in a direction substantially transverse to a longitudinal operational direction of the apparatus defined by the handle member and a vacuum source can be provided for assisting with removal of the absorbed liquid and contaminants and conveying them to a storage device.