Abstract: A sponge with a sponge body and at least two slots formed in the sponge body to respectively receive the fingers and thumbs of a user. Relief portions may also be formed at each of the first and second slots. As a further feature, inserts can be formed in each of the first and second slots, which inserts may be formed of plastic, a further sponge material, etc. The sponge body may also include a cap area so that the overall sponge body has a mushroom shape. The sponge body can be formed of any acceptable material, such as a uretane based material, a cellulose based material, etc.

Abstract: A cleaning system for cleaning glass ceramic surfaces includes a combined scrubber/applicator pad. The combined scrubber/applicator pad has opposing surfaces having differential surface properties. The system further optionally includes a polishing/buffer pad.

Abstract: A patterned synthetic sponge mimics a natural sea sponge when creating faux paint finishes. Such synthetic sponge is formed from an open cell elastomeric material that bears a pattern that has been created by a rotating grinding wheel that removes sponge material with a tearing action. A rotating silicon carbide, or other abrasive grit, grinding wheel preferably is used to remove the elastomeric sponge material, which preferably is made from an open cell, inter alia, polyurethane, polyether, polyester foamed elastomer. A paint roller made from the novel patterned synthetic sponge has its edges beveled.

Abstract: A nose cleaning system is provided including a handle and a nose tip including an ellipsoid mounted with respect to an end of the handle. The nose tip has a foam outer layer defining an outer surface with a hemispherical inboard extent and a tapering outboard extent which terminates in an arcuate apex.

Abstract: An expiated bath sponge is described including a combination of a tubular element of elastic plastic mesh coupled with a smooth/abrasive sponge which has an abrasive surface on the outside and a smooth surface on the inside. A seam extends around the circumference of the sponge and forms ties at two diametrically opposed points on the seam. The sponge is fixed to the tubular element with the ties. Once the tubular element and the sponge are joined together there is a space between the tubular element and the smooth inside face of the sponge into which a hand may be inserted to manipulate the sponge as desired.

Abstract: An identification system for identifying individual cleaning articles one from another includes a number of separate cleaning articles, each of the cleaning articles being intended for a different specific intended cleaning application. Each is provided with a cleaning surface disposed on an external surface for the specific intended application. An identifying indicia is disposed on the external surface for identifying the cleaning articles one from another and for identifying the specific intended application of the cleaning article from the specific intended application of each of the cleaning articles.

Abstract: A cleaning brush for a power-driven robotic pool cleaner is formed from a plurality of cylindrical sections of water-expandable compressed cellulose sponge material that are preferably die-cut from a sheet or web, each section having a central opening corresponding in both size and shape to the cross section of the rotatable shaft on which the cylindrical sections are mounted in spaced relation. When wet with water, the compressed cellulose sponge material expands many times its original compressed thickness to provide a cleaning brush having continuous coverage over the entire length of the shaft.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for helping to assure the washing of a person's hands. An easily identifiable substance is provided which may be removed by washing. A marking mechanism is coupled with or contains the easily identifiable substance. A hand of the person is then marked with the easily identifiable substance when the marking mechanism is triggered. In one embodiment, a flush mechanism of a toilet or urinal may be equipped with the marking mechanism. The marking mechanism is preferably triggered when the person flushes the toilet or urinal. In another embodiment, a door handle may be equipped with the marking mechanism, and the marking mechanism is triggered when the person uses the door handle. For some applications the marking mechanism may be releasably secured to an activating member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making an abrading sheet material comprising knitting a ground structure comprising a shrinkable polyolefin yarn with laid-in looped threads of a material which is preferably harder than that or those of the ground structure, such that the loop threads are raised from a surface of the ground structure, and shrinking the shrinkable yarn of the ground structure to grip the looped threads to lock the loops in place in the ground structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel porous polymeric device (101) (103) (105) (107) (109) (111) (113), e.g., an ultraclean brush. The device includes an elongated foam member (101, 103), which has an outer surface for removing residual particles from a surface of a substrate. Among other features, the elongated foam member includes a polyvinyl alcohol bearing compound, where the elongated foam member has a calcium ion impurity concentration of less than about 1 part per million. Accordingly, the present device is much cleaner than conventional devices.