Abstract: A cleaning apparatus includes an end cap assembly for use with an agitator. The end cap assembly includes a stationary end cap, a rotating end cap, and a fragmentor. The stationary end cap is secured to and stationary with respect to a housing of the cleaning apparatus. The rotating end cap is coupled to the agitator and rotates with the agitator relative to the housing. The stationary and rotating end caps define a gap extending radially inward therebetween. The fragmentor is disposed within the gap and is configured to break debris which enters the gap into smaller pieces. The fragmentor may be disposed on a surface of the stationary end cap facing towards the rotating end cap and/or on a surface of the rotating end cap facing towards the stationary end cap. The fragmentor may include a cutting blade and/or an abrasive surface.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a main body and a suction nozzle that suctions up dust on the floor. The suction nozzle includes a housing, a driver, and a rotating brush. The housing includes an entrance through which the dust travels to the main body, a first shaft member, and a first rib disposed along a circumference of the first shaft member. The rotating brush includes a cylindrical body rotated by the first shaft member. The rotating brush also includes a brush member attached to an outer surface of the cylindrical body. The brush member rubs against the floor to direct the dust on the floor towards the entrance. As the brush member rotates, it also comes into contact with the first rib. The brush member includes a plurality of filaments. Some of the filaments are elastically deformed in the direction of the rotation axis upon contacting the first rib.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing paint roller covers is disclosed in which the paint roller covers are manufactured from a seamless segment of tubular paint roller cover fabric that is placed onto a cylindrical forming tube having a segment of bonding material temporarily secured on its outer surface under the segment of tubular paint roller cover fabric. The cylindrical forming tube is placed on a heated mandrel to apply heat thereto to cause the bonding material to bond to the interior of the segment of tubular paint roller cover fabric. The cylindrical forming tube is removed from the mandrel and cooled, and the segment of tubular paint roller cover fabric becomes secured to the bonding material to produce a semi-rigid paint roller cover segment. The semi-rigid paint roller cover segment may be finished into paint roller covers.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing paint roller covers is disclosed in which the paint roller covers are manufactured from a seamless, tubular knitted pile fabric sleeve that is installed onto a core member. To facilitate the manufacture of the paint roller covers, the outside of the core member is provided with an adhesive bonding material on the exterior surface thereof that has a relatively non-tacky outer surface. The knitted pile fabric sleeve is installed onto the exterior surface of the core member over the adhesive bonding material. The adhesive bonding material is then rendered tacky, whereupon the knitted pile fabric sleeve becomes adhesively secured by the adhesive bonding material to the exterior surface of the core member. The pile fabric covered core member may be finished into paint roller covers by combing and shearing the pile fabric to a desired length, beveling the edges of the paint roller covers, and vacuuming stray fibers from the paint roller covers.

Abstract: A loop brush includes a shaft and a ribbon having loop-shaped fiber bundles arranged regularly on a base cloth. The ribbon is wound around the shaft at a prescribed angle. An arrangement angle that is an angle of an arrangement line, which is a straight line connecting adjacent fiber bundles, with respect to a longitudinal direction of the ribbon differs from a winding angle that is an angle of the longitudinal direction of the ribbon with respect to a circumferential direction of the shaft.

Abstract: A cutting arrangement comprises a blade shaft (32) which is mounted for drivable rotation about a blade-shaft axis of rotation (31) and which has at least one circular blade (34); and a brush roll (16) which is disposed opposite the blade shaft (32) and mounted for rotation about a brush-roll axis of rotation (15); the brush roll (16) possessing shells (37) in the cross-sectional shape of a segment of a circle which are disposed on a roll core (17) and which have an outside (39) and an inside (40) that is turned towards the roll core (17), bristles that stand out from the outside (39), torque-transmission components (44, 45, 46) for transmitting torque from the roll core (17) to the shells (37), and fastening components (49, 51) for fixing the shells (37) to the roll core (17).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for picking up stickers in grassy or other ground areas. A roller is rotatably mounted on a frame and a stretchable fabric is removably mounted and stretched on an outer surface of the roller. The fabric is of a construction and thickness to pick up stickers as the roller is moved by the frame and rotated in engagement with a grassy or other ground surface. When the fabric is full of stickers, it is removed from the roller and replaced with a new unused stretchable fabric that is removably mounted on the roller.

Abstract: A method for conveying a web using an engagement cover (10) comprising resilient looped pile (16) engagement surface. Also, web conveying roller (12) having an engagement cover thereon.

Abstract: An application roller for applying liquid or semi-liquid substances on surfaces comprises a frame having a shaft including a handle thereon for grasping by a user and a cross axle oriented at a right angle to the shaft. A cylinder having first and second ends rotatably mounted on the cross axle defines an outer surface having a first portion of an attachment system thereon. A cover wrap dimensioned to circumferentially encompass the cylinder has a liquid absorbent outer surface and an inner surface including a second portion of the attachment system. The first and second portions of the attachment system cooperate to permit selective removal and reattachment of the cover wrap on the cylinder.

Abstract: An automated banking machine (10) includes a sheet picking mechanism (210). The sheet picking mechanism includes a rotatable picking member (212). With each rotation an end sheet (266) can be picked from a stack (264) of sheets. The picking member (212) has an outer surface section that includes a high friction portion (256) axially adjacent to a low friction portion (258). The low friction portion comprises an arcuate projecting portion that reduces risk of damage to a leading edge area of the end sheet due to opposed picking and stripping forces.

Abstract: The invention relates to an exchangeable cylinder jacket-shaped cover made of pile whose threads radially project outward. The aim of the invention is to provide a cover of this type, which has a high cohesive strength both in the axial as well as radial direction and which also has an outer and inner cylindrical contour that is as continuous as possible. To this end, the invention provides that the cover consists of an endless helically wound pile strip whose edges are interconnected by an endless helically running seam without forming a step that disrupts the cylindrical outer contour.

Abstract: A tubular knit fabric is disclosed that is manufactured with a pile extending from the outer side thereof and in an extended length, small diameter configuration, the tubular knit pile fabric subsequently being separable into shorter tubular segments that may be secured to paint roller cover cores to produce seamless paint rollers. The knit paint roller cover fabric of the present invention is manufactured in a tubular segment with cut-pile and sliver pile segments disposed in alternating courses and extending from the outside of the tubular knit paint roller cover fabric. The tubular knit paint roller cover fabric of the present invention is also manufactured in a size that makes it appropriate for installation onto paint roller cover cores.

Abstract: A system and method for producing a spool having a length of tubular fabric wound thereupon is disclosed, the tubular fabric being substantially spirally wound upon a core with consecutive windings of the extended length tubular fabric being located close adjacent each other, and with consecutive rows of the extended length tubular fabric overlaying each other on the hollow core. The winding operation simultaneously controls both the lateral position at which the tubular fabric is wound onto the core and the rotation of the core to achieve the tight and highly compact winding operation, with the speed of the winding operation being controlled according to the amount of the tubular fabric which is available at any given time. The tubular fabric is suitable for use in the manufacture of paint roller covers.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing paint roller covers is disclosed in which the paint roller covers are manufactured from a seamless, tubular knitted pile fabric sleeve that is installed onto a core member. To facilitate the manufacture of the paint roller covers, the outside of the core member is provided with an adhesive bonding material on the exterior surface thereof that has a relatively non-tacky outer surface. The knitted pile fabric sleeve is installed onto the exterior surface of the core member over the adhesive bonding material. The adhesive bonding material is then rendered tacky, whereupon the knitted pile fabric sleeve becomes adhesively secured by the adhesive bonding material to the exterior surface of the core member. The pile fabric covered core member may be finished into paint roller covers by combing and shearing the pile fabric to a desired length, beveling the edges of the paint roller covers, and vacuuming stray fibers from the paint roller covers.

Abstract: An automated banking machine (10) includes at least one of sheet dispensing mechanisms (34, 36, 38, 40, 210). Each sheet dispensing mechanism includes a picking member (72, 212). The picking member rotates, and with each rotation generally causes an end note to be picked from a stack (42, 264) of sheets. The picking member (212) includes an arcuate projecting portion (258) that reduces the risk of damage to the leading edge areas of sheets due to opposed picking and stripping forces.

Abstract: An orientation processor (i.e., rubbing roller) for manufacturing a high quality liquid crystal display apparatus by subjecting orientation films formed on glass substrates of a relatively large-size liquid crystal display apparatus to a uniform orientation process. An orientation processor (i.e., rubbing roller) 10 is formed by applying a plurality of rubbing cloth pieces 12A and 12B applied with double-side bond tape to the outer periphery of the rotational roller 11. Another orientation processor (i.e., rubbing roller) 20 is formed by at least one parallel quadrilateral rubbing cloth piece 22B and 22C and substantially triangular rubbing cloth pieces 22A and 22D disposed on the opposite sides of the cloth pieces 22B and 22C. The orientation processor 10 or 20 is used to execute an orientation process of rubbing orientation films formed on the surface of glass substrates (panels) and a liquid crystal display apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed are a rubbing cloth for aligning a liquid crystal, method of manufacturing the same, apparatus for manufacturing the same and method of manufacturing an LCD using the same. A rubbing pile formed on a rubbing cloth fabric fabricated by interweaving a weft and a warp having a length longer than that of the weft is aligned in a direction parallel to the weft. Accordingly, it is able to manufacture the rubbing cloth having a various size without a length of the alignment film and increase yield of the rubbing cloth.

Abstract: A guide roller has a hollow roller and a fabric tube fitted under pressure over the hollow roller. The fabric tube has ends held respectively in axial ends of the hollow roller and fixed thereto by respective pressers which are pressed into the axial ends of the hollow roller.

Abstract: A sheet feed roller 10 includes a shaft member 12 and an elastomeric layer 14 provided on the outer circumference of the shaft member 12. The shaft member 12 includes a tubular support 16 and a pair of shaft sections 18 extending in the axial direction to define a rotary axis of the shaft member 12. The elastomeric layer 14 is formed of an elastic member separate from the shaft member 12, and attached to the outer circumference 16a to be conformed with the profile of the support 16 of the shaft member 12. The elastomeric layer 14 includes a base 20 and a plurality of micro-structured elements 22, each having a three-dimensionally projected shape, formed on the surface 20a of the base 20. Each of the plurality of micro-structured elements 22 on the elastomeric layer 14 is brought into frictional contact at a distal end thereof with the sheet medium and feed the same as the shaft member rotates.

Abstract: A rubbing device for alignment-treating an alignment layer on a substrate of a liquid crystal display, and the liquid crystal display in which the alignment layer on the substrate is rubbed by using the rubbing device. The rubbing device comprises a rubbing roller having a roller base and a rubbing cloth stuck on the outer surface of the roller base. The rubbing cloth has a plurality of slits formed parallel along the longitudinal direction of the roller base. The rubbing cloth may also comprises a plurality of separate rubbing cloth members which are stuck on the roller base via gaps therebetween and each of which has at least one slit formed parallel along the longitudinal direction of the roller base.

Abstract: A guide roller has a hollow roller and a fabric tube fitted under pressure over the hollow roller. The fabric tube has ends held respectively in axial ends of the hollow roller and fixed thereto by respective pressers which are pressed into the axial ends of the hollow roller.

Abstract: Provided is an inexpensive roller brush for painting, which has good paint holdability and good paint releasability and of which the brush face is smooth and homogeneous. Using the roller brush, the painted face is good and its quality is high. The roller brush is fabricated by covering a paint-impervious roll core with a paint holder of a fibrous circular material that contains conjugate fibers comprising a high-melting-point polymer component A and a low-melting-point polymer component B. In this, the fibrous circular material contains thermal-fusing conjugate fibers and at least a part of the fibers are fused to form a porous structure.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to enhancing the aesthetic appearance of surfaces by the contact application of a nonwoven fabric having a three-dimensional image imparted therein. The three-dimensional image of the nonwoven fabric induces a topical modification in either the actual or perceived texture of a surface when the imaged nonwoven fabric is applied to, then removed from, the surface. The imaged nonwoven fabric disclosed herein exhibits low Tinting qualities thereby reducing the potential of fiber contamination of the treated surface and is sufficiently durable that the sample can be used and rinsed clean a plurality of times, markedly increasing the working life-span.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for making a paint roller are disclosed. The apparatus includes a mandrel, a first core material strip feeder, a second core material strip feeder, a fabric cover strip feeder, a first heater, a second heater, a first liquid adhesive applicator and a second liquid adhesive applicator. The first core material strip feeder feeds a first strip of core material about the mandrel. The second core material strip feeder feeds a second strip of core material about the mandrel. The fabric cover strip feeder feeds a strip of fabric cover material about the mandrel and about at least one of the first and second strips of core material. The first and second heaters are actuatable between a first active state in which the first and second heaters apply heat to an outer surface of the first and second strips of core material, respectively, and an inactive state.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a paint roller having an open end which can be inserted into an applicator handle and a surface area adapted for use in painting. The core of the roller is made from a core material and the core has an inner surface and an outer surface. A major portion of the core has a substantially uniform thickness. A cover is affixed to substantially all of an outer surface of the core and a processed region at one end of the core has a reduced thickness which is less than the substantially uniform thickness of the major portion of the core. The processed region of the core is folded inward such that the one of the core and the reduced portion of the core material are not exposed at the end of the paint roller.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for the manufacture of paint rollers by winding a textile fabric (3) onto a plastic tube (2) along a spiral-shaped line. According to the invention, a number of tube elements (6), having a length suitable for a paint roller, are slipped onto a revolving mandrel (1). The tube elements are clamped together so as to engage one another and so as to allow them to be rotated together with the mandrel (1). The mandrel is rotated at the same time as the fabric is would on and attached to the tube elements, after which the fabric is cut at the joints (8) between the elements. Due to the invention, the cutting can be performed in the same machine without the risk of damaging the mandrel. As the cutting is made through the fabric only, this entails much less knife wear and is less energy-consuming. Preferably, the tube elements have a toothing at their axial ends for mechanical interconnection at the joints between the tube elements and with the mandrel (1).

Abstract: A surface decorating roller cover includes a first substrate portion adapted for being rotatably supported about an axis, a second substrate portion axially spaced from the first substrate portion and adapted for being rotatably supported about the axis and a plurality of flexible strips. Each strip has a first end, a second end and an intermediate portion between the first and second ends. Only the first and second ends are affixed to the first and second substrate portions, respectively.

Abstract: A bifurcated paint roller and painting method using such. The paint roller is a hand tool having two roller portions, which each of the roller portions having a nap for picking up and spreading paint. The roller portions are spaced transversely from each other and rotate independently of the other. A paint pan is provided with the bifurcated paint roller and is itself bifurcated. The paint pan includes two receptacle portions, each of which holds a paint having a different characteristic. A divider separates the receptacle portions such that the paints having the different characteristics are prevented from mixing. The distal end ofthe hand tool includes an open ended slot for reception of the divider such that each of the roller portions is dippable into their respective paints. Alternatively, the hand tool may include tubes mounted thereon and feeding paint to the roller portions.

Abstract: An alignment device for aligning a liquid crystal display device-use substrate is a rubbing device provided with a rubbing roller, the rubbing roller being composed of a rotary roller and a rubbing cloth, the rubbing cloth being provided around the circumferential surface of the rotary roller. The rubbing device carries out alignment by rotating the rubbing roller so as to rub an alignment film formed on the surface of the liquid crystal display device-use substrate, in a specific direction with piles provided on the rubbing cloth. One of the directions of the pile lines of the rubbing roller provided around the rotary roller is tilted to the rotation direction of the rotary roller.

Abstract: A paint roller includes a handle rotatably supporting an inner clamping roller, an outer covering roller disposed about and spaced from the inner clamping roller, and a covering material carried by the outer covering roller. A padded layer is disposed between the outer covering roller and the covering material. The outer covering roller has longitudinal ends, and the covering material has longitudinal end sections which extend over the longitudinal ends of the outer covering roller and which are disposed in the space between the inner clamping roller and the outer covering roller.

Abstract: A decorating tool for use by painters in ragging a previously painted surface. The tool includes a sleeve elasticated to a roller which can be mounted on a conventional roller handle assembly. The sleeve is formed of a rag material and has a diameter and a length exceeding the diameter and length of the roller. The sleeve is gathered by a plurality of elastic bands that are axially spaced apart along the length of the roller and threaded in the rag material in a wave pattern to form random folds.

Abstract: A press-on roller which is usable to press a first paper web into contact with a second paper web includes a support tube and a resilient press-on sleeve which is concentric with the support tube and separated from it by an annular space. This annular space is provided with at least one and preferably with a plurality of gas-filled cells. These gas filled cells provide the press-on roller with a controllable resiliency.

Abstract: An improved vacuum cleaner brushroll including a tufted spindle supported by end assemblies. The end assemblies have bearings that rotatably mount the spindle in a vacuum cleaner nozzle. Rotation of the spindle is effective to pick up debris. The improvement comprises the spindle being a hollow tubular member. Each of the end assemblies includes a plug fitted into a respective axial end of the spindle. The plug or spindle has ribs in a cylindrical surface which engage the material of the other of the plug or spindle to resist rotation between the spindle and the plug. One of the bearings has a first portion operably connectable with the plug. A relatively rotatable second portion of the bearing is operably connectable with a brushroll mounting structure of the vacuum cleaner nozzle.

Abstract: An improved vacuum cleaner brushroll including a tufted spindle supported by end assemblies. The end assemblies have bearings that rotatably mount the spindle in a vacuum cleaner nozzle. Rotation of the spindle is effective to pick up debris. The improvement comprises the spindle being a hollow tubular member. Each of the end assemblies includes a plug fitted into a respective axial end of the spindle. The plug or spindle has ribs in a cylindrical surface which engage the material of the other of the plug or spindle to resist rotation between the spindle and the plug. One of the bearings has a first portion operably connectable with the plug. A relatively rotatable second portion of the bearing is operably connectable with a brushroll mounting structure of the vacuum cleaner nozzle.

Abstract: A roller assembly comprises an essentially cylindrical spindle which is rotatably supported at opposite ends by a pair of end assemblies. The spindle has brush elements on a circumferential surface and axial bores extending inwardly from each of the ends. Each end assembly comprises a shoulderless cylindrical stub shaft which is coaxial with and rotatable with the spindle, a bearing frictionally mounted on an outer end of the stub shaft, and a non-rotating end cap which may be mounted in a vacuum cleaner chassis member, such as two opposite side walls of a vacuum cleaner nozzle. The stub shaft comprises along its axial length a smooth inboard portion, a roughened middle portion which frictionally engages a bore wall, and a smooth outboard portion which extends beyond the end of a spindle. The bearing is mounted on this outboard portion. The end assembly may also include a thread guard and a washer which rotate with the spindle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making reusable paint rollers comprised of a core formed from thermoplastic material. The thermoplastic material is formed into a core about a stationary mandril. An adhesive is then applied to the core whereupon a cover is bonded thereto. In a first embodiment the core is formed by winding a plurality of thermoplastic strips about the mandril. In a second embodiment the core is formed by applying liquefied thermoplastic material to a driven belt which transfers the thermoplastic material to the mandril.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner brushroll including a tufted spindle supported by end assemblies having bearings that rotatably mount the spindle in the vacuum cleaner nozzle. The brushroll includes a spindle and improved end assemblies for supporting the spindle comprising a first member fixed to an end of the spindle, a relatively rotatable second member having a portion that is adapted to mate with mounting structure in the vacuum cleaner nozzle, a bearing which is supported by the second member and in turn supports the first member and stub shaft structure for coupling the first member with the bearing. Either the first or second member has a pair of annular walls that are radially spaced apart to define an annular channel, while the other member has an annular skirt that extends into the annular channel to form a labyrinth thread seal.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner brushroll including a tufted spindle supported by end assemblies having bearings that rotatably mount said spindle in the vacuum cleaner nozzle. The brushroll includes a spindle and improved end assemblies for supporting the spindle comprising a first member fixed to an end of said spindle, a relatively rotatable second member having a portion that is adapted to mate with mounting structure in the vacuum cleaner nozzle, a bearing which is supported by the second member and in turn supports the first member and stub shaft structure for coupling the first member with the bearing. Either the first or second member has a pair of annular walls that are radially spaced apart to define an annular channel, while the other member has an annular skirt that extends into the annular channel to form a labyrinth thread seal.

Abstract: A brush segment for mounting on a slotted support structure is presented. The brush segment generally comprises: a substrate; a carpet of bristles mounted on the substrate in a preferred manner; and, a root system projecting outwardly from a side of the substrate opposite from the carpet of bristles. Brush segments according to the present invention are particularly well-adapted for mounting in association with longitudinal slots of a cylindrical hub arrangement, including conventional cylindrical hub arrangements. In preferred applications the substrate is formed from a pliable material which is then hardened in a preferred configuration.

Abstract: A paint roller having a tubular core formed of thermoplastic material. The thermoplastic material being in the form of a multiplicity of spirally wound plies. The multiplicity of plies comprising an outer ply surrounding and in continuous contact with an inner ply. The plies are in general parallelism with one another and fused to one another in the absence of adhesive. A fabric cover overlies the core and is heat fused to the underlying core in the absence of adhesive.

Abstract: A brushroll having a spindle and a pair of end assemblies each including a thread guard, a shouldered stub shaft, a bearing and an end cap. The thread guards each include a pair of radially spaced annular wall portions which define channels opening outward from the spindle. The end caps have peripheral walls which extend into the channels defined by the thread guards to prevent threads loosened by the brushroll from fouling the brushroll bearings. Spools formed in the end caps cvapture threads flowing outwardly along the brushroll to prevent the threads from working their way back to the bearing. In a preferred construction, the spindle carries tufts which are angled toward the ends of the spindle in order to encourage the flow of threads toward the ends of the spindle.