Abstract: The invention relates to a bare floor cleaner capable of wet pickup through a first nozzle opening with the aid of a squeegee, wet scrubbing with an agitator, and dry pickup through a second nozzle opening. The bare floor cleaner comprises a dual-path nozzle assembly having a wet suction path in communication with the first nozzle opening and a dry suction path in communication with the second nozzle opening. A diverter valve selectively controls fluid communication between a suction source and one of the first and second nozzle openings for conversion between wet and dry modes. The bare floor cleaner further comprises a single actuator that controls the positions of the agitator and of the diverter valve. As a result, the cleaning mode of the bare floor cleaner can be controlled with a single switch that is preferably located on the handle assembly for convenient access by a user.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for controlling a plurality of devices having at least two operating modes comprises a first software operating layer configured to control the operation of at least one of the devices in a first operational mode and a second software operating layer configured to control the operation of at least one of the devices in a second operational mode. In another embodiment, a control system for controlling a plurality of devices connected by a communications network comprises a user interface configured to receive the selection of a cycle of operation; a first system element isolated from the network and configured to implement the selected cycle of operation to define a first control state; and a second system element exposed to the network and configured to implement the selected cycle of operation to define a second control state.

Abstract: A keyless entry system has a handle housing and a grip cover defining a door handle grip, a keyless entry pad defining a plurality of keys, each identified with a corresponding symbol, a plurality of sensors in proximity to the keys for detecting an object in the vicinity of the keys, an illumination source to selectively backlight the sensors and symbols, and a light-controlling membrane extending over the keyless entry pad. Entering a keyless entry code into the keyless entry pad by selecting keys in a predetermined sequence enables a latch to be selectively disposed in either a locked condition or an unlocked condition. In ambient light, the light-controlling membrane renders the symbol invisible. When the illumination source backlights the sensor and the symbol, the light-controlling membrane renders the symbol visible.

Abstract: A taxonomy engine in a software architecture generates a taxonomy dataset establishing the group of well formed commands, and at least one command generator of the system is adapted to generate a well formed command using the taxonomy dataset. The taxonomy engine is configured to deliver the taxonomy dataset to the command generator, and the command generator is configured to deliver the well formed command to the controller.

Abstract: Surface cleaning wherein recovering a soiled cleaning fluid from a surface to be cleaned is subsequent to the application of fluid to the surface as a module moves along a given direction as a module moves along different and opposite directions. A method and apparatus are disclosed.

Abstract: A manual spray cleaner for removing dirt and stains from fabrics and carpets comprising a spray bottle having two separate chambers and a single dispensing spray outlet for dispensing controlled amounts of liquids from each of the chambers. One of the chambers has a fabric/carpet cleaning composition therein and the other chamber has an oxidizing composition that enhances the cleanability of the fabric/carpet cleaning composition. The fabric/carpet cleaning composition and the oxidizing composition are simultaneously drawn from their respective chambers and mixed together at the time that they are dispensed from the spray bottle. At least one of the oxidizing composition and the fabric/carpet cleaning composition includes a fabric/carpet protectant. The two compositions are mixed before or after they are sprayed from the bottle. The two compositions can be pressurized with an aerosol propellant or drawn from their respective chambers by a mechanical pump.

Abstract: A steam generator according to one embodiment of the invention includes a steam generation chamber for converting the water to steam, and a heating element thermally coupled with the steam generation chamber and having a first portion below an operational water level of the steam generation chamber and a second portion above the operational water level, with the first portion having a greater thermal output than the second portion.

Abstract: A reactor for molybdenum sulphide (MoS2), wherein MoS2 is ionized by an electric field generated by a first set of magnetrons at a frequency in the range of 2500-3500 MHz and heated by a variable magnetic field of 2500 Hz produced by a winding coil, resulting in the exclusive evaporation of molybdenite. MoS2 in gas state is then stimulated by a second set of magnetrons and, with the injection of air, oxidized until trioxide is obtained. Hot gases essentially containing molybdenum trioxide, sulphur dioxide, and nitrogen are conducted from a first body towards a second body though a first duct. Cold air is added to the second body through a second duct to cool the gas, and crystals formed by liquefaction settle and are removed through a lower duct while gases at a temperature of 600° C. are conducted through a higher duct.

Abstract: An agent dispenser for a fabric treatment appliance includes a housing having a manifold and an agent compartment. The manifold may be configured to receive water and supply the water to the agent compartment through an outlet port. The agent compartment may be configured to receive an agent, such as a detergent or additive, in liquid or powder form. The outlet port may be in fluid communication with the bottom of the agent compartment to supply the water to the bottom of the agent compartment whereby the water supplied to the agent compartment mixes with the agent in the agent compartment substantially from the bottom up.

Abstract: A filter assembly for a vacuum cleaner comprises a filter carrier and a filter element. The filter carrier has a curved rear surface and a pair of protrusion for mounting the filter carrier to the vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: A carpet cleaning composition including a fungicide to prevent the growth of fungi on a carpeted surface during an extraction process, particularly during a dry-down period after extraction process wherein residual carpet cleaning solution remains on the carpeted surface. The fungicide is active while the composition is in the liquid state and becomes inactive and friable when the composition is dry. The fungicide bonds to a film that is formed on the carpet fibers to prevent fungi growth on the film. A method of extraction carpet cleaning comprises the steps of depositing the carpet cleaning composition on the carpet, extracting a portion of the cleaning composition with suction leaving on at least some of the carpet fibers an aqueous film that includes the fungicide, and drying the film.

Abstract: An adapter comprises a first adapter interface configured to removably couple to a consumer electronic device to permit communication of a first electrical service between the adapter and the device, a second adapter interface configured to removably couple to an appliance to permit communication of a second electrical service between the transformative adapter and the appliance, and at least one transformation component in communication with the first adapter interface and the second adapter interface and transforming one of the first electrical service and the second electrical service into the other when the adapter is mechanically coupled with at least one of the appliance and the consumer electronic device. The first and second electrical services can be a power or data service, and one of the services can comprise a wireless service.

Abstract: An automatic dishwasher having multiple spray nozzles located in the corner of a utensil rack in which case the wash liquid is sequentially sprayed from the corner spray nozzles.

Abstract: A modular system comprises multiple hosts, each having a common service interface, multiple consumer electronic devices, each having a service interface that is different from each other and from the common service interface of the hosts, and multiple adapters, each corresponding to one of the consumer electronic devices, to couple the service interfaces of the host and the corresponding consumer electronic device to supply at least one service between the host and the corresponding consumer electronic device.

Abstract: A method for the production of expanded polymeric materials; in particular for producing thermally insulating materials used in refrigerators. The method comprising the steps of providing a mixture of reagents based on isocyanate and polyol with the addition of expandable polystyrene-based microspheres, in which method the ratio by weight between the reagents and the expandable microspheres is between, about 7:1 and about 1:2.

Abstract: An upright extraction cleaning machine for cleaning a surface comprises a base assembly having a housing having at least one side wall and a rear wall extending toward the surface. A source of heated air is enclosed within the base assembly and the heated air is dischargeable through a bottom of the base assembly to the surface. At least one side wall skirt extends from the at least one side wall toward the surface, and a rear wall skirt extends from the rear wall toward the surface. The at least one side wall skirt and the rear wall skirt define an enclosed space beneath the base assembly for retaining heated air discharged from the base assembly against the surface.

Abstract: A mirror assembly includes a reflective element assembly providing a reflective view, a base mounted to a motor vehicle, a support arm assembly having a first end attached to the base for movement between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration, and a second end mounted to the reflective element assembly, a detent assembly interposed between the first end of the support arm assembly and the base, and a pivot assembly associated with the detent assembly and adapted for manual and motorized movement of the support arm assembly between the folded configuration and the unfolded configuration. The detent assembly includes an actuator plate and a detent plate, the actuator plate having a first series of detent structures and the detent plate having a second series of detent structures complementary to the first series of detent structures for nested engagement of the actuator plate and the detent plate.

Abstract: A method for monitoring and/or controlling a die casting operation using the rate of coolant flow through cooling lines of a die and the amount of heat being removed from the die by the cooling lines.

Abstract: A fabric treatment appliance, such as a washing machine, comprises at least one of a tub and drum configured to hold a fabric load. A method of operating the fabric treatment appliance comprises heating the fabric load and, after heating the fabric load, sanitizing the fabric load by heating the fabric load with steam.