Abstract: A dissolvable sheet having a water-soluble substrate, and one or more cleaning actives disposed uniformly throughout the water-soluble substrate. The water-soluble substrate is formed from a first substrate builder comprising polyvinyl alcohol, a second substrate builder, such as starch, and sodium laurylglucosides hydroxypropylsulfonate, and is sized and shaped to form a sheet, and hold a premeasured amount of the cleaning active. The substrate dissolves when contacted with a sufficient amount of water, thereby releasing the cleaning active into the water, which also dissolves in the water. A method of making the dissolvable sheet is also disclosed.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus is provided with a fluid delivery system for delivering a cleaning fluid to the surface to be cleaned. The fluid delivery system includes one or more fluid supply tanks for storing a supply of cleaning fluid, a fluid distributor for applying the cleaning fluid to the surface to be cleaned, and a fluid supply conduit for delivering the cleaning fluid from the fluid supply tank to the fluid distributor.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for conducting business over a network utilizing a graphical user interface. Initially, a request indicating a primary product or service is received utilizing a network. In response to the request, the primary product or service is displayed on a graphical user interface utilizing the network. Further in response to the request, at least one secondary product or service associated with the primary product or service is displayed utilizing the network. As such, a user may conveniently select the at least one secondary product or service utilizing the network. In one embodiment, the secondary products or services are intended to be used with the primary product or service.

Abstract: A sweeper comprising a housing, at least one drawer, and at least one brush rotatably mounted to the housing for sweeping debris into the drawer. The housing forms an opening for removably mounting the drawer for movement between an open and a closed position. The sweeper is rollably supported on wheels which drive the brush. The sweeper incorporates modular features which allow the sweeper to be assembled without the use of tools.

Abstract: The invention relates to a water extraction cleaning machine having a variable solution mixing valve adapted to create cleaning solution mixtures of variable constituent ratios. Clean water and detergent are provided from tanks supported on the water extraction cleaning machines. The size of the detergent inlet opening can be altered through rotation of a control knob provided on the outside of the water extraction cleaning machine. The knob is interconnected to at least one member which is adapted to vary the size of one of the detergent fluid inlet and the clean water inlet so that the ratio of constituent elements can be altered depending upon the cleaning application.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to an improved vacuum cleaner comprising a foot, a handle pivotally mounted to the foot, and a vacuum motor mounted to one of the handle and the foot. The foot has a suction inlet fluidly connected to the vacuum motor and an agitator brush rotatably mounted to the foot. The improvement relates to a wheel assembly comprising a housing, an axle mounted to the housing and at least one wheel rotatably mounted to the axle. The housing has an integrally-molded flange extending therefrom. The wheel assembly rollably supports the vacuum cleaner on a floor surface. A channel is formed in the foot and is adapted to pivotably mount the housing flange for movement between a first and a second position. In the first position, the wheel assembly supports the suction inlet at a first distance relative to the floor surface. In the second position, the wheel assembly supports the suction inlet at a second distance therefrom.

Abstract: An upright water extraction cleaning machine having an assembly of tanks efficiently stored on and interconnected to the machine is shown. The tank assembly has at least two tanks nested with one another and having one-way valve mechanisms on the bottom thereof. The two tanks are slidably mounted to one another and the tank assembly is slidably mounted and operatively connected to the machine. With this structure, the user can quickly and easily remove and refill the tanks and continue operation of the machine with a minimum amount of interruption and delay.

Abstract: A solution dispensing bottle assembly adapted for snap-locking to a water extraction cleaning machine is shown. The bottle assembly includes a bottle having a tapered neck with an adapter telescopically mounted on the tapered neck. The adapter includes a pair of flexible flanges having apertures provided thereon. In mounting the bottle assembly to a known water extraction cleaning machine, the flexible flanges receive inwardly extending lugs provided on the machine in a snap-fit interlocking manner. The bottle is quickly removed from the machine by squeezing the flexible flanges inwardly a sufficient distance to remove the opposed lugs from the flange apertures and then sliding the bottle assembly away from the lugs.

Abstract: A water extraction cleaner comprises a system for delivering clean solution to a surface to be cleaned, a system for extracting dirty solution and air from such a surface, and a housing supporting the delivery system and the extraction system. The housing defines a recess for receiving a pair of tanks, an upright front surface of the recess being complementary to upright rear surfaces of the tanks. The housing is also provided with a pivot surface spaced from the upright surface of the recess and engageable by lower end portions, the pivot surface being formed and disposed to hold the upright surfaces of the tanks in snug engagement with the upright recess surface. Each of the tanks may be mounted on the housing by tilting the tank to insert the lower end portion thereof into the recess and then rotating the tank to an upright position about the pivot surface.

Abstract: A window washing accessory cleaning tool adapted for use with a water extraction cleaning machine has a solution spray nozzle integrated therewith and a combination suction and scrubbing head rotatably mounted with respect to the solution spray nozzle. The cleaning solution spray nozzle is provided on one side of a dual conduit support member and a head is rotatably mounted to the dual conduit support member. A foam applicator/scrub pad is provided along one end of the head and a suction nozzle opening defined by a squeegee blade and a rigid flange are provided one the other side of the head. With this structure, the applicator/scrub pad and suction nozzle can be rotated with respect to the cleaning solution spray nozzles, thereby making the accessory cleaning tool adaptable for a wide variety of cleaning operations. Preferably, the window washing accessory cleaning tool is removably mounted to the end of the flexible hose.

Abstract: Spray nozzles are frequently used for distributing pressurized fluid onto a surface to be cleaned. The spray nozzle according to the invention is ideally suited for use with a water extraction cleaning machine and for distributing a fan-shaped spray pattern onto the surface to be cleaned. The spray nozzle includes a nozzle body with a fluid flow path extending therethrough. An arcuate deflector plate is provided a spaced distance from the outlet of the fluid flow path. A pinpoint spray of pressurized cleaning solution is directed onto the downwardly and outwardly extending concave deflector surface for creating a fan-shaped spray pattern. The contour of the concave deflector surface can comprise a variety of concave surfaces such as a cylindrical surface, a parabolic surface and a hyperbolic surface. The incorporation of a concave deflector surface is ideally suited for containing and controlling the spray pattern for increasing fluid flow rates and pressures.

Abstract: The invention comprises a cleaning apparatus having interchangeable cleaning solution supply reservoirs, a fluid pump, a vacuum fan, and a removable recovery tank, all cooperatively arranged in a housing of a unique compact design. The cleaning apparatus also includes a hose having separate hand tools which can be adapted for use on appropriate surfaces. Because different cleaning applications require a different cleaning solution to be supplied through the cleaning solution supply reservoir, each interchangeable cleaning solution bottle contains a cleaning solution appropriate for a particular cleaning application. The supply bottles can be quickly and easily changed so that the user may conveniently and efficiently switch between various cleaning applications. This process has the advantage that unused cleaning solution does not need to be disposed of or stored when switching to a cleaning application that requires a different cleaning solution.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner for cleaning a surface is disclosed. The vacuum cleaner comprises a main housing including a tank chamber, a motor-blower assembly for creating a vacuum, a recovery tank disposed within the tank chamber for storing contaminated liquid, a supply tank for providing cleaning liquid, a hose assembly and a fluid pump. The fluid pump pumps fluid from the supply tank onto a surface to be cleaned. The vacuum pump creates a vacuum across the recovery tank assembly and hose assembly to vacuum up dispensed cleaning fluid into the recovery tank assembly. Preferably, the supply tank may be a flexible bladder disposed within the recovery tank. The flexible bladder contracts as liquid is dispensed so that the volume for storing contaminated liquid within the recovery tank assembly increases. Preferably, the recovery tank may be removed from the main housing and a vacuum bag is fluidly connected between the hose assembly and the motor-blower assembly for dry vacuuming.

Abstract: A multi-use cleaning machine capable of use as an upright machine or as a detachable cleaning module is disclosed. A detachable cleaning module is selectively mounted to the foot and support member of an upright machine. The cleaning module includes the motor, motor-driven fan, dirt receptacle, and hose. The machine may be operated as an upright cleaning machine or, alternatively, the module can be separated from the foot and support member and may be used independently of and at a great distance from the foot and support member for a wide variety of cleaning purposes. The machine may be a vacuum cleaning machine or a water extraction cleaning machine.