Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a system for cleaning a restroom includes a pump for pressurizing a fluid, and a spray device in fluid communication with the pump. The spray device has a nozzle for discharging a stream of the fluid. The system also includes a stand for supporting the spray device within an enclosure of the restroom while the spray device discharges the stream at an interior surface of the enclosure, and a cover for suspending the spray device in a holding tank of the restroom while the spray device discharges the stream at an interior surface of the holding tank.

Abstract: The present invention provides a metal brightener and surface cleaner, which provides significant etching of aluminum and other metals, without detrimentally affecting other surfaces such as painted surfaces, glass, rubber and plastic. The inventive composition is especially suited for aluminum brightening for large vehicles, and may be utilized in an alkaline step of a multi-step vehicle wash. One of the exemplary compositions includes an alkali metal hydroxide; a polycarboxylic acid; an alkali metal salt of an organic acid; a first, amphoteric surfactant; a second, betaine surfactant; and a third, nonionic surfactant.

Abstract: A fluid mixing and blending system employs a fluid mixing passage having two or more discrete, individually controllable mixing elements located along the mixing passage. The use of a single mixing passage with multiple mixing elements, such as venturis, assures consistent and precise mixing, with a system which is economical to produce.

Abstract: The present invention provides a metal brightener and surface cleaner, which provides significant etching of aluminum and other metals, without detrimentally affecting other surfaces such as painted surfaces, glass, rubber and plastic. The inventive composition is especially suited for aluminum brightening for large vehicles, and may be utilized in an alkaline step of a multi-step vehicle wash. One of the exemplary compositions includes an alkali metal hydroxide; a polycarboxylic acid; an alkali metal salt of an organic acid; a first, amphoteric surfactant; a second, betain surfactant; and a third, nonionic surfactant.

Abstract: The present invention provides a low pH microemulsion cleaning composition, with methods for making and using the composition. The composition includes a salt of citric acid; at least one anionic surfactant such as a complex alkyl phosphate ester; at least one nonionic surfactant; a hydrotrope; a glycol ether; 5% to 25% by weight of glycolic acid, citric acid or lactic acid; 2% to 20% by weight of d-limonene, dl-limonene, pine oil, lemon oil, orange oil, grapefruit oil, lime oil, or bergamot oil; and water.

Abstract: A storage vessel (1) for liquid substances which are supplied to a consumer is provided with a device for cleaning the connecting pieces (7, 8, 13, 18) when the storage vessel (1) is changed, the storage vessel (1) having a connecting piece (13) provided with a shut-off device (15) and a coupling (16) for connection to a connecting piece (7) provided with a coupling (10) to a pressure gas line (3) with a shut-off device (5). The storage vessel (1) has a connecting piece (18) provided with a shut-off device (19) and a coupling (21) for connecting a discharge line (17) in the storage vessel (1) to a connecting piece (8) provided with a coupling (11) and a shut-off device (6) for supplying the substance subjected to the pressure gas in the vessel (1) to the consumer.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning the interior of a vessel for containing a sanitary product by ejecting a rotating stream of cleaning fluid. The apparatus features a stationary housing that forms an inlet for receiving a flow of cleaning fluid, a rotatable housing mounted for rotation on the stationary housing about a first axis, and a nozzle for ejecting the cleaning fluid, the nozzle being rotatably mounted on the rotatable housing so that the nozzle rotates about a second axis. A planetary gear train is driven by an impeller driven by the flow of cleaning fluid and drives the rotation of the rotatable housing. The planetary gear train is located between the apparatus inlet and the nozzle.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning the interior of a vessel for containing a sanitary product by ejecting a rotating stream of cleaning fluid. The apparatus features a stationary housing that forms an inlet for receiving a flow of cleaning fluid, a rotatable housing mounted for rotation on the stationary housing about a first axis, and a nozzle for ejecting the cleaning fluid, the nozzle being rotatably mounted on the rotatable housing so that the nozzle rotates about a second axis. A planetary gear train is driven by an impeller driven by the flow of cleaning fluid and drives the rotation of the rotatable housing. The planetary gear train is located between the apparatus inlet and the nozzle.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner operates via power supplied from either an on-board battery or an AC power outlet. When the vacuum cleaner is operating by using the battery a controller monitors the voltage level in the battery and automatically shuts down the vacuum cleaner when the battery voltage has decreased below a preset level. This prevents a full drainage of the battery and increases its longevity. The controller that monitors the battery voltage level can be used with batteries of different voltages. The controller automatically determines which type of battery is being used and shuts down power to the vacuum cleaner motor after the appropriate amount of battery drainage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner operable in an on-floor mode and an above-floor mode. The filtration system of the vacuum cleaner is selectively fluidly connected to a brush housing directed toward the floor for the on-floor mode and, in an alternative orientation, selectively fluidly connected to an auxiliary hose for the above-floor mode. The auxiliary hose is stored in its entirety within the hollow tube of an upright handle, the upright handle being pivotally connected to a base of the vacuum cleaner and the hollow tube being removably connected to the pivotal connection for use as a wand in the above-floor mode. The vacuum cleaner includes vacuum and brush motors that are selectively activated in accordance with the position of the upright handle, the vacuum and brush motors being activated the on-floor mode and the vacuum motor alone being activated in the above-floor mode.

Abstract: A device for enhancing removal of liquid from fabric utilizing mechanical and aerodynamic techniques. A base plate contains one or more apertures to which a vacuum is applied for extracting water from the fabric. The total cross-sectional area of the apertures is selected to be that which will increase, and preferably maximize, the extraction power for the vacuum motor with which said base plate is to be utilized. The number and shape of the apertures is selected to reduce the ratio of the total distance along all the perimeters of said apertures to the total cross-sectional area of said apertures in order to reduce boundary layer drag. The cross-sectional area of each of said apertures is selected to be large enough to permit solid contaminants that can be expected to be in the liquid to pass through said apertures without clogging said apertures. Barriers are attached to the bottom of the base plate to force any liquid in the fabric toward the apertures as the base plate is moved across the fabric.

Abstract: A device for enhancing removal of liquid from fabric, such as a vacuum head device for removing liquid from carpet, includes an elongated base plate to be moved across the carpet. The vacuum head has a tapering cross section with a wider upper end and a narrower lower end configured to penetrate into the carpeted surface. In addition, a plurality of apertures are formed in an array in the base plate to withdraw the fluid under a vacuum force. Preferably, the plurality of apertures are sized larger than a width of the lower surface to create a plurality of protrusions extending from the base plate configured to penetrate the carpeted surface.

Abstract: A cleaning device for either carpeted or hard surfaces which utilizes pressurized cleaning fluid to clean the surface. The fluid nozzles are arranged on two or more heads which are in turn mounted on two or more arms. The arms rotate about a common axis causing the heads to move in a circular pattern. The heads rotate about their own central axis. The nozzles are angled relative to the surface being cleaned and preferably rotate towards the direction of the fluid jet. Preferably, at least two of the heads counter-rotate. Also preferably, the heads are arranged at somewhat different radial distances from the rotational axis of the arms so that their coverage patterns partially overlap. The combination of the counter rotation and the overlap provides an alternating, or beating, pattern to the angle of incidence of the fluid on the surface being cleaned.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning the interior of a vessel by ejecting a rotating stream of fluid. The apparatus features a gear train driven by the fluid received by an inlet, a stationary housing, a rotatable housing mounted for rotation on the stationary housing about a first axis, and a nozzle for ejecting the fluid, the nozzle being rotatably mounted on the rotatable housing so that the nozzle rotates about a second axis. A gear train is located between the inlet and the nozzle. In addition, a first gear, which, along with the gear train, drives rotation of the rotatable housing about the first axis, and a second gear, which drives the rotation of the nozzle housing about the second axis, are disposed on opposite sides of the second axis. A deflector deflects fluid running along the input drive shaft away from the gear train housing and a passage drains the deflected fluid to the surrounding environment.

Abstract: A reduced size tank cleaning machine that has an impeller rotated by an inlet stream is disclosed. The impeller turns a shaft connected to a sealed planetary gear train that causes the tank cleaning machine to rotate about an axis, and this rotation causes a set of nozzles to rotate about a second axis. The fluid from the inlet stream exists through a port located between the impeller and the gear train and through the spray nozzles. Thus, the planetary gear train drives the tank cleaning machine about a first axis and a second axis. The design disclosed is preferably constructed so that it can be inserted into an opening that is about three inches (3.00"=76.2 mm) in diameter. Methods of cleaning vessels are also disclosed.

Abstract: A cleaner unit for carpet and upholstery and the like includes an adjustable power control so that electrical power usage can be set in accordance with available circuit capacity. The cleaner unit includes multiple electrical loads such as a vacuum motor, a pump for delivering a cleaning fluid to a cleaning head or tool, and one or more resistance heaters for heating the cleaning fluid, wherein these loads are adapted for plug-in connection by one or more power cords to a standard domestic power circuit. An ammeter permits the current load to be monitored. In the preferred form, the adjustable power control is associated with one of the resistance heaters and permits the heater current load to be variably set according to the available current capacity of the power circuit.

Abstract: A chemical injector valve connected to a source of water under pressure harnesses the venturi effect to entrain liquid chemicals into a water stream and employs a variable size pressure chamber to ensure that the flow rate and quantity of chemicals entrained remains constant even when the pressure of water entering the valve varies widely. An increase in incoming water pressure causes expansion of the variable size pressure chamber and a decrease in incoming water pressure causes contraction of the variable size pressure chamber. A slidably mounted piston is biased toward the variable size pressure chamber so that the size of the pressure chamber does not increase unless the accumulation of water in the chamber exceeds the bias acting on the piston. When the bias is exceeded, a shank of the piston moves toward a piston stop and the flow of water into the valve is throttled.

Abstract: A method for removal of undesirable foreign matter from the interior of existing duct systems. The method comprises the insertion of a plurality of members into a stream of air within the existing duct to loosen the dirt adhering to the duct walls. The members are capable of receiving and holding a static electric charge on their exterior surfaces so that when the members are agitated within the stream of air and against the duct, a static electrical charge is placed thereon. The electrical charge causes a portion of the foreign matter to be attracted to and adhere to the members. The stream of air with the members and loose foreign matter entrained therein is then removed from the duct.