Abstract: A method of cleaning and disinfecting a surface comprises producing a diluted cleaning disinfectant solution from a concentrated cleaning disinfectant solution, and contacting the surface with the diluted solution. A concentrated cleaning disinfectant solution is stable at freezing temperatures and comprises antimicrobial acid, surface cleaning acid, solubilizing agent, hydrotrope, and surfactant. The antimicrobial acid comprises a synergistic combination of (i) salicylic acid, derivative of salicylic acid, or a combination thereof, and (ii) gluconic acid, derivative of salicylic acid, or a combination thereof. The surface cleaning acid comprises at least one acid selected from mineral acid, methane sulfonic acid, formic acid, or sulfonic acid having an alkyl group with no greater than three carbon atoms. The surfactant selected from anionic surfactant, non-ionic surfactant, or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: Valve interconnector (1), suitable for use in combination with a receiver interconnector to couple a first hollow body associated to the valve interconnector to a second hollow body associated to the receiver interconnector, wherein the valve interconnector comprises a neck (7) to be secured to the first hollow body, a passageway (77) through the neck to allow fluid communication between the first hollow body and the second hollow body. The valve interconnector further comprises abase cap (8) secured to the neck, a valve assembly (5) secured to the base cap, the valve assembly being configured to assume at least a closed position and at least an open position. The valve interconnector further comprises a sealing ring (3) configured to provide a leakproof connection between the valve interconnector and the receiver interconnector.

Abstract: A system is capable of three-dimensional scanning in an environment containing a protrusion that extends substantially parallel to a floor. The system includes an autonomous vehicle, a planar distance sensor, and a computing device. The autonomous vehicle is configured to be located on the floor and to move across the floor. The planar distance sensor is fixedly mounted to the autonomous vehicle. A field of the planar distance sensor is at a non-parallel angle with respect to the floor when the autonomous vehicle is on the floor. The field of the planar distance sensor impinges on a surface of the protrusion when the autonomous vehicle is on the floor. The computing device is located on the autonomous vehicle and configured to develop a three-dimensional scan of the protrusion as the autonomous vehicle moves across the floor.

Abstract: The use of a C3-C6 N-alkyl-gamma-butyrolactam, e.g. N-butyl-gamma-butyrolactam, to enhance the antimicrobial activity and/or stability of a peroxygen compound (e.g. hydrogen peroxide) in solution, and related compositions and methods. An example antimicrobial composition includes (a) at least one peroxygen compound; (b) at least one C3-C6 N-alkyl-gamma-butyrolactam; and (c) optionally, water, q.s. to 100.

Abstract: A floor cleaning apparatus includes a chassis (138), a cleaning unit (50), and a least one suspension device (139). The cleaning unit (50) is mounted to the chassis (138) with at least one degree of freedom relative to the chassis (138) allowing the cleaning unit (50) to be lifted and lowered relative to the chassis (138). The at least one suspension device (139) is operatively active on the cleaning unit (50) and configured to transmit to the cleaning unit (50) an upwardly directed force.

Abstract: A neutralization cell is provided which may be used to increase a pH level of a chlorine solution. The neutralization cell includes a neutralization anode, a neutralization cathode, an inlet, and an outlet. The neutralization anode and the neutralization cathode are positioned to divide the neutralization cell into a middle area between the neutralization anode and the neutralization cathode, an anode area on a side of the neutralization anode furthest from the neutralization cathode, and a cathode area on a side of the neutralization cathode furthest from the neutralization anode. The inlet directs the chlorine solution into the neutralization cell by directing an incoming flow of the chlorine solution into the anode area. The outlet directs the chlorine solution out of the neutralization cell by directing an outgoing flow of the chlorine solution from the cathode area.

Abstract: A vessel includes a memory and a processor operatively coupled to the memory. The memory is configured to store a vessel identifier. The processor is configured to initiate a timer for a shelf life of a solution placed into the vessel. The processor is also configured to conduct a measurement of the solution using one or more sensors in the vessel. The processor is also configured to compare the measurement to a threshold for the solution. The processor is further configured to activate a solution indicator to indicate that the solution should be discarded responsive to a determination that the shelf life has expired or a determination that the measurement exceeds the threshold.

Abstract: A floor cleaning apparatus (1) is provided including a cleaning assembly (500), a suction unit (10), an inlet channeling unit (20), and an outlet channeling unit (30). The suction unit (10) has a motor (11) and an impeller (12). The inlet channeling unit (20) is in fluid communication with at least one portion of the cleaning assembly (500). The outlet channeling unit (30) connects the suction unit (10) to an exhaust aperture (40). The outlet channeling unit (30) includes a first expansion chamber (31) and at least one intercepting wall (100). The first expansion chamber (31) faces the outlet side of the impeller (12). The at least one intercepting wall (100) comprises a plurality of through holes (101). The intercepting wall (100) operates inside the first expansion chamber (31).

Abstract: A floor cleaning apparatus (1) includes a cleaning unit (50) and a motor assembly (53). The cleaning unit (50) includes a left cleaning disc (51) and a right cleaning disc (52). Each one of the left and right cleaning discs (51, 52) have a respective lower side (51a, 52a) configured to clean the floor and a respective upper side (51b, 52b) opposite the lower side. The motor assembly (53) is configured to operate in rotation the left cleaning disc and the right cleaning disc (51, 52) around a respective axis of rotation (51x, 52x). The cleaning unit (50) includes at least one presser device (54) active on a peripheral portion of the upper side (51b) of the left cleaning disc (51) and on a peripheral portion of the upper side (52b) of the right cleaning disc (52).

Abstract: A floor cleaning apparatus (1) includes at least one cleaning unit (50). The cleaning unit (50) includes a support frame (63), at least one cleaner roller (110), and a first and a second connector (111, 112). The first and a second connector (111, 112) are interposed between the support frame (63) and opposite ends of the cleaner roller (110), in order to rotatably engage the cleaner roller (110) itself with the support frame (63) around a substantially horizontal axis of rotation (X). At least one of the first or the second connector (111, 112) comprises a male component (113) and a female component (114) coupled together in a removable manner.

Abstract: A floor cleaning apparatus (1) has an air suction unit (10) and an outlet channeling unit (30), which connects an outlet side of the suction unit (10) to an exhaust aperture (40). The air outlet channeling unit (30) includes various expansion chambers (31, 32, 34, 39) and respective air compression channels interposed among the expansion chambers. At the first expansion chamber (31) an intercepting wall (100) with through holes (101) may be present.

Abstract: A vessel includes a memory and a processor operatively coupled to the memory. The memory is configured to store a vessel identifier. The processor is configured to initiate a timer for a shelf life of a solution placed into the vessel. The processor is also configured to conduct a measurement of the solution using one or more sensors in the vessel. The processor is also configured to compare the measurement to a threshold for the solution. The processor is further configured to activate a solution indicator to indicate that the solution should be discarded responsive to a determination that the shelf life has expired or a determination that the measurement exceeds the threshold.

Abstract: A synergistic disinfectant composition comprises a C1-8 organic acid, an amino acid based surfactant, an anionic surfactant, and a stabilizing agent. The C1-8 organic acid may include two or more types of the C1-8 organic acids with at least one of the C1-8 organic acids is alpha hydroxyl acid. The disinfectant composition has an antimicrobial activity of log reduction of at least 2 under Biocidal Product Registration (BPR) standard EN13727, EN1276, EN13624 or EN1499, and/or the EPA standard that applies the “Quantitative Methods for Evaluating the Activity of Microbicides used on Hard, Non-Porous Surface” issued by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). In addition, the disinfectant composition may be stable during storage and retain their antimicrobial activity after at least one month at 40° C. When desired, the synergistic disinfectant composition may further comprise an oxidizing agent.

Abstract: Provided is a decontamination apparatus including a base, and a source that emits UVC light at a suitable intensity to at least partially decontaminate a target object and render the target object pathogen reduced. An adjustable support is coupled to the base and includes an adjustment mechanism that can be manipulated to adjust a position of the source relative to the base. A controller is operatively connected to the source to control emission of the UVC light and establish at least one of a suitable duration of a decontamination process and a suitable intensity of UVC light to render the target object pathogen reduced.

Abstract: A synergistic disinfectant composition comprises a C1-8 organic acid, an amino acid based surfactant, an anionic surfactant, and a stabilizing agent. The C1-8 organic acid may include two or more types of the C1-8 organic acids with at least one of the C1-8 organic acids is alpha hydroxyl acid. The disinfectant composition has an antimicrobial activity of log reduction of at least 2 under Biocidal Product Registration (BPR) standard EN13727, EN1276, EN13624 or EN1499, and/or the EPA standard that applies the “Quantitative Methods for Evaluating the Activity of Microbicides used on Hard, Non-Porous Surface” issued by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). In addition, the disinfectant composition may be stable during storage and retain their antimicrobial activity after at least one month at 40° C. When desired, the synergistic disinfectant composition may further comprise an oxidizing agent.

Abstract: A fluid container cap includes a connection structure, a dispensing connector, and a movable restrictor that adjusts flow through the container cap is disclosed. A fluid container cap includes a connection structure, a dispensing connector, a restrictor, and a valve that is movably adjustable to alter fluid flow through the container cap is also disclosed.

Abstract: A hygiene monitoring and management system including a monitoring module and a display. The management module with an input and that receives data via the input. The received data includes one or more locations of a device in a facility, and the management module further includes one or both of software and hardware configured to generate data representative of cleaning behavior associated with the device based on the received data. The cleaning behavior includes timing and movement of the device in the facility, and a cleanliness level of at least one area in the facility.

Abstract: A closing engine including a framework, fluid drivers, and a flow control device. The framework has an inlet that receives a fluid and an outlet that dispenses the fluid. The fluid drivers are supported by the framework and pump fluid toward the outlet. The flow control device is coupled to the framework and is in fluid communication with the inlet, the outlet, and the fluid drivers. The fluid drivers are cooperatively driven by a motive force from fluid flow through the inlet to dispense fluid via the outlet, and to drive the flow control device to distribute diluent to the diluent drivers in a coordinated manner.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a floor includes a housing, wheels by which the apparatus is adapted to move; a motive device for moving the apparatus, a steering mechanism, and a cleaning assembly including a cleaning unit and an offset mechanism adapted to move the cleaning unit to or from an offset position projecting beyond one lateral side of the apparatus. In another embodiment, an apparatus for cleaning a floor includes a housing, wheels by which the apparatus is adapted to move, a motive device for moving the apparatus, a steering mechanism, and a cleaning assembly including a cleaning unit and a swing mechanism indirectly linking the cleaning unit to the steering mechanism such that when the apparatus is in an operative mode, the cleaning unit reorients its position in synchronization with the path of travel of the apparatus. Optionally, a lifting device may raise and lower the cleaning assembly.

Abstract: A non-oxidizing, buffered disinfectant concentrate is provided to be included in a solution used to disinfect a membrane. The solution applied to the membrane is configured to have a pH that is compatible with the membrane. The disinfectant concentrate includes an aqueous solvent; a hydrotrope; a strong acid surface cleanser; a biocidal active, preferably, at least two biocidal actives; a buffer agent; and, optionally, an anionic surfactant. The biodical active may be selected to function both as a biocide and as a weak acid/buffer combination. A disinfectant solution applied to the membrane includes from about 0.1 wt % to about 3.5 wt % of this disinfectant concentrate.