Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for generating and applying a sanitizing liquid. The method includes moving a mobile floor cleaning device along a floor and electrochemically activating a liquid on the mobile floor cleaning device by passing the liquid through a functional generator having first and second electrode chambers that are separated by an ion exchange membrane such that the liquid activated in the first electrode chamber comprises O3 molecules. Substantially all of the liquid activated in the first and second electrode chambers are dispensed from the device within 5 seconds of the time at which the liquids are activated by the functional generator without an intermediate step of storing either of the liquids produced in the first or second electrode chambers. At least some of the dispensed liquid is recovered from the floor with a recovery device carried by the mobile floor cleaning device.

Abstract: A method of operating an electric vehicle including the steps of: (1) providing the electric vehicle (2) providing an electric load device on the electric vehicle (3) providing a first battery on the electric vehicle with a first state of charge (4) providing a second battery on the electric vehicle with a second state of charge lower than the first state of charge (5) determining an initial state of charge of the first battery (6) determining an initial state of charge of the second battery (7) connecting the first battery to the electric load device (8) measuring the current flow from the first battery (9) calculating an instantaneous state of charge of the first battery (10) comparing the instantaneous state of charge of the first battery with the initial state of charge of the second battery, and (11) when the instantaneous state of charge of the first battery reaches a predetermined percentage of the initial state of charge of the second battery, connecting the second battery in parallel with the first b

Abstract: An external filter box for a surface maintenance machine having a hopper with selective communication being provided between the filter box and the hopper to permit dusty air to flow from the hopper to the filter box and to permit dust and debris captured by the filter box to flow into the hopper. In one example, the hopper includes a prefilter assembly which is coupled to an inlet of the filter box during a sweeping operation and which is removed away from the filter box during a hopper dump procedure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for energizing an electrolysis cell receiving a liquid to be electrochemically activated and contacting the liquid with an exposed, conductive tip of a voltage detector. The voltage detector generates a humanly-perceptible indicator as a function of charge movement sensed by the voltage detector through the liquid.

Abstract: A squeegee blade assembly and method of use for a floor surface maintenance machine. A blade/guide subassembly is inserted into a channel of a scrub head prior to operation. During operation, the subassembly is retained with the channel via friction and/or protruding structures. During a blade exchange procedure, the subassembly is retracted from the channel prior to separation of the blade from the guide. Interaction with a protruding structure within the channel signals to an operator that the subassembly has been properly positioned.

Abstract: A cleaning system includes a supply of purified water, a supply of cleaning agent, a mixing junction, and a distributor. The mixing junction is configured to combine a flow of the purified water and a flow of the cleaning agent and output a flow of cleaning liquid comprising the flows of the purified water and the cleaning agent. The distributor includes an output through which the cleaning liquid can be discharged. In a method of cleaning a surface, flows of purified water and cleaning agent are provided. The flow of purified water and the flow of cleaning agent are mixed to form a flow of cleaning liquid. The flow of cleaning liquid is then discharged to the surface.

Abstract: A mobile surface cleaner is provided, which includes a mobile body configured to travel over a surface, a source of a liquid, a liquid dispenser, a flow path from the liquid source to the liquid dispenser, and an electrolyzing sparging device in fluid communication with the flow path.

Abstract: A sanitation device includes a mobile body, a surface cleaning component, and a source of UV radiation. The surface cleaning component and the source of UV radiation are mounted to the mobile body, which is configured to travel over a surface. The surface cleaning component is configured to engage the surface and the source of UV radiation is configured to direct UV radiation to the surface.

Abstract: A cleaning tool generally comprises a hub having a longitudinal axis and a plurality of cleaning members. The cleaning members, formed of a fibrous material, are connected to the hub. In accordance with one embodiment, the cleaning members are distributed along the longitudinal axis. Also disclosed is a floor cleaning machine that includes a mobile body, the cleaning tool and a motor. The mobile body supports the cleaning tool and the motor and is configured to travel over a surface. The motor is configured to drive a rotation of the cleaning hub about the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A method is provided, which includes generating a cleaning liquid by a combination of a sparging process and an electrochemical process that produces an anolyte and a catholye.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for receiving a cleaning liquid having a pH in a range between pH6-pH8 and an oxidation reduction potential (ORP) between ±50 mV. The liquid is converted into an anolyte liquid and a catholyte liquid having respective pHs outside of the range between pH6-pH8 and having respective ORPs outside the range between ±50 mV. The anolyte and catholyte liquids are applied to a surface, wherein the anolyte and catholyte liquids are, for example, in a combined state on the surface and substantially neutralize to a pH between pH6-pH8 and an ORP between ±50 mV within one minute of the time at which the anolyte and catholyte liquids are converted.

Abstract: One embodiment of a cleaning head comprises a frame, a cylindrical member and a fluid output. The cylindrical member is supported by the frame for rotation about a central axis. The cylindrical member comprises a porous and compressible outer cylindrical wall. The fluid output is configured to dispense a liquid to an interior cavity of the cylindrical member. In one embodiment, a motor is not directly coupled to the cylindrical member for driving the rotation of the cylindrical member about the central axis. In accordance with another embodiment, the cleaning head includes an electrolysis cell within the cylindrical member. The electrolysis cell comprises first and second electrodes, each comprising porous layers of conductive material.

Abstract: A method is provided, which includes moving a mobile floor cleaning machine along a floor. Onboard the mobile floor cleaning machine, a liquid is sparged by electrolysis. The sparged liquid is dispensed from the mobile floor cleaning machine.

Abstract: A method is provided, which includes moving a mobile floor cleaning device along a floor; electrochemically activating a liquid on the mobile floor cleaning device, and dispensing the electrochemically activated liquid from the mobile floor cleaning device.

Abstract: A hand-held spray apparatus is provided, which includes a tank for holding a supply of liquid to be treated and a functional generator carried by the hand-held spray apparatus. The functional generator receives the liquid from the tank and has an anode chamber and a cathode chamber separated by an ion exchange membrane and electrochemically activates the liquid that is passed through the functional generator. A spray output is coupled to an output of the functional generator and dispenses the electrochemically activated liquid as an output spray.

Abstract: An electrochemically activated fluid is provided, which has an anolyte and a catholyte. For example, a sparged anolyte and a sparged catholyte are provided. In another example, a combined anolyte and catholyte is provided.

Abstract: A method of operating a sweeping machine, including a battery, a positioning receiver, a battery charge monitoring system and a computer, and having a cleaning and a transport mode of operation The method comprising the steps of: a) providing the computer with the location of a charging station, b) using the positioning receiver to provide the computer with the location of the sweeping machine, c) using the computer to provide an estimate of an amount of energy required to drive the sweeping machine from its location to the charging station in the transport mode, d) using the battery charge monitoring system to provide the computer with the amount of energy remaining in the battery, e) using the computer to compare the estimate with this amount of energy, and f) providing an operator notification when the amount of energy remaining in the battery falls below a predetermined amount of the estimate

Abstract: An electrolysis cell is provided, which includes an anode electrode and a cathode electrode. At least one of the anode electrode or the cathode electrode includes a first plurality of apertures having a first size and/or shape and a second plurality of apertures having a second, different size and/or shape.

Abstract: A cleaning machine having two front wheels and two rear wheels supporting a chassis, the chassis having a central spine, the cleaning machine including a first electrical cell for propelling the cleaning machine, said first electrical cell being positioned between one of the front wheels and one of the rear wheels and outboard of the central spine.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning fabrics, floor coverings, and bare floor surfaces utilizing a soil transfer cleaning medium is disclosed. A method of mechanically removing soil from a surface intended to be cleaned includes the steps of successively and repeatedly: wetting a portion of a cleaning medium with a cleaning liquid; extracting any soil and at least some of the cleaning liquid from the previously wetted portion of the cleaning medium; and wiping the surface intended to be cleaned with the portion of the cleaning medium so as to transfer soil from the surface intended to be cleaned to the cleaning medium. Portable and vehicle-based devices may be utilized to practice the method of cleaning.