Abstract: An air wiper for an automobile is disposed near a viewing surface on which adhering substances are to be removed, and is provided with an air jet section having at least one air jet port. Air is discharged toward the surface and the adhered substances on the viewing surface are removed. The air jet port can be moved in a pivoting or rotating manner so that the air can be jetted over substantially the whole surface of part.

Abstract: A collection container (40) for matter picked up by a suction cleaner comprises a generally cylindrical body (45) into which an inlet tube (46) extends upwardly from the base (43) thereof. To enable the collection container to be adapted for the collection of either liquids or solids entrained in air flow induced through the inlet tube (46), two interchangeable separator units (60, 70) are provided. Separator unit (60), for use in the wet mode, comprises a tube (61) which forms an extension of the suction tube (46), with a baffle wall (64) over the open mouth thereof, and additionally an oblique annular baffle plate (66) may be provided in the vicinity of the junction between the two tubes (46, 61). The separator unit (70), for use in the dry mode, comprises a mounting ring (72) carrying a tubular filter element (71), the lower end of which is closed by a baffle plate (73) which registers with the open end of the inlet tube (46) in spaced relation thereto.

Abstract: In order to further develop a cleaning device comprising a cleaning liquid tank and a dirty liquid tank as well as a pump in flow communication with the cleaning liquid tank for spraying a surface to be cleaned and a suction unit for receiving the sprayed cleaning liquid and transferring it into the dirty liquid tank in such a manner that it is more service-friendly and less noisy it is suggested that the pump and the suction unit be held in a separate housing which can be introduced into a frame of the cleaning device in the form of an insert.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transporting a flow of air and particulates through a vacuum cleaner. The apparatus can include an airflow propulsion device that draws the flow through an intake aperture and propels the flow through two upwardly-extending conduits toward a filter element housed in a filter housing. The conduits can have generally smooth internal walls and a combined flow area less than the flow area of the intake aperture to accelerate the flow upwardly toward the filter element.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner for removing dirt and debris from a floor covering includes a motor that generates a low pressure input air stream and a high pressure output air stream. An inlet directs the input stream such that dirt and debris are drawn into the inlet. The inlet is fluidly connected to a dustbin and filter that removes the dirt and debris from the input stream. Next, the motor converts the low pressure input stream into the high pressure output stream. An output disposed adjacent to the inlet directs the output stream onto the floor covering. The output stream agitates the dirt and debris in the floor covering such that a conventional rolling agitator is unnecessary. Therefore, the vacuum cleaner constructed in accordance with present invention can use a smaller motor, thereby making such vacuum cleaner lighter and quieter to use.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner wherein a hose, a pipe and a suction nozzle, which are connected to a vacuum cleaner main body incorporating therein a motor fan, are formed with a suction air passage as well as an exhaust air passage for making air exhausted from the motor fan circumfluently flow. The pipe is composed of an inner cylindrical portion having a substantially circular section and forming the suction air passage, and an outer cylindrical portion a part of which is uniformly formed with the inner cylindrical portion and which covers the inner cylindrical portion to form the exhaust air passage. There can be achieved for a light-weighted and slim-sized arrangement of the pipe through which the suction air passage and the exhaust air passage extends without the fear of dust plugging, and a vacuum cleaner of exhaust circumfluently flowing type can be easily put into to practice.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for particulate containment and collection are disclosed. In one aspect of the invention, an apparatus includes a shroud attachable to the floor machine and having a skirt portion positionable proximate a work surface to define an at least partially enclosed chamber therebetween, an intake member attached to the shroud and positioned proximate the chamber, the intake member having an intake aperture positionable proximate the work surface and in fluid communication with the chamber; and a vacuum duct having a first end fluidly coupled to the intake member and a second end coupleable to a vacuum source. The containment chamber confines at least some of the particulates produced by the floor machine, thereby improving the effectiveness of the vacuum source. The shroud may be removably attachable to the floor machine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing coatings from all surfaces of a deck tiedown on a marine vessel (ships) using an ultra high pressure waterjetting and a vacuum attachment to contain the effluent water and debris. A rotating ultra high pressure nozzle designed to clean all areas of the tiedown by being manipulated in multiple directions and elevations is enclosed in a pressure receiver that seals to the deck surface. All removed coatings, paint, rust, and deposits are removed to a remote vacuum recovery system. This method cleans all areas of the tiedown with no damage to the substrate and provides a superior surface for the application of coatings with no detrimental effects to surrounding deck areas and eliminating foreign object damage to surrounding equipment.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner suction nozzle is provided with inner front and rear ducts and a duct cover piece disposed within the agitator chamber. This chamber is formed by a tunnel piece that is at least partly user observable from above the nozzle. The nozzle includes a hood piece which melds with its underbody at, at least, a portion of their juncture. This is occasioned by an offset in their underbody.

Abstract: A portable surface cleaning apparatus including a base module for movement along a surface, an upright handle pivotally attached to the base module, a liquid dispensing system including a flexible bladder defining a fluid supply chamber for holding a supply of cleaning fluid, a fluid recovery system including a tank on the base module having a chamber for holding recovered fluid and housing the flexible bladder, and a passageway between the fluid supply chamber and the recovery chamber, whereby the recovery chamber is in communication with the fluid supply chamber and the pressure in the flexible bladder is equalized with the pressure in the tank as the cleaning fluid is dispensed from the supply chamber and the dirty liquid is collected in the recovery chamber. In a further embodiment the tank has an outlet opening in a bottom portion thereof and a drain plug is removably mounted in the outlet opening.

Abstract: A large-scale cleaning vehicle, for operation with a forklift, includes rotation brushes for sweeping debris toward a center of said cleaning vehicle, a sweeping brush for sweeping the debris into a debris collection box and a fan for pulling said debris into said debris collection box without the need for a motor in the cleaning vehicle. Each of the rotation brushes, the sweeping brush, and the fan are rotatably connected to a rear wheel of the cleaning vehicle such that when the cleaning vehicle is moved, the brushes and fan are rotated. The cleaning vehicle further includes a vertical adjustment for the rotation brushes to lift them when they are not needed, a lateral adjustment for the rotation brushes to adjust a width of sweeping, an audible warning for pedestrians, a water sprinkler system to aid in the cleaning process, and a large-scale trash removal brush mounted in front of the cleaning vehicle to push large-scale trash.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a receptacle with an interior, a motor assembly that draws air from the interior of the receptacle, an inlet on the receptacle wherein the inlet receives vacuumed material, and an opening on the receptacle in air flow communication with the interior of the receptacle. The vacuum cleaner also includes a dust pan that opens and closes the opening. The dust pan may be used for collecting large and small debris, liquids, and any other objects that cannot or should not enter the inlet.

Abstract: A tubular plastic handle for a steam cleaning machine with a T-shaped hollow member to which is integrally attached a hollow outrigger supported on hollow posts. The posts provide an integral cord wrap and the outrigger improves flexural rigidity. The hollow member also includes an aperture further improving flexural rigidity through which a linkage controlling the angle of the handle may be accessed.

Abstract: A device for removing excess grease from a cooking utensil includes a hollow housing having a vacuum assembly received therein. The housing includes a nozzle tapered towards a vacuum tip that is in communication with an interior storage reservoir. A drain port in communication with the reservoir is disposed on a side of the housing allowing a user to easily drain the reservoir. A second embodiment includes a motor driven belt, a portion of which protrudes from the vacuum tip for absorbing grease.

Abstract: At an interior portion of a suction nozzle body, an impeller and a brush member are installed. The impeller is rotated in response to an air flow produced by a suction force and a brush or a blade member is mounted in a spiral shape along the whole impeller or a part of the impeller and contacts a surface to be subjected to cleaning. The rotary brush rotates integrally with the impeller on the same shaft and no partition wall is provided between the impeller and the rotary brush. A suction nozzle body having a small size, and which is of light weight and provides for silent operation, and a vacuum cleaner using the same, can be provided.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner including a nozzle base comprising a primary suction opening and a suction source. A dust cup assembly is releasably secured to the nozzle base. The dust cup assembly comprises a first inlet and a door positioned adjacent the inlet to selectively open and close the inlet. A rotatable brushroll assembly is positioned adjacent the primary suction opening. A three position control assembly is located on the nozzle base. The control assembly comprises a selector switch and a slide bar. Movement of the selector switch to first and second positions moves the slide bar out of engagement with a finger extending from the door allowing the door to open due to suction air. Movement of the selector switch to a third position moves the slide bar into engagement with the finger to prevent the door from opening due to suction air.

Abstract: A cleaning device for cleaning a screen plate used in a screen printing is disclosed. The cleaning device comprises a base structure which can be placed just below the screen plate. A press member, such as a cleaning blade or cleaning roller is carried on the base structure. The press member has a contact portion which contacts a lower surface of the screen plate to scrape off any foreign things from the lower surface when the base structure is moved in a direction parallel with a major surface of the screen plate. In some embodiments, a cleaning paper wet with a solvent is intimately put between the contact portion of the press member and the lower surface of the screen plate to promote the cleaning effect.

Abstract: A debris suctioning and separating apparatus for use in a surface sweeping vehicle having an elongate cylindrically-shaped rotating sweeping broom, a debris receiving and retaining hopper, and a debris conveying mechanism to receive debris from said rotating sweeping broom and convey it to said hopper, comprises a debris separator that is mounted on the surface sweeping vehicle exteriorly to the hopper and has an air inlet for receiving debrisladen air into the debris separator, an air outlet for exhausting separated air from the debris separator, and a debris release outlet for selectively releasing separated debris from the debris separator. A fan is operatively mounted at the air outlet of the debris separator, to draw the debris-laden air through the air inlet and into the debris separator, and to exhaust the separated air from the debris separator to ambient surroundings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrostatic air blower which is preferably intended for use in cleaning optofibers without risking the contamination of said fibers with, e.g., metal particles that may have been loosened from electrodes used in a cleaning process. The ends of optofibers can be cleaned simply and reliably prior to welding said ends together, with the aid of said electrostatic air blower. The electrostatic air blower includes two ceramic plasma caoons (11, 12) which face towards one another at a given distance apart. Each plasma cannon includes a ceramic tube which houses an electrode. Repeated discharges between the electrodes in the tubes causes pressure waves to be generated in the air present between the tube orifices.

Abstract: A hood with a depending side wall has vacuum passages formed in the inner surface thereof. An inner shroud positioned internally of the hood cooperates therewith in forming the vacuum passages and has a lower edge elevated above the surface to be cleaned. A foramenous skirt depends from the lower edge of the hood sidewall to contact the surface to be cleaned. The vacuum passages are connected to a source of vacuum. A rotating spray assembly inside the shroud sprays cleaning liquid onto the surface to be cleaned.