Abstract: A method and an apparatus for removing foreign particles such as dust from an object of complex shape is disclosed. An object is placed in an enclosed chamber and agitated by mechanical vibration means and by pulsed air jets while rotating, all to separate the dust particles from that object. Periodic injection of compressed air causes the dust particles to be suspended in that air and subsequently removed when the air is aspirated. The method and an apparatus can be used in combination with a household vacuum cleaner for cleaning of large household items such as clothing, pillows, linens, etc. In industrial use, the method of invention can be used for cleaning of electronic components from foreign particles.

Abstract: A portable surface cleaning apparatus has a base for movement along a surface to be cleaned and an upright handle pivotally attached to a rearward portion of the base. A fluid dispensing nozzle for applying fluid to the surface and a suction nozzle for picking up fluid and debris from the surface are associated with the base. A clean water holding tank and a detergent holding tank are removably mounted to the handle while a recovery tank is removably mounted to the base. A mixing valve is fluidly connected between the holding tanks and the spray nozzle for changing the mixing ratio of the detergent with respect to the water. The fluid recovery tank includes an integrally molded conduit that extends from the suction nozzle and a mounting for an accessory hose that interrupts the fluid path from the suction nozzle in the conduit and redirects fluid flow through the hose.

Abstract: A wet cleaning apparatus having at least one outlet is provided. The apparatus has an intake fitting, for a suction air stream, which opens out into a liquid container. An upper housing part is disposed on the liquid container and has disposed therein a motor about which at least part of which flows a coolant air flow. At least one turbulence chamber is provided in which the suction air stream and the coolant air flow meet one another at an angle.

Abstract: A dust-collecting device for a vacuum cleaner comprising a dust-collecting case which is fitted into a suction path extending from a suction nozzle to a motor fan and from which accumulated dust can be discharged by opening a bottom lid of the dust-collecting case, and a cylindrical filter fitted into the dust-collecting case. The filter is arranged to be rotatable, a spiral rib is formed at an outer periphery of the filter, and the device is equipped with a rotating means for rotating the filter. Dust which cannot be discharge by its own weight since it is in a compressed state can be pushed out through the spiral rib formed on the outer periphery of the filter by rotating the filter, so that dust accumulated within the dust-collecting case in a compressed state can be easily discharged.

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 fluid recovery chamber for holding recovered fluid and housing the flexible bladder, and a fluid passageway between the fluid supply chamber and the recovery chamber, whereby the recovery chamber is in fluid 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.

Abstract: An air curtain system for forming an air curtain dividing two processing spaces and for spraying air on to a substrate to remove any impurities remaining on the substrate includes an air supplier, a main body having an air inlet passage for receiving air from the air supplier, an air flow space defined within the main body and communicating with the inlet passage, and a slit extending from the air flow space to spray the air on the substrate, and a substantially strip-shaped rectifying lattice provided with a plurality of openings located at an equal distance from each other. The lattice is positioned within the air flow space.

Abstract: Floor care apparatus is disclosed wherein a powered brush assembly having a multiplicity of rotary brushes is suspended within the apparatus such that the brush assembly floats freely upon the surface being cleaned without supporting any of the machine's weight. The rotary brushes are generally configured as spur gears and function in a gear train wherein one brush drives all other gear brushes in the system. Axially projecting brush bristles are embedded in each gear tooth such that there is no unbrushed area between adjacent brushes in the brush line. The portion of the gear tooth wherein the bristles are embedded includes a recessed profile to allow for circumferential expansion of the tooth, upon insertion of the brush bristles, thereby preventing gear tooth interference. The brush assembly is particularly suitable for hot water carpet extractors of the upright design.

Abstract: A handheld liquid extraction cleaner according to the invention comprises a cleaner housing including a forward end, a rearward end, and a top portion and a bottom portion extending between the forward and rearward ends, and a handle for manually manipulating the extraction cleaner. A handheld cleaner and storage base according to the invention include a handheld cleaner comprising a cleaner housing including a forward end, a rearward end, a top portion and a bottom portion extending between the forward and rearward ends, sides extending between the top and bottom portions, and a handle for manually manipulating the extraction cleaner; and a storage base including a base portion and a holding portion disposed generally at a right angle to one another.

Abstract: An improved system for cleaning vertical walls includes a vacuum source to adhere the system to the vertical wall. The vacuum source removes fluid and removed material from the wall, and also adheres the system to the wall. A rotating fluid jet is positioned radially inwardly of the vacuum source and impinges high pressurized fluid off of the surface to be cleaned to remove material. In a preferred embodiment, a central portion mounts both the fluid source and the vacuum source. A base portion mounts motors for driving the system along the wall. The base portion rotates relative to the central portion such that the central portion does not move as the base portion turns on the wall to drive the system along the wall. In a further feature, an additional air flow system is provided to provide supplemental air flow to assist the vacuum when moving the fluid and removed material. In addition, a second embodiment of a seal for contacting the surface to be cleaned includes a plurality of brush bristles.

Abstract: A high pressure gas cleaning purge cleaning silicon oxide dust deposits from inside a dry vacuum pump while installed on a crystal grower. The high pressure gas cleaning purge is performed before or after each crystal is grown. The high pressure gas flow is injected into the inlet of the dry vacuum pump and repeatedly turned on and off to create differing turbulent flow patterns within the pump. The differing turbulent flow patterns effectively remove substantial quantities of the silicon oxide dust deposited in the pump during crystal growing.

Abstract: An apparatus for drying wet roadway surfaces, and more particularly, paved race tracks. The drying device has a rectangular, box-shaped housing with first and second chambers. The first or leading chamber has a first drip pan for collecting water. At least one brush is rotatably mounted in the first chamber such that the longitudinal axis of the brush is oriented transversely to the device's direction of travel when removing water. The brush is adapted to contact the surface so as to collect water in the brush as the brush rotates. The brush is also adapted to contact the first drip pan so as to dislodge the collected water in the brush and deposit the water into the drip pan. First and second squeegees are mounted respectively to the first and second chambers for diverting water away from the surface over which the apparatus is traversing. Finally, a blower is mounted atop the housing for forcing air into the second chamber for evaporating water on the surface not already collected by the brush.

Abstract: A rain-gutter cleaning system has an agitator head that is mounted to the top end of a long suction tube and pole and supported aloft by them. A vacuum pump on the ground is connected to bring rain-gutter debris down the suction tube and into a collection bag. The agitator head includes rotating paddles that tear and break up tangles and clogs encountered in a rain gutter and has a rotating auger screw inside that helps direct the loosened debris down the throat of the suction tube. A camera mounted atop the agitator head allows an operator on the ground below to see the inside of the rain gutter on a small monitor screen.

Abstract: A contained instrument cleaner including a housing having an enclosed chamber and an opening sized to insert an instrument. A rigid member having an abrading surface is supported inside the chamber for cleaning debris from an instrument. The device includes a vacuum channel opened to the chamber and coupleable to a vacuum source for removing debris. A method for cleaning an instrument including the steps of inserting an instrument into an enclosed chamber and rubbing the instrument against an abrading member in the enclosed chamber for removing debris. A vacuum is supplied in the enclosed chamber for collecting debris.

Abstract: In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for storing and dispensing a vacuum hose of a central vacuum system. The apparatus comprises a base frame, a basket pivotally mounted on a thrust bearing affixed to the base frame, and a conduit rigidly held above the basket relative to the base frame and extending along the pivotal axis of the basket. When a vacuum hose is inserted downward inside the conduit and into the basket, the weight and resiliency of the hose causes the basket to rotate for coiling the hose therein without twisting it. The hose is thereby neatly stowable between uses. In another aspect, the base frame and the basket are installed beneath the floor of a house and the conduit extends upwardly into a wall cabinet above the main floor of the house and near a vacuum inlet socket of the central vacuum system.

Abstract: A mobile cleaning system in which an extraction blower is driven by a hydraulic circuit including a pump driven by the engine of the transport vehicle and a motor connected to the blower. The improvement comprises a heat exchanger for transferring heat from the hydraulic circuit to liquid extracted by the vacuum created by the blower.

Abstract: A lightweight ballast frame with a metal rim spanned by one or more metal mullions is loosely anchored at several points to a flexible screen mesh covering a vent formed in an enclosure defining a collection chamber and providing an escape portal for the exhaust airstream which has deposited entrained debris in the chamber. The ballast frame resists outward ballooning of the flexible screen caused by the airstream, and promotes scavenging of debris adhering to the interior of the flexible screen.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner has a removable bottom cannister that receives the refuse of the cleaning process. The bottom cannister is fitted with a plate forming an air channel along a portion of the interior side wall of the cannister. When air flows across the top of the air channel, as from cyclonic motion, suction occurs that is used to draw down a liner, or removable bag, against the inside of the cannister and thereby to prevent the liner from floating up and being drawn into the outlet, which would block the operation of the vacuum cleaner. The liner is positioned to receive the refuse and is desirable for reasons of convenience and hygiene during the process of emptying the cannister. In addition, the air channel can be fitted with a clip to aid in the insallation of the liner. The cannister can also be fitted with an interior hood or cone to optimize the flow of air across the top of the air channel.

Abstract: A track assembly allows the placement of a pair of web cleaning devices on either side of a paper web moving upwardly through the floor of a press. The track assembly facilitates mounting and rapid removal of web cleaning buffs from beneath a press. A docking plate is installed on the operator side of the press, and a pivotally mounted flip plate is installed on the drive side of the press. A pair of tracks are mounted on either side of the web slot and extend between the docking plate and the flip plate. The tracks inter-fit with the docking plate and are clamped to the flip plate. A removable ramp can be temporarily attached to the drive side of the tracks to allow the cleaning assemblies to be moved up the ramp and positioned on each of the tracks.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner module including a vacuum blower head and a support assembly for positioning in an opening defined between a movable window and a corresponding window sill of a building. The support assembly mounts the blower head outside the building adjacent to the movable window and the window sill when the support assembly is positioned in the opening. Some embodiments of the vacuum cleaner further include a cyclone separator and silencer which communicates with the fan outlet of the vacuum blower head for reducing emission of dust and noise from the vacuum blower head. Other embodiments of the vacuum cleaner module further include a muffler for attenuating suction noise generated by the vacuum blower head.

Abstract: A backpack vacuum cleaner comprising a housing with a compartment for a filter bag, a connection branch for a suction hose, a hip strap to be applied around the hips of the bearer and a pair of shoulder straps. In order to only limit as little as possible the freedom of movement of the bearer with respect to the upper part of his body and arms when using the vacuum cleaner, and at the same time to provide a vacuum cleaner with a comparatively big filter bag and a subsequent big cleaning capacity, the housing is divided in two, the two parts being connected with a flexible connection allowing a tilting movement between the two parts, the hip strap being fastened to the lower part and the shoulder straps being mutually interconnected with an equalizing device for equalizing differences in tension between the two straps.