Abstract: Disclosed is a unique and novel air filtrating, self-propelled upright vacuum cleaner. The filtration system utilizes a HEPA-rated air filter as a final filtering element. The disclosed vacuum cleaner contains numerous other features including a self-propelled drive mechanism.

Abstract: A nozzle attachment for a vacuum cleaner. In one embodiment, the nozzle attachment includes a plurality of open-ended tubes, where the tubes are parallel to one another axially and each of the tubes is in contact with at least one other tube side by side so as to form an array of the tubes. The nozzle attachment also has a plurality of bristle members forming a brush, and an adapter having a first end and a second end, an interior chamber extending between the first end and the second end, and a mouth at the second end, the first end connectable to a vacuum source of the vacuum cleaner so as to provide suction and the second end being adapted to receive therein the array of the tubes and the brush through the mouth. The array of the tubes and the brush are positioned in a fixed side by side relationship and the tubes are in flow communication with the vacuum source of the vacuum cleaner through the interior chamber of the adapter.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a main body and a handle, the main body being formed with a nozzle which delivers a stream of dirt-laden air through a dirt duct through a motor-fan inlet, the handle being supported on the motor-fan assembly and housing a filter bag which communicates with the motor-fan assembly for receiving the dirt-laden air, the motor-fan assembly having a motor housing, a motor with commutated brushes which give off carbon dust particles, a motor cooling fan for drawing a cooling airstream and a working fan for drawing the dirt-laden air, the vacuum comprising: an opening formed in the motor housing for receiving the cooling airstream; a cooling outlet formed in the motor housing through which the cooling airstream exists; means for directing the existing cooling airstream into the dirt-laden air; a collar extending axially outwardly from the motor housing, the collar allowing pivotal rotation of the motor housing relative to the main body.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner device for cleaning lint from lint traps of clothes dryers and the like provides the power of full size vacuum cleaners without requiring lifting or maneuvering of a heavy full size machine. The device may be semi-permanently or permanently attached to the left or right sides of a dryer by fasteners including magnetic fasteners. The device may have compartments for a motor and fan unit, for a filter bag and for a vacuum cleaner hose. The relative position of the filter bag and the connection between the vacuum cleaner hose, in relation to the enclosure of the vacuum cleaner device, may be rotated one hundred eighty degrees, by use of a removable connecting partition.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner has an electric motor driving an air impeller for creating a low pressure and a pump which draws liquid material through an inlet tube from the bottom of a tank and expels it from the tank. A priming apparatus is provided for priming the pump impeller. An outlet of the pump is connected to a discharge outlet carried by an upper vacuum assembly. Outlet piping connects the pump outlet to the discharge outlet. A pinch valve selectively closes the outlet piping to allow the priming apparatus to prime the pump. The pump and outlet piping are preferably carried by the upper vacuum assembly to facilitate conversion of the vacuum cleaner between wet and dry pick-up.

Abstract: A three-tank carpet spot cleaning device having a cleaning fluid tank, a rinse water tank, and a recovery tank. In use, a user uses cleaning fluid to spot treat the spot, and then is able to rinse all residue of the cleaning fluid from the carpet using the rinse water.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for cleaning from the outer surface of an endless transport belt the ink, not ejected for printing purposes, of an inkjet printer, said method and apparatus serving for completely removing and collecting the ink adhering to the transport belt, while retaining a high transport belt speed. The method is characterized by the application of a converging compressed-air stream onto the outer surface of the ink-wetted transport belt by means of an air conduit, comprising a suction nozzle, of a pressure nozzle, and by extraction of the resulting ink-air mixture by means of the suction nozzle, the two steps being performed simultaneously.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaning tool has a housing with a partition dividing an interior of the housing into a brush chamber and a turbine chamber. A vacuum connector is connected to the housing remote from the brush chamber. A working roller is arranged in the brush chamber. An air turbine is arranged in the turbine chamber and drives in rotation the working roller. A vacuum air flow enters the brush chamber, flows from the brush chamber through an intake window into the turbine chamber, flows within the turbine chamber through the air turbine, and exits from the turbine chamber to the vacuum connector. The turbine chamber has a chamber bottom with a ramp ascending toward the outlet window in the area where the vacuum airflow exits from the turbine chamber. The ramp is through-shaped and has a groove extending in the flow direction of the vacuum airflow.

Abstract: A suction attachment for a vacuum cleaner. The suction attachment comprises a foot, a suction opening extending in an imaginary plane, and a connection member for connecting the foot to a suction channel of the vacuum cleaner. The foot is provided with a brush, which is displaceable by means of an adjusting device from a first position, in which the brush is recessed in the suction opening, to a second position, in which the brush protrudes from the suction opening. The foot is rotatable with respect to the connection member about an axis of rotation, which extends substantially perpendicularly to the imaginary plane, from a first position to at least a second position, and the adjusting device includes a coupling member by means of which the brush is coupled to the connection member, the coupling member holding the brush in its first position, in the first position of the foot, and the coupling member holding the brush in its second position, in the second position of the foot.

Abstract: Belt-mounted vacuum apparatus and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a belt-mounted vacuum apparatus includes a belt member adapted to engage about an operator's waist, a dirt receptacle attached to the belt member, and a vacuum unit attached to the belt member and spaced apart from the dirt receptacle. The vacuum unit is operatively coupled with the dirt receptacle such that an airflow created by the vacuum unit propels particulates through the intake port and into the dirt receptacle. In alternate embodiments, the vacuum unit may be spaced apart from the dirt receptacle by a small distance, or may be positioned on opposite sides of the operator. In another embodiment, an apparatus includes a belt member having a stiffened portion. The stiffened portion may, for example, comprise an outer shell. Alternately, the belt member may also include a flexible, padded layer that engages with the operator's waist.

Abstract: An upright deep cleaner including a base housing pivotally connected to an upright handle, the upright handle carrying a liquid supply tank and the base housing including a recovery tank. The liquid supply tank includes an internal siphon tube for ensuring liquid flow to a feed valve when the upright handle is in the inclined position. The base housing includes a suction nozzle adjacent a spray bar, and removable floating brush for contacting a surface being cleaned, the brush being interchangeable with a bare floor tool including a sponge, brush, and squeegee. The recovery tank includes an internal baffle for preventing foaming of solution and a tank vent housing including a sponge-type filter to prevent spray from exiting the recovery tank.

Abstract: A brushing system to be used in the manufacturing of electronic card for removing unwanted particles from the substrate surface. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the card to be cleaned (e.g. a SIMM card) is entered in a cleaning box where there are two motor brushes and a vacuum system. The two round brushes are inclined with respect to each other and form an angle of about 60°. The card passes through the apex of this angle while the brushes turn tangentially to the card. The particles are removed and pushed down where they are collected and eliminated by the vacuum system.

Abstract: An electric cleaning device circulates exhaust air from an electric blower to a floor intake tool. The exhaust air passes through an exhaust guide, formed as one element, in a main cleaning device unit from the electric blower through a hose to the floor intake tool. The exhaust guide is a resilient unitary resin part with sufficient resilience to permit compression for installation. The springback of the exhaust guide seals the exhaust path against leakage.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner has a plurality of operating modes is provided. The vacuum cleaner includes a power control system having at least one sensor for automatically sensing a change in the operating mode of the vacuum cleaner and for generating a mode signal. A microprocessor responsive to the mode signal is adapted to vary the power supply signal being supplied to the vacuum cleaner motor and fan assembly.

Abstract: A remote-controlled vacuum cleaner comprises a vacuum cleaner vehicle designed to be positioned and moved in any direction relative to a surface (e.g., a carpet) to be cleaned, and a handheld remote control device including a control element (e.g., a joystick, a roller ball, or the like) and a transmitter for sending control signals to electronic motor drive circuits in the vehicle. According to the invention, the handheld remote control device preferably is controlled by a processor and includes a display (e.g., a video monitor) for displaying images from one or more cameras located on or within the vacuum cleaner vehicle. The vacuum cleaner vehicle preferably includes a misting device in which cleaning solution is stored. The misting device includes a nozzle for misting the cleaning solution onto the surface to be cleaned, preferably prior to the vacuuming operation. The vacuum cleaner vehicle preferably also includes a dryer mechanism (e.g.

Abstract: A wet dry cannister vacuum having an upper and lower chamber separated by an intermediate wall. A blower (1) in the upper chamber providing a low and high pressure head communicating with respectively with low and high pressure compartments. A valve (2) opening from the low pressure compartment through the intermediate wall to the lower chamber. Another valve (8) opening from the high pressure compartment through the intermediate wall into the lower chamber. A water reservoir in the bottom of the lower chamber. A duct (15) opens on one end near the bottom of the lower chamber and on the other end to ambient air pressure. In operation, before wet or loose dry material is vacuumed, a small amount of water is introduced into the lower chamber by length of flexible hose being attached to the duct (15) and to a water source on the other. After priming, an attachment for cleaning may be attached to the hose, such as a shampoo wand (25).

Abstract: A blower head, comprising a frame, a brush rotatably supported by the frame, a sweeper drive adapted for rotating said brush to sweep a surface, and a blower unit adapted for removing swept-up particles away from the surface. The frame includes a mouth portion and a throat portion. The brush is rotatably supported by the frame within the mouth portion. The sweeper drive rotates the brush to sweep particles such as snow or ice on a surface toward the frame. The mouth portion and the throat portion are constructed and arranged to funnel swept-up particles from the mouth portion and into the throat portion and the blower unit positioned therein. The blower head further includes an exit chute. The blower unit creates a pressure differential between the mouth portion and the exit chute sufficient to draw the swept-up particles from the mouth portion and into the throat portion, and to blow the swept-up particles out through the exit chute.

Abstract: A vacuum system is described in which a hollow vacuum housing is provided with an intake plenum leading from an open bottom housing end of the housing to a vacuum line connector. A vacuum pump is attached to the vacuum line to produce suction through the intake plenum. A hot air housing is situated within the hollow vacuum housing and includes a hot air discharge plenum. The hot air discharge plenum is defined by a wall within the intake plenum, leading from an open bottom end that is substantially circumscribed by the intake plenum. A hot air blower on the hot air housing moves hot air downwardly. The hot air moves against the surface being cleaned or dried and is subsequently drawn back upwardly through the intake plenum. At least one and preferably two compressed injection air discharge lines are positioned within the hot air housing.

Abstract: Floor care devices having an elongated handle or body portion for control thereof are provided with mid-level handles for facilitating manipulation of the devices in certain conditions, for storing power cords, for hanging and storing the floor care device and the like. The mid-level handle may fold from a retracted position adjacent the elongated handle or body portion to an extended position. A retainer is provided to maintain the handle in its retracted and extended positions.

Abstract: An outer bag assembly for an upright vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The outer bag assembly comprises a flexible, air permeable enclosure having an internal volume adapted to contain a disposable inner bag. The outer bag assembly is further comprised of an upper end adapted to provide access to the internal volume through a closure device, and an opposite end attached to a handle assembly through a bag clip assembly. In one embodiment, the closure device includes a zipper disposed along an upper front peripheral edge of the outer bag assembly that allows a front panel of the bag assembly to be partially released. In another embodiment, the closure device includes a zipper disposed along an upper front peripheral edge, and a zipper disposed along an upper rear peripheral edge of the outer bag assembly that allows a top panel of the outer bag assembly to be partially released.