Abstract: Hard, brittle creosote deposits are removed from a chimney flue by striking the sharp ends of rods of flue cleaning apparatus against the deposits with penetrating impact and creosote chip-producing effect so as to break away creosote adhering to the flue.

Abstract: An alkaline composition and method of cleaning aluminum surfaces is disclosed which avoids discoloring or tarnishing of the metal surface. The composition comprises a mixture of alkali metal metasilicate and a compound chosen from the group consisting of sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, lithium carbonate, potassium orthophosphate and sodium orthophosphate and mixtures thereof, wherein the metasilicate salt is present in an effective amount up to about 3% by weight of the composition and wherein the pH ranges above about 12.0.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning the annular bead seating profile of a tire rim. The tire rim is supported with the central axis of the rim disposed in a predetermined orientation. A cleaning brush is rotatable about an axis, and means are provided for rotating the cleaning brush about the axis. Means are provided for supporting the cleaning brush in an orientation in which it engages the bead seating profile at the outer peripheral surface of the tire rim as the cleaning brush rotates about its axis.

Abstract: In a method of cleaning an endoscope, a stop having a communication path is mounted on the open ends of an air/liquid supply valve cylinder and a suction valve cylinder of the endoscope so that liquid may flow between the valve cylinders through the communication path. One end of a suction channel, which opens to the distal end of an insertion section of the endoscope, is connected to a liquid tank through a liquid supply tube. An air supply pump is connected to the tank. The pump is operated in this state and supplies the liquid held in the tank to the one end of the suction channel. The liquid supplied to the one end of the suction channel is discharged from a nozzle at the distal end of the insertion section and the other ends of the suction channel, an air supply channel and a liquid supply channel, which open to a connector mounted on a light guide of the endoscope, through the three channels and the valve cylinders, thereby cleaning the interior of these channels and valve cylinders.

Abstract: In a method of cleaning the channels of an endoscope, one end of a suction channel and a nozzle, both positioned at the distal end of an insertion section of the endoscope, are connected. The open ends of an air/liquid supply cylinder and a suction valve cylinder, both provided within a control section of the endoscope, are closed. The ends of an air supply channel and a liquid supply channel, which open to a connector mounted on the distal end of a light guide cable, are connected to a liquid supply tube which is in contact with liquid. The other end of the suction channel, which opens to the connector, is connected to a suction pump by a suction tube. The pump is operated and sucks the liquid from the other end of the suction channel through the air supply channel, liquid supply channel, suction channel and valve cylinders, thereby cleaning the interior of the channels and valve cylinders with the liquid.

Abstract: A sugar processing facility, including a boiler, a mixing tank, and an interconnecting assemblage of pumps, motors, control valves and liquid conduits, for commercially processing granulated sugar into either sucrose or invert sugar. The sugar processing facility is sized for integration into the production processes of commercial beverage bottling facilities and is operable on an unimproved site adjacent such facilities. The facility is mounted upon a standard sized flat bed trailer, thereby permitting it to be transported as a fully assembled and operable unit by standard rail, ocean freight, and road transportation methods to a desired processing location without having to first at least partially disassemble or otherwise specially adapt the facility for transportation.

Abstract: In a method of cleaning an endoscope, the open end of a suction valve cylinder, arranged within a control section of the endoscope, is closed by a stop. A cap is mounted on the distal end of an insertion section so that liquid may flow between a nozzle and a suction opening which are arranged at the distal end of the insertion section. The nozzle communicates with an air supply channel and a liquid supply channel, and the suction opening communicates with a suction channel. A stop is mounted on the open end of an air/liquid supply valve cylinder arranged in the control section, and a syringe is connected to the stop. The piston of the syringe is pushed, thus supplying liquid in the cylinder of the syringe into the cylinder and discharging the liquid from the other ends of the three channels through the channels and the valve cylinders, thereby cleaning the interiors of these channels and valve cylinders with the liquid.

Abstract: Ampules may be cleaned and quality controlled by submerging frangible, sealed, partly filled, floatable ampules in a container in an ultrasonic cleaning tank bath in such manner as to not only clean all the ampules but also break a large portion of any flawed ampules, thereafter separating the intact ampules from the shattered ampules, collecting, washing, drying and packaging the former.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for the random steering of a suction head for cleaning swimming pools in which there is a suction hose connecting with the head in a direction normal to the surface on which the suction head moves. The apparatus operates by intermittently applying torque about the axis of the suction hose, e.g. where it enters the suction head. The torque is applied by means of a water motor driven by the water flowing from the suction head along the suction hose.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided wherein solid material, such as semiconductor wafers, are sequentially transported into and out of a series of process solution containers. Process solution from each container and particulate matter is removed from the material by providing means for rotating the material in a vertical plane above each container. The apparatus includes a housing maintained substantially free of particulate matter.

Abstract: A coplanar fibrous mat is cleaned by directing an aqueous medium into contact with two opposed surfaces of the mat while the mat is positioned on a support to rotate the mat at a sufficient speed to cause particles to leave the mat due to centrifugal force.

Abstract: Rust is removed from metal surfaces by applying a coating of an aqueous solution of copolymer of maleic acid and monomer. The rust becomes incorporated into the coating during drying and the coating detaches itself from the metal surface without the necessity of peeling or otherwise mechanically removing the rust laden coating.

Abstract: After subjecting a semiconductor element to etching, it must be washed with water and then dried so as to remove any etchant therefrom. In the course of the washing and drying steps, the semiconductor element may undergo quality changes due to its contact with water. Such quality changes become remarkable when the semiconductor element is kept for a long time period in the resultant washings. The above quality changes can be successfully avoided by holding an etched semiconductor element horizontally over a water-washing tank, pre-washing its downwardly-directed front surface with an upward jet of water, thoroughly washing the front surface with pure water blown upwardly from a lower part of the tank while washing its upwardly-directed rear surface with water so that both surfaces of the semiconductor element are washed completely, and then immediately spin-drying the thus-washed semiconductor element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the transference, cooling and compression of nitrogen oxide-containing gases. In critical sections of a unit for such processes the formation of salt deposits can be removed or prevented by maintaining a water vapor pressure which lies above the equilibrium water vapor pressure of the salt deposits at the existing temperatures. The prescribed water vapor pressure is maintained by dividing the gas into at least two separate streams, cooling at least one of the streams solely by directly injecting water thereinto, cooling the remaining streams by indirect cooling, forming condensate in indirect coolers, and then joining the directly and indirectly cooled streams prior to introduction thereof into the critical sections. The condensate from the indirect coolers can be utilized for direct cooling. Salt deposits can be removed/prevented without the supply of extra energy, water vapor or liquid.

Abstract: Cleaning solutions and processes for removing contaminating sealants used in the automotive and allied industries from water-insoluble surfaces. The cleaning solutions are aqueous solutions containing at least one C.sub.5 -C.sub.9 alkanoic acid, and optionally, other ingredients such as alkali metal phosphates, surfactants, etc.

Abstract: A griddle cleaning device which is capable of cleaning griddles with high efficiency and with a minimum of labor, and which is very good from the sanitary standpoint. The device includes a brush having a base with an outlet opening, a multitude of bristles secured to the base, and a hollow handle connected with the base. The handle has one end in communication with the outlet opening in the base, and the other end coupled with a hose. The hose is adapted to be placed in selective communication with a detergent tank, a water source, and a rinse tank under the control of a control unit so that the bristles are fed with one of a cleaning liquid, water and a rinsing liquid through the hose, the hollow interior of the brush handle and the outlet opening. The device also includes a sensor attachable to the upper surface of a griddle and connected to the control unit for detecting detergent concentration in the rinsing water.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for cleaning the interior wall of a metal vessel or pipe comprising flooding or turbulently impacting the interior wall of said vessel or pipe with a strongly alkaline or strongly acidic cleaning fluid, simultaneously measuring the conductivity of the cleaning fluid between two electrodes located in the interior of said vessel or pipe and terminating said flooding or impacting when the measured conductivity has been substantially restored to the level measurable with clean electrodes.

Abstract: A method and container cleaning machine for reducing the harmful materials which pass into the waste water from a bottle cleaning machine which includes a preliminary soaking tank, a subsequently arranged soaking and washing solution bath which includes at least one bath, and spraying sections which are arranged after the soaking and washing solution bath. Soaking solution is used as the bath solution for the preliminary soaking tank. At least a partial flow of the soaking solution is removed from the preliminary soaking tank, is cleaned, and is returned to a soaking bath of comparable wash solution concentration for further bottle handling while observing the bath solution levels which are to be maintained and while observing a sufficient wash solution regeneration. The used spray water from the spraying sections is withdrawn from the container cleaning machine while bypassing the preliminary soaking tank.

Abstract: A heated bath of cleaning liquid is contained in an open top trough into which the bristles of a long handled car washing brush, having a nozzle enclosed within the bristles, are immersed. The edges along the top opening of the trough are provided with flow deflectors that are arranged to redirect liquid moving up the inside wall of the trough back into the bath. The handle is held in a stored position so that the nozzle directs cleaning fluid delivered thereto downwardly into the bath. Cleaning fluid is pulsed through the nozzle to produce heavy agitation in the bath to scrub soils from the brush bristles.

Abstract: The monourea adduct of sulfuric acid, when combined with water, has the unique ability to ablate the surface of wooden articles without charring or otherwise disfiguring the surface of the wooden article. Thus, wooden articles can be treated to accomplish a variety of purposes by contacting the surface to be treated with a composition containing the monourea adduct of sulfuric acid. Such compositions comprise mixtures of urea and sulfuric acid in which the molar ratio of urea to sulfuric acid is within the range of 1/4 to about 7/4 so that at least about 25 percent of the sulfuric acid is present as the monourea adduct. Such treatment can be employed to modify the dimensions of the article surface, remove stains, mars or other markings, accentuate the hard grain of the article surface, emboss the surface with a predetermined pattern, or accomplish other objectives that result from generally or selectively ablating the article's surface.