Abstract: A power nozzle for use with a vacuum cleaner. The power nozzle includes a housing having at least two compartments and a bottom surface, a rotary brush at least partially in a front compartment of the housing, a brush motor at least partially positioned in an back compartment of the housing, a suction opening located in the bottom surface of the housing, a set of front wheels, a set of rear wheels, and a wand connected to the housing. The bottom surface has a front end, a back end, and a non-planar shape. The bottom surface at least partially slopes downwardly at least between the front end of the bottom surface and the set of front wheels.

Abstract: A portable cleaning system a power pack assembly, a combination hose/electrical wiring assembly, and a motorized power transfer assembly brush assembly. The power pack assembly includes a rechargeable battery power supply and is connected to the motorized power transfer assembly brush assembly using the combination hose/electrical wiring assembly. The user may attach a variety of items for cleaning, polishing and the like to the electrical motor driven rotary, tool attachment plate of the motorized power transfer assembly brush assembly.

Abstract: A container and method for conditioning articles of hunting clothing and related gear so as to camouflage scents associated with humans. The container presents an enclosed space with an easily accessible opening where clothing and other gear may be placed. Within the confines of the container, one or more internal compartments are formed to hold natural, woodsy materials pre-selected as a natural scent source. Each internal compartment is provided passages permitting permeation of scents into the space where the clothing and gear are located, while preventing soiling contact with the scent source materials and the clothing articles. Each compartment includes a hinged portion such that source material may be changed or refreshed. Typically, the container is in the form of a transportable trunk with a lid pivoted on a horizontal axis.

Abstract: A wiper arm window latch system and method includes an end of a wiper arm which is mounted on a window and which is received in a drive coupler coupled to a drive motor mounted on a door. The drive coupler permits the wiper arm to be drivingly coupled to a wiper motor. The drive coupler and end of the wiper arm also cooperate to lock the wiper arm to the drive coupler, thereby causing the window of the vehicle to be locked in a closed position, such as against the door. This system and method is particularly suited for use in a vehicle having a rear window which is pivotable between an open position and a closed position and where a rear window wiper is desired or required.

Abstract: A pig for use with a tubular bore wherein the pig is comprised of a body which supports a plurality of turbine blades wherein the blades mechanically break down and remove debris from the tubular bore. The blades have a profile which allows forward movement and rotation about a longitudinal axis when acted upon by a propulsion fluid traveling through the tubular. In an alternative embodiment the blades are mounted on a stabilizer body to allow simultaneous centralization and cleaning.

Abstract: Devices for cleaning the human tongue and methods for making such devices are disclosed. The tongue cleaner may include a tongue brush and a tongue scraper. The tongue cleaner may be of unitary injection molded construction. The tongue cleaner bristles may be tapered to a point for cleaning crevices of a human tongue, and the bristles may be angled or curved. The tongue scraper contains at least one blade for removal of undesirable material from the tongue by a scraping action. The tongue brush and tongue scraper may be combined into one unit or may be made and used separately.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for significantly reducing the biological load on consumer products such as food products, botanicals, cosmetic ingredients and medical products is disclosed. The method involves applying a continuous stream of oxygen-containing, i.e., Ox, gas to a material in a sealed biological burden reduction chamber. The continuous stream of Ox gas is prepared in an Ox generation cell, which contains a means for generating the Ox gas at a pressure less than 20 lbs/in2 using, for example, one or more of the following: corona discharge, high frequency electrical discharge, ultraviolet light, x-ray, radioactive isotope and electric beam.

Abstract: An electric toothbrush is provided, which includes a first bristle part that can be made to execute a first, continuously repeating movement. An additional bristle part, connected to the first bristle part, can be made to execute a second, continuously repeating movement, which differs from the first movement of the first bristle part.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cleaning implement, preferably in the form of a roller mop, that includes a mop head, a shaft, and a wringer. The cleaning implement further includes a connecting link connected to the mop head and to the shaft or wringer. The mop head has a connecting side and a cleaning side thereby defining a mop axis, which axis is disposed at an oblique angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The connecting link is positioned with respect to the mop head to permit the mop head to travel along a path substantially coextensive with the mop axis over at least a portion of the range of travel of the mop head.

Abstract: A wiper system (1) for vehicles, having at least one wiper lever linkage (3) that has at least one wiper arm (35), and a method for operating the wiper lever linkage (3), are proposed. The wiper lever linkage has a first pivot lever (5), which can be coupled to a stationary first shaft (21) in a manner fixed against relative rotation, and a second pivot lever (7) that can be coupled to a stationary second shaft (29) in a manner fixed against relative rotation, the pivot levers being connected in articulated fashion to a coupling element (9). The wiper system (1) is distinguished in that the coupling element (9) is embodied in multiple parts and has a first coupling part (11) and a second coupling part (13), which are coupled to one another with the aid of a joint (15).

Abstract: A cleaning and scouring brush generally made from a pair of twisted wire arms, each arm having a cleaning portion shaped to conform to the interior profile of an article to be cleaned. The portions are provided with a cleaning or scouring device such as a sponge, scrubber or bristles intended to clean or scour the interior surface of the article to be cleaned. The brush is also provided with a handle which rotates the cleaning portions with respect to one another about an axis in order to facilitate the entry and removal of the device from the article to be cleaned which generally has a relatively small opening into a relatively large interior volume.

Abstract: A vehicle for traversing a surface such as for carrying out an inspection, survey or maintenance operation upon that surface comprises two bodies interconnected by means to move the bodies towards and away from each other, each of those bodies being supported upon a multiplicity of resilient bristles (13; 25; 32) extending from it, the bristles of each body being mounted in groups upon bristle-carrying members (10; 23; 31) each guided for movement towards and away from the body, and fluid pressure means (25; 22; 34) to effect the guided movement of the bristle-carrying members in at least one of those directions.

Abstract: A visually appealing toothbrush having an applicator portion including a head and a track and including a replaceable bristle bed, wherein the track on which a bristle bed is slidingly mounted is rotatable out of a longitudinal axis of the handle into an open position by the rotation of a knob at the end of the handle, the open position allowing disengagement and replacement of the bristle bed, the track then being rotatable back into the longitudinal axis of the handle in order to trap and lock a newly mounted bristle bed by means of a stop at an extremity of the head.

Abstract: An electrically activatable fumigating device, methods of using it, and methods of constructing the device, are disclosed. The device is adapted to be plugged into a wall outlet. It is provided with a resistance heater that is housed in a lower recess of a heating cup by crimping edges of the recess around the heater. The cup focuses the heat of the heater adjacent the bottom of the cup. A eutectic thermal cut-off operates as a primary means of energy cut-off. The resistance heater is also designed to fail after a specified heating period as a redundant means of cut-off.

Abstract: An apparatus for disinfecting and sterilizing dental handpieces includes a treating chamber with an internal holding stub which has through-channels for connecting exterior treatment fluid source elements to internal standard channels in and through the handpieces to through-flush treatment fluid through these channels from a socket end to a tip end of the handpiece. The treating chamber is laid-out as a pressure resistant autoclaving chamber provided with steam generation at elevated temperature and pressure. The through-channels of the holding stub are alternatively connectable through an outlet valve to the exterior atmosphere so as to enable back-flushing of pressurized steam from the treating chamber through the internal channels from the tip end to the socket end.

Abstract: An optical connector cleaning device for cleaning a ferrule end surface of an optical or fiberoptic connector is described. The device includes a cleaning rod, a drive mechanism, and a cleaning media, such as a swab, a brush, a pad, or a foam, connected to an end of the cleaning rod and having a thickness past the end of the cleaning rod of at least about 0.125 inches. A mating connector housing the cleaning rod may be provided for connecting with the optical connector. The drive mechanism may be housed in a handheld body or may be mounted on a dummy card connector physically compatible with a slot in a card-cage. The dummy card connector may include an adjustable frame which can be adjusted to modify card size in order for the same dummy card connector to be physically compatible with more than one physical slot configuration.

Abstract: A liquid product vaporizing apparatus for an air deodorizing system includes an air inlet port for drawing a stream of air into the system and directing the stream of air into a vaporization chamber. An atomizing nozzle sprays a mist of liquid deodorant from a liquid reservoir into the vaporization chamber as the stream of air flows through the vaporization chamber. Much of the atomized liquid deodorant vaporizes within the vaporization chamber. The vaporized particles of liquid deodorant mix with the stream of air flowing through the vaporization chamber to form a stream of treated air. Other particles of liquid deodorant condense and coalesce on the sidewall of the vaporization chamber and are drawn by gravity toward the liquid product reservoir so they may be re-sprayed from the atomizing nozzle. The treated air exits the vaporization chamber and is directed through distribution pipes to a plurality of vapor distribution ports.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner includes a nozzle assembly and a canister assembly pivotally connected to the nozzle assembly. A suction generator is carried on one of the nozzle assembly or the canister assembly. The upright vacuum cleaner also includes a telescoping handle assembly including an elongated handle received in a slot for sliding movement relative to the canister assembly, a projecting guide pin carried on the elongated handle, a cooperating guide channel in the canister assembly for receiving the guide pin and a latch carried on the canister assembly for selectively engaging any one of the longitudinally spaced apertures formed in the elongated handle.

Abstract: A system for dehumidifying and deodorizing, the system comprising a hanging, dehumidifying and deodorizing pouch comprising a housing having a impermeable membrane and a semi-permeable securely attached to the impermeable membrane. The housing enclosing moisture-absorbent material and deodorizing material. The housing is enclosed within a jacket comprising a perforated contiguous wall; the wall defines an opening for receiving the housing. The jacket further comprises a closing member for closing the opening when the housing is within the jacket. The jacket can comprise a rigid, rectangular cage having a detachable lid. The semi-permeable membrane of the housing can comprise polyethylene or expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, individually or a combination thereof. The impermeable can comprise either polyethylene film or polypropylene film. The moisture-absorbent material can comprise a hygroscopic, deliquescent or a combination of a hygroscopic deliquescent and a gel forming polymer.

Abstract: A method of treating exhaust gases containing halogen compound, the improvement in that the exhaust gases containing halogen compounds such as halogen gases and/or hydrogen halide gases (halogenated acid gases) are brought into contact with simple metals. The halogen compounds such as acid gases and halogen gases can thereby effectively be removed from the exhaust gases.