Abstract: A device for producing an aqueous chlorine dioxide solution when placed in water. The device includes a membrane shell that defines a compartment which includes one or more dry chemicals (e.g., a metal chlorite and an acid) capable of producing chlorine dioxide gas when exposed to water. Wick means extend into the compartment for absorbing water and transporting water into the compartment such that the chemical(s) in the compartment dissolve in the water and produce chlorine dioxide. In one embodiment, the membrane is formed of a material that allows the passage of gas (e.g., chlorine dioxide) but is impervious to liquid (e.g., water). In another embodiment, the wick means is a wick member which divides the compartment into first and second compartment sections. One chemical (metal chlorite, for example) is contained within the first compartment section and another chemical (acid, for example) is contained within or can easily be placed in the second compartment section.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating the surface of a floor includes a wheeled vehicle having a generally central vertical longitudinal plane. A lift unit is mounted on the wheeled vehicle and is capable of up and down movement in the central vertical longitudinal plane of the vehicle. A floor surface treating unit is carried by the lift unit generally underneath the lift unit and has an elongate head. The head has a pivotal connection with the lift unit for rotation of the head on a generally vertical pivot axis in the plane and generally at the center of length of the head for rotation of the head on the pivot axis to different angular positions with respect to the plane of the wheeled vehicle. A locking mechanism associated with the lift unit and the floor surface treating unit releasably locks the head in a selected angular position.

Abstract: An electric toothbrush having a detachable brush head assembly including a driven shaft that is driven by a driveshaft disposed with in a housing. The driveshaft is part of or secured to a torsion bar that supports an armature including a pair of magnets. An electric coil receives an alternating flow of current at a predetermined frequency that causes the magnets to be alternately attracted to the coil and causes the torsion bar to oscillate in an oscillatory rotary motion.

Abstract: A wiper blade for cleaning motor vehicle windows includes a wiper strip (12) which is held by a support bracket system (10) and is encompassed by a laterally closed protective profile (14, 22, 24). The protective profile (14, 22) is closed in the longitudinal direction (38, 40) on at least one end by a cover (16, 18, 20), which can be used to open and close the protective profile (14, 22).

Abstract: The present invention provides a new method for the in situ generation of chlorine dioxide from a solution of sodium chlorite and carbon dioxide. The present invention produces effective levels of chlorine dioxide without having to resort to the use of hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, hydrogen peroxide, chlorine, sulfur dioxide, or methanol. By eliminating the use of toxic and/or hazardous compounds, the present invention provides a safer means for generating and using chlorine dioxide in a wider variety of applications than previously possible. For instance, the present invention can easily be adapted for the treatment of combustion exhaust gases, flue gases, cooling towers, chilled water systems, contaminated groundwater, and agricultural produce or products.

Abstract: Bathing brush including an annular main body made of elastic and water-absorbent material and several bathing balls fixed on the main body at intervals. Each of the bathing balls includes at least one elastic mesh tube and at least one binding member. The circumference of the elastic mesh tube is crimped and waved. Then the elastic mesh tube is bound by the binding member. The bathing balls tightly abut against the circumference of the main body. In use of the bathing brush, the multiple bathing balls are able to maintain water therein. Moreover, the main body can also maintain a certain amount of water therein. The water contained in the main body can be gradually released to infiltrate into the adjacent bathing balls. Accordingly, the bathing balls can kept wet for a longer time.

Abstract: The present invention is a personal hygiene device. Specifically, the invention is a back maintenance device comprised of a brush head attached to a variable length handle. The brush head is attached to at least one abrasive element. In an alternate embodiment, a second abrasive element is attached to the brush head. Abrasive elements include bristle and porous structures. The variable length handle is both extendible from and retractable into a storage cavity within the brush head. The variable length handle is telescoping. One embodiment consists of fixed length tubular members slidably disposed and extending to form a rigid handle structure. An alternate embodiment consists of a coiled member slidably disposed along its length and extending to form a rigid handle structure.

Abstract: A reactor apparatus and method provide for the destruction of volatile organic air-borne pollutants from gaseous streams. The reactor is a photocatalytic reactor for the destruction of organic air-borne pollutants which comprises means for admission of a gas stream carrying air-borne volatile organic pollutants into a closed tubing system; means for constraining and increasing the velocity of the gas stream while simultaneously creating a suction effect; and means for irradiating the air-borne volatile organic pollutants within the gas stream.

Abstract: A wafer cleaning device is disclosed in which a brush is integrally formed with a nozzle for supplying pure water, such that a uniform water screen is formed on a surface of a wafer and particles on the wafer can be entirely removed. The cleaning device includes injectors for ejecting pure water supplied from a pure water supplier onto a wafer; nozzles disposed at one end of each of the injectors; and a brush for cleaning the wafer while moving horizontally between a center and edges of the wafer. The injectors include a first injector for ejecting pure water at an upper position of the wafer toward the center of the wafer, and a second injector disposed adjacent to the brush along one side of a brush arm, the brush arm supporting the brush and moving the brush and second injector toward the wafer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of sterilizing and/or sanitizing a container using a sterilant vapor such as hydrogen peroxide. The sterilant vapor is discharged through a nozzle positioned in an opening of the container and the container is then purged of the discharged sterilant using a heated gas such as sterile air. The nozzle is preferably positioned no closer than 15 mm from the bottom surface or any internal surface of the container and within ⅙ to ⅚ of the height of the container. The nozzle has a diameter no greater than one-half of the diameter of the opening of the container. When containers made of non-heat set PET are used, the temperatures of the sterilant vapor and the purge gas are preferably no greater than 160° F.

Abstract: A sterilizable container (20) is described which includes a flexible bag (23), the flexible bag (23) having a hole in a flat portion thereof and a hollow connector port (22) fixed thereto, the connector port (22) including a collar portion (22A) and a flange portion (24) defining an internal bore (26) of the connector port (22), the inside surface of the flexible bag (23) being sealed to an outside surface of the flange portion (24) and the collar portion (22A) extending through the hole in the flexible bag (23). Also disclosed is an adapter (10) having an internal bore (12), the connector port (22) and the adapter (10) being sealably connectable by a clamping and sealing device (11, 13) so that the internal bores (12, 16) of the connector port (22) and the adapter (10) are in open communication. Preferably, the adapter (10) has a removable door (16) sealed to the end of the adapter (10) remote from the sealable connection to the connector port (22).

Abstract: A self-contained foul air eliminator comprises a housing with an intake port an impeller, a converter, and an exhaust port. The converter includes an oxidizing agent and an aqueous solution of a promoter. The eliminator is typically portable to eliminate malodors foul air from a toilet or another environment. The device is powered by a battery or a household current.

Abstract: A cost effective solution preparing apparatus includes a chamber which is divided into two compartments by a movable partition; a dissolving solution supply line for supplying a dissolving solution to the first compartment of the chamber; a solution tank connected with the first compartment and the second compartment through a first solution preparing line and through a second solution preparing line, respectively; a transporting pump provided in the second solution preparing line; a concentration meter; a solution transporting line for transporting the solution prepared and filled in the second compartment to a point of use; and a circulating line, in which the solution tank is exemplified as a U-shape tank constructed of a relatively small-diameter upstream tank portion and a relatively large-diameter downstream tank portion, and at least one filter is provided in a downstream portion of the downstream tank portion.

Abstract: A single-use cartridge C contains a dose of a concentrated decontaminant for providing a decontaminant solution upon mixing with water. The cartridge is inserted into the well (16) of a decontamination system (A). Fresh water and then the decontaminant solution are recirculated through the well during a decontamination cycle. The cartridge includes a porous region (42), through which the decontaminant solution flows. Impregnated in the porous region is a chemical indicator (44), such as crystal violet, which gradually changes color on exposure to the decontaminant. The indicator provides a semi-quantitative indication of the integrated level of the decontaminant in the solution over time for determining whether an acceptable level of the decontaminant was present for decontamination. A preferred embodiment of the cartridge C includes nested inner and outer water-penetrable cups (50,150,70,170) for holding first and second reagents. The two cups are sealed together adjacent upper open ends (56,92,156,192).

Abstract: A clustered creature exterminating method efficiently exterminates clustered creature such as cyanobacteria in large quantity with use of a pressure which is substantially lower than that of the conventional method. The exterminating method includes the steps of: pressurizing a fluid containing a clustered creature such as cyanobacteria through a pump; suddenly lowering the pressure applied to the fluid by injecting the fluid from nozzle groups; and destroying a bonding in the clustered creature by a cavitation caused by the pressure drop. The nozzle groups may be arranged to oppose to one another to collide the injected fluids with each other, which divides the cyanobacteria into many small pieces. As a result, the cyanobacteria lose the ability to rise, and sink at the bottom of water, therefore, die because they cannot photosynthesize.

Abstract: This invention deals with a process for treating and sanitizing animal habitats. In addition to sanitizing the habitat the production of ammonia and odor from fecal matter and urine is inhibited or terminated. In the process an animal habitat is cleaned and subsequently treated with trichlormelamine (TCM). The TCM may be applied by spraying the habitat with a solution of TCM, by dusting the habitat with powdered TCM or by treating bedding/litter with TCM. This process produces healthier animals and as such the productivity of a given grow out is increased. The process of this invention is particularly suited to animal habitats which are used to raise batches of hogs, cattle, turkeys and chickens on a continuing basis. The TCM may be further incorporated into water soluble polymeric compositions which permit the TCM to be leached out in a controlled manner. Further the TCM may be incorporated into cellular and noncellular polymeric compositions which may be used as bedding/litter material, and cat litter.

Abstract: A cleaning attachment for converting a cleaning implement, such as a broom, to a mop includes a flexible cover having end sections interconnected by a central section. Fastening structure secures the end sections together to create an enclosure for the broom head. Reusable mounting structure is provided on the exposed lower outer surface of the central section for engagement with a wipe.

Abstract: Absorbent mop strands of a mop are held captive by a pair of walls in a sleeve at the terminal ends thereof after the sleeve is slid over a mop head. The mop strands are wrung dry by rotating the sleeve with respect to the handle of the mop. In another embodiment of the invention, a tubular member is disposed coaxially and rotatable about a sleeve. Mop strands caught in the passageway defined by a first pair of walls in the tubular member near the terminal ends of the mop strands are twisted with respect to the upper portion of the mop strands held captive by a second pair of walls in the sleeve near the distal end of the mop handle, resulting in a wringing action of the mop head. In another embodiment of the invention, a mop comprises a scrubber depending from a distal end of the sleeve mounted co-axially on the handle of the mop.

Abstract: A copper pipe cleaning assembly has an interior cleaning member and an exterior cleaning member, which are easily joined or separated as required, depending on the area of the pipe to be cleaned.

Abstract: A drywall knife having a handle and a blade securely mounted thereon. The handle includes an elongated inner core having a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis, a front end, a rear end and first and second opposite surfaces extending from the rear end to the front end of the inner core along the longitudinal axis of the handle, the blade being securely mounted to the front end of the inner core. The improvement resides in that the inner core of the handle includes at least one recess having an opening facing the first surface so as to reduce the overall weight of the drywall knife, and the inner core further includes a lid hingedly mounted to the first surface of the inner core, said lid being positioned and sized to be folded about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the inner core so as to cover each recess. The drywall knife is inherently lightweight due to its design. The drywall knife is mounted onto the blade without the use of fasteners, due to the design of the handle and blade.