Abstract: A Vacuum Cleaner (1) having a removable dust collection bowl (5) through which the air flow passes so as to deposit dirt carried on the air flow. The dust bowl (5) contains a closure member (7) which is slidably displaceable relative the dust bowl (5) so as to simultaneously close a first air inlet (33) into the dust bowl (5) while opening a second air flow path (61) to the dust bowl (5) that is remote from the first air flow path (33). The second air flow path allows an external hose connector to be coupled in air flow communication with the dust bowl. The closure member (7) comprises a slidable shuttle cassette.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for reducing microorganisms in a conductive medium using a low voltage pulsed electrical energy.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a brush head, particularly a toothbrush head, and to a method of manufacturing such a brush head. The brush head includes a bristle carrier and bristles fixedly secured thereto, said bristle carrier having a slot-type recess in which a multiplicity of bristles is received forming an elongated tuft with a closed, smooth outer contour corresponding essentially to the contour of the slot-type recess. According to the invention the brush head is characterized in that the slot-type recess is divided by means of at least one transverse wall into several segments, a separate tuft is inserted and secured in each of the segments, and the at least one transverse wall is constructed so that the separate tufts converge, forming in combination the elongated tuft with a closed, smooth outer contour.

Abstract: An upright type vacuum cleaner has a cleaner body having a vacuum generating apparatus disposed therein and a suction brush disposed at a lowerportion; a cyclone unit for separating contaminants from contaminant-laden air and discharging a contaminant-free air through an outflow passage interconnected with the vacuum generating apparatus, the contaminant-laden air being drawn in through an inflow passage interconnected with the suction brush; a dust receptacle removably connected to an underside of the cyclone unit for collecting the contaminants separated by the cyclone unit; a longitudinally movable locking unit for connecting to and separating the dust receptacle from a lower portion of the cyclone unit by longitudinally moving the dust receptacle upward and downward; and a means for preventing an incorrect connection of the dust receptacle to the lower side of the cyclone unit.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally provide a processing system for removing contaminant particles from substrates. The processing system generally includes at least one processing enclosure having a particle removal assembly positioned therein. The particle removal assembly generally includes a substrate support member, a broadband actuator in communication with the substrate support member, and an air knife assembly positioned proximate the substrate support member. The air knife assembly is generally configured to generate a high pressure laminar flow of gas across the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: An air flow structure for an upright-type vacuum cleaner having a body divided by a partition into a dust-collecting chamber having a dust bag and a motor driving chamber having a motor; an air suction port protruded at an upper part of the dust-collecting chamber in order to draw air thereinto, and having the dust bag disposed around the air suction port; a dust cover to cover the dust-collecting chamber and having a plurality of ribs disposed therein in a lengthwise direction, a concaved portion formed at a rear wall of the dust-collecting chamber in a lengthwise direction, and a grill portion formed between the dust-collecting chamber and the motor driving chamber in order to allow the air of the dust-collecting chamber to flow to the motor driving chamber.

Abstract: A mop bucket with wheels having covers protecting the wheels against contact with any liquid running down the sidewalls of the bucket and onto the wheels, axles, and swivels, and for preventing the liquid form picking up rust from the wheels and running onto the floor and staining it.

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: An upright vacuum cleaner includes a floor nozzle having a suction inlet and a handle. A housing has a first portion connected to the floor nozzle, a second portion connected to the handle and defines a cavity and at least one chamber. A dirt cup assembly is releasably connected to the housing and is at least partially received by the cavity. The dirt cup assembly defines a cyclonic airflow chamber and includes a wall. An inlet duct is defined on the dirt cup assembly wall and a filter assembly is removably positioned in the dirt cup assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for collecting dust is disclosed. Preferably, the dust to be collected is chalk dust. The apparatus includes a housing supporting an eraser head and having a cavity in fluid communication with a suction device. Interposed between the cavity and the suction device is a collection chamber assembly. A matrix of apertures in the front wall are selectively openable and closeable by a controller in response to the orientation of the eraser. When the eraser is moved across a chalkboard to create airborne chalk dust, the apertures are selectively opened by the controller, the suction device urging the airborne chalk dust through the apertures, through the cavity, and into the collection chamber assembly where it is filtered and stored. The method includes the steps of providing the apparatus of the invention, energizing the suction device, and moving the eraser across a chalkboard to collect chalk dust.

Abstract: A floor nozzle for a vacuum cleaner includes a central housing. A left nozzle head is movably secured to the central housing. A right nozzle head is movably secured to the central housing, wherein a portion of the left nozzle head and a portion of the right nozzle head extend into the central housing and move around a vertical axis passing through the central housing.

Abstract: An improved suction head of a vacuum cleaner with a power brush is provided. A head case of the suction head is connected to a cleaner body with a connecting tube, and a power brush is positioned in the head case so as to allow the power brush to be in both rotary and linear motion. A two degree-of-freedom motor installed on both a moving frame and a fixed frame of the power brush allows the power brush to move in both a rotary and linear fashion. Thus, it is possible to reduce the size of the suction head while also improving cleaning performance.

Abstract: Removable container (1, 44) for collecting waste (8) separated by a cyclonic or inertial device (12, 22, 31) for a waste collecting appliance of the vacuum cleaner type, the container having several walls (2, 4, 6, 45a, 45b, 46, 48, 50) delimiting a storage volume (10, 54), including a base wall (2, 46) forming the base of the container (1, 44), and at least one link wall (4, 48) provided with an opening (5, 49). The base wall (2, 46) and the link wall (4, 48) are contiguous with one another while presenting either a curve of one and/or the other wall, or an inclination between the walls, and the opening (5, 49) of the link wall (4, 48) is located in immediate proximity to the zone of contiguity between the link wall and the base wall (2, 46).

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner includes a nozzle assembly, a canister assembly pivotally mounted to said nozzle assembly, a suction fan and drive motor and a biaser. The biaser has a first end that engages the nozzle assembly and a second end that engages the canister assembly. The biaser provides a positive downforce urging the forward end of the nozzle assembly toward the surface being cleaned.

Abstract: A hygienic utensil having improved cleansing members for effectively cleaning and massaging the scalp is provided. The utensil for cleansing and massaging skin includes, a body and a plurality of branched bristle bundles. The plurality of branched bristle bundles extend outward from the body. The branched bristle bundles are grouped together to form cleansing members and attached to pedestals extending from the body. The cleansing members have a centermost portion in which the bristle lengths are shorter relative to the outermost bristle lengths.

Abstract: A solid detergent dispenser for use with a dishwashing machine includes a chamber and a lid. The chamber is configured and arranged to receive a solid detergent having a particular composition. A water inlet receives water from a water source, and the water flows through a tunnel into the bottom of the chamber. The chamber is flooded with water from the bottom to ensure relatively constant erosion of the solid detergent, which ensures that a relatively constant concentration of the solid detergent is used in the dishwashing machine. A water outlet allows water to flow out of the chamber into the dishwashing machine. The water must flow into the chamber faster than it flows out of the chamber to ensure that the appropriate amount of dissolution of the solid detergent occurs. The only valve used in the preferred embodiment is a valve to control the amount of water flowing into the water inlet.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning floor surfaces and the like includes a cleaning head and a vacuum head to apply water on the surface for a continuous cleaning and vacuum operation. A single water passage of the apparatus is adapted to be connected to an automatic central water supply and drain system to supply water to and withdraw used water from the apparatus alternately through the single water passage in a controlled manner. Fresh water and used water containers are provided for temporarily storing the fresh and used water respectively. A valve device is used to selectively direct the water flow from the single water passage to the fresh water container and water flow from the used water container to the single water passage. Dirt particles are separated from water and air, and are collected in a removable bin for periodic dumping. The apparatus of the invention assures a fully automatic and efficient wet cleaning and vacuuming operation.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaning including a suction port body having a suction port, an electric blower generating suction air, a connection pipe connected to the suction port body, and a cyclone type dust collecting part which is disposed between the suction port body and the electric blower and exhausts suction air from an exhaust port after the suction air added from a flow-in port is swirled so as to separate dust and dirt, wherein a first dust collecting chamber and a second dust collecting chamber storing the separated dust and dirt are provided coaxially with each other through a partition wall having an opening part, whereby a cyclone dust collecting part can be reduced in size, the controllability for refuse disposal can be increased, and the electric blower can be prevented from being damaged.

Abstract: A new and improved vacuum cleaner is disclosed which would be powered solely by battery means and/or self-generated power means. The vacuum cleaner would preferably be a standard push-type vacuum cleaner and would include a rechargeable battery which would be externally mounted. The vacuum cleaner would also have a top-mounted light which would face forward and assist a user in vacuuming. The light would be powered by a generator that would produce power when the wheels of the vacuum cleaner are turned.

Abstract: An outer rear mirror for trucks and motor vehicles in general, provided with an automatic cleaning device, comprises an electric motor rotatively driving an endless worm, meshing with a gear wheel rigid with an elliptical cross-section element turning about a rotary shaft in turn supporting a cam member including a peripheral groove in which is engaged a drive bearing coupled to a telescopic rod sliding in a hollow cylinder, the outer rear mirror further including one or more mirror-like surface having different geometrical-optical characteristics, and a rear frame having a metal flange clamping member.