Abstract: A container for use with a handheld fluid dispenser is provided. The container may include a container body having interconnected walls that define an inside space therebetween and in which liquid contents are held. An opening may extend through the container body and permit access to the liquid contents in the container body. A cap may engage the container body and be aligned with the opening of the container body. The cap may include a rim that defines an outer portion of the cap. A neck may be arranged concentrically within the rim, the neck including a bore that extends longitudinally through the neck and is aligned with the opening of the container body. A recess that has an annular shape may be defined between the rim and the neck of the cap.

Abstract: A device 10 for selectively dispensing ones of multiple fluids, preferably cleaning agents, is disclosed. The device includes a reservoir 50 that holds a diluent “D” therein and a housing 20 that includes a main body segment 22 and a head segment 26. A container assembly 100 may be held between the main body and head segments 22, 26. The container assembly may include at least one container body 105, 110, 112, 114, 116. Each container body 105, 110, 112, 114, 116 houses a concentrate “C,” for example, a concentrated form of a cleaning or other agent therein. The diluent “D” and concentrates “C” are kept separate from each other, whereby no end use product is stored in the device 10. Instead, end use product is mixed on demand during dispensation.

Abstract: A floor cleaning device that is manually trainable for subsequent automatic operation. Prior to automatic operation, a user trains the cleaning device by manually manipulating the device through one or more desired cleaning paths. After training of the device, the device is configured to automatically initiate subsequent cleaning operations in accordance with the trained routine(s). Preferably, the training routine includes user specification of one of a number of cleaning modalities that are supported by the flooring cleaning device. In addition to automatic navigation, the floor cleaning device is configured to initiate a desired cleaning modality as a function of the device's position with respect to one or more of the trained routine(s).

Abstract: Portable devices for dislodging and/or capturing particulate matter that has accumulated on various surfaces or structures are provided. The devices include a body segment and a nose segment extending away therefrom. A high-pressure assembly generates a high-pressure airflow that is directed to a nozzle assembly in the nose segment. From the nozzle assembly, the high-pressure airflow can be emitted from multiple nozzles as a series of airflow bursts that discretely contact the surface from which the particulate matter is being dislodged. The configuration of each nozzle, as well as the overall arrangement and positions of all the nozzles together, is selected to impart the desired particulate matter dislodging characteristics to the device, and the device may incorporate a vacuum airflow to remove the particulate matter after such matter has been dislodged.

Abstract: Handheld portable devices for dislodging and capturing particulate matter that has accumulated on various surfaces or structures are provided. The devices create opposing airflows that can intimately interface with each other during use. A vacuum airflow is drawn into the device, defining a vacuum affected zone upon the surface being cleaned. A high pressure airflow is emitted that penetrates through or passes adjacent to the opposing vacuum airflow and contacts the surface being cleaned, dislodging particulate matter therefrom. The high pressure airflow can be emitted from multiple nozzles as a series of airflow bursts that discretely contact the surface being cleaned. The configuration of each nozzle, as well as the overall arrangement and positions of all the nozzles together, are selected to impart the desired particulate matter dislodging characteristics to the device.

Abstract: A multi-layer surface treating pad is disclosed. It has an upper layer suitable to serve as one part of a hook/loop type fastener system, a bottom layer which comprises an abrasive or polishing material, and a cleaning or other surface treating formulation positioned between the upper and bottom layer in the form of a bump which is positioned mostly in a central region of the pad. The bump of the formulation causes the upper layer to bulge upwardly so as to provide a visual indication as to where one optimally should attach a motorized device thereto.

Abstract: The present invention is a device for use in cleaning a fabric surface of dust, dirt, pet hair and other debris present on the surface. The device includes a pair of cleaning members or rollers disposed on an underside of the device which can roll with respect to the device and with respect to one another. The rollers are selectively contacted with one another such that each roller can assist in removing debris picked up by the opposite roller and dispensing the debris into a collection chamber releasably positioned within the housing. The removal of the debris from each roller is also facilitated by opposed edges of a central opening in the housing that contact the rollers and direct the debris into the debris collection chamber.

Abstract: A multi-layer surface treating pad is disclosed. It has an upper layer suitable to serve as one part of a hook/loop type fastener system, a bottom layer which comprises an abrasive or polishing material, and a cleaning or other surface treating formulation positioned between the upper and bottom layer in the form of a bump which is positioned mostly in a central region of the pad. The bump of the formulation causes the upper layer to bulge upwardly so as to provide a visual indication as to where one optimally should attach a motorized device thereto.

Abstract: A device is provided that is capable of circulating air throughout a personal space as well as collecting and preventing the build up of dust and other particulate matter by drawing in air from the surrounding environment and removing some dust, allergens and other such particulate matter therefrom. The filtered air is then expelled out of the device and back into the surrounding environment. The device includes a housing defining an interior space having a motor and fan assembly disposed therein. The housing includes an inlet with a filter provided therein such that air drawn in through the inlet is filtered. The air is then expelled through a circumferentially disposed outlet. The filter element preferably includes a lock and key system configured to prevent operation of the device in the absence of a properly keyed filter.

Abstract: A device for quickly cleaning a variety of surfaces is provided that preferably utilizes a positive capture roller and three-dimensional capture matrix. In particular, the roller is tacky and is in close relationship with a three-dimensional capture media. The roller may be refreshed by a washing mechanism and the media may be replaceable.

Abstract: A multi-layer surface treating pad is disclosed. It has an upper layer suitable to serve as one part of a hook/loop type fastener system, a bottom layer which comprises an abrasive or polishing material, and a cleaning or other surface treating formulation positioned between the upper and bottom layer in the form of a bump which is positioned mostly in a central region of the pad. The bump of the formulation causes the upper layer to bulge upwardly so as to provide a visual indication as to where one optimally should attach a motorized device thereto.

Abstract: A portable self-heating device includes a heating cell having a fluid permeable wall defining an interior space of the cell. The device includes an outer cover having a fluid permeable section, and an absorbent layer positioned external to the interior space of the cell. The heating cell and absorbent layer are positioned within a cavity formed by the outer cover such that the absorbent layer contacts the heating cell. A user can activate the portable self-heating device by contacting the device with a fluid (e.g., a gas or a liquid) that reacts exothermically with a fluid activated material located in the interior space of the cell. This raises the temperature of the device. This increase can be sufficient to heat any portion of a liquid adjacent or contacting the device such that the liquid is converted to gas and passes out of the outer cover through the fluid permeable section.

Abstract: A container for use with a handheld fluid dispenser is provided. The container may include a front wall facing a first direction, a back wall facing in a second, opposite, direction, and at least one side wall interconnecting the front and back walls. A lower wall may be arranged above a lower portion of a handheld fluid dispenser in which the container is mounted. An upper wall may be arranged below an upper portion of the handheld fluid dispenser. The upper wall may interconnect the front wall, back wall, and at least one side wall of the container. An opening extends through the upper wall and permitting access to contents that are held in the container. The opening extends through the upper wall at a location that is nearer the back wall than the front wall of the container.

Abstract: A container for use with a handheld fluid dispenser is provided. The container may include a container body having interconnected walls that define an inside space therebetween and in which liquid contents are held. An opening may extend through the container body and permit access to the liquid contents in the container body. A cap may engage the container body and be aligned with the opening of the container body. The cap may include a rim that defines an outer portion of the cap. A neck may be arranged concentrically within the rim, the neck including a bore that extends longitudinally through the neck and is aligned with the opening of the container body. A recess that has an annular shape may be defined between the rim and the neck of the cap.

Abstract: Portable devices for dislodging and/or capturing particulate matter that has accumulated on various surfaces or structures are provided. The devices include a body segment and a nose segment extending away therefrom. A high-pressure assembly generates a high-pressure airflow that is directed to a nozzle assembly in the nose segment. From the nozzle assembly, the high-pressure airflow can be emitted from multiple nozzles as a series of airflow bursts that discretely contact the surface from which the particulate matter is being dislodged. The configuration of each nozzle, as well as the overall arrangement and positions of all the nozzles together, is selected to impart the desired particulate matter dislodging characteristics to the device, and the device may incorporate a vacuum airflow to remove the particulate matter after such matter has been dislodged.

Abstract: A flexible cleaning tool (22) is disclosed. The cleaning tool (22) includes a handle (24) connected to an elongated flexible support member (26) that includes a plurality of discrete, rotatably interconnected segments (40). A cleaning pad (28) encloses the support rod (26).

Abstract: The present invention is a device for use in cleaning a fabric surface of dust, dirt, pet hair and other debris present on the surface. The device includes a housing coupled to a base. The base is coupled to at least one movable cleaning member configured to engage a surface for picking up debris from the surface. The debris is deposited into a debris collection chamber by way of interaction with another portion of the device. The debris collection chamber is selectively emptiable by an operator thereof so that the device may be subsequently reused.

Abstract: A device (20) for cleaning surfaces is provided utilizing a web (94) of a tackified sheet material movably secured between rollers (56, 58) on the device (20) that enable the web (94) to be moved over the surface in opposite directions. The device (20) includes a supply roller (56) and a take-up roller (58) secured to opposed ends of the web (94) of adhesive sheet material, with at least one roller (56, 58) including a biasing mechanism (82) disposed within the roller (56, 58). The web (94) can be engaged with the surface by passing over a number of idler rollers (98) positioned between the supply roller (56) and take-up roller (58). The biasing mechanism (82) is designed to bias the movement of the web (94) onto the take-up roller (58), such that the mechanism (82) can be selectively operated to advance the web (94) from the supply roller (56) to the take-up roller (58) to expose a clean section of the adhesive sheet material (94).