Abstract: A test method is disclosed that can be used to test cleaning products. The test method includes applying a known amount of test material to a surface, cleaning the surface and calculating the amount of allergens picked-up from the surface. The calculated amount of allergens picked-up is then corrected for several measurable variables to provide a more accurate determination of the percentage of allergens picked up with the cleaning product.

Abstract: A cleaning pad (28) is disclosed. The cleaning pad (28) includes a base sheet (202) bonded to a fiber mat (203) and exhibits improved debris retention when a liquid is applied to the pad (28) or the surface to be cleaned. The pad (28) is preferably used with a cleaning system that includes a fluid source (30) in communication with a cleaning tool (22) such that fluid may be selectively applied to a surface to be cleaned or directly to the fiber mat (203) of the cleaning pad (28).

Abstract: An artificial test soil comprises particulate, hair, and fiber components, wherein said particulate component consists of mineral, food, and plant materials, so chosen and proportioned as to correlate to a typical soil found in the home. The test soil may be used to test cleaning products by application of a known amount thereof to a surface, cleaning of said surface, and determination of the amount of said soil removed from said surface.

Abstract: A cartridge is disclosed comprising a reel-to-reel roll of cleaning material, for use in a hand-held or robotic cleaning device. The cartridge provides either an electrostatic dust cloth or wet mop, and includes a fluid reservoir for maintaining the wet mop cloth during use. A dust bin is also provided on the cartridge, and includes a hinged lid for providing selective access to the dust inside of the bin. A motor, optical sensor, and fluid pump inside of a cleaning apparatus control the operation of the reel-to-reel cloth, and control fluid delivery to the wet cloth.

Abstract: A method of cleaning is disclosed. The method includes providing a cleaning tool having a handle having a top and bottom and an opening allowing access into the bottom from the top and a cleaning pad support pivotally attached to the handle portion. The method further includes the steps of placing a cleaning pad onto the cleaning pad support, inserting a fluid dispenser into the fluid dispenser cradle, positioning the cleaning pad onto a surface to be cleaned and moving the cleaning pad on the surface to be cleaned. Liquid may be selectively applied to either the surface to be cleaned or the cleaning implement.

Abstract: A robotic surface treating device that can perform carpet sweeping, hard-surface dry sweeping/wiping, and hard-surface sweeping/mopping is disclosed. The robotic surface treating device includes a sweeper brush, a dust bin for collecting debris from the brush, a reel-to-reel sheet of cleaning material, and a fluid delivery system for delivering fluid from a fluid reservoir onto the sheet of cleaning material and/or onto the surface to be treated. The dust bin, reel-to-reel sheet of cleaning material, and the fluid reservoir are separately installed from the top of the device, and may be separately removed for replacement.

Abstract: A test method is disclosed that can be used to test cleaning products. The test method includes applying a known amount of test material to a surface, cleaning the surface and calculating the amount of allergens picked-up from the surface. The calculated amount of allergens picked-up is then corrected for several measurable variables to provide a more accurate determination of the percentage of allergens picked up with the cleaning product.

Abstract: An artificial test soil is composed of particulate, hair, and fiber components, wherein the particulate component consists of mineral, food, and plant materials, so chosen and proportioned as to correlate to a typical soil found in the home. The test soil may be used to test cleaning products by application of a known amount thereof to a surface, cleaning the surface, and determination of the amount of soil removed from the surface.

Abstract: An artificial test soil comprises particulate, hair, and fiber components, wherein said particulate component consists of mineral, food, and plant materials, so chosen and proportioned as to correlate to a typical soil found in the home. The test soil may be used to test cleaning products by application of a known amount thereof to a surface, cleaning of said surface, and determination of the amount of said soil removed from said surface.

Abstract: This invention provides a methodology for rapid biofilm formation in a pilot drain system. In a typical embodiment, aqueous nutrient medium and an inoculum comprising both Sphaerotilus natans and natural biofilm bacteria is utilized to promote growth of a biofilm mass which occupies at least about 20 percent of the conduit volume of a pilot drain system within a time period of about two weeks under simulated drain usage conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to single-phase soap gels and viscous soap compositions which are produced by alkanolamine neutralization of a fatty acid above the Krafft point. These compositions are robust, biodegradable, and are insensitive to temperature changes. The compositions also exhibit excellent cleaning properties and may be used as laundry cleaning agents, oven cleaners, hard surface cleaners, and disinfectants and air fragrancing compositions.

Abstract: Methods of substantially removing a restriction from a drain pipe system include the steps of introducing a cleaning composition containing a non-caustic drain opening active to the pipe system, activating the cleaning composition by adding a sufficient amount of liquid to the drain pipe system while maintaining a flow-through state through the pipe system, allowing the drain opening active to remain in contact with the restriction for a sufficient time to substantially degrade the restriction, and rinsing the drain opening active from the pipe system. The water flow rate through the pipe system is improved by at least 0.7 liters/minute after 16 hours of the drain opening active contacting the restriction. These methods are effective for both clogged and slow-running drains.

Abstract: This invention provides a methodology for controlled biofilm formation in accordance with a monitored protocol. In a typical embodiment, a natural biofilm inoculum is used to form a simulated natural biofilm on retrievable slides in an annular reactor. The monitored protocol in the annular reactor subjects the bacterial consortia of the simulated natural biofilm to simulated environmental conditions. The invention simulated natural biofilm on a slide surface has utility for the testing of formulated product activity for inhibition or removal of the simulated natural biofilm, thereby providing a reliable indicator of the relative activity of the products under natural environmental conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to single-phase soap gels and viscous soap compositions which are produced by alkanolamine neutralization of a fatty acid above the Krafft point. These compositions are robust, biodegradable, and are insensitive to temperature changes. The compositions also exhibit excellent cleaning properties and may be used as laundry cleaning agents, oven cleaners, hard surface cleaners, and disinfectants and air fragrancing compositions.

Abstract: Methods of substantially removing a restriction from a drain pipe system include the steps of introducing a cleaning composition containing a non-caustic drain opening active to the pipe system, activating the cleaning composition by adding a sufficient amount of liquid to the drain pipe system while maintaining a flow-through state through the pipe system, allowing the drain opening active to remain in contact with the restriction for a sufficient time to substantially degrade the restriction, and rinsing the drain opening active from the pipe system. The water flow rate through the pipe system is improved by at least 0.7 liters/minute after 16 hours of the drain opening active contacting the restriction. These methods are effective for both clogged and slow-running drains.

Abstract: A stable, enzyme-containing aqueous laundry prespotting composition. The composition includes at least one detergent enzyme in an amount effective to reduce fabric stains; an enzyme stabilizing system effective to preserve the detergent enzyme for at least 12 weeks at at least 90.degree. F. in an amount effective to reduce fabric stains, the enzyme stabilizing system including at least one chelating agent and at least one nonionic surfactant, with no additional enzyme stabilizer; and an aqueous carrier.

Abstract: An aqueous laundry prespotting composition which is essentially free of solvent, having from 0.1 to 6% of a chelating agent, from 5.0 to 40% by weight of at least one nonionic surfactant, having an HLB in the range of from 9.0 to 13.0 and water. The composition having a pH of from 4.5 to 12.2.

Abstract: A metastable laundry prespotting composition comprising a chelating agent, at least one surfactant, solvent and water.