Abstract: A flexible cleaning tool for use in wet, damp or dry cleaning is disclosed. The cleaning tool includes a handle connected to an elongated flexible support member. A cleaning pad encloses the support member. In one embodiment, the handle defines a fluid reservoir receiving cradle.

Abstract: A device for applying controlled unitized doses of a flowable material to a surface is disclosed. The device includes a tubular body and a plunger. The body has a wall defining a cavity, and the body has a first open end and an opposite second end having a dispensing orifice. A flowable material is contained in the cavity of the body. The plunger has an outer sleeve dimensioned for surrounding at least a section the body and an inner pushing structure dimensioned for axial movement in the cavity of the body. The device has means for indexed positioning of the second end of the body and an inner end of the inner pushing structure of the plunger relative to each other to provide controlled unitized doses of the flowable material to a surface when the plunger is moved toward the body by a user's hand.

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).

Abstract: A fabric cleaning device (20) is disclosed. The fabric cleaning device (20) includes a hand held support (22) having a plurality of loosening projections (50) associated therewith, and a resilient pad (26) comprising a plurality of individual flexible cleaning sheets (60) receiving the loosening projections (50) and having an affinity for debris.

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 cleaning system for selective wet or dry cleaning is disclosed. The cleaning system includes a handle defining a fluid reservoir retaining cradle and a moveably attached support member configured to receive a cleaning implement. The pivotal arrangement of the handle and support member allow liquid to be selectively applied to either the surface to be cleaned or the cleaning implement.

Abstract: The invention relates to an automated sprayer for spraying the walls of a bath and shower enclosure with a cleanser. The sprayer has a housing that can be mounted inside the shower enclosure and that defines a tray in which an inverted bottle of cleanser is stored. The bottom of the tray has a tube extending downwardly along a longitudinal axis through which the cleanser can pass. A motorized head disposed beneath the tube can be rotated about the axis for metering cleanser from the bottle and spraying cleanser outward. The sprayer includes timer circuitry that delays commencement of a spray for a set time and automatically stops spraying after a predetermined period. The sprayer also includes a system for signaling the beginning of a spray cycle including audio and visual alarms. The invention focuses on methods of using such equipment, as well as a container for supplying such equipment.

Abstract: A trigger-actuated cleaning device dispenses an aerosol cleaning agent from a pressurized canister. The canister has a female valve assembly. In one form an over cap fits onto the canister over the valve and has a male stem on a pivotable part of the over cap that opens the valve when moved by a rod linked to a remote trigger. The stem is either formed integrally with the over cap or is removably attached to a stem socket formed in the over cap. In another form the actuator is a button having a stem that fits in the female valve.

Abstract: The invention is an automated sprayer for spraying the walls of a bath and shower enclosure with a cleanser. The sprayer has a housing that can be mounted inside the shower enclosure and that defines a tray in which an inverted bottle of cleanser is stored. The bottom of the tray has a tube extending downwardly along a longitudinal axis through which the cleanser can pass. A motorized head disposed beneath the tube can be rotated about the axis for metering cleanser from the bottle and spraying cleanser outward. The sprayer includes timer circuitry that delays commencement of a spray for a set time and automatically stops spraying after a predetermined period. The sprayer also includes a system for signaling the beginning of a spray cycle including audio and visual alarms. An automated method of cleaning the shower enclosure is also disclosed.

Abstract: A dispenser is provided for dispensing cleaning chemicals such as toilet bowl cleaners. It has a dosing chamber containing therein a floating shuttle that seals a lower opening in the dosing chamber and floats up there from as an aliquot of chemical is prepared for release during the next cycle. There is also a float controlled external valve head at a lower end of the dispenser for alternately opening and closing a lower opening in the dosing chamber. The level of water in the toilet tank controls the movement of the valve head, and dispensing of the cleaner chemical controls movement of the floating shuttle. A grommet provides a valve seat for both the floating shuttle and valve head.

Abstract: Cleaning devices are disclosed which can rapidly be reconfigured from an elongated mop, to an intermediate size upper wall cleaner, to a shorter window cleaner. A common aerosol canister support and actuator and a common cleaning head are used. The device can be triggered by either a trigger on the support, or by a remote trigger on a separate handle. An extension wand can connect the remote handle to the canister support. Linkages between the handle, wand and support are via a quick disconnect coupler allowing rapid disassembly and assembly while permitting triggering components to act through the joint created by the coupler.

Abstract: An overcap for use with a spray canister includes a peripheral wall adapted to attach to the spray canister, a cantilevered lever arm hingedly attached to the peripheral wall, and a nozzle within the cantilevered lever arm. The nozzle includes a stem socket adapted to receive a valve stem of the spray canister and adapted to provide a fan-shaped spray.

Abstract: A toilet tank cleanser dispenser has a receiving holster suitable to receive an inverted container of cleaning composition and suitable to dose liquid from the container. The adapter has an internal dosing shuttle for metering an aliquot of cleanser through an opening at the bottom of the adapter defining a valve seat. A float can move up and down with respect to the liquid level in the tank to drive an outlet valve against an outlet of the adapter. The valve head can have a balloon-like structure driven by the float. For example, a low density thin wall polyethylene valve head can be supported by a trapped air pocket to reduce leakage, permit some flexibility, and avoid permanent deformation.

Abstract: An actuator cap for use in radially locating a pressurized can in a sprayer device having a cradle for receiving the can. The actuator cap has a recess that engages an engagement land of the cradle and an actuator arm that is so located as to be movable by an actuation pin located in the engagement land. By such movement, the can's valve can be activated and its contents released. A method is also disclosed for activating a pressurized, axially extending can having a forwardly presenting valve while the can is held in pre-determined radial orientation within a sprayer device.

Abstract: A dispenser for use in a toilet tank is disclosed. There is a replaceable bottle There is also an upwardly open holster for receiving the bottle in inverted fashion. A valve is associated with the holster that controls the dispensing of cleaner from the container, and/or a mounting hook is provided on the holster that can pivot between a storage position in a bottle recess and a mounting position snap locked on the holster (or is integrally linked to the holster).

Abstract: A toilet tank cleanser dispenser has a receiving holster suitable to receive an inverted container of cleaning composition and suitable to dose liquid from the container. The adapter has an internal dosing shuttle for metering an aliquot of cleanser through an opening at the bottom of the adapter defining a valve seat. A float can move up and down with respect to the liquid level in the tank to drive an outlet valve against an outlet of the adapter. The present invention focuses on the balloon-like structure of a valve head driven by the float. For example, a low density thin wall polyethylene valve head can be supported by a trapped air pocket to reduce leakage, permit some flexibility, and avoid permanent deformation.