Abstract: A method is provided for removing iron oxide scale from sheet metal and producing a sheet metal surface with rust inhibitive properties. The sheet metal is advanced through the descaling cell and a slurry mixture is propelled against at least one of the top surface and bottom surface of the sheet metal across the sheet metal width as the material is advanced through the descaling cell. The rate of slurry impact against the at least one of the top surface and bottom surface of the sheet metal is controlled in a manner to remove substantially all of the scale from a surface of the sheet metal, and in a manner to create a passivation layer on the descaled surface of the sheet metal. The passivation layer comprises at least one of silicon, aluminum, manganese and chromium and inhibits oxidation of the descaled surface of the processed sheet metal.

Abstract: An escalator step cleaner for cleaning escalator steps having a plurality of parallel tread ridges separated by tread grooves has a cleaning pad assembly configured to extend generally perpendicular to the direction of motion of the escalator steps and clean the escalator steps while the escalator is in motion. The cleaning pad assembly has a rigid upper plate and a flexible disposable bottom pad having a cleaning contact surface. The contact surface carries a plurality of spaced parallel pad ridges separated by pad grooves that matingly engage between the tread ridges of the escalator steps and cause dislodgement of the accumulated debris. The cleaning pad assembly can be secured on a hand-held cleaning tool or on a motorized cleaning tool with rotating brushes and a vacuum.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods and materials for making a brush or pad for removing materials, particles, or chemicals from a substrate. The brush or pad includes a rotatable base for supporting a porous pad material. The base include an inner surface and an outer surface and a plurality of channels in the base for interlocking the porous pad material with the base. A porous pad material covers at least a portion of the outer surface of the base and is used for removing material from various substrates. The porous pad material fills one or more of the channels in the base and interlocks the porous pad material with the base. Preferably the channels fluidly connect said inner surface with the outer surface of the base and aid in the alignment of porous pad nodes and the distribution of fluid within the porous pad.

Abstract: A multi-surface sponge product includes a foraminous portion adhered to an abrasive portion to form a unitary product, each portion and the resulting product having a pair of sidewalls and in cross-section or side elevation having the form of a parallelogram. The sidewalls form gripping areas and the angled forward and reward end opposite ends of the parallelogram shaped body form wedges. The multi-surface body is low profile and various edges and corners thereof enable the foraminous and abrasive portions to be selectively used to engage corners of many differently configured surfaces to be cleaned, to either scrub the surface or simply clean or absorb fluid, depending on which portion of the product is emplaced in the edge or in a corner.

Abstract: Disclosed are aqueous, acidic hard surface cleaning compositions particularly effective in the removal of greasy stains and soapscum from hard surfaces. The compositions have a pH of not more than 2, preferably not more than 1, comprising: one or more anionic surfactants; a nonioinic surfactant constituent which preferably comprises both a first alcohol ethoxylate nonionic surfactant derived from monobranched alkoxylated C10-fatty alcohols and/or C11-fatty alcohols and about a second alcohol ethoxylate nonionic surfactant, preferably a C10-C14 linear alcohol ethoxylated surfactant having at least about 8 mols ethoxylation, an organic solvent constituent, which preferably comprises or consists of a phenyl containing glycol ether solvent, an acid constituent, which most preferably comprises, or consists of, a ternary acid system comprising each of: sulfamic acid, formic acid and oxalic acid in a respective weight ratio of sulfamic acid:formic acid:oxalic acid of 1-8:1-5:1-3.

Abstract: A cleaning device for a medical implement is disclosed. The cleaning device includes a cap having an opening to an inner cavity, the opening being adapted to receive a site of the medical implement. The cleaning device further includes a compressible cleaning material that contains a cleaning agent prior to receipt of the site of the medical implement, i.e. the cleaning material is pre-loaded with the cleaning agent. The compressible cleaning material is at least partially secured in the inner cavity and adapted to swab and clean the site with the cleaning agent.

Abstract: A glass cleaning device employs an inner component having a body with an associated first cleaning element and a second movable portion positionable from a first to second position, the second portion associated with a second cleaning element. A support magnet is carried within the body and at least one magnetic element is carried in the second movable portion. An outer component provides a handle for manipulation by a user with a first magnetic element carried within the handle for operable engagement of the support magnetic in the inner component to draw the body into contact with an inner surface of an aquarium wall to be cleaned. A selection magnet carried within the handle allows engagement with at least one magnetic element in the movable portion. Positioning of the selection magnet adjacent the magnetic element actuates the movable portion for operable engagement of the second cleaning element on the inner surface of the aquarium wall.

Abstract: A system and method for cleaning tapered towers such wind turbine towers. A semicircular member hugs the tower surface. A plurality of nozzles affixed to the semicircular member sprays high pressure cleaning fluid on the tower surface as the semicircular member is raised and lowered. The spray nozzles are kept at a constant distance from the tower surface by a plurality of wheels affixed to the semicircular member. At least one constricting structure is used to force the plurality of wheels to be in constant contact with the tower surface. The constricting structure can be a spring loaded scissor apparatus and/or a bungee cord with rolling beads. A brush can be optionally added to the semicircular member to aid in cleaning.

Abstract: Cleaning compositions of surfactant-based products containing one or more alkaline builders for the preparation of liquid cleaning compositions are discussed. The surfactant-based product may be any type of cleaning product based on surfactants. Methods of cleaning a household surface and of making cleaning compositions are also discussed.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus, said apparatus combining mechanical combing action and liquid flow to remove detritus from frond-like structures.

Abstract: A wiper assembly for sweeping a glass surface on a vehicle. The wiper assembly includes a windshield washer assembly connected to the windshield wiper drive arm of the vehicle for controllably dispensing washer fluid directly down onto the glass surface of the vehicle. The wiper assembly also includes a novel control unit carried by the vehicle for controlling the dispensing of the washing liquid from the windshield washer assembly. Uniquely, the control unit includes a sensor that is operably associated with the pump for sensing the position of the wiper arm as it moves upwardly and downwardly relative to the glass surface and for controllably energizing the pump at selected positions of the wiper drive arm so that the washer fluid is always dispensed forwardly of the wiper blade to avoid smearing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for pre-cleaning parts made of plastic as part of a recycling process, wherein foreign bodies to be removed adhere to the parts, in particular for removing foreign bodies on parts made of plastic, preferably for removing labels, dirt, etc. on used plastic bottles, said method being characterized in that the foreign bodies are removed from the parts by mechanically loading the parts. A device for applying the method is characterized by a housing (2) having a chamber for accommodating the parts, means (3, 4, 11) for mechanically acting upon the parts and means for separating the foreign bodies released from the parts and for discharging the foreign bodies and parts onto separate paths being provided in the chamber.

Abstract: A rear wiper assembly that moves to a parked position located out of contact with the rear windshield upon the occurrence of a specified condition. Upon resuming the normal operation of the rear wiper assembly the rear wiper arm waits a first delay prior to moving to a flip position located on the rear windshield and then waits a second delay prior to resuming its normal oscillation across the rear windshield.

Abstract: A method and system for launching a pipeline pig includes the steps of compressing a modulating bypass valve of a pipeline pig and installing a locking means to temporally maintain the bypass valve in the compressed state. Once the pig has travelled a predetermined distance through the pipeline, the locking means is released and retrieved through the launch trap door. The locking means is preferably a launching pin having a clip attachment that receives the clips of a retractable lead. The lead is housed by a retraction device that is detachably secured to the launch trap door. The modulating valve has sufficient mass and aerodynamic drag to overcome the force of a gas spring. The valve moves between a retracted and compressed position substantially instantaneously upon the pipeline pig stalling and between the compressed and retracted position substantially instantaneously upon the pipeline pig accelerating.

Abstract: An electric toothbrush is disclosed. The electric toothbrush includes at least one switch element and a control unit. The at least one switch element is operable by a user to switch the toothbrush to an on/off state, and operable by a user during the time that the at least one switch element is in its on state to select a brushing mode from a set of at least a first brushing mode and a second brushing mode. The control unit is arranged to control the electric toothbrush such that when the at least one switch element is operated to select a particular brushing mode in the on state, the toothbrush will then operate in that particular selected brushing mode when the at least one switch element is thereafter switched to an off state and then subsequently switched back to an on state, provided that the toothbrush was in the off state for a time period less than a threshold period (T).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cleaning implement comprising elastic compressed foam and to a method of cleaning a hard surface with said cleaning implement.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for cleaning a substrate using a disk brush. One embodiment provides a substrate cleaner comprising a substrate chuck disposed in the processing volume, and a brush assembly disposed in the processing volume, wherein the brush assembly comprises a disk brush movably disposed opposing the substrate chuck, and a processing surface of the disk brush contacts a surface of the substrate on the substrate chuck.

Abstract: There is intended provision of a screen print mask cleaning unit that enables efficient wiping of paste from a screen print mask conforming to a cavity substrate, a screen printing machine, and a screen print mask cleaning method. A rubbing area 34a of a paper member 34 is rubbed against an undersurface of a mask region for a flat area (MRF), thereby wiping out paste PT adhering to the undersurface of the MRF. The rubbing area 34a of the paper member 34 is sequentially rubbed against undersurfaces of respective protruding portions 3a in a mask area for cavities (MRC), thereby wiping out the paste PT adhering to the undersurfaces of the respective protruding portions 3a.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cleaning apparatus, in particular for cleaning solar installation surfaces or photovoltaic installation surfaces, comprising a carrier, at least one cleaning roller rotatably supported at the carrier, and a rotary drive for the cleaning roller, wherein the rotary drive is designed as a fluid drive, wherein the flow of a cleaning fluid supplied to the cleaning roller for cleaning purposes is converted into a drive movement for the cleaning roller.

Abstract: A method of cleaning dishware with a liquid detergent composition having an amphiphilic graft polymer, to provide improved grease cleaning and sudsing.

Abstract: The present invention provides variant subtilisins and compositions comprising at least one variant subtilisin set forth herein, as well as methods for using these variants and compositions. In some embodiments, the present invention provides variant proteases suitable for laundry cleaning applications.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying a fluid to a target area of a component is provided, the apparatus comprising a fluid applicator 10 and means 12, 300, 400 for guiding the fluid applicator 10 along a predetermined path with respect to the component 26; the fluid applicator 10 comprising a body 14 and an application head 50, 100, 200 mounted on the body 14 and operable in use to be brought into physical contact with the component 26.

Abstract: The present invention is a chemical composition to remove epoxy-based photoimageable coatings that include a solvent system to dissolve and rinse away the coating, an acidic additive that hydrolyzes the coating and releases a plurality of monomeric forms to the solvent, a plurality of inhibitors that protect any exposed substrate and a surfactant to lower a surface tension of the coating on the substrate. The composition can be utilized with a method for removing a partial cured and a fully cured epoxy-based photoimageable coating from a substrate with the composition to remove epoxy-based photoimageable coatings.

Abstract: The present invention provides variant subtilisins and compositions comprising at least one variant subtilisin set forth herein, as well as methods for using these variants and compositions. In some embodiments, the present invention provides variant subtilisins suitable for laundry cleaning applications.

Abstract: A broom comprises a head supporting bristles. A handle is connected to the head at a swivel joint where the swivel joint allows the handle to feely rotate relative to the head. A lock is movable to a locked position to fix the position of the handle relative to the head when the head is in a first position relative to the handle and an unlocked position where the head is free to rotate relative to the handle. A method of operating a broom comprises providing a head supporting bristles connected to a handle at a lockable swivel joint; locking the lockable swivel joint to fix the position of the handle relative to the head in a first position; and unlocking the lockable swivel joint to allow the handle to rotate relative to the head.

Abstract: Disclosed are replaceable cleaning pads capable of delivering a bleaching agent and a detersive composition to surfaces being cleaned. The pads are constructed to retain bleach separate from detersive ingredients and certain other chemicals prior to use, yet permit rapid delivery of the combined chemicals to the surface being cleaned once the pad is wetted. Most preferably a detersive mixture is melt-anchored to the pad. In one form, the pad is a two layer pad, and in another form, the pad is a three layer pad.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for controlling an electric motor (2), wherein an operating voltage and an operating current is supplied to an electric motor (2), and at least one measurement variable (4, 6, 7, 8) characterizing the electric motor temperature is recorded, wherein the torque discharged by the electric motor during operation is maintained nearly constant regardless of the temperature of the electric motor (2).

Abstract: A recyclable article having an external surface with an image printed thereon by droplets of ink is provided. The droplets of ink comprise a composition that includes a hydrophilic component. In embodiments, the hydrophilic component can facilitate the separation or loosening of the image from the external surface of the container when the image is exposed to a liquid-based solution at an elevated temperature. Methods for facilitating recycling of recyclable articles having printed images are also disclosed.

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 method for controlling the flow of a fluid on a surface. In some embodiments, the method includes providing a fluid absorbent tape that includes an absorbent material, a fluid permeable cover enclosing the absorbent material to form an elongated fluid absorbent tape, and a separating structure that is formed in a transverse direction across the elongated fluid absorbent tape and the absorbent material. The separating structure divides the elongated tape into first and second sections. The first section of fluid absorbent tape is separable from the second section of fluid absorbent tape along the separating structure. Also in some embodiments, the method further includes separating a desired length of the first section of fluid absorbent tape from the second section at said separating structure, placing the first section on the surface, and contacting the first section with the fluid to be controlled so that the absorbent material forms a physical barrier to the flow of fluid.

Abstract: A disk cleaning scrub module comprising a scrub lane and a plurality of brushes that rotates and scrub washes a plurality of disks having a diameter D in the scrub lane, wherein a disk-to-disk center distance for scrub wash of the plurality of the disks is S and a ratio of S/D is greater than 1 and less than 1.6 is disclosed.

Abstract: Solutions for limiting the undesirable spread of pathogens by indirect contact are provided. The solutions involve event-controlled self-sterilization of contact surfaces on articles or fixtures. A self-sterilizing contact surface structure allows chemical sterilizing agents to controllably flow in response to a contact event, from within the article to exude upon a portion of the contact surface.

Abstract: Solutions for limiting the undesirable spread of pathogens by indirect contact are provided. The solutions involve event-controlled self-sterilization of contact surfaces on articles or fixtures. A self-sterilizing contact surface structure allows chemical sterilizing agents to controllably flow in response to a contact event, from within the article to exude upon a portion of the contact surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cleaning implement comprising hybrid foam and to a method of cleaning a hard surface with said cleaning implement.

Abstract: A cosmetic makeup brush cleaning solution that effectively cleans, sanitizes, and conditions the bristles of the brush. The ingredients provided in the solution of the present invention do not damage the bristles regardless of bristle material. The cleaning solution also provides the bristles with a pleasant fragrance for when the user is using the cosmetic brush.

Abstract: This invention relates to cleaning compositions comprising unsaturated fluorinated hydrocarbons. The invention further relates to use of said cleaning compositions in methods to clean, degrease, deflux, dewater, and deposit fluorolubricant. The invention further relates to novel unsaturated fluorinated hydrocarbons and their use as cleaning compositions and in the methods listed above.

Abstract: A wipe includes a generally flat piece of material (10) made of paper, cloth or the like. The generally flat piece of material (10) is formed into a non-planar form having a three-dimensional shape, for example conical, for storage and dispensing.

Abstract: A substrate cleaning apparatus for cleaning a front-side clean target surface 1a and a back-side clean target surface 1b of a edge portion of a substrate 1 by wiping surfaces 12a, 12b of a cleaning tape 12. The substrate cleaning apparatus includes a presser member 11a for pressing the cleaning tape 12 against the clean target surface 1a, a presser member 11b for pressing the cleaning tape 12 against the clean target surface 1b, a tape path passing through between the presser member 11a and the clean target surface 1a and between the presser member 11b and the clean target surface 1b, a moving device for moving the cleaning tape 12 and the substrate 1 relative to each other in a longitudinal direction of the edge portion.

Abstract: A method of removing material such as surface treatments, metal coatings, and other material layers from an edge region of a metal work piece where they could potentially contaminate a nearby weld. According to one embodiment, a scraper tool includes a body having a base portion and a tab portion, and several scraping elements attached to the base portion. During operation, the scraping elements scrape one or more surfaces of the edge region so that the depth to which the scraping element engage the metal work piece is generally affected by the amount of rotation of the scraper tool about a pivot axis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a washing household device, in particular to a clothes dryer, that includes an air-supply device which is arranged on a rear side area thereof and is provided with a closed self-contained cross-section flow channel.

Abstract: An ion source includes an arc chamber housing defining an arc chamber having an extraction aperture, and a wiper. The wiper is positioned within the arc chamber in a parked position and configured to be driven from the parked position to operational positions to clean the extraction aperture. A cleaning sub-assembly for an ion source includes a wiper configured to be positioned within an arc chamber of the ion source when in a parked position and driven from the parked position to operational positions to clean an extraction aperture of the ion source.

Abstract: A produce bin washer for washing produce bins of an open-box type may include a housing and a conveyor for advancing a plurality of empty produce bins along a path of travel through the housing. The produce bin washer may include at least one scrubbing brush within the housing adjacent the conveyor and along the path of travel. The produce bin washer may also include a positioner within the housing for sequentially lifting and rotating each empty produce bin from the conveyor onto the at least one scrubbing brush to scrub the interior, and returning the empty produce bin to the conveyor. A sprayer may be within the housing for spraying a cleaning solution onto the empty produce bins, and a collector may also be within the housing for collecting sprayed cleaning solution.

Abstract: A pumping system includes a pump for moving water. In one aspect, this is in connection with performance of an operation. The system includes a variable speed motor operatively connected to drive the pump. A value indicative of flow rate of water is determined and the motor is controlled to adjust the flow rate indicative value toward a constant. A value indicative of flow pressure is determined and the motor is controlled to adjust the flow pressure indicative value toward a constant. A selection is made between flow rate control and flow pressure control. In another aspect, the pump is controlled to perform a first operation, and is operated to perform a second water operation. Control of operation of the pump to perform the first water operation is altered in response to operation of the pump to perform the second operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for washing a substrate includes a scrub washing unit for washing both surfaces of a substrate, which are scrubbed by a rotating brush while supplying pure water to both surfaces of the substrate, a rinse unit for washing the surfaces of the substrate which have been washed by the scrub washing unit using the pure water, and a dry unit for drying the surfaces of the substrate which have been washed by the rinse unit. The scrub washing unit includes an ultrasonic application unit for applying ultrasonic waves to pure water supplied to the both surfaces of the substrate, which are scrubbed by the rotating brush while supplying the pure water to which the ultrasonic wave has been applied by the ultrasonic application unit to the both surfaces of the substrate.

Abstract: A squeegee assembly for removing liquids from a floor. The squeegee assembly includes a frame that has a first and second suction ports separated from each other in a lateral direction, and a squeegee blade coupled to the frame and positioned adjacent the suction ports. The squeegee blade has a first portion adjacent the first suction port, and a second portion adjacent the second suction port. The first portion extends in lateral directions away from the first suction port at an angle to channel fluid encountered by the first portion toward the first suction port. The second portion extends in lateral directions away from the second suction port at an angle to channel fluid encountered by the second portion toward the second suction port such that the squeegee blade acts as a separate funnel for each of the first suction port and the second suction port.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of at least one alkane sulphonic acid, with formula R—SO3H, where R represents a saturated, linear or branched hydrocarbon chain, comprising 1 to 4 atoms of carbon for removing rust from all types of surface, in particular from metal surfaces, specifically iron, steel and others. The invention also relates to a method for cleaning rust from all types of surfaces using at least one alkane sulphonic acid.

Abstract: A surface cleaning system having a storage container, debris collection apparatus and debris conduit is disclosed. Water discharged from spray nozzles configured in a circular arrangement forces debris into a debris collection ring and then a debris conduit. An auger, water pressure or air pressure is used to force the debris through debris conduit into the storage container for disposal. The design of the debris collection apparatus also facilitates the capture of most of the water used to force the debris into the debris collection apparatus. Accordingly, the system is able to reuse the water thereby extending the surface area that may be cleaned with a specified amount of water.

Abstract: A substrate is cleaned by performing a scrubbing process on a surface to be cleaned of the rotating substrate with a roll-shaped cleaning member while holding an outer circumferential surface of the roll-shaped cleaning member in contact with the surface to be cleaned of the substrate across a predetermined contact width. During at least a part of the scrubbing process, the roll-shaped cleaning member is placed at an offset cleaning position where the central axis of the roll-shaped cleaning member is spaced from the central axis of the substrate by a distance which is 0.14 to 0.5 times the contact width. The surface to be cleaned of the substrate is scrubbed with more uniform cleaning intensity while taking into account the cleaning intensity at each position (area) along the radial direction of the surface to be cleaned of the substrate.

Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention, a gutter-cleaning device comprises a housing containing an impeller drive facility, the housing configured to fit into a gutter, an impeller, disposed at an end of the housing and driven by the impeller drive facility, and a transport facility for transporting the housing along the gutter

Abstract: A cleaning wipe with a plurality of stiff triangular or rectangular-cross-sectional projections rising from the surface of a non-woven cloth is designed to clean the nooks and crannies, various crevices and other hard to reach areas of cell phones or other electronic items with a myriad of buttons and/or camera lenses, charger outputs, mouthpieces, ear receivers and keypads which are designed in countless shapes and sizes. The projections, whether in the form of cones, pyramids, length-long ridges or other embodiments are specifically designed to clean the small crevices, the mouthpiece and earpiece and between small buttons such as keypads on a cell phone or other electronic device.