Abstract: A core for a paint roller includes a base layer and a reinforcing layer positioned over the base layer. A method of assembling a paint roller core includes helically winding a base material around a mandrel, applying an adhesive to an exposed portion of the base material, helically winding a reinforcing material around the base material, and applying the adhesive to an exposed portion of the reinforcing material. An apparatus for forming a paint roller includes a mandrel, a first feeder for continuously winding a base material around the longitudinal axis of the mandrel, a second feeder for continuously winding a reinforcing material around the base material, a third feeder for continuously winding a fabric cover around the reinforcing material, and a belt drive arranged around the mandrel for advancing the base material, reinforcing material and fabric cover along the mandrel.

Abstract: A car wash brush is constructed using elements of pleated synthetic material. In one form, radially-pleated fabric discs are stacked on a shaft. In another form, a single length of material is laterally pleated and punched to form a continuous pattern of holes along one edge, and assembled onto a spring or flexible cable which can be wrapped around a rotatable drive shaft.

Abstract: An adhesive roll cleaner 1 comprises a core tube and a plurality of adhesive tapes 3 having an adhesive portion A on one side thereof helically wound around the core tube in a layered configuration with the adhesive portion A out. Each of the adhesive tapes 3 is wound with a gap G of prescribed width between a side edge S1 and an adjacent side edge S2, and the width of the adhesive tapes 3 increases toward outside.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for making a paint roller are disclosed. The apparatus includes a mandrel, a first core material strip feeder, a second core material strip feeder, a fabric cover strip feeder, a first heater, a second heater, a first liquid adhesive applicator and a second liquid adhesive applicator. The first core material strip feeder feeds a first strip of core material about the mandrel. The second core material strip feeder feeds a second strip of core material about the mandrel. The fabric cover strip feeder feeds a strip of fabric cover material about the mandrel and about at least one of the first and second strips of core material. The first and second heaters are actuatable between a first active state in which the first and second heaters apply heat to an outer surface of the first and second strips of core material, respectively, and an inactive state.

Abstract: A cleaning element (1) for use in the fuser section of electrostatographic reproduction or printing apparatus. The element includes projections projecting from an outer surface to form a pile (5). The cross section of each projection has a cross section having a peripheral dimension and an area. The ratio of the peripheral dimension and area is greater than the same ratio for a projection of circular or substantially circular and equal area of cross section. The projections may be formed by tri-lobal fibres.

Abstract: A paint roller cover includes a cylindrical core and a liquid applying medium coupled to the core. The core has an inner surface and an opposite outer surface. The core includes at least one gap between the inner surface and the outer surface.

Abstract: An improved specialty paint finish roller comprising a conventional roller handle assembly having an axle portion, a roller tube and a naturally occurring sponge material secured around the roller tube. The roller tube is fabricated by slicing natural sponge in a manner to form essentially flat sponge pieces. One of the sponge pieces is then placed over a surface of a base material having an adhesive applied thereto, the sponge material thereby adhering to the base material. The sponge/base material is then cut lengthwise into an adhesive and is then wound about the surface of the roller member, the adhesive then being allowed to dry. The elongated tube member is then cut to predetermined sizes, the resulting roller tube being joined to the roller handle assembly. Using a natural sponge as the paint applicator produces a natural design, each roller being unique such that a unique design is applied to an interior wall.