Abstract: A circular knitting machine creel for a plurality of bobbins which are supported in tiers by a circular cylindrical frame, comprising a carrier located inside the frame, at least one blower supported by the frame, having an air outlet connection directed somewhat radially outward, the blower moving on a circular path whose axis coincides essentially with the axis of the frame.

Abstract: Mutually spaced fiber waste collectors upon the knitting machine and creel of a knitting unit collect fiber waste which is then withdrawn by a fiber waste remover that is selectively connectable to different ones of the fiber waste collectors. Sensors detect when the fiber waste collected by the collectors exceeds a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A vacuum apparatus for temporary installation in a fireplace or stove of the type having a central opening with a floor at the bottom and a flue at the top thereof for cleaning the flue. The apparatus includes a hollow funnel-shaped adapter member configured at its upper end to generally conform to the size and shape of the bottom portion or throat of the flue of the fireplace and has a bottom end connected by a flexible hose to the inlet of a collection container. The collection container has an outlet which receives the free end of a vacuum cleaner hose which is connected to the intake of a conventional vacuum cleaner. The adapter member is supported by a pair of spring biased telescoping legs which maintain a resilient seal at the top end of the adapter member in sealing relation with the bottom portion or throat of the flue of the fireplace.

Abstract: A suction inlet for a central vacuum system of a building includes a housing mounted on the floor of the building and defining a slot along the floor. The slot can be opened and closed and simultaneously a vacuum duct connected to the housing is opened and closed by a plug member. When the plug and the slot are opened, a switch actuates the central vacuum system to draw air into the housing through the slot across the floor so that dust, dirt and debris on the floor can simply be swept into the slot and drawn away.

Abstract: A freon recovery workstation including a collection tray for collecting and recovering liquid freon from the work area, forced air passageways disposed above and below the work area for drawing and receiving freon vapor, a freon-adsorbing unit connected to the forced air passageways for adsorbing and recovering the freon vapor, and a freon applicator in the form of a hand tool for aiming and regulating the use of freon.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning porcelain workpieces such as cast dolls' heads has at least one work station having an opening in a workplate above a column communicating with that opening and provided with a support basket in which a filter bag is received. The suction duct communicates with the column below the filter bag and above a bottom plate to draw dust through said opening into the column for collection on the filter. The workplate can be separated from the column for replacement of the filter bag.

Abstract: A combined vacuum cleaner storage housing and foot operated vacuum cleaner for use in salons to dispose of cut hair. The apparatus features a plant storage and display area and is formed of four vertical walls, one of which preferably the rear has an access door therein. The unit sits on a base which has a front opening which communicates with a throat which receives the hair and which in turn communicates with the intake member of a Shop-Vac.RTM. or equal vacuum cleaner disposed within the housing.

Abstract: Fiber waste generated adjacent the knitting section of the knitting machine and adjacent yarn feeding devices of the machine is blown to a filter adjacent the top of the machine. The lint is removed from the filter by a rotatable filter cleaner and then is transported by suction to a vacuum device outside of the machine. A blower for blowing fiber waste from the yarn feeding devices is mounted upon a support ring and undergoes reciprocal movement about a path of travel defined by such ring. In one embodiment the ring undergoes rotational movement and the blowing means moves with it, while in another embodiment the ring is stationary and the blowing means moves relative to it.

Abstract: A debris cleaning apparatus (10) for a circular knitting machine (12) includes a horizontal radial support arm (24) rotatably mounted coaxially to the machine frame (14) with a rotary paddle-type fan (26) pivotably mounted to the outward end of the support arm for oscillating movement within a vertical plane. A drive motor (38) rotates the support arm and fan as a unit while simultaneously imparting oscillating movement to the fan (26) through an eccentrically driven actuating arm (56). In this manner, a moving airstream generated by the fan is directed through the range of its oscillating movement over the knitting and yarn feeding instrumentalities of the machine about its full circumferential extent to blow lint from the surfaces.

Abstract: In a vacuum cleaning system in which the top dome and receiving shell are separated by a screen, a screen cleaning system comprising an air knife having a coanda profile rotatably arranged in the dome adjacent the screen. The vacuum cleaning system is selectively actuated in accordance with a timed program to clean lint and debris from the screen.

Abstract: In an apparatus for cleaning a spinning frame provided with a plurality of draft units, a plurality of cleaning units, each provided with an element for creating an air suction force, are disposed adjacent to and below the alignment of draft units in such a manner that each cleaning unit is able to suck flys deposited around a group of the draft units, a main duct is disposed adjacent to and below the alignment of the cleaning units and extended for entire length of the spinning frame, and a filter box is connected to a terminal end of the main duct, each cleaning unit is connected to the main duct, and the main duct is provided with an element allowing a passage of a part of air discharged from each cleaning unit, except at the cleaning unit located farthest from the filter box, whereby the air suction force created by each cleaning unit can be maintained at a uniform value, this apparatus is also provided with an element for cleaning files deposited on the bottom of the main duct, at predetermined intervals

Abstract: An improved electric eraser that prevents crumbs from scattering, confines them in a small area around the rotating eraser, and collects crumbs in a removal container simultaneously while erasing, consisting of a suction pipe to prevent crumbs from scattering, confine crumbs to a small area around the rotating eraser, and suck the crumbs; a removable container to collect the crumbs in; a baffle to deflect and force the crumbs to settle in the container; a centrifugal fan to produce suction; an enclosure for the centrifugal fan to provide an appropriate outlet area for the sucked air; an electric motor to run the centrifugal fan; a power means; and a switching means. The suction produced by the centrifugal fan forces and transports the eraser crumbs through the suction pipe to the baffle where the crumbs are deflected, lose the momentum, and are forced to settle in the removable container for final disposal.

Abstract: A hand held wand with forefinger and thumb contours (75) so arranged that upon grasping the wand the index finger is automatically positioned over an on/off switch (74). The wand and switch communicate with a motor/fan housing (39) by means of electrical conductors (81) encased in a thin profile house (80). A device specifically used to remove eraser debris from a drawing surface. The positioning of the wand over a given task and applying power to the motor/fan is accomplished with the use of one hand. The wand (73) is equipped with a hanging ring (70) for wand positioning when not in use. The hanging ring (70) when placed on the ring hook (71) holds the wand in an upright position which is convenient for the operator during his or her course of work. Airborne eraser debris is carried through the hose (80) to the motor/fan housing (39) and deposited in an air filter bag (45) enclosed within an air filter bag chamber (64).

Abstract: A weaving loom cleaning apparatus comprising a duct extended across the loom and having upper and lower air-permeable walls at least one fan disposed within the duct to produce an air current flowing from the upper wall toward the lower wall of the duct, a fly collecting endless filtering belt disposed such that at least a part thereof runs along the upper surface of the duct, and a fly removing device disposed contiguously with the endless filtering belt, for removing flies collected on the endless filtering belt, and a central loom cleaning system for use in combination with a plurality of groups each composed of a plurality of looms each provided with the weaving loom cleaning apparatus.

Abstract: A carrying case with upper and lower case sections connected by means of hinges opens to a point where the upper case section is held upright including a conopy projects upward and outward from the two case sections of the case when opened wherein an opening in the front of the canopy permits access to the chamber created within the canopy and the case sections including fixtures suited to handling and repairing mechanical components are attached to the interior surfaces of the case and an exhaust fan in mounted in series with a filter chamber to draw ambient air through the front opening, to continuously evacuate the contents of the chamber, and to exhaust the filtered air through the upper case section and further including a vacuum device in series with a filter is equipped with a hose for cleaning objects inside or outside the chamber and for exhausting the air through an opening in the upper case section.

Abstract: An apparatus for selectively directing air against surfaces adjacent textile machines to dislodge dust, lint and other textile by-products from such surfaces. The apparatus includes a blower, a support for supporting the blower in a fixed relation to the ceiling above the textile machines, a first air directing assembly for directing the blower air stream in a plane while the assembly is rotated and a second air directing assembly movable in response to rotation of the first air directing assembly to vary the direction of the air stream. Preferably, the first air directing assembly includes a rotating duct portion rotatably mounted in a stationary duct portion of the blower and the second air directing assembly includes a vane pivotally mounted on the rotating duct portion.

Abstract: An industrial central vacuum system has a filter chamber having an intake port connectable to a plurality of intake nozzles and an output port, a multispeed blower having an intake side and an output side and energizable for drawing in air at its intake side and expelling it at its output side, a conduit connected between the intake side of the blower and the output port of the filter chamber, and a valve having an outer side opening to ambient pressure and an inner side opening into the conduit. Thus when the valve is open ambient air can be admitted directly into the conduit. A controller is between the blower and the valve for opening the valve prior to energizing and de-energizing the blower and for closing the valve a predetermined interval after energizing the blower. A pressure sensor is provided in the conduit and the blower is operable at a high speed corresponding to a relatively large blower throughput and at a low speed corresponding to a relatively small blower throughput.

Abstract: Apparatus for a home workshop to collect wood dust from a plurality of work stations and deposit the dust in a container. There are suction hoses, one to each work station. At their outlet ends, the hoses are connected to a single control means operable to selectively connect one hose at a time to the container.

Abstract: Undesired glass particles emitted into the atmosphere from breakage of glass jars in the manufacturing process are removed utilizing an exhaust system, comprising a hood, exhaust piping, blower and cyclone. The hood and exhaust system protects the area adjacent to where glass jars are produced from emission of dangerous glass particles which result from breakage of glass jars during the assembly process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning chimneys. The method comprises the step of exhausting air up the chimney at a predetermined rate, brushing the flue from the top of the chimney down, loosening dust and both fine and larger particles, exhausting the dust and fine particles with the air, dropping the larger particles into the lower portion of the chimney, and removing the larger particles from the lower chimney portion.

Abstract: A multi-position rotary spinning machine includes an endless belt guided along the machine past a plurality of open-end spinning units each having a valve for operation by cam means of the belt to bring an eccentric port into and out of gas communication with another eccentric port of the valve by virtue of rotation of a rotary valve member driven by engagement of cam studs and carried by the belt with projections, respectively, of the rotary valve member.The valves can be used for providing intermittent application of purging suction to the beater trash box of an open-end spinning or to a slub collection trough of a friction spinner.

Abstract: An adjustable textile yarn creel of circular construction includes a plurality of yarn package supporting assemblies each of which has a frame on which a pair of yarn package supporting members are mountable in parallel at selectively variable spacings. The yarn package supporting assemblies are connected with one another in upright disposition in a circular arrangement by connector assemblies extending between laterally adjacent yarn package supporting assemblies. Yarn is withdrawn radially inwardly of the creel from the yarn packages and transported therefrom through respective guide tubes to an associated textile machine such as a circular knitting machine.

Abstract: A vacuum box is for collecting small particles or the like. the vacuum box includes a cabinet having a front, a rear and a hollow interior. The front of the cabinet includes a substantially horizontal working surface at a lower region thereof. The working surface includes an air inlet opening therethrough. A motor and fan are disposed within the hollow interior of the cabinet at the rear thereof for the discharge of air from the hollow interior of the cabinet. A collection compartment is disposed below the working surface and the air inlet opening therethrough with a rear portion of the collection compartment being disposed within the interior of the cabinet. A filter is disposed within the interior of the cabinet between the collection compartment and the fan. The fan causes the air including the particles produced at the working surface to be drawn downwardly through the air inlet opening into the collection compartment, upwardly from the rear portion of the collection compartment, and through the filter.

Abstract: A dust removal device for yarn supply carriers and thread guides of textile machines comprises blowers movable past the yarn supply carriers and supported on a common supporting bar. The blowers and all driven by a single common drive motor which not only rotates the vanes of the blowers but also imparts to the same the movement past the yarn supply carriers.

Abstract: A suction device for communicating the suction nozzles of a plurality of spinning positions of a spinning machine with suction producing apparatus includes a plurality of intermediate conduits each communicating a respective discrete group of the suction nozzles with the suction producing apparatus.

Abstract: A protective apparatus for preventing the exchange of harmful substances between an area isolated by the apparatus and the environment for use in medical, laboratory, and industrial application. The apparatus includes a physical shield, a vacuum barrier, and an adjustable support frame. The apparatus further includes a vacuum connector for connecting the apparatus to a vacuum source, a vacuum conduit for flow communicating with the air around the perimeter of the physical shield such that the vacuum source draws air along with solid and liquid matter entrained in the air into the vacuum conduit, and a plurality of vacuum apertures located along the vacuum conduit for communicating the vacuum source with the air. The apparatus is designed so as to provide protection for persons in proximity to a source of harmful substances such as aerosols produced by surgical procedures at a surgical incision on a patient infected with the AIDS virus or the like.

Abstract: A device composed of a clear plastic cover, supported by a ribbed framework which is attached to a collar all of which define a cavity. The collar has at least one large aperture for receiving an appendage to be groomed within the cavity. The cover is provided with slits for receiving the hands of an individual conducting a grooming service. A vacuum hose for collecting unwanted material produced during grooming is also included within the cavity.

Abstract: The protective apparatus for a winding machine is formed by a support construction comprising pillars and a transverse support member. The support construction is arranged in a portal-like fashion over the winding machine, wall portions in the form of swing doors and an anti-draft plate filling the intermediate space. The wall portions are secured to the support construction and can preferably be actuated automatically by drive means.

Abstract: There is disclosed a robot used in a clean room and adapted to transport a wafer cassette containing semiconductor wafers. The robot includes: a guide rail disposed in the clean room; a robot body slidably connected to the guide rail for movement along the guide rail; and a first drive mechanism for driving the robot body along the guide rail. The robot body includes: a clamping hand for releasably clamping the wafer cassette; an arm assembly, extending between the guide rail and the clamping hand, for controlling the position of the clamping hand; and a wrist assembly, interposed between the arm assembly and the clamping hand, for adjusting the orientation of the clamping hand.

Abstract: An apparatus for pneumatic dedusting of yarn supply supports and thread guiding elements of textile machines comprises at least one blowing element which forms a blowing air stream in a dust forming region occupied by a yarn supply support and a thread guiding element, and at least one filter lattice wall which bounds the dust forming region on its periphery at least locally, so that the blowing air stream which exits the dust forming region is directed to the filter lattice wall.

Abstract: A conveyor for transporting articles to or from a clean room or from one place to another within a clean room. The conveyor has housings extending along either side of the path of conveyor travel. Extending between the housings are conveying members, usually metal rods, elongated perpendicularly to the path of conveyor travel. Each housing is slotted so that the ends of the conveying members may extend therethrough. Within each housing are rollers journaled to the ends of the conveying members and a track. The track receives and guides the rollers. Extending along and in air communication with each housing is a plenum, and between each housing and its plenum is an air restriction sheet that restricts the flow of air. The conveyor also includes a blower for drawing a partial vacuum within each plenum thus drawing a lesser vacuum in the housing. Each housing, plenum, air restriction sheet, and blower are arranged so that a pressure differential is created between the housing and plenum.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing asbestos material from horizontally arranged pipes in a linear, T-shaped or L-shaped configuration includes a rigid box-like device having a rectangular bottom wall and four side wall sections which extend upwardly from peripheral edges of the bottom wall so as to define a continuous side wall and so as to define an enclosure therebetween, the side wall having an upper edge with two pair of opposing recesses formed orthogonally with respect to each other in the upper edge of the continuous side wall for receiving the pipes, the upper end of the box-like device defined by the upper edge of the continuous side wall being open; a plurality of glove apertures formed in two opposing side walls, a glove associated with each glove aperture, each glove connected to the side wall in sealing relation to the respective glove aperture and extending into the enclosure; two suction apertures formed in the remaining side walls for connection to a negative pressure system to supply negative pressure to

Abstract: In an installation for conveying delicate objects such as semiconductor layers during processing operations and for handling such objects in a controlled atmosphere, wheeled carriages are drawn along tracks by an endless belt and are not driven by motors in order to satisfy conditions of cleanliness and freedom from pollution hazards. By means of transfer tools, object-holding cassettes are taken from the carriages during operation and replaced on the carriages after processing in the different machines.

Abstract: A system for collecting twine tails on an agricultural baler includes a suction fan connected by hoses to mouth devices which partially envelop the knotters on the baler. Another hose connects the suction fan to a container. During operation, the suction fan acts to convey twine tails from the knotters into the container where they are collected. The container has an open mesh lid allowing egress of dust and small particles of debris but preventing egress of the twine tails and large particles of debris.

Abstract: The invention provides a yarn creel apparatus for the control of loose fly or lint formed when yarn is drawn from packages or cones (12) for use in a textile machine. The apparatus comprises a casing (10) within which the cones (12) are arranged on bobbin pins (11), air conduction means in the form of fans (17) to draw air into the casing from the surrounding atmosphere through at least one inlet comprising a filter panel (15) and then generally downwardly over the yarn cones to at least one outlet comprising filter panel(s) (16). The casing also houses yarn guide tubes (14) to guide yarn from the cones (12) upwardly within the casing tubes continuing through the casing wall to lead the yarns away from the apparatus. A self-cleaning version of the apparatus is also disclosed in which the filter panels (15,16) are replaced by an endless band of filter material (18) which is driven by rollers (21) past suction cleaning heads (22,23).

Abstract: A wet vacuum apparatus which includes a vacuum head which connects through a flexible hose to a pump. The outlet of the pump connects to a mounting plate with this mounting plate to be installed between a conventional toilet and the floor of a building. The waste material, either dry or wet, is to be discharged directly into the sewage plumbing of the building.

Abstract: A sealed portable isolation enclosure for use in removing asbestos material from ceiling or other elevated asbestos-containing structures including a booth and an adjustable ceiling-contacting plenum for accommodating ceiling of various heights. Disposed between the booth and the plenum is a flexible transparent film for enclosing and sealing the spaced formed therebetween regardless of the elevation of the plenum relative to the booth. The enclosure is equipped with EPA approved vacuum and ventilation systems for filtering and ventilating the contaminated air therein. A disposable bag-trap door system is provided for the disposal of the asbestos-containing materials. In addition, the enclosure may also include a shower system within the enclosure.

Abstract: The invention concerns a central vacuum cleaning system for vacuum cleaning ducts permanently installed in buildings. The device has three connected sections which form the integral unit. The top section contains the suction turbine, its motor and an exhaust outlet for clean air. The center section contains air baffles, a perforated circular conduit below the air baffles and for dispersing water, an angled inlet conduit for dust-laden air, and a water level sensor. The bottom section contains a water outlet, a flexible sleeve valve, the outlet end of the angled inlet conduit from the center section, a water reservoir with a water level above the outlet end of the inlet conduit and substantially even with the water outlet, and a drain plug. Dust-laden air bubbles through water in the reservoir. The dust-containing water is automatically flushed by electronic control circuitry coordinating the filling and evacuation sequence.

Abstract: A dust-removal apparatus for textile machines and machine rooms includes a chamber containing dust-laden air, a clean-air chamber, a tube disposed between and separating the chamber containing dust-laden air from the clean-air chamber, at least part of the tube being a filter element, a suction device connected to the clean-air chamber, another switchable suction device in the form of a filter cleaning device connected to the tube, the tube having an inlet end, and a device for selectively closing the inlet end of the tube.

Abstract: A sweeper assembly for use with escalators includes a frame having a pivoted end structure on which a weighted bar is fixed to press a polishing pad adjacent a bristle element against the moving surfaces of the escalator. A vacuum cleaner is then rendered operative to draw the debris thus loosened into a nozzle deployed adjacent the bristle element.

Abstract: A dustless container for disposing of ash generated by wood or coal burning stoves, fireplaces and furnaces. The container may be of any shape desired, however, a conventional twenty-gallon garbage can and lid has been found acceptable. A door is disposed in the side of the container so that ash may be shoveled through the door into the interior of the container. The lid is provided with an opening which is covered with a vacuum adaptor. A conventional vacuum cleaner can then be attached to the vacuum adaptor. A baffle is disposed within the interior of the lid so that suction provided by the vacuum cleaner is evenly dispersed within the container. Thus, any fine fly ash which floats upwardly as ash is loaded into the container will be drawn through the lid and into the vacuum cleaner and will not re-enter the room surrounding the container.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaning system is disclosed for cleaning the automatic insertion area of a loom. In a typical weaving operation, there are a number of successive rows of individual looms (11). In accordance with the present invention, there is a main vacuum line (28) routed transverse to the rows of looms and secondary vacuum lines (26) extending along the rows of looms. Electropneumatic valves (29) are provided to selectively connect and disconnect the individual secondary lines so that an intermittent vacuum may be placed on the looms of successive rows in a cyclic manner. The vacuum cleaning system includes a vacuum manifold (46) connected by a branch line (40) to a secondary vacuum line (26). A balancing valve (42) is included in each branch line (40) to balance the vacuum at each loom so that generally equal vacuum is applied to the looms along the row. A number of individual, directional lines (A, 72, 74, 76, ) are connected to manifold (46).

Abstract: In a method of preventing snow from bedding into railway switches, air is blown into the area between the stock rail and the movable rail in a switch, and substantially horizontally in a direction obliquely outwards towards the open end between the stock rail and the movable rail. An apparatus for carrying out this includes a blower assembly (8) between the rails in a railway switch, the assembly being supplied by a fan unit (20) and adapted to provide a substantially horizontal air discharge directed obliquely outwards towards the open end between the stock rail and the movable rail in their separated positions.

Abstract: To control pressures in the developer housing of a xerographic machine, a fan with inlet connected to the housing interior through a particulate filter is used. To reduce the effect of filter loading, a mixing chamber is interposed having a fresh air inlet, the dimension of which is substantially greater than the passage from the developer housing so that as the pressure drop across the filter rises as the filter traps more and more particles, the flow of contaminated air from the developer housing remains substantially constant.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for removing obnoxious fumes and particulate laden air from a work area above a table or desk for the treatment of human nails. The removed air is filtered in a unit removed from the table or desk to remove particulate 3 microns and larger in size and the fume laden air is diffused into the environment at a location remote from the work area and in a concentration sufficiently low to avoid discomfort to those present in the area.

Abstract: A filter apparatus is disclosed for removing contaminants discharged from paper handling machines in data processing rooms. Such contaminants include paper dust and carbon black from high speed paper handling machines such as computer printers, paper cutters and the like. The apparatus comprises a wheeled housing having a top cover with an outlet grille. A squirrel cage fan is suspended from the cover beneath the grille. A filter pack is mounted beneath the fan. The bottom of the housing has an inlet opening connected to a duct which passes air from the machine being serviced, through the filter pack and out the grille.A vacuum motor is mounted in the bottom of the housing and connected to a flexible hose for picking up material on the floor as well as spillage from inside the data processing machines. This material is passed through an in-line hydraulic filter to remove large contaminants, and then through the filter pack to remove smaller contaminants.

Abstract: A fly removing system in a textile machine wherein an air curtain is formed by an air ejected from a compressed air supply source and flies are conducted to a lower portion of the textile machine. At the lower portion of the textile machine, a fly collector device is mounted and a cleaning device with a suction pipe is adapted to move along the textile machine and to suck in as fly lumps from the fly collector device.

Abstract: A work position or station including a suctioning device incorporating a suctioning opening for the aspiration of suctionable material which is produced during the processing of workpieces, and a protective plate which guides the suctionable material into the suctioning opening. The protective plate concurrently screens the working personnel carrying out the processing, in particular the head of the person, against the incident suctionable material. The protective plate which is carried by a special mounting support can be moved upwardly prior to the implementing of work without the formation of suctionable material, upwardly away from the suctioning opening in a simple manner into a non-hindering inoperative position.

Abstract: A worktable, in particular a dental laboratory workbench which includes a work block arranged at front side of the table, and a vacuuming device forming a unitary structure with the work block for vacuumable material or waste which is obtained during the processing or finishing of workpieces.

Abstract: A sealed portable isolation enclosure for use in removing asbestos material from ceiling or other elevated asbestos-containing structures including a booth and an adjustable ceiling-contacting plenum for accommodating ceiling of various heights. Disposed between the booth and the plenum is a flexible transparent film for enclosing and sealing the spaced formed therebetween regardless of the elevation of the plenum relative to the booth. The enclosure is equipped with EPA approved vacuum and ventilation systems for filtering and ventilating the contamainated air therein. A disposable bagtrap door system is provided for the disposal of the asbestos-containing materials. In addition, the enclosure may also include a shower system within the enclosure.