Abstract: A method and apparatus for purifying and recycling synthetic turf are provided. The method includes removing a section of used synthetic turf, feeding the section to a rotating beater to knock sand infill loose, and passing the section through a rotating brush roll wherein a turf filament surface is directly contacted by the rotating brush roll to knock any entrained infill material loose from the section of used synthetic turf.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of vehicle snow clearing systems and more specifically, to an apparatus for clearing snow and ice from the roof or top surface of a commercial vehicle such as, a tractor trailer. The apparatus includes at least one upright member with a longitudinal axis and a lifting carriage assembly coupled to the at least one upright member for movement along the longitudinal axis thereof. A carriage driving assembly is operatively connected to the lifting carriage assembly and the lifting frame for selectively moving the lifting carriage assembly along the longitudinal axis of the at least one upright member. Also provided is a snow clearing assembly carried by the lifting carriage assembly and positionable on the roof or top surface of the vehicle.

Abstract: An anti-fouling apparatus and method includes a configurable cleaner connected to an object for physically removing foulants on the object. A UV light device is connected to the object for preventing the growth of foulants on the object and a camera is connected to the object for observing the presence of foulants on the object. The configurable cleaner removes foulants from the object as well as the UV light and the camera.

Abstract: An integrated toothbrush and dental floss apparatus. An integrated toothbrush and dental floss dispenser can include a toothbrush head positioned at one end of the handle and a floss cutter positioned at an end of the handle opposite the toothbrush head. A dental floss dispenser can be positioned along the length of the handle. The handle can have a floss channel formed longitudinally along the handle. The floss channel can provide a passageway for the dental floss and can guide the dispensing dental floss toward the floss cutter. Additionally, the integrated toothbrush and dental floss apparatus can include a tension applicator for applying tension to a spool of dental floss.

Abstract: An anode rough cleaning system has three rough cleaning stations and an overhead conveyor to move spent anode assemblies sequentially through the three stations. The overhead conveyor supports each spent anode assembly in a hanging vertical position with the carbon butt suspended therebeneath. A first station is a vibrating station which vibrates the carbon butt to separate the bath material from the carbon butt. The vibrating station has an inclined surface and a vibrating surface. The overhead conveyor is arranged over the inclined and vibrating surfaces to drag the carbon butt up the inclined surface, causing the spent anode assembly to rotate from the vertical position to an angled position, and then across the vibrating surface with the spent anode assembly in the angled position. A second station is a scraping station positioned downstream of the vibrating station. The scraping station has at least one scraper to scrape the bath material from the carbon butt and stub.

Abstract: A high velocity air and stationary disturber cleaner for cleaning surfaces by drawing air under flexible film seals. A vacuum enclosed in a housing provides the suction force to draw the air under the seal, tangent to the surface to be cleaned, thus removing adhered particles. Disturbers are placed on the surface of the seals in contact with the surface to be cleaned to loosen particles to be removed. The brush density, the fiber length and a plastic film incorporated into the brush design are all ways to limit the amount of air flow through the bulk of the brushes for better cleaning efficiency.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for cleaning and decontaminating rods, shafts or other long tubular materials. In particular, the device cleans and decontaminates rods that are used in downhole remediation tasks that might otherwise transfer contaminants out of the ground. The device scrubs, washes, rinses and dries the outer surface of the rod while recovering the wash and rinse fluids and any soil or other debris scrubbed from the surface of the rods. In one variation, the rinse fluid is recycled for use as wash fluid to conserve fluids used in the field.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning carpet tiles is disclosed. The apparatus which accomplishes the present method includes a machine having a frame structure, a loading station connected to the frame structure and adapted for receiving a carpet tile, and an unloading station connected to the frame structure and adapted for allowing removal of a carpet tile from the machine. Infeed rollers are provided a cleaning compartment of the machine for continuously propelling a carpet tile from the loading station and over a nozzle bank which subjects the pile side of the carpet tile to a cleaning fluid spray. A scrubbing roller then scrubs the pile side of the carpet tile, and the carpet tile is next propelled over rinsing nozzles which rinse the cleaning fluid therefrom.

Abstract: A Paperboard Edge Buffer And Cleaner for buffing the edges of cut paperboard and then cleaning the paperboard's surfaces and edges.The Paperboard Edge Buffer And Cleaner is comprised of an upper buffing roller 28 which buffs the leading and upper surface of the paperboard and a lower buffer roller 29 which buffs the trailing edge and lower surface of the paperboard. An upper paperboard vacuum duct 34 and a lower paperboard vacuum duct 35 cooperate with an upper pressure duct 36 and a lower pressure duct 37 to clean the paperboard.An ion generator 73 and 74 may be mounted within each pressure duct 36 and 37 to reduce the electrostatic forces which cause particles to cling to the surface of the paperboard.A source of ultrasonic energy 75 and 76 may be likewise mounted within each pressure duct 36 and 37 to help loosen particles clinging to the surface of the paperboard.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning plastics forming mold faces comprising composite brushes each consisting of a vibratory brush adapted to be vibrated in a vertical direction or in unspecified directions by a vibrating mechanism, and a rotary brush annularly surrounding the vibratory brush and adapted to be rotated in a horizontal direction, the composite brushes being disposed in opposed relation to the faces of two mold halves, a dirt sucking mechanism having a vacuum source for sucking and removing flash peeled from the mold faces by the vibratory and rotary brushes, and an air blowing mechanism for blowing air against the mold faces to cool the flash so as to enhance the flash peeling action of the vibratory and rotary brushes.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for removing particles from sheet materials, particularly plastic materials that are to be laminated to other materials, are disclosed. The sheet is destaticized, wiped and lightly scraped to dislodge particles from the sheet. The dislodged particles are removed from the sheet by suction. Scrapers with single fixed blades and scrapers with multiple movable blades are used to dislodge particles that are embedded in or adhered to the sheet. The process and apparatus are particularly useful for cleaning sheets of plastic material that are used in laminated glazings having stringent optical requirements.

Abstract: A cleaning and drying machine is provided for mats or the like having a stiff backing and a fibrous nap. An entry station which receives the mats upside down includes a beater roll positioned above the pass line for engaging the backside of the mat. A washing station receives the mats and includes two wet wash brushes, preferably operating in counterrotating directions. A rinse station then receives the mats and includes rinse sprays and a wringer roll assembly. A duct transports the mat to a drying station which is normally positioned below the rinse station and includes at least one roll assembly comprising a floating upper heated roll for engaging the nap and a lower, nonheated, preferably cooled roll for engaging the stiff backing. A final air blast removes the remaining moisture as the mat is removed from the machine by a belt conveyor.

Abstract: A device to remove surface particulates from fed materials, as paper and the like, wherein a reduced pressure is applied in a housing to effect a pressure gradient across the fed material to distort and conform the same to a substantial peripheral portion of a brush rotating in the housing to provide an area of surface cleaning engagement between the brush and the fed material to thereby produce an effective and efficient cleaning action.

Abstract: A rotatable cleaning element having a resilient, porous material disposed on the outer surface thereof is mounted in a foil bearing so that the surface of the porous material protrudes above the bearing surface. The interior of the bearing is maintained at a negative pressure, and a jet of pressurized air disposed within the rotatable element. When magnetic tape is transported over the bearing surface, the tape makes contact with and slightly compresses the porous material. As the cleaning element rotates successive areas of the porous material is brought into contact with the tape. Compression of the material causes the pores thereof to expand slightly, and engage foreign material on the tape surface. The pores contract as the material breaks contact with the tape to encapture the foreign material. The foreign matter thus accumulated is subsequently blown free of the porous material by a jet of air directed from within the rotatable body.

Abstract: Cleaning apparatus for removing foreign material from the front or oxide-covered surface of a magnetic recording tape. A sharp edged blade is mounted near a pad of open-cell reticulated foam material, and in close proximity to the front surface of a magnetic tape. A source of negative pressure is coupled to the region of the blade and cell and when actuated serves to draw the tape against the blade and foam material. Foreign material removed from the surface of the tape is embedded in the foam pad, and collected upon the blade. Air flow effected by the negative pressure area serves to transport some of the contaminants away from the region about the blade and foam pad.