Abstract: A cleaning trolley comprising a stand movable on wheels, provided with a table and a vibrating suction box arranged therein, said suction box having a regulating block for regulating the operating length of the suction box, and said stand also carrying a vacuum cleaning unit with a lid-closed container for collecting dust and scrap particles and a suction assembly. According to the invention the lid is provided with a disc-shaped switching means for the suction path, which is pivotably journalled about a vertical axis and which has two openings spaced at a predetermined distance from each other and equidistant from the axis, for alignment with the inlet of the lid, one of the openings being connected to the suction box via a suction tube and the other opening being connected to a freely movable suction tube, the openings and suction tubes forming two section paths for arbitrary connection by turning the suction-path disc-switch to a position aligning one of the openings with the inlet of the lid.

Abstract: A cleaning table for sorting newly harvested potatoes or other vegetables from vines, dirt, clods, rocks and other debris. The table includes a deck comprised of a plurality of spaced apart, parallel longitudinal rollers that operate in pairs of counterrotating rollers which rotate toward one another when viewed from the top. The rollers are formed of an elastically deformable material such as rubber, soft plastic or the like. One of each pair of rollers can have an elongate helical rib or flight extending from end to end. As potatoes and associated debris move longitudinally along the rollers, the dirt, vines, clods and other debris are separated from the potatoes and fall between the spaces between the rollers. Hard objects pass between the rollers without damage to the rollers.

Abstract: A machine for cleaning the soles of shoes such as bowling shoes. A rotary brush for cleaning leather shoe soles and an elastomeric roller for cleaning rubber shoe soles are mounted on a hinged platform along with a drive motor and a fan which is used to dry the shoes. The machine is equipped with a solid state circuit which provides an attract sound periodically and a sound which simulates the sound of an electric motor during operation. A power boost arrangement permits operation of the machine at a high speed and provides a sound simulating high speed operation of the motor.

Abstract: Improved apparatus for cleaning generally cylindrical articles of irregular configuration and, particularly, for cleaning straps of the type used to hold magnetic tape and supplied by manufacturers for use with magnetic tapes. The apparatus comprises a porous cleaning element comprised of multiple felt-cleaning faces resiliently mounted for contact with the inside of the cylinder, or ring, of the strap. The porous elements form means to remove dirt from the article being cleaned without any accumulation of excess dirt on the cleaning head.

Abstract: The walls of a video disc caddy are vibrated at or near their resonant frequency to dislodge foreign matter adhering to the inside surfaces of the walls. The separated foreign matter is collected by the pressurized air circulating inside the caddy enclosure, and removed therefrom by means of a vacuum.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning objects, especially root crops such as sugar beet, comprises first and second members defining first and second surfaces respectively arranged for cleaning objects by relative movement between the surfaces and the objects to be cleaned. The first and second surfaces are arranged to converge towards each other over at least a part of the extent of each surface and are preferably in generally cylindrical form. Driving means drive the first member in a reciprocatory movement such that the first surface moves towards and away from the region of convergence of the surfaces, and drive the second members in a motion such as to effect at least an average movement of the second surface towards the region of convergence of the surfaces. Preferably the first and second members are rotary members positioned generally side by side with the axes of rotation thereof substantially parallel.

Abstract: An apparatus cleans footwear with a closed system utilizing brushes and with recirculating compressed air. The apparatus has a housing and a cover containing a grill mounted to the housing by springs. Beneath the grill are a pair of cylindrical brushes which are rotated by electric motors in a direction toward the center of the grill. A combined vacuum cleaner and air compressor beneath the grill provides both a source of compressed air to help clean the shoes and suction to collect the dirt and any other debris dislodged by the apparatus. The brushes clean the bottoms of the shoes and direct any dislodged dirt and other debris toward the center area of the grill. A pair of air tubes disposed along the edges of the grill direct the compressed air over the shoes and toward the center of the grill, along with any debris dislodged thereby. Beneath the center of the grill is a removable collection tank having a slot facing the grill and having an open end connected by a filter to the intake of the air compressor.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning generally cylindrical articles of irregular configuration and, particularly, for cleaning straps of the type used to hold magnetic tape and supplied by manufacturers for use with magnetic tape. The apparatus comprises exterior and interior nozzles resiliently mounted along the inside and outside of the cylinder, or ring, and form means to blow and suck dirt from the article being cleaned.

Abstract: An apparatus for washing and drying phonograph records including a tank to contain a washing solution, and a phonograph record to be cleaned is mounted vertically for rotation within the tank. The washing solution is drawn in the bottom of the tank by a pump and discharged through jets against opposite faces of the rotating record. Mounted adjacent the jets is a pair of brushes which rotate against the opposite faces of the record to clean the same. After cleaning, air is discharged downwardly from an air tube against the opposite faces of the record to prevent the washing solution from dripping onto the record label and to the dry the record.

Abstract: An improved root crop harvester having a narrow and compact processing chassis adapted to simply and easily receive header assemblies of differing capacities. The header assemblies include a transverse roll conveyor for gathering roots received from the digger wheels into a stream for discharge through a central opening in the transverse conveyor to a fore-and-aft extending roll conveyor carried by the processing chassis. The fore-and-aft roll conveyor is inclined upwardly from front to rear to increase the scrubbing and tumbling action and is also provided with a reversing roll section at its rearward end to discharge the roots to the side. The fore-and-aft conveyor is also sloped across its width at its rearward end to aid in discharging roots transversely to the roll conveyor length. The conveyors on the processing chassis are carried between the support wheels to reduce side drafts, minimize wheel slippage in wet field conditions and improve transport maneuverability.

Abstract: A roll conveyor having paired counter-rotating grab rolls includes a reversing roll section on one grab roll for discharging material conveyed along it perpendicularly to the axes of rotation of the paired rolls. One roll of each pair is composed of separate conveying and discharge or reversing sections that are rotatable about a common axes and in opposing directions. The reversing section is provided at one end of the roll conveyor and cooperates with the other rolls at that end to tumble material transversely from the conveyor. The non-reversing rolls adjacent the reversing section are further provided with helical flightings of opposite hand that meet midway along the reversing section to gather material for sideways discharge.

Abstract: A self-propelled apparatus for cleaning beets comprises a longitudinally extending frame carrying a hopper for receiving beets to be cleaned which is mounted on a raised platform on the frame and is provided with a conveyor for delivering beets to a screen for scraping away the dirt from the beets, said screen extending longitudinally relative to the frame, and a conveyor for discharging the dirt scraped away from the beets which extends longitudinally beneath the screen and the hopper, the arrangement being such that, in use, the cleaned beets and the dirt are discharged at opposite ends of the frame.

Abstract: A machine for cleaning the bottom of a wearer's shoes. The machine is mounted in a free-standing housing fitted with a platform on which the user stands. An endless motorized belt, fitted with bristles, is mounted under the platform to project through cut out sections of the platform covered by a grill upon which the user stands. A fan is mounted in the housing to carry debris removed by the bristles into a removable bag located in the housing.