Abstract: A device for wiping liquids from the surface of moving metal strip under tension, such as strip produced by cold rolling mills. The device consists of a plurality of rollers, between which the strip passes, where each roller is supported by a plurality of pairs of casters. The caster pairs are spring mounted in a pair of frames, the frames being urged together by fluid powered cylinders, so that the rollers are held against the strip surfaces under pressure, thus wiping the strip surface by preventing passage of liquid on the strip surface past the rollers. The caster are arranged so that the number of rollers can be changed by shifting and removing or adding rollers. In one embodiment, the device can be converted between three and four roller arrangements.

Abstract: Blasting bodies, for use in dishwashing machines in admixture with dishwashing water, comprise about 60% by weight mineral filler selected from the group consisting of silicate, sulphate and carbonate. A plastic selected from the group consisting of polyamide and polyethylene is present as a binder for the mineral filler, which is in the form of particles. The bodies have a specific gravity of at least 2.0 and a Moh's hardness value of at least 3.0, each body having a weight of about 0.04 g, a length of about 3 mm and a width of about 2.5 mm and being circular or polygonal in transverse section. Preferably, the bodies contain at least one percent by weight chalk, and the mineral filler is barium sulphate.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for buffing articles, such as leather goods, silverware and the like. The apparatus includes a flexible container for receiving an article to be buffed. The interior of the container has a buffing material therein and is of a size to permit relative movement of the article and the buffing material so that, when the container is moved about, such as in the drum of a clothes dryer, the article and the buffing material move continuously into frictional engagement with each other causing a buffing action to occur. Several embodiments of the container are disclosed. A clothes dryer can be used for moving the container. In the alternative, a coin operated drum can be provided.

Abstract: Method in a cleaning machine wherein liquid is circulated alternatively with and without granules entrained therein, which are heavier than the liquid, liquid and granules or liquid only being drawn from a tank (11) by means of a pump (15) to be discharged therefrom under pressure towards the goods to be cleaned and is then allowed to flow back to the tank. Then, liquid only will be drawn from the tank at a level spaced above the surface (21) of a bottom layer (14) of granules in the tank while liquid and granules will be drawn from the bottom layer in the tank through a bottom outlet (17) of the tank. The invention also relates to a cleaning machine for working the method having an open-ended sleeve (29) which is guided to be vertically displaced between a position with the lower end engaging the bottom (12) of the tank (11) around a bottom outlet (17), and another position with the lower end lifted from the bottom.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning buffing pads while attached to a buffing machine includes a hollow enclosure into which the pad may be inserted and partially enclosed. Rotatable agitating members are provided in combination with the injection of cleaning solutions pumped from a central reservoir onto the pad surface, as the pad is rotated by the buffing machine to which it is normally mounted. Rotation of the pad in contact with the agitating rollers combined with the application of cleaning solution causes the release and washing of particulate matter from the pad. The pad edge is also caused to rotate against stationary protuberances in the enclosure side wall to assist in cleaning the pad as well. A movable cover section is provided for ease of inserting and removing the pad within the enclosure, and the cover includes a central aperture through which the shaft of the buffing machine may be extended.

Abstract: A tack-off assembly (10) includes a support structure (12) defining a path (14) extending therethrough. A rotatable axle (16) is mounted from the support structure (12) defining an axis A. A feather duster assembly (18) is mounted on the axle (16) for removing dust particles by contacting the surface of an object (20) traveling along the path (14). The feathers (98) of the feather duster assembly (18) are mounted on a plurality of hubs (24) which are expandable for selectively expanding and contracting the length of the feather assembly (18) along the axis A.

Abstract: A flatware washer comprising a cogged endless belt mechanism mounted lengthwise in a vertical orientation within a water containment housing; the top end of the cogged belt mechanism being hung around a drive wheel mechanism having complementary cogs mating with the cogs of the belt mechanism; the drive wheel mechanism being mounted at the top of the housing and supporting the belt mechanism in a vertical lengthwise orientation such that a curved bottom end section of the belt mechanism is spaced above the bottom edge of the housing and such that a pair of relatively elongated lengthwise sections of the belt extend downwardly from around the drive wheel mechanism in substantially parallel opposing relationship; the curved bottom end section of the hung belt mechanism being open for receiving a plurality of pieces of flatware between the pair of lengthwise sections; the drive wheel mechanism being connected to a drive mechanism programmed to drivably oscillate the wheel mechanism between predetermined degrees

Abstract: Apparatus and method for buffing articles, such as leather goods, silverware and the like. The apparatus includes a container for receiving an article to be buffed. The interior of the container has a buffing material therein and is of a size to permit relative movement of the article and the buffing material so that, when the container is moved about, such as in the drum of a clothes dryer, the article and the buffing material move continuously into frictional engagement with each other causing a buffing action to occur. Several embodiments of the container are disclosed. A clothes dryer can be used for moving the container. In the alternative, a coin operated drum can be provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for generally cleaning large and substantially flat objects such as serigraphic printing frames is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a substantially flat vat covered by a lid and adapted to receive a cleaning liquid up to a predetermined level, a number of motor driven paddles located in the vat and having horizontal paddle blades located approximately at the predetermined level and mounted on vertical shafts so as to be rotatable to splash liquid upwardly, and supporting means for the substantially flat objects which comprises an open carrier grate structure mounted horizontally at a level between the paddles and the lid. The paddle blades are specifically shaped to perform an improved splashing function.

Abstract: The apparatus consists of a stick (1) supporting a box-shaped structure (2) forming a container (3) in which a rotating basket (10) provided with holes is housed; the basket (10) is actuated by a first motor means (16) and houses an axially slidable rod (17) rotatably supporting a floor-cloth (18) and driven in the two senses by a second motor means (21) so that the floor-cloth attached thereto is moved between two end positions, that is a position in which it is completely inside the basket (10) and a position in which it is completely withdrawn thereform, said floor-cloth (18) being rotated by the action of the basket (10) not only when it has to be wringed but also when it has to be stretched out on the floor.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is a copper bit cleaner which comprises a casing formed with a bit aperture for allowing the copper bit of a soldering tool to be inserted therethrough, and a plurality of solder residue scraping members having a flexibility and formed into a line, strip, ribbon or band shape. Solder residue scraping member holding means is cased in the casing for holding said solder residue scraping members in a straight, curved or looped shape. Drive means is used for rotationally driving the solder residue scraping member holding means at a high speed so that the solder residue scraping members may slide on the circumference of the copper bit, which is inserted through the bit aperture, at a high speed to scrape off the solder residue thereby to split the scraped solder residue off from the solder residue scraping members by the centrifugal forces thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting litter from roadways and grounds includes a ground engageable rotating drum with easily removable and replaceable fingers which slip in and out of channels mounted on the drum. A spring finger assembly rotates against the drum to aid in litter pickup and to strip material from the drum and deposit same on a conveyor. The conveyor directs the litter into a hopper, which, when full, is lifted by an arrangement of pivots and linkage arms to raise upwardly, then swing rearwardly and tip to dump the litter into a suitable receptacle.

Abstract: A machine for cleaning a plurality of floor maintenance pads by rotation and agitation in a tank of cleaning solvent. The pads are loaded onto a drive axle with gripper rings placed therebetween. After rotation in a solvent, the pads rotate against an agitator bar frame which contacts with both sides of the pads simultaneously. Preferably, the solvent drained from the tank can be returned to a container for reuse or discharged depending upon its level of contamination. Most preferably, the cleaning machine and the container of cleaning solvent are positioned together on a movable support stand.

Abstract: A crawler tractor with a dozer blade and fitted with accessories to loosen the ground in the strafing pit area of an Air Force gunnery range and simultaneously remove from the ground rocks the size of a man's fist and larger and spent projectiles. The tractor is provided with an electromagnet positioned ahead of the dozer blade. Positioned to the rear of the tractor, and pivotally attached to its frame by drawbars, is a chisel bar with a plurality of chisel blades. Just ahead of the chisel bar is a rock rake having a spine from which extend a plurality of forwardly projecting tines. The rake is supported with its tines at such an angle that their tips barely scrape the surface of the earth. Ahead of the rock rake, there is a drag consisting of a section of railroad rail suspended from the drawbars of the chisel assembly at a height sufficient to just scrape the surface of the ground during operation of the tractor.

Abstract: A kitchen appliance has a housing with an inlet opening for admitting water, a rotor rotatable in the housing, a brush member connected with the rotor for joint rotation therewith, a first smaller opening for supplying a smaller portion of water to the brush member for mixing with a soap, and a second greater outlet opening for exiting a greater portion of water for rinsing a dish or the like washed by the brush member.

Abstract: Apparatus for buffing articles, such as leather goods, silverware and the like. The apparatus includes a container for receiving an article to be buffed. The interior of the container has a buffing material therein and is of a size to permit relative movement of the article and the buffing material so that, when the container is moved about, such as in the drum of a clothes dryer, the article and the buffing material move continuously into frictional engagement with each other causing a buffing action to occur. Several embodiments of the container are disclosed. A clothes dryer can be used for moving the container. In the alternative, a coin operated drum can be provided.

Abstract: A self-wringing mop has a handle with a housing attached, a wringer in the housing including a basket with a perforated wall mounted for rotation in the housing by an electric motor, a wiper, and a manually operated actuator for selectively moving the wiper to an advanced position outside the housing for wiping operations and a retracted position inside the housing and the basket for wringing of the wiper by rotation of the basket.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting flat or semiflat materials while simultaneously retrieving bottles and cans includes a ground engageable rotating drum (50) with a plurality of fingers (80) extending radially from the drum. A spring finger assembly (100) cooperates with the drum (50) to retrieve articles from the ground. The spring finger assembly includes an upper and lower unit (104, 102) each including a plurality of spring fingers (128) mounted on a rotary shaft assembly (116, 118, 122) driven in conjunction with the rotation of the drum. The rotary shaft assembly and the spring fingers attached thereto rotate with respect to fixed stripper plates (140). A camming device (122, 130, 132) acts to rotate and extend the fingers beyond the stripper plates when the fingers move adjacent to the drum fingers and to rotate and withdraw the spring fingers behind the stripper plates upon further rotation such that the material engaged by the spring fingers is stripped therefrom.

Abstract: An improved device for wiping liquids from the surface by moving metal strip under tension, such as strip produced by cold rolling mills, is disclosed. The device consists of three rollers, between which the strip passes, where each roller is supported by a plurality of pairs of casters, the caster pairs being spring mounted in a pair of frames, the frames being urged together by fluid powered cylinders, so that the rollers are held against the strip surfaces under pressure, thus wiping the strip surface by preventing passage of liquid on the strip surface past the rollers.

Abstract: A beach cleaner for removing petroleum deposits. The cleaner comprises a cylinder, an endless belt with a protuberance pattern thereon surrounding the cylinder, a scraper bar mounted adjacent the protuberance pattern and a conveyor mounted adjacent the scraper bar. The cylinder is hollow and can be filled with liquid. The conveyor is driven by a power source and conveys debris sidewise to a collecting device. The beach cleaner is adapted to be mounted to a power unit such as a front end loader.

Abstract: An absorbent floor cleaning and waxing composition is disclosed comprising shreds of a hydrophilic, open-celled, solids-loaded polyurethane foam having an aqueous wax emulsion releasably incorporated therein. The composition is effective to replace soiled coatings of floor wax with fresh floor wax.

Abstract: The specification describes a device that admits of performing a variety of servicing, inspection and maintenance functions on the viewing surface of a simulator dome. The structural arrangement of such device includes a circular track supported by the base floor of the simulator and at least one arcuate carrier track extending from one end at the circular track, upwardly in a plane perpendicular to the circular track and at a constant distance from the viewing surface, to the opposite end at the circular track 180 degrees from the end. A servo unit, carrying a desired implement to perform some function on the viewing surface, is indexed along the arcuate carrier track after the arcuate carrier track is turned 360 degrees. Suitable wheels support each end of the arcuate carrier track on the circular track.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus includes a mop with a rotatable wiper, a pail having a reservoir for cleaning liquid, and a motor-driven wringer mounted upon the pail for receiving and rotating the wiper of the mop at relatively high speed to extract cleaning liquid together with entrained dirt and other matter from the wiper and return the extracted liquid to the reservoir.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning spools having a support means and a first and second chuck rotatably mounted on the support means. The first and second chucks having coinciding axes of rotation with first chuck facing the second chuck. There is at least one cleaning arm having a supported end and a free end. The cleaning arm is supported at a location so that the free end of the cleaning arm is offset from the axis of rotation of the chucks. There is a means to rotate at least one of the chucks and a means to move the free end of the cleaning arm parallel to the axis of rotation of the chucks.

Abstract: A tool for cleaning the outlet ports of a welding torch tip having a cylindrical wire helix which can be extended from and retracted into a housing with the helix power driven in rotation about its longitudinal axis, the helix being compressible in diameter so as to fit ports of smaller diameter than the helix.

Abstract: A hand operated magnetic sweeper comprises a longitudinally elongated, reinforced body member molded in one piece of non-magnetic material with wheels mounted for rotation on the longitudinal ends thereof, the body including a handle socket on its top side arranged to support a handle for angular extension vertically upward and rearward therefrom. The body is configured with longitudinally extending magnet holding pockets arranged along its longitudinal centerline so that magnets contained therein have a pair of adjacent perpendicular surfaces disposed at different distances from the circumference of the wheels, whereby each of said surfaces may be positioned to face downward toward an underlying surface by rotation of the body through 90.degree. relative to the surface. A brush is mounted to the rear edge of the body for sweeping contact with a surface when the sweeper is rolled over the surface.

Abstract: By providing a tractor with easily disassembled and assembled modular construction, with pneumatic drive and with high-pressure hydraulic means and vacuum means for, respectively, liquefying collected debris and exhausting it from the work area, an unique machine is provided which is particularly adapted for introduction into and use in cleaning areas, such as inside oil storage tanks, where flammable fumes exist and access openings into the work area are limited in size.

Abstract: Cleaning machine for blasting the goods to be cleaned. Inside a liquid container there is provided a liquid-permeable compartment or cassette providing a magazine for the granules and connected to a bottom outlet in a treatment chamber wherein the blasting shall take place. The compartment or cassette is connected by a valve-controlled opening to the suction side of a pump for sucking-in liquid from the liquid container via the cassette, while carrying granules therefrom and for supplying the liquid containing granules to the treatment chamber from which the granules are again supplied to the cassette through the bottom outlet.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing standing water from a large surface area includes a housing capable of being moved across the surface area. An elongated rolling member is mounted on the housing with its elongated axis transverse to the direction of travel of said housing over the surface area. At least a portion of the rolling member is located on the underneath side of the housing. The rolling member has a nonwater absorbing wear resistant surface enabling that portion of it located below the housing to contact the surface area to be depleted of water. The rolling member rolls on the surface area to displace water to a position in front of the rolling member and form a moving wave of water in front of the rolling member. A wave direction changing member is located in association with the rolling member in front of the rolling member. The wave direction changing member imparts a momentum to the wave of water maintaining the wave of water on the underside of the housing.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus includes a mop with a rotatable wiper, a pail having a reservoir for cleaning liquid, and a motor-driven wringer mounted upon the pail for receiving and rotating the wiper of the mop at relatively high speed to extract cleaning liquid together with entrained dirt and other matter from the wiper and return the extracted liquid to the reservoir.

Abstract: A roller or brush for cleaning meshes of rotary screens, comprising a shaft having one or several cleaning members each comprising a body of revolution consisting of two concentrically arranged portions. The outer part in contact with the screen surface is of a stiffness several times greater than the stiffness of the inner portion adjacent to the shaft so that dynamic load at the contact of the brush and screen is several times lower, the efficiency of cleaning of meshes of the screen is improved and the service life of the screen is substantially prolonged.

Abstract: A simplified paint roller cleaning apparatus is provided wherein an existing paint roller spinner is utilized to insert a paint roller into a container of paint solvent where it is temporarily supported at the bottom against an idler roller. The idler roller spindle extends through a slot in the top of the container and a handle on the spindle permits the idler roller and spinner to be compressed together as the spinner is actuated, causing the rollers to rotate together to clean the paint roller. Then the solvent is poured out, the idler roller is tipped aside and the paint roller is dry-spun in the container to expel excess moisture.

Abstract: A portable spinneret cleaner consisting of a base plate, a cylindrical case attached thereto and having a flat stop surface at its end, and at least two guide bars pivoted therein and being fitted at one end with holders for at least one knife blade each, the cutting edge of which is capable of being moved into the stop surface plane against a spring action.

Abstract: A scouring pad is placed between two parallel rotating rollers mounted in a slot formed in the top of a platform. The lower surfaces of the rollers are wetted by a liquid detergent solution contained in a tank mounted below the platform. A shoe roller skate having a front pair and a rear pair of wheels is placed on the platform with one pair of wheels resting on the rollers and engaging the top of the scouring pad. The rollers rotate the skate wheels against the scouring pad, thereby removing dirt from the skate wheels by an abrading action. The liquid detergent is transferred from the rollers to the skate wheels and scouring pad, thereby enhancing the removal of the dirt from the skate wheels.

Abstract: A trash picking device including a self-propelled vehicle having a receiving tank therein with an entrance for receiving litter from a conveyor belt litter picked up by spiked rollers mounted on a support tower by the vehicle and communicating with the conveyor belt by means of a flexible chute. Preferably, two side rollers are pivoted to a central roller journalled directly below the conveyor belt. A pair of transporting wheels are pivotally mounted below the central roller. This roller drivingly engages the bottom roller of the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A character applying device which is controlled by a separate signal processor can be manually moved across a writing surface while the characters are being applied. A single-tipped marking instrument is moved with a prescribed motion parallel to the surface as the device is moved across the surface to create a relatively dense array of line patterns. Simultaneously, received control signals cause the tip to move in and out of contact with the surface for, in effect, masking the array to produce characters represented by those signals.

Abstract: A cleaning tool for polishing pads, the tool divided at the front end to journal a transverse roller whose periphery has a plurality of headed studs. The tool is tubular with said end directing a nozzle toward the roller; and the rear end has a valve for connecting a compressed-air supply and a finger-operated lever for controlling the valve, whereby to blow an air jet against the periphery of the roller.

Abstract: A vehicle, such as a self dumping dirt truck or a trailer, is equipped with a powered assembly of components to automatically clean debris from roadside ditches or irrigation ditches, preferably powered by the truck engine, a tractor engine, or an auxiliary engine, which in turn drives a hydraulic pump of a hydraulic system powering several hydraulic motors. The debris, dirt, gravel, and weeds, are loosened and collected from the ditches alongside a road and then conveyed to a dirt collecting chamber of the trailer or truck. At times if the debris is not objectionable it may be discharged back near the roadbank but removed from the ditch area.

Abstract: An electric stippling device includes a housing within which is positioned an electric motor, a rotatable eraser member operably connected to the motor for rotation therewith and a stippling shaft member operably connected to an opposite end of the motor for reciprocatory movement.

Abstract: This invention relates to marking apparatus which is capable of imprinting a complete elongated straight mark on a suitable object or stack of objects without the use of a separate guide means. The apparatus consists of an elongated cylindrical rod which comprises the marking element. The rod is disposed in the legs of a holder which is U shaped in cross section in such a manner that a portion of the side of the rod is disposed within the U and another portion of the side of the rod extends beyond the U. Means are provided for providing ink to the outer surface of the rod, and means are provided for rotating the rod about its longitudinal axis. In operation, the rod is placed up against an object to be marked and the rod is rotated. The rod imprints a pattern with the ink from its surface when it is adjacent the object.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are herein described for cleaning and waxing automobiles in commercial "car wash" operations without any need for mechanical buffing or polishing as, for example, with brushes. The surface of the car is first covered with a water soluble, agitated liquid cleaner which has been at least partially foamed. Then, the surface of the car is blasted with water soluble beads under sufficient pressure to apply a frictional cleaning motion to the liquid cleaner, but with insufficient pressure to damage the car surface by excessive abrasion. After the blasting step, the liquid cleaner and water soluble beads are rinsed by the application of a high pressure water spray thereto. If it is desired to wax the car surfaces, microcrystalline beads of dry, water soluble, carnauba wax are blasted against the car surfaces with sufficient pressure to cause frictional buffing and polishing of the surfaces, but insufficient pressure to damage the surfaces with abrasion.

Abstract: A device for cleaning foreign material from at least one surface of a sheet including at least one low durometer sheet cleaning roller having a tacky peripheral surface. The surface of the sheet to be cleaned is biased against and moved generally tangentially across the tacky peripheral surface of the cleaning roller with rolling contact therebetween so that foreign material on the surface of the sheet will be adhered to the tacky surface of the cleaning roller. The tacky surface of the cleaning roller is in turn cleaned by bringing into rolling contact therewith a surface on a roller cleaning member (which surface may be provided by the adhesive on a length of tape) having a higher surface tack than the cleaning roller. In one embodiment of the device the roller cleaning member is periodically passed over the cleaning roller by the operator of the device, whereas other embodiments automatically pass the roller cleaning member over the cleaning roller during each cycle of the device to clean a sheet.