Abstract: A cleaning apparatus having a cleaning member movably arranged at a housing, the cleaning member having a cleaning portion for engaging a surface to be cleaned; a handle member connects with and is resiliently movable between a raised position and a lower position so that when the handle member is arranged at the raised position, a resilient member operably connecting the handle member with the housing is substantially compressed thereby applying a pressing force onto the cleaning member towards the surface to be cleaned.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus includes a combing unit including a series of spaced protrusions or teeth extending into a cleaning roller for preventing build up and removing debris (such as hair, string, and the like). The protrusions extend along a substantial portion of the cleaning roller and extend partially into the cleaning roller to intercept the debris as it passes around the roller. The protrusions have angled leading edges that are not aligned with a rotation center of the cleaning roller and are directed into or against a direction of rotation of the cleaning roller. The combing unit and protrusions have a shape and configuration designed to facilitate debris removal from the cleaning roller with minimal impact on the operation of the cleaning apparatus. The cleaning apparatus may include a surface cleaning head of an upright vacuum cleaner or sweeper or a robotic vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: A rotor assembly is provided and includes a rotor, tongs and an actuation system. The rotor includes a shaft defining a rotational axis about which the rotor is rotatable and rotor elements supported on the shaft to define grooves. The tongs are disposed in the grooves to occupy and move between first and second positions. At the first positions, the tongs are retracted from the grooves. At the second positions, the tongs are engaged in the grooves to disentangle fibers from the rotor. The actuation system is configured to bias the tongs toward the first positions and is actuatable to drive the tongs into the second positions.

Abstract: A robot cleaner including a body, a driven wheel, and a side brush coupled to the body. The side brush includes a hub configured to rotate about a pivot axis and a plurality of bristles. Some bristles may form a first angle with the pivot axis and others form a second angle with the pivot axis which is larger than the first angle. Some bristles may have a first bristle length and others have a second bristle length which is larger than the first bristle length. The robot cleaner may include a side brush deflector to deflect debris propelled by the side brush towards the vacuum inlet. The side brush deflector includes a plurality of deflector bristles extending downwardly from a floor facing surface of the robot cleaner towards a floor such that some of the bristles pass through or underneath a portion of the deflector bristles.

Abstract: An autonomous coverage robot includes a chassis, a drive system configured to maneuver the robot, and a cleaning assembly. The cleaning assembly includes a cleaning assembly housing and at least one driven sweeper brush. The robot includes a controller and a removable sweeper bin configured to receive debris agitated by the driven sweeper brush. The sweeper bin includes an emitter disposed on an interior surface of the bin and a receiver disposed remotely from the emitter on the interior surface of the bin and configured to receive an emitter signal. The emitter and the receiver are disposed such that a threshold level of accumulation of debris in the sweeper bin blocks the receiver from receiving emitter emissions. The robot includes a bin controller disposed in the sweeper bin and monitoring a detector signal and initiating a bin full routine upon determining a bin debris accumulation level requiring service.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nozzle arrangement (10) for a floor cleaning device (100), comprising a nozzle housing (28); a brush (12) rotatable about a brush axis (14), wherein the brush (12) is partially surrounded by the nozzle housing (28) and protrudes from a bottom side (30) of said nozzle housing (28), said brush (12) being provided with brush elements (16) for picking up dirt and/or liquid particles (22, 24) from a surface to be cleaned (20) during the rotation of the brush (12), and a protection assembly (32) for preventing obstacles (40) from getting sucked into the nozzle housing (28) or wrapped around the brush (12), wherein said protection assembly (32) is arranged within the nozzle housing (28) and comprises a plurality of spaced apart ribs (34) that extend at least partly through the brush (12), wherein a suction channel (42) is defined between a back end (44) of the ribs (34) and an opposite inner wall element (46) of the nozzle housing (28), wherein said back end (44) of the ribs (34) i

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner nozzle having a rotatable member arranged around a longitudinal axis for picking up particles from a surface to be cleaned, and a cleaning arrangement for removing articles entangled on the rotatable member. The cleaning arrangement has at least one support surface provided on at least one radially projecting member, and at least one cleaning member movable between a resting position in which the cleaning member is arranged at a distance from the support surface and at least one cleaning position In the vicinity of the rotatable member. In cleaning position, the cleaning member, during rotation of the rotatable member, co-operates with at least one segment of the support surface to remove entangled articles from the rotatable member. The cleaning member includes a resilient sheet member capable of providing resilient contact with a segment of the support surface in the cleaning position during rotation of the rotatable member.

Abstract: There is provided a suction tool for a vacuum cleaner that can easily remove dust entangled around a rotating brush with a small force in a sanitary manner with clean hands without spreading dust. The suction tool includes dust removing means 39 for removing dust adhering to a rotating brush 30, the dust removing means 39 includes a first remover that has substantially the same shape as a trough 34 between cleaning bodies 33 or between cleaning body holding portions 32 of the rotating brush 30, and is guided in an axial direction of the rotating brush 30 within the trough 34.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a base, an agitator, a motor, an agitator cleaner, first and second support assemblies, and an actuator. The agitator cleaner is movable to be spaced from the agitator or to engage the agitator to remove debris while the motor rotates the agitator. The support assemblies collectively support the base on a surface to be cleaned, and the first support assembly is movable between a raised position in which the agitator is proximal to the surface and a lowered position in which the agitator is spaced from the surface. The actuator is movable between an idle position and an operative position. The actuator has a first controller to move the agitator cleaner into the first position when the actuator is in the idle position, and a second controller to move the first support assembly to the lowered position when the actuator is in the operative position.

Abstract: A floor sweeper for recovering material from a surface to be cleaned comprises a handle assembly pivotably attached to a foot assembly. The foot assembly comprises a housing forming a brush chamber having a bottom opening. The foot assembly comprises a pair of driving gears and a split brush assembly rotatably mounted within the brush chamber and adapted to contact the surface through the opening. The brush assembly comprises two separately-rotatable halves each corresponding to one of the driving gears, with each half comprising a brush core, brush paddles or bristles affixed to an exterior of the brush core, and a brush gear adapted for rotation with the brush core. Each brush gear is driven by a corresponding driving gear to the corresponding brush core as the floor assembly is moved across the surface in order to drive the brushes to cleaning of the surface.

Abstract: A cleaning device agitator system having an agitator and one or more cleaning members. The agitator has first and second ends, a longitudinal axis and one or more agitating devices. One or more friction surfaces may project from the spindle. The cleaning members are adjacent the agitator and adapted to move between a first position and a second position. In at least the second position, the cleaning members engage the agitator, such as by engaging the friction surfaces, to remove debris. Agitator and cleaning members may be incorporated into a cleaning head having an inlet nozzle and a chamber in which the agitator rotates, and there may be an activation mechanism using, for example, a resilient member to move the cleaning members. An overload protection device may be provided, and may adjust its sensitivity depending on whether the cleaning devices are in the first or second position.

Abstract: A cleaning device agitator system having an agitator and one or more cleaning members. The agitator has first and second ends, a longitudinal axis and one or more agitating devices. One or more friction surfaces may project from the spindle. The cleaning members are adjacent the agitator and adapted to move between a first position and a second position. In at least the second position, the cleaning members engage the agitator, such as by engaging the friction surfaces, to remove debris. Agitator and cleaning members may be incorporated into a cleaning head having an inlet nozzle and a chamber in which the agitator rotates, and there may be an activation mechanism using, for example, a resilient member to move the cleaning members. An overload protection device may be provided, and may adjust its sensitivity depending on whether the cleaning devices are in the first or second position.

Abstract: The present invention is a device for use in cleaning a fabric surface of dust, dirt, pet hair and other debris present on the surface. The device includes a pair of cleaning members or rollers disposed on an underside of the device which can roll with respect to the device and with respect to one another. The rollers are selectively contacted with one another such that each roller can assist in removing debris picked up by the opposite roller and dispensing the debris into a collection chamber releasably positioned within the housing. The removal of the debris from each roller is also facilitated by opposed edges of a central opening in the housing that contact the rollers and direct the debris into the debris collection chamber.

Abstract: A manually propelled, wheeled rotary brush having a handle and two wheels. The brush may have a generally cylindrical configuration which contacts the environmental surface on which the wheels ride, and may rotate about a horizontal axis disposed perpendicularly to the direction of travel as the wheels turn. The brush may be geared to the wheels, and may rotate faster than the wheels. The wheeled rotary brush may have a frame in which the gears are journaled. The handle may be propped in an elevated position by stabilizing legs disposed to engage the environmental surface at a point spaced apart from the brush. The brush may have replaceable brush elements which may be inserted into slots formed in a cylindrical core of the brush.

Abstract: To provide a compact manual cleaning instrument with which it is simple to collect and discharge dust, with which it is possible to clean in tight spaces, which is silent, and which is comfortable to use. A dust trapping body 3 is brought into contact with a surface to be cleaned, and the manual cleaning instrument 1 is moved back and forth, whereby dust can be trapped and collected in a dust collection chamber 37. The dust which has been collected can be discharged by opening a lid 28.

Abstract: A coverage robot includes a chassis, a drive system, and a cleaning assembly. The cleaning assembly includes a housing and at least one driven cleaning roller including an elongated core with end mounting features defining a central longitudinal axis of rotation, multiple floor cleaning bristles extending radially outward from the core, and at least one compliant flap extending radially outward from the core to sweep a floor surface. The flap is configured to prevent errant filaments from spooling tightly about the core to aid subsequent removal of the filaments. In another aspect, a coverage robot includes a chassis, a drive system, a controller, and a cleaning assembly. The cleaning assembly includes a housing and at least one driven cleaning roller. The coverage robot includes a roller cleaning tool carried by the chassis and configured to longitudinally traverse the roller to remove accumulated debris from the cleaning roller.

Abstract: The present invention is a device for use in cleaning a fabric surface of dust, dirt, pet hair, and other debris present on the surface. The device includes a housing, a cleaning member, such as a roller, and a pair of cleaning material sections on opposite sides of the roller. The cleaning member has a protrusion that selectively engages one of a pair of stops to prevent rotation of the cleaning member past a respective stop.

Abstract: The present invention is a device (10) for use in cleaning a fabric surface (16) of dust, dirt, pet hair and other debris (20) present on the surface (16). The device (10) includes a pair of cleaning members or rollers (60, 61) disposed on an underside of the device (10) which can roll with respect to the device (10) and with respect to one another. The rollers (60, 61) are selectively contacted with one another such that each roller (60, 61) can assist in removing debris (20) picked up by the opposite roller (60, 61) and dispensing the debris (20) into a collection chamber (32) releasably positioned within a housing (11). The removal of the debris (20) from each roller (60, 61) is also facilitated by opposed edges of a central opening (58) in the housing (11) that contact the rollers (60, 61) and direct the debris (20) into the debris collection chamber (32).

Abstract: A method for clearing lines on a playing surface is provided. The method includes automatic direction of a cleaning device along the lines to clean the lines. The method also preferably includes calibrating the means of measuring the distances moved by the cleaning device along the surface. Associated software is provided as well.

Abstract: The present invention is a device for use in cleaning a fabric surface of dust, dirt, pet hair and other debris present on the surface. The device includes a pair of cleaning members or rollers disposed on an underside of the device which can roll with respect to the device and with respect to one another. The rollers are selectively contacted with one another such that each roller can assist in removing debris picked up by the opposite roller and dispensing the debris into a collection chamber releasably positioned within the housing. The removal of the debris from each roller is also facilitated by opposed edges of a central opening in the housing that contact the rollers and direct the debris into the debris collection chamber.

Abstract: The present invention is a device for use in cleaning a fabric surface of dust, dirt, pet hair and other debris present on the surface. The device includes a pair of cleaning members or rollers disposed on an underside of the device which can roll with respect to the device and with respect to one another. The rollers are selectively contacted with one another such that each roller can assist in removing debris picked up by the opposite roller and dispensing the debris into a collection chamber releasably positioned within the housing. The removal of the debris from each roller is also facilitated by opposed edges of a central opening in the housing that contact the rollers and direct the debris into the debris collection chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed is a self cleaning rotary brush with means for accumulating collected hair for disposal. The invention includes a primary cleaning cylinder with a series of tines that are adapted to clean the fur of the animal. The invention further includes a secondary cleaning cylinder with associated tines that are designed to intermesh with the tines of the primary cylinder. A collection tray is located to the rear of the secondary cleaning cylinder. As fur is collected by the primary cylinder, it is removed by the tines of the secondary cylinder. Thereafter, as the secondary tines come into contact with the edge of the collection tray, the fur is deposited within the collection tray for subsequent disposal.

Abstract: A cleaning device agitator system having an agitator and one or more cleaning members. The agitator has first and second ends, a longitudinal axis and one or more agitating devices. One or more friction surfaces may project from the spindle. The cleaning members are adjacent the agitator and adapted to move between a first position and a second position. In at least the second position, the cleaning members engage the agitator, such as by engaging the friction surfaces, to remove debris. Agitator and cleaning members may be incorporated into a cleaning head having an inlet nozzle and a chamber in which the agitator rotates, and there may be an activation mechanism using, for example, a resilient member to move the cleaning members. An overload protection device may be provided, and may adjust its sensitivity depending on whether the cleaning devices are in the first or second position.

Abstract: This invention relates to new compositions and methods for cleaning textile substrates, especially carpet and upholstery fabrics. More particularly, this invention relates to liquid compositions that contain absorbent particles in a flowable fluid dispersion, which dries to a soil ladened powder, that can be removed by vacuuming, brushing, and/or laundering methods. The composition includes dispersion stabilizing additives such that the composition is presented as a stable dispersion or as a composition that may be easily redispersed prior to application.

Abstract: An adhesive roll cleaner having a single-sided adhesive sheet wound around a core tube into a roll with the adhesive side facing out, wherein the adhesive sheet has a tear strength of 500 mN or higher and is wound in such a manner that the adhesive roll cleaner maintains an outer diameter within a range of 22 to 40 mm from start to end of use, and the roll has a width of 180 to 300 mm.

Abstract: In a cleaning device 10, a dustpan portion 23 is supported to a frame 15 so as to freely oscillate independently from a scraping up body 16 in a vertical direction, and a dust receiving portion 23C of the dustpan portion 23 is supported so as to be disconnected from the frame 15.

Abstract: In a cleaning device, the scraping up body and the rotating body rolling the adhesive roll are rotatably supported to the frame, and the adhesive roll is rotatably arranged on the scraping up body and the rotating body in parallel.

Abstract: In a cleaning device, the scraping up body and the rotating body rolling the adhesive roll are rotatably supported to the frame, and the adhesive roll is rotatably arranged on the scraping up body and the rotating body in parallel.

Abstract: In a cleaning device 10, a dustpan portion 23 is supported to a frame 15 so as to freely oscillate independently from a scraping up body 16 in a vertical direction, and a dust receiving portion 23C of the dustpan portion 23 is supported so as to be disconnected from the frame 15.

Abstract: In a cleaning device, the scraping up body and the rotating body rolling the adhesive roll are rotatably supported to the frame, and the adhesive roll is rotatably arranged on the scraping up body and the rotating body in parallel.

Abstract: In a cleaning device 10, a scraping up body 16 and the contact rotating body 18 being rotatably supported to a frame 15 in parallel; and an adhesive roll 21 astride the scraping up body 16 and the contact rotating body 18, being put on the scraping up body 16 and the contact rotating body 18 wherein an adhesive sheet 21A of the adhesive roll 21 is wound around a core 21B, and an initial outer diameter of the adhesive roll 21 is set to be equal to or less than 40 mm.

Abstract: An adhesive roll cleaner having a single-sided adhesive sheet wound around a core tube into a roll with the adhesive side facing out, wherein the adhesive sheet has a tear strength of 500 mN or higher and is wound in such a manner that the adhesive roll cleaner maintains an outer diameter within a range of 22 to 40 mm from start to end of use, and the roll has a width of 180 to 300 mm.

Abstract: An adhesive roll cleaner (1) having single-sided adhesive sheets (3) helically wound around a core tube (2) with the adhesive side out, wherein the adhesive sheets (3) each have a tear strength of 500 mN or higher as measured with an Elmendorf tear tester according to JIS P8116(ISO 1974).

Abstract: A drive system for driving two cylindrical brushes of a floor cleaning machine that rotate in opposite directions is disclosed. The floor cleaning machine includes a motor, a gear mechanism and force-transmission means for transmitting a torque from the gear mechanism to the cylindrical brushes. The gear mechanism has a separate driven shaft for each cylindrical brush.

Abstract: In a cleaning device, the scraping up body and the rotating body rolling the adhesive roll are rotatably supported to the frame, and the adhesive roll is rotatably arranged on the scraping up body and the rotating body in parallel.

Abstract: Universal nozzle to be used in connection with general known vacuum cleaners and the like, with or without washing devices, to clean floors with different floorings, including carpets, textiles and the like. The nozzle is provided with one or more cylindrical rollers, (FIG. 1 and FIG. 2), so suspended and so designed, by means of free wheeling bearings, so the rollers freely can revolve around their own axis, when the nozzle (14) is moved in one direction, but where the rollers are blocked, when moved in the opposite direction. Hair, thread and other foreign materials are thereby assembled in an oblong cylindrical cushion, easy to evacuate. The rollers can be provided with outside linings of different kind, for instance as a rubber roller, (FIG. 1), or as a brush roller, (FIG. 2). The rollers can be suspended in an activation device (7) and (10), making it possible to activate one or more of the rollers.

Abstract: A cleaning machine, especially for professional cleaning, comprises two parallel and cylindrical brushes driven reversedly about a horizontal axis, the brushes being placed so closely together that the ends of the brushes in the plane defined by the rotational axes of the brushes almost join, touch one another or just overlap. Above said plane one or more sweepers in the form of bars, pipes, stretched wires or the like are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the brushes and extend into the course of rotation of the brush ends. There is a shield above the brushes for collecting the dirt that is thrown off them when meeting the sweepers. At the exterior of the brushes the shield ends in collecting receivers from which the collected dirt may pass to a collecting tank. This design proves capable of performing a simultaneous sweeping and washing of a floor. At the same time the construction is sufficiently compact to accommodate a polishing unit such that a simultaneous polishing of the floor is possible.

Abstract: A stripping element includes an elongate hold-down bar that fits between adjacent incisor rings on a rotating drum wood incisor and prevents the teeth on the incisor rings from tearing chunks of wood from the piece of lumber as the teeth pull out after having made perforations. The hold-down bar has a planar lower surface which is parallel or slightly angled from the surface of the piece of lumber and is slightly separated from this surface. The apparatus includes a mounting structure that permits changing the distance between the lower surface of the hold-down bar and the surface of the piece of lumber. The stripping element also includes a cleaning pick which removes any wood chunks that become lodged between the incisor rings.

Abstract: A floor cleaner that includes a rotatable brush having an elongate dowel is provided with an anti-cord swallowing system formed by a plurality of grooves formed about the periphery of the dowel and equally spaced along the length of the dowel. The anti-cord swallowing system also includes a plurality of equally spaced ribs extending from an under surface of a power head housing of the cleaner, each rib being aligned with and extending partially into one of the grooves. The clearance between each rib and its respective groove is such that free rotation of the brush is permitted while the possibility of even small diameter power cords being wrapped around the brush is minimized.

Abstract: A manually operated cleaner is provided with a body in the form of a box-shaped container having a removable lid and a bottom wall. Two parallel openings are provided through the bottom wall of the container. A roll brush is mounted to project out of one opening and a rotatable semicylindrical brush body is mounted for pivotable movement between two stop members with one of its surfaces including inclined bristles projecting through the other opening. A dust removing brush member having bristles inclined toward the interior of the container is pivotably mounted to the container and urged by spring means to maintain sliding contact with the bristles on the brush body.

Abstract: A unitary top-less peripheral frame is provided which holds substantially all the functional parts of the sweeper. The frame includes end walls carrying bearings which receive the ends of the brush roller shaft, with the said end walls being spring-like and flexible to permit easy insertion and removal of the shaft. The frame has brush bristle tufts mounted therein at the corners. A separate top is removably mounted to the peripheral frame, with the top carrying bail detent or stop elements which additionally extend downwardly and lock the top to the unitary frame while also holding the dust pan springs in place. The front and/or rear frame walls which extend between the said end walls form a debris-retaining wall. The frame provides a lip which is engageable by the pan edge and which seals the pan chamber and tends to increase the frictional forces between the sweeper wheels and the brush roller element.

Abstract: A hand sweeper according to the present invention comprises a base in the form of a dust box having a rotary brush and driving wheels for transmitting their rotation to the rotary brush and a cover body for covering the dust box. The cover body has a handle pivotably attached thereto and is removably connected to the dust box.

Abstract: A rotary brush for removing hair from hair brushes having a rotatable shaft upon which the bristles are mounted, a slotted portion extending along the full length of the shaft and a sharpened bladed portion slidably mounted in the slotted portion for cutting hair that had been removed by the rotary brush from hair brushes and became wound about the shaft thereof.

Abstract: A dust pan assembly is provided, with the assembly carrying at least one dust pan and the sweeper supporting wheels and axle means. The assembly is mounted beneath the sweeper housing with the ends of the axle means being disposed in horizontal slots adjacent the housing sidewalls. Movement of the sweeper in one direction causes the housing and slots to slide horizontally over the axle means and dust pan assembly until the rotary brush roll engages or disengages from the supporting and driving wheels on the assembly so that the brush roll drive is coupled or uncoupled. A brush cleaning comb is suspended from the dust pan assembly above the entrance to each pan. When a brush roll shifts relatively toward the assembly, the brush is carried into cleaning contact with the comb; while when the brush shifts relatively away from the assembly, it is carried out of contact with the comb.

Abstract: A self-cleaning hand-held chalk board eraser is disclosed which includes a chalk trough for catching and collecting the loose chalk from a chalkboard, a roller, the outer surface of which is made of suitable chalk-erasing material, and a brush mounted in the eraser to remove the loose chalk from the roller material in such a way that the loose chalk becomes trapped in the chalk trough.