Abstract: An apparatus for grout cleaning is discussed below that enables a user to easily and effectively perform tile and grout cleaning tasks without having to engage in an uncomfortable posture and without requiring a large amount energy or muscle strength spent on the reciprocating, repetitive movement associated with such tasks. In some embodiments, a grout cleaning device comprises an elongated arm having a proximal end and a distal end; a reciprocating motor attached to the distal end and having a power source; a grout cleaning member detachably coupled to the reciprocating motor; and a motor controller attached to the proximal end, wherein the motor controller is operable to selectively control the power source. The motor controller may change an operating speed of the reciprocating motor according to an input from the user. The elongated arm may include one or more contour portions to provide an ergonomic position for the user.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus, in particular to a cleaning apparatus, for carrying out a working movement moving to and fro, in particular a periodic working movement, in particular a cleaning movement, having a holding rod defining a longitudinal direction and a work unit which is coupled to the holding rod and which is movable relative to the holding rod for carrying out a working movement running parallel to the longitudinal direction, wherein an external drive is provided for generating the working movement.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for self-cleaning dust removal. The apparatus may be provided with a brush housing 202 having an opening 204, one or more axles 206 disposed around the opening 204, and a plurality of brush fibers 208 emanating from the one or more axles 206 that rotate inward into the opening 204. In addition, the system may include a scraping edge 106, disposed around the opening 204, farther into the brush housing 202 than the one or more axles 206, that scrapes 1408 dust off of the brush fibers 208 as they rotate inward against the scraping edge 106, and a vacuum cleaner intake port 110 inside the brush housing 202 that draws 1410 dust from off and about the brush fibers 208 as they rotate inward 1406. The system may further include a handle 112 connected to the brush housing 202 and a switch 114.

Abstract: A surface treating device includes a member adapted for engaging a surface to be treated and a driver operatively associated with the member. The driver is adapted for imparting a linear reciprocating motion to the member, wherein the member engages the surface in a manner substantially perpendicular to the surface to be treated. The surface treating device further includes a dispenser for delivering a fluid drawn from a discrete fluid source to the surface being treated by the member.

Abstract: An autonomous floor cleaning robot includes a transport drive and control system arranged for autonomous movement of the robot over a floor for performing cleaning operations. The robot chassis carries a first cleaning zone comprising cleaning elements arranged to suction loose particulates up from the cleaning surface and a second cleaning zone comprising cleaning elements arraigned to apply a cleaning fluid onto the surface and to thereafter collect the cleaning fluid up from the surface after it has been used to clean the surface. The robot chassis carries a supply of cleaning fluid and a waste container for storing waste materials collected up from the cleaning surface.

Abstract: An electric vacuum cleaner (1) of the invention is adapted for wipe off cleaning using a sheet wound about a rotary brush (25) incorporated in a suction device (10). In order to wind a sheet (50) around a periphery of the rotary brush (25), a brush motor (44) rotates the rotary brush (25) in a predetermined direction at a predetermined rotational speed. At the same time, suction force of an electric blower fan (42) is set to the lowest level. This achieves the following advantage in a case where a wet sheet is used as the sheet (50). During sheet winding, water and alcohol released from the wet sheet (50) can be prevented from being scattered on a surface (100) to be cleaned. Further, the released water and alcohol do not adversely affect the electric blower fan (42).

Abstract: A motorized cleaning/polishing device includes a housing and a carrier with a detachable cleaning/polishing attachment. The housing contains a rechargeable battery, motor and flex mount having flexible pillars to which the carrier is mounted. The carrier is also coupled to the motor drive shaft via an eccentric element and bearing. The carrier may have a foam layer with hook fasteners adhered to its underside for removably attaching any one of various attachments to the carrier. Cleanser is impregnated in the attachment. The device is particularly suited to orbit in the 3000 to 10,000 OPM range.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of cleaning greenhouse roofs mechanically to remove the accumulation of dust and grit. The method comprises at least one dust cleaning device moving over a soft roof The cleaning device is controlled to follow the irregular surface of the soft roof with limited pressure to avoid damage. The invention also provides a dust-cleaning system to remove dust and grit from the soft roof.

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: A motorized cleaning/polishing device includes a housing and a carrier with a detachable cleaning/polishing attachment. The housing contains a rechargeable battery, motor and flex mount having flexible pillars to which the carrier is mounted. The carrier is also coupled to the motor drive shaft via an eccentric element and bearing. The carrier may have a foam layer with hook fasteners adhered to its underside for removably attaching any one of various attachments to the carrier. Cleanser or polish can be impregnated in the attachment wet or dry, or it can be contained in a perforated or water dissolvable packet sandwiched between the carrier and the attachment. A removable scrub brush can also be attached to the carrier so that its bristle head orbits in front of the device. The device is particularly suited to orbit in the 2,500 to 10,000 OPM range.

Abstract: The invention relates to a surface treating machine, comprising: a frame (1) and a chassis (2, 3) to enable the machine to move over a surface (S) such as a floor. A head (5) is supported by the frame and comprises means (6) for directly contacting, scrubbing or maintaining said surface. The head (5) is freely movable up and down with respect to the chassis (2, 3) and is loaded downwardly by a pressure to adapt to the level of the surface. At least a part of the pressure on the head (5) is derived from the weight of the machine itself. Preferably, the head (5) is connected to a first lever arm (8) of a two armed lever (7) A second arm (9) of the lever (7) is connected to the chassis (2, 3), whereas a pivoting point (10) of the lever (7) is fixed to the frame (1) of the machine. In this way, the pressure on the head is not only provided by the weight of the machine, but the head is also easily adapting to ramps and descents in the surfaces, while the pressure on the head is maintained.

Abstract: A detergent composition and/or solution for floors comprising a hydrophilic shear-thinning polymer at very low level for improved cleaning end result. The solution can be used with conventional implements known in the art, including sponges, cloths and/or sponge, string, and/or strip mops and floor cloths such as those sold at retail and speciality stores. In a most preferred embodiment, the solution is used with a cleaning pad comprising an effective amount of a superabsorbent material, said pad preferably being part of cleaning implement comprising a handle and said cleaning pad preferably being removable. The detergent composition preferably contains a limited amount of a detergent surfactant, preferably linear in structure and relatively hydrophilic, the level of solvent in the formula preferably being kept below about 5.0%, and the pH preferably being maintained above about 9.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating a floor surface includes a wheeled vehicle having a floor surface treating unit, a drive motor operable to propel the wheeled vehicle and a control system for controlling operation of the apparatus. A handle is mounted on the wheeled vehicle and has a traverse switch unit for selectively operating the apparatus between a traverse mode in which the vehicle is propelled by the drive motor to move relative to the floor surface and an idle mode in which the drive motor is ineffective to propel the vehicle. The traverse switch unit is mounted on the handle such that the traverse switch unit is accessible for movement by the operator toward the first position of the traverse switch unit corresponding to the traverse mode of the apparatus without the operator having to generally release the handle.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus having a cleaning system including at least one downwardly directed spray nozzle is supported by the chassis proximal the chassis forward end and in fluid communication with at least one cleaning solution tank. The at least one spray nozzle sprays cleaning solution from the tank onto the floor. At least one ground engaging agitation brush is disposed rearwardly of the at least one spray nozzle for agitating the cleaning solution sprayed onto the floor. At least one vacuum shoe is supported by the chassis rearwardly of the at least one agitation brush, and in fluid communication with the at least one recovery tank, wherein cleaning solution drawn into the vacuum shoe is deposited into the at least one recovery tank. In one embodiment the apparatus is drivable. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a second cleaning system including a vacuum squeegee.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided including a motor, a belt that rotates in response to the motor, an extension arm, and a scrub head attached to the extension arm. The scrub head oscillates back in forth in response to rotation of the belt. The scrub head is adapted to allow the attachment of one or more cleaning pads. The cleaning pads may be doodlebug pads. A method is provided comprising causing a belt to rotate in response to a motor; and causing a scrub head attached to an extension arm to oscillate back and forth in response to rotation of the belt.

Abstract: A floor working machine includes a body frame (1), an electric drive unit (29), a pad unit including a first pad (21) and a second pad (21) having polishing surfaces (21a) for contacting a floor surface, the first pad and second pad being opposed to each other, and a pad control mechanism (50) for controlling the pad unit by using drive of the electric drive unit. The pad control mechanism (50) controls the first pad (21) and second pad (21) such that the first pad and second pad reciprocate, with the respective polishing surfaces (21a) contacting the floor surface, in a first direction (A) in which the first pad and second pad approach each other and in a second direction (B) in which the first pad and second pad move away from each other. A guiding device (23, 25) guides the first pad and second pad in reciprocating movement such that the first direction and second direction are linear and parallel to the floor surface.

Abstract: A pool cleaning device includes a housing assembly that has a base portion. The foot portion is for resting on a deck of a pool. A handle member slidably extends through the base portion of the housing assembly. The handle is to be gripped by hands of a user. The handle member is linearly oscillatable along an axis of the handle member. A head assembly is coupled to the handle member. The head assembly is positioned below the housing assembly such that the head assembly engages the walls of the pool. The head assembly is for facilitating cleaning of the walls of the pool when the handle member is oscillated along the axis of the handle member.