Abstract: An infinity brush has a flaccid belt configured to define a lemniscate. A plurality of work-contacting segments protrude from and are carried by the flaccid belt. A mechanical drive rotates the flaccid belt. Various embodiments of the flaccid belt include a single lemniscate, a plurality of lemniscates, and various simulated lemniscates. In one embodiment, the infinity brush bristle includes non-cylindrical brush bristles with a longitudinal shaft having at least one diameter transition, while other bristles comprise beads of various oval, circular, and cylindrical geometries.

Abstract: An improved cleaning head for a vacuum assembly. The cleaning head has a body with a bottom surface. Within the cleaning head is at least one suction channel that leads into a vacuum cleaner. A first rotating brush is mounted to the body of the cleaning head in front of a suction channel. A towelette support is mounted within the body adjacent the first rotating brush. The towelette support is configured to receive a disposable towelette. A second rotating brush may also be provided, wherein the towelette support would be interposed between the first and second rotating brushes. A mechanism is provided for selectively moving the towelette support within the body between an extended position and a retracted position.

Abstract: A portable grouting-cleaning machine for clad vertical walls includes a frame, an upperly open water container of essentially vertical extension supported by the frame, an endless sponge band stretched between deviation rollers positioned such to form a straight vertical sponge portion to rest against the wall to be treated, the deviation rollers having at least one motorized roller and at least one roller housed in the container, to form a loop of the band therein, two handgrips positioned side by side on the portable frame, and grippable by the operator during the machine operation, and at least one pushbutton, fixed on the frame of machine, connected into the power circuit of an electric motor which drives the motorized roller and is driven by the operator who grips the handles.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to the conditioning of bowling lanes, and, more particularly to an apparatus and method for automatically applying a predetermined pattern of dressing fluid along the transverse and longitudinal dimensions of a bowling lane.

Abstract: A motor-driven endless absorbent belt on an apparatus may be used for scrubbing or polishing surfaces, or removing liquid from surfaces. The belt is located about a cleaning head demountable from a housing for replacement of the belt, a roller mounted to the head and cooperating with a roller mounted to the housing to squeeze liquid and contaminants from the belt into a first reservoir in the housing. A driven roller mounted on the removable cleaning head preferably encloses a rotary motor, the belt being pinched between the driven roller and the housing-mounted roller.

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: A cleaning apparatus includes a housing to be moved along a surface to be cleaned. Within the housing, a cleaning ribbon is disposed between a supply reel and a take-up reel. A portion of the cleaning ribbon is held parallel to, and in substantial contact with, the surface to be cleaned, for attracting and retaining smaller debris. Another portion of the cleaning ribbon is configured to create a particle trap. A rotatable brush, also disposed within the housing, sweeps larger debris into the particle trap. The supply reel, the take-up reel, the cleaning ribbon, and/or the rotatable brush are alternatively included in a cartridge which is detachably secured within the housing.

Abstract: A wiper blade (1) comprising a base portion (3) to be attached to a wiper arm, a lip portion (4) to sweep away a water droplet or dust etc. adhered to a glass window, a thin neck portion (2) for connecting the lip portion (4) and the base portion (3), and a sweeping surface layer portion formed on a side surface of a cross section of the lip portion (4), the sweeping surface layer (7) comprising a scale-like powder (9) having good sliding property and a binder (10) comprising a water-repellency silicone-base rubber composition for binding the scale-like powder (9) to the lip portion (4). The scale-like powder (9) is laminated in a thickness direction of the lip portion (4) and the laminated scale-like powder is bound to each other with the binder (10).

Abstract: A hard floor surface cleaning apparatus includes an aerator, a rotating scrub medium engaging the hard floor surface, a fluid conveyor, and a fluid recovery device. The aerator is configured to produce a foam-like aerated cleaning liquid from a cleaning liquid. The fluid conveyor is coupled to the aerator and is configured to deliver the aerated cleaning liquid onto the scrub medium. The fluid recovery device is configured to remove soiled solution from the hard floor surface.

Abstract: A wiper assembly for surface maintenance vehicles has a non-destructive failure mode when impacting stationary objects, or otherwise becoming subject to instantaneous or rapidly increasing resistance to forward movement, due to an improved mechanical coupling. The improved mechanical coupling for a wiper assembly absorbs some of the impact stresses imparted to the wiper assembly. Portions of each improved mechanical coupling designed to absorb the stress forces deforms most nearest the location of increasing resistance to forward movement, and may either become fully disconnected if the stress force reaches a threshold force value or recoils to the original mounting location after absorbing forces that are less that said threshold force value. The threshold value force at which a wiper assembly dislodges from its mounting location is designed to avoid damage to the wiper assembly, the articulated mounting member (if any), and the maintenance vehicle itself.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a hard floor surface with a surface maintenance vehicle including the steps of generating a foam-like aerated cleaning liquid, selectively conveying the foam-like aerated cleaning liquid to the hard floor surface and a scrubbing medium operatively coupled to the surface maintenance vehicle, scrubbing the hard floor surface with said rotating scrubbing medium and said foam-like aerated cleaning liquid so as to loosen soil from the hard floor surface leaving behind a soiled solution of cleaning liquid and soil, and removing at least a portion of the soiled solution from the hard floor surface through a fluid recovery device. Additional aspects of the present invention include devices for performing the cleaning method.

Abstract: A control installation for solid cleaning bodies adapted to be circulated in a heat exchanger to clean it, said installation including interceptor means in the outlet pipe of the heat exchanger adapted to retain the circulating solid cleaning bodies, a return pipe which recycles to the inlet pipe of the heat exchanger a return flow containing solid cleaning bodies retained by the interceptor means, and a system in said return pipe for processing said solid cleaning bodies and including a sorter (30): the sorter (30) includes a body (31), in which there are two compartments (37, 38) separated by a calibrated grid (40), and turbulence generator means (48, 54) adapted to create turbulence in one compartment (38) to attract into it cleaning bodies which can pass through the grid (40) because of their diameter.

Abstract: A floor cleaner includes a chassis having an elevator mechanism, caster wheels, and a pair of main wheels; a tank removably supported by the chassis for holding cleaning liquid; and a carpet belt. Laterally oriented rollers are supported by the chassis for supporting the carpet belt in a closed path, including a cleaning roller for submerging a portion of the carpet belt within the tank, front and rear wringer rollers, front and rear press rollers, front and rear platen rollers, and an idler roller. A platen member presses the carpet belt against the floor surface. A roller drive rotatably couples the front platen roller to the main wheels for regulating a rate of advancement of the carpet belt during longitudinal movement of the apparatus when the elevator mechanism is in a normal position. The cleaning roller has a raised position clear of the tank, which can be slid on tracks laterally out of the chassis for facilitating lifting of the tank clear of the chassis.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning a floor surface includes a chassis having a frame, an elevator mechanism, and a plurality of ground-contacting wheels; a tank supported by the chassis for holding a quantity of cleaning liquid; a sweeper module removably connectable to the chassis; and a carpet belt member. A plurality of laterally oriented rollers are supported by the chassis for supporting the carpet belt member in a closed path, including a cleaning roller for submerging a portion of the carpet belt within the tank, first and second wringer rollers, first and second press rollers, an adjustment roller for tensioning the carpet roller, an idler roller, and a drive roller. An insert member is supported by the chassis, the cleaning roller and the press roller being supported by the insert member. A main handle pivotally mounted to the insert member manipulates the apparatus on the floor surface.

Abstract: A sweeping unit for a sweeping machine to clean a floor area, has a driven pair of closed loop sweeping belts for engaging the floor, the driven sweeping belts including a first portion fixed in position relative to a mounting platform and a second movable portion. First rollers constrain the first portions of the driven sweeping belts relative to the mounting platform, and second guide rollers, which are movable relative to the mounting platform, constrain the second portions of the belts, respectively. The width of the floor area that is swept when the sweeping machine moves in a working direction, is variable as the second guide rollers are moved manually or automatically. The sweeping unit may be combined with a scrubber device having similar width adjustment features.

Abstract: An improved cleaning apparatus system used for cleaning a surface comprising in combination a surface cleaning head having a frame supporting a rotatable belt for absorbing liquid and contaminants from a surface to be cleaned, a mechanism for conveying the rotatable belt and removing liquid and contaminants therefrom which have been absorbed from the surface to be cleaned and a storage device for storing the liquid and contaminants removed from the rotatable endless belt, a handle member connected to the surface cleaning head whereby the handle member can be used to facilitate operation of the surface cleaning head, wherein the rotatable endless belt is rotatable in a direction substantially transverse to a longitudinal operational direction of the apparatus defined by the handle member and a vacuum source can be provided for assisting with removal of the absorbed liquid and contaminants and conveying them to a storage device.

Abstract: A roll surface cleaning device for cleaning a roll surface includes a cleaning material strip which is softer than the roll surface and is in a continuous length. The cleaning material strip is fed out from a feed-out roll and is taken up by a takeup roll. Between the feed-out roll and the takeup roll, the cleaning material strip is pressed against the roll surface by a pressing mechanism and captures dirt on the roll surface. A first sucking mechanism applies suction force to the portion of the cleaning material strip pressed against the roll surface so that the dirt which has been captured on the cleaning material strip is removed therefrom or is embedded therein by suction. A vibration generator imparts fine vibration to the pressing mechanism. A second sucking mechanism is provided between the first sucking mechanism and the takeup roll and applies suction force to the cleaning material from the side opposite to the side which is pressed against the roll surface.

Abstract: An improved cleaning apparatus for use in cleaning the floor which comprises a first belt as a broom, a second as a mop and a trash containing corner whereby as the cleaning apparatus is pushed the wheels, the conveyor belt and wiping belt are driven so as to perform the functions of sweeping, wiping, and effectively protecting the trash from dropping therefrom.

Abstract: An apparatus for wet cleaning floor or wall surfaces comprises one or more cylindrical brushes which may be rotated by a motor so that they are throwing liquid and dirt from the floor or wall surface on to a rotating cylinder or a moving endless belt. Liquid and dirt is continuously removed from the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder or belt by means of a suction nozzle extending along the axial length of the cylinder and immediately adjacent to the peripheral surface thereof. The suction nozzle may have a lower edge functioning as a scraping member which is in contact with the peripheral surface of a cylinder. Liquid and dirt removed from the cylinder by means of the suction nozzle is passed to a container for collecting dirty liquid.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bowling lane maintenance apparatus of applying a conditioning oil to the surface of a bowling lane and then buff finishing the oil applied bowling lane surface, said maintenance apparatus including a body, a box member pivotally mounted on said body and including a pair of parallel spaced side plates, oil applicator and buffing rollers rotatably supported within said box member perpendicular to said side plates and disposed on the opposite sides about the pivot, and a positioning air cylinder mechanism operably interposed between said body and one edge of said box member at its longitudinal center, said positioning air cylinder mechanism being adapted to pivot said box member such that one of said oil applicator and buffing rollers will be brought into contact with the surface of the bowling lane or both the rollers will be separated from the bowling lane surface.

Abstract: A device for cleaning surfaces using steam as dirt soaking element and dirt detergent element, whereby extraction components, suction components and steam generating components are available, comprising:a cleaning head with suction components, moisturizing components, brushing components and absorption and cleaning components interacting with spraying components anda basic unit comprising suction fans, steam generating unit and control elements.

Abstract: The invention embodies a machine to wash surfaces which comprises:a suction element positioned at least at its front,a front humidifier element which can possibly be shut off and which cooperates with an absorbing sheet,a sprayer which can possibly be shut off, and roller brushes. The machine also may advantageously comprise a rear absorbing sheet and an intermediate dryer.