A water extraction device includes a flexible plastic rod, an absorbent blade, and an elongated handle. The device removes water/liquid from automobile compartments such as mirrors after an automobile wash. The device further prevents streaking on the body of automobiles after an automobile starts moving post wash.

A wipe article includes a substrate, a cationic coating disposed on a surface of the substrate, distributed throughout the substrate, or both. The cationic coating contains a guanidinyl-containing polymer that is crosslinked and bound to the substrate. The substrate includes sponge, nonwoven fabric, or woven fabric. The wipes are useful for removing microorganisms from a microorganism-contaminated surface and also for reducing re-contamination of the cleaned surface or transfer to another surface of the removed microorganisms.

A cleaning apparatus includes a fluid reservoir assembly and a removable cleaning pad cartridge assembly. The reservoir assembly includes a reservoir body defining a closed fluid reservoir, a pump device, and at least one outlet valve which allows fluid to exit the reservoir when the reservoir is pressurized by the pump device. The cartridge assembly includes a cleaning pad support body, a cleaning pad support base, and a cleaning pad defined by an outer edge area. The support body and base are immovably joined together. The support body includes a downward-projecting outer lip, and the support base includes an upward-projecting outer flange. The outer lip of the support body is inward of the outer flange of the support base, and the outer edge area of the cleaning pad is between the outer lip of the support body and the outer flange of the support base.

A disposable pad for treating or cleaning various types of surfaces is presented. The disposable pad has one or more flaps that are operatively affixed to the first surface on the first sheet of the pad and is rotatably movable between a first configuration and a number of second configurations to expose one of many surface pairs having a cleaning material unique to the desired application. A second sheet is operatively affixed to the second surface of the first sheet on at least two edges to form a mitt-like cavity and provides for ambidextrous wielding of the disposable pad.

An apparatus (100) for removing a residue (508) of a substance (510), extrudable through a nozzle (500) of an automated end-effector (502), from an exterior (512) of the nozzle (500) is disclosed. The apparatus (100) comprises a dispenser (108). The dispenser (108) comprises a platform (114) to support at least one cleaning pad (102). The dispenser (108) further comprises a cage (116) to maintain at least the one cleaning pad (102) on the platform (114). The platform (114) is movable relative to the cage (116). The apparatus (100) also comprises a constricting device (104) to circumferentially squeeze one of at least the one cleaning pad (102), adhesively picked up from the platform (114) by the nozzle (500), around the nozzle (500) once the nozzle (500) is inserted into the constricting device (104). The apparatus (100) additionally comprises a disposal receptacle (106) to collect the one of at least the one cleaning pad (102), released from the constricting device (104).

A hand-held apparatus employing a non-liquid cleaning composition for cleaning touch screen is described. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a hand-held cleaning instrument and a cap. The hand-held cleaning instrument comprises a handle and a replaceable cleaning pad. The cleaning pad comprises an engagement mechanism for removably coupling the cleaning pad to the handle. When not in use, the cleaning pad may be folded and received in the cap in a stowed configuration. When in use, the cap is removed and the cleaning pad is deployed in an extended position. The cleaning composition on the cleaning pad comprises a combination of carbon black and a hemihydrate of calcium sulfate.

A wipe article includes a substrate, a cationic coating disposed on a surface of the substrate, distributed throughout the substrate, or both. The cationic coating contains a guanidinyl-containing polymer that is crosslinked and bound to the substrate. The substrate includes sponge, nonwoven fabric, or woven fabric. The wipes are useful for removing microorganisms from a microorganism-contaminated surface and also for reducing re-contamination of the cleaned surface or transfer to another surface of the removed microorganisms.

Fabrics are provided that include mono-component staple fibers, a first group of split staple fibers comprising a first polymeric material, and a second group of split staple fibers comprising a second polymeric material that is different than the first polymeric material. The mono-component staple fibers, the first group of split staple fibers, and the second group of split staple fibers are physically entangled together to define a consolidated nonwoven. The fabrics may be physically entangled by hydroentanglement.

A fiber optic alignment device includes a first and a second alignment block and a first and a second gel block. A fiber passage extends from a first end to a second end of the fiber optic alignment device. The fiber passage is adapted to receive a first optical fiber through the first end and a second optical fiber through the second end. An intermediate portion of the fiber passage is positioned between the first and the second ends. The intermediate portion is adapted to align the first and the second optical fibers between the first and the second alignment blocks. A first portion of the fiber passage is positioned between the first end and the intermediate portion of the fiber passage. The first portion extends between the first alignment block and the first gel block. A second portion of the fiber passage is positioned between the second end and the intermediate portion of the fiber passage. The second portion extends between the second alignment block and the second gel block. End portions of the first and the second optical fibers may be cleaned when slid between the alignment blocks and the gel blocks. The fiber passage may include an undulating portion.

A handheld air compressor accessory tool for cleaning surfaces is disclosed. The handheld air compressor accessory tool can be connected to a source of pressurized air, such as an air compressor or air tank, and a source of cleaning liquid. The air flow of pressurized air and cleaning liquid can be separately controlled by a user when holding the tool in one hand, independent from each other. The handheld tool has interchangeable tool heads, thus enabling a user to quickly change the tool from one use to another.