The invention relates to a handheld blower device for the manual pneumatic drying of surfaces by a user of the handheld blower device, comprising a flat nozzle device for ejecting compressed air from the handheld blower device onto the surface to be dried, a handle region, in particular a handle, for manually gripping and guiding the flat nozzle device over the surface to be dried, and a conveying device for conveying the compressed air to the flat nozzle device, wherein the flat nozzle device comprises a flat nozzle, and the conveying device is configured with a stationarily arranged, in particular fixedly arranged, high-pressure blower.

A method of operating a carwash includes driving a vehicle to a point of sale station of the carwash, purchasing a carwash transaction, and taking a first picture of a license plate number of the vehicle after the completion of the purchase of the carwash transaction at the point of sale station. The license plate number is associated with the carwash transaction as a carwash ticket. The vehicle is then sent to a carwash queue disposed downstream of the point of sale station. The carwash ticket information is sent to a carwash tunnel. A second picture of the license plate number of the vehicle is taken right as it approaches the carwash tunnel. The license plate number is associated with the carwash ticket and the vehicle is washed according to a wash dictated by the carwash ticket.

An overhead vehicle wash mitter apparatus is provided. A mitter curtain can include multiple mitters that sway above a vehicle pathway as a vehicle travels along the pathway. Each mitter can include an upper end and a lower end closer to the vehicle pathway, a sheath defining an interior tube and an exterior surface that engages a vehicle surface, and a pad in the sheath. The pad can press outward on the sheath so that the sheath attains a first thickness, which can be at least ½ inch, at least 1 inch, at least 1½ inch or more, so the sheath is impaired from entering between a wiper and a surface of the vehicle, such as a window. Accordingly, damage to the wiper of the vehicle is prevented when the mitter engages the surface and the wiper. A related method of use is provided.

Apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed for a cleaning/drying system. An apparatus includes an elongate member that includes a first portion extending linearly along a first axis from a proximal end to a distal end, a second portion extending linearly along a second axis from a proximal end to a distal end, and a joint member configured to couple the proximal end of the first portion and the proximal end of the second portion to one another. The joint member is configured to angle the second portion relative to the first portion such that the first and second axes intersect. The apparatus includes a towel that is selectively coupled to the second portion. The towel is configured for absorbing liquids from a surface in response to the towel being moved across the surface using the elongate member.

A portable blower assembly includes a cylinder that has an exhaust port integrated into the cylinder. A handle extends around the cylinder and the handle can be gripped by a user for directing the exhaust port toward a vehicle. A blower is rotatably integrated into the cylinder to urge air outwardly through the exhaust port thereby facilitating the air to be directed onto the vehicle for drying the vehicle when the blower is turned on. A heater is integrated into the cylinder such that the heater is in thermal communication with an interior of the cylinder. The heater is positioned between the blower and the exhaust port to heat the air is blown by the blower for enhancing drying the vehicle.

An arrangement for cleaning the tires of a vehicle is described herein. The arrangement includes a gutter arrangement a strip arrangement and a brush mat arrangement on its upper surface. At one end of the arrangement is a nozzle arrangement that sprays or otherwise applies water onto the tire. The strip arrangement applies water to the tire and vibrates the tire to remove contaminants. The brush mat arrangement both cleans the tire and removes water from its surface. The water as well as the dirt and dust that has come off the tires accumulate in a collection basin under the brush mat arrangement. The arrangement is suitable for interiors of structures.

A wash equipment assembly for a car wash and method of operating the equipment are described. For example, the assembly includes a cleaning element configured to clean a vehicle, an arm assembly operably attached to the cleaning element and configured to move the cleaning element to a vehicle cleaning position, the arm movably fixed to a support at a first end and the cleaning element mounted on the arm at a second end, a controlled locator for positioning the arm relative to the support such that the cleaning equipment is moved to the vehicle cleaning position, and a sensor for evaluating an actual orientation of the cleaning element relative to a default orientation of the cleaning element. In certain implementations, the controlled locator can modify the position of the arm in response to a signal from the sensor, thereby providing a closed loop control system.

A vehicle washing system includes a vehicle treatment area that is configured to receive a vehicle to be dried. At least one dryer media device is positioned in the vehicle treatment area. The at least one dryer media device is configured to dry the vehicle upon contact with the vehicle. An air moving assembly is located adjacent to the at least one dryer media device in the vehicle treatment area, and is configured to remove excess moisture from the at least one dryer media device.

A portable blower assembly includes a cylinder that has an exhaust port integrated into the cylinder. A handle extends around the cylinder and the handle can be gripped by a user for directing the exhaust port toward a vehicle. A blower is rotatably integrated into the cylinder to urge air outwardly through the exhaust port thereby facilitating the air to be directed onto the vehicle for drying the vehicle when the blower is turned on. A heater is integrated into the cylinder such that the heater is in thermal communication with an interior of the cylinder. The heater is positioned between the blower and the exhaust port to heat the air is blown by the blower for enhancing drying the vehicle.

A venturi-style vehicle washing system and method of washing a vehicle. The washing system and method produces large droplets of a liquid-gas mixture for washing a vehicle by mixing an energetic flow of gas carried at a first velocity through a gas conduit, with a liquid carried at a second velocity through a liquid conduit. A mixture conduit may carry the liquid-gas mixture to a vena contracta structure where: a jet forms, pressure drops, and velocity increases. The gas leaving the structure may expand to fill an outlet duct, creating turbulent vortexes in the liquid-gas mixture that transforms flowage kinetic energy to heat energy, which decreases pressure through the outlet duct. This results in increasing velocity of the liquid-gas mixture discharged onto the vehicle. The outlet duct operationally attaches to a spray arch that is sized to enable passage of a vehicle for washing with the liquid-gas mixture.