This subclass covers only inventions relating to cleaning which are usually classified according to one (or more) of the aspects mentioned below if they are not fully classifiable in a subclass providing for any of the following aspects: the articles cleaned, e.g. bed-pans, urinal or other sanitary devices for bed-ridden persons A61G 9/02, filters, semi-permeable membres B01D, castings and moulds B22D 29/00, vehicles B60S, coke ovens C10B 43/00, building forms E04G, boilers F22, combustion apparatus F23, furnaces F27, solar panels for the production of heat F24S 40/20;the general nature of the cleaning, e.g. preparing for sugar manufacture A23N, domestic cleaning A47L, treatment of textiles D06, laundry D06F, air-conditioning F24F; the particular operation performed, e.g. filtering B01D, separating of solids B03, B07, sand-blasting B24C;the particular apparatus or device, e.g. brushes A46B, mops A47L, centrifuges B04, hand tools B25 devices for cleaning paint-applying hand tools after use B44D 3/006; the substance cleaned, e.g. metals B21C, C23, water C02, glass C03B, leather C14B, textile fibres D01; the substance removed (or prevented from depositing or forming) e.g. removing paint B44D 3/00, e.g. implements or apparatus for removing dry paint from surfaces B44D 3/16; chemical paint-removers C09D 9/00; preventing rust C23F; the substance used, e.g. macromolecular compounds or compositions C08, anti-icing materials C09K, detergents C11D, reactive gases C23C16/445;the operation in connection with which cleaning is done, e.g. metal rolling B21B, metal boring B23B, soldering B23K, textile fabrication D01G, D01H, D03J, D04B; the surroundings of a surface to be cleaned or kept clean, e.g. water in a boiler C02F, air in a room F24F.

The mechanical cleaning of articles by means of mechanical members such as tools, brushes, or analogous members, with or without the application of fluid.

The cleaning of articles while they are travelling past at least one cleaning member.

Illustrative example of subject matter classified in this group:

The cleaning of articles by means of cleaning members comprising guiding means for performing a translatory movement along the articles to be cleaned.

Illustrative example of subject matter classified in this group:

The cleaning of articles by means of cleaning members which are arranged to perform a rotary movement over a surface.

Illustrative example of subject matter classified in this group:

The cleaning of articles by methods involving the use of tools, brushes or analogous members, further comprising means to clean or regenerate the cleaning members.

Illustrative example of subject matter classified in this group:

The mechanical cleaning of objects by means of liquid. The cleaning of objects by means of contacting with steam.

The cleaning of objects by means of contacting with a foam.

Manual cleaning of objects while these are located within a cabinet such as a parts washer.

Example: EP-A2-1524040

The cleaning of objects by means of the mechanical action of a liquid or steam jet.

Example: WO-A1-03/092524

The cleaning of objects while these are travelling past at least one fluid jet.

The cleaning of objects by means of fluid jets comprising guiding means for performing a controlled movement along the object to be cleaned.

The cleaning of objects by means of hand-held spray guns.

Gun lances used in the cleaning of objects by means of hand-held spray guns.

The cleaning of objects by means of contacting with a liquid.

The cleaning of objects while these are travelling and in contact with a liquid.

Example: GB-A-2469605

The cleaning of objects while these are travelling gradually through a

container in contact with a liquid.

The cleaning of objects while these are within an agitated container filled with a liquid.

The cleaning of objects while these are within a perforated container which is agitated within a liquid bath.

Example: US-A-3794053

Specially adapted perforated containers.

The cleaning of objects while these are within a perforated drum and contacted with a liquid.

Example: US-A1-2010/126537

The cleaning of objects by means of contacting with a liquid having chemical or dissolving effect in addition to the mechanincal action of the liquid.

The cleaning of objects while these are contacted with a liquid and whereby the liquid or the object is subjected to an additional treatment.

Subjecting the liquid to agitation.

Subjecting the liquid to agitation by means of propellers.

Subjecting the object or the liquid to sonic or ultrasonic vibrations.

Illustrative example of the subject matter classified in this group:

Reference B01J 19/10 is non-limiting in the subgroup B08B 3/12. CPC will be corrected once this inconsistency is resolved in IPC.

Subjecting the object or the liquid to sonic or ultrasonic vibrations while the objects are travelling.

The additional treatment of the liquid consists in removing contaminants from the liquid.

Example: FR-A1-2820995

The cleaning of objects by means of a gas.

The cleaning of objects by means of the mechanical action of a gas jet.

The cleaning of objects by means of the mechanical action of suction.

The cleaning of objects by means of electrostatic action on the contaminants.

Example: WO-A1-2010/109755

The cleaning of objects by means of subjecting the objects to an explosion.

Example: US-A1-2004216698

The cleaning of objects by means of applying a layer to a contaminated surface, into which layer contaminants become incorporated, and removing the layer with the contaminants.

Example US-A-6123777

The cleaning of objects by means of subjecting the objects to the washing action of a liquid gas or a supercritical fluid.

The cleaning of objects by means of applying a tacky layer to a contaminated surface, onto which layer contaminants become attached, and removing the layer with the contaminants.

Example: JP-A-8274059

The cleaning of objects by means of subjecting the objects to the action of radiant energy.

Example: WO-A1-02/052347

The cleaning of objects by means of subjecting the objects to laser radiation.

Example: US-A1-2011/007308

The cleaning of objects by means of subjecting the objects to temperature changes.

Example: GB-A-2336428

The cleaning of hollow objects by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto, the objects being other than containers, pipes.

Example: WO-A-97/15406

In this group "Purging" is to be understood as "flushing". The concept of the group is that the pipe is being flushed.

The idea of the parent group B08B 9/032 is to cover subject-matter involving mechanical action with a cleaning fluid which is not classifiable in any of the subgroups.

Example: WO85/02565

Example: WO-A1-03/095792

Example: US-A1-2008/001005

Example: US-A1-2010/012151

The cleaning of inner and/or outer surfaces of containers by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto.

The cleaning of containers, whereby the tubular shape of the container is essential to the definition of the cleaning method or apparatus.

The cleaning of containers by means of mechanical members, whereby the shape of the container is essential to the definition of the mechanical member used.

Example: EP-A1-1236521

The cleaning of containers by means of a fluid jet, whereby the shape of the container is essential to the definition of the fluid jet applied.

The cleaning of containers by means of mechanical members, whereby the shape of the container is not essential to the definition of the mechanical member used.

Example: DE-C1-3311117

The cleaning of containers by means of a fluid jet, whereby the shape of the container is not essential to the definition of the fluid jet applied.

The removal of sludge, sediment or the like from container bottoms, using a fluid jet to fluidize the sludge, sediment or the like.

Methods and apparatus for the cleaning of series of bottles.

Example: WO-A1-2009/124688

The cleaning method or apparatus being characterized by the method or apparatus for conveying the bottles to or from the cleaning machine.

The cleaning method or apparatus being characterized by the method or apparatus for loading or unloading the bottles.

The cleaning method or apparatus being characterized by the method or apparatus for inspecting cleaned bottles.

Collecting or removing dirt or fumes from the area where these are produced using a central suction system to which a plurality of collecting or removing devices are connected.

Branch units configured to move along a sealed longitudinal slit in a main duct, the branch units travelling with a source of dirt or fumes.

Example: EP-A1-0174481

Example: DE-A1-102004031881

Preventing fouling or deposition of fouling or of dust by means of giving articles subject to fouling a shape or arrangement such that fouling or deposition of fouling or of dust will be minimized or eliminated, e.g. by application of the lotus effect.

Example: DE-A1-102005013560