Removing Dust and Dirt.
An air compressor reversed in direction is an air exhauster, such as we find carrying money in department stores. The powerful in-draft of this apparatus, often drawing large pieces of paper or card into the pipes, has led to the invention of a means of removing dust and dirt, admirable in thoroughness. A receiver, shaped to suit its special task, is passed over pictures and their frames, upholstery, carpets or bare floors, and through the flexible pipe attached to its handle, dust and dirt are borne into a reservoir where they are caught by water for due removal. Ordinary sweeping with a broom, the usual wielding of a feather duster, or a blast of compressed air, but stir up dust and dirt for harmful redistribution. This “vacuum” cleaning method takes dust and dirt wholly away, and with wonderful celerity. See [picture] opposite page 164. It is astonishing to see a pound of fine flour removed from a thick carpet in twelve seconds, leaving behind not one visible particle. This plan cleanses carpets without their being lifted from floors, or a billiard cloth just as it stands on a table. This service greatly promotes health; the further the physician goes with his microscope the more convinced is he that dust is one of the chief carriers of disease.
Hardie nozzle for painting by compressed air.
Not only dust but sand may be borne when a breeze rises to a gale.