An agitator assembly

An agitator assembly comprises a spindle (102, fig.1) having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis. One or more primary agitators (104, fig.1) are attached to the spindle (102,fig.1) between the first end and the second end, and edge agitators (146, fig.1) are attached in a generally circumferential pattern around the spindle's first end. In one aspect, the edge agitators 606, 608, 610 may be arranged at different inclination angles. In another aspect, the edge agitators 606, 608, 610 may be attached on offset circumferential lines (figs 6C and 6D). In another aspect, at least one of the edge agitators 606, 608, 610 is more flexible than a primary agitator (104, fig.1). In another aspect, the first end has an edge cleaning assembly that is attached to the spindle (102, fig.1) and rotationally fixed relative thereto by one or more rotationally interlocking structures (152, fig.1) formed integrally with the edge cleaning assembly. Also provided is a cleaner having a housing and a spindle (102, fig.7), with a window (506, fig.7) through the housing to view the first end of the spindle (102, fig.7)and substantially no other parts of the spindle (102, fig.7). Also provided is an agitator assembly with a spindle (102, fig.7), an edge cleaning assembly (108, fig.1) attached to the spindle (102, fig.1), and edge agitators (146, fig.7) mounted to the edge cleaning assembly. The spindle (102, fig.1), edge cleaning assembly (108, fig.1) and edge agitators (146, fig.1) have contrasting colors.