Abstract: A novel tape testing apparatus of the type which senses errors, stops the tape, and causes the error to be moved to an error-correction or an error-inspection station. The apparatus of the invention is characterized by means to rapidly try to remove the error by additional passes through an error removal station and then, if necessary bring the error-bearing portion of the tape precisely under an inspection station by a precise distance-metering process.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for cleaning a flexible sheet moving along a travel path, such sheet including a leading edge extending transverse to the direction of sheet travel. A rotatable fibrous cleaning brush is located with its fibers intercepting the travel path of the moving sheet. Responsive to the approach of the leading edge of the sheet, a standing wave is generated in the fibers of the rotating brush. The standing wave results in the fibers being temporarily moved away from the travel path to enable the leading edge to pass substantially freely by such fibers. The fibers return substantially immediately into contact with the sheet after passage of the leading edge to clean the sheet including the area of the sheet adjacent to such edge.

Abstract: A bicycle chain cleaning or lubricating device and method adapted for cleaning or lubricating bicycle chains in place without need for their removal and replacement. The device comprises a receptacle for enclosing a portion of a bicycle chain to be cleaned or lubricated and for containing a quantity of solvent or lubricant and a mating cover for the receptacle. The cover contains at least one rotatable sprocket brush having spaced-apart bristle tufts on its periphery and sized to fit closely into adjacent spaces in the bicycle chain, so that the movement of the chain through the device causes the chain and central brush to dip into the solvent or lubricant and then enter the spaces of the chain so as to clean or lubricate the chain as it is passed through the device. The receptacle and cover of the device are held together by suitable retainer means, such as a wire clamp located at the central portion of the device casing.

Abstract: A photo-mask to be used in a light exposure step for manufacturing semiconductor devices is cleaned by wetting front and rear surfaces of the mask with a liquid, brushing the wetted surfaces with a pair of rotary brushes, wetting the brushed surfaces with an electrolytic solution containing sufficient electrolyte to substantially eliminate electrostatic charge from the surfaces, spraying and immersing the photo-mask in an organic liquid such as an alcohol, and then drying the photo-mask.

Abstract: The invention provides for surface cleaning of wire rod and the like by holding the wire under tension while passed through a die system and vibrating the wire transversely so that it is abraded by the die surface. Cleaning liquid flushes the die bore.

Abstract: A playing card cleaning apparatus, wherein individual cards are separated from a deck thereof and fed under compression between a first pair of traction rollers and scrubbing rollers wetted with a thin film of cleaning solution and withdrawn under tension between a second pair of traction rollers and said scrubbing rollers, the scrubbing rollers squeezing the thin film of cleaning solution rearwardly therefrom and leaving the cards damp, and wherein drying means of absorbent belting wipes moisture from the cards and discharges them into a receiver, employing a liquid cleaning solution of soda water and nonionic-cationic cleaning agents applied to wet the cards that are simultaneously scrubbed and from which said solution is squeezed.

Abstract: A web, for instance magnetic tape, is cleaned by pulling it across a plurality of scraper bars. Simultaneously, a cleaning fluid such as air is moved from below the web, upwardly and laterally across its downwardly facing front surface, while cleaning fluid is also moved from above said web, laterally away from the web and downwardly past the side edges of the web.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a lighting fixture louver of the type which has parabolic cells that are open top and bottom. A cleaning roller of a graft polyol polyether urethane having an indentation load deflection of the order of 100 has a surface which consists of circumferentially discrete rows of individual cleaning lugs, and each row has enough lugs to clean an entire row of cells in a louver module, with a longitudinal and circumferential lug pitch equal to the pitch of the louver cells. Each cleaning lug has a perimetrical surface that may scrub the surface of the entire wall means of a cell, and has a radial depth slightly greater than the louver depth. The cleaning roller is journalled atop a cleaning liquid tank with its lower portion in the liquid, and a pressure roller surmounts the cleaning roller to press a louver onto the cleaning roller with a row of louver cells fully engaged with the row of cleaning lugs at the top of the roller.

Abstract: A felt conditioning system for a papermaking machine in which a stationary air supply plenum chamber is positioned on the back side, i.e., obverse of paper side, of the felt for delivering heated conditioning air to and through the felt to remove water and dirt taken up by the felt from the paper sheet.

Abstract: A method of removing loosely adherent particles from battery strip by brushing the strip at a brushing zone while flowing an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide over the strip, separating the particles from the resulting suspension and recycling clarified sodium hydroxide solution to the brushing zone.

Abstract: A method and machine for recovering silver and polyester from exposed photographic X-ray film of the type having a polyester base coated with a sheath of polyvinyladine chloride and a photosensitive silver emulsion. Sheets of the film are fed through baths of hot caustic which successively remove the silver emulsion and deposit it as a sludge from which the silver is recovered and remove the polyvinyladine coating to permit the polyester to be recovered in a commercially acceptable pure form. Where the film sheets may include some acetate based film, the apparatus will distinguish between the polyester and acetate and discard the acetate bases as scrap, after the silver emulsion has been removed.

Abstract: A method and setup for pickling strip material which is oriented in a widthwise upright position. The method includes spraying rinse water onto the material, gauging the thickness of the material, then alternately spraying pickling acid onto the material and wiping that acid off of the material a plurality of times, then rinsing the material soon after the last acid spraying step to remove acid and drying the material. The setup and method can be used to pickle either material having an undetermined length, or strips of prescribed lengths.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning abrasive belts of the type used in belt sanding operations. The apparatus includes a module having a frame composed of abradable side wall members. A block of cleaning material of natural or synthetic rubber is contained within the frame and engages the belt surface. The module is supported on a resilient base which is slightly compressible as the module passes through the belt sander to exert a uniform continuous biasing force on the belt surface to be cleaned as the module and belt are moved relative to one another.

Abstract: The machine for cooling metal sheets has a lower frame and an upper frame, sets of sheet driving and guiding rolls rotatively mounted in the frames. These frames define an enclosure which surrounds the rolls and in which enclosure a cooling fluid circulates. A system of fluid discharge conduits is connected to the upper frames and a system of fluid discharge conduits is connected to the lower frame. These discharge conduits are disposed in the vicinity of input and output ends of the machine. A cooling fluid recovery tank is provided. At least the discharge conduits connected to the upper frame and located in the vicinity of the input and output ends of the machine are connected to the cooling fluid recovery tank with interposition of a siphon. A priming device is combined with the siphon for creating a depression in the siphon.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for removing particles from sheet materials, particularly plastic materials that are to be laminated to other materials, are disclosed. The sheet is destaticized, wiped and lightly scraped to dislodge particles from the sheet. The dislodged particles are removed from the sheet by suction. Scrapers with single fixed blades and scrapers with multiple movable blades are used to dislodge particles that are embedded in or adhered to the sheet. The process and apparatus are particularly useful for cleaning sheets of plastic material that are used in laminated glazings having stringent optical requirements.

Abstract: In order to obtain a high degree of efficiency of spraying of articles, e.g. wires, which travel singly or in groups through a spray zone of a spraying apparatus for cleaning their surfaces, the surface temperature of the articles, produced by the impact of the particles of the spray medium, is measured after their passage through the spray zone. Thereafter, in accordance with the temperature measured, the articles are displaced in the spray zone in a direction transverse to their direction of travel until the measured temperature substantially reaches a maximum.

Abstract: A rug or mat cleaning system is disclosed which is comprised of first a dry lint and dust removing section, then a water or like liquid containing vessel having an initial wash section and then a rinse section and then finally a wringer section. A mat to be cleaned is passed through a first conveying roller at a slower driving speed. Thereafter, the mat or rug enters an increased speed brush which both removes dirt and agitates the surface of the rug and beats it to knock loose undesireable dirt and like particles. In the wash section of the system, alternating feed rollers and brush rollers carry the mat or rug to be cleaned. Each feed roller clamps and holds the rug to prevent slipping while conveying it at a slower linear speed. Each brush roller provides a brushing surface having a substantially higher linear speed than the surface of the conveying rolls. Thus, a "tuck" or crease is created in the rug between each high speed roller brush and its adjacent and following slower conveying roll.

Abstract: Processes and apparatus for removal of silver from exposed photographic film by transporting the film through hypochlorite solution in a reagent tank for a predetermined time, draining off precipitated silver chloride, washing the treated film in a wash tank, and drying the treated film in a dryer. Another embodiment of the process involves masking one side of exposed radiograph film, and removing the emulsion and/or the silver on only one side of the exposed radiograph.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for cleaning endless strips of motion picture film, magnetic tape, magnetic film, or the like contained in a reel formed on a rotatable hub housed in a casing, wherein cleaning is accomplished without opening the casing or removing the reel of film or magnetic tape therefrom. Successive portions of the film or tape stored in the reel are withdrawn as a continuous strip from the center of the reel. The strip is then continuously fed through an access opening in said casing to form a loop outside of the casing, wherein the strip is subjected to a cleaning means. The strip from the loop is introduced back through said opening to guide means within said casing. The guide means directs the strip of film or tape past an operational opening in the casing which is separate and apart from the access opening. The strip is then continuously returned to the reel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removal of glass from metal surfaces, as for example, glass tubing from aspiration cast rods, is provided in which the glass coated metal is passed between a pair of spaced driven rolls, one being a resilient roll and the other a toothed metal roll, said rolls being adjustable to vary the spacing therebetween dependent upon the thickness of metal being cleaned, whereby the glass coating is broken into small fragments by the toothed roll.

Abstract: In treating certain types of steel strip, it passes through a plurality of processes including a salt bath having a driven sink roll therein. In order to by-pass the salt bath the sink roll and its drive are raised while maintaining them horizontal. This permits changing from one type of strip which is subjected to the salt bath to another type of strip which is not subjected to the salt bath without rethreading the entire line. A guide roll at the exit end of the salt bath tank is below and out of contact with the strip which has been in the salt bath, but is raised into contact with strip which by-passes the salt bath. The guide roll is covered in its lower position and uncovered in its upper position.

Abstract: A film cleaner and method for cleaning motion picture film. The cleaner includes a friction-driven roll, spools of cleaning tape, take-up rolls to draw the tapes from the spools, means for contacting the tapes with the film, and a gearing mechanism connecting the friction-driven roll with the take-up rolls. The film cleaning method includes driving the friction-driven roll with film running through a film delivery and take-up system, contacting the surfaces of the film with the cleaning tapes, and transferring the movement of the friction-driven roll into movement of the take-up rolls to draw the tapes from the spools. Thus, the take-up rolls are driven by the friction-driven roll and essentially clean portions of the tapes contact the film.

Abstract: Charged residual toner is removed from a photoreceptor by simultaneously (1) exposing the photoconductive layer of the photoreceptor to light, (2) charging the photoconductive layer to the same polarity as that of the toner, (3) vibrating the photoreceptor to dislodge the toner by entraining the photoreceptor about a roller while rotating the roller about an eccentric axis, and (4) subjecting the toner to a force (e.g. vacuum or gravity) which draws the toner away from the photoreceptor.

Abstract: Removing the crust of oxide formed on the surface of a continuously casted copper bar by projecting a liquid (water or a rolling emulsion) under pressure of between 20 and 60 atmospheres against the periphery of the bar, the flow of the liquid under pressure being less than 50 liters/minute.

Abstract: The arrangement is used for continuously cleaning surface-sensitive paper or film in web form. The arrangement may be installed at any point along the path of web travel. The cleaning effect is provided by a ribbon of fibrous nonwoven material which is guided over a suction roller together with the web to be cleaned. The ribbon of fibrous nonwoven material moves in the opposite direction to the web. A highly satisfactory cleaning effect is obtained by the high relative speed between the surface to be cleaned and the web of nonwoven material. The particles of dust and dirt removed from the web are drawn into the suction roller under the effect of the vacuum.

Abstract: A device for cleaning foreign material from at least one surface of a sheet including at least one low durometer sheet cleaning roller having a tacky peripheral surface. The surface of the sheet to be cleaned is biased against and moved generally tangentially across the tacky peripheral surface of the cleaning roller with rolling contact therebetween so that foreign material on the surface of the sheet will be adhered to the tacky surface of the cleaning roller. The tacky surface of the cleaning roller is in turn cleaned by bringing into rolling contact therewith a surface on a roller cleaning member (which surface may be provided by the adhesive on a length of tape) having a higher surface tack than the cleaning roller. In one embodiment of the device the roller cleaning member is periodically passed over the cleaning roller by the operator of the device, whereas other embodiments automatically pass the roller cleaning member over the cleaning roller during each cycle of the device to clean a sheet.

Abstract: A method of descaling a rod comprises forming at least one bend in the rod and rotating the bent portion in an appproximately circular path while maintaining it in a space having a distribution of separated cleaning particles therein in a suspended relationship relative thereto. The rotating bent portion strikes the distributed particles and is cleaned thereby.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning conveyor belts includes a cylinder, and drive means for causing the cylinder to rotate. A plurality of fingers extend from and are spaced about the curved exterior surface of the cylinder with the fingers being inclined in a direction opposite the direction of rotation of the cylinder. To clean a conveyor belt, the cylinder is positioned adjacent the surface of the conveyor belt so that the fingers of the cylinder contact or nearly contact the surface of the belt and, as the cylinder is rotated, the fingers are forced outwardly to make greater contact with the surface of the belt. To enhance the cleaning process, the conveyor belt is driven in a direction opposing the direction of movement of the fingers.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for cleaning the surface of cast strip produced on continuous casting machines, and concerns in particular strip of aluminium, zinc or their alloys. The cast strip is formed between two endless strip molds which are spaced apart and are provided at least in part with a protective layer in the form of a particulate material. Particles of the protective layer adhering to the cast strip are removed from the strip by spraying with water under pressure immediately after the strip solidifies, on leaving the mold.

Abstract: An apparatus and process are provided for removing contaminants from the surface of an electrostatic imaging member. The apparatus includes elements for cleaning the surface to remove toner particles and other particulate materials therefrom, and elements for removing the contaminants from the surface after it has been cleaned by the cleaning elements. The contaminant removal elements comprise at least one brush which moves relative to the surface wherein the brush exerts a normal force per unit fiber against the surface of at least two milligrams. A reproducing apparatus and process are also provided.

Abstract: An automatic self-contained basic unit-processor for an offset photolithographic plate which may be used, at different times, for any processing step requiring contacting of the plate by liquid. For example, an exposed plate is developed by contacting the exposed surface of the plate with the conventional developing fluid, and subjecting the surface to a linear, reciprocating rubbing action by a sponge. This rubbing action produces results surprisingly similar to those produced by a manual rotary action. A fully assembled basic-unit processor of this invention requires only that it be connected to a source of power, and to a reservoir for recirculatable processing fluid. A single electric motor is adapted (a) to drive each roll of two pairs of coupled drive rolls, (b) to reciprocate a sponge in frictional contact with a generally horizontal offset plate, and (c) to supply a controllable flow rate of fluid for processing the plate.