Abstract: An apparatus for forming a wound roll of discrete overlapping sheets of web from a supply of continuous web. The web preferably is passed around a nip roller that steers the web onto the surface of a take-up core. A knife assembly including a knife blade extended from a knife holder is driven by a traversing mechanism across the width of the web to cut the wound web on the core into discrete sheets, the extended height of the knife blade being preferably the exact thickness of the web. In transverse cutting by the knife of the web wound on the take-up core, the knife holder travels on the outer surface of the web, thus assuring that the knife blade extends just to the outer surface of the next inner convolution of web, thereby cutting the continuous web into sheets without damaging previously wound web convolutions.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a wound roll of discrete overlapping sheets of web from a supply of continuous web. The web preferably is passed around a nip roller that steers the web onto the surface of a take-up core. A knife assembly including a knife blade extended from a knife holder is driven by a traversing mechanism across the width of the web to cut the wound web on the core into discrete sheets, the extended height of the knife blade being preferably the exact thickness of the web. In transverse cutting by the knife of the web wound on the take-up core, the knife holder travels on the outer surface of the web, thus assuring that the knife blade extends just to the outer surface of the next inner convolution of web, thereby cutting the continuous web into sheets without damaging previously wound web convolutions.

Abstract: A web-chopping and sheet-winding apparatus comprising an unwinder for unwinding a supply roll of continuous flexible web which may be adhesive on at least one side. A knife roller including at least one fixed transverse knife blade extending from the surface is in nipped relationship with an anvil roller, the height of the knife blade being greater than the thickness of the web. The anvil and knife roller spacing is such that the knife blade extends just to the surface of the anvil roller, thereby chopping the continuous web into sheets as the anvil and knife rollers turn synchronously with the web passing therebetween. A tape core roller in nipped relationship receives the chopped sheets sequentially, the leading edge of each sheet being lifted from the anvil roller by any of a plurality of novel means.

Abstract: A system for optimization of a regeneration schedule for a contact cleaning roller (CCR) used to remove particles from a substrate surface by being rolled along the substrate surface. In rolling along the surface, the CCR leaves a residual static charge. The level of leaving charge is sensed by a fieldmeter. When a CCR is first placed into service against a substrate, the leaving charge level is greater than the entering static charge level on the substrate ahead of the CCR. The entering charge is sensed by another fieldmeter, and the charge differential is determined and monitored. As the CCR becomes progressively loaded with particles during service, the leaving charge progressively diminishes. Thus the charge differential indicates inversely the particle loading of the CCR such that a charge differential limit can be set, below which the roller is removed from service and renewed by cleaning.

Abstract: A contact cleaning roller or belt fabricated by attaching a polymer-coated flexible substrate cut from flexible sheet stock to the surface of a structural core or a structural belt of a desired length. For either a CCR or CCB, an adhesive and/or resilient layer may be inserted between the flexible substrate and the structural element. The flexible substrate may be formed of metal, for example, aluminum, or plastic, for example, polyethylene terephthalate and may comprise, for example, a toothed belt having a smooth outer surface. The flexible substrate is provided with a polymeric layer having low durometer and triboelectric properties, such as novolak resin, cross-linked epoxides, polyisoprene rubber, silicone rubber, polyurethane, and norbornene-co-styrene-co-maleic anhydride. An advantage of a CCR or CCB in accordance with the invention is that the substrate and polymeric layer are easily replaced to provide a refurbished CCR or CCB.

Abstract: A system for cleaning a moving substrate includes a rail mounted adjacent to the substrate surface and substantially transverse to the direction of movement thereof. A carriage for supporting a contact cleaning roller (CCR) is deployed on the rail for allowing axial translation of the CCR transversely of the substrate while in rolling contact therewith. Two renewal stations for cleaning the CCR are mounted adjacent the rail, one outboard of each substrate edge. The CCR is at least twice as long as the width of the substrate and is axially oscillable for a distance sufficient that all portions of the CCR surface may be cleaned by the renewal stations during one oscillation cycle of the CCR while the CCR maintains continuous contact with the substrate across the full width thereof. The CCR mounted on the carriage may be a primary CCR and the substrate may be a continuous web or sheet, or the CCR mounted on the carriage may be a secondary CCR and the substrate may be a primary CCR or other process roller.

Abstract: A contact cleaning roller which may be axially flexed to conform to a non-planar substrate surface for removing particles therefrom. In a preferred embodiment, a flexible shaft is covered with a high-tack sleeve comprising polyurethane, silicone, adhesive tape, or any other similar high-tack material. The shaft is rotatably suspended at either end in bearings in a frame, allowing the roller to conform to a non-planar substrate surface requiring cleaning, for example, a cathode ray tube screen.

Abstract: A system for cleaning a moving substrate includes a rail mounted adjacent to the substrate surface and substantially transverse to the direction of movement thereof. A carriage for supporting a contact cleaning roller (CCR) is deployed on the rail for allowing axial translation of the CCR transversely of the substrate while in rolling contact therewith. Two renewal stations for cleaning the CCR are mounted adjacent the rail, one outboard of each substrate edge. The CCR is at least twice as long as the width of the substrate and is axially oscillable for a distance sufficient that all portions of the CCR surface may be cleaned by the renewal stations during one oscillation cycle of the CCR while the CCR maintains continuous contact with the substrate across the full width thereof. The CCR mounted on the carriage may be a primary CCR and the substrate may be a continuous web or sheet, or the CCR mounted on the carriage may be a secondary CCR and the substrate may be a primary CCR or other process roller.

Abstract: A system for cleaning a moving substrate includes a rail mounted adjacent to the substrate surface and substantially transverse to the direction of movement thereof. A carriage for supporting a contact cleaning roller (CCR) is deployed on the rail for allowing axial translation of the CCR transversely of the substrate while in rolling contact therewith. Two renewal stations for cleaning the CCR are mounted adjacent the rail, one outboard of each substrate edge. The CCR is at least twice as long as the width of the substrate and is axially oscillable for a distance sufficient that all portions of the CCR surface may be cleaned by the renewal stations during one oscillation cycle of the CCR while the CCR maintains continuous contact with the substrate across the full width thereof. The CCR mounted on the carriage may be a primary CCR and the substrate may be a continuous web or sheet, or the CCR mounted on the carriage may be a secondary CCR and the substrate may be a primary CCR or other process roller.

Abstract: A system for cleaning first and second surfaces of a moving web substrate. First and second turret subsystems are disposed sequentially along the web path. Each turret is rotatable about an axis transverse to the direction of web conveyance but there is no axial cross-shaft. Each turret includes at least two contact cleaning rollers spaced apart in the turret on opposite sides of the turret axis. The web path proceeds through each pair of rollers such that in each turret the first roller of the pair is adjacent a first surface of the web and the second roller of the pair is adjacent a second surface of the web. When the turrets are rotated to a null position, none of the rollers is in contact with the web. When the turrets are rotated to a web cleaning position, the web is engaged with the rollers on both sides of the web and follows a serpentine path through the turrets.

Abstract: A system for cleaning particles from a moving web by engagement with contact cleaning rollers, wherein the web may be moved selectively out of contact with the cleaning rollers to prevent damage to the web surface, such as adherance, stripping, or ferrotyping, resulting from stationary contact with the cleaning rollers. The system includes contact cleaning roller assembly disposed adjacent to and transverse of the web path. Preferably, such assembly includes a rotatable turret supporting a plurality of rotatable contact cleaning rollers, preferably three rollers positioned equilaterally. The turret is positioned relative to the basic web path such that, in a non-operative mode, the web is not in contact with the cleaning rollers, the web path bypassing the cleaning rollers. Thus, during periods of maintenance or other downtime, the web first surface is protected from being damaged by stationary contact with the cleaning rollers.

Abstract: A system for cleaning a moving substrate includes a rail mounted adjacent to the substrate surface and substantially transverse to the direction of movement thereof. A carriage for supporting a polymer-covered contact cleaning roller (CCR) is deployed on the rail for allowing axial translation of the CCR transversely of the substrate while in rolling contact therewith. The rail extends beyond at least one longitudinal edge of the substrate by a distance at least equal to the length of the CCR such that the CCR may be translated sufficiently to be brought out of contact with the moving substrate surface, from which position the CCR may be readily and safely renewed by an operator or automatically by any convenient means. The CCR mounted on the carriage may be a primary CCR and the substrate may be an object to be cleaned by the system, or the CCR mounted on the carriage may be a secondary CCR and the substrate may be a primary CCR.

Abstract: A system for cleaning a web surface including an axially oscillable contact cleaning roller (CCR) positionable to be in contact with the web surface on a free-span of the web. The CCR, which may be mounted in a frame, enjoys a wrap angle greater than 0.degree. and may also be positionable to be out of contact with the web for renewal of the CCR surface. The increased CCR wrap angle can improve the efficiency of particle removal relative to a nipped CCR installation. Either the frame or the roller itself is oscillable such that the CCR may be moved transversely of the web while in rolling contact with the web surface to distribute particles associated with the edges of the web over a broader area of the CCR. Preferably, the ratio of oscillation velocity to web velocity is less than about 0.01 and preferably the web tension is greater than about 0.5 pounds per inch of web width. Plastic and paper webs having a thickness as low as about 0.001 inch may be readily cleaned without wrinkling.

Abstract: A contact cleaning roller (CCR) system includes a shell having an electrostatically active outer surface and being supported by a close-fitting rotatable shaft. The shaft within the shell is provided with a cam groove extending from a first axial location to a second axial location disposed 180.degree. from the first axial location, and then back to the first axial location. A cam follower attached to the inner surface of the shell rides in the cam groove, causing the shell to oscillate axially of the shaft at a frequency of oscillation which is the numerical difference between the rotational frequencies of the shell and shaft. In a preferred embodiment, the CCR shell is nipped against a backing roller, which may be an idle roller or a driven roller, the web passing therebetween in contact with the working surfaces of both rollers.

Abstract: A contact cleaning roller (CCR) system includes a shell having an electrostatically active outer surface and being supported by a close-fitting rotatable shaft. The shaft within the shell is provided with a cam groove extending from a first axial location to a second axial location disposed 180.degree. from the first axial location, and then back to the first axial location. A cam follower attached to the inner surface of the shell rides in the cam groove, causing the shell to oscillate axially of the shaft at a frequency of oscillation which is the numerical difference between the rotational frequencies of the shell and shaft. In a preferred embodiment, the CCR shell is nipped against a backing roller, which may be an idle roller or a driven roller, the web passing therebetween in contact with the working surfaces of both rollers.

Abstract: A roller cleaning system includes a pad disposable against a roller for cleaning the surface of the roller when the roller is rotated. The pad is supported in a frame which may be stationary or mounted for translation so that the pad may traverse a length of the roller while cleaning the roller surface. The pad may be further provided with an actuator for urging a portion of the pad against the roller at an additional force. The frame has a first portion disposed at a fixed distance from the surface of the roller and a second portion carrying the cleaning pad, the second portion being pivotable from the first portion about an axis parallel to the axis of the roller. Means are included for measuring torque exerted on the pivot, which torque is indicative of frictional drag on the cleaning pad. In a preferred embodiment, a piezo-electric strain gauge disposed between the frame portions is connected in a feedback loop with a controller and the pad actuator.

Abstract: A cleaning system for removing contaminants from the surface of a roller. A stationary cleaning pad is forced at a first urging force against a roller to be cleaned, and the roller is driven in rubbing contact with the pad. Preferably, the pad is supplied continuously with a cleaning liquid. An actuator disposed against a portion of the back of the pad urges that portion against the roller at a second, greater urging force to accelerate the rate of cleaning. A control loop between the roller motor drive and the actuator responds to a signal from the drive indicative of the magnitude of frictional resistance between the roller and the pad and increases or decreases the second force furnished by the actuator to provide a predetermined constant frictional resistance during cleaning. If flow of cleaning liquid to the pad is lost, friction can build up quickly and the roller surface can become damaged.

Abstract: A system for axially reciprocating a tacky roller (contact cleaning roller, or CCR) across a substrate being cleaned by the roller, to spread particles which are non-uniformly distributed on the substrate surface over a broader area of the tacky roller collecting surface, thereby decreasing the rate of decay of collecting efficiency, improving the average cleanliness of the treated substrate, and extending the operating lifetime of the tacky roller between renewals. The roller may or may not be in contact with the substrate surface during reciprocation of the roller. The system includes a second CCR to alternate with the first CCR, such that at least one roller is cleaning the substrate while another roller is being renewed. The system can be configured to provide full-width CCRs which overlap both edges of a surface at all times during reciprocation.