Moving Surface Scraper, Wiper, Or Brush Patents (Class 15/256.5)
  • Patent number: 6833069
    Abstract: A magnetic filter removes magnetic particles from fluid communicated through the filter. The filter includes elongated, circumferentially spaced magnetic elements which capture magnetic particles entrained in the turbulent passing fluid. The magnetic elements must be cleaned periodically to remove the particles from the elements by moving a scraper plate from one end of the housing to the other. At the end of travel of the scraper plate, the particles are scraped upon non-magnetic end portions (which may contain residual magnetism) of the magnetic elements, from which they are flushed by fluid communicated through the inlet port out through other ports provided on the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Inventor: Gunther E. Asterlin
  • Publication number: 20040253029
    Abstract: An automatic clean device includes a base body, a transmission element, a cleaning element and an elastic member. Wherein the transmission element and the cleaning element are disposed on the base body, the elastic member has an end connected to the cleaning element. With the cooperation of the transmission element and the elastic member, the cleaning element is able to oscillate reciprocatedly and alternately touch a photoconductor of the laser-type image/data recording device. By this way, the cleaning element is able to clean the toner that is remained on the surface of the photoconductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2003
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventor: Devon Shyu
  • Publication number: 20040222065
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a wire rope type cleaning device for a conveyor belt, the device having extended service life, improved cleaning efficiency, and reduced maintenance needs. The belt cleaning device comprises a wire rope and a plurality of wear-resistant removing chips fitted to the rope so that they are adjacent to each other and contact the conveyor belt, running the full width of the conveyor belt. The belt cleaning device is disposed at the front part of the conveyor head pulley at an inclination angle &thgr; relative to the axis of the head pulley.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Applicant: Kinki Estate Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chiharu Meguro
  • Publication number: 20040211328
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus includes a pressure pad for a cleaning fabric. The pressure pad comprises a particular portion formed on a base portion. The base portion has a predetermined hardness. The particular portion has a predetermined hardness which is lower than the hardness of the base portion. The cleaning fabric is nipped between the particular portion and a subject to clean the subject with the cleaning fabric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Masao Okano, Yoshitaka Yugami, Ryozo Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6776698
    Abstract: A wheel cleaning device for cleaning and/or polishing a rim or any other exposed part of the wheel during traveling of the vehicle. The device includes a mounting support for securing the device to the wheel axle so as to be in a stationary relationship relative to the wheel and a cleaner having a shaft and a brush. The shaft has a first end rotatably connected to the support for continuous rotation relative thereto about the rotation axis of the wheel and a second end extending radially from the first end. The brush mounting on the second end of the shaft is positioned, configured and sized to contact the wheel. The brush depends downwardly from the support under gravity to continuously rub against the wheel to clean the wheel under rotation during traveling of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventors: Daniel Pepin, Pierre Jutras
  • Patent number: 6713413
    Abstract: A buffing or polishing material has a nonwoven fleece layer and a backing layer that adds strength and dimensional stability to the material. The nonwoven fleece layer is a needled blend of natural fibers and synthetic fibers having a uniform density and working surface, resulting in a better polishing or finishing consistency. The material can withstand high heat levels and can be worked quickly, resulting in a more efficient polishing or finishing operation. The buff material can be converted into any preferred shape or tool, such as an endless belt, disc, flapwheel, or spiral band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Freudenberg Nonwovens Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Gerald F. Kruegler
  • Patent number: 6712905
    Abstract: A doctor blade device for machines for the coating of fibrous webs, in particular of paper or cardboard, and for keeping rotating rollers clean has a leaf-shaped doctor blade element (1) which is held by a holding means (2) and which, for a change, can be drawn out laterally on the holding means (2). The doctor blade element (1) is provided at least on one side with a grip part (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Inventors: Janne Nurmi, Timo Sironen
  • Patent number: 6708009
    Abstract: An image forming device capable of sufficiently removing paper dusts on a sheet thereby providing high quality image. A sheet transport path 38 is defined between a sheet supply section 7 provided with a separation pad 13 and a sheet supply roller 12 and an image forming section 5. Along the sheet supply section 7, at least a first paper dust removing roller 9b having a width slightly greater than the width of the separation pad 13 and a second paper dust removing roller 10b having a width slightly greater than the sheet width are disposed. Paper dusts generated upon friction against the separation pad 13 are removed by the first paper dust removing roller 9b, and paper dusts spreading over entire surface of the sheet are removed by the second paper dust removing roller 10b.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeshi Fuwazaki, Makoto Hattori, Kazushi Fukuta
  • Patent number: 6701105
    Abstract: The present invention provides a cleaning member including melamine resin foam in at least a portion that contacts an object to be cleaned. A charging device and a transfer device including the cleaning member are provided as well. An image forming apparatus including at least the cleaning member is also provided. In the image forming apparatus the cleaning member cleans at least one of a charge roll of the charging device, an image carrier, and a transfer roll of the transfer device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Eiji Funabashi
  • Publication number: 20040031664
    Abstract: The present invention departs from an apparatus for stripping dirt off belts in conveyor belt assemblies in the area of a drive and/or head pulley of the belt
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventor: Hans-Otto Schwarze
  • Publication number: 20040026214
    Abstract: A cleaning doctor (1) for conveyor belts (N) is disclosed, comprising a fixed casing (2) supporting one or more frames (3; 21), each frame being provided with a doctor blade (5) in contact with the surface (S) to be scraped of the conveyor belt (N). The doctor blade (5) is arranged in a groove (6) which is made in a blade holder (7; 20) associated to said frame (3; 21).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventor: Dal Ferro Bortolo Giulio
  • Patent number: 6684769
    Abstract: In a rotary screen printing apparatus, a method and apparatus are disclosed for converting a printing station into a cleaning station. A cleaning attachment replaces either the squeegee or the flood bar, or both, in a conventional print station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Best Buy Enterprise Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Bryan Hed
  • Publication number: 20040007252
    Abstract: A label sheet for cleaning is formed of a label for cleaning including a cleaning layer having a 180° peeling adhesion to a silicon wafer of 0.20 N/10 mm or less after receiving an active energy and an adhesive layer provided on one of surfaces of said cleaning layer, and a separator on which the label is removably provided through the adhesive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventors: Makoto Namikawa, Yoshio Terada, Jirou Nukaga, Eiji Toyoda
  • Patent number: 6671918
    Abstract: A substrate cleaning apparatus of the present invention includes one sheet roll wound with one end of a polishing sheet that is arranged to be in contact with the surface of a liquid crystal panel, and the other sheet roll for rolling up the polishing sheet from the other end. The substrate cleaning apparatus further includes a rotating unit provided with a motor, a belt, and a rotation shaft for rotating the polishing sheet and the pair of sheet rolls with respect to the liquid crystal panel. Thus, the substrate cleaning apparatus can be provided which is capable of reducing an operation time required for removing foreign matters, enhancing operation efficiency, stably and reliably removing foreign matters, and restraining operation time even if the size of the substrate increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomofumi Matsuno, Mitsuo Uemura, Kazuya Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 6643883
    Abstract: A wiper apparatus which sandwiches a strip plate 2 between upper and lower wiper rolls 3 and 4 to squeeze out a rolling oil adhering to the strip plate 2, wherein backup rolls 5, 6 for reinforcing the wiper rolls 3, 4 each have a single sleeve 14 rotatably supported by two bearings 13 on a roll shaft, and the bearings 13 on the upper and lower backup rolls 5 and 6 are disposed on the roll shafts with a shorter span than the barrel length of the sleeve, and in point symmetry. Thus, a contact linear pressure distribution of the wiper rolls 3, 4 on the strip plate 2 can be made uniform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuo Kajihara, Hiroshi Matsuo, Eiji Koumoto, Yoichi Hangai
  • Patent number: 6643890
    Abstract: A composite doctor blade is provided that is suitable for use in the manufacture of paper, particularly for use in calenders. The composite doctor blade includes multiple layers of composite material in which a substantial proportion of the fibers are aligned in a direction substantially parallel to the long axis of the doctor blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: S. D. Warren Services Company
    Inventor: Gordon Eugene Carrier
  • Patent number: 6640081
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an electrostatic latent image bearing member, a charging for uniformly charging a surface of the electrostatic latent image bearing member, a developing for visualizing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrostatic latent image bearing member with a developer, a transferring device for transferring a developer image formed on the electrostatic latent image bearing member to a transferring material, and a cleaning device for cleaning the surface of the electrostatic latent image bearing member by bringing a cleaning blade consisting of an elastic blade into contact with the surface of the electrostatic latent image bearing member. The cleaning blade includes a portion to be brought into contact with the surface of the electrostatic latent image bearing member and resin films are formed on surface areas at both ends outside a developing area in a longitudinal direction. A portion of the elastic blade corresponding to the developing area is free of resin film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Sato
  • Patent number: 6638363
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for cleaning solder paste off the bottom side of a printed circuit board stencil includes a container of cleaning solution therein and a blade holder that is movable between a wiping position and the container of cleaning solution. A wiping blade is mounted in the blade holder. The blade holder, with the blade mounted thereon, is reciprocated back and forth when in communication with a stencil to be cleaned. The blade is moved from the wiping position in communication with the stencil into the cleaning solution in the container. A pneumatic piston and rotary actuator provides controlled movement of the wiping blade. The wiping blade may be vibrated during wiping to improve removal of solder paste from the stencil and the cleaning solution may be ultrasonically vibrated to improve removal of solder paste from the wiping blade. The wiping blade may also be pulsed into a sponge to remove excess cleaning solution prior to the next cleaning cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Inventor: Gunter Erdmann
  • Patent number: 6638425
    Abstract: A magnetic filter removes magnetic particles from fluid communicated through the filter. The filter includes elongated, circumferentially spaced magnetic elements which capture magnetic particles entrained in the fluid. The magnetic elements must be cleaned periodically to remove the particles from the elements by moving a scraper plate from one end of the housing to the other. At the end of travel of the scraper plate, the particles are scraped upon non-magnetic end portions (which may contain residual magnetism) of the magnetic elements, from which they are flushed by fluid communicated through the inlet port out through other ports provided on the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Filter Specialists, Inc.
    Inventor: Gunther E. Asterlin
  • Publication number: 20030196284
    Abstract: This apparatus for the preparation and/or regeneration of detergent reels of fabric for cleaning printing cylinders or cylinders of similar precision has the characteristic of impregnating the fabric (4) by its immersed transit through a suitable container (10), and by a subsequent sinuous passage involving its pressing and folding in alternate directions by a plurality of rollers implementing uniform distribution of the detergent, said passage terminating with winding the fabric into a new reel (8) of collected fabric which, thus treated, has acquired and/or conserved properties suitable for its use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Applicant: T.G.C. S.R.L.
    Inventors: Marcello Ghisalberti, Lorenzo Ghisalberti
  • Patent number: 6630035
    Abstract: There are provided a solution applying portion 104 disposed opposite to the outer surface of the recording rotational drum 34 such that sliding on the outer surface of the drum is permitted and arranged to apply cleaning solution to the outer surface of the drum; and a scraping portion 108 disposed at a position more forward than the solution applying portion 104 in a direction in which the drum is rotated such that sliding on the outer surface of the drum is permitted and arranged to scrape the applied cleaning solution off the outer surface of the drum so that dust X is removed from the surface of the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hironobu Sato, Mitsuru Sawano, Akihiro Hashiguchi
  • Publication number: 20030181117
    Abstract: A doctor blade for removing water from a mating member, such as a grooved elastic belt in the press part of a papermaking machine, comprises a resin-impregnated fibrous laminate, in which at least a part of the warp of a base material in the laminate, which comes into contact with the mating member, is brush-shaped, so that the warp enters the insides of the grooves to remove water therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventors: Tetsuo Takeuchi, Hirofumi Ishii
  • Patent number: 6624604
    Abstract: A wiper control device in which an abnormal condition of a FET is detected by distinguishing an action of an overheat-cutting protective function normally difficult to be detected with measuring the drain voltage of the FET and by which the control of the pertinent FET is restrained upon the detection of abnormality so as to prevent a short circuit in the wiper control device from occurring. When an FETB (Qb) is set on, whether or not a drain voltage Vd is lower than Vpe ({fraction (l/2)}VG) is judged (step S5), and if lower, it is judged that the drain and ground is short-circuited, that is, an overheat-cutting protective function is acted, and “1” is added to the number of times of short circuit detection Perror (step S7). It is judged whether or not the added value of the number of times of short circuit detection Perror reaches a reference value (step S11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiko Torikoshi, Akira Serizawa, Yuichi Nakazawa
  • Publication number: 20030140942
    Abstract: A method for treating a moving surface, such as a rotating roller (11) or a moving belt (42), according to which method surface treatment elements (12), such as metallic brushes (12), are pressed against the surface to clean and smooth it. The brushes are cleaned at the edge of the surface. The brushes are connected to an endless chain (16) on which the brushes are moved in a transverse direction by a moving means (17). The apparatus may be mounted in conjunction with a roller or belt or connected to it via a doctor frame (31) or some other supporting structure (47).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Raimo Rajala, Eino Harkonen, Jouni Paltakari, Olli Asp
  • Patent number: 6539195
    Abstract: A cleaning device for a fixing unit includes a winding shaft for holding a cleaning web and a sensor for detecting a trailing end of a cleaning web. A notched portion is formed in a winding shaft at a position opposing a detecting position of said sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eita Sakaba, Masami Takeshita, Masato Miwa, Osamu Nishino
  • Patent number: 6526621
    Abstract: A positioning frame supports a rotating buff roll within a vacuum plenum at a desired location adjacent a moving web of material. The apparatus has a drive arm with a jackshaft and a support arm each pivoted off bases which may be clamped to a single cross machine direction shaft. The motor drive may also be positioned at a variety of orientations. Three parallel axes of adjustment are defined by the positioning frame granting the installer of the apparatus great latitude in positioning the buff assembly near the web to be cleaned. Two web cleaning apparatuses may be installed on opposite sides of an open span of web, or a first apparatus may be engaged against the web where it turns around a roll, and a second apparatus may be engaged against the web where it turns around a downstream roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Inventor: Wayne K. Kaim
  • Patent number: 6521319
    Abstract: An assembly is provided for cleaning toner resin from the operating parts of a printing device. The assembly comprises a porous member impregnated with a silicone copolymer and a rigid member with a supporting base to mount said porous member. The assembly is preferably a two-part kit having a brush member for wiping components of the printing device and a pad member mountable for stationary positioning within said printing device for scrubbing components of the printing device as they move relative to the mounted pad. The silicone copolymer has the formula where x represents from about 98.8 molar percent to about 99.5 molar percent, y represents from about 0.5 molar percent to 1.2 molar percent and R comprises from about 70% by weight to about 100% by weight of a C15-C60 alkyl group and from about 0% by weight to about 30% by weight of a C2-C14 alkyl group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry Oral Aulick, George Nicholas Powers, Mark Stephen Weisman, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20030030228
    Abstract: A scraper device (10) for a reciprocating compressor piston rod (11) comprises at least one scraper ring (12, 12′), provided with at least one lip (27, 28) which faces the surface of the said rod (11), and a box (13) to contain the scraper ring (12) and for centring on the rod (11), wherein this scraper ring (12) is produced by means of mechanical processing of deformable plastics materials and wherein this container box (13) is accommodated in support elements (14) with radial play (34).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: Franco Graziani, Massimo Iacobelli, Simone Pratesi
  • Publication number: 20030021617
    Abstract: A cleaning blade has a fixed end and a distal cleaning end, with the fixed end maintained in a substantially fixed position. The cleaning blade has a blade cleaning surface arranged for facing a photosensitive element surface of a moving photosensitive element, with the cleaning end arranged to contact and clean the photosensitive element surface. The cleaning blade has a blade temperature. The cleaning blade includes at least one heater for maintaining the blade temperature at a fixed temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Applicant: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Mary L. McStravick, Mark J. Hirsch, Stanley F. Smith
  • Publication number: 20020189777
    Abstract: An arrangement for doctoring a belt or a soft roll surfacing in a paper or board machine includes a doctor set in connection with a surface with a doctor blade fitted in it for doctoring the surface. The doctor blade is at least partly of a material, the hardness of which is essentially equal to or less than the hardness of the material of the surface, in order to prevent the doctor blade from cutting into the surface. The material is arranged to form a layer extending over the entire width of the doctor blade, and the thickness of which throughout is at least half of the thickness of the doctor blade. A support construction is arranged in the doctor blade, which together with the layer is arranged to form the doctor blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Applicant: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventors: Ilkka Rata, Juhani Vestola
  • Patent number: 6493535
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus that cleans an image bearing member on which a toner image is formed, includes first and second brushes which are rotatable and remove toner by abutment against the image bearing member, wherein the first and second brushes rotate in counter directions, a container for containing the toner removed by the first brush and the second brush, and a rubbing member that rubs both of the first brush and the second brush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hisakazu Okubo
  • Patent number: 6491204
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for cleaning solder paste off the bottom side of a printed circuit board stencil includes a container of cleaning solution therein and a blade holder that is movable between a wiping position and the container of cleaning solution. A wiping blade is mounted in the blade holder. The blade holder, with the blade mounted thereon, is reciprocated back and forth when in communication With a stencil to be cleaned. The blade is moved from the wiping position in communication with the stencil into the cleaning solution in the container. A pneumatic piston and rotary actuator provides controlled movement of the wiping blade. The wiping blade may be vibrated during wiping to improve removal of solder paste from the stencil and the cleaning solution may be ultrasonically vibrated to improve removal of solder paste from the wiping blade. The wiping blade may also be pulsed into a sponge to remove excess cleaning solution prior to the next cleaning cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Inventor: Gunter Erdmann
  • Publication number: 20020174966
    Abstract: A multilayer composite doctor blade has a side edge configured for application to the surface of a rotating roll in a paper making machine. The doctor blade has an inner core and intermediate layers. The doctor blade may also include outer layers. The inner core is predominantly polymeric material. The intermediate layers on opposite sides of the core include reinforcing fibers. The side edge of the doctor blade has an abrasiveness as measured by ASTM test method D5181-91 of between about 4.0 to 5.0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Inventors: Allen J. Brauns, Stacey L. Jackson
  • Patent number: 6487389
    Abstract: A method of refreshing a sticky cleaner used for cleaning a fuser member in an electrophotographic printer is disclosed. The method includes the steps of precoating the cleaner member with a low cost polymer toner material prior to a printing operation removing contaminants from the sticky surface of the cleaner member. A refreshed cleaning member prior to being used to clean a fuser in an electrophotographic printer in accordance with the features of the present invention includes a surface cleaning member having minimal contaminants thereon, and a coating of a plastic toner material that can become tacky at the operating cleaner temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Nancy Y. Jia, Gerald M. Fletcher
  • Patent number: 6471773
    Abstract: “Ghosting” and leakage problems in a doctor blade assembly are minimized or eliminated in a construction that includes a reservoir (10) partially surrounding a transfer roller (12) wherein a surface of the roller (12) is within the reservoir (10) for at least 180° of its rotation. The reservoir (10) is desirably split into two segments (50), (52) which are mounted for relative movement so as to allow access to the interior of the reservoir (10) as well as to the roll (12). Chambered end plates (82), (84) house seals (10) and receive parts (144) of the ends of doctor blades (40), (42) which extend past the end (142) of the roll (112) to promote good sealing at the ends of the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Inventor: Mark R. Atkins
  • Publication number: 20020153115
    Abstract: An apparatus for doctoring a roll surface including a pivot bar adapted to be mounted on a doctor back and which the pivot bar defines an upwardly projecting fulcrum. A first shelf projects forwardly beyond the fulcrum and a top plate pivotally supported on and projecting forwardly beyond the fulcrum overlies the first shelf. The top platen is held downwardly against the fulcrum. Blade support members are carried by and cooperate with the top plate to define forwardly open slots, which slots are configured and dimensioned to receive a rear edge of a forwardly projecting doctor blade. The blade support members have rearwardly projecting second shelves underlying the first shelf and a loading mechanism is interposed between the first and second shelves for pivoting the top plate on the fulcrum in a direction urging the doctor blade against the roll surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventors: Ronald F. Goodnow, Robert A. Reid, Allen J. Brauns
  • Publication number: 20020148065
    Abstract: The present invention provides a strap, preferably made of pliant leather, with a method of easily and securely attaching its two ends together such that it forms a loop around the hub of a bicycle wheel. As the bicycle wheel spins, the loop naturally moves about on the hub and removes oil and dirt from the hub. The strap includes a pattern of cuts along its two long edges and has a rough inner surface to assist in cleaning and includes an optically reflective outer surface for rider safety. The size of the strap is approximately 16 cm long by 1.4 cm wide by 1 mm thick so that it is large enough to freely spin on the hub yet not too large as to strike the spokes and create unwanted noise. The method of attaching its two ends comprise one or more holes at one end of the strap and an arrowhead with one or more pairs of notches at the other end of the strap. In connecting different notches and holes together, different sized loops may be formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventor: Robert J. Trent
  • Patent number: 6434781
    Abstract: A new-wheel cleaner for cleaning the wheels of a golf bag cart. The inventive device includes a mounting bracket adapted for mounting to the leg of a golf bag hand cart. The first end of a primary arm is coupled to the mounting bracket. The second end of the primary arm is coupled to the first end of a secondary arm. A top brush is coupled to the second end of the secondary arm. A pair of spaced apart side brushes are coupled to the top brush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Inventor: Eligio Guerra
  • Publication number: 20020085474
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cartridge and a method that can sweep away dust or the like from a recordation medium housed in the cartridge in a simple way without adversely influencing recording and replaying of the recordation medium. The cartridge includes a shutter opposed to a surface of the recordation medium, a cleaner member, a support for supporting the cleaner member, and a sweeping mechanism actuated upon opening and closing movements of the shutter. The support pivots in a plane substantially in parallel to the surface of the recordation medium when the sweeping mechanism is actuated. When the sweeping mechanism moves forwards, the cleaner member moves without contacting the recordation medium surface. When the sweeping mechanism moves backwards, the cleaner member moves in contact with the recordation medium surface to clean the recordation medium surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: Kazuo Takahashi, Yoshitsugu Araki
  • Publication number: 20020083963
    Abstract: A rotary, multi-bladed cleaner provides increased life expectancy, up to 15-25 times the life of a single blade cleaner. Such a cleaner has been found to be highly reliable due to its ability to frequently change brush surfaces and by provision of a redundant system that enables multiple blades to contact the surface to be cleaned at once. The blade cleaner has a paddle-wheel type cross-sectional shape with a plurality of radially extending blades spaced around the periphery thereof. The blades are spaced to be closely adjacent one another such that one and preferably two or more blades contact the residual image at one time. The rotary blade cleaner is preferably rotated at a slow rotation rate with the blades being in contact for only a limited time before being displaced by the next blade(s). Such a rotary cleaner is particularly suited for cleaning residual toners and inks from a photoreceptive surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: Rodney B. Proulx, Nero R. Lindblad, Richard L. Carlston, James F. Smith
  • Publication number: 20020076244
    Abstract: A motion-defect-free assembly and a method of minimizing cleaning apparatus induced motion quality disturbances in a moving belt photoreceptor of a toner image reproduction machine are provided. The assembly for practicing the method includes at least one resilient member located to each side of the moving belt photoreceptor at a desired belt cleaning station along a path of movement of the belt photoreceptor, and a cleaning apparatus that is mounted at the cleaning station and that includes at least one separately moveable cleaning member. The cleaning apparatus also includes a moveable frame having frame locating members, and the at least one separately moveable cleaning member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Applicant: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Lisbeth S. Quesnel, Norman E. LaTour, Nicholas M. Soures
  • Patent number: 6398340
    Abstract: A printing device has a motor that drives an ink jet print head back and forth along a print track. A service station is installed on one end of the print track, and has a first track, a second track, a slot track, and a wipe sled. The wipe sled slides inside a housing of the service station along the first track, in parallel with the print track. The slot track, which is part of the wipe sled, in diagonal to the print track. The second track, mounted on the housing, is perpendicular to print track. A wiper is mounted on both the slot track and the second track. The relative movement of the slot track with the second track as the wipe sled is pushed backwards forces the wiper into a working position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Acer Communications and Multimedia Inc.
    Inventor: Tsung-Te Lin
  • Patent number: 6374736
    Abstract: A scraping machine for scraping glue off of a screen printing frame that includes a base adapted to support a screen printing frame. A first actuator is mounted on the base and has a carriage movable by the first actuator. A scraper vibrator is pivotally mounted to the carriage and imparts a vibration to the scraper blade. A second actuator is used to pivot the scraping blade into and out of contact with a surface of the screen printing frame to be scraped. When the scraping blade is in contact with the screen printing frame, the first actuator is used to move the scraping blade across a surface of the screen printing frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Digital Audio Disc Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph D. Cresgy, Edward Lee Proffitt
  • Patent number: 6372134
    Abstract: A cleaning device (1), which is attached to a collecting device comprising a body and wheels (3) in which device a V-shaped brush (2) secured to a belt (7) moves in a groove, whereby the brushes flatten between the trough walls of the cleaning device (1) and a plough captures the detached oil, which drains into an oil receptacle (5). Moreover, a fork (6) for removing brash ice and debris can be mounted in front of the cleaning device (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Inventor: Bent Larsen
  • Publication number: 20020040774
    Abstract: An apparatus for doctoring a moving surface includes a blade holder component extending longitudinally across the moving surface and carrying a doctor blade. A support component is parallel to and supports the blade holder component. A first operating mechanism rotatably urges the doctor blade in a doctoring direction into contact with the moving surface, resulting in the doctor blade being acted upon by a reactionary thrust force in the plane of the doctor blade and a reactionary rotational force in a direction opposite to the doctoring direction. A pair of mutually opposed parallel guide rails are provided on one of the components, and rotatable rollers are spaced along the length of the other of the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Publication date: April 11, 2002
    Inventor: Louis E. Dennis
  • Patent number: 6361655
    Abstract: A beam structure (10) made of a composite for a pulp machine/paper machine/board machine or for a paper/board finishing device. The beam (10, 10a1, 10a2) is formed of a first curved part (12) and of a second straight part (13) joined thereto, to which second straight part (13) a doctoring, coating or measurement apparatus (110) is attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Valmet Corporation
    Inventors: Kari Holopainen, Ilkka Rata, Jukka Samppala, Juha Isometsä, Heikki Toivanen
  • Patent number: 6360875
    Abstract: A conveyor belt scraper tensioner consisting of a blade mounted on a rotatable axle and rotatably biased into the conveyor belt by means of a folded elastomeric biasing medium affixed at one end to a fixed flange and affixed at the other end to a rotatable flange mounted on said scraper blade axle. Typically one tensioning device would be used on each scraper blade axle, although dual devices mounted at each end of the scraper blade axle may be employed when desired. Additionally, the scraper blade tensioner may be fitted with a movement limiting chain to prevent the scraper blade from being drawn into and gouging the conveyor belt as the blade wears or when encountering material tightly adhered to the conveyor belt surface. A slab of gum rubber is the preferred elastomeric biasing material, however other suitable elastomeric materials may be employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Inventors: William H. Altemus, Jr., Ray V. Rodgers, III
  • Patent number: 6356730
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a developing apparatus, including: a developing agent carrier for carrying a developing agent to develop an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrier with the developing agent; a regulating member for regulating a thickness of a layer of the developing agent carried by the developing agent carrier; and a securing member, provided with an engaging hole for engaging with an axis, for securing the regulating member to a main body of the developing apparatus. The securing member is provided with a cutting portion formed around the engaging hole so as to be able to absorb, in a longitudinal direction of the regulating member, a difference between elongation and contraction of the regulating member and elongation and contraction of the main body of the developing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Fumito Nonaka
  • Patent number: 6334903
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for cleaning a moving surface, for example a roller, wire or conveyor belt. The surface is cleaned by a doctor blade having several separate blades which move in a direction transverse to the surface to be cleaned so that the blades can be serviced and repaired during operation of the moving surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: Metsa-Serla OYJ
    Inventor: Matti Harju
  • Patent number: 6334630
    Abstract: A scraper device is disclosed for preventing irregular release of grass clippings from a wheel of a lawnmower. The scraper device has a scraper with a concave or angled inner surface. The lateral edges of the scraper are separated from the wheel surface by a uniform scraper distance. The length of the scraper is approximately equal to the width of the wheel. The width of the scraper is about ⅙ to ¼ of the diameter of the wheel. An arm attaches the scraper to the housing of the lawnmower adjacent to the wheel. The scraper and the arm are composed of a rigid material such as metal or plastic. As the wheel turns in either the forward or reverse direction, excess grass clippings are removed from the wheel, preventing the formation of clumps. The invention also includes a lawnmower having four attached scraper devices, and a method for improving lawn appearance using the scraper device to remove grass clippings from the wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Inventor: Randall C. Barros, Sr.