With Work Agitator, E.g., Brushing, Beating, Shaking Patents (Class 15/308)
  • Patent number: 6532618
    Abstract: A floor mat with incorporated vacuum system including a permeable mat portion having an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper surface is defined by a plurality of upwardly extending bristles. A vacuum assembly is coupled with respect to the permeable mat portion. The vacuum assembly includes a pipe circuit disposed below the lower surface of the mat portion. The pipe circuit has a main outlet pipe extending outwardly therefrom. The main outlet pipe has an open outer end disposed beyond the mat portion. The pipe circuit has a plurality of air intakes extending upwardly therefrom in a spaced relationship. The air intakes have open upper ends in contact with the lower surface of the mat portion. The vacuum assembly includes an intake housing positioned adjacently to the mat portion. The intake housing has a hollow interior defining a debris collection chamber. The intake housing receives the open outer end of the main outlet pipe therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventor: Robert Koch
  • Publication number: 20030046787
    Abstract: A web cleaner (20) for removing debris that clings to the surface of a substrate during a printing process. The cleaner (20) uses a number of idlers (26) which hold a web (22) taut therebetween, with the web driven at high speeds by a printing press (24). The cleaner (20) utilizes a pair of counter rotating, textured rollers (28) that are positioned between the idlers, with one roller positioned on each side of the web in close proximity therewith and each roller rotates in an opposite direction to that of the webs flowpath. A skiving bar (36) is positioned at an angle between 90 degrees to 180 degrees to the web bordering each roller in adjacent relationship for directing the air into a plenum (44) that covers each roller and skiving bar. The plenum (44) is used to collect the debris detached from the web surface by air currents formed by rotation of the rollers creating an air film on the web surface. The same air currents also produce a positive air pressure within the plenum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventor: Paul C. Howard
  • 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: 6487750
    Abstract: A device is provided for cleaning of elongate flexible hoses. The device has a smooth radiused low friction entry fairlead that allows the soiled hose to be readily pulled along a straight line path through the cleaner. After entry, the surface of the hose passes through a set of pliant wiping flaps that closely engage the full circumference of the hose, wiping dirt and debris from its surface as it enters the active cleaning region. In the cleaning region, multi-stream jets of high pressure water blast and scour the moving hose's surface, and the hose exits through a second set of pliant wiping flaps that wipe any adherent water from the hose surface. The active cleaning region, filled with water spray, is maintained at a negative pressure by means of an associated suction system which also sucks out the dirty water and debris. The pliant wiping flaps act as partial pneumatic seals, allowing maintenance of the negative pressure in the cleaning region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Inventor: Terry A. Brown
  • Patent number: 6460216
    Abstract: A brushing system to be used in the manufacturing of electronic card for removing unwanted particles from the substrate surface. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the card to be cleaned (e.g. a SIMM card) is entered in a cleaning box where there are two motor brushes and a vacuum system. The two round brushes are inclined with respect to each other and form an angle of about 60°. The card passes through the apex of this angle while the brushes turn tangentially to the card. The particles are removed and pushed down where they are collected and eliminated by the vacuum system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Donato Pirovano, Luigi Penati
  • Publication number: 20020108203
    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: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventor: Wayne K. Kaim
  • Patent number: 6389639
    Abstract: A ball washing apparatus and method for children's play pools includes a venturi assembly having a high pressure air line which brush, diaphragm and air dry balls passing through. A divider at the air line junction of the venturi assembly prevents clogging and jamming as the balls rapidly exit the ball washer through a ball return conduit. Preferably an ultraviolet light source acts as a germicide treatment for the water and balls contained within the washing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Intertech Corporation
    Inventor: Jack W. Worsham
  • Patent number: 6361656
    Abstract: A loading hose for use in a paper machine doctor or coating device, which loading hose is located between the doctor's or coating device's blade support and rotatably arranged blade holder, is arranged to load the doctor blade of the doctor or the coating blade of the coating device. The loading hose incorporates a flexible casing, which is pressure-resistant and of a uniform cross-section. The loading hose includes at least one stiffening member attached to the casing and arranged to lie against either the blade support or the blade holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventor: Ilkka Rata
  • Publication number: 20020007528
    Abstract: A carpet cleaning apparatus is disclosed with a loop agitator. The loop agitator comprises a spindle with a plurality of flexible loops attached to the spindle. A blade is provided in close relative proximity to the agitator for severing hair and other fibers that become entangled on the agitator. A de-foaming device is included that automatically dispenses a de-foaming chemical. The de-foaming device comprises at least two electrodes that allow foam to complete a circuit to open a solenoid valve. Negative vacuum pressure is allowed to disburse the de-foaming chemical. The device also comprises a basket with a mesh bag for straining wastewater and removing debris. Wastewater drains into a wastewater tank where an electrode switch is provided for activating a wastewater pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 1998
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Inventor: DAVID A. BEAUCHAMP
  • Patent number: 6292976
    Abstract: An apparatus cleans, primes and prepares a surface onto which a gasket, adhesive or other bonding agent is to be applied. The apparatus includes a robotic device capable of movement along multiple axes. An end effector is supported by the robotic device (18) for movement along the surface (35) to be cleaned. A felt supply assembly (12) delivers felt (14) under tension to the end effector (20). A cleaning fluid delivery system (34, 34a, 36a) applies cleaning fluid through the end effector directly to the felt for application to the surface to be cleaned. The end effector also includes 42 a squeegee-like elastomer wiping device (51) which scrapes the surface by removing gross contaminants from the surface. An air knife (52) is provided which force-flashes fluid residue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Loctite Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy J. Kurcz, Steven C. Moore
  • Patent number: 6286170
    Abstract: A method of, and an apparatus for, cleaning a web of photo film during the manufacture is disclosed wherein the web of photo film is transported in its lengthwise direction, and a cleaning tape made of felt is pressed onto an entire area or a side portion of a surface of the photo film or a side edge of the photo film, while the photo film and the cleaning tape are transported in opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayuki Kubota, Yuzo Tsunekawa
  • Publication number: 20010011397
    Abstract: A method of, and an apparatus for, cleaning a web of photo film during the manufacture is disclosed wherein the web of photo film is transported in its lengthwise direction, and a cleaning tape made of felt is pressed onto an entire area or a side portion of a surface of the photo film or a side edge of the photo film, while the photo film and the cleaning tape are transported in opposite directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Publication date: August 9, 2001
    Inventors: Masayuki Kubota, Yuzo Tsunekawa
  • Patent number: 6245154
    Abstract: This invention concerns a process for removing liquid and/or solid impurities adhering to a workpiece (6), in particular oils, emulsions and/or chips, the workpiece (6) being secured in an apparatus and made to oscillate. The new process is characterized in that at least one nozzle (4) simultaneously applies suction to the workpiece (6) by means of a stream of directed air. Moreover, the invention also concerns devices for carrying out this process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Inventor: Klaus Döhrer
  • Patent number: 6230360
    Abstract: A bun pan cleaner having a pair of counter rotating brushes for scrubbing the bottom of the baking pan. The bun pan cleaner also includes one air jet, under a hood, for directing compressed air under the surface of the pans to help blow seeds and other debris into the air beneath the hood for evacuation. There is also one or more augers beneath the hood which, when rotated will help sweep seeds and other debris out from under the hood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Inventors: Scott Singleton, Chris Goddard
  • Patent number: 6223377
    Abstract: The device sprays a mist of cleaning fluid onto the record medium—e.g., motion picture film—and wipes it off, preferably with a soft material such as velvet. Then, the film is dried with air, including thin air jets to spread the liquid evenly, and heated, ionized air. The device has a closed housing and air in the housing is evacuated and sent to a still to recover much of the cleaning liquid and prevent its escape into the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Deluxe Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Hans Leisinger, George J. Rowland, Colin F. Mossman
  • Patent number: 6217669
    Abstract: In a printing device in which a printing material is printed on or applied to a to-be-printed surface of a circuit board through a screen mask for printing having openings formed therein in a predetermined pattern, it is intended to reliably remove cream solder remaining in the openings in the screen mask. After an air suction mechanism (19) has its flow rate controlled by a flow rate controller (20). An air suction section (15) is lifted until its front end contacts with the screen mask (5), the air suction mechanism (19) starts cleaning by sucking air from the openings (6) in the screen mask (5). An inspecting camera (2) is used to observe the cream solder (4) remaining in the openings (6) after cleaning, and the air suction flow rate is controlled according to the results thereof to effect cleaning again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eigo Sarashina, Ken Takahashi, Masuo Masui, Takao Naito
  • Patent number: 6199243
    Abstract: A cleaning device for cleaning a screen plate used in a screen printing is disclosed. The cleaning device comprises a base structure which can be placed just below the screen plate. A press member, such as a cleaning blade or cleaning roller is carried on the base structure. The press member has a contact portion which contacts a lower surface of the screen plate to scrape off any foreign things from the lower surface when the base structure is moved in a direction parallel with a major surface of the screen plate. In some embodiments, a cleaning paper wet with a solvent is intimately put between the contact portion of the press member and the lower surface of the screen plate to promote the cleaning effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Tani Electronics Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Okie Tani
  • Patent number: 6192547
    Abstract: An air curtain system for forming an air curtain dividing two processing spaces and for spraying air on to a substrate to remove any impurities remaining on the substrate includes an air supplier, a main body having an air inlet passage for receiving air from the air supplier, an air flow space defined within the main body and communicating with the inlet passage, and a slit extending from the air flow space to spray the air on the substrate, and a substantially strip-shaped rectifying lattice provided with a plurality of openings located at an equal distance from each other. The lattice is positioned within the air flow space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: LG. Philips LCD Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Young-Ho Song
  • Patent number: 6178589
    Abstract: A track assembly allows the placement of a pair of web cleaning devices on either side of a paper web moving upwardly through the floor of a press. The track assembly facilitates mounting and rapid removal of web cleaning buffs from beneath a press. A docking plate is installed on the operator side of the press, and a pivotally mounted flip plate is installed on the drive side of the press. A pair of tracks are mounted on either side of the web slot and extend between the docking plate and the flip plate. The tracks inter-fit with the docking plate and are clamped to the flip plate. A removable ramp can be temporarily attached to the drive side of the tracks to allow the cleaning assemblies to be moved up the ramp and positioned on each of the tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Kaim & Associates International Marketing, Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne K. Kaim
  • Patent number: 6131235
    Abstract: A brush carrier assembly of the type generally associated with a vacuum hood as part of a vacuum cleaning system used with a moving web is disclosed. The brush carrier utilizes a fixed portion and a movable portion which are adjustable relative to each other by location of a fastening member which adjusts the tension on a biasing member for separating the fixed and movable portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Richard D. Snyder
  • Patent number: 6061867
    Abstract: A method and a device for eliminating peeled-off surface portions of an ink-repellent layer of an offset printing plate. With known plate-cylinder washing devices such peeled-off surface portions of an ink-repellent layer cannot be eliminated from the offset printing plate completely. The method and device according to the present invention enables the complete elimination of said peeled-off surface portions. Using the surface of non-woven fabric mounted on a shaft in spiral-like manner, the ink-repellent layer is brushed off without any fluid added. The method and device are used in connection with the direct imaging of offset printing plates in the dry-offset process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Andreas Schorpp, Bernhard Mechler, Andreas Detmers
  • Patent number: 6047430
    Abstract: A plate feeding and handling apparatus (10) includes an improved lug brush cleaning mechanism (18) that more effectively holds and cleans the lugs on battery plates. The lug brush cleaning mechanism includes a conveyor assembly (78) that receives and transports plates and a brush mechanism (80) for cleaning the lugs on the plates as they are transported thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Gelco International L.L.C.
    Inventor: Galen H. Redden
  • Patent number: 6036787
    Abstract: An adapter for converting an existing under screen cleaning apparatus from one which uses a solvent to a solventless under screen cleaning apparatus. The adapter fits within the vacuum channel and between the blades of a known under screen cleaning apparatus. The adapter extends above the top edges of the blades and provides a top surface with at least three lands and a plurality of slots. An interior hole within the adapter connects the slots with a vacuum outlet of the vacuum channel. Optionally, suction is applied to the slots by pumping air from the vacuum outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: DEK Printing Machines, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ricky Bennett, Richard Leiske
  • Patent number: 6022451
    Abstract: A dryer roll of a paper machine is provided with a doctor assembly, including a doctor blade. A contaminant removal assembly includes a hood mounted in a cantilevered manner to a support extending parallel to the axis of rotation of the dryer roll, and the hood extends downstream from the support and is in sealing contact with the upper surface of the doctor blade to form a channel between the doctor blade, the hood, and the surface of the dryer roll. Air amplifiers are provided at both ends of the hood for creating an airstream extending longitudinally of the hood and exhausting at one end thereof to remove fuzz picked up by the doctor blade on the surface of the dryer roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: James Ross Limited
    Inventor: Jacek Macierewicz
  • Patent number: 6004404
    Abstract: The present invention provides a cleaner having a hopper for receiving dirty product to be cleaned. The hopper feeds the dirty or contaminated product downwardly onto a cleaning comb that directs the larger sized contaminants onto the exterior surface of a scalping reel having a plurality of apertures of a preselected size and shape. The dirty or contaminated material falls through the screen openings into the interior thereof and on out through the screen at the bottom thereof as it rotates. The dirty or contaminated material is then directed into a vertically oriented aspiration column that has a negative airflow from the bottom thereof upwardly. Fines, chaff, and other light contaminants are carried upwardly by the negative airflow and out of the product, which drops on downwardly into an outlet into a storage facility or onto a conveyor as desired by the cleaner operator. A vacuum nozzle is disposed in close proximity to the scalping reel to remove contaminants that may become lodged in the apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Carter Day International
    Inventor: Kyle D. Ackerman
  • Patent number: 5991954
    Abstract: A method of, and an apparatus for, cleaning a web of photo film during the manufacture is disclosed wherein the web of photo film is transported in its lengthwise direction, and a cleaning tape made of felt is pressed onto an entire area or a side portion of a surface of the photo film or a side edge of the photo film, while the photo film and the cleaning tape are transported in opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayuki Kubota, Yuzo Tsunekawa
  • Patent number: 5980646
    Abstract: A continuous web cleaner having two elongated manifolds, each having an elongated row of brushes attached to either side of the manifold with both manifolds being physically oriented such that they face each other. The manifolds are offset from one another so that a continuous paper web can pass in between and through the two elongated manifolds. Each manifold is coupled to an exhauster outside or inside the room which creates a vacuum to remove paper dust, chad and other contaminants from the paper web itself and any contaminants collected by the elongated rows of brushes. Static electrical charges are removed from both sides of the continuous paper web by elongated static eliminator bars mounted at the input and output of the apparatus, both below and above the paper web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Inventor: Richard D. DeRosa
  • Patent number: 5979011
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing dust from a photographic film is disclosed. The apparatus includes cylindrical rotatable dust removing members disposed upwardly and downwardly of the film, and a dust take-off member disposed adjacent the dust removing members for taking off the dust from the dust removing members. The dust removing members may be brush members or members having an adhesive face. Further, these dust removing members may be adapted to be movable between a dust removing position and a non dust removing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Noritsu Koki Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Hiroshi Miyawaki, Keiji Morimoto, Takahisa Miyamori, Shinji Azuma, Mitsuhiko Itojima
  • Patent number: 5976269
    Abstract: A main wiping portion which contacts the back of a mask through a cleaning paper is provided behind a suction port as viewed in the direction of movement of an air suction portion. The cleaning paper is able to wipe off both solder paste adhered on the back of the mask and solder paste discharged from openings of the mask by suction through the suction port, whereby the solder paste deposits on the mask can be cleaned off at high removal efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kurayasu Hamasaki, Toshiaki Yamauchi, Kazue Okanoue, Kazumi Ishimoto, Ken Takahashi, Takao Naito, Koji Mitsushiro
  • Patent number: 5901405
    Abstract: A cleaning device for cleaning a screen plate used in a screen printing is disclosed. The cleaning device comprises a base structure which can be placed just below the screen plate. A press member, such as a cleaning blade or cleaning roller is carried on the base structure The press member has a contact portion which contacts a lower surface of the screen plate to scrape off any foreign things from the lower surface when the base structure is moved in a direction parallel with a major surface of the screen plate. In some embodiments, a cleaning paper wet with a solvent is intimately put between the contact portion of the press member and the lower surface of the screen plate to promote the cleaning effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Tani Electronics Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Okie Tani
  • Patent number: 5772495
    Abstract: A photo filmstrip (14) of a regular length (L) is produced from photo film web (45) having a predetermined width (W). The photo filmstrip and the photo film web have a back surface, an emulsion surface, a pair of lateral edge faces (45a), and four corner edges (45b, 45c) defined between the back surface, the emulsion surface, and the lateral edge faces. At least one of the lateral edge faces and at least one of the corner edges of the photo film web are abraded while the photo film web is conveyed. Photo film dust, created in the abrasion is eliminated from the photo film web. Perforations (34) are formed in the photo film web. The photo film web is cut by the regular length into the photo filmstrip, which is wound into a cassette shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiro Sanda, Fujio Kuwabara, Naoki Sakai
  • Patent number: 5772779
    Abstract: Photoconductor scumming in an electrophotographic copying machine is substantially eliminated by using a synthetic fiber cleaning brush that is substantially free from low yield strength, low surface energy materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Donald Saul Rimai, Theodore Herbert Morse, John Robert Locke, Raymond Charles Bowen, James Clinton Maher
  • Patent number: 5761826
    Abstract: Drying unit for filled, band-shaped foil hoses with a filling, shaping, cooling, sealing, drying, and cutting station as well as a stacking and final packaging unit, where the drying station is designed as a cold or warm compressed air drying unit. In the area of the drying unit, the roller brushes are working in opposite directions and the band-shaped foil hose is being guided through the roller gap, which makes the roller brushes run in the opposite direction of the transport direction of the foil hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Natec, Reich, Summer GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Wilhelm Baur
  • Patent number: 5737796
    Abstract: A wiping system for removing liquids such as lubricant and coolant liquids from the surfaces of a metallic strip. The system comprises upper and lower wiper rolls for wiping the upper and lower surfaces of the strip. The wiper rolls each comprise a metal core and a porous resilient covering. At least one upper backup roll for said upper wiper roll and at least one lower backup roll for said lower wiper roll providing support for said wiper rolls; urging said wiper rolls against their respective strip surfaces resulting in the formation of a liquid bead on each surface of said strip at the entry end of the wiper roll nip; and engaging their respective wiper rolls at contact zones at the entry ends of which beads of oil squeezed from said porous wiper roll covers are formed. A suction assembly is provided for each bead to remove liquid therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: T. Sendzimir, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael G. Sendzimir, John W. Turley
  • Patent number: 5737846
    Abstract: A lead frame dryer comprises a pair of water absorbing rollers positioned downstream of a lead frame water jet deflasher. The water absorbing rollers remove water from surfaces of the lead frame. A solid roller is positioned adjacent each of the water absorbing rolls to squeegee to compress the water absorbing roller and remove water stored in the water absorbing rollers for collection. A venturi device is provided which creates a vacuum for absorbing water removed from the water absorbing rolls. The collected water can be recycled back to the water jet deflasher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Semiconductor America, Inc.
    Inventors: Waite R. Warren, Jr., Lou W. Nicholls
  • Patent number: 5715565
    Abstract: A device for cleaning grooved surfaces, such as moving escalators or gangways, comprising a rotatingly driven roll brush arranged in a casing, a spraying device for spraying cleaning liquid, a suction device for removing loosened dirt particles from the rotation space of the roll brush and a plurality of comb-like devices arranged in front of and behind the roll brush in the direction of movement of the escalator or gangway. The comb-like devices engage the spaces between the grooves of the escalator or gangway and, in combination with the casing, seal the rotation space of the roll brush from the outside. The spraying device wets the grooved surface, the roll brush loosens dirt on the grooved surface and collects the loosened dirt, and the suction device removes the cleaning liquid and loosened dirt from the roll brush, thus accomplishing efficient cleaning of the grooved surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Inventor: Torsten Kern
  • Patent number: 5713102
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning exposed film includes a dry cleaning unit including at least a first dry cleaning station comprising an ionization unit having an electrostatic discharge device and means for removing discharged dust particles from the film. A roller driven by a drive motor draws the film from an unwinding reel through the dry cleaning unit. A film take-up reel driven by a controlled drive motor is disposed downstream of the driven roller. The controlled drive motor is controlled so that a tensile force acting on the film remains uniform as a diameter of the film winding on the film take-up reel varies. A satisfactory cleaning of the film is thus achieved, even when cleaning old and heavily-soiled films, together with a reliable take-up of the cleaned film without a danger of film breakage in the film cleaning apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: Andreas Schmitzer
    Inventors: Andreas Schmitzer, Ingrid Manewald
  • Patent number: 5711050
    Abstract: A device for cleaning a continuous chain and track, including the wheels of said chain, and then lubricating said chain without dismantling said chain from the track of a large breadbun oven and/or proof box. The device cleans the chain directly above a section of the inspection portion of its track on a platform that comprises jets and wheel-activated brushes for cleaning and then lubricating the portion of the chain on the platform. This allows said chain to be cleaned and then lubricated while in continuous motion as a portion of said chain moves from its track onto said platform. Said device can also be built into the track area, thereby eliminating the requirement for a platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Inventor: Robert E. Pimentel
  • Patent number: 5697116
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to a device for cleaning and accelerating objects which are globular. In particular the invention relates to a device for cleaning golf balls with a high throughput of balls. Devices of this kind are mainly used on golf courses for practice operations as for that purpose, on the one hand, a great number of golf balls is used and, on the other hand, the balls get dirty when they touch the soil or have contact with very short grass residues, which result from the cutting of the greens. Especially the dirt sticking between the dimples of the golf balls, which might dry and become hard, leads to an extremely negative influence on the flight properties of the golf balls. In order to guarantee smooth and economic practice operations, a device of this kind must ensure a high degree of cleaning power as well as a high throughput of balls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Inventor: Georg Loferer
  • Patent number: 5655252
    Abstract: A dust-removing apparatus for removing dust from a dusty surface of a material. The apparatus includes a dust-removing member for picking up dust from a dusty surface in association with continuous and alternate movement of various portions of a dust-removing face thereof to a removing position and also a take-off member for taking the dust off the dust-removing face of the dust-removing member through contact thereof with each of the various portions of the dust-removing face when the portion comes to a non-removing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Noritsu Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Miyawaki, Keiji Morimoto, Takahisa Miyamori
  • Patent number: 5647089
    Abstract: Plastic balls of the type used in recreational trampoline type pits are picked up by a hand held conduit and conveyed pneumatically to a sorting station where out of round balls are culled from the stream of balls to be washed. A golf ball type washer cleans and disinfects the balls, which are then conveyed to a storage bag for reuse in the pit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Hollrock Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: J. Richard Hollrock
  • Patent number: 5621939
    Abstract: An apparatus for regenerating a recording medium has a feeder which feeds a recording medium, a transporter which transports the recording medium, an immersion bath for containing a cleaning liquid for swelling prints and immersing the recording medium in the cleaning liquid, a print remover which removes the prints by subjecting the surface of the recording medium to a physical treatment, and a fluidizing structure for fluidizing the cleaning liquid in a direction opposite to a direction in which the recording medium is transported in the immersion bath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masazumi Yoshida, Susumu Tanaka, Junji Machida, Kaoru Furusawa
  • Patent number: 5613286
    Abstract: A wire cleaning apparatus in which three motor driven rotary wire brushes are mounted on a frame for rotation about axes generally radially of a wire pass line with the axes of the brushes being angularly and axially spaced apart relative to the pass line, and with the rotary brushes each having a bristle end face transverse to the axis of rotation and disposed adjacent the pass line so that the bristles of each brush move crosswise of the wire and in relatively opposite directions during each revolution of the brush. A wire guide shoe is associated with each of the wire brushes for guidably engaging and supporting the wire at a side of the pass line opposite the end face of the associated wire brush to control the position of the wire and the depth of penetrating the wire as it passes the end face of the associated brush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: Fastener Engineers Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Troy A. McCabe
  • Patent number: 5491871
    Abstract: A solder paste or conductive ink printer stencil wiper apparatus combining a dual action of sucking stencil holes and simultaneously wiping the bottom of the stencil for excess solder. The apparatus includes a vacuum nozzle constructed and arranged to draw excess solder gathered in the holes of the stencil through the nozzle to a collection reservoir. The apparatus also includes a wiping element for wiping the bottom of the stencil at the same time the vacuum is sucking solder out of the stencil holes. The wiper includes a wiper fabric to wipe the bottom of the stencil. The fabric is provided on a roll, and the fabric is pulled through a series of rollers by a motor and collected on a take-up roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Assignee: Delco Electronics Corp.
    Inventors: Douglas M. Reber, Jennifer E. Clark, Timothy D. Garner
  • Patent number: 5477584
    Abstract: A device for cleaning lamellas has a housing and at least one pair of brush rollers rotatably supported within the housing, wherein a lamella is guided through the pair of brush rollers. A pair of conveying rollers is rotatably supported within the housing and the lamella is guided between the pair of conveying rollers for conveying the lamella through the device. A support plate extends in the direction of conveying between the brush rollers and the conveying rollers for supporting the lamella in the device. The support plate has first cutout for the brush rollers and a second cutout for the conveying rollers. The brush rollers are driven in a direction counter to the conveying direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Inventor: Egon Thumm
  • Patent number: 5421056
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for cleaning a semiconductor wafer comprises a spin chuck having a turn table. A gas supplying passage is formed in a shaft for supporting the turn table to supply a protecting gas to the rear surface of the wafer. A conical movable member, arranged to cover an end off the shaft, is movable upward and downward in accordance with the flow off the protecting gas supplied thereto. Inner ends of three reciprocating arms, supported by the turn table and extending in radial directions, abut against an outer surface of the movable member and biased by springs. Fixed pins are arranged on the turn table at positions which divide the circumference of the turn table into three equal parts, along the edge of the wafer. Three swingable levers are arranged such that one is provided between two adjacent fixed pins. One end of each swingable lever is connected to the outer end of each reciprocating arm and the other end of the lever has a pin brought into contact with the edge of the wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Assignees: Tokyo Electron Limited, Tokyo Electron Kyushu Limited
    Inventors: Kiyohisa Tateyama, Michiaki Matsushita
  • Patent number: 5421057
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process and to a device for the cleaning of a textile machine belt by means of a suction pipe. The belt is taken through the suction pipe and is subjected to suction. The suction pipe is provided with two slits for that purpose, by means of which the suction pipe surrounds the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Assignee: Rieter Ingolstadt Spinnereimaschinenbau AG
    Inventor: Bernhard Stang
  • Patent number: 5415671
    Abstract: A method for cleaning sod being transported on a perforate conveyor belt which includes at least one vibratory position and a powered brush position for removing the earth from the sod. This method and apparatus may be attached to a farm vehicle at the sod harvesting site or free-standing at a remote location. This present invention removes the earth in a substantially dry condition so that the earth may be returned directly to the harvest site or conveyed to another location, A subsequent water bath stage is disclosed for the removal of unwanted dust on the sod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Inventors: Darrell H. Bouchard, Brian L. Bouchard
  • Patent number: 5412836
    Abstract: A device for cleaning a bristle bed of a conveyor type trained between the rotatable end units employs a carriage which is moveable relative to the conveyor member transversely of its advancement direction and includes a cleaner head which is engagable with individual slats indexed to a cleaning location in line with the head to accomplish cleaning by moving the head laterally of each slat to effect removal of debris contained within the bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignee: Gerber Garment Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Kuchta
  • Patent number: 5405450
    Abstract: An automatic tack-off machine comprises a generally cylindrical rotary brush for lifting dust, dirt and sanding particles from the surface of a body to be painted without contacting the surface and a control system to position the brush is spaced noncontacting relation to the surfaces to be cleaned. The brush has strands of polymeric material that are radially extended and electrostatically charged by rotation with the control system operating to position the free ends of the strands in close proximity to the body. An ionizing system neutralizes the static charge in the strands to enable a vacuum system to remove the dirt particles from the brush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: Hose Specialties/Capri, Inc.
    Inventor: Walter J. Mifsud