Abstract: A scraper for scraping a coating from a coupon, card, or ticket is disclosed which, in one aspect, has a scraping apparatus rotated by a motor mounted in a housing with a ticket holder into which a coated ticket, etc., is inserted. Rotation of the scraping apparatus scrapes the coating from the ticket. Apparatus is provided, in certain embodiments, to inhibit egress of scraped material from the scraper and a storage/collection member is also provided to receive the scraped material. Audio playback apparatus is provided to give announcements to a user of the apparatus.

Abstract: A bottom wall of an air discharging chamber in a cleaner head is formed with an air jetting slit. The air jetting slit is arranged in the substantially perpendicular direction to the advancing direction of a panellike body. A bottom wall of an air sucking chamber in the cleaner head is provided with an air sucking slit located in parallel with the air jetting slit. The air discharging chamber includes a supersonic generator therein. The supersonic generator is provided with a continuous groove in parallel with the air jetting slit. The air is turned into an air flow incorporating ultrasonic waves after being passed through the continuous groove, and is successively jetted from the air jetting slit.

Abstract: A high velocity air and stationary disturber cleaner for cleaning surfaces by drawing air under flexible film seals. A vacuum enclosed in a housing provides the suction force to draw the air under the seal, tangent to the surface to be cleaned, thus removing adhered particles. Disturbers are placed on the surface of the seals in contact with the surface to be cleaned to loosen particles to be removed. The brush density, the fiber length and a plastic film incorporated into the brush design are all ways to limit the amount of air flow through the bulk of the brushes for better cleaning efficiency.

Abstract: A cleaner for cleaning debris from the bristles of a bristle bed which provides the work material support surface for a sheet material cutting machine performs its cleaning operation while the bristle bed or the bristle units making up the bristle bed remain in place on the cutting machine. A plurality of blades which may be either rotary or non-rotary are fixed to and spaced relative to one another along a given line. During a cleaning operation the blades enter the bristle bed and are moved in a direction perpendicular to the given line and parallel to the support surface to dislodge debris from the bristles. A vacuum device may be included in the cleaner to collect the dislodged debris and the cleaner may also include a vibrator for vibrating either the blades or the bed in the vicinity of the blades to assist in freeing the debris from the bristles.

Abstract: A control device for use on film cleaners that remove dust, lint and static charge from plastic film surfaces by the use of high velocity ionized air. The high velocity ionized air removes static charge from the film simultaneously as the dust and lint are blown from the surface of the film by the convective action of the air. The control device is automatically activated when film is inserted between two sets of intersecting conductive fibers, thereby breaking the contact between the two sets of conductive fibers. In addition, the control device can be switched between a constant mode, where the air is on continuously, to a pulse mode where the air is pulsed alternately on and off, in a periodic manner, to synchronize the cleaning action with the stop and go advance of an automatic film printer system. The intersecting fibers also prevent the film from being drawn into the air inlets by the "Bernoulli Effect".

Abstract: A cleaning device for cleaning adhesive particles and other foreign matter from a disk-shaped wafer mount plate used in semiconductor fabrication comprises a plurality of support rollers supporting the wafer mount plate horizontally for rotation about its own axis. One or more driving rollers are brought into frictional contact with the peripheral side surface of the wafer mount plate to rotationally drive the same. An upper surface washing brush, a lower surface washing brush and a side surface washing brush are movable into brushing contact with the upper, lower and peripheral side surfaces, respectively, of the wafer mount plate for simultaneously brushing all the surfaces thereof while a washing liquid is sprayed thereon. Then rinsing liquid is sprayed on the wafer mount plate, which is thereafter dried by blowing drying gas thereon.

Abstract: A cleaning system for magnetic tape intended for high density magnetic data usage combines passing a high volume flow of negatively ionized air across a moving tape surface with simultaneous wiping of one surface of the tape with a soft, non-abrading material to remove dust and foreign particles from the tape. The air flow passes through a filter, which removes the particles. The air then passes through an ionizing grid and back across the tape in a continuous, closed loop operation. The cleaning material is housed in a removable cartridge along with the air filter. A brush moves in response to loading of the tape to pinch the tape and thus remove particles from the surface opposite the tape surface engaged by the soft material.

Abstract: A method for removing dirt from a web in which a blow-off nozzle is provided extending over the width of a web. An edge of the nozzle at an end thereof is positioned close to one surface of the web. Air is blown through the nozzle while said web is being run past said nozzle so that deposits are removed from a surface of the web with the edge while the web is maintained in a floating state separated from the nozzle.

Abstract: A high velocity air and stationary disturber cleaner for cleaning surfaces by drawing air under flexible film seals. A vacuum enclosed in a housing provides the suction force to draw the air under the seal, tangent to the surface to be cleaned, thus removing adhered particles. Disturbers are placed on the surface of the seals in contact with the surface to be cleaned to loosen particles to be removed. The brush density, the fiber length and a plastic film incorporated into the brush design are all ways to limit the amount of air flow through the bulk of the brushes for better cleaning efficiency.

Abstract: A cleaner for removing particulate matter on bottles moving on a conveyor line. As the bottles move along the conveyor, they contact brushes in the form of continuous, endless belts. The belt has motion relative to the bottles which it contacts. Preferably, the belt moves in the same direction, but faster than, the bottles. On the other side of the bottles, a screw auger having spaces large enough for the bottles to fit in may assure the correct motion of the bottles. Alternately, a brush also in contact with the bottles and on the other side of the belt brush may also help assure the proper cleaning of the bottles. The second brush may take the form of a rotating cylinder, a rotating auger formed of brush bristles, or even a second endless, continuous belt brush.

Abstract: A system for coating articles by the use of electrostatic attraction of ionized particles which are subsequently cured. The system includes a pair of carriers for jointly carrying each article through the system, from application of the particles to the article through curing of the particles on the article. Each carrier is capable of carrying the article independently of the other. After deposition of the particles on the article, the article and the carriers are conveyed through a cleaning station wherein one of the carriers is moved out of carrying engagement with the article and cleaned while the article supported by the other carrier. The other carrier is then moved out of supporting engagement with the article and cleaned while the article is supported by the first carrier.

Abstract: A cleaning device for removing dust particles and other impurities from the surface of data carriers such as photographic film. Two counter-rotating brushes sweep across the film surface to remove the impurities while air flows on either side of the film sweep away the impurities. The air flows are created by two counter-rotating fans, the armatures of which also rotate the brushes. The fans remove the need for a separate vacuum source. A slot facilitates the passage of the film through the brushes while a static eliminator removes charged particles from the film after it exits the brushes. The stiff brushes aid in overcoming static charges that may be on the film surface.In a further embodiment only one of the two brushes is driven by a fan and the other brush rotates freely and is biased toward the driven brush.

Abstract: The fiberglass blanket (11) is fed into contact with the adhesively coated surface (18) of the backing sheet (12) and the two layers are adhesively bonded together. Sound emitters (68, 71) vibrate the fiberglass, causing separation of the loose glass from the blanket. A vacuum system (51) draws off and collects the loose fiberglass particles (66), to clean the blanket of loose particles of fiberglass.

Abstract: A golf ball washer feeds wet balls into an air moving transport mechanism that drys the balls as they are carried to one of a number of dispensers. The wet balls move by gravity down an inclined infeed chute to a load station where each ball is supported on a flow disrupting ramp, and the transport conduit includes a necked down area at the load station which cooperates with the ramp to disrupt the air flow thereby avoiding the tendency of a spherical golf ball to remain suspended in the column of air rather than being moved downstream through the conduit. Each dispenser has an intermittently driven drum with radially outwardly open pockets to provide predetermined numbers of balls to a basket at the discharge station of the dispenser.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning surface lint and debris from a plurality of traveling textile warp yarns includes a slotted reed mounted on a vacuum housing with each reed slot opening into the housing interior. A blower is disposed within the housing to apply suction to the yarns traveling through the reed slots and a filter is interposed between the reed and the blower to separate lint and debris removed from the yarn. A cover is movable into and out of covering relation to the reed to constrain ambient air to be drawn into the housing from the opposite sides of the reed generally in alignment with the direction of yarn travel to prevent the suction force from imposing additional tension on the yarns and to minimize entrance of air borne ambient lint into the vacuum housing.

Abstract: An optical fiber (12) being removed from a storage spool (14) for winding onto a canister (20) passes through a housing formed from separable parts (22, 24). A chamber (34) within the housing has a nozzle (40) connected to a supply of a cleaning solvent and directs a spray of the solvent onto the moving fiber. Another version locates a further nozzle (46) within the housing directing a pressurized air stream on the fiber to dry the solvent as well as remove foreign particulate matter from the fiber. Yet another version has brushes (50, 52) within the housing that the fiber moves against to aid in removing particulate matter from the fiber surface.

Abstract: A cleaning device for an electrostatographic copying machine collects residual toner from a photoconductive surface of the copying machine by the use of fiber-like bristles adhered to a face of a slit through which air is pulled by a vacuum pump. The bristles are pressed gently into sliding contact with the imaging surface and thereby loosens the toner for capture by the vacuum pump through the slit. An alternative would be to use open-cell foam in place of the bristles.

Abstract: A cleaner for removing particulate matter on bottles moving on a conveyor line. As the bottles move along the conveyor, they contact brushes in the form of continuous, endless belts. The belt has motion relative to the bottles which it contacts. Preferably, the belt moves in the same direction, but faster than, the bottles. On the other side of the bottles, a screw auger having spaces large enough for the bottles to fit in may assure the correct motion of the bottles. Alternately, a brush also in contact with the bottles and on the other side of the belt brush may also help assure the proper cleaning of the bottles. The second brush may take the form of a rotating cylinder, a rotating auger formed of brush bristles, or even a second endless, continuous belt brush.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus which employs a mechanical removal system in place of a conventional air jet system, in removing a residual lap on a spool. The residual lap removal apparatus according to the present invention principally comprises a bobbin holder, a rotational brush and a spike roller, wherein the spool on a conveyor is carried to a rotating position of the rotational brush by the bobbin holder, the residual lap on the spool is mechanically removed by the brush, and the lap on the rotational brush is transferred to spike pins on the spike roller whereby the removal processing of the residual lap can be positively carried out.

Abstract: The fabric strips of vertical blinds are cleaned using a novel method of apparatus. A strip is laid on an elongate tray and wetted with an appropriate washing liquid, e.g. a detergent solution. The strip is then passed along the tray between two counter-rotating brushes which act to scrub the opposite surfaces of the strip. Downstream of the brushes, the strip is sprayed with a rinse liquid. It then travels over a perforated section of the tray where it is subjected to a low pressure from below by a vacuum box communicating with a wet-dry vacuum. The cleaned, partially dry strips can then be hung to complete drying.

Abstract: A bar code cleaner is disclosed having the ability to allow the removal of foreign material from bar code labels so that they may successfully be read by machine bar code readers. The bar-code cleaner system consists of the apparatus to clean the bar codes and bar code labels manufactured from materials able to physically resist degradation by the apparatus which cleans the bar code. The apparatus to clean the bar code label consists of, mounted in proximity to the machine bar code reader, a scraping edge and/or a duct releasing compressed gas and/or cleaning fluid and/or a duct producing a vacuum.

Abstract: A method for removing dust and other fine particulates matter from the exterior surface of a bottle moving along a conveyor line. A jet of ionized air neutralizes any static charge adhering the particulate matter to the bottle and also commences the dislodgement of the former from the latter. Moving brushes contacting the exterior surface of the bottle further dislodges the particulate matter. Lastly, a vacuum on the other side of the brushes from the bottle removes the air and entrained particulate matter detached from the bottles. One or more rotating longitudinal screws can control the bottles motion through the system. A belt in contact with the bottles and moving relative to the conveyor effects their rotation regardless of their exterior configuration. This assures that the brushes contact all portions of their exterior surface. When the device uitlizes a longitudinal screw, the belt can rotate around rollers placed at the ends of the screw.

Abstract: A mobile vertical blind cleaning machine for cleaning both surfaces of individual blind panels of all types including plastic blinds, fabric covered blinds and fabric blinds. An elongated tank is divided into separate liquid tight solution cleaning, rinse and drying chambers with a pair of feed rolls located at the entrance end of each of the chambers and the exit end of the drying chamber. The single tank has an overall length and weight to be moved by a single person for on site cleaning. A rinse water hose connection, shop vacuum suction/air connection and a 115 VAC electrical connection are the only external requirements for operation.

Abstract: Metals castings, having a number of internal passageways which open at different surface portions of the castings, are mounted upon a horizontally axised wheel-like frame. The frame is intermittently rotated and momentarily stopped so that castings are rotated at times and stationary at times. During the times that the castings are stationary, they are simultaneously subjected to either an externally applied vibration or to a momentary, several millisecond long, high pressure burst of air through their respective passageways. The alternating vibrations and momentary bursts of air loosen and remove the sand and other casting debris contained within the passageways. Additionally, the changing angularity of the castings, due to the rotation, coupled with the vibrations and bursts of air, dislodge such sand and debris from the walls and, also, downwardly out of the passageways.

Abstract: An optical fiber (12) being removed from a storage spool (14) for winding onto a canister (20) passes through a housing formed from separable parts (22, 24). A chamber (34) within the housing has a nozzle (40) connected to a supply of a cleaning solvent and directs a spray of the solvent onto the moving fiber. Another version locates a further nozzle (46) within the housing directing a pressurized air stream on the fiber to dry the solvent as well as remove foreign particulate matter from the fiber. Yet another version has brushes (50, 52) within the housing that the fiber moves against to aid in removing particulate matter from the fiber surface.

Abstract: A process and device for removing a sprayed asbestos layer are provided, in which the asbestos is simultaneously cut and suctioned by a scraper and a suction air duct, and then transported into a carrier container for collection through primary, secondary and tertiary collection steps, in order to maintain a safe and sanitary operational environment for those who are engaged in removing the asbestos layer.

Abstract: In apparatus for cleaning magnetic tape, a rotatable cleaning element has hard, sharp-edged inserts embedded in the circumference of a softer carrier structure. The carrier structure is generally cylindrical in shape and has a central hub which has a plurality of radial ribs, on the end of which the inserts are mounted. The ribs, in part, define air flow passages from a vacuum source to the space between the respective inserts. The carrier structure has a hollow, cylindrical skirt underlying the ribs and a cover overlying the ribs. Baffles lie in the space between the inserts to form slits that bracket each insert.

Abstract: A machine for cleaning the upper and lower surfaces of a sheet of material and having a housing and a conveyor for driving the sheet through the housing and through first and second cleaning stations located therein. At the first cleaning station portions of the surfaces of the sheet exposed by the conveyor are cleaned by passing the sheet between ionization bars which neutralize static electrical charges on the sheet, air jets which blow light particulate matter from the surfaces of the sheet and rotary brushes which sweep the surfaces of the sheet. Portions of the sheet surfaces not exposed at the first cleaning station are exposed by the conveyor as the sheet passes through the second cleaning station, where it is further cleaned by similar cleaning apparatus. As the sheet leaves the housing, it passes another ionization bar which neutralizes static charges produced by frictional engagement of the air jets and rotary brushes with the sheet surfaces.

Abstract: A vacuum blanket cleaning system is provided for removing dust, lint or ink from a blanket cylinder in an offset printing press during the uninterrupted course of a press run. Operation is effected by an air cylinder which periodically urges a brush against the blanket cylinder and retracts the brush from the blanket cylinder for replacement or maintenance. The action of the brush in combination with rotation of the blanket cylinder is such as to loosen dust and lint from the blanket cylinder, which dust and lint is then drawn into a vacuum system that surrounds the brushes.

Abstract: A roll surface cleaning device for cleaning a roll surface includes a cleaning material strip which is softer than the roll surface and is in a continuous length. The cleaning material strip is fed out from a feed-out roll and is taken up by a takeup roll. Between the feed-out roll and the takeup roll, the cleaning material strip is pressed against the roll surface by a pressing mechanism and captures dirt on the roll surface. A first sucking mechanism applies suction force to the portion of the cleaning material strip pressed against the roll surface so that the dirt which has been captured on the cleaning material strip is removed therefrom or is embedded therein by suction. A vibration generator imparts fine vibration to the pressing mechanism. A second sucking mechanism is provided between the first sucking mechanism and the takeup roll and applies suction force to the cleaning material from the side opposite to the side which is pressed against the roll surface.

Abstract: A self-cleaning entry rug assembly has a housing with a hingedly supported top plate extending over substantially its entire top and providing transversely extending openings adjacent its opposite ends. A frame is supported on the top plate and rotatably supports a pair of tread rollers extending in the transversely extending openings of the top plate as well as auxiliary rollers. An endless belt carrying a rug extends about the tread rollers and auxiliary rollers, and a rug cleaning device is provided in the housing below the closed path. One of the auxiliary rollers may be moved on the frame to vary the tension on the belt, and a drive motor effects rotation of the rollers to rotate the belt and rug. A control system controls the drive motor and cleaning device, and it is adapted to receive a signal from a presence sensor adjacent the entry rug assembly to terminate rotation of the rollers upon approach of a person.

Abstract: In the device for continuously cleaning a running web of material, the web is continuously moved past an air suction space which extend across the entire width of the web and is in flow connection with an air suction power unit via an air suction channel. The air suction space, which is in flow connection with the air suction channel, can be converging guides, of which a plurality are arranged in tandem in the direction of movement of the web. A plurality of them are also arranged side by side, and these open out into a mutual plane parallel to the web of material. For creating a spread-out holding effect, a plurality of rods, serving as support of the web of material and obliquely towards the middle of the web, and extend in the opening plane of the converging air guides.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning carpet tiles is disclosed. The apparatus which accomplishes the present method includes a machine having a frame structure, a loading station connected to the frame structure and adapted for receiving a carpet tile, and an unloading station connected to the frame structure and adapted for allowing removal of a carpet tile from the machine. Infeed rollers are provided a cleaning compartment of the machine for continuously propelling a carpet tile from the loading station and over a nozzle bank which subjects the pile side of the carpet tile to a cleaning fluid spray. A scrubbing roller then scrubs the pile side of the carpet tile, and the carpet tile is next propelled over rinsing nozzles which rinse the cleaning fluid therefrom.

Abstract: Apparatus for safely and efficiently removing a layer of asbestos or like material from a generally planar or corrugated ceiling surface, I-beams or the like is disclosed and comprises a head assembly including an outer cover having a first open portion adapted to face the asbestos layer and a second open portion communicating with suction means through asbestos collecting means, an open ended inner wall member mounted within the outer cover to define an air passage between the inner wall member and the outer cover, and a rotary wire brush mounted within the inner wall member and adapted to engage and remove the asbestos layer from the surfaces to be stripped. The apparatus also includes adjusting means for moving the head assembly to an operative position wherein the rotary wire brush is in scraping contact with the asbestos layer with a small gap present between the peripheral edge of the first open portion of the outer cover and the surface to be stripped.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning hay and straw has a casing with a table and an inlet through which the hay and straw is fed. A set of tines (a rake) is positioned downstream from the inlet. A set of rotary tines is positioned to rotate through the rake to provide a combing and beating effect on the hay and straw fed thrugh the apparatus. Downstream of the tines is a chamber with a vacuum pump operatively connected to provide a suction through a perforate wall to remove spores and dust particles from the beaten and combed hay or straw. An outlet from the apparatus is located downstream from the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: The inner diameter of a single and compact external dusthood that houses the fiber brush of a brush-vacuum cleaning apparatus, is made to be substantially less than the average outer diameter of such fiber brush, thereby creating a substantial interference fit of the brush with the inside of such an external dusthood. The substantial interference contact between the brush and the inside of the external dusthood is such that any open or free air passage ways or air pockets between the brush and the external dusthood are eliminated, and such that toner particles removed by the brush from an image bearing surface are immediately entrained and carried (through the external dusthood) against the inside wall of such external dusthood, thereby preventing such particles from ever becoming airborne, or building up anywhere within the external dusthood.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for cleaning container bodies. The containers are moved through a station where they are subjected to a neutralized atmosphere created by directing ionized atmosphere over the container bodies as they move through the station. The bodies are also subjected to wiping action of brushes to remove particulate material therefrom. A vacuum system is employed to completely remove the particulate material from the atmosphere.

Abstract: A device for removing dust and other fine particulate matter from the exterior surface of a bottle moving along a conveyor line. A jet of ionized air neutralizes any static charge adhering the particulate matter to the bottle and also commences the dislodgement of the former from the latter. Moving brushes contacting the exterior surface of the bottle further dislodges the particulate matter. Lastly, a vacuum on the other side of the brushes from the bottle removes the air and entrained particulate matter detached from the bottles. A star wheel having indentations in it moves the bottles along at a predetermined pace. Alternately, one or more rotating longitudinal screws can control the bottles motion through the system. A belt in contact with the bottles and moving relative to the conveyor effects their rotation regardless of their exterior configuration. This assures that the brushes contact all portions of their exterior surface.

Abstract: Apparatus for intermittently removing impurities from the periphery of a calender roll includes a rotary cleaning implement in the form of a brush or several felt discs and having an axial length in the range of 5-10 cm. The cleaning implement is reciprocable longitudinally of the roll along a suitable guide and can be driven back and forth by a motor so as to remove impurities which are detected by a mobile monitoring device. The latter can be mounted in or on a frame for the cleaning implement or is movable along the roll independently of the cleaning implement. The apparatus can be mounted at the inlet or outlet side of the nip of the calender roll with a companion roll. The frame for the cleaning implement can carry one or more nozzles which direct water or another liquid (such as a solvent) against the cleaning implement and/or against the roll, and one or more nozzles which blow jets of air against the periphery of the roll.

Abstract: A brush-vacuum cleaning apparatus, for removing toner particles from the image-bearing surface of a copier or printer, includes an airfoil located on the inside wall of a cylindrical brush housing. The airfoil relative to the rotation of the brush is positioned adjacent to, and on the upstream side of, a perpendicular slot that connects the interior of the brush housing to a vacuum source. The airfoil contacts and compresses the rotating fibers of the brush causing the fibers to rub against one another and thereby to loosen the toner particles entrained therein. In addition, the airfoil serves to aerodynamically deflect and accelerate the airstream moving with the fibers, deep into the fibers, thereby flushing the loose toner particles out of the brush and out of the housing.

Abstract: This invention relates to the removal of soil from paper machine forming fabrics. More particularly, this invention is directed to a method and apparatus for removing contaminants from forming fabric in a papermaking machine wherein the forming fabric moves in a longitudinal direction, the apparatus includes a set of bristles having upper and lower ends and arranged above the forming fabric, the lower ends of the bristles being in contact with the upper surface of the forming fabric and the upper ends of the bristles being engaged by a bristle holder, the bristle holder being supported by a support device and the bristles being comprised of a lower surface energy material oleophilic to polyester at a water/oil interface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning blinds which have a plurality of parallel, spaced slats where the method comprises the steps of (1) drawing the slats of the blind together, (2) immersing the blind in a container of liquid detergent, (3) rinsing the drawn blind with a rinsing liquid and (4) blowing the blind with a gas until it is substantially dry. The apparatus comprises a container containing a liquid detergent and capable of receiving the blind, a rinsing means for propelling rinsing liquid over the blind and drying means for blowing a gas over and through the blind until it is substantially dry.

Abstract: A plate cleaning apparatus comprising a pair of cleaning members disposed above and beneath a passageway of the plate, a first pair of nozzles and a second pair of nozzles for emitting high speed clean air streams, a clean zone for supplying low speed clean air, and feed rollers for advancing the plate. A cleaning roller comprising a plurality of thin discs of nonwoven fabric bonded side by side with adhesive, and a longitudinal shaft extending through central holes in the thin discs is particularly suited for the cleaning members.

Abstract: A process for the removal of films of flow agent from moving strip material, by squeezing away the film by means of squeeze rollers and an air flow duct which each extend transversely with respect to the forward feed direction of the strip material. The air flow is directed along the squeezed-away cushion of flow agent, and entrains the cushion of flow agent. Apparatus which is used in the process includes air flow ducts which extend transversely with respect to the forward feed direction of the strip material, and which are positioned at the point of entry of the strip material into the squeeze region.

Abstract: A Paperboard Edge Buffer And Cleaner for buffing the edges of cut paperboard and then cleaning the paperboard's surfaces and edges.The Paperboard Edge Buffer And Cleaner is comprised of an upper buffing roller 28 which buffs the leading and upper surface of the paperboard and a lower buffer roller 29 which buffs the trailing edge and lower surface of the paperboard. An upper paperboard vacuum duct 34 and a lower paperboard vacuum duct 35 cooperate with an upper pressure duct 36 and a lower pressure duct 37 to clean the paperboard.An ion generator 73 and 74 may be mounted within each pressure duct 36 and 37 to reduce the electrostatic forces which cause particles to cling to the surface of the paperboard.A source of ultrasonic energy 75 and 76 may be likewise mounted within each pressure duct 36 and 37 to help loosen particles clinging to the surface of the paperboard.

Abstract: An elongated film strip is cleaned by two pairs of rotary brushes with soft bristles contacting opposite sides of the film strip traveling between the two pairs of brushes. Each pair of brushes is placed at an angle to the direction of film travel for brushing dirt particles away from the center of the film. The top pair of brushes and the bottom pair of brushes are arranged so that one brush in each pair brushes the particles from the central region of the film toward one edge of the film, while the other brush on the same side of the film brushes particles away from the central region of the film toward the other edge of the film. The brushes avoid contact with perforations on the edge of the film which would result in particles lodged in the perforations being brushed toward the central region of the film. A separately electrically conductive vacuum tube contacts each brush after the brush contacts the film.

Abstract: A device for removing dust and other fine particulate matter from the exterior surface of a bottle moving along a conveyor line. A jet of ionized air neutralizes any static charge adhering the particulate matter to the bottle and also commences the dislodgement of the former from the latter. Moving brushes contacting the exterior surface of the bottle further dislodges the particulate matter. Lastly, a vacuum on the other side of the brushes from the bottle removes the air and entrained particulate matter detached from the bottles. A star wheel having indentations in it moves the bottles along at a predetermined pace. Alternately, one or more rotating longitudinal screws can control the bottles motion through the system. A belt in contact with the bottles and moving relative to the conveyor effects their rotation regardless of their exterior configuration. This assures that the brushes contact all portions of their exterior surface.

Abstract: This invention relates to a mask (reticle) washing apparatus for use in the production of semiconductor integrated circuits (IC), and in particular, to cleaning a mask without the use of a strong oxidizing agent or a strong alkaline agent. The mask washing apparatus comprises an airtight chamber including a washing space and a drying space which are separated by a shutter. A drain and an exhaust duct are located at the bottom of the chamber. The washing is performed at a lower part of the chamber and the drying is performed at an upper part of the chamber. A clean air stream flows from the upper part to the lower part of the chamber, and this flow eliminates contamination in the chamber. Consequently, the mask is cleaned perfectly, and the reliability and yield of the device is improved.

Abstract: A process for rejuvenating used pyrofax photostatic film to enable the film o be used another time. The film is in the form of an elongated plastic web and has an image side opposed to a back side. The indica formed on the image side of the web is removed, thereby enabling the web to be reused another time in the newspaper printing process, for example. The process of the present invention comprises moving the web respective to a rotating cylindrical cloth apparatus so that the cloth apparatus gently wipes the indica from the image side of the web. Air blast and suction means facilitate translocation of the removed indicia from proximity of the rotating cylindrical cloth.

Abstract: A scraper ring system for removing fluid from a relatively moving cylindrical surface such as a piston rod which comprises a series of overlapping blades or leaves which are pressed against the rod surface at an acute angle either by a garter spring or when the blades are part of a continuous strip, by the natural resilience of the strip and blades. The blades are located in a housing and passages are provided for the discharge of any removed fluid.