Machines Patents (Class 15/3)
  • Publication number: 20080249661
    Abstract: A robot cleaner that cleans a cleaning region while traveling the cleaning region and a method to control the same are provided. The robot cleaner can uniformly clean a cleaning region based on a wall-following technique which allows the robot cleaner to travel along the outline of the cleaning region. The method selects, as a reference wall, a wall at a left or right side of the robot cleaner at a start position of the robot cleaner based on a left or right-based travel algorithm, which allows the robot cleaner to travel along a left or right wall, and controls the robot cleaner to travel the cleaning region in a zigzag travel pattern in which the robot cleaner moves a predetermined distance in a direction perpendicular to the reference wall at specific intervals along the selected reference wall while following the selected reference wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Pyo Hong, Woo Ram Chung, Kyung Hwan Yoo, Jae Man Joo, Hoon Wee, Dong Won Kim, Yong Tae Kim
  • Publication number: 20080229527
    Abstract: A rotary chimney brush apparatus includes an elongated push rod which has a selected degree of flexibility, a motor mounted on an outer end of the push rod, and a brush member mounted on a shaft of the motor. The push rod is coiled up into a spool structure which is rotatably mounted on a base frame. Electrical conductors extend along the push rod from a set of batteries and a switch unit to the motor to supply electrical power to the motor to rotate the brush. The push rod and conductors are enclosed in an outer sheath The push rod is extended from the spool to move the rotating brush up through a chimney to clean it. As the brush is lowered through the chimney, the push rod is retracted back into the spool for carrying and storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventor: Robert B. Berry
  • Publication number: 20080229526
    Abstract: A system for cleaning a wafer. At least one first chuck roller is connected to a first roller base and includes a first annular groove. A second roller base opposes the first roller base. At least one second chuck roller is connected to the second roller base and includes a second annular groove. A sensing chuck roller is connected to the second roller base and includes a third annular groove corresponding to the first and second annular grooves. A cleaning member covers the third annular groove. A circumferential edge of the wafer is positioned in the first and second annular grooves and abuts the cleaning member. The first and second chuck rollers rotate the wafer, enabling the circumferential edge thereof to rub against the cleaning member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: Tien-Chen Hu, Chih-Ming Hsieh, Chien-Chang Lai, Wen-Jin Lee, Da-Hsiang Chen
  • Publication number: 20080229528
    Abstract: A floor-cleaning device primarily comprises a pair of driving units provided at two opposite sides of a main body thereof wherein the driving units are electrically connected to a control unit and a power-supply unit which are both deposited in the main body so that the main body is capable of moving freely on a substantial surface. Particularly, a moving-along-edge sensing unit is provided at the left or right side of the main body to conduct a movement of the main body along the edge of the surrounding objects. The sensing unit is composed of non-contact sensing components so as to permit the main body to move along the edge of the surrounding objects with a predetermined distance in a continuous slightly oscillatory S-shaped route. In virtue of the sensing unit, the main body can automatically approach and connect to a charger for automatic charge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: Chi-Tzo Chen, Pang-Chun Liu, Kun-Yuan Chen
  • Publication number: 20080201876
    Abstract: A pipe maintenance method and device is particularly suited for maintaining a pipe of a gas-insulated high-voltage line with a particle trap system extending along the pipe. The novel method enables poorly accessible sections to be reached. To this end, a maintenance unit is displaced along the particle trap system, and it is guided thereby.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2006
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Hermann Koch
  • Patent number: 7415747
    Abstract: The invention relates to surface cleaning apparatus for removing contamination from sheet materials such as phototools and liquid crystal display (LCD) screens. The apparatus comprises a base unit having opposing walls for supporting a removable roller cartridge containing at least one cleaning roller and one adhesive roller. Progressive insertion of the roller cartridge into the base unit causes a camming mechanism provided on the base unit and the roller cartridge to interact so as to move the cleaning and adhesive rollers from a non-operatinig position in which the rollers are separated into an operating position in which the adhesive roller is brought into abutment with the cleaning roller. The apparatus is held in the operating position by a latching mechanism, for example, an electromagnet which may be selectively activated and deactivated simultaneously with activation and deactivation of a driving motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Teknek Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Shiela Hamilton, Charles Jonathan Kennett
  • Publication number: 20080184505
    Abstract: Apparatus for the method, including cartridges for housing strips of cleaning pad material, are provided. A method for cleaning probe tips, e.g., on a probe card, comprises abrading the probe tips on an abrasive surface, and advancing the abrasive surface so that a later cleaning cycle uses a clean portion of the cleaning pad. The method may include use of a vacuum to aspirate material dislodged by the abrading. In another aspect, a method for cleaning probe tips includes brushing the probe tips and operating a vacuum to aspirate material from the probe tips and/or brush. The methods may be used singly or in combination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2006
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ronald A. Feroli
  • Publication number: 20080178412
    Abstract: This patent discloses a cleaning system for shopping carts. The cleaning system may include a prewash station, a wash station, a rinse station, a drying station, a physical disinfecting station, a conveyor, and a recovery tank. The wash station may include brushes. The drying station may include a fan configured to blow a thin sheet of air downward and onto the shopping cart. The physical disinfecting station may include an ultraviolet light generator. The conveyor may include a track system having hooks attached to chains that are configured to be moved by a conveyor motor. A frame may surround and support the stations. The cleaning system additionally may include a water recovery/supply system and an external spray wash hose attached to a reservoir to pre-prewash the shopping carts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventor: MICHAEL A. KITER
  • Publication number: 20080134458
    Abstract: An autonomous floor cleaning robot includes a transport drive and control system arranged for autonomous movement of the robot over a floor for performing cleaning operations. The robot chassis carries a first cleaning zone comprising cleaning elements arranged to suction loose particulates up from the cleaning surface and a second cleaning zone comprising cleaning elements arraigned to apply a cleaning fluid onto the surface and to thereafter collect the cleaning fluid up from the surface after it has been used to clean the surface. The robot chassis carries a supply of cleaning fluid and a waste container for storing waste materials collected up from the cleaning surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Ziegler, Duane Gilbert, Christopher John Morse, Scott Pratt, Paul Sandin, Nancy Dussault, Andrew Jones
  • Publication number: 20080135061
    Abstract: A system and method for cleaning wooden pallets comprises conveying the pallets through a first stage area having regions for brushing a top exterior, a bottom exterior, all four side exteriors, a top and bottom interior and at least one pair of side interiors. Preferably, these brushes are treated with a non-stick coating and retract into separate ridged chambers when not in use to deter pallet cross-contamination. Each scoured pallet is then conveyed to a second stage area for a non-chemical, germicidal treatment, preferably including ultraviolet light irradiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventor: Adam J. Madgar
  • Patent number: 7024716
    Abstract: An automated cleaning apparatus, employed wherein a paste-like printing agent having a low viscosity is used in a screen printing machine, comprising a cleaning unit constituted by an adhesive tape, an adhesive tape take-up body, an adhesive tape delivery body and an adhesive tape pressing table arranged between the adhesive take-up body and the adhesive tape delivery body. The adhesive tape is taken up in the state that an adhesive surface is set upward, the adhesive tape being taken up in the reverse direction to a moving direction of the clearing unit and at a predetermined speed in correspondence to a moving speed of the cleaning unit, and the cleaning unit being moved upward at a starting end position, moved downward at a terminal end position and returned to the starting end position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Minami Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Takehiko Murakami
  • Publication number: 20040250361
    Abstract: A roller assembly for a machine that rotates a tire disposed on a vehicle and a method of making a roller assembly. The roller assembly includes a roller having an outer surface and a roller cover removably attached to the outer surface. The roller cover has a first surface that is removably adhered to the outer surface of the roller. Contaminants on a tire may be captured on a second surface of the roller cover that is opposite the first surface and disposed of when the roller cover is periodically removed from the roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Joseph Marsilio
  • Patent number: 6817052
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for cleaning test probes used in a semiconductor testing machine of the type having a plurality of test probes configured to contact the surface of a semiconductor wafer to test one or more dies formed thereon. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a roller-support arm and a cylindrical roller supported by the roller-support arm. The roller has an outer surface comprising a sticky material. Debris on the probes will adhere to the sticky material as roller is rolled across tips of the probes. The probes are thereby cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: FormFactor, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary W. Grube
  • Publication number: 20040194802
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for the cleaning of magnetic tape cartridge drive, particularly such as removable data-storage media tapes, and especially an arrangement and method of providing a disposable cartridge retention spring cleaning tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Erik E.A. Bengds, Kamal E. Dimitri, Jerry W. Hammar, Scott Richard Lockaby, Wayne A. McKinley
  • Publication number: 20040180307
    Abstract: The present invention is a powered instrument for removing excess bonding material from the surfaces of orthodontic brackets while they are attached to a patient's teeth. The instrument is particularly effective in removing bonding material from the inner surfaces of orthodontic bracket tie wings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventor: Neil John Graham
  • Patent number: 6741054
    Abstract: A floor mopping assembly finding use in a cleaning robot. The cleaning robot may be remotely controlled or autonomous. In one embodiment, a feed roller lets out a roll of webbing or toweling, a take-up roller reels in the toweling, and a motor system causes transfer of the toweling between the feed roller and the take-up roller. A housing holds the motor system and the rollers, which are mounted in the housing such that the motor causes transfer of the webbing between the rollers. One of the rollers is configured to rest on the floor or surface so as to cause the toweling to clean the surface. In an alternative embodiment, the assembly also includes a pad to press the toweling against the surface, where the pad is mounted in the housing such that the motor causes transfer of the toweling between the rollers and between the pad and the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Vision Robotics Corporation
    Inventors: Harvey Koselka, Bret A. Wallach, David Gollaher
  • Publication number: 20040060130
    Abstract: An assembly for rotating and axially directing a high pressure spray hose and spray head to clean residue from the bores of thermal transfer tubes. The assembly includes a number of subassemblies that are concentrically aligned and mounted to rotate in synchrony and direct a high-pressure hose and spray head. A hose cleaning subassembly washes and/or brushes the hose exterior with a low-pressure spray. A hose drive assembly controls axial hose movement via driven gears and chains and four polyurethane pinch wheels that abut the hose. Spring tensioners control the wheel-to-hose pressure. A layering arm extends from a driven reel axle and stacks the hose in uniform layer onto an adjustable hub at a driven reel. The diameter of the reel hub can adjusted relative to an outer cage. The hose reel, axial hose drive and hose cleaner assemblies can be operated at speeds rotational speeds of 60 rpm to 650 rpm and whereby tubes from ½ to 6-inch diameters can be cleaned at rates of 1 to 80 feet per minute.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: Aqua Dynamics Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel T. Garman, Eugene R. Valentine
  • Publication number: 20040019986
    Abstract: A contact cleaning roller which may be axially flexed to conform to a non-planar substrate surface for removing particles therefrom. In a preferred embodiment, a flexible shaft is covered with a high-tack sleeve comprising polyurethane, silicone, adhesive tape, or any other similar high-tack material. The shaft is rotatably suspended at either end in bearings in a frame, allowing the roller to conform to a non-planar substrate surface requiring cleaning, for example, a cathode ray tube screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Frank C. Corrado, James W. Fischer, Gary R. Larsen, Ronald W. Sweet
  • Patent number: 6675423
    Abstract: A web cleaner and cleaner roll system includes a frame having rotatably mounted thereon a web roll for rotation by a web that travels thereover during a web cleaning operation, a turret shaft rotatable in spaced, parallel relation to the web roll, and a pair of web cleaner rolls carried by the turret for rotation in spaced parallel relation to each other and the web roll. The turret shaft is intermittently rotated to move each of the two cleaner rolls between an operative position in which one of the two rolls is in rolling, cleaning engagement with the travelling web and the other is in an inoperative position in which it is spaced from said web. The turret shaft and cleaner rolls are mounted on the frame for limited movement toward and away from the web, and function to force a cleaner roll in its operative position resiliently against the web that is being cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Inventor: Ronald G. Egan
  • Patent number: 6662395
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus for cleaning workpiece surfaces. The apparatus has controllable operable cleaning rollers. The cleaning rollers can be moved selectively and independently such as to contact the workpiece in a desired sequence. The apparatus is particularly adapted for vertical operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Inventors: Sheila Hamilton, Charles Jonathan Kennett
  • Patent number: 6654978
    Abstract: A snow removing device for removing snow and ice from the roof of semi-trailers, vans and similar vehicles. The snow removing device includes; a scraping blade slidably mounted for vertical movement between spaced apart vertical frame posts. A mechanism is provided for automatically adjusting the position of the scraping blade relative to the vehicle's roof so as to maintain a predetermined blade spacing between the blade lower peripheral edge and the vehicle's roof in order to prevent the scraping blade from damaging structures protruding from the vehicle's roof. A resilient skirt extends from the scraping blade so as to fill the spacing thereunderneath and so as to contact the vehicle's roof. A mechanism is also provided for adjusting the amount of pressure exerted by the scraping blade and resilient skirt on the vehicle's roof depending on the consistency of the snow being scraped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Inventor: Germain Bouchard
  • Publication number: 20030196282
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for recovering and purifying a solvent used in an article cleaning appliance are provided. The method allows passing solvent-based cleaning fluid from a wash basket through a coarse filter configured to remove relatively large particulates from the cleaning fluid. The method further allows passing cleaning fluid from the coarse filter through a particulate filter configured to remove relatively fine particulates from the cleaning fluid. An aqueous phase that may be present in the cleaning fluid is separated by decanting and coalescing through a separator/filter assembly. The cleaning fluid may then be passed through a regeneration cartridge for removing any water that may remain in the cleaning fluid, and for adsorbing organic contaminants that may be present in the cleaning fluid. Recovered solvent may be stored in a tank for subsequent use in a cleaning process performed by the appliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas Joseph Fyvie, Darren Lee Hallman, Teresa Grocela Rocha, Philip Alexander Shoemaker
  • Patent number: 6574819
    Abstract: Devices and methods for removing dew from grassy areas, such as golf courses. One embodiment comprises a plurality of beaded lines comprising lead weights which are disposed within an outer synthetic rope sheath. The ends of the flexible elongated member comprise means for attaching the elongated member to at least one and preferably two separate tractors. Dew is removed by connecting at least one of the aforesaid devices to at least one tractor and dragging the device across the grassy area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Inventor: Robert Ratcliffe
  • Publication number: 20030092365
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for cleaning test probes used in a semiconductor testing machine of the type having a plurality of test probes configured to contact the surface of a semiconductor wafer to test one or more dies formed thereon. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a roller-support arm and a cylindrical roller supported by the roller-support arm. The roller has an outer surface comprising a sticky material. Debris on the probes will adhere to the sticky material as roller is rolled across tips of the probes. The probes are thereby cleaned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventor: Gary W. Grube
  • Patent number: 6550089
    Abstract: A device for picking-up small-sized litter from floor and other surfaces is generally disclosed comprising a remote-controlled electric motor with power supply (3) located inside a case (1) standing on supporting wheels (2), and attached rolling litter collector (5) with sticky, bristly, magnetic, or any other surface capable of collecting small-sized litter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Inventor: Bakhytbek Z. Ussen
  • Publication number: 20030066543
    Abstract: Apparatus including
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Applicant: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Muscato, Carl A. Wisniewski
  • Patent number: 6523208
    Abstract: A web cleaning system including a stationary frame and a rotatable frame being rotatable about an axis while supported by the stationary frame. The rotatable frame supporting first and second contact cleaning rolls that are rotatable about axes and are spaced from and parallel to each other and the axis of the rotatable frame. A web transport device is disposed to fed a web along a predetermined path between the first and second contact cleaning rolls. Major surfaces of the web being parallel to the axes of the cleaning rolls when fed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Muscato, Carl A. Wisniewski
  • Publication number: 20030005531
    Abstract: The invention relates to an unmanned vehicle (1) which is adapted to be used in a stable, such as a cowshed. The unmanned vehicle (1) is provided with a manure displacing device (2) which is capable of being moved to a place at a distance from the vehicle. The manure displacing device (2) comprises a manure slide (12). The manure displacing device (2) is further provided with pressure setting means (9) for determining the force with which the manure displacing device (2) is active on a stable floor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Applicant: Lely Research Holding A.G.
    Inventor: Karel van den Berg
  • Publication number: 20020194688
    Abstract: A web cleaner and cleaner roll system includes a frame having rotatably mounted thereon a web roll for rotation by a web that travels thereover during a web cleaning operation, a turret shaft rotatable in spaced, parallel relation to the web roll, and a pair of web cleaner rolls carried by the turret for rotation in spaced parallel relation to each other and the web roll. The turret shaft is intermittently rotated to move each of the two cleaner rolls between an operative position in which one of the two rolls is in rolling, cleaning engagement with the travelling web and the other is in an inoperative position in which it is spaced from said web. The turret shaft and cleaner rolls are mounted on the frame for limited movement toward and away from the web, and function to force a cleaner roll in its operative position resiliently against the web that is being cleaned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Inventor: Ronald G. Egan
  • Publication number: 20020148598
    Abstract: A control installation for solid cleaning bodies adapted to be circulated in a heat exchanger to clean it, said installation including interceptor means in the outlet pipe of the heat exchanger adapted to retain the circulating solid cleaning bodies, a return pipe which recycles to the inlet pipe of the heat exchanger a return flow containing solid cleaning bodies retained by the interceptor means, and a system in said return pipe for processing said solid cleaning bodies and including a sorter (30): the sorter (30) includes a body (31), in which there are two compartments (37, 38) separated by a calibrated grid (40), and turbulence generator means (48, 54) adapted to create turbulence in one compartment (38) to attract into it cleaning bodies which can pass through the grid (40) because of their diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Applicant: BEAUDREY C S
    Inventor: Renaud Houel
  • Publication number: 20020069470
    Abstract: A vehicle roof snow removal system for removing snow and ice from the top of a vehicle. The vehicle roof snow removal system includes a main frame. A scraper blade assembly is coupled to the main frame. The scraper blade assembly comprises a scraper blade. The scraper blade is lowerable from a top of said main frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventor: Frank Schmitt
  • Patent number: 6401287
    Abstract: A system for cleaning first and second surfaces of a moving web substrate. First and second turret subsystems are disposed sequentially along the web path. Each turret is rotatable about an axis transverse to the direction of web conveyance but there is no axial cross-shaft. Each turret includes at least two contact cleaning rollers spaced apart in the turret on opposite sides of the turret axis. The web path proceeds through each pair of rollers such that in each turret the first roller of the pair is adjacent a first surface of the web and the second roller of the pair is adjacent a second surface of the web. When the turrets are rotated to a null position, none of the rollers is in contact with the web. When the turrets are rotated to a web cleaning position, the web is engaged with the rollers on both sides of the web and follows a serpentine path through the turrets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Inventors: Frank C. Corrado, James W. Fischer, Gary R. Larsen, Ronald W. Sweet
  • Patent number: 6378154
    Abstract: A system for cleaning particles from a moving web by engagement with contact cleaning rollers, wherein the web may be moved selectively out of contact with the cleaning rollers to prevent damage to the web surface, such as adherance, stripping, or ferrotyping, resulting from stationary contact with the cleaning rollers. The system includes contact cleaning roller assembly disposed adjacent to and transverse of the web path. Preferably, such assembly includes a rotatable turret supporting a plurality of rotatable contact cleaning rollers, preferably three rollers positioned equilaterally. The turret is positioned relative to the basic web path such that, in a non-operative mode, the web is not in contact with the cleaning rollers, the web path bypassing the cleaning rollers. Thus, during periods of maintenance or other downtime, the web first surface is protected from being damaged by stationary contact with the cleaning rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: SeraTek, LLC
    Inventors: Frank C. Corrado, James W. Fischer, Gary R. Larsen, Ron W. Sweet
  • Publication number: 20020023307
    Abstract: The present invention provides a dust remover having a dust removal roller for removing the dust attached on the surface of a dust removal object by coming in contact with the surface of the dust removal object while rotating, and an adhesive tape roller for transferring the dust adherent to an outer peripheral face of the dust removal roller to an adhesive layer of the adhesive tape roller to clean the dust removal roller, while rotating with its outer peripheral face in contact with the outer peripheral face of the dust removal roller. An outer peripheral layer of the dust removal roller is made of a non-silicone elastic body, and a difference &Dgr;&dgr; between a solubility parameter (SP value) &dgr;A of the non-silicone elastic body and a solubility parameter (SP value) &dgr;B of an adhesive applied on the adhesive layer of the adhesive tape roller is 1.0 [J/cm3]½ or greater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Applicant: NITTO DENKO CORPORATION and RAYON INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD
    Inventors: Noriyuki Haba, Hideo Komano
  • Publication number: 20010027584
    Abstract: A snow removing device for removing snow and ice from the roof of semi-trailers, vans and similar vehicles. The snow removing device includes; a scraping blade slidably mounted for vertical movement between spaced apart vertical frame posts. A mechanism is provided for automatically adjusting the position of the scraping blade relative to the vehicle's roof so as to maintain a predetermined blade spacing between the blade lower peripheral edge and the vehicle's roof in order to prevent the scraping blade from damaging structures protruding from the vehicle's roof. A resilient skirt extends from the scraping blade so as to fill the spacing there underneath and so as to contact the vehicle's roof. A mechanism is also provided for adjusting the amount of pressure exerted by the scraping blade and resilient skirt on the vehicle's roof depending on the consistency of the snow being scraped. A breaking assembly is further provided for breaking slabs of hardened snow and ice supported on the vehicle's roof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Publication date: October 11, 2001
    Inventor: Germain Bouchard
  • Patent number: 6285845
    Abstract: An improved cleaning system adapted to be incorporated into an image forming device, the improved cleaning system having a roller cartridge having an upper cleaning roller rotatably and removably coupled to a cartridge frame, a lower cleaning roller rotatably and vertically movably coupled to the cartridge frame for cleaning printable media, an elastic mechanism coupled to the cartridge frame for pressing the upper cleaning roller against the lower cleaning roller, a magnetic mechanism for holding the improved cleaning system firmly inside the image forming device, a latch mechanism for latching the improved cleaning system to the image forming device, a drive mechanism for driving the printable media between the drive mechanism and the lower cleaning roller, the improved cleaning system being adapted to clean dust deposited on the surface of the printable media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: ZIH Corp.
    Inventors: Yves Liatard, Gaetan Heno
  • Patent number: 6282744
    Abstract: A contact cleaner roll cleaning system including a frame to support the system relative to a movable web having a first major surface and a second major surface on opposite sides of the web, at least a first rotatable contact cleaner roll supported on the frame disposed for rolling contact with the first major surface, an activatable web transporting device adapted to transport or interrupt the transport of the web past the first rotatable contact cleaner roll, and a first indexing device adapted to roll the first rotatable contact cleaner roll against the first major surface in a first direction while the transport of the web past the first rotatable contact cleaner roll is interrupted. This system is used to clean coated and uncoated webs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Francis J. Wieloch, Carl A. Wisniewski, Warren R. Smith, Thomas B. Glenwright
  • Patent number: 6237176
    Abstract: A substrate or sheet surface cleaning apparatus is provided with at least one tacky rubber roller and at least one adhesive tape roll which is brought into close contact with the tacky rubber roller. The roller and roll are rotatably supported at opposite ends of their shafts by bearings which are slidable in a vertical direction. Pressed rods are arranged integrally on the slidable bearings for the roll. By urging the pressed rods with pressing rods driven by d.c. motors via gear trains while controlling the d.c. motors by a position sensor, the pressure between the roll and the roller and the pressure between the roller and the substrate or sheet are optimized so that dirt or particles can be efficiently removed from an opposing surface of the substrate or sheet. Another substrate or sheet surface cleaning apparatus is provided two tacky rubber rollers arranged in an up-and-down parallel relationship and two adhesive tape rolls arranged above the upper roller and below the lower roller, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Rayon Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kentaro Egoshi, Shouhei Mariyama
  • Patent number: 6209233
    Abstract: A ditch cleaning apparatus is formed by a prime mover driving a chassis having endless metal belts for moving along the bottom of a vertical wall ditch and supporting an upright frame having a rearwardly and upwardly inclined elevator depositing debris on a first horizontal conveyor discharging debris laterally of a ditch position. A second horizontal conveyor, supported by the frame above the chassis, receives loose soil from the elevating conveyor for deposit on the ditch bottom rearwardly of the chassis. Sweep wings extend forwardly in diverging relation from the depending forward end of the elevating conveyor to guide debris toward the entrance end of the elevating conveyor. An operator position in the frame, above the upper limit of a ditch to be cleaned, is provided with controls for moving the machine and its several operating components in a ditch cleaning action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Inventors: Cecil L. Crotts, Houston T. Barnes
  • Patent number: 6200392
    Abstract: A sheet cleaning apparatus having sets of cleaning rollers, wherein the rollers are integrated into a removable cartridge structure. Couplers are provided at roller shaft ends to connect to the roller drive. The cartridge is received in a slide carriage, permitting the cartridge to be readily removed from the apparatus by sliding the carriage out, and lifting the cartridge out from the slide carriage. With this arrangement, the down time for the sheet cleaning apparatus is minimized, since the sheet cleaning apparatus can be provided with two cartridges, and the cartridge needing maintenance can simply be quickly removed and replaced with a fresh cartridge. The production line can quickly be put back into operation, and the removed cartridge can be serviced off line for subsequent use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Systems Division Incorporated
    Inventor: John A. Korbonski
  • Patent number: 6189173
    Abstract: In a device for removing toner or similar substance deposited on a recording sheet or similar sheet, projections are formed on a back-up member and located at portions on which the rear of a separating member slide. While a sheet is passed through a pressing portion in contact with the separating member, the projections raise the rear of the separating member toward the surface of the sheet carrying the toner. Hence, even solitary particles of the substance adjoining relatively thick and large masses of the substance can contact the front of the separating member. Hence, the solitary particles are prevented from remaining on the sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masatoshi Saito, Tooru Maruyama, Hisao Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6108846
    Abstract: Cleaning apparatus for the wheels of a car used in a semiconductor manufacturing plant has a pair of endless belts that carry a dust trapping material on their outer surfaces. The belts turn against a wheel and thereby remove the dust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Nick Chang, Chung-Yea Lee
  • Patent number: 5989358
    Abstract: A sheet cleaning apparatus having sets of cleaning rollers, wherein the rollers are integrated into a removable cartridge structure. Couplers are provided at roller shaft ends to connect to the roller drive. The cartridge is received in a slide carriage, permitting the cartridge to be readily removed from the apparatus by sliding the carriage out, and lifting the cartridge out from the slide carriage. With this arrangement, the down time for the sheet cleaning apparatus is minimized, since the sheet cleaning apparatus can be provided with two cartridges, and the cartridge needing maintenance can simply be quickly removed and replaced with a fresh cartridge. The production line can quickly be put back into operation, and the removed cartridge can be serviced off line for subsequent use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Systems Division, Incorporated
    Inventor: John A. Korbonski
  • Patent number: 5964007
    Abstract: A method and cleaning system to clean ink and coating from contact cleaner rolls. The contact cleaning rolls are located on a turret and as one contact cleaning roll is indexed sequentially out of contact with the imaging surface and into contact with a porous material another contact cleaning roll is indexed into contact with the imaging surface simultaneously. The porous material has a non-alcoholic solvent applied to clean the contact cleaning roll surface upon contact. The components found to create an efficient cleaning solvent for the CCRs include aliphatic ketones and alkylene halides. The aliphatic ketones are alkyl ketones containing from about 1 to 25 carbon atoms (with a preferred range of about 1 to about 10 carbon atoms). The aliphatic ketones contain solvents such as methyl ethyl ketone (i.e. the preferred solvent), methyl ketone, ethyl ketone, propyl ketone and butyl ketone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Carl A. Wisniewski, Gary W. Smallman, Francis J. Wieloch
  • Patent number: 5943722
    Abstract: A contact cleaning machine for removing particulates and other undesirable debris from the surfaces of articles moving along a curved path under the cleaning machine, without disturbing the orientation of the articles which cannot be clamped against movement. Cleaning is performed by a roller (22) which is mounted in the machine to roll across the tops of articles as they pass underneath. The peripheral surface (28) of the roller is coated with a tacky adhesive to lift off the undesirable particles. To avoid the roller applying differential forces to the article, the roller is made conical and convergent towards the axis of curvature of the path followed by the article. The avoidance of differential forces on the unclamped articles eliminates any tendency for the cleaning roller to turn the articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Teknek Electronics Limited
    Inventors: Sheila Hamilton, Jonathan Kennett, William Crookston
  • Patent number: 5930857
    Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning a surface of a moving web of material, particularly photosensitive web material. A particle transfer roller is disposed adjacent the moving web, and driven to a pre-determined speed approaching but not greater than a sensed speed of the moving web. A passive one-way clutch coupled to the particle transfer roller is engaged, such that when the driven particle transfer roller contacts the moving web, the moving web drives the particle transfer roller. A cleaning station is disposed adjacent the particle transfer roller so as to provide renewal of the particle transfer roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Fernando Ramos, Larry T. Shafer, Sharon A. Guzman
  • Patent number: 5913345
    Abstract: A system for conveying sheets of thin substrate having low sheet stiffness while controlling and limiting the angle of wrap of the substrate on the roller, and a sheet cleaning apparatus employing the wrap-limiting system. A substrate conveyance roller is provided with a plurality of circumferential grooves spaced along the roller. Into each groove is disposed a substrate guide in near-tangential relationship with the surface of the roller at the point on the roller where stripping of the substrate from the roller surface is desired. In a preferred embodiment of a wrap-limiting system in accordance with the invention, one or more substrate guides are provided which extend through the grooves both upstream and downstream of the roller along the substrate conveyance path. The points at which the guide enters and leaves the groove define and limit the wrap angle assumable by the substrate on the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Seratek, LLC
    Inventors: Frank C. Corrado, James W. Fisher, Gary R. Larsen, Ronald W. Sweet
  • Patent number: 5911254
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for cleaning photosensitive material (1) transported by a transport mechanism (26, 32) is disclosed. The apparatus includes a support portion (15) for supporting the photosensitive material from a back side thereof, a press roller (11) rotatable relative to the support portion for pressing the photosensitive material against the support portion, a drive mechanism (13) for rotatably driving the press roller and a control unit (30) for controlling rotational drive of the drive mechanism. The control unit (30) selectively provides a first mode where the photosensitive material is transported in association with rotation of the press roller and a second mode where a peripheral speed of the press roller is rendered different from a transport speed of the photosensitive material by the transport mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: Noritsu Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Youji Nishimoto
  • Patent number: 5881416
    Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning a moving web, such as paper, paper board or cardboard, prior to printing or processing wherein a tacky wiper cloth engages the moving web to collect contaminating particles. The wiper collection surface is renewable and the apparatus firmly holds the wiper in contact with the web yet is releasable during web threading procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Inventors: Burnis E. Moore, William H. Shippy
  • Patent number: 5855037
    Abstract: A contact cleaner roll cleaning system including a frame to support the system relative to a movable web having a first major surface and a second major surface on opposite sides of the web, at least a first rotatable contact cleaner roll supported on the frame disposed for rolling contact with the first major surface, an activatable web transporting device adapted to transport or interrupt the transport of the web past the first rotatable contact cleaner roll, and a first indexing device adapted to roll the first rotatable contact cleaner roll against the first major surface in a first direction while the transport of the web past the first rotatable contact cleaner roll is interrupted This system is used to clean coated and uncoated webs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Francis J. Wieloch, Carl A. Wisniewski, Warren R. Smith, Thomas B. Glenwright