Contact cleaning system and method for removing adhesive roller from contact cleaning system

Abstract

The invention relates to a contact cleaning system and an adhesive roller for a contact cleaning system. A contact cleaning system includes: an adhesive roller including at least one adhesive sheet, where the at least one adhesive sheet includes a leading edge; and an adhesive sheet removing device, wherein the adhesive sheet removing device comprises a pick-up element. The pick-up element is configured to contact the leading edge of the at least one adhesive sheet and to apply a vacuum to the leading edge to lift the leading edge from the adhesive roller. Also disclosed is a method of removing an adhesive roller, the method comprising: providing an adhesive roller comprising at least one adhesive sheet, where the at least one adhesive sheet comprises a leading edge; detecting the position of the leading edge; and applying a vacuum to the leading edge of the at least one adhesive sheet to lift the leading edge from the adhesive roller.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a contact cleaning system and a sticky roller for a contact cleaning system. A method for removing a sticky sheet from the sticky roller is also disclosed. Background Art

[0002] Contact cleaning is used to clean the surface of a substrate. Once cleaned, the substrate surface can be used for various complex processes, such as for the manufacture of electronic devices, photovoltaic devices, and flat panel displays. Generally, a rubber or elastomeric cleaning roller is used to remove dirt particles from the substrate surface, and then a sticky roller can be used to remove dirt particles or debris from the cleaning roller. This allows the cleaning roller to maximize its efficiency in removing dirt particles from the substrate surface.

[0003] In contact cleaning, the sticky roller typically includes a substrate material of a certain wound length or sheet length wound around a core. The substrate material includes a sticky side that can be used to remove or collect debris from the surface of the cleaning roller. A certain length of the sticky material is substantially free of debris before cleaning and has a relatively high level of stickiness.

[0004] As the sticky roller removes debris, the debris covers the sticky surface area, and as the debris covers a larger proportion of the sticky surface area, the level of stickiness of the sticky material will become lower. Accordingly, the sticky material will lose its effectiveness. When the performance of the sticky material drops below the required threshold, the sticky material is exhausted and must be removed from the sticky roller.

[0005] To remove the exhausted sticky material from the sticky roller, a sticky sheet removal device must contact the end of the sticky material to lift the material from the sticky roller. An example of a sticky sheet removal device is a device with a sticky surface. However, the sticky surface may not be strong enough to lift the sticky sheet from the sticky roller, or the sticky surface may lift more than one sticky sheet from the sticky roller.

[0006] In some known examples, another sticky surface is used to contact and lift the exhausted sticky sheet. However, a disadvantage of this system is that this another sticky surface must contact the dirty sheet, which means that this another sticky surface itself will be dirty and needs to be updated or replaced. This system increases the undesired complexity and cost of the process of removing the exhausted sticky sheet.

[0007] An object of embodiments of the present invention is to at least alleviate one or more problems of the prior art. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Aspects and embodiments of the present invention provide a sticky roller for use in a contact cleaning system, a contact cleaning system, and a method of manufacturing a sticky roller as claimed in the appended claims.

[0009] In one aspect, there is provided a contact cleaning system, the contact cleaning system comprising:

[0010] A sticky roller, the sticky roller comprising at least one sticky sheet, wherein the at least one sticky sheet comprises a leading edge; and

[0011] A sticky sheet removal device, the sticky sheet removal device comprising a pick-up element;

[0012] Wherein the pick-up element is configured to contact the leading edge of the at least one sticky sheet and apply a vacuum to the leading edge to lift the leading edge from the sticky roller.

[0013] The vacuum of the pick-up element can apply a shearing force to the leading edge of the at least one sticky sheet to lift the leading edge from the sticky roller.

[0014] The pick-up element may comprise a hollow element configured to convey a vacuum to the leading edge of the at least one sticky sheet.

[0015] The pick-up element may use a series of vacuum holes configured to align along the axial length of the sticky roller to apply a vacuum to the leading edge. The pick-up element may comprise a series of hollow elements arranged to be spaced apart along the axial length of the sticky roller in use. The series of hollow elements may be spaced apart from each other along the axial length. In this way, the pick-up element can be adapted to intermittently apply a vacuum along the leading edge. The applied vacuum is thus stronger in the local area along the leading edge.

[0016] The sticky sheet removal device may further comprise a waste roller, and wherein the pick-up element is configured to transfer the leading edge of the at least one sticky sheet to the waste roller.

[0017] The pick-up element may be movable relative to the sticky sheet removal device, for example, by pivoting or translating within the sticky sheet removal device. The pick-up element can move from a pick-up position, where the pick-up element is oriented towards the sticky roller for lifting the leading edge of the outermost layer of the sticky sheet, to a transfer position, where the pick-up element is oriented towards the waste roller to transfer the leading edge to the waste roller.

[0018] The pick-up element can move to a retracted position, where the pick-up element is disengaged from both the sticky roller and the waste roller.

[0019] The pick-up element can pivot between the sticky roller and the waste roller to transfer the leading edge of the at least one sticky sheet to the waste roller.

[0020] The pick-up element can translate along a longitudinal axis between the sticky roller and the waste roller to transfer the leading edge of the at least one sticky sheet to the waste roller.

[0021] The adhesive sheet removing device may include a heating element configured to heat the at least one adhesive sheet received by the waste roll. The heating element may be configured to heat the at least one adhesive sheet to a temperature within the range of from 100 degrees Celsius to 170 degrees Celsius, preferably within one or more of the following ranges: from 105 degrees Celsius to 115 degrees Celsius, from 120 degrees Celsius to 130 degrees Celsius, or from 130 degrees Celsius to 170 degrees Celsius. The temperature or temperature range may be selected according to the material of the adhesive sheet, such as being equal to or close to the melting point of the thermoplastic release layer or the base layer of the adhesive sheet.

[0022] The adhesive sheet removing device may include a pressure element configured to apply pressure to the at least one adhesive sheet when the at least one adhesive sheet contacts the waste roll to adhere the at least one adhesive sheet to the waste roll. That is, the pressure element may be configured to apply pressure to the leading edge of the at least one adhesive sheet received by the waste roll. The pressure element may be configured to apply a pressure of at least 0.1 Newton per square centimeter (N / cm 2 ). The pressure element may be configured to apply a pressure within the range of from 0.1 to 2.8 Newtons per square centimeter, preferably within the range of from 0.5 to 2.0 Newtons per square centimeter.

[0023] The heating element may be operatively engaged with the pressure element such that the at least one adhesive sheet removed from the sticky roll is heated and pressed against the waste roll when it contacts the waste roll.

[0024] The pressure applied by the pressure element may be adjusted according to the temperature to which the at least one adhesive sheet is heated by the heating element. When the temperature is lower than the melting point of any thermoplastic release layer in the adhesive sheet, the pressure applied may be the maximum pressure applied. The maximum pressure applied may be within the range of from 2.0 to 2.8 Newtons per square centimeter. Alternatively, when the at least one adhesive sheet is heated to the melting point of the thermoplastic release layer, the pressure applied may be the minimum pressure. The minimum pressure applied may be within the range of from 0.1 to 1.0 Newton per square centimeter.

[0025] The sticky roll may include a roll core portion and at least one adhesive sheet wound around the roll core portion, wherein the adhesive sheet or each adhesive sheet includes a leading edge. The leading edge of one or more of the at least one adhesive sheet may include an indicator.

[0026] The indicator may be a fluorescent indicator, such as a fluorescent indicator including fluorescent ink.

[0027] The indicator may be a phosphorescent indicator, such as a phosphorescent indicator including phosphorescent ink.

[0028] The indicia may include non-erasable indicia. Generally, the non-erasable indicia are visible in light having a wavelength in the range from 400 nanometers to 700 nanometers.

[0029] The indicia may be located at a predetermined circumferential position on the roller core portion. That is, the indicia may be located at a predetermined circumferential position on the outer surface of the roller core portion. For example, the indicia may be an indicia point on the outer surface, or an indicia line may be formed on the outer surface, where the indicia line extends in a direction parallel to the rotational axis of the roller core portion.

[0030] The leading edge of at least one adhesive sheet may include a leading edge portion, where the indicia extends at least along the leading edge portion.

[0031] The leading edge may extend parallel to the rotational axis of the adhesive roller, or at an angle to the rotational axis of the adhesive roller, such as diagonally across the axial length of the adhesive roller. The leading edge may be helically wound around the adhesive roller.

[0032] The leading edge may be cut at an angle (usually a non-vertical angle) to the length of the continuous adhesive sheet. That is, the leading edge may be cut at an angle to the perpendicular to the substrate surface of the adhesive substrate material. The leading edge may be cut to have a tapered leading edge. In these ways, the leading edge forms a gradually sloping surface at the boundary of adjacent layers of the adhesive sheet. The outermost adhesive sheet has a continuous smooth outer surface in the leading edge region, so as to maintain effective contact between the adhesive roller and the contact cleaning roller during use.

[0033] The indicia may extend from the leading edge of at least one adhesive sheet to the roller core portion.

[0034] The adhesive roller may have a first end and an opposite second end. That is, the adhesive roller includes a first end and an opposite second end spaced apart along the rotational axis of the roller core portion. The indicia may extend radially from at least one adhesive sheet to the roller core portion at the first end and / or the second end.

[0035] At least one adhesive sheet of the adhesive roller may be a continuous adhesive sheet. The continuous adhesive sheet may be helically wound around the roller core portion.

[0036] At least one adhesive sheet of the adhesive roller may be a plurality of adhesive sheets, where each adhesive sheet of the plurality of adhesive sheets includes a leading edge and a trailing edge. The plurality of adhesive sheets may be successively wound onto the roller core portion.

[0037] Each adhesive sheet of the plurality of adhesive sheets may have a length that substantially covers the circumference of the roller core portion and / or the length of the adjacent inner adhesive sheet.

[0038] The length of each of the plurality of adhesive sheets can be greater than the circumference of the roll core portion. The length of each of the plurality of adhesive sheets can be greater than the length of an adjacent adhesive sheet (i.e., the inwardly adjacent adhesive sheet).

[0039] Each adhesive sheet can include an overlapping region in which the leading edge of each adhesive sheet overlaps the trailing edge of that adhesive sheet. In other words, the overlapping region provides an area in which the trailing edge and the leading edge of the corresponding adhesive sheet lie over one another when wound around the roll core portion.

[0040] The adhesive sheet can have an adhesive substrate material including a thermoplastic release layer. Each adhesive sheet can include a thermoplastic release layer. The thermoplastic release layer can be disposed on the lower surface of the adhesive substrate material. That is, the adhesive substrate material includes an adhesive layer disposed on a first surface of the adhesive substrate material and a thermoplastic release layer disposed on an opposite second surface of the adhesive substrate material. In this way, when the adhesive sheet is wound onto the roll core portion, the thermoplastic release layer can be disposed on the inward-facing surface of the adhesive sheet. When the adhesive sheet is exhausted, the outermost layer of the adhesive sheet can be easily removed from the roll core portion.

[0041] The thermoplastic release layer can include a polyethylene material such as low-density polyethylene or high-density polyethylene. The thermoplastic release layer can include a polypropylene material such as low-density polypropylene or high-density polypropylene.

[0042] The trailing edge can include an indicator. The trailing edge indicator can be the same as the leading edge indicator.

[0043] The adhesive sheet or each of the at least one adhesive sheet can have a width and the roll core portion can have a core width. The width of the adhesive sheet or each of the at least one adhesive sheet can be substantially the same as the core width. The core width and / or the width of the at least one adhesive sheet can correspond to the axial length of the adhesive roll.

[0044] The adhesive sheet removal device can be configured to remove the outermost layer of a continuous adhesive sheet. The adhesive sheet removal device can include a cutting element configured to cut the outermost layer of the continuous adhesive sheet from the remainder of the continuous adhesive sheet wound around the roll core portion of the adhesive roll.

[0045] The adhesive sheet removal device can include a detector, typically an optical detector, configured to detect the position of the leading edge of the at least one adhesive sheet. The detector can detect the rotational position of the indicator relative to the rotational axis of the adhesive roll.

[0046] The detector can include a transmitter configured to emit electromagnetic radiation towards the adhesive roll. The emitted electromagnetic radiation can cause a response in the indicator such that the indicator emits light. The emitted light can be phosphorescent or fluorescent.

[0047] The detector may further include an optical sensor configured to detect light emitted from the indicia.

[0048] The detector may further include a rotary encoder disposed on the axis of rotation of the sticky roller, preferably a digital rotary encoder. The rotary encoder may be configured to measure the rotational position of a continuous cut line formed on the sticky roller. The rotational positions of successive leading edges are recorded by the rotary encoder of the detector. In this way, for example, when cutting a first length of sticky sheet from a continuous sticky sheet, the detector records the rotational position of the second leading edge (i.e., the leading edge of the most recent cut line on the outer surface of the supplementary sticky roller). Then, when the outer surface is exhausted again, the contact cleaning system records the rotational position towards the most recent cut line to accurately bring the sticky sheet removal device into contact with the second leading edge and start removing the second length of sticky sheet. The second length may then be cut by another cut line, thereby forming a third leading edge, and the rotary encoder measures the rotational position of the third leading edge for later removal of the third length, and so on.

[0049] The leading edge of the at least one sticky sheet may include a fluorescent or phosphorescent indicia. The optical detector may be configured to detect the fluorescent or phosphorescent indicia.

[0050] The detector may be operatively connected to the sticky roller and configured to selectively stop the rotation of the sticky roller.

[0051] The contact cleaning system may further include a contact cleaning roller arranged to contact the sticky roller in use.

[0052] The contact cleaning system may be configured such that the sticky roller is movable relative to the contact cleaning roller. The sticky roller may be moved from a contact position, where the sticky roller contacts the contact cleaning roller for removing debris, to a retracted position, where the sticky roller is spaced apart from the contact cleaning roller. In the retracted position, the sticky roller is positioned to engage the sticky sheet removal device to remove the sticky sheet.

[0053] In another aspect, there is provided a method of removing a sticky sheet from a sticky roller, the method comprising:

[0054] providing a sticky roller including at least one sticky sheet, wherein the at least one sticky sheet includes a leading edge;

[0055] detecting the position of the leading edge; and

[0056] applying a vacuum to the leading edge of the at least one sticky sheet to lift the leading edge from the sticky roller.

[0057] The method may further include: transferring a leading edge of the at least one adhesive sheet to a waste roll; and rotating the waste roll to wind the at least one adhesive sheet around the waste roll.

[0058] The adhesive sheet removal device may include a cutting element, typically a blade, configured to cut an outermost layer of the at least one adhesive sheet from the adhesive roll at a cutting line.

[0059] The adhesive sheet removal device may further include an applicator configured to apply an indicator to the at least one adhesive sheet at the cutting line.

[0060] The cutting line may be marked with an indicator before, during, or after cutting the adhesive substrate material.

[0061] A rotational position of the cutting line on the adhesive roll may be measured by a detector, such as using a rotary encoder. The leading edge may be rotationally marked using a rotary encoder.

[0062] Advantages provided by certain embodiments are that the end (i.e., the leading edge) of the adhesive sheet is easily and quickly identifiable. In particular, the rotational position of the leading edge relative to the core portion of the roll is easily marked for identification. Identification of the rotational position of the leading edge is automatic, such that a contact cleaning system identifies the leading edge without unnecessary downtime. Manual inspection of the adhesive sheet is no longer required.

[0063] Certain embodiments ensure that an exhausted adhesive sheet is removed from the adhesive roll in reduced time, thereby increasing the operating efficiency of the contact cleaning system. The adhesive roll having the exhausted adhesive sheet is rotationally aligned to coordinate with the adhesive sheet removal device. Downtime of the contact cleaning system is reduced.

[0064] Certain embodiments enable the leading edge to be lifted from the adhesive roll without the risk of damaging the underlying adhesive sheet.

[0065] Certain embodiments provide a simple and convenient method of marking the leading edge of the adhesive sheet. The leading edge may be marked before installing the adhesive roll, thereby reducing the cost of the contact cleaning system. The leading edge may be marked whenever an exhausted adhesive sheet is removed, thereby increasing the reliability of the adhesive sheet removal device.

[0066] Certain embodiments are easily securable to a waste roll once removed from the adhesive roll. In particular, the inventors advantageously utilize a thermoplastic release layer to further provide a thermal bond between the waste roll and any received adhesive sheet wound around the waste roll.

[0067] Within the scope of the present application, it is expressly intended that the various different aspects, embodiments, examples, and alternatives set forth in the foregoing paragraphs, claims, and / or the following description and drawings, particularly their independent features, can be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and / or features of any embodiment can be combined in any manner and / or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or to file any new claim accordingly, including the right to modify any originally filed claim to be dependent on any other claim and / or to incorporate any feature of any other claim, even though not initially recited in the claims in that manner. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0068] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0069] Figure 1 a schematic view of an exemplary contact cleaning system including a sticky sheet removal device is shown;

[0070] Figure 2 a schematic view of an exemplary sticky roller having a plurality of sticky sheets is shown;

[0071] Figure 3 a schematic view of another exemplary sticky roller having a continuous sticky sheet is shown; and

[0072] Figures 4A to 4G certain steps of removing a sticky sheet from the sticky roller of the contact cleaning system using the exemplary sticky sheet removal device are shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0073] Certain terms used in the following description are for convenience only and are not limiting. The words "inner", "inwardly", "outer", and "outwardly" refer respectively to directions towards and away from the specified centerline or geometric center (e.g., central axis) of the element being described, the specific meaning being apparent from the context of the description.

[0074] Further, as used herein, the terms "connected" and "mounted" are intended to include both direct connection between two members with no other members intervening therebetween, and indirect connection between members with one or more other members intervening therebetween. The terms include the specifically mentioned words above, their derivatives, and words of similar meaning.

[0075] Further, unless otherwise specified, the use of ordinal adjectives such as "first", "second", and "third" merely indicates different instances of like objects being referred to and is not intended to mean that the objects so described must be in a given order in time, space, in rank, or in any other way.

[0076] Like reference numerals are always used to depict like features.

[0077] Now referring to Figure 1 , there is shown a contact cleaning system 100 having a sticky roller 102 which includes a sticky sheet 104 wound around a roller core portion. The sticky sheet 104 includes a leading edge 106 having an indicium.

[0078] The sticky roller 102 is mounted for use in the contact cleaning system 100 to engage in contact with a contact cleaning roller 130 for removing debris from a substrate surface 132. The sticky roller 102 and the contact cleaning roller 130 are mounted to rotate in contact with each other. The outermost sticky sheet 104 contacts the outer surface of the contact cleaning roller 130 to remove debris collected from the substrate surface 132 from the outer surface.

[0079] The sticky roller 102 may include a continuous sticky sheet, as depicted below with reference to Figure 2 . Alternatively, the sticky roller may include a plurality of sticky sheets, such as depicted below with reference to Figure 3 .

[0080] Regardless of whether the sticky roller 102 includes a continuous sticky sheet and / or a plurality of sticky sheets, the sticky roller 102 is substantially cylindrical. The sticky sheet on the roller core portion or each sticky sheet has a width corresponding to the axial length of the sticky roller 102. Further, generally parallel to the axis of rotation of the sticky roller 102, the leading edge 106 extends or is cut to extend substantially the axial length of the sticky roller 102.

[0081] In additional examples not shown, the leading edge may extend in an alternative direction parallel to the axis of rotation, such as diagonally across the axial length of the sticky roller. For example, the leading edge may be wound helically around the sticky roller.

[0082] In another example, the leading edge may be cut at an angle to provide a tapered leading edge. The leading edge cut at an angle forms a gradually sloping surface at the boundary between layers of the sticky sheet.

[0083] The contact cleaning system 100 includes a sticky sheet removal device 110 for removing the outermost layer of the sticky sheet 104 from the sticky roller 102, for example when the sticky sheet 104 is exhausted. The sticky sheet removal device 110 includes a waste roller 120 and a pickup element 112.

[0084] The pick-up element 112 is pivotable relative to the sticky roller 102. The pick-up element 112 can pivot from a pick-up position, in which the pick-up element 112 is oriented towards the sticky roller 102 for lifting the leading edge 106 of the outermost layer of the sticky sheet 104, to a transfer position, in which the hollow element 114 is oriented towards the waste roller 120 to transfer the leading edge 106 onto the waste roller 120.

[0085] The pick-up element 112 can also pivot to a retracted position, in which the pick-up element 112 is disengaged from the sticky roller 102 and the waste roller 120.

[0086] The pick-up element 112 is operatively connected to a vacuum source (not shown) to apply a vacuum to the sticky roller 102. The pick-up element 112 is configured to transmit the vacuum applied from the vacuum source to the sticky roller 102. In particular, the pick-up element 112 includes a hollow element 114 that is configured to direct the applied vacuum from the pick-up element 112 towards the sticky roller 102.

[0087] The hollow element 114 is operatively connected to the vacuum source via the pick-up element 112. Suitably, the hollow element 114 is an elongate channel whose length is substantially as long as the axial length of the sticky roller 102. In this way, when the pick-up element 112 is oriented in the pick-up position, a vacuum is applied along the entire leading edge 106 of the outermost layer of the sticky sheet 104.

[0088] In a further example, the pick-up element can use a series of vacuum cavities configured to align along the axial length of the sticky roller to apply a vacuum to the leading edge. For example, the vacuum source can include a series of hollow elements that are arranged to be spaced apart along the axial length of the sticky roller in use. This series of hollow elements can be spaced apart from each other along the axial length. In this way, the pick-up element can be adapted to apply a vacuum intermittently along the leading edge. The applied vacuum is thus stronger in the local regions along the leading edge.

[0089] The pick-up element 112 transmits the applied vacuum to apply a shearing force to the leading edge 106 of the outermost sticky sheet on the sticky roller 102, thereby lifting the leading edge 106 from the sticky roller 102. A vacuum is applied to the leading edge 106 of the outermost layer of at least one sticky sheet 104 to lift the leading edge 106 from the underlying sticky sheet 104 or the roller core 108. That is, the applied vacuum lifts the leading edge 106 from one of the following: the inner adjacent layer of at least one sticky sheet 104, or the roller core 108.

[0090] Once the pick-up element 112 has lifted the leading edge 106, the leading edge 106 of at least one sticky sheet 104 is transferred to the waste roll 120. The waste roll 120 is rotatable relative to the sticky sheet removal device 110. The waste roll 120 is located within the sticky sheet removal device 110 to cooperate with the pick-up element 112 to transfer the leading edge 106 and the sticky sheet 104 to the waste roll 120, as described in reference Figures 4A to 4G in more detail.

[0091] The contact cleaning system 100 includes a detector, which is an optical detector 116 in this example. The optical detector 116 is positioned within the contact cleaning system 100 to monitor the outermost sticky sheet 104 of the sticky roll 102. In particular, the optical detector 116 is positioned to monitor the outermost sticky sheet 104 when the sticky roll 102 is in the retracted position, as explained in the following reference Figure 4B as explained.

[0092] The optical detector 116 is configured to detect the position of an indicator at the leading edge 106 of the sticky sheet 104. That is, the optical detector 116 is configured to detect the indicator and thus the rotational position of the leading edge 106 about the axis of rotation of the sticky roll 102.

[0093] The optical detector 116 includes a transmitter and an optical sensor. The optical sensor is configured to detect light emitted from an indicator on the sticky roll 102. The transmitter is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation towards the sticky roll 102. The emitted radiation causes a response in the indicator such that the indicator emits light detected by the optical sensor. For example, in response to the electromagnetic radiation from the transmitter, the indicator can fluoresce or phosphoresce depending on the choice of indicator. The optical sensor is thus selected to detect the associated fluorescence or phosphorescence produced by the indicator.

[0094] The optical detector 116 is oriented to detect when the leading edge 106 is oriented (i.e., rotationally oriented) to engage with the pick-up element 112 of the sticky sheet removal device 110 for removal from the sticky roll 102. In this way, the sticky roll 102 can be rotated until the optical detector 116 detects that the leading edge 106 has reached a predetermined orientation, at which point the optical detector 116 causes the sticky roll 102 to stop rotating. The optical detector 116 thus ensures that the sticky roll 102 stops at an optimal position for engaging the outermost layer of the sticky sheet 104 with the pick-up element 112. Preferably, the optimal position corresponds to the pick-up position of the pick-up element 112, thus facilitating removal from the sticky roll 102.

[0095] The adhesive sheet removing device 110 further includes a heating element 124 and a pressure element 122, which are arranged to operate together with the waste roll 120. The heating element 124 and the pressure element 122 process the adhesive sheet 104 when removing the outermost layer of the adhesive sheet 104 received by the waste roll 120. The exhausted adhesive sheet 104 is thereby fixed to the waste roll 120.

[0096] The pressure element 122 is configured to apply pressure to the received adhesive sheet 104' ( Figure 4F as shown) when it contacts the waste roll 120. The applied pressure causes the adhesive sheet 104 to adhere to the waste roll 120. The heating element 124 applies heat to the received adhesive sheet 104 when it contacts the waste roll 120. The applied heat causes the adhesive sheet 104 to adhere to the waste roll 120.

[0097] In the example shown, the pressure element 122 is arranged proximal to the heating element 124 such that the exhausted adhesive sheet 104 that has been removed from the adhesive roll 102 is heated and pressed against the waste roll 120 when it contacts the waste roll 120. In particular, when the exhausted adhesive sheet includes a thermoplastic release layer, the heat and / or pressure applied by the heating element and the pressure element softens the material of the thermoplastic release layer, causing it to flow. Due to the flow of the thermoplastic release layer, the received adhesive sheet 104' binds to the waste roll 120. By thermally bonding the thermoplastic release layer, the received adhesive sheet 104' is fixed to the waste roll 120. Thus, in use, the thermoplastic release layer is typically sandwiched between the waste roll 120 and the outer layer of the received adhesive sheet 104' and is heated by the heating element 124. Pressure is then applied to cause the thermoplastic release layer to bind to the waste roll 120. The heated area is then cooled before the pressure is released, thereby creating a bond between the received adhesive sheet 104’ and the waste roll 120.

[0098] In other configurations, based on the characteristics of the adhesive sheet 104, as needed, the adhesive sheet removing device 110 may be provided with only a pressure element, only a heating element, or any suitable combination of a pressure element and a heating element to fix the received adhesive sheet 104' to the waste roll installed in the contact cleaning system.

[0099] Optionally, the adhesive sheet removing device may include a cutting element, such as a blade. The cutting element may be configured to cut the outermost layer of the adhesive sheet from the adhesive roll at a cutting line, typically a continuous adhesive sheet. The cutting element cuts the adhesive sheet from the remainder of the adhesive roll wound around the core portion. The adhesive sheet removing device may be configured to cut the adhesive sheet once the adhesive sheet removing device has removed a certain length (typically corresponding to the circumference of the adhesive roll) of the adhesive sheet.

[0100] Optionally, the adhesive sheet removal device may include an applicator. The applicator may be configured to apply an indicator to at least one adhesive sheet at a cutting line. In this way, the leading edge of the outermost layer of the adhesive sheet is marked for detection by a detector. The applicator may apply the indicator after the previous outermost layer of the adhesive sheet has been removed from the adhesive roller by the adhesive sheet removal device (usually immediately after this).

[0101] Now referring to Figure 2 , an adhesive roller 202 having a plurality of adhesive sheets is shown. The plurality of adhesive sheets are successively wound around a roller core portion 208 to form a series of adhesive sheets 204 for replenishing the adhesive roller 202 in use.

[0102] Each of the plurality of adhesive sheets 204 includes a leading edge 206 and a trailing edge 207. Preferably, the trailing edge 207 of one layer of the adhesive sheet 204 abuts the leading edge 206 of the same adhesive sheet 204. That is, each adhesive sheet 204 forms a continuous layer on the adhesive roller 202 such that the leading edge 206 and the trailing edge 207 of any particular adhesive sheet 204 meet each other. Generally, there is an overlapping region where the leading edge 206 of each adhesive sheet 204 overlaps with the trailing edge 207 of that adhesive sheet 204.

[0103] In this way, the length of the innermost adhesive sheet 204 among the plurality of adhesive sheets substantially covers the circumference of the roller core portion 208. Each successive adhesive sheet 204 has a length that substantially covers the length of the adjacent inner adhesive sheet. In other words, the length of each adhesive sheet 204 among the plurality of adhesive sheets is greater than the circumference of the roller core portion and / or the length of the adjacent inner adhesive sheet.

[0104] Each leading edge 206 includes an indicator 209a, such as a phosphorescent indicator or a fluorescent indicator. Each trailing edge 207 includes an indicator 209b, such as a phosphorescent indicator or a fluorescent indicator. The indicator 209a of the leading edge 206 is the same as the indicator 209b of the trailing edge 207. Optionally, the corresponding indicators of the leading edge 206 and the trailing edge 207 may be different from each other.

[0105] Figure 2 The adhesive roller 202 shown in may be formed according to the following method. In a first step, an adhesive substrate material is provided. The adhesive substrate material is suitable for removing debris from a contact cleaning roller. Generally, the adhesive substrate material has a width corresponding to the axial length of the roller core portion on which the adhesive roller is to be formed.

[0106] In a subsequent step, the adhesive substrate material is cut at the cutting line to provide an adhesive sheet. The adhesive sheet has a length corresponding to the circumference of the roller core portion. The cutting line forms the trailing edge of the adhesive sheet cut from the adhesive substrate material. The cutting line also forms the leading edge of the successive adhesive sheets provided by the remaining adhesive substrate material.

[0107] In another step, the cutting line of the adhesive sheet is marked with an indicator. In this way, the trailing edge of the first adhesive sheet and the leading edge of the successive adhesive sheets are each marked with an indicator in a single operation.

[0108] In a final step, the adhesive sheet is wound around the roller core portion. A sticky roller having an adhesive sheet as described herein is formed.

[0109] In use, the sticky roller 202 is arranged in a contact cleaning system to remove debris from the contact cleaning roller. The contact cleaning system can be the above-described contact cleaning system 100. When the outermost layer of the adhesive sheet 204 is exhausted, the detector of the contact cleaning system detects the indicator at the leading edge and the outermost layer removed by the adhesive sheet removing device 110. Accordingly, a new outermost layer of the adhesive sheet 204 is exposed to continue removing debris from the contact cleaning roller.

[0110] Now referring to Figure 3 , a sticky roller 302 having an adhesive sheet 304 is shown, wherein the adhesive sheet 304 is a continuous adhesive sheet.

[0111] The adhesive sheet 304 of the sticky roller 302 is wound around the roller core portion 308 for several turns. The length of the adhesive sheet 304 corresponds to multiple circumferences of the roller core portion 308.

[0112] The sticky roller 302 is formed to have a trailing edge 307 of the adhesive sheet 304 in direct contact with the roller core portion 308 and a leading edge 306 exposed at the end of the outermost layer of the adhesive sheet 304. The leading edge 306 includes an indicator 309a, such as a phosphorescent indicator or a fluorescent indicator.

[0113] In use, the sticky roller 302 is arranged in a contact cleaning system to remove debris from the contact cleaning roller. The contact cleaning system can be the above-described contact cleaning system 100, including a cutting element and an applicator. When the outermost layer of the adhesive sheet 304 is exhausted, the detector of the contact cleaning system detects the indicator 309a at the leading edge 306, and a certain length of the adhesive sheet 304 corresponding to the circumference of the outermost layer is removed by the adhesive sheet removing device 110. The cutting element cuts the outermost layer of the adhesive sheet 304 at the cutting line. The applicator applies an indicator to the cutting line. When the leading edge of the adhesive sheet is used to remove the cut length of the adhesive sheet, a new outermost layer of the adhesive sheet 304 is exposed to continue removing debris from the contact cleaning roller.

[0114] Now refer to Figures 4A to 4G which shows the process of the adhesive sheet removal device 110 of the contact cleaning system 100 removing the outermost layer of the adhesive sheet 104.

[0115] Go to Figure 4A which shows the contact cleaning system 100 cleaning the substrate surface 132 in use. The contact cleaning roller 130 actively removes debris from the substrate surface 132, and the adhesive roller 102 is in contact engagement with the contact cleaning roller 130 to remove debris from the contact cleaning roller 130. The adhesive roller 102 is in a contact position relative to the contact cleaning roller 130. The adhesive sheet removal device 110 is not in use.

[0116] The contact cleaning roller 130 continues to remove debris from the substrate surface 132 until the performance of the adhesive roller 102 drops below the required adhesion threshold. Once the performance drops below the threshold, the outermost layer of the adhesive sheet 104 on the adhesive roller 102 is exhausted and must be removed from the adhesive roller 102.

[0117] Go to Figure 4B which shows the contact cleaning system 100 in the initial stage of removing the outermost layer of the adhesive sheet 104. By moving the adhesive roller axis away from the contact cleaning roller 130, the adhesive roller 102 is disengaged from the contact cleaning roller 130. The adhesive roller 102 is thus moved to a retracted position to operatively engage with the adhesive sheet removal device 110.

[0118] Within the adhesive sheet removal device 110, the optical detector 116 is activated to detect the position of the leading edge 106 of the outermost adhesive sheet 104. The pickup element 112 is positioned in the retracted position.

[0119] The adhesive roller 102 continues to rotate until the optical detector 116 detects that the leading edge 106 is in the optimal position for transfer. The adhesive roller 102 stops at the optimal position.

[0120] Go to Figure 4C which shows the contact cleaning system 100 where the adhesive sheet removal device 110 engages with the adhesive roller 102 at the optimal position. The pickup element 112 pivots to the pickup position such that the hollow element 114 faces the leading edge 106.

[0121] Once in the pickup position, the pickup element 112 applies a vacuum to the leading edge 106, thereby lifting the leading edge 106 of the outermost adhesive sheet 104 (i.e., the exhausted adhesive sheet 104) from the adhesive roller 102.

[0122] Go to Figure 4D where the pickup element 112 is shown pivoted to the transfer position. The pickup element 112 is oriented towards the waste roller 120. The waste roller 120 is stationary.

[0123] When the pick-up element 112 pivots from the pick-up position to the transfer position, the leading edge 106 is held against the hollow element 114 by the applied vacuum. In this way, the leading edge 106 is transferred from the adhesive roller 102 to the waste roller 120. Accordingly, the subsequent portion of the spent adhesive sheet 104 is also lifted from 102 and pulled towards the waste roller 120.

[0124] The leading edge 106 engages the waste roller 120, and the waste roller 120 begins to rotate. As the waste roller 120 rotates, the pick-up element 112 stops applying vacuum, thereby releasing the leading edge 106 from the hollow element 114. The rotating waste roller 120 engages the leading edge 106 such that the leading edge 106 rotates with the waste roller 120. The rotation of the waste roller 120 begins to transfer the outermost layer of the adhesive sheet 104 to the waste roller 120.

[0125] Go to Figure 4E , which shows the waste roller 120 shortly after it begins to rotate. The leading edge 106 portion of the spent adhesive sheet 104 is partially wound around the waste roller 120 and extends beyond the pressure element 122. Accordingly, the pressure element 122 has applied pressure to the received adhesive sheet 104', causing the received adhesive sheet 104' to adhere to the waste roller 120.

[0126] Thereafter, the waste roller 120 continues to rotate, thereby further winding the leading edge 106 around the waste roller 120. The rotation of the waste roller 120 unwinds the spent adhesive sheet 104 from the adhesive roller 102 and winds the same layer onto the waste roller 120.

[0127] In the example shown, the adhesive roller 102 is an adhesive roller 102 having a plurality of adhesive sheets, such as the adhesive roller 202 described with reference to Figure 2 . In this way, the adhesive sheet 104 unwinds from the adhesive roller 102 until its trailing edge 107 is lifted from the adhesive roller 102. The waste roller 120 continues to rotate until the trailing edge 107 is received on the waste roller 120.

[0128] In other examples, such as in the case where the adhesive roller includes a continuous adhesive sheet, the adhesive sheet may unwind from the adhesive roller until a predetermined first length of the continuous adhesive sheet is lifted from the adhesive roller. After the first length of the continuous adhesive sheet has been unwound, the continuous adhesive sheet is cut at the cutting line to separate the first length of the adhesive sheet. The remaining portion of the continuous adhesive sheet (including the new leading edge) remains on the adhesive roller to provide a replenished outer surface for the adhesive roller to resume cleaning the contact cleaning roller.

[0129] The cutting line of the remaining portion of the continuous adhesive sheet can be marked with an indicator, or the rotational position of the leading edge on the adhesive roller can be recorded using a rotary encoder. In this way, when the supplementary outer surface is exhausted, the leading edge can be conveniently rotationally aligned with the pick-up element to remove a second length of the continuous adhesive sheet.

[0130] Go to Figure 4F , which shows the contact cleaning system 100, in which the received adhesive sheet 104' is wound around the waste roller 120. The adhesive roller 102 has a new outermost layer of the adhesive sheet 104, where the new adhesive layer can be used to engage the contact cleaning roller 130 and restart removing debris. The adhesive roller 102 is replenished.

[0131] The pick-up element 112 returns to its retracted position in the adhesive sheet removal device 110.

[0132] Go to Figure 4G , which shows the contact cleaning system 100, in which the adhesive roller 102 is moved back to the contact position, where the adhesive roller 102 is in contact engagement with the contact cleaning roller 130 in use to remove debris from the contact cleaning roller 130.

[0133] The adhesive sheet removal device 110 remains active to process the received adhesive sheet 104'. Thus, the waste roller 120 continues to rotate, so that the pressure element 122 applies pressure to the received adhesive sheet 104'. In addition, the heating element 124 is energized to apply heat to the received adhesive sheet 104 in addition to the pressure applied by the pressure element 122.

[0134] After an appropriate period of time (such as a period in the range of 5 seconds to 10 seconds), the received adhesive sheet 104' adheres sufficiently to the waste roller 120. The pressure element 122 and the heating element 124 are deactivated, and the rotation of the waste roller 120 stops. Thus, the adhesive sheet removal device 110 is in a standby state to remove the next adhesive sheet 104 from the adhesive roller 102 when the cleaning performance of the adhesive roller drops below a predetermined threshold.

[0135] Optionally, Figures 4A to 4G the process of the contact cleaning system 100 shown in Figure 3 can be carried out using an adhesive roller with a continuous adhesive sheet (as described in reference

[0136] The adhesive sheet removing device is also configured to apply an indicator to the leading edge of the new outermost layer for detection by a detector.

[0137] Those skilled in the art will understand that the above detailed examples are described only by way of example and without any limiting sense, and that various changes and modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Various modifications to the above detailed examples are possible.

[0138] In the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprising" and "containing" and their variants mean "including but not limited to", and they are not intended to (and do not) exclude other parts, additives, components, wholes or steps. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular covers the plural unless the context requires otherwise. In particular, in the case of using an indefinite article, unless the context requires otherwise, this specification should be understood as considering both the plural form and the singular form.

[0139] Features, wholes, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties or groups described in connection with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention should be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein, unless incompatible therewith. All features disclosed in this specification (including any appended claims, abstract and drawings) and / or all steps of any method or process so disclosed may be combined in any combination, except combinations in which at least some of such features and / or steps are mutually exclusive. The invention is not limited to the details of any of the foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel feature or any novel combination of features disclosed in this specification (including any appended claims, abstract or drawings) or to any novel step or any novel combination of steps in any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. A contact cleaning system comprising: an adhesive roller comprising at least one adhesive sheet, wherein the at least one adhesive sheet comprises a leading edge; and a tacky sheet removal device, the tacky sheet removal device comprising a pick-up element; wherein the pickup element is configured to contact the leading edge of the at least one adhesive sheet and apply a vacuum to the leading edge to lift the leading edge from the adhesive roller.

2. The contact cleaning system of claim 1, wherein: The vacuum of the pickup element applies a shear force to the leading edge of the at least one adhesive sheet to lift the leading edge off the adhesive roller.

3. The contact cleaning system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The pickup element includes a hollow element configured to deliver a vacuum to the leading edge of the at least one adhesive sheet.

4. The contact cleaning system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The adhesive sheet removal device further comprises a waste roller, and wherein the pickup element is configured to transfer the leading edge of the at least one adhesive sheet to the waste roller.

5. The contact cleaning system of claim 4, wherein: The pickup element is pivotable between the tacky roller and the waste roller to transfer the leading edge of the at least one tacky sheet to the waste roller.

6. The contact cleaning system of claim 4, wherein: The pickup element is translatable along a longitudinal axis between the tacky roller and the waste roller to transfer the leading edge of the at least one tacky sheet to the waste roller.

7. The contact cleaning system according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein: The adhesive sheet removal device further includes a heating element configured to heat the at least one adhesive sheet received by the waste roller.

8. The contact cleaning system according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein: The adhesive sheet removal device includes a pressure element configured to apply pressure to the at least one adhesive sheet when the at least one adhesive sheet contacts the waste roller to adhere the at least one adhesive sheet to the waste roller.

9. A contact cleaning system as claimed in claim 8 when dependent on claim 7, wherein: The heating element includes the pressure element so that the at least one adhesive sheet removed from the adhesive roller is heated and pressed against the waste roller when it comes into contact with the waste roller.

10. The contact cleaning system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein: The adhesive roller includes a plurality of adhesive sheets wound around a roller core.

11. The contact cleaning system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein: The adhesive roller includes a continuous adhesive sheet wrapped around the roller core.

12. The contact cleaning system of claim 11, wherein: The adhesive sheet removal device is configured to remove the outermost layer of the continuous adhesive sheet, and wherein the adhesive sheet removal device includes a cutting element configured to cut the outermost layer of the continuous adhesive sheet from the remaining portion of the continuous adhesive sheet wound around the roller core of the adhesive roller.

13. The contact cleaning system of claim 12, further comprising a rotary encoder, typically a digital rotary encoder, configured to record the rotational position of a leading edge of the remaining portion of the continuous adhesive sheet wrapped around the roller core of the adhesive roller.

14. The contact cleaning system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein: The adhesive sheet removal device includes an optical detector configured to detect a position of the leading edge of the at least one adhesive sheet.

15. The contact cleaning system of claim 14, wherein: The leading edge of the at least one adhesive sheet includes a fluorescent or phosphorescent indicator, and wherein the optical detector is configured to detect the fluorescent or phosphorescent indicator.

16. The contact cleaning system according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein: The contact cleaning system further comprises a contact cleaning roller arranged to contact the adhesive roller in use.

17. A method of removing an adhesive sheet from an adhesive roller, the method comprising: providing an adhesive roller comprising at least one adhesive sheet, wherein the at least one adhesive sheet comprises a leading edge; detecting a position of the leading edge; and A vacuum is applied to the leading edge of the at least one adhesive sheet to lift the leading edge from the adhesive roller.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: transferring said leading edge of said at least one adhesive sheet to a waste roller; as well as The waste roller is rotated to wrap the at least one adhesive sheet around the waste roller.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein: The at least one adhesive sheet is a continuous adhesive sheet, and the method further comprises: The continuous adhesive sheet is cut at a cut line to provide a first length of adhesive sheet that is removed from the adhesive roller.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising one or both of the following: Marking the cutting line with an indicator; or The rotational position of the cutting line on the adhesive roller is usually measured using a rotary encoder.

Images