Contacting cleaning system

Abstract

To provide: a conveyor for a contact cleaning system; and a contacting cleaning system.SOLUTION: A conveyor for contact cleaning system according to the invention comprises: an inbound conveyor; and an outbound conveyor spaced apart from the inbound conveyor by a distance (A). Therein the inbound conveyor and / or the outbound conveyor is movable relative to the other of the inbound conveyor or the outbound conveyor between a retracted position in which the distance (A) is a first distance (Acleaning) and an extended position in which the distance (A) is less than the first distance (Acleaning).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] Technical Field The present disclosure relates to a conveyor for a contact cleaning system, and in particular, but not exclusively, to a conveyor for a contact cleaning system having an infeed conveyor and an outfeed conveyor movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The present disclosure also relates to a contact cleaning system including the conveyor. [Background technology]

[0002] background A contact cleaning system typically includes a conveyor that transports the substrate to be cleaned to a contact cleaning roller having a contact surface that includes an elastomeric material. The contact cleaning roller rotates and as the contact surface engages the surface of the substrate, the contact surface collects and removes debris or other contaminants from the substrate surface.

[0003] In an example of a prior art contact cleaning system, an upper set of contact cleaning rollers is positioned above the conveyor surface. The contact cleaning rollers only clean the top surface of the substrate as it passes underneath them. If both the top and bottom surfaces of the substrate need to be cleaned, the substrate must be flipped and transported along the conveyor again. Flipping the substrate and repositioning it on the conveyor requires manual handling of the substrate, which can introduce additional debris onto the substrate surface.

[0004] In other examples of prior art contact cleaning systems, the top and bottom surfaces of a substrate are cleaned simultaneously. These contact cleaning systems also include a lower set of contact cleaning rollers positioned in the plane of the conveyor. The lower set of contact cleaning rollers are positioned directly below the upper set of contact cleaning rollers such that as the substrate passes between the upper and lower sets of contact cleaning rollers, both the upper and lower sets of contact cleaning rollers simultaneously clean the top and bottom surfaces of the substrate. An infeed conveyor transports the substrate towards the contact cleaning rollers, where it is transferred onto the lower contact cleaning rollers that support the substrate as it passes. The contact cleaning rollers rotate to clean the substrate surface and transfer the substrate past the contact cleaning rollers onto an outfeed conveyor that transports the substrate away from the contact cleaning rollers.

[0005] These contact cleaning systems can operate in a cleaning mode where both the upper and lower sets of contact cleaning rollers contact the substrate. The contact cleaning systems can also operate in an avoidance mode where the lower contact cleaning rollers are moved out of the plane of the conveyor. This may be desirable if only the top surface of the substrate is to be cleaned, or if the substrate avoids cleaning entirely. In the avoidance mode, the substrate is not supported as it passes from the input conveyor to the output conveyor. Summary of the Invention

[0006] It is an aim of embodiments of the present invention to at least alleviate one or more of the problems (s) of the prior art.

[0007] Summary of the Invention Aspects and embodiments of the present invention provide a conveyor for a contact cleaning system, and a contact cleaning system as set out in the accompanying claims.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, a conveyor for a contact cleaning system is provided, the conveyor including an input conveyor and an output conveyor spaced a distance (A) from the input conveyor, the input conveyor and / or the output conveyor being spaced apart from the input conveyor by a first distance (A cleaning ) and the retracted position where the distance (A) is the first distance (A cleaning ) relative to the other of the input or output conveyors.

[0009] Advantageously, substrates being transported from the infeed conveyor to the outfeed conveyor remain supported by the conveyors when the infeed conveyor and / or the outfeed conveyor are in the extended position.

[0010] In certain embodiments, the input and output conveyors can be configured to receive at least one contact cleaning roller therebetween when the input and output conveyors are in a retracted position such that a substrate can be supported by the at least one contact cleaning roller as it is transported from the input conveyor to the output conveyor.

[0011] Advantageously, the input conveyor and the output conveyor are adjustable to receive at least one contact cleaning roller between them in the retracted position, and the input conveyor and the output conveyor are capable of supporting the substrate without the at least one contact cleaning roller in the extended position.

[0012] In certain embodiments, the surfaces of the input conveyor, the output conveyor, and the at least one contact cleaning roller may be coplanar in the retracted position so that substrates transported from the input conveyor to the output conveyor via the at least one contact cleaning roller remain at the same height.

[0013] Advantageously, the input conveyor, the output conveyor and the at least one contact cleaning roller transport the substrate along a horizontal plane, which helps prevent damage to the substrate.

[0014] In certain embodiments, the distance (A) can be less than the length of the substrate supported on the inlet and outlet conveyors when they are in their extended positions. The distance (A) can be less than the length of the substrate supported on the conveyors when they are in their extended positions such that the substrate can be supported by both the inlet and outlet conveyors as the substrate is transported from the inlet conveyor to the outlet conveyor.

[0015] Advantageously, the distance (A) can be selected or adjusted based on the length of the substrate so that the substrate is supported by the infeed and outfeed conveyors without dropping between the conveyors which could cause damage to the substrate.

[0016] In certain embodiments, the distance (A) is a minimum distance (A min ) can be used.

[0017] In certain embodiments, the minimum distance (A min The minimum distance (A) can be about 0.5 mm to about 50 mm. min The minimum distance (A) can be about 25 mm to about 45 mm. min ) can be about 30 mm to about 40 mm, for example, about 39 mm.

[0018] In certain embodiments, the distance (A) is a maximum distance (A max ) can be used.

[0019] In certain embodiments, the maximum distance (A max ) can be about 90 mm to about 110 mm. Preferably, the maximum distance (A max ) may be approximately 102 mm.

[0020] In certain embodiments, the input conveyor may include an input conveyor tensioning mechanism configured to maintain the input conveyor in a tensioned configuration in each of the retracted and extended positions.

[0021] In certain embodiments, the output conveyor may include an output conveyor tensioning mechanism configured to maintain the output conveyor in a tensioned configuration in each of the retracted and extended positions.

[0022] In certain embodiments, the inlet and outlet conveyors may include a tensioning mechanism configured to maintain both the inlet and outlet conveyors in a tensioned configuration in the retracted and extended positions, respectively.

[0023] Advantageously, the tensioning mechanism ensures that the input conveyor and / or output conveyor, respectively, remain taut as they move between the retracted and extended positions.

[0024] In certain embodiments, the tensioning mechanism, the input conveyor tensioning mechanism, and / or the output conveyor tensioning mechanism may comprise a series of pulleys arranged to support a respective conveyor, e.g., the input conveyor or the output conveyor, in a taut configuration. The series of pulleys may be attached to the input conveyor frame or the output conveyor frame. At least one of the series of pulleys may be arranged to move relative to the input conveyor frame or the output conveyor frame between a first position and a second position to maintain the input conveyor or the output conveyor in a taut configuration as the input conveyor or the output conveyor moves.

[0025] In certain embodiments, the conveyors may further comprise at least one mechanical adjustment means configured to move the input conveyor and / or the output conveyor between a retracted position and an extended position.

[0026] In certain embodiments, the conveyor further comprises at least one pneumatic adjustment means configured to move the input conveyor and / or the output conveyor between a retracted position and an extended position.

[0027] In certain embodiments, the conveyor further comprises at least one electromechanical adjustment means configured to move the input conveyor and / or the output conveyor between a retracted position and an extended position.

[0028] Advantageously, the position of the input conveyor and / or output conveyor may be adjusted automatically between the retracted and extended positions without manual intervention by an operator.

[0029] In certain embodiments, the input conveyor and / or output conveyor may comprise a frame. The frame may comprise a fixed frame portion and a movable frame portion slidably connected to the fixed frame portion. The input conveyor and / or output conveyor may be supported by both the fixed frame portion and the movable frame portion. The movable frame portion may be arranged to slide relative to the fixed frame portion for movement towards the other of the input conveyor or output conveyor.

[0030] According to another aspect of the invention, a contact cleaning system includes a conveyor configured to support a substrate on a conveyor surface, one or more upper contact cleaning rollers positioned above the conveyor surface, the one or more upper contact cleaning rollers being movable between a cleaning position where a surface of the one or more upper contact cleaning rollers is arranged to contact an upper surface of a substrate transported from an input conveyor to an output conveyor and a retracted position where a surface of the one or more upper contact cleaning rollers is retracted upwardly away from the input conveyor and the output conveyor, and a cleaning roller positioned below the conveyor surface. A contact cleaning system is provided comprising at least one of one or more lower contact cleaning rollers positioned such that the surface of the one or more lower contact cleaning rollers is flush with the input and output conveyors and is movable between a cleaning position in which the surface of the one or more lower contact cleaning rollers is retracted below the plane of the input and output conveyors, the input conveyor being positioned to transport substrates towards the one or more upper contact cleaning rollers and / or the one or more lower contact cleaning rollers.

[0031] Advantageously, by moving the inlet and / or outlet conveyors and moving one or more lower contact cleaning rollers and / or upper contact cleaning rollers, the contact cleaning system can be adjusted to clean the upper (top) surface of the substrate, the lower surface of the substrate, both the upper and lower surfaces of the substrate, or to allow the substrate to avoid all contact cleaning rollers.

[0032] In certain embodiments, the input and output conveyors, one or more lower contact cleaning rollers, and one or more upper contact cleaning rollers may be movable between a top (top) and bottom (bottom) surface cleaning mode, a top surface cleaning mode, and an avoidance mode of the contact cleaning system. In the top and bottom surface cleaning mode, one or more upper contact cleaning rollers are in a cleaning position, one or more lower contact cleaning rollers are in a cleaning position, and the input and / or output conveyors are in a retracted position. In the top surface cleaning mode, one or more upper contact cleaning rollers are in a cleaning position, one or more lower contact cleaning rollers are in a retracted position, and the input and / or output conveyors are in an extended position. In the avoidance mode, one or more upper contact cleaning rollers are in a retracted position, one or more lower contact cleaning rollers are in a retracted position, and the input and / or output conveyors are in an extended position.

[0033] In certain embodiments, the input and output conveyors can be in the retracted position when the one or more lower contact cleaning rollers are in the retracted position, and the distance between the input and output conveyors can be sized to receive the one or more lower contact cleaning rollers therebetween.

[0034] Advantageously, the in-feed conveyor transports the substrate to one or more underside contact cleaning rollers so that the underside of the substrate can be cleaned.

[0035] In certain embodiments, the contact cleaning system can include one or more upper contact cleaning rollers and one or more lower contact cleaning rollers.

[0036] Advantageously, when both the one or more lower contact cleaning rollers and the one or more upper contact cleaning rollers are in the cleaning position, both the top and bottom surfaces of the substrate can be cleaned simultaneously, and thus the contact cleaning system is in a top and bottom cleaning mode.

[0037] It is expressly intended that within the scope of this application, the various aspects, embodiments, examples, and alternatives described in the preceding paragraphs, claims, and / or the following description and drawings, in particular their individual features, may be employed independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and / or features of any embodiment may be combined in any manner and / or combination, unless such features are incompatible. Applicant reserves the right to modify any originally filed claim or to file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend on any other claim and / or to incorporate any feature of any other claim in a manner not originally claimed.

[0038] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0039] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 illustrates a contact cleaning system according to the present invention in top and bottom surface cleaning mode. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 illustrates the contact cleaning system of FIG. 1 in a top surface cleaning mode. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 illustrates the contact cleaning system of FIG. 1 in avoidance mode. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the contact cleaning system of FIG. 1 in top and bottom cleaning mode. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the contact cleaning system of FIG. 1 in a top surface cleaning mode. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0040] Detailed Description 1-3 show a contact cleaning system 100 according to the present invention. The contact cleaning system 100 comprises two lower contact cleaning rollers 102 and two upper contact cleaning rollers 104. The contact cleaning system 100 also comprises an input conveyor 106 arranged to transport substrates towards the lower and upper contact cleaning rollers 102, 104, and an output conveyor 108 arranged to transport substrates away from the lower and upper contact cleaning rollers 102, 104.

[0041] The input conveyor 106 and the output conveyor 108 are arranged in a single plane. In other words, the upper surface of the input conveyor 106 is at the same height as the upper surface of the output conveyor 108. Both the input conveyor 106 and the output conveyor 108 are movable relative to each other between a retracted position, as shown in Figure 1, and an extended position, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, as will be explained in more detail below. According to alternative embodiments, only the input conveyor 106 or the output conveyor 108 is movable between the retracted position and the extended position.

[0042] The input conveyor 106 has an input conveyor tensioning mechanism 110 that maintains the input conveyor 106 in a tensioned configuration in both the retracted and extended positions. The output conveyor 108 has an output conveyor tensioning mechanism 112 that maintains the output conveyor 108 in a tensioned configuration in both the retracted and extended positions. Details of the input conveyor tensioning mechanism 110 and the output conveyor tensioning mechanism 112 are discussed in more detail below.

[0043] The two lower contact cleaning rollers 102 are positioned below the plane of the input conveyor 106 and the output conveyor 108. The two lower contact cleaning rollers 102 are movable between a cleaning position in which the respective surfaces of the lower contact cleaning rollers 102 are flush with the input conveyor 106 and the output conveyor 108, as shown in Figure 1, and a retracted position in which the respective surfaces of the lower contact cleaning rollers 102 are retracted or retreated below the plane of the input conveyor 106 and the output conveyor 108, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. In other words, when the lower contact cleaning rollers 102 are in the cleaning position, the respective surfaces of the lower contact cleaning rollers 102 are flush with the upper surfaces of the input conveyor 106 and the output conveyor 108. When the lower contact cleaning roller 102 is in the retracted position, the respective surfaces of the lower contact cleaning roller 102 are below the upper surface of the input conveyor 106 and the upper surface of the output conveyor 108. In the cleaning position, the lower contact cleaning roller 102 can clean the underside of the substrate as it is transported from the input conveyor 106 to the output conveyor 108. The surfaces of the lower contact cleaning roller 102 are in the plane of the input conveyor 106 and the output conveyor 108 such that the substrate remains at the same height as it is transported from the input conveyor 106 to the output conveyor 108. In the retracted position, the lower contact cleaning roller 102 does not contact the substrate as it is transported from the input conveyor 106 to the output conveyor 108.

[0044] The two upper contact cleaning rollers 104 are positioned above the surfaces of the input conveyor 106 and the output conveyor 108. The upper contact cleaning rollers 104 are also movable between a cleaning position in which the respective surfaces of the upper contact cleaning rollers 104 are arranged to contact the upper surface of the substrate transported from the input conveyor to the output conveyor, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, and a retracted position in which the respective surfaces of the upper contact cleaning rollers 104 are retracted upward or retreated away from the input conveyor 106 and the output conveyor 108, as shown in Figure 3. In the cleaning position, the upper contact cleaning rollers 104 can clean the upper surface of the substrate as it is transported from the input conveyor 106 to the output conveyor 108. In the retracted position, the upper contact cleaning rollers 104 do not contact the substrate as it is transported from the input conveyor 106 to the output conveyor 108.

[0045] The lower contact cleaning roller 102 and the upper contact cleaning roller 104 have an elastomeric outer layer that collects debris from the surface of the substrate when the substrate contacts the elastomeric outer layer.

[0046] Each of the upper contact cleaning roller 104 and the lower contact cleaning roller 102 is movable along a generally vertical axis into and out of the plane of the input conveyor 106 and output conveyor 108 .

[0047] The contact cleaning system 100 also includes two adhesive rolls 114. The first adhesive roll 114 is positioned in contact with the two lower contact cleaning rollers 102. The second adhesive roll 114 is positioned in contact with the two upper contact cleaning rollers 104. The surface of each of the adhesive rolls 114 includes a sticky material that collects and removes debris from the elastomeric outer layer of the respective lower contact cleaning roller 102 or upper contact cleaning roller 104.

[0048] 1 shows the contact cleaning system 100 in a top and bottom cleaning mode, in which both the top and bottom surfaces of a substrate transported through the contact cleaning system 100 are cleaned.

[0049] The input conveyor 106 and the output conveyor 108 are in a retracted position. The distance (A) between the input conveyor 106 and the output conveyor 108 is a first distance (A cleaning As shown in FIG. 1, the input conveyor 106 and the output conveyor 108 are spaced apart by a first distance (A cleaning ) is the maximum distance (A max ) are completely retracted from each other so that the first distance (A cleaning ) is the maximum distance (A max For example, the first distance (A cleaning ) may be any suitable distance that allows the two lower contact cleaning rollers 102 to be received between the input conveyor 106 and the output conveyor 108.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 1, each of the lower contact cleaning roller 102 and the upper contact cleaning roller 104 is in a cleaning position in the top and bottom cleaning mode. The lower contact cleaning roller 102 is flush with the input conveyor 106 and the output conveyor 108 such that the substrate is transported from the input conveyor 106 over the lower contact cleaning roller 102 to the output conveyor 108. The upper contact cleaning roller 104 is positioned opposite the lower contact cleaning roller 102 such that the substrate is received between the lower contact cleaning roller 102 and the upper contact cleaning roller 104. The upper contact cleaning roller 104 is positioned such that they contact the upper surface of the substrate while the lower contact cleaning roller 102 contacts the lower surface of the substrate. Thus, both the upper and lower surfaces of the substrate are cleaned as the substrate is transported from the input conveyor 106 to the output conveyor 108 via the lower contact cleaning roller 102 and the upper contact cleaning roller 104.

[0051] 2 shows the contact cleaning system 100 in a top surface cleaning mode, in which only the top surface of a substrate transported through the contact cleaning system 100 is cleaned.

[0052] The input conveyor 106 and the output conveyor 108 are in an extended position. The distance (A) between the input conveyor 106 and the output conveyor 108 is a first distance (A cleaning 2, the input conveyor 106 and the output conveyor 108 are spaced apart from each other by a distance (A) that is less than a minimum distance (A min ), but the distance between the input conveyor 106 and the output conveyor 108 is a first distance (A cleaning ) in the extended position. For example, distance (A) can be any suitable distance that allows the substrate to be transported across the gap between the input conveyor 106 and the output conveyor 108. In other words, distance (A) in the extended position is less than the length of the substrate such that the substrate is supported by both the input conveyor 106 and the output conveyor 108 as the substrate is transported between them.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 2, in the top surface cleaning mode, the lower contact cleaning roller 102 is in a retracted position and the upper contact cleaning roller 104 is in a cleaning position. The lower contact cleaning roller 102 is retracted from the plane of the input conveyor 106 and the output conveyor 108 so that the substrate can be transported from the input conveyor 106 to the output conveyor 108 avoiding the lower contact cleaning roller 102. The upper contact cleaning roller 104 is positioned above the input conveyor 106 and the output conveyor 108. The upper contact cleaning roller 104 is positioned to contact the top surface of the substrate as it is transported from the input conveyor 106 to the output conveyor 108. Thus, the top surface of the substrate is cleaned as it is transported from the input conveyor 106 to the output conveyor 108.

[0054] Alternatively, both the lower contact cleaning roller 102 and the upper contact cleaning roller 104 may be moved to the retracted position. In this configuration, the substrate is transported from the input conveyor 106 to the output conveyor 108 in an avoidance mode, avoiding all of the contact cleaning rollers 102, 104, as will be described with reference to FIG.

[0055] 3 shows the contact cleaning system 100 in an avoidance mode in which substrates avoid the upper and lower contact cleaning rollers 104, 102 of the contact cleaning system 100 and are transported through the contact cleaning system 100 on an inlet conveyor 106 and an outlet conveyor 108.

[0056] The input conveyor 106 and the output conveyor 108 are in an extended position. The distance (A) between the input conveyor 106 and the output conveyor 108 is a first distance (A cleaning 3, the input conveyor 106 and the output conveyor 108 are spaced apart from each other by a distance (A) that is less than a minimum distance (A min ), but the distance between the input conveyor 106 and the output conveyor 108 is a first distance (A cleaning ) in the extended position. For example, distance (A) can be any suitable distance that allows the substrate to be transported across the gap between the input conveyor 106 and the output conveyor 108. In other words, distance (A) in the extended position is less than the length of the substrate such that the substrate is supported by both the input conveyor 106 and the output conveyor 108 as the substrate is transported between them.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 3, the lower contact cleaning roller 102 is in a retracted position and the upper contact cleaning roller 104 is in a retracted position. The lower contact cleaning roller 102 is retracted from the plane of the input conveyor 106 and the output conveyor 108 so that the substrate can be transported from the input conveyor 106 to the output conveyor 108 avoiding the lower contact cleaning roller 102. The upper contact cleaning roller 104 is positioned above the input conveyor 106 and the output conveyor 108. The upper contact cleaning roller 104 is retracted so as not to contact the top surface of the substrate as it is transported from the input conveyor 106 to the output conveyor 108. Thus, neither the top surface nor the bottom surface of the substrate is cleaned as the substrate is transported from the input conveyor 106 to the output conveyor 108.

[0058] In other words, in this configuration the substrate is transported from the inlet conveyor 106 to the outlet conveyor 108 avoiding all of the contact cleaning rollers 102, 104. Thus, the substrate is not cleaned.

[0059] Figures 4 and 5 show close-up views of the input conveyor 106. Figure 4 shows the input conveyor 106 in a retracted position, and Figure 5 shows the input conveyor 106 in an extended position.

[0060] The infeed conveyor 106 has a fixed frame portion 116 and a movable frame portion 118. The movable frame portion 118 is movable between a retracted position adjacent to the fixed frame portion 116, as shown in Figure 4, and an extended position away from the fixed frame portion 116, as shown in Figure 5. The movable frame portion 118 is horizontally extendable along the plane of the infeed conveyor 106, away from the fixed frame portion 116, towards the outfeed conveyor 108. The movable frame portion 118 is slidably attached to the fixed frame portion 116 by a longitudinally extending rod.

[0061] The movable frame portion 118 can be actuated to move by an adjustment means. In some examples, the adjustment means can be an automatic adjustment means. In one example, the adjustment means is a pneumatic adjustment means. In another example, the adjustment means is a mechanical adjustment means. In a further example, the adjustment means is an electromechanical adjustment means. The adjustment means can be coupled to the input conveyor 106, the output conveyor 108, or both the input conveyor 106 and the output conveyor 108.

[0062] The input conveyor 106 is attached to the fixed frame portion 116 and the movable frame portion 118 by a series of pulleys 120. The series of pulleys 120 are part of the input conveyor tensioning mechanism 110 that maintains the input conveyor 106 in a tensioned configuration in both the retracted and extended positions. The pulleys 120 rotate to move the input conveyor 106 so that it transports substrates thereon toward the lower contact cleaning roller 102 and / or the upper contact cleaning roller 104. One of the pulleys 120a is attached to the movable frame portion 118 to move the input conveyor 106 from the retracted position to the extended position when the movable frame portion 118 moves from the retracted position to the extended position. Another of the pulleys 120b is slidably attached to the fixed frame portion 116 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Pulley 120b slides relative to fixed frame part 116 to compensate for the movement of pulley 120a attached to movable frame part 118, thereby maintaining the same tension on the input conveyor 106 when it is in the retracted position as it is in the extended position.

[0063] The output conveyor 108 also has (as shown in Figures 1 and 2) a fixed frame portion 116 and a movable frame portion 118 that operates in a similar manner as described above. The output conveyor 108 is attached to the fixed frame portion 116 and the movable frame portion 118 by a series of pulleys 120 in a similar manner as discussed above.

[0064] All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and / or all of the 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.

[0065] Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), unless expressly stated otherwise, may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is only one example of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

[0066] The invention is not limited to the details of any of the preceding embodiments. The invention extends to any novel one or any novel combination of features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or any novel one or any novel combination of steps of any method or process so disclosed. The claims should not be construed to cover merely the preceding embodiments, but also any embodiment that falls within the scope of the claims.

[0067] Certain embodiments of the present invention are described in the following sections. 1. 1. A conveyor for a contact cleaning system comprising: A loading conveyor; an output conveyor spaced a distance (A) from the input conveyor; Equipped with The input conveyor and / or the output conveyor are configured such that the distance (A) is a first distance (A cleaning ) and in a retracted position, the distance (A) is the first distance (A cleaning ) between an extended position, the extended position being less than Conveyor. 2. Item 1. The conveyor of item 1, wherein the infeed conveyor and the outfeed conveyor are configured to receive at least one contact cleaning roller therebetween when the infeed conveyor and the outfeed conveyor are in the retracted position. 3. Item 3. The conveyor of item 2, wherein the input conveyor, the output conveyor, and the surfaces of the at least one contact cleaning roller are coplanar in the retracted position such that substrates transported from the input conveyor to the output conveyor via the at least one contact cleaning roller remain at the same height. 4. 4. A conveyor as described in any one of items 1 to 3, wherein the distance (A) is less than a length of a substrate to be supported on the conveyors when the input conveyor and the output conveyor are in the extended position. 5. The distance (A) is the minimum distance (A min 5. The conveyor according to any one of items 1 to 4, 6. The distance (A) is the maximum distance (A max 6. The conveyor according to any one of items 1 to 5, 7. 7. The conveyor of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the loading conveyor comprises an loading conveyor tensioning mechanism configured to maintain the loading conveyor in a tensioned configuration in each of the retracted position and the extended position. 8. 8. The conveyor of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the output conveyor comprises an output conveyor tensioning mechanism configured to maintain the output conveyor in a tensioned configuration in each of the retracted position and the extended position. 9. 9. A conveyor as described in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one of mechanical, pneumatic or electromechanical adjustment means configured to move the input and / or output conveyors between the retracted and extended positions. 10. 1. A contact cleaning system comprising: A conveyor according to any one of claims 1 to 9, configured to support a substrate on a conveyor surface; The following: one or more upper contact cleaning rollers positioned above the conveyor surface, the one or more upper contact cleaning rollers movable between a cleaning position in which a surface of the one or more upper contact cleaning rollers is arranged to contact an upper surface of a substrate being transported from the input conveyor to the output conveyor, and a retracted position in which the surface of the one or more upper contact cleaning rollers is retracted upwardly away from the input conveyor and the output conveyor; and one or more lower contact cleaning rollers positioned below the conveyor surface, the one or more lower contact cleaning rollers movable between a cleaning position in which a surface of the one or more lower contact cleaning rollers is flush with the input and output conveyors and a retracted position in which the surface of the one or more lower contact cleaning rollers is retracted below the plane of the input and output conveyors; and at least one of Equipped with the infeed conveyor is positioned to transport the substrate towards the one or more upper contact cleaning rollers and / or the one or more lower contact cleaning rollers. Contact cleaning system. 11. Item 11. The contact cleaning system of item 10, wherein when the one or more lower contact cleaning rollers are in the cleaning position, the input conveyor and the output conveyor are in the retracted position, and the distance between the input conveyor and the output conveyor is sized to receive the one or more lower contact cleaning rollers therebetween. 12. 12. The contact cleaning system of claim 10 or 11, comprising the one or more upper contact cleaning rollers and the one or more lower contact cleaning rollers.

Claims

1. 1. A conveyor for a contact cleaning system comprising: An input conveyor; an output conveyor spaced a distance (A) from the input conveyor; Equipped with The input conveyor and / or the output conveyor are configured such that the distance (A) is a first distance (A ｃｌｅａｎｉｎｇ ) and a retracted position where the distance (A) is the first distance (A ｃｌｅａｎｉｎｇ ) relative to the other of the input conveyor or the output conveyor, Conveyor.

2. 2. The conveyor of claim 1, wherein the inlet conveyor and the outlet conveyor are configured to receive at least one contact cleaning roller therebetween when the inlet conveyor and the outlet conveyor are in the retracted position.

3. 3. The conveyor of claim 2, wherein the input conveyor, the output conveyor, and the surfaces of the at least one contact cleaning roller are coplanar in the retracted position such that substrates transported from the input conveyor to the output conveyor via the at least one contact cleaning roller remain at the same height.

4. A conveyor as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the distance (A) is less than the length of a substrate to be supported on the conveyors when the inlet and outlet conveyors are in the extended position.

5. The distance (A) is a minimum distance (A ｍｉｎ 5. The conveyor of claim 1, wherein the first and second axial lengths of the first and second axial lengths are equal to or greater than the first and second axial lengths of the first and second axial lengths.

6. The distance (A) is the maximum distance (A ｍａｘ 6. The conveyor of claim 1, wherein the first and second axial members are spaced apart from each other.

7. A conveyor as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the input conveyor comprises an input conveyor tensioning mechanism configured to maintain the input conveyor in a tensioned configuration in each of the retracted and extended positions.

8. A conveyor as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the output conveyor comprises an output conveyor tensioning mechanism configured to maintain the output conveyor in a taut configuration in each of the retracted and extended positions.

9. A conveyor as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one of mechanical, pneumatic or electromechanical adjustment means configured to move the input and / or output conveyors between the retracted and extended positions.

10. 1. A contact cleaning system comprising: A conveyor according to any one of claims 1 to 9, configured to support a substrate on a conveyor surface; The following: one or more upper contact cleaning rollers positioned above the conveyor surface, the one or more upper contact cleaning rollers movable between a cleaning position in which a surface of the one or more upper contact cleaning rollers is arranged to contact an upper surface of a substrate being transported from the input conveyor to the output conveyor, and a retracted position in which the surface of the one or more upper contact cleaning rollers is retracted upwardly away from the input conveyor and the output conveyor; and one or more lower contact cleaning rollers positioned below the conveyor surface, the one or more lower contact cleaning rollers movable between a cleaning position in which a surface of the one or more lower contact cleaning rollers is flush with the input and output conveyors and a retracted position in which the surface of the one or more lower contact cleaning rollers is retracted below the plane of the input and output conveyors; and at least one of Equipped with the infeed conveyor is positioned to transport the substrate towards the one or more upper contact cleaning rollers and / or the one or more lower contact cleaning rollers. Contact cleaning system.

11. 11. The contact cleaning system of claim 10, wherein when the one or more lower contact cleaning rollers are in the cleaning position, the input conveyor and the output conveyor are in the retracted position, and the distance between the input conveyor and the output conveyor is sized to receive the one or more lower contact cleaning rollers therebetween.

12. 12. The contact cleaning system of claim 10 or 11, comprising the one or more upper contact cleaning rollers and the one or more lower contact cleaning rollers.

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