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

Abstract

To provide a contact cleaning system, and a method for removing an adhesive sheet from an adhesive roll.SOLUTION: There are provided a contact cleaning system, and an adhesive roll for a contact cleaning system. The contact cleaning system includes: an adhesive roll having at least one adhesive sheet, the at least one adhesive sheet including a front edge; and a pickup element. The pickup element is configured to be brought into contact with the front edge of the at least one adhesive sheet to make vacuum act on the front edge to separate the front edge from the adhesive roll and lift the front edge. A method for removing an adhesive roll is disclosed, comprising: supplying an adhesive roll having at least one adhesive sheet, the at least one adhesive sheet including a front edge; detecting the position of the front edge, and making vacuum act on the front edge of the at least one adhesive sheet and separating the front edge from the adhesive roll and lift the front edge.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a contact cleaning system and an adhesive roll for a contact cleaning system. A method for removing an adhesive sheet from the adhesive roll is further disclosed.

Background Art

[0002] Contact cleaning is used to clean the surface of a substrate. After cleaning, the substrate surface can be used in various delicate processes in the manufacture of electronic devices, optoelectronic devices, and flat panel displays, etc. Usually, a cleaning roller made of rubber or elastomer is used to remove contaminant particles from the substrate surface, and then an adhesive roll can be used to remove contaminant particles or debris from the cleaning roller. Thereby, the efficiency of the cleaning roller for removing contaminant particles from the substrate surface can be maximized.

[0003] In contact cleaning, the adhesive roll typically comprises a substrate wound around a core in a wound length or a sheet-like length. The substrate includes an adhesive surface that can be used to remove or collect debris from the surface of the cleaning roller. The length of the adhesive material before cleaning is not substantially covered by debris and has a relatively high adhesiveness.

[0004] As the adhesive roll removes debris, the debris covers the adhesive surface area, and the adhesiveness of the adhesive material becomes lower as the debris covers a larger proportion of the adhesive surface area. Thus, the adhesive material loses its effectiveness. When the performance of the adhesive material falls below the required threshold, the adhesive material is considered used and must be removed from the adhesive roll.

[0005] To remove the used adhesive material from the roll, the adhesive sheet removal device must contact the end of the adhesive material and lift the material from the adhesive roll. One example of an adhesive sheet removal device is a device having an adhesive surface. However, the adhesive surface may not have sufficient strength to lift the adhesive sheet from the adhesive roll, or the adhesive surface may lift two or more adhesive sheets from the adhesive roll.

[0006] In one particular known example, an additional adhesive surface is used to contact and lift the used adhesive sheet. However, this system has the drawback that the additional adhesive surface necessarily contacts the contaminated sheet, which means that the additional adhesive surface itself becomes contaminated and requires replacement or exchange. In such a system, undesirable complexity and cost are added to the process of removing the used adhesive sheet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

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

MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

[0008] As described in the appended claims, aspects and embodiments of the present invention provide an adhesive roll for use in a contact cleaning system, a contact cleaning system, and a method of manufacturing an adhesive roll.

[0009] In one aspect, an adhesive roll comprising at least one adhesive sheet, wherein the at least one adhesive sheet has a leading edge, an adhesive roll; An adhesive sheet removal device comprising a pickup element; Comprising, A contact cleaning system is provided in which a pickup element contacts the leading edge of at least one adhesive sheet and is configured to apply a vacuum to the leading edge to lift it away from an adhesive roll.

[0010] By the vacuum of the pickup element, a force substantially perpendicular to the leading edge of at least one adhesive sheet can be applied to lift the leading edge away from the adhesive roll.

[0011] The pickup element can comprise a hollow element configured to transmit a vacuum to the leading edge of at least one adhesive sheet.

[0012] The pickup element can use a series of vacuum pockets configured to be aligned along the axial length of the adhesive roll to apply a vacuum to the leading edge. The pickup element can comprise a series of hollow elements arranged to be spaced apart along the axial length of the adhesive roll in use. The series of hollow elements can be spaced apart from each other along the axial length. In this way, the pickup element can be adapted to intermittently apply a vacuum along the leading edge. Thereby, the acting vacuum becomes stronger in a local area along the leading edge.

[0013] The adhesive sheet removing device can further comprise a waste roller, and the pickup element is configured to move the leading edge of at least one adhesive sheet to the waste roller.

[0014] The pickup element can be movable relative to the adhesive sheet removing device, for example, by pivoting or translating within the adhesive sheet removing device. The pickup element is movable from a pickup position in which the pickup element is oriented towards the adhesive roll and lifts the leading edge of the outermost layer of the adhesive sheet, to a movement position in which the pickup element is oriented towards the waste roller and moves the leading edge onto the waste roller.

[0015] The pickup element can be movable to a receiving position where the pickup element is separated from both the adhesive rollers and the waste roller.

[0016] The pickup element can be rotatable between the adhesive roller and the waste roller so as to move the leading edge of at least one adhesive sheet to the waste roller.

[0017] The pickup element can be translatable along the longitudinal axis between the adhesive roller and the waste roller so as to move the leading edge of at least one adhesive sheet to the waste roller.

[0018] The adhesive sheet removing device can be provided with a heating element configured to heat at least one adhesive sheet received by the waste roller. The heating element can be configured to heat at least one adhesive sheet to a temperature in the range of 100 degrees Celsius to 170 degrees Celsius, preferably one or more of the ranges of 105 degrees Celsius to 115 degrees Celsius, 120 degrees Celsius to 130 degrees Celsius, or 130 degrees Celsius to 170 degrees Celsius. The temperature or temperature range can be selected according to the material of the adhesive sheet so as to be, for example, at or near the melting point of the thermoplastic release layer or the base material layer of the adhesive sheet.

[0019] The adhesive sheet removing device can be provided with a pressure element configured to apply pressure to at least one adhesive sheet when at least one adhesive sheet comes into contact with the waste roller so as to adhere at least one adhesive sheet to the waste roller. That is, the pressure element can be configured to apply pressure to the leading edge of at least one adhesive sheet received by the waste roller. The pressure element can be configured to apply a pressure of at least 0.1 Newton per square centimeter (N / cm 2 ). The pressure element can be configured to apply a pressure in the range of 0.1 Newton per square centimeter to 2.8 Newtons per square centimeter, preferably in the range of 0.5 Newton per square centimeter to 2.0 Newtons per square centimeter.

[0020] The heating element can be operably linked with the pressure element such that when at least one adhesive sheet contacts the waste roller, at least one adhesive sheet removed from the adhesive roll is heated and pressed against the waste roller.

[0021] The pressure applied by the pressure element can be adapted according to the temperature at which at least one adhesive sheet is heated by the heating element. The applied pressure can be the maximum applied pressure when the temperature is below the melting point of any thermoplastic release layer within the adhesive sheet. The maximum applied pressure can range from 2.0 Newtons per square centimeter to 2.8 Newtons per square centimeter. Alternatively, when at least one adhesive sheet is heated to the melting point of the thermoplastic release layer, the applied pressure can be the minimum pressure. The minimum applied pressure can range from 0.1 Newton per square centimeter to 1.0 Newton per square centimeter.

[0022] The adhesive roll can comprise a roll core and at least one adhesive sheet wound around the roll core, and the adhesive sheet or each adhesive sheet has a leading edge. The leading edge of one or more of the at least one adhesive sheets can be provided with a label.

[0023] The label can be a fluorescent label, for example, a fluorescent label containing fluorescent ink.

[0024] The label can be a phosphorescent label, for example, a phosphorescent label containing phosphorescent ink.

[0025] The label can include a non - disappearing label. Typically, the non - disappearing label is visible under light with a wavelength in the range of 400 nanometers to 700 nanometers.

[0026] The markings can be arranged at a predetermined circumferential position on the roll core. That is, the markings can be arranged at a predetermined circumferential position on the outer surface of the roll core. For example, the marking can be a marking at one point on the outer surface, or can be formed as a marking of one line on the outer surface extending in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the roll core.

[0027] The leading edge of at least one adhesive sheet has a leading edge portion, and the marking extends at least along the leading edge portion.

[0028] The leading edge can extend parallel to the rotation axis of the adhesive roll or at an angle with respect to the rotation axis of the adhesive roll, for example, obliquely with respect to the axial length of the adhesive roll. The leading edge can be wound spirally around the adhesive roll.

[0029] The leading edge can be cut at an angle with respect to the length of one continuous adhesive sheet, typically at an angle that is not perpendicular. That is, the leading edge can be cut at an angle with respect to the direction perpendicular to the substrate surface of the adhesive substrate material. The leading edge can be cut with a tapered leading edge. In this way, the leading edge forms a gradually inclined surface at the boundary of adjacent layers of the adhesive sheet. The outermost layer of the adhesive sheet has a continuous and smooth outer surface in the region of the leading edge, and effective contact between the adhesive roll and the contact cleaning roller is maintained during use.

[0030] The marking can extend from the leading edge of at least one adhesive sheet to the roll core.

[0031] The adhesive roll can have a first end and a second end on the opposite side. That is, the adhesive roll includes a first end and a second end on the opposite side that are spaced apart along the rotation axis of the roll core. The marking can extend radially from at least one adhesive sheet to the roll core at the first end and / or the second end.

[0032] At least one adhesive sheet of the roll can be a single continuous adhesive sheet. The single continuous adhesive sheet can be wound spirally on the roll core.

[0033] At least one adhesive sheet of the adhesive roll can be a plurality of adhesive sheets, and each of the plurality of adhesive sheets has a leading edge and a trailing edge. The plurality of adhesive sheets can be continuously wound on the roll core.

[0034] Each adhesive sheet of the plurality of adhesive sheets can have a length that substantially covers the length of the adjacent adhesive sheet on the outer periphery and / or inside of the roll core.

[0035] The length of each adhesive sheet of the plurality of adhesive sheets can be greater than the outer periphery of the roll core. The length of each adhesive sheet of the plurality of adhesive sheets can be greater than the length of the adjacent adhesive sheet, that is, the adhesive sheet adjacent inside.

[0036] Each adhesive sheet can include an overlapping region where the leading edge of each adhesive sheet overlaps the trailing edge of that adhesive sheet. In other words, the overlapping region provides a region where the trailing edge and the leading edge of each adhesive sheet overlap each other when wound on the roll core.

[0037] The adhesive sheet can also have an adhesive base material with 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 base material. That is, the adhesive base material includes an adhesive layer disposed on the first surface of the adhesive base material and a thermoplastic release layer disposed on the second surface opposite to the first surface of the adhesive base material. In this way, when the adhesive sheet is wound on the roll core, the thermoplastic release layer can be disposed on the surface facing the inside of the adhesive sheet. The outermost layer of the adhesive sheet can be easily removed from the roll core when the adhesive sheet has been used.

[0038] 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.

[0039] The trailing edge can be provided with a label. The label on the trailing edge can be the same as the label on the leading edge.

[0040] The adhesive sheet or each adhesive sheet of at least one adhesive sheet can have a certain width, and the roll core can have a certain core width. The width of the adhesive sheet or each adhesive sheet can be substantially the same as the core width. The core width and / or the width of at least one adhesive sheet can correspond to the axial length of the adhesive roll.

[0041] The adhesive sheet removing device can be configured to remove the outermost layer of a continuous adhesive sheet. The adhesive sheet removing device can include a cutting element configured to cut the outermost layer of a continuous adhesive sheet from the remainder of a continuous adhesive sheet wound around the roll core of the adhesive roll.

[0042] The adhesive sheet removing device can include a detector, typically an optical detector, configured to detect the position of the leading edge of at least one adhesive sheet. The detector can detect the rotational position of the label relative to the axis of rotation of the adhesive roll.

[0043] The detector can include a radiator configured to emit electromagnetic radiation towards the adhesive roll. The emitted electromagnetic radiation can cause a reaction at the label such that the label emits light. The emitted light can be phosphorescence or fluorescence.

[0044] The detector can also include an optical sensor configured to detect the light emitted from the label.

[0045] The detector can also include a rotary encoder, preferably a digital rotary encoder, disposed on the axis of rotation of the adhesive roll. The rotary encoder can be configured to measure the rotational position of a series of cutting lines created on the adhesive roll. The rotational position of a series of leading edges is recorded by the rotary encoder of the detector. In this way, for example, when a first length of the adhesive sheet is cut from one continuous adhesive sheet, the detector records the rotational position of the second leading edge, i.e., the leading edge of the most recent cutting line on the outer surface of the replenished adhesive roll. Then, when the outer surface becomes used again, the contact cleaning system accurately contacts the adhesive sheet removal device with the second leading edge with reference to the recorded rotational position of the most recent cutting line and starts removing the second length of the adhesive sheet. Then, the second length can be cut by another cutting line to create a third leading edge, and the rotary encoder measures the rotational position of the third leading edge as preparation for the subsequent removal of the third length, and so on.

[0046] The leading edge of at least one adhesive sheet can include a fluorescent label or a phosphorescent label. The optical detector can be configured to detect the fluorescent label or the phosphorescent label.

[0047] The detector can be operably connected to the adhesive roll and configured to selectively stop the rotation of the adhesive roll.

[0048] The contact cleaning system can further include a contact cleaning roller disposed to contact the adhesive roll during use.

[0049] The contact cleaning system can be configured such that the adhesive roll is movable relative to the contact cleaning roller. The adhesive roll can be movable from a contact position where the adhesive roll contacts the contact cleaning roller, which is used to remove debris, to a retracted position where the adhesive roll is separated from the contact cleaning roller. In the retracted position, the adhesive roll is arranged to remove the adhesive sheet in conjunction with the adhesive sheet removal device.

[0050] In another aspect, a method of removing an adhesive sheet from an adhesive roll, comprising: supplying an adhesive roll having at least one adhesive sheet, wherein the at least one adhesive sheet has a leading edge; detecting the position of the leading edge; applying a vacuum to the leading edge of the at least one adhesive sheet to lift the leading edge away from the adhesive roll; is provided.

[0051] The method may also include moving the leading edge of the at least one adhesive sheet to a discard roller and rotating the discard roller to wind the at least one adhesive sheet around the discard roller.

[0052] The adhesive sheet removing device can comprise a cutting element, typically a blade, configured to cut the outermost layer of the at least one adhesive sheet from the adhesive roll at a cutting line.

[0053] The adhesive sheet removing device can also comprise an applicator configured to attach a label to the at least one adhesive sheet at the cutting line.

[0054] The cutting line can be marked by a label before, during, or after cutting of the adhesive substrate material.

[0055] The rotational position of the cutting line on the adhesive roll can be measured by a detector, for example using a rotary encoder. The leading edge can be rotated and marked using a rotary encoder.

[0056] According to certain embodiments, the end of the adhesive sheet, i.e., the leading edge, is provided with the advantage that it can be easily and quickly identified. In particular, the rotational position of the leading edge relative to the roll core is easily marked for identification. Since the identification of the rotational position of the leading edge is automated, the contact cleaning system identifies the leading edge without unnecessary downtime. Manual inspection of the adhesive sheet is no longer necessary.

[0057] According to certain embodiments, the used adhesive sheet is removed from the adhesive roll in a shortened time, thus ensuring an improvement in the operating efficiency of the contact cleaning system. The adhesive roll having the used adhesive sheet is rotated and aligned to cooperate with the adhesive sheet removing device. The downtime of the contact cleaning system is shortened.

[0058] According to certain embodiments, the leading edge can be lifted from the adhesive roll without the risk of damaging the underlying adhesive sheet.

[0059] According to certain embodiments, a simple and convenient method of marking the leading edge of the adhesive sheet is provided. The leading edge can be marked before the installation of the adhesive roll, reducing the cost of the contact cleaning system. The leading edge can be marked each time the used adhesive sheet is removed, improving the reliability of the adhesive sheet removing device.

[0060] According to certain embodiments, it is easily fixed to the waste roller immediately after being removed from the adhesive roll. In particular, the inventors advantageously utilize a thermoplastic release layer so that a thermal bond is further obtained between the waste roller and any received adhesive sheet wound around the waste roller.

[0061] Within the scope of this application, it is explicitly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples, and alternatives described in the above paragraphs, claims, and / or the following description and drawings, particularly their individual features, can be adopted independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and / or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and / or combination as long as such features are not incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to amend any initially filed claim or to file any new claim accordingly, and this right includes the right to amend any initially filed claim to be dependent on any feature of any other claim and / or to incorporate any feature of any other claim, even if it was not initially claimed in such a manner.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0062] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described only by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figures 4A - 4G

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0063] The use of certain terms in the following description is for convenience only and is not limiting. The words "inner", "inward", "outer", and "outward" each refer to the direction towards and away from the designated center line or geometric center (e.g., central axis) of the element in the description, and the specific meaning will be readily apparent from the context of the description.

[0064] Furthermore, as used in this disclosure, the terms "connected" and "attached" are intended to include both a direct connection between two members with no other members intervening therebetween and an indirect connection between the members with one or more other members intervening therebetween. This term includes specifically the words described above, their derivatives, and words of similar meaning.

[0065] Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the use of adjectives indicating ordinal numbers such as "first", "second", "third", etc. is merely to indicate that different instances of similar objects are being referred to, and there is no intention to imply that the objects so described are obliged to be in a given order, ranking, or any other manner, whether in time or space.

[0066] Like reference numerals are used throughout to indicate like features.

[0067] Referring to FIG. 1, a contact cleaning system 100 is shown having an adhesive roll 102 with an adhesive sheet 104 wound around a roll core. The adhesive sheet 104 has a leading edge 106 with a label.

[0068] The adhesive roll 102 is mounted for use in the contact cleaning system 100 to contact and cooperate with a contact cleaning roller 130 for removing debris from the substrate surface 132. The adhesive roll 102 and the contact cleaning roller 130 are mounted to rotate and contact each other. The outermost adhesive sheet 104 contacts the outer surface of the contact cleaning roller 130 and removes debris collected from the substrate surface 132 from the outer surface.

[0069] The adhesive roll 102 can comprise one continuous adhesive sheet, as described below with reference to FIG. 2. Alternatively, the adhesive roll can comprise a plurality of adhesive sheets, as described below with reference to FIG. 3.

[0070] Regardless of whether the roll 102 comprises one continuous adhesive sheet and / or a plurality of adhesive sheets, the adhesive roll 102 is substantially cylindrical. The adhesive sheet on the roll core or each adhesive sheet has a width corresponding to the axial length of the adhesive roll 102. Further, the leading edge 106 is typically cut so as to extend or be extendable substantially along the axial length of the adhesive roll 102, parallel to the axis of rotation of the adhesive roll 102.

[0071] In a further example not shown, the leading edge can extend in an alternative direction parallel to the axis of rotation, for example, obliquely with respect to the axial length of the adhesive roll. For example, the leading edge can be wound helically around the adhesive roll.

[0072] In a further example, the leading edge can be cut at an angle such that a tapered leading edge is obtained. The leading edge cut at an angle forms a surface that gradually slopes at the boundary between the layers of the adhesive sheet.

[0073] The contact cleaning system 100 includes, for example, an adhesive sheet removing device 110 for removing the outermost layer of the adhesive sheet 104 from the adhesive roll 102 when the adhesive sheet 104 has been used. The adhesive sheet removing device 110 includes a waste roller 120 and a pickup element 112.

[0074] The pickup element 112 is pivotable relative to the adhesive roll 102. The pickup element 112 is pivotable from a pickup position where the pickup element 112 is oriented towards the adhesive roll 102 and lifts the leading edge 106 of the outermost layer of the adhesive sheet 104, to a moving position where the hollow element 114 is oriented towards the waste roller 120 and moves the leading edge 106 onto the waste roller 120.

[0075] The pickup element 112 is also pivotable to a storage position where the pickup element 112 is disengaged from the adhesive roll 102 and from the waste roller 120.

[0076] The pickup element 112 is operatively connected to a vacuum source (not shown) so as to apply a vacuum to the adhesive roll 102. The pickup element 112 is configured to transmit the acting vacuum from the vacuum source to the adhesive roll 102. In particular, the pickup element 112 includes a hollow element 114 configured to direct the acting vacuum from the pickup element 112 towards the adhesive roll 102.

[0077] The hollow element 114 is operatively connected to the vacuum source via the pickup element 112. Preferably, the hollow element 114 is an elongated conduit having a length substantially the same as the axial length of the adhesive roll 102. In this way, with the pickup element 112 oriented at the pickup position, a vacuum acts along the entire leading edge 106 of the outermost layer of the adhesive sheet 104.

[0078] In a further example, the pickup element can apply a vacuum to the leading edge using a series of vacuum pockets configured to be aligned along the axial length of the adhesive roll. For example, the vacuum source can include a series of hollow elements arranged to be spaced apart along the axial length of the adhesive roll in use. The series of hollow elements can be spaced apart from each other along the axial length. In this way, the pickup element can be adapted to intermittently apply a vacuum along the leading edge. Thereby, the acting vacuum becomes stronger in local regions along the leading edge.

[0079] The pickup element 112 transmits the acting vacuum to apply a force substantially perpendicular to the leading edge 106 of the outermost layer of the adhesive sheet on the adhesive roll 102, lifting the leading edge 106 away from the adhesive roll 102. A vacuum is applied to the leading edge 106 of the outermost layer of at least one adhesive sheet 104 so as to lift the leading edge 106 away from the underlying adhesive sheet 104 or the roll core 108. That is, the acting vacuum lifts the leading edge 106 away from one of the layer adjacent to the inside of at least one adhesive sheet 104 or the roll core 108.

[0080] As soon as the pickup element 112 lifts the leading edge 106, the leading edge 106 of at least one adhesive sheet 104 is moved to the waste roller 120. The waste roller 120 is rotatable relative to the adhesive sheet removing device 110. The waste roller 120 is disposed within the adhesive sheet removing device 110 to cooperate with the pickup element 112 to move the leading edge 106 and the adhesive sheet 104 to the waste roller 120, as will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 4A through 4G.

[0081] The contact cleaning system 100 includes a detector, in this example, an optical detector 116. The optical detector 116 is disposed within the contact cleaning system 100 to monitor the outermost adhesive sheet 104 of the adhesive roll 102. In particular, the optical detector 116 is disposed to monitor the outermost adhesive sheet 104 when the adhesive roll 102 is in the retracted position, as described below with reference to FIG. 4B.

[0082] The optical detector 116 is configured to detect the position of a marker at the leading edge 106 of the adhesive sheet 104. That is, the optical detector 116 is configured to detect a marker around the axis of rotation of the adhesive roll 102 and thus the rotational position of the leading edge 106.

[0083] The optical detector 116 includes a radiator and an optical sensor. The optical sensor is configured to detect light emitted from a marker on the adhesive roll 102. The radiator is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation toward the adhesive roll 102. The emitted radiation causes a reaction in the marker, so that the marker emits light that is detected by the optical sensor. For example, in response to electromagnetic radiation from the radiator, the marker can emit fluorescence or phosphorescence depending on the selection of the marker. Thereby, the optical sensor is selected to detect the associated fluorescence or phosphorescence generated by the marker.

[0084] The optical detector 116 is oriented to detect when the leading edge 106 is removed from the adhesive roll 102 in conjunction with the pickup element 112 of the adhesive sheet removing device 110, i.e., rotated and oriented. In this way, the adhesive roll 102 can rotate until the optical detector 116 detects that the leading edge 106 has reached a predetermined orientation, at which point the optical detector 116 stops the rotation of the adhesive roll 102. Thereby, it is ensured by the optical detector 116 that the adhesive roll 102 stops at the optimal position where the outermost layer of the adhesive sheet 104 is in conjunction with the pickup element 112. Preferably, the optimal position corresponds to the pickup position of the pickup element 112 that facilitates the removal from the adhesive roll 102.

[0085] The adhesive sheet removing device 110 further includes a heating element 124 and a pressure element 122 operably arranged together with a waste roller 120. The heating element 124 and the pressure element 122 process the adhesive sheet 104 received by the waste roller 120 when the outermost layer of the adhesive sheet 104 is removed. Thereby, the used adhesive sheet 104 is fixed on the waste roller 120.

[0086] The pressure element 122 is configured to apply pressure to the received adhesive sheet 104’ (shown in FIG. 4) when the received adhesive sheet 104’ contacts the waste roller 120. Due to the applied pressure, the adhesive sheet 104 adheres to the waste roller 120. The heating element 124 applies heat to the received adhesive sheet 104’ when the received adhesive sheet 104’ contacts the waste roller 120. Due to the applied heat, the adhesive sheet 104 adheres to the waste roller 120.

[0087] In the illustrated example, since the pressure element 122 is disposed proximal to the heating element 124, the used adhesive sheet 104 removed from the adhesive roll 102 is heated and pressed against the waste roller 120 when it contacts the waste roller 120. In particular, when the used adhesive sheet includes a thermoplastic release layer, the application of heat and / or pressure by the heating element and the pressure element causes the material of the thermoplastic release layer to soften and flow. The received adhesive sheet 104' adheres to the waste roller 120 due to the flow of the thermoplastic release layer. The received adhesive sheet 104' is fixed to the waste roller 120 by the thermal bonding of the thermoplastic release layer. Thus, during use, typically, the thermoplastic release layer is sandwiched between the waste roller 120 and the outer layer of the received adhesive sheet 104' and is heated by the heating element 124. Thereafter, pressure is applied, causing the thermoplastic release layer to bond to the waste roller 120. Thereafter, the heating area is cooled before the pressure is released, resulting in a bond between the received adhesive sheet 104' and the waste roller 120.

[0088] In other configurations, the adhesive sheet removal device 110 can be provided with only a pressure element, only a heating element, or any suitable combination of a pressure element and a heating element, as needed based on the characteristics of the adhesive sheet 104, to secure the received adhesive sheet 104' to a waste roller installed within the contact cleaning system.

[0089] Optionally, the adhesive sheet removal device can include a cutting element, such as a blade. The cutting element can be configured to cut the adhesive sheet, typically the outermost layer of a continuous adhesive sheet, from the adhesive roll at a cutting line. The cutting element separates the adhesive sheet from the remainder of the adhesive roll wound around the roll core. The adhesive sheet removal device can be configured to cut the adhesive sheet as soon as a length of the adhesive sheet corresponding to the outer circumference of the adhesive roll is removed by the adhesive sheet removal device.

[0090] Optionally, the adhesive sheet removal device can include an applicator. The applicator can be configured to attach a label to at least one adhesive sheet at the cutting line. In this way, the leading edge of the outermost layer of the adhesive sheet is marked so as to be detected by the detector. The applicator can attach the label typically immediately after the previous outermost layer of the adhesive sheet has been removed from the adhesive roll by the adhesive sheet removal device.

[0091] Referring to FIG. 2, an adhesive roll 202 having a plurality of adhesive sheets is shown. The plurality of adhesive sheets are continuously wound around a roll core 208 to form a series of adhesive sheets 204 for replenishing the adhesive roll 202 during use.

[0092] 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 single continuous layer on the adhesive roll 202 such that the leading edge 206 and the trailing edge 207 of any particular adhesive sheet 204 are in contact with each other. Typically, there is an overlapping region where the leading edge 206 of each adhesive sheet 204 overlaps the trailing edge 207 of that adhesive sheet 204.

[0093] In this way, the innermost adhesive sheet 204 of the plurality of adhesive sheets has a length that substantially covers the outer circumference of the roll core 208. Each series of adhesive sheets 204 has a length that substantially covers the adjacent inner adhesive sheet. In other words, the length of each adhesive sheet 204 of the plurality of adhesive sheets is greater than the length of the outer circumference of the roll core and / or the length of the adjacent inner adhesive sheet.

[0094] Each leading edge 206 includes a label 209a such as a phosphorescent label or a fluorescent label. Each trailing edge 207 includes a label 209b such as a phosphorescent label or a fluorescent label. The label 209a of the leading edge 206 is the same as the label 209b of the trailing edge 207. Optionally, the labels of each of the leading edge 206 and the trailing edge 207 can be different from each other.

[0095] The adhesive roll 202 shown in FIG. 2 can be formed in the following manner. In a first step, an adhesive substrate material is supplied. The adhesive substrate material is suitable for removing debris from the contact cleaning roller. Typically, the adhesive substrate material has a width corresponding to the axial length of the roll core on which the adhesive roll is to be formed.

[0096] In the next step, the adhesive substrate material is cut at a cutting line to supply an adhesive sheet. The adhesive sheet has a length corresponding to the outer circumference of the roll core. The cutting line forms the trailing edge of the adhesive sheet cut from the adhesive substrate material. The cutting line further forms the leading edge of a series of adhesive sheets supplied from the remaining adhesive substrate material.

[0097] In a further step, the cutting line of the adhesive sheet is marked by a label. In this way, the trailing edge of the first adhesive sheet and the leading edge of the subsequent adhesive sheets are each marked by the label in a single operation.

[0098] In a final step, the adhesive sheet is wound around the roll core. An adhesive roll having an adhesive sheet as described in the present disclosure is formed.

[0099] In use, the adhesive roll 202 is disposed within a contact cleaning system for removing debris from the contact cleaning roller. The contact cleaning system can be the contact cleaning system 100 described above. When the outermost layer of the adhesive sheet 204 has been used up, a detector of the contact cleaning system detects the label at the leading edge, and the outermost layer is removed by the adhesive sheet removal device 110. Thus, a new outermost layer of the adhesive sheet 204 is exposed so as to continue removing debris from the contact cleaning roller.

[0100] Referring now to FIG. 3, an adhesive roll 302 having an adhesive sheet 304 is shown, where the adhesive sheet 304 is a single continuous adhesive sheet.

[0101] Next, the adhesive sheet 304 of the roll 302 is wound around the roll core 308 a plurality of times. The adhesive sheet 304 has a length corresponding to the plurality of outer circumferences of the roll core 308.

[0102] The adhesive roll 302 is formed such that the trailing edge 307 of the adhesive sheet 304 is in direct contact with the roll core 308 and the leading edge 306 is exposed at the end of the outermost layer of the adhesive sheet 304. The leading edge 306 is provided with a label 309a such as a phosphorescent label or a fluorescent label.

[0103] In use, the adhesive roll 302 is disposed within the contact cleaning system so as 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 has been used up, the detector of the contact cleaning system detects the label 309a at the leading edge 306, and the adhesive sheet 304 having a length corresponding to the outer 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 attaches a label to the cutting line. When the separated length of the adhesive sheet is removed using its leading edge, a new outermost layer of the adhesive sheet 304 is exposed and continues to remove debris from the contact cleaning roller.

[0104] Referring now to FIGS. 4A through 4G, a process is shown in which the adhesive sheet removing device 110 of the contact cleaning system 100 removes the outermost layer of the adhesive sheet 104.

[0105] Referring to FIG. 4A, a contact cleaning system 100 that cleans the substrate surface 132 during use is shown. The contact cleaning roller 130 is in an on state and removes debris from the substrate surface 132. The adhesive roll 102 contacts and interlocks with the contact cleaning roller 130 to remove debris from the contact cleaning roller 130. The adhesive roll 102 is in a contact position with respect to the contact cleaning roller 130. The adhesive sheet removing device 110 is not in a use state.

[0106] The contact cleaning roller 130 continues to remove debris from the substrate surface 132 until the performance of the adhesive roll 102 falls below a required threshold value. As soon as the performance falls below the threshold value, the outermost layer of the adhesive sheet 104 on the adhesive roll 102 becomes used and must be removed from the adhesive roll 102.

[0107] Referring to FIG. 4B, the contact cleaning system 100 in the first stage of removing the outermost layer of the adhesive sheet 104 is shown. By moving the axis of the adhesive roll away from the contact cleaning roller 130, the adhesive roll 102 is disengaged from the contact cleaning roller 130. Thereby, the adhesive roll 102 is moved to a retracted position so as to be operably interlocked with the adhesive sheet removing device 110.

[0108] Within the adhesive sheet removing device 110, the optical detector 116 is turned on to detect the position of the leading edge 106 of the outermost layer of the adhesive sheet 104. The pickup element 112 is disposed in the receiving position.

[0109] The adhesive roll 102 continues to rotate until the optical detector 116 detects that the leading edge 106 is in an optimal position for movement. The adhesive roll 102 stops at the optimal position.

[0110] Referring to FIG. 4C, the contact cleaning system 100 in a state where the adhesive sheet removing device 110 is interlocked with the adhesive roll 102 at an optimal position is shown. The pickup element 112 pivots to the pickup position and the hollow element 114 is directed at the leading edge 106.

[0111] As soon as the pickup element 112 reaches the pickup position, it applies a vacuum to the leading edge 106 and lifts the leading edge 106 of the used adhesive sheet 104, which is the outermost adhesive sheet 104, away from the adhesive roll 102.

[0112] Looking at FIG. 4D, the pickup element 112 rotated to the moving position is shown. The pickup element 112 is oriented toward the waste roller 120. The waste roller 120 is stationary.

[0113] When the pickup element 112 rotates from the pickup position to the moving position, due to the acting vacuum, the leading edge 106 is held against the hollow element 114. In this way, the leading edge 106 is moved from the adhesive roll 102 to the waste roller 120. As a result, the subsequent part of the used adhesive sheet 104 is also lifted from the adhesive roll 102 and pulled out toward the waste roller 120.

[0114] The leading edge 106 is interlocked with the waste roller 120, and the waste roller 120 starts to rotate. When the waste roller 120 rotates, the pickup element 112 stops the action of the vacuum, and the leading edge 106 is released from the hollow element 114. By the rotation of the rotating waste roller 120 being interlocked with the leading edge 106, the leading edge 106 rotates together with the waste roller 120. The rotation of the waste roller 120 starts the movement of the outermost layer of the adhesive sheet 104 to the waste roller 120.

[0115] Looking at FIG. 4E, the waste roller 120 shortly after the start of rotation is shown. The leading edge 106 of the used adhesive sheet 104 is partially wound around the waste roller 120 beyond the pressure element 122. Therefore, the pressure element 122 applies pressure to the received adhesive sheet 104' and adheres the received adhesive sheet 104' to the waste roller 120.

[0116] Thereafter, the rotation of the waste roller 120 continues, and the leading edge 106 is further wound around the waste roller 120. Due to the rotation of the waste roller 120, the used adhesive sheet 104 is wound back from the adhesive roll 102, and the same layer is wound around the waste roller 120.

[0117] In the illustrated example, the adhesive roll 102 is an adhesive roll 102 having a plurality of adhesive sheets, such as the adhesive roll 202 described with reference to FIG. 2. In this way, the adhesive sheet 104 is wound back from the adhesive roll 102 until the trailing edge 107 is lifted from the adhesive roll 102. The waste roller 120 continues to rotate until the trailing edge 107 is received on the waste roller 120.

[0118] In other examples, for example, when the adhesive roll comprises one continuous adhesive sheet, the adhesive sheet can be wound back from the adhesive roll until a predetermined first length of the one continuous adhesive sheet is lifted from the adhesive roll. After the first length is wound back, the one continuous adhesive sheet is cut at the cutting line to separate the first length of the adhesive sheet. The remainder of the one continuous adhesive sheet with a new leading edge remains on the adhesive roll to provide a replenished outer surface so that the adhesive roll can resume cleaning the contact cleaning roller.

[0119] The cutting line of the remainder of the one continuous adhesive sheet can be marked by a label, or the rotational position of the leading edge on the adhesive roll can be recorded using a rotary encoder. In this way, when the replenished outer surface becomes used, the leading edge can be easily rotated and aligned with the pickup element to remove a second length of the one continuous adhesive sheet.

[0120] Referring to FIG. 4F, a contact cleaning system 100 is shown in a state where the received adhesive sheet 104' is wound around a waste roller 120. The adhesive roll 102 has a new outermost layer of the adhesive sheet 104 in a state where a new adhesive layer is available so as to resume removing debris in conjunction with the contact cleaning roller 130. The adhesive roll 102 will be replenished.

[0121] The pickup element 112 is returned to its storage position within the adhesive sheet removal device 110.

[0122] Referring to FIG. 4G, a contact cleaning system 100 is shown in a state where the adhesive roll 102 has moved back to the contact position. At the contact position, the adhesive roll 102 contacts and interlocks with the contact cleaning roller 130 to remove debris from the contact cleaning roller 130 during use.

[0123] The adhesive sheet removal device 110 remains on to process the received adhesive sheet 104'. Thus, since the waste roller 120 continues to rotate, the pressure element 122 applies pressure to the received adhesive sheet 104'. Further, the heating element 124 is energized to apply heat to the received adhesive sheet 104 in combination with the pressure applied by the pressure element 122.

[0124] After an appropriate time period, such as a time in the range of 5 to 10 seconds, elapses, the received adhesive sheet 104' adheres sufficiently to the waste roller 120. The pressure element 122 and the heating element 124 are turned off, and the rotation of the waste roller 120 stops. Thereby, the adhesive sheet removal device 110 enters a standby state to remove the next adhesive sheet 104 from the adhesive roll 102 when its cleaning performance falls below a predetermined threshold.

[0125] Optionally, the process of the contact cleaning system 100 shown in FIGS. 4A-4G can be performed using an adhesive roll having one continuous adhesive sheet as described with reference to FIG. 3. Correspondingly, the adhesive sheet removal device can comprise the cutting elements and applicators described in this disclosure. In this way, the adhesive sheet removal device is configured to cut one continuous adhesive sheet after the length of the adhesive sheet corresponding to the outer periphery of the outermost layer of the adhesive sheet 104 has been moved to the waste roller. The length of the moved adhesive sheet 104 is sufficient to expose the new outermost layer of the adhesive sheet 104. The adhesive roll is replenished.

[0126] The adhesive sheet removal device is also configured to attach a label to the leading edge of the new outermost layer in preparation for detection by a detector.

[0127] Those skilled in the art will understand that the above detailed examples are for illustrative purposes only and are not described in a 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 are possible to the above detailed examples.

[0128] Throughout this specification and the claims, the words "comprise" and "include" and variations thereof mean "including without limitation" and are not intended to exclude other parts, additives, components, integers, or steps. Throughout this specification and the claims, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context requires otherwise. In particular, when an indefinite article is used, this specification and the claims are to be understood as considering not only the singular but also the plural unless the context requires otherwise.

[0129] Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties, or groups described in connection with particular aspects, embodiments, or examples of the present invention are understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment, or example described in the present disclosure, unless they are incompatible therewith. All features (including any appended claims, abstract, and drawings) disclosed in this specification and the claims, and / or all steps of any methods or processes so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where 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 one or any novel combination of features disclosed in this specification and the claims, or to any novel one or any novel combination of steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. A contact cleaning system, comprising: An adhesive roll having at least one adhesive sheet, wherein the at least one adhesive sheet has a leading edge; An adhesive sheet removing device having a pickup element; Comprising; 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 away from the adhesive roll. Contact cleaning system.

2. The contact cleaning system according to claim 1, wherein the vacuum of the pickup element applies a force substantially perpendicular to the leading edge of the at least one adhesive sheet to lift the leading edge away from the adhesive roll.

3. The contact cleaning system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pickup element comprises a hollow element configured to transmit the 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 removing device further comprises a waste roller, and the pickup element is configured to move the leading edge of the at least one adhesive sheet to the waste roller.

5. The contact cleaning system according to claim 4, wherein the pickup element is pivotable between the adhesive roll and the waste roller to move the leading edge of the at least one adhesive sheet to the waste roller.

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

7. The contact cleaning system according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the adhesive sheet removing device further comprises 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 removing device comprises a pressure element configured to apply pressure to the at least one adhesive sheet to adhere the at least one adhesive sheet to the waste roller when the at least one adhesive sheet contacts the waste roller.

9. The heating element includes the pressure element, such that when the at least one adhesive sheet contacts the waste roller, the at least one adhesive sheet removed from the adhesive roll is heated and pressed against the waste roller. The contact cleaning system according to claim 8, when dependent on claim 7.

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

11. The contact cleaning system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the adhesive roll includes one continuous adhesive sheet wound around the roll core.

12. The contact cleaning system according to claim 11, wherein the adhesive sheet removing device is configured to remove the outermost layer of the one continuous adhesive sheet, and the adhesive sheet removing device includes a cutting element configured to cut the outermost layer of the one continuous adhesive sheet from the remainder of the one continuous adhesive sheet wound around the roll core of the adhesive roll.

13. The contact cleaning system according to claim 12, further comprising a rotary encoder, typically a digital rotary encoder, configured to record the rotational position of the leading edge of the remainder of the one continuous adhesive sheet wound around the roll core of the adhesive roll.

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

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

16. The contact cleaning system according to any one of claims 1 to 15, further comprising a contact cleaning roller arranged to contact the adhesive roll during use.

17. A method of removing an adhesive sheet from an adhesive roll, comprising: To provide an adhesive roll having at least one adhesive sheet, wherein the at least one adhesive sheet has a leading edge, To detect the position of the leading edge, To apply a vacuum to the leading edge of the at least one adhesive sheet to lift the leading edge away from the adhesive roll, A method comprising the above.

18. Furthermore, To move the leading edge of the at least one adhesive sheet to a waste roller, To rotate the waste roller to wind the at least one adhesive sheet around the waste roller, The method according to claim 17, comprising the above.

19. The at least one adhesive sheet is a single continuous adhesive sheet, and the method further comprises: To cut the single continuous adhesive sheet at a cutting line to provide a first length of adhesive sheet for removal from the adhesive roll, The method according to claim 18, comprising the above.

20. Furthermore, To mark the cutting line with a label, or To measure the rotational position of the cutting line on the adhesive roll, typically using a rotary encoder, The method according to claim 19, comprising one or both of the above.

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