Contact cleaning system, adhesive roll, and method of forming adhesive roll

Abstract

To provide an adhesive roll for use in a contact cleaning system, a contact cleaning system, and a method of manufacturing an adhesive roll for a contact cleaning system.SOLUTION: The present disclosure relates to a contact cleaning system and an adhesive roll for a contact cleaning system. The adhesive roll include: a roll core; and at least one adhesive sheet wound over the roll core. The or each adhesive sheet comprises a leading edge, where the leading edge of one or more of the at least one adhesive sheets comprises an indicator, and / or the roll core comprises an indicator. A method of forming an adhesive roll is also disclosed, the method including the steps of: providing an adhesive substrate material; cutting the adhesive substrate material at a cut line to provide an adhesive sheet; marking the cut line of the adhesive sheet with an indicator; and winding the adhesive sheet about a roll core.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a contact cleaning system and an adhesive roll for a contact cleaning system. A method of forming an adhesive roll is further disclosed.

Background Art

[0002] Contact cleaning is used to clean a substrate surface. After cleaning, the substrate surface can be used in various delicate processes such as the manufacture of electronic devices, optoelectronic devices, and flat panel displays. 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 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 adhesion.

[0004] As the adhesive roll removes debris, the debris covers the adhesive surface area, and the adhesion 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. Identification of the end of the adhesive sheet can be done manually by inspecting the adhesive roll and aligning the adhesive sheet removal device with the end of the adhesive sheet. Alternatively, identification of the end of the adhesive sheet can be achieved by using an expensive optical system.

[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 inevitably comes into contact with the soiled sheet, which means that the additional adhesive surface itself becomes soiled and needs to be replaced or exchanged. 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] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an adhesive roll for use in a contact cleaning system, the adhesive roll comprising: a roll core; at least one adhesive sheet wound around the roll core; and the adhesive sheet or each adhesive sheet has a leading edge, One or more leading edges of at least one of the adhesive sheets are provided with a label, and / or The roll core is provided with a label.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an adhesive roll for use in a contact cleaning system, the adhesive roll comprising: A roll core; At least one adhesive sheet wound around the roll core; And The adhesive sheet or each adhesive sheet has a leading edge, and one or more leading edges of at least one of the adhesive sheets are provided with a label.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an adhesive roll for use in a contact cleaning system, the adhesive roll comprising: A roll core; At least one adhesive sheet wound around the roll core; And The adhesive sheet or each adhesive sheet has a leading edge, and the roll core is provided with a label.

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an adhesive roll for use in a contact cleaning system, the adhesive roll comprising: A roll core; At least one adhesive sheet wound around the roll core; And The adhesive sheet or each adhesive sheet has a leading edge, One or more leading edges of at least one of the adhesive sheets are provided with a label for identifying the leading edge, The label is a fluorescent label or a phosphorescent label.

[0013] The label can be arranged at a predetermined outer peripheral position on the roll core. That is, the label can be arranged at a predetermined outer peripheral position on the outer surface of the roll core. For example, the label can be a label at one point on the outer surface, or can be formed as a label of a line on the outer surface, which is a label of a line extending in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the roll core.

[0014] The label can be arranged only at the leading edge. The label can be arranged only at the end portion of the leading edge of the adhesive sheet. That is, at least a part of the adhesive sheet does not have a label. For example, the central portion between the end portion of the leading edge and the end portion of the trailing edge of the adhesive sheet does not have a label. Advantageously, thereby, the rotational position of the leading edge can be accurately detected.

[0015] The label can be formed as a label of a line extending in a direction parallel to the leading edge. The label of the line can be arranged adjacent to the leading edge. Alternatively, the label can be a label of one point or a plurality of points arranged adjacent to the leading edge. Advantageously, thereby, the rotational position of the leading edge can be accurately detected.

[0016] The label can be configured to emit light. The label can be made detectable by an optical sensor.

[0017] The label can be a fluorescent label, for example, a fluorescent label containing fluorescent ink.

[0018] The label can be a phosphorescent label, for example, a phosphorescent label containing phosphorescent ink.

[0019] The label can include a non-erasable label. Typically, the non-erasable label is visible with light having a wavelength in the range of 400 nanometers to 700 nanometers.

[0020] The leading edge of at least one adhesive sheet can include a leading edge portion, and the label extends at least along the leading edge portion.

[0021] The label can extend from the leading edge of at least one adhesive sheet to the roll core.

[0022] The adhesive roll can have a first end and an opposite second end. That is, the adhesive roll includes a first end and an opposite second end spaced along the axis of rotation of the roll core. The label can extend radially from at least one adhesive sheet to the roll core at the first end and / or the second end.

[0023] At least one adhesive sheet of the adhesive roll can be a single continuous adhesive sheet. The single continuous adhesive sheet can be wound spirally onto the roll core.

[0024] At least one adhesive sheet of the adhesive roll can be a plurality of adhesive sheets, each of the plurality of adhesive sheets having a leading edge and a trailing edge. The plurality of adhesive sheets can be wound continuously onto the roll core.

[0025] The leading edge can extend parallel to the axis of rotation of the adhesive roll or at an angle to the axis of rotation of the adhesive roll. The leading edge can be wound spirally around the adhesive roll.

[0026] The leading edge can be cut at an angle with respect to the length of a single 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 surface that gradually slopes at the boundary of adjacent layers of the adhesive sheet. The outermost adhesive sheet has a continuous 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.

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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 on the inside.

[0029] 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 around the roll core.

[0030] The adhesive base material can include 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 around 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 is easily removed from the roll core when the adhesive sheet has been used.

[0031] The thermoplastic release layer can include a polyethylene material.

[0032] The trailing edge can include a label. The label on the trailing edge can be the same as the label on the leading edge. The label on the trailing edge can be disposed only at the trailing edge.

[0033] 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.

[0034] According to another aspect of the present invention, the adhesive roll described herein, a detector configured to detect the position of a mark at the leading edge of at least one adhesive sheet, an adhesive sheet removing device configured to contact the leading edge of the outermost layer of at least one adhesive sheet and remove the outermost layer of at least one adhesive sheet from the adhesive roll, A contact cleaning system is provided that includes the above.

[0035] The detector can detect the rotational position of the mark with respect to the axis of rotation of the adhesive roll. The detector can include a rotary encoder disposed on the axis of rotation of the adhesive roll, preferably a digital rotary encoder. The rotary encoder can be configured to measure the rotational position of a series of cut lines created on the adhesive roll. The rotational positions of a series of leading edges are 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 cut 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 removing device with the second leading edge with reference to the recorded rotational position of the most recent cut line and starts removing the second length of the adhesive sheet. Then, the second length can be cut by another cut line to create a third leading edge, and the rotary encoder measures the rotational position of the third leading edge in preparation for the subsequent removal of the third length, and so on.

[0036] The label can be arranged only at the leading edge of the adhesive sheet, and advantageously, the detector can accurately detect the rotational position of the leading edge.

[0037] 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 at the leading edge such that the label emits light. The light emitted can be phosphorescent or fluorescent.

[0038] The detector can further include an optical sensor configured to detect the light emitted from the label.

[0039] The adhesive sheet removing device can be configured to apply a vacuum to the leading edge of the outermost layer of at least one adhesive sheet to lift the leading edge of the outermost layer of at least one adhesive sheet from one of the roll core or an adjacent layer of at least one adhesive sheet. By the leading edge lifted by the acting vacuum, the adhesive sheet removing device can remove the outermost layer of at least one adhesive sheet from the adhesive roll.

[0040] The adhesive sheet removing device can include a blade configured to cut the outermost layer of at least one adhesive sheet from the adhesive roll at the cutting line.

[0041] The adhesive sheet removing device can further include an applicator configured to attach a label to at least one adhesive sheet at the cutting line.

[0042] The detector can be operably connected to the adhesive roll and configured to selectively stop the rotation of the adhesive roll.

[0043] The contact cleaning system can further include a contact cleaning roller arranged to contact the adhesive roll during use.

[0044] 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 moved 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 removing device.

[0045] The contact cleaning system can include a pickup element. The pickup element can apply vacuum to the leading edge using a series of vacuum pockets configured to be aligned along the axial length of the adhesive roll. The pickup element can include a series of hollow elements arranged to be spaced apart along the axial length of the adhesive roll during 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 vacuum along the leading edge. Thereby, the acting vacuum becomes stronger in a local area along the leading edge.

[0046] According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing an adhesive roll for a contact cleaning system, the method comprising: supplying an adhesive base material; cutting the adhesive base material at a cutting line to supply an adhesive sheet; marking the cutting line of the adhesive sheet with a label; wrapping the adhesive sheet around a roll core; and including.

[0047] According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing an adhesive roll for a contact cleaning system, the method comprising: supplying an adhesive base material; cutting the adhesive base material at a cutting line to supply an adhesive sheet; Next, the cutting line of the sheet is marked with a label for identifying the leading edge of the adhesive substrate material at the cutting line, the label being a fluorescent label or a phosphorescent label, wrapping the adhesive sheet around the roll core, including.

[0048] According to this method, the label can be a fluorescent label, for example, a fluorescent label containing fluorescent ink, or the label can be a phosphorescent label, for example, a phosphorescent label containing phosphorescent ink.

[0049] The cutting line can be marked before, during, or after the cutting of the adhesive substrate material. The rotational position of the cutting line on the adhesive roll can be measured by a detector, for example, using a rotary encoder.

[0050] According to a particular embodiment, the advantage is provided that the end of the adhesive sheet, i.e., the leading edge, is 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.

[0051] According to a particular embodiment, 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.

[0052] According to a particular embodiment, the leading edge can be lifted from the adhesive roll without risk of damage to the underlying adhesive sheet.

[0053] According to certain embodiments, a simple and convenient method for marking the leading edge of an 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 a used adhesive sheet is removed, improving the reliability of the adhesive sheet removal device.

[0054] According to certain embodiments, it is easily fixed to a 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.

[0055] 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 employed independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and / or features of any embodiment can be combined in any manner 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 in response thereto, 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

[0056] 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

[0057] In the following description, the use of certain terms is for convenience only and is not limiting. The words "inner", "inward", "outer", and "outward" each refer to the direction toward and away from a designated centerline or geometric center (e.g., central axis) of an element in the description, and the specific meaning will become readily apparent from the context of the description.

[0058] Furthermore, as used herein, the terms "connected" and "attached" are intended to include both direct connections between two members without intervening other members and indirect connections with one or more other members intervening between the members. This term includes specifically the words described above, their derivatives, and words of similar meaning.

[0059] Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the use of adjectives representing ordinal numbers such as "first", "second", "third", etc. is only 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 in a given order, ranking, or any other arbitrary manner in time or space.

[0060] Like reference numerals are used throughout to indicate like features.

[0061] 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.

[0062] Next, the adhesive roll 102 is attached to be used in the contact cleaning system 100 so as to be in contact with and interlock 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 rotatably attached to contact each other. The outermost adhesive sheet 104 contacts the outer surface of the contact cleaning roller 130 to remove debris collected from the substrate surface 132 from the outer surface.

[0063] 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.

[0064] Regardless of whether the adhesive 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 substantially the axial length of the adhesive roll 102, parallel to the axis of rotation of the adhesive roll 102.

[0065] 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.

[0066] 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.

[0067] 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.

[0068] The pickup element 112 is rotatable relative to the adhesive roll 102. The pickup element 112 is rotatable from a pickup position where the pickup element 112 is oriented toward 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 toward the waste roller 120 and moves the leading edge 106 onto the waste roller 120.

[0069] The pickup element 112 is also rotatable to a storage position where the pickup element 112 is disengaged from the adhesive roll 102 and from the waste roller 120.

[0070] 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 toward the adhesive roll 102.

[0071] 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, a vacuum acts along the entire leading edge 106 of the outermost layer of the adhesive sheet 104 while the pickup element 112 is oriented in the pickup position.

[0072] 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 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.

[0073] The pickup element 112 transmits the acting vacuum to apply a shear stress to the leading edge 106 of the outermost 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.

[0074] 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 - 4G.

[0075] 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 arranged 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.

[0076] 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 the marker around the axis of rotation of the adhesive roll 102 and thus the rotational position of the leading edge 106.

[0077] 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 towards the adhesive roll 102. The emitted radiation causes a reaction in the marker, so the marker emits light that is detected by the optical sensor. For example, in response to the 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.

[0078] The optical detector 116 is oriented to detect when the leading edge 106 is oriented, i.e., rotated, to be removed from the adhesive roll 102 in conjunction with the pickup element 112 of the adhesive sheet removal device 110. 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 an 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.

[0079] The adhesive sheet removal device 110 further includes a heating element 124 and a pressure element 122 operably arranged with the 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 onto the waste roller 120.

[0080] The pressure element 122 is configured to apply pressure to the received adhesive sheet 104' 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 received adhesive sheet 104' adheres to the waste roller 120.

[0081] 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' is bonded to the waste roller 120 by 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, resulting in the bonding of the thermoplastic release layer to the waste roller 120. Thereafter, the heating area is cooled before the pressure is released, and as a result, a bond is formed between the received adhesive sheet 104' and the waste roller 120.

[0082] 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 fix the received adhesive sheet 104' to the waste roller 120 installed in the contact cleaning system.

[0083] 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 immediately after a length of the adhesive sheet corresponding to the outer circumference of the adhesive roll is removed by the adhesive sheet removal device.

[0084] 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.

[0085] Referring to FIG. 2, an adhesive roll 202 having a plurality of adhesive sheets is shown. The plurality of adhesive sheets are wound around the roll core 208 in sequence to form a series of adhesive sheets 204 for replenishing the adhesive roll 202 during use.

[0086] 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 against the leading edge 206 of the same adhesive sheet 204. That is, each adhesive sheet 204 forms a 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.

[0087] 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.

[0088] 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.

[0089] 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.

[0090] 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.

[0091] 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.

[0092] In a final step, the adhesive sheet is wound around the roll core. An adhesive roll having an adhesive sheet as described herein is formed.

[0093] 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 removing 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.

[0094] 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.

[0095] Subsequently, 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.

[0096] 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.

[0097] 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 removal 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.

[0098] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the labels 209a, 309a are disposed only at the leading edges 206, 306 of the adhesive sheets 204, 304. Optional second labels 209b, 309b are disposed only at the trailing edges 207, 307 of the adhesive sheets 204, 304. No label is disposed at the central portion of the adhesive sheets 204, 304 between the end portions of the leading edge and the end portions of the trailing edge of the adhesive sheets 204, 304. The labels 209a, 309a form a label of one line extending in a direction parallel to the leading edges 206, 306. The lines of the labels 209a, 309a are directly adjacent to the leading edges 206, 306. Similarly, the optional second label 209b forms a label of one line extending in a direction parallel to the trailing edge 207. The line of the label 209b is directly adjacent to the trailing edge 207. An optional label identical to the label 209b in FIG. 2 can also be provided at the trailing edge 307 of the adhesive sheet 304. The rotation positions of the leading edges 206, 306 can be accurately detected by the optical detector 116 (shown in FIG. 1) by the labels 209a, 309a.

[0099] 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.

[0100] Looking at FIG. 4A, the contact cleaning system 100 cleaning 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, and 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.

[0101] 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. As soon as the performance falls below the threshold, the outermost layer of the adhesive sheet 104 on the adhesive roll 102 becomes used and must be removed from the adhesive roll 102.

[0102] 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. As a result, the adhesive roll 102 is moved to a retracted position so as to be operably linked with the adhesive sheet removing device 110.

[0103] Inside 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 at the receiving position.

[0104] 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.

[0105] 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 towards the leading edge 106.

[0106] As soon as it reaches the pickup position, the pickup element 112 applies a vacuum to the leading edge 106 and lifts the leading edge 106 of the used adhesive sheet 104, which is the outermost layer of the adhesive sheet 104, away from the adhesive roll 102.

[0107] Referring to FIG. 4D, the pickup element 112 pivoted to the moving position is shown. The pickup element 112 is oriented towards the waste roller 120. The waste roller 120 is stationary.

[0108] When the pickup element 112 rotates from the pickup position to the transfer position, the leading edge 106 is held against the hollow element 114 by the acting vacuum. In this way, the leading edge 106 is moved from the adhesive roll 102 to the waste roller 120. As a result, the subsequent portion of the used adhesive sheet 104 is also lifted from the adhesive roll 102 and forced toward the waste roller 120.

[0109] 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 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 toward the waste roller 120.

[0110] Referring to 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, adhering the adhesive sheet 104 to the waste roller 120.

[0111] Thereafter, the rotation of the waste roller 120 continues, and the leading edge 106 is further wound around the waste roller 120. By the rotation of the waste roller 120, the used adhesive sheet 104 is rewound from the adhesive roll 102, and the same layer is wound around the waste roller 120.

[0112] 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 rewound 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.

[0113] 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 is replenished.

[0114] The pickup element 112 is returned to the storage position within the adhesive sheet removal device 110.

[0115] 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.

[0116] The adhesive sheet removal device 110 remains on to process the received adhesive sheet 104'. Therefore, 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 application by the pressure element 122.

[0117] After an appropriate time period such as a time in the range of 5 to 10 seconds has elapsed, 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 is stopped. 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.

[0118] Optionally, the process of the contact cleaning system 100 shown in FIGS. 4A - 4G can be carried out using an adhesive roll having a single continuous adhesive sheet as described with reference to FIG. 3. Correspondingly, the adhesive sheet removal device can comprise the cutting elements and applicators described herein. In this way, the adhesive sheet removal device is configured to cut a single continuous adhesive sheet after a length of the adhesive sheet sufficient to expose a new outermost layer of the adhesive sheet has been moved to the waste roller. The length of the moved adhesive sheet 104 is sufficient to expose a new outermost layer of the adhesive sheet 104. The adhesive roll is replenished.

[0119] 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.

[0120] 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 can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Various modifications are possible to the above - described detailed examples.

[0121] Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprise" and "include" and their variations mean "including without limitation" and are not intended to exclude other parts, additives, components, integers, or steps. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular forms also include the plural unless the context specifically requires otherwise. In particular, when an indefinite article is used, it is understood that this specification contemplates both the singular and the plural unless the context specifically requires otherwise.

[0122] Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties, or groups described in connection with a particular aspect, embodiment, or example of the present invention are understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment, or example described herein, unless incompatible therewith. All features (including any appended claims, abstract, and drawings) disclosed herein 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 any of the features disclosed herein or any novel one or any novel combination of any of the steps of any methods or processes so disclosed.

Claims

1. An adhesive roll for use in a contact cleaning system, comprising: a roll core; at least one adhesive sheet wound around the roll core; wherein the adhesive sheet or each adhesive sheet has a leading edge, one or more of the leading edges of the at least one adhesive sheet has a label, and / or the roll core has a label. An adhesive roll.

2. The adhesive roll according to claim 1, wherein the label is a fluorescent label, such as a fluorescent label containing fluorescent ink.

3. The adhesive roll according to claim 1, wherein the label is a phosphorescent label, such as a phosphorescent label containing phosphorescent ink.

4. The adhesive roll according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the at least one adhesive sheet is a single continuous adhesive sheet.

5. The adhesive roll according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the at least one adhesive sheet is a plurality of adhesive sheets, and each of the plurality of adhesive sheets has a leading edge and a trailing edge.

6. The adhesive roll according to claim 5, wherein each adhesive sheet of the plurality of adhesive sheets has a length that substantially covers the outer circumference of the roll core and / or the length of the adjacent adhesive sheet inside.

7. The adhesive roll according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the at least one adhesive sheet has a thermoplastic release layer.

8. The adhesive roll according to claim 6, wherein the length of each adhesive sheet of the plurality of adhesive sheets is greater than the outer circumference of the roll core and / or the length of the adjacent adhesive sheet, such that there is an overlapping region where the leading edge of each adhesive sheet overlaps the trailing edge of that adhesive sheet.

9. The adhesive roll according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the trailing edge has a label.

10. The adhesive roll according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the adhesive sheet or each adhesive sheet of the at least one adhesive sheet has a width, the roll core has a width, and the width of the adhesive sheet or each adhesive sheet is substantially the same as the width of the roll core.

11. A contact cleaning system, comprising: the adhesive roll according to any one of claims 1 to 10; and a detector configured to detect the position of the label at the leading edge of the at least one adhesive sheet. An adhesive sheet removing device configured to contact the leading edge of the outermost layer of the at least one adhesive sheet and remove the outermost layer of the at least one adhesive sheet from the adhesive roll, A contact cleaning system comprising the same. **Claim 12** The detector A radiator configured to emit electromagnetic radiation toward the adhesive roll to cause a reaction in the label so that the label emits light, An optical sensor configured to detect the light emitted from the label, The contact cleaning system according to claim 11, comprising the same. **Claim 13** The adhesive sheet removing device is configured to apply a vacuum to the leading edge of the outermost layer of the at least one adhesive sheet to lift the leading edge of the outermost layer of the at least one adhesive sheet from one of the adjacent layer of the at least one adhesive sheet or the roll core and remove the outermost layer of the at least one adhesive sheet from the adhesive roll. The contact cleaning system according to claim 11 or 12. **Claim 14** The adhesive sheet removing device A blade configured to cut the outermost layer of the at least one adhesive sheet from the adhesive roll at a cutting line, An applicator configured to attach a label to the at least one adhesive sheet at the cutting line, The contact cleaning system according to claim 13, comprising the same. **Claim 15** A method of manufacturing an adhesive roll for a contact cleaning system, comprising: Supplying an adhesive base material; Cutting the adhesive base material at a cutting line to supply an adhesive sheet; Marking the cutting line of the adhesive sheet with a label; Wrapping the adhesive sheet around a roll core. A method comprising the same. **Claim 16** The method according to claim 15, wherein the label is a fluorescent label, for example, a fluorescent label containing fluorescent ink. **Claim 17** The method according to claim 15, wherein the label is a phosphorescent label, for example, a phosphorescent label containing phosphorescent ink. **Claim 18** The method according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the cutting line is marked before, during, or after cutting the adhesive base material.

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