Contact cleaning system

Abstract

To provide a conveyor for a contact cleaning system and the contact cleaning system.SOLUTION: An embodiment of the present invention provides a conveyor of a contact cleaning system, the conveyor including an input conveyor and an output conveyor spaced apart from the input conveyor by a distance (A), wherein the input conveyor and / or the output conveyor is movable relative to the other of the input conveyor or the output conveyor between a retracted position in which the distance (A) is a first distance (Acleaning) and an extended position in which the distance (A) is less than the first distance (Acleaning).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0022] In certain embodiments, the infeed conveyor and the outfeed conveyor may include a tensioning mechanism configured to maintain both the infeed conveyor and the outfeed conveyor in a taut configuration in the retracted and extended positions, respectively.

[0023] Advantageously, the tensioning mechanism ensures that each of the input and / or output conveyors remains taut as it moves between the retracted and extended positions.

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

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

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

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

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

[0029] In certain embodiments, the input conveyor and / or output conveyor can comprise a frame. The frame can comprise a fixed frame portion and a movable frame portion slidably connected to the fixed frame portion. The input conveyor and / or output conveyor can be supported by both the fixed frame portion and the movable frame portion. The movable frame portion can be positioned to slide relative to the fixed frame portion and move toward the other of the input conveyor or the output conveyor.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0040] Detailed Description 1-3 illustrate a contact cleaning system 100 in accordance with the present invention. The contact cleaning system 100 includes two lower contact cleaning rollers 102 and two upper contact cleaning rollers 104. The contact cleaning system 100 also includes an inlet conveyor 106 positioned to transport substrates toward the lower and upper contact cleaning rollers 102, 104, and an outlet conveyor 108 positioned to transport substrates away from the lower and upper contact cleaning rollers 102, 104.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0052] The input conveyor 106 and the output conveyor 108 are in an extended position. The distance (A) between the input conveyor 106 and the output conveyor 108 is a first distance (A cleaning 2, the input conveyor 106 and the output conveyor 108 are spaced apart from each other by a distance (A) that is less than a minimum distance (A min ), but the distance between the infeed conveyor 106 and the outfeed conveyor 108 is a first distance (A cleaning ) can be any distance less than 1 / 2 the length of the substrate. For example, distance (A) can be any suitable distance that allows the substrate to be transported across the gap between the infeed conveyor 106 and the outfeed conveyor 108. In other words, distance (A) in the extended position is less than the length of the substrate such that the substrate is supported by both the infeed conveyor 106 and the outfeed conveyor 108 as it is transported between them.

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

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

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

[0056] The input conveyor 106 and the output conveyor 108 are in an extended position. The distance (A) between the input conveyor 106 and the output conveyor 108 is a first distance (A cleaning 3, the input conveyor 106 and the output conveyor 108 are spaced apart from each other by a distance (A) that is less than a minimum distance (A min ), but the distance between the infeed conveyor 106 and the outfeed conveyor 108 is a first distance (A cleaning ) can be any distance less than 1 / 2 the length of the substrate. For example, distance (A) can be any suitable distance that allows the substrate to be transported across the gap between the infeed conveyor 106 and the outfeed conveyor 108. In other words, distance (A) in the extended position is less than the length of the substrate such that the substrate is supported by both the infeed conveyor 106 and the outfeed conveyor 108 as it is transported between them.

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

[0058] In other words, in this configuration, the substrate is transported from the infeed conveyor 106 to the outfeed conveyor 108 bypassing all contact cleaning rollers 102, 104. Therefore, the substrate is not cleaned.

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

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

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

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

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

[0064] All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and / or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations in which at least some of such features and / or steps are mutually exclusive.

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

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

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

Claims

1. 1. A contact cleaning system comprising: A conveyor, An infeed conveyor, an output conveyor spaced a distance (A) from the input conveyor; Equipped with The carrying-in conveyor and / or the carrying-out conveyor are configured such that the distance (A) is a first distance (A ｃｌｅａｎｉｎｇ ) and a retracted position where the distance (A) is the first distance (A ｃｌｅａｎｉｎｇ an extended position of less than 100 mm relative to the other of the input conveyor or the output conveyor; configured to support a substrate on a conveyor surface; A conveyor and one or more lower contact cleaning rollers positioned below the conveyor surface, the one or more lower contact cleaning rollers movable between a cleaning position in which the surface of the one or more lower contact cleaning rollers is flush with the input and output conveyors and a retracted position in which the surface of the one or more lower contact cleaning rollers is retracted below the plane of the input and output conveyors; Equipped with the infeed conveyor is positioned to transport the substrate toward the one or more lower contact cleaning rollers. Contact cleaning system.

2. 2. The contact cleaning system of claim 1, wherein the infeed conveyor and the outfeed conveyor are configured to receive the one or more lower contact cleaning rollers therebetween when the infeed conveyor and the outfeed conveyor are in the retracted position.

3. 3. The contact cleaning system of claim 2, wherein the input conveyor, the output conveyor, and the surfaces of the one or more lower contact cleaning rollers are coplanar in the retracted position so that substrates transported from the input conveyor to the output conveyor via the one or more lower contact cleaning rollers remain at the same height.

4. 3. The contact cleaning system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the distance (A) is adjustable to be less than the length of a substrate to be supported on the infeed and outfeed conveyors when the conveyors are in the extended position.

5. The distance (A) is the minimum distance (A ｍｉｎ 3. The contact cleaning system of claim 1, wherein the

6. The distance (A) is the maximum distance (A ｍａｘ 3. The contact cleaning system of claim 1, wherein the

7. 3. The contact cleaning system of claim 1, wherein the input conveyor comprises an input conveyor tensioning mechanism configured to maintain the input conveyor in a taut configuration in each of the retracted and extended positions.

8. 3. The contact cleaning system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the output conveyor comprises an output conveyor tensioning mechanism configured to maintain the output conveyor in a taut configuration in each of the retracted and extended positions.

9. 3. The contact cleaning system of claim 1 or 2, further comprising at least one of a mechanical adjustment means, a pneumatic adjustment means, or an electromechanical adjustment means configured to move the infeed conveyor and / or the outfeed conveyor between the retracted position and the extended position.

10. 3. The contact cleaning system of claim 1, wherein when the one or more lower contact cleaning rollers are in the cleaning position, the input conveyor and the output conveyor are in the retracted position, and the distance between the input conveyor and the output conveyor is sized to receive the one or more lower contact cleaning rollers therebetween.

11. 3. The contact cleaning system of claim 1, comprising one or more upper contact cleaning rollers and one or more lower contact cleaning rollers, the one or more upper contact cleaning rollers being positioned above the conveyor surface, the one or more upper contact cleaning rollers being movable between a cleaning position where a surface of the one or more upper contact cleaning rollers is positioned to contact a top surface of a substrate being transported from the input conveyor to the output conveyor, and a retracted position where the surface of the one or more upper contact cleaning rollers is retracted upward away from the input conveyor and the output conveyor.

Images