Device for cleaning at least one conveyor belt and / or workpieces transported using the conveyor belt

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for cleaning at least one conveyor belt (1) and / or workpieces (4) transported by means of the conveyor belt (1), wherein the conveyor belt (1) is drivingly guided in a circulating manner about a retaining unit (2), wherein furthermore at least one vacuum device (7) for generating a cleaning air flow through a cleaning chamber (8) is provided, and wherein the conveyor belt (1) optionally runs through the cleaning chamber (8) with the workpieces (4) located thereon or suspended therefrom. In addition, a dry ice source (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14) acting on the conveyor belt (1) and / or the workpiece (4) is provided, which loosens contaminants which are in turn transported away by the cleaning air flow.

Description

[0001] andrejewski • honke

[0002] Patent and legal attorneys

[0003] PCT patent application December 2, 2025

[0004] Neuhäuser GmbH (X 28 O67 / Fe / Nu)

[0005] Device for cleaning at least one conveyor belt and / or workpieces transported by means of the conveyor belt

[0006] Description:

[0007] The invention relates to a device for cleaning at least one conveyor belt and / or workpieces transported by means of the conveyor belt, wherein the conveyor belt is continuously driven around a holding device, wherein at least one vacuum device is provided for generating a cleaning air flow in a cleaning chamber, in such a way that the cleaning air flow is passed through the cleaning chamber, and wherein the conveyor belt optionally passes through the cleaning chamber with the workpieces located on or attached to it.

[0008] Contamination often occurs when workpieces are transported along a holding device using conveyor belts. This applies both when the workpieces are magnetically attached to the conveyor belt by means of magnetic holding elements arranged longitudinally along the holding device, and when the workpieces are attached using vacuum units. The workpieces themselves are transported either resting on the conveyor belt or suspended from it in the longitudinal direction of the holding device.

[0009] In any case, the workpieces often exhibit contamination from chips or dust in combination with flushing or drilling fluid, which can be explained by upstream machining steps. Such contamination often adheres to the workpiece and can also contaminate the conveyor belt used to transport the workpieces. Such contamination, especially of the conveyor belt, is problematic in the long run because it can delay the subsequent setup or the andrejewski • honke

[0010] Patent and legal attorneys

[0011] PCT patent application December 2, 2025

[0012] Neuhäuser GmbH (X 28 O67 / Fe / Nu)

[0013] 2

[0014] Loading and transporting additional workpieces can become more difficult. This is because the newly loaded workpieces may have reduced adhesion to the conveyor belt, potentially leading to unintentional falls, for example, if the workpiece is being transported suspended. Therefore, conveyor belts, in particular, must be cleaned regularly.

[0015] This is also relevant, for example, because different workpieces are often transported using the conveyor belt. Aluminum plates, for instance, require different corrosion protection compared to steel plates, meaning that different deposits are present on the conveyor belt and must be removed before the workpieces being transported are changed.

[0016] Up to now, predominantly mechanical methods have been used in practice to clean workpieces and conveyor belts. However, it has become apparent that the brushes most commonly used are increasingly unsuitable for this purpose, as the workpieces transported on the conveyor belt often have a rough, uneven surface. Furthermore, brushes are often unable to remove stubborn deposits, oil films, and other contaminants from the conveyor belt.

[0017] For this reason, the prior art attributed to the applicant according to DE 295 07 865 U1 works in such a way that a scraper that can be pressed against the belt surface to be cleaned is provided. The scraper has a pivotally mounted scraper arm with a scraper blade. Furthermore, the scraper can be pressed against the conveyor belt by means of an adjusting device. andrejewski • honke

[0018] Patent and legal attorneys

[0019] PCT patent application December 2, 2025

[0020] Neuhäuser GmbH (X 28 O67 / Fe / Nu)

[0021] 3

[0022] Such mechanical cleaning methods, whether using brushes or the described scraper, reach their limits when, for example, delicate plates with a defined surface structure and low material thickness are to be transported using such conveyor devices. Bipolar plates, used in the production of fuel cells, are an example of such plates. The same applies to films transported alternatively for the production of accumulators. While the prior art, specifically EP 4 335 560 A1, which is also attributed to the applicant, already contains approaches to achieving the gentlest possible cleaning, the described measures are only partially suitable for cleaning the conveyor belt alone. The invention aims to remedy this situation.

[0023] The invention is based on the technical problem of further developing such a device for cleaning at least one conveyor belt and / or workpieces transported by means of the conveyor belt in such a way that a particularly gentle cleaning effect is observed.

[0024] To solve this technical problem, the invention proposes, starting from a generic device, that an additional dry ice source be provided which acts on the conveyor belt and / or the workpiece, dissolving impurities which are in turn carried away with the cleaning air stream.

[0025] The invention is based on the premise that dry ice, i.e., solid carbon dioxide (CO2), is particularly suitable for industrial cleaning purposes, specifically for cleaning both the conveyor belt and the transported workpieces. This can be attributed to the fact that, especially in this context, andrejewski • honke

[0026] Patent and legal attorneys

[0027] PCT patent application December 2, 2025

[0028] Neuhäuser GmbH (X 28 O67 / Fe / Nu)

[0029] 4. Observed contaminants such as grease, release agents, coatings, oils, etc., become hard and brittle upon irradiation with dry ice and flake off. The flakes thus detached from the conveyor belt and / or the workpiece transported on it can then be carried away by the cleaning airflow.

[0030] This prevents the loosened contaminants from being released uncontrollably into the environment. Rather, the design within the scope of the invention is such that a jet nozzle, typically provided at this location, for treating the conveyor belt and / or the workpiece is arranged as part of the dry ice source inside the cleaning chamber. As a result, contaminants loosened from the conveyor belt or workpiece by the jet nozzle practically cannot leave the cleaning chamber and are carried away by the cleaning airflow passing through the chamber, where they can then be separated and collected, for example.

[0031] In this way, the relevant contaminants are collected in a targeted manner and can subsequently be further processed, for example, as hazardous waste or incinerated. Furthermore, any carbon dioxide gas produced during this process can be carried away along with the cleaning air stream and, for example, recirculated – just like the cleaning air stream itself. This allows the device according to the invention to be used even in environments that are particularly sensitive with regard to potential contamination, such as inside cleanrooms. This is further enhanced by the fact that the cleaning chamber can be sealed against the conveyor belt to be cleaned and / or the workpieces transported on it, as will be explained in more detail below (andrejewski • honke).

[0032] Patent and legal attorneys

[0033] PCT patent application December 2, 2025

[0034] Neuhäuser GmbH (X 28 O67 / Fe / Nu)

[0035] 5 is described.

[0036] While the basic cleaning of conveyor belts using dry ice and a dry ice source is known, as demonstrated, for example, by DE 10 2013 200 095 A1, this invention concerns a dry ice belt cleaning system for laser cutting devices used in conjunction with the transport of paper goods. In contrast, the invention uses films, metal plates, etc., for transport, and, moreover, in the known method, the dissolved contaminants are effectively released into the environment. Although a housing surrounding the jet area is implemented in this case, the removal of the dissolved deposits and the dry ice particles occurs via a drain line, and no additional cleaning flow is directed through the cleaning chamber. Rather, the removal apparently occurs due to overpressure generated inside the housing.

[0037] The conveyor belt to be cleaned at this point within the scope of the invention is usually a toothed belt or toothed belt conveyor. This is typically made of plastic and can be produced by extrusion. Conveyor belts made of PU (polyurethane) have generally proven particularly advantageous. It has been shown that such conveyor belts are not affected by a dry ice jet; rather, the deposits in question—even in liquid form—solidify and can be completely and easily removed and transported away by means of the cleaning air stream. This is where the key advantages lie.

[0038] To realize and implement this in detail, the dry ice source is equipped with at least one source of a carrier gas and another source of CO2, which are mixed together. This means that the resulting andrejewski • honke

[0039] Patent and legal attorneys

[0040] PCT patent application December 2, 2025

[0041] Neuhäuser GmbH (X 28 O67 / Fe / Nu)

[0042] Dry ice from the CO2 source is transported towards the jet nozzle using the carrier gas and generates the desired dry ice jet on the nozzle outlet side for cleaning the conveyor belt and / or the workpiece being transported.

[0043] For this purpose, the dry ice source is generally equipped with a blasting device with an attached carrier gas line and a connected CO2 line. The blasting device itself has the previously mentioned blasting nozzle. Furthermore, the blasting device is equipped with a CO2 expansion chamber.

[0044] The invention is based on the understanding that dry ice forms in the expansion chamber and is fed to the jet nozzle along with the carrier gas, exiting the nozzle as a dry ice jet. For this purpose, the jet nozzle is not only located inside the cleaning chamber but is also directed towards the surface of the conveyor belt to be cleaned or the surface of the workpiece to be cleaned. Furthermore, the carrier gas is supplied to the dry ice formed in the expansion chamber under pressure.

[0045] In detail, the design is such that the blasting device is equipped with the connected carrier gas line. This can be a simple compressed air line. That is, in this case, for example, pressurized atmospheric air acts as the carrier gas. Of course, other carrier gases can also be used here, such as inert carrier gases like nitrogen or even noble gases.

[0046] The CO2 line is also connected to the blasting device. (See also Andrejewski and Honke.)

[0047] Patent and legal attorneys

[0048] PCT patent application December 2, 2025

[0049] Neuhäuser GmbH (X 28 O67 / Fe / Nu)

[0050] At point 7, a conventional pressure cylinder is connected to the end of the CC line. This cylinder holds a supply of CO2 at a pressure such that the CO2 remains liquid at ambient temperature. This pressure is approximately 5.5 MPa at an ambient temperature of 20 °C, for example.

[0051] In this way, the liquid CO2 flows through the CC line into the jet device, or the expansion chamber provided there, due to the pressure gradient, without any further conveying equipment. This allows the liquid CO2 to expand rapidly in the expansion chamber, causing some of it to evaporate. This evaporation and the pressure release simultaneously cool the CO2, so that some of the liquid CO2 is finely atomized upon entering the expansion chamber. Consequently, fine dry snow or dry ice particles are formed, into which the CO2 condenses.

[0052] The dry ice produced in this way is then carried along by carrier gas supplied laterally, for example in a jet line, and fed to the jet nozzle provided at the outlet of the jet device.

[0053] The jet nozzle is typically a Laval nozzle, a special type of expansion nozzle that can generate supersonic speeds of the dry ice jet at the outlet, as will be explained in more detail in the exemplary embodiment. This is, of course, not mandatory.

[0054] The jet nozzle is usually preferably arranged centrally inside the cleaning chamber and directed towards the conveyor belt or the workpieces being transported by the conveyor belt. This allows for the possibility that at least one side of the jet nozzle... andrejewski • honke

[0055] Patent and legal attorneys

[0056] PCT patent application December 2, 2025

[0057] Neuhäuser GmbH (X 28 O67 / Fe / Nu)

[0058] 8. A suction channel can be implemented that communicates with the vacuum device for generating the cleaning airflow. Usually, a suction channel is provided on each side of the jet nozzle, each of which can be equipped with its own vacuum device. Furthermore, it has proven advantageous if the cleaning airflow and the carrier gas, or a carrier gas airflow generated by it, coincide. As previously explained, atmospheric air under positive pressure can be used as the carrier gas.

[0059] This pressurized atmospheric air, acting as a carrier gas, is used not only to transport the dry ice particles and create the dry ice jet at the nozzle's outlet, but also, in conjunction with the negative pressure system, to generate the cleaning airflow through the cleaning chamber. This cleaning airflow can therefore be recirculated as needed.

[0060] In this context, it has proven particularly advantageous to install a filter upstream of the vacuum system to separate the contaminants. To facilitate cleaning, the filter is generally replaceable. Furthermore, the design is usually such that the cleaning chamber extends across the conveyor belt in a transverse direction. In addition, the cleaning chamber can be mounted to float relative to the conveyor belt to ensure the most effective possible seal between the cleaning chamber and the conveyor belt, as well as against the workpieces being transported on the conveyor belt.

[0061] For this purpose, the floating bearing features, for example, guide pins oriented transversely to the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt, as will be explained in more detail below with reference to the figure description. andrejewski • honke

[0062] Patent and legal attorneys

[0063] PCT patent application December 2, 2025

[0064] Neuhäuser GmbH (X 28 O67 / Fe / Nu)

[0065] 9

[0066] The guide pins can each have a cup bearing in the cleaning chamber at their respective end. Furthermore, it has proven advantageous in this context if the respective guide pin is made of plastic.

[0067] The invention provides a device for cleaning at least one conveyor belt and / or workpieces transported by the conveyor belt, enabling particularly effective cleaning of the conveyor belt and / or the workpieces transported by it. This is achieved using a dry ice jet that impacts the surface of the conveyor belt and / or the workpieces transported by it. This allows any contaminants or adhering substances to be solidified and then removed from the surface by the directed dry ice jet.

[0068] All of this takes place inside the cleaning chamber, which is positioned next to the conveyor belt or the workpieces being transported. This ensures that the loosened contaminants are not released into the environment. Instead, the contaminants are carried away by the cleaning airflow passing through the chamber and can be removed by the filter installed upstream of the vacuum system. This is where the key advantages lie.

[0069] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing that illustrates only one embodiment; shown are andrejewski • honke

[0070] Patent and legal attorneys

[0071] PCT patent application December 2, 2025

[0072] Neuhäuser GmbH (X 28 O67 / Fe / Nu)

[0073] 10

[0074] Figure 1 shows the device according to the invention in a basic overview and

[0075] Figure 2 shows the dry ice source in detail.

[0076] Figure 1 shows a device for cleaning at least one conveyor belt.

[0077] Figure 1 shows the conveyor belt 1 being made of plastic, specifically polyurethane in this embodiment. Furthermore, the conveyor belt 1 is designed as a toothed belt conveyor and can be manufactured, for example, by extrusion. The conveyor belt 1 is guided around a holding device 2 by a drive mechanism. Drive wheels 3, designed as gears, are arranged at each end of the holding device 2 to drive the conveyor belt 1.

[0078] Using the conveyor belt 1, workpieces 4 can be transported in a conveying direction F oriented longitudinally in Figure 1. The workpieces 4 may be plate-shaped objects that are magnetizable and are therefore held in contact with the conveyor belt 1 by means of magnetic units located inside the holding device 2 (not shown). Alternatively or additionally, a vacuum is generated inside the holding device 2, which, according to the exemplary embodiment, is provided by means of a vacuum device 5.

[0079] The vacuum device 5 can be a suction blower, which is used to generate the desired vacuum inside the holding device 2. For this purpose, the vacuum inside the holding device communicates

[0080] 2 via vacuum channels with the conveyor belt 1 or suction openings 6 in the conveyor belt 1, which are shown in the enlarged illustrations. Via andrejewski • honke

[0081] Patent and legal attorneys

[0082] PCT patent application December 2, 2025

[0083] Neuhäuser GmbH (X 28 O67 / Fe / Nu)

[0084] 11 these suction openings 6 in the conveyor belt 1 allow the workpiece 4 to be held suctionally and in contact with the conveyor belt 1 and transported together with the conveyor belt 1.

[0085] In this embodiment, in addition to the vacuum device 5 or the suction blower, a further vacuum device 7 is implemented, which generates a cleaning airflow, indicated by arrows in Figure 1, in and through a cleaning chamber 8. Alternatively, the respective vacuum devices 7 and the vacuum device 5 can be combined. In any case, the design is such that the cleaning chamber 8 is arranged above the conveyor belt 1, and the conveyor belt 1 passes through the cleaning chamber 8 at its lower edge. This also applies to the workpieces 1 located on the conveyor belt 1 in this embodiment and in the surface-mounted transport shown here.

[0086] The cleaning chamber 8 is typically located in the upper run of the conveyor belt 1. In contrast, the workpieces 4 are guided along the lower run of the conveyor belt 1 in the conveying direction F and transported suspended. They can be picked up at one point and placed down at a distance from it. This allows the upper run of the conveyor belt 1 to be cleaned of any contaminants, for example, on its surface, during the transport of the workpieces 4, using the cleaning airflow. The workpieces 4 can also be cleaned on their respective surfaces using the method described below, although this is not shown.

[0087] For cleaning the conveyor belt 1, the invention relies on an andrejewski • honke

[0088] Patent and legal attorneys

[0089] PCT patent application December 2, 2025

[0090] Neuhäuser GmbH (X 28 O67 / Fe / Nu)

[0091] 12

[0092] Dry ice source 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, which acts on the conveyor belt 1 and / or the respective workpiece 4, dislodging contaminants from its surface, which are then carried away by the cleaning air stream. For this purpose, the dry ice source 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 is equipped with a blasting device 9, 10, as shown in detail in Figure 2. The blasting device 9, 10 has a blasting nozzle 9 at its outlet, which is located approximately centrally inside the cleaning chamber 8. Furthermore, a comparison of Figures 1 and 2 shows that the blasting nozzle 9 is directed approximately perpendicularly to the conveyor belt 1 and its surface. This allows the jet of dry ice and a carrier gas exiting the blasting nozzle 9 to particularly effectively remove contaminants from the surface of the conveyor belt 1.

[0093] Figure 2 shows that the dry ice source 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 is initially equipped with a source 12 for a carrier gas. In this example, and quite schematically, the source 12 is a pressure compressor, which supplies atmospheric air under positive pressure to a jet line 10. This jet line terminates in the previously mentioned jet nozzle 9 and, as shown in Figure 1, is immersed in or sealed to the cleaning chamber 8. Depending on the technical equipment at the installation site, the pressure compressor or source 12 here represents and exemplifies the simple connection of available compressed air to the jet line 10.

[0094] Furthermore, the dry ice source 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 is equipped not only with the jet device 9, 10 and the connected carrier gas line or jet line 10, but also with a CO2 line 13. The CO2- andrejewski • honke

[0095] Patent and legal attorneys

[0096] PCT patent application December 2, 2025

[0097] Neuhäuser GmbH (X 28 O67 / Fe / Nu)

[0098] 13

[0099] Line 13 leads into the jet line or carrier gas line 10. It can also be seen that a source 11 for CO2 is provided on the inlet side of the CC line 13, which is or could be a conventional pressure cylinder, as already described in the introductory section.

[0100] The liquid CO2 in the pressure cylinder 11 flows into the CO2 line 13 and enters a CO2 expansion chamber 14. The rapid expansion of the CO2 gas, combined with simultaneous cooling, forms dry ice, which is then carried along by the compressed air supplied laterally via the jet line or carrier gas line 10, acting like a jet pump. This results in a carrier gas or pressurized air at the end of the jet line or carrier gas line 10, enriched with the formed dry ice particles. This dry ice stream then passes through the jet nozzle 9 and onto the surface of the conveyor belt 1.

[0101] In the exemplary embodiment, and without limitation, the jet nozzle 9 is a so-called Laval nozzle, such that on the outlet side of the jet nozzle 9 the carrier gas with the dry ice particles contained therein is accelerated to supersonic speed, thus ensuring a particularly effective cleaning of the surface of the conveyor belt 1 and, if necessary, also of the individual workpieces 4 (see Fig. 2).

[0102] Returning to Figure 1, it can be seen that suction channels 15 are provided on at least one side next to the jet nozzle 9, which is located centrally inside the cleaning chamber 8. In fact, according to the exemplary embodiment, there are two suction channels 15 on both sides of the jet nozzle 9, by means of which the particles removed from the surface of the andrejewski • honke by the dry ice jet are drawn away.

[0103] Patent and legal attorneys

[0104] PCT patent application December 2, 2025

[0105] Neuhäuser GmbH (X 28 O67 / Fe / Nu)

[0106] 14

[0107] Contaminants detached by conveyor belt 1 are transported from the cleaning chamber 8. For this purpose, a filter 16, which is interchangeable for cleaning purposes, is installed upstream of the previously mentioned respective vacuum device 7. The filter 16 is located outside the cleaning chamber 8. The respective suction channel 15 is not usually formed by any guides, but mostly purely virtually by the flow conditions inside the cleaning chamber 8.

[0108] The exemplary embodiment shows that two vacuum devices 7, each with an upstream filter 16, are provided at this point to collect and separate the deposits that are detached from the surface of the conveyor belt 1 on both sides of the jet nozzle 9 and extracted by means of the suction channels 15. The suction channels 15 communicate with the respective vacuum device 7, thereby generating the cleaning airflow through the cleaning chamber 8 as previously described. This cleaning airflow utilizes the carrier gas, or in this example, the pressurized atmospheric air, which originates from the source 12, exits the jet nozzle 9 via the jet line or carrier gas line 10, and is then fed to the vacuum device 7 through the suction channels 15 and the respective filters 16.It is understood that the cleaning airflow in question, generated in this way, can be designed to be recirculated and closed if necessary, thus preventing any contaminants released in cleaning chamber 8 from being observed outside of cleaning chamber 8. As a consequence, the carrier gas, or, according to the exemplary embodiment, the pressurized atmospheric air, can also be circulated. This also applies to the CO2 gas produced during this process, which is likewise circulated and thus completes the entire device shown in Figure 1 for andrejewski • honk e.

[0109] Patent and legal attorneys

[0110] PCT patent application December 2, 2025

[0111] Neuhäuser GmbH (X 28 O67 / Fe / Nu)

[0112] 15. Any installations in cleanrooms are ideal because contamination is not a concern.

[0113] It can be seen that the cleaning chamber 8 completely overlaps the conveyor belt 1, taking into account a certain length in the longitudinal direction or conveying direction F and perpendicular to this, that is, transverse to the longitudinal extent of the associated conveyor belt 1. Furthermore, according to the embodiment, the cleaning chamber 8 is floating relative to the conveyor belt 1. For this purpose, guide pins 17 oriented transversely to the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt 1 and thus to the conveying direction F can be provided. It can be seen that, according to the embodiment, guide pins 17 are provided on the front and rear sides of the cleaning chamber 8 and are mounted on or in the cleaning chamber 8. For this purpose, each of the two guide pins 17 has a cup bearing at its end in the cleaning chamber 8. According to the embodiment, and without limitation, the guide pins 17 are made of plastic.

[0114] In this way, the cleaning chamber 8 can be positioned against the conveyor belt 1 using the guide pins 17 and sealed against the conveyor belt 1. Of course, other sealing methods are also possible at this point. The guide pins 17 are each equipped with springs (not explicitly shown). The surface of the conveyor belt 1 is thus exposed to the dry ice jet emanating from the jet nozzle 9, which loosens the contaminants. The contaminants thus loosened are carried away by the cleaning airflow and separated by the replaceable filter 16 outside the cleaning chamber 8.

Claims

andrejewski • honke Patent and legal attorneys PCT patent application December 2, 2025 Neuhäuser GmbH (X 28 O67 / Fe / Nu) Patent claims:

1. Device for cleaning at least one conveyor belt (1) and / or workpieces (4) transported by means of the conveyor belt (1), wherein the conveyor belt (1) is driven around a holding device (2), wherein at least one vacuum device (7) is provided for generating a cleaning air flow through a cleaning chamber (8), and wherein the conveyor belt (1) optionally passes through the cleaning chamber (8) with the workpieces (4) located on or attached to it, characterized in that a dry ice source (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14) is additionally provided which acts on the conveyor belt (1) and / or the workpiece (4) and which dissolves impurities which are in turn carried away by the cleaning air flow.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the dry ice source (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14) has at least one source (12) for a carrier gas and a further source (11) for CO2, which are mixed together.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the dry ice source (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14) has a jet device (9, 10) with an attached carrier gas line (10) and a CÜ2 line (13).

4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the beam device (9, 10) is equipped with a relaxation chamber (14) for the CO2.

5. Device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the andrejewski • honke Patent and legal attorneys PCT patent application December 2, 2025 Neuhäuser GmbH (X 28 O67 / Fe / Nu) 2 The blasting device (9, 10) has a blasting nozzle (9) into which dry ice produced by expansion in the expansion chamber (14) is fed with the carrier gas under pressure.

6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the jet nozzle (9) is designed as a Laval nozzle.

7. Device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the jet nozzle (9) is preferably arranged centrally inside the cleaning chamber (8).

8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that at least on one side, preferably on both sides of the jet nozzle (9), a suction channel (15) is provided which communicates with the vacuum device (7) for generating the cleaning air flow.

9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that a filter (16) for separating the impurities is connected upstream of the vacuum device (7).

10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the filter (16) is designed to be replaceable.

11. Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the cleaning chamber (8) overlaps the conveyor belt (1) in a transverse direction.

12. Device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the cleaning chamber (8) is floating relative to the conveyor belt (1). Andre Jewski • Honke Patent and lawyers PCT patent application December 2, 2025 Neuhäuser GmbH (X 28 O67 / Fe / Nu) 13. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that guide pins (17) oriented transversely to the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt (1) are provided for floating mounting.

14. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that the guide pins (17) each have a cup bearing in the cleaning chamber (8) at their respective end.

15. Device according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the respective guide pin (17) is made of plastic.

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