Plastic Sheet Cleaning Rollers With Electrostatic Debris Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for effective systems and processes to clean plastic tier sheets to enable their repeated use and reduce waste, as they accumulate debris such as dry dust particles during handling and storage.

Innovation Solution

A multi-stage system comprising a drive assembly, electrostatic-discharge device, and cleaning roller assembly with vacuuming, which includes a drive roller, electrostatic-discharge device, and cleaning rollers with cleaning implements to remove debris from plastic sheets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If plastic tier sheets are used repeatedly to reduce waste, then environmental sustainability improves, but debris accumulation reduces cleaning effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoiddebris accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning system is divided into multiple independent modules: electrostatic discharge device, cleaning roller assembly with multiple rollers, and vacuum assembly. Each module performs a specific function in the cleaning sequence, allowing targeted removal of different types of debris while maintaining overall cleaning effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces purely mechanical cleaning methods with a combination of electrostatic discharge (electrical field) to neutralize charged debris particles, followed by mechanical roller engagement and vacuum suction. This multi-physics approach overcomes the limitation of mechanical methods alone in removing fine, lightly adhering debris

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If a simple cleaning method is used, then device complexity is reduced, but debris removal completeness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebris removal completenessVSAvoidcleaning system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges three distinct cleaning mechanisms (electrostatic discharge, mechanical roller cleaning, and vacuum suction) into a single integrated cleaning station. The components work in sequence on the same sheet path, combining their effects to achieve complete debris removal without requiring multiple separate processing steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning roller assembly serves multiple functions: it mechanically engages and scrubs the sheet surface, provides structural support for the cleaning implements, and works in conjunction with the vacuum assembly to capture removed debris. The system handles various types of debris (dust, particles, contaminants) through this multi-functional design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If manual cleaning is used, then equipment cost is reduced, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet cleaning throughputVSAvoidautomated cleaning system

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is designed to clean sheets automatically as they pass through the cleaning assembly, requiring no manual intervention. The drive assembly automatically feeds sheets, the cleaning rollers actively engage and clean the surfaces, and the vacuum assembly continuously removes debris, creating a self-sustaining cleaning process that maintains high throughput

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning process operates continuously as sheets move through the system. The electrostatic discharge device continuously ionizes the air to neutralize debris charge, the cleaning rollers rotate continuously to maintain contact with the sheet surface, and the vacuum assembly operates continuously to capture debris as it is removed, ensuring uninterrupted cleaning action

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system effectively removes debris from plastic sheets by discharging static electricity, engaging cleaning implements, and vacuuming, ensuring sheets are clean for reuse, thereby reducing waste and maintaining their effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

an electrostatic-discharge device operable to discharge static electricity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic discharge: Electrostatic Discharge

Implementation Method 2

a vacuum assembly positioned downstream of the cleaning roller assembly and configured to remove debris from the sheet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Data Source

PatentUS12508630B2System and process for removing debris from plastic sheets

Publication Date: 2025.12.30 SIGNODE INDIA LTD

AI summary

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a multi-stage system and process for removing debris from plastic sheets (such as tier sheets or any other suitable sheets formed from any suitable material). Certain embodiments of the sheet-cleaning system (10) include a drive assembly comprising a drive roller (211, 212) driven by a drive actuator, an electrostatic-discharge device (220) operable to discharge static electricity, and a cleaning roller assembly (230) comprising a cleaning roller (231, 232) driven by a cleaning roller actuator, the cleaning roller (231, 232) comprising a cleaning implement on at least part of its outer surface.