Method and apparatus for removing fibrous particles from a conveyor belt

Claim 5

A method as defined in claim 2 wherein the step of agitating occurs substantially simultaneously with steps (d) and (e).

Claim 6

A method as defined in claim 3 further comprising the steps of (g) containing said body of liquid within a basin and (h) continuously pumping said solution into said basin to cause an overflow condition.

Claim 7

A method as defined in claim 4 further comprising the steps of (i) collecting said overflow of solution; (j) filtering the foreign particles therefrom and (k) recycling the filtered solution back into said basin.

Claim 8

Apparatus for dislodging and removing fibrous particles from a resilient conveyor belt surface while the belt is moving comprising: a basin having an open top located beneath the surface of the belt along the path traversed by said belt, means for introducing water and a foaming agent into said basin for forming a wash solution, said water being continuously pumped into said basin to cause an overflow condition; at least two scrubbing brushes mounted in said basin transverse to the direction of belt travel with each brush being in contact with said wash solution and extending above the open top of said basin in contact with said belt surface; means for rotating said brushes in a direction to oppose movement of the belt and at a speed sufficient to generate a substantial foam at the open top of the basin and for rotatably scrubbing the surface of the belt passing over the basin while simultaneously applying the generated foam to said belt surface with each brush having a geometry in a herringbone configuration which is so arranged with respect to one another that the overflow surface water and foam is driven toward the center of the basin and over the open top from the sides thereof and means for clearing a residue of said foam from the belt surface after passing the basin location.

Claim 9

Apparatus for dislodging and removing fibrous particles from a resilient conveyor belt surface while the belt is moving comprising: a basin having an open top located beneath the surface of the belt along the path traversed by said belt, means for introducing water and a foaming agent into said basin for forming a wash solution, said water being continuously pumped into said basin to cause an overflow condition; at least two scrubbing brushes mounted in said basin transverse to the direction of belt travel with each brush being in contact with said wash solution and extending above the open top of said basin in contact with said belt surface; means for rotating said brushes in a direction to oppose movement of the belt and at a speed sufficient to generate a substantial foam at the open top of the basin and for rotatably scrubbing the surface of the belt passing over the basin while simultaneously applying the generated foam to said belt surface with each brush having a geometry in a herringbone configuration which is so arranged with respect to one another that the overflow surface water and foam is driven toward the center of the basin and over the open top from the sides thereof and means for clearing a residue of said foam from the belt surface after passing the basin location.

Claim 10

Apparatus as defined in claim 6 further comprising: a trough for collecting the overflowing wash solution from said basin; filter means for removing foreign particles from the collected solution and conduit means for recycling the filtered solution back into the basin.

Claim 11

Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said means for removing said residue of foam is a blocking roller lying parallel to said brushes and maintained in rotational contact with said moving belt.

Claim 12

Apparatus as defined in claim 7 further comprising a framework for supporting said basin and means for raising and lowering at least one end of said framework into an operational and non-operational mode respectively.