US4378610A — Device for removing impurities from data carriers

Claim 1

Independent Claim 108 words

A device for cleaning data carriers, particularly photographic films, records, magnetic tapes and the like, comprising: (a) a brush for cleaning a data carrier, said brush including separate first and second cleaning elements, and said first elements being electrically conductive to thereby permit electrostatic charge on the data carrier to be neutralized while the data carrier is cleaned by said first elements, said second elements having a cleaning action superior to that of said first elements so as to enhance the cleaning effect obtained with the latter; and (b) grounding means connecting said elements to ground to thereby enable electrostatic charge on the data carrier to be dissipated.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 108 words

A device for cleaning data carriers, particularly photographic films, records, magnetic tapes and the like, comprising: (a) a brush for cleaning a data carrier, said brush including separate first and second cleaning elements, and said first elements being electrically conductive to thereby permit electrostatic charge on the data carrier to be neutralized while the data carrier is cleaned by said first elements, said second elements having a cleaning action superior to that of said first elements so as to enhance the cleaning effect obtained with the latter; and (b) grounding means connecting said elements to ground to thereby enable electrostatic charge on the data carrier to be dissipated.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 13 words

The device of claim 1, wherein said first elements are electrically conductive filaments.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 11 words

The device of claim 2, wherein said filaments are carbon fibers.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 20 words

The device of claim 2, wherein said filaments consist of synthetic plastic material with an embedded electrically conductive filler substance.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 13 words

The device of claim 4, wherein said filler substance consists of carbon particles.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 13 words

The device of claim 4, wherein said filler substance consists of metallic particles.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 12 words

The device of claim 6, wherein said metallic particles consist of copper.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 13 words

The device of claim 1, wherein said first elements are electrically conductive strips.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 15 words

The device of claim 1, wherein said second elements are interspersed among said first elements.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 13 words

The device of claim 9, wherein said second elements comprise substantially non-conductive bristles.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 13 words

The device of claim 10, wherein said first elements are electrically conductive filaments.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 13 words

The device of claim 10, wherein said first elements are electrically conductive strips.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 21 words

The device of claim 1, wherein the electrical conductivity of said second elements is lower than that of said first elements.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 24 words

The device of claim 1, wherein said first elements are electrically conductive strips of polyurethane foam with embedded electrically conductive carbon and/or metal particles.

Claim 16

Independent Claim 105 words

A device for cleaning data carriers, particularly photographic films, records, magnetic tapes and the like, comprising: (a) an electrically conductive brush for cleaning a data carrier; and (b) grounding means connecting said brush to ground so as to enable electrostatic charge on the data carrier to be dissipated, said grounding means including a collector electrode having a surface portion which contacts a peripheral portion of said brush, and said surface portion substantially conforming to the shape of said peripheral portion to enchance the contact between said surface portion and said peripheral portion and thereby improve the dissipation of electrostatic charge generated on the data carrier.

Claim 17

Independent Claim 105 words

A device for cleaning data carriers, particularly photographic films, records, magnetic tapes and the like, comprising: (a) an electrically conductive brush for cleaning a data carrier; and (b) grounding means connecting said brush to ground so as to enable electrostatic charge on the data carrier to be dissipated, said grounding means including a collector electrode having a surface portion which contacts a peripheral portion of said brush, and said surface portion substantially conforming to the shape of said peripheral portion to enchance the contact between said surface portion and said peripheral portion and thereby improve the dissipation of electrostatic charge generated on the data carrier.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 30 words

The device of claim 15, further comprising an electrically conductive housing for said electrode and said brush, at least the major portion of said brush being disposed in said housing.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 24 words

The device of claim 15, wherein said electrode extends along said brush and the length of said electrode substantially equals that of said brush.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 17 words

The device of claim 15, comprising a coating of gold on said surface portion of said electrode.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 25 words

The device of claim 15, has a surface contacting said brush and further comprising a coating of aluminum on said surface portion of said electrode.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 44 words

The device of claim 15, further comprising an electrically conductive housing for said electrode and said brush confining at least the major portion of said brush, and means for withdrawing from said housing contaminants which are separated from the data carrier by said brush.

Claim 23

Independent Claim 145 words

A device for cleaning data carriers such as photographic films, records, magnetic tapes and the like which tend to undergo frictional electrostatic charging comprising at least one elongated brush having a surface section adapted to engage and clean a data carrier in response to relative movement between said brush and the data carrier, said surface section including at least some portions which consist of electrically conductive material; means for grounding said portions so as to dissipate electrostatic charge on the data carrier via said portions, said grounding means including a collector electrode which has a length substantially equaling the length of said brush and is in surface-to-surface contact with said surface section thereof; and an electrically conductive housing for said electrode and said brush connected with said electrode in electrically conductive relationship, at least the major portion of said brush being disposed in said housing.

Claim 24

Independent Claim 145 words

A device for cleaning data carriers such as photographic films, records, magnetic tapes and the like which tend to undergo frictional electrostatic charging comprising at least one elongated brush having a surface section adapted to engage and clean a data carrier in response to relative movement between said brush and the data carrier, said surface section including at least some portions which consist of electrically conductive material; means for grounding said portions so as to dissipate electrostatic charge on the data carrier via said portions, said grounding means including a collector electrode which has a length substantially equaling the length of said brush and is in surface-to-surface contact with said surface section thereof; and an electrically conductive housing for said electrode and said brush connected with said electrode in electrically conductive relationship, at least the major portion of said brush being disposed in said housing.

Claim 25

Independent Claim 143 words

A device for cleaning data carriers such as photographic films, records, magnetic tapes and the like which tend to undergo frictional electrostatic charging comprising at least one elongated brush of cylindrical outline having a surface section adapted to engage and clean a data carrier in response to relative movement between said brush and the data carrier, said surface section including at least some portions which consist of electrically conductive material; and means for grounding said portions so as to dissipate electrostatic charge on the data carrier via said portions, said grounding means including a collector electrode which has a length substantially equaling the length of said brush and is in surface-to-surface contact with said surface section thereof, and said electrode being arcuate transversely of its elongation and having a radius which at least substantially equals the radius of the periphery of said brush.

Claim 26

Independent Claim 143 words

A device for cleaning data carriers such as photographic films, records, magnetic tapes and the like which tend to undergo frictional electrostatic charging comprising at least one elongated brush of cylindrical outline having a surface section adapted to engage and clean a data carrier in response to relative movement between said brush and the data carrier, said surface section including at least some portions which consist of electrically conductive material; and means for grounding said portions so as to dissipate electrostatic charge on the data carrier via said portions, said grounding means including a collector electrode which has a length substantially equaling the length of said brush and is in surface-to-surface contact with said surface section thereof, and said electrode being arcuate transversely of its elongation and having a radius which at least substantially equals the radius of the periphery of said brush.

Claim 27

Independent Claim 133 words

A device for cleaning data carriers such as photographic films, records, magnetic tapes and the like which tend to undergo frictional electrostatic charging comprising at least one elongated brush of cylindrical outline having a surface section adapted to engage and clean a data carrier in response to relative movement between said brush and the data carrier, said surface section including at least some portions which consist of electrically conductive material; and means for grounding said portions so as to dissipate electrostatic charge on the data carrier via said portions, said grounding means including a collector electrode which has a length substantially equaling the length of said brush and is in surface-to-surface contact with said surface section thereof, and said electrode being arcuate and surrounding said brush along an arc of 60° to 180°.

Claim 28

Independent Claim 133 words

A device for cleaning data carriers such as photographic films, records, magnetic tapes and the like which tend to undergo frictional electrostatic charging comprising at least one elongated brush of cylindrical outline having a surface section adapted to engage and clean a data carrier in response to relative movement between said brush and the data carrier, said surface section including at least some portions which consist of electrically conductive material; and means for grounding said portions so as to dissipate electrostatic charge on the data carrier via said portions, said grounding means including a collector electrode which has a length substantially equaling the length of said brush and is in surface-to-surface contact with said surface section thereof, and said electrode being arcuate and surrounding said brush along an arc of 60° to 180°.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 16 words

The device of claim 23, wherein said electrode surrounds said brush along an arc of 130°-140°.

Claim 30

Independent Claim 139 words

A device for cleaning data carriers such as photographic films, records, magnetic tapes and the like which tend to undergo frictional electrostatic charging comprising at least one elongated brush having a surface section adapted to engage and clean a data carrier in response to relative movement between said brush and the data carrier, said surface section including at least some portions which consist of electrically conductive material; means for grounding said portions so as to dissipate electrostatic charge on the data carrier via said portions, said grounding means including a collector electrode which has a length substantially equaling the length of said brush and is in surface-to-surface contact with said surface section thereof; and an additional brush similar to and located opposite said one brush and defining therewith a nip through which the data carrier is compelled to pass.

Claim 31

Independent Claim 139 words

A device for cleaning data carriers such as photographic films, records, magnetic tapes and the like which tend to undergo frictional electrostatic charging comprising at least one elongated brush having a surface section adapted to engage and clean a data carrier in response to relative movement between said brush and the data carrier, said surface section including at least some portions which consist of electrically conductive material; means for grounding said portions so as to dissipate electrostatic charge on the data carrier via said portions, said grounding means including a collector electrode which has a length substantially equaling the length of said brush and is in surface-to-surface contact with said surface section thereof; and an additional brush similar to and located opposite said one brush and defining therewith a nip through which the data carrier is compelled to pass.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 40 words

The device of claim 25, further comprising a pair of housings each surrounding one of said brushes except in the region of said nip, each of said housings having guide faces which are inclined in a direction toward said nip.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 55 words

The device of claim 26, wherein the data carrier is arranged to pass through said nip along a predetermined path and said inclined guide faces are adjacent to said path upstream and downstream of said nip, and further comprising electrically conductive rods connecting the inclined upstream and downstream guide faces of each of said housings.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1986-04-04	1986-10-04	1987-04-05	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1990-04-04	1990-10-04	1991-04-05	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1994-04-04	1994-10-04	1995-04-05	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Device for removing impurities from data carriers

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