Control of static neutralization

Claim 3

The method of claim 1 including the step of adjusting the distance of the cable means from work in said zone to achieve substantial neutralization of the static electricity at or proximate the work.

Claim 4

The method of claim 2 including the step of relatively locating the first and second cable means to bring the second cable means tips into positions intersected by perpendiculars from the first cable means, such perpendiculars intersecting the first cable means at loci spaced from the first cable means tips.

Claim 5

The method of claim 2 including adjusting the positive or negative ion dispensation by said tips to aid in said achievement of substantial neutralization.

Claim 6

The method of claim 4 including the step of applying said positive voltage to said first cable means, and said negative voltage to said second cable means, said ion dispensation adjustment being carried out by selectively removing tips from at least one of the cable means.

Claim 7

The method of claim 4 including the step of applying positive voltage to said first cable means, and negative voltage to said second cable means, said ion dispensation adjustment being carried out by varying said voltage application.

Claim 8

The method of claim 1 including the step of orienting said cable means to have said tips directed generally in the same direction.

Claim 9

The method of claim 1 including the step of relatively locating the first and second cable means to bring the second cable means tips into positions intersected by perpendiculars from the first cable means, such perpendiculars intersecting the first cable means at loci spaced from the first cable means tips.

Claim 10

The method of claim 1 including locating groups of said tips on the first cable means in sidewardly offset relation to portions of the second cable means free of said tips, and locating groups of said tips on the second cable means is sidewardly offset relation to portions of the first cable means free of said tips.

Claim 11

The method of claim 1 including the step of applying said positive and negative voltages to said respective cable means.

Claim 12

The method of claim 1 including locating said work in said zone.

Claim 13

The method of claim 11 wherein said work comprises synthetic plastic apparatus.

Claim 14

The method of claim 11 wherein said work comprises edibles, and said static electricity reduction is associated with collection of air-borne particles on surfaces in said zone.

Claim 15

The method of claim 11 wherein said work comprises animals or poultry, and said static electricity reduction is associated with collection of air-borne particles on surfaces in said zone.

Claim 16

In apparatus for reducing static electricity in a work zone, the combination that includes: (a) first electrically conductive cable means having tips spaced therealong to dispense positive ions in response to positive voltage application to the first cable means, (b) second electrically conductive cable means having tips spaced therealong to dispense negative ions in response to negative voltage application to the second cable means, and (c) said cable means located at adjusted separations from one another characterized in that static electricity at or proximate the work is effectively reduced to non-objectionable levels when said positive and negative voltages are carried to the cable means, (d) there being spacers located along the lengths of the cable means and holding the cable means at said adjusted separations, (e) said cable means defining cables each of which is flexible and includes an elongated metallic core to which voltage is applicable, the cable including a protective sleeve of insulating material on and extending along and about the core, the sleeve defining a wall, (f) and needles having shanks penetrating through said sleeve wall and extending sidewardly adjacent the core to make electrical contact therewith so as to receive application of said voltage, the needles defining said tips openly exposed outwardly of the cable to dispense ions into the atmosphere near the cable.

Claim 17

In apparatus for reducing static electricity in a work zone, the combination that includes: (a) first electrically conductive cable means having tips spaced therealong to dispense positive ions in response to positive voltage application to the first cable means, (b) second electrically conductive cable means having tips spaced therealong to dispense negative ions in response to negative voltage application to the second cable means, and (c) said cable means located at adjusted separations from one another characterized in that static electricity at or proximate the work is effectively reduced to non-objectionable levels when said positive and negative voltages are carried to the cable means, (d) there being spacers located along the lengths of the cable means and holding the cable means at said adjusted separations, (e) said cable means defining cables each of which is flexible and includes an elongated metallic core to which voltage is applicable, the cable including a protective sleeve of insulating material on and extending along and about the core, the sleeve defining a wall, (f) and needles having shanks penetrating through said sleeve wall and extending sidewardly adjacent the core to make electrical contact therewith so as to receive application of said voltage, the needles defining said tips openly exposed outwardly of the cable to dispense ions into the atmosphere near the cable.

Claim 18

The combination of claim 15 including positive and negative voltage source means electrically connected with said respective cable means.

Claim 19

The combination of claim 16 including means responsive to unwanted positive and/or negative voltage change to provide a warning indication.

Claim 20

The combination of claim 16 wherein said source means includes a positive voltage source connected with the first cable means, and a negative voltage source connected with the second cable means.

Claim 21

The combination of claim 18 wherein at least one of said sources includes circuitry which is adjustable to vary the level of voltage applied to one of the first and second cable means.

Claim 22

The combination of claim 15 wherein the second cable means tips are intersected by perpendiculars from the first cable means, such perpendiculars intersecting the first cable means at loci spaced from the first cable means tips.

Claim 23

The combination of claim 15 wherein groups of said tips on the first cable means are located in sidewardly offset relation to portions of the second cable means free of said tips, and groups of said tips on the second cable means are located in sidewardly offset relation to portions of the first cable means free of said tips.

Claim 24

The combination of claim 15 wherein the tips project in generally to same direction, the cable means being flexible.

Claim 25

The combination of claim 22 wherein the spacers comprise plastic bars having notches in which the cables are removably received.

Claim 26

The combination of claim 22 including holders supporting the cable means at selected spacing from enclosure structure.

Claim 27

The combination of claim 15 including said work in said zone.

Claim 28

The combination of claim 25 wherein said work comprises synthetic plastic apparatus.

Claim 29

The combination of claim 25 wherein said work comprises edibles.

Claim 30

The combination of claim 25 wherein said work comprises animals or poultry.

Claim 31

The combination of claim 15 wherein said needles are retained by the sleeve in sideward contact with the core.

Claim 32

The combination of claim 29 wherein the needles on both cables project in generally the same direction.

Claim 33

The combination of claim 15 wherein the needles are aligned, lengthwise of each cable.

Claim 34

The combination of claim 15 including protective means on the cable and projecting outwardly thereof proximate the needles in protective relation with said tips.

Claim 35

The combination of claim 32 wherein said protective means comprise tubular elements extending about the needles and having spreadable slits accommodating their application to the cable.

Claim 36

The combination of claim 33 wherein each of said elements comprises a mounting portion defining a slit and closely surrounding the cable, and a protective tubular portion projecting outwardly and about a needle tip.

Claim 37

The combination of claim 32 wherein said protective means comprises flange means spaced apart lengthwise of the cable and extending at opposite sides of the needles.

Claim 38

The combination of claim 15 including (f) means forming said work zone, (g) and means suspending said cables in said zone.

Claim 39

The combination of claim 36 wherein said zone forming means includes supports exposed to the upper interior of said zone, said cables suspended from said supports.

Claim 40

The combination of claim 36 including multiple cable pairs suspended in the upper interior of said zone, there being at least one cable bend accommodating the cable to said zone.

Claim 41

The combination of claim 36 including edibles in said zone to be treated in response to said ion dispensing.

Claim 42

The combination of claim 39 including smoke particles in the atmosphere in said zone to be attracted to the edibles in response to said ion dispensing.

Claim 43

The combination of claim 39 including dust particles in the atmosphere in said zone to be suppressed in response to said ion dispensing.

Claim 44

The combination of claim 39 including airborne particles and ammonia gas in said zone to be suppressed in response to said ion dispensing.