Fluid flow control mechanism for circuit board processing apparatus

Claim 1

Apparatus for directing a stream of fluid against a substrate panel traveling through said apparatus in a selected direction of travel, said panel having a pair of opposed generally parallel planar surfaces coterminating at the edge defining the periphery of said panel, said apparatus including (a) a conveyor table for transporting said substrate panel in said direction of travel, said conveyor table including at least one rotary axle carrying a plurality of spaced circular rollers contacting said pliant substrate panel moving past said rollers; (b) at least one fluid flow unit generating a pressurized stream of fluid and having an elongate plenum with a longitudinal axis transverse said direction of travel of said substrate, said elongate plenum including (i) an upper portion, (ii) a lower portion, (iii) a plurality of spaced elongate slots passing transversely through said lower portion of said plenum with respect to said longitudinal axis, and (iv) a mouth formed in said lower portion of said plenum, said pressurized stream of fluid passing through said mouth to leave said fluid flow unit, each of said slots being shaped, contoured and dimensioned to continually receive and permit portions of one of said rotating circular rollers to pass therethrough such that (v) the one of said portions of said roller positioned in and rotating through said slot at a particular time is able to move freely therein, and (vi) said mouth of said plenum is positioned generally adjacent said substrate panel as said panel moves into contact with said roller.