Control of static neutralization employing cables and wires

Claim 3

The method of claim 1 wherein said auxiliary means comprises wire means located to extend lengthwise in generally the same direction as said first and second cable means.

Claim 4

The method of claim 2 wherein the adjusted separation of the first and second cable means is between 1/2 inch and 3 inches, and said auxiliary wire means is located to extend at between 3 inches and 12 inches from said first and second cable means.

Claim 5

The method of claim 2 including installing said first and second cable means in a space above a ceiling panel which is perforate to allow air and positive and negative ions to pass through to a work zone below the ceiling panel.

Claim 6

The method of claim 4 including installing said auxiliary wire means in said space above said panel.

Claim 7

The method of claim 4 including installing said auxiliary wire means below said panel.

Claim 8

The method of claim 1 including clamping said first and second cable means at said adjusted separation.

Claim 9

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

Claim 10

The method of claim 8 including adjusting the positive or negative ion dispensation by said tips to aid in said achievement of substantial neutralization.

Claim 11

The method of claim 9 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 12

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

Claim 13

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

Claim 14

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

Claim 15

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

Claim 16

The method of claim 14 wherein said work comprises synthetic plastic apparatus.

Claim 17

The method of claim 14 wherein said work comprises edibles, and said static electricity reduction is associated with collection of air-borne particles on surfaces in said zone.

Claim 18

The method of claim 14 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 19

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 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 applied to the cable means, (d) and auxiliary means spaced from said first and second cable means in the direction of ion flow therefrom toward the work, said auxiliary means being at or near ground potential and having exposed electrically conductive surface extent, (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 20

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 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 applied to the cable means, (d) and auxiliary means spaced from said first and second cable means in the direction of ion flow therefrom toward the work, said auxiliary means being at or near ground potential and having exposed electrically conductive surface extent, (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 21

The combination of claim 18 wherein said auxiliary means comprises wire means located to extend lengthwise in generally the same direction as said first and second cable means.

Claim 22

The combination of claim 19 wherein said separation of the first and second cable means is between 1/2 inch and 3 inches, and said auxiliary wire means is located to extend at between 3 inches and 12 inches from said first and second cable means.

Claim 23

The combination of claim 19 wherein said first and second cable means are in a space above a ceiling panel which is perforate to allow air and positive and negative ions to pass through to a work zone below the ceiling panel.

Claim 24

The combination of claim 21 wherein said auxiliary means comprises a wire above said panel.

Claim 25

The combination of claim 21 wherein said auxiliary means comprises a wire below said panel.

Claim 26

The combination of claim 18 including positive and negative voltage source means electrically connected with said respective first and second cable means.

Claim 27

The combination of claim 24 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 28

The combination of claim 25 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 29

The combination of claim 18 wherein tips on the first cable means are located in sidewardly offset relation to portions of the second cable means free of said tips, and tips on the second cable means are located in sidewardly offset relation to portions of the first cable means free of said tips.

Claim 30

The combination of claim 18 wherein the tips project in generally to same direction, the first and second cable means being flexible.

Claim 31

The combination of claim 18 including said work in said zone.

Claim 32

The combination of claim 29 wherein said work comprises synthetic plastic apparatus.

Claim 33

The combination of claim 29 wherein said work comprises edibles.

Claim 34

The combination of claim 29 wherein said work comprises animals or poultry.

Claim 35

The combination of claim 18 wherein said needles are retained by the sleeve in sideward contact with the core.

Claim 36

The combination of claim 33 wherein the needles on both cables project in generally the same direction.

Claim 37

The combination of claim 18 including (g) means forming said work zone, (h) and means suspending said cable and auxiliary means in said zone.

Claim 38

The combination of claim 35 wherein said (h) means includes supports exposed to the upper interior of said zone, said cables suspended from said supports.

Claim 39

The combination of claim 35 including multiple cable pairs and auxiliary means in the form of multiple wires suspended in the upper interior of said zone, there being at least one cable bend accommodating the cables to said zone.

Claim 40

The combination of claim 18 including plastic bars extending between the first and second cables and having notches in which the cables are removably received.