Control of static neutralization employing positive and negative ion distributor

Claim 1

In apparatus for reducing static electricity in a work zone, the combination that includes: (a) first electrical conductor means having first tips spaced therealong in a first row to dispense positive ions in response to first voltage application to the first conductor means, (b) second electrical conductor means having second tips spaced therealong in a second row to dispense negative ions in response to second voltage application to the second conductor means, said first and second voltages being different, and (c) a body mounting said conductor means at locations and separations from one another characterized in that static electricity at or proximate the work to be treated is effectively reduced to non-objectionable levels when said differential voltages are applied to the conductor means, (d) the first and second rows being parallel, (e) the first conductor means including a first conductor having positive voltage applied thereto, and the second conductor means includes a second conductor having negative voltage applied thereto, the conductors located within said body, and including differential voltage sources connected with said conductors, (f) said body comprising a molded plastic block having a wall defining two rows of openings therein, the conductor means defining two rows of needles on which the tips are formed, the needles penetrating through said openings, (g) each conductor comprising a flexible cable having a conductive core and a sheath thereon, the needles sidewardly contacting the core, the flexible cables extending in parallel relation outside the body, (h) the cables in the body extending openly in separate chambers to which pressurized gas is supplied for delivery through said openings, and the needles having ends supported entirely by the flexible cables in said chambers, (i) there being additional small openings in said wall and between the needle opening locations, for discharging gas between the needles of each row, said additional openings being slightly larger than said needle openings.