US4987630A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Destaticizing and cleaning apparatus
Assignee: Delco Electronics Overseas Corp
•
Filing: 1990-01-11
•
Granted: 1991-01-29
•
Expires: 2010-01-11
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus is disclosed for destaticizing and cleaning partially assembled items being transported on a continuously movable line, the apparatus comprises a housing which substantially surrounds the continuously movable line, static reduction apparatus which provides a static reduction zone within the housing, air input apparatus which provides air input into the housing, an air curtain through which the continuously movable line passes, and air exhaust apparatus which exhausts air from within the housing. The volumetric input of air provided by the air input apparatus is substantially equal to the volumetric output of air exhausted by the air exhaust apparatus so that substantially no movement of air occurs at the entrance to and exit from the housing. The air input apparatus removes substantially all dust and/or other foreign particles from the partially assembled items and holds them in suspension in the circulating air before being exhausted.
Inventors
- 👤 Phillip G. Allen
- 👤 Gordon J. Rigby
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 16:39
CPC Classifications
B; B08; B08B; B08B6/00; B08B5/00; B08B5/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
Apparatus for destaticizing and cleaning partially assembled items being transported on a continuously movable line, the apparatus comprising a housing which substantially surrounds the continuously movable line, the housing having an entrance and an exit for the continuously movable line; static reduction means which provides a static reduction zone positioned within the housing through which the continuously movable line passes; air input means which provides air input into the housing, air circulation within the housing, and an air curtain through which the continuously movable line passes; and air exhaust means which exhausts air from within the housing; the volumetric input of air provided by the air input means being substantially equal to the volumetric output of air exhausted by the air exhaust means such that substantially no movement of air occurs at the entrance to and exit from the housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
Apparatus for destaticizing and cleaning partially assembled items being transported on a continuously movable line, the apparatus comprising a housing which substantially surrounds the continuously movable line, the housing having an entrance and an exit for the continuously movable line; static reduction means which provides a static reduction zone positioned within the housing through which the continuously movable line passes; air input means which provides air input into the housing, air circulation within the housing, and an air curtain through which the continuously movable line passes; and air exhaust means which exhausts air from within the housing; the volumetric input of air provided by the air input means being substantially equal to the volumetric output of air exhausted by the air exhaust means such that substantially no movement of air occurs at the entrance to and exit from the housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the air input means comprises a pressure regulator, a filter, a solenoid operated valve, and an air curtain unit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 comprising two air curtain units which are spaced apart and positioned to provide air curtains having converging air flows.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 comprising two static reduction zones which are spaced apart, the arrangement being, in order upstream from the entrance to the housing, the first static reduction zone, the first air curtain unit, the second air curtain unit, and the second static reduction zone.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the static reduction means comprises a step-up transformer connected to a static elimination bar having an operating voltage of up to 7000 volts.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 comprising two static elimination bars which are spaced apart to provide two static reduction zones.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the air exhaust means comprises a fan having an adjustable speed, and an air filter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the air exhaust means further comprises an air differential pressure monitor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3078496A
Cited
US3239863A
Cited
US4026701A
Cited
US4454621A
Cited
US4854441A
Cited
US4835808A
Cited
US4727614A
Cited
US4883542A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-01-28 | 1994-07-30 | 1995-01-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-01-28 | 1998-07-30 | 1999-01-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-01-28 | 2002-07-30 | 2003-01-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |