WEB SUBSTRATE CLEANING SYSTEMS & METHODS
First Claim
1. A web cleaning system for removing debris from a substrate surface, the web system comprising:
- a plurality of idlers and a web of substrate material held between the idlers, wherein the web is moved at a first velocity which acts to create a web boundary layer which acts to hold debris on the web;
a pair of counter rotating smooth, uniform surfaced rollers rotating in an opposite direction to that of the web, wherein the smooth, uniform surfaced rollers have a substantially uniform surface with no extensions extending from the surface of the rollers;
and wherein the rotating smooth, uniform surfaced rollers define a rotating boundary layer encasing the rollers that impinge the web boundary layer such that the web boundary layer releases debris from the web to the rotating boundary layer.
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Abstract
Web substrate cleaning systems and methods are provided. In some embodiments, a web cleaning system for removing debris from a substrate surface can generally comprise idlers and rollers. A web of substrate material can be held between the idlers, and moved at a first velocity to create a web boundary layer to hold debris on the web. A pair of counter rotating smooth, uniform surfaced rollers can rotate in an opposite direction to that of the web. The smooth, uniform surfaced rollers can have a substantially uniform surface with no extensions extending from the surface of the rollers. The rotating smooth, uniformed surfaced rollers can define a rotating boundary layer encasing the rollers that impinge the web boundary layer. Such impingement can cause the web boundary layer to releases debris from the web to the rotating boundary layer. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also claimed and described.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A web cleaning system for removing debris from a substrate surface, the web system comprising:
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a plurality of idlers and a web of substrate material held between the idlers, wherein the web is moved at a first velocity which acts to create a web boundary layer which acts to hold debris on the web; a pair of counter rotating smooth, uniform surfaced rollers rotating in an opposite direction to that of the web, wherein the smooth, uniform surfaced rollers have a substantially uniform surface with no extensions extending from the surface of the rollers; and wherein the rotating smooth, uniform surfaced rollers define a rotating boundary layer encasing the rollers that impinge the web boundary layer such that the web boundary layer releases debris from the web to the rotating boundary layer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A web cleaning system, comprising:
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a plurality of idlers holding a web of driven substrate material; a pair of counter rotating smooth surface rollers spaced apart from the web, rotating in an opposite direction to that of the web, and configured not to physically touch the web; and a plenum enclosing each roller and a separating bar to collect debris from the web surface by air currents that are formed by rotation of the rollers, which creates an air film on the web surface and also the rotation of the rollers creates positive air pressure within each plenum. - View Dependent Claims (6)
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7. A web cleaning system for removing debris from a substrate surface, the web system comprising:
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a plurality of idlers and a web of substrate material disposed between the idlers, wherein the web is moved at a first velocity which acts to create a web boundary layer which acts to hold debris on the web; a first smooth, uniform surfaced roller rotating in a direction opposite of the web at a second velocity, the first smooth, uniform surfaced roller having a substantially uniform surface with no extensions extending from the surface of the first smooth, uniform surfaced roller; a second smooth, uniform surfaced roller rotating in a direction opposite of the web at a third velocity, the second smooth, uniform surfaced roller having a substantially uniform surface with no extensions extending from the surface of the second smooth, uniform surfaced roller; wherein, the two boundary layers are moving along approximately the same approximate plane and in opposite directions at a nip position where the rollers are closest to each other to avoid compressing the web boundary layer defined on each side of the web; and wherein the first and second rotating smooth, uniform surfaced rollers define a rotating boundary layer encasing the rollers that impinge the web boundary layer such that the web boundary layer is disturbed to release debris from the web to the rotating boundary layer. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification