DUAL USE CLEANING APPARATUS AND METHOD
First Claim
1. A cleaning assembly for a media processing device having a media transport path, comprising:
- a first structure defining a first surface disposed proximate a first side of the media transport path;
a second cleaning structure defining a second cleaning surface disposed proximate a second side of the media transport path; and
a collection structure defining a collection surface disposed in at least intermittent contact with the second cleaning structure, and wherein the collection structure is also positioned to at least intermittently engage a media drive assembly.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a cleaning assembly for use in a media processing device. In various embodiments, the cleaning assembly includes a first roller that at least partially engages a second roller, and a transport path that passes between the first roller and the second roller. There may also be a third collection roller that at least partially engages the second roller. The third collection roller may also engage a drive assembly that may be used to drive a media substrate along the transport path. In one embodiment, the second roller defines a surface adherence that is greater than a surface adherence of the first roller and the third collection roller defines a surface adherence that is greater than the surface adherence of the second roller and the drive assembly. As a result, the present invention provides a cleaning assembly capable of cleaning the drive assembly and opposed surfaces of a media substrate in a single pass.
34 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A cleaning assembly for a media processing device having a media transport path, comprising:
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a first structure defining a first surface disposed proximate a first side of the media transport path; a second cleaning structure defining a second cleaning surface disposed proximate a second side of the media transport path; and a collection structure defining a collection surface disposed in at least intermittent contact with the second cleaning structure, and wherein the collection structure is also positioned to at least intermittently engage a media drive assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of cleaning a media drive assembly and a media substrate defining first and second surfaces, comprising:
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removing debris from the first surface of the media substrate using a first cleaning structure; removing debris from the second surface of the media substrate using a second cleaning structure; providing a collection structure that is positioned to at least intermittently engage the second cleaning structure and a media drive assembly such that debris migrates from the second cleaning structure and the media drive assembly to the collection structure during such intermittent engagement. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A media processing device adapted to receive a media substrate having first and second surfaces wherein the media substrate travels along a media transport path having first and second sides, the media processing device comprising:
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a drive assembly for driving a media substrate along the media transport path; and a cleaning station positioned along the media transport path, said cleaning station comprising; a first cleaning structure disposed proximate the first side of the media transport path and configured to remove debris from the first surface of the media substrate; and a second cleaning structure disposed proximate the second side of the media transport path and configured to remove debris from the second side of the media substrate, wherein the first and second cleaning structures are configured and positioned such that debris removed by the first cleaning structure is at least partially transmitted across the media transport; and a collection structure configured to at least intermittently engage the second cleaning structure and the drive assembly such that any debris accumulating on the second cleaning structure and the drive assembly tends to be at least partially transferred to the collection structure. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification